IMM Ch 3
by toujoursNews/Article | [Exclusive] Ji Hyeon, Surprise Appearance on ‘Introduce My Manager’… “First Time Since Debut”
Anonymoushttps://www.todayspring.com/jihyeon/2394279412
(Ji Hyeon standing at the photo zone in a suit.jpg)
[▲Photo=Hot Star News]
Actor Ji Hyeon will appear on MBS’s ‘Introduce My Manager.’
According to coverage on April 9th, Ji Hyeon has confirmed his appearance on ‘Introduce My Manager (hereinafter referred to as IMM)’ and is currently preparing for filming. Ji Hyeon recently entered a period of rest after the conclusion of ‘At the End of That Memory,’ which aired on MBS, and is expected to show various human sides of himself through his appearance on ‘IMM.’
According to an ‘IMM’ official, Ji Hyeon revealed in a previous interview that he maintains a close relationship with his manager. Expectations are high for the chemistry between him and his manager, who has been a reliable pillar of support for the past seven years. There is already significant interest in what his daily life, which has never been revealed since his debut, will be like.
Meanwhile, Ji Hyeon, who debuted as a child model at the age of four, has been active in various fields, crossing over between TV and the silver screen for 25 years. He has appeared in dramas such as ‘Over the Line!’, ‘Heavy Rain,’ and ‘The End of Emotion,’ and movies such as ‘Night Without a Trace,’ ‘Fucking, Rude,’ and ‘Illusion,’ establishing himself as a top actor with a solid fanbase. This unconventional appearance on a variety show is expected to appease fans who will miss him during his break.
The broadcast schedule for ‘IMM’ featuring Ji Hyeon is yet to be determined.
/Reporter Son Hana ([email protected])
Source: [Hot Star News | https://www.hotstar.co.kr/view/1415098]
408 Comments
1 Holy shit, finally
└ Let’s go
└ Let’s go 22
└ 333
└ 4444
└ 5555
2 Crazy ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Ji Hyeon ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
3 No way… Ji Hyeon?
4 Ji Hyeon??? That Ji Hyeon???
5 Wow, this day has finally come
6 What? It airs in May? One month left, haha. I’ll just sleep and wake up, haha.
└ Where does it say it airs in May??/ The article says it’s undecided…ㅠㅠ
└ Can’t you read the room?
7 Ha, crazy. I’ve been waiting for this day lol. The TV in our house is mine that day, bye.
8 Huh, suddenly a variety show?? Didn’t Ji actor say he wouldn’t do variety shows?
└ No no, he never said that. People just assumed he wouldn’t because he never appeared on any.
└ But if he hasn’t appeared in 25 years since his debut, it’s natural to think he wouldn’t lol
└ True, it’s a bit sudden
└ Who cares, we just have to watch lol
└ That’s true
9 Wow, Ji Hyeon????
10 But isn’t it too tiring to film a variety show during his break ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m worried ㅠㅠ
└ Right…
└ 222 I’d rather he rested properly and came back with a better project ㅠ
└ It’s not like he’s not doing projects because he’s filming a variety show. This is an overreaction.
└ (Deleted comment)
└ Huh, comment 10 wasn’t saying it like that, were they?
└ Lol what is this again
└ Don’t stir up trouble and delete your comment;;;
└ Ah, sorry, it was a misreading. I deleted it.
└ ????? I just posted it because I was worried ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I thought he’d be tired since he’s already probably exhausted…
11 IMM? Why IMM and not ‘I Live Alone’?
└ Ji actor is whatever
└ Lol you’re right, why IMM?
└ Because he’s close with his manager?
└ Does Ji Hyeon live alone?
└ Yes, he’s said he’s lived alone since he was young
└ Ji Hyeon being close with someone… I can’t imagine it
└ Our kid also has someone he’s close to
└ Our troubled child also has a friend
└ Ah, is Ji Hyeon really like that lol
└ I’ve been a fan of Ji actor for a long time, and I’ve never heard him say he’s close with anyone;
└ Isn’t it just because he doesn’t reveal his private life?
└ That time when he was asked who he was closest to in the entertainment industry, he hesitated and said his CEO. He really has no friends ㅠ
└ Lol it’s funny that he has no friends, but is close with his CEO lol
12 Lol the reporter’s email lol
└ Oh shit, just saw it lol
└ Hot News reporters’ emails are hilarious lol
└ Lol One Hand lol
13 ‘Expected to show various human sides.’ Human sides? Ji Hyeon with puffy eyes after waking up? Ji Hyeon in sweatpants with holes in the knees? That kind of thing? Can we see that?
└ What are you talking about? Why would CG make his eyes puffy
└ They’d probably even CG puffy eyes
└ The possibility of him showing the human side he didn’t even show when he was 4, at 29?
└ Zero
14 Looking at the article, I’m realizing that 25 years since debut is truly remarkable… 25 years in his twenties… What was I doing when I was four?
└ Dancing in strawberry clothes at kindergarten
└ You had the talent of an idol
└ I was drawing a map on the blanket
└ Why did you do that
└ Why don’t you say I have talent?
└ The talent of a historian
└ Or a geographer?
└ You’re crazy lol
15 I wonder who his manager is… He must be a man, right?
└ Of course, a man
└ He’s a man
└ I’ve seen him before. He’s a very tall man.
└ What does he look like??? Is he handsome??
└ That’s a bit much. He’s a non-celebrity, why are you asking about his looks? It seems like it would be difficult for the commenter to answer…
└ Oh ㅠㅠ Sorry, I didn’t think of that
└ Don’t fight~ I couldn’t see him properly anyway because he was wearing a hat lol
16 ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I was so bummed when ‘End of Memory’ ended ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Variety show? Even better
└ True ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m so happy he’s appearing on something…
└ Right ㅠㅠㅠ I’ve rewatched ‘End of Memory’ so much I’m about to memorize the lines ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└ I could watch an hour of just Ji Hyeon’s face and be entertained ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ
17 Hul, Ji Hyeon… He’s here to tighten up the loose discipline of IMM
└ The great actor has come to instill a sense of urgency lol
└ But it’s funny that none of the panelists there have been active longer than Ji Hyeon
18 Crazy, I’m so excited lol. Come out quickly, I’ll offer water and pray starting today
19 Hmm lol. I don’t really like him appearing on a variety show. Ji actor has an image, and it doesn’t seem to fit
└ 22
└ Me too 333… Honestly, I’m more worried
└ 444 And it seems so random at this timing
└ (Blinded comment)
└ Lol asking if he’s running out of money just because he’s filming one variety show
└ How much is Ji Hyeon’s appearance fee lol
└ Don’t stir things up, just ignore it ㅠ
└ It’s his choice to film it, so who cares;
20 The proportions in the article photo are amazing…
└ Real, almost 9 head-to-body ratio
└ Really… Aren’t his legs crazy long?
└ I heard Ji Hyeon’s legs are over 1 meter long
└ What do you mean 1m? 110cm???
└ If I stood next to him, his legs would reach my waist…
└ Is his face small or are his shoulders broad?
└ Both
└ His face is small and his shoulders are broad lol
└ I’m so turned on by his big hands ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
21 Hul, if it’s IMM, will they reveal his house?? I heard Ji Hyeon’s house is amazing
└ Don’t they not?? ‘I Live Alone’ shows houses, but IMM films outside, I think
└ No, IMM also shows houses
└ They’ll probably show it. He’s not working right now, so his house is the only place to film, right?
└ I hope they show it. I’m so curious what kind of house he lives in
22 7 years with the same manager. That’s a long time
└ Yeah, other actors change managers like it’s an annual event, so he must treat him well
└ Lol… That Ji Hyeon also changed managers all the time 7 years ago…
└ Hul, why???
└ I don’t know… When he was young, his manager kept changing, then the agency CEO was his manager for a while. And then he settled with his current manager, I think.
└ But it could just be like that lol. It’s not really something to judge him for.
23 The works mentioned in the article are all really famous. I guess Ji Hyeon really is a box office guarantee. I don’t watch videos much, but I know them all;;
└ Of course, it’s Ji Hyeon, it can’t fail
└ It’s funny that those are only a fraction of the works he made successful lol
└ Now we need to add OCOM and Alt to that list for it to be complete
24 ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m glad his first variety show is IMM… There are so many rude variety shows these days, but that won’t happen with IMM, right?
└ Ah… Lol you’re right. If this was ‘Neighborhood Brother’ instead of IMM, I’d already be so stressed
└ Lol the panelists there would probably ask him fifteen times if he has a girlfriend with their arms crossed lol
└ Hyeon, be honest, real honest, just between us! Girlfriend… yes or no? Ahahaha, you’re lying again~ You’re not at the age to hide those things~
└ Ugh, I can hear their voices, it’s annoying
└ I like producer Yoo Hye Sun’s variety shows because they’re not uncomfortableㅎㅎ
└ 222 And the editing is hilarious
25 Why is the schedule undecided ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└ I know ㅠㅠㅠ At least tell us which month
-
·
·
188 There’s an article out saying they filmed IMM today!!https://www.hotstar.co.kr/view/1416274
💄
As soon as news of Ji Hyeon’s appearance on ‘Introduce My Manager’ broke, online communities were abuzz. The reaction on Ji Hyeon’s fan forum was especially heated, with a mixture of welcoming and apprehensive responses to his variety show debut. It was only natural that the attention was high, given it was his first variety show appearance since his debut.
Unlike Ji Hyeon, who had long since lost interest in the internet, Eunho reviewed all the reactions, summarizing the necessary parts and keeping them in mind. Thinking about what aspects of Ji Hyeon he should show on the broadcast, how he should treat Ji Hyeon, things like that.
It was part of a manager’s duty to make sure the celebrity they manage is perceived well by the public.
“We’ll set up the camera here, so just drive as you usually do. Our car will follow behind, but you don’t need to worry about it.”
It was the long-awaited filming day for ‘Introduce My Manager.’ Eunho woke up at his usual time and joined the filming crew at the designated location. The crew installed cameras in the van Eunho brought from the agency and explained the general flow of today’s shoot through the assistant director.
“Don’t be too nervous, just relax. If you make any mistakes, we’ll edit them out on our end, so you don’t have to worry about that either.”
Perhaps interpreting Eunho’s expressionless face as nervousness, the assistant director continuously tried to ease his tension with a kind tone. Eunho wasn’t particularly nervous or trembling, but he simply nodded silently. Even if he hadn’t appeared on broadcasts directly, he had experienced countless filming processes.
“Do you have any other questions?”
“No, I’m fine.”
As he answered, adjusting his hat, the assistant director gestured towards the props team. One of the team members, who appeared to be the youngest, rushed over with a small item. The item handed over was a black mask, the kind Ji Hyeon often wore when going out.
“Wear this and take it off when you arrive at the actor’s house.”
“……A mask?”
He wasn’t a celebrity like Ji Hyeon, who needed to hide his face, and even if he were, this was a shoot where his face had to be shown. He didn’t have a cold, nor was there an infectious disease going around, so why would he need to wear a mask?
“Yes, at first, we won’t show your face, but we’ll reveal it later. Since you’re so handsome, we thought it would be more impactful that way. It was a direct order from the PD.”
The assistant director scrutinized Eunho and nodded in satisfaction. He even asked if Eunho knew the ‘taking off glasses to reveal handsome face’ cliché, saying that sometimes the classics work. At that expectant look, Eunho reluctantly accepted the mask.
“Then please wait in the car for a moment.”
After the conversation, Eunho put on the mask and got into the car. With a black hat, a black mask, and black clothes, he looked like a petty thief. Glancing at the illuminated camera, Eunho checked the time and fastened his seatbelt.
‘I should have gotten some sleep…….’
Just as Eunho met with the filming crew early in the morning, PD Yu and the rest of the filming crew would have already visited Ji Hyeon’s home. They would have installed cameras throughout the house and gathered in a corner of the living room, waiting. There was no way that sensitive guy could sleep properly in an environment filled with other people.
‘You’re filming at Ji actor’s house?’
After the preliminary interview, when they negotiated the more detailed filming process, there was one predictable obstacle: Ji Hyeon, in his rest period, had extremely limited filming locations for the variety show. Thus, the proposed location was neither a broadcasting station nor a set, but Ji Hyeon’s own home.
‘If that’s the case, I have a different idea…….’
Having anticipated this situation, Eunho had prepared several alternative plans to suggest to CEO Byeon. For instance, renting a pension and pretending they went on a trip, or choosing one of Ji Hyeon’s unused homes and pretending it was his actual residence.
However, what he hadn’t anticipated was Ji Hyeon’s surprisingly agreeable nod.
‘Tell them to do that.’
‘……What?’
When Eunho turned around in surprise, Ji Hyeon was leaning back on the sofa with his legs crossed, looking relaxed. The location was clearly CEO Byeon’s office, but he was acting as if he were the CEO himself. Casually looking away, Ji Hyeon curled his lips and asked softly.
‘What, did you think I’d make things difficult after agreeing?’
The guy who had been making things difficult from the start was unbelievably brazen. When they signed the contract, he had threatened that there would be no contract renewal if they brought him another crappy broadcast like that. And when CEO Byeon finally exploded after enduring it all, Ji Hyeon had further provoked him by saying, ‘You should manage your blood pressure at your age.’
‘Everyone takes their shoes off before entering, and they leave immediately after one day. If they touch anything in my house, the filming is off, so understand that.’
The conditions that followed were surprisingly simple. Since it was a site managed by PD Yu, nothing that would greatly offend Ji Hyeon would likely happen. After requesting a cleaning service after filming, Ji Hyeon delivered the final blow to the constantly nodding CEO Byeon.
‘And Kwak Eunho’s house will not be revealed.’
Well, it didn’t matter. In fact, it was better this way. Eunho had intended to say the same thing. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to reveal his personal space, but rather because he anticipated the public’s reaction to seeing his rundown villa. People would inevitably speculate about why the manager lived like that while Ji Hyeon lived in such a nice house.
“…….”
Lost in thought, Eunho heard the assistant director signaling from the front of the car. Eunho started the car and clapped loudly in front of the camera, a pre-arranged replacement for a clapperboard.
The MBS-marked car followed the slowly departing van. Eunho tried not to be conscious of the camera as he smoothly turned the steering wheel. It was about a 15-minute drive to Ji Hyeon’s house. The real filming was beginning.
💄
<Introduce My Manager> was a program built around the concept of celebrities personally introducing their managers, showcasing the reliable supporters behind the always-in-the-spotlight stars. It highlighted the important role managers play in their careers, concluding with the celebrity and manager each defining the other’s presence in a single word.
It is said that the number of people aspiring to become managers significantly increased after the show aired. There were criticisms that it was all scripted, but even that minimal scripting was based on pre-interviews. The managers’ awkwardness simply stemmed from their unfamiliarity with the filming environment.
‘A completely realistic portrayal is impossible in this environment anyway.’
After arriving at Ji Hyeon’s house, Eunho parked in the underground parking lot and headed towards the elevator. The camera director trailed closely behind, and another camera was already installed inside the entrance Eunho had to go through. He was worried he might forget they were filming and make a mistake, but it was more difficult to act as if he wasn’t being filmed.
‘That guy is something else.’
As with most celebrities, Eunho sometimes found Ji Hyeon admirable. He was so sensitive to the gazes of others, yet he could smile effortlessly in front of the camera. Even when his mood was sharply on edge, once he passed through the lens, he showed no sign of it.
Ding, the elevator arrived at the top floor. Slowly stepping out, Eunho walked familiarly towards Ji Hyeon’s front door. Shielding the camera with his body, he entered the passcode and heard the click of the lock disengaging.
“…….”
As expected, there was a camera beyond the open door. He’d been to countless filming sets, yet being filmed directly felt different. It wasn’t a particularly pleasant feeling, so as he slipped on the pink, bear-printed slippers, Eunho awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
‘He’s…… not in the living room.’
As expected, Ji Hyeon wasn’t on the living room sofa. Only PD Yu and the camera directors were sitting cross-legged in front of the TV. Eunho figured Ji Hyeon was probably in his bedroom, diligently pretending to sleep. Seeing the clean table, free of pill bottles for once, Eunho glanced around and discreetly took off his mask.
“Hmm……”
Now, what should he do? The guidelines the assistant director gave him only went this far: arrive at Ji Hyeon’s house and take off the mask. After that, just act naturally. The writer’s sketchbook didn’t offer any further instructions either.
‘Just act as usual.’
When they discussed the filming details beforehand, Ji Hyeon only said that, without any further directions. He also added that if Eunho acted consciously, it would show, so he should be as natural as possible.
So, Eunho first took off his hat and washed his hands in the kitchen. He planned to make a simple snack and then go upstairs to wake Ji Hyeon. It would probably make for uninteresting and dull footage, but he wasn’t an entertainer, so there was no need to force screen time in this kind of situation.
He decided on a simple dish of scrambled tomatoes and eggs for breakfast. Normally, he would make soup as well, but since Ji Hyeon had been up all night, he would only pick at his food. It was better to give him something light on the stomach.
Eunho took tomatoes, eggs, and green onions from the refrigerator and laid them out on the table. The camera director came closer to film the ingredients, so he waited awkwardly for a moment. As he started preparing the ingredients, he felt a presence from outside the kitchen.
“……?”
Surprisingly, it was Ji Hyeon. He walked into the kitchen, his bangs slightly damp from washing his face. As Eunho glanced at him, Ji Hyeon took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and asked,
“What are you making?”
His demeanor was completely natural. Three cameras were filming them, but he didn’t seem to mind at all. Only Eunho responded, a bit awkwardly, in his usual blunt tone.
“Scrambled tomatoes and eggs.”
“Did we have cherry tomatoes at home?”
“I bought them.”
There was no need to ask if he slept well. Eunho knew better than anyone that Ji Hyeon hadn’t slept well. Ji Hyeon replied perfunctorily, “Oh,” and gulped down the water, then crumpled the plastic bottle.
“Can I help with anything?”
“……Hmm.”
Normally, he would tell Ji Hyeon to go away, but it seemed like it would be better for Ji Hyeon’s image if they did it together. So, while cutting the cherry tomatoes in half, Eunho gestured towards the eggs with his chin.
“Then crack the eggs into a bowl. Add a little salt.”
Ji Hyeon wordlessly turned around to look for a bowl. The problem was that, despite being in his own house, he had no idea where anything was. Seeing him open a random cabinet, Eunho stopped him.
“The bowls aren’t there.”
“…….”
“Not there, next to it.”
“…….”
“The salt is below that.”
“…….”
“That’s sugar.”
“…….”
“Just sit down.”
In the end, Ji Hyeon sat across the table, having been of no help at all. In a situation where others might feel embarrassed, he simply rested his chin on his hand without any change in expression. Staring at Eunho chopping vegetables, Ji Hyeon quietly moved his lips.
“Honey.”
It was a casual call. Without looking back, Eunho replied.
“What.”
“I think I’ll get a haircut today.”
Eunho glanced at Ji Hyeon’s hair. Since entering his rest period after finishing filming his last movie, his fine hair had grown long enough to cover the nape of his neck. Eunho imagined that if it grew any longer, Ji Hyeon would probably tie it back with a yellow rubber band at home.
“It is about time for a cut.”
Ji Hyeon, who generally disliked being touched by others, avoided going to the salon as much as possible when he wasn’t filming. There wasn’t a particular need to manage it, and he preferred to keep it long in preparation for future roles. If he were to take on a historical drama, longer hair would be more convenient.
Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the hairstyle that would look homeless on others suited Ji Hyeon quite well.
“I should call the director.”
Thinking of Ji Hyeon’s stylist, Eunho mentally organized his schedule. Originally, they were supposed to visit the salon on the day of the pre-interview, but the appointment was canceled due to Ji Hyeon’s deteriorating condition. They hadn’t found a suitable time since then, but it seemed like a good opportunity to get his hair done.
“Just trim the back a bit……”
As Eunho was about to continue, he suddenly felt a subtle sense of dissonance and closed his mouth. Ji Hyeon quietly watching him, the camera filming them. He noticed something odd in the otherwise unchanged scene.
“…….”
PD Yu’s expression was strange. More precisely, the writer and assistant director next to him as well. Their dazed expressions suggested they had something to say.
“……Um.”
He couldn’t ask what was wrong. Reminding himself that they were filming, Eunho swallowed the words trying to escape his lips. Did he make a mistake? He wondered, but Ji Hyeon didn’t seem bothered. He simply popped a cherry tomato into his mouth and continued casually,
“Let’s leave a bit later. Around one or two.”
“Sure…… whatever.”
At his nonchalant attitude, Eunho responded in a slightly perplexed tone. If there was a problem, Ji Hyeon would have noticed first, and since it was being recorded, it wouldn’t matter if there was an NG. The fact that Ji Hyeon remained calm meant it wasn’t a big deal.
“Stop eating those.”
Shaking off the strange feeling, Eunho scolded Ji Hyeon, who was already eating his second cherry tomato. Ji Hyeon shrugged and even popped a whole cherry tomato into Eunho’s mouth. Eunho reflexively accepted and ate it without thinking.
Around the time they finished eating and were having coffee, they were given a short break. Although the observation cameras were still rolling, they knew the footage wouldn’t be used in the broadcast. Eunho called the design director to get permission for filming and then received a brief explanation from PD Yu about the afternoon shoot.
“Just do as you did before. The two of you have such great chemistry……”
Perhaps the strange atmosphere he’d felt earlier was a misunderstanding, as PD Yu showed no signs of noticing anything. He just offered a light comment, “You two are really close.” His eyes twinkled as he said it, but Eunho tried not to overthink it and just nodded.
“Oh, and please have these while you’re on the move.”
PD Yu handed him small bottles of vitamin drinks. Product placement. Eunho easily recognized it and accepted two bottles. It was a brand that the picky eater Ji Hyeon disliked, complaining about the taste, but unfortunately, he would have to drink at least a sip.
Getting ready to go out didn’t take long. Eunho was already wearing outside clothes, so he didn’t need to change, and Ji Hyeon wasn’t the type to agonize over his outfits. He put on a soft knit sweater, beige slacks, and finally snatched Eunho’s hat to wear, completing his preparations.
“……Is there any genre you want to film next?”
On their way to the salon, Eunho, who was habitually focused on driving, looked at the camera installed inside the car and casually started a conversation. He’d forgotten because the staff weren’t present, but as a broadcast, he thought they needed some dialogue.
Ji Hyeon, who had been equally quiet, slowly began to speak with a faint hum.
“Not really…… Since I just did a romance, I thought it would be fun to do something more physical.”
“Like action?”
“Yeah, of course, I’d have to work out a bit, but.”
At his casual reply, Eunho pictured Ji Hyeon’s physique. Ji Hyeon never stopped exercising, even during his breaks, and maintained a toned body he wasn’t ashamed to show off anytime, anywhere. After Ji Hyeon showered and came out in just a gown, Eunho would unconsciously find his gaze drawn to the gaps in the robe.
“Your body is already good, you don’t really need to……”
“Seeing it in person and seeing it on broadcast are different.”
Of course, regardless of Eunho’s opinion, the way a body appeared on screen was different. That’s why Ji Hyeon was careful about even a single glass of water and followed a rigorous workout schedule right before filming a project. At those times, his already defined abs became even more pronounced.
“……How about something like a legal drama?”
Shaking off the thought, Eunho cleared his throat and changed the subject. Even if it was unavoidable due to his profession, he felt sorry that Ji Hyeon couldn’t even eat what he wanted. It might be better to take on a role that was relatively less physically demanding.
“A legal drama?”
“I think you’d look good in a prosecutor’s uniform.”
While there wasn’t anything that wouldn’t suit that face, Ji Hyeon particularly suited austere attire. For example, a priest’s robe, or as mentioned, a prosecutor’s uniform. Perhaps because of his height and long legs, the longer and more flowing the outfit, the better the synergy.
“You’ve played a lawyer, so try a prosecutor.”
His last comment was meant to be a joke, but for some reason, Ji Hyeon didn’t respond. Glancing at the rearview mirror, Eunho saw Ji Hyeon frowning, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, Ji Hyeon murmured in a low voice, as if talking to himself,
“Maybe I should……”
“…….”
It wasn’t a particularly significant reaction, but suddenly, Eunho felt a strange sensation. Similar to how he felt when Ji Hyeon said he would do whatever Eunho told him to. Ji Hyeon wasn’t going to immediately take on a prosecutor role; he simply responded lightly.
“Pick a script for me later.”
Eunho didn’t give a clear answer to Ji Hyeon’s words. He simply made a noncommittal sound, “Hmm, well……” They had always chosen scripts together, but slyly, he found himself attaching meaning to it at times like this.
“You have a better eye for projects than the CEO.”
“The CEO watches this show too.”
“He should.”
Ji Hyeon’s characteristically sweet voice wrapped around Eunho’s ears. Although he spoke playfully, Eunho knew he meant it. Eunho also thought CEO Byeon’s eye for projects was terrible.
As they exchanged trivial chatter, the car arrived at its destination. During that time, Eunho tried his best to keep the conversation flowing naturally to avoid silence in the car. From talking about projects to discussing the school lunches they ate in high school. Ji Hyeon, who initially responded with a disinterested expression, eventually crossed his arms and looked at Eunho with an intrigued gaze.
“Kwak Eunho, you’re working hard.”
After getting out of the car, Ji Hyeon approached Eunho and whispered in a voice only he could hear. When Eunho flinched and furrowed his brows, Ji Hyeon’s eyes crinkled into a thin smile.
“Usually, you barely talk…… Did you prepare conversation topics beforehand?”
In short, he’d figured out why Eunho was chattering so much. Eunho fidgeted with the back of his neck, avoiding Ji Hyeon’s gaze.
“It’s a broadcast. There can’t be dead air.”
“How considerate of you.”
Chuckling, Ji Hyeon looked amused. He seemed to genuinely think so, not in a sarcastic way. Eunho didn’t know what part he liked, but he was glad Ji Hyeon’s mood seemed to have improved.
‘His condition seems good today.’
At least he wouldn’t ask to wash his hair five times, Eunho thought, smiling back at Ji Hyeon. As he chuckled, his usually expressionless face softened. Three cameras quietly followed the two of them.
💄
The filming, which started early in the morning, ended late at night. Ji Hyeon got his hair done at the salon, stopped by a bookstore, and then spent time with Eunho by the Han River. After returning home and removing the observation cameras, the filming crew expressed their regret that filming was over and hinted that they hoped Ji Hyeon would appear again.
“What next.”
In the now empty living room, Ji Hyeon wrinkled his face in distaste. Although the filming ended relatively early (they had initially anticipated an overnight shoot), he had started to lose his patience around sunset. Like the professional he was, however, he hadn’t shown it outwardly.
“There is a next time. We still have the interview.”
An interview was scheduled for next week, based on today’s filming. It was to film Q&As that would be inserted throughout the video. Once the writers provided a draft script, they could prepare answers based on it.
“That will be quick, we can just film that at the studio.”
Ji Hyeon ran a hand through his hair, saying he found it annoying to have people constantly following him. His hair still felt long, but thanks to the slight trim earlier, it looked neatly managed. Eunho glanced at Ji Hyeon, then at the time, and pulled his hat low over his eyes.
“Anyway…… You must be tired, so rest up today.”
“Are you leaving?”
“I have to, it’s late.”
If Ji Hyeon asked him to stay the night again, he’d say he needed to return the van to the company. Thinking this, Eunho headed towards the entrance, and Ji Hyeon wordlessly followed him. Eunho wondered if he was unusually seeing him off, but the way Ji Hyeon was turning off all the lights seemed strange.
“……Why are you following me?”
“The cleaning crew won’t be here until tomorrow.”
Ji Hyeon looked directly at Eunho without any change in expression. As Eunho tilted his head as if to say, ‘So?’, Ji Hyeon asked in a languid voice,
“After all those people were in my house today…… you expect me to sleep here?”
His gaze was genuinely displeased. There were rooms that people hadn’t entered, but even staying in this space seemed to upset him. Understanding his feelings, Eunho checked the car keys in his pocket and nodded.
“Then should we go to a hotel?”
He intended to personally escort the precious actor wherever he wanted to go. Fortunately, there was a decent hotel nearby, so he could just check Ji Hyeon in and then go home.
However, Ji Hyeon foiled Eunho’s plan by putting on his shoes first and saying,
“No, your place.”
“…….”
Eunho’s mouth snapped shut. He gripped the car keys in his pocket and furrowed his brows a beat later. Then, he creased his dark eyebrows and asked,
“What?”
Had he heard wrong? This guy, who couldn’t even sleep in his own home, wanted to come to his place?
As Eunho slowly processed it, a more definite request reached his ears.
“Let me sleep over for just one night.”
Apparently, he hadn’t heard wrong. Ji Hyeon’s request to sleep over was not only bold, but borderline brazen. As Eunho stared at him in disbelief, Ji Hyeon even curled his lips into a relaxed smile.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go at this hour.”
“Are hotels just for decoration?”
“What if someone takes a picture of me going to a place like that.”
What would happen? Eunho would be with him, and a picture of two men wouldn’t be much of a news story. At most, it would garner some attention with a title like ‘Ji Hyeon Visits XX Hotel. What’s Going On?’
“Stop talking nonsense and let’s go to a hotel. I’ll take you.”
“Why waste money on a hotel room.”
“You think my place is free?”
“Then charge me for the stay.”
He had just said he didn’t want to waste money on a hotel, and now this. Eunho thought about telling him to pay the equivalent of a hotel room, but then he realized Ji Hyeon might actually do it, so he held back. Instead, he spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, bringing up things that Ji Hyeon would likely find repulsive.
“I haven’t cleaned in days.”
“…….”
“There’s probably dust all over the floor.”
The effect wasn’t bad. Ji Hyeon frowned in displeasure. Seeing his delicate eyebrows shoot up, Eunho added cheekily,
“It smells because I haven’t aired it out, and the bedding hasn’t been washed in ages. You won’t last 5 minutes in there.”
It wasn’t an environment that the pathologically clean (he did actually have a condition) Ji Hyeon could tolerate. He was probably already feeling a bit queasy just imagining it. Just as Eunho was about to tell him to go to a hotel if he understood, Ji Hyeon responded with a frown.
“Wow…… I highly doubt that.”
“…….”
Eunho narrowed his eyes, flinching. Ji Hyeon’s reaction was different from what he’d expected. Ji Hyeon spoke slowly in a soft voice.
“If you’re going to make excuses, make them believable. With your personality, there’s no way you haven’t cleaned in days.”
“……I sometimes skip cleaning when I’m tired.”
“You haven’t had anything tiring to do lately.”
He seemed to be forgetting who was the tiring one. Of course, Eunho had never been tired of Ji Hyeon himself, though.
“Back in high school, everyone else smelled like sweat, but you smelled like fabric softener. You were the guy who took his gym clothes home to wash them after just one gym class, what are you talking about?”
“That’s because my grandmother……”
Eunho couldn’t finish his sentence, saying it was because his grandmother made him do it. Aside from the fact that the habit stuck, Ji Hyeon closed his mouth as soon as he heard the word “grandmother.” It was ridiculous that Ji Hyeon looked apologetic when Eunho himself was over it.
“……I don’t have a bed.”
Having no other choice, Eunho decided to give in to the childish man just this once. Taking Ji Hyeon home would be extremely troublesome, but seeing him sulk in front of him was even more troublesome.
“If you’re still okay with it, then come.”
“You have a mattress. That’s fine.”
Annoyingly, he was well aware of the state of Eunho’s household. Of course, it was something Ji Hyeon had bought for him, so it was natural he would know. As Eunho gave him a dumbfounded look, Ji Hyeon smiled, his eyes crinkling. He looked genuinely happy, so Eunho couldn’t say anything more.
💄
While the part about not cleaning was a lie, the part about Ji Hyeon not lasting 5 minutes was true. It wasn’t because his place was dirty or smelly, but because he didn’t think Ji Hyeon could adapt to someone else’s space. Ji Hyeon often told him to just move in with him, but Eunho was certain that he wouldn’t be able to live in close quarters with anyone.
However, from the moment he entered Eunho’s home, Ji Hyeon easily surpassed Eunho’s expectations. He did make a strange face after seeing the small interior, but he quickly composed himself and asked for clothes to change into before heading to the bathroom. Even after showering and coming out, he simply asked, looking at Eunho spreading out the bedding,
“Am I sleeping in the living room?”
Eunho paused while spreading out the bedding and glanced at Ji Hyeon. He had lent Ji Hyeon clothes that fit him perfectly, but unfortunately, the pant legs were a bit short. It wasn’t a significant size difference, but Ji Hyeon was slightly taller than Eunho.
Well, it was difficult to find ready-made clothes that weren’t too short for Ji Hyeon. Even though Eunho was taller than average, Ji Hyeon’s leg length was exceptional.
“Why is there only one pillow?”
Ji Hyeon looked puzzled as he examined the bedding Eunho had laid out. One pillow, one blanket. Even the mattress, which should have been there, was nowhere to be seen. Of course, Eunho had no intention of making him sleep in the living room when there was a perfectly good bedroom.
“You sleep in there. I’ve laid out bedding in the bedroom.”
“……Just me?”
“Yeah, there’s a mattress in there.”
Eunho had thought about this since he decided to bring Ji Hyeon home. They couldn’t sleep under the same blanket, so he would make Ji Hyeon sleep in the bedroom and sleep outside himself. Logically, asking to sleep over for a day didn’t mean sleeping together.
However, Ji Hyeon, who should have simply agreed, let out a dumbfounded chuckle.
“Eunho, are you being shy with me now?”
The upturned corners of his lips were quite mischievous. His voice was as gentle as ever, but it was clear he was displeased. At this unmistakable bad sign, Eunho pointed towards the bedroom before Ji Hyeon could say anything else.
“The room is small.”
“…….”
“The mattress is even smaller.”
“…….”
“You won’t be saying that once you see it.”
It wasn’t that small, but the problem was that they were both well-built men. Putting aside Eunho’s feelings, if they lay down together, it would create a somewhat intimate image. Even the slightest movement in their sleep would lead to an awkward situation.
“……Then you should sleep in there, why are you sleeping outside?”
“How can I make you sleep in the living room?”
“You’re treating me like a guest.”
Was it his imagination, or did Ji Hyeon sound a bit hurt? Even so, Eunho pretended not to notice and looked away. There was no point in arguing.
“I’ll go wash up, so go in and sleep or something. The hairdryer is under the TV, so dry your hair properly. You’ll suffer if you catch a cold this season.”
Fortunately, Ji Hyeon didn’t seem intent on arguing further. Although his face was still scrunched up, there was a hint of embarrassment mixed in. It happened occasionally; he’d throw a tantrum and then feel apologetic afterward.
“Ji Hyeon.”
“What.”
This was why Eunho couldn’t refuse him. That’s why he usually tried to be more firm. If he gave in every time, he would truly become a pushover, and Ji Hyeon would surely blame himself for it.
Of course, even with such resolve, he couldn’t ignore the problem at hand.
“I brought you here, but…… if you feel uncomfortable at any point, tell me immediately. It’s not like I don’t know how you are. I’ll take you to a hotel right away.”
“…….”
Ji Hyeon’s expression turned subtle at Eunho’s words. He knew Eunho wasn’t saying this because he didn’t want him there, but because he was genuinely worried. As his manager, who cared about his well-being more than anyone, and as a longtime friend who knew his chronic condition well. He knew how uncomfortable Ji Hyeon could be in someone else’s space, in an unfamiliar place, wearing clothes that didn’t fit.
“You……”
As if choosing his words carefully, Ji Hyeon parted his lips. Inappropriately, Eunho thought those well-shaped lips were quite lovely. Of course, the words that came out of them were far from lovely.
“You make me look like such a bad person.”
It was a statement laden with various emotions. He was being considerate and yet being blamed for it, but Eunho didn’t feel particularly offended. He let out a chuckle, as if he was used to hearing all sorts of things.
“You’re a bad person even without me.”
Why blame him for Ji Hyeon’s bad personality? Even when they first met at eighteen, Ji Hyeon wasn’t particularly nice. He might have gotten better with age (although he was still far from gentle).
“Speak for yourself……”
Having at least a shred of conscience, Ji Hyeon didn’t deny Eunho’s words. He simply frowned in annoyance and sighed. Then, meeting Eunho’s gaze, he spoke in a rather firm tone.
“You’re fine.”
“…….”
“I’ve spent years with you.”
It was a bit funny. By that logic, he should also be comfortable with CEO Byeon. He was closer to CEO Byeon in many ways than to Eunho, who was just a friend. Eunho wanted to ask why he was the only one considered ‘fine,’ but unfortunately, he wasn’t that brazen.
When Eunho finished showering, Ji Hyeon was sitting on the bedding, watching TV. Eunho wondered what he was watching so intently, and it turned out to be a movie Ji Hyeon filmed ten years ago. It was set in a casino in Macau, and Ji Hyeon played a genius boy who grew up in casinos.
“It just started, I see.”
Glancing at the screen, it was the scene where Ji Hyeon just appeared. A slightly younger-looking Ji Hyeon placed his cards on the table with a relaxed smile. A Queen of Hearts and an Ace of Spades. Ji Hyeon won in just one turn. The scene repeated a few similar situations, followed by Ji Hyeon raking in a mountain of chips.
“This movie always makes me feel disgusted.”
“…….”
Eunho, who was about to comment that it was an entertaining movie, closed his mouth. He swallowed his words and asked as if nothing was wrong,
“Why?”
“It reminds me of that time.”
“There was a lot of action.”
It must have been tough. A nineteen-year-old going abroad and struggling for months. He probably had a hard time even drinking water, especially since he couldn’t handle spices well. Eunho remembered Ji Hyeon’s face becoming increasingly gaunt as the movie progressed.
“Well, that too.”
Ji Hyeon replied halfheartedly, his gaze fixed on the screen. Judging by his slow blinking, he didn’t seem interested in the movie at all. Just as Eunho was about to suggest watching something else, Ji Hyeon continued in a monotonous voice,
“After filming that, the bastard I called my friend ghosted me.”
“…….”
Eunho couldn’t ask which bastard had ghosted him. From long ago until now, there had only been one person he could call a friend.
That petty bastard. Cursing inwardly, Eunho forced a neutral expression.
“He must have had his reasons.”
“You don’t know anything.”
A flat voice refuted him. It wasn’t sarcastic or angry, but that made it even more noticeable. Slowly leaning his head back against the wall, Ji Hyeon lowered his gaze.
“That’s what’s really infuriating.”
“…….”
Was it because of his long eyelashes, or his unusually calm hair? Even the light reflecting in his eyes looked forlorn. While Eunho missed the chance to respond, Ji Hyeon had already turned his gaze back to him.
“If he had his reasons, why didn’t he contact me?”
Eunho knew what Ji Hyeon was upset about. He just usually kept silent because he wasn’t good with words. Of course, there was also the problem of this guy dredging up something that happened ten years ago.
“…….”
Instead of saying anything, Eunho rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. Ji Hyeon on the TV was now playing with the casino chips. His sleight of hand, one of the movie’s highlights, was something he had practiced countless times since receiving the script.
“……Can you still do that?”
It was an awkward change of topic, but Ji Hyeon willingly went along with it. He said his hands were stiff now, and casually imitated the hand movements from the movie. The way his long fingers moved was similar to how he used to diligently practice at his desk.
It was during their senior year of high school, over a year after they became friends.
💄
With the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) a month away, the school was filled with a restless and distracted atmosphere. Despite the expected tension, the conversations revolved around lunch menus and bets on the lunchtime soccer game. As soon as break time started, some students slumped over their desks. Eunho, about to memorize English vocabulary, glanced at the seat next to him.
‘Filming a movie?’
‘Yeah.’
The student sitting next to him was none other than Ji Hyeon. Just like in their sophomore year, they were in the same class again in their senior year. Because they were both tall, they sat in the back row and naturally spent two semesters as deskmates.
‘So I won’t be coming to school starting tomorrow.’
Ji Hyeon spoke casually, rolling a 500 won coin between his fingers. The coin, starting between his index and middle fingers, traveled to the space between his ring and pinky fingers and then back to its original position. It was a slow and deliberate movement, but it became smoother with each repetition.
‘Must be tough.’
It was common for Ji Hyeon to miss school, so Eunho didn’t react with much surprise. They didn’t even bother calling his name for attendance anymore, so there was no need to act surprised. Strictly speaking, him being here like this was the more unbelievable thing.
‘……I probably won’t be back until graduation.’
‘Really?’
It made sense. It was October, and movie filming would take at least three months, even at its shortest. As for the CSAT, it didn’t matter since he wasn’t going to take it anyway. It was highly likely he wouldn’t be able to attend the graduation ceremony in February either.
‘Can’t be helped. Be careful.’
‘…….’
Despite his sincere words, Ji Hyeon didn’t respond. He simply kept his mouth shut and focused on playing with the coin.
He’s lasting quite a while this time. Just as Eunho thought this, someone approached them.
‘Hyeon.’
‘…….’
The smoothly rolling coin abruptly dropped. It rolled towards Eunho’s desk and clattered to a stop. This was the fifth time. Mentally counting, Eunho stared at something being held out to Ji Hyeon.
‘My friend told me to give this to you.’
‘……Oh.’
Ji Hyeon’s gaze shifted from the rolling coin and he let out a soft exclamation. It was a brief moment, but Eunho noticed a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. Of course, when he looked at the student who called him, there was no trace of it left.
‘Is this for me?’
‘Yes, he’s a fan of yours…….’
The offered item was a small, beautifully wrapped box. Pointing with his index finger towards the front door, where the apparent owner of the gift, a student Eunho had never seen before, stood shyly looking at Ji Hyeon. He seemed to be watching from afar, unable to enter due to the ‘No Entry for Students from Other Classes’ rule.
‘I appreciate the thought, but…… the company gets upset if I receive too many personal gifts.’
With an apologetic look, Ji Hyeon spoke in a regretful voice. He added that it would be troublesome if there were expensive items mixed in, and asked for understanding. Just as the student was about to say something more, Ji Hyeon gently curved his eyes and reached out towards the box.
‘So I’ll just take the letter.’
He took the letter that was handed to him along with the gift. Even when other students visited him before, Ji Hyeon recited the same lines and only took the letters. Those who initially looked disappointed couldn’t help but retreat at his gentle smile.
‘Tell your friend thank you.’
Just like a celebrity, he handled the situation skillfully. Accepting gifts, rejecting them, and his habitual smile all seemed natural. As the student nodded and walked away, Eunho murmured something he’d been thinking about.
‘A lot of kids are giving you gifts today.’
It happened often, but the frequency was particularly high today. Students coming to see Ji Hyeon, not only coming to see him but also giving him gifts, and those gifts all being beautifully wrapped. It might be understandable at the beginning of the semester, but it was nearing the end of the semester now. What was the reason for this sudden fuss?
‘I guess so.’
Ji Hyeon responded indifferently and retrieved the coin he’d dropped earlier. He placed the letter he had just received neatly on a corner of his desk. Playing with the coin as before, he added casually,
‘It’s my birthday today.’
‘……What?’
Snap, the lead of Eunho’s mechanical pencil broke. He’d pressed down on it unconsciously. Startled, he turned to Ji Hyeon, who was looking back at him with a dumbfounded expression.
‘You didn’t know?’
‘…….’
Of course he didn’t. How could he know when Ji Hyeon’s birthday was unless he was told directly? Ji Hyeon’s birthday was probably readily available online, but Eunho wasn’t that observant.
‘Well, I guess it’s understandable. You weren’t at school last year for my birthday.’
‘……Hmm.’
Eunho awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. Ji Hyeon didn’t seem particularly offended, but Eunho still felt bad. Almost the entire school had celebrated his birthday, while Eunho hadn’t even said a word of congratulations.
‘Did you have seaweed soup?’
‘No.’
He just asked to change the subject. Eunho always had seaweed soup that his grandmother made for him on his birthday. But why did Ji Hyeon’s downcast eyes linger in his mind?
‘I don’t usually eat that kind of stuff.’
‘…….’
That guy had unnecessarily long eyelashes. His overall delicate features looked unusually forlorn. Ji Hyeon was simply focusing on rolling the coin, yet it was enough to make Eunho put down his mechanical pencil and ask,
‘……Are you leaving early today too?’
That day, for the first time in his life, Eunho climbed over the school wall during lunch break. Ji Hyeon, who followed him over the wall, asked why he was doing this, but Eunho just silently headed towards a stationery store near the school.
And there, Eunho spent all his money on a necklace.
‘Why a necklace?’
It was a thin silver chain with a capital letter pendant. It was a trendy initial necklace, and the letter Eunho chose was ‘H.’ When Ji Hyeon asked why he bought it, Eunho held out the necklace and said a single word.
‘Birthday present.’
He’d been thinking about it all morning. What could he possibly give this picky guy? Writing a letter felt too awkward, and giving him something like a gift certificate, like the other guys did, seemed inappropriate for someone like Ji Hyeon.
Then, he happened to see Ji Hyeon’s long, slender neck above his shirt collar.
‘I thought you’d look good in a necklace.’
‘…….’
Instead of taking the necklace, Ji Hyeon blinked silently. His gaze slowly shifted to the necklace in Eunho’s hand. He seemed a little surprised, so Eunho averted his gaze and explained,
‘It’s cheap, so you can throw it away if you don’t need it…….’
‘Are you crazy?’
A sharp voice cut him off. Ji Hyeon snatched the necklace from Eunho and clutched it in his hand. His furrowed brows seemed to scold Eunho.
‘Why would I throw this away?’
As always, he was subtly sensitive. The way his face softened as he examined the necklace with what seemed like genuine interest was proof of that. He had apologized for calling Eunho’s phone a piece of junk before, and despite his harsh words, his actions were always different.
‘If I wear this, people will think it’s a luxury brand.’
Ji Hyeon chuckled, saying there was a similar design from a luxury brand. It was a barely noticeable change in expression, but it felt much more pleasant than the smile he’d shown in the classroom.
Feeling a strange fluttering in his chest, Eunho put his hands in his pockets and casually opened his mouth.
‘Have a good time filming.’
‘…….’
‘Don’t get hurt doing action scenes.’
It was a blunt farewell, but it was more heartfelt than ever. He knew Ji Hyeon sometimes came back with minor injuries after filming. Why wouldn’t that precious actor take care of himself? He also knew that Ji Hyeon often got scolded by someone he assumed was his CEO because of it.
‘……Hey.’
After a long while, Ji Hyeon finally called out to Eunho. As Eunho nodded for him to continue, Ji Hyeon asked with a serious face,
‘You’re smart, right?’
‘……Not bad, I guess?’
‘Not bad, my ass.’
What nonsense is the top student in the school spouting, Ji Hyeon retorted. Wondering what he was getting at, Eunho chuckled. Then, Ji Hyeon added in a commanding tone,
‘Memorize it. 010…….’
He recited eleven digits that sounded like a phone number. After repeating it twice clearly, Ji Hyeon even made Eunho recite it back to check if he had memorized it correctly. After Eunho successfully recited the number, Ji Hyeon nodded with a satisfied look.
‘Call me sometimes. I’m busy, so I might not reply often.’
‘I don’t have a phone.’
‘……Damn it, you’ll buy one after the CSAT, right?’
It was a number he finally learned after over a year. Eunho didn’t have a working phone, and neither of them had bothered to ask. Since they saw each other at school anyway, they didn’t feel the need.
‘But didn’t you say you get in trouble for receiving gifts?’
‘Of course, that was a lie. Who would scold me?’
Their usual banter ended as they reached the vicinity of the school. Ji Hyeon got into the waiting car and drove off, and Eunho watched him go before climbing back over the wall and returning to school. He’d heard that Ji Hyeon was leaving on a flight that night, so it would be a few months before they saw each other again.
After returning to the classroom, Eunho immediately saved Ji Hyeon’s number in his spare phone. Home, homeroom teacher, convenience store owner. The name ‘Ji Hyeon’ was added to the short list of contacts. He could have just saved it from the beginning, but who in the 21st century would tell someone to memorize a number like that?
‘……The last digits are his birthday.’
It was a number that suited his pretty face. The number was easy to memorize, but Eunho wondered if a celebrity should be using such a simple number.
He’s peculiar in many ways. As he thought this, someone called out to him.
‘Eunho, the homeroom teacher wants you in the faculty room.’
At first, he thought he had been caught climbing over the wall. He racked his brains on the way to the faculty room, thinking about what excuse he could give. He consoled himself that he wouldn’t get in too much trouble because of his good image, but the expression the homeroom teacher showed him was different from what he expected.
‘Uh, Eunho…….’
It was a troubled face. He wouldn’t make such a face if it was simply to scold Eunho. And then came the unusual preface.
‘Don’t be surprised by what I’m about to tell you.’
‘…….’
Nineteen wasn’t so young that he couldn’t read the atmosphere. As Eunho’s expression hardened, the teacher carefully took his hand. And the words that followed were about a topic Eunho never wanted to hear.