With the PD and Haegeuk (1)
There was no place where rumors spread faster than this industry.
It would probably reach Song Jeong-woo's ears within half a day, not even a full day.
Kim Sang-hee, who had briefly considered turning off her phone today, chuckled to herself.
"What can you do? This time, PD Jang might be the better fit."
She was close with Song Jeong-woo's wife, like best friends in the drama world. But to create something even better, there was no helping it.
Originally, she and Song Jeong-woo had clicked so well because he directed as if he were bringing her scripts to life.
"We'll have a big drinking bash once, and then I'll give him an even better script next time."
Since the section chief had confidently given the OK, getting the director's approval would be a breeze, right?
With scheduling now confirmed, it was time to move to the next step.
Section Chief Yang Jun-gyu headed up for approval, and PD Jang Seung-won began a one-on-one meeting with Kim Sang-hee.
"Writer, you know our director's style, right? He'll probably want at least 30 episodes. Lucky if he doesn't push for 50."
"There's no story here that can be stretched to 30 or 50 episodes. You saw it too, PD Jang."
"I know. I'm not saying to force it that way. Just warning you in advance so it doesn't hurt your feelings if it comes up."
Jang Seung-won continued with his gentle, affable smile.
"Still, just out of curiosity—any chance you could stretch it to 20? This is just me asking personally, so feel free."
Kim Sang-hee wasn't offended at all.
She had anticipated this kind of suggestion from the start when bringing the script to KBC.
Asking to expand it to 20 episodes was actually on the milder side.
"I'll think about it. And for the lead, we're casting actor Jeong Seo-hoon."
"Yes, yes, you've emphasized it several times. The moment I read the script, Jeong Seo-hoon was the first who came to mind. Can't think of anyone else who fits."
It wasn't a lie, but probably not said with 100% conviction either.
With the writer pushing so hard for the actor, there was likely more of a sense of obligation to go along.
"His face is a bit too youthful, but that could work as its own charm. Makeup can cover it. Yes, no problem at all."
"I'd like 150 million per episode."
"That much? Well, with your reputation now, no issue. Honestly, you should've been over 100 million ages ago—Illegal paid you way too little."
"Not me. Actor Jeong Seo-hoon's fee."
". . . . . ."
"He signed an S-grade contract for the Su-jang-go sequel too. We have to match that level, or there'll be talk."
"Uh, um. Well . . . . . ."
Jang Seung-won trailed off awkwardly for a moment before quickly regathering his thoughts.
Kim Sang-hee wasn't wrong.
Even with just two appearances, Jeong Seo-hoon had proven himself—and the film industry had acknowledged it.
You couldn't offer a B- or A-grade contract to an actor already at S-grade.
The director's old-school stubbornness means he'll kick up a fuss and say no at first . . . . . .
But saying no here might make Kim Sang-hee take it to another network for real.
Couldn't ruin a done deal like that.
"I'll take responsibility and draw up the contract."
"Thanks. I'd already promised, so it was a pride thing."
Jang Seung-won frantically brainstormed dozens of ways to convince the director in his head.
***
When the lieutenant opened his eyes, it wasn't Jeong Seo-hoon's room.
The air was thick with booze and snoring, men and women sprawled everywhere in a drunken heap.
As he surveyed the aftermath of last night's mad party, the lieutenant smacked the subordinate passed out right beside him.
"Sergeant Kohak, on your feet!"
But his blackout-drunk men showed no sign of stirring.
Staggering up, the lieutenant found a less messy spot, gulped down some cold water.
"Lieutenant Rashid. Orders."
A unfamiliar voice approached suddenly, handing over a sealed document.
The rank insignia marked him as a courier from the resort control unit.
"Leave ends now. High command orders return to the front."
". . . . . . Leave's over, huh."
The lieutenant murmured, checking the high command seal on the orders.
His gaze drifted inevitably to the stage where last night's striking play had unfolded.
Now flooded with sunlight instead of spotlights, the empty stage whispered that yesterday's drama had been but a one-night dream, filled only with desolate silence.
"Still, three days till departure."
"To the front lines? Gotta sweat out all that booze first. No drinking from this moment—orders."
"Got it."
Only after noon did his men start waking one by one.
No panic at the front-line deployment orders—instead, cheers like they'd been waiting.
Long leave had been boring anyway; they'd smash the enemy soon, they vowed with fighting spirit.
Three days later, Rashid's platoon returned to the front.
The battlefield life of kill or be killed resumed.
And Jeong Seo-hoon's life was no longer a hazy memory.
A vivid second world, no longer strange but a familiar mirror's flip side.
Promoted to captain, then major, Rashid felt no anxiety.
Now the young, seasoned warrior of the front, his name rang as a war hero his men trusted and followed.
Worn by countless deaths, yet he cherished Jeong Seo-hoon's life in a corner of his heart.
"Colonel, what'll you do after the war?"
A subordinate, leg amputated and forcibly discharged, asked at his final salute.
The now-colonel war hero pondered before answering.
"Dunno. Maybe try acting in plays . . . . . ."
"Acting?"
The long-trusted subordinate chuckled softly.
Before he could ask if it was mockery or encouragement, the colonel felt himself snapped back to his original world.
***
Waking at the Nonhyeon-dong house, Jeong Seo-hoon was greeted by Kim Sang-hee's text.
He sprang up from his seat but paused to check the mirror.
In it, he searched for the gaze of a commander who'd ended leave and rolled through two frontline years.
Maybe try acting in plays.
Acting?
He'd ask the subordinate what that smile meant when he returned.
Two years' gap in reality, but his mind was clear now, memories unjumbled.
***
PD Jang Seung-won had sharper eyes than Song Jeong-woo and a leaner build, giving a middle-aged sharpness.
Where Song Jeong-woo was laid-back, Jang Seung-won came off a bit prickly.
"KBC's PD Jang Seung-won."
"Jeong Seo-hoon."
Handing over his card, Jang Seung-won opened with praise for Jeong Seo-hoon's career.
"Illegal, Su-jang-go. Watched both. Truly impressed by your acting. Perfect for this drama's lead—no, I believe you'll embody the role like no one else could."
"Thank you."
During icebreakers, Jang Seung-won kept it light with small talk.
Unlike the nonstop chatterboxes Song Jeong-woo and Hwang In-jun, his banter was thicker but he led the mood masterfully all the same.
"With you as lead, the rest of casting will go smoothly."
"PD, Teacher Lee Min-soo said he'd do it for sure, right?"
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I casually asked, and when I mentioned you were starring, he said give him a fitting role."
"If Teacher Lee Min-soo joins, the director will love it."
"So, what's my role?"
At Jeong Seo-hoon's question, Jang Seung-won glanced puzzled at Kim Sang-hee.
"Haven't told him the role yet?"
"Actually, not even the title."
"Why not?"
"Hey, what if? This is my first stab at the genre— what if you guys or others reject it?"
"No way."
"Even if not outright, they might cut budget. Limit casting power. Same as rejection for me."
Jang Seung-won stroked his chin, nodding.
"Fair point."
"If so, I'd pivot to another script. No point half-assing Haegeuk—better shelve it."
"Drama title's Haegeuk?"
Jeong Seo-hoon leaned forward.
Kim Sang-hee smiled warmly at the acting hunger in his eyes.
Jang Seung-won was mildly surprised too—calm Jeong Seo-hoon suddenly fired up at just the title.
Well, look at that.
"Yes, Haegeuk. Worried the network might reject, so held off. I'm a bit timid."
Instantly, Jeong Seo-hoon and Jang Seung-won shared the same expression, glancing at each other.
"Haegeuk . . . title's got a vibe. What's it about?"
"Guess? It's a historical drama."
"Historical . . . ."
Haegeuk title and historical genre.
Jeong Seo-hoon methodically reviewed events flashing in his mind.
Many pierced both.
But for drama—popular, ratings-friendly, tailored for him by Kim Sang-hee . . . .
One name overrode the rest, sharpening his gaze on her.
"The Gyeyu Coup?"
"Knew it'd be that."
Kim Sang-hee giggled, plunking the thick first script—already 16 episodes—on the table.
"Grand Prince Suyang. My role."
"Yes."
A fierce heat writhed in his chest.
Grand Prince Suyang, King Sejo.
Mere cluster of letters from history books, skimmed in Korean history for exams.
But that textual ghost, brushing history, gained new life through Kim Sang-hee's script.
Jang Seung-won asked.
"What image of Grand Prince Suyang just popped into your head?"
Perhaps the PD's first test for the actor.
Jeong Seo-hoon traced the subtitle The King's Uncle on the cover repeatedly with his eyes.
A name that had existed only in records and studies for passing tests.
Now shuttling relentlessly between mind and heart, gaining its own life.
Absorbing the colonel's experiences—leading battalions, hunting foes on the front, calmly holding strategy corners—it forged a new form.
The life conceived instantly in Jeong Seo-hoon's mind hustled to be born.
Is this the feeling the writer meant—character coming alive?
Lee Jin-uk just showed raw self on camera.
Kim Chan just pulled from lieutenant-Jeong Seo-hoon border moments.
But now, different.
Neither colonel nor Jeong Seo-hoon—a third existence.
Textual ghosts from study notes devoured all he'd felt and lived, molding Jeong Seo-hoon's Grand Prince Suyang.
"The subtitle The King's Uncle emphasizes that in your drama, Grand Prince Suyang isn't the true king—just the genuine uncle to one."
"Yes. And?"
"The drama's flow hinges on how well we capture the ruthless usurper's illegitimate crown-lust. That's your intent, I think."
"Feels like more."
"Knowing you . . . you'd craft a fictional reason he must seize the crown—plausibly, realistically."
"'Plausibly' works. That's praise."
"But that reason won't justify him—instead, sharpen his villain essence. I hope, anyway."
Jang Seung-won let slip a small groan; Kim Sang-hee beamed proudly at the PD.
"How's my pick?"
"Perfect."
***
Kim Sang-hee felt refreshed, like her arteries were scrubbed clean.
She wanted to show the PD this exact scene.
That insight and imagination—decoding her intent from title and subtitle alone.
Etch not just the onscreen role, but the offscreen actor into the PD's mind from first meet.
Now Jang Seung-won couldn't imagine anyone else for Haegeuk's lead.
Even future historicals—Jeong Seo-hoon first in mind.
Great mood.
Could push hard today.
"PD, writer, lead—all here. Shall we do a provisional production meeting?"
"Yes! Got time today!"