Chapter 4: Dissolve: His Last Choice

As far as Song Hyunsoo knew, Jung Jin wasn’t the type to have many friends. 

However, he did occasionally go out for drinks with Yoon Jooho. 

Given that the two had worked together on several projects, there had been plenty of opportunities for them to grow closer.

Yoon Jooho, now a seasoned veteran with 30 years in the industry, had become sharp-tongued and unfiltered in interviews— like a sly old fox.

Meanwhile, Jung Jin was polite and introverted. 

The fact that two people with such different personalities had become close was puzzling in itself.

Though they did share one commonality: they were both deeply sincere about acting.

Perhaps they had spent entire nights engaged in heated discussions about their craft. 

Song Hyunsoo had often imagined how dull their drinking sessions must be.

Jung Jin walked straight to Table B-12 and plopped down across from Yoon Jooho without hesitation. 

There wasn’t a trace of pretense or reluctance.

So they really are close…

“Wow… If I took a shot of them right now and posted it on social media, I’d probably gain a few thousand followers just like that.”

Even as he brewed coffee, Jung-ho kept glancing over at Table B-12.

“Jung Jin is the real deal. Look at how effortlessly he holds his own next to Yoon Jooho, even dressed so casually. And his skin— how is it even like that? Oppa, what’s Jung Jin’s skincare secret?”

“What else? Probably dumping tons of money into dermatology.”

Before Song Hyunsoo could respond to Chaeyoung’s question, the manager abruptly cut in.

Irritated by the baseless assumption, Hyunsoo snapped back.

“He doesn’t go to dermatologists. It’s natural.”

Ignoring the manager’s incredulous look, he took the coffee, Jeongho had prepared and left the counter.

The closer he got to the table, the more he couldn’t help but overhear Yoon Jooho and Jung Jin’s conversation.

“I decided to do a movie.”

It was Yoon Jooho’s voice.

“A movie?”

Jung Jin sounded just as surprised as Hyunsoo felt. 

In his 30-year career, Yoon Jooho had only ever done dramas.

“It’s Director Jung Joonhee’s project. I got lucky. I’ll probably learn a lot while filming.”

“Isn’t that the director who only does classic melodramas?”

Yoon Jooho nodded.

As Hyunsoo approached, the two naturally stopped talking.

“Hyung, here’s your coffee.”

“Thanks.”

After exchanging only a brief glance with Jung Jin, Hyunsoo turned away from the table.

One thought dominated his mind.

A movie. Yoon Jooho is doing a movie. 

And if it’s Director Jung Jin’s project…

Next week, Hyunsoo had an in-person audition scheduled— for that very film.

If he passed, he’d have the chance to act alongside Yoon Jooho himself.

His heart pounded with excitement, as if he’d already landed the role.

It had only been about five minutes since he’d delivered the coffee when Yoon Jooho stood up first.

188? 189? 

He’d heard Yoon Jooho was around that height, but his presence made him seem even taller. 

His slim yet broad-shouldered frame carried the long, flowing coat down to his ankles flawlessly.

As Yoon Jooho walked to the counter to pay, everyone nudged Hyunsoo forward again.

Pulling out his wallet, Yoon Jooho asked, “How much?”

“Twenty-one thousand won.”

Jung Jin, who had followed him, grabbed his shoulder.

“Hey, you came to see my play too. Let me treat you.”

“It’s fine. Can’t I even buy you coffee?”

“……”

Behind Yoon Jooho’s stubborn insistence, Jung Jin just scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

As a fan and an aspiring actor, Song Hyunsoo observed Yoon Jooho’s every move intently.

The way he signed the pad, slid his card back into his wallet, and tucked the wallet into his coat pocket— every motion flowed seamlessly. 

Even the way he opened the door was striking, as if every moment was being captured on camera. 

The art of moving like a painting was ingrained in Yoon Jooho’s body.

After all, he was a man who had lived under the public eye since he was three— a true born-to-be actor.

The longing gaze of Song Hyunsoo lingered on Yoon Jooho’s retreating figure until the two had completely left the bar.

“It really felt like a scene from a movie, with him wearing a long coat and holding a bouquet of flowers,”

Chaeyoung muttered in a daze, staring at the entrance where Yoon Jooho had disappeared.

“Well, I guess he did look kinda cool,” Jeong-ho reluctantly admitted, nodding as he struck a pose in front of the mirror.

“Whatever. Can’t I even buy you coffee?”

Then, mimicking Yoon Jooho’s words to Jung Jin, he added,

“Maybe I should’ve asked to take a picture.”

As if regret had just caught up with her, Chaeyoung pouted, clutching her phone. Jeongho scoffed.

“Did you not see the mood? If you’d asked for a photo, he probably would’ve just snapped at you. Sure, he looks the part, but seems like the rumors about him having no manners are true, huh?”

Still, Jeongho’s criticism did nothing to dampen Chaeyoung’s adoration for Yoon Jooho.

“Manager, can I keep this receipt with Yoon Jooho’s autograph on it?”

“What’re you gonna do with that? It’s not even signed directly for you.”

“I just want to keep it as a memento.”

Listening to their conversation with half an ear, Song Hyunsoo hurriedly untied his apron.

“Uh, I’ll be right back— just gonna say a quick hello to my friend outside.”

He peeked outside through the small glass pane above the door.

The two were still talking by the entrance.

Soon, Yoon Jooho walked away first, and Hyunsoo quickly pushed the door open and stepped out.

“Hyung, did you hear? Yoon Jooho’s gonna be in Dissolve?”

Jung Jin turned around, eyebrows raised.

“Dissolve?”

“Yeah, he said he’s starring in Director Jung Joonhee’s next film.”

“Oh… yeah, guess so.”

“That’s huge. I have an audition there next week.”

Excitement seeped into Hyunsoo’s voice. Jin perked up.

“Really? For what role?”

“I’ve built up some confidence now, so I’m trying for a supporting role. I’ve only done minor parts till now.”

“Good vibes, huh?”

Hyunsoo completely agreed. 

The fact that the lead actor, already confirmed for the same film, had shown up at Jessica today felt like an undeniable good omen. 

Yoon Jooho was definitely a lucky charm.

His laughter suddenly faded.

“……”

The white bouquet Yoon Jooho had been holding was now in Jung Jin’s hands.

The flowers… they were for Jin hyung.

Ah, he said he was going to see hyung’s play. 

Must’ve been planning to give them afterward.

They really are close, huh.

Though December had just begun, the cold was harsher than usual.

Hyunsoo hugged his own arms and sniffled.

“Wrap up your performances well, and have a safe trip on Sunday.”

The day after tomorrow— Sunday— Jung Jin was set to leave for Paris, France.

Not for a trip, but to move there permanently, leaving behind everything in this city.

Until the very last moment, he was still performing in a play in Daehakro.

“Take care of your health, and if you ever need someone to monitor your audition tapes, you can send them to me like you’ve been doing… You know my email, right? There’s a landline at my place too— did I give you the number?”

“Why are you talking like we’ll never see each other again? In this day and age? Once I’m in Paris, we’ll meet again in no time.”

When Hyunsoo brushed it off casually, Jin finally relaxed and smiled.

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting, so make sure you come.”

“I’ve almost saved up my target amount, so get your place ready as soon as I arrive.”

Hyunsoo flashed a V-sign with his fingers and grinned.

After hearing about Jin’s plans to move to France, Hyunsoo had started saving up for a backpacking trip across Europe. 

But for an unknown actor working three days a week as a bartender and earning barely enough for transportation in his theater troupe, saving money wasn’t easy.

Still, Hyunsoo boasted that he was close to his goal.

He wanted to reassure Jin nand himself— that they’d meet again soon.

He acted like the farewell was nothing, but in truth, his nose kept stinging.

It felt like the few people he truly cared about under this Seoul sky were all leaving, one by one.

But he had no intention of crumpling into a corner and wallowing in self-pity. 

Whether he lay crying or sprang up to fight to the death, time would pass all the same.

He realized that trying something or anything was better. 

It was a lesson he had learned at a painfully high cost.

Song Hyunsoo rubbed his thinly clad arms and peeked through the glass into the room. 

Sure enough, the manager was glaring his way.

“I’m going in, hyung. The new manager’s a real piece of—… strict, you know.”

Instead of shaking hands or hugging, he waved at Jung Jin with a smile, as if they’d see each other again tomorrow.

Jung Jin, too, saw him off with that uniquely reassuring smile of his.

Song Hyunsoo pulled open the door, brushed past Jung Jin’s shoulder, and stepped inside. 

With the door between them, Song Hyunsoo and Jung Jin crossed paths like a dissolve[1)], each melting into their own time.

That was the last meeting between Yoon Jooho and Jung Jin— and the first between Song Hyunsoo and Yoon Jooho.

It would take time, much later, for them to dwell on the meaning of that day.

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[1)] Dissolve: A video editing technique where one scene fades out while the next overlaps and emerges.