The fact that Kang Woojin's contract with BW Entertainment was only for one year.
The editor with the heavy double chin frowned even harder. He looked at the female reporter standing in front of him with a serious face, raised his voice a little, and asked again.
"Don't talk nonsense. A one-year contract? Who would believe that? Do you even know who Choi Sunggeon is? That bastard's a total player. You think the head of an entertainment company like him would sign a diamond-tier talent like Kang Woojin for only one year? No, forget that. A one-year contract like that doesn't even exist in the first place."
What he said was not entirely wrong, but the female reporter did not back down.
"I got that information from a source."
"······"
The editor, who had been scratching at the fat under his chin, closed his mouth. Then he slowly looked the determined reporter up and down. A few seconds later, he spoke again.
"How reliable is that information?"
"Hmm, about eighty percent?"
"Eighty?"
"Yes."
She sounded completely confident. At that point, even the editor found it hard to brush that confidence aside.
"Huh… this is a pretty fresh piece of news. What kind of strange entertainment company signs a rookie to a one-year contract these days?"
"Exactly! And if it's Kang Woojin, even more so. He's been caught up in all kinds of issues lately, and he's already put out a bunch of hit works."
Could that really be true? No matter how he thought about it, the editor found it hard to understand.
"Fine, then. Let's say, for convenience's sake, that it really is a one-year contract. But right after debuting, he blew up with Mise-en-scene and Profiler Hanryang, didn't he? If they weren't idiots, shouldn't they have renewed him immediately?"
On top of that, Kang Woojin had not even been in the industry for a full year, yet he was already shaking up not only Korea but the Japanese entertainment industry as well. And Choi Sunggeon had just left him like that? Had he lost his touch?
"Hmm. I don't know. There must be some reason between the two of them. Or maybe it's some kind of deal."
"If BW Entertainment loses Kang Woojin now, they'll be treated like clowns in the industry."
"They will."
"Well, that's none of our business. But Editor-in-Chief, what do you think of this article? Doesn't it sound fun?"
The female reporter smiled faintly. The editor's smile slowly spread as well.
"What should I say? Especially now, when Kang Woojin is practically monopolizing the market, this could turn the whole agency world upside down. Everyone will come rushing in and start throwing money around. Public interest would surge too. Either way, it's an interesting story."
"With the year-end just around the corner, I think this could really grab their attention this time."
"Then are you going to release it right away?"
"Why delay it? Just put it out."
Normally, the editor would have agreed without hesitation, but this time, for some reason, he took a more cautious stance.
"Hmm, no. The information you got might be wrong. Check it again, then come back and get my confirmation one more time."
The female reporter frowned.
"···Editor-in-Chief. Are you backing out now?"
"Yes."
"Why? Why are you dragging this out for no reason?"
The editor let out a low sigh.
"Listen carefully. If you bring this up and it turns out to be baseless, and they sue us, are you going to take full responsibility?"
"On what grounds would they even sue?"
The editor sighed again, more deeply this time.
"Listen. If you're going to touch Kang Woojin right now, you'd better be fully prepared. This isn't something that ends with a light warning."
"What??"
"List the major people tied to Kang Woojin."
"Ah."
"Dramas, films, variety shows, star writers, even Japan. You know the main investor behind The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice is the Japanese giant Kashiwa Group, right?"
"······"
"They're all people an ordinary rookie wouldn't even dream of being connected to, but Kang Woojin is crawling with that kind of heavyweight around him. Which means if you touch him, you need to be ready to deal with every last one of them."
"But this isn't a scandal."
"What's the point of creating pointless trouble for ourselves?"
The female reporter understood where the editor was coming from. The editor then rose casually from his seat. His bulging stomach stood out.
"If what you mentioned is one hundred percent true, then there's no problem. But if it turns out to be nothing more than gossip or hearsay, that's when it becomes a problem. Even so, it's too interesting a subject to just let it go."
He muttered to himself, then stood right in front of the female reporter and lowered his voice.
"So check it again. If you do, there may still be a chance to completely turn the entertainment industry upside down."
──────────
Around lunchtime that same day, at the McDonald's commercial shoot.
Kang Woojin was still battling hamburgers. Filming had started in the morning and was still going on. According to the schedule sheet, it would probably wrap up sometime in the afternoon.
"Mr. Woojin! Can you make it look like lightning is flashing in your eyes when you eat the burger?"
"Lightning? Yes, I'll give it a try."
"Good! Let's do it again, this time with more emotion!"
Among the dozen or so members of Woojin's team, Choi Sunggeon stood out with an especially serious expression. He had his arms crossed and was quietly watching Kang Woojin. As he tied his hair back again, he muttered to himself.
"A stepping stone? Director Ahn Gabok meant that?"
Choi Sunggeon's head was full of thoughts about Director Ahn Gabok, especially the contents of the phone call they had shared that morning. It was obvious that the conversation had not been about anything light.
Then it had been Choi Sunggeon's turn.
"Hmm-"
He recalled the important part of his conversation with Director Ahn. Everything had begun with the seasoned voice coming from the other end of the call.
"I assume you've already noticed by now. For my hundredth film, I need actor Kang Woojin. You may have already heard the rumors, but I plan to challenge Cannes with this film."
Choi Sunggeon had already looked into it, but outwardly he acted as if it were nothing. He only pretended to be mildly surprised.
"Ah, I see. Since I was planning to meet you after the overseas shoot anyway, I'll pass it on to Woojin and set a time. But Director, may I ask you something?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm curious what made you interested in Woojin."
"Sign language."
"Sign language?"
"Yes. It was a skill I needed for the film's direction, and I thought it would be better to cast an actor who already knew sign language rather than teaching one from scratch. That was when Kang Woojin caught my eye."
"···I understand."
"But now I'm more interested in his acting, and in the person himself."
As Director Ahn's voice continued, Choi Sunggeon found himself confused.
"The person himself?"
"When I brought up Cannes to Woojin in Danang, he didn't seem interested at all. His eyes were sincere. He really didn't seem to have much expectation for Cannes."
"······"
"Mr. Choi Sunggeon, did you know that?"
It was not that Choi Sunggeon had known. He had simply overheard it by accident. But he had to pretend he did not know.
"No. He's quite unpredictable."
"Hmm. Then I suppose you didn't know that what Woojin truly wants is not Cannes, but the Academy Awards."
What? The Oscars?
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
The veteran director, one of the industry's giants, calmly explained his sharp misunderstanding over the phone.
"The Oscars. In other words, Woojin's goal is to stand on the Academy Awards stage. I could feel it very clearly in his words and in his eyes."
Choi Sunggeon was stunned. The Academy Awards? The Oscars? Of course, it was a massive world they would have to face someday, but already? Even top stars often failed after more than ten years in the industry. Kang Woojin had barely been active for one year. It made no sense.
Choi Sunggeon thought about Woojin's tendencies, the path he had walked so far, and his abilities.
In the end, he had no choice but to agree.
'······No, of course. He already had native-level English from the start, and he could speak several other languages too. He had ambitions for overseas expansion, including Japan. He also stood firm during the crisis with The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice. And on top of that, famous figures keep gathering around him.'
If you looked closely, directors like Kwon Gitaek and Kyotaro had considerable recognition overseas as well.
And in the end.
'And there has to be a special clause saying he won't interfere with project selection.'
Once everything was put together, the answer became obvious. In truth, Kang Woojin had been moving quietly toward the final boss without making a show of it. That final boss was the Academy Awards. Yes. Choi Sunggeon's certainty only grew stronger.
'Was everything, from the very beginning, part of a clear plan to reach the Academy Awards as fast as possible?'
The misunderstanding casually spread by the veteran director transferred in full to the main victim, Kang Woojin. Woojin was merely chewing on a hamburger, yet both Choi Sunggeon and Director Ahn Gabok had serious expressions. Of the two, Director Ahn was the one who spoke again over the phone.
"The ambition Woojin carries does not come from pretense. It comes from sincerity. He is truly running toward that goal. But CEO Choi, you must understand that challenging the Academy Awards requires meeting many conditions."
"······So that's the stepping stone you meant."
"Yes. Of course, the talent Woojin possesses is enough to shake Hollywood. But the process of proving it is harsh. Hollywood still does not truly know Woojin. Actors all over the world devote their lives just to gain entry there."
"Yes, that's right."
"But Woojin's interest is probably not limited to simply attending the Academy Awards. It is obvious that he intends to get his hands on something that shines there. For that, he will need it."
"I understand. To build a proper profile, he needs a persuasive filmography and notable achievements."
"That is the basic principle. The Academy Awards system is built that way."
Director Ahn lightly laughed, putting a little strength into his aged voice.
"There is no better stepping stone than Cannes. It grants credibility to anyone entering the Academy Awards circle."
That was where the call had ended. Recalling the conversation with Director Ahn Gabok, Choi Sunggeon returned to reality. His gaze remained fixed on Kang Woojin inside the set. And caught in his misunderstanding, he muttered to himself again.
'Actor Kang Woojin's one and only weakness, the one thing he lacks, is experience. His filmography is still thin. The Academy Awards system is complicated, packed with countless interests and connections that are not easy to overcome.'
What Choi Sunggeon was thinking about were only the basics. If you dug deeper into the Academy Awards, there were extremely tangled layers of verification procedures and systems. Very profound things, in other words. Among them were factors such as an actor's career history and public recognition.
A resume was a document that held absolute power anywhere.
The Academy Awards were no different, and for the current Kang Woojin, it was a difficult wall. It was not the kind of problem that effort or passion could overcome. Realistically, it was impossible.
But.
'If a rookie director who debuted only a year ago turns Cannes upside down.'
Even then, there would be a tiny possibility. It would spark curiosity. There had never been a precedent of a newcomer director sweeping Cannes within a single year of debut. That would become the key counterattack.
And after that.
"Ha ha."
Lost in deep thought, Choi Sunggeon laughed bitterly.
"I think I'm losing it. Even I've started thinking of Cannes as a stepping stone."
The idea of a rookie director entering Cannes was something unimaginable, both in the past and in the future. At least, until Kang Woojin appeared. In any case, Cannes had now become nothing more than a side branch.
At that exact moment.
Swish.
During the break, Woojin returned to his spot with an indifferent face.
'What? He looks ridiculously pleased.'
Then he asked:
"Chief, did something good happen?"
At that indifferent question, Choi Sunggeon's smile deepened.
"Well, something like that. I was just imagining something good happening."
Inwardly, he made up his mind to witness the impossible right beside him.
'This time, let's rewrite history. But first, I need to settle the contract.'
He had no idea that the root of the whole matter was simply a misunderstanding.
──────────
The next day, the tenth, inside writer Lee Wolsun's workspace.
In the quiet room, writer Lee Wolsun was staring at her laptop screen. Unlike usual, she had spent several minutes simply looking at it before letting out a light sigh.
"It's finished."
Then, without delay, Lee Wolsun grabbed her phone and called the director of the film Frozen love. He was probably in the middle of filming, but he picked up almost immediately.
"Yes, Writer."
Lee Wolsun spoke simply.
"I just finished the script for the final episode."
The script work for Frozen love, which would soon premiere, was complete. The moment he heard that, the director's voice grew louder over the phone.
"Wow! Writer, thank you for your hard work! But today won't work! Tomorrow! I'll come see you tomorrow morning!"
"All right. But there are two versions of the final episode script."
"Two versions?"
"Yes. I kept thinking about the mysterious man next door you mentioned before."
"Hmm? You wrapped that up really well, though. You even put in a flashback scene and mentioned that he moved away."
"But I felt sorry for that character. And Mr. Woojin brought him to life so beautifully that he made him even better."
"···Right. And what are the two versions?"
"One is a version where the protagonist Song Taehyung and the mysterious man next door meet again in the final episode, and the other is a version where they do not meet again."
"Aha."
Slowly crossing her legs, writer Lee Wolsun continued her explanation.
"As you'll see in the script, the mysterious man next door runs into Song Taehyung by chance. He avoids Song Taehyung's gaze, but the completely changed Song Taehyung greets him in sign language. The startled mysterious man next door smiles and responds in sign language as well."
"Oh! With the contrast between the first and final episodes, that would definitely leave a warm feeling, right?"
"But we can't use it unless Mr. Woojin agrees."
"······Yes. And seeing how often Mr. Woojin appears in the press, he really does seem very busy."
"The shoot would only take half a day, so could you request some filming time from Mr. Woojin's side?"
"Understood, Writer."
One unusual thing was that the reply to the message the director sent came back very quickly. Of course, the one who replied was Choi Sunggeon.
[Yes, Director. Woojin wants to do it too. If you let us know a week in advance, we'll make time.]
At roughly the same time, Frozen love released its official trailer worldwide through YouTube and various other video platforms.
Frozen love | Official First Trailer | KBC
A fifteen-second teaser, a thirty-second teaser, and the official first trailer were all released. With the premiere only two weeks away, it was a natural step. Both videos included the mysterious man next door in a brief but powerful appearance, along with a sign language scene. Kang Woojin's presence was strangely intense.
Naturally, the public response was immediate.
[Online reactions]
[Kang Woojin completely dominated Drug Dealer with just his eyes and breathing… he was chillingly sexy like some insane psychopath… but his sign language acting here is such a new side of him?]
[How much screen time does Kang Woojin have in this project?]
[Kang Woojin's face is seriously so versatile! Sometimes he's sweet, sometimes creepy, and now he even feels quietly warm!]
[Ahㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ it looks boring…]
[It's a Lee Wolsun workㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ can she beat writer Park Eunmi?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Kang Woojinㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ from lover to drug addict and now sign languageㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ he looks like a completely different person every timeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
[Jung Janghwan's in another drama againㅋㅋㅋ doesn't he do films too??]
[Waaah...]
Kang Woojin's acting spectrum was expanding without end.
──────────
Meanwhile, at that very moment, inside a shop in Cheongdam-dong.
Kang Woojin's van was parked in the lot of a large store. Soon after, Woojin, now in full makeup, got into the van. Inside, only Choi Sunggeon could be seen in the front passenger seat. Han Yejung and Jang Suhwan were in the restroom, and the other team members were at the office.
Woojin's schedule for the day included two interviews in the morning, then from the afternoon until night he had to return to the set of Island of the Missing.
Regardless.
Slice.
Choi Sunggeon, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly handed Kang Woojin a transparent document folder.
"This is about the year-end events. It includes every awards ceremony that has sent invitations so far. No matter what kind they are, you should keep in mind that it's best to attend all the year-end events."
The cool-headed Kang Woojin silently opened the file and nodded.
"Yes, I know."
Choi Sunggeon watched Woojin skim through the file, then abruptly changed the subject.
"And for now, the Oscars are impossible."
Woojin slowly raised his head and met Choi Sunggeon's eyes. A brief silence followed.
"······"
There was not the slightest shake in his poker face. Still, there seemed to be a faint disturbance somewhere beneath it. Or perhaps it was better described as a question. After a few seconds, Kang Woojin answered in a clear voice.
"Of course this year would be difficult."
The moment he heard that answer, Choi Sunggeon grinned.
"Ha, I was curious, but it's exactly what I expected. The Oscars… that's not just ambitious, it's absurdly grand. It blows apart every convention."
The irritation in his voice was almost a bonus.
"Were you aiming for the Oscars from the start? I'm a little hurt. If you'd given me even the slightest hint about a plan that outrageous, I could've prepared myself mentally. I nearly had a heart attack."
Kang Woojin's expressionless face looked firmer than ever.
'······?'