Chapter 381
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 381
Min Ji-heon let out a faint, belated laugh as he stood there, letting the lonely wind brush against him.
“…Yeah, I did do some reflecting.”
It was actually quite entertaining to see the guy who usually dodged questions with a mischievous, sly smile looking so dejected.
“On what? How much your acting sucks?”
“No, on how I prodded you during Unlock My Code. Having your own life story turned into a drama… it really is the worst.”
“I guess you have to experience it to know, huh?”
“I guess so. I’m sorry.”
Perhaps misinterpreting my persistent gaze, Min Ji-heon mumbled as if picking up excuses.
“…Don’t look at me with such pity. I can only act if I’m convinced by the role.”
“I heard you even played a character who was in love with a frog.”
“The feeling of loving something deeply wasn’t that hard to grasp. It just happened to be a frog.”
I was about to ask what kind of nonsense that was, but for some reason, Lee Ji-hyeon came to mind, and I kept my mouth shut.
He lowered his gaze and continued peevishly.
“And honestly, the circumstances surrounding the protagonist of Before the Moon Wanes don’t make sense. He sees strange things, yet the people around him just accept it as if it’s perfectly normal. I mentioned it to Writer Kim Suk-hee a few times—that it lacked plausibility.”
“…….”
“Then the writer told me this: the character in the story is the lucky type. She said there are people in the world who are born lucky enough to never have to deal with the consequences of such things. …What was I supposed to say to that?”
One corner of Min Ji-heon’s mouth curled up as he reflected on that moment.
“‘Ah, yes… I see.’”
“…….”
As if frustrated by his own words, he let out a deep sigh.
These were things I had never experienced, and I couldn’t particularly empathize or understand. I had no intention of comforting him, but there was one point I needed to address.
“…Well, I suppose that’s possible. But you have a younger brother too.”
“What about him?”
The response that came back was sharp and defensive.
“He doesn’t know anything. Unless I were insane, why would I ever let him know about stuff like this?”
As I watched him with my arms crossed, Min Ji-heon aimlessly flicked the stack of paper cups with his fingertip.
“…Do you know what I thought when I first saw him?”
That he was lovely?
Based on all the things Min Ji-heon had rambled about regarding his brother back when we were filming Dead after Hope—when I was struggling with my own overwhelming emotions toward my brother—that was the only logical conclusion.
“I thought… ‘How annoying.’”
“……What?”
“I was so resentful my stomach turned. We clearly share half the same blood, but what do you know? He was perfectly normal.”
I was speechless.
The image of Min Ji-heon saying things like, “His tiny, fern-like fingers were wiggling…” or “That was the first time I realized a scent could literally smell like the word ‘warm’…” was still vivid in my mind.
“Didn’t you say you were filled with affection for the world the moment you saw your brother?”
“I said that? I don’t remember.”
He did. In Unknown Actor Tycoon.
Min Ji-heon rolled his eyes and added indifferently, “I was probably just testing you, Hyung.”
“…….”
Can I hit this guy?
“You crazy bastard….”
I couldn’t exactly prove I’d actually heard it, either.
As I clicked my tongue, Min Ji-heon let out a small laugh beside me.
“What made you believe that? I don’t know what I said back then, but my brother and I aren’t that close. He actually hates me.”
I ran a hand through my unstyled hair to keep my movements natural and let out a sigh.
“You’re nearly thirty. Can’t you try acting like an adult for once?”
“What?”
“Your brother likes you. You should take a teenager’s grumbling as a sign of affection. What are you even doing?”
Min Ji-heon blinked blankly as if surprised, then soon broke into a gentle smile. Feeling a bit better, he leaned his upper body against the side of the vending machine and looked me straight in the eye.
“…What’s this? Are you trying to cheer me up?”
Where in my previous words could he possibly have found that?
“I know I’m twisted. I know the world isn’t always fair, and that I was just a very, very unlucky case. By the way, were you really worried about me? You’re someone who never drops honorifics in a place like this.”
“Get lost.”
He didn’t budge despite my harsh attitude and just kept smirking.
“I see why you’re so popular, Hyung.”
When I raised an eyebrow as if to ask what he meant, Min Ji-heon lifted a finger—reddened slightly by the cold—and lightly poked my chest.
“You say exactly what people want to hear, right when they need to hear it.”
I swatted his hand away and asked, “What’s with you lately?”
“Hmm?”
He tilted his head, rubbing the back of his hand as if it hurt.
“Why are you going around doing all this unnecessary stuff?”
Until now, he had either been a bystander or only helped when my life was on the line. Lately, however, it seemed like he was trying to eliminate every variable in advance.
Like making sure I didn’t appear in that useless drama, or preventing me from meeting Jeong Cheong-yeon.
Who knew how much more meddling he was doing behind the scenes?
“Hyung, can’t you ever say things nicely?”
Min Ji-heon grumbled and awkwardly looked away.
“……It’s just an impulse.”
Then, he spoke in a low voice.
“I received the script a few months ago. While digging into the role, I thought of you a lot. I figured you must have had a hard time.”
“And?”
He shrugged and met my eyes calmly.
“It’s my own way of cheering you on. Don’t linger on useless regrets and leave that brother you’d die for alone for too long.”
Despite having been deceived so grandly by him recently, the words coming out of Min Ji-heon’s mouth didn’t sound like a lie.
I let out a short laugh and shot back.
“Why? Because that’s only for people who were born unlucky?”
“……Hey now.”
Min Ji-heon reached out, snatched the paper cup of cold adlay tea from my hand, and downed it in one go.
“…Let’s just say I didn’t want to interfere with someone who’s already made up his mind. So, just do as your heart desires, without hesitation.”
With a playful smile, he gathered up the empty cup and tossed it into the trash. Then, as if to change the mood, he looked at me and added one more thing.
“Wow, I guess I like you more than I thought, Hyung. Seeing as I’m telling you all this.”
.
.
.
After changing into a black suit and returning to the set, the altar at the funeral hall was already filled with white chrysanthemums and seasonal flowers.
A wardrobe staff member pinned a black two-striped armband to my left arm.
In the end, Min Ji-heon’s efforts to change the script didn’t seem to have much of a practical effect. Whether as a son or a nephew, standing here as the chief mourner was the same.
The manager, perhaps having heard something from the acting teacher, asked worriedly if I’d be okay filming the crying scene like this. I simply curled my lips into a smirk and stepped into the camera’s frame. Truthfully, I didn’t have a solid plan either.
The staff, sensing the start of the shoot, fell silent in an instant.
“Scene 33, Take 1, Shot 1.”
Clack!
The slate was struck, and the red light on the camera flickered on.
The extras playing the mourners approached me. I gave a weary nod.
However, for some reason, I couldn’t immerse myself in the acting. Looking at the photo of the unfamiliar figure surrounded by white flowers made it even harder.
Just as one of the mourners was about to light the incense and place it in the burner—
“…Ah, sorry. Sorry. Let’s go again.”
Director Kang Jeong-gun gave the signal to stop.
He seemed dissatisfied with some of the camera positions and began reassigning them.
I hadn’t even started in earnest yet, but my chest felt a bit tight.
“Seo Ho-yun, I’m sorry. Just one more time—”
I nodded at the director’s voice, but I couldn’t really hear what he was saying. It was because the memories I had kept hidden were rushing back all at once.
I only realized the filming had resumed when a mourner came close. Suddenly, the thick scent of incense hit my nose.
—Don’t linger on useless regrets and leave that brother you’d die for alone for too long.
I appreciated Min Ji-heon’s consideration, but there was one thing he was mistaken about.
The person who had finished bowing twice before the spirit tablet turned toward me and bowed.
‘Even if I have regrets, what can I do?’
The image of ten-year-old Seo Ho-jin, his eyes red and raw from crying, was still so vivid.
I also knelt and returned the bow.
“I don’t know what to say…. Please accept my deepest condolences.”
I lowered my gaze and slightly tightened my lips.
“Thank you for coming.”
At that moment, Director Kang Jeong-gun’s signal to cut dropped.
For some reason, the eyes of not only the extras but also the staff and everyone on set were fixed on me.
‘I’ll have to film it again.’
Just in case, I wiped my cheek with the back of my hand. It was dry.
As expected, miracles didn’t just happen.
I waited in place for a moment, but since there was no reaction, I walked over to Director Kang Jeong-gun, who was monitoring the footage, to get some feedback. However, the atmosphere was even more serious than when Min Ji-heon had caused an NG.
The director was staring intensely at the screen, while the assistant director and other staff members were whispering noisily.
“He didn’t shed any tears. What should we do?”
“…Hmm, I see…….”
Sure enough. It looked like a total disaster.
At that moment, Director Kang Jeong-gun, scratching his head, spotted me and gestured.
“Ah, Seo Ho-yun, about just now.”
“Yes.”
I was seriously considering using eye drops, but the director’s expression softened as our eyes met.
“I didn’t expect this, but I think we got something incredible. I was debating whether to shoot it again, but I think it’s much better to just go with this.”
“……Pardon?”
“It’s the most refreshing thing I’ve seen all day. I like it a lot.”
He chuckled and patted my shoulder before discussing the subsequent scenes with the assistant director.
I took a step back and slowly moved away from the funeral altar. Only then did the heavy feeling in my chest ease slightly.
Just then, Min Ji-heon, who had been watching from among the staff, approached with his eyes crinkling.
“Shall we go then?”
The following scene was Min Ji-heon passing by me in the funeral hall hallway and performing an exorcism.
Though we repeated it a few times, Min Ji-heon, who had been whining just hours ago, immersed himself surprisingly quickly. Thanks to that, the filming finished early.
“Now I can finally go home and rest… It’s gotten so late. I’m sorry, Seo Ho-yun.”
“Not at all. You worked very hard.”
“And if you ever think about becoming a full-time actor later, let me know. I’ll be the first to cast you.”
I just smiled at Director Kang Jeong-gun’s professional pleasantry.
As I was about to head toward the van, Min Ji-heon, who had regained some of his energy, called out to me.
“Wait a second, Seo Ho-yun.”
I wasn’t particularly keen, but I stopped, and he leaned in to whisper in my ear.
Listening to what he had to say, I narrowed my eyes before returning to a neutral expression and offering a greeting.
“Yes, Sunbae. Thank you for today.”
“Yeah, good work today, Seo Ho-yun.”
I bowed to the staff and finally boarded the van, collapsing into the seat. Even though the shoot wasn’t that long, I felt as exhausted as if I’d performed three or four stages in a row.
I reclined the seat as far as it would go and closed my eyes. A moment later, the driver’s side door opened.
“Ho-yun, good job—oh, you’re sleeping….”
The manager, who had been humming after giving a gift to Director Kang Jeong-gun, quickly shut his mouth. But soon, along with the sound of the engine starting, I heard him mutter.
“……Why is this kid so dry?”
* * *
“Ho-yun Hyung, give us some spoilers!!!”
“I don’t want to.”
“Hmph!!”
Due to the tight schedule, I had to head straight to the studio where the members were gathered as soon as I arrived in Seoul.
The moment I opened the door, Jeong Da-jun lunged at me.
“I’m really, really, really curious about how it went! The manager said you were amazing! He said everyone even forgot to breathe while watching you!”
“Puppy, stop exaggerating~.”
“…Stop it.”
I pinched the maknae’s lips with my thumb and index finger, forcing him shut. Even as he dodged my hand, Jeong Da-jun grumbled that he’d see it for himself on TV later. He then held up a magazine he had been clutching to his chest.
“Look at this! This MQ magazine cover is insane! I think they matched the vibe with your role in Before the Moon Wanes!!”
As a Korean, it was only natural to lie down upon seeing a sofa. Ignoring his story, I focused on shaking off my fatigue, but Jeong Da-jun insisted on shoving the magazine in front of my face.
It was a shot of Min Ji-heon walking across a bridge on a dark night, with lights twinkling like fireflies in the distance and white snow fluttering down.
Even though he was smiling, perhaps because of the shimmering black waves on the other side, there was a lingering sense of gloom.
His face was certainly flawless, but remembering what he had said right before we parted, I felt a surge of annoyance.
“Take that away right now.”
“What? Why are you mad?”
“Where, where?”
Kang Yi-chae, who had been perched on the armrest of the sofa by my feet, popped a candy into his mouth and sauntered over.
“Let me see too.”
“Isn’t it crazy? You can already feel the dignity of the role, right?!”
“Ooh~! Sunbae-nim is seriously handsome.”
It was a compliment devoid of any soul, but Jeong Da-jun nodded with a satisfied face. Having already forgotten my scolding, Jeong Da-jun started chattering again, full of anticipation for the drama. Kang Yi-chae chuckled and played along.
As I watched them, Min Ji-heon’s whisper from earlier echoed in my ears.
“I know you’ll use any means necessary to achieve your goal, Hyung. You’ll probably find a way to get what you want, no matter what. That’s just the kind of person you are.”
At that moment, my eyes met Kang Yi-chae’s as he turned his head.
“But be careful of Kang Yi-chae.”
He looked slightly puzzled for a second, but then his eyes crinkled into a wide smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I think that guy is going to pull something big sooner or later.”