Broadcast vans swarmed the road in front of Geumsan Clinic.
“Aren’t those broadcast station vans?”
“Did something happen in Musan?”
The villagers looked out their windows, and even the scheduled patients waiting in the clinic’s waiting room murmured among themselves.
“Is this Geumsan Clinic? I’m Kim Sang-guk, a reporter from TBC!”
The first to burst through the door was a man with greasy hair and heavy dark circles under his eyes. Following him, a swarm of about six or seven reporters rushed in, wielding cameras and microphones.
Nurse Park Geum-ja, standing at the reception desk, waved her hands in alarm.
“This is a medical facility. Please be quiet.”
“We received a tip that the actor Lee Ha-jun is here. Please confirm whether this is true.”
The reporters ignored Park Geum-ja and wandered around the clinic as they pleased.
The atmosphere inside the clinic instantly became chaotic. Patients waiting their turn were pushed around by the reporters, dodging this way and that. Some reporters even shoved microphones right up to patients’ noses and showered them with questions.
“Have you seen Lee Ha-jun inside the hospital?”
“What brings you here? It’s a dermatology appointment, right?”
“Do you have any information to report regarding psychotropic drugs?”
Park Geum-ja frowned and tried to stop them.
“Excuse me, how dare you film patients without permission?”
“This is a matter of public interest. Isn’t the people’s right to know important?”
Instead, the reporters thrust their cameras forward as if to mock her.
Just then, the examination room door flew open, and Tae-ho stepped out. He was already a large man, and with deep fatigue etched on his face, his expression looked quite fierce.
His presence was so overwhelming that the interior fell silent for a moment.
Tae-ho spoke to the reporters.
“This is a hospital, and the patients are uncomfortable. Even if you’re here to report, please observe the bare minimum of courtesy.”
Reporter Kim Sang-guk smiled slyly and shoved his microphone forward.
“You must be Director Kang Tae-ho? We heard you treated Lee Ha-jun. Could you tell us what his condition was?”
Tae-ho furrowed his brow as he looked at Kim Sang-guk.
“Who said such a thing?”
Then other reporters jumped out and blocked Tae-ho’s path.
“Director. If you keep obstructing us like this, we’ll have no choice but to film through other routes.”
“What is the reason Mr. Lee Ha-jun is hiding the fact that he received treatment? Is it a condition that would be problematic if exposed?”
One reporter was even thrusting a camera at a patient sitting in a chair.
“Have you seen Lee Ha-jun? Any photos?”
“I don’t know, I really don’t know.”
The patient ducked their head in surprise and waved their hands.
That was when Tae-ho’s voice rang out clearly throughout the clinic.
“I’m warning you, this is a medical facility, and the patients are feeling anxious. If you act violently or force filming, we will take legal action. Put those cameras away right now!”
But if they backed down from this level of threat, they wouldn’t be able to work as reporters in the Republic of Korea.
“Have you ever treated Mr. Lee Ha-jun?”
“We came here after receiving a solid tip that Mr. Lee Ha-jun is here.”
“How serious is Mr. Lee Ha-jun’s condition?”
“We have a tip that Mr. Lee Ha-jun is suffering from drug side effects. What do you think?”
The reporters swarmed around Tae-ho like hungry ghosts.
Tae-ho swept his gaze over them once and spoke calmly.
“I’ll give you information about Mr. Lee Ha-jun, so please report outside. Shouldn’t we protect the personal information of the patients here as well?”
“Will you really cooperate with our report?”
“Follow me.”
Like the Pied Piper, Tae-ho led the reporters outside.
Tae-ho stood tall in a spot where the Geumsan Clinic sign was clearly visible.
Reporters surrounded him.
Not only the residents outside, but also the staff and patients inside the clinic were all watching in his direction.
Tae-ho calmly opened his mouth.
“Mr. Lee Ha-jun, please come out now.”
Then, as if on a variety show reuniting someone with a first love from twenty years ago, the door to the staircase leading to the third floor opened, and Lee Ha-jun emerged.
“Oh!”
“It’s really Lee Ha-jun!”
All eyes turned at once.
Lee Ha-jun revealed his face under the bright sunlight and stood before the reporters. And everyone there saw Lee Ha-jun’s skin.
Skin so smooth it practically glowed with a sparkling luster. Far from any red rashes, there wasn’t a single blemish around his eyes or on his jaw.
The reporters all stood with their mouths agape, dumbstruck.
Lee Ha-jun put on a very relaxed smile. Immediately, cameras and microphones flocked to him.
“Mr. Lee Ha-jun, were you really here?”
“What illness did you suffer from?”
“Were you aware of the rumors about a skin disease?”
But Ha-jun calmly raised his hand to quiet the questions and answered in a clear voice.
“I’m truly sorry for creating a situation where you might misunderstand. It is true that I had a health issue.”
Before Lee Ha-jun even finished speaking, flashes burst out, and the reporters thrust their microphones even closer.
“However, I received treatment directly from Director Kang Tae-ho, who is here, and I am now fully recovered. As you can see, I am very healthy now.”
Looking at Lee Ha-jun’s radiant face, no reporter could raise an objection. The reporters, who had been rampaging like angry goats, turned into docile sheep.
“Then there is nothing wrong with your current physical condition?”
“Could you tell us what kind of treatment you received?”
Lee Ha-jun gave a relaxed smile.
“I cannot disclose the specific diagnosis, but Director Kang Tae-ho is so skilled that I can tell you I am completely healthy now. See this skin? It’s this clear. That’s just the kind of guy I am.”
Lee Ha-jun naturally glanced toward Tae-ho.
The reporters looked deflated. They had driven for over four hours from Seoul, yet they had gained nothing.
Their resentful gazes turned toward Kim Sang-guk. After all, he was the one who had hyped them up about a scoop and dragged them all the way out here.
Someone opened their mouth.
“Then could you say a word about your next project?”
Lee Ha-jun said with a bright expression.
“Yes, I am preparing for my next project, ‘The Secret Garden,’ and we will soon begin filming. I worked hard on script analysis here. Reporter Kim Sang-guk, if possible, please promote my work when you write your article.”
Lee Ha-jun deliberately pointed out Kim Sang-guk and smiled.
Kim Sang-guk put on a flustered expression at the unexpected call-out.
“But wait, are you saying the reports of drug side effects are completely groundless?”
“Reporter. Look at me. Do I look like someone currently suffering from drug side effects?”
Ha-jun smiled confidently and showed both his cheeks and neck.
The reporters had no further reason to remain at Geumsan Clinic. Lee Ha-jun had appeared with perfect skin, and the fact that he had been unwell and received treatment while recuperating wasn’t exactly a major scoop.
Reporter Kim Sang-guk reluctantly stepped back. The other reporters also lowered their microphones. Some reporters with lingering regret threw one or two more questions, but Ha-jun neatly cleaned everything up.
Finally, the cameras turned off, and the reporters grumbled as they retreated.
After they left, the hospital waiting room regained its peace.
A few hours later, news about Lee Ha-jun came out. It was a ninety-second brief.
Park Geum-ja’s comment after watching the news:
“Director. Isn’t that basically just a free commercial for Geumsan Clinic that Mr. Lee Ha-jun shot for us?”
***
That afternoon, around the time Geumsan Clinic’s consultations were ending.
Tae-ho delivered an announcement to the staff.
“We’re having a company dinner after work today. Please all attend.”
He had been planning to have a meal with his hardworking staff at some point, but Lee Ha-jun had said he wanted to express his gratitude to Tae-ho and the staff for all they had done for him. Lee Ha-jun said he would be leaving Geumsan Village tomorrow.
Tae-ho readily agreed.
“Nurse Park, you used to come up to the third floor often, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I used to go back and forth on errands for Director Jeong.”
“You’ll be shocked if you see it now.”
“What? What do you mean…?”
When Nurse Park Geum-ja opened the door to the third floor and entered, her eyes widened round.
“Oh my, oh my, is this really the Director’s house? It’s changed so much it looks like a completely different home!”
It used to be a place so unpleasant that you wouldn’t want to live there even if it were given for free, filled with yellowed, peeling wallpaper and old furniture.
Now, the walls were cleanly finished with white paint, and the tables, the sofas, and even the curtains hanging on the windows had been changed to give a sophisticated yet cozy feeling. It was like a wonderful home straight out of an interior design magazine.
Nurse’s aide Park Yeon-ji was startled to see a twinkling floor lamp in a corner of the living room.
“This curved-neck one is a really expensive brand…”
“Wow, amazing!”
The two nurse aides exclaimed over and over as they circled the living room. Beside them stood Ha-jun with his arms crossed and a proud expression. He brushed his hair back and said.
“Were you surprised? I can’t stand being bored.”
Ha-jun seemed to greatly enjoy people’s admiration. He smiled and stroked his chin with one hand.
“Interior design is my hobby. Once I started, I ended up fixing everything here and there because of my personality. I guess I’m just the kind of guy who burns with passion in everything I do.”
Tae-ho nodded and looked around at the staff.
“Shall we go up to the rooftop now?”
When the staff went up to the rooftop, another round of exclamations burst out. The rooftop was no longer a gloomy sight. Decorated with bright accessories and lights everywhere, it had been made to feel like a premium lounge.
Park Geum-ja and the nurse aides were busy admiring it.
“Wow, this looks exactly like a café from a drama!”
“Please take a photo of me with this background.”
On the table were an assorted set of prime Hanwoo beef cuts, salad, a fruit and cheese platter, drinks, premium wine, and more. Tae-ho placed slices of Hanwoo beef on the charcoal grill and said playfully.
“Everyone, you’ve all worked hard during this time. Today, I’ll serve you.”
At Tae-ho’s words, the nurse aides burst into cheerful laughter.
“Oh my, really, the Director is grilling meat for us?”
“Director, grill me some garlic too.”
“I’ll do this, Director.”
Park Geum-ja subtly glared at her younger cousins and picked up the garlic dish.
“It’s fine. Nurse Park, please relax and enjoy yourself today. I’ll handle it.”
When Tae-ho responded pleasantly, Park Geum-ja sat down with an expression that asked if it was really okay.
When the meat was grilled to the right degree, Tae-ho raised his wine glass.
“For the past twenty days, our hospital staff worked very hard. Ha-jun, too, thank you for staying here comfortably.”
“The Director worked the hardest.”
Park Geum-ja replied, sounding slightly choked up.
After the toast, Ha-jun wrapped a piece of meat in a lettuce wrap and handed it to Park Geum-ja.
“Nurse, please eat this. It’ll be really delicious.”
“*Sob*, I can’t believe I’m receiving such treatment…”
Park Geum-ja was so moved she didn’t know what to do. After fidgeting with her feet, she couldn’t bring herself to eat the wrap and instead asked Ha-jun.
“Before I eat this, could you please take a picture with me just once?”
“Of course.”
Park Geum-ja took a picture holding the wrap with Ha-jun.
“Oh my, me too!”
“Please take one with me too!”
The watching nurse aides also took turns taking photos with Ha-jun, making a fuss.
After a round of commotion subsided and the atmosphere settled, Ha-jun’s nose turned red as he bowed his head to Tae-ho.
“Hyung-nim, thank you so much for everything during this time. If it weren’t for you, my acting career would have been over. Honestly, at first, I found it hard to believe you could cure me within a month, but you moved the schedule up by ten days and completely healed me in twenty days. If you weren’t so skilled, today I… Hyung-nim, you are my benefactor.”
Ha-jun was overwhelmed with emotion.
Park Geum-ja pouted her lips and then even shed a few tears.
Tae-ho gave a benevolent smile and lightly patted Ha-jun’s back.
Just as everyone was moved, nurse aide Park Eun-ji quietly raised her hand and spoke.
“But, is the actor younger than the Director?”
Park Geum-ja tilted her head.
“I thought it was strange too. If you look at his profile, he’s thirty-four, and the Director is…”
At first glance, Lee Ha-jun looked young, but he was actually two years older than Tae-ho.
Tae-ho gave a dry cough with an “ahem” and looked off at a distant mountain.
The quick-witted Lee Ha-jun smiled and waved his hand.
“If you’re capable, you’re the Hyung. Simple as that.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! Shall I call you Noona? Hahaha.”
“Oh my, if you call me that, I’d be so happy. Hohoho.”
“Noona!”
“Kyaa~ I love it.”
The atmosphere became boisterous again.
When the alcohol had circulated moderately, Lee Ha-jun asked Tae-ho.
“Hyung, can I come visit later? I feel so comfortable with you, the nurses, and this village. I guess I’ve grown attached during my stay.”
“Of course. Come visit anytime.”
The stars were densely embedded in the sky above their heads.
Thus, the night deepened. Everyone soothed their tired day with laughter.
A few days after Lee Ha-jun left.
Two black SUVs with heavily tinted windows entered the outskirts of the village bearing an ominous aura.
It was the Seongun Capital special collections team.