SWAP 2

“Seo-ul-ahhh, plea-se-e-e…”

Just where exactly did the CEO’s maturity go as he aged?

Seoul pondered briefly while looking at Yeom Gangsik, who was calling his name without even making an effort to use his mouth properly to articulate. Having known him since he was very young, Seoul was well aware that the man was forty-seven this year. Even so, Seoul couldn’t help but wonder why he was turning more and more into a child as time went on.

Just look at him now.

Summoning him to the office out of the blue just to say that.

Seoul already had a million things giving him a headache. Without suppressing the sigh that naturally escaped, Seoul spoke. At the very least, he needed to be rational.

“You know I’m not good with words. What is this all of a sudden… it’s not like my public recognition is in a serious state.”

Of course, he knew the proposal wasn’t because of his recognition level. He tried to express his refusal indirectly, but it didn’t work on CEO Yeom at all.

“Who’s doing this because of your recognition? If there’s anyone in South Korea who doesn’t know Lee Seoul, tell them to come out! Huh? I’ll make sure to verify their nationality!”

“If it’s not that, was this last movie really that bad?”

“Eh? What are you talking about? Of course it was the best! I even showed you the photo cards I printed myself. I did ‘N-th’ viewings, ‘N-th’ viewings!”

“Then…”

“What was it, I even got some fan-made goods from fans, did I show you that too? They printed your employee ID card so beautifully. Haha! I saw them taking proof photos, so I asked—really, very gentlemanly, just a quick question—where I could get one. Just in case they misunderstood me for having weird intentions, I immediately showed them my premiere goods too, just like that! Huh?”

…Seoul had brought up the project that had recently finished its premiere just in case, but Yeom Gangsik, as if he had been waiting for the chance, was busy pouring out stories about exchanging goods with fans with an excited face. Seeing this, the look in Seoul’s eyes was peculiar as he listened to the boisterous laughter that was no different from usual.

It was because he remembered the last filming site.

That set where he had wasted film several times because he couldn’t spit out a single simple line of dialogue.

While there were many times he re-shot for the sake of a better scene, it was rare for him to make an actual blooper, so even Director Na, who was famous for hardly ever making comments, went so far as to ask Seoul if he was sick. He belatedly made the excuse that he wasn’t feeling well, but Seoul realized in that moment.

That there was nothing left inside him.

The moment he recognized that he had nothing more to pour out, Seoul unintentionally felt dizzy and bit the tip of his tongue. He felt like he would collapse somewhere if he didn’t at least do that. Somehow, the filming finished safely after that, but… Yeom Gangsik must have already heard that his condition was strange.

The fact that he didn’t ask anything must be a consideration for him.

Then, is this situation also an extension of that?

Seoul, who had been trying his best to calm his dizzy heart, cut off the bragging about the employee ID card—which he was hearing for the fifth time now—at the right timing and asked.

“…If it’s not that either, why are you suddenly bringing up variety shows? You’ve never done that before.”

Yes, the root of the incident was all because of that one word from CEO Yeom. Because of a notification that was not just out of the blue but completely absurd, Seoul had to run to the office before he could even properly change his clothes. Suddenly doing a variety show, and a program with “variety” attached to it at that. He wondered if this even made any sense.

Originally, he had planned not to do any activities for a while after finishing the interview he did this morning. Since the stage greetings were over and he had turned down all the projects being discussed as his next work, it would likely be a fairly long hiatus. He was just thinking that perhaps this movie might mark the end of his filmography. The thought that it was for the better followed like a shadow.

It must mean to stop delaying it any longer.

That it was time to wrap up a relationship characterized by various excuses and lingering attachments.

So he did it, and now all that remained was to look for a new house. Since it was a situation where he had to move as soon as possible, he had to move around frantically starting tomorrow.

But then.

‘Oh, by the way. Hyung, hyung. They said you’re summoned to the company immediately after the interview today. Do you have any appointments scheduled afterward by any chance?’

It was in the car while moving to the interview location that all plans went awry. At the words of Geonsu, the manager who held the steering wheel with a beaming face as usual, Seoul, who had been looking into the interview sheet, snapped his head up.

Summoned to the company? Since the discussion about the break had already been finalized, there shouldn’t be anything else to discuss. Since he knew CEO Yeom’s tendency to choose a hands-off approach whenever possible, it was a moment of puzzlement.

‘I don’t have any separate schedule but… why is he calling suddenly?’

‘Ah, well. I heard you’re going to appear on a variety show, hyung?’

‘…What?’

Was this what they meant by a bolt from the blue?

Seoul, who had become like a jujube tree scorched in an instant, looked at the driver’s seat, but Geonsu was still laughing so much his eyes were invisible. Could he even see ahead? He knew Geonsu was an excessively cheerful type, but what Seoul needed right now was not a smile.

‘What do you mean by that? Why would I do a variety show?’

‘Mmm. I just overheard the team leader and the CEO whispering~ so I don’t know well. I just eavesdropped because your name came up, hyung. But seeing them calling you like this… isn’t that probably it?’

‘……’

‘Hyung. Are you okay?’

‘……’

‘Hello~ Hyung-nim~?’

‘……’

‘Ayyy, can’t you hear me?’

He was right.

Because of that remark, Seoul had carried out his schedule while being half out of his mind.

Fortunately, he had perfectly mastered the pre-prepared questions, so there was no hitch in the interview, but as soon as the filming ended, Seoul ran straight to the company and had no choice but to ask CEO Yeom, who greeted him warmly, a direct question.

CEO, am I really doing a variety show? At that question, Yeom Gangsik was busy avoiding his gaze while widening his already burdeningly large eyes. That behavior was an answer in itself.

When he couldn’t continue speaking out of absurdity, Yeom Gangsik, perhaps feeling guilty, asked where on earth he had heard such a thing, and then began to act as if he were dying. Seoul-ah, it’s already been however long since you debuted, of course I know well that you only want to act but this and that, but you should at least consider the feelings of the fans who ask about the actor’s life and death at the agency every day to clear the ditch and, Me too! Uh? I don’t want to make you do what you hate but there are circumstances, while catching a crawfish, he eventually threw a tantrum.

‘Huu, I’m going to die toooo. I’m the one who wants to jump! This has completely backfired…, haaa. Fine. Fine. Seoul-ah, don’t be like that, just close your eyes once and do just one program. Hmm? If you just think of it as filming one variety drama, how about it, won’t it work? Mmm?’

‘……’

‘Please save the CEO… I’m the most pitiful one right now.’

‘……’

‘Hmm? Seou-laaa. Please, huh?’

That was how the pronunciation, which got longer and longer, finally ended up at “Seo-ul-ahhh” in the current situation. The fact that he kept making a crying sound made it seem like there were some circumstances, but since he didn’t disclose them clearly, it was equally frustrating.

In the end, with a slightly fed-up face, Seoul buried himself in the sofa.

Asking any more was a waste of time. Right, it was better than him not bringing a script saying it was the next project. That would have been more troublesome right now.

“So what am I going on. Is that a secret too?”

“Huh…? Uh? What, are you going to go? Hmm? Is our Seoul going to try it?”

“If you keep acting cute like that, the agency…”

“Ahem. Hum! It’s a misunderstanding, Seoul-ah. It’s just that I’m originally a bit of a cute-type.”

What on earth was he saying… It was a word that should never come out of the mouth of CEO Yeom, whose impression was excessive by three spoons in everything from his physique to his appearance. A man who could turn into a violent crimes detective if put in a leather jacket, or an organized crime member immediately if he wore a suspicious gold necklace, was a “cute-type.”

Unfortunately, however, it was true that CEO Yeom was equipped with everyday “aegyo.” Fearing that he might witness an even more terrible scene if he pointed it out, Seoul decided to let it pass and act like he didn’t know.

“You’ve probably heard the name too? It’s Bestie Exchange airing on WY, a project by PD Jeon Jaeyeon. You can consider the viewership ratings almost guaranteed, and it’s not a studio recording. It’s such a successful program that kids are practically lining up wanting to appear here. Hmm?”

It was exactly as he said. Bestie Exchange, the first program where PD Jeon Jaeyeon—who was one of the divisions of PD Ahn Seungdeok, called the big hand of the PD world—took charge of the main directing after going independent, was the hottest program in the variety world recently.

The level of attention was so high that clips poured out just from the pre-released videos, and the casting of the performers was also well-received to the point where people said it was a “PD Jeon Pick” you could trust.

In fact, there was even a case where a song by an unknown singer, who appeared as a best friend of a famous comedian, wrote a reverse-run myth after the program aired. However, Seoul, who had no interest in the variety side at all, silently pulled out his phone. There were times when one search was more comfortable than a hundred words. Seoul’s gaze, looking into the phone screen, gradually turned puzzled.

And for good reason, the program description itself…

“Above all, our PD Jeon Jaeyeon is a very decent person. We’re personally acquainted, and I’ll talk to them well in advance, so there will be nothing for you to worry about. Just think of it as a chance to empty your head this time with a light heart-.”

“CEO, but this…”

“Hmm? Why?”

“It’s not something I can go on alone…?”

A full-scale friendship variety observation show that thoroughly digs into the behind-the-scenes of entertainment industry besties! Are you and your bestie doing well? By any chance, are you thinking of exchanging? It’s time to find out your friend’s hidden true intentions!

Bestie ☓ Bestie or… Bestie ☓ Exchange?

Above the cryptic program introduction, several clips of celebrities who seemed to have appeared as a pair with someone were uploaded. Seeing some familiar actors, he clicked on a video, and variety-specific subtitles popped up along with noisy background sounds. Looking at the interview introducing each other’s best friends, CEO Yeom, who caught a glimpse of what was behind Seoul, flopped down on the sofa with an expression of giving up everything.

“Uh-huh, right… given the nature of the program, the two of you have to go together… So, uh? Please, the two of you handle it yourselves now. I don’t know anymore…”

“What does that-.”

It was when Seoul, frowning at the attitude where no sense of responsibility could be found, was about to protest something. Along with the familiar scent of perfume that brushed the tip of his nose in an instant, a presence was felt behind his back.

He tried to turn his head with a flinch, but the hand wrapping around his shoulder was faster.

“Do you have any best friend other than me?”