Chapter 47: Projection (5)

Translator: Dreamscribe

In the movie on the big screen, Kang Woojin, their friend, appears. What is this crazy situation? Sometimes it happens, if you’re too taken aback, your actions and thoughts come to a halt.

That’s exactly what happened to the trio who were watching ‘Exorcism’.

Starting with the Kim Dae-young.

‘No way, Kang Woojin?! What are you doing there?!! Seriously, why are you there?! What the hell is this?!’

Lee Kyung-sung, dropping the popcorn he held in his hand.

‘Crazy! Are my eyes playing tricks? They look fine! Kang Woojin? Seriously, Kang Woojin??!’

Na Hyeong-gu, with his mouth wide open and eyes bulging.

‘Is this a dream??! No way it’s a dream?! So, Woojin, what the hell are you doing there??’

The trio, although motionless, were internally panicking. They were on the verge of losing their sanity. If there weren’t people around, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them slapping each other’s faces.

That’s how shocking Kang Woojin’s face on the big screen was.

‘Whoa – I’m going crazy!!’

‘Hey, Kang Woojin, answer me, you bastard!! What are you doing there!’

‘Ah, right. They probably look alike, don’t they? Yeah, someone who looks like him. Yeah. Or… Is it really someone who looks like him?’

It was a mental assault for the trio.

At this point, Kang Woojin, who was watching the backs of his buddies from the back, was,

“hup!”

desperately holding back his laughter. He had no intention of doing so, but seeing them made it hard to hold back.”

The reason was simple.

The trio at this moment was.

‘Are they meerkats- Ah, I’m going to die.’

They looked like seated meerkats. They stretched their heads out to look up at the screen and then glanced at each other’s faces. How could he resist laughing? For Woojin, it was quite a scene.

‘I didn’t expect watching the back of their heads would be so entertaining.’

Among the trio looking up at the screen, Na Hyeong-gu, slowly lowering his head, whispered to Lee Kyung-sung next to him.

“···Hey. Slap my cheek once.”

Lee Kyung-sung, still holding the popcorn container, frowned and whispered back.

“Shh… shut up. I can’t do that right now.”

“That’s Kang Woojin, right?”

“You don’t think so? If that’s not Kang Woojin, then who is it?”

“Right, right?”

Kim Dae-young momentarily zoned out and finally managed to speak up.

“Wait···a minute, guys, let’s calm down first.”

“You calm down. Your eyeballs are going to pop out.”

The trio once again turned their attention to the screen. Kang Woojin was still giving a passionate performance as Kim Ryu-jin. Yes, it was definitely Kang Woojin. At first, they didn’t believe it, but by now the trio had accepted that the character in the movie was Kang Woojin. Well, they accepted it, but they still couldn’t digest it.

They were denying reality.

If a friend you’ve seen naked at a bathhouse suddenly appears on a movie screen, anyone would react the same way.

Soon, Kim Dae-young raised both his arms to rub his eyes. The remaining friends also expressed their disbelief in their own ways. From this point on, the trio began to watch the short film ‘Exorcism’ with Kang Woojin’s acting. Yes, let’s say he appeared in the movie. But why its only him?

Kim Dae-young, who enjoyed acting as a hobby, soon realized.

‘······He’s even the main lead??’

That Kang Woojin was not just a supporting role but the protagonist in the film. Kang Woojin had been on screen since ‘Exorcism’ more than 5 minutes ago. ‘Exorcism’ was a short film, not a commercial film. This meant that Kang Woojin, appearing from the beginning, was definitely the male lead.

At this point.

“···Hey, hey.”

Na Hyeong-gu, who was sitting at the end, whispered to his friends in a hushed voice.

“Let’s go out for now, and once we’re out, let’s call Kang Woojin.”

He seemed unable to concentrate any further due to the shock. However, the remaining friends, Kim Dae-young and Lee Kyung-sung, shook their heads with stern faces.

“No. Let’s just watch it. We’ll talk after it’s over.”

“I agree.”

In the end, Na Hyeong-gu, who had suggested the idea, followed his friends’ decision and turned his head back towards the screen. At that moment, Kang Woojin, or rather Kim Ryu-jin, was in the car.

-♬♪

A trot song echoed throughout the cinema. Kim Ryu-jin naturally turned down the volume. Thanks to that, the characters’ lines sounded even clearer.

[“Can you kill those bastards? How much does it cost to kill?”]

Kim Ryu-jin responds indifferently to the angry client.

[“500 million per person.”]

[“That’s expensive.”]

[“It’s a joke, man. I wouldn’t do such a thing.”]

[“No discount? Like a telecom or credit card discount.”]

[“Hey, are you listening to me? Do I look like I make pizzas or burgers?”]

No doubt, ‘Exorcism’ had impressive quality for a short film. The sound was particularly realistic and meticulous. The characters’ breathing, the noise of touching objects, dialogues, and sound effects. It was clear to anyone that they had put a lot of effort into the sound.

‘I’m going crazy, for real.’

Among the trio who were increasingly getting absorbed into the movie, the disbelief of Kim Dae-young, who had relatively abundant knowledge about acting, was escalating.

‘Not only is that Kang Woojin bastard there, which is crazy, but why is his acting crazy?? Why is he good at acting?’

Because Kang Woojin’s portrayal of Kim Ryu-jin was absurdly good. To say that it was natural would be an understatement. Kang Woojin on the screen could only be described as Kim Ryu-jin. His acting was that vivid.

But why? How could Kang Woojin act like that?

Then, past scenes with Kang Woojin flashed in Kim Dae-young’s mind. It all started when they went to the audition for ‘Super Actor’ together.

‘Right, thinking about it, that day was weird too.’

Woojin seemed off after the audition ended and even showed interest in scripts, which he had never cared about before. This was a guy who never enjoyed content.

‘Ah, that’s right! I gave him the ‘Exorcism’ script, didn’t I?’

The ‘Exorcism’ script that was handed over to Kang Woojin. After that, for some reason, Woojin started asking questions about short films. That was when he began claiming he was too busy to meet.

Kim Dae-young, who had been staring at the screen, pieced together puzzle of his own.

‘So what is it? He briefly looked at the script and auditioned and got the lead role? Always saying he’s busy means he was filming?’

Though everything fit perfectly, Kim Dae-young shook his head. It just didn’t make sense.

‘How could someone who’s been designing all his life start acting overnight?’

But no matter how much he denied it, reality did not change. Kang Woojin was still acting as Kim Ryu-jin on the screen. Of course, Kang Woojin was not only on the screen but also among the audience.

‘At first, they were gaping like goldfish, but now they’re engrossed. It’s a bit embarrassing.’

Kang Woojin, who had hidden his face with a hat and mask, chuckled softly. It felt like he was watching a hidden camera show. Then, Woojin alternated between looking at the screen and the back of the heads of the trio, scratching his chin.

‘Ah, they found out sooner than I’d hoped.’

He had planned to tell his friends later, around the first airing of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. But then, out of the blue, those three appeared here. Kim Dae-young must have led them.

‘Hmm- now I have to tell them today.’

Finally, the time had come. The time to make his friends understand.

‘What should I say? That I just happened to start acting? Am I crazy? Even I wouldn’t believe it.’

Well, setting them aside, Suddenly, Kang Woojin looked straight at the screen. The impact of the large screen was tremendous. Should we say it’s overwhelming? The grandeur was different from the test screening he saw in the sound studio.

‘Ah- it’s also quite embarrassing, my face looks huge.’

At that moment.

“It’s not bad, right?”

“Yep, it’s fun.”

The whispering of a couple in the next seat reached Woojin. Additionally, Woojin wasn’t really aware at first, but all 500 or so viewers, who had little expectation at first, began to straighten their postures. Because ‘Exorcism’ was more fun than expected. The fact that it was a short film and had no expectations worked positively.

Although the loud sounds of the movie drowned some of it out.

“It’s fun, isn’t it?”

“Exactly. It’s a short film, but the quality is good. Especially the sound.”

Audiences here and there were whispering.

“It’s worth watching? It doesn’t feel like a short film?”

“But, is that male lead a newbie? He’s really good at acting.”

Gradually, the entire audience became engrossed in ‘Exorcism’. Like clothes getting wet in a drizzle, little by little.

It was then.

‘Huh??!!’

Kim Dae-young, one of the trio, was startled to see someone on the screen. As if contagious, the eyes of all three grew wide in shock.

‘Wow- f*ck!!!’

‘Crazy! Kang Woojin, you bastard!!”

Suddenly, top actress Hong Hye-yeon appeared on the screen.

The scene was when the main character, Kim Ryu-jin, began surveilling the client’s wife. In other words, it was the first appearance of Hong Hye-yeon, who played the wife. Today was the first screening of ‘Exorcism’ at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’. Therefore, it was shocking not only for the trio but also for all 500 audience members.

“What, what? Isn’t that Hong Hye-yeon?”

“This movie had Hong Hye-yeon in it?”

“Wow- Hong Hye-yeon. Awesome.”

The concentration of the audience skyrocketed in an instant.

Meanwhile, at GGO Entertainment in Nonhyeon-dong.

CEO Seo Gu-seob, who resembled a bulldog, with a stern look, was looking down at his tablet while seated on the on the CEO’s office large 5-seater sofa. What he was looking at was naturally related to the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’, and a manager sitting on the sofa next to him was reporting while looking at the same tablet.

“An hour ago, the screening of ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ started at 10, and from today, Jung-hyuk’s ‘Mentor’ has begun screening in rotation.”

CEO Seo Gu-seob, who had been slowly nodding, asked.

“Jung-hyuk’s screening is only for two days, right? Any issues with the screening?”

“Yes, sir. According to the team on the ground, there are no problems.”

“The ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ seems to be gaining momentum. Were there a lot of attendees?”

“Yes. The number has definitely increased several times compared to last year. Journalists are showing more interest than usual, and many BJs and YouTubers are also seen on-site.”

“Well, that’s good.”

CEO Seo Gu-seob, put down his tablet with a satisfied smile, then paused. He slightly furrowed his brows and changed his question.

“Did you check Shin Dong-chun’s film?”

CEO Seo Gu-seob had dispatched employees not only to Park Jung-hyuk’s work ‘Mentor’, which was being made for white-washing his image, but also to Director Shin Dong-chun’s ‘Exorcism’. The manager quickly responded.

“Yes, CCV COEX is the venue for that, and like ‘Mentor,’ it’s been screened for the first time today.”

“Who’s the male lead in ‘Exorcism’.”

“It’s an unknown actor. Seems to be a nobody.”

Upon hearing the answer, Seo Gu-seob snorted incredulously.

“What? Ah- damn it. Not even B-list, but just an unknown rookie? Is Shin Dong-chun out of his mind? He dares to insult me and Jung-hyuk by casting a nobody? He’s totally crazy.”

“But… that unknown’s acting isn’t bad.”

“So what? Even if he flies or crawls, a nobody is still a nobody. Never mind, as long as Jung-hyuk’s acting isn’t completely terrible, him winning an award is certain.”

Soon after, CEO Seo Gu-seob, picked up a pack of cigarettes on the table in front of him, continued.

“From now on, don’t worry about the trashy movie that Shin Dong-chun made, and start pushing our narrative and spread rumors as planned. Especially, always mix ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ and Park Jung-hyuk’s name, and keep feeding articles to the reporters we have connections with.”

“Understood.”

“Watch out for any derived controversies. Jung-hyuk will have to take all the flak. If the issue gets hot, keep it rolling until the award ceremony. Eh? Anyway, If only nobodies are buzzing around, the reporters will only cover Jung-hyuk.”

As soon as the orders were given, the employee bowed his head.

-Knock, bang!

The door of the CEO’s office suddenly opened, and another employee rushed in. Seeing him, CEO Seo Gu-seob raised an eyebrow.

“What’s going on? Manager Park.”

Manager Park, catching his breath, immediately got to the point.

“CEO, um… we just got a call from the ‘Exorcism’ side.”

“Ah, forget about that trashy movie. Just focus on pushing our narrative.”

“I don’t think we can ignore this.”

“What?”

With a cold tone, CEO Seo Gu-seob asked, and Manager Park hesitantly reported.

“Hong Hye-yeon appeared in ‘Exorcism’.”

There was a moment of silence. After glaring at the employee for about five seconds, CEO Seo Gu-seob suddenly stood up.

“What?! Hong Hye-yeon? Hong Hye-yeon appeared in ‘Exorcism’?!”

“…Yes.”

“No, shit! What kind of bullshit are you spouting? Hong Hye-yeon just joined PD Song’s drama, right?! And she’s appearing in ‘Exorcism’?!!”

“She just appeared as a main supporting role.”

“……..”

For a moment, CEO Seo Gu-seob, felt a headache. Hong Hye-yeon appeared? If true, all the hype they prepared for Park Jung-hyuk’s whitewashing would be in vain. It was Hong Hye-yeon, one of the top actresses in Korea.

They can’t compete with her in terms of making headlines.

Grinding his teeth, CEO Seo Gu-seob angrily threw the cigarette pack he was holding onto the floor. Then he remembered a certain person.

“…Choi Sung-gun, that bastard was the investor.”

Meanwhile, on the same day at lunchtime.

While the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ was in full swing, the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ team uploaded a video. It was on their YouTube channel, other video platforms, and the official website.

-[15 seconds Official 1st Teaser] He may be a lazy goof-off, but he’s a genius! <Profiler Hanryang> Premiering on 5/15(Fri)! | Profiler Hanryang

-[SBC]/ENG SUB

-2020. 5. 2

It was the official 1st teaser trailer of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. Unlike the teasers that had been released so far, this one included actual content from the drama. Unfortunately, it was only 15 seconds long, but it included key points.

Narrated by Ryu Jung-min.

The teaser, which began with his deep voice, quickly crossed over several scenes and showed various characters. Yu Ji-hyeong crouching at a murder scene, Jeong Yeon-hee chasing someone, tense main and supporting actors, a massive car explosion, and more. As it approached the end, numerous scenes rapidly replaced each other. The background music also picked up pace.

Eventually, the teaser faded to a black screen, and Ryu Jung-min’s narration echoed faintly.

[“Everything”]

At the same time, a wicked smile from a man whose face is covered above the nose filled the screen.

[“Started from this distorted smile.”]

It was an eerie smile. Viewers wouldn’t know, but the actors of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ recognized the smile instantly.

Because it belonged to Park Dae-ri.

As soon as this teaser was uploaded, the first comment appeared.

-Crazy… who’s the actor with the last smile? It was brief, but the impact is tremendous….

In a university cafeteria, four girls gathered in a university cafeteria. One of them, who had seen the teaser, was excited. She was excited enough to show the teaser to her friends sitting nearby.

“Check this out! The quality of this teaser is insane! Wow- who’s the actor smiling at the end?? So creepy!”

It was Kang Woojin’s sister, Kang Hyun-ah.

“Ah! I can’t wait to watch it!”

Meanwhile, in a park 10 minutes away from COEX.

If you go through the busy streets and into the alley, you’ll find an ordinary park.

-Swish.

Kang Woojin, who just arrived, was seen. His dark denim jacket and hat were the same, but he had taken off his mask. His expression was quite solemn. He had just finished watching ‘Exorcism’ and immediately came here.

Anyway, Woojin scanned the park over the flower bed.

“There they are.”

He noticed three familiar faces sitting on a bench. They were his friends who had just seen Kang Woojin on the screen a few minutes ago. Kim Dae-young had called Kang Woojin as soon as ‘Exorcism’ ended, and Woojin, who had no intention of putting things off, immediately agreed to meet.

Soon.

-Swish.

Kang Woojin, who had been discreetly scratching his chin, took steps towards the park entrance without a second thought.

At that moment.

“Hey!! Crazy! Kang Woojin!”

“That bastard!!!”

“Shit! Catch him, catch him!!”

The waiting trio all spotted Woojin and.

-Thud!

They came running fiercely. Their momentum was like that of a charging mad bull. If you collided with them, at least one arm would seem to break from their speed. For some reason, Kang Woojin also turned and ran.

“Ah- Shit!”

He was running away.