Note:
Director Kim will be changed into Manager Kim for more accurate translation. Thnak you!
# 03: When You Think It’s Too Late, It Already Is (1)
Euntae returned to the office in the late afternoon. The cold weather, combined with running around since dawn, had left him exhausted. He had briefly entertained the idea of leaving work on time, but this job didn’t even have a set quitting time. All he could do was hope there wouldn’t be any extra tasks, but since the sun hadn’t even set yet, he was sure at least one or two more assignments would come his way.
“Euntae, do you know that saying?”
Hyunho, who had appeared beside him as he stood in front of the elevator, asked casually. Euntae, caught off guard by the sudden question, shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and replied, “What saying?”
“Once you leave home, life is nothing but hardship.”
Euntae couldn’t help but laugh as he watched the numbers descend one by one. Ever since he had mentioned his plans for the near future a few days ago, Hyunho had been relentlessly persistent. Maybe it was surprising that he planned to quit in about five months and then travel the world, or maybe Hyunho was just worried. Either way, it was Euntae’s decision, and he didn’t see why others should have a say. Hyunho kept trying to persuade him, saying it was a rare opportunity and that Manager Kim had big plans for him. He added that it wasn’t easy to gain the cold and calculating Manager Kim’s favor, and if he did, Euntae could secure a stable position here.
“Hyung, do you know this saying?”
“What?”
“Hardship in your youth is worth buying.”
But what could he do? Euntae wasn’t interested in acting or the agency’s work. He knew it could be a good opportunity, and he understood what Hyunho was trying to say. But he didn’t feel any desire or regret.
“No. You can travel the world later. Maybe you’ll be more financially stable then. Why do you have to go now?”
“What if I put it off and then can’t go at all?”
“Why wouldn’t you be able to go?”
“I might die tomorrow.”
Hyunho grumbled, “Why do you have to say something so grim?” But Euntae wasn’t entirely wrong, and his stubbornness meant he wasn’t going to change his mind anytime soon, so Hyunho didn’t push further.
Hyunho felt a pang of regret—not just because of Manager Jaehyun, but because of Euntae himself. He had been the one to guide Euntae when he first started working here. Though Euntae wasn’t officially hired and was more like an intern, he learned quickly and worked hard enough to handle twice the workload. His cheerful personality made him easy to get along with, and in the short time they’d spent together, Hyunho had grown fond of him. He had thought he’d lost his faith in humanity long ago, but feeling this way was a rarity. It had been a while since he’d felt this attached to someone. Maybe that’s why he felt this way—even though they hadn’t known each other for that long, he found himself wishing they had more time.
“Be honest. How much did Manager Kim offer you?”
Hyunho was joking, implying Euntae was being bribed to stay, but Euntae played along.
“What do you take me for? I’m a man of principle.”
“So you’re letting me go free out of principle?”
“No, that’s not—”
Euntae’s teasing left Hyunho flustered, trying to backtrack. As he fumbled for words, the elevator arrived, and Euntae stepped inside with a smile, tossing the keys to Hyunho. “Hurry up and get in,” he said, turning around just as his hand reached for the buttons—but he froze. Yeojun was standing beyond the open doors. Euntae had no idea when he’d arrived, but he must have come up behind them while they were chatting about world travel. It wasn’t like they’d said anything they shouldn’t have, but Euntae felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
“Yeojun, long time no see.”
“Long time.”
“Here to see the CEO?”
Even with his large sunglasses on, Hyunho recognized Yeojun immediately and greeted him warmly. Euntae, who had missed his chance to greet him, belatedly said, “Hello, hyung,” and Yeojun nodded, stepping into the elevator.
“I have to check in once in a while, or the CEO might forget I’m still with this company.”
Hyunho chuckled at Yeojun’s remark. “Yeojun, you’re someone special to the CEO. You used to be one of the pillars of this company.”
Yeojun smirked. “Well, I guess I did.”
Though he was no longer Ocean Entertainment’s top actor, his long history with the company meant CEO Sangwoo still held him in high regard. Yeojun knew this, but hearing it made him feel a little embarrassed. He quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, you’re mischievous.”
“Manager Park is just naive.”
Yeojun’s teasing wasn’t malicious, but Hyunho laughed as the elevator stopped at their floor. The manager team’s office was there, and as the doors opened, Hyunho stepped out first, followed by Euntae. Euntae glanced back at Yeojun but didn’t say anything. There wasn’t time, and Yeojun’s sunglasses made it impossible to tell if he was even looking at him. Euntae turned away and walked off. The elevator doors began to close, and Yeojun didn’t take his eyes off Euntae until they shut completely.
“……World travel sounds nice.”
Yeojun’s indifferent voice slipped out quietly. For some reason, the elevator felt much larger than usual.
***
Sangwoo’s Office, Ocean Entertainment
“So that’s how it ended up?”
CEO Sangwoo listened to Yeojun’s story. It wasn’t long—just that he and Dogyeong had agreed to divorce and were waiting for the right time to file. Sangwoo nodded, studying Yeojun’s face. He looked a little pale. Maybe it was just his imagination. It’s not because of me, he told himself, but he still felt guilty for adding his own problems to Yeojun’s already chaotic life.
“You did the right thing. How long were you going to drag it out? It’s better to settle things cleanly and move on if there’s no hope left.”
Sangwoo responded casually, as if he’d been expecting this. He had been one of the few who opposed Yeojun and Dogyeong’s marriage, but he didn’t scold Yeojun for the timing or say anything negative. He just advised him to wait a little longer before filing for divorce. Even if Yeojun was past his prime, gossip spread fast in this industry. It was best to choose a time when people wouldn’t talk. On the other hand, maybe it would be better to file now while everyone was distracted by someone else’s scandal. But things didn’t always go as planned, and Sangwoo didn’t want to rush.
“I might just travel somewhere.”
Yeojun turned to look out the window, where the sky was slowly turning the color of sunset. He thought, Has it already gotten this late? But as the sun began to set, he felt like the twilight mirrored his own situation—constantly falling since he turned 29, but never stopping his efforts. It hadn’t been ten years, but it wasn’t a short time either. He felt his position slipping every moment and struggled to accept it, hoping he could rise again, only to be disappointed repeatedly.
I’m tired. Haven’t I done enough? He thought. I’m the one who wants to leave, and someone else is talking about quitting to travel the world. Lucky them. They’re young, with opportunities and the freedom to leave anytime. Thoughts spun in his mind, and before he knew it, his head was filled with Euntae. He knew Euntae was young, with opportunities and the freedom to leave, but he hadn’t really felt it until now. Hearing him talk about leaving so casually in the elevator earlier had made it real.
“You’re not traveling anywhere. You’ve got a new project coming up.”
“Who’d think I landed a lead role?”
“Oh, right…”
Sangwoo had been about to ask if Han Seungju was confirmed for the lead in Seven Falls, Eight Rises, but he stopped himself. He knew the rumors circulating in the company, and Yeojun bringing up the divorce now suggested they weren’t just rumors. Yeojun, quick to pick up on things, realized what Sangwoo had been about to say but pretended not to notice.
“Want to grab dinner? It’s almost time, and I’ll treat you to something good. Our actor Seo is here, so it’s perfect timing.”
“No, thanks. You’ve got enough expenses lately.”
Sangwoo insisted a few more times, but Yeojun declined as firmly as ever. He didn’t like the idea of Sangwoo paying extra attention to him. He appreciated the concern, but he didn’t want to be pitied. Sangwoo had always been considerate, and any additional kindness felt like a burden. Most of all, he didn’t like that he felt burdened by it.
***
Outside the Company Building
“What are you doing here?”
“I was waiting for you, hyung.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
