Chapter 79. 7th Floor

"Jin-wook, are you really okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was actually thinking about doing a project with you after watching the movie with So-hyun and seeing you act. Plus, the pay for a cameo is quite substantial, isn't it?"

Director Lee Sang-hoon, who had offered additional production costs to turn this crisis into an opportunity, had proposed a significant amount as pay.

Even without the pay, Son Jin-wook was willing to accept to help Yeon-woo, but with the added money, it was a win-win situation.

"Thank you so much. It was a crisis because of the sudden incident."

"Did I make a grand entrance like a hero? Haha."

"Really, you did."

Yeon-woo nodded and smiled at Jin-wook's joke.

Son Jin-wook, who had come to cheer him on, ended up getting makeup done unexpectedly.

"So, you're from Goryeo, and you became a bodyguard for a Song envoy?"

"That's right. In the previous episode, you had a friendly match with Seo Hee and Lee Ji-baek, and developed a close bond."

Jin-wook nodded.

"Is it hard to match the choreography?"

"The action director is the same person who handled 'Your Name.' It should be easier than that time."

"Oh, Director Oh? Then I know exactly what to expect."

Son Jin-wook, now finished with his makeup, stood up.

"Yeon-woo, even though it was unexpected, isn't it exciting to film together? It brings back old memories."

"That's true. Thank you so much."

Yeon-woo smiled back at Jin-wook, who playfully nudged him with his shoulder.

"Oh, it's been a while, Yu-han."

"Hello, senior. Thank you for helping out so readily."

"Ah, it's nothing. The project is already going well, so no pressure. Plus, it's fun to work with cute juniors."

Son Jin-wook, with Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han on either side, put his arms around their shoulders and smiled.

Click—

A photographer, who had been taking stills of the filming, captured this moment without missing a beat.

They say a photograph is a moment of art.

Nodding, he looked at the photo of the three of them standing side by side on the camera's screen.

"Wow, I took it, but this really turned out well. This valuable trio might be used as a promotional image somewhere in the future."

Son Jin-wook and Jin Yu-han.

The two had faced off for the Best Actor award at the Korean Art Awards and were now reunited on set.

Jin Yu-han and Ryu Yeon-woo.

In this drama, they are close friends, romantic rivals, and political allies and rivals.

Ryu Yeon-woo and Son Jin-wook.

Ryu Yeon-woo, whose popularity has skyrocketed in both TV and film, had a history of competing for a woman in his debut work with Son Jin-wook.

The photo of the three of them standing shoulder to shoulder, smiling brightly, would likely cause quite a stir if released online.

The rest of the filming went smoothly.

Although it was their first time practicing the scene today, the initial part had already been filmed by Park Kyung-wan in a mask. When the mask was removed and Son Jin-wook's face appeared on the monitor, the set buzzed with excitement.

"Thank you so much for your help. By the way, who are you?"

"Nice to see you again. I am the Song envoy with whom you previously had a friendly match."

"Okay, cut!"

Director Lee Sang-hoon, who had been struggling to get a good take all morning, finally gave a clear "okay" when Son Jin-wook acted, and the staff were impressed.

"Wow, top-notch is top-notch."

"Wow, Ryu Yeon-woo and Jin Yu-han in the same frame, and now Son Jin-wook too."

"Really, how many Korean Art Awards are in this frame right now?"

Director Lee Sang-hoon, his mouth agape, nodded.

"Well, this is what turning a crisis into an opportunity means."

***

While "Beyond the River" overcame its crisis and "Master Plan" was sailing smoothly, Ryu So-hyun was busy capturing her brother's articles and sharing them in the family group chat.

- "Master Plan" attracts 3.14 million viewers in its first week. Will it build a golden tower of 10 million viewers?

- [Why] Why is the movie "Master Plan" causing a sensation?

- Advertising industry goes all out to secure Ryu Yeon-woo. Popularity surge from "Master Plan" and "Beyond the River."

- Focus on the icon who is conquering both TV and film: Ryu Yeon-woo.

Ryu Cheol-woong, while working at the office, broke into a wide grin when he saw his daughter's chat.

"Chief, congratulations. When can we see your son?"

"Yeah, let us see a top star once."

"Hahaha, top star? He's just a new actor starting out."

Despite the congratulations and envy from his colleagues, Ryu Cheol-woong couldn't stop smiling.

Beep—

Ryu Cheol-woong's smartphone rang, and his eyes curved into a half-moon.

"Wow, it's you. Our son."

- "Father, I'm finishing up the historical drama today. After the wrap party, I'll probably head home tomorrow."

"Ah, really? I should buy some good food."

Female employees, hearing the phone conversation, approached quietly.

"Chief Ryu, let us hear your son's voice! I've seen 'Master Plan' twice."

"I always watch 'Beyond the River' live."

"Haha, sure. Is it okay, son?"

- "Of course."

Ryu Cheol-woong touched the speaker button.

- "Hello, thank you for always helping my father."

"Kyaa! What do I do? I've seen 'Master Plan' twice!"

"I always watch 'Beyond the River' live."

- "Thank you very much. I'll see you at the next wrap party."

The environmental department staff went wild at Yeon-woo's words.

"Wow, wow!"

"Son, are you busy?"

"Chief! We want to see him too?!"

Ryu Cheol-woong, trying to spare his son from the crowd, was met with laser-like glares from the employees.

"Ah, hmm. Let's see, maybe I can save face thanks to my son."

- "Yes, Father. See you tomorrow."

Yeon-woo, ending the call, looked at the set.

The final scene of the drama, where the elderly Ryu Yeon-woo, played by Seo Ji-eun and Jin Yu-han, was seen off by his comrades, marked the end of the filming.

"It always feels strange when it's over."

Seo Ji-eun, who had removed her makeup and approached with a simple face, sat down next to him.

Yeon-woo looked at Seo Ji-eun and smiled.

"Yeah, it's over now."

"But I haven't seen the chase scene you filmed at the beginning of the drama, so I'm looking forward to it. It's like Hong Yi-yeon only bidding farewell to her husband going to the battlefield and not knowing what happens after."

"I haven't seen the edited version either, even though I filmed it. We should watch it live."

"Right. Hehe. We should watch it live."

At that moment, an assistant director called out from a distance.

"Let's have a great wrap party today!"

"Ooh!"

Yeon-woo and Seo Ji-eun got up and dusted off their bottoms.

"Let's go. Where's Yu-han?"

"Yu-han has to go because of his schedule."

They went to a nearby meat restaurant in a car and the staff drank and danced and sang, getting into high spirits.

As the party was winding down, Seo Ji-eun, with a somewhat anxious look, caught Yeon-woo's eye.

"Why the long face? Worried about something?"

"Huh? No, it's just that there's no manager to pick me up..."

Due to the small size of the company, they couldn't afford a car or a manager to wait for unpredictable schedules like wrap parties.

"Ah, I see. Then let's go in my car. We're going in the same direction. I'll drop you off at your place."

"Really? Thanks, I'll owe you one!"

If it were her usual bold and straightforward self, she would have just taken a taxi with a hat and mask in the safe streets of Korea, but Seo Ji-eun, who had been more cautious since the stalker incident, felt relieved by Yeon-woo's offer.

"Actually, someone chased me on the stairs of my apartment building the other day. I thought it might have been just a resident and I overreacted, but it was scary."

After a drink, Seo Ji-eun confided in Yeon-woo about her recent worries.

Yeon-woo listened silently and then reassured her that everything would be fine.

After the party, Min-soo's car pulled into the parking lot.

"Min-soo, I need to drop Ji-eun off first and then head home."

"Hello."

"Hello! I'll owe you one!"

Min-soo smiled at the cheerful greeting.

"Owe me? It's an honor to drive a female actor."

"Min-soo, you've always wanted me to become a female actor, haven't you?"

"Ah, not too often, maybe once or twice a month."

Seo Ji-eun laughed at Min-soo's playful response.

"Let's go then. Seo Hee, Hong Yi-yeon."

Min-soo's car headed for the address Seo Ji-eun gave.

After a while, they arrived at Seo Ji-eun's apartment.

"Here we are. Thank you for the ride. Yeon-woo, thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Be careful. Good job, Ji-eun. See you at the wrap party."

Click—

The car door closed, and Seo Ji-eun walked towards the entrance of her apartment building.

The area, with bright streetlights and a convenience store on the ground floor, didn't seem dangerous.

"Hey, I'll be right back. I need to use the restroom in that building."

Min-soo, who hadn't mentioned it earlier because of the female actor in the car, clutched his stomach.

"Sure, I'll wait in the car."

Min-soo hurried out, and Yeon-woo stared out the window, lost in thought.

Then he saw a man following Seo Ji-eun into the apartment building.

"Huh?"

He thought he saw something metallic in the man's hand.

It could have been an e-cigarette or a car key, but something felt off.

The man, walking with his hat pulled down and his body hunched, seemed to be aware of the camera.

Without hesitation, Yeon-woo got out of the car.

"Ji-eun! Seo Ji-eun!"

He shouted, but Seo Ji-eun and the man had already entered the building.

Yeon-woo quickly ran into the entrance of the apartment complex.

Despite its appearance, the building was old and had no security door at the entrance to the elevators.

Rushing in, he saw that both elevators had just started moving, one to the 3rd floor and the other to the 2nd floor.

Not knowing if the man had taken the same elevator as Seo Ji-eun or a different one, Yeon-woo decided to take the stairs.

'Even if it's not the case, better to check and not regret it later.'

He ran up the stairs at full speed.

Yeon-woo climbed two or three steps at a time, pushing himself to go even faster.

'But which floor is Seo Ji-eun's apartment?'

Arriving at the 5th floor, he quickly opened the gray metal door of the emergency staircase and checked. Both elevators had stopped at the 7th floor.

At that moment, he heard the creaking of shoes and the sound of a struggle from the upper floor.

Yeon-woo ran up the stairs at full speed, remembering the 7th floor where Seo Ji-eun had once cried and clung to the door.