While Choi Sunggeon stepped out to take a call, only Kang Woojin, Director Ahn Gabok, and the film company CEO remained in the CEO's office. The atmosphere was somewhat heavy. Director Ahn Gabok and the CEO sat across from Woojin, staring at him intently.
"······"
"······"
Kang Woojin silently looked down at the opening page of Director Ahn Gabok's 100th film, Leech. In that brief moment, however, Director Ahn sensed a subtle shift in him.
'Did he just hesitate for a second?'
That was why he asked.
"Why? Is there something you don't like?"
Woojin did not answer right away. His eyes were still lowered to the Leech script, but in truth, he was recalling what had happened in the void just moments ago.
It was something that had been added to the script later on.
When Woojin stepped into the endlessly dark void, his first reaction had been simple.
'The title of the film is Leech? That's very straightforward.'
It was nothing more than a plain impression of the title. It sounded a little rough, and it was hard to guess what kind of story it held. Well, he could find out in detail later. Kang Woojin checked the floating white square. Among the listed entries, Leech was the very last one.
The instant he saw it, his eyes widened slightly.
-[8/Scenario (Title: Leech), S-rank]
-[*This is a complete film script. 100% readable.]
S-rank.
From the very beginning, Leech had been S-rank. Woojin had been genuinely impressed.
'Wow, this is a real masterpiece.'
Director Ahn Gabok absolutely deserved to be called a legend of Korean cinema. Still, one question had surfaced in Woojin's mind. There was no doubt it was an excellent piece of work, but—
'He said this film is meant to challenge Cannes.'
What kind of result would this film, Leech, actually bring? If it were released like Drug Dealer in ordinary theaters, then success would be judged by audience numbers. But since it was aiming for Cannes, would it only succeed in that sphere?
'No. It could still be released after Cannes.'
The Private Investigator had been a short film, so theatrical release had never even been part of the conversation, but Leech was a feature-length film. After a Cannes challenge, there was a strong chance it would be released domestically as well. From what Woojin knew, if it attracted awards buzz and proper promotion, a local release would be more than possible.
In other words, the outcome was difficult to predict.
Kang Woojin pushed aside the tangle of thoughts for the moment. No matter what happened, wouldn't it be enough as long as it became a huge success? Maybe both paths could work out at once.
At that moment, Woojin stopped thinking about the void, and Director Ahn Gabok, seated across from him, tilted his head slightly and spoke again.
"What is it? Is there some kind of problem?"
With his usual blank face and low voice, Kang Woojin quietly shook his head.
"No. I was just reading."
"I see. It was only a brief moment, but what do you think?"
'I'm not sure yet. I haven't read it properly.'
He could hardly say, 'This is valuable. It's S-rank.' Other top actors might have simply said it sounded good because it was Director Ahn's work, but Kang Woojin had decided from the start that he would speak directly, with honesty and real thought behind his words.
"I'm not sure yet."
As if he understood exactly what kind of person Woojin was, a faint smile spread across Director Ahn Gabok's wrinkled mouth.
"That's fine. It seems I asked too early."
Brushing back his white hair, Director Ahn shifted the topic.
"Hm, then let's talk about something else. Things moved rather quickly in Danang. You can just think of it as them showing a great deal of interest in you."
"Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for? There's no need for that."
At that point, a serious note entered Director Ahn's relaxed gaze.
"I'm asking you formally. I would like you to appear in my film. I'm sincerely looking forward to it."
Then the baton passed to the head of the film production company seated beside him.
"As we said in Danang, we understand that you are not especially interested in the Cannes Film Festival itself. We also know very well where your focus lies. But looking at your current filmography, I can say with certainty that an Academy Award is impossible right now."
"······"
"Of course, your rate of growth is astonishing, beyond precedent. But by the standard path, it would take at least five years. In the end, even top actors with ten or fifteen years of experience have failed to cross that threshold."
As he listened, Woojin shifted his gaze to Director Ahn Gabok, who was sitting there with his arms crossed. Soon, the veteran director's lips curled slightly.
"Ah, the fact that Woojin is only interested in the Academy Awards is something only the two of us know. In that regard, President Jang is more of an expert than I am."
'So, old man? Where did this Academy Awards story even come from?'
Woojin sighed inwardly. The misunderstanding was shattering into pieces right in front of him. Sure enough, this seasoned old man was the main culprit. Still, arguing with him right now would have been foolish.
So he merely forced himself to remain calm and composed.
"I'm listening."
Woojin muttered in a low voice, and the film company CEO continued.
"But if you stand out at Cannes, the situation changes completely. It becomes a kind of shortcut."
Director Ahn Gabok added his own thought.
"Think of it as using my film as a stepping stone to move forward. I want to see how quickly you can reach your goal."
As the misunderstanding deepened even further, Director Ahn leaned forward.
"Cannes is usually held around June. But next year, due to internal circumstances, it has been pushed back to September. If it had been delayed to the following year instead, that would have been difficult for me, so in that sense, this is good timing."
"That's fortunate."
Then the film company CEO added one final remark.
"But the schedule is tight. Even with the release date pushed back, filming must begin by January next year at the latest and finish by June, and the edit has to be completed before the September submission. That said, the Cannes side has already extended an invitation for submission. Director Ahn has produced strong results there before. Of course, it still has to go through the selection process, but entering the main competition should not be a problem."
The detailed explanation continued. Woojin accepted the information with a blank expression.
'This is insanely tight.'
There was not much time.
Then Director Ahn's aged voice spoke again.
"Don't concern yourself with what others think about this being my 100th film. Judge only by what is best for your future."
"Understood, Director."
And then—
Thud.
Director Ahn Gabok stood up, and the CEO rose with him. With that, all the discussion came to an end. Now only Kang Woojin's decision remained.
At that moment, Choi Sunggeon, who had stepped out to take a call, returned to the office.
"Ah! You're all done already?!"
Director Ahn Gabok, wearing a gentle smile, nodded.
"Yes, we're finished. You must be busy. Please let me know once Woojin has made his decision."
"Yes, of course! Thank you, Director."
And with that, Director Ahn left. Soon the tension that had filled the CEO's office disappeared. As proof of it, Choi Sunggeon let out a long sigh of relief.
"Whew. Woojin, what do you think?"
"I'm not sure yet. I think I need to read the script first."
"······All right. Read it and let me know."
"Yes."
"One more thing."
Suddenly, Choi Sunggeon showed Woojin his phone. A news article was displayed on the screen.
『[Exclusive] 'Monster Rookie' Kang Woojin signs one-year contract with BW Entertainment... Expected to enter FA market early next year?』
With a grim expression, Choi Sunggeon went on.
"I don't know where it leaked from, but that's not what matters right now. Things are going to get noisy soon."
"Ah."
Woojin's face stayed calm, but inwardly he was a little startled.
'Huh? What? Oh, right. It was a one-year contract.'
He seemed to have forgotten. Not knowing that, Choi Sunggeon checked the time only then.
"We need to move on to the next schedule first. We'll discuss the details later."
"Yes, sir."
He felt a bit pressed, but he poured cold water over himself mentally.
'It's fine. There's still time. If I rush, it'll only get worse.'
Woojin answered calmly, then another thought occurred to him.
'But why did this become an article? That's strange.'
He still had not fully grasped the situation.
Soon after, Kang Woojin headed to the recording studio to film content for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego. It was a familiar place, one he used often for recording cover songs and shooting videos for the channel.
As he was on his way to the studio, voices rose in the parking lot where the van was parked.
"Is it true that Woojin oppa really has a one-year contract?"
Jang Suhwan, Han Yejung, and the other members of Woojin's team had gathered there, talking animatedly. Naturally, the topic was Kang Woojin.
"It feels like just a rumor. A one-year contract makes no sense at all."
"Exactly. But the atmosphere is so awkward that it's hard to ask directly."
"Woojin oppa must have seen the article, but he didn't say anything."
"And the articles just keep pouring out, while the CEO is staying silent."
The rumor about Woojin's one-year contract, which had surfaced that morning, had become a subject of unprecedented attention.
"But if that article is true, then what happens to us?"
"Woojin oppa is incredibly popular, sure, but a rookie is still a rookie, right? Normally rookies sign for five to seven years."
Right then, Han Yejung, with her short blue hair, cut in brightly.
"Does anyone here know the details of how Woojin oppa got cast in the first place?"
"······"
"······"
"No, right? Then let's stop jumping to conclusions and just wait."
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin was already in a meeting inside the recording studio. Present were the Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel team, the producer, and Choi Sunggeon. Since the channel's subscriber count had been surging, the need to secure as many videos as possible had grown more urgent.
Today, they planned to cover selected pop songs and J-pop songs in Korean.
For reference, the current subscriber count for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego was as follows.
[Channel name: Kang Woojin's Alter Ego]
[Subscribers: 5.87 million]
[Videos: 17]
The number had passed 5.8 million. The Drug Dealer controversy had drawn in domestic fans, while the success of Boy Friend had pulled in even more Japanese fans. On top of that, the videos covering K-pop in English had significantly increased the number of English comments.
The uploaded videos were still pulling astonishing numbers.
-[(6)Miley Kara/'Absolute']Cover [Korean Version] | Kang Woojin's Alter Ego
Views: 6.12 million
People's tastes varied, but the videos were generally clearing at least five million views. Maybe that was why the Kang Woojin's Alter Ego team, especially the main PD, looked so thrilled.
"The video we uploaded this time is a total hit! I think the song selection was perfect! Choosing Miley Kara was an incredible call!"
The producer standing near the recording equipment chimed in.
"Miley Kara is a genius too. She started as an actress and became one of Hollywood's biggest stars, but after appearing in a musical film, she established herself as a singer as well."
"Ah! So that's how it happened? I thought Miley Kara debuted as both an actress and singer from the start."
"No, not at all. There are people in Hollywood who do both acting and singing from the beginning, but she definitely built her reputation as an actress first, then later rose as a singer."
Even Woojin, who had been listening quietly, recognized the name Miley Kara.
'Miley Kara? What was it again? She's that actress who made it huge in Hollywood, right? I heard she has a strong fanbase in Korea too.'
But it was only surface-level knowledge.
Right then, Choi Sunggeon, who had been looking down at his planner, joined the conversation too.
"We've gotten cover requests. They've really been pouring in lately, from idols to veteran singers. There are so many that we have to sift through them one by one."
"Ah! Right, you mentioned that before, didn't you? Who sent one this time?"
"Lee Jeonga."
"Lee Jeonga? The Lee Jeonga??"
Lee Jeonga was a female soloist and one of the top singers in the industry.
"Mm. The content is exactly what everyone would expect. It's a promotional request ahead of her new song release."
Now that Kang Woojin's Alter Ego had become so popular, it was only natural that all kinds of proposals would come flooding in. But in the middle of the meeting, the subject changed. As expected, Choi Sunggeon brought up Woojin's cooking.
"As for the cooking content, I've narrowed it down to three options. One is teaching subscribers recipes and techniques. Another is inviting guests, cooking something they request, and talking while doing it. And the last one is having an avatar cook."
Kang Woojin asked evenly,
"An avatar cooks?"
"Yes. It came from the guest idea, but to put it simply, the invited guest acts as the avatar, and you only give verbal instructions from behind."
"Ah."
"What do you think?"
"It sounds fine."
A small smile appeared on Choi Sunggeon's face.
"If the guest can't cook, things may not go according to plan. In the end, all you can do is give directions."
In other words, the core appeal would be watching Kang Woojin get frustrated behind the guest.
"Basically, it'll give us a lot of different kinds of content."
As a result, Kang Woojin's Alter Ego was divided into two main categories: covers and cooking. Even within those broad categories, the content was further split into subcategories. Between cover content and cooking content alone, there were already more than ten possible formats.
"Woojin, who do you think should be the first guest for the cooking segment?"
"Hwarin would be good."
"Mm, right. Since she was the first song on Kang Woojin's Alter Ego, it would have meaning. Good, I'll send the invitation request to Hwarin right away. What about the avatar idea?"
"I'm not sure."
"Okay, then I'll decide that part."
"Yes, sir."
After the meeting ended, Kang Woojin went into the recording booth. It was time to prepare for filming the cover video, and once that began, the main PD of Kang Woojin's Alter Ego quietly approached Choi Sunggeon.
"Excuse me... sir. Since Woojin saw the article, is he really transferring early next year?"
Choi Sunggeon, who was standing with his arms crossed, watching Woojin through the booth window, answered shortly.
"You don't need to worry."
"Ah, right. I was just a little concerned. Haha, so it's just one of those malicious rumor articles, right?"
At that exact moment—
Bzzzz, bzzzzzz.
The phone in Choi Sunggeon's jacket pocket began vibrating for a long time. The caller was Hong Hyeyeon. He immediately stepped into the hallway outside the studio and took the call.
"Yeah."
Hong Hyeyeon's excited voice burst out at once.
"Oppa!! An article about Woojin came out?!"
"Am I crazy?"
"Then why did something like that come out?"
"Ha... I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
Hong Hyeyeon was an investor in BW Entertainment. So this was not only concern about Woojin, but also the perspective of someone invested in the company.
"What is this... why is this happening? What is Woojin saying?!"
"You know what kind of person Woojin is. He hasn't said anything."
"······It's Woojin, though. He's decisive by nature, so maybe he already made up his mind long ago."
"Maybe."
But in reality, that was not the case at all. Kang Woojin had not given the contract much thought yet.
"Oppa, what were the conditions of Woojin's one-year contract again?"
"Forty million won as the signing amount, and a 9:1 earnings split. The point of the one-year contract was to let him experience what BW Entertainment is like first, and then decide later whether to renew."
During that one year—or rather, in less than a full year—Kang Woojin's status had grown to monstrous proportions. Perhaps because of that, a trace of urgency entered Hong Hyeyeon's voice.
"But if there's still no word from him, does that mean we're not to his liking?"
"Who knows. Who can read what's going on inside Woojin? At this point, I think we'll have to move faster than originally planned. I'll do my best. But as you know, Woojin's schedule is so packed that other agencies can't approach him easily."
"But a war is going to break out anyway, isn't it? This article is basically a public announcement. You know that, right? We have to keep Woojin with us no matter what."
"Yeah, I know. His value has gone up more than a hundredfold."
Mainly as an actor, but also through his YouTube channel and SNS, where he mixed with major figures. He was expanding into Japan and even being discussed in relation to the Academy Awards. And what about his singing, cooking, and foreign language ability? Choi Sunggeon had watched all of it up close. Of course he knew.
"I'm gathering as much ammunition as I can."
Two mornings later, in Nonhyeon-dong, at GGO Entertainment.
A number of people had already gathered in the offices of the large agency GGO Entertainment. Not only executives, but even CEO Seo Guseob, who had once had trouble with Kang Woojin, was there.
All of them were looking down at their tablets.
Then—
"Director Kim, did you see this article?"
At Seo Guseob's question from the front edge of the five-person sofa, the executive beside him nodded.
"Yes, CEO. The media is treating it as practically confirmed."
"Really? Then it's not a lie."
"The movements from the other entertainment companies are also unusual."
"They've been preparing for an attack for some time."
At that, CEO Seo Guseob smirked as he thought of Choi Sunggeon.
"One year? He only tied down that monster for a single year? Does that damn idiot Choi Sunggeon have something wrong with his brain?"
With a slightly sly smile, he muttered to himself,
'Why he did it is none of my concern. This is my chance to swallow Kang Woojin whole.'
He considered it deeply in his mind.
'Two hundred million? No... wouldn't three hundred million be enough?'