Chapter 61: It’s Mine

Simply put, the role existed to whitewash Lee Ja-sung.

That's why she had few lines and no name.

It wasn't necessary…

Her expressions—simple worry, fear, regret—needed no depth.

The role had no analytical value.

Of course, in the eyes of a "know-it-all," everything could be "understood," but that was beyond him.

"Just follow the script… You?" Jin-woo turned to Han So-hee.

His dismissive tone reddened Lee Joo-bin's eyes, but she forced back tears.

Even young, she knew this wasn't the place to argue.

Her sharp glance shot to her friend beside her.

This time, So-hee had gone too far!

Sensing Joo-bin's hostility, Jin-woo saw through Han So-hee's little scheme.

Perhaps her childhood burdens and malice taught her a lesson: seize what you want.

Push the bad onto others to stay unscathed.

So, she'd subtly deploy clever tricks.

It was instinct now.

Han So-hee regretted it a bit. When Jin-woo's tone hinted at displeasure, her survival instincts kicked in, dodging the heat.

She pushed the only target nearby—Joo-bin.

Forgetting they were friends, and how much this hurt her.

But done was done.

If she felt bad, she'd make it up later.

Regret wouldn't change what happened.

"The role, Director… I want to know Lee Shin-woo's ties to others, especially Chief Kang."

Chief Kang and Lee Shin-woo (go teacher, informant).

Father-daughter… family… lovers… confidants… comrades…

One thing was clear: their bond wasn't simple, definable in a sentence.

It held emotion, duty, and a tie forged for a shared goal.

This bond, seemingly intangible, was etched in their bones.

"Like they're one person, no need for loud expressions—it's already bone-deep."

Leaving her with that cryptic line, Jin-woo headed to the set. "Not ready yet? Park Hoon-jung, what's the holdup, aish~"

"Kamsahamnida…" Park Hoon-jung apologized, urging everyone to hurry.

Both assistant directors, but Park's treatment differed starkly from Bong Joon-ho.

One, a self-taught nobody; the other, a celebrated director of Memories of Murder and The Host.

The gap was clear in the crew's attitudes.

Park's pleas and hands-on help paled against Bong's single bark: "Hurry up, what's the wait?"

"Ne."

The dawdling crew snapped to efficiency.

The scene stung Park deeply.

He knew this was reality, but knowing didn't mean accepting.

He'd never craved success more, his heart ablaze with ambition.

Shilla-Rosewood Hotel, top-floor executive suite.

An uninvited guest breached Kim Ji-yeon's "restricted zone." Polished shoes glided over the pricey carpet, fingers playfully toying with decor.

The intruder acted like the master of the house, at ease.

"What do you want?" Kim Ji-yeon gripped her pen tightly, masking her inner turmoil.

She admitted it—she was rattled.

Is the family so impatient they sent him as the vanguard?

"Ji-yeon, I'm your second brother. The family gave you the hotel business, but we're still family. Visiting my sister… that's normal, right?"

Kim Sung-wook turned gracefully, perching on the desk's edge. "What, not welcome?"

"Of course not." Kim Ji-yeon forced a smile.

She thought she'd escaped this fake warmth.

…She'd been naive.

"Good. I'd hate to think my beloved little sister was drifting away!"

Kim Sung-wook clapped, feigning joy. "The hotel's doing well. Even the family's heard. Last year's revenue jumped… 320%, was it?"

"Market trends. The hotel industry's booming…" Kim Ji-yeon's eyes stayed calm, unwilling to share her success or joy.

Seeing him was her worst nightmare in two years.

She just wanted them gone, far from her life.

"Ji-yeon, you're breaking my heart. Big brother and Father will be hurt too." Kim Sung-wook clutched his chest, eyes wide.

"You don't want us all sad because of you, right? Our Ji-yeon's the famous filial daughter."

Kim Ji-yeon turned away, refusing to answer.

"Ji-yeon, Ji-yeon! Father misses you. You haven't been home in ages. Don't you want to reunite, share a meal?"

He hopped off the desk, facing her, playing the family card.

He knew it'd work. A woman alone, no matter what, misses home.

Especially his sister, raised strictly, obedient to their parents.

Get her home, talk at the table.

With Father and Mother's support, he'd reclaim hotel control.

"Second brother, state your real goal."

Mustering courage, Kim Ji-yeon met his gaze, her resolve unwavering.

Her firmness surprised him, but he saw through her bluff.

"Ji-yeon, what bad intentions could family have? I just want you home for dinner. If you don't want to, fine… but Father and Mother will be heartbroken."

Her defenses crumbled. She was breaking.

Biting her lip, she clutched her phone, her last hope. "Sorry, I need to make a call."

Buzz, buzz~

Filming an indoor finale scene, Lee Jin-woo's rhythm was broken by his phone's vibration.

Frowning, he pulled it out to hang up.

But seeing the name, he paused. "Joon-ho."

Patting Bong Joon-ho's shoulder to take over, he stepped off set.

"Ji-yeon noona~" Phone to ear, his lips curled into a roguish grin.

Kim Ji-yeon, cornered by family, could escape by breaking the "wall."

But she lacked the courage to fully cut ties, to be truly alone.

Few could sever family bonds entirely.

In today's materialistic era, kids shift from rebelling against "social norms" to accepting, then seeking them.

The older you get, the stronger the need for family and friends.

It's near-universal.

Family may have flaws, conflicts, but they want you alive.

Outside…

The cruel, cold world teems with wolves ready to devour you.

Everyone chases profit. Who cares if you live or die?

Especially in this surreal South Korea.

"Tell him, it's mine."

With that domineering line, Jin-woo hung up and returned to set.

He had to watch Ja-sung's grand entrance. No time for delays.

"Stop." Halting the shoot, he approached Ja-sung. "Expression's off. Eyes don't need menace, just calm…

Ja-sung's moved on, chairman now, vengeance behind him. No need for ruthlessness…"

He had an extra stand, casually flicked his suit, and sat in his spot.

Pulling his phone out, he set it on the table, fingers miming a lighter's spin.

Eyes hollow, cold, like he owned the world, yet nothing moved him.

"Indifference, got it?" Jin-woo dropped the act, smiling. "Five-minute break, then we go again."

As he left, the crew buzzed.

His brief performance was stunning.

In seconds, he'd shifted emotions, a mastery even Choi Min-sik couldn't match.

"Mood. When writing, I put myself in the role. Understanding their state makes it real."

He tapped his head, brushing off the topic.

"Director, I think I've got it. Let me try again."

Lee Jung-jae, pensive, stood, raising his arm like a student.

"Good, one more take." Jin-woo nodded, and the crew snapped into gear.

Today, he'd won over everyone on set.

Meanwhile, Kim Ji-yeon saw off her grim-faced second brother, Kim Sung-wook.

Thirty percent of Shilla-Rosewood Hotel's shares, in an outsider's hands.

Without the family's knowledge, Ji-yeon dared to do this. Did she still respect the Shilla Kim clan?

Even if it was Jeonju Lee…

He was powerless!

In the elevator, Kim Sung-wook realized this was beyond him.

All he could do was report to Father and big brother…

Imagining their reactions, he felt a flicker of excitement. "Kim Sung-wook, what's this to you? Why rush… Let the big shots handle it, heh~"

Picturing his brother's headache, he chuckled.

Their obedient little sister had outplayed the family.

This was… too fun!

(End of Chapter)