LIGHTNOVELSTORY Episode 14 - Son Jin-yuk's house
“Rumours from the Team suggest the online buzz is quite good. We might have high expectations for our first episode rating, though, of course, it could be wishful thinking.”
The number of comments and YouTube views were quite high. It wasn’t because of Ryu Yeon-woo but Son Jin-yuk and Han So-hyeon have always been rising stars of this generation.
“We’ve got only a week left until the first episode.”
At the director’s comment, Jin-yuk checked his mobile calendar.
“That’s right, Jin-yuk and So-hyeon are attending the SBC event tomorrow, right?”
“Oh, I haven’t collaborated with SBC in the past so I won’t be going. But So-hyeon has been nominated.”
Upon hearing about herself, So-hyeon, who had been sipping her coffee, turned her head.
“Hehe. Should I mention Yeon-woo if I win an award?”
“Eh, if you do, the ‘Falling Flowers of Hanyang’ team might be envious.”
Han So-hyeon was nominated for a popular fusion historical drama that ended around the middle of the broadcast season on SBC, for both Best Actress and Best Leading Actress.
“That’s possible, but since JNBC doesn’t have an awards ceremony, I worry about our Wojo feeling disappointed.”
“It’s okay. Just debuting on television is an honour.”
So-hyeon genuinely looks out for Yeon-woo like a younger sibling. Watching the actors, Director Kim Han-soo spoke up.
“Let’s aim for the Korean Art Award, everyone.”
“Oh right, there’s the Korean Art Award!”
Started in 1965, it is an annual award ceremony established to promote Korean pop culture and boost artists’ morale. It recognizes outstanding contributions in all of film, theatre, and TV over the past year.
“Well, I’m not too ambitious about awards, but it would be a nice reward for all your hard work, wouldn’t it?”
“Hahaha. That would be great.”
Jin-yuk agreed with the spirit-boosting words of Director Kim.
“Oh, by the way, I heard from the production company. It’s a bit early since we haven’t aired yet, but since all the lead actors are here…”
All three actors paid close attention to Director Kim Han-soo’s words.
“If the initial ratings are low, it might be good to make an appearance on a variety show for promotion. But know this, it’s not an obligation.”
“Oh, a variety show?”
It wasn’t a very difficult topic.
“First, you all have to be willing to film.”
“I’m all for it! I haven’t been on variety shows much, but it’ll be fun with our team.”
So-hyeon spoke with her arms crossed, looking at the two men.
“Hmm, I don’t have much experience in variety shows either, but I’m fine with it. Not just for the ratings but for the project.”
Jin-yuk also liked the filming atmosphere and the project.
“For me, any opportunity is an honour.”
Being a newbie in acting, Yeon-woo naturally agreed.
“If we do it, which show will it be?”
“Any show aired by JNBC would probably welcome us with open arms.”
Son Jin-yuk nodded in agreement.
“True, since we rarely appear on variety shows, our fan club also expects it.”
“It would indeed be a boost, seeing a rare appearance of Jin-yuk on a variety show. We’ll think about that later. Today, thanks to Yeon-woo finishing his scenes quickly in the morning, we had some extra time.”
Director Kim Han-soo smiled and patted Yeon-woo on the shoulder.
“Thanks to Mr. Lee Sang-jung’s excellent guidance.”
Yeon-woo smiled shyly at the director’s compliment. Then, finding him adorable, So-hyeon playfully pinched and stretched Yeon-woo’s cheek.
“We’ve almost finished the indoor shooting. If we film a few outdoor scenes at the campus tomorrow, the end of the filming will be very near. Let’s wrap up today’s shoot here.”
Director Kim Han-soo then started giving instructions to the assistant director.
“Due to preparations for tomorrow’s outdoor shooting, there are tasks the crew must handle. The actors can leave for the day.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Director.”
“Thank you.”
Greeting the crew, the three lead actors left the shooting location.
Upon seeing So-hyeon, her manager drove a car to pick her up. She got in and left first.
“Yeon-woo, where’s your manager?”
“Oh, I came by subway.”
Jin-yuk was surprised by Yeon-woo’s response.
“Huh? Really?”
“Yes, I was bored alone in the dorm. I’m sorry actually, I haven’t even signed a management contract yet.”
Hearing Yeon-woo’s words, Jin-yuk seemed lost in thought for a moment.
“Do you want to come to my house then? You can sleep over for a night.”
“Huh? At your place?”
Yeon-woo was taken aback by the unexpected invitation.
“Well, I live alone anyway. We have overlapping scenes on campus tomorrow. We can just travel in my car.”
“Okay, sounds good to me. I just don’t want to be a bother.”
Yeon-woo voiced his hesitations, but Jin-yuk cheerfully patted his shoulder.
“Come on, you won’t be bothering me. I get lonely too. Get in first, I left my coat behind.”
Jin-yuk guided Yeon-woo to the van where he was waiting.
“Hello, Sangwoo hyung.”
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Jin-yuk’s manager, Sangwoo, glanced back.
“Oh, Yeon-woo.”
“Ah, please speak casually to me.”
They weren’t very familiar with each other, barely acquaintances.
“Should I? Haha.”
There was a metallic sound. At that moment, Jin-yuk, who had gone to retrieve his coat, spoke as he entered the car.
“Sangwoo, I invited Yeon-woo to our place today. Let’s head home.”
“Yes, hyung.”
Shifting gears, Sangwoo started the car.
“Do you want to join us too? Got any plans today?”
“No, hyung. I have a date today.”
The word ‘date’ made Jin-yuk tease.
“Out of the three of us, I’m on top.”
“Huh? If both you and Yeon-woo say that to me, it’s deception.”
They all laughed.
“By the way, Yeon-woo, you have a girlfriend, right?”
“No, I don’t.”
‘If I had a girlfriend now, we would have a significant age gap’, Yeon-woo scratched his head, swallowing his next words.
“After our drama airs, girls at your age might contact you first, right?”
The word ‘girl’ made both Jin-yuk and Sangwoo tease him simultaneously.
“Hahaha. Both of you are ganging up on me? I haven’t thought about dating yet.”
“Ah, dating at your age is so fresh and sweet. But given our profession, maybe it’s wiser for you to wait.”
Of course, he liked women. And he had experienced love in his past life. However, in that past life, he never knew when he might be dispatched somewhere, or how things might suddenly change, so he never truly allowed himself to truly express his feeling.
“When it comes to love, if the opportunity comes, I won’t necessarily avoid it. But I have a lot to do right now.”
“Ah, you’re looking for a fateful encounter, aren’t you?”
Yeon-woo understood the concept of a destined meeting. Even though his soul used to belong to an older man, he still got this much.
“Is that so?”
As they exchanged various conversations, they soon arrived at Jin-yuk’s house.
“Oh, this is the place where many celebrities live. A luxury village.”
I never thought I’d come here. In my past life, while living in Seoul, I had always wanted to visit this place.
“Yeon-woo, hyung house is amazing. Probably even better than a luxury hotel suite.”
Sangwoo teased Yeon-woo’s expectations.
“Ha-ha-ha. Maybe you should come back after your date.”
“Nah, I’ll pick you up in the morning. I will sleep at home.”
“Alright, I don’t have any luggage to bring down, so you can just clock off here.”
Jin-yuk said as he and Yeon-woo got out of the car.
“Yes, hyung. See you tomorrow. I’ll be ready by 9. Goodbye, Yeon-woo.”
“Drive safely.”
Sangwoo left in the Benz to return it to the company, while Yeon-woo and Jin-yuk took the elevator.
Ding!
“Hold on.”
Beep-beep!
Jin-yuk used a security card to open the door and signalled to Yeon-woo.
“Come on in. Welcome to my home, Mr. Woo.”
“Wow, after all those times I nagged you in the drama to let me stay over! Finally, you’re inviting me in?”
“Haha, seems so.”
They passed by a luxurious-looking shoe cabinet that resembled an archway. Walking along the marble wall, the first thing that caught the eye was a large window in the spacious living room.
“Wow, so this is why people talk about the Han River view. Hyung, it’s amazing.”
The wide-open window offered a view of the Han River, and below, a glimpse of the riverside northern road.
“From past life to this one, I was never the type to care about luxury homes or cars, but when something’s good, it’s good.”
Jin-yuk, with a childish admiration, raised his thumb and explained to the adorable-looking younger hyung who was utterly amazed.
“Come on, let me show you around the house. There’s also an acting studio upstairs.”
“Really? There’s an upstairs too?”
The two men excitedly toured around;, one explaining and the other admiring. To an extent where people might’ve mistaken one of them for a real estate agent.
“I love decorating my home, and I’m really into interior design. Did I brag about my house too openly?”
“Not at all, Jin-yuk. This is the first time I’ve been to such a beautiful house. I’ve always wanted to visit this neighborhood.”
The two, who got along so well, lost track of time playing around. Suddenly, Jin-yuk remembered something.
“Oh, right! Yeon-woo, do you like watches?”
“Watches? I don’t know much about them, but I do enjoy looking at beautiful ones, especially those with visible moving parts inside.”
“Oh, really?”
With a brightened interest, Jin-yuk motioned Yeon-woo to follow.
“Come here, let me show you.”
Jin-yuk guided him to the dressing room and showed him his collection.
“This one’s pretty, right? Oh, that one was a gift.”
“Hmm? What’s this?”
Yeon-woo, noticing a particularly familiar-looking watch case among Jin-yuk’s vibrant display, inquired with surprise.
“Hmm? That? Do you know of the ‘Absolute Watch’?”
At Jin-yuk’s words, Yeon-woo’s face turned into an inexplicable expression.
“The National Intelligence Service watch?”
“Oh, you know it?”
Jin-yuk handed it over to Yeon-woo.
The Absolute Watch.
A timepiece produced by the National Intelligence Service and was generally provided as a reward to those who made notable contributions, especially in matters of national security like reporting spies.
Online, it’s presented as an incredible watch, thus earning its nickname ‘Absolute Watch’.
But if one wanted to purchase it, it was available as a souvenir after a tour of the National Intelligence Service. In his past life, Yeon-woo used to gift these standard-issue watches whenever someone expressed interest.
Of course, the design often changed, so the design of the watch Jin-yuk had wasn’t familiar. However, encountering this familiar object in an unexpected place evoked a sense of nostalgia in Yeon-woo.