Chapter 113: A Drunken Challenge

"If you're Writer Lee Junghyuk, are you the same writer who recently did Flowers Blooming on a Withered Branch?"

Actor Song Jang-ho, whom I had only ever seen on movie screens, was alive and moving right before my eyes.

Actors like Park Hyeongjun, Lee Seong-jae, and Jeong Seong-woo were also the types that any Korean man would gasp at upon meeting. However, Actor Song Jang-ho was a figure who had consistently appeared in everything from Director Bong Chan-ho's debut film to his most recent works, single-handedly elevating the standard of Korean cinema.

Naturally, he was someone everyone in this industry wanted to meet at least once.

Since my favorite movie was Memories of Murder, the fact that the protagonist of a film I had watched dozens of times was standing right in front of me felt both incredibly welcoming and surreal.

"Oh. What is this? Do you two know each other?"

"I know him. I wonder if the writer knows me, though?"

Actor Song Jang-ho let out a hearty, boisterous laugh and offered a handshake.

"I'm Song Jang-ho."

"I'm Lee Junghyuk. Is there anyone in Korea who doesn't know Actor Song Jang-ho? It's an honor."

"Haha. The honor is mine. It was the year before last, right? Twin Love? Your acceptance speech for that drama was so impressive that I still remember it. I also really enjoyed Flowers Blooming on a Withered Branch recently."

When I blushed slightly, not knowing what to do with such high praise from Actor Song Jang-ho, the rude blonde—no, the young genius writer, Park Ra-el—who had been watching me with interest, asked if I wanted to join them.

"Ah. We're actually in the middle of the wrap party for Flowers Blooming on a Withered Branch."

"Is that so? That’s a shame. It would have been great to have a drink with you, Writer Lee."

Seeing Actor Song Jang-ho genuinely regretful rather than just offering empty words, I found it impossible to walk away. How often did one find a drinking session that truly resonated with a man's heart? Especially this fluttering feeling I felt while looking at another man—it was not common at all.

When would I ever get to fulfill the romance of clinking glasses with older men and talking about the world?

"The party is actually nearing its end. If you're going to stay a bit longer, I'll go say my goodbyes and come back out."

"We were about to leave too, but if you're coming, we should wait. We’re just having a modest meal at the sea snail place right in front of here."

"I'll be there shortly."

I returned to our party and explained the situation to Director Jang Byeong-tae. I was slightly worried he might be upset that I was leaving a gathering for our project to go to another one, but Director Jang and CEO Yeon Gyeong-tae, who were already quite drunk, waved their hands and told me to go quickly.

I left behind the men who were chanting "Our beloved Writer Lee Junghyuk" and "Thank you, we love you, Writer Lee."

Actor Lee Seong-jae and a few staff members also had to leave the lengthening party, so we cleared our spots and walked out together. As soon as I left, Seo Ji-won packed her things and followed me, saying she would leave too.

"When are we going to see the ocean?"

"Do you have time tomorrow?"

"I don't have any schedule other than exercising at lunch."

"Alright. Then let's go in the evening, eat some grilled clams, and look at the sea. I'll pick you up in front of your house."

"Hehe. Okay. Get home safely. Don't drink too much!"

"Yeah."

I felt a bit sorry for Ji-won, but since there was a gathering I was looking forward to more than tomorrow's drive, I gave her a brief send-off and hurried to the sea snail restaurant.

Located near Saetgang Station, 'Donghae Sea Snail' was boasting a massive crowd. Seeing people packed even in the street stalls outside the shop, I could feel the desperate struggle of office workers trying to enjoy the rare good weather after work.

I pushed through the crowd and headed for the only room in the shop. Though it was called a room, it was just a corner spot blocked off by dusty folding screens.

In addition to Actor Song Jang-ho and Writer Park Ra-el, Actors Park Seong-min and Yang Hee-ju were also there. Perhaps people didn't expect these famous actors to be sitting in such a corner, as it was surprisingly quiet and pleasant.

"Hello, Writer Lee Junghyuk! I was so excited when I heard from my senior that you were coming. I really wanted to meet you."

The friendly Actor Yang Hee-ju welcomed me, giving up her seat.

"Wow. I'm really enjoying your works, Writer Lee. Personally, I think you're raising the prestige of Korean dramas. At this rate, I feel like the state should give you the title of a national patriot."

"Haha. You flatter me."

The affable Actor Park Seong-min also boosted the mood with some lighthearted praise, making the atmosphere warm.

This group definitely knew. They knew that The Rose of Sharon Has Bloomed and The Traveler would be facing off on Ssetflix. However, rather than focusing on that rivalry, they poured drinks while discussing the hardships of the industry and how they were living their respective lives faithfully.

Moreover, Actor Park Seong-min was such a good talker that whenever the mood threatened to dip, he would throw in a joke at the perfect moment, ensuring the laughter never stopped.

It was a truly enjoyable gathering. Except for Writer Park Ra-el, who had been sitting there silently and sulkily ever since I arrived.

'Even if she finds this boring, showing such discomfort is a bit much.'

She looked like a complete child. Thinking about how she showed a lack of social skills by only blurting out what she wanted to say at the last meeting, I felt like I didn't need to feel a huge sense of crisis just because she wrote well.

A drama is not a solo project. Maintaining good relationships with the directors, actors, and staff members is also one of the virtues of a writer.

I could tell the other actors were also glancing at her. As a senior in the industry who had done several more dramas, I decided to embrace her with an adult's heart and spoke up.

"Writer Park, aren't you going to drink anymore? Shall I pour you a glass?"

"Oh, our Writer Park Ra-el has a low tolerance for alcohol."

Actor Song Jang-ho took the drink on her behalf with a fatherly laugh.

"The reason she's so quiet right now is because she got drunk after just one glass of beer earlier."

"Is that so? Is she okay?"

"We were worried at first too, but she just sits there with her eyes wide open like that until the end. When we ask her later if she remembers anything, she says she doesn't. Isn't she cute?"

Actor Yang Hee-ju giggled and waved her hand in front of Writer Park Ra-el. Park Ra-el didn't show much of a reaction, as if she really was as drunk as they said.

"At first, Writer Park spoke quite harshly and nitpicked everything as if she didn't like my acting. To be honest, since she's so young, I wondered if she was being too much. I was a bit hurt. But it turns out she's just honest and spirited."

"Wasn't it because you were persuaded because she was right?"

"Hehe. That's true too."

"I even complained to my manager that Writer Park seemed strange. I cursed, asking if people who write well were all like that. But now, she feels like a youngest sister. Oh. This is a secret, Writer."

Yang Hee-ju and Park Seong-min teased and doted on Park Ra-el like her older sister and brother.

"Haha. Writer Park must be happy to work with such kind people."

"We're the grateful ones. We're happy to be part of Writer Park's debut work."

"That's right. We’re also looking forward to what great works she'll write in the future."

The people who had been praising my dramas and my works for a long time now began to extol Park Ra-el's writing style as if they were protecting their own.

"Haha. That's enough. Aren't we talking about ourselves too much when we have Writer Lee Junghyuk here?"

"Oops. Sorry. We were acting too much like doting parents, weren't we?"

"Not at all. It's nice to see."

True. It was nice to see. Except for the fact that I was jealous. A young writer who writes well and is loved by the actors she works with? Just thinking about it made my stomach churn.

It wasn't just a figure of speech; my stomach actually hurt, so I stood up, saying I needed to use the restroom.

"Our The Rose of Sharon Has Bloomed will win. Writer Lee Junghyuk. It's time for you to step down from the throne."

Park Ra-el, who I thought was sleeping with her eyes open because she was drunk, looked straight at me as I stood up to go to the bathroom.

"Our work is overwhelmingly superior in terms of script, directing, and acting. The Traveler can take second place."

"Haha. Writer Park, you're very drunk."

"No. I'm more sober than ever. Writer Lee. Do you understand? I'm the person who writes dramas the best in Korea. Why? Because there's no one in Korea who has watched more movies, dramas, and books than me."

"Haha. I see. I'll keep that in mind."

Park Ra-el, who had stood up wobbling, collapsed sideways just like that.

"Whoa! Writer!"

Because of Park Ra-el, who collapsed from being dead drunk, the gathering ended abruptly. Actor Park Seong-min carried Park Ra-el on his back and left the shop, quickly walking away with Actor Yang Hee-ju.

"Writer Lee. Please don't be offended. That kind of childishness is only for that age, isn't it?"

"Of course. I had a great time thanks to you."

"Since we exchanged contacts, let's have a drink when we get the chance. I'm not just saying that. It would be great if you went fishing with Seong-jae and Seong-woo too."

"That sounds great. I'll be waiting."

Only after seeing Actor Song Jang-ho off did I catch a taxi.

"Where can I take you?"

"Please go to Hapjeong Mecenatpolis."

I headed for the studio instead of home. Was I in a good mood? No way. Of course, I was in a foul mood. How could I feel good after seeing a kid who was still wet behind the ears drunkenly ramble about how her script was much more interesting right in front of my face?

I gritted my teeth and turned on my laptop. Then, I began to re-read The Traveler, which was completed up to sixteen episodes, meticulously checking if anything was missing or if there were any disappointments.

I absolutely, positively could not lose to Park Ra-el and The Rose of Sharon Has Bloomed.

Seeing my wretched appearance, Seo Ji-won looked at me with concern.

"Writer. Are you okay? Did you drink a lot yesterday?"

"It's not because of the alcohol. I stayed up all night because of the script."

"What? Why? Didn't you finish writing it?"

"Yeah. But I saw some lacking parts, so I was revising."

"Oh my. Your dark circles are no joke. Will you be okay driving? Should I do it?"

"No, that's... I'll just do it."

No matter how much I had stayed up, letting Ji-won take the wheel was a choice I'd rather avoid; keeping myself sharp was the far more rational option. I gulped down the bulk-sized caffeine drink I had prepared and started the car.

It took a little over one hour to get to Yeongjongdo. We arrived around 7:00 PM and had a simple meal with cider at a grilled clam place that was said to be frequented by celebrities.

When we left the restaurant, the sun was setting over the horizon.

"Wow. It's so beautiful, Writer."

Only after getting in the car did Seo Ji-won properly take off her hat and mask, marveling repeatedly.

"It is. Sunset is definitely best when it's reflected in the sea."

We admired the scenery without saying much.

"You said earlier while we were eating, Writer. You said you were curious about when the moment would come when you could no longer write dramas."

"Yeah."

"This is a different story, but I think it would be fine if you couldn't write anymore."

"Why?"

"Because then the time we spend eating and driving like this would increase."

"You're saying something dangerous."

"Fufu. I'm kidding. I'm just saying don't feel too pressured. It's true people like your writing, but they stay by your side because they like you as a person."

She was right. By my side, I had Seo Ji-won, who had an exceptional talent for speaking beautifully even when saying the same thing. I had assistant writers who helped revise the script with high-quality feedback no matter what kind of draft I produced. Not to mention CEO Seo Sun-ae, who always sought solutions whenever I hit a wall, and Hong Ju Hee and Cho Min-seong, who were always waiting to work on my scripts and served as a reliable support system.

I knew I had reached this position thanks to many other actors and staff members. It was the moment I realized I was receiving more love than anyone else.

"Thank you."

"What for? I'm just paying for the grilled clams you bought me with words."

"Good grief. What, do you want to eat something more expensive?"

"Hmm. Shall we eat lobster next time?"

"Ah, lobster, I—"

The lobster I had eaten at Grace Kim's hotel not long ago came to mind, and I was about to say how delicious it was, but I quickly shut my mouth. I was extremely tired, but it was a moment where I barely held onto my reason.

"Sure. Let's go eat delicious lobster next time."

"Yay."

"Shall we head back now?"

"Writer, you're tired, so I'll drive. I haven't driven in a while, so I want to try."

"No. Absolutely not."

Yes. No matter how lovely Seo Ji-won was, some things were just not allowed.