He Only Plays Villains 039: Major Buzz? Major Blaze? (3)
“It’s a bit cramped, but bear with me. That’s just how workshops are.”
There was no way she could even jokingly call it cramped, but he was humbly downplaying it anyway.
It was probably the modest pride only someone successful could afford.
“Director? You’re here?”
“Yeah, Ji-tae. These are my guests. Just keep working and don’t mind us.”
“Got it.”
A man with hollow eyes and disheveled hair poked his head out from a small room and greeted them.
Through the open door, she could see several large monitors covered in editing screens for the film, and another guy in similar shape.
“Ah, these are the editing guys.”
“I thought you did the editing yourself?”
“I do. But I just handle the big picture. The captain doesn’t crank the winch himself, right? These guys are on CG. They’re finishing up the final edit.”
Hwang In-jun led the two into a makeshift screening room.
One wall, just over two meters wide, was entirely a pristine white screen, with a projector mounted on the ceiling.
“It’s not the final screening version yet, so forgive any rough spots.”
“Of course. It’s an honor just to see it. I won’t spoil anything anywhere.”
Jeong Su-ryeon was more excited than usual.
For his sister, who dreamed of rising from PD to drama department head, this was a novel and deeply meaningful experience.
“So, what kind of movie is it?”
Hwang In-jun grinned at that.
“Wouldn’t it be better to go in blind?”
“Got it. That sounds even better.”
“Oh, right. Can’t watch without beer and snacks.”
Hwang In-jun pulled beers and nuts from a mini fridge and cabinet in one corner of the screening room.
Jeong Su-ryeon said enviously, eyes wide.
“This is totally a producer’s dream space. I’m so jealous. When will I ever have an office like this?”
“You’re an assistant director, right? You’re young, so you’ll grow into it. No need to rush.”
Everyone grabbed a beer, and Hwang In-jun finally started the film.
Impressive background music faded in softly, and the opening sequence rolled.
Glamorous actor poses and posters flashed, captivating the eye, until a massive title draped across the screen.
Su-jang-go
—Steal an art gallery? Come on, what’s that gonna get us?
—It’s not just any art gallery. It’s the one run by the matriarch of the Ilseong Group.
The movie was pure action entertainment.
From start to finish, it kept a consistently hot, exhilarating vibe.
There were occasional serious moments, but only for pacing, and it stuck to light black humor.
The action scenes popped up just often enough, crisp and clean, stealing the eye without drag.
Jeong Su-ryeon gave up analyzing it midway and just sank into the pure viewer experience.
Pure fun maximization—that was the film’s identity.
—What, like it’s stuffed with slush funds?
—No slush funds, but it’s packed with art worth hundreds of billions, even trillions per piece.
—Trillions?
—So, feeling tempted now?
—Isn’t it dangerous?
—More secure than most banks, yet riskier. Pull this off? Forget Gangnam apartments. Private jet to overseas paradise, living like oil tycoons forever.
A crew assembles to rob the art vault of Korea’s top chaebol matriarch, stuffed with astronomically valuable pieces.
Ex-National Intelligence Service agent.
Current high-ranking customs official.
And the current deputy director of Ilseong Art Gallery.
They vow to breach the vault’s bank-level security and split the loot equally.
Less than a minute after the title vanished, the film seized the audience’s attention completely, revving like a sports car at full throttle all the way to the end.
High-speed chases, killer action, jaw-dropping art, cash stacks, gold bars.
Money flowing like water, hot young women chasing it.
The vault’s hidden opulence and scale, the conflicts around it, the nail-biting tension over who’d claim the cosmic fortune—right to the finale.
The whole runtime, it kept the audience’s souls on a whirlwind ride.
As the ending music swelled and credits rolled, Jeong Su-ryeon finally snapped out of it.
“Whoa… I totally lost track of time. Completely zoned in.”
“Aigoo, even empty praise is welcome.”
“No, seriously, not empty at all. I loved it. Wow, this is a solid film. Get the right rating, and ten million viewers is in the bag.”
Anyone could tell Jeong Su-ryeon’s praise was genuine.
Hwang In-jun felt it too, shrugging happily.
“Thanks. Bit of a shame, though. Never aimed for all-ages, thought 12+ would be fine, but it got 15+.”
“Whoa, that sucks.”
“The pre-edit was actually adults-only. Pretty steamy.”
“Ah, that explains the spots that felt a little off. I’d love to see the uncut version.”
“If it does well, I’ll release a director’s cut or DVD. Catch it then.”
“Definitely. I’ll buy the DVD too.”
The two were buzzing back and forth when they finally noticed Jeong Seo-hoon hadn’t said a word.
Hwang In-jun asked awkwardly.
“Ah, Seo-hoon-ssi, not your thing? Your face is kinda…”
“No. It was good.”
“He’s always like that. Barely changes expression. Surprises me every time he acts. Like, ‘Did he have that range?’”
“It’s fine, be honest. What didn’t work? I might film with Seo-hoon-ssi later, so feedback now is best. I’m not petty about criticism.”
Jeong Seo-hoon waved it off, shaking his head firmly.
“Really, no. I enjoyed it too. Just…”
“Just?”
“Some scenes felt eerily like experiences I’ve had. Was lost in thought about that for a bit.”
Hwang In-jun’s face lit up with curiosity.
“Really? Which scenes, what experiences? I’m dying to know.”
“Yeah, what scenes in a movie could you relate to? You only studied, right?”
“I did more than study, stuff you don’t know.”
“Sure, genius. Skipped studying, topped Korea University Electronics at 17. That’s him. Wait till his star rises—cocky on set for sure.”
Hwang In-jun wasn’t letting go.
“Seo-hoon-ssi, tell me which scene. Sounds impactful—helps my future concepts.”
“Well…”
Just as Jeong Seo-hoon opened his mouth, the screening room door burst open.
“Director? You’re in here… Oh! Sorry!”
A stunning beauty who could make eyes pop flung the door wide, then flushed red and bowed.
Her shirt draped low under gravity, revealing extraordinary curves tracing her shoulders.
Face and figure screaming, I’m an idol, you know?
“Sorry. Didn’t know you had guests. Sang-hee-unnie said you were here.”
“You called writer Kim? Asking where I was?”
“Yeah. You promised drinks today. Can’t leave me out.”
“Oh, right. Yeah. Been distracted.”
She seemed right at home in the workshop.
Come to think of it, she looked familiar.
Dye her hair from brown to flashy red, amp up the makeup to sharpen those upturned eyes…?
The movie’s heroine.
Jeong Seo-hoon finally recognized her as one of Su-jang-go’s three criminals.
Runtime eye-candy with killer glamour and the biggest ambitions.
The Ilseong Art Gallery deputy director.
Her plain clothes, makeup, and expression hid that fierce femme fatale vibe perfectly at first.
She knew her charms, choosing subtlety for everyday over flaunting.
“Who are these folks?”
She glanced cautiously.
Her flashy, aggressive physique contrasted her soft, innocent demeanor.
“Nice to meet you. Jeong Su-ryeon. Assistant in drama directing.”
Jeong Su-ryeon bowed first, and the actress bowed back in a fluster.
“Oh, no need! I’m Chae Ji-hyun. Actress.”
“I know you. In drama land, not knowing Chae Ji-hyun makes you a spy.”
“Right? Anyone in the biz who doesn’t know our Chae Ji-hyun is a spy. But looks like we’ve got a defector from the North here?”
Hwang In-jun teased, and Chae Ji-hyun eyed Jeong Seo-hoon curiously.
“Jeong Seo-hoon. Rookie actor.”
“You’re…?”
The top star recognizing her brother instantly puffed Jeong Su-ryeon up proudly.
“The scandal guy with Jeong-ah? Right?”
Jeong Su-ryeon’s Pinocchio nose deflated.
Not from the drama—why the scandal?
Oblivious, Chae Ji-hyun clapped with sparkling doe eyes.
“Right? Saw it in the news. I remember.”
“Yes, that’s me.”
Jeong Seo-hoon answered, rubbing his dizzying head with an invisible hand.
“No way I’d meet you like this. And Illegal? Loved it.”
Jeong Su-ryeon nearly snapped, You actually watched?
Her innocent vibe screamed, Knew you from scandal, faking the drama.
Ugh, my victim complex.
“Sorry. You look nothing like your drama image—I didn’t recognize. Even in scandal pics, I thought, ‘That’s really him?’ Still do. Wow, wild. How’d you act that?”
Jeong Seo-hoon eyed his sister.
She roasting me?
No clue.
“Um, what’s your deal with Yoo Jeong-ah-ssi?”
“Friends. Same age.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hwang In-jun chuckled, jumping in.
“Thought you were the spy. How don’t you know Chae Ji-hyun?”
“Haven’t been acting long, haven’t seen much film or drama yet. So…”
“Still. Hottest actress in Korea right now.”
Jeong Su-ryeon shot a similar side-eye.
Top-star level, Yoo Jeong-ah tier.
“Hottest? No way. Embarrassing, Director…”
Chae Ji-hyun flushed to her ears, head down.
Opposite her flashy looks.
Made the film’s attitude feel fake—this seemed real.
“So, Director, what were you all doing? Friends-only screening?”
“Yeah.”
“Ah, so you saw my acting? Mortified.”
Chae Ji-hyun stomped, hands over face. Jeong Su-ryeon muttered tiny.
“Fake or real? So confusing.”
Jeong Seo-hoon caught it sharp.
Late night, but new member livened things up.
Free schedules meant a modest office booze-up.
Chae Ji-hyun said shyly.
“Can we post an Insta pic together? Don’t want my agency worrying.”
“Sure. No biggie.”
Chae Ji-hyun snapped a group shot, edited, and posted.
Hwang In-jun led the chat.
PD-director types were talkers—could yap all day solo.
Chae Ji-hyun mostly nodded at him, tossing questions at Jeong Su-ryeon occasionally.
“That day was nuts. Heaven’s cruel—crane breaks then? One day’s delay costs a fortune… Hold up. Phone.”
Buzzed Hwang In-jun grabbed his call.
“Yeah, Hyeong-sik. Me? Office now. Oh, passing by, saw lights, called? Come up if free, join us. Vibe’s great.”
Jeong Seo-hoon’s hand froze.
His face sharpened, unnoticed.
“Who’s there? Ji-hyun-ssi, and you know Illegal? Rookie Jeong Seo-hoon from it, and producer Jeong Su-ryeon… Yeah, grabbing beer and snacks? Ten minutes? Cool. Call at the door.”
Hung up, Jeong Seo-hoon asked.
“Who?”
“Yoon Hyeong-sik, our supporting actor. That action guy Kim-chan, remember? Cameo spice. Worked under Chae Ji-hyun’s deputy director role.”
“Yes. I remember.”
“Saw lights passing by, called thinking I might be here. Told him to come up if free.”
Jeong Seo-hoon’s sunken eyes pierced the hall beyond the door.
His battlefield-honed senses pinged clear.
The voice from Hwang’s phone echoed live in the hall.
“He said outside the building?”
“Passing nearby. Hitting a convenience store.”
Yoon Hyeong-sik’s lie.
He’d been in the outer hall when calling.
Why lie?
Exactly ten minutes later, the bell rang. Hwang In-jun went to greet.
A late-30s guy, not handsome but warm and friendly smile, entered bag-heavy from the mart.
“Passing by, stopped in. Ah, Ji-hyun-ssi here too. First time for you two—nice to meet. Loved Illegal. Yoon Hyeong-sik.”
Major Buzz? Major Blaze? (4)