Inside the hotel suite, Writer Akari looked slightly surprised.
"Director, did you consider him for the role of Kiyoshi as well?"
Director Kyotaro gave a faint smile, a subtle glint in his eyes.
"Yes."
Akari studied him.
"From the beginning? You had Kang Woojin in mind for Kiyoshi from the moment you first saw him?"
Kyotaro shook his head.
"No. At that time, the script was still being revised."
He continued calmly.
"But after watching The Private Investigator and meeting him in person, I started thinking I wanted to work with him. No matter the role."
"Then when did that change? When did you start seeing him as the lead?"
Kyotaro paused briefly.
"…I am not entirely sure. I think it was after I returned to Korea and watched the drama he appeared in."
"Profiler Hanryang?"
"Yes."
Akari adjusted her glasses.
"I have not seen it yet."
"If you get the chance, you should. It is extremely well made."
His tone lowered.
"To be honest, I even felt a bit of envy."
"Because of the difference between Korean and Japanese productions?"
"Yes. Korea is ahead in many areas. Acting, directing, technical execution."
A faint bitterness passed across his face.
"It is likely due to the system. It is the kind of work that deserves ratings above twenty percent."
He looked ahead.
"And from the very beginning, Woojin carried the opening of that large scale project."
Akari remained silent.
"He appeared as a serial killer with both psychopathic and sociopathic traits."
"His restrained emotional expression was exceptional."
Kyotaro spoke quietly.
"It goes beyond expression. Just by looking at his face, you can feel everything."
"His movements, his gaze, his breathing, the tone of his voice. Nothing is wasted."
He let out a slow breath.
"Now that I think about it… it feels unprecedented. I have never seen anything like it."
Akari nodded.
"He has a very unique style. It leaves a deep impression."
"And from what I saw today, his presence affects the actors around him."
"Exactly."
Kyotaro met her gaze.
"Those eyes. As if he is chasing something without seeing anything else."
"Any actor who sees that up close would feel their own passion ignite."
His expression hardened slightly.
"I thought it while watching Hanryang. Today, I became certain."
"He is perfect for Kiyoshi."
Akari listened quietly.
"Considering Kiyoshi's antisocial nature, I was completely drawn in by his performance."
"It is acting that pursues one emotion until the end."
Kyotaro's voice grew deeper.
"What kind of life must he have lived to express such emotions so naturally?"
Akari answered softly.
"I do not know."
"But it could not have been easy."
"He must have endured many hardships… and spent a long time as an unknown."
She adjusted her glasses again.
She did not know his past.
But it was obvious.
That kind of performance did not come easily.
"Even as the original author… it is a little frightening."
Kyotaro nodded.
"When an actor surpasses what the Director imagined, it becomes intimidating."
"It makes you question the script and direction."
He picked up the script for The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
"I have a request."
"A request?"
He opened the script and pointed to a section.
"I want to slightly adjust Kiyoshi's background."
"In what way?"
"I want to add Korean elements."
Akari tilted her head.
"You mean making him of Korean descent?"
"Yes. And adding a few Korean lines."
She thought for a moment.
"…That would give the character more depth."
A faint smile appeared.
"I agree."
Kyotaro closed the script.
"Now we just wait for his answer."
──────────
The next day, the 13th.
Filming for Drug Dealer had effectively wrapped the day before, aside from a few remaining cuts. Lee Sangman had already exited the story.
Then the weekend came.
And the industry exploded.
『[Drama] Profiler Hanryang Episode 9 Records 22.6 Percent Ratings』
Even past the midpoint, Profiler Hanryang maintained ratings in the twenty percent range.
Every time Assistant Manager Park appeared in flashbacks, it became a hot topic.
[Online reactions]
[assistant manager park was insane]
[everyone is good but kang woojin hits different]
[please come back i miss him so much]
Filming was set to finish the following week.
Woojin had already completed his scenes.
But his involvement was not over.
For a drama that reached twenty five percent, the real work began after the finale.
Wrap party.
Interviews.
Reruns.
OTT release.
Overseas expansion.
──────────
『[Official] Profiler Hanryang Confirmed for Netflix Japan Release』
The Japanese release was confirmed.
This meant more opportunities for Kang Woojin.
Especially considering his contribution to the drama.
And that was not all.
──────────
『[Film Talk] Rookie Lead? Truth Behind Kang Woojin and Director Kwon Gitaek』
The buzz around Island of the Missing continued to grow.
Articles flooded in. Facts mixed with speculation.
But for Kang Woojin, it was beneficial.
──────────
『[Star Photo] Rising Star Kang Woojin Reaches 550K SNS Followers』
His fan cafe Kang's Heart was approaching ten thousand members.
He was steadily engraving his name into the public consciousness.
His popularity had risen to the level of top actors.
Still, this explosive growth was driven by freshness and impact.
Eventually, it would settle.
──────────
Monday.
Late morning.
A studio near Samseong Station.
Bright lights filled the space.
A white backdrop stood behind him.
Kang Woojin stood in a gray suit, perfectly styled.
Click. Beep beep beep.
"Perfect. Amazing. Woojin, lift your chin a little."
"Yes."
"Good. Confident. Perfect."
Click. Beep beep beep.
It was a pictorial shoot for a major men's magazine.
He was already the cover model.
Now, this kind of schedule was normal.
"Give me a smile this time."
Inside, he was still the same person.
Just more used to it.
'A magazine cover… I really made it.'
Still, it felt slightly embarrassing.
'If people I know see this… that will be awkward.'
"Outfit change. Five minutes."
Han Yejung moved quickly.
Woojin sat down.
Then—
"Woojin."
Choi Sunggeon handed him water.
"You finished Island of the Missing?"
"Yes. I read it once. I am reading it again."
Choi leaned closer.
"When do you want to meet Director Kyotaro?"
Ah.
Japan.
"Anytime."
"Then tonight?"
Woojin paused.
"…Tonight?"
Too sudden.
Choi Sunggeon laughed.
"He is in Korea."
"Oh."
"He came to the Drug Dealer set."
"With Writer Akari."
Inside—
'They saw me? Both of them?'
Outwardly—
"Really?"
"Yes. I did not want to interrupt you."
"It is fine."
Choi clicked his tongue.
"Your reactions are too dry."
Woojin answered calmly.
"…Tonight works."
──────────
Meanwhile, at the Profiler Hanryang filming set.
It was chaotic.
"Stand by in ten minutes."
PD Song Manwoo moved quickly.
Inside the waiting room, Hong Hyeyeon was scrolling through her phone.
Thud.
She turned her head.
Ryu Jungmin sat nearby, reading a script.
"Oppa, you are confirmed for Island of the Missing, right?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Every article only mentions Woojin."
"They will reveal it gradually."
"Did you tell him?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Ryu Jungmin laughed.
"Still upset about Sports Day?"
"I am not."
Hong Hyeyeon searched again.
Hwarin.
Kang Woojin.
Boy Friend.
Articles filled the screen.
'It is moving smoothly.'
But something felt off.
'Why did she suddenly join?'
Hwarin had said—
"It is not because of Kang Woojin. I just liked the project."
But—
'Something feels strange.'
A quiet discomfort settled in her chest.
Unfamiliar.
Persistent.
Annoying.
She frowned slightly.
"…What am I doing?"
She shook her head.
'Stop overthinking.'
'I am just curious about Woojin's project.'
Still—
The feeling did not disappear.
It pressed against her chest.
She ignored it.
Thud.
"Team leader."
Her manager approached.
"Do you want something to drink?"
She paused briefly.
"…By the way, Woojin confirmed PD Yoon's new variety show, right?"
"Yeah."
A short silence followed.
Then—
"…Should I try it too?"