BCNB C6

Chapter 6

No Separate Rooms

“Ms. Bae Jinju, let’s get married.”

The moment Jinju sat down at their meeting, his voice dropped out hurriedly. Her mind went blank.

Romance had nothing to do with Jinju’s life.

After moving into Aesun’s house, she had woken before dawn every day to practice singing while attending high school. Even after entering the most prestigious traditional music university in the country, she had to practice harder than anyone else among the nation’s finest singers gathered there.

Most singers knew Bae Jinju well—the daughter of Master Singer Bae Giju and the disciple of Master Singer Nam Aesun. Because of that, she always had to carry herself properly, careful not to tarnish the names of her father and teacher that followed her like a label. She constantly pushed herself to live up to that expectation.

From a childhood she could barely remember, she had run forward with her eyes fixed only on becoming the best singer.

There was still so much to learn, and she hadn’t achieved anything significant yet as a singer.

And now—not even dating, but marriage right away?

In a way, it was something she had anticipated.

From the moment he came to the prop room and mentioned a third meeting. The fact that he had even come backstage to rush the marriage made her think there must be another reason he couldn’t speak of.

But is it really okay to decide on marriage like this?

Her eyelids trembled.

After their second meeting, she hadn’t just stayed still. Jinju had gone to her teacher to explain the situation and try to persuade her to cancel the marriage.

But before Jinju could even say she couldn’t marry, Aesun had been overjoyed, saying a great occasion had come to both families.

Smiling, she hugged Jinju, patting her back as she spoke:

—Jinju, do you remember? Before Yoonjae went abroad, he was your brother Giju’s drum student. Your late father would be delighted in heaven to see such a remarkable connection. On the upcoming memorial day, we can all gather and greet each other.

Calling them a perfect match, saying that Yoonjae knew Jinju well and would be the best husband—Aesun looked so pleased that Jinju couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“Haa…”

Jinju felt strangely short of breath.

The “let’s get married” that had just come from his lips wasn’t the kind of marriage she had always assumed—one built on love. It was business, a transaction with conditions.

There was no joke, no coercion, and even his expression was serious. Sitting across from him, the moment felt completely real.

Jinju steadied her breathing, lifted her head, and looked at him.

Over the past few months of working together, she had seen Director Lee Yoonjae’s genuine affection and skill in traditional music and performance arts.

She had also come to realize that the whispers—that he was merely working with the troupe as preparation to run K Enter due to his background—were completely wrong.

This man was flawless, admirable. And his promise to help her become an outstanding singer was likely sincere.

But more than anything, the reason she was even considering this unreasonable marriage—

Perhaps this marriage might give me the freedom I’ve always dreamed of.

She had always lived cautiously as a public figure, unable to travel or even go out freely. If she used marriage as a shield, maybe she could go anywhere.

The house they would live in would surely be different from her teacher’s home, where singers constantly came and went. Maybe she could wear comfortable clothes, sleep in, spend lazy afternoons—live freely.

After all, this man didn’t seek love. He wouldn’t expect it from her either.

If she married him, perhaps she could finally live a truly free life she had never experienced.

Her thoughts deepened.

“……”

An unreadable flicker passed through Yoonjae’s eyes. But the silence between them stretched longer than he expected, and a trace of impatience crept in.

Was she thinking of refusing?

“Ms. Bae Jinju.”

A wave of complex emotions surged in her eyes, then subsided. Her lips refused to open.

Even so, marriage is the most important decision in life. I can’t be swept along and pushed into it.

To Jinju, marriage had always been something beautiful—like the Chunhyangga lyrics she often sang—destined love worth sacrificing one’s life for.

If I meet someone I truly love someday… will I regret this decision?

Her thoughts branched endlessly. She had imagined “what if” scenarios about marriage countless nights, but the conclusion had always been unclear.

But now, she had to give him an answer.

If I must accept this situation, then I’ll decide it on my own terms.

She took a long breath.

“Before I decide… I have conditions.”

Her low voice was slow but firm as it reached Yoonjae.

“If those conditions are accepted, I’ll marry you.”

Her voice was cool and perfectly composed.

“Go on.”

Yoonjae was curious.

Silence lingered again for a few seconds.

“Even if we get married… there will be no divorce.”

At her firm tone, Yoonjae slightly raised his chin. Fine lines formed at the corner of his eye.

“…!”

“You suggested we could pretend to be married and then divorce at the right time. But both you and I are public figures. Divorce won’t help our careers.”

Hmm.

She was right. If they married, public attention would be unavoidable—and so would the scrutiny of a divorce. For singer Bae Jinju, divorce would be a fatal blow.

“If I accept a contract marriage to protect my career, only to divorce later… everything I’ve built could collapse in an instant.”

I’m not that irresponsible.

Even if they divorced, he had no intention of letting something like that happen to her.

“So?”

Yoonjae decided to hear her out completely.

Jinju clenched her jaw, her small white hands curling into fists.

Then—

“Instead… a show-window marriage where we thoroughly support each other’s careers.”

“…!”

“…What do you think?”

The lines at the corner of Yoonjae’s eye deepened, and his eyes widened.

A show-window marriage?

It wasn’t a word he expected to hear from Bae Jinju.

A faint laugh escaped him.

But her face held clear determination. Reflected in her eyes under the table light, he saw his own face staring back.

No divorce—so a lifelong show-window marriage?

It was a bold proposal.

Yet her eyes trembled endlessly.

Yoonjae brushed his lower lip with his thumb.

Does she even know what a show-window marriage entails? And for life, without divorce?

What a ridiculous thought.

Still, seeing her fidgeting fingers, it seemed she had more to say.

“Is that all?”

“And… once we’re married, give me freedom.”

“Freedom?”

“My own personal space. And time where I’m not interfered with.”

Her voice grew firmer.

What began as a sudden arranged meeting had turned into a contract marriage—and the moment she added the word freedom, her desire for it intensified. If she could have her own time and space in their newlywed home…

It didn’t seem like such a bad deal.

Be confident. Be Bae Jinju. Whether it’s a show-window marriage or anything else, marriage is a relationship of equals. It’s only natural to ask for what benefits both sides.

There was a seven-year age gap between them. He was a recognized leader in society, while she, though a lifelong singer, was essentially a newcomer in the troupe.

More than anything, she wanted him to clearly understand that this decision—this most important decision of her life—was her own.

“Anything else?”

“No. Those are my conditions.”

He studied her carefully, as if seeing through her. Even the reflection of himself in her eyes seemed to tremble along with her.

Watching her assert her terms one by one, he found her unexpectedly admirable.

“Fine. I accept.”

Relief washed over Jinju as he agreed to everything.

But why did he look so unfazed, as if none of this was particularly significant?

“Director… is there anything you want from me besides the marriage?”

“As you know, I only need you to fulfill the role of a wife in public.”

“I see.”

Yoonjae felt at ease. It was clear she, too, had her own purpose in this marriage.

She doesn’t need a happy marriage—but she does want freedom from interference.

Watching her thick eyelashes flutter, he spoke calmly.

“I have no intention of forcing anything on your personal life just because we’re married.”

He recalled their first meeting—how she had come to the arranged meeting because she couldn’t go against her teacher’s wishes.

Had she been suffocated all this time?

For a moment, he remembered the young Jinju from years ago. Before he went abroad, he had occasionally visited her house to learn the drum from Giju. There, he would see a little girl in hanbok holding a fan.

Eight, nine, ten years old—running around the yard after practicing, smiling brightly.

Back then, singing had seemed to bring her pure joy.

Perhaps, he thought, parts of her life had not been entirely of her own choosing.

“Then… are you finally accepting my proposal?”

That was why she had come today.

“If you accept all my conditions… I will go through with this marriage.”

“You seem to want certainty. Then we’ll draft a contract and put everything in writing.”

Jinju nodded, fully accepting the proposal.

“Good. I promise I’ll do my best to ensure your free show-window married life is as comfortable as possible.”

He extended his large hand, and Jinju took it.

One month later.

“Director, what brings you to my personal practice room?”

“We were supposed to finalize the marriage contract details today.”

“Oh.”

With her performance schedule growing busier, Jinju had practically been living in her practice room from dawn until late at night. She had missed his calls after work while practicing, so he came to find her himself.

“Then let’s go to your office—”

“You’re busier than I am. We’ll just do it here.”

He stepped into her small practice room, closed the door, and sat down, opening the laptop he had brought.

The room was barely large enough for one or two people, with a straw mat on the floor. There was only a drum for rhythm and a small water bottle Jinju had been drinking from.

“You might be uncomfortable here.”

“Didn’t I say I’d adjust to you? And I’m not uncomfortable.”

Outsiders rarely entered the troupe’s personal practice rooms. It was always her solitary space, but now his large presence filled it, making the air feel dense, unfamiliar, and strangely awkward.

“Do you have any additional conditions for the marriage?”

“As I said before, I need my own personal space.”

“Hmm.”

“For example?”

“I need a soundproof personal practice room.”

Ah. He had thought she meant complete separation within the house—but this made sense too.

He nodded.

“Done.”

“Where will we live after marriage?”

“I’m looking for a place.”

“If you move out, your father will be living alone. I wouldn’t mind living together with him.”

At her unexpected suggestion, Yoonjae frowned slightly.

She had just boldly demanded freedom—now she was suggesting living together from the start? She really didn’t understand the world.

“That won’t work. It would be uncomfortable for me. And secrets don’t stay hidden forever. My father may seem easygoing, but he’s very perceptive. You sound confident you can act like a real married couple inside and out while living together.”

“…Hmm.”

Embarrassed, Jinju pressed her lips together.

If things stay awkward between us even after the honeymoon, he’ll find it strange…

She quietly nodded.

“Now, the main point. Even if we’re a show-window couple, separate rooms are not allowed.”