Kang Woojin had been deeply troubled when Director Shin Dongchun first told him about the revision to the kiss scene.
'What? That makes no sense.'
Changes during production were not particularly rare. In fact, they happened often enough. It had been the same during the filming of Drug Dealer. Depending on the director or writer, the story could shift at any moment.
The problem was that Woojin had fallen into a dilemma.
Dozens had attended the script reading, including Director Shin and many familiar faces. If he revealed his honest thoughts here, everything he had built so far would collapse. Just imagining himself shouting opposition to the revision was enough.
His carefully constructed image would shatter instantly.
Woojin briefly thought about the projects he was scheduled to appear in. None of them were romantic. They were all meaningful works, but none carried a sweet or romantic tone. Of course, he might take on a romantic comedy someday, but that was still undecided. For top actors like Ryu Jungmin or Jin Jaejun, it would not matter much.
'Is my first kiss scene as an actor really going to disappear like this?'
It was only natural for Woojin, who still thought of himself as an ordinary person at heart, to feel a trace of disappointment.
But thankfully—
"I'm thinking of something deeper."
Director Shin Dongchun's response was positive. Still, the meaning behind it was unclear.
'Deeper than a kiss scene?'
His imagination opened on its own. It was instinctive, something almost reflexive. Woojin forced himself to shut it down and regain control. He chose not to dwell on it and instead checked his expression.
He could not afford to show even the slightest disturbance.
He looked at Hwarin, seated across from him. Her face was calm. What was she feeling? It was hard to tell. Still, in this room, only Woojin knew her secret. If she was a fan, there should have been at least some expectation.
Even so.
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Woojin turned toward Director Shin Dongchun at the head of the table and lightly cleared his throat. His tone remained indifferent and cold.
"Director, what exactly do you mean by 'deeper'?"
As soon as he spoke, every gaze in the reading room turned toward him, then shifted to Director Shin.
Soon after—
"Ah, it's the opening scene of episode one. The kiss between Lee Bomin and Han Inho. If you look closely, Bomin appears flustered, while Inho has his eyes closed. That means Inho initiates it, and Bomin reacts in shock."
Director Shin opened the script in front of him and continued.
"The intention was to deliver impact through the kiss, but the kiss itself feels flat. To be honest, it's closer to their lips just touching."
He stroked his chin as he spoke.
"I think the scene needs to be more intense. The writer wanted to grab attention right from the start. For that, clarity works better than ambiguity. If it stays vague, it could weaken the impact and make everything that follows feel less defined."
Though he had debuted as a film director, Shin Dongchun still carried the sharp instincts of a seasoned drama PD.
"Boy Friend moves from the present to the past, then back to the present, and into the future. It's like showing the ending from the beginning. As a director, I believe it's better to express that boldly and properly."
Woojin listened, nodding slowly with a serious face while silently giving him approval.
'He's good. Definitely talented.'
Hwarin felt something similar. She maintained a composed expression but swallowed quietly.
'So it's meant to be bold… and refined? That intense? That's… impressive.'
While she was stirred by both instinct and admiration, Director Shin misread the subtle reactions of the two leads.
'Do they really dislike it that much? They don't seem that close yet. Maybe this was too sudden… changing it during the reading.'
The other actors, watching the slightly awkward atmosphere, exchanged glances.
'They both look uncomfortable.'
'It was sudden, so that makes sense… but do they not get along?'
Many actors felt burdened by kiss scenes or exposure, and the more famous they became, the more sensitive they tended to be. Since Boy Friend relied heavily on Woojin and Hwarin's popularity, Director Shin chose to be cautious.
'I shouldn't push them.'
He adjusted his approach.
"...We can stick to the original script if you prefer. Your opinions matter most. This is just my personal idea. Changing it like this could be too much pressure."
"Director."
Woojin spoke calmly, unwilling to break the flow.
"I'm fine with it."
"Really?"
"Yes. The work comes first."
The surrounding actors widened their eyes slightly. Director Shin did the same. Hwarin glanced at Woojin's composed face.
'He's only thinking about the work… That's embarrassing. I'm the only one who got distracted.'
She steadied herself and recalled her professionalism. Being a fan was separate. She was the lead actress.
"Director, I'm fine as well. The success of the project matters more than any burden."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. Script revisions happen all the time. And if it strengthens the opening, I'll do it."
The two leads quickly brought the situation under control, leaving a strong impression on Director Shin. The other actors were equally impressed.
'They're real professionals.'
"They're impressive. Especially Kang Woojin—even as a rookie."
Speculation still lingered in the room, but everything moved forward smoothly under the director's lead.
"Good, haha. Then I'll match your passion. Let's create a perfect opening."
Director Shin took out the revised script.
"First, I want to push the emotional intensity of the opening further. Starting with confusion, then shock, impulse, and finally being pulled into the story."
He continued.
"Han Inho kisses Lee Bomin. She's startled. Originally, it ends there. But in the revision, they pull apart, and then Bomin comes back impulsively. Hwarin, this part is important. It should feel like the wall between them collapses."
"...Like, 'My feelings are clear now. I didn't realize it, but I've been holding them back. Now I know.' Something like that?"
"Exactly. Confusion becomes clarity, and the impulse becomes unstoppable. It's about crossing the line between friendship and romance."
Hwarin nodded slowly, understanding. Director Shin summarized.
"After a light kiss, they separate, and then Bomin rushes back in. From there, it becomes a deep kiss—something that makes the audience react. And Bomin's narration will be layered over it."
The word deeper fit perfectly.
Soon after, Woojin was no longer in the reading room.
He had entered the void space.
He had received the revised Boy Friend script, and now he had to read it.
"At least once… I should experience it."
Even if it was just one revised scene, he wanted to experience the change. His expression grew serious. The issue was resolved. Now it was time to focus.
A kiss scene was still just part of acting. It was not something serious like death or violence.
Still—
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Woojin stood before the white rectangles. The one labeled Boy Friend had already been replaced.
Then—
"Oh?"
He noticed something different. The ratings had changed.
-[4/Scenario (Title: Drug Dealer), A Grade]
-[5/Script (Title: Freezing Love), B Grade]
-[6/Script (Title: Boy Friend), A+ Grade]
Aside from The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, all pending works had risen by one level.
'Because of me?'
It was likely. Hanryang had ranked first on Netflix Japan, and his popularity had surged.
"They were already good… but this still feels nice."
His smile deepened, and his motivation grew stronger. He raised a finger and selected Boy Friend.
-[Script (Boy Friend Episode 1) selected.]
-[Readable characters available.]
-[A: Han Inho, B: Ahn Beomcheol...]
He had already read up to episode four. Boy Friend was a story that delicately portrayed the relationship between Lee Bomin and Han Inho.
The setup was simple.
Two families were as close as one. A boy and a girl grew up together, becoming friends from childhood. They shared school years, spaces, and time.
Then, a crack formed.
It started from something small. Just a difference in perspective. It took less than ten seconds for someone familiar to feel unfamiliar.
From there, they struggled, got hurt, healed, and grew.
The story explored those emotions in detail.
Reality blended with soft fantasy. Situations and dialogue that stirred the audience. In short, it was a romantic comedy balancing both.
["A: Preparing Han Inho reading."]
["Ready. High completion detected. Reading begins."]
Woojin entered the world.
His vision changed.
The darkness turned pink in an instant. Cherry blossoms filled everything. Spring had arrived. A warm breeze brushed his cheek.
Saaa.
Warm and full.
That was Han Inho's world.
Lying down, he could fall asleep easily. The atmosphere made everything feel possible. Soon, that feeling spread through his body. Every part of him shifted.
Woojin became Han Inho.
He looked around.
There were many people.
But only one stood out.
Lee Bomin stood ahead, catching petals and smiling. She looked carefree. It was not bad.
At first, it had been annoying. A sudden outing.
But now—
"..."
It did not seem so bad.
He still felt uneasy, but he could not leave.
Maybe people were shaped by their surroundings.
Then—
"Hey! Han Inho!"
Bomin ran toward him, petals in hand.
"What."
"Smell this!"
"There's no scent."
"Come on!"
"Back off. Your breath stinks."
"You want to die?"
She glared. Woojin sighed and leaned closer.
The scent was pleasant.
But he could not tell if it was the petals—or her.
Then—
"..."
Something stirred inside him.
Warmth, instinct, tension.
A strange urge.
Without realizing—
He moved.
His hand reached past the petals—
Toward her lips.
"Ah."
A mistake.
Then—
"...You're insane."
She cursed and stared at him.
Then—
"You little—!"
She threw the petals.
Whoosh!
And lunged at him.
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The world shifted.
The warmth faded into gray, then brightened again.
Noise filled the air.
Children's voices.
Woojin opened his eyes.
A classroom.
Desks, chairs, curtains moving in the wind.
He wore a uniform.
He leaned back.
His seat was in the back.
He was tired.
The noise was loud—but familiar.
He closed his eyes.
Tap.
"Hey, Han Inho. Your wife's here."
Woojin turned.
Bomin stood at the back door.
He ignored her.
She walked in anyway and leaned close.
"Honey."
"Are you crazy? Get lost."
"Darling~"
"What is wrong with you?"
He grabbed her and pulled her outside.
Then he noticed—
Her strap was showing.
He stepped closer, blocking others.
"Your strap slipped. Fix it."
She adjusted it casually.
"Hey. I confessed."
Something twisted inside him.
He suppressed it.
"...To who?"
That was the moment everything began to crack.