Touch Therapy: Where Hands Go, Bodies Beg-Chapter 358: Dong Min-jae and Chae-won

The restaurant was one of those exclusive establishments that didn’t need a sign out front—people who could afford to eat here already knew where it was. Located on the upper floors of a luxury hotel in Cheongdam-dong, it offered panoramic views of Seoul’s skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows, impeccable service, and a menu that featured seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world.

They were seated at a private table with an unobstructed view, the server discreetly taking their orders before disappearing to give them space. The atmosphere was elegant but relaxed, the kind of place where important conversations happened over excellent food and wine.

Dong Young Master—Dong Min-jae, as Joon-ho now knew him—was in high spirits. Their gaming session had ended on a victorious note, and apparently, that was enough to earn him a place in Dong’s inner circle for the evening.

"You know," Dong said, pouring wine for both of them with practiced ease, "I don’t usually do this. Invite strangers to dinner, I mean. But you’re different. You’ve got skills, and I respect that. Plus, anyone who can keep up with me in-game is worth getting to know."

He lifted his glass, his expression warm and generous. "From now on, call me Brother Dong. None of this ’Young Master’ nonsense. We’re equals now—you proved that today."

"Brother Dong, then." Joon-ho accepted the glass, acknowledging the gesture. "I appreciate the hospitality."

"Don’t mention it." Dong waved his hand dismissively. "Consider it an investment in a potential friend. And speaking of investments—if you ever need money, or backing for a project, or connections in the business world... just say the word. I can make things happen. That’s the advantage of being a Dong, after all."

The food arrived, and they ate with the ease of men who were comfortable with each other despite having only met hours earlier. The conversation flowed naturally, touching on various topics—gaming strategies, business challenges, the peculiarities of being born into powerful families. Dong was surprisingly open about his position as the third son of the Dong Group, candid about the advantages and the limitations that came with it.

"It’s not what people think," Dong admitted, slicing into his steak with precise movements. "They see the money, the prestige, the influence. They don’t see the reality—being the third son means you’re never first in line for anything. You’re the spare, the backup plan, the one who’s supposed to stay in the background while the eldest takes the spotlight. I get resources, sure, but I also get limits. Expectations. A very narrow path I’m expected to follow."

"And yet you don’t seem like someone who enjoys staying in the background," Joon-ho observed.

"Because I don’t." Dong’s smile was sharp, revealing a competitive edge that extended far beyond gaming. "I’m good at what I do—better than my brothers at most things. But being third means I don’t get the credit, the recognition, the real power. So I find my own ways to prove myself. Gaming is one of them. Investments are another."

He took a sip of wine, his expression thoughtful. "I’ve built my own network, my own connections, my own sources of influence. It’s not the official Dong Group empire, but it’s mine. And it’s growing."

As if on cue, the private dining room’s door opened, and a woman entered. She was stunning—the kind of beauty that stopped conversations, with delicate features, an elegant presence, and the effortless grace of someone who knew exactly how attractive she was. Her designer dress hugged her figure perfectly, her hair and makeup were flawless, and there was an air of sophistication about her that spoke of wealth and privilege.

Joon-ho recognized her immediately—Chae-won, an A-list actress on par with Mirae in terms of talent, popularity, and industry standing. She’d been in several blockbuster films, commanded top fees for her projects, and was considered one of the most bankable stars in Korean entertainment.

"Sorry I’m late." Chae-won’s voice was smooth, her smile warm as she approached the table. "The shoot ran longer than expected. You know how it is."

"Better late than never." Dong rose to pull out her chair, his affection evident. "You know I’d wait for you."

He turned to Joon-ho, his expression proud. "Joon-ho, I want you to meet Chae-won. She’s... well, she’s incredible, for starters. Talented, beautiful, intelligent—everything I could ask for in a woman. And yes, she’s mine."

The possessive pronoun was stated without hesitation, and Joon-ho nodded his acknowledgment. It wasn’t uncommon for wealthy young men like Dong to have high-profile actresses as partners—it was a status symbol as much as anything else.

"Pleasure to meet you." Joon-ho stood briefly, offering a polite bow. "I’ve admired your work. Your performance in ’The Last Empire’ was exceptional."

"Thank you." Chae-won’s smile was genuine, her eyes appreciating the compliment. "It’s nice to meet someone who actually watches the films rather than just reading the gossip columns."

She settled into her chair, accepting a glass of wine from Dong, and then her eyes focused on Joon-ho with renewed interest. Something about him seemed familiar, and she tilted her head slightly, studying his face.

"You know..." She paused, considering. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"I don’t believe so." Joon-ho replied evenly.

"No, not directly." Chae-won snapped her fingers, remembering. "But I’ve seen you. In the media, the entertainment industry publications. You’re that guy—the Coffee Prince, right? The one who caused that scandal a while back? The one all the actresses are secretly curious about?"

Dong’s fork paused mid-air, his interest piqued. "Coffee Prince? That’s a new one. You’ll have to explain that one."

"It’s an industry nickname." Chae-won’s tone was amused, her eyes dancing with curiosity. "From that incident in Jeju—the one where he was caught on camera with, what was it? The media had a field day with it. They called him the Coffee Prince because he looked so calm, so collected, like it was all just a game to him."

She studied Joon-ho more closely now, her appreciation growing. "So that’s you? The Coffee Prince himself? I’d heard you were good-looking, but the photos don’t do you justice."

Dong absorbed this information with growing interest. "Let me get this straight. You’re not just some random gamer I happened to pick up today. You’re also the Coffee Prince scandal-maker, AND you’re the owner of LUNE Entertainment?"

"The owner of LUNE." Joon-ho corrected mildly. "The ’Coffee Prince’ title is mostly media invention. Though I suppose there’s some truth to it."

"LUNE Entertainment." Dong nodded slowly, connecting the dots. "That explains a lot. The industry influence, the connections, the way you carry yourself—you’ve built something significant. That’s not easy in that business."

"It has its challenges." Joon-ho acknowledged. "But it’s worth the effort."

Chae-won, now fully aware of who she was sitting with, seemed to relax into the conversation. She ordered food, ate with the ease of someone accustomed to fine dining, and listened as Dong and Joon-ho continued their discussion. She didn’t interject much, content to observe and occasionally offer a comment when the topic touched on the entertainment industry.

Dong, however, was growing more perceptive. He’d been enjoying the evening, enjoying the company and the conversation, but something about Joon-ho’s approach had him thinking.

"You didn’t approach me by accident, did you?" Dong observed, setting down his wine glass. "You didn’t just happen to be at that PC bang looking for a game. You were looking for me specifically."

Joon-ho didn’t deny it. "I did research before I came. I knew you’d be there, knew your gaming schedule. It wasn’t coincidence."

Dong nodded, not offended—if anything, he seemed impressed by the planning. "So you targeted me. Why? What could the third son of the Dong Group possibly offer that would be worth this kind of effort?"

"Since you’ve allowed me to call you Brother Dong, I’ll be straightforward with you." Joon-ho met his eyes directly, his expression serious. "I didn’t come here just to play games. I’m looking for allies—people who might be interested in helping me take on the Baek family."

The name hung in the air between them, and Dong’s reaction was immediate—a slight narrowing of his eyes, a cautious shifting in his chair. The Baek family was powerful, influential, and notoriously ruthless when crossed. Taking them on wasn’t something to undertake lightly.

"The Baek family." Dong repeated the name, testing its weight. "You want to challenge them? That’s ambitious. Dangerous, too. They don’t take kindly to opposition."

"They have resources that most people can’t match." Joon-ho agreed. "But they’re not invincible. Every empire has weaknesses, every powerful family has enemies. The key is finding the right leverage."

"And you think I’m that leverage?" Dong’s tone was skeptical. "I’m the third son, Brother Dong. The family’s golden child in public, the spare in private. I have some influence, some resources of my own, but I’m not the one calling the shots in the Dong Group. And even if I was..." He sighed, his expression guarded. "There are complications. Internal conflicts within the Dong family—power struggles between branches, disagreements about strategy, old grudges that never really heal. My father expects me to focus on certain areas, to support my brothers in specific ways. Stepping outside those parameters, especially for something as risky as confronting the Baek family... it’s not simple."

He took a drink of wine, gathering his thoughts. "I’m not saying it’s impossible. But I’d need to understand exactly what you’re proposing, what the risks are, and what the potential returns might be. Because right now, I’m just the prodigal young master—the one who enjoys gaming and beautiful women, not the one who makes the big decisions. And that means I have to be careful about how I invest my political and financial capital."

"Understood." Joon-ho nodded, respecting his candor. "But what if I told you it’s not that complex? What if I said I’m not asking for a massive political commitment or a declaration of war? What if it’s just basic investment—business, pure and simple?"

Dong’s eyebrows rose. "Go on."

"LUNE has several projects in development right now." Joon-ho explained. "One of them in particular has the potential to be a true blockbuster—the kind of film that dominates award seasons, generates international buzz, and establishes new standards in the industry. The script is exceptional, the director is visionary, and the casting possibilities are extraordinary."

He paused, his eyes moving briefly to Chae-won before returning to Dong. "And having the right cast is crucial. That’s where Chae-won could be invaluable. Her star power, her acting ability, her box office appeal—she would elevate this project to an entirely different level."

Chae-won’s interest was clearly piqued. She set down her fork, her full attention on Joon-ho. "You’re talking about a LUNE production? With me as the lead?"

"Not just the lead." Joon-ho’s expression was thoughtful. "There’s a specific role that would showcase your range in ways you haven’t had the opportunity to demonstrate before. Complex, multi-dimensional, the kind of character that stays with audiences long after the credits roll."

"I’m listening." Chae-won’s eyes were bright with curiosity. "But I have to ask—you already have Mirae on your roster. She’s phenomenal, one of the best in the industry. If LUNE is producing a blockbuster, wouldn’t she be the natural choice for the female lead?"

"She would be." Joon-ho acknowledged. "And in fact, she is attached to this project—as the protagonist, the hero of the story. But Mirae isn’t the only female character who matters in this script. There’s another role, one that’s equally important, perhaps even more challenging."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering with emphasis. "The main antagonist. The villainess who drives the conflict, who creates chaos, who ultimately forces the protagonist to confront her own demons. This character takes center stage in the script—she’s not just a supporting role, not just a two-dimensional obstacle. She’s fully developed, with her own motivations, her own story arc, her own moments of triumph and tragedy. She’s the kind of role that actors dream about."

Chae-won’s expression was considering, her mind already at work. "An antagonist with depth and complexity. That’s rare. Usually, villains are just plot devices, there to be defeated and forgotten. But you’re talking about something different."

"I am." Joon-ho nodded. "This character is brilliant, manipulative, emotionally complex—she’s not evil for the sake of being evil. She believes she’s right, believes she’s justified in her actions, even as she destroys everything around her. Playing that kind of role requires nuance, the ability to make the audience understand her perspective even as they root against her. It’s challenging, demanding, and incredibly rewarding for the right actor."

He watched Chae-won absorb this, seeing the interest in her eyes, the way she was already imagining herself in the role. This was exactly what he needed—to get Chae-won invested in the project, to make her see its potential not just as another film, but as a career-defining opportunity.

And through her, through her connection to Dong, through the combination of entertainment influence and business investment, he could build the alliance he needed. The Baek family was powerful, yes, but they weren’t the only power in Seoul.