Director Ahn Gabo drew his brows together slightly. What Joseph Felton had said over the phone was completely unexpected.
'…He wants to see my set?'
Soon, he sat down in the best seat on the five-person sofa in his living room and fell into thought. He had been curious when the production company CEO first told him Joseph Felton wanted to speak with him, but now he felt even more caught off guard.
Slipping off his gray jacket, Director Ahn asked again in English.
"You want to see my set? Do you know about the film I'm preparing?"
Joseph answered immediately from the other end of the call.
"Of course, Director Ahn. As far as I know, the title is Leech. Am I mistaken?"
"No, you're not. Ha, you're very well informed. I'm surprised you even know the title of the film I've been preparing."
"Your name is well known in Hollywood, Director Ahn. I also know this is your hundredth film, and that you're planning to challenge Cannes once again."
"Yes, that's right."
"Hollywood directors and even people tied to Cannes are showing a lot of interest in your film. Reaching a hundred films is not something just anyone can do."
Director Ahn stroked his chin at the excessive flattery.
"Why do you want to see my set?"
Once again, Joseph Felton's reply came without delay.
"There's a Korean actor I'm interested in."
"A Korean actor?"
"Yes."
"You're saying you'd come all the way to Korea just to see that actor?"
"If you really want to feel an actor's performance, you have to see it with your own eyes. Their tension. Their energy. Once it becomes filmed material, it passes through too many hands. There's no guarantee all of that will come through intact. I prefer to see it directly and decide for myself."
So that was it. Completely clear.
A faint smile formed on Director Ahn Gabo's lined lips.
"Decide what, exactly?"
"Potential. At least for now, I think that's the best word for it."
"Hm."
The seasoned old director began turning the answer over in his mind the moment he heard it. His mind had been worn down by time, certainly, but it was far from dull.
'Joseph Felton is a well-known producer in Hollywood. So why would someone like that take an interest in an ordinary Korean actor?'
Was he preparing a project right now? Or did he simply want to keep the actor on file for future casting?
In Hollywood, where a producer's name and reputation mattered enormously, preparation was not merely necessary. It was essential. Regardless of project or timing, if a studio, distributor, or director needed something, a producer had to be ready immediately.
An actor was just one of many pieces in that system.
The biggest reason Joseph Felton was recognized as capable in Hollywood was precisely because of that preparedness. Director Ahn knew that well.
'He built his name as a producer on that vast stage called Hollywood… but which actor is he talking about? Shim Hanho? Or Kang Woojin?'
Joseph, who had been in Hollywood, had probably only looked into what was currently happening with Leech, and the only confirmed leads were Shim Hanho and Kang Woojin.
In other words, the actor Joseph Felton meant had to be one of those two.
Even if he asked directly, he was unlikely to get a straight answer.
Hollywood was a global powerhouse, but it was also a place full of secrets. Even so, Director Ahn Gabo had enough experience to make an educated guess without too much difficulty.
'In the end, it's probably Shim Hanho, right? No, almost certainly.'
The logic was simple enough. Kang Woojin had no actual Hollywood credits yet, while Shim Hanho had appeared in numerous productions, including Hollywood films.
Hollywood was infamous for being brutally selective when it came to actors.
Director Ahn knew better than anyone just how high those walls were. Even Korean actors had to go through countless auditions and tests to land roles in Hollywood productions. Considering those standards, Shim Hanho seemed like the far more likely choice.
'But Shim Hanho has already been proven. Could he be trying to check his condition after that long break in activity?'
Just then, Joseph's voice continued from the other end.
"I'll be visiting Korea soon."
"Really?"
"Yes. There are a few matters related to a film release that I need to settle with the distributor there."
"Hm. So you're planning to line that up with a visit to my set?"
"If the schedule allows it. Of course, only if you permit it."
"That would certainly be more efficient in terms of distance, but my filming start date hasn't been finalized yet."
"..."
A brief silence followed, and then, a few seconds later, Joseph spoke again.
"You're aiming for Cannes this time, right? Cannes opens near the end of September this year, so that means you'd have to begin filming by February at the earliest, or March at the latest, wouldn't you?"
That was exactly right.
His answer aligned perfectly with Director Ahn Gabo's own calculations. Filming would have to begin in February and continue in earnest until the end of June. The remaining time until September would need to be devoted entirely to post-production before submission.
Director Ahn laughed under his breath.
'He really does know everything.'
Joseph spoke once more.
"Of course, your permission matters most, Director Ahn. And I promise that my visit will not interfere with filming in any way."
A famous producer with enormous influence in Hollywood wanted to come to his set.
Director Ahn slowly nodded.
'It's almost certainly Shim Hanho. Still, no matter who it is, that isn't bad news. If things go well, this could become an opportunity for both Shim Hanho and Woojin.'
With a broad smile, he answered Joseph.
"Not at all. Just make sure you let me know in advance."
──────────
A few days later, late in the morning.
2020 had passed, and 2021 had begun. The first had come and gone, the weekend had passed, and now it was Monday the 4th.
At that moment, Kang Woojin was standing in a strangely eerie village.
His bulletproof helmet was smeared with black stains. His military jacket was torn. His military trousers were streaked with dust and blood. His boots were scraped all over.
"Hoo, hoo—"
The barrel of the rifle resting on his shoulder trembled slightly.
His body was trembling too, and the shaking spread all the way through the stock of the gun.
From far off came the pleasant sound of waves.
Then a soft breeze brushed his cheek. It was only a light touch, yet for some reason it sent goosebumps racing across his entire body. The pounding of his heart rang loudly in his ears.
The village was deathly silent.
There was no sign of life anywhere.
And yet Kang Woojin was there.
"..."
Gripping the trembling rifle, he kept staring ahead, maintaining his guard. His breath through his nose came unevenly. He was trying to steady it, but every inhale and exhale was full of anxiety and tension.
His heart pounded.
He was afraid.
Terrified.
He wanted to run.
Yes.
At this very moment, Kang Woojin was Corporal Jin Seoncheol.
Looking at his vacant, fear-stricken eyes, it was as if he were embodying the cowardly side of a split personality. Corporal Jin Seoncheol was on The Island of the Missing, standing now in a silent village where not even the sound of life could be found.
But why?
Why was no one there?
Fear and unease were written all over Corporal Jin Seoncheol's face. Around him stood more than a dozen soldiers. Their uniforms were stained in different places with blood and grime. Their gazes were fixed in different directions, but every one of them kept a rifle trained forward, maintaining a defensive position. They all looked gaunt, as if even breathing were costing them precious calories.
The atmosphere among the patrol was taut and unstable, like a rubber band stretched to its limit. If someone shouted too harshly, it felt like they might all open fire at once.
Then one soldier muttered under his breath.
"Damn this fucking island."
At that moment, a faint metallic rattle came from behind him. More precisely, it was the sound of dog tags clinking inside someone's pocket. The commander of this unit, Ryu Jungmin—or rather Lieutenant Choi Yutae—stepped to the side of the soldier who had just spoken, his expression grim.
After silently surveying the village lined with houses and scattered buildings, Lieutenant Choi Yutae finally spoke.
"It's too… quiet here."
It had been three days since they had fled the grotesque creature in the mountain and come down into the village. It looked far safer than the cursed mountain, but something about it felt wrong.
Why was it this quiet?
"It feels like the calm before a storm."
It was as though the gaze of someone—or something—was wrapped around Lieutenant Choi Yutae and his men, but there was no way to tell what it was. Even so, as the commanding officer, he had to make a decision.
Would they stay here?
Or return to the mountain?
"Damn it."
The answer was obvious. Going back up the mountain to face that monstrous thing again would be insane. They had already lost several men. The pockets of Lieutenant Choi Yutae's military jacket were heavy with dog tags.
They could not afford to lose any more.
At that point, Kim Iwon—no, Sergeant Jo Bongseok—kept his rifle aimed forward and quietly asked his superior, his eyes bloodshot.
"Company commander, what should we do?"
Still scanning the houses, Lieutenant Choi Yutae replied,
"We'll establish a base here."
"Understood. Should we stop the search?"
"..."
Lieutenant Choi Yutae did not answer right away. Instead, he pressed down lightly on his helmet.
It was not an easy decision.
What should he do?
The village was larger than it first appeared, and yet there was no sign of anyone. Even on the way down from the mountain, they had not encountered a single villager.
But—
'What is this old, worn-down feeling?'
The entire village carried the smell of people. Yes, there were many houses and buildings that looked abandoned and neglected. But in more than half of them, there were obvious traces of human hands. Any building would decay if left untouched, but this village still carried the unmistakable signs of life.
After breathing out quietly, Lieutenant Choi Yutae became convinced.
There were others here.
They simply were not showing themselves.
He could not rule out the possibility that they were hiding. After all, his men had been firing guns all through the mountain.
'But… are the things here really human?'
"What was that, sir? What did you say?"
Sergeant Jo Bongseok asked again, unease written across his face, but Lieutenant Choi Yutae shook his head.
"Nothing. We stop the search here."
"Will that be alright? We haven't even checked half the village yet."
"The situation is bad enough already. We can't push the men any further. They're exhausted, and taking more risks would be reckless. We're also running low on ammunition."
"Understood…"
Hearing that, Lieutenant Choi Yutae adjusted his helmet again and turned around. Then he pointed with his index finger toward the building they had noticed when they first entered the village, the one that looked like a school.
"I think we should use that as our base."
Jeon Woochang—or more precisely Private Nam Taeoh, the biggest man among them—glanced in that direction and cut in.
"When we checked it earlier, it definitely looked like a school. There's no playground, but there are classrooms and a fence. We checked all around it, and there wasn't a single person there."
"That may still be the case now. Let's all go back and check again."
"Yes, sir."
With his rifle slung over his shoulder, Lieutenant Choi Yutae gave orders to the soldiers who were still keeping watch around them.
"Fall back slowly toward that school. Keep your guard up. Don't answer me—just move if you understand."
The soldiers swallowed hard and began backing away little by little.
Kang Woojin's shaking legs did the same.
Watching him, the broad-built Private Nam Taeoh let out a deep sigh.
"Hey, Jin Seoncheol. Get over here beside me. I can't just leave you on your own when you're this tense."
Corporal Jin Seoncheol turned his head, his lips trembling badly as he answered in a stammer.
"I-I'm fine."
"Quit the bullshit. Stay by me."
"Ah, yes, sir."
Jin Seoncheol pressed himself close to Private Nam Taeoh, and in his eyes there was an excessive mixture of fear and relief. The muscles that had been cramping in his face loosened slightly.
Strangely enough, his body seemed looser than before.
Around then, another voice whispered from somewhere deep inside Corporal Jin Seoncheol.
'Damn, this is seriously boring.'
It was an insolent thought.
But it had not come from Jin Seoncheol's mouth.
Only his expression shifted for a moment.
He expressed it purely through emotion.
Oddly enough, even that fleeting trace of irritation was captivating.
That, too, was an improvement over before.
There was a good chance Kang Woojin's sign language work and singing experience had helped bring Jin Seoncheol to life. Everything he had learned was feeding back into his acting.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Choi Yutae's mind was occupied by only one thing.
Survival.
"What about water? Drinking water?"
The answer came from Private Jung Hyejin—that is, Ha Yura in real life.
"There's no way the tap water works. If we want water, we have to go back into the mountain. I saw a stream there."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"..."
"Then we'll have to go back into the mountain. We need food too. We saw wild boars there, didn't we?"
Private Jung Hyejin nodded. Lieutenant Choi Yutae let out a deep sigh. The weight of it was plain on his face.
"This isn't some survival challenge show."
And so the unit finally made it close to the school fence.
That was when it happened.
"Hey, Jin Seoncheol. Stop trailing behind, damn it. We're almost there."
"Ah, yes, sergeant."
A strange slicing sound spread through the air.
Was it the wind?
No.
More precisely, it sounded like something tearing through space.
Then, suddenly—
A sharp noise exploded.
The Private Nam Taeoh standing on Jin Seoncheol's right let out a terrible groan.
"Ugh!! Ughhh!"
Something had lodged itself below his abdomen.
Then the pain hit him in full.
"Gahhh!"
It was an arrow.
A sight almost impossible to imagine in the modern world. The arrow had sunk deep into Nam Taeoh's lower abdomen. It had not merely grazed him. It had gone in almost halfway.
Though he was the largest among them, the moment Nam Taeoh realized the arrow was buried in his stomach, he collapsed on the spot.
"Ah…"
His rifle slipped from his hands, and he crumpled to the ground with a scream of agony.
A shocked Corporal Jin Seoncheol lunged toward him at once.
"Sergeant!! Wh-what is this??? Commander! Ah, it's an arrow!"
At that instant, the formation that had been frozen in silence exploded into chaos. From officers to enlisted men, everyone yanked at their safety catches and shouted.
"An arrow?! That's an arrow?!!!!"
"Damn it!!! What the hell is this?!! Where did it come from?!"
"Where are they?! You bastards, where are you?!"
"Hey! Don't swing your gun around!! Don't shoot!! You'll hit one of ours!!"
"Who is it?! Come out!! Show your face!!"
An arrow?
From where?
Who shot it?
Why?
Someone had definitely fired it, but there was no way to tell who.
Lieutenant Choi Yutae stood in front of Nam Taeoh and shouted with his eyes wide.
"Get a grip!!! Don't panic! Run inside the fence! Jin Seoncheol!! Cover him and drag the private inside!"
As he barked out the order, a thought struck him all at once.
A target.
That was it.
Nam Taeoh's large build had made him the easiest target to hit.
He had become the mark.
"Jin Seoncheol!! You idiot, what are you doing?! Stop freezing up and move, private!!!"
"Y-yes! Yes, sir!"
At that exact moment—
"Cut."
A familiar voice reached the ears of the shaken soldiers.
"Good."
It was Director Kwon Gitaek's calm signal.
In an instant, dozens of staff members rushed toward the actors. It had been a long take. Staff assigned to each actor moved quickly in with touch-up makeup and bottles of water.
Meanwhile, in front of the monitors set a little away from the shooting area, Director Kwon Gitaek, wearing a short padded jacket, slowly nodded.
"That cut came out pretty well."
It was already the third retake.
What stood out was that there were far more staff gathered around him than usual, especially several people in suits.
The reason was simple.
The people who had come to the latter half of The Island of the Missing shoot included investors, distributors, and executives from the production company. Their visit had been planned from the early stages of development, but there was another purpose behind their attendance.
They intended to closely verify the truth behind what Kang Woojin had said at the film festival.
Of course, no one questioned his acting ability.
But Kang Woojin had made those bold remarks in front of countless top actors.
For the people involved with The Island of the Missing, that was not something they could simply overlook.
Kang Woojin's filming schedule was set to wrap up around the middle of January.
Before that happened, they needed to see the acting he was delivering in The Island of the Missing with their own eyes.
Just then—
"Yes, Director!!"
The assistant director shouted loudly from among the actors, announcing that preparation for the next scene was complete.
The setup was similar to the previous long take.
Half-crazed soldiers.
Jeon Woochang collapsed with an arrow in his stomach.
Kang Woojin supporting him at his side.
And Ryu Jungmin standing in front of them, blocking the way.
Soon, the actors appeared again on the monitor Director Kwon Gitaek was watching.
Director Kwon Gitaek lifted the megaphone.
"Ready, action."
The chaos resumed immediately.
The terrified screams of the soldiers erupted first, and then Jeon Woochang's scene took over. He was still making grotesque sounds, staring at the arrow jutting halfway out of his stomach.
"Huff, huff. Ugh—"
The camera moved in toward him.
Jeon Woochang was dying.
He was still alive, but only barely. On this island of the missing, there was no doctor.
The uniform around his abdomen was soaked red, as if death itself were slowly spreading beneath the fabric.
"Damn it. What is this? Ugh, what the hell is this?"
Tears streamed from Jeon Woochang's eyes. His hands trembled violently. Saliva and mucus poured from his mouth. It felt as though all the moisture in his body, blood included, was draining out of him.
The shadow of death was beginning to creep over his vision.
He could feel his whole body growing colder by the second.
'Help me. Please. Why the hell is there a ridiculous arrow in my stomach?'
He clutched desperately at the sleeve on Kang Woojin's forearm—no, Corporal Jin Seoncheol's arm—and sobbed.
"Hrrk! Hey—damn it, what is this? Seoncheol. Help me. Hngh—help me. Ugh!"
Spitting blood, Jeon Woochang slowly lifted his eyes.
The camera angle rose with him.
He looked up at Kang Woojin's face as he stared down at him.
"...?"
Suddenly, Jeon Woochang's pupils widened.
He swallowed the blood that had been rising in his throat.
Goosebumps broke out all over his skin, and his body temperature dropped.
Kang Woojin was looking down at him with a weak smile.
The eyes that had once been full of timidity were now gleaming with delight.
His mouth was curved like a drawn bow.
For a moment, Jeon Woochang felt as if the arrow in his stomach had not been fired from elsewhere, but from Woojin's own mouth.
He was a devil.
A devil slowly savoring the moment when a human's breathing stopped.
That was exactly what Corporal Jin Seoncheol's profile looked like.
Like a devil.
'Is he… smiling?'
Lieutenant Choi Yutae noticed it too.