It was just as Tae-ha had expected.
After a week-long break, Monday finally arrived.
The entire cast and staff gathered to watch both versions of the Editing Version together, and immediately proceeded to vote right there.
For fairness, Lee Seok-hyeon and Jeong Myeong-hwan were not given voting rights.
And when the voting was done, by a narrow margin, the Editing Version focused on the action scenes received the most support.
The reason was simple.
Even without additional CG overlays, the Editing Version with a focus on action scenes just felt more entertaining.
Before anyone could question the plausibility, another eye-catching action scene would flash by, making ‘fun’ the first impression that sprang to mind—a victory for the ‘montage technique.’
It was yet another moment that made it clear why Jeong Myeong-hwan was called the master of action films.
And how he had managed to earn the support of so many audiences until now.
“But that doesn’t mean Jeong Myeong-hwan just threw together the story-focused Editing Version,” Tae-ha said.
That was something both Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon had checked in advance in the editing room.
True to his own words, Jeong Myeong-hwan hadn’t played any tricks in this bet.
Perhaps to avoid any unpleasant misunderstandings, in some ways, it looked like he’d poured even more effort into the story-focused Editing Version.
The fact that nearly half the people had chosen the story-focused Editing Version was proof of that.
Still, a defeat is a defeat, no matter how narrow the margin.
This meant that, moving forward, filming would proceed in Jeong Myeong-hwan’s way.
For Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon, who had hoped the story elements would be strengthened at least a little, it was something they could not help.
Lee Seok-hyeon, upon confirming the voting result, also seemed to accept it, his energy noticeably subdued.
It was a stark contrast to his usual self, who, after losing a bet, would immediately propose another with a ‘let’s double or nothing’ attitude.
This wasn’t a situation where he could throw around words like ‘double or nothing’ either.
With a completely accepting expression, Lee Seok-hyeon turned to Jeong Myeong-hwan and spoke.
“Now that the votes are in, I’ll step back. After watching both Editing Versions, I understand why Director insisted on the importance of the action scenes.”
There was sincerity in Lee Seok-hyeon’s voice.
Because of that, the other cast members and staff around him also nodded in agreement.
And so, it seemed the matter was settled, and filming would proceed with an action-focused approach.
However,
“No. I can’t call this my victory with such a narrow margin. In fact, I think it’s the opposite. The fact that my stories are always criticized for being weak is showing up in these voting results.”
Deep in thought, Jeong Myeong-hwan’s words changed the entire atmosphere.
What Jeong Myeong-hwan said was undeniably true.
While the vote was in his favor, it couldn’t be called a true victory.
After all, nearly half of the people considered the story more important.
In other words, if was completed with an action-focused approach and shown to the world, it would inevitably be criticized for having a weak story.
But for Tae-ha, it was surprising to see Jeong Myeong-hwan not basking in victory, but rather catching on to this point.
Tae-ha had naturally assumed Jeong Myeong-hwan would bulldoze over this issue and press ahead with the action-focused shoot.
It was an assumption he had no choice but to make, given Jeong Myeong-hwan’s stubbornness.
But it wasn’t so.
Jeong Myeong-hwan had shrewdly read the hidden meaning in the voting results.
And, addressing the issue, he came to a conclusion.
“In the end, I was the one doing it wrong. After all the trouble of holding an open contest and coming up with a solid script, to make this kind of judgment—honestly, I feel disappointed and embarrassed in myself.”
And Jeong Myeong-hwan’s words didn’t stop at a confession.
Showing the experience of a veteran Director, he went on to propose a solution to the problem.
“Instead of skipping the story-driven lines and scenes, just as we’ve been doing for the past month, I think we should shoot every possible scene and then balance them out in editing. However, this will cause issues with time and budget, so I’ll need to discuss it with the investors.”
With that, Jeong Myeong-hwan brightened the mood and continued.
“Well, anyway, that’s something for me to discuss. For today, let’s proceed with the scheduled shoot. Everyone, stand by please.”
“Yes! Stand by!”
With that, the actors and staff began moving busily, and Tae-ha, watching them, smiled with satisfaction.
Lee Seok-hyeon, too, seemed to have regained his spirits.
Almost as if he had just won back his pride.
***
It seemed that Jeong Myeong-hwan had concluded discussions with the investors smoothly.
Even though filming was nearing the final stages, every single scene was being shot without skipping anything—proof in itself.
And that wasn’t the end.
Jeong Myeong-hwan called Sim Yeongseon, his co-writer, to the set and began asking for scene-by-scene advice.
He took steps to ensure that, during revisions to the action scenes, none of the story was lost or broken.
Thanks to this, the shooting period grew longer and there were more things to pay attention to, but no one was dissatisfied.
Instead, everyone was fired up with passion, satisfied that the conflict had been resolved and patched up.
The conflict hadn’t happened just for the sake of a fight.
It was all to create a better work.
So the fact that the problem had been resolved in a practical way was a positive outcome.
In fact, the atmosphere on set was heating up with the sense that something great was about to be born.
Filming proceeded smoothly, and communication was active, as it should be.
Most importantly, the changed attitudes of Jeong Myeong-hwan and Lee Seok-hyeon, the main parties in the conflict, contributed to this atmosphere.
“Soldier, you were amazing today! That performance was the best!”
“Thanks for your hard work as always, Director. I look forward to working with you today as well.”
With the conflict resolved, the two veterans acted more supportive and complimentary towards each other than ever, handling the shoot in a professional manner as if their previous arguments had never happened.
They both knew better than anyone that if even one of them lost focus or composure, the entire mood on set could fall apart.
Thanks to that, the set was full of energy, and Tae-ha was able to focus on his role as Ian without any trouble.
From the start, Tae-ha had kept his distance from the issue, so it was only natural.
Of course, that didn’t mean there were no side effects.
“You little brat.”
Whenever they had scenes together, Lee Seok-hyeon would mutter just loud enough for Tae-ha to hear.
But Tae-ha brushed that off with his usual nonchalance.
“Wow. Chan-hyung, do you feel it too? Our set’s been great these days, all thanks to Seok-hyun-hyung.”
“Huh? Uh… yeah.”
“If Seok-hyun-hyung hadn’t been here, what would have happened to us? The shoot wouldn’t just have fallen apart in the middle—it probably wouldn’t have even started at all. Right?”
“…Yeah. That’s true.”
Of course, that meant the not-so-great actor Im Chan had to make a small sacrifice along the way, but it couldn’t be helped.
“Alright, let’s focus on the shoot.”
That was the only way to get Lee Seok-hyeon to lighten up.
And so, before anyone realized it, filming had reached the most important final action scene.
Soldier and Ian, rivals competing over an assassination target, discover that there’s someone behind the scenes aiming to eliminate them both, and head there to face dozens of professional Killers.
This long-take scene was especially challenging, as every time they hit scene 140, the shooting time could increase exponentially.
If there was an NG, every Killer fighting Soldier and Ian would have to reset to their pre-battle state—covered in fake blood and all—and all the props, guns, bullets, cannons, and grenades would have to be repositioned.
And most importantly, the risk of injury was ever-present.
Not only Soldier and Ian, but every action actor participating in the scene could suffer a serious injury with just one slip-up.
That’s how difficult and dangerous this shoot was.
“So, let’s do one last run-through before the main take.”
Gyeong Juncheol, who had come to the set for today’s shoot, said this, and both Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon nodded at the same time.
No matter how much they practiced, it was never enough for a scene like this.
And so, the rehearsal began.
Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon executed the nearly eight-minute action sequence flawlessly, without a single mistake.
At the end of the scene, Gyeong Juncheol, who was supposed to die by having his throat cut after a fierce fight with Lee Seok-hyeon, jumped up and gave Jeong Myeong-hwan a thumbs-up.
“See? This is how skilled my disciples are!”
Jeong Myeong-hwan, watching the rehearsal, nodded and replied.
“Wouldn’t expect any less from Head Gyeong. Anyway, since the rehearsal’s over, let’s move on to the main shoot. Let’s see if Head Gyeong’s disciples shine in the real take, too.”
With the tension running high, the dozens of actors and staff involved in the shoot set up the props and cameras.
And a moment later.
“Ready! Action!”
With Jeong Myeong-hwan’s cue, Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon began to move as if on signal.
It wasn’t just Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon.
It was as if the entire set was moving as one, everyone focused on the scene.
Punches and kicks, falling bodies, explosive effects.
In the midst of it all, Tae-ha and Lee Seok-hyeon came to a dramatic halt.
After a brief silence, Jeong Myeong-hwan’s booming shout echoed.
“Cut! Okay!”
A flawless long-take with not a single NG.
***
While Tae-ha was resolving conflicts and smoothly wrapping up the filming of ,
Another piece of good news reached him.
It was the news that the filming of had been completed up to episode 12 without issues, and the editing had entered the final stages.
With the drama broadcast just a month away, it was a huge relief for Tae-ha.
Han Yunseong, too, began full-scale promotions in line with the broadcast date.
A Casting Announcement was held with numerous reporters present, and Han Yunseong appeared on various entertainment shows that would air on the 14th.
Naturally, viewer interest in soared.
People were eager to see what kind of performance Han Yunseong—known for his gentle, younger-man image—would deliver in a true thriller.
Some said that, since he had already shown a good side in , there would be no problem, but others worried that he was just playing a similar role without much difference from his previous work.
But those negative comments quickly faded after the trailer was released.
The trailer was unbelievably well made.
Thus, the chorus of anticipation grew ever louder.
But the crisis struck from an unexpected source.
[Han Yunseong, harshly criticized by main Writer of for not being true to his profession]
This headline dominated every drama community board.