Rumors about Kang Woojin began spreading rapidly across online communities.
[Online reactions]
[He really looks like Kang Woojin.]
[LOL, Kang Woojin is seriously incredible. I heard he's filming Director Kwon Gitaek's next project right now.]
[A Korean rookie… could it really be Kang Woojin? He's the hottest rookie in Korea these days, isn't he?]
[Agreed. Honestly, at this rate, Kang Woojin could even make it to Hollywood.]
[Assistant Manager Park is insanely hot right now.]
[Idiots, lol. Kang Woojin has nothing to do with Director Kyotaro.]
[Why is all the attention suddenly on Kang Woojin?]
[This is hilarious. But if it really is Kang Woojin, his filmography is insane. Isn't he already surpassing top actors?]
[No, no. Kang Woojin won't appear. There's already news about overseas filming for Missing Island, and his schedule doesn't match.]
[People are way too worked up, lol. Idiots.]
The same talk spread into article comment sections as well.
[Online reactions]
[Is that really the Kang Woojin everyone's talking about???]
[Kang Woojin? Seriously?? Why is his name suddenly coming up?]
[Internet detectives are going wild saying it's Kang Woojin, lol.]
[Isn't there a rumor he has multiple personalities? Honestly, I don't like him.]
[Lol, Kang Woojin? What a joke. Just idiots talking nonsense.]
[No, but seriously, he's the hottest rookie right now.]
[…I don't think it's him though. Isn't he already tied up with multiple projects?]
Sensing the growing buzz, the media began adding their own interpretations.
『[Main Issue] Is Kang Woojin the "Korean rookie actor" mentioned by Director Kyotaro? Rumors are spreading rapidly across online communities.』
Within minutes, speculative and sensational articles began to surge.
[Online reactions]
[Considering how huge Profiler Hanryang is on Netflix Japan, I think the chances are high. Director Kyotaro must have noticed Kang Woojin.]
Amateur sleuths flooded in as well. The situation became chaotic, but for Kang Woojin, it was ultimately a good thing.
No, more precisely, it was exactly the outcome Choi Sunggeon had wanted.
──────────
Back at the live café.
As Kang Woojin's name spread online, the café where Boy Friend had filmed its final scene was busy with cleanup. Dozens of staff moved in a hectic but organized flow.
"Hey, watch the cable! Don't step on it!"
"Ah! Sorry!!"
"Hey, rookie! That equipment is expensive! Handle it carefully, got it?!"
"Yes! Carefully! Got it!"
"Move it! We only have an hour to clear everything!"
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin and Hwarin were saying their goodbyes to the main staff. Woojin stood quietly with his usual indifferent expression, his thoughts moving beneath the surface.
'Wow… I really finished another one.'
It was hard to define this feeling. Something close to deep satisfaction.
Despite his packed schedule, he had completed yet another project without fail.
'The Private Investigator, Profiler Hanryang, Drug Dealer… and now Boy Friend. That makes four already.'
It felt like just yesterday he had started acting as Assistant Manager Park. Now, countless characters were firmly engraved in his mind.
He could bring them out whenever he wanted.
It felt as if his world was steadily expanding.
'Still… I've got more ahead than what I've finished.'
He tried to gather himself while thinking about everything waiting for him, but his face remained as expressionless as ever.
At that moment—
"Uh, Woojin."
Hwarin, who had just finished speaking with Director Shin Dongchun, approached him. Her expression carried a faint heaviness.
Woojin answered in a low voice.
"Yeah, Hwarin. Good work."
"You too, Woojin."
For a brief moment, something in Woojin's instincts stirred.
His gaze caught the faint redness on her lips.
The recent kiss scene still lingered too vividly.
He turned his eyes away as if nothing had happened.
'Forget it, you idiot.'
He restrained the urge to scold himself and looked at her again.
Hwarin, noticing his gaze shift, fell into her own thoughts.
'Ah… is he bored? Or busy? I don't know. Just ask.'
She cleared her throat and spoke carefully.
"Um… could I get your phone number?"
"My number?"
Her eyes wavered slightly.
"…Yes. No special reason. Since we'll be working on Boy Friend, and also Our Table with PD-nim soon, I thought it would be good to have it."
"Ah."
"…And there might be times we need to contact each other."
"Of course."
Woojin nodded casually and took her phone, entering his number while smiling inwardly.
'She's cute.'
He handed the phone back. Hwarin accepted it calmly.
"Thank you."
Inside, however, she was overflowing with excitement, as if she had just obtained something rare.
At that moment—
"You two! You really did an amazing job!"
An excited voice came from behind them. When they turned around, Director Shin Dongchun, writer Choi Nana, and Executive Director Kim Sohyang were standing there.
They seemed to have come for the final shoot.
Writer Choi Nana approached shyly and bowed deeply.
"Woojin, your voice in the last scene… it was incredible. And Hwarin, your acting was amazing."
To her, everything must have felt like a dream. Kang Woojin had joined Boy Friend, and now even Hwarin had risen alongside him.
With filming now complete, the project was set to release in both Korea and Japan.
The scale had grown beyond imagination.
"I'm really looking forward to how Boy Friend turns out. I really like both of you."
Her confession lightened the atmosphere. Director Shin Dongchun smiled and joined in.
"If we're going to meet the writer's expectations, I'll have to push through post-production without holding back."
"Ah! That's not what I meant!"
"I know. It's been a while since I've worked on a drama, so I plan to put everything into this. And Woojin, Hwarin, filming may be done, but there's still plenty left. Poster shoots, post-recording… Woojin, for today's OST, let's record it separately."
He paused briefly, thinking over the schedule.
"Today's the 15th. The trailer and teaser will be released starting next week, along with behind-the-scenes footage."
Executive Director Kim Sohyang stepped forward.
"We'll also proceed with the production press conference soon. Boy Friend will be the main title of our short drama lineup."
That meant everyone, including the actors, director, and writer, would have to attend.
"This will be shared with your agency, but you may also need to visit Japan briefly for promotions."
Japan.
Woojin questioned it silently, and Kim Sohyang explained.
"Netflix Japan made an official request. It's likely because Profiler Hanryang performed so well. Woojin's popularity has risen, and Hwarin is already ranked first there."
This kind of situation was not uncommon.
"It's presented as part of the official release schedule in Japan, but in reality, it's more of a promotional event."
A voice cut in.
"Just let us know the dates and we'll adjust. It's Woojin's first lead role, so of course he should go."
It was Choi Sunggeon, his hair tied back.
He leaned in and spoke quietly to Woojin.
"Your name is starting to circulate between the media and the public. Now all that's left is the promotional push."
──────────
Late morning on the 16th.
News about Boy Friend began spreading online.
『Kang Woojin and Hwarin successfully wrap filming for Boy Friend』
Kang Woojin, who had been deeply asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
"…What—"
His hair was messy, and his eyes were dull, as if he had just been pulled out of deep sleep. He stared blankly at the ceiling before suddenly snapping awake.
"Ah, damn it."
Realizing he had overslept, he quickly got out of bed. The moment felt reminiscent of his old days at the design company.
He checked the time while heading toward the bathroom.
"What time is it… ah."
He suddenly stopped and let out a faint laugh.
"What am I doing? Am I an idiot?"
The reason was simple.
The night before, Choi Sunggeon had given him two days off.
"Boy Friend is done, and the script reading for Missing Island is finished. Take a day or two to rest."
Woojin had almost hugged him out of joy, but held back and simply thanked him.
He scratched his head and returned to bed.
"This feels too good."
It was a rare moment where he could let go of everything.
The exhausting schedule, acting, maintaining his image, even the misunderstandings—he set it all aside.
At times like this, only the real Kang Woojin remained.
The outside world was noisy, but he closed his eyes without concern.
This time was his to rest.
When he finally got up in the afternoon, he headed to the parking lot.
"Ah… my love. Looks like it's finally your turn."
He planned to take his newly purchased car out for a drive.
While Woojin enjoyed his rest, his name continued spreading online.
[Online reactions]
[Is it really Kang Woojin? There's nothing about it on Instagram.]
As time passed, countless theories flooded the internet.
No one knew who started it.
Maybe it was because he was the hottest rising star.
Or maybe it was just timing.
Either way, it had gone completely out of control.
[Online reactions]
[Let me summarize it simply. Kang Woojin won Best Acting at the Mise-en-scène Film Festival, and Director Kyotaro personally handed him the trophy.]
[That actually sounds right. That's probably the most accurate take.]
[There's no rookie like Kang Woojin right now. I haven't seen The Private Investigator, but Assistant Manager Park was amazing.]
Negative reactions followed as well.
[Online reactions]
[Isn't he already busy with Boy Friend, Missing Island, and commercials?]
[The biggest issue is Japanese. When did he even learn it? I don't think it's him.]
[It could be an unknown Korean actor or even a Korean-Japanese actor.]
[Maybe they just called a Korean-Japanese actor Korean.]
The debate continued.
Because of The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, the attention burned like a massive display.
One thing became certain.
Kang Woojin's name was sinking deeper into public awareness.
For two days straight, the media joined in.
『[Issue Check] First Korean "rookie" actor to lead a Japanese blockbuster? Kang Woojin emerges as a strong candidate』
『[Exclusive] Director Kyotaro personally awarded Kang Woojin at the Mise-en-scène Film Festival, raising speculation』
Even acquaintances began reaching out.
[Online reactions]
[Kyungsung: Hey, Woojin, is it true you're starring in a Japanese film?]
[Hyunggu: Really? You didn't say anything. It's probably nonsense.]
[Kyungsung: Kang Woojin, you bastard. Daeyoung, answer me. You know something, don't you?]
[Daeyoung: I'm busy. I don't know.]
[Hyunggu: Just ignore them. But we should meet soon. I want to see Kang-star.]
The fan café was no different.
[Online reactions]
[Welcome to Kang Woojin's official fan café, Kangs Heart]
[Members: 19,520]
[Manager: Blood Sister]
Among them, the manager and staff were especially active.
"Is this real? Is Woojin oppa really debuting in Japan?"
"I don't know. The agency hasn't said anything yet."
"Hyuna, call oppa and ask."
"He's not answering."
Despite the growing rumors—
『[Star Talk] Kang Woojin's "Japan debut" speculation spreads, but the actor remains silent』
—Kang Woojin continued his schedule without reacting.
──────────
Morning of the 19th.
At a salon in Cheongdam.
The van carrying Woojin stopped, and he stepped out wearing a cap, black t-shirt, and jeans.
His first schedule—
The Boy Friend poster shoot.
A packed day followed.
As Woojin stepped forward—
"Woojin."
Choi Sunggeon called out.
"The timing feels right. What do you think about launching Kang Woojin's Alter Ego?"
Woojin answered calmly.
"I think now is the right time."
"Good."
Choi Sunggeon made the call and handed the phone to Woojin.
"It's your channel. You should start it."
Woojin nodded.
'Why is my heart beating so fast?'
The PD answered.
"Yes, CEO."
"Hello. This is Kang Woojin. I think it's time to start my channel."
"We've been waiting for this. We'll upload it right away."
Within minutes, the channel updated.
[Channel name: Kang Woojin's Alter Ego]
[Subscribers: 158]
[Videos: 2]
[Greeting video uploaded]
[Cover video uploaded]
The channel went live.
Reactions flooded in immediately.
[Online reactions]
[Whoa! It's real!!]
[Hahaha, what is this? Is this really Woojin oppa's channel??]
[…Wait, what? This person is really Kang Woojin??]
And just like that—
It began.