Chapter 13
“If it’s that he can’t act, that’s something that can be taught… His voice projection is good, his pronunciation is good, his face is even better… But what do you do when his acting leaves no impression whatsoever? He didn’t act like this in ‘Boundary Line,’ so why is he gradually…”
The director let out a long sigh and poured the remaining wine from the bottle into her glass.
“An 80 scored by a student who could get 100 but just did it adequately, and an 80 earned by a 50-point student who worked themselves to death have different values. He said he’d prepare hard, but I wasted my time.”
The director picked up her glass and stood up without hesitation. Walking to the window, she picked up the cigarette pack that had been placed on the ledge. I had to say something.
“I’ve… never thought of myself as a student who could score 100.”
“Really? That’s not modesty—maybe it means you didn’t want that 100 desperately enough.”
Director Hwang mumbled with a cigarette in her mouth and opened the window.
I couldn’t say anything.
Whoosh—the rain shower mentioned in the weather forecast was finally pouring down refreshingly.
■
The area nestled between the ridges of Bukhansan was Seoul’s traditional wealthy neighborhood. The closer to the summit, the larger the houses became, and the gaps between walls grew wider. Nature was so close it was hard to believe it was only 20-30 minutes from downtown.
This area’s atmosphere, distinct from other parts of Seoul, reminded me of my hometown. Though the architectural styles were clearly different, just the scenery of houses sparsely built along the hills harmonizing with nature was enough to recall my hometown. Perhaps because I missed it so much.
My hometown Paeli¹, a resort area near the metropolitan city of Naples, had clearly separated areas of activity for locals and tourists. Since it wasn’t a world-renowned area like Positano or Capri, most people who came for vacation were Europeans, including Italians.
While southern Greek resorts had tourists coming and going until early October, in Paeli, foot traffic almost completely stopped after August. Then it would return to being a quiet rural village until the following April.
It would be in its busy season right about now. In our phone call a few days ago, Yui had complained that reservations were fully booked day after day without a break.
My younger sister Yui was working in the kitchen of the restaurant at the hotel our mother operated. When I left, Yui was at the bottom of the kitchen hierarchy, but she had already become a 6-year veteran and was now a first-class chef in the grill section.
“Hyung, Hongseo just arrived too. When you come, you can ride down together with Hongseo in the CEO’s car.”
Lost in thoughts of home while looking out the window, I straightened up at Jaewoo’s voice.
“Wow… This isn’t a house, it’s a palace. They say movies don’t even do that well at the box office, so what did he do to earn so much money?”
Jaewoo, flattened over the steering wheel, looked up at the upper part of the building visible beyond the high wall and muttered.
In front of Director Kang Woohyeon’s residence, cars transporting invited guests were lined up waiting. Most were people who had come in cars driven by someone else. Thanks to that, it didn’t take long for our turn to come.
“Hyung, take some photos for me. I wonder what the inside of a house like that looks like. Ah, never mind. We can’t have our actor looking uncool doing that again. Just tell me about it later.”
Quite curious about the interior, Jaewoo kept peering out the window with eyes full of curiosity.
The car stopped at the location guided by the parking attendant, and a doorman opened the door from outside. It was clear this wasn’t a small dinner party or simple cocktail party, even though the location was a private residence.
“I’m leaving first, hyung! Do well!”
I got out of the car, raising my hand to Jaewoo behind me.
The area in front of the main gate, thrown wide open on both sides, was crowded with guests greeting each other in groups. I could easily spot Hongseo among them.
Dressed not in a trendy, fashionable idol style but in a more dignified and careful suit, Hongseo was surrounded by people. While celebrities weren’t rare sights for people who frequented such parties, a current popular star was a different story.
I made eye contact with Hongseo, who was busy taking photos one by one with the people surrounding her. When I pointed to the left pillar of the gate with my finger, she nodded briefly.
Watching Hongseo’s successful trajectory lately was heartwarming. The self-made success story of someone who worked hard in silence finally achieving success was still a beloved theme anywhere in the world, and I was one of those who liked such stories.
Watching Hongseo respond sincerely to each photo while smiling brightly despite her somewhat tired face, I discovered an unexpected person over Hongseo’s shoulder.
“……”
A familiar face was getting out of a large sedan that had just arrived at the entrance.
The man buttoning his open jacket as he stepped onto the sidewalk was that man from Knox Hotel—that man from Bangkok. I unknowingly swallowed dry. Even that felt cautious. As if he might hear the sound.
Another man of similar build got out from the passenger side, and a woman in a chic evening dress appeared from the front passenger seat. For people attending a party, all three had serious expressions.
Dressed in a black suit with only the lapels decorated with velvet so as not to look too solemn, he was very sleek and neat. Judging by the glances people were stealing at him, it wasn’t just my opinion.
There was no need to try to make or avoid eye contact. Since there was only one path to the entrance, we naturally had to meet eyes as he walked toward the gate.
“…arriving… before 11… just to greet…”
The distance narrowed enough that I could hear his voice talking to his companions, albeit intermittently. The man’s voice slowed as he discovered me. The strong beat of lounge music coming from beyond the gate was thumping inside my pulse.
“Jung Jiin-ssi, could we take a photo together?”
An unfamiliar voice drew my attention. When I looked toward the sound, a group of middle-aged women were surrounding me with excited faces.
“Yes, of course.”
“These are my friends, and I’d like us all to take one together…”
The woman, looking around for someone to ask to take the photo, grabbed the woman in the black evening dress who happened to be passing right by. She was part of his group. Ah… A sigh-like exclamation escaped from my mouth involuntarily.
“Sorry, but could you take our photo? This is an actor I really love.”
“Yes, of course.”
She stopped in her tracks and very readily agreed to the request, taking the phone.
The women who had requested the photo caused a brief light commotion with me in the middle even after lining up for the shot.
“How can you be so handsome? I met Jo Woomin last week too, but Jung Jiin-ssi is much more handsome!”
“See, I told you Korea’s most handsome man is Jung Jiin.”
Then they switched places for who had their arm linked with mine and took another shot.
During this, he stood behind his companion who was taking photos, watching me. Because of that gaze, the mere 1-2 minutes felt like torture.
His eyes watching me with his hands in his pants pockets weren’t showing interest, nor were they hostile. But he didn’t look away either.
I felt like this must be how it would feel to take commemorative photos with fans in front of family. Embarrassed, awkward, and… like I’d be teased after people left…
The situation of being unilaterally observed by him was uncomfortable. I didn’t like feeling at a disadvantage. I wished he would disappear first with the man he was accompanying, but he stubbornly held his ground.
¹ Paeli: A fictional place name. Set as a small resort city in Campania, Italy, northwest of Naples, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
