Kang Woojin looked calmly at Choi Sunggeon and asked to confirm.
"Are Boy Friend and Drug Dealer releasing at the same time?"
"At the same time?"
Choi Sunggeon gave a faint smile and nodded.
"It's not confirmed yet. Just my guess."
Woojin quietly organized what he had heard and ran a quick calculation in his head.
"I heard Boy Friend is scheduled for an October release."
"That's right. It's already late August, so there's just over a month left. But yesterday, while you were at the script reading for Frozen love, Director Kim Dohee called and suggested holding a blind preview next week."
The term lingered in Woojin's mind.
A blind preview.
It sounded familiar, yet he could not immediately place it. A moment later, the memory surfaced.
'Right. The Private Investigator had one too.'
After editing for The Private Investigator had been completed, there had been a closed screening attended only by those involved in the production. If that was the case, then Drug Dealer must already be deep into post-production.
It felt fast.
Faster than expected.
"Isn't that a bit early?"
"It is. For a commercial film, it's still quite early in post-production. It doesn't feel completely finished yet either. Maybe around ninety percent done. Still, the pace is fast. When directors get absorbed in editing, they tend to pour everything into it."
"They must've had a rough time."
"Anyway, the blind preview was originally planned for mid-September, but it seems to have been moved up because of the actors' schedules. If it's held at the end of August and editing wraps before mid-September, the distributor can start promotions right away. If everything lines up, it could release in October or November."
Woojin's expression did not change, but tension quietly settled inside him.
It was only a cameo.
Still, a film he appeared in would be shown in theaters.
He had watched The Private Investigator in a theater before, but this felt different.
'Is this the difference between a short and a commercial film?'
This was not a one-time screening.
It was a film where audiences would pay to watch, where results would be counted and compared. Viewers, revenue, numbers that carried weight.
His heartbeat grew slightly heavier.
"It wasn't intentional, but this means Boy Friend and Drug Dealer could overlap."
That possibility made sense.
They might not open on the exact same day, but they would likely fall into a similar window.
"If that happens, it could create a bigger impact. From the audience's perspective, there's more to choose from. And more importantly, you get to show completely different sides of yourself."
Choi Sunggeon's smile deepened.
"Since you're in both, you'll naturally be at the center of promotion. Two of your projects releasing around the same time will definitely draw attention."
He pointed lightly at Woojin.
"Lee Sangman and Han Inho. Completely different genres, presence, and aura."
He paused briefly, as if picturing the outcome.
"I'm curious how people will react."
──────────
After wrapping up the discussion, Choi Sunggeon shifted the topic to the upcoming Japan schedule.
People often assumed Woojin had studied abroad or had overseas experience, but in reality, he had never left Korea before.
'This will be my first time flying as an actor.'
He would be lying if he said he was not excited.
Japan was close, but it was still another country.
However, as the briefing continued, that excitement gradually faded.
"Woojin, unfortunately… you won't have any free time in Japan."
There was none.
In fact, the schedule there was even tighter than in Korea.
"We arrive on the 26th late in the morning. As soon as we land, we go straight to a Netflix Japan event. After a quick meal, there's a briefing, then the afternoon event. The next day—"
"That's just the expected schedule. The confirmed one will probably be even tighter."
Woojin let out a quiet breath.
Overseas schedules were always like this.
It was not a trip meant for rest.
He pressed down the excitement that had started to build.
Choi Sunggeon watched him carefully, his expression turning slightly concerned.
"Are you okay? How's your condition lately? It's hard to tell from your expression."
Woojin answered without hesitation.
"No problem."
If things became overwhelming, he could always retreat into the void space.
With four days left before departure, the briefing ended, and they left for their next schedule.
──────────
At that time, both projects Woojin had participated in were deep in editing.
"This cut works for the leads, but the cherry blossoms in the background look a bit sparse. What about the next version?"
Boy Friend, which had stirred nationwide attention after its production announcement, had completed filming and entered post-production.
Director Shin Dongchun had moved straight into editing.
The workload was far heavier than a typical short series.
Four episodes.
OST production.
Preparation for release on Netflix Japan.
As the scale increased, the workload followed.
The director and production team poured everything into the process.
"Music Director, I've been thinking. I want to change the background music for Lee Sangman's death scene."
"Now?"
This was related to Drug Dealer.
Its blind preview was approaching quickly.
"Right now it feels sad. But I want him to remain a proper villain until the end."
"Something bigger? More shocking?"
"Yes. I want him to stay a bastard until the very end."
"Hmm."
"That way, he'll leave a stronger impression."
Both projects continued on separate timelines.
One had just entered editing.
The other was nearing completion.
That difference in format made it possible for them to be released around the same time.
And just like that, the 22nd passed, and Sunday the 23rd arrived.
──────────
Early that morning, the Frozen love production team released press materials.
The script reading had just concluded, so the timing was natural.
What stood out—
『[Star Photo] Writer Lee Wolsun attends the official script reading of Frozen love / Photo』
Most of the released images featured Kang Woojin.
Even with a small role, he was currently one of the most talked-about actors in Korea.
『[Star Talk] Kang Woojin sits among top stars of Frozen love… still commanding attention / Photo』
At this point, his promotional power might even rival that of the male lead.
His role remained undisclosed, drawing curiosity.
『Director Kyotaro's Korean rookie Kang Woojin, what role will he play in Frozen love? Insider: "Unexpected role"』
Words like "twist," "unexpected," and "unimaginable" followed his name.
At the same time—
『[Star Talk] Growing interest in Kang Woojin's Japan debut』
『The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice confirms Kang Woojin as the only Korean actor』
Domestically, attention had already peaked following Boy Friend's announcement.
Yet his influence continued to expand.
『[Master Directors] How Kang Woojin captured both Kyotaro and Kwon Gitaek』
『[Fact Check] Kang Woojin continues to set first-ever records… industry watching his next move』
『Kang Woojin's Alter Ego surpasses 500,000 subscribers in just days』
The media had endless material to cover.
Public reaction was just as intense.
『Netizens surprised by Kang Woojin's unexpected singing skills』
Reactions continued to pour in.
──────────
The first teaser for Boy Friend was released on Netflix Korea.
Views: 520,000
The number rose rapidly.
Hwarin's fandom contributed, but Woojin's influence was clearly driving the momentum.
[Online reactions]
[I already feel the sweetness just from this teaser]
[Why do the visuals look so good?? I wish the whole drama looked like this]
[They're both in school uniforms?? Why am I already nervous??]
[This is going to flop]
[I thought Woojin wouldn't suit romcoms, but why does he actually fit so well??]
[When is it coming out?? Stop saying "coming soon"]
[I remember people doubting Hwarin at first lol]
[Make this a full 16-episode series please]
[Can Woojin even handle both Korea and Japan schedules??]
──────────
The teaser was also released in Japan.
The reaction there was explosive.
Interest in Kang Woojin surged across the country.
『[Trending] Kang Woojin's Hanryang gains popularity in Japan』
Another topic quickly followed.
His arrival.
『[Hot News] Kang Woojin and Hwarin confirmed to arrive in Japan on the 26th』
He was also scheduled to appear on a national talk show.
『Ametalk Show! announces Kang Woojin as this week's special guest』
──────────
August 26.
Haneda Airport in Tokyo was already crowded despite the early hour. Travelers moved in every direction, their voices overlapping into a constant hum that filled the terminal.
Amid that flow, attention began to gather in one area.
"Are those reporters over there?"
"Where? Oh… you're right. Is someone famous coming?"
"Looks like it."
Groups of reporters had gathered, cameras in hand, all focused on a single direction. Their presence alone drew curious glances from nearby passengers.
Soon, the curiosity spread.
"People are heading that way too."
"Even security's moving. It has to be someone important."
Gradually, more people drifted toward the same spot.
At that moment, Kang Woojin stepped into Haneda Airport.
'So this is Japan.'
He had just arrived.
His styling was simple and clean, his expression calm. Around him were Choi Sunggeon, staff from BW Entertainment, and members of the Netflix Korea team. Hwarin stood nearby as staff handled their luggage.
"Woojin, we move together."
"Understood."
They gathered themselves quickly.
From this moment on, the schedule had already begun.
'Keep your expression steady.'
It was his first flight.
His first time overseas.
Still, none of that showed on his face.
Hwarin brushed her hair back lightly, her tone soft.
"If we had more time, I could've shown you a few good places."
"Maybe next time."
Woojin replied simply.
They began moving toward the exit.
The closer they got, the more people appeared.
Woojin's gaze shifted quietly.
'That's more than I expected.'
Security stepped in almost immediately, forming a tight perimeter around Woojin and Hwarin. Staff adjusted their positions, guiding the group forward without slowing.
As they approached the immigration gate, the atmosphere shifted.
People had already gathered beyond it.
A lot of them.
Woojin narrowed his eyes slightly.
'That's a crowd.'
The doors began to open.
Slowly.
Light burst forward the moment the gap widened.
Flashes erupted in rapid succession, bright enough to blur his vision for a brief instant. The sound followed immediately after, a dense wave of shutters clicking all at once.
When his vision cleared, the scene came into focus.
Reporters packed tightly together, cameras raised without pause.
Behind them, an even larger crowd stretched outward, phones held high as people shouted over one another.
"They're here!"
"They've arrived!"
"Over there!"
The noise swelled quickly, filling the space.
Woojin took it in without reacting outwardly.
'That's more than I expected.'
Well over 500 people had gathered.
Security tightened their formation, creating a moving wall as they pushed forward through the flashes and noise. Staff guided the direction steadily, preventing the crowd from closing in too tightly.
The moment he stepped fully into Japan—
He was no longer just arriving.
He had stepped into the center of attention.