Chapter 9
The man guided them naturally toward the front desk. As he straightened his posture behind the counter, it felt as if the flow of the air itself had aligned.
“What can I do for you?”
The director burst out laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
“You’re asking again?”
“It’s a habit of the profession. When I stand in the designated spot, the words naturally come out.”
“Ah… yes, that sometimes happens. I guess that’s what happens when you get older.”
Even in everyday life, Lee Sun-hae would occasionally let filming terms slip. He immediately understood this. It was a trait shared among people whose work language was compartmentalized.
“We’d like to stay here.”
“May I ask how many days you are considering?”
“Um, for now… let’s see…”
The director looked back at the group behind him.
“Hey, how many days is our survey trip scheduled for again?”
“If you mean the guesthouse, we booked it for a week.”
The director looked back at the man.
“We’d like to stay a week. Is that possible?”
“Of course. Do you have any preferred floor or location?”
“No, not really. If I had to choose, higher floor? The view should be better.”
“Understood. I’ll do my best to accommodate your preference when assigning the room.”
He handed over a classic room key with a rectangular tag. The weight of it in her hand felt unfamiliar, yet Lee Sun-hae found it intriguing.
‘This feels… unreal in many ways.’
It was like holding a movie prop.
“We’ll have you on the 21st floor.”
“Oh, that’s really high up.”
“However, our hotel operates all rooms as a maximum of two-person occupancy. Would it be okay if we assigned you to adjacent rooms, Room 1 and Room 2?”
“Oh, yes. That’s fine.”
“Thank you. Then, before your check-in, let me guide you through some precautions.”
A graceful explanation began.
“As mentioned earlier, this hotel is currently in a trial operation period, so there may be some shortcomings in overall service. While using the rooms will not cause major inconvenience, some shared facilities may be restricted.”
Writer Hong, who had been quietly listening, spoke up cautiously.
“Um, what about meals?”
“We apologize for the inconvenience. Most guests currently staying here are aware of the trial operation and have prepared their own food in advance.”
“So, you mean we have to prepare our own meals?”
“I regret this exceptional situation. Would it be alright if we first check whether we can provide any convenience and then inform you again?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Thank you for your understanding. We will take measures to minimize any inconvenience.”
The staff observing from behind whispered among themselves.
“This place looks really expensive…”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve got this.”
“Director, we love you.”
“When else will I get a chance to show off my money?”
The director took out a card.
“Please process the payment. How much is it?”
“……”
“…Excuse me?”
“The stay will not be charged.”
“Excuse me?”
“Since we are in trial operation.”
Watching the man’s eyes curve like a crescent moon, Director Lee Sun-hae, who had seen many celebrities, couldn’t help but think.
‘He moves his body remarkably well.’
In their industry, “moving well” didn’t mean athleticism or good posture. It was the angle of the smile, the position of the head, the time a gaze lingered.
‘He knows exactly how to smile to look best.’
Again, she realized how skilled his smile was.
“Requesting payment when unable to provide services beyond the room itself would be unreasonable.”
“…Oh, I see.”
“Instead, if you share any inconveniences you experience during your stay, it would be of great help to us.”
The director glanced at the guests in the lobby.
“But wouldn’t other guests complain about fairness?”
“Guests currently staying here are already aware of the hotel’s nature.”
“The nature of the hotel?”
“The facilities are not fully operational, and even meals are extremely limited. We sincerely apologize for not providing prior notice.”
“No need to apologize. It’s actually us who…”
“There was a lapse on our side, so this benefit is entirely within my discretion.”
“…Well, if you put it that way, there’s nothing we can do.”
She had been curious how far they would go. Saying that made it hard to push further.
‘Have the exact charges not been decided yet?’
It made sense if it was trial operation.
‘If not…’
While thinking, the man smoothly continued.
“We’ll transport your luggage to your room.”
“Oh, it’s still in the car.”
The man glanced at the staff by her side and smiled at Director Lee Sun-hae.
“If you open the vehicle doors, our staff will move your items inside.”
“My luggage is a mix of things.”
“If you’re concerned about exposing personal items, we can selectively bring only the luggage you personally separate.”
“Ah, we’ll do that.”
The group had brought carry-ons and bags for a week’s survey.
As they brought the luggage into the hotel lobby, the waiting staff silently approached.
“Our staff will ensure your luggage is transported to the room.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s our duty, of course.”
“Um, is there anything else we should know?”
“Anything else…?”
“Since it’s trial operation, there might be other precautions besides being unable to use the service facilities.”
“…….”
Instead of answering immediately, the man reached out politely, gesturing toward the elevator.
“…I hope you haven’t forgotten what I mentioned earlier.”
Director Lee Sun-hae looked at him. ‘Hope’—that wasn’t his usual formal tone. He had maintained a strictly professional demeanor the whole time.
Yet this was clearly a personal caution.
“…Anything else?”
“Due to rain, many guests are currently staying on the 7th floor.”
“Because of rain?”
“There are people who particularly prefer rainy days.”
“That’s true, but…”
“If you need anything further, please contact the front desk. We will respond immediately.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Please enjoy a peaceful stay.”
Natural intonation, yet slightly unnatural flow. The man skillfully controlled the atmosphere with his posture and tone.
The group watched the manager’s back as he walked away for a while.
“…….”
…It felt strangely unreal.
“…Director, what about dinner?”
“Oh, I should have asked that too.”
She said it, but her body felt heavy. Driving in the downpour was no small task.
‘It hasn’t been long since he said he would check about meals.’
Asking now wouldn’t yield a new answer.
“Shall we go up and sort out the luggage first?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
“Isn’t it really unusual that they use a key instead of a card?”
“It’s rare in a hotel this size.”
“Concept, perhaps?”
“Classically styled, yes.”
“I see.”
By then, the elevator had arrived.
Silently and smoothly, the golden doors opened.
“This hotel is really something.”
“Wow, oh my.”
Opening the door, Director Lee Sun-hae couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Did we get assigned the suite?”
“This is… more like a house, isn’t it?”
“Honestly, it seems even better than my house.”
A staff member, who had recently bought a house through extreme effort, added bitterly.
“It easily looks over 100 pyeong.”
“What hotel room measures…”
“It seems to be a suite.”
“But they said there aren’t many rooms here.”
“One hundred thirty-five.”
“Every room is big, then are they all like this?”
“Who would come here if they were all like this? Must be expensive…”
The chatter made the director’s expression subtle.
“Director?”
“Ah, yes. I couldn’t say it before.”
“What is it?”
“The lobby lounge tables are branded.”
“What brand?”
“…Expensive.”
The writer asked.
“Do you know the name?”
“Listen closely.”
Hearing the name, the writer was startled.
“…Why is that in a hotel lobby?”
“Exactly.”
“They must have gotten wet in the rain.”
“They were mostly covered with towels, so it’s probably fine.”
“No, really, why is it in the lobby?”
“Let’s check the room first.”
The group cautiously stepped into the suite, observing the interiors. Bedrooms, bathroom, and toilet were basic, but beyond that were unfamiliar spaces.
“…What is this?”
“Probably a study.”
“Why would a hotel have a study?”
“Suites sometimes do.”
One study, one dining room.
“And this?”
“Place to eat?”
A living room.
“And this?”
“Just call it a living room.”
“What does ‘just call it’ mean?”
“Just a living room.”
“Oh….”
They looked at each other.
“Are we really supposed to stay here?”
“I hope we don’t get dragged away in the night.”
“At this point, I’d accept even if they gouged us.”
“Accept? What are you talking about? These people…”
“Director, let’s just pay. I’ll contribute too.”
“Me too.”
“My heart feels too heavy right now.”
“Now you start doubting? I was suspicious from the lobby.”
“The writer is actually quite timid.”
“Let’s say careful instead.”
The staff began discussing room arrangements.
“So how do we split the rooms? Three women, one man.”
“There are two beds. Hong and I can take one, and the others can share the other.”
“Works for us… Are you okay with that, writer?”
“…Yes, well… at the guesthouse we were all going to sleep together anyway…”
Since the rooms were separate, it was even better than the guesthouse. Naturally. The suite easily surpassed a regular suite.
After sorting the team and luggage, the director called the writer.
“Hong, let’s talk.”
“I wondered when you’d say that. Did you find out anything?”
“Sounds like a stealth investigation when you put it that way.”
“I feel the same way.”
They sank into the living room sofa.
“From my guess… it’s like a membership hotel.”
“Membership hotel…?”
Writer Hong, who was meticulous with research, immediately understood.
“Do such places exist, even in Gapyeong?”
“They do exist in secluded areas.”
Some hotels remain completely private, inaccessible without recommendations from existing members, regardless of wealth.
“Those places usually operate on a membership or invitation basis.”
“…Not my area of expertise, so I don’t know much.”
“Not common in our genre anyway.”
The director recalled the earlier events.
“The lobby staff, and the manager guiding us—they were all striking, and service was impeccable.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“There are facilities like that, built exclusively for certain people, away from others.”
“You mean ordinary people?”
“Exactly. Or just for hobby purposes.”
“Who builds a hotel as a hobby?”
“If you have excess money, maybe. I think this is one such place.”
“That’s absurd.”
“Yet it’s not overly strict. We, non-members, were allowed in. Access wasn’t that difficult either.”
Hidden in the mountains, unreachable without directions. Ironically, if you got lost, you might arrive by chance.
“Usually, access is hidden or blocked.”
“…Feels like we’ve arrived somewhere we weren’t meant to?”
“But the manager said, if the owner accepts without issue, who will complain? Feels like the owner.”
“True, very confident for an owner.”
“Guests here are probably all well-off. So dismissing complaints wouldn’t be hard. Maybe it’s a hobby.”
“No matter how I think about it, we’ve come somewhere we shouldn’t.”
“At least someone with more discretion than the owner is here. Not built for profit. But since security isn’t too strict…”
“Hobby?”
“Possibly, maybe?”
Still, odd things remained.
“Why would such a person be general manager? Could be a hobby, but service is too skilled.”
She added.
“He smiles so well.”
Not simply being ‘friendly.’
Ordinary people don’t know exactly which muscles they use to smile, or how far their lips curl. He knew how to appear most valuable.
“Even actors don’t always know how they appear on camera.”
“You mean he’s not just a rich idler.”
“Exactly. Someone who moves so well wouldn’t stay in a secluded place without purpose.”
“……”
“Why so quiet?”
“Feels like we’ve come to a different world.”
“Scared? How many times have you said that? Same world, just different rules.”
“Feels like a completely different world.”
“Then I feel too lonely.”
“Sometimes I feel distance from you too, director.”
“Distance between artists is not allowed, Hong.”
Writer Hong groaned.
“Have you been to places like this often?”
“Not often, once or twice.”
“That already sounds like a lot to me.”
“But those places were stricter than this.”
“Stricter?”
“Overseas, too, and I wasn’t even a member.”
“Now?”
“Still not. Membership costs a fortune. I’d rather make a film.”
“I see… feels strange.”
The director shrugged.
“Unusual, usually such places are resorts, not hotels. Or allow only long-term stays, full floors, dedicated chef or manager…”
“Feels like another world.”
“Compared to those, this place is quite free.”
“I still think this is luxurious enough.”
“But there’s something strange.”
“All seems strange.”
“Listen.”
The director tapped the table.
“The manager said earlier, remember?”
“…Guests here are eccentric?”
“Service is perfect, yet the manager openly criticizes guests.”
“Maybe that’s just his nature.”
“If so, he’d have shown it the whole time. But he only mentioned it once, when alone with us. Despite being the owner above the guests.”
“Then why act as general manager here?”
“Meaning there must be a reason.”
“Does he need to manage every detail?”
“So, I think the hotel itself isn’t the main point.”
“The guests, or the facilities, are the main focus.”
“….”
The writer frowned.
“Isn’t the guest always the main in a hotel this size?”
“The hotels I mentioned earlier, the hotel itself matters. Special guests come there. So special guests gather in such hotels.”
“So here?”
“Think inversely. The hotel was built for special guests.”
“The manager called them ‘eccentric.’”
The director folded his arms, pondering.
“He didn’t show any welcoming expression when we said we’d stay. If someone that good at controlling expression gave that much away, it was a clear signal.”
“Then we could just be kicked out, right?”
“There must be a reason why not. But it wasn’t fear of bad evaluation from us.”
“For a hotel owner, of course. Then he was genuinely concerned that the guests might be eccentric?”
“Maybe not just a comment.”
The director described facilities typically overseas. Korea is small, so privacy is harder. Locally, it became freer.
“But why build it domestically like this?”
Simply for convenience? Yet it’s in the mountains. Helicopters or private planes impossible on dirt roads.
“If domestic accommodation was the purpose, they wouldn’t choose this place.”
At least the air route would need to exist. Trees should be cleared for a helipad. Common sense.
“But the building and forest are almost touching, and the rooftop has a garden. No room for helicopters. Only the rough dirt road.”
Perhaps secret paths exist, but from visible conditions, this is isolated.
“Then what is this place for? Like it’s meant to hide something…”
“…Yet the entrance is wide open, isn’t it?”
Writer Hong countered.
“People like us could get lost and wander in, yet nothing blocks it. If security were strict, they’d fence it.”
“Exactly. They could have fenced it as private property, but the path is open. Dirt road, but security isn’t very strict.”
“If it’s to hide something, they’d block it better.”
“Or allowing outsiders is intentional. It suits the purpose, so no need to close.”
“Maybe it’s to advertise to a few outsiders. Word of mouth helps business. Hobby or whatever.”
“Yet they were passive… seemed like they wanted us out…”
Director muttered, writer seemed determined.
“Shall we go out?”
“At this hour?”
“Exactly because of the hour.”
“Why? It’s fun.”
“I don’t risk my life for fun.”
“Ah, just speculation. We joke about the king when alone. This is just ghost story-level gossip at orientation.”
“Don’t scare me with ghost stories.”
“Hong is too timid.”
Sun-hae laughed, teasing.
The hotel manager was clearly amicable. He played his role, yet gave a personal warning. At least with him around, nothing dangerous would happen.
‘Probably.’
Then they just needed to be careful.
“Aren’t you curious? This could give good inspiration.”
“….”
“No denial.”
See. Green matches green.
“…Why.”
“Hello?”
“Why couldn’t he just ask us to leave?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of guy is he?”
“…Yes, no, yes….”
“What kind of guy?”
Lee Yeon-woo, nearly dead from blood pressure, gritted his teeth.
“Kidnapped, confined, and now portrayed as a vile criminal.”
Unforgivable.