Chapter 16

Chapter 16

A small wooden boat left Namhang, bobbing gently as it cut through the waves. Under the warm sunlight, the sea gleamed like a jewel. The gentle rocking might have been nothing more than a newborn babys wobble compared to the torrential currents boatmen usually faced, but it seemed that the film crew wasnt so used to it. The AD had already lost his breakfast several times and could barely stand on deck. In contrast, camera director Kim Deukhyeongs eyes sparkled with excitement more than ever.

PD Yoo, this is an amazing shot! How did you find such a place?

Sunbae, how would I know about these waters? Its all thanks to the boat owner. When the production assistant mentioned Yeongguks name at Namhang Market, everyone offered to help us find the way. If it werent for Yeongguk, we wouldve had difficulty finding a good location.

Ah, that boy is quite a lucky charm!

At the bow of the boat, a young boy stood unfazed by the swaying of the waves as if his feet were magnetic. Seagulls soared around him, and a heron flew past though they were far from the shore. The scene was so magical that it could have been plucked straight out of a movie.

Scene number 57, a brief life on the ocean!

The crew of around ten people hurriedly began filming. As the clapperboard snapped, the wooden boat momentarily came to a halt. A teary-eyed mother wearing worn-out shoes approached her son.

Jin, pay your respects to your father.

What father? Mom, you cant even see whats right before you! These are just disgusting, fishy ocean waves!

Jin

The gaunt mother painfully made her way to the deck and poured soju onto the blue waters. Her son watched her with a look of pure dissatisfaction. What was so great about the ocean that had robbed them of his father and her husband? Yet, the mother fought back her emotions, her voice strained.

My dear husband, were here. You must have been so lonely all by yourself. I wanted to come more often, but life got in the way. Our Jin has grown up so much. Hes really a good boy, just like you. It would have been wonderful if you could see him

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, tears streamed down his mothers face. Her hand holding the soju bottle shook violently, and tears welled under her hollow cheeks. At that moment, her son Jin grabbed her shoulder.

Are you going to spill it? Whats with this display?

Jin

Give it to me. Ill do it!

Snatching the soju bottle from his mothers wrinkled hands and splashing it into the sea, Jins eyes were also filled with unending tears. On the outside, he resented his father, but deep down, he longed for him more than anyone else. Seagulls cried at the sight of their tears.

Father

As his mother leaned against the rails for a break, Jin stood alone at the bow, looking down at sea. Unchangingly blue, the ocean seemed to know his feelings. He silently took a small apple from his pocket and threw it with all his might.

I miss you, he whispered.T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

At that moment, a seagull changed course, as if responding to his call.

* * *

The filming was just wrapping up when the boat owner, his face tanned dark, came over. It was their first time getting a good look at him. They only heard that theyd hired a boat owner who knew the waters well, but he had kept his hat pulled low and stayed in the wheelhouse the entire timeuntil now.

* * *

The captain cooked a modest seafood ramen for the ten-member film crew. The steaming soup and savory taste left everyone speechless. The AD, who had suffered badly from seasickness, seemed to have fully recovered and finished a bowl immediately. The PD still yearned for soju, but what could he do? Hed have to console himself at a seafood restaurant on land.

Captain, have you known Yeongguk since a long time ago?

Indeed. As you know, PD Yoo, Yeongguk is quite famous at Namhang. Hes quite a celebrity in Yeongdo. But when I see Yeongguk, I just cant help but feel bad, so I kept my distance.

Why do you feel bad?

Yeongguks father and I were very close. We would go fishing together, rain or shine, and even drink and shout at Namhang. But then his father got caught in a strong current and drowned. After that, it felt like it was all my fault, so I couldnt face Yeongguk properly for years.

With a strong and dignified appearance, the tanned captain had a hunched posture. It seemed his emotions were overwhelming as he thought of his old friend.

Im sorry for my poor manners, he apologized.

No, its fine.

Yeongguk is quite a good actor, isnt he?

Of course, you saw it yourself. Ive seen many child actors at the broadcasting station, but no one like Yeongguk.

Its not just for show. The child actor struggled with the demanding filming schedule because of the physical challenges. And to make matters worse, he was the primary child actor. Despite the difficult lines he had to memorize, he didnt make a single mistake. Far from looking exhausted as the shoot drew to a close, he actually boosted the energy of the staff and fellow actors.

Of course. Hes got a heart as big as his fathers, you know. He might still be young, but hes got an adults mind. He works hard so his mother doesnt have to suffer and tries to do all the tough tasks himself. When I think about it now, my friend really raised a great son. When she set up a stall at Namhang with the other guys we worked with, I wasnt sure if shed be able to handle such a big responsibility, but my worries were unfounded. Just look at him, doing his role so well. Its really something.

Sturdy, calloused hands clasped Yoo Myeonghans hand.

Thank you so much for the ceremony earlier at the sea.

Yoo Myeonghan recalled the event before the shoot. It happened after they wrapped up the shooting sketch and the team loaded equipment onto a small boat.

PD, can I scatter soju in this scene and throw an apple at the end?

An apple?

I think its something Hajins father would have liked.

The child had a clear vision of the world within the script, as if he saw it as his own living room. Yoo Myeonghan felt the boys words were persuasive, and the visual actually matched perfectly once they filmed it. As if they had found a lost puzzle piece. It was then.

His father, I mean, my friend, really loved ceremonies like that. It was even more important back then because living without it was unbearable. Its a blessing to even find the body because if it didnt wash away to the shore, itd be lost forever. Nowadays, going out to sea and scattering their favorite food like that is all we can do. Im really grateful. My friend out there in the sea must be delighted too. He finally got a delicious apple after so long.

Tears welled up in the eyes of the middle-aged boatman, his cheeks reddening. Unbeknownst to him, Yoo Myeonghan also felt warmth in his chest. There were countless stories in Namhang, like a drawbridge opening and closing, just hidden away deep inside peoples hearts. The child must be the same. But the child wasnt afraid of the sea, nor did he avoid it. He knew that its better to let it out instead of hiding his sadness.

He should be happy to see such a grown-up son.

The boy was sitting alone at the bow of the boat. The sea, scattering blue rays of light, gently swayed as if greeting the young boy.