Chapter 934: Something Called Fate (1) |
On the dirt ground at the base of the hillside set, with her right hand pressed against her side, Ju Yung-In began to gasp for breath.
『Huff, huff, huff...Huff, huff』
Her ragged breathing on the verge of breaking vividly conveyed a life hanging by a thread. Just as I found myself unable to close my mouth at Ju Yung-In's performance, her body suddenly began to tremble. She started convulsing as if going into shock from excessive blood loss.
『Ugh... ngh...』
As if rejecting her heart's plea to rest, Ju Yung-In struggled desperately to stay alive. It was as though she had fully become Oh Jung-Hyun from that moment, refusing to die before confirming her daughter's safety.
As Ju Yung-In's desperate resistance against death unfolded, a solemn silence settled over the set.
At that moment, Director Ahn Jung-Hae waved his hand. Miso, who had been waiting outside the frame, entered the camera's view in the arms of Ahn Tae-Sik, who played the rookie officer Park Dong-Joon.
『Mom! Mom!』
Held in Ahn Tae-Sik's arms, Miso reached out and cried for her mother in desperation. At that instant, Ju Yung-In, who had been battling death, snapped her eyes open and raised her left hand into the air.
Then Miso, still in Ahn Tae-Sik's arms, began thrashing and shouting.
『Officer! Sir! Put me down! Put me down!』
Struggling with all her strength, Miso nearly slipped from his grasp, causing Ahn Tae-Sik to break into a cold sweat.
『Soo-Yeon, you'll get hurt! Just a second!』
As soon as Ahn Tae-Sik set her down, Miso ran frantically toward Ju Yung-In. Just then, Miso tripped right in front of her and burst into tears.
Thud.
『Mom! Waaah!』
Even as Miso worried about her mother, she expressed her own pain like a young child. It was exactly as Lee Soo-Yeon had done that day.
At that moment, Ju Yung-In clenched her teeth and formed a smile. The exhaustion and pain vanished from her face, replaced by a warm, almost serene smile like that of a Buddha.
『My good daughter... Soo-Yeon... when you fall... what did Mom tell you... to do...?』
Miso's sobbing gradually subsided. Sniffling, she wiped her tears and stood up.
『Not to cry, and to brush it off and get up!』
After dusting herself off, Miso hurried back to her mother. Then she plopped down beside her and spoke.
『I'm okay now, Mom.』
With a faint smile, Ju Yung-In raised her left hand. Her hand touched Miso's cheek.
『Soo-Yeon... you've really... grown up...』
Miso nodded, then grabbed Ju Yung-In's hand and spoke urgently.
『Yeah! Mom, the police officer said a doctor is coming. So even if it hurts, just hold on a little, okay?』
Ju Yung-In smiled softly as she replied.
『Soo-Yeon... I'm sorry. I won't be able to hold on that long.』
『No! Mom, you can! Don't say you can't!』
With her trembling left hand, Ju Yung-In brushed Miso's dust-covered bangs aside.
『I'm sorry, Soo-Yeon. I can't... stay by your side anymore. I have to go far away. So, Soo-Yeon... listen carefully to what I say from now on.』
Miso shook her head violently. Ju Yung-In's hand trembled as if it might fall.
『No! No! I won't listen! Don't go, Mom! Please? Don't go anywhere—stay with me! Okay? Okay? Mom...』
Tears streamed down from Ju Yung-In's smiling eyes.
『Soo-Yeon... There's no time, so listen carefully... please...』
At Ju Yung-In's desperate voice, Miso had no choice but to nod.
『Okay... I understand.』
『Good. My daughter... it'll be hard, but make sure you tell the police officer everything that happened while you were trapped in the basement. You remember the people who were there with you... the ones who didn't make it, right?』
『Yeah.』
『Please... make sure you tell their families. Unlike you, they didn't even get to say goodbye.』
『Okay... I will.』
『And make sure you tell them the bad man's younger sister helped us. Alright?』
Twenty years ago, Oh Jung-Hyun had used her daughter's voice to pass on what the victims endured after being kidnapped, and how Lee Tae-Gil's younger sister had tried to help them. Because of that, the young Lee Soo-Yeon was able to piece together her memories and relay them to the police.
Through her testimony, it was revealed that Lee Tae-Gil was the mastermind behind the serial disappearances, that his wife was an accomplice, and that his younger sister had died trying to stop him.
Even at the brink of death, Oh Jung-Hyun showed a selfless, almost heroic concern for others. Thanks to that, the families of the other victims were at least able to learn how their loved ones had died.
Ju Yung-In poured everything into portraying that moment. After finishing, she began gasping for breath again.
『Huff, huff... you remember everything I said, right? My daughter...? Huff...』
『Yeah. I remember everything.』
Miso nodded repeatedly as she answered. And then, Ju Yung-In suddenly coughed up a mouthful of fake blood, beginning the climax of the scene.
『Cough! Cough!』
Dark red blood burst from Ju Yung-In's mouth like a fountain. Startled, Miso grabbed her left hand tightly.
『Huh? Mom, what's wrong? What's wrong?!』
Ju Yung-In continued speaking with fake blood spilling from her lips.
『I... cough... I think I have to go now...』
『No! Mom! Mom! Don't die!』
Her words came out mixed with blood. Miso turned around and clasped her hands together, pleading with Ahn Tae-Sik.
『Officer! Please save my mom! Please! Save her!』
At her desperate plea, Ahn Tae-Sik clutched his chest, his face twisting in anguish.
『Soo-Yeon...』
Unable to do anything, Ahn Tae-Sik could only cry. Miso turned back again, gripping Ju Yung-In's hand tightly as she shouted.
『Mom, I won't cry anymore! I won't beg you to take me to the amusement park! I won't ask you to buy me dolls! I won't say I miss Dad! Mom, so please... don't die. You can't die... please.』
Though Miso cried out desperately, Ju Yung-In, like someone who had already accepted the end, gasped out her final words.
『Soo-Yeon... if you want to cry, you can cry... if you want to eat, you can eat... so live... doing everything you want... And... you're kind, so someone... will protect you... I will... huff... together with Dad... from the sky... we'll pray for our daughter... to live well... huff...』
Ju Yung-In's voice gradually weakened, and the clarity in her eyes began to fade. The left hand that had been touching Miso's cheek slowly dropped, and the movement in her body stilled. Yet even then, the smile on her face never disappeared. It was as if she wanted her daughter's final memory of her to be a smiling one.
『Soo-Yeon... I love you... huff... I love you...』
With every breath she drew, she left behind those words. And each time, her voice grew fainter.
Miso collapsed into Ju Yung-In's arms, crying out at the top of her lungs.
『Mom! Mom! Don't die! Please...』
Her cries tore through the heart, painfully raw.
And then, Ahn Tae-Sik dropped to his knees beside Ju Yung-In. With a choked voice that could barely come out, he shouted.
『Jung-Hyun noona... I'll raise Soo-Yeon. I'll take responsibility, so don't worry.』
This was the moment that revealed why rookie officer Park Dong-Joon came to raise Lee Soo-Yeon, the daughter of Oh Jung-Hyun—the woman who had always prepared side dishes for him.
At that, the smile on Ju Yung-In's face deepened slightly.
『Dong-Joon... thank you...』
Tears streaming down his face, Ahn Tae-Sik nodded repeatedly. Gathering her last bit of strength, Ju Yung-In spoke.
『Soo-Yeon... listen well... to your uncle...』
『Yeah... yeah!』
『I love... you.』
Thud.
With those final words, Ju Yung-In's hand that had been caressing Miso's cheek fell.
At that moment, Miso let out a piercing scream.
『Mooom!』
Miso's wail like her insides were being torn apart rang through the air. The sheer agony in her cries made my chest feel like it was being ripped apart.
The staff on set covered their mouths, struggling to hold back their emotions. Some squeezed their eyes shut, others turned their heads away. Miso's devastating performance swallowed the entire set, plunging everyone into a storm of grief.
No matter how many times I saw it, her acting was astonishing. And combined with Ju Yung-In's flawless performance, it was nothing short of extraordinary.
Still sobbing uncontrollably, Ahn Tae-Sik, as rookie officer Park Dong-Joon, wrapped his arms around Miso from behind and spoke.
『Soo-Yeon... if you cry like that... your mom won't be able to close her eyes... so now... let's say goodbye... and help her rest...』
『Hic... okay...』
After crying for a long time, Miso finally stopped screaming. Then she collapsed into Ju Yung-In's arms.
『Mom... I'll live well... I'll be good... I'll do everything you told me... so... please don't be in pain with Dad... just wait for me, okay...?』
After murmuring those words, Miso kissed her mother's blood-covered forehead. Having expressed such heartfelt love, Miso gently closed Ju Yung-In's eyes with both hands and spoke.
『Mom... sleep well... I love you...』
A contented smile remained on Ju Yung-In's face even as her eyes closed. The storm-like performance came to an end, and silence fell over the set.
At that moment, Ahn Jung-Hae, his eyes reddened, shouted at the top of his lungs, "Cut!"
The instant his voice rang out, tears began to break out across the set.
"Sniff..."
"Sob..."
Some staff burst into loud sobs, while some stared up at the sky, letting out deep sighs. Others clenched their teeth, forcing their tears back.
And Lee Soo-Yeon, who had lived through this twenty years ago along with Park Dong-Joon, stood with their eyes closed, silently shedding tears.
My chest tightened. I wanted to cry too, but I couldn't. Miso had collapsed, completely drained. I couldn't let myself get swept up in my emotions and leave her like that. Clenching my teeth, I ran straight toward Miso who was lying on the set.
After all, I was Miso's talent agent.
***
I pulled Miso into my arms as she leaned against Ju Yung-In's body, still panting.
"Yung-In, Miso. You both did great. Are you okay?"
Miso sniffled and wiped her tears with her sleeve. "Yeah. I'm okay."
In an instant, Miso slipped out of her immersion in the role. I saw it every time, but it was a level of talent that was impossible to compare.
Next, I checked the hand she had used to brace herself when she fell.
"Are you okay?"
Miso nodded and lifted her hand. "They did special effects makeup, so it doesn't hurt at all."
"That's good. And you did great, Miso. You were amazing today."
As I said that, I pulled her into a tight hug and patted her back. Now out of her role, Miso buried her face in my chest, letting the lingering emotions wash away.
Then, holding Miso with one arm, I looked down at Ju Yung-In, who still had her eyes closed. Unlike Miso, she hadn't been able to come out of her role so easily. I figured I should help her return to reality.
"Yung-In. If you keep lying there, you'll catch a cold."
Even hearing my voice, Ju Yung-In didn't respond. In the end, I took her limp right hand with my free hand.
'Her hand is still cold.'
Ju Yung-In's hands were already cold to begin with, but after lying on the chilly hillside set, they felt like ice.
I started massaging warmth into them as I spoke. "Yung-In, take it slow and steady yourself. Asia's star Ju Yung-In shouldn't be lying here like this."
When I called her by the title she liked, she finally reacted, nodding faintly with her eyes still closed.
A moment later, President Ahn Yung-Hee rushed over and grabbed Ju Yung-In's other hand, massaging it as well. "Yung-In, come back. Okay?"
With both of us helping, some color slowly returned to Ju Yung-In's face.
And then, Miso still in my arms asked her, "Auntie Yung-In, how many sticker types have you collected?"
Ju Yung-In flinched slightly before answering in a trembling voice, "Fifty... kinds..."
"Wow! That's amazing! I only have 30. Do you have Soccer King Butter?"
"Yeah."
"What about Baseball King Blow?"
A pleased smile spread across Ju Yung-In's face. "I have three of those..."
"Wow, that's awesome! I don't even have one!"
As Miso started talking about Powertuff Girls bread, Ju Yung-In gradually returned to reality. Before long, she took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"Phew..." Now fully out of her role, Ju Yung-In looked around at us and smiled softly. "Thank you. All three of you."
Warmth had returned to Ju Yung-In's hands, so Ahn Yung-Hee and I helped her up. She wobbled slightly as she stood, and I steadied her.
"Thank you, oppa."
"I'm the one who should be thankful. Thanks to you, the movie's going to turn out great."
"I think it turned out even better thanks to Miso. She responded so well..."
However, Miso shook her head. "No, Auntie. You did so well that I worked hard too. So I'll give you ten breads!"
"Huh?"
"You were so, so good, I was really moved!"
At that, Ju Yung-In's face finally brightened completely, and she gently cupped Miso's cheek. "Thank you, Miso. For the acting... and the bread."
"Hehehe. Me too."
Ju Yung-In and Miso looked at each other quietly, smiling warmly as they held hands. As if they had truly become mother and daughter, the two exchanged a silent gaze.
The moment they stepped down from the set, the staff, actors, and talent agents—each having gathered themselves—began applauding all at once.
"Great work!"
"Miso, you were amazing too!"
"Outstanding, Ju Yung-In!"
"Miso, you're the best!"
Cheers unlike anything I had ever heard on a set erupted. The sound was so loud it echoed off the mountains and came back.
***
Clap clap clap.
Receiving applause like it was an awards ceremony, Ju Yung-In walked straight toward Lee Soo-Yeon. Lee Soo-Yeon was clapping as well, her injured left pinky finger from the abduction still slightly extended.
When their eyes met, Lee Soo-Yeon lowered her head. "Thank you so much. Thanks to you... I could vividly remember my mom's face again."
Tears brimmed in Lee Soo-Yeon's eyes, ready to fall at any moment.
Beside her, Park Dong-Joon wiped his reddened eyes and expressed his gratitude. "It was exactly like how Soo-Yeon's mother showed courage in her final moments. I had no idea acting could be this powerful."
Ju Yung-In shook her head modestly. "No. It was easier to act because Ms. Soo-Yeon told me exactly what happened back then. And... it felt like her mother had possessed me. Like she was helping me from above."
Lee Soo-Yeon nodded repeatedly, agreeing. Then, she hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully.
"Um... this might sound strange, but... could I hug you just once, Ms. Yung-In?"
Ju Yung-In smiled, understanding her feelings. "Of course, Ms. Soo-Yeon. No... My daughter, Soo-Yeon."
As if she had become her mother from twenty years ago, Ju Yung-In opened her arms with a gentle smile.
At that moment, Lee Soo-Yeon trembled as she stepped into her embrace. Then, in a voice barely audible, she whispered, "Mom..."
Burying her face into Ju Yung-In's chest, Lee Soo-Yeon let out another soft sob. Ju Yung-In held her tightly, patting her back.
Pat, pat.
Like a mother comforting her child returned from the past, Ju Yung-In soothed Lee Soo-Yeon for a long time.
And everyone on set remained silent, waiting for her emotions to settle.
***
After pouring out her emotions in Ju Yung-In's arms, Lee Soo-Yeon, still unsteady, returned to the car with Park Dong-Joon's support.
At that moment, Ahn Jung-Hae picked up the speaker. "Alright, that's it for today. We'll continue filming tomorrow when Mr. Jang Joon-Hyuk arrives."
"Yes, sir!"
"And Ms. Yung-In, get some rest."
"Yes, Mr. Ahn."
Ju Yung-In nodded and began heading toward the waiting tent with Ahn Yung-Hee. However, her steps drifted toward Jung Yoon-Ho and Miso instead.
Miso twisted her body playfully as she asked Jung Yoon-Ho, "So today we're going to see Yoon-Soo and Eun-Soo, right?"
"Yeah. And when Yoo-Jin comes up to Seoul, let's tell her to come to Myeongdong too."
"Yay! Ooh! I want to video call Mom!"
"Go ahead. Call her"
"Okay!"
Watching Jung Yoon-Ho and Miso act like a happy little family, a sigh escaped Ju Yung-In without her realizing.
At that moment, Ahn Yung-Hee spoke beside her with a sympathetic expression. "Yung-In... maybe it's not my place to say this, but... are you really not going to give up? It seems like Chief Jung has feelings for Yoo-Jin and Miso..."
Ju Yung-In stopped walking and looked at Ahn Yung-Hee, her face crumpling. "How could I? I liked Yoon-Ho oppa before Yoo-Jin did!"
Raising her voice slightly, Ju Yung-In revealed something she had never told anyone before.
Ahn Yung-Hee's eyes widened in shock. "You liked him before Yoo-Jin? What do you mean by that...?"
Ristretto's Thoughts
Yojj: Well…. That need tissues…
