Chapter 10: : A Father's Doubt, A Son's Resolve

Lee Joon-seong stood in front of his house for the first time in a long while, briefly closing his eyes.

Living at Chan-hyun's house and not feeling envious of his family would have been a lie.

However, he tried not to show it.

But perhaps it was obvious.

'I can see it in your eyes that you're envious whenever you see me with my parents.

Damn kid.'

Joon-seong chuckled, remembering Chan-hyun's words.

Ding dong.

Who…?The intercom was faintly filled with Joon-seong's mother's voice before it stopped.

The front gate opened, and someone rushed out.

"Joon-seong? Joon-seong?"

His mother ran out on tiptoe, opened the gate, and embraced Joon-seong.

"You rascal. You rotten child. Sob…"

Following her were his father and younger sister.

His father's expression, unlike his mother's, lacked both sadness and joy, showing instead a hint of anger.

"Are you only now deciding to listen to me?"

"Is that all you have to say after your son has been away for so long? Did you eat? How have you been living all this time?"

"We need to resolve things first."

His mother looked at his father resentfully at his words.

But his father didn't seem to care.

The father's face was just as he remembered, showing no sign of change after six years.

He still looked at Joon-seong as if he were a freak, making Joon-seong feel as if he were frozen in place.

But if he was overwhelmed by his father again, Joon-seong thought he might never walk the path he wanted. He clenched his fists.

"You're right, Father. Mother, there are things that need to be resolved first."

"..."

His mother, somewhat reassured that her son had returned home, gave a slight smile and looked at Joon-seong.

The house, which had once worried him after the IMF crisis, seemed to be even better now, as if mocking his earlier concerns.

"Have you decided?"

"Yes."

"Then, first go abroad for studies."

"No, the path I've chosen isn't that one."

At Joon-seong's answer, his father's eyebrows furrowed deeply again.

"What?"

"I've come here to gain recognition."

"Recognition…?"

"Yes. I've worked on a film with my friend."

"That cheap entertainment?"

His father's words were quite sharp.

Despite reminding himself countless times before arriving that he wouldn't react emotionally, it was easier said than done.

"Movies can't be dismissed with such words…"

"Dismiss? What can you really do with a movie? The TV is what moves the world."

"But…"

"You're the problem. Why can't you see even an inch ahead?"

Joon-seong tightened his fists.

It had been six years since he had run away from home in this very situation. But compared to the insults and mistreatment he faced while working part-time, this kind of disregard was insignificant.

"TV moves the world, but movies handle a lot more money than TV."

Joon-seong's answer seemed to surprise his father.

"A kid who ran away from home to make movies is talking about money now?"

"Are you saying that movies have nothing to do with money?"

"Exactly. Are there any successful movies in our country? Movies aren't profitable art."

His father lit a cigarette and continued.

"Profitable art is like that. Its value increases over time."

Behind him was a painting by a famous artist.

His father had bought it at a cheap price, and he had been bragging about how its value had increased since.

"I'm aiming to do an art business that isn't affected by time."

"A business?"

His father took a deep drag from his cigarette, then exhaled. When the smoke cleared, Joon-seong looked intently at him.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I didn't know back then, but I've realized I've inherited a lot from you."

"Don't talk nonsense."

His father flicked the ash from his cigarette, seemingly curious about what Joon-seong was saying.

"I thought I had a talent for art, but that wasn't it. Instead, as I kept working in film, my focus has increasingly been on financial aspects."

"Financial aspects?"

"Yes. I kept thinking about how much it cost to produce a film and how to cut costs."

"Then you should have learned business from the beginning…"

"No."

It was the first time Joon-seong had interrupted his father's words. But it didn't scare him at all. Nor was it an emotional reaction.

This was purely a rational decision.

"I'm interested in the film business. Investors, production companies, distribution companies, and even entertainment agencies. All these businesses are blue oceans right now."

"What…?"

His father probably still thought of him as the same Joon-seong who ran away from home six years ago, obsessed with movies.

"If the business I envision is realized, it could make a lot of money."

"Even so, it'll be limited to domestic markets."

"No."

Joon-seong's quick answer made his father frown again.

Realizing that Joon-seong was not a clueless fool, his father seemed to sense that he had prepared answers for all possible questions.

"If I work with my friend, Director Kyung Chan-hyun, it won't be limited to domestic markets."

"Friend?"

"Yes."

"A friend is the most useless person in the world, especially in business…"

"This one is different. He's quite capable. And the house I'm staying at also belongs to this friend."

"Ha, so you ran away from home to live at someone else's place?"

"Yes."

"..."

His father looked quite surprised.

"Are you expecting something from this?"

"The rich madman, whether he's mad or not, I didn't see him having any expectations from me."

"Ha, you're a funny kid. Is your friend someone who won't be swayed by money?"

"That's why I want to work with him. As a producer, and he as a director."

Joon-seong's father stared at him for a while.

His son, who had run away with a childish expression six years ago, was now completely different. His father felt as if he were looking at his younger self.

"Currently, the project my friend and I worked on is being screened."

"The Shield Cinema?"

The multiplex cinema mentioned by his father.

"No, it's the 'Agape Cinema' in Jongno."

"What?"

"You'll be surprised if you see the line outside. Please come and see for yourself."

"See what? I'm not going."

Joon-seong stood up. His mother, who had been watching quietly, spoke up.

"Are you leaving already? Have a meal before you go."

"I have a part-time job shift soon. I'll head out first."

Joon-seong went outside, and his father sat back down and lit another cigarette. Only his mother and younger sister followed him.

Joon-seong patted his younger sister Yeji's head, whom he hadn't seen in years.

Yeji was already at the age to enter university after passing her teenage years.

"How did your college entrance exam go?"

"Is asking after so many years that strange?"

"Well, should I hug you and cry too?"

Joon-seong chuckled, thinking of Chan-hyun and Sang-hyeon's appearances.

"Then I'll kill you."

"Don't be a troublemaker like me. One troublemaker is enough."

"I'm a dutiful daughter, you know?"

Yeji pouted, and their mother looked at Joon-seong with concern.

"Are you doing okay living there?"

"Everything's fine. The person I live with is a foodie, so the food is great. And his family takes good care of me."

"I should visit…"

"No, it's my debt to repay, so I should handle it myself."

"Is your part-time job dangerous?"

"It's at a fast-food place. I'm being careful, so don't worry too much."

Seeing her son about to leave after six years made their mother's eyes well up with tears.

Joon-seong felt like he might also cry, so he clenched his fists even tighter.

"It's really late. I'll be going now! See you next time!"

"Be careful!"

"Goodbye, unfilial son!"

As Joon-seong gradually walked away, his mother hugged Yeji tightly.

"It's a relief. It's a relief. Your brother has grown up well."

"Unfilial though?"

"Still, he's become a Man."

"I'll admit that."

_______________________________________

A few days later, there was strange news at the cinema.

Even though all seats were booked, only three people had entered.

His father urgently called him and asked him to come to the cinema.

"Probably just a rich person's extravagance."

"What? Why would a rich person come here? Don't you know anything?"

"Hey, Dad. Is there a rule that rich people can't watch movies?"

"No, but in a small cinema like this…"

"They came to see 'The Woman in the Sealed Room,' so are you doubting your son?"

"Not that, but it's strange!"

"What's strange? It's perfectly natural."

Joon-seong had succeeded.

Three people? Joon-seong's parents and who else? Ah, his sister?

Lee Yeji.

She was a female CEO who took over the family business that wasn't passed on to her brother. She had expanded the business significantly and reached the position of CEO in her 40s, as reported in articles. And she had also started an entertainment agency with Joon-seong.

"So, a rich person is renting out an entire theater to watch your movie?"

"I guess they wanted to watch it comfortably."

"The world is coming to an end. How can they have so much money?"

"Ah! I wish I could live like that."

"Oh? Don't you remember how you secretly watched a movie and got punished when you were little?"

His father playfully put him in a headlock.

"Ah! Dad! High school stories!"

Since he had become close with his father, he seemed to be much more relaxed with him now.

Returning to the past had many benefits, especially the ability to undo past regrets.

Knock knock.

"Sir. Someone is here to see you."

"Who is it?"

"Well… The lady who made the reservation for today's movie."

His father's playful expression vanished instantly, and he looked at Joon-seong.

"Do you know anything?"

"Um… I don't know."

Joon-seong would probably want to keep his mother's visit here a secret from those around him.

"I'll stay here. She might be looking for me."

"Alright. Let her in!"

"Yes!"

The door slowly opened.

The woman in her 50s didn't look her age, with skin that seemed almost ageless, dressed in luxurious fur that looked incredibly soft, but her appearance was very similar to Joon-seong.

"Ah, hello! I'm Kyung Jae-soo, the owner of Agape Cinema. This is Director Kyung Chan-hyun."

"Hello."

His father bowed 90 degrees.

He looked more courteous, perhaps sensing the possibility of becoming an investor in the cinema.

"Oh, hello. I was looking for the person who made the movie, and it seems you're here."

"Oh… Yes. Haha. Ah, Ms. Director, I'm truly sorry, but could you step out for a moment?"

"What? Why? No, wait, huh?"

I grabbed my father's arm, making a pleading expression.

And I gave a gentle squeeze to his arm, indicating that there was another matter.

My father looked at me blankly, and I whispered into his ear.

"Dad, please. This is something crucial to my life."

"Are you looking for the director?"

"Yes."

"Then, is it alright if I step out for a bit?"

"You can stay here if you want…"

"Haha, no. I need to use the bathroom urgently, so I'll step out for a moment. Feel free to talk."

My father performed his role perfectly and exited the office.

Now it's my turn to make the spike in Joon-seong's volley.