While heading toward the filming set, Kang Woojin happened to overhear a conversation between Song Manwoo PD and the VFX team. Among them was a foreigner.
Huh? Is there some kind of problem? It looks pretty serious.
At first, he wasn't interested.
But even though he wasn't trying to listen, the foreigners' conversation reached his ears.
Even the English—something he had rarely heard in his life—was now unbelievably clear and easy to understand.
Ah, I see. So that's what they meant. Wow… that's actually fascinating.
Curious, Kang Woojin stood a few steps away and quietly listened to their English conversation.
But something seemed off in the interpretation.
Ah… should I correct them?
Since he was the actor playing Assistant Manager Park, it bothered him.
Should I step in?
That was all.
I'll have to use English eventually anyway. Starting early isn't a bad idea.
To be honest, since gaining the language ability, he had wanted to test it at least once.
So Kang Woojin stepped forward.
His target was the bald foreigner from the VFX team who looked slightly serious.
When Woojin began explaining something in fluent English, the bald foreigner visibly flinched.
And Woojin didn't forget to introduce himself at the end.
"I'm the actor playing that role."
He understands my English?
On the outside, Kang Woojin looked calm.
Inside, however, he felt so happy he wanted to dance.
Being able to talk comfortably with a foreigner like this was exhilarating.
At that moment—
"...What?"
"???"
As Woojin suddenly appeared and began speaking fluent English, everyone nearby widened their eyes.
More than dozens of people—including staff and actors—were watching.
All attention focused on Woojin.
Yet he casually stepped closer to the bald foreigner and continued explaining in English.
His voice remained low.
"The moment when the world changes color represents the character's twisted innocence."
"He sees animals and people not as living beings, but merely as colors—treating them lightly like objects."
He spoke without hesitation.
The bald foreigner, even more surprised now, asked awkwardly in English.
"…You mean the fireworks scene?"
"Yes."
"It's directed like a cruel fairy tale."
"Imagine a child witnessing blood spurting from someone's throat when they die."
"The writer portrayed that blood like red fireworks."
"I see… grotesque innocence."
"Exactly."
"This character has his own worldview and psychology."
"It's a perspective others can never understand."
"That should definitely be emphasized."
"If you add a gradient to the color scheme, it'll work well."
"It will stand out and produce a strong effect."
Woojin's design knowledge naturally blended into the conversation.
The discussion flowed smoothly.
It sounded like two Americans chatting casually.
Both Kang Woojin and the bald foreigner spoke calmly.
But the surrounding atmosphere was anything but calm.
It began when dozens of staff members widened their eyes.
"What? Why is Woojin so good at English? That's basically native level!"
"…That's impressive. No—actually it's incredible. His pronunciation is insane."
"That's not something you learn just from studying, right? Did he live in America?"
"There's zero hesitation."
"Wow… he's speaking English so casually… and his pronunciation is perfect."
The staff whispered among themselves.
Standing nearby, Song Manwoo PD let out a small chuckle.
"Yeah… I expected something like this."
"He must have studied abroad."
"His pronunciation is exactly like a Korean-American. No—maybe even better."
Actors like Ryu Jungmin and Hong Hyeyeon were also stunned.
"…Look at that. I thought he must have lived overseas."
"What? Hyeyeon, you knew something?"
"No."
"Oh—remember that rumor Woojin studied abroad?"
"That must be what people meant."
"Honestly, he's like an onion."
"Every time you peel another layer, something new appears."
"Wow… was he preparing for Hollywood before his debut?"
"Hyung, do you really think someone could reach that level with just a few years of studying?"
"That must have taken at least ten years."
"He definitely lived overseas."
"Look at him talking to that foreigner."
While Woojin and the bald foreigner calmly continued their discussion, the excitement and misunderstandings around them kept growing.
The most shocked person of all was Choi Sunggeon.
He stood several steps away.
This is ridiculous…
He lived in an English-speaking country?
Why did he hide that?
Or did he simply never mention it?
Then what about Japanese?
Why did he ask for a Japanese script?
Does he speak both English and Japanese?
A rookie actor from his agency possessing native-level English.
What agency would dislike that?
Instead, Kang Woojin's identity only became more mysterious.
"Honestly… it wouldn't even be strange if he went to Hollywood right now."
At that moment, Choi Sunggeon felt a chill run down his spine.
His team members stood beside him.
Road manager Jang Suhwan and stylist Han Yejung.
"What's going on, boss? Is Woojin hyung American?!"
"No way. Some idols can't speak English at all, but Woojin hyung is like a cheat character."
Regardless of the truth, Kang Woojin's English conversation continued.
"When you feel the texture of flesh, the world's colors begin to look different."
"Yes, you can interpret it that way."
"Oh! Thank you. That helps a lot with the image work."
Despite the misunderstandings around him, Woojin felt pure happiness inside.
Does it work? Of course it works.
I never imagined I'd be having a conversation with a foreigner like this.
This is thrilling.
From a distance, a pot-bellied man wearing a mask watched the scene.
It was Director Kwon Gitaek.
He had already gotten caught up in a misunderstanding involving Song Manwoo PD.
He had secretly come to the set that day because he had important business with Woojin.
PD Song was right.
He said the man had a foreign background.
The more I learn about him… the more mysterious he becomes.
The number of people infected by misunderstandings kept increasing.
Several dozen minutes later.
For the crime scene confirmation shot, dozens of police officers, reporters, and bystanders gathered on the set where a dummy lay.
Of course, they were all extras.
Among the thirty or so people, about half were aspiring actors wearing serious expressions.
The rest were part-time workers.
They chatted while glancing at Kang Woojin.
"I saw that actor earlier. He speaks English like a native."
"Yeah, I saw it too. Is he Korean-American?"
"Maybe. I've never seen his face before."
"Is he a rookie actor?"
Meanwhile—
Kang Woojin stood silently in handcuffs.
He walked calmly forward.
Blending into the crowd, he soon joined Ryu Jungmin's group.
Should I ask him about English…?
No.
He said there were reasons for it.
It might be a sensitive topic.
Hong Hyeyeon, her hair tied back, was also there.
I want to know.
I really want to know.
Haha… I know there must be reasons.
But could I at least ask where he lived overseas?
Would that be too much?
The actors preparing for filming glanced at Woojin.
But Woojin's face remained completely expressionless.
Inside, however—
He was quietly laughing.
Nice.
This is really nice.
Now… where can I try using Japanese?
Just then—
"Woojin."
Jang Taesan bluntly asked.
"Did you live in America? Your English is amazing."
At the same moment—
"Hyung!"
Hong Hyeyeon frowned and quickly covered his mouth.
She pulled him back.
"Some people have personal reasons that are difficult to talk about."
"Please be considerate."
"Huh? What did I do? Is asking that wrong?"
"Shh."
Then—
From behind dozens of staff members—
Song Manwoo PD shouted.
"Stand by!!"
Filming was about to begin.
Multiple cameras and lights were set up.
Woojin, still wearing handcuffs, pushed aside his thoughts and looked down.
A human-shaped dummy lay there.
…Still feels strange.
It was an uncomfortable scene.
He had prepared himself, but facing it still felt unpleasant.
Of course, he had read the script beforehand.
He had analyzed it many times.
Then he entered the void space and experienced the script repeatedly.
After finishing those experiences—
Kang Woojin had vomited.
Even though it was acting, the scene remained vividly engraved in his memory.
Murder.
In the world of the story—
Kang Woojin had killed someone.
To maximize the ability of the void space, he repeated the experience again and again.
Of course, it wasn't Kang Woojin's life.
It was Assistant Manager Park's life.
But the actions themselves were the same.
He had killed someone.
Even if it was only acting.
Even if it was inside the void space.
It felt just as real as reality.
Woojin had witnessed death.
He had seen death.
And he had committed murder.
Kang Woojin had only appeared in two productions so far.
Yet he understood death better than anyone.
Most actors struggled simply imagining such things.
But Woojin had lived them.
You can't only experience good things.
Despite the incredible power of the void space, Woojin had endured hardships no one else could understand.
The experience could be miraculous.
But it could also feel like hell.
That was the price of using the void space.
Thinking about it now… those misunderstandings actually helped me.
The misunderstandings of others strengthened Kang Woojin's mysterious identity.
And the arrogant persona he maintained made him appear confident.
Both had become shields protecting him.
Ironically—
Misunderstandings and personas had shaped Kang Woojin.
They constantly forced him to reflect on himself.
Woojin smiled faintly.
So what?
Everything I experience is just something I own.
Right then—
Clack!
The slate clapped.
Through the loudspeaker, Song Manwoo PD's voice rang out.
"Hi—action!"
At the same time—
Camera flashes exploded.
The reporters surrounded by police began firing wildly.
Their target was Assistant Manager Park.
The crowd screamed.
"You trash! Die already!!"
"You parasite!!"
"Die! Die right now!!"
"Execute him!!"
But—
Assistant Manager Park calmly looked at them.
Was he… smiling?
The corners of his lips slowly lifted.
Then he laughed softly.
"Hah."
It was faint.
Almost mocking.
The crowd grew even angrier.
Camera flashes intensified.
Then—
Detective Jung Yeonhee, played by Hong Hyeyeon, pushed his back.
"Stop fooling around and behave."
Assistant Manager Park turned his head.
He sniffed lightly.
"Detective, you smell nice."
"…What?"
"You're sweating."
"And wearing the same clothes as yesterday."
"Didn't go home?"
"Shut up."
"Just do what you're supposed to."
"Yes."
"I'll do it properly."
Park's lively eyes looked eerily empty.
Yet a faint smile remained on his lips.
As if only his mouth was playing around.
Soon—
Park picked up a red cord lying in front of him.
Whoosh.
Very slowly—
Painfully slowly—
He stepped toward the dummy.
He lightly kicked it and chuckled.
"Sloppy."
He calmly reenacted the murder.
He looped the cord around the dummy's neck and pulled from behind.
Not roughly.
Rather—
Gently.
All the while, Park kept his eyes fixed on Yoo Jihyung.
Ryu Jungmin's character.
Park tilted his head slightly.
Although he tightened the cord around the dummy's neck—
His real target was Yoo Jihyung.
As Park stared at him—
Yoo Jihyung felt as if his own neck were tightening.
But it was fine.
Park was just teasing him.
Yoo Jihyung smiled faintly and waved.
Then—
Snap!
The cord broke.
Perhaps Park had pulled too hard.
Park gently stroked the dummy's face.
The one he had just strangled.
He shrugged.
Never taking his eyes off Yoo Jihyung.
"With something this weak, you can't kill anyone."
"Bring a new one."
Ten seconds of silence passed.
Then—
"Cut!!!"
Song Manwoo PD shouted.
"Excellent! That was great!"
"Keep that emotion and move straight to the real murder scene!"
Immediately—
The extras scattered.
The dummy and props were removed.
Lights shifted.
Staff moved quickly.
Woojin's handcuffs were removed.
He changed costumes.
Now—
He wore a black windbreaker zipped to his neck.
And a cap.
The set became empty and dim.
A chilling atmosphere filled the space.
A woman in her fifties entered.
She was an extra.
Behind her—
Kang Woojin stood calmly.
It was time to film the real murder reenactment.
Woojin whispered quietly in her ear.
"I'm sorry."
"…What?"
"No… the scene is intense."
"It's okay."
"It's just acting."
"Why apologize?"
"I'll finish it in one take."
"Thank you."
The extra actress braced herself.
Then—
"Hi—action!"
At Song Manwoo PD's signal—
Park suddenly grabbed her hair.
He dragged her.
She screamed.
"Ahhh!"
Park looked up at the sky.
"Haa—"
It looked like pure ecstasy.
Desire realized.
Pleasure.
A genuine smile spread across his lips.
Holding her hair—
He whispered.
"I like it, ma'am."
"I really like it."
"P-please save me… save me…"
"Ma'am."
"Do you think you'll die today?"
Park's lips trembled.
Pleasure convulsed through him.
He couldn't resist.
It was addiction.
Park neither smoked nor drank.
But he was addicted to murder.
His excitement intensified.
His pupils widened.
His breathing quickened.
The mocking smile refused to fade.
The main camera zoomed in.
Park trembled slightly behind her.
Then—
Thud!
He slammed her onto the ground.
She struggled desperately.
"No! No! Help me! Help me!!"
Park calmly pulled a red cord from his windbreaker pocket.
He wrapped it around her neck.
Slowly.
Lazily.
Giving her time to feel the danger.
The camera captured Park's side profile.
He looked delighted.
Like a child opening a gift.
His expression was completely detached from the situation.
That strange contrast made the scene even more eerie.
"…Oh my God."
Watching the monitor, Hong Hyeyeon covered her mouth.
This isn't a real murder… right?
Why does it look so real?
It wasn't admiration.
It was fear.
Ryu Jungmin clenched his teeth.
If it were me…
No.
I couldn't do that.
It's terrifying.
His immersion is too deep.
Everyone watching Park's performance was stunned.
It looked indistinguishable from reality.
Song Manwoo PD leaned closer to the monitor.
"Damn… that's it."
His director's instincts were sharp.
He was witnessing something extraordinary.
Some staff opened their mouths.
Others frowned and turned away.
It was too brutal.
But Park's pleasure didn't stop.
He dragged the woman.
Scrape.
Scrape.
His face looked as if he were walking a pet.
The woman screamed.
"I can't breathe! Help me!"
The louder she screamed—
The lighter Park's steps became.
Then—
Whoosh.
The camera zoomed in on Park's face.
He bent down.
And whispered in her ear.
His expression suddenly went blank.
"I wish your screams were louder."
"The sound right now…"
"Isn't satisfying."
The woman trembled violently when their eyes met.
"…Ah."
That wasn't acting.