February had ended for Kang Woojin.
Looking back, it had been a month full of unexpected events for someone usually so ordinary. And now March had begun. The month promised to be busy, and before long, it was Saturday, March 7.
Today was the day of the MT and script reading for Profiler Hanryang. The hour was still before dawn, and the location was Kang Woojin's studio apartment. The room was cloaked in darkness, and Woojin lay fast asleep.
Then—
-♬♪
The shrill ring of his phone pierced the silence, echoing even louder in the quiet. Seconds later, half-awake, Woojin reached for the device at his bedside.
Without checking the caller ID, he brought it to his ear in a daze.
"…Hello."
His voice was rough from sleep. On the other end came a clear, feminine tone.
"Oh my, were you asleep?"
Startled, Woojin squinted at the screen's bright glow.
—Hong Hye-yeon.
The caller was none other than the nation's top actress.
"!!!"
He bolted upright and checked the time. Just past four in the morning. What? Was this a dream? No—why would Hong Hye-yeon call at this hour? His thoughts tangled, but he forced himself to calm down.
Focus. Stay in character.
He steadied himself. Pretending to be composed had become second nature; it didn't take long.
"What's going on?"
"Shouldn't you be getting ready?"
Ah, she meant for the MT and script reading.
"I was told to arrive by nine."
"Good."
"I planned to take the staff minibus."
"That won't do. If you ride with them, no one will notice you. This is your debut as Deputy Park, the rising star. Everyone—actors and staff alike—is curious about you, Woojin."
"…"
"Where do you live?"
"Suji."
"Perfect. Meet me at Suji Office Station within two hours."
The request carried the air of a rendezvous. Woojin blinked.
"Why?"
Her laughter came through lightly, teasing.
"Because I'll pick you up. Forget the minibus—come with me."
About two hours later.
It was nearing six in the morning. Few people were on the streets at this hour. Among them walked Kang Woojin, clad in a hoodie beneath a pilot's jacket.
He stopped briefly, catching his reflection in a shop window.
"Should I have dressed better for my first script reading?"
Many top actors would be attending the reading. Woojin had considered dressing up, but PD Song Man-woo had insisted he come comfortably. Everyone else was dressed casually, he recalled.
So he had.
Still, Woojin's appearance was too natural, too unpolished. But it was too late to change now.
"Tch. Whatever."
He quickened his pace, maintaining a calm expression. Soon, he reached the station area, where two vehicles caught his eye: a black minivan and a sleek white Benz parked curbside.
Those had to be the cars. Distinctive, unmistakable.
As he approached the crosswalk, he forced his face into a neutral mask. He had rehearsed composure all the way here, but he knew he had to appear firmer than usual.
After all, he was about to get into the goddess Hong Hye-yeon's car.
He reached the vehicles and surveyed them. The heavy window tints made it hard to tell which was which. Then—it happened.
-Click!
The rear door of the white Benz swung open. A pleasant fragrance wafted out. Hong Hye-yeon, cap pulled low, appeared and waved.
"Over here."
Even in the early morning, she looked radiant. Woojin answered in a quiet, measured tone, studying her.
"Yes. Hello."
"But…"
Once inside, Hong Hye-yeon's eyes swept over him from head to toe. Her gaze seemed critical.
"You don't look nervous at all."
"I am."
"You expect me to believe that? Even with fifty, sixty people—actors, staff, reporters—waiting inside, you show up dressed like this?"
"I dressed appropriately."
"Too casual," she sighed. "Woojin, acting is war, makeup is armor, and image is a weapon. If you've chosen to reveal yourself, you must manage your image."
Suddenly, her words felt like scolding—but strangely endearing. Perhaps it was because it came from her.
She exhaled softly.
"Get in. People are watching."
He obeyed, sliding into the Benz. The engines roared to life, and the convoy moved out. Hong Hye-yeon sat across from him, arms crossed, scrutinizing him.
"You have so much potential. Why waste such a handsome face? Your acting is flawless, but in this field, you're a blank slate."
Her nagging continued, but Woojin barely registered it. His mind was too busy.
To him, the situation itself was thrilling. He was in the car with the nation's top actress—a month ago, he could never have imagined this. He could hear her breathing, smell her scent, feel her presence. The closeness felt unreal.
So he decided.
"…."
Silence. Maintaining his image was all that mattered now. He simply stared out the window.
Then—
-Swoosh.
Hong Hye-yeon reached for him. Woojin reflexively moved his hand back.
-Click.
"Ah."
"What?"
He had brushed her hand away, discovering it was dusted with makeup powder. Ten seconds of silence followed.
"…I told you I'd do your basic makeup. Didn't you hear me?"
She muttered in a pout. Woojin quickly explained himself.
"I'm sorry, but I don't like anyone touching my face."
It had never happened before. He cursed inwardly.
Ah, I've ruined my image. She's going to hate me.
Meanwhile, Hong Hye-yeon, examining his solemn face, was deep in thought.
He doesn't like his face touched? Is there a story behind this? Something from the past…? But it's the first time anyone has refused me so openly.
By nine in the morning, they were in Gapyeong, at a sprawling condo. Five buildings in total. Cars began filling the outdoor lot: vans, minibuses, sedans—at least thirty in total.
The reason was simple.
This was the venue for the Profiler Hanryang MT and script reading. The team had rented the entire complex for two nights and three days. Naturally, the parking lot bustled with activity.
"Not there! Bring it this way!""Hey! Rookie! Who told you to drop the equipment here?! Do you know how expensive the lighting gear is?!""Alright! Let's unload quickly and prepare the reading room!""The walkie-talkies aren't enough!"
Dozens of staff were unloading equipment from buses, while the arriving actors greeted one another in a flurry.
"Wow, your skin looks amazing! Is that the product you endorse?""Of course! Want some? I heard you're doing a variety show soon."
Journalists and managers were everywhere—probably around a hundred people. The scene resembled a college music class in its chaos.
Everyone had to settle in their rooms first, while the Profiler Hanryang staff busied themselves with preparations. Gradually, people assembled in the wide hall on the first floor.
The script reading was scheduled for ten.
Once empty, the hall had transformed. Desks were arranged in a square, snacks and drinks laid out, and over forty chairs circled the desks. Additional chairs lined the entrance. Small cameras dotted the room; large cameras were stationed around. Six crew members moved through the hall, filming. They were the production team.
Interviews began.
"What made you join Profiler Hanryang?""Hahaha, are we really filming this now?"
All the footage would be used for making-of, trailers, teasers. Slowly, actors began arriving: leads, supporting roles, managers taking seats around the square tables.
After a few minutes, the hall was full—empty seats scarce.
And then, the topic everyone whispered about:
"Has the actor for Deputy Park arrived?""No? Not yet? He's coming to the reading today, right?""I heard he's from overseas. Is he really a foreigner?"
Nearly every actor talked about Deputy Park.
"I'm going to meet him today! I've been dying to know.""Me too. Why keep him secret all this time?""All the rumors were false. None of the names mentioned turned out to be him.""Why isn't he here yet?"
Eyes kept drifting to the empty seat reserved for Deputy Park.
Then Hong Hye-yeon arrived, cap low, with six staff. People greeted her warmly. Behind her, a tall man approached quietly.
"Ms. Hong, will you attend the after-party after the reading?"
It was Ryu Jung-min, the top actor playing the male lead. His hair was still long. Hong Hye-yeon shrugged.
"Depends on the situation. But since we're here, I should at least attend the early stage."
"Oh, by the way, have you seen the actor for Deputy Park?"
She smiled faintly.
"Curious, aren't you?"
"I'm dying to know. What if he doesn't show today?"
Ryu Jung-min's gaze landed on the man in the pilot jacket—whom he assumed was Hong Hye-yeon's manager.
"Wow, that manager is too handsome. Great build too. What a waste."
Hong Hye-yeon chuckled.
"Maybe we should make him an actor."
"Haha, with your backing, he'd succeed instantly."
Jung-min teased the man.
"Seriously, try acting. Not doing so is wasting that face."
"…"
The man didn't respond, expression unreadable. Jung-min shrugged and looked back at Hong Hye-yeon.
"He's cool. Has a certain aura. Or maybe he's just nervous? Is he new?"
Then—
-Swoosh.
PD Song Man-woo, beard in place, appeared at the hall entrance, followed by writer Park Eun-mi. The bustling hall quieted as everyone took their seats.
Song Man-woo and Park Eun-mi sat at the square table. All eyes turned to them.
"PD, what's going on? The actor for Deputy Park isn't here. Is he not coming?" Jung-min asked.
Dozens of actors nodded.
Song Man-woo and Park Eun-mi exchanged smiles. The PD spoke first.
"He's here."
"…What?"
"???"
Confused, the actors tilted their heads. Song Man-woo glanced toward the center of the square.
There, a nameplate read:
—Deputy Park.
For some reason, the PD nodded in that direction.
Everyone's gaze followed.
The seat had seemed empty. But standing there now was the man in the pilot jacket—the one everyone thought was a manager.
It was Kang Woojin.
Jung-min blinked in shock. The man remained calm, scanning the hall.
Then, in a cold, composed voice, he spoke:
"Hello. I'm Kang Woojin, playing Deputy Park."
The bustling hall fell silent in an instant.