The day of the main shooting for Special Tactical Team 808 had arrived. It was the early morning.
One of the members of Sua’s group chat, Monkeying, was once again spending the entire night surfing the internet.
Her dark circles were prominent, but her passion was web surfing.
Though her daily routine included enjoying gossip from various communities, today was a little different. Regardless of which community she visited, there was only one heated topic.
“…Seriously, there are all sorts of trashy people out there, huh?”
Of course, that trash was none other than Director Kim Jun-ki.
[Let’s look into the punishments Kim Jun-ki should receive.]
This simple video had garnered over a million views.
It was complete chaos.
To Monkeying, this was unsurprising. Kim Jun-ki’s films were quite famous in South Korea, after all. Being an internet denizen herself, she well understood his reputation.
[Is this all Kim Jun-ki has done?]
[The full details of Kim Jun-ki’s atrocities.]
[Kim Jun-ki, impossible to make a comeback. What level of punishment awaits?]
[The grotesque truth about Kim Jun-ki.]
The videos that had been uploaded almost immediately had already surpassed two million views.
The reactions toward Kim Jun-ki were still spreading like wildfire. The idea that a successful person could fall endlessly, especially due to their own heinous crimes, was enough to drive people to madness.
Monkeying’s usual haunt, the Yang Ha-rin gallery, was no different.
[Yang Ha-rin Gallery]
[Seriously, it’s nonstop falling, lol.]
[This guy should just die.]
[If he gets punished, living will probably be more painful.]
[What a fool I was to spend money on his movies…]
[The actors involved are so pitiful;]
Monkeying also posted something.
[Trash.]
And while on the thought, she posted something on Sua’s gallery as well.
[Sua, explain your relationship with Kim Jun-ki.]
As always, it was just a joke post. It’s common for friends to joke around, asking each other to explain things all the time.
Still, truly, sincerely…
Monkeying had no idea that this post would later become a holy ground.
◈◈◈◈◈
As Kim Jun-ki faced public backlash and countless netizens expressed their indignation, the industry was no exception. Everyone was talking about Kim Jun-ki in some capacity.
However, Special Tactical Team 808 production team’s direction was slightly different.
While the public simply condemned Kim Jun-ki as a criminal, this group had another aspect of interest—the center of which was inevitably Sua.
First, Mystic.
Seo Yeon-joo was eating a sandwich with sauce around her mouth when Kim Sun-il grimaced and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
Seo Yeon-joo was repulsed.
“Whoa, I just got goosebumps. What are you doing?”
“I couldn’t bear the sight. Please eat more neatly.”
“You do the same. Anyway, where was I?”
Seo Yeon-joo took another big bite of her sandwich, cheeks bulging like a squirrel, and continued speaking.
“Sua, right? It’s strange. Everything that’s happened so far can’t possibly all be luck. Perhaps… she really did receive divine inspiration?”
“Do you believe in spiritual entities? Pathetic.”
Ignoring Kim Sun-il’s response, Seo Yeon-joo turned to Kim I-seo.
Indeed, Kim I-seo was different from Kim Sun-il. She was rubbing her chin, apparently seriously considering Yeon-joo’s words.
“Hmm…”
“Chief, right? It would be hard to refute. Strange how good things happen around Sua, isn’t it? It’s not just once or twice.”
“I don’t believe in divine inspiration either, but it’s a fact that we can’t overlook Sua’s intuition anymore. It seems like she sees things differently from ordinary people.”
“Agreed. It feels like she sees something we can’t.”
“Ah.”
Kim I-seo seemed to recall something and looked up.
“Come to think of it, Sua once asked me to find a script related to music. I didn’t think much of it at the time and merely kept it in mind. I planned to pass it along if I ever came across it by chance…”
“What? Impossible! It can’t be! We need to find it immediately!”
Seo Yeon-joo said after finishing her sandwich.
“From now on, whatever Sua says, we’ll see to it!”
…
On the group chat.
[Special Tactical Team 808 Group Chat]
However, not all the production team members were part of this group chat.
Instead, the supporting actors and extras, motivated by Sua, who had gathered beforehand to practice multiple times.
[Do-hee: Wow, Director Kim Jun-ki]
[Do-hee: He’s causing a lot of problems;]
[Do-hee: (Video link)]
<<Compilation of female actors who have appeared in Kim Jun-ki's works>>
<<Is your favorite included? Worried people, take a look.>>
The common thread in the videos Park Do-hee posted was straightforward.
The impact of Kim Jun-ki’s actions had been immense, and now, it wasn’t only Kim Jun-ki who was discussed; actors linked to him were also suffering from repercussions. The damage was significant.
Male personnel were being witch-hunted under suspicions of being accomplices, while female personnel were under scrutiny as potential victims.
In either case, their image was bound to be severely affected. Currently, many management companies were issuing clarification statements.
[Do-hee: This was really dangerous.]
[Do-hee: If Sua had gone to Director Kim Jun-ki’s audition, Special Tactical Team 808 would have also faced backlash. But due to her refusal, we avoided this issue.]
[Myeong-pil: Was this a coincidence?]
[Myeong-pil: Anyway, it’s good.]
[Myeong-pil: Let’s focus on acting diligently.]
[Soo-yeon: Let’s do it!]
[Dong-ho: I’ll do my best!]
For the Special Tactical Team 808 team, it was merely a spectator’s show, as miraculously, there was no impact.
…
In the editing room for the short film ‘Sword’.
Director Park Jun had watched Director Kim Jun-ki’s fall in real-time at the meeting ‘Barungil’ and was now working even harder due to this.
Although Director Kim Jun-ki had been his mentor, Park Jun had no intention of following the same fate. He was resolved to burn this passion endlessly to prove himself by winning awards.
“Divide the monitor screen into three.”
“Understood.”
“Play A, B, and C versions simultaneously.”
“Understood.”
The three versions of the edit played simultaneously, and in front of their eyes, Su-a’s face filled the screen.
“She’s an exceptional actress.”
“That’s why we endure the hard work with joy. Other sets suffer due to actors’ inability to act, but we at least have an exceptional performance from our actress. The problem is the editing giving us headaches.”
Currently, their desks were littered with disposable coffee cups and energy drink cans, a testament to their days of sleepless editing.
“Director, did this actress reject Director Kim Jun-ki’s project to choose ‘Sword’?”
“That’s correct.”
“Hmph… Truly. For a newcomer, Kim Jun-ki’s project must have been a massive temptation. Not only her acting but her integrity is praiseworthy. This industry often loses love for money.”
“Let’s focus on editing. We can’t achieve a proper finish if we keep this up. The submission deadline is approaching.”
Among the many powers a director holds, the most potent is the cut.
When scenes are shot and compiled as raw materials, the director’s role is to trim, slice, and rearrange them, purely based on their vision.
Thus, a director can stamp their name on the closing credits and claim the work as their own, as their judgment plays a key role.
Graph, even Park Jun knew this fact…
“Grunh…”
Without realizing, Park Jun grabbed his own hair. His colleagues sitting beside him drinking energy drinks were in the same boat.
“Director, this is really difficult…”
“Agreed. It’s not cutting correctly…”
At that point, Park Jun made a decision.
“Alright. There’s no other way but to go all in.”
“Go all in?”
“Yes. We’ll leave all of Su-a’s scenes intact.”
“Eh?”
The editing team’s eyes widened.
“Are you suggesting we edit the other scenes to match the runtime? Or will we accept a longer runtime?”
“We need to accept it. I feel that tweaking even one scene will lose its essence. Since it’s Su-a, I think there’s a reason she acted this way. Let’s trust her.”
“Hmm…”
Most actors focus solely on their assigned roles, but Su-a seemed to have considered the final product while filming.
Especially now after Kim Jun-ki’s scandal.
Park Jun felt Su-a was no ordinary person. She had picked up and completed ‘Sword,’ which had been discarded like trash.
The editing team nodded in agreement.
“True, the original seems the best.”
“Among our edits, nothing surpasses the original.”
Ultimately, they decided to arrange Su-a’s scenes without any editing. Director Park Jun sipped water and thought quietly.
‘Right, if not Su-a, who else should we trust?’
…
The team for the unknown energy drink ‘Extreme’.
Bzzzz—
They were currently traveling to the Jeonju Film Studios by car, racing to the location where Special Tactical Team 808’s filming was taking place.
Ironically, they were heading there to meet the CEO of Mystic, Kim I-seo.
There were five people in total.
One of them suddenly spoke up quietly.
“Is this… some kind of scam?”
“To be honest, I’m also a little uneasy. Suddenly Mystic? And Special Tactical Team 808? Why would they consider placing PPL with us?”
Even calling themselves ‘us’ felt inappropriate, as the energy drink Extreme was obscure and its sales figures were bottoming out.
“…”
The team leader silently scribbled.
He felt it was quite abrupt even from his perspective.
‘How did this happen?’
Extreme was a product that no one paid attention to. This current CF filming was likely its last stand before potentially being discontinued due to a lack of results.
However, given their situation, they didn’t have the luxury to hire famous celebrities. They had merely posted an online job advertisement which had only three applicants, including Sua.
The reason they had called Sua again and vented their frustrations was due to this very situation. Extreme was at the point where they were clinging onto even one applicant.
Then, suddenly, Mystic?
And suddenly, Special Tactical Team 808?
How to describe this? Like they had been waving at a straw and unexpectedly caught a gold nugget?
The team leader shook his head.
“I don’t understand either. But even amidst this confusion, one thing is very clear.”
The flames of determination lit in the team leader’s eyes.
“We must seize this opportunity. For Extreme, there’s no better opportunity than this.”
“….”
Everyone nodded silently, as his words were undeniable.
Soon, resolution appeared on the faces of all five members.
…
Meanwhile, the protagonist, Sua, was moving actively from early morning.
Today was the first day of the main filming. Naturally, she needed to immerse herself in the script one more time. That way, she would be better prepared during filming.
Therefore, she was currently moving around the special room in the hotel.
[Short film ‘Sword’]
▶ ‘Acting Commander’ Applied Successfully
[Special Tactical Team 808]
▶ ‘Acting Commander’ Applied Successfully
These weren’t particularly surprising.
It wasn’t hard for Sua to understand either. Her giving her best means the work gets positively impacted, right?
But…
“Hmm?”
Sua stopped in her tracks.
Before her was a rather unfamiliar sight.
[Energy Drink CF]
▶▶ Level and Status Adjustment in Progress ◀◀
“…What’s this?”
Sua tilted her head in puzzlement.
◈◈◈◈◈
Finally, it was afternoon. The filming location.
Sua immediately underwent her makeup work.
Currently, three stylists were busying themselves around Sua. They didn’t seem to be getting tired and were very much engrossed in their work.
“It’s strange, applying makeup to Sua is fun.”
“Indeed. It doesn’t even feel like work.”
For Sua, this wasn’t a bad thing either. If her coworkers enjoyed their tasks, it was good for all. Though…
There was an issue.
“Personally, I find it boring.”
Frankly, the first time getting makeup done was intriguing and exciting, but after a few times, nothing was more tedious.
Most importantly, it took way too long.
Seriously, it just never ended!
So, Sua decided to use her phone.
Of course, she remembered to set the screen brightness to minimum, in case someone noticed what she was doing on her phone.
Sua felt secretly proud for her thoroughness.
Perhaps, one could call this ‘SuaThorough’.
[Sua: I’m bored]
[Sua: Feeling bored]
[Saeng-ji: Go outside and work!]
[Monkeying: Since when is Saeng-ji working?]
[Saeng-ji: I am working!]
[Monkeying: What kind of work? Doesn’t she game all day?]
[Saeng-ji: Whatever, not interested in your drama… goodbye!]
[Saeng-ji: The unemployed one here is me.]
[Saeng-ji: I quit because of some weird article.]
Today’s chat was lively as usual.
For Sua, it was a great thing, keeping the boredom at bay.
[Monkeying: Anyway, did you hear about Kim Jun-ki’s scandal?]
[Monkeying: That guy is real trash.]
[Sua: Agree]
[Monkeying: Lucky Yang Ha-rin isn’t involved.]
[Sua: Retirement home]
[Monkeying: ?]
[Deer: Today’s just a bunch of dull stories again]
[Deer: You people making everything so dull are a curse]
[Deer: Someone should kick you out, dammit!]
– The chatroom operator has kicked Deer.
Soon after, Sua received a message.
[From: Ko Eun-bi]
> I might really punch someone.
Sua unwittingly chuckled.
Though they bickered, the group chat had an energetic vibe. Sua liked this. It was boisterous yet comforting.
In a way, it felt like her psychological hometown.
But her rest wasn’t long-lasting.
Click!
A flash went off nearby.
Sua turned around to find Kim I-seo and PD Choi Hee-won along with several members of the Special Tactical Team 808 production and filming crew.
“Is there something?”
Sua blinked and asked.
“Actually, we film the preparation process too. Once viewers become immersed in the actor’s world, they tend to be curious about what the actor is like outside the set. This shot seems quite good right now.”
“Ah, I see.”
Sua nodded understandingly.
Though she grasped the intention, it was a somewhat disappointing announcement.
‘Ugh, so I can’t use my phone then.’
It was rare today to enjoy such an engaging chat, yet she didn’t want to be caught using her phone. Just as Sua started minding her image, Kim I-seo added something.
“Speaking of which, I just finished speaking with PD Choi. A beverage PPL representative will likely visit tonight.”
“Beverage PPL?”
“Yes. It’s quite surprising as the company is very obscure and has poor sales figures. But I assume there’s a reason behind your decision. Please don’t feel too pressured. We’re the client, after all.”
It was then that Sua remembered.
Right, I also applied for a beverage CF.
Though she wasn’t sure of the details, Sua had handed over her small schedule management to Kim I-seo, trusting that she would handle it well.
‘Looking at it now, things have really changed.’
At first, when applying for the CF, she was in the subordinate position. But now… just by doing her best, she became the client. It was a motivating change.
And then…
“…?”
Sua suddenly noticed another presence nearby.
She was used to people staring but today was different.
Some people were folding their hands neatly and slightly bowing towards her, while others were making the sign of the cross out of the blue.
“…What on earth? Are they crazy? Why are they doing this?”
This was unfathomable to Sua, but at that moment, PD Choi Hee-won burst out laughing.
“Recently, among the cast, there’s been a peculiar rumor circulating. It’s said that having Sua around brings good luck.”
“Am I supposed to be a mountain spirit now?”
“Sua doesn’t suit the image of a mountain spirit. You’re more akin to a fox deity that grants wishes, wouldn’t you say?”
Fox deity?
Arctic fox deity? Anyway, the moment she heard ‘fox’, Sua’s brain connected it to the Arctic fox instantly.
“Ah…that makes sense. I resemble an Arctic fox.”
Suddenly, her mood brightened. Standing straight and puffing out her chest, she noticed a few male actors instinctively hold their breath.
‘Ah.’
At that moment, PD Choi Hee-won seemed to recall something.
‘Oh right, Director Go Tae-min is visiting today…’
He wondered whether it would be better to inform Sua beforehand, but he shook his head. Instead, he slightly curled his lips.
‘No, it’s better to observe. Anyway, Sua wouldn’t be nervous, so there’s no need to inform her beforehand.’
◈◈◈◈◈
Meanwhile, at Go Tae-min’s film studio.
Dan-dan-dan…
Director Go Tae-min was currently seated in front of the grand piano, playing various melodies. Though his white-haired, frail figure resembled a musician at first glance.
At some point, he paused.
“Have you come?”
“Yes, I apologize if my visit interrupted your performance.”
Indeed, a visitor had arrived. The visitor immediately bowed their head, but Go Tae-min waved a hand dismissively as if to say it was fine.
“No, I was just playing absentmindedly while waiting.”
“Ah, that’s fortunate. Let’s begin by looking at this…”
The employee slid a neatly organized tablet screen toward Go Tae-min showing various materials related to Kim Jun-ki.
“Director Kim Jun-ki has completely ruined his career.”
“That’s true. I didn’t expect him to do such despicable things.”
Go Tae-min’s expression was also grim.
Kim Jun-ki was once a passionate director and a member of ‘Barungil’. Having worked closely with him for many years, Go Tae-min found the revelation of him becoming such a disgraceful criminal quite disheartening.
But this was a crime, something that couldn’t be excused no matter what.
“The criminal must pay for the crime, that’s a given. What’s more concerning is the collateral damage. Too many things have gone awry.”
“That’s true. Unfortunately, Mr. Go finds himself entangled at the time when you’re about to launch a new project. There are quite a few concerns.”
“What can be done? All I can do is give my best to the assigned task. Let’s leave Kim Jun-ki’s story here for now. What about the audition footage?”
“Yes, I’ve brought them. There are quite a few—about ten.”
Director Go Tae-min looked through the footage of the audition participants on the tablet. He was searching for one specific role.
A character afflicted with autism who possesses a prodigious talent for the piano. A role whose eyes change whenever music is involved.
But after reviewing all the tapes…
“Haa…”
Director Go Tae-min shook his head with a deep sigh.
Even as an actor displaying exceptional piano skills, they all seemed lacking. He reluctantly pointed out two names.
“Let’s narrow it down to these two, though frankly, they’re not great either.”
Though skills can be improved through practice, somehow, there wasn’t an audition participant who truly gave off an authentic vibe of loving music deeply. Go Tae-min wanted someone who seemed inseparable from music.
“The instrument can always be handled post-production in many cases. It’s common to integrate clever CG nowadays. Especially with top-tier actors who don’t have time to practice instruments separately…”
“Even if it takes more time, it’s preferable to making a flop.”
“Maybe you’re expecting too much, but I’m just giving my opinion.”
“I understand that I’m expecting a lot. But there exists at the very least one actor in this world matching those standards. My job is simply to find them. It’s only proper for a director.”
Saying that, Go Tae-min handed the tablet back.
“I should go now. It’s time to watch Park Do-hee’s performance.”
“Do you need to come personally, Director? Honestly, I could manage alone and provide you with a high-definition recording.”
Director Go Tae-min shook his head.
“I must go personally. It’s my duty as a director.”
◈◈◈◈◈
Night had fallen.
At the Special Tactical Team 808 filming location.
Sua blankly looked around.
“Wow…”
The base of team 808 was lit up to look like an actual working building, and the scene was spectacular. Police cars were parked in all directions, their sirens flashing.
Her heart began to race. Finally, the reality was setting in.
Now, she was about to take part in the main filming.
Sua stood there blankly for a while, overwhelmed by emotions.
She reminded him of someone who stops in the middle of crosswalks, unmoving, while everyone around her was bustling about, carrying various items.
“Has the lighting been checked? It’s crucial during a night shoot.”
“The lighting’s all set. The sound crew mentioned they needed to meet you briefly, though.”
“Carefully check if anything has been dropped on the ground! This is the main filming; we can leave no room for error!”
Yellow caution tapes were strung across different sections, and signs that said “Special Tactical Team 808” were everywhere.
After all, detectives usually work harder and more intensely at night, so now, under the bright full moon, their main filming was about to begin.
Meanwhile, PD Choi Hee-won had one more task:
To warmly welcome an honored visitor.
Director Go Tae-min smiled brightly upon arriving.
“Hi, PD Choi. Long time no see.”
“Ah, Director Go! I apologize for the minimalist welcome. As the main filming is about to start, my hospitality might be lacking. But after it’s over, I’ll make sure to at least have a cup of coffee with you.”
“That’s not necessary. Just being here is a great welcome itself.”
With that, PD Choi Hee-won quickly returned to the shooting set, while Director Go Tae-min began thoroughly observing the scene from the edges—after all, film sets always inspire in one way or another.
At one point,
Go Tae-min’s gaze lingered on someone.
A figure with white-dyed hair.
Even from the side, his sharp eyebrows and nose were evident, and his face was expressionless. He stood rigidly, evidently very nervous. This tension was common for actors, but Go Tae-min sensed something unusual. He was intrigued by the mysterious aura surrounding this person.
As the police sirens flashed red and blue, the white hair changed color accordingly, making the person appear different.
A canvas that transforms every time it’s painted on.
“Is this person also an actor?”
Self-posed as a question, he nodded shortly after.
“Yes. If only he/she were.”
…
…
