X Marks the End
Baek Woojin scribbled freely in his audition journal, sentencing himself to the end of his acting career.
=======================
[500th Audition Log]
···7) Result:
The pen tip reached the blank space next to '7) Result' and hesitated.
Before he knew it, his hand trembled uncontrollably.
'…….'
He tried to play it cool, act like it was fine… but facing the reality of quitting without ever landing a single lead or supporting role made emotions surge uncontrollably.
"Hnngh."
The sobs he'd held back finally burst forth.
Woojin shakily drew a large 'X' in the blank space, then sat there weeping endlessly.
Tears gathered at his chin and fell onto the open diary.
One drop, two drops, three…
The ink on the words where the tears landed began to slowly spread.
'If only I could go back to before….'
As that desperate wish flashed through his mind, fresh tears fell from his eyes—
- Plip.
Landing on the open diary page, right on the 'X' mark he'd just drawn so painstakingly. It soaked in.
In that instant.
Suddenly, an unbelievable sight unfolded before his eyes.
- Whirr.
A soft glow emanated from the diary out of nowhere.
"Huh?"
Startled, Woojin shot up from his chair and, thinking 'Is this a dream?', slapped his left cheek hard.
"Ow!"
The stinging pain felt vividly real on his cupped cheek. Which meant this situation was no dream at all—it was reality.
"W-What is this?"
He rubbed his eyes frantically and looked again. Same thing. The diary still glowed softly, and the light was growing brighter by the second.
Soon, it blazed with an intensity that made him squint.
Woojin approached slowly, cautiously extending his hand toward the light.
It wasn't hot, thankfully—but the moment his hand touched the diary!
- Whoosh!
The already blinding light intensified, enveloping him in an instant.
* * *
As the light wrapped around him, a languid warmth spread through his body.
At the same time, memories flashed by like a montage.
The early days, touring broadcast stations and agencies, submitting his profile for every audition posting that caught his eye.
The thrill when a rare bit-part audition call came through, joy he couldn't contain.
At 22, entering his second year as a nameless actor, signing with his first agency—SJ Entertainment—filled with hopes of a smooth path ahead.
Every time he slipped at the threshold of lead or supporting roles in major commercials: "Sorry, Actor Baek Woojin. It's just… not quite right for the part.""Your acting is good, but your name value isn't there."
Unsatisfying excuses like that. All fifteen years of his acting life raced past like a highlight reel.
- Fade.
The intense light gradually dimmed and vanished.
'Where… am I?'
He opened his eyes to pure white all around—like a sealed room painted floor-to-ceiling in fresh white paint.
And, 'What the hell is that?'
A single mysterious button hovered within arm's reach.
Without time to think, Woojin approached it slowly.
A red button, evoking the diary's cover with its reddish glow.
'What's going on here… Is this really a dream?'
The light from the diary. Waking up trapped in this bizarre space. If it wasn't a dream, it was easier to just give up thinking about it.
- Click.
Without hesitation, Woojin pressed the button. It was the only thing in sight, after all. No visible exit, no other choice.
'It's probably just a dream anyway. Whatever.'
The moment he pressed it lightly—
Suddenly, a sharp 'tick!' sounded, and
【Baek Woojin. Actor. 35 years old】
A message window—like something out of a game—appeared in midair, containing Woojin's basic personal info.
'W-What the…?'
Woojin blinked in shock. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, and in the blink of an eye, a new message popped up.
【Contract Complete. (10/10)】
Another cryptic message followed immediately. What contract? And what was that number beside it…?
【Basic contract terms displayed below.】
The floating window expanded, lines of text appearing one by one like computer graphics.
1. The contractor may return to one specific point in their life up to the current contract moment.
1-1. Travel to future points is impossible; this applies only to past points.
2. (To fulfill clause 1) The contractor may view once a condensed film of the most important parts of their life.
3. After viewing the film, the contractor holds the right to decide on regression to the past.
3-1. (If regression chosen) Regression point determined by this system.
3-2. (If no regression) Contract deemed canceled with contractor's consent; all memories from this system erased.
4. Detailed info on contract and system available once progress reaches 50% or higher. (Current progress: 0%)
5. Past returned to via this system may differ partially from contractor's actual past.
Woojin read through it all slowly. His mind grew more chaotic with every line.
About two minutes passed. The long window vanished, replaced by
【Condensing contractor's life. Proceed with flashback? (*Flashback: Scene or technique depicting past recollection)
(Press button to accept.)】
A weighty question, carrying an aura that reverently awaited his decision.
'A life that's already hit rock bottom. Screw it….'
Woojin had already decided in his heart. Real or not, it didn't seem like a loss.
- Squeeze.
He pressed the button firmly.
Half out of recklessness—screw it, might as well press it—but far greater was his desperation.
'If I can go back to the past, if I can start over as an actor, gladly!'
A life devoted solely to acting, failed as an actor—so if he could return, what wouldn't he do?
To a man on the brink of the abyss, this button was a lifeline from the heavens.
"I'll go back."
He murmured with a grave expression. A small screen materialized before him.
- Static.
The gray screen flickered to life, playing a film. The protagonist, of course, was Woojin.
【January 2007. Age 22. Contract with SJ Entertainment. First agency acquired. Face full of hope and excitement.】
The flashback opened with Woojin, fresh in Seoul, signing his first agency contract.
【July 2007. Age 22. Audition for commercial film Ghost. First major audition. Frustration at not performing due to nerves, yet positive outlook.】
This was when he'd first started writing in the diary. Fond memories brought a smile to Woojin's face.
But the scenes that followed hardened his expression.
【April 2008. Age 23. Passed supporting role Kim Kang-hoo in drama Silk Road. Role went to same agency actor Ahn Jong-hoon.】
【January 2009. Age 24. Passed supporting role Jo Kyu-chan in commercial film Paper Cadaver. Same outcome as above.】
【August 2009. Age 24. Commercial film Chicken Game. Same.】
Audition footage repeated: Woojin failing, Ahn Jong-hoon from the same agency cast instead. Same result every time.
And behind it all—
"Hello. This is SJ Entertainment's Choi Yo-han, team leader. One of our actors, Baek Woojin, just got final casting for your director's project…"
After Woojin's audition, Choi Yo-han—SJ Entertainment's management team leader—on the phone with someone.
"Actually, we have a better actor under us. Could we set up a meeting?"
Choi Yo-han's words were a shock to the core.
'Hah….'
Woojin slumped to the floor with a short sigh. Extreme rage surged; his hands shook uncontrollably.
'That fucking….'
He'd thought he lost those golden opportunities due to lack of skill. Turns out, roles he'd won were stolen.
By his own agency, no less.
This was leagues beyond kkwi-pa-ri-gi.
"Huff…"
Woojin breathed raggedly, struggling to compose his tangled emotions.
The shock and betrayal of learning the root of his lost fifteen years were indescribable.
"Puhahaha."
As the fury subsided slightly, bitter laughter escaped.
His head throbbed from the blow. And pity for his oblivious past self washed over him.
'To think I decided to quit acting because of scum like that….'
This revelation was enough to awaken him. Too unjust to quit over something like this.
'If I go back, I won't repeat the same mistakes.'
'If I go back, I'll never miss another chance.'
He vowed fiercely.
【Determining optimal regression point from listed flashback moments. May take 1-2 minutes.】
Messages updated sporadically amid it all; the screen had vanished.
Woojin collected himself, stood, and faced the button again.
Moments later,
【January 15, 2010, 11:23 AM. Age 25. Press button to return to this point.
(Warning: Acceptance is irreversible. Consider carefully.)】
The specific date gave Woojin pause.
'Why January 15, 2010? What happened then?'
As if reading his mind,
【Contract Expiration.】
Detailed info on that date filled below.
- Smirk.
Woojin's lips curled up, and
- Squeeze.
He pressed without hesitation.
【Returning to designated point.】
A brief message, then brilliant light filled the white room.
The guiding energy touched his skin vividly once more.
Woojin closed his eyes slowly, surrendering to the light.
* * *
Woojin opened his eyes and stretched.
'What… was that a dream?'
His body felt languid, like waking from hibernation.
'Hold on. Where am I?!'
The familiar scenery hit him. He bolted upright.
"SJ Entertainment…?"
The place where his acting career plummeted from trainee to abyss.
SJ Entertainment conference room.
There stood Woojin.