The vote at the director’s gathering ‘Barungil’ for not nominating Kim Jun-ki was none other than Kim Jun-ki himself.
Moreover, the party who had been expelled was currently staring blankly, still holding Park Jun’s phone, trembling hand in hand.
The documentary program continued unabated with its harsh statements.
─Is a comeback possible?
─Comeback? Impossible! Absolutely not! This trash!
Kim Jun-ki’s legs and arms trembled, and his vision blurred, similar to a sensation of battling a high fever.
“What… is this… this… what on earth….”
Being expelled from ‘Barungil’ was annoying and unpleasant, but being discussed on a documentary program was an entirely different matter.
It implied that not just a few colleagues but the entire nation would turn against him. It meant the disappearance of his livelihood.
As expected, the misdeeds Kim Jun-ki had harbored in his heart—perhaps not illegal but definitely condemnable actions—were being revealed piece by piece under the spotlight.
─Some aspiring actors were reportedly convinced that he’d take responsibility if they conceived a child, but afterward, the burden of contraception was solely placed on the women.
─Of course, threats were involved in this process.
─That’s why he’s garbage. Recyclable garbage.
Victims later appeared with their faces and voices pixelated for the interviews. Despite their identities being hidden, Kim Jun-ki knew exactly who they were.
Everything they said was the truth, and there was undeniable evidence. There was no loophole for Kim Jun-ki to escape.
That was when Park Jun decided to retrieve his phone. Simultaneously, the other directors finally began filling their glasses.
“You once said it yourself, didn’t you? We shouldn’t cause inconvenience.”
Goh Tae-min addressed Kim Jun-ki, who had lost the ability to speak.
“It’s not just an inconvenience. Just acknowledging you is enough to drag us all down into the abyss. We knew you were up to something, but I never thought it would be this bad. Receive your just punishment.”
Kim Jun-ki just sat there, dazed and listening.
“Would you like to know the decisive reason? You’re not someone who takes filmmaking as a goal. To you, movies were only a means—an excuse to seduce and exploit women.”
As if marking his final farewell, Goh Tae-min held out the neck of a liquor bottle, but Kim Jun-ki, looking like his soul had left his body, shambled off.
Walking down the corridor for a while…
“…”
He was numb. It felt as though his mind had emptied out.
Looking into the mirror in the bathroom, he realized how absurdly grotesque his expression was.
Then it suddenly struck him that he still had his phone. Opening MyTube, he held a faint hope that things might somehow be smoothed over.
However…
“Shit… Really, shit…”
That hope was shattered instantly.
Taking precedence even over the recommendation algorithm, there was a huge live stream at the very top of the video list.
And the live stream was about Kim Jun-ki.
[Channel Name: Garbage Research Institute]
[Exclusive Scoop] Aspiring Actress ‘Serial Rapist’ Kim Jun-ki
[LIVE]
[Current Viewers: 88,000]
It was a channel Kim Jun-ki already knew well.
Garbage Research Institute—always at the forefront whenever scandal broke, sending their victims straight to ruin.
Its subscribers addicted to this dopamine rush numbered 1.1 million, with about 90,000 people watching the live broadcast. And now, the subject of their attack was none other than himself.
“Fucking hell… How dare they…”
The dominant emotions Kim Jun-ki felt were confusion and anger, or the regret that things might not have escalated this far had he been more thorough back then.
In short, there was no trace of repentance. Desperately trying to deny reality, Kim Jun-ki frantically refreshed the video list.
[The Real Face of Kim Jun-ki? Let Me Explain Clearly for You.]
[‘Life Is All About Money’. The Reason for the Downfall.]
[Kim Jun-ki Victim Testimony]
[Kim Jun-ki in Trouble]
By now, the number of such videos proliferated. Digital jackals were already mass-producing content quickly.
Voice over by TTS, interspersed with simple photos, subtitles, and images—little preparation was required for video creation, making it fast to spread explosively.
“Shit!”
Just as Kim Jun-ki was about to throw the phone…
[@ Kim Jun-ki]
A mention in the messenger caught his attention. Going inside revealed a group chat that had been torn apart with almost 300 people—all Kim Jun-ki’s acquaintances having been invited, including his family members.
[a: Kim Jun-ki Director Exposed!]
[a: (Video Link)]
Realizing family members were among the group, Kim Jun-ki froze completely.
[@ Kim Jun-ki]
[@ Kim Jun-ki]
[@ Kim Jun-ki]
Soon the mentions came from all sides.
It was the death sentence.
…
How much time had passed? After sitting dazed on the bathroom floor, someone approached Kim Jun-ki.
It was Park Jun, who had taken the helm of the short film ‘Sword.’
“Here you are.”
Park Jun looked at Kim Jun-ki’s phone lying off to a side. Though it was on silent mode, an incessant stream of calls was coming through. Probably from personnel.
“Haa, how did it come to this?”
Park Jun slumped down beside Kim Jun-ki, who looked like his spirit had escaped, staring vacantly at the floor, seemingly unaware of his presence.
In such a situation, Park Jun began to speak.
“Director Kim, do you remember? The incident before ‘Barungil’ was even formed, when you were teaching under me. Right? Remember when the top-tier actor Cha Jin-hee acted rudely to an extra?”
“…”
“At that time, you flared up at Cha Jin-hee. You said, ‘In my work, everyone is the same actor. There’s no hierarchy here. Don’t act superior or oppress them.'”
There was no response from Kim Jun-ki, but Park Jun continued.
“In reality, who takes care of the extras? It was something that could have been overlooked, but eventually Cha Jin-hee apologized, and the crew, including me, all became your fans. As a result, the extras worked their best, and the film was a huge hit.”
At this, Kim Jun-ki finally spoke after staying silent.
“…I was young then. That time was my youth.”
“No. It wasn’t about youth.”
Park Jun slowly shook his head.
“It was passion. Back then, you were overflowing with more passion than anyone else.”
“…”
A simple fact.
Yet it led to enormous change. The expression on Kim Jun-ki’s face, which had looked like his spirit had departed, now darkened as if struck in the back of the head.
“Passion, passion…”
Yes, in some distant past.
He seemed to recall there having been such a time for himself.
Regret finally began to creep onto Kim Jun-ki’s face.
It signaled that the man, who had been solely consumed by anger, was finally beginning to reflect. But at the same time, it was already too late. Leaving the tangled emotions behind, Park Jun was about to go when…
“Director Park.”
Kim Jun-ki called him back with a hoarse voice.
“…I just have one question.”
“What is it?”
“I used to think you were the director who lost the most passion. But now, our positions are reversed. What happened? How did you regain your passion?”
To Kim Jun-ki, it was something utterly incomprehensible.
Park Jun, who had clutched a hit production and then tumbled into a steep decline, was said to have shown symptoms of depression to the point where directors worried aloud that he might commit suicide.
Yet, the current Park Jun didn’t look sad at all.
There was an unmistakable feeling of boiling fervor, like in his younger days. Kim Jun-ki couldn’t understand. How had Park Jun risen after suffering so much failure? What had been his source of motivation?
After a moment of thought…
“Just, I received some help from a newcomer.”
“…A newcomer?”
“Yes. Sua. She’s like an unextinguishable spark.”
“Sua?”
Kim Jun-ki asked, his face lighting up with curiosity.
“Sua? You don’t mean… the Mystic’s…?”
Park Jun nodded, and Kim Jun-ki burst out laughing. That chuckle quickly turned into loud guffaws.
Leaving this Kim Jun-ki behind, Park Jun exited the restroom.
Watching his former mentor’s total decline brought no joy, and Park Jun’s heart was conflicted. While walking down the corridor, he suddenly stopped.
There stood Goh Tae-min, leaning against the wall.
“…Did you hear everything?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I just urgently needed the restroom, and I didn’t want to intrude into your conversation, so I waited quietly.”
“Yes, well, Kim used to be my teacher.”
“Still miss him?”
“No, not at all. In fact, I should be angry. But with the entire nation punishing him, I’ll let it slide. Kim committed unforgivable acts and will have to bear the consequences.”
“That’s right. It’s his karma. But…”
Goh Tae-min continued.
“…I just heard one thing that made me curious.”
“Curious? What is it?”
“The source of Director Park’s regained passion was apparently a certain newcomer, right? I heard the name but missed it. Could I ask?”
“Ah, Sua.”
“Sua, Sua…?”
Goh Tae-min stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The person who had salvaged Park Jun despite all predictions and managed to avoid the mess Kim Jun-ki had dragged himself into naturally piqued his interest, regardless of acting skills.
“I need to remember that name.”
Sua.
Goh Tae-min, the head of ‘Barungil,’ stored the name at least in his memory.
◈◈◈◈◈
Meanwhile.
Special Tactical Unit 808 main filming D−1
The entire production team for ‘Special Tactical Unit’ gathered at the film complex in Jeonju. Their luggage was already laid out in a nearby hotel.
A rehearsal shoot had already taken place, and the actors, having now broken the ice, started conversing naturally.
“Today, we’re only shooting the teaser and some interviews, right?”
“Yeah, dramas are easier this way. For a movie, we’d have to rush around for previews, but for us, one shoot is enough.”
Movies are usually shown in theaters, and preparing for pre-screenings is no easy task, as the main actors have to travel physically to multiple theaters.
In comparison, dramas are much simpler.
You can produce interview videos beforehand, and airing them is enough. Although it means actors won’t be seen live, broadcasting across the nation provides a similar effect to a screening.
“Your uniform looks so good. It’s your calling, isn’t it?”
“You also look great today. Flawless.”
The actors soon stopped chatting.
Their attention was stolen by someone new who had just arrived—Sua dressed as Kim You-han.
White bowl-cut hair adorned his or her figure, along with makeup that suited a boy idol, and though wearing loose clothing, some outlines were clearly visible due to the heat.
…A figure impossible not to notice.
Everyone’s minds were preoccupied, most with admiration.
‘Is this the person who was mistaken as a parking attendant? Sure, I had suspected she was pretty even back then, but this is a completely different person.’
At first, most people tried sneaking cautious glances, but eventually, they just stared openly, unable to look away.
‘No sense of discord at all. There’s no trace of that unpleasantness that usually comes with failed disguises.’
‘A person who can captivate both men and women.’
‘… Isn’t it fake? Was CG involved?’
Just then, Sua quietly crossed her arms.
Instantly, the actors were enveloped in tension.
Naturally. All they knew about Sua was ‘a talented newcomer,’ ‘someone with a sense of camaraderie who didn’t hesitate to choose this film over the works of famous directors,’ and so on.
They felt pressured to give their best as well.
Indeed, Sua’s expression was very serious. With arms crossed, her stare sharper than usual, there was the feeling that she’d immediately snap at anyone who dared to interrupt.
Of course, Sua had a reason for this behavior.
‘What should I do?’
Cold sweat trickled down her spine.
‘What should I really do?’
The dry swallow of her throat gave away how nervous she was.
‘…I didn’t wear a bra. What should I do about this?’
She hadn’t worn a bra. That was the conclusion.
It might have been her first time dressing as a man, overly immersed in the character of Kim You-han who didn’t wear bras, but Sua had also done it unconsciously, now realizing the extent of the issue.
Moreover, it was hot, and she was wearing white.
It was a predicament. What should she do?
Initially, she tried pulling the sweaty parts of her shirt away with her fingers, but that soon reached its limits.
The thin fabric not only revealed shapes but also the color—an unmistakable soft pink to her own eyes.
Eventually, there was only one solution: cover it up.
Sua crossed her arms with all her might.
Under no circumstances could she let down her guard, she thought, even as the actors felt today they absolutely had to avoid mistakes.
Their various concerns mingled just as…
“Alright, everyone is here?”
Producer Choi Hee-won appeared. With a phone pressed to his ear, he was giving one last set of instructions on-site while approaching the actors.
After ending the call and putting the phone away, he announced:
“Tomorrow, we’ll start the main filming! So let’s complete the pre-interviews quickly and try to rest as much as possible today! Everyone, stay strong!”
But then it happened.
Tap tap tap tap—!
The sound of rushing footsteps echoed.
About three people were running towards them. Choi recognized them—they were the CG team.
“Director! Director Choi!”
Choi Hee-won internally panicked. The visible distress of the CG team members was alarming. He waited patiently for them to get closer and asked:
“What is the matter?”
“One of our team has something for your eyes…”
One of the CG team staff handed Choi his phone. It was a news program, and just from the comments rapidly appearing, it was obviously a huge controversy. When Choi finally read the title:
[Intense Exclusives] Aspiring Actress ‘Serial Rapist’ Kim Jun-ki
“…!”
Both Choi Hee-won and the crew turned their widened eyes toward Sua. Unaware of the situation, the actors also turned towards her.
And suddenly, all eyes were fixed solely on Sua.
‘…!’
Sua’s heart skipped a beat, and she crossed her arms even tighter.
