The Chairman's Final Masterpiece
Suhyeon, already sensing someone approaching, turned his head toward the sound without a hint of panic. His eyes fell on a petite woman who appeared to be in her sixties. She exuded an air of refined luxury from head to toe, her presence commanding and intense, as if she'd spent decades directing people with a mere gesture.
Finally, the final boss makes her entrance... She reminds me of a black panther.
Keeping his first impression to himself, Suhyeon replied politely.
"Regardless of whether it suits your taste, I was certainly caught off guard. I hadn't anticipated it at all. And thank you for inviting me to dinner like this."
"Is that so? To surprise a genius like Suhyeon... I suppose the plan worked."
At that moment, Park Siljang bowed respectfully to the woman beside them.
"It's been a long time, Chairman Jeong. I hope you've been well."
"Five years, is it? You've aged quite a bit yourself, Park Siljang."
"I'm turning sixty in just a couple of days. Who can stop the march of time?"
"Indeed. But these days, my son is the chairman—I'm just the vice chairman now."
"What does that matter? In my heart, you'll always be the eternal chairman."
Listening to their exchange, Suhyeon asked Park Siljang, "Do you know her well?"
"Hm? You don't know who this is, Suhyeon? How can someone in entertainment not recognize Chairman Jeong Mi-yeong's face?"
"I'm not the sharpest... I really have no idea."
The woman burst into laughter at Suhyeon's response.
"Hoho. A genius like Suhyeon calling himself dim-witted—how amusing."
A short while later, the three of them sat around the round table, enjoying dinner and conversation.
"So, that's why you hung my painting in the living room?"
Chairman Jeong smiled at Suhyeon's question. "Exactly. When I heard it was painted by that broadcasting prodigy, I got curious. I sent someone to buy it for display in one of my galleries, but once it arrived and I saw it up close, I loved it so much I hung it here instead. Now I admire it every day."
"I see. I'm grateful that you like something I painted. You were generous with the price too—twenty million won helped cover a lot of donations."
"Personally, I think two hundred million wouldn't even be enough. And gazing at that painting confirmed it for me. Ah, Suhyeon truly is a genius. Not the hyped-up kind from broadcasts and articles pushing an agenda, but the real deal."
Park Siljang interjected. "So that's why you offered Suhyeon the lead in a blockbuster? I only pieced it together last night myself. I didn't mention it to him, but the investor-distributor for Crying Handcuffs is BJ. I had my suspicions..."
"Come on, you think I'd decide based on one painting? I investigated thoroughly—his background, his acting credentials, from every angle. I even called people who've worked with Suhyeon recently, those who could give an objective, clear-eyed assessment."
Suhyeon followed up. "What did they say about me? I'm dying to know."
"Of course... that's a secret."
As dinner wound down, Chairman Jeong spoke up. "Park Siljang, Suhyeon—you might not know this, Suhyeon, but Park Siljang does. When I founded BJ Entertainment and built the business, I created NAMA—the Ennet Asia Music Awards—pushed through Superstar B despite the opposition, did so much for Hallyu music. But my real passion has always been... film."
Park Siljang picked up. "Who doesn't know your love for movies? You spearheaded the joint venture with Spielberg's DreamWorks, founded BGV to skyrocket domestic box office numbers. Without you, films like Snow Country Train never would have happened."
"Thank you, Park Siljang. But you know my recent films haven't done well, right?"
"If you're talking about My Path and Warship Island... yeah, they underperformed."
"My Path was a total flop. People are saying Jeong Mi-yeong's instincts have gone stale. I know it too. I admit it—age catches up."
"Nonsense. Who's spreading that rubbish? You're in your prime."
"No, I've reached my limit. That's why I'm retiring soon. Handing everything to my son and stepping away from the front lines."
Suhyeon asked, "Is it health-related? You don't look well."
"Yes, honestly, my body's failing me. Even simple things wear me out now."
"Hm. I don't have certifications, but I've studied traditional Korean medicine. Mind if I take your pulse?"
"I know from my research you're knowledgeable in it, but this illness is incurable. Well, it's not hard to humor you..."
Chairman Jeong extended her hand. Suhyeon felt her pulse and closed his eyes, focusing. Circulating his neigong carefully to examine her body, he was startled.
Hmm. This is... Three Yin Severed Meridians. Even this world has such absolute blockages. Makes sense—the people are the same across eras. Without abundant qi elixirs like in the old world, even I can't treat it now. Maybe after completing Daejuchun...
Suhyeon opened his eyes cautiously. "Whew. Chairman Jeong, your condition is congenital. In modern medical terms... it's a genetic issue at the DNA level. Probably affects your gait and leaves your muscle strength much weaker than average."
"Spot on. It's Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary condition. Hit me in my blooming twenties. I've held on this long, but age is making it unbearable. Incredible—you diagnosed it from a pulse alone. Did you know beforehand?"
"As I said, I only learned who you were today."
"Then... any chance of treatment?"
"Not at present."
Her eyes flashed at Suhyeon's words. " 'Not at present' implies... it might be possible soon?"
"...I can't promise."
"Hmm. Fair enough. At my age, I'm not clinging to a cure. But if it becomes possible, let me know—for my kids' sake."
"I will."
"Anyway, before retiring, I desperately want to produce one last magnificent film—maybe my swan song. I've devoted my life to the industry; it would be heartbreaking if my final works bombed."
"A tiger dies leaving its skin?"
"You could say that. Or a graceful finale. After investigating you, Suhyeon, I decided: you're the star of my last movie! An unparalleled genius leading my final blockbuster—that's why you were chosen."
"I'm deeply honored, but unworthy. I'll strive to meet your expectations."
"One last question: What's your dream, Suhyeon?"
Suhyeon organized his thoughts. "You mentioned yours from youth: At least make Asia a colony of Korean culture—that's my dream. I have one too. Recent, actually. Borrowing your words: At least this world as my own cultural colony."
He paused, then continued. "While you pursued yours through company management, I'll found and run companies while performing on the front lines as an actor and singer to make it real. Ambitious, right?"
"At least this world... Meaning you'd claim others too, if they exist? Impressive. A young person's dream needs that scale. I'll cheer you on."
Turning to Park Siljang, she added, "No point sticking around us old folks—it'll bore you. Send Suhyeon off. You stay; let's discuss production details."
"Yes, Chairman. As you wish."
"Then I'll take my leave. Until next time."
Leaving Park Siljang behind, Suhyeon rode the luxury sedan home as he had arrived, lost in thought.
The next day around 2 p.m., Suhyeon headed to BJ Entertainment's headquarters with Park Siljang for a meeting on his film contract.
In the assigned conference room, they chatted while waiting for staff.
"So I just sit here quietly?"
"Pretty much. Vice Chairman Jeong Mi-yeong is driving this personally—no one dares interfere, not even her son, the current chairman. He'd get an earful from Mom. You saw a softened version yesterday; her temper's legendary."
"Got it."
Five minutes later, six staffers entered. They discussed guarantees and budget, casting and crew scouting, domestic and overseas locations, schedule, distribution, and theater counts—smooth as silk, just as Park Siljang predicted.
Throughout, Suhyeon felt piercing stares. While five staffers dove into their topics, the youngest-looking woman sat silently, eyes fixed on him.
What's her deal? Doesn't seem like an ordinary employee...
Near the end, she spoke. "Suhyeon, I'm the on-set coordinator handling production matters. We'll meet often during filming, including overseas locations for interpreting and logistics. Nice to work with you."
"The pleasure's mine. Looking forward to it."
"One last thing: Any special skills or talents we might've missed? Anything that could boost the film's success—we'll note it."
Suhyeon pondered. "A standout talent... I'm good with swords."
"Swords? Like sword fights in Kill Bill?"
He smirked inwardly. The Zhuge clan's secret Great Heavenly Star Sword Technique reduced to mere swordplay...
"Something like that."
"Understood. Sword fights mean Japan, probably... We'll incorporate it. Oh, we're around the same age—let's hang out next time."
"Sure, next time."
Suhyeon returned to the company with an odd unease lingering.
Upon arrival, he beelined for Studio 1 to work on tracks.
Gotta finish these compositions fast. Moonlight Escort filming starts next week—no time then...
Settling into the chair, a knock sounded from outside, as if timed perfectly.
Who is it? I'm swamped...
"Come in."
Seeing who entered, Suhyeon wondered inwardly, What brings her here? She never has business with me...