I was about to jump in, saying, “Are you seriously putting me on the same level as Monroe?” when Seo Hae, walking over this way, cut into the conversation.
“What’s this? Talking about MBTI? I’m an MBTI expert, Hyunsoo-ssi.”
“I didn’t really believe in it before. But it does have some credibility,” I said, glancing sideways at Yoon Jooho, who returned the look with obvious displeasure.
“Why are you looking at me while talking about that?” he snapped.
Lacking empathy, always blunt without being wrong, unintentionally hurting people, uninterested in making friends, tough on the outside but sensitive within, more affectionate toward animals than humans… If you look up INTJ male traits, that’s basically senior.
And one more thing.
The internet expert’s advice never to confess first to an INTJ guy turned out to be true.
“Just because you were there, so I looked.”
Seo Hae clicked his tongue at our childish bickering and handed each of us a coffee from the carry-on suitcase.
“Here, drink up and get your heads straight.”
“Iced coffee in this weather? Now that’s thoughtful.”
“You said you wanted something cold, you actor bastard.”
Yoon Jooho ignored the remark, slurping his coffee through a straw with a sly smile, but Seo Hae shot him a glare before suddenly shifting his expression to a gentle smile and asking me,
“Hyunsoo-ssi, what’s your MBTI?”
“I’m ESFP. What about you?”
“Wow, Hyunsoo-ssi is an ESFP? Oh man, I can’t keep a straight face.”
Trying hard to suppress a smile, Seo Hae rubbed his cheek.
“Why? What is it?”
“I’m INTJ.”
“What? You’re an I? Introvert?”
“People are always surprised.”
“Other than that, I can’t imagine you being an I at all.”
“Hyunsoo-ssi, despite appearances, I’m a mysterious man. I enjoy the fundamental solitude of spending time alone. Not like someone who’s always lonely.”
Seo Hae deliberately raised his eyebrows toward Yoon Jooho, who snorted dismissively.
“But why is it a big deal that I’m an ESFP? Is it good or something?”
“ESFP and INTJ are the best match in love. Soulmates.”
“It’s freezing out here. Are you going to keep chatting like this?”
Yoon Jooho suddenly interrupted, still drinking his coffee, his hand shoved deep into his pocket, chin tucked inside the high neck of his padded jacket.
Dressed in a padded jumper and training pants, he looked like a rebellious, cocky teenage boy.
He’d grown up as a popular star from a very young age— arrogant, self-centered, and with a killer appearance, making his personality twice as twisted.
Having known him when he played delinquent roles as a teen, I could easily imagine it. That role suited him well. I even imitated him a lot back then…
Lost in thought staring at the Yoon Jooho in front of me, a heavy weight landed on my shoulder, pulling me back to reality.
Seo Hae had slung an arm over my shoulder and leaned in to whisper.
“Look at you getting jealous because I said Hae and Hyunsoo-ssi have good chemistry.”
Though he whispered, the volume was such that Yoon Jooho, standing right in front of us, could easily hear.
Jooho grabbed Seo Hae’s hand off my shoulder and pushed him toward the building’s entrance.
“Jealous? You don’t even know what that looks like.”
“Ha, is that so?”
“Come on, it’s freezing. Let’s go inside.”
Pushed reluctantly, Seo Hae kept chuckling, clearly amused.
Following him into the intimidating building that alone could make you lose your nerve, I glanced sideways at Yoon Jooho.
Was he really jealous? But I couldn’t read any emotion off his impassive face.
The lobby atmosphere was similar to Yoon Jooho’s mansion.
After confirming our visit reservation, the desk staff summoned the elevator with a card key.
“Yoon Jooho, I’m such a fan.”
Though she might’ve been flattering, judging by the look in her eyes and expression, it was clear she’d be a fan from today onward.
“Thank you. This is the rookie actor I’m working with in the new movie,” Jooho said, surprising me with the sudden introduction.
But what really startled me was his hand suddenly dropping on my head. Jooho’s casual, playful attitude even shocked the desk staff. Of course, it was a positive surprise.
“Oh, really? I’m looking forward to the film. I’ll cheer for both of you.”
“You should introduce yourself, Hyunsoo-ssi.”
Jooho lightly pressed my head with the hand still on top.
“I’m Song Hyunsoo. Nice to meet you.”
I awkwardly bowed in response, and Jooho ruffled my hair like I was doing well.
Meeting him in person, I realized Jooho was laid-back and playful. She’d definitely spread word about that.
When the movie came out, she’d probably buy tickets to see how close they looked on screen— the superstar and the rookie actor.
After she left the elevator hall, Seo Hae sucked on his coffee straw and shook his head.
“Another Muggle has just been reborn as Yoon Gyeolho.”
As if accustomed to the name, Seo Hae eyed Jooho’s outfit from head to toe, nodding his chin.
“Hey, why are you dressed like that?”
“What do you mean?”
“That’s not an outfit to go out in. You never leave the house dressed like that.”
“Whatever. I’m tired of that stuff now.”
“Wait a minute. That’s not the problem— you’re…”
Seo Hae suddenly squinted and stared at Yoon Jooho carefully.
“That’s exactly the same outfit you wore to the gym yesterday, isn’t it?”
“……”
“Yoon Jooho, did you spend the night out?”
“Do I look like your older brother’s kid? I don’t care if other people stay out overnight or set up housekeeping.”
The elevator arrived, and frowning, Yoon Jooho stepped in first.
Seo Hae’s meaningful glance shifting between Yoon Jooho and me was telling.
His faint smile seemed to say he knew exactly where Jooho had spent the night last night. I found it hard to bear the awkwardness.
Leaning against the farthest corner, Yoon Jooho stood still while Seo Hae pressed the close button at the board.
A few steps away, I raised my voice intentionally to lighten the mood.
“So, Seo Hae hyung, you’re going to show us the room today?”
“The contract will be through a public broker, but I’m the one showing you the house. Jooho asked me specifically, so I put in some extra effort.”
Turning to Yoon Jooho, he said loudly,
“Yoon Jooho, you’re coming to our bar tonight to boost sales big time.”
“Got it.”
“All the places you’ll see today I pulled separately from different offices. I went through a lot of trouble filtering only what you’d like.”
“I’ll have Armand de Brignac. Blanc. Got it?”
“Gold’s good too, you punk. Hyunsoo-ssi, you can’t skip either. You helped pick his place.”
I nodded for now. Whatever conversation had taken place between them, it seemed Seo Hae had been working hard for Jooho, helping us find a place.
“The place we’re seeing now is on the 12th floor of this building. A corner unit with windows on two sides, bright all day, and with an amazing sense of openness. It only has one bedroom, but there’s a spacious dressing room and plenty of storage, so living alone won’t be uncomfortable.”
“W-wait, hyung.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“You’re saying we’re going to see a place in this building?”
“Why? Don’t you like the building? Young and Rich people in Gangnam all want to live here these days.”
“No, that’s not it. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. My budget is a deposit of ten million won and a monthly rent up to 50…”
“Hmm? What’s that supposed to mean?”
Seo Hae cocked his head and clenched his teeth, turning to Jooho with an uncomfortable smile.
“Yoon Jooho, haven’t you talked this through with him?”
The elevator doors opened on the 12th floor. Yoon Jooho, with one hand in his padded jacket pocket, sipping from his straw, stepped out first, pretending not to hear.
“Just look. We’ll talk after.”
Regardless, this was absolutely beyond my budget. I couldn’t afford the rent on this place no matter what.
“There are about four or five other places on the list, but this one is my top recommendation, Hyunsoo-ssi.”
Seo Hae looked confident unlocking the front door, clearly convinced I’d like this place. But liking it wasn’t the issue—I couldn’t even pay the maintenance fees here, hyung.
Like it was his own home, Yoon Jooho entered first and changed into slippers already prepared.
“Calling it a 1 Bedroom is misleading. The exclusive area is about 92 square meters. It’s a palace for living alone. The living room faces the road, and the bedroom is on the opposite side, so it’s quiet. Perfect for actors with irregular schedules. Two bathrooms, dressing room, laundry room, pantry, and auxiliary kitchen are all separate.”
Showing me the spacious shoe cabinet by the entrance, Seo Hae walked down the long hallway toward the living room and kitchen, explaining the house.
Yoon Jooho was already wandering around on his own, checking everything.
“Look, Hyunsoo-ssi. The living room view.”
“……”
Seo Hae was right to be proud.
Beyond the double windows at the end of the corridor stretched all of Cheongdam.
I walked toward the window, captivated.
The main window faced southwest directly toward Cheongdam-dong. Turning my head right, I could almost see Yoon Jooho’s mansion. A fifteen-minute walk? That close.
More than the impressive building exterior or the sleek interior fit for drama directors, the proximity to Jooho’s house was the most appealing part.
“The main bathroom is insanely sexy too.”
A voice sounded nearby. I turned to see Seo Hae, leaning on the window, sipping coffee, continuing.
“There’s a big bathtub right in front of the picture window. Taking a bubble bath with a glass of Champagne? Impossible not to get into the mood. Even a tough guy like that one would soften.”
‘That tough guy’ had to be Yoon Jooho. I felt Seo Hae had a good sense of my relationship with Jooho.
“Hyung, you know I can’t afford to live in a place like this.”
Seo Hae gestured down the hall where Yoon Jooho had disappeared.
“The guy who can afford it is over there. He probably wants to help, so he asked me to find places.”
As if it was nothing.
At that moment, a low vibration sounded from somewhere.
Pulling out his phone from his coat pocket, Seo Hae checked the caller ID and gently tapped my shoulder to excuse himself.
“I’ll be right back after a quick call. Feel free to look around.”
Watching Seo Hae’s back as he stepped out onto the minus-five-degree balcony, I crossed the living room and headed back down the hallway.
Every time I engaged my glute muscles alternately, the inner part felt off. It wasn’t painful, but the unfamiliar discomfort was distracting.
No wonder my gait felt awkward. That habit of pounding must really get fixed one day…
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