Chapter 858: Emergence of a Strong Enemy (4)

Just as Min Gyu-Ri swung her prop sword in a threatening arc, Yoo-Jin responded as if she had been waiting for it and swiftly slashed her sword upward.

Pop.

Min Gyu-Ri's prop sword flew into the air, knocked clean from her hands by Yoo-Jin's powerful strike.

Whirr.

At that very moment, Yoo-Jin shot her left hand forward and grabbed Min Gyu-Ri by the collar.

『Gah!』

Yoo-Jin's grip was so tight that Min Gyu-Ri immediately started gagging and coughing. Panicking, Min Gyu-Ri flailed in a desperate attempt to escape. However, she couldn't pry off Yoo-Jin's hand, whose grip had only grown stronger with the smirk blooming on her face.

Still holding Min Gyu-Ri firmly by the collar, Yoo-Jin began to roar from a distance so close their breaths mingled.

『No one's come this whole time, which is proof that you and your mother pulled some strings! That means even the king's illness is your doing! Isn't that right, Do-Hwa!』

The hatred in Yoo-Jin's eyes brimmed with cold cruelty, like she could cut down even her own sister. Yoo-Jin's voice rang out from deep in her gut. It was a cry not just of rage, but of heartbreaking sorrow. Her twisted expression was marked by the anguish of having to turn against her own blood, even if they were half-sisters.

With her charisma blazing, Yoo-Jin erased Min Gyu-Ri's presence from the scene entirely. Jung Yoo-Jin, the acting prodigy, had accepted Min Gyu-Ri's provocation solely for this moment.

As a result, the staff on set and the visiting employees from MBS Pohang couldn't take their eyes off her. Even PD Oh Bok-Hee, who had shot up in surprise, let out a quiet gasp of admiration and sat back down.

"That's Jung Yoo-Jin for you. I worried for nothing."

Thud.

When Oh Bok-Hee sat down without calling cut, Yoo-Jin launched confidently into the next part of the scene.

Unable to break free, Min Gyu-Ri bared her teeth in rage.

『Let go of me!』

That was when Yoo-Jin's ad-lib shone once again. Yoo-Jin brought the prop sword in her right hand to Min Gyu-Ri's neck.

Slide.

The moment Min Gyu-Ri saw the blade, her gaping mouth snapped shut. She swallowed hard and began to tremble. The prop sword at her throat wasn't sharp and was made of special materials, but if misused, it could still cut skin.

After overpowering Min Gyu-Ri once more, Yoo-Jin continued her performance with another fierce outcry.

『Answer me, Do-Hwa! Was it truly you who defied all kinship and laid our father low!?』

It was Min Gyu-Ri's turn to respond, but silence fell over the set. She had been so overwhelmed by Yoo-Jin's intensity that she forgot her lines.

Oh Bok-Hee frowned and made a circling motion with her hand. Even though Min Gyu-Ri had missed her cue, it was a signal to keep going.

At that moment, the leader of the masked men charged at Yoo-Jin with his sword raised. Guk-Seon Kim Yoo-Han, who led the assassins and harbored feelings for Princess Do-Hwa, was played by none other than Raven's leader, Oh Tae-Hyuk.

Seeing Oh Bok-Hee's signal, Oh Tae-Hyuk skipped over Min Gyu-Ri's forgotten lines and carried on.

『Release her at once!』

As Oh Tae-Hyuk approached, Yoo-Jin let go of Min Gyu-Ri's collar and kicked her in the thigh. Yoo-Jin's light frame flew backward from the recoil of the kick.

Swish.

Yoo-Jin's hanbok skirt billowed and her hair fluttered in the wind, creating a scene straight out of a painting. In contrast, Min Gyu-Ri fell on her butt and looked utterly pathetic.

Thud.

While Min Gyu-Ri rolled on the ground, Yoo-Jin and Oh Tae-Hyuk continued their choreographed swordfight.

Clack, clack, clack.

At last, the action sequence they had rehearsed played out as planned.

At that moment, Action Director Ahn Seok-Chil, still on the ground, shouted with all his might.

『Lay down your lives to protect your liege!』

Simultaneously, the eastern gate of Yu-Hwa Palace burst open and Deok-Bae charged in with sword-bearing soldiers.

『Protect Princess Yu-Hwa!』

Behind Deok-Bae, a group clad in blue scarves and light armor stormed in. Eventually, Oh Tae-Hyuk halted the fight and stepped back.

『Retreat!』

Oh Tae-Hyuk supported the fallen Min Gyu-Ri and fled toward the west gate. Meanwhile, the masked men left behind began their death scenes retreating in action one by one.

Clang.

As the west gate of Yu-Hwa Palace closed, the scene wrapped up.

"Okay~ That's a cut! Great job, everyone!"

Oh Bok-Hee shouted with a satisfied smile, and the staff erupted in cheers.

"Great work, everyone!"

"Wow, what's with you all today? So good!"

"Fantastic job, seriously!"

"Miss Yoo-Jin, that was insane!"

"Hey, Miss Yoo-Jin, are you trying to become an action star now?"

"Miss Yoo-Jin, leave some scenes for the stunt actors, will you? They need to eat too, you know?"

One by one, the stunt actors who had fallen started getting up, shouting praises for Yoo-Jin's performance. The ever humble Yoo-Jin praised the other stunt actors in return.

I took the opportunity to check Everyday.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: April 9, 2021]

-1:00 a.m.:

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

[Entertainment All Times] Lead actor J, starring in a popular historical drama, was reportedly so startled by newcomer actor M's realistic performance that she fell straight on her butt.

[Baro Star] Rising rookie M shows rapid growth. Overwhelms acclaimed lead J, known as the best among her peers, with pure acting talent. Applause erupts on set.

(Emergency meeting note: Formal protest to Min Gyu-Ri's talent agent. PD Oh Bok-Hee promises strong disciplinary action for any future threatening behavior.))

Thanks to Yoo-Jin's brilliant ad-lib, the troublesome schedule on Everyday had been erased.

Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief and glance over at Director Hong Ah-Yoon. Her face was burning with fury after her attempt to use Min Gyu-Ri had backfired. Next to her, her secretary sensed the tension and quietly lowered the phone they had been using to film.

'

Now this is Jung Yoo-Jin!

'

I was overflowing with pride at Yoo-Jin's commanding presence and remarkable acting. Even more admirable was what she did next.

"Are you alright? Any injuries? Here, take my hand."

Yoo-Jin began helping the fallen stunt actors up, brushing dust off their clothes with sincere care.

Just then, the west gate of Yu-Hwa Palace slammed open and the fuming Min Gyu-Ri stormed in.

Bang!

"Jung Yoo-Jin!"

The moment Min Gyu-Ri shouted Yoo-Jin's name, all eyes turned to watch.

Nevertheless, Yoo-Jin calmly met Min Gyu-Ri head-on. "What is it, Ms. Gyu-Ri?"

Min Gyu-Ri shrieked. "Why did you go off-script with that ad-lib? And the kick wasn't in the script either!"

Yoo-Jin replied coolly. "I guess I was just really immersed in the role. I thought you wanted realistic acting too? No? If I went too far, I apologize."

"Apologize? Then do it properly!"

As Min Gyu-Ri's voice rose, Yoo-Jin answered with crisp clarity. "Things like that can happen during a performance. That's why I let it slide when you swung your sword at me twice in a threatening way."

"Threatening? What are you talking about!? I followed the script. It's because you kept improvising that I had no choice but to react!"

At that moment, Yoo-Jin turned to Oh Bok-Hee. "Mrs. Oh, would it be possible to check the footage from earlier? Otherwise, it might look like I was the one going rogue."

Cleverly, Yoo-Jin pulled the PD into the dispute.

Oh Bok-Hee crossed her arms and replied. "There's no need to check. Everyone here saw that Gyu-Ri swung her sword first—and dangerously, at that." She turned her gaze to Min Gyu-Ri. "Min Gyu-Ri. I get that people have been coddling you lately, and maybe that's gone to your head. But that was really dangerous just now. I let it go because it looked good on camera, but..."

Min Gyu-Ri quickly cut Oh Bok-Hee off, flustered. "Mrs. Oh! I didn't mean to. I was trying to stop! I swear!"

"Did I say you could interrupt?"

Min Gyu-Ri flinched and fell silent as Oh Bok-Hee's eyes sharpened. "I get it. When you're immersed in your role, mistakes happen. I don't encourage it, but I understand. But if you lose your tempo and forget your lines in the middle of it, then you shouldn't have started the scene at all! And what did I say before? Unless I call NG, you go all the way to the end!"

"But I..."

Min Gyu-Ri tried to respond again.

That's when Hong Ah-Yoon stepped in. "That's enough, Gyu-Ri. Mrs. Oh is right."

Min Gyu-Ri looked aggrieved. "Ms. Hong!"

However, Hong Ah-Yoon shot her a glare. Min Gyu-Ri immediately recoiled and shut her mouth. Then unexpectedly, Hong Ah-Yoon rose from her seat and began clapping for Yoo-Jin.

Clap, clap, clap.

"Miss Jung Yoo-Jin really is on another level. Now I see why people won't stop talking about her."

Oh Bok-Hee followed up with the final blow. "Not just anyone can be a lead. When people talk about class, this is what they mean."

"Yes, you're right. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

After delivering her final words, Hong Ah-Yoon spun on her heel and left the set. The president of MBS Pohang and the secretaries followed right after. Min Gyu-Ri, who had tried to provoke Yoo-Jin, couldn't hide her flustered expression as she hurried after them.

In the end, Yoo-Jin showcased a level of acting and character that completely shut down Min Gyu-Ri's petty antics.

***

Click, clack.

Hong Ah-Yoon walked out of the Yu-Hwa Palace set in silence. Following behind her were the broadcasting staff, her secretaries, Min Gyu-Ri, and Chief Jang Sam-Deok.

Suddenly, Hong Ah-Yoon came to a stop at the mouth of the quiet alley beside the set.

Kim Sung-Oh, the MBS Pohang president walking next to her, tilted his head. "Ms. Hong? Why are we stopping all of a sudden..?."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to join you for dinner tonight, Mr. Kim. I need to head back to Seoul right away."

Hong Ah-Yoon's expression was no ordinary one, and Kim Sung-Oh swallowed hard before nodding. "

Ah

, I understand. Then I'll look forward to the next opportunity."

When Hong Ah-Yoon gave a small nod, Kim Sung-Oh and the MBS staff quickly disappeared. All that remained now were Hong Ah-Yoon, her aides, about five secretaries who would soon be HK Entertainment employees, Min Gyu-Ri, and Jang Sam-Deok.

That was when Min Gyu-Ri cautiously tried to apologize about what had just happened. "Ms. Hong, about earlier—"

Smack!

Hong Ah-Yoon slapped Min Gyu-Ri across the face.

Thud.

Min Gyu-Ri crashed onto the ground, landing hard on her backside. Stunned, Min Gyu-Ri clutched her cheek and blinked rapidly. It hurt, but more than that, she had never imagined she would actually be slapped. She was left utterly dazed.

Looking down at Min Gyu-Ri, Hong Ah-Yoon spoke with an expression so cold it seemed to give off frost. "Hey, you stupid bitch! I set the stage for you, and you still couldn't crush Jung Yoo-Jin no matter what it took. And now you dare make excuses over something this simple?"

Min Gyu-Ri couldn't gather her thoughts. She knew she had failed, but she had never expected this kind of verbal abuse, let alone getting slapped.

"M-Ms. Hong..."

Back at TNT Entertainment, the presidents had coddled Min Gyu-Ri and called her their next ace. But Hong Ah-Yoon, true to her chaebol royal blood, treated Min Gyu-Ri as nothing more than a subordinate.

Shocked by this first-ever experience, Min Gyu-Ri began to stammer and her talent agent Jang Sam-Deok stepped in.

"M-Ms. Hong, please calm down. Still, Gyu-Ri did her best—"

That was when Hong Ah-Yoon kicked Jang Sam-Deok in the shin.

"

Ugh

!"

Jang Sam-Deok collapsed on the spot, clutching his leg.

"You're the same kind of bastard. If your celebrity is incompetent, then at least you should've stepped in and covered for her. Instead, you let me get completely humiliated on my first day on set?"

"I-I'm sorry."

The seething Hong Ah-Yoon glared down at the two of them. "You two. Forget whatever treatment you got at your old company. At HK Entertainment, I only take people who deliver results no matter the means. Got it?"

A belated surge of resentment welled up in Min Gyu-Ri, and she clenched her teeth without answering.

That was when Hong Ah-Yoon stepped closer and grabbed her by the hair.

"

Eek

!"

"When I ask you something, you answer within one second. Once you signed the contract, you became mine. Understand?"

Trembling, Min Gyu-Ri glared up at Hong Ah-Yoon. "I... got it. You just want results, right?"

Only then did Hong Ah-Yoon release her hair and smile in satisfaction. "Now that look has some life in it. Good. Just bring results. And like I promised, I'll put you in a lead role in a major film. Don't screw it up."

"A major film?"

"Yeah. Jung Yoo-Jin landed the lead in a project called

She Was Beautiful

, didn't she? We need a rival too. HK Entertainment will push you as the lead."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. You're still no match for Jung Yoo-Jin, but with your potential, it's doable."

Hearing that she would be made Jung Yoo-Jin's rival, Min Gyu-Ri's anger subsided slightly.

"Alright. But make sure you really back me."

"Fine. But you'd better deliver results too. Next time, it won't end with just one slap."

Grinding her teeth, Min Gyu-Ri replied, "Then push me properly before you talk."

"I like that confidence. I'll head up to Seoul today and start preparing. I tested the waters with Jung Yoon-Ho, and he turned out to be tougher than expected."

Muttering to herself, Hong Ah-Yoon jerked her chin at the two of them.

"What are you doing? I said I'm leaving."

"I'm sorry?"

"Aren't you going to stand up and see me off properly?"

Min Gyu-Ri and Jang Sam-Deok gritted their teeth, got up, and bowed their heads.

"Take... care."

"Safe travels, Ms. Hong."

"Alright. See you later, Ming."

Hong Ah-Yoon waved to Min Gyu-Ri, calling her by a twisted version of her name, and turned away.

Click, clack.

Watching Hong Ah-Yoon walk off, casually turning Min Gyu-Ri's name into just 'Ming,' Min Gyu-Ri muttered through clenched teeth, her voice low with belated fury.

"Bitch."

***

After Hong Ah-Yoon left, filming resumed smoothly. Whatever had happened, Min Gyu-Ri was unusually quiet.

I stayed on set until five, watching Yoo-Jin shoot her scenes. Then I handed things over to Team Lead Yeon So-Hee and drove back to Seoul.

Tonight was a back-to-back airing of

Hwaranjeon

episodes 25 and 26, and I was hopeful about the viewership ratings.

However, that could wait. The bigger priority was helping the singers in Singer Division 4, who were being blackmailed by Chief Yoon Dong-Gu.

Right now, Yoon Dong-Gu was using leverage over key Singer Division 4 members to stop the disciplinary action against himself. So I had been working behind the scenes to erase the dirt he had on those celebrities. If I cleared their names, Yoon Dong-Gu would lose all his leverage to dodge punishment.

Last week, I had already handled singer Jeon Tae-Mi's case, exposing her abusive husband Baek Hong-Gyun and getting him out of the picture.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

This time, I planned to cut off Kim Cheong-Gi—a manipulative singer who had deceived duet singers Oh Ji-Seon and Sung Hee-Yeon under the guise of marriage, scamming them out of a car, an officetel, and luxury watches.

They used to be best friends, but became enemies over that man. I wanted to restore their friendship. That was the reason I hired The Best Detective Agency last week to tail Kim Cheong-Gi.

Buzz~

Just as I was passing the Yangjae interchange at 9:20 p.m., a call came in from Director Choi Go-Yoon. I took the call through Bluetooth.

"Yes, Mr. Choi."

-Mr. Jung. Kim Cheong-Gi just entered Club JJ in Gangnam.

"Was he with his talent agent?"

-No. Looks like TNT Entertainment's collapse has left him without one. He's been moving alone since this morning.

Without a company, he had no talent agent or legal protection. That meant Kim Cheong-Gi was more vulnerable than ever. It was the perfect chance to finish this.

"You've secured the photos from the past week, right?"

-Yes, we have plenty.

"I'm heading there now."

-We'll wait by the entrance.

I pressed harder on the gas pedal.

Vroooom.

My Binz sped up on the highway.

***

In the alley in front of Club JJ, Choi Go-Yoon stood in jeans beside a compact car, waiting for me. He said they had someone on the inside.

"One of the waiters at the club is ours. He said Kim Cheong-Gi went into VIP Room 3."

"Got it. I'll go in myself."

"You don't need backup?"

"You know how I work."

"True. With you, Mr. Jung, one man's worth dozens... Alright then, here are the photos we gathered."

Choi Go-Yoon sent me a batch of pictures on my phone. They showed Kim Cheong-Gi spending time with other female celebrities in the days he was out of contact with Oh Ji-Seon and Sung Hee-Yeon.

"Great work."

"I mean, it's my job.

Hahaha

."

"I know better than anyone how tough that job is."

Choi Go-Yoon gave a sly grin. "Find the waiter I mentioned inside. Tell him I sent you and he'll help. Don't be fooled by his looks though. He's already got solid experience and acts like a talent agent. He'll be a big help in there."

"Thank you."

As I turned to head in, Choi Go-Yoon added, "

Oh

, and... you brought enough cash, right? That guy's a bit money-hungry."

I tapped my inner jacket pocket. "More than enough."

In a place like this, cash was power. I had already withdrawn a hefty amount earlier.

"Then we'll wait out here."

I nodded and walked toward Club JJ.

It was time to deal with Kim Cheong-Gi—the man who had bled Oh Ji-Seon and Sung Hee-Yeon dry with fake promises of marriage.

'

Kim Cheong-Gi, now it's your turn to cry blood.

'