A male participant with a very contrasting image to Kang Woo-jin. That alone caught Song Man-woo PD’s eye.
‘If Woo-jin is gray, then he’s white. No, maybe beige.’
If you had to compare, Kang Woo-jin is dark, and this participant is bright. If they stood together, the contrast would be striking. Their appearances were also different. Woo-jin has strong features and black hair. Song Man-woo PD’s interest was rapidly piqued.
What’s peculiar here is.
‘It’s strange.’
Clearly, despite being the opposite of Kang Woo-jin, this participant had an oddly similar feel to Woo-jin. Is it because their ages are roughly the same? Naturally, Song Man-woo PD fixed his gaze on his profile, and at the same time, the first man in front of him opened his mouth. His voice itself was soft, but his tone lacked confidence.
“Ah, hello. I’m Jo Mu-chan…”
Jo Mu-chan. There’s no strength in his voice. To put it nicely, he seems delicate; to put it badly, he’s bland.
Still, for now.
‘Just looking at his appearance—he’d be number one among the kids who auditioned today.’
Just based on his handsome looks, countless entertainment agencies would be clamoring for him. Anyway, after exchanging a brief greeting with Jo Mu-chan, Song Man-woo PD scanned his profile.
“Hmm-”
Age 25.
‘Huh? He doesn’t have an agency?’
That was unexpected. Song Man-woo PD had assumed he would have an agency. Jo Mu-chan’s profile was a bit different from the typical aspiring actor’s profile. Usually, aspiring actors even list their minor roles on their profiles. But Jo Mu-chan’s profile had none of that, with many blanks. He didn’t attend university, and he didn’t have any notable acting credits.
Except for one thing.
“…Is he a member of Professor Jeon Mun-guk’s theater troupe?”
He was affiliated with a famous theater troupe in the entertainment industry. Jo Mu-chan, who received the question, answered hesitantly.
“Yes? Ah- yes. I, I’m working hard.”
Jeon Mun-guk, a renowned veteran actor. There isn’t a single person in South Korea who doesn’t know him. He was a senior to the great actor Shim Han-ho and was the most influential of all the veteran actors. The theater troupe he ran was quite famous. There were many top actors who came from the troupe, and if that troupe was your backing, the eyes of the directors would change.
Song Man-woo PD was the same now.
“How long have you been with the troupe?”
“Uh… since I was 20, until now after I finished my military service.”
“How did you get in? I heard it’s extremely difficult to get into that troupe.”
That was true. Why? Because you could only get in if you were personally picked by the veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk.
“I, I had a difficult family situation, so I didn’t go to university and started working right away. I liked acting, so I joined an acting club. When we were doing a free performance, Professor Jeon Mun-guk told me to join…”
Song Man-woo PD stroked his chin.
‘That means he was incredibly lucky. Anyway, he’s been with the troupe for about 5 or 6 years? I heard that the troupe has at most around 20 members.’
Song Man-woo PD, with his arms crossed, looked at the refreshing Jo Mu-chan in front of him. On the other hand, Jo Mu-chan quickly avoided Song Man-woo PD’s gaze. He seemed to have low self-esteem. The term ‘weak’ was fitting.
This was also completely different from Kang Woo-jin.
Even so, Jo Mu-chan had caught the eye of the veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk and had a huge backing. No, a theater troupe.
‘…In other words, that guy is Professor Jeon Mun-guk’s direct disciple.’
Moreover, the fact that Jeon Mun-guk, who valued his reputation, sent Jo Mu-chan to this audition meant.
‘His verification is already complete.’
It meant he was confident. There must be a reason for releasing his own protégé into the world. Nodding slowly, Song Man-woo PD asked Jo Mu-chan, who was avoiding his gaze and looking at the air, again.
“You could have stayed with the troupe and been contacted to debut, so why did you choose our audition?”
Jo Mu-chan, who was mumbling, murmured softly.
“Because Kang Woo-jin… is my idol.”
“But Jo Mu-chan, you have more experience?”
“Professor Jeon Mun-guk said that experience is, is meaningless, and also… I just think Kang Woo-jin is cool!”
The weak Jo Mu-chan suddenly put strength into his voice. That meant it wasn’t a lie. He genuinely idolized Kang Woo-jin. At this, Song Man-woo PD asked again.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you try it with other projects? Woo-jin has done more than one or two projects.”
“The, the professor said I wasn’t ready yet.”
“And now you are?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Okay.”
Song Man-woo PD, who had uncrossed his arms, pointed at Jo Mu-chan with his index finger.
“Let’s see your acting.”
“…Yes, yessir!”
He, who had received the most questions in today’s audition, continued in a faint voice.
“The acting I’ve prepared is, ‘Yoo Ji-hyung’ from ‘Profiler Hanryang.’”
Jo Mu-chan had prepared ‘Yoo Ji-hyung,’ the male lead that Ryu Jung-min had played, not Park Dae-ri. The fact that this kid specifically chose a character who was antagonistic to Park Dae-ri meant.
‘…Is this Professor Jeon Mun-guk’s strategy?’
Perhaps the veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk also knew that Jo Mu-chan had an image that was the opposite of Kang Woo-jin. So, Song Man-woo PD guessed that the acting he had prepared was also antagonistic to the role Woo-jin had played.
At that moment.
-Sss.
Jo Mu-chan’s body, which had been mumbling, suddenly lost all its strength. He was limp. However, his weak expression changed 180 degrees. The surrounding air changed. He had entered ‘Yoo Ji-hyung.’
A carefree but psychopathic smile appeared.
The previous self-conscious look was nowhere to be found. Jo Mu-chan began to showcase a new interpretation of ‘Yoo Ji-hyung’ without holding back. His movements were fluid, and his eyes were free.
In that instant, Song Man-woo PD smiled faintly.
‘Indeed.’
He fully understood why Jo Mu-chan had caught the eye of the strict veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk.
‘This guy is also a genius.’
And a sword.
‘A sword well-honed by Professor Jeon Mun-guk.’
The target to wield it was clear.
At the same time.
While the audition for ‘Beneficial Evil’ was nearing its end, Kang Woo-jin had returned to the ‘Leech’ set in Jeonju. ‘Leech’ had no time to rest.
“Okay- action.”
Still, in the morning, he had received a huge celebration from Director Ahn Ga-bok and about a hundred staff members, as well as enthusiastic applause from Shim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryung, and other actors. Most of them were people who had attended the Baeksang Awards, but they did not hold back their congratulations for Kang Woo-jin.
Of course, the same was true for Woo-jin’s circle.
The night of the Baeksang Awards, he had received a flurry of calls from his family, and his close friends, as well as acquaintances and actors, had poured out their congratulations. Woo-jin’s fan club, ‘Strong Heart,’ had also posted congratulatory ads on fan cafes and various social media platforms.
First-ever simultaneous win for Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the Baeksang Awards. It was a well-deserved result and a culmination of his efforts.
However, Kang Woo-jin, who was deeply into his concept, didn’t have much time to enjoy it. He was immediately busy acting as ‘Park Ha-sung’ in ‘Leech.’ The thrill didn’t last long. It was the fate of the ‘monster actor’ Kang Woo-jin.
But the world was not the same.
『‘Baeksang Arts Awards’ Concludes, Kang Woo-jin’s Simultaneous Wins Catch Attention』
『[Film Festival] He Did It Again! Kang Woo-jin, Who Swept ‘8 Awards’ Last Year, Sets New Record with Best New Actor + Best Supporting Actor This Time』
From the moment the Baeksang Awards ended last night, it was like thunder. Public opinion, the press, various media outlets, and offline, all of it.
He even appeared on the news.
“Along with his advancement into Japan, actor Kang Woo-jin, who created a craze for ‘Gimjaban Makguksu’ [spicy buckwheat noodles] cup noodles, received the Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards at the Baeksang Awards. It was the first time this has ever happened. This is reporter Kim Ye-sol.”
Originally, events at the Baeksang and Blue Dragon Awards often appeared on the news, but Kang Woo-jin’s sensation, with many issues behind him, was a topic that the news couldn’t just let pass.
Well, the media was a given.
『[Photo] Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Double Thumbs Up’ After Setting Record for Simultaneous Wins at Baeksang / Photo』
『Kang Woo-jin, Collecting Unique Records in His Second Year, Not Only Causing Cup Noodle Shortages but Also Winning Best Supporting Actor』
They were busy spreading sensational news along with the comments Kang Woo-jin made at the Baeksang Awards. Naturally, articles flooded various portal sites. Currently, ‘Gimjaban Makguksu’ cup noodles were continuing to increase in sales due to the shortage phenomenon.
With the public’s open run continuing, how could any media outlet stay still when such delicious news was added?
『Breaking History with Unprecedented Simultaneous Wins… Kang Woo-jin is Calm, When Asked if He Expected It, He Said “I Didn’t Know, It’s Not Important”』
This trend was even more prominent in public opinion. Blogs, cafes, social media, communities, YouTube, etc. There was no place where Kang Woo-jin’s simultaneous wins were not mentioned. Especially YouTube and social media were extreme. There were numerous videos besides the official Baeksang videos, edited versions, and videos that only featured Kang Woo-jin.
Most of the public was enthusiastic.
-Honestly, Kang Woo-jin is amazing, he’s genuinely changing the history of the Korean entertainment industry by himself
-My actor Kang Woo-jin is the best!!! Congratulations on winning Best New Actor + Best Supporting Actor!!
-OMG, when Kang Woo-jin gave the double thumbs up during his acceptance speech, I was blown away
-Congratulations!! I love you!!!
-LOL, OMG, seriously, when Kang Woo-jin was called for Best Supporting Actor, I got goosebumps LOL
-I always support Kang Woo-jin, who is walking his own path without any connections
-The public’s reaction to Kang Woo-jin’s simultaneous wins is a bit mixed, but I think he deserves it! Honestly, where else is there an actor with as much buzz as Kang Woo-jin right now??
-His double thumbs up was the best acceptance speech ever
-When he declared at the Blue Dragon Awards that he would win Best Actor next year… I thought, is he crazy? But… since he won Best Supporting Actor in his second year, it seems entirely possible
-Amazing! There probably won’t be another actor like Kang Woo-jin in the history of the Korean entertainment industry, and he’s still only in his second year
Most of it was like this. But of course, there were also significant negative views.
『Kang Woo-jin Makes History at Baeksang, But His Ending Was Unsettling… Netizens Say “Excessively Arrogant”』
At gatherings of actors who had witnessed Woo-jin’s simultaneous wins at the Baeksang Awards.
“I know he’s good at acting—but still, isn’t it a bit strange for someone in their second year to win Best Supporting Actor?”
“I agree. No matter how much the world is changing, there were so many established seniors, and they gave the Best Supporting Actor award to a newbie. And a simultaneous win at that.”
“Even when he won 8 awards last year, it was like, okay, the kid’s energy is crazy, so it’s understandable. But this time is a bit much.”
“Baeksang is just obsessed with viewership ratings.”
It was similar among industry insiders such as production companies, entertainment agencies, and broadcasting stations.
“He got it 100% because of the buzz.”
“Hey—still, Kang Woo-jin’s Park Dae-ri in Hanryang was something to acknowledge.”
“Who’s saying otherwise? But there are traditions and industry rules, how can they give the Best Supporting Actor award to a second-year rookie?”
“You’re an old fogey, an old fogey.”
“What did you say??”
“It’s proof that the market is changing. Senior, if you stay stagnant like that, you’ll rot.”
The public was the same. Most acknowledged Kang Woo-jin’s skills, but a few used Woo-jin’s buzz as fodder.
-LOL, yeah, he got the Best Supporting Actor award with backroom deals
-Honestly, I agree LOL, no matter what, there are so many amazing veteran actors in Korea, giving the Best Supporting Actor award to Kang Woo-jin is too much LOL
-↑Idiots LOL, no matter how much you guys whine here, Kang Woo-jin will soar high
-Kang Woo-jin is such a suck-up, no matter how good he is, how can he win Best Supporting Actor already? LOL, Baeksang needs to be investigated internally LOL
Everywhere, in every place.
-Ugh, you fools LOL, just keep banging on your keyboards LOL, while crying and reflecting on your own lives
Professional complainers always existed. They had always been there on the path Kang Woo-jin had walked. It’s just that they didn’t have much of an impact on Woo-jin, and Kang Woo-jin didn’t retaliate in the same way but responded with skill and results.
Even now, he was ignoring everything and focusing solely on acting, wasn’t he?
While a typical actor might be hurt, Kang Woo-jin, who had a separate core, couldn’t be scratched by anything. Whatever it was, the volcano that had erupted in the country continued until late at night, and the lights on the ‘Leech’ set in Jeonju were the same. They were continuing to film even though it was a very dark night.
“Cut, Jae-joon, let’s go again. That was too bland just now.”
“I’m sorry.”
Not all of the hundred or so staff members were fully deployed. They were divided into three teams and moved in shifts. The actors were the same. That’s how the filming schedule was planned. But only Director Ahn Ga-bok was full-time. Even if he cut down on his sleep time, his schedule was tight.
Then, the next morning.
“Woo-jin, you can rest for a bit before the next scene.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Kang Woo-jin, who had just received the OK sign and returned to the waiting tent, exhaled softly.
“Hoo-”
He was the only actor in the tent right now, but he didn’t drop his concept.
‘It’s a bit tough?? No, it’s very tough.’
It was important not to let his guard down. Anyway, the actors for today’s first shoot were Kang Woo-jin and Oh Hee-ryung, and after she passed the baton, it was Kang Woo-jin’s turn. Then a two-shot. After that, Jin Jae-joon was brought in. The scene was moving breathlessly. Especially since ‘Leech’ was on a time attack, it was even more tightly packed.
Thanks to that, the staff, the actors, and their teams were all starting to groan. Except for one person, Kang Woo-jin.
Only Woo-jin was energetic on this set. The reason was simple, wasn’t it?
‘Sly—I should rest a bit in the subspace. Before the full-scale filming starts.’
Because he had the cheat item, the subspace. Before entering that subspace, Kang Woo-jin slightly tilted his neck left and right. Then, a thought suddenly occurred to him. No, it was something he had probably felt since the filming of ‘Strange Gisaeng.’
‘Lately, it feels like, what should I say, acting has become more comfortable? Easier?’
Unlike in the past, acting felt light. It was a bit different from how acting becomes more vivid or easier by repeating reading (experience) and acting. It was more like a change in Kang Woo-jin’s main body itself.
The burden of acting had completely disappeared.
It felt like his form had improved and his skills had increased.
Well, of course, it could be Kang Woo-jin’s delusion. It could just be that his thinking had become more flexible while maintaining various acting styles and concepts. Woo-jin, who brushed it off a bit lightly.
-Thwack!
He poked the black square that had appeared next to the script he had placed nearby to recover his stamina.
Suddenly, Kang Woo-jin’s world turned completely black.
It was the subspace he visited 10 times more often than his own home. Perhaps because it was so comfortable, Kang Woo-jin yawned widely as soon as he entered the subspace. He also stretched out his body to its full length. Of course, he also shed his concept.
“Ahhh!!! Good, good. Subspace is the best.”
That’s when it happened.
[“Detected that your unique ability has increased beyond the basic specs.”]
At the same time as Kang Woo-jin entered the subspace, a sudden robotic female voice rang out.
[“Unlocking the freedom of the role.”]
It sounded like he could break the framework of the predetermined scenario and script.
“‘Freedom of the role??’ What’s that all of a sudden??”
It smelled like an upgrade.
End