Chapter 86

86. After the drama ended

- "2012 Hong Gil-dong," with its final episode approaching, announces Hong Gil-dong's revival and achieves a 52.8% viewership rate, setting a new record.

- [Eyes on the Drama] Hypocrisy, or another belief? Or just a real existence? Character analysis of "2012 Hong Gil-dong" ① Hong Gil-dong.

- "2012 Hong Gil-dong" sprinkles numerous topics...

"Indeed, entertainment news related to dramas is filled with KBC's '2012 Hong Gil-dong,' isn't it?"

As the MC brought up the screen showing articles related to "Hong Gil-dong," the reporter responded.

"Yes, the drama 'Hong Gil-dong,' which is about to air its final episode, is indeed a hot topic, enough to drive away the winter cold, and the fire is still burning strong until the end."

"Well, these days, if you don't talk about Hong Gil-dong, you can't have a conversation anywhere."

The MC and guests all nodded.

"In yesterday's broadcast, Hong Gil-dong appeared for the last time, having decided to kill the enemy again."

"There were various opinions among viewers about Hong Gil-dong's decision."

"Yes, as you can see in the articles, there are diverse analyses of the Hong Gil-dong character among experts as well."

The MC nodded.

"Does that mean this Hong Gil-dong is a complex character?"

"Yes, that's right. It's clear that he is a character who has moved beyond the stereotypical hero who simply punishes evil and rewards good."

"Right. He wavers and suffers."

"Even at the end, it's not clear what is right and what is wrong. The possibility of various interpretations is definitely one of the factors that makes this work appealing."

"Many people have praised it for achieving both box office success and artistic quality."

"Yes, that's true."

While watching a passing scene from the drama, the MC said,

"Given how complex the character is, it must have been difficult to portray."

"Yes, the actor Woo Jin-hyuk, who played Hong Gil-dong, was 18 years old during filming and has just turned 19. Despite still being a high school student, his acting skills and action scenes without a stunt double have left even experts speechless."

The MC asked the veteran actor who was a guest,

"What do you think, Lee Han-jung?"

"Haha. The reporter just said that even experts were speechless."

"That's right."

"So, I'm speechless too."

"Haha. That makes sense. He must be an amazing actor, right?"

"Yes. I think he's an actor of a caliber I've never seen before."

The MC continued, looking at the camera.

"In the midst of the intense excitement, '2012 Hong Gil-dong' is coming to an end. We would be grateful if you could join us for the final conclusion tonight at 9:50 PM on KBC."

The CP of "2012 Hong Gil-dong," Kim Young-soo, was looking at the TV screen when Director Lee Sang-soo asked him,

"Should we do it properly?"

"Huh? Oh, we are preparing the final episode very thoroughly."

"No, not that."

"Then...?"

"Cross-dressing."

"Oh!"

The director smiled.

"Since you're the section chief whom our juniors respect so much, if you're going to do it, you should do it properly."

"Then, please arrange the makeup team for me."

"Sure. Section Chief, since you're doing it, why don't you also go to the filming team?"

"Huh?"

"Wouldn't it be good to be in the making-of film?"

"..."

The director fell into deep thought for a moment but soon nodded.

"Let's do it. If it can make everyone happy, I'll risk it."

"Hehe."

"And make sure Jin-hyuk sees the making-of film."

"Jin-hyuk?"

"No. At least out of pity, ask him to appear on a variety show."

"Oh... Hehe, I'll do that."

***

"The damage to the government troops is considerable. It seems difficult to pursue any further."

"Where have the bandits moved to?"

"They can't advance beyond Jeongshiling. They will likely camp there tonight."

After receiving the report, Hong Gil-dong Jin-hyuk addressed the leaders of the Halbin Party.

"We will pursue them immediately."

"Yes, Chief."

Jin-hyuk looked at each Halbin Party member and said,

"Let me say this again. Whether you save or kill the enemy, follow your hearts. But no matter what happens—"

"..."

"Do not die. You must return alive."

"Don't worry, Chief."

The deputy leader Jang Bul-ri pounded his chest, and the others looked at Jin-hyuk with determined eyes.

As the Halbin Party members, including Jin-hyuk, finished their preparations for departure, Lady Yeon-ju approached them.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes."

"Please come back safely."

Yeon-ju greeted him calmly, and Jin-hyuk looked at her calmly as well.

"Take care of Gang-hee (Seo-yeon)."

"Don't worry."

The scene changed to show Yeon-ju's back as she watched Jin-hyuk and the Halbin Party members depart.

Next, scenes of the government troops' condition, the heated debates among the court ministers, and the fake Halbin Party led by Jeong Ji-an preparing for battle were shown.

Finally, the real Halbin Party, led by Hong Gil-dong Jin-hyuk, ambushed the fake Halbin Party led by Jeong Ji-an under the cover of darkness.

Although the fake Halbin Party had been defeated by the government troops, they still numbered in the hundreds.

In contrast, the real Halbin Party, having lost their key member Gang-hee Seo-yeon, numbered only a few dozen.

While the Halbin Party members disrupted the enemy's formation with their ambush,

Whoosh!

Swish!

"Kreugh!"

Hong Gil-dong Jin-hyuk, having released his seal, fought like a madman, slicing through hundreds of enemies as if he were alone against them.

In no time, he approached the tent of the fake Hong Gil-dong, Jeong Ji-an.

Two guards approached Jin-hyuk, looking strong.

Swish.

The two guards drew their swords and attacked Jin-hyuk with lightning speed.

Experts.

But even experts, when only two in number, would find it difficult to match Hong Gil-dong, who had released his seal, unless they outnumbered him by at least ten.

However, the guards showed no fear. They had already faced Jin-hyuk before.

A fatal mistake, not realizing that the current Hong Gil-dong was not the one they knew.

Jin-hyuk's eyes flashed.

A 'dance of death' unfolded, weaving through the two men's sword strikes like the wind.

Swish!

Swish!

It happened in an instant.

Eh?

The guards' eyes widened in shock, filling with a bloody hue.

What is this...?

Thud.

Before they could even voice their thoughts, both men collapsed simultaneously.

Swoosh!

As Jin-hyuk's feet touched the ground, a sword stabbed at him with incredible speed. It was Jeong Ji-an.

Clang!

Jin-hyuk parried the sword and took a few steps back.

The two men faced each other, swords drawn.

"What is this? Did you awaken?"

Jeong Ji-an was slightly confused by how easily Jin-hyuk had killed his guards.

They had faced each other several times. Jin-hyuk had never delivered a fatal blow to him or his guards. That was the Hong Gil-dong he knew.

"Or did you find some powerful elixir somewhere?"

Hong Gil-dong Jin-hyuk smiled coldly, his eyes devoid of any focus other than killing.

"What does it matter? You're about to die."

As soon as Jin-hyuk spoke,

Whoosh!

With a sound like an arrow being fired, Jin-hyuk's sword flew at a speed that could not be followed by the eye.

Clang!

"Kreugh!"

Zing.

Jeong Ji-an's hand trembled from the impact of barely parrying Jin-hyuk's sword.

"Ah."

Jin-hyuk's lips curled in a mocking smile.

Seeing Jin-hyuk's expression, Jeong Ji-an felt a rare emotion.

It was definitely fear.

What is this?

A sword genius. Jeong Ji-an had heard this countless times during his martial arts training. He had never met his match.

Even Kim Jong-moo, a renowned warrior in the eight provinces of Joseon, was considered slightly inferior to him.

"Kreugh."

Jeong Ji-an bit his lip until it bled, trying to overcome his fear and unleash his madness.

"I, I am! Hong Gil-dong! I am justice! Aaaah!"

A powerful, killing strike flew at Jin-hyuk.

But the forceful attack was too slow to catch up with Jin-hyuk's speed.

Swish.

As if riding the incoming blade, Jin-hyuk's beautiful sword dance smoothly penetrated Jeong Ji-an's defenses.

"Kreugh!"

Something hot pierced through his body.

Thud.

Jeong Ji-an fell to his knees.

Swoosh.

Jin-hyuk pulled his sword from Jeong Ji-an's body, his face expressionless.

"I don't particularly have any affection for the name Hong Gil-dong... but..."

Jeong Ji-an, who had been kneeling, spat out blood and slowly fell to the side.

Thud.

"I have no intention of giving that name to you."

Jin-hyuk turned away with a cold gaze.

...

The scene changed to the daytime at Hong Gil-dong's base.

"Hehe. Chief."

Gang-hee Seo-yeon, who had regained consciousness, smiled at Jin-hyuk.

"Were you crying, thinking I might die?"

"Who said I was crying? Just take your medicine quickly."

"Feed me."

"What?"

"Ah, ah... I'm a patient. My head is spinning. Feed me."

Hong Gil-dong Jin-hyuk shook his head and reluctantly picked up a spoon.

"Here."

Gang-hee Seo-yeon opened her mouth like a baby bird and sipped the medicine.

"Rest now."

"Ah, I don't need to rest."

"Stop it."

With a smile, Seo-yeon watched Jin-hyuk leave the room, and Yeon-ju approached him.

"Is Gang-hee feeling better?"

Jin-hyuk smiled at Yeon-ju and said,

"Being alive... is..."

He looked at the fluttering flag of the Halbin Party.

"Good, isn't it?"

Yeon-ju smiled and looked at the same place.

Dum dum dum.

As the grand main OST played, the real-time comment section exploded.

- Aaaah! It's over! It's over! What do I have to look forward to now? 😭

- Isn't it too much to end it in 16 episodes without an extension, even with such high ratings? KBC is being too harsh, isn't it?

- Even if there's no content, just show them farming in the mountains. Just one more episode...

- Jin-hyuk... I can't let you go like this... I'll rewatch it all 😭

- I want to feed Seo-yeon her medicine. I'll take care of her until she gets better. Can you give me the address of the Halbin Party?

└ 123 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Hospital, Clinic)

└ Is it fun?

But.

- Huh?

- Huh?

The comments suddenly stopped.

A cookie video featuring Won Sang-gi and Yeon Se-rin had started. As soon as the cookie video ended,

- Yeon Se-rin!!!

- Se-rin! Beautiful! Beautiful! So beautiful!!!

- Aaaah! Because of Se-rin's appearance, let's go for Season 2!

- Wow. Actor Won Sang-gi. As expected. His presence is amazing.

- It would have been nice if he had a more significant role.

└ He's reportedly ill.

└ Ah...

The comment section exploded again.

***

The final episode of "Hong Gil-dong" had a viewership rate of 53.3%.

"Wow, Jin-hyuk! Did you learn some Hong Gil-dong magic? How did you hit the decimal point? It was already chaotic, and this made it even more chaotic."

The mouth of Lee Gwang-soo, the director of WP Entertainment, was wide open.

"Father, you must be very pleased. Phew. If our kids were even half as good as Jin-hyuk, I'd carry them on my back."

A pleased smile appeared on Woo Bong-soo's face.

"It's all thanks to Director Lee's good care."

"Phew. What are you talking about? Jin-hyuk is the one saving me. Haha."

Lee Gwang-soo suddenly put on a serious face and said,

"Or are you trying to kill me? You know, my phone is about to catch fire because of his next project. And you're really... "

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Jin-hyuk.

"Jin-hyuk, are you really not going to appear on any variety shows? I'm dying from the pressure from the PDs. Really."

"I'll think about it."

"Really?!"

Jin-hyuk's unexpected answer made Lee Gwang-soo's eyes widen.

"Hey, really, please think about it. It's just the start of the school year, and you're a third-year, so it should be okay to do it now without interfering with your studies."

It was impossible for his studies not to be affected. His schedule wasn't just about variety shows, and with only about nine months left until the college entrance exam.

But Lee Gwang-soo was that desperate.

"Let's think about the variety show issue later, and let's handle what we need to do today first."

Lee Gwang-soo took out some documents and said,

"Here, take a look, both of you."

The two of them took the documents.

"First, we've set aside the completely unreasonable ones at the company level, but if you want to see them, we can do that after this discussion."

It was a discussion about exclusive CF contracts.

"First, we have five places we've selected. It's a one-year exclusive contract, and the contract amount ranges from 500 million to 700 million won."

"Huh?"

Woo Bong-soo's eyes widened.

"Wait, how much?"

"Ah, this is the lowest for a one-year contract. 500 million. Some adjustments might be needed. This one is 700 million."

Lee Gwang-soo pointed to the documents as if it was normal, but Woo Bong-soo's hands were trembling as he held them.