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“Prosecutor General Nam Gicheol is a vile villain, yet he possesses a favorable impression, a cunning ability to handle people, exceptional intelligence, and remarkable social skills. This role demands nuanced acting, and I believe actor Jo Seokhwan perfectly embodies the character I envisioned, which is why I reached out to him. I expect it will be a fresh challenge for the actor, as it’s a type of role he has never undertaken before.”
‘Why he wanted actor Jo Seokhwan for the role’ — as Seungjun earnestly explained his reasoning, Jo Seokhwan’s rigid expression gradually softened.
As the actor calmed his anger and slowly regained his composure, the atmosphere noticeably eased. Seungjun wondered if a little more persuasion might at least convince him to read the script.
Just as Seungjun was meeting his gaze, striving to convey his sincerity, Nam Yiwon abruptly interjected once more.
“Most producers always expect similar characters from you, don’t they, and only offer similar roles? This kind of opportunity is rare.”
“Mmmph, not really.”
Noticing Jo Seokhwan’s expression instantly harden again, Seungjun resorted to speaking through gritted teeth. ‘Is this guy an ally or an enemy?’
He then deliberately stepped in front of Nam Yiwon, blocking him, and spoke directly.
“Please, just read the script once and then contact us.”
“Haa…”
“Even if you decide to decline, please make sure to call. I genuinely want to work on this script with you, actor Jo Seokhwan, which is why I haven’t sent it to any other actors.”
“…I’ll read it, then.”
Jo Seokhwan reluctantly nodded. Though his reluctance hadn’t entirely vanished, his promise to read the script didn’t seem to be an empty one.
‘This was the best I could do.’
As Seungjun took a step back, Jo Seokhwan promptly exited the restaurant. He didn’t forget to cast a sharp glare at Nam Yiwon before he left.
Only after Jo Seokhwan had completely vanished from sight did Seungjun let out a sigh. Casting was never smooth, but this time, he felt utterly drained.
Nam Yiwon, feigning comfort, approached and placed a hand on Seungjun’s back.
“See? I told you he wasn’t a good recommendation.”
“Don’t give me that ‘bad recommendation’ nonsense! Why didn’t you tell me beforehand that you and actor Jo Seokhwan don’t get along? Is making things more complicated your hobby?”
Infuriated by Nam Yiwon’s infuriating tone, Seungjun’s temper flared. Watching the slick man stand there with his hands clasped behind his back, Seungjun’s teeth instinctively ground together.
He could now perfectly understand Jo Seokhwan’s utter disdain for Nam Yiwon.
“Our personal relationship is one thing; business is another.”
“You should have at least given me a warning!”
“You managed just fine without it, didn’t you? From what I saw, actor Jo Seokhwan will probably agree to it.”
Even after Jo Seokhwan had pointed his finger at him, calling him ‘this bastard’ and ‘that bastard’ with veins bulging in his neck, Nam Yiwon still viewed his casting positively.
Seungjun, pouting slightly, replayed Jo Seokhwan’s response in his mind. The optimistic prediction began to soothe his irritation.
“Really?”
“He’s probably itching for an image change anyway. His career is long, but the roles he gets are all similar. He can’t just take any role, and I’ve heard he’s been quite troubled by this.”
“If we can just get him to read the script, that’s half the battle won. A captivating villain, too.”
“Absolutely.”
Nam Yiwon readily agreed, as if he had been waiting for the cue. Feeling considerably better, Seungjun followed Nam Yiwon back to their table.
As soon as they sat down, a waiter appeared with their main courses.
When his eyes met the waiter’s, Seungjun felt a flush of embarrassment and clicked his tongue. He realized that he and Jo Seokhwan had been quite loud during their meal, yet no one had intervened.
Perhaps it was because the place was so expensive, or thankfully, because there were no other patrons.
“Still, it’s a miracle we weren’t kicked out.”
As Seungjun mumbled, Nam Yiwon simply smiled—that familiar, irritating smirk. Seeing it, Seungjun suddenly remembered Jo Seokhwan’s outburst at Nam Yiwon.
Recalling Jo Seokhwan’s suspicion that this meeting had been orchestrated, Seungjun glanced around the restaurant, which had been devoid of other customers since they arrived.
‘I wondered why he brought me to a place like this. He must have rented out the entire venue and set this up.’
Nam Yiwon picked up his fork and knife, resuming his focus on the meal. The man’s foot began to tap near him once more.
‘That lunatic.’ Fed up, Seungjun crossed his legs to avoid Nam Yiwon’s tapping foot.
It seemed Nam Yiwon had already paid for the venue rental and the meal, as the waiter didn’t even bring a receipt. Although Seungjun was disinclined to accept such an expensive lunch he hadn’t asked for, he exited the restaurant as if nothing were amiss.
Rather than squabbling over the bill in front of the man, it was better to simply pay him back later. Seungjun made a mental note of the restaurant’s name and searched for it on his way back to the broadcasting station.
The course meal Nam Yiwon had ordered cost nearly 300,000 won per person.
‘This wasn’t a date, nor an important meeting, nor a casual outing with a close friend, yet he spent this much on a single meal.’
‘No wonder cafeteria food doesn’t suit the palate of someone who routinely shovels down meals like this.’
‘Anyway, I’ll have to treat him to a meal sometime soon. Haa… I just wish I could pretend I never ate it and settle it with cash.’
“Oh?”
As Seungjun grumbled and stepped out of the elevator, a welcome face appeared before him: Jeon Subin. She was Seungjun’s ex-girlfriend from college, with whom he’d briefly dated before returning to friendship, and now the team leader of HBN’s marketing department.
Subin’s face lit up the moment she saw Seungjun, and she approached him.
“Hey, Baek Seungjun!”
“What brings you here?”
“I’m here for work, of course. It’s been ages, hasn’t it?”
Since there was no need for PPL in the desert, they hadn’t had reason to see each other for a while. As they exchanged pleasantries, happy to reunite with an old friend, Subin’s gaze occasionally drifted sideways.
The sparkle of curiosity in her eyes reminded Seungjun that Nam Yiwon was still standing beside him. The man was staring intently at Jeon Subin.
“I need to talk for a moment before heading in. You go on ahead.”
Seungjun gestured for the man, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Subin, to leave. Without responding to Seungjun’s instruction to go ahead, Nam Yiwon abruptly offered Subin his hand for a handshake.
“Hello. I’m Director Nam Yiwon. I’ll be co-directing a drama with PD Baek Seungjun, so I expect to be at HBN frequently for a while.”
“Hello, I’m Jeon Subin, the Marketing Team Leader.”
“Your face looks incredibly familiar. Have we met somewhere before?”
“Hey, don’t try your cheap tricks.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Seungjun stepped between them, blocking Nam Yiwon. When Seungjun gave him a more forceful glare to leave, Nam Yiwon simply poked his head out and gave Subin a knowing glance.
He had a truly distasteful habit of trying to flirt with every person he met.
Only after Nam Yiwon had walked far down the corridor did Seungjun turn back to Subin. Subin, who had also been watching Nam Yiwon’s receding back, tilted her head.
“We went to the same university, but we never crossed paths. How does he know me?”
“He’s just trying to flirt. Ignore him.”
“Haha. Well, his reputation certainly precedes him.”
‘Had the rumors already spread to the marketing department?’ Seungjun pressed the elevator button, frowning deeply.
Subin, reading his expression with uncanny accuracy, leaned in and whispered her question.
“How’s the drama with Director Nam Yiwon coming along?”
“Haa… Don’t even ask.”
“Are you two that incompatible?”
“That’s just how collaborations go, you know? Anyway, is there a restaurant somewhere that costs about 300,000 won per person for a meal?”
Knowing that talking about it would only make him feel worse, Seungjun changed the subject. He needed to repay Nam Yiwon, which meant finding a restaurant that charged 300,000 won for a single meal.
The mention of 300,000 won clearly came as a shock, as Subin’s large eyes widened as if they might pop out.
“300,000? For two people combined?”
“No, per person.”
“You’re spending 300,000 per person for a meal? Who is it? Do you have a new partner? No, you wouldn’t even spend that much on a partner. A family gathering? Your parents’ birthday?”
“Shut up. I have to buy Nam Yiwon a meal.”
Seungjun retorted irritably, sweeping his bangs back to cool his frustration. He considered himself someone who spent money when necessary, but even a nice date at a place with a good ambiance rarely exceeded 300,000 won per person.
‘Did that damned foie gras have gold leaf on it?’
Subin chuckled, seeing Seungjun’s utterly disgusted expression.
“Why Director Nam?”
“He asked me out for a meal today, and I ended up inadvertently letting him treat me.”
“To Director Nam, that’s probably nothing, so why are you trying to pay him back? Did he tell you to treat him next time?”
“No. I just don’t like being treated.”
“If he took you to a restaurant in that price range without asking beforehand, Director Nam probably intended to pay.”
“I don’t care. It feels… unclean.”
“What’s ‘unclean’ about it? You’re perfectly happy to let me treat you!”
“Is that the same thing?”
“What’s the difference?”
Just as Subin posed her question, the elevator arrived. Subin confidently walked into the opening elevator, waving her hand.
“Don’t be so stubbornly strange; just live simply. I’m off, okay?”
Seungjun stood crookedly, watching the elevator doors close. He remained there for a while, even after Subin had completely vanished from his sight.
‘I don’t want to owe that bastard anything, not even the slightest bit.’
The unspoken reply caught in his throat. He cleared his throat with a cough and then headed back to his desk.
****
“Actor Jo Seokhwan called to say he’ll do it!”
Lee Heeseung, her face bright with enthusiasm, rushed over to deliver the good news. Before Nam Yiwon’s arrival, Seungjun had been gently waving a container full of yellow chamomile tea bags near his face, savoring their aroma.
This was truly welcome news, especially as they had been struggling with the main character’s casting right up until the final stages.
The actor, who had been so exasperated by Nam Yiwon, had read the script—a script Seungjun had personally contributed to—and responded positively.
Neither Nam Yiwon nor Author Bae Wonjeong had significantly altered the Prosecutor General character, making this a success entirely due to Seungjun’s own efforts. Seungjun fought a smile, forcing his lips down, and cleared his throat with a ‘hmm.’