Chapter 37

Han Ryang (3)

In a towering warehouse-style set studio, it was truly a world apart from the "Detective Agency" set. Woojin was genuinely amazed. What could be prepared inside such a vast and spacious warehouse?

"Filming a drama in a place like a large logistics warehouse—"

Moreover, the number of staff was enormous.

The lighting team running with their equipment, the camera team carefully moving their cameras, the directing team with the shooting script overseeing the entire scene, the prop team moving various items in a minibus, and so on.

It looked like there were at least 60 people. With the addition of the actors and their management teams, it would easily exceed 100.

"Are all these people going to watch my performance?"

The energy of the staff was different from the script reading.

Although over a hundred people had gathered then, it was completely static due to the lack of movement. But this place was like a battlefield, and being the first day of filming, it must be incredibly tense.

Thanks to this, Kang Woojin thought,

"Damn, it's a bit overwhelming."

The blood vessels throughout his body, along with his heart, began to throb. This was a different kind of tension. Yes, it was closer to a sense of urgency. He had to perform in front of hundreds of eyes in this grand setting.

For someone like Woojin, who was almost a civilian, it was normal for his breathing to quicken.

Still,

"Phew, deep breath, deep breath. Just think of them all as cats and dogs. That'll do."

Woojin had already done his warm-up with "Detective Agency." Therefore, he tried to cool down his racing heart.

Around that time,

-Swoosh.

Two people joined Kang Woojin, who was looking at the set studio. They were the lead actor Jang Suho and the stylist Han Yejeong. Among them, Han Yejeong, with her short hair mixed with green, glanced at the expressionless Kang Woojin.

"Why is he so calm? Is he not nervous at all? That's unusual."

Then, the well-built Jang Suho called out a bit frivolously,

"Wow, this place is huge?! Is everything okay, Mr. Woojin? It's my first time on set, so I'm nervous, nervous!"

His voice was still breaking, but his voice was loud. Seeing this, the expressionless Kang Woojin responded internally,

"Comrade, I'm nervous too."

On the surface, he exuded coolness.

"I'm nervous too."

"Huh? But your expression is so calm! Oh! Are you pretending to be nervous for my sake?"

Nervous? Why are you making assumptions? However, Woojin gave up on explaining. Instead, he showed composure.

"It'll be fine soon."

"Okay! I'll do some deep breathing on the sly."

Choi Sunggeun, who had been on a call a moment ago, appeared with a laugh.

"Alright, let's go in!"

With that, the Kang Woojin team entered the large studio.

The set studio was even more massive inside than outside. It was not just spacious, but the scenery was truly grand. Each section had a set prepared for filming, and dozens of staff members were constantly coming and going.

Cameras and lighting were being meticulously set up around them.

Kang Woojin was busy taking in this different world. But it didn't last long. Song Manwoo PD approached when he saw Woojin arrive. He placed his hand on Kang Woojin's shoulder and smiled.

"You're here, Mr. Kang."

"Yes?"

"No, no, just kidding."

Soon, the Kang Woojin team, including Choi Sunggeun, greeted Song Manwoo PD, and Song Manwoo PD met Choi Sunggeun's gaze.

"Mr. Choi, you're here early? You're the top among the actors."

"Haha, our Woojin is a rookie, so he has to be the first to arrive."

Song Manwoo PD's gaze moved to the calm Kang Woojin.

"So, he's a rookie. Or is he? I'm getting confused."

At the same time, Choi Sunggeun also laughed and agreed.

"That's true. He is a rookie, but in a way, he isn't."

Jang Suho and Han Yejeong, who had recently joined the Kang Woojin team, tilted their heads. They hadn't experienced Woojin yet. Regardless, Song Manwoo PD moved on to the main topic.

He started explaining to Woojin while showing the shooting script.

"Mr. Woojin, today's schedule is mostly about Park Daeri, so keep that in mind."

In other words, Kang Woojin's filming would be non-stop. Indeed, today's shooting script had many cuts featuring the male lead, "Yoo Ji-hyung," and "Park Daeri."

Filming a drama doesn't follow the script in order.

Considering the situation, movements, and the actors' schedules, a shooting roadmap is created, and they film in a scattered manner. Song Manwoo PD would then piece it together in the final editing.

Therefore, no other main or supporting actors, like Hong Hye-yeon, were present today. They were scheduled to join from tomorrow.

"Alright, Mr. Woojin, let's start with makeup and try on the costume. Mr. Woojin, your stylist will go with you to check the Park Daeri costume."

"Yes, PD."

At this moment, Song Manwoo PD, recalling a guest who had secretly come to the set, continued.

"Mr. Woojin, you might have some unexpected good news today. No, I'm sure of it."

He patted Kang Woojin's shoulder.

"An old car is gone, and a luxury car is here, just that feeling?"

Naturally, Woojin asked indifferently,

"What do you mean by that?"

Song Manwoo PD's smile deepened.

"I mean a luxury car is here on set."

A few minutes later,

A large black van arrived at the parking lot in front of the set studio. It was the van of the male lead, Ryu Jeong-min, from "Profiler Han Ryang." Inside the van, Ryu Jeong-min, with a character-appropriate baby perm, sat with his eyes closed.

"......"

He wasn't sleeping. He was controlling his mind, including organizing his breathing. Soon, the top actor Ryu Jeong-min slowly opened his eyes. His mind was filled with thoughts of acting.

Moreover,

-Swoosh.

The script he had just unfolded was worn out from being read so many times. The pages were densely filled with notes, evidence of his analysis. About five minutes later,

"Brother."

Ryu Jeong-min, who had been reading the script and organizing his breathing, called out to his manager and team. He was ready to go to the set.

"Let's go."

-Clunk!

Then, Ryu Jeong-min and his team of about six people walked into the set studio, and Ryu Jeong-min's expression was intense. Despite being a veteran of the industry for over a decade, today felt different.

Ryu Jeong-min's eyes were filled with determination.

He looked like a soldier about to go into battle. It wasn't an inaccurate description.

'It's been a while since I felt this way.'

Today, Ryu Jeong-min was determined to give his all in acting.

'I might not surpass Park Daeri, but I won't be overshadowed.'

At the very least, he needed to match Park Daeri. During the script reading, he was clearly outmatched, but today, he had no intention of letting that happen.

This was not just about his pride as a top actor.

'If I lose to Park Daeri from the start, the psychological impact for the next four episodes will be devastating.'

It was also important for the character he played, Yoo Ji-hyung.

A good actor maintains the character's emotions both on and off set, and constantly observes the co-actors. This is reflected in the next scene.

When dealing with a strong character like Park Daeri, he needed to be even more focused.

In other words, Ryu Jeong-min intended to observe, understand, analyze, and dissect Park Daeri during their scenes together, blurring the line between reality and acting.

Therefore, Ryu Jeong-min,

-Swoosh.

As soon as he entered the set studio, he greeted the staff lightly but immediately looked for Woojin. Where was he? Currently, Ryu Jeong-min saw Woojin in a corner, in the waiting area set up by the staff.

'His atmosphere is heavy as usual today.'

Ryu Jeong-min, evaluating the firm-faced Kang Woojin, approached him.

"Hello."

Ryu Jeong-min's greeting made Woojin turn his head and stand up calmly, bowing.

"Hello, senior."

"......Yes."

Certainly, he was a senior, but the word "senior" from Woojin felt awkward to Ryu Jeong-min.

'I have to be better than you to be a senior.'

Ryu Jeong-min, who had taken a seat next to Kang Woojin, opened the script.

"Mr. Woojin, how's your condition?"

"I'm fine."

Because of Park Daeri, everything about Woojin was starting to bother him.

"How fine is fine?"

"Like usual."

"Ah, like usual."

"Right."

The more he looked, the more mysterious the actor seemed. Everything was a question mark. His unclear past and the fact that he learned acting through self-study were also puzzling. Ryu Jeong-min slowly lowered his gaze to the script, thinking.

Kang Woojin was a truly intriguing actor.

Would he make mistakes? What if I make a mistake? How would he handle other roles? Or,

'How would he react to my ad-libs?'

Ryu Jeong-min, increasingly determined, wanted to get into the set quickly and engage in a psychological battle with Park Daeri. He was almost anxious.

'Ah, this is the thrill of acting. I remembered it because of Woojin.'

Ryu Jeong-min found acting incredibly enjoyable after years.

At that moment,

"Mr. Jeong-min! Mr. Woojin!"

An assistant director called out to the two actors.

"PD wants to do a rehearsal!"

Kang Woojin and Ryu Jeong-min stood up simultaneously. Then, Ryu Jeong-min, who had been walking ahead, turned to Woojin and smiled slightly.

"Are you ready for today?"

It was about acting. In contrast, Kang Woojin, maintaining a poker face, was internally full of questions.

'What is this guy saying?'

He was also impressed by the top actor's composure.

'Anyway, it feels like a scene from a movie.'

Before filming began,

The makeup for the main actors, including Kang Woojin and Ryu Jeong-min, was done, and the camera, lighting, and audio were in position. The first shooting setup was complete. Dozens of staff members, who had been setting up, quickly dispersed.

Song Manwoo PD, who had taken his seat,

"......"

Was staring at the monitor even before filming started. He was definitely watching Kang Woojin, who was now in full makeup and costume.

'From makeup to costume, his presence has multiplied several times.'

The current Kang Woojin, from head to toe, was Park Daeri. Messy hair, a slightly tired makeup, a common hoodie, and jeans.

This Kang Woojin,

'Phew, it's completely different from "Detective Agency." I'm going crazy.'

His condition wasn't great. The time had finally come. With hundreds of eyes watching and the intense atmosphere, the pressure on Woojin was different from "Detective Agency." There was no consideration, only harsh and rough.

'Oh, I feel a bit queasy.'

The expressionless face of Kang Woojin was not a concept. This time, it was a genuine expression. His heart was pounding, and occasionally, chills ran down his body. Goosebumps kept appearing.

The heavy atmosphere on set. It was incredibly intense.

Already feeling mentally drained, the grandeur of the large set and the serious gazes of dozens of staff members were putting even more pressure on Kang Woojin. The large, nameless cameras made