Chapter 112: Cherry Blossoms (5)

Translator: Dreamscribe

“Inviting the villains instead of the main actors?”

The unexpected suggestion seemed to resonate well, as the main PD and several writers in the meeting sported serious expressions.

Then,

“Did you watch that drama, Yuki-san?”

The lean main PD naturally asked in Japanese, and the small-eyed female writer who had proposed the idea nodded.

“Yes, I watched it as soon as it launched on Netflix. Actually, I’m a fan of Ryu Jung-min.”

“Haha. Is that so? How did you find the feel of the drama?”

“It’s fun. Honestly, it’s been years since I binge-watched a drama like that. Haven’t you watched it, PD-nim?”

“I need to have the time to watch.”

“Seriously, once you watch the first episode, you can’t stop. It’s no wonder it surpassed 25% viewership in Korea.”

Though he must have known, the main PD clicked his tongue as if shocked anew.

“···25%. A 25% viewership in times like these—that’s both enviable and impressive. What’s the basic info on ‘Hanryang’?”

“A famous Korean drama writer wrote the script, and it’s directed by a top-tier PD. What’s innovative is that they’ve kept the original format of Korean dramas, but there are four villains in the story.”

Another broadcast writer chimed in.

“Four of them?”

“Yes, four villains across four different episodes, making a total of 16 episodes.”

“I see. So, despite the many episodes, there seems to be less resistance from our audience.”

“That might be one of the keys to its success.”

Here, the small-eyed female writer referred to as Yuki once again turned her gaze to the PD.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“‘Hanryang’ has been holding the number one spot on Netflix for over ten days since its launch, and its popularity is still rising. The surge doesn’t seem normal. Just looking at communities and SNS, there’s a lot of talk about the ‘Hanryang’ drama. It feels like it’s not just a passing trend, but something that will last for a while?”

“Hmm, who among the four villains is currently the most talked-about actor?”

“It’s definitely the first villain who appears early in the drama. Kang Woojin, playing the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’. He’s being praised the most, whether for his acting or his looks.”

As if the name was unfamiliar, the lean PD scratched his skinny cheek.

“Do you remember the name right off the bat?”

“I was curious, so I looked him up. He’s incredibly popular in Korea right now.”

“Is that so? How long has he been an actor? I should have heard of him if he has been around for a while.”

“He seemed like a newcomer. Most of the villains in ‘Hanryang’ are either B-list or rookie actors.”

“I see. Well, that reduces some of the burden, like appearance fees, except for this actor Kang Woojin.”

The female writer nodded.

“Getting Kang Woojin might be difficult, as he seems to be involved in many projects. But regardless of the cost, it seems like we need him as the main feature.”

“Right. It wouldn’t make sense to have the show without the main character.”

The title of the talk show they were producing in Japan was ‘Ame-Talk show!’. It was a fairly long-running show, over ten years old, and had undergone numerous changes throughout its history. There had been complete production team changes, format changes, and so forth. Luckily, it hadn’t failed, thanks to its consistent 10% viewership rating, helped by its prime-time slot.

The viewership was diverse in age.

Currently, ‘Ame-Talk show!’ was broadcast in two formats. The first 30 minutes of the roughly one-hour runtime was a talk show, and the last 30 minutes presented gags and tricks to the audience. However, these two sections were handled by completely different teams. Essentially, it was almost like having two different shows within ‘Ame-Talk show!’.

In any case, the guests on this program were almost always top stars.

There were many stars from Japan, but occasionally, stars from overseas, including Korea, appeared. This gave the show a decent power to create buzz. ‘Ame-Talk show!’ had a special feature episode once a month. Last time it was about Hollywood, and now, they were gearing towards a ‘K-Drama Week’ based on the broadcast writer’s idea.

Anyway.

“The Hallyu wave has been going on for several years now, and riding on that, a ‘K-Drama Week’—”

The PD mused as he gazed into the distance.

“Well, K-Dramas may not be as hot as KPOP, but they’re still popular. ‘Hanryang’ is no exception, and just covering K-Dramas could pique our viewers’ curiosity—I like it. Let’s start with ‘K-Drama Week’ as our Plan A and begin our research.”

“Yes!”

“First, check how popular that drama ‘Profiler Hanryang’ currently is with Netflix, and collect all the data from articles, SNS, portal sites, communities, etc.”

“Even from Korea?”

“Of course, we have to check. From the first broadcast of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ to the final episode of the drama.”

The workload increased instantly.

“Also, find out about the four villain actors from Japan and Korea, with Kang Woojin at the center.”

The PD who had been giving instructions stood up to leave but added something he just thought of.

“Oh, and we’ll need an interpreter.”

About an hour later, back in Korea.

At the bustling ‘Male Friend’ filming set, Director Shin Dong-chun was showing the script to Kim Dae-young and explaining the scene. Kim Dae-young absorbed the explanation with utmost seriousness. Naturally, if Kim Dae-young’s acting was lacking, he would undoubtedly be criticized. He must have been aware of this.

Still, the recommendation by ‘lead actor’ Kang Woojin carried weight.

No one on the set said anything. Anyway, Woojin, with his arms crossed, silently watched his buddy Kim Dae-young. It seemed like it’s the first time he’s seen him like this.

‘He’s so seriously focused, well, I’ve never seen him work.’

At that moment.

“What? All of a sudden?”

Choi Sung-gun patted the indifferent Kang Woojin on the back.

“Even though you’re usually indifferent to your friend, recommending him for a minor role out of the blue?”

Woojin responded to the question with another question.

“Is there a problem with that?”

“A Problem? What problem would there be? After all, Dae-young is here as a support. But it’s a bit random, isn’t it? Any reason?”

“…That was his dream. I don’t know if it still is.”

“Dream? Ah- right, he went to an acting club, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

As Woojin, who answered dryly, turned his gaze back to Kim Dae-young, Choi Sung-gun, now smiling more broadly, lightly shook Kang Woojin’s shoulder.

“Haha, you remembered something like your friend’s dream? You’re such a tsundere. You always end up doing things you seem like you wouldn’t.”

“No, it just happened to fit the situation well, so I suggested.”

“That’s what being a tsundere is, buddy.”

“…Is that so?”

By this point, Hwalin, who had been watching the situation from a few steps behind Kang Woojin, was even more fan-struck.

‘Taking care of things with such a nonchalant face.’

Her admiration grew even larger. Enough to nod heavily even if she were told to be a fan for life.

‘That’s really what captivates people.’

Of course, Kang Woojin hadn’t intended that.

At that very moment.

“Okay! Let’s start with the rehearsal once Dae-young is ready!”

Director Shin Dong-chun signaled the start of filming.

Thus, the ‘Male Friend’ team, having finished the rehearsal, dove into the actual filming. The scene’s setting was a secluded area behind a building. Overflowing trash bags and discarded school supplies were piled up. Some were added by the props team, and some were genuinely discarded by the school.

Then.

“Actors, standby!”

Following the assistant director’s shout, the actors took their places in front of the set camera. They were all extras wearing school uniforms. Of course, this included the burly Kim Dae-young. Six in total. Three boys and three girls.

All exuded a rowdy atmosphere.

The six extra actors were playing the school bullies. Hence, the boys had their summer uniforms casually unbuttoned, and the girls wore makeup heavily with tight-fitting uniforms.

Lastly.

“‘Lee Bo-min’ is ready!”

After finishing her makeup touch-ups, Lee Bo-min, or Hwalin, with her slightly oversized uniform and her long hair tied back, stepped forward before the six bullies. With her entry, the actor placement was complete, and Director Shin Dong-chun, seated by a monitor, shouted signals to the key staff.

“Camera!!”

“Okay-”

“Audio!”

“All good!”

After checking even the lighting, Director Shin Dong-chun shouted through the megaphone.

“Ready- Action!!”

As the signal dropped, the once casual expressions of the six bullies each turned vile in their own unique ways. The three boys, including Kim Dae-young, stepped back with scorn, and the three girls with venomous looks approached Lee Bo-min, who stood aloof.

“Hey, Bo-min.”

The leader among the female delinquents, distinguishable by her pointed nose, spoke with a voice filled with provocation.

“People say you’re pretty, and you think everyone likes you?”

Her tone was aggressive, but Bo-min just stared at the girl with the pointed nose. Yet, her face showed she wasn’t backing down.

“······”

“Look at her? Ignoring me? How ridiculous. You’re so annoying. Stop standing out and getting on my nerves.”

Frowning, the girl suddenly laughed mockingly and picked up a carton of chocolate milk she had brought. She then proceeded to tear open the top of the milk carton. Just when it seemed she would drink it, she poured the chocolate milk over Lee Bo-min’s head.

-Swish.

Thanks to that, the brown milk flowed from Lee Bo-min’s head down her face and onto her school uniform. The camera, focusing on Lee Bo-min’s face with widened eyes, slowly zooms out to capture her whole body drenched in milk. Her face was filled with shock. Even for someone as malicious as her, she didn’t expect this situation to unfold.

Here, the camera moved again, closing up on the face of the bully girl who had thrown the milk on the floor.

“Why? Don’t you like it? I shared it because it seemed like I couldn’t finish it all.”

The bully girl and her friends around her giggled. The male bullies in the back also snickered. It was an extremely uncomfortable situation.

Right then,

-Whoosh!

Out of nowhere, a carton of milk flew like a baseball, hitting the bully girl on the side.

-Smack!!

The milk carton caused a sound as it exploded, spraying white liquid like fireworks. It seemed it was plain milk. But it wasn’t just one. Another milk carton flew, hitting her head.

Again, the liquid sprayed spectacularly.

This time it was strawberry milk, as the color wasn’t white but pink. Covered in white and strawberry milk, her face and uniform a mess, the bully girl screamed a scream close to a screech.

“Ahh!!! What the heck!!!”

The startled bully boys turned their heads in unison. Following their gaze, the camera also moved. From the direction the milk came.

“Hmm.”

Expressionless Kang Woojin. No, there stood ‘Han In-ho’ in a posture as if he had just thrown a pitch. Then he spoke a clear line.

“Strike.”

At this point, director Shin Dong-chun yelled cut!, and after reorganizing, the scene continued. Starting from after Han In-ho threw the milk pack like a baseball. Soon, Han In-ho, relaxed from his pitcher’s pose, slowly moved his feet. The camera stepped back in front of him.

“……”

Without a word, Han In-ho approached Lee Bo-min. The bully boys, their eyes full of caution. The bully girls screaming. Regardless, Han In-ho,

-Swish.

Stood in front of Lee Bo-min, who was drenched in chocolate milk, and quietly looked down at her. For some reason, he faintly smirked. Then, he took off his uniform jacket and wiped Lee Bo-min’s face with it. His actions were abrupt, but considerate, rough yet warm-hearted.

It was such a gesture.

Soon, Han In-ho slightly tilted his head and casually threw a remark at Lee Bo-min.

“Hot, isn’t it?”

“…What!!”

“No, you took a milk shower. So, I thought you might be feeling hot.”

“I don’t know.”

“Wipe it off.”

Han In-ho handed his uniform jacket to Lee Bo-min and turned his body back. Suddenly, the male bullies were standing in front, and Han In-ho’s gaze gently swept from them to the bully girls. His eyes were lifeless, his face expressionless.

“Hmm-”

However, a faint anger flickered in his calm eyes. It was just that much intensity. But it wasn’t overly displayed. He was appropriately controlling the usual image of himself and the aggression boiling within at the moment.

The formidable bully boy who directly observed this, namely Kim Dae-young, inwardly admired it.

‘It’s so subtle… No, It’s damn fucking very subtle. He’s really good at acting- I can feel he’s holding back his irritation and anger just by looking at his face.’

He felt goosebumps. Of course, director Shin Dong-chun, watching the monitor, felt the same.

‘He’s clumsy at controlling his emotions, so I can feel the overwhelming emotions through his eyes occasionally. Yes, that’s right. This is Han In-ho. Clumsy at everything, but he has no regrets.’

At that moment.

– Whoosh!!

The girl with the pointed nose, one of the bullies, harshly threw an empty milk carton that hit her towards Han In-ho. However, Han In-ho quickly dodged it by leaning back.

Naturally, the milk carton smacked right into Lee Bo-min’s face.

“Ah!!!”

Lee Bo-min screamed. To her, Han In-ho calmly raised his right hand slightly.

“Ah, sorry. My reflexes are just really good.”

“You crazy jerk!”

“Oh, come on. Thanks for accepting my apology.”

It was at this moment that the burly male bully appeared. Namely, Kim Dae-young, who grabbed Han In-ho’s shoulder and turned him around roughly. The burly boy was smiling leisurely.

“You two a couple?”

“Nope.”

At Kim Dae-young’s first line, director Shin Dong-chun stroked his chin.

‘Hmm- Not bad. The tone and voice are appropriate.’

The burly bully grabbed Han In-ho, who was slightly smaller than him, by the collar. Consequently, the white tee that Han In-ho wore underneath stretched out, revealing his subtly firm abdomen.

Kim Dae-young’s line then came.

“Let’s test your husband’s endurance.”

Despite the crisis, Han In-ho’s face was free of anxiety. Instead, he glanced at the bully’s muscular arm.

“Test? You mean murder? Why do you carry a weapon for an arm?”

“You’re nuts, man.”

As the cool burly bully was about to swing his massive fist,

-Swish.

Han In-ho, with an expressionless face, pointed upwards with his index finger.

“Look up before you swing that weapon.”

Soon, everyone’s heads, except for Han In-ho’s, turned upwards. Naturally, the camera too. A window was open, about halfway up the second floor. A bald head was floating in that window.

“······These guys.”

It was, in fact, the principal.

The next day, morning at bw Entertainment.

bw Entertainment, now bustling with significantly more employees, was generally a scene of non-stop activity.

“Yes, yes! Ah- Woojin? Sorry, but could you please send the details by email?”

“Hello, Manager Kim! This is bw Entertainment! Yes, we called about Hye-yeon’s interview?”

“No, how can you post such a ridiculous article and then act innocent? Have you ever seen Woojin, reporter? No, right?”

“Yes- Casting? If you inform us of the details, we will pass it to the management team.”

Phones were answered frantically, and keyboards clacked incessantly, not a second of rest. Recently, bw Entertainment had been experiencing its most prosperous period since its establishment, thanks to Kang Woojin and Hong Hye-yeon. Among the PR team of such a bustling bw Entertainment.

“······Hmm.”

The PR team leader, with his hair neatly swept back, grunted while looking at his laptop screen. He was currently monitoring SNS and various communities for reactions related to Kang Woojin. Monitoring the reactions to their actor, especially Kang Woojin, who turned the domestic scene upside down, was a very important task. He collected anything that caught his eye.

However, what was strange was the serious and anxious look on the PR team leader’s face.

The PR team leader paused on a post in one community.

‘There were a few similar comments, but another post like this- How many times has it been?’

The post’s title was as follows.

-[I graduated from the same high school as Kang Woojin, and his personality is completely different nowㅇㅇ]

The post’s author seemed to know Kang Woojin.