He Only Plays Villains 092: Uncle's Affection (1)
Yoo Jeong-ah checked the message and gave herself one last look in the full-length mirror, adjusting her outfit.
"The fit's good, the straps sit nicely above my collarbone, but are these shorts a bit long? Should I change to shorter ones? Nah, I'm running late. Time to head out."
Before leaving, she shot one final resentful glance at the living room, still a mess from her friends' party two days ago.
"Should've cleaned up ahead of time. Sigh."
Who was there to blame?
Only herself from yesterday, who'd put it off with a 'I'll do it tomorrow...'
Grabbing just a small hand purse, Yoo Jeong-ah stepped out the door—and the moment she did, she draped an air of haughtiness over her entire body.
She simply dialed back slightly on the haughty chaebol daughter role she'd played so many times before, letting it settle on her shoulders like a shawl.
A large Benz van was parked on the road outside the main gate.
Yoo Jeong-ah swallowed the bright smile threatening to break free and approached the van. The automatic door slid open.
She exchanged a quick eye-greeting with Ha Tae-soo in the driver's seat and slid into the seat next to Jeong Seo-hoon.
"You look exhausted. Was playing the Grand Prince that tough? I figured it wouldn't be as bad as Lee Jin-wook, but maybe it ramps up toward the end?"
His noticeably gaunt face made her heart flutter despite herself, but she hid it as best she could.
"Lee Jin-wook doesn't kill kids, at least."
"Oh, right. It's Suyang Grand Prince, so he offs his nephew, huh? But it's an assassination anyway... Ah!"
Trailing off mid-mumble, Yoo Jeong-ah suddenly realized and clapped her hands.
"Do you kill him with your own hands, Your Highness?"
"Sharp as ever."
"Got it. That must've wrecked your mental state while nailing the emotion."
Yoo Jeong-ah looked at him with pitying eyes.
She'd never done a murder scene herself, so she couldn't fully grasp what that felt like.
But she remembered what a veteran senior had said over drinks after playing a brutal child-kidnapping killer.
'Staring death into a kid's eyes while choking them... it's hell. Feels like your own soul's breaking...'
Some actors isolated themselves in darkness for hours before shooting to capture extreme emotions.
"Come to think of it, Seo-hoon, you've only played straight-up villains so far. No wonder you're worn out. Even I feel my character lingering for weeks after a role wraps."
Pity surging, Yoo Jeong-ah reached out to pat his head—then hesitated.
'Is this okay?'
In that brief pause, Jeong Seo-hoon suddenly grabbed her wrist and placed her hand on his head.
Unable to help herself, Yoo Jeong-ah smiled and gently stroked his hair, as if consoling him for his hard work.
She didn't stop until the van pulled up to Kim Sang-hee's cocktail bar.
"Please contact me if you need anything."
Ha Tae-soo politely offered his business card. Yoo Jeong-ah pocketed it casually and held out her phone.
"Let's exchange numbers while we're at it, Manager."
"An honor."
She liked his solid demeanor—no prying questions.
As Jeong Seo-hoon and Yoo Jeong-ah entered the bar, the salaried owner Kim Min-seok greeted them warmly.
The main hall was, as always, empty of customers.
"Both of you together today."
Kim Min-seok naturally set down two glasses of water and a plate of biscuits at their seats.
"Don't get the wrong idea—it's not some secret romance. We both just lack friends to grab a drink with at this hour."
"Of course. You wouldn't come here if it were."
"But isn't it the opposite? Hard to find a spot like this where celebs can drink late without hassle."
Kim Sang-hee's cocktail bar stopped serving the public after midnight.
It hung a "Closed" sign and catered only to industry folks—and only if Kim Sang-hee or one of her contacts was present.
It was her personal spot from the start, after all.
With calm music playing and no staff in sight, it felt intimate.
Kim Min-seok set down a small bell and bowed politely.
"Ring if you need anything."
"Thanks."
The staff were probably in the employee break room, but it still felt like they had the bar to themselves.
"Heard you're getting 150 million per episode."
Yoo Jeong-ah deliberately brought up something light and materialistic. Probing why it was tough under the guise of comfort was the wrong move.
"Yeah. The writer really looked out for me. She made a big show of it right here, buying me a drink and announcing the 150 mil."
"You were a rookie pulling pocket change on your debut with me, and now you've surpassed me."
"I feel like it's too much."
"Nonsense. You deserve every bit. That Lee Jin-wook scene? Still blows me away."
They traded light updates, the mood gradually loosening.
"Looking for a new project, but nothing clicks. There's one I like, but it's slated for September, so I'm passing."
"Any reason?"
"I wanna do my next one with you, Seo-hoon. But Haegeuk ends in June. You might jump straight into another without a break, and I'd miss out if I'm tied up then."
"Still chasing me, Prosecutor?"
"Thought you'd given up and fled to the grave, Lee Jin-wook?"
A small chuckle escaped, softening the air further.
"You're not acting now, are you?"
"Acting?"
"You said it yourself—you practice hiding your real self all the time. What else is that but acting? Even drinking alone with me?"
"Not now. I reached out because I was drained and needed some comfort. If that's acting, I'd be the asshole."
"I'd be fine even if it is. As long as we're drinking together."
A sly grin lit Yoo Jeong-ah's eyes.
Her slightly drunk gaze sparkled through her tousled hair.
"How many relationships have you had? Be honest."
"Out of the blue?"
"That's how these questions work. How many?"
"Zero."
"Liar. Come on, it's fine—tell me the truth. I'm dying to know."
"Really. All I did was study."
"Nah, doesn't add up... The way you handle women, you seem like the type juggling a dozen at once year-round..."
"What about me?"
"You're always so nonchalant. Like you've been through it all and reached enlightenment. Really never?"
"Yeah."
"Then who was your first kiss? You can't tell me no dating means no kissing."
"My first kiss..."
The playfulness on Yoo Jeong-ah's expectant face shattered at his words.
"...was with you, Yoo Jeong-ah."
"What?"
A jolt like sobriety hit her; she bolted upright in shock.
"No lies! Me? Your first kiss?"
"Yes."
"No way! That's cheating! Jeong Seo-hoon's first kiss... his first kiss... tasting like that."
Overwhelmed by the killer vibe mid-lip contact, she'd bitten him in surprise.
Their lips had lingered, but it was too ambiguous for a proper kiss.
"God, you know how robbed I feel right now? I was your landmark title holder without knowing? Driving me crazy. Why'd I bite you like that..."
"The PD loved it, though."
"Still feels unfair."
Yoo Jeong-ah stared with eyes full of frustration, regret, and injustice.
"Us..."
Her gaze churned with something hard to voice.
Finally, swallowing her regret, she continued softly.
"Next time... let's film a warm kiss scene."
Early morning at the Nonhyeon-dong mansion. Jeong Seo-hoon stepped out of the parked van.
Ha Tae-soo hopped out of the driver's seat and scanned him over.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah."
"Guess you've been leaning on Jeong-ah psychologically more than you thought. First leading lady and all."
"It wasn't a lovers' role—just cat-and-mouse. She was just the first person who came to mind."
"No scandal, right?"
"Nah. No reporters tailing us. As long as the bar keeps quiet, we're good."
"Fair. It's Kim Sang-hee's inner sanctum."
"If every cast drink turned into headlines, the industry'd grind to a halt."
"You two? Prime scandal material. Anyway, rest up. Call if you go out—I'm your manager."
"Got it. You head home too, hyung."
Ha Tae-soo drove off to his place.
Entering the living room, Jeong Seo-hoon found Jeong Su-ryeon sprawled with a white sheet mask on like a ghost, waving her foot to beckon him over.
"How far'd you get with Yoo Jeong-ah?"
"Just drinks."
"Y'know, bossing her around as your sister-in-law could be fun. Thoughts on making her our inheritance rival?"
"Just drinks."
"PD says you're benched today—no moving. I'm off too. No outings unless it's a date with an actress."
Jeong Seo-hoon let out a dismissive chuckle and lightly kicked her exposed belly.
His steps upstairs felt noticeably lighter than when he'd left the studio.
Whether from bantering with Yoo Jeong-ah till dawn or kicking his sister, he wasn't sure.
Paju Studio.
No idle set when the lead takes a break—they shot side scenes diligently.
While staff bustled setting up, Jang Seung-won dozed in a folding chair, arms crossed.
"PD looks beat. First time seeing him nap on set."
"Rehearsed extra with Seo-hoon after wrap last night. Kept reviewing till morning, apparently."
"Impressive. Gotta be that level to drop 80 bil budgets."
"Incentives dwarf his directing fee, he says. Wonder how much."
Once set, the AD gently woke Jang Seung-won.
A light shoulder tap had him snap awake, slap his cheeks, and spring up energetically.
"Alright, let's roll."
They wrapped at 3 p.m.—Jang Seung-won was too drained to push.
Staff cheered the call.
"Smart move. Schedule's not that tight—gotta pace ourselves. Thought you'd collapse today."
"Wanted to finish by May 1st, but looks tight."
"Finale airs June 22—plenty of buffer. But you look worried."
"AD, check this out."
Jang Seung-won played a roughly edited clip—the scene he'd rehearsed with Jeong Seo-hoon at dawn.
"No way, PD? You acted it yourself? Whoa."
"Just subbing since no one else was around. Don't tease—I can act."
"Act? This glare's too real."
The AD peered intently, face alight with fascination.
Crystal dialogue from the monitoring earbuds, vivid performance like the Grand Prince reborn, a PD's expression far from novice...
"..."
After watching, the AD quietly removed the earbuds.
"Yoon Jin-won has to step in for you here."
"Yep."
"His mentality might break shooting this. Getting choked up close to that? Goosebumps just watching—see my arm hair?"
"Call Yoon Jin-won before he leaves the studio. Show him ahead."
"On it."
The AD stood, and Jang Seung-won remonitored, muttering.
"Wonder if Yoon Jin-won likes horror flicks..."