At the exact moment the news broke across the internet that Kang Woojin had been cast as the lead in Director Kwon Gitaek's next film—
Kang Woojin himself knew nothing.
He was sitting in a meeting at Netflix Korea.
A mid-sized meeting room.
Key figures connected to Boyfriend had gathered.
Kang Woojin, Executive Director Kim Sohyang, writer Choi Nana, Hwarin, Director Shin Dongchun, and several Netflix team leads.
For a few minutes, the room was filled with light conversation and greetings.
Meanwhile, Hwarin quietly fidgeted with the thin bracelet Woojin had given her, sneaking glances at both him and Director Shin.
'That Director cast Woojin… and made The Private Investigator.'
To her, Shin Dongchun almost felt like the benefactor who had introduced Woojin to the world.
Her admiration naturally grew.
'Once this meeting ends, I should properly thank him.'
After the small talk settled, Executive Director Kim Sohyang raised her voice.
"From here on out, Director Shin will take the lead."
Director Shin Dongchun, who had been looking down at his tablet, slowly nodded.
"First, we need to lock in the production company."
"Right. We've narrowed it down to three candidates, so it won't take long. After a brief meeting, you can decide based on the situation."
Director Shin then turned to writer Choi Nana, who still looked tense.
"Ms. Choi, can we continue with a short script meeting afterward?"
"Ah—yes! Of course! I'll do my best!"
"No need to be so stiff. Relax."
"Yes! I'll try to relax!"
Soft laughter spread through the room.
Kim Sohyang smoothly took over again.
"We'll reveal the details gradually, but I'll go over the key points first."
She lifted her tablet.
"This 'short drama project' will begin with Boyfriend. After that, new episodes will be released every two weeks. Since Boyfriend is the first title, we'll be putting significant effort into both production and promotion."
She continued without pause.
"We've also coordinated with Netflix Japan. Not for the entire project, but Boyfriend will be released there as well."
Woojin kept a neutral expression.
Inside—
'That's insane. It's going to Netflix Japan too? That's a huge expansion.'
At that moment—
[6/Script (Title: Boyfriend), A-grade]
The upgraded script rating flashed in his mind.
'Did it become A-grade because of Hwarin… or because of the Japan release?'
Then—
"And one more thing."
Kim Sohyang turned toward Woojin.
"This will ultimately be Director Shin's decision, but I thought you should know in advance."
She leaned slightly forward.
"Woojin, we've expanded the OST side. There are two options. If it feels like too much, you can focus solely on Han Inho. But if you're open to it… how about participating in the OST as well?"
Woojin froze for a brief moment.
OST?
He knew how powerful OSTs could be.
They dominated charts all the time.
'Can I really do that?'
Before he could fully process it, Kim Sohyang continued.
"Hwarin has already agreed, and we've secured quite a few songs. We're planning two or three main tracks—a Hwarin solo, a Woojin solo, and a duet. The rest will support those."
Hwarin quietly glanced at Woojin.
'Please say yes… Even if he's tone-deaf, I can fix it somehow.'
Kim Sohyang added,
"There's a reason for this. In the drama, Han Inho reveals a hidden singing ability. What do you think?"
Another responsibility.
A completely new field.
But—
Woojin didn't hesitate.
'Never done it before… but I can probably pull it off. If I can act, why not sing too?'
Confidence rose.
Half real, half bluff.
"I think I can handle it."
Kim Sohyang blinked.
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes."
She studied him carefully.
'…If he's this confident, he must be decent. But if not, this could be risky.'
Hwarin, meanwhile, was barely containing her excitement.
Director Shin frowned slightly.
'No way… he can sing too?'
Writer Choi Nana and the others thought the same.
'As long as it's not terrible… Hwarin can carry it.'
Kim Sohyang nodded.
"Then we'll match your schedules and do a quick check. Nothing serious—just see how your voices blend in the recording booth. It'll also help us choose the songs."
A standard step.
"You can try a duet from an existing track."
She added,
"Woojin, you can sing whatever you want."
Meanwhile—
Near Netflix Korea, a 24-hour gukbap restaurant was packed as lunchtime approached.
Inside sat Choi Sunggeon, Jang Suhwan, and Han Yejung.
While Woojin handled meetings—
They handled survival.
Han Yejung, now with a short yellow bob, suddenly froze while looking at her phone.
Then—
"CEO, look at this—"
She shoved the screen toward Choi Sunggeon.
His eyes widened instantly.
"When did this come out?!"
"Just a few minutes ago."
『[Exclusive] Master Director Kwon Gitaek confirms Kang Woojin as lead in next project』
Choi Sunggeon immediately checked his own phone.
"This… isn't a rumor?"
"No. It's official."
"Why release this now? And why center everything on Woojin?"
Articles were already flooding in.
Then—
Bzzzz. Bzzzz.
His phone vibrated.
Caller ID:
Kwon Gitaek.
Choi Sunggeon stepped outside immediately.
"Director."
"Mr. Choi, did you see the article?"
"Yes. I was just about to call. Did your side release it?"
"Yes. The distributor pushed it out early. There have been some bad rumors about Woojin."
Ah.
That.
'So that's why.'
"If you have promotional materials ready, release them as well. We'll start rolling things out centered around Woojin."
"Understood."
A brief pause.
Then—
"Mr. Choi… those rumors didn't spread naturally. Someone is pushing them."
"…I thought the same."
"Look into it. Woojin is just getting started."
Choi Sunggeon smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Click.
Back inside—
"So it's confirmed?!"
"They're announcing it now?!"
"Yes."
"Wow… Director Kwon Gitaek and Woojin? The industry's going to explode."
Jang Suhwan was excited.
Choi Sunggeon wasn't.
He was thinking.
'Seo Guseob… It has to be that bastard.'
A slow grin spread across his face.
'Go ahead. You'll regret it.'
The news shook the entire film industry.
Director Kwon Gitaek's next film.
Kang Woojin as the lead.
Explosive.
Within an hour, articles flooded every major portal.
Inside an HTBS vehicle—
"What the hell? Woojin's the lead in Director Kwon Gitaek's film?"
Yoon Byungseon PD stared at his phone.
The writers and junior PDs erupted.
"Seriously?!"
"It's real!!"
"So it's confirmed?"
Yoon Byungseon smirked.
"He was hiding something huge."
Then, quietly—
"Hm… should I push this a bit?"
The head writer froze.
"You mean… use this for promotion?"
"Exactly."
His smile widened.
Woojin's momentum was already rising.
Now—
It was time to push it even further.