episode_0253

RINE, Japan’s national mobile messenger.

Mawaku-bo, CEO of that massive company, couldn’t take his eyes off the screen of his secretary’s phone.

“Find all the information you can about this actress and bring it to me.”

“You mean this Korean actress?”

“Yes. More than that, where have I seen her before?”

“Her name is Lee Soo-ah. You probably know her as Kim Yu-han from MDD 808. She’s quite the talk of the town these days.”

“Ah, that’s right. Looking at her now, her hair is the same.”

However, Mawaku-bo was even more surprised after realizing the other person was Lee Soo-ah. That was because Soo-ah’s attitude toward his father was more affectionate than he expected.

She must be riding high given all the buzz, and she must be annoyed that filming the variety show ran into trouble. Still, she doesn’t get angry even once.

She just quietly watches Mawaku-bo’s father from the back, then carefully approaches and speaks kindly to him.

Seeing this, Mawaku-bo muttered.

“She’s in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange for her to get angry, but she’s a really good person. It just makes me feel even more sorry.”

“Actually, the ‘good person’ part is a bit ambiguous.”

Mawaku-bo frowned at his secretary’s words.

“Ambiguous? It’s a good deed by anyone’s standards.”

“Yes, of course, it’s a good deed. That’s not what I’m talking about. Um, she’s an actress with special circumstances.”

“Special circumstances?”

“Yes. This actress may not even have the concept of ‘good character.’ It’s because she has alexithymia.”

“…Alexithymia?”

Mawaku-bo’s eyes widened.

“That’s right. Would you like to take a look at these articles for a moment?”

Afterward, the secretary explained for some time. It was about Soo-ah suffering from alexithymia.

Mawaku-bo, after hearing all the information.

“Huh.”

He strangely felt an inner kinship toward Soo-ah.

Dementia and alexithymia. They are completely different diseases, but they are the same in that they completely change a person’s life.

Besides, the story of her starting acting to understand human emotions… it can’t help but catch your eye.

Right then.

─♩♪♬

Soo-ah in the video started playing the piano with the old man. Even though it was just a recording taken with a cell phone, you could tell the melody was good.

“Wait, she’s not just being nice to my father? She’s also playing the piano skillfully?”

“Yes. It seems she has quite the knowledge of music as well.”

“What…”

Mawaku-bo clicked his tongue.

“…Anyone can’t just become an actor these days.”

“Anyone can if they look decent. It’s just that this Korean actress is unusually outstanding.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I’ve never seen an actress like this before.”

Mawaku-bo muttered, then focused on the video on his phone. It’s been a long time since he’s seen his father’s happy expression.

‘How long has it been since I’ve seen my father so happy? I can’t believe I’d feel grateful to a Korean actress.’

Mawaku-bo still remembers how he felt the day he became the CEO of ‘RINE.’

He felt like he had the whole world.

In reality, that was half right. He could do almost anything he wanted. At least in her life, economic crisis had become a non-existent thing.

However, that didn’t mean he became happy.

Peace was broken all too easily.

Due to a single accident.

[Kajiwa Hotel Mega-Fire, Total of 45 Deaths]

Mawaku-bo’s mother was among the victims of this fire.

It was supposed to be a trip to indulge her, but she died because of it.

He couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.

Even worse, the tragedy didn’t end neatly. Like dominoes, it gradually crumbled Mawaku-bo’s surroundings.

Just looking at his father’s condition, for example.

‘He became like that after my mother’s accident.’

He thought he was fortunate that at least his father was alive, but that thought didn’t last long. Because his father was in a state that was ambiguous as to whether he was alive or dead.

‘Father! It’s me! Your daughter, Mawaku-bo! Don’t you recognize me?’

He’s still breathing, but he doesn’t remember most things, including his daughter, Mawaku-bo.

Can we really call this being alive?

Mawaku-bo did everything he could for treatment.

─Playing musical instruments might help.

─Writing a diary, or consistently doing simple word dictation. It can be a way.

He spared neither money nor time for his father.

Yes, he really did everything, but it was all in vain.

Why? Because dementia is virtually incurable.

The only gain was that his father suddenly began to obsess over the piano.

It seems like he remembered something in his own way.

‘Piano! Give me the piano! Quickly!’

The problem is, there’s no way for Mawaku-bo to guess what kind of memory it is. What memory did he recall that made him obsessed with the piano?

Even trying to get clues from the song he was playing was impossible. Because the sound his father was making while banging on the piano was just noise.

But.

Finally, now.

The difficult problem that had remained a mystery was finally solved. Now, Mawaku-bo could guess what memory his father had recalled.

Clunk─ Clunk─ Clunk─ Clunk─ Clunk─

It’s different from the previous unpleasant noise.

Although clumsy, the sound his father is now creating using the piano was the melody of a certain song.

“…!”

A melody that Mawaku-bo is also familiar with.

A wedding celebratory song.

‘This is the song my father used to play for my mother! The celebratory song he played at our wedding!’

Mawaku-bo was overwhelmed. His father still cherished precious memories with his mother.

She dismissed her secretary and approached her father.

“Father. You’ve always been playing a celebratory song.”

“Huh? I don’t know. Don’t disturb my playing.”

Still, his father doesn’t recognize Mawaku-bo.

He just keeps banging on the piano.

Clunk─ Clunk─ Clunk─

But Mawaku-bo was just happy.

Because there was no malice or animosity on her father’s face right now. Rather, it was full of pure excitement. Just like any other day he spent with his mother.

Mawaku-bo quietly clenched her fist.

Her gratitude toward Soo-ah soared.

“Lee Soo-ah…. I have to do something to repay her.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, at Director Yu-saku’s studio.

Director Yu-saku, a renowned director with recognition in both Korea and Japan, was busy on the phone.

“Hello? Yes. I’ve been waiting. Ah, is that so? It’s difficult? Ah…”

After finishing one call, the next call.

“I see, it’s not possible. I understand.”

Call after call, call, call, call….

“No, it’s okay. Have a good day.”

One thing is certain: Yu-saku’s expression darkened with each call.

And children are very quick to notice.

Sawako, sitting in a wheelchair, watched all of this from behind and carefully opened her mouth.

“Director, is the situation not good after all?”

“Huh?”

Yu-saku instantly changed his expression at Sawako’s question. As if nothing had happened.

“What do you mean it’s not good? This is adult stuff, so you don’t have to worry about it at all. Sawako, you just need to focus on refining the scenario. Get some rest in your room.”

“Still…”

“I told you to go in. I think I’ll be busy today. If you need anything, tell the staff right away.”

“…Okay.”

Sawako hesitated, but eventually nodded.

After Sawako left to another room.

“Haaa…”

Yu-saku then wiped his face.

“I’m really going crazy. I expected it to be like this, but the situation is worse than I expected.”

One thing that became clear while talking to investors just now. The situation for ‘Weeds’ has become very bad.

‘The problem is the atmosphere within Japan.’

The problem is that the atmosphere is solidifying into a confrontation between good and evil, when it should be seen as a fair competition between movies.

Naturally, Yu-saku is seen as evil.

A battle between traditional Japanese noir and new noir starring a Korean actor? There are bound to be many people who want traditional Japanese noir to win.

At that time, an employee approached Yu-saku.

“Director, the Mystic side has arrived.”

“Is it already time?”

Yu-saku was taken aback.

“…I can’t help it. Greet them quickly.”

Yu-saku sighed deeply and prepared to greet the guests. The situation is really not good, but it would be even worse to give a false report.

.

.

.

.

.

While the scent of tea spread inside the reception room, Director Yu-saku’s meeting with the Mystic side began.

Director Yu-saku was the first to speak.

“Today is your last schedule in Japan, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I see. I’m sorry to bring up bad news on your last schedule…”

Director Yu-saku explained everything to Soo-ah and Kim Yi-seo. The atmosphere that is solidifying into a structure of good versus evil, and even the investment situation.

Kim Yi-seo’s eyes widened.

“…Is it that bad?”

“Yes. You can assume that almost all the higher-ups want traditional Japanese noir to win. They see it as a matter of pride if our side wins.”

“Hmm.”

Soo-ah didn’t even understand what this conversation was about, but Kim Yi-seo, who was relatively quick-witted, immediately understood the situation.

‘I expected that there would be people who would feel animosity because Soo-ah’s growth was too rapid. I thought nationality would also be a problem. But this much…’

Kim Yi-seo thought for a moment.

“Still, Director Yu-saku is treated as a master in this industry. I don’t quite understand how the situation can be so bad that the word ‘serious’ comes up.”

“Um. I guess you could think that way.”

“Yes. There’s just too little investment.”

“That’s because I’ve always worked with Akiko-sensei like a needle and thread.”

Director Yu-saku sighed and continued.

“Since Akiko-sensei and I have always been together, Akiko-sensei’s investors were also my investors. But this time, we separated for the first time, and the situation changed.”

“Ah?”

“When they had to choose between Akiko-sensei and me, everyone chose sensei.”

There was silence for a while afterward.

Because the situation was bad enough that they didn’t need to hear more. What was Soo-ah doing in this situation?

‘Yay, I’m finally going to Korea!’

She was doing other things with her cell phone under the desk. Soo-ah’s side hustle!

She’s frantically checking Su-mi’s photos.

‘When I go back to Korea, it’s finally our Su-mi’s blind date. Hehehe, I want to see it soon.’

Should I protect Su-mi’s privacy?

No. Soo-ah is going to watch!

Yes, yes, this is like a guardian’s duty.

I have to watch my daughter meet a strange man!

─Your daughter has had more blind dates than her mom?

‘Ahem.’

When Soo-ah pushed away Yoo-han Soo-ah at that time.

“Soo-ah, what do you think?”

“Heok.”

Soo-ah was startled by Kim Yi-seo’s call and straightened her posture. A thief startled by his own shadow, she wondered if she had been caught thinking about something else.

“What, what is it?”

“About the current situation.”

The current situation? I don’t know?

Soo-ah quickly looked for the answer sheet.

‘Soo-ah Association! What? What’s the problem?’

─Master, the investors have all turned to Akiko-sensei’s side. So it seems to be a difficult situation.

‘What, why are you coming forward instead of Yoo-han Soo-ah?’

If you have to say it, is Soo-ah flustered?

Maid Soo-ah placed both hands on her waist.

─Yoo-han Soo-ah just went to eat.

‘Ah, I see. Then what about Wisdom Ji-hye Soo-ah?’

─Even if I told her, she would forget right away. She said she would rather pour water into a broken jar. That’s why I came.

Soo-ah suddenly became worried.

Is the loyalty of the Soo-ah Association okay as it is?

That’s too much! This is really Soo-ah disappointed….

─Actually, I’m half joking. Both of them could have come in person, but they specifically sent me because they thought I needed experience giving advice. So I came.

‘Ah, I see.’

She was relieved, but at the same time, she felt sorry for Maid Soo-ah.

It was basically a time out, right?

Anyway, back to square one!

‘What I mean is, I don’t understand why it’s a problem that we don’t have investors. We can get money too, right?’

─Master, you’ve been tasting money these days, so you seem to think the world is a joke, but the investors we’re talking about here deal with completely different amounts of money. We’re talking about hundreds of billions of won.

‘Eek.’

Soo-ah was suddenly injected with humility.

Hundreds of billions?

Um, it’s on a different level.

─Besides, if we get pushed back in investment like this, there are many additional problems. First of all, the morale of the participating actors drops. Would they want to work on a project that can’t even get investment?

‘…They wouldn’t want to.’

─That’s right. It’s hard to concentrate on filming because you’re worried about when the project will explode.

‘…’

─Even worse, you have to just watch when rival projects are heavily promoted. To give you an analogy… It’s like having to watch your husband sleep with another woman.

‘Um, I know the analogy is like you.’

I wonder if it’s a personal experience?

Soo-ah checked the special feature notification window around that time.

Because she was anxious.

In reality and in the Soo-ah Association, they only talk about bad things. Why do they keep scaring Soo-ah, who already has a weak heart?

Thump, thump, thump!

After checking the special features with her heart beating like crazy.

‘Huh?’

─Huh?

Soo-ah and Maid Soo-ah tilted their heads at the same time.

[ Weeds ]

▶ Sufficient Implementation Elements

▶ Grade 1

Unlike the bad news pouring out from all directions, the grade hadn’t dropped at all.

‘Ah, what, Maid Soo-ah was exaggerating.’

─Ah, no! That’s not what it is!

‘What, what’s that reaction? Did you want me to fail?’

─That’s not what I meant!

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day.

The top floor of the Tokyo Shinjuku Mirai Tower.

“Those bug-like bastards…”

Mawaku-bo was trembling from head to toe from the report he received from the morning. It was confirmed that the security guards had habitually neglected his father all along.

“Cut the contract with this company and report it to the media. Definitely.”

“I understand.”

“Haaa.”

What child would feel comfortable when their parents are treated like this? Mawaku-bo felt so much anger that he even felt dizzy.

He rubbed his forehead for a while.

“…Report the next item.”

“The next item is regarding adding a promotional banner at the very bottom of the RINE application’s chat list.”

Originally, RINE would only show the list of chat rooms when you ran it, but now they plan to add a banner at the very bottom. It’s a plan to make a profit by putting up advertisements like billboards.

Mawaku-bo put strength into his voice.

“From the users’ point of view, there will be quite a bit of resistance if an advertisement banner is suddenly added. So make the initial banner as small as possible. Don’t use moving pictures either.”

“Yes, I understand. We will proceed with something appropriate at our discretion as to which advertisement to put in.”

Mawaku-bo knows that his secretary is capable. So he would have nodded if it were normal.

“Um.”

Today was different.

“No, don’t get confirmation on any other advertisements yet.”

“Yes? Do you already have a company in mind?”

“Not a company.”

Mawaku-bo thought of one person. The pure white actress who kindly approached his father.

“For now, how about Lee Soo-ah?”