'PD Song Manwoo… the one I met yesterday on Super Actor.'
Kang Woojin recalled the bearded PD he had spoken with the day before—and who was now on the phone with him.
"There wasn't anything particularly memorable about him, right?"
The only things Woojin clearly remembered were the man's long beard and the fact that he was a big-shot PD. Of course, that information had come from his friend Kim Daeyoung.
Still, there had to be several possible reasons why a major PD like Song Manwoo would call him.
Or maybe none.
But then why call at all?
Then—
"Ah."
Something suddenly flashed through Woojin's mind.
'Could it be… an offer for Super Actor Season 2?'
He didn't know the internal workings of the show very well, but since Song Manwoo had been a judge, it seemed possible.
'That sounds troublesome.'
Fortunately, Kang Woojin wasn't embarrassed about what happened yesterday. He knew his acting hadn't been terrible.
Woojin slowly scratched his chin and gave a small cough.
'For now… I should keep acting.'
Then, in an extremely dry tone, he spoke.
"First, I think you should explain the reason."
Song Manwoo PD answered immediately from the other end of the phone.
"Ah, right."
"I told you I wouldn't appear on Super Actor. I also told the head PD."
"No, no. It's completely different. Totally different."
"Then what is it?"
"Hmm… it's a bit difficult to explain over the phone. I think it would be better if we met in person. Would that be alright?"
'Wow… that's kind of burdensome.'
Just as Kang Woojin muttered internally, Song Manwoo PD continued.
"You said you're a designer, right? What time do you usually get off work? Since it's the design field, I imagine you work a lot of overtime."
"No. I recently quit my job."
"…As expected."
'As expected?'
'Why is he saying that?'
The answer came immediately.
"You've made up your mind, haven't you?"
Song Manwoo's words clearly implied he was asking whether Woojin had decided to appear on set.
But Woojin was confused.
'What decision? What is this guy talking about?'
The gap between their understanding was too wide. Woojin simply remained silent for a moment, maintaining his dignified composure.
"…."
"So if you quit your job, meeting today shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Correct.
Kang Woojin was currently unemployed.
Which meant he had plenty of time.
But—
'If I agree too easily, it'll look uncool.'
Woojin calmly maintained his persona.
"I'm only available at 4 PM."
Song Manwoo PD responded enthusiastically.
"Great! 4 PM! As for the place—sorry, but there will be a few other people there besides me. If I send you the address, can you come?"
"Who else will be there?"
"Ah, just a few acquaintances."
"That's fine."
"Thank you. I'll send the address. See you at four."
"Understood."
Click.
The call ended.
Kang Woojin checked the time.
It was around 8:30 AM.
There was plenty of time until four.
Looking at his phone screen, Woojin muttered.
"…Just how famous is this PD Song Manwoo?"
Kim Daeyoung had said the man was impressive, but Woojin had no real interest in the entertainment industry.
So he searched.
Swish.
The search results appeared instantly.
And Kang Woojin was shocked.
『[Entertainment] Top SBC PD Song Manwoo confirms lineup of top actors / Photo』
『A meeting of stars! Netizens excited about collaboration between PD Song Manwoo and writer Park Eunmi』
·
·
·
Even skimming a few dozen articles made it obvious.
Song Manwoo was extremely famous.
Kang Woojin stared at the screen with his mouth slightly open.
"…Someone like this asked to meet me?"
Why?
Why did he call?
But Woojin quickly lost interest.
'No point thinking about it.'
"I'll find out when I get there."
He casually brushed the thought aside.
Tap.
Woojin put down his phone and picked up a script.
He had plenty of time before the meeting.
So he decided to read.
Yesterday, Woojin had finished reading Elegant Daughter.
Now he was reading Gangster Prosecutor.
He was already more than halfway through.
Flip.
Flip.
It was… strange.
"…This is pretty interesting."
Reading scripts while lying down was surprisingly enjoyable.
That was unusual.
Normally, Kang Woojin barely watched TV.
He had almost zero interest in dramas or movies.
Even when he did watch something, he usually quit halfway through.
But reading scripts was different.
His concentration was sharp.
His reading speed was fast.
It was dozens of times more enjoyable than watching videos.
"Did I always have a talent for reading?"
Or maybe it was because of that mysterious void space.
Either way—
Woojin sped up.
By around 1 PM, Kang Woojin had finished reading every script and scenario he had received.
He didn't remember every single detail.
But he understood the overall context.
Then—
"Hmm."
Woojin crossed his arms.
Among the roles he had read, he chose one that stood out.
Then—
Tap!
He pressed the black square and entered the void space.
Now the process felt natural.
"Let's see."
Inside the endless darkness, Woojin walked toward four floating white squares.
He chose the second one.
[2 / Script (Title: Elegant Daughter Part 1), Grade E]
[This work is a highly complete drama script. 100% reading is possible.]
It was the failed project—Elegant Daughter.
Soon, new lines appeared beneath the white square.
Just like the first time he had touched a manuscript.
But there was one difference.
[You have selected Script (Title: Elegant Daughter Part 1)]
[List of characters available for reading (experience)]
[A: Shim Hyungwoo, B: Jang Taesan, C: Choi Giseop, D: Go Duseok…]
There were many characters.
More than eight.
As expected from a completed script.
Then Woojin realized something.
"Only male characters can be selected."
The gender had to match.
That made sense.
Just like how becoming a corpse had been rejected earlier—
Becoming a woman was also impossible.
Then—
Tap.
Woojin selected the final character on the list.
Immediately—
A female voice echoed through the void space.
It sounded mechanical and emotionless.
["Preparing script for 'J: Cafe Male Waiter'…"]
The reason for his choice was simple.
The role would be short.
And this was only an experiment.
Woojin waited silently.
Soon the voice spoke again.
[…Preparation complete. This is a highly complete script or scenario. Implementation is 100% complete. Beginning reading.]
Instantly—
Woojin was pulled into a massive gray space.
Later—
Kang Woojin returned to his small studio apartment.
"Phew."
He exhaled and ran a hand through his short hair.
His expression showed no shock.
No confusion.
His mind was perfectly clear.
Unlike incomplete scripts—
Everything had been vivid.
Because the script had already been fully adapted.
"Why was I so out of it the first time?"
Woojin crossed his arms.
Tilting his head.
Reality felt identical whether he was inside the void space or inside his apartment.
He had experienced both personally.
So why had he reacted so strangely yesterday?
Then a thought surfaced.
"Maybe my body rejected it. It was the first time."
He slowly examined his condition.
From his head to his chest.
Checking everything.
Soon—
He realized something.
Of course it made sense.
He had experienced it himself.
"I remember every single line from the Cafe Male Waiter."
Even the short dialogue.
Every word was perfectly memorized.
As if carved into his mind.
It wasn't just because the lines were short.
The emotions.
The thoughts.
The atmosphere.
Everything belonging to the character had seeped into him.
The same thing had happened with the incomplete script earlier.
There had been no process of "digesting" it.
He simply adapted.
Accepted it.
Like a perfect organ transplant with zero rejection.
The character had been transplanted into Kang Woojin.
It wasn't acting.
It was closer to possession.
He wasn't playing the role.
He had become it.
Then—
"…Wow. Damn."
Kang Woojin once again marveled at the possibilities of the void space.
Becoming an actor itself was amazing.
But the experiences inside the void space were valuable on their own.
If there were no limits—
He could experience anything.
Depending on the script, he might fly.
Or use magic.
"Sure, it might be short depending on the role… but since it's come to this…"
Woojin smirked slightly.
"…maybe becoming an actor wouldn't be bad."
Then a thought formed.
"If I'm doing it… I might as well become a top star."
At that moment—
Woojin felt something inside him shift.
'No matter what kind of life it is… maybe I should try living something completely different at least once.'
'That sounds fun.'
Ideas he had never imagined before began filling his mind.
Acting.
Performing.
Standing on stage.
Still thinking, Kang Woojin picked up the short scenario.
The title read:
The Private Investigator.
"But first… I should check this 'B-grade' product."
He glanced at the clock.
It was almost time.
"I should wash up first."
A few hours later.
Around 4 PM.
Kang Woojin arrived in front of a large building near Samseong Station.
He was dressed exactly like yesterday.
Padded jacket.
Jeans.
He looked up at the tall building.
"That's tall… Did they say the fifth floor?"
Inside the lobby, Woojin checked the directory board.
Floors 5 through 7—
C-Blue Studio.
A major production company.
That was his destination.
"Big or small doesn't really matter to me."
Woojin muttered casually.
Then cleared his throat.
Lowering his voice.
He called Song Manwoo PD.
The man answered immediately.
"Ah, Mr. Woojin. Have you arrived?"
"Yes. I'm on the first floor."
"I'll send someone right away."
A few minutes later—
A young woman approached him.
"You're Kang Woojin, right?"
She was an assistant director.
Soon Woojin followed her upstairs.
To the C-Blue Studio office on the fifth floor.
Then—
"There's a police officer inside."
The assistant director gestured toward the meeting room.
It meant he should enter.
Woojin straightened his posture.
'Stay in character.'
Then he opened the door.
Creak.
The meeting room was large.
A U-shaped table stood in the center.
About six people were seated there.
All eyes turned toward him.
Among them—
"Mr. Kang Woojin. Nice to see you again."
Song Manwoo PD.
Bearded.
Smiling brightly.
Sitting at the center seat.
And at that moment—
'!!!'
Kang Woojin panicked internally.
'No way… Hong Hyeyeon?!'
The top actress.
The angel of the industry.
Hong Hyeyeon.
'What the hell? Why is Hong Hyeyeon here?'
Woojin fought the urge to rub his eyes.
He wanted to greet her.
Shake her hand.
Say nice to see you.
But he endured it.
Barely.
Because his concept allowed no room for awe.
So even when their eyes met—
Woojin kept a calm expression.
Then Song Manwoo PD spoke.
"Doesn't it feel overwhelming with this many people?"
'Seriously… If Hong Hyeyeon was here you should've warned me!'
Woojin complained internally.
But outwardly—
He remained indifferent.
"There must be a reason."
Then—
Scrape.
Woojin pulled out a chair and sat down.
'Crossing my legs would look cooler, right?'
Trying to stay calm, he glanced at the others.
Avoiding Hong Hyeyeon.
Instead looking at a middle-aged woman with permed hair and several men.
It felt uncomfortable.
Then—
"Mr. Woojin."
Song Manwoo leaned forward.
His expression serious.
"This might seem sudden, but I'm curious. Everyone else is too. You must have one or two monologues prepared, right? I'd like to see your lines."
A monologue.
Lines spoken alone.
Aspiring actors usually memorize them for auditions.
But Kang Woojin had nothing like that.
'Monologue? What the hell is that?'
Yesterday had been his first time acting.
'For now… just stay quiet.'
So Woojin said nothing.
Then Song Manwoo continued.
"Or you can read this."
Slide.
He pushed a black tablet forward.
On the screen—
More than ten lines.
A monologue.
They wanted him to act.
Right now.
Possibly his first real step as an actor.
Woojin stared at the tablet.
Inside—
Panic.
'Damn… the black square isn't appearing.'
Normally scripts triggered the void space.
But not this time.
No black square.
This was bad.
Still—
"Start whenever you're ready."
Song Manwoo said seriously.
Woojin's anxiety grew.
'Ah… am I finished?'
If the void space worked, he could prepare.
But there was nothing.
No script.
No square.
Everything was collapsing.
Woojin thought for a moment.
Then—
His motivation vanished.
'Well… maybe there's another way.'
He didn't need to risk everything.
The world was big.
Australia wouldn't be bad either.
Woojin looked down at the tablet.
"I don't know. Maybe I should just quit everything and go home."
Then he began reading.
"While I was walking down the street today, a cat suddenly attacked me…"
At that moment—
"What?"
"…?"
"???"
Everyone frowned.
All six of them.
Song Manwoo.
Hong Hyeyeon.
Everyone.
The reason was simple.
Kang Woojin's acting—
Was terrible.
Especially—
"What… is this?"
Song Manwoo stared at him in confusion.
"This is worse than an aspiring actor… completely different from yesterday."
It was awful.
Embarrassingly awful.
Worse than reading from a textbook.
In a real audition—
He'd be eliminated in five seconds.
Still—
Woojin continued.
Calmly.
"So I caught that guy. He resisted like crazy…"
Shameless.
Absurd.
But his expression never changed.
Song Manwoo's confusion multiplied.
'What am I looking at?'
'Is this the same guy from yesterday?'
Then—
Whoosh.
Woojin suddenly looked directly at him.
There was dissatisfaction in his eyes.
'I already ruined it. Just let me go.'
But—
"…!!!"
Song Manwoo's eyes widened.
The veteran PD realized something.
'Right… he's pretending to act badly.'
A complete misunderstanding.
But he believed it.
Song Manwoo raised his hand.
"Stop."
Then he asked carefully.
"Mr. Woojin… why are you showing us acting like this when you clearly can't act?"
Woojin paused.
For about ten seconds.
Then he answered.
Expression blank.
Voice low and cold.
"Because you suddenly told me to act without giving any explanation."