The forest lay submerged in pitch-black darkness, with only faint moonlight filtering through. The atmosphere was no different from when they had first arrived, but the number of people had changed. Two had come, and now only one remained. The other had disappeared without a trace.
The camera slowly revealed the side profile of the man who was left behind.
On the monitor Kwon Gitaek was watching, Kang Woojin's face appeared. More precisely, it was the intense expression of Sergeant Jin Seoncheol filling the screen. His face was intentionally blurred, never fully revealed, leaving only his laughter to ring out with sharp clarity.
His white teeth curved into a clear crescent.
Kwon Gitaek leaned closer without realizing it, completely absorbed. It had been a long time since he had forgotten everything else and been drawn in purely by an actor's performance.
'How can he switch between two personalities so quickly?'
No thoughts about directing followed. He was simply captivated by the acting itself, especially Kang Woojin's expressions. This was not just for the moment. From the morning until now, Woojin's performance had not wavered even once.
'It's not just expression or tone. The meaning in his eyes, the weight in his voice, the threat mixed into his movements… You can see it instantly. Two people are living inside him. This isn't a split personality. It feels like two separate bodies.'
Jin Seoncheol, who had been laughing as he looked down from the edge of the cliff, suddenly muttered under his breath.
"What, why. Pretentious bullshit."
A tremor spread through his entire body, from his face down to his limbs. It was not violent, but it was far from subtle. Enough to send a chill through anyone watching. His eyes rolled slightly, as if something unseen had taken hold.
There was something monstrous standing there.
Around him, dozens of staff members reacted. Their eyes widened, some covering their mouths, others whispering without realizing it.
"That's creepy. I've got goosebumps."
"Woojin's acting is seriously… insane."
"Is this really his first day? He was already shocking at the reading, but here… it feels like he's possessed."
Ryu Jungmin remained silent.
"..."
Ha Yura said nothing either.
'How does that kind of performance come out in just a few seconds?'
No one could speak. They could only watch. The camera stayed locked on Kang Woojin, whose performance dominated the scene entirely. Even without the other lead actors present, he carried everything on his own.
Yet his presence filled the space as if everyone were there.
Soon, the scene came to an end.
"Cut. OK."
Kwon Gitaek stood. The staff, as if released from something, began to clap.
The applause was not loud, but it carried weight.
Kang Woojin let the smile fade from his face and checked himself.
'It's fine. No particular problems.'
Sergeant Jin Seoncheol was different from any role he had played before. Maintaining this role meant holding multiple layers at once, including his own. Because of that, he had to keep checking himself constantly, not only in terms of the concept but in every detail.
Kwon Gitaek approached him, satisfaction clear in his expression.
"Woojin-ssi."
"Yes, Director."
"You okay?"
Woojin lowered his voice.
"No problem."
"Then let's shoot that one more time. It's good, but I want to reduce the lighting a bit."
"Of course."
Kwon Gitaek studied him for a moment.
"Only if it's not too much."
"It's fine."
A faint smile crossed the director's face as he turned away.
'He shows that level of emotion and doesn't waver at all. Being in my film only makes his talent stand out more.'
Staff rushed in to adjust Woojin's uniform. Cameras and lights returned to position.
Filming resumed.
"Action."
Jin Seoncheol erased Corporal Choi once again.
The scene was repeated three times, not because the acting lacked anything, but because the director wanted variations in direction and camera angles.
After about an hour and a half, the scene finally ended.
They moved straight into the next one.
After pushing Corporal Choi, the two identities inside Jin Seoncheol began to clash. The conflict surfaced, forcing him toward a decision on this eerie Island of the Missing.
The scene began immediately after Choi disappeared.
"Action."
Still in uniform, Woojin stood for a brief moment—
And then his body gave out.
He collapsed on the spot. The camera captured his upper body. The smile from before was gone, replaced by strained breathing.
"Huff… huff…"
Pain spread through him.
'Can't breathe.'
His chest tightened, his body sending out warnings all at once. The darkness around him felt heavier, as if reflecting what he had just done.
'I feel nauseous.'
"Huk!"
His thoughts tangled.
'What did I just do? Corporal Choi… what happened? I know I did it, but it doesn't feel real.'
Fear filled his face. Hesitation spread through him. The part of him that had acted moments ago was gone, replaced by something fragile and uncertain.
Leaning against a thick tree, he removed his helmet.
"Sob!"
Tears poured down instantly.
The camera slowly moved closer.
There was no trace of falsehood in his expression. His trembling facial muscles, his distorted brow, the tears streaming down—everything was real.
He was grieving.
Clutching the helmet tightly, he felt a burning ache in his chest.
And then—
'Hey, idiot. Why are you crying?'
A rough voice echoed from somewhere deep inside him.
No one else reacted.
Only Woojin heard it.
'Didn't you hate that bastard? Don't you remember what he did to us?'
Woojin answered weakly.
'But… we killed him.'
The voice snapped back immediately.
'Bullshit. Is he even human? He's just trash. And this place allows it. You saw what happened here. Bodies everywhere.'
His breathing faltered.
'…Stop. Please.'
The voice did not relent.
'There's nothing to stop. This place allows it. It's a blessing. You can take revenge as much as you want. So stop crying and stand up.'
To everyone else, it was just a man breaking down.
The camera captured only his face.
Then voices cut through the darkness.
"Corporal Choi!! Corporal Jin!!"
Lights flooded the area as soldiers rushed in.
Woojin collapsed fully to the ground.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't stop him!"
One of the soldiers reached him first, breathing hard.
"What do you mean you couldn't stop him?! Don't tell me—"
Woojin forced the words out.
"He jumped… I'm sorry… when I got there, he was already…"
The soldier cursed.
"Is this real?"
Woojin shook as he spoke.
"I'm sorry… it happened so fast… next time, I'll stop him… it's my fault…"
He lay there crying, his body trembling.
But at the corner of his mouth, something shifted.
A faint tremor.
A smile.
It did not match the tears.
Inside him, the other voice returned.
'Next time? You're going to do it again.'
The camera held on his face, capturing both sides of him at once.
──────────
By the end of September, everyone involved in Island of the Missing had been completely absorbed in filming. The days blurred together, time slipping past without pause.
A few days earlier, the final trailer for Boy Friend had been released on Netflix Korea's official channel, immediately drawing massive attention.
[What is this… where did Assistant Manager Park go lol]
[Kang Woojin's image change is crazy]
[It's short but Woojin and Hwarin look so good together]
[The visuals are insane… I already love it]
[Wait, at 0:22… is that a kiss scene?]
[His acting range is seriously wide lol]
[Did they sing the OST together???]
[Netflix, don't release it weekly please]
[Finally something to watch]
[Hwarin looks so young… the uniform fits perfectly]
[Already replaying the OST nonstop]
[This is going to boost Woojin's popularity even more]
The same trailer was released in Japan as well, drawing just as much anticipation.
At the same time, the team behind Drug Dealer, set for release on October 28, pushed forward with full-scale promotions. Screenings were scheduled, and the cast moved from TV to YouTube to variety shows without rest.
Even when Woojin was not present, his name remained at the center.
"We can't talk about this film without mentioning Kang Woojin."
"Jaejun-ssi worked with him the most. It'd be better if he answered."
"Please tell us, Jaejun-ssi."
Jin Jaejun gave a small nod before answering.
"Honestly, I learned a lot working with Woojin-ssi. It made me realize how much I still lack."
Wherever they went, his name followed.
Even in absence, he felt present.
"Jaejun-ssi?"
"Yes… it's hard to explain. Just watch the film. It's incredible."
With both projects gaining attention at the same time, the media quickly framed it as a rivalry.
Boy Friend and Drug Dealer.
Two releases separated by only a week.
Naturally, all eyes turned to Kang Woojin.
For an actor who had debuted less than a year ago, it was unprecedented.
The public began discussing it freely.
[Watching Boy Friend then going straight to Drug Dealer lol]
[You'll definitely feel the difference in his acting]
[Boy Friend is somewhat predictable, but Drug Dealer? No idea, that's why I'm excited]
There was anticipation, but also doubt.
[Drug Dealer suits him, but romcom?? Not sure lol]
[Feels like his agency is pushing him too hard… won't his acting drop?]
In the end, the question was the same.
What kind of presence would Kang Woojin show in two completely different works?
It became a question of his ability.
──────────
Late morning, September 29.
Inside a spacious conference room at HTBS Entertainment Network, Kang Woojin sat at the center of a U-shaped table. His expression remained calm as ever.
Several small cameras were placed around him, with more installed across the ceiling.
He glanced at them briefly.
'These small cameras really don't let you relax. They're recording everything.'
Across from him, PD Yoon Byungseon spoke with a bright smile.
"Woojin-ssi, have you been well? It's been quite a while."
Writers sat beside him, focused.
"You've grown so much, it's hard to adjust."
Woojin answered simply.
"It just happened."
Yoon laughed.
"Lucky for us. Keep going like this. Congratulations on everything. I know you're busy, but our show is shaping up well."
Woojin listened quietly.
'The only variety show I'm doing… and it's not even acting. And it's international too.'
Yoon handed him a tablet.
"Season one will likely be filmed in the US. We're planning to start in November. But before that, we want to shoot part of episode one here in Korea."
Woojin nodded slightly.
"What's the plan?"
Yoon pointed at the screen.
"This meeting will be included in the episode. Then there'll be a group meal. Before going to the US, everyone will need to practice things like cooking and operations."
He tapped the screen lightly.
"So we're planning to open a one-day trial restaurant in Korea."