"Hmm."
The message I sent had not yet received a reply.
But let's see.
The idol group that Lee Sejin was currently a member of, GY-ROP, was scheduled to enjoy a short break immediately after the tour.
He probably wouldn't guess that I knew about that and contacted him, but it meant that he could make time for at least one day out of those few days.
But this was where the bait fell.
An actor with the same name, Lee Sejin.
He was at the peak of his career as an actor, and there was even a story going around about them having the same name. It was an excellent choice for networking.
It Is worth raising the management priority.
'Wouldn't it be okay if I stop by and spend some time the next day?' … Wouldn't he have thought something like this?
After all, this was Lee Sejin I was talking about, who was able to find out the MC's number in his first solo entertainment show.
Just as expected.
The turned-off smartphone screen soon vibrated again.
[Cool Dongsaeng Sejin: Hahaha, how did you contact me at the right time? I have a free schedule!]
[Cool Dongsaeng Sejin: What day will it be?]
Yes.
Ryu Chungwoo looked at the screen and spoke with a wry smile.
"You're also in contact with Sejin. You must have had a hard time."
"… Yes. Well, not that much."
It was the moment when I was about to reply that there was no need for trouble.
"Moondae hyung! Change my contact name to cool dongsaeng too! I am Cha Eugene, a wonderful tiger…"
"Be quiet, idiot… Oops?"
… No, I was just doing this as bait so… … What was going on with him?
"Oh!! Kim Raebin, did you just call me an idiot?"
"It was a mistake!"
Thanks to Kim Raebin, who automatically became the center of attention, I avoided my contacts list becoming even more chaotic.
And a few days later, we met in a private room at a restaurant in Seoul.
"So, Lee Sejin is coming soon? He doesn't remember anything?"
"Yes."
Bae Sejin appeared wearing sunglasses, a hat, and gloves, and when he sat down, he looked a little nervous and was drinking water.
I didn't know what was going on, even though they shared a dorm together not long ago.
'Well, it wasn't really right in the beginning.'
I didn't know if it was because of the stressful memories he had back then.
Anyway, we'd have to wait another 30 minutes for him to come, so his nerves would go away.
It was because I met this guy a little early on purpose.
"By the way, hyung, how is work at work?"
… I wanted to ask him what on earth he did to make his boss kneel on the ground and get punished.
And as soon as he heard the question, Bae Sejin's face came alive.
"Well… not bad."
"Is that so."
"Well, it's just… The contract was renewed to meet industry standards, the manager was changed, and scripts were not thrown away."
"… ?"
"And I obtained a recording and a memorandum to prevent others from doing this anymore… Not bad. Ahem."
"…"
He was bragging openly.
Bae Sejin had on a face that looked like he would shout "Good riddance!" at any moment.
Alright. I opened my mouth obediently.
"That's amazing. There wasn't even an article about it, and it's not easy to handle things so quietly."
"Hmm, it wasn't difficult. Just… It was handled according to common sense and natural order."
"Oh."
Was it time for him to talk about the methods he used in detail?
"The president stole the company's money and went on an away gambling trip."
"… !!"
"And I have proof. The video!"
He said he didn't know it was evidence before, but only found out a few years later when it was revealed to the media.
'With this guy's personality, he must have run simulations of this several times…'
Still, it seemed like he didn't meet a lawyer in vain because the president ended up getting accused.
"Of course, it is socially better to report it to the police and handle it properly but… I won't be able to do any activities for a while if I do that."
"Ah."
Bae Sejin fiddled with his water glass.
"Well… I still need to help you win the grand prize."
"… !"
"For that to happen, it is advantageous for me to continue to be active. But still! I think I have made it so that the president will never do something like that again."
"…"
Wow.
This guy realized that this wasn't really reality and then came up with a realistic compromise with no hesitation.
"Thank you."
"Hmm, what? We're all trying to go back together!"
After that, Bae Sejin completely lost his temper and even talked about how he sent away the manager and the unscrupulous employee.
It wasn't flawless, but he seemed to have good momentum and efforts to handle it in a meticulous manner, so there didn't seem to be anything I needed to do.
'It's good.'
And originally, he was going to change his name to 'Bae Sejin', but there was even talk that he held back for the sake of recognition.
Ah, now that I thought about it…
"Hyung, what's going on with your father here?"
That drug villain.
"…"
Bae Sejin opened his mouth with a slightly shocked expression.
"… I heard that he's missing?"
"… ??"
No, how on earth was this world formed?
"Anyway, he divorced my mom and everything is over! It's okay."
"Hmm, yes."
If that was the case.
The topic returned to the current situation and future plans.
"… Okay! The movie will be released soon. Hmm, and good luck with your survival debut… …"
Knock-knock.
"Ah."
A knocking sound was heard from the room.
'Not an employee.'
When I looked at the clock, I knew who it was.
"Come on in."
4 minutes before the appointed time.
Lee Sejin opened the door and came in.
"Hyung, I'm here, hello~ Hello!"
The guy with dyed hair hidden in a hood took off his mask and said hello.
"Welcome."
"Ah, it's close to my house, so I came at the right time! Everyone else came early."
His house wasn't nearby. He probably waited nearby and came on time.
I sat down and motioned to the other side.
"This is Lee Sejin. The actor."
"Ah, I'm really enjoying your movie!"
"Oh, yes."
Bae Sejin nodded. It reminded me of
"I was also impressed by 'Seahorse' you filmed this time."
Lee Sejin seemed to have done thorough research in advance. It was befitting of the guy.
"You seemed like a really scary medical student, which gave me goosebumps. I'm always amazed at how well you capture those emotions, really!"
Bae Sejin, who was a four-shooter psychopath, answered this while nervous.
"Because I'm always playing in roles like that… Um, yeah."
"…"
For a moment, Lee Sejin almost fell silent, but he soon smiled back.
"Hey, it must feel the same because you do well every time!"
"That's not it… Anyway, thank you."
"Ahaha, yes!"
And it seemed that Lee Sejin immediately discarded all career-related small talk topics after that.
However, even after that, all of Lee Sejin's personal questions were bounced back.
"Ah, that coat looks good on you! Do you wear it often?"
"Hmm… The manager gave it to me."
"The manager has a good eye."
So, Bae Sejin, who heard praise about the manager he cut off this morning, responded like this.
"… … It's hard to say."
"…"
Since he wasn't good at crushing public facts and responding with lies, he was keeping his mouth shut…
'It's ruined.'
I would admit it.
These guys were just… They didn't fit together.
'In the end, I'm the one taking the lead again.'
"Let's talk more while we eat. You must be hungry."
"… ! Oh, that's good. What did you order, hyung?"
The Korean food course came out, and I started creating small talk topics that didn't even exist before.
• * *
'Ah~ It's messy.'
Lee Sejin was eating and internally evaluating the situation.
It was a bad idea to form a relationship with the actor sitting across from him.
'Did he not want to come today? Why is he like that?'
Actually, he thought that they could be friends somehow if they kept talking to each other persistently… But for some reason, he didn't even want to do that.
'It's not necessary to have connections to actors.'
Lee Sejin had to wait at least a few more years before he could pursue his own solo career in acting. So, there was no need for him to be in a hurry… maybe.
'… No, I need to be more conscious.'
Looking at his group, it seemed like it would be difficult to renew the contract. The thought of having to find a way to live within a few years was somehow bittersweet.
'There's barely anything I can do.'
It was silly to think like this. After all, his group was doing well right now…
"The ribs here are delicious."
"… ! Oh, that's right~ I didn't know about this delicious restaurant!"
"I heard that fans post a lot of hashtags like that."
"That's right, that's right, I hope they keep uploading a lot."
When Ryu Gunwoo saw that the conversation between Lee Sejin and Lee Sejin was not going well, he personally gently led the conversation.
He seemed unusually proactive.
'… Isn't he unexpectedly considerate?'
Although this was only their second meeting, these thoughts kept popping up into his head.
Well, just by looking at it, it didn't seem like he was an extrovert. Lee Sejin just moved his thoughts to the next topic.
Anyway, instead of bringing someone like that in, he would rather have the both of them meet alone…
'… No, then wouldn't that give me a reason to not come?'
Right. He took the time to say that he would introduce new connections… Was that it?
He didn't know. Strangely, the flow of his thoughts felt jumbled.
Lee Sejin didn't show it, but he was a little surprised.
'It's strange.'
Still, the conversation continued. Likewise, it felt funny… Because he felt comfortable.
"How was the tour?"
And when they moved to topics about idols, activities, and survival programs, deeper conversations automatically began to emerge.
"The tour is fun. Hyung will do it soon too. You're so good at it! The 'Wise' program is very popular."
"But if I actually debut, the song and the concept are important. I can't necessarily say it will work out well…"
Ryu Gunwoo was similar to that actor in the way that they both blatantly stated facts, but he ended his speech with a smile.
"Still, I hope it goes well. I think it will be very rewarding."
"… Hmm, yes. The stage is hard, but it's really fun work."
"Yes."
Although the questions he asked were like that of a survival contestant with an uncertain future, there wasn't a sense of desperation.
What else should he say? People were simple.
"… Hyung's agency is famous for being good at giving tours. It will be fine."
So, Lee Sejin may have started to give slightly more honest answers instead of well-coordinated relationship answers without realizing it.
Naturally, the topic became more serious.
And then came this question.
"Now that I think about it… I wanted to ask you how you felt when you debuted. How was it?"
His debut?
"It was amazing, but it was also very hectic? I was so busy that I didn't have time to reflect much on it."
It was true.
But there were also facts below that did not need to be said.
"… Well, it might not feel like you'd think, though."
If he was expecting overwhelming passion, a sense of challenge, and the stability of being in the right position, Lee Sejin would advise him to give it up.
Ryu Gunwoo asked quietly.
"Do you have any regrets?"
Regrets?
"Still, I don't think I have any particular regrets. Of course… Unexpected difficulties also arise."
His members were one of the main factors. However, it couldn't be helped since they already debuted together.
"Like what?"
"Oh, well…"
Lee Sejin opened his mouth without thinking, and only then did he realize.
That he was being very unnecessarily honest.
'Why am I saying this…'
And he managed to correct his words naturally.
"… There's no easy way to make money~ Something like that!"
"… Yes. I would think that as well."
"…"
Ryu Gunwoo did not inquire further. He definitely seemed to sense something strange, and it seemed like some kind of consideration.
'Ah.'
Lee Sejin was a little disappointed but relieved.
'… ?? What am I disappointed about?'
Then, instead, the actor who was eating hard said something scathing.
"That's right. There is nothing easy about making money."
"… ?"
"People have to pay for their meals."
Suddenly?
He didn't even know why he said that, but since it was clear that he was older than him, Lee Sejin just answered softly.
"That… That's right. Yes, yes."
The actor held the chopsticks while his veins stood out.
"Some people just stick to their positions and act lazy, and they end up doing things they shouldn't do… People like that don't deserve to make money."
"Oh, they shouldn't do that. Really."
Lee Sejin had a moment of seriousness as he found himself agreeing with the actor.
This was due to the fact that he was angry because of the close examples that came to mind right at the moment.
Lee Sejin spoke calmly, recalling the face of a bastard who drank alcohol the day before their tour and failed to manage his condition.
"There is such a thing as work ethics. And if there is such a person in a group, the whole group will suffer losses as a consequence."
"That's right! No matter how great they may seem, a good person who works hard is better than that kind of person!"
However, despite shouting out energetically, the actor suddenly flinched and added on more words.
"Well… Maybe you prefer someone who is good at something even if they are bad or lazy, rather than someone who is not good at it."
And it was resolved quickly.
"It's usually like that!"
"…"
Lee Sejin thought about answering with, "There are a lot of people like that," but he discarded it.
For some reason, he was a little upset.
No, he didn't want to respond like this… Would they think that he was that type of person?
"No, even if they're not good at it, I think it's better to be someone who works hard."
"… Really?"
"That's right. If we're going to keep working together, thinking about the future, won't the former end up doing better?"
"… !"
Lee Sejin came to a conclusion without realizing it.
"It's better if you have someone you can stay together with."
His mind was cool now.
"…"
It looked like the actor was about to drop his chopsticks the moment he heard that.
Why was he like that?
But he quickly corrected himself and muttered in a much brighter tone.
"… That's right. You're right."
"Yes~?"
For the first time today, their conversation ended properly.
And Lee Sejin slightly changed his mind.
Well… His personality seemed a bit eccentric, but he seemed to be the type of person with a vision when it came to doing things.
'He's… not bad.'
And Ryu Gunwoo, who had been eating without interfering in the conversation between the two, only then started talking again.
"Speaking of work, how much practice is appropriate? Actors and idols have different requirements."
"Well, isn't consistency important?"
"… Alright. I guess there is such a thing as a habit that becomes ingrained in the body."
And naturally, the conversation progressed with all three people participating…
"… !"
Wait a minute.
'… So, did he intentionally bring the conversation this way?'
Because that actor opened his mouth in serious conversations. He was so annoyed that he gave up on small talk, but he spoke when they had a serious conversation…
The atmospheree between him and the actor did not become any more strange.
"…"
Lee Sejin felt embarrassed for some reason and lowered his gaze to the bowl.
Even though he was younger and was a sunbaenim, it was a bit weird to be considered in a situation like this.
But at the same time… he felt a little at ease. Should he say that it felt reassuring?
'Wow, I'm saying all sorts of things.'
He eventually gave up.
It seemed like he just wanted to make new connections with his friends.
'… Having idol friends are nice.'
Lee Sejin held back a sigh and put soybean paste noodles into his mouth.
It was delicious.
• * *
The meal I had with the two people with the same name ended up going well.
As soon as Lee Sejin left, Bae Sejin took over and made this evaluation.
-Even though he's young, he's still completely the same!
Of course, it didn't end here.
-… It wasn't bad though.
Meeting him in a different situation and position seemed to have made him reflect on the things that were creaky during our debut.
He seemed to think that If the situation had been different, their fight would have been resolved sooner.
[I think the two of them will get along well from now on…]
That could be true.
Anyway, I saw Bae Sejin off as he went to beat up the president again.
And I joined three other guys who went out to pick out Kim Raebin's piercings.
"Did you meet the two Sejin hyungs? Next time, invite me too!"
Cha Eugene left these words and ran to buy pizza with Kim Raebin.
Ryu Chungwoo evaluated it this way:
"Sejin, I mean, the reason why you met Lee Sejin… Are you trying to make him feel less upset later when his memories come back?"
"…"
I put down my smartphone.
"That's not it. It's convenient if I have a connection with a senior idol with a reputation."
I knew all the information, so there was nothing I shouldn't use. … He was also a good fit.
Ryu Chungwoo was blank for a moment, but then burst into laughter.
"Okay! Moondae is still the same. Like Raebin."
"… !"
"Ah, the kids are coming. You should eat some pizza too."
"No…"
This guy wasn't listening again.
Anyway, I ended up spending that day at the officetel with these three guys, eating pizza for dinner.
'What kind of meeting day is this?'
Just as I was making up an appropriate excuse for Kim Raebin, who asked, 'Would you like me to call you Moondae hyung to make it more convenient for you?'…
New rumors and public opinion about the LeTi survival show were emerging on the Internet.
[Spoiler alert for those eliminated?]
R.C.W came out and Choi Taejun was eliminated.
-???
-What are you talking about?
-Who is R.C.W?
└The guy who won the gold medal in archery and is a relative of one of the contestants.
-Why is he here?
-The smell of deep-rooted corruption…
With the scene starting to burn from a new ignition point, a new filming of the survival show soon began.
… And, a completely unexpected coincidence was waiting there.