Song Hyunsoo pushed away Yoon Jooho’s waist, which had been wrapped around him, and Yoon Jooho chuckled, his shoulders shaking.
Song Hyunsoo shot him a displeased look, then pulled out the chair at his place and sat down.
“Anyway, I can’t quit the bar yet. I’m not allowed to take on any other projects until <Dissolve> finishes filming. I’ve got to eat, you know.”
The director and Production Company wanted Song Hyunsoo, who played Lee San, to be revealed with a fresh image.
The contract explicitly stated that he couldn’t appear in any other works simultaneously until filming was complete.
That was also why he received a fairly generous signing bonus despite being an unknown.
“To be honest, the Script Practice Part-time Job pays enough to get by.”
Yoon Jooho said this as he sat down and picked up a glass of water.
“Well… that’s true.”
“Is it because you don’t want to give up your bartender experience?”
“Not exactly that. It’s more like I’m going to miss it.”
“Miss what?”
“There aren’t many things I’m good at…”
“Do you know what’s good about working as an actor?”
Song Hyunsoo shook his head, waiting for him to continue.
“There’s no such thing as wasted experience. Even failures become the foundation of your acting. Whether someone you trusted stabs you in the back, or you end up fighting publicly with your family, or even if you fail in love— everything becomes the nutrients you pour into your performance.”
A spark shone in Yoon Jooho’s eyes. Leaning forward with his arms on the table, he went on.
“So, remember every emotion you feel as precisely as you can. What expression you make when you’re excited, how your breathing changes when you’re betrayed or angry. Become your own director, and engrave all that onto the film in your mind.”
It was a statement only someone for whom acting was everything could make. Someone who dedicated themselves to their craft even through the harshest failures.
From another perspective, it seemed that acting was probably the only thing that kept Yoon Jooho going all this time. The sincerity that didn’t reach others, the loneliness of not even trusting his closest family.
Because of Yoon Jooho’s unconventional behavior and speech, those around him must have been hurt and troubled too.
Like Song Hyunsoo had been. But it was likely that no one truly understood his sincerity, which made Yoon Jooho equally lonely.
After all, he had lived a life without ever having the chance to learn the social customs ordinary people follow.
For someone like Yoon Jooho, acting was both a toy to immerse himself in, a loyal friend who never betrayed him, and an urgent means to prove his worth to the world.
“So even if the day comes when you quit bartending, don’t be too sad. That experience will seep into your acting.”
“You’ve always thought about it like that?”
After finishing his story, Yoon Jooho picked up his spoon and replied casually.
“What?”
“That even when things are hard, you think about how this feeling will help your acting later.”
It was impressive that he was so dedicated to his work, but wasn’t it a bit lonely, too?
Yoon Jooho seemed to think differently.
“If I didn’t, I’d just be a star who knows how to act cool. Not an actor.”
He spoke as if it was nothing special, just common sense.
“Anyway, then just reduce the days you work. Once filming starts, working three days a week—Friday, Saturday, Sunday— is impossible.”
“Got it. I’ll talk about it when I come in on Friday.”
If he was really going to start acting seriously, he had to quit ‘Jessica’ sooner or later. If a powerhouse like Yoon Jooho pushed him properly, Song Hyunsoo was ready to put everything on the line.
But along with his desire to become a skilled and popular actor, he also had a wish to keep his current life just a little longer.
Just a little, very little. Because once his face was known, he knew he could never go back to this life. So, if possible, just a bit longer.
When he was halfway through his lunchbox, he faintly heard the sound of the door lock keypad being pressed from the far entrance.
It felt as if his parents had come home earlier than expected while he was alone with his girlfriend, and Song Hyunsoo tensed up instantly.
“Is the Director coming today?”
“He has a schedule.”
“So what should I say about me being here?”
“What do you mean what you should say? Just tell them the truth.”
Unlike the nervous Song Hyunsoo, Yoon Jooho simply finished his meal without a care.
Meanwhile, Director Bang appeared at the end of the hallway. Song Hyunsoo awkwardly stood up from his chair and bowed.
“D-Director Bang, you’re here?”
“Ah, Hyunsoo. No need to stand. Eat comfortably.”
Even seeing Song Hyunsoo eating with Yoon Jooho in the kitchen didn’t surprise Director Bang.
Did he think Yoon Jooho was taking advantage of a senior’s house after last night’s heavy drinking at the company dinner?
“Monroe still hasn’t come out of her room.”
Without asking why Song Hyunsoo was here, Director Bang went straight to the coffee machine in the kitchen and started rifling through the capsules.
“I peeked as I passed by. She runs up to the door crying ‘dodo-do’ but still doesn’t come out.”
“Don’t stress her out. She’ll come out once she’s used to it.”
“She takes after her butler— such a tiny thing but so picky.”
Even though he said that, Director Bang’s voice was full of affection for Monroe.
While Director Bang made coffee, Yoon Jooho switched topics, picking at the rice with chopsticks instead of a spoon.
“A guy named Jung Ho.”
“Why Jung Ho again?”
“How about having him become your manager?”
“Jung Ho??”
“Who’s Jung Ho?”
Director Bang, holding a mug of coffee, moved closer to the table and asked. Yoon Jooho answered.
“He’s the guy who works at the bar with Song Actor.”
He emphasized “guy” subtly.
“Is he interested in managing?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll try to lure him with a good salary.”
“Why? Is he good at it?”
Director Bang perched on the chair next to Yoon Jooho at the round table, showing interest.
Yoon Jooho glanced at Song Hyunsoo for a moment, then gestured toward him with his chin.
“I told him to tell Jung Ho that we’re dating.”
Cough cough. Cough.
Song Hyunsoo started coughing, his face turning so red it was almost purple— as if he was about to cough up blood.
It looked like some rice grain had gone up his nose. Yoon Jooho, concerned, handed the water glass over to Song Hyunsoo.
While gulping the water down, Song Hyunsoo studied Director Bang’s expression. At the same time, he shot Yoon Jooho a glare full of resentment and reproach.
When Song Hyunsoo’s coughing subsided, Director Bang narrowed his eyes and asked Yoon Jooho again.
“Dating?”
There it was. Director Bang hated it too…
“But have you finally decided to go steady?”
Yet Director Bang’s reaction was unlike what Song Hyunsoo expected. It was almost welcoming, as if a long-standing burden had been lifted.
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
“Is that so?”
Director Bang’s face brightened so much it was hard to believe.
A precious actor he’d supported his entire life was dating a guy? He’d never accept that sight before he died! — But it was clear he wasn’t feeling that way.
Yoon Jooho explained to the confused Song Hyunsoo.
“Sangho hyung knows too.”
“W-What do you mean…?”
“Hmm, how should I put this nicely?”
Frowning and biting the tip of his chopsticks in thought, Yoon Jooho pointed toward the Master Room.
“You’ve been going in and out of that room for a long time, right?”
That was quite the polite way to put it, and Song Hyunsoo was speechless.
More than that, he was shocked that Director Bang already knew everything. Several conversations with him flashed through Song Hyunsoo’s mind.
‘“Please keep getting along with Jooho. I know it won’t be easy.”’
‘“It’s just because I like it. Someone like Hyunsoo coming to Jooho’s side.”’
He had thought it was just a way of asking him to take care of Yoon Jooho since they became close juniors. But it turned out he had known all along.
Ignoring Song Hyunsoo’s panic, Yoon Jooho continued talking about Jung Ho.
“The chief manager who’s covering now is temporary anyway. You’ll be more comfortable working with someone you’re close to. The junior manager job isn’t that hard.”
“But I don’t think I’ve heard Jung Ho say he’s interested in this kind of work…”
“When those guys leave the company, you and Jung Ho will officially sign contracts with Look Planning.”
Talking about “those guys” as if they were his own parents, Yoon Jooho closed his eyes briefly before speaking again.
“It’s a good opportunity. They’ll treat you at the top level in the industry. Of course, there’ll be a Confidentiality Allowance too.”
“Confidentiality Allowance?”
“You said you wanted to tell one person about our relationship. I said you should tell Jung Ho.”
“He’s a friend, so I’ll tell him. What’s this Confidentiality Allowance?”
Yoon Jooho snorted and put down his chopsticks.
“Do you really think people will keep someone else’s secret without compensation?”
“……”
“Even if it’s a personal life that could become a weakness everyone’s curious about?”
“……”
“I told you, that’s already power.”
Yoon Jooho’s private life that everyone was curious about—something that could become a fatal weakness. There was no denying that.
“You know I don’t trust verbal promises.”
“So you’re going to sign a manager contract to keep Jung Ho quiet?”
“‘Keep quiet’ sounds ugly. It’s a two birds with one stone thing.”
Yoon Jooho stood up after finishing about a third of his lunchbox. He placed his hand on Director Bang’s shoulder and pressed down firmly.
Then he bent over and looked intently into Director Bang’s face.
“Nothing’s more important than keeping your mouth shut. Right, hyung?”
Though his lips curved into a slight smile, his eyes were strangely cold — almost like a threat. A warning to Director Bang to keep some secret.
Director Bang wouldn’t be the type to blab about their relationship, so Song Hyunsoo’s worries were probably unnecessary.
He pulled Yoon Jooho’s leftover lunchbox toward himself.
“You’re going to leave this food? Can I eat it?”
Yoon Jooho’s gaze shifted from Director Bang to Song Hyunsoo. He shook his head and burst into laughter.
This time, the strange chill was completely gone, replaced by a genuine smile.