Son Jin-uk's House
"The publicity team says the online response has been pretty solid. Looks like we can get our hopes up for the premiere ratings. Though we might just be counting our chickens before they hatch."
The comment counts and YouTube views had been coming in strong. It wasn't so much because of Ryu Yeon-woo as it was the fact that Son Jin-uk and Han So-hyun were already rising stars—the blue-chip talents of the younger generation.
"The first broadcast is only a week away now," Yeon-woo said.
At the director's remark, Jin-uk checked the calendar on his phone.
"Right. Jin-uk, So-hyun—you're both attending the SBC awards tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Ah, I'm not going. I didn't have any work with SBC this year. So-hyun got nominated, though."
So-hyun, who had been half-listening with her ears perked, stopped mid-sip of her coffee and turned around.
"Hehe. If I actually win something, should I mention Yeon-woo?"
"Come on, noona. You'll just get dirty looks from the Flowers Falling on Hanyang team."
Han So-hyun had been nominated for both Best Actress and Outstanding Actress at the SBC awards for the popular fusion historical drama that had wrapped mid-year.
"Yeah, you're right. But JNBC doesn't really do award shows, so I was worried our little Woo might feel left out."
"I'm fine. Just making my debut on the small screen is more than enough to make me happy."
So-hyun really did look after Yeon-woo like a little brother.
Watching the three of them, Director Kim Han-su spoke up.
"Let's work hard and aim for the Korean Arts Awards, everyone."
"Oh, right! Director, the Korean Arts Awards!"
Established in 1965 to promote the development of Korean popular culture and the arts and to boost the morale of artists, it was a comprehensive arts award that honored production staff and performers across every film, theater, and television work aired by every broadcaster in the country over the course of a year.
"Well, it's not that I'm greedy for awards, but you actors have all worked so hard. It would be nice if there was some recognition for it."
"Hahaha. That would be great."
Jin-uk readily agreed with the director's attempt to lift their spirits.
"Oh, and while we're on the subject—this came up from the production company. It's a bit early to bring it up before the premiere, but since all the leads are here..."
At Director Kim Han-su's words, all three actors turned their full attention to him.
"If the early ratings turn out low, I'd like you to do a few variety shows for promotion. You know me—I'm not the type to force anyone."
"Variety shows?"
It wasn't a particularly difficult request.
"First of all, the actors would have to be willing to film."
"I'm all for it! Super for it! I haven't done much variety until now, but with our members it sounds like it'd be fun."
So-hyun linked arms with the two men on either side of her as she spoke.
"Hmm. I don't have a ton of variety experience either, but I'm fine with it. Even if it isn't just for the ratings, I'd go for the sake of the project."
Son Jin-uk liked the atmosphere on this shoot and the project itself.
"I'd be honored to be called for anything."
As a brand-new rookie actor just starting out, Yeon-woo was naturally on board.
"If we do end up going, which shows would it be?"
"Any variety show airing on JNBC would welcome us with open arms."
Jin-uk nodded.
"True. We've been so scarce on variety that even the fan clubs have been hoping for it."
"Having Jin-uk on a variety show would definitely help a lot. He's not the kind of actor you usually see on those programs. We'll think about that later, though. Thanks to Yeon-woo wrapping things up so quickly this morning, we actually have some free time today."
Director Kim Han-su smiled and patted Yeon-woo on the shoulder.
"Teacher Lee Sang-jung guided me so well."
Yeon-woo smiled bashfully at the director's praise.
Finding him adorable, So-hyun pinched and stretched Yeon-woo's cheek.
"We've pretty much finished all the indoor shoots. Tomorrow we just need to grab a few outdoor scenes on campus, and then we're really almost done filming. Let's wrap for today."
Director Kim Han-su called over the assistant director and started giving various instructions.
"The staff still have some prep work for tomorrow's outdoor shoot, so the actors can head home."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Director."
"Thank you for your hard work."
After exchanging greetings with the staff, the three lead actors left the set.
So-hyun's manager, who had been waiting, pulled the car around. She climbed in, waved, and left first.
"Yeon-woo, where's your team leader?"
"Ah, I took the subway."
Jin-uk looked startled by Yeon-woo's answer.
"Huh? For real?"
"Yeah. It's boring being alone at the dorm, and it felt awkward asking someone to pick me up just because I came to cheer. Besides, I still haven't even signed a management contract."
Jin-uk thought for a moment after hearing that, then said,
"Then want to come over to my place? Stay the night."
"What? Your place, hyung?"
Yeon-woo echoed the unexpected invitation.
"Yeah. I live alone anyway. We've got overlapping campus scenes tomorrow. We can just ride over in my car."
"I'd love to, but I don't want to impose."
At Yeon-woo's cautious reply, Jin-uk laughed heartily and slung an arm around his shoulders.
"What impose? I'm bored too. Hop in first for a second. I left my coat behind."
Still with his arm around Yeon-woo, Jin-uk steered him over and settled him into the waiting van.
"Hello, Sang-woo hyung."
Jin-uk's manager, Sang-woo, turned from the driver's seat.
"Oh, Yeon-woo."
"Come on, you can drop the formal speech."
They had barely crossed paths before—just enough to exchange names.
"Ah, should I? Haha."
Click.
Just then Jin-uk returned from the set with his coat and climbed into the car.
"Sang-woo. I invited Yeon-woo over tonight. Let's head home."
"Yes, hyung."
Lee Sang-woo shifted gears and pulled away.
"You want to hang out too? Got plans tonight?"
"Ah, hyung. I've got a date."
"Ooooh, a date—"
Jin-uk drawled the words playfully.
"You're the real winner out of the three of us."
"What? When you and Yeon-woo say that to me, it's just fraud."
Hahaha.
"Oh right. Yeon-woo might have a girlfriend too. Well?"
"Nah, I don't."
If I had a girlfriend right now, she'd be two full zodiac cycles younger than me.
Yeon-woo scratched his head and swallowed the rest of the thought.
"After our drama airs, some of the girl groups your age might start reaching out first, you know?"
"Ooooh, girl groups—"
This time Jin-uk and Sang-woo chimed in with the teasing sound at the same time.
"Hahaha. Hyungs, ganging up on me like that? I'm not even thinking about dating yet."
"Come on, dating at your age is supposed to be fresh and fun. Though with our line of work, maybe you're the smarter one."
Women—of course he liked them.
He had even had relationships in his previous life.
But in a life where he never knew when or where he might be deployed, or how he might die, there had never been room to truly share his heart with anyone.
"Dating, huh. If the chance comes, I won't go out of my way to avoid it. But right now I've got too much on my plate."
"Ah, so you're one of those. A fate-chaser."
Someone who only pursues fated encounters.
Even with a soul that had been a middle-aged man until recently, Yeon-woo knew that much slang.
"Maybe so."
Chatting about this and that, they soon arrived at Jin-uk's place.
"Oh, so this is the neighborhood where a lot of celebrities live. High-end villas."
He hadn't expected to end up here, but even in his previous life, when he lived in Seoul, it had been a place he wanted to visit at least once.
"Yeon-woo, hyung's place is insane. Better than a luxury hotel suite."
Sang-woo had thoroughly hyped Yeon-woo's expectations.
"Hahaha. You can always come back after your date."
"Nah. I'll pick you up in the morning. I need to sleep at home."
"Alright. No extra bags to unload, so just head off from here."
Jin-uk said as he and Yeon-woo got out of the car.
"Yes, hyung. See you tomorrow. I'll be here by nine. Bye, Yeon-woo."
"Drive safe."
Sang-woo drove the van off to return it to the company while Yeon-woo and Jin-uk stepped into the elevator.
Ding—
"Just a second."
Beep-beep—
Jin-uk used his security card to open the door and gestured Yeon-woo inside.
"Come on in. Mi casa. Woo-ju-ssi."
"Wow, after all that begging in the drama for you to let me stay over at your place! You're finally letting me in?"
"What? Hahaha. Guess so."
Past the arched, hotel-like shoe cabinet that already radiated luxury from the entrance, they walked along marble walls until the first thing that hit the eye was the vast living room's floor-to-ceiling windows, so open it felt like the space had been punched clean through.
"Whoa. Now I get why people go on about Han River views. Hyung, this is amazing."
The sweeping Han River vista through the wide glass, with a glimpse of the riverside expressway below.
From his previous life to this one, he had never been the type to obsess over nice houses or cars—but good was still good.
Watching his cute little brother gape like a child and flash a thumbs-up, Jin-uk's own shoulders rose with pride as he launched into an excited explanation.
"Come on, I'll give you the tour. There's even an acting practice room upstairs."
"What? There's an upstairs too?"
The two men wandered around, one explaining with gusto and the other marveling, so thoroughly that anyone watching might have mistaken them for a real-estate agent showing a property.
"I like decorating, and I'm into interior design. Did I go too hard showing off the place?"
"No way, Jin-uk hyung. I've never been in a house this nice. I've always wanted to visit this neighborhood at least once."
The two of them, perfectly in sync, played around without noticing the time pass.
Then, as if something had just occurred to him, Jin-uk said,
"Oh, right! Yeon-woo, do you like watches?"
"Watches? I don't really know much about them, but I like looking at the pretty ones. The kind where you can see the gears turning inside."
"Oho, is that so?"
At Yeon-woo's mild show of interest, Jin-uk's grin stretched ear to ear as he beckoned him.
"Yeon-woo, come on. Follow me."
Jin-uk led him into the dressing room and began showing off the collection he had gathered.
"This one's pretty too—oh, and that one was a gift."
"Hmm? What's this?"
Smiling at the way Jin-uk had turned into an excited kid showing off one piece after another, Yeon-woo tilted his head at a watch case that somehow looked strangely familiar.
"Huh? That one? Ah, that. Have you ever heard of the Absolute Watch?"
At Jin-uk's words, Yeon-woo's expression shifted with sudden recognition.
"The National Intelligence Service watch."
"Oh, so you know it too?"
Jin-uk took it out and handed it to Yeon-woo.
The Absolute Watch.
A timepiece produced by the National Intelligence Service, awarded along with a commendation for meritorious service—most often for reporting spies or providing other assistance related to national security.
Online it had been hyped into something legendary and earned the nickname Absolute Watch.
But if you wanted one, you could simply buy it as a souvenir after an NIS tour, and in his previous life Yeon-woo had often given away the ones he received as standard issue to anyone who wanted them.
Of course the designs changed often enough that the particular shape of Jin-uk's watch wasn't familiar—but encountering something so familiar in such an unexpected place still left him with a strange, wistful ache.