Orthodox and Trendy (3)
A pine tree rooted in the center of clear spring water from a pristine pond was a symbol of good fortune, said to brim with vitality.
People marveled at how its roots never rotted.
Thus, the king had long cherished the tree, even assigning officials to tend it constantly.
The Grand Prince racked his brains for a covert way to fell it, but no easy path emerged.
"My lord, His Majesty plans to bestow an official rank on that tree soon."
"A rank?"
"Yes, my lord."
The path ahead grew even more distant.
Felling the tree now would be theft of the king's property, but after the rank was granted, it would become the unauthorized execution of one of the king's subjects.
It would be treason.
The bestowal came even sooner than the Grand Prince anticipated, and the young pine tree officially became a court official.
That night, as the rank was conferred on the pine, the Grand Prince glared at his pus-oozing, rotting forearm with bloodshot eyes and meticulously cleaned it.
The necrosis that had started on his chest had now spread to his arm.
Surviving this long was a miracle.
"Have you still not found that monk?"
"My deepest apologies, my lord. We're combing every corner of the country—good news should come soon..."
"Do you know how many years it's been since you started saying that?"
"My deepest apologies."
On that night when his hemoptysis had been especially severe, the Grand Prince's wife had stayed up tending him, wiping away the pus without complaint.
And the Grand Prince dreamed of his grandfather.
The one he had especially admired in his youth, who had mercilessly slaughtered his brothers and seized the throne.
Watching his grandfather unflinchingly order the butchery of his siblings, he awoke gasping from excruciating chest pain.
"My lord, did you have a nightmare? You were in agony all night..."
Ignoring his wife's voice brimming with worry and affection, the Grand Prince's eyes grew bloodshot.
Once she had left the room, he muttered darkly.
"Is there no path but to become king..."
Haegeuk Episode 2 ended, and a CF flowed right into it.
It was the coffee brand CF starring Jeong Seo-hoon.
Jeong Seo-hoon, appearing as Chae Ji-hyun's lover, maintained a cold expression from start to finish, promoting the coffee with a cool, bad-boy image.
Chae Ji-hyun grows upset at her lover's indifference to her feelings, but then spots the coffee he left behind wordlessly and lights up as the CF ends.
Episode 2 hit 19% ratings, still dominating its time slot.
CV Cable was more than satisfied.
"19% already at Episode 2? Could aim for 30% in the mid-to-late run."
"30% on our channel? Dream numbers."
"Thought no one would beat Writer Kim Sang-hee's 29.9%, turns out she did it herself."
"Suyang gunning for power due to leprosy—fresh take, but the actor carries it..."
"Tough role for anyone else. No one but Jeong Seo-hoon could pull it off."
PPL was a bit lacking, but broadcast revenue alone would cover CV Cable's investment.
"Japanese broadcaster wants airing rights. Asked for 8 billion won."
"Just Japan?"
"Yeah. Global rights at that price? Insane. They don't even have a real OTT."
"No conflict with NetPrime contract?"
"Not OTT, so fine. Sell to foreign broadcasters no issue. Just hold other OTTs for 3 months post-finale."
"8 billion's a bit low. Try for ad revenue share."
"Japanese viewers already watching via NetPrime, not sure how much leverage... but I'll try."
Just Episode 2 out, and overseas bites were already coming in.
"NetPrime ranking?"
"Hit global real-time #4. Solid growth. HQ and NetPrime want Illegal rights too. OTT exclusive."
"Illegal?"
Illegal, profitable domestically, was deep in overseas export talks.
"Yes. Haegeuk's buzz lifting it for synergy. Jeong Seo-hoon trending among NetPrime viewers."
"How's Illegal China export?"
"Rocky. They're backpedaling. Worried about censorship on the brutal content."
"Illegal's not that brutal... Off-screened all that."
"Sound and such, I guess."
Semester started Thursday, but Jeong Seo-hoon made his first campus appearance Friday.
No more public transit like pre-military leave.
Stepping out drew crowds; subways and buses were history.
Couldn't roll up in a Mercedes Sprinter van either.
His father solved it neatly.
"What do you think? Nice, right?"
Leading the family to the garage, his father proudly showed off the car.
Slanted H-mark emblems on front and rear.
Common domestic badge, from Gangnam to countryside.
Jeong Su-ryeon inspected it, impressed.
"Simple design, cool. But feels like Volvo. Did Hyundai poach Volvo designers?"
"It's a Volvo."
Jeong Seo-hoon's casual remark made Jeong Su-ryeon straighten up in disbelief.
"What nonsense. Hyundai badge right here? But design's straight-up Volvo rip-off. Matches mine perfectly."
Comparing to her new Volvo next to it, she froze.
"Wait... Dad, what is this? Identical?"
"Yeah. Swapped the badge for domestic to blend in. Undergraduate in a multi-billion-won Volvo? Nah."
"Dad, was this necessary?"
"Volvo's tanks. Safety first, always."
"See? Didn't buy me one for nothing."
Bought for durability, disguised with domestic badge.
Jeong Su-ryeon scratched her head, left hand in pocket.
"These days that stands out more. Fans spot it, SNS blows up calling it Hyundai bulk-up."
"Seo-hoon's fans won't mob the school. Don't worry."
"How can you guarantee?"
"Prof Lee's raised double-digit PhDs. Fans know better than to crash campus."
Humanities and social sciences had students flaunting luxury imports since freshman year, ignoring stares.
Occasional supercar drop-offs, but soon swapped for sedans.
Even elite heirs learned they weren't special on Korea University campus.
Not a Bugatti, Volvo's no big deal—but rookie flaunting post-hit? Rumors bad.
Father considered that, swapped the badge.
Volvo for toughness.
Engineering building: no students recognized him specially.
Some staff whispered, but no approaches.
Jeong Seo-hoon headed to Professor Lee Se-jong's office.
"Professor, it's me."
"Ah, Jeong. Come in. No shoot today?"
"Yes. Free till afternoon. Evening scenes, straight to Paju after."
"Grad semester, drama—busy."
Seated, Lee Se-jong flipped files.
"You know I don't track attendance. No worry there."
"Yes."
"Park and Han profs too—no attendance from now. Promised report substitutes."
"One report covers all?"
"Graded PhD-level harsh. Might prefer classes and exams. Fine?"
"Perfect."
"While here, greet Park and Han. For your sake—say hi."
"Got it."
"Jeong as lecturer easier, but father-son? Celeb academic scandals sensitive."
Jeong Seo-hoon's hand paused on files.
"Professor, what? Father's why..."
"Not heard? Jeong Prof starting here."
"Father?"
"Not undergrads. Joint project with me. Wants to stay in Korea awhile. Family time blues."
"First I'm hearing."
"Shy, didn't mention."
No small thing.
No career boost for father at Korea U.
Lee Se-jong similar, but personal reasons.
"Mom must be thrilled."
"She is."
Topic for father chat.
Rising for others, Lee Se-jong sheepishly added.
"Watched Haegeuk live."
"Live?"
"Leprosy Suyang fresh. Don't watch much drama."
"Writer'll love. Pass on?"
"Would you?"
Lee Se-jong brightened, pulling out stapled A4s.
"Professor? What's this?"
"Leprosy historicals off—summarized fixes. For writer, reference only, no pressure."
"..."
"Dramatic license? I get it now. Just reference, or toss. Decade untreated, face fine? Starts there..."
Sorry to Lee, but skip for Kim Sang-hee.
Investor opinion—check with writer.
"Got it. I'll pass to her."
"Thanks."
Out, greeted Park and Han.
Same spiel.
"Heard from Lee? Grading brutal. Masters/PhD level."
"Might crave undergrads. Lee stresses fairness. Get it?"
No degree scandals later.
Outsiders might cry favoritism.
"Thank you. Go hard, grade mercilessly."
"Get Yoo Jeong-ah autograph with report."
"Lee Min-soo for me."
Done, boarding disguised Volvo, eyed meteor no-entry zone.
More guards, entrants than before.
KakaoTalk pinged.
Pre-start, checked emailed revisions.
Headed to Paju Studio, called Ha Tae-soo.
"Hyung, heading to Paju."
-Taking the car?
"Yeah."
-I'll cab, leave van. Drive back.
"Cool. See you in Paju."