Chapter 22: Dissolve: His Last Choice

After the finale of his most recent work, <Eternal Night>, Yoon Jooho took the longest break of his career since his debut.

The public couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Then, news broke— delivered by an entertainment YouTuber— that Yoon Jooho had already stopped going to Look Agency months ago.

Yoon Jooho was an honorary director of Look Agency, its de facto owner, and, at the same time, a contracted actor.

Even while working on projects, he had made it a point to show up at the company at least two or three times a week.

Rumors of discord between Yoon Jooho and his parents began to surface in earnest around the time news spread that he had stopped visiting Look Agency.

As he sliced radish kimchi with kitchen scissors, Song Hyunsoo pretended as though nothing was wrong.

“There’ve been rumors for a while that he doesn’t get along with his parents.”

“But still, they’re his own parents. Could they really be as bad as the rumors say?”

“There are parents in this world who are worse than having none at all. The percentage might be small, but they exist. Just look at the news. You’d be surprised how many parents out there are worse than strangers.”

“That’s true. Remember that actor, hyung? The one from that old Christmas movie where the kid stays home alone and fights off burglars—”

“Home Alone?”

“Yeah, that one! The kid who played the lead in that movie ended up completely estranged from his parents after making it big. Come to think of it, that ‘kid’ must be way older than you now, hyung.”

The story of Macaulay Culkin, the star of Home Alone 1 and 2, and his parents was infamous. 

Even though Song Hyunsoo wasn’t from the era when the movie was originally released, the film’s enduring popularity meant he still knew about it.

In the 1990s, Macaulay Culkin had earned global fame, making around 60 billion won in acting fees.

After the movie’s massive success, his parents stepped in as his managers.

But to them, Culkin was nothing more than a cash cow.

Worse, during their divorce, they engaged in a bitter legal battle over his custody— or more accurately, over his money.

As an adult, Culkin cut ties with his parents completely.

It wasn’t just a matter of ceasing contact.

He filed a lawsuit to legally sever familial ties with his father— and won.

In short, they became strangers in the eyes of the law.

That was how much Culkin despised his father. 

A man who saw him only as a means to make money.

Tens of billions of won.

That was enough money to make even one’s own child seem like nothing more than a financial asset.

And there was no guarantee Yoon Jooho’s parents were any different.

“They say Yoon Jooho’s earned at least 100 billion won by now. To think that even after making that much money, a parent and child could have such a bad relationship… Well. Money doesn’t buy happiness, I guess.”

Jeongho picked up a piece of the neatly sliced radish kimchi and popped it into his mouth, speaking as if discussing someone else’s business— which, technically, it was.

“But not having money doesn’t make you happy either.”

“True. Too much is a problem, too little is a problem in its own way.”

Jeongho’s voice carried a note of deep empathy, as if he were thinking of his own family.

“But seeing Yoon Jooho’s dad’s interview… I kinda felt bad for him.”

“Why’s that?”

“Even after getting a legal notice from his son, he said he was worried about Yoon Jooho. That he was concerned his son’s image— an actor’s most important asset— might get ruined.”

“That’s just media play.”

“Nah… He seemed sincere.”

“A guy who is worried about his actor son’s image goes and does an interview with the press in this situation? That’s some next level bullshit.”

Song Hyunsoo scoffed as he poured more water into his cup.

He wanted to look up the article right then, but he didn’t want Jeongho to realize just how much he cared about Yoon Jooho.

“Still… Yoon Jooho’s parents are the ones who made him who he is today.”

“Jeongho.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s already 3. Aren’t you going to work?”

Jeongho checked his smartwatch and immediately began shoveling noodles into his mouth.

He paused mid bite, tilting his head at Song Hyunsoo.

“What time did you say the script reading was again?”

“Just leave when I do.”

“Damn, the reading’s gonna be intense today.”

“……”

After that remark, Jeongho buried his face in his bowl and inhaled the rest of his noodles. 

Meanwhile, Song Hyunsoo’s chopsticks moved sluggishly.

Considering Yoon Jooho’s attitude during the last script reading— when he had yelled at his lawyer over the phone— Jeongho’s prediction was likely spot-on. 

But Song Hyunsoo wasn’t worried about the atmosphere of the reading.

Song Hyunsoo had once lost someone because of so-called “hate comments.”

Had Yoon Jooho read the comments under his parents’ interview articles?

His mouth felt dry. 

No matter how much water he drank, the thirst wouldn’t go away.

■

Yoon Jooho’s Father, Heartbreaking Paternal Love: “I Wanted to Protect My Son, Whom I’ve Supported All My Life”

Actor Yoon Jooho has reportedly sent a certified letter to his parents, Yoon Kyungjun and Hwang Jiyeon, both co-CEOs of Look Planning.

The fact that one of South Korea’s top stars is initiating a legal dispute against none other than his own parents has shocked many.

Yoon Kyungjun, the father of actor Yoon Jooho, mustered his courage and sat down for an exclusive interview with VVN.

Known for his handsome looks reminiscent of his son, CEO Yoon has been popular even among Yoon Jooho’s fans.

He arrived at the interview location noticeably gaunt.

As a producer for a major broadcasting network, he has created several nationally beloved variety shows and was the very person who opened the door to Yoon Jooho’s acting career.

Hwang Jiyeon, Yoon Jooho’s mother and co-CEO alongside her husband, is someone who has, without exaggeration, shaped the actor’s 30-year career.

Given how devastating it must have been for them to receive a certified letter from their only son, the mood throughout the interview was undeniably somber.

Yet, throughout the conversation, CEO Yoon repeatedly expressed concern only about the potential damage to his son’s public image.

Perhaps that is the heart of a parent.

“Jooho has lived as an actor— and a top star— since he was very young. He’s so unaware of how the world works… I’m just worried that the public might now see him differently because of this,” he began, his face etched with worry.

“Of course, as a father and as someone who has managed his career, it’s disappointing to hear him demand that we step away from the company we’ve run for him. But more than that, I’m just anxious. He knows nothing about business— what does he even plan to do? It’s frustrating…”

The management of Look Planning and Yoon Jooho’s career has always been handled by CEO Yoon and CEO Hwang.

Though Yoon Jooho holds an honorary directorship at Look Planning, his parents have supported him so he could focus solely on acting.

“Of course, we’ve had disagreements about the company’s direction recently, leading to some friction with Jooho. But business isn’t something you can run on greed alone. Money isn’t everything. I refuse to believe Jooho is doing this to his parents out of sheer greed. He must be acting impulsively. I still believe in my son.”

For a moment, CEO Yoon’s eyes reddened. He hung his head low and spoke as if in regret.

“Even this is our fault. We raised him in an environment so different from others, feeling sorry for him, indulging his every wish. That’s why, even now, he sometimes acts like a child— stubbornly insisting on getting his way when he wants something.”

Implying that the root of this situation lay not with Yoon Jooho but with themselves, he fell silent for a long moment.

“No matter how strained my relationship with CEO Hwang may have been, we have dedicated our entire lives to supporting Jooho. When it comes to worrying about his future, we have always been of one mind. I trust that the public will recognize that much, at least.”

—<Excerpt ends>—