Chapter 96: The Script That Fell From the Sky

“You seem busy, so I won’t beat around the bush. Work with me on a project.”

He just showed up out of nowhere and asked me to do a piece with him—what kind of nonsense was this?

“Huh? Me… with you?”

“Yeah.”

Only when the word “project” came up did I finally remember he’d said he was a film director back then.

Oh, right—he did say he was a director.

“Here, read this first.”

He handed me a thick stack of papers.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“Yep.”

[Clash]

Even the title radiated intensity.

“Uh…”

I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to just accept it, but I couldn’t refuse, so I took the script.

Do people normally hand scripts over like this?

Usually scripts came through the agency; this was the first time someone had shoved one directly into my hands.

“Did you come all the way here just to give me this?”

“Yeah, you’re not exactly easy to meet.”

“You could’ve sent it to the company…”

“This way is more certain.”

“I’ll read it carefully.”

Regardless, I was grateful that he saw potential in me and made the offer.

“Hyeonjae-ya, we should probably get going.”

Hayoon cautiously spoke up.

“I put my business card inside, so make sure you contact me.”

He emphasized the call as he stepped out of the car.

“What on earth is going on?”

I’d only just started filming Love Some; I hadn’t even thought about my next project, yet someone suddenly appeared and handed me a script.

“Is it really okay to accept it like this?”

“Well…”

“Clash… the title sounds pretty deep.”

It was impossible to guess the story from the title alone, which only made me more curious.  

Just as I was about to open it, Hayoon glanced at me through the rear-view mirror.

“Planning to read it now?”

“Of course I have to. He came all this way to give it to me.”

“But how do you know that guy?”

Hayoon was curious about my relationship with the director.

“Ah~ he directed the cosmetics commercial I did.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Back then he had a beard and came in tracksuits and slippers, so when he showed up all cleaned up, I genuinely didn’t recognize him at first.”

“I see.”

Even back then, the way he gave precise directions and perfectly grasped what the public wanted had felt anything but ordinary.

I wonder if it’ll actually be good?

The fact that someone like that had written it made me curious.  

I was about to flip the page when Hayoon spoke again.

“Oh! Hyeonjae-ya, we have to film that challenge later—have you memorized the one they sent?”

“Right! I completely forgot.”

Lately we’d been filming every trending challenge under the sun for drama promotion.

“We’ll shoot it later, so practice a bit in advance.”

“Got it.”

The challenge we had to film soon took priority, so I set the script aside for now and immersed myself in watching the video and practicing.

“Last words, please.”

“Please show lots of love and interest to Today’s Fruit Shop—it’s really fun!”

“Yes, good work, everyone.”

With the final line, filming wrapped.

“Man, I nearly died laughing.”

“What was I supposed to do when I couldn’t hear anything?”

It was called an interview, but it felt more like a variety show shoot.  

Silent screams, guessing drama titles from emojis, TMI quizzes—we did every game imaginable back-to-back.

“Ahem, ugh, my throat hurts.”

“Hahaha, it’s the first time I’ve seen Jewook-hyung scream like that.”

“I got too excited without realizing.”

“Hyung, you have to watch this when it airs. You’ll be shocked.”

While we were talking about the games, Hayoon informed us the drama had been uploaded.

“Episodes 1 and 2 are already up on Mving.”

“Ooh~ I’ll watch on the way home.”

“I hope it turned out fun.”

Having already gone through the experience once with Blue Sky Spring, this time I felt more anticipation and excitement than nerves.

I wonder if everything I imagined made it on screen?

I hoped viewers would feel exactly the emotions and acting I’d poured in.

“Don’t say that in front of me. I’m not checking reactions for a while.”

Taewoon made his stance crystal clear.

“Why~”

“I’ve got a soft heart.”

There had already been all sorts of chatter about his acting from the teaser alone.

“Those are just people who’ll hate no matter what.”

Most comments had actually been positive; only a tiny minority had bashed him.

“Yeah, no need to pay attention to that.”

“There are actors with ten, even twenty years of experience who still get trashed.”

Jibin and Jewook comforted the clearly wounded Taewoon together.  

Then, as if his pent-up grievances exploded, Taewoon vented.

“I admit my acting isn’t perfect yet, but I still have three years left before enlistment—so why do they keep telling me to go to the military?!”

“The military?”

“They say if I can’t make it as a singer, instead of becoming a burden as an actor, I should just enlist and ‘plant a stake.’”

That comment seemed to have really stuck with him.

“Just hang in there, hyung.”

“Ughhh.”

“Don’t overthink it. Anyway, I have theater practice, so I’ll head out first.”

“Then I’m going home to watch the drama.”

Jewook disappeared for acting practice, and Jibin left quickly to watch the drama too.

“Hyung, if you enlisted active duty, when do you actually get out?”

The military talk suddenly reminded me of Jungwoo, who was currently serving.  

When exactly does he discharge again?

“Are you teasing me? How would I know that?”

“You don’t know?”

“…Army is 1 year 6 months.”

The exact number slipped out of Taewoon’s mouth.

“That’s all?”

I needed to raise my own standing quite a bit before Jungwoo came back for the game to be fair.

“What do you mean ‘that’s all’? Do you want to make every Korean man your enemy?”

“No, that’s not what I—”

“Are you straight-up trash-talking me because I still have a long way to go? Say that out loud and it’ll become a controversy. You’ll get socially crucified.”

“It’s because people I hate get sent to the military, that’s all.”

“Ah~ fair. When someone you hate goes, it does feel like time flies. Active duty? Public service is longer, though.”

“Huh? Public service is longer?”

I didn’t know the periods were different.

“Yeah, and honestly it’s a bit easier too. Han Jungwoo is always calling people over—”

“Wait, hold on. Who?”

I doubted my ears the moment I heard that.  

Why was Han Jungwoo’s name coming up in a military conversation here?

“You know Han Jungwoo lives in the same apartment complex as me.”

“He’s in the military.”

“He got public service and came out already. He’s home now.”

Ha, I never saw that coming.  

I thought just sending him to the military would be the end of it, but the guy slithered out on public service like a slippery eel.

I underestimated him.

Of course Han Jungwoo wouldn’t go down that easily.

“Thanks.”

He managed to switch to public service without even a single news article.  

I almost never found out.

“Huh? For what?”

Taewoon tilted his head, confused, but that wasn’t important right now.

This wasn’t part of the plan…

Sending Han Jungwoo to the military had been partly to buy time while I built power, but also because I didn’t want to let him live comfortably.

Do I have to play that card here?

I hesitated for a moment, but since I might never need it again if not now, I decided to use it.

“Hyeonjae-ya, about that script you got earlier—”

“Hyung, what time does filming start tomorrow?”

“Huh? Oh, we gather at 8 a.m., but there’s only one scene, so it won’t run late. Why?”

“No reason. Thanks.”

I didn’t hesitate and moved immediately.

The next day, I headed to the tallest building at the very center of the country.

“He’s waiting for you.”

A secretary in a crisp suit guided me politely to the highest floor.

“Hello.”

“Sit.”

And there sat a man who looked strikingly similar to Jiwon.

“Jung Hyeonjae, sir.”

“No need for introductions at this point.”

The person I had come to see was none other than Jiwon’s older brother, Dongwon.

“Still, this is our first official meeting, so I should greet you properly.”

I’d only known of his existence vaguely; actually meeting him like this was a first.

“We’re not exactly the type to exchange polite greetings.”

If Jiwon had a playful, cute face, Dongwon’s was sharp and rigid.  

The brothers resembled each other yet were clearly different.

“So, why did you ask to meet?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“I was wondering when you’d come see me.”

Dongwon crossed his legs and gave a slight nod, as if telling me to speak.

“I heard you’re a businessman who’s very clear about give-and-take.”

“Ha, so after I gave last time, now you’re here to take?”

“Yes. I’ve come to collect.”

At my bold declaration, he snorted.

“So what exactly are you here to take? Money? A role? An ad?”

“No. I don’t need any of that.”

“Then?”

“I’d like you to do something righteous.”

“Righteous?”

The word “righteous” elicited a different reaction from before.

“While other young Korean men go through physical exams and fairly enlist for active duty, slipping out because you’re a celebrity with connections is wrong.”

“Be specific.”

“Han Jungwoo.”

At those three syllables, the corners of Dongwon’s mouth lifted—he’d clearly been expecting it.

“There we go. Though your calculations seem off; I already gave you something.”

“Ah.”

His words reminded me of the Kim Hyungcheol incident last time.  

I hadn’t considered that.

“Just because Jiwon likes you doesn’t mean you can look down on me too. I don’t fully trust you.”

“That’s fine. I’m not planning to marry him, so I don’t need family approval.”

Dongwon tilted his head with an expression that said what is this kid? and leaned forward.

“Then what will you give me?”

“What I can offer… is the actor Jung Hyeonjae.”

The actor Jung Hyeonjae—that was the only card I had to play.

“Hahaha! That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard lately.”

He laughed out loud, but it was dripping with mockery.

“I can’t tell if it’s overflowing confidence or pure bluff. Do you really think you’re worth that much?”

“Isn’t investment about betting on potential?”

“Everyone and their dog talks about ‘potential,’ so people take it too lightly. That’s why kids are a problem.”

“I’ll definitely show you within one month. If you see potential then, please grant my request.”

Dongwon tapped the sofa with his fingers, thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Fine. I’ll watch whether this is just youthful bravado or if you actually have that value.”

“Thank you.”

“Remember one thing: I’m a businessman. I don’t care what’s between you and Han Jungwoo—I move for profit.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll grow into a card worth using.”

“Yeah, I’ll look forward to it.”

After confirming what each of us wanted, I bowed ninety degrees and left the room.

“Phew~ I thought I was going to die from nerves.”

I’d acted confident in front of Dongwon, but in reality I had been incredibly tense.

“How can brothers be so different? Potential… I’ll show him as much as he wants.”

But I wasn’t worried.  

My claim of showing potential wasn’t mere bravado.

The reason I could say it so confidently was this.