Chapter 23: Dissolve: His Last Choice

hbrt42*** / Who do you think made it possible for him to become an actor, be loved, and make money in the first place? Wasn’t it because his father was a famous producer? And from what I saw, his mom also poured all her energy into supporting Yoon Jooho, working hard like a manager. 

⤷ minj*** / He thinks he got to where he is just because he’s that talented. 

⤷ lemo77*** / Sure, he debuted thanks to his dad, but even with a famous producer for a father, if Yoon Jooho didn’t have the looks or acting skills, there’s no way he would’ve reached the popularity of something like Crown Prince back then. 

⤷⤷ kimjh*** / And who do you think he got those looks and talent from?

yluve*** / Ah… I see now… What you really wanted to say is that Yoon Jooho is greedy and knows nothing about business… That the poor parents who supported him are now being driven out by their son just because of money… Is that it? Hahahaha… Is it just me… or is that exactly how it sounds to my ears? Hahahaha 

⤷ trus*** / You’re not crazy. That’s exactly how it sounds to me too, hahaha

soldjh*** / You talk like they did everything he asked. Then why didn’t they let him do even one of the films he wanted to make? Why did they keep shipping him overseas for endless fan cons when all he wanted was to act? 

⤷ jooohoy*** / Seriously, there’s a limit to fanservice. Was it three years ago? I honestly didn’t know if I was stanning an actor or an idol… His schedule was basically a world tour. (No shade to idols—concerts are their main job, but for actors, acting should be the focus.)

mygodjh*** / His father? Hah. The CEO? Hah. All the old-timers know the truth, lol. If he keeps spouting nonsense, we’re not gonna sit quietly. Seriously, who’s the one obsessed with money? 

⤷ gmch99*** / These crazy fangirls really think they’re something. Do you think you’re his in-law or something? What are you gonna do if you don’t sit quietly, lol 

⤷⤷ djajsk*** / For real, lol. Yoon Jooho himself probably wishes you’d sit quietly, too, lol

yimk8*** / I used to like Yoon Jooho, but now I see him in a new light. Suing the very parents who raised you, all because of money? I’m so disappointed. I’m going to stop watching any dramas or buying any products he endorses. 

⤷ rache*** / Same. He was my favorite actor, but now I hope he disappears from TV. Being a decent person comes first. No matter how handsome or talented he is, I won’t support someone with trash character.

dna02*** / Just his known real estate holdings are worth 50 billion won. With that kind of money, does he really need to sue his parents and make a fuss demanding they hand over the company? Yoon Jooho is just another thug who only cares about money.

⤷ ffub9*** / He didn’t sue yet! It was just a certified notice!! Why are there so many brainless idiots who don’t even read the article and jump straight to bashing?

⤷⤷ mksu*** / Whether it’s a lawsuit or a certified notice, it’s still ungrateful. So who’s the real idiot here?

⤷ igmjj*** / 50 billion? I’m speechless. It’s absurd how these people with hundreds of billions fight each other for more, even against their own parents.

jhk83*** / Yoon Jooho, just disappeared already. I don’t even want to see your face.

On the rattling back seat of the bus, Song Hyunsoo stared at their phone screen, eyes bloodshot with intensity. 

Article after article was popping up like mushrooms after rain, each one repeating the same story.

That top star Yoon Jooho was suing his innocent parents for money… the headlines were blatantly biased.

“Trash personality,” 

“money-hungry thug,” 

“just disappear.”

Hyunsoo’s pupils darted around, heart pounding in sync with the growing anxiety. 

It felt like something terrible could happen at any moment. 

There was no calming down.

Hyunsoo had experienced this before— the venom of malicious, biased news articles and hate comments. 

They knew what kind of destruction those words could cause.

It may not have been the direct cause of Choi Hongseo’s death, but it wasn’t entirely unrelated either. 

Hyunsoo had learned the power of those words.

They thought of the faceless monsters who tore people apart and still walked around pretending to be normal. 

Monsters who believed they were innocent because they used “words” instead of knives or axes.

Hyunsoo didn’t want anyone to be a victim of those monsters ever again. 

They never wanted to go through that kind of experience again.

Anger, injustice, fear, anxiety—

All of it swirled inside them, turning their eyes red with emotion.

They’d always been prone to tears. 

Not because they were soft-hearted— far from it. 

They just couldn’t swallow their rage.

When scolded by grandparents, teased at school, or discriminated against for being poor and orphaned… they’d clench their fists, tremble, and stare daggers through bloodshot eyes. 

They were unfazed by sadness or pain, but when things were unfair, the tears came first.

Even with tears welling up, eyes blazing red, they’d never back down. 

That’s why no one in their hometown ever dared look down on Song Hyunsoo.

Now, too, they were clenching their jaw and flaring their nostrils, trying to suppress the tears.

The sound of their heavy breathing, like an angry bull, made the passenger beside them cast a wary glance. 

But Hyunsoo had no mental space left to care.

When I came to my senses, I realized I had somehow logged into a portal site and was furiously typing out comments at an incredible speed.

ssong2*** / If what Yoon Jooho really wanted was money, don’t you think he would’ve just asked for the company to be handed over to him? Who’s the one obsessing over money right now? Yoon Jooho didn’t even bring up money— don’t you see how that so-called “father” keeps making it look like it’s all about the money??? Are you all pretending not to see it because you actually can’t, or do you just need a new toy to play with— someone else to throw under the bus??? I’m seriously dumb as hell, but even I can tell what’s going on. If you say you can’t, you’re basically calling yourself an idiot. 

⤷ ssong2*** / And let’s not forget— it was Yoon Jooho’s money that built this company, and it’s been running on his money ever since. The other actors only joined because of his name. So why the hell should he be the one to leave??? If it were you, would you walk away??? 

⤷ ssong2*** / I’m so curious how well all these people talking shit about Yoon Jooho treat their own parents. Bet they whine about their backs breaking if their parents ask for even a few hundred bucks for medical bills. But when it’s someone else’s business, suddenly they’re the picture of filial piety. Give me a break.

I had so much I wanted to say that I ran out of characters and had to keep replying to my own comment, over and over again. 

I was so focused I completely lost track of time.

Then suddenly, I snapped out of it and looked up.

“Oh? Oh… Oh!”

Song Hyunsoo awkwardly rose from their seat and hurriedly pressed the bell.

They had missed their stop a while ago.

■

I’m not quite sure what kind of illusions the general public holds about the film industry. 

But at the end of the day, making movies was still a business. 

It was a constant battle with money— from start to finish— working within a budget provided by investors and production companies, making sure everything fit within those financial constraints.

Because of that, the venues for after-work gatherings were always more or less the same: places that served cheap and plentiful alcohol and side dishes.

During the pre-production stage, when preparations are still underway before the actual filming begins, the crew usually picks a restaurant or bar near the production company and becomes regulars there. 

For the current project, ‘Dissolve’, that place was “Kkuline” (Honey’s).

Fortunately, Song Hyunsoo didn’t mind this kind of setup or atmosphere. 

He was more used to drinking soju at a pork belly joint or somewhere a little run down and shabby— like “Jessica’s”—than sipping wine at some sleek, upscale bar.

Since they’d already had one heavy drinking session before, the mood at this after party was much more relaxed than expected— contrary to what Jungho had predicted.

“Hyunsoo, are you free the last week of the month? Friday or Saturday?”

It hadn’t been long since the dinner started, but Han Jooyoung, already halfway through her bottle of soju, asked cheerfully with a slight flush on her face.

“I was thinking maybe the younger actors could have a little end-of-year get-together. We should get to know each other before the shoot begins, right?”

“Ah… what time were you thinking?”

“Just something simple— dinner and a few drinks? It’s the end of the year, so everyone probably has a lot of gatherings anyway.”

“Actually, I have work on the weekends. Would it be okay if I joined after my shift?”

“Ooh, you’ve got a gig lined up, huh?”

“No, it’s not a role. I just work a part-time job on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.”

Han Jooyoung narrowed her eyes and looked him over, as if trying to make sense of what he’d just said. 

The idea of an actor working a part-time job didn’t quite register. 

After all, it was rare for someone cast as a key supporting role in a high-profile production— not just an extra— to also be doing part-time work.