Han Dae-jin Meets 9thSilver
“Annual leave? Why?”
The team leader asked Han Dae-jin.
“Tomorrow’s the memorial for my old mentor who taught me back in the day. I got invited, so I can’t skip it—that’s why I’m asking. Plus, it’s way out in Gyeongbuk.”
The team leader nodded and approved the electronic request right away. Han Dae-jin thanked him and sat back down to tackle his work.
“What mentor? A school teacher?”
The HR department head—Min Hee-yeon—asked.
“Nah. It’s the death anniversary of that film director who taught me novel writing and stuff. I went last year too, remember?”
Min Hee-yeon nodded at Han Dae-jin’s explanation. He fired up the editing software to finish the video editing task he’d just been assigned.
Focused on editing, Han Dae-jin ended up pulling an all-nighter for the first time in a while. Lying on his bed, he pulled out the suit he’d wear tomorrow—a classic black three-piece. White shirt, black tie. He’d even pre-tied the tie for convenience.
The next day, Han Dae-jin woke up, showered, styled his hair, and got dressed. He left his Osan Officetel around 9 a.m. He’d grab lunch with the director’s wife and family, then attend the evening event. Perfect timing, since it was Friday.
He stopped at Manghyang Rest Area, filled up with premium fuel, and checked his fuel stats on the app. Fuck, already a million won? At this rate, bankruptcy was looming. Running the Avante N in N mode exclusively and feeding it nothing but premium was brutal.
Leaving the rest area, he shifted gears slowly, switching to Eco mode. The roaring N engine settled into a soothing ASMR hum. He’d flip it back to N if things got boring.
Han Dae-jin arrived in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk. At a local Korean restaurant, the director’s family was waiting. He sat awkwardly, accepting their kind words and blessings.
“You still writing these days?”
The director’s wife asked.
“Ah... work’s been draining my energy, you know? But I’ve been doing some car YouTube stuff instead.”
She smiled warmly at his response.
“Creating anything is good, Dae-jin. It feels like just yesterday your mentor’s eyes would sparkle whenever you showed him your work...”
Han Dae-jin managed a faint smile.
After lunch, they headed to the director’s old house. Han Dae-jin had lived there briefly as a kid, learning to write under his guidance. Those skills had gotten him into a creative writing program in Seoul—but that was as far as it went. Lately, he couldn’t find a reason to write anymore.
Sitting at the desk where he’d studied with the director, Han Dae-jin lost himself in memories. Come to think of it, besides the wife, was there someone else around back then? He suddenly recalled the actress who’d always been there during his writing lessons. The one he’d teasingly called Silver Ash. Name was... Gu? Eun-jae?
“By the way, wasn’t there that actress who was always with the director? Is she coming?”
Han Dae-jin asked the wife. Her face darkened slightly.
“Who knows. Ever since the director passed, we’ve invited her to every memorial, but she rarely shows. We sent one this time too—maybe she’ll come.”
Han Dae-jin nodded.
As evening fell, they moved to the cultural center in Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk. Han Dae-jin parked his Avante N in the lot and was about to get out when his eyes locked on another car already there.
9thSilver. Porsche 966 Turbo.
What the hell is that doing here?
Han Dae-jin froze, staring blankly. The 966 Turbo’s engine was still running. Then it cut off, and the door began to open.
Tension gripped him as he fixed his gaze. Out stepped 9thSilver—Silver Ash, Gu Eun-jae.
She climbed out, locking eyes with Han Dae-jin.
“Oh! Long time no see! Dae...jin? That’s you, right?”
Gu Eun-jae approached with a greeting. Han Dae-jin returned it awkwardly.
“Yeah... so, what do I call you now? 9thSilver? Silver Ash? What?”
Her expression shifted to a cryptic smile as she glanced at his Avante N.
“You drive too, huh.”
Her voice was low.
“Yeah...”
“I’m 9thSilver sometimes, Gu Eun-jae other times, or the Silver Ash you called me—or maybe nothing at all.”
Han Dae-jin blinked, dumbfounded.
“It’s been over ten years since you last showed up to one of these.”
“I didn’t deserve to. Still don’t.”
“Then why come today?”
“You think there has to be a reason?”
Gu Eun-jae flashed a bright smile mid-conversation—reporters were approaching. She went to them for a quick interview, then vanished inside the cultural center.
Inside the venue, Han Dae-jin watched her greet the bereaved family. Even as a kid, that androgynous charm had fueled his fantasies more than once. To think such a stunning woman was the ferocious 9thSilver—it blew his mind. The wife’s face mixed joy with a shadow of gloom.
The event kicked off with a talk concert reminiscing about the director. Soon, Han Dae-jin took the stage, sharing his own stories. Then came the celebratory performance: Gu Eun-jae.
“We’re especially honored to have actress Gu Eun-jae here today. She debuted in Korean film with the director’s movie, winning Rookie of the Year that same year. Their bond continued from there. And she’s prepared a song for us?”
“Yes. I’ve prepared one thinking of the director today.”
The session band started the intro to her chosen track, and Gu Eun-jae began to sing.
(Omitted due to intellectual property rights)
Her haunting, soulful song ended to thunderous applause and murmurs rippling through the hall. Han Dae-jin looked as shocked as anyone.
After the event, he followed Gu Eun-jae as she headed to her car. She paused, noticing him.
“Got questions? You don’t strike me as the photo-op type.”
“The song was great. But why that one?”
“I’m no saint. Neither was he. Just being honest. Maybe you should try that sometime, Dae-jin.”
He sighed.
“Any more honest, and life might get too hard.”
“That’s no excuse.”
“Feels like you’re seeing right through someone. Like you’re always saying ‘just do it.’”
“Sounds like the person I knew.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. No idea why they’re chasing me now, but... wait, that was you riding alongside in the 9thSilver chase video.”
Han Dae-jin confirmed it.
“Don’t dive in too deep. By the time you realize you’re soaked, it’s too late.”
She got in her car and peeled out of the lot. Reporters scrambled after her, but she was long gone.
Back home, Han Dae-jin crashed onto his bed—only to crave the rush again. He threw on some casual clothes and headed out.
At Gimpo Coffee Special, Kim Ji-hyun sat alone with an iced Americano. Han Dae-jin ordered one and plopped down across from her. She ruffled his hair with a grin.
“Hey, sis. Why didn’t you tell me 9thSilver was Gu Eun-jae?”
“Figured you’d find out eventually—no need to spell it out. You went to the memorial, huh?”
“Yeah. Total chaos today. She shows up with the wife there, face goes dark... I stuck around after to look after her.”
“That crazy bitch... airing out his affair like it’s a billboard.”
Han Dae-jin cleared his throat. Right, that was public knowledge.
“Anyway, why’re you out? Didn’t call you.”
“Just needed to drive.”
“You’re turning into quite the maniac yourself... Let’s hit Pada.”
Kim Ji-hyun stood, and soon her M4 and his Avante N rolled out of the cafe.