002: midlife crisis au

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Song Ji Hyo’s turning 35 in less than three months. The prospect of turning one year older and still feeling like having accomplished nothing takes a toll on her.

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She’s in the hallway, bag slung over her shoulder. The newest Running man shooting has finally come to an end. Song Ji Hyo fishes her phone out of her pocket, waiting impatiently for her manager to call. She heaves out an audible sigh and chews on her lips, desperately trying to ignore that twist and turn of her stomach and that feeling of depression that’s been going on her nerves lately.

For the love of god, she’s not in the limelight anymore. People don’t tend to recognize her for a character she played in some drama or movie on the street. They will look at her and see Running man’s Ace or maybe even as a half of Monday Couple. She knows she can’t hold onto that forever. Rumors about the end of ‘Running man’ circulated the web some time ago already. The question of who she will be when everything she owns turns into dust haunts her every single second.

“Damn it.” She blurts out, dropping her bag to the floor, stamping down the urge to slump down and break down in tears. In her defense, she attended the wedding of her high school’s friend yesterday alone whilst everyone brought their partner along. That was the last straw unleashing these ugly emotions she’s been trying to keep under wrap for god knows how long.

At the age of roughly 35, her career is sliding down a dangerous line and her love life is non-existent.

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Her manager is stuck in traffic. “I’m sorry, I’ll try to get there as fast as possible but it’ll take me at least an hour.” It’s a long day, indeed.

Ji Hyo trots to the elevator, presses the button to the highest floor and watches as the numbers slowly go up. The lift comes to a halt with a slight jolt and the doors slide open. She takes the stairs up to the rooftop. The crispy air sends shivers down her spine; Ji Hyo pulls her overcoat tighter and steps out onto the yard. It’s not pitch dark but the sun is going down, plunging the world around her into a shade of grey nonetheless.

That’s when she sees him. Kim Jong Kook, perched on the ledge of the building, is holding a bottle of soju in his hand.

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