He Only Plays Villains 052: Many Gain, Few Gain? (1)
The film Su-jang-go received rave reviews at its internal preview screening.
As the credits rolled after the movie ended, the CEO of the production company clapped enthusiastically and praised it.
"It turned out fantastic."
"Thank you. We put our all into it."
"There were so many external setbacks, but Director Hwang really pulled through. If I'd known it'd turn out this well, I would've pushed harder with the Mo Group for more investment."
"Oh, come on, the funding you already provided was plenty. Without CV Enter, this film wouldn't have even been made."
Reporters and critics began actively sharing their impressions of the screening.
Non-stop thrilling action and direction you can't look away from.
The sporty vibe only Director Hwang In-jun could capture.
Scene-stealer? Nah, this is scene-heist.
From adultery scandals to all-out blazes of controversy, the movie had fans who'd been waiting eagerly piling in like hounds.
After building moderate hype through reporters and critics, they immediately held public preview screenings.
They recruited nationwide for screening events, and fans rushed to apply.
The distributor was surprised at how often Jeong Seo-hoon's name popped up in the anticipation comments.
"Jeong Seo-hoon's name makes up over 40% of the anticipation posts? Way more than Choi Seong-bin or Chae Ji-hyun."
"His fandom can't be that huge yet. He's only been debuting for a few months."
"Looking at the demographics, it's mostly housewives over 40. Guess he really captured the housewives with Lee Jin-wook."
Even stealth housewife fans who didn't join official fan cafes had applied in droves.
The distributor staff couldn't hide their excitement.
"Housewives are all over this. Could outperform expectations."
"Too bad it's not 12+; 15+ sucks."
"Even if we resubmit after reshoot, no dice. Nothing to lower the rating."
Housewives bring husbands and kids—pure box office gold.
"Wish we could hit as many stage greetings as possible in three days, but yeah, no."
"Even one regional greeting would be nice."
"Choi Seong-bin and Chae Ji-hyun said regionals are too packed."
The team racked their brains on maximizing this windfall.
They kicked off internal previews at Seoul's Times Square.
Winners arrived hours early, and young fans had camped with mats at the entrance since the night before.
To catch a close glimpse of the actors for the stage greeting.
Actors would greet fans for 20 minutes in the first-floor lobby 30 minutes before the end credits, then head up for the stage.
Cast vehicles lined up outside the entrance.
Finally, the first one moved.
"Aaaah! Choi Seong-bin! Choi Seong-bin!"
"Oppa, I love you!"
"Look this way just once!"
Top star Choi Seong-bin, long reigning as the flower boy king, appeared first.
Stepping leisurely over the red carpet, he waved lightly left and right before entering the lobby.
Even those usually meh on him gawked at the real deal up close.
"Thought a guy nearing 50 couldn't be that hot, but damn."
"Must've been insane in his youth. No wonder Mom flips for him."
"Kinda jealous of the ajummas who peaked with his prime era..."
Next, Chae Ji-hyun descended from her van in a tight dress, striding the carpet.
Male fans erupted in cheers and gasps.
She endured the flash storm with a sweet smile.
"Chae Ji-hyun's looks are on point as always..."
"Old dude, chill."
"Goddess fr. Good call coming."
"Heard she hugs fans at greetings. Shoulda won."
Other leads followed one by one.
Last was an unusually long, massive Mercedes van.
"That Jeong Seo-hoon's ride?"
"Everyone else came out, so yeah."
"Rookie already in that? Agency pushing hard."
"He got no agency yet."
"What? Bought it himself?"
"Yoo Jeong-ah buy it? Looked smitten."
"That was ruled a scandal mishap ages ago."
"Nah, that was his sister's. Yoo Jeong-ah's still unresolved."
Oh Tae-woo, Oh So-hee, and Kim Da-hye stood out as a trio.
Thanks to Oh Tae-woo's gangster-esque tough build over 190cm.
Just arms crossed, staring into space, and folks edged away.
"Fun coming with you, oppa."
"Only with me, right?"
"Nah, people part like the Red Sea. Gangster face pays off sometimes?"
Oh So-hee shot back, and Kim Da-hye clapped silently, giggling.
"Didn't expect you here, oppa. Seo-hoon hates it."
"Not the guy—just gotta hate Yoo Jeong-ah fans."
"Gotcha. But no hating Seo-hoon."
"That's why I'm holding back. Watching till I can hate freely."
As the presumed Jeong Seo-hoon van appeared, Oh Tae-woo's eyes narrowed.
"Nice ride."
"Pretty big for a van."
"17-18 seater. Needs heavy license. Kid's loaded."
"Psh, our Seo-hoon deserves it easy."
Van stopped, door opened at the carpet.
Jeong Seo-hoon emerged—and the loudest roar yet exploded.
Hotter, rowdier than any lead, fans screamed his name raw.
Each heavy step pulled gazes like gravity.
Oh Tae-woo glared.
Visual and aura from another world.
Physically possible to look that unreal?
"Korea U, right?"
"Yeah! Eng top of class! Sick, huh?"
"Fuck. God needs balance patches too... How we mortals survive that."
"Tae-woo oppa, think God made him for us untouchables' eye candy?"
"She's right."
Ganged up, he grumbled, shaking his head.
"Why skip med school for this grind? Eng grad in Korea gets what?"
"So he went acting. Cannes, Hollywood—eats 'em in 10 years. Bet."
"Nah, 10's too long. 5 max."
"Wait."
Oh Tae-woo froze mid-glance.
His eyes locked below the actors' podium, where flashy cameras missed—
"What? Yoo Jeong-ah down there?"
"Why'd she come? No ties to the film."
Staring hard, he smirked wryly.
"Nah. Just a familiar face."
"Another celeb you crush on besides Yoo Jeong-ah?"
"Know her personally."
"You got industry connects?"
"Not industry. That's why it's weird."
Arms crossed, he muttered.
"What's this guy sniffing around for here."
Quick lobby fan greets done, actors headed to the theater.
As end credits rolled, leads stepped to the screen. Audience leaped up in standing ovation.
Eyes thrilled, still buzzing from the film's afterglow.
Emcee grabbed the mic.
"Thank you all for coming to today's screening. Our cast is here to greet you—already clapping, but one more huge round!"
Theater shook with applause; actors took turns introducing and thanking.
Jeong Seo-hoon last—wildest cheers erupted.
"Jeong Seo-hoon, as Kim Chan. Gave it my all. Thank you."
Plain words ended; disappointed sighs rippled.
Emcee prodded for more, but the vibe felt awkward to him.
Audience...
Filming dramas and movies, he'd never really thought of viewers much.
Ratings, reactions, sis and others' reports—absorbed like lab data.
Just holding the mic got cheers; short greet brought tears.
Soon they'll faint at your breathing.
Sis said that; he'd scoffed.
Lee Jin-wook, Kim Chan—separate from me, fictional. Why react to me?
Couldn't adapt.
Live fan energy—uncharted territory for him.
Handing back the mic, more world-ending groans. Still baffled.
Back in the van post-greeting, Jeong Seo-hoon pondered, then called Kim Sang-hee.
She burst laughing at his confession.
—Never seen you mind fans. All-in on work and character.
"Fans always this intense?"
—Hotter than nuclear blasts—no, solar surface. Cold as absolute zero otherwise...
"Writer, solar surface is under 6,000°C. Not hotter than nukes. If you meant corona..."
—Fans need to see this side. Anyway, scorching hot or ice cold—that's fan love.
"..."
—Actors and works live off it. No eyes, no value.
"To fans, it's just paid content. Over-immersing, no?"
Laugh cut short; calm words followed.
—Never thought I'd chat this with you. Fans cheering you feels off?
"Kinda. Just did my paid job."
—Fans pay more than cash and time: affection first.
"Affection..."
—Affection opens wallets. Biz mindset for producers; artists need philanthropy.
"Biz, philanthropy."
—Me, PD Song—ratings nuts. Don't step there. Unless you produce later.
Fans swarmed the slow-moving van, waving placards wildly.
Felt like she saw it too.
—Cherish something most? Family, thing—anything.
'Lieutenant' recalled platoon left at resort.
Comrades whose bodies he recovered.
Subordinates never found.
—That's how fans see you. Understand that, thrive forever.
"Kinda get it. Thanks."
—Shooting done; drinks soon. I'll set it.
"Anytime."
Hung up; van hit the road, out of Times Square.
Next theater for greeting.
Eyes closed, he mulled her words, replaying battlefield memories.
"President Park."
Deep, gravelly voice; massive shadow approached slowly.
Guards tensed, circling Park Si-hong; he waved leisurely.
"Relax, guys. Old pal. Cop, cop."
"Cop" eased them slightly; eyes stayed on Oh Tae-woo.
"Why here, Detective Oh?"
"Undercover nearby. You? Investment?"
"Su-jang-go?"
"How'd you know?"
"Saw it. Cozy with one actor. Your guy?"
"Not yet."
"Good. Hands off."
Quiet warning drew odd smile from Park.
"You know him personally?"
"Fan. Loved Illegal."
"Violent crimes slacking? Cop bingeing dramas."
"Anyway, no schemes. Play clean in the light."
Park spread arms.
"Who looks more gangster here? Ask anyone."
"Warned you. Leave him."
"What scheme?"
"You're good at it. Debts, weaknesses—sink teeth, squeeze every drop."
"Always legal, Detective Oh."
"Why I can't nail you. Hiding in that shitty law."
Oh Tae-woo eyed guards boredly, fixed on Park last.
"Warned. Watching."
"Businessman."
Oh turned away; Park chuckled alone.
"Taking this from that cop punk. Kid's gonna blow up big."