To be honest, Kang Woojin hadn't known the background setting of the role he accepted in The Mystery Man Next Door.
But the role he had chosen almost casually triggered something similar to what had happened with English and Japanese.
[A language other than the base language has been detected. Please acquire "sign language" first.]
The robotic female voice announced that he would be learning sign language.
At the unexpected message, a smile slowly spread across Kang Woojin's face.
"Sign language? So the character in The Mystery Man Next Door uses sign language? That's interesting. The more languages, the better."
Language was power.
Cultural power.
Kang Woojin could already speak English and Japanese.
Sign language was unfamiliar to him, but that didn't mean he disliked it. If anything, it fascinated him.
That unfamiliarity made it feel even more special.
English and Japanese were languages he encountered often, so they felt easier to approach. But sign language was much rarer.
Then the robotic female voice spoke again.
[Preparing to read sign language…]
[…Preparation complete. Beginning sign language reading.]
"Since it's rare, it might be useful later. Anyway, this is pretty cool."
At that moment, a vast gray haze swallowed Kang Woojin whole.
Soon, a faint prickling sensation spread across his lower abdomen. But since he had already experienced this before, he barely reacted.
Everything around him turned gray.
Woojin felt as if he were floating in midair.
Sensing something approaching, he smiled faintly and stared ahead.
"Here it comes."
Just as expected.
Something was moving toward him from far away.
The speed was similar to what he had experienced when learning English and Japanese.
Soon, Kang Woojin could make out the shape.
"…A hand."
Hands.
There was no body.
Only hands visible up to the shoulders.
They flew toward him and sank into his body.
One after another.
Countless hands.
Then—
[Finishing the reading of the new language "sign language."]
With the woman's voice, Woojin's world shifted instantly.
From the gray void back to the meeting room.
Just like when he had first received the script for Frozen Love Part 1, Kang Woojin quietly checked his condition without moving from his seat.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Not that tired."
He was slowly getting used to it.
When he learned English, he had been completely drained.
When he learned Japanese, it had been a little better.
And now, with sign language—
It felt almost the same.
Maybe there was just a faint heaviness in his body.
Just as his body had gradually adapted to repeated acting experiences, his fatigue had clearly lessened after acquiring a third language.
That too had to be another trait of the void space.
Feels like I could use sign language right away.
Of course.
The sign language he had gained from the void space felt vividly alive inside him.
Just like English and Japanese, it had been carved deeply into his mind.
He felt like he could start signing immediately.
Kang Woojin couldn't help feeling amazed.
Seriously… this void space is insanely powerful.
At least he had known a little English and Japanese before learning them.
But sign language was different.
He had maybe seen it once or twice on the news.
For Kang Woojin, sign language hadn't just been unfamiliar.
It had been completely unknown.
And yet—
Now he had become an expert.
Smiling faintly, Kang Woojin glanced down at the script in his hand.
Sign language acquired.
Then Writer Lee Wolsun, who had handed him the script only moments earlier, spoke.
"The filming might only take a day or two, but the role of The Mystery Man Next Door isn't small. He plays a fairly important part in Episodes 1 and 2."
"Especially because there are several things you'll need to learn for the role."
At that explanation, Choi Sunggeon tilted his head and looked at Woojin.
Woojin already knew exactly what that "thing" was.
"Yes."
Kang Woojin pretended to read the script for a moment.
Then he raised his indifferent gaze toward Lee Wolsun.
"You mean sign language, right?"
Choi Sunggeon's eyes widened.
"Si-sign language?"
Lee Wolsun smiled calmly.
"That's right. The Mystery Man Next Door communicates mainly through sign language, except for the internal narration."
"He doesn't have many spoken lines, but sign language isn't easy to learn."
Choi Sunggeon furrowed his brow slightly.
This was the problem.
They couldn't just brush past something like that.
He had thought choosing a smaller role would avoid trouble—
But learning sign language took time.
And compared to the reward, the effort wasn't exactly efficient.
They had originally hoped to hit two goals at once.
But given the situation, one might have to be dropped.
After all, the writer was Lee Wolsun.
Asking Woojin to spend the time needed to learn sign language was asking a lot.
"This role might need a little adjustment."
Muttering under his breath, Choi Sunggeon flashed a smooth smile at Lee Wolsun.
"Writer. At first glance, the role stands out… but doesn't it also feel a little heavy?"
"You think it'll be difficult?"
"No."
At that moment—
A low voice cut cleanly through the conversation.
It was Kang Woojin, still looking down at the script.
"Fortunately, I can handle it."
Choi Sunggeon and Lee Wolsun both turned toward him.
The production staff did too.
Everyone's eyes widened slightly.
But Kang Woojin continued calmly.
"I don't need to learn sign language separately."
Choi Sunggeon reacted right away.
"What do you mean you don't need to learn it? Woojin, what are you talking about?"
Lee Wolsun tilted her head.
"You don't need to learn it… what do you mean?"
"Are you saying you already know sign language?"
"Yes. A little."
Lee Wolsun raised one eyebrow.
"Really? You know sign language?"
"Yes."
"…Could you show us?"
"Of course."
Woojin pointed to a line of sign language written in the script.
"For example, this part."
Then—
Kang Woojin began signing.
The sign language he had just learned flowed out with astonishing smoothness.
Clean.
Natural.
Precise.
He showed almost no visible emotion, yet his gestures carried subtle emphasis.
Even his eyes conveyed feeling.
It was fluid.
Refined.
The difference was overwhelming.
The meeting room fell silent.
But the shock among the people there only deepened.
Kang Woojin wasn't showing off.
Yet that restraint made him stand out even more.
Even the faint sound of his clothes shifting seemed to amplify his presence.
Lee Wolsun stared at him without blinking.
His movements are minimal.
Restrained.
But his eyes…
How can they hold that much emotion?
After finishing, Kang Woojin lowered his hands.
"That's it, writer."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Lee Wolsun finally opened her mouth.
"…You said you only knew a little."
Meanwhile.
At cable network HTBS.
The variety department buzzed like a marketplace.
Props for filming were piled across desks.
Producers, writers, and staff moved nonstop—on phones, discussing ideas, reviewing materials.
Especially in entertainment, this was the busiest time of the year.
The season had changed.
The cold had faded, and warm air filled the city.
It was May.
Spring had arrived, but it already felt like summer.
Around this time every year, the entertainment industry entered chaos.
New variety shows were planned.
Existing ones were reorganized.
Some programs ended quietly.
Others appeared out of nowhere.
That cycle happened at every broadcasting station, including HTBS.
But HTBS had one especially powerful ace.
[Entertainment powerhouse Yoon Byungseon PD preparing new program? Insider says production will proceed "without pressure."]
That ace was Yoon Byungseon PD.
After transferring from a major broadcasting station for a massive signing bonus, he had immediately produced a hit variety show that drove ratings sharply upward.
Now he was planning a new TV program.
Not YouTube.
Television.
Inside a medium-sized meeting room, about ten people had gathered.
Among them was Yoon Byungseon PD, his sharp jaw resting on one hand as he stared at the whiteboard.
"Hmm."
The writers did the same.
The whiteboard was covered with photos of various celebrities.
Yoon Byungseon PD removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes several times, and sighed.
"The lineup looks good… but something's missing."
"There's no real hook."
One of the writers responded.
"So the top three are solid, but the middle feels weak?"
"Exactly. Ah, I don't know. We've been in meetings all day. My head hurts."
"Let's stop for today. Tomorrow we have the Profiler Hanryang team and the Sports Day shoot, right?"
"Don't we need to prepare for that?"
"Already prepared. Once filming prep is done, we just confirm everything."
Standing at the front, Yoon Byungseon PD stretched.
Then he picked up a stack of documents.
"We're planning to structure it as a three-part series. Thoughts?"
He paused, resting his chin on his hand again.
Then he spoke.
"Wouldn't it be nice if at least one cast member could speak a foreign language?"
"If everyone struggles overseas, it'll get boring."
A writer nodded.
"Right. The main point is promoting Korean food. After that, we should look for actors who can speak foreign languages."
"They don't need to be perfect."
"Basic English would be enough."
"Japanese would be even better… but finding someone fluent in both might be difficult."
"There are a few, but unless they're top-tier actors, it's rare."
"Well, there aren't many top-tier actors available anyway."
Yoon Byungseon PD looked back at the whiteboard.
"For now, find people who can handle English by next week."
The next morning.
Friday the 22nd.
Kang Woojin had two major events that day.
One—
Episode 3 of Profiler Hanryang would air.
Two—
He would record his first variety appearance on Sports Day.
Because of that, the media exploded with activity.
[Issue Talk | Profiler Hanryang, which surpassed 20% ratings, airs Episode 3 today!]
[The talk of the week, Profiler Hanryang — Can Episode 3 break past 23%?]
Articles flooded the internet.
At the same time, news about Sports Day began appearing too.
[Exclusive | Lead actors of Profiler Hanryang to appear on Yoon Byungseon PD's Sports Day.]
Of course—
Kang Woojin's appearance was included.
[Kang Woojin, who rose to fame in just two episodes as "Assistant Manager Park," will make his first variety appearance on Yoon Byungseon PD's Sports Day.]
It was deliberate promotion.
Assistant Manager Park's popularity was explosive.
Saying Profiler Hanryang had swept the nation for a week still wouldn't have been enough.
Anticipation for Sports Day was just as intense.
Online comments flooded in.
Wow… as expected of PD Yoon!! Thank you!!!
I can't believe this many actors are going on a variety show.
Kang Woojin too?? He's really going??
I'm so excited…
PD Yoon's instincts are insane. He always casts the hottest stars right away.
Ryu Jungmin, Hong Hyeyeon… and Kang Woojin as Assistant Manager Park. I was seriously curious.
I checked Kang Woojin oppa's Instagram. He really looks like a celebrity lol.
Oppa, please film a rom-com.
Kang Woojin is definitely one of the top actors now haha.
Meanwhile.
Kang Woojin arrived at a studio in Seoul.
As usual, he looked flawless.
Today, he was wearing a black trench coat.
His hair and makeup were perfectly done.
Still—
So this is my first variety shoot.
After stepping out of the van, Woojin looked calm on the outside.
Inside, though, his anxiety was rising fast.
He had thought he'd gotten used to unfamiliar situations.
Apparently, not completely.
And on top of that—
Why do I suddenly feel like a full-on celebrity today…
I'm still not used to it.
The expensive trench coat.
The unfamiliar scent of perfume.
Everything made the pressure worse.
Acting was easier.
When he acted, he just became the character.
But variety shows meant appearing as himself.
That pressure felt heavier.
No, no.
I'm already a celebrity anyway.
Calm down.
Breathe.
And maintain the concept.
His field of vision felt narrower.
First experiences were always terrifying.
Just then, Choi Sunggeon stepped out of the passenger seat and placed a hand on Woojin's shoulder.
"You're not actually nervous, are you?"
"I watched previous Sports Day episodes."
I feel like I'm going to throw up.
But Woojin kept a straight face.
When he spoke, his voice sounded perfectly calm.
"It'll be fun."
Choi Sunggeon laughed.
"Right. There are a lot of experienced actors there."
"The atmosphere will be good."
"Like I told you—just act normally. Don't try too hard."
"Just be yourself."
"Got it?"
At that moment, Kang Woojin made a firm decision.
More than anything—
He had to maintain his concept.
There was no script.
No choreography.
One mistake could be fatal.
Whew.
Pull yourself together.
Treat this place like a battlefield.
Soon, Jang Suhwan and Han Yejung joined him.
Choi Sunggeon checked the time.
Then they entered the building.
The studio was on the third floor.
They could have stopped by the waiting room—
But there was no need.
The moment Woojin saw the studio, he understood why.
This is insane.
How many cameras are there?
And there are so many people.
Did filming already start?
And indeed—
Sports Day had already begun recording.
The show captured everything.
Entrances.
Casual conversation.
Behind-the-scenes moments.
Dozens of cameras were running nonstop.
Bright studio lights flooded the filming set.
Then—
"Kang Woojin has arrived!"
A staff member near the entrance shouted.
The voice echoed across the studio.
Yoon Byungseon PD approached with a smile.
"Hello, Mr. Woojin. Nice to meet you."
"I've been enjoying the drama."
Wearing glasses, he extended his hand.
Dozens of staff members had gathered nearby.
Every single one of them was curious about Kang Woojin.
And because of that—
Kang Woojin's heart rate shot through the roof.
His vision narrowed.
Now only his thoughts remained clear.
"Hello, chief."
His greeting came out in a low, concise voice.
Yoon Byungseon PD and the writers exchanged glances.
They sensed it immediately.
Before deciding how to film him—
They first had to understand his personality.
Yoon Byungseon PD smiled playfully.
"You portrayed Assistant Manager Park very vividly."
"All our writers watched the drama and were amazed."
"Was it difficult playing Assistant Manager Park?"
Alright… let's see how he responds.
But because Woojin was so tense—
All he could do was nod.
His answer was short.
"Yes."
Silence.
One thought crossed Yoon Byungseon PD's mind.
Wow.
This won't be easy.