The Perfect Villain Emerges
Time had flown by like an arrow. It had already been ten days since he'd promised Haiyu a song. That morning, Suhyeon arrived early at the KBC Suwon Center in Paldal-gu, Suwon City, for drama filming.
The KBC Suwon Center was the mecca of digital TV drama production—a massive comprehensive video production complex equipped with a drama production center, special effects stages, open sets, and all sorts of amenities.
Right now, Suhyeon stood motionless in one corner of the drama production center, like a mannequin. The coordinator handling the sponsored outfits for the drama Special Investigation Headquarters was busily fitting clothes to his body.
Every time she held a garment up to him, she let out exclamations of "Oh my gosh!" and "So handsome!" Suhyeon silently watched her fussing, then closed his eyes and sank into thought while still standing.
So even picking out a single outfit for a proper drama takes this long? I'm already feeling drained. Sigh. It's like I've been bewitched by a fox. Just ten days after meeting Senior Seong at the action school, and here I am filming a KBC drama...
Suhyeon carefully recalled the events from ten days ago.
Ten days earlier, as he approached the crowd gathered at the action school dojo, Suhyeon confirmed he'd seen correctly.
It's Senior Seong Kang-ho. He must've made time today despite being busy with another movie shoot.
Suhyeon watched Seong Kang-ho practice his action sequences from amid the crowd for a while, then nodded.
The action itself isn't extraordinarily impressive, but there's something captivating about it that draws the eye. That's the gravitas of a ten-million-ticket actor, I suppose.
Just then, Seong Kang-ho, wrapping up his practice for a break, spotted Suhyeon.
"Hey, you. Suhyeon, right?"
Startled that the senior recognized and called out to him, Suhyeon stepped forward, bowed at the waist, and greeted him.
"Yes, that's me. Senior Seong Kang-ho. Nice to meet you. It's an honor."
"Honor, my ass... Anyway, good to see you. Damn, you really are as handsome as they say."
"No, Senior."
"What do you mean 'no'? I'm saying you're handsome because you are. I heard you were coming to practice today, so I swung by since I had some free time."
Surprised by Seong Kang-ho's unexpected words—that he'd come specifically to meet him—Suhyeon asked again.
"Me?"
"Yeah. Let's head to the office and talk."
Moments later, the office held four people: the superstar Seong Kang-ho, a middle-aged man from his entourage, martial arts director Jeong Do-hong, and Suhyeon.
After light greetings and taking seats, Seong Kang-ho stared intently at Suhyeon's face without saying a word for a long stretch.
Curiosity bubbled up as Seong Kang-ho kept staring, but Suhyeon knew from his strategist days that impatience would lose him the high ground. He waited calmly, expression unchanged.
Finally, seemingly tired of the silence, Seong Kang-ho spoke first.
"Suhyeon, you know I've studied physiognomy a bit?"
"Ah, yes. I heard you learned from a master for the movie Physiognomist."
"Right. I picked up quite a bit for that film. See, I was skeptical about the rumors floating around the industry about you. I'd heard bits and pieces about you before."
Seong Kang-ho paused, gazing steadily at Suhyeon.
"At my age, you learn from experience that a person's true nature doesn't change easily. So I figured it was just a false rumor. But now, seeing your physiognomy up close... it seems the rumors might be true."
"What rumors, sir?"
"That you're a genius."
"No, Senior. That's exaggerated. Me, a genius?"
"Your forehead glows bright, your eyes are clear and sharp, your philtrum is prominent, and your lips are red and glossy. Physiognomically, that's the look of a brilliant prodigy. I'm no expert, but I like to think I read faces pretty well..."
Suhyeon felt a twinge of puzzlement at the sudden praise but responded humbly.
"I'm no genius, but if my physiognomy looks good, that's a relief. Thank you for the compliment."
"Suhyeon."
"Yes, Senior."
"How about trying a villain role this time?"
"A villain?"
"Yeah. KBC is planning a Sino-Korean co-production drama with CCTV China. Prep's almost done; filming starts soon. It's my drama debut, so I looked into it carefully. The script's solid. The PD and other cast are top-notch."
"A Sino-Korean drama? I thought the atmosphere in China was bad because of the Hallyu ban."
"The ban's lifting soon. Both KBC and CCTV are state-run public broadcasters—think they'd produce without that intel? It's timed symbolically with the ban's end, like a sign that Sino-Korean relations are normalizing."
"But why offer me a role in such an important project out of nowhere? Filming's starting soon, so the cast should already be set, right?"
Glancing at the man seated beside him, Seong Kang-ho answered Suhyeon's question.
"This is confidential, but... the actor originally cast for that role is facing a prosecutorial investigation soon."
"Prosecution?"
"Yeah. Word is he smoked weed. That rotten bastard... We only found out two days ago. It'll hit the news soon. We were just about to start promotions, and now the schedule's a mess because of him. So that role's up in the air, and filming's right around the corner."
"I see... But why me? There are plenty of proven, talented actors besides me."
"Hmm. Let me explain the role briefly. He's a Chinese-Hawaiian who's mastered Chinese kung fu since childhood. Young but skilled enough to be a mid-level gangster in Shanghai's underworld and a mob boss in Incheon's Korean branch. He smuggles drugs from China to sell in Korea—a real bad guy."
Seong Kang-ho paused to check if Suhyeon followed, and Suhyeon nodded slightly. Continuing,
"Then he steals advanced nuclear warhead tech from China and sneaks it into Korea. He secretly contacts North Korea to sell it. The plot's about Korean and Chinese special forces teaming up to catch him. In short, it's propaganda for both countries: 'We're getting along great!'"
"Got it. So it's an action thriller or spy drama."
"Exactly. He's the villain, a key supporting role who drives the plot shuttling between China and Korea. To nail it, you need a few must-haves."
Bending forward slightly, Seong Kang-ho ticked off on his fingers.
"First, action that looks badass, befitting a kung fu master. Second, fluent Chinese on top of Korean, since he's Chinese-Hawaiian. Third, young and handsome. And since the original actor was locked in, matching or beating his pay is tough. Money's tricky in co-productions—procedures are a nightmare to raise it."
Seong Kang-ho sighed deeply, frustration evident, then continued.
"The production team's in full panic mode these past few days. Filming's days away, and a major role ghosts. It's insane."
"I understand. But why me for such a crucial part?"
"I've been tight with martial arts director Jeong Do-hong since A Classy World—over ten years. Yesterday, over drinks venting about it, he immediately recommended you strongly. Said among young actors, you're the top for action."
Seong Kang-ho eyed Suhyeon pointedly, as if questioning if it was true. Suhyeon took a moment to compose himself.
Water fills the vessel it's poured into... To reach top-class entertainer status, building a rep as an outstanding actor is key. That's why I've been focusing on films lately. This drama's an opportunity I can't pass up.
Resolved, Suhyeon met Seong Kang-ho's gaze squarely and replied in a voice brimming with confidence.
"First, thanks to Director Jeong for recommending me. And... he's spot on. When it comes to action, I have no doubt I can hold my own against any actor in Korea."
Grinning broadly at Suhyeon's resolute, ambitious response, Seong Kang-ho slapped his knee.
"Love the confidence! A young guy needs that swagger. Action's sorted, you're young and handsome by any measure. Suhyeon, your pay's still low, right?"
"Of course. I'm a nobody in acting—how much could I even command? No worries there."
"Perfect. Pay's no issue. Now, the last hurdle: memorize those Chinese lines fast and deliver them convincingly... If the genius rumors are true, you could cram and nail it quick. What do you think?"
To Seong Kang-ho's follow-up, Suhyeon smiled with full assurance.
"Who says I can't speak Chinese?"
Stunned by the sudden fluent Chinese, Seong Kang-ho whipped his head toward the man beside him. The entourage member—likely the Chinese liaison—widened his eyes and rapidly replied in Chinese.
"Are you overseas Chinese? Your pronunciation is perfect."
"I learned it as a trainee since I'm an idol. How's my accent?"
"Excellent. Really impressive."
"Thank you for the praise."
Seong Kang-ho stared blankly at Suhyeon for a beat, then threw his head back in hearty laughter before speaking in an excited tone.
"Looks like the role found its perfect owner. Never imagined you'd speak Chinese too... Jackpot."
At that moment, the coordinator, having finished selecting outfits, snapped Suhyeon out of his reverie.
"Suhyeon, time to head to makeup."