Too Bitter to Leave Just Like That (4)
Terrified by the fear of being devoured, Hwang Sun-hye lunges at Lee Jin-wook's mouth in a final act of desperation, biting down like a cornered animal.
Blood drips from Lee Jin-wook's lips after the counterattack, but he licks them calmly, as if savoring something delicious.
In that instant, ratings hit an all-time high, and screams of shock echoed across the nation.
Reactions to the kiss scene were wildly divided.
Some fans were dying of joy, while others wailed that it wasn't a real kiss and they'd been tricked.
Among drama fandoms, hardly anyone outright hated the inclusion of a kiss scene itself.
They were just grateful it had happened at all.
Entertainment news was abuzz, obsessing over Illegal episode 9's kiss scene.
Not the usual drama fans, but pure Yoo Jeong-ah devotees.
Jeong Seo-hoon had become public enemy number one among her male fans.
***
Jeong Su-ryeon held a handheld cam, filming Jeong Seo-hoon's daily life.
Stockpiling fan service content to feed the masses nonstop.
"You're a total traitor now."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Yoo Jeong-ah's guy fans are furious at you. You're basically a national traitor there."
"If they freak out every time their fave actors do kiss scenes, how do they even watch dramas or movies?"
"It's not every time. Only when the partner's on their level. Cha Do-jin? No complaints."
"Was it even a kiss? More like lips bumping then biting."
"Still counts as a kiss if lips touched. Anyway, female fans loved it. Only guys are hating."
"How long you gonna eat?"
"Till you're bigger than Yoo Jeong-ah? Won't take years. Hang in there. Don't go looking for hate comments."
"I don't."
"Your thick skin is a real mental shield."
That's when Mom came up from downstairs with a fruit plate, calling sweetly.
"Jin-wook-ah. You rolled down that hill so hard yesterday—eat some fruit."
"The hill was during filming, not yesterday. Mom's totally immersed in Illegal. Gonna forget your son's real name?"
"Right. Jeong Su-ryeon. Mom's got something to say."
Setting down the plate, Mom fixed her with a stern glare.
"How long you gonna let Seo-hoon run around alone?"
"What?"
"A manager! He needs a manager! Our Seo-hoon's a star actor now— what if something happens without one?"
Jeong Su-ryeon reached for a fork, pretending not to hear, but Mom smacked her hand.
"He could get mobbed by girls any minute—room for snacks right now?"
"Discrimination. I'm hurt."
"Discrimination? Wanna tally who's gotten more money so far?"
Jeong Su-ryeon pretended to shrink back.
No comeback when education costs came up.
Jeong Seo-hoon went through high school and college on full scholarships, even pocket money from grants.
She, meanwhile, burned cash on college, acting classes, auditions galore.
"I'm scouting agencies for a manager. Getting offers, but terms suck. No issues traveling now, so better deals post-drama."
Mom softened.
"At least you're looking out for him. But quit the station."
"Why?"
"Be his manager. You know the industry from station years."
"Me clean up after my own brother? Mom, I dream of PD, not agency boss."
"Same difference."
"Totally different! Managers are nothing like what I do. I'll be the one getting bows from them someday."
Mom seemed half-convinced but still wistful.
"Still, our innocent Seo-hoon could get scammed. Family should help early on."
"If anyone's getting scammed, it's me—not him. And Mom, a manager sister vs. drama department head sister—which helps him more later?"
Mom wavered at "department head."
"Anyone can be department head?"
"In 20 years, Madam Lee Jeong-sook will rule broadcasting with a finger—thanks to her department head daughter. Ten more, station president."
"...Find a solid agency quick."
Mom dropped the manager push.
As Jeong Seo-hoon headed out by car, he asked.
"You really gonna be department head?"
"Assistant director, sub-director, director, CP, department head, station president. What's impossible?"
"Everyone can't reach the top."
"Don't worry. I'm great at climbing trees."
***
Oh So-hee raced home post-work to catch the rerun.
Stripping off clothes and wiping makeup when the doorbell rang.
"Chicken?"
"Ordered on the way. Be here soon. You get it—need a shower."
"OK."
Kim Da-hye nodded, stashing canned beer in the freezer. Chimaek best semi-frozen.
"Ugh, why no NetPrime yet? Could binge reruns easy."
"Money. Reruns, third runs rack up more profit—why rush to NetPrime?"
Global OTT like NetPrime funded more productions lately for costs.
But Song Jeong-woo with four straight hits, Kim Sang-hee never below smash.
No need for their combo.
Domestic box, DVDs, merch, exports—pure profit.
"NetPrime cheaped out so bad, PD won't budge. Small timers."
"Offer too low."
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
"Chicken!"
Kim Da-hye flung open the door, freezing at the hulking awkward guy.
"Tae-woo oppa?"
"Rerun soon?"
"Here for Illegal?"
"Yeah. Can't watch home—parents."
Oh So-hee peeked over her shoulder.
"What? Mom and Dad are mega fans. Don't they know our maknae vibe? Mom's all 'Lee Jin-wook this, Lee Jin-wook that'."
"...Don't wanna rage in front of them."
"Fair. But empty-handed?"
"Pizza and beer."
"Nice."
Chicken arrived; trio plopped in living room for rerun, like yesterday.
Oh Tae-woo suddenly asked.
"How to get cast autographs? Hit the set?"
"Dumb idea. That's a nuisance. Filming's almost done anyway."
"Three eps left—wrap party's it."
"Yeah?"
Oh Tae-woo quieted, then asked again.
"That Lee Jin-wook actor—what's his deal?"
"Why? You a Jeong Seo-hoon stan too? Thought you hated male idols."
"Nah, just curious. Acts great. Googled—only name, height."
"Fast. You didn't police DB him?"
"That'd dig up his whole clan. Crime, dude. Just wanna snag a sig before leave ends."
Oh So-hee eyed him slyly.
"Jealous? Gotta size up the rookie who kissed your fave—like a jealous MIL?"
"No! For real—love his acting. Sig or bust. Back on duty, no time day or night."
"You leg-shake when lying."
"I do?"
"Yeah, like now."
Pointing at his vibrating leg, Oh Tae-woo ducked his head.
Kim Da-hye clutched her sides, silently cracking up.
***
A modern bar in Cheongdam.
Only patron: Kim Sang-hee.
Sipping whiskey solo at the bar.
Clicking heels neared, faint perfume wafting.
"Writer-nim, how many?"
"Just three. Sit."
Yoo Jeong-ah slid beside her.
Crop top baring navel and shoulders, short shorts riding high.
"Why no read yet."
"Huh?"
"My KakaoTalk."
"Oh, that..."
"Held off messaging to check when you'd read. Set this meet by phone."
She flashed the unread [Writer-nim, you into this?], grinning.
"Drink first. Barkeep, her usual."
"Matching you today. Wanna try your taste."
"Cruel."
"So erase the 1."
Not literal—cute nudge for an answer.
Drink arrived; Kim Sang-hee raised hers.
"To 22% ratings. Cheers."
"Cheers. Now spill."
Kim Sang-hee fidgeted sheepishly, then spoke.
"Seen Beauty and the Beast?"
"Duh. Every actor has."
"How many times?"
"Twice? Theater once, home once. Why?"
"Over twenty for me. Theater four, own the Blu-ray."
"Merch too?"
Kim Sang-hee shook her head.
"Nah, not into merch. Just love the work. Hate the ending."
"Hate ending but watch twenty times?"
"Curse lifts, Beast turns prince—too ugly."
Yoo Jeong-ah's jaw dropped.
"Ah..."
"Beast form way hotter. Human prince? Sigh..."
Kim Sang-hee rambled, tipsy.
"Why lift curse? Stay beast forever. That kinda fantasy."
Yoo Jeong-ah nodded big, enlightened.
"So that's your taste."
Too Bitter to Leave Just Like That (5)