Come Back

After Lee Hye-sung and Director Kang exchanged a handshake, they moved to the window and began to talk. The atmosphere seemed to be one where Director Kang was offering words of comfort to Lee Hye-sung. During the ups and downs of the movie’s production, which had been temporarily halted before starting again, the two seemed to have grown much closer.

Choi Hong-seo’s death was now nearly a year ago. In that time, changes had inevitably taken place for both Lee Hye-sung and those around him.

“Could everyone please take a seat? We’ll begin the event shortly. Is there anyone still not here? Staff, could you check if all the actors and colleagues have arrived?”

As everyone who had been standing looked around cautiously, the production manager stepped in, skillfully managing the situation. Choi Hong-seo hurriedly returned to his seat in the meantime.

“The atmosphere was insane while you were gone.”

As soon as he sat down, Park Dong-ha lowered his voice and whispered.

“Lee Hye-sung really got scary when they talked bad about Choi Hong-seo. I thought someone was going to have their casting canceled.”

Although Choi Hong-seo had been watching the entire situation unfold from outside the room, Park Dong-ha wouldn’t have been able to see Choi Hong-seo from his seat. After the conversation, as Lee Hye-sung and Director Kang returned to the table, Choi Hong-seo showed no reaction as he glanced at them.

The atmosphere was still tense and awkward, but the gathering began.

Under the production manager’s guidance, Director Kang was the first to speak, offering his greetings and thoughts. Most of his speech revolved around asking the fellow actors and staff to help the new cast members settle in and focus on the work.

“Since pre-production has already been somewhat completed, there’s only about 2-3 months left until the main filming starts. I know the newly cast leading actors must be worried… So, we’ll be helping you fully absorb the project through script readings once or twice a week and individual interviews with the director. Don’t worry about it.”

Director Kang spoke in his typically exaggeratedly gentle tone.

“Director, you’re scary! It’s not going to be Sparta-style, is it?”

Someone playfully called out, and Director Kang responded with a joke, his laughter filling the room.

“You all know that I lead in a Sparta-like style, which is why you auditioned for the role. After working with me on this project, you’ll experience firsthand why everyone’s acting improves so much.”

A quiet laughter spread through the room, and the atmosphere lightened. Despite his seemingly delicate demeanor, Director Kang was indeed a veteran director with a long career, earning recognition as a master of his craft.

“And just a moment ago, there was a brief mention of it… Regarding Choi Hong-seo, who was supposed to play the role of Hwang Ji-woo, I want everyone to have accurate information. We’re colleagues in the same industry, and you all know how scary public prejudice, malicious comments, and irresponsible rumors can be. Should we, as part of the industry, ignore the truth that’s already been revealed and attack a deceased person?”

At the director’s soft persuasion, everyone fell silent. Some nodded in agreement.

“This is something I can say among ourselves, but the truth is that Cream Mansion could only be made because of Hong-seo. It was halted because of Hong-seo’s death, and now, because of Hong-seo, we’re able to resume production. Whether it’s a good fate or a bad one, this film shares a very deep and strong connection with him. And, I’m someone who holds on to such connections… So, I intend to consider Cream Mansion as Hong-seo’s posthumous work and make it as part of his legacy.”

As Director Kang spoke, Choi Hong-seo’s head slowly lowered.

It was because of Choi Hong-seo that Lee Hye-sung had made the investment decision, and when Choi Hong-seo died, production was halted. But for Choi Hong-seo’s sake, Lee Hye-sung had decided to continue the investment, allowing the project to resume. – To Choi Hong-seo, who knew the story of how Lee Hye-sung had first met with him to secure investment for Cream Mansion, that’s what it must have sounded like.

“Next, we will hear from the largest investor in Cream Mansion, Lee Hye-sung, from the film investment company ‘Hee-siot’.”

At the mention of his name by the production manager, Choi Hong-seo slowly lifted his head. Standing up, Lee Hye-sung surveyed the room with an emotionless expression.

“This is Lee Hye-sung, as introduced.”

Unlike the meal gathering where he had attended as Choi Hong-seo, this time the gathering was much larger, with around thirty people, including actors, staff, and investors. But he did not raise his voice.

“Personally, Cream Mansion is a film of special meaning to me.”

The actors and staff exchanged glances silently, curious about how ARA’s Lee Hye-sung could have such a personal connection to the film.

Lee Hye-sung continued speaking, unconcerned with the curious looks.

“Though I’m someone with a separate profession, I plan to actively participate in many stages of the production process and provide encouragement and support to the actors and staff. I ask for your cooperation to ensure that Cream Mansion is completed in the most beautiful form possible.”

After a brief bow, there was a solemn, quiet round of applause.

“If I go there, I’ll be able to see Hong-seo, right? Then I have to go.”

He had said that in the past. Even though Choi Hong-seo was not here today, Lee Hye-sung’s words were like a secret code for why he had attended this event.

The personal significance of this film, the reason why the vice president of ARA was planning to actively participate in the production process, and his desire for this film to be completed beautifully — all of these were codes that only Choi Hong-seo would fully understand.

The introductions continued, one by one, for other investors, producers, department heads, and team leaders. But none of it reached Choi Hong-seo’s ears.

He felt as if he were wearing an invisibility cloak, attending an event he hadn’t been invited to, eavesdropping on secrets. It was a place where he was not supposed to be, where he wasn’t allowed to see or hear.

Still unfamiliar with the name “Yun Hye-an,” Choi Hong-seo hesitated before standing up.

“Hello, I’m Yun Hye-an, the actor playing Hwang Ji-woo. First, I’m honored to be able to work on the director’s project. Since I’m joining late, I will work even harder to understand the project and the character. Please take care of me.”

Lee Hye-sung, sitting in the seat of honor next to Director Kang, with his arms crossed firmly, was watching him closely. When Yun Hye-an said the word “sincerely” out of habit, Lee Hye-sung’s eyebrows twitched.

Strangely, in this moment, it felt as if he could clearly understand what Lee Hye-sung was thinking. Hong-seo should have been in that seat, it should have been Hong-seo’s seat… Through Yun Hye-an’s presence, Lee Hye-sung was undoubtedly feeling the absence of Choi Hong-seo more strongly.

It was as if, through Lee Hye-sung’s rejection of him as Yun Hye-an, Choi Hong-seo himself was more acutely aware of his own death.

“Sincerity… Pfft. If you’re only sincere twice, you’ll ruin the whole film.”

As Choi Hong-seo finished his greeting and sat down, Seo Jun-young across from him sneered. His voice wasn’t loud enough to reach the top seats further inside, but it was audible enough for Choi Hong-seo sitting directly opposite. Seo Jun-young must have had a bad experience working with Yun Hye-an’s lack of sincerity. However, unlike Yoon Jae’s concerns, Choi Hong-seo didn’t mind such attacks at all. It felt like a trivial matter now, unlike before.

The official gathering began. Since the purpose of this event was for everyone to get to know each other and build relationships for the long journey ahead—up to a year of post-production—the atmosphere quickly became lively, just like any other dinner gathering.

Drinks and food were served, and the smell and sound of grilling meat, smoke, people’s laughter, and conversations quickly filled the room.

If it weren’t for Park Dong-ha, no one would have spoken to Choi Hong-seo, but that didn’t matter to him. In fact, it was a relief to be left alone so he could quietly observe.

From the start, he was drinking at a fast pace. He didn’t hesitate to down the drinks when offered, and his continuous drinking made others a little worried.

“But about Lee Hye-sung, what’s the deal with him and Choi Hong-seo?”

Seo Jun-young carefully opened his mouth, glancing toward the important crew members gathered at the top seats. Naturally, Choi Hong-seo couldn’t help but listen in.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, isn’t it strange? No matter how close they are, why would he get that angry earlier? Honestly, isn’t that a bit over the top?”

“It is a bit much. It’s like he heard someone insult his family or something.”

O In-kyung, who had also been on the receiving end of Lee Hye-sung’s scolding earlier, chimed in.

“Exactly! There’s no reason for Lee Hye-sung to be so protective of Choi Hong-seo. Don’t you think there was something more between them?”

“Something more? What, like a sponsor? And between two men? Ugh… I really don’t like that sort of thing.”

Someone else, overhearing the conversation, pulled back their chopsticks from the meat they were about to pick up, grimacing in disgust.

“Choi Hong-seo was X-gun, wasn’t he? Maybe Lee Hye-sung was one of Choi Hong-seo’s late-night visitors.”

Choi Hong-seo couldn’t bear to listen to Seo Jun-young’s speculations any longer.

“He wasn’t trying to cover for Choi Hong-seo, he was probably just trying to correct false information.”

“……”

The people who had been discussing the topic all turned to look at Choi Hong-seo. Each of them had a disapproving expression, as if to say, “Who asked you?” But Choi Hong-seo had no intention of quietly shrinking away in this moment.

To these people, Choi Hong-seo was the “disgraced X-gun” who had taken his own life in dishonor. No matter who pointed out the facts, even if they knew they were wrong, they would not change their minds. They did not want to associate Choi Hong-seo with Lee Hye-sung in any way. Lee Hye-sung’s name should have no connection to Choi Hong-seo’s at all.

And even the suggestion of a sponsor.

He had never proposed any kind of transactional relationship. It was Choi Hong-seo who had initially seduced him, saying he wanted to sleep together. He was so angry he could hardly contain himself, wanting to lash out and ask why they were carelessly talking about something they didn’t know.

Seo Jun-young, who had been looking at him with suspicion, lifted his chin and asked.

“How would Yun Hye-an know that?”

“He doesn’t seem like someone who would do that, the vice president.”

“So, on what grounds are you saying this?”

“I’m just speculating, just like you did earlier, senior.”

“Acting like you’ve lost your memory, but your manners haven’t changed.”

Seo Jun-young muttered as he threw his chopsticks down in frustration.

1 )Post-production refers to the phase in filmmaking that comes after shooting, which includes editing, sound mixing, promotion, and other tasks.