Chapter 122: There Was A Sea (4)

Woo Jae-Hoon sounded curt over the phone, and the surroundings were noisy as well.

Why did you call? Im busy, so get straight to the point.

I called you a few times, but you didnt answer them.

Ive said that Im busy, and I still am. So what is it?

How are preparations going for the movie?

Woo Jae-Hoon was working on a new movie. He had chosen to work on another movie since talks with Ha Jae-Gun didnt end well. The t.i.tle of the new movie was

The Himalayas

. It was based on a true story and had been announced on the news.

Whether its going great or not, whats it to you?

Dont act this way, Director. No, Woo Jae-Hoon hyung.

Dont call me that.

Feeling sad, Park Do-Joon placed one hand on the wall and said, "You're making me feel bad. You always said you'd be understanding toward me and told me to act whichever roles I like."

Did I say that? You literally stabbed me in the back. You betrayed me.

"Betrayed?"

Yeah, betrayed. You're a traitor, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Woo Jae-Hoon put a strong emphasis on the word

betray

, rendering Park Do-Joon speechless.

Think back on how much I've taken care of you up until now. How dare you be ungrateful and follow that Ha Jae-Gun punk? Can you even imagine how I felt? If you're not a traitor, what are you, then?

Park Do-Joon's breathing got rougher, like the waves cras.h.i.+ng onto the stones.

"Hyungno, Director How can you label this as a betrayal? And I'm ungrateful? I abandoned you and followed Ha Jae-Gun? That does not make sense at all. I'm just following the character Cho Kang-Jae that he created!"

There's no need for you to raise your voice at me. This is the end between us. Lets see how well you fare with that rookie director. Character? Quality?

Ha.

Do you really think that its that easy to turn a movie into a box-office hit? Youll probably have a hard time next year onward.

Park Do-Joon only listened to Woo Jae-Hoons curses and bad criticisms silently, with his jaw clenched. He then saw his manager approaching, signaling with his gaze, asking what phone call it was.

Ill just ask you one thing.

Aigoo

, sure. Ask me anything.

Why did you do this to Na-Yeon?

Woo Jae-Hoon didnt give an immediate answer.

Despite feeling his managers anxious gaze on him, Park Do-Joon continued. Its because of you that she quit her job and went back to acting. Even if you couldnt look out for her, isnt leaving her alone the least you could do?

Are you trying to reprimand me right now? And what nonsense are you spouting?! Are you implying that Ive been spreading rumors about her being a host girl?![1]

I heard it from Bo-Ra, she said that you told her about it.

Hey, I just mentioned it in pa.s.sing while drinking! I didnt even talk much about Na-Yeon to her!

Woo Jae-Hoon was obviously fl.u.s.tered because he had raised his voice.

Park Do-Joon scoffed and leaned his head on the wall. The good feelings he had for Woo Jae-Hoon instantly crumbled.

Ah,

whatever! Im hanging up!

The call was cut off unilaterally at the same time as Woo Jae-Hoon yelled into the phone.

Park Do-Joons continuous ridicule made his manager ask cautiously, Thats Director Woo Jae-Hoon, right?

Park Do-Joon nodded his head limply while his manager let out a sigh.

I told you so. I said that he wouldnt let things go so easily.

It doesnt matter anymore. I actually feel quite refreshed now.

Park Do-Joon stretched and shook the sand off of his feet.

Do-Joon, Producer Oh called.

Producer Oh? What is it about?

To cast you as a guest for

I Live Alone.

Its the best timing to appear on the show now, too.

Park Do-Joon looked down at the ground and nodded slowly.

I Live Alone

was a doc.u.mentary-type variety show that showed the daily lives of solo-living celebrities, and it had always been performing well with relatively good viewers.h.i.+p ratings, so there was no reason for Park Do-Joon to reject it.

It would also become a good platform to promote

There Was A Sea

.

Youll guest on it, right? Do-Joon? Its nice to build up your image as an actor, but if you continue to reject such offers, your entertainment sense could get lost entirely.

All right, Ill go on it.

And, about Writer Ha Jae-Gun

What about Ha Jae-Gun?

Can he appear on the show as well? Youre distant from your family, and theres no way we can have Chae-Rin go on the show with you.

I think Writer Ha is the best person right now. Plus, itll look good to see the most popular actor and bestselling writer of the original novel be good friends. You guys can talk about the posts shared on social media. Actually, this was brought up by the producer first.

Park Do-Joon looked up at the sky and fell deep in thought.

His manager was right. However, would Ha Jae-Gun even agree to appear on the show? Park Do-Joon was afraid that he would get rejected, so he was afraid of bringing it up to Ha Jae-Gun personally.

Hyung, why dont you ask Jae-Gun about it?

Why would I? Youre now so much closer to him, seeing how youre even hanging out at his place and all.

Those are two separate issues. Im hungry, lets go have some food.

Park Do-Joon spun around, heading back to the bed and breakfast run by Jung So-Mis family with his phone in hand. He had wanted to send a text message with words of consolation, but he stopped himself midway.

***

Good job, Yeon-Woo.

Lee Yeon-Woo was smiling and looking all proud at the writers office in Bucheon. He had just completed volume six of

Martial G.o.d Management.

The novel didnt fare well, but the flow was undisturbed, so he managed to end it successfully.

You will still get some royalties since itll be published in the form of ebooks as well. So relax and prepare for your next novel.

Okay, Jae-Gun hyung. Its all thanks to your help.

The season had already changed, and it was now autumn.

Lee Yeon-Woo successfully closed his debut novel while the other writers were busy advertising their own novels. Yang Hyun-Kyung also regained his confidence and determination.

Meow.

Ill play with you in a while, Rika. Ill be finally done with the scenario after another week.

Tadadak! Tadak! Tadadak!

Ha Jae-Guns fingers started typing away at bullet speed. He was at the final stage of completing the scenario, so he wasnt too far away from putting that last period of the sentence of the final scene.

The typing sounds felt unusually chirpy to him, and it was mostly influenced by Director Yoon Tae-Sung.

Contrary to the strict impression shown during their negotiations, he had approved over ninety-nine percent of the scenario that Ha Jae-Gun had written. There was no way things wouldnt go smoothly. He was in a good mood, after all.

Hyung, its time for us to head out. Its already 3 p.m.

Is it that time already?

Ha Jae-Gun saved his

Word

doc.u.ment and stood up from his desk. Today, he would appear in a cultural radio broadcast.

Ha Jae-Gun even gave a lecture to a group of new employees from a large corporation just a few days ago. Lee Yeon-WooHa Jae-Guns managerhad also become his chauffeur.

Ill be back with Yeon-Woo, then.

Please be safe.

Have a safe trip.

Kang Min-Ho and Jang Eun-Youngs replies and expressions were somewhat stiff, and Ha Jae-Gun could swear that he hadnt seen the two talk to each other since morning.

Did they fight?

Ha Jae-Gun found it strange, but since time was tight for him, he couldnt ask about it and had to leave the office.

Its annoying to have to leave while in the middle of working on the novel, Ha Jae-Gun muttered as he climbed into the backseat.

Lee Yeon-Woo entered the address in the navigation and smiled before saying, President Kwon and Editor-in-chief Oh Myung-Suk had chosen all of these for you, so its best if you did it for them too.

Lee Yeon-Woo took out his phone and double-checked the schedule before adding, Next week, youve got the movie press conference on Tuesday for

There Was A Sea

, and dinner with Professor Han Hae-Sun on Wednesday evening, then dinner with Editor-in-chief Oh Myung-Suk on Friday evening.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled while Lee Yeon-Woo turned around.

Seeing how much youre taking care of my schedule makes me feel like Ive really become some celebrity.

But, hyung, you are a celebrity, Yeon-Woo said seriously.

Ha Jae-Gun facepalmed and chuckled at Lee Yeon-Woos reaction, almost forgetting the fact that the latter was Poongchun-Yoos biggest fan.

The car drove out of the car park and onto the roads.

But, hyung, you should appear on TV as well. Why are you only going on radio shows?

Um

Its good to go on current events or educational programs, too. Youre good at giving lectures and arent camera-shy. Werent you asked to appear on a variety show as well?

It feels kind of ambiguous.

Ambiguous?

Ha Jae-Gun nodded and explained himself. For shows like

A Writers Study,

theres a clear focus on why I had to appear on the show. I also wanted to share more about my novels. Its the same for the radio show that Im going to appear on today.

Hmm,

I see.

But the TV show requests thats been coming in recently didnt have those. They can definitely find someone else to replace me if I reject them as well.

I kind of understand where youre coming from.

Instead of just showing my face to the public without mentioning my work at all, Id rather stay in the office and work on my novel. Thats just what I think.

Im not very sure, but thats cool, hyung.

Hey, stop that weird expression and focus on the road.

Bzzt!

Ha Jae-Gun looked at his phone to see an unknown number showing on the screen.

Lee Yeon-Woo quickly turned down the music for Ha Jae-Gun as he answered the call.

h.e.l.lo?

h.e.l.lo, Writer Ha. Im Park Do-Joons manager, Woo Tae-Bong. Are you available to talk?

Ah,

yes. h.e.l.lo. Im able to talk now.

I should be congratulating you first. Ive just seen on the news that the novel

There Was A Sea

has. .h.i.t over 500,000 copies sold. Ive contributed to the number as well by purchasing a copy.

Haha,

I see. Thank you. Its all thanks to you that sales. .h.i.t 500,000 copies, then, Ha Jae-Gun replied with a light-hearted joke.

As their laughter died down, Woo Tae-Bong continued softly.

I actually called to ask you about Park Do-Joons broadcast request. Have you heard of

I Live Alone?

The program shows celebrities who live alone, right? I know of it, Ha Jae-Gun replied.

He didnt watch TV often, but

I Live Alone

was actually one of the few popular programs that he was familiar with.

Yes, thats right. Do-Joon has been scheduled to go on the show before the premiere of

There Was A Sea

. Have you possibly watched it before?

Hmm,

I might have watched a few in pa.s.sing, but Ive never watched an entire episode before.

They sometimes have the guests family or friends appear on the show together, or the guest would head outside to play; otherwise, itd be boring if only the guest were shown on the episode alone.

Ah,

I see Ha Jae-Guns tone dropped, realizing what Park Do-Joons manager had called him about.

Id be extremely grateful if Writer Ha Jae-Gun could help him out with this. Itll become a great promotion for the movie. Theres no need for you to feel burdened. The program has no script, you just have to hang out naturally with Do-Joon.

Park Do-Joons manager quickly added, fearing that Ha Jae-Gun would reject.

I personally hope that Writer Ha will appear on the show with Do-Joon. It isnt just me, but Do-Joon hopes that youll join him as well.

Um

Do-Joon couldnt bear to bring this up personally, thats why I called you instead. Hes quite soft-hearted than he looks, afraid that others might reject him if he decided to ask them for a favor, and he would always get hurt by the rejections.

The face of the always-bright Park Do-Joon appeared in the car window in Ha Jae-Guns eyes.

Ha Jae-Gun made a decision and said, Okay, Ill do it.

Thank you so much, Writer Ha. Ill never forget this favor.

I trust in your words that theres no script that Ill have to prepare myself with.

Hahaha,

of course. Thank you so much. Ill contact you again soon.

As soon as Ha Jae-Gun ended the call, Lee Yeon-Woo asked immediately, Have you decided to appear on

I Live Alone?

Together with Do-Joon hyung?

Youve got a great hearing. You heard the entire conversation?

Ten minutes later, Ha Jae-Guns phone vibrated, and the screen lit up.

It was a text message from Park Do-Joon.

- Dont be mistaken! Im not making dinner for you just because Im grateful to Oscar!

Ha Jae-Gun chuckled at the message.

Park Do-Joon used the line by a female character in

Oscars Dungeon

to express his grat.i.tude in a roundabout manner.

Ha Jae-Gun returned the gesture in kind by replying with Oscars line.

- Ive never been mistaken. If youre really thankful, theres no way youll only repay me with just this.

- Hey, Jae-Gun. Stop it, and keep your weekends free, alright?

- Okay.

Ha Jae-Gun kept his phone away and looked up. He leaned back on the headrest and suddenly recalled the strange looks on Kang Min-Ho and Jang Eun-Young when he was leaving the office.

Oh, right, did something happen between Writer Kang and Writer Jang? They didn't look so good when we left.

Really? Ive been busy working on my novel, so I havent felt anything different from them.

Hmm,

I hope its not a big deal.

Ha Jae-Gun looked out of the window.

Winter would soon come, and Ha Jae-Gun found it a pity that time was pa.s.sing so fast.

1. They call it room girl in Korean