“She’s a prodigy.”
At Cheon Ian’s words, everyone turned their attention to me, bursting into laughter and agreeing with him.
Amid calls to meet again on set, the unexpected wrap party ended on a warm note.
‘Though I was the only one feeling stuffed.’
★★★
A few days later, the day episode 7 aired.
[Director Han Jun-hyuk: Please look forward to Episode 7…]
[ Episode 6 hits 12% ratings…]
[HOT] The Life of a Prosecutor Episode 7 Preview UP
Can we expect something big today? LOL
The preview was insane, I thought I was gonna lose it. Haha.
– Who’s the actor playing Jo Arin? She only appeared in one scene in the preview, but her acting was great.
If Episode 7 turns out boring after this hype.
– That’d be a total flop.
At this rate, could it break 20%?
100% it will.
– Isn’t Jo Arin’s actor’s face perfect for acting? No lines, but those eyes… Unnie, unnie…
She’s got the face of a great actor.
– Her face is pretty too.
Checking the community,
I propped my chin and entered a PC café to browse the community. I came to print a script since I didn’t have a printer at home, and to check the buzz.
Even though only the preview for The Life of a Prosecutor was out, as Director Han Jun-hyuk predicted, “Jo Arin” was trending.
That showed how much buzz The Life of a Prosecutor was generating.
But it weighed on me a little.
The expectations for The Life of a Prosecutor had skyrocketed, with Jo Arin already appearing in Naver articles and search rankings, which felt like a burden.
Plus, yesterday, Director Han Jun-hyuk called. The drama’s writer, after reviewing the footage, strongly requested Jo Arin’s appearance in the final scene of episode 12.
The plot was that Jo Arin would focus on rehabilitation. Bound by her sister’s death, Jo Arin’s life changes after meeting Lee Geom-il.
And that wasn’t all. They hinted that Jo Arin might join Lee Geom-il’s prosecution team in a potential season 2. Of course, that would depend on me taking the role.
Near the end of the call, Han Jun-hyuk said in an excited voice, “Bada, you’ll do season 2, right?”
His season 2 casting offer. It seemed he assumed I wouldn’t refuse.
I was just a passing extra, yet I never dreamed I’d get so entangled with The Life of a Prosecutor…
[Sub-Quest ‘Make an impression as an extra in The Life of a Prosecutor’ completed.]
[Reward acquired.]
[Points: 2]
A burden’s a burden, but a gain’s a gain.
I couldn’t let this chance to change my life slip away.
This time, I got 2 points.
[Im Bada]
Appearance: B ▲
Acting: B+ ▲
Immersion: C ▲
Vocal Delivery: D ▲
Charisma: F ▲
Affinity: C ▲
Acting was a must to boost first.
[Im Bada]
Acting: A
‘The rest is the issue…’
I raised Appearance.
[Im Bada]
Appearance: B+
After the preview aired, some comments praised my chemistry but questioned if my face matched it.
‘Isn’t it a bit harsh that my appearance is lowered by karma?’
That’s too much.
As I fiddled with the status window to check for other functions, an ad played on the monitor before The Life of a Prosecutor. I put on the PC café’s headset and immersed myself in the drama.
The ads featured Cheon Ian in a shampoo commercial and a beverage ad.
‘I’m nervous.’
To appear on TV with so much attention…
I tugged at my hair, then quietly lowered my hand after seeing a handful of strands fall out.
[Past]
It’s starting.
Lee Geom-il’s past.
★★★
Ko Eun-bi, Ko Eun-hyuk’s older sister, was a die-hard fan of Cheon Ian and a drama enthusiast.
Naturally, she was watching The Life of a Prosecutor live.
As the episodes progressed, The Life of a Prosecutor gained buzz for its solid story, acting, and meticulous direction, quickly rising as a must-watch drama of the year.
“Why did people bash this drama as a flop?”
Due to the heavy early narrative typical of mystery dramas, some said Cheon Ian wouldn’t win awards and took flak for it.
Yet, a drama no one had high hopes for hit 12% ratings by episode 4.
“Oh, it’s starting with Geom-il’s past.”
Settling in, she focused on the drama.
[Past]
Lee Geom-il, visibly worn, sat at his desk, staring into the distance.
“The world’s a mess.”
The scene was meant to have harsher curses, but due to broadcast limits, it was toned down. Still, Cheon Ian’s acting brought the character’s dire situation to life with just a short line.
The camera captured Lee Geom-il’s dark circles and a pile of documents, vividly showing how overwhelmed he was.
Bzzz—
A brief vibration, and a message on his phone was zoomed in.
[Chief Prosecutor Kim Jin-ho: Prosecutor Lee Geom-il, come to my office.]
“A call at this hour? This guy…”
Lee Geom-il’s face showed irritation, his brows furrowed as he stood.
Moments later, the scene shifted quickly.
The chief prosecutor assigned him a case.
“Why me for this case…? Fine, I understand.”
After talking with the chief, Lee Geom-il stepped out.
“Why’d they give this to me… that damn chief…”
His monologue continued as the scene transitioned.
In a dim alley, a man rushed out, jumped into the back of a luxury foreign car, and sped off. A body lay in the alley.
The camera panned to the man in the backseat fixing his clothes, with text overlays listing his past accidents and crimes, alongside the name of Park Jun-hu, a congressional candidate who covered them up.
Soon after, a woman found the body. As she dialed 112, she was struck from behind and collapsed.
Bathed in flashing cameras, the woman stood behind police tape—she was Jo Arin’s sister.
With all who knew the truth silenced, the woman, now ashen-faced, hung her head. A single line of text appeared center-screen:
<Muders in the Alley at Midnight: The Identity of the Ruthless Murderer!>
“Those crazy bastards, right?”
Fully immersed and learning the truth, Ko Eun-bi couldn’t help but curse.
Sure enough, Lee Geom-il on-screen sighed deeply, lost in thought.
Rustle—
As Lee Geom-il unwrapped a candy and popped it in his mouth, his inner thoughts echoed.
‘Chief Kim said if I bury this case well, he’ll back me up, so it’s a clear path… But is this why I became a prosecutor?’
Alone in his office, Lee Geom-il picked up the case file again, sighed heavily, and a photo of Jo Arin tucked in the file was zoomed in.
Scenes followed: protesters as Jo Arin’s sister was sentenced to life, Jo Arin fiercely advocating for her sister’s innocence, and Lee Geom-il glancing at her as he headed to work.
“You’ve got no one on your side.”
Knowing even the appointed lawyer, Lee Sang-cheol, wasn’t on her sister’s side, Lee Geom-il could only say that.
The camera closed in on his conflicted expression as he rubbed his face.
Ko Eun-bi, covering her mouth, let out gasps of admiration.
“Wow, this…”
‘If these two get paired, it’ll be delicious. Great characters already.’
Though only halfway through, she sensed a hit.
She wasn’t alone—comments flooded the community.
–Lee Geom-il x Jo Arin pairing incoming.
–Jo Arin’s venomous vibe with a worn-out Lee Geom-il…
–The actor playing Jo Arin commands with her eyes (in a good way).
–Cheon Ian’s still a heartthrob even when haggard.
Ding—
Just then, Ko Eun-hyuk, back from his part-time job, asked Ko Eun-bi, “…Noona, what are you watching?”
“The Life of a Prosecutor.”
“Geom-il?”
“Yeah, why?”
Dropping his bag on the floor, Ko Eun-hyuk said, “Someone I know is in it.”
Ko Eun-bi gestured for him to join her but paused. “Someone you know?”
Ko Eun-hyuk grabbed chopsticks and a cup from the kitchen, sat next to her, and watched The Life of a Prosecutor.
“Who’s the person you know?”
“They’ll show up soon.”
When Im Bada appeared on screen, Ko Eun-hyuk pointed at her. “There, Bada-ssi.”
“…Jo Arin’s role?!”
“Yeah, yeah. We auditioned together for Youth 2015 recently.”
“Wow, the world’s so small…”
As Ko Eun-bi took a sip of beer, Jo Arin stood up, and one thing stood out.
Jo Arin’s eyes.
Her gaze was extraordinary.
“Look at those eyes,” Ko Eun-bi said.
Years of being a drama fan told her this wasn’t the kind of presence a rookie actor could have.
Spit—
The scene where Jo Arin spat on the floor upon seeing the lawyer gave Ko Eun-bi goosebumps.
Her eyes, filled with sorrow, flashed with venom in an instant.
Jo Arin’s slightly asymmetrical eyes made the impact even stronger.
Cheon Ian, who had steadily built his career since his child actor days, had grown methodically. As a hardcore fan, Ko Eun-bi could somewhat predict his expressions and line delivery.
But Cheon Ian was showing a slightly different nuance from his usual acting.
‘That’s unusual. Normally, his emotions would be clear, but today it’s more subtle.’
And Im Bada, matching Cheon Ian’s performance, was…
“Insane. She’s insanely good.”
It was impossible not to praise her.
The trial, of course, ruled Jo Arin’s sister a murderer.
Jo Arin let out choked, anguished sobs as if something was blocking her.
Lee Geom-il, with a heavy expression, glanced at her before leaving the courtroom.
Then, Jo Arin hurriedly chased after him, blocking his path and gesturing. She frantically pulled a small notebook from her bag and wrote her plea.
[Prosecutor, Prosecutor. My sister didn’t kill anyone. How could my sister…]
Her slender fingers paused in the air.
A brief hesitation.
That moment of faltering made Jo Arin’s emotions hit harder, bringing tears to Ko Eun-bi’s eyes.
[How could she be a murderer? Prosecutor, please save my sister. Please…]
‘Why?’
To Ko Eun-bi, it felt like a heart-wrenching cry.
“I…”
Lee Geom-il, as if the case was already closed, started to dismiss her but stopped.
The camera closed in on Jo Arin slowly kneeling in the hallway.
Then, she looked up into Lee Geom-il’s eyes, forcefully tapping her notebook.
[I know you’re on their side.]
Tears streamed down her face.
[I know. But my sister isn’t a murderer. Please, I beg you…]
The scene of Jo Arin biting her lip and sobbing marked the end of Lee Geom-il’s past.
“Sniff… What do I do? She’s too pitiful.”
“…Oh.”
Ko Eun-hyuk, beside her, was also wiping tears with tissue.
“Hey!”
“…Yeah, Noona?”
“You failed that audition, didn’t you?”
“Yeah…”
“No wonder, competing with someone like her. You punk.”
Pinching her innocent brother’s arm, Ko Eun-bi continued, “No… she failed too.”
“What? Why?!”
“I don’t know.”
Ko Eun-bi thought the director who rejected her must be regretting it now.
“You need to practice acting more.”
“Huh? Okay…”
“I said practice more!”
Unable to read his sister’s thoughts, Ko Eun-hyuk tilted his head. “Why, why?”
“So you can act with that Jo Arin actor if you get good!”
‘And so I can satisfy my fangirl heart!’
“…I’ll practice acting harder.”
Ko Eun-hyuk, like his sister, wanted to share a scene with her, exchanging gazes—not out of reason, but as an actor.
“I need to practice hard.”
★★★
[(The Life of a Prosecutor) Lee Geom-il x Jo Arin is delicious, yum~]
The chemistry is so juicy
ᄂ Juicer in action.
Thought they were filming a melodrama with those eye exchanges.
Feels like they’ll be each other’s salvation… or is it just me?
ᄂ I’m thinking that too.
Now I get why Han Jun-hyuk said to have high expectations.
[(The Life of a Prosecutor) Im Bada’s debut?]
Hope we see her in more dramas. She’s really good. Her eyes in solo shots grabbed the camera, especially in black-and-white, her expressions were so alive.
Ugh… when’s Im Bada’s next project?
Im Bada doesn’t even have an agency yet?
[(The Life of a Prosecutor) So there’s a kiss scene in The Life of a Prosecutor?]
Sorry, that’s just my wishful thinking ;
– Damn
– Excuse me
And I hit 3rd and 4th on Korea’s real-time search rankings.
(1) The Life of a Prosecutor
(2) Cheon Ian
(3) Jo Arin
(4) Im Bada
Plus, the portal site had put up a temporary profile for me.
“Of all things, the profile picture…”
‘It’s a drama still?’
Feeling overwhelmed by the nation’s attention, I got a message.
[Sunbae-nim Cheon Ian: Thanks to you, we hit 17.8% ratings, the highest this year. Thank you.]
[Me: No, sunbae-nim. I wasn’t good enough. It’s all thanks to you.]
[Sunbae-nim Cheon Ian: ?^^ Bada, you need to drop the modesty a bit.]
My contribution? No way.
Not at all.
[Me: Really, it’s thanks to you, sunbae-nim.]
I’ve rewatched it 20 times, but why am I so bad at expressing rage through my eyes?
Really!
I really… wasn’t good enough.
Cheon Ian’s acting carried me.
“…I don’t like my acting.”
If I had a role with lines, I’d probably get flooded with hate comments for bad acting.
“What do I do about lines?”
As that headache loomed, the system popped up.
[Eraser in My Mind: Due to regression penalties, memorizing lines takes time.]
[Per Line: 59 minutes, 51 seconds.]
‘Wait, wait?’
“It… it decreased.”
By just 9 seconds…?