"Oh? So everything's getting finished today?"
Kang Woojin kept his face blank, but inside, he quietly gave a thumbs-up.
'He really is capable. Our CEO, I mean.'
He had only hinted at it, yet there were more than four projects still waiting to be sorted. Even if time was tight, he had assumed tomorrow would be enough.
But Choi Sunggeon's answer had been firm.
Woojin gave a sincere nod.
"Thank you."
Choi Sunggeon waved both hands as if it were nothing.
"No, no. Why are you thanking me?"
"If you want, I can even bring you a hundred."
"Really?"
"…Yeah. That was a joke, but you looked serious, so let's pretend I never said that."
As he explained the day's schedule, Choi Sunggeon made calls one after another. The van quickly moved toward the first stop.
The first schedule was a meeting with an advertiser, related to an additional ad project. It began around one in the afternoon and dragged on for nearly two hours.
──────────
Around three, Kang Woojin got back into the van and let out a faint sigh.
'Clothes… I've bought plenty before, but I never thought I'd end up doing a clothing shoot.'
'So is this basically sponsorship? Do I get free clothes too? That would be amazing.'
The direction things were heading was obvious.
Woojin was already preparing for his second project, and more advertising meetings were lined up ahead.
'Wow… this is actually happening.'
His popularity was rising across the entire industry. If he secured a foothold in advertising as well, it was hard to imagine how far he might go by the end of the year.
Then—
"Oppa."
Han Yejung held out her phone.
"The press is already going crazy."
On the screen was an article.
『[Star Pick] Ultra-rising star Kang Woojin, expected to sweep Rookie of the Year awards』
Woojin's expression did not change. Part of it was the image he had built, but the truth was, he genuinely felt little excitement.
'Rookie award? Me?'
It still felt unreal.
This wasn't like the Mise-en-scène Film Festival. Back then, the grand prize had come unexpectedly, and it had been a relatively small event.
But his team seemed certain.
"Of course! If Woojin-hyung doesn't get it, then who will? Right, CEO?!"
"Suhwan, keep your eyes on the road."
"I agree. There's still half a year left, but oppa should definitely get it. If not, that'd be ridiculous."
Maybe that was why Woojin drifted into a brief fantasy.
'If I ever have to give an acceptance speech at an award show like that…'
'So many reporters…'
'And that red carpet… I want to walk on it too.'
His face remained indifferent, but inside, he felt a quiet thrill.
Then Choi Sunggeon cut in.
"Do you think Woojin will change because of a rookie award?"
"Look at his face. He already looks like he's certain he'll win."
"Ah, I see."
No, that wasn't it at all.
Still, the persona he had built was already too solid to break. Woojin spoke calmly, as if it were obvious.
"…I've already prepared my acceptance speech."
"Heh. There's still half a year left, and he's already prepared one."
"Hyung! I'm seriously jealous of that confidence!"
Choi Sunggeon shook his head and flipped open his planner.
"Anyway, let me explain the fan signing event."
Ah. Right.
The fan signing.
Woojin had completely forgotten. His mind had been occupied with Island of the Missing.
"The event is in two days, Friday the 26th. About three hours."
"It'll be held in the morning at McDonald's headquarters event hall."
"Since it's sponsored, we'll need to promote them too. Reporters will be there, and we'll also be filming."
Han Yejung nodded.
"We have to film it. It's oppa's first signing event."
"Exactly. Woojin, you're doing one earlier than Hyeyeon did."
Woojin recalled the small autograph session he had once done outside a convenience store.
'Will a lot of people come?'
'Maybe… a hundred?'
Choi Sunggeon answered immediately.
"About three hundred."
"Even if more come, it won't exceed four hundred."
"…."
Inside, Woojin screamed.
'Four hundred?!'
'That many people?!'
But outwardly, he remained calm.
Choi Sunggeon continued.
"About half will be fan cafe members."
"The fan cafe just passed ten thousand members."
"Ah, yes."
"This time, the main staff will be there too."
"You should get familiar with them."
"Actors often exchange DMs with fan cafe staff."
"The head manager's username was BloodSister, right?"
"Yeah. You remembered?"
"Do you visit often?"
"Sometimes."
Woojin added casually,
"The username was unusual, so I remembered it."
Inside, he gave a small laugh.
'Still… I should respect them. They're basically the fan cafe president.'
──────────
Late afternoon, at a famous hotel in Seoul.
Kang Woojin sat in the lounge, giving an interview to a major media outlet. At the same time, Choi Sunggeon, Han Yejung, and Jang Suhwan were having a late lunch at the hotel restaurant, courtesy of the media company.
Jang Suhwan laughed loudly.
"Haha! This is great!"
"We're getting treated like this because our actor is doing so well!"
Han Yejung twirled her pasta and nodded.
"Everywhere we go these days, people treat us well."
"Normally, newcomers get looked down on a bit."
"It's all because Woojin-hyung is killing it!"
"Same with Hyeyeon unni."
While they talked, Choi Sunggeon kept checking his phone. Then suddenly, he stood up mid-call.
"No, Director. Thank you. I'll treat you next time."
"No, sushi."
"Of course. Haha, yes."
"Please send it express to BW Entertainment."
"Yes. Thank you."
After ending the call, he spoke quickly.
"I'm heading to the office. After you eat, stay with Woojin."
"What about the car?"
"Take a taxi. Next schedule is Busy Radio."
"If anything happens, call me."
"Got it!"
He rushed out.
──────────
Night, at a public radio station.
Kang Woojin finished his guest appearance and greeted the host.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Yes! Great work, Woojin!"
He stepped out of the booth.
Immediately, reporters approached.
"Woojin, could you sign this?"
"Of course."
He signed calmly, one after another.
"Me too!"
"My sister's a huge fan!"
"Yes, give it here."
"Your voice sounded amazing today!"
Suppressing embarrassment, Woojin finished signing five autographs before finally stepping out.
In the hallway, Choi Sunggeon was waiting.
"Everyone's already in the car. Next schedule got canceled. Let's go."
"Yes, CEO."
Woojin chuckled inwardly.
'He's acting different today.'
Then it clicked.
'Ah.'
He asked quietly.
"Did you get everything?"
Choi Sunggeon smirked.
"I was going to surprise you."
"You really are sharp. Yeah, I got everything."
Impressive.
All four in a single day.
"Thank you, CEO."
"It's nothing."
"Compared to what you've done, this is barely anything."
"Ask anytime."
Woojin finally relaxed.
──────────
Inside the van, four scripts were stacked beside him.
Woojin picked one up immediately.
Choi Sunggeon watched through the mirror.
"Oh? Reading already? That's so like you."
"Let's go. Take him home."
The van began to move.
At the same time—
Thunk.
Woojin pressed the black square.
He entered the void space.
"Exit immediately."
He repeated the process several times.
No one noticed.
'Done. Next.'
Soon, he stood before the results.
[Encounter with Nature — F]
[Use of the Sword — F]
[Royal Company Ep.1 — C+]
[Again Man — C]
Two F grades.
Both—
Seo Chaeun's projects.
A faint smile formed.
'My instinct was right.'
It couldn't be coincidence.
Two films, both F.
Impossible otherwise.
'Either canceled… or total failure.'
Seo Chaeun—
Confirmed.
The prime suspect.
Even Island of the Missing had likely been affected.
'Was it only D because she joined later?'
There wasn't much time left.
Woojin exhaled quietly.
'I'll have to use the misunderstanding.'
──────────
An hour later, the van arrived at his apartment.
"Hyung, great work today!"
"Oppa, you worked hard!"
"Get some rest!"
Woojin called out calmly.
"CEO, one moment."
They stepped outside.
After a few steps, Woojin spoke.
"It's about Seo Chaeun-sunbae."
"I have a bad feeling."
"What are you talking about?"
Woojin's face turned colder.
"It feels similar…"
A brief pause.
"…to what happened with Director Woo Hyunkoo."
That was enough.
Choi Sunggeon froze.
"…What?"