Choi Sunggeon blanked out for a moment at Kang Woojin's sudden remark.
What he had just said was genuinely shocking.
Seo Chaeeun?
Normally, he would have dismissed something like that as nonsense. But this was Kang Woojin saying it.
He was an eccentric with instincts that bordered on divine revelation, and those instincts had always worked—whether it was about work or about people.
'What is this? This doesn't sound like a joke.'
Choi Sunggeon's eyes widened slightly as he stared at Woojin.
"So… you're saying you're getting the same kind of feeling from actress Seo Chaeeun that you got from Director Woo Hyungoo?"
Woojin pushed his act to the extreme, pouring sincerity even into his expression and presence.
'I never thought I'd end up using all these misunderstandings like this.'
It had all started with the misunderstanding surrounding the void space, but right now, he had no other choice.
"Yes. It feels almost exactly the same."
The peak of shamelessness.
A mask as hard as diamond.
Choi Sunggeon had seen that exact expression once before—when Woojin spoke about Director Woo Hyungoo. It was that same unshakable presence, as if even the slightest mistake would not be tolerated.
'He means it.'
Meanwhile, behind his blank face, Woojin kept repeating to himself—
'Believe me. Believe me.'
Whether it worked or not, Choi Sunggeon loosened his tie and asked in a more serious tone,
"How? In what way is Seo Chaeeun like that?"
Woojin, of course, had no idea.
He didn't know what kind of issue Seo Chaeeun was dealing with either, so all he could do was keep moving forward calmly.
"It's hard to explain in words."
"…Since when?"
"Ever since I first met her."
"Then why are you only bringing this up now?"
"Because unlike Director Woo Hyungoo's case, the situation is different."
That part was true.
Back then, Kang Woojin had nothing to lose. But now, he was the lead actor of The Island of the Missing. It made no sense to remove someone based on instinct alone.
But in Choi Sunggeon's mind—
'…Is this worth looking into?'
He trusted Woojin's instincts completely.
The results had already proven them right. It had been true for Director Woo Hyungoo, for The Private Investigator, and even for Boy Friend.
Strictly speaking, Boy Friend had been luck. Even Woojin himself hadn't expected the ratings to rise like that, or for Hwarin to join.
But regardless, those results had only strengthened the credibility of Woojin's instincts.
Then—
Whoosh.
Choi Sunggeon pulled out his phone and suddenly smiled.
"Woojin, if you're saying that, I can't ignore it. You're sure, right? Your instinct really kicked in over Seo Chaeeun?"
Answering would only deepen the misunderstanding around him.
But what choice did Woojin have?
Saving The Island of the Missing was still the better option, and at this point, the image built around him wasn't something he could change anyway.
So he simply nodded.
"Yes."
Choi Sunggeon gave a short nod.
"Understood. For now, don't worry about it and focus on your schedule. I'll look into Seo Chaeeun myself."
That was honestly cool.
Woojin almost admired him.
Meanwhile, Sunggeon muttered while checking his phone,
"First, I should look through the tabloids. Is there anyone besides Seo Chaeeun?"
"No. Just Seo Chaeeun sunbae."
"In a way, that's a relief… if Seo Chaeeun really is in trouble—"
He cut himself off.
If that were true, the outcome wouldn't be pretty.
But if Woojin's instincts were right again—
'Then The Island of the Missing and Director Kwon Gitaek would have to bow to him ten times over. No, a hundred.'
He would become their savior.
If not for Woojin, the entire production might have collapsed with Seo Chaeeun left inside it like a ticking bomb.
While operating his phone, Choi Sunggeon muttered,
"Nothing about Seo Chaeeun has hit the press yet, so now's the perfect time to flip everything. Which means I need to move fast…"
Watching him, Woojin finally relaxed.
'So it's settled for now. Then all that's left is to wait.'
──────────
At that same time, at Harmony production company—
The office was quiet.
It was night, and all the employees had already gone home. But for some reason, the largest meeting room was still lit.
Inside sat two people.
A man and a woman.
The man seated at the center of the large U-shaped table looked familiar. Thick hair, warm expression—
Director Kwon Gitaek.
Across from him—
"Director, it really feels like it's been ages."
The woman sitting with her legs crossed looked completely at ease. Her long hair fell in soft waves, her skin was clear, and her large round eyes made her smile stand out even more.
More than anything, she carried a remarkable presence.
It made sense.
She was Ha Yura, a top actress who had also made her way into Hollywood.
"Yes. It's been about two years since we last met, hasn't it? I was surprised to hear you came back to Korea so suddenly. When did you leave Hollywood?"
"Two days ago. I wanted to see you first, Director."
"You came in quietly. How are the auditions going?"
"I slipped in quietly, and they're still ongoing."
Her entry into Hollywood had started a few years ago at the Venice Film Festival, one of the world's three major international film festivals.
Director Kwon Gitaek's film had been invited there—and had even won an award. Ha Yura had been the lead actress of that film.
That was when Hollywood noticed her.
The role she took afterward wasn't large.
A supporting role.
Even so, the fact that a Korean actress had secured such a role in Hollywood had been enough to create a huge buzz back home.
Unfortunately, the projects she appeared in afterward hadn't been particularly strong.
That had already been over a year ago.
Things had calmed down somewhat, but Ha Yura was still knocking on Hollywood's door.
Tap.
She uncrossed and recrossed her legs.
"But, Director."
She looked straight at Kwon Gitaek.
"I heard you cast a complete rookie as the lead of your new project?"
There was only one such rookie.
So Kwon Gitaek smiled.
"You mean our Woojin."
"…Our?"
"Yes, ours. He's an actor in my film."
Ha Yura let out a small breath.
"You really haven't changed. You still adore your actors."
"Heh. You were the same once too, weren't you?"
She shrugged lightly.
"Still… I was surprised. Casting an unproven rookie as a lead? That's the kind of thing that goes down in film history."
"History? I don't know about that. If I want someone, it doesn't matter if they're a rookie or a nobody."
His tone remained gentle.
But his eyes were firm.
Ha Yura continued,
"But are those rumors true? I saw all kinds of articles—about him being your relative, or his agency investing a huge amount of money."
"You check those things even from Hollywood?"
"It was your film. Of course I saw it. So? Are they true?"
Kwon Gitaek folded his arms casually.
"What do you think?"
Her expression clearly answered.
No.
"I guess the casting was just that shocking. Is he really that good?"
Kwon Gitaek tapped the table lightly, then pointed at her.
"In a broad sense, you and him are similar, Yura. He's a method actor too."
Ha Yura frowned slightly.
But he continued.
"You came through the elite route. Child actor, formal training, and your mother was a great actress."
"You're refined."
A brief pause.
"But Kang Woojin is the opposite."
"He's like a wild animal that grew up rough and survived on its own."
"Wild?"
"Yes. He knows he's talented, but he doesn't cling to it."
"He shakes up the acting world as casually as if acting were just a hobby."
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know."
Kwon Gitaek smiled faintly.
"I can't understand him either. Maybe that's why he feels even more precious."
Ha Yura let out a quiet laugh.
"Training is essential. Experience is everything. Without it, actors collapse."
She wasn't wrong.
The industry was filled with rookies who failed for that exact reason.
But Kang Woojin felt different.
"I'm not saying training is meaningless. Most actors go through it. I like your acting too, Yura."
He paused.
Then added quietly—
"But Kang Woojin has something else."
Kwon Gitaek stroked his chin.
"It's like the essence of the role pours out of him."
"Not that the actor exists for the role…"
"But that the role exists for the actor."
A master Director's highest praise.
Ha Yura bit her lip slightly.
"I watched The Private Investigator. He really is good."
Her tone remained calm.
But inside—
Jealousy.
Envy.
Bitterness.
Longing.
Afraid those emotions might show, she changed the subject.
"Who else is in the cast?"
"Kang Woojin, Ryu Jungmin, Seo Chaeeun, Jeon Woochang, Kim Iwon."
"Except for Seo Chaeeun, that's a strong lineup."
Kwon Gitaek smiled.
"Chaeeun's acting is good too."
Ha Yura clicked her tongue.
"What's the point if her personality is awful?"
"I only care about acting."
"Yes, I know."
Then—
Kwon Gitaek spoke calmly.
"Say what you really want."
Ha Yura suddenly stood.
"This is too much! You didn't even send me the script!"
"You were in Hollywood."
"Still! I thought you would! I couldn't even ask because it felt awkward!"
Silence.
Then—
She lowered her head.
"…I'm sorry. I got emotional."
At that moment—
Slide.
Kwon Gitaek pushed a stack of papers toward her.
The script for The Island of the Missing.
"Read it."
Her eyes trembled slightly.
"…If I had come back earlier, you would've chosen me instead of Seo Chaeeun."
"How long are you staying?"
"At least six months. I'm thinking of taking a break."
Kwon Gitaek asked casually,
"Would you do a cameo?"
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"If you make the role for me, I'll do anything."
──────────
Friday the 26th, late morning.
In front of the MxDonald headquarters, a large crowd had already gathered. People lined up along the barriers, heading toward the event hall on the first floor.
At the entrance—
"Your entry has been confirmed. Please go in."
Staff checked attendees one by one.
A banner hung nearby:
Kang Woojin Fan Signing Event / Sponsored by MxDonald
Nearly four hundred people had gathered.
Fans, reporters, PR staff, employees.
And at the front of the hall, a large poster of Kang Woojin drew everyone's attention.
──────────
Meanwhile, in the waiting room—
Kang Woojin sat alone.
His hair and makeup were already done, his shirt and slacks neatly arranged. His composed expression gave him a sharp, almost cold presence.
'What am I even doing right now?'
He was tense.
Unbelievably tense.
Four hundred people.
All here for him.
'Is this even real?'
Just a few months ago, he barely had ten people around him.
And now—
Four hundred people had gathered just to see him.
To get his autograph.
It didn't feel real.
How was he supposed to interact with them?
Should he talk?
Shake hands?
Take pictures?
Those thoughts only made his heart pound harder.
Knock knock.
The door opened, and Han Yejung stepped in.
"Oppa, it's starting."
So it was finally time.
"Yes."
Woojin stood, trying to ignore the faint tremor in his body.
As he approached the hall, the noise grew louder.
"We'll start with the Kang's Heart fan club."
He barely heard it.
Then—
He stepped inside.
Screams exploded instantly.
"Oppa!!"
"Over here!"
"He's even more handsome in real life!!"
Flash! Flash! Flash!
Cameras went off nonstop.
Even so, Woojin forced himself to remain composed.
He walked to the center of the stage and greeted the audience.
"Hello. I'm Kang Woojin."
The noise only intensified.
A few minutes later, he sat at the table.
Markers.
Autograph sheets.
Prepared.
'…So I really just sign these?'
Then—
A staff member spoke.
"Your first fan is here."
"The fan club president—nickname BloodSister."
Woojin looked up.
She smiled brightly.
"Hi, oppa."
…
He froze.
Just stared.
The staff tilted their heads in confusion.
Choi Sunggeon too.
Then—
Her smile deepened.
"I'm BloodSister. I represent your fan club."
Woojin's face turned even colder.
Inside—
He exploded.
'You little—'
The person standing in front of him—
was his younger sister.
Kang Hyuna.
'No way… BloodSister was actually my real sister?'