Chapter 115: Loud Cheers (10)

"Park Do-Joon, are you really alright?"

"I'm fine. And were already home, so what if Im not fine? Stop worrying and go back home. Youve worked hard today, Park Do-Joon said, waving his hand. His eyes were opened wide as he exerted strength on them whilst his face was flushed red.

He was obviously pretending that he was sober.

Okay, rest up then. Stop drinking. You remember theres a meeting with the advertiser tomorrow evening, right?

Am I dumb? Stop with the nagging and go.

All right, see you tomorrow.

Park Do-Joons manager left his officetel and burst into laughter as he headed for the car.

Seems like they get along pretty well. He hasnt let anyone into his house aside from Chae-Rin and myself.

The manager had just sent a guest to Park Do-Joons place.

The guest was none other than Ha Jae-Gun.

Park Do-Joon stood on the terrace, taking in some fresh air as he looked down at the night view of the city center.

Hooo, control yourself. Otherwise, itll be hard for you tomorrow if you continue drinking.

The two started drinking at an Izakaya that Park Do-Joon frequented. His manager suggested going somewhere to avoid the publics eyes after chasing them all the way to the subway station.

The drinks didnt end so easily.

Park Do-Joon held onto Ha Jae-Gun and suggested going to a more comfortable place for another round of drinks. Ha Jae-Gun was helpless. His refusal and suggestion to drink another time didnt work on Park Do-Joon.

Eventually, they got into Park Do-Joons car and arrived at Park Do-Joons place.

To think the more comfortable place he meant was his own place.

Ha Jae-Gun turned around, and the sight of a s.p.a.cious living room entered his view.

It was a 50-pyeong[1] officetel decorated with a black and white tone. The clean yet cold look made Ha Jae-Gun wonder if Park Do-Joon had ever felt lonely staying here by himself.

Hick

what are youdoing there, Writer Ha? Park Do-Joon asked while hiccuping.

He had just returned after sending his manager off. He was holding a bottle of whiskey and two whiskey gla.s.ses.

I was looking around your house. Im amazed that I actually got to visit a celebritys house.

Amazed? Its just a house where humans live. Come over here.

Are you sure you can have some more?

Im not drunk.

Ah,

Ive forgotten about the snacks. What would you like to have? Ive got cheese, fruits, and

Im fine with anything. Im still quite full, actually.

They sat across from each other on the sofa and clinked gla.s.ses. As the strong whiskey went down their throat, Ha Jae-Gun and Park Do-Joon both frowned at the same time as if on cue.

This is quite strong.

Its because its your first gla.s.s. Ive received a few bottles as gifts, and they taste quite good. Have another gla.s.s.

The two shared a long conversation as they enjoyed their drinks. Unlike during their first round of drinks, where they talked about Ha Jae-Guns life as a writer, they were now discussing Park Do-Joons life in the entertainment industry.

...So I began modeling like a hobo and got to know Director Woo Jae-Hoon. I owe him a lot. Its thanks to him that I could smoothly get a foothold in the film industry after all.

So hes your benefactor

Ah,

Im sorry. You must have felt awkward when I mentioned him.

Please dont mind me. Feel free to speak. Thats my problem to deal with, so you dont have to worry about it.

Ha Jae-Gun enjoyed having conversations with Park Do-Joon. Surprisingly, they were quite alike in terms of mindset. Ha Jae-Gun initially thought that Park Do-Joon was impertinent and loved self-exaggeration, but it seemed like he had been prejudiced.

It was a perfect harvest for him as a writer who still had to gain more traction in his writing. Ha Jae-Gun listened intently to the stories in the entertainment industry that Park Do-Joon had shared with him.

Wow, Ive talked too much about myself. Writer Ha, if youre having a hard time drinking straight whiskey, how about having it on the rocks?

No, its fine. Actually, I Ha Jae-Gun hesitated for a while before continuing. Ive been thinking about this throughout the day today. Ive been wondering how I should address you when youve been calling me Writer Ha.

Address? Feel free to address me however you like.

Its weird if Im the only one calling you Mr. Do-Joon, so please address me by name as well.

Park Do-Joon grinned and picked up the whiskey bottle. He filled Ha Jae-Guns empty gla.s.s and asked casually, Since were of the same age, I wonder if we could become friends instead?

Friends?

Arent you twenty-eight as well?

Ah,

age isnt important here. Am I getting ahead of myself? Park Do-Joon dropped his drunk gaze and smiled awkwardly.

Ha Jae-Gun stopped Park Do-Joon from filling his own gla.s.s. He took the whiskey bottle from Park Do-Joons hands and replied, Lets do that.

Pardon?

Im fine with us becoming friends. Its my honor to be friends with a celebrity, Ha Jae-Gun said as he filled Park Do-Joons gla.s.s.

Park Do-Joons face brightened. He raised his gla.s.s and asked, Do we drop the formal language, too?

Of course.

With the alcohol as the impetus, the two dropped their formalities and burst into laughter. After emptying their gla.s.ses, Park Do-Joon said,

Keugh

, now that were friends, let me say something.

What is it?

You look pretty sharp, but your hairstyle is too common. Join me at the salon I frequent someday.

Ha Jae-Gun shook his head with a dreary smile and said, Im just an ink slinger.

Even writers dress up in this era. Plus, youre a famous writer who even goes on TV shows. Anyway, this is just my two cents Park Do-Joon put on a serious look and said, Id love to be the male lead for

Gangsters Sea

if it gets a movie adaptation.

Thank you for your words.

No, Im sincere about it. Cho Kang-Jaes character is totally up my alley. Im much more confident acting with that role in mind compared to Lee Jin-Hyuk in

Summer in My 20s

. You must remember these words, Im not saying it for fun.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled and nodded. All right, theres something I should tell you, too. Were friends, after all.

What is it? Tell me.

Ha Jae-Gun opened his mouth to speak, but the door lock jingle suddenly echoed and interrupted him.

Oh,

who is it? Did manager hyung leave something behind? Wait a minute.

Park Do-Joon got up from the sofa and staggered his way to the door. However, the visitor had already entered the house. They walked into the corridor and stumbled upon Park Do-Joon.

Oppa!

Ha Jae-Guns eyes flew wide open.

The visitor who jumped onto Park Do-Joon and wrapped her legs around Park Do-Joons waist was none other than AppleTs leader, Chae-Rin.

Ah,

why are you here? You didnt even call me.

I called you so many times! I told you that Ill be coming over if I get some spare time after my dance practice. Yu-Ri is here, too.

Yu-Ri? Hey Chae-Rin, hold on! The drunk Park Do-Joon sobered instantly as he hurriedly pulled Lee Chae-Rin off of him. Behind them stood Lee Yu-Ri, one of the members of AppleT, in a training suit.

Lee Yu-Ri and Ha Jae-Guns eyes met.

Oh,

you have a guest?

Lee Yu-Ris words prompted Lee Chae-Rin to look past Park Do-Joons shoulder.

Lee Chae-Rins jaws dropped upon seeing Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun awkwardly stood up.

W-Writer Ha Jae-Gun?

Lee Chae-Rins face turned pale. She looked at Park Do-Joon, seemingly asking what was happening. Park Do-Joon scratched his cheeks in shame and said, We had some drinks. Jae-Gun, you know Chae-Rin, right? And this is Yu-Ri.

Im a spy if I dont know AppleT. h.e.l.lo, Ms. Chae-Rin, Ms. Yu-Ri.

Ah,

h.e.l.lo. But why is Writer Ha and Oppawhen did you guys become so close?

Today. Jae-Gun, lets talk a bit.

Park Do-Joon brought Ha Jae-Gun to the terrace and sighed, and then he started explaining his relations.h.i.+p with Lee Chae-Rin.

Ha Jae-Gun only nodded at him. He wasnt surprised to hear that Park Do-Joon and Lee Chae-Rin were in a relations.h.i.+p.

Please keep this a secret. AppleT is just starting to get popular, so its going to be quite problematic if it gets leaked.

Dont worry. I can keep secrets well. Ha Jae-Gun a.s.sured Park Do-Joon, and the pair headed back to the living room. Meanwhile, Lee Chae-Rin and Lee Yu-Ri hurriedly stopped their conversation upon seeing the two men.

Dont worry. Do-Joon has already told me about it, your secret is safe with me.

Thank you, Writer Ha.

Ah,

I was really surprised. I never imagined that I would be able to meet you at Do-Joon Oppas house. Lee Chae-Rin used her hands to fan her red face.

Instead of taking a seat, Ha Jae-Gun looked at his wrist.w.a.tch and turned to Park Do-Joon before saying, I should leave now.

Is that so? Theyve just arrived, so you should hang out with us for a bit more.

Yeah, Writer Ha. Ill be upset if you leave right now.

It makes me feel like you're uncomfortable with us here.

Both Lee Chae-Run and Lee Yu-Ri tried to hold Ha Jae-Gun back, but he still refused and shook his head. I was about to leave earlier. Ive got to head to the office tomorrow as well. Ill see all of you again next time when theres a chance.

Jae-Gun, wait a bit. Ill call a taxi for you.

I can just hail one myself. Plus, theres a bus stop up front.

Ha Jae-Gun put on his shoes in the foyer and opened the door, then turned around briefly and said,

Ah,

I almost forgot about what I wanted to tell you earlier.

Oh,

right. What is it?

You wanted to be the male lead for Gangsters Sea, right? We definitely think alike. Actually, I created Cho Kang-Jae using you as the model.

...For real? Park Do-Joon asked in disbelief.

Ha Jae-Gun laughed and tapped Park Do-Joons shoulder lightly.

Im bad at lying. Bye, he said before exiting and closing the door behind him, leaving Park Do-Joon to stew in his own shock in silence.

He turned and looked at himself in the full-length mirror.

An impressive line came out of him.

Ive become disgusted with this lowdown life. I finally realized this when I saw the sea in you. Like your endless sea, I haveI had one in me as well!

Oppa, what are you doing there?

Im practicing to become the male lead for a project.

A project? Has it been decided?

Ill tell you next time. Anyway, stop interrupting me. Go ahead and drink whiskey with Yu-Ri.

Lee Chae-Rin snorted and looked away.

Park Do-Joon didnt comfort her. He remained standing in front of the mirror and spoke Cho Kang-Jaes lines. He was overjoyed to hear that Ha Jae-Gun had used him as a model to create Cho Kang-Jae.

***

- Writer Ha, were reprinting

Oscars Dungeon

. Its selling much better than the Pezellon and Records series. There are also a few other companies, including Comic KT, sending in proposals to adapt it into a webtoon.

- Mr. Ha, the 50,000 reserved copies for

There Was A Sea

preorder have all been sold out. I think this novel will be successful as well.

It wouldnt be an understatement to say that Ha Jae-Gun was on a roll.

Oscars Dungeon

, which was released primarily via paperbacks, was selling like hotcakes. The readers responses on the various portal sites were overwhelming, and Jung So-Mis ill.u.s.trations were making headlines as well.

Meanwhile, Gangsters Sea was renamed to

There Was a Sea

, and it attracted a ton of interest even before it was published. Its pre-orders closed much faster as compared to

Summer in My 20s

.

Wow, Ha Jae-Gun hyung, wont you hit two million copies sold for your novel this time? Lee Yeon-Woo couldnt hide his excitement as he went through the responses.

Summer in My 20s

was still showing in the cinemas, so

There Was a Sea

received great reviews. The audience count for the movie had just gone past four million, and it was expected to slow down as it neared the end of its showing.

Hyung, youre up on the real-time search rankings again! But Park Do-Joon is on it, too. Youre even on the news! Actor Park Do-Joon bowing down in the middle of Apgujeong Rodeo in front of Writer Ha Jae-Gun. What happened between them

Stop reading those and work on your novel.

Ha Jae-Gun had just returned from the bathroom, and he lightly smacked Lee Yeon-Woos head. How can you spend hours on the Internet? Can you even hit 20,000 characters for your Martial G.o.d Management? No dinner for you tonight if you cant hit it.

Woah,

hyung. Youre too much. How can you do this to me?

Get cracking if you dont want to starve.

Lee Yeon-Woo contemplated for a while.

Then, he closed the browser and started writing.

Ha Jae-Gun chuckled lightly and went back to his seat. The moment he reached for his keyboard, a call from Oh Myung-Suk came in.

h.e.l.lo, editor-in-chief.

h.e.l.lo, Mr. Ha. Are you perhaps free either tomorrow or the day after? I thought itd be great to meet this rookie director, Yoon Tae-Sung. This will be his first commercial movie as well.

Director Yoon Tae-Sung? The one who directed

The Forest That Misses You

?

Thats right. Do you know him?

Yes. I dont watch TV, but I watch a lot of movies. I liked his movies. I think he has also filmed quite a few indie movies, I think Ive already watched them all.

Im relieved to hear that you view him highly. Ive talked to him briefly, and he agreed to all of your requests concerning the scenario.

Thank you very much for looking out for me. But, editor-in-chief, would there be any issues with financing and casting? Hes a rookie director, after all.

Those areas do not require your concern, Mr. Ha. As Ive said multiple times before, please leave it to me. You should focus solely on your novel. That would be more than enough.

Thanks a lot. Im free on either day, so please let me know once youve decided on the meeting day and time.

Okay, Ill contact you again.

Beep!

Oh Myung-Suk got out of his and left the study. He walked through the long hallway, where the housekeepers were busy cleaning the gla.s.s windows. He was heading to his father, Oh Tae-Jins bedroom.

Father, its me, Myung-Suk.

Ah. Come in.

Oh Myung-Suk opened the door and entered the room.

Oh Tae-Jin hid the book he was reading and welcomed his son.

What is it?

Ive got something to discuss about an investment.

Investment?

For Writer Ha Jae-Gun. I wish to invest fully in Writer Ha Jae-Guns new novel using OongSung Publication Groups name.

Oh Tae-Jins face stiffened slightly at the mention of Ha Jae-Gun, and he took off his gla.s.ses.

Oh Myung-Suk continued. Ive found a director willing to use Writer Has scenario, but Director Yoon Tae-Sung is still a rookie director.

I see

He has released a few movies, so I will gather other investors to pool money to fill up the gap.

You seem to be quite fond of Writer Ha Jae-Gun.

Hes great at his work. Please dont misunderstand. Objectively speaking, hes quite successful, and he will be helpful to the company.

I get it. Give me a report, and dont worry about the funds.

Yes, Father. Im sorry for disturbing you while you were reading.

Oh Myung-Suk left the room and closed the door behind him.

Oh Tae-Jin took out the book he had hidden away and put it on his desk.

It was Ha Jae-Guns

Summer in My 20s

.

The more he read it, the more he saw signs of his old friend.

Was it just him?

Unfortunately, Oh Tae-Jin would never receive an answer to his question.

1. A pyeong is roughly three square meters