Fire Begets a Greater Blaze (1)
Watching his friendly entertainment reporter set up the camera, Song Jeong-woo recalled Jeong Su-ryeon's request.
'It's boiling over plenty right now. It's your turn to step in, PD-nim. Please.'
'Wouldn't it be better if Seo-hoon himself or Director Hwang handled it?'
'Then they'd get flak for not clearing it up right away and just letting the aggro build on purpose. It feels more natural coming from a third party. Besides, everyone in the fandom knows Seo-hoon doesn't check online reactions.'
'Su-ryeon-ah. You're definitely PD material...'
'I've got talent?'
'Talent, I don't know. But character? Overflowing.'
'That sounds like an insult. It is, right?'
'Your instincts are overflowing too. You're gonna be one hell of a PD.'
"PD-nim. We're ready."
"Ah, let me adjust the angle a bit. My left side looks better."
"......Go ahead."
The reporter muttered under his breath, 'Left or right, it's all squid face anyway, why bother.' Of course, only to himself.
"Alright, camera's rolling. Three, two, one."
"Ahem. Hello, everyone. I'm Song Jeong-woo, the PD directing the drama Illegal."
"Yes, hello. Today we're doing an interview on the behind-the-scenes of Illegal..."
The interview covered all sorts of fun production stories that even the making-of videos hadn't captured.
Of course, that was just cover. The real purpose was tucked away subtly.
"Speaking of which, there was that scandal between Jeong Seo-hoon and Yoo Jeong-ah that fizzled out awkwardly."
"Was there?"
"And now there's another scandal with a female staffer from Illegal. Some say it buried the Yoo Jeong-ah thing— what's your take?"
The pre-scripted question flew in, and Song Jeong-woo scratched his head with the most nonchalant expression he could muster.
"Oh, that kerfuffle? I heard about it and cracked up."
"Kerfuffle? There were even claims they were living together. Can you really brush that off as a kerfuffle?"
The reporter nailed the mix of shock and emotion, sticking faithfully to the script.
"Living together. Yeah, that's true. They've been at it for over twenty years."
"Pardon? Wait a sec. Don't tell me..."
"They're siblings. Real blood brother and sister. The woman's been my assistant director for almost two years now."
"No way. Why hasn't that come out before?"
Song Jeong-woo was pretty satisfied with his own acting as he stuck to the script.
"I only cast Jeong Seo-hoon because of her. I chased him down thanks to her connection. But I didn't want rumors that she'd shoved her brother into the role using her network, so I kept quiet."
"What a wild story. But why hasn't Jeong Seo-hoon cleared it up himself?"
"He probably doesn't even know. He doesn't touch the internet at all—no reactions, no SNS. The production company's hushing it to keep his head in the game during these crucial shoots."
"Come to think of it, he doesn't interact with fans at all. Some kind of mystique strategy?"
"Nah, he's just never been into it since he was a kid—always buried in books. Makes sense for someone who got into Korea University as top of his class at seventeen."
At the unscripted bombshell, the reporter's raw shock was genuine.
"Top of Korea University at seventeen?"
"Yep. Full-ride scholarship to the engineering department. Impressive, right? That physique, those acting chops, and a brain to match."
The camera guy got the vibe that Song Jeong-woo sounded like a dad bragging about his kid.
"Just one semester left till graduation, and he did his short-and-sweet eighteen months of service, so no military worries. Fans, support your Jeong Seo-hoon with peace of mind."
"Hold on. So how old is he exactly? His official profile only lists height and name—fans are in an uproar. Clear it up for us."
"Wasn't on purpose; it just happened that way. Jeong Seo-hoon is twenty-one. Fresh as can be, right? It'll be fun watching him build his career step by step."
The scripted interview wrapped, and the camera cut.
The reporter, flushed with excitement, peppered him with questions.
"He's really twenty-one?"
"Told ya. Acting-wise, he feels mid-to-late thirties, doesn't he?"
"That's underselling it. With that skill, I'd peg him at easily past thirty, but that baby face... No, how does that baby face turn into Lee Jin-wook-level visuals?"
"Take good care of it. Subtly, no obvious spin."
"Got it. But he and Yoo Jeong-ah—really nothing?"
"I said it in the interview. They were out drinking with writer Kim Sang-hee that night, heading home, got snapped outside. Not made up."
The female reporter lit up silently, and Song Jeong-woo chuckled.
"Reporter-nim, you're a Seo-hoon fan, huh."
"Duh! That's why I begged for this interview!"
"Perfect. We spilled the tea—take care of us."
The single Illegal behind-the-scenes interview ended the chaotic war. The info Song Jeong-woo dropped casually hit harder than a nuke.
Reporters scrambled to edit or pull articles, while Jeong Seo-hoon's baby fandom basked triumphantly in victory and spoils.
Latecomer whines crept out: 'Wait, but why no clarification till now? Suspicious af? Just me?'
But the occupation forces crushed them mercilessly underfoot.
The controversy got retroactively wiped clean back to the Yoo Jeong-ah scandal, leaving only skyrocketing hype for the movie.
The production company couldn't have asked for a better vibe, and reshoots were nearing the final station.
"Alright, final scene. Feels like it'll take multiple NGs. But let's keep it fun, everyone."
Ahead of the last reshoots scene, Hwang In-jun bellowed through the megaphone.
Giggles erupted here and there.
"Director-nim, NG fever again?"
"Jeong Seo-hoon did Illegal without a single NG—gonna break that here?"
"Of course. Rookie can't skip the director's initiation rite."
Even with the director openly announcing multiples, the mood stayed bright—because it was the kiss scene.
He often called extra NGs on kiss scenes with his handsome leads.
His excuse: to capture the best, most stunning take possible.
But announcing it outright before rolling? Yeah, that excuse didn't fly.
A bit embarrassing for a rookie to kiss on camera with dad watching, but Jeong Seo-hoon looked unfazed.
Veteran actress Chae Ji-hyun, meanwhile, flushed alone, stealing glances at him.
Cinematographer Jang Jin-woo teased Hwang In-jun.
"Director Hwang, how many takes today?"
"Single digits too stingy—start at ten."
"Then sneak in your two cents directing?"
"Gotta make 'em smooch plenty now for that chemistry later."
The Kim Chan-Kim Su-jin kiss wasn't in the original script.
Hwang In-jun had no plans to pair impression-heavy side character Yoon Hyeong-sik with Chae Ji-hyun.
Kisses go to pairs that make the visual pop.
"You convinced Chae Ji-hyun somehow. She hates kiss scenes usually. Guess with Jeong Seo-hoon opposite, she OK'd easy."
"Asked once for movie spectacle, and Ji-hyun said yes right away. She'd have sulked forever if I hadn't."
"That gung-ho? And Seo-hoon?"
"Jeong Seo-hoon bet everything on this flick. OK'd anything on the spot."
"Dude's nurturing his own sibling scandal with his life on the line. Since we're here, toss noona in a cameo?"
"Too late for cameo—no fitting spot. Saving for his lead in my next."
"Next lead's locked already."
"Yep. Jeong Seo-hoon's my next protag. Won't take cash from investors who pass."
The two actors, prepped, stood before the camera for rehearsal.
"Rehearsal, but we're going full deep kiss—no pecks."
More staff snickers.
The near-derailed movie's reshoot set buzzed with cheer.
Hwang In-jun ran rehearsal, then jumped straight to take one.
"Cut! NG!"
"NG!"
"Cut!"
"Cut!"
NG calls flew endlessly, but zero tension.
Hwang In-jun swapped positions on three cameras, varying angles and frames for diverse kisses.
Nearly twenty-plus NGs later, a reluctant "OK" finally dropped.
"Cut. Good."
They parted, and the Kim Su-jin mask Chae Ji-hyun had worn vanished.
Back to herself, she blushed to her ears, mortified.
"Sorry. I messed up too much? Dragged what should've been one or two takes."
Jeong Seo-hoon knew exactly what to say by now—no coaching needed.
"No, I messed more. Even thought of throwing extras on purpose."
"On purpose?"
Her eyes deepened with embarrassment.
"Kissing Chae Ji-hyun sunbaenim? I'd do thirty, forty if I could. Held back hard to avoid NGs."
Plenty of praise for the actress there.
Key: don't imply the repeated kisses bored you.
Top tiers meant narrower circles, same faces forever.
"Then mess up more next time."
"Should I have?"
"Truth? Tough acting against your Kim Chan. How not to love a guy like that? Kim Su-jin's the real fool. Kept popping up."
"Honor. Thanks."
"Not empty—real talk. Hard nailing emotions. Anyone else, I'd have bombed."
Chae Ji-hyun gazed up sparklingly.
"Syncing with you? Everything else vanishes. Like staff and camera gone, plunged into the scene."
Jeong Seo-hoon knew it wasn't lip service.
But he wondered.
Rashid's lens on his world.
How different did actors feel it projecting through him versus his own sensation?
How much? Unknowable till he became them.
"Alright, you two, snap out of the kiss afterglow."
Hwang In-jun clapped over.
His beaming face made Jeong Seo-hoon revise his take.
Filming or not, jealousy'd be normal. Zero personal grudges on set?
He'd pegged Hwang In-jun as beyond-flirty with Chae Ji-hyun.
Woman you like kissing another guy repeatedly—even for your film—stings.
Yet constant smiles.
Impressive, in a way.
"Reshoots done. How you feeling?"
"Bit bittersweet. Bigger role from start would've been nicer."
"Same."
"Me too. Next time, lead opposite you, Seo-hoon."
Chae Ji-hyun whipped to Hwang In-jun.
"Director-nim, next one's Jeong Seo-hoon lead, right?"
"Ji-hyun's intel network never fails."
"Cast me lead too?"
"Hmm. Gotta think. Too many holdovers from last, audiences mix up sequel and next."
"Ugh, meanie."
Hwang In-jun giggled; Chae Ji-hyun pouted, swatting his shoulder.
Their easy banter screamed close off-set.
"All done—wrap gear, quff party time. Lead investor booked killer spot."
"CEO Park Si-hong?"
"Yep. Smartly pays, skips party. Eat and drink free."
"Classy. Others crash awkward dinners shoving in."
"First vibe scary-cold, but business? Spotless pro. Anyway, let's roll. Staff cleanup."
Back at his spot, Kang Byung-cheol greeted warmly.
"Good work. Bittersweet end. My temp manager gig over too. Paid nice."
"No interest sticking around?"
Jeong Su-ryeon and mom subtly hoped he'd stay.
Sprinter van needed heavy license; old pal of Su-ryeon, trustworthy.
"PD's my dream over manager. Helped pre-slot."
"Shame."
"Or I hook you up?"
"Mid-thirties or under if possible. Long haul."
"Got it. Scout. 'Rookie comet Jeong Seo-hoon road manager'? Lines out the door."
Watching staff pack, Park Si-hong approached.
"Good work."
"Ah, CEO-nim. Here?"
"Booked prime dinner spot. I skip—relax."
"Join us."
"Empty words show. Old guys crashing? Backlash. But question."
Park Si-hong cleared his throat, voice low.
"New van?"
"Oh, that? Dad got it. Lucky rejected lease."
"......Makes sense. Fate, or whatever."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Cash buy?"
"Yes."
"Near 3 bil—dad's loaded. Line of work? No pressure, just field."
"Ah, engineer. Tech guy."
"Engineer...... Even murkier. Got it. Party hard. Great shoot. Box office prayers."
Park Si-hong patted Jeong Seo-hoon's shoulder lightly and left.
Kang Byung-cheol eyed his back, impressed.
"That's the top investor? Over 40%? Dude's got it. Business aura pouring off."
"Joining party, hyung?"
"Yeah. No booze, but meat? Gotta. Hanwoo?"
"Dad's MIA. One sec."
Jeong Seo-hoon dialed dad.
"Dad? Where?"
-Heading home. You guys partying? Eat big.
"Come too."
-Not crashing awkward. You eat that heat. Good work. Oh, that Park CEO coming?
"Says he'll pay, skip to avoid awkward."
-Good instincts. Rich old guys usually clueless.
Jeong Seo-hoon pocketed the phone with a smirk—till a new alert jolted him.