Chapter 138 - Vroooom!
Right after grabbing his luggage, he hopped into the rented Mini Cooper and sped down the wide-open highway. The sunset glow, music from the radio, and cool breeze streaming through the window—they were his companions as he raced straight to his accommodation.
"Check-in, please."
"Here, Suite Room number 1402. Have a nice day, Sir."
"Thank you."
After checking into the hotel, he entered his room and unpacked. By the time he finished showering and lay down on the bed, exhaustion finally hit him like a wave. It was just transitioning from evening to night in England, but back in Korea, it would be the dead of night. Jet lag adaptation was priority one. He'd been too busy enjoying everything on the plane to catch even a wink.
I'll rest up today and explore to my heart's content starting tomorrow.
Lying blankly on the bed, staring up at the Suite Room ceiling, Baek Woojin suddenly sat up with a psst, pop! and grabbed a can of beer from the minibar.
"What a killer view."
Through half-lidded eyes, he gazed at London's nightscape beyond the curtains. The view overlooking the Thames River was so stunning that he simply had to pair it with a beer. No matter how tired he was, a vista like this demanded it—common sense, really. Especially the massive Ferris wheel, the landmark London Eye, which drew his gaze irresistibly.
A walk along the Thames is supposed to be famous...
I've gotta ride the London Eye no matter what.
Those thoughts bubbled up in his mind, and before he knew it, he'd drained the beer can. Woojin soon drifted off to dreamland.
His first day in London passed peacefully.
The next day, Woojin emerged from the hotel bursting with energy, fatigue a distant memory.
Where to first?
His list of must-visit spots already exceeded twenty. Settling into the driver's seat, he pondered briefly before turning the key.
He soon arrived at Stratford upon Avon, just outside London. This was the birthplace and lifelong home of England's literary giant—arguably the greatest playwright in world history, even today. Whether true or not, legend had it that Queen Elizabeth I declared she wouldn't trade him for all of India. He was William Shakespeare, the towering figure of English literature. The town preserved every trace of his life, from birth to death—a prime tourist spot.
Woojin parked in the public lot and began strolling the town center. Signs for the Shakespeare Center dotted the streets everywhere.
"Whoa..."
The traditional European architecture and double-decker buses ferrying crowds captured his attention. England truly lived up to its reputation for the world's most double-deckers—practically their mascot.
Click.
He snapped photos freely, capturing it all as he kept walking.
So this is where it all began.
Through the Shakespeare Center, he entered the house where the Bard had lived. Here, he'd penned 38 plays (37 completed, one title only), 154 sonnets, two long poems—masterpieces all. The four great tragedies—Othello, Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth—and five great comedies—A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It—plus Romeo and Juliet, and more. As an actor who'd read them dozens of times, the works flooded his mind at once.
This feeling persisted as he moved from the Bard's birthplace to Holy Trinity Church, site of his grave. Retracing one man's monumental life, he walked along the Avon River under clear skies and scenic nature that no photo could fully capture.
"Ah, this feels good."
Whether framed in his camera or just wandering daily life, he was always under dozens, hundreds of watching eyes. But here, he could ditch the sunglasses and mask with barely anyone recognizing him. A pleasant sense of liberation enveloped him.
Along the way, he passed nameless tombstones and graves. Of course, Shakespeare's wasn't among them—the star lay inside the church.
Welcome to Sunday Services
He'd finally reached his destination. The sign out front listed Mass times. Come to think of it, today was Sunday again. Tours were restricted during services, so it was best to avoid them. Luckily, Woojin arrived in between.
"Ah, I wanna do theater."
His first stop on this first trip ignited a burning desire for stage acting he'd never tried. Touring Shakespeare's traces left him thinking of doing a play as his next project back home after vacation.
I should call Senior Jeong Jae-min the moment I return to Korea.
Clink.
"Thank you. Good luck."
"Welcome."
At the entrance donation box for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (tax included), Woojin dropped the maximum 10 pounds before exiting the church.
A thank-you for igniting my acting passion so fiercely I almost want to fly back to Korea right now.
He offered silent gratitude to the great master.
He headed to the West End, one of the world's twin peaks of musical theater alongside New York's Broadway. The term encompassed some 50 theaters under the London Theatre Association. London's busiest commercial district, packed with western theaters and cinemas, it buzzed with crowds daily.
His diary-enhanced English made understanding original works effortless. In Shakespeare's homeland, the world's premier musical and theater hub—how could he skip a show? He planned to catch every current production. That's why he'd considered spending a full week—or his entire trip—right here in London.
One play, then dinner. One musical, then a light drink. Heaven for any actor!
"Notre Dame de Paris, ticket please."
At Queen’s Theatre, he bought a ticket for the musical Notre Dame de Paris. He wasn't deep into musicals, but this one was too iconic to miss. Adapted from Victor Hugo's novel (famous for Les Misérables), it was France's signature musical, performed worldwide—but the West End version was hailed as the best. That's why he'd booked it on the spot, no hesitation. And luck struck: he snagged one of the last five tickets right at the venue. A bit far up in the balcony, but beggars couldn't be choosers. Scoring a sold-out staple like this in person was pure joy.
"Total 20 pounds."
"Here."
He snapped up the program book, pamphlet, and script without a second thought. Full info, cast list, actor profiles, full script—essential stuff, so Woojin didn't skimp.
Should I grab a pair of opera glasses too...?
Turning, he spotted them at the souvenir shop right outside: tiny opera glasses. They caught his eye immediately.
Damn, this place knows how to upsell.
From the balcony, actors' expressions would be hard to catch—and now opera glasses? Tempting.
That's when—
Tap tap.
Suddenly, someone tugged his leg.
"...?"
Woojin looked down to see a boy waving up at him.
"Hi."
The kid's blue eyes and golden hair stood out. Around six or seven, he beamed innocently. His steady gaze fixed on Woojin's face, curiosity sparkling at the unfamiliar features.
Woojin knelt to eye level. Their chat went like this:
"Hi?"
"Hi!"
Woojin spoke softly, and the boy waved even higher, shouting back.
"What's your name?"
"William!"
Fitting, fresh from Shakespeare's haunts. Perfect for the West End.
"Pretty name."
"What's yours, mister?"
"Woojin. Baek Woojin."
"Back? Your name means 'back'?"
William's innocent question—language play from the name difference—cracked Woojin up. Too cute!
"Not quite 'back'—it's my family name."
"Oh! Where you from?"
Woojin scooped him up.
"Korea."
"Korea? Where's that?"
William tilted his head, finger to lips.
"A country in Asia."
"Asia? What's that?"
Kids' pure curiosity poked at every word. Woojin explained simply as he carried him out of the shop.
"You here alone? Where are your mom and dad?"
Now that he thought, no one had been with William when he approached. Probably separated while parents looked away.
"I saw a cool doll and came in. But Mom and Uncle disappeared!"
Yet no tears in this crowd? And approaching a stranger so fearlessly—his friendliness was baffling. Maybe Woojin's exotic look intrigued him. Whatever.
"William, you're so brave."
"Yup!"
Snuggled comfortably, he stayed put.
Plenty of time left...
Three hours till the evening show.
"William, want ice cream?"
"Yes, please!"
Woojin bought soft-serve nearby. William bounced happily.
"Let's go find Mom and Uncle."
"Okay!"
Gripping Woojin's hand tight, ice cream in the other, he was all smiles. Woojin considered a lost-child center but opted to wait on the bench by the shop—better not cross paths.
They'd come looking nearby. Sure enough—
"William!"
"Mom! Uncle too!"
Turning, Woojin saw a man and woman rushing over, calling the boy's name. William waved wildly, grinning.
The woman scooped him up frantically.
"William, where'd you wander off to alone?!"
"Playing with this mister!"
Uncle patted his head.
"Aigoo, can't keep up with you."
"Hehe, mister bought me ice cream too!"
The woman bowed repeatedly to Woojin.
"Thank you so much."
"No problem. Glad it worked out."
"How can we ever repay you..."
"Really, it's fine. He's such a charmer—I had fun."
Uncle chimed in.
"Heh, well then, maybe your contact—"
"Ah, I'm traveling, no local number. Truly fine. Well..."
Woojin turned to go, but paused.
"William, nice meeting you. Bye!"
"Bye, nice 'Back' mister!"
He didn't forget their fleeting farewell.
Then—
"Are you here for a show, or planning to?"
The woman's clear voice asked.
"Yes. Evening performance."
"Mind sharing which one?"
"Sure! Notre Dame de Paris."
Woojin showed his ticket. She smiled faintly, nodding.
The man reacted similarly.
"Anyway, thank you."
They bowed again, picked up William, and left. Their parting smiles felt oddly meaningful, but Woojin moved on.
Three hours later, after filling up on England's classic fish and chips, Woojin entered Queen’s Theatre.
And then it hit him.
The meaning behind those faint smiles on William's guardians.