Chapter 264: Masterpiece (1)

A robotic female voice echoed throughout the endlessly dark void space. The line she uttered was about ‘unlocking the freedom of roles’. Unlock freedom? Freedom? Woojin, standing dazed in the void space, blinked and asked again in a quiet voice.

“Freedom? Like in games??”

Of course, he wasn’t talking to the robotic woman. It was more like talking to himself. As soon as he heard her line, the first thing Woojin thought of was a mobile game he had played in the past. Although it had died out a lot now, it was a hot game back then.

The one thing all the users praised about the game was its freedom.

Including the convenience of roaming around a vast map, there were no fixed rules, and users could do many things as they wished. That was the freedom of the game. It was about users not being oppressed by the game system and rampaging as they pleased. That was what echoed in the void space now.

So? What? Is that the end of that message?

After the line about unlocking the freedom of roles, there was no significant change for Woojin.

“······”

It was the same during the last ‘role synthesis’. But back then, there seemed to be some change in his inner self right away.

It was then.

-Sss.

Suddenly, a glass-like barrier appeared in front of Kang Woojin. What is this? Woojin furrowed his brow and reached out his hand. He couldn’t feel it. Does it exist? He was confused. It might be something visible from within.

Then the transparent thing.

-Zzzz.

Slowly cracked. It was like glass breaking on its own. The lines kept increasing.

Eventually.

“Is it breaking?”

The transparent barrier shattered into pieces. There was no sound. But it shattered into fragments. The debris did not scatter on the floor of the void space. It just disappeared into the air. Kang Woojin simply watched the phenomenon happening in front of him.

How much time passed?

Woojin, as if his soul had left, stared blankly. He lost his sense of time. It felt like he was being absorbed into the void space. No, I need to snap out of it. Woojin slightly shook his head and brushed his black hair back.

“Whew-”

The changes that had appeared were now completely gone. Currently, it was the same as the usual void space.

However.

‘Ah- yeah, the sense is a bit different.’

This time, the change was not in his vision but in his inner self. It was about Kang Woojin’s inner world. How should he express this? It felt like the inner space had expanded infinitely. It was as if the paths for the roles Woojin had could now walk indefinitely.

Kang Woojin turned his head. He saw floating white rectangles.

“······No way.”

The void space’s ability to read (experience) the scenario or script and take on the life and everything of that role fundamentally followed the world of the work unless it was an unavoidable mistake by Woojin.

It was a framework.

The worldview, background, lines, actions, conflicts, emotions, and so on.

By repeatedly reading (experiencing) all those things and continuously acting, the realization of the role becomes absurdly clear. The outlines and vividness are amplified.

But it never deviates.

The roles Kang Woojin has must walk the predetermined path of the scenario or script. Although Woojin is the owner, he cannot change the inherent values of the roles. It was default. The lines of the roles. The life of the roles. The world of the roles. The ability that the void space bestowed did not provide anything beyond that.

It was like a one-way street with no alternative route.

‘Right, I have experience.’

In the past, a few times, Woojin’s real mistakes were mistaken as ad-libs. While the directors showered him with praise, thinking it was intentional, the result still followed the inherent values. The synthesis he recently acquired was the same. The fixed values of the roles remained, only the characters changed. He could synthesize other characters, but the scenario or script stayed the same.

That framework was an immutable law.

Until now, Kang Woojin had only moved within the set scenario or script, but he hadn’t felt particularly uncomfortable or lacking. Although the freedom was low, he had no doubts. Initially, Woojin lacked knowledge of acting.

Moreover.

‘Even that was tremendously great.’

Woojin’s current prestige was proof.

But.

“It broke.”

The currently unlocked freedom of roles revealed countless paths, no longer a one-way street. No, they could be felt. A definite sensation. Kang Woojin looked deeper into his inner self. He even closed his eyes.

“······”

Subtly, the ability of the void space no longer felt like it was forcing lines or actions. The inherent values of the scenario and script had disappeared. There was no framework.

Of course, the foundation remained the same.

The ability of the void space had not changed. It had simply become more flexible and allowed for deviation. Naturally, with all the elements of the role intact, Kang Woojin could do as he pleased.

‘Oh- does this really work? If so······’

In the world of ‘Leech’, he could blatantly use Park Dae-ri’s lines with the face, emotions, and expressions of Park Ha-seong. He could remove the set lines and modify them at will. The first thing Woojin thought of was.

“Ad-libs and such?”

It was indeed an upgrade. While retaining everything about the role and synthesizing other characters’ personas, Woojin could now create things not in the scenario or script.

Under the direction of the owner, Kang Woojin.

A moment later.

Having gained the freedom of roles, Kang Woojin immediately embarked on the reading (experience) of any role. The process was the same. Nothing different from the void space so far.

But Kang Woojin.

“For now, okay.”

He did not choose to change drastically right away. He opted for a gradual immersion. It was different from role synthesis. He could break out of the framework of the scenario or script and act freely. So he needed to handle it even more carefully.

So, Kang Woojin once again plunged into the filming of ‘Leech’.

“Action.”

He drew out everything of ‘Park Ha-seong’. Showed him to the world. At the same time, Kang Woojin could distinctly feel.

‘Ah- I roughly get it.’

The unlocked freedom of roles.

What used to be a single path had completely changed. The path was gone. Kang Woojin was free. He could bounce in any direction. While maintaining everything of ‘Park Ha-seong’, he could easily alter his fixed lines or other aspects.

Woojin was gradually adapting to how to handle the void space that had undergone significant changes. Body, mind, and thoughts.

He had to become proficient. Not just outwardly but inwardly. Reviewing and reviewing again.

Acting is not just done in front of the camera.

Kang Woojin could summon a role even when alone, even in the void space. There was ample time to practice and become proficient.

‘The woman in the void space said that the ‘core ability beyond the basic specs’— well, that must mean my acting skills have improved, right?’

It doesn’t mean he’s become an acting master who no longer needs the void space. But he would surely be better than before. After all, Kang Woojin is still Kang Woojin. Therefore, Woojin instinctively understood.

Hone and hone again. Sharply.

The key is to be able to comfortably and effortlessly utilize the newly acquired ability. To be able to whirl through freely in any situation. The best is to achieve the greatest synergy by combining it with other existing abilities.

People around may call him a monstrous actor, but it would be better to appear as an even crazier monster.

Whether it’s for his concept or future.

He’s not hiding his fangs.

Well, there’s plenty of time. No need to rush or hurry. Kang Woojin maintained his daily life calmly.

About two days passed.

『‘Our Dining Table’ special episode sets a new record with a highest viewership rating of 21%, viewers clamoring “Bring on Season 2 quickly!”』

Monday, the 22nd. Even though another weekday had dawned, the internet was still dominated by Kang Woojin’s name.

『[Issue Pick] Recently held large-scale first audition for ‘Beneficial Evil’, which actors have been cast?』

The Baeksang Awards topic remained densely packed among media and public opinion, and ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup ramen, which caused scarcity and open-run phenomena, had sparked a craze. On video platforms like YouTube, memes were even being created with the cup ramen.

Around this time, a burgeoning issue from Hollywood slowly began to emerge in Korea.

『[Overseas] ‘Miley Cara’, who visited Korea… working with a Korean actor on her next album? Rumors spreading in foreign media』

It was news related to Miley Cara. As she had recently visited Korea, it garnered more attention. However, due to Kang Woojin’s overwhelming momentum, it didn’t become a huge topic. Still, the media and communities rolled the snowball to some extent.

Following this, on the 23rd.

Kang Woojin woke up in his hotel room in Jeonju and met with the team to move to the set of ‘Leech’. As soon as they got on the elevator, ponytailed Choi Sung-gun suddenly smiled.

“Good timing-”

What he was looking at was a chat that arrived from the company side. Specifically, from the PR team. Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened as he confirmed the content they sent.

“Woojin, it’s out. Only an idiot would miss this flow.”

Choi Sung-gun showed his phone to Kang Woojin.

『[Exclusive] Kang Woojin to participate in Miley Cara’s next album』

This was something bw Entertainment had intentionally leaked.

End of March.

The tumultuous March with its bombshell issues came to an end. And April began. Before anyone knew it, people’s attire had become significantly lighter. Spring had arrived. Though the weather had become mild, many things related to Kang Woojin were anything but calm.

Especially, as soon as spring started, Japan was in an uproar.

Although the news reached Japan a bit later than Korea, sparking a slightly delayed reaction, the flame of the Kang Woojin craze was ignited there as well. ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup ramen had already entered the Japanese market.

Moreover, bw Entertainment was also busy.

『[Official] Ryu Jung-min joins bw Entertainment… sharing the same agency with Kang Woojin and Hong Hye-yeon, bw Entertainment’s momentum is terrifying』

They had recruited quite a number of actors, including Ryu Jung-min, and hosted a major event to attract aspiring actors with the monster-level Kang Woojin as their signboard. Naturally, an enormous crowd gathered. bw Entertainment was no longer a small company. It was now exerting mid-tier influence.

Meanwhile, Kang Woojin was immersed in filming ‘Leech’.

The originally tight schedule of ‘Leech’ meant that by the end of April, Woojin would have to head back to Japan. Among various schedules, the biggest events were the final filming of ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ and matters related to the anime ‘Male Friend: Remake’.

Filming, schedules, filming, schedules.

Time evaporated like vapor.

The first week of April. And the second week.

Before he knew it, it was Wednesday, April 14th. The time was around 9 o’clock.

Today, rather unusually, Kang Woojin could be found not in Jeonju, where the set of ‘Leech’ was located, but at the massive film company Harmony Film Company in Sangam-dong. It was a medium-sized studio within a very tall building.

Although the appointment was at 10 o’clock, Kang Woojin, with his hat pulled down low, arrived about an hour early.

-Swoosh.

Parting ways with the stylist and others, Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun entered the studio. What immediately caught Woojin’s eye was.

‘Oh- it’s bigger than I thought?’

In front of the studio was a reasonably sized screen and some temporary chairs placed before it. There must have been over 30 chairs. There was no one sitting in the chairs yet. However, a few staff members finishing up the setup could be seen. Among them were some familiar faces to Woojin, including the assistant director.

“Ah! Woojin-ssi! You’re here early??! Gosh- it’s been a while!”

“Hello, Assistant Director~nim.”

“I’ve been watching you soar these days! Hahaha.”

He was the assistant director of the movie ‘Island of the Missing’. In other words, a direct junior to the renowned Director Kwon Ki-taek. The production team around him was the same. The production manager, who greeted Woojin after finishing a call, was also from the ‘Island of the Missing’ team.

Naturally.

Harmony Film Company was the company handling the production of ‘Island of the Missing’. The ‘Island of the Missing’ staff who hadn’t seen Woojin in a while enthusiastically chatted about the issues Woojin had stirred up, while Woojin maintained a deep poker face.

“Yes, thanks to you.”

He responded appropriately.

‘Oh- this guy’s energy is still explosive.’

5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes.

It was exactly 20 minutes later.

“Oh- you’re here.”

A gentle male voice spread throughout the studio. It was a familiar voice too. Director Kwon Ki-taek. Turning around, Woojin saw the warmly smiling Kwon Ki-taek approaching. He extended his hand to Kang Woojin.

“Thank you for coming even though you must be busy with ‘Leech’ filming.”

Kang Woojin replied humbly while maintaining his composed demeanor.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“It’s not 100% complete yet, but it should be worth watching. I’ve put in a lot of effort. After you showed such a confident attitude at the press conference, I couldn’t afford to slack off.”

Contrary to his calm exterior, Woojin thought internally.

‘The master director holds a grudge, huh.’

He answered solemnly.

“I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”

“No, no. It’s nothing to apologize for. Because of that declaration, I think I’ve poured my heart and soul into it for the first time in a while.”

At that moment.

“Hello-”

A robust, cheerful voice joined in. Entering the studio was the muscular top actor Jeon Woo-chang, one of the main actors of ‘Island of the Missing’. But he was with the top actress Kim Yi-won.

“Director~nim, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, Woo-chang and Yi-won, you’re here.”

The two actors greeted Director Kwon Ki-taek deeply and immediately approached Kang Woojin.

“Oh my! The universe star arrived first??! Amazing, amazing! How have you been, Kang-star??”

“Whew- Woo-chang, lower your decibel a bit. I’ve seen so many articles about Woojin that it doesn’t even feel like it’s been a while.”

“Hello.”

With Director Kwon Ki-taek, Kang Woojin, and the two actors, the team grew, and the studio with the screen began to get crowded.

Adding to the atmosphere was.

“Hello. Woo-chang, do you know your voice is echoing down the hallway?”

It was Ha Yu-ra, whose hair had grown slightly from a bob cut. She entered with a slightly cold tone but was smiling with her eyes. Following her exactly three minutes later was Ryu Jung-min, who still had short hair. He had recently transferred to bw Entertainment.

Before long, all the main actors of ‘Island of the Missing’ had gathered.

Not all the actors had arrived yet. Several supporting actors were still to come but Director Kwon Ki-taek was looking at the actors including Kang Woojin with satisfaction.

-Swish.

He sat down in a chair in front of the screen first and said warmly.

“Everyone stop making a fuss and sit down for now. A test screening should have a bit of solemnity.”

This meant that ‘Island of the Missing’ was completed.