Chapter 16: Plot twist (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

‘Why is this square-jawed director suddenly getting teary-eyed?’

Sitting at a window-side seat inside the café, Kang Woojin seemed very composed outwardly. However, he was quite taken aback while looking at Director Shin Dong-chun across him.

‘Did I make a verbal mistake? I didn’t act tough just now.’

Is this guy usually emotionally weak? Kang Woojin’s inner reaction was generally normal. Anyone would react the same way if the person they were conversing with suddenly turned teary-eyed, especially if it’s a man who looks well into his 40s.

‘How should I respond if this guy cries? Should I maintain my cool demeanor? Why is he acting like this in the first place?’

Kang Woojin seriously contemplated while keeping up his tough front. On the other hand, Director Shin Dong-chun said,

“Thank you. Thank… you, Woojin. Truly.”

The atmosphere was getting more sentimental. It was as if they were watching a moving film. His eyes were seriously moistened, as if about to spill tears any second.

At which point did this happen?

Kang Woojin went over the words he said since he arrived at the café. But he didn’t say anything that could be hurtful. In fact, the words ‘affection’ and ‘attachment’ had resonated with Director Shin Dong-chun, but Kang Woojin had no idea about this. Of course, he also didn’t know about the current life of Director Shin Dong-chun.

‘It’s getting worse. Should I stop it?’

Most importantly, Woojin wasn’t so passionate about ‘Exorcism’. The word ‘attachment’ he chose was just the right word he found.

The background was simple.

Recently, other than ‘Profiler Hanryang’, the one he cared about was ‘Exorcism’, so he thought ‘attachment’ would be appropriate. It may seem a bit over the top? Nevertheless, even if he acted tough, he had to respect the other person. The attachment was more about showing off rather than showing interest.

Well, it’s not a lie, is it?

In fact, Woojin was slightly interested in ‘Exorcism’. Wrapping that interest as an ‘attachment’ wouldn’t be a problem for the other party to hear. But why are his eyes getting moist?

Soon, Woojin cleared his throat subtly and opened his mouth.

“Why are you doing this?”

Then, Director Shin Dong-chun, who had just wiped around his eyes,

-Swoosh.

He calmed his emotional heart. It’s not appropriate to show any more disrespect when a man, an actor who is attached to my work, is sitting in front of me.

“······Kang Woojin.”

Then, Director Shin Dong-chun asked Woojin in a slightly trembling voice.

“What part of ‘Exorcism’ did you like… May I ask?”

What part did he like? Kang Woo-jin couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed, but calming Director Shin Dong-chun’s strange state was a priority. People in the café began to glance around.

‘I don’t know why he’s like this. Praise. Yes, let’s praise him.’

Therefore, Woojin decided to talk about the good points of ‘Exorcism’. Of course, while keeping his solemn tone.

“Firstly, I really liked the detailed psychological changes of the protagonist Kim Ryu-jin. It started off rather gloomy but…”

Woojin continued to calmly recite his praises while checking on Director Shin Dong-chun’s state. Very delicately and meticulously. Director Shin Dong-chun, who wrote the script, wouldn’t be able to feel ‘Exorcism’ firsthand. However, Kang Woojin had completely read through ‘Exorcism’.

Therefore, the words Woojin spouted were incredibly detailed. A compliment that only Kang Woojin, who has a void space, could make.

At this point,

“Ah.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with reddened eyes, was once again hit with shock and emotion.

‘He, he knows this much in detail. As if he had gone into the world of ‘Exorcism’ and come out.’

Kang Woojin, the actor, had a clear grasp on every corner of ‘Exorcism’.

‘From the characters’ thoughts and emotions, to the work’s background, set, even the weather. He even reminds me of parts I had overlooked. He must have read my script dozens of times, no, even more.’

It seemed he had already finished his analysis and had even created character models. Soon, Director Shin Dong-chun, while staring intently at Kang Woojin, blamed himself.

‘Hey Shin Dong-chun. There’s an actor who shows this much affection and attachment to ‘Exorcism’.’

Again, this was a misunderstanding.

‘Are you going to just throw ‘Exorcism’ out for the mere purpose of doing whitewashing?’

No matter what, Director Shin Dong-chun made up his mind at this moment.

‘His acting was enough to show in the film industry. There’s no need for further concern when he has already analyzed the work this meticulously.’

‘I’ll flip over all the tables in ‘Exorcism’.’

“I’m going to turn the tables.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Woojin.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with newfound confidence on his face, slowly leaned towards Woojin. On the other hand, Kang Woojin, with a poker face, discreetly leaned back.

Regardless, Director Shin Dong-chun forcefully blurted out,

“Please take on the role of the main character of ‘Exorcism’, Kim Ryu-jin.”

***

Meanwhile, near Bukhansan,

People were pouring out of two yellow minibuses. Roughly ten people. They seemed like tourists at a glance, but they were not.

“Although it might be a bit difficult, please make sure to check the surroundings while climbing the mountain! If you find any peculiarities, please report to the PD immediately!!”

They were the key staff of the drama ‘Profiler Hanryang’. The leaders of each team such as the shooting team, lighting team, etc. Of course, the goateed Song man-woo PD, who oversees all the staff, was also present.

“Get some bottled water-“

“Yes, senior!”

The reason why PD Song man-woo came out to Bukhansan on a weekday morning, especially at the end of a chilly winter, was simple. He came out to look for an outdoor location for ‘Profiler Hanryang’. They had to climb the mountain to check the area that would be used for the first scene.

PD Song man-woo then gave additional instructions to the assistant director packing up.

“Make sure everyone knows the meeting point again, we can’t have anyone getting lost because they’re confused.”

“Understood, senior!”

It was at that moment.

-♬♪

The windbreaker of goateed PD Song man-woo spat out the ringtone of his cell phone. Naturally, he checked the caller and tilted his head.

“Hong star?”

It was top actress Hong Hye-yeon. Since she was the female lead of the drama, her call was natural, but the timing was a problem.

“Why is she calling me this early in the morning?”

Narrowing his brows slightly, PD Song man-woo gestured to the assistant director to go ahead, then took the call.

“Uh, Hong star.”

Hong Hye-yeon chuckled from the other side of the phone.

“Yes, PD, where are you?”

“Me?? I am at Bukhansan now.”

“Ah- You went out for location hunting, right?”

“Yeah. But what’s up this early in the morning? You didn’t call because you’re curious about my schedule, did you?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who was slightly trailing off, spit out the main point.

“When we were eating at the Korean restaurant yesterday, you got a phone call and rushed out talking about Kang Woojin, remember?”

“···Did I?”

“No- I was worried something had happened because your expression became so stiff. Why? Did Woojin do something?”

She was talking about the incident at a high-end Korean restaurant in Cheongdam-dong yesterday. PD Song man-woo had received a call from Director Shin Dong-chun and had left the VIP room.

“Ah, about that.”

Suddenly, PD Song man-woo stopped talking. Then Hong Hye-yeon prompted him from the other side of the phone.

“Uh huh, what was it?”

“······”

However, for some reason, PD Song man-woo did not continue his sentence. His mind was spinning.

‘Right, come to think of it… when I returned to the room, Hong star seemed to be hinting at asking about Kang Woojin, didn’t she?’

And it wasn’t just that. Since she first saw Kang Woojin in ‘Super Actor’, top actress Hong Hye-yeon had shown great interest in him. At least in the eyes of PD Song man-woo.

Was she thinking of Kang Woojin as a man?

Not at all. The more plausible side would be his acting. Hong Hye-yeon was interested in Kang Woojin’s insane acting skills. The reason was simple. As a top actress, Hong Hye-yeon had a great desire to act. In other words, she feels something from Kang Woojin’s acting. Whether it’s aspiration, desire, or whatever.

This part was the reason why PD Song man-woo respected Hong Hye-yeon.

Even though her worth and rank rise year by year, Hong Hye-yeon always thirsted for acting. Someone like Hong Hye-yeon could live her whole life just by filming commercials. But she always showed a desire to improve. And she did actually grow.

‘To her, Kang Woojin probably seems like an alien. She got where she is with the help of those around her, but Kang Woojin has been doing it solo.’

Despite being self-taught, Kang Woojin captivated PD Song man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi. Naturally, Hong Hye-yeon as well. Perhaps she felt it unconsciously?

‘Does she think she’s lagging behind Kang Woojin as an actor, excluding popularity?’

Perhaps Hong Hye-yeon was impatient. Could it be the process of jealousy turning into venom? Soon, PD Song man-woo, who was turning his head, stroked his beard.

‘Right, Hong Hye-yeon. She’s the kind who’d take on any project if she wants to, be it indie films or short films, as long as it can help her acting skills. Regardless of her position.’

He recalled the plot of the ‘Exorcism’ script he got from director Shin Dong-chun.

‘And the ‘Exorcism’ script has a decent female character. If I mix these situations well… somehow, it seems like it will turn out to be a fun situation?’

Before he knew it, PD Song man-woo was smiling faintly. Around this time, he heard Hong Hye-yeon’s voice again over the phone.

“PD? Are you there? Is it not connecting because you’re in the mountains? PD?”

To her, PD Song Man-woo replied.

“Oh, sorry, I couldn’t hear you for a second.”

He came to a conclusion in his mind.

“Why are the big fish circling around that guy Kang Woojin? Well, let’s toss out the bait for now.”

Of course, the center of everything was Kang Woojin. He’s the one who captivates both director Shin Dong-chun and Hong Hye-yeon. The next thing that came out of PD Song Man-woo’s mouth was this.

“Well, Kang Woojin suddenly visited my younger brother. I was surprised.”

“Your younger brother?”

“Yeah. Ah- you know Shin Dong-chun, right?”

“Yes, I do know him, PD Dong-chun. He’s been out of sight recently because he’s making a movie.”

“Right. It seems like Woojin wanted to do a short film that Dong-chun wrote.”

“What… all of a sudden? The drama script reading hasn’t even started yet?”

“Well, I’m not exactly sure myself. I’ll have to confirm. But the situation with that short film is a bit complicated.”

“Why?”

Hong Hye-yeon’s question came from across the phone, but PD Song Man-woo, with a smile on his face, evaded the question. If he told her everything, her curiosity would wane.

“Later. I’m busy right now, Hong star. Let’s end the call.”

“Wait a minute!”

“Yes?”

“Did you see the short film script from PD Dong-chun? What’s the title?”

“I did see it. It’s well made. The title is ‘Exorcism’.”

“……”

At this point, PD Song Man-woo was teasing her.

“Why? Are you curious about the script? Want to borrow it?”

Hong Hye-yeon took the bait immediately.

“Hmm! I’ll read it if you give it to me.”

10 minutes later, at Hong Hye-yeon’s house.

Her house, located near Cheongdam-dong, perfectly fit the description of ‘luxurious’. The interior mixed black and white, and the furniture was all high-end.

Among them, Hong Hye-yeon was sitting on the living room sofa.

Even her pajamas were black. Her long hair was neatly tied in a single strand. She was staring blankly at something, her face absorbed in thought.

“……”

Then, Hong Hye-yeon looked at the phone in her hand. She was recalling her conversation with PD Song Man-woo 10 minutes ago.

‘Suddenly going for a short film?’

So, Hong Hye-yeon was also thinking about Kang Woojin, an oddball.

‘Why would he shift to a short film right after participating in a big project like ‘Profiler Hanryang’??’

Her curiosity and interest were about to explode. Specifically, she had become deeply interested in Kang Woojin, the actor, or more precisely, his distinctive and inspired acting.

“···I want to see that short film.”

It wasn’t just about the screenplay, but what Hong Hye-yeon wanted to see right now was not a video but Kang Woojin himself. She wanted to watch his acting with her own eyes because she could only feel his acting method by watching him perform right in front of her.

Her irrepressible ambition for acting was fully activated.

Then,

-Swish.

Hong Hye-yeon shifted her gaze from her cell phone to the table in front of her. On the table, there was a 3-page side script she had previously received from ‘Super Actor’. In fact, she had been secretly practicing this side script.

But,

‘No matter how much I practice, it doesn’t come out like Kang Woojin.’

She couldn’t quite replicate it. Despite practicing every time she had a few days, she couldn’t quite get there. But Kang Woojin had looked at this side script for a minute and performed it effortlessly.

‘I don’t know about the past, but if he… once he rises, he’ll certainly outshine all the top actors. No doubt. The same goes for me.’

At this moment, Hong Hye-yeon felt a sudden surge of nameless frustration.

“Ah- really. I hate being left behind!”

At the same time,

-Dingdong♬♪

Someone rang her doorbell. It seems like someone was supposed to come. Thanks to this, Hong Hye-yeon opened the front door with her irritation still present, and soon after, a man with glasses without frames appeared.

“I’m hungry, I’m starving. Hye-yeon, do you have anything to eat at home??”

The man who called Hong Hye-yeon quite familiarly. He was the CEO of Hong Hye-yeon’s agency. But, it was a startup entertainment company. In fact, Hong Hye-yeon was the only artist, and the agency CEO was the one who had been taking care of her since her debut. In other words, they had been together all along.

While he was taking off his shoes,

“Brother.”

Hong Hye-yeon, with her arms crossed, suddenly made a request.

“There’s a short film called ‘Exorcism’. Can you check out the current situation?”

-Pause.

The CEO raised one eyebrow at the word ‘short film’.

“Short, short film??”

“Yes, can you? Can’t you?”

“What’s so hard about checking out the situation of a short film? I’m just asking again because it’s strange that you’re asking about a short film. You… you’re not trying to do a short film at this timing, right?”

Then Hong Hye-yeon shrugged her shoulders and answered nonchalantly.

“No. I’m just slightly tempted, not yet.”