Chapter 183: Appearance Fee (8)
Translator: Dreamscribe
When Kang Woojin returned to the van, that is, back to reality, the world was the same.
It was still the morning of the 2nd day, and Choi Sung-gun and the rest of Woojin’s staff were busy with their tasks, while the van he was in was stuck in a traffic jam. Their destination was a shop in Cheongdam-dong. Nothing had changed from before he entered the void space. It felt like, perhaps, blinking an eye.
However.
“……”
For Woojin, who was opening and closing his fist, a lot of time had passed and terrifying events had unfolded. It was the world of ‘Jang Yeon-woo’. Woojin, expressionless, checked his inner state. Changed. It’s hard to put it into words, but something was definitely engraved.
Something agile, bold, and upright.
It was a sensation Kang Woojin was experiencing for the first time. His whole body felt sensitive yet flexible. It was different from vocals, cooking, or languages. If those were soft, this was harsh and rugged. It had a deep violence of the wilderness, akin to the underworld. The unfamiliar word ‘hunting’ felt familiar.
Dangerous.
In an instant, Woojin, deepening his poker face, reminded himself of his concept, making his identity thorough. This skill, just acquired, must be handled correctly. If held clumsily, problems could arise.
But it’s okay.
‘It’s not hard to control.’
Kang Woojin was the master of everything he possessed and had mastered the way to command them. Don’t mess around, you only need to make me shine. Kang Woojin mulled over mind control. It was always his practice.
Then.
-Swish.
He cooled his mind down. Then he reviewed what he had experienced in ‘Jang Yeon-woo’s’ world. Repeated reading (experience) makes the role and his world vivid, and everything derived from it, including techniques, becomes proficient to Kang Woojin. They become easy to handle.
“Hoo-”
‘Martial arts’ was the same.
Later that day, around late lunchtime.
The place was a building with a photography studio in Gangnam. Specifically, in the large building’s underground parking lot. Kang Woojin’s van stopped there. Soon, Woojin got out from the back door of the van.
-Swish.
Different from the morning, he was in full makeup, and his outfit and hair were perfect. Slightly combed back hair with a green knit and black slacks. It was clear that there was a shoot scheduled, and indeed, Kang Woojin had a shooting lined up in a few minutes.
It was for the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel.
He needed to accumulate as many videos as possible before flying to the USA, and today was the official first shooting of ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’s cooking content. Thanks to this, it was a rented photography studio, and future cooking content shootings were planned to be held in this rented studio.
Anyway.
“Woojin.”
Choi Sung-gun got out of the passenger seat and approached Woojin.
“PD is already at the studio, so let’s go up.”
“Yes, CEO~nim.”
That moment.
-Squeak.
A familiar white van entered the underground parking lot, and the van, trying to turn left, slid towards Woojin’s direction upon spotting him.
Then.
-Thunk!
A woman got out of the white van. It was Hwalin.
“Hello- Hello, Woojin ssi.”
She was also in full makeup. Her long hair was curled up, and she wore a thick khaki-colored bomber jacket. Behind them, a gray compact car entered the parking lot, and noticing it, Woojin casually greeted Hwalin.
“Yes. Hello, you came early.”
Hwalin greeted him back just as indifferently.
“Ah- There was no traffic jam.”
However, her heart was beating non-stop.
‘Woojin is going to cook directly for me, so I can’t be late! Eek- What do I do, I’m nervous.’
Her chubby manager sighed softly beside her, revealing the truth internally.
‘She kept urging me not to be late, but she pretends not to.’
Then, Choi Sung-gun including Woojin’s team and Hwalin’s team exchanged greetings briefly, before all moving towards the building’s elevator for the shooting. A picture formed with about a dozen people surrounding Kang Woojin and Hwalin, who were standing side by side.
Kang Woojin and Hwalin disappeared soon after.
The problem was.
“……Again. Again, that bastard Kang Woojin.”
In the underground parking lot, there were eyes secretly watching Kang Woojin and Hwalin. It was a man of unknown identity who entered the parking lot in the gray compact car late. But his condition was strange.
“Hwalin is mine. She’s mine.”
He seemed half-crazy.
The man inside the small car, reeking of cigarette smell, wore a black padded jacket and covered his face with a hood. His skin was dry. His beard was prickly. His pupils were slightly dilated. It was difficult to guess his age, but he appeared to be in his 30s.
In one hand, the man held a camera.
“Fuck. Fucking son of a bitch. Asshole. Dirty bastard. Dare, dare to approach my Hwalin.”
The camera’s screen showed a recent two-shot photo of Kang Woojin and Hwalin. Soon, the man operated the camera. The photo on the screen changed. Hwalin leaving her house, getting in a car, entering or leaving a shop, and so on. Numerous photos of Hwalin were taken.
“I even put up with ‘Male Friend’… Hwalin, you too. You’re so casual. Why do you keep making me angry, huh?”
He began to bite his nails crazily. His fingers were already frayed. It seemed like he often bit his nails. Whatever the case, after trembling slightly and biting his nails for a few minutes, he said.
“I can’t take it anymore. I can’t. She needs to be punished.”
He threw the camera onto the passenger seat and reached into a black bag placed there. Various clanging noises were heard. Soon, he took something out of the bag and put it into his jacket’s inner pocket.
It was something silver and elongated.
“Hwalin, you betrayed me. Corporal punishment. Yes, this is corporal punishment. You need to be disciplined. Because you’re too pretty.”
It was an awl.
Meanwhile.
Around the time Kang Woojin and Hwalin began shooting, the film industry media was spreading an issue that had erupted yesterday.
『[MovieTalk] ‘Director Ahn Ga-bok’ and ‘Top Actor Sim Han-ho,’ will these two giants in the acting world write a legend together?』
『The possibility of Sim Han-ho being the lead in Director Ahn Ga-bok’s 100th movie↑』
It was quite bustling. After all, the prestige held by both individuals was tremendous.
『Was Sim Han-ho indeed Director Ahn Ga-bok’s choice? Film industry insider: ‘In fact, without Sim Han-ho, Director Ahn Ga-bok would have difficulty handling his 100th project’ due to pressure』
Above all, the media focused not only on Director Ahn Ga-bok’s 100th film but also on who the expected actors joining Sim Han-ho might be.
『[Issue Check] What is the theme of the legendary Director Ahn Ga-bok’s 100th movie that is finally starting?』
『Director Ahn Ga-bok, Lead Sim Han-ho… Who will be the other top actor to join this grand picture?』
This was the case not only for the film industry media but also for industry insiders.
“CEO~nim! Have you seen the news about Director Ahn Ga-bok and Senior Sim Han-ho?”
“Yeah, I saw it. Well, it’s a monumental work for Director Ahn Ga-bok, and considering that, having someone like Sim Han-ho is necessary. They’re both legends after all.”
“Wow- Still, it’s quite intense. Even if it’s not confirmed yet, if Senior Sim Han-ho joins… Who else would join? It seems like it would be quite stressful.”
“Who else would join? It depends on the script, but they’ll definitely bring in top actors. Don’t you know Director Ahn Ga-bok? He’s the type to go to Africa just to check on an actor’s form.”
In fact, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s upcoming project was an unprecedented matter of interest for those in the film industry and actors alike.
『[Movieis]The film industry’s is buzzing with news of Director Ahn Ga-bok’s movie production… Several top actors also express their confidence on SNS』
A few hours later.
『[Official] Film company working with Director Ahn Ga-bok: ‘The director’s 100th project is aiming for Cannes’』
In the midst of the noisy issue, the film company ‘Leech’ threw out a tidbit. However, not much information was leaked. Casting details were hidden, and only the fact that it was aiming for the Cannes Film Festival was revealed. Nonetheless, its impact doubled. It was about reaching out overseas, not just a domestic release.
In other words, the project’s influence would be tremendous.
Accordingly,
『[MovieIS] The place where director Ahn Ga-bok will reach the legendary peak is the Cannes Film Festival, the stakes are not small… Who will be the actors joining besides Sim Han-ho?』
The film industry media’s fuss began to intensify.
At the same time.
In a studio in Gangnam, where the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ shoot was in full swing, Kang Woojin and Hwalin were facing each other in a studio that wholly resembled a kitchen. Specifically, Hwalin was seated at a straight table attached to the kitchen, while Kang Woojin, donning an apron, stood inside the kitchen.
It painted a picture reminiscent of a Japanese restaurant.
A setup where the guest can observe both the kitchen and the chef’s cooking. Of course, Hwalin was the only guest. Several cameras for the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel were filming them, surrounded by PD, Choi Sung-gun, and other staff members.
“Wow- The picture looks good.”
“Totally a beautiful couple, right?”
“Is it because of ‘Male Friend’? Am I the only one finding these two sweet?”
“But they haven’t dropped honorifics yet? Usually, after doing a project together, they become close enough to drop honorifics, right?”
“Who knows?”
While the staff whispered among themselves, Kang Woojin and Hwalin’s filming continued. The style was to keep going without cutting even if there were NGs, hence why the shooting was quite prolonged. The current shooting concept was talk + cooking. Woojin would have a proper conversation with the guest and then cook the desired dish.
Leading the talk was none other than Kang Woojin.
“Hwalin ssi, what did you think when you first saw me during ‘Male Friend’?”
“I was surprised. At that time, we didn’t even think we’d be cast together. Then I was surprised by Woojin ssi’s personality.”
“Personality?”
“Yes. How should I say this- I didn’t expect you to be so reserved. But your voice was nice.”
“Um-”
“Oh, what’s with that reaction?”
“Am I reserved?”
“Aren’t you?”
Of course, there was a predetermined list of questions, but the rest of the conversation was improvised by the two. To this, the cynical Kang Woojin asked.
“Am I reserved now?”
He was equipped with a poker face and his concept, but he was quite enjoying it. After all, he was talking with Hwalin.
‘It feels like having a conversation in a cafe, doesn’t it? My friends would be so jealous.’
Hwalin was doing her best to struggle through. She had to suppress her fan feelings, after all.
“Yes. No, you’re similar when filming variety shows, aren’t you?”
An opportunity to talk one-on-one with her ultimate favorite? She felt like she was on a date with the person she’s been fangirling over.
‘Woojin nim- Seeing you like this, you do show some expressions. Ah… Is it already time to end? That’s disappointing.’
Thus, the two smoothly continued their shoot.
“I tend to be quite high in energy, actually.”
“No, the word ‘energy’ shouldn’t be associated with Woojin ssi. But it’s also a compliment, isn’t it? People say you’re a cold beauty, tsundere even. Honestly, that feels good, right?”
“It’s not bad.”
Soon, the PD outside the studio twirled his index finger in a circle. A signal to start wrapping up. Thanks to that, Kang Woojin tightened his apron again and changed the question.
“Tell me what dish you want to eat.”
“Um- Actually, I’ve been thinking a lot about it, but… can it be jjamppong?”
“Of course.”
“Wow, really?? That’s amazing. Then, let’s go with jjamppong.”
“But why did you choose jjamppong?”
“When I was a child, my mother used to make it often for me.”
“It might not taste exactly the same.”
“That’s okay.”
Kang Woojin, nodding calmly, picked up the wok nearby and murmured.
“Yes, I’ll do my best.”
Soon, the entire studio was filled with the sounds of Kang Woojin cooking and the mouth-watering aroma.
About an hour later.
It was already late afternoon when the filming of the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ related cooking content had concluded. Kang Woojin and guest Hwalin exchanged brief greetings before saying goodbye to the dozens of staff members.
“Thank you for your hard work-”
“You’ve all worked hard-”
But neither Kang Woojin nor Hwalin had any leisure time. Both had their next schedules lined up immediately. Thus, Hwalin, after briefly checking today’s shoot, left the studio, and Kang Woojin too discussed future plans related to the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel with the PD before moving outside.
-Swish.
Hwalin and her team were standing in front of the elevator in the hallway, seemingly waiting for it. Hwalin’s chubby manager made way, allowing Woojin to naturally stand next to her. It was Hwalin, smiling slightly, who initiated the conversation.
“The jjamppong was delicious.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Yes. Didn’t you see the bowl? I finished everything. My manager oppa has been nagging me like crazy just now.”
“Oh. Are you on a diet?”
“There’s a photoshoot next week. I must have been crazy. I ate without thinking.”
Then.
-Ding!
The elevator arrived and opened its doors. First, the chubby manager and a few others like Choi Sung-gun got on, followed by Woojin and Hwalin. However, there were still many who couldn’t fit, including the stylist.
Those left behind said,
“We’ll catch the next one-”
Thus, the elevator with about a dozen people, including Woojin and Hwalin, started descending. A brief silence spread. Hwalin, fiddling with her curled hair, was sniffing subtly.
‘What perfume is Woojin nim wearing? I love it.’
Next.
-Ding!
The elevator quickly reached the basement level 1. As the doors opened, Woojin gestured. Meaning, for her to exit first. Hwalin slightly bowed her head as she left the elevator, followed by Kang Woojin. Then, Choi Sung-gun, the chubby manager, the guard, and a few others followed.
“Woojin ssi.”
Past the glass door leading to the parking lot, Hwalin turned her head slightly to ask Woojin quietly.
“Woojin ssi, what perfume did you wear today? I want to try it too.”
That’s when it happened.
“Hwalin!!!”
“Hwalin ssi!!!”
The chubby manager and guards shouted from behind. Hwalin was startled.
“What, what?? You scared me.”
“No!! In front! In front!!!”
Hwalin, with widened eyes, turned her head forward.
“Ah.”
A few steps ahead, between the cars, she saw a man in a black padded jacket with a hood pulled over his head charging towards her. What? Hwalin instinctively knew she had to avoid him, but her body froze.
The assailant was smiling as he charged at Hwalin.
Then the assailant raised his right hand and yelled at Hwalin.
“Hehe, get away! Move away!!!”
Three steps. That was the distance between the madly rushing assailant and Hwalin. And then.
“You bitch!!”
In his hand was an awl, its intended target clearly Hwalin’s face. In this critical moment, everyone moved quickly, but the man charging at Hwalin was too close.
Hwalin’s scream, filled with terror.
“Ahhhh!!!!”
The desperate cries of everyone.
“Hwalin!!!”
“Oh, no!!!”
What to do? The mentally unhinged assailant didn’t care as he attempted to stab Hwalin with the awl.
“Hwalin, you’re mine!!”
At that moment.
-Swish.
Someone who had stepped in front of Hwalin to shield her with their body also reached behind to grab the assailant’s hand as he charged.
It was Kang Woojin, expressionless.
-Thud!
He then twisted the hand holding the awl in the opposite direction and bent it behind the assailant’s back.
“Ugh!! Arghhh!!”
The assailant’s body naturally spun around. Soon, the assailant was in a position with his arm twisted behind him, and Woojin, lifting the twisted arm higher while tripping his feet,
-Thump!
The assailant was slammed face-first into the ground. Woojin, maintaining his indifferent expression, pressed down on the assailant’s back with his knee. The face-planted assailant desperately flailed and screamed.
“Agh!! My, my, my, my arm!! My arm!!”
Kang Woojin nonchalantly took the awl from his twisted hand.
It all happened in an instant.
“Aaaaah!!! Let go!! Let me go!!”
The current situation was Kang Woojin subduing the assailant. Thanks to him, Hwalin, with her hands covering her mouth and eyes wide as saucers, and
“……Ah.”
Choi Sung-gun, the chubby manager, and the other people right in front were stunned as they looked at Woojin. The scene resembled something straight out of a movie.
Regardless.
-Swish.
Woojin, pressing down on the fallen assailant, lifted the awl he had taken, seemingly handing it over, and spoke to the people in front in a low deep voice.
Without any hint of being out of breath or surprised.
“Call the police.”
His voice was chillingly cold.
*****
TL: Back to daily releases
*****
