episode_0119

Twenty minutes before the appointed time. I parked my car in the underground parking lot and made my way up to the first floor.

And I was taken aback by the bustling crowd. Was the last time I came here when I went to see a movie with the kids? It was around dinner time back then, so it wasn’t as crowded, and I had never seen it this packed before… It seemed like it must be because of the preview screening.

The movie director is quite famous, but the lead actor is someone with the highest level of fame. It’s none other than Lee Byung-hun. The god of acting. If you line up the best male actors in Korea, he’ll definitely be within the top five. Actually, the ranking can fluctuate depending on the project, but he’s definitely a talented actor.

Even if you’re not invited to the preview screening, there’s a photo zone event before the movie starts, so it wasn’t surprising to see so many people here.

Of course, that doesn’t make the situation any more comfortable.

I remember when I gave Da-bin a ride to AGF, was it? There was a huge crowd at the game event held at KINTEX in Goyang City. But the crowd at a movie preview screening, even with a top actor as the lead, is probably incomparable due to the difference in space.

Even if it’s a multiplex the size of a new city, it’s still not comparable to a convention hall.

Anyway, the air conditioning that should have been cooling the place down was completely ineffective due to the bustling crowd. The warm, humid air was uncomfortably sticky.

Since I decided to look from the entrance on the first floor, I tried to move my body first.

-Squish! Squish!

I had to push through the crowd several times, and as I squeezed past them, my chest was pressed so much that it hurt.

So naturally, I raised my arms and hugged my chest, which probably made me look like I was emphasizing my already large chest, which made me feel embarrassed.

After finally breaking through the crowd and getting out of the entrance, the scorching sun hit me. Today, the weather was unusually hot, making it even more challenging than usual. Especially since I had just come out from inside.

I took a moment to catch my breath in the shade and looked around. But for some reason, every time I turned my head, I felt like I was making eye contact with a dozen or so people around me. It felt like everyone was staring at me.

But I was afraid to voice my thoughts out loud, fearing that it might be an overreaction. Even if I’m considered pretty, I don’t have the outstanding looks of a celebrity attending the preview event… No, I might have the looks, but I won’t have that kind of aura.

If this were a movie or a novel, people around me might be whispering and making a fuss, but this is reality, so that kind of thing wouldn’t happen. (It’s a novel, right?)

Is it my chest again? Because of this chest? Well, even I wouldn’t be able to ignore and not look at someone with I-cup breasts in real life.

Oh, but try to put yourself in their shoes. Setting aside harassment and all, just the fact that all eyes are on you is embarrassing. Somewhere between shame and embarrassment.

I thought I would get used to it, but enduring those looks every time is still awkward and embarrassing.

“Sigh.”

Ah, whatever, let’s just pretend they’re not there.

With that thought in mind, I lifted my head once again and surprisingly, easily spotted Lee Young-woo, the author I was looking for. Well, that’s understandable.

“Who is that…?”

Author Lee Young-woo and the two men and women sharing a story across from him. The woman’s face shape was strangely familiar yet incredibly beautiful.

As for the man… well, to be honest, he wasn’t particularly handsome or impressive in appearance, but… he seemed somewhat familiar…

“Oh! Could he look a bit like Manager Yook?”

Unlike the balding middle of the head Manager Yook, his hair was full, but there was a certain vague look in his eyes, or the way he seemed to be showing off in front of the woman, even his expression towards author Lee Young-woo was quite arrogant.

Ah, this picture is familiar. It’s a common sight at work. A situation that looks very similar to a man subordinate showing off in front of a somewhat half-and-half-faced female newcomer, boosting his confidence.

Honestly, it seemed reasonable. Whether it’s a man or a woman, when they have a partner who is better looking than themselves, or perhaps a partner who is incredibly wealthy, they naturally feel more confident and empowered in front of others of the same gender.

Why is that? When a group of men gather with their wives, why is it that everyone says, “My wife is the prettiest?” It’s because they feel more confident.

When women gather, isn’t it a cliché to boast about their partner’s abilities? It’s such a predictable pattern that it’s almost embarrassing to call it a cliché.

Don’t believe me? Look over there. There’s a perfect example right there.

By the way, who is that woman who laughs when she receives the business card from the other party? When I received it for the first time, I was amazed.

It seems like she’s definitely related to the entertainment industry.

Well, she must be a celebrity. I’m half convinced.

How arrogant.

I pondered how to cleverly resolve this situation and absentmindedly scanned the surroundings.

And the countless gazes pouring down. Glancing here and there.

No, everyone, there’s a celebrity over there. A woman wearing ridiculously large sunglasses that make it obvious she’s thinking, “I’m a celebrity,” right? Why do you keep glancing at me?

…Is it because I stand out more?

If that’s the case…

Yeah. Honestly, it’s quite embarrassing and self-conscious to say this, but maybe I exude a bigger aura than a celebrity.

Celebrities have learned how to control their aura from a young age, accumulating their skills to hide their true nature. In a way, they’re like top martial artists in a martial arts novel who have mastered their skills, while I have gained considerable skills but don’t know how to handle them, wandering around and attracting unnecessary attention like a nosy neighbor.

But still, skill is skill. Yes, I’m ready to compete.

On what basis am I saying this? Well, she looks like a celebrity, but I don’t recognize her, right? So she must not be that famous.

With a determined heart, my body moved on its own.

Alright. Let’s go!!

– Stride, stride.

I’ll say it again, I’m quite tall for a woman. Honestly, even though kids these days are said to have good growth, it’s rare to see a woman over 170cm tall. And it’s not just about being tall, my proportions are good too.

Why am I saying this?

Because my legs are long, so I move faster than you’d think. Faster than my heart is ready.

Soon, the author Lee Young-woo recognized me and his previously sullen expression brightened as he waved his hand. Feeling somewhat pleased, I waved back and walked towards him, but the expression on the man next to him was quite peculiar.

It was as if he had an attitude that I was naturally approaching him. The arrogant expression he had just moments ago was now replaced with a subtle sense of seriousness… although not heavy, there was an attempt to maintain that weight, and as I approached, he finally opened his mouth and said.

“Yes, that’s right. I am the master, Director Kim Sion…”

I don’t know who he is, but I’m not interested. Yes.

“What’s this? So formal. Oh! Author! You’re here! I was looking for you inside, thinking you were there. I should have called. It’s hot, let’s go inside. You’re sweating.”

With a warm expression, I grabbed Lee Young-woo’s wrist.

And I pulled his arm.

“Uh, what!”

I had enough strength to easily pull a middle-aged man, and Lee Young-woo was pulled towards me without any reaction.

Leading him back into the multi-flex indoor area, I found a quiet spot and let go of his arm.

“Do, Do-yeon. When did you arrive…”

“Who were those people earlier?”

“Oh, Director Kim Sion and Actress Go Eun-ah, the director and actress for the movie premiering today.”

As expected, the woman earlier was an actress. And…

“Director Kim Sion? That creepy-looking guy?”

“Creepy… guy? Haha.”

Lee Young-woo burst into laughter at my blunt expression, drawing attention from those around us.

“Oh, I thought that was cool, but it seems like it’s not your cup of tea, Do-yeon. Haha.”

A laughter that seemed somewhat refreshing. It seems like there was some tension between us.

“Cool? Our company also has a boss with that kind of impression, and he’s quite popular with the ladies. Just seeing his face reminds me of that boss, so I’m not a fan.”

The screening is still two hours away, and the director is wandering around with just the actress? Well, it’s probably a video.

“Anyway. Thanks to you, Do-yeon, I laughed a lot.”

“Really? Then I’m grateful?”

Lee Young-woo nodded in agreement with my words.

“Yes?”

“No, just now. You looked embarrassed, and I came in and saved the day.”

“Oh… is that so?”

“Then let’s go for a meal. Something delicious. You know, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Since we were planning to have a meal and go inside anyway, my request wasn’t that unreasonable.

Of course, I wasn’t the type to take advantage of others’ kindness just because of my good looks. So, this banter was just that… a joke.

“That’s right. After all the help I received from Do-yeon, it wouldn’t be polite to just brush it off.”

Huh? What do you mean?

“Yes, yes? No, Author. It’s just a joke…”

“What do you think? Oh, there’s a restaurant on the 5th floor. It’s hot outside, how about some refreshing cold noodles?”

But Lee Young-woo was already walking ahead towards the elevator without waiting for my response.

“Author?”

Ah, it was a moment where I keenly felt that one should not joke around with serious people.