"Booster?"
Unlike Yoon Byungseon PD, who looked completely at ease, the head writer showed a hint of concern.
"It's just that… we've finalized a few cast members, including Woojin, but isn't it still a bit early?"
Rumors had already begun circulating that Yoon Byungseon was preparing a new variety show at HTBS. Nothing had been officially announced yet, but the media had already started speculating about the lineup.
Yoon Byungseon adjusted his glasses and gave a small shrug.
"Revealing it now might be too much. It could split attention."
"But if we miss this timing, it'll be a waste."
"Kang Woojin is starring in Director Kwon Gitaek's next film. That alone is guaranteed to become a major issue."
The assistant PD nodded, still sounding slightly surprised.
"I didn't expect Woojin to land that project."
"Exactly. It's unexpected enough that we need to adjust our promo strategy."
"So we release the other cast as planned, but drop Woojin's news earlier?"
"Something like a one-plus-one release."
"Yes."
Yoon Byungseon glanced at his phone before continuing, his tone calm but precise.
"Everyone knows issues like this don't last long."
"That's why you stretch them."
"When multiple issues overlap, the impact grows."
"A single issue fades quickly."
"But several together? They amplify each other."
He tapped the table lightly.
"Director Kwon Gitaek's film. Kang Woojin. Our program."
"With the current buzz added in, it'll explode."
"In the end, it's a win-win."
Even without raising his voice, his authority was unmistakable.
He adjusted his glasses again.
"If we wait too long, the momentum dies."
"Timing is everything."
"We let Woojin's popularity rise for a few days, then release ours."
"How long?"
"Two to three days."
"Lock the cast."
"I'll contact CEO Choi Sunggeon."
Phones came out immediately, fingers already moving.
The head writer spoke again, quieter this time.
"Kang Woojin is… fascinating."
"He's at the center of everything right now."
"Dramas, films, even variety shows."
"Nonstop activity… and he's still just a rookie."
She paused briefly.
"Promising rookies usually have a certain aura."
"But this feels different."
"…I've never seen anything like it."
Yoon Byungseon crossed his arms and nodded.
"Same."
"Which means he's walking a path no one has taken."
──────────
A few days later, on the 11th, the internet erupted.
Articles flooded out at an overwhelming pace.
At the center of it all—
『[MovieIS] From The Private Investigator and Profiler Hanryang to Director Kwon Gitaek's next film… Kang Woojin cast as lead』
The impact was immediate.
Kang Woojin had been cast as the lead in a feature film—and not just any film, but one directed by Kwon Gitaek.
More headlines followed.
『Unprecedented casting—Director Kwon Gitaek selects Kang Woojin』
"Unprecedented" barely captured it.
He wasn't a supporting role.
Not a minor character.
He was the lead.
And he was the only confirmed cast member.
Which made the situation even more explosive.
『[Star Talk] Rookie Kang Woojin becomes lead in Kwon Gitaek film』
Speculation spread rapidly across SNS and online communities.
[Online reactions]
[his popularity already exploded after hanryang and now this?? is this real]
[ㅠㅠㅠ i want to see it already… waiting is torture]
[has this ever happened?? kang woojin is insane]
[he started from assistant manager park and now this?? oppa deserves it]
[i went to school with him… where's my yearbook??]
[↑wait you were classmates??]
[at this rate he'll be a top actor in a year]
[why is everyone hyping him? he was just an arrogant rookie]
[oppa please only walk the flower road forever 💕]
The shock spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the industry.
"What? Kang Woojin is starring in a Kwon Gitaek film?"
"As the lead?"
"It's real—look at this!"
Executives, production companies, and staff all reacted in disbelief.
Only a few remained calm.
Song Manwoo PD.
Hong Hyeyeon.
They already knew.
But for everyone else, the news landed like a sudden blow.
Even the Drug Dealer team, Hwarin, and Netflix staff couldn't remain unaffected.
『Thanks to Kang Woojin, Drug Dealer and Boy Friend gain massive buzz』
And somewhere else—
Someone lost his composure completely.
"Damn it! Is this real?!"
"That bastard is the lead in a Kwon film?!"
"That's insane!!"
"…It's confirmed."
"Then it's official?"
"Yes."
"What kind of bullshit is this?!"
CEO Seo Guseop couldn't accept it.
Meanwhile—
Another article surfaced.
『[Exclusive] Kang Woojin cast as lead in Island of the Missing』
By nightfall, every headline pointed to one name.
Kang Woojin.
──────────
And yet—
"Hm."
At the center of it all, Kang Woojin remained calm.
'What song should I sing tomorrow?'
'Something familiar would be better… yeah.'
──────────
The next morning.
A luxury hotel suite in Seoul, filled with quiet Japanese conversation.
Director Kyotaro and writer Akari sat across from each other, tea resting between them.
"You'll handle the morning schedule separately."
"Then we'll meet after lunch."
Kyotaro nodded.
"What time do we leave?"
"The outdoor shoot near Incheon is about two hours away."
"We'll depart after lunch."
"Understood."
"Check things on-site, then leave quietly."
"Keep the staff minimal."
Their destination—
The Drug Dealer filming set.
Once the staff left, the room fell quiet.
Akari removed her glasses and smiled faintly.
"You know Director Kwon Gitaek, right?"
"Of course."
"We met at Venice."
"The actor you mentioned joined his film."
"It was all over the news yesterday."
"Yes. I saw."
Kyotaro set down his teacup.
"He's finally getting recognition."
"Are you sure this won't affect your plans?"
"Nothing changes."
"I still need Kang Woojin."
His voice was firm.
"If you disagree, I can reconsider."
"Like I said, I support casting a Korean actor."
"You wanted to see him first, didn't you?"
"You praised him too much."
A faint smile appeared.
"So I got curious."
"Have you decided his role?"
"Not yet."
A brief pause.
"But I do have something in mind."
Akari stood.
"I'll tell you after I see him."
──────────
Meanwhile, at a recording studio near Netflix Korea—
The Boy Friend team had gathered.
Around ten people filled the room, most of them talking about Kang Woojin and Director Kwon Gitaek.
Woojin sat beside Hwarin in silence.
The atmosphere between them was still slightly awkward.
Director Shin Dongchun leaned in and whispered,
"They're still awkward."
"They need to get closer."
Hwarin, meanwhile, was caught in her own thoughts.
'Did he eat breakfast?'
'Would it be weird if I asked?'
'What perfume is that… it smells good.'
Then—
"Hwarin."
Woojin spoke first.
"Did you eat?"
"Huh? Ah—no… maybe?"
"I see."
"You?"
"I didn't."
"…Oh."
The conversation ended quickly.
But inside—
'I should've brought food!!'
Bang!
The door opened.
"Sorry. Let's begin."
Producer Kim Sohyang entered.
"This is just a tone test."
Officially, it was for OST matching.
In reality—
It was a test.
"Let's start with Woojin."
Woojin stood and walked toward the booth.
Thud.
The door closed behind him.
Silence filled the room.
'Coin karaoke… yeah. Just like that.'
Outside, everyone watched.
'Please… just be average.'
Hwarin's heart raced.
'Woojin… singing?'
Choi Sunggeon muttered,
"He says he's 'okay.'"
"That usually means something else."
Even so—
He couldn't shake his doubt.
'No way he's good at singing too… right?'
"Woojin, can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"We'll begin."
The music started.
A familiar ballad filled the space.
"Ah… that song."
"It's difficult."
"He's really going for it."
Then—
Woojin began to sing.
His voice was low.
Soft.
Slightly rough—
And in that instant—
Everything stopped.
"What—"
"…Wow."
"No way."
Even Hwarin covered her mouth.
"That's impossible…"
Woojin continued, his voice rising as he immersed himself in the song.
♫♪
No one moved.
Kim Sohyang slowly turned, eyes widening.
"Has he… ever been a singer?"
All eyes turned to Choi Sunggeon.
"No—that's impossible—"
But even he hesitated.
♫♪
"…Or… maybe he really did?"
──────────
TL Notes
"One-plus-one release" refers to a marketing strategy where two related announcements are released close together to amplify attention and maximize public interest.