Muse
Looking for a Model
Stage Art Department — Dok Gomin
‘Model part-time job?’
There wasn’t much detailed information, but that didn’t matter to me.
Because the name written there was important.
“I found it…”
I could tell without even looking—this person definitely had Artistry at B level or higher.
Because that’s the kind of person Dok Gomin is.
My heart skipped a beat at that name.
‘As long as I have Dok Gomin… I can clear the second mission in no time.’
I immediately contacted the number written on the poster.
* * *
Dok Gomin. When you think of photographers in Korea, he’s the first name that comes to mind.
When she pressed the shutter, it didn’t matter if it was an actor, idol, or model—that shot would become their signature photo.
Intube
@Merry Claire Korea 180,000 subscribers
[Behind-the-Scenes: Hanbok Photoshoot with Actress Do Gyeoul] 02:22
2 million views
– Wow, this is insane;; I knew Do Gyeoul was pretty, but this is on a whole different level.
How does a photo even give off the scent of flowers ㅠㅠㅠㅠ (1.2K likes)
– The Taste of a National Treasure TV (3K likes)
– This is basically Do Gyeoul’s career-best shoot ㅋㅋㅋㅋ. Insane. (900 likes)
Among all her works, the standout was the hanbok photoshoot of Do Gyeoul, considered one of Korea’s top three actresses. At the time, Dok Gomin was just a college intern—but that single shoot rocketed her to the top in an instant.
‘Because that photo was displayed in New York’s Times Square.’
The tourism board proactively took the lead, and on top of that, Do Gyeoul’s drama became a mega-hit that year.
‘The news was flooded with Dok Gomin’s photo, broadcasting it everywhere.’
Thanks to Do Gyeoul’s debut at Cannes, Dok Gomin went on to work with Hollywood actors—and back home, she was flooded with offers to the point where she refused to shoot unless it was with a celebrity of her choice.
‘Do you know how much Dok Gomin’s worth now? Since I’ve met her… seriously…!’
I was about to consider myself lucky.
The door swung open right in front of me, and a sharp, feisty voice rang out.
“I’m not taking your picture! Get lost! One click of my shutter is worth more than your life! Now get out of here!”
A man, barely wearing his shoes properly, stumbled out. Whether she hadn’t seen me or simply didn’t care, Dok Gomin slammed the door shut after shouting those harsh words.
Bang-!!!
In that fleeting moment, bright red letters flashed above Dok Gomin’s head.
[!Debuff!]
Due to [Slump], the user’s skill [Momentary Click] is currently locked.
I froze on the spot.
“Just my luck…”
Maybe not…
Not only is she debuffed, but wow—she had an even nastier temper back in college.
‘If I go in now, it’s not gonna end well for me.’
What should I do?
As I stood there hesitating, the system seemed to cheer me on by popping up another window.
You’ll receive a reward if you remove the debuff.
Mhm. I’ll do it if they reward me.
Given the current situation, finding a photographer on Dok Gomin’s level isn’t exactly easy.
“If I think long-term, she’d be perfect to keep as a connection.”
Even if you bring in a hundred useless seniors to use as extras, they wouldn’t compare to just one Dok Gomin.
‘I can’t let myself be pushed aside by Do Gyeoul’s connections this time.’
Before debuting, I need to make as many allies in the entertainment world as I can—so that Do Gyeoul can’t get in my way.
“All right. Time to go with the bribery strategy.”
Luckily, I had devoured every single one of Dok Gomin’s interviews in my past life—this wouldn’t be hard. A smirk crept onto my lips.
* * *
A muse. She needs a muse.
As soon as she entered her second year of college, Dok Gomin found herself trapped in a slump. She desperately needed something—someone—that could inspire her.
“All~ of them are below expectations. No, below average…”
Dok Gomin struck bold red lines through the list of people who had contacted her.
“If their face looks okay, then their movements are stiff—and if they know how to pose, they’ve got no charm!”
There was no one who stirred a desire in her to step beyond the viewfinder.
“So~ annoying~.”
Especially among them, the aspiring model who just came by was the worst.
“Not only did they reek of cigarette smoke—!”
Just as she was nervously spraying room freshener, the doorbell at Dok Gomin’s studio rang.
When she refused the shoot, they even had the audacity to ask, “How much do those photos cost anyway?”
“Hello, I’m Han Yeoreum, I’m here for the model audition today.”
Dok Gomin flung the door open at once, circled around Yeoreum like a cat, and instinctively gave her immediate critique.
“You’re cute, and your skin is great. Especially your nostrils and lips—they’re smooth and rounded, very appealing. Yeah, and when viewed from the front, the double eyelid line is only visible at the edges, which works well.”
And most importantly, the scent was wonderful.
Dok Gomin sniffed curiously, and Han Yeoreum smiled as she pulled something out of the shopping bag in her hand.
“I noticed the person who just left smelled like cigarette smoke…”
It was a lily—the flower Dok Gomin loved most.
Dok Gomin felt the cigarette smell around her nose replaced by the fragrance of the lily. Her lost focus returned in an instant.
“Mmmmm~.”
Like the slow press of a camera shutter, Dok Gomin’s eyes blinked deliberately.
Her pupils, reflecting Yeoreum, glimmered sharply.
Sparkle!
「One More Glance (C)」
Whether offline or online, what a star needs most is the public’s attention! Not just their real-life presence, but their photos, videos, and even their voice—all of it makes people pause and focus once more.
It was the moment Yeoreum’s skill landed perfectly—right on Dok Gomin.
Flowing hair, a crisp white T-shirt, a large and elegant lily held in small hands—and sunlight streaming in perfectly from behind.
Dok Gomin suddenly felt the urge to capture this exact moment.
“You.”
With that, Dok Gomin summed up Han Yeoreum in a single sentence.
“I like it.”
* * *
‘Thank you, Cigarette Boy.’
Because of your sacrifice, I’m able to stand here in front of Dok Gomin right now.
‘Still, I really hope you fix that trash habit of smoking right before a meeting.’
I’d been standing in front of Dok Gomin for what felt like forever as she circled around me over and over.
“But what should I do? I want to shoot it, I like it. But it doesn’t quite have that wow factor, you know? Um… so~ like… I need to take what I usually do, give it a slight twist, and develop it. Make it a little better. So it really catches the eye.”
Dok Gomin spoke her thoughts out loud, letting the words tumble straight from her mind.
I kept my mouth shut, letting Dok Gomin think freely without interruption.
‘Status window.’
And then, I checked Dok Gomin’s status window once more.
[Name: Dok Gomin]
Level: 30,000 Followers
Title: The One You Can’t Criticize For Their Skills.
Recognition: D
Artistry: C (A-)
*Due to a debuff, the Artistry stat has been nerfed.
Skills
〈Momentary Click〉 C (!Debuff!)
Her Artistry is more than high enough to complete the mission.
‘The problem is the debuff lurking beneath that high Artistry.’
No matter how good the shot is right now, it won’t be enough to clear the mission the system demands.
‘Maybe it’s time to start making a move.’
I remembered every single photoshoot Dok Gomin had ever done.
Dok Gomin’s tastes, her favorite angles, even the shoot she liked most in her entire portfolio—I knew them all.
It’s all in my head.
‘That’s why I brought lilies, too.’
-The reason I ended up collaborating with Do Gyeoul? Hmm~ I guess the reason we got such incredible shots is because I genuinely liked her… She brought lilies when we met. Lilies are my favorite flowers—I’d even run straight to a flower shop when I’m stressed.
Before the reset, Dok Gomin’s style was strong and unmistakably unique.
‘Even among countless photos, you could instantly recognize Dok Gomin’s signature touch.’
Above all, she had an eerie mastery of natural light.
She blended artificial lighting with it to create a unique color palette that was unmistakably hers.
‘Where was it again…?’
Among the rows of lights, I found Dok Gomin’s signature style shining through.
‘This is it.’
I took a few steps forward and placed my hand on one of the lights.
“What if I use this?”
It was a blue light.
The cool, refreshing lighting wasn’t typically used for profile pictures.
‘It suited concept photos much better.’
Currently, actor or model profile photos tend to have a fixed, uniform style.
Seriously, but naturally.
Most of them featured subjects wearing either a black turtleneck under dim black-and-white lighting, or a white shirt under strong daylight that cast deep shadows.
‘But Dok Gomin was different.’
It was Dok Gomin who created a new style for profile photos.
She shone a bluish light on slightly damp hair, making it look as if the subject had just emerged from underwater.
Like their primordial form—pure and transparent.
“Blue lighting, huh… hmm~.”
The red debuff letters above Dok Gomin’s head faded and then reappeared as she muttered to herself.
‘Looks like she still hasn’t gotten the feel for it yet.’
Click—.
As soon as the blue light was turned on, the face lit up brightly. A cool glow washed over the white T-shirt.
I held out an example to Dok Gomin.
‘React, Dok Gomin.’
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