Chapter 8

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Aren't production companies working these days?

"Assistant director, if I take on all the roles of the stunt actor, how will the payment for the stunt actor be handled?"

While walking towards where the stunt actors were gathered, Woo-hyuk asked Assistant Director Park Yong-gu.

"It will be paid since you're already on set."

"That's a relief."

Park Yong-gu smiled at Woo-hyuk's response.

'I've never seen an actor worry about the payment for a stunt actor before.'

They arrived at where the martial arts director and the stunt actors were gathered.

"Martial arts director, this is actor Kang Woo-hyuk, who will be playing the role of the torture technician."

Park Yong-gu introduced Woo-hyuk to the martial arts director.

"I'm Kang Woo-hyuk. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Hong Jin-sub. I've seen your acting. Even though I'm not an expert, you did a great job, especially with your eye acting. It reminded me of Bruce Lee's movies, which I really enjoy."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Woo-hyuk bowed slightly.

After the greetings, Park Yong-gu explained the purpose of their visit to the martial arts director.

"Martial arts director, the actor wants to try the action scenes himself. Please watch and see if it's possible."

"Oh, is that so? I understand. Since you're a good actor, I think you'll handle the action well, but today's action is a bit rough. Are you okay with that?"

"I'll do my best."

"Have you done this kind of training before?"

"No, I only did Taekwondo in the military."

"Hahaha! Military training doesn't count in this industry. Wearing combat boots makes you a 1st dan, right? Hahaha!"

"I'm doing this without a stunt double purely out of my own desire, so please be honest if it doesn't work out."

"Understood. Everyone, gather around."

The martial arts director called the stunt actors together.

"We've been practicing for a week. I'll show you a demonstration, so please watch and make your judgment. This guy is playing the role of the torture technician. Let's start."

The action demonstration began according to the martial arts director's instructions.

Spectators gathered to watch. Director Choi stood at the back, arms crossed, observing. Seol Min-hwan was standing next to him.

"Does Kang Woo-hyuk do martial arts too?"

Director Choi asked Min-hwan.

"I'm not sure, but if he said he can do it, he will. He's not the type to volunteer for something he can't do. But don't compare him to professional martial artists. He doesn't just eat and practice martial arts all day."

Min-hwan tried to lower Director Choi's expectations, worried he might be disappointed.

"Kang Woo-hyuk's acting was really good earlier."

"I told you he was good."

"I've been thinking, what if we increase Woo-hyuk's screen time? Could you casually ask Min-hwan if he's okay with it? Or I'll talk to him directly, and you can back me up. Who is Kang Woo-hyuk's manager, by the way? Is it that guy who looks like a bear?"

Director Choi pointed at Baeggom.

"No, that guy used to be his manager. He just came along today. Woo-hyuk is currently working alone without a management company or manager."

"He doesn't have a management company. Are production companies not working these days? It's surprising they let such a big catch go and wander around alone. They must be doing a great job."

Manager Jeong Ui-chan, standing at the back, blushed slightly.

"I know a few production companies I can introduce him to."

Jeong Ui-chan's expression hardened at Director Choi's words.

"The stunt actors' action scenes are really good."

Min-hwan said with a somewhat worried look.

'Can Woo-hyuk do those moves?'

"They eat and practice martial arts all day."

Director Choi responded to Min-hwan's comment.

Woo-hyuk watched the stunt actors' demonstration carefully.

Park Yong-gu stood next to him.

"Looking at it now, the stunt actor is a bit shorter than you. It seems they adjusted to match the height of actor Jang Il-gon."

Park Yong-gu whispered to Woo-hyuk.

Woo-hyuk didn't hear Park Yong-gu's words.

"Cut!"

The martial arts director called out, and the actors stopped their movements.

"What do you think?"

The martial arts director asked Woo-hyuk, essentially asking if he could do it.

"I won't be as good as the actors, but I'll give it a try."

Woo-hyuk replied.

"Come this way. When Male 1 swings his fist, you step back. Then, you kick Male 2, who attacks from the right rear with a bat, with a side kick, and follow up with a roundhouse kick to Male 3 behind you. Let's practice these moves in parts first."

The continuous action may look like one shot, but in actual filming, it will be several shots.

They practiced the parts several times.

"Okay, let's try the continuous action. Keep your distance to avoid injury. Ready!"

Woo-hyuk, though it was just a rehearsal, fully immersed himself in the situation.

It needs to be more intense.

Didn't he experience Bruce Lee's life last night and see how intensely he lived?

He had been doing acting half-heartedly until now.

It wasn't even acting. It was just playing around.

Woo-hyuk harshly criticized his past self.

Even when he was acting just now, he treated the camera as his past self, determined to burn it away.

'Were you an actor? What kind of acting can you do with such a dull, lifeless gaze? If you're not going to put your life on the line, quit. If you're just going to show off, quit!'

He vented his anger in his heart.

It was the same now.

It's a matter of life and death. Forget about putting on a show; you have to fight with all your might. The men are all past versions of Woo-hyuk. If he loses to them, he will never escape his past.

"Action!"

The martial arts director called out.

The continuous action ended in an instant.

Silence filled the air.

Someone whispered.

"I saw Kang Woo-hyuk's eyes."

"Chills!"

Clap clap clap clap!

Applause came from somewhere.

It was Baeggom.

A few others joined in the applause, following Baeggom.

"That's not just military Taekwondo. Especially the roundhouse kick, it's art."

The martial arts director said to Woo-hyuk with a surprised look.

Of course, his moves weren't as flashy or skilled as the stunt actors, but he had the potential to improve.

"He looks like someone who eats and practices martial arts all day."

Director Choi whistled.

"Right!"

Min-hwan couldn't close his mouth in surprise.

"He's the one I brought, director!"

"Oh, really!"

Director Choi played along with Min-hwan's cute flattery.

Min-hwan tapped a crew member's shoulder and pointed to the martial arts scene being practiced.

"Look at that. It's amazing."

The crew member reluctantly watched the martial arts scene with a dubious look, glancing at Min-hwan.

Min-hwan was smiling as he watched the martial arts scene.

At that moment, someone put a hand on Min-hwan's shoulder.

It was Manager Jeong Ui-chan.

"Look at me for a moment."

"Why?"

"I need to talk to you."

"I need to watch this..."

"Just a minute."

Min-hwan followed Jeong Ui-chan, still turning his head to watch the martial arts scene.

Jeong Ui-chan stopped a bit away from the group.

"What's up, boss?"

Min-hwan asked as he approached Jeong Ui-chan.

"I want to talk about Kang Woo-hyuk."

"His acting is really good, right?"

"He did well."

"Do you understand why I've been recommending Kang Woo-hyuk to the company? He can sing and dance well too. If he had continued in musicals, he would have been a top star by now..."

"I talked to the team leader. I sent a video of Kang Woo-hyuk's acting."

"Video? You mean on a phone? You should have gotten a file from Director Choi, not a low-quality phone video."

"They had a brief meeting after watching the video, and the reaction was good."

"Are they going to sign him?"

"You know our company. They don't sign easily."

"If you keep hesitating, you'll lose him."

At that moment,

A man walked over, talking on the phone.

"...I want to meet him in person and seal the deal. I'll stick to him like glue and bring him to the company, so prepare the contract."

Jeong Ui-chan, sensing something intense, listened to the man's words.

"I really want to nurture Kang Woo-hyuk. He seems already grown, but I'll still try. I sent a video of the action rehearsal just now, so please watch and decide. Anyway, I'll do whatever it takes to bring him to the company today. If he says no, I'll quit the company."

The man walked past Jeong Ui-chan and Min-hwan.

Jeong Ui-chan's eyes widened.

The man was none other than Yoon Dae-sung, the manager of WOW, one of the top three entertainment companies in the country.

"Awesome! A manager should be this proactive. I bet that company will thrive!"

Min-hwan said, aware of Jeong Ui-chan's presence.

"The competition for signing Kang Woo-hyuk will be exciting. Director Choi said he would introduce him to a production company, and there's a cool manager who said he'd quit if he can't sign him. Yay!"

Min-hwan chattered, making sure Jeong Ui-chan could hear.

Jeong Ui-chan's face showed clear anxiety. He kept glancing at the man walking and talking on the phone.

Min-hwan found Jeong Ui-chan's anxious appearance somewhat amusing and satisfying.

'You ignored my recommendations before, but now you regret it, don't you? Go and get him.'

Min-hwan felt good.

On the other hand, he felt a bit emotional.

It seems the heavens are not indifferent. The sky is clear today, but even if there were clouds, it would be fine.