95. (Side Story) What is Love?

From a young age, Jinhan was thrown into competition with his older brothers. Despite the age difference, he was constantly compared to them. He lived a life burdened by private education that began in his infancy. While some friends envied his privileged background, for Jinhan, it was like hell. As he entered adolescence, his clashes with his father, Chairman Yoo, increased. Chairman Yoo, claiming to cherish his youngest son, interfered in every detail of Jinhan’s life, suffocating him. Eventually, when Jinhan rebelled, security guards were assigned to monitor his every move. Hwang Gyeong-ok, unable to bear watching any longer, advised Jinhan to become independent.

“How about you just move out?”

“Will Father allow it?”

“I’ll try my best.”

It was the year Jinhan turned seventeen. The house was noisy day in and day out, so it was an inevitable decision despite Chairman Yoo’s objections.

“I’ll do that.”

In the end, Jinhan moved out of his family home and rented an officetel nearby. Two housekeepers came daily to prepare his meals and clean. Finally achieving emotional stability, Jinhan pursued his desired career path and cultivated his interests. He had once shared these thoughts with Hwang Gyeong-ok.

“Mother, I believe our country will become a cultural powerhouse.”

“Isn’t it still a bit behind America or Japan?”

“Not at all. We are a people of excitement and passion, aren’t we?”

“So, what is it that you want to do?”

“I’m going to become a planner in the entertainment industry that no one can rival.”

Hwang Gyeong-ok was greatly inspired by the conversation with her youngest son. She planned to invest in businesses related to popular culture, including film. However, these ideas didn’t resonate with Chairman Yoo. He dismissed them immediately, then, after hearing something outside, he abruptly jumped in, suggesting they invest.

“These days, your father is getting involved. You might not have a place if you’re not careful.”

Around that time, Hwang Gyeong-ok acquired a fairly large entertainment agency. Chairman Yoo, observing this, promptly incorporated it as a subsidiary of GN. He injected capital, appointed a salaried CEO, and sent Jinhan to GN Entertainment. Hwang Gyeong-ok, watching the series of events, sternly warned Chairman Yoo.

“GN Entertainment is Jinhan’s share, so don’t interfere.”

“We’ll see how he does.”

Unlike his two older brothers, Jinhan was initially excluded from the succession candidates for GN. Instead, he joined GN Entertainment and steadily built his career in the entertainment field. Before long, Jinhan became the de facto manager at GN Entertainment and gained considerable fame. Then he met Hae-joo. The very person who would shake his life to its core.

“Hae-joo, what’s your dream?”

“Well...”

“If you become an actress, there must be something you want to do, right?”

“To stand on the stage of a world-renowned film festival?”

“Good. I’ll make that dream come true for you.”

Jinhan genuinely liked Hae-joo. The problem was that even dating attracted intense scrutiny from his family, so he tried not to show it. He imagined confessing to Hae-joo dozens of times a day. Nevertheless, he held back, wanting to wait for Hae-joo to develop even further.

“Hae-joo, how about enrolling in university now?”

“University?”

“Even if you take a leave of absence in between, it will help your career.”

Hae-joo had only graduated from high school. Even though Jinhan encouraged her to go to university, he only expected a special admission to a provincial university. For now, the intention was to reduce the burden of admission by having her simply earn a degree and then send her to a decent graduate school in Seoul. Following Jinhan’s advice, Hae-joo began serious preparation for university admissions. It must not have been easy, being an adult, but through her efforts, she was admitted to a theater and film department at a university in Seoul.

“Hae-joo, you’re truly amazing!”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Jinhan connected Hae-joo with CF modeling gigs first, ensuring she had no financial difficulties before shooting her first film. He even provided her with an apartment he owned to live in. He didn’t care that other artists in his agency envied Hae-joo.

“Hae-joo, for your debut, how about auditioning for Director Jang’s film?”

“Do you think I have the skill?”

Despite her words, Hae-joo confidently landed the lead role. Now, all that remained was for Hae-joo to build the best possible career as an actress. Only then could he proudly introduce Hae-joo to his parents, who viewed entertainers as mere performers. She had no way of knowing his true intentions. Jinhan devoted himself wholeheartedly to Hae-joo, never even looking at another woman.

Then, trouble erupted. Hae-joo was embroiled in a marriage scandal, and accidents occurred day after day.

“Director Jinhan, the rumor that Hae-joo has a husband has spread like wildfire!”

Jinhan couldn’t believe it even after hearing it. He had his suspicions, but when he belatedly heard facts Hae-joo hadn’t told him, he nearly lost his mind. At first, he tried to quietly resolve the issue and then have her divorce Dojun. But contrary to his intentions, Hae-joo was swaying towards the man who had become her husband. He was tormented day by day by this unacceptable reality. He even resorted to petty acts he had never done before, trying to interfere with Hae-joo and Dojun’s relationship. However.

“I was the only fool.”

As the situation worsened, Choi In-ho almost brought down the company, and then Chairman Yoo joined in. When they even tried to appoint someone else as CEO of the company, he suddenly sobered up. Afterward, things reached an unimaginable state. Han Jintae’s cunning instigation ultimately brought down Chairman Yoo. Then one night, the worst incident occurred.

“My father? Are you asking me to believe that right now?”

It was a call from a GN secretarial staff member. Chairman Yoo had hit Han Jintae with his car and killed him, leading to an emergency arrest... Who would believe it? What would he, a man among the top three wealthiest in Korea, be lacking? According to the police, Han Jintae had demanded an exorbitant price. Just as he thought Chairman Yoo should have simply paid the money, what he heard from the police made him give up everything.

“Han Jintae had already handed over all of Chairman Yoo’s data to a media outlet.”

________________________________________

Afterward, GN and Jinhan’s family endured unprecedented criticism. Indeed, the public was horrified by the unjust actions of Chairman Yoo and Han Jintae, which even the family hadn’t known about. GN was to be taken over by Jinhan’s eldest brother. They promised change, but despite repeated apologies and excuses, public anger did not subside.

“I can’t go to work for a while.”

Due to Chairman Yoo’s actions, reporters camped out in front of GN Entertainment. Jinhan secluded himself, waiting for the situation to calm down. Behind the scenes, he went to each and every filmmaker who had been harmed by Chairman Yoo and apologized.

“It was all my negligence. Please forgive me.”

Jinhan had never hit rock bottom like this in his life. Being accustomed to being in a position of power, it took considerable courage for him to bow his head to someone first. Fortunately, Director Kwak and others in the film industry accepted Jinhan’s apology. Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, the headaches that tormented him grew worse day by day. They became so severe they felt like they would burn his soul, and eventually, he collapsed during a conversation with Hwang Gyeong-ok. He was hospitalized but didn’t inform the company.

“You need to rest completely for about a month. Otherwise, you could have a serious incident due to shock.”

“A whole month?”

Jinhan had never rested since he started working. A sigh escaped him at the thought of being confined to the hospital and home for a month.

“How’s Father?”

“It’s a murder case, isn’t it? It won’t be easy.”

Due to this incident, Hwang Gyeong-ok was also questioned by the police as a witness. Thanks to Dojun, there was an abundance of evidence, and the case was handed over to the prosecutor’s office without the need for further investigation. The media reported that Chairman Yoo could even receive a life sentence. In response, Chairman Yoo was forming the most powerful legal team to prepare his defense.

“Leave that man alone and you take care of your own business.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Tedious time passed. Even with painkillers, the headaches relentlessly tormented Jinhan; they only subsided temporarily. Examination results showed no pathological problems in his brain. Given a diagnosis of nervous headaches, Hwang Gyeong-ok began devising various methods.

“Jinhan, I can’t come to the hospital starting tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

“Will you be okay alone?”

“A new caregiver is coming anyway. You worry too much.”

Hwang Gyeong-ok truly didn’t come the next day. Jinhan, who had barely eaten breakfast, had just fallen asleep when someone entered his hospital room. He thought it was the new caregiver. He had switched to a male caregiver because the female one made him uncomfortable, so Jinhan mumbled without opening his eyes.

“You can use the cabinet at the very end. And could you get me some fresh water?”

When Jinhan said this, the caregiver was supposed to briefly introduce themselves and reply, ‘Understood.’ But at the sound of footsteps walking directly to his bed, he frowned and opened his eyes.

“Didn’t you hear what I just said...? Why are you here?”

“Oppa, are you very sick?”

It wasn’t the new caregiver who had visited Jinhan’s hospital room, but Bomi.

________________________________________

After their blind date, due to Chairman Yoo’s situation, Bomi and Jinhan hadn’t been able to arrange a second meeting until now. He had briefly forgotten about her, and now he was meeting Bomi again in such a disheveled state. Jinhan looked ridiculous with his hair unwashed for days and a beard poking out from below his nose. The previous caregiver had offered to shave him, but he had refused, feeling uncomfortable.

“How did you get here?”

“Your mother contacted me. She asked if it wasn’t time for us to have a date.”

“Date?”

“Yes, she said you were in the hospital, so I thought you must be doing alright, but I guess not.”

“If you’ve seen how bad I look, then leave.”

“How can you tell someone to leave as soon as you see them?”

Bomi’s hair was a little longer than before. Still, her round back of the head, innocent large eyes, and fair skin... she was no longer the young girl she once was. Jinhan was not only conscious of the situation but also utterly embarrassed. He was infuriated that Bomi had to see him in such a pathetic state.

“You make me uncomfortable when you’re here.”

“I’ll make that thought completely disappear. Because today is our date.”

“Bomi!”

“Ugh, let’s air this out. Why is the hospital room air like this?”

Bomi immediately opened the curtains wide. The clear autumn sky and sunlight streamed onto the bed, making Jinhan squint.

“Oppa, when you have a headache, you should breathe fresh air.”

“What do you know?”

He was being unnecessarily surly with Bomi. Regardless, Bomi placed the bouquet she had brought into a vase. She approached Jinhan, sniffed his hair, and gasped, covering her nose.

“Ack, how long has it been since you washed your hair?”

“I was going to wash it today. When the caregiver came.”

“I’ll do it for you.”

“I said no.”

Bomi stubbornly made Jinhan sit up. After checking that his legs were fine, she examined his face.

“Do you want to take a bath first?”

“What?”

As it was a VIP room, the bathroom boasted the standard of a decent hotel. Bomi filled the bathtub with water and added the bath salts provided. Meanwhile, Jinhan called Hwang Gyeong-ok. When the call connected, he immediately challenged her in a flustered voice.

“Mother, why did you send Bomi?”

-Only people can heal the wounds inflicted by people.

“That depends on the person.”

-Bomi seemed to be okay with you.

“Pardon?”

-It seems she was waiting for your call ever since the blind date.

“Bomi was?”

-Don’t push her away, just try to get along.

Jinhan found Bomi’s unusual energy burdensome and tried to avoid her. This was especially true during the period he was infatuated with Hae-joo.

“Bomi is seven years younger than me.”

-So be grateful and cherish her. What is love, anyway? I’m hanging up.

Love, she said. Jinhan let out a hollow laugh. With his body aching, he couldn’t understand his mother’s intention of making him love. Besides, Bomi was still young and... Young... He thought she was just young...

“Oppa, the bath is ready! Take off your clothes.”

Bomi had reappeared as a woman. With thin neck extending below her short hair, delicate features, and beautiful eyes, she brazenly tried to undress Jinhan. He snapped back to his senses and hastily protected his clothes, stopping Bomi.