Soho

Chapter 18: < Protect – Episode 17 – Lee Jung Hoon [1] >

“Yeah?”

Ahn Soo Ho returned to the outdoor pool and ordered two cocktails from the server. Even though it’s common for Koreans to drink at pools and water parks, it’s prohibited by the law for safety measures. However, in foreign countries, alcoholic beverages are more often seen than water, so they didn’t understand why Koreans would say things taste like water. It’s because they don’t always have clean water available to them.

“They’re the same price, anyway.”

Actually, alcohol is often cheaper than water.

“Korea’s drinking culture’s weird. Everyone drinks like crazy at company dinners, but drinking by yourself makes you a freak. It’s as if everyone has to associate our work and hobbies with our peers. It’s funny how this country finds it bizarre to see someone doing anything alone.”

“That’s probably because the country’s so small.”

It’s hard to do anything by yourself in Korea because the country’s too densely populated for one to enjoy a leisurely time alone. Citizens do most vacations through group tours, and wherever they might go, they must expect a huge number of other vacation-goers to crowd the place. If you picked a place with no people, that wasn’t a time for healing as what most vacations are for, but survival.

“Really? I don’t think it’s that small.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Well, it’s definitely smaller than Australia.”

“By a lot.”

There’s a saying about a frog in a well. The real world is bigger than we can imagine. Many Koreans go abroad for work, school, or vacation, but few experienced the real world. Most people just went to all the tourist attractions in major cities. That’s not where the real world was. In places that showed its true beauty, there was no such thing as a souvenir shop.

“Do you hate your hometown?”

“I love Korea, but I don’t like the government.”

“Haha. None of us do.”

Lee Chul laughed about it, but Ahn Soo Ho made a crooked smile in his head. The two troublemakers who were sunbathing disappeared as soon as the monitors got distracted. Lee Chul and Ahn Soo Ho knew but pretended they didn’t. They’re probably dreaming of meeting someone great as a sort of plot twist like they were in a drama, but that kind of thing doesn’t happen in real life.

As soon as the phone on top of the table vibrated, Lee Chul checked the caller and became serious. After he excused himself and went to a corner, he tried to smile, but Ahn Soo Ho saw it as a forced smile. Everyone’s living hard lives. Or is he the weird one? Lee Chul, who finished his call and came back, put his hands together with an apologetic face.

“Sorry. Can I leave the kids with you?”

“Sure.”

“Sorry.”

After seeing off Lee Chul, Ahn Soo Ho called his manager.

“You know who I’m looking for, right?”

“Yes. I’ve secured their location.”

He gestured for him to lead the way.

Daesan Hotel Resort in Jejudo was divided into 3 divisions: the main building, the water park family resort, and other separate buildings. The separate buildings are very expensive and always overbooked. That’s because many celebrities came to Jejudo for their photo shoots. They had to differentiate themselves to lead the trend. The view from a building that looks like a famous vacation spot in the South Pacific was beautiful in anyone’s eyes.

“Kya!”

There they saw a building, inside they saw a humongous amount of cheering people.

“That’s the star marketing the hotel’s PR team planned.”

The manager who was minding Ahn Soo Ho quickly responded.

“Is it effective?”

“As soon as the building became known as a photo shoot location, many related companies have been calling, and more fans have been coming to see the stars.”

“That’s a common commercial spirit.”

“The family resort isn’t that expensive. If you book as a group, there are good discount options, and there are many event giveaways, so there won’t be a big increase in profit. This is all for the betterment of Daesan brand’s image.”

The manager rushed to explain himself. Did it sound like a rebuke? It appeared as if the wave of the reformation of the rich had reached Jejudo. He could spot Emily and Rachel with ease. Is it a modeling agency? A few men in suits got into a heated argument over the two white girls. As soon as Ahn Soo Ho frowned, the manager sent employees to resolve it.

“What’s going on here?”

“You mustn’t do this here.”

“No, it’s not that.”

The men in suits hesitated after seeing the uniformed employees.

“Soo Ho!”

“What is it? Are they casting you?”

“They’re asking if we want to be models in Korea. What do you think?”

“Don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Your uncle wouldn’t allow it.”

Emily and Rachel pouted again at the thought of Lee Chul.

“Dictator!”

“Old man!”

It was normal of them to think it was unfair since they were at the age when looking cool and showing off felt relevant in building social stature. Reasoning didn’t work with rebellious youth. All they want is for people to sympathize with their thoughts.

“There is a way though.”

“What is it?”

“What?”

They immediately took Ahn Soo Ho’s bait.

“You can go to college and come to Korea as an exchange student.”

“Come on!”

He continued to talk through all the booing.

“Another method would be me.”

“Me?”

“Me.”

Ahn Soo Ho pointed at himself. Emily was the first one to figure that out.

“You will help us?”

“Yeah. You’re a smart one, Emily.”

“How?”

He shook his index finger to Rachel’s wide-eyed question.

“I want to check something first. What’s your dream? You’ll graduate high school next year, but you have no plans for your future, do you?”

Both went silent in response to Ahn Soo Ho’s counter-question. There was a stereotype which entailed how blondes are dumb, but neither Emily nor Rachel looked or act dumb. However, Koreans had this grand illusion about their romanticized view of education methods abroad. The people of the country believed their education system failed them. Seeing how they couldn’t open their mouths in retaliation to their oppressors, they seemed to hold their failed local education accountable for their inability to protest. Ahn Soo Ho let out a bitter laugh. He wasn’t a meddler, but he really liked Lee Chul’s first impression.

“Why are people unable to be free?”

Their family, significant other, and social responsibilities shackled a metaphorical lock around their necks.

“Think about it.”

He could see a familiar face beyond the silent girls’ shoulders. Seeing how she seemed surprised, she mustn’t have expected it one bit. Team Leader Lee Seon Mi of Shinhwa Entertainment couldn’t refuse Ahn Soo Ho’s gesture to approach.

“I haven’t heard from you, Ms. Lee. Did you deliver my message?”

“Yes.”

“Then should I take this as a decline?”

“I don’t think I’m in the position to give you a definite answer.”

Lee Seon Mi took a step back with a vague smile. There was no way for her to know what was in CEO Kim Yoo Seon’s heart. He could keep a distance from Daesan Group to protect himself from having his reputation take a negative effect on his career with the blossoming of the candle flame affairs. However, what made Lee Seon Mi nervous was the background and the process leading up to this occasion.

“Is today’s photo shoot...?”

Did that question show on her face? Ahn Soo Ho smirked.

“It wasn’t one hundred percent intentional. Maybe just fifty percent? The rest is a coincidence.”

During the process of the consensual divorce, Lee Jung Hoon had no choice but to butt into it. It was certain that Lee So Hye would be on Mrs. Park’s side. Then what about Lee Jung Hoon? Who knows? Ahn Soo Ho wanted to confirm that today. So he threw the bait by calling over all the rising stars of the entertainment industry to Jejudo. One might ask why he made it so troublesome when he could have just arranged a meeting with Lee Jung Hoon alone, but there’s a plan.

“The entertainment tabloids are just as interesting as stock tabloids.”

Whether it’s positive or negative, having your name mentioned results in increased awareness. Lee Jung Hoon wouldn’t believe it, but Ahn Soo Ho gave him a big help.

“Is he inside?”

“Do you have to meet now?”

“I’m sure you looked into it yourselves... You can’t deny that we’re really brothers, can you? I won’t do anything that’ll harm him.”

Lee Seon Mi was at a loss for words.

They confirmed Lee Jung Hoon had another brother through a detective agency and Lee Jung Hoon himself. The problem was the agencies who heard Ahn Soo Ho’s name terminated the contract without another word. It wasn’t just a few agencies but a dozen of them refused to look into him. Something was going on. Something was, but it wasn’t something that someone at her level could figure out.

“Oh, don’t use the excuse of the area being off limits to persons not concerned.”

“Sigh, okay.”

Lee Seon Mi surrendered. After leaving Emily and Rachel with the manager, Ahn Soo Ho went inside the building. There are individuals focusing on the photo shoot, critiques discussing the day’s theme, and other members of the event either fixing models’ makeup or just taking a break. It looked like everyone had their own worlds. The senior editor heard something from Lee Seon Mi and greeted him with a smile.

“Welcome, Director. You’re just as handsome as I’ve heard.”

“I’m liking the sweet talk.”

“Oh, no! I mean it.”

“Sure, sure. Are you uncomfortable in any way?”

“Everything’s great. But... I’m not pleased with their level of quality.”

The senior editor didn’t like a few of the rookie models. The unripe recruits didn’t live up to the Daesan brand, but he didn’t care. To be frank, Ahn Soo Ho didn’t even know the name of the person he was talking to. So he offered formal words of comfort.

“I’ll cast better models next time. Please understand just this once.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

As soon as they released an effeminate-looking man, the team leaders of other entertainment agencies swarmed over. Despite the talk about a reformation of the rich no one thought there would be a problem with Daesan Group.

“Please look favorably upon our models, Director. They have all the star qualities.”

“No way! Our models are way better!”

“Yeah right! Check ours out!”

“Okay! Enough!”

Lee Seon Mi returned and dealt with the swarm of fighting flies. Ahn Soo Ho nodded at her and went inside. He could see Lee Jung Hoon from the pictures. He was tall. A hairstyle could really make or break a man’s image. As long as they were not ugly, entertainment agencies could transform them with advanced hair techniques.

“Does he think he’s an actor?”

As someone who hadn’t even been in one film, he pretended like he’s celebrity while the female staff members surrounded him.

“Lee Jung Hoon.”

The busy room stopped in response to Ahn Soo Ho’s deep voice. They felt like they had to. He looked up to the calling of his name.

“Who are you?”

“I’m your big brother.”

The impactful phrase that would remind you of a movie from the 20th century made Lee Jung Hoon’s face change. It was just like when Luke Skywalker found out the truth about Darth Vader.

“Don’t worry, bro. I won’t cut off your hand or anything.”

Ahn Soo Ho cracked his knuckles.

“But you need a beating.”

< Protect – Episode 17 – Lee Jung Hoon [1] > The end.