Chapter 44

### Chapter 2

Standing at the entrance of the classroom, Wujin stroked his chin as he gazed at the white rectangle of "The Island of Disappearance" in the subspace.

"The rating is D, I can understand that. But why is the completion so low?"

Reflecting on it, there was only one thing that had a low completion.

"That side script."

The few pages of the side script he had encountered when he first accessed the subspace. Since that side script was just a few pages torn from an existing script, it made sense that its completion was low. However, Director Kwon Giteak's script was the opposite. Wujin was a bit puzzled.

"What is it? Is it an unfinished draft? No, that's not it."

Wujin shook his head as he muttered to himself. It was impossible to cast actors with an unfinished script. Lacking knowledge of the entertainment industry, Wujin had studied whenever he had the chance.

"Actor casting starts during pre-production, right? Somewhere in the middle of that process, I think."

In reality, actors decide to appear after reading a completed script. While it can happen through connections, that's rare. No matter how close the relationship, business is ruthless.

Moreover,

"That gentle director said he had already sent the script to other actors, right?"

Director Kwon Giteak had mentioned that he had already sent the script to a few actors. Therefore, it was correct to assume that the script for "The Island of Disappearance" was complete. Yet, the subspace had rated it as having low completion and a low grade.

"Feels like the timing to find an actor... I'm just a nobody, so they'll probably give me a small role. It must be because my acting is good that this opportunity came. But even if he's a great director, this is a bit too much."

Wujin was conflicted. The great Director Kwon Giteak had personally contacted him for an unknown actor. Wujin was slightly moved by the effort.

But the low grade and low completion were concerning.

Even if Director Oh Hyun-gu's script was rated F, its completion was high. At this moment, Wujin was leaning towards rejecting it. But, let's put that aside for now.

-Whoosh.

Wujin, having organized his thoughts, lifted his head and focused on the white rectangle again.

-[3/Script (Title: The Island of Disappearance), D-grade]

The title was "The Island of Disappearance." Even though Wujin didn't enjoy content much, it didn't seem like a calm story. It felt like a thriller or action movie. Soon, Wujin selected the white rectangle and scanned through the available roles.

"Captain, Sergeant, Corporal—"

The roles had a strong military vibe. Was this a war movie? Not necessarily. Just because it featured soldiers, it didn't have to be a war movie. However, one thing was certain.

"There will be guns and probably some killing, right?"

It felt like there would be intense gunfights or at least a lot of combat. If Wujin read this script, he would be dropped right into the thick of the action. Wujin was a bit scared.

After all,

Guns weren't unfamiliar since he had seen them often in the military, but he had never experienced war or bloody combat. Maybe in training.

"Really, I've seen it all. But if I don't do this movie, it's fine."

Wujin was prepared for whatever scripts or scenarios he might receive in the future. Then, he thought,

"Still, I hope it's not a nuclear disaster or something like that."

Wujin, who had been daydreaming, scratched his head and decided to exit the subspace.

"Exit."

He muttered into the air. His dark vision instantly changed to the conference room. In front of him, the gentle Director Kwon Giteak was still standing. He asked,

"Wujin?"

Kwon Giteak tilted his head as he looked at Wujin.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Wujin quickly regained his poker face.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Good, that's a relief. I was worried when you paused after receiving the script. I thought maybe you didn't like it."

Ah, that was close to the truth. The pause was due to the time difference when entering the subspace, but Wujin didn't actually like the script.

However,

'First, I need to play along a bit.'

It was hard to be straightforward like with Director Oh Hyun-gu. With the great Director Kwon Giteak in front of him, and the fact that he had come personally, Wujin needed to be polite.

Everyone sat down at the D-shaped table.

Director Kwon Giteak and the film company staff sat on one side, while Wujin and Choi Sung-geun with his ponytail sat opposite. As soon as Wujin sat down, he flipped to the first page of "The Island of Disappearance" script. He was genuinely curious.

Maybe reading a bit would reveal why the completion was low.

At that moment, Director Kwon Giteak smiled kindly.

"Just skim through it and get a feel for the story. See if it appeals to you."

Choi Sung-geun, who had been observing the room, interjected.

"Director, if our Wujin likes it, can I think about the next steps?"

Director Kwon Giteak nodded gently.

"Of course. I believe that as long as an actor can act well, other issues don't matter. I wouldn't have come to the set so many times if I didn't think about working with Wujin."

Choi Sung-geun, who was inwardly rejoicing but maintaining a calm facade, looked at Wujin. Director Kwon Giteak's gaze then fell on the skeptical Wujin.

"Still, an actor needs to like the script to move forward."

Suddenly,

-Whoosh.

Everyone's eyes, including Director Kwon Giteak, Choi Sung-geun, and the film company staff, turned to Wujin. Wujin was silently reading the script. One page, two pages. He had already read a dozen pages.

His stern expression made it clear that he was taking it seriously.

Director Kwon Giteak, sitting opposite, smiled with interest.

'Indeed, no matter who is in front of him or what the situation, he remains unfazed and does what he needs to do. It seems he already has an answer, though.'

However, Wujin, though he didn't show it, was growing more puzzled.

'I don't get it. No, I really don't. The more I read, the less I understand why the completion is low. What exactly is wrong with it?'

He couldn't figure it out. What part of the script was incomplete? The "Island of Disappearance" script Wujin was reading had no obvious flaws. There was nothing wrong with it. Wujin sighed inwardly.

'What do I know just by reading it?'

He had only read a few scripts and scenarios. It wasn't a level where he could judge based on superficial impressions. But it was a bit unsettling.

I don't know, I'll just ask.

Wujin, who had been calmly reading the script, lifted his gaze. Director Kwon Giteak and the film company staff were still watching him. Wujin spoke to Director Kwon Giteak in a slightly cold tone.

"Director, I'm sorry, but—"

"Yes, go ahead. Speak freely."

"Is this script definitely the next project?"

The film company staff's eyes widened, and Director Kwon Giteak's face showed interest.

"Why do you ask that?"

"I find it a bit strange. It feels like it's pretending to be complete."

"…Pretending to be complete?"

"I'm sorry. You told me to speak freely."

As Wujin apologized politely, the film company staff began to murmur. Choi Sung-geun, who was sitting next to Wujin, looked at him with a shocked expression. Another incident had occurred.

In the midst of this,

"Did you make that judgment after reading just a few pages? And based on a feeling?"

Director Kwon Giteak asked calmly. Wujin was a bit nervous inside. Had he made a mistake? But his expression remained firm.

"I'm sorry."

At that moment,

"Ha ha, indeed, impressive?"

Director Kwon Giteak suddenly laughed.

"To be honest, I was unsure. It seems PD Song was right."

"…Yes?"

"Still, I didn't expect you to have such an instinct for the script after just a few pages."

What is he talking about, this gentle uncle? Wujin, who was inwardly questioning, saw Director Kwon Giteak's smile deepen.

"Unbelievable, but you're right. It is a script pretending to be complete."

He gestured to the film company staff next to him, who then pulled out another stack of papers from below. Director Kwon Giteak handed it to Wujin.

"Then, read this one."

An hour later.

Wujin and Choi Sung-geun were no longer in the conference room, but Director Kwon Giteak and the film company staff were still there. The production PD, who was tidying up, asked Director Kwon Giteak cautiously.

"Director, may I ask why you showed Wujin the initial draft of the script before the revisions?"

"Hmm?"

"Was it a kind of test…?"

Director Kwon Giteak, who had been looking at the script, lowered it again. It was the "script pretending to be complete" that Wujin had mentioned.

"I don't plan to hold auditions."

"…What?"

"Kang Wujin. I plan to bring him on board without an audition. Of course, it depends on whether he likes my script first."

Instantly, the film company staff froze. Their eyes were the same. Could the great director, who only worked with top actors, really say such a thing?

The production PD was the most shocked.

"Even so, he doesn't have a significant filmography. I'm not doubting his skills, but shouldn't you see if he fits the role?"

"That was part of the test. Of course, I was also curious."

"What, what do you mean?"

Director Kwon Giteak, crossing his arms, recalled the indifferent Wujin he had just seen.

"He didn't show any excitement."

"Excuse me?"

"This newcomer, in his second project, remained calm in this situation, ignoring me and focusing on the script. He even pointed out the script's issues clearly without flattery."

"That was quite surprising. Even for a pre-revision script, it's hard for ordinary actors to notice such things."

"From his English skills, it's clear he has been abroad. He mentioned that he had been self-studying acting for a long time. I still don't understand the self-study part, but if it's true, he must have read a lot of scripts and scenarios."

"Hmm."

"That's the only way he could have developed such a keen sense. I understand what PD Song meant by his unique star quality. He's intriguing both as an actor and a person."

The production PD, who had been watching the smiling Director Kwon Giteak, cleared his throat and asked.

"Then, which role do you have in mind for Wujin? The supporting roles are already set. Are you considering a minor role or a supporting role?"

Director Kwon Giteak, who had stood up, shook his head gently.

"No, I've changed my mind."

He answered softly.

"I'm thinking of giving him the lead role."

The production PD and the film company staff were shocked.

"…What? The lead role! Director! Which role in the lead?"

Director Kwon Giteak, stroking his chin, remained calm.

"Villain."

A few days later, in the morning at a university in Seoul.

A pretty girl had just left the dormitory. With her long brown hair and a hat, she was tall, about 168 cm. She looked good in her baseball jacket.

She stopped walking and made a phone call.

"…Damn."

But the other person didn't answer. The girl muttered the name.

"Kang Wujin, you bastard."

Kang Wujin suddenly appeared. Why? She was his younger sister, Kang Hyuna.

"Why isn't he answering the phone?"

Kang Hyuna grumbled. She usually didn't call him often. For Kang Wujin and Kang Hyuna, no news was good news. But she had to because of her mother's request. Anyway, Kang Hyuna resumed walking and called her mother.

Her mother answered.

"Hey, what did your brother say?"

"He's not answering. Mom, you should call him. He's not answering your calls either?"

"He answers. But shouldn't you two be more honest with each other?"

"Honest? Ha, we just insult each other. But, is he really doing something like acting?"

"Insulting? Cut off his allowance?"

"…Is it true that my brother is becoming an actor, Mom?"

"That's what he said."

Kang Hyuna, who had stopped walking again, laughed in disbelief.

"He must be crazy. At 27, becoming an actor… Didn't you stop him? It's been over a month."

"Stopping him wouldn't have helped."

"No! Mom! Being an actor is incredibly difficult! Aspiring actors start training before they turn 20! Even then, it's hard to succeed! It's the same with idols. He, I mean, your son's life will be ruined!"

"…Then, you should check on him. Got it? I'm driving, so I'll hang up."

"Mom!"

-Click.

The call was abruptly ended. Soon, Kang Hyuna, recalling her brother's crazy actions, shook her head.

"He's gone mad, suddenly becoming an actor."

At that moment,

"Hyuna!"

Someone called her from behind. She turned to see her classmates approaching. They were all girls. Kang Hyuna was studying early childhood education.

Regardless,

"What did you say? An actor?"

Her friend asked, and Kang Hyuna sighed.

"No, my blood relative is becoming an actor."

"Really? You have a younger sister?"

"No, an older brother."

"Wow! You have an older brother? Is he handsome? Show me a picture."

"Are you crazy? Why would I have his picture on my phone?"

"Then, his profile picture on chat!"

Her friends were excited. If he was becoming an actor, he must be handsome, right? But unfortunately, Wujin's profile picture was empty. Her friends immediately suggested checking his social media, but Kang Hyuna was calm.

"He doesn't use social media."

"Curious! What does he look like, your brother?"

"He looks like a blood relative."

Kang Hyuna, who had answered casually, sent a message to Wujin.

-Is the acting thing a lie?

Ironically, Wujin, who didn't answer calls, replied to the message quickly.

-Bastard: Yes, it's a lie.

-Oh, come on! Mom keeps calling me. Why are you lying about something like that?

-Bastard: I'll handle it.

Kang Hyuna, reading the message, clicked her tongue.

"Tsk. The acting thing is probably a lie."

Kang Hyuna and her friends continued chatting about Wujin until they reached the lecture hall. The conversation topics varied widely, from her brother to acting, and from acting to top actors.

"Have you seen the list of new dramas for May?"

"Ah! I really want to see the one with Go Man-wook. It's on MBS."

"What's happening in May? The drama lineup is insane. I want to see the one on TVM. The content seems really cool."

"I want to see that one too, but Gu So-ra's body is my top pick."

"Will all of them be on Netflix? If not, it's a problem."

"Doesn't TVM have a separate OTT platform?"

At that moment, Kang Hyuna, who had just sent a message to Wujin, shouted.

"What are you talking about? We have to watch the one with Ryu Jeong-min, the top actor!"

At that moment, in a van on the move.

Kang Wujin, who had casually ignored his sister's message, was on his way to the "Profiler Hanryang" B-team set. Wujin, who was currently,

"…"

Reading the script with a serious expression.

-Flip.

It was Director Kwon Giteak's "The Island of Disappearance." The real completed script, not the one pretending to be complete. Despite being busy with filming, he was reading it whenever he had a chance. He had already read 70% of the script, and it was quite interesting. Actually, it was. Despite his stern expression, he was inwardly impressed.

'Oh wow. Is this some kind of monster? A strange creature? The tension is intense.'

Wujin recalled the changed grade of "The Island of Disappearance" he had seen in the subspace.

-[3/Script (Title: The Island of Disappearance), A+ grade]

-[*A highly completed movie script. 100% readable.]

The grade had been upgraded from D to A+.

'Looking at it this way, it does seem different from the previous one. The tension is different, I guess.'

Wujin noticed a role that stood out from the beginning of the script.

'But what is this? A split personality?'

It was a lead-level role, so it would be hard to take on, but as a pure reader, it was an interesting character.

'Villain? I can't tell if he's good or bad.'

At that moment,

-Vroom.

Wujin's phone vibrated. Thinking it might be another relative, he frowned and picked it up. But it wasn't his sister.

-Director Shin Dong-chun: Wujin, you're probably filming, so I'm sending a message first.