Chapter 20

20. From now on, it's mine.

‘This is strange.’

Yeon Seonghoon tilted his head. He didn’t know why Woo Jinhyuk ended up playing Byun Hakdo.

It was something he didn’t know, so it must have been sudden for Jinhyuk as well. But...

‘Even if he suddenly took on the role, Jinhyuk wouldn’t be unaware of what kind of character Byun Hakdo is in this play...’

The Byun Hakdo in the script was just a traditional character. There was no reconstruction of the story. It was just a light rephrasing of the lines, staying within the bounds of the original Chunhyangjeon.

It was too radical to think that Jinhyuk’s interpretation of the character was so creative.

This wasn’t just an interpretation; it was as if the character had been completely shattered.

"That, that, I am sorry to the esteemed magistrate, but these are the best-looking people we have."

"Enough. Get rid of them. I’ve heard of a girl named Chunhyang. Why isn’t she here yet?"

The unfocused gaze emitted a light that was too alluring to be called decadent.

But it was a dangerous gaze to be drawn to.

"Magistrate, Chunhyang is not a courtesan, as I have been informed."

The next line Jinhyuk was supposed to say was:

– Chunhyang is not the daughter of a courtesan. I’ve heard of her reputation. Bring her here quickly to fulfill her duty to the government.

But when Jinhyuk’s dangerous gaze slowly turned towards Eui Bang, a different line fell out.

"Bring her."

"Yes, yes?"

The student playing Eui Bang genuinely responded in surprise to the unexpected line.

"Bring her."

"Magistrate... I, that..."

While Eui Bang, who had no lines to deliver, was flustered, Jinhyuk slowly stood up and approached him.

Thud.

Byun Hakdo, played by Jinhyuk, grabbed Eui Bang’s neck.

Where the unfocused gaze had been, a clear, desire-filled gaze now shone.

"Next time, don’t make me say it twice. If you don’t want to die—!"

Byun Hakdo’s madness exploded.

"Ah..."

Sarin, sitting next to Yeon Seonghoon, let out a low scream and bit her fist in tension.

Sarin was quickly engrossed in the drama, a clear sign of how deeply she was drawn into Jinhyuk’s performance.

Yeon Seonghoon swallowed hard. What is this kid up to...

***

‘What is this? Why is Byun Hakdo acting like this? This is insane.’

No Hyunwoo’s eyes widened.

Unlike Yeon Seonghoon, No Hyunwoo had no prior knowledge of the script.

The fact that such a script and direction were being used was already radical, and the performance of the student playing Byun Hakdo was truly...

No, not just the performance, but his mere presence drew everyone’s attention. The charm that instantly captivated people was a true quality of a star.

With such a student delivering such a crazy performance, it was impossible for the audience not to be engrossed.

A single student’s charisma had silenced the entire auditorium.

He glanced at the seat next to him. Sure enough, the manager couldn’t take her eyes off the stage.

‘Huh.’

No Hyunwoo smiled and leaned closer to the stage.

"Chunhyang has been brought!"

While the magistrate was temporarily absent, the clerks were conversing, and Chunhyang, who had been dragged in, sat in the courtyard.

"Your name is Sung Chunhyang, I believe."

"Yes, Magistrate."

Originally, the magistrate Byun Hakdo was supposed to call Chunhyang, praise her beauty, and order her to serve him. But a different line came out of Jinhyuk’s mouth.

"You."

Byun Hakdo, played by Woo Jinhyuk, stood up and slowly approached Chunhyang.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Byun Hakdo stopped and squatted in front of Chunhyang. The camera hurriedly followed Jinhyuk’s unexpected movement.

"Look up."

"..."

"Didn’t you hear? Look up."

As Chunhyang slowly lifted her head, the camera captured Jinhyuk’s face looking at her.

A strange smile appeared on Jinhyuk’s face as he looked at Chunhyang. It was dark, yet innocent.

"Chunhyang, you are..."

"..."

"From now on, mine."

Jinhyuk’s smile deepened.

"Choke!"

The students’ eyes all widened.

"Magistrate, take me!"

"Ah, crazy, hey, get a grip."

The play had already transformed into a ‘Byun Hakdo’s Tale.’

***

‘Is this kid crazy!’

Mr. Park Dongcheol’s eyes were filled with anger. Woo Jinhyuk was changing the lines and delivering a performance completely different from the original character.

"Hey, Woo Jinhyuk, what are you doing!"

Mr. Park Dongcheol, who had entered the waiting room during the intermission, burst out at Jinhyuk.

Jinhyuk, without a word, sat in a chair, picked up a water bottle, and took a sip before speaking.

"Anyway..."

"Anyway, what!"

"Since I wasn’t originally cast as Byun Hakdo, my lines aren’t accurate."

"Hey, man! Is this just a matter of lines?"

"My interpretation of the character might also be inaccurate."

"Ha!"

Mr. Park Dongcheol was speechless, but it was difficult to say anything more.

The play was already heading towards its conclusion. Byun Hakdo, played by Woo Jinhyuk, was a last-minute replacement.

And the audience’s focus on Jinhyuk was something Mr. Park Dongcheol couldn’t ignore.

Stopping the play now was not an option.

"You brat..."

Mr. Park Dongcheol’s clenched fist trembled.

"Do it right. You’ve seen what Lee Youngjun did, right!"

"I’ll try my best."

Mr. Park Dongcheol, biting his lip, grumbled and headed towards the stage. Soon, Kang Do-hoon, who played Im Dong-ryong, quietly sat next to Woo Jinhyuk.

Kang Do-hoon, who had been glaring at Jinhyuk, spat out a line.

"Play it cool."

Woo Jinhyuk, with his usual expressionless face, replied.

"I am."

Don’t worry, I won’t kill Im Dong-ryong.

***

"Inspector, step forward!"

The stage became chaotic with the announcement of the climax. The soldiers and officials tumbled and created a commotion.

And in the midst of this, Byun Hakdo, who was supposed to be cowering in a corner, was sitting confidently in the center of the hall, his back straight.

The soldiers, who were supposed to grab Byun Hakdo and kneel him before the inspector, hesitated, intimidated by Jinhyuk’s presence.

‘Woo Jinhyuk, this kid, all the way to the end!’

Kang Do-hoon, a professional actor, couldn’t be intimidated by Jinhyuk’s presence.

Kang Do-hoon, reminding himself, "I am Kang Do-hoon," let out a deep, powerful shout.

"What are you doing! Drag that man out and imprison him!"

Kang Do-hoon delivered an ad-lib not in the script.

"Ah, yes, yes!"

The soldiers, who had been intimidated by Jinhyuk, finally snapped out of it and rushed towards him.

"Stop!"

Woo Jinhyuk slowly stood up. Then, he spoke to the soldiers who were about to touch him with a chilling voice.

"How dare you touch me. Do you want to die?"

A murderous gaze.

The confused soldiers looked back and forth between Jinhyuk and Kang Do-hoon, their faces pale.

Kang Do-hoon, biting his lip, gave a strong nod to the students playing the soldiers.

"What are you doing? Bind the criminal immediately!"

One soldier, exasperated, rushed at Jinhyuk. The others followed.

At that moment.

Whirl!

Crash!

The soldiers were instantly thrown off.

Jinhyuk, ensuring their safety, threw the soldiers in a flashy manner. It was no effort to knock down the few who rushed at him.

"Wow–!"

The audience let out gasps at the unexpected real action.

At the end of the gasps, Jinhyuk’s voice, standing confidently before Inspector Kang Do-hoon, echoed through the auditorium.

"I don’t know what evidence the inspector has to call for my appearance!"

"..."

"I have nothing to be ashamed of, so I will go and be investigated."

Then, he looked around at the soldiers and declared.

"Anyone who dares to touch me will not be forgiven!"

The soldiers, intimidated by Byun Hakdo’s presence, couldn’t move.

Jinhyuk looked around once more and slowly moved.

The officials, clerks, and soldiers, who had been hiding to avoid the inspector’s appearance, watched Jinhyuk disappear backstage with blank expressions.

A confusing situation. But the play had to continue. Kang Do-hoon, with his experienced acting, managed to control the situation.

"What are you doing! Bind all the criminals!"

The soldiers, who had regained their senses, bound the officials and clerks and made them kneel before the inspector.

Inspector Im Dong-ryong, seated in the center of the government hall, questioned the officials and called for Chunhyang.

"Bring the criminal named Chunhyang!"

Thus, Chunhyang, who was in prison, was brought out.

"Is your name Chunhyang?"

"Yes."

"You, as the daughter of a courtesan, dared to insult the government under the pretense of fidelity. Your crime is not light. However, if you serve me, I will forgive you."

Min Seo-yeon’s eyes turned cold.

"Huh. How can every inspector be like this?"

A mix of pity and satisfaction on Im Dong-ryong’s face, but it quickly turned firm. A skilled performance by Kang Do-hoon.

"Yes, you! Do you really want to die? Not only did you insult the magistrate, but you also insult the inspector. Do you still wish to live?"

"Inspector, I don’t want to talk much. Will the pine tree change when the snow falls? My heart is unchanged. Don’t mock me, and kill me quickly!"

Im Dong-ryong, confirming Chunhyang’s resolve, lowered his fan and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Chunhyang, look up."

"..."

"It’s me, Chunhyang."

Im Dong-ryong approached Chunhyang. Chunhyang’s eyes widened.

"No, what is this..."

Now, it was time for Chunhyang and Im Dong-ryong to hold hands and have a beautiful happy ending.

But.

"Are you testing me, sir?"

Chunhyang, slowly standing up, let out a sharp voice that echoed through the stage.

‘What, what is this?’

Woo Jinhyuk thought it was understandable.

Of course, he didn’t believe the ridiculous excuse that he couldn’t memorize the lines properly or didn’t understand the role because he was a last-minute replacement.

Jinhyuk might have felt unfairly excluded from a major casting.

But why was Min Seo-yeon...

While Kang Do-hoon was confused, Chunhyang, played by Min Seo-yeon, continued with lines not in the script.

"Is testing me, who was imprisoned for fidelity, truly your love for me? Your trust?"

"Ah, I, that... Chunhyang, why are you doing this?"

Kang Do-hoon, delivering a clumsy ad-lib, approached Chunhyang. He was taken aback by Seo-yeon’s improvisation.

"Why am I doing this! Don’t you know? Testing my fidelity as a final test! It’s truly ridiculous. Now that I’ve confirmed your feelings, it’s enough."

"Chunhyang, that’s not it..."

Kang Do-hoon, grabbing Min Seo-yeon’s wrist, gave her a look that said, ‘What are you trying to do?’ Seo-yeon ignored his gaze coldly.

At that moment.

"Let go of her!"

Byun Hakdo, played by Woo Jinhyuk, who had exited the stage, suddenly re-entered.

"What... what