Two Weeks of Sweet Rest
Heading home, Woojin spent time with his mother, shaking off the fatigue he'd accumulated. Over the weekend, his sister joined them too, making it the first time in ages the three of them sat down together at the table.
When eating, focus only on the meal. When studying, focus only on studying. So, with the mindset of when resting, rest fully so you can immerse completely in acting when it's time, Woojin devoted himself entirely to family time. Aside from his daily vocal and pronunciation exercises, he didn't touch a single script.
But... after more than a week, an itch started creeping in—he couldn't help it.
- RRRRR.
A phone call came in.
From the first meeting with Director Ryu up until now, he'd cut off all outside contact, focusing solely on the project. Maybe that's why the name on the screen felt so warmly welcome.
"Hello?"
- Woojin-ah. You doing okay?
A voice that always sounded glad to hear him. Back then, he hadn't realized it, but now he knew: the one person who'd been his sole ally during those trainee days surrounded by enemies everywhere. The one who'd tipped him off about the Wanted audition, putting him where he was today. Woojin's closest friend, Hong Seong-o.
"It's been forever, Seong-o."
- Yeah. You busy these days?
"Nah. Just came home to rest after wrapping."
- I've been swamped too, couldn't call much, man.
Seong-o's tone dipped a bit low, sounding weary.
"No, I should've reached out. Sorry."
- You're busy with your project. I know you, Baek Woojin. Even back then, once you got a script, you'd dive in headfirst and live in it.
Seong-o had watched that side of him more than anyone. No need for explanations—the old friend always understood, and Woojin was grateful.
"Got time today? I might forget what you look like."
- Hell yeah! Let's grab a drink.
"Cool, my treat."
Seong-o, who knew the family address, said he'd be there in 30 minutes. Woojin insisted he'd go to him, but—
- The hottest actor right now can't take public transit and risk getting spotted—I wouldn't make it here by tonight~ Easier if I come.
With that, Seong-o hung up.
* * *
Woojin threw on comfy clothes, a mask, and a cap, stepping out right on time. Seong-o was already waiting in front of the house. He'd regressed mid-January, and now it was mid-December already. Nearly a year since they'd met, but Seong-o looked the same as ever.
They shared a hug of reunion and headed to a nearby spot known only to locals. A place they'd frequented since childhood, where he was tight with the owner auntie. Quiet, perfect for catching up.
Settling in a corner booth, they exchanged updates until the food and drinks arrived. Then the floodgates opened on all the stories they'd missed.
"No work today?"
Seong-o downed his shot and replied to Woojin's question.
"Nah, took the day off."
"It's Friday—why burn leave now?"
"Tacking it onto the weekend for a real break."
"Something up?"
"Aigoo, don't ask. Chaos until last week, but it's dying down now."
Seong-o shook his head, knocking back shots one after another. His face scrunched up like just thinking about it made his head throb.
"What happened?"
Woojin looked concerned. Seong-o paused, mulling it over, then sighed.
"Jong-hoon's driving me insane."
Flash! One of Woojin's eyebrows twitched involuntarily. A name he hadn't heard in ages.
"What's he done?"
Woojin's voice turned serious. Seong-o shot back.
"Remember the awards in early June?"
Ah, the 51st Daehan Arts Awards. How could he forget? The day he'd won his first acting award—a glorious moment etched forever. And besides...
"That night, Jong-hoon got utterly crushed by you. Came back red as a beet, ranting about you nonstop..."
Woojin chuckled.
"Wouldn't be Jong-hoon if he didn't trash me."
"True. But man, I thought his head was gonna explode. First time I'd seen that look on him."
That expression... Yeah, Ahn Jong-hoon's face that day was unforgettable. Because it was the exact one Baek Woojin had worn endlessly at SJ Entertainment—used and discarded like trash.
Frustration, injustice, rage, humiliation. The face when all those unbearable emotions tangled up.
- Gulp.
Woojin's glass emptied fast. Seong-o's words brought the past flashing back like a montage.
For three years, the guy who'd feign encouragement to Woojin's face while ruthlessly stealing roles he'd earned fair and square behind his back—thanks to his CEO father. And the son, who knew it was Woojin's rightful part handed to him on a platter, yet sneered and shoved him into the abyss.
"You'll regret kicking me out this moment."
The vow he'd made walking out of SJ on his own two feet after regressing. It surged up again in Woojin.
"Anyway, not the point. It was what came after."
"After?"
"Once Jong-hoon blew up, he changed big time. Total asshole inside the company. With the CEO daddy indulging him, no surprise."
Woojin now knew SJ Entertainment was a one-man shop Ahn had built just to launch his son. No interest in other rookies. It revolved solely around him, so Jong-hoon's status rivaled the CEO's. No fear inside those walls, treating staff like underlings as always.
"Kinda expected, but not this bad? Outside, he was always polite to directors, writers, crew—seen as a solid, good-guy actor."
Seong-o tossed back another shot, voice low.
"But the kid's changed a lot."
Woojin leaned in closer.
* * *
September 2010. Three months ago.
tvKR had skyrocketed from ratings basement dweller to drama powerhouse with the smash hit Wanted, hastily slotted in. Kim Soo-rim's 30-episode fall blockbuster Hanbando blasted past 22% by episode 3. Better numbers than even Wanted's cable myth.
The drama department echoed with cheers daily. Country manager Jeong Seong-su spared no support for shoots, gunning for another ratings miracle.
Everything seemed golden... until.
Lead actor Yoo Tae-seok suffered major injuries in an accident during episode 7 filming. In 2010's near-live drama production system, recasting was unavoidable.
The department held an emergency meeting, shortlisting actors resembling Yoo's image. Priority: similar looks and vibe.
Final candidates: Baek Woojin and Ahn Jong-hoon.
"Woojin's acting is clearly superior... but he just did our last project—back-to-back might be too much."
"His agency's saying he's cranking in on his next gig already."
"No choice. Time's tight—go with Ahn Jong-hoon."
For those reasons, Ahn got the nod. He was pissed to even be considered alongside Woojin. Ego bruised hearing Woojin's skills outshone his. Wanted to turn it down flat, but Kim Soo-rim's name made him grudgingly accept.
Anyway, slotting Ahn in from episode 7 doused the fire. Production resumed... but bad luck didn't stop.
Post-episode 12, another scandal rocked entertainment news.
Site tension was sky-high from Yoo's accident and tight schedules. Then the main PD assaulted a no-name minor actor.
Main PD swapped out in a rush; atmosphere hit rock bottom.
The double whammy sparked another issue: glaring pre- and post-recast differences on screen.
Solid story aside, focus and tension plummeted. Directing gap was real, but Ahn Jong-hoon's acting—leagues below Yoo's—took center stage in backlash.
Ratings slid, finale barely scraping 11%. Halved.
Respectable for cable, but given the hot start, Kim Soo-rim's name, and tvKR's investment... a brutal flop.
Pre-finale, word spread that Baek Woojin had been a top replacement pick alongside Ahn.
That's when it started. Ahn Jong-hoon constantly hearing "Would've been better with Baek Woojin..."
His hysterics peaked daily. SJ staff quit in droves from the abuse.
Vicious cycle. At wrap party, he clashed huge with crew and stormed out first.
Kim Soo-rim reportedly fumed, "Never casting that punk in my work again."
Yet, choosing one means forgoing the other—regret inevitable if it flops. Especially here.
The card passed over by picking Ahn Jong-hoon.
'Baek Woojin...'
Bonus: Kim's interest spiked in Woojin, lead of disciple Seo Min-kyeong's debut Wanted.