NB | Chapter 10

Seo Woohyun always had a shadow over him. It had been that way since birth.

A con artist father who swindled others, a mother who had to marry him because of a child, and a snot-nosed younger brother who suddenly became his sibling when he returned from kindergarten.

Except for his father, Seo Jungho, they didn’t feel like a family, but being together created a bond. They all had a clear target for their anger, so there was no need to misdirect it. The focal point of their anger was undoubtedly Seo Jungho.

Seo Jungho was rarely home, constantly gambling and scamming, then fleeing and getting caught. Their mother practically raised the two sons alone, but it was too much for her. Young Woohyun, whose body hadn’t matured yet, thought of stealing as a way to help her.

It wasn’t hard to deceive the elderly, hard-of-hearing owner of a small supermarket. He still remembers bringing home the first stolen bag of snacks to share with his brother while waiting for their mother to return. That day, it felt like time flew by as they waited for her.

Woohyun was quick with his hands and feet. It was something he could do because he was a child. People let their guard down easily, and even if caught, they were quick to sympathize.

Of course, not all adults were lenient just because he was a child. After repeated thefts, he was finally caught and taken to the police station. It was there, with a bloody scab on his lip from a slap, that he faced his mother and realized he hadn’t helped her but made her sad.

His mother seemed to have rushed out from washing dishes at a restaurant. Her hands, always rough with eczema despite wearing rubber gloves, were coarse. Yet Woohyun was grateful she held his hand and took him out of the police station. He was glad she didn’t scold him for what he did.

That night, she lay in bed with a son tucked under each arm. After confirming his younger brother was already in dreamland, she patted Woohyun’s back and spoke.

“You’ve had a hard time looking after your brother without me, haven’t you?”

He hadn’t thought it was hard, but her voice made him feel melancholic. He buried his face in her embrace to stifle his sniffles. Perhaps thinking he felt guilty about what happened, she hugged him tighter.

“I’m not scolding you. I know you’ve been playing the role of mom at home because I’ve been too busy to care for you. But Woohyun, it’s not wrong to want things that belong to others, but you shouldn’t take them by force. I hope you become someone who works hard to make things your own rather than coveting what you can’t have. Do you understand that what you did today was wrong?”

Her body trembled slightly. Woohyun instinctively lifted his head, but her arms didn’t let go. He could guess her face was stained with tears even without seeing it. What he exchanged for the stolen goods was his mother’s guilt.

If he had realized the joy of earning through hard work and grown up diligently, he might have been happy without worries, but Woohyun’s world wasn’t so forgiving.

When necessary, he didn’t hesitate to fight to protect himself, and he lied without much guilt as a means of survival. He wasn’t without reason or justification for his actions, even if he lacked money.

Director Lee might have wanted to cast him as a delinquent because he sensed this rough impression. He seemed to think Woohyun wasn’t keen on the role because he didn’t like it, but that wasn’t the reason.

A person with no issues and a clean personal life. In that sense, he didn’t fit what the director was looking for. Even someone like him, who wasn’t interested in celebrities, might have thought anyone could become one if someone from a similar background debuted as an actor.

Woohyun’s background was that poor.

Even if he hadn’t lost his sense of justice, Woohyun didn’t consider himself the type to live a decent life. He wouldn’t deny that his reason for accepting this casting was more about the vague expectation of making money as a successful celebrity than a pure dream of becoming an actor.

Celebrities who failed in business and owed billions could appear on various shows and repay their debts in a few years.

There’s a famous saying that you shouldn’t worry about celebrities.

If this drama became a hit and he could benefit from that saying, it would be great. But it wasn’t something that could be achieved with just one drama, so he inevitably needed management to support him.

“If you’re a blank check, it means your ability depends on how specifically and clearly the person directing you explains things.”

If he was an empty can without direction, then he was a soda can now. One that would explode if opened after being shaken and tossed around.

“In other words, you’re a blank check.”

But according to Kang Jiwon’s logic, even someone like him could become something complete and non-threatening. Though it came with the condition of listening to him well.

“Listening to others isn’t hard…”

As long as it wasn’t nonsense, he was confident he could handle it, and Kang Jiwon didn’t seem like someone who would spout nonsense. If he were just a smooth talker, he wouldn’t have reached such a position and would have become a con artist like his father.

Woohyun quietly closed his eyes and waited for the sun to rise. He had somewhere to go as soon as it did.

***

The building, with its glass facade, was so tall that he had to crane his neck to see the top. The weather was nice today, and the blue sky and fluffy clouds reflected on the building’s exterior like a mirror. The sun hung at rooftop height like a twin.

The sunlight warming his head felt a bit hot. He brushed the back of his neck, feeling the sweat on his skin. He couldn’t tell if it was the heat or nerves.

He had worried enough on the way here; now that he was at the entrance, further hesitation was a waste of time. Resolute, Woohyun stepped into the Newon building.

The lobby, visible as soon as he entered, had a high ceiling. People moved between the two floors, and a thick circular pillar stood like a central support.

The pillar had an electronic display, allowing anyone to watch promotional videos of affiliated artists from any direction.

Woohyun paused, momentarily captivated by the display.

The production company he visited before was much smaller and older, giving a cozy and familiar feel, but the Newon building exuded considerable intimidation just by its structure.

Everywhere he looked, the sophisticated interior caught his eye, and the cleanliness was impressive. Woohyun felt a sense of alienation surrounded by the urban atmosphere but calmly approached the information desk.

“What brings you here?”

“I have a 10 o’clock appointment with Director Kang Jiwon.”

Only after speaking did he realize the déjà vu. The response came reflexively, a habit from following an air conditioner repairman last summer. But the desk staff didn’t seem to find it odd, checking the computer monitor and smiling.

“Take the left elevator to the 15th floor.”

It would be nice to work at a company like this. Inside the elevator, distracted by the feel of the carpet under his sneakers and the city view through the glass wall, he muttered to himself.

The elevator took him straight to the 15th floor. Before he could worry about where to go next, a receptionist approached.

“Seo Woohyun?”

He nodded, and they gestured politely to guide him. The staff here are all so friendly… Woohyun bowed slightly in acknowledgment and stood before the director’s office.

The double doors opened smoothly, revealing a spacious area. It was so large it was hard to take in at once.

For a moment, he thought he had been led to an office rather than the director’s room, but there was only one desk that looked like it was for work.

Kang Jiwon, sitting in front of it, exuded an aura that made it clear he was the owner of the place.

Their previous meetings had all been outside, making Kang Jiwon’s status feel distant. But seeing him here, Woohyun felt he could fully trust the man. At least he wasn’t a con artist.

Kang Jiwon gestured for Woohyun to come closer as he approached the guest sofa.

“Hello.”

“So your name is… Seo Gideok?”

It’s Deokbae.

He almost corrected reflexively but held his tongue. But it seemed Jiwon noticed his lips move. Seeing his teasing smile, Woohyun realized he was being teased.

“It’s Seo Woohyun.”

He answered quietly and took a seat. They were positioned diagonally, allowing them to see each other.

When the joke didn’t land, Jiwon seemed to lose interest quickly and pulled out a black file from the side table, handing it over.

“It’s the contract. Review it and ask if you have any questions.”

Straight to the point.

He hadn’t come for small talk, but he couldn’t stop his hands from trembling slightly as he took the contract.