By Zephyria ■
Around 3 PM, there was a script study meeting at Director Kang Woo-hyun’s home. It was a gathering where the director and actors would discuss their interpretations of the script, analyze characters together, and share opinions. While this part was often replaced by a script reading in dramas, many directors considered this process important for films. Kang Woo-hyun, in particular, was a prime example of such a director.
Kang Woo-hyun’s method was to collaborate and converse with actors, incorporating their unique personalities into the characters and the work. It was a method that kept actors thinking, but it also led them to mature as actors after working with him.
Yoon Hye-an had acted in a few films in supporting or minor roles. However, for Choi Hong-seo, this was his first film. There were more reasons why he had to successfully portray the role of Hwang Ji-woo.
Above all, he didn’t want to disappoint him.
Because he had said that he hoped this film would be completed in the most beautiful form.
The temperature was pleasant, neither hot nor cold, and the sunlight was slightly strong. Thanks to that, his attire, with sunglasses and a hat pulled down, wasn’t particularly conspicuous. When he had first opened his eyes in Yoon Hye-an’s body, it had been summer with the loud chirping of cicadas, but now the season had fully turned to autumn.
Thanks to leaving home a little early, Choi Hong-seo was able to arrive at his first destination with time to spare.
Before heading to Pyeongchang-dong, where Director Kang’s home was located, he had a few things he wanted to take care of, so he had left home early.
First, he stopped by the telecommunications store.
There were quite a few customers, enough to need a waiting number. Even though he wasn’t impersonating anyone, he felt nervous for no reason, and he kept crumpling the ticket while anxiously waiting for his turn.
As soon as he sat down at the assigned counter and took off his sunglasses, the person on the other side seemed to recognize Yoon Hye-an’s face. Even without overtly showing it, he could feel the glances, tinged with a flushed expression.
“You want to change your phone. You’ll keep the same number?”
“Yes.”
He had been bothered by continuing to use Choi Hong-seo’s phone. After all, it was ‘someone else’s phone’ to him. Moreover, he wanted to keep his promise with Lee Hae-sung.
‘From now on… I’ll only use an ARA phone.’
He had promised him that, and his heart was sincere.
“Do you have a specific model in mind?”
“Well… it was a model that came out about a year ago, do you still have it? An ARA phone.”
The employee behind the counter flipped through a brochure and showed him a page.
“If it was about a year ago, it’s probably this model.”
“Yes, that’s it!”
The same model that Lee Hae-sung had gifted him, coming to the underground parking lot of his accommodation before he departed for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam… In his excitement, Choi Hong-seo leaned forward and unintentionally spoke in a loud voice.
Seeing the employee’s puzzled look, he awkwardly rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand and straightened his posture.
“If you’re looking at ARA phones, a new model came out just two weeks ago. Would you like to see that one too?”
“It’s fine. I’ll take this one. This is good.”
The employee’s face briefly showed a look of not understanding why a well-known celebrity like Yoon Hye-an insisted on an older model, but they proceeded with the process.
“You really are Yoon Hye-an…”
After receiving his ID, the employee alternated glances between the photo on the ID and the customer sitting in front of them, speaking cautiously.
“Yes.”
“It’s so nice to meet you. I thought you were a very handsome customer when you were assigned to my counter, but I wasn’t sure. I know it’s polite not to acknowledge it in situations like this, but it’s my first time seeing a celebrity. You’re really handsome.”
The employee, who had been trying to act nonchalant and ordinary until then, immediately changed their demeanor after confirming it was Yoon Hye-an. Their voice, tone, and expression became cheerful and more friendly.
“Thank you.”
At the mention of Yoon Hye-an, the employee and customer at the very next counter also started glancing this way.
“Isn’t that the guy? The one who jumped off the bridge and survived.”
The customer at the next counter asked their assigned employee in a voice that was meant to be low, but since they were barely a meter apart, it was impossible not to hear.
It was a familiar situation since Choi Hong-seo’s time. Most people treated celebrities in front of them as if they were on TV. They whispered, thinking their conversations wouldn’t be heard just because they lowered their voices, but like everyone else, one’s own story was always heard more clearly.
In this case, strictly speaking, it was Yoon Hye-an’s story, not Choi Hong-seo’s.
Amidst excessive curiosity, interest, and kindness, he finished the device change and got into a taxi outside the store.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
“……”
“Where to?”
As the passenger didn’t state their destination, the driver looked back and asked first.
“…To Daehangno, please.”
Despite having made up his mind since leaving home, the answer wasn’t easy.
He looked out the window, taking deep breaths to calm his rapidly beating heart. One, two, three, four… Even after repeating the act of folding his fingers and counting four times, the tension didn’t subside.
Hyun-su.
He was on his way to meet Hyun-su.
Since they hadn’t made plans, it was more accurate to say he was going to see him rather than meet him.
After opening his eyes as Yoon Hye-an and regaining some semblance of his senses, there were only two people besides Lee Hae-sung whose news he wanted to know. Jeong Ji-in and Song Hyun-soo.
If Jeong Ji-in was an object of admiration and envy, it was Hyun-su who, from a similar position, understood each other’s circumstances more equally. Although their paths were slightly different from Choi Hong-seo’s, Hyun-su was also a victim exploited by CEO Myeong. Thanks to sharing the darkest secrets, he could reveal a bit of his heart in front of Hyun-su.
Finding out about their recent whereabouts wasn’t difficult.
Jeong Ji-in, who had achieved great success with the drama
His SNS, where posts were uploaded sporadically, one or two months apart, last showed him enjoying a vacation against the backdrop of the Italian sea. It was a relief to see him looking healthy…
Hyun-su, who was like an unknown actor, drifting through the drama and film industry and auditioning for minor roles, was affiliated with a theater troupe in Daehangno.
When he heard that news, it seemed he had smiled the brightest since opening his eyes as Yoon Hye-an.
Hyun-su had long struggled to commit to acting. Unlike Choi Hong-seo, who lived with the sole hope of succeeding desperately and escaping CEO Myeong’s grasp, he seemed like someone who had given up and let go.
Outwardly, he might act tough, use rough language, and pretend to be shrewd, but inside, he was soft. He was weak and lacked perseverance; if someone took his share, he’d just curse them out heartily and then forget about it. He lacked the ferocity to pounce and snatch it back.
That Hyun-su was now properly acting, affiliated with a theater troupe. He had consistently performed on stage, and was increasingly taking on more significant roles in dramas and films. A small fan cafe had even been created online. That kid, he was good-looking, so it made sense he’d be popular. It’s just that he didn’t know how to use that face to his advantage. Choi Hong-seo felt proud as if it were his own achievement that Hyun-su had a fan cafe.
The fan cafe also provided information that Hyun-su worked at a bar in Daehangno when he wasn’t working with the theater troupe.
Now that he knew where he was and what he was doing, he wanted to see him living well. After much hesitation, he had made up his mind, yet his heart still wouldn’t calm down. After all, to Hyun-su, he would only be Yoon Hye-an. There was no reason to be nervous.
He had heard it operated from early afternoon, so he wondered what kind of place it was. It was a cozy bar that felt seasoned, with a clientele of regulars, though not particularly stylish.
He sat down and ordered a cocktail from the staff. He had heard that he could drink cocktails made by Hyun-su, the bartender, when he came here.
Today was supposed to be Hyun-su’s day to work, but I didn’t see him. As I was growing anxious, he appeared from behind the counter, pulling back the curtain. He looked quite skilled as he confirmed the order with the server and began making cocktails. Come to think of it, he said he used to work as a bar assistant before catching CEO Myeong’s eye…
While fiddling with the water glass he’d given me first, I kept glancing at Hyun-su from under the brim of my hat. As if sensing my gaze, he brought the finished cocktail directly to the table himself.
“You’re actor Yoon Hye-an, right?”
“…Yes.”
I chuckled inwardly, having expected Hyun-su to ask so directly.
“What brings you to a place like this? It’s not exactly a sophisticated establishment, even by the lowest standards.”
“I was just passing by the neighborhood and it looked decent.”
“This place?”
“Yes.”
“You have peculiar taste.”
He scratched his neck with his index finger, speaking indifferently as he stood before the table. His slouching demeanor was exactly the same as before. That unique way he had of being scruffy and roguish yet somehow approachable, it was all the same. A sudden surge of heat rose in my chest, and Choi Hong-seo quickly lowered his head and took a small sip of the cocktail through the straw.
“How is it, the cocktail? I made it.”
“It’s delicious.”
“I heard you asked for less alcohol, so I paid extra attention.”
“Yes, even with less alcohol, it doesn’t taste too much like juice… it’s delicious.”
It wasn’t a lie. Although the circumstances made it difficult to fully appreciate the taste, I could tell it wasn’t a carelessly made cocktail. I hadn’t even known Hyun-su had a talent for this. Back then, we were just struggling to survive, and that was hard enough…
“Um, you were cast in
“Thank you.”
“The role that Yoon Hye-an was cast in… the actor who was originally supposed to play it, Choi Hong-seo, is my friend.”
As if embarrassed to bring this up, he kept rubbing the back of his neck. Choi Hong-seo realized this was why he had been lingering at the table.
Hearing him say ‘Choi Hong-seo is my friend’ made my emotions waver once more. My brow furrowed, and my eyes grew warm.
“Ah… is that so.”
Unable to meet his gaze, I stirred my cocktail with the straw and replied.
“You might not believe me, but it’s true. That friend really wanted that role and prepared for it diligently.”
“……”
“So please take good care of it.”
“……”
“You might ask who you are to make such a request, but he’s quite special to me.”
“……”
“In that sense, I’ll pay for this one.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll enjoy it.”
My throat was so tight I could barely manage the words. Watching his back as he returned to the counter, I was overcome with an intense urge to jump up and shout, “Hyun-su!” I felt like I could do it right then and there. To suppress the impulse, I clenched my fist under the table.
I had only intended to watch him live a good life.
But now, seeing Hyun-su and hearing these words from him… I felt a greed arise. I had endured so much until now, and suddenly, this entire situation felt unfair and heartbreaking.
I am your friend, Choi Hong-seo. Even if you can’t believe it, I know I’m saying crazy things, and I’ve doubted if I’m not a madman, but what can I do? I am truly Choi Hong-seo. To him… I want to say I’m Hong-seo, but what should I do?
I wanted to grab Hyun-su, cry, and pour out everything.
Maybe Hyun-su would believe me? For a moment, that thought crossed my mind.
But it was just a futile, recklessly optimistic dream.
Because even if I were Hyun-su, I wouldn’t have believed such a story.
After emptying the ‘Bloody Mary’ Hyun-su had made, I stood up. That was all Choi Hong-seo could do.
■