* * *
“Seojun-ah. There’s a meeting today.”
“A meeting? What meeting?”
“About the movie offers that came in this time. We’re talking after narrowing down a few. You also said there was one you thought was okay last time, right?”
After the last movie shoot, Seojun wasn’t doing any other work except CFs and photo shoots. However, since scenarios and drama scripts continued to come in through the agency, Seojun looked through them whenever he had time and contemplated his next project.
“Dramas also have too long a run. And filming is difficult too. So you’re thinking of a movie this time too.”
“That’s right. The last movie also did well… But what’s coming in seems to have overlapping roles….”
“But this new one that came in….”
Seojun sat with Jinwoo and talked about the scenarios that had come in so far. Time flew by as they talked about what the next project should be and what direction would be good to continue activities in, with even the agency president joining them.
“Alright, so you’re saying you want to go in a somewhat different direction this time?”
“It’s not exactly a bad role either… I don’t want to refuse just because it’s not the lead. I need to broaden my acting spectrum too.”
“As expected… Choi Seojun. You have the right attitude. Actually, there’s also the fact that an investor strongly recommended you.”
“Me…?”
This was the first time Seojun and Jinwoo were hearing this.
“It’s a place investing in movies for the first time. Very passionate. The director seems to have high expectations. He’s personally a fan of yours too. He seems to have been very impressed by your last movie.”
“Really? That’s interesting. This hasn’t happened before, has it?”
“That’s right. Usually it’s mainly the directors who do that…. Anyway, it’s good that you’re thinking positively. The last one was such a huge hit. If you take on a big role this time and it flops, that would be fatal in its own way. I think this is a smart method too.”
“Yes. Thank you for thinking that way.”
The president, who had been with him since his rookie days, was one of the few people Seojun trusted. For his own benefit, it might be natural to recommend the side with higher pay, but he even considered the actor’s career.
“So Seojun-ah. Actually tonight… there’s a dinner with that investor I mentioned earlier.”
“Yes.”
“He said he’d like you to come along too….”
Although Seojun wanted to go home quickly to see Soohyun, he couldn’t refuse the president’s request since he had been considerate, so he ended up saying yes.
“Then where should I go?”
“It’s in two hours. Let’s go together later. Tell Jinwoo to go home early. We’ll take my car.”
Seojun decided to work out at the gym inside the company until the appointment time and called Soohyun while going to change clothes.
“Soohyun-ssi, it’s me. Nothing’s wrong, right?”
[Yes.]
“I suddenly have an appointment this evening. I’m contacting you because I’ll be late.”
[Ah… I see. Understood.]
“Soohyun-ssi, don’t overdo it and rest. Make sure to eat dinner.”
[Yes. I will. That’s too bad. But….]
“Yes? Too bad?”
[…I prepared something you like… No. Have a good time.]
After finishing the call with Soohyun, Seojun’s face was beet red. So, right now, Soohyun-ssi made something with what I like, right?
“Hehe… hehehehe….”
“Seojun-ah? Why are you suddenly laughing strangely?”
“Oh! Hyung! No! I’m in a good mood thinking about working out. Heu… hehehehe….”
“…Okay. Work hard and have a good time later.”
Seojun waved his hand toward Jinwoo. Why does he become like an idiot whenever he thinks of Soohyun? Seojun kept laughing without even knowing he was struggling while lifting a 100kg bench press.
* * *
“It’s here. Get out.”
The place where Seojun and the agency president arrived was a Japanese restaurant in C-dong. It was a private place with well-organized individual rooms, which Seojun had also visited a few times before.
“President-nim, what kind of person is the investor?”
“You’ll know when you meet him. He’s a very nice person. You’ll probably like him too.”
A movie investor, and a director at that, so he thought an older person would come out. However, the person called ‘Director Jang’ who appeared before Seojun and the president was a very young and handsome man.
“Hello. I’m Choi Seojun.”
“Nice to meet you. Choi Seojun-ssi. I’m Jang Seokhyeon.”
Seokhyeon was remarkably attractive at a glance. With a height and physique similar to Seojun’s, he was a handsome man with sharp eyes and upright features.
“Since you said investor… I didn’t think such a young person would come out.”
“That’s understandable. It hasn’t been long since I started working for the company.”
Seokhyeon smiled affably and offered alcohol. Introducing himself as a director at H Pharmaceuticals, he explained that he had recently become interested in movie investment and began talking about his impressions of the movie Seojun had appeared in.
“I didn’t think you’d have seen that movie too….”
“I liked the movie, but I’m a fan of Choi Seojun-ssi. You were a handsome man on screen, but it seems the camera can’t capture your entire face.”
When Seokhyeon, who was handsome enough to put celebrities to shame, praised his appearance, Seojun somehow felt embarrassed.
“Director-nim could be an actor too.”
“There’s no way I could do something that difficult. It’s something only people with innate talent can do. For me, investing like this and watching talented actors perform is the most enjoyable.”
Seokhyeon was very skilled from small talk to business talk. Seojun and the president, who frequently met people, were no slouches in the art of conversation either, but they couldn’t compare to Seokhyeon.
The dinner, which had been somewhat awkward at first, gradually became ripe. Seokhyeon not only talked about movies but also opened up about his hobbies and recent trends, endlessly creating topics of conversation.
“Director-nim speaks so interestingly that I lost track of time.”
“Both Seojun-ssi and President Kim listened well to my stories, so I got excited and my talk got long.”
The drinking session that started as an accompaniment after a simple meal became quite long. The snacks were good and there was conversation, so everyone didn’t get severely drunk, but they got drunk on the atmosphere.
“But Seojun-ssi, don’t you date?”
“Huh? Well… yeah….”
“In my experience, it’s better to date when you’re even one year younger. After even failing at marriage, I have many regrets that I should have played harder when I was Seojun-ssi’s age.”
“I see….”
“I said something unnecessary. I got divorced last year. So… I’m very relieved.”
“What? Re… relieved?”
“Because it was an unwanted marriage. After shaking it all off…. I also want to love again.”
Even while emptying the second bottle of sake, Seokhyeon’s complexion didn’t change at all. Seojun’s vision kept spinning and his cheeks felt hot, but thinking he needed to keep his wits about him in front of an investor, he even pinched his thighs while listening to his story.
“You’re still young. And at Director-nim’s level, it seems like people who like you would line up.”
“…What’s important is meeting someone I like. Don’t you think so too, Seojun-ssi?”
“Yes, that’s right. After all, it’s important that it’s someone I like.”
“That’s right. I made some mistakes before… so this time I’m trying to make up for it.”
“I hope it goes well.”
Seokhyeon put down the drink he was about to have and stared into Seojun’s eyes.
“Do you really think so?”
“…Huh?”
He didn’t know why he was asking him such a thing. He was just going along with the conversation appropriately as it flowed. Seojun thought for a moment and nodded, saying yes.
“Thank you for saying that. Choi Seojun-ssi.”
“Not at all. I also make many mistakes. Even if it can’t be completely undone, I think it’s good to at least try. Even if it’s not completely made up for… at least it would be better not to create regrets.”
“I see. As expected… I wasn’t wrong about Choi Seojun-ssi.”
“What…?”
“I’m happy as a fan.”
Seokhyeon held out his glass to Seojun. The president, who might have gone to the bathroom, wasn’t coming back.
“Let’s sign the contract soon and meet often. Ah, of course if Choi Seojun-ssi isn’t busy.”
“Of course. It’s an honor for me.”
Seojun and Seokhyeon’s glasses lightly clinked. For Seojun, who had met investors who were selfish and arrogant, Seokhyeon’s impression was good. Not only was his appearance very attractive, but he also had interests in many areas, and especially his understanding and passion for the movies he was investing in was even touching.
