Script Reading Shockwave
Word of the rookie who had flaunted monstrous acting prowess right from the audition stage—of how the entire production team had unanimously approved his casting after watching his audition tape—had already spread far and wide. Rumors traveled at lightspeed in this industry, after all.
“Did you really memorize the entire script?”
“Yes. That's right.”
As the only rookie at the script reading and the one whom the director and writer had showered with praise, everyone was naturally curious about just how skilled Baek Woojin really was. But no one had expected this.
Acting aside, the level of preparation was downright astonishing.
“Episodes 1 and 2, in full?”
“Yes.”
Seo Min-kyeong the writer and everyone else wore expressions of sheer amazement, but Woojin's face remained utterly calm.
“Whoa~ Hold on a sec. This is a fresh kind of shock for me.”
A standard 70-minute drama episode ran about 100 to 120 A4 pages on average. Two episodes meant at least 200 to 240 pages of lines committed to memory. Not just his own lines, but his co-stars', and even scenes where his character didn't appear. There was no other way to explain how Woojin could keep the script closed from the start and nail the timing of the other actors' lines perfectly.
“Did I make some kind of mistake...?”
Woojin asked cautiously. The smooth flow of the script reading had halted abruptly, putting him in the spotlight, and as a rookie, he couldn't help feeling on edge about everything.
“Oh, no, not at all. Let's keep going.”
“Moving to Scene 3.”
The script reading resumed. Unintended as it was, the sudden attention weighed on him, so Woojin casually flipped open the script in front of him. Though his eyes were on the pages, he could feel the stares.
The disdainful glare from Jeong Tae-young saying, 'Trying to show off, huh?' The writer's intent gaze... and even Park Min-jae PD's watchful eyes.
“Scene 3, okay. On to Scene 4.”
The reading progressed smoothly. Park PD and Seo Min-kyeong offered no major comments, just jotting notes busily in their pads as they listened to the actors.
The Episode 1 reading site echoed only with the sound of writing,
the shutter snaps of still cameras, and the actors reciting their lines.
A little later,
“Great work, everyone. We'll resume in 15 minutes.”
With Episode 1 wrapped, a break was called. The actors stretched and loosened up. After nearly an hour of reading, everyone looked drained, but
the overall response to the Wanted script was positive. That was why the rookie writer could openly express her excitement about the actors' performances from the get-go. The script's raw power shone through the text.
- The young actors aren't half bad either.
- Kids these days are seriously good. Different from our time.
The reactions to the actors' skills were positive too. But
- He's 25? How's he pulling off a 35-year-old so naturally?
- They said there was a monster at auditions... now I get why.
- Memorizing the whole script? Is that even possible?
the standout buzz was about Woojin. As the break hit naturally, eyes locked on his back as he headed to the bathroom. The man of the hour himself, though, was too busy mentally rehearsing Episode 2's tones to notice the reactions.
Deep in Episode 2 prep, Woojin bumped shoulders with someone exiting the bathroom.
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Woojin apologized and checked the face. It was Jeong Tae-young, playing Go Hyun-soo.
“Must feel good getting all that attention, huh?”
Not an answer to the apology, but a sneer dripping with mockery. Words with teeth—anyone could hear the bite.
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Good work out there. Keep trying hard.”
Out of nowhere. Trying hard? At what?
“Do your best.”
Tae-young patted Woojin's shoulder and brushed past into the bathroom. Woojin shook his head and kept walking.
'Guess some things never change.'
His true nature was unchanged from their theater days. Ignoring growth in his own acting. Burning with envy toward anyone stealing the spotlight. No qualms about trampling others to shine. In short, exactly the kind of actor Woojin despised. Hell, not even worth calling an actor.
'Interesting.'
Not worth his energy, but maybe in their shared scenes, he could crush him with pure acting. The thought crossed Woojin's mind.
“Episode 2 reading, starting now.”
After the short break, Episode 2 began.
“Ye-chan, you need a bit more gravity here. What do you think, Writer Seo?”
“Agreed. Seo Jun-mo should feel more rational and logical. Dial up the expression a touch.”
Unlike Episode 1, detailed feedback flowed from Park PD and the writer. With notes per scene, the reading was taking twice as long.
“Seong-cheol sunbaenim, it's great, but could you soften the tone just a bit?”
“Got it.”
Even veterans got feedback, making the Episode 2 reading far more rigorous and serious.
“Episode 2, Scene 26.”
Midway through Episode 2: Choi Kyu-bo and Im Eun-soo in a tense standoff. Right before starting, Woojin locked eyes with Park Soo-hyun. She met his gaze; he gave a subtle nod. Then she launched in.
“IQ 175. Med school at Korean University at 10, graduated at 16. Your reputation precedes you—no one hasn't heard.”
In a KCFS hallway, arms crossed, Im Eun-soo addressed Choi Kyu-bo. Her pointed words drew a smirking reply.
“You know your stuff. Seems like more people know me than you, Detective~”
Kyu-bo's signature warmth shone through, thanks to the actor's pitch-perfect tone.
“I'm not saying Inspector Seo is always right, but...”
Soo-hyun stretched the line's end just a beat, glancing at Woojin before dropping her eyes to the script—a signal: cut in anytime. A split-second courtesy to her scene partner.
“Then what's my favorite food~?”
Woojin seized the moment seamlessly. Im Eun-soo's brow twitched at the abrupt interruption.
“Why the sudden question?”
“You're a profiler. Figured you'd know all about me~ It's your specialty, reading people.”
Woojin's deadpan flair in expression, gestures, and delivery was unparalleled. Kyu-bo had to be hatefully charming, always teetering on that knife-edge—and Woojin nailed it flawlessly.
“You mocking profiling?”
“Not at all. Only you can do it, so I'm asking you~”
For Soo-hyun, it was effortless. With her partner's over-the-top emotional feed, her lines flowed naturally. She'd never had a co-actor make it this easy.
“Aigoo, sorry. Gotta run for an autopsy. I'll swing by your office later~”
Kyu-bo wrapped with his trademark cheekiness.
“Oh, Detective~ Was gonna keep it secret, but...”
“What?”
“Your left stocking's slipped down~ See ya.”
That infuriating-yet-endearing charm to the end. The scene closed with Im Eun-soo letting out a hollow chuckle at Kyu-bo's retreating wave.
“Okay. Hold up a sec.”
Park PD paused the reading for a quick word with the writer. Meanwhile, Woojin and Soo-hyun exchanged faint smiles. Probably thinking the same:
'Our chemistry's spot-on.'
'Can't wait for principal photography.'
“Soo-hyun, that eye drop was perfect.”
After conferring, Park PD grabbed the mic. Soo-hyun nodded. He then thumbs-upped Woojin.
“Woojin, you're Kyu-bo incarnate—no notes from me.”
A shiver of electric praise coursed through him.
- Clap clap clap.
The PD's praise drew applause for Woojin and Soo-hyun from the room, lightening the solemn vibe back to Episode 1's warmth. The pair stood bashfully, bowing in thanks.
As they sat, Park PD continued. “Woojin and Soo-hyun, first time working together today, right?”
“Yes.”
“That chemistry was so good, I had to say something. In the interruption beat, Soo-hyun signaled perfectly, and Woojin nailed the pickup. That's exactly the actor synergy I crave in a reading.”
“Thank you, Director.”
“Soo-hyun was great too, but Woojin—you're really hitting home for me. We were all shocked earlier: you memorized everything. So you're delivering lines while eye-contacting your partner. Makes matching characters to actors a breeze. Your expressions and gestures pop.”
The writer chimed in. “You're exceeding expectations— even better than auditions. Immersed like this in a reading? Principal shoots are gonna be something. Next scene.”
With the PD reading stage directions, the reading rolled on. Woojin suppressed his blooming grin, focusing on the script. Another hour passed.
“Final scene. Scene 45. KCFS chief's office. Lee Jong-bu sits with a middle-aged man...”
Episode 2's closer: Oh Seong-cheol's Lee Jong-bu in a covert chat with a middle-aged man. Woojin zeroed in on his tone. As in the audition lines, the investigation chief would clash hard with him later.
The hushed exchange wrapped Episode 2.
“Great work. Let's wrap with applause.”
Park PD's cue ended the reading. Next, interviews for making-of footage with leads Kim Ye-chan, Park Soo-hyun, and Jeong Tae-young. Woojin watched, vowing to claim that spot someday.
While the stars interviewed, Woojin and the rest mingled greetings with staff.
“Alright, head to the dinner spot now.”
At Park PD's word, people filed out of the conference room. Woojin grabbed his name tag from the table and followed.