The night I assigned Jinsu to Kim Eunha, she called me right away.
She said that thanks to him the problems on set had been sorted out and that she felt she’d gained a good colleague, her voice bright.
“I… can’t I keep working with Jinsu-oppa from now on?”
She said that, but once this movie is finished capable people will flock around her on their own.
“No. A person with his skills is hard to find, and once you wrap this shoot you’ll have more people begging to work with you than you can handle. For now, just finish what you’re filming.”
“You sometimes make predictions that sound like praise. Is that one of your prophecies too?”
“Believe whatever you want.”
“Hmm… then I’ll believe it’s a prophecy.”
The moment I hung up with her, Jinsu called as if he had been waiting.
“Just like you said, the discipline on set is in order. But… this Kim Eun‑ha kid is the real deal. If it hadn’t been for the politics, shooting would have been done long ago…”
“I told you she’s amazing.”
“Yeah. What I don’t get is how you knew. If you only saw her last film you’d think she could make nothing but cheap comedies. How did you know she had the ability to create something like this?”
His voice was full of excitement.
“Junsik, Kim Eunha… your eyes are different. It goes past impressive; it’s almost scary.”
“You’re that big and you’re scared?”
“The thing I fear most is ghosts, you know? Don’t you have some ghost whispering tips into your ear? Be careful… even if it’s helpful now…”
“You’ve watched too many horror films. Stop it. I’m going to eat now.”
Click.
I hung up on his weird advice.
It was still early evening, and I needed dinner soon. I tried to get up, but the blanket was too cozy. It felt as if it was holding me back, so I lay there a little longer, staring at the ceiling.
For the first time in a while I felt like I was really resting.
How long had it been since I sprawled on a bed without thinking of anything… Wrapped in the blanket like a grub, I felt too lazy to move.
Just as I was about to drift off again, a knock snapped me awake.
Knock knock.
“Chanhyeon. Come out here.”
“Yes!”
Mom sounded slightly angry, so I hurried out the door.
Dad and Mom were in the living room with Sanghyun; the air was chilly as if they had just had a big argument.
“What… what’s going on?”
Mom answered.
“Sanghyun says he wants us to buy him a scooter to make commuting to college easier. What do you think?”
“In my day I walked ten li to middle school,” Dad said. “The subways and buses are great now. Why a scooter?”
“Really. He’s never been this stubborn before,” Mom added.
With their forces combined, Mom and Dad were hitting Sanghyun hard. He sat on the floor with a face full of discontent. When our eyes met, he sent a pleading look, begging me to side with him.
“I was a motor pool soldier! I rode them all the time on base!”
“A motor pool soldier rides motorcycles? You shouldn’t have ridden them there either! Do you know how dangerous they are?” Mom shot back.
After her rebuttal, he sighed deeply and waited for my answer.
Ignoring his desperate gaze, I chimed in, “A scooter won’t do. Too dangerous.”
He drooped his head. Mom’s momentum grew and she shouted even louder.
“See? Your brother says no too! Stop it already, Sanghyun! Why spend money on something so dangerous?”
He was only twenty‑three. At that age you want to look cool. Maybe after discharge he wanted to show off when he went back to school.
Thinking that, he seemed like the little brother he should be.
After he left the army he had dropped out of a good university because of our poor finances and worked part‑time… In hindsight, he grew up faster than me; I always felt guilty.
“Sanghyun. Come out with me for a moment.”
“Yeah. Go listen to your brother,” Mom said.
“We’ll have dinner out,” I added.
“Fine. Talk some sense into him.”
Knowing I was anti‑scooter, Mom even winked at me.
Sanghyun and I moved to a nearby café. He was still huffing in anger on the way.
When we arrived his face was still full of sulk, and I couldn’t help but smile. I preferred this childish version of him.
“What are you smiling at? Aren’t you supposed to take my side? When you argue with Mom and Dad, I always…”
“Remember what I asked you before? Not to ride motorcycles. And what kind of motor pool soldier rides bikes? I’m grateful you at least didn’t tell them it was a lie. If I’d called you out, you’d have been beaten, not taken out for coffee.”
Since I came back I’d told him every so often: “If you get on a motorcycle, I’ll cut your legs off.”
Harsh, but necessary. I never wanted to see him in the ICU again.
“Even if that’s a lie… scooters and motorcycles are different. Their speed limits are much lower… and they’re really convenient!”
“If you crash, you still end up either stupid or dead.”
“Stupid…?”
“Either an idiot or a ghost.”
“What kind of line is that?”
“And is only your speed important? What about a car that hits you?”
He sighed again, realizing he couldn’t win.
“Forget it…”
“Get a car instead. I’ll buy you one.”
“Huh…? What?! Really? For real?”
His delighted expression vanished, replaced by suspicion.
“But… you’re not usually like this. Why all of a sudden?”
“When your wallet’s full your heart gets generous.”
“Whoa…”
Looking awed, he carefully poured water into my glass with both hands, switching to respectful little‑brother mode.
“But there are conditions.”
“Anything, Brother!”
“First, don’t give Mom and Dad grief.”
“Of course!”
He conveniently forgot the fight from earlier.
“Second, no bikes. Nothing with two wheels. If you break it, I’ll scrap your car.”
“Absolutely, Brother!”
“Finally…”
He swallowed hard, waiting.
“Figure out what you want to do.”
“Huh…?”
“Not what you have to do—what you want. If you want to study abroad, do it. If you want to prepare for a civil‑service exam, do that. You’re smart; you’ll do well. I’ll back you fully.”
“Why are you acting like this… giving me compliments that don’t suit you?”
“Because we’re comfortable now.”
“Comfortable? When were we poor?”
“Long story. Anyway, got it? Don’t want the car? I was thinking of buying you a brand‑new one.”
His eyes sparkled.
“I… yes, Brother! I’ll remember every word!”
Still a kid.
“Strike while the iron’s hot. Shall we buy it now?”
“Now?”
“You finished your drink?”
He sucked down his café mocha in one gulp and nodded.
I drove him straight to a dealership. He wore an awkward smile, unable to tell if this was a dream.
“Hey, stay focused.”
“Uh… haha.”
Since he was an army driver, I decided on a new car. In this life, I won’t skimp on family.
We stopped in front of the brand he collected as miniature models. He hesitated.
“Can we go in? It’s really expensive…”
“I’m not a loan shark. Am I going to harvest your organs after buying you a car?”
He laughed.
“I’m just so happy… It’s a real car, not a model…”
“Your brother can handle it. Let’s go.”
“But we’re wearing sweats… Is that okay?”
We both looked shabby in stretched‑out track suits.
“We could walk in wearing ape suits. You know how much is in my account?”
“Wow…”
When we entered, the staff greeted us, but no one approached. Sanghyun wandered, explaining cars to me like a salesman.
“Hey, we’re here for your car, not mine.”
“I’m just excited, hehe.”
He spoke proudly of each car’s specs. When he was deep in explanation a staffer finally approached, expression saying please move along.
“Excuse me, sir?”
“Yes?”
“We’ll be closing soon…”
He scrutinized my face, frowning slightly.
“Uh…?”
“Yes?”
“Sorry, I thought I’d seen you somewhere…”
Sanghyun grinned.
“Maybe from <Your Night>? My brother got kind of famous there.”
“Ah!”
The staffer looked again and came to his senses.
“Are you Director Gyeong Chanhyeon?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
His attitude flipped. The dismissive look vanished; he treated us like real customers.
“Please take your time, sir. Is the car for someone?”
“For my brother.”
“Certainly.”
He chatted with Sanghyun while I sank into a luxurious sofa. It was so comfortable I dozed off and woke only to his excited voice.
“Brother, I decided!”
“Here’s my card. Handle it. Call me when you’re done. I’m sleeping more.”
He went to the staffer, then hurried back.
“Brother, full payment or installments?”
“Full. Say yes to everything and hurry.”
“Okay!”
He ran off. Later he gently woke me.
“Brother, it’s done! Let’s go!”
“This sofa… too comfortable.”
“You’d better listen to your brother. When you do, blessings fall from the sky. Got it?”
I handed him my car keys.
“Why…?”
“Take my car for a spin. Let me see your driving before the new one arrives.”
Grinning, he said, “Yes, Brother! Let me show you a motor‑pool driver’s cornering!”
“Then open the door!”
“Yessir!”
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