Park Panseo, who had been looking at Kang Woojin, let go of his hand and answered.
"I watched your last performance. You did well."
At that moment, Director Kim Dohee and the assistant director approached. Director Kim spoke first.
"Woojin, if you're done greeting, go get your makeup and costume ready."
"Yes, Director."
She then turned to Park Panseo.
"Are you really alright, sir?"
"I told you, I'm fine."
At that moment, Kang Woojin looked at Park Panseo again. His presence felt like a fierce tiger.
'Is he unwell?'
Noticing Woojin's concern, Park Panseo lightly waved the script as if to reassure him.
"Woojin, don't worry. Just focus on your acting. The Director is overreacting."
"Ah, understood."
Director Kim Dohee let out a quiet sigh and gave instructions to the assistant director.
"Alright, hurry it up. Woojin, go get your makeup and costume ready. And remember, like in the script, today's makeup is a bit heavier."
"I know."
Soon after, Kang Woojin moved with the assistant director to where the makeup team was gathered.
Watching his back, Park Panseo muttered to Director Kim Dohee.
"Don't stop his acting midway just because you're worried about me."
"…Understood."
Director Kim responded properly, but her expression held a hint of surprise as she looked at Park Panseo.
'Strange. He's usually calm, but today he's a bit sharp.'
She shifted her gaze to Kang Woojin.
'Is it because of Woojin? Strange. Jaejun too… It's not just rookie passion. Woojin has this ability to awaken other actors. It's not bad for me, but still…'
She felt a slight pity for the actors who had to act alongside him.
Then she recalled what the male lead, Jin Jaejun, had said the day before.
"Acting in front of him doesn't feel like acting as an actor. It feels like being completely exposed as the character."
It was something she, as a director, could never fully feel or understand.
Still, she moved toward the area where three monitors were set up.
"Hmm?"
Among the restrained crowd, she spotted Choi Sunggeon.
Then—
'Are those the guests he mentioned would come today?'
The two people with him were covering their faces, which caught her attention. She exchanged glances with Choi Sunggeon but tilted her head.
'Who are they? Two of them… both covering their faces. They must be well-known figures.'
The two accompanying Choi Sunggeon were wearing masks.
Director Kim had been told they were coming, but her curiosity only grew. Since they came to watch Woojin, they were likely from the same industry, but asking directly felt awkward.
She scratched her chin and called the assistant director.
"See them over there? CEO Choi and the two wearing masks."
"Ah, yes. Who are they?"
"Not sure. Just tell the staff not to disturb them. They're CEO Choi's guests."
"Got it."
"Do we have extra chairs?"
"Yes, a few."
"Give them some. Let them sit and watch."
The assistant director quickly brought over a few stacked plastic chairs.
Choi Sunggeon accepted them and nodded in thanks toward Director Kim. As he unfolded the chairs, he gestured to his two guests.
"Please, have a seat."
He greeted them briefly in Japanese.
Naturally.
The guests were Director Kyotaro and Writer Akari.
After exchanging light greetings with Choi Sunggeon, they expressed their thanks and sat down.
"Thank you."
"We appreciate it."
A few nearby staff glanced at them curiously, but Kyotaro and Akari showed no particular reaction.
Especially Akari.
She adjusted the glasses resting on her nose and carefully observed Kang Woojin, who was receiving makeup.
'His physique looks good.'
Her first impression was not bad.
She glanced sideways at Director Kyotaro, who was chatting quietly in Japanese with Choi Sunggeon.
'The Director praised him highly… but how much of that is true?'
Akari shifted her gaze back to Woojin.
'He must be good. But I heard he's a rookie. Experience is something you can't ignore for an actor.'
She was not an acting expert, but she had written countless novels.
That meant she had created countless characters.
To her, the essence of a character came from experience.
'To deepen acting, you need to observe, feel, and realize things. In that sense, he might be lacking.'
Still, she kept watching Woojin intently.
'Even so… he must have something that compensates for that weakness.'
──────────
About forty minutes later, Kang Woojin's makeup and costume were finished.
The filming setup was also complete.
In front of a temporary table outside the warehouse, several cameras were installed. Lighting and sound equipment were in place, and staff surrounded the area, keeping spectators back.
Park Panseo, now Professor Kim, sat at the table.
Kang Woojin stood just outside the camera frame.
They had already finished a brief rehearsal.
All the staff stood quietly, watching the filming area.
Director Kim Dohee briefly discussed blocking with the cinematographer.
"When Lee Sangman first appears, it should feel like he's entering from outside the frame. You get what I mean?"
"Yeah, got it."
According to the script, this scene took place long after drug king Choi Junho had been killed by Jung Sunghoon.
After dealing with Lee Sangman, Jung Sunghoon expanded his drug business in Japan, earning massive wealth and influence.
But his true identity was a police officer.
His undercover operation had hit a crisis.
There was conflict between him and the high-ranking officials who planned the operation, but having tasted wealth, Jung Sunghoon ignored them.
As a result, his Japan operation was at risk of being halted.
Because of interference from above.
So he temporarily pulled back from Japan and focused on the domestic market.
That was when Lee Sangman reappeared.
Due to the conflict, Jung Sunghoon's business slowed significantly.
But Lee Sangman did not know that.
Even so, Lee Sangman could not recklessly eliminate him.
Jung Sunghoon's business had grown too large.
Killing him would disrupt production and distribution, and the benefits they had enjoyed would disappear.
So Lee Sangman secretly summoned a manufacturing expert known as Professor Kim, or Kim Hyunsoo.
It was a trap.
──────────
"Alright, let's go!"
After finishing her discussion, Director Kim Dohee shouted and took her seat.
A staff member stepped forward and clapped the slate.
"Ready—"
The signal echoed through the speakers.
"Action!"
The camera focused on the table outside the warehouse.
Food and soju were laid out.
Professor Kim sat there.
Wearing a breathable brown linen shirt, he moved his hand.
Pour.
He filled a glass with soju.
His expression was stern.
There was tension, but not overwhelming.
Gulp.
He downed the soju and picked up his chopsticks.
"Ah, do you like sashimi?"
A rough, tired voice came from somewhere.
A man in a suit.
Kang Woojin.
No—
Lee Sangman.
It did not matter.
They were the same.
He was surrounded by dozens of subordinates.
"Ugh, it's too hot."
Lee Sangman stopped in front of the table, took off his jacket, and rolled up his sleeves.
Tattoos covered both arms.
Soon, he sat across from Professor Kim.
"Why is it so hard to meet you, Professor Kim?"
His tone was different from before.
His gaze still carried intensity, but it was softer.
Not weaker.
Just different.
The violence surrounding him had decreased.
But something far more unsettling lingered.
Like a snake.
Slippery.
Weak on the surface.
But deadly.
He lit a cigarette and offered one.
"Take one."
"I quit smoking."
"Why quit something this good?"
"I'm getting old."
"Bullshit. Don't ruin the mood. Just because people call you 'Professor' doesn't mean you are one."
Lee Sangman suddenly clenched his teeth, then smiled slyly.
His expression shifted instantly.
The camera captured it.
"Ah, sorry. Professor Kim."
Professor Kim looked at him thoughtfully.
"Are you alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"I can tell just by looking at your face. You're dying."
"Watch your mouth, old man. Or I'll shove a soju bottle down your throat."
Weak, yet sharp.
Even the way Lee Sangman scratched his arm felt oddly compelling.
Like he was suppressing something.
A warning.
But Professor Kim only looked at him with pity.
He had expected this.
Sunken eyes.
Dark circles.
Wrinkled skin.
Messy hair.
Sparse beard.
The man before him was no longer Lee Sangman.
Just a drug addict.
"So, why did you want to meet me?"
"Straight to the point? Good. Honestly, licking my boots is better than flattering Director Jung."
"Are you telling me to abandon Sunghoon?"
"No. Throwing him away would be a waste."
Lee Sangman laughed like a madman and leaned forward.
"How about selling his organs?"
"Unfortunately, I don't deal with addicts."
"…What?"
"You sell drugs. You don't take them. Let's pretend I heard nothing today."
"Did you sleep with him?"
"… …"
"I told you to lick my boots, not shove your tongue in. Your tongue's too long."
The difference between past and present Lee Sangman was stark.
Or rather—
He had regressed.
The refinement he once had was gone.
Now he was just a mad addict.
He was collapsing.
It showed in his voice, his eyes, his movements.
Professor Kim downed another shot and stood.
Lee Sangman, lighting a cigarette, laughed in surprise.
But his laughter had changed.
Restraint was gone.
"These worthless bastards… wearing gold rings because of me, and now treating me like a junkie."
Professor Kim ignored him.
About ten subordinates blocked his path.
Lee Sangman stood behind him.
"Professor Kim, no need to rush. Just go and make medicine for that addict."
"Talk to Jung Sunghoon."
Lee Sangman slowly approached him.
Without hesitation.
He leaned in from behind and rested his face on Professor Kim's shoulder.
The camera captured them in a two-shot.
Then he whispered.
"You keep talking about him… does he know the recipe?"
"…Maybe."
"You think so?"
"Move."
Professor Kim wiped his sweaty hands on his pants.
It was acting.
But it felt real.
Lee Sangman's voice made him realize something.
He was about to die.
But Lee Sangman continued.
"You're quiet."
His face moved away, but his voice lingered.
"Everyone keeps talking about Sunghoon. He's not even active anymore. So what now?"
"That rat cut off deals with the Japanese. Talks about domestic business but does nothing. Everything's stalled. So what do we do?"
"Lee Sangman."
"We reduce the mouths we feed. Even if it's just one."
Professor Kim sighed and pushed through the subordinates.
But it was not easy.
Lee Sangman's reason had already disappeared.
Only instinct remained.
"Let's see…"
He looked around.
Then spotted stacked bricks.
"Ah, perfect."
He picked one up.
His movements were slow.
Tired.
Like someone waiting for the day to end.
"Professor Kim."
The moment Professor Kim turned—
Smash!
The brick slammed into his face.
No emotion.
Only indifference.
"You think this old wreck's organs will sell?"
A subordinate trembled.
"That… seems unlikely, sir."
"Right? What about the eyes?"
"… …"
"It's fine."
Lee Sangman climbed on top of him.
"I can't breathe… cough…"
Then—
Smash! Smash!
No hesitation.
Blood splattered.
He sniffed the blood-soaked brick and smiled.
"Must be because you're old. It smells bad."
"…Ugh—"
"I'll survive. Just stay still."
Smash. Smash. Smash.
The sound grew dull.
Bones broke.
Soon—
Only flesh remained.
But he did not stop.
Smash. Smash. Smash.
As if trying to bury him.
Blood covered his face.
Black spots and red blended together.
Afterward, Lee Sangman tossed the brick aside and sat at the table.
He poured soju and picked up sashimi.
Chewing, he pointed at the blood-soaked ground.
"Call Jung Sunghoon. Tell him to fix it."
He lit a cigarette.
The camera zoomed in.
Blood-stained face.
Scratching arm.
A twisted smile.
He looked straight into the camera.
"Or cook it and eat it yourselves. Make it tender."