What Exploded? (3)
Manager Kim Seok-jun for Yoo Jeong-ah was suffering from a full-blown headache amid the flood of incoming calls.
It had already been three hours of non-stop phone tag—fielding calls from everywhere and redirecting them left and right without a moment's rest.
"Yes, yes. Absolutely not. We just got close while filming the drama together. Lovers? Come on. Jeong-ah couldn't care less about dating."
"Aigoo, reporter-nim. I've always treated you with such care, and now you're biting on this fake bait and jumping in? I'm getting offended here."
"We're preparing a correction notice right now at the agency. Take down the article ASAP. You know Jeong-ah's at a crucial point, right? Our CEO's on the verge of losing what little hair he has left."
"Getting to know each other? No way, not at all. Ah, I have no idea how that photo got taken, but anyway, it's not like that."
"Bureau chief-nim. You know how Jeong-ah treats guys like they're rocks, right? How could someone like her fall for a third-rate tabloid rumor?"
Not just Kim Seok-jun—the entire PR department was reeling from the scandal fallout.
Yoo Jeong-ah, the epitome of fresh elegance and aloof grace, was undisputedly one of Korea's top stars, and she'd never had so much as a whiff of scandal before.
Countless celebrity actors had crushed on her and made their moves, only to get shot down every time, or so the rumors went.
And now, that Yoo Jeong-ah was tangled in a scandal with a rookie actor who'd just debuted and was skyrocketing in value.
"This is driving me insane. I knew it. That look in her eyes wasn't normal."
Kim Seok-jun slammed his phone down and roughly yanked off his tie.
A female staffer quickly asked,
"No way. So Jeong Seo-hoon really went after Jeong-ah unnie on purpose? That's unexpected."
"No, it's the opposite."
"Huh?"
"Jeong-ah's the one whose gaze at actor Jeong Seo-hoon wasn't normal."
"No way! For real? Seriously?"
"Don't breathe a word of this anywhere. I'm telling you so you can help cover it."
"Of course. But wow, that's so unexpected. Jeong-ah unnie's badass."
"The girl who, during the kiss scene, made him use only her favorite one out of twenty hygiene sprays she brought—bringing twenty, mind you—and played rock-paper-scissors to pick. I knew it then."
The staffer clapped a hand over her mouth.
"Omg. She brought twenty?"
"Yeah. And she even made actor Jeong Seo-hoon pick which one she'd use."
"Holy crap. Jeong-ah unnie's dead serious."
The staffer couldn't close her gaping mouth.
Kim Seok-jun glared irritably at the photo on his monitor.
It perfectly captured the moment Jeong Seo-hoon steadied Yoo Jeong-ah as her footing slipped.
She'd had a lot to drink, so he'd probably just caught her when she stumbled.
To an outsider, it looked like they were leaning into each other affectionately.
"eInsta? What kind of clowns run this place?"
"It's a third-rate tabloid rag. I think they only have like two employees."
"Two employees? Then where'd they get this photo?"
"Not from staking out. They probably bought it."
"Would you sell a scoop like this to a two-man third-rate outfit?"
"No way. I'd bring it straight to us. Could make thousands if we're lucky."
Kim Seok-jun ground his teeth.
"Who the hell did this? If I catch them, they're done."
***
The after-party mood had turned into a full-blown celebration.
The staff barely touched their food and drinks, too busy scrolling phones for scandal reactions.
"Damn, that's a perfect shot. Such a handsome couple."
"Not third-rate paparazzi skills. They must've waited patiently and nailed the moment. Hit the gap perfectly."
"They even photoshopped it nicely. Life shot right there. Don't we owe the pap a drink for this?"
Song Jeong-woo and Kim Sang-hee were especially hyped, buzzing with excitement.
Treating the scandal article like some grand omen of success.
Even the main character Yoo Jeong-ah seemed unfazed.
Eventually, Jeong Seo-hoon quietly asked her,
"You okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"There's a false article out. We're not even anything, and this is from that night the three of us drank at the Cheongdam bar with writer-nim."
"Then we're good. We're innocent. What's the problem?"
"I was worried it'd hurt your image."
Yoo Jeong-ah crossed her arms, thrust out her chest, and said haughtily,
"An actress of my level gets scandals like this once a cycle. It'd be weirder if none had popped up till now."
"...Is that so?"
"And actually, this is perfect."
"Perfect how?"
"Take a look at PD-nim and writer-nim."
Jeong Seo-hoon turned and saw the two practically dancing with glee.
"Just one episode left, and this buzz hits right on cue. How curious do you think people are now? Episode 12's gonna smash ratings. Maybe even 30%?"
Jeong Seo-hoon fully realized that everyone here—PDs, actors, rookies alike—was obsessed with ratings.
"You upset? About the scandal with me?"
"Not really."
"I'm secretly thrilled. I snagged your first scandal partner spot. Achievement unlocked. Rare title, even."
Jeong Seo-hoon wasn't upset either.
Just a bit thrown off by the unfamiliar experience.
But no one saw it as a problem—quite the opposite, a good luck charm for the drama's finale.
Hey, stop talking to Yoo Jeong-ah
Don't smile either
They'll snap another pic
Your fandom's still weak—if hers bites, you're in trouble
Hers is super intense, like girl group sasaeng levels
Move seats first. Get far from Yoo Jeong-ah
The only cautious pessimist here was his blood-related friend.
Song Jeong-woo said casually,
"Don't worry too much. Stuff like this happens all the time in this industry."
Kim Sang-hee chimed in,
"The problem's when something you wanna hide blows up. Something that doesn't exist? That's a boon. We're clean, no issue, and it sucks up all the buzz to boost our profile."
Song Jeong-woo followed up,
"Exactly. Seo-hoon-ssi must be destined for big things. Ending with this bang. When should we clear it up?"
"After episode 12. Ride the wave. Seo-hoon-ssi, no clarifications on the scandal till then, no matter what."
"Don't even talk to reporters. Go mysterious. Shooting's done anyway—stay home till 12 airs."
"If you lay low, Yoo Jeong-ah's agency'll handle it. No worries."
Their advice rang true.
Aside from the slight drunken slur.
Song Jeong-woo asked in a slightly serious tone,
"But Seo-hoon-ssi, you two really nothing? If there is, we gotta strategize different."
"Nothing. I was there that night too. They zoomed in on just those two, skipping me."
"Ah, writer Kim was there? Then we're good."
"Jeong-ah staggered and nearly fell—I grabbed her, and they caught it perfectly. Probably a pap on her tail."
"Her agency's ruthless on this stuff. No sweat."
Kim Sang-hee grinned drunkenly and patted Jeong Seo-hoon's shoulder.
"I guarantee nothing between you two. Don't worry."
"Got it. I won't."
"Sure, you'll catch some hate, but so what? Fame and hate go hand in hand."
Song Jeong-woo thumped his chest beside her.
"Look at us. Not even actors, just PDs and writers, but the hate we've eaten could get us in Guinness for longest-lasting."
"I'll drag you project to project, so no scandal backlash. Enjoy the moment."
"Writer Kim, why 'I'? Say 'we'."
"Fine, fine. PD-nim and I got you. Happy?"
He hadn't been worried anyway, but their reactions confirmed it was fine.
Fans or public might trash him, but anonymous online bile meant nothing to Jeong Seo-hoon.
Compared to shells raining, comrades dying, mowing down endless foes—internet trolls were dust.
As Kim Sang-hee drank more, she rambled the same lines at him over and over.
Full-on wasted now.
"Scandal? Pfft! I'm Kim Sang-hee! Who're you to stop me using my actor? Did you add even one line to my scripts?!"
Song Jeong-woo, flushed red, jumped in.
"Hell yeah! Kim Sang-hee's claimed this actor—what're you gonna do? Funding? Get it elsewhere! Production? Lines out the door!"
"Jeong Seo-hoon! No crime, no affairs from now on! Stick to that, and I'll slot you in my dramas till I retire! Trust noona! You trust me, right? You don't?!"
"Yes, yes. I trust you."
"Got a chaebol chairman role saved for when you're old! Just hold out 30 years!"
Everyone was hammered—no one sober enough to question if this was normal for her.
Then he spotted Jeong Su-ryeon staggering out.
Jeong Seo-hoon hurried after, glancing around before catching up to his sister.
"Why'd you drink so much? Mom'll chew you out again."
Jeong Su-ryeon turned with bleary eyes.
"Huh? Who's this? Top star Yoo Jeong-ah's affair buddy! Korea U's pride, Jeong Seo-hoon?"
"Not affair, scandal."
One minute texting him to avoid Yoo Jeong-ah for pics, next drowning in booze.
Made him wonder if the blood-sister worry was half-fake.
Jeong Su-ryeon giggled boozily, slapping his shoulder.
"Hey, hey. Thought about it."
"Yeah? What?"
"So what if a scandal drops? You're famous even with non-drama fans now! Sucked up all that recognition like candy! Total win, right? Win!"
"Yeah, yeah. Total win."
"Little bro! Might as well go full bad boy! Scandal with every leading lady! Secret flings! Dump 'em! Keep going till every guy in Korea brands you national scum! Hehehe!"
"You're wasted."
"Boom! Scandal exploded! Ratings exploded! Proper explosion. Exploded... exploded..."
Jeong Su-ryeon suddenly retched, and Jeong Seo-hoon hustled her to the bathroom like dragging cargo.
Lucky timing.
He crammed the unconscious Jeong Su-ryeon into the back seat like luggage.
Back at the party, he quietly grabbed her stuff and slipped out.
Scanned the surroundings—just in case—but no eyes in the dark.
Paps must've figured an official after-party had slim pickings.
Jeong Seo-hoon sat shotgun, waiting for the driver.
Soon, the designated driver knocked. He opened up.
Not everyone watched Illegal, but just in case, mask on. Driver didn't recognize him.
"Heading out."
"Yes."
Jeong Seo-hoon first texted PD and writer apologies for leaving early. Debated messaging Yoo Jeong-ah, then closed the app.
In the quiet night drive, he finally reflected on the day.
One day for Jeong Seo-hoon.
But adding Lieutenant Rashid's time—nearly a year.
Different timelines merged without much chaos.
Immunity from prior brutal disorientation, perhaps.
'Peaceful.'
Missing living comrades, worrying for them, grieving the dead—still there.
But no more chest pains at the thought.
Thanks to the final op: zero casualties, everyone off to resorts like triumphant generals.
Tracking scattered remnants with the squad, wiping them out gleefully—fun times.
Amid hellish war, sharing pure joy with his men for the first time.
'Whoa, lieutenant! Check this! All gold?!'
'Ah, just a little swipe...'
'No. Touch it, face court-martial.'
'Ugh, kidding. Kidding.'
Raided gold, snagged intel, nabbed brass.
Commander pinned his lieutenant bars himself; all promoted, strutted to the rear in high spirits.
Lazed there worry-free, bored to death in peace and revelry.
Even itched to return to the front eventually.
The lieutenant recalled the theater actors gliding the night stage in paradise.
The thirst their sync stirred.
Maybe that void pulled him back to reality.
Jeong Seo-hoon remembered the camera's landscape, built for him alone, up to the final cut.
Mystical lens appearing when it rolled, drawing in co-actors' immersion.
Still watching?
Cha Do-jin, Lee Min-soo, Yoo Jeong-ah... their fierce eyes in sync lingered.
Heart pounding, face heating.
'I want to act. Anything. Camera before me.'
Beside the lieutenant's thirst, Jeong Seo-hoon's new one quietly took root.
One More Kill (1)