Chapter-2 : Did We Ever Meet?

"LET ME SURPRISE YOU!"

He continued.

"I found something when I was browsing through the XXX magazine. The Yong Production Company is looking for local actors between the ages 20 and 26 for their upcoming film."

"...Yong Production...Company?"

"Doesn't that come as a surprise? I can't believe this is happening!"

"..."

"Hey! What's wrong? Don't you feel surprised?

"That's not it, you know."

After some pause, Jihun answered.

"I'm kind of surprised they're having an audition. From what I know, they've never had auditions for their movies before."

"Maybe they've changed their minds on this one. That's Lim Chinhwa, by the way. The entire industry is up to him. It's pretty difficult to figure out what's going on in his mind. "

"Lim...Chinhwa."

A strange feeling crossed his mind as he listened to Beomsoo speak of Lim Chinhwa.

"I won't deny that he's a controversial man but I also want us to take some parts in a successful movie."

"But I don't think Mom would let me."

"Huh? Why?"

"First, we need to travel to Seoul for the audition. We need to spend more on staying there. Second, Mom doesn't think that you can take responsibility for me, and... ."

"...And what?"

Jihun seemed to waver a little, then responded.

"...I don't think she'd like me to audition for his film."

"Dude, what's that supposed to mean? *Sigh* Old ladies are kind of hard to understand, and why does she think that I can't handle you? Either way, I want you to rethink this. Let's not lose this great opportunity."

"I'll try and talk it over with Mom."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Beomsoo ended the call, but Jihun was still seated, his face blank and his body didn't move a single inch. He seemed to be lost in thoughts. But then he stood up all by himself and tried to find the bed using his hands, and spread himself over it.

'Why do I get this strange feeling whenever I hear his name? Why do I feel like I've already met this guy? Lim...Chinhwa, did we ever meet?'

As Jihun reflected deeply, his head began to hurt.

"I have no idea."

All of a sudden, Jihun remembers how his mother sounds like she's pissed off every time she bumps into Lim Chinhwa's name. He even once overheard her call him a nasty jerk. When he questioned her about this, she avoided it and started talking about the latest arrivals of women in the store. Since then, Jihun's never tried to ask again.

'Is there anything she doesn't want me to find out? My ears are strong enough to sense her hatred for Lim Chinhwa. But what might be the cause?'

"Ah, my head hurts like crazy."

Jihun took it upon himself to stop thinking. He closed his eyes and in a few seconds he fell asleep.

The next morning, Jihun opened his eyes and, as always, he saw nothing but complete darkness. Just in front of his bed stood a large window, whose white curtains floated in the wind. When he lifted his upper body, he felt a cool breeze fall upon his face. But then, the door opens and Mrs Tan comes in.

"Honey, did you sleep well?"

Jihun responded with a gentle smile.

"Yes, and...did you open the window?"

"Yep. The morning air feels so vivid, doesn't it?

"Mom, I...I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Yes, indeed."

Mrs Tan provided an immediate response. But then, Jihun finds himself in a quandary whether to say it or not. He hesitated, but eventually, he couldn't resist telling her.

"Specifically, I wanted to request your permission."

"Permission?"