Before long, the grand opening day for the Our Dining Table food truck arrived.
The moment Kang Woojin put on the Our Dining Table uniform, a vast American park spread out before his eyes. It was his first time there, but he calmly tied the hijab-style head covering around his head and kept scanning the area ahead.
A sense of wonder and unfamiliarity rose at the same time.
'This is insane… why am I even here?'
His face carried the dignity of a chef, but inside, his heart was pounding like any ordinary person's would. The world was truly enormous. Especially Kang Woojin's world, which was several times wider than most people's. After all, it even included the realm of the void space.
But that feeling only lasted for a moment.
'Ah, damn it. Anyway, I need to get ready.'
Just as Woojin was about to pull out the wok as if work itself would calm his nerves, the people around him openly revealed how shaken they were.
They were Hong Hyeyeon, Hwarin, and Yeon Baekgwang, all dressed in the same uniform as Woojin.
"Ah, working at a food truck is seriously nerve-racking, isn't it?"
"Right? Unni, my hands are shaking."
"Really? I think I'm okay."
"…Baekgwang, your legs look like they're trembling."
"Ah, that's probably because I did squats for too long yesterday… I'm kidding! I'm actually insanely nervous! The American customers are really coming, right?"
"But… there's no way not even one person will come, right?"
"There are at least four other food trucks here."
"If no one comes, that alone would be a disaster."
"PD Yoon looks like the type who'd enjoy even the failure footage."
As if they were trying to soothe their pounding hearts through conversation, the three of them kept chatting while preparing to open. Meanwhile, Kang Woojin's cynicism only deepened. Glancing over at the head chef, Yeon Baekgwang leaned toward Hong Hyeyeon and whispered something.
"Still, sunbae, Woojin hyung doesn't look nervous at all. He's like the Terminator."
Hong Hyeyeon turned her head to check on Kang Woojin. He had already started preparing for the bulgogi bowls.
"Something on this scale won't make him budge. I think only a Hollywood star showing up would make his eyebrows twitch."
"That's amazing… I want to learn that kind of aura too."
"That only suits someone like Woojin. If you did it, you'd just get scolded."
Then it happened.
"Uh, uh, uh?"
Hwarin, who had been portioning out buckwheat noodles beside Woojin, parted her lips slightly in a way that was unusual for her.
"Uh, uh, uh? They're coming. They're coming over."
Because of her, everyone, including Kang Woojin, turned to look ahead. Only a few minutes had passed since opening, and an elderly American couple was now seated at one of the tables, talking with one of the Our Dining Table writers. It looked like they were asking for the couple's consent. Soon, the couple sat down at the center table, and Ahn Jonghak, the nominal owner, approached them with the menu.
Then—
"One bulgogi! One gim bugak noodles!"
Americans had just ordered Kang Woojin's food.
The time had finally come.
Woojin felt something similar to what he had felt the first time he ever acted. It was not a grave or heavy tension, but a strange greed rising inside him.
He wanted to serve them something delicious.
So he suppressed the tension and forced calm into every part of himself. He locked the concept of stay calm and focus firmly into place. There was no problem with the act of cooking itself.
The important part was Kang Woojin's mindset.
'Since I'm the one doing it, shouldn't it turn out well?'
He had come all the way abroad to promote Korean food. Complaints were unacceptable. In any case, the two dishes Woojin made were finished in no time, and before long, they were served to the elderly couple.
Internally, Kang Woojin swallowed hard.
Of course, the assistants around him were the same.
How is it? What does it taste like?
While Woojin quietly observed the couple, the old man, who was eating the gim bugak makguksu, stiffened slightly. Huh? Does it not suit his taste? Reading Woojin's mood, Hwarin murmured softly.
"Ah, maybe the flavor feels a little unfamiliar."
The elderly couple began whispering to each other. At that moment, Ahn Jonghak, who was standing in front of the food truck kitchen, turned his head and met Woojin's eyes inside the truck.
"Chef, why don't you go ask them yourself?"
"Should I be the one to say something?"
"I can go, or Kangsu can go, but they're our first customers and the first people to taste our food. I think it would look better if the chef went out personally."
"Ah."
"And show off your English a little too. There's no way PD Yoon would edit that out."
At heart, Ahn Jonghak was supporting Woojin so he could make the most of his talents while also helping create stronger content for the show. It was the move of a veteran from the entertainment industry. Woojin inwardly admired that and quietly nodded.
"Ah, yes. Understood."
With Yeon Baekgwang cheering him on with a "Good luck!", Woojin calmly washed his hands, removed his mask, and stepped out of the food truck. He strode toward the elderly American couple.
Watching this, PD Yoon Byeongseon, who was standing among the staff scattered around the food truck, smiled.
"Set up cameras in front, behind, and to the side. We need to catch this scene properly."
By then, Kang Woojin had reached the white-haired American couple. The old man noticed someone approaching and raised his head. Woojin decided he should lower his voice a little and add some charm, and then strikingly fluent English came out of his mouth.
"Hello. How was the food?"
The couple looked slightly surprised. The grandmother spoke first.
"Oh my! Your English is excellent. Did you live in America?"
If you listened with your eyes closed, it might have sounded like two Americans talking to each other.
"I'm not good enough to deserve that kind of praise. How was the bulgogi bowl?"
"It's absolutely wonderful."
A sharp thrill ran through Woojin's whole body.
'Ah, this feels really good. This must be why people cook.'
Then Woojin shifted his gaze from the grandmother to the grandfather, and the old man, as if he had been waiting, asked him in English,
"Are you a chef?"
Huh? What is that supposed to mean? Woojin pretended not to care for a second before replying,
"I'm the one cooking here at the food truck."
"No, I mean… I heard this is a Korean drama, and the others are actors."
"That's right."
"Then you're not an actor. You're an actual chef, aren't you?"
"No. My main job is acting."
The elderly couple's blue eyes widened. The grandfather looked particularly startled, while the grandmother clapped her hands in admiration.
"Really?! That's incredible. You're not even a chef, and you can still make something taste like this?"
At that point, the grandfather, who had been staring blankly at Woojin, cut in again.
"Your main job is acting?"
"Yes, that's right."
"…I really want to see something you've acted in."
"I'll do my best."
Soon, the grandfather pointed at the two dishes on the table.
"This bulgogi bowl is delicious too, but this noodle dish is especially outstanding. Is this something people commonly eat in Korea?"
"Ah, I made that one myself."
"…What? But you just said your main job is acting."
"Cooking is my hobby."
"Then does that mean we're the first people to ever taste this noodle dish?"
"Yes. Other than the tasting session, you're the first customers to try it."
Keeping his blue eyes wide, the grandfather muttered softly,
"It's truly an honor."
The grandmother sounded disappointed.
"Then… that means we can't get this in America."
Thinking that was probably enough, Woojin dipped his head slightly.
"Please enjoy your meal."
The person who stopped him was the grandfather, scratching at his white hair.
"Wait! Could we take a picture together?"
"Of course."
A quick photo followed, and then finally the grandmother asked another question.
"How long will this food truck be open?"
Woojin had just been about to turn and leave, but he answered calmly,
"We'll be open until the afternoon two days from now. After that, we're planning to open a store for about five days."
And so, several dozen minutes passed.
After finishing their meal, the white-haired American couple got into the van prepared by the staff and began an interview. Their story as the first customers was quite interesting. In particular, the grandfather turned out to be an actual chef.
"Ah, so you run a restaurant?"
"That's right. It's close to here. It isn't large, but we have a lot of regular customers."
"I see. Then how were the two dishes you had today?"
"I'm thinking of coming back tomorrow. They were truly delicious. I'm going to recommend this place to people I know. But I heard the food truck only runs until the day after tomorrow, and after that the store opens."
"Ah! Yes, the food truck is kind of like a practice run."
At that, the couple asked in unison,
"Could you tell us where the store will be located?"
Meanwhile, back in Korea—
The moment Kang Woojin's cooking was revealed in America for the first time was lunchtime on the 8th in LA, which meant it was the morning of the 9th in Korea.
It was early, but regardless of the hour, a flood of issues came pouring in like heavy rain.
『[Movie Talk] Following Shim Hanho, Director Ahn Gabok officially announces Kang Woojin as part of his 100th film / Photo』
『The actor joining Director Ahn Gabok's new film is finally revealed… top actor Shim Hanho and big twist Kang Woojin』
『[IssueIS] Monster rookie Kang Woojin chosen by Director Ahn Gabok… industry response: "What??"』
It was only natural.
A world-class guest had arrived in Korea.
『Global star Miley Cara visits Korea, drawing huge crowds of fans and reporters / Photo』
『Miley Cara appears at Incheon Airport, calmly waves to the reporters gathered there』
『[IssuePick] First visit to Korea, Miley Cara to carry out around a week of promotional activities』
All three major Korean broadcasting networks reported the visit of the global superstar.
Hollywood superstar Miley Cara has arrived in Korea. To welcome her, hundreds of reporters and fans gathered at the airport arrivals hall. Despite the flashing cameras and fans' cheers pouring in from every direction, Miley Cara remained composed and continued greeting them warmly. This is reporter Kim Daehyun.
The entire country was busy welcoming this guest.
『How did rookie actor Kang Woojin end up cast in Director Ahn Gabok's film?』
The entertainment industry in particular was in chaos. Kang Woojin's name kept coming up across numerous film and drama sets. Naturally, that included the set of Island of the Missing, where Woojin's absence had left an obvious gap.
There was a massive complex in the Buyeo area.
While around a hundred staff members busied themselves preparing for filming, the actors in military uniforms stood around in small groups, waiting. Because the weather was cold, many of them wore jackets or padded outerwear over their uniforms, and Kang Woojin's name kept coming up among them.
"Wow, I seriously never imagined it would be Woojin!"
When someone shouted, "Kang Inha, Jeon Woochang!", Kim Iwon, who had been sipping hot coffee, immediately agreed.
"Exactly. Director Ahn Gabok personally announcing it in front of that many people is unbelievable."
"But Woojin too! How could he not say a single word to us?"
Ha Yura, who had been tying up her hair, shrugged.
"There was probably a gag order, and well, I'm sure he had his reasons for not being able to say anything."
"Tch. I thought we were pretty close. That's kind of disappointing, isn't it?"
"Woochang, you're not the only one who feels that way."
Kim Iwon let out a deep sigh.
"Ah… it's such a weird mix of envy and admiration. But isn't the casting itself really unusual? Shim Hanho sunbae and Kang Woojin?"
After a moment of silence, Jeon Woochang, who had been quietly staring at his phone in a long padded coat, looked up at Ryu Jungmin and asked,
"Jungmin hyung! What about you? Honestly, the press sometimes mentions you as one of the actors basically confirmed for Leech, right?"
"…So?"
"I mean, does that mean you didn't get any contact either?"
"Of course not. Director Ahn Gabok was only in contact with Woojin from the beginning."
"Ah!! Da Nang! That was when Director Ahn Gabok came to Da Nang!"
"Right, back then."
"Wow, I thought the director had just come for a vacation… but he actually went all the way to Da Nang, Vietnam, just to see Woojin? Director Ahn Gabok did that?!"
Ryu Jungmin smiled faintly.
"He was completely captivated."
Then Ryu Jungmin let out a dry laugh, and Jeon Woochang and Kim Iwon both stared at him in confusion.
"Huh? Jungmin hyung, why are you laughing?"
"No, it's just ridiculous."
"What?"
"A chance to grow is right in front of me, and all I can do is watch while he races far ahead. It's strangely absurd."
Ryu Jungmin had joined Island of the Missing for many reasons, all tied to pushing past his limits and growing as an actor. His target had been the rookie, Kang Woojin.
From Hanryang to Island of the Missing, Ryu Jungmin had watched Woojin steadily.
But now, all he could do was watch Kang Woojin getting farther and farther away. He had clearly been right there, close enough to reach. Yet in only a matter of days, that distance had become so vast it was almost invisible.
Maybe he had been complacent.
'Woojin was running at such an insane speed that I didn't even notice it.'
But it was already too late.
『In the end, even Director Ahn Gabok fell for his acting, and Kang Woojin captured the hearts of famous directors across the country』
『[Feature] From Parasite to standing shoulder to shoulder with Shim Hanho, Kang Woojin challenges Cannes in his debut year』
The frenzy in the press surrounding Kang Woojin, who now seemed to have strapped on boosters and accelerated even further, had reached a level that could no longer be controlled.
『Shim Hanho versus Kang Woojin acting showdown already drawing attention, experts still predict Shim Hanho has the edge』
And it was not just because of what was happening now.
It had been that way from the moment Director Ahn Gabok first mentioned Kang Woojin's name.
『[Star Talk] "Busy, busy, busy"… Kang Woojin, the hero who saved Hwarin, joins Director Ahn Gabok's new project—will he become the "hero" of rookie actors too?』
The hero stories involving Hwarin had already shaken things up, and then Director Ahn Gabok poured more fuel onto the fire. The result was a blast radius like a bomb had gone off.
Chaos was inevitable.
『How long has it been since he caught the stalker? Kang Woojin has been surrounded by controversy nonstop since debut / Photo』
Facts and rumors swirled everywhere, and controversy erupted throughout every corner of the industry, among actors spread across entertainment companies, broadcasters, production companies, and film studios alike.
Kang Woojin was not even in Korea, but his absence could not be felt at all.
If anything, his presence had been magnified tenfold.
It was complete chaos.
Yes, Kang Woojin had caused utter chaos.
And he was still only a rookie in his first year since debut. There had never been a case like this in the history of Korean entertainment.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with figures considered giants of the Korean entertainment world, people like Director Ahn Gabok and top actor Shim Hanho, Kang Woojin was, ironically enough—
『From debut until now, without a single failure, Kang Woojin completes the equivalent of a ten-year acting filmography in his debut year… is an Academy Award the only thing left now?』
Writing a completely new history on his own.
America, the morning of the 9th.
After successfully wrapping up the first day of business at the food truck, the Our Dining Table cast was now riding together in a van. Naturally, Kang Woojin was there too, staring blankly out the window while thinking back on the day before.
"Yeah, there weren't that many customers, but it still went pretty well. I hope today's crowd is at least as good as yesterday's."
Inside, Woojin was praising himself. Beside him, Ahn Jonghak and Yeon Baekgwang were both looking down at their phones. More specifically, they were checking the shockwaves Kang Woojin had sent through Korean entertainment.
"Wow! Woojin hyung! The articles are changing every second?!"
"When our chef gets back to Korea, are the reporters going to line up at the airport like an honor guard or something?"
Hong Hyeyeon chimed in too.
"This is actually kind of funny. Miley Cara came to Korea, but because of Woojin, she got buried in the news."
Right then—
"What??!!"
Yeon Baekgwang, who had just lifted his head, suddenly shouted in shock at something up ahead.
"Look over there!!"
As the van approached the food truck, where they were supposed to start business for the day, Baekgwang pointed toward the area around it. Something was clearly strange.
"…What?"
"Ah, no. What is that?"
"What the hell??"
Everyone except Kang Woojin widened their eyes or let their mouths fall open in shock. Woojin, fully immersed in character as always, cursed inwardly.
'What the hell? Are these people insane?!!'
The reason was simple.
Even though the truck had not opened yet, a long line of Americans had already formed in front of it.
There had to be dozens of them.
'What kind of line is that supposed to be??!!'
Those were dishes that could only be found at the Our Dining Table food truck.