66 The Place You Come to Get Drunk

The place Jinhan arrived at was a high-end room, one that most people couldn’t even book. After handing his car over to the valet, he made a call, and Han Jintae came out to meet him.

“You’ve arrived, Director.”

“Who is Father meeting that he’s here?”

“They’re people you know, Director.”

“...”

“This way, please.”

Jinhan reluctantly followed Han Jintae, who walked ahead. As Jinhan appeared, the staff members in the hall flattened themselves against the wall and bowed their heads in unison. This wasn’t just a place to come to get drunk. It was a place to get drunk on power. But today, for Jinhan, who had tasted true defeat, all of this felt futile. He suppressed the urge to flee and walked down the opulent corridor.

“Here it is.”

The door to the largest and most lavish room opened. Amidst the boisterous noise, Chairman Yoo’s loud voice boomed.

“Chairman, the youngest master has arrived.”

At that moment, the gazes of everyone sitting around the room focused on Jinhan. Chairman Yoo, who had been speaking loudly, lifted his alcohol-infused gaze. Jinhan stepped inside and gave a short bow.

“If you’re here, sit down.”

“Yes.”

The table was laden with expensive liquor and lavish appetizers. Those who had been cheerfully drinking free alcohol looked flustered and exchanged glances. They were the freelance directors and representatives who had been working on Director Kwak’s film.

“...”

An awkward atmosphere settled. The freelance directors, who had gotten along well with Jinhan during the Jeju filming, deliberately avoided his gaze. Jinhan also didn’t acknowledge them particularly. He had only learned today that Director Kwak’s film production had been halted, and he felt a knot in his stomach.

‘It was Father’s doing after all.’

Jinhan’s face darkened. He even had the fleeting thought that it might have been better not to know.

“Did you have dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Have you been going around without eating all this time?”

“I don’t really feel like it.”

The freelance representatives, who had been sitting next to Chairman Yoo, moved to different seats. Then, Han Jintae instructed the waiter to clear the cluttered table. Chairman Yoo poured Jinhan beer, not whiskey.

“How are your headaches these days?”

“They’re better.”

As Jinhan replied, he looked around at the freelance directors. All of them who had been working with Director Kwak, except for the art director, were present. Doing this during film production was a breach of business ethics. It was absolutely something they shouldn’t do, but they had succumbed to Chairman Yoo’s persuasion.

“Why are these people here?”

It was unimaginable that Chairman Yoo would sit and drink with them. Knowing his usual character, his intentions didn’t seem good at all.

“These are talents essential for the future of the Korean film market.”

It was a flimsy excuse. It might have been better if he had specifically mentioned Director Kwak’s film.

“Director Kwak’s film production has been halted, I heard.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t know about that.”

“You know, don’t you?”

When Jinhan mentioned Director Kwak’s film, a chilling wind blew. The freelance directors pretended ignorance and looked away.

“Father, please withdraw your hand from this business now.”

“What do you take me for, saying such a thing?”

Chairman Yoo’s brow furrowed unpleasantly, offended. Yet, Jinhan did not stop speaking directly.

“Did you recently send Chief Secretary Han Jintae to Director Kwak?”

“No such thing.”

“There are many other good scripts besides Director Kwak’s film.”

“There may be many good scripts. But turning them into marketable works is another matter.”

Finally, Chairman Yoo stood up. He gestured to the freelance directors to enjoy themselves and then left the room.

“Make a separate place for us.”

“It’s ready. Please come this way.”

At the news of Jinhan’s arrival, Han Jintae guided the two to a newly prepared space. Again, drinks and appetizers were served, and the door closed, cutting them off from the outside.

“Haejoo’s pregnant, isn’t she?”

“...”

“That’s clearly dereliction of duty.”

“Being pregnant doesn’t mean she can’t act. Make the freelance directors return to their original positions right now.”

“How can a man say such things after losing a woman to another man?”

“I didn’t lose her.”

“Then?”

“I just missed my chance. And even if I introduced Haejoo to you, you wouldn’t have accepted her anyway.”

“An actress as a daughter-in-law is out of the question. End things with such girls after having your fun.”

Just being in Chairman Yoo’s presence suffocated Jinhan. He gulped down the beer poured into his glass and boldly spoke his mind.

“Stop now. That’s why I came here to tell you.”

“This evening, Chief Secretary Han met Park Dojun.”

A glint shone in Chairman Yoo’s wrinkled eyes. The chilling aura was so strong that Jinhan’s words caught in his throat.

“That young man, he’s incredibly stubborn, when he should yield.”

“You shouldn’t underestimate CEO Park Dojun!”

“I never underestimated him.”

“What?”

“But there’s nothing to be afraid of either. The conclusion is, it’s nothing.”

Chairman Yoo took a mouthful of strong liquor and let out an unpleasant laugh. He swallowed the hot liquid and frowned.

“Your future actions are set.”

“My actions?”

“Make it so that GN can invest, produce, and distribute Director Kwak’s film.”

“Please stop.”

“Only then can you keep your position.”

“If you were going to do this, you should have secured Director Kwak’s film earlier!”

At Jinhan’s defiance, Chairman Yoo put down the glass he was holding. He gazed meaningfully at his grown son.

“Director Kwak’s script before revision was garbage.”

“...”

“Moreover, he didn’t even submit the proposal to our side in the first place.”

“Then leave it be, Father.”

“I saw the rough cut video the cinematographer sent, and it’s no joke.”

“Father!”

“GN has the power to introduce Korean films to the world.”

“...”

“Furthermore, two actors from our agency are appearing in it. Isn’t that enough to be ambitious about?”

Chairman Yoo had no intention of backing down.

“You must never let go of Lee Haejoo.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s Park Dojun’s only... Achilles’ heel.”

“No. Haejoo is just an actress from our agency.”

“She’s also an asset of GN. A very useful asset at that.”

________________________________________

Haejoo was a tool to immobilize Dojun, a useful item. Just with that, it was possible to generate unlimited profits.

Jinhan, unable to reason with him, abruptly stood up. Chairman Yoo then brought his glass to his lips and indifferently uttered a remark.

“There are no exceptions, even for children. Handle yourself well.”

Jinhan, having closed his mouth, stormed out of the room. As he walked quickly, agitated, he bumped into the cinematographer coming out of the restroom. An awkward silence hung between them. When the cinematographer merely nodded and tried to pass, Jinhan called him back.

“Director.”

“Yes?”

“You shouldn’t trust my father.”

“...”

“Don’t regret it later; go back to the set immediately.”

Jinhan turned and left the room. The cinematographer returned to his seat and relayed what Jinhan had told him to the other freelance directors.

________________________________________

Early in the morning, Haejoo opened her eyes to the bright surrounding scenery. She slipped out of Dojun’s embrace, who was still asleep, and habitually picked up her phone. She immediately looked for newly posted articles from the night before.

“Will Unnie truly reflect? I wonder.”

The prosecution sought a rather heavy sentence for Yura. The article stated that she was writing daily letters of reflection ahead of her formal trial. There was also an article about Choi Inho. It mentioned that his refusal to comply with the police’s investigation requests was a cause for concern. Despite this, the arrest warrant was rejected, so the police requested it again.

“I guess I won’t be seeing any articles written by reporter Choi Inho anymore.”

Haejoo put down Dojun’s phone and picked up her own, which was turned off. When she turned it on, she saw a message Jinhan had sent early this morning.

[Haejoo, congratulations on your pregnancy. I truly mean it.]

Could she trust this congratulation? She still didn’t know if it was truly sent without ulterior motives. Judging only by how he treated Hyunseong yesterday...

“You never know.”

She pondered deeply, calculating various scenarios. Then she typed a reply to Jinhan’s message and sent it.

[I’ll stop by the office today.]

Now her morning sickness was subsiding, and her condition had improved. A storm had passed, so all she needed to do was successfully complete the remaining filming schedule. She had to hurry before her belly swelled from pregnancy.

“Dojun, I have to go to the agency today.”

“Don’t stay long, just go do your business and come back.”

Dojun mumbled with his eyes closed, seemingly tired. Haejoo, who had covered his broad shoulders with a blanket, showered and then came out to the living room. Just then, Hyunseong, who had returned from a walk, greeted her brightly.

“Noona, did you rest well?”

“Yes, wasn’t the bed uncomfortable?”

“Uncomfortable? Never! Not when I’m sleeping in such a nice place.”

Hyunseong chuckled good-naturedly. The two sat facing each other at the breakfast table prepared by the housekeeper. During the meal, Haejoo recited her schedule for the day.

“After breakfast, let’s go to the office and then meet Director Kwak. He seems to be in Seoul.”

“Oh, wait... Noona.”

“Yes?”

“I heard from Yoonji noona yesterday. The movie filming has been halted.”

Haejoo put down the spoon she was holding. A shadow fell over her clear eyes.

“Why suddenly?”

Hyunseong explained the situation to the best of his knowledge. These were things he hadn’t told Haejoo before, fearing she would worry while recuperating.

“That can’t be right. We’ve already filmed so much.”

“It seems GN is trying to swallow the whole movie by playing dirty behind the scenes.”

“Dojun didn’t say anything, so I had no idea.”

“CEO Park will surely take care of it, so don’t worry too much, Noona.”

Haejoo felt a surge of self-reproach, wondering if this was also her fault. She quickly finished her meal and got ready to leave. Only then did Dojun wake up and hug her.

“Be careful. I’m going to work now too.”

“They said the film production was halted? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’ll resume soon, so don’t worry about it.”

Dojun always said it was fine. When he acted this way, it meant he had already run around and solved things on his own. Without knowing this, she had initially suspected Dojun. Her anxiety about whether he would refuse to divorce her now seemed laughable. Dojun was a person who lived only for Haejoo. He was the only one who became her sun and, at night, the moonlight just for her...

“It feels like only Dojun is suffering.”

“Don’t say such foolish things. Hurry and go. Hyunseong is waiting.”

Haejoo nodded and left the villa. Today, she got into the back seat of the sedan Dojun had gifted her, not the van. Hyunseong’s mouth stretched wide at the sight of the expensive foreign car he was driving for the first time.

“I’ll start driving now!”

Under the clear autumn sky, the two listened to the radio as they entered the bustling streets of Seoul. After driving for a long time, Haejoo arrived at the agency building and sighed. She was walking past the main entrance and ascending the central staircase with Hyunseong. Just then, the manager team leader, who was heading to the general affairs office, saw Haejoo and forced a smile.

“Haejoo, you’re here?”

“Hello.”

“The director is here, so go see him. And Hyunseong, I need a word with you.”

The manager team leader called Hyunseong aside. Hyunseong, with a sullen expression, left Haejoo and headed to the team office. The manager team leader walked with his back to them, pulled out his phone, and tapped on the chat window. Inside, there was a message from Han Jintae from last night.

[Fire Manager Jung Hyunseong. I will send someone new soon, and they can work with Lee Haejoo.]

This was an attempt to tie Haejoo’s hands and feet. The manager team leader, in pain, could not refuse Han Jintae’s order.

“Hyunseong, you’re fired from the company.”

“Yes.”

“...Yes? Is that all you have to say?”

“Yesterday, the director also told me to await my disposition.”

“Really?”

“Just process my departure from the company. Is that enough?”

Hyunseong, who had a backup plan, was confident. On the contrary, the manager team leader stumbled and tried to hold him back.

“Hey, if you leave like this, you won’t be able to set foot in this company again!”

“Team Leader, I don’t need to be a manager; my family is well-off. I’m doing this because I like working with Haejoo noona.”

Han Jintae had told the manager team leader that if he handled this matter well, he would be given a position at GN Entertainment. Having recently incurred a large debt and supporting his parents, he had no choice but to accept Han Jintae’s offer.

“Lucky you, you punk. Your family is well-off.”

“...”

“Go write your resignation later.”

The manager team leader grumbled and put his phone down on the desk. He reached for a lighter, craving a cigarette, then remembered he had business at the general affairs office and rushed out of the office.

Hyunseong, subtly watching him, picked up the manager team leader’s phone. He was never particularly meticulous, so his phone’s lock pattern was always a ‘ㄱ’ shape. When he first joined the company, he had learned by following the team leader around, even answering calls for him. Hyunseong skillfully unlocked the team leader’s screen and entered the chat app.

“I knew it.”

It was an all-or-nothing situation. Hyunseong took the team leader’s phone and secretly went to the bathroom. Then, he took pictures of all the chat messages exchanged between the team leader and Han Jintae.

“If a tail is too long, it will be stepped on, Team Leader.”

All the photos of their secret conversation were sent to Dojun.