Sunday morning.
Kang Woojin woke up at the lodging near the filming set for The Private Investigator and headed straight to C-Blue Studio.
The Profiler Hanryang production staff had called him in. In truth, the meeting had already been scheduled a few days earlier. It was supposed to happen sooner, but Song Manwoo PD had adjusted the timing.
In any case, after wrapping up filming for The Private Investigator and getting out of the van, Woojin met with Song Manwoo PD, Park Eunmi, the production manager, and the others.
The meeting began with Song Manwoo PD showing him the finalized style concept for Assistant Manager Park.
"Woojin, this is Assistant Manager Park's everyday outfit concept, and these are the finalized concepts for his home and the other locations. Go over all of it."
Kang Woojin reviewed the finalized details for Assistant Manager Park, from his appearance to the places he lived and moved through.
Before, they had only been drafts.
Now everything was confirmed, so Woojin kept his expression calm.
'Wow, this is insanely detailed. They even brought photos of the actual locations and the house. The outfits change every time too. Looks like the base design stays similar? Once the research is done, they'll move straight into production.'
He was impressed inwardly.
Woojin listened to the concept discussion for about ten minutes, and then Park Eunmi took over and moved on to the script meeting.
"First, here are the official scripts for Episodes 3 and 4. The other actors already received theirs, but yours was delayed because of filming for The Private Investigator. I know your schedule is tight, but I'd appreciate it if you could analyze them carefully."
There was concern in Park Eunmi's eyes.
She seemed worried about handing them to him late.
But for Kang Woojin, it was no problem at all. He could absorb everything today if he wanted.
So he answered with a little confidence.
"No problem."
"Really?"
"Yes, writer-nim."
Park Eunmi's gaze immediately shifted from concern to affection.
Whatever the case, Profiler Hanryang now had official scripts completed through Episode 4. Woojin did not know it, but the draft scripts had already gone beyond Episode 7. The cover and format for Episodes 3 and 4 matched Episode 1. Naturally, each script also had a black square attached to it.
Then Song Manwoo PD explained further.
"Assistant Manager Park appears through Episode 4, and after that he doesn't show up anymore. But later, there are a few flashback scenes. It'd be good if you read up to Episode 6."
A total of six episodes.
If each episode drew 3.5 million viewers, that was 21 million people. Even with rough math, once reruns and everything else were factored in, the number became enormous.
Nice. Good news for an actor.
Kang Woojin cheered inwardly.
Then, for about an hour, he listened to the discussion on Episodes 3 and 4. It was actually interesting. Comparing the production staff's and Director's ideas with the way he had interpreted the role himself was useful.
As soon as the script-related meeting ended, Song Manwoo PD smiled broadly.
"Thanks to you, it looks like the actors all got fired up."
Fired up?
What kind of awakening was that? This was not some fantasy novel.
Woojin asked quietly, curiosity in his eyes.
"What do you mean by that?"
"They said after watching your acting at the script reading, they got desperate. They were afraid of getting overshadowed by Assistant Manager Park."
Park Eunmi added on with a smile.
"How was filming for The Private Investigator? Was it okay?"
"Yes, no problems."
"I'm looking forward to The Private Investigator too. How was the atmosphere on set? Was it alright?"
I almost died.
That was Woojin's honest thought, but the correct move here was to act as if nothing had happened.
"It seemed fine."
"Fine? Then your stamina must be incredible, Woojin. Good. Filming for Profiler Hanryang starts soon, so take care of yourself. Though I'm sure you'll do fine."
Would he even have time to manage his condition?
Kang Woojin figured he just had to endure it somehow.
After the meeting ended that afternoon, he stepped out of the building and quietly muttered to himself,
"It's hectic, but I think I can handle it."
Right then—
Bzzzzzz, bzzzzzz.
A long vibration came from the pocket of the fleece jacket he was wearing.
It was a call.
The caller was Kim Daeyoung, and Woojin answered after glancing around.
"What."
"Hey! Kang Woojin! Get out here right now! Let's grab a drink. The guys are all ready."
"I'll pass. Go drink with them."
"...Are you still pretending to be busy, you unemployed idiot? You still haven't even found a new job."
"Thanks for the criticism disguised as concern. Now shut up."
"What have you been doing lately? Why are you being so secretive? Why won't you show your face?"
It was not that Kang Woojin did not want to see his friends.
He genuinely did not have time to drink. It was not an excuse. He was actually busy.
"I'll tell you later. Bye."
Click.
As soon as he hung up, Woojin muttered to himself, thinking about Kim Daeyoung and the others,
"Anyway, they'll see it on TV soon enough."
Better to hide it for now and reveal it later than to lie to them outright.
That was the plan.
Around then, the minivan from the production company that had come to pick him up rolled out from the underground parking lot.
Since they were offering to take him home, there was no reason to refuse.
Thunk.
The moment he got in, the minivan started moving. Since the staff were already inside, Kang Woojin returned to his usual expressionless face. Then he picked up the scripts for Profiler Hanryang Episodes 3 and 4 and focused on Episode 3.
Should I read Episode 3 before I get home?
Poke.
Without hesitation, he pressed the black square.
Soon, Kang Woojin fell into the abyss of endless darkness.
Then he immediately checked the floating white rectangle.
The connected scripts were arranged in an organized line.
Profiler Hanryang Episode 3 had been placed in smaller form beneath the original white rectangle for Episode 1. Episode 2 had already been arranged the same way, and now Episode 3 joined them. If all sixteen episodes had lined up in full size, it would have been hard to see anything clearly.
The mechanism was the same.
Only the size had shrunk.
Kang Woojin realized something new and moved his finger.
-[You have selected Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Episode 3).]
-[List of characters available for reading (experience).]
Then—
[Preparing "E: Assistant Manager Park" script...]
In Episode 3, Woojin was once again swept into the unfamiliar world of Assistant Manager Park.
That same day, late afternoon.
Kang Woojin's studio apartment.
Kang Woojin did not make it back until after one. Thankfully, the Profiler Hanryang team had driven him home, so the trip itself was comfortable, but with five straight days of filming, the drinking session the night before, and this morning's meeting piled on top of it, Woojin was completely drained.
"Mmm."
The moment he got home, he collapsed onto the bed.
"..."
For three straight minutes, Kang Woojin did not move.
Or rather, he barely twitched.
Was this the peace he had wanted so badly? Even the footsteps from upstairs felt oddly comforting.
Should he just fall asleep like this?
As Kang Woojin habitually reached for his phone, his hand stopped midway.
A few business cards caught his eye.
"Ah."
Those were the business cards he had received on the day of the script reading.
Right.
They were still there.
It had already been about a week, which meant it was finally time to make a decision.
He sighed.
But at the moment, even standing up felt like too much effort. So, still lying there, he stretched out his hand and picked up the stack of cards.
There were nine in total.
Most were from agencies.
One was from a film company.
Anyway—
"The most important thing when choosing an agency is to examine the company carefully."
Did he really need to meet all eight agencies?
It seemed excessive. It would be a hassle, and considering the image he had built, it did not seem right for him to go around meeting each one personally.
Besides—
"We met on audition day, and they all acted like they knew each other. If I start meeting multiple agencies, won't rumors spread?"
Woojin was just thinking to himself, but he was not wrong.
In the entertainment industry, where rumors spread faster than light, and where trends were everything, gossip moved even faster. If Kang Woojin started visiting one place after another, there was a high chance negative rumors would spread.
"Being too fickle isn't good."
At that moment, Kang Woojin stopped at one familiar card.
-BW Entertainment
-CEO Choi Sunggeon
It was the agency of top actress Hong Hyeyeon.
"Hmm."
Woojin rolled the card between his fingers and muttered to himself. A flood of thoughts passed through his mind.
Honestly, he knew absolutely nothing about the entertainment industry. Even if he researched each company one by one, he doubted he could make a solid judgment.
'Just worrying about it won't solve anything.'
Which meant he needed experience.
That same day, late afternoon.
At a commercial studio.
It was the set of a cosmetics commercial.
A desk had been placed in the middle of the set, and all kinds of beauty products were lined up on top of it. Wearing a white dress, Hong Hyeyeon sat at the desk, dabbed one of the products onto a puff, and smiled toward the camera.
"Put nature on your skin."
Right then, a chubby man staring at the monitor shouted through a megaphone.
"Good! Hyeyeon, your expression looks great! Let's touch up the makeup a little and shoot again!"
The ad staff rushed toward the desk where Hong Hyeyeon sat.
The cosmetics were swapped out in an instant.
At the same time, the stylists quickly retouched Hong Hyeyeon's makeup.
At that exact moment—
Swoosh.
A familiar man entered the set.
It was none other than CEO Choi Sunggeon.
The moment she saw him, Hong Hyeyeon let the stylist continue touching up her face and spoke first.
"You're here?"
Choi Sunggeon immediately flashed a thumbs-up.
"Hong Star, you look incredible. Your beauty is peaking today."
"Why are you suddenly flattering me so much today? You must be here to ask for something. Go on, what is it?"
"Haha, it's nothing much. Ah, but now that you mention it, one little idea just came to me. Hyeyeon, now that The Private Investigator is over, how about becoming the face of a chicken brand?"
"No."
"Hey, at least hear the terms first."
"If I become the model for one chicken brand, then I'll only be able to eat that one chicken. There are too many kinds of chicken in the world. I'm not doing that."
Choi Sunggeon let out a long sigh.
"Do you know how valuable this is? And you're rejecting it because of taste?"
Right then—
♬♪
His ringtone interrupted their sudden standoff.
It was an unsaved number.
Choi Sunggeon gestured to Hong Hyeyeon to wait a second, then answered the phone.
"Yes, this is Choi Sunggeon."
A deep male voice came from the other end.
"Hello, this is Kang Woojin."
Startled, Choi Sunggeon's eyes widened. He mouthed silently toward Hong Hyeyeon,
Hello, this is Kang Woojin.
Hong Hyeyeon shot to her feet.
What? Hurry up and talk!
That made Choi Sunggeon grin broadly.
"Oh, Woojin. I've been waiting for your call."
"Sorry. I was filming."
"I know, I know."
"I'd like to meet and discuss the contract."
At once, Choi Sunggeon clenched his fist tight.
"Of course, let's meet! But it's a little late today. I'll come near your place tomorrow."
But Kang Woojin's voice over the phone remained surprisingly calm.
"No. I'll come to BW Entertainment."
The 16th.
After the weekend passed, Monday morning arrived busy as ever.
BW Entertainment, located near Samseong Station, was no exception. The office itself was not especially large, but the roughly ten employees were all focused on their work.
The interior had a generally clean atmosphere.
There was nothing flashy about it. Just the main office space, a meeting room, and the CEO's office. The only striking feature was that posters of Hong Hyeyeon covered the walls everywhere.
The BW Entertainment staff whispered quietly among themselves.
"Who was that man who just went into the CEO's office? Does anyone know him?"
"Isn't he from another company?"
"He was pretty handsome. Heavy vibe too. He looked like an actor."
"Huh? An actor? What's going on? The CEO didn't say anything. Is he a new recruit?"
"Wow, are we finally getting a second actor?"
"But isn't it a bit much to sign an unknown actor at this point?"
The subject of all their whispers sat at the four-person table inside the CEO's office.
It was none other than the expressionless Kang Woojin. Dressed casually in jeans and a sweatshirt, he sat there comfortably.
I want that huge poster.
He was staring fixedly at the giant Hong Hyeyeon poster hanging on the wall in front of him.
Right then—
"Hahaha, Woojin, here. Take this."
When Choi Sunggeon set a cup of coffee down in front of him, Woojin snapped out of staring at the poster.
"Thank you."
Still smiling, Choi Sunggeon sat across from Woojin and twirled his finger in the air.
"It's small, right? But for a startup, it's actually pretty big. Well, it's all thanks to Hong Hyeyeon. Hahaha."
She really is a top actress.
Could one company really survive with just her?
Thinking of all those articles about celebrities buying buildings worth tens of billions, Kang Woojin asked,
"But why only Hong Hyeyeon?"
"Was there anyone else? Hmm, I focused on Hong Star and worked hard to strengthen the company's foundation. I handed out business cards everywhere too. Broadcasters, production companies, places like that."
After answering with a smile, Choi Sunggeon suddenly got up.
He returned with a file folder from his desk, sat back down across from Woojin, and opened his jacket with a solemn air.
"Woojin, have you met with any agencies before?"
You're the first.
But he could not say that so directly. So Kang Woojin mixed a little bluff into his calm answer.
"I think I've seen enough by now."
"Confusing, right? But you need to stay focused. This is an important moment."
Holding the clear file, Choi Sunggeon slid it toward Kang Woojin.
"Woojin, this is the contract we're offering you. But before that..."
Choi Sunggeon clasped his hands together and met Woojin's cold gaze.
"I think we should talk about this first. The signing bonus. Once we settle the signing bonus, contract negotiations will be much easier. You said the other agencies offered 'special conditions,' right? I prepared something too."
Caught off guard by how suddenly practical the conversation became, Kang Woojin panicked a little inside.
Wow. This guy is ridiculously direct.
Calm down, Kang Woojin. You've dealt with negotiations before.
Then he nodded calmly.
"Go ahead."
"Do you have a number in mind?"
He did.
Kang Woojin had already come up with a rough figure for the signing bonus, and the source had been Director Shin Dongchun.
I think asking for around twenty million won as a signing bonus should work.
In other words, 20 million won.
But was that actually right?
Now that things had become real, twenty million won suddenly felt like an absurd amount of money. No, it truly was huge.
If I ask for twenty million, am I going to get thrown out?
Or maybe the CEO will suddenly get angry and throw his coffee in my face.
Like one of those morning dramas.
Meanwhile, Choi Sunggeon was not thinking about morning dramas at all.
Inside his head, he was frantically doing calculations.
It's fine. He's different. He's already in two projects, including Profiler Hanryang. His name is definitely going to rise from here. Recovering the signing bonus won't be difficult. What matters is locking him in.
As someone who had survived every kind of trick in the industry, CEO Choi Sunggeon was not the type to make a move that would leave him in the red.
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin had already steeled himself.
Stay calm. Just say twenty million clearly and briefly. Say it boldly. If coffee gets thrown at me, I'll just think of it as washing my face.
And just as Woojin was about to name the twenty million he had settled on—
"Woojin."
With a serious face, Choi Sunggeon cut him off before he could speak.
Then he moved first.
"How about thirty million won?"
What?
Why?
Kang Woojin was stunned by the completely unexpected number. Thanks to the composure he had trained so hard to maintain, his expression did not change, but his eyes shook for a split second.
Even so, he could not immediately close his mouth, which had fallen open in shock.
"Fo—"
He should have been reacting to thirty million won, but Kang Woojin barely managed to stop himself before the rest escaped.
At the exact moment he needed to stay composed, he had almost blurted out a stupid question. He had simply been too shocked.
So Kang Woojin took a moment to praise himself.
Good. I almost slipped.
But where did thirty million suddenly come from?
Kang Woojin started carefully picking his words.
In the meantime, Choi Sunggeon, who had been watching Woojin's face closely for some reason, thought,
...Fo?
Then, all of a sudden, he raised his voice.
"Alright. Then forty million won. I can do that."
TL Note:
In Korean, the opening sounds of "thirty" and "forty" are similar enough that Woojin's shocked reaction could be misunderstood. He was reacting to "thirty million won," but Choi took it as Woojin trying to say "forty million won."
Choi interpreted Woojin's interrupted reaction as dissatisfaction with 30 million won and assumed he wanted 40 million won instead.