小火星

17th, Monday morning. Kang Woojin’s studio apartment.

While dozens of staff from ‘Profiler Hanryang’ and the entertainment industry were in chaos over the weekend due to the appearance of the unknown actor, the actual protagonist, Kang Woojin, was.

“Hmm-”

completely unaware of this. He was just staring at his laptop with tousled hair and his legs crossed. The time was just past 9 o’clock. What Woojin was checking on his laptop as soon as he woke up was a movie community that his friend Kim Daeyoung had sent a link to a few days ago.

In fact, Kang Woojin had done some searches over the weekend.

Now he was reading the information he had collected. Well, since this community had a lot of trivial information, there was quite a bit about the short film ‘Exorcism’.

However.

“These aren’t all confirmed.”

It was hard to believe that all the information posted on this community was true. These days, there are so many communities, and there’s a lot of nonsense. So Woojin focused on the most reliable posts.

-Movie Information: Title Exorcism (Short Film)/ Blue View Film Company (Independent Specialist)/ Director Shin Dong-chun (unknown)

-News of production confirmation is circulating! It seems almost certain as a theater-acting acquaintance is saying that she is auditioning.

It was the most detailed post, with the highest number of views and comments. However, there wasn’t much information available, and even the common phone number was missing. Well, is this level of satisfaction enough for a community?

Kang Woojin, who was mumbling to himself, moved his cursor.

-Swish.

First, he searched for ‘Exorcism’ and Director Shin Dong-chun on a search site, but there was nothing to be found.

“Then will the movie company show up?”

Next, Woojin searched for the Blue View Film Company. Fortunately, there were search results for this. However, there wasn’t much information here either. Just the location of the film company and an introduction that they specialize in short films.

“Don’t they usually list their phone number??”

There was no number here either, perhaps because the film company was small. Woojin had heard similar things from Kim Daeyoung before. That the reality of independent, short or artistic films is very grim. Anyhow, the result was only the company’s address.

“Hmm- It’s pointless to just sit around. I guess I’ll have to go to the film company.”

The reason Woojin took an interest in the short film ‘Exorcism’, despite his confirmed involvement in ‘Profiler Hanryang’, was simple. Not only was the script itself quite interesting, but it also included experiments related to the ‘void space’. While the drama has ratings, ‘Exorcism’ was a short film that wouldn’t even be released.

Yet in the void space, it was marked ‘B-grade’.

-[4/Scenario (Title: Exorcism), B grade]

So, above all his curiosity was the biggest. About the production environment of ‘Exorcism’, a short film, etc. Plus, it was less burdensome because it was a short film.

‘When top actors are interviewed, they all say they started with very small works.’

Woojin faintly recalled an interview of an actor, and it was somewhat close to the right answer. There are actors who become instant or rising stars, but they are like sparks. Their lifespan is short. As evidence, there are many actors who caused a sensation at one time but have now disappeared without a trace.

On the other hand, actors who have steadily built up their filmography from the bottom have strong roots and last a long time.

It was more of a hunch or an instinct, but Kang Woojin was in the middle of choosing the path of longevity.

‘Now that a major drama has been confirmed, I can proceed with ‘Exorcism’ a bit lightly. Well, if there’s no role available in ‘Exorcism’, it can’t be helped.’

He still had quite some time left. An average actor might be buried in the script of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ script at this time, but Kang Woojin didn’t necessarily need to do so. As he could go into void space hundreds of times the day before shooting.

No matter what, Kang Woojin was soaking up the industry he was experiencing for the first time like a sponge.

Around this time.

-Swoosh.

Woojin, who was looking at the laptop, turned his head. There was a copied ‘Exorcism’ scenario, and of course, a black square was attached next to the ‘Exorcism’ scenario. Kang Woojin silently picked up the pile of papers which was the ‘Exorcism’ scenario.

“······”

He had read the ‘Exorcism’ scenario, but he had not directly experienced or read it in the void space. His mind was scattered because of recent experiments in the void space, and because of the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ matter.

But now that it’s somewhat sorted out, there was no problem.

Therefore.

-Swoosh.

Just as Woojin, who had his index finger up, was about to poke the black square.

-Brrrr, Brrrrrr.

His phone rang. When he checked the caller, a curse was displayed.

-bitch¹.

The contact saved as ‘bitch’ was Woojin’s only blood-relative younger sister. She hasn’t called in years and suddenly she’s calling?

‘She must’ve heard the news from Mom, 100%.’

Kang Woojin’s sudden bombshell announcement. That he’s going to be an actor. Clearly, if he answered that call, his sister’s teasing would start. So, Woojin quietly ignored the call. But then.

-Brrrr, Brrrrrr.

The phone rang again. It was another call. Soon, Kang Woojin cursed. No, he was annoyed thinking about his younger sister.

“Ah, is this for real?”

What’s interesting here is.

“Huh?”

The number displayed on the phone screen is not ‘bitch’. An unsaved number appeared. Could it be that his sister borrowed a friend’s phone to call? Woojin thought, but he still put the phone to his ear.

“Yes, hello.”

Then, a familiar yet unfamiliar female voice came from the other side of the phone. It was definitely not a relative.

“It’s me, Hong Hye Yeon.”

“······”

Huh? Who did she just say? Ho…Hong Hye Yeon? The top actress Hong Hye Yeon just called Kang Woojin directly. At that moment, Woojin stood up abruptly from his seat. He almost yelled out, “Is this for real!” But he barely managed to hold back.

Calm down, Kang Woojin. You have to keep your composure now. After chanting a few spells to himself, Woojin regained his cool.

“Hello.”

His voice was colder due to dry throat in the morning. It wasn’t intentional, but anyhow, Hong Hye-yeon on the other end spoke again.

“…Isn’t your reaction a bit lukewarm?”

“Should I have been surprised?”

“That’s, not what I mean.”

“I was surprised.”

“Never mind. Anyway, I heard that you’ve been confirmed for the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’, Woojin”

“Yes.”

“It seems to be quite noisy among the staff right now. Apparently, because an actor who was not initially planned has joined, There seem to be a lot of rumors spreading. Everyone seems very curious?”

For a moment, Kang Woojin blinked his eyes. Such a thing happened? Woojin didn’t know about it, but he continued the conversation calmly.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Because the role of ‘Park Dae-ri’ was a hot issue. Anyway, you’ll be a star at the first script reading, right?”

“······”

“Others will see that there’s an unknown actor they’ve never seen before, sitting there. That should be fun.”

The faint sound of Hong Hye-yeon’s laughter came over the phone.

“I’ve been watching you from the beginning, so I thought I’d call to relay the news. See you at the script reading.”

“Take care.”

“What is this? Don’t force me to work. I’m on a break right now.”

With the soft laughter of Hong Hye-yeon, the call ended. Then, Woojin slowly lowered his phone and muttered to himself.

“Wow··· damn.”

Just a few days ago, it was just Woojin’s ordinary phone. But now, the number of top actress Hong Hye-yeon was saved on it. The goddess who he only saw on TV until recently, now called him on his phone.

Woojin’s life was turning upside down.

“If I sell this phone to Kim Daeyoung, I could make hundreds of millions.”

Woojin smiled as he poked the black square next to the ‘Exorcism’ script.

-Thump!

Just like that, Woojin was sucked into the void.

***

Late in the afternoon on the same day. In a building.

The building itself was old, with a hallway that felt the same. At the end of the hallway, there was a slightly worn nameplate on the iron door.

-Blue Vision Film Company.

The office inside was also quite small, and two men were sitting face to face on a desk in the middle of the office. On one side, a man with small eyes, and on the other side, a man with a square chin. Both of them seemed to be somewhere in their 40s.

Judging from their expressions, both of them seemed rather gloomy.

The conversation was already in progress, as the square-chinned man sighed deeply and scratched his head.

“So you’re saying we have to make him the lead. And even use their rookies in the supporting roles.”

Then, the man with the small eyes nodded with a firm expression.

“That’s right. But you saw it coming, right Director? Let’s think positively. They liked your script and that’s why we got to this point.”

The man with the small eyes tapped a stack of papers in front of him with his index finger. The cover of the stack read ‘Exorcism’.

With or without it, the man referred to as the director, with the square chin, stroked his face with one hand, and the man with small eyes continued speaking with a difficult expression.

“Director, to be honest, I’m also pissed off. But the situation itself is not bad. We miraculously got the opportunity to produce the film that was about to fall through.”

“…Even so, Representative, how will we raise more funds?”

“You’ve been saying that for months. Many independent and short films have fallen through because of that.”

“……”

“Think positively, Director. It’s common in this industry to bring in actors with money, and ‘Exorcism’ is a short film, not a commercial film. They say they will take full responsibility for the investment if we just confirm the actors. This is a rare opportunity.”

Soon, the director gritted his teeth tightly.

“But the actor they are pushing for the lead has been controversial in the past.”

“Yes. Park Jung-hyuk. He had a quite big assault case in the past. He took a break for about 2 years because of that, and now he’s wandering around independent or short films. That’s how he contacted us.”

“Isn’t this obviously a case of whitewashing?”

“Yes, you’re right. Park Jung-hyuk intends to whitewash his image with ‘Exorcism’, as if to say ‘I’ll start from the bottom again.’ But, Director, do we really have the luxury to differentiate between clear and dirty water? Even if we have to get into the mud, we have to make the film.”

However, the director with the square chin cradled his head with both hands, looking conflicted.

“But still… I don’t think this is right.”

“What isn’t right? This is just how the short and independent film market is. You’ve heard about this during your time as a drama PD, right? Director, stay calm and think positively. The investment and actors are settled in one go.”

The man with small eyes again tapped the pile of papers with ‘Exorcism’ written on it.

“The folks at GGO Entertainment want to proceed with the production as soon as you give your okay. They also said they would immediately provide the investment.”

“……”

The director sat there, with his hands still cradling his head. He seemed to be deep in thought. The man with the small eyes, looking at him, let out a small sigh.

“You don’t have a lot of time to think, Director. At most a few days. You have to make a decision within that time. And, by tomorrow, the GGO Entertainment executive, Park, you met last time, right?”

“…Yes.”

“He is going to bring a few new actors as supporting roles. They will showcase their acting skills. You will see Park Jung-hyuk after your decision. Meanwhile, just keep your appointment for tomorrow.”

“Ah-”

Soon, the square-chinned director, with disheveled hair, slowly nodded.

“I understand…”

10 minutes later.

The square-chinned director left the rundown Blue Vision Film Company and walked down the corridor with a stern face. He sighed every second, as reality seemed harsh in many ways.

Then.

-Swoosh.

It was when the director was going down the stairs.

-♬♪

His mobile phone rang in the pocket of the coat he was wearing. Thanks to the sound, he stopped on the stairs, took out his phone and checked the caller. His face brightened up slightly. The director immediately answered the phone.

“Yes, hyung. I was going to call you, but then I decided not to.”

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

“Why, why did you stop?”

“Well, you’re busy these days, right?”

“Yeah, but don’t you know that I’m going to be more busy as time goes by? Where are you?”

“I’m near Sinsa Station.”

“That’s good, I have a meeting tomorrow, so I can’t hang out for long. Let’s have a quick drink of soju.”

Then, the square-chinned director nodded his head while walking towards the subway after leaving the building.

“Sounds good. The usual spicy chicken feet place?”

About an hour later.

It was past 9 PM. The square-chinned director could be found at a spicy chicken feet restaurant near Yangjae Station. Despite it being a Monday night, the restaurant, which was known for its good food, was quite crowded.

In the meantime.

“……”

The director, who arrived early, was drinking soju alone. The side dish was the kimchi that came with the meal. The picture looked quite desolate. His hard face showed it too.

Then.

-Swoosh.

The director checked the time. He thought his hyung was pretty late.

“Why is hyung so late?”

Fortunately, around this time.

“Hey- Shin Dong-Chun.”

Someone at the entrance of the restaurant called the director. Thanks to that, the square-chinned director smiled and got up from his seat.

“You’re late, too late. Hyung, why are you like this?”

“Sorry, sorry. There was a traffic jam because of an accident ahead.”

The man called ‘hyung’ scratched his beard and laughed awkwardly.

“On top of that, the script meeting for ‘Profiler Hanryang’ was a bit long.”

The man whom director called hyung was the heavyweight PD of the drama ‘Profiler Hanryang’.

“But you’re crazy, why are you drinking soju with kimchi? It’s miserable.”

“It was Song Man-woo PD.”

*****

TL Notes:

1) The curse name saved for the sister in Korean, ‘엿’, doesn’t have a proper translation. It’s something like ‘fuck/fuck you’, but that didn’t sound appropriate as a contact name. Instead, I used ‘bitch’. If later it is revealed what kind of relationship they have, for example, a playful brother-sister dynamic or something else, I might change it to better suit the translation.

2) I have used ‘hyung’ to refer to Song Man-woo PD because using the terms ‘brother’ and ‘big brother’ didn’t feel right to me since they are not actual brothers. So, I decided to use ‘hyung’ instead.