I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

It was to secure an import route for sugar.

Taejin’s judgment proved correct—there was nothing more essential than sugar for revitalizing Korea’s postwar reconstruction industry and food industry.

At the time, the United States was implementing its surplus agricultural aid policy. It was a period when America’s overproduced goods—sugar, wheat, milk—were being sent to allied nations.

Sugar could become the core of processed foods, beverages, and the confectionery industry.

In Korea, flour and sugar were goods that had to be imported, and Taejin did not miss that opportunity.

“I never imagined that fellow Joseon people would join hands like this in a foreign land.”

The man who had been drinking coffee spoke in halting Joseon speech. Taejin smiled and shook his hand.

“I’m pleased as well to have achieved such unexpected results.”

As their conversation wrapped up and the man prepared to leave, the lady of the house appeared.

The man bowed deeply when he faced the lady whose complexion was as white as a lily. At the Joseon-style greeting, the previously calm expression of the hostess softened.

“I’m glad we were able to form such a good connection.”

“Madam, you speak Joseon language very fluently.”

“Yes. I studied diligently.”

Seeing the man speak like one of the Joseon language textbooks she had once studied, Huijae behaved quite warmly toward him.

Embarrassed that his Joseon speech was worse than Huijae’s—who was young enough to be his niece—the man scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I hope my daughters... will study Joseon language... as diligently as you do, madam.”

“If you don’t mind, sir, would you like me to gift you a few books written in Joseon language?”

“...Pardon?”

“I’ll be returning to Korea soon, so I would be happy if you accepted them.”

-Ah, fuck, finally Korea!!!

-Taeseok mental breakdown ON. Is it happening....

-Nooooo TT__TT Don’t, I’m insanely excited for their first meeting but my chest is already being torn apart

-Huijae grew up so much... why is her Joseon speech so good

‘Back then people really lost their minds.’

Director Ja played the viewers every single time. The episode ended the moment Huijae said she would soon return to Korea.

Everyone was waiting for Taeseok and Huijae’s first meeting. Just thinking about it already made one side of the heart throb painfully.

‘And then in the next episode....’

Director Ja was a psychopath. He enjoyed tearing viewers’ hearts to shreds.

Taeseok walked down the street wearing a fine suit.

The world had already turned into spring.

Everything alive seemed overwhelmed with happiness. Among the green leaves, white flowers bloomed brightly.

Because of Huijae’s words—asking him to find out the name of that flower—Taeseok lived as if it were his duty to unravel this world.

Whenever he saw white flowers, his gaze was helplessly drawn to them.

As Taeseok briefly glanced at the white blossoms, he noticed a photo studio in front of him. He stared at it for a moment.

As if recalling the photograph of Huijae hanging around his neck.

Suddenly, Taeseok stepped into the studio.

The young man stood in front of the camera like a short-haired girl wearing a kimono. The backdrop was the same pear blossom garden.

Even if they were not together, it felt as if both of them had stepped into the same place.

Even if they had not seen it together, it felt as if they could say they had looked at the same flowers.

-I sincerely recommend you quit, Ja Sokhwan you insane bastard

-Seriously it’s nothing special but even this kind of thing tears your heart apart...TT_TT

-The wedding photo of Taejin and Huijae from the trailer is in color but Taeseok’s photo is black and white

-The detail is insane you fucking psycho

-Because Taeseok’s life becomes black and white forever after losing Huijae...

-Please stop this I’m begging you

Taeseok lived buried in work every day. Even so, he had to attend gatherings he did not want to attend just to build connections.

“Taeseok, you probably drink more coffee than you sell. How many times have I told you to get some sleep?”

His business partner shook his head at him. Taeseok simply shrugged lightly before getting into a luxury sedan. He no longer rode his old bicycle.

“You still know you have to come to the hotel later, right? I’ll stamp my face there first. You’re the face of our company—go drive the final nail in.”

“At this rate my face is going to wear out.”

“What’s the point of having such a handsome face then! Because of Hong Seongju’s performance tonight, all kinds of people will show up. Those rich bastards act all dignified, but at times like this they show exactly what’s inside them. Got it? Promise?”

Taeseok closed his eyes in the back seat of the car.

In truth, he had not told anyone, but he was plagued by anxiety.

Invitations for formal positions were gradually pouring in for him one by one.

No matter how much he tried to ignore it, unease squeezed his heart.

There was no way Huijae did not have men courting her.

By now, he was certain that excellent marriage proposals must be flooding in.

He wanted to succeed and meet her again.

If he became a respectable man, he wanted to go find her first.

He believed that if he climbed the ladder like a madman, he would eventually reach the top.

Whenever he imagined Huijae standing at the highest place, he could not rest even for a moment.

The mind of Taeseok, now a businessman, produced calculations coldly.

Not yet... yes, not yet....

In the glamorous hotel lobby, a performance was underway.

The enormous chandelier glittered so brilliantly it was almost overwhelming to look at. It felt like a world made of gold.

It was completely different from the outside world still filled with the scars of war.

It shone as if someone had cut out a place containing nothing but happiness, laughter, and love—without pain, sorrow, or worry.

“President Lee! I knew you’d accomplish great things, I knew it!”

The protagonist of this place was Taejin.

Wearing a stylish suit, he greeted people with a relaxed smile. Those who acted superior to Taeseok treated Taejin with absolute deference.

Taejin gently wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders.

“You must be very tired. It’s long past the time you should be sleeping.”

Huijae shook her head slightly.

But as if he already knew her feelings, Taejin led her out onto the balcony.

Huijae inhaled the pleasant spring night air.

For some reason, her heart fluttered.

“Could you wait here for a moment? Before we leave, it would be nice if you drank a glass of water.”

“You don’t have to go that far....”

At Huijae’s familiar refusal, Taejin smiled kindly.

“I want to drink something too.”

While Taejin went to find a waiter, the host inside the hall grabbed the microphone.

“Thank you for waiting! The diva who will make this night even more beautiful—Miss Hong Seongju!”

At the loud noise, Huijae slightly furrowed her brows.

Seemingly uninterested, she stepped closer to the balcony railing and looked up at the night sky.

Then it happened.

A man was approaching from the main entrance.

Dressed entirely in black from head to toe, Taeseok hurried his steps to join the party, even # Nоvеlight # if late.

“In Jinhae’s dance halls that light up every night

Mm— famous figures gather, each showing off their pride”

The female singer began to sing with a sultry voice.

Huijae, dressed in a pure white gown, continued looking at the sky while Taeseok drew closer.

“In a sharp suit with a red rose corsage

This well-dressed man right here is me”

As the music flowed, Taeseok judged that the atmosphere had ripened perfectly and raised his wrist, thinking he had arrived at just the right moment.

A white petal landed on the face of his watch.

Cherry blossom.

Taeseok looked up to see the flower.

And discovered the woman standing on the balcony.

“What a successful man receives

Is money, dreams, fame, and envy”

Huijae.

You are there.

Taeseok froze as if nailed to the ground.

The girl who once had a neat bob had now become a lady with hair flowing past her shoulders like waves.

The face he had longed to see even once in a dream was up there above him.

Taeseok’s lips parted slightly.

“Ah... but love

Love alone—”

Meanwhile Huijae was speaking with someone.

Because of the shadow of the trees, he could not see clearly.

“My beloved is distant like a dream...”

After drinking a glass of water from the crystal glass handed to her, Huijae turned away.

“Huijae!”

Taeseok shouted loudly.

But with only the swaying ends of her hair remaining, she disappeared from the balcony.

“Huijae!”

Taeseok rushed into the hotel.

He tried to push through the crowd, but it wasn’t easy. The applause for the singer who had just finished her song drowned out the voice calling Huijae’s name.

Then a hand grabbed Taeseok’s shoulder.

Turning his entire body with unconscious hope, Taeseok saw a familiar person.

“Taesgi! Why didn’t you come a little earlier! Ah, what a waste.”

“Hyung, the woman who was just standing on the balcony—do you know her?”

“Ah, yeah. I know. I was actually about to tell you.”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Taeseok’s heart pounded wildly.

The female singer on stage was introducing her next song.

“The next song is !”

A melancholy harmonium melody began.

“You know that businessman importing massive amounts of sugar from America? Robert Lee? They say she’s his wife.”

Taeseok’s face stiffened.

“...His wife?”

It felt as if someone had pushed Taeseok off the ladder.

The young man looked like someone falling from a terrifying height.

Episode 8 of ended.