I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Inside a high and enormous warehouse studio set. The difference from the ‘Exorcism’ days was quite literally like heaven and earth. Woojin was genuinely astonished. What could possibly be prepared inside such a large and spacious warehouse?

“They even shoot dramas in such a large logistics warehouse-”

Moreover, the number of staff members was tremendous.

The lighting team running around with lighting equipment, the shooting team carefully moving the cameras, the directing team coating the entire scene with shooting storyboard, and the props team moving various props in a minibus, and so on.

There were roughly more than 60 people. With the addition of actors and their management teams, it would easily surpass 100 people.

‘All these people are going to watch my acting?’

The energy of the staff was different from the script reading time.

Even then, there were about a hundred people, but there was no movement, so it was static. However, this was like a battlefield itself, and the first day of shooting, so how nervous would you be?

Thanks to that, Kang Woojin,

“Oh- shi. This is a bit overwhelming.”

His veins began to throb throughout his body along with his heart. This was a different kind of nervousness. Yes, it was close to tension. In the midst of this grandeur, he had to perform in front of hundreds of eyes watching.

For Woojin, who was close to an ordinary person, it was normal that his breathing became faster.

Still,

‘Phew- deep breaths, deep breaths. Just think of them all as cats and dogs. That’s all it takes.’

Woojin had already finished his warm-up at ‘Exorcism’. Hence, he cooled down his fiercely pounding heart.

Around that time,

-Swoosh.

Two people joined Kang Woojin who was looking at the studio set. It was road manager Jang Su-hwan and stylist Han Ye-jung. Han Ye-jung, with green patches in her short hair, glanced at the expressionless Kang Woojin.

‘Why is he so calm? Isn’t he nervous at all? How peculiar.”

Then, the bulky Jang Su-hwan exclaimed somewhat cheekily.

“Wow- shi. This place is huge, isn’t it?! Are you okay, Woojin Hyung? I’m nervous, it’s my first time on a real set, I’m nervous!”

Although his voice was yet to mature, his voice was loud. Looking at him, the expressionless Kang Woojin answered inwardly.

‘Comrade, I’m also nervous.’

But outwardly, he remained cool.

“I’m also nervous.”

“Eh? You look so calm though??! Ah! Maybe you’re pretending to be nervous for my sake?”

Why do they interpret on their own after I said I was nervous? However, Woojin gave up explaining. Instead, he showed composure.

“It’ll be fine soon.”

“Yes! I’ll secretly take some deep breaths.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been on the phone somewhere, appeared laughing.

“Alright, let’s go in!”

With that, team Kang Woojin entered the large studio.

The studio set was even more enormous inside than outside. It was not only vast, but also, what to say, quite spectacular? Different sets for shooting were laid out in each section. Dozens of staff members were bustling about these sets.

Around them, cameras and lighting were being meticulously set up.

Kang Woojin was busy taking in this world of a different dimension. However, he didn’t have much time. Because PD Song man-woo approached as soon as he arrived. He put his hand on Woojin’s shoulder and smiled.

“Did you arrive? Mr. Kang Totem.”

“Yes?”

“No, no, just joking.”

Soon, Team Kang Woojin, including Choi Sung-gun, greeted PD Song man-woo, and PD Song locked eyes with Choi Sung-gun.

“You arrived early, CEO Choi? You’re first among the actors.”

“Hahaha, our Woojin is a rookie, isn’t he? He must come in first.”

Director Song’s gaze moved to the calm Kang Woojin.

“Right, a rookie. Or, is he? I’m a bit confused.”

At the same time, Choi Sung-gun also agreed with a laugh.

“Yes, it’s true. He is a rookie, but then again, he’s not.”

Jang Su-hwan and Han Ye-jung, who recently joined Kang Woojin’s team, tilted their heads. They hadn’t experienced Woojin yet. Regardless, PD Song moved on to the main topic.

He began explaining to Woojin while showing the shooting storyboard.

“Woojin, about half of today’s schedule is Park Dae-ri, so keep that in mind.”

In other words, Kang Woojin’s filming would continue relentlessly. In fact, today’s shooting storyboard contained a lot of ‘Yu Ji-hyeong’ and ‘Park Dae-ri’ cuts.

Dramas cannot be filmed sequentially from scene 1 in the script.

Considering the situation, the actors’ routes, and their schedules, the shooting roadmap is drawn up, and they shoot haphazardly according to it. PD Song will arrange this in the final editing.

Therefore, neither Hong Hye-yeon nor other lead and supporting actors are attending the shooting today. According to the plan, they would join from tomorrow.

“Okay, Woojin should get makeup first, and try on the costume as well. Can the stylist come with me to check Park Dae-ri’s costume?”

“Yes, PD.”

At that time, PD Song man-woo, who remembered the secretly arrived guest on the scene, continued to speak.

“There might be a surprise for Woojin today. No, I’m sure of it.”

He patted Kang Woojin’s shoulder.

“The junk car goes, and the foreign car comes¹, exactly that kind of feeling?”

Of course, Woojin casually asked back.

“What do you mean?”

PD Song man-woo’s smile deepened.

“It means that a foreign car is at the scene.”

A few tens of minutes later.

A large black van arrived at the set studio’s parking lot. It was the van of the lead actor of ‘Profiler Hanryang’, Ryu Jung-min. Inside the car, Ryu Jung-min, with baby perm hair as his character, sat with his eyes closed.

“…”

He wasn’t sleeping. He was controlling his mind, including regulating his breathing. Soon, the top actor Ryu Jung-min, whose mind was filled with thoughts of acting, slowly opened his closed eyes.

Even more so.

-Swoosh.

The script he just opened was worn out from how much he had read it. The script was full of notes everywhere. It was a trace of his analysis. About 5 minutes later.

“Brother.”

Ryu Jung-min, who had been looking at the script and regulating his breath, called his manager and team. He was ready to go to the set.

“Let’s go.”

-Rattle!

Then, Ryu Jung-min and his team of about six walked to the studio set. Ryu Jung-min’s expression was somewhat solemn. Even though he has been on set for more than a decade, today felt different.

A look of determination was in tall Ryu Jung-min’s eyes.

At a glance, he looked like a soldier about to go into battle. It wasn’t an incorrect comparison.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this.’

Today’s Ryu Jung-min was ready to give his all in acting.

‘I’m not sure if I can surpass Park Dae-ri, but I’m not thinking of being defeated.’

At least he had to put up a fight equivalent to ‘Park Dae-ri’. He was clearly overwhelmed during script reading, but today, Ryu Jung-min looked determined not to let that happen.

It was not only because of his pride as a top actor.

‘If I’m pushed back by Park Dae-ri from the start, the emotional feelings throughout the four parts will all be in vain.’

It was also important for ‘Yu Ji-hyeong’, the character he was portraying.

Actors who are good at acting maintain the character’s emotions even when not filming, and they keep an eye on their counterparts even off camera. This is then reflected in the next cut of acting.

When meeting a strong character like Park Dae-ri, he had to focus even more.

In other words, Ryu Jung-min had plans to observe, understand, analyze, and dissect Park Dae-ri’s behavior during their shooting. To blur the boundary between reality and acting.

Therefore, Ryu Jung-min.

-Swoosh.

As soon as he entered the studio set, he casually greeted the staff and first looked for Woojin. Where is he? At present, Kang Woojin was an enemy to Ryu Jung-min. Then, Ryu Jung-min found Woojin in a slightly secluded place. It was the actor’s waiting area prepared by the staff.

‘As always, the atmosphere is tense, that guy.’

Ryu Jung-min, who had evaluated Kang Woojin’s stern face, approached him.

“Hello.”

At Ryu Jung-min’s greeting, Woojin, who turned his head, got up indifferently and bowed his head.

“Hello, senior.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Although he was indeed a senior, the word ‘senior’ made Ryu Jung-min feel awkward.

‘I should be doing better than you to be considered a senior.’

Ryu Jung-min casually sat down next to Kang Woojin and opened his script.

“Woojin, how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

Maybe because he recognized him as Park Dae-ri? Ryu Jung-min started to be bothered by everything about Kang Woojin.

“How fine is ‘fine’?”

“As usual.”

“Ah- As usual.”

“Yes.”

The more he saw him, the more mysterious the actor seemed. Everything was a question mark. His opaque past was one thing, and the fact that he mastered that crazy acting all by himself was another. Ryu Jung-min slowly lowered his gaze to the script and thought.

Kang Woojin was indeed a fascinating actor.

Does he give NGs (no good take)? On the contrary, if I give NGs? How does he handle other roles? Or,

‘How would he react to my ad-libs?’

Ryu Jung-min was becoming more and more determined. He wanted to quickly enter the set and engage in a psychological battle with the Park Dae-ri sitting next to him. He was becoming impatient.

‘Ah, right, acting has this kind of fun. I remembered because of Kang Woojin.’

Ryu Jung-min was enjoying acting insanely after several years.

At that time.

“Jung-min! Woojin!”

The assistant director called out to the two actors.

“PD wants you guys to go through a rehearsal!!”

Kang Woojin and Ryu Jung-min stood up at the same time. Ryu Jung-min, who was walking ahead, looked back at Woojin and gave a small smile.

“I won’t be easy today?”

He was talking about acting. On the other hand, Woojin kept a poker face and remained silent, but he was full of questions inside.

‘What is this guy talking about?’

At the same time, he was impressed by the top actor’s composure.

‘It felt like a scene from a movie just now.’

Before the start of shooting.

Makeup for main actors like Kang Woojin and Ryu Jung-min was done, and the camera, lights, and audio were set. Suddenly, the first shooting setup was completely ready. Dozens of staff members that were spread across the shooting zone disappeared like a receding tide.

In the midst of this, PD Song man-woo, who was sitting in his spot,

“······”

was staring intently at the monitor, even though shooting hadn’t started yet. He was clearly watching Kang Woojin on the monitor.

“The dignity is amplified several times with the makeup and costume.”

Kang Woojin at this moment, from head to toe, was fully transformed into his character, Park Dae-ri. With disheveled hair, slightly tired makeup, and common hoodies and jeans, etc.

He was currently thinking,

‘Whew- The vibe is totally different from the ‘Exorcism’ times. It’s driving me crazy.’

He was not feeling very well. The time has finally come. Maybe because the hundreds of eyes watching were so intense, a pressure different from the ‘Exorcism’ shooting time struck Woojin. There was no consideration. It was weird and rough.

“Ugh, I feel a little nauseous.”

The expression on Kang Woojin’s face wasn’t for the character; it was truly coming from him. His heart was pounding nonstop. Chills were spreading all over his body. Goosebumps continued to appear.

The oppressive atmosphere on the set. It’s incredibly heavy.

As if oppressing his spirit was not enough, the grandeur and seriousness of this large set, and the gazes of dozens of staff members, further entrapping Kang Woojin. What about the unknown large cameras? Woojin felt like a real criminal.

When will I get used to this feeling?

No, can I even get used to it? Suddenly, Woojin admired Ryu Jung-min who was sitting calmly. Ryu Jung-min was sitting inside a set designed like an interrogation room. He was a true professional.

‘On the other hand, I’m just imitating a pro.’

Standing next to the interrogation set, Kang Woojin forcibly pushed out his fear of the intense atmosphere. He accepted reality. While the exterior may contain a concept, but the acting is real. Of course, it’s a gift from the void space, but it is experienced by Kang Woojin.

Cheer up; it’s a scene created by dozens of professionals sweating and working hard.

At this moment,

-Clang!

Handcuffs were put on Kang Woojin’s wrists by a staff member.

The first shooting scene of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ today was the story after Park Dae-ri confessed on his own. After his crazy appearance, the world turns upside down. News, articles, people; everyone focuses on the incident.

The self-confession of an unsolved serial murderer and the hidden true criminal.

So the police and the prosecutors are pushing themselves to their limits. The entire nation is watching. And in the center of it all was the profiler ‘Yu Ji-hyeong’. He thoroughly analyzes Park Dae-ri’s past and his tracks up to the present. And this scene was the second meeting between Yu Ji-hyeong and Park Dae-ri.

So it was natural for Woojin to wear handcuffs.

However, Kang Woojin,

“······”

used the handcuffs as a trigger. As soon as the cold chunk of metal filled his wrists, he pulled out the implanted Park Dae-ri.

The starting point was an unpleasant emotion.

The emotions of Park Dae-ri, engraved by the void space, developed into sensations, and those sensations woke up emotions and reason. Soon, Kang Woojin’s aura transformed. Dark eyes, deep and unknowable, filled with madness.

He became Park Dae-ri.

At the same time,

-Swish.

A supporting actor playing a detective moved next to the handcuffed Park Dae-ri. Park Dae-ri looked at him. The supporting detective flinched a little. It was scarier because there was no expression.

At this moment,

-Clap!

A staff member called out the scene number in front of the main camera and clapped the slate.

“Hi-”

PD Song man-woo, with a goatee, shouted into the megaphone.

“Action!!”

This meant that the filming of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had officially begun. Then the camera captured Yu Ji-hyeong with baby perm hair in the interrogation room. There’s a thick file in front of him. Yu Ji-hyeong, seemingly tired, rubbed his eyes.

“Phew, this is getting big. Why did I take this case?”

He was naturally complaining. Then the door to the slightly dark interrogation room opened. A detective and Park Dae-ri entered. The detective sat Park Dae-ri, still in handcuffs, across from Yu Ji-hyeong.

Yu Ji-hyeong sighed lightly and looked at Park Dae-ri.

Today’s Park Dae-ri does not have the humor he had when I first saw him. How should I describe him? It felt like there was no color on his face. That’s how Park Dae-ri Park was.

“······”

He stared intently at Yu Ji-hyeong with deep eyes. Then he tilted his head slightly. But his mouth remained shut. No message was contained in his eyes. It’s empty but not dull. It was blurry but also clear. This expression was vividly captured in a close-up by the camera.

Next was Yu Ji-hyeong’s turn.

“Ha-”

As soon as he saw the strange being across from him, Yu Ji-hyeong scratched his baby perm head as if bored.

“Just looking at your face makes me tired.”

He had already started the work. He had to show his vulnerability to Park Dae-ri. Clearly, he was not an easy opponent. So, he induced complacency first. Nonsense stems from arrogance covered in complacency. Let’s start with that.

Yu Ji-hyeong sighed again.

“Don’t you think the matter has gotten too big?”

“······”

Park Dae-ri, who was still calmly looking at Yu Ji-hyeong, didn’t show any particular change in his expression. However, he knew what Yu Ji-hyeong was thinking. Trying to ease the atmosphere, huh? Yeah, you must have been through countless crimes.

But I’m different from those guys who are just well-packaged.

Think about me, think again, analyze, and tear me apart. The more you do, the more you’ll get stuck in the mire? Park Dae-ri was enjoying this situation itself. The pleasure when everyone, including Yu Ji-hyeong, moved as he expected. And ecstasy.

You guys are just my puppets.

Suddenly, the stuffy air in the interrogation room tickled Park Dae-ri’s skin. Although it was a gloomy space, it was a playground for Park Dae-ri. It seemed as if the small dust particles dancing in the light.

Then, Park Dae-ri’s eyes went down to his wrist. First, let’s get these handcuffs off.

“Can you loosen this? They hurts.”

The detective by the door flinched, but Yu Ji-hyeong shrugged nonchalantly.

“Yeah, why not. Please remove them.”

However, the detective, after looking at the expressionless Park Dae-ri, whispered to Yu Ji-hyeong.

“It could be dangerous. Let’s just keep it this way.”

-Scrape.

Suddenly standing up, Park Dae-ri pushed both hands in front of Yu Ji-hyeong. Only then did a smile spread.

“Are you scared?”

Yu Ji-hyeong also laughed.

“It’s okay, please unlock them.”

Soon, the detective, with a reluctant expression, unlocked Park Dae-ri’s handcuffs. Park Dae-ri’s laughter deepened.

“It’s done.”

He then stretched refreshingly. It was an intentional act. I’ll pretend to be flexible since that’s what you want Then, Park Dae-ri, who had abruptly stopped moving, asked Yu Ji-hyeong.

“Are you tired?”

“Why do you think so?”

“You finished your coffee before I came, and it smells like stale cigarettes. It’s a smell that comes out when you smoke all night. You must have done it while investigating me.”

“I’m at the bottom.”

At this point, Park Dae-ri suddenly straightened his posture. He lifted the corners of his mouth even more. It was a thoroughly practiced smile.

“So what can I help you with?”

“First, let’s talk a bit. About trivial things.”

“Go ahead.”

“Hmm- Well, the alibi you mentioned.”

“Did you have breakfast? I want a hamburger.”

“I don’t like fast food. But you can have a hamburger now.”

“I like shrimp burgers; other patties like beef or chicken taste off.”

At this point, Yu Ji-hyeong suddenly asked something else. It was to steer the conversation flow.

“You had a sister, she committed suicide.”

For the first time, Park Dae-ri’s smile slightly wavered. Soon, a cold chill ran down Ryu Jung-min, who was acting as Yu Ji-hyeong’s back. This was not an act. It was real.

“······”

It was because of Park Dae-ri’s black eyes, which were quietly watching him with a faint smile. They were intensely empty.

“Yes, I had a sister.”

It was an eerily calm and horrifying gaze.

*****

TL Notes:

1) Korean equivalent of ‘Out With the Old, in With the New’ with slight changes to fit the situation.

*****