Chapter 51: Countdown (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

An article with a clear image of their son. So, Woojin’s parents…”

“……….”

“……….”

stared blankly at their son on the monitor for a while. It seemed like they had completely forgotten about the customer’s order. About a minute passed before Woojin’s mother, Seo Hyun-mi, regained her composure.

“Uh, first, let’s get the porridge ready.”

Her husband, Kang Woo-chul, nodded his head in agreement. They quickly prepared two bowls of porridge, and then gathered again in front of the counter monitor. Kang Woojin in the article was still there.

Then, Seo Hyun-mi and Kang Woo-chul read the article content carefully.

“‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’? Grand Prize?”

“What time is it now? This article just came out.”

“So, does it mean our son is at this film festival right now? With famous actresses like Hong Hye-yeon.”

“Why? Why did our son win the Grand Prize at this film festival for acting?”

The couple found it hard to understand even after reading the article. That’s because their son, Kang Woojin, had announced only a few months ago that he would become an actor. Of course, they didn’t know much about the acting industry either.

“Don’t people usually practice and go to academies when they start acting?”

“Right. When I searched, it said that you have to dedicate several years of your life…”

They knew that winning an acting grand prize within a few months was impossible. Especially since,

“Hong Hye-yeon is considered the best actress. So, does this mean my son beat this actress?”

Kang Woojin had outperformed a very famous top actress. It was unbelievable. Suddenly remembering, Seo Hyun-mi picked up her phone.”

“I’ll call, I’ll try calling.”

Kang Woo-chul stopped her.

“Ah, no. What if we disturb Woojin?”

“Ah… right.”

At that moment,

-♬♪

-♬♪

Both Seo Hyun-mi’s and Kang Woo-chul’s phones received a notification at the same time. It was a message. So both of them checked their phones and were immediately surprised.

“Woojin!”

“Our son!”

Because the sender was Kang Woojin. Their son, who was at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, had sent the same message to his parents. The content was the same.

-(Photo)

-I won an award for my acting. It’s just a short film festival, so it’s not a big deal, but I’m proud. I’m sending this because I thought you might be worried. Please don’t worry too much.

There was a photo of a trophy attached to the message.

Later,

As the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ was wrapping up its awards ceremony and holding its closing ceremony, journalists attending the festival were quickly spreading the information they had gathered.

『’Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, a best film winner this year! ‘Exorcism’ Sweeps Best Film and Acting Awards.』

Although it was a short film festival, there were quite a few interesting things. So the press, who heard the news from the onsite reporters, got a little excited.

“Huh?? Park Jung-hyuk is absent, and Hong Hye-yeon got the best acting award??! So, who won the Acting Grand Prize? Huh? An unknown actor won?!”

It wasn’t strange for an unknown actor to win an award at a festival with many newcomers, but it was unusual for renowned actors like Park Jung-hyuk and Hong Hye-yeon to be surpassed.

『’Park Jung-hyuk’ absent, ‘Hong Hye-yeon’ won the Best Actor award, Acting Grand Prize goes to newcomer ‘Kang Woojin’/ Photo.』

Moreover,

『[Film Festival] ‘For the First Time in History’ : ‘Exorcism’ Sweeps Both Film and Acting Awards at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’.』

The movie ‘Exorcism’ swept all the awards from the best film to the newly established actor award. This was an unprecedented scene at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, which has a long-standing tradition. There were even years when the best film was not awarded at all.

As a result, the number of articles increased rapidly.

Of course, it wasn’t the main news. However, as a secondary article, it was sufficiently valuable, and Kang Woojin’s face gradually spread across various portal sites and communities. Of course, this alone could not cause a rapid increase in recognition.

Most of the public would just think that an unknown actor won an award at a short film festival.

『[Mise-en-scène Film Festival] Actors who received the acting award are getting along well/ Photo.』

Considering the vast entertainment industry, Kang Woojin’s recognition was still minimal. However, the fire had definitely been ignited in certain places. From the film community, Hong Hye-yeon fan club, SNS, to YouTube channels that covered the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’.

Especially those who knew Kang Woojin, it was natural for there to be a fuss.

For example, on the set of ‘Profiler Hanryang’.

“…Huh?! Woojin won the Grand Prize??”

PD Song Man-woo, on the set where filming was in full swing, and where Kang Woojin and Hong Hye-yeon were not present, exclaimed while on a call with someone. Who was it? It was Writer Park Eun-mi, who had seen everything at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’.

“Hong Star got the best award? And Woojin got the grand prize…”

“Ah! Then what about the award for best film? Did ‘Exorcism’ get it??!”

“Uh huh! Triple crown!”

“Wow- that’s quite amazing? The ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, which is famous for being stingy with awards every year…”

“But PD, there’s something even more absurd.”

“What else is there?”

“Woojin is also fluent in Japanese.”

“What’s that about?”

“I mean- He was conversing naturally with a Japanese master director like they were friends?”

He speaks Japanese too? Just a few days ago, Kang Woojin had been speaking English like it was his native language. So, everyone believed he must have been in the United States.

“······So, what’s the deal? He’s definitely been overseas, but is it American or Japanese? Or both??”

Kang Woojin was a pure native Korean, but PD Song Man-woo, didn’t seem to think about this possibility at all.

In addition.

“Ah. But if it goes like this, Kang Totem… will be spot on again.”

Misunderstandings continued to accumulate.

“That’s right. Isn’t it creepy? I really got goosebumps when Woojin was called the Grand Prize winner.”

“He’s possessed, totally possessed. It’s more like being possessed by a ghost at this level.”

The movie ‘Exorcism’, which was chosen by intuition, won everything from the best film to the acting awards. It was clear that it would cause waves. Since it’s the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, known as the gateway to the film world, it was clear that from tomorrow, director Shin Dong-chun and ‘Exorcism’ would be busy in various ways.

Is that all?

There will be quite a lot of interview requests for the actors, and while asserting a suitable level of recognition to the public, they will also end up showcasing a strong presence in the film industry. In other words, it’s like making a profit of more than ten million won with just ten thousand won.

A tremendous result.

So, it was natural for PD Song Man-woo to express pure admiration.

“…Well, anyway. I got it. I’ll let the staff and actors know.”

This news quickly spread throughout the set by PD Song Man-woo. Dozens of staff and actors expressed their sincere congratulations. Some of it was directed towards Kang Woojin and Hong Hye-yeon, but such issues could also impact the drama’s ratings.

In short, it was also a boon for ‘Profiler Hanryang’.

It wasn’t possible to reveal Kang Woo-jin’s role as Park Dae-ri to the world yet, but the promotional effect was sufficient with just Hong Hye-yeon.

And then.

-♬♪

Kang Woojin was unaware due to the closing ceremony of the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, but the group chat with his buddies was also on fire.

-Dae-yeong: (Link to the article) Hey, f*ck, Kang Woo-jin, what is this! Did you win the grand prize? Seriously??

-Kyung-sun: What the F*ck!! Hey, wasn’t the movie only selected for the main competition and that’s it??

-Hyeong-gu: Wow….congrats!! But why are you the grand prize winner? Is Hong Hye-yeon below you?

-Kyung-sung: Congratulations. But is this real? Is it a dream? I can’t believe it even after seeing it. It’s f*cking fantasy that Kang Woo-jin is standing with Hong Hye-yeon.

-Dae-yeong: Hey! Kang Woo-jin! Ah, is this bastard busy?

-Hyeong-gu: Anyway, f*ck, let’s meet tonight.

The trio who were excited like wild horses made an appointment.

On the same day, at night, near Jeongja Station in Bundang.

It was around 8 PM. The location was a chicken restaurant around Jeongja Station. The fairly spacious chicken restaurant had tables divided into indoors and an outdoor terrace, and the familiar trio was seen at the outdoor table.

“Wow- they make really good chicken here.”

“If it goes in your mouth, Kyung-sung, what wouldn’t taste bad?”

“Shut up, Hyeong-gu. What nonsense are you talking about in front of the holy chicken?”

They were Kang Woojin’s buddies. Then, Na Hyeong-gu who had been chomping on chicken looked at Kim Dae-yeong and mumbled.

“Hey Kim Dae-yeong. Is it a big deal that Kang Woojin won the grand prize today?”

Kim Dae-yeong picked up a piece of chicken and answered.

“I don’t know either. I heard it’s a newly established award since this year. But a guy who started acting two months ago winning the grand prize is an absurd situation in the first place.”

“That’s true.”

“Even though it’s a short film festival, it’s quite popular, so the judges would have watched it carefully.”

“······Actually, his acting in the film was quite good.”

Soon, silence flowed between the trio. They still couldn’t believe it. It was natural. It would have been strange if they were calm. Hence, the chubby Lee Kyung-sung who had been chomping on chicken let out a small sigh.

“Kang Woo-jin, that bastard, becoming an actor – even winning an award. Reading the article, he doesn’t sound like my friend.”

“He might not actually be your friend.”

“Do you want to die?”

“···Anyway, from now on, Kang Woojin will continue to appear in movies or dramas. Wow- shit, I can’t get used to it.”

From here, the trio began to unfold their imaginations.

Of course, it was about the future of their friend Kang Woojin who suddenly became an actor overnight. Would he date a girl group member, wouldn’t he be in touch and hanging out with top actresses including Hong Hye-yeon?, his marriage would 100% be with a celebrity, do we have to join when a fan club is created? And so on and so forth.

The trio sharing numerous fantasies.

Thus, for over 30 minutes, the trio filled the conversation with talk about Kang Woo-jin, when suddenly the quiet Kim Dae-young took a shot of beer.

– Thump!

Then the robust Kim Dae-yeong who coolly put down the beer glass on the table opened his mouth. His expression was quite serious.

“You guys remember that I’m going to change jobs soon, right?”

His two friends reacted nonchalantly.

“Why are you suddenly bringing that up? You’ve been talking about that for two months. When are you going to do it?”

“This bastard just talks like that and won’t do it, right? He’s just asking us to console him because he’s having a hard time.”

Kim Dae-yeong dropped a bombshell.

“Actually, I told my company last week. That I’m going to change jobs.”

“······Are you crazy?!! Really??!”

“This idiot!! Did you quit a mid-sized company?”

“Shut up and listen.”

Funny thing was, unlike the enraged Lee Kyung-sung and Na Hyeong-gu, the person involved, Kim Dae-yeong, was calm.

“I had made up my mind, so my family also knows, originally I was going to go on a trip abroad for half a year after leaving the company, you know?”

“You’re crazy, living in a fairy tale world of your own!”

“Anyway, that was the plan- but in the meantime, Kang Woojin suddenly became an actor? He even won an award today. It’s still unbelievable.”

Kim Dae-yeong sternly told his friends.

“I’m thinking of becoming Kang Woojin’s manager? Or bodyguard. Whatever it is.”

The response from Lee Kyung-sung and Na Hyeong-gu, was straightforward.

“You dumbass.”

“You bastard.”

Simple curses. However, Kim Dae-young, as if unaffected by the hits, let out a long sigh.

“Well, it’s just a thought now- you guys know too. I used to dream of being an actor. I gave it up a long time ago and do acting as a hobby but…”

At this point, Kim Dae-yeong recalled Kang Woojin acting on the big screen.

“Honestly, I was shocked and confused when Kang Woojin appeared in the movie that day? But I felt a strange pleasure in it. It’s not me, but it was because my friend appeared prominently on the screen.”

“······Was it?”

“Kind of vicarious satisfaction? It was amazing. Even in a situation where I didn’t understand what was going on, but I watched it anyway. I was envious and thrilled?”

Then,

“And when Kang Woojin told me he became an actor, I had that thought on my way home.”

Kim Dae-young looked at his friends in turn and spit out the conclusion.

“Ah- it would be fun to watch my friend achieve my dream instead, right?”

The expressionless Lee Kyung-sung and Na Hyung-goo nodded in response.

“You dumbass.”

“You bastard.”

It were curses again.

The next day, the 8th in the morning. Harmony Film Company.

Around 9 o’clock. Kang Woojin could be found in the conference room of the Harmony Film Company. The place he had visited during the meeting with Director Kwon Ki-taek before. He was alone in the spacious conference room. Choi Sung-gun was nowhere to be seen, perhaps he went to the bathroom.

Whatever it was.

‘The articles keep coming out?’

Kang Woojin, who was sitting alone in the middle of the ‘ㄷ’ shaped desk, was looking at his phone with a nonchalant face. More precisely, he was searching the results that came out when he searched his own name.

Quite a lot of articles and photos came out.

Well, there were very few articles about Kang Woojin alone, but there was a lot of mention of being mentioned with the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ and Hong Hye-yeon.

‘It’s fascinating.’

Anyone would find it unreal. If you type your name in the search box and an article comes out.

At this point.

– Squeak.

The conference room glass door opened and a amiable man entered. Who would it be? It was Director Kwon Ki-taek with a protruding belly.

“Ah- I’m sorry, I came as fast as I could.”

Today, as always, it was a soft voice, and Kang Woojin, who had put down his phone, stood up from his seat and nodded.

“No, we came early.”

“Where is CEO Choi?”

“He went to the bathroom for a moment.”

“Ah, then shall we start by ourselves?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who smiled slightly, sat across from Woojin.

“First of all, congratulations on the award. I felt really good watching it from the front.”

“Thank you, director.”

Soon, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was staring at the silent Kang Woojin on the opposite side. He had a lot of questions he wanted to ask him. However, Director Kwon Ki-taek swallowed his words.

‘He is not the type to talk easily if I ask. It would be faster to watch how he grows. I have to look at it in the long run.’

He changed the subject by pointing with his index finger at the pile of papers in front of Kang Woojin. The pile of papers was the script for ‘The Island of the Missing’.

“How was it when you read it?”

“It was very interesting.”

“Haha, I feel good, especially when you say so, it feels more so.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was smiling kindly, asked again.

“Okay. Then next. What was the most interesting character in the scenario?”

Kang Woojin’s answer was short and quick. Because there was already a role that caught his eye. Even if it’s a leading role, so what.

“The role with the dual personality.”

“······It’s not a easy role, right?”

“It’s a difficult role.”

“Then why did you choose that role?”

The reason? Just because it seemed fun? Kang Woojin spoke honestly.

“I think I like the villain.”

“Haha.”

Director Kwon Ki-Taek laughed out of the blue.

“Honestly, I didn’t know Woojin would feel the same as me. In fact, I’ve had Woojin in mind for that role from the beginning.”

“··· Me.”

“Do you want to do this role?”

“If possible, yes.”

At this moment.

– Squeak.

“Oh my, I’m sorry! I got an urgent call on the way.”

Choi Sung-gun, rushed into the conference room. To him, Director Kwon Ki-taek reached out his hand.

“CEO Choi, let’s sign a contract today.”

“······Yes?”

“The lead villain, Woojin and I have the same thought.”

“Lea, leading role?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek showed a deep smile to Choi Sung-gun, who was shaking hands in surprise.

“It means that Woojin is the first actor confirmed for my work.”

It was the moment when Kang Woojin joined Director Kwon Ki-taek’s project.

Meanwhile, at the same time.

SBC broadcasting station building in Mok-dong. A big event was taking place here. It was the production announcement of the anticipated work ‘Profiler Hanryang’. That’s why over 200 reporters gathered.

And.

“No, there was nothing particularly difficult while filming. Rather, it was fun.”

Including Ryu Jung-min, who just answered a reporter’s question, the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ team were sitting in a row in front of the reporters’ desks. Starting with PD Song man-woo, writer Park Eun-mi, Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, and so on.

All the key figures were gathered.

Because it’s an anticipated work, the atmosphere of the production announcement was constantly heated, and the flashes were continuously fired at the actors. Then a reporter asked a question to writer Park Eun-mi.

“Writer Park Eun-mi! In a previous interview, you said that there would be an eye-catching scene-stealer in ‘Profiler Hanryang’! Can you give us a hint about who the actor is?!”

Writer Park Eun-mi, who was smiling slightly, spoke into the microphone.

“I really, really want to tell you. But I will hold back for the viewers.”

Soon, she glanced, with a smile, from PD Song Man-Woo to actors Ryu Jung-Min and Hong Hye-Yeon. Everyone seemed to be thinking of Kang Woojin. Then, Park Eun-Mi spoke to the 200 reporters.

“But one thing I can definitely tell you. That actor will be remembered as the greatest scene-stealer of all time.”

She added an explanation and emphasized it.

“Because they will deliver a performance that no other actor can match.”

Soon.

“Writer Park Eun-mi, known for her pickiness, gives such a rave review? That’s a first.”

“He must be really amazing, huh?”

“Ah, isn’t it just an exaggeration?”

“Why would writer Park Eun-mi do that?”

“She must have mixed in some lies.”

The stir among the hundreds of reporters grew.

“So what. We just need to sit back and enjoy the show.”

“That’s right. if it turns out to be a lie after opening the lid, she will be the one getting cursed at.”

Their fingers typing on their laptops got busier.

“Since she emphasized it like that, should I put on a little weight too?”

It was to write an article full of clickbait.