小火星

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was about to call Kang Woojin, hesitated.

“······”

His eyes reddened as he paused. Suddenly, he remembered years of pain and hardship. How much disregard had he endured? How many hellish days had he experienced? However, those damned times were not failures.

He had met Kang Woojin at the edge of a cliff and had finished the film.

So the sight of the editors hugging each other looked beautiful to Director Shin Dong-chun. It was just a short film, but it hadn’t been done hastily. Rather, it took several times more effort.

The fruit of passion and time invested.

Regardless of the weight of the work, the short length, and the commercial aspects, they had the right to be happy. At this point, one of the editors, with a beaming smile and moist eyes, looked at Director Shin Dong-chun.

“In my opinion, it’s a masterpiece. I think we can really turn the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ upside down!”

“Of course, that’s why we’ve been working on editing for so long. I’m satisfied. Woojin will feel the same.”

Here, another editor suddenly changed the subject.

“Ah- but I heard that the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ is changing a bit from this year?”

“Ah, yes. The sponsors have changed, haven’t they?”

“That’s right. The sponsors. When the backers change, usually there are huge changes in the first year.”

“I mean, the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ is kind of a big deal in the short film and art field, so they’re going to invest more money?”

At the question, Director Shin Dong-chun laughed as if it didn’t matter.

“Of course, there will be big changes, but it’s okay. ‘Exorcism’ will definitely attract attention wherever it’s shown.”

“True. The lead actor’s acting was insane.”

The editor laughed and pointed at the monitor.

“Are you going to hold a test screening?”

“Of course we have to. The two main actors are currently filming, so I’m not sure if they can come…”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was trailing off, picked up his paused cell phone again. Then he thought that Kang Woojin might be shooting, so he switched to Choi Sung-gun.

The connection ring was short.

“Yes, Director Shin.”

Soon, in response to Choi Sung-gun’s voice over the phone, Director Shin spoke firmly.

“CEO Choi, we’ve just finished editing ‘Exorcism’. We can arrange a test screening.”

“······Finally.”

Choi Sung-gun was the representative of the two main actors of ‘Exorcism’ as well as an investor.

“Let’s set it up, set the date right away.”

“Can Woojin and Hye-yeon attend?”

“Hye-yeon is fully busy with shooting, so it might be difficult. Woojin is in the middle of it, so he should be able to.”

This moment was very important to Choi Sung-gun on the other end of the phone as well.

“Anyway, I’ll ask for their opinions first.”

The next morning on the 11th, in the sound studio.

Around 8 o’clock, Kang Woojin was seen walking in the hallway with the management team including Choi Sung-gun. He was naturally dressed in a simple hoodie, with an indifferent expression, but he was feeling quite nervous.

‘I’m going to see the movie I’m in.’

Soon, there was going to be a test screening of ‘Exorcism’. Fortunately, the shooting of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ could be postponed until after lunch.

At that moment.

-Screech.

Choi Sung-gun opened the thick door of the studio. The inside looked like a recording room. It wasn’t too small or too large. Many monitors and unfamiliar keyboards were seen, along with items that looked out of place like helmets, baseball bats, and women’s high heels.

Though they were for sound work, they were entirely alien to Kang Woojin.

At this point.

“Ah, you’re here?”

Including Director Shin Dong-chun, those who arrived at the studio earlier greeted Kang Woojin’s team. There were about a dozen people. Except for Director Shin, they were all strangers to Woojin. Anyway, Director Shin and Choi Sung-gun greeted each other first.

“Congratulations, Director. Hahaha, I’m happy for you, really.”

“What are you talking about? It’s all thanks to the investor.”

“Oh, you’re making me blush.”

“Ah, that person is the sound director, and you’ve met this person before, right? He’s the head of the production company.”

Director Shin Dong-chun introduced everyone. After the greetings, he approached Kang Woojin.

“Woojin.”

He seemed more worried about Kang Woojin than his own disheveled state from the editing period.

“Your face looks worn out. Filming’s tough, isn’t it? Especially for you, brother. No, PD Song’s set is notoriously tough.”

What’s with him? Was he stranded on an island? Now doesn’t seem like the time for him to worry about me. To Woojin, it seemed that Director Shin Dong-chun was in no position to worry about others, and Kang Woojin quietly asked,

“···Are you okay, Director?”

“Huh? Me? Ah, I’m fine. I just haven’t slept or eaten for a few days. This is just a normal occurrence.”

Woojin sympathized with him but also clicked his tongue. The terrifying entertainment industry. He himself was dealing with a hellish schedule. Anyway, Director Shin Dong-chun pointed to the temporary chairs he had set up.

“Let’s discuss details later and just watch it for now. Ah, I’m feeling nervous.”

Soon, everyone, starting with Kang Woojin, took their seats. Meanwhile, Woojin looked around the sound studio a bit. Because he realized that a movie gets completed in a place like this. Suddenly, the week he spent filming ‘Exorcism’ flashed by like a panorama.

At the same time.

– Thud, thud!

The lights in the studio went out. The inside was quickly shrouded in darkness, and Kang Woojin’s tension rose. He was about to watch his movie. Though it’s a short film, it’s his first lead role in his first work. Woojin felt awkward yet surreal.

‘…Just a few months ago, I was slaving away at a design company.’

Now, he was moments away from watching his own movie as the lead actor. It felt like a dream but was incredibly real.

At that moment.

“Let’s start-”

The sound director seated in the middle of the workstation operated the equipment. Then the biggest monitor among several in front of him turned on.

-♬♪

A thumping sound effect was heard first, and slowly gray smoke appeared on the black monitor. The gray smoke cleared away to reveal the title, sharp and clear.

-‘Exorcism’

As soon as the title that lasted for about 5 seconds disappeared, the sound of the window opening filled the entire studio. The video appeared on the monitor just as the sound ended, and Kang Woojin’s eyes widened with excitement, although he didn’t show it.

‘Ugh, that’s me. How embarrassing!’

Because Kang Woojin appeared on the big monitor. Or to be precise, it was Kim Ryu-jin. He opened the worn-out window with the words ‘Exorcism’ on it. His hair was disheveled, his skin was rough, and his eyes were dull, giving the impression of a soulless being.

And then he.

[“Huu-“]

Exhaled a long puff of cigarette smoke. The opening focus was on Kim Ryu-jin’s bust standing by the window. He was smoking a cigarette in a daze. He looked serious but exhausted. Woojin thought about running away at that moment. Then the scene changed. It switched to a side view of Kim Ryu-jin.

[“Should I go see the client?”]

Kim Ryu-jin snuffed out the cigarette on the window frame.

Forty minutes later.

‘Exorcism’s’ final running time was 44 minutes.

Although Kang Woojin felt awkward and embarrassed throughout, he watched the film with intense concentration.

‘I get that it’s me, but Hong Hye-yeon looks insanely beautiful in any role.’

The completed ‘Exorcism’ was very similar to what Kang Woojin had directly experienced in the void. It felt like watching his own life in a video.

And then.

“How was it, Woojin?”

To the director Shin Dong-chun’s question, Kang Woojin suppressed some excitement. The quality of ‘Exorcism’ was good, so it seemed right to praise in this atmosphere.

‘······I didn’t expect you to use the scene where I fell, though. You should’ve deleted that, right? Director.’

Regardless, Woojin spoke succinctly and emphatically.

“It was excellent.”

At that time.

While Kang Woojin was engrossed in ‘Exorcism’, a silent war was being prepared in the broadcasting industry. The ‘Profiler Hanryang’, which received the highest expectations for the first half of the year with the star writer Park Eun-mi and several top actors.

『SBC ‘Profiler Hanryang’ to be countered! MBS, TVM proceed with overlapping scheduling』

Other broadcasting stations began to counter.

The competitors were public broadcaster MBS and cable channel TVM. Nowadays, even cable channels couldn’t be ignored. The schedule was confirmed to be on the same day as the first broadcast of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ on May 15th.

『[Entertainment Talk] SBC, MBS, TVM all clash in Fri-Sat mini drama!”

Whether it was intentional or just a coincidence that the scheduling overlapped, such a situation was very common and thus was a familiar scene in broadcasting.

SBC, MBS, TVM.

The promotional war of the three broadcasting stations intensified. The articles were filled with the names of the top actors they had cast, and they captivated the public’s attention by setting up various events on SNS (social media). They also continuously promoted their new works on YouTube and other video platforms.

『SBC has Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon, MBS has Ko Man-wook and Lee Ah-young, TVM has Kim Ji-woo and Kwak So-ra··· a splendid lineup!』

Upon hearing this, many people expressed their anticipation according to their taste.

-Wow…so much to watch in May LOL

-I have another reason to leave work early haha. I’m a fan of Ryu Jung-min, so I want to watch Hanryang~~

-I secretly hate how writer Park Eun-mi twists the story LOL. These days TVM has the edge in dramas LOL.

-Is it Hong Hye-yeon or Kwak So-ra……. Honestly, isn’t Kwak So-ra unbeatable? Acting, face, body, she’s the best.

-↑Are you stupid? How can you compare Kwak So-ra to Hong Hye-yeon??

-MBS kept making flops LOL. Maybe they’ve sharpened up this year LOL. Looking forward to it!

-Ryu Jung-min! Ryu Jung-min!! Ryu Jung-min!!! Come out soon!!

-Honestly, isn’t writer Park Eun-mi overrated? LOL

-May is the month of family…. but it seems like I’ll be watching a ton of dramas….

The Fri-Sun drama war was already fierce, and the current situation felt like a volcano about to erupt. That’s why the media slowly began to frame it as a war.

『[Issue Check] SBC, MBS, TVM are in a fierce drama promotion war right now!』

They were baiting with the promise of winners and losers.

『Who will win in May as SBC, MBS, TVM simultaneously launch new dramas?』

The hype was heating up.

That same day, in the afternoon. Yongin, Yangji.

The shooting team of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ was stationed in the village field with rice paddies and fields. They had gotten permission with the village in advance. The set filming for ‘Profiler Hanryang’ was already done in the morning, and they were scheduled to film outdoors here until late afternoon.

The scene to be shot was an on-site verification scene related to Park Dae-ri’s serial killings.

Park Dae-ri was expected to calmly reenact the murders he committed in this village, handcuffed, with many police officers and spectators appearing as extras. Therefore, all the main and supporting actors of ‘Profiler Hanryang’, including Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon, gathered.

Of course, the main character was Park Dae-ri.

According to the script, Park Dae-ri would reenact his murder on a doll, and at the same time, the viewers would see the murder through Park Dae-ri’s flashback. In other words, Kang Woojin had to act out both the on-site verification scene and the actual murder scene.

Both the present and past Park Dae-ri.

Of course, there had to be a drastic change. He had to be unfeeling during the on-site verification but filled with pleasure during the actual murder scene. Anyway, dozens of staff members hurried to set up. The doll was set up and various crime props were placed.

“Reporters, police extras, gather around!”

“Hey! I told you to bring another reflector, what are you doing, falling asleep!!”

Actors like Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon were getting their makeup done. Some actors were already on set reviewing the script. Among them, today’s main character, Kang Woojin, playing Park Dae-ri, was

“……..”

sitting and spacing out after being the first to finish his makeup. Specifically, he was thinking about ‘Exorcism’ he saw this morning.

‘It sure felt different after editing.’

However, this appearance looked somewhat melancholic to the busy staff.

“Wo-jin looks like he’s filled with melancholy or something, doesn’t he?”

“I think so, Woojin usually seems pretty cold, but he’s unexpectedly tsundere. He quietly takes care of the staff from behind, doesn’t he? Like warning them to be careful.”

At that moment, Choi Sung-gun, who had just returned from the van, approached Kang Woojin. He tilted his head and mumbled,

“Hmm- I’ve seen that pot-bellied man somewhere before. Who is he?”

Since he was talking right in front of him, it would have been rude to ignore him. Kang Woojin, with a serious expression, asked in a calm voice,

“Who did you see?”

“Hm? No, there’s this warm-looking old man in the site parking lot that I’ve seen a lot of times before. Some of the staff are wearing masks too, so that’s not strange, but the overall atmosphere and style feel familiar.”

“Is he not a staff member?”

“Well, I’m not sure. Should I go ask?”

At that moment,

“Woojin!! Stand by for rehearsal!!”

The assistant director called Kang Woojin.

10 minutes before shooting.

A proper walkthrough and verbal rehearsal were done. Everything, including cameras and lights was all set up, and the makeup and costume preparations for all the actors, including Kang Woojin, were finished. Only the shooting was left. But, the PD, Song Man-woo, who was at the spot where several monitors were placed, seemed serious.

“No, it shouldn’t be too fairy tale-like, you know like depicting hell in a fairytale way? You seemed to understand well during the continuity meeting, so why now?”

PD Song Man-woo was talking to the VFX (special visual effects) team. There seemed to be a problem. There were quite a lot of staff and actors around. The VFX team handles special effects in the work such as CG(Computer Graphics). Since recent dramas insert special effects almost 100%, the VFX team was vital.

‘Profiler Hanryang’ was no exception.

Anyway, they were currently discussing a scene where the world changes into various colors to express ‘Park Dae-ri’s’ vision. It was also planned to be inserted in this crime scene verification scene. Therefore, the VFX team, who accompanied them for on-site inspection, consisted of four members, including a foreigner.

Judging by the looks, the foreigner with the shaved head was the core.

One of the Korean team members translated PD Song Man-woo’s words into English for him. Then the bald foreigner looked at PD Song Man-woo and opened his mouth. Of course, what he spat out was in English.

“Then is it like the feeling of the color changing in an ordinary city? Is it the same here too?”

The Korean team member interpreted for PD Song Man-woo. PD Song Man-woo frowned slightly.

“No, that’s not it.”

Then, a low tone of English was suddenly heard from behind PD Song Man-woo.

“The background doesn’t matter.”

A calm male voice.

“Regardless of the background, just think of expressing the bright tone of a fairy tale darkly and eerily.”

Thanks to that, the gaze of the VFX team, PD Song Man-woo, actors such as Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon, and all the nearby staff turned towards the direction of the voice. Meanwhile, a very cynical tone of English came from the same direction.

“The ground should be purple, trees and grass should all be deep blue, the sky should be black, and people should all have different colors. The colors that the character sees should be strange. Eeriness is important.”

In the direction everyone was looking, Kang Woojin was nonchalantly spitting out English. He was too fluent.

“Oh, I’m the actor playing that role.”

*****