Chapter 36

Hanryang (2)

Around noon on the 23rd, the bomb dropped by Director Uhyun quickly escalated into a nuclear bomb by night, spreading across the internet in various places. The scale was enormous.

"Victims of Film Giant Director Uhyun: 'That Director Touched Me Explicitly'"

The chaos was unprecedented.

This year's first entertainment-related scandal, combined with Director Uhyun's massive reputation, fueled the fire. The flames spread rapidly, and the entertainment industry froze instantly.

Given this situation:

- Shock!! The Hidden Ugly Side of Master Director Uhyun! Sexual Harassment Was Just the Tip of the Iceberg?! All Victims Cried.

- IssueKingTV

- Views: 3,107,335

The video uploaded by 'IssueKingTV' reached 3 million views. The impact was tremendous. It spread not only across various communities but also on SNS, YouTube, and many other platforms, revealing Director Uhyun's ugly true face in stark detail.

- Wow... I can't believe I watched this guy's movies... So disgusting...

- Haha, if he messed around that much at his age, he should pay the price... B*stard

- Investigate thoroughly to make the victims less wronged

- Physiognomy is science lol, does it really match his appearance?

- I hope he gets back what he inflicted on others, multiplied

- I feel like I'm going to throw up

- Master is b*stard lol, just a leech

- Take down all Uhyun's criminal movies

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It had gone beyond the point of no return. The finale of this chaos even made it to the TV news, which would further escalate the situation by morning through radio and word of mouth. Amidst the rapid escalation of Director Uhyun's downfall, many people were busy discussing matters related to Kang Woojin.

PD Song Manwoo and writer Park Eunmi, for example.

"Really? I didn't know that happened?"

"Yes, it did. I didn't say anything to help Park Writer focus on her writing."

"· · · Wow."

Even Choi Sunggeun and Hong Hyeon from the same agency.

"Is Kang Woojin's family related to shamans?"

"· · · · · That's a bit far-fetched."

"It could be! We don't know anything about his past or circumstances."

"Anyway, if Woojin had taken on that Uhyun project, it would have been a disaster. That kind of talent is innate. Why was such a talented person hidden all this time? I can't ignore Woojin's potential anymore."

On the other hand, there was someone who remained focused on their work despite the chaos. Director Shin Dongchun of 'Detective Agency' was locked in the production company's editing room. With the editor, Director Shin Dongchun had a stubble beard.

"Let's run that last cut again."

"· · Yes."

All three were so engrossed in editing that they looked utterly exhausted. Dark circles under their eyes and disheveled appearances were evident.

"But Director Shin, this guy Kang Woojin? You said he's a newcomer? The more I watch, the more his acting seems insane."

"Hmm—Honestly, the camera can't capture everything. Seeing him on set is indescribable."

"I see. How can a newcomer have such expressions? It's both poignant and tragic, yet his eyes are full of tension. It's amazing."

"The performance is intense, but it's more like he's experienced the situation hundreds of times. He analyzed the script thoroughly."

"I've been editing for over a decade, and even veterans don't often show such expressions. This newcomer has a promising future."

Director Shin Dongchun, with his square jaw, felt a sense of regret over the recently completed cuts. The more he watched Kang Woojin's performance, the more he felt the editing was lacking.

'Is it really enough to leave it like this?'

The quality of the material was too good. With such high-quality material, the editing seemed to dampen the tone. 'Detective Agency' was a short film for a film festival, different from commercial films that rely on star power to sell tickets. The editing needed to be even more powerful.

Many films fail in the editing stage.

Ultimately, a film is born from the director's hands. No matter how brilliant the actors' performances, if the director lacks skill, the film will be labeled a failure. Director Shin Dongchun didn't want to give Kang Woojin such a label.

It would betray the love and hate he had received.

'A thousand times better to be arrogant than to be labeled a failure.'

Director Shin Dongchun, envisioning Woojin's rising status due to the high quality of the work.

"I can't leave it like this. Let's revise the previous cut."

"· · · Yes? Director, you've already revised this three times? Isn't time a bit tight?"

"No, we need to fix it, even if it takes ten or a hundred times. The actor showed such dedication in his performance; the director can't ruin it with poor editing."

"Well, that's true, but will you be satisfied? Being too greedy might backfire."

"Let's try more. There was a full shot besides the close-up. Let's use that."

"Ah · · · Yes."

Gradually, Director Shin Dongchun's determination grew stronger and he became more focused.

A little more, just a little more, just a tiny bit more.

'Even if it can't be perfect, it must be properly completed.'

Meanwhile, at the center of it all, Kang Woojin:

- *Puff!*

He had just entered a subspace to delete Director Uhyun's 'negotiation' script. What was interesting was:

"Huh?"

In the endlessly dark space, Woojin tilted his head as he saw white rectangles.

Specifically, the white rectangle for 'Detective Agency.'

"This one suddenly rose?"

The reason was simple.

-[1/Script (Title: Detective Agency), A-grade]

The grade for 'Detective Agency' had risen to A.

The next morning.

At bw Entertainment, Choi Sunggeun introduced Kang Woojin to new team members. A road manager and a stylist, with Choi Sunggeun as the overall manager, making a total of three people. Given the current state of Kang Woojin, this was a manageable team.

"This is Jang Soohwan, who will be your road manager! And this is Han Yejeong, who will handle your styling. By the way, Han Yejeong is from Hyeon's team."

Jang Soohwan's first impression on Woojin was that he looked exactly like Kim Daeyoung, due to his large build.

'If I put him with Kim Daeyoung, there won't be any trouble.'

However, Jang Soohwan's voice was surprisingly thin and high-pitched.

"Hello! Senior Woojin! I'm young, so please treat me casually!"

The stark contrast between his bear-like build and thin voice almost made Kang Woojin burst into laughter, thinking of his friend Kim Daeyoung. Damn Kim Daeyoung. Regardless, Kang Woojin suppressed his laughter and greeted him politely.

"Nice to meet you."

Next was the stylist, Han Yejeong. She had short black hair with green highlights, and her voice was slightly rough.

"Hello, I'm younger than you. I've already seen the 'Hanryang' style concept and prepared the clothes."

"Nice to meet you."

Kang Woojin completed his greetings, infused with the concept. Jang Soohwan and Han Yejeong, observing him, had their own brief thoughts.

'He has a very serious aura, but he seems kind! I need to work hard.'

'For a newcomer, he's quite cool.'

Choi Sunggeun, looking at the four of them, including himself and Kang Woojin, laughed heartily.

"This is the Kang Woojin team, hahaha! Let's all do our best!"

This was the moment Kang Woojin's first team was formed.

At that time, at a large film company.

MV Films, located near Sinchon Station, was a versatile film company that produced both commercial and art films. While its main focus was on commercial films, it had a significant track record in art films.

As a result, many unfamiliar movie posters were displayed in the lobby.

In a medium-sized conference room of MV Films, an elderly man sat alone at a U-shaped table. He was the renowned director Kwon Gitek, known for his gentle demeanor.

"Hmm-"

He was sitting alone, looking at a tablet screen. The screen displayed articles about the chaos surrounding Director Uhyun since yesterday.

"Tsk, what a fool."

Kwon Gitek, with his protruding belly, clicked his tongue. Such incidents freeze the film industry. Although he didn't get along with Director Uhyun, the years they spent together and the circumstances made him feel uneasy.

"What can be done? He brought it upon himself."

But it couldn't be undone. Currently, various portal sites were filled with news about Director Uhyun. His criminal acts were not minor.

In short:

"It's over."

The illustrious career of Director Uhyun was coming to an end. No end credits were needed. His impressive filmography would turn to ashes. At least, that was Kwon Gitek's opinion.

Soon, as Kwon Gitek sighed and shook his head, there was a knock on the glass door of the conference room. A few men entered, and the one in the lead, a man with small eyes, hesitated, seeing Kwon Gitek's stern expression.

"Director, shall I come back later?"

Kwon Gitek smiled, as if it was no problem.

"No, it's fine. Let's start."

The men sat across from Kwon Gitek, and the man with small eyes handed him some papers and transparent files.

"Director, please check the military uniform concept designs first."

"Um."

"We've prepared the top and bottom for now."

Kwon Gitek, looking down at the concept designs, focused intently. Then he raised his index finger.

"Let's narrow it down to these three."

"Understood."

The man with small eyes, nodding, collected the concept designs and suddenly changed the subject.

"Director, what are your plans for tomorrow? You're going to the first shooting location for 'Profiler Hanryang,' right?"

"Yes, I have to go. I've received the time and location, and I've already informed PD Song, so there shouldn't be any issues."

"Then, how many people are going?"

"Let's go with three, including you and me. We can't interfere with someone else's important shoot. We need to be discreet. We'll just quietly observe Ryu Jeongmin's performance and leave."

"But do you really need to go in person? The rumor about improving acting quality might just be a rumor."

"Hmm. I need to confirm it. Seeing Ryu Jeongmin in person will ease my concerns."

Kwon Gitek, crossing his arms, smiled.

"If his performance has really improved, and if I can understand why, that would be great."

25th, early morning.

It was around 8 AM. The location was a massive set complex in Ilsan. The studio, which looked like a logistics warehouse, consisted of seven combined studios. Each studio was enormous. In front of 'Studio A,' despite the early hour, there was a crowd.

Several minibuses and vans were parked.

At least ten vehicles were visible, and the front windows of the cars had papers with the title 'Profiler Hanryang' attached. Dozens of people poured out of the vehicles.

"Start setting up the shooting team! Please check the shooting schedule and get ready!"

"We don't have walkie-talkies!"

"Ah! Here they are!"

At a glance, there were at least fifty people. They moved busily as soon as they got out of the vehicles. Although not perfectly organized, they all had the same determined look, full of passion.

At this moment:

*Swish*

A man with a beard got out of the first parking spot van. He looked exhausted. It was PD Song Manwoo. He held a script in one hand and stretched after looking at the large set studio.

"Ugh! Here we go."

The answer to what was starting was simple.

The first day of shooting, or the first day of filming.

On Wednesday, the 25th, the first day of shooting for 'Profiler Hanryang,' featuring major stars, was about to begin. This is why the eyes of all the dozens of staff were filled with determination. Of course, PD Song Manwoo, the on-site chief, was no exception.

At this moment:

*Beep!*

A voice from the small walkie-talkie attached to his waist spoke.

"PD! Please check the interrogation room props!"

"Okay, I'm coming."

PD Song Manwoo and the production team entered the set.

An hour later:

*Screech!*

A familiar black van parked in the crowded parking lot. The rear door of the van opened, and a man with a cynical expression got out.

"· · ·"

He looked at the front expressionlessly. However, his feelings as he looked up at the large set studio were not calm.

'Wow, it's insane, so huge?'

He was actor Kang Woojin, playing the role of 'Park Daeri,' and he was the first actor to arrive on set. As he silently marveled at the large studio:

'It looks just like a logistics center, doesn't it?'

Three men naturally passed in front of Woojin. Of course, Kang Woojin, who was looking up at the studio, didn't notice.

However:

*Swish*

The man in the lead, wearing a mask and giving a gentle impression, was none other than the renowned Director Kwon Gitek. He glanced at the expressionless Kang Woojin, who was looking up at the large set complex.

'He looks surprised. Is this his first time at a large set complex? He looks like an actor with a mask, but I don't recognize him.'

Kwon Gitek, moving again, smiled faintly.

"Is he a newcomer? He's cute."

He muttered to himself.

"I wonder if he'll make a mistake due to nervousness while acting."

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