Chapter 61: Sushi in Japan

Ddu ru ru ru ru–

7 a.m. The phone alarm rang.

I sat up, stretched both arms wide, then clasped my hands and slowly bent at the waist.

"Kkuuuuhhh…"

I did this stretching every day, but no matter what, my body always felt stiff after waking up.

I washed my face lightly in the small bathroom attached to my room and came out.

I changed into the t-shirt and pants I'd prepared the night before, pressed a cap firmly over my bedhead, and slipped my phone into an armband before stepping out of the studio.

In my ears, the cheerful voice of a narrator played through my wireless earbuds.

-Today, you came out to run again. How cool! Well then, shall we start running with energy?

As soon as I entered Yeouido Park, I finished warming up and started running.

Until now, I’d only used the treadmill at the gym in my office-tel studio.

But last month, after hearing about my schedule, my trainer insisted that for cardio, nothing beats pounding the real ground, and practically shoved me outside.

Until my mid-thirties, I’d lived my life having nothing to do with exercise.

Especially regarding my health, I had a confidence bordering on arrogance.

I’d gone through life without ever catching a serious cold, rarely needing to go to the hospital.

I’d never even made use of standard accident insurance—need I say more?

-Only you can make your body healthy! Trust your strong legs and push yourself to run even harder!

Of course, it’s not like I enjoy working out. I do it to survive.

Once I passed my mid-thirties, my body started spewing out the toxins that had built up over thirty-something years like a ghost.

Previously, no matter how much I ate, I never put on extra weight, but now flab clung to my face and stomach. I couldn’t digest food properly, and if I didn’t get enough sleep, I suffered from headaches all day.

That wasn’t all—my stamina hit rock bottom.

Sitting in front of the computer all day writing, I’d try to take the stairs just for the exercise when going to get coffee, but I’d find myself gasping, breath catching at my throat.

Even during personal training, I couldn’t add more weight when lifting, worried about hurting myself—a feeling that was oddly unfamiliar.

"Huff, huff. Hoo—huff, huff. Hoo—"

I adjusted my pace, inhaling twice quickly and exhaling once slowly.

I learned this after initially running without a clue, then being forced to stop when my side cramped—one of those painful lessons my wretched body taught me.

-You can do it! Today is the last day of your 8-week running challenge! I’m so proud. Give yourself credit, and let’s finish strong!

The running app’s overly energetic voice echoed in my ears.

Maybe because I’d heard this guy for two months, sometimes his voice would pop into my head even during everyday life.

I thought his job satisfaction must be high, what with encouraging people and all.

While I’m running, at least, my mind clears and I can forget about work.

Maybe that’s why a famous Japanese novelist also runs every morning—I can vaguely understand now.

I finished my 30-minute run and returned safely to the studio.

Ssshh—

I washed away my sweat under a cool stream of water, changed into fresh, crisp clothes.

I plucked a banana from where Im Seonghee had hung them on a hanger and made my morning coffee.

Jeong Taemi had complained that buying coffee from downstairs all the time was wasteful and bought a coffee machine and beans, saying she’d brew it herself if I set it up.

Of course, with both the machine and still occasionally buying coffee downstairs, the expenses had doubled, but I let it slide.

The scent of coffee as the hot water poured over the ground beans in the filter was more than worth it.

8:30 a.m.

I sipped my coffee and turned on my laptop.

‘Well, let’s get to work.’

I loosened my wrists and placed my hands on the keyboard.

In the focused hours of the morning, I wrote the manuscript for , which I was co-authoring with author Park Eunsook.

Parts 1 and 2 were already done, and I was currently working on parts 3 and 4. Thanks to all the meetings, scripting wasn’t too difficult.

After wrapping up my breathless morning schedule and taking a break, Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi, who had come to work in the morning, spoke to me with worried voices.

“Writer. Don’t you think it’s time to hire an assistant writer?”

“That’s right, I heard Park Eunsook’s team has four assistants.”

“I’m fine. I can handle it alone.”

“Oh, come on. I heard you’re starting a new historical drama too. Historical pieces require a lot of research, so you really need at least two assistants.”

 had the original plan on Godflix, so I thought of it as just a remake, but stretching a 16-episode story to 50 was no easy feat.

Neither Im Seonghee nor Jeong Taemi had experience assisting on historical dramas, so they couldn’t help much.

“Oh, come to think of it, my assistant said she worked on a historical drama at UBS.”

“Really? My assistant loves historicals too—she said she started watching the drama as soon as it aired.”

Having acquired their own assistants, Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi began describing them to each other with a hint of pride.

“Why don’t we invite them to the meetings together?”

“You mean, our assistants?”

“Yes! Honestly, we don’t need assistants as much since you provide outlines and character breakdowns for each episode.”

“That’s true. I said it was fine, but the production company insisted we’d need help during filming, so they assigned one. Now they only come once a week and work from home the rest.”

“Our assistants are practically yours, since we’re all on Team Lee Junghyuk!”

After several years working as assistants themselves, perhaps they’d grown comfortable delegating. Watching them recommend using the assistants so casually, I paused for a moment.

“Still, we should check with them first. We also need to get permission from the production company. Obviously, they might not like their staff working on someone else’s project.”

“Oh. Right.”

“You even think about the assistants’ rights… We’ve never done that before…”

I comforted the crestfallen pair and split the sandwiches we’d had delivered.

Sometimes, as if remembering the tough old days, they’d shiver slightly.

I’d grown used to eating only about 80% full so it wouldn’t disrupt my afternoon schedule, and in the meantime, my stomach seemed to have shrunk.

I put the remaining half of the sandwich in the fridge and returned to my room.

I pulled out one of the books I planned to read this week.

It was a book that retold the Annals of King Sejong, making it easier to read as a novel.

I walked slowly around my room while reading, to help digest.

For chapters with useful details, I gently folded the corners.

I’d already finished nearly twenty books, but the thought of sorting through them again made me hesitate.

‘Maybe I should hire more assistants after all.’

What Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi said wasn’t completely off the mark.

I needed help right away, but thinking further ahead, training writers like Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi was important too.

But for this historical drama, since I hadn’t told Hong Juhee or Jo Minseong, it felt awkward to ask them to recommend assistants.

And I didn’t have a big pool of people I knew, so recruiting directly was tough.

After some thought, I came up with an idea and discussed it with Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi, who had about an hour left before quitting time.

“You want to hold an open recruitment for assistants yourself?”

“That’s a good idea! I’m for it!”

“Hmm. Then when you accept samples, you should focus on historical genres.”

“No, I’m planning to take all types. We need talented people like you two, so I don’t want to restrict it.”

In the end, Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi didn’t leave on time today either, our idle chatter turning into a long meeting about running the writer’s studio.

Thankfully, Im Seonghee volunteered to write the recruitment post, and Jeong Taemi took charge of screening applicants.

“Lately, Japanese-related issues have been causing some bad press for you, so we should make the recruitment post very clear.”

“That’s right. These days, applicants are sensitive about working conditions and stuff.”

“That’s only natural. The era we went through… it really was the age of savagery.”

At my words, Im Seonghee and Jeong Taemi nodded, looking touched.

Good grief. What rough times did they go through, that a few words from me moved them so much?

“Well then, I’m counting on you both.”

After they left, I made simple bibimbap with the seasoned veggies Im Seonghee had prepared.

Today was a day without PT, so after dinner, I planned to take a walk.

Kka-tok–

As I enjoyed a peaceful evening, a sudden KakaoTalk alert sounded.

-Writer, are you doing well?

-What’s up?

Seo Ji-won, despite being in the middle of her busiest season, would sometimes message me like this during breaks between shoots.

She’d ask if I’d eaten, talk about the gloomy weather, chat about dramas or variety shows she’d enjoyed recently.

‘How long has it been since I’ve had these kinds of ordinary, leisurely conversations…’

Honestly, I didn’t dislike sharing everyday talk with someone.

Unlike when we first met, Seo Ji-won had grown more outgoing and was good at keeping the conversation flowing.

Since she almost always messaged first, at this point, anyone would wonder, ‘Maybe she has feelings for me?’

But thinking about the age gap, even having that thought made me feel guilty.

She was a rising star, after all, so I shook my head to banish idle thoughts.

‘Maybe she just doesn’t have many friends, either.’

It made sense.

No matter how glamorous celebrities’ lives seem, it must be hard to find someone to chat about ordinary things with.

In my case, since we’d worked together and I was much older and even divorced, it was easier to keep things at arm’s length emotionally.

After running through these thoughts, I quietly flipped my phone face down and returned to my laptop.

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.

There was a video conference with writer Park Eunsook, director Kudo Kei, and Kudo Kei’s assistant.

I joined the Zoom link, turned on the camera, and started the meeting.

I heard through the assistant’s interpretation that they enjoyed parts 1 and 2.

-I have a suggestion. It’s been three months since our first meeting; why don’t we have a meal together? Next week, we’ll be holding auditions for Japanese supporting actors.

At Director Kudo Kei’s suggestion, a hint of awkwardness flickered across Park Eunsook’s face.

Right after, Park Eunsook sent me a private message. She kept her gaze fixed on the screen, her fingers flying over the keys so that no one on Kudo Kei’s side would notice.

-Sorry, but could you go, Lee? Next week, I’ll be totally tied up with another project.

I, too, replied at lightning speed.

-Sure. Of course.

"Would it be alright if I visited alone? Writer Park has interview schedules for research on another project next week."

-Ah, I see. In that case, it’s fine if neither of you can come.

"No, it’s okay. Writer Park is working so hard, I want to help with our project too."

Kudo Kei seemed to agree with Park Eunsook’s “let’s save travel time” reasoning, but he still wanted to meet face-to-face.

Park Eunsook, however, seemed pressed for time, wanting me to make excuses for her.

Of course, I was also juggling two projects, but I figured if I turned down Director Kudo Kei’s offer now, I might not be able to refuse next time.

I did have a little time before hiring new assistants, so I decided it would be good to go ahead and visit.

"Then, I’ll see you next week."

The meeting, as always, was brief and to the point, wrapping up in just an hour.

Almost immediately, I received an email from Kudo Kei’s assistant with a plane ticket.

First class again, as before. They must have bought the ticket quickly using the documents I’d sent earlier.

‘Well, I could use a change of air.’

Having been cooped up in the studio for nearly two months living the same routine, a short two-night trip sounded nice.

Even if it was for work.

Bzzzz—bzzzz—

My phone, left on the table during the meeting, vibrated.

I thought maybe it was Seo Ji-won, but this time, it was Cheon Na-young.

I answered on speakerphone and announced my Japan trip to the assistant writer group chat.

"Hey. Long time no see."

-Writer, how have you been?

"Oh, you know, same as always."

-I just finished shooting and got a week’s vacation.

"Really? Good job. Get plenty of rest."

-Are you busy? Sounds like you’re doing something else.

Psychic.

"It’s nothing, just organizing some schedules. What’s up?"

-Then please buy me a meal.

At her bold request, I meant to type “I’m going on a business trip next week” in the chat but ended up typing “I’m going on a meal” and had to correct it.

"I can buy you a meal. What do you want to eat?"

-You know your drama hit big thanks to me, right? Buy me something expensive!

Hah. Cheon Na-young’s shamelessness was skyrocketing past the ceiling.

"Sure, if you really think it’s all thanks to you. That’s the right attitude for a rookie. But I’m on a business trip to Japan next week, so I can’t then."

-Japan? Then buy me sushi in Japan.

"What?"

-lol Just kidding. You know the saying—go to Paris for croissants, go to Hong Kong for dim sum. Just acting like a star for fun.

Unlike Seo Ji-won, maybe because she was younger, Cheon Na-young acted more mischievously, making me feel like I was dealing with a much younger niece.

-Anyway, writer, I can finally have fun for a week, so I’m going to go all out. Look forward to it.

"Haha. How you spend your vacation is none of my business."

-I’ll send you a list of restaurants I want to try!

Why was she declaring war on me?

She was so unpredictable, I started to feel uneasy.

Just then, a reply came in from Seo Ji-won, whom I’d been chatting with earlier.

-Writer, I just finished shooting.

-Good work.

-My schedule is pretty free next week. If you’re free, would you like to have dinner with me? My treat :)

-If we’re eating, I should treat you.

-Doesn’t matter who pays. Is there anything you want to eat?

It wasn’t often that I had multiple people inviting me to dinner, so my head spun for a moment.

I had to go to Japan next week, so time wasn’t abundant, but suddenly, I thought—why not do both work and see people, kill two birds with one stone?

After hesitating, I replied to Seo Ji-won.

-Want to go to Japan for sushi?