Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Couldn’t Say It Again Today
Having finished his performance, Yu Yeon-seo slowly blinked. Director Jeong Hyeon-sik and Director Cheon applauded.
“What do you think?”
He rolled his stiff neck. Stage acting demanded a tremendous amount of energy, and with the added emotional toll, it was exhausting. Since he was already here, he decided he should get something valuable out of these two experienced men.
“Was that your own interpretation at the end?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you do it that way?”
“Well… possession of one’s life?”
Yu Yeon-seo spread his arms.
“So I don’t even have the right to end my own life as I please.”
Director Cheon, who had watched the troupe actor’s rehearsal with him, raised the corners of his mouth in amusement. While the previous actor had shown anger yet a renewed will to live, Yu Yeon-seo’s performance was one of lament and resignation.
“You’re quick on your feet.”
“I thought simply mimicking it would be boring.”
Yu Yeon-seo turned his head, sensing a presence backstage. It felt like someone was there… He turned back to the front to answer Director Cheon’s question.
“You… why do you act?”
Yu Yeon-seo couldn’t answer the question right away. His initial motivation was to experience various lives, but now, he wasn’t so sure.
‘Why did the original owner of this body stay in the entertainment industry?’
Simply to follow in Lee Hui-seo’s footsteps? He found himself growing curious about the inner circumstances of the body’s previous owner, something he hadn’t cared much about before.
“Just because it’s fun.”
The boundary between Kang Jin-hu and Yu Yeon-seo was crumbling. He knew that the more their memories synchronized, the more they would merge, but it wasn’t complete yet, causing a confusion of identity.
“Acting that mixes in your own experiences… it’s good, but you must know how stressful it can be, right?”
“I know. The back of my neck is stiff even now.”
As expected of a master director, he had grasped how Yu Yeon-seo acted in a single glance.
‘How fascinating.’
On the other hand, Director Cheon was re-evaluating Yu Yeon-seo. He entered his role quickly and came out of it just as fast. It didn’t seem like a calculated action; it was as if his body moved on its own. If an actor like this could completely immerse himself in a role and live as that character even off-screen… it would be interesting.
“Sometimes, it’s good to focus solely on the role itself, without any other thoughts.”
Of course, the fact that his acting didn’t falter even when he had the luxury of other thoughts was impressive in itself.
‘I wasn’t expecting much, but he’s quite good…’
Director Cheon saw potential in Yu Yeon-seo.
Yu Yeon-seo nodded at his sharp critique. He had used acting to fulfill his desire to live other lives. Method acting would be suitable, but he was worried he might not be able to break out of character. He was already struggling to keep his sanity, trying not to be consumed by the memories of the role called ‘Yu Yeon-seo’.
“Any other advice?”
“You’re too handsome.”
“...?”
“If you want to play a variety of roles, that handsome face is a drawback.”
Is that so… He had vaguely thought about it, but it wasn’t a major concern.
‘If there’s a role I want, can’t I just take it?’
It was a rather arrogant thought, but he was confident he could land most roles by using his background. Of course, it would be difficult with works by master directors like Director Cheon.
“You have a strong presence. Try practicing how to deliberately suppress it.”
“Well… I disagree. Your strong presence is one of your strengths. You should think about how to use it well, not rush to suppress it.”
“Right, everyone perceives it differently, so you should learn to control it as you see fit.”
Their opinions offered a different perspective from that of Park Hyeon-jeong, the acting coach from his agency. As expected, everyone has different thoughts, so he should filter their advice and find his own way.
“Now that we’ve seen something interesting, shall we have a drink? It’s been a while.”
“Are you buying? Yeon-seo, you should come too.”
Jeong Hyeon-sik shot up and led the way. Yu Yeon-seo lightly hopped off the stage and followed them. He looked forward to what he could gain from a drink with the two men.
(Hyung)
As he was leaving the theater, his phone vibrated.
“Oh, hyung.”
(Are you busy? If not, let’s have dinner.)
“So our Senior Managing Director finally gets a weekend off.”
Yu Yeon-seo joked, a rare occurrence. He heard Yu Eun-ho chuckle softly.
“I have plans, so I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Really? Well, can’t be helped. Let’s meet next time.”
“I’ll call you later.”
He was a little disappointed to miss dinner with Jeong Hyeon-sik and Cheon Seong-min, but family came first. He had already made an impression, and he could always ask Jeong Hyeon-sik to arrange another meeting later.
“I’ll see you next time.”
Besides, he had gotten acting advice from the two veterans, so it was enough. He bowed politely and left without any lingering regret.
“Im Seung-hyeon, let’s go to the Juseong Hotel.”
“Yes.”
He left the theater and got into the car. Im Seung-hyeon’s expression, visible in the rearview mirror, was not good.
“Did you have a nice talk with your brother?”
“Yes.”
“You two don’t seem very close.”
Yu Yeon-seo saw one of Im Seung-hyeon’s eyebrows twitch. It was a look of displeasure, a stark contrast to his usual calm smile.
“I don’t particularly like him.”
“Your brother?”
“Yes.”
Well, everyone has their own circumstances. He didn’t ask any further and sank into his seat.
“Yeon-seo.”
The moment he got out of the car, he ran into Yu Eun-ho, who had just arrived. He must have come straight from work, as he had his secretary with him. He tilted his head slightly in confusion upon seeing Im Seung-hyeon following behind Yu Yeon-seo.
“Im Seung-hyeon, you’re here too. Weren’t you supposed to be resting?”
“That’s just how it turned out.”
As Yu Yeon-seo answered, he felt something was off and pressed his lips together. His brother probably hadn’t expected a real answer, but there was an atmosphere that somehow compelled a confession.
“Hmm, is that so?”
Yu Eun-ho pretended to let it slide, but his eyes glinted sharply. Im Seung-hyeon only accompanied Yu Yeon-seo during his official schedule, not during his personal time. Yu Yeon-seo disliked it.
The already conspicuous brothers drew even more attention with a secretary in tow.
“How’s work?”
“Same as always. What about you, not starting your next project right away?”
“I’m planning to rest for a bit.”
Ignoring the stares, they entered the private room a waiter led them to. Im Seung-hyeon and Yu Eun-ho’s secretary sat separately at a nearby table outside the room.
“I heard you decided to work at Mother’s company. She was very pleased.”
“...I just plan to do it as long as it doesn’t interfere with my main job. You look happy. Something good happen?”
“Ah… work is going well.”
Choi Yu-jin probably boasted to Yu Geon-min, and Yu Geon-min must have grabbed his eldest son to complain. He could picture it without even seeing it.
“Good. Live your life doing what you want.”
As he said that, Yu Eun-ho’s expression was one of pure joy. Was he that happy that work was going well? Yu Yeon-seo suddenly became curious about what his brother did with his life. Usually, Yu Yeon-seo was the one talking, and Yu Eun-ho was the one listening.
“Hyung, are you living your life doing what you want?”
“Well, I’m living well enough in my own way.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Yu Eun-ho smiled as if to say not to worry. He looked like a picture-perfect man straight out of a novel. A prodigy since childhood, the most eligible bachelor of a chaebol family, handsome, good-natured, and competent at his job—he was a man acknowledged by all.
“Looking at you, hyung, you seem like the picture-perfect male lead from a romance drama.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, it’s similar to a role I was offered.”
Among the synopses and scripts Yu Yeon-seo received, there were quite a few roles like that. Articles had even been written about the two brothers, calling them the most eligible bachelors of a chaebol family, so he had been getting a lot of offers for overlapping images.
‘It’s happening again.’
Yu Yeon-seo frowned as he continued talking. His hand was trembling again, as if from a tremor.
“What did you do this morning?”
“Huh? Oh… I went to the theater troupe of a senior I worked with on a drama.”
Yu Yeon-seo briefly summarized what had happened.
“I saw Im Seung-hyeon’s brother there… they didn’t seem to be on good terms.”
“Is that so?”
“Hyung, do you have any complaints about me?”
He could have easily inferred it without memory synchronization. Wouldn’t the family have paid more attention to Yu Yeon-seo, who had witnessed Lee Hui-seo’s accident? And if so, wouldn’t a young Yu Eun-ho have been naturally neglected?
“None.”
Yu Eun-ho looked at him as if asking what he was talking about. He seemed unfazed.
Yu Yeon-seo was about to ask, And you have nothing to say to me? but he kept his mouth shut.
[Do you really think Mom committed suicide?]
That question from his memories, the one where he doubted Lee Hui-seo’s death, he was half-convinced it had been directed at Yu Eun-ho.
‘If I said it and he hasn’t done anything until now, it must mean he doesn’t believe me.’
Just like grandmother. Yu Yeon-seo hid a bitter smile and picked up his chopsticks.
“Im Seung-hyeon, a moment.”
Toward the end of the meal, Yu Eun-ho, who had excused himself to go to the restroom, found Im Seung-hyeon—who had finished his meal quickly and was already waiting—and led him to a secluded corner.
“Is he doing okay these days?”
He wasn’t asking for a surveillance report, but asking after his brother’s well-being. Im Seung-hyeon was someone who hadn’t taken the bait when he had tried to probe him a few times before. That’s why Yu Eun-ho could ask the question comfortably.
“...”
Yu Eun-ho felt a sense of unease. Im Seung-hyeon, who would normally have answered that he was fine right away, remained silent.
“Senior Managing Director.”
After hesitating, Im Seung-hyeon clenched his fist as if he had made a decision. For days, he had been debating whether to tell Yu Eun-ho about Yu Yeon-seo’s inexplicable health condition. Even if he couldn’t go into detail, he felt he had to give him a hint.
“Please… pay more attention to the young master than before.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This is all I can say.”
Yu Eun-ho narrowed his eyes, studying Im Seung-hyeon’s expression.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but… I understand for now.”
He understood why Im Seung-hyeon wasn’t speaking in detail. It must be difficult to go against the young master he served. But for him to drop a hint like this despite that… was something wrong?
‘Im Seung-hyeon suddenly accompanying him during his personal time, and Yeon-seo avoiding my gaze, saying that’s just how it turned out…’
Lost in thought, Yu Eun-ho spoke up in the car on his way home after parting with his brother.
“Secretary Kim.”
“Yes, Senior Managing Director.”
“Find out what Yeon-seo has been doing recently, where he’s been going.”
“Understood.”
If his brother wouldn’t tell him willingly, he had other ways. Yu Eun-ho had also inherited Chairman Yu’s blood, who wouldn’t shy away from any means necessary. He was a little worried about his brother finding out later, but what Im Seung-hyeon had said made him uneasy.
(Baek Seo-jun) Did you tell him?
(Baek Seo-jun) When are you going to bring him?
‘In the end, I couldn’t say it again today.’
-Yu Yeon-seo sighting today
Looks like he went to eat with his brother
└So many sightings lately ㅠㅠ
└Wow, even a zoomed-in phone pic can look that handsome
└Listen up, one of the two is coming to me
└└????
-The sighting post reminded me, doesn’t Yu Yeon-seo work like a horse?
Dreaming - White Tiger - Welcome to the Guest House - Demon - People Who Lack
Plus minor awards ceremonies and family events, all within 2 years
And on top of that, he’s constantly out and about, proving he’s alive ㅋㅋ
└I’m jealous ㅠㅠ What’s my actor doing, there are no sightings of him
└Isn’t it just that Yu Yeon-seo goes out a lot? And many people recognize him
└My actor doesn’t leave the house, fml
└I love that there’s so much content ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└Ah, but I hope he takes care of himself and rests now ㅠㅠ Looking at the timeline, he came back right after recovering from his car accident ㅠ I’m worried
└└You don’t know how good you have it. My actor has disappeared, I don’t even know if he’s dead or alive.
└└└Is it GYD?
└Is he growing his hair out again? Maybe for his next project?