Chapter 35

(1)

The moment Director Woo Hyun-gu saw the headline with his name, his eyes widened dramatically. They were so red from the impending tears that they seemed about to spill over.

“D-Did this article just come out?!!”

Director Woo Hyun-gu, so agitated that he stammered, had lost all his usual arrogance. In contrast, Director Kwon Gi-taek, who stood with his arms crossed on the opposite side, remained calm.

“It doesn’t seem to have been up for long.”

“Damn journalists, what have they done!!”

Director Woo Hyun-gu, a mix of urgency and excitement, quickly checked the content of the article, his eyebrows, streaked with white, trembling. The title was already bad, but the content was even more despicable.

It listed various similar crimes starting with sexual harassment, and the victims were not just a few. The details were shockingly thorough. Naturally, all the crimes pointed to the great director, Woo Hyun-gu. This was far from being a tabloid story.

Moreover.

“...YouTuber exposé?”

The source was clear. The article mentioned that a YouTuber with nearly a million subscribers had dropped a bomb.

At that moment.

-Whoosh.

Director Kwon Gi-taek smoothly stood up and retrieved his phone, which Director Woo Hyun-gu had been staring at. He then calmly left the room, pausing briefly.

“Right, you mentioned earlier that it would be difficult to have this meeting for a while, didn’t you?”

Director Kwon Gi-taek, glancing slightly at the dazed Director Woo Hyun-gu, murmured softly.

“It won’t be just for a while. This is for life. If you commit a crime, you must face the consequences. Take care. Repent while you can.”

With that, Director Kwon Gi-taek left the room. Meanwhile, Director Woo Hyun-gu just stared blankly into space. After about ten seconds, he took out his phone and accessed YouTube, looking for the YouTuber who had started the exposé.

What was interesting was that.

“Damn... I can’t believe it.”

There was no need to search. The video he was looking for was already at the top of the real-time videos.

-Shock!! The Hidden Ugly Side of Great Director Woo Hyun-gu! Sexual harassment was just the beginning?! All the victims cried.

-IssueKingTV

-Views: 303,128 / 2020. 3. 23

The video had been uploaded about an hour ago, but it already had over 300,000 views.

It would easily surpass a million views by the end of the day.

Director Woo Hyun-gu had turned from a great director into a massive scumbag. The situation where decades of his life's work crumbled in an instant left him pale.

“...Ah. Just, wait a moment. Something’s gone wrong.”

Director Woo Hyun-gu, raising his slightly trembling hand, was about to touch the video when.

-♬♪!!

His phone started ringing like it was angry. It was a call. The caller, of course, was the BoxMovie film company he had a contract with. At that moment, Director Woo Hyun-gu's thoughts froze.

But his phone kept urging him.

As soon as the ringtone stopped.

-♬♪,♬♪,♬♪!

Texts and messages started pouring in like crazy. Director Woo Hyun-gu, looking down at this scene, threw his phone as if it were covered in feces. But the notification sounds from his phone continued endlessly.

-♬♪,♬♪,♬♪,♬♪!

Director Woo Hyun-gu, shivering from the cold, muttered softly.

“...Shit. It’s over.”

It sounded like a last word.

At the same time.

Kang Woo-jin was in a studio, just before the filming was about to start. Actually, he wasn't alone in the studio. The main actors of 'Profiler Hanrang' were all gathered there.

The studio setup was somewhat like a movie theater.

In the center of the stage, several chairs were arranged. The main actors, starting with Ryu Min-ki in a trench coat and Hong Hye-yeon with her long hair neatly tied up, sat in a row. And at the very end.

“...”

Kang Woo-jin, playing the role of 'Park Daeri,' sat silently. He had done his hair and makeup, and his blue jacket outfit was stylish. Even among the glamorous top actors, he didn’t look out of place. Today, he was not Park Daeri but actor Kang Woo-jin. His noticeable transformation caught the attention of the top actors.

Except for Hong Hye-yeon.

The first to sit, Ryu Jeong-min, who had changed from long hair to a baby perm for the role of the male lead 'Yoo Ji-hyeong.'

‘I thought the original cast was good, but... the makeup really makes a difference. The visuals are several times better.’

The main actors, including Jang Tae-san and Lee Do-jeong, glanced at Kang Woo-jin subtly. This was their first official meeting since the shocking script reading. Kang Woo-jin was still shrouded in mystery and wasn’t particularly close to the other actors.

‘He’s really setting the mood today. But how many faces does he have? He doesn’t even smell like Park Daeri anymore. He looks like a completely different person after the makeup.’

‘Oh, he’s so different from when he was playing Park Daeri today. I always thought he was quite handsome, but...’

‘Right? I was also completely surprised when I saw him for the first time just now.’

At that moment.

-Whoosh.

Song Man-woo PD, who had been talking outside, entered the studio. He threw a hurried sign to the passing staff and moved towards the main stage where the actors were seated. He then paused.

“Hmm.”

In front of the stage, among the dozens of staff, he saw the familiar pompadour hairstyle of a man and stood next to him.

“Must be satisfying, right? With two of your actors here, and they’re even the core characters of our drama.”

The man with the pompadour, actually Choi Sung-geun, smiled at Song Man-woo PD.

“Not really. Both of them have personalities that are beyond normal, and they have a tough road ahead.”

“Not just their personalities, I think.”

“Haha, that’s true. I’m especially looking forward to Woo-jin.”

“Right, I’m also curious about how big this project will become. But is Woo-jin really done with Director Woo Hyun-gu?”

“Yes, it’s over. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d criticize Director Woo Hyun-gu. And for a reason like this. What can you do? Oh, how different Woo-jin is.”

The word 'instinct' made Song Man-woo PD chuckle. It reminded him of 'Totem.'

“Even that part is somewhat intriguing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing, just talking to myself.”

At this point, the staff around Song Man-woo PD and Choi Sung-geun became a bit noisy. This made Song Man-woo PD frown and call out to the assistant director.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone so agitated?”

A few staff members and the assistant director, who had been looking at their phones, quickly approached. Their faces showed a hint of shock. The assistant director then showed the phone screen to Song Man-woo PD.

“It’s a new article, and it’s huge.”

Song Man-woo PD and Choi Sung-geun, tilting their heads, looked at the phone screen. The article title was very provocative.

『[Exclusive] The Hidden Ugly Face of 'Great' Director Woo Hyun-gu, Exposed by a 900,000 Subscriber YouTuber』

Song Man-woo PD, who was reading the article with Choi Sung-geun, furrowed his brow and snatched the phone from the assistant director. He then began to read the article content carefully. Choi Sung-geun, with a serious face, stood next to him.

Soon, they realized the severity of the situation.

“...That Director Woo Hyun-gu.”

“Is this the Director Woo Hyun-gu we know?”

From the content of the article, it was clear that Great Director Woo Hyun-gu was headed for ruin, and it happened overnight.

“What on earth is going on all of a sudden?”

“That’s what I’m saying! It’s so out of the blue... but from the content, it doesn’t seem like a tabloid story.”

“Have any other articles come out?”

With slightly hurried hands, Song Man-woo PD checked other articles. It didn’t take long. The entertainment section was already flooded with articles about Director Woo Hyun-gu. The hyenas of the media had caught the scent of their prey.

Numerous nuclear bombs were falling on Director Woo Hyun-gu’s life.

At that moment.

“!!!”

Song Man-woo PD’s eyes widened instantly.

“Wait a minute. If this happens...”

“...What?”

Choi Sung-geun, who had asked, also had a flash of realization.

“Oh.”

Soon, Song Man-woo PD and Choi Sung-geun, who had been looking at their phones, raised their heads simultaneously and looked towards the main stage where the actors were seated. More precisely.

“Totem.”

“That instinct.”

They were looking at Kang Woo-jin, who was sitting calmly (holding in a fart). The situation was ripe for deep suspicion. The instinct or sense of this unique monster actor had hit the mark in a spine-chilling way.

Thus, Song Man-woo PD and Choi Sung-geun were enveloped in great shock.

‘This isn’t just a superstitious level of Totem. Did he see the future or something??’

‘What is he? Did he receive divine inspiration? To hit this with his instinct? Does that even make sense??’

The news about Director Woo Hyun-gu also reached the actors on the stage. It started with Jang Tae-san, who was sitting with his legs crossed and looking at his phone.

“Huh? What’s this? Wow, this is crazy. Director Woo Hyun-gu is ruined?”

His murmur drew the attention of actors like Ryu Jeong-min and Hong Hye-yeon. But Kang Woo-jin, sitting at the end, didn’t move. He maintained a heavy expression, seemingly uninterested in worldly affairs. However, his thoughts were different.

He was somewhat anxious.

‘What’s going on? What happened? Damn, I’m so curious.’

Meanwhile, the other actors who had checked the article were covering their mouths or showing shock and disbelief.

“Crazy... Is this real, this?”

“I always thought something like this would happen to Director Woo Hyun-gu. He was a pervert.”

“Still, this is crossing the line. He’s a criminal. What kind of era is this where he’s still doing this?”

“The article is very detailed. There are many victims. Wow, this means Director Woo Hyun-gu and BoxMovie are headed for ruin. The movie set is already under construction, and investors are attached.”

“Director Woo Hyun-gu is finished. The breach of contract fees will be enormous.”

The actors chattered busily among themselves. However, this was only about Director Woo Hyun-gu. They paid no attention to Kang Woo-jin, who was sitting at the end.

But one of the actors, who had gathered closely.

“...?”

Only Hong Hye-yeon turned to look at Kang Woo-jin at that moment.

‘He said he had a sense... But to hit it so accurately? Or did he know from the beginning? If not, it’s hard to explain...’

Her already large eyes grew even wider.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin, who had been looking at his phone, slowly met Hong Hye-yeon’s gaze. His poker face remained. Hong Hye-yeon, noticing his firm gaze, frowned.

‘It’s strange that he’s so calm in this situation. What is he, really??’

Though his expression didn’t change, Kang Woo-jin was slightly startled inside.

‘...Did I get caught? I thought I had covered my tracks well.’

He wondered if his secret fart had been detected.

Later.

About an hour after Kang Woo-jin started the interview shooting, various portal sites began to see an increase in articles about Director Woo Hyun-gu.

『[Breaking] YouTuber Exposes the Ugly Truth of 'Great' Director Woo Hyun-gu, Video Views Explode』

『Film Industry in Turmoil Again, Over Five Victims of Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Threats... Silent Response from Major Director Woo Hyun-gu』

His dirty deeds were being detailed in articles and spread widely. It was only a matter of time before the news reached countless people through the fast-spreading words and fingers of the public. Director Woo Hyun-gu remained silent, but it was clear he was headed for a deep, dirty abyss.

As the world became a mess over Director Woo Hyun-gu, the interview shots of the actors, including Kang Woo-jin, ended in the late afternoon. Dozens of staff were tidying up while still talking about Director Woo Hyun-gu. The actors who didn’t leave immediately were no different. At this moment, Hong Hye-yeon suddenly stood up.

-Whoosh.

She stuck to Kang Woo-jin, who was also standing from his chair. Soon, a pleasant fragrance wafted to Woo-jin. But he maintained his expressionless demeanor. Hong Hye-yeon whispered to him.

“Did you know and criticize him?”

“What do you mean?”

“Director Woo Hyun-gu. Did you know and criticize him?”

Ah, that topic? Kang Woo-jin had already heard about it.

But his reaction wasn’t as big as the other actors. He just thought, ‘So that’s why it was an F-grade.’ He knew the future hint, so naturally, he had cursed the director inside.

However, he couldn’t say that directly.

Honestly, Kang Woo-jin didn’t expect the F-grade to be due to such an incident. He thought it would be a massive box office failure. If it was something else, he thought it would happen later.

‘I thought the movie would at least be released.’

By then, a few months would have passed, and people’s memories would be a bit hazy. There would have been a chance to cover up or dodge the issue. But the incident happened sooner than expected.

‘If I were in his shoes, I’d be speechless. My instinct would seem like some kind of future prediction. Oh, it’s somewhat similar, isn’t it?’

Regardless, Kang Woo-jin, maintaining his cynical demeanor while pondering, wasn’t too worried. After all, there was no evidence.

What could be done without evidence? Kang Woo-jin thought he would use the word 'instinct' frequently in the future. It would be better if it was more accurate. Still, he was a bit nervous. Hong Hye-yeon, who had been closely following him, asked again. The pleasant fragrance grew stronger.

“You said you criticized him based on your instinct, but it’s too accurate.”

Expression management. First, calm down. After a mental control, Woo-jin recited the prepared answer in a low voice.

“It’s a coincidence.”

“...A coincidence?”

“Yes, a coincidence.”

Hong Hye-yeon, taking it more seriously.

“So you criticized Director Woo Hyun-gu based on your instinct, and it just happened to be a perfect match, leading to this situation?”

“Yeah, that’s how it happened.”

“No, that doesn’t make sense... But why are you so calm?”

“Should I jump up and down?”

At that moment, Choi Sung-geun, with his pompadour and wide-eyed, ran onto the stage. He also stuck to Kang Woo-jin’s right side.

“Mr. Woo-jin. Explain about Director Woo Hyun-gu.”

“It’s a coincidence.”

“Y-Yeah...? It looks like a coincidence to anyone, but the timing is just too perfect.”

Choi Sung-geun, trailing off, looked at Kang Woo-jin’s face. It was unwavering. He wasn’t lying, was he? It had to be a coincidence. It couldn’t be a lie.

Otherwise.

‘I’d have to believe in