Mapo Police Station, Station Chief's Office on the 5th Floor
Mapo Police Station, 5th floor station chief's office.
Even after the station chief folded the paper newspaper he had been reading and set it down on his desk, repeating the question once more.
"·········Word's already gotten around that you're coming to see that actor. Got it?"
Seo Woong-tae was in a daze.
No criminal record—?
He couldn't believe Kim Kwang-woo's words, so he'd checked the records himself, but that rookie actor had no history of committing crimes.
What the hell?
It was unbelievable. His eyes had never been wrong before. Whether on TV or the big screen.
The actors who'd given him a "shady" vibe almost always had criminal records or ongoing trials.
That was... acting?
No way. That was 100% real experience reflected in it. You couldn't pull off that genuine scumbag human trash vibe without true intent. Suspicious— Seo Woong-tae didn't let go of his doubts.
Of course, he wouldn't jump to conclusions. A real cop excludes even a 0.1% chance of turning an innocent person into a criminal.
[Lee Tae-gyu]
The possibility was extremely low, but maybe this rookie had acting skills top three in Korea that could fool even his eyes.
I'll see for myself first.
But if not. If it wasn't 100% acting, if he was hiding something not yet revealed to the world...
Gulp.
Seo Woong-tae clenched his fist, a chilling smile creeping across his face.
To him, then.
"-Hey! You're doing it again. I told you, man!"
The station chief, who'd been talking for a while, yelled.
"You just imagined beating someone up again! Cut it out!"
"Criminals aren't people."
"Hoo... What am I even saying to you. Anyway, when you meet that actor this time, put in a good word for Mapo Station too."
"What good word?"
"The chief came to our district last time and got hit with a rotten egg. Don't you know our image is already trashed up top?"
The station chief's neck veins bulged.
Surprisingly, PR held a big weight in the police org. Catching a vicious criminal doesn't impress if the public doesn't know, but linking to Korea's top celeb—even a motorcycle snatcher—gets you "They're doing great~" props. That's the game.
······This is my chance.
Of course, the chief had personal reasons too. From senior superintendent up, with the main headquarters' connections, promotions were tough without lines. This was a shot to show how hot Mapo Police Station was working.
······Model Detective 3? This one's hitting ten million for sure too.
A ten-million movie model for Mapo Station? What better promo? Better than interviews scraping dirt with reporters or docu teams hassling with shoots.
"Just one guy coming for an interview. And he's an actor playing you. Treat him well—it's not like it'll hurt."
"I'll do it my way, like always."
Yawning and scratching his belly at Seo Woong-tae, the chief opened his mouth with a frustrated look.
"You need a promotion soon too! How many years have you been spinning your wheels since that demotion?"
"I did it all?"
"Hey!"
"Who's saying I didn't? I did."
Anyway, Seo Woong-tae wanted to see the guy. Since he was taking the role consultation, "If I'm doing it, do it right." And above all.
·········Let's check his face once.
He was curious if the guy really did something or not.
"Instead, the interview's my way. Deal? I'm out."
"Hey, hey!"
As Seo Woong-tae spat "my way" leaving the chief's office, the uneasy chief added.
"You know Monster City's at peak popularity now? If you're not up for it, pass the interview to someone else. We've got more than a few detectives here dying to meet that actor."
Click.
Seo Woong-tae, closing the chief's door, just let out an exasperated chuckle.
············They love going crazy over it.
Detectives whose job is catching criminals. Celebs are just a novelty once. Even for him right now. He figured the other guys in Violent Crimes Unit 2 wouldn't be that hyped.
Of course, that was Seo Woong-tae's underestimate.
Whoa—!
For the detectives, Monster City's popularity heading into episode 7 was, frankly, insane.
"·········Tae-gyu! Great to see you for real!"
"Man, seeing a celeb in the flesh."
"Can you do that line just once?"
"A photo... maybe?"
Mapo Police Station, Violent Crimes Unit 2.
Tae-gyu felt his risen popularity anew amid the detectives' fuss around him.
·········They all like me.
It was true. Last weekend, as ratings war between SBC's Monster City and MBS's Italian Romance hit fever pitch.
SBC: 13.7%
MBS: 13.6%
With ratings flipping in episodes 5 and 6, Tae-gyu's reappearance in 6 exploded expectations.
Monster City episode 6. The protagonist, blinded by bigger money, tosses the company VP using him as a patsy into the gangsters' midst.
Balancing between pursuing detectives and corrupt officials, he hunts the crime syndicate's private vault that owned the money bag.
-Ta-da ♬ City outskirts. Amid gangsters, loan sharks, hitmen chaos, blood sprays in fierce battle!
-Who dies leaving the pot, sirs?
Chilling voice, Oh Dae-bak rolls gas cans, reappearing.
The gambler's overflowing malice spread rumors fast via internet communities and group chats.
[Peak Instant Rating: 15.5%]
Updating all-time high again. As Tae-gyu's acting stretched, ratings climbed, letting Monster City win average too.
SBC: 14.4%
MBS: 13.4%
A full 1% gap. Portals flooded with even more articles than the margin.
Just halfway through 12 episodes. Unlike the hype, it could flip anytime.
But beneficiaries were clear. Post-weekend, interest poured on Lee Tae-gyu, who drove Monster City's pivotal moment.
Simultaneously, insiders sent green-light messages.
Cheon Yoo-seong, of course.
Excited Kwak In-ho writer.
Even Choi Sung-chul, cinematographer with director ties.
Growing interest obvious, more industry folks wanting to collab.
Click. Click. Click.
Tae-gyu felt his popularity skin-deep.
"Whoa, thanks! Tae-gyu!"
"Photo came out killer, heh."
"Just give us that line once—"
"You psycho, that's rude! Sorry, I'll apologize for him. Kid's not well."
"·········It's fine."
Rough-looking violent crimes detectives grinned childlike at photos with him, peeking repeatedly. Handshakes over and over. Friendly back pats.
First meetings this welcoming? Definitely because Tae-gyu was a known actor.
············I am famous now.
Celeb life still unfamiliar, but not bad. Better than past solo hunts for stimuli—now amid buzzing emotions, easier to find dokkaebi fire.
"Cops love noir. They were shocked by your acting."
"Thanks."
"How's Namgoong Yong-su? Doesn't really dump cig ash in bean soup, right?"
"Yeah, polite guy."
"You're more polite now. How'd you play that character looking so normal?"
"Well—"
As he went to answer.
Thud, thud, thud.
Heavy footsteps from the end, booming voice shaking the room.
"Hey, hey. Ugly mugs crowding him. Scary, huh? Move."
"You're here?"
Detectives around Tae-gyu scattered, revealing one man.
Obvious at first glance.
·········This guy's it.
Muscular build. Slightly smaller than Kim Kwang-woo, but comparing to that Roland-gorilla human was rude.
Nice face too.
Kind smile, he extended a thick hand to Tae-gyu.
"Hi, Seo Woong-tae."
"First time, Lee Tae-gyu."
Tae-gyu gripped Seo Woong-tae's hand.
Clench. The moment hands met.
Something scanned his whole body fast—then Seo Woong-tae spoke.
"············Too crowded here. Talk outside briefly?"
"Sure. Good."
Surrounding detectives grumbled complaints.
"Do it here."
"You nuts? Embarrassing in front of report kids."
"Why? All petty crooks."
"Tch! You punks, back to work! Work! Follow and you're dead."
"Ah······"
Regretful at Seo Woong-tae's words. Him bonking heads with file folders, others sitting resigned—playful vibe lingered.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Thus, Tae-gyu followed the overall light, bright Seo Woong-tae.
Screech.
Reaching near back exit vending machine area with him.
"Talk here?"
Tae-gyu couldn't help a slight start answering.
Unlike before.
Seo Woong-tae inserting coins, pulling two coffees—his eyes.
"·········Have one first."
Completely changed.
Opening hearts is hard.
Tae-gyu realized Seo Woong-tae wasn't fully open to him.
Slurp.
Felt it even sipping vending coffee.
·········.
Instinct. The detective ahead eyed him probing.
Oh ho.
Impressive attitude. Hit home facing Seo Woong-tae role—good vs. bad people different.
Even Kim Kwang-woo advised that.
"Heard from Kwang-woo. You're doing my role interview."
"Yes."
"Frankly, if not, fine—but if yes, do it right. That's me."
"Same here."
"Yes. So you came for role interview. Respect that. But!"
Emphasized, gulped coffee, continued.
"Interview my way."
"Your way."
"No faked stuff. Experience my life directly, base the role on that."
"Experience?"
"Yes. Few days tailing me—see how I chase crooks, stakeouts, reports."
"·········"
"Obviously disguise—hat, mask. Just ride shotgun, low exposure, no big risk."
Seo Woong-tae's stance. Hated fake interviews, plus curious about this Lee Tae-gyu whose eyes were ambiguous—saint or sinner?
"So, to interview you, accept some risk."
"Exact. Best for my role—live my life."
"·········I see."
"Don't worry too much. No huge risks."
Actually.
Something's there, I feel.
Offered days together on that hunch.
If something snags...·········
As he thought that.
Tae-gyu was worlds apart.
If he stays closed off...·········
Watching polite but oddly eyeing Seo Woong-tae, he thoughtlessly recalled.
·········Oh no.
The master key forcing shut hearts open.
·········Don't. He's a good guy.
Post-presser, the mischievous dokkaebi fire surfacing when stuck—he suppressed it.
"So, join me?"
Thus.
Cult Elder's Dokkaebi Fire
Suppressing [Cult Elder's Dokkaebi Fire] usable anytime if needed, he began the hot-blooded cop ride-along interview.
"·········Good. Let's go now."