Box Office Hits Echo from Screens and Tubes, Busy Days Roll On
Box office news poured in simultaneously from the big screen and television, filling his days with unrelenting busyness.
First, the cinematic front. It was nothing short of a whirlwind. Burnt and Hidden Marks had started with a modest production budget of just over 70 million won, screening in only ten theaters nationwide. Yet from its opening day, the audience reactions and buzz were scorching hot. Riding that momentum, by the second week of release, it soared like it had sprouted massive wings.
The firefighters' raw sweat and tears soaked straight into viewers' hearts, earning sky-high ratings day after day. Even starting small, films could expand distribution based on audience response—that's the nature of the movie industry. Proving it, within a week, Burnt and Hidden Marks claimed over 500 screens nationwide. As of December 2012, it topped the box office not just in indie art films but across all commercial releases, a feat that turned heads.
Word-of-mouth flooded SNS, blogs, and media outlets without end. Major multiplex chains, witnessing the indie sensation firsthand, actively negotiated with distributor 'Tough on the Outside' to increase showtimes. As a result, industry insiders openly whispered that screens might hit at least 700—a poorly kept secret.
He deserved the loudest applause for wrestling four long years to craft that script, yet Director Ra Ho-chan credited the entire cast and crew for the success.
No matter how hard he tried not to dwell on it, the whirlwind's energy made numbers impossible to ignore. First times always carry that thrill. Still, rather than hype the box office, Director Ra tacked on talk of his next project prep, revealing his true colors as a film fanatic.
Woojin couldn't help smiling every time he checked the KakaoTalk group chat packed with the full cast. Memories of that wholesome set, filled top to bottom with good people, bubbled up fresh. In acting school, he'd always envied the two powerhouse groups in Korean cinema: the soon-to-be-global 'Halla Pomelo Duo'—the 'Ra Ho-chan crew' and 'Bong Tae-ho crew.' Realizing he'd kicked off the former hit him hard now.
The diary's contract noted divergences from his original timeline. He felt clear differences already. Flip that around, and his restarted life largely tracked the original path. Becoming Director Ra's 'persona' meant international festivals were in play—Hidden Marks in editing was gunning for Berlin, after all.
Even Woojin, who lived for acting rain or shine, now pondered such things—not from sudden ambition or fame-lust. This second(?) life satisfied him fully. Just acting freely what he loved was enough. Separately, a natural actor's greed stirred: to share a stage with world masters someday.
Maybe that's why idling itched. Debut to now, three years and five projects—not counting ads and cameos, eight straight. He knew he needed a breather, yet back-to-back good news ballooned his acting hunger in delicious contradiction.
* * *
Now, the TV front.
From episode one, it hooked viewers with unprecedented Korean drama themes. Revenge starts justified, but twists into something darker. 'Heroes' flip to 'villains'; Lee Jung-hyuk blocks Lee Jin-tae, seamlessly swapping roles.
Tight plotting and actors' raw emotional feast deliver unfiltered feels: 'Justice born from fixing rotten past karma, too late.''But it faded.''True justice arises when prior justice dims. Thus, Lee Jung-hyuk's justice blocks Lee Jin-tae's lost one.''Yet isn't Lee Jung-hyuk's also self-serving, craving happy family life?'
Like tangled threads under 'justice's' banner, each character's aims differ. What's true? Right? Twisted? Kim Soolim boiled her prequel-to-Hanbando pitch to: 'So, what is justice from your view?'
Every episode posed that to viewers. Lingering aftertaste meant deep theme pondering. Official site boards exploded daily with dozens, hundreds of opinions—not typical reviews or gripes, but philosophy forums debating 'justice' civilly.
tvKR drama department hailed it 'positive impact,' pitching short videos to Woojin and Lee Kang-sik. They obliged, thanking fans; it topped the homepage again.
Tired of media pitting master Kim Soolim vs. disciple Seo Min-kyeong in ratings wars despite their wishes, at the post-prod presser, Kim declared: "Justice is a collaboration with writer Seo Min-kyeong." Bold, even startling Seo who shunned 'adding spoons' to her mentor's work. Coverage spotlighted their bond.
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Impact-wise, lead Woojin drew most eyes. Matching 6-year-returnee legend Lee Kang-sik as a late-20s actor? Already 'complete performer,' he proved the tag anew.
Actors must constantly prove utility. That validation rush? Indescribable. A year-and-half's toil washed away. Woojin basked in film company and broadcaster buzz.
—Hiss~ Pop!
"Put the phone down and drink with us, man! Come on!"
"Ah, sorry."
Checking manager Jun-an's packed interview slate starting next week, sis handed beer with loaded nagging(?).
"About to start—switch channels?"
"Munch munch. Yeah, quick! Can't miss a scene!"
Debut on, he'd shot through New Years on sets. This time, home for Justice live-viewing at Incheon family house.
Flipping to tvKR, chicken-focused Woo-hee locked on the screen. Woojin shook his head smiling at her shift.
"Hey, bro. How was filming that scene?"
Sis multitasked: eyes glued, ears on his behind-the-scenes. Live-viewing meant question storms like her scolds.
—Snicker.
Woojin's lips quirked each time. Answering replayed shoots; spoiling-hater sis forced specifics, stirring bittersweet smiles amid 5-month memories.
"That one was brutal. Broke it down, repeated like 10 times—thought I'd melt."
"Looks it. Good job, my fave lil' bro!"
"Wha—? Why?"
"What why, dummy!"
"You need something? No way you'd sweet-talk otherwise…"
"What're you on about?"
"No—wait! Chicken not enough, ordering more?"
—Thwack!
"I'm gonna kill you!"
"Ow! Sis!!"
"What!!"
Classic TV-side sibling scrap. Mom, past mediating, munched chicken grinning at the drama.
"Just saying you worked hard!"
"Got it! So don't hit!"
"Then don't deserve it!"
"Sorry!"
"Deal!"
Truce hit; dwindling chicken and beer mirrored drama's endgame rush.
Shoots done, airing ongoing. Finale would truly end it. Parting with Justice would ache deeper. Actors' post-wrap blues, playgrounds vanishing—always sad.
For Woojin, especially… not just the work.
"……."
Mom and sis screen-fixed, he glanced aside. Open door framed his bookshelf; red leather diary gleamed.
Lee Jung-hyuk, and Lee Jin-tae.
Not on TV, but virtual world lives post-mission success. Curiosity struck that night.