Black Ops (2)
Jeong Su-ryeon's older brother had landed the role of Kim Seok-hwang, a supporting character in the drama.
He played the older brother of Professor Kim Jeong-ae, portrayed by Yoo Jeong-ah in the show.
On the surface, he was an ordinary university staff member, but his true identity was a black ops agent from the National Intelligence Service, tasked with preventing the leakage of advanced industrial technology.
After hearing the detailed breakdown of the role, Oh Tae-woo asked,
"Isn't this too important a part for a total acting newbie like me? I figured it'd be something small, like the security chief I played in The Hunter."
"It's a solid supporting role. You won't appear as much as some of the others, but every time you do, you'll grab the viewers' attention."
"Me, for something that crucial?"
"Actor Oh Tae-woo, you can absolutely pull this off."
Song Jeong-woo, who had called him "Detective" during their first phone conversation, now deliberately emphasized "Actor" with a firm tone.
"As I mentioned before, I originally wanted this role for you. I rewatched your chemistry with Jeong Seo-hoon at the fan meeting and your performance in The Hunter over and over, analyzing every frame."
Song Jeong-woo paused for a deliberate beat.
He was loading his next words with genuine weight.
"Actor Oh Tae-woo, you've got real talent."
"……."
"I regretted not being able to cast you because you're not a full-time actor—it came up in planning meetings over and over. But heaven provided this opportunity. I don't want to let it slip away."
"Look, I said yes because you offered me a chance to play Yoo Jeong-ah's brother—like an extended fan meeting. But I'm worried my skills might drag everyone down."
"Not at all. If that happens, it's entirely my fault as the PD."
"So if I give it my all and it's still a bit off, that's on you, PD?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes. Of course."
"Hearing it laid out like that, it sounds like a pretty substantial supporting role, and I was worrying all by myself while you assured me it's fine?"
"Y-Yes, that's right."
"Alright then. Let's make this great. Let's create a killer drama."
"Ah, yes!"
Jeong Su-ryeon, who had been listening quietly from the side, couldn't quite process the scene.
The vibe made Oh Tae-woo seem like the PD, and Song Jeong-woo like the desperate supporting actor.
That's the aura of a part-timer who's killing it in their main gig...
Only someone ready to drop acting as a hobby and return to their real job anytime can have that kind of leisure.
But how much do detectives even make these days? If he builds some recognition with supporting roles and stamps his clock on home dramas steadily, wouldn't it beat cop pay?
Jeong Su-ryeon drifted into random thoughts for a moment.
"Actor Oh Tae-woo, but if you sign the contract, what about your day job...?"
"Ah, like I said, no issues—don't worry. I've got that much trust at work."
"I was concerned since you're in violent crimes, but it sounds more reasonable than I thought."
"Of course. Don't picture us like those old cop dramas. We rotate undercover shifts, and overtime beyond 52 hours a week gets compensated. Modern detectives are family men through and through."
"Glad to hear it. I'll have to reference that for any future cop shows."
"Please do. Dramas keep portraying detectives who go home once or twice a month, scaring off the young ones from joining. It's a headache for us too."
"Hahaha, sorry about that."
"What do you have to apologize for, PD?"
"Still, as a rep of the drama world, I feel bad."
After signing the contract, Song Jeong-woo and Oh Tae-woo chatted extensively.
Less about the drama, more about detective work and Oh Tae-woo's Yoo Jeong-ah fandom escapades.
Oh Tae-woo showed no anxiety whatsoever about how to act going forward.
That struck Jeong Su-ryeon as oddly impressive.
Look at that confidence. Mentality like a veteran legend.
"Then I'll start punching the clock at set starting tomorrow."
"Oh, no need. Just come on your shooting days."
"Nah, then what's the point of sidelining my main job? This is all to see our Yoo Jeong-ah more often."
"Ah, right. Yeah."
"She's the lead, so she's shooting almost every day, right?"
"Not quite every day, but her schedule's packed. Want me to give you her specific shooting dates?"
"Oh, that'd be perfect."
Jeong Su-ryeon thought to herself again.
Are detectives really that flexible? Maybe dramas and movies have been considerate of their work-life image all along...
Korea University provided generous support for the drama shoot.
The crew captured stunning shots using real labs as backdrops.
"That little gadget there costs hundreds of billions—everyone, be extra careful not to touch anything."
At Song Jeong-woo's warning, the staff faces tensed up.
With equipment worth 10 or even 12 digits clustered together, even breathing felt risky.
As they meticulously set up cameras, mics, and lights—wary of even a scratch on the priceless gear—Lee Se-jong arrived on set.
Trailing a gaggle of grad students pushing carts loaded with takeout coffee cups.
"Everyone's working hard. Grab a cool one before the ice melts."
"Aigoo, thank you, Professor."
"Thanks a bunch."
Song Jeong-woo and Kim Sang-hee darted out first, bowing swiftly as they took their cups.
Staff unfamiliar with Lee Se-jong whispered among themselves—"Who's that?"—then freaked out upon learning, "Our drama's producer! The producer!" Their expressions flipped instantly.
Oh, the guy who dumped 30 billion into Haegeuk and used the profits to fund this one?
Looks every bit the researcher, but his investment instincts are on another level...
That's Commander Se-jong himself...
The staff seeing Lee Se-jong for the first time buzzed with mixed awe.
"As a major shareholder, I figured I should check out how the drama's being shot. I'll just watch for a bit, so don't mind me—shoot comfortably."
"Watch as long as you like, not just a bit. You're not just any shareholder—you're the sole one."
Not even a division commander, but the top brass—his mere presence boosted the lowly trench builders, though Song Jeong-woo laid on the flattery anyway.
Seizing the moment, Song Jeong-woo showed a rough edit of the best shots so far on a monitor.
"Not bad."
"Worth every penny invested."
"Keep it up."
"I don't know dramas well, but this feels like it'll be fun."
Lee Se-jong chuckled kindly, then suddenly clamped his mouth shut.
It was Jeong Seo-hoon's first campus arrival scene.
Song Jeong-woo, who'd thought it made a cool impression, grew uneasy.
"This Professor Hwang role Jeong's playing—is he supposed to be poor by setting?"
"No. He's suspiciously loaded, repeatedly revealed in ways that hook viewers' expectations, curiosity, and skepticism."
"But the entrance impact feels too weak."
"Ah, Professor. Here's why."
Song Jeong-woo grinned knowingly and explained.
"We don't do the cliché anymore—stepping out of a luxury car with passersby gawking. It's stale and childish these days. People barely glance at a Lamborghini whizzing by, like it's an Avante."
That's why Song Jeong-woo skipped any fuss over Hwang Geon-wook's sports car. No cringeworthy foot-in-mouth moments.
"Not that. Why's a wealthy engineering prof driving a Benz convertible soft-top? It doesn't ring true."
"Professor?"
"He's sticking with that in the drama from now on?"
"Uh, probably."
Song Jeong-woo's mind spun dizzily.
He'd braced for complaints about lacking drama-fanfare, but the context veered wildly off-course.
Lee Se-jong sighed softly.
In that instant, Kim Sang-hee and everyone—actors, staff—pricked up at the sound.
Lee Se-jong's smile vanished as he gazed steadily; Song Jeong-woo felt Grand Canyon-scale pressure crash down from his affable facade.
Is sweat beading down my back right now?
"PD."
"Yes! Professor!"
Like a stormtrooper snapped to attention mid-parade inspection, Song Jeong-woo barked back ramrod straight.
"Do you know what I told PD Jang Seung-won when I invested in this drama?"
Kim Sang-hee jumped in quick.
"Money's no object—just make a drama bursting with dreams, youth, and romance in the engineering grad school, one that fills young sprouts with passion."
"There's a saying in grad school: If someone asks a student's future, tell them to look up at their advisor."
"……."
"They grind through undergrad four years after tough exams, then slog the harsh master's-PhD path to finally become profs. But a top engineering prof scouted abroad drives a mere Benz convertible? Soft-top, no less?"
"……."
"Kids these days are worldly? I love that. Basic science, applied science—only if they lead to prosperity will talent flock to engineering."
Lee Se-jong ranted long about the nation's lacking long-term investment in basic science—from government to corps to unis—and how dental schools poach talent.
"Why else would I dive into drama funding? Fixing it root-and-branch means touching too much."
Song Jeong-woo nodded meekly, but couldn't connect this to Hwang Geon-wook's debut.
He got it, though: the sponsored car fell short of expectations, disappointing the prof.
"Professor, but among sponsored rides, that's the priciest, flashiest model. Renting something else would burn through budget too fast..."
"Can't be helped. I'll lend you my car—have Jeong use it as his daily in the show."
"Pardon?"
Song Jeong-woo gaped; Kim Sang-hee pounced.
"You mean your Rolls-Royce Phantom, Professor? Lending it to the crew?"
"Yes."
"We're thrilled, of course. To see engineering grad school's future, turn on the TV and behold Professor Hwang Geon-wook's ride!"
Kim Sang-hee clapped gleefully; Song Jeong-woo stayed dumbfounded; Lee Se-jong pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Gi-tae. Yeah, grab the keyholder from my desk and bring it here. Just one—no, not both. Hermes? No, the Rolo one."
Song Jeong-woo mused.
Two keyholders? Must have two cars, easy to spare one.
Moments later, beleaguered PhD candidate Hwang Gi-tae arrived with what looked like a plain keychain. Song Jeong-woo reeled at the cluster of luxury keys dangling inside.
Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini?
His hands trembled.
These keys alone topped 4 billion easy.
Rotating five supercars for daily cuts would lavish the drama with insane detail.
He recalled past budget crunches forcing "chaebol heir obsessed with Korean cars" parking lot scenes.
"Use freely—return after wrap."
"...Professor, what'll you drive in the meantime?"
"I'll manage with the Ghost."
Lee Se-jong, irritation gone, spoke paternally.
"Our grad school's enrollment spiked this year. Top talent pouring in."
"Professor..."
"Next year, let's crush dental schools with this drama. No more losing talent to them."
Kim Sang-hee murmured softly.
"Supercars. Hot profs, handsome sharp juniors and seniors. Engineering labs brimming with glamorous romance..."