By Zephyria 
Recently, Lee Hae-sung had been maintaining a hectic schedule ahead of the launch of ARA Electronics’ new phone model and a new home appliance line.
Having been promoted from Vice President of ARA Electronics to Vice Chairman of ARA Group earlier this year, he seemed to be paying extra attention to this first big event. His departure from work, which usually occurred at a regular time unless there were special circumstances, had been erratic over the past week or two. There were days when he didn’t return home until dawn.
Yesterday—or rather, today—Choi Hong-seo didn’t even know what time he had come home or when he had left.
Hong-seo had specifically asked to be woken up when Hae-sung returned, but by the time he woke up, Lee Hae-sung had already caught a few winks of sleep and left for work again.
He hadn’t seen his face since Hae-sung left yesterday. It wasn’t as if he were on a business trip; they were clearly living in the same house. This was the first time he had gone this long without seeing him.
Feeling his mood dip slightly, Choi Hong-seo tried his best to focus on the conversation between the two people standing before him.
“Director, I think it would be great to get some two-shot photos and videos of Dong-ha and Hyun-seo. Where would be a good backdrop?”
“Wait, just a moment, Team leader. Before that, I need to introduce Hyun-seo to our branch manager. I don’t know why that man keeps wandering around like that.”
The marketing director, who had been holding up the agency team leader and Choi Hong-seo, returned with a tall foreigner.
“Mr. Rivas, this is the actor Hyun-seo, whom we invited to target the younger consumer base.”
She introduced Choi Hong-seo to the man in fluent English. Although the man was smiling, he had an ambiguous expression, as if he weren’t quite sure why he needed to be introduced to this young actor specifically among the many guests invited today.
“Hyun-seo, please greet him. This is Mr. Marco Rivas, who is in charge of our brand’s Korean and Japanese branches.”
The man offered a handshake, and the two exchanged brief greetings.
For someone who was the CEO of the Korean and Japanese branches, he was a remarkably young man, appearing to be in his late forties.
“Mr. Rivas, Hyun-seo participated in Director Kang Woo-hyun’s latest work. He was one of the leads.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Only then did the look in the man’s eyes change slightly as he looked at Choi Hong-seo.
Even for a foreigner who might not know actors beyond the top stars, the name of Director Kang Woo-hyun was likely to carry weight.
“If the work is invited to Cannes this time, Hyun-seo will be walking the red carpet. If we designate Hyun-seo as an official ambassador and have him wear our suits, it will be incredible promotion.”
She passionately argued her idea. She seemed like a different person compared to when she was chatting idly with the agency team leader a moment ago.
However, Mr. Rivas’s reaction was lukewarm.
“Hmm… I’m not convinced about his recognition to work with him based on that possibility alone. Though, of course, his looks are excellent. Is he also a Hallyu actor? I don’t know many besides a few stars.”
Whether it was because he thought Choi Hong-seo couldn’t speak English well, or because he simply didn’t care if he understood, the branch manager voiced his blunt evaluation and questions right in front of the person concerned.
No matter how times had changed, looks and recognition were still almost everything for a celebrity. It was common to be scrutinized in such detail in front of a potential employer. It wasn’t something to be particularly depressed about.
The marketing director did not back down.
“If Director Kang Woo-hyun’s new work doesn’t just get invited to Cannes but actually wins an award, Hyun-seo will emerge as the hottest Hallyu star. It will be a huge topic. If we try to negotiate with him then, it’ll already be too late. Other brands will already be lining up.”
“I don’t know. Kang Woo-hyun is certainly a great director, but he doesn’t have much of a track record with Cannes, does he? Rather than gambling, there are plenty of safer stars. Ah, come to think of it, has Jae-won not arrived yet?”
The man, who was a head taller than the others, looked out the front window, searching for someone.
Choi Hong-seo thought he knew who the ‘Jae-won’ the branch manager was referring to was.
At the branch manager’s words, the marketing director nudged the agency team leader in the ribs.
“Team leader, what happened with COC’s Kim Jae-won? Why isn’t he here yet?”
“Well… his manager has just been saying he’s on his way for a while now.”
The agency team leader also looked troubled.
“At this rate, he’ll arrive after the event is over. Who cares how popular he is? He can’t even keep a time appointment. Even when he gets here, he’ll probably just take three or four photos and leave immediately. And he’s the one who gets paid the most. Ugh, I’m sick of it!”
While the branch manager greeted other people nearby, the marketing director complained in a lowered voice.
“Whether he’s insincere or not, the higher-ups only care about recognition. They’re the ones who don’t have to deal with him directly.”
Just then, Park Dong-ha, who had finished his photo call, was entering the store.
The marketing director rushed to grab Park Dong-ha for the two-shot shoot. Choi Hong-seo felt exhausted already, which was unlike him.
Perhaps it was because he had spent too much peaceful time alone with Lee Hae-sung after the wrap of <Cream Mansion>.
■
The store, which had been relatively quiet when Choi Hong-seo first arrived, gradually became noisier.
With hip beats thumping as if a party were being held, the interior of the store was so crowded with celebrities, influencers, and VIP customers of the brand that there was hardly any room to step. Every guest held a glass of champagne provided by a partner company.
In the loud, chaotic atmosphere where he didn’t know many faces but people were swarming, his hands felt awkwardly empty. In his attempt to find something to do to ease the awkwardness, Choi Hong-seo had already drunk three or four glasses of champagne.
Perhaps thanks to the heat of the alcohol, the shoot with Park Dong-ha went more smoothly than the solo shoot.
After taking photos to be registered for promotion on the brand’s SNS, a short interview for a video to be uploaded to a video-sharing channel was conducted.
“Hyun-seo and Dong-ha, the L brand outfits you’re wearing today suit you so well. Could you send a greeting to our channel subscribers and fans?”
“Hello, I’m Dong-ha. I think this event is even more meaningful because I’m here with Hyun-seo Hyung. Thank you for inviting me. I’ll have a great time.”
Park Dong-ha, who answered first, waved to the camera and made a small heart with his fingers. Choi Hong-seo and Park Dong-ha looked at each other and laughed shyly. Now it was Choi Hong-seo’s turn.
“Hello. I’m the actor Hyun-seo. I attended the L brand event today, and I felt there were more looks for people our age than I expected. It’s great to see the fans after a long time and feel this energetic vibe. I’ll do my best to show you more activities in the future. Please give lots of love to Dong-ha, me, and L brand.”
“Since we have both of you, we can’t not bring up <Cream Mansion> and Cannes. The whole nation is hoping for a good result since it was invited to the competition category. How do you feel? Is it a lot of pressure?”
It was a question he had expected, and also one he had wanted to avoid.
The two of them, engaged in a silent battle of wits over who would answer, burst into awkward laughter once more. Eventually, Choi Hong-seo, being the Hyung, stepped forward.
“Actually, I believe the finished film is ultimately the director’s work. If we are invited to Cannes and the film even wins an award, it would of course be a great honor, but just being able to work with Director Kang Woo-hyun and many other wonderful staff members was a grateful and special experience.”
Having provided a model answer, Choi Hong-seo let out a shallow sigh of relief, careful not to let the camera notice.
The PR company team leader, who was monitoring from behind the camera, looked very satisfied.
“The video came out so well! How are they both so handsome? Look at how perfectly they managed themselves to come to the event. There’s a reason why successful people are successful. Seriously, it’s such a contrast to a certain someone from somewhere.”
Perhaps because the guest they were waiting for still hadn’t arrived, the team leader gulped down the champagne in his hand.
“Both of you must come to the after-party. You know that, right?”
“Of course, Team leader. I’m really looking forward to it!”
Whether it was sincere or just lip service, Park Dong-ha matched the team leader’s energy well.
The agency team leader, who had a plump build and a bright complexion, was like a busy honeybee. Before he could flutter away elsewhere, Choi Hong-seo gathered his courage and stopped him.
“Excuse me, Team leader.”
“What is it? What’s wrong, Hyun-seo? You’re not saying you can’t attend the after-party, right? I’ll die if you do. Please have mercy on me.”
“No, I must attend. It’s not that, but I’d like to purchase something personally. I was wondering if you could give me some recommendations if you have time.”
“Ah, is that it? You almost gave me a heart attack. But why are you asking me for recommendations, Hyun-seo? You were someone who… was… an expert on luxury goods, but I guess not anymore, right.”
The team leader, who had been talking, corrected the end of his sentence with an awkward expression. He had belatedly remembered the fact that ‘Yoon Hye-an,’ who had now become ‘Hyun-seo,’ had lost his memory after waking up from a coma.
“What is the taste or age range of the person you’re buying for?”
“As for taste… they like things that are simple and elegant. As for age… they’re in their early forties, but they look like they’re in their mid-thirties.”
“L brand is perfect for people like that. Want to come this way?”
As he followed the leading team leader, Park Dong-ha made a strange, stifled sound, as if he were trying to hold back laughter.
“Why are you laughing?”
“No, I just thought, ‘Wow, Hyung has rose-colored glasses too.’ It’s not just the Vice Cha… no, the Vice Chairman.”
At the mention of rose-colored glasses, Choi Hong-seo hurriedly made excuses.
“The fact that the Vice Chairman looks like he’s in his mid-thirties isn’t rose-colored glasses; it’s just a fact.”
“Sure, sure.”
“It’s just that he’s always in a suit and his hair is always neat, but if he lets his hair down and wears casual clothes, he looks like he’s in his early thirties.”
“I admit the Vice Chairman is a rare beauty and cooler than an actor, but he’s not exactly the ‘youthful’ style.”
“That’s because you’re looking at him knowing his age. When I first saw him without knowing anything, I thought he was in his early to mid-thirties.”
“……”
“Because he’s so charismatic and mature, people don’t realize he has a youthful face because of his serious atmosphere, I’m telling you!”
The fact that Lee Hae-sung looks much younger than his age is not my rose-colored glasses as his lover. It is a strictly objective fact. — Choi Hong-seo was desperate to convey this.
“But Hyung, why do you call him ‘Ahjussi’?”
“Huh?”