By Zephyria ■
“The couple in Unit C must definitely have separate lovers.”
The person who said this with absolute certainty was Kim Yi-jung, an actress playing the role of a famous politician’s college-aged daughter in ‘Cream Mansion’.
“They don’t find each other attractive, but they have plenty of money, right? They must have realized they could meet younger, more attractive partners, so cheating is a foregone conclusion.”
Kim Yi-jung was imagining the other characters in ‘Cream Mansion’ – a couple in their 40s who ran a famous restaurant.
The actors had gathered at Director Kang Woo-hyun’s home and had just finished three hours of passionate discussion about the script and their characters. Yet, no one seemed tired; the energy was still high.
Oh In-kyung, watching Kim Yi-jung speak with a blank expression despite her pretty face, showed interest and said, “It’s a plausible theory, but Yi-jung, you’re so young, yet your view of the world is quite pessimistic?”
“I’ve seen so many older men who want to date me.”
It was an answer everyone had to agree with.
Kim Yi-jung, with her long, jet-black hair reaching her waist, had a proud and chic aura rather than a pure one. In reality, she never faked smiles or spoke insincerely to directors or seniors. While some seniors seemed to dislike her, Choi Hong-seo thought she was someone who, even if not kind, wouldn’t be two-faced.
“Then, the husband in Unit C might also hit on you, Yi-jung.”
Choi Hong-seo, who had been listening, chimed in with his opinion. Kim Yi-jung turned sharply, her eyes widening.
“Oh? That could work too. Creating conflict among the residents would be more helpful for the later plot development.”
“Our actors are too passionate. The director must be very reassured.”
After the study session, Director Kang, who had briefly stepped away, returned with a tray of drinks and food.
“The study session is over, but you’re still talking about characters? Come, let’s talk comfortably over drinks and food now.”
A hired employee, following right behind, also placed various snacks and dishes on the dining table.
“Director, the study session is secondary, the drinking party is the main event, right?”
To someone’s jokingly asked question, Director Kang shrugged as if it were obvious.
“Is there any part of the film industry that isn’t like this? If there were no alcohol, 80% of Korean films wouldn’t have seen the light of day.”
Following Director Kang’s preference, the drinking session began with champagne.
Choi Hong-seo had been to this house twice in Yoon Hye-an’s body. This dining area, where the drinking party was held after the study session, was new to him, but through the wide-open folding doors, a familiar garden could be seen.
On the day of the ‘Cream Mansion’ investment attraction party, a swimming pool packed with young men and women had been set up in that very garden. It was also the space where the congratulatory party was held after the film’s production was decided.
Lee Hae-sung, who had given a speech and proposed a toast with a confident and relaxed demeanor that day, seemed like the center of the world to Choi Hong-seo. Looking at him as a mature adult male, possessing leadership, manners, and a gentle smile, he had definitely felt a tremor.
It was also at this house that he had erupted in anger at Chairman Jo’s disgraceful behavior. It was here that he had decided he didn’t need to complete all five meetings and had accepted him as his boyfriend.
Come to think of it, there were too many memories in this place, which was neither his home nor mine. The thought that this was strange made him let out a hollow, silent laugh.
“By the way, Yoon Hye-an, you’re a bit different from what I heard?”
Choi Hong-seo, lost in his own world amidst the boisterous drinking party, looked up at the voice calling for Yoon Hye-an. The representative of the production company, seated next to Director Kang, was looking this way with an intrigued expression.
“I heard he was quite negligent… I was actually very worried. When the director wanted to cast Hye-an, I opposed it a lot. But the more I see him, the more he seems different from the rumors.”
“See, CEO Baek? I told you such acting wouldn’t come from an irresponsible person, didn’t I? While CEO Baek is more knowledgeable about business matters, my eye for actors is more accurate. The rumors must be exaggerated, right?”
Director Kang Woo-hyun, already quite spirited, continued boastfully.
“It’s like that today too. Look at how meticulously he’s studied the script and characters. The script is already tattered. You have to admit, CEO Baek, that’s above average diligence, right?”
“You can’t really know someone after meeting them only two or three times.”
The production company representative spoke indifferently and then pretended not to hear, taking a sip of champagne. While acknowledging the possibility that Yoon Hye-an might be different from the rumors, he still seemed to be leaving room for doubt.
Choi Hong-seo thought that was enough. Many people believed formless rumors more than what he had actually seen.
“But our Hye-an isn’t touching any of the food. You’ve been talking for three hours, aren’t you hungry? Here, have some cookies or muffins. Please?”
Director Kang, noticing that Yoon Hye-an was only sipping his drink and not eating, said with a concerned expression, fussing over him.
“It’s alright, Director. I’m enjoying myself.”
“You don’t like sweet things?”
“No, I do. But I gain weight easily, so I have to manage my diet.”
“What? Managing your diet when you’re this thin?”
“The role of Hwang Ji-woo requires me to be a bit thinner than I am now, so I’m planning to lose about 3-4 kg.”
“Even thinner than now? Hmm, I don’t know if that’s necessary…”
Director Kang tilted his head, looking at Yoon Hye-an’s long neck and jawline, completely free of any excess fat, and his wrists revealed beneath his sleeves.
“Director, isn’t Hwang Ji-woo’s appearance as important as his acting? It seems like a good idea for Yoon Hye-an to refine his appearance. He also looks a bit less impressive than Choi Hong-seo in terms of physique.”
Seo Jun-yeong, not missing the timing, interjected with a sarcastic tone.
“That’s why I’ve been exercising diligently recently.”
“What, with those wrists, are you lifting 2kg dumbbells?”
Seo Jun-yeong sneered, as if talking to himself. Then, before Choi Hong-seo could respond, he turned to the person next to him and changed the subject.
Although his behavior was childish, Seo Jun-yeong’s point wasn’t wrong.
The body of Yoon Hye-an, as Choi Hong-seo had examined it, was quite neglected. It might have been due to being in a coma for several months, but he was thin but lacked muscle mass. Hwang Ji-woo was a character who needed to exude mystery through his appearance alone, and just being thin wouldn’t be enough to look good on camera. To build a well-maintained physique, Choi Hong-seo had hired a professional to supplement the deficiencies in Yoon Hye-an’s body.
“Hyung, are you really exercising?”
Park Dong-ha, sitting next to him, nudged Choi Hong-seo with his elbow and asked in a lowered voice. Choi Hong-seo nodded.
“It’s been a while since I started. About a month?”
“You’re not just saying that? You’re actually exercising?”
Seemingly quite surprised, Park Dong-ha let out a hollow laugh.
“Director, tell us about Vice President Lee Hae-sung!”
When someone brought up Lee Hae-sung, Park Dong-ha’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he shifted his gaze from Choi Hong-seo.
“What should I tell you? About someone who isn’t even here?”
“I’m not trying to badmouth him, but I’m curious how chaebols like that live!”
Park Dong-ha also actively urged them to talk about Lee Hae-sung. Given his generally quiet demeanor in front of his seniors, Park Dong-ha’s assertiveness was quite unexpected.
“When I actually saw him, he was even more handsome than an actor. Why hasn’t he remarried? He must have a girlfriend, though, right?”
“I don’t know about his private life.”
“There are no rumors circulating in the entertainment industry at all. Seeing that, it doesn’t seem like he’s dating an actor or singer…”
“You’ve already been digging into rumors?”
Director Kang winked at Park Dong-ha and smiled. He seemed to see the young man as cute.
Park Dong-ha blushed and squirmed.
“I wasn’t digging… I was just too curious about what kind of person he would date. Someone with wealth and power, and that level of looks, it’s like a real movie, isn’t it?”
Everyone seemed to find Park Dong-ha’s mumbled excuses endearing. He was polite to his seniors without causing offense, and as the youngest among the cast, he seemed to get along well with everyone.
“You must have met him several times while securing investment. You seemed close at the company dinner. What’s he like in person?”
“He’s the one who will inherit the ARA Group chairmanship. Do you think someone like me would be able to read him just from meeting him a few times for investment matters?”
Even Oh In-kyung joined in, subtly asking, but Director Kang remained evasive.
Choi Hong-seo was quite grateful that Director Kang wasn’t easily opening up about Lee Hae-sung. He didn’t want him to become fodder for gossip.
Seo Jun-yeong, who had been observing the conversation, leaned his upper body deeply over the table and asked in a low, confidential voice.
“Then just tell us this, Director. What was your relationship with… Choi Hong-seo? You two?”
Director Kang, who had been gently deflecting until then, looked intently at Seo Jun-yeong. Although a smile still lingered on his lips, it was somehow a cold smile.
“It seems Seo Jun-yeong didn’t pay much attention to what Nana or Vice President Lee said last time.”
Director Kang said, putting down his champagne glass.
“Seo Jun-yeong, I’ll give you some advice.”
“……”
“Vice President Lee Hae-sung is not an ordinary person. He’s probably scarier than anyone you know.”
For some reason, not only Seo Jun-yeong but everyone gathered around the table held their breath, listening intently to the Director’s words.
“Omnipotence is what makes someone a god. In this world today, Vice President Lee Hae-sung is almost omnipotent. There’s nothing he can’t do as he pleases, so he’s half a god. Do you understand, Jun-yeong? A demigod, a demigod.”
“……”
“Don’t anger a god and invite misfortune, keep your mouth shut.”
At the end of his words, Director Kang smiled again and picked up his champagne glass. Seo Jun-yeong, who had been listening to the Director’s story as if entranced, momentarily relaxed and playfully rolled his eyes. He seemed to take it as the Director teasing him.
“Hey, Director, aren’t you too into shamanism? Even if he’s a chaebol, calling him a god is a bit much… The world has changed. Can chaebols do whatever they want?”
“Even if the world has changed, I think Vice President Lee Hae-sung could save or kill just one person like you, Jun-yeong?”
“……”
Hearing that, Seo Jun-yeong seemed to get a little chills and didn’t retort further, pulling his upper body back.