小火星

Kang Woojin, heading to the shooting zone for the main shoot, heard a conversation between PD Song Man-Woo and the VFX team, which included a foreigner. He thought,

‘Huh? Is there a problem? It seems serious.’

He wasn’t very interested at first. However, even though he didn’t want to listen, he could hear the foreigners’ conversation. Even the English he had never heard in his life was very smoothly and easily understood.

‘Oh- I see. That’s what they’re talking about. Wow, but this is really amazing? It’s very fascinating.’

Kang Woojin, now intrigued, listened to their English from a few steps away. But something seemed to be getting lost in translation. ‘Ah, should I correct that?’

Because he was the actor playing the role of Park Dae-ri, it bothered him.

‘Should I step in?’

That was all there was to it.

‘I’ll have to use English sooner or later, so it’s fine to start early.’

Honestly, since he had gained the language skill, he wanted to use it at least once. For experiment. So, Kang Woojin stepped in. The target was a slightly serious, bald foreigner from the VFX team. The bald foreigner was surprised as Woojin fluently explained something in English.

Woojin didn’t forget to introduce himself at the end.

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

A foreigner understood my English? Kang Woojin kept a straight face, but inside, he was dancing with joy, thrilled to be able to converse so effortlessly with a foreigner.

At this point,

“······What?”

“???”

Upon Kang Woojin’s appearance and the fluent English he spat out, the people gathered around him widened their eyes. This included dozens of staff and actors alike. The focus was on Woojin, but he took one step closer to the bald foreigner and continued explaining in English since he was riding the flow.

His tone was still low.

“The world changing colors is to express the twisted innocence of the character, and perceiving animals and people not as life but merely as colors, treating them lightly like objects.”

There was not a moment’s hesitation in his words. The bald foreigner, now more surprised, asked awkwardly in English.

“···The part where the firecrackers go off.”

“It’s directed like a fairy tale showing cruelty. Imagine a child seeing blood bursting from the neck when something is killed. The writer expressed the bursting blood as a red firework.”

“I see. A grotesque innocence.”

“That’s right. This character has a firm world and psychology of his own. He has a perspective that others can never understand.”

“It needs to be emphasized.”

“If a gradient is added to the color, it should be fine. It will be noticeable and will make a good point.”

Woojin’s design knowledge was included in the conversation. Their conversation flowed very naturally. It looked as if two Americans were having a casual conversation, and both Kang Woojin and the bald foreigner continued the conversation calmly. However, the surroundings were anything but calm.

It started with dozens of staff around them opening their eyes wide.

“What? Why is Woojin so good at English? Isn’t it almost at a native level?”

“······That’s kind of cool. No, it’s totally awesome. Woojin’s English tone is insane.”

“That’s… not something you can do by studying, right? Did he live in America? There’s no hesitation, and it’s not like he’s thinking about the words.”

“Wow- He’s casually throwing out English with that indifferent face, and his pronunciation is good too··· It’s amazing.”

The staff were whispering non-stop. Of course, PD Song Man-woo, who was standing next to Kang Woojin, let out a small, wry laugh.

‘Yes, I knew this would happen. He’s definitely foreign-educated. His native-like pronunciation is just like a Korean-American’s, no, more than that.’

Actors like Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon were not quiet either.

“·····Look at that. I knew he must have been overseas.”

“What? Hye-yeon, what did you know??”

“No.”

“Ah- At the beginning, there were rumors that Woojin was foreign-educated. Isn’t that what you’re talking about? Anyway, he’s really like an onion. No matter how much you peel, there’s always something new.”

“Wow- Was he practicing for Hollywood before his debut?”

“Brother, do you think you can achieve that level of skill with a few years of study? It must have taken at least ten years or so. I think he lived abroad. He’s having a chat with a foreigner, look at that.”

Woojin and the bald foreigner continued their calm conversation, but the excitement and misunderstanding around them grew. Above all, the most excited of all was CEO Choi Sung-gun, who was standing a few steps away.

‘Insane… So he was in an English-speaking country. Why did he hide that? Or did he just not mention it? Then what about Japanese? Why did he ask for a Japanese scenario? Could he possibly speak both English and Japanese?’

A rookie actor who’s part of his company has English skills at the native level. Which agency would dislike that? Instead, Kang Woojin’s identity became even more of a mystery.

“Anyway, if he goes to Hollywood now, it wouldn’t be strange at all.”

At this point, CEO Choi Sung-gun felt a chill. He was joined by other team members on both sides. It was road manager Jang Su-hwan and stylist Han Ye-jung.

“What’s going on, sir? Was Woojin bro an American?!”

“There’s no way that’s true. Some idols can’t speak English at all, but Woojin bro is totally a cheat character, right?”

Whether or not that was true, Kang Woojin’s English continued.

“If you feel the flesh, the world changes color. You’re right, you can think that way.”

“Oh! Thank you, it helped a lot with the image.”

Regardless of the misunderstandings around him, Kang Woojin was purely happy inside.

‘It works? No, of course, it does. I never thought I’d be speaking with a foreigner. It’s thrilling, incredibly amazing.’

There was a pot-bellied man in a mask, watching this situation from a distance. It was Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had already been infected with the misunderstanding by origin, PD Song man-woo and who had secretly come in because he had important business with Woojin that day.

‘PD Song was right. He said he was from abroad. The more you know, the more mysterious he is.’

The number of people infected with the misunderstanding increased rapidly.

Dozens of minutes later.

For the on-site verification scene, dozens of police officers, reporters, and onlookers gathered at a shooting zone where a doll was placed. Of course, they were all extras. There were more than 30 people, half of them looking serious since they were aspiring actors dreaming of becoming actors.

And the rest were part-timers.

They were all busy chatting. Looking at the actor playing the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’. In other words, Kang Woojin.

“I saw that actor earlier, speaking English like a native speaker.”

“That’s right, I saw it too. Is he a Korean-American or something?”

“Maybe. I’ve never seen his face before, so is he a rookie actor?”

Regardless, Kang Woojin, in handcuffs, said nothing.

“······”

He just walked up indifferently. He blended into the crowd, soon he joined with Ryu Jung-min and others.

‘Should I ask about the English…? No, he said he had his reasons, so it might be a bit sensitive? Looking at his expression, he seems to be controlling his emotions.’

Hong Hye-yeon, with her hair tied back, was there among others.

‘I want to know! I want to know! Ha- I get that there’s some reason, but can I at least ask where he lived abroad? Is it too much?’

The actors preparing for the scene glanced at Kang Woojin. But Woojin’s poker face was too intense. However, Kang Woojin was chuckling to himself.

‘Nice, it’s nice. Ah- where can I try out my Japanese?’

Then.

“Woojin.”

Jang Tae-san, who usually had a jovial vibe, bluntly asked Kang Woojin, not knowing the misunderstood situation.

“Did you live in the U.S? Your English is really good.”

At the same time.

“Brother!”

Hong Hye-yeon, narrowing her eyebrows, covered his mouth and pulled him back.

“Some people have circumstances they can’t talk about, please have some tact.”

“Huh? What did I do? Is it wrong to ask?”

“Shhhh.”

Then, from the back where dozens of staff members were gathered, PD Song man-woo shouted.

“Standby!!”

A sign that they were about to start filming. Thanks to that, various cameras and lights were in place, and Woojin, who was handcuffed, also wiped away thoughts related to English and looked down. He saw a human-shaped doll.

‘Sigh- it’s still a bit awkward.’

It was an uncomfortable scene. He had made up his mind, but when it came to it, it still felt awful.

Of course, he had read the script in advance and analyzed it several times. After that, with determination, he had entered the void space, and read (experienced) it. After finishing the experience, Kang Woojin had retched. Although it was acting, it was still vivid and clearly engraved.

Murder. Kang Woojin killed someone in the world of the script.

To maximize the ability of the void space, he repeated the reading (experience). Naturally, it wasn’t Kang Woojin’s life but Park Dae-ri’s, but there’s no difference in what Kang Woojin did. It was acting. Just acting. But Kang Woojin killed someone. It was a world of void space, but it was felt as real and actual as the real world.

Kang Woojin has seen death, witnessed death, and also killed.

Even though he only did two works, Kang Woojin knew everything about death. Yeah, for other actors, just analyzing, shaping the character, and imagining would cause considerable stress. Kang Woojin had a vague understanding of this.

‘You can’t only experience good things.’

Contrary to the terrifying ability of the void space, Woojin had to overcome countless things that no one else had experienced. It might be wonderful, but it could also be hellish. This could be seen as the penalty of using the void space.

‘Looking back now… the concept and misconceptions that started by coincidence seem to have been a subtle help.’

Other people’s misunderstandings and misconceptions highlighted Kang Woojin’s identity, not the role in the script, and the arrogant and pretentious concept shouted that that he was present in every moment.

Both became a solid shield for him.

What made Kang Woojin exist as Kang Woojin was, absurdly, misunderstandings and the concept. What kept making him look back at himself were those two things. Woojin inwardly smiled as if it was absurd. At the same time, he decided to cherish himself more.

‘What about it? The things I experience are just possessions.’

At that moment.

-Thud!

After the staff called the scene number and clapped the slate, through the loudspeaker, PD Song Man-woo’s cue can be heard.

“Hi- Action!”

Simultaneously, reporters surrounded by police burst their camera flashes like crazy. Their target was, of course, Park Dae-ri. The onlookers hurled curses at Park Dae-ri.

“You trash!! Go die!!”

“You parasite!!”

“Die!! Drop dead!!”

“Execute him!!”

But.

“······”

Park Dae-ri, handcuffed, calmly calmly looked over them. No, was he smiling? The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. Then, he couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle.

“Phew.”

It was a faint laugh. A sort of mockery. At that, the spectators grew even more furious, and the barrage of camera flashes intensified. At this moment, Hong Hye-yeon, or rather, Detective Jeong Yeon-hee pushed Park Dae-ri’s back.

“Don’t mess around and act properly.”

Park Dae-ri turned his head to look at Jeong Yeon-hee. He sniffed the air, a humid scent filling his nostrils.

“You smell good, Detective.”

“…What?”

“Sweat. And you’re wearing the same clothes as yesterday. Didn’t you go home?”

“Shut your mouth. Just do what you’re supposed to.”

“Yes, I’ll do it right.”

The lively eyes of Park Dae-ri were eerie and vacant, but his lips formed a small smile. It was as if only his mouth was having its own fun on his face. Soon, Park Dae-ri picked up a red cord laid out in front of him.

-Whoosh.

Slowly, very slowly, Park Dae-ri took a step forward, heading towards the doll sprawled on the floor. He then lightly kicked the doll and chuckled lightly.

“It’s shoddy.”

He calmly reenacted a past murder he had committed. Looping the cord around the doll’s neck, he pulled from behind. It wasn’t harsh. It was gentle. All the while, Park Dae-ri’s gaze fixed on Yu Ji-hyeong, who had his arms crossed in front. Park Dae-ri tilted his head slightly.

While he put pressure on the cord around the doll’s neck, his real target was Yu Ji-hyeong.

All of Park Dae-ri’s attention was thrown at Yu Ji-hyeong, who felt as if his own neck was being strangled. But it was fine. It was just a light prank from Park Dae-ri. Yu Ji-hyeong gave a slight smile and waved at Park Dae-ri.

Then.

-Snap!

Perhaps because he put too much strength, the cord that Park Dae-ri was pulling snapped! Park Dae-ri then gently caressed the face of the doll he had been strangling. Swiftly brushing the doll’s cheeks, Park Dae-ri, who casually shrugged his shoulders, kept his gaze on Yu Ji-hyeong.

“People don’t die from something this weak. Give me a new one.”

A silence followed for about 10 seconds.

The one who broke that silence was.

“Ooookay!!!”

It was PD Song Man-woo.

“Great! That was good! Keep that emotion, and let’s move straight to the real murder scene!”

As soon as his words ended, dozens of extras and actors who had crowded the filming zone spread out. The dolls and various props were also removed. Some lights were also removed. The staff moved quickly. The handcuffs that had filled Kang Woojin’s hands were removed. Of course, the outfits were changed too.

Kang Woojin was now wearing a black windbreaker zipped up to the neck and a hat.

Suddenly, the filming zone was empty and dim. It exuded a chilling atmosphere. A woman in her 50s with permed hair walked in. She was an extra. And behind her,

-Swish.

The calm Kang Woojin stood. It was now time to shoot the real scene of the reenacted murder. Kang Woojin whispered into the extra’s ear.

“I’m sorry.”

“…What?”

“No, it’s because the scene is a bit too intense .”

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s just acting. Why would you be sorry?”

“I’ll do it right in one take.”

“Thank you.”

The extra actress braced herself. About that time.

“Hi- Action!”

PD Song Man-woo’s signal was given, and Park Dae-ri suddenly grabbed the back of the head of a woman who had permed hair. Then, he dragged her. The woman had no choice but to scream.

“Kyaaa!”

At that scream, Park Dae-ri opened his mouth, looking up at the sky.

“Ha-”

It was because he felt an orgasm unknowingly when lust and desire were realized. Ecstasy, exhilaration, shivering – whatever the words, a genuine smile, not a practiced one, spread across his lips.

Park Dae-ri, who was holding her hair, whispered in her ear.

“I like it, ma’am. I like it.”

“Sa, save me… save me.”

“You think you’re going to die today, ma’am?”

Park Dae-ri’s lips trembled. It was a spasm caused by pleasure. He couldn’t stand it, how could he quit this? Addiction. Park Dae-ri was a man who neither smoked nor drank. However, he was addicted to murder.

Such an expression filled Park Dae-ri’s face now.

The excitement intensified. The dark pupils expanded, and his breath quickened. The lips that were raised in a sneer had no intention of coming down. At this point, the main camera zooms in for a close-up of the woman and Park Dae-ri standing behind her, shaking slightly for realism.

But Park Dae-ri, without any care.

-Thud!

He slammed the woman to the ground. The camera followed suit. The woman flailed wildly. It was a desperate message to be saved.

“Kuhuk! Do, don’t! Save me! Save me!!”

“Then, Park Dae-ri took a red cord from his windbreaker pocket. He wrapped it around the woman’s neck.

Slowly, languidly. Giving the woman enough time to feel the imminent danger.

The camera moves to Park Dae-ri’s side as he ties the cord. He is delighted. Park Dae-ri looked like a child with a gift in front of him. His expression was completely detached from the current environment and situation. The strangeness created by the gap was hard to put into words.

Therefore.

“…My God.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who was watching Park Dae-ri on the monitor, covered her mouth.

‘It’s not a real murder, isn’t it? Why does it look so real?’

It wasn’t admiration. It was closer to fear. Ryu Jung-min quietly gritted her teeth.

‘If I did it······ No, I probably can’t do it like that. It’s scary, the level of immersion is terrifying.’

None of the actors could articulate their appreciation as they watched Park Dae-ri. It was simply amazing. Because what they were seeing was indistinguishable from reality.

And PD Song Man-woo stood motionless with his face buried in the monitor. Instead, he spat out a curse.

“F***… That’s right.”

His taste was sharp. As a director, he was experiencing a remarkable moment. The faces of the supporting actors and staff who had gathered were all shocked. Some opened their mouths slightly or furrowed their brows and turned their heads.

Because it was brutal.

But Park Dae-ri’s pleasure didn’t stop. He dragged the woman he had tied by the neck.

-Squeak, squeak.

His face was as though he was walking a pet. The woman’s screams continued.

“Aaah! Kuhuk! I can’t breathe! Help!”

The more she did so, the lighter Park Dae-ri’s footsteps became.

At this point.

-Swoosh.

The camera zoomed in on Park Dae-ri’s face, and Park Dae-ri bent down to whisper in the ear of the woman writhing on the floor.

His expression suddenly became emotionless.

“I wish your screams were a little louder. They are not quite satisfying enough?”

The woman who met Park Dae-ri’s eyes shivered with her hands and feet.

“······Ah.”

It wasn’t acting.

*****