Chapter 75

< Expansion (4) >

That's right. The bundle of papers was the completed script by director Kyotaro Tanoguchi. With this, Woojin now had scripts by two renowned directors, Kwon Gitek and Kyotaro, from both domestic and foreign countries.

"Wow, the Japanese director really sent the script?"

The last meeting with director Kyotaro was at the company. There, Kyotaro said something that seemed to be a misunderstanding and ultimately wanted Woojin to join him, talking about entering the Japanese market.

"What did he say? Hmm, he was rewriting the script and mentioned that it was based on a famous Japanese novel."

That was a few weeks ago. Honestly, Woojin thought it was over since there had been no contact since then. Looking at the entertainment industry, many interests were intertwined, and although Kyotaro had invited Woojin to join him, he thought the situation might have changed after his return to Japan.

But it wasn't a no-show.

The script from the Japanese master director really arrived. If this news spread in the domestic media, it would cause a stir. However, for now, it was a secret, and the excited Woojin shifted his gaze from Seonggeon to the script.

On the cover of the script, the title and the director's name were written in Japanese.

- 'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger'

- Director: Kyotaro Tanoguchi

Woojin confirmed the title and muttered to himself.

"'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger'? It sounds meaningful. And it seems familiar."

The title wasn't entirely unfamiliar. Was it because it was based on a famous novel? It felt like he had heard it somewhere before. However, Woojin wasn't particularly close to books.

"Is it just my imagination?"

At that moment, Seonggeon tapped Woojin's shoulder.

"The email said you should read the script and then have a meeting. So, director Kyotaro is planning to come back to Korea. It's clear that this project is significant."

"Is the director coming back to Korea?"

"Yes. He might change his mind later, but for now, you should know that. I don't know when he'll arrive."

Wow, for me? Really? A slightly surprised Woojin received a smile from Seonggeon.

"Director Kyotaro, I felt it when he came to the company last time. He seems really interested in you. He's usually a friendly director, but the way he's acting now suggests there might be more to it than just casting."

Seonggeon, who was being cryptic, gestured for Woojin to get in the car. Woojin, hiding his excitement, got into the minivan with a blank expression. There were no other team members in the minivan. Seonggean, who got into the driver's seat, explained.

"The kids will join us around lunchtime. They've been busy lately, so I told them to get some rest and come later."

"Ah, okay."

Woojin nodded calmly. Seonggean started the car slowly and glanced at Woojin in the rearview mirror.

"He'll decide whether to do it after reading the script. I hope his intuition kicks in again."

Then he smiled softly.

"If Woojin decides to work with director Kyotaro, it will really shake up Korea."

Just a few months. Although it hasn't been announced yet, Woojin is currently part of director Kwon Gitek's team. And now, he's also joining a project by a Japanese master director? If both bombs explode, the domestic media will be all over it.

It would be unprecedented.

No newcomer has ever joined the works of such renowned directors so quickly. In other words, Woojin is writing a history without precedent.

"Just thinking about it makes me shiver."

Woojin, with a blank expression, had already flipped through a few pages of the script. Of course, the script was entirely in Japanese. Did they send it in the original language because he knows Japanese?

Well, that makes sense.

If the script were translated, there might be parts that differ from the director's intentions. While it would be translated as closely as possible, it was better for Woojin, who already knew Japanese, to read it as it was.

Soon.

- Swish.

Woojin subtly raised his index finger. Why? To enter the subspace. Woojin touched the black square attached to the script.

He immediately arrived in the endlessly dark subspace.

Now, it was no different from his home. Woojin stretched briefly and turned to move. The white squares had increased to seven.

Among them.

"Hmm-"

Woojin checked the last one. It was director Kyotaro's script, 'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.' What was interesting was that Woojin was visibly surprised when he saw the white square for 'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.'

"Wow, damn."

The reason was simple.

-[7/Script (Title: The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger), A-grade]

-[*It is a highly completed movie script. 100% reading is possible.]

'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger' was A-grade from the start. Starting at A-grade was rare. Woojin smiled, half in surprise and half in anticipation.

"I guess I should just say yes."

Then, out of nowhere, he shouted, "Exit." Soon, Woojin was back in the moving minivan and immediately picked up his phone to search for 'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.' If it was based on a novel, the title might be similar.

The result was quick.

"There's a book with the same title."

Indeed, there was a Japanese novel titled 'The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.' It was even a bestseller and popular in Korea, with many reviews. Woojin touched the screen to check the book information. The author's name appeared.

"Author Akari Takikawa? Ah! I know! I've heard of her. She's a famous author in both Japan and Korea, right?"

A Japanese master director, a super-famous novelist's original work, and A-grade. Just the core points alone were impressive. At that moment, Seonggean, who was braking at a red light, turned his head.

"How about it? After a quick look, do you think the Japanese project is good?"

Woojin, maintaining a poker face, added a bit of bravado.

"It doesn't seem bad."

Meanwhile.

As Woojin was on the move, the number of entities infected with a misconception was gradually increasing. It was already widespread and spreading even more.

The source was the 'Profiler Hanryang' team.

Dozens of staff members or actors. Of course, the 'Profiler Hanryang' team didn't move directly. Others acted, receiving calls from various places.

"Hey, you know, there's a guy named Woojin, right? How was he during the Hanryang shooting? In terms of personality."

"Uh? Oh, right? I heard Woojin is joining your 'Drug Dealer' set soon?"

"Right. In a few days, he'll start shooting, and I wanted to know what he's like."

"Hahaha, I didn't get to talk much while setting up the lights, but Woojin is a good guy. A real pro. Oh, and I remember he spoke English really well, probably because he lived in an English-speaking country."

"Huh?"

The people asking about Woojin were from the projects he was joining. Among them, many were from the 'Drug Dealer' team, whose shooting was imminent.

"About Woojin. I heard his acting style is unique. How does he handle emotions on set?"

"Well, watching him, you'd think he's just a newcomer who debuted a few months ago, but to me, he looks like someone who has been in the acting world for at least a decade. No, he definitely has experience from somewhere."

"Is it that impressive? To the point where you can't judge?"

"Strange. He's like a ghost. His emotional in and out are incredibly fast. Most of all, when you watch him, you can't tell if he's an actor or the character itself."

"Wow-"

"But he said he learned acting on his own. He mentioned it during a script reading."

"What? What does that mean?"

Close veteran actors, hobby groups, or actors from the same agency, and production staff like lighting crew. The 'Drug Dealer' team members weren't acting in concert. They just contacted each other in their own ways.

There was worry and curiosity.

The situation with 'Drug Dealer' was unique, and information about Woojin, who was coming to cover it, was extremely limited. If he had been cast from the beginning, he would have gradually learned, but since Woojin was suddenly added, even a small piece of information was necessary.

"Woojin? I don't know much else, but his stamina is incredible. Everyone is exhausted by the end of the shooting, but he's always fine. From morning till night, he's in top form, and his acting never falters. He's a monster, a real monster."

"But he's still a newcomer, right? He was probably unknown at the time."

"See for yourself. I thought the same, but the more I see him, the more he seems like a veteran and more."

As a result, the number of entities with misconceptions about 'Drug Dealer' increased.

"He's a bit cold but sharp. Who said it? Ah! The director said he's tough but kind. That's it, he doesn't talk much, but he sees everything."

"He was unknown during the Hanryang shooting, but he had such ease?"

"No, it's beyond ease. He's not a newcomer; he was the most comfortable on set, like he was at home. His mindset is different, probably because he lived abroad."

"Abroad??"

A baseless misconception was spreading far and wide.

Two days later, on the 8th, in the afternoon. Woojin's minivan.

It was around 6 PM. A black minivan was speeding on the highway. Inside, Woojin and his team were all seated. Jang Suwan was focused on driving, Choi Seonggeon was on a call, and Han Yejeong was carefully reviewing Woojin's styling book.

And Woojin, with the sleeves of his checkered shirt rolled up, was.

"......"

- Flip.

Reading the script. His face was extremely serious. It was partly due to the concept, but it was also a genuine expression of concentration.

He was reading the script for the movie 'Drug Dealer.'

The reason was simple. Currently, Woojin was on his way to the 'Drug Dealer' set in Suncheon, and he was set to start shooting today. The schedule was about two weeks, but it could be shorter or longer.

Regardless.

- Flip.

Woojin continued reading the script. It was more of a review. He had already read it several times and completed the readings for the other characters that interact with his role, 'Sangman.' The world of 'Drug Dealer' was firmly established in Woojin's mind. He could probably depict it more vividly than director Kim Dohui, who wrote the script.

It was as if he owned 'Drug Dealer' itself, beyond just the character 'Sangman.'

The setting of the movie 'Drug Dealer' was Busan in 1999. After the financial crisis, South Korea was in a crisis, but drug dealers were increasing. The number of customers seeking drugs was also exploding.

In other words, the drug market was booming.

Seizing the opportunity in the crisis, even foreign countries got involved. Russia, China, Japan, and others. With demand, supply naturally increased. Drugs were flooding into the country from various sources.

The Busan police were at a loss.

Drugs kept surfacing, and drug dealers multiplied like parasites. They were hiding deeper in the dark. If the timing was missed, they would grow too big to handle. To make matters worse, corruption was spreading