[War of the Villains has begun!]
[The beginning of the cool action storming through the summer!]
[War of the Villains reaches 520,000 cumulative viewers on opening day.]
The link Jung Dusik had sent contained news about War of the Villains.
Maybe the production company had really pushed hard.
Far more positive articles than he had expected were pouring out.
[Netizens are sending nothing but praise toward War of the Villains.]
[Ma Seokdong of “War of the Villains.” I am just grateful you all like it.]
[Kim Mucheol of War of the Villains, already preparing his next project?]
The buzz it had built from the trailer had definitely played a part.
War of the Villains had more than fulfilled people’s expectations, and thanks to that, the audience numbers were still climbing rapidly.
With those who had seen the movie leaving positive reviews, online communities were also extremely active.
“[Anyone here seen ‘War of the Villains’?]
I fell for the trailer and waited it out to watch it, you know?
It was more fun than I expected.
The action was incredible and the story was pretty solid, so I feel like I could watch it several times.
Especially when Park Haejun and Jang Sudong were walking around together, wow.
Seriously, the only word that came to mind was ‘cool.’
Even as a guy, I fell for them.
Jang Sudong hyung with that knife scar on his cheek, the intimidation, man…
And Park Haejun was really charming too.
His past was tragic, and seeing him work under Jang Sudong later on…
I could not stop grinning for no reason.
I was completely satisfied. What about you guys?”
— ConceptCrackle: “I barely managed to get tickets too. Seriously, it is a movie that really makes a man’s heart burn. That, that is what a real gangster looks like. I just kept thinking how damn cool it all was.”
— Baekdo: “I watched it with my girlfriend. She had her fists clenched the whole time. She was super tense watching it, and wow… if it is a movie like this, I could watch it two or three times.”
— ForeverSingle: “So you are saying… you have a girlfriend?”
— Baekdo: “Yeah. What about it.”
— ForeverSingle: “Ha… so you really have a girlfriend.”
— Baekdo: “What is with this guy.”
— GeumDae: “Leave him. He has been single his whole life, so he probably gets jealous when he sees couples.”
— DawnIsBreaking: “But seriously, with all those big names gathered, just the action alone is a feast for the eyes. But what is the deal with that Han Seongtae guy. How does a rookie act that well without getting overshadowed by those acting giants? I practically lost it when I saw his eyes.”
— Stand: “You too? Hey, me too!”
The evaluation of War of the Villains was extremely good.
The flashy action played a huge part in that.
With Ma Seokdong and Kim Mucheol, two actors famous in the action world, as leads, the action they displayed together made viewers feel completely refreshed just watching.
And when you added an actor named Han Seongtae into that mix, it quietly created a very nice synergy.
People praised Seongtae for showing acting that did not feel inferior even when compared to those who were worthy of being called great actors.
“[Is ten million in reach?]
Looking at the reactions to War of the Villains right now, they are really good.
The cumulative audience numbers are climbing at a decent rate too.
At this rate, is it not reasonable to hope for ten million?
The story is good, everyone acts well.
The characters are unique and memorable, so if it just has enough time, I feel like it is totally possible.
And this Han Seongtae guy feels really promising too.
His action has such weight to it and I loved that.
So, what do you think, does it seem possible?”
— WhiteMolar: “Ten million is pushing it, but I think five million is doable somehow. It was directed by Choi Yechan, and Ma Seokdong and Kim Mucheol are in it. People call them walking box office guarantees by themselves. Han Seongtae was quietly really good too. I think five million is realistic.”
— CandyIsBitter: “But seriously, what is with that Han Seongtae guy? How can some rookie not feel overshadowed even in front of those big-name actors? He seriously looks like he has everything to himself. He is handsome, he acts well. His personality must be trash, right? No one can have it all. His personality has to be bad. It absolutely has to be.”
— EarBleed: “You might as well just curse him outright. Honestly, kids these days start spewing venom the second they feel even a little jealous. But I do kind of get the feeling. He is doing this well right from his rookie days. How can you not be jealous? His first movie is already showing signs of hitting five million. Seriously, he is never going to get a girlfriend in his life.”
— CPR: “You idiots. What did Han Seongtae ever do to deserve that? At this point, I hope your whole body is covered in hair.”
“Ha ha ha.”
Looking through people’s reactions, Seongtae could not hold back his laughter when he saw the comments from people jealous of him.
Their jealousy was actually pretty cute.
They were not cursing him, they were insisting that he had to have at least one flaw.
At this point, are they not basically praising me?
Comments like that would probably end up having a positive effect instead.
[The One With a Thousand Faces lets out a dry laugh and asks if the corners of your mouth are not a little too high right now.]
[The One Who Defined an Era says there were times they enjoyed reading people’s reactions just like you are now.]
[The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed nods, saying people seem to be seeing things clearly.]
It was not just Han Seongtae who was reading people’s reactions.
The gods of acting were watching along with him and sharing in his joy.
“All of this is only possible because you are helping me. I will be in your care from here on too.”
From the bottom of his heart, Seongtae felt grateful to them.
Just because he had regressed did not mean success was guaranteed, and his talent alone had been miserably insufficient for him to succeed on his own.
[The Founder of Jeet Kune Do smiles as he looks at you.]
[The Actor of Eternal Youth looks at you with a gentle smile.]
[The One With a Thousand Faces says you should spend the time you are using to be grateful reading even one more line of the script, smiling faintly.]
He had only been able to come this far because the gods of acting had been with him.
No amount of gratitude toward them would ever feel like enough.
[The One Who Lives and Dies by Speed asks if you should not go to bed soon, since you have filming tomorrow.]
“Yes, I should.”
Nodding, Han Seongtae glanced over at the clock on the wall.
It was already past eleven at night.
Considering he had filming from the morning the next day, it would not be good to push himself too hard.
“Just a little… I will just read a little more.”
Murmuring quietly, Seongtae turned one more page of the script.
“Seongtae, over here!”
As soon as Han Seongtae stepped onto the Baeknyeoncho set, Kim Mucheol waved at him.
Seeing that, Seongtae let out a small laugh and glanced around.
With the drama’s lead himself greeting him so warmly, people were staring at Seongtae with wide eyes.
Feeling their gaze on him, he gave an awkward smile and walked over.
“Hello, hyung.”
“Hey, Seongtae, welcome. This is Cheon Yeji. You saw her last time, right? Our female lead, playing Yoo Yena.”
“Yes, I know. Hello, sunbae. I am Han Seongtae and I will be playing Ji Yeonwoo this time. I look forward to working with you.”
“The feeling is mutual. Mucheol oppa praised you so much that I really wanted to meet you.”
At Cheon Yeji’s words, Seongtae scratched his cheek and sneaked a glance at Kim Mucheol.
Mucheol came up beside him and draped an arm over his shoulders.
“Did you practice well?”
“Yes, I prepared as hard as I could.”
“Oh, you are brimming with confidence. I am looking forward to it.”
Looking forward.
In the past, those words would have filled him with fear.
Now, hearing that someone was looking forward to him actually made him happy.
Acting alongside the gods of acting had given him confidence as well.
“Let’s go see the director. He has been waiting for you to arrive.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
At Mucheol’s words, Seongtae nodded and walked with him.
In front of Hwang Gyeol, whom they soon reached.
“Oh, Seongtae, you are early. Did you sleep well? I need you in good condition today. I have high expectations for you.”
When he spotted Seongtae, Director Hwang greeted him very warmly.
It was such an enthusiastic welcome that it almost made Seongtae feel embarrassed.
I did not expect to be welcomed this much.
Still, he reminded himself that a good thing was a good thing.
Smiling, he nodded.
“We are going to shoot scene 72 today. You can go straight to makeup and get ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
“We will start by getting a light feel for the scene together, so do not be too nervous. Mucheol, can I talk with you for a moment? There are a few things I want to discuss.”
“Sure, let’s go. Seongtae, get changed and come back here.”
“Yes!”
Nodding, Seongtae moved off with the makeup team.
In a temporary makeup room, people from the makeup team moved their hands quickly, holding various cosmetics as they surrounded him.
“Seongtae, can you try this on? Put your arm through this hole here.”
“Yes. And this goes on underneath. There is a changing booth over there, so you can go change and come back out. If anything feels off, tell us right away.”
Taking the costume, Seongtae went straight into the changing booth and put on the clothes just as they told him.
What he changed into was a modernized hanbok.
With a wig done up in a topknot and a gat on his head, he looked just like a handsome scholar from the old days.
“Wow. Maybe it is because the base is good, but this suits you so well.”
“Seriously. He could be a model, a model!”
Seeing Seongtae with his makeup and costume complete, the staff smiled in satisfaction.
[The One Who Defined an Era’s eyes sparkle as they say it is a very charming outfit.]
[The One Who Defined an Era says it would be nice to get some hanbok made later and match them well with your look.]
At the unusually excited reaction from the god of acting, Seongtae chuckled and stepped outside.
On his way to the place Mucheol had mentioned,
“Hey, did you see the guy who came in earlier?”
“Yes, I saw. Kim Mucheol sunbae greeted him so brightly.”
“Exactly. This is why I hate kids who get in through connections. Because of guys like that, the ones who can really act do not get a chance.”
Whispered voices.
It was not hard for Seongtae to realize they were talking about him.
He was the only one who had just arrived.
“We will have to see. I cannot tell how he could have impressed them so quickly…”
One of the actors who had been badmouthing him shut their mouth the moment their eyes met.
Seongtae’s eyes went wide when he saw the face of the one who had been trash-talking him.
Huh? That is Park Yeeun.
He knew who she was which was why it was hard to believe she was the one badmouthing him.
The Park Yeeun that he knew was not the kind of person who spoke ill of others behind their backs.
“…”
“Seongtae!”
Still looking into her eyes, Seongtae turned his head at the sound of a voice from the side.
One of the staff members had been looking for him.
When he looked back again, Yeeun was already gone.
Slowly closing and opening his eyes, he let out a small breath.
There must have been some misunderstanding…
It did not seem like something he could clear up right now.
He had to film immediately.
I will get a chance to clear it up later.
Looking once more in the direction where Park Yeeun had disappeared, Seongtae turned his body and followed the staff.
“Okay, now that Seongtae is here too, let us start filming.”
With only a brief moment to feel unsettled, Han Seongtae’s first day of filming Baeknyeoncho began.
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