Unlike the impeccably dressed Yoon Jooho, he was in comfortable casual attire— jeans, a puffer jacket, and sneakers.
Though none of them had flashy logos, each piece was clearly from a high end brand.
Especially the cross body bag he was wearing, which was an expensive luxury item.
When Song Hyunsoo had only known that Han Jooyoung was a third generation overseas Korean who had started acting late, he had vaguely assumed they might be in similar situations— a struggling rookie actor, separated from family but holding onto hope while chasing his dreams.
A comrade-in-arms who could share his hardships among star actors like Yoon Jooho or Shin Hyojin.
But it seemed not all unknown actors were alike.
Staring down at Han Jooyoung’s bag, which cost more than the deposit for his own rooftop studio, Song Hyunsoo reached a conclusion about him:
No way we’re in the same boat.
“Jooyoung-ssi, you know your Korean can’t get too good, right?”
PD Kim, who had been giving just as lifeless a reaction as Song Hyunsoo, suddenly placed a hand on Han Jooyoung’s shoulder and spoke with a serious expression.
“Huh? Why?”
“Jeon Yoojeong is supposed to be a director working in the U.S., remember? You’ve got to maintain your current accent until we wrap up Dissolve.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that!”
“Right, keep it just like that— this level of pronunciation. You’ve got to maintain it.”
Han Jooyoung seemed to ponder whether he should pause his Korean lessons for a while.
Seizing the moment of silence, PD Kim turned to Song Hyunsoo.
“Hyunsoo-ssi, what do you think? Han Jooyoung’s perfect for the role of Director Jeon, right? Being an overseas Korean and all.”
“Yeah, his looks are exactly how I imagined Jeon Yoojeong. He’s also really tall.”
“Our Jooho-ssi is tall too, you know. It was tough finding an actor who wouldn’t look overshadowed next to him.”
“Wait, so was I cast just because of my height?”
At Han Jooyoung’s deadpan joke, the three of them burst into laughter simultaneously— though Song Hyunsoo’s laughter was about 50% acting.
The atmosphere in the meeting room, where the script reading would take place, was warm and friendly.
Except for the dark aura emanating from where Yoon Jooho sat, far removed from the three of them.
“What is this?”
A stiff voice abruptly cut through the air, originating from that dark aura.
The three of them immediately fell silent and turned toward Yoon Jooho.
His brow was deeply furrowed as he spoke into the phone.
“I already told you to discuss the details with Manager Bang.”
The mood was uneasy.
Though Yoon Jooho was keeping his voice low, the meeting room wasn’t as big as a sports field.
His conversation was impossible to miss.
Despite the hostility, Yoon Jooho— dressed impeccably from head to toe— looked like a different species from another planet.
Like a manga character drawn in a completely different art style.
Imagine Seo Taewoon suddenly appearing in the world of “Crayon Shin chan”.
Seo Taewoon— no, Yoon Jooho— seemed furious.
He pushed his chair back and stood up.
“There will be absolutely no changes to the terms, and no agreement. I made that clear from the beginning. As a lawyer who’s studied far more than I have, is that really so hard to understand?”
Agreement?
A lawyer?
The three exchanged glances before looking back at Yoon Jooho.
Pacing the corner of the meeting room while on the phone, he looked like he might kick a chair any second with those long legs.
Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
“Then there’s no point in paying a premium for a top tier law firm.”
Whatever the response was, Yoon Jooho let out a disbelieving scoff.
“No, Attorney Park. I think you’ve misunderstood. That’s not what I meant—”
Ah, so even the great Yoon Jooho had to clean up after careless words—
“I’m saying the money I paid you was a waste.”
—Or not.
Yeah, he wasn’t going to.
After hanging up, Yoon Jooho returned to his seat, blowing out a frustrated breath as if to cool himself down.
“Jooyoung-ssi, Jooyoung-ssi.”
PD Kim Yoojung signaled Han Jooyoung with a jerk of her chin.
Unlike before, she lowered her voice to a whisper.
“Go greet him.”
“Right now??”
“Honestly, it’s already a bit late.”
“You saw the mood earlier too, PD-nim. Do I really have to?”
A shadow briefly crossed Han Jooyoung’s previously unruffled face.
“That’s exactly why I’m telling you. You know what kind of person he is— what do you think will happen if you just walk past without greeting him?”
“We don’t even have many scenes together. We can just keep it awkward like this.”
“You still have to show proper respect to a senior. It’s not like you didn’t follow those norms in the U.S., right?”
“Back in the U.S., I got along with everyone regardless of age. As you know, PD-nim, I’ve always liked people— as long as they’re not the rigid, uptight type.”
“The rigid… what?”
Song Hyunsoo had wanted to ask something, but Producer Kim stepped in instead.
Han Jooyoung lifted her chin proudly and explained.
“Eureudakdak-i (intimidation). I learned it during tutoring. It’s like, you know, threatening someone in a scary way.”
“Haah, Jooyoung. You might want to look for a new Korean tutor.”
“Why?”
“Because no modern Korean actually uses that word.”
“But we still communicate just fine…”
“Jooyoung, Jooyoung?”
“……”
“Anyway, let’s greet him first.”
Han Jooyoung seemed to want to say that it wasn’t her fault— it was Yoon Jooho’s.
And Song Hyunsoo couldn’t help but agree with her on that.
“Even if this is his first film, he’s a powerful figure in this industry. Connections are just as important as talent in showbiz.”
Producer Kim didn’t seem like he was going to let it slide.
Reluctantly, Han Jooyoung forced an awkward smile and approached Yoon Jooho.
“Senior Jooho, hello. You’re here early. I hurried to get here quickly too.”
Yoon Jooho, who had looked up at her, glanced at his wristwatch.
“It’s 3:50.”
“…Yes?”
“Doesn’t seem like you hurried that much.”
Then he went back to reading his script.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, the man had a knack for making things awkward.
Watching from the side, Song Hyunsoo felt his lips go dry.
Still, technically, Yoon Jooho wasn’t wrong.
The reading was at 4:00, and arriving at 3:50 wasn’t exactly early.
Han Jooyoung, who had been standing stiffly beside Yoon Jooho, came back while brushing off her sleeves.
“Producer, see? That’s eureudakdak-i right there.”
“Don’t worry. No need to be scared. He’s like that with everyone. In a way, isn’t he fair?”
Song Hyunsoo nodded internally at Producer Kim’s words.
He’s right.
He’s equally insufferable to me too.
“I thought since we’re the same age, it’d be fun working together.”
“It’s just the beginning. There’s plenty of time before filming. I heard you’re sociable, Jooyoung. Put that charm to use.”
Han Jooyoung, who had glanced at Yoon Jooho again, shook her head.
“I don’t think it’s gonna work with him. I don’t have confidence.”
Suddenly, Yoon Jooho shot up from his seat.
Thinking he might be coming after her, Han Jooyoung instantly hid behind Producer Kim.
But Yoon Jooho was heading toward the entrance.
“Oh, Jooho! Long time no see.”
Someone who had just entered the meeting room extended a hand for a handshake.
Yoon Jooho bent slightly at the waist and accepted it with both hands.
The person who elicited such manners from him was Choi Dohoon, the actor playing the father of Lee Sol and Lee San— a veteran with over 35 years of acting experience.
Still hiding behind Producer Kim, Han Jooyoung muttered,
“He treats seniors with respect, at least.”
“A real troublemaker wouldn’t last 30 years in this industry.”
Though he wasn’t exactly beaming or acting cute, Yoon Jooho was undeniably polite in front of Choi Dohoon.
With his hands clasped in front of him, listening attentively to the senior’s words, he looked like a grieving male lead at his lover’s funeral.
In reality, he was just listening to Choi Dohoon’s fishing stories.
Producer Kim’s expression softened as she watched Yoon Jooho.
“Whether it’s ‘scare tactics’ or ‘intimidation games’, he’s got the presence.”
Song Hyunsoo agreed with her 100%.
Even the way he signed a credit card terminal looked like a scene from a movie.
The rest of the cast and crew, including Director Jung Joonhee, arrived in the next ten minutes.
As the room filled up, the chilly atmosphere quickly warmed.
“We’ll now begin the first script reading for ‘Dissolve’. Please take your seats.”
Song Hyunsoo scanned the people seated around the table.
Jung Joonhee, the respected director carrying on the legacy of classic Korean melodramas.
Choi Dohoon, the veteran actor known as the “God of Acting.”
Shin Hyojin, with his striking blend of elegance and individuality, building his own filmography with solid performances.
Han Jooyoung, the overseas-born actress expanding her range with her soft-spoken charm.
And Yoon Jooho, the top star who needed no introduction.
Could he hold his own among these people?
Song Hyunsoo wiped his sweaty palms on his pants under the table.
But it had taken him eight long years just to get here.
Whether it killed him or not, he had no intention of backing out now.
“Now, Director Jung will begin with a few words.”
Director Jung Joonhee rose from his seat with a benevolent smile.
In a room without an audience, the movie ‘Dissolve’ had already begun.
What is Han Jooyoung’s gender? It keeps switching