Sweet Rest After the Battle Shoot
After the grueling four nights and five days of battle filming wrapped up, the next shooting schedule underwent a slight revision. This created a delicious day of rest, like honey to the weary cast and crew. Everyone returned to the accommodations utterly drained, dragging their exhausted bodies to their respective rooms.
Baek Woojin showered the moment he entered his room, then collapsed straight onto the bed.
"zzZ…."
He always made a habit of reviewing his script before bed, but even that routine crumbled before the accumulated fatigue that knocked him out cold in an instant.
From that night until the next day, the annex building rented by the Justice team remained deathly quiet, like a ghost town.
A day later, with his condition somewhat recovered, Woojin headed back to the set.
"Hey! Woojin, you're here?"
"Long time no see!"
"Writers, you both look even better than before."
Leading the arriving group were Kim Soolim and Seo Min-kyeong. They explained they'd been frantically writing scripts right up until boarding the plane, catching some sleep only on the flight over.
"I saw the rough cut—it's way better than I imagined!"
"Teacher, like I keep telling you, even if we scribble something half-baked, Woojin and Senior Lee Kang-sik will bring it to life with their acting."
Woojin and Lee Kang-sik exchanged awkward smiles at the writers' praise. If it sat well with them too, that was a relief.
"Um, the director's here too, you know?"
Woo Seung-hyun PD, who had been quietly listening to their chatter, approached and raised his hand shyly.
"O-of course! Our director's direction is top-notch too! Right?"
"You mean that sincerely? Or is this groveling?"
"Oh come on, even Woo PD doesn't recognize my sincerity? I'm hurt!"
"Hahaha!"
With all these familiar faces gathered, laughter bloomed naturally in the warm, jovial atmosphere.
"Alright, shall we check the storyboard first?"
"Call!"
Kim Soolim and Seo Min-kyeong's eyes sharpened in an instant. The friendly, generous big-sister vibe vanished, replaced by the intense aura of pro writers. They pored over the storyboard with hawk-like focus, diving into serious discussions with Woo PD.
"Dad, don't you feel tense now that the writers are here?"
"I was just about to say the same thing."
Kim Soolim was famous for frequently visiting sets to brainstorm scenes with the director. Some even said her vision for visuals surpassed that of average drama PDs. Of course, she never overstepped into directing territory—it just showed her unparalleled passion and love for her work.
No wonder her disciple Seo Min-kyeong had shown such fire during Wanted. Woojin was reminded once again why she was a top writer.
A moment later,
"Setting up!"
With their discussion concluded, Woo PD approached the actors. While the setup was prepared, Woojin and Lee Kang-sik headed to the waiting area in one corner of the set to run lines.
"After rolling around non-stop for four nights and five days, this feels easy."
"Yeah. Aside from that emotional scene on the last day, it should go smoothly."
The scenes scheduled after Monsoon Valley Vineyard had little action required. Where there was sorrow in life, joy naturally followed. It was time to showcase the peaceful everyday moments in Lee Jung-hyuk and Lee Jin-tae's lives, set against Hua Hin's stunning scenery.
These picked up right after the 'Reclum vs. Thai Mafia' battle scenes shot the day before. The shots of Lee Jung-hyuk rushing to the gunshot-wounded, collapsed Lee Jin-tae, shedding tears, and their father-son conversation were slated for the final day. Until then, Woojin planned to conserve his emotions.
He needed to stockpile stamina for the climax… starting now.
"Everything but the first day was either dorm or set, so I felt a bit bummed, but squeezing in sightseeing like this under the guise of filming? Pure bliss."
"Heh, that happy, huh?"
"Of course. If you'd been like me—first flight, first time abroad—I'm sure you'd be amazed too."
"Wait till you get older. This stuff won't faze you."
"I'll let you know once I do."
"Puhaha!"
Lee Kang-sik pinched his cute junior's cheek.
"Your comebacks are getting sharper, huh?"
"Ow, ow!"
As they bantered, the assistant director signaled.
"Shooting starts!"
Woojin and Lee Kang-sik moved into position.
"Let's go!"
"Yes, fighting!"
On a sandy beach in Hua Hin, under the pleasantly shining sun, their silhouettes faced each other as
"Ready, action!"
Filming picked up speed. The perfect visuals conceived by Kim Soolim and Seo Min-kyeong meshed seamlessly with Woo PD's crisp direction. Add Woojin and Lee Kang-sik's explosive acting, and the ensemble cast was flawless. OKs came in just one or two takes per cut, letting the work proceed leisurely.
Time flew by. The two-week location shoot was nearing its end. The last night in this place he'd grown attached to brought an indescribable pang of reluctance, separate from the filming.
"Shooting starts!"
Woo PD's voice carried a mix of refreshment and regret, mirroring Woojin's feelings.
Soon,
- Clap.
The slate snapped.
"Camera, roll."
"Sound, okay!"
"Ready, action!"
The camera rolled. The final scene, connecting right after the intense battle at Monsoon Valley Vineyard.
A hut deep in 'Reclum's' territory within the Golden Triangle.
- Tatadak.
Lee Jung-hyuk rushed straight to his father upon returning to the hideout. Lee Jin-tae lay unconscious on the sickbed, but the doctor assured him his life wasn't in danger. Only then did relief flood Lee Jung-hyuk as he gripped his father's hand.
"…Thank you, Father. For holding on… thank you so much."
Like a child wailing, he knelt and sobbed.
He stayed by his father's side without leaving even for a moment until Lee Jin-tae regained consciousness.
How much time passed?
"……."
"Ah, Father! Are you awake?"
Lee Jin-tae stirred. Tears poured from Lee Jung-hyuk's eyes like a waterfall once more.
The delicate emotional line and the naturally somber atmosphere were enough to moisten the staff's eyes.
"Sob… Father… wah…."
It was the desperate, heartrending tears of a man.
The night of tears ended, and a few days later.
"Father, say ahh. Slowly."
Under Lee Jung-hyuk's devoted care, Lee Jin-tae's condition steadily improved. On a night when he could communicate without issue, with an IV in his arm, Lee Jin-tae silently gazed at the full moon in the sky.
Lee Jung-hyuk, returning from an errand outside, approached.
"Father, can't sleep?"
"…Sit for a bit."
A long father-son conversation began abruptly—for the first time in Lee Jung-hyuk's life.
"What's up?"
"…I have something to tell you."
"What is it, Father?"
"Before you were born…."
Lee Jin-tae slowly revealed the pain he'd endured in 1983. Who knew his father's hidden past was so tumultuous? Lee Jung-hyuk suppressed his shock, listening intently.
"…So my goal is this."
Lee Jin-tae added that the endpoint of his life was revenge against the South Korean government.
"…That's why I raised you so harshly, pushing you to the brink."
"……!"
Lee Jung-hyuk's eyes widened. What followed stunned him like a hammer to the head. His strict upbringing was to forge him into a human weapon for his father's personal vendetta.
"I'm truly sorry as your father for making you live this life."
Their eyes met. In a low voice, Lee Jin-tae asked,
"Will you join my cause?"
"…Yes."
Lee Jung-hyuk nodded, resolved to aid his father's revenge. The decision came quickly relative to its weight, but the inner turmoil and conflict that sprouted were profound. How could he not worry if innocents died in the process?
But,
"I'll do it, if it's your wish, Father."
For Lee Jung-hyuk, his attachment to the precious person who'd nearly died protecting him outweighed it. Once this was over, no more such life. Just this one thing, then he and his father could live happily alone.
That's what he believed.
"…Thank you."
A faint smile touched Lee Jin-tae's lips. His father's smile—not bright, but born of his choice—filled Lee Jung-hyuk with happiness too.
Cautiously, he asked,
"What should I do next?"
"The blueprint will be ready soon. Just wait a little longer."
"Got it."
Lee Jung-hyuk gladly inherited his father's thirst for vengeance. Gazing at the moon adorning the night sky once more, Lee Jin-tae concluded,
"I won't let your hands be stained with blood."
"Pardon?"
"The blood will be on my hands, son. You just help up to that point. Don't worry."
"……?"
Lee Jung-hyuk couldn't grasp the true meaning, the hidden heart and truth behind those words. Under the moonlight, Lee Jin-tae's smile had deepened just a shade.
"Nice, the breeze feels cool."
"Chilly?"
"Not at all. Tonight, I just want to fall asleep like this in the wind."
"Still, cover up with a blanket. You'll catch a cold."
"Alright."
"I'll get one."
Lee Jung-hyuk left the room. On Lee Jin-tae's lips, which had shifted from faint to deeper smile, now lingered a meaningful one. He murmured softly to himself,
"D-Day, waited 30 years, is almost here. Just a bit longer—I'll follow soon."
As if addressing a letter to someone.
"Great work, everyone!"
With the Thailand location shoot fully complete, the production team held a small tea party. Modest but sufficient for the full cast to enjoy casually.
As the lively gathering wound down, Woojin and Lee Kang-sik left first. As Woo PD rose to follow,
"Director, hold on a sec."
Kim Soolim and Seo Min-kyeong stopped him.
"What's up?"
"Well, we've finished the script up to episode 13 now."
"Yeah, and?"
"Starting from the mid-17th episode, there's a new character."
Seo Min-kyeong continued for Kim Soolim.
"Appears in three episodes, a key twist in the latter half, so we'd prefer an established actor…."
Kim Soolim cut in.
"It's a character connected to Hanbando."
Woo PD nodded thoughtfully.
"If needed, we cast. Who do you have in mind?"
"Linked to Hanbando, so probably an actor from it."
"Yoo Tae-seok?"
"Yes, possible?"
Woo PD sighed.
"Ah… From what I know, Yoo Tae-seok's shooting a drama in China right now."
"What?! Then no?"
"Probably. The casting director there is an acquaintance—says no plans to return to Korea till year-end."
"Argh, why tell us now!"
"Y-Yeah?! How was I supposed to know you had Yoo Tae-seok in mind?!"
Kim Soolim clutched her head.
"Ugh, I really wanted someone connected to Hanbando…."
She smacked her lips in regret. Then,
"Um… Teacher."
Seo Min-kyeong spoke cautiously.
"What, Min-kyeong?"
"Isn't there… one more besides Yoo Tae-seok?"
"Huh? Who?"
"Yoo Tae-seok's… stand-in…."
Before Seo Min-kyeong finished, Kim Soolim's face hardened.
"Wait! You don't mean… that bastard Ahn Jong-hoon?!"
Her brows furrowed instantly.