Chapter 60

< Rapid Current (5) >

Afterward.

After the Monday that was abuzz with the term 'Profiler Hanrang' passed, time seemed to fly by due to the world being so noisy. Of course, the popularity of 'Profiler Hanrang' continued, and it even grew even more massive.

The media had their stance, and public opinion had its own.

There were still a few days left until the third episode, but the 23% viewership rate had already sparked explosive issues. Something was continuously being derived. On SNS, the word 'hanrang' was often seen, and most of the popular posts on various blogs and cafes were about 'hanrang.'

Especially, a flood hit YouTube.

-! Profiler Hanrang 1st Episode Intensive Analysis! Is there such a plot twist in the drama??!! | DramaManTV

YouTube creators, who reviewed and analyzed dramas, produced an enormous amount of content about 'Profiler Hanrang.'

This was what a trend was.

Once a super-popular drama opened the floodgates, the rest gradually got swept away. It was no different for fashion or broadcasting. It was just the content that changed. The public always wanted new stimuli.

This time, the stimulus was 'Profiler Hanrang.'

Thus, Park Dalri's popularity could only rise. Recently, the public had become quite ruthless. Actors could no longer win just by having a pretty face. They had to satisfy acting, atmosphere, and story. If they also looked good, it was the cherry on top.

Jang Woojin had all of these.

While not all conditions were at the top level, he did satisfy all of them.

Most importantly.

- Even when I watch the drama and then the YouTube version... Park Dalri's acting is really immersive...

Acting. Jang Woojin, who played Park Dalri, was exceptional in his acting. He had earned the recognition of the ruthless public.

- Honestly, lol, I don't really like Park Eunmi's dramas, but Park Dalri is a stroke of genius, lol.

Surprisingly, those who enjoyed this situation were not Jang Woojin but the people who knew his true nature, like his close friends. For example, Kim Daeyoung, who was nearing the end of his workday at the company.

"Look at this guy? What? Saying Jang Woojin's acting looks awkward? Is he crazy? How dare he leave a negative comment. Eat your own words."

His daily routine started with searching for 'Jang Woojin' on the search engine. Naturally, all three of the close friends, including Kim Daeyoung, did the same.

"Again, these bastards. Spreading ridiculous rumors. What? Jang Woojin is a Korean-Japanese? What a joke. He's a pure Korean, damn it. Oh Pil Seung Korea."

The three friends seemed to be enjoying it more than Jang Woojin. Then, Kim Daeyoung accessed the website of Jang Woojin's agency, bw Entertainment, to check if there was any new news. Since Jang Woojin was slow to respond, this was faster.

Here.

"Huh?"

Kim Daeyoung noticed something.

"......Job recruitment announcement?"

It was a notice from bw Entertainment about hiring new employees.

Meanwhile, there was someone else who spent a similar day to Kim Daeyoung. It was Jang Woojin's younger sister, Jang Hyuna.

"Wow! There are so many search results!"

She also accessed the internet as soon as she opened her eyes in the morning. Naturally, she searched for her brother.

"What? Even starting an SNS account now??"

It was understandable. A few days ago, there was no news about her brother, but suddenly, the internet was flooded with it. Many people were shouting about Jang Woojin on YouTube and various communities. Jang Hyuna felt a strange emotion.

It was thrilling but also seemed unreal.

"Ah! What are these photos? Look at that serious gaze, don't be so intense!"

Incidentally, Jang Hyuna's friends were also hooked on Jang Woojin. Of course, it was after watching 'Profiler Hanrang.' Therefore, whenever the four friends met, they would start by talking about Jang Woojin.

"Hyuna! Jang Woojin's SNS is updated!"

"I know, I saw it. Ugh, it's so cringy."

"Why? He's a god, isn't he? But is Jang Woojin not doing his next project? There's no news on the official website or SNS."

"I don't know either. He doesn't text, he doesn't text."

At this moment, one of the friends clapped her hands.

"Oh right! Fan club! There's no official fan club for Jang Woojin yet, right? Should we start one? Hyuna can be the leader."

Jang Hyuna, who was momentarily dazed, stroked her chin.

"Sounds good?"

It started from here. On the internet, in various places.

- Haha, I was really surprised, haha. Jang Woojin acting? In high school, he didn't seem to have any acting skills, haha.

Jang Woojin's forgotten acquaintances began to appear.

Two days later, on Wednesday, the 20th.

Around lunchtime. Jang Woojin could be found in a high-end Korean restaurant near Shinsha Station. It was a VIP room, and there were quite a few people sitting across a long table with water glasses. Jang Woojin, wearing a black fleece, was with Choi Sunggeun, and on the opposite side were:

"Thank you for taking the time, Mr. Jang. I know you're very busy."

The four people, including the plump woman who had just spoken to Jang, were there. The plump woman was the director. Her name was Kim Dohee. She had a rough and strong appearance, and she looked to be in her mid-40s. The other three were members of the production company for the movie 'Drug Lord.'

In other words, this meeting was related to the movie 'Drug Lord.'

"Hello, Director. Nice to meet you."

Today, Jang Woojin's greeting was particularly expressionless, and Director Kim Dohee was slightly surprised.

"No, I've seen Mr. Jang a lot at the 'Mise-en-scène Film Festival.' Of course, I was the only one watching. But you're much calmer than I expected?"

"I tend to be that way."

"Your voice is also very low. At the festival, I thought you were a bit stoic, but you seem even more reserved."

At this, Choi Sunggeun put on a business smile.

"Our Jang is usually very composed, but he completely transforms when acting."

"I know, Mr. Choi. I watched 'Private Eye.' Meeting Mr. Jang in person is even more impressive. Kim Ryu-jin was quite sloppy and a bit frivolous, and the recent Park Dalri was a psychopath and sociopath. But the real Jang Woojin is solemn. It's rare to find an actor with so many different colors."

"Haha, that's true. Even when dressed in anything, he looks good. His acting is also excellent."

"......"

Director Kim Dohee slowly nodded and gazed at Jang Woojin across the table.

'Looking closely, he seems deep and intense. It must be his charm.'

Jang Woojin, with his indifferent face, was inwardly puzzled.

'Why is she staring? It's not like we're having a staring contest.'

Seeing Jang Woojin, Director Kim Dohee was immediately convinced and let out a small sigh.

"Phew- Seeing you in person, the synchronization is even better. So, I'm even more eager, Mr. Jang."

Jang Woojin asked.

"What kind of synchronization are you talking about?"

"......Let me be honest about the situation of our 'Drug Lord' movie first. As you know, the movie is already in production, around the middle part. All roles were cast, and there were no major issues. However, recently, Mr. Oh Jun-woo."

"It was a car accident, right?"

At this moment, Choi Sunggeun answered for him.

"It seems you've read the news. Mr. Oh Jun-woo's car accident."

Director Kim Dohee nodded.

"Yes. He fractured his right arm. Just thinking about it makes my head hurt."

"In other words, Mr. Oh Jun-woo had to drop out due to the accident. The role he was supposed to play was a cameo, right?"

"It's called a cameo, but it's a very important role. Honestly, I and the production company were in a panic. Then, I went to the 'Mise-en-scène Film Festival' by chance and saw Mr. Jang. Specifically, I saw Mr. Jang speaking fluent Japanese. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel."

Hearing his name, Jang Woojin spoke in a low voice.

"The cameo role had quite a lot of Japanese lines."

Director Kim Dohee smiled a bit bitterly.

"Have you read the script? Thank you. The cameo role has connections to both Korea and Japan, and it requires fluency in both Korean and Japanese, especially Japanese."

Here, Jang Woojin also understood the situation.

"I understand the situation."

"Ah, but I didn't just get hooked on Mr. Jang's Japanese. His acting was amazing—no, it was the best. The cameo role has a high acting difficulty, including acting as a drug addict and the charisma of a boss. There are also some detailed settings that require practice."

"......"

"But, to be honest, it seems less and less likely as I make the offer. It includes Japanese acting and has a high acting difficulty, and it feels a bit like a temporary fill-in. The schedule is also tight."

"When do you plan to shoot the cameo role?"

"......If we schedule it as one of the last scenes, it will be more than a month, but since there are many characters involved, we need to start shooting within about three weeks."

Upon hearing this, Choi Sunggeun shook his head slightly, as if it was too much.

"Three weeks—It seems quite difficult. Even if you're suddenly thrown into the filming set."

Director Kim Dohee's bitter smile deepened, as if she also thought it was impossible.

"That's right. I tried to remove the Japanese lines and other settings, but then the energy of the cameo role would be lost. There's no choice. Moreover, Mr. Jang is rising rapidly as a 'hanrang.'"

Soon, the production manager sitting next to her let out a long sigh.

"Director, it seems we have to remove that role from the script."

"Yes, we have to. We need to pause the filming temporarily and revise the script first."

"Director."

At this moment, Jang Woojin's solemn voice echoed.

"I think it's possible."

This made everyone except Jang Woojin widen their eyes. However, Jang Woojin remained calm. After all,

'Three weeks? It's long. I could do it in three days.'

Three weeks was more than enough, even if he were to start immediately. He had a subspace, so it was easy. And a temporary fill-in? Was that important? For Jang Woojin, who had seen the dirty side of the design company, it didn't matter at all.

'So what if it's a temporary fill-in? It's mine if I act it.'

Removing all the complicated and troublesome interests? Jang Woojin thought it would be crazy not to do this 'Drug Lord.' A B+ rating and Japanese were both easily possible. The short shooting period for a cameo role was also a plus.

'A-grade or S-grade actors don't always appear. So, it's a good opportunity.'

He couldn't ignore the possibility that the B+ rating could rise. In short, Jang Woojin said,

"I'll take the cameo role, Director."

He had decided to do 'Drug Lord.' This made Director Kim Dohee and the production company employees open their mouths in surprise. On the other hand, Choi Sunggeun, who was used to Jang Woojin's eccentric behavior, thought,

'Jang is definitely sensing something in 'Drug Lord.' His crazy intuition is kicking in again.'

He smiled and said to Director Kim Dohee across the table.

"Director, what do you think the current appearance fee for Jang is? Of course, it includes the additional part of joining in such a challenging situation."

The negotiation for his fee began.

The next morning, at bw Entertainment.

The day before the YouTube variety show 'Sports Day' filming, which was related to the promotion schedule for 'Profiler Hanrang,' on the 21st. The entire office was busy, and Choi Sunggeun and Jang Woojin's team entered. Jang Suwan and Han Yejeong immediately approached the publicity team members, and Choi Sunggeun, with a tired look on his face, said,

"Phew, I'm so tired."

He headed straight to the CEO's office. Jang Woojin, who seemed to be in the bathroom, was not immediately visible. When Choi Sunggeun opened the CEO's office door,

"CEO!"

The large-faced team leader of the operations team quickly approached Choi Sunggeun.

"There are a few issues. I've already submitted a report, but I'll tell you the immediate ones. First, the recruitment of employees."

"Okay, go on."

"Many applicants have applied. When would be a good time for the interviews?"

"Hmm, if possible, I'd like to see them too. How about finishing the announcement next week and conducting the interviews? I'll let you know the exact schedule after checking Jang's schedule."

"Yes, and Hyeon's clothing brand contract is expiring, and they've requested a renewal."

"Since Hyeon said it's okay to extend, we'll keep the same conditions but ask for a higher signing fee."

"Yes!"

The team leader, who answered confidently, pointed to the pile of papers on the CEO's desk.

"These are related to Jang. Another script was added yesterday. There's a web drama, and the variety is fantastic."

"Well, that's to be expected."

"But."

Suddenly, the team leader had a meaningful expression and held up two of the scripts.

"These two are significant."

"Significant? What do you mean? Let me see, who's the writer?"

"One is a script by none other than Yi Wol-seon."

Choi Sunggeun, who was about to open the pile of papers, widened his eyes.

"Yi Wol-seon? You mean the writer sent a script?"

"Yes, the broadcaster is KBC. You know the producer Seo CP, right?"

"Seo CP? Ah, the guy who looks like a weasel."

"Yes. Seo CP called, and his voice was full of excitement. They've secured Yi Wol-seon."

"......Yi Wol-seon is interested in Jang—this is huge. If Jang moves directly from Park Eunmi to Yi Wol-seon, what kind of impact will that have?"

"The media will go wild. Jang is already growing rapidly as Park Dalri."

Choi Sunggeun's smile deepened, and he stroked his chin.

'Right, the envious Yi Wol-seon would naturally be interested in Jang. She might be aware of Park Eunmi. Still, it's surprising. Yi Wol-seon is known for not using new actors.'

Regardless, it was a good opportunity, almost a blessing. Therefore, Choi Sunggeun separated Yi Wol-seon's script and pointed to the other pile of papers.

"Next?"

"Ah, the remaining ones are weaker than Yi Wol-seon's. It's a script by an assistant writer from Park Eunmi's team."

"Ah, that's a bit ambiguous."

"Yes, it's ambiguous. Since there's a connection, it's hard to ignore. Moreover, it's a one-episode drama."

"Ah, a one-episode drama? Tsk. For the current Jang, it's a definite cut, but it's complicated because of Park Eunmi."

"But this script was sent by the Netflix Creative Team."

"Netflix? Why did the conversation suddenly jump to that?"

"It's a winning entry in a contest."

"Ah, I remember. Netflix is doing a one-episode project, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Choi Sunggeun, who was tying his hair, let out a small sigh.

"Hmm, still, a one-episode drama is a