Chapter 2: Gangnam District
Pop music was playing loudly in a VIP changing room. There were some people who had neat hairstyles with glossy pomades in some of their hair. Several men with fierce faces and suits looked bored. They seemed not to enjoy being there. Their faces tensed and they stood close to a man who was now leaning on a comfortable maroon leather sofa drying his wet hair.
"You have to think about this, Hyeon Jun!" One of them rebuked. He wore glasses and seemed intellectual at first glance. But he was by no means an academic or a serious profession. He kept a sharp dagger under his pants. Part of his shoulder-length hair was dyed silver and tied with rope. He was a gangster.
He was brave enough to talk to Lee Hyeon Jun in a commanding tone. It meant that he wasn't affected by Hyeon Jun's strength and background.
The man named Hyeon Jun, had short hair and an athletic build. He was tall but didn't look scary either. He was perfect as a menswear model thanks to his charming muscles. There were serpent tattoos on his arms and the top of his chest. Hyeon Jun shaped his body thanks to intense martial arts training. He didn't know steroids or protein drinks. The line on his face was also charming, a little intimidating but proven to be able to make many women weak with his gaze.
A glass of beer with two melted ice cubes in his right hand. Hyeon Jun did not immediately respond. The men were his father's subordinates. They were all members of the powerful Serpent Fang—Korea's underground organization.
"You guys can't wait huh? I just arrived in Korea less than twelve hours ago," Hyeon Jun commented with a slight smile.
"President Lee said it's about time you stop playing around and get serious about taking care of the organization, Jun!" The bespectacled man scolded. The other men just stood around them obediently expressionless.
"I'm not playing, I'm Korea's proud athlete now. Father can't just tell me to stop. He'll have to deal with the sports minister if he insists. Tell him that I would consider being a successor. Well, now go. I'm already late. Because you are here, the makeup artist was afraid to enter. Maybe she'll call security because he thinks I'm being beaten," Hyeon Jun laughed.
"You're getting soft, Jun! What is this, you are now a commercial star? Isn't this an exaggeration? Later, when you arrive at headquarters I will have a lot to say to you. And don't block my number! Or I will look for you like this again and embarrass you. Let's go," the man with the tied hair adjusted his glasses before leaving.
When they opened the door, they passed a woman.
"Ouch," Mi-Rae complained when someone accidentally bumped into her shoulder. The sinister-looking men immediately bowed politely to her.
"Are you Hyeon Jun's makeup artist? Sorry for taking up your time," the bespectacled man also showed his regret.
"Eh? No, I—"
"Come in, he's waiting for you," another man spoke and pushed the door shut. Mi-Rae just arrived. There was still half an hour before it was time to make up and it looked like she had run into something troublesome.
"Are you my make-up artist?" Hyeon Jun asked unsure. He sees Mi-Rae's appearance which she thinks was too pretty as a makeup artist. She was wearing a dark brown coat with a simple knit sweater underneath. Her makeup isn't too much either. All his life Hyeon Jun was surrounded by women who used to preen and dress tacky. Mi-Rae was like an oasis for his eyes.
"Eh, me? No," Mi-Rae shook her head.
It was rare for her to meet someone who didn't know her in a place where celebrities usually shoot like today's television stations. Mi-Rae wasn't comfortable if she had to admit to being one of the actresses who would be shooting this afternoon.
"This is my first time shooting a commercial..In your opinion, is this appearance ok? You work here right? I'm a man. Why do I have to put on make -up? Besides, this is an advertisement for sports shoes right?" Hyeon Jun stood up and waited for Mi-Rae's comment.
Mi-Rae also thought, was that man the one Sujin mentioned earlier? The world MMA champion fighter who would be shooting with her? Mi-Rae didn't think he was so handsome. Of course as an actress she was used to meeting handsome men. But Hyeon Jun wasn't just handsome. An aura of masculinity emanated from him. Its existence could make independent women like herself want to be protected. Mi-Rae smiled slightly because felt stupid with her current thoughts. She already had a son, it was no longer the time for her to think like a young girl.
"In the entertainment world it's normal for men to wear makeup. It won't affect masculinity if that's what you mean," Mi-Rae folded her arms giving her opinion.
"In my opinion, you are handsome enough but a little makeup will make you more worthy to appear on camera," added Mi-Rae again.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hyeon Jun?" Someone knocked on the door.
Then a woman with a cheerful expression with a fat body walked in. She looked surprised to see Mi-Rae.
"Oh my, Miss Song! I didn't know you were here," she bowed respectfully.
"I entered the wrong room. I thought, this was my changing room," Mi-Rae responded casually as she walked away.
"See you later on the set, Mr. Lee," Mi-Rae also gave a slightly confused smile to Hyeon Jun.
"Who is she?" Hyeon Jun asked.
"You don't know? Gosh it's impossible. She is one of the top Korean actresses. She is Brand ambassador for famous brands in the world. She is also the one who will shoot this sports shoe commercial with you," the makeup artist looked excited when she told him.
"Ah, so her name is Song Mi-Rae?" Hyeon Jun reminisced. He must have read his commercial shooting contract for today. He knew Mi-Rae's name as his shooting partner today.
"That's right, she is Mi-Rae. Oh my God, I should have asked for a photo with her," said the chubby woman enthusiastically.
"She's that famous? but she looks— humble," Hyeon Jun expressed his doubts.
"She's well-liked here. She's not arrogant and classy. But why is she here with you? Are you guys—gosh!" The woman covered her face in excitement with delusions filling her brain.
"Oh my gosh oh my gosh! Could it be that you—" continued the woman.
"Hey, can't you hear? She entered the wrong room. She thought this was her dressing room."
"Aaah but you can't hurt her, Mr. Lee. Miss Mi-Rae's fans will be angry and beat you up if you are as bad as her ex,"
"Err, I think there's a huge misunderstanding here. Me and her aren't — we even just met today!" Hyeon Jun tried to prevent the chubby woman's delusions from running wild.
"No, listen to me Mr Lee! Miss Song is indeed amazing. You've been in America for a long time so you probably don't know this. You have to prepare yourself mentally if you want to be with her. Because the Park family of CJ Group always trips up guys who try to get close to Miss Song," the makeup lady spoke seriously to him as she started to wipe his face with a cotton swab soaked in toner.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone