Chapter 23

Villain Only Acting 023

What They Hid (1)

Jae Dojin was watching the live broadcast of episode 5 in his own penthouse in Sinsa-dong.

In a white nightgown, sipping red wine, he exuded the air of a gentleman.

"Kill, kill."

Jae Dojin heaved a sigh of satisfaction at his own image on the 110-inch screen.

"Wow, it was worth the 200 million won. It really brings out my good looks."

The manager, who was watching with him, looked at him with a slightly bewildered expression.

"Bro, didn't I get the emotions right?"

"Yeah, you and Jung Seohoon seem to have a good chemistry."

"I think so too. When I act with him, I get so immersed. I forget I'm Jae Dojin and really feel like Goo Jeman."

"So, did you buy all those law books you won't even read?"

The manager pointed to one side of the wall with his finger.

A bookshelf spanning 5 meters was densely packed with numerous law books.

"Yeah, I felt like I needed to keep law books around me. It helps me remember I'm Goo Jeman."

"Man, you really went overboard. How much did all that cost?"

"They were expensive. I mean, a single book costs tens of thousands of won. Some even cost over 100,000 won."

"You basically just threw money away."

"Threw money away? This will all help me get into character. If I get the emotions right, ratings will go up, my value will rise, and I'll get more CFs. It's also good for the interior. The intellectual man, Jae Dojin. What a cost-effective investment, right?"

"Sure. Why not just decorate the whole place like a lawyer's study? Not just one corner of the living room."

"Oh, I should have done that. Thanks for the idea, bro."

"If the fans knew you were this frivolous, they'd all leave."

Jae Dojin pretended not to hear and focused back on the screen.

Jung Seohoon's acting had a chilling allure.

Watching it on the large screen after editing and color correction gave a different feel from the set.

'This guy is the real deal.'

Jae Dojin recalled Jung Seohoon's raw expressiveness.

While the video was well-shot, it couldn't capture the vividness of the real thing.

"Bro, I'm the only one who saw the real face of the killer, Lee Jinwook, with my own eyes. You know that?"

"Are you, by any chance, a fan now? No way, right?"

"Fan? This Jae Dojin, do you think I'd be a fan of anyone else?"

Jae Dojin raised his voice.

But he soon got absorbed back into the screen.

The manager, looking bewildered, turned his eyes to the screen and started calculating.

'He really is a good actor. Let me think. His value now is roughly... '

"Bro."

"What now?"

"Doesn't he have a management agency?"

"Yeah, he doesn't."

"Can't we bring him to our company?"

"It's not my call."

"Anything you know? Our CEO isn't usually so laid-back."

"No, I don't. Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

***

Episode 5 recorded a staggering 15.9%.

The internet was flooded with discussions about the drama "Illegals."

Various theories and fan reactions were shared in texts, images, GIFs, and videos, endlessly recycled and consumed.

-From cute little brother to the devilish bad guy

-Praising Jung Ilpyeong :’(

-I'm so envious of Ji-nyeong. I wish Lee Jinwook would look at me like that

-If he looked at me with those eyes, I'd be so flattered :’(

-Visuals and acting, both insane

Jeong Su-ryeon smiled wickedly as she checked the online reactions.

"Our ratings unit, just wait. This commander will make you squirm even more."

Jeong Su-ryeon pulled out another making-of video she had ambitiously edited.

While others were flustered, she had quickly captured the scene with her personal handheld camera.

[Drama "Illegals," Thrilling Shooting Scene!]

[Near accident due to equipment failure, fortunately no casualties?]

[Actor Jung Seohoon climbing the wall like a pro.]

She started with an entertainment news article.

The article detailed the incident during the shooting of "Illegals" where the winch stopped while Lee Jinwook was supposed to jump from a bridge.

It also included two photos of Jung Seohoon holding onto the rope and easily climbing the concrete wall.

These were screenshots from the video Jeong Su-ryeon had taken.

Drama fans eagerly shared the article and photos, fuming.

-What, really? That was so dangerous

-How could they be so careless about safety?

-Our precious Seohoon mustn't get hurt :’(

Although it was a past incident, everyone was worried about any unseen injuries.

Criticism of the production team for poor safety management circled the globe a few times, and Song Jeong-woo became a notorious bad guy.

-Go out for a bit, Sanghee

-Can I talk to you, PD? Come and sit here

-Don't be scared, I won't kill you :^

The photo in the article showed Jung Seohoon climbing the concrete wall.

But from another angle, it looked like he was hanging precariously from a rope.

As the controversy grew, even those who hadn't watched the drama started searching out of curiosity.

The number of "Illegals" hashtags on SNS noticeably increased.

When the atmosphere was ripe, the full video was released.

-The winch isn't working! It stopped and won't move!

-Let go. I'll climb up.

While the staff were flustered and struggling, Jung Seohoon calmly called out.

He rotated in mid-air and easily climbed up using only his arm strength.

In just a few seconds, he reached the top of the bridge, and the shocked staff stood there with their mouths agape.

-Are you okay? Are you okay?

-Yes, it's nothing.

The humble expression on his face, as if it was nothing, made the drama fans jump for joy.

-Our Jinwook can do anything

-All that rolling around in the war must have given him some experience

-Jung Seohoon probably served in the special forces in real life

-Is tightrope walking really that easy? This isn't sped up, right?

-It's not sped up, there's a timer

***

S#09.

Several black sedans stopped, and an elderly man with a stern expression, Hwang Hakjin (played by Lee Min-soo), got out of the back seat.

Bodyguards followed him as he entered an underground entrance without a sign.

As they descended the narrow stairs, the corridor was filled with bright lights.

Tall, slender beauties in daring dresses casually linked arms with elderly men.

-Where is he?

-He's in Room 1.

-Did you do a good job?

-He said he doesn't need a woman. Madam Jung is just keeping him company.

-Tsk... How much does he plan to take this time, even refusing a woman?

Hwang Hakjin entered Room 1, where a balding man in his 50s was joking with Madam Jung.

-I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Chief Prosecutor.

-It's fine, it's fine. We all know President Hwang is a busy man. Come, let's sit.

Hwang Hakjin treated the Chief Prosecutor with respect but didn't bow.

-What did you call me for?

-I wanted to give you a warning. There's a young, energetic prosecutor at the Southern District, Hwang Seohye. She seems to be looking into one of your businesses in Gangnam, the one on Samsung-ro.

Hwang Hakjin's expression stiffened for a moment, but the Chief Prosecutor's gaze was fixed on Madam Jung's cleavage.

Hwang Hakjin stood up.

-Madam Jung, take good care of our Chief Prosecutor.

-It's fine, it's fine. I'm not really into women.

-I'll show my gratitude generously. Don't worry.

-If that's the case...

Leaving the sinister Chief Prosecutor behind, Hwang Hakjin left the room and went up to his office.

Under the bright fluorescent lights, Hwang Hakjin, who had roughly loosened his tie, gave instructions to his subordinate.

-Bring him in. That guy.

***

Veteran actor Lee Min-soo felt a similar flutter in his heart as when he first stood in front of the camera.

This was the first time he was acting alongside Jung Seohoon.

Their first meeting in the drama.

It was time to see what would excite the meticulous Jae Dojin.

-Did you call for me?

The calm, deep voice pulled him in.

The steady footsteps seemed slow, and the long, straight legs drew his gaze.

His eyes moved up the perfect suit fit, and met the gaze.

'Lee Min-soo's' heart raced.

The intense aura emanating from him was something only the real thing could possess.

He had seen him act a few times.

But this was the first time they were on camera together.

'What I saw was his acting, and now this is the real thing...'

The killer, Lee Jinwook, who had found his path in the battlefield, stood before him.

The lights, the microphone stands, the countless cameras, and the director and staff watching him.

None of it was felt in