Chapter 41

Fast (3)

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was about to raise his phone to inform Kang Woo-jin, hesitated.

“......”

His eyes reddened as he paused, memories of years of hardship and trials suddenly resurfacing. How many times had he been ignored? How many hellish days had he endured? However, those damn times were not failures.

Because he met Kang Woo-jin at the edge of the cliff and completed the film.

Thus, the sight of the editors hugging each other looked beautiful to Director Shin Dong-chun. It was just a short film, but he didn't do it half-heartedly. Instead, it required several times more effort.

The fruit of passion and time.

Regardless of the weight of the work, whether it was a short film or a commercial, they had the right to be happy. One of the editors smiled and met the moist eyes of Director Shin Dong-chun.

"I feel like a masterpiece has been born. It could really turn the 'Mijangsen Short Film Festival' upside down!"

"Of course, we spent countless days editing for this. I'm satisfied. I'm sure Mr. Woo-jin will be too."

At this point, another editor abruptly changed the subject.

"Ah, but I heard that the atmosphere of the 'Mijangsen Short Film Festival' is changing from this year?"

"Ah, yes. The sponsor has changed, I believe?"

"Right. When the sponsor changes, the first year usually sees drastic changes."

"Considering that the 'Mijangsen Short Film Festival' is already a major event in the short and art film scene, will they be pouring in more money?"

In response, Director Shin Dong-chun laughed as if it didn't matter.

"Of course, there will be significant changes, but it's fine. 'Hunting Agency' will grab attention wherever it's shown."

"Indeed. The lead acting is insane."

The editor smiled and tapped the monitor with his index finger.

"Will you do a test screening?"

"Of course. I'm not sure if the two main actors can come, as they are currently filming..."

Director Shin Dong-chun, trailing off, picked up his phone again. The thought that Kang Woo-jin might still be filming spread, so he changed the recipient to Choi Sung-geun.

The connection signal was short.

"Yes, Director Shin."

Soon, Director Shin Dong-chun spoke firmly to Choi Sung-geun's response from the other end of the phone.

"Mr. Choi, I just finished editing 'Hunting Agency.' We can set up a test screening."

"......Finally."

Choi Sung-geun, as the representative and investor of the two main actors of 'Hunting Agency,' replied.

"We should set it up, right away."

"Can Mr. Woo-jin and Ms. Hye-yeon attend?"

"Ms. Hye-yeon is starting a new project, so it might be difficult. Mr. Woo-jin is in the middle of filming, so it should be possible."

This moment was also very important to Choi Sung-geun on the other end of the phone.

"First, I'll ask for their opinions."

The next morning, on the 11th, at a sound studio.

It was around 8 a.m. Kang Woo-jin, walking down the hallway with the management team, including Choi Sung-geun, was visible. He had a natural short haircut and a simple hoodie, with a seemingly indifferent expression. However, he was very excited.

'How amazing, I'm going to watch a movie I'm in.'

A test screening of 'Hunting Agency' was about to take place. Fortunately, the filming of 'Profiler Hanryang' could be postponed until after lunch.

At this moment.

- Creak.

Choi Sung-geun opened the thick door of the studio. The interior was similar to a recording studio, neither too small nor too large. There were numerous monitors and keyboards with unknown names. Props that seemed out of place, such as a bowl, a baseball bat, and a woman's high heels, were also visible.

Although it was for sound work, it was unfamiliar to Kang Woo-jin.

At this point.

"Ah, you've arrived?"

Including Director Shin Dong-chun with a square jaw, the people who had arrived early at the studio greeted Kang Woo-jin's team. There were about four people in total. Except for Director Shin Dong-chun, they were all unfamiliar to Woo-jin. Nevertheless, Director Shin Dong-chun and Choi Sung-geun greeted each other first.

"Congratulations, Director. I'm really happy, hahaha."

"Not at all, it's all thanks to the investor."

"Oh, how embarrassing."

"That's the sound director, and this person, you've met before, right? The production company's manager."

Director Shin Dong-chun, with an excited face, introduced everyone. After the introductions, Director Shin Dong-chun approached Kang Woo-jin.

"Mr. Woo-jin."

He was more concerned about Kang Woo-jin than his own disheveled appearance during the editing period.

"Your face is half gone. The filming is intense, right? Especially with PD Song, who is known for his extremely demanding sets."

What's with this person? Was he isolated on an island? It doesn't seem like the right time to worry about me. To Woo-jin, it didn't seem like Director Shin Dong-chun was in a position to worry about others, and he asked in a low voice.

"......Are you okay, Director?"

"Huh? Me? Ah, I'm fine. I just haven't slept or eaten well for a few days. This is a common occurrence."

Woo-jin nodded in agreement, but he was also amazed. The entertainment industry is terrifying. He himself was also enduring a hellish schedule. Anyway, Director Shin Dong-chun pointed to a simple chair he had set up.

"Let's talk in detail later. First, let's watch it. Ah, I'm a bit nervous."

Soon, starting with Kang Woo-jin, everyone took their seats. During this time, Woo-jin glanced around the sound studio. He realized that movies are completed in such places. Suddenly, the one week of filming 'Hunting Agency' flashed before his eyes like a panorama.

At the same time.

-Tap, tap!

The lights in the studio went out. The interior was now covered in darkness, and Kang Woo-jin's tension increased. He was about to watch his own movie. It was a short film, but his first lead role and his first work. He felt awkward and detached from reality.

'......Just a few months ago, I was working my ass off at a design company.'

Now, he was about to watch his own movie as the lead actor. It felt like a dream, but it was very real.

At this moment.

"Let's start-"

The sound director, sitting in the middle of the control panel, operated the equipment. Then, the largest of several monitors in front of them turned on.

-♬♪

A thumping effect sound was heard first, and a gray smoke slowly appeared on the black screen. After the gray smoke completely disappeared, the title in the middle became clear.

-'Hunting Agency'

The title, which lasted for about 5 seconds, disappeared, and the sound of a window opening spread throughout the studio. Dr-r-r-r. After this sound ended, an image appeared on the monitor. At the same time, Kang Woo-jin's eyes widened slightly in excitement, though it wasn't noticeable.

'Oh, it's me. This is kind of embarrassing!'

Kang Woo-jin appeared on the large monitor. Or rather, it was Kim Ryu-jin. He opened a worn-out window with 'Hunting Agency' written on it. His hair was messy, his skin rough, and his eyes dull, giving a soulless feeling.

Then.

["Huh-"]

He exhaled a long puff of cigarette smoke. The initial focus was on Kim Ryu-jin's bust standing by the window. Kim Ryu-jin smoked aimlessly, looking heavy and drained. Woo-jin thought about running away at this moment. Then the scene changed, and the side view of Kim Ryu-jin appeared.

["Should I go see the client?"]

Kim Ryu-jin casually stubbed out the cigarette on the window frame.

For about 40 minutes.

The confirmed running time of 'Hunting Agency' was 44 minutes.

Kang Woo-jin, though feeling awkward and embarrassed throughout, mostly watched the movie with a serious focus.

'As for me, Ms. Hong Hye-yeon is really beautiful, no matter what role she plays.'

The completed 'Hunting Agency' was very similar to what Kang Woo-jin had experienced in a parallel space. It felt like watching his own life on screen.

And.

"How was it, Mr. Woo-jin?"

In response to Director Shin Dong-chun's question, Kang Woo-jin suppressed his excitement. The quality of 'Hunting Agency' was good, but it was appropriate to lavish praise in this atmosphere.

'......I didn't know they would use the scene where I fell. That should have been deleted, right? Director.'

Regardless, Woo-jin spoke concisely and weightily.

"It was the best."

At that moment.

While Kang Woo-jin was immersed in 'Hunting Agency,' a silent war was being prepared in the broadcasting industry. 'Profiler Hanryang,' starring the star writer Park Eun-mi and several top actors, was receiving the highest expectations for the first half of the year.

『SBC 'Profiler Hanryang' takes a stand! MBS and TVM schedule overlapping broadcasts』

Other broadcasting stations began to counteract.

The opponents were the public broadcaster MBS and the cable channel TVM. Nowadays, cable and other channels cannot be ignored. The first episode of 'Profiler Hanryang' was scheduled for May 15, the same day.

『[Entertainment Talk] SBC, MBS, TVM clash in Friday-Saturday mini-dramas!』

Whether it was intentional or coincidental, such overlapping schedules are very common in the broadcasting industry.

SBC, MBS, TVM.

The promotional war among the three broadcasting stations intensified. The articles were filled with the names of the top actors they cast, and they held various events on social media to attract the public's attention. On YouTube and other video platforms, they continuously mentioned the new works.

『SBC with Ryu Jeong-min and Hong Hye-yeon, MBS with Go Man-wook and Lee Ah-young, TVM with Kim Ji-woo and Kwak So-ra... Lineup is splendid!』

The public, upon seeing this, expressed their expectations based on their preferences.

- Wow... There's so much to watch in May lol

- I have more reasons to leave work early. I'm a fan of Ryu Jeong-min, so I'll watch 'Hanryang'~

- Park Eun-mi's storytelling is subtly amazing lol. Nowadays, TVM is strong in dramas lol.

- Hong Hye-yeon or Kwak So-ra...... Honestly, Kwak So-ra is the best? Acting, face, and figure, she's the best.

- ↑ Are you kidding? How can you compare Kwak So-ra to Hong Hye-yeon?

- MBS has been making flops, but it seems they're sharpening their knives this year lol. I'm looking forward to it!

- Ryu Jeong-min! Ryu Jeong-min!! Ryu Jeong-min!!! Hurry up and come out!

- Honestly, isn't Park Eun-mi overhyped? lol

- May is Family Month, but it looks like I'll be watching a lot of dramas...

The Friday-Saturday drama war is already intense, and the current situation is like a volcano about to erupt. Therefore, the media is starting to frame the war.

『[Issue Check] SBC, MBS, TVM are in a fierce drama promotion war!』

They are throwing out the bait of winners and losers.

『SBC, MBS, TVM start new dramas simultaneously... Who will win in May?』

Thanks to this, the atmosphere is heating up.

On the same day, in the afternoon, in Yangji, Yongin.

In an open field of a village with fields and farmlands, the 'Profiler Hanryang' filming team had set up. They had already completed the set filming in the morning, and outdoor filming was scheduled from here until late afternoon.

The scene to be filmed here was a reenactment of the crime scene for the serial murders committed by Park Daeri.

Park Daeri, handcuffed, was to calmly reenact the murders he committed in this village, with many police officers and onlookers appearing as extras. Therefore, the main cast and supporting actors of 'Profiler Hanryang,'