Chapter 82

82. Actor Woo Jin-hyuk

– Continues to lead the highest ratings in the same time slot with KBC’s “2012 Hong Gil-dong.”

“2012 Hong Gil-dong” surpassed a 35% rating in just two episodes.

The second episode of KBC’s weekend mini-series “2012 Hong Gil-dong,” broadcast on the 8th, delivered a shock no less intense than the first episode, recording a 35.5% rating (based on Watson Korea nationwide standards).

This was a 7.1% increase from the 28.4% rating of the first episode.

The number reflected the anticipation for the drama, which reimagined Hong Gil-dong as a multi-dimensional character with both light and darkness, following the shocking “Snow Mountain Duel” in the first episode.

In the second episode, the tension was heightened by the appearance of a fake Hong Gil-dong (played by Jung Ji-an), who claimed to be a champion of justice, and the death of a fellow from the Halbin Party.

True to its promise of reviving action dramas with the “Snow Mountain Duel,” “2012 Hong Gil-dong” also showcased a dreamlike action sequence under the moonlight in the second episode.

… (omitted) …

Meanwhile, MBS’s “Great Nation,” which was highly anticipated in the same time slot, recorded a 18.6% rating, a 2.5% drop from the previous week.

– Genius Woo Jin-hyuk vs. Genius Jung Ji-an. How can I not go crazy?

└ I thought Woo Jin-hyuk just got lucky with his character in high school… I’m just bowing my head now.

– If the “Snow Mountain Duel” is a grand landscape, then the “Moonlight Duel” is like a beautifully drawn Four Gentlemen.

└ Wow! That’s exactly what I wanted to say.

– I can sense the birth of an unbelievable masterpiece…

└ I already think it’s that good just from the first two episodes.

└ Yeah, yeah.

Writer Han Yoo-kyung’s mouth dropped open as she read the news articles and comments. The articles plastered all over the internet and the public’s praise for “2012 Hong Gil-dong.”

What pleased her even more were the critics' reviews.

– A masterpiece that captures both mass appeal and artistic value.

– A hero who rejects the name of a hero, a madman who claims to be light. The true strength of “2012 Hong Gil-dong” lies in the characters' narratives.

– The drama ends before you know it, with your fists clenched in tension. You’ll find yourself saying, “I can’t wait for the next episode.”

Even the usually harsh critics were unanimous in their praise.

“Hahaha.”

Writer Han Yoo-kyung couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

She had a lingering sense of inferiority from the success of the High School series, feeling that her skills as a writer were subtly belittled because of the young adult romance genre.

It wasn’t just a sense of inferiority; people actually thought that way. Works that were heavy and theme-driven were somehow rated higher.

But that was just the color of the work, not the weight of the writer’s ideology or writing ability.

If you packed a lunch for a picnic and someone criticized it for lacking the deep flavor of bone broth, wouldn’t you feel wronged?

Han Yoo-kyung, still a young and spirited writer, couldn’t easily shake off such feelings.

“I should get Jin-hyuk a gift. Haha.”

Writer Han Yoo-kyung laughed happily.

The idea for the two Hong Gil-dongs and the concept of a hero and a madman with contrasting light and darkness came from Jin-hyuk.

Of course, a story isn’t made with just the idea. Especially for a long story, much more is needed.

But the idea is still important. Thanks to Jin-hyuk, she easily obtained that powerful idea.

“What kind of gift would be good?”

Writer Han Yoo-kyung hummed a tune as she pondered what gift to give Jin-hyuk.

***

It was still mid-winter, but the heat of “2012 Hong Gil-dong” continued to rise.

38.2

39.6

…

The ratings of “2012 Hong Gil-dong,” which rose like a heatwave in a tropical region, were at 42.7% as of the 8th episode. Not just the high ratings, but the fact that they steadily increased up to the last episode was even more frightening.

The real Hong Gil-dong (Woo Jin-hyuk) and the fake Hong Gil-dong (Jung Ji-an), along with the government troops led by Kim Jong-moo, who was chasing Hong Gil-dong, created a story of mutual pursuit and intense conflict, providing thrilling tension in every episode, which was the reason for the continued rise in ratings.

Additionally, the high ratings also led to various phenomena.

“Wow… We have to start lining up from here?”

Vehicles were lined up endlessly to enter the parking lot of the Korean Folk Village. The line started from a point where the entrance was not even visible.

“Ugh. What do we do? Should we wait or turn around?”

“Of course. I told you we should have come earlier.”

The wife scolded her husband, who was looking at his wife and children.

“I told you several times that the drama is causing a frenzy and even made the news.”

“Well, I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”

The winter vacation of students and the cold weather didn’t stop so many people from visiting the folk village, all thanks to “2012 Hong Gil-dong.”

“Well, ‘2012 Hong Gil-dong’ is really entertaining.”

“There’s nothing missing. The story is intricate, the action is amazing, and the romance is sweet.”

The romance between Hong Gil-dong (Woo Jin-hyuk) and Lady Yeon-ju (Nam Su-hyun), and the bittersweet feelings of Kang Hee (Seo Yeon) who couldn’t fully express her feelings for Gil-dong.

And the relationship between the fake Hong Gil-dong (Jung Ji-an) and Lady Yeon-ju (Nam Su-hyun).

The intense romance was as active as the intense conflict between the three major forces.

Now, in South Korea, it was impossible to have a conversation without talking about “2012 Hong Gil-dong” wherever you went.

“By the way, how long do we have to wait?”

For entering the folk village and for the next episode of “2012 Hong Gil-dong.”

“Eh, eh, eh….”

“What? What’s happening?”

“Over there!”

The husband pointed out the window, screaming. On the other side of the road, a person appeared.

“Isn’t that Woo Jin-hyuk?!”

“Really? Oh, it does look like him.”

Woo Jin-hyuk’s striking appearance was clearly visible even from a distance, as if zoomed in, to the couple.

“Really? Woo Jin-hyuk?!”

The children, who looked like elementary and middle school students, sitting in the back seat, suddenly leaned towards the driver’s side window.

“Let’s go see him!”

“Hey, be careful, kids….”

The children quickly opened the car door and ran out.

“Wow!”

The children exclaimed in amazement. Just walking, he looked as if he was walking a runway under a spotlight.

People were already gathering around Jin-hyuk.

The children tried to find a good time to cross the road, but it was difficult.

“Hey, hey, take a picture quickly.”

They quickly took out their phones, but unfortunately, Jin-hyuk got into a waiting car.

The disappointed siblings.

But they weren’t the only ones disappointed. Everyone who had gathered to see Jin-hyuk also had disappointed looks.

Before getting into the car, Jin-hyuk bowed several times and opened the window to thank the people again.

Manager Kim Yong-soo, who got into the car with Jin-hyuk, said:

“Hey, Jin-hyuk. I told you I’d go shopping alone.”

“It’s crowded even in the morning.”

Kim Yong-soo shook his head.

“Don’t you see the line of cars? They’re all going to the folk village. It’s a mess because of ‘2012 Hong Gil-dong’ these days.”

“…”

Jin-hyuk was experiencing a level of fame that couldn’t be compared to his time in High School.

While High School gave him a strong fan base and popularity among teenagers, “2012 Hong Gil-dong” was already a drama for the entire nation.

Now, from children to the elderly, no one was unfamiliar with Jin-hyuk.

Even though it was a drama for those 15 and older, the Hong Gil-dong craze was spreading to elementary schools.

Jin-hyuk was transitioning from a rising star to a true star.

***

“We will start the recording soon.”

At the KBC “Weekly Entertainment Report” interview recording site.

The three main actors and writer Han Yoo-kyung from “2012 Hong Gil-dong” were sitting side by side with the reporter.

Unlike the two relaxed actors, one actor was particularly nervous.

Actor Kim Myung-jai, who played the government official Kim Jong-moo chasing Hong Gil-dong.

Among the stars of “2012 Hong Gil-dong,” which saw not only the main actors but also the supporting actors rise to stardom, Kim Myung-jai was considered one of the biggest beneficiaries.

As the leader of the government troops, naturally, he received the most attention.

“Actor Kim Myung-jae, you can relax. It’s not a live broadcast, it’s a recording.”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

The reporter tried to ease his tension with a warm smile, but it was difficult to calm his racing heart.

An opportunity that came after nearly a decade of anonymity.

An interview on KBC’s “Weekly Entertainment Report,” which featured only the hottest topics and actors.

For an unknown actor, it was a dream come true, like the acting awards ceremony. He couldn’t help but be nervous.

As he looked at Woo Jin-hyuk, he thought:

As always, calm and composed. Through working with Jin-hyuk, he realized that some people are just meant to be stars.

At just 18 years old, now 19, Jin-hyuk never seemed out of place, no matter how high or bright the stage. He was natural, neither overacting nor overly confident.

‘Wow…’

Kim Myung-jai was once again amazed by Jin-hyuk’s presence.

“Hello. This is the ‘Weekly Entertainment Report’ interview, where we meet the actors of the week’s hottest drama. Wow! Today, we have three actors who shine just by being here….”

The interview began with the reporter’s bright greeting. As light questions about their recent activities were exchanged,

“Especially, I think Actor Kim Myung-jae must be feeling the most change in the fans’ attention. How are you feeling these days?”

At the reporter’s question, Kim Myung-jae almost burst into tears.

‘Son! Lately, my son has made me a neighborhood star. Hahaha.’

For a long time, he thought he was just a failed actor, not a real person.

Even his quiet father smiled whenever he appeared in “2012 Hong Gil-dong,” which made his heart ache.

He swallowed his tears and managed to give a response he barely remembered.

After a few more exchanges,

“The script of ‘2012 Hong Gil-dong’ can’t be left out. It’s really an amazing script, especially the praise for the character development. Writer Han Yoo-kyung, how did you come up with the idea for the two Hong Gil-dongs?”

“Oh, that was actually Woo Jin-hyuk’s idea.”

The conversation about Jin-hyuk continued for a while. Then the reporter turned to Jung Ji-an.

“Actually, the fact that Jung Ji-an is playing a supporting role has also been a topic of discussion. You’ve already starred in two films. Why did you choose a supporting role for your first drama?”

“Hmm….”

Ji-an slowly spoke.

“Just because Jin-hyuk is the lead. I wanted to work with him.”

Then she talked about Jin-hyuk, whom she had seen at the Busan Youth Theater Festival.

As the conversation about Jin-hyuk continued, the reporter suddenly asked Kim Myung-jae:

“So, how would you describe your junior actor, Woo Jin-hyuk, in one word?”

Without hesitation, Kim Myung-jae said:

“A great actor.”

The reporter’s eyes widened and she added:

“Oh, you mean he will become a great actor?”

“No, he already is a great actor.”

The reporter, unsure how to handle this, blinked.

Kim Myung-jae’s expression was serious, but calling a 19-year-old a great actor sounded strange to anyone.

But Kim Myung-jae was sincere.

Jin-hyuk’s visible acting skills were just the surface. His true greatness lay in his ability to bring out the best in his co-actors, making them shine.

An actor who only shines on their own is only half an actor. They must make their co-actors shine, and shine even more in front of a shining co-actor. That’s what makes a true superstar, a great actor.

Jin-hyuk did exactly that. He instinctively brought out the best in his co-actors, making his own genius stand out even more.

This was a talent that only actors who had worked with Jin-hyuk could understand.

And at just 19 years old.

Kim Myung-jae thought calling Jin-hyuk just a genius was too superficial. He should be called a great genius.

‘What is it…’

The reporter was genuinely curious about Woo Jin-hyuk.

No matter what topic they started with, the conversation always ended up being about Woo Jin-hyuk. And the way his three co-stars looked at him.

From her experience with many actors, this atmosphere was like the respect and admiration that a seasoned actor with a strong reputation would receive from their peers.

It was more than just being a good actor. At just 19, the youngest actor, he was leading the entire drama with his presence.

But having so much attention on such a young actor in an interview wasn’t always a good thing. Of course, they would edit it well,

The reporter skillfully redirected the conversation and ended the interview with a light question.

“Now, let’s predict the final ratings of ‘2012 Hong Gil-dong.’ Many people expect it to exceed 50% at its peak. What do you think, the four of you?”

The three cautiously predicted that it might be difficult to exceed 50%.

“Then, what’s Jin-hyuk’s prediction?”

“Hmm…. The current ratings are already amazing and I’m grateful.”

“Oh, so you think it will stay at this level?”

“But if I have to make a prediction….”

Doh Min-woo’s, or rather Doh Moon-woo’s words flashed through Jin-hyuk’s mind.

‘53.3%. Buy me a burger if I’m right.’

Jin-hyuk spoke.

“53.3%.”

“Huh?”

The eyes of everyone in the room widened.

***

KBC Director’s Office.

“Ha ha.