Chapter 25

Change (2)

Kang Ujin was hungry. He hadn’t eaten anything since lunch yesterday. He was also regretting missing the beef party last night unintentionally.

‘All this acting and concept stuff is just for making a living, ah—my beef.’

What could he do? He had fallen asleep due to the sudden relaxation. Ujin’s current expression was a mix of his usual concept and a bit of melancholy, which came out as excessive cynicism. At least, that’s how it looked to Hong Hyeon, who stood beside him.

‘Why... does he seem even colder than usual? Is he still affected by yesterday’s treatment by Park Daeri?’

Hong Hyeon, with her long hair tied in a single braid, was subtly observing Ujin. She was about to make a proposal to him soon.

Then.

-Click.

Hong Hyeon gestured for Ujin to get in the van.

“Shall we go?”

Hong Hyeon’s escort? It was sweet. Ujin, suppressing his joy, nodded briefly.

“Yes.”

At that moment.

“Hello, Ujin.”

A male voice came from behind as Ujin was getting into the white van. Turning around, he saw a man with a pompadour hairstyle smiling. It was someone he had never seen before. Hong Hyeon, who was already in the van, introduced him.

“Our agency’s representative.”

Kang Ujin shook hands with Representative Choi Sung-geun.

“Ujin, can you spare a moment?”

As the representative of Hong Hyeon’s agency, Choi Sung-geun also had a connection with Kang Ujin.

‘Is this person going to be the investor for ‘Hunting Shop’?’

The investor for the short film ‘Hunting Shop.’ In other words, he was in a position similar to a landlord for the main character, Kang Ujin. It was awkward to be casual. Kang Ujin, getting into the van, responded lowly.

“Sure.”

Soon, Representative Choi Sung-geun joined, and there were three people in Hong Hyeon’s van. Choi Sung-geun was the first to start the conversation.

“Your appearance is even better up close. I’m Choi Sung-geun, the representative of BW Entertainment.”

That was just flattery. Ujin introduced himself without much enthusiasm.

“I’m Kang Ujin.”

“Hahaha, I know, I know. You were the hottest in the script reading this time. You really nailed it, didn’t you?”

At this point, Ujin subtly assessed Representative Choi Sung-geun. The atmosphere was a bit unusual—serious yet light. The pompadour-haired Choi Sung-geun continued.

“By chance, I’ve developed a connection with you, Kang Ujin. You know we’re investing in ‘Hunting Shop,’ right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s largely thanks to what Hong Star told us. However, this time, Hyeon isn’t the lead. Ujin, I hope you do well with ‘Hunting Shop.’”

Representative Choi Sung-geun, who had bowed slightly to Ujin, suddenly became serious.

“On a different note, I’ll be straightforward. I understand that you don’t have an agency yet. As an actor, I want to start at the beginning with you, or rather, I want to work with you.”

“Are you making a contract offer?”

“Yes. Of course, our company is still small. Some might see it as a one-person agency with Hong Hyeon. But startups have their own energy.”

With enthusiasm, Representative Choi Sung-geun began his pitch.

“Large and small agencies have clear advantages and disadvantages. Ujin, this is a time when you need focused care, not scattered attention. The entertainment industry is a jungle. One wrong move, and an actor can easily be lost.”

It was brutally harsh. Listening to the briefing, Ujin felt the entertainment industry, which he didn’t know much about, seemed even more unfamiliar. Well, that’s a different matter. Ujin chose his words carefully. What would be a grand line at this moment? Whatever it was, his self-esteem needed to be high.

“Jungle, I like it.”

Instantly, Representative Choi Sung-geun was a bit taken aback. He was trying to warn Ujin about the thin ice, but Ujin said he liked it? What was that expression? Ujin’s eyes were unwavering and firm. Choi Sung-geun judged Ujin to be a mutant.

‘Just... what kind of past must you have to have this potential?’

A firmness that ordinary unknowns and newcomers could never have. Ujin was just unknown in reality; his mindset was already at the top. At least, that’s how it looked to Choi Sung-geun’s sharp eyes.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been this intrigued. I’m crazy about it.’

Thanks to this, Choi Sung-geun put even more effort into his voice.

“I’ll help you thrive in the jungle. If you come to us, I’ll be your mentor. I promise, no, I guarantee, meticulous and detailed care. I’m good at this, you know. I’ve built a network in the jungle and have a good reputation.”

Most of it was true. Choi Sung-geun was a well-known producer in the entertainment industry. Then, Choi Sung-geun changed the flow.

“Ujin, you must have received a lot of business cards, right?”

“Quite a few.”

“I can imagine. At the after-party yesterday, even though you weren’t there, the entertainment industry people were in an uproar. They were saying you’re a sure bet for the next big thing in Chungmuro. I think you received business cards from about ten places.”

The number was similar.

“Did anyone mention a signing bonus? If it’s difficult, you don’t have to tell me.”

Signing bonus? Was there such a discussion? Ujin recalled the people who gave him business cards yesterday. But there was no clear mention of a signing bonus. However, most of them said something like this.

‘They mentioned the conditions.’

Ujin answered indirectly.

“I heard about some very generous conditions.”

“...Very generous.”

At this point, Hong Hyeon, who had been listening silently, bit her lip slightly and nudged Choi Sung-geun, who was a bit surprised. In response, the pompadour-haired Choi Sung-geun leaned even closer to Ujin.

“I’ll try to match it as much as possible. I’d really appreciate it if you could consider our offer.”

Again. Again, something was moving forward abruptly. But Ujin was already on the express train. Hesitation would only ruin his concept. Therefore, Ujin chose a polite but not easily dismissible answer.

“I’ll think about it and get back to you.”

Meanwhile, in the van of top actor Yoo Jung-min.

Unlike Ujin, Yoo Jung-min’s van had left about 30 minutes earlier and was now on the highway. Yoo Jung-min, with his long hair tied in a headband, was quietly looking out the window.

His eyes were on the outside, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere, lost in thought.

After about 5 minutes.

“Bro.”

Yoo Jung-min called out to the manager sitting in the passenger seat.

“Do you remember him from yesterday, Kang Ujin. The guy who played Park Daeri.”

The manager, closing his diary, turned his head back.

“Do I remember? He made a huge impact. His acting was really spine-chilling. Even at the after-party, Manager Kim and the others were raving about him. Phew—”

“...Did we give him a business card? I heard he’s getting a lot of contact from agencies.”

“Of course, we planned to. We’re in the middle of a project to develop new talent in our company. But we didn’t get to meet him. I wanted to test him out a bit at the after-party, but he didn’t show up. Why? Should we not give him one? Is it uncomfortable?”

“No, not at all.”

“Well, it’s a bit disappointing, but there will be opportunities during filming. But—before that, who will snatch him up? Oh, I’ve never seen such a competitive unknown before.”

The manager, scratching his head, recalled the after-party yesterday.

Specifically, when Yoo Jung-min was questioning PD Song Man-woo.

“PD, who is Kang Ujin? Where did you find him?”

PD Song Man-woo just shrugged.

“I’ve been asked this question a few times today. Honestly, I don’t know much. It’s just a guess.”

“What do you mean?”

“The absurd acting and the unclear past. I think he was overseas.”

“...Overseas? Then, self-taught?”

“That’s right. He has that lonely, solitary vibe.”

“But... how can self-taught acting be like that?”

“Kang Ujin himself is an unbelievable existence. After seeing him, I did some research, but there’s no connection to him domestically. That’s why I think he was overseas.”

At this point, something clicked for PD Song Man-woo, and he smiled.

“Oh, I do know one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Kang Ujin is good at design.”

“Huh??”

“He worked at a design company until a month ago. A friend of his even confirmed it.”

“Design... what does that mean??”

Returning to reality in his van, Yoo Jung-min. The more he thought about Kang Ujin, the more mysterious he seemed.

“Bro, what do you think about the self-taught acting?”

“That’s just talk, isn’t it? It seems like he just threw it out to lighten the mood.”

“What if it’s true? If he really learned acting on his own?”

“...Then he’s a freak. There’s no such thing as a freak like that. Just someone born to act?”

Yoo Jung-min felt a growing unease. Soon, he pulled out the script for ‘Profiler Hanjang’ Part 1, rereading the scene where Kang Ujin played Park Daeri. Then, he spoke to the manager again.

“There’s supposed to be an interview today, right? Can you reschedule it?”

“Huh? Why suddenly?”

“I want to review the script. Thoroughly.”

“But you’ve already analyzed it, haven’t you?”

“No, more. More thoroughly.”

In fact, Yoo Jung-min couldn’t just sit still. It was as if a fire had been lit under his feet. The reason was simple.

“I can’t be overshadowed by the supporting actors.”

It was a sense of crisis. Or urgency. The mere appearance of Kang Ujin had ignited a fire in top actor Yoo Jung-min.

Interestingly.

“Bro! Cancel my skin care appointment for today!”

Yoo Jung-min wasn’t the only one. The lead and supporting actors who saw Kang Ujin’s performance at the script reading were in a similar state. Of course, including Hong Hyeon. Due to Kang Ujin, the entire cast was burning with passion and enthusiasm.

Thus, a wind of change, fueling the flames, swept through the actors.

“Drop me off at home, and don’t contact me until tomorrow.”

“Huh? What are you talking about, Taesan?”

“I need to dive deeper into the script.”

This meant the quality of the work would improve by several levels.

The next morning. In Kang Ujin’s one-room apartment.

After arriving home yesterday, eating ramen, and passing out, Kang Ujin suddenly opened his eyes.

“...Another day has passed.”

It was around 9 a.m. The script reading on Saturday and Sunday had disappeared like a dream. Today was Monday, March 9. The workweek had already started, and Ujin, still lying down, moved his head. On the right were the business cards he had received.

“Hmm—”

Ujin, spitting out a small amount of saliva, stretched and suddenly picked up the script for ‘Profiler Hanjang’ Part 2. Then, he pressed the black square attached to the script.

Kang Ujin suddenly entered a subspace.

Before him, an endlessly dark space unfolded. The reason he entered the subspace was simple.

“I need to think.”

To ponder. This was a method Ujin often used recently. He entered the subspace to think about small concerns, which also saved some time.

Anyway.

“Hmm— an agency.”

Ujin, recalling the business cards and briefings he had received, stroked his chin. He walked toward the area where a white square was floating. Then,

“Huh?”

Ujin noticed something.

-[1/Script (Title: Hunting Shop), B-grade]

-[2/Script (Title: Profiler Hanjang Part 1), S-grade]

The grade of ‘Profiler Hanjang’ had changed to S-grade. It was clearly A+ before the script reading. This meant the value of ‘Profiler Hanjang’ had increased. Ujin tilted his head, finding it hard to understand.

Of course, he didn’t know that he was the catalyst for this change.

“Why did it suddenly go up?”

Kang Ujin was completely unaware.

March 10.

Kang Ujin, carrying a large backpack, left his one-room apartment early in the morning. About 5 minutes later, someone called out to him at the bus stop.

“Haha, Mr. Ujin!”

It was Director Shin Dong-chun with a square jaw, who had parked his minivan. Ujin started walking, muttering to himself.

Why?

From today, for about 5 days.

‘I need to remember to act cool. It’s a short film, but it’s my first time on a film set, so I’m a bit nervous.’

The main filming for ‘Hunting Shop’ was starting.

Later, around 11 a.m. in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

In front of the villa where the main filming for ‘Hunting Shop’ would take place.

“Phew! It’s a bit cold today! It’s March, but it’s still cold.”

On the grassy lawn, the actors of ‘Hunting Shop’ were visible. Including the extras, there were about 5 people—three men and two women. They were all busy closing their coats, as the weather was slightly chilly.

“At least we have a place to sit. Usually, at other