Kang Woojin was hungry. He hadn't eaten anything since lunch yesterday. He regretted unintentionally skipping the beef barbecue dinner last night.
"All this acting and pretense… it's just a means to make a living. Ah, that's it."
What could he do? With the sudden release of tension, he had fallen asleep. Woojin's current expression carried, in addition to his usual calm, a faint touch of melancholy. To some, it might even seem like excessive cynicism. At least to Hong Hye-yeon, who was standing next to him, it appeared that way.
"Somehow… he looks colder than usual. Could it be that the emotions he felt yesterday because of Deputy Park are still lingering?"
Hong Hye-yeon, who had tied her long hair to one side, kept glancing at Woojin's mood. She was planning to suggest something to him shortly.
Then.
—Swish.
She pointed toward the open door of the van.
"Shall we go?"
She came with Hong Hye-yeon? Nice. Woojin suppressed his excitement and nodded briefly.
"Yes."
At that moment.
"Hello, Woojin."
Just as Woojin was about to step into the white van, a man's voice called out from behind. Turning around, he saw a stranger he had never met before. Hye-yeon, already inside the van, introduced him.
"This is the CEO of our agency."
CEO Choi Seong-geon extended his hand to Kang Woojin.
"Woojin, do you have a moment?"
Since Woojin was connected to Hong Hye-yeon's agency, he was already somewhat acquainted with her.
"Is this the investor for the film 'Exorcism'?"
The investor of the short film Exorcism. In other words, this person held a position similar to a landlord for the protagonist, Kang Woojin. It felt awkward to treat him lightly. Woojin quietly responded and stepped into the van.
"Please, go ahead."
Soon, CEO Choi Seong-geon joined them, making three people in Hye-yeon's van. The conversation was initiated by Choi Seong-geon.
"You look even more handsome up close. I'm Choi Seong-geon, CEO of BW Entertainment."
That's just lip service. Woojin, unaffected, introduced himself.
"I'm Kang Woojin."
"Haha, I know, I know. The standout performer in this script reading was none other than Kang Woojin. Truly perfect, wasn't it?"
Woojin glanced at the CEO sitting across from him. There was something unusual about his demeanor—serious yet lighthearted at the same time. CEO Choi continued.
"It was by chance that I became acquainted with you, Woojin. You know we invested in Exorcism, right?"
"Yes."
"I've heard a lot about Hong-star. But in this project, Hye-yeon is not the main character. Woojin, please take good care of Exorcism."
CEO Choi, who had slightly bowed his head to Woojin, suddenly became serious.
"Anyway, let's get to the point. As far as I know, you don't have an agency yet. I want BW Entertainment—or rather, I want to be with you as you start your career as an actor."
"Are you offering me a contract?"
"Yes. Of course, our company is still small. Some might see it as just Hong Hye-yeon's one-person company. But startups have the energy of startups."
CEO Choi began briefing passionately.
"Large or small companies have their pros and cons. Now is the time for you to receive focused management rather than scattered guidance. Not just adequate care, but proper, precise guidance. The entertainment industry is a jungle; losing an actor over a single mistake is nothing unusual."
That's harsh. Listening to the briefing, Woojin felt even more alienated by this unfamiliar entertainment world. He chose his words carefully. What would be the most impressive thing to say right now? Whatever he said, it had to maintain his pride.
"I like the jungle."
CEO Choi was momentarily taken aback. He had intended to warn Woojin that the current situation was like walking on thin ice, yet Woojin seemed to enjoy it. And that expression—what was that? Woojin's gaze was steady, unwavering. Choi judged that Woojin was an exceptional individual.
"Really… what kind of past must someone have had to possess such potential?"
A stubbornness that ordinary unknown actors or newcomers could never have. Woojin might be unknown in reality, but his mind had already reached the highest level. At least, that's how CEO Choi's sharp eyes saw it.
"I want him. I want him now."
Consequently, Choi's voice became even more emphatic.
"I will help you spread your wings in this jungle. Woojin, if you join us, I will personally take care of you. I promise—no, I guarantee—careful and meticulous guidance. Though I may appear this way, my skills are top-notch. I have strong connections and a good reputation in the jungle."
Most of this was true. CEO Choi was a respected producer in the entertainment industry. He changed the flow of the conversation.
"Woojin, you got a lot of business cards, right?"
"Quite a few."
"Understood. You couldn't attend yesterday's dinner, but among entertainment industry insiders, it was a real sensation. Everyone was saying you're definitely a blue-chip star in Chungmuro¹. I guess you received about ten cards."
The number seemed about right.
"Was there any talk about a signing bonus? If it's a difficult topic, you don't have to answer."
A signing bonus? Was there such a thing? Woojin recalled the people who gave him cards yesterday. But no one mentioned a signing bonus. They did, however, say similar things.
"They said something about a special situation."
Woojin answered vaguely.
"I think they mentioned some special benefits."
"…Special."
Hye-yeon, listening quietly, bit her lip slightly and nudged the slightly surprised CEO. Choi leaned closer to Woojin.
"I will do my best to accommodate you. Please consider the proposal from our company. I hope you'll listen."
Once again, something suddenly surged out of control. But Woojin had already boarded the express train. Hesitation would only tarnish his image. So he chose a careful answer, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.
"I'll think about it and get back to you."
Meanwhile, inside top actor Ryu Jung-min's car.
Unlike Woojin, Jung-min had left about 30 minutes earlier and was now speeding down the highway. With his long hair tied back, he stared out the window, though his mind seemed elsewhere.
About five minutes later:
"Manager."
Jung-min called the manager in the passenger seat.
"You know that guy, right? Kang Woojin, who played Deputy Park."
The manager closed his diary and looked up.
"No? His acting was incredible. Goosebumps-inducing. Even at the dinner, people, including Manager Kim, praised him."
"…Did we give him business cards? Kang Woojin seems to have a vast network in entertainment agencies."
"Of course we planned to meet him. Lately, our company has emphasized new employee training. But we couldn't meet. At dinner, we wanted to approach him, but he didn't show. Why? Did he not want to give them? Was he uncomfortable?"
"No, that's not it."
"Too bad. He had filming, so I guess it couldn't be helped. But who's going to take him first? Wow, seeing such competition for an unknown actor is a first."
As the manager tilted his head, Jung-min recalled yesterday's after-party.
Specifically, when he asked PD Song Man-woo:
"PD, who is Kang Woojin? Where did you find him?"
Song shrugged.
"I feel like I've been asked this question several times today. Honestly, I don't know much either. I can only speculate."
"About what?"
"His outstanding acting and unclear past… I think he might have been overseas."
"…Overseas? So he's self-taught?"
"Yes. He seems like someone who walked a lonely path."
"That… doesn't make sense. How can someone learn such acting on their own?"
"Kang Woojin is truly special. After seeing him, I checked everything I knew—no information suggests he was trained domestically. So I think he was overseas."
Then PD Song smiled as an idea struck him.
"Ah, one thing I do know for sure."
"What's that?"
"Kang Woojin has excellent design sense."
"What??"
"Until a month ago, he worked at a design company. A friend confirmed it too."
"Design… what??"
Returning to reality in his own van, Jung-min realized the mystery around Woojin was deepening.
"Boss, what do you think of Woojin being self-taught?"
"That's nonsense, right? Just a random remark to hype things up."
"But what if it's true? What if he really learned acting by himself?"
"…Then he must be insane. There's no such eccentric. Born to act, you say?"
Somehow, Jung-min felt a surge of unease. Reflecting on Woojin's portrayal of Deputy Park, he took out the script—Profiler Hanryang Part 1—and spoke to the manager again.
"Can we postpone today's interview? I want to review the script again."
"Why suddenly?"
"To be sure."
"You've already analyzed it, right?"
"No, more. More thoroughly."
In fact, Jung-min could not stay idle. It felt like fire at his feet. The reason was simple:
"The lead actor cannot be overshadowed by a supporting actor."
A sense of urgency—or despair—had emerged. Woojin, having just revealed his talent, had unsettled top actor Ryu Jung-min.
Interestingly.
"Boss! Can you cancel my dermatology appointment today?"
It wasn't just Jung-min. Nearly all actors who saw Woojin's performance at the script reading were similarly affected. Hye-yeon too. All were ignited by the fire of passion and purity that Woojin had sparked.
Thus, the winds of change began to spread among the actors.
"I'll take you home. Don't contact me until tomorrow."
"Huh? Taesan, what are you saying?"
"I need to study the script in detail."
This meant the production quality would improve several levels.
The next morning. Kang Woojin's studio apartment.
After arriving home and eating ramen, Woojin had collapsed but suddenly opened his eyes.
"...Another day has passed."
It was around 9 a.m. The busy script-reading weekend had vanished like a blur. Today was Monday, March 9. The weekdays had begun, and Woojin nodded while lying down. Piled beside him were business cards.
"Hmm—"
He lightly spat, stretched, and suddenly picked up the Profiler Hanryang Part 2 script. He pressed the black square beside it.
Suddenly, Woojin entered a space of void.
Endless darkness stretched before his eyes. The reason he had entered this void was simple:
"Let's think."
To concentrate. Woojin often used this method recently. He would enter this space to sort out trivial thoughts—a time-saving technique.
Still.
"Hmm, the agency, huh."
He rubbed his chin, recalling the business cards and briefing. Walking toward the white squares floating in space, he suddenly noticed something.
—[1/Scenario (Title: Exorcism), Grade B]
—[2/Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Part 1), Grade S]
Profiler Hanryang had been upgraded to S grade. It had surely been A+ before the script reading. In other words, its value had increased. Woojin tilted his head, puzzled. He knew he was the origin of this change, yet:
"Why did this rating suddenly rise?"
He had no idea.
March 10.
Woojin left his studio apartment early, carrying a large backpack. About five minutes later, someone called him from the roadside bus stop.
"Haha, Woojin!"
It was Director Shin Dong-chun who had parked the van. Seeing him, Woojin started walking, chanting quietly inside the van. Why?
Because the next five days would be intensive.
"Phew, don't forget to act strong. It's a short film, but this is my first time on set, so I'm nervous."
Major filming for the movie Exorcism was underway.
Around 11 a.m., Gyeonggi Province, Paju.
In front of the villa where Exorcism would be filmed.
"Oh, it's chilly today! March and it's this cold?"
The actors for Exorcism gathered on the lawn. Including extras, about five people: three men and two women. It was slightly cold, so everyone wore coats and sat on temporary chairs.
"It's nice to have a place to sit. Usually, we stand all day on other sets."
"That's true."
All actors were unknown. Even the most well-known male actor had only minor roles in theater or films. They met at the filming location for the first time. They hadn't even seen the main actor of Exorcism before, due to tight schedules with script readings and rehearsals.
Still.
"By the way,"
A male actor, zipped up in a thin padded jacket, suddenly asked the others:
"Has anyone seen the actress playing the wife?"
They shook their heads.
"Right, she hasn't arrived yet?"
"I was wondering, why hasn't she come? Nobody knows who she is."
"Even the staff didn't know."
Then, a female actor playing a shaman staff member changed the topic.
"Did you hear? The main actor of Exorcism is also unknown."
Others nodded as if they already knew.
"I heard too. But the director is somewhat known in theater, and 45 minutes is long for a short film, yet the lead is unknown—it's odd."
"For a short film at this level, shouldn't the supporting actor be the protagonist? Especially since it's for the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival."
"Maybe it was an investor condition? Or the investor could be an entertainment company."
Soon, the actors expressed envy.
"Wow, I wish I could be the protagonist in a funded film."
"That's exactly why you need an agency to succeed as an actor."
"If they get support from an entertainment company, might their acting be disappointing?"
"They could be very young."
"Oh? By the way, the lead hasn't arrived yet?"
At that moment.
"Come on, hurry! There's a briefing in 30 minutes!"
Director Shin Dong-chun entered the villa courtyard, frowned, and looked around.
"But where's our main actor?"
Then he smiled at the gathered actors.
"Ah, there you are. Come here, lead actor."
Lead actor? Lead actor? The other actors shook their heads, looking around.
—Swish.
Suddenly, a cold-faced man stood among the actors. He had been sitting in the back.
"Yes, Director."
It was Kang Woojin, the main actor of Exorcism.
"···!"
"What??"
All the actors were startled.
TL Note:
Chungmuro is a street in Seoul known as the "Hollywood of Korea," historically home to numerous film studios. Its name comes from Admiral Yi Sun-sin's title "Chungmugong," symbolizing loyal service. "Blue-chip actor of Chungmuro" refers to a dependable and consistently active talent in the Korean film industry.