10 minutes.
After Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi's official statement was released, nearly identical articles flooded across Japan.
『The Korean actor officially announced by Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi is the true rookie, Kang Woojin.』
The issue had already been explosive, but Tanoguchi's interview pushed it even further, drawing massive attention.
『Film company Toga confirms casting of Korean actor Kang Woojin』
Japanese media moved quickly, reporting the official statement without delay.
At last, a clear answer emerged.
『Kang Woojin becomes the first rookie actor to lead a foreign film across both Korea and Japan』
With the mystery resolved, the public reaction split between excitement and dissatisfaction.
[Online reactions]
[Of course it's Kang Woojin. Nice. He's good at acting.]
[I thought this was already confirmed in Korea. Why hide it?]
[Did they keep it quiet because things got too big?]
[Still… a Korean actor in The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice feels a bit off.]
[I love Kang Woojin! Check his YouTube, you'll become a fan.]
[I think a Korean actor might actually be better. Japanese acting has been slipping.]
[I like him too. If you've got complaints, watch Hanryang on Netflix first.]
[This is insane… how did a rookie land a lead role?]
…
…
…
Everything had been revealed.
This kind of situation had never happened before in Japan, and the public stirred at the unprecedented development.
Not everyone welcomed it.
Skepticism spread alongside the excitement.
『Identity of Korean rookie revealed, but industry insiders remain doubtful』
『Who is Kang Woojin? Public concern grows』
Even so, one thing was clear.
All attention had shifted to Kang Woojin and The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
His name spread rapidly.
Expectations had already been high, so the surge intensified further. Netflix Japan's Hanryang was mentioned repeatedly.
『Kang Woojin, chosen by Director Tanoguchi, previously appeared in a popular Korean Netflix drama』
Japanese reporters dug into everything—SNS, YouTube, filmography, past works.
It was a basic approach, but necessary.
People clicked what contained the most information.
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Inside Japan's private broadcasting station TBE.
"PD-nim!!"
The Ame Talk Show writers rushed toward PD Shinjo.
"It's Woojin! It's really Woojin!"
"What are you talking about?"
"The Korean rookie actor Director Tanoguchi mentioned—it's Woojin!"
"What are you saying… are you sure? That was just speculation—"
"Just now! Director Tanoguchi made it official! Woojin is confirmed as the lead!"
Shinjo PD's eyes widened instantly.
"Contact bw Entertainment immediately. Bring all the plans we prepared."
"Yes!"
"Hurry. Coordinate with bw Entertainment and push the news out as fast as possible. And revise more than half of the plan."
The team fell into chaos.
Everyone moved at once, barely keeping up.
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『Rising Korean star Kang Woojin to debut on Netflix Japan with romantic comedy Boy Friend』
As if waiting for the perfect moment, Netflix Japan released news about Boy Friend.
『Kang Woojin and Hwarin expected to visit Japan soon for Boy Friend promotions』
Their Japan schedule also spread.
[Online reactions]
[What?! Kang Woojin and Hwarin are coming to Japan!!]
[Seriously?? Boy Friend too? A rom-com? I'm watching.]
[Which airport? What time? I want to see them in person.]
The news spread quickly.
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Back in Korea.
The news had already spread even faster.
As afternoon turned into night, the entire country remained in chaos. Portal sites kept updating without pause, and articles spread instantly through endless clicks.
It was loud.
The biggest frenzy of the year.
At this point, no one among Kang Woojin's acquaintances was unaware.
His younger sister Kang Hyuna was shocked, and his close friends were thrilled by the breaking news.
Everyone who had worked with him reacted the same way.
Directors, assistant directors, actors, staff—hundreds of people showed different reactions.
"PD-nim! Did you see the news?! Our Kang Totem got confirmed as the lead in Director Takikawa Akari's live-action film!"
"I saw it! That project is going to do really well!"
"But why is Woojin so good at singing too? If I knew, I would've asked him for the Hanryang OST!"
"How would I know?!"
Song Manwoo PD and writer Park Eunmi, along with everyone else, were too overwhelmed to properly express their excitement.
This was only the beginning of the chaos.
──────────
Yes.
This was just the beginning.
Hwarin, who had been with Woojin earlier, now sat inside a car with earphones in.
There was a simple reason.
♬♪
She was listening to Kang Woojin's cover song.
She had searched for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel on YouTube.
She smiled at the greeting video, but as soon as the cover began, her expression shifted.
Less than a minute passed before she covered her mouth.
'No way… he said he only knows a little Japanese… what is this?'
It wasn't just good.
It was flawless.
With her eyes closed, it felt like listening to a native Japanese singer.
Hwarin knew.
She was fluent in Japanese herself.
Her group Elani was already popular in Japan, and she had handled many schedules there.
"Yeah, I've learned it, but my pronunciation still feels a bit off. But Woojin… he sounds like a native."
Curiosity about his past rose for a moment.
But it quickly faded.
♬♪
She sank into his voice.
Her thoughts blurred, and her heart began to race.
'This face, this voice, this tone… it's insane. My heart feels like it's melting. Completely melting. This doesn't even feel like a song anymore. I love it. I could listen to this ten times a day… no, a hundred.'
Goosebumps spread across her arms.
This went beyond admiration.
It felt closer to devotion.
"How does he even have this much charm? I really picked the right person to stan."
After a while, Hwarin pressed like on the video and shared it in Elani's group chat.
Hwarin: Listen to this. Play it 100 times.
Then she logged into her SNS.
"It's too good to keep to myself. It'll get popular anyway, but still… more people should hear this."
She shared Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel.
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The next day, the 21st.
Around 10 a.m., Kang Woojin stood in front of an elevator in a high-rise building.
Despite the warmer weather and lighter clothes, he showed no reaction to the fact that his name was spreading across Korea and Japan.
"..."
His face remained expressionless.
Not an act.
Closer to how he actually felt.
'I'm exhausted. Did I even sleep two hours? I stayed up checking reactions.'
He had barely put his phone down.
Everywhere he looked, his name appeared.
Beside him, Choi Sunggeon was busy on the phone.
"Yes, yes, PD-nim. Haha, thank you. About the casting—ah, but Woojin's schedule is packed for the first half of the year. How about the second half?"
Since yesterday, his phone had not stopped ringing.
Calls and messages continued without pause.
Naturally, bw Entertainment was overwhelmed.
But Woojin had no time to focus on that.
Today was the script reading for writer Lee Wolsun's drama Frozen love.
The production company was in this building, and the reading would begin in about an hour.
Woojin stared at the elevator panel and let out a quiet breath.
'I don't know anyone today… this is making me uneasy. My stomach feels off.'
Should he take something?
Just then, Choi Sunggeon ended his call.
"The calls keep coming in like messages. Look—another one. At this rate, I won't be able to go into the reading room. But you'll be fine on your own, right? You're not the type to get shaken."
Actually, I want something for this.
Woojin kept it inside and nodded.
"Yes. It's fine."
Choi Sunggeon smiled faintly and patted his shoulder.
"There aren't many rookie actors who attend script readings as often as you."
"I'm attending because of the writer."
"Right. Honestly, you don't have to attend this one. Your role is small. But leaving a good impression on Lee Wolsun isn't a bad idea."
"I agree."
"You never know when connections will matter."
He added,
"Anyway, everyone inside is probably talking about you."
"It doesn't matter."
"When have you ever cared about that?"
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
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Inside the Frozen love script reading room.
A U-shaped table filled the space.
Supporting actors, dozens of staff, and several reporters had already arrived.
"Is Kang Woojin confirmed to attend?"
"Yes, I asked the assistant director several times. If you don't believe me, go ask again."
"We're lucky. There was talk about whether he'd come, and now we get to see him right after that news."
Everyone was talking about Kang Woojin.
"Did you check the search rankings? His articles are everywhere."
"Well, even without the national pride angle, this is unprecedented."
"But how did he land that lead role? Does he have backing?"
"Some articles say he's from a wealthy family. Acting, singing, even Japanese—he's good at everything."
Speculation filled the room.
"Wow… I'm jealous. When will I get a chance to go overseas?"
"First, get out of supporting roles here."
"You too."
"The internet and SNS are all about him. Think he'll start looking down on others?"
"I heard he's actually decent."
The glass door opened.
Kang Woojin stepped inside.
Every gaze turned to him.
He scanned the room, then gave a small bow.
"Hello, I'm Kang Woojin."
The room fell silent.
One reporter, who had been staring blankly, checked their phone.
On the screen—
Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel.
[Channel: Kang Woojin's Alter Ego]
[Subscribers: 509,000]
[Videos: 2]
The subscriber count had surged.
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Outside the reading room.
Choi Sunggeon paced the hallway, still on the phone.
He was speaking with Netflix Korea's Director Kim Sohyang.
"Is the Japan promotion event on the 26th?"
"Yes. Next month could work, but it's better to move fast. Netflix Japan agrees. We should act while the timing is right."
"Next month will be harder. His schedule is already twice as packed. The 26th…"
Only a few days away.
After calculating quickly, he spoke.
"I already have a few things that day. What about Hwarin?"
"She's fine for a one-day schedule. If needed, she can join later."
"No, better to go together. I'll adjust."
"Thank you. Then we'll proceed with preparations."
After ending the call, Choi Sunggeon opened his planner, already filled.
He turned to a new page and wrote.
Arrive in Japan on the 26th
Boy Friend promotion
Meeting with Director Tanoguchi
Ame Talk Show appearance
He closed it and muttered quietly.
"And the official Ame Talk Show recording is on the 30th."
In short, Kang Woojin's Japan schedule would span four days.
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His phone rang again.
"Director Kim Dohee?"
It was the director of Drug Dealer.
Choi Sunggeon answered.
"Yes, Director. Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. But that's not important."
Her tone shifted.
"We're planning a blind screening next week."
"A blind preview?"
"Yes. I'd like both you and Woojin to attend."
That meant one thing.
The release of Drug Dealer was close.