Chapter 101: Short Drama (1)

Chapter 101: Short Drama (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

‘Island of the Missing’ was elevated to an S+ grade, a significant leap from its original A+ grade, rising by two ranks simply because Seo Chae-eun was replaced by Ha Yu-ra.

Of course, it was good news, so good that dancing joyously wouldn’t have been out of place.

However.

“......”

Kang Woojin, staring blankly at the white rectangle, was a bit dazed.

“S+ grade?”

It was all because of the first-ever S+ grade. The ‘Exorcism’ was grade A, and ‘Hanryang’ was grade S. Since then, there hadn’t been a grade above S. Above all, the impact of ‘Hanryang,’ which was grade S, was unimaginably massive, surpassing a legendary 25% viewership, including secondary effects.

Therefore, Woojin had always thought S was the highest grade.

However, that was a hasty judgment. The weird void space had once again surprised Woojin, as if saying, ‘You think you can judge me?’ Regardless, a smile spread across Woojin’s face, his eyes still wide in surprise.

“Woah- S+ grade. I wonder if there’s a grade higher than this?”

But pondering it was pointless. The void space had always defied Kang Woojin’s reality and transcended common sense. So for now, he just needs to be happy.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

“This void space is incredible.”

At the same time, Kang Woojin felt a sense of pride. It felt as if he had truly revived ‘Island of the Missing’ himself. No. It’s more than just revived it. After reviving it, ‘Island of the Missing’ had become much healthier.

Alright, let’s try to envision the future.

Kang Woojin, now brimming with laughter, erased the rectangles listed to deduce the suspects, all the while mumbling.

“Just wait and see. Since ‘Hanryang’ surpassed 25% in viewership, if a movie is S+ grade, does it simply exceed 10 million viewers?”

How far could it go after surpassing 10 million viewers? It’s hard to estimate, but he forced out a guess. A little speculation wouldn’t hurt, right? Thus, endless imaginations flooded Kang Woojin’s mind.

Of course, they were all still huge hits.

Then, Kang Woojin suddenly remembered Ha Yu-ra. A top actress he’d never met, who even made it to Hollywood. Although he felt nervous, it wasn’t as much as before. Had he somewhat adapted to this field? With that, Kang Woojin suppressed his excited emotions and returned to reality.



The van, still driven by Choi Sung-gun, continued on the road, and Woojin, expressionless, looked out the window, muttering to himself.

‘I wonder what it feels like to meet Ha Yu-ra- Well, I’ll find out when I meet her.’

That same day, at lunchtime, at Harmony Film Company.

Choi Sung-gun entered the medium-sized conference room at Harmony Film Company. The room was quiet. Sitting at the center of the U-shaped table was,

“Welcome, CEO Choi.”

The warm Director Kwon Ki-taek was sitting. He stood up to greet Choi as soon as he saw him. Although he was smiling, there was a subtle weight to his demeanor. Then Choi Sung-gun, having exchanged pleasantries with Director Kwon.

“Phew- It’s been hectic.”

He sighed as he sat down. Director Kwon, scratching his head full of gray hair, replied,

“It’s an emergency, isn’t it? For both Harmony Film Company and the distributors. Of course, externally, it might seem like there’s no issue.”

“There must be internal affairs to settle.”

“Don’t worry, it should be resolved by next week.”

Director Kwon, speaking softly, stroked his cheek and asked with curiosity,

“So, let’s hear about the whole story of this incident. Honestly, I’ve been curious because Woojin, whom I didn’t expect, is involved.”

Choi Sung-gun, with a serious expression, responded,

“Director, you remember Director Woo Hyun-goo, right?”

Although it wasn’t a pleasant memory, Director Kwon nodded after a brief silence.

“...Yes.”

“Yes, actually, Woojin once actually bluntly rejected Director Woo Hyun-goo’s offer. This was before his fall.”

“I know, I heard it directly from Director Woo Hyun-goo.”

“Is that so?”

“Hmm. He said some extremely rude and brash newcomer rejected him, causing a huge fuss. After that, the incident happened.”



“I see. I didn’t know that.”

Understanding the situation, Choi Sung-gun continued,

“Do you know why Woojin rejected Director Woo Hyun-goo?”

“Wasn’t it because he recklessly pushed him into auditioning?”

“No. Actually, Woojin said just one thing at the time. ‘I don’t like the vibe.’ He has a peculiar intuition.”

“......Hmm?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek furrowed his brows in confusion, prompting Choi Sung-gun to provide a brief explanation. It wasn’t detailed, but the briefing definitely included the key points, covering both the time of Director Woo Hyun-gu to the recent incident with Seo Chae-eun. Just mentioning those two things was surprising enough.

And Director Kwon Ki-taek was indeed a bit shocked.

“So, both during Director Woo’s time and now, it was Woojin.”

“Yes. He seems to have the real Midas touch. He must have had this ability from birth and gradually manifested it.”

“Instinct?”

“Perhaps. Of course, it’s not some kind of supernatural power. He didn’t know everything this time either. But clearly...”

“It’s unbelievable. On top of his acting skills, he has a discerning eye for people and projects.”

“Yes.”

“Somehow, I always felt his gaze was different. It strangely didn’t seem to belong to someone from this industry.”

For some reason, Director Kwon Ki-taek thought of PD Song Man-woo at this point. The host who had spread the infection about Kang Woojin. Director Kwon recalled one of PD Song’s statements.

‘That kid has an indescribable, keen sense. It’s truly extraordinary.’

Back then, Director Kwon had brushed it off, wondering what PD Song was talking about. However, looking at the current situation, he realized that PD Song’s words did make sense in the current situation.

“Oh- So that’s what he meant.”

“Yes?”

“Nothing, just talking to myself.”

He hadn’t expected such a day to come. His life was becoming more prosperous. Anyway, Woojin chose a foreign car from Company B, which he had always found decent and was reasonably priced. bw Entertainment would purchase it first, and Harmony Film Company would pay them back later.

Fast forward to Thursday, July 2nd.

Kang Woojin’s schedule for the day was one long session from morning to late afternoon. It was the official recording of the ‘Male Friend’ OST. Today was just for vocal recordings, so the entire ‘Male Friend’ team gathered in the studio. Naturally, the overseeing was done by Director Shin Dong-chun and the music director. Other staff like Kim So-hyang and writer Choi Na-na were more like spectators.

Since it was the official recording, everyone’s faces were serious.

And then.

-Swish.

The first vocal recording started with Kang Woojin. Consequently, Woojin, wearing his cap low, entered the booth. The scene was similar to the test recording they had done before. However, his mindset was different this time.

‘Whew- Okay, I’m not that nervous. I don’t have to be perfect, just relaxed.’

It was his first-ever OST. If he pulled this off, a track with Kang Woojin’s vocals would be released to the world. Trying to cool down his racing heart, Woojin made an effort to calm himself. The slight trembling of his body was controlled quicker than he expected, probably thanks to his repeated acting experiences.

Soon.

“Ah, Woojin? Can you hear me well?”

“Yes, I can hear you clearly.”

Woojin heard the music director’s cue through the headphones he wore.

“Since it’s your first time, I’ll try not to stop you, so go all the way through. It’s okay if you mess up the lyrics, so, Woojin, you should sing with the mindset that you’re going to sing it all the way through, okay?”

“Yes.”

As the nodding music director started the equipment, Kang Woojin’s solo track began to play.

-♬♪

It was familiar. Not strange at all. Perhaps because he had listened and hummed to it often, the song was familiar to Woojin. He then opened his mouth in time with the music, looking at the lyrics on his phone. It started off calmly. But gradually, it became more powerful.

Around this point, the music director outside the booth, nodding to the rhythm, said to Director Shin Dong-chun,

“He’s doing well, isn’t he? Usually, people are nervous and have difficulties right from the introduction during their first recording, but Woojin started off smoothly and his emotional expression is good, too.”

“Hmm, this song definitely suits Woojin’s voice. It’s a completely different vibe from the guide track.”

“If he keeps this clean performance from the beginning, it looks like we won’t have a hard time today, huh?”

The two calmly analyzed Kang Woojin’s vocals.

In contrast, about a dozen people, including Kim So-hyang and writer Choi Na-na, were staring intently at Kang Woojin in the booth. Hwalin had even closed her eyes. The funny thing was, nobody said a word.

They were just busy appreciating Kang Woojin’s vocals.

Gradually, Woojin’s vocals reached a climax. His high notes resonated poignantly throughout the studio.

-♬♪

In a corner of the studio, Choi Sung-gun, a bit isolated, made eye contact with the woman next to him. She was a stranger, wearing horn-rimmed glasses. To her, Choi Sung-gun quietly asked,

“What do you think?”

Then the woman, her gaze fixed on Kang Woojin in the booth, opened her mouth.

“...He’s going to be a hit. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised? I didn’t know he could sing like that. It seems there’s nothing Kang Woojin can’t do?”

“Do you think he’ll stand out in musicals?”

“Yes, with a little more polish.”

The woman was a well-known casting director in the musical industry.

Simultaneously, in Tokyo, Japan. At the Toega film company.

In a somewhat tense meeting room, half a dozen people were gathered, speaking in Japanese. Among them was a man with a prominent nose, a familiar face. It was Director Kyotaro, a master filmmaker from Japan. Surrounding him were staff from the film company.

Sitting upright across from Director Kyotaro was a man.

“It’s an honor, Director.”

The man with long hair tied back by a headband was, of course, an actor. His name was ‘Mana Kosaku.’ A member of a famous Japanese band and a top-ranking actor. With his rugged features, he was known as a serious actor even within Japan.

Soon, Director Kyotaro, smiling, said to Mana Kosaku,

“I’ve been wanting to meet you, Mana-san. Thank you for coming.”

“Not at all! It’s my pleasure.”

“Hmm, you’ve heard the basic rundown from the company, right? The project I’m preparing is based on a book by writer Akari Takikawa.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

An impressed Kosaku thought to himself,

‘With Kyotaro as the director and a story by Akari, these two names alone are reason enough to take on this project.’

At that moment, Director Kyotaro received a stack of papers from a staff member next to him. He handed them over to Kosaku.

“We’ve already cast one actor. From Korea.”

A Korean actor? Kosaku’s eyes widened in surprise.

“...Korean actor? Can you tell me who it is if it’s a top star?”

“No, he’s a newcomer. It’s still early, so it’s difficult to reveal his name.”

“......?”

Kosaku’s eyes were filled with question marks. A newcomer, not even a top star? On the other hand, the composed Director Kyotaro gestured towards the papers.

“For now, take a look at the synopsis before the full script.”

“...Ah- yes, I understand.”

Kosaku quickly lowered his gaze, checking the title first.

-‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’

It was a familiar title, the same as that of a best-selling book. However, Kosaku, who had not read the original book, focused on the synopsis.

Several words stood out.

Bullying, Korean-Japanese, trap, conspiracy, murder, detective, and so on. Deeply immersed in the synopsis, Kosaku muttered to himself,

‘A revenge drama.’

It was a fierce and merciless revenge drama.

*****