Chapter 11: Contract (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

When Kang Woojin first arrived at the C Blue Studio building, he was greeted by.

“Hello, Mr. Kang Woojin.”

It was the same man he had seen in the meeting room. The production manager of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. He had a rather sharp-looking face. The odd part was the atmosphere he projected towards Woojin.

“Here, come this way.”

At a glance, it seemed normal, but there was a slight sense of incongruity.

‘Something’s off. Does he not like me?’

The production manager emitted a vibe of kindness and discomfort. He began to utter strange words when he got in the elevator with Woojin.

“Huu- First of all, Kang Woojin. This situation can be considered as almost the first of its kind. I have some experience in production, but this is a first-time situation for me too. Like the process of your audition…or today’s fee negotiation.”

Negotiation? Am I going to negotiate my appearance fee today? Although it didn’t make sense right away, Kang Woojin maintained a solemn silence. Then, the production manager began to explain.

“Honestly, I’m a bit against it. However, both the PD and the writer are determined to proceed, and they both like you a lot. I should stop them, but they are both passionate about creating works…”

The production manager, who had trailed off, locked eyes with Woojin. There was a seriousness in his eyes.

“Whatever appearance fee you have in mind… I’m not sure how much it will be, but the amount you’ll hear today has already surpassed the average. Even if you feel a bit disappointed, please understand considering the current market situation and all aspects of the production.”

At this point, Kang Woojin sensed a faint misunderstanding. But the production manager continued without hesitation.

“I know that you are out of the ordinary in various ways. That value has certainly been included. I heard you self-taught yourself acting. Your long journey of walking a tough path alone has been accounted for. Of course, it’s acknowledged by the PD and the scriptwriter.”

“Is that so?”

“But if you intend to reveal yourself, you need to pay attention to how you are perceived. It’s not good if there are bad rumors about you right from the start.”

This guy seems kinder than I thought. He’s actually worrying about me? Whether that was the case or not, the production manager sighed lightly and delivered the conclusion.

“I’m telling you this in case it helps your deliberation before meeting the PD.”

“I understand.”

Kang Woojin, maintained a poker face. In fact, he had given up hope due to Kim Daeyoung’s words at the barbecue restaurant the day before.

‘Honestly, I should be should be grateful even if they offer 3,000 per episode. Getting cast is already a life-changing event.”

Still, he thought they would pay more than 3,000 won. But now seeing the reaction of this production manager.

‘Should I have a bit of hope?’

It was unusual. And that unusualness was something Woojin could feel when he met Song Man-woo PD.

“Your appearance fee is 2,500,000 per episode. What do you think?”

2.5 million won? That’s about 900 times more than 3,000 won. Kang Woojin’s poker face twitched.

‘Wait a minute. I’m not sure if it’s before or after tax, but if it’s 2.5 million won, isn’t that more than my monthly salary?’

He used to make about 2.3 million won at the design company.

Although it would not be noticeable to an ordinary person, But Song Man-woo PD, who has been directing for quite a long time and was good at catching details, did not miss Woojin’s twitch.

‘Does he feel it’s insufficient? Hmm… indeed, the role of Park Dae-ri is quite challenging.’

On the other hand, Woojin was recalling the words that the production manager had said earlier. Something about being the first… All in all, the current situation was rather unusual.

That is, the appearance fee of 2.5 million won is quite abnormal.

At that moment.

“Woojin, the usual appearance fee for a newcomer is usually between 200,000 and 400,000 won.”

Across from the expressionless Woojin, Song Man-woo PD started to explain, with his hands folded.

“There may be a slight difference depending on the amount of the role, but that’s the general limit. However, Woojin, you’re an exceptional case, and we thought it was a bit too much to treat you as a newcomer.”

Nice judgment indeed. But that wasn’t all.

“Just to explain in case you don’t know, the 250 per episode we proposed doesn’t include the rebroadcasts, YouTube, and other subsidiary rights.”

“Hmm-”

Listening to the explanation, Kang Woojin let out a quiet sigh. Internally, he was delighted. Of course, it was a calculated act. At the same time, Song Man-woo PD started doing the calculations for him.

“We’re not sure yet how many appearances the ‘Park Dae-ri’ character will make, but it seems like it will be up to 4 episodes for now. Even with only 4 episodes, the fee will be in the range of 10 million, and even if you appear in later episodes through flashbacks or dream sequences, the fee will be paid. It will be more than 10 million.”

Kang Woojin responded with the calmest restraint he could muster.

“I had a rough idea.”

Suddenly, it became a figure in the tens of millions. Moreover, the fees for rebroadcasts and YouTube were separate.

‘Wow- Shit, even for a unique case like me, it’s this much. I wonder how much a top-tier actor like Hong Hye-yeon earns? Or even the lower-tier actors must be making?’

The answer to this came promptly from Song Manwoo PD.

“If it’s you, Woojin, you’ll soon be earning tens of millions per episode, as you know.”

Kang Woojin froze for a moment. Tens of millions per episode? Is what I’ve only seen in articles and news, that happening to me too? Soon, Song Manwoo PD asked again.

“So, 2.5 million won per episode. What do you think?”

“…….”

However, Kang Woojin didn’t answer right away. The situation was unfolding strangely. 2.5 million won per episode wasn’t insufficient. In fact, it was more than enough. Then Woojin suddenly became curious.

No, he needed to be sure. About his current value.

Woojin, who lacks information about the entertainment industry, preferred to clearly know rather than vaguely perceive. That way, he would gain confidence in his future acting.

Therefore, Kang Woojin asked. With a voice filled with cool-headedness.

“Is my worth about 2.5 million won per episode?”

To Song Manwoo PD, sitting across from him,

‘…The slight twitch in his expression earlier and his current reaction. Is he feeling a little disappointed?’

It emanated a heavy, somewhat negative atmosphere. This was the result of Kang Woojin’s well-executed act up to this point.

A brief silence followed.

At this moment, the cold voice of the writer, Park Eunmi, echoed in Song Man-woo’s PD mind.

‘I’ll just say one thing, don’t skimp on the money.’

Soon, Song Man-woo PD nodded slowly.

Yes, a few bucks aren’t what matter. The key is to get Kang Woojin on board. The role of ‘Park Dae-ri’ was a crucial character who magnificently opened the early part of the drama. And the monster sitting in front of him will certainly bring value tens of times greater than the money given. Not just any ordinary actor, but a rare genuine one. He confirmed it with his own eyes.

With that, Song Man-woo PD gave a brief glance to the production manager sitting next to him.

“Okay, Woojin.”

Suddenly, he called out to Kang Woojin.

“3.5 million won per episode. This is my personal judgment, and even looking back on my directing career, it’s unprecedented.”

The appearance fee increased arbitrarily.

The production manager’s face, who seemed resigned, was a bonus. Soon, PD Song Man-woo spoke definitively.

“However, we will add a confidentiality clause about the appearance fee and Woojin’s casting process to the contract. How does that sound?”

Kang Woojin, who had been still, met eyes with Song Man-woo PD and replied indifferently.

“I think that’s reasonable.”

Afterwards,

Kang Woojin received a detailed explanation about the contract terms from Song Man-woo PD and the production manager. In addition, he was briefed about the overall schedule regarding the production of the drama ‘Profiler Hanryang.’

Most of the explanation was given by the production manager.

“As you may have heard, Woojin, our work is currently in progress. But it’s fast. Well, it’s natural since it’s a work by Song PD and Writer Park, and the whole staff team is assembled for this production……”

The explanation was long, but in short, it was like this: the staff team is complete and set construction is in progress. Starting from tomorrow, they will begin the official actor casting process. The key point was that ‘the pace is very fast.’

It was possible because the director and writer were such big names.

There was no obstacle to investment, production, promotion, etc. Kang Woojin was bombarded with information he had never heard of in his life. To the extent he could barely understand. Still, he memorized the essential terms.

His memory was not bad. Good memory is essential to produce meticulous designs.

Despite this, Kang Woojin maintained his poker face.

“I see.”

Or he would reply with something like ‘Okay’. He just had to go with the flow. Eventually, the meeting was coming to an end. Song Manwoo PD was the one to wrap up.

“Woojin. We will give you the script once the official book script is out, and I will contact you separately when we get to Part 3. Usually, it goes through the agency, but you don’t have one yet, right?”

“Yes, not yet.”

“It’s okay, you don’t necessarily need an agency right away. You can prepare for things like costumes based on the storyboard before the shooting. You just need to pay a little more attention. You don’t need to look for an agency right away.”

“······”

“Anyway, after ‘Profiler Hanryang’ is aired, entertainment agencies will be flocking to you. That could even happen before.”

“So, what should I prepare?”

“Well, for now, just keep practice acting. I’ll give you the first draft of the script today.”

After this, the production director followed up.

“Given our current pace, we’re likely to start script reading at the end of this month or the beginning of March.”

And so.

“Then, Kang Woojin. we’re looking forward to your performance as ‘Park Dae-ri’.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Kang Woojin finalized his contract.

“Haha, I’d be grateful if you work hard, Woojin. Writer Park will be thrilled when she hears the news.”

In other words, this was the moment when he officially joined the amazing lineup as an actor.

A few tens of minutes later.

Kang Woojin calmly walked out of C-Blue Studio building. As soon as he felt the cold wind, he zipped up his padding jacket.

-Ziiiik.

Then he stopped. Kang Woojin looked down at the contract in his hand. Unknowingly, he muttered to himself after a quick glance behind.

“Damn. I really signed the contract.”

Today’s Kang Woojin had a prefix attached to his name unlike yesterday. Actor. Actor Kang Woojin. Can life turn upside down like this in an instant?

Then.

-Swoosh.

People brushed past Kang Woojin, who had been observing the pedestrians on the sidewalk, and he muttered.

“From now on… those people will see me on TV?”

Although he felt a strange emotion, it wasn’t something he could grasp at that moment. However, he felt a sense of restlessness. Maybe this is what they call excitement?

Anyway, Kang Woojin’s life had changed 180 degrees.

From this moment on, he was an actor. Because of that, his shoulders felt lighter as he walked. Then suddenly.

‘Agency – I’m going to have an agency soon, right? Then that means I’ll have a manager too? Wow, my own manager? That sounds awesome.’

His thoughts stretched to the agency. Of course, he heard from Song Manwoo PD earlier, but what he heard from Kim Daeyoung yesterday felt more realistic.

‘A talent agency? Big or small, each has its pros and cons. A big entertainment company may be well-funded but prone to interference. A small company may lack funds but offers more focus and freedom. But why ask about a talent agency?’

Woojin felt a slight worry. However, this belonged to the category of happy worries. When would the day to choose an agency come? Woojin smiled faintly at this thought.

-Brrrr, Brrrrrr.

His mobile phone in the pocket of his padding jacket emitted a long vibration. It was a call and the caller was.

-Mom.

It was Kang Woojin’s mother. At this moment, Woojin felt the stark reality.

“Ah- Right. I have to tell my parents.”

Kang Woojin’s parents lived in Jinju, Gyeongnam. Even if he ignored his blood-related younger sister, he definitely had to tell his parents about this matter.

Because of this.

– Swoosh.

Woojin, who exhaled lightly, held his phone to his ear.

“Uh, mom.”

Immediately, he heard his mother’s slightly rough voice.

“Where are you?”

“I’m out for a bit right now. Why?”

“Why, did you get a new job?”

“Ah – uh. Well, I guess you could say that?”

“What?”

His mother asked back, surprised. At this, Kang Woojin threw a straight ball without beating around the bush.

“Mom, I think I’m going to become an actor.”

“······”

After a moment of silence, his mother violently spat out a question.

“Do you want to go to the hospital?”

***

Two days later, Sunday the 16th.

The weekend had arrived. The interesting part was that from yesterday, Saturday, to today, rumors about Kang Woojin had begun to spread. Of course, not in the sense that his name was being spread around.

“You know that drama by Writer Park, right? Someone’s already been cast as the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’??”

He was becoming a hot topic as a hidden actor. It was perhaps a natural phenomenon.

With ‘Profiler Hanrang’ being at the center of attention among various domestic production companies and entertainment agencies. Moreover, information about the audition for ‘Park Dae-ri’ had already reached everywhere.

So it was inevitable that rumors would spread about an unknown actor suddenly securing the role.

“Do you know ‘Profiler Hanryang’? They say the second lead actor after Hong Hye-yeon is confirmed, is that true?”

“Really? This is the first I’ve heard of it??”

The starting point of the rumor was C-Blue Studio, the production company. Initially, only a few people knew, but as always, the rumor slowly grew.

“What’s the name of the actor who got the role of Park Dae-ri?”

“I don’t know. They’re keeping it a secret, so maybe it’s some top actor we’d never expect??”

And on Sunday afternoon, the news was delivered to the hundred or so staff members of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ who were on standby. The filming team, lighting team, costume team, set team, and so on. That an actor for the role of Park Dae-ri, following Hong Hye-yeon, had been confirmed.

The news of the actor being confirmed being delivered to all staff members wasn’t strange.

“Lighting Director! Did you hear the news?? They say the actor for Park Dae-ri’s role has been confirmed?”

“I know, I know, shhh – just a few weeks ago they were talking about changing the character… But who’s the actor? Who did that picky writer Park pick?”

“I don’t know. Director, you don’t know either? I thought you might, so I called.”

The fact that the actor’s name wasn’t confirmed was strange.

From here, the rumors about the actor who secretly secured the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’ sped up. Some false information was also mixed in.

“I heard it’s Kim Hu-yeon.”

“Kim Hu-yeon? He’s working on a movie right now, isn’t he? And does Kim Hu-yeon have the acting skills to pull off the role of Park Dae-ri? I think he might be lacking.”

“I don’t know, I heard it from the lighting team.”

Some facts even had clear sources.

“I also heard that the actor had been acting overseas.”

“Eh?? Overseas?”

“Yeah, it seems like the rumor is coming from the production company.”

As this happened, curiosity about the mysterious actor generally amplified. Of course, there was no substance, just rampant rumors. However, all of the staff members made one assumption as a fact.

“Well, anyway, if Song PD or writer Park is impressed, the actor’s acting skills must be solid. Considering they joined right after Hong Hye-yeon, wouldn’t he become a top actor? If not top-tier, at least an A-list actor.”

They thought the actor must be quite renowned.

Later, this rumor circulated among the staff and quickly spread in various directions: media, entertainment companies, various production companies, and broadcasting companies. It was the entertainment industry that quickly picked up these baseless rumors, and the production itself became a hot issue, acting as a booster.

Among these, various entertainment companies took this rumor most sensitively.

“Ah! Damn it, someone already grabbed the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’?? Ah, I’ve been waiting since they said they were rebuilding the character!”

They had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to be part of ‘Profiler Hanryang’, one of the biggest catch of the first half of the year. It was naturally frustrating that someone had taken a spot without even auditioning.

“I thought only Hong Hye-yeon was pre-cast?! So, who is it?”

“Well, that hasn’t been clearly announced yet.”

Whatever the case, Kang Woojin was slowly becoming famous in the industry, except for his name. Of course, Kang Woojin, who was preparing to move into void space at home, didn’t know about this situation.

“Should I also try out other roles in the first part of ‘Profiler Hanryang’? Oh, before that, let’s tear into some chicken. In celebration.”

He was very relaxed.

***

TL Notes:

I am planning on releasing chapters daily for this novel, so please let me know if you find any errors as I am translating and editing it myself. 😊

***