He only plays villains 101 - Who Do You Like the Most? (3)
After the original crown prince was enfeoffed as the royal crown prince, the king's health deteriorated day by day.
Most state affairs were already being handled by the crown prince in his stead, and even if the king passed away immediately, the succession would proceed smoothly without issue.
It was no different from the crown prince's era of rule; they simply hadn't handed over the throne yet.
The crown prince's robust health made the grand prince increasingly anxious with each passing day.
He had long disguised his ambitions by playing the fool and indulging in debauchery, but after the enfeoffment of the royal crown prince, he often fell into deep despair, drowning himself in alcohol.
"My lord, you must compose yourself and endure all the more in times like these."
"Can I truly become king? Is there truly a path to survival for me?"
In the flickering candlelight, the grand prince's complexion resembled that of a defeated general who had fled the battlefield.
"All the preparations we made to kill my brother have come to naught."
Security around the crown prince was ironclad.
Most opportunities vanished before they could even make a move.
Once the king's illness deepened, creating even a single opening became impossible.
"Trying to take down my brother through villainy is no longer feasible."
"However, my lord, the heavens' fortune for you has yet to fully unfold."
"What fortune from the heavens for me? Is that something I shouldn't know in advance either?"
"The positions of queen and crown princess have been vacant for a long time. Please keep that in mind."
The grand prince's eyes snapped wide open as he stared piercingly at the Han clan shaman.
"You mean...?"
"Endure and bide your time, my lord."
"Really? A 22-year-old kid? Wow."
"What did I tell you? That's not skin you can get just from looking young."
"His voice and vibe are so mature, I just thought he was a baby-faced actor. How does a 22-year-old pull off acting with that kind of depth?"
A flower arranging class run on a membership basis.
Lee Jeong-sook trimmed the flower stems pretending to be indifferent, but her ears were wide open to the chatter of the Gangnam housewives.
These days, everywhere I go, it's all talk about my son.
"Turns out he got into Korea University at 17 as the top admit, right?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
Gangnam housewives wrapped in luxury brands, pretending to be refined and elegant wherever they went.
The 40s and 50s ladies who usually shunned drama or celebrity gossip as tacky were now only talking about her son.
"Oh my, with that face, that brain, that pedigree, and acting skills too. He's got everything. Does he have a girlfriend?"
"I looked into it a bit—he's been so focused on studying, no dating experience at all."
"For real? He's prime son-in-law material."
"I hear moms with teens and 20-something daughters are going nuts finding fortune-tellers connected to his family."
"But a teen might be too young, though."
"Nah, just get them engaged early and marry when they're older. He's only 22."
Hmph. As if anyone would accept them as a daughter-in-law.
"He's 22, already finished his military service, and in his fourth year now. Finishing this semester and graduating early."
"Wow, impressive. So he could end up a Korea University professor in his late 20s?"
"Professor is basically a done deal. There's this famous prof named Lee Se-jong—even the Korea University president kowtows to him. He's got deep ties to my husband's company, so I know a bit."
"A famous professor?"
"Caltech grad, apparently huge in academia. Gave up tenure to come back to Korea and mentor students for the rest of his life."
"Caltech? Is that prestigious?"
Lee Jeong-sook struggled to suppress her bursting laughter and keep a straight face.
Even so, the 30s and early 40s Gangnam ladies knew a lot thanks to their kids' education obsession, but these older ones just knew how to act elegant...
"He got 4.8 billion for just Haegeuk. Three months' work for 4.8 billion!"
"Oh my, at that rate, being a celebrity sounds pretty good."
A perfect son-in-law prospect with brains, looks, pedigree, fame, connections, and even wealth.
Not even comparable to your average chaebol third-gen.
"But Mrs. Lee Jeong-sook hasn't said a word."
"I don't watch TV."
Lee Jeong-sook lifted her nose just a bit.
Too much would breed resentment, so...
"You should check it out. Bet it'd win you over too, Mrs. Lee."
"Doesn't unnie have a daughter? You'd want her matched up. Imagine her husband."
"......"
The housewives had no idea about the instinctive revulsion blooming like magic in Lee Jeong-sook's heart right then.
"But I never knew historical dramas could be this fun."
"It's not the historical drama—it's the grand prince. His face and acting carry everything."
"Right, right. My son-in-law does it all."
"What? My son-in-law."
"Heard he grew up in Gangnam—any matchmakers connected to his family...?"
After the flower arranging class ended, Lee Jeong-sook headed to her next Gangnam housewives' social club.
She'd only signed up for these clubs and rarely attended before, but lately she went diligently without missing a day.
"Oh, Mrs. Lee Jeong-sook. You're here again? I love seeing you so often lately."
"Once my husband came back from overseas assignment, staying home felt awkward."
"Right, did you watch Haegeuk yesterday?"
"I don't watch TV."
"Yeah, yeah. But you have to watch Haegeuk. The lead actor there is the ultimate son-in-law buzz among Gangnam moms right now..."
Son-praise everywhere she went.
Running around all day to meet these ladies never got tiring.
"Got a text like this. It's legit?"
Jeong Su-ryeon snatched the phone and burst out laughing.
"Still, good on him. Doesn't even ask who it is anymore."
"A few months in acting, and I've memorized everything searchable."
Jeong Seo-hoon tapped his temple with a finger, prompting Jeong Su-ryeon to shoot him an annoyed glare.
"Fans should see this arrogant side. Nah, they'd probably love it even more."
After checking the number and message, Jeong Su-ryeon nodded and handed it back.
"It's Choi Hong-rae, yeah. Tempted? But aren't you jumping into a new project right after Haegeuk?"
"No production company or contracts yet—just the script and me. Who knows when filming starts."
"Still, you, Song PD, Kim Sang-hee reuniting? It'll whip up fast. Network would clear a slot too."
"Checked his recent works—solid. Polite pre-text too. Gotta meet at least."
"Smart attitude."
"Meeting today, so get ready to head out, noona."
"Now?"
Jeong Seo-hoon called right there; the talk ended in under 30 seconds.
"Heading out now. Prep."
"Not like stir-frying beans in lightning... Life's so unfair."
Jeong Su-ryeon grumbled as she got ready to go out.
Director Choi Hong-rae was a big, burly guy with a rough, intimidating aura.
Without knowing, you'd mistake him for a bit-part gangster specialist actor.
He'd actually started as a supporting villain actor before shining as a director.
"I'm producing a 6-episode crime action drama for NetPrime. Script was done, but after seeing Haegeuk, our writer insisted on scrapping it. Didn't know you before that."
Jeong Su-ryeon muttered inwardly, Another Kim Sang-hee type.
"Insisted on recasting you as main villain and rewriting around you. Took forever to convince."
Jeong Su-ryeon answered for her brother.
"Obviously. Can't just boot a cast actor. Against industry courtesy."
"No, this project has no single main villain. It's an omnibus: three villains taken down sequentially by the protagonist—protagonist-focused narrative."
"Ah, total rewrite then."
"Full script overhaul means redoing NetPrime investment review. Not ideal."
Choi Hong-rae wanted him for the final episode's villain.
"Actor Jeong, your shoot won't exceed three weeks max. Full S-grade treatment on pay and perks."
"Filming start?"
"May."
Even latest, Haegeuk would've wrapped by then—perfect schedule fit.
Jeong Seo-hoon skimmed the script in moments and decided on the spot.
"I'm in."
"Thank you. Will prepare formal contract and visit again."
Hadn't called Ha Tae-soo on short notice.
The siblings drove home in the Volvo with a domestic badge their dad bought recently.
"You're addicted to gigs? Can't stand a break, jumping into another already."
"Even hustling, three projects a year is tough. Gotta grab every short-term role."
"Others get called diligent for one or two a year, drama or film. Three is overkill."
"Wish I could do five."
"Seriously addicted? No such thing as a prolific factory award. Graduation okay?"
"No issue."
His enhanced body barely felt physical fatigue. Even blackout drunk, a short sleep sobered him right up.
Jeong Seo-hoon recalled the detonator button's feel—had to press it per civilian incineration orders.
That hard click matched vividly the sensation of throttling his young nephew's neck.
You did the right thing as a soldier. This is the nation's reward.
Isn't this what you desperately wanted?
Or is it not enough?
The grand admiral's voice overlapped with the mirror grand prince's, resonating in illusionary harmony.
Acting... I want to be an actor.
Which was he closer to then—Rashid or Jeong Seo-hoon?
Gripping the wheel, Jeong Seo-hoon chewed his lip.
If I could enter that world freely whenever I wanted.
Started in front of the camera to soothe longing for Rashid's world.
Now, craving acting itself made him yearn for that world more.
Though tormented by emotional wear, he found another self pondering how to channel this pain into performance.
"Wanna do as many projects as possible. Can't waste even a month idle."
"If you'd studied half as hard, forget Korea U—MIT or Caltech easy pick."
"Didn't you know? Got into both back then, but Dad nixed it. Too young for abroad."
"Ah, fuck. Ignorance is bliss."
Lee Se-jong read the paper contentedly.
Jeong Seo-hoon's semester submission was excellent—even better than most master's theses.
To share the good news, he headed to his disciple waiting in the office.
Opening the door, he saw Jeong Seo-hoon's back on the sofa.
So absorbed, he didn't stir even approaching.
Peeking, horrific war photos scrolled: soldiers torn by shells, gas-poisoned civilians blistered to death, kids crawling with legs blown off by mines, blood trailing...
Jeong Seo-hoon's profile, gaze fixed unblinkingly, felt utterly alien.
Gone was the shy, humble, kind disciple he knew.
A fleeting unease turned to displeasure; Lee Se-jong cleared his throat.
"Jeong. Saw your paper."
Instantly, whatever mask fled; the familiar shy, humble, kind eyes turned.
"Ah, Professor. Sorry, I was focused."
"Acting study?"
"Something like."
"A shame. Feels like showbiz stole you completely."
"Professor, got something to say."
Closing the laptop, Jeong Seo-hoon spoke; Lee Se-jong smiled kindly, inwardly sweating.
Fearing those serious eyes meant quitting PhD.
So he'd gently stalled so far...
"No, don't say it. Showbiz talk was slip..."
"Planning grad school right after this semester's graduation."
"Pardon?"
Lee Se-jong shed confusion, beaming warmly at his disciple.
"Integrated master's-PhD, of course?"