Chapter 79….
The Essence of Director Jang (1)
Park Yu-cheon looked at Woo Su-han and Jang Sang-su, lost in serious thought.
When Su-han said he would go alone, Yu-cheon followed him out of worry—thinking Su-han might get into some sort of scheme.
Of course, he was concerned.
When someone says they’re possessed by an evil spirit, it’s not just worry—you feel a little fear too.
If he didn’t know about ghosts, it would be different, but once you’ve seen their existence you can’t help but believe what Su-han says.
Honestly, part of him wanted to stop Su-han.
Why not just keep living peacefully with one ghost in tow like before?
If things get bad, you can just move.
Of course, if the ghost follows… that would be a problem too.
Still, he’s kind.
And because he’s kind, maybe this wasn’t something he should stick his neck into.
With all those complicated feelings swirling, Yu-cheon sat down at the table—only to feel even more confused looking at the two of them.
“Who on earth is the real evil spirit?!”
To Yu-cheon, Director Jang and Su-han both looked equally suspicious.
And then, when he saw Chief Gu Bong-han smiling brightly at Su-han from across the way, he was utterly shocked.
In this industry, Chief Gu was notorious as someone difficult to deal with.
People whispered that he still had gangster blood in him—so stoic and unapproachable.
There were even rumors he was a cyborg.
And yet, such a man was smiling at Su-han?
Yu-cheon was floored.
He hadn’t seen Gu often, but this was the first time he realized the man could actually smile.
Looking at all these elements laid out—
if that side had decided to lure Su-han first, he might already be falling for it.
Even now Su-han seemed like a lonely island set apart.
It was frustrating.
Then Yu-cheon noticed Kwon Su-hyeon nibbling at the food with a sour expression.
What a relief.
The Su-han he knew wouldn’t be sharing a meal with someone like that of his own will.
“Come now, let’s eat!”
“Ah, yes.”
The food was delicious.
But maybe because of the people around, or the overthinking he’d done in such a short time, it didn’t go down easily.
“Oh wow! So this is what ‘the table is breaking under the dishes’ means?”
“Ha ha ha! Is this your first time having Korean set meal?”
Director Jang Sang-su, about to puff himself up at Su-han’s admission, froze at the next words.
“It’s my first time! I’ve seen tables with every cuisine in the world piled on, though.”
“Every cuisine in the world?”
“Ah, last time I complained to the old man about him serving instant noodles when he’s a chaebol, and the next day he brought lobster, ribs, and all kinds of unidentifiable dishes from who knows where.”
“By ‘old man’ you mean…”
When Director Jang cautiously asked who “old man” referred to,
Chief Park Yu-cheon, sitting by Su-han, answered for him.
“Chairman Yang of Baeksan.”
“…Oh my. If you call him that to his face, he might get angry.”
“Ay, it’s fine. ‘Old man’ is just ‘old man.’ He’s never scolded me for it.”
“Is… is that so?”
Director Jang realized his earlier assumption—that Su-han was merely a devoted fan—was wrong.
This wasn’t just a fan relationship.
How many people can call a conglomerate chairman “old man”?
After his ad was cut and he looked into it,
he’d even heard that Chairman Yang’s own son calls him “Chairman,” not “Father.”
He’d been nervous ever since.
“You know…”
“Yes?”
“I think the chairman may have misunderstood something.”
“Misunderstood?”
“Maybe it’s coincidence, but all Baeksan ads—including ones guaranteed for renewal—have been canceled.”
“Ah! That? He told me about it. Said some punk was trying to snatch food from my bowl, so he took care of it.”
“…”
Director Jang’s gaze naturally shifted to Kwon Su-hyeon, who was sitting off to one side, eating diet portions.
When their eyes met, Su-hyeon flinched and quietly set down the rib he was holding.
‘That brat!’
Seeing that made Director Jang even angrier.
Still, it was a relief.
At least he now properly understood the relationship between Su-han and Chairman Yang.
And he was glad his decision to drag Su-hyeon here to apologize had been right.
Then he noticed Su-han helping Ye Si-yeon hold down the edge of a perilla leaf she was trying to pick up.
“Ahem. You know, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for our actress.”
“Yes?”
“We were originally going to launch her as an idol, but the plan fell through. She was too good to waste, so I made her an actress.”
“Ah, I see.”
Su-han’s response was tepid.
Director Jang thought quickly.
“She hates being bothered, so until now she’s had no manager. But things are getting busier, so I had no choice but to assign Chief Gu to her.”
He assumed Su-han’s reaction was because he remembered her going around without a manager.
“Even if it’s uncomfortable, bear with it. It’s all for the actress’s sake.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Good.”
“And don’t worry, I told them not to invade your private life, so relax.”
He didn’t forget to give a warning glance at the same time.
A little later, after the meal had progressed, Chief Park Yu-cheon and Su-han both left the table to use the restroom.
“Bored?”
“Excuse me?”
“Even if you’re bored, smile. This isn’t a pleasure outing.”
This was not the same Director Jang from moments ago, the one who seemed good-natured.
His face was icy now.
At that sharp, ice-chip expression, Ye Si-yeon answered with fear in her eyes.
“I’m s-sorry.”
“And you.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve seen how big a mess you’ve made, right?”
Now the fire turned on Su-hyeon.
His face was ashen.
“Yes.”
“Don’t think an apology ends it. Live like a mouse for a while.”
“Yes.”
“And Si-yeon.”
When Director Jang’s eyes turned to her, she trembled slightly.
“The kid’s tearing perilla leaves for you and giving you side dishes—just eating without giving back, is that manners?”
“Eh? Ah… sorry.”
“You think I put you here to flirt?”
“I’m s-sorry.”
“Be moderate. You should be making moves too. Do I have to explain every little thing? Chief Gu, do I have to say such vulgar things?”
“I’m sorry.”
Now the fire turned on Chief Gu.
Even as he bowed his head, he cast a cold glance at Si-yeon.
Under that chilly gaze, she bowed even lower.
“Raise your head. Want to advertise to the kids when they arrive that you’re upset? You think you’re irreplaceable? You’re just a supporting actress.”
“…Yes.”
Hearing Si-yeon’s tiny voice, Director Jang kept growling.
“I could break your leg, go ‘Oh no, she’s injured!’ and replace you with a younger, prettier one—cover the reshoot costs myself. Would that be better for you? That’s what I’d prefer. Want that?”
“N-no!”
At his threat, Si-yeon lifted her pale face and raised her voice.
“Why are you raising your voice? Why not just beg for your life out loud? Go on. I’ll make you like the other girls.”
Until now, Director Jang had held his tongue as if observing some line.
But in this moment he was revealing his true self without filter.
In his unrestrained words, Si-yeon could only tremble.
“I’ll do well.”
“Good. Then smile.”
Footsteps approached, and Director Jang changed his expression from a snarl to a smile, speaking more softly.
“If necessary, use drugs to knock him out. Do that and I’ll swap in another girl, finish the project, and set you free.”
At this blunt demand, Si-yeon could only say she would do her best.
But then—
Just as he was spitting out this suffocating barrage, Director Jang paused and stared at an empty patch of air.
“What is that?”
Though it was clearly empty, he muttered as if sensing something there.
“What is that?”
Seeing Director Jang mutter while looking right at his location, Park Man-su’s body-spirit clicked its tongue.
[Is this even a human anymore or a ghost? I can’t tell. Huh…]
Left alone, carrying out the spying mission Woo Su-han had given him, his eyes swept the room.
Black.
Director Jang’s presence dyed the whole space in dark energy in an instant, and the spirit could only speak in a heavy voice.
[What do we do about this?]
“Su-han, take care.”
As the older actress sending him off suddenly linked her arm through his, I sighed inwardly.
What did she do to be smiling yet look so pitiful?
The hand gripping his arm held on tightly as if to say “Don’t go,” despite her words.
“Haaah…”
A sigh escaped.
Somehow he felt uneasy leaving like this.
Now he understood what the body-spirit old man had said:
No matter how much you sweep things away, as long as the one causing it remains, you never know what might happen.
Looking at the senior actress forcing a smile as she clung to him, he couldn’t bring himself to step forward.
When he’d gone back into the room earlier, he’d been shocked.
It was like someone had released an octopus inside.
The whole room was drenched in black.
And yet, as he and Chief Park returned from the restroom, everyone smiled brightly at them.
It was horror itself.
Even Chief Park, usually quick with words, had been so cowed by the atmosphere he barely spoke until the meal ended.
“Um… Chief Gu—no, Director.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Would it be okay if I took my senior home?”
“Oh! This is awkward, but… well, you’re all adults.”
He grinned from ear to ear yet called it awkward—what did that even mean?
“Then how about a cup of tea with Chief Park too?”
“Ah, that’s…”
“Why? Does GB have a no-dating clause for actors? I don’t think so. It’s not good to meddle too much in their private lives either.”
Blatant. Completely blatant.
But it won’t work.
“Senior, can you drive this big car?”
“Huh?”
That look—as if to say “What nonsense is this now?”
This was the same person who’d been trembling like a wet puppy just moments ago.
“It’s just… if I drive, I don’t know where I’ll end up. I’m a beginner.”
“I’ll drive then. You two just sit comfortably. Director, our Woo still isn’t used to driving.”
“Hmm, is that so? I thought you were going for a drive. I’m not usually like this. You two seem close, and since our Kwon actor messed up I wanted to help out of guilt. You understand, right?”
“Yes! Thank you! Then can we ask for this favor sometimes?”
“Eh?”
Might as well use the chance to shake off that watchdog even briefly.
“Oh, of course! If it’s Woo asking.”
I can see exactly what you’re thinking, you damned man.
He smiled wide but the black aura writhed around him.
And that’s how I rescued my senior.
