Major Buzz? Major Blaze? (2)
“Every corpse has a name and a story. And they all look different.”
The ‘lieutenant’ imagined the moment he painstakingly moved the battered bodies of the enemy soldiers.
He recalled from memory the name tags attached to each enemy soldier’s chest.
“Lorenz resisted to the very end without giving up. Schulton was too young, dragged in unjustly, and just cried until his throat was riddled with holes.”
“……”
“Jacob pretended to be brave, but in the end, he betrayed his friends and tried to run alone—only to have both ankles severed. He begged for his life until the last, and his chest was pierced wide open while his eyes were still staring.”
The enemy soldier who’d been flung back by two machine-gun rounds, collapsing and wailing for mercy.
The moment the bayonet plunged through his chest and twisted—the light fading from his pupils as they trembled was seared into his heart like the sun.
“Louis had his limbs hacked off while clutching a photo of his young son. Galen would rather die by his own hand than mine, so he stabbed himself in the throat.”
“……”
“I kept imagining that space of mine, filled with trophies like that. The whole time the camera was rolling. That’s probably why I could immerse myself so deeply in the role of the killer.”
Hwang In-jun, who’d been holding his breath the entire time, finally spoke.
“You mean you imagined every victim’s name and backstory in full detail—all from your own head?”
“Yes.”
Hwang In-jun’s mouth fell open, Song Jeong-woo grinned like see, I told you, and Kim Sang-hee gazed at him with rapt, almost enchanted eyes.
Jeong Su-ryeon shot her brother a sideways glance that said, is this guy okay?
The calm expression clashed so strangely with the brutal words.
Should he see a counselor or something? I’ve heard actors can go nuts if they get too deep into their roles…
She was already haunted by the pure madness her brother had unleashed in the finale, a heavy weight lingering in her chest.
His brilliant acting and the resulting cheers thrilled her, but they also stirred worry.
“Uh… that’s impressive. Building your own narrative layer by layer with pure imagination.”
“Director Hwang, what did I tell you? He’s a great actor, right? This look, this talent, this work ethic. And he’s smart too—memorizes the entire script on the spot after one read.”
“No way, really? That’s the part that shocks me most.”
“It’s true. Seo-hoon’s a genius. Probably went to a top university, right? I didn’t ask where, though.”
Jeong Su-ryeon jumped in with a smug grin, as if she’d been waiting for this.
“He got into Korea University’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering on full scholarship—top of the class.”
“What year?”
“He finished up to third year, one semester left. He’s graduating early.”
Hwang In-jun’s eyes widened in genuine awe.
“I’ve been floored so many times today. Wait, doesn’t that mean you have to enlist soon? Planning to delay it as long as possible with your acting gigs?”
“Nah, I already served. Could’ve gone to a cushy defense gig, but I did it as a regular grunt—short and intense.”
Jeong Su-ryeon kept answering for her brother.
It was all stuff that could come off as bragging, so better if someone else said it.
Hwang In-jun’s surprise deepened.
“No kidding. You look so young, I never imagined you were a vet. You must be older than you seem. Total baby face.”
“How old do you think Seo-hoon is right now?”
“Third year done, served already—twenty-six or seven?”
“He’s twenty-one.”
Kim Sang-hee and Hwang In-jun nearly choked in unison.
Only Song Jeong-woo, who’d known his age from the contract, stayed chill.
“Twenty-one? My god.”
“He doesn’t look older than his age. Spot on, right?”
Kim Sang-hee kept covering her gaping mouth in shock.
She’d pegged him at about five years older than he looked.
“Veteran at twenty-one, third-year student? When the hell did you even start college?”
“My brother got into a gifted science high school at fifteen, university at seventeen.”
“……”
“……”
The awkward silence stretched until Kim Sang-hee broke it.
“PD-nim, you knew all this?”
“Age came up in the contract, and I figured he started college early—but Korea University third year? Didn’t see that coming. Total elite. Prime specimen. Seo-hoon, specs like that are a huge plus for an actor.”
Kim Sang-hee muttered in dazed realization.
“That’s why he has no friends. Everyone’s abroad studying, he said.”
“He’s been buried in books since he was a kid. All his circle was study bugs too. No room for distractions.”
“Makes sense. Explains the narrow network despite that face. I get it now.”
Kim Sang-hee murmured to herself, furiously jotting notes on her phone.
Hwang In-jun stared blankly for a long moment, then beamed and raised his glass.
“I’ve made a precious connection today. Cheers. To the day Seo-hoon becomes a superstar.”
“Cheers.”
They clinked lightly, downed their drinks, and Hwang In-jun leaned in with a serious tone.
“Got any next projects lined up?”
“Director Hwang. He’s already locked in for my next one. No cutting in line.”
“Writer Kim, why ‘my next’? It’s our next.”
“Fine, fine. Kim Sang-hee script.”
“Hey! Why keep dodging? You’re not cheating on me with another PD, are you?”
“You might not snag the slot. But I’m doing this project no matter what. So until then, it’s my project.”
Song Jeong-woo thumped his chest confidently.
“Don’t worry. I’ll nail the scheduling in one shot. With you two teaming up and Seo-hoon starring, even the big three broadcasters will beg on their knees.”
“We’ll see.”
Hwang In-jun chuckled good-naturedly and let it slide.
“Not pushing right now, you know. Even if I wanted Seo-hoon, I couldn’t use him yet.”
“What’s the situation?”
Jeong Seo-hoon felt a flicker of urgency—pulling back now?
He was dying to get in front of the camera again. Why hold off?
The film set would offer a whole new landscape from dramas—what would it look like? The impatience clawed at him, barely suppressed.
“Oh, could be misunderstood.”
Hwang In-jun realized the ambiguity and quickly clarified.
“Not that. I’ve got a film wrapping post-production for release soon.”
“Ah.”
“Shooting’s done; final edits now. Once that’s finished, press screenings, then nationwide theaters.”
“Got it. I thought maybe I wasn’t ready yet.”
“Absolutely not. I begged PD Jeong-woo like crazy to make this meeting happen. Wanted to leave an impression. Loved your Lee Jin-wook performance. Hooked me.”
“With a break, next film shoot starts in at least three years. Still a ways off.”
Kim Sang-hee muttered, then turned to Jeong Seo-hoon.
“Seo-hoon, you’ll do two or three more dramas with me before Hwang’s film, right?”
“Writer Kim, how fast are you planning to race? No break?”
“No time. Characters sealed in my laptop are screaming to be let out—possessed by Jeong Seo-hoon.”
“Broadcast slots are jammed for the next year at least.”
“When have I ever backed down? I got pushed aside back in the day, pushed others too—that’s how I climbed here.”
The “at least three years” hit Jeong Seo-hoon hard inside.
Films weren’t quick or easy, but such a long wait?
Hwang In-jun smiled awkwardly.
“I’ve got a few next-project ideas brewing, but they need more time to ripen. Focusing on this one now. Still, top of my mind: a lead role for you.”
“Lead? Not supporting, right?”
“Bro, obviously lead. You think I’d waste this face in a side role?”
“Pay him well. Seo-hoon’s no rookie anymore.”
“Who sees Actor Jeong Seo-hoon as a rookie? Treating him A-list. Don’t worry.”
“If he’d stuck to his major, he’d be Nobel physicist material in ten years. Don’t make me look bad by slacking on him. Got it?”
“Got it, got it.”
Then Jeong Su-ryeon checked her phone and excused herself.
“Excuse me, call from home. Mind if I take it outside?”
“Go ahead.”
“You too. Dad video call. He’s home.”
The siblings stepped out.
Jeong Su-ryeon accepted the video and held the phone forward so both faces showed clearly.
Their parents’ faces filled the screen side by side.
-Where are you two? I’m home after ages, and you’re gone?
“Work meeting.”
-Why’s Seo-hoon at your meeting, Su-ryeon?
“Mom hasn’t told you about Jin-wook yet, huh.”
-Who the hell is Jin-wook? Mom won’t spill—driving me nuts.
-Oppa, you’ll see soon. How pitiful our Jin-wook was.
Jeong Su-ryeon shook her head wearily.
“Yeah, yeah, still newlyweds, got it. But ‘oppa’ in front of your grown kids? Awkward. Can I hang up?”
-Come home early.
“Not coming, so don’t worry. Dad’s too strict.”
-Early, I said.
“Seo-hoon’s heading back in the morning too. Right?”
“Morning it is, Dad.”
-Oppa! Hurry! Starting now!
The call ended.
Jeong Su-ryeon snickered, shoving her hands in her skinny jeans pockets.
“Dude, play your cards right tonight, and you might get a new sibling. Name him Jeong Jin-wook?”
“How big a deal is Director Hwang In-jun?”
Her brother changed the subject, and she answered half-heartedly, bored.
“Too young for ‘master’ status, but he’s a box-office guarantee. Four films total—no flops. First two cleared break-even nicely, third hit 7 million—break-even at 2 million.”
“No flops?”
“Fourth did 8.5 million. No mega-hit yet, but rising fast, young too—Chungmuro’s rising star.”
“Nice.”
“Hey, we just got photographed.”
“What?”
Jeong Su-ryeon whipped around, scanning. Jeong Seo-hoon stayed calm.
“Flashed.”
“Shit, for real. Who? Your paparazzi stalker?”
“Hiding over there.”
Jeong Seo-hoon pointed to a dark corner. Jeong Su-ryeon squinted, glared, then gaped.
“Too dark—I see nothing. How’d you spot it?”
“You wander around that oblivious, what if you get stabbed random?”
“You’re the weird one. We’re chatting away—how’d you even notice someone hiding snapping pics? Pap? Or just a citizen? Fan who recognized you?”
“Had a long lens. Normal fan wouldn’t lurk in a dim spot like that at this hour with gear like that.”
“Sibling scandal would be hilarious.”
Jeong Su-ryeon cracked up, amused.
Worst case, reveal they’re siblings—reporters would eat crow.
“Handing us a perfect casual coming-out. Let’s get more shots. Back in.”
They returned to the table, and the merry drinking resumed.
Song Jeong-woo and Hwang In-jun’s banter was next-level; just listening kept the vibe electric.
Dawn crept in. Kim Sang-hee dozed off, head nodding. Song Jeong-woo huddled in the corner, sweating under his wife’s “when you coming home?” barrage.
Hwang In-jun suggested slyly.
“Time to wrap soon? You two, how about round two—just us three?”
“We’re game. Kicked out of home anyway—can’t go back till morning at least.”
“My studio then. Round two there.”
Jeong Seo-hoon perked up, curious.
“Studio? You edit there?”
“Yeah. Got a lounge—no worries about drinks. If you’re cool, I could screen the film in progress. Screening room’s huge. No spoilers outside, though.”
Pre-release screening?
Jeong Seo-hoon felt saliva pooling invisibly in his mouth.
How did this director see roles, frame shots, direct emotion?
He was dying to see—mad with appetite.
Hiding it behind a bright smile, he nodded.
“Thanks. Now I have to see what kind of films you make.”
Major Buzz? Major Blaze? (3)