Chapter 25: Change (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kang Woojin was hungry. He hadn’t eaten anything since lunch yesterday. He was regretting unintentionally skipping the beef party dinner last night.

‘Doing all this acting and pretending, it’s all about making a living to eat. Ah- my beef.’

What could he do? His tension was suddenly relieved, and he fell asleep. Woojin’s current expression was overlaid with a slight depression, in addition to his usual facade. It was expressed as excessive cynicism. At least that’s how it appeared to Hong Hye-yeon, standing beside Kang Woojin.

‘Somehow… he looks more cold-hearted than usual. Is he still feeling the emotions from Park Dae-ri yesterday?’

Hong Hye-yeon, with her long hair tied in one side, glanced at Woojin’s mood from time to time. Soon, she was going to make a suggestion to him.

Then.

-Swoosh.

Hong Hye-yeon gestured into the open door of the van.

“Shall we go?”

Escorted by Hong Hye-yeon? Sweet. Woojin, who somehow suppressed his joy, nodded shortly.

“Yes.”

At that moment.

“Hello, Woojin.”

A man’s voice came from behind Woojin as he was getting into the white van. Turning around, he saw a stranger, whom he had never seen before. Hong Hye-yeon, who was already in the van, introduced him.

“My agency’s CEO.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun extended his hand to Kang Woojin.

“Woojin, do you have a moment?”

Since he is the CEO of Hong Hye-yeon’s agency, Kang Woojin also had a connection to him.

‘Is this guy the investor for ‘Exorcism’?’

The investor of the short film ‘Exorcism’. In other words, he was in a position similar to a landlord for the protagonist, Kang Woojin. It was awkward to treat him lightly. Kang Woojin answered quietly as he got into the van.

“Go ahead.”

Soon, CEO Choi Sung-gun joined them as well, three people gathered in Hong Hye-yeon’s van. CEO Choi Sung-gun was the one who initiated the conversation.

“You look even more handsome up close. I’m Choi Sung-gun, the CEO of bw Entertainment.”

That’s just lip service. Unimpressed, Woojin introduced himself as well.

“I’m Kang Woojin.”

“Haha, I know, I know. The hottest thing in this script reading was none other than Kang Woojin. You really nailed it, didn’t you?”

At this point, Woojin sized up the CEO across from him. His demeanor was slightly peculiar, serious yet mixed with lightness. CEO Choi Sung-gun continued.

“By chance, I ended up having a connection with Kang Woojin. You know that we invested in ‘Exorcism’?”

“Yes.”

“That’s because I heard a lot from our Hong-star. However, this time the main character isn’t Hye-yeon. Woojin, please take good care of ‘Exorcism’.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun, who bowed his head slightly to Kang Woojin, suddenly changed to a serious face.

“Anyway, let’s cut to the chase. As far as I know, Woojin doesn’t have an agency yet, I want bw Entertainment, no, me to be with you at your starting point as an actor.”

“You’re offering a contract?”

“Yes. Of course, our company is still small. Some might see it as a one-person agency for Hong Hye-yeon. But a startup has the energy of a startup.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun began his briefing passionately.

“Large and small have clear advantages and disadvantages, and it’s time for Woojin to have concentrated care rather than dispersed. There’s a need to firmly correct things, not just moderately. The entertainment world is a jungle; losing an actor with one wrong move is no big deal.”

That’s brutally harsh. Woojin, who had been listening to the briefing, felt the unfamiliar entertainment world was even stranger. Anyway, he chose his words. What would stand out as a grand line at this moment? Whatever it was, his self-esteem had to be high.

“I like the jungle.”

For a moment, CEO Choi Sung-gun was slightly taken aback. He was trying to let Woojin know it’s like walking on thin ice, but he liked it? And what about that expression? Kang Woojin’s eyes were now unwaveringly firm. CEO Choi Sung-gun judged Woojin to be an anomaly.

‘Exactly… what kind of past does one have to walk through to have this kind of potential?’

A stubbornness that ordinary unknowns and newcomers could never have. Kang Woojin was unknown only in reality, his mind was already at the top. At least in CEO Choi Sung-gun’s sharp eyes.

‘I want him. I want him now.’

Thanks to that, CEO Choi Sung-gun put even more strength into his voice.

“I will make it possible for you to spread your wings in the jungle. If you, Woojin, join us, I will personally take care of you. I promise, no, I guarantee you of detailed and meticulous care. I may look like this, but I’m good at what I do. I’ve built connections in the jungle, and my reputation isn’t bad.”

Most of it was true. CEO Choi Sung-gun was a producer with a pretty high reputation in the entertainment industry. He then changed the flow of the conversation.

“Woojin, you received many business cards, right?”

“I got quite a few.”

“I understand. Even though you weren’t at the dinner party yesterday, it was a chaos among the entertainment industry insiders. They were talking about how the Blue Chip of Chungmuro¹ is a sure bet and such. I estimate that you would have received about ten.”

The number was similar.

“Did any talk about a signing bonus come up? If it’s difficult, you don’t have to tell me.”

A signing bonus? Was there such a conversation? Kang Woojin recalled the people who had given him business cards yesterday. But there was definitely no talk of a signing bonus. However, most of them had said something like that.

‘They talked something about extraordinary conditions.’

Woojin vaguely answered that.

“I think I heard something about an exceptional offer.”

“…Exceptional.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had been silently listening, bit her lip slightly and nudged the slightly surprised CEO Choi Sung-gun in the ribs. With this, CEO Choi Sung-gun leaned closer to Woojin.

“I’ll try to match it as best as I can. I hope you will at least hear what our company has to offer. Please.”

Again. Something suddenly accelerates out of control. But Kang Woojin had already boarded the express train. Hesitation would only ruin his image. So Woojin chose an answer that would not easily reveal his thoughts.

“I’ll think about it and contact you.”

Meanwhile, inside top actor Ryu Jung-min’s van.

Unlike Kang Woojin, Ryu Jung-min’s van, which left about 30 minutes earlier, was on the highway. With his long hair tied back, Ryu Jung-min was staring out the window.

His eyes were looking outside, but his mind seemed to be somewhere else.

After about five minutes,

“Brother.”

Ryu Jung-min called his manager, who was sitting in the co-driver’s seat.

“You know him, right? Kang Woojin, the one who played the part of Park Dae-ri.”

At this, the manager closed his diary and turned his head back.

“Don’t you know? He made an impact. His acting gave me chills. Even at the dinner, Manager Kim and the others were praising him. Phew-”

“···Did we also give him a business card? Kang Woojin, that guy, got a lot of contacts from entertainment companies.”

“We definitely planned to, with all the fuss our company’s been making about training newcomers lately. But I couldn’t meet him. I wanted to get close to him at the dinner, but he didn’t come out. Why? Don’t you want to give it? Is it uncomfortable?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“It’s a shame, but there’s filming, so. Ah- but who will snatch him up before that? Wow, this kind of competition for an unknown actor is a first.”

Leaving the manager scratching his head, Ryu Jung-min recalled yesterday’s after-party.

To be precise, when Ryu Jung-min asked PD Song man-woo.

“PD. Who is Kang Woojin? Where on earth did you find him?”

PD Song man-woo just shrugged his shoulders.

“This is like the nth time I’ve been asked this question today. Honestly, I don’t know either. I can only guess.”

“About what?”

“About his phenomenal acting and unclear past. I think he was abroad.”

“······Abroad? Then was he self-taught?”

“That’s right. He has the air of someone who has walked a lonely road, doesn’t he?”

“That doesn’t… make sense. How could that acting come from self-study?”

“Kang Woojin himself is an extraordinary existence. Honestly, after seeing Woojin, I checked as much as I knew, but there’s no domestic background. That’s why I think he’s been abroad.”

At that time, PD Song man-woo, who had a sudden thought, smiled.

“Ah, I do know one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Kang Woojin is good at design.”

“What??”

“Until a month ago, Woojin was working at a design company. His friend confirmed it too.”

“Design… What??”

Returning to his van in reality. Ryu Jung-min found the mystery of Kang Woojin’s identity getting darker.

“Bro, what do you think about Kang Woojin’s self-study story?”

“Isn’t that just nonsense? It seems like he just threw that out there for the sake of the atmosphere.”

“What if it’s not? What if he really learned acting through self-study?”

“…Then he must be insane. There’s no such freak like that. A guy born to act?”

For some reason, Ryu Jung-min felt an anxiety rising within him. Soon, Ryu Jung-min, who had been pondering over Kang Woojin’s performance as Park Dae-ri, pulled out the script. It was Part 1 of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. Then he spoke again to the manager.

“There’s an interview scheduled for today, right? Can you postpone that?”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”

“I want to look at the script again. To be sure.”

“You’ve already analyzed that, haven’t you??”

“No, more. More thoroughly.”

In truth, Ryu Jung-min could not just stand by. it like a fire lit under his feet? The reason was simple.

“The lead role shouldn’t be overshadowed by a supporting actor.”

It was a sense of crisis. Or desperation. Kang Woojin, who had just revealed himself, had ignited a fire in top actor Ryoo Jung-min.

The funny thing was.

“Borther! Can you cancel my skin clinic reservation today!”

It wasn’t just Ryu Jung-min. The actors who saw Kang Woojin’s acting in the script reading were almost in the same state. Of course, Hong Hye-yeon too. All the actors were fired up due to Kang Woojin. The flame of passion and innocence.

Thus, a wind of change began to fan the flames among the actors.

“Drop me off at home, and don’t contact me until tomorrow.”

“Huh? Tae-san, what are you talking about??”

“I need to delve into the script.”

This meant that the quality of the production would rise a few notches.

So the next morning. Kang Woojin’s studio apartment.

Kang Woojin, who had eaten ramen after arriving home and collapsed, suddenly opened his eyes.

“······Another day’s gone.”

It was about 9 in the morning. The script reading-related Saturday and Sunday had vanished like smoke. Today was Monday, March 9th. The weekdays had begun and Kang Woojin moved his head while lying down. To his right were stacked business cards.

“Hmm-”

After a small spit, Kang Woojin stretched out and suddenly picked up the Part 2 script of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. Then he pressed on the black square next to the script.

Suddenly, Kang Woojin entered the void space.

Before his eyes was an endless dark void. The reason he suddenly entered the void space was simple.

“Let’s think about it.”

To contemplate. A method Woojin had been using frequently recently. To think about trivial worries, he would enter this space. A bit of a time-saving move?

Anyway.

“Hmm- an agency.”

Kang Woojin rubbed his chin, recalling the business cards he received and their briefings. As he did so, he walked towards the area where the white square was floating. Then.

“Huh?”

Kang Woojin discovered something.

-[1/Scenario (Title: Exorcism), B grade]

-[2/Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Part 1), S grade]

The grade of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had changed to S. It was certainly A+ before going to the script reading. In other words, the value of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had increased. Thanks to this, Kang Woojin tilted his head. It was hard to understand.

He knew the starting point of this wind of change was himself, but,

“Why did this suddenly rise?”

Kang Woojin had no idea.

March 10th.

Kang Woojin, carrying a large backpack, left his studio apartment in the early in the morning. Then, about 5 minutes later, someone called Kang Woojin from the side of the bus stop curb.

“Ha ha, Woojin!”

It was Director Shin Dong-chun, who had parked his van. As soon as Woojin saw him, he began to walk. Inside, he was continually chanting a mantra. Why?

For about five days starting today.

‘Phew- don’t forget to act tough. Even though it’s a short film, it’s my first time going to a shooting location, so I’m a bit nervous.’

Because the main shooting for ‘Exorcism’ was taking place.

Around 11 in the morning. Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

In front of the villa in Paju where the main shooting of ‘Exorcism’ would take place.

“Oh, it’s a bit cold today! It’s March, why is it cold?”

The actors appearing in ‘Exorcism’ were seen in the grassy yard. Including the extras, there were about 5 people? Three men and two women. Everyone was busy wrapping up in their coats, seated on makeshift chairs. Because the weather was a bit chilly.

“It’s nice to have a place to sit, usually, we have to stand all day when we go to other filming locations.”

“That’s true.”

All of the actors were unknown.

The most recognizable male actor had only appeared in minor roles in theater or film. They all met for the first time on set today. Moreover, they hadn’t even seen the protagonist of ‘Exorcism’. They were going into filming with a hurried schedule that included reading and rehearsal, so they hadn’t had a chance to see each other’s faces.

Anyway.

“Oh, by the way.”

The male actor, who had zipped up his lightweight padding jacket to his neck, suddenly asked all the other actors.

“Has anyone seen the actress for the role of ‘wife’?”

The actors shook their heads, indicating that they hadn’t.

“That’s right, has she not come yet?”

“I was curious, why hasn’t she come? No one knows who she is, right?”

“The staff didn’t know either.”

Then, a woman who played a Exorcism staff member changed the subject.

“Ah, have you heard? The protagonist of ‘Exorcism’ is also an unknown actor.”

The other actors nodded their heads as if they already knew.

“I heard. But it was strange because, even though the director is somewhat known in the drama world, and the 45-minute duration is quite long for a short film, , so it was strange that even the protagonist is unknown.”

“For a short film of this caliber, shouldn’t a supporting actor be the protagonist? Especially since this is said to be a submission for the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’.”

“Well, maybe it was a condition for investment? Or maybe the investor is an entertainment company.”

Soon, the actors expressed their envy.

“Ah- I’m jealous. I want to be the main character in a movie with investment too.”

“That’s why you have to join a company to make it big as an actor.”

“Maybe the acting would be disappointing if they are backed by an entertainment company?”

“They might be very young.”

“Huh? Speaking of which, the protagonist actor hasn’t arrived yet?”

At this moment.

“Come on! We have a briefing in 30 minutes, so let’s hurry!”

Director Shin Dong-chun, entered the courtyard of the villa and as he scanned the surroundings, he frowned.

“But where is our protagonist?”

Then, Director Shin Dong-chun smiled as he looked at the huddled actors.

“Ah, hiding there, come over here, protagonist.”

The protagonist? The protagonist? Thanks to that, the actors began to look around, moving their heads left and right.

-Swoosh.

Suddenly, a man with a cold expression stood up from among the actors. He was sitting at the back.

“Yes, director.”

It was Kang Woojin, the protagonist of ‘Exorcism’.

“···!”

“What??”

All the actors were taken aback.

*****

TL Note:

1) Chungmuro refers to the ‘Hollywood’ of Korea, avenue in Seoul where many film studios were located. The name Chungmuro was derived from “Chungmugong” (a title given to a famous Korean admiral) which means martial subject of loyalty. “Blue Chip of Chungmuro” actor indicates that the individual is a dependable and consistent asset in Korean cinema.