11
## Chapter 11
I silently watched Kim Mooyoung's retreating figure.
The abandoned factory felt ice-cold.
As if the air itself had frozen.
As if the slightest touch would shatter it into pieces.
"Okay, cut!"
Fortunately, Director Na Chanho's signal broke the tense atmosphere.
"Senior, are you okay?"
As soon as the take ended, I relaxed and hurried over to Bae Jiho.
One side of his face was covered in blood.
Of course, it wasn't real blood. It was a special-effects product called Tear Blood.
Even so, getting hit couldn't have been painless. The parts of his face untouched by the fake blood were bright red.
"I told you to call me hyung."
Thankfully, Bae Jiho looked cheerful.
"But seriously, you scared the hell out of me."
"I'm sorry."
"No, not because I got hit. Your acting scared me."
He wiped his face with a towel handed over by a staff member.
"I almost developed PTSD that I didn't even have. What, did you get possessed or something?"
"...Possessed?"
"By an acting ghost."
For a second I wondered what he was talking about, then realized he was just joking. I quietly breathed a sigh of
relief.
The rest of the filming went smoothly.
There wasn't much dialogue or action left. Most of my remaining scenes were close-up shots of Han Jinil silently staring
into the distance. This scene had been unusually dialogue-heavy; normally Han Jinil barely spoke.
Even so, it required intense concentration.
But having actually become Han Jinil before, slipping back into the role felt as natural as breathing.
"Wow, Jihoo. Are you an acting machine? You don't even look tired."
"He's a person, not a machine. Besides, have you ever seen such a handsome machine?"
"Hey, were you just flirting with him?"
Even the staff couldn't help making comments like that.
Meanwhile, Bae Jiho looked exhausted.
Not only had I beaten him up during filming, but several supporting actors had also had to hit him afterward.
At least all the physically demanding scenes were finally over.
"Everyone remembers there's a dinner tonight, right?"
Once filming wrapped up, Assistant Director Jo Woori raised her voice.
"We'll head there together. If you're driving separately, just search for '24 Mapo Samgyeopsal.' Unless you have another
schedule, please try to attend."
In the past, I would've skipped the dinner without hesitation.
I'd always believed reading one more page of a script was more valuable.
Now things were different.
Unless I already had plans with Hana, I intended to attend whenever possible.
These dinners weren't just social gatherings.
They were part of working on set.
[kang - Filming's over. I'll stop by the dinner for a while.]
I sent Hana a message.
She replied almost instantly.
[hana - That's surprising. I thought you wouldn't go. Good decision!]
[hana - But if another girl steals your heart, you're dead.]
Wasn't she supposed to be studying?
Smiling, I sent her a few more messages.
"Jihoo."
After finishing the conversation, I headed toward the staff vehicle when Bae Jiho called out.
"Come ride with me."
He pointed toward a black van.
"Thank you."
There was no reason to refuse.
"Sit here. That's Minho hyung up front, my manager."
"So you're Kang Jihoo? I've heard a lot about you."
The van looked brand new.
Even though Bae Jiho was still only a promising rookie, his agency clearly believed in him enough to invest properly.
"Jihoo, you're not looking for an agency, are you?"
"...What?"
"I figured someone as talented as you must have a reason for staying independent."
That was certainly an unexpected assumption.
"If you ever change your mind, let me know. I haven't been with my company long, but I can introduce you."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He'd mistaken my lack of an agency for a personal philosophy rather than simple circumstance.
"I was just like you until early last year. But my CEO offered such great conditions and such a clear vision that I
signed."
Forest Entertainment.
I knew he'd remain with them for quite a while before eventually moving on.
His tone sounded suspiciously like a salesman, but I knew he was telling the truth.
'Forest really isn't a bad choice.'
If an opportunity like that came later, I'd seriously consider it.
No need to rush.
While I was thinking, Bae Jiho spoke with his manager.
"Hyung, is that guest who came with the CS Film people joining the dinner too?"
"Probably. Since CS Film is paying for tonight."
'CEO Yoo Euiju is coming too...?'
For some reason...
That made me uneasy.
---
The restaurant wasn't far away.
We arrived quickly.
"Everyone, please take your seats! As the director, I'd like to say a few words!"
The room quieted immediately.
"First, let's thank the owner of 24 Mapo Samgyeopsal. She reserved the whole place for us tonight. Give her a round of
applause!"
Everyone clapped enthusiastically.
"And another round of applause for today's hardest-working actor, Bae Jiho!"
Nobody objected.
Today's filming had been especially rough on him.
After another few acknowledgments, Director Na continued.
"And finally..."
He grinned.
"The dark horse of Our Days of School—Kang Jihoo!"
...Me?
I couldn't hide my surprise.
The timing was completely unexpected.
"What kind of nickname is 'dark horse'?"
"Director, your jokes are outdated."
The room burst into laughter.
"I mean it. Right after the first audition, I had zero expectations for Jihoo."
"Wow, Director. That's brutally honest."
"But now? The actor I look forward to seeing the most on set is Kang Jihoo."
The room applauded again.
"And you all remember those extra lines I added the day before filming?"
Some nodded.
"I honestly thought he'd refuse. Instead, he accepted immediately. His confidence impressed me. Then his acting
impressed me even more. But that's not all."
The director became more animated.
"When I was so obsessed with getting the perfect shot that I only cared about Jihoo's performance, do you know what he
said?"
He reenacted the conversation.
"'Director, your bold decision is admirable, but Bae Jiho's opinion matters more than mine. Please ask for his consent
first.'"
"No way he actually said that."
"Director's getting carried away."
Everyone laughed.
It was a little embarrassing.
But hearing sincere praise certainly didn't feel bad.
Clap.
Clap.
Unable to bear the attention, I started applauding first.
"Hahaha! Jihoo's embarrassed."
The room laughed again.
This time, the laughter felt warm.
Almost like adults watching an adorable younger sibling.
Ironically, I was probably the oldest person there.
"All right! That's enough speeches. Eat well, drink responsibly, and head home safely!"
With that, the company dinner officially began.
Tables filled with grilled pork, soju, and soybean stew.
"Jihoo, why are you sitting all the way over there? Come join us!"
"Yeah! Let's get to know each other!"
Surprisingly...
Making small talk.
Answering meaningless questions.
Laughing at jokes that weren't especially funny.
None of it felt difficult.
If anything...
It was enjoyable.
'I wish Hana were here too.'
Eventually I stepped outside and called her.
"Hello?"
She answered immediately.
"What's wrong? Why are you calling?"
"Nothing."
I wasn't calling to ask her to come.
I was calling because I was having fun.
And because I realized...
Hana had probably never experienced something like this herself.
"I almost got dressed and came over. Should I still come?"
"No. It's late. Students should stay home and study."
"How heartless. Just wait until finals are over. I'm following you everywhere, hubby."
I laughed.
Warm laughter drifted out from the restaurant.
The night air was freezing.
But the warmth of the phone in my hand...
Hana's voice...
The lights spilling from the restaurant...
And the distant sounds of everyone laughing...
Made the cold seem much less harsh.
"I should head back in."
"Okay. Send me a message when you're done."
After talking for another thirty minutes, I hung up and started walking back.
"...Hm?"
Someone was walking toward me.
And when I recognized who it was...
I stopped.
"Kang Jihoo."
It was Yoo Euiju.
Her expression was so cold that when she reached inside her coat...
For a split second, I wondered if she was pulling out a knife.
Instead, she handed me a business card.
"I'm Yoo Euiju, CEO of CS Entertainment."
She didn't even wait for me to finish reading it.
"I believe that once you've decided on something, you should act immediately, so I'll get straight to the point."
She spoke without hesitation.
"Join CS Entertainment. We'll provide you with the best treatment and support in the industry."
"..."
I couldn't respond.
The industry's top entertainment company...
Its CEO personally...
Was recruiting me?
At this point in my previous life, I'd been nothing more than an aspiring actor who had failed every audition.
It was difficult to accept that reality had changed this much.
'And she's Hana's aunt...'
That only made the situation even more complicated.
'Calm down.'
'I need to think this through.'
I quietly looked at Yoo Euiju.
---
Meanwhile, Yoo Euiju's thoughts were conflicted.
'Bae Jiho got to him first.'
Seeing them ride over together had already made her uneasy.
Even after the CEO of CS Entertainment personally made an offer...
Jihoo still hadn't answered immediately.
That could only mean Forest Entertainment had already promised him incredible terms.
'I have no choice.'
With that, Yoo Euiju decided it was time to play her trump card.