小火星

Inside the void space, Kang Woojin stroked his chin as he looked at the white rectangle of ‘Island of the Missing’.

“Aside from the fact that it’s a D, why is the completion rate so low?”

As far as he could think, there had only been one thing that had low completion rate.

“That partial script.”

The few pages of the partial script when he first encountered the void space. Assuming that the partial script had a low completion rate because they were only a few pages that had been taken from the existing script, so Director Kwon Ki-taek’s scenario was the opposite. Kang Woojin was slightly confused.

“What is this? Is it unfinished? – No, it’s not.”

Woojin, who had been muttering to himself, shook his head. It was unlikely that casting would be carried out with an incomplete script. Although Woojin had no knowledge of the entertainment industry, Woojin studied a bit when he had free time.

‘Casting actors is done from the middle of pre-production or something?’

Indeed, actors decide to appear after reading the completed scenario. Well, sometimes it’s done through connections, but that’s rare. No matter how close the relationship, business is business.

Besides,

‘Didn’t that director say he had already handed the script over to other actors?’

Director Kwon Ki-taek had said that he had already given the script to a few actors. Then it’s safe to assume that this ‘Island of the Missing’ script is complete. But the void space rated it as having a low completion rate. The grade was also poor.

‘It seems like the timing to look for an actor, but I’m pretty unknown, so they’ll probably give me a small role, right? And that’s because my acting is good, so I got this opportunity. But even if he’s a great master, this is a bit dubious’

Kang Woojin was in a dilemma. The renowned master Director Kwon Ki-taek had personally reached out to a unknown nobody like him. Woojin was slightly moved by his sincerity.

But if both the completion rate and grade are low, then…

Even Director Woo Hyun-goo’s work had a higher completion rate despite being F-grade. At this moment, Kang Woojin was heavily leaning towards refusal. Well, putting that aside for now.

-Swish.

After organizing his thoughts properly, Woojin looked up again and focused on the white rectangle.

-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Missing), D grade]

The title is ‘Island of the Missing’. It doesn’t seem like a calm story even to Woojin, who didn’t enjoy the content much. It feels somewhat like a thriller or action mixed in. Soon, Kang Woojin selected the white rectangle and skimmed through the roles that he could read.

“Lieutenant, Captain, Sergeant-”

There were words associated with the military in the roles. Is this a war movie then? No, that wasn’t certain. Not all movies with soldiers are war films. But one thing was for sure.

“Guns or killing stuff will be in it, right?”

He felt like there would be intense gunfights or at least rampant battles. If Woojin were to read this script, he would be dropped right into the middle of a fierce battle. Kang Woojin was a little scared.

Isn’t that so?

He’d often seen guns in the army, so they weren’t unfamiliar, but he had never experienced war or bloody battles. It might be different if it were just training.

“It’s quite an experience, I mean, it doesn’t matter if I don’t do this movie.”

Kang Woojin, who was prepared for any script or scenario he might receive in the future, suddenly thought.

“But dropping a nuclear bomb or a disaster, that’s a bit overboard, right?”

Woojin, indulging in his imagination, scratched his head slightly, and decided to exit from the virtual space for now.

“Exit.”

He muttered into the void. His endlessly dark vision instantly changed to the meeting room. The amiable Director Kwon Ki-taek was still standing right in front of him. Then, the director said,

“Woojin?”

He tilted his head, looking at Kang Woojin.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Upon being asked, Woojin quickly regained his poker face.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“That’s good, I was worried. You paused for a moment after getting the scenario. I thought you already didn’t like it.”

Ah, that’s somewhat true. The pause was due to the time lag when entering the void space, but in reality, Kang Woojin didn’t like this scenario.

However,

‘I have to go along with it for now.’

It was difficult to speak as bluntly as he had with Director Woo Hyun-goo. The renowned director, Kwon Ki-taek, was right in front of him, and since the director came to him personally, he had to be polite.

Everyone was seated at a ‘ㄷ’ shaped desk.

Director Kwon Ki-taek and the film company staff sat side by side, with Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun across from them. As soon as Woojin sat down, he flipped through the first page of the ‘Island of the Missing’ script. This wasn’t an act, he was genuinely curious.

He thought he might find the reason for the low completion rate as he read it.

At that moment, Director Kwon Ki-taek on the opposite side smiled kindly.

“Just skim through and get a feel for the work. Whether you like its vibe or not.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun, who had been observing the mood of the meeting room, joined in.

“Director, if Woojin likes the vibe, can I start thinking about what comes next?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek answered in a manner that made it sound obvious.

“Of course. I believe that as long as an actor can act well, that’s all that matters. Issues like those with Director Woo Hyun-goo don’t concern me at all. I wouldn’t have gone to the site so many times if I hadn’t thought about the next step with Woojin.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun inwardly shouted in joy but maintained his composure, while Director Kwon Ki-taek’s gaze landed on the cynical Kang Woojin.

“Well, the actor should like the vibe of the script for us to discuss the next steps.”

For a moment.

-Swoosh.

Everyone’s eyes, from Director Kwon Ki-taek to CEO Choi Sung-gun and the film company’s staff, were all on Kang Woojin. Woojin was silently looking down at the script. One page, two pages. He had already flipped over a dozen pages of the script.

His stern expression looked serious to everyone.

At this, Director Kwon Ki-taek across from him laughed with interest.

‘Indeed, no matter who’s in front of him or what the situation is, he does his thing without being shaken. Somehow, I feel the answer is already there in his eyes?’

However, Kang Woojin felt more puzzled, although he didn’t show it.

‘I don’t know. Yep, I don’t know. The more I look, the less I understand why it’s incomplete. Where’s the fault in this?’

He couldn’t understand it at all. What part was incomplete? The ‘Island of the Missing’ that Woojin was reading didn’t have any noticeable flaws. There were no issues. Then, Woojin let out a sigh in his mind.

‘Well- I can’t really understand just by reading.’

Even though he had read many scripts and scenarios, he was not at a level to judge them. But it also felt uncomfortable to just let it pass.

‘I don’t know, let’s just ask.’

Kang Woojin, who had been calmly reading the script, looked up. Director Kwon Ki-taek and the film company’s staff were still watching Woojin. Among them, Woojin asked Director Kwon Ki-taek in a slightly cold voice.

“Director. I’m sorry, but.”

“Yes, go on. Speak freely.”

“Is this script definitely your next work?”

At the same time, the eyes of the film company’s staff widened slightly, and there was a look of interest on Director Kwon Ki-taek’s face.

“May I ask why you’re asking that?”

“It’s a little strange. It’s complete, but I feel like it’s incomplete.”

“….feel incomplete?”

“I apologize. You said to speak freely.”

Kang Woojin spat out an apology full of politeness, causing murmurs among the film company staff. Of course, Choi Sung-gun looked at Woojin next to him with shock-filled eyes. Something had happened again.

Meanwhile,

“You made such a judgment just from reading a few pages of the script? And even based on your feelings?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek said calmly. For a moment, Kang Woojin tensed slightly inside. Did I make a mistake? But his firm expression did not change.

“I’m sorry.”

At this moment.

“Ha ha, indeed, that’s impressive?”

Suddenly, Director Kwon Ki-taek laughed.

“To be honest, I had my doubts, but it seems that what PD Song said was true.”

“…Huh?”

“Still, I didn’t expect that the instinct to recognize that work would come out after just ten or so pages.”

What’s that? What’s that old man talking about? Woojin wondered to himself, and Director Kwon Ki-Taek’s smile deepened.

“It’s absurd indeed. Yes, it’s an incomplete script .”

Then he gestured to a film company employee next to him. Soon, the employee took out another bundle of papers from below. Director Kwon Ki-Taek handed it to Kang Woojin.

“Then please read this.”

An hour later.

Kang Woojin and Choi Seong-Gun were no longer in the meeting room, but Director Kwon Ki-taek and the film company employees were still there. At that point, the production PD, who was wrapping up, asked Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was looking over the script carefully.

“Director. May I ask why you showed Woojin the first draft of the script before the revisions?”

“Hmm?”

“What was the reason for doing that kind of test…”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had met the PD’s gaze, looked back down at the script. It was the ‘it was the incomplete script’ that Kang Woojin had mentioned.

“I didn’t intend to hold an audition.”

“——What??”

“Kang Woojin. I’m planning to have him join without an audition. Of course, he has to like my script first.”

Suddenly, all of the film company employees froze. Their eyes were all the same. A master with top actors lined up, is saying such things?

The most surprised person was the production PD.

“But, even so. He’s an actor without a notable filmography yet. Not doubting his skills… but shouldn’t you at least test if he fits the role?”

“That was all taken into account in the test. Of course, I was also curious.”

“What, what do you mean?”

Here, Director Kwon Ki-taek crossed his arms and thought about the indifferent Kang Woojin he had seen earlier.

“He didn’t seem pleased.”

“What?”

“A complete unknown who’s only done two works maintaining his cool in this situation, focusing more on the script in front of him than me, not flattery but clearly pointing out the problems in the script.”

“That was indeed surprising. Even if it was the initial draft of the script, it would be hard for ordinary actors to notice.”

“Considering his English skills, it’s clear he was abroad, and he said he had been diligently studying acting on his own for a long time. Honestly, I still don’t understand the self-taught part. But if it’s true, he must have seen a tremendous amount of scripts and screenplays.”

“Hmm.”

“Otherwise, he wouldn’t have developed such a sharp sense. I understand what PD Song meant by his unique star quality. I’m intrigued, both by his acting and his character.”

The production PD, who was watching Director Kwon Ki-taek chuckling, asked with a small cough.

“Then, which role are you considering for Kang Woojin? The supporting roles are already set. Are you considering him for semi-supporting or a minor role?”

Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had just stood up, shook his head.

“No. I just changed my mind.”

He answered casually.

“I’m thinking of giving him the lead role.”

However, the production PD and the film company employees were utterly surprised by the answer.

“······What?!! Lead, lead role! Director! If it’s the lead role, for which character!!”

Regardless, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was stroking his chin, was very calm.

“Villain.”

A few days later in the morning, at a university in Seoul.

A pretty-looking girl had just left the dormitory. She was wearing a cap on her medium-length brown hair, and she was tall, about 168cm. The baseball jacket she wore also suited her well.

She stopped walking and made a phone call somewhere.

“······Darn.”

However, the other party didn’t answer. The girl cursed the other person’s name.

“Kang Woojin, you jerk.”

Out of nowhere, Kang Woojin’s name appeared. Why? Because she was Kang Woojin’s younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah.

“Why aren’t you answering the phone?”

Kang Hyun-ah grumbled. They usually only called each other a few times a year. Kang Woojin and Kang Hyun-ah lived by the phrase ‘no news is good news.’ However, she had no choice but to call because of her mother’s request. Anyway, Kang Hyun-ah began to walk again and called her mother.

Her mother picked up.

“Oh, what did your brother say?”

“He’s not answering. You should just call him. Isn’t he even answering your call??”

“He answered. But shouldn’t you guys be more close with each other?”

“Close my foot. We’re too busy insulting each other. Wait, but is he¹ really studying acting or something?”

“He? You want me to stop giving pocket money?”

“… Are you sure that he said he wants to be an actor, Mom?”

“He said so.”

Kang Hyun-ah, who stopped walking again, laughed in disbelief.

“He must be going crazy. At the age of 27, he wants to become an actor… Mom, why didn’t you stop him? It’s been over a month already.”

“Do you think it’s possible to stop him from doing what he wants to do?”

“No! Mom! Acting is a very tough thing, you know? Aspiring actors join as trainees before they’re even 20, right? And even then, they often fail! It’s the same with idols. Is he trying to ruin his life?”

“…Then you contact him and check on him. Got it? I’m driving, so I’m hanging up now.”

“Ah, Mom!”

-Click.

The call ended abruptly. Soon, Kang Hyun-ah shook her head while thinking about her elder brother’s crazy act.

“He’s lost it. Suddenly he wants to become an actor.”

Just then.

“Hyun-ah!”

Someone called Kang Hyun-ah from behind. Turning around, she saw her classmates from the same department approaching. They were all girls. For the record, Kang Hyun-ah was studying Early Childhood Education.

Whatever the case.

“What are you talking about by yourself? An actor?”

Upon her friend’s question, Kang Hyun-ah sighed deeply.

“No- Ah, my brother says he wants to be an actor.”

“Huh? Really? Hyun-ah, do you have a younger brother?”

“No. An older brother.”

“Wow! You have an older brother? Is he handsome? Let me see a picture.”

“Are you crazy? Why would I keep his picture on my phone?”

“Then his profile picture on KakaoTalk!”

Her friends were instantly excited. If he wants to be an actor, he must be good-looking, right? They started to chatter about such things. Unfortunately, Woojin’s KakaoTalk profile was completely empty. The friends immediately suggested checking his SNS (social media), but Kang Hyun-ah was calm.

“He doesn’t use SNS.”

“I’m curious! What does he look like, your brother?”

“He just looks like family.”

Having answered nonchalantly, Kang Hyun-ah sent a message to Kang Woojin.

-You’re joking about wanting to become an actor, right?

The funny thing was, Kang Woojin, who didn’t even answer her calls, replied to the message quite quickly.

-Jerk: Yep, it’s a lie.

-What the hell! Mom keeps calling me because of it. Why would you make up such a lie?

-Jerk: I’ll take care of it.

Seeing his reply, Kang Hyun-ah clicked her tongue.

“Tsk. Seems like he was kidding about becoming an actor.”

That’s how Kang Hyun-ah and her friends kept gossiping about Kang Woojin until they arrived at the classroom. The topic of conversation varied unpredictably, ranging from her brother to actors, from actors to top handsome actors.

Right now, they were talking about dramas featuring top handsome actors.

“Did you see the new drama lineup for May?”

“Ah! I really want to see the one with Ko Man-wook. The MBS one.”

“When’s that, in May? The drama lineup is crazy. I want to see the TVM one. It looks like it’s going to be awesome.”

“That’s my second choice, Kwak So-ra’s one is my first pick.”

“But will Netflix show all of them? It’s going to suck if they don’t.”

“Isn’t the TVM one on that separate OTT platform?”

At this point, Kang Hyun-ah, who had just sent a message to Kang Woojin, suddenly exclaimed.

“Ah, what are you talking about? I’ve got to see Ryu Jung-min, he’s super handsome!”

At that moment, Kang Woojin was in a passenger van, on his way to the B-team filming set of ‘Profiler Hanryang’. Just having answered his sister’s message, Woojin was now…

“······”

Reading the script with a serious expression.

-Flip.

Of course, it was Kwon Ki-taek’s ‘Island of the Missing’. The real completed script, not the incomplete one. Although he was busy filming, he was reading it whenever he had time. He had already read 70% of the scenario. It seemed pretty interesting. Well, it actually was. Although it was hard to tell from his stern face, he was inwardly full of admiration.

‘Oh- wow, what’s this? A monster? An extraterrestrial creature appears? The suspense is incredible.’

Here, Kang Woojin recalled the revised grade of ‘Island of the Missing’ that he saw in the void space.

-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Missing), A+ Grade]

-[*This is a very highly completed movie scenario. 100% reading is possible.]

It had been upgraded from a D to an A+.

‘Looking at it this way, it does seem different from before. How should I put it? The tension feels different?’

And from the beginning of the script, one role stood out to Woojin.

‘But what is this? Dual personality?’

Though it would be difficult for him to get the role as it was a lead character, it was an interesting character from a reader’s perspective.

‘Is he a villain? I can’t tell if he’s a good guy or a bad guy.’

Then.

-Brrrr.

Kang Woojin’s cell phone vibrated briefly. Was it his sister again? Thinking so, Woojin picked up his phone with a frown. But the sender wasn’t his sister, but…

-Director Shin Dong-chun: Woojin, you must be filming, so I’m sending a message first.

It was a message from Director Shin Dong-chun.

-Director Shin Dong-chun: I just got a call. We made it to the final 40 in the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’.

Kang Woojin’s participation in the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ was confirmed.

*****

TL Notes:

1) ‘he’ (걔) used by Kang Woojin’s sister here is an impolite word to call a person who is older than you in Korea.

*****