Director Shin Dongchun, who had been about to call Kang Woojin, hesitated for a moment.
…
He stopped speaking, and the corners of his eyes reddened.
Suddenly, the pain and hardship of the past several years came rushing back. How much disregard had he endured? How many miserable days had he lived through?
But those cursed years had not been meaningless.
At the edge of the cliff, he had met Kang Woojin.
And he had finished filming the movie.
The sight of the editors embracing one another looked beautiful to Director Shin Dongchun. It was a short film, but it had by no means been made carelessly.
If anything, several times more effort had gone into it.
It was the product of passion and time.
Regardless of the weight of the work, its short running time, or its commercial prospects, they had the right to be happy.
At that moment, one of the editors looked at Director Shin Dongchun with a bright smile and moist eyes.
"I think this is a masterpiece. I feel like this work could completely overturn the landscape of the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival!"
"Of course. That's why we spent so long editing it. I'm satisfied. Woojin will probably feel the same way."
Then another editor suddenly changed the subject.
"Oh, by the way, I heard the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival is changing a bit this year?"
"Ah, right. The sponsor changed."
"That's right. When the sponsor changes, the first year usually comes with major shifts."
"The Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival is pretty significant in the short film and arts scene, so does that mean they'll invest more money?"
At that question, Director Shin Dongchun simply laughed it off.
"Of course there'll be some changes, but it's fine. The Private Investigator will attract attention no matter where it screens."
"Right. The lead actor's performance is completely insane."
The editor laughed and pointed at the monitor.
"Are you planning to hold a test screening?"
"Of course we have to. I'm not sure whether the two lead actors will be able to come, though. They're both filming right now…"
Trailing off, Director Shin Dongchun picked up the phone he had briefly set aside.
Thinking Kang Woojin might be filming, he changed the contact to Choi Sunggeon instead.
The call connected quickly.
"Yes, Director Shin."
Hearing Choi Sunggeon's voice over the phone, Director Shin spoke firmly.
"CEO Choi, the editing for The Private Investigator just finished. We can set the screening date now."
"…Finally."
Choi Sunggeon was not only representing the two lead actors, but also participating as an investor.
"Let's get ready. Let's set the date immediately."
"Will Woojin and Hyeyeon be able to attend?"
"Hyeyeon is probably too busy with filming, so it'll be difficult. Woojin is filming too, but I think he can make it."
For Choi Sunggeon on the other end of the line, this moment was also very important.
"In any case, I'll ask them first."
The next morning, the 11th.
At a sound studio.
Around 8 p.m., Kang Woojin was seen walking down a hallway with Choi Sunggeon and the rest of the management team.
As usual, he wore a hoodie and maintained his indifferent expression.
But there was clear tension in him.
'I'm about to watch a movie I starred in.'
The screening for The Private Investigator would begin soon.
Fortunately, the filming for Profiler Hanryang had been pushed to after lunch.
Right then—
Thunk.
Choi Sunggeon opened the thick studio door.
Inside looked exactly like a recording studio.
It was neither too small nor too large.
Just the right size.
Several monitors and unfamiliar keyboards stood out.
There were also strange objects like helmets, a baseball bat, and women's high heels scattered around.
They were props used for sound effects work.
But to Kang Woojin, it was completely unfamiliar territory.
At that moment—
"Oh, you're here?"
The people who had arrived earlier, including Director Shin Dongchun, welcomed Woojin's group.
There were about twelve of them.
Aside from Director Shin, none of them were familiar to Woojin.
Director Shin and Choi Sunggeon exchanged greetings first.
"Congratulations, Director. Haha, I'm really happy."
"What are you talking about? It's all thanks to the investors."
"Oh my, your face is red."
"Ah, this person is the sound Director. And you've met this person before, right? He's the head of the production company."
Director Shin Dongchun introduced everyone one by one.
After the greetings were finished, he approached Kang Woojin.
"Woojin."
He looked more worried about Woojin than about his own exhausted state after the editing period.
"You look tired. Filming's tough, right? It's probably even harder for you, hyung. Song PD's set has a bad reputation."
What is this guy talking about?
Is he stranded on a deserted island or something?
This isn't the time for him to be worrying about me.
Thinking Director Shin wasn't really in any position to worry about others, Woojin asked quietly.
"…Director, are you okay?"
"Huh? Me? Ah, I'm fine. I just haven't slept or eaten properly for a few days. This is pretty normal."
Woojin clicked his tongue slightly, feeling a bit of sympathy.
The entertainment industry really was terrifying.
He himself was already being crushed by a hellish schedule.
In any case, Director Shin Dongchun pointed to the temporary chairs he had arranged.
"We can talk later. Let's watch it first. Ah, I'm nervous."
Soon, everyone—including Kang Woojin—took their seats.
Woojin looked around the recording studio.
He had just realized that a film was completed in a place like this.
At that moment, the week he spent filming The Private Investigator replayed in his mind like a panorama.
Then—
Thunk, thunk!
The studio lights turned off.
In an instant, the room sank into darkness.
Kang Woojin's tension rose higher.
He was about to watch his own movie.
It was a short film.
But it was still the first project in which he had starred as the lead.
Woojin felt awkward.
And strangely moved.
"Just a few months ago, I was working myself to death at a design company."
And now—
He was about to watch a movie he starred in.
It felt like a dream.
Yet unbelievably real.
Right then—
"Shall we start?"
The sound Director sitting at the center console operated the equipment.
The largest monitor turned on.
♬♪
A heavy thud-like sound played first.
Gray smoke slowly appeared across the black screen.
As the smoke cleared, a sharp and vivid title appeared.
—The Private Investigator
The title remained for about five seconds before disappearing.
At the same time, the sound of a window opening filled the studio.
As soon as the sound ended, the first scene appeared.
Kang Woojin's eyes widened.
Though he hid it on the surface.
'Ugh… that's me. This is embarrassing.'
Kang Woojin appeared on the monitor.
More precisely—
Kim Ryujin.
He opened an old window.
His hair was messy.
His skin looked rough.
His eyes were hollow.
He looked almost soulless.
Then—
"Hoo—"
A long stream of cigarette smoke flowed from his mouth.
The shot focused on Kim Ryujin from the chest up.
He smoked silently.
Serious.
Exhausted.
At that moment, Woojin wanted to run away.
Then the scene changed.
Kim Ryujin's profile came into view.
"Should I go meet the client?"
He crushed the cigarette butt against the window frame.
Forty minutes later.
The final runtime of The Private Investigator was 44 minutes.
Kang Woojin had felt awkward and embarrassed the entire time.
But he never once lost focus.
'Of course she's my type, but Hong Hyeyeon looks insanely beautiful in any role.'
The finished The Private Investigator felt almost identical to what Woojin had experienced inside the void space.
It was like watching his own life replayed.
Then—
"What did you think, Woojin?"
At Director Shin Dongchun's question, Woojin couldn't completely hide his excitement.
Since the film was genuinely good, praising it felt natural.
'...You really used the scene where I trip and fall. You should've cut that out, Director.'
Still, Woojin answered briefly.
But firmly.
"It was truly excellent."
Meanwhile—
While Kang Woojin was absorbed in The Private Investigator—
A quiet war was beginning in the broadcasting world.
It was Profiler Hanryang.
The drama had become the most anticipated production of the first half of the year.
Written by star writer Park Eunmi.
Featuring several top actors.
Other broadcasting networks had already begun preparing their counterattack.
The rivals were public network MBS and cable channel TVM.
These days, cable channels were not to be underestimated.
Both had scheduled their dramas to premiere on the same date as Profiler Hanryang.
May 15.
The promotional war among the three broadcasters intensified.
Each network flooded the media with articles about their star-studded casts.
They held events on social media.
They promoted their new dramas on platforms like YouTube.
The public reacted enthusiastically.
Wow… there's seriously so much to watch in May lol
—I've got one more reason to leave work early haha. I'm a Ryu Jungmin fan so I want to watch Hanryang~~
—Honestly I hate the way writer Park Eunmi always twists the story lol. These days TVM dramas feel more trendy lol
—Hong Hyeyeon or Kwak Sora… honestly isn't Kwak Sora the best? Acting, looks, body—she's perfect.
—↑Are you stupid? How can you even compare Kwak Sora to Hong Hyeyeon??
—MBS kept putting out flop after flop lol. Maybe they improved this year lol. I'm looking forward to it.
Ryu Jungmin! Ryu Jungmin!! Ryu Jungmin!!!
Honestly isn't writer Park Eunmi overrated? lol
May is supposed to be family month… but I feel like I'm going to be watching a ridiculous number of dramas…
The Friday–Sunday drama war had always been fierce.
But this time—
It felt like a volcano about to erupt.
The press began framing it as a full-scale battle.
The anticipation kept rising.
That same afternoon.
Yangji, Yongin.
The filming team for Profiler Hanryang had set up in the open fields of a village surrounded by rice paddies.
The crew had already received permission from the village.
Set filming had finished in the morning.
Outdoor filming would continue until late afternoon.
The scene being filmed—
The crime scene reenactment of Assistant Manager Park's serial murders.
According to the script, Assistant Manager Park—wearing handcuffs—would calmly reenact the murders he committed in this village.
Numerous police officers and onlookers would appear as extras.
As a result, the lead and supporting actors—including Ryu Jungmin and Hong Hyeyeon—had all gathered.
Of course—
The central figure was Assistant Manager Park.
According to the scenario, Assistant Manager Park would reenact the murders using a doll.
At the same time, viewers would see the murders through flashbacks.
Meaning—
Kang Woojin had to act both timelines.
Present-day Assistant Manager Park.
And past Assistant Manager Park.
Naturally, the contrast had to be dramatic.
During the reenactment—
He needed to appear numb and detached.
During the murders—
He needed to feel pleasure.
Meanwhile, dozens of staff members hurried to prepare everything.
Crime scene props were arranged.
The doll was positioned.
"Reporters and police extras, gather up!"
"Hey! I told you to bring one more reflector! Why are you standing around?!"
Actors like Ryu Jungmin and Hong Hyeyeon were getting their makeup done.
Some actors were reviewing the script.
Among them—
Kang Woojin.
Assistant Manager Park.
And today's main focus.
…
Having finished makeup first, he sat silently.
More specifically—
He was thinking about the movie he watched that morning.
'Once it was edited, it definitely felt different.'
But to the busy staff, his appearance seemed gloomy.
"Woojin kind of looks down today."
"Yeah. Usually he seems cold, but he unexpectedly has a tsundere side. It feels like he quietly looks after the staff from behind the scenes."
Right then—
Choi Sunggeon approached after returning from the van.
Tilting his head, he muttered,
"Hm… I feel like I've seen that pot-bellied guy somewhere before. Who is he?"
Ignoring him would have been rude.
So Woojin asked calmly.
"Who did you see?"
"Hm? No, there's this warm-looking old man in the parking lot. I've seen him several times."
"There are also some masked people among the staff."
"But the overall vibe feels familiar."
"Isn't he one of the staff?"
"I'm not sure. Should I go ask?"
Right then—
"Woojin!! Stand by for rehearsal!!"
The assistant Director called out.
Ten minutes before filming.
Everything was ready.
But near the monitors—
Song Manwoo PD looked serious.
He was speaking with the VFX team.
Among them—
A bald foreign man.
The Korean staff translated.
Then the foreigner spoke in English.
"Is it similar to the feeling of colors changing in a normal city? Is it the same here?"
The translator relayed it.
Song Manwoo PD frowned.
"No, that's not it."
Then—
A low English voice came from behind him.
"The background isn't important."
Everyone turned.
"The location doesn't matter."
"Think of expressing the bright mood of a fairy tale in a dark and eerie way."
The voice continued calmly.
"The ground should be purple."
"The trees and grass should be dark blue."
"The sky should be black."
"Every person should have a different color."
"The colors the character sees should feel bizarre."
"The eeriness is what matters."
Kang Woojin stood there.
Calmly speaking fluent English.
As if it were nothing.
Then he added,
"Ah."
"I'm the actor playing that role."