The Teaser Spotlight
Woojin and Soo-hyun threw themselves into practice, and time flew by.
“……”
Two men watched them from afar.
They were Kim Tae-gon, the team leader of Flower Entertainment's management team, and his deputy, Lee Min-seong.
“Min-seong, what do you think of that kid?”
“His acting is incredible. And his passion seems off the charts.”
“You see it too, huh?”
“When Soo-hyun, who wouldn't take second place in acting skill, is the one learning….”
It was truly the case.
Feedback between peer pros of the same age could easily come off as nitpicking if mishandled. Everyone has their own style and expression, so the moment it feels like criticism, it's hard to accept. The same went for comments on practice methods—they could bruise an actor's pride.
But,
“Noona, what if you tone it down a bit more?”
“Yeah, that might work better.”
“That's what I think.”
Woojin's feedback felt like it scratched exactly where Soo-hyun itched, cool and precise. In a word, irrefutable. Her face showed no hint of dissatisfaction as she took it in—only overflowing satisfaction.
“Noona, how about me?”
And on top of that, he actively sought her advice on his own acting. Humbly accepting her feedback was the cherry on top.
Skill and an open mindset. This was a rookie to like.
Kim Tae-gon smacked his lips and said,
“Think he's with an agency already?”
“Of course. No way he isn't.”
“Then why's he practicing here at our company?”
“Soo-hyun must've invited him. A kid like that without an agency? Doesn't add up.”
“Find out which agency he's with.”
Lee Min-seong frowned.
“Team leader, I guarantee you—he's got one.”
“Still, look into it.”
“But…”
- Sigh.
As Kim Tae-gon widened his eyes, Lee Min-seong shrank back with a sigh.
“Got it.”
Kim Tae-gon grinned and added,
“Oh, and his filmography too.”
Lee Min-seong shook his head as he left the practice room. Kim Tae-gon watched the pair a bit longer before turning away. Even as he stepped out, his eyes never left Woojin.
“That kid's the real deal.”
He muttered with a regretful expression. Meanwhile, oblivious that anyone had been watching his acting, Woojin just kept at his practice.
* * *
As always, Woojin was immersed in practice, script and diary in hand.
- Rrrrr.
A call came in. The caller was assistant director Woo Seung-hyun PD.
“Woojin, you free to talk?”
“Yes, I am. What's up?”
He delivered unexpected news.
“Just a heads-up: teaser shoot in two days, and they've added footage for you.”
Teaser video. Unlike previews that show the plot, these short clips were meant to hook viewers' interest and attention for the main show.
“My footage?!”
“Yeah. Park PD heard Seo writer's concerns and said, ‘Add teaser footage for the Choi Kyu-bo role, then decide based on first-week ratings and reactions.’ It got the final green light.”
“Wasn't in the original plan, but the director and writer decided to include it. It's tight, but get ready without a hitch.”
Woojin cheered inwardly. He hadn't expected to shoot teaser footage at all.
Teasers usually featured only lead characters. Supporting roles appeared only if their screen time rivaled the stars. Choi Kyu-bo was crucial to the story, but not lead-level in screentime.
Still, giving him teaser footage was groundbreaking.
“Standby at 1 PM in two days. Schedule okay?”
Woojin answered without hesitation.
“Yes, perfect.”
“Sent the contin continuity board via email. Check it out.”
“Got it.”
“Sorry for the late notice since it was last-minute.”
“No worries. I'll prepare hard. Thank you!”
Woojin checked his email right after hanging up. The attachment held the teaser concept and continuity boards.
And then.
Jackpot!
Woojin couldn't help but be stunned. His eyes widened as he slowly read the text.
“KCFS Lab, Forensic Pathologist…”
No matter how many times he read it, it was the same.
“Choi Kyu-bo.”
The planned teasers totaled six: one personal for each actor and one group teaser with all five. One of them was Choi Kyu-bo. Huge for Woojin.
“Hold on. The diary…”
Woojin opened the diary and jotted down the teaser info. Since Choi Kyu-bo could see what he wrote, this good news would reach him too.
[Teaser video / One per person.]
The diary showed no reaction.
But Woojin had no doubt the news reached Choi Kyu-bo. He closed the script and dove into analyzing the continuity.
* * *
Two days later, at tvKR Drama Department's in-house studio.
Crew and actors bustled about. The Wanted teaser shoot was in full swing.
“Next up is Woojin, right?”
“Yes.”
Park PD checked the cue sheet and said,
Woo PD nodded.
“Check if he's ready and bring him if he is.”
At his gesture, a directing staffer headed to makeup.
Woojin had just finished makeup.
“Woojin, ready for shooting?”
Woojin smiled at the staffer.
“Yes, all set.”
“Then let's shoot.”
Woojin followed to the studio. Countless eyes and camera lenses turned to him—including those of the leads who'd finished their solos and were watching, plus Kim Tae-gon's sharp gaze from Flower Entertainment.
“Teaser 5, shoot starts.”
“Scene 5, take 1.”
- Clack.
The slate snapped crisply at Park PD's cue.
“Camera rolling.”
The DP signaled ready.
“Sound okay.”
Sound checked out too.
“Ready!”
In that moment, Woojin's world narrowed to Choi Kyu-bo's inner world.
“Action!”
Park PD's booming call, and all cameras captured Woojin as OST backing swelled through the set.
“……”
Woojin stood with his back turned, silently. He slowly turned his head, then in the coda, unfurled the scalpel in his hand, staring at something. His face blended seriousness and playfulness.
“Good. Cut!”
Park PD called out satisfied. Makeup staff rushed to check his hair.
After monitoring, Park PD directed Woojin again.
“Woojin, great expression, but amp up the focus a tad. Like a total nerd. Okay?”
“Got it.”
“You're nailing it. One more take should do.”
“Yes.”
“Here we go. Ready!”
Shooting progressed swiftly—testament to Woojin's immersion.
“Scene 5, take 2.”
- Clack.
“Action!”
Just ten seconds staring into empty space. But he had to convey Choi Kyu-bo's dual faces. Not blank, yet expressionless. Deeply serious, but not only serious; lightly playful, but not only that.
Hard to describe in words, yet Woojin nailed Park PD's direction perfectly. His lips curved more intriguingly than the first take, eyes burning with a pro pathologist's zeal.
As light glinted off the scalpel tip,
“Cut!”
Park PD's voice brimmed with satisfaction. Woojin knew from the call: nailed it.
“Woojin, come check.”
Woojin approached and reviewed. Exactly Park PD's vision of Choi Kyu-bo. His face lit up.
“Looks good to you too?”
“Yes, I'm satisfied.”
“Perfect. You deliver exactly as directed.”
“No, your directions are spot-on.”
Park PD laughed heartily, patting Woojin's shoulder.
“Haha, now I get why Seo writer pushed so hard for your teaser.”
Woojin just smiled bashfully.
“On to the next scene. Directing team!”
Park PD called for the next setup. Woojin rechecked makeup and costume.
Soon, shooting resumed.
“Woojin, take about five steps here, then turn back.”
“Yes. I'll walk and turn right.”
“Okay.”
Next: Woojin walking forlornly, then turning.
Having marked his path precisely, Woojin stood before the camera.
“Quiet on set! Shooting. Ready!”
“Scene 5, take 3.”
- Clack.
The slate clapped.
“Action!”
Woojin walked slowly. Loneliness and desolation emanated from his back.
Plod, plod. Weary steps.
Exactly five steps in,
“……”
He turned to face front. Eyes unfocused yet resolute.
“Cut!”
Park PD, peering intensely into the camera, yelled. Even after the cut, Woojin held the pose—Choi Kyu-bo's lonely emotion lingering.
“Perfect. Woojin, come monitor.”
Crowd gathered at the main monitor. Onscreen, Woojin conveyed far subtler emotions than the continuity sketch. Better than imagined.
Park PD, no need for more, told Woojin,
“No more takes needed. Spot-on.”
“Thank you.”
“Just narration dub and we're done.”
“Got it.”
Staff clapped, all smiles. Short clip or not, finishing two takes with perfect immersion and acting—plus mirroring picky Park PD's directions. From production's view, Woojin was a dream actor.
“Ooh, Baek Woojin! One-shot, one-kill!”
“You nailed yours in one too, noona. Nice!”
As Woojin wrapped, watching Soo-hyun flashed a thumbs-up. Frequent practice when schedules aligned had made them close fast.
Oh Seong-cheol sidled up, playfully smacking Woojin's butt with a grin.
“This guy's killing it every time I see him.”
“Haha, thanks. You worked hard too, sunbaenim!”
Of the four leads, he'd grown tight with Park Soo-hyun and Oh Seong-cheol. Kim Ye-chan wasn't there yet, but they chatted well. Jeong Tae-young… well, pass.
“Let's wrap.”
Park PD directed cleanup, then headed to recording with sound team for ADR.
“Oh Seong-cheol sunbaenim's narration first, in shoot order.”
Recordings started immediately, smoothly—except Jeong Tae-young needing 2-3 extra takes.
Once done, Park PD gathered actors and crew.
“Teaser edits fast; public in a week. Text reminder that day. Great work, everyone.”
Claps as shooting ended.
Woojin greeted actors and staff one by one.
“Good work!”
And someone had watched him all day, including that.
Kim Tae-gon.