Chapter 25
“Why are you calling again?”
Seeing the manager’s number on his phone, Seo Dongjin’s enthusiasm fizzled out.
It was probably another call to check where he was.
“What is it?”
Dongjin answered the call in a brusque tone.
-It’s done, Dongjin!
“What’s done?”
-Han Jiseon’s next project! They decided to give it to you. The CEO’s screaming in excitement, saying how did this even happen? And the writer said she’ll rewrite the script to match your image.
“Ah!”
Dongjin, unable to find words to reply, stared blankly at the air while gripping the cabinet door tightly.
If his legs gave out and he collapsed, what would happen to his dignity as an actor?
“Hyung, are you okay?”
“…Just a second.”
He told Eun Jihoon, who looked worried, to wait and then spoke into the phone after pulling it away from his ear for a moment.
“When did they contact you?”
-About 30 minutes ago. The CEO went to H Production to negotiate the contract terms. There are two scenes where you have to take off your shirt and one shower scene; he’s trying to reduce it to one.
“Tell him not to.”
Advertisers often disliked their contracted actors appearing in such scenes elsewhere.
However, since there wasn’t anything in the contract explicitly prohibiting it, it wasn’t a concern.
‘I’m already shirtless every day at the swimming pool.’
He understood the agency’s desire to be cautious, but the scenes were essential to the drama’s story.
‘The CEO hasn’t even read the script.’
For the sake of PD Kim Doyun and Writer Han Jiseon, Dongjin was willing to do anything short of shaving his head. He yelled into the phone.
“It’s a decision made by the director and writer. An actor has no right to veto it. Tell the CEO not to make it a power struggle. Got it?”
-Okay, okay.
“Make it clear. Otherwise, don’t even think about a contract renewal.”
-I get it!
Ending the call, Dongjin clutched the phone and tried to catch his breath.
Even so, his trembling hands wouldn’t stop. To calm himself, he began typing a text message.
[PD Kim Doyun, I just received confirmation of my casting through the agency. Thank you.]
This was all thanks to Kim Doyun.
Before leaving Jeongdongjin, Doyun’s plan had already set things into motion.
[We’re not making Seo Dongjin fit Yeonwoo’s role. Instead, Seo Dongjin will live Yeonwoo’s life. A poor man achieving success and love—that’s what a drama is about.]
It felt as if Doyun had meant Dongjin himself would find both success and love, just like Yeonwoo.
His eyelids grew warm, and tears welled up.
Fighting to keep his vision from blurring, Dongjin continued typing.
[At the production press conference… I think a gray tie, white shirt, and black suit would be best.]
The reply came almost immediately.
[Okay.]
Though the response was brief, Dongjin grasped its meaning.
It confirmed he would reveal his past entirely at the press conference and still play Yeonwoo’s role.
“Thank you. Truly… thank you.”
Tears threatened to spill, so Dongjin leaned into the cabinet.
Being an actor meant he couldn’t freely show emotions, whether it was joy or tears.
“Sniff… sob!”
Even with his hand clamped over his mouth, his sobs escaped. Jihoon, concerned by the sound, asked cautiously.
“Hyung, what’s wrong? Did something bad happen?”
“No. Just… wait a moment.”
Seeing Dongjin struggling to control his emotions, Jihoon unfolded a large towel to shield him from view.
Standing guard like a bodyguard, Jihoon stayed close to ensure no one could see.
After a while, Dongjin pulled his head out of the locker and draped the towel over himself.
“Jihoon, I got cast. In Writer Han Jiseon’s drama.”
“Woohoo! I knew it! I just knew it! Yahoo!”
Jihoon jumped around like a puppy in the snow, then suddenly lifted Dongjin into the air.
‘Why is he more excited than me?’
Dongjin, stunned out of his tears, slapped Jihoon’s shoulder.
“Hey, put me down. Stop showing off your strength.”
“Ah, sorry, hyung.”
Jihoon quickly set him down and stepped back.
“Phew… Do you know what? Honesty really pays off. Don’t ever deceive people with lies again, got it?”
“Oh… yes.”
“Let’s go. Hyung’s treating you to hanwoo.”
The dinner plan suddenly upgraded from pork belly to premium Korean beef.
Having secured the role despite revealing his past, Dongjin wanted to celebrate over a meal with Jihoon.
“You deserve hanwoo. I’ll get you sirloin, ribeye, and even tenderloin.”
“Uh, but I have a part-time job to get to.”
“This late? Don’t tell me you’re working as a nightclub promoter or something.”
“Come on, hyung! I’m aiming to be an actor. How could I do that? I’m not that reckless.”
‘I must have been so clueless.’
Seo Dongjin scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“You’re… you’ve grown smart. But what’s your part-time job?”
“I work night shifts at a coffee shop. Anyway, I’ll get going now. Congrats, hyung! Let’s meet again soon.”
“Hey!”
This might be their last swim together for a while. With the new role, Dongjin would soon be too busy to even catch his breath.
‘Why does it feel like I’m the only one getting sentimental?’
***
‘Should I not have mentioned the part-time job?’
Leaving the Jamsil swimming pool, Eun Jihoon sighed softly, feeling as though he’d said too much.
PD Kim Doyun had strictly forbidden him from working part-time, claiming that watching one more film in that time would be more beneficial for his goal of becoming an actor.
However, Jihoon felt guilty relying entirely on Doyun for his living expenses.
To at least cover his studio apartment rent, Jihoon secretly worked night shifts at a café after swimming practice.
Though he was constantly on edge about keeping it hidden, he’d let it slip to Dongjin.
‘Is it going to reach the PD’s ears now?’
Now that Dongjin was cast, Jihoon would likely be confirmed for the child role.
Writer Han Jiseon had said as much when they were at the sauna, promising him the role of young Yeonwoo.
‘I should tell my boss I’m quitting after tonight.’
The coffee shop, located at the intersection near Jamsil Station, stayed busy late into the night.
Jihoon took orders and made coffee nonstop as time flew by.
Around midnight, he printed out the sales summary to finish his shift.
He needed to match the total order amount with the receipts and hand it to the owner before clocking out.
‘Perfect balance.’
As he confirmed the figures and was about to take off his apron, two men reeking of alcohol entered the café.
“Welcome! Would you like to order something?”
Thinking he could take this last order and then head home, Jihoon greeted them.
“I’ll have an iced Americano. CEO, you’ll take an iced Americano too, right?”
With unfocused eyes, Noh Gutae swayed as he looked at Choi Geunseong.
Choi, seemingly sobered up, stared intently at Jihoon and asked, “How old are you?”
“Pardon?”
“Your name.”
“…Why?”
“Do you belong to any agency?”
Choi’s aggressive questioning made Jihoon wary, while Noh Gutae shook his head violently.
“What’s with you?”
Turning to Jihoon, Noh Gutae’s expression brightened.
‘Huh!’
The boy had strikingly clear eyes and a gentle aura.
His tanned skin and toned arms revealed beneath his short sleeves added a surprising contrast to his delicate features.
A handsome face, slender yet muscular build, and a deep voice with clear diction.
Gutae felt as though he’d stumbled upon a golden opportunity.
This kid had everything.
“Young man, how much do you earn here? Your hourly wage, I mean.”
“……”
“No matter how long you work here, it’s just a waste of time. Do you think a part-time job like this will change your life? Not a chance.”
“……”
“Do you know who this is? He’s the CEO of MJ Entertainment—the man who made ‘Snowstar’ a sensation.”
The mid-tier idol group “Snowstar” had appeared briefly on national broadcasts before resorting to regional performances for income.
Lately, even that dried up, so the agency was trying to rebrand some members as actors.
“Kid, if you just impress him, your life will take off. You’ll be driving a Lamborghini in no time.”
“……”
“By the looks of it, you’re not signed with any agency. Come to our company tomorrow. This isn’t an opportunity that comes to just anyone.”
Experienced in breaking down self-esteem to manipulate young talent, Gutae leaned in with a sly grin.
“Do you know how many successful artists have passed through our CEO’s hands? Joo Changmin, Park Bakja, Jimmy Lee…”
Jihoon, unfamiliar with the names, tilted his head and replied, “If you want to discuss this, you’ll need to talk to my hyung.”
“Hyung? Your older brother?”
“Yes. But… he’ll probably say no. My hyung always says that anyone who talks about an easy life is a scammer. The world isn’t that simple, is it?”
“What? Crazy kid! What does your brother even do? He probably doesn’t know the first thing about the entertainment industry!”
If his brother knew the industry even a little, there was no way he’d let a gem like Jihoon work a part-time job in a coffee shop.
“Why wouldn’t he know? My hyung is an amazing person.”
“Amazing? If he’s so great, why is he letting you work here?”
“What’s wrong with working at a coffee shop?”
The café owner, who had just arrived, walked up to the counter.
“Jihoon, what’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing, boss. I’m just clocking out now.”
“Alright. It’s getting late. Did you miss the last train? Should I give you taxi fare?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve already prepared the sales summary and receipts. Please check them. Thank you for everything.”
“No, thank you. You’ve helped boost our evening sales. Get home safely, and I’ll transfer today’s wages after verifying the summary.”
“Got it. I’ll drop by sometime.”
“Take care.”
As Jihoon exited through the back door, Choi Geunseong and Noh Gutae glared after him with furrowed brows.
“Excuse me!”
Noh Gutae called out to the café owner, waving him over.
—
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