SBC 20

Chapter 20

“You only ever think about what you’ve done for me.”

“…What did you just say?”

“All the CF offers and event proposals that came my way—you rejected them all.”

For the most part, Yoon Jin-woo had left company matters to Lee Sang-tae. Sang-tae had always insisted Jin-woo leave everything to him. It wasn’t that Jin-woo was stupid—he simply wanted to trust him.

“That’s because Hana—”

“Are you my manager, or Hana’s? Why does she get to review my work?”

“Jin-woo, still… Can’t you think it over, just once more? Please?”

“There’s nothing to think over.”

Jin-woo’s cold words were followed by him turning away and walking into the conference room. Watching nervously, Lee Min-jae lowered the blinds.

“Will you be all right? I mean, I’m glad you’re on our team now, but… Honestly, I should tell you—Team Leader Lee doesn’t have a very good reputation among the employees.”

Everyone who mattered knew Lee Sang-tae had connections upstairs. And that his main connection was none other than Jung Hana—Jin-woo’s girlfriend.

“It’s fine. If there’s a problem, I’ll handle it myself.”

“Oh! Okay, understood. In that case, I’ve prepared a list. Aside from films, there were other offers that Team Leader Lee declined on your behalf, so I organized them for you…”

The meeting went smoothly. In fact, it was far more comfortable than the one-sided sessions with Sang-tae. Min-jae, as the new manager, made a point of respecting Jin-woo’s opinions.

…

Yet amidst that comfort, her face kept surfacing in his mind. The harder he tried to push it away, the clearer it became—as if it were consuming him.

“Lastly, about the film you’re set to shoot. Two days from now, before filming begins, there’ll be a small investor gathering at the hotel. Would you like to attend?”

“Is my presence necessary?”

“No, not at all. But if you go, the investors will surely be pleased. It’s entirely up to you.”

Jin-woo tapped his finger lightly against the pristine white table.

‘Hey, what happened to your schedule that day?’
‘I canceled it. You can always shoot a CF later. No matter what, you must attend the investor event!’
“Do you even hear yourself right now?”
“Jin-woo, you need to impress the investors if you want better roles! Those minor ads are nothing. Hana worked hard to secure this opportunity for you.”

Jin-woo let out a quiet sigh. Without Sang-tae, the suffocating meetings that had plagued him now felt incredibly easy.

“If it’s an investor event… will the representative from Bi-yoon Film’s backers be attending?”

“Ah, you mean the head of Knight Investment. Yes, I believe he’ll be there.”

“Then I’ll go.”

“Got it. I’ll relay your confirmation.”

The investor gathering was held at the Seoyoung Hotel. And there, Jin-woo saw Kang Da-som again.

“This is our lead actor, Mr. Yoon Jin-woo.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Yoon Jin-woo.”

“Daniel Miller.”

“Oh—you’re a foreigner?”

“Yes, I’m an American citizen.”

“Your Korean is quite good for that.”

“I immigrated to the States when I was young. But I love Korea, so I’ve kept up with the language.”

The two exchanged a polite handshake and light small talk. Standing beside Kang Jong-woo was Da-som, neatly dressed in a simple semi-formal dress.

“What’s your relationship with Ms. Da-som?”

“Oh, do you two know each other?”

“Yes—she’s my boyfriend’s younger sister.”

“Really? I wish I’d known earlier.”

Their friendly chatter made Jin-woo’s brows tighten ever so slightly. Were they closer than he expected?

“And the two of you…?”

“Oh, I first met her at a sponsor reception when she was performing ballet in the UK. I was truly disappointed when she quit. But since she returned to Korea, we occasionally meet for lunch.”

“I see.”

“I hear this is your first film role, Mr. Yoon. I hope it goes well for you.”

“It has to.”

After all, this was his chance.

Jin-woo was determined to succeed as an actor— not just as the youngest son living comfortably off his parents’ fortune, but as someone whose own name shone with pride.

“Well then, I’ll leave you two for now.”

Kang Jong-woo excused himself, leaving Jin-woo and Da-som staring at one another in silence.

“So… no manager trailing you today?”

His new manager, Lee Min-jae, had deliberately kept his distance. Unlike Sang-tae—who would drag him around, forcing greetings on everyone—Min-jae gave him space.

“There were… personal circumstances. That’s why it changed.”

“Good choice.”

“I said it was personal circumstances. Why are you praising me?”

“No reason. I just wanted to say it—can’t I?”

There was no reason he couldn’t. After all, Jin-woo had been the one to lie first.

His gaze fell on her—her finely sculpted face, porcelain skin, limbs so slender it was a wonder she could stand, yet accompanied by a warm, inviting voice and movements as light as butterflies. There wasn’t a single thing about her that didn’t capture his attention.

“No reason at all.”

“I heard this film caused some tension between you and Hana-unnie.”

“I don’t know where you heard that, but it’s not that bad. And besides—this is my work.”

My work.

Even as he said it, Jin-woo startled slightly. Of course it was his work—so why had he always depended entirely on Hana and Sang-tae?

“You’re right. It is your work.”

“…”

“I hope you start making your own decisions.”

No sooner had she spoken than the room’s lights dimmed, stage lights coming on. While everyone turned toward the stage, Da-som stepped closer to him.

Her hand brushed his shoulder.

Tap, tap.

Her long, delicate fingers brushed away a speck of dust. Flustered, Jin-woo instinctively moved his own hand to his shoulder—just as their fingertips grazed.

“On the 29th, in the evening—I’ll be at Aria Club Lounge. Hana-unnie and I are practicing ballet.”

“Ballet?”

“Yes. She said she wanted to learn. If it goes well, she might even perform at a charity event.”

“I see.”

“See you then.”

An employee approached Da-som, and she hurriedly excused herself.

Jin-woo turned belatedly back toward the stage, but the event no longer held his focus. Restlessly, he pulled out his phone and opened his calendar.

On the 29th—his schedule was completely free.

“Haha! Did you see his face? Honestly, the way he reacted—it was hilarious.”

Since that day, Jung Hana had met with Kang Da-som more often. It had started with Da-som cautiously venting about Jang Joo-bin.

Hana, being human, couldn’t help but sympathize. Now the two were sitting at the Aria Club Lounge café, sipping coffee.

The café was half private rooms, and the outdoor tables were spaced widely enough that conversations couldn’t be overheard. Hana preferred the small rooms with a clear view of the café’s greenhouse-like garden.

“So, unnie—what don’t you like about Su-ha?”

“Hm? Oh, I didn’t dislike her from the start. But do you know what she said the very first time we met? ‘Mother~ well, at least you’re not an entertainer.’ Can you believe that?”

“Oh my god.”

“I used to train as an idol for a short while, you know? She mocked me for it. Honestly, it’s laughable. She thinks she’s destined to be the mistress of the Chun family, but what does she do besides dabble in moneylending?”

Hana mimicked Lee Su-ha’s voice with deliberate scorn.

Even before her regression, she had often clashed with family over such matters. Having studied business administration overseas and earned an MBA, she was intelligent—but never good at flattery or winning people over.

To be precise, it was more that the people around her simply weren’t the right sort.