A week had passed since Geon Kim returned home from his military service. For the first few days, his sister Shihwa, overjoyed by Geon's return, did not leave the house and followed him around everywhere. However, as days went by, she went out to meet her friends. With his parents also out, Geon, bored and loafing around the house watching TV, called up Yeongseok.
"Hello?"
"Yeongseok hyung! It's Geon."
"Oh? Geon? Did you change your number?"
"Yes, after being discharged, I went to sign up and someone else was using my number."
"Ah, I see. You made it home okay? This is the first we've spoken since your service leave."
"Yeah, hyung. You said we should have a drink when I got out, so I called. Haha."
"Wow, I can't believe you're old enough to drink soju with me now. Feels a bit strange, doesn't it?"
"Haha, does it? It does feel a bit strange to think I'll be drinking with you."
"Alright, then... it's your six now, so how about coming to Yeouido by six?"
"Uh? I thought you were in Sangam-dong?"
"I switched jobs. It's a new broadcast station called MVN. I'm not a PD anymore, but a CP (Chief Producer)."
"Oh~ I don't really know what a CP does, but congratulations on your promotion, hyung."
"Yeah, if you search on your phone, you'll find the place. Come on time, I'll treat you to sashimi. It must have been hard to get something like that in the U.S., and impossible during your service."
"Haha, that's true. See you then, hyung!"
After hanging up, Geon took a shower. He hadn't bathed properly in days and felt his hair might be starting to smell. Once done, he checked again that nobody was home, then walked to his room without bothering to put on underwear. Sitting naked, he rummaged through his closet and said,
"Ah, where is that luxury underwear that Yeonju noona gave me.. Ah, here it is!"
After putting on the wide-banded silk underwear from his closet, Geon, now more worn and torn than ever, dressed according to Yeonju's styling tips always attached to his closet. The clothes seemed to fit him better than before he enlisted, thanks to his consistent exercise. After blow-drying his hair roughly, he put on a black mask, checked the time, and hurried out.
"I might be late at this rate!"
Geon took the apartment elevator down to the first floor, then stepped out, spreading his arms wide with a smile.
"My dear steed!"
Below the stairs on the first floor was the Harley Davidson gifted by the chairman of Fantagio. Pressing the smart key, the motorcycle's rear compartment opened automatically, revealing a helmet. Touching the black helmet, similar in design to German military helmets, Geon thought,
'Sorry, I have to leave you behind today because I'm going to drink.'
Geon left the apartment building and hailed a taxi.
"Hello! To MVN in Yeouido, please!"
As the taxi driver slowly started the car, he noticed Geon with his mask on through the rearview mirror. Even with a large mask covering up to his chin, the driver could tell he was incredibly handsome.
"Oh, it's great to get a long trip to Yeouido. Though I'll have to return empty, nowadays with real-time call taxis, if I'm lucky, I might pick up a passenger on the way back. By the way, you're really handsome~ Going to a broadcast station, are you a celebrity?"
Geon pondered for a moment.
'Am I a celebrity? Not yet?'
After thinking it over, he replied,
"I guess not yet, haha."
"Not yet? So, you're an aspiring celebrity then. My daughter nags me every day wanting to be in a girl group. Are you an aspiring singer too?"
"Yes, I suppose so, haha."
"Well, I've heard that's tough. Don't lose courage and keep working hard."
"Thank you, sir."
As they chatted about life, the taxi eventually made its way through Olympic-daero and into Yeouido. After paying the fare and getting out, Geon saw Yeongseok waiting in front of the broadcast station, putting out his cigarette and coming over to grip Geon's shoulder.
"Geon! Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? Even though we've spoken on the phone, seeing you in person is really something else."
Geon smiled and gave Yeongseok a light hug.
"Indeed, hyung. Sorry, I should have met you before en
listing."
Yeongseok playfully grabbed Geon's head.
"Yeah, you little, I was upset."
As Geon grinned, Yeongseok laughed heartily.
"Let's go. Normally, I'd just head to a street food stall for some fishcake soup and soju, but it might be uncomfortable for you, and I brought the corporate card, so we can go somewhere nice. Hehe."
"A corporate card? You can just use that for personal stuff?"
"Of course not, man. But who's going to say anything if I used it to meet you? Come on, there's a nice Japanese restaurant nearby. Their fresh sashimi is to die for."
As they walked to the restaurant, more people glanced at the star PD, Yeongseok, than at Geon wearing his mask. Geon, noticing the stares, smiled with his eyes.
"Wow, hyung, you're quite famous, huh? Everyone's looking."
Yeongseok elbowed Geon teasingly.
"Man, if you took off that mask, it'd be chaos here."
"Ah, it's been two years; more people probably don't recognize me."
"You're kidding. Everyone looks at your face first. 'Isn't that Geon Kim? Looks familiar.' That's how it is."
"Haha, I wasn't active in Korea for long."
"What you did overseas is well-known; almost every Korean knows. This country loves its national pride. If a Korean does well abroad, everyone's quick to boast as if they had a part in it."
"Haha, hyung, you've become quite cynical."
"It's not cynicism; it's a fact."
Chatting and joking, they entered the upscale Japanese restaurant. A modernly dressed hostess in a kimono greeted them with a smile.
"Oh, the CP is here~ It's been a while. Ah~ So, CP, you were the one who made the reservation?"
Yeongseok, hands in his pockets, smiled brightly.
"Ah, yes~ Madame, how have you been? Yes, that was my reservation. I'm meeting someone."
The hostess looked at Geon, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh my, who is this tall gentleman? A model?"
Geon, keeping silent, simply smiled with his eyes still masked, causing the hostess to blush.
'What's this? I can barely see his face and he looks young, but why does my heart flutter?'
Yeongseok, noticing the hostess's reaction, mischievously asked,
"We're hungry, which room is ours?"
Startled by Yeongseok's question, the hostess pointed inside.
"It's the second room on the inside, the Maehwa room. You reserved course C, right? I'll bring it right away."
Yeongseok led the way, removing his shoes and sliding open the door marked "Maehwa room," revealing an elegant Japanese-style interior with a recessed floor for seating. Geon looked around the room in awe.
"Wow, this place is really nice. Isn't it expensive?"
Yeongseok, settling comfortably into a low chair with a backrest, said,
"Why are you surprised by this? You have plenty of money, all that money from China."
Geon grimaced.
"That's gone. Dad said you have to invest in real estate to be wealthy in Korea, so he used it to buy an apartment in my name. Of course, it's technically my asset, but it's tied up. The rest went to tuition and living expenses abroad, so I don't have much left. Maybe I should start looking for a part-time job, haha."
"Mm.. Real estate can be profitable, but ideally, you should avoid both real estate and stocks."
Geon's eyes widened in curiosity.
"Why? If you don't do those, you can't make money here."
"Real estate and stocks, people call it investing, but it's all gambling."
"Huh? How is that gambling?"
"It's legalized gambling. Let's use poker as an example. You get the first three cards and place one down before drawing more, right? Then the betting starts. Why do you think people join the betting?"
"Um.. because the first three cards look promising?"
"Exactly. You see a potential pair, or they all share the same suit, or the numbers are in sequence, and you think it's worth a bet. Investing is the same. You invest because the cards shown by the other side look attractive. How is merely changing names considered an investment?"
"Um.. I hadn't thought about it that way."
"If you're going to invest, invest more in music. That's the faster way to make money."
As the servers brought in the course meal and set up the table, Yeongseok waited for them to leave before continuing.
"So, when are you planning to return to school?"
Geon dipped a piece of sash
imi into soy sauce and chewed thoughtfully before answering.
"Man, this tastes so good after so long!! I'm not sure yet. Doesn't look like I'll go back to school for a few months."
"So, what do you plan to do?"
"Well, I used to travel when I had time, but I'm out of money now, haha."
Yeongseok stared at Geon, who was still eating, then put down his chopsticks. Geon, feeling the sudden attention, also put his chopsticks down, sensing an important conversation was about to start. Yeongseok broke the silence.
"Do you want to do a program with me?"
Geon looked puzzled.
"I saw what a CP does on the way here, they don't directly make programs but manage them. I'm not really interested unless you're directly involved."
Yeongseok's gaze turned serious.
"I'll be directly involved in this one."
"Really? But you said you're a Chief Producer?"
"Yes, but I was scouted by this new broadcast station with a big offer, and they need something to draw attention early on. It'd be easier with your help."
Geon appeared hesitant, so Yeongseok continued.
"You said you wanted to travel, right? You know I'm a travel program PD. Actually, I have a program already fully planned but haven't confirmed the cast yet. Just waiting for the boss's approval."
"What's the program about?"
"It's a travel show exploring remote places. The original plan was to cast a girl group or something, send them to a remote location, and make them trek through tough travels for a variety show. But if you're on board, we might shift the focus to music."
"Music in a remote place?"
Yeongseok, with a dreamy look, gazed out the window of the room, raising a hand.
"Imagine. The destination I'm talking about is Nepal. You know, where the Himalayas are. Picture yourself playing the guitar and singing in such an amazing place. Wouldn't that be incredible? You wanted to travel, right? It's a free trip, and seeing such vast, magnificent mountains could really expand your musical scale."
Geon's interest seemed piqued as he adjusted his posture.
"What's the name of the program?"
Yeongseok raised a finger, suggesting,
"It was initially 'The Wizard of the Remote Places,' but if you're coming, 'The Song of the Himalayas' would be better."