Chapter 55: Countdown (5)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Due to the sudden appearance of Director Kyotaro and his team. Dozens of bw Entertainments employees stopped what they were doing and all looked at Director Kyotaro.

“······Director Kyotaro? Isn’t it Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi?”

On the other hand, employees who didn’t know Director Kyotaro asked those who knew him.

“Who is that? Is he famous? A director? This is the first time I’ve seen him. He is speaking in Japanese.”

“···He’s known in Japan as Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi. A very successful director.”

While the employees were whispering, CEO Choi Sung-gun, grabbed the hand extended by Director Kyotaro in the blink of an eye. But he still had a lot of questions.

‘Why did this master Director… come here?’

It was such a surprise visit. At the same time, Kang Woojin, who had been in the CEO’s office and checked the situation in the office, was also surprised. Of course, only inwardly.

‘Huh? That Japanese director. He seems to be the one who gave me an award at the film festival.‘

Kang Woojin, who briefly met eyes with Director Kyotaro, who smiled for a moment, quickly deepened his concept. Soon, a stoic expression appeared on his face. Woojin, too, had heard that Director Kyotaro was famous in Japan.

So? Why did he come here?

Director Kyotaro and Woojin only had a brief conversation during the closing ceremony of the film festival. About 5 minutes? Because it was so chaotic, he didn’t remember well. Therefore, to Woojin, Director Kyotaro just felt like the uncle next door.

– Swish.

Director Kyotaro, who let go of his hand with Choi Sung-gun, muttered in Japanese. His smile remained the same.

“I came like this because I thought you would understand my sincerity if I came in person. If it’s inconvenient, we can schedule another meeting.”

The Japanese language flowed smoothly. Of course, there was an interpreter. But for some reason, Director Kyotaro looked at the calm Kang Woojin.

The infection had spread.

Choi Sung-gun also turned his gaze to Woojin with an exclamation marks in his eyes, and the employees turned their heads to Kang Woojin with the same look, wondering why Woojin? Soon, dozens of eyes were focused on Woojin. Then, Kang Woojin, who was casually looking around, realized something.

‘Ah, are they looking at me to interpret? Heh, that’s a piece of cake.’

A chance to show off his Japanese, which he had learned, was created. While approaching Director Kyotaro, Kang Woojin spoke in low-toned Japanese.

“Hello, Director. I didn’t expect to see you again after the film festival.”

“Really? I was expecting to see you again.”

The conversation continued without hesitation. Choi Sung-gun knew, but the dozens of bw Entertainment employees were shocked by Kang Woojin’s Japanese skills.

Anyway, Director Kyotaro continued speaking.

“Is there a place to talk privately?”

“Just a moment, please.”

Kang Woojin turned his head to Choi Sung-gun on his left.

“We need a place to talk.”

“···Eh? Talk? Ah, oh!”

Choi Sung-gun, who was a little flustered, came to his senses.

“Please, come this way!”

The place Choi Sung-gun led them was the CEO’s office, and Kang Woojin courteously gestured to the CEO’s office to Director Kyotaro. Soon, Director Kyotaro and the interpreter were sitting in the CEO’s office, opposite Choi Sung-gun and Kang Woojin. The rest of Director Kyotaro’s team were waiting outside.

At that time.

“Woojin.”

Choi Sung-gun whispered to Kang Woojin.

“Why did Director Kyotaro suddenly come?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I’m not sure either.”

“Did he come because of Hye-yeon? Anyway, you should stay too. You’re better than that professional interpreter.”

Well, for Woojin, it wasn’t bad. Because learning Japanese in a day was fun.

At that point.

“It’s my first time like this, but it’s good.”

Across the table, Director Kyotaro, full of gray hair, laughed and spoke in Japanese.

“It’s great that the actor can speak Japanese and there’s no awkwardness in the conversation. It was always uncomfortable when I came to Korea. Will you interpret directly, Mr. Kang Woojin?”

Woojin nodded slightly in response to the question.

“Yes, I can.”

“I was disappointed that we only had a brief conversation at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’. And it’s also a waste about Woojin’s current position. With that remarkable skill, now only receiving a short film award. In my opinion, you have the skill to receive an award at a major film festival.”

“···Thank you.”

“Even though the acting scene in Korea has high hurdles… it’s unfortunate that Woojin is stuck in short films.”

What is this old man talking about? Woojin remained expressionless and silent.

“······”

“How long did you stay in Japan?”

“It’s difficult for me to say due to certain circumstances.”

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry.”

At this time, Choi Sung-gun, who was listening to the conversation with blinking eyes, intervened.

“I’m sorry. Director, did you come here because of the actress Hong Hye-yeon?”

Woojin immediately interpreted, and Director Kyotaro slowly shook his head.

“Hong Hye-yeon is a famous actress in Japan as well. She’s a great actress. Her performance in ‘Exorcism’ was impressive. But I came here today because of actor Kang Woojin.”

Me? He came for me? Why? It seemed like the situation was getting out of hand unexpectedly. Sure enough.

“Woojin, what do you think about making a debut in Japan?”

Director Kyotaro suddenly asked a question with a serious expression. Woojin maintained a poker face, but inside he was shocked.

‘Are you crazy? It’s only been two months since I started acting, what do you mean by going to Japan?’

He was not pretending, but genuinely speechless. However, his profound expression seemed to Director Kyotaro as contemplation.

“It’s natural to have concerns. Do you have any confirmed works?”

Hanryang’s project was still under wraps, and the project with Director Kwon Ki-taek had not yet been confirmed. In other words, Woojin only had one answer to give.

“I don’t have anything confirmed yet.”

“I see…”

Upon hearing the answer, Director Kyotaro sighed inwardly.

‘As expected. It’s so unfortunate.’

Director Kyotaro had spent a few days investigating Woojin’s overall status in the Korean entertainment industry. However, nothing came up. Soon, Director Kyotaro, who had closed his eyes for a moment, made eye contact with Kang Woojin.

“I’m currently preparing for my next work. The project has been confirmed. We’re in the process of adapting a famous Japanese novel, and about 80% of the script has been completed.”

Director Kyotaro stated confidently.

“I would like to work on that project with Woojin.”

Afterwards.

After meeting with Kang Woojin, Director Kyotaro left for Japan on the 14th, the next day. What was supposed to be a 1 day trip turned into a week-long stay. Anyway, they decided to keep in touch via email with Choi Sung-gun. Urgent matters would be discussed with Kang Woojin directly.

Well, anyway, Woojin was positive about it. There was a hint of misunderstanding in the conversation with Director Kyotaro.

‘It’s not like I’m going to Japan right now. Having many possibilities is always better.’

There was no need to reject it from the start. They agreed to receive the completed script and, for now, it was right to consider Director Kyotaro’s proposal. If the grade confirmed by Woojin in the void space was trash,

‘It will be a bit awkward.’

After Director Kyotaro had left, and on the 15th,

Today was a historic day. It was the first broadcast day of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. So, the drama teams involved in the war scattered the last promotional tidbits. Several top actors also encouraged watching on their SNS.

Time flew by chaotically.

Suddenly, it was 9 pm on the 15th. At this time, Kang Woojin, who was in a van, arrived at a large BBQ restaurant near Yangjae Station. It was a two-story standalone barbecue restaurant, and today, a drama team had rented the entire place. It was the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ team. It was for a team dinner.

Soon.

-Slide

Kang Woojin, wearing a casual hoodie, got out of the black van parked in the outside parking lot. And then,

“……….”

He silently looked up at the BBQ restaurant. Beside him, Choi Sung-gun, Jang Su-hwan, and Han Ye-jung stood in a line. They all looked at the BBQ restaurant with Woojin. The first one to speak was Choi Sung-gun.

“Finally. Probably because of the all the publicity, the reporters will be waiting for the first broadcast now.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been laughing, asked the stern Woojin.

“How about it? The first broadcast is right in front of us.”

Kang Woojin mixed honesty and a bit of concept in his response.

“I’m hungry and looking forward to it.”

“Hahaha, that’s a clever answer. How can this attitude be considered that of a newbie?”

Choi Sung-gun, who laughed refreshingly, took the first step. After him followed Han Ye-jung and Jang Su-hwan, and Kang Woojin was last. Although Woojin had a stern face, he was taking deep breaths internally.

‘It’s the first broadcast, oh god, it’s D-Day.’

He had been fine until the trailer for ‘Profiler Hanryang’ was released. His face didn’t really appear then. But today was the day everything will be announced. So Woojin, somehow, couldn’t calm down.

‘The feeling is so different from the first day of shooting, ugh!’

The nervousness of the first broadcast and the first shooting were clearly of a different kind. Well, it made sense. Today would be a turning point in Kang Woojin’s life.

Around then.

-Swish.

Team Kang Woojin entered the BBQ restaurant. Dozens of Hanryang staff were already busy setting up the place, and as soon as they saw Kang Woojin, they greeted him warmly.

“Oh! Woojin is here!”

“Hello!!”

“Haha, Woojin! You must feel a bit burdened because Writer Park attracted attention aggressively, right?”

Staff quickly gathered around. While maintaining his indifferent attitude, Kang Woojin calmly returned their greetings. Soon, the first assistant of the lighting team pointed to the second floor with his index finger.

“Woojin! The PD and the writer are on the second floor. The actors will also eat on the second floor!”

In other words, he was telling him to go up to the second floor. At this, Choi Sung-gun patted Woojin’s shoulder.

“You go ahead, I’ll follow after sorting out some things here.”

Kang Woojin, who nodded his head, went up the iron stairs leading to the second floor. The atmosphere on the second floor wasn’t much different from the first floor. Several staff were setting up a large TV in front of the round table with alcohol and meat.

They also smiled as if they were glad to see Kang Woojin.

“Oh, our Park Dae-ri is here.”

“How have you been, Woojin?”

Two familiar figures, sitting at 2 joined round tables placed side by side, got up. They were PD Song Man-woo with a goatee and Writer Park Eun-mi.

“Woojin! Over here!”

“You’re early? Ah- but why does it feel like I haven’t seen you in years?”

Kang Woojin, who was greeting the production staff, felt a bit overwhelmed and joined the two.”

“Hello, PD. Hello, Writer.”

Park Eun-mi, who sat Woojin down, had her long permed hair tied up today and sat next to him smiling.

“Congratulations on the grand prize. I already said it at the closing ceremony, but congratulations are never enough.”

“Thank you, but where are the other actors?”

“Huh? Ah, some are on the first floor, didn’t you see them? The rest are on their way.”

At that moment.

-Swoosh.

Suddenly, goateed PD Song Man-woo whispered into Kang Woojin’s ear.

“I thought you were in the United States because you speak English so well. And I heard you’re also fluent in Japanese? Were you in Japan too?”

“···I’m sorry. It’s a bit difficult to say.”

Writer Park Eun-mi, who just had a shot of soju alone, gently grabbed Kang Woojin’s right hand. She even closes her eyes. Woojin was annoyed. What is this writer doing? Kang Woojin spat out in a low voice.

“What are…you doing?”

“Praying.”

“Praying?”

The answer came from PD Song Man-woo.

“She’s praying to the Kang Totem. To make our viewer ratings explode.”

Writer Park Eun-mi, who still had her eyes closed, was sincere.

“I’m already a believer.”

Kang Woojin, who had been calmly looking at her, decided to just let her be. After several tens of minutes, the actors began to arrive. First was Ryu Jung-min, wearing a hat.

“Hello, senior.”

“Hmm. You came early, Woojin. And you won the grand prize right from the start?”

Outspoken Jang Tae-san and other main and supporting actors started to come in, and soon the second floor began to fill up with people. The last to arrive was Hong Hye-yeon, who had just finished her photo shoot schedule. She casually pushed aside PD Song Man-woo and sat on the right side of Kang Woojin.

She immediately whispered to Woojin,

“I heard Director Kyotaro was at the company. They said it turned the company upside down?”

She smelled good today, as always, and Kang Woojin, suppressing his trembling, answered,

“Yes, but only for a short time.”

“Are you going to Japan?”

“I don’t know.”

Hearing his response, Hong Hye-yeon’s expression became strange. At that moment,

“Ah! The commercial is on!”

The chubby lighting director shouted while looking at the large TV in front. Thanks to that, all the actors and dozens of staff members all turned their attention to the TV. It was just before the start of the first part of ‘Profiler Hanryang’.

“How exciting!!”

“Haha, let’s all bet on the ratings for the first time in a while??”

“Great! I’ll bet 50,000 won on 10%!”

“I say 10.7%!”

Suddenly, everyone started betting.

“I have a feeling! 15% for 50,000!”

“Ohhh! Then me too! 15.5%!”

Both the actors and the staff shouted out numbers. Strangely, no one bet below 10%. Then, all the actors looked at Kang Woojin, as if to say, ‘You should join in too.’ Woojin, being influenced by the excited atmosphere,

‘I don’t know, shit. Just spit out anything.’

He shouted the highest number among those mentioned.

“I’ll bet 50,000 won on 20%.”

Many of the staff laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Isn’t that refreshing? When was the last time we got close to a 20% rating? Has it been about 3 years? Or 5 years?”

The male staff closest to the large TV shouted.

“Ah! It’s starting!!”

Indeed, the drama title appeared on the TV after the commercial ended.

-‘Profiler Hanryang’

The first episode of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had begun.

About 40 minutes later. In a shabby Gukbap (Korean soup with rice) restaurant.

Around 10:30 at night. A group of six men and women entered the almost empty gukbap restaurant.

Among them,

“Boss! Six servings of gukbap here, please!”

A man with an imposing figure shouted out as the representative. It was Kim Dae-yeong, Woojin’s best friend. This gukbap restaurant seemed to be a regular spot for them. The people who came with him were his company colleagues. Because today, there was a modest farewell party to celebrate Kim Dae-young’s job change.

Anyway,

“It’s already past 10:30!”

Before even sitting down after ordering the gukbap, Kim Dae-yeong picked up the remote control. His movements were very familiar. Then he changed the channel on the small TV hanging on the wall. Soon, the colleagues in the back started to comment.

“Wow- are we really going to watch the drama?”

“Why don’t we just watch the rerun later? It must have already ended, as it’s been 40 minutes since it started, right?”

But Kim Dae-yeong shook his head.

“No way! That’s not the attitude of a true fan.”

“Really, you are something else. I acknowledge you as a true Hong Hye-yeon fan.”

“Haha, everyone should watch ‘Profiler Hanryang’ now. It’s definitely going to be fun.”

“It’s written by Park Eun-mi, right? Then it’s bound to be at least average.”

Soon, ‘Profiler Hanryang’, which was currently airing, appeared on the TV. From the start, Hong Hye Yeon, who played the role of a detective, appeared, and Kim Dae-young, who was sitting casually in the seat where his colleagues were sitting, gave a thumbs up.

“As expected! Wow- she’s perfect for the detective role, right?”

“Well, Hong Hye Yeon is pretty. Isn’t she basically the number one in terms of beauty among top actresses?”

It was then when the six bowls of gukbap were served, and Kim Dae-yeong and his colleagues filled their stomachs with the hot soup. Of course, while watching ‘Profiler Hanryang’.

Everyone seemed to enjoy it as they were more focused on watching the TV rather than talking.

“It’s fun, right? The pace is good. I have to watch it from the beginning when I get home.”

“Wow- Ryu Jung-min looks handsome even with that baby perm, right? And he acts well.”

“Oh, it’s getting intense! Huh? The scene changed. Huh? I’ve never seen that actor before. Must be a rookie.”

“Wow, look at his eyes. Kind of creepy.”

“He’s not… bad at acting, right? He’s definitely the murderer, 100%!”

“Ah! The smile just now was so psycho-like.”

At that moment.

-Thump!

While his colleagues were engrossed in the drama, Kim Dae-yeong dropped the spoon he was holding onto the table. The sound startled his colleagues.

“What happened? What’s wrong?”

“Dae-yeong? Your eyes are really wide open.”

Indeed, Kim Dae-yeong was staring at the TV with his mouth slightly open. No, to be precise, he was staring at the actor who was smiling creepily on the TV.

“…That crazy bastard.”

Because it was the first appearance of ‘Park Dae-ri’.