The Weight of a Past Life

“Here, you see? The interview content is from here to here.”

Dakyung handed Inwoo a sheet of paper as they headed to the photoshoot location. There was an interview scheduled in the middle of today’s photoshoot, and she had thoughtfully prepared the questions in advance.

“I don’t need this. You know me, right? I’m good at talking.”

“Yes, you’re too good, to the point of being a problem,” Dakyung retorted, a hint of exasperation in her tone. “Please, just stick to this. Don’t utter another word beyond what’s written.”

Inwoo shot Dakyung a sidelong glance before reading through the interview questions.

‘What kind of project will your next work be?’

‘I plan to earn Director Yoon Taeyong’s favor and secure a role in his film, no matter what.’

‘When do you intend to start dating?’

‘While not precisely ‘dating,’ I always maintain a free and active s*x life.’

‘You’re constantly mentioned as a rival to actor Kim Wonki. What are your thoughts on that?’

‘Who is that?’

‘Many people were concerned after the recent ceremonial first pitch incident. Are you alright now? Rumor has it that the incident caused a rift between you and player Seo Junwon.’

At the mention of Seo Junwon’s name, Inwoo’s face hardened instantly. Dakyung, noticing his reaction, swiftly underlined that specific line with her pen.

We’ll ask them to omit this, she thought, indicating the sensitive question.

The remaining questions were no different from any other interview. Inwoo casually scanned them before leaning back in his seat and gazing out the window.

The sky hung heavy and gray, while the fallen leaves, now faded, lay piled thick upon the ground.

“Oh, right. Haven’t you met Seo Youngmin recently?”

Inwoo, who had been staring outside, paused and turned to look at Dakyung.

“What?”

“His secretary contacted me,” she explained. “They said you weren’t responding and asked me to tell you they’d be waiting for your call.”

Inwoo offered no reply, simply returning his gaze to the window. A week had passed since he last saw Seo Junwon.

In that time, Seo Junwon’s team had won the championship, and he himself had been named MVP. His face had been plastered across the sports pages. This, Inwoo thought, made him feel slightly less guilty.

Since that day, Inwoo had also been avoiding Seo Youngmin’s calls. Who could have imagined they were brothers?

He had checked multiple times with an acquaintance who was an entertainment industry insider. His friend confirmed that almost no one knew, and even Woojin Group was keeping it quiet.

What was even more shocking was that Seo Youngmin doted on his youngest sibling. The thought of the two of them together was unimaginable, let alone Seo Junwon being a ‘cute little brother.’

Unbelievable…

Inwoo shook his head, muttering under his breath.

“That was a close call.”

“Huh? What did you just say?” Dakyung asked, confused.

“Dakyung,” Inwoo mused, “I’ve been thinking, and I believe I must have been a truly terrible person in a past life.”

“I don’t think I need to think that hard to know that,” she replied dryly.

“I probably seduced men and ruined several countries, didn’t I?”

“Out of nowhere? Did you have a past-life experience just by looking out the window?”

“No matter how I think about it,” Inwoo continued, “when God sculpted me, he put too much effort into my appearance.”

“Yes,” Dakyung agreed, “it’s as if he got tired after making your face and just abandoned everything else. What an incredibly unfaithful creator.”

“That’s a compliment, right?” Inwoo asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“If you’re happy to hear it, then it’s a compliment. Otherwise, it’s an insult,” she responded, ever quick-witted.

“Dakyung, that’s your strength. Even when you say something unpleasant, you manage to make it convincing.”

“I learned it all from you, Oppa. I’m always grateful,” she said, without missing a beat.

Dakyung continued to flawlessly manage schedules on her tablet while exchanging banter. Dohyun, seated in the driver’s seat, smiled as he listened to their playful bickering.

Initially, he had watched them with apprehension, wondering if they were about to fight. However, he soon realized this was their everyday dynamic, and now he simply pretended not to hear.

The black van, after a lengthy drive, pulled to a stop in front of a studio nestled above a bustling cafe street. As the vehicle halted, Inwoo and Dakyung stepped out and headed inside.

The studio’s front yard was covered in meticulously maintained grass, and a large retriever sat peacefully on one side. The dog wagged its tail gently at the approaching people.

Inwoo knelt down when he got closer and called out to the dog.

“Jadu, come here.”

The dog immediately bounded over and nestled into Inwoo’s embrace. He stroked its head and hugged its body, feeling its soft fur.

Jadu was quite old, and Inwoo had known the dog since he was a child, having come here for photoshoots before. It was remarkable how the dog still recognized him, even with infrequent visits.

However, according to the photographer, Jadu was naturally friendly, greeting everyone warmly, and had even wagged its tail when burglars once broke into the house.

“I’ll bring you some treats later, big guy. Wait here.”

Inwoo said his goodbyes and stood up. Dakyung, who had been behind him, pulled a lint roller from her bag and began removing dog hair from his clothes.

“It’s fine. I’m going to change anyway,” Inwoo said, trying to wave her off.

“Still, it’s better to be tidy,” she insisted.

“Alright, alright.” Inwoo chuckled.

Inside, the staff had already arrived. Inwoo greeted them before heading towards the dressing room. Jinju, the coordinator, showed him the outfits she had brought and instructed him on the order of wear.

He removed his top, changed into a robe, and then sat down for makeup.

As his makeup was finished and his hair styled, two staff members, who had been preparing for the shoot, entered, greeted him, and then disappeared into an inner storage room. A rustling sound was followed by their hushed voices.

“Did you hear? Director Yoon Taeyong is preparing a new project.”

“Oh, I did. They say investors are already clamoring to fund it.”

“Will he cast Kim Wonki again?”

“Probably. This would be his second time at Cannes, wouldn’t it?”

Inwoo bit his lower lip. His handsome face, reflected in the mirror, burned with a fierce jealousy. Just then, Dakyung, who had been standing beside him, crept closer from behind and subtly poked his ear with her pointed index finger.

“Don’t listen,” she whispered.

Inwoo frowned, swatting her hand away. Hey, stop that. I’m not bothered at all. You acting like this makes me feel worse!

Dakyung, instead of replying, simply smiled with her eyes. Realizing that both Dakyung and Yoonah, the makeup artist, were watching him cautiously, Inwoo felt a pang of melancholy.

What’s so great about Cannes anyway? he mused. My market value is higher.

While he tried to console himself, his makeup was completed. He went inside to change and then emerged. Despite the photographer and staff showering him with compliments about how magnificent he looked, his spirits remained low.

Dakyung approached him and gently patted his shoulder.

“See? They say you’re the coolest, Oppa.”

“I know…” he mumbled, his voice still a little subdued.

Noticing his slightly downcast demeanor, Dakyung pulled at the corners of her mouth, signaling him to smile, quickly. However, she stretched her lips so wide that she looked comical.

Inwoo let out a small, involuntary chuckle. Thanks to her, he felt a little lighter as he began the photoshoot, and once it started, his body moved instinctively, his expressions shifting with effortless grace.

After successfully completing the couple’s photoshoot, they took a short break for individual shots. As Inwoo headed to the dressing room to change, Yoonah, the makeup artist, followed close behind.

He changed into a robe and settled into his seat. The door then opened, and Dakyung entered, carrying a tray of coffees. She had seemingly disappeared during the shoot to visit a cafe.

She distributed the coffees to everyone inside, including Inwoo.

“Here, drink up. It’s time for a caffeine boost.”

“Thanks. Park Dakyung, you’re truly the best. I’ll tell CEO Yang to give you a big raise.”

“I already get paid a lot,” she corrected him.

“Really?” Inwoo asked, surprised.

“Yes. It’s called a ‘health allowance.’ My salary goes up every time my blood pressure rises because of you, Oppa. It’s quite lucrative.”

Dakyung grinned, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together in a gesture of counting money.

“See? You and I are inseparable. Be my manager until I retire.”

“I will, if I’m still alive,” she retorted, a playful glint in her eyes.

Despite her playful words, Dakyung performed her duties as a manager flawlessly, a fact Inwoo readily acknowledged. She was easygoing yet deeply caring, capable of delivering blunt criticism while also knowing how to appropriately lift his spirits and offer comfort during difficult times.

While Inwoo, having finished his makeup, went to change his clothes, Dakyung’s phone rang.

“Yes, this is Park Dakyung. Yes, yes. Ah, you can come in now. We have plenty of time before the shoot.”

It was the reporter who had arrived for the interview. Shortly after she ended the call, a knock sounded, the door opened, and a magazine reporter appeared.

“Hello, I’m Kim Seonyoung from Woo Magazine.”

“Hello, I’m Park Dakyung, Lee Inwoo’s manager.”

Just then, Inwoo emerged from the dressing room, having changed his clothes.

“Hello, Inwoo. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Recognizing her, Inwoo politely extended his hand in greeting.

“Yes, hello. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. Oh my, but you’ve become even more dashing since I last saw you, haven’t you?”

Inwoo responded to the compliment with a smile. You’re still wonderful, reporter, he thought. As the two exchanged pleasantries, Dakyung set up a separate space for the interview nearby and guided them towards it.

“We’ll take the photos during the main photoshoot later. I’ve already discussed it; they said you could use a few public shots.”

“Yes, please do.”

“First of all, I know you must be feeling unwell right now, so thank you so much for agreeing to this interview.”

Dakyung’s eyes, standing behind the reporter, widened in alarm. Inwoo, equally bewildered, turned to her.

What are you talking about? he silently asked, but Dakyung’s expression showed she was just as clueless. Only then did the reporter seem to realize, letting out a soft ‘Ah,’ and making eye contact with her colleague.

“You haven’t… seen it yet.”

“Seen what?” Inwoo pressed.

Just then, Dakyung’s phone rang frantically. “Just a moment,” she mumbled, hastily stepping out to answer. She stopped abruptly at the doorway.

“What?”

Her shocked voice reverberated through the dressing room. When she turned back, Dakyung’s face was ashen. Not even when Inwoo had famously misspoken a proverb in front of countless reporters had her face turned such a color.

A sense of unease began to creep up Inwoo’s spine. Did a video of me leak? he wondered, trying to convey the question with his eyes, but her expression suggested it was something else entirely.

“Oppa…”

This felt ominous. Inwoo deliberately picked up the coffee placed on the mirror counter, forcing a casual smile.

“Why.”

“Player Seo Junwon…”

“Huh?” Inwoo looked blank, startled by the sudden mention of Seo Junwon’s name.

“Player Seo Junwon… announced his retirement thirty minutes ago.”

One of Inwoo’s eyebrows quirked upwards. He couldn’t comprehend what she was saying. Then, Seo Junwon’s voice suddenly flashed through his mind.

[Would things be different if I weren’t an athlete?]

Inwoo abruptly shot up from his seat.

“And… they’re saying it’s because of you, Oppa.”

Crash.

The coffee cup slipped from his hand, shattering on the floor and staining the hem of his pants.

Damn it. Ominous premonitions, it seemed, were never wrong.