The Loan Sharks Incident
It was a quiet morning in Joam-ri when the peace was shattered by shouting near the community center. A group of men in dark suits, their expressions stern, stood intimidatingly before an elderly villager.
"Where's the money, old man?" one of them demanded. "You're overdue!"
The scene quickly escalated, drawing the attention of the villagers, including Haneul-i. He stepped forward, his presence commanding. "What's going on here?" he asked calmly.
One of the loan sharks turned to him, sizing him up. "This man owes us 400,000 won. If he doesn't pay, we'll have to take… other measures."
Haneul-i's eyes narrowed. "How much does he owe with interest?"
"500,000 won," the man replied, smirking.
Without hesitation, Haneul-i pulled out his wallet and handed over the money. "Here. Take it and leave."
The loan sharks stared at him in disbelief, their demeanor shifting. "You handled this like a real man," their leader said, nodding in respect. "We won't bother this village again."
As they left, the elderly man clasped Haneul-i's hands, tears in his eyes. "Thank you, Haneul-i. I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't need to," Haneul-i said with a small smile. "Just take care of yourself."
A Surprise Visitor
Later that day, another man arrived in the village, his confident stride catching everyone's attention. He approached the villagers and asked, "I'm looking for Soo-jin. Is she here?"
Haneul-i's heart sank, his mind racing. Who is this guy? he thought. And why is he asking for her?
"She's my girlfriend," the man added with a grin.
The words hit Haneul-i like a punch to the gut, his stomach twisting. But before he could respond, Soo-jin appeared, laughing.
"Cousin! Stop teasing!" she said, playfully hitting the man's arm.
Haneul-i blinked in surprise as the man laughed. "I'm just kidding! You should've seen your face."
Soo-jin turned to Haneul-i, her expression apologetic. "This is my cousin, Min-ho. He likes to joke around."
Relieved but slightly embarrassed, Haneul-i nodded. "Nice to meet you."
A New Friendship
Over the next few days, Haneul-i and Min-ho became fast friends. Min-ho's outgoing personality complemented Haneul-i's more reserved nature, and the two often spent time joking and helping around the village.
One afternoon, Min-ho approached Haneul-i with an idea. "Hey, have you ever played badminton?"
Haneul-i frowned, a flicker of something familiar crossing his mind. "No, but I've seen it."
"Want to try?" Min-ho asked. "There's a warehouse nearby with a court. Let's go."
"Sure," Haneul-i replied, curious.
The Match
The villagers, including Soo-jin and Ji-eun, followed them to the warehouse, intrigued by the prospect of seeing Haneul-i play. Min-ho, a top-ranked player nationally and internationally, warmed up confidently.
"Don't worry," Min-ho said, smirking. "I'll go easy on you."
Haneul-i picked up the racket, the weight and grip feeling oddly natural in his hand. As the match began, something shifted within him.
The Game:
From the first rally, it was clear Haneul-i wasn't an ordinary player. His movements were fluid and precise, his footwork light and fast. Time seemed to slow for him, each shot coming effortlessly as he anticipated Min-ho's every move.
Min-ho, on the other hand, struggled to keep up. His smashes were returned with ease, his drops countered with perfect placement. The score climbed quickly in Haneul-i's favor, the game ending 21-8 in less than ten minutes.
Shock and Awe
The warehouse fell silent as the final point was scored. Min-ho stood frozen, his racket hanging loosely in his hand. "What… just happened?" he muttered, staring at Haneul-i.
Soo-jin and Ji-eun exchanged stunned glances, their expressions mirroring the disbelief of the villagers.
"That was… unreal," Min-ho finally said, shaking his head. "You played like a professional. No—a legend."
Haneul-i, still catching his breath, looked around at the astonished faces. "I don't know," he said quietly. "It just felt… natural."
A Growing Mystery
As they left the warehouse, the villagers buzzed with excitement, replaying the match in their minds. Min-ho clapped Haneul-i on the back, his respect evident. "If you ever decide to compete, let me know."
Soo-jin walked beside Haneul-i, her gaze thoughtful. "You've never played before, right?" she asked softly.
"Not that I remember," Haneul-i replied, his tone uncertain.
Soo-jin smiled, though a flicker of concern crossed her face. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"
For Haneul-i, the match had awakened something deep within him—an instinct he couldn't explain and a connection he couldn't ignore. But for now, he chose to focus on the present, content to enjoy the quiet joys of life in Joam-ri with the people who had become his family.
Haneul-i: Korea's Rising Star
Two months had passed since Haneul-i's modeling debut with Kang Company, and his meteoric rise continued to astonish everyone. His rugged charm, scarred yet captivating face, and natural charisma had made him one of Korea's top models. He was featured in numerous commercials for luxury brands, from clothing to watches, his image gracing billboards across Seoul.
Despite his growing fame, Haneul-i remained grounded, often returning to Joam-ri to spend time with the villagers and help with their chores. He valued the simplicity of village life, even as his star power grew.
The Movie Offer
One evening, Haneul-i received an unexpected call.
"Hello, Mr. Haneul-i," the voice on the line said. "I'm a casting director for the upcoming film adaptation of Hell Hunter. We believe you would be the perfect fit for the lead role."
Haneul-i frowned. Acting was never something he had considered. "I'm not sure," he replied cautiously.
When he mentioned the offer to Soo-jin, her eyes lit up. "Wait—Hell Hunter? That's my favorite novel!"
Her excitement was palpable. "You have to do it! You'd be perfect for the role."
Seeing her enthusiasm, Haneul-i's hesitation melted away. "Alright," he said with a small smile. "I'll do it."
Joining the Cast
The director of Hell Hunter was thrilled to have Haneul-i on board. His background as a boxer and his uncanny resemblance to the main character made him a natural choice.
The character, Jang Tae-ho, was a complex figure—a man who died while choking on ramen but was given a second chance at life by the gods, provided he hunted demons in their name. Tae-ho's weapons? Nothing but his fists, enhanced by divine power.
The first two weeks of shooting were grueling yet exhilarating.
Day 1: Getting into Character
On the first day, Haneul-i stepped onto the set wearing a sleek black-and-white suit, tailored to perfection. The crew gasped—it was as if Jang Tae-ho had walked straight out of the pages of the novel.
The director, a seasoned filmmaker named Lee Min-jun, clapped his hands in approval. "You look perfect, Haneul-i. Let's see if you can bring Tae-ho to life."
The opening scene required Haneul-i to reenact Tae-ho's death—a comedic yet tragic moment involving an ill-fated bowl of ramen. Though he was nervous, Haneul-i followed the director's guidance, and by the end of the scene, the crew erupted into applause.
"You've got natural talent," Min-jun said. "This is going to be great."
Combat Training
One of the most challenging aspects of the role was the intense fight choreography. Haneul-i's background in boxing gave him an edge, but the stunts required precision and flair.
The fight coordinator, Kim Seung-joon, worked closely with Haneul-i to create dynamic and visually stunning combat sequences.
"We want the fights to feel raw and brutal," Seung-joon explained. "Tae-ho's fists are his weapons, and we need to show that power."
For two weeks, Haneul-i trained rigorously, learning how to incorporate martial arts techniques into his boxing style. The first fight scene, in which Tae-ho takes down a hulking demon in an abandoned warehouse, was filmed over three days.
Day 7: Filming the First Fight
The set was dark and gritty, the air filled with smoke as the camera rolled. Haneul-i's opponent, a stuntman in full demon prosthetics, towered over him.
"Action!" the director called.
Haneul-i sprang into motion, his punches landing with devastating precision. The choreography demanded he perform a series of rapid movements: dodging a claw swipe, countering with a powerful uppercut, and delivering a final, bone-crushing blow to the demon's chest.
The scene ended with Haneul-i standing over the fallen demon, his suit slightly torn, his breathing heavy but victorious.
"Cut!" Min-jun shouted. "That was incredible!"
Balancing Work and Life
Despite the demanding schedule, Haneul-i found moments of peace. During breaks, he would video call Soo-jin and Ji-eun, sharing stories from the set.
"How's it going?" Soo-jin asked during one call, her excitement palpable.
"It's… exhausting," Haneul-i admitted with a laugh. "But fun. The fight scenes are intense, though."
"You're going to be amazing," Soo-jin said confidently.
Her encouragement kept him motivated, and he often thought of her whenever he felt overwhelmed.
Day 14: Building a Bond with the Cast
By the end of the second week, Haneul-i had built strong relationships with his co-stars and the crew. The cast often joked about his stoic demeanor, though they admired his dedication and humility.
"You're too quiet," one co-star teased during lunch. "Aren't you supposed to be the next big star?"
"I'm just here to do my job," Haneul-i replied with a small smile.
A Promising Start
As the second week of filming came to a close, the director gathered the cast and crew for a brief meeting.
"This movie is shaping up to be something special," Min-jun said. "And Haneul-i, you're a big part of that. Keep up the good work."
Haneul-i nodded, grateful for the support. Though he still felt like a newcomer to the world of acting, the experience had reignited his love for learning new things and embracing new challenges.
For now, he was content to take it one day at a time, driven by the excitement of bringing Tae-ho to life.
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