What an incredible coincidence…
But Tae-ha couldn’t just sit back and be surprised.
As Tae-ha tried to calm his startled heart, Kang Sojeong’s voice came through the phone, leaving him no time to collect himself.
– What’s up, why aren’t you answering? I asked how you’ve been.
Ever since he’d left his aunt’s house.
Tae-ha hadn’t kept in touch with Kang Sojeong at all.
Even with his aunt, they’d only exchange a few greetings during holidays, so there had been no reason for him to reach out to Kang Sojeong.
Because of that—
“Uh, well. I’ve been getting by, more or less.”
Even though Tae-ha’s answer was a little awkward, it didn’t seem to strike Kang Sojeong as strange.
The fact that Kang Sojeong’s reply came back right away proved it.
– That’s a relief. I heard you were discharged from the army. My mom told me not long ago. I left you a bunch of messages, but you never replied.
“I’ve been a bit out of it. Sorry.”
Still feeling dazed, Tae-ha fumbled his answer.
Honestly, the reason Tae-ha had ignored Kang Sojeong’s messages up to this point was obvious.
“It must’ve been uncomfortable for me. My pride was hurt.”
He understood.
He had failed as an idol, but Kang Sojeong, whom he hadn’t even thought much about, had become a successful actress.
Of course, Kang Sojeong had to know that, too.
– You didn’t avoid my messages on purpose, did you?
“No way.”
When asked so directly, Tae-ha hurried to deny it, but there was a brief, awkward silence as if Kang Sojeong didn’t believe him.
After a moment, Kang Sojeong asked,
– So. Where are you staying these days?
“Huh?”
– I was wondering if you’re still at the factory. You lived in the factory dorm before enlisting, right?
Her tone was casual.
It seemed like she was trying not to sound unnecessarily sympathetic, so she wouldn’t hurt Tae-ha’s feelings.
“If I were the old Kang Tae-ha, I’d have been all prickly and defensive.”
That’s how Hojun was as a kid, too.
With nothing to his name, pride was all he could protect.
He didn’t realize back then that all it left him with was a sense of inferiority.
– If you’re okay with it, do you want to come live with us again?
“Home?”
Tae-ha asked in surprise.
He hadn’t expected that.
– My mom worries about you a lot. Living on your own isn’t easy. You’re technically an adult, but you’re still young.
That was a kind of family love you didn’t often see these days.
Even just raising Tae-ha through middle school had been his aunt’s family doing their best.
And for Kang Sojeong, Tae-ha was just a cousin three years younger.
There was no real reason for her to care so much.
“She really is such a good person.”
Listening to Kang Sojeong, Tae-ha thought to himself.
– We moved recently, so we have plenty of rooms. I live on my own now… I always felt bad for giving you a hard time when we lived together before.
“You were young too back then.”
It would’ve been weirder if a teenage girl in high school didn’t feel awkward sharing a cramped house with her male cousin.
It’s not like she bullied Tae-ha—she’d only complained to her parents a few times.
It was just that Tae-ha was especially sensitive and quick to notice such things.
“I’m the one who should be sorry and grateful.”
Tae-ha spoke sincerely.
That was how he truly felt, back when he’d been so desperate to keep his pride.
He’d always thought that, if he ever became successful, he’d pay back that debt of gratitude with his head held high. But as life got harder and more miserable, he’d never managed to say it.
– Kang Tae-ha… you’ve really grown up. Thank you for understanding.
He could feel the weight lift a little from Kang Sojeong’s voice.
– Anyway, don’t feel pressured—just come back home if you want. You know I earn a decent living these days. If you want to go back to studying, I’ll help you…
“I’ve never once wanted to study, though.”
Tae-ha’s joking reply made Kang Sojeong, who had been speaking so cautiously, burst into laughter.
– I mean, do whatever you want to do.
“I am doing it. I started acting.”
– What?
“My friend’s agency signed me, and I’m living in the dorm they provided. So don’t worry. But I really appreciate you caring.”
– What did you just say… you’re acting?
“Yeah.”
No sooner had he answered than Kang Sojeong nearly screamed.
– Hey!
“Yeah?”
– Why didn’t you tell me sooner if that’s the case!
“Good question?”
He had a successful actress as a cousin, yet was taking the long way around in the industry.
“Kang Tae-ha, you idiot. Is your pride really worth starving for?”
Tae-ha shook his head.
***
A few days later.
A brunch restaurant in Itaewon.
Tae-ha, who had arrived early, took a seat by a sunny window.
The restaurant was quiet and peaceful in the middle of a weekday.
The open windows let in a gentle spring breeze along with warm sunlight.
“Nice.”
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so relaxed.
“I always told myself, once this project’s over, I’ll come somewhere nice like this, eat good food, and take a real break.”
But he’d kept putting off his rest—and in the end, died of overwork.
“But back then… I just wanted to prove myself, even one day sooner.”
He thought he couldn’t succeed unless he pushed himself to his limits.
And in fact, thanks to that, he’d gained an incredible ability.
“No matter what ability I have, nothing’s more precious than my life.”
Anyway, with his newly given young and healthy body, he was determined never to overdo it again.
Tae-ha made up his mind to protect that “work-life balance” people were always shouting about as if it were his own life.
“Work-life balance, never give it up.”
He checked the time on his phone, waiting for today’s main guest—Kang Sojeong.
“I didn’t expect to run into someone from my past so soon… and family, at that.”
Back when was being filmed.
He remembered a time at a casual get-together when Kang Sojeong had mentioned she had a cousin who used to be an idol.
[Back then, I wasn’t really interested in this side of things, so I don’t know the details, but I heard he had to quit because his agency shut down.]
[He must’ve been really disappointed.]
[Maybe that’s why he gave up on his dream entirely. These days, I’d help if I could, but I was just a college student back then… It’s a shame.]
[What’s he doing now?]
[He worked at a factory, then went to the army. I was planning to contact him after he was discharged.]
That cousin she mentioned serving in the army—that had been Tae-ha himself.
“One amazing coincidence after another.”
He felt like he could handle anything now.
Even if a portal opened up in front of him, he wouldn’t be surprised.
“Tae-ha!”
At that moment, Kang Sojeong entered the restaurant.
She wore light makeup, her long hair tied back in a single ponytail, a bright shirt and jeans.
It looked simple at first glance, but there was a polished, stylish air about her.
“She’s got even more of a celebrity aura than a year ago.”
Sitting across from Tae-ha, Kang Sojeong greeted him with a bright smile.
Her eyes always curved gently when she smiled, making anyone who saw it feel good.
“You really do look alike.”
Now that he saw her in person, it was even clearer—they had similar features, just as he’d seen in the mirror.
Especially their smiles.
“You got here early?”
“Yeah.”
Seeing her face, Tae-ha finally felt the reality sink in—Sojeong, once ten years younger than him, was now really his older cousin.
“I have to call Sojeong, who was so much younger than me, ‘noona’ now… Funny. Ha ha.”
But Tae-ha quickly accepted it, and greeted her with a gentle smile.
“Long time no see, noona.”
Kang Sojeong, pausing at his smile, looked him over closely.
“You… did you get taller? You look even better than before. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
The last time they’d seen each other face-to-face was four years ago, during Chuseok.
Tae-ha hadn’t even become an adult yet.
“Aren’t you the last person who should say that?”
“What?”
“You’re the one who became an actress—and got prettier.”
“What the heck? I didn’t know you could say things like that.”
“I’m just telling the truth, that’s all.”
Kang Sojeong’s eyes widened at Tae-ha’s playful retort.
Even during their call, but especially now, Tae-ha seemed different.
After being forced to quit his idol activities, he’d barely spoken to even his mom, becoming withdrawn—but now he was speaking smoothly and confidently.
He didn’t seem overly self-conscious or timid, either.
In her memories, Tae-ha always had a gloomy face, but now, it was as if spring sunshine had settled over him.
He was almost like a different person—charming, even.
“I guess I have changed. Now that I have a new goal, I’ve got energy again. Can’t live gloomy forever. I’m still young, after all.”
As if reading her thoughts, Tae-ha spoke.
Kang Sojeong, a little surprised, nodded.
“Good for you. My mom will be relieved, too.”
“I’ll call Aunt soon, too.”
“You really have matured, huh? Let’s order. Get whatever you want.”
Handing him the menu, Kang Sojeong grinned.
“Don’t regret it, okay? I don’t watch my manners anymore.”
“Don’t worry. You never had a big appetite anyway.”
But a little later,
Watching Tae-ha order as if he intended to eat everything on the menu, Kang Sojeong could only shake her head.
When he finished ordering, Taeha asked confidently,
“Did you bring what I asked for?”
Kang Sojeong clicked her tongue, half exasperated.
The biggest change in her cousin, who used to be constantly worried about others’ feelings, was just how brazen he’d become.
***
What Tae-ha had asked Kang Sojeong for was his next acting gig.
He’d asked her to see if there were any good roles available.
“There’s no reason not to accept help.”
Kang Sojeong’s own success as an actress, after all, was thanks in large part to luck.
She’d been a regular college student, but got her name out there thanks to her good looks and academic background on a variety show, and quickly signed with a major acting agency.
After that, she starred in a web drama that became a huge hit among young women,
And even as a supporting actress in dramas, she gave solid performances—quickly rising to leading roles.
It had all happened in a short span of time.
“And the project she got back then was …”
Back then, there was still talk that she was lacking as a female lead,
But was scheduled in a rush because another drama had fallen through.
Filming schedules were tight.
Thanks to that, Kang Sojeong had managed to land the lead role more easily.
With ’s success, she became a proper leading actress, and made her next drama a hit as well—cementing herself as the number-one choice for casting.
Because of that, Kang Sojeong now received dozens of scripts and scenarios every day.
She’d built up a lot of connections, and as a member of a big agency, she was always in the loop about upcoming dramas and roles open to new actors.
So Tae-ha’s request wasn’t unreasonable.
Kang Sojeong’s only complaint was why he hadn’t told her sooner about becoming an actor.
“Good call, asking for help.”
Technically, this was the kind of thing his own agency should handle, but as a small agency, there was a limit to the roles and scripts Tae-ha could access.
Even the recent bit part in had only come about thanks to Im Chan-hyung’s hard work.
But in just a few days, Kang Sojeong had come back with two audition opportunities for new works by fairly well-known writers—just on her recommendation.
“And they’re both from pretty big-name authors, too.”
While Kang Sojeong was away from the table for a moment,
Tae-ha took a sip of coffee and opened the scripts that had been brought as dessert.
As soon as he started reading, his fingertips tingled, and he became absorbed in the script.
Scenes appeared in his mind with surprising speed.
At the same time, he could distinguish between lines and scenes that were vivid and memorable, and those that weren’t.
With a bit more focus, he could probably even suggest edits.
But since it wasn’t his own project, he didn’t need to pour that much energy into it.
So Tae-ha devoted himself entirely to analyzing the script as thoroughly as possible.
“Just read them over at home and let me know. If you say you’ll audition for both by the end of this week, that should be fine.”
Just then, Kang Sojeong returned from the restroom and took her seat again.
Tae-ha closed the script with a snap and replied,
“No need—I’ve already decided.”