As soon as Choi Sunggeon asked whether Kang Woojin had ever worked as a singer, the question spread across the entire studio, reaching even Director Kim Sohyang.
"Huh? CEO Choi, what do you mean? Did he or didn't he?"
Everyone turned toward Choi Sunggeon at once.
But Sunggeon himself remained focused on Woojin inside the booth, completely absorbed in his singing.
'Honestly… I don't even know myself.'
There was no clear answer. No proof that Woojin had ever worked as a singer—but no confidence in denying it either.
More than anything, there was that absurd level of skill.
'…At this point, it wouldn't even be strange if he actually had a singing background.'
Only then did Sunggeon snap out of it and turn back to the others.
"No. Hmm… let's listen a bit longer first."
For now, he simply wanted to hear more.
Though visibly frustrated, Kim Sohyang and the others turned their attention back to the booth.
♬♪
Before anyone realized it, Woojin had already finished the first verse and moved into the second.
It was a sweet song, but there was a quiet sorrow hidden beneath it—perfect for winter.
Sunggeon slowly crossed his arms.
'Was he a backup singer? Or maybe he did busking overseas?'
One absurd possibility after another filled his head.
He remembered videos of street performers abroad—people casually singing in foreign languages with ease. Looking at Woojin now, it felt completely believable.
'Nothing is wasted in acting. Any experience can become useful.'
Music required emotion.
If design had helped Woojin develop creativity and unconventional thinking, then perhaps singing had played a similar role—training him to express emotions more fluidly.
"…If he chose design for acting, then there must've been a reason for the singing too."
Sunggeon sank deeper into his thoughts.
'At that level… he could've been a professional singer.'
He glanced subtly at Hwarin.
Even she—an eighth-year top singer—was completely captivated.
That alone said everything.
Sunggeon almost laughed.
'What kind of life have you lived? Did God personally take extra care while making you?'
Self-taught acting that surpassed top actors.
Fluent foreign languages.
And now, a voice on par with professionals.
It was beyond understanding.
Eventually, he gave up trying.
──────────
Inside the booth, Kang Woojin moved into the second chorus.
♬♪
His voice deepened slightly as the intensity built.
There was a faint roughness in his tone—almost like his throat was scraping—which only made the high notes hit harder.
That subtle texture grabbed everyone at once.
As the song progressed, Woojin sank deeper into it, pulling out emotions layer by layer. His voice grew richer—more textured, more alive.
It felt as if he was acting through the song.
Each emotion sharpened his delivery, strengthening the impact of every note.
Perhaps it was because of the void space.
As his singing improved, his acting improved. And when he acted, his emotional range expanded.
Now, the two fed into each other seamlessly.
Woojin interpreted the lyrics, drew out their meaning, and expressed them with complete immersion.
♬♪
By the time he reached the end, his voice softened, carrying a desperate, lingering sorrow.
…
When the song ended, Woojin lowered his phone and praised himself internally.
'That was perfect. I've never even sung this properly before—not even at karaoke. At this point, I feel like I could sing anything.'
A smirk almost surfaced, but he quickly suppressed it and fixed his expression.
Then he removed his headphones and looked up.
…Huh?
The area outside the booth was packed with people.
What were they all doing?
Why did they all look like that?
It felt like he was inside a zoo enclosure.
There was only one answer.
Because his singing had been that shocking.
A quiet sense of satisfaction rose within him.
Leaning toward the mic, he spoke calmly.
"I'm done."
But no one answered.
…
…
The first to react was Hwarin.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed.
Clap. Clap.
She began applauding slowly.
Then everyone followed.
Clap clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Applause filled the studio.
Suddenly, Woojin felt like some rare animal being admired from all directions.
Why were they making such a fuss?
Outwardly calm—
Inside, he felt fantastic.
'Whoa. Shoulders—don't rise. Stay down.'
Woojin stepped out of the booth.
Immediately, questions poured in.
"Woojin! That was insane. You're seriously that good at singing?"
"Wow, seriously—who would've guessed? You should be proud of that!"
"That was incredible. I'm not exaggerating—you were way better than I expected."
"How are you that good?"
"Did you secretly work as a singer?"
What were they even talking about?
Woojin shook his head firmly.
"No, not at all."
"Then what—?"
"It's just a hobby."
Sunggeon's eyes widened.
"A hobby? Are you serious? If that's hobby level, what are people chasing singing careers supposed to do?"
Kim Sohyang let out a hollow laugh.
"A hobby…? That's far beyond that."
"Is it?"
"Have you ever auditioned for anything? A singing competition?"
"No."
──────────
While the conversation continued, Hwarin remained silent.
Her heart was pounding wildly.
She could almost see a brilliant light radiating from Kang Woojin.
'Ah… so this is what it feels like to become a fan.'
At that moment, she finally understood.
That overwhelming urge to support someone.
That uncontrollable excitement.
That endlessly pounding heart.
She wasn't even thinking about his singing anymore.
'What am I supposed to do? I feel like I'm going to stay his fan forever.'
Just then, Kim Sohyang tapped her shoulder.
"Hwarin, what do you think? From a professional perspective?"
Only then did she snap back to reality.
Her eyes met Woojin's.
Inside, she wanted to jump and give him a thumbs-up—but she absolutely refused to look like a crazed fangirl.
"Hmm… he's excellent."
"That's all?"
"He's talented. His emotional expression is strong too."
It sounded restrained.
But Woojin gave a small nod.
"Thank you."
Kim Sohyang moved things along.
"Woojin, take a short break. It's Hwarin's turn now."
"Sing whatever you like. One of your own songs is fine."
Hwarin took a deep breath and stepped into the booth.
At the same time, Kim Sohyang leaned toward writer Choi Nana and Director Shin Dongchun.
"That scene in Episode 2 of Boy Friend, where Han Inho shocks everyone… don't you think it's going to hit big?"
Then—
♬♪
Hwarin began to sing.
It was one of her solo tracks.
Everyone, including Kang Woojin, focused immediately.
'Wow… I'm really hearing this live?'
Kim Sohyang leaned closer to Woojin.
"If this turns out well, it could sweep both the Korean and Japanese charts."
She smiled brightly.
"The harmony between your voice and Hwarin's is excellent."
──────────
About an hour later, Woojin finished his schedule and got into the van.
Bang!
The vehicle pulled out immediately.
There was no time to waste.
They were heading to Incheon for filming Drug Dealer.
Woojin removed his cap and rolled his neck.
'Am I a little tired?'
It had been fun, but the studio was still unfamiliar. He had probably been more tense than he realized.
Inside the van, he reached into the seat pocket.
Scripts.
Scenarios.
Click.
He pulled out the novel he had been reading lately.
The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
From the passenger seat, Sunggeon glanced back.
"Finished it?"
Woojin looked up.
"About halfway."
"What do you think?"
The story already deserved an A-rank.
The mystery, the suspense, the pacing—it was genuinely engaging.
"I like it."
"Really?"
"Yes. Did you know the original was written by Akari Takikawa?"
"That famous one?"
"Yes. One of her bestsellers."
Sunggeon looked slightly surprised.
It was impressive enough that Director Kyotaro had adapted it, but knowing the original author made it even more significant.
Then suddenly—
"Ah."
A recent article came to mind.
Akari was currently in Korea.
Director Kyotaro had entered quietly.
And Akari was the original author.
The pieces clicked instantly.
'They came together. The guest Director mentioned… that must mean Akari too.'
Two major figures.
Coming to meet Kang Woojin.
But Sunggeon said nothing.
It was still confidential.
'Today's going to be historic.'
From the side, Han Yejung spoke up.
"Oppa, where did you learn to sing?"
"Nowhere."
"Then how are you that good?"
Sunggeon turned halfway around.
"Woojin, have you ever done busking overseas? Like street performances?"
"I'm not digging into your past—I'm just curious."
Busking?
I rode the bus every day, though.
Woojin answered honestly.
"No."
"So it really is just a hobby?"
"Yes."
"Like with design, did you start singing because you thought it might help with acting?"
The misunderstanding deepened again.
But it had helped.
So Woojin nodded.
"Something like that."
Sunggeon's expression turned serious.
"Have you ever thought about becoming a singer?"
No.
Not even once.
'Acting alone is already overwhelming.'
If this conversation kept going, it felt like his head might explode.
So he answered simply.
"No. I've never thought about it."
"Really? There are plenty of people who act and sing."
"Some even switch their main field every year."
"That sounds exhausting."
"But what if it increased your influence?"
"Your singing talent is too good to waste."
…That didn't sound bad.
"Do you have something in mind?"
Sunggeon smiled meaningfully.
"Two things."
A brief pause.
"A YouTube channel. And musicals."
──────────
Late afternoon near Incheon Port.
Warehouses lined the open coastline, and in front of one gray building, the Drug Dealer production team had already finished setting up.
"Launch the drone!"
"Please wait a moment!"
"We'll shoot the sea scene in ten minutes!"
Dozens of onlookers stood nearby.
Not many actors were visible.
Even the lead actor Jin Jaejun was nowhere to be seen.
Among them, one man sat alone at a plastic table.
Late fifties.
Deep wrinkles.
But sharp.
Like a tiger.
Park Panseo.
A veteran actor known throughout the industry.
In Drug Dealer, he played Kim Hyunsoo—Professor Kim.
An important role.
But his expression was dark.
"Sunbae."
Kim Dohui approached.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded slowly.
"I'm fine. My stomach just feels a bit off."
"Then rest. Today we'll shoot Woojin's solo scenes, and your scenes with him can be done tomorrow."
"It's fine. Keep filming."
"…Alright. If it gets worse, please tell me."
She stepped away.
Panseo returned to his script.
His hand clenched.
Sweat.
Tension.
Like a rookie.
Because of one person.
Kang Woojin.
"Getting this nervous over a rookie at my age…"
Right then—
"Kang Woojin is here!!"
The moment he had been waiting for finally arrived.
Woojin stepped onto the set.
The staff immediately surrounded him.
"There he is! Our star!"
"Congratulations! You're leading Director Kwon Gitaek's film!"
"The whole industry is in chaos!"
After about ten minutes of greetings, Woojin walked over to Park Panseo.
"Hello, sir."
Panseo stood and smiled faintly.
"Nice to meet you. I heard the news. Congratulations."
He extended his hand.
Inside, Woojin panicked.
'His aura is overwhelming. Stay respectful.'
His expression only grew colder.
He took the hand.
"Thank you."
Panseo's tension rose even higher.
'Those eyes… definitely not a normal rookie.'
Today—
Professor Kim—
"I look forward to working with you, boss."
—was destined to die at Lee Sangman's hands.
"Likewise."
And it would not be a gentle death.