<Episode 40>
The person who could solve all the problems of this album planning was right in front of me.
“So, I’d like to make a proper proposal. Would you be willing to take on the lead role in this music video?”
“I’d be happy to.”
That was unexpected.
He was known to be extremely picky when choosing projects, so I didn’t expect him to agree so easily to appear in a music video, one without even a script yet, and not even a film or drama.
“Are you serious about what you just said?”
“I don’t say things I don’t mean. And it’s not like you’re suddenly going to ask me to wear something ridiculous, right?”
It didn’t seem like he was just saying it in the heat of the moment.
“Then let’s write a preliminary contract right now.”
If an opportunity came, I had to seize it firmly. This industry discards those who fail to do so.
Besides, who knows how people’s minds might change?
“Sir.”
“Yes.”
“You’re quite suspicious.”
“Isn’t that inevitable in this industry?”
I slid the paper toward him, and Kang Woojin burst into laughter.
“I’ll write it. Pass me a pen.”
I handed him the pen I had, and he began scribbling on the paper.
“Here. Check it.”
[I, Kang Woojin, promise to make a special appearance in Spade Joker’s music video.]
He had even signed it underneath.
It wasn’t a perfect contract, but it put my mind at ease.
“Sir.”
“Yes.”
“That’s the brightest smile I’ve ever seen from you. It’s all over your face.”
“Was it?”
“Yes.”
I quickly forced my lips back down.
“You’re already too late.”
Kang Woojin said playfully.
“Oh, and I’ll introduce you to a short film director I know.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
I decided never to admit that I regretted telling him where I lived.
“When I shot my first project, he was the youngest assistant director. Now he’s trying to make his own films. It hasn’t gone that well for him, though.”
That last part caught my attention.
“But don’t worry. He’s talented. His scripts are fresh, and his directing is good. I guarantee it. Art doesn’t always succeed just because someone is skilled.”
That was true.
Success required many things… luck, people, effort, timing, and even social atmosphere.
One might question why social atmosphere matters, but it was actually one of the most important factors.
For example, suppose I made a film about racism. If, around the time of its release, a major issue about racism emerged and public interest in the topic increased, naturally, more people would seek out my film.
“He just hasn’t met the right timing yet. I’ll recommend one of his works, try watching it.”
Kang Woojin was known for having a good eye for projects, so I decided to trust him this once.
“Thank you.”
“Well then, your work’s done now.”
Since I had gained something, I couldn’t bring myself to reject his request to hang out anymore.
As I organized my documents and packed up, Kang Woojin hummed to himself.
“So, what should we do?”
“Let’s just have dinner.”
“…What?”
Kang Woojin openly showed disappointment.
“I’m thirty-six. And since coming to Korea, I’ve only worked. I don’t even know what people do for fun these days.”
Even before possessing this body, I wasn’t the type to hang out with friends. And after going through nine regressions, focusing only on work, it had only gotten worse.
I didn’t really have anyone I could call a friend, before or after.
‘On my days off, I just stayed home, slept, or lurked on SNS to see what needed improvement. How would I know what “having fun” even is?’
“…What?”
Kang Woojin couldn’t close his mouth.
Honestly, I didn’t understand why he was so shocked.
“Sir, I know I shouldn’t ask this, but…”
“Go ahead.”
“What did you do when you were treating Spade Joker badly?”
His tone was very cautious.
“I worked then, too.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Even if the company was a mess, someone had to run it. And we didn’t have many employees. I may have done things the wrong way, but I didn’t slack off while others worked. I kept working.”
It was clear Kang Woojin had never even considered that I had been working all along. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be staring blankly as he’d malfunctioned.
“So you thought I was just fooling around back then?”
Kang Woojin nodded slightly.
It was such a small movement that I might not have noticed if he hadn’t been wearing a cap.
“Well, that’s understandable. Everyone else seems to think that too.”
“Doesn’t that upset you?”
“It’s the consequence of my actions. If you make mistakes, you have to accept the criticism. And besides, that’s not who I am anymore.”
If I got upset over every little thing, I wouldn’t be able to run a business.
“That’s impressive. You could’ve been an entertainer yourself.”
“Me?”
I’d been hearing this kind of compliment quite often lately.
“Yes. Just now, you looked like someone who had attained enlightenment. Like, no matter what others say, you’ll walk your own path.”
He was right.
Whatever others said didn’t directly affect my life. If I didn’t look at it, that was the end of it.
“That’s the mindset entertainers need the most. ‘I don’t care what you say.’”
“But you’re not like that, are you, Kang Woojin?”
“How did you know?”
“You said earlier that because of the image your previous agency gave you, you don’t have anyone you can open up to. If you truly didn’t care about others’ opinions, you would’ve been honest after leaving and starting your own agency. But you’re not.”
“Sir.”
“Yes.”
“Can I call you hyung?”
My expression stiffened without me realizing.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Please just call me ‘sir,’ like you are now.”
At my firm response, Kang Woojin puffed his cheeks.
“That’s harsh. You were nice to me at first.”
Hearing that made me feel a bit sorry.
“I’ll pay for dinner. What would you like to eat?”
“Can I pick something expensive?”
“Choose whatever you want.”
“Then I want Peking duck.”
“Alright. Let’s go.”
In the end, I drove with Kang Woojin to a high-end Chinese restaurant that served Peking duck.
The entire dining area consisted of private rooms, making it easy to talk without worrying about others’ attention.
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Don’t you have anything you’re curious about regarding me?”
“Kang Woojin. 34 years old. 13 years since debut. No particular food dislikes. Hobby: reading. Mainly acts in romantic comedies. Completed military service.”
I listed everything I knew about him.
“Is there anything else I need to know?”
“That’s not the kind of answer I wanted.”
“Then what kind of answer were you expecting?”
“I wanted to know if there’s anything you’re personally curious about regarding me.”
“It’s not like we’re on a blind date. Do we have to do that?”
“Yes.”
Kang Woojin seemed genuinely sulking.
It was quieter this way, which was nice, but since I’d have to work with him, I couldn’t just leave things like this.
“Then why do you want to get close to me? Just because I know your identity as Maru?”
“At first, I didn’t like that you knew. But I think I was actually waiting for it. For someone to recognize that I compose music, even if I didn’t say it myself.”
If he truly didn’t want anyone to know he was the composer Maru, he could’ve hidden it much more thoroughly.
He wouldn’t have done interviews as Maru, nor recommended books to fans.
Especially his reading notes.
If you looked at the passages and character analyses he wrote after reading books, it was easy to notice how similar they were to Maru’s compositions.
‘So he had been dropping hints all along.’
“Now it’s no longer a time when people would have prejudice just because I compose.”
Kang Woojin had established himself both as an actor and as a composer.
As he said, even if it were revealed now that he was Maru, it would only bring benefits, not harm.
“I realized that thanks to you.”
It felt like a chick recognizing the first person it saw after hatching as its parent.
“But I don’t want to reveal it myself. I want someone else to recognize it.”
“You could just drop hints… leak it to a reporter, or pretend to slip up on a variety show or live broadcast.”
“I could. But that’s kind of pathetic, isn’t it? It’d look cheap. So I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing, leaving hints. Maybe a bit more strongly this time.”
I nodded and took a sip of water.
“By the way… please accept me into your company.”
And I almost spat the water out.
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Thank you for the upload!
*cri d’excitation*