When Pure Love is Trampled (1)
[Veteran film actor Y has been embroiled in an affair scandal. Known for his distinctive features and long career, Y has earned a stellar reputation as a sweet husband and father... (excerpt)....
Meanwhile, Hwang In-jun's new film starring Y has now hit rough waters... (excerpt)....
The extent to which this affair scandal will derail the film's box office success remains to be seen.]
"What do you mean 'remains to be seen'? They're straight-up dragging my name through the mud! They've exposed my name, the movie title—everything!"
Hwang In-jun fumed, suddenly sober from the shock.
Chae Ji-hyun's face had drained of color as she frantically searched for more articles, while Jeong Su-ryeon couldn't tear her eyes from her screen.
"That bastard Tae Jin-jong! So this is how he comes at us, huh?"
Hwang In-jun vented his rage into the air, and Jeong Seo-hoon asked in a low voice,
"Who's Tae Jin-jong?"
"He's got history with the director—nemesis, more like, arch-enemy. Word on the street is he's behind most of the director's bad press."
Unable to contain his fury, Hwang In-jun cracked open a beer can and downed it in one go.
"They think they can just toss dirt on my work because we've let it slide? Their last three films bombed in a row! No wonder they call Tae Jin-jong a Chungmuro thug—that fucking prick!"
"What about Actor Yoon Hyeong-sik? How's he holding up with this ridiculous false accusation?"
At Chae Ji-hyun's genuine concern, Jeong Su-ryeon dismissed even the slim possibility she'd entertained.
Chae Ji-hyun and Yoon Hyeong-sik had nothing going on.
'Which makes sense, but still...'
Yoon Hyeong-sik's expression, when she glanced over, was pure bewilderment.
No embarrassment from getting caught hiding something—just utter bafflement at the absurdity.
'Is it really a false accusation?'
If his sister hadn't mentioned it earlier, he wouldn't have doubted for a second.
Baseless smears were par for the course in this industry.
But her words kept nagging at him.
"Hyeong-sik, I'm sorry. Tae Jin-jong's run out of dirt on me, so now he's dragging you in to screw me over."
"No, I'm fine."
"Ugh, that thug Tae Jin-jong... Ah! Seo-hoon, Su-ryeon—sorry. I got too worked up and my mouth ran away with me."
"It's fine. I get it."
"If it were me, I'd be cursing even worse. What kind of baseless slander is this? We're all in the same film industry—how could he?"
They'd planted advance articles everywhere, so it was clearly premeditated.
And expensive. No media outlet would run a piece burning bridges with Hwang In-jun for free.
"But what happens to the movie now?"
Even in this mess, Yoon Hyeong-sik worried about the film, and Hwang In-jun felt both guilty and grateful.
"Don't worry. You're not even the lead—how bad could the fallout be? Tae Jin-jong's just jabbing to get under my skin. If I bite, I lose."
"But Director, you just got super pissed. Like, really."
"Chae Ji-hyun, even I lose it sometimes. I'm good now, though. Tae Jin-jong grinds my gears, sure."
"I just don't get why he does this. How many years has it been?"
"That prick's like that for life."
With Chae Ji-hyun subtly taking his side, it was clear Tae Jin-jong had a notorious rep.
'Wow, neither of them doubts Yoon Hyeong-sik at all. They see it as straight slander.'
Which was the rational take, of course.
But Jeong Su-ryeon couldn't shake her uneasy hunch.
"Alright! I'd love to keep drinking and end on a high note, but I've got damage control to do. Sorry, wrapping up here."
"No problem. Sorry we couldn't help."
"If you want to help, star in my next one. That's how you help me, Seo-hoon."
Hwang In-jun didn't miss a sales pitch even now, and Jeong Seo-hoon brushed it off with a smile.
The sun was nearing its zenith.
The Jeong siblings took a taxi home.
Jeong Su-ryeon held back with the driver around but fired off texts nonstop.
Jeong Seo-hoon hesitated, then typed,
[Just release it]
Jeong Su-ryeon typed casually, then whipped around to face her brother.
Instead of texting, she probed aloud.
"You got a role you liked in the movie or something?"
"Maybe."
"Knew it. Hey, it's not derailing over this. Let it go. Might even boost it."
"Boost it?"
"Buzz is buzz, good or bad. Studio saves on marketing. Clickbait—who knows where it goes."
"So no dropping the actor."
"Nope. Premiere's soon. Scrapping over baseless rumors? With his clean rep? Nah, ride it out."
Ride it out.
Jeong Seo-hoon recalled frontlines driven into corners.
Soldiers charging to their deaths when retreat was impossible, even knowing it was doomed.
"What if the affair's real?"
"If you ran the studio, delay release till truth's out? How long? Director thinks it's all fake anyway."
"Yeah, couldn't."
'Wasn't banking on much anyway.'
He felt the resignation settle in.
The taxi pulled up to the house.
The siblings crossed the garden and entered the first floor.
Their father sat on the sofa, three laptops open on the table, glued to the screens.
"Dad, daughter's home. Son too."
"Told you to come home early. Grown up and ignoring me now."
"We did—super early. Where's Mom?"
"Sleeping. Amazing how she binges dramas 12 hours straight."
"You design non-stop for 12. That's more impressive. Where's my Birkin?"
"Ask Mom."
"She won't give."
"Get your husband to later."
"Why struggle when I've got a rich dad?"
"Anyway, Seo-hoon. Sit."
The father looked up directly.
First time in four years, by Jeong Seo-hoon's count.
Hard to feel "fatherly," but 'first return' memories let him mimic a son's expression naturally.
"Surprised. Acting out of nowhere? Hobby?"
"Started as one."
"Not anymore?"
"Thinking of getting serious."
"Professor Lee'll be heartbroken. He counted days till your discharge. Haven't even said hi?"
"..."
"That's no good. He made your service easy."
"Sorry."
"Not to me. He said he'd wait for your call. Sooner the better."
"Got it. Will do."
"Won't meddle if you professor, researcher, or actor. One life—do what you want."
"Thanks."
The father softened the tone.
"Need anything?"
"Not yet."
"Still, son's first acting gig nailed—dad's gotta do something. I'll handle it."
Jeong Su-ryeon clung to his side, teasing.
"Dad's got taste—I know. What's the surprise? I'm excited! But my Birkin?"
"Mom or husband."
"You promised if I quit acting. Two years almost. When?"
The father cleared his throat awkwardly.
Glancing toward the master bedroom, he whispered to her,
"Go to your room."
"Yes! Yes!"
She pumped her fists in glee.
"Picked basic from catalog—don't be too disappointed. 14-month wait."
"Whoa, how'd you keep quiet for 14 months?"
"It was Mom's—snagged it for you. Top secret."
"Mom doesn't know?"
"Nah, gave her another. Real secret."
"Of course! Love you, Dad!"
She showered his forehead and cheeks with kisses, then bounded upstairs giddy.
Alone with his son, the father eyed Jeong Seo-hoon cautiously.
Jeong Seo-hoon sat silently, puzzled by the sudden shift.
"Uh, Seo-hoon. You jealous?"
"Pardon?"
"I'll get you something good too—don't hate sis over a handbag. Basic model, under 2 mil."
"..."
Jeong Seo-hoon recalled his father's pettiness, long forgotten.
Hwang In-jun dialed reporters nonstop.
Most who'd run the affair piece ignored him.
"These fucks. How much did Tae Jin-jong pay 'em? No wonder they're trash journos."
The film company's PR head asked,
"Director, just to confirm—Yoon Hyeong-sik's personal life is clean, right?"
"Totally. Know how spotless he is? Cleanest private life, most moral guy in the biz. Trust my eyes over him."
"Got it. We'll counter accordingly."
PR checked key points for a solid response.
Then Hwang In-jun's phone buzzed.
His face hardened like he'd seen a bug at the caller ID.
As it kept vibrating unanswered, the PR head looked up.
Seeing Hwang In-jun's grimace and the ID, her face soured too.
"Director, is that Tae Jin-jong?"
"...Yes."
"Might wanna take it. Hear what he says?"
"Fine. Powerless director follows PR."
On speaker, a affable voice poured out warmly.
-Hey, Hwang In-jun. Doing well? Like my gift?
"Representative."
-Hold up, speaker mode? Company folks listening? Nice, turn it off and step away.
"Not on speaker."
-For your sake. Nothing good leaks. Recording anyway—tell 'em later. Or never. Heh.
"...Understood."
Thrown off-balance, Hwang In-jun felt irked but oddly so.
Tae Jin-jong was way too relaxed, unlike past spiteful jabs.
Moving somewhere quiet, he said,
"Alone. Speak."
-Hwang In-jun. You really trust Yoon Hyeong-sik?
"What?"
-That horny mutt?
"Ah, yes. So you fed reporters to tank my film? Have some decency. If it flops, not just me—cast, agencies, production, investors—they won't sit idle. You're fucked. Got it?"
-Kekeke... Clueless. Listen up. Know who Yoon's banging? Haeran from Julius Center!
"What?"
The shock hit like a hammer to the skull; Hwang In-jun's pupils quaked.
Yoon Hyeong-sik soothed his worried wife with a hug, then checked Hwang In-jun's call.
"Honey, Director's calling."
"Okay, hon."
In the quiet study, he answered.
"Yes, Director. Got it."
-Did Haeran get to you?
Hwang In-jun's voice was deathly low; Yoon Hyeong-sik stammered,
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
-Did Haeran get to you? Julius Center's Haeran. The one I cast in that special role.
"No. I'm innocent. Just chatted on set occasionally, don't even have her number..."
-You little shit! Lying! I've got dozens of pics of you two dining alone! Know her sponsor before you touched her?
"Pardon?"
Yoon Hyeong-sik's pupils shattered like crumbling rock.
-You're fucked! Not just you—the whole film's fucked!
"Director, I don't underst—"
-Haeran's sponsor! Our film's biggest investor, you fuck!