Kang Woo-jin of ‘Ametalk Show!’ played on the cell phone of a veteran director. In the video, Kang Woo-jin was standing in front of the audience and continuously communicating with a child using sign language. A man in his late 40s who was looking down at the video and talking to the veteran director had a look of confusion on his face.
“Ah- Kang Woo-jin. Are you talking about Kang Woo-jin?”
In response to the question, the old manager took back the cell phone he had been looking at. His wrinkled face was full of bluntness.
“Yes, Kang Woo-jin. A rookie actor who has stood out in less than a year since his debut.”
“······”
“Why? Did I see something wrong?”
“Oh, no. It’s Kang Woo-jin.”
Compared to the sweaty man, the old director is very relaxed. No, he is full of coldness. His voice is full of old tone, but it is upright.
“Where are you now, Kang Woojin? You must know about our close relationship, right?”
“···It’s probably in Vietnam. I heard that they went overseas to film ‘The Missing Island’.”
“I’m talking about Director Kwon’s work.”
The old director slowly nods his head. On the other hand, the man in his 40s just looks down. A moment of silence. The old director is the one who breaks the silence.
“By the way, did you think I didn’t know this guy Kang Woojin? He’s been making a lot of noise with Japanese sign language lately.”
“Go, Director. That’s it.”
“Or you didn’t know? That can’t be right. He’s the best new talent in Chungmuro right now.”
The question of why there was no mention of the actor who was looking for a sign language-related job, even though he was so obviously there. No, it was more like an interrogation. In the end, the man let out a long sigh and confessed. The strength in his voice completely disappeared.
“Honestly… Yes, of course I knew about it. However, I only brought it up on the show and excluded it for now. As you know, Kang Woo-jin is a rookie who hasn’t even been on the show for a year. He’s proven through his works, but he lacks experience.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m sorry. I was just worried. Isn’t this your 100th film? And considering the weight of the film, it would be burdensome for a newcomer like Kang Woo-jin.”
“Need an experienced actor?”
“Yes, sir.”
The man didn’t mean anything bad either. That’s why the old manager didn’t get very angry. But the coldness did deepen.
“Experience. Yes, experience is important. But isn’t that a bias? You have to look at the forest, not the trees.”
“···yes?”
“If Kang Woo-jin had been a random actor in the first place, would Director Kwon or Japan’s Director Kyotaro have taken him on?”
“······”
“Isn’t it true that they gave him the lead role despite his rookie status, and went with him despite the loss they incurred? Am I wrong?”
The man’s mouth was tightly shut as if a heavy weight had been placed on it. It wasn’t a wrong thing to say. In addition, it was also a problem to keep talking back to the old manager. The reason was simple.
Veteran director. No, Director Ahn Ga-bok is a legendary figure.
『[Movie Talk] Will Director Ahn Ga-bok, the Living Legend of the Korean Film Industry, Begin His 100th Film?』
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he is a living legend in the Korean film industry. It was true. The great director Kwon Ki-taek was much younger than him. Director Ahn Ga-bok was more like a symbol of the film industry than a great one. Ranking him is meaningless, and his existence itself is the history of the Korean film industry. That is why his filmography was also crazy.
His 99th work. And this is his 100th. He was renowned worldwide.
At an international film festival where great figures from the overseas film industry gather, he was the first Korean director to win an award. That was decades ago. Of course, he has won many awards at famous international film festivals since then. The 100th film that Director Ahn Ga-bok is preparing this time is an important work for him and for the history of Korean film.
Given this, the worries of a man in his 40s were not unfounded.
“···I’m sorry, Director. I was short-sighted. I think I only thought about the quality of the work.”
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“Let’s go with the same mindset, with the same mindset. Even things that can be done with meaning tend to slip away. Whether it’s the 99th or the 100th time, we have to go with the same mindset.”
“Yes, sir.”
Whatever it was, it was clear that the legendary director of the film industry was interested in the rookie Kang Woo-jin. It is not clear why or what the conditions were. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had deep wrinkles, got up from the sofa and gave instructions.
“Regarding that friend Kang Woo-jin, bring all the works that can be seen at the moment.”
“Yes, yes. Oh, should I contact Kang Woo-jin?”
“······Um. I should do it. But before that.”
Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been spitting at the question, rubbed his chin and muttered.
“I have something to ask Director Kwon first.”
The next day, October 18th. Eunmi Park’s studio.
Around lunchtime. Recently, the studio of star writer Park Eun-mi has been quiet. Although Hanryang is still advancing to the second and third rounds or doing well in Japan, Park Eun-mi has nothing special to do. Thanks to that, the assistant writers have been on vacation, and Park Eun-mi is also taking a break.
However, writer Eunmi Park, who was in the room at the time, was not alone.
In front of writer Park Eun-mi’s desk, there was writer Choi Na-na, who was slender and swallowing her saliva with a bit of nervousness. She was independent from writer Park Eun-mi’s group.
anyway.
-Palac.
Writer Eun-mi Park, with her long perm hair tied up, was looking down at a stack of papers with writer Na-na Choi in front of her. They were quite thick. One sheet, two sheets. She was slowly reading the stack of papers when suddenly.
“······Nana. Since when have you been using this?”
I asked a question to author Choi Na-na. Then, author Choi Na-na flinched and stuttered slightly.
“Right after ‘Male Friend’ ends.”
“as soon as?”
“yes.”
“You must have been busy, right?”
“Well, actually, it was just a practice piece, but I tried writing it again while reviewing it···.”
Author Choi Na-na, who was answering, bowed her head deeply.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Isn’t that too weird?”
In fact, the bundle of papers that writer Park Eun-mi was looking at was a script written by writer Choi Na-na. She had written it as soon as the launch of ‘Nam Sa-chin’ was confirmed, and the source seemed to be one of her past practice works. Then, writer Park Eun-mi, with a serious expression, looked down at the script again and opened her mouth.
“······Is this a short story too?”
“No. That, that was written with the intention of being a long story.”
“How many copies?”
“12 or 16 episodes.”
“okay?”
“Yes, yes! Oh, but isn’t it a bit rough?? Ugh- I’ll polish it up more… No, I’ll try something else.”
Writer Choi Na-na’s confidence plummeted. At this time, writer Park Eun-mi, who was covering the script, lifted her head and smiled. Thanks to this, her long perm hair swung.
“What are you talking about? It’s so much fun?”
“···yes?”
“It’s funny. No, Nana. How did you come up with the idea to write such a refreshing cider when you have such a quiet personality?”
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“Ah, ah! Are you having fun??!”
“Yeah, it’s good. First of all, I like the main character. He’s overwhelming. The action is also refreshing. The most noticeable thing is that it deals with social issues openly while providing a definite sense of vicarious satisfaction. But if it’s done well, I think it could go into a season series.”
“Poetry, seasonal??!”
“huh.”
Author Eunmi Park, who answered, took a picture of a nearby laptop with her index finger.
“There is so much material in the world. If you scratch the surface of society right now, it will come up in droves. How much research have you done?”
“Oh, only about episode 4.”
“It’s okay. That’s enough to plan and come up with a synopsis.”
“Already?!”
Writer Park Eun-mi smiles at the surprised writer Choi Na-na.
“Why would you do that? You’re a writer who has already made it to Japan as a new writer?”
“That, that’s it! The actors are amazing!”
“Anyway. Did you only show this script to me?”
“Ah! Yes!”
“Are there any broadcasting stations or production companies you have in mind?”
“I don’t have any······”
Writer Eunmi Park, who just picked up the cell phone.
“Nana. I think the director needs to see this script to be sure. Is it okay if I show it to someone?”
“Ah- yes. But who?”
Then, writer Eunmi Park put her cell phone to her ear.
“Who could it be? It’s the PD who recently became unemployed.”
A beard came to writer Choi Na-na’s mind.
Back, late in the afternoon of the same day.
There was chaos at Incheon Airport’s arrival hall. It was because an actor suddenly appeared. The actor is no longer in the arrival hall, but the crowds that saw him a few dozen minutes ago were everywhere.
“Wow- did you see that? What’s Kang Woojin’s physique?? I was surprised.”
“Right, and handsome! Don’t you think his eyes are going to catch something??”
“I admit it. The actors definitely have a different kind of force. I should take a picture and post it on Instagram!”
“Me too, me too.”
They were talking noisily.
“Kang Woojin has a blank expression, but he gives autographs and stuff? He must be a tsundere!”
“What the heck? It’s not like he’s trying to force himself to be that way, it’s like his real personality. I laughed out loud when I saw the comment that he was a golden retriever going through puberty.”
“I looked it up and it looks like Kang Woo-jin is currently filming ‘The Missing Island’ in Vietnam?”
That Kang Woo-jin is currently.
-Boohoo!
He was in a van running on the highway. His entire team was in the car, and Kang Woo-jin was looking out the window with a profound expression.
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“······”
But inside, I was dancing the shoulder dance.
‘Korea! Crazy, Korea is the best! Ugh- I don’t want to go back to Vietnam, really.’
As expected, Kang Woo-jin had not finished filming overseas in Vietnam for ‘The Missing Island’. He had to return to Da Nang after finishing his domestic schedule for about a week starting today.
Of course, Kang Woo-jin.
‘But what did you say you had on your schedule? It was so busy.’
I wasn’t exactly sure what the schedule would be for the short week, but one thing was certain.
‘Is it tomorrow already?’
The schedule was announced by Sung-Geon Choi, who was sitting in the passenger seat with his long hair turned around and smiled brightly.
“Woojin, let’s promote it on SNS and the ‘Kang Woojin’s sub-character’ channel. ‘Male Friend’ will be opening tomorrow.”
19th, morning.
The time is around 9:30. Since morning, the entertainment section has been full of stories about one work. No, it has been like that for several days now.
『First launch in Korea and Japan as a one-act drama, ‘Kang Woo-jin’ and ‘Hwa-rin’s boyfriend… Opens at 10 AM today!』
『[Fact Check] ‘Namsachin’ Opens in Korea Today at 10 AM, Netizens “Are Waiting”』
It’s called ‘male friend’.
『[Star Talk] Kang Woo-jin’s first romantic comedy lead role… Will he be able to erase ‘Park Dae-ri’ with ‘Nam Sa-chin’?』
It was natural. The official opening was in 30 minutes. So there were going to be a lot of promotional articles, and a lot of articles that just tried to cause aggro.
『’Namsachin’, which will open in 30 minutes, what will be the results? Some say, “It seems like a bubble has formed.”』
Unlike the beginning, it ended up being a large one-act piece that was released in Japan.
『[Issue Talk] ‘Nam Sa-chin’, Opinions Divided on ‘Daebak’ or ‘Bad Hit’』
The public waiting for the opening was extremely excited.
-Wow ㅋㅋㅋ This is now open ㅋㅋㅋ I see there was nothing to see so that’s a relief
-Agent Park’s form is crazy!!
-Kang Woo-jin is not that great, but it’s spring because of Hwarin
-There should be more challenging works like this, even if they’re short romantic comedies, so I’ll watch themㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Kang Woojin’s first romantic comedy?? I wonder how he actedㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-It’s probably going to be 100% boringㅋㅋㅋThey’ll just pretend to kiss and end itㅋ
-I’m really looking forward to itㅜㅜㅜㅠㅠI have to watch it as soon as it’s released at 10!!!
-Even if I try… it looks like it’ll be a lame romantic comedy… but since it’s on Netflix, I’ll give it a try
-Regardless of whether it’s a box office hit or not, if a one-act film made it all the way to Japan, then it’s done its job well. If the writing was fun too…
-You’re going to get cursed at even if you’re a little ambiguous because you’re drawing so much wide-area aggroㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
·
·
·
Various types of lines are overflowing. About 20 minutes have passed like that. With 10 minutes left until the official opening of ‘Nam Sa-chin’, many people related to Kang Woo-jin have turned on Netflix. Hong Hye-yeon, who is packing her bags to go to Vietnam for a break and a friendly appearance in ‘Island of the Missing’.
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“Did you say it opens at 10? If I have time, I’ll watch it all today. If not, I’ll have to download it. How are the two of them going to come out?”
Director Shin Dong-chun, the main producer of ‘Nam Sa-chin’, and General Director Kim So-hyang, gathered in a large conference room at Netflix Korea. Hwa-rin, who is in a van while moving around her schedule, is also the same.
“10 minutes! 10 minutes left! Ha- Why am I so nervous? This isn’t even my first time uploading a piece??!”
Of course, it wasn’t just them, there were countless other people who were accessing Netflix. In particular, Kang Hyun-ah, Woojin’s fan club president and younger sister, and her friends who were part of the management team.
“One minute! One minute left!!”
“Hyun-ah! Pull the tablet! I can’t see it well!”
“Okey ok!”
“Ha! Finally! Finally seeing it!”
The leaders of ‘Strong Heart’ were all gathered in the dorm room. They were all looking at tablets. That was when.
“It’s on the main page!”
The main page of Netflix Korea, which is displayed on the tablet, has been changed to ‘Nam Sa-chin’. Kang Woo-jin is standing against a backdrop of fluttering cherry blossom petals in a hazy color. His face is slightly frowning. In front of him is a poster of Hwa-rin smiling and spreading her arms wide. The letters on it were as follows.
-‘Male friend’
-‘It should have been like that until yesterday and in the future’
Title and one-line introduction. Kang Hyun-ah and her friends were excited when they saw the poster on the Netflix main page.
“Wow! So pretty!”
“The colors are crazy!! Woojin oppa is so handsome.”
“Turn it on quickly! It’s 10:01!”
Kang Hyun-ah stretched out her index finger and touched the screen. It moved to the section of ‘Nam Sa-chin’. A total of 4 episodes were shown.
“Ahhh! It was solved in one go!!”
Instead of every week, as is typical of Netflix, all episodes of ‘Namsachin’ were released at once. Soon, Kang Hyun-ah replayed the first episode of ‘Namsachin’, and the tablet screen turned black before quickly starting to display the first part of ‘Namsachin’.
-♬♪
It starts with a lively OST. What’s unique is that the story starts right away without a title or introduction of the actors. The location is a place where cherry blossom trees are in full bloom. Kang Hyun-ah and her friends who are chewing on snacks here are surprised.
“Wow, the colors of the drama are really crazy.”
“But how did you take the picture of the cherry blossoms? Wasn’t this taken in the summer?”
“It’s probably CG. But you can’t tell at all.”
“I guess I spent some money. Ah! Oppa Woojin appears!”
“Hwarin’s coordination is perfect? Where is it from?”
About 5 minutes later, Kang Hyun-ah and her friends were watching ‘Nam Sa-chin’ with great interest when they were suddenly shocked. On the tablet, Hwa-rin was running towards Kang Woo-jin.
And then he kissed me like crazy. It wasn’t light. It was really, really thick.
From the beginning?! A cut that’s enough to get them excited.
“Wow, crazy! It’s Kigal??!!”
“Wow!! I really didn’t expect anything like this!!”
“Admit it! People will be freaking out the moment they see this!”
“Whoa- What the heck! I’m so excited!!”
Breaking everyone’s expectations, it’s a deep kiss scene from the start.
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“This is so fucking thick!!!”
“Haaak! Good! Good! Something’s wrong! It’s Netflix, so Kigal just comes out first!”
“Hey hey let’s see each other again, again! Turn it back! I’ll see it 100 times!!”
The lid of ‘Nam Sa-chin’ has been opened.
