Chapter 24

Villain Only 024

What They Concealed (2)

- Let's start with a light warm-up. It's just about handling one person.

- How do you want to do it?

- Without leaving any traces. Disappearance is best. If that's too difficult, make it an accident. Suicide is out of the question; it'll cause too much noise.

- Understood.

Without asking who it was, he didn't indulge in unnecessary curiosity.

Hwang Hakjin appreciated this about him.

That's why he had spent a lot of money to bring him in as a blade.

- The details will be provided by Manager Yoon later.

- Yes.

- You look good. Wear this kind of outfit from now on.

- I will, in front of Chairman Hwang.

Hwang Hakjin rarely gave direct instructions to Lee Jinwook.

By saying this, he was indirectly conveying that he didn't want to force him into such attire.

Pointing out his arrogant attitude was too risky, like a double-edged sword that could cut the wielder.

- Go.

- Yes.

Hwang Hakjin, who had been staring at the back view of the neatly fitting suit, turned to Manager Yoon standing at attention beside him.

- Proceed.

- Yes, Chairman.

"Cut!"

***

When Lee Minsoo requested a monitor check, Song Jeongwoo smiled knowingly.

"Let's watch it together, sir."

"Hmm."

The director, producer, and veteran actor sat side by side, scanning the monitor.

"This part, your expression is excellent. You truly are the backbone that supports the core of our drama."

"I don't like it."

"Excuse me?"

"Who is Hwang Hakjin? He's a powerful figure who has the entire Gangnam underworld in his grasp. He would outwardly show respect but inwardly look down on anyone, whether a prosecutor or a university president."

"..."

"Such a man flinching even slightly at a mere sharp blade is unrealistic. It's an NG. We need to reshoot."

Song Jeongwoo, looking awkward, turned his gaze and shrugged.

"I'm sorry, but that's not possible. It came out perfectly just now."

"But I called it an NG."

"It's not an NG. It was exactly the expression I wanted. Don't worry, sir."

Lee Minsoo's eyebrows furrowed.

"You think it's a mistake, but Song PD wanted that expression?"

"Yes. Just a subtle flinch, barely noticeable, only perceptible to someone with a keen eye. That's exactly what I wanted."

"..."

Lee Minsoo's pupils narrowed horizontally.

He had made a mistake, overwhelmed by 'Lee Jinwook's' presence.

But it turned out to be exactly what the PD had hoped for.

"Jung Ah, you have your first scene with him tomorrow, right?"

"Yes. We haven't appeared together until now."

To keep Lee Jinwook's twist hidden, they had filmed the parts where he didn't appear first, after episode 5.

Now they were filling in the missing parts.

"We should have dinner together tonight."

"Oh, I'd be grateful if you did, sir."

The perceptive Song Jeongwoo smiled and bowed.

Lee Minsoo wanted to give Jung Ah a heads-up.

***

Lee Minsoo took Jung Sehoon and Jung Ah to a quiet Korean restaurant in Apgujeong.

- Let's have dinner together.

Jung Sehoon didn't refuse the offer, thanks to Jeong Suyeon's earnest advice.

If he wanted to continue standing in front of the camera, he needed to get used to the industry's customs and hierarchy.

He was more than willing to do so.

"It's an honor to have dinner with you, sir."

The clean, composed expression, devoid of the earlier lust, made Lee Minsoo chuckle.

"Don't be so formal. At this age, I feel that distinctions like seniority and juniors are meaningless."

The three of them sat at the corners of a round table.

"Where did you learn to act?"

A casual question.

"I was really curious. Who did you learn from? But I can't figure it out."

"I haven't formally studied acting."

Both Lee Minsoo and Jung Ah's expressions became enigmatic.

"Then, was the camera test with PD Song really your first time acting?"

"Yes."

"Wow, I thought it was an exaggeration. It's so common in this industry. But if you say so, I can't disbelieve you. Huh... "

The food started arriving, and Lee Minsoo poured beer for the two of them.

"Even with innate talent, what can't be done is still impossible. Effort is the knife that draws out talent, the tool that peels away the shell hiding it."

"..."

"Even the best talent needs some polishing to shine. But the acting you showed during the script reading was perfect. Even without peeling away the shell."

At the time, Lee Minsoo had commented, "Good acting, but it doesn't fit the tone."

However, through the plot twist, the flaw was erased, and now it shone even more brilliantly.

"What were you thinking when you were in front of Hwang Hakjin?"

"It's a bit hard to express."

"Not because I'm asking you, Jung Sehoon, instead of Lee Jinwook?"

"..."

"Would installing a camera here bring Lee Jinwook here? I really wanted to ask him."

Lee Minsoo's faint smile revealed that it was a joke.

"Do you take acting lessons separately?"

"No, I don't."

"Then how do you practice?"

"Practice?"

Jung Sehoon tilted his head slightly before answering.

"I don't think I do."

After taking a sip of beer, Lee Minsoo turned to Jung Ah.

"Jung Ah, what do you think acting is?"

"Acting?"

Caught off guard, Jung Ah was momentarily flustered but soon composed herself.

"Acting is hiding myself and completely immersing myself in the role. That's what I think."

"The better you hide yourself, the better the acting, right?"

"Yes. I believe acting is about how well you hide yourself and express the character's image as you interpret it."

"Sehoon, what about you?"

Jung Ah's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"I've only been acting for a short time, so I'm not sure. But... "

"But?"

"If acting is about hiding myself and revealing something I'm not..."

A tense silence filled the air, and Jung Ah swallowed hard.

"I practice every day."

Lee Minsoo pounced on the opportunity.

"Even now?"

Jung Sehoon didn't answer, but Lee Minsoo heard the answer.

***

Even after Jung Sehoon got up, saying he was late, the two of them didn't leave their seats.

"An interesting person."

"In forty-five years of acting, I've never met someone like him. He has the makings of a great actor."

"How great...?"

"How can I know? I'm at an age where retirement wouldn't be strange."

"Come on, sir, you're not retiring. You can go on for another twenty years."

"Actually, I wanted to go on for another thirty."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Does that guy not have an agency yet?"

"I'm not sure. Why do you ask? Are you interested?"

Lee Minsoo felt a subtle, proactive gaze and chuckled.

"Our agency's representative is old. He's just waiting to retire with me. He can't properly nurture such young talent."

"But if he's in the same agency as you, he'd be welcomed with open arms."

"Enough. I'm not interested."

Lee Minsoo recalled the moment they had filmed earlier.

The footsteps approaching sounded like the shackles on a predator's ankle scraping the ground.

His flawless, model-like appearance only highlighted the hidden savagery.

Now, he could faintly sketch the essence of the unfamiliar presence he had sensed earlier.

"Tomorrow, you'll be working with him for the first time, right?"

"Yes. I'm looking forward to it. Seeing his acting is different from just watching from the outside."

"Of course, an actor on stage and an audience member off stage are different."

Lee Minsoo finished his last beer with a chuckle.

"Jung Ah, you need to be prepared. You know, that guy is not ordinary."

"Don't worry. I'm a star and a veteran. I won't be outdone in acting."

"You'll understand what I mean when you stand in front of the camera. Don't be complacent."

Lee Minsoo chuckled and pointed to his chest with his thumb.

"That guy has something fierce hidden here."

"Fierce...?"

"Yes. It usually lies dormant, hidden. But when the camera turns on, it doesn't hide anymore and bursts out..."

He wanted to stand in front of the camera until his body couldn't move anymore.

Finding such enjoyment in his twilight years, when only repetitive monotony remained, was quite fortunate.

"He'll tear you apart."

What They Concealed (3)