小火星

Around 11 PM, a writer’s workspace.

The interior of the space seems to easily exceed about 40 pyeong (approximately 132 square meters). It looks like a residential house as it’s in an apartment, but it’s a writer’s workspace. As proof, assistant writers are busily typing on laptops on the desk in the center of the living room.

It’s common to see assistant writers staying overnight at the workspace. And also in the largest room surrounded by bookshelves full of books.

-Tap, tap tap.

The frantic typing sound echoed throughout the room. A middle-aged woman wearing a grey hairband appeared.

“Che.”

She, who clicked her tongue as if she couldn’t write well, was the owner of this large writer’s workspace. Her name was writer Park Eun-mi. She had a face of about 40 years old, with long permed hair tied back.

Park Eun-mi, the writer, was,

“Sigh-”

covering her face with both hands as if she was in pain.

-♬♪

Her mobile phone, next to the laptop, rang with a cheerful ringtone. However, writer Park Eun-mi,

“······”

only gave it a fleeting glance and didn’t answer the call. There had been an influx of calls for about a month now.

The reason was simple.

“[Issue Check] Star Writer Park Eun-mi Returns… Broadcasting Industry Excited from the Start”

She was one of the few star writers in the country. She had written a total of 14 dramas so far and made 8 of them, including her most recent work, a hit. Did the remaining six fail? No, they did better than average.

In other words, writer Park Eun-mi was an ultra-class star writer who never had a failed work.

Such a person,

“Hit Machine, Writer Park Eun-mi Collaborates with SBC for Her Latest Work”

had teamed up with SBC Drama this time. The director was Song Man-woo PD, who was considered one of the heavyweights among the existing PDs. They had already worked together on five projects, and even before the pre-production, a top actor was already confirmed.

Hong Hye-yeon.

The huge, enormous trio was the base. Therefore, even before the start of the production, rumors spread at the speed of light.

Thanks to that,

-♬♪

Writer Park Eun-mi’s phone was ringing every minute. Most of them were calls from large to medium-sized entertainment agencies. They desperately wanted to fit their actors into the cast. Well, that was natural.

If they made it in this scene, it would be a so-called jackpot.

Writer Park Eun-mi was aware of this.

“It’s a chaos, total chaos.”

For a writer of her caliber, controlling the casting scene was not a problem. However, the blueprint for the cast of the new drama was already somewhat drawn. Hong Hye-yeon was confirmed. Hence, the calls from the entertainment agencies were nothing but annoying to writer Park Eun-mi.

Perhaps due to that,

“Oh, it’s so noisy.”

Writer Park Eun-mi was about to reach out to turn off the loudly ringing mobile phone. But then she paused.

“Huh?”

After checking the caller ID, she tilted her head and put the phone to her ear.

“Oh, Director Song. Why are you calling at this hour? Weren’t you judging the preliminaries for ‘Super Actor’? Is the filming over?”

The other party was not from the entertainment agencies but the Director Song Man-woo. Following that, Director Song Man-woo answered quite hastily over the phone.

“Ah, it’s over. More importantly, I’m on my way to your workspace right now.”

“Right now?”

“I’m almost there. I’ll arrive in about 20 minutes.”

It’s not an issue that he is coming to the workspace since they were already on the same boat, but Park Eun-mi frowned slightly because it was late.

“I was about to take a shower. If it’s not urgent, let’s meet tomorrow morning?”

“No, no. It’s urgent, you need to see this right now. Ah, and star Hong is with me too.”

“What do I have to see? Wait, Hyeyeon is coming with you??”

“Yeah. Let’s talk about the details when I arrive.”

It’s past 11 PM and Director Song Man-woo and Hong Hyeyeon, who has been confirmed as the female lead, are coming. It seemed like it was not a small issue.

“Sigh- you said you’re coming together from the audition. Fine, I understand.”

“Okay!”

-Click.

Soon, Park Eun-mi, who carelessly threw her phone, took off her hairband and left the room. It seemed like she was about to send the assistant writers who were outside home.

“Guys, Director Song is coming now, so everyone should go home today. Take a break for a day or two.”

The assistant writers hurriedly packed their things as soon as the words of their chief finished, and Park Eun-mi chuckled.

“That’s nice. I’ll give you my card, so buy something delicious before you go home. Don’t worry about the price.”

“Ah! Thank you!!”

The assistant writers, who received the card, were excited. Among them, a woman wearing glasses handed a thin bundle of papers to Park Eun-mi.

“Author, here are the sociopath materials you asked for.”

Park Eun-mi, who received the bundle of papers, let out a small sigh.

“Hmm, you worked hard. But I might not use this.”

“Why?? Ah- is it because of the actor?”

“Right. There are plenty of people who can do it, but the problem is that they can’t digest it. Those who are slightly good at acting avoid it.”

Park Eun-mi, who clicked her tongue, casually placed the materials on the table in front of the TV.

“I might change the character setting itself.”

A few dozen minutes later.

The assistant writers had already left the writer’s workspace. Instead, two new figures appeared on the living room sofa. They were Director Song Man-woo and top actress Hong Hyeyeon, who were stuck to Park Eun-mi.

“Oh my- author, the smell of your workspace is so good! You changed the diffuser, didn’t you?”

Whether she did or not, Park Eun-mi seemed a bit annoyed.

“Hong Star, please sit down. You’re sane, right?”

She gave a faint scolding to Hong Hyeyeon. However, Hong Hyeyeon didn’t seem bothered by it.

“You always say that, don’t you? You’re annoyed but you were hoping that I’d notice you changed the diffuser.”

“No, I didn’t. Whatever. Really, sit down, the tea is ready.”

Behind her, Park Eun-mi placed the prepared tea on the table. Meanwhile,

– Swipe.

She glanced at Director Song Man-woo, who has been looking at his phone since a while ago, and opened her mouth.

“But PD, can the chief director continue directing? They mentioned before that you might not be able to direct this one.”

“Hmph.”

Song Man-woo PD, immediately snorted.

“If I say I’m going to do it, what are they going to do?”

“Ay- but groups don’t usually work that way, right? Honestly, given your experience, reputation, and age, shouldn’t you have been sitting at a desk a long time ago?”

“A desk? If I can’t direct, I’d rather retire.”

Only then did Song Man-woo PD look up from his phone, across the table at writer Park Eun-mi.

“But this might really be the last work. I’m getting older and I have to think about the younger ones, so I should step back.”

Song Man-woo PD, who had a beard, was in his late 40s, but looked like he was in his 50s. Looking at his accomplishments and age, he should have been a senior executive at the broadcasting station long ago. However, he had a mindset that he’d rather die than not be able to direct.

He sighed deeply.

“Right now, there’s no one who can pull in the ratings like I can, so that’s how I’m surviving.”

Both Hong Hye-yeon and writer Park Eun-mi chimed in.

“I wish you would continue directing!”

“I have similar thoughts. Well, even if you join as a CP, I think it would be fine.”

However, Song Man-woo PD just shook his head with a bitter smile.

“Forget it. Anyway, I have to keep paying attention and when this project is finished, I’m thinking of leaving the company. I’m also considering setting up a production company and continuing to direct.”

“Oho- if it’s PD, investment will come in immediately.”

At that moment.

“So.”

Song Man-woo PD’s eyes became serious.

“Let’s make a big hit this time.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who was flipping her long hair, smirked.

“Agree, totally agree.”

Writer Park Eun-mi, who had sighed softly, shrugged her shoulders and stepped in.

“When have we ever not had that mindset? So? What’s the reason you two barged in here tonight?”

In response to the question, Song Man-woo PD suddenly stood up from the sofa. Then, he connected his phone, which he had been fiddling with, to the big TV in front of him. Writer Park Eun-mi furrowed her brows.

“What are you doing? Are we watching a movie?”

Song Man-woo PD, who was operating the large TV, replied calmly while holding the remote control.

“Just watch it first, and then let’s talk.”

“Watch what?”

“A hidden expert I found today. No, an actor.”

“······What the hell are you talking about.”

Writer Park Eun-mi grumbled openly, but Song Man-woo PD played a video on his phone. Then, a man started to appear on the big TV.

It was Kang Woo-jin, the first participant in the ‘Super Actor’ preliminary round this morning.

As soon as she saw him, writer Park Eun-mi tilted her head.

“Who is that? Ah- is this by any chance a recording of ‘Super Actor’?”

However, Song Man-woo PD, who was holding the remote control, answered a question with a question. Pointing at the TV with his forefinger.

“What do you think about this guy.”

Kang Woo-jin sitting in a chair. His head is slightly tilted and his phone is against his ear. His pupils are slightly dilated. Writer Park Eun-mi immediately evaluated him as if she was not interested.

“He’s tall. His visuals are okay. There’s a slightly rough feel mixed in. But has he been drinking? He looks drunk? His pupils are dilated. His gaze is a bit…”

The quick response came from Hong Hye-yeon, who had her legs crossed.

“He’s intense, isn’t he? While looking blank.”

“He seems to have a bit of a charm. A rookie? An aspirant? Anyway, he has a unique atmosphere for a nobody.”

“No, it’s difficult to categorize him as a rookie or an aspirant.”

“What? Ha- PD, why do you want me to look at this kid? I’m really tired. I can’t write today, and my head is about to explode.”

At that moment,

– thump.

On the TV, Kang Woo-jin slowly moved and stood before the judges. And then, he started to show something.

Somewhere between convulsion and shining.

Rough breaths, desperate eyes, grotesque gestures, trembling body mixed with pitifulness and severity, delicate expressions emanating from facial muscles.

That went on for 30 seconds, 1 minute, 3 minutes.

Kang Woojin on the TV had become a different person and Park Eun-mi, who had been sitting on the sofa,

“······”

Before she knew it, she had moved closer to the large TV. Her complaints from a moment ago had completely disappeared. Her expression now was firm and straight.

‘Is this… is this acting?’

Is there such a twist in the world? Park Eun-mi kept doubting as she watched.

‘Does he really have the experience of being stabbed with a knife? How else can he express this?’

At that moment,

– swish.

Song Man-woo PD abruptly stopped the video that was playing. Then he asked Park Eun-mi, whose eyes were wide open.

“Between the first impression of being a drunkard and now looking terribly distressed, which side do you think is this kid’s real personality?”

“I don’t know. More than that, why is his acting like this? I’ve never seen this type before, this isn’t realistic, it’s reality.”

“Right. What if he showed that after looking at a script for 1 minute?”

“What are you talking about, does that make sense??”

“He may not know but he must have made tremendous efforts.”

“What did you say??”

“No, just watch his interview.”

Soon, a short interview of Kang Woo-jin, who had stopped acting, was played on the TV. He seemed rather arrogant as he spat out answers like ‘I self-studied’. Or maybe he had high self-esteem. Here, Song Man-woo PD asked again.

“Do you think this is the real him?”

“······I’m confused.”

“Isn’t it?”

Then, Song Man-woo PD, with his bearded chin, moved a step closer to Park Eun-mi, who was glaring at the TV.

“The kid’s acting is crazy, but his sense of reason is clear. It was cool, then hot, then cold. Like a psycho. Don’t you think of a character while watching him?”

Only then did Park Eun-mi snap back to reality. She turned her body back and her gaze fell on the table.

On the table, what she saw was.

“Ah.”

It was the sociopath material that the assistant writer had given her.

The next morning, the 13th. In Kang Woojin’s one-room apartment.

The time was around 8 o’clock. Kang Woojin, who had been asleep, suddenly opened his eyes. His hair was disheveled, and scripts were scattered around his bedside. It seemed that he had fallen asleep while reading a script.

Anyway.

“Uh-”

Woojin, who had gotten up and stretched, started off by gulping down some water. Then he checked his phone. At this point, he paused.

“Oh, it arrived.”

He had received a message from a stranger. The ‘Super Actor’ PD had sent him a clip of his acting. Kang Woojin, who had downloaded the video on his phone.

-Swish.

He sat cross-legged. He had to check the video. However, he couldn’t easily start the video.

“It’s a bit embarrassing.”

The shame he had managed to suppress appeared up again. It was a feeling similar to kicking a blanket. It feels awkward even to listen to your own recorded voice. And then to watch himself acting, filled with embarrassment and shame?

It wasn’t easy.

Still.

“Phew- Calm down, it’s just a video.”

Woojin had to watch it. Because this video was evidence of his first entrance into the void.

Soon.

-Tok.

Kang Woojin touched the saved video. His own image was displayed on his phone. It was the disgusting Woojin, but he endured it.

That was about 5 seconds.

“Huh?”

Woojin tilted his head. The explosive shame had diminished. The reason was simple.

“This… Isn’t it okay?”

His acting in the video on the phone wasn’t bad. Of course, there was still awkwardness.

However.

“Am I doing well? Why am I good?”

It was not an acting skill that would make him feel embarrassed or ashamed. And that was only for a moment. When the part where he himself in the video was stabbed by something and screamed reached.

“···Wow, isn’t it awesome?”

Without knowing it, Kang Woojin admired it. Is this really me? Of course, he knew nothing about acting, so there were no particular criteria, but as a viewer, he himself in the video was more than excellent.

Before he knew it, Kang Woojin was immersed in the video. Then he suddenly realized.

“Wasn’t I horribly embarrassing?”

There was no need to feel embarrassed.

‘Yeah, thinking about it now, I was a bit out of my mind at the time, wasn’t I?’

He was out of his mind, and his brain wasn’t working well. Plus, Woojin didn’t know the clear criteria for ‘good acting’. Even if everyone praises it as great acting, if he concludes that he is trash, that’s the end. That’s exactly how Kang Woojin was yesterday.

So acting is something that others evaluate.

However, Kang Woojin ran away as soon as he finished acting, engulfed by explosive shame. No, he escaped. At this point, the slightly calmed Woojin recalled yesterday.

‘If my acting was incredible. What if I adjust based on that?’

The dark histories he had forcibly erased all looked new. The questions asked by the three judges were all not out of courtesy, but from shock. It was the same with the ‘Super Actor’ PD.

“Wait a minute. Then my first pass wasn’t for laughs – it means I passed with real acting.”

Everyone Kang Woojin met yesterday was charmed by his acting. That was the conclusion. At this moment.

“Ah, shit.”

Kang Woojin covered his face with one hand. Because he remembered the dreadful concept he had portrayed all day yesterday. Trying to look serious, pretending to be tough, bluffing, and so on.

“I’m going crazy.”

At that time, it was a smoke screen to hide his embarrassment, but looking back now, it was pushing his arrogance.

“They must have seen me as an insanely talented person.”

Top talent in acting skills or a monstrous genius actor. It’s enough to cause misunderstandings when such a person even pierces the sky with his self-esteem. Kang Woojin’s sigh was mostly true. However, the snowball of misunderstanding had already started rolling. At a fairly fast speed.

Of course, the person involved, Kang Woojin, didn’t know.

Then.

“Well, whatever.”

Kang Woojin, who had muttered moderately, quickly made a decision.

“They’re people I’m not going to see again, so I don’t need to worry about it.”

What he needs to focus on now is on the other side.

“Anyway, I can enter the void or whatever it is and have a role in the work.”

Kang Woojin could show the ‘scared man’ of yesterday right now. A feeling that seems to be saved in his brain. Soon, Woojin crossed his arms and silently looked at the script next to him.

More precisely, at the black rectangle next to the script.

“………”

What he muttered softly was next.

“It’s a ridiculous thing to say, but should I try acting instead of working in Australia?”

It was then.

-Woong, wooong.

The phone in his hand rang with a long vibration. It was a call, and an unknown number was displayed on the screen. Thanks to this, Kang Woojin carelessly put his phone to his ear.

“Yes, hello.”

A male voice came from the other end of the phone.

“Mr. Kang Woojin. I’m PD Song Manwoo, do you remember? I was sitting in the middle of the judge’s seat.”

“Oh, the one with the beard.”

The other party was PD Song Manwoo.

“Hahaha, that’s correct. It’s not much, but could we meet? As soon as possible, if you can.”

Me? Why? For a moment, Kang Woojin furrowed his brows and cleared his throat softly. Then he replied in a very low tone.

“I think you should tell me why first.”

Because he had to keep up the act.