Chapter 87: I’ll Bring a Gift Next Time

Stars of the entertainment industry showcase their faces and talents to millions, even tens of millions, through the television screen and YouTube.

People who see only their bright and positive sides often think, ‘I wish I had such a lovely person among my friends,’ and assume that the stars must have countless relationships formed around them.

However, when variety show stars are asked, “Do you often meet up with friends in your free time?” the answer is often, “I don’t really have many friends.”

Most people who hear this assume, of course, that celebrities, sensitive to scandals, hesitate to mention their private connections.

But unexpectedly, there are entertainers who have to answer that way because they truly don’t have friends.

From the viewpoint of extroverts, this is hard to understand.

Isn’t it natural to make friends just by going to school with people your age, attending academies together, having meals, and chatting during breaks?

That’s what you’d think, but these days, most idols debut in their mid to late teens.

Seo Ji-won joined an agency as a trainee when she was just twelve years old and debuted in a girl group at nineteen.

For her, ordinary school and academy life simply didn’t exist.

Being a trainee in an agency made it impossible to even attend school properly, and she had to keep up relentless practice from dawn until late at night.

After all, among the countless grains of sand struggling to become a celebrity in Korea, proving oneself to be a sparkling gemstone requires both natural talent and tireless effort.

That’s why the only people Seo Ji-won met were the trainers who gave lessons in the practice room and the other trainees, who, unsure of when they might be cut, were always conscious of one another and in competition.

Even after debuting, she couldn’t get close to other groups for fear of strange rumors, and this lifestyle continued even after she switched her path to acting.

Among actors who majored in acting at arts colleges or had worked in the theater scene, Seo Ji-won, as a former idol with less of a “root,” inevitably remained on the outskirts.

For these various reasons, Seo Ji-won—pretty-faced, full of aegyo, kind-hearted, and a talented actress—had no friends.

Number 5 on her friendless bucket list was ‘Host a party on Christmas.’

To throw a party, you need friends; so, with Christmas a week away, Seo Ji-won was plunged into deep thought.

‘Who could I possibly invite to a party?’

Since her recent work on , she’d finally been recognized as an actress, and had also naturally grown closer to Lee Jeong-hyuk and the people around him.

Thanks to that, while it was still unclear if she could call them true friends, she now had a fair number of friendly acquaintances she could at least invite.

Maybe this year, she’d finally be able to cross off number 5 on her bucket list.

However, having already made her own invitations by hand with pens, paper, and stickers, Seo Ji-won found herself facing another dilemma.

Number 2 on her bucket list was ‘Have a romantic Christmas (heart),’ another Christmas wish she found hard to give up.

As her mind involuntarily conjured up the image of that annoyingly aloof, socially awkward divorcé who never seemed to get close, Seo Ji-won’s cheeks flushed red.

“Will the Writer come? Or… should I just invite him alone? No, if it’s him, he’ll definitely feel burdened and not come.”

Staring at the finished invitation, Seo Ji-won thought long and hard, then picked up a pencil and scribbled a few extra words at the bottom before snapping a photo.

A moment later, Seo Ji-won sent pictures of her handmade Christmas party invitations to Im Seong-hee and Jeong Tae-mi, the writers at Lee Jeong-hyuk’s office, as well as to actors Ahn Yoo-seok and Park Hyeong-jun, who had performed with her.

The vibrant invitations, decorated with cute, charming stickers and ornaments, had the time and place written on them, and in tiny letters at the bottom, they said:

-Everyone must be busy at the end of the year, so I won’t be disappointed at all if you can’t come to the party :)

-Wishing you all a happy Christmas!

She wanted to send invitations to CEO Hong Joo-hee and the staff who had worked with her on  as well, but she reined in her ambition, thinking the party might get too big.

Cheon Na-young, who had gone to Japan with her, was now in Japan for additional filming of , so they agreed to meet separately after New Year’s, meaning she wasn’t invited to this party.

It was a little disappointing, but the final highlight remained.

Seo Ji-won erased her earlier note with an eraser, then began to write, this time in bigger and bolder letters.

- to. Writer Lee Jeong-hyuk

- Remember how I helped you with your skincare and kept your spirits up before you went on Dang Quiz? I’ll be really disappointed if you don’t come!

Seo Ji-won wanted to enjoy the party with everyone, but above all, she hoped that Lee Jeong-hyuk would be sure to come. Her invitation, carrying that wish, was thus delivered to all.

---

One week later.

December 24th, Christmas Eve, inside Seo Ji-won’s home.

The first guest to arrive was a surprising one.

Ding-dong—the doorbell rang, and the face that appeared on the intercom was none other than Lee Jeong-hyuk.

“Writer?”

“Open the door, it’s cold.”

At his urging, Seo Ji-won immediately opened the door, greeting her guest with both happiness and a hint of bewilderment.

“Writer? Do you know what time it is?”

“Can’t I come a little early?”

“It’s not that you can’t… But you’re not usually like this.”

“What am I usually like?”

“Well, obviously…”

Even when a time and place was set, he was never on time, and he was an avowed homebody who almost never left his workspace.

But Seo Ji-won’s brain quickly filtered her words, offering a more refined answer.

“Someone who seems unlikely to show up at parties?”

“What are you talking about, you invited me, didn’t you? You even wrote all those reasons why I couldn’t not come—how could I not show up?”

And yet, Lee Jeong-hyuk came empty-handed.

Seo Ji-won hadn’t expected any particular thoughtfulness from him anyway, so she didn’t look disappointed as she welcomed him inside.

From the kitchen came the savory scent of simmering meat broth, tomato, cheese, and aromatic sauce.

Seeing Seo Ji-won cooking party food herself in the kitchen, Lee Jeong-hyuk stuck out his tongue in amazement.

“Why did you make so much food? How many people are coming?”

“At most, five or six?”

“…And yet, there’s this much food?”

“Come on, it’s better to have leftovers than not enough. If there’s extra, I’ll pack some for you.”

Looking over the mountains of pasta, lasagna, steak, and meat stew—enough for at least ten people—Lee Jeong-hyuk shook his head in disbelief.

“You’re something else. Why go to all this trouble by yourself?”

“It’s no trouble. I’m quick with my hands, so this is nothing.”

“Wow, you’re really good at cooking, aren’t you?”

“Oh please, haven’t you seen me cook before?”

“No, back when I was married, the kitchen staff always made the food downstairs and sent it up, so this kind of sight is rare for me.”

Seo Ji-won felt oddly nervous under Lee Jeong-hyuk’s gaze as he watched her cooking in her apron.

“Are you just going to keep standing there?”

“Can’t I?”

“Someone might find it uncomfortable.”

Whether she was uncomfortable or not, Seo Ji-won nudged Lee Jeong-hyuk toward the sofa, away from the island counter.

“Why don’t you watch TV on the sofa until the food is ready?”

Lee Jeong-hyuk then sprawled out on the sofa as if he were at home, turning on the TV.

On TV, there were special variety shows and Christmas movies airing for Christmas Eve.

Watching this, Seo Ji-won glanced at him and bowed her head slightly, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

She couldn’t help feeling a strange emotion at the sight of herself cooking in the kitchen while Lee Jeong-hyuk watched TV on the living room sofa.

About thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang busily once more.

“Ji-won! We’re here!”

“Oh my, writers, thank you so much for coming!”

People started arriving, beginning with Im Seong-hee and Jeong Tae-mi.

“Ji-won, I’m here! Hahaha.”

“Sunbae-nim, it’s been a while. Oh? Writer, you’re here too?”

Park Hyeong-seok and Ahn Yoo-seok arrived right on time.

Im Seong-hee brought a big dried pollack, a favorite dish at her favorite bar.

Jeong Tae-mi brought a snow globe music box with a Santa village inside, saying it would be perfect as a Christmas decoration.

Everyone who arrived after that brought a present as well.

Especially Ahn Yoo-seok, who brought an entire large container of freshly made gat kimchi from his mother.

And Park Hyeong-seok, who had wrapped up a platter of yellowtail sashimi from his favorite seafood restaurant in a styrofoam box.

The already laden dining table in Seo Ji-won’s kitchen overflowed with everyone’s food and gifts, making the party feel even more festive.

‘Ah, so it’s essential to bring a gift when attending a party.’

Lee Jeong-hyuk, who had believed the invitation when it said you could come empty-handed, finally felt a little embarrassed at having arrived with just himself.

Once everyone was seated, Seo Ji-won beamed as she raised a pre-poured glass of champagne.

“Thank you all for coming, despite your busy schedules!”

“Oh please, I’ve been married for twenty years, so there’s nothing to do on Christmas anyway.”

Ahn Yoo-seok, sitting next to Park Hyeong-seok, asked,

“Sunbae-nim, what about your wife and kids?”

“Don’t get me started—my wife took the kids to a ski resort.”

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Ah, if I go skiing in winter, the cold goes right into my bones. Eating good food and drinking inside is the best.”

At Park Hyeong-seok’s joke, everyone burst into laughter and toasted with champagne.

With that, Seo Ji-won’s Christmas party officially began.

“Oh my, Ji-won, when did you prepare all this?”

“Wow, have you tried the lasagna? It’s so good, I can’t eat lasagna anywhere else anymore.”

“Wow, my wife never makes stuff like this. But I love Western food—after all, I grew up in Gangnam.”

“Please, everyone eat up. There’s plenty left.”

As time passed, everyone’s faces flushed as they paired the plentiful food with drinks.

Once they’d eaten and had a bit to drink, as industry people do, the conversation naturally turned to the year-end awards ceremony.

“This year, the Writer’s Award has to go to Lee Jeong-hyuk.”

“Obviously. How many works did he put out this year? And all of them did well.”

“If he doesn’t win, that just doesn’t make sense. For real.”

At their words, Lee Jeong-hyuk waved his hand, telling them not to flatter him, but a subtle smile showed he was secretly hoping for an award.

The night grew late, and soon people began to rise and prepare to leave.

Starting with Park Hyeong-seok, who insisted that, even if his family was at the ski resort, an overnight stay was absolutely off-limits for a married man, people began to say their goodbyes—Ahn Yoo-seok left to spend Christmas with his mother.

Im Seong-hee and Jeong Tae-mi also called taxis home, leaving behind only a thoroughly drunk Seo Ji-won and a still somewhat sober Lee Jeong-hyuk.

After seeing everyone off, Lee Jeong-hyuk helped the exhausted Seo Ji-won—worn out from a day of cooking and hosting—into her bedroom and carefully laid her on the bed.

“Ugh, Writer. I still want to drink more…”

“Hey, everyone’s gone and the drinks are finished. So get some sleep.”

“Ah… I guess I should… But… I have to clean up…”

Click—Lee Jeong-hyuk turned off the bedroom light, quietly closed the door, and left.

With that last worry about cleaning up, Seo Ji-won fell into a deep sleep and didn’t wake until the next day, still in her clothes and unwashed.

“Ugh! When did I get to bed?”

The next morning, Seo Ji-won, startled and groggy with patchy memories, woke up in her bed.

With a pounding headache and queasy stomach, she made her way to the kitchen for a glass of water, pressing her temples as she looked around.

“Huh? What’s this?”

The kitchen and dining table, which should have been a mess from the previous night’s revelry, were completely cleaned up.

Even the dishes and cooking utensils she hadn’t managed to tidy up after cooking were perfectly washed and placed in the drying rack.

“Who cleaned all this up?”

Looking around in a daze, she noticed a pot on the stove that she didn’t remember.

Lifting the lid, she found it contained a clear, refreshing bean sprout soup, now cooled.

“They even made hangover soup after cleaning up? Who…?”

Rummaging through her phone, wondering if someone had left a message, Seo Ji-won’s eyes landed on a small post-it stuck to the fridge.

Moving closer, she saw a brief note written in bold cursive.

-I’ll bring a gift next time. Merry Christmas.

With just a small post-it, Lee Jeong-hyuk had given Seo Ji-won the warmest gift of all.