My Hyung's boyfriend is a ghost

The family concern

The Kim family home was rarely quiet, a testament to the lively, bustling personalities of its inhabitants. Tonight, the household felt particularly vibrant. The spacious dining room, with its sleek, minimalistic decor, was filled with the sound of chopsticks clinking against fine porcelain, occasional laughter, and the low murmur of voices. In the heart of it all were the three Kim brothers, sharing dinner with their parents, a rare occurrence these days.

Seokjin, the eldest at 31, sat at the head of the table—a spot that had once belonged to their father but now felt fitting for the man who led Kim Corporation with the same level of confidence. Seokjin's life had been nothing short of demanding since he took over the reins as CEO. The family business had been passed down through generations, and Seokjin had stepped into the role with grace, driving the company to new heights. But with power came an overwhelming amount of responsibility. His perfectly tailored suit and the faint crease of stress on his forehead were a constant reminder of the weight he carried on his shoulders.

To his left was Namjoon, 28, the second eldest, and a rising star in the legal world. He was already gaining a reputation as a brilliant lawyer, known for his calm demeanor and sharp intellect. Namjoon’s analytical nature made him the problem-solver in the family, the one everyone turned to when things got tough. Tonight, his dark eyes were focused on their father, who was going on about the latest market trends. Namjoon nodded thoughtfully, offering just the right amount of feedback to keep their father talking, while managing to keep the conversation pleasant—something Seokjin was grateful for.

Across from Namjoon sat Taehyung, the youngest at 22 and very much the creative free spirit of the family. Still a university student, Taehyung was pursuing a degree in the arts, much to his father’s initial skepticism. His wild imagination and carefree attitude made him the oddball of the family, but also the heart of it, constantly injecting warmth and humor into their lives. Tonight, Taehyung was more interested in documenting his dinner for his growing social media following, his phone stealthily positioned under the table as he snapped a photo of his beautifully arranged plate.

As dinner went on, Seokjin hoped that the conversation would remain centered on business, his father’s favorite topic. But as soon as their mother set down her chopsticks and turned her gaze toward him, he knew where things were headed. He could feel it coming, the one discussion he’d been expertly dodging for months.

“Seokjin-ah,” Mrs. Kim began, her tone soft but unmistakably concerned. Her eyes, filled with maternal worry, locked onto her eldest son. “You’ve been working so hard these days. I don’t think I’ve seen you take a real break in months.”

Seokjin smiled gently, preparing his usual deflection. “I’m fine, Mom. You know how it is. Running the company is no small job.”

“Yes, we know that, but…” Mrs. Kim hesitated for a moment, glancing at her husband before continuing. “Work isn’t everything, dear. You’re 31 now. You’ve accomplished so much, but there are other things in life—important things.”

Seokjin felt his stomach tighten. He could feel Namjoon and Taehyung’s eyes on him, both brothers fully aware of where this conversation was headed. He exchanged a brief glance with Namjoon, whose expression was one of quiet amusement. Namjoon, as usual, was waiting to see how Seokjin would handle the situation.

Mr. Kim, who had been quiet up until now, cleared his throat, his deep voice cutting through the room. “Your mother’s right, Seokjin. It’s time you thought about settling down. We’ve been patient, but you can’t just focus on work forever. There’s more to life than the boardroom and stock markets.”

Seokjin suppressed a sigh. He had heard this speech countless times, but now, with every passing year, it seemed to carry more weight. “I know, Dad,” he said, his voice steady but tired. “I’m just… busy.”