慈禧太后的秘密

Chapter 356

“Is everything going well?” Joongjin asked as he walked in.

He was wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt, shorts with a droplet pattern, and cheap slippers which made him look like he was some neighborhood unemployed person.

“Why do you go around looking like that? Where has the dignity of movie directors gone?”

“It’s tiring to consider every little thing like that. I’ve been wearing a suit all the time recently, so it’s been really hard on me,” Joongjin spoke as he rubbed his stubble.

He was really unpredictable. If he wore a suit, he would look like a corporate executive, and if he wore clothes that were in style, then he would look like a stylish young movie director, but he always wore casual clothes other than when it was really important.

“It must hurt to fall on their back like that.”

Joongjin frowned as he looked at the students that fell backwards.

“I thought you wanted a dynamic action scene. If you want dynamic, then they need to know how to protect their bodies at least.”

Choongho instructed the students to fall on their sides after that. Bangjoo, who learned Judo, did a demonstration for the students. It was really easy for Choongho since someone knew how to do it.

“Should I give you some tea?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“You guys can take a break after that.”

They went to the office and Choongho turned on the electric kettle.

“Do you still drink thick coffee these days?”

“Three at minimum.”

“Watch your blood sugar. You aren’t young anymore.”

“Forty-four is still young. Also, right back at you. You’ll become fifty soon so aren’t you at the age where you have to wrestle with pens and papers? If you break an arm or a leg doing what you did when you were young, it won’t heal as fast you know?”

“Should I experiment how long it takes to heal after I break it?”

When Choongho looked like he was about to give him a kick, Joongjin quickly shook his hands in the air and said that he was joking. Choongho then gave Joongjin, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, the coffee cup. It was some thick coffee with three sticks worth of coffee sticks.

While drinking, Choongho observed Joongjin. This peculiar fella was a rare creature that provokes one’s curiosity just by looking at him. Joongjin raised his pinky before dipping it in the coffee. He quickly stirred the coffee before pulling his finger out and putting it in his mouth.

“Isn’t it hot?”

“It is.”

“You really didn’t throw away any of your old habits. You just have to touch every food with your fingers, don’t you?”

“Isn’t that obvious? People these days are too focused on the visual aspect. When they look at pretty food, they just take a photo before starting to eat. Isn’t that such a pity? They should try touching it, smelling it, and if it’s something sizzling or boiling, they should try listening to it as well. Stimulus is everywhere in this world. Not being able to experience all of it is such a pitiful thing.”

Only after sucking on his pinky did he start drinking his coffee. He hadn’t changed from five years ago. The peculiar actions of this man flashed through Choongho’s head, but he did not put them to words. There were many events that would make him tired just by remembering them. Even three days and nights wouldn’t be enough to change those events into words.

“I was too busy last time to hear anything from you. What have you been doing for the last five years? I don’t think you were even in the country.”

Joongjin drank the coffee in one gulp before slamming down the empty paper cup on the table.

“How sweet. Oh, you asked what I was doing? I got bored of shooting movies, so I went travelling.”

“Travelling?”

“Yes. I’ve been to Europe, China, and even the pilgrimage. Man, the weather was insane over there. An old lady started off in the morning like it was a morning walk, so I followed her, but I almost fainted because of the heat. Some foreigner explained something in French the night before at the pilgrim’s house, and it turned out he was telling us to take extra underwear. My boxers were wet because of all the sweat. I swear I could get a bucket of water if I squeezed it.”

“You didn’t even look into it before going?”

“That’s not travelling. Travelling is about going and learning. If I research a lot of things before I go, I will be bound by that knowledge. Like that, there’s no point in travelling. I’d rather look at photos on the internet at home.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t been to the hospital for anything serious at your age.”

“Well, my body is sturdy. Oh, I took a photo in front of the Santiago De Compostela, do you wanna have a look? It’s the cathedral at the end of the pilgrimage, and I ended up hugging the American that went with me and cried together.”

“I’m okay.”

Choongho crushed the empty paper cup he drank coffee from and threw it in the trash. It bounced off the wall and went straight into the trash can. Seeing that, Joongjin tried to do the same thing, but it didn’t go in. Joongjin repeated his actions several times until the paper cup went in. When it eventually went in, he said ‘now we’re even’.

Looking at Joongjin reminded Choongho of Peter Pan. He was aging on the outside, but he was still a challenging youth that did not lose his adventurous spirit on the inside. Of course, that didn’t mean that he was na?ve.

“Do you smoke?”

“I quit.”

“What happened?”

“It was boring.”

“Why are you looking for fun in smoking? People don’t smoke for a reason.”

The flintstones on the lighter made some sounds as it rotated.

“So you’ve been wandering all over the world before coming back to Korea?”

“I guess that sums it up. I’ve been away for too long, and I started becoming homesick.”

“What homesick. You’re probably bored of travelling.”

Hearing those words, Joongjin just grinned.

“But I’m surprised you managed to get investors.”

“I did some legwork and asked some people with money.”

“Who does the distribution?”

“Lucky.”

“That’s a small company though. They shouldn’t be able to distribute it to many cinemas.”

“It’ll be fine once rumors about the movie spread. The thirsty ones will probably dig the well for me.”

“You sound confident.”

“If that doesn’t happen, well, I guess that’s that.”

“I’m sure your investors will love to hear that.”

Choongho put out his half-burnt cigarette on the ashtray. Although he said those words, Choongho thought that this movie would definitely succeed. His reasoning? Because the director was Joongjin. This guy was different from the ordinary folk. He would probably cause a sensation like he did ten years ago.

“It’s about time.”

Joongjin looked at the clock as he spoke.

“Is someone coming?”

“Yes. Oh, you should know her as well.”

Choongho told the questioning Joongjin to wait. Now that he became curious, Joongjin walked around nervously in the office. He really couldn’t endure not knowing something.

After around five minutes, some noise could be heard outside. Choongho opened the door to the office.

“Oho.”

Joongjin smiled and looked at Joohyun standing outside. Joohyun, who was handing out some snacks to the students that were resting, also discovered Joongjin and made a surprised face.

“Director.”

“Wow, it’s been a long time, Miss Joohyun.”

“What brings you here?”

“I have my circumstances.”

Choongho first told Joohyun to come inside. After entering the office, Joohyun took off the cap she was wearing.

“Want some coffee?” Choongho asked.

“No, I’m fine, thanks. Rather than that, director, when did you come back to Korea?”

“I think it’s been three months.”

“And you never contacted me?”

“Sorry about that. I was very busy.”

“That’s just an excuse. You actually didn’t even think about contacting me, did you?”

“Not at all. How could I forget the almighty Ahn Joohyun? You’re the supporting role that made my movie shine.”

Joohyun brought a chair and sat next to the sofa. Joongjin and Joohyun. The one that brought Joohyun to the ranks of superstars ten years ago was Joongjin. Choongho thought about what happened back then. Joongjin looked the same as he was now, but back then, Joohyun was quite a meek lady. She was the type of person that would blush if a man talked to her, but she had changed now. He knew what kinds of things happened to her through the rumors. Choongho thought of her highly due to the fact that she did not leave the industry and forged her way through even after experiencing those things.

“I heard that you went overseas. I never thought I’d see you here.”

“Me neither. So this was the reason Choongho hyung-nim brought me here. Anyway, nice to meet you again, Miss Joohyun.”

Joohyun shook hands with Joongjin.

“Wow, your hands have become rough. Ten years ago, your hands were soft like a baby’s. You’re thirty now, aren’t you?”

“I’m thirty-three. It’s about time they become rough. I learned what the world is like. Rather than that, you haven’t changed at all, director. From your clothes to the way you speak. Even your face hasn’t gotten any older. Dang, looks like only Choongho-oppa and I aged. Just look at him. He’s starting to get strands of white hair, he’s getting wrinkly, and he’s getting chubbier as well.”

“That’s because he went through too much physical ordeal. We’re both in our forties, but this is where self-management shines.”

Choongho smiled bitterly.

“So it’s been ten years since we last got together like this, huh?”

“No. We did meet once around six years ago. During the film festival.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Now that he heard about it, he remembered. They met at Busan’s international film festival and drank some alcohol with just the three of them at a pojang-macha.

“Miss Joohyun, how are you doing?”

“Well, I’m doing good.”

Joohyun glanced outside the door that was slightly open before speaking.

“The movie Choongho-oppa talked about, it’s yours, director?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What made you come back? I thought you didn’t find commercial movies any fun.”

“I want to earn some money to prepare for my old age, and I learned a couple of things when I wandered around the world. Miss Joohyun, are you still taking work after that?”

“Yes.”

“What are you shooting nowadays?”

“I’m taking a break right now. I just finished a drama, so I only have a radio program.”

“Aha, radio, huh. I’ll listen to it later.”

They talked about their recent matters for quite a long time. Choongho left midway to tell the instructor to finish things off.

“Well then. Let’s clean things up after we do some stretching.”

After watching the instructor and the students do some stretching, he came back to the office.

“Is Bangjoo doing well?”

“You’re concerned about your brother?”

“Well, of course.”

“He’s doing well. I’m not sure about acting, but he really has good reflexes.”

Joongjin, who was listening, interjected.

“Miss Joohyun, your brother’s among them?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, Ahn Bangjoo, huh. I remember him. So I guess I should look after him?”

“Please don’t. If you don’t like him, then just use him like you would with anyone else. If you do like him, then you should teach him some things. He’s not the type of person who likes other people giving him special treatment.”

“Alright. Actually, I’m not kind enough to take interest in an uninteresting child.”

“I know that very well.”

Just then, Joongjin took out his mobile phone. Then, he started texting.

“Uhm, if the two of you don’t have any appointments tonight, should we have a light drink? I don’t want to miss this opportunity since I’ve been hanging out with boring people recently.”

It seemed that he was adjusting his schedule. He was putting something into action before other people agreed. Choongho thought that it was very like him.

“I’m good with that. I don’t have the radio tomorrow. What about you, Choongho-oppa?”

“Actually, I planned on eating dinner together with one more person.”

Joongjin raised his head and asked.

“Who?”

“Jangsoo hyung-nim.”

“Oh! I haven’t heard that name in a long time. Is he doing well?”

“He is. He’ll probably be glad to see you again.”

“Wow. The members from ten years ago are getting together again. Oh, are you keeping in touch with Gyungtaek as well?”

“Moon Gyungtaek? I see him from time to time when I’m working. Should I call him as well?”

“Hm, he’s fun, but he’s too crazed about sound. He never comes out when he’s working.”

“I don’t think you’re one who can say that.”

Choongho smiled and reminisced about what happened ten years ago. Thinking about how the main creators of ‘Spring Calendar’ were about to get together again, he smiled subconsciously.

“Hm, I want to see Haejoo as well.”

Joongjin’s eyes turned murky for a brief moment. Choongho also could not smile when he heard that name. Joohyun was probably the same.

“Let’s all make some time and go visit her.”

“Alright.”

“We should do that.”

The three fell silent for a moment when they mentioned the name that brought up a lot of memories for them. At that moment, the door to the office opened and the instructor peeked inside.

“Master. I’ll send them home now.”

“Oh, alright. Tell them that they did well and that they shouldn’t be late to the next practice.”

“Yes. Oh, and there seems to be a guest.”

“Looks like Jangsoo-hyungnim is here. I’ll go take a look.”

He opened the door and looked at the entrance of the training room. He saw Jangsoo waving his hand. One of the students who were leaving the training room stood next to Jangsoo. It was Maru.

“I’m going to have him tag along today. Is that okay?”

“Maru as well?”

“What? It’ll be too lonely with just the two of us.”

Choongho shrugged and pointed at the office. Jangsoo was surprised to see Joohyun and Joongjin inside.

“Hey hey, Park Joongjin!”

“Haha, Jangsoo hyung-nim. It’s been a while.”

“You damn little prick. You didn’t get in touch at all so I thought you were dead. When did you come back to Korea?”

Jangsoo ran and hugged Joongjin tightly.

“I don’t think I should tag along,” Maru spoke with a calm expression.

Choongho thought for a moment before telling him that he should tag along. If it was anyone else, he’d have told that person to go home, but he felt that it would be fine for Maru to come along.

“Let’s go! Since Joohyun is here as well, let’s get something good to eat.”

Jangsoo laughed as he took the lead. Choongho grabbed Maru by the shoulder and dragged him when Maru looked at him and asked if it was really okay for him to join.