The 200 or so reporters at the production press conference for ‘Profiler Hanryang’ are moving their fingers like crazy. It’s because of the unyielding declaration made by writer Park Eun-mi just before.
‘That actor will be remembered as an all-time scene stealer. Because he delivers acting that no other actor can match.’
-Pavabavabak!
-Pavabavabavabak!
Half of the reporters were taking pictures and the other half were tapping away on their laptops.
The atmosphere was getting heated up. The reporters’ eyes were all glaring like hyenas. At that moment, PD Song Man-woo, who was sitting at the very first desk and had trimmed his beard today, tapped writer Park Eun-mi on the shoulder.
“You didn’t promise to say something like that, did you?”
Author Eunmi Park, with her long permed hair tied up, answered quietly while looking at the reporters.
“I don’t know. I just went with the flow and ended up like this.”
“Hey- You did it on purpose. You pulled the hook, right? You wanted to throw bait at the reporters and eat up a lot of aggro.”
“Well, I was just thinking, ‘Should I ask that question if it comes up?’ I didn’t know if they would actually ask the question.”
“Haha. Anyway, it seems like it worked out well. Just look at the eyes of those hyenas. Are they ready to just beat up every word that’s there?”
Author Eunmi Park shrugged.
“Reporters, do you deal with One Day Today? Whatever I say, it will be included by 1mm, and they will add sources as they please and amplify it several times. But what if the ‘Park Dae-ri’ story becomes several or dozens of times bigger?
PD Song Man-woo’s smile deepens as if he admits it.
“That’s right. No matter how much aggro you raise, if it’s that guy, it doesn’t matter at all. It’ll definitely be more than you can imagine. I guess I should buy that reporter who asked you that question for you a meal later.”
“While we’re on the subject, let’s pull the hook a little more firmly. Isn’t Song PD’s specialty in raising the stakes?”
“I’m a player who does that too.”
Soon, PD Song Man-woo gave a small message to actors such as Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon. The actors who were already familiar with this situation immediately understood the situation. In particular, Hong Hye-yeon’s eyes, who looked stylish in a long shirt today, sparkled.
Then, producer Song Man-woo suddenly threw out a question to the 200 or so reporters.
“Hahaha, but please write gently about our hidden scene-stealer actor, gently. I’m putting too much pressure on him before I even open the lid.”
Of course, it was an intentional line. And it worked.
“Do you also think that scene-stealing actor is one of the best of all time??!”
“What do you think, PD??!”
The reporters asked PD Song Man-woo dozens of questions. Regardless, PD Song Man-woo crossed his arms and spat before answering appropriately.
“I don’t know about anything else, but it’s true that this is a legendary performance. It’s the first time in my entire career that I’ve sworn at an actor for his acting. Right?”
PD Song Man-woo turned his head to the left and asked for the actors’ consent. Actors like Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon smiled or nodded casually. Hundreds of reporters let out a slight exclamation.
“Hey, is it really possible for PD Song to do something like that?”
The board that was intended to be non-existent is gradually growing in size.
You could tell just by looking at the expressions on the reporters’ faces as they rolled their eyes and looked around. Behind them, the reporters asked similar questions to other actors.
“How was it like for you, Jeongmin, during the filming?! Did you have a scene with that scene-stealing actor??”
“Yes. I had a lot of scenes with that actor. Um- for reference, I think I acted several times harder after watching that actor act. He acted as a stimulant.”
“A, acting as a stimulant? To Mr. Ryu Jeong-min??”
The main actors of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ all praised ‘Agent Park’.
The hundreds of reporters at the production conference enjoyed chewing and tearing at the bait thrown out for dozens of minutes. Thanks to this, they easily passed the scheduled time. Since there was already a lot of talk before Park Dae-ri’s question.
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So, the production presentation host slowly gave his closing comments.
“Okay, okay – it’s already been over 30 minutes? Let’s just have one last question and then we’ll wrap things up.”
“Here, here!”
“I will do it!”
“Yes, the reporter in the gray shirt over there!”
The selected reporter lowered his hand and looked at Hong Hye-yeon, who was smiling.
“Hye-yeon, you suddenly appeared at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ and turned the short film industry upside down. You won the Best Acting Award at the awards ceremony, but gave up the grand prize to an unknown actor. How did you feel?”
It was a question that had a bit of an aggression toward Hong Hye-yeon, completely unrelated to the ‘profiler’s ban’. Soon, the host raised his hand and motioned for Hong Hye-yeon not to answer.
“Reporter, haven’t you seen ‘Detective Agency’? Please go and see it.”
Hong Hye-yeon answered softly with a relaxed smile.
“Then you will understand why I received the best award. I acknowledge that actor’s grand prize. I think you asked that question because you don’t know, because you can see as much as you know.”
The reporter who asked the question was a bit flustered.
“Ah- ah yes. I, I see.”
Hong Hye-yeon’s entire management team sighed, covering their faces.
“Ha- Again.”
Because her clever behavior wasn’t the first or second time.
A few dozen minutes later, in the conference room of Awoolim Film Studio.
Choi Sung-geon, sitting next to the expressionless Kang Woo-jin, was now in a daze.
‘······A lead role? Not even a supporting role, but a lead role??!’
A few dozen minutes ago, I heard from Director Kwon Ki-taek that he was going to cast Kang Woo-jin as the lead villain. Currently, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who is on the other side, is in the middle of gently explaining his upcoming schedule and his next project.
“The investment has already been resolved······”
But none of those words were heard by the curly-haired Choi Sung-geon. What on earth was going on?
‘Yeah… I had high expectations. Since Director Kwon Ki-taek came to the scene in person, I thought he’d give me at least a supporting role.’
If it’s a supporting role or something groundbreaking, it’s a supporting role. Choi Sung-geon would have opened his mouth wide even at that level. After all, it was a continuation of the work of the master director Kwon Ki-taek. However, director Kwon Ki-taek offered Kang Woo-jin a leading villain as if he were offering him a piece of candy.
‘Wow, how many stairs are you jumping up like that??!’
Even for Choi Sung-geon, who has been in the entertainment industry for over a decade and has excellent connections and skills, this was a sight he had never seen before. An unknown person who had only appeared for two months was given a leading role by director Kwon Ki-taek? This is not just breaking convention, it’s breaking it. I don’t know for sure, but if this story spreads to the film industry, there will be chaos.
At the same time, it was obvious that Kang Woo-jin would be in the spotlight.
Around here.
-Ugh.
Seong-geon Choi, with his eyes wide open, slowly turned his head to meet Woo-jin Kang’s gaze. He nodded calmly and listened to Director Ki-taek Kwon’s explanation.
‘······Why on earth are you so calm in this world?’
What is the source of that calmness and courage? Is it perhaps from that child’s high self-esteem?
There was no sign of disorder in Woojin. It was as if he had anticipated this situation. In the meantime, Kang Woojin turned his head to the right. He met Choi Sunggeon’s eyes without paying attention.
An exclamation mark appeared in the eyes of Choi Sung-geon, the man with the curly hair.
‘Ah… okay. Since we’ll be hanging out together from now on, there will be a lot of situations like this, so you’re telling me to just chill out and do my thing? Haha, I get it, honey. Unlike you, I don’t have a heart of steel.’
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Kang Woo-jin, who was calmly looking at Choi Sung-geon, was very embarrassed.
‘No, shouldn’t we check if this master director is really good? If I tell him about an interesting character, he’ll give me that character.’
At this time, Choi Sung-geon suddenly raised his hand while looking at director Kwon Ki-taek who was explaining.
“Director. Really. This is such a grateful offer. I think I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life, haha.”
“I think I’ll remember it for a long time, too. As you know, this is the first time something like this has happened.”
“Yes, me too. Thank you very much. However, I am afraid it is a bit premature to sign the contract today.”
Yes? Kang Woo-jin, who was inwardly startled, stared at the head of his agency. Choi Sung-geon noticed his gaze and winked his right eye without letting anyone know. He said that he understood how she felt, so leave it to her.
“I think it would be right for the director, Woojin, and I to finalize the verbal contract today, and sort out the detailed matters and contract later.”
“hmm-”
“Of course, it would be great if the film company staff could also participate in the verbal contract. Then, the director and Woojin can confirm it with each other, and I will gradually discuss the details with the film company staff.”
This was normal. There were many conditions and negotiations about salaries and other things in a movie appearance contract, and it also required scheduling between actors and filming crews. That’s why verbal contracts between directors and actors were common.
Even if it was a verbal contract, it was close to being finalized.
Especially for a director with a high reputation like Director Kwon Ki-taek, the power of a verbal contract is even stronger. However, Kang Woo-jin did not know this well. Therefore, he gave Choi Sung-geon a more intense look. Inwardly, he spat out, “Why?”
Choi Sung-geon also figured this out.
‘Yes, Woojin, I understand what you mean. You want me to raise the price, right? It’s a leading role for Director Kwon Ki-taek. You’re telling me not to just pass it over, right?’
Although their understanding of each other was clearly different, Choi Sung-geon was able to derive the answer on his own from Kang Woo-jin’s gaze.
‘I know. Woojin, you received a ridiculous amount of money in ‘Hanryang’, and when you signed with your agency, there were clear guidelines on the contract terms and deposit. In other words, you’re saying that you should at least postpone the contract until the first episode of ‘Profiler Hanryang’?’
In the entertainment industry, popularity can change explosively overnight. Even if no one knew about it yesterday, if it becomes a hot topic today, the first digit of the value changes in this market. Choi Sung-geon noticed it in Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.
‘Although it has already risen to the ranks of blue chips in the film industry through the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, its recognition is still not that explosive. It would be a bit disappointing for us to sign a contract in this situation.’
The conclusion was that the price would increase several times if the title of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ was added. Choi Sung-geon winked again at Kang Woo-jin, who was looking at him indifferently as if telling him not to worry.
‘I’ll take care of it.’
Then, director Kwon Ki-taek looked at Choi Sung-geon and slowly nodded. A friendly smile was a bonus.
“Hmm, okay. I get what you mean. I forgot about the practical aspects and rushed things. It was because Woojin was so greedy.”
“I understand, Director.”
“Then let’s first join the film production team and proceed with a verbal contract.”
“please.”
Director Kwon Ki-taek took out his cell phone and called the production team that was waiting. Choi Sung-geon cautiously asked Director Kwon Ki-taek, who quickly hung up the phone.
“By the way, Director. Excuse me, but when are you planning on revealing your next work to the press? You said it’s still confidential.”
“Yes. At least once the main cast is settled in, it should be done. I think it will probably be sorted out within this month at the earliest.”
“This month. If it’s confirmed, can we also put some effort into Unfollow? It feels like Woojin has joined the director’s team.”
Director Kwon Ki-taek’s smile deepened as if everything was okay.
“If it’s true, how could it not be possible?”
“thank you.”
Choi Sung-geon, who had been bowing his head, clung to Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin still had a blank expression, but he didn’t know what was going on inside. Choi Sung-geon whispered to him.
“At least double. If it’s more, more. I’ll get a ransom that satisfies your expectations. Let’s delay the contract somehow. Leave it to me. Judging from Director Kwon’s actions, I can definitely do it. I’m treating you like my grandchild right now.”
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Where did the ransom money come from all of a sudden? No matter how much he thought about it, Woojin couldn’t figure it out. But since they were going to raise his appearance fee, he didn’t think there was any need to stop him.
“···Yes, I understand.”
“And. Imagine if Woojin thought you were crazy when he tried to make you look like a fool. You’re already on the rise after winning the acting award at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’? You’re a blue chip in the film industry and all. Let’s say you’ve also become a hit. Then, you throw in the fact that you joined Director Kwon Ki-taek’s team as a lead actor. What do you think?”
Here, Choi Sung-geon laughed bitterly.
“You’re not a blue chip in the film industry, you’re a nuclear bomb in the entertainment industry.”
The next day. The morning of the 9th, at a luxury hotel in Seoul.
It was a suite room that looked spacious even at first glance. A man with a big nose full of gray hair, wearing a bathrobe, was standing by the window with a view of Seoul. He was quietly drinking coffee while looking out the window.
It was the Japanese master director Kyotaro Tanokuchi.
“······hmm.”
Director Kyotaro still remained in Korea even though the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ ended two days ago on the 7th. It was his own choice. Thanks to that, the team that came with him was also naturally in Korea.
-Ugh.
Director Kyotaro, who was looking out the window, sat down on a luxurious sofa. On the table in front of him was the scenario he had been reading until just now. Recently, Director Kyotaro was reading several scenarios for his next work.
however.
“no.”
He covered the script he was reading, spitting out a small Japanese word. He couldn’t concentrate at all. In fact, his mind was still full of unknown Korean actors.
It was Kang Woo-jin.
I only saw him for a short while, but his acting skills were crazy, and his human scent was also the type that strangely made me explode with curiosity.
“······That fluent Japanese. It seems like you lived in Japan- but your acting tone is not Japanese at all. Or is it a case of you living in Japan as a child and then moving to Korea?”
In any case, the unknown actor Kang Woo-jin certainly seemed to lack recognition. Only a few people at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ knew about him, and even Korean reporters treated Kang Woo-jin as a very unfamiliar person.
“He’s a veteran actor with over ten years of experience, but his name recognition is at rock bottom. There were no rumors that he had been cast in any projects. He doesn’t look young either. Is the hurdle for acting in Korea really that high?”
As director Kyotaro, I couldn’t understand it at all. If you just look at his acting skills, he was an actor who wouldn’t have been strange at all if he had been in a big production. Fortunately, his skills were proven at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, but no matter what, it was still a non-mainstream short film festival.
“What a shame. Isn’t it such a shame to leave that actor like that?”
Waste. It was such a waste to keep actor Kang Woo-jin.
“It makes no sense for an actor with such absurd abilities to be doing short films. In my eyes, he is an actor who should be contributing to the development of the acting industry, whether in Korea or Japan.”
Here, Director Kyotaro decided something. Let’s show this precious unknown actor to the world. Both Korea and Japan. Of course, Director Kyotaro also had his own greed as a director. He wanted to work with this actor who was still a gem.
‘He will be a warning to Japanese actors. In Korea, even actors of this caliber have to spend years on short films.’
After judging something on his own and coming to a conclusion, he picked up his cell phone.
“Let’s talk in my room now. I think I’ll have to stay in Korea for a few more days.”
It was to call the team that was in another room.
