Catching Two Rabbits
After wrapping up the meeting, Woojin headed back to the agency.
“Woojin!”
“You’re back? What’d Kim Soo-rim say? Huh?”
As soon as he walked in, Kim Tae-gon the team leader, Lee Min-seong the deputy manager, and the rest of the management team came rushing out. Their eyes said it all. This was a bigger deal than anyone had imagined.
“Well… here’s what happened.”
Woojin calmed the crowd surrounding him and relayed the meeting results.
“Yes!”
“Phew.”
Kim Tae-gon clenched his fist with a short cheer, while Lee Min-seong let out a massive sigh of relief that seemed to shake the ground. Hong Young-ju and the other staffers clapped and cheered, bursting with joy.
Give and take, indeed! Woojin smiled.
The conclusion from the meeting’s endgame had nailed down two key points.
First: 1. Writer Kim Soo-rim would push Justice’s broadcast to next year.
Delaying the slot was a piece of cake for Kim Soo-rim. Just look at how Wanted came to be. And with the script already half-done, postponing to next year? It screamed her determination to lock Woojin in while giving her ample time to polish it—months, not days. The half-finished structure she’d shown during the meeting was already airtight. Imagining how much more masterful it would become was thrilling.
And the second conclusion: 2. In exchange, actor Baek Woojin committed to starring as the lead.
Actors had every right to turn down roles, but it still left an awkward pang of guilt. Woojin had gone into the meeting prepared for that, but Kim Soo-rim flipped the script with an unexpected card, stunning everyone. A writer personally pitching casting for the first time—and now delaying her own schedule? With that level of sincerity, Woojin couldn’t help but be swayed. The “in exchange” softened the burden, too—it meant she’d given first, and he’d reciprocate.
No need to agonize over his next project after Burnt and Hidden Marks. A Kim Soo-rim script was everyone’s dream choice anyway. She’d handed him a win-win on a platter. No reason to say no.
It was a weight off Woojin’s shoulders all around.
As Woojin shared the good news with his agency family, basking in the warm vibes—
“Director, come on in.”
“It’s been a while. Have a seat.”
—at a fancy Japanese restaurant in Sangam-dong, Kim Soo-rim was meeting someone too.
“Congrats again on the promotion.”
“Hahaha, thanks—the flower wreath was beautiful. Appreciate it.”
The man across from her was the new tvKR Drama Department Director, Park Min-jae.
“So, what’s the reason?”
Park cut straight to it, and Kim Soo-rim nodded.
“You said you’d explain in person why the sudden delay. Had to hear it.”
“There’s an actor I want, but his schedule needs adjusting.”
“All set?”
“Yeah, just met him—now I’m here with you.”
Seeing her confident expression, Park smiled and asked, “Who is it?”
“Someone you know well.”
Kim Soo-rim added softly, “Baek Woojin.”
Park’s eyes flashed.
* * *
Gripping the wheel, Jun-an stared dead ahead.
“Whoa, this rain’s insane!”
Even with the wipers working overtime, the downpour blurred everything.
Woojin, reading his script, glanced at the rain streaking the window.
“Rain hardens the earth, clears the sky.”
“And?”
“Sign of good things ahead, right?”
“Kuh~ The king of positivity, Baek Woojin!”
Jun-an shivered dramatically, making Woojin chuckle as he returned to the Burnt and Hidden Marks script.
Right after the Kim Soo-rim meeting, Ra Ho-chan had freaked out when Lee Min-seong said Baek Woojin accepted the offer. After a stunned pause, they set up this meeting two days later. Now, Woojin was en route.
“Woojin-ah.”
“Yeah, hyung.”
“Doesn’t it feel like things are about to get wild?”
At a red light, Jun-an grinned.
“Like we’re gonna be nonstop busy.”
Woojin nodded silently. Red Petal’s release loomed, and Burnt and Hidden Marks cranking soon. No breathing room.
But “busy” felt different this time.
With Wanted and Red Petal, he’d poured everything into the characters.
Burnt and Hidden Marks demanded more—character work plus shattering the baggage labeled “memories.”
Like walking barefoot over flames, knowing the agony but stepping anyway.
Those memories would hurt, but he had to face them—to conquer as an actor, as Baek Woojin the man.
“We’re here!”
Lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed arrival.
“Rest up. I’ll be back.”
Woojin shook off his wet umbrella and climbed the rundown building’s stairs.
—Click.
Third floor: a tiny newbie production office without a name yet.
“Baek Woojin?”
“Yes, hi.”
“Thanks for coming. Nice to meet you.”
The man approaching offered a handshake.
“Ra Ho-chan. Thrilled you’re joining my film.”
Mid-30s but looking older: bushy beard, permed hair, horn-rimmed glasses. Total nerd vibe.
Ra Ho-chan, KAFA class of 15 top graduate—the elite path. His image from the original didn’t match, but Woojin liked him instantly. Like Kim Soo-rim, he radiated a unique aura. Legends start different.
Ra poured two cups of hot tea.
“Sit here.”
“No, you take the seat of honor.”
Woojin yielded politely. Ra’s respect shone through.
Ra sat with a helpless smile.
“Wanted was incredible. Best acting ever.”
“Thank you.”
Nothing beat praise from a director. Woojin beamed.
Ra relaxed. “Honestly, when I sent the script to your agency, I didn’t expect… a star like you.”
“Star? No way. It’s your script’s brilliance. I’m honored you asked.”
Ra looked touched. Directors lived for script love like actors did for performance nods.
“I’ve stuck to indies, so commercial’s not my world. Barely watch dramas—thought they lacked artistic value. Pride, maybe.”
Why he fell for Woojin:
“My wife’s different. Drama addict like any housewife. One day, she drags me to the TV, insists I watch this ‘acting bomb.’ No interest, but…”
He sipped tea.
“An emotional scene hits. Couldn’t look away. That was…”
His kind smile contrasted serious eyes, shifting to Woojin.
“Wanted episode 10 ending.”
One scene’s impact lingered a year post-finale, sparking actor buzz. Kim Soo-rim mentioned it two days ago—now Ra too.
“Had to ask if you met someone real. One-take OK?”
Woojin nodded quietly.
“Knew it!”
Ra fist-pumped, chugging tea. Hot…?
“On Red Petal, your AD was Yeon Pil, right?”
“Yeah, you know Director Yeon?”
“KAFA buddy, closest one.”
Ra’s face lit up boyishly. Nerd charm explained.
Expressive as any actor.
“Pil said your value skyrockets post-release. Haha.”
Lightening the mood, he paused.
“As you know, no funding yet. Worst case, I self-fund—but your fee…”
He trailed off.
Red Petal would skyrocket Woojin’s worth. Lucky timing, but Ra worried about budget.
Woojin smiled. “Don’t worry, Director.”
“Huh?”
Not because he knew it’d be indie history’s top earner.
Money wasn’t why he chose it.
Future Ra’s stature factored in—good ties with a future master.
Becoming his persona meant becoming Korea’s top actor.
But more than what he’d told the agency or Kim Soo-rim: he needed this film.
No way he’d pass.
“Running guarantee. And…”
Ra felt illusory white wings behind Woojin at his final words.
“No base fee—just pure running guarantee, Director.”