[02]Jinsoo delivers food to our set builders

✉️Dear my grandson,

It’s only been a week, and here I am writing you again.How have you been?I heard there’s a lot of fine dust in the air in Seoul these days. When I was your age, we didn’t have anything like that—or maybe we did, but we just didn’t know about it. Maybe the sky was always a little gray, and we never really questioned it.

But you know...even with all that knowledge at our fingertips,it doesn’t mean our hearts are at peace. Information is everywhere, but places to rest your heart—they seem to be disappearing.

Still, I like letters. Even if you don’t write me back, just thinking that you might put your phone down for a minute to read this makes me feel a little warmer inside.It makes me feel a little less lonely.Words come alive when you believe someone is listening.

Not long ago, I had a quiet conversation with a young delivery man who often brings food to our studio set. You know how often we order from that old Chinese place near the set—it’s called "Yeong Bin Gwan." Because we kept ordering from Yeong Bin Gwan so often, we got to know the young man who delivers the food. He always seemed so diligent, so one evening around sunset, I decided to strike up a conversation.

Grandpa:“Jinsoo, there you are. Another busy day on the road?”

Jinsoo (removing his helmet):“Yeah… Kind of. It was a bit slower today. The weather was gloomy.”

Grandpa (settling onto the bench):“So, how much did you make today?”

Jinsoo (smiles slightly):“About 140,000 won, I think.But gas prices went up, and I grabbed a convenience store lunch…Probably about 100,000 left in my pocket.”

Grandpa (nodding slowly):“Fast money in your hands—that’s the good part. But if you’re sick for just one day, it all stops, doesn’t it? No health insurance, no benefits.”

Jinsoo (quietly):“Exactly. I can’t really take time off. Even if I have a fever, I still have to go out. If I miss a day, I get anxious.The more I accept jobs, the better ones come up. That’s how it works.”

Grandpa: “You ever look for something else?”

Jinsoo:“I’ve tried. I applied for office jobs, tried doing some construction. But with no experience and my age…Companies don’t even call me back. And with construction… the pay’s about the same, but the physical toll is worse. Leaving at 6 AM and bending over all day—I just can’t keep up.”

Grandpa:“What about the set work here?Carpentry. You’d learn a skill. Meet good people.Better than wandering the city all alone, don’t you think?”

Jinsoo (with a soft smile):“Carpentry... It’s cool. Honestly, when I see your guys working, I admire the craftsmanship.But it doesn’t seem easy.”

Grandpa:“What part looks hard?”

Jinsoo (takes a deep breath):“It’s… the commitment.Feels like once you start, you’ve gotta stick with it for the long haul. And I’ve heard they don’t really teach you much.I’m afraid I’ll mess up, or let people down.”

Grandpa:“Most jobs are learned shoulder to shoulder, just like in the old days.But if someone can prove that they’re serious, someone else will always teach them. You’re sharp. Quick hands. You’d fit right in.”

Jinsoo:“Maybe…But right now, just taking care of myself feels like a full-time job.Working with others, building something together… it sounds good, but it also scares me.No boss, no team—that’s what makes delivery kind of comfortable.”

Grandpa:“Being alone makes it easier, huh?”

Jinsoo (quietly): “It does… but not really. It gets lonely. When I’m standing around for an hour waiting for the next call…I feel like no one really needs me. Not really—not beyond one quick order.”

Grandpa: “Are you satisfied with your job?”Jinsoo (looking down): “…At first, yeah. I liked the flexibility. The fast pay.But lately… I just feel like I’m enduring. I find myself hoping the day ends quickly.I call my friends just to feel like I’m not completely alone.”

Grandpa: “That’s why I’m asking you to give this a try. On set, people remember you.Even if you mess up, you learn together. Guys like you—fast, capable—we don’t see them often. Just one week. Try it.”

Jinsoo (after a long pause): “…I really appreciate it. I do. But…”

Grandpa (nodding slowly): “There’s a ‘but.’”

Jinsoo: “I’m just… not ready yet. I’m afraid of starting something new.What if I can’t handle it? In delivery, if I fall apart, I just turn the app off and go home.But here… if I mess up, I affect everyone. I’m scared of that kind of responsibility.”

Grandpa: “That fear... That fear is a form of labor, too.Carrying that fear is part of the work. But still—you can learn, can’t you?”

Jinsoo: “I want to. These days, it’s rare to get paid to learn anything.”

Grandpa: “Every job starts with learning. Even just helping clean the set is something.It’s not hard. You’ll get paid, too.”

Jinsoo (quietly): “Okay… I’ll think about it. If I feel ready, I’ll let you know.”

Grandpa:“Good. Your spot will be waiting.When your heart feels lighter—come on back.”

Jinsoo (smiling faintly): “Thank you. Really. I’ll see you again.”

Even though we didn’t talk for long, I still remember the look in Jinsoo’s eyes.There was something quietly burning in him.I hope that light doesn’t go out.

You probably don’t fully understand what I mean yet, Taeho.

That’s alright.Someday you will—when you face a fork in the road, or when the world feels too heavy on your shoulders.

You’ve got your own world to navigate. I know you must have worries I can’t even imagine. But don’t forget—you can always come talk to your grandpa.Come visit me sometime. I’ll order your favorite sweet and sour porkand we’ll talk for as long as you want.

For now, rest well tonight.

With all my heart,

Grandpa