At Los Angeles International Airport, while Kang Woojin was taking his screen test, a plane full of Korean staff was preparing to leave.
It was the Our Table at Home team.
Since they were just about to return to Korea, the area where the Our Table at Home staff were seated had a fairly lively atmosphere.
"Ah, we're finally going back!"
"Hey, if someone overheard us, they'd think we just survived a shootout, hahaha."
"Seriously? The moment we get back, we only get two days off before we're thrown straight back into hell. We still have to edit footage, prepare for the next shoot, and year-end is practically here already."
"Ugh... I guess the rest of December is going to be nothing but year-end events, parties, and award ceremonies."
"It's the same throughout the entertainment industry around the world at this time of year. The film side is losing its mind over award season too. I heard PD Yoon Byeongseon is preparing a pilot broadcast."
"Still! I'm just happy we're going back to Korea!"
Yoon Byeongseon PD, the directing team, and the writers were all in high spirits too, but for them, planning the edit for this shoot took priority over celebrating.
"Ah, come to think of it, the interview with that reporter who wrote about Our Table at Home for the local paper never happened."
"Oh no, I guess we'll have to call once we get back. At least we should leave a voice message."
Then, all of a sudden, the conversation shifted to Kang Woojin.
"By the way, why did Woojin stay behind in LA? He didn't get on the plane either."
Yoon Byeongseon PD, who had been looking at his phone, answered quickly.
"Ah, he didn't. According to CEO Choi, he had some business left to take care of, but nobody really knows what it is."
"Huh?? What kind of business? Ah, did he take some time off to go sightseeing in LA?"
"That could be it."
"Hmm... when Woojin gets back to Korea, he'll be insanely busy starting his new project and preparing for the festivals and award ceremonies. Ah, but Hyeyeon got on the plane, right?"
"Hyeyeon probably has her own schedule."
One of the writers chuckled and joined in.
"What if Woojin has some kind of Hollywood-related meeting?"
The other writers immediately reacted.
"Ugh, no way. Woojin's amazing already, but still... Hollywood that quickly?"
"Exactly. And doesn't Woojin already have an insane number of projects lined up?"
"Right, plus extra schedules like commercials and YouTube appearances too, doesn't he?"
"But just imagine if he really did go to a Hollywood movie audition!"
"Knowing Woojin's personality, even if he got accepted, he'd probably say something like, 'Ah, this doesn't really suit me.'"
"I can picture it, but even for Woojin that feels like too much."
From the seats in front where the cast of Our Table at Home were sitting, Ahn Jonghak happened to overhear the writers' conversation. Soon, he turned to Hong Hyeyeon, who was wearing an eye mask, and asked:
"Why did Woojin stay behind in LA? Hyeyeon, do you know anything?"
Hong Hyeyeon, wearing a cap low over her long hair, lifted her eyes from her phone and shrugged.
"I don't know either."
"Is it really a Hollywood audition?"
"There's no way."
"Aren't you and Woojin under the same agency?"
"Well, maybe not. We are in the same agency, but honestly, it's hard enough just to see each other's faces."
"Hmm, I guess that makes sense."
Ahn Jonghak let it go easily enough, but Hong Hyeyeon grumbled inwardly and let out a small sigh.
'What could possibly be so secretive that I'm being left out too... Is it really that important?'
Hong Hyeyeon had absolutely no idea what Woojin was doing. Choi Sunggeon had kept his mouth shut.
Meanwhile, Hwarin, sitting beside her in oversized glasses, was also lost in thoughts of Kang Woojin.
'I could've put off a day's worth of work and stayed here. This week... it went by way too fast. I was so happy getting to see Woojin every morning.'
Ha Kangsu, who had been looking at his phone, suddenly spoke up as if something had just occurred to him.
"Ah, didn't they say Woojin studied abroad? Maybe he went to see something tied to his memories."
As a result, his guess ended up sounding the most believable. Even Hong Hyeyeon, who was under the same agency, found herself agreeing inwardly.
'Is that it? Hmm, if it's somewhere connected to acting, then LA would make sense. A Hollywood audition really does feel too sudden.'
But her curiosity did not amount to much.
'Ah, I'm so curious. What the hell is it?'
And then the plane began to rise into the sky.
──────────
At the same time, inside the Last Kill 3 studio, something similar was happening.
A fierce martial arts clash had unfolded during the screen test, and now the studio that had been packed with foreign staff had gone quiet.
"..."
"..."
Director George Mendes, who was handling this audition, the film company executives, the casting director team and its head Megan Stone, the tall Black producer Joseph Felton who for some reason looked like he was fighting to suppress a smile, the cameramen, and everyone else were all staring at the Korean actor standing in the middle of the studio with blank faces.
More specifically, they were staring at Kang Woojin in his suit.
For the most part, their eyes were filled with a mixture of shock and disbelief, but Woojin's face on the monitor remained utterly unmoved.
Then—
"Wh-what did that actor just say?"
The dozens of foreign staff who had been standing there in a daze slowly came back to themselves and began murmuring among one another. English words flew through the air in whispers.
There had been too many unfamiliar moments. A Korean actor whose martial arts skills surpassed the Chinese actors, Director George suddenly announcing that he was casting him, and Kang Woojin rejecting it in less than five seconds.
"Did I hear that correctly?"
"Definitely... difficult, right? He said it would be difficult."
"Yes. He said it would be difficult. And he also said, 'Let's try again next time.'"
"Next time? What is that even supposed to mean? He already got the opportunity in Hollywood, so what does 'next time' mean?"
"Maybe he misspoke. He must not have fully understood what the director said."
"But his English is too good for that."
"Even passing a screen test like this is rare, but rejecting it on the spot? That's unimaginable."
The shock among the foreign staff only deepened. Director George Mendes, who looked like Santa Claus, seemed to feel the same way. Sitting at the table, he asked Woojin once more in a flustered voice:
"Did you fully understand what I said?"
Kang Woojin answered in calm, low English.
"Yes, Director. You said filming would begin around June next year, and that the role I auditioned for today would join in August."
"That's correct. But before that, you'd need to rehearse the action scenes with the team, and personally, I'd be very grateful if you could join us starting in April..."
"I remember you also said that this role would fit me perfectly and that it was ideal for me."
Director George Mendes furrowed his brows slightly, glanced over the film company executives around him, and spoke again.
"That's right. The role is supporting, but it isn't a tiny one. So originally, we were supposed to discuss things after the audition and make a final decision only after a second and third round. But the fact that we decided to cast you without all of that... means it's effectively confirmed. Do you understand that clearly?"
"Yes. I consider it an honor."
"But you said it would be difficult?"
"Yes, that's right. I'm sorry."
Director George tilted his head slightly and frowned, his face openly showing how completely thrown he was. The film executives around him looked no different.
Just then, Joseph, the tall Black producer behind the director whose lips had been twitching with suppressed laughter, stepped in.
"Hello, Mr. Kang Woojin. I'm Joseph Felton, producer of Last Kill 3. That was quite an impressive answer. I've worked in Hollywood for a long time, but I've never heard anything like it. You passed the Last Kill 3 test in one shot, so may I ask why joining us would be difficult?"
Woojin had already taken note of Joseph's height and build.
'He's huge. Wow, seriously huge. Just look at the size of his hands. If that guy hit me, my head might come clean off.'
Admiring him inwardly, Woojin lowered his voice even more.
"The timing doesn't work."
"...The timing?"
"Yes."
"So you're refusing because the timing doesn't line up?"
That was by no means a common response.
"Yes. I'm already attached to other projects, and I have other commitments as well."
"In Korea?"
"That's right."
"Is your schedule full through next year? Are those contracts all finalized?"
"Some are finalized. Others are still just promises."
At that point, Director George Mendes cut back in.
"Promises? Then doesn't that mean there's room to adjust your schedule? But... are you really rejecting this? Are you saying you're willing to let go of an opportunity that was already in your hands?"
Joseph added his own explanation.
"Right. Rearranging commitments or schedules is common. After all, this kind of chance doesn't come often."
Woojin's answer was firm and cold.
"I already made those commitments."
For some reason, Joseph looked as though he was holding back laughter again.
"Ah, existing commitments. Right. Of course. That matters."
At this moment, Woojin's emotions were astonishingly calm and simple. He did not feel especially conflicted, resentful, or overly anxious. He was simply ordinary.
'It's a shame, but it can't be helped. I just don't think this fits me.'
He could not be sure of the Chinese actors' skill level, but the Hollywood director who looked like Santa Claus had chosen him immediately. In other words, he had beaten everyone and come in first, and the competitive urge and hunger for victory he had been carrying before the audition were now satisfied.
'At least I'll be able to go back to Korea, stretch my legs out, and get some proper sleep.'
The tension and nerves he had felt in this unfamiliar environment and in front of Hollywood big shots had already vanished.
To Kang Woojin, this test had never been something he absolutely needed to take. It was the kind of reckless thought only he could manage.
So he kept reinforcing it through sheer mental control.
'Hollywood? It's impressive. Just looking at the quality of the studio was enough to make me stare.'
The cameras he had never seen before, the enormous audition hall, props whose purpose he could not even guess, and the foreign people with strange auras around them. He could vaguely sense that it was a huge opportunity.
But in this screen test, with Hollywood figures gathered in force, Kang Woojin had measured the level and the scope of it all. He had not intended to do so. It was simply the impression that had come to him naturally once all the tests were over.
And the conclusion he reached was a peculiar one.
'I can succeed here. I could definitely stand out.'
Whether it was Hollywood or not, the film industry did not seem as impossibly difficult as he had imagined. It just used more expensive equipment, the lines were in a different language, the actors were foreign, and the system was a bit different.
Of course, what Woojin had seen was only the tip of the iceberg.
Still, one thing was clear: a filming set here was not all that different at its core.
More than anything, his approach worked here too.
'No, maybe it'd actually be easier than Korea? I kind of like the way Americans think.'
Here, no one knew Kang Woojin. Maybe that was the advantage of being abroad. America's open atmosphere also helped him a great deal.
Woojin himself may not have realized it, but he had gained something that even Korea's top actors would struggle to obtain.
Experience and pride.
In other words, dignity. Or self-respect.
A strong belief in himself had taken root, and along with it, the way he viewed Hollywood's arrogant and authoritative world had changed. It looked worth trying. There was nothing to fear. His acting could make an impact here, and his martial arts ability would be useful too.
That was why Woojin felt at ease.
The thoughts that had once been vague grew sharper and clearer, and many things came back to him: Island of the Missing, which he was currently filming, the projects lined up ahead, his YouTube schedule, commercials, and even Beneficial Evil, which he had promised Song Manwoo PD before coming to America.
To be honest, it was not impossible to rearrange his schedule.
He could have canceled the verbal agreement for Beneficial Evil, sacrificed other projects for Last Kill 3, and somehow carved out the time.
But to Kang Woojin, it was nothing more than a shrug.
Why should he go that far?
'Hmm, I'm already being noticed in Hollywood now. If I come back later after I've grown more, I'll be able to do even better.'
The idea of cutting off all the ties he had built in Korea just for a supporting role in Hollywood held no appeal for him at all.
Then what choice was left?
Obviously, rejection.
George Mendes, who knew nothing of Woojin's true thoughts, wore a stiff expression.
Then, in a calmer voice than before, he asked him again:
"...I understand that you already have commitments. Then why did you come here in the first place?"
What is this Santa-looking guy talking about?
Woojin replied quietly.
"Because you invited me, Director."
"Ah."
It was an entirely reasonable point. George Mendes, seemingly caught off guard for a moment, let out a laugh without meaning to. Then he sighed softly and said to Woojin:
"I understand. It's unfortunate, but well done."
"Thank you."
"You may leave."
Permission was granted for Kang Woojin, still in his suit, to leave.
The situation was extremely strange. A Korean actor had passed an audition, only to reject the role. If Hollywood media ever found out, it would become a major joke, and Director George and the film executives clearly had no intention of welcoming that.
"You may go, but today's screen test will proceed as though nothing happened for either of us. You understand?"
An order to keep quiet.
The warning had clearly been directed at everyone in the studio as well. In other words, the test that had taken place today would not be known in Hollywood or Korea.
But—
"Understood."
Kang Woojin responded calmly and left the studio, but he had still gained quite a lot from the experience.
For example—
"Mr. Kang Woojin."
Gary Peck, the stunt coordinator, called out to Woojin just as he was about to leave.
"Do you use social media?"
"Yes."
"Your martial arts today were truly impressive. I'd like to see the Korean works you've appeared in, and I hope we can work together in Hollywood someday."
Kang Woojin had left a deep impression on a famous Hollywood stunt coordinator, someone effectively equivalent to a martial arts director.
"Thank you. I look forward to it as well."
Not long after that, as Kang Woojin stepped out of the studio, he brushed the dust from his suit and glanced back over his shoulder.
'Whew, that was insane. Somehow I made it through.'
His head was a mess. He remembered what had happened inside the studio, but not every little detail with perfect clarity.
Anyway, with a staff member guiding him, Woojin returned to the waiting room. The spacious room was no longer occupied by the Chinese actors or their staff.
There was only one person left.
"Woojin! What happened?!"
It was Choi Sunggeon, wearing his hair in a ponytail and looking visibly excited.
Watching him rush over, Woojin scratched his chin. It felt right to tell him honestly what had happened in the studio.
So Kang Woojin shared the main points of everything that had taken place.
As he listened to Woojin's calm explanation, Choi Sunggeon's eyes gradually widened. The story he was hearing felt almost like a fairy tale.
Really?
That actually happened??
Woojin finished his explanation in a low voice.
"I told them, 'Maybe next time.'"
Choi Sunggeon stared blankly at the Woojin standing before him and asked:
"...Next time?"
"Did I make a mistake?"
Suddenly, Choi Sunggeon burst into laughter.
"Pfft, next time? What is this, winning the lottery? You're probably the only actor in Hollywood who could reject it like that."
"Really?"
"Ah, I'm dying here. Still, you did well. Today wasn't the only day in the world, after all. Honestly, being around you has me losing my sense of reality too. Maybe it's because I remember taking Hyeyeon to Hollywood auditions so many times before."
"..."
"But now that I know you did better than those Chinese bastards, I feel a whole lot better. I got pretty pissed off earlier when I saw them glaring at us."
"Ah, I was told to keep today's test secret."
As if he already knew, Choi Sunggeon nodded.
"Yeah, I know. While you were testing, one of the staff came over and made me sign an NDA. It's a shame. Forget everything else—if word got out that you beat those Chinese guys, it would've made a pretty huge splash."
Soon, Choi Sunggeon checked the time and gestured that it was time to go.
"We've still got some time before the flight, so let's grab something to eat and look around the area. We should check out some of the major film companies around here too."
And so the two of them took the elevator down to the first-floor lobby.
The van they had arrived in was parked in an outlying lot nearby, and it would take about five minutes to get there. Thanks to that, Kang Woojin and Choi Sunggeon were able to stand there looking around and watching the many foreigners passing by.
Then, right at that moment—
"Mr. Kang Woojin!"
Someone called out to Woojin from behind the building.
When he turned around, a group led by the tall Black producer Joseph Felton was approaching.
Smiling broadly, Joseph spoke.
"We exchanged a few words upstairs, didn't we? I'm producer Joseph Felton."
Then he held out his business card to Kang Woojin.