Already?
Woojin asked with wide eyes. His expression mixed bewilderment, emptiness, and flustered surprise.
But Choi Kyu-bo's response was straightforward. "I told you. It's a world to experience my life. You've already done that."
"Then what about the events that happen afterward...?"
"You gotta figure that out yourself. Based on what you just went through~"
He was right. Figuring out a character's emotions and intentions behind their words was something an actor had to ponder and practice endlessly. Just living through the character's daily life was already a huge help.
"Aren't you being a bit too free-loading, buddy?"
"I see."
Woojin nodded at Choi Kyu-bo's words.
"Any last questions? I'll take special Q&A!"
Woojin paused at the question, deep in thought. One fundamental curiosity still gnawed at him.
"Can you finally tell me what that mission you mentioned earlier is?"
Woojin asked Choi Kyu-bo cautiously. He'd clearly said he'd explain later, but leaving without a word on the mission felt unsatisfying. His curiosity was unbearable, too.
"...Nope. You'll find out when the time comes."
Choi Kyu-bo paused dramatically before delivering the sharp reply.
"When the time comes?"
"Yeah. When it's certain you've passed the audition and landed this role."
Woojin's brow furrowed unconsciously. He kind of got it, but it still felt vague and nagging. Choi Kyu-bo's words sounded too abstract.
"Wait. Then when can I see you again, hyung?"
"Whoa, time's up. Time for you to head back."
As Choi Kyu-bo spoke, the diary on the desk erupted in brilliant light again.
"Looking forward to seeing you again soon~"
"W-wait, hold on, hyung!"
"Good luck at the audition. Hmm, what should I have for lunch? Ah!"
The light enveloped Woojin slowly. His vision brightened, Choi Kyu-bo's face blurring.
"Since I did the autopsy, maybe some intestine soup~"
...Even now, classic Choi Kyu-bo picking his menu.
"?!"
By then, the light fully wrapped Woojin, and text popped from the diary.
【Returning to the real world.】
The blinding light forced Woojin to squeeze his eyes shut again.
Ah, squinting's become a habit now.
"......"
Woojin opened his eyes to find himself at his door. One hand on the knob, exactly as he'd been before entering the virtual world.
I'm back.
He stepped inside and headed to the bathroom. The mirror showed Woojin, not Choi Kyu-bo.
Wait. The diary!
From the bathroom, Woojin grabbed the diary off the floor and opened it. His notes from experiencing Choi Kyu-bo's life were neatly organized, clearer and more readable than he'd written—like someone else had refined them.
Woojin read through carefully, then picked up the script again. Details he'd missed before now jumped out, post-virtual experience.
He lay on the floor, diving into the script.
It really is different...
Actors prepared multiple versions for a scene. On-set changes were unpredictable—directorial tweaks, co-actor chemistry.
Versatile prep was key.
Here, not this... like this...
Woojin tested lines in various tones and inflections, channeling Choi Kyu-bo's speech and voice from the day.
Okay! This is the way.
Time slipped by unnoticed. He set the script down and stared ahead.
One lingering question resurfaced.
"What the heck is that mission, anyway?"
Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the diary's cover, as Woojin muttered to himself.
A week after meeting Choi Kyu-bo.
Woojin hadn't let go of the script except for sleep and showers. Endless analysis and practice loops.
Practice never betrays.
His core belief, held fiercer than anyone.
I can do this. Baek Woojin.
After failing his 500th audition—his breaking point—he'd first considered quitting acting.
Then magic happened. The diary from the nameless old woman sent him back, let him live the script's virtual world.
Luck smiled on his skilled but opportunity-starved life.
Heaven's chance.
I'll pass. No doubt this time!
Alone in the bathroom, Woojin stared at his mirror self, shouting inwardly.
Permed hair, rimless glasses, tracksuit—straight from virtual Choi Kyu-bo.
From looks to core, confidence brimmed. Right now, he was Choi Kyu-bo.
"Let's go..."
Woojin straightened his clothes and left the bathroom. Destination: Vincent Film office.
Click.
The waiting room door opened to a crowd. Woojin sat in an empty spot, scanning slowly.
Mostly actors, save a few managers. Clutching scripts, deep in last-minute practice.
No mid-level stars or supporting vets with name recognition.
Two hours left.
His slot was late afternoon—near last. No real need to arrive early; just longer wait.
But showing early was Woojin's habit.
1. Feel the site's vibe.
2. Study competitors' looks and images vs. his own.
3. Imagine how their acts might differ from his prep.
On-site observation effort. Basic for any actor.
Late slot's a bummer...
Auditions were one-shot for actors. But casters saw dozens to hundreds daily.
Long days fatigued them. Later slots meant waning focus—maybe just profile check, no performance.
Woojin disliked late calls.
This one: near end.
Doesn't matter. Stick to prep.
Slight snag from the start, but no big worry. After observing, Woojin slipped out to the outdoor terrace quietly.
Cool breeze blew.
"......"
A week of nonstop practice, breath reeking of script.
Lines and scenes etched in his brain.
Now: Recall every sensation from Choi Kyu-bo, awaken his senses.
Shed Baek Woojin, don Choi Kyu-bo.
"No one's closer to Kyu-bo hyung than me."
Muttering leisurely, Woojin focused on mindset control.
"This is driving me insane."
At that moment, Park Min-jae PD of Wanted clutched his face.
Writer Seo Min-kyeong and assistant director Woo Seung-hyun PD beside him mirrored the reaction.
"Aigoo."
Hours of dozens of actors was exhausting enough.
But a bigger headache loomed.
The incident started that audition morning with a phone call.
"Yes? What do you mean all of a sudden..."
- Haven't seen the articles? Check now!
"Got it."
At Jeong Seong-su's sharp tone, Park PD tilted his head, hung up, and checked portal entertainment news.
Blazing headlines everywhere. Shooting refusal from a top-rated rival network's Fri-Sat drama.
Park PD's eyes widened. He called back.
- Seen the articles?
"Yes, just checked."
- Wanted's Fri-Sat slot. Overlaps Fox Rain's run. This is our chance. Get established actors on the line now.
"Director, but auditions start in an hour..."
- Just do it pro forma, say no one fit so no casting!
Jeong's edged voice. Park PD could picture the furrowed brow.
"Dozens coming today."
- Park Min-jae!
At the thunderous roar, Park PD sighed.
"...Understood."
Stuck between rock and hard place.
Thus, throughout auditions, Park PD half-watched performances. His mind fixated on which vet to cast.
"Senior, you okay?"
Woo PD handed water, worried.
"Can't send waiting room folks home. Gonna lose it."
Park PD nodded.
"What can we do? Orders from above."
"Today's actors had high hopes."
"No standouts anyway."
"True."
"Silver lining."
"Still feels bad."
"Not the priority. Gotta wrap casting fast. Argh."
Park PD gulped water, sighed.
"This is why I didn't want this. 'Don't sweat ratings for filler' they said... Ha."
"I'll call agencies post-audition."
"Meet after. Hey, maknae. How many left?"
Park PD shook his head. The young FD dashed out, checked, returned.
"One left."
"Wrap quick. Send 'em in."
"Yes."
Park PD flipped profile to next: Woojin's.
Glanced half-heartedly.
Moments later, Woojin entered behind FD.
"Hello. I'm 25-year-old actor Baek Woojin."
Utter poise radiated from Woojin's face.