With Seo Chaeeun replaced by Ha Yura, Island of the Missing was dramatically upgraded from its original A+ rating by two full levels to S+.
Of course, that was good news. It was such good news that it would not have been strange at all for him to dance in celebration.
But—
"..."
Kang Woojin stared blankly at the white rectangle, wearing a slightly dazed expression.
"S+?"
Everything stemmed from the fact that this was the first S+ rating he had ever seen.
The Private Investigator had been A rank, and Hanryang had been S rank. After that, there had been nothing above S. More than anything, the impact of Hanryang, which had received an S rank, had been beyond imagination. It had surpassed the legendary 25 percent ratings mark, and even if one included the secondary effects, it had become an enormous success.
That was why Woojin had always assumed S was the highest possible rank.
But that had been a rash conclusion.
The mysterious void space seemed to be asking, 'Did you really think you could judge me?' as it stunned Woojin once again. Even so, a smile spread across his face, though his eyes were still wide with surprise.
"Wow, S+. Is there something even higher than this?"
Still, there was no point thinking too deeply about it. The void space had always gone against Kang Woojin's reality and far beyond ordinary common sense. So for now, he only needed to be happy.
"This void space is seriously amazing."
At the same time, Kang Woojin felt proud. It was as if he had truly revived Island of the Missing himself. No, it was more than simple revival. After being revived, Island of the Missing had returned in much healthier form than before.
"Alright, then let's imagine the future."
Unable to suppress his grin, Kang Woojin erased the boxes he had written down while deducing the culprit and kept muttering to himself.
"If Hanryang went past 25 percent ratings, then if this is an S+ film, shouldn't it obviously go over ten million viewers?"
And after passing ten million viewers, how far could it go? He could not predict it exactly, but he forced himself to make a guess anyway. There was nothing wrong with a little speculation.
That way, endless fantasies began pouring through Kang Woojin's mind.
Of course, all of those songs were still massive hits.
At that moment, Kang Woojin suddenly thought of Ha Yura. He had never met her before, but she was a top actress who had even gone to Hollywood. He was nervous, though not as much as before. Had he adapted to this field to some extent?
Suppressing his excitement, Kang Woojin returned to reality.
The van Choi Sunggeon was driving continued along the road, and Woojin stared expressionlessly out the window while muttering to himself.
'I wonder what it'll feel like when I meet Ha Yura. Well, I'll know when I see her.'
──────────
That same day at lunchtime, at Harmony Film Company.
Choi Sunggeon entered a medium-sized conference room inside Harmony Film Company. The room was quiet. Someone was already seated in the center of the U-shaped table.
"CEO Choi, welcome."
It was Director Kwon Gitaek, whose expression always carried a warm impression. The moment he saw Choi Sunggeon, he stood and greeted him. He was smiling, but his attitude carried a subtle weight. After returning the greeting, Choi Sunggeon stepped farther inside.
"Whew, what a mess."
He let out a sigh and sat down. Director Kwon scratched at his gray-filled hair and answered,
"Wouldn't you call this an emergency? For Harmony Film Company and the distributor both. Of course, on the surface it may look like nothing's wrong."
"There must definitely be internal problems they need to solve."
"Don't worry. It'll all be resolved by next week."
Director Kwon rubbed the side of his face as he asked in a soft voice, his eyes filled with curiosity,
"Then let's hear the full story behind this incident. To be honest, I'm curious how Woojin got tied up in something so unexpected."
Choi Sunggeon answered with a serious face.
"Director, you remember Director Woo Hyungoo, right?"
It was not exactly a pleasant memory, but after a brief silence, Kwon nodded.
"...Yes."
"Actually, before his downfall, Woojin firmly rejected an offer from Director Woo Hyungoo."
"I know. I heard it directly from Director Woo."
"You did?"
"Hm. He said a very rude and arrogant rookie turned him down, and that a huge uproar broke out. Then that incident happened afterward."
"Ah, I see. I didn't know that."
Having grasped the situation, Choi Sunggeon continued.
"Do you know why Woojin turned down Director Woo's offer?"
"Wasn't it because he recklessly pushed him into an audition?"
"No. Back then, Woojin only said one thing. 'I don't like the atmosphere.' He has unusually sharp instincts."
"...Hm?"
Director Kwon Gitaek frowned, looking confused. Choi Sunggeon gave him a brief explanation. It was not detailed, but it covered the key points, from the Woo Hyungoo incident to the recent Seo Chaeeun matter.
Even hearing just those two things was shocking enough.
Director Kwon was genuinely a little surprised.
"So both then and now, it was Woojin."
"Yes. It really feels like he has the Midas touch. He must have been born with that kind of ability, and it's been gradually revealing itself."
"Instinct?"
"Maybe. Of course, it's not some supernatural power. Even this time, it wasn't as if he knew everything. But still..."
"It's unbelievable. Not only is his acting excellent, but his eye for people and projects is remarkable too."
"Yes."
"Now that I think about it, there was always something strange about his gaze. It didn't feel like the eyes of someone from this industry."
For some reason, Director Kwon suddenly remembered Song Manwoo PD at that point. He was the producer who had first spread the rumors about Kang Woojin. One particular thing Song PD had said came back to him.
"That kid has a sharpness you can't even describe. It's incredible."
At the time, Director Kwon had not understood what Song PD meant and had dismissed it. But looking at the current situation now, he finally understood there had been truth in those words.
"Ah, so that's what he meant."
"Yes?"
"Nothing. I was just talking to myself."
"Ah."
Director Kwon could not help but smile.
'Even if you keep peeling away his layers, the core never shows. This is the first time I've seen such a multifaceted actor.'
After sorting through everything, Director Kwon took a deep breath.
"Hm—"
He made eye contact with Choi Sunggeon across the table. Choi looked much more relaxed now.
"I sincerely thank both you and Woojin. Truly."
As if he had been waiting for those words, Choi Sunggeon leaned slightly forward.
"Director, rather than calling it a debt, I think blessing would be the better word."
"Haha, that's true. Something practical is better than empty words. I dislike owing people. A debt should be repaid, especially to people I'll be working with for a long time. So if there's anything that comes to mind, tell me."
The mood had shifted into negotiation.
And Choi Sunggeon took the initiative.
"First, I'd like to adjust Woojin's appearance fee."
"A raise?"
"Yes. You can decide the amount yourself."
"A number appropriate to the debt..."
Director Kwon, who had been stroking his chin, quickly organized his thoughts.
"How about running fee?"
Appearance fee. As of now, Woojin's contract only included a flat appearance fee. There was no running fee clause.
"Let's add 100 won in running fee."
At first glance, 100 won in running fee might seem small, but it absolutely was not. One had to take the break-even point, agency profit split, and other incidental factors into account, but put simply, it meant 100 won per audience member. One million viewers meant 100 million won, and ten million viewers meant 1 billion won.
And that was in addition to his appearance fee.
Conditions at that level were usually allowed only for A-list or S-list actors.
In the current film industry, there were broadly two ways top actors signed contracts. One was the flat appearance fee system, and the other was the profit-based method. The profit-based method usually meant receiving around six to seven percent of the returns. By that standard, the conditions offered to Kang Woojin belonged to the very top tier.
It was an extremely unusual case and truly exceptional treatment.
Still, running fee was a double-edged sword. If the film failed at the box office, then there would be no income beyond the appearance fee. Even so, Choi Sunggeon considered it a good condition.
'Woojin chose Island of the Missing himself, so it should at least perform decently. And with Director Kwon Gitaek and the other top actors involved, running fee will be more profitable than just raising the fixed appearance fee.'
But Choi Sunggeon did not stop there.
"That's good, Director, but running fee is heavily future-oriented. So please add one more option."
"An option?"
"Yes. How about buying Woojin a nice car?"
At the suggestion of a car option, Director Kwon burst into laughter.
"Haha, alright. Then let's add a 'nice car' option to the contract as well."
A grateful look crossed Director Kwon's face. It was the kind of thing one could do for someone who had saved a film that had nearly collapsed.
But soon his smile faded, and he changed the subject.
"Ah, I also had something I wanted to discuss with you, CEO Choi."
"Yes, Director, please go ahead."
"I never imagined Ha Yura would end up taking the role. Originally, I had offered her a cameo, but now that position is open. I heard Hye-yeon recently wrapped filming Profiler Hanryang. Is that right?"
Choi Sunggeon immediately understood the meaning of the suggestion.
To be precise—
This was it.
Since it was already something he had expected, he simply nodded in agreement.
"Yes, I understand what you mean. I'll confirm it with Hye-yeon."
Overall, it turned into a very successful negotiation for BW Entertainment.
──────────
Meanwhile—
Time flew by in an instant.
Too many things happened, and shocking incidents followed one after another. First, Seo Chaeeun, who had stayed silent throughout yesterday and today, finally made a move.
『Breaking News: Seo Chaeeun, who had remained silent, releases a statement through her agency's official website』
That evening, she released an official statement through her agency.
But there was no real impact.
As always, it was nothing but dull excuses.
However, Power Patch did not let it slide.
They followed with a three-hit combo. This time, the articles included multiple pieces of evidence and even witnesses. So on June 30, the very last day of the month—
『Official: Seo Chaeeun summoned by police over repeated propofol abuse allegations, to be investigated within days』
In the end, the police and prosecution took action. Plans were made to search Seo Chaeeun's home and summon her for questioning. The final results would come within days, but even that alone was enough.
『All activities connected to Seo Chaeeun, from films to broadcasts, come to a complete halt. How large will the fine be?』
At that point, it would not have been strange at all to think her acting career was over.
Around then, Kang Woojin received the OST songs for the drama Boy Friend.
They were guide tracks with both music and lyrics completed, and Director Shin Dongchun handed them over personally.
"Woojin, I know you're busy, but keep listening and get used to them. We're recording this week, but if it's too much, you can do it later, so don't feel pressured."
Woojin received two songs in total.
One was a solo track, and the other was a duet.
His evaluation was simple.
'This is seriously good. It keeps lingering in my head.'
It was the moment his favorite song changed.
Whenever he had spare time, Kang Woojin listened to the demo tracks, hummed along, and tried to get used to the songs.
Several days passed like that.
The noisy month of June ended, and July, full of everything that was about to unfold, began. The weather was sweltering, the height of midsummer. From the very first day of July, Kang Woojin found himself making one pleasant choice after another.
"Woojin, have you chosen the car model you want on top of the running fee option?"
"Ah, I'm still deciding."
"Take your time. No pressure. It doesn't matter whether it's domestic or imported. But if possible, why not try an imported car?"
Woojin was about to own his first car in life.
And someone else was buying it for him.
Technically it was a gift, and inside, he wanted to dance with joy.
'Just a few months ago, I thought I'd be walking around forever, and now I'm suddenly getting an imported car?'
He had never expected a day like this would come. His life was becoming more and more abundant.
In the end, Woojin chose an imported car from brand B. He had always thought their cars were decent and reasonably priced. BW Entertainment would buy it first, and Harmony Film Company would reimburse them later.
──────────
Now let's move ahead to Thursday, July 2.
Kang Woojin's daily schedule ran nonstop from morning until late afternoon.
It was the official recording day for the Boy Friend OST.
Since only the vocal recording would take place that day, the entire Boy Friend team gathered at the studio. Director Shin Dongchun and the music director naturally took charge of the scene, while writer Kim Sohyang, writer Choi Nana, and the other staff simply watched from the audience area.
Because it was an official recording, everyone's expressions were serious.
Then—
The first vocal recording began with Kang Woojin.
Wearing his cap pulled low, Woojin stepped into the recording booth. The atmosphere was similar to the earlier test recording, but his mindset this time was different.
'Whew, it's fine. I'm not that nervous. It doesn't have to be perfect. I just need to relax.'
This was his first OST project.
If he did well, a song with Kang Woojin's voice would be released into the world. As he tried to calm his pounding heart, Woojin worked to settle himself. Fortunately, the acting experience he had accumulated helped the slight tremor in his body disappear quickly.
Soon—
"Ah, Woojin? Can you hear me clearly?"
"Yes, I can hear you."
Through the headphones he was wearing, Woojin heard the music director's signal.
"Since it's your first time, I won't stop you. So just go all the way through. It's okay even if you mess up the lyrics. So Woojin, sing it with the mindset that you'll do it from beginning to end, alright?"
"Yes."
The music director nodded and started the equipment.
Woojin's solo song began to play.
It was a familiar song.
It did not feel foreign at all.
That was probably because he had listened to it often and hummed along to it so many times. Matching himself to the music, Woojin opened his mouth and looked at the lyrics on the monitor. It began softly, then gradually grew more intense.
Around that point, the music director outside the booth nodded to the rhythm and said to Director Shin Dongchun,
"He's doing well, right? Usually, during a first recording, people get nervous from the introduction and struggle. But Woojin started smoothly, and his emotional delivery is good too."
"Mm, this song definitely suits Woojin's voice. It feels completely different from the guide track."
"If he keeps this level of clean performance from the start, today should go by without much difficulty, right?"
The two calmly analyzed Kang Woojin's vocals.
Meanwhile, Kim Sohyang, writer Choi Nana, and around ten other people stared fixedly at Woojin inside the booth. Hwarin had even closed her eyes.
The interesting thing was that no one said a word.
They were too busy appreciating Kang Woojin's singing ability.
Gradually, Woojin's vocals reached their peak. His high notes echoed sorrowfully throughout the studio.
In one corner of the studio, Choi Sunggeon stood slightly apart from the others and exchanged glances with the woman standing beside him.
She was an unfamiliar woman wearing thick-rimmed glasses.
Choi Sunggeon quietly asked her,
"What do you think?"
Still staring at Kang Woojin inside the booth, the woman finally answered.
"...I think this is going to blow up. Honestly, I'm surprised. I had no idea he could sing this well too. It really feels like there's nothing Kang Woojin can't do."
"Do you think he'd stand out in musicals?"
"Yes. If he polishes it a little more, definitely."
That woman was a famous casting director in the musical industry.
──────────
At the same time, filming was also underway at Toega Film Company in Tokyo, Japan.
Inside a conference room with a somewhat tense atmosphere, around six people were speaking Japanese. Among them was a familiar face with a prominent nose.
It was the great Japanese film director Kyotaro.
Employees from the production company sat around him.
Across from Director Kyotaro sat a man upright in his seat.
"It's an honor, Director."
The man with long hair tied back by a headband was, naturally, an actor. His name was Kosaku Mana. A member of a famous Japanese band and also a top actor, he was known in Japan as a serious, skilled performer thanks to his sharp features.
Soon, Director Kyotaro smiled and said to Kosaku Mana,
"Mana-san, I wanted to meet you. Thank you for coming."
"Not at all. I'm happy to help."
"Mm, the company already gave you the basic explanation, right? The project I'm preparing is based on a novel by writer Takikawa Akari."
"Yes, I heard."
Impressed, Kosaku thought to himself,
'Director Kyotaro and writer Akari. Those two names alone are enough reason to take this project.'
At that moment, Director Kyotaro accepted a stack of papers from the employee beside him and handed it to Kosaku.
"One actor has already been cast. He's a Korean actor."
A Korean actor?
Kosaku's eyes widened in surprise.
"...A Korean actor? If he's a top star, may I ask who it is?"
"No. He's a rookie. It's still early, so it's difficult to reveal his name."
"...?"
Kosaku's eyes filled with doubt.
A rookie?
And not even a top star?
Meanwhile, Director Kyotaro remained calm and pointed at the papers.
"Before you look at the full script, read the synopsis first."
"...Ah, yes. Understood."
Kosaku quickly lowered his gaze and checked the title first.
The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
It was a familiar title, the same as the bestselling novel. But since Kosaku had never read the original, he focused on the synopsis instead.
Several words stood out.
School violence.
Korea-Japan relations.
Trap.
Conspiracy.
Murder.
Detective.
As Kosaku became deeply immersed in the synopsis, he murmured to himself,
'A revenge story.'
It was a fierce and merciless revenge story.