A male audition applicant with an image completely opposite to Kang Woojin's.
That alone was enough to catch PD Song Manwoo's eye.
'If Woojin is gray, then that guy would be white. Or maybe beige.'
If he had to compare them, Kang Woojin had a darker skin tone, while that audition applicant had a fairer one. If the two stood side by side, the contrast would be obvious at a glance.
Their features were different too.
Woojin had sharp, defined features and black hair.
PD Song Manwoo's interest rose instantly.
What was strange, though, was this.
'That's odd.'
He looked clearly different from Kang Woojin, yet the audition applicant somehow resembled Woojin in a subtle way.
Was it because they were around the same age?
PD Song Manwoo naturally fixed his gaze on the man's profile, and at the same time, the man standing in front of him opened his mouth. His voice was soft, but there was something lacking in confidence.
"Hello. I'm… Jo Mujjang."
Jo Muchan.
There was no strength in his voice. If one were being generous, it sounded light and airy. If not, it simply sounded weak.
Still, only for the moment.
'Just judging by looks alone, he'd rank first among the kids who auditioned today.'
His delicate appearance alone was enough to make countless entertainment agencies send him offers. In any case, after exchanging a brief greeting with Jo Muchan, PD Song Manwoo glanced over his profile.
"Hmm—"
Twenty-five years old.
'Huh? He doesn't have an agency?'
That was unexpected.
PD Song Manwoo had naturally assumed Jo Muchan would belong to one. His profile looked somewhat different from that of an ordinary aspiring actor. Usually, even beginners would list minor background roles as experience, but Jo Muchan's profile had many blank spaces.
He had not graduated from university, and he had no notable acting credits.
With only one exception.
"······You're a member of Jeon Mun-guk's theater troupe?"
He had ties to a theater troupe famous even within the entertainment industry. When asked, Jo Muchan hesitated before answering.
"Yes? Ah, yes. I'm working hard there."
Jeon Mun-guk was such a famous veteran actor in Korea that there was practically no one who did not know his name. He was far senior to the great actor Shim Hanho, and among the veteran actors still active, he was one of the most influential figures alive.
The troupe he led was also highly famous. It had produced countless top actors, and directors' eyes widened the moment they heard its name.
PD Song Manwoo was no different.
"How long have you been in the troupe?"
"Um... since I was twenty, after I got out of the military."
"How did you get in? I heard it's incredibly hard to join that troupe."
That was true.
Because you could only join if veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk chose you himself.
"My family situation was a little difficult, so I started working instead of going to college. But I liked acting, so I joined an acting club. A while ago, during a free performance, Jeon Mun-guk saw me and suggested that I join the troupe..."
PD Song Manwoo stroked his beard.
'He really got lucky. Anyway, it looks like he's been in the troupe for around five or six years. I heard they only have about twenty members at most.'
With his arms crossed, PD Song Manwoo looked at the lively-faced Jo Muchan. Meanwhile, Jo Muchan quickly avoided his gaze. He clearly looked like someone with low self-esteem.
The word delicate suited him perfectly.
This too made him completely different from Kang Woojin.
And yet, Jo Muchan had caught the eye of veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk and had strong backing.
No—
he had the troupe itself behind him.
In other words, he was a direct disciple of Jeon Mun-guk.
Moreover, the fact that Jeon Mun-guk, a man who cared deeply about his reputation, had sent Jo Muchan to this audition carried even greater significance.
'He's already been verified.'
That meant Jeon Mun-guk had confidence in him. There had to be a reason he had sent his cherished student out into the world.
PD Song Manwoo slowly nodded, then asked Jo Muchan, who was once again staring off into empty space just to avoid eye contact.
"You could've stayed in the troupe after being scouted and made your debut that way. Why did you choose our audition?"
After hesitating, Jo Muchan muttered quietly.
"Kang Woojin is······my ideal—"
"But you have more on-set experience than Kang Woojin does."
"Teacher Jeon said experience is meaningless... and I think Kang Woojin is amazing!"
All at once, strength filled Jo Muchan's previously fragile voice.
Which meant he was not lying.
He genuinely idolized Kang Woojin.
At that, PD Song Manwoo asked again.
"Then why didn't you try for other projects? Woojin has already been in several works."
"Teacher said I still wasn't ready."
"And now?"
"I'm not sure...."
"Alright."
PD Song Manwoo uncrossed his arms and pointed at Jo Muchan with his index finger.
"Show me some acting."
"······Yes, understood!"
The applicant who had been asked the most questions today answered in a trembling voice.
"The performance I prepared is Yoo Jihyung from Profiler Hanryang."
Jo Muchan had prepared the role of Yoo Jihyung, the character Ryu Jungmin had been set to play, not Assistant Manager Park.
The fact that this young actor had deliberately chosen a character who stood opposite Assistant Manager Park was telling.
'······Was this Teacher Jeon's strategy?'
There was a strong possibility that veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk knew very well that Jo Muchan carried an image that was the complete opposite of Kang Woojin's.
So PD Song Manwoo guessed that Jeon Mun-guk had intentionally made Jo Muchan choose a villainous role, one opposed to the kind of character Kang Woojin had played.
At that very moment—
-Sss.
The hesitation drained out of Jo Muchan's body, and he sagged limply. But the delicate expression he had worn changed a full one hundred and eighty degrees in an instant.
The atmosphere around him shifted.
He was already fully immersed in the role of Yoo Jihyung.
He was a drifter, but a crazed smile spread across his face.
The insecurity from before had vanished without a trace. Without hesitation, Jo Muchan began presenting his own distinct interpretation of Yoo Jihyung.
His movements were fluid.
His eyes were alive.
At that moment, PD Song Manwoo smiled faintly.
'Of course.'
He understood completely why this man named Jo Muchan had caught the attention of the strict veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk.
'This little punk is a genius too.'
And he was a sword.
'A sword that Teacher Jeon sharpened well.'
And it was obvious who that sword was meant to be swung at.
At the same time—
By the time the audition for Beneficial Evil was nearing its end, Kang Woojin had returned to the Leech set in Jeonju.
Because filming for Leech allowed no time to breathe.
"High, action."
That morning, he had received booming applause from Director Ahn Gabok, the hundred or so staff members, and actors such as Shim Hanho and Oh Heeryeong.
Nearly everyone who had attended the Baeksang Arts Awards had been there, and none of them held back their congratulations to Kang Woojin.
Of course, the people around Woojin were no different.
On the night of the Baeksang ceremony, his family had called immediately, and congratulations poured in not only from his childhood friends but also from acquaintances and fellow actors. Woojin's fan club, Heart of Kang, also posted congratulatory ads on the fan café and all kinds of social media.
It was the first case of anyone winning both Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
It was a natural result, and a remarkable achievement.
But Kang Woojin, who was always busy, did not have much time to enjoy that kind of happiness.
He immediately threw himself into playing Park Haseong in the film Leech. The thrill did not last long.
That was the fate of monster actor Kang Woojin.
But the world was different.
『Baeksang Arts Awards closes, all eyes on Kang Woojin's simultaneous wins』
『[Film Festival] Kang Woojin did it again! After last year's eight-award sweep, he sets another new record by winning both Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor』
From the very moment the Baeksang Arts Awards ended last night, the world shook as if caught in a storm. Public opinion, the press, every form of media, and even offline spaces felt the aftershocks.
It even made the news.
"Actor Kang Woojin, who sparked a Kimjaban Makguksu cup noodle craze alongside his Japanese debut, has now set an unprecedented record at the Baeksang Arts Awards by winning both Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Reporter Kim Yesol has the story."
The events that took place at Baeksang and Blue Dragon often made the news, but Kang Woojin's explosive rise had become too massive for the media to ignore.
Well, the press reaction was predictable.
『[Photo] Kang Woojin, two-handed thumbs-up at Baeksang Arts Awards and simultaneous-win record / Photo』
『Kang Woojin continues his unmatched streak, selling out cup noodles and winning Best Supporting Actor in just his second year』
News related to Kang Woojin spread rapidly, creating a sensation alongside his remarks at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Naturally, articles flooded every portal site.
Meanwhile, Kimjaban Makguksu cup noodles, driven by explosive popularity, continued selling in enormous quantities.
With the public's open-run craze continuing and interesting stories pouring out, no media outlet could afford to stay still.
『He rewrote history with an unprecedented double win... but when asked whether he expected it, Kang Woojin calmly answered, "I didn't know, and it isn't particularly important."』
This trend stood out even more clearly in public opinion. Everywhere—blogs, cafés, SNS, communities, YouTube—the news of Kang Woojin's simultaneous wins became a major talking point.
On YouTube and social media in particular, the heat was at its peak. Official Baeksang ceremony videos, edited highlight clips, and videos focused solely on Kang Woojin poured out in waves.
Most ordinary people responded with excitement.
Honestly, Kang Woojin is incredible. He's changing the history of Korean entertainment almost by himself.
My favorite actor, Kang Woojin, is the best!!! Congratulations on winning both Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor, clap clap clap!!
When Kang Woojin raised both thumbs during his acceptance speech, I almost lost my mind.
Congratulations!! I love you!!!
[Honestly, when Kang Woojin was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, I got chills.]
[I'll always support Kang Woojin for carving out his own path without relying on connections.]
[Opinions are divided about his double win, but I think he absolutely deserved it! Honestly, who else has this kind of overwhelming presence right now?]
[That two-handed thumbs-up was a legendary acceptance speech.]
[When he declared at next year's Blue Dragon Awards that he would win Best Actor, I thought he was crazy. But seeing him win Best Supporting Actor in just his second year, I think it's totally possible.]
[He's seriously amazing! There may never be another actor like Kang Woojin in Korean entertainment. And he's only been around for two years.]
Most of the comments were like that.
But there were still plenty of negative opinions.
『Kang Woojin makes history with a double win at Baeksang... but leaves a bitter taste... Netizens criticize him for being "too arrogant"』
Among the actors who had witnessed Woojin's simultaneous wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards, there were also such conversations.
"I know he's a good actor, but doesn't it feel strange to give Best Supporting Actor to someone who's only in his second year after debut?"
"I agree. Times may be changing, but there were so many great seniors, and they gave it to a rookie. And to someone who had already won both categories, no less."
"When he swept eight awards last year, I could understand the incredible tension around him. But this time, I just can't accept it."
"Baeksang has gone completely mad for ratings."
Industry people from production companies, agencies, and broadcasting stations had similar thoughts.
"It's entirely because of exaggerated promotion."
"Come on. But the acting Kang Woojin showed as Assistant Manager Park in Hanryang was outstanding."
"Who's denying that? But there's tradition and industry rules. Does it make sense to give Best Supporting Actor to someone who debuted just two years ago?"
"That's old-fashioned. Completely old-fashioned."
"What did you just say??"
"This is proof that the market is changing. If veterans keep clinging to that mentality, they'll eventually be left behind."
The public was no different. Most acknowledged Kang Woojin's ability, but some also used the controversy as fuel.
[That Best Supporting Actor award was bought with bribes.]
[Honestly, it makes no sense. There are so many great veteran actors in Korea, so how do you give Best Supporting Actor to Kang Woojin?]
[Idiots. Say whatever you want here, Kang Woojin is still going to keep rising.]
[Is Kang Woojin that unstoppable already? Best Supporting Actor this soon? Baeksang needs an internal investigation.]
Wherever it was—
[Hah, idiots. Keep typing on your keyboards day and night. One day you'll look back on your lives and cry with regret.]
There were always people who complained.
People like that had always followed Kang Woojin's path.
But they could not affect him in the slightest.
Because instead of responding in their way, Kang Woojin answered with his skill and his results.
Even now, wasn't he ignoring all of it and focusing only on acting?
For an ordinary actor, it might have been a wound.
But for Kang Woojin, who at his core was still an ordinary citizen, it left no wound at all.
Anyway, the volcano that had erupted domestically kept burning late into the night, and the Leech set in Jeonju remained lit up as well.
It was pitch-black outside, but filming continued.
"Cut. Jaejoon, let's do that again. It was too flat just now."
"I'm sorry."
Not all hundred-plus staff members were working at once. They were divided into three teams and rotated shifts. The actors were the same. That was how the schedule had been arranged.
But Director Ahn Gabok had to work full-time.
Even cutting down on sleep, the schedule was still tight.
The next morning, one day later—
"Woojin, rest for a moment before we move on to the next scene."
"Understood."
Having just gotten the OK sign and returned to the waiting tent, Kang Woojin let out a quiet sigh.
Hoo—
Even though he was the only actor in that tent, he did not stop acting.
'This is a little exhausting. No, really exhausting.'
Because there was no room to let his guard down.
In any case, the first shoot today had included Kang Woojin and Oh Heeryeong. After switching out with Oh Heeryeong, it was Kang Woojin's turn again. After that they would film a two-shot, and then Jin Jaejoon would join.
The set moved at a breathless pace.
Leech in particular had no room to spare, so the schedule was even tighter than usual.
Because of that, everyone had started complaining—from the staff to the actors to their teams.
Everyone except Kang Woojin.
Woojin was the only one on set overflowing with energy.
Wasn't the reason obvious?
'Before the full shoot starts, I should rest for a bit in the void space.'
Because he had his cheat item—the void space.
Before entering it, Kang Woojin rolled his neck lightly. Then, all of a sudden, a thought came to mind. Maybe it was a feeling he had already been sensing since filming The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
'Lately, acting feels easier. More comfortable.'
Unlike before, acting felt much lighter now.
It was different from simply improving or growing more natural through repeated script reading and experience. This was a change that had happened within Kang Woojin himself.
The burden he used to feel toward acting had disappeared completely.
It felt as though his skill had improved and his technique had advanced.
Well, maybe it was just Kang Woojin's misunderstanding. Maybe handling all sorts of acting roles and personas had simply made his thinking more flexible.
Woojin gave a light shrug.
-Boop!
To recover his stamina, he poked the black square that had appeared beside the script lying nearby.
Suddenly, Kang Woojin's world turned pitch-black.
It was the void space he visited ten times more often than his own home.
The moment he stepped inside, such comfort washed over him that he yawned immediately. Stretching lazily, Kang Woojin even dropped the act for a moment.
"Ah!!! This is so nice, seriously. The void space is the best."
At that exact moment—
["An enhancement of the core ability beyond basic specifications has been detected."]
As soon as Kang Woojin entered the void space, a robotic female voice suddenly rang out.
["Opening the freedom of roles."]
It felt as though he would be able to step outside fixed scripts and scenarios.
"'Freedom of roles??' What is that supposed to mean all of a sudden??"
It definitely smelled like some kind of upgrade.