: From Former Glory to Future Dreams

In his previous life, Lee Jihoon was a visionary film director celebrated for his groundbreaking cinematography and masterful storytelling. With a series of critically acclaimed films and a legacy that was reshaping the future of cinema, he had reached the pinnacle of his career—until tragedy struck, cutting his life short before he could complete his magnum opus.

But death was not the end.

Instead of fading into oblivion, Jihoon awakens to a completely unfamiliar reality—it is now 2006, and he has been reborn as a notorious chaebol heir of the powerful Lee family. Gone are the familiar film sets and the accolades; in their place stands a world of corporate power struggles, elite privilege, and ruthless ambition. Now, as the youngest son of a deceased mother and living with his grandparents, Jihoon must navigate this harsh new life while clinging to the memories of his past and the promise of a future he is determined to reshape.

As he begins to process the memories of his new identity, Jihoon is struck by the uncanny similarities to his past life. Familiar names—renowned companies and celebrated figures—resurface as if echoing his former reality. Could it be a parallel universe? After all, science suggests that such possibilities might not be entirely out of reach.

For instance, his current family founded Samseong Electronics. In his previous life, Samseong had become a giant in consumer electronics, but in this reality, it is only just beginning its journey and hasn't yet reached the same scale.

Buoyed by this revelation, he feels a surge of excitement for his current identity. In his past life, he had struggled relentlessly to achieve what he once thought was impossible. Now, with the formidable power of his family behind him, those achievements seem well within his grasp.

After a brief surge of excitement, Jihoon quickly composed himself. He knew that if events unfolded as they had in his previous life, the Lee family would be mired in an endless feud—something he could do little about given his current status. In his former reality, his mother, Lee Yoonhyung, had defied family expectations by falling in love with a race car driver, resulting in Jihoon being born out of wedlock. To make matters worse, his father turned out to be a swindler driven solely by greed. When the truth emerged, Lee Yoonhyung was devastated and ultimately ended her own life, leaving Jihoon in a very awkward position within the family.

He swiftly sifted through his past memories, searching for a way forward as he absorbed increasing details about his new life and the world around him. It soon became clear: instead of getting lost in this unfamiliar whirlwind, he should return to what he knew best—the filmmaking industry. To fund his fresh start, he resolved to sell his mother's shares in Samseong Electronics.

Although the shares of Samseong Electronics are expected to become highly lucrative in the future, given Jihoon's current position within the family, it is wise for him to let them go and use the funds to launch his entertainment empire.

Without hesitation, Jihoon immediately sought out his grandfather, Lee Kunhee. Despite the controversies surrounding his mother, both Lee Kunhee and his wife, Hong Rahee, loved Jihoon unconditionally. When Jihoon brought up the idea of selling his family's shares to fund his venture into the film industry, his grandfather showed not even a hint of anger. After a long and thoughtful discussion, Lee Kunhee recognized his grandson's ambitious vision and agreed to let him proceed with the sale.

With his grandfather's consent, Jihoon turned to his aunt, Lee Boojin, with whom he shared a closer bond than with any other family member. During one of their meetings, he revealed his plan to sell his family's company shares. Initially taken aback by the idea, Aunt Lee Boojin eventually understood that Jihoon had no interest in continuing the family business; his true passion lay in filmmaking. Ultimately, she agreed to purchase the shares. As the sole inheritor of his mother's stake, Jihoon sold 10% of Samseong Electronics for US$15 million.

After finalizing the sale, Jihoon turned to his aunt, Lee Boojin, asking for her help in hiring a professional manager to run the company. He recognized that his time would be better spent on filmmaking rather than getting entangled in matters beyond his expertise. His mind brimmed with an abundance of ideas for movies and dramas from his previous life—films that had yet to be presented to this world.

Since awakening in this new body, Jihoon felt profoundly transformed. His memory had become razor-sharp, capturing every detail of his former life, and his physical strength had surged to new heights—he could now lift an 80kg dumbbell with ease, a feat that had been unattainable in his past existence.

After resolving these pressing matters, Jihoon shifted his focus back to his studies, knowing that his future depended on it. As he entered the final year of high school, the pressure to excel in the CSAT exam intensified. In this new life, the fame and accolades of his past no longer carried weight; academic achievement was now his gateway to credibility.

Determined to secure a smooth future and establish himself as a serious contender in the film industry, Jihoon realized that earning a university degree was not just a formality—it was essential for gaining respect and legitimacy. Without it, even his innovative ideas and natural talent could be dismissed, and critics might question his expertise as a filmmaker.

Every evening, in the quiet solitude of his room, Jihoon immersed himself in textbooks and practice tests, each study session an investment in the future he was determined to create.

Perhaps due to his enhanced memory and improved cognitive function, Jihoon breezed through the practice papers without any difficulty. This ease bolstered his confidence in achieving a high score on the CSAT exam. Moreover, having been an Asian American in his previous life, he was already proficient in English, so the English test posed no challenge at all.

Soon, the exam day arrived, and the entire nation seemed to hold its breath in reverence. Even airplane routes were adjusted to minimize noise, ensuring a distraction-free environment for the high schoolers. Police officers worked diligently to keep the roads clear, while banners with inspiring messages adorned the school gates. Parents handed out traditional rice cakes, offering comfort and support to the students. In a touching display of solidarity, family and friends left their work and daily routines to gather on the field, showing their beloved students unwavering encouragement.

Meanwhile, Jihoon arrived alone today. His family's ethos prioritizes collective interests over personal attachments, and as the one now inhabiting this body, he felt no need for such sentiments.

This mindset carried over from his previous life. Orphaned early, he was forced to handle everything on his own and quickly learned that family isn't always dependable. As a result, he never felt the need to cultivate deep familial bonds. Ultimately, he died alone in his apartment, never having married or truly trusted anyone, passing away at the age of 35.

Returning to the present, Jihoon strides into the exam room without a hint of hesitation. Once seated, he immerses himself in the CSAT, each section flowing effortlessly as the minutes slip by. With unwavering focus and confidence, he navigates through every question, completing the exam paper well before the allotted time expires.

When the final day of the CSAT arrives, a wave of relief and accomplishment washes over him. To celebrate his hard work and the successful completion of one of the most challenging milestones in his life, Jihoon decides to treat himself. He heads over to Baskin Robbins, where he indulges in his favorite ice cream—a small but meaningful reward that symbolizes the promise of a bright future ahead.

As Jihoon entered the store, he found himself queuing behind a high school girl who was deeply engrossed in choosing her ice cream flavor. She carefully inspected her money, then surveyed the array of flavors displayed on the refrigerated shelves. Finally, she confidently requested a scoop of the strawberry cheesecake flavor. As the store clerk handed her the treat, Jihoon noticed the sheer joy in her eyes—as if she had just received the most wonderful gift. Clutching her ice cream, she slowly made her way to a quiet corner of the store, ready to indulge in her delightful feast.

When it was Jihoon's turn, he simply ordered a double chocolate flavour. After paying for his ice cream, he turned around to find a seat for himself. The store was nearly full, leaving only one available table—the one beside the high school girl he noticed earlier. Without hesitation, he walked over, took a seat, and began to enjoy his treat. It felt like a small personal victory, a quiet moment of triumph as he reflected on all that he'd accomplished in his new life.

While savoring his treat, Jihoon noticed the high school girl's phone ring at the adjacent table.

Their proximity allowed him to catch snippets of her conversation. Softly, she answered.

"Omma, I'm just leaving the school now."

A gentle reply came from the other end, "No, don't worry—make sure you get home safely."

Then, with a hint of worry in her voice, she confessed, "Omma, I don't think I'll do well on the CSAT exam."

After a brief pause, she murmured, "No, Omma... I'm sorry to disappoint you."

Yet, her tone shifted as she continued, "Omma, you know studying isn't my strength. My true passion is singing, and I'm set to debut next year."

With renewed determination, she concluded, "No, Omma, I will become a superstar someday. Thank you so much for always supporting me."

As she hung up the phone, Jihoon could sense the change in her demeanor—her earlier enthusiasm for the ice cream had faded. She began to pack up her belongings, her movements slow and distracted. As she shifted her chair backward, it gently collided with Jihoon's. The unexpected contact causes him to turn around, and at that moment, their eyes met across the small space between them. 

Threads begin to entwine—a vivid reminder that every mortal life is like a ball of rolling wool: no matter how it spins, its end is inevitable. Yet, just as fate intervenes, unexpected threads cross its path. Ultimately, will these strands be woven into unbreakable knots, or will they unravel into fleeting, ephemeral connections?

~To be continue