Chapter 43: Projection (1)
Translator: Dreamscribe
After Park Dae-ri’s line, everyone on set closed their mouths. The several cameras filming Park Dae-ri and the middle-aged woman also stopped.
Of course, the same goes for Park Dae-ri and the middle-aged woman.
“······”
Suddenly, the scene fell quiet, the screams of the woman and the pleasure-filled voice of Park Dae-ri had disappeared.
It stayed like that for about 10 seconds.
The person who broke the heavy silence was, of course, PD Song Man-woo.
“Cut!! OK!!”
The scene was over.
“We’ll use this take for this scene!”
Normally, they would shoot the same scene several times, but PD Song Man-woo seemed to have no intention of doing that. The current take was enough. They usually don’t shoot intense or exaggerated scenes multiple times anyway.
As soon as the OK sign was given, Kang Woojin quickly changed back to his normal self and got rid of the Park Dae-ri character,
-Swoosh.
He untied the rope that was around the neck of the middle-aged supporting actress. His movements were incredibly fast. Then, supporting her shoulder, he quietly asked her,
“Are you okay? I’m sorry.”
The woman, who had just given a passionate performance, answered while catching her breath.
“···Yes? Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
“Do you have any pain anywhere?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Let’s get a proper check up.”
The brutality of a moment ago ago had completely disappeared. This was why the supporting actress was slightly startled by Woojin.
‘This kid is really good? Look at how quickly he’s changed his character.’
Moreover, Kang Woojin’s eyes were even filled with genuine concern. A stark contrast to the madman, Park Dae-ri.
“Please get up carefully.”
Of course, all of Kang Woojin’s actions were sincere at this moment.
‘Is she really okay??’
Any actor would have felt the same way after that scene. Plus, the supporting actress was around the same age as Woojin’s mother, which made him even more worried.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Your neck area has turned a little red.”
“It’s really okay; your hand has turned redder, hasn’t it? You put a lot of strength into it on purpose.”
Indeed, he had. During the strangling scene, Woojin had tightened his grip to the extreme. The cord around the supporting actress’s neck had been loose, but he put a lot of force into his hand to express its tautness.
Kang Woojin was becoming more adept at using his acting skills.
That’s why the clarity of the character, engraved by repeated readings (experiences), was increasing, but he could also maintain his sanity as Kang Woojin while acting.
At this moment, the staff and PD Song man-woo rushed over.
“What? Are you hurt??”
“Are you okay?!”
In fact, the female supporting actress didn’t have any major problems. The acting had been very realistic, and she had been carried away by Kang Woojin’s performance, but she hadn’t been wounded or hurt. However, Kang Woojin’s concern amplified the surrounding worries. Thanks to his seriousness.
Still, Woojin continued to watch her with a solemn face.
“PD, could you please check her neck and arm areas?”
“Huh?? Why?”
“I think the dragging scene was a bit too intense.”
Kang Woojin continued to support the female supporting actress and handed her over to the staff. His poker face remained, but his eyes were sincere.
Soon.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
Woojin, who had been watching the supporting actress’s condition, slowly moved away. It wasn’t that he was avoiding the situation, but as soon as he felt relieved about the supporting actress’s condition, his tension eased.
‘Ugh, I need to pee.’
He genuinely needed to relieve himself. Physiological phenomena are fair to everyone. A few female staff members who were watching Woojin’s retreating figure whispered.
“It seems like he’s going to regain his emotions. Well, that scene just now was really intense.”
In the meantime, actors like Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon did not follow Kang Woojin, only watching him with their eyes.
‘I should talk to him after he recovers his emotions.’
‘It’s a relief he didn’t throw up; being able to compose oneself after that scene is also a talent.’
It was only natural to give Kang Woojin time to recover his emotions. Regardless, Woojin’s pace quickened as he urgently needed to use the restroom.
‘Gotta go, go. Ugh.’
However, he shouldn’t make it too obvious. It might look silly.
As Kang Woojin was gradually moving away.
“CEO, I’ll go after him!”
Among the Kang Woojin team gathered in the staff area, Jang Su-hwan moved, but was stopped by CEO Choi Sung-gun.
“It’s okay. If you go now, you’ll just get in the way. Are you thinking he is really going to the bathroom?”
“Then?”
A cold response came from Han Ye-jung.
“He must be going to calm down. Most method actors do that.”
At this time, someone tapped on the shoulder of the crossed-armed Choi Sung-gun. When he turned around, he saw a familiar face. Choi Sung-gun was a little surprised.
“You’re Mr. Kim, from the Eoulrim Film Company, right?”
“Yes, you remember me. Long time no see.”
“Of course, I have to remember, haha. I heard you’re preparing a new project with director Kwon Ki-taek.”
“Yeah- you still have good information, even though we haven’t even officially announced it.”
“But what brings you here...”
-Bang!
Writer Park Eun-mi, who had put on a lot of makeup, appeared in the department head’s office. During their conversation, PD Song Man-woo had sent her a message. In other words, she already knew all the department head’s intentions. As soon as he saw Writer Park Eun-mi, the department head suddenly laughed.
“Oh dear, Writer Park. How’s your health?”
However, Writer Park Eun-mi, with her long permed hair, had a very stern expression.
“Should I cancel?”
“···Huh? Cancel what?”
“The drama. Should I cancel it? You’ve had the experience once before. When I disappeared to France for a year.”
“Ah, no. Calm down, Writer Park.”
“Should I disappear? You think I can’t?”
“Pa, Writer Park.”
“Should I cancel?”
“······”
“Should I book a flight?”
After staring at Writer Park Eun-mi for a while, the department head shook his head.
“I’m sorry, Writer Park. Please write it as you wish.”
So, two hours later, news about Writer Park Eun-mi, who had a phone interview with the media, was thrown out as an article.
『Profiler Hanryang’ writer Park Eun-mi ‘There will be no romance in this new work’』
People were even more enthusiastic by her confirmation.
Meanwhile, in Sangam-dong, at Eoulrim Film Company.
Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun were seen in the hallway of the large film company. Woojin’s, who was expressionless, attire was somewhat formal. Because he was wearing a blazer. Both had serious expressions, and the rest of the team was waiting in the underground parking lot.
Then.
-Swoosh.
Kang Woojin arrived in front of a conference room glass door. At the same time, Choi Sung-gun met Woojin’s eyes.
“Woojin...this time,”
But Choi Sung-gun trailed off. The full sentence was ‘Please think long-term this time.’ This was because he had been too quick to refuse director Woo Hyun-goo. However, he swallowed his words. The right to choose a project was also in the contract.
“Sigh- No, but really, director Kwon Ki-taek is even stronger than director Woo Hyun-goo. I mean, in terms of reputation or honor.”
“Yes, I know.”
It was genuine, not bravado or bluff. Kang Woojin had researched Director Kwon Ki-taek after hearing about this meeting. Of course, he had heard the name but looked it up to know more.
‘He’s impressive indeed. He’s won a lot of awards at prestigious international film festivals.’
However, maintaining his persona, Kang Woojin wasn’t as nervous as he thought. Even though he was about to meet a renowned master director. He had never met Director Woo Hyun-goo before, but this time it was a direct meeting. Yet Woojin was subtly calm.
‘Is it because it doesn’t feel real?’
Or maybe it was because he had only been acting for two months. You know what they say, the less you know, the braver you are. Thanks to that, Director Kwon Ki-taek’s awe was somewhat diminished. Instead, Choi Sung-gun was more nervous.
“Why do I feel like I’m the only one nervous? Well, you, Woojin, usually don’t get nervous easily, do you? I’m not as good as you, but I’m kind of like that too, but this director Kwon Ki-taek, he has some sort of aura...”
Taking a deep breath, Choi Sung-gun opened the glass door.
-Squeak.
Inside, Director Kwon Ki-taek was already seated at the middle of a ‘ᄃ’-shaped desk. A few film company employees were also seen around. Soon, Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun bowed politely.
“Hello!”
“Hello, Director.”
Director Kwon Ki-taek immediately approached the two.
“Nice to meet you, CEO Choi. And.”
His gaze settled on the silent Kang Woojin.
“I finally get to see you up close, Woojin.”
“I heard you often come to the set.”
“Haha. Yes, I do. Your voice sounds even better up close. It would sound incredible if recorded.”
A compliment right away? It was embarrassing. Kang Woojin tried to hide his shyness and answered in a low voice.
“...Thank you.”
At that moment, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was smiling here, suddenly handed a bundle of papers to Woojin.
“Take this, the script for my next work. A few actors have already received it.”
It was the script.
“First, let’s sit down and skim through this, and then we’ll talk.”
Alright. Internally agreeing, Woojin expressionlessly lifted his index finger. Of course, he had to show no reaction.
-Poof!
He tapped the black square next to the script. Then, Woojin entered the void space. Kang Woojin, who was in the endless dark space, felt his slight nervousness melt away in no time.
Then he said,
“Let’s see-”
and he moved to the white rectangles listed nonchalantly. As expected, one more was added just now.
-[1/Scenario (Title: Exorcism), A Grade]
-[2/Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Part 1), S Grade]
-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Missing), D Grade]
The title of the scenario given by Director Kwon Ki-taek was ‘Island of the Missing’. The problem was.
“...D Grade?”
That the grade was low, and additionally, Kang Woojin tilted his head. The reason was simple.
-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Missing), D Grade]
-[*This is a movie scenario with low completion rate, 60% reading is possible.]
Not only was the grade low, but for some reason, the completion rate was low too.
“Why is the completion rate so low?”
He couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
*****