The moment Assistant Manager Park's line ended, the entire filming set fell silent.
The cameras filming Assistant Manager Park and the middle-aged woman stopped at the same time.
Naturally, the actors themselves froze as well.
...
In an instant, everything went quiet.
The woman's screams and Assistant Manager Park's pleasure-filled voice vanished.
The silence lingered for about ten seconds.
Then—
"Cut!! Got it!!"
PD Song Manwoo's voice shattered the stillness.
"We'll use this take!"
The scene was over.
Normally, the same scene would be filmed multiple times.
But PD Song Manwoo clearly had no intention of doing that here.
One take was enough.
Scenes this violent or emotionally intense were rarely repeated too many times anyway.
The moment the OK was given, Kang Woojin instantly shed the character of Assistant Manager Park.
Swish.
He untied the rope around the middle-aged actress's neck with astonishing speed.
Then he supported her shoulders and spoke quietly.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry."
The woman, still catching her breath from the intense performance, blinked.
"…Huh? Ah, yes. I'm okay."
"Are you hurting anywhere?"
"I don't think so."
"Let's make sure and have you checked."
The brutality from moments ago had completely vanished.
Because of that, the supporting actress felt slightly startled.
This kid is incredible. His personality switches this fast?
On top of that, Kang Woojin's eyes were filled with genuine concern.
A complete contrast to the madness of Assistant Manager Park.
"Please get up carefully."
Of course, everything Kang Woojin was doing right now was sincere.
Is she really okay?
Anyone would feel uneasy after filming a scene like that.
And the actress was around the same age as Woojin's mother.
That made him even more concerned.
"Ah, I'm sorry. Your neck looks a little red."
"It's okay. Your hands are redder. You were putting a lot of force into it on purpose."
That was true.
In the strangling scene, Woojin had tightened every muscle in his hands.
The rope around the actress's neck had been loose, but he pulled it with extreme tension so it would look tight on camera.
Kang Woojin was becoming increasingly skilled at controlling his acting.
Because of that—
Repeated reading, experience, immersion.
Each time, the character became clearer.
Yet he could still remain Kang Woojin beneath it all.
Just then, PD Song Manwoo and the staff rushed over.
"What? Is she hurt?"
"Are you okay?!"
In truth, the actress was fine.
The performance had felt extremely realistic, and she had been completely immersed in Kang Woojin's acting.
But she was not injured.
Still, Woojin's concern made everyone around her anxious.
It was because he looked so serious.
Even then, Woojin kept his grave expression.
"Could you please check her neck and arms?"
"Huh? Why?"
"I think I pulled a little too hard during the scene."
Still supporting the actress, Kang Woojin carefully handed her to the staff.
His face remained expressionless.
But his eyes were sincere.
Then—
"I'm going to the bathroom."
After confirming her condition one last time, Woojin quietly stepped away.
It wasn't that he wanted to escape the situation.
Now that he knew she was safe, the tension in his body was finally releasing.
Ugh. I really need to pee.
He genuinely had to go.
Physical needs spared no one.
Watching him leave, a few female staff members whispered.
"Looks like he's trying to settle himself emotionally. That scene was really intense."
Meanwhile, actors like Ryu Jungmin and Hong Hyeyeon simply watched Woojin's back.
I should talk to him after he calms down.
"At least he didn't throw up. Being able to keep your composure after something like that is talent too."
Giving Kang Woojin time to collect himself was natural.
But Woojin suddenly sped up.
Gotta go. Gotta go. Ugh.
Still, he couldn't make it too obvious.
That would look ridiculous.
Kang Woojin gradually disappeared down the hallway.
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin's team was gathered in the staff lounge.
Jang Suhwan immediately stood up.
"CEO, I'll go after him!"
But Choi Sunggeon stopped him.
"It's fine. If you go now, you'll just get in his way. Do you really think he literally went to the bathroom?"
"Then?"
Han Yejung answered coldly.
"He'll calm down soon. Method actors are usually like that."
Just then—
Tap.
Someone tapped Choi Sunggeon on the shoulder.
When he turned around, he saw a familiar face.
Choi Sunggeon looked slightly surprised.
"Mr. Kim… you're the CEO of Aullim Film, right?"
"Yeah, you remember me? It's been a while."
"Of course I remember. I heard you're preparing a new project with Director Kwon Gitaek."
"Yes. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but that's still useful information."
"But why are you here…?"
Then Choi Sunggeon's expression suddenly changed.
He lowered his voice.
"You came to see the actors? Ah… that masked person earlier. That was Director Kwon, wasn't it?"
Mr. Kim smiled.
"Still sharp as ever. CEO Choi, come with me."
They walked out to the empty parking lot.
A gray van was parked there.
And standing in front of it—
A masked man.
Director Kwon Gitaek.
He removed the mask and greeted him calmly.
"CEO Choi. Have you been well?"
"Yes, Director. It's been a long time. The last time I saw you was because of Hyeyeon, right?"
"That's right. But today isn't about Hyeyeon."
"It's about our Woojin."
"Correct."
Director Kwon Gitaek recalled the performance he had just seen.
Assistant Manager Park.
His voice lowered slightly.
"He was truly excellent."
"Thank you."
"His English is native-level. Did you know Kang Woojin studied acting overseas on his own?"
Choi Sunggeon blinked in surprise.
"How did you know that?"
"I heard the rough outline from PD Song."
"…Wait. Then today wasn't the first time you saw Woojin?"
"No. I've been watching him for several weeks. I even saw his acting at the interrogation room set."
Choi Sunggeon felt chills.
Is this guy a magnet for master Directors?!
From Woo Hyungoo to Kwon Gitaek… they're lining up around him!
Director Kwon Gitaek spoke quietly.
"To be honest, I planned to talk to Woojin today. But after watching his acting earlier, the timing felt awkward."
"Oh?"
"When a young actor shows that kind of explosive emotion, approaching him right away feels inappropriate. I've seen it many times as a Director."
"Ah…"
"I'll leave for today."
"What? You came all this way and you're leaving?"
"It's fine. I'm satisfied just seeing such excellent acting."
He opened the van door.
Then asked calmly—
"Let's schedule a proper meeting instead of doing it at the filming set. When would be good?"
Choi Sunggeon ran through the schedule instantly.
"How about the morning of the day after tomorrow?"
Two days later.
Monday, April 13.
Morning.
The entertainment news still looked like a battlefield.
"SBC, MBS, TVM — Three-Broadcaster War Looms; Industry Tension Rising"
For days the media had been stirring controversy.
The heated atmosphere spread quickly through public opinion.
"[Star Talk] Expectations for Drama War Skyrocket — Top Stars' SNS Activity Surges"
The hotter the issue became, the more broadcasters poured fuel on the fire.
Backing down now would only hurt visibility.
At that moment, PD Song Manwoo sat in the office of SBC's drama department head.
He had filmed all day and edited all night.
His beard had grown noticeably.
Recently, his life repeated endlessly.
Filming.
Editing.
Filming.
Editing.
Then—
"PD Song."
The heavyset department head sitting on the sofa spoke.
"You saw the reporters, right? They're already calling it a war."
"Of course I saw."
The two were close.
They had worked together nearly twenty years.
Back when the department head had been a PD himself, Song Manwoo had been his assistant PD.
The department head shook the script for Episode 5 of Profiler Hanryang.
"Try calming Writer Park down and have her add romance starting around Episode 5. The script is great, but isn't it a little too plain?"
Song Manwoo scoffed.
"Chief… no, hyung. Where exactly would romance even fit in this story?"
"That's for Writer Park to figure out. I'm not saying force it in. Just add it like seasoning. Are we just going to abandon romance viewers?"
"If we mix that in, the whole thing collapses. Love doesn't belong in this genre."
"Do you know how much money we poured into this drama? Writer Park, Ryu Jungmin, Hong Hyeyeon — if this fails, we're both finished."
"Then you direct it yourself."
"Hey! Do you know how many years I've been sitting behind this desk?!"
The argument heated up.
Then—
BANG.
The office door burst open.
Writer Park Eunmi stood there.
Heavy makeup.
Long permed hair.
And a terrifying expression.
"Should I cancel it?"
The department head froze.
"…Huh?"
"Should I cancel the drama?"
Silence.
"I've done it before. Remember when I disappeared to France for a year?"
"W-Writer Park, please calm down."
"Should I disappear again?"
"W-Writer Park—"
"Should I cancel it?"
Silence filled the office.
"Should I book a flight?"
After a long pause—
The department head sighed.
"…I'm sorry, Writer Park. Please write it however you want."
Two hours later an article exploded across the internet.
"Profiler Hanryang Writer Park Eunmi: 'There Is No Romance in This Project'"
Public excitement only grew stronger.
Meanwhile—
Aullim Film.
Sangam-dong.
Kang Woojin and Choi Sunggeon walked down the corridor of the large production company.
Woojin wore a blazer.
He looked slightly more formal than usual.
Both men wore serious expressions.
The rest of their team waited in the underground parking lot.
Swish.
They stopped in front of a meeting room door.
Choi Sunggeon looked at Woojin.
"Woojin… this time…"
He trailed off.
What he wanted to say was—
Please think long-term this time.
But he swallowed the words.
The contract clearly stated Woojin had the final choice in projects.
"Director Kwon Gitaek is much bigger than Director Woo Hyungoo. In terms of prestige."
"Yes. I know."
Woojin had already researched him.
Director Kwon Gitaek was legendary.
Awards from major international film festivals.
Still—
Woojin remained calm.
Maybe it still doesn't feel real.
After all, he had only started acting two months ago.
Sometimes ignorance created courage.
Meanwhile Choi Sunggeon felt even more nervous.
"Why am I the only one nervous?"
He took a deep breath.
Then opened the door.
Creeeak.
Inside—
Director Kwon Gitaek sat at the center of a U-shaped table.
Several production company staff members sat nearby.
Woojin and Choi Sunggeon bowed.
"Hello."
"Hello, Director."
Director Kwon Gitaek immediately stood and walked toward them.
"CEO Choi. Good to see you."
His gaze stopped on Kang Woojin.
"Woojin. I can finally see you up close."
"I heard you visit filming sets often."
"Haha. Yes. And hearing it up close… your voice is even better. It would sound amazing recorded."
Praise immediately.
Woojin felt slightly embarrassed.
He hid it behind his calm tone.
"…Thank you."
Director Kwon Gitaek smiled.
Then handed him a stack of papers.
"Here. The script for my next project. A few actors have already received it."
So it really was about the script.
"Let's sit down. Look it over first. Then we'll talk."
Good.
Woojin raised a finger slightly.
Tap.
He touched the black square beside the script.
Instantly—
He entered the void space.
The endless darkness swallowed him.
All tension disappeared.
"Let's see…"
He walked toward the floating white squares.
One more had appeared.
[1/Scenario — The Private Investigator (A-grade)]
[2/Script — Profiler Hanryang Part 1 (S-grade)]
[3/Scenario — Island of the Missing (D-grade)]
The script Director Kwon Gitaek had brought was Island of the Missing.
But—
Woojin tilted his head.
"…A D-grade?"
That wasn't the only problem.
[This scenario is an incomplete film scenario.]
[Readable completion: 60%]
Woojin frowned.
"Why is the completion rate so low?"
He couldn't hide how baffled he felt.