Choi Sunggeon checked Kang Woojin's proposed appearance fee, then calmly started running the numbers in his head.
'One hundred fifty million won is already a very large amount.'
An appearance fee in the hundred-million-won range. It varies from actor to actor, but S-tier top actors usually earn somewhere between 200 million and 500 million won. Even among top actors, there is a clear pecking order. A top-tier name like Shim Hanho would, of course, be paid much more. But at that point, Kang Woojin had not yet reached the level of an S-tier top actor. He was catching up quickly, but that was still where things stood.
And yet his fee was already 150 million won. For an actor who had debuted barely a year ago, it was the kind of amount no one would have even dared imagine.
'And there's also the guaranteed running fee.'
Once the running guarantee clause was included, the situation changed completely. That kind of clause usually only appeared in contracts for the biggest stars. On top of that, this was already Woojin's second time receiving one. Island of the Missing had been a special case, but still, the clause had been included there too.
Major figures offering a guaranteed running fee to a rookie actor.
Kang Woojin was the first case. Soon, Choi Sunggeon stroked his chin.
Ahn Gabok must be evaluating Woojin almost at the highest level possible.
It was obvious that Director Ahn Gabok and the production side thought highly of Kang Woojin. That much was understandable. But Choi Sunggeon had no intention of quietly accepting it as it was. Ironically enough, Kang Woojin was in the more advantageous position now.
In the jungle of the entertainment industry, the one with the deeper greed is often the subordinate, not the master.
"Yes, I've reviewed it. But there are a few more things I'd like to confirm. At present, Mr. Woojin is not only fluent in foreign languages, but also proficient in sign language. Was that taken into account? In addition, his acting skills and the actor's own ticket-selling power should also be considered…"
The negotiations began. Choi Sunggeon put more force into his voice than ever before, but he did not lose his manners. He never stepped outside the bounds of common sense.
In the end,
"I'm glad he'll be working with you, Director."
"I should be the one saying that. I'm looking forward to it."
Kang Woojin's revised appearance fee was finalized.
Kang Woojin / Appearance Fee: 200 million won / Guaranteed Running Fee: 100 won per viewer after exceeding the break-even point
It was 200 million won. An amount on par with the top tier. And so the contract moved forward smoothly, and at the very end, Director Ahn Gabok smiled with a deeply lined face and spoke.
"Ah, and we still haven't received final confirmation from actor Shim Hanho, so we're waiting on that."
"Really? How likely is it that he'll join?"
"Yes. We're working on it."
"Hmm. Understood. I'll let Woojin know first."
The CEO of the film production company, who was sitting beside Director Ahn Gabok, cut in.
"What did Woojin say when he heard about Shim Hanho senior? Did he feel burdened by it at all?"
Choi Sunggeon relayed exactly what he had heard from Kang Woojin.
"No. You don't need to worry about that part. Woojin said it didn't matter to him at all."
"...It doesn't matter?"
"Yes. He really meant it."
"What? He said Shim Hanho senior doesn't matter to him at all?"
Then Director Ahn Gabok folded his arms and smiled at length.
"I told you, didn't I? When it comes to guts, he ranks first in the entire country."
It was a misunderstanding, but Director Ahn Gabok casually changed the subject as he thought of Woojin.
"CEO Choi, when do you think would be the best time to officially announce Woojin's casting? Is there any particular reason on your end?"
Choi Sunggeon instantly recalled Kang Woojin's packed schedule and answered.
"You can proceed right away. At the moment, there are no issues on our side. But if possible, five days from now would be better."
"Five days from now?"
"Yes. Woojin is scheduled to leave for the United States between December 5 and 6 to film PD Yoon Byeongseon's drama Our Table. The shoot will last about a week."
"Ah, so you want to fill the gap with our movie news while he's out of Korea?"
"It's only a request. It doesn't have to be done that way."
Choi Sunggeon calmly added another reason.
"And if actor Shim Hanho joins, I think it would be better to announce them together. It may not mean much to the general public, but for people in the industry, I think that would be the better choice."
"Because it makes for a prettier picture?"
"Yes. If actor Shim Hanho confirms his involvement, Woojin will be seeing a lot of him, and I don't want any awkward situation to arise."
"Hmm... I did send Shim Hanho the script for a second review, so making an announcement based on ranking might come across as disrespectful."
In other words, it meant preserving the dignity of Korea's top acting veteran while still showing him proper respect. Setting aside the ripple effect and looking only at the essence of the situation, Kang Woojin was a rookie, while Shim Hanho was practically a historical figure. For Choi Sunggeon, who had spent many years in the entertainment industry, it was just a simple calculation.
Besides,
'Being announced alongside Director Ahn Gabok and the legendary Shim Hanho will be far better for Woojin than a solo announcement.'
He had even taken the difference in explosive impact into account.
"Of course, if actor Shim Hanho ends up being unable to participate for personal reasons, then that won't matter."
"I know. I was planning to make the announcement after hearing his answer anyway."
Then the CEO of the production company, who had been checking articles about Leech on his phone, let out a quiet laugh.
"The media and public reaction is interesting. Shim Hanho senior hasn't even responded yet, but people are already treating it like a confirmed appearance, while Kang Woojin, who wasn't even mentioned in the press, is already being treated as confirmed casting."
Director Ahn Gabok, who was sitting back comfortably with his chin resting on his hand, answered at ease.
"I didn't expect this kind of reaction. People are probably going to be quite surprised."
Meanwhile,
after the production company announced that Director Ahn Gabok's hundredth film would aim for the Cannes Film Festival,
[MovieIS: Director Ahn Gabok's 100th work aims for Cannes... signaling an unusual path ahead]
interest in Leech within Korea's film industry exceeded all expectations. The media and industry insiders were stirred up, but the reactions from the nation's top actors were the most striking.
They began to move.
Their desire to participate, their curiosity about who would take the role, their interest in the content of Director Ahn Gabok's new project, and even their agencies making inquiries about auditions all had an effect on the atmosphere.
"CEO! Please set up a meeting with Director Ahn Gabok or the production company."
"Huh? You're serious? Hey, hey, calm down. Getting caught up in something like that brings more disadvantages than advantages."
"But as an actor, there's no higher position than that."
"If you recklessly go in and get rejected, all you'll get are pointless rumors. And even if you do get in, if your acting slips even a little, it'll show right away. It's Director Ahn Gabok's set. Have you even imagined how humiliating that would be? Your value could plummet."
"Still, someone is going to fit that role perfectly."
"For now, let's just watch how the situation develops. Shim Hanho senior is obviously the first choice, and the second line will be top actors. Let's wait and see how the mood flows."
Naturally, speculation sprang up everywhere. The reason was simple. It was the filming site of Director Kwon Gitaek's Island of the Missing. Because of Director Ahn Gabok's past behavior, dozens of staff members guessed that the actors being considered for the second lineup had been at the Island of the Missing location.
"That's right. Director Ahn Gabok didn't go to Danang just for fun. He went there to look at actors."
"It has to be Ryu Jungmin, right?"
"Right? He looks like the strongest candidate. But Yoo Jihyung can't be ignored either. He's had good results in Hollywood recently."
"Kim Iwon and Jeon Woochang may be slightly below those two, but they're still top-tier actors."
"I saw Director Ahn Gabok speaking with Hong Hyeyeon in Danang. I think she probably knew she'd be doing a cameo."
Then Kang Woojin's name came up.
"Why are you excluding Woojin from the conversation?"
"Well... Kang Woojin is doing incredibly well these days, but... how should I put it... he still seems to lack experience."
"His filmography feels a little too thin to lead a Director Ahn Gabok project."
"But maybe they're already discussing a supporting role for him."
"Wow... even if Woojin just takes a small or supporting role in a Director Ahn Gabok film, his filmography will become ridiculous, right?"
Meanwhile, actors like Ryu Jungmin and Ha Yura, who had appeared in Island of the Missing, showed no obvious reaction on the surface. But inside, they were all surely watching the situation closely.
In all of this, the only one who felt certain was, unsurprisingly, Director Kwon Gitaek.
'...Shim Hanho... why was his name mentioned before Woojin's? Did something happen on Woojin's side?'
He knew Director Ahn Gabok's intentions, but the situation itself was confusing.
And so time passed.
Early that afternoon, Director Ahn Gabok, the main figure of the issue, was in the middle of an interview with a famous film magazine. He had arranged the interview himself in order to address the many rumors surrounding him and introduce his project. There were quite a few cameras around, and the woman asking the questions was a broadcaster with experience as an announcer.
"Director, there was a recent article about you and actor Shim Hanho. Is the article true? And is Shim Hanho appearing in your hundredth film?"
Director Ahn Gabok, with his short white hair, smiled with the seasoned ease of a veteran.
"Haha, at the time that article came out, I was only having a meal with actor Shim Hanho."
"Ah, so that means it was false news?"
"The possibility is still open."
The woman nodded and changed the subject.
"Director, you said you are aiming for Cannes with this work. Is the script complete?"
"Yes, it is."
"Oh! Could you tell us the title?"
"It's called Leech. This is the first time I've spoken about it here."
"Thank you. As you know, there's a lot of interest from Korean actors. Are there any actors you're particularly watching?"
"Of course. The shortlist has already been decided. I'm still thinking it over."
"I see."
"As for the actors, I can't reveal details yet. It's confidential, and there are personal circumstances on the actors' side too. I'll announce it once things are finalized. But the script has already been delivered to two actors."
An hour after the interview ended,
Director Ahn Gabok was in a van. He was on his way home. His schedule had been especially busy that day, and a trace of fatigue was visible on his face. Then his phone rang.
He slowly checked the screen. The caller ID showed top actor Shim Hanho. Director Ahn Gabok answered with a low voice and a smile that deepened the fine wrinkles around his face.
"So, have you decided? I'm curious whether my persuasion worked."
From the other end of the line came Shim Hanho's calm, deep voice.
"Yes. I'll take the role you offered, senior."
The second lead actor of Leech had been confirmed.
That same night,
the 9 p.m. news was airing on a public broadcast channel. A report about yesterday's incident involving Hwarin was being shown.
Yesterday, singer and actress Hwarin was attacked in a parking garage by an unidentified man. The attacker was carrying an awl, but fortunately Hwarin did not suffer any serious injuries. Reporter Hwang Daegi has the story.
Naturally, the information had come from Hwarin's agency, JML Entertainment. Only the necessary details were revealed. Photos of the arrested attacker, the awl he had been carrying, evidence found in the vehicle, and photos of Hwarin captured on camera were all shown.
That alone was enough to send a chill through people.
Notably, any mention of Kang Woojin had been omitted from the news report. In any case, starting with that broadcast, the Hwarin incident quickly spread to other media outlets, radio, and all kinds of public channels. JML Entertainment's intention may have been obvious, but because the case itself was so shocking and severe, it spread in an instant.
As soon as the report ended, major media outlets began putting Hwarin's name in their headlines.
[Breaking: Elani's Hwarin attacked by a stranger]
Even though it was already night, articles poured out nonstop.
[What happened? Hwarin attacked in parking garage... attacker carried an awl / Photo]
[Star Talk: Hwarin attacked by stalker... agency says fortunately there were no serious injuries]
[Timely intervention by security prevented disaster... Hwarin attacked by stranger wielding an awl]
The story seized the entertainment section in an instant.
[Another obsessive fan? What happens to Hwarin's future schedule after this attack?]
[Police state that the investigation is ongoing, but the evidence is clear]
This meant that countless people were now seeing the case.
[Official: JML Entertainment declares strong response with no leniency in Hwarin assault case]
[JML Entertainment draws a hard line, saying it will deal strictly with obsessive fans and stalkers under any circumstances]
[Obsessive fan? No, criminal! Elani fan club erupts in fury]
Hwarin, the girl group Elani, their fans, and public opinion all exploded in anger.
[Seriously, an awl??? An awl??????? This is absolutely insane??????]
[Obsessive fan my foot, he's just a would-be murderer]
[Poor Hwarin... how terrified must she have been... I really want to hit that bastard...]
[I got chills watching the news... seeing someone charging at you with an awl... she'll probably remember that scene every night...]
[Not an obsessive fan, just a criminal]
[What are people even doing anymore???]
[There should be absolutely no mercy. They do things like this because they think people will keep letting them off]
[An awl is scarier than a knife]
[By the way, who subdued the attacker? The news said the guards caught him...]
[Obviously the guards caught him]
[(Link) There's a summary video on YouTube, and it's seriously terrifying... there were hundreds of photos of Hwarin in the evidence footage]
[I can't believe I'm seeing an article like this in my lifetime]
[Hwarin... this really makes me sick of the entertainment industry...]
It wasn't limited to one place. It spread simultaneously across YouTube, communities, and various social media platforms. As things got worse, Hwarin posted an update on social media.
[Hwarin shares an update on social media, saying, "I'm okay. I love everyone who worried about me"]
Public anger only grew stronger.
At the same time, in the underground parking lot of a certain building,
it was a familiar place. It was the very parking garage where Hwarin's stalker incident had happened yesterday. It was late at night, so there were not many cars, and the place was quiet.
Then,
a man walked toward a black imported car parked in the name of Company B. It was parked right in front of the glass doors of the elevator. The man, carrying a bag in one hand, looked to be in his forties and had a polished impression. A moment later, he got into the driver's seat and let out a deep sigh.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted."
Grumbling to himself, he checked his face in the rearview mirror, then paused before starting the car.
"Ah."
As though remembering something, he took his phone out of his bag. Then he opened the app for the imported car's built-in dashcam.
"Today's the day to delete it, right?"
It was one of his regular habits. Every week, he deleted the footage stored on the dashcam. He had once read somewhere that it was a good habit to have. But as soon as he tapped the screen, the recorded videos appeared.
The strange thing was—
"...What?"
The reason was simple. One of the recorded clips caught his eye. It was footage of what had happened directly in front of his car.
Was it a movie? Had there been filming in the parking garage? The video contained scenes that looked straight out of an action film.
"What, what is this?"
At the center of it all was Kang Woojin.