The filming set for Drug Dealer was located in Suncheon.
The massive set, built with buildings and houses that perfectly recreated the atmosphere of the 1990s, was already deep into filming.
"Cut! I couldn't hear that line clearly just now. Focus and let's go again."
Director Kim Dohee's voice rang out sharply across the set. Cameras, lighting rigs, and sound equipment filled the space, while dozens of staff members moved busily between them. The actors were split between those observing and those currently performing.
What stood out, however—
"Who are those people over there?"
"They're from the distributor and the production company."
"Oh—"
There were far more people on set than usual.
There was a simple reason.
"With everything going on, they probably came to see Kang Woojin in person."
"Because they're worried?"
"Partly. But they also want to check the overall balance themselves."
Due to the recent issues surrounding Kang Woojin, both the production company and the distributor felt the need to see him directly.
Around then—
"Good. Cut."
Director Kim Dohee approved the scene and turned to the assistant Director.
"Let's take ten."
"Yes! We'll resume after a ten-minute break!"
At the call, the staff quickly dispersed across the set. Meanwhile, several people gathered around Director Kim Dohee, who sat in front of three monitors. They were from the production company and the distributor.
"Director, shouldn't Kang Woojin be arriving soon?"
She nodded.
"I was told he'd be here within ten minutes."
Soon, concerns began to surface.
"Now that it's actually happening… I keep second-guessing this. Will it really be okay?"
"It was a bit of a gamble. He's trending, so he'll bring attention, but the prep time was too short. Could he really fully analyze a role like Lee Sangman in just three weeks?"
Director Kim Dohee brushed back her messy hair and let out a quiet sigh.
"We have to trust Woojin. He was very confident in the meeting. Even if the result falls short, it won't be his fault. If anything, it'll be because we didn't give him enough time. And besides… we couldn't find another actor who speaks Japanese as well as he does."
"That's true."
A heavy mood settled over the group. To them, Kang Woojin was still just a rising rookie.
"I heard you were considering adjusting Lee Sangman's role. Maybe it'd be better to drop that idea?"
"…If it proves too difficult, I'll consider it."
"We all know Woojin is talented from Profiler Hanryang, but this role is too complex for such a short preparation period. No matter how good he is, he's still a rookie. Push him too hard, and he might burn out."
Everyone seemed to share the same concern.
"Director, please focus on making Lee Sangman work smoothly."
In other words—don't take unnecessary risks.
Director Kim Dohee, who thrived on artistic challenges, felt irritation rise within her.
'Why are they making such a fuss? I know what I'm doing.'
As she grumbled inwardly, one of the distributor executives changed the topic.
"By the way, I heard from the Profiler Hanryang side that Kang Woojin has overseas experience?"
Without looking up from the script, she replied,
"Ah, you mean Japan."
"No, I heard he's been in an English-speaking country."
She paused slightly.
"…He speaks English too?"
"Yes. Apparently at a native level. Some foreign staff even praised his English."
Whispers spread among the group. Even the lighting Director joined in.
"I heard that too. Someone I know from that set is from overseas, and he said Woojin might've even been in Hollywood."
"Everyone seems curious about Kang Woojin."
"Of course. When there's concern, curiosity follows."
"Still… Hollywood sounds exaggerated."
The actors joined in as well.
"He's a rookie, but he doesn't feel like one. Maybe it's because of overseas experience?"
"I heard he said during the Profiler Hanryang script reading that he taught himself acting."
"…That makes no sense."
"Right? His personality is strange."
"Maybe it's rookie arrogance. Or bluffing."
At that moment—
"Director! Kang Woojin has arrived!"
The shout came through the radio. The man everyone had been talking about had finally arrived.
Director Kim Dohee immediately stood up.
A few minutes later—
Kang Woojin stepped onto the set.
The weight of countless gazes pressed down on him.
'What's going on? Why are they all staring at me?'
The longer the stares continued, the colder his expression became. Director Kim Dohee quickly approached him.
"Woojin."
"Hello, Director."
"You came early. Mm… seeing you on set feels a bit strange."
"Does it?"
Woojin glanced past her shoulder—and was momentarily taken aback.
'What is this? Did a whole crowd gather? It feels like a war's about to break out.'
There were easily over sixty people, and not all of them looked like staff.
Behind him, Choi Sunggeon recognized someone.
"Chief Lee? It's been a while."
"Haha, it really has, CEO Choi."
Under Director Kim Dohee's lead, Woojin was brought in front of the actors. Formal introductions would come later—for now, it was just about recognizing faces.
"As you all know, this is actor Kang Woojin."
"Hello."
The actors greeted him politely, though their expressions carried a hint of awkwardness.
Director Kim Dohee handed him a few pages.
"Woojin, these are script changes. Some adjustments to Lee Sangman to emphasize the character more. It might feel sudden, so you can stick with the original if you prefer."
Script changes were nothing unusual. Lines, situations, even emotional flow could all shift depending on the Director.
But for Woojin—
Three weeks was all he had.
That made it risky.
"Is it too much? Don't pressure yourself. Take your time."
She hesitated slightly.
Woojin answered without pause.
"I'll take a look."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Why?
'Void space. No problem.'
He spotted the familiar black square on the script and quietly pointed at it with his finger. Only a few seconds passed, but for Woojin, it felt much longer.
'Maybe I should show a little. It might make things easier later.'
Without lifting his gaze, he spoke calmly.
"Please give me five minutes."
"What? Five minutes?"
"Yes."
Murmurs spread among the actors and staff.
'What is this guy?'
'Five minutes?'
'Arrogant rookie.'
Then—
"I'm ready."
Not five minutes.
Three.
By the time evening settled in, it was already past 7 p.m.
Darkness covered the set, and the streetlights cast a warm orange glow. Water trucks poured rain across the scene, while extras in suits filled the area, holding black umbrellas.
"Roll camera! Action!"
One of the parked sedans opened its door. A subordinate stepped out first and quickly opened the rear door.
Kang Woojin stepped out.
A cigarette rested between his lips, one hand tucked into his pocket. His tie was gone, the top button of his shirt undone, revealing a faint tattoo on his chest.
He exhaled slowly.
Smoke drifted into the damp air.
A knife scar marked his cheek, and his rough skin gave him a hardened look. Yet his hair was neatly slicked back, and though his eyes seemed slightly drooped, they were sharp.
There was something dangerous about him—something that felt like it could snap at any moment.
He was no longer Kang Woojin.
He was Lee Sangman.
He scratched his arm lightly before patting his subordinate's shoulder. His face remained completely expressionless. The subordinate bowed instinctively.
"Thank you."
Sangman suddenly grabbed the man's hair and pulled him closer.
"Come closer. I'm getting wet."
"S-sorry!"
"Or is that what you wanted?"
"N-no, hyung!!"
His voice was low and rough, each word carrying a quiet threat.
Sangman stared at him for a moment before slowly shifting his gaze toward the streetlights.
"They're dancing."
The orange lights wavered strangely in his vision—an effect of the drugs.
A faint smile flickered across his lips, then disappeared, replaced by irritation.
At that moment, a desperate scream cut through the rain.
"Hyung! Please spare me!"
A man knelt near the building entrance, his face battered and swollen. Sangman looked down at him without a trace of emotion, as if he were staring at an insect.
The rain grew heavier, drowning out the man's cries.
'Crush him.'
Sangman extended his hand beyond the umbrella. Cold rain struck his skin sharply.
"It's going to burn."
"What?"
"The sea."
He stepped closer and crouched in front of the man, blowing smoke into his face.
"Why are you so skinny?"
"Hyung! Please, I made a mistake! Just once—please forgive me!"
"I said—you're skinny."
Silence fell.
Sangman removed the cigarette from his mouth and brought it close.
"Open your mouth."
"…What?"
"Open it wider."
The man's mouth was forced open.
Sangman shoved the cigarette deep into his throat.
Cough! Cough!
"Eat."
Cough! Cough!
"You look too skinny."
Sangman straightened and turned his head toward his subordinates.
"Throw him in the water."
They understood immediately. The man was dragged away, screaming, but Sangman paid him no attention.
He simply looked ahead.
The stairs leading into the building were dark, yet to him, they seemed almost inviting.
He began to walk forward.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
It wasn't warmth.
It was something cold. Something final.
He stepped into the building.
Then stopped.
Silence filled the space, broken only by the sound of rain.
"…He's insane."
Director Kim Dohee muttered under her breath.
No one moved.
Staff. Actors. Executives.
All of them were frozen, staring at the man who had just transformed before their eyes.
A supporting actor spoke hesitantly.
"He only glanced at the script… How is that even possible?"
No one answered.
At that moment, everyone realized the same thing—
They had just witnessed something beyond normal.
A monster.
And for a brief moment—
Their minds went completely blank.