Chapter 52

Villain Only 052

More is Better? Or Too Much is Better? (1)

The film "Treasure Vault" received very positive reactions at the internal preview screening.

The representative of the production company applauded and praised the film as the credits rolled.

"It's really well done."

"Thank you. We did our best."

"There were many external challenges, but Director Hwang really did a great job. If I had known it would turn out this well, I would have lobbied Mogroup harder to invest more."

"Well, the investment you made was already a lot. If it weren't for CV Entertainment, this movie wouldn't have been made."

Journalists and critics began to enthusiastically share their impressions of the screening.

[Action and direction that never let you take your eyes off the screen.]

[The sporty sentiment that only Hwang In-joon can capture.]

[Scene-stealing? No, this is scene-hijacking.]

Given that the film had been burning with scandals from infidelity to other controversies, fans who had been waiting eagerly pounced on it.

- Judging by the critics' ratings, which are all between 7 and 8, it seems to have been quite well-received.

- It's a relief there are no 9s or above.

- Scene-hijacking? Isn't this too blatant a spoiler?

- Why is this a spoiler?

- Isn't there only one character who could hijack a scene? Jung Se-hoon, who stepped in as a replacement.

- Oh, right.

- His looks alone are enough to hijack a scene. Honestly, I think Choi Sung-bin would feel uncomfortable being in the same shot.

- Yeah, even though he's in his 40s, Choi Sung-bin still has that face.

- Haha, they're really playing this up.

After inflating expectations through the reactions of journalists and critics, the public preview screenings were immediately held.

The event was open for applications nationwide, and many fans rushed to sign up.

The distribution company was surprised by how often Jung Se-hoon's name was mentioned in the application reviews.

"Jung Se-hoon's name accounts for more than 40% of the reviews? It's much more than Choi Sung-bin or Chae Ji-hyun."

"Jung Se-hoon's fan base isn't that large. He's only been active for a few months."

"Looking at the age demographics, a significant number are housewives over 40. It seems the character Ji-wook really captured their hearts."

Even stealth housewife fans who don't participate in official activities signed up in large numbers.

The distribution company staff couldn't hide their excitement.

"The housewife fans are really getting into it. Could this end up performing better than expected?"

"Ah, if only it were rated for 12 and up. It's a shame it's rated for 15 and up."

"Even if we resubmitted it for a re-rating after reshoots, it wouldn't work. There's no element that could lower the age rating."

When housewife fans go to the theater, their husbands and children often come along, which is a positive factor for increasing the audience.

"I hope they can do as many stage greetings as possible within three days, but it might be difficult."

"I wish they could do stage greetings in regional theaters, even if it's just for one day."

"Choi Sung-bin and Chae Ji-hyun said it would be too tight a schedule for regional stage greetings."

The staff racked their brains to figure out how to make the most of this opportunity.

***

The internal preview screening started at Seoul Times Square.

The lucky winners arrived at the theater well before the screening, and young and middle-aged fans had already staked out spots with blankets in front of the Times Square entrance the day before.

They were there to get a close look at the actors who would be visiting the theater for the stage greetings.

The actors were scheduled to meet fans for about 20 minutes in the lobby of the first floor of Times Square, 30 minutes before the movie ended, and then go back up to the theater for the stage greetings.

Outside the Times Square entrance, the cast's vehicles were lined up and waiting.

Finally, the first vehicle began to move.

"Ah! Choi Sung-bin! Choi Sung-bin!"

"Brother, I love you!"

"Look this way once!"

Choi Sung-bin, the top star who has long reigned as a pretty boy, was the first to appear.

He walked the red carpet gracefully, waving his hands lightly to the sides as he entered the lobby.

Even those who usually weren't impressed by Choi Sung-bin were amazed when they saw him up close.

"I thought he wouldn't be that great since he's almost 50, but he's really something in person."

"He must have been even better when he was younger. No wonder my mom goes crazy whenever he appears."

"I'm a bit envious of the aunties who got to see him in his prime..."

Next, Chae Ji-hyun, wearing a tight dress, stepped out of the van and walked the carpet.

This time, cheers and exclamations of admiration poured out from the male fans.

Walking the carpet with a calm demeanor, Chae Ji-hyun maintained a gentle smile throughout.

"Chae Ji-hyun's beauty is really something..."

"Uncle, please control yourself."

"She's really a goddess. I'm glad I came."

"During the stage greetings, she even hugs fans. I wish I could have been one of them."

After that, several other lead actors walked the carpet one by one.

The last to appear was a Mercedes-Benz van, noticeably larger and longer than the others.

"Is that Jung Se-hoon's van?"

"Since everyone who was supposed to come has already appeared, it must be him."

"Wow, a rookie riding in something like this? His agency must be really pushing him hard."

"Does Jung Se-hoon even have an agency yet?"

"What? Did he buy it with his own money?"

"Maybe Yoo Jeong-a bought it for him? The way she looked at him, she seemed completely smitten."

"That scandal was declared a hoax a long time ago, and you still believe it?"

"The scandal with her sister was declared a hoax, but there's no official clarification about Yoo Jeong-a."

***

Oh Tae-woo, Oh So-hee, and Kim Da-hye were a relatively noticeable trio.

Oh Tae-woo's tough appearance, reminiscent of a gangster, and his towering height over 190 cm made him stand out.

Even just standing with his arms crossed and staring into space, people around him would instinctively keep their distance.

"Brother, it's nice to be here with you."

"Sure, but it's just me, right?"

"No, people are moving out of the way on their own. Your gangster-like face is helpful in situations like this."

When Oh So-hee responded with a puzzled look, Kim Da-hye quietly clapped and laughed.

"But I didn't expect you to come. You hate Se-hoon, don't you?"

"It's not that I hate the person. I just have to hate him because he's a fan of Yoo Jeong-a."

"I understand. But you can't hate Se-hoon."

"That's why I'm holding back. I'm giving him a chance until I can hate him freely."

When the vehicle presumed to be Jung Se-hoon's appeared, Oh Tae-woo's eyes narrowed.

"Nice car."

"Isn't it quite large for a van?"

"It's a 17- or 18-seater. You need a large vehicle license to drive it. Looks like Jung Se-hoon has a lot of money."

"Come on, for someone like Se-hoon, this is just a casual ride."

The car stopped, and the door opened in front of the carpet.

When Jung Se-hoon appeared, the loudest cheers erupted, louder and more enthusiastic than for any of the other lead actors.

With every step he took, he seemed to draw people's gazes with an almost gravitational pull.

Oh Tae-woo stared intently.

His appearance and aura were so otherworldly, it was hard to believe it was the same person.

"Didn't he go to Korea University?"

"Yeah! Top of his class in engineering! Isn't that amazing?"

"Damn. God needs to balance the patch a bit more... How are we supposed to live with someone like that around?"

"Brother, maybe God is giving the untouchable and lowly a chance to enjoy the sight?"

"Da-hye is right."

When they both pressed him, Oh Tae-woo grumbled and shook his head.

"Why didn't he go to medical school and take the hard path? What does he plan to do with an engineering degree in Korea?"

"That's why he went into acting. He'll eat up Cannes and Hollywood in no time. I'll give him ten years."

"Ten years is too long. I think he can achieve it in five."

"Wait a minute."

At that moment, Oh Tae-woo, who had been looking around, paused.

His gaze was drawn to a spot below the stage where the actors were lined up, a place the cameras had overlooked.

"Why are you looking there?"

"Is Yoo Jeong-a down there?"

"Yoo Jeong-a? Why would she be here? She has nothing to do with the movie."

Oh Tae-woo, who had been staring intently, smiled bitterly.

"No, just someone I know."

"Is there another celebrity you're into, Brother?"

"Someone I know personally."

"Who do you know in the entertainment industry?"

"He's not from the entertainment industry. That's what's strange."

Oh Tae-woo crossed his arms and muttered to