Justice's Bold Pre-Production Gamble
Word of the casting for Baek Woojin and Lee Kang-sik alone had already generated massive buzz for tvKR's Wednesday-Thursday miniseries Justice, and now the detailed full schedule had been announced.
Additionally, the first script reading was scheduled for Monday, May 7th. The ongoing pre-production would wrap up by the end of June, with crank-in on July 3rd and crank-up on November 28th. On top of that, overseas location shooting was planned for mid-August, lasting two to three weeks.
Once this information hit via official press releases, not only viewers but industry insiders were all eyes on what would happen next. Half-pre-production dramas had started emerging, gradually improving the harsh production environment, but the time crunch was still very much a reality. Even in half-pre-productions, they often relied on last-minute scripts toward the end of the run.
2012 was still an era where full 100% pre-production was a weak concept. There had been attempts before, but no success stories yet. Last-minute scripts made it hard to grasp the plot's flow and pin down acting directions, but they had the advantage of quick revisions if ratings suddenly dropped or stalled during a smooth run.
In contrast, 100% pre-production couldn't reflect real-time viewer reactions, making it impossible to pivot outcomes—a glaring drawback. In the drama world, where eye-watering sums were at stake not just in visible production costs but in future ad revenue and overseas rights sales, who would dare challenge it without proven precedents? Just like court cases hinge on prior rulings.
But "It's Kim Soolim's script." "Baek Woojin's the lead pioneer." "Lee Kang-sik's drama debut." A lineup that instantly silenced the skeptics. The meeting of the nation's top writer and actors skyrocketed expectations for the first successful 100% pre-produced drama.
By this point, Justice was no longer just Kim Soolim and Baek Woojin's next project or Lee Kang-sik's drama debut. It carried profound meaning and heavy responsibility as the leads, and Woojin, ever diligent, was deep in script immersion as always.
With his films and ads wrapped, it was time to pour everything into Justice.
"This schedule's insane."
Song Jun-an whistled as he handed over the full shooting plan to Woojin. Ever since that incident where Woojin collapsed from exhaustion during his first shoot, Jun-an had been sticking closer by his side.
"Better packed than loose."
Woojin flipped through the script and replied.
"You hitting action school?"
"Yeah, of course. Starting next week."
"Aigoo... Lord help us."
Jun-an dropped his head at Woojin's unchanged, serene expression as he read the script.
During prep for Red Petals and Burnt and Hidden Marks, he'd driven Woojin to action school over 200 times easy. Just hearing "action" made him sigh now, and they had to go again. How many trips this time...
"Hyung could drive to Paju blindfolded by now."
The tighter an actor's schedule, the busier the manager. He always felt bad for Jun-an, but what could he do...
Woojin's Justice protagonist, Lee Jung-hyuk, was a martial arts and combat expert. With tons of action scenes, prep was essential.
"You know from the script, hyung—action's his passive skill. No avoiding it."
"Yeah, I get it. Anyway, weekdays only three times this round...?"
"Nope. Five. Already cleared it with Master."
Woojin grinned.
"Haha! Knew it, Woojin-ah. Alright then!"
Jun-an burst out laughing. Third-raters cry at trials, second-raters endure, first-raters laugh, right? He'd half-tried to negotiate lighter but gave up quick.
"Why don't you train with me each time, hyung?"
"Me? What for?"
"You get good at action, help me practice. No more Paju trips—we do it at home."
"Haha, what... Wait, hold up?!"
Jun-an's eyes went wide as he stared at Woojin.
"That's actually pretty smart?"
Eu-re-ka?
"Hyung, I was kidding..."
"Nah, makes total sense. Suck it up."
He nodded, sat down, and sank into thought. Seriously pondering it? Man, his thoughts and convo veered anywhere. Thanks to hyung, prepping for work was fun amid the laughs. Great.
Swish.
Woojin turned back to the script. Analysis aside, the story itself was so gripping he kept turning pages. After focused reading, he exhaled softly. "Whew." His gaze drifted to the diary at the edge of his vision.
What could it be, I wonder.
A flicker of curiosity pierced the moment. Truth be told, one reason he dove straight into the next project without rest was the diary. He'd promised Kim the writer his commitment, even delaying broadcast if needed, but the biggest driver was, Once this project's done, 50%...
Mission completion at 50% would unlock info. Who was the mysterious old woman? What was this enigmatic object that gave a failed nameless actor like me another shot? He eagerly awaited that lock clicking open.
To reach it, Woojin burned hotter to become Lee Jung-hyuk.
Jun-an hyung, sorry. Bear with me just this once more. After this project, I'll take a real break...
Thud.
Woojin slid the diary under the table and locked eyes on the script again. One script after another piled up slowly beside his seat.
* * *
Projects changed, but his daily radius barely shifted. Life stayed astonishingly routine. Practice, analysis, practice, analysis. Then crank-in: practice and analysis ↔ shooting. That was it.
Justice was no different. No wonder Jun-an hyung joked, "If you weren't an actor, Woojin, you'd be a civil servant."
Not wrong. But what to do? He loved this life. Repetitive practice doubled the joy when daily bits slipped in.
"Sunbae! Long time no see!"
"Missed you!"
Yoon Mal-geum-sae and Kwon Hyeok-jin, gathered for Burnt and Hidden Marks and Gareojin Jageuk post-production. And "Woojin-ssi, doing well? Feels like a year, not a month. Haha!" Director Ra Ho-chan too.
"How've you been?" "Film progress?" And so on. Work was just an excuse—stories poured out.
"Oh, and I've been thinking—your opinions matter most."
Ra adjusted his glasses and spoke softly.
"Original plan was Burnt release this year, Hidden Marks to domestic and international fests."
Woojin, Mal-geum-sae, and Hyeok-jin leaned in. He continued.
"As you know, CG takes forever. Burnt editing done by August-September latest, which lines up with..."
"No way, BIFF?!"
Mal-geum-sae blurted before he finished. Ra smiled and nodded.
"Uwak!"
Hyeok-jin echoed her short cry.
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Asia's biggest non-competitive fest, held early October for 10 days. One of Korea's top three art film fests with Seoul Independent and Jeonju. BIFF invited all genres, but for rookies, it was the gateway for debut features and a dream stage for indies. Huge for Han Ye-jong grads like Mal-geum-sae and Hyeok-jin.
Ra wanted BIFF before theatrical. "Thought Cannes non-comp, but timing's tight."
Cannes is May. Early April now—editing by then? No dice.
"Instead, Berlin next February. Thoughts?"
Burnt to BIFF, Hidden Marks to Berlin. Domestic and international fests for each. Ra's eyes sparkled. All agreed.
In his past life, Burnt hit the 60th Berlin; now Hidden Marks for the 61st. Differences from past life, subtle before Burnt, now tangible. Unplanned BIFF—what lucky signal? Lately, all 24 hours buzzed with anticipation.
"Let's hit the red carpet!"
Ra thrust his fist up; Mal-geum-sae and Hyeok-jin roared back.
"Gazuaaa!"
Outer Tough, Inner Soft office buzzed lively after ages.
* * *
Thought it was just talk, who knew he'd mean it.
Woojin's first day at action school for Justice. Jun-an actually signed up and trained fiercely under martial arts instructor Yoo Jae-hong alongside him.
At first: "That bastard was right... Argh!" "How'd you do this daily for months?!" Jun-an's groans nonstop. Now, much quieter. Humans adapt, huh.
Over a month of intense training brought shocking change.
"Hyung... your jawline's no joke."
"Diet failed five years straight—I'm shocked too. Glad I did it, kuh!"
Like a winning scratch-off. Visible transformation. Action skills growing, though far to go. Jun-an was hooked. Good—better shared joy than solo.
A month-plus into laughing and diving into action school with Jun-an. The day arrived: first script reading, gathering leads, supports, and extras for Justice.