Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 555



Only Noblemtl

Episode 555

Ginger has been acting strange lately.

There were many times when I would just stare out the window without doing anything or just lie still on the sofa and sigh deeply.

“Why is he like that?”

Kim Min-joo asked Erica while doing an ab slide in the middle of the living room.

Erica was sitting on the sofa watching a rerun of ‘Shine Solo’. She was really focused, but when Kim Min-joo asked her a question, she glanced at Ginger.

Ginger was looking out the balcony window from her dining table, just like the main character in ‘The Last Leaf’. The only difference from ‘The Last Leaf’ was that all she could see outside the window was the gray scenery of Seoul.

“I guess you have someone you love.”

“You think so?”

“That could be the case.”

“But why don’t you do anything?”

Erica glanced at Kim Min-joo as if she was embarrassed.

“no…….”

As soon as Kim Min-ju finished one set of ab slides, she laid down on the floor, clutching her stomach. She rolled around for a few seconds due to the pain she felt in her abs.

“you.”

Kim Min-ju, who overcame the pleasant pain, continued her story while wiping away sweat.

“We won’t let it go if we even get a hint of that.”

“When did I.”

“When. Until I feel better, I’ll peck on people.”

“Our dating ban will end soon.”

According to Kim Min-joo’s words, the reason Erica was being ‘crazy’ to the members was because of the contract.

It was ‘ridiculous’ because there should not be any members who commit misconduct by not keeping to the 3-year deadline.

‘Did I really make it that obvious?’

I thought I used a relatively gentle method.

Well, Kim Min-ju is quite good at exaggeration. She even uses the prefix ‘dog’ to describe trivial things.

In Japanese, it would be a word like ‘kuso’ (shit). Something like ‘kusoume’ (it’s delicious)…

It’s a really shameful way of speaking that I can’t stand it.

“If what you say is true, then there’s no reason for me to be ‘a fucking idiot.’”

“Aren’t you worried about him?”

“There comes a time when everyone has to bear the weight of their ego alone. It’s not uncommon at our age.”

“What does it mean to bear the weight of the ego?”

“That’s for you to think about, not me.”

“Let’s stop talking.”

Kim Min-ju approached Ginger with the intention of directly resolving her curiosity.

“Ginger, what’s wrong? Should I listen?”

Ginger looked at Kim Min-ju with blank eyes.

“No, I don’t. I just can’t believe that I’m going to be 22 soon.”

“……okay?”

It was Ginger’s birthday a while ago. I wonder if it was then that she realized what it meant to grow old.

It’s strange to think like that at 22, but it’s not so much that I don’t understand it…

“My body isn’t what it used to be. I feel like I’m getting older. It makes me sad to think that I’ll end up like my older sister, Soyou.”

Kim Min-joo returned to Erica and said.

“He’s not in his right mind.”

While talking to Erica, Kim Min-ju was also concerned about Jin So-yu, who was lying down in a corner of the living room reading a book.

Jin So-yu must have heard what Ginger said, but she didn’t react at all. To be honest, when Ginger brought up the subject of age, Kim Min-ju felt a chill down her spine.

‘It’s a really sensitive issue for him.’

Jin So-yu will be 27 years old next year.

It’s really getting to the point where you start to care about your age.

It would be a different level of agony than Ginger’s.

“He’s not in his right mind, so let’s just leave him alone.”

Kim Min-joo drove Ginger crazy for Ginger’s safety and the group’s peace.

Fortunately, Jin So-yu didn’t seem to care much and just read the book.

* * *

“May.”

The next morning, Jin So-yu came to Ginger’s room. Ginger had barely woken up and was just rubbing her eyes, but Jin So-yu had finished putting on makeup and was standing in front of the door.

“Are you free today, tomorrow, or the day after?”

“Why are you like that… … .”

Ginger started stretching to wake up her heavy body. As she stimulated her lower back in the cat pose, she felt herself gradually waking up.

“There is no separate promise… … .”

“Come out.”

Ginger froze in her cat pose. The atmosphere around Jinsoyu was unusual.

“… …Why are you doing that, you idiot?”

“Let’s go out and play.”

“Oh, where should I go? I haven’t even washed up yet.”

“You can just go there and wash.”

“So where… … .”

“hotel.”

Ginger’s head turned quickly.

I haven’t washed yet – I can go there and wash – Where are you going – I’m going to the hotel.

Come to the hotel with me and wash up.

Ginger’s hair stood on end.

“I don’t like it! I can’t do this! Help me!”

The door to Erica’s room opened wide. She ran over and stood next to Jin So-yu, looking into Ginger’s room.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on? Did a cockroach come out?”

“My older sister is going to drag me to the hotel and give me a shower!”

“… … .”

Erica fell into a state of worry.

Now that the dating ban is over, is dating within the group allowed? Are there any cases like this?

No, that’s not the problem.

Erica put her hand on Jinsoyu’s shoulder.

“Soyou, reality isn’t like an American drama. You don’t get a ‘call’ when you casually ask someone around you, “Call?” More importantly, the atmosphere isn’t set at all.”

“I’m planning to go on a vacation.”

“Ho-kang-soo?”

“May has been feeling depressed lately.”

Ginger was surprised. She didn’t know that Jinsoyu would care about her even a little bit.

“It’s because I’m stuck in this room even though I’m on vacation.”

“… … You, Soyou, are going on a vacation with Ginger? You, Soyou? Why?”

Erica couldn’t believe Jin So-yu’s words. She didn’t know that she was someone who cared so much for her colleagues.

No, I was suspicious because he wasn’t that kind of person.

Ginger’s suspicions may be correct.

“Why?”

Jin So-yu answered coldly.

“Because no one is playing her older sister.”

“……what?”

“I can’t stand to watch anymore, so I’m stepping in. Why?”

Jin So-yu didn’t take her eyes off Erica for even a moment, as if she was aiming an arrow.

“Going beyond not doing it, to even stopping others from doing it?”

* * *

Jin So-yu’s latest model of the BMW X3 series raced through Seoul’s roads without any problems.

Ginger sat in the passenger seat and watched Jin So-yu’s expression with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Inside the car, pop songs that Ginger had never heard before were playing one after another.

‘You said you were going out to play… … .’

It’s not the kind of atmosphere where you go out to play at all.

Besides, just like Jin So-yu said, I really couldn’t wash and my face and body felt dirty.

It was common for the atmosphere to become awkward when I was with Jin So-yu, but it was even more intense when we were together in a closed car.

Eventually, Ginger spoke first.

“What is this music?”

“Owl city.”

“Is the song title Owl City? It definitely has a night view feel to it.”

“No, the artist’s name is Owl City. The song’s title is ‘Good Time.’ I think everyone in my generation knows this, but don’t you?”

I don’t know.

Ginger’s childhood was cut off from culture from the beginning.

“I don’t know.”

“okay.”

Silence came again.

Jin So-yu opened her mouth again with a sigh.

“When I was young, music streaming platforms weren’t very accessible. I couldn’t even imagine playing music on my phone.”

“How can I listen to music without my phone?”

“MP3.”

“What is MP3?”

“You have truly lived a life cut off from civilization.”

When Jinsoyu smiled brightly, Ginger got angry and snapped at her.

“My sister is an old black woman.”

“That could be.”

Surprisingly, Jin So-yu lightly touched on the topic of age.

“My hobby was looking at the Billboard charts.”

“It’s unexpected.”

“I checked and downloaded illegally everything that I thought was okay and put it on an MP3 player.”

“injustice……?”

“At that time, there was no thought of stealing. The concept of copyright itself was weak in Korea. You could say it was the digital savage era.”

“I knew Korea was like this from the beginning. So, did you like pop songs from back then?”

“Rather than saying I like it, it was one of the ways I could be different from others.”

“How can it change?”

“There are people like that. People who say, ‘The music that the public listens to is low-quality.’ So, pop songs were one of the armors that covered my ego.”

“Do you still think that way these days?”

“Are you kidding me?”

Jin So-yu smiled brightly, rarely, very rarely.

“My job is an idol, so how could I? People are wired to love familiarity. If you keep hearing it, you’ll start to like even things you don’t like.”

When Jinsoyu laughed, Ginger laughed too.

“Then why don’t you tell me to ‘get lost too, you fucking bitch’ like you used to? Is it because I keep getting attached to you?”

“I’ve become accustomed to it, but it’s not like I’ve fallen in love with it.”

“… … .”

Ginger hoped that if something like this happened, she would be safe and Jinsoyu would be broken somewhere.

* * *

The two, who had left their valet parking to the hotel, entered the building. A large first-floor hall with a red and gold theme welcomed them.

Ginger felt unnecessarily intimidated because it was her first time staying in such a full-fledged hotel.

Even though it was early, there were a lot of people.

“What is that over there?”

“Sell hotel supplies.”

“Is it soap or shampoo?”

“… … Are you talking about amenities?”

“What amenities are there?”

Jin So-yu narrowed her eyes and just ignored Ginger’s words. Ginger couldn’t say anything and just followed her without saying anything when she walked ahead without answering.

When Jin So-yu said her name at the desk and showed her phone, a bellboy appeared and helped Jin So-yu with her luggage.

“I will guide you.”

The two followed the bellboy into the elevator.

The bellboy pressed the largest button for the top floor. Then, with a deft hand, he took a card out of his pocket and held it up to the floor.

“You have to scan your card on the sensor to move to the top floor.”

Ginger was shocked when she saw it… … .

‘It’s similar to our accommodation?’

I wasn’t shocked.

Guests staying on the top floor checked in at the top-floor desk. Jin So-yu went through a few more procedures and was guided to her room.

“then.”

The bellboy went into the room, explained a few things, greeted me with the same polite manner as when he first appeared, and left.

Jin So-yu held her room card to the sensor next to the door. Then, the room brightened and the blinds on the front window went up.

Ginger was slightly surprised.

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

As soon as Ginger took off her shoes, she walked to the window and admired the view.

“… … .”

It was disappointing.

All I can see is a gray jungle forest.

She looked around. The room was smaller than she had expected. At least it wasn’t one of those huge rooms you see in movies or dramas.

Even the highest rooms seem to be cheap.

“How much is this?”

“3 million won per night.”

“Is this the kind of room you want?!”

“What’s it like here?”

“Um, it seems to be about the same size as our accommodation. No, it seems like our accommodation is bigger. But 3 million won… … .”

Ginger thinks it’s a huge waste of money.

“How many nights did you catch here?”

“2 nights and 3 days.”

“Are you crazy because you make a lot of money?! I, I’m a crazy person who doesn’t pay a single penny!”

“That’s what I originally planned. Does it feel like a waste of money?”

“It’s not a waste!”

“Can you say that after seeing this?”

Jinsoyu guided Ginger to the bathroom.

I saw a bathtub big enough for two people.

Jin So-yu filled the tub with some water and pressed one of the buttons on the bathtub. Bubbles bubbled out and colorful lights lit up the bathtub.

“how is it?”

“What the heck?! Is this worth 3 million won?”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll use it myself.”

Ginger suddenly shut her mouth.

“Do you want to do it?”

Ginger looked at the bubbles filling the bathtub with rapt eyes. She had never done anything like it.

Moreover, as the water gradually filled the bathtub, it created a synergy with the lighting, creating a dreamy atmosphere.

“… … I have to wash my teeth. I’ll just wash my teeth while I’m at it.”

“okay.”

“I think my sister is used to this kind of thing. I never even thought about valet parking. But my sister was so natural… … .”

To be honest, I ended up slightly admiring it.

“hmm.”

Jin So-yu tapped her chin two or three times with her index finger and smiled.

“Actually, this is my first time in a place like this. Excluding valet.”

“yes?”

“I was nervous coming up here too. It was my first time.”

“… … What is it!”

Ginger attacked Jinsoyu as if she felt wronged.

“I only relied on my older sister, but this was my sister’s first time too!”

“I had a hard time not showing that I was nervous.”

Even while criticizing Jinsoyu, Ginger smiled brightly.

* * *

“I was wondering why my sister was using bath salts.”

Ginger stepped out, tying the knot in her bathrobe. She brought her arm to her nose and sniffed the scent of her skin.

“That’s right. I am a rose human now. The scent of roses is from my body.”

“I hate the scent of roses because they smell cheap.”

“You can think whatever you want. I’m brimming with confidence right now. I’m more confident than when I had full makeup on. Even if someone suddenly ran up to me to sniff the back of my neck, I could proudly stick my neck out.”

“Then you should report it.”

“The spa function was surprisingly nothing special. Oh, and there are a lot of expensive cosmetics inside. It was worth the money.”

“You can take it all.”

“Is this real?!”

“It’s included in the 3 million won.”

“Then this too?!”

Ginger pointed to the fridge full of water and drinks.

“You have to pay for that.”

“I don’t understand. Capitalism is difficult. But why don’t you change your clothes, Unnie?”

“If you’re done washing, get dressed and go out.”

“Do you want to eat at the hotel restaurant?”

“No, I’m going to the department store.”

“Um, um, where are you buying the black bean paste? At the department store? You’re the best!”

“No, I’m going to buy something for me.”

“Then why are you taking me with you, Geummi? Just go alone.”

* * *

I followed.

It was Ginger’s first time going shopping at a department store.

Jin So-yu got on the elevator with familiar steps and arrived at the floor where the luxury stores were located.

Jin So-yu went to a famous store and scanned the code on the sign. As soon as she did, an employee came up next to Jin So-yu.

“Thank you for reaching out. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I’ll see.”

The staff followed behind Jinsoyu and Ginger.

Ginger looked around anxiously. Now she saw that there was a staff member attached to each guest.

‘huh?’

Another customer came to the store entrance.

But it hasn’t come in and I’m waiting.

‘… … Is there a waiting line at the store?’

Are you keeping me waiting because there is no staff to guide me? What the… … .

“this.”

Jin So-yu pointed to a wallet that had suddenly stopped.

“this.”

And then he pointed to another bag.

“this.”

And again he pointed to a belt.

“This, this, this, this, this, this, this.”

“Oh, I understand. Could you please wait a moment?”

The staff member ran off to another place.

Ginger was shocked and cried out quietly.

“Are you a crazy person who decides without even looking at the price? Are you a crazy person?! Do you know how much it’s going to cost and do this? You didn’t even look at it properly!”

“I came here to spend money.”

“What, you didn’t come here to buy anything?”

“Yeah. I came here to spend money.”

“… … .”

It was clear that he was crazy.

Jin So-yu walked out of the store with a confident gait, carrying shopping bags.

Behind her, all the store employees were lined up and bowed deeply as if to say, “Thank you, customer. Thank you so much. I’m so grateful I could die!”

Ginger was shocked.

The staff welcomed Jin So-yu as if he were a national hero. Since they had spent that much money, he was a national hero from their perspective.

“Would you like to take a look? Is there anything you want to buy?”

Ginger bowed her head in embarrassment.

She answered, fiddling with her sleeve.

“There isn’t any.”

Ginger sends most of her settlement money back to her home country, to her parents. She doesn’t really have any money to spend in Korea, so it’s okay for her to do that.

Anyway, she didn’t have the money to do crazy things like Jin So-yu.

“ruler.”

Jinsoyu handed over several shopping bags to Ginger at once.

Ginger’s eyes grew cold.

“The blacksmith who needed a porter… … .”

“You take it.”

“Even if I die tomorrow, I’m going to die! Sister, you’re weird! And, I can’t accept something this expensive!”

“If you don’t take it, I’ll throw it away. I don’t need it.”

“Sister, have you really gone crazy?”

“If you don’t need it, give it to me as a gift. Like Director Park.”

Ginger shut her mouth. Then she opened the shopping bag to see what was inside.

It came in a box with the brand’s signature monogram pattern. You wouldn’t know what was inside just by looking at it.

“I’m thirsty, let’s go to a cafe.”

Ginger no longer called Jinsoyu, “Are you crazy?”

* * *

“Sister.”

The moment they were about to enter a cafe inside the department store, Ginger grabbed Jinsoyu’s collar and stopped her.

“It looks like there are entry restrictions here.”

The signboard in front of the cafe had the department store’s grade regulations written on it. It said that only Diamonds and above could enter, and Diamonds were for those who had spent more than 60 million won a year…

“Why is that?”

Jinsoyu entered the cafe after taking a picture of the code on the sign with her phone as if it was nothing.

“… … .”

Ginger was now tired of talking, so she followed her in quietly.

It was a typical cafe, except for the interior. Except for the fact that the desserts were served on a three-tiered dessert table and that the cups were made of real crystal.

Ginger gulped down the orange juice. She was so surprised that her mouth went dry.

“Does spending money make you feel good?”

“To some extent.”

“It’s not normal to buy things you won’t use. I appreciate the gifts my sister gives me, but I don’t think it’s a good habit.”

“It’s not a habit. It’s a goal.”

What goal.

How to become a department store diamond level?

There are also diamond and higher grades, are you aiming for that?

“This brand.”

Jin So-yu pointed to the shopping bag.

“There are products that can only be purchased if you consistently spend a certain amount of money.”

“Capitalism is truly beyond imagination. It’s not just that it’s expensive, but that there are products that you can buy by spending more money.”

I’m curious.

“What is that?”

“It’s a crocodile leather bag.”

“If you buy a bunch of bags, do you really want to buy more bags?”

“beautiful.”

Jin So-yu showed me an image of the bag on her phone. It was an orange handbag, and it was cute and small, but I couldn’t tell if it was worth it.

“This bag is no ordinary bag.”

“It’s not an ordinary bag, since it was made by catching a poor crocodile.”

“Made by artisans. Handcrafted by artisans who have been trained, apprenticed, and trained as assistants for decades.”

“Isn’t that the case with all luxury goods?”

“And the crocodile skin used to make the bag is kept by the company forever. In case the bag wears out someday and I need to have it repaired. The skin is hung in the warehouse and my name is written on it.”

“That’s a bit too much… … .”

“And send it directly to the craftsman who made it and have it repaired. Definitely.”

When it got there, Ginger couldn’t even refute it.

It was definitely a bag worth buying.

“It’s a bag that you can’t make even if you want to make hundreds or thousands of them. The number of craftsmen is limited. There are countless people who give up halfway through trying to become craftsmen. Even among those who are born with talent, only those who have both persistence and effort can make a bag. That’s the kind of bag it is. Even if you want to buy it, even if the conditions are right, you can’t buy it right away. You have to wait forever until it’s in stock.”

“however.”

Although Ginger acknowledged the bag’s value, she had doubts.

“Does that have anything to do with beauty? Isn’t it not just something that looks pretty to the eye, but also a value that takes into account the process of making it? Don’t you like beautiful things, sis?”

“Beauty obviously involves effort.”

“I don’t know what it means.”

“Because beauty is a value that requires someone’s time, effort, and talent to create. If I said it was similar to strength… would you understand?”

Take fighters, for example. Fighters also spend time and effort to become stronger. And they show their strength to everyone, and are recognized and proven.

Beauty is the same.

“Beauty, wisdom, strength, power, system, they all have the same value. They are created by people who have time, effort, and talent. In that sense, I love beauty.”

Jin So-yu’s eyes became slightly clouded. It was as if she was looking at someone imaginary, not the Ginger in front of her.

“And beauty, like other values, is difficult to obtain. That’s why I want to have it.”

“Sister, you’re already beautiful. Why do you need something else beautiful? Even if you walk around naked, someone wrapped in luxury goods is just an overwhelming beauty.”

“Because I’m human.”

Jin So-yu didn’t even touch the cookies.

I only had a few sips of coffee, which had almost no calories.

“Don’t wish for things you don’t need. Even if you already have them, wish for more.”

Ginger understood, yet did not understand.

I just thought of it as one of Jin So-yu’s hobbies and didn’t take it seriously.

“Let’s go, there’s still a lot to do.”