What if? (2)
Music video filming was scheduled on a day off from Haegeuk shooting.
The Haegeuk crew gladly lent their set to the MV team without restrictions.
One of the directing staff even tagged along, offering all sorts of help with the MV shoot.
"We're only filming a few short clips to insert into the MV, so it won't take long. We can wrap up all the studio interior shots today."
"Take your time—we're fine. This all helps our drama in the end anyway."
Han Seo-hee, who had arrived early, was changing into her costume and getting her makeup done.
Her manager stood behind her, nagging away.
"You kept singing 'Paju, Paju' like a broken record, and now you're back here legally. Happy?"
"Of course."
"I figured you'd only come back for the wrap party. Who knew it'd turn out like this. Anyway, it'd be cool if you did a duet stage with Baek Hyeo-seon later. Even better as a concert guest."
"Concert guest? Could Seo-hoon oppa be a guest too?"
"Depends on Baek Hyeo-seon's side. No reason they couldn't ask. Guests are guests."
"I'd love to hold hands with Seo-hoon oppa and come out as concert guests someday."
"Please watch your mouth..."
"What? You think we'd walk in side by side all awkward without holding hands?"
"Back when you debuted, you weren't like this. Now you're in year four, cosplaying as a veteran already..."
"I've ruled this cutthroat idol ecosystem for four years straight—isn't that normal?"
Han Seo-hee glanced over at Lee Seo-hyeon.
Instead of flashy noble robes, she wore a black low jeogori top and skirt set from head to toe.
'She's six years older than oppa, right?'
Nine years older than herself.
Yet at 28, she was hitting the peak of her mature allure, her beauty in perfect harmony.
For a female actress, 28 was when looks and career peaked together, wasn't it?
Compared to that, she hadn't achieved much as an actress yet.
Even in Haegeuk, she'd only gotten praise like "better acting than expected" or "fits the Grand Prince well"—nothing more.
She hadn't had enough screen time to really show off, so it was inevitable.
"Alright, let's go. Your turn."
"Yes."
Han Seo-hee rose gracefully.
In the mirror was a stunning young wife, innocent yet poised.
"Manager oppa, I'll show 'em how age is the real boss."
"You're turning twenty in a few months. Everyone ages."
"We all age equally, so why not flaunt it while you're young? Once you're older, you can't even if you want to."
"Aigoo, what can I even say."
The girl who used to cry from grueling practice and strict diets was gone.
All that remained was a seasoned high school warrior girl, her venom honed leisurely into a weapon.
She stepped up to her scene partner.
"Oppa. Seeing you in Grand Prince makeup after so long—it's seriously hot."
"Thanks. The costume suits you beautifully too, Han Seo-hee."
"Wish you'd drop the formal speech soon."
"Come to our department, and as a freshman underclassman, maybe I'll switch to casual?"
"I haven't studied at all—how could I get into Korea University Engineering...?"
The MV director approached, giving detailed acting directions.
"Especially here, show that aching emotional line. Kim Jong-seo's escort arrives from afar, bellowing orders to receive the decree. This is the Grand Prince couple's final kiss before capture by loyalist Kim Jong-seo..."
The last embrace and kiss before being seized by Jeongseok Kim.
Jeong Seo-hoon could sense the resolve etched into Han Seo-hee's gaze and breath.
'She's sharpened her blade with real intent. This'll wrap quick.'
But the shoot dragged on longer than expected.
Han Seo-hee kept messing up, forcing NG after NG on the final kiss.
Still, the MV director never snapped, just kept reshooting patiently.
After over ten NGs, OK finally came.
The watching Haegeuk staff clapped silently, grinning.
"Whoa, Jeong Seo-hoon ended up with a kiss scene with Han Seo-hee too."
"But a minor in a kiss scene—is that okay?"
"Terrestrial dramas have minors kissing all the time. It's not a big deal anymore. Plus, her in-drama age is adult."
"Wonder if Jeong Seo-hoon just made enemies of Han Seo-hee's fandom."
"Male fans'll wanna kill him, female fans'll stan. And BiLab fandom's scary these days—no casual fandom messes with Seo-hoon's."
Next came the prison scene.
After long exile, the Grand Prince returns to the capital prison, awaiting only his poisoned cup.
His young nephew-king, out of mercy for his uncle, allows a private farewell with his wife in the cell.
Now it was Lee Seo-hyeon's turn.
Through the wooden prison bars, the disheveled Grand Prince grasps his wife's hand for their final kiss.
"Director's not calling cut..."
"He's totally immersed already."
"Great chemistry, but time to cut now..."
OK at last. All scenes with Jeong Seo-hoon and the two actresses wrapped.
Lee Seo-hyeon rose elegantly from the wooden cell, heading back—then her eyes met Han Seo-hee's.
"......"
"......"
The managers saw massive flames spark in their actresses' pupils, lunging to devour each other before canceling out.
The brief silence hushed everyone around.
"Great work, sunbae-nim. Amazing acting. I learned a lot."
Han Seo-hee bowed first, polite as ever. Lee Seo-hyeon lifted her chin, letting the tension slide.
"No biggie. I learned from your acting too, Seo-hee. Expecting even more growth."
"When can I become an actress like you, sunbae-nim? Feels so out of reach—it's frustrating."
Han Seo-hee's manager inwardly wailed.
'That sly fox! So elegantly shading her age.'
"Young newbies like you learn fast these days—no worries. You'll be famous soon, with juniors bowing to you. No need to rush."
You'll age quick too; famous singer or not, you're a nobody in acting—stay humble.
Han Seo-hee got it instantly, a vein quietly bulging on her forehead under her hair.
Lee Seo-hyeon smiled with her eyes, pressing on.
"Heard Serubia’s schedule's packed lately. Coming to the wrap party?"
"Of course. I'll adjust to make it."
Don't come if you hate seeing me—challenge accepted.
"Good. Gotta share a drink with my younger self then."
Lee Seo-hyeon's smile was bright and warm.
To the unaware, a friendly promise—but laced with why ruin the vibe if you can't drink?
Seasoned fourth-year girl group center Han Seo-hee caught it right away.
"I'll be sad too. Wish I could grow up fast and share a drink with oppa. Right after midnight on Dec 31, we'll do my 'first drink of life' together."
Lee Seo-hyeon's smile twisted ever so subtly.
A defeat only Han Seo-hee could spot. Wounded pride.
"Good work today. Drive safe."
"You too, sunbae-nim."
The actresses passed, and managers finally exhaled.
'Worried they'd grab hair right here in front of everyone...'
Scenes of solitary exile, reminiscing past glory, shedding tears under moonlight for his left-behind wife.
Finally, boarding a small boat to cross the river, leaving for exile and return.
Only after the Han River crossing did the MV shoot fully end.
"Great work, everyone. That's a wrap on filming."
"You too, Director."
Jeong Seo-hoon felt a twinge of regret.
The lens's power hadn't stirred at all during the MV shoot.
Still, experience from three projects let him deliver satisfying performances effortlessly.
For the tearful wife-missing scene, recalling dead subordinates sufficed.
Raging before his young nephew's interrogation? Channel the fury at his superior who massacred the unit through bad calls, or Captain Duried.
Jeong Seo-hoon approached child actor Yoon Jin-won, who hadn't left yet, pretending casual.
"Your parts wrapped, right? Hanging around?"
"Wanted to watch your acting to the end, hyung."
"You killed it today. That roar, scolding, sharp rebuke—spot on."
"Thanks. Studied the emotions hard."
"Trauma healed a bit?"
"Pardon?"
"Last life, this uncle killed you brutally. This time, you got sweet revenge. Nothing heals trauma like payback."
"Oh? But I heard failed revenge feels empty—better to forgive."
"Failed revenge is empty. Success isn't. Victims fear revenge, so perpetrators spread that lie."
"Makes sense. Actually, felt weirdly satisfied when you drank the poison."
"That's all? Anything else?"
"And..."
Yoon Jin-won awkwardly glanced skyward, pondering.
"Practicing that throat-grab scene before—no thrill like that since. Thought you hypnotized me for real."
Yoon Jin-won had keenly felt the lens power's presence or absence.
Jeong Seo-hoon quietly pondered why the lens stayed dormant.
MV, not drama? Or fake ending unrelated to original?'
Sudden commotion at the set's edge drew eyes.
"Oh, Baek Hyeo-seon."
"Baek Hyeo-seon. Here to check the MV shoot."
The 28-year-old chart-topping singer appeared in person.
Approaching Jeong Seo-hoon, he stared before offering a handshake.
"Nice to meet you. Baek Hyeo-seon."
"Jeong Seo-hoon. Honored."
"Loved the drama. Thanks to you, nailing emotions for this album's title OST was easier. Got immersed watching—feelings flowed naturally."
"So my acting hit home when hearing your song."
"You felt that? Worth it."
Jeong Seo-hoon coolly assessed Baek Hyeo-seon.
182cm tall, slim build, striking features.
Top-tier vocals, emotive tone, visuals too—prime singer material, he noted silently.
"Could you guest at my comeback concert? Wanna give fans something special."
"I only know military songs."
"Doesn't matter. Sing one with me—it'll turn ballad."