Chapter 291: Breather (1)

Chapter 291: Breather (1)

Night, at the ‘Leech’ set, the aged voice of Director Ahn Ga-bok echoed through the loudspeaker.

“Cut, OK.”

Simultaneously, the hundreds of staff members surrounding the set burst into vigorous applause.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Then most of them shouted in relief.

“Phew! Finally!!”

“Aah!! It’s over!!”

“Great job, everyone!”

“Good job! Good job!!”

“You worked so hard!!”

The collective cheers of the hundred staff members resonated throughout the set.

Of course, actors like Sim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung, who were waiting on standby, also joined the cheering with smiles. Kang Woojin and Jin Jae-jun, who were inside the set, did the same. They all bowed their heads in exhaustion, and reporters at the scene captured the moment. Naturally, the making-of team was also busy. The faces of the staff, jumping around or dancing with joy, were filled with emotions like exhilaration, thrill, joy, and ecstasy.

It was a moment perfectly understandable.

Because the entire shooting of ‘Leech’ had just wrapped up. Meanwhile, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was sitting in front of the monitor, watched the half-crazed staff with a blank stare and leaned deeply into his chair, letting out a long sigh.

“We’ve overcome one hurdle now.”

At that moment.

“Director~nim.”

Kang Woojin, who had made his way through the excited staff, greeted Director Ahn Ga-bok. Naturally, his poker face was strong.

“Thank you for your hard work, I need to leave early, so I came to say goodbye.”

Woojin still had one more schedule related to ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’. Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok extended his wrinkled hand to Kang Woojin.

“It’s not completely over yet, but yes. Woojin, you did well too. And.”

Raising his other hand, Director Ahn Ga-bok showed a thumbs-up.

“The last scene was fantastic.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s a pity. There’s a wrap party and you could have rest a bit too.”

After a brief conversation, Director Ahn Ga-bok patted Woojin on the shoulder, and after greeting the hundred staff members, Kang Woojin also bid farewell to the actors. Then Woojin and his team began to leave the set of ‘Leech’.

Actor Sim Han-ho quietly watched Kang Woojin’s retreating figure.

“......”

He was clearly recalling Woojin’s last scene.

‘Is he capable of not just analyzing the script but also thinking about the direction? He’s becoming scarier.’

At this moment, a female voice entered Sim Han-ho’s ear. It was Oh Hee-ryung, her elegant smile showing.

“What are you looking at? Lost in thought, sunbae?”

“Hm? Oh. It’s nothing.”

Following Sim Han-ho’s gaze, Oh Hee-ryung discovered the departing Kang Woojin. With a knowing expression, she crossed her arms.

“The last cut was really chilling, wasn’t it? What did you think, sunbae?”

“......It was brilliant. Something an old guy like me couldn’t even think of.”

“Oh, come on. You have your own strengths and charisma, sunbae. It’s just different in style.”

“It’s not strange to say it’s different in level.”

“What? That’s not like you, sunbae.”

“I’m just saying that Korea is too small for that guy.”

With an “Aha” kind of response, Oh Hee-ryung once again looked towards the departing Kang Woojin.

“Anyway, Woojin’s last scene was really- how should I put it, it felt like ‘Park Ha-seong’ from the work came out into reality.”

She chuckled.

“When a character comes out into reality, it has to be on a different level.”

A few dozen minutes later, in Kang Woojin’s van.

The van was speeding along the highway. It had been about 30 minutes since Woojin left the set.

-Vroom!

As the large van roared down the road, its interior was boisterous. Of course, it was Woojin’s team members celebrating. Meanwhile, the protagonist, Kang Woojin, was.

“......”

Kang Woojin didn’t particularly open his mouth. He wanted to join in right away, but he just checked his phone while maintaining his strong concept. Of course, the internet Woojin was looking at showed no signs of leisurely moments.

‘Wow- Damn! It’s chaos over here too, total chaos.’

Numerous article bombs were being dropped. As Woojin observed, most of the news was related to him.

『[Issue Pick] Official casting announcement for ‘Beneficial Evil’, but why so many unknowns and newcomers?』

First, the official casting announcement for ‘Beneficial Evil’ was made this morning. As time went by, it became a hot topic, spreading like wildfire. Of course, the initial source was Netflix and DM Production for ‘Beneficial Evil’, but now reporters who had picked up the thrown bait were frantically copy-pasting similar articles.

『Highly anticipated film ‘Beneficial Evil’ starring Kang Woojin, but public puzzled by the casting』

‘Beneficial Evil’ garnered attention during the official production announcement due to prominent figures like PD Song Man-woo and Kang Woojin, and its recognition skyrocketed with the issue of targeting a global audience through Netflix instead of a domestic broadcaster.

Therefore, the heated coverage by the media was not surprising.

“Hyun-mi, the bill!”

“Wait a moment! Honey, can you clear those tables over there?”

“Sure, sure!”

They were also incredibly busy, despite having staff working in the kitchen. Even though their son had done well, they adamantly refused Woojin’s offer to take a break. They claimed they were still strong and healthy.

Anyway.

“Call the four people for this table!”

“Yes, boss!”

Kang Woo-chul, busy clearing the tables, called out to the waiting customers, and in the midst of this, some middle-aged women sitting nearby suddenly spoke to him.

“Oh my- Boss. You’re raking in all the money in Jinju, aren’t you?”

They were the market women from the nearby market.

“That’s what I’m saying. You’ve really raised your child well. Who would have thought your son would become this famous?”

“I’m so jealous. My son is just wasting food and doesn’t even exercise.”

“If only half of these customers here went to the market, it would be bustling.”

“But boss, doesn’t your son come here? I’ve never seen him.”

The quite tall Kang Woo-chul forced a smile as he replied.

“I told him not to come. He’s busy, what would he do here?”

“Oh come on, wouldn’t it be great if he came? It would boost your reputation too.”

“Haha, he’s the busiest person in Korea.”

“Even so, if a child does well, they should at least show their face once.”

“Right, right. You know, Sang-man’s son is a trot singer, right? That son comes to see them all the time.”

The women kept talking to Kang Woo-chul without giving him a break. Despite having a temper, Kang Woo-chul endured it. He knew their behavior reflected on his son. There were many eyes watching.

At this moment, Seo Hyun-mi, who was at the counter, came up to Kang Woo-chul and whispered.

“Step away, these women are so annoying, but we can’t just turn them away.”

But the women also spoke to Seo Hyun-mi.

“Anyway, you must be so happy your son is doing well – I’m so jealous.”

Kang Woo-chul and Seo Hyun-mi forced a smile.

At that moment, there was some commotion outside.

And then.

-Swoosh.

The glass door of the porridge shop opened, and a man walked in. He had a hat pulled down low and was wearing a mask. An employee, recognizing him, spoke in a slightly puzzled or suspicious tone.

“Uh? Oh- sorry, but you need to line up outside!”

The man glanced around the hall briefly and then spoke to the employee in a low tone.

“It’s okay, I’m not here to eat.”

“......Pardon? What do you mean by that.”

At this moment.

“Ah!!!”

Seo Hyun-mi, who was heading to the kitchen, pointed at the masked man in surprise.

“Oh- oh?!!”

Following her gaze, Kang Woo-chul also turned his head. In fact, everyone in the expanded porridge shop glanced or stared at the man.

Regardless.

-Swish.

The man took off his mask and slightly bowed his head to Kang Woo-chul and Seo Hyun-mi.

“I’m back.”

Soon, the eyes of everyone in the porridge shop widened dramatically.

About an hour later, Jinju City Hall. Mayor’s Office.

The mayor’s office in Jinju City Hall, equipped with the Taegeukgi, of course, a desk for work and a table for meetings. At the work desk in such a mayor’s office, a slightly balding mayor was reviewing documents.

Just then.

-Knock knock, click!

An employee entered the mayor’s office. As soon as the employee reached the mayor, he urgently reported.

“M-Mayor! Kang Woojin has just arrived in Jinju!”

Immediately, the mayor’s eyes bulged as if they would pop out.

“W-what?!”

*****

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