King of Death Acting - Chapter 34
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The impact of King and Sovereign Episode 6 was more than enough to stir up another massive wave across the industry.
It was on par with the special episode or Episode 4—or even greater.
The one big difference was that this time, it had spread to an even broader crowd.
At the moment of broadcast, they were all doing completely different things.
But their reactions were uniformly stunned.
"...What?"
Director Jeong Seo-hoon of Breakthrough That Day, which had drawn 7 million viewers, blinked blankly while gripping his pool cue.
"Pfft!"
Director Lee Myung-soo of White Wine, which had pulled in 8 million, spat out his beer,
"This crazy...!"
and Director Choi Bong-man of last year's 10-million-hit Camping Wagon straight-up dropped his chopsticks.
The thick cut of beef he'd been holding rolled across the floor, but he paid it no mind.
The eyes of the wide-eyed 10-million director were glued to the screen, locked on the cool face of Hui-yul—who moved without rest, yet showed not a hint of strain.
Viewers were in awe.
But directors were horrified.
"No way, what the hell is..."
"My God...!"
"What the fuck is that guy?!"
In 2003, the Korean film Oldboy earned worldwide fame with a brutal action scene: over three minutes of a long take featuring 19 people tangled in a brawl.
It's a famous anecdote that the actor, half-dead from exhaustion, muttered, "Never doing Dachimawa Lee again."
Dachimawa Lee originally meant a chaotic melee where the hero fights off surrounding enemies, but it soon evolved into slang for any long-take fight scene.
In other words, it was that overwhelming.
Of course, the difficulty of the scene itself isn't comparable. A 19-person brawl versus a two-man duel? Totally different.
But.
If it's that guy Kang Min... he might even surpass it...!
Director Choi Bong-man finally swallowed hard.
The directors knew Kim Ho-jin's caliber as a stuntman all too well.
He was the kind of guy whose thug-like antics were barely covered up by his agency's desperate pressure and his overwhelming skills—a talent even directors in the know had quietly hired to draw crowds, sweeping rumors under the rug.
And a rookie actor matching that stuntman blow-for-blow in a one-take action scene?
Not to mention proven acting chops on top?
The three directors couldn't help but feel their long-compromised ideas stirring back to life, tailored to harsh realities.
That's the real deal!
I need to lock this down first...!
While freaks like Lee Hyun-seok and Kim Cheol are overseas, I gotta make my move...!
Director Jeong Seo-hoon bolted out the door.
Director Lee Myung-soo grabbed his phone and started fishing for intel everywhere.
10-million director Choi Bong-man shot to his feet in a hurry, then paused to snatch up the fallen beef, delaying him a bit.
Beyond them, overnight, countless producers etched the name Kang Min into their minds and sprang into action.
The entertainment agencies that moved first—especially SGS Entertainment—were suddenly desperate.
"Kuh, so the big names broke first...!"
"Director Lee Han-wool insists on casting him as the lead—says bring him in at any cost!"
"That idiot was all shrugs when we said we had to snag him, and now he's flipping out?!"
"This isn't the time to nitpick!"
"Exactly! We gotta make contact before his value skyrockets more!"
Days passed amid the widespread buzz.
Kang Min didn't budge.
Even knowing agencies and big-name directors were circling, he holed up in silence for days.
Everyone throwing tantrums had no choice but to hold their breath, gauging the mood.
Hmm, so he's not deciding rashly.
Playing it cautious, huh.
That's some serious patience...
Contrary to the industry's guesses, Kang Min wasn't appraising his own value or biding his time.
He was just...
Kuugh... this hurts down to the bone...!
Muscle pain like hell.
#
The world's a funny place. Just because KBC's CP Han Ye-seul was screaming and punching pillows didn't mean Kang Min was basking in joy.
If anything, he was pretty damn miserable too.
Unlike Han Ye-seul's wail of "That talented actor's living easy," even that star had his own ordeals.
... those monsters...!
Hundreds of deaths to summon the knight of justice, William White.
The shoot where that William White went berserk, slipping the leash.
And the inevitable muscle agony that left him screaming in pain.
Kang Min's acting was sheer masochistic hell, with aftereffects to match.
He hadn't been unprepared for it. He'd just ignored it in the heat of the moment, fueled by sheer grit.
But in the end...
Failure meant it was all for nothing.
"Amazing, Min! King and Sovereign broke 20%! 20.4%! All thanks to you!!"
"Hngh... and Black Forest?"
"20.9%! We pushed the peak past 30%!! We did it!!"
"........."
"Your scene hit over 30% peak! We basically won!"
A 0.5% gap.
For a hastily filled gap in the schedule compared to Black Forest's juggernaut status, it was absurd.
No one dreamed King and Sovereign would pull off the impossible miracle of topping 20%.
As the industry reeled in shock, the production team erupted in cheers and hugs.
"20.4%! 20.4%...!"
"Holy shit! It actually worked!"
"Kyaaaa!!"
"Insane!!"
Section Chief Kim Kang-hyun laughed his ass off, the pragmatic CEO ordered 200% bonuses on a whim, and PD Yu Ho-hyeon—who'd dreamed of 10% his whole career—covered his eyes to hide the tears.
And everyone knew who the star was.
"How much bonus did Actor Kang Min just hand us?!"
"Where's Min? Find him—we're tossing him in the air!"
"Ahem, I knew it from the start."
"Hyung Park Seong-ho, aren't you getting a bit pathetic...?"
But anyway,
While the set buzzed with excitement and Han Ye-seul woke up crying "Why only me with this bullshit!", Kang Min couldn't celebrate.
He was blankly staring at the special clause in his contract.
If the average ratings for any episode of surpass even once, MBS guarantees Actor Kang Min one year of starring rights in ...
In other words,
The 0.5% gap meant the clause didn't trigger.
The chance he'd burned himself out for had slipped away emptily.
As everyone jumped for joy, Kang Min squeezed his eyes shut.
"We lost."
"Uh, what?"
"Black Forest... how is it such a monstrous opponent...!"
"Huhhh?"
It was downright shameless.
Ignoring the dazed Baek Chae-i, Kang Min trembled with rage. Recalling his torment, who could blame him?
But as always, reining in his emotions and steeling himself didn't take long.
No, I'll just do it again...!
No big deal. His mind was foggy, his body shattered joint by joint, on the verge of collapse—that was all!
Kang Min, who'd endured seven fruitless years as an aspiring actor, was used to failure. As long as he was breathing, he could challenge again, craft a better scene.
But right now, there was a problem.
A huge one.
Stuntman Kim Ho-jin...!
King and Sovereign Episode 6 wasn't a one-man show.
Stuntman Kim Ho-jin was irreplaceable.
The insane skill to clash with mad swordsman William White.
The knack for bridging tempo with snappy minor lines.
And above all, that pro conscience—writhing on the ground at the end like he'd truly been beaten down.
No other stuntman like him existed.
In short, without Kim Ho-jin, no more scenes like Episode 6.
No replacement...! It has to be Kim Ho-jin!
Amid his excruciating pain, Kang Min desperately tracked down Kim Ho-jin's agency and reached out.
Retired recently due to chronic illness—maybe he could squeeze in one more scene.
Luckily, the agency was positive.
More precisely, thrilled.
"The panic disorder..."
"My God...!"
Hiding a chronic illness severe enough to force retirement—what pro spirit!
Kang Min, who'd weathered dark times himself, was deeply moved.
He doubled down on his resolve to persuade him.
"Could I meet Kim Ho-jin in person?"
"I think it's a waste for him to retire like this. First, I'd like to thank him personally. Not right away—even later, once he's better, just one more scene together."
This time, the manager—who'd been getting chewed out by the agency head—had his turn to be moved.
Sure, it was a killer scene, but what actor personally thanks a mere stuntman?
His rumored character isn't hype...!
Bonded by this touching (if unclear) moment, the two headed straight to Kim Ho-jin's home.
...Without the man himself wanting it one bit, naturally.
#
Kuh, damn it... why am I in this mess...!
At the same time, stuntman Kim Ho-jin huddled under his blanket, shivering.
Machiavelli once said fear itself compels obedience.
Not the law, but the prison sentence that follows breaking it.
Not the hanbok, but the mad teacher draped in it.
Not the stern voice, but the beatings right up to the brink of death—
In that sense, Kim Ho-jin was doomed to stray. His raw talent meant no one could beat him that close to death.
Put differently,
Getting pummeled like that by Kang Min was a first in his life.
Goddamn...!!
Worse, he couldn't tell a soul—had to suffer in silence.
His past antics meant he couldn't anyway, and even if he did, no one would believe him.
A national-team stuntman beaten half to death by some actor? Who'd buy that...!
With his bank account empty to boot, Kim Ho-jin's mind flipped a dozen times a day.
Damn, retirement was too hasty! Should I take it back now?
No, best avoid that psycho! Never seen eyes like that...
And William White? If you're Hui-yul, be Hui-yul—why that lunatic swordsman?! Why's a freak that skilled slumming it as an actor...!!
Card bills loomed, tempting him—then memories of Kang Min grinning post-beatdown sent chills down his spine.
In the end, Kim Ho-jin hadn't left his room in days.
A prime shut-in.
"Damn it, I said no! I'm really retiring! You don't know shit...!"
"Uwaaa, seriously...!"
The agency and manager kept needling him too. They figured he was just throwing another fit.
Today, they even threatened to show up in person.
Kim Ho-jin, who never backed down from anyone, was seething inside.
Fuck, it's that psycho's fault—not scared of you lot! When they come, I'll give 'em hell!
His resolve held.
The intercom chimed "Vehicle arrived," and soon the bell rang. Kim Ho-jin flung the door open, roaring.
"You fucks, I told you I—hiiik?!"
But it wasn't the manager.
"Long time no see, Actor Kim Ho-jin."
"H-How... here?"
"Through the front door."
"Gahk...!"
"May I come in?"
To Kang Min's friendly smile, Kim Ho-jin somehow croaked like his throat was gripped.
His ashen face made the manager—already suspecting malingering—falter.
Wait, is he actually sick?
Kang Min shared the concern but couldn't back off.
Inside, Kim Ho-jin barely calmed his freakout, served drinks, and eyed them warily with utmost politeness.
The manager genuinely started doubting his mental health.
"S-So, what brings you here...?"
"Straight to the point: Will you work with me one more time?"
"...Pardon?"
"Just one scene."
Kang Min's tone was desperate, his eyes intense.
In other words, he looked utterly insane to anyone watching.
Kim Ho-jin hiccuped.
"As you know, ratings are out. Despite you holding back for me, I fell short of first place...!"
"Th-that..."
"But next time, we might make it! If you lend your strength just once...!"
"Uh..."
"I guarantee last time was my fault. But the next will be even more thorough! Please help!"
"Kuhk...!"
My God—the manager was deeply touched by Kang Min's courtesy.
Stuntmen are "stunt actors" in name, but no one treats them as such. He'd never heard anyone call one "Actor."
Yet hotshot Kang Min was treating the stuntman with utmost respect, begging earnestly.
How's his character this perfect...!
The moved manager vowed to leak this heartwarming tale to a reporter on his way out.
But to Kim Ho-jin, it was just the psycho admitting last time wasn't enough—promising a more brutal thrashing.
He gasped for air.
Madman...! How'd I end up with this lunatic...!!
He wanted to refuse.
Obviously kick him out.
But Kang Min's desperate eyes evoked even greater madness than last time.
And trauma isn't something you control.
In the end, only one phrase escaped Kim Ho-jin's lips.
"O-One time...?"
"Oh, you'll do it?"
"Y-Yes......."
"Thank you! Get well soon! If you need a hospital rec, I know a great one!"
Orphanages bred panic disorder hotspots, so Kang Min knew the drill: certainty it's temporary, diaphragmatic breathing, CBT first—but meds worked best, balanced properly.
...To Kim Ho-jin's ears, though, it sounded like "mess up and you're done for at that 'great place.'"
"N-No need. It's just once."
"As expected of a peak stunt actor! Haha, looking forward to it!"
"Yes..."
"Hahaha!"
"Ha... ha.."
"Hahahaha!"
The manager teared up at the sight of history's worst bully swayed by sincerity. Couldn't get more wholesome.
After the awkward stretch, Kim Ho-jin swallowed and spoke.
Accepted it—time to assess.
"B-But... next scene swordplay again?"
"Writer Baek Chae-i seems to think so."
"Ah..."
"But I have a different idea."
"Pardon?"
"Flashy scenes alone won't catch Black Forest. As actors, shouldn't we draw out something more essential?"
Kang Min shook his head. Kim Ho-jin perked up—anything but swinging swords, right?
Until Kang Min spoke gravely.
"Do you like dinosaurs, by any chance?"
"...Pardon?"
"Specifically, recreating the vibe of facing a Giganotosaurus—what do you think?"
"......."
Kim Ho-jin squeezed his eyes shut.
He's insane...!
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