Right now, there isn’t a single person in South Korea who doesn’t know the actor Moon Hee-seong.
In his early twenties, he quickly rose to stardom in the theater world with skill just as remarkable as his good looks.
Perhaps it was because there weren’t many actors in his age group shining quite as brightly, or maybe he just had extraordinary luck.
He soon expanded beyond the theater scene and made his mark in television. By the time he turned thirty, he had undoubtedly become one of the top actors in Korea.
He won a Best Supporting Actor award at a prestigious film festival and regularly appeared on the winner lists of various acting awards.
Having taken on nearly every project that came his way, it wasn’t until his mid-thirties that he started being more selective. Yet even as he gained more leeway in his career, he never forgot Daehak-ro, the place where he got his start.
Even now, in his late forties…
“Been a while,”
He thought, heading toward “Bi-Sang-Cheol-tto 777,” owned by his junior colleague—and respected older friend—Kim Sang-cheol.
Kim Sang-cheol was someone he’d met in Daehak-ro back when he was first stepping into broadcasting. Though Kim’s looks limited him to mostly non-lead roles, their shared passion and skill in acting drew them together.
Technically, Moon was Kim’s senior in terms of acting debut, but Kim was older in age. Over time, they came to address each other casually as hyung (older brother) and dongsaeng (younger brother).
Their bond continued even after Kim paused his acting to start a theater troupe.
It had been quite a while since Moon Hee-seong last visited Bi-Sang-Cheol-tto 777, thanks to his packed schedule. But a rumor he couldn’t ignore brought him here today:
Kim Sang-cheol had supposedly put a five-year-old child actor on stage.
He didn’t believe it at first. Kim Sang-cheol and Kang Yong-hwi might be fearless when it came to their shows, but surely that was going too far. Stage acting—live theater—carries enormous risks, and nobody understood that better than Moon Hee-seong, who had spent a long time in the industry.
Then there was Kim Seonwoo, the so-called “super rookie” everyone was talking about. The chatter around him had grown so loud that some people were calling him “the next Moon Hee-seong.” Moon was planning to check out his performance eventually, but when word spread that Kim Seonwoo was performing alongside a five-year-old, he couldn’t just sit still.
So he carved time out of his busy schedule and showed up. He learned that today was the final performance.
A big crowd had already formed in front of the theater. Fortunately, wearing a hat pulled low, no one recognized him.
“One ticket, please. Do you have a seat available?”
“Well… oh, there was just a cancellation, but it’s not a very good seat. Will that be okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
After a long wait, he finally made it to the ticket window. He worried there might be no seats left, but a ticket miraculously surfaced at the last minute. It was in the second-to-last row, not a great seat, but that didn’t matter.
Back when he’d first heard that Kim Sang-cheol was founding his own troupe, Moon had found it admirable and supported his dream. Just seeing the place so packed felt like a reward for all that waiting.
The performance began, and from the very start, Moon Hee-seong couldn’t tear his eyes away from the stage. He’d gone in expecting something light, but the play was deeper and more engaging than he anticipated—no surprise, since he’d heard Kang Yong-hwi wrote it.
Kim Seonwoo led the show, living up to every rumor about his immense talent. Along with his bright looks, there was no denying he possessed tremendous ability for someone so young; from afar, Moon Hee-seong felt he could almost reach out and touch that talent.
Then came the appearance of a most unbelievable actor.
A five-year-old child was giving a performance as captivating as Kim Seonwoo’s. That alone was already astonishing, but there was more to see. The child was still too young to judge lightly. Moon was watching intently, mindful not to jump to hasty conclusions—when a crisis struck.
The actor playing the father, whose eyes had looked shaky halfway through, suddenly forgot his lines.
“Oh dear.”
It was the last show, which made it even more of a shame. Moon Hee-seong sighed, resigned to watch it unravel… but soon, he straightened in his seat with renewed energy.
“Grandma told me so.”
When the little actor opened his mouth, Moon Hee-seong leaned forward, abruptly filled with a thrill he’d not felt since his twenties—something he believed had quieted long ago.
“Someone told me there’s a fascinating new actor here these days.”
After watching the final performance of , Moon Hee-seong headed to Kim Sang-cheol’s office.
“You already saw the show, and yet you say that. So sneaky, you are.”
“You’re the only one who calls me sneaky, hyung. More importantly, is that child really five?”
“You couldn’t tell by looking? Even so, I didn’t believe it at first either.”
With that, Kim Sang-cheol began singing the child’s praises. His words were practically overflowing with how adorable the kid was. The child took part in rehearsals so diligently, and once he got onstage, he truly shone. There was nothing to debate about the kid’s ability—Moon Hee-seong had just seen it firsthand.
“Hyung, I want to meet that kid.”
He could feel that old spark, that fizz of excitement bubbling inside, urging him on.
I was sitting at the dinner table, glancing back and forth between Mom and Dad, who both looked very serious.
Hmm.
I didn’t expect things to feel so tense.
It all started with a small slip of paper I handed over after dinner.
I’d been about to dash to the couch when I hesitated. Mom asked what was wrong, and I told her, “Just a sec!” and ran to my room. Then I came back and handed her a note I’d gotten from Moon Hee-seong. That’s when Mom sat me back down at the table.
…I really wanted to watch my drama, though.
“So, Siwoo,” Mom began.
“Mm.”
As I glanced at the clock, I realized my show had already started, so I answered sulkily.
“This is, phew…”
“Honey, calm down. Take a deep breath in, and breathe out. In, and out.”
“Phew… haah. Phew… haah.”
What are they doing?
I observed them blankly. Finally, Mom seemed to compose herself and looked at me again.
“Siwoo, this… this really is actor Moon Hee-seong’s phone number?”
“Mm. That’s right.”
Actor, she says, in such a reverent tone.
It reminded me of how Mom was when she watched Moon Hee-seong’s Romeo. She’d been in a daze, so I guess she’s really a fan.
That’s exactly how noblewomen in the front row would look at me—or rather, “The Golden Mask”—if I ever came near them on stage. Mom must feel the same way now.
“So you want me to save this number in my phone?”
“Mm, I already gave him your phone number, Mom.”
I eyed her a bit nervously, since I hadn’t asked for permission first. But…
“What…?”
“Honey! Pull yourself together!”
Mom seemed dizzy from what I said and nearly collapsed onto Dad, who quickly held her up and brought her a glass of cold water.
Then as now, it seems an actor’s popularity is something else.
“Because I don’t have a phone…” I continued, “I couldn’t do much else?”
“Mmm? No, that’s fine—Siwoo, you did great!”
“Wait, honey…?”
“Ahem. No, I mean… as Siwoo’s guardian, shouldn’t I be in contact with Moon Hee-seong?”
“Right… I guess so…”
Dad still looked somewhat dejected, so I watched him for a moment before turning back to Mom.
“And so, Moon Hee-seong ajusshi said he wants to see you and me together.”
“What?”
“Really?”
Their eyes grew even wider. I nodded.
“Mm. Is that okay?”
At my question, Mom and Dad stared at one another, still looking stunned.
Figuring this wasn’t going to wrap up quickly, I quietly hopped down from the chair and tiptoed out. Time to watch my drama.
I plopped onto the sofa, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV.
The show I’m watching had already reached its midpoint, so I forced down my disappointment and focused on what was left of the episode.
Meanwhile, Mom and Dad kept whispering to each other at the table.
“Do you think it’s real?”
“I mean, he brought back this phone number. That’s gotta be real, right?”
“Siwoo’s smart, but he’s still five. Could he have mistaken someone else for him?”
Mom shook her head vigorously at Dad’s question.
“No way. I’ve seen Moon Hee-seong on TV tons of times.”
“But that’s on TV…”
“Over a hundred times.”
A hundred times, indeed. Some of those shows I had to watch with Mom for my own acting research, but she’d rewatch them willingly anyway.
In a hushed tone, Dad asked, “…You’ve seen him over a hundred times?”
“Well—th-that was because Siwoo wanted to study acting! Anyway, our Siwoo’s so clever. It’s late now, so I’ll call him tomorrow. We’ll see.”
“Alright. Then you’ll let me know if it’s really him?”
“Of course. You should go shower—you must be tired.”
“Right…”
Whew, finally they were done. Now I could watch my drama in peace. I had no idea what kind of turmoil the next day would bring. I just glued my eyes to the TV.
“Siwoo, once we go inside, make sure you greet him properly, okay?”
“Mm!”
“This is such a big deal. Me, standing in front of Moon Hee-seong’s house…”
“Hurry, Mom, let’s go in.”
“R-right, okay.”
The day after I came home with Moon Hee-seong’s phone number, Mom called him right away. He turned up at our house that very day.
So he is a famous actor, but… maybe he’s not that busy?
I wondered, but had no time to dwell on it because Dad ended up closing his chicken shop, and all four of us met there that same evening.
Going to a café or another public place wasn’t an option—he’s just too famous. Though I was just happy to see him again, Mom and Dad were anything but calm. Once they realized it really was Moon Hee-seong, Mom froze completely, and Dad had to handle most of the conversation, stuttering all the while.
“It’s tough for me to meet Siwoo out in public,” Moon Hee-seong had said. “Would it be alright if I invite him over to my place? There’s so much I want to talk about with him.”
“Wh-what?!”
So here I am now, standing in front of his home with Mom. It’s only been two days since our initial phone exchange. Guess this man really isn’t that busy…
“Siwoo, also… Mom really wants you to get me an autograph from Mr. Moon Hee-seong,” she added in a near-whisper.
“Mm, got it.”
Mom’s practically blushing—she looks like a schoolgirl.
Probably forgot all about it last time because she was so nervous at the chicken shop.
Ding-dong.
Not long after we rang the doorbell, Moon Hee-seong opened the door.
“Siwoo, and Mrs. Han. Glad you made it.”
“No, thank you for having him. Please take good care of Siwoo today. I’ll just be at that café up the street.”
“Sure, don’t worry. I’ll bring him over once we’re done talking.”
“A-alright. Siwoo, make sure you listen to everything the actor tells you, okay?”
“Mm! Don’t worry.”
I waved goodbye to Mom as I took Moon Hee-seong’s hand and followed him inside—
Into a house so big it reminded me of the Battenberg estate.
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