The Night of Changes

Isn't it strange how fast the night changes? How an impromptu encounter can feel like fate weaving its intricate patterns—like a woven ball rolling endlessly in an indefinite circle, drawing certain people together time and time again. Their paths don't run parallel but instead, crisscross unpredictably, bound by an unseen force.

Jihoon hadn't expected much from a simple dinner invitation, yet here he was, walking beside Yeonhee toward a quiet restaurant. The night air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of the city—a strangely serene contrast to the day's chaos.

As they stepped inside, warmth enveloped them. The scent of sizzling meat and rich broth mingled with the soft murmur of conversation, an inviting backdrop to their evening. Jihoon's gaze swept across the tables, casually searching for Yeonhee's mysterious friend.

And then—

A familiar voice called out.

"Yeonhee Unnie!"

Jihoon's steps faltered for just a second. He turned toward the voice, his eyes landing on a young woman who had already risen from her seat, waving enthusiastically. There was something strikingly familiar about her—her bright smile, the lively glint in her eyes, the way she carried herself with effortless ease.

It took a moment for it to click.

The ice cream shop. Months ago. That same girl.

No wonder she seemed so familiar.

As her gaze flickered to him, recognition dawned. Her eyes widened slightly before settling into a knowing, playful sparkle.

Jihoon let out a small laugh, shaking his head in amused disbelief.

"What a small world!"

As they settled into their seats, Yeonhee, the only one who knew both of them, naturally took on the role of making introductions. Adhering to Korean custom, where social hierarchy influences interactions, she started with Jihoon, who held the higher status as a film director.

"This is Lee Jihoon," she said with an easy smile. "He's a director—new to the scene but incredibly talented."

Then, turning to Jihoon, she gestured toward the young woman sitting across from him.

"And this is Kim Taeyeon. SM is planning to debut her and her group next year."

Taeyeon offered a polite bow, following Korean customs. Though they were the same age, Jihoon's status as a film director placed him at the top of the entertainment industry hierarchy. In contrast, as a newcomer preparing for her debut, Taeyeon was still at the very beginning of her career. Because of this, she had to show respect—an unspoken rule deeply ingrained in the country's social structure.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Lee," Taeyeon said politely, offering a respectful bow. "I believe we met before at the ice cream shop. I wasn't expecting to see you again."

An awkward smile tugged at her lips, a subtle hint of unease lingering in her expression. Their first encounter hadn't exactly been under the best circumstances, and she wasn't sure what kind of impression she had left on him.

Jihoon returned her smile, his expression relaxed and easygoing. "You can just call me Jihoon. We're the same age—I was born in '89."

Taeyeon blinked at his casual tone before letting out a small, relieved laugh. "Oh, really? That makes things easier."

Jihoon chuckled. "Yeah, about that—I only just remembered when I saw you. What a coincidence, huh?"

Taeyeon nodded, the initial tension easing from her shoulders. "Yeah, Korea really is small."

Yeonhee, watching their interaction with amusement, smiled as she picked up the menu. "Well, now that introductions are done, shall we order?"

After hearing Yeonhee's suggestion, Jihoon and Taeyeon naturally dropped their formalities, slipping into a more comfortable conversation as they discussed what to order.

Since today was a day of celebration, Yeonhee playfully suggested, "How about a bottle of soju to make it more festive?"

Jihoon politely agreed. "That sounds like a plan."

Taeyeon hesitated for a second before nodding. "Just one bottle should be fine."

With everyone in agreement, they placed their order—grilled meat, kimchi stew, and a few side dishes to share—along with the soju.

As they waited for the food to arrive, the conversation flowed naturally. They talked about lighthearted topics—music, films, and funny stories from their respective fields. Jihoon shared a few behind-the-scenes mishaps from his shoots, while Taeyeon talked about the rigorous training she and her group members were going through in preparation for their debut.

"It must be exhausting, huh?" Jihoon asked, taking a sip of water.

Taeyeon let out a small sigh, but there was a determined glint in her eyes. "Yeah, but it's what I've always wanted to do, so I can't really complain."

Yeonhee grinned. "That's Taeyeon for you—always hardworking."

Jihoon glanced at Taeyeon with newfound respect. "I get that. Passion keeps you going."

Before Taeyeon could respond, the waiter arrived with their food, setting the sizzling dishes on the table. The warm aroma filled the air, making their stomachs growl in anticipation.

"Alright," Yeonhee said, picking up the soju bottle. "Shall we have a toast?"

Before taking a drink, Yeonhee gently reminded Taeyeon, "Just take a sip, okay?"

Taeyeon pouted slightly. "I know, I know."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow at the exchange. "Why? She doesn't drink often?"

Yeonhee chuckled as she poured the soju into their glasses. "Not exactly. It's just that when it comes to alcohol, Taeyeon has a… reputation."

Taeyeon groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Yeonhee Unnie, please."

Ignoring her, Yeonhee turned to Jihoon with a teasing smile. "Her nickname among our close friends is 'One Bottle Yeon' because she usually gets drunk after just one bottle of soju. Her alcohol tolerance is ridiculously low."

Jihoon let out a surprised laugh. "Seriously? Just one bottle?"

Taeyeon sighed in defeat. "Yeah… I don't know why, but I just can't handle alcohol well. Even if I drink slowly, it still hits me too fast."

Jihoon smirked as he lifted his glass. "Noted. I'll make sure to keep count."

Yeonhee raised her glass as well. "Alright, enough teasing. Let's toast!"

Taeyeon quickly followed, eager to change the subject.

"To new beginnings and successful careers!" Yeonhee declared.

They clinked their glasses together before taking a sip—though Taeyeon made sure hers was barely more than a taste. The warmth of the soju spread through them, setting the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed evening.

As they dug into their food, the conversation flowed easily, laughter filling the air. Jihoon found himself enjoying the company more than he expected. The initial awkwardness had faded, replaced by an unexpected sense of familiarity.

As the conversation grew lighter, Yeonhee casually brought up the topic of Jihoon's movie soundtrack. "By the way, Jihoon, have you decided on the music for your film?"

Jihoon leaned back slightly, swirling the soju in his glass. "Yeah, actually, Mr Lee and I have a plan for that."

"After we wrap up filming, I'll start working on the soundtrack. We want it to be something memorable, something that truly complements the story."

At the mention of music, Taeyeon's ears perked up. Her dream had always been to become a successful singer, and hearing Jihoon talk about soundtracks piqued her curiosity.

She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table. "That sounds really interesting."

"How do you usually go about selecting the soundtrack? Do you already have specific songs in mind, or do you create them after seeing the final scenes?"

Jihoon noticed the enthusiasm in her eyes and smiled. "It depends."

"I already have a certain melody or mood in mind while filming."

"So now, I just have to wait until I see the completed scenes and work with composers to create something that fits perfectly."

Taeyeon nodded eagerly. "Do you ever use original songs? Like, written specifically for the film?"

"Of course," Jihoon replied. "For this project, I actually want to include a few original songs. That way, the emotions of the characters can be conveyed even more deeply through the music."

Yeonhee, noticing Taeyeon's growing interest, smirked and nudged her playfully. "You should ask Jihoon if he needs a singer."

Taeyeon's face flushed slightly, but she didn't hesitate. "Actually… I'd love to be involved if there's an opportunity."

"I mean, I know I'm just a trainee now, but singing for a movie soundtrack would be a dream come true."

Jihoon looked at her thoughtfully. He had heard about SM Entertainment's upcoming girl group debut, and if Lee Sooman had selected her as a member, then her talent must be exceptional.

"I'd have to hear you sing first," he said, half-teasing, half-serious. "But who knows? If your voice suits the film, it could be a great opportunity."

Taeyeon's eyes lit up. "Really? I'd love that!"

Yeonhee clapped her hands together. "Well, looks like we might have found our soundtrack singer!"

Out of curiosity, Yeonhee turned to Jihoon. "By the way, Jihoon, do you know how to compose music? Or do you just leave that part to the professionals?"

Jihoon chuckled at the question. "Actually, I do have an interest in music, aside from filmmaking."

"Back in university, I took additional music composition classes. I wanted to understand how to create music myself, not just rely on others."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Since this movie is heavily centered around music, I've been putting in even more effort to refine my skills."

Taeyeon's eyes widened slightly. "Really? So you're not just directing the film, but also involved in making the soundtrack?"

Jihoon nodded. "Yeah, I want to make sure the music truly fits the story and emotions of the characters."

"That's why I've been working hard on learning composition techniques."

What they didn't know was that Jihoon had an extraordinary advantage—his enhanced learning abilities and, more importantly, the vast musical knowledge from his previous life.

The melodies, harmonies, and arrangements of countless iconic songs were etched into his memory, waiting to be brought into this world.

With such a unique edge, composing wasn't just about learning for him—it was about remembering. He could recreate masterpieces from his past life with ease, adapting them perfectly to his film's atmosphere.

Yeonhee, intrigued, leaned in. "So does that mean you've already written something for the film?"

Jihoon smiled knowingly. "I have a few ideas in mind. Some melodies, some lyrics. But I still need to fine-tune them."

Taeyeon, brimming with curiosity, asked, "Can we hear something?"

Jihoon glanced between the two, considering for a moment before smirking. "Maybe after a few more drinks."

Yeonhee laughed, raising her glass. "Well then, let's keep drinking!"

Taeyeon giggled, shaking her head. "I can't drink too much, remember?"

The three of them shared a lighthearted moment, but in Jihoon's mind, something had already shifted. If Taeyeon was truly interested in music, and she was as talented as previous life, perhaps she could be the perfect voice to bring his compositions to life.

And just like that, an idea began to take root—one that could change both their futures forever.