What If? (1)
“I’ll go with the integrated master’s and PhD program. But if my acting schedule gets tight, I might take short leaves of absence.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to grind through four intense years in one go and snag that PhD as fast as possible?”
“I can always get a PhD later, but good roles? If I miss out, someone else snatches them up.”
“Hmm… you’ve got a point. A PhD’s nothing special—you can grab one anytime.”
“I’ll take my time with lab life, advancing step by steady step without rushing.”
“Do that. An integrated degree isn’t a big deal. For someone like you, Jeong, it’s just a quick formality.”
Lee Se-jong kindly counseled his prized student on his career path.
Of course—who could refuse when the kid was willing to join grad school?
After sinking billions into building a drama production company, what more could he deny?
“By the way, Professor, you mentioned participating in the 3I/Macdrian comet project on the west side of campus, right?”
“Mm, yes. I recall you showing interest in that too, Jeong.”
“You said even your role there is classified, but I’d learn about it once I join grad school and dive into the research.”
“That’s right. But I didn’t realize you were that into the comet, Jeong.”
“It’s just weird—no casualties from a comet crashing so close. Gwanak Mountain couldn’t have been empty at impact time.”
“You got it. Still classified, though.”
“If I enter grad school, can I join that research right away?”
Feeling his student’s genuine enthusiasm, Lee Se-jong lightly scratched his cheek with his index finger.
“I’ll push as hard as I can, but immediate clearance is unlikely.”
“Who issues the clearance?”
“The UN. Can’t guarantee a quick turnaround. They might even quietly vet you and your circle. Standard procedure, so don’t stress.”
“That’s to be expected. I can handle it.”
“Soon as you submit your grad app, I’ll kick off the approval process. I’ll make it as fast as possible.”
“Thank you, Professor.”
“No big deal. It’s the least a advisor should do for his student.”
Master and disciple spent a good while after that discussing the future.
“When do you think that grad school romance drama starts production?”
“The writer’s on fire right now. Soon as Haegeuk wraps, they’ll jump into planning. Could air as early as late this year, or early next at latest.”
“That fast? I don’t know much about how that industry ticks.”
“Incredibly fast. Tons of projects drag on for years in planning before tanking.”
“Airing at all means it passed brutal vetting, then.”
“Exactly. Only the top 1% that survive make it to air.”
“Still better than our side. We’re lucky if the bottom 0.1% get first dibs on publishing papers.”
Countless scientists worldwide chase similar topics, but publication glory and Nobel nods go to a select few.
That’s what Lee Se-jong meant.
“Jeong, I don’t know much else, but I’m hyped for your dramas. ‘Must-watch live from episode one,’ right? Count me in.”
“Thank you. I’ll probably play a mad scientist type.”
“Oho, mad scientist. Perfect—love it. That writer knows her stuff.”
“If you’re up for it, Professor, how about a quick special appearance?”
“Hmm, I’ll think on it. Not a bad idea. But I’d need to prep thoroughly.”
“It’s just a cameo—barely any prep needed.”
Lee Se-jong shook his head with a gentle smile.
“No, no. I have to plant the romance of engineering in the hearts of the nation’s top young students. Showing up half-assed won’t cut it.”
Another episode wrapped.
Oh So-hee and Kim Da-hye crushed their empty beer cans, exhaling held breaths.
“You know I’m a huge Haegeuk fan, right?”
“Duh. Not as bad as me, but you’re still clinging to my ankles.”
“So why don’t I feel sorry for the Grand Prince anymore? Watching him, I just get this… revulsion? Like, that vibe.”
“Revulsion’s a bit harsh, no?”
“Hey! Not Haegeuk—the Grand Prince! Meaning his acting’s so good it hits those emotions hard.”
“For me, it’s like that sticky feeling from wearing slippers all rainy day, crashing home unwashed, sleeping in socks, then waking to funky toes next morning. Socks with individual toes, FYI.”
“You idiot. He’d be hurt if he heard.”
Early on, the Grand Prince felt pitiful.
But at some point, they snapped to—waist-deep in a sticky, inescapable swamp of disgust.
Pity was gone now.
His blatant hostility toward his brother and nephew stirred something primal, a queasy rejection of his humanity.
“Even Lee Jin-wook’s killer role felt more tragic…”
“His murders had moral justification. Kim Chan was more fun, cool action boss than straight killer.”
“Grand Prince is straight-up creepy. Ugh, and Seo-hoon nails it so real…”
“That’s why it’s stickier.”
“Hope light fans don’t confuse the role with the actor.”
“Me too.”
Light fans often mistake role immersion for real feelings about the actor.
The better the performance, the deeper the dive, the worse it gets.
“Can’t be helped for a villain specialist. Silver lining: it means killer acting.”
“Hope Seo-hoon holds up. He’s young—worries me.”
“Forgot our Seo-hoon’s got titanium-alloy mentality? Worry about something else.”
“Next, give him a bright, cool role. Or Kim Chan type.”
“Music video appearance?”
Jang Seung-won nodded lightly, laying out the proposal before Jeong Seo-hoon.
“Yeah. Finalized the latter-half theme OST. Slotting in Baek Hyeo-seon’s comeback title track. Vibe matches perfectly.”
“Can I hear it?”
“Of course.”
Baek Hyeo-seon’s agency team lead handed over wired earbuds plugged into the player.
Jeong Seo-hoon popped them in, and soon a subtle backing track swelled, followed by a rich, emotive male ballad voice.
He listened through, then quietly removed them.
“What’d you think?”
“Not big on music, but sounds solid.”
“Heart-wrenching appeal—that’s the core for the Grand Prince OST. Dramas show his inhuman revulsion visually; music counters with emotional pull for mixed viewer stimuli. That’s my PD intent.”
“Now, the MV concept.”
The team lead from Baek Hyeo-seon’s agency stepped up.
“MV centers on the Grand Prince and his wife’s tragic love story.”
“Tragic love? Total opposite of the drama.”
“Exactly our comeback image goal.”
The couple’s affection gets minimal screen time in Haegeuk.
One kiss scene, that’s it—the tension stays laser-focused on his murderous ambition toward his brother’s family.
“We’ll use key drama clips in the MV. But emphasis and flow differ totally. Grand Prince fails the rebellion, exiled by the young king. Forever parted from his wife.”
“Fun, right? Haegeuk’s ‘what if’ flip.”
“Casting Han Seo-hee and Lee Seo-hyeon too. Han Seo-hee as young wife pre-exile; Lee Seo-hyeon reunites with him post-years.”
“Genius concept—I was blown away.”
“Han Seo-hee tearfully sees him off to exile; Lee Seo-hyeon welcomes him back in Hanyang. That ending.”
“Back from exile? Amnesty?”
“No. Young nephew-king’s mercy: one last family glimpse before poison cup.”
Direct opposite of the drama’s flow.
“Young king role too, then…”
“Yoon Jin-won, naturally. Most roles from Haegeuk cast or archived footage.”
Jang Seung-won beamed beside them, elaborating.
“OST drops in-drama first, then streaming. Builds hype with viewers and Baek fans. MV hits YouTube one hour post-finale.”
“Perfect collab with Haegeuk.”
Drama ends young king tragically; MV flips it—Grand Prince gets the heartbreak.
One worry lingered.
“Won’t this spark ‘glorifying Sejo’ backlash?”
“It’s an MV. Plus, Grand Prince’s pathetic end? Cathartic alt-history for Sejo haters. No issue.”
Jang’s crisp dismissal convinced Jeong Seo-hoon.
“Post-finale MV drop plants a strong image.”
“Our agency’s confident on buzz. Hot overseas reactions, boosts Haegeuk exports meaningfully.”
The team lead stated calmly; sounded plausible to Jeong Seo-hoon.
He skimmed the MV storyboard sketches.
Drama captures mixed in, but fresh sketches too—new shoots planned.
“Contacted the others yet?”
“Not yet. Need your yes to proceed.”
“If others pass, how do you adjust?”
“With you in, others will follow. Confident I can convince them.”
Jeong Seo-hoon eyed Jang Seung-won.
“Good for the drama?”
“Absolutely. And you personally. Though Han Seo-hee fans might hate you more…”
“Can’t avoid rival fandom rain just for co-starring.”
“See? Seo-hoon’s young, but mentality rivals Lee Min-soo’s.”
“Tougher than him, if you factor bone density.”
Jang laughed silently, clapping softly; the team lead smiled quietly.
“You two handle negotiations. Matchmaker’s stepping out.”
Jang excused himself; the team lead spoke.
“Guarantee: 100 million won. Should talk manager usually, but…”
“Manager or me—either way. I’m in.”
“Sign here, then. Need it to lock others fast.”
Jeong Seo-hoon read it over, signed promptly.
“Think of it as shooting a short tragic romance film.”
Jeong Seo-hoon figured: just like the kiss scene with Lee Seo-hyeon.
Post-signature, the team lead ventured cautiously.
“Unrelated to MV, but… good singer?”
“I can belt army tunes.”
“…Ah, got it.”