Thirst Lodged in the Throat (2)
With the self-proclaimed rival drama Taejong's Circle collapsing spectacularly and other channels' same-time-slot programs forfeiting the fight altogether,
they figured it was better to save even a single won in production costs by not wasting energy against Haegeuk and investing it elsewhere.
An unspoken agreement formed among the broadcasters: from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, air reruns or other low-cost programs.
Haegeuk, which had enjoyed quiet, steady support, finally broke past 30% ratings. Jang Seung-won invited the entire cast for a modest celebration party.
"Jin-won, you're on fire these days. Everyone's making a fuss about seeing a new side of perennial supporting actor Yang Jin-won."
"Oh, come on. It's all thanks to your brilliant direction, PD."
"My direction? Nah, it's because you nailed the character analysis. Hell, some folks are saying the shaman's more fun to watch than the Grand Prince himself."
"He's the protagonist carrying the drama—what are you saying? I'm just a cicada clinging to an old tree. Without that big trunk, I'd be stuck on the ground."
Yang Jin-won, the perennial supporting actor playing the Park Su shaman, had recently stepped into the spotlight.
Praise poured in: I had no idea he was such a charismatic actor; I thought he was just a comedian all this time; he pulls off serious roles so well.
A fellow actor in his mid-thirties chimed in from the side.
"He's right, sunbaenim. I was blown away by your Park Su shaman this time. What's your secret?"
"Secret? There isn't one. Just study the script hard, follow the PD's directions faithfully, and... well..."
Mid-sentence, Yang Jin-won's gaze subtly drifted that way.
Jang Seung-won let out a wry chuckle.
"What, you too, Jin-won? Got a case of Jeong Seo-hoon syndrome?"
"Weirdly, whenever I'm on set with Actor Jeong Seo-hoon, I get right into it. No stray thoughts. Sometimes I even forget I'm acting."
"Everyone who works with him says the exact same thing. Makes me want to set down the megaphone and jump in front of the camera myself."
"Oh, that'd be great! Give it a try, PD. There's something about Actor Jeong Seo-hoon that just pulls you in..."
"Looks real cozy over there."
Jeong Su-ryeon glanced at the PD and murmured lowly to her brother.
"Guy finally gets some real attention after a hundred years in the shadows, and he's loving it."
"His acting was solid, from what I saw. He did well."
"He's been grinding in this industry for years. That's table stakes."
"What's wrong? Don't like him?"
"He's stealing the spotlight our Jeong family deserves. Even doing too well is a problem now. Being good's just expected."
In Haegeuk, Jeong Seo-hoon's fame and acting were as steady as a rock.
No matter what anyone said, he was the protagonist—the center and pillar of the drama, pulling the highest paycheck.
So viewers, ignoring the tame tuna in the tank, were poking around the net for scraps worth chewing on.
And Yang Jin-won had snagged the big bite.
"Still, guy's not getting cocky, which is nice. Honestly, riding your coattails probably gave him the biggest boost."
The Park Su shaman barely appeared without the Grand Prince.
Jeong Su-ryeon scanned the room again before muttering low.
"Writer's quieter than I expected, though. Doesn't feel like a 30% ratings bash."
"Probably saw this coming a mile away."
The six-seater table was empty save for the two siblings.
Han Seo-hee and Lee Seo-hyeon showed up late and joined them.
"Why's it so empty here? Guess I'll fill a seat."
"Oppa, you been well? Congrats on the 30% ratings."
"Han Seo-hee, keep glasses away from you. You're underage—if someone snaps a pic, it'll blow up like you're boozing."
The two actresses flanked him, vying for attention, while across the table, Jeong Su-ryeon drank alone in quiet solitude.
***
A few days after the 30% breakthrough party, Jeong Seo-hoon quietly approached Jang Seung-won with a request.
"Rehearsal? No problem. Just call the DP, and we'll do a small run-through, the three of us."
Jang Seung-won agreed readily, and the cinematographer joined after a quick call.
"Schedule's clear for today, so let's run it however you want, no limits, Seo-hoon. But what's with the cat?"
"Asked a staffer to borrow it for the day."
Jeong Seo-hoon carefully set down the transparent carrier with the cat inside.
Jang Seung-won blinked in confusion at the cat in front of the camera, then realization dawned.
"Is the cat... standing in for the nephew?"
"Yeah. Imagining it's a newborn nephew to get the emotions right. Can't exactly hire a real baby on my own."
"Size is about right, and it's cute too. Good enough. Let's roll."
The scene was straightforward.
[The Grand Prince glimpses the infant prince held by a court lady through an open door and withdraws. Eyes rejecting the new obstacle.]
Kim Sang-hee had described it briefly, without elaborate detail.
To Jeong Seo-hoon, aspiring king, the infant prince was an unwelcome intruder.
A nephew with flawless legitimacy outranked an uncle in the line of succession—no contest.
The Grand Prince's glance at the heavily guarded child infant would brim with tangled emotions.
"Perfect."
After rehearsal, replaying the footage, Jang Seung-won was impressed.
He pointed at the monitor as he broke it down.
"That gaze here—pure killing intent. On a big TV screen, it'd be lethal."
"Isn't it too much like Lee Jin-wook?"
"Kinda flashes him at first glance, but the Grand Prince vibe dominates. Nail it like this on the real shoot. Oh, we need that baby pronto."
The cinematographer stroked his chin and nodded.
"Hatred for a future rival—it's spot-on. PD's right. Flawless expression work."
"..."
"Seo-hoon, what's not satisfying?"
"It's scene 32 from the finale."
"Staring at the demoted nephew, pondering how to kill him? That's ages away. Why bring it up now?"
"Birth and death—the start and end—both gazed at by the Grand Prince."
"Oh. Right."
Jang Seung-won's expression shifted; he leaned in. The cinematographer grew more serious too.
"I want emotional consistency in how the Grand Prince regards the nephew at beginning and end. It's pivotal for him—and the drama's theme."
"Agreed. Spot on. Same emotional core for newborn nephew and deposed one, yeah?"
"Yes."
"But what you just did would work fine later. It's flawless."
"Something's missing."
"It's overflowing as is... Well, if you say so. What's lacking, in your mind? Gotta know that to advise."
"I don't know exactly. It's frustrating."
I know full well.
The emotion of murder was as comfy as an old slipper.
The colonel's feelings, forged in countless battlefield trials, had effortlessly shaped the reckless violence of serial killer Lee Jin-wook and enforcer Kim Chan.
But none of those three had ever regarded an innocent, harmless infant with pure hatred.
"PD. If I force an explanation..."
If it were Illegal, smashing a baby doll-like, he'd nail it deadpan.
But pure hatred toward an innocent babe? He'd stumble endlessly.
"Makes total sense. Never thought that far."
Jang Seung-won nodded at the neatly edited explanation. The cinematographer watched in admiration.
"But that's perfectionism. Nothing I can add. What you showed? I'm thrilled."
"..."
"Baby prince glimpse shoots in... four days? I'll push it back as far as I can. That episode can edit around it anyway. Take your time refining. Holler if you need help. Kinda feel bad now."
"No, postponing helps plenty."
"Alright, head home? Whoa, already past 1 a.m."
The cinematographer packed gear roughly and left first. Jang Seung-won and Jeong Seo-hoon headed to the bathroom together.
"Washing too long? You'll wreck your skin."
"Face feels hot."
"Not red at all. Overdid the immersion, huh."
Jeong Seo-hoon lifted his dripping face.
The mirror held multiple faces at once.
Jeong Seo-hoon, the colonel, Lee Jin-wook, Kim Chan, the Grand Prince...
One face to others, but his pupils swirled with five hues—water and oil unmixed, prism-splintered rainbows.
"Lately... running too hot... tighten the schedule again..."
The voice beside him faded to distant echo.
Time's flow froze, silence filling the air.
Jeong Seo-hoon stood rigid, staring piercingly into the mirror.
The reflection's lips curled slowly into a smile.
Hands gripping the marble sink, it leaned forward as if bursting through.
Each breath from the other side rippled the surface like pond waves.
I know what you need right now.
Never had his own voice sounded so alien.
The deep, weighty Grand Prince timbre echoed faintly; the reflection slowly straightened.
With each motion, attire dissolved, new garb taking its place.
I know your lack.
Now fully the imposing Grand Prince, it extended a hand this way.
Ripples spread in circles from the fingertips blocked by the glass.
Come yourself. I'll show you.
Irresistible gravity gently took his hand, drawing him in.
Jeong Seo-hoon's fingers met the Grand Prince's at the barrier.
Like dipping into clear water, the mirror yielded effortlessly; then the grip tightened with iron strength.
And yanked hard.
Last awareness before tumbling through: the faucet stream frozen mid-flow.
***
Six massive transport choppers thundered along a vast river like a lake, rotors roaring.
'Rashid Battalion Commander. Your mission: liberate the camp at X301 sector, rescue detained enemy civilians. It's enemy territory, tough op—I know. But I believe you'll succeed.
Success in this risky civilian liberation will broadcast our just cause worldwide.'
The enemy had herded non-conscripted civilians into camps.
Over a thousand estimated at Rashid's target alone.
His battalion was one prong in a multi-unit simultaneous strike to free them, bolstering future propaganda.
High-risk: botch it, and isolation meant annihilation. Tension etched every face.
The chopper group slipped surveillance nets, reaching the camp unscathed.
Strategically minor outpost—guards were lax.
Battalion dispatched them easily, flung open the gates.
Stench billowed from the vast enclosed space; emaciated elderly, women, children, disabled emerged.
No able-bodied men—just the useless for combat.
Even livestock pens were cleaner than this filth-rolled hell.
Now safe—we've come to save you. As rehearsed phrases rose,
the comm buzzed.
The colonel and nearby officers tensed.
Seawolf Nest: Navy base housing 1st Fleet commander.
A four-star general issuing direct field orders?
The incomprehensible brutality froze the entire battalion.