Kang Woojin was hungry.
He hadn't eaten anything since lunch yesterday.
Missing the beef party dinner last night hadn't been intentional, but he regretted it now.
All this acting and pretending… in the end, it was just a way to make a living.
Ah, that's right.
What could he do?
The moment the tension left his body, he had fallen asleep.
Now his face carried his usual composure, but with a faint trace of gloom.
It made him look overly cynical.
At least—
That was how it appeared to Hong Hyeyeon, who stood beside him.
For some reason… he looks colder than usual. Is he still affected by yesterday's acting as Assistant Manager Park?
Hong Hyeyeon, her long hair tied loosely to one side, kept glancing at Woojin.
She was gauging his mood.
She had something she wanted to suggest to him.
Then—
Swoosh.
Hong Hyeyeon pointed toward the open van.
"Shall we go?"
I came with Hong Hyeyeon? Nice.
Suppressing his excitement, Woojin nodded briefly.
"Yes."
At that moment—
"Hello, Mr. Woojin."
Just as Woojin was about to step into the white van, a man's voice came from behind.
Woojin turned.
A stranger he had never seen before stood there.
From inside the van, Hong Hyeyeon introduced him.
"He's the CEO of our agency."
CEO Choi Sunggeon extended his hand toward Kang Woojin.
"Woojin, do you have a moment?"
Since he was the head of Hong Hyeyeon's agency, he naturally had a connection to her.
Is he the investor of The Private Investigator?
The investor of the short film The Private Investigator.
In other words—
For Kang Woojin, the lead actor of the film, the man was almost like a landlord.
It felt awkward to treat him casually.
Woojin climbed into the van and answered calmly.
"Please go ahead."
Soon CEO Choi Sunggeon joined them.
The three of them sat inside Hong Hyeyeon's van.
Choi Sunggeon started the conversation.
"Seeing you up close, you're even more handsome. I'm Choi Sunggeon, CEO of BW Entertainment."
Just lip service.
Unmoved, Woojin replied.
"I'm Kang Woojin."
"Haha, I know. The standout at that script reading was Kang Woojin. It was perfect, wasn't it?"
Woojin quietly observed the man sitting across from him.
His attitude was strange.
Half serious.
Half casual.
CEO Choi Sunggeon continued.
"By chance, I ended up forming a connection with you. You know we invested in The Private Investigator, right?"
"Yes."
"I've heard a lot from Hong star. But in this project, Hyeyeon isn't the protagonist."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Mr. Woojin, please take good care of The Private Investigator."
Then his expression suddenly grew serious.
"Anyway, let's get to the point."
"As far as I know, Woojin, you don't have an agency yet."
"I want BW Entertainment—no, I want to be with you as you begin your acting career."
"Are you offering me a contract?"
"Yes."
"Of course, our company is still small."
"Some people might even call us a one-person company centered around Hong Hyeyeon."
"But startups have the energy of startups."
CEO Choi Sunggeon explained enthusiastically.
"Being big or small both have pros and cons."
"What Woojin needs right now isn't scattered management."
"You need focused management."
"Not something half-hearted, but firm and decisive."
"The entertainment industry is a jungle."
"Losing an actor because of one mistake isn't unusual."
That's harsh.
Listening to him, Woojin felt how unfamiliar this industry was.
Still—
He carefully chose his words.
What would sound the coolest here?
Whatever it was, his pride had to remain intact.
"I like the jungle."
CEO Choi Sunggeon paused.
He had just been warning Woojin how dangerous the industry was.
Yet Woojin said he liked it.
And that expression—
Kang Woojin's eyes didn't waver at all.
At that moment, Choi Sunggeon judged him extraordinary.
Seriously… what kind of past produces this kind of potential?
A stubbornness no rookie or unknown actor should possess.
Kang Woojin might be unknown in reality.
But mentally, he already felt like a top-tier actor.
At least—
That was how he appeared to Choi Sunggeon.
I want him.
I want him right now.
Because of that, Choi Sunggeon spoke with even more conviction.
"I'll help you spread your wings in that jungle."
"Woojin, if you join us, I'll personally manage you."
"I promise—no, I guarantee it."
"Careful and meticulous support."
"I may look like this, but I'm capable."
"My industry connections are strong."
"My reputation isn't bad either."
Most of that was true.
Choi Sunggeon was known as a respectable producer in the entertainment industry.
Then he changed the topic.
"Woojin, you received a lot of business cards, didn't you?"
"Quite a few."
"I thought so."
"Even though you didn't attend the dinner gathering last night, the industry people were in an uproar."
"They said a Chungmuro blue chip had appeared."
"I'm guessing you received about ten cards."
The number was close.
"Did anyone talk about signing bonuses?"
"If that's uncomfortable to discuss, you don't have to answer."
Signing bonuses?
Had anyone mentioned that?
Woojin recalled the people who gave him cards.
None of them said anything about signing bonuses.
Still—
Many had mentioned special terms.
Woojin answered vaguely.
"I think I heard something about special discount benefits."
"…Special."
Hong Hyeyeon, who had been quietly listening, lightly bit her lip and nudged CEO Choi Sunggeon.
Choi Sunggeon leaned closer.
"I'll match it as best as I can."
"At least hear our offer."
"Please, just listen."
Once again—
Things were racing out of control.
But Kang Woojin had already boarded the express train.
Hesitation would only damage his image.
So he gave a neutral answer.
"I'll think about it and contact you."
Meanwhile—
Inside top star Ryu Jungmin's vehicle.
Unlike Kang Woojin, Ryu Jungmin's car had already left thirty minutes earlier and was speeding along the highway.
Ryu Jungmin, his long hair tied back, stared out the window.
His gaze was outside.
But his thoughts were elsewhere.
Five minutes later—
"Hyung."
He spoke to the manager in the passenger seat.
"You know that guy, right?"
"Kang Woojin."
"The one who played Assistant Manager Park."
The manager closed his planner and turned around.
"How could I not?"
"His acting was incredible."
"I got goosebumps."
"Even at the dinner gathering everyone was praising him."
"…Did we give him our business card?"
"Kang Woojin seems to have a wide agency network."
"We planned to meet him too."
"The company has been emphasizing rookie development lately."
"But we couldn't meet him."
"I tried approaching him at the dinner gathering, but he never showed up."
"Why?"
"Were you planning not to give him one?"
"No."
"It's unfortunate, but you had filming."
"Still… who will get him first?"
"I've never seen competition like this over an unknown actor."
The manager tilted his head.
Meanwhile, Ryu Jungmin recalled the after-party.
Specifically a moment when he asked Song Manwoo PD a question.
"PD. Who exactly is Kang Woojin?"
"Where did you find him?"
Song Manwoo simply shrugged.
"I've been asked that several times today."
"Honestly, I don't know either."
"I can only guess."
"Guess what?"
"Based on his acting skills and unclear background…"
"I think he might have been overseas."
"…Overseas?"
"Self-taught?"
"Yes."
"He gives off the vibe of someone who walked a lonely path."
"That's impossible."
"How could acting like that come from self-study?"
"Kang Woojin is special."
"After seeing him myself, I checked everything I could."
"There was no domestic record of him."
"That's why I think he might have been abroad."
Then Song Manwoo suddenly smiled.
"Actually, there's one thing I know for sure."
"What?"
"Kang Woojin has excellent design sense."
"…What?"
"Until about a month ago, he worked at a design company."
"A friend confirmed it."
"Design… what?"
Returning to the present inside the car, Ryu Jungmin felt the mystery around Kang Woojin deepen.
"Hyung, what do you think about the self-taught theory?"
"Sounds like nonsense."
"Probably something someone made up."
"But what if it's true?"
"What if he really learned acting on his own?"
"…Then he's insane."
"A freak like that doesn't exist."
"Someone born to act?"
For some reason, unease rose inside Ryu Jungmin.
Thinking about Woojin's performance as Assistant Manager Park, he pulled out a script.
Profiler Hanryang Episode 1.
He spoke again.
"We have an interview today, right?"
"Can you postpone it?"
"Huh?"
"Why suddenly?"
"I want to analyze the script again."
"You already analyzed it."
"No."
"More thoroughly."
In truth—
Ryu Jungmin couldn't sit still.
It felt like flames were burning under his feet.
The reason was simple.
A lead actor must not be overshadowed by a supporting actor.
It was a sense of crisis.
Kang Woojin had only just appeared.
Yet he had already shaken top actor Ryu Jungmin.
And interestingly—
"Hyung! Can you cancel my dermatologist appointment today?"
It wasn't just Ryu Jungmin.
Almost every actor who witnessed Kang Woojin's acting at the script reading felt the same.
Hong Hyeyeon included.
Every actor had been ignited with renewed passion because of Kang Woojin.
And that momentum only grew stronger.
"Take me home."
"Don't contact me until tomorrow."
"Huh?"
"Taesan, what do you mean?"
"I need to examine the script carefully."
Which meant—
The production itself might improve several levels.
The next morning.
Kang Woojin's studio apartment.
Woojin, who had eaten ramen and collapsed, suddenly opened his eyes.
"…Another day passed."
It was around 9 a.m.
The weekend full of script readings had disappeared like smoke.
Today was Monday.
March 9.
Still lying down, Woojin nodded.
To his right was a stack of business cards.
"Hm."
He stretched and picked up Profiler Hanryang Episode 2.
Then he pressed the black square beside the script.
Instantly—
Kang Woojin entered the void space.
Endless darkness spread before him.
The reason he came here was simple.
"Let's think."
Recently, this had become his preferred way to organize his thoughts.
He used the void space whenever he needed time to think.
It also saved time.
Still—
"Hmm. Agencies."
Rubbing his chin, Woojin recalled the business cards and offers.
Then he walked toward the floating white squares.
And then—
"What?"
Something had changed.
[1 / Scenario (Title: The Private Investigator), B-grade]
[2 / Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Episode 1), S-grade]
The rating of Profiler Hanryang had risen to S-grade.
Before the script reading it had been A+.
Which meant—
The project's value had increased.
Woojin tilted his head.
It was hard to understand.
Even though he himself was the cause.
"Why did this suddenly increase?"
Kang Woojin had no idea.
March 10.
Woojin left his apartment early with a large backpack.
Five minutes later.
Near the bus stop—
"Hahaha, Woojin!"
Director Shin Dongchun stood beside a parked van.
Woojin walked toward him.
Inside the van, he repeated something to himself.
Because starting today—
For the next five days—
Don't forget to act tough. Even if it's a short film, this is my first time going to a filming set.
The main filming for The Private Investigator had begun.
Around 11 a.m.
Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
In front of the villa where The Private Investigator would be filmed—
"Wow, it's cold today."
"Why is March still this cold?"
Actors gathered on the lawn.
Including extras, there were about five people.
Three men.
Two women.
All unknown actors.
Even the most recognizable among them had only appeared in minor roles.
They were meeting for the first time.
They hadn't even seen the lead actor yet.
The schedule had been packed with script readings and rehearsals.
Still—
"By the way."
One actor asked,
"Has anyone seen the actress playing the wife?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"No."
"She hasn't arrived yet?"
"No one even knows who she is."
"Even the production staff didn't know."
Then one actress changed the topic.
"Did you hear?"
"The lead actor of The Private Investigator is also unknown."
The others nodded.
"I heard that too."
"But the Director is known in theater circles, and the runtime is forty-five minutes."
"That's long for a short film."
"It's strange that the lead is unknown."
"For a short film submitted to the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, shouldn't the lead at least be a known supporting actor?"
"Maybe it was an investor condition."
"Or maybe the investor is an entertainment company."
Soon envy crept into their voices.
"I'm jealous."
"I want to be the lead in a funded film."
"That's why actors join agencies."
"If they're backed by an agency, the acting might disappoint."
"They might be really young."
"Huh?"
"Come to think of it… the lead actor still hasn't arrived."
Right then—
"Alright! Hurry up!"
"We have a briefing in thirty minutes!"
Director Shin Dongchun stepped into the yard.
He looked around.
Then frowned.
"Where is our lead actor?"
Then he smiled at the gathered actors.
"Ah, you were hiding there."
"Come here, lead actor."
Lead actor?
Everyone looked around.
Then—
Swoosh.
A cold-faced man stood up from the back.
"Yes, Director."
It was Kang Woojin.
The lead actor of The Private Investigator.
"…!"
"What??"
Every actor froze in shock.
TL Note
Chungmuro is often called the "Hollywood of Korea," a historic filmmaking district in Seoul.
A "Chungmuro blue chip actor" refers to a rising actor considered a reliable future star in the Korean film industry.