The three reporters froze for a moment at Director Kyotaro's words. A rookie actor, not a top star.
They stared, unsure if they had heard correctly.
"…What?"
His expression did not change. There was no hint of a joke.
The reporters exchanged glances, silent but speaking through their eyes.
'He's serious?'
'A rookie actor? Even casting a Korean actor already caused this much buzz, and now the lead is a rookie?'
'Why not a famous actor?'
Their confusion was only natural. A Korean newcomer had suddenly appeared at the center of it all. With names like Director Kyotaro and writer Takikawa Akari attached, they could have cast any top actor they wanted.
One reporter cautiously asked.
"Director, just to confirm— a Korean actor has been cast in The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, but not a top star… a rookie actor?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"And what about the language barrier? Even with practice, wouldn't it still sound unnatural?"
"There won't be any issues."
"…May we ask about the process?"
"I'm afraid I can't share the details."
"Even in our country, it's rare for a rookie to lead a film. A Korean rookie leading is unprecedented. Could you at least explain why?"
"No. It's a long story, and it could easily be misunderstood."
A faint crease formed between the reporters' brows.
Director Kyotaro cleared his throat before adding calmly.
"However, both I and the original author, Takikawa Akari, fully support this decision."
"The writer as well?"
"Yes. More than agreement, it's closer to certainty. We both met the actor in person before deciding."
"Can you tell us who it is?"
"Not at this time."
A flicker of dissatisfaction passed through the reporters' eyes, but the director continued without wavering.
"I am aware that The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice is currently surrounded by controversy. However, the entire production team, including myself, is pouring our full effort and sincerity into this film."
"Of course."
"We would appreciate it if you could convey that to the public."
The reporters' eyes sharpened.
This interview had been meant to be routine, just a few questions about a hot topic. Getting any comment at all would have been enough. Instead, they had stumbled onto something far bigger.
A scoop.
They exchanged awkward smiles as the interview wrapped up. Director Kyotaro, meanwhile, felt satisfied.
'That look… they're already shouting "exclusive." That's enough.'
Everything was moving exactly as planned.
──────────
Later that afternoon, on the 14th, Director Kyotaro's official statement about the "Korean rookie actor" spread across Japan's internet.
『Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi finally speaks amid controversy: "A Korean actor has been cast, but not a top star— a rookie."』
As a major outlet, the article immediately hit the front page. Its contents were based entirely on his interview.
It included a key line:
"A Korean actor has officially joined The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice. The role has already been decided, and it is a male actor."
"He's not a top star. He's a rookie actor."
An attached interview video showed Kyotaro speaking calmly.
Until now, he had remained silent. This was effectively his first official stance.
And that was enough.
Japanese media, once skeptical, began flooding the story.
『Why cast a Korean rookie as the lead in The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice?』
『A bold and unusual choice— a rookie actor leads a film by a renowned director.』
What had once spread like rumor was now confirmed fact.
『Why a Korean rookie for the lead? Author Takikawa Akari remains silent.』
The moment Kyotaro spoke, the controversy only grew louder.
One issue had sparked another.
Public reaction followed quickly.
[Online reactions]
[So the rumors were true? But a rookie lead makes it even more confusing.]
[A rookie actor? Then why cast a Korean actor at all? I don't get it.]
[Who is it?! Director, just tell us already!!]
[This has to be unprecedented in the film industry.]
[Does anyone know who this Korean rookie is??]
The scale of the reaction spread like a wave across Japan.
No— more like a tidal surge.
And it didn't take long to reach Korea.
──────────
『[Exclusive] Truth revealed behind The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice… Korean actor confirmed… but a rookie?』
From late night on the 14th into the early hours of the 15th, the story exploded across Korean media.
It began in online communities.
[Online reactions]
[Repost) Japan is in chaos right now. The rumor about casting a Korean actor is confirmed.]
[The director himself said it— a Korean rookie actor!]
The news spread rapidly.
『[Issue Check] Who is the Korean rookie actor cast by Director Kyotaro?』
This time, things were different.
It was no longer rumor.
The director himself had confirmed it.
At that point, silence from Korean media would have been absurd.
And so, the headlines poured in.
The situation heated up just like in Japan.
[Online reactions]
[Whaaaat???]
[Did this just come out of nowhere? And why a rookie?? I don't get it lol]
[Wow… I knew the director liked Korea, but casting a Korean rookie as the lead??]
[Is this real?? Has anything like this ever happened??]
[The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice is a huge bestseller, right? This is insane.]
[A Korean rookie as the lead?? That's crazy lol]
[But who is it? And how are they handling Japanese??]
[Damn, I'm so curious. Internet detectives, let's go!!!]
The situation was unprecedented.
And it was drawing everyone in.
Choi Sunggeon, watching the situation escalate, muttered under his breath.
"Good. The game's getting bigger."
──────────
That same morning, as Choi Sunggeon prepared to pick him up, Kang Woojin checked his phone.
"…So this is how it's unfolding."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Interesting."
──────────
Around noon on the 15th.
A live café in Seoul.
Soft lighting filled the wide space. A small stage stood at the front, lined with instruments, while tables faced toward it.
Dozens of staff members gathered inside.
The Boy Friend filming set.
Cameras and audio equipment were positioned near the entrance. Even a boom mic hovered overhead.
The tables, currently empty, would later be filled with extras.
All focus was on the stage.
Hwarin stood there in a denim jacket and skirt. Beside her, a middle-aged man played the café owner.
Then—
"Let's go!"
Director Shin Dongchun, seated near the monitors, called out.
"Action!"
The camera closed in on Hwarin, fully immersed as Lee Bomin.
She grabbed the café owner's arm, desperation written across her face.
"Sir! You promised you'd play my song today! How can you do this?!"
The owner frowned, irritation plain.
"No! How many times do I have to tell you?! The singer who was supposed to perform bailed! What do you want me to do?!"
"…Then you're not even going to try contacting them?"
"This is so annoying. I'm sick of it. They act like they're some big-shot singers, then disappear without a word!"
"Then at least play the guide track! Or I can sing it! I'll do it!"
"Enough already. You think you're the only one like this?"
He shook off her hand roughly.
Lee Bomin's face fell into despair.
"Sir! Just once! Please— just this once!"
"Get out! This is a live café! Why would I play a recorded track?! Go somewhere else!"
He shoved her back.
The scene continued through multiple angles and takes, maintaining continuity.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
The sound of tapping on a microphone echoed through the café.
Both Lee Bomin and the owner turned toward the stage.
So did the camera.
A man stood there.
Kang Woojin.
No— Han Inho, in a hoodie.
His face was blank, unreadable.
The owner frowned.
"What is that guy doing?"
Lee Bomin blinked in confusion.
"Why is he up there? Isn't he supposed to be in the bathroom?"
"You know him?!"
"I'm sorry! I'll get him down right away!"
Right then—
Music filled the café.
Lee Bomin stopped mid-step.
"…Huh? My song?"
Han Inho stepped toward the microphone and began to sing.
His voice layered over the MR track she had composed.
Deep. Steady.
It filled the entire space.
The owner's irritation faded as he stroked his chin.
"Wow… he's good. Is he your friend? A singer? A trainee?"
Lee Bomin stared at the stage, stunned.
After a few seconds, she finally answered.
"No… I don't know him. I've never seen him before."
──────────
"Cut! Okay!!"
Director Shin Dongchun jumped to his feet, clapping.
The scene was complete.
Not in one take, but after three.
Not because of poor acting.
Both Kang Woojin and Hwarin had delivered strong performances.
It was simply the director's pursuit of perfection— especially for Han Inho's unexpected singing scene.
Finally—
"Cut! That's it!! Woojin, Hwarin— both of you were excellent!"
Applause erupted across the set.
Hwarin bowed.
"Thank you, Director! Thank you, everyone!"
Kang Woojin followed with a deep bow.
"Thank you. Great work, everyone."
Cheers and praise filled the café.
"Wow! That last cut was amazing!"
"You both did great!"
"Feels sad that it's already over."
"Ha! What, you wanted a few more months of filming?"
"Of course not! Everyone did great!"
Director Shin Dongchun smiled and raised his hand.
"Alright, save the celebration for later. Let's start wrapping up. The rental time's almost up."
The filming of the Netflix drama Boy Friend had finally come to an end.
──────────
Meanwhile, Korean media remained consumed by The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
And then—
A name began to surface.
[Online reactions]
[Could the Korean actor cast by Director Kyotaro be Kang Woojin??? It really feels like him]
It was Kang Woojin.