Chapter 9

Contract (1)

The scene of Park Daeri, as portrayed by Kang Ujin. Park Eun-mi, the star writer who penned "Profiler Hanryang," said,

"Please go ahead!"

She couldn't take her eyes off Kang Ujin on the opposite side. She had to take in every detail—his gaze, tone, gestures, breathing, and expressions—without missing a single thing.

"Stepped in dog poop."

The reason was simple.

'How... How can the character I created look so identical? No, this goes beyond just being identical.'

While his portrayal was almost indistinguishable from the character she created, Kang Ujin's version was several times more vivid. Ah, but he was actually alive, so maybe that expression wasn't quite right? Park Eun-mi's thoughts were tangled in a strange way.

'Park Daeri is right in front of me.'

The character she had agonized over, staying up all night and struggling to create, was right there in front of her. That was undoubtedly the clear-cut Park Daeri, crafted from sociopath data. Park Eun-mi felt a mix of excitement and a slight fear.

The characters in a work are created by the writer, but they are brought to life by the actors.

Thus, perfect realization is almost impossible. No matter how excellent the script analysis, the actor can't enter the writer's mind. It's difficult to capture every tiny detail of the writer's setting.

Therefore, the writer has to compromise to some extent.

They overlook minor errors in the actor's performance, tolerate differences in the tone of the lines, and understand variations in actions.

This wasn't just a problem for Park Eun-mi.

It was a common experience for all scriptwriters, both domestically and perhaps worldwide. The faster a writer acknowledges this gap between the script and the performance, the faster they grow.

However,

'This is my writing, but... I can't see my writing.'

The actor in front of her, performing so intensely, didn't need to compromise. Kang Ujin had already surpassed the script.

If Park Eun-mi felt this way, others would likely feel the same.

The character created by the writer, maintained unwaveringly, and given several times more vividness. That was what Kang Ujin was doing now.

And this was

"......"

A scene that even Park Eun-mi, a top-tier writer in the country, had never seen before. She was captivated. She had seen hundreds, perhaps thousands, of actors.

If this was the first time,

'Kang Ujin, I have to. I have to get him.'

An expression of rarity that might never be seen again, a unique actor. To Park Eun-mi, who had witnessed such an unbelievable existence right in front of her.

-Attic.

Face-saving and appearances were meaningless.

"Mr. Ujin, please take the role of Park Daeri. It has to be you."

Does a writer who faces a character they created in reality even exist? That's why Park Eun-mi wanted to get Kang Ujin no matter what, even if it meant groveling. She was willing to do anything for the quality of the work.

Therefore,

"......"

"......"

No one in the meeting room tried to stop Park Eun-mi. No one advised her to save face. Not Song Man-woo PD, top actress Hong Hye-yeon, or the key personnel from the production company. They all sat in their seats with serious expressions.

They understood Park Eun-mi's feelings.

Park Eun-mi, who was holding Kang Ujin's hands, had her eyes full of desire. There was no visible flame, but the intensity was like a boiling hot spring.

However,

'Suddenly grabbing my hands, I was startled.'

Kang Ujin was the only one in the meeting room who wasn't particularly affected. Rather, Park Eun-mi was a bit burdensome to him. Well, who wouldn't be startled if someone suddenly grabbed their hands?

'I wish she would let go of my hands and talk. Anyway, from the reaction of this big-name writer- it seems the subspace ability is really amazing.'

He maintained his composure. Things were smoothly falling into place. Well, if that's the case, it should be fine to go along with it for now.

Of course, he didn't know.

'By the way, can I get the video of this performance?'

That this moment would become a significant turning point in his life.

Regardless, Kang Ujin, who had his hands held, quietly requested Park Eun-mi.

"Writer, first, let go of my hands."

At this, Park Eun-mi, who had just come to her senses, hesitated and let go of his hands.

"Ah, sorry. I didn't realize."

"It's okay."

At this moment, a question came from the opposite side. It was Song Man-woo PD with a beard.

"But Mr. Ujin, why did you choose the role of Park Daeri? Other roles would have been easier to analyze, right?"

Park Eun-mi chimed in, clapping her hands.

"Right! I'm curious about that too."

"Me too. Why specifically the role of Park Daeri?"

In the end, even Hong Hye-yeon joined in, and everyone's gaze returned to Kang Ujin. Their eyes were full of curiosity. However, Ujin was calm.

'Well, I can tell the truth, right?'

And so, Ujin casually said,

"Because it's short."

It was the truth. This was not a matter of concept or pretense but Kang Ujin's genuine feeling. However, Song Man-woo PD, frowning, immediately asked,

"......What's short?"

"The amount of lines is short."

"The amount of lines is short... so you chose the role of Park Daeri?"

"Yes."

It was the absolute truth. But the others, except for Kang Ujin, felt differently.

Song Man-woo PD, for example,

'Short? No, did he choose this difficult role just because the amount of lines is short? The analysis is several times harder because of the short amount of lines.'

Park Eun-mi,

'What's wrong with his brain! Normally, you avoid a role as challenging as Park Daeri! But what? Because the amount of lines is short??? Is he crazy?'

Even top actress Hong Hye-yeon,

'Ah, I get it. He's pretending to be indifferent to show off his confidence. He's saying this role is easy for him.'

Of course, all these judgments were full of errors.

At this moment,

-Click.

Kang Ujin, who had been sitting quietly in the excited meeting room, suddenly stood up. He then leaned in and whispered to Park Eun-mi in front of him.

"I'll think about the offer."

A moment later,

Kang Ujin walked out of the meeting room with a firm expression and strode down the hallway. A few employees of C-Blue Studio passed by him. After about five steps,

-Swoosh.

He glanced back at the meeting room and immediately relaxed his composed demeanor.

"Phew-"

The tension was gone. What exactly happened in that meeting room? Ujin wiped his face with one hand and pressed the elevator button.

At the same time,

"Mr. Kang Ujin."

A woman's voice penetrated from behind Ujin. Turning around, he saw a well-built woman with long, flowing hair walking towards him. It was Hong Hye-yeon.

Kang Ujin was momentarily amazed.

'Wow- I never thought Hong Hye-yeon would call me by my name.'

But he quickly regained his composure. He had to put on his poker face again.

"Yes, what is it?"

Of course, Hong Hye-yeon, who didn't know this, immediately stood in front of Kang Ujin. Soon, she asked, captivated by his good scent,

"Why didn't you accept the casting offer right away?"

Why? Well,

It's hard to explain, but the reason Kang Ujin said he would think about it was very simple. It seemed a bit strange for a cocky genius to accept a casting offer right away.

Moreover,

'Saying I'll do it right away would be a bit uncool. In movies, they usually drag it out a bit in these situations.'

A decision made to maintain a certain coolness. But he couldn't say it outright. Soon, Kang Ujin, trying to hide his trembling heart, met Hong Hye-yeon's eyes and said,

"Exactly as I said. I'll think about it."

"......"

Top actress Hong Hye-yeon looked at Kang Ujin intently. Wow, her beauty is really something. Ujin's heart started beating instinctively. Can she hear my heartbeat?

Fortunately,

"Then, Mr. Ujin."

Hong Hye-yeon, seemingly not hearing his heartbeat, changed the subject.

"Do you have an agency?"

"......Not really."

"Why not? Why don't you have one?"

"Do you need a reason for not having one?"

"Well, not necessarily. Were you really overseas?"

"......"

In response to the question, Kang Ujin closed his mouth. He was pretending to have a reason. Hong Hye-yeon, realizing her mistake, cleared her throat.

"Ah, my mistake. Sorry. By the way, how old are you, Mr. Ujin?"

"I'm 27."

"I'm two years older."

Hong Hye-yeon, answering slightly shyly, let out a small sigh. She seemed to be choosing her words carefully. Soon, she asked with a very serious face,

"How did you... How did you learn to act to this level on your own...?"

She was about to say, "How did you do it?" but forced herself to stop.

Top actress Hong Hye-yeon.

She was famous for her strong desire to act. There was no such thing as "good enough" for her. Some actors even avoided working with her because of this.

When Hong Hye-yeon first saw Kang Ujin, she felt jealousy.

However, Hong Hye-yeon was currently a top actress in the country. It was a bit embarrassing to take advice from an unknown acting master. If this became a rumor, it would be a significant blow to her image as a top actress.

So, Hong Hye-yeon changed her question.

"No, no. Anyway, you don't have an agency, right?"

"Yes."

At this moment,

-Swoosh.

The elevator arrived and opened. Kang Ujin naturally stepped in. When he looked at Hong Hye-yeon again, she was smiling and waving.

"I hope to see you in the project."

With that, the elevator doors closed. At the same time, Kang Ujin's posture, which he had been holding tightly, collapsed.

"Phew. I barely held it together."

It was natural to be nervous, having a conversation with Hong Hye-yeon so close. It was a miracle that he managed to have a calm conversation.

"Wow. I can't even brag about this to anyone. Anyway, I did well."

On the other hand, Hong Hye-yeon, who was still standing in place,

"......Honestly, it's a bit of a blow to my ego."

She was staring at the elevator doors where Kang Ujin had disappeared. Her arms were crossed, and she seemed a bit pouty.

Recently, no one had treated her so coldly.

"Does he not have an interest in women...? I can't figure him out at all."

Her misunderstanding deepened.

"Anyway, it's a relief that he doesn't have an agency yet."

On the same day, late at night, in Park Eun-mi's studio.

It was around 11 PM. In the spacious studio, which usually had no assistant writers, four people were visible. They were sitting at the kitchen table: Song Man-woo PD, Park Eun-mi, and the production manager and casting director from C-Blue Studio.

These were the people who had seen Kang Ujin earlier that afternoon. Hong Hye-yeon was not present.

In front of them were piles of script papers and various transparent files. They seemed to be in the middle of a planning meeting. However, there was no conversation, and the atmosphere was heavy.

"......"

"......"

Everyone looked lost in thought. What could it be? It was because the aftereffects of the crazy actor, Kang Ujin, were still lingering.

At this moment,

"......Honestly."

The man in charge of production for "Profiler Hanryang" broke the silence.

"I had some expectations after hearing from PD Song, but I didn't expect it to be that level."

As soon as he finished, the casting director, who had been wearing glasses, chimed in. It was her area of expertise.

"I've been a casting director for eight years now. I'm quite experienced. Even I found such an actor unfamiliar. No, I've never seen one. It doesn't exist."

"Beyond the realm of embodying a character, right?"

"......It was almost dangerous. You know, sometimes in Hollywood, actors get so into their roles that they have accidents. It was even more intense than that."

"But he would switch back to himself like a ghost after the performance. The switch was very clear."

At this point,

"That part."

Song Man-woo PD, who had been crossing his arms, joined in.

"A clear switch. Not many top actors have that skill."

"......That's true."

Park Eun-mi, who had been fidgeting with her script, turned to Song Man-woo PD.

"You mentioned something about him being overseas earlier, right?"

"Yes."

"Was he really overseas? I'm so curious about his past."

"How would I know? The overseas part was just a guess. But..."

Song Man-woo PD, who had been shrugging, suddenly spoke in a serious tone.

"Didn't you see his performance just now? It definitely wasn't easy. Especially if he learned it on his own? It's either amazing or crazy."

Soon, Park Eun-mi, unable to contain herself, pointed to a tablet lying on the table. The tablet contained the video of Kang Ujin's performance as Park Daeri.

"......"

"......"

Everyone watched Kang Ujin's performance again. This intensified Park Eun-mi's urgency.

"Ah!"

She suddenly covered her face with both hands.

"Seeing it again makes me even more eager. PD, you know? This is the first time I've felt this way while writing."

"Same here."

"......What if Mr. Ujin refuses? What if he says he won't do the role of Park Daeri?"

"Huh?"

"What if Mr. Ujin says he won't do the role of Park Daeri?"

"Oh."

Park Eun-mi, with her long perm, groaned.

"Who else would be suitable after Mr. Ujin?"

In other words, Park Eun-mi's standards for actors had been raised by Kang Ujin. The same would likely be true for Song Man-woo PD. They often worked together because of their similar tendencies.

For the sake of the work, they would do anything.

At this moment,

"Hmm- But."

The production manager, who had been listening quietly, stiffened and crossed her legs.

"Kang Ujin. He was amazing, but saying he needs to think about it is a bit..."

Song Man-woo PD responded.

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't it? Who is directing 'Profiler Hanryang'? Who is the writer? It's none other than PD Song and Writer Park."

Both are huge figures.

"I didn't say this, but there are already many top actors holding meetings for casting. If we offer the role of 'Park Daeri,' they would definitely jump at it."

"......That's true."

"However, you and Writer Park emphasized that the role of Park Daeri would prioritize the actor's ability to handle the role over their status. I agree with that, which is why we're discarding all the famous actors."

The production manager, suddenly getting excited, continued.

"You know the situation, right? Even if you didn't, you could have felt it, right? With PD Song and Writer Park sitting right in front of you."

Thinking of Kang Ujin, she said,

"But saying he needs to think about it seemed a bit arrogant to me. Normally, he should have accepted it right away, shouldn't he?"

Perhaps even someone in a similar industry, if not the production manager, would have thought the same. However, Song Man-woo PD, who had experienced Kang Ujin first, just smiled.

"He's been like that from the beginning. He doesn't follow common sense."

"Excuse me?"

"He didn't care about such relationships. You know the phrase young people use these days? What was it... Oh, right. F*ck my way. Exactly that."

However, the production manager sighed in frustration.

"No matter what. PD, as you know, 'Park Daeri' is not a small role. It's a supporting lead. What is there to think about, really?"

Song Man-woo PD suddenly stroked his beard and crossed his arms, thinking of Kang Ujin's face.

"Saying he needs to think about it—maybe he has other plans?"

"Other plans? What kind of plans?"

With a meaningful smile on his lips, Song Man-woo PD quietly answered.

"......Maybe he's trying to raise his value."

It was about the acting fee.

Of course, this was

"I'm giving you time to determine your worth. Something like that?"

A response that the person in question had never even considered.

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