Chapter 12

Short Film (1)

Monday morning, the 17th. Jang Woojin's studio apartment.

While the entire weekend had been a frenzy with dozens of steps and entertainment news due to the appearance of an unknown actor in "Profiler Hanryang," the main character, Jang Woojin, was completely unaware.

"Hmm—"

He was simply sitting cross-legged, staring at his laptop with his hair disheveled. It was just past 9 a.m. As soon as Woojin opened his eyes, he checked the movie community website that his friend Kim Daeyoung had sent him a link to a few days ago via text.

In fact, Jang Woojin had done a few searches over the weekend.

He was now carefully reading through the information he had gathered. The community was full of miscellaneous information, and there was quite a bit about the short film "Detective Agency."

However,

"These things aren't proven, either."

It was hard to believe that all the information posted on the community was true. These days, with so many communities, there was also a lot of nonsense. So, Woojin focused on the most reliable posts rather than the miscellaneous information.

- Movie Information: Title "Detective Agency" (Short Film) / Blue Vision Film Company (Specializing in Independent Films) / Director Shin Dongchun (Unknown)

- Production confirmation news is circulating! It seems almost certain since an actress I know is auditioning.

It was a detailed post with the highest number of views and comments. However, the information was not extensive. There wasn't even a phone number. Well, should I be satisfied with this much since it's a community?

Woojin muttered to himself and moved the mouse.

-Swoosh.

First, he searched for "Detective Agency" and Director Shin Dongchun on a search engine, but there was nothing.

"Well, will the film company show up?"

Next, Woojin searched for Blue Vision Film Company. Fortunately, there was some information. However, it wasn't much. Just the location of the company and a brief introduction stating that it specialized in short films.

"Don't they usually write down the phone number?"

There was no number, probably because the company was small. Woojin had heard similar things from Kim Daeyoung before. The reality of independent, short, or art films was very tough. In the end, all he got was the company's address and a tiny bit of information.

"Hmm— Sitting around and sucking my thumb won't do any good. I guess I'll have to go to the film company."

Woojin had joined "Profiler Hanryang," but he was interested in the short film "Detective Agency" for a simple reason. The script itself was quite interesting, and it also included an experiment related to the alternate space. While dramas have ratings and measurable metrics, "Detective Agency" was a short film that wouldn't even be released.

Yet, the alternate space had marked it as "B-grade."

-[4/Script (Title: Detective Agency), B-grade]

In other words, his curiosity was the biggest factor. The production environment of "Detective Agency" as a short film, and the fact that it was a short film, which was less burdensome, also played a role.

'Top actors always say they started with very small roles.'

Woojin vaguely recalled an interview with an actor, but this was also close to the right answer. While some actors do become instant or rising stars, they are like fireworks. Their lifespan is short. As evidence, many actors who were once a big deal have now disappeared without a trace.

On the other hand, actors who build a solid filmography from the bottom up have strong roots and last longer.

While it was more of an instinct or intuition, Jang Woojin was trying to take the path with a longer lifespan.

'Now that I've secured a major drama, I can proceed with "Detective Agency" casually. If there's no role in "Detective Agency," there's nothing I can do.'

There was still plenty of time. A typical actor would be buried in the script of "Profiler Hanryang" at this stage, but Jang Woojin didn't need to do that. He could enter the alternate space hundreds of times the day before shooting.

Regardless, Jang Woojin was absorbing the industry like a sponge for the first time.

At this point.

-Swoosh.

Woojin, who had been looking at his laptop, turned his head. There, a copy of the "Detective Agency" script was lying, and next to it, as expected, was a black square. Jang Woojin silently picked up the stack of papers that was the "Detective Agency" script.

"......"

He had read the "Detective Agency" script, but he hadn't experienced or read it directly in the alternate space. He had been busy with recent alternate space experiments and the "Profiler Hanryang" project, which had made him somewhat distracted. He probably wasn't completely free of mental fatigue.

However, now that things were somewhat organized, there was no problem.

Therefore.

-Swoosh.

Just as Woojin, with his index finger raised, was about to touch the black square,

-Hum, hum.

His phone vibrated. The caller was marked as "Yut."

-Yut.

The person saved as "Yut" was Woojin's only blood relative, his younger sister. After not receiving a call for years, she suddenly called.

'100% she must have heard from Mom.'

With his sudden bombshell announcement about becoming an actor, he knew that if he answered the call, he would be mocked by his blood relative. So, Woojin quietly ignored the call. However,

-Hum, hum.

The phone rang again. This time, it was another call. Soon, Woojin, thinking of "Yut," or rather, his younger sister, got annoyed.

"Is she really going crazy?"

What was interesting here was,

"Huh?"

The number on the phone screen was not "Yut." It was an unknown number. Maybe his sister borrowed someone's phone to call? Woojin decided to put the phone to his ear.

"Yes, hello."

A familiar yet unfamiliar woman's voice came from the other end of the phone. It was definitely not a blood relative.

"It's me, Hong Hyeon."

"......"

What? Who just said? H, Hong Hyeon? Top actress Hong Hyeon had called Jang Woojin directly. At that moment, Woojin jumped up from his seat. He almost shouted, "Is this real?" but managed to hold back.

Stay calm, Jang Woojin. You need to maintain your cool. After muttering a few times, Woojin's calm tone returned.

"Hello."

His voice was even colder in the morning, though he didn't intend it. Anyway, Hong Hyeon spoke again from the other end of the phone.

"......Isn't your reaction a bit lukewarm?"

"Should I have been surprised?"

"Well, not necessarily, but—"

"I was surprised."

"Alright. Anyway, I heard you've been cast as 'Park Daeri.'"

"Yes."

"It seems to be quite a buzz among the staff. Since it's an unexpected addition, there are a lot of rumors. Everyone seems very curious."

For a moment, Jang Woojin blinked his eyes. That happened? Woojin had no idea, but he calmly continued the conversation.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. The role of Park Daeri was a hot potato and a big issue. Anyway, if things go as planned, you'll become a popular star at the first script reading, right?"

"......"

"But when I saw, there was a completely unknown actor sitting there. It must be interesting."

A light laugh from Hong Hyeon came from the other end of the phone.

"I've been watching you from the beginning, so I called to let you know about the issue. See you at the script reading."

"Thank you for your hard work."

"What, a final greeting? Don't force me to work. I'm resting now."

With a soft laugh, the call ended. Woojin slowly put down his phone and muttered to himself.

"Wow... damn."

A few days ago, his phone was just a regular one. Now, it had the number of top actress Hong Hyeon. The goddess he had only seen on TV had called him by name.

Jang Woojin's life was gradually turning into a surreal experience.

"If I sell this phone to Kim Daeyoung, I could probably get a few billion."

With a smile, Woojin poked the black square next to the "Detective Agency" script.

-Poke!

He was immediately sucked into the alternate space.

Later that afternoon, in a building.

The building was old, and the corridor felt aged. At the end of the corridor, a metal door had a slightly worn nameplate.

-Blue Vision Film Company.

The inside of the office was, as expected, small, and in the center of the office, two men were sitting across from each other. One had small eyes, and the other had a square jaw. Both were in their 40s.

Their expressions were very grim.

The conversation was already underway, and the man with the square jaw sighed and scratched his head.

"Ha— So, in the end, you're asking me to make him the lead. And you want to give a few supporting roles to your new actors as well."

The man with small eyes nodded firmly.

"Yes. Well, we expected it, didn't we? Let's think positively. The reason we've come this far is that they liked the director's script."

The man with small eyes tapped the stack of papers in front of him with his index finger. The title on the cover read:

-"Detective Agency"

The director, called the man with the square jaw, rubbed his face with one hand, and the man with small eyes continued with a troubled expression.

"Director, I admit I'm frustrated too. But the situation isn't bad. We almost lost the project, but now we can miraculously produce it."

"......But, huff— President, how can I secure more funds?"

"You've been saying that for months. It's common for independent or short films to collapse while saying that."

"......"

"Let's think positively, Director. After all, it's common in this industry for money to bring in actors, and 'Detective Agency' is a short film, not a commercial one. They're willing to cover all the investment if we confirm the actors. This is a rare opportunity."

Soon, the director clenched his teeth.

"But the actor they're pushing for the lead has a past scandal."

"Yes. Park Jeonghyuk. He was involved in a major assault case a few years ago. He took a break for about two years and is now looking at short films or independents. He contacted us."

"Isn't this a whitewash?"

"Yes. Park Jeonghyuk is using 'Detective Agency' to clean his image. He's giving off the vibe of 'starting from the bottom again.' But, Director, do we have the luxury to choose? We need to make the film, even in the muck."

However, the director with the square jaw covered his head with both hands, looking conflicted.

"Still... I don't think this is right."

"What's not right? This is how the short film and independent market works. You must have heard about it during your time as a drama PD. Director, stay calm and think positively. The investment and actors will be settled all at once."

The man with small eyes tapped the stack of papers labeled "Detective Agency" again.

"The other side, GGO Entertainment, wants to proceed immediately if the director agrees. They said they'll provide the investment right away."

"......"

The director, still covering his head, stopped. He seemed to be deep in thought. The man with small eyes, watching him, sighed.

"Director, you don't have much time to think. At most, a few days. You need to make a decision within that time. And tomorrow, the manager from GGO Entertainment, Mr. Park, whom you met last time—"

"......Yes."

"He'll bring a few new actors for the supporting roles. They'll show their acting. You'll see Park Jeonghyuk after you make your decision. For now, just keep thinking and fulfill the appointment tomorrow."

"Huff—"

Soon, the director with the square jaw, with his messy hair, slowly nodded.

"Understood......"

Ten minutes later.

The director with the square jaw walked down the corridor with a stern face after leaving the shabby Blue Vision Film Company. He seemed to be facing a harsh reality, sighing every few seconds.

Then,

-Swoosh.

As the director was descending a dark staircase,

-♬♪

His phone rang from the pocket of his long padded jacket. He stopped on the stairs, took out his phone, and checked the caller. His face brightened slightly. The director immediately answered the call.

"Yes, brother. I was thinking about calling you."

The man on the other end of the phone replied.

"Cut it out, why did you hesitate?"

"Well, brother, you're busy these days, right? You're swamped."

"True, but it'll get worse later. Where are you?"

"I'm near Shinsha Station."

"Good, I have a meeting tomorrow, so I can't stay long. Let's have a quick drink."

The director, nodding, walked towards the subway.

"Sure. The usual chicken feet place?"

About an hour later.

It was past 9 p.m. The director with the square jaw could be found at a chicken feet restaurant near Yangjae Station. The restaurant was a popular spot, and it was crowded even on a Monday night.

Meanwhile,

"......"

The director, who had arrived early, was drinking soju alone. The side dish was kimchi. The scene was quite pitiful. His expression was also stern.

Then,

-Swoosh.

The director checked the time, thinking his brother was quite late.

"Man, why is my brother so late?"

Fortunately, at this point,

"Hey— Shin Dongchun."

Someone called the director from the entrance of the chicken feet restaurant. The director smiled and stood up.

"You're late, very late. Brother, are you always like this?"

"Sorry, sorry. There was an accident nearby, and the traffic was terrible."

The man called "brother" scratched his beard and laughed awkwardly.

"Also, the script meeting for 'Profiler Hanryang' took longer than expected."

The man the director called "brother" was a big PD for the drama "Profiler Hanryang."

"But you're crazy, why are you drinking soju with just kimchi? It looks so pitiful."

The PD with a beard, Song Manwoo, said.

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