A secondhand store in Gwanak District dealing in watches, golf equipment, and all sorts of luxury goods.
According to the store manager, who received the watch entrusted by Chagyumin, he appeared quite anxious.
“Actually, most customers who come here to sell their items have that kind of vibe. Some bring things because they’re tired of using them, but many sell at rock-bottom prices because they urgently need cash. So, it wasn’t too unusual. But…”
The manager tilted his head in puzzlement.
“I told him he could get at least 50 million won for it, and he looked really surprised. For such high-end watches, customers these days know the market prices very well. They remember what they paid and don’t want to take a loss, so they come well-informed. He was shocked at the high estimate and said he’d list it for 30 million won and wanted it sold quickly. That was strange.”
Showing Yoon Jooho’s watch, the manager continued.
“If he had come a little later, it probably would have been sold already. Even though it’s expensive, the price was so good compared to market value that several customers had already inquired.”
Hearing that Chagyumin had put Yoon Jooho’s cherished watch up for a fraction of its worth, Song Hyunsoo’s anger flared even more.
The owner of the secondhand store, having heard that a stolen item had been brought in, returned immediately from an outing.
Director Bang explained the situation to her and asked for her cooperation. The middle-aged owner, who gave off a stern impression, readily agreed.
“Trying to sell stolen goods just brings headaches. Even if we didn’t know, the police come poking around and it’s such a hassle. But since we’re forewarned this time, it’s actually a good thing. We’ll cooperate fully, just don’t let us get involved with the police.”
Together with the store staff, they summoned Chagyumin.
The detailed appraisal revealed a problem with the watch. It was suspected to be counterfeit. They said he would have to come to the store in person. — That was the message Chagyumin received.
“It’s a watch given by a celebrity everyone knows by name. There’s no way it’s a fake. Who am I supposed to be scamming?” Over the phone, Chagyumin was furious and agitated.
He warned repeatedly not to touch the watch and said he’d arrive within the hour. He was rushing over.
Song Hyunsoo and Director Bang waited for Chagyumin in the office behind the store.
Outside, in a van parked in front of the store, security guards from a private firm connected with Look Planning were on standby.
“Hyunsoo, how did you even come up with this idea?”
Director Bang sipped his iced Americano through a straw, spinning the cup holder as he looked across at Song Hyunsoo.
“You said it yourself, Director. You thought Chagyumin had entrusted the watch on consignment. So I figured we could trace where he sold it and work backward.”
“No, no, I mean, how did you even think to find Chagyumin? You could’ve just let it go.”
“He’s a thief. If there’s a way to find him, I have to.”
Answering matter-of-factly, Song Hyunsoo picked up his coffee and continued.
“You told me to forget about it, but I don’t want to. This isn’t about money.”
Sitting opposite him, Director Bang studied Song Hyunsoo’s face with a fond smile.
“Why… why are you looking at me like that, Director?”
“Just because I like it.”
“This situation?”
“You’ve been robbed by a manager you’ve worked with for eight years and came all this way to catch him—and you’re saying you like this?”
“No, it’s that someone like you is there by Jooho’s side.”
“……”
Surprised by the unexpected words, Song Hyunsoo fiddled with the straw in his hand.
“There are lots of good people who’ve worked with Jooho for a long time. That’s true. But there have been harder times too. Some think Jooho makes unfairly large amounts of money. Those thoughts build up until they start feeling like Jooho stole their money to get rich, and then hostility grows.”
“People can be really strange.”
“This time, it was a guy the company had for eight years who did it, so Jooho was shocked and disappointed, even though he pretends he’s not. They say he’s been holed up in the hotel gym in Paris, not going out at all.”
“Senior… he’s only been working out in Paris?”
“Yeah. Normally, he’d go shopping, eat at his favorite restaurants. But this time, the security guards say he’s so bored he never leaves.”
Song Hyunsoo’s gaze dropped.
If Yoon Jooho was holed up in the hotel like this, it wasn’t just because of Chagyumin. They had parted ways like that on Monday.
Relieved that, like him, Jooho wasn’t completely okay— but also upset, wishing he was doing well— these contradictory feelings split inside Song Hyunsoo like a half-and-half pizza.
“But this time, we had Monroe, so it was bearable. Before, he’d just lock himself in his room or wander around drinking. Now, Monroe’s there. It seems to comfort him.”
“That’s a relief.”
“And who was it that brought Monroe over? You did, Hyunsoo.”
“……”
“So you’re a good luck charm.”
“No way. I think you just don’t like me, senior.”
“What nonsense? I’ve seen Jooho since he was a teenager, and I’ve never seen anyone care about him as much as you do!”
Probably speaking as a senior in the entertainment industry, Director Bang was acknowledging how much Yoon Jooho cared for Song Hyunsoo. Still, it felt good to hear.
“Jooho isn’t the type to keep people he hates close to torment them.”
“Is that so?”
“He just removes them from his life.”
“……”
Just as Director Bang was about to take a sip of coffee, the office door suddenly swung open. The flushed store manager peeked inside.
“He’s here! Just got out of a taxi!”
Song Hyunsoo and Director Bang stood up, facing each other.
Approaching the door leading to the store, they strained their ears and heard Chagyumin’s agitated voice.
“You say my watch is fake? Give me back my watch right now! You scammers already swapped it, didn’t you?”
“Sir, please calm down first. Where did you buy the watch?”
The store owner was confronting Chagyumin directly.
“I told you, I was given it as a gift! How many times do I have to say that? I’m not leaving it with you, so give me my watch! Do you know who gave me that watch, accusing it of being fake?”
“Then who exactly gave you the watch?”
“Um…”
Unable to answer truthfully, Chagyumin hesitated. Seizing the moment, Director Bang and Song Hyunsoo opened the door and stepped into the store.
“Director Cha.”
Chagyumin looked up unconsciously at the voice. Seeing Director Bang’s face, his complexion drained.
“D-Director.”
“What are you doing here? You’ve been absent from work for days without notice.”
“Ah… well… I’m sorry. Something urgent happened at home. I couldn’t contact you… My father’s been very ill.”
“The father who just had his sixtieth birthday? Jooho sent him a hefty congratulatory gift and even called him on video to congratulate him. He looked very healthy then.”
“After that, a lot happened…”
Chagyumin lowered his head and glanced around nervously. Suddenly, he spun around, apparently trying to escape, but four security guards were already blocking the store entrance.
Director Bang pulled a watch from his pocket and showed it.
“You didn’t come here about this, did you?”
Chagyumin couldn’t take his eyes off the watch.
“Director Cha, we worked together for eight years. Did the company ever treat you unfairly?”
“That’s not it. I just thought you weren’t using it, so I wanted to borrow it briefly and return it…”
“If Jooho doesn’t use it, does that mean you can take it? Is that how it is?”
“Since it wasn’t being used, I thought it would be okay…”
“That’s not all. You used the corporate card without permission and even went out in the company car for fun, didn’t you?”
“No, Director! I never did that!”
Protesting vehemently, Chagyumin denied the accusations, showing surprisingly good acting skills.
Watching silently behind Director Bang, Song Hyunsoo spoke up.
“He even took things out of Jooho’s Escalade bag and used them. Isn’t that right?”
“Ugh…”
Chagyumin’s facial muscles twitched. Then he hung his head low and muttered submissively.
“I’m sorry, Director.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. What you did was theft, and not just petty theft—it’s over 100 million won worth of stolen goods!”
“Please forgive me just this once! I lost my mind for a moment… You know I’m not usually like this! I’ll return all the money and items!”
Realizing he was headed straight for prison, Chagyumin dropped to his knees and begged.
“Believe me! I really didn’t know the watch was that expensive! I thought a Rolex would be worth at most 20 million won…”
Emerging from behind the display case, Director Bang lowered his body and grabbed Chagyumin by the collar.
“What the hell are you saying, you bastard? Is it okay to steal something worth 20 million won? Is there a limit to theft?”
Chagyumin hung his head so low his chin touched his collarbone.
“That’s not what I meant… I’m sorry.”
Having worked in the entertainment industry, especially as a manager to a top star, Director Bang usually had a gentle demeanor and a kindly smile, like a soft-hearted uncle. Song Hyunsoo, knowing only that side of him, was taken aback by his fierce tone.
“Stay away from Jooho. Live quietly and out of sight. Don’t even dream of working in this industry again. You know I’m the kind of person who can handle this, right, Gyumin?”
Trembling, kneeling Chagyumin nodded.
“Jooho doesn’t want this to get bigger, so he’s letting you off this time. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because he’s scared of you. He just thinks it’s a nuisance. But I’m neither scared nor bothered by this kind of thing.”
Several security guards accompanied Chagyumin to retrieve the money and goods. Slumped and dejected, he was dragged out like a suspect being arrested by the police.
After thanking the store staff and wrapping up the aftermath, Director Bang drove Song Hyunsoo home.
Sitting side by side in the back seat, the two remained silent for a while. Then Director Bang pulled something from his jacket pocket and handed it to Song Hyunsoo.
“Give this back to Jooho yourself.”
Inside the black velvet pouch was Yoon Jooho’s watch.
“Me?”
“You got it back thanks to you. You should be the one to return it.”
Director Bang smiled with the warm expression of a kind uncle. In that moment, he was back to the familiar face Song Hyunsoo knew well.