Unexpected Deviation (4)
Oh Tae-woo casually brushed the dirt off his clothes.
He didn't look hurt at all—not even a scratch.
"How the hell do they manage these sidewalks anyway? One step and the damn thing swallows you whole. The building owner must not give a shit about maintenance. What's the point of it being all shiny if it's like this? Oh, wait—do these places have separate management companies?"
His nonchalant attitude toward the near-disaster radiated an indescribable charisma that left Choi Hong-rae speechless.
That's when Yoo Jeong-ah hurried over from a distance.
"Detective Oh, you okay? Not hurt, right?"
"This is nothing for a violent crimes detective in Korea. I'd need a knife to the gut before I'd file for sick leave and call it an injury."
The image of the burly bear collapsing flat replayed in Choi Hong-rae's mind.
"Seriously? You've been stabbed before?"
"I handle things before they get that far."
"As expected. Your fists must be scarier than any knife, huh?"
"Nah, why carry a gun otherwise? One shot to the leg and they crumple."
Yoo Jeong-ah let out a light chuckle and apologized.
"Sorry for the ad-lib when you fell. You didn't show any sign of pain, so..."
"That's what pros do. The director said the same thing—no need to apologize."
Oh Tae-woo grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
"Thanks to you, I got to hold Yoo Jeong-ah and play protector. Made my day. Should I thank the sidewalk? Director, can I buy this outfit? I'd love to keep it as a souvenir."
"Just take it. They'll bring a spare soon, so change and we'll move to the next shot. Hang on to that one carefully."
"This time I'm carrying Yoo Jeong-ah on my back and running?"
"...No. It was supposed to be a piggyback, but carrying her bridal-style actually gave us a better shot."
"You lifted me so effortlessly—I was shocked. Felt totally comfortable. Most guys pretend it's no big deal but struggle."
Despite the close call, the atmosphere turned warm and lively.
The other staff and actors marveled at Oh Tae-woo's skills, praising him anew.
"That guy's just an extra, but his presence is insane. He's gonna be a star."
"Yeah, he's got that distinctive look—could go far as a character actor."
The massive fan, who had cradled his favorite star and shielded her so reliably, was over the moon.
"So, when do I get to act with Yoo Jeong-ah again?"
"...Uh, that was your only scene together today."
"That's it? Just once?"
A world-ending sadness filled the bear's large, clear eyes. Choi Hong-rae felt oddly sorry for him.
"Yeah. She's just a special appearance, so we shot all her parts today. She won't be back on set."
The bear wailed silently.
The shooting schedule prioritized Yoo Jeong-ah, who had committed to a one-day cameo.
She filmed all her scenes across episodes 5 and 6 in one go.
Jeong Seo-hoon and Yoo Jeong-ah nailed the dangerous couple's vibe with sticky intensity, earning rave reviews from the crew and cast.
"They're like a picture-perfect couple."
"Nothing like in Illegal. There it was pure predator and prey. Here, it's totally different."
"Yeah, Yoo Jeong-ah really amps up Yoon Se-hyeon's dangerous allure—makes it feel real."
Choi Hong-rae cautiously suggested to the two actors.
"Any chance you could do a kiss scene? Ah! Totally up to you both, of course."
"I'm good with it. You, Seo-hoon?"
"Me too."
He'd thrown it out there since they'd kissed on screen before, but their easy agreement left him puzzled.
'No way?'
Secretly dating?
The thought flickered, but he shook it off vigorously.
"I want to emphasize that sticky tension. Viewers who thought Yoon Se-hyeon was just a patent attorney will get this twisted thrill from his hedonism—a real twist."
He explained it was to highlight the dual nature: cold elite and greedy chaebol bastard.
"It's foreshadowing before we reveal he's the greedy chaebol son later."
"Got it."
"We know the vibe you're going for."
And so the kiss scene proceeded.
Yoon Se-hyeon sits on the sofa sipping coffee, working on his laptop. Choi Ye-ju slides in beside him in a white robe.
She gently rests her head on his shoulder, her fingers trailing down his chest.
Then she smiles coyly, nudges the laptop aside. He glances at her with mild annoyance—before suddenly claiming her lips.
The deep, intense kiss steals their breath. Soon, she's perched sideways between his knees.
Her long leg stretches out, the robe slipping up her thigh. His hand roughly caresses the outer side.
Locked in as if no one else exists...
Choi Hong-rae shot every detail for nearly 20 minutes before yelling cut.
"Cut! Great work."
As their lips parted slightly, Choi Ye-ju let out a wistful sigh.
She was still immersed in the woman whose desires for money, luxury, and the man were hopelessly tangled.
"Good work."
The next instant, back as Yoo Jeong-ah, she greeted brightly and slipped from his arms.
"No Listerine pick for me today?"
"Didn't bring any. Didn't expect a kiss scene. But hey, settles the score from Illegal. Lip-biting scene's off the table now?"
"I liked that one."
"Whatever. This one's how I'll remember it."
Choi Hong-rae approached, clapping lightly.
"So many great shots—picking the best will be tough."
"Director, wasn't that take too long? I was suffocating."
"You two were so immersed, like real lovers—I debated when to cut, haha."
Jeong Seo-hoon glanced at Oh Tae-woo.
He looked utterly lost in the moment, still reeling from her sultry kiss performance.
Is this how older, devoted fans feel?
In that instant, the soldier's sharp instincts caught a murmur no one else heard.
"Hm, Jeong Seo-hoon as a brother-in-law candidate? Nah, no way. Too good for our Jeong-ah."
With Yoo Jeong-ah's scenes wrapped, they moved straight to the highlight action sequence.
Choi Hong-rae pulled aside Oh Tae-woo, who had no lines, and explained.
"This is the finale climax. The protagonists' gang assaults Yoon Se-hyeon, and Oh Sil-jang, the security chief, fights to the end with his men."
Oh Sil-jang battles valiantly but ultimately falls to overwhelming numbers.
"Key is staying stone-faced while bleeding and taking down enemies. You'll get stabbed at the end—show just a flicker of pain, then back to normal."
"Director, realistically, without heavy painkillers, you can't control your face after a stab. Historical accuracy..."
"...Drama skips accuracy if it kills the direction."
Here was a veteran director struggling to assert authority before a rookie extra.
"Anyway, end by blocking the office door with your back like a loyal dog. Close your eyes in anguish."
"Do I die?"
"Not exactly, but play it so viewers think you do."
"Got it."
"Let's rehearse with the stunt team."
The action director, stuntmen, and protagonist gang actors stepped up.
He directed each one's movements precisely.
Rehearsal done, principal photography began.
The five panicked bodyguards fight desperately against dozens but fall one by one.
Oh Sil-jang holds out longest but can't dodge the stabbing blade.
Spitting blood, he stumbles back, slumping against the conference room door to shield his boss.
His eyes close. Yi Hwang (Oh Jun-ho) gazes with contempt and admiration.
"The hound's loyalty is commendable, at least."
Yi Hwang's men drag the heavy body away, flinging open the sturdy doors.
"Impressive. Oh Sil-jang went down?"
In that moment, Oh Jun-ho felt his vision tunnel strangely.
The scene blurred.
Like tinnitus and vertigo manifesting visually.
Yi Hwang stepped forward entranced, spitting genuine contempt from his core.
"Patent attorney Yoon Se-hyeon? Why are you here?"
"Is it strange for ES One Corp's proxy to be here?"
Before him wasn't a fresh-faced 22-year-old, but a monstrous capitalist in his thirties—sharp mind, chaebol ruthlessness, endless greed.
'Oh Jun-ho' clearly felt—not acting—the real hatred surging in Yi Hwang toward his foe.
"I see. You're no mere proxy. You're the true master of ES One..."
"Yi Hwang, why do you hate our company so much?"
"Why?"
Yi Hwang sensed rage threatening to erupt.
His narrowed vision fixed on the bright, clear Yoon Se-hyeon—he wanted to lunge.
This inexplicable fury felt utterly real.
"Do you even know how many companies you've ruined, families shattered, kids orphaned? And you ask that? You're a demon without a shred of conscience!"
"Conscience."
A pensive expression stole a breath, delaying the rage by a beat.
"Is that necessary for business?"
The boiling point shattered.
"You... motherfucker!"
"Cut!"
As he lunged at Yoon Se-hyeon, the director stopped him. The fury vanished like a lie.
Oh Jun-ho halted abruptly, realizing his NG, and sheepishly apologized.
"Sorry. Seo-hoon—no, that bastard Yoon Se-hyeon got under my skin so bad, Yi Hwang lost it."
"No, no—the acting was perfect. I'd want to punch Yoon Se-hyeon too if I were Yi Hwang."
Choi Hong-rae reassured him.
"But smashing his head isn't in the script. Your immersion was so good I hated to cut, but if we kill him here, no season 2."
"Right. Seasons 2 and 3 it is. I'll nail it next time. Sorry, Seo-hoon."
"No problem."
Back in position, Oh Jun-ho caught his breath, replaying the sensation.
'Is this what Do-jin meant? Syncing with him turns your eyes without realizing...'