After debuting in the Korean entertainment industry, Kang Woojin had been followed by countless titles—"monster rookie," "acting genius," "Chungmuro's thunderbolt," "rising star." Among them, the labels "unrivaled" and "first of its kind" stood out the most. The impact he had created in the industry could never be reduced to just one or two things.
That applied to Kang Woojin himself as well.
To someone who had once been an ordinary citizen, everything he experienced in the entertainment world had been new, a series of firsts. And now, both as an actor and as Kang Woojin, he had created yet another unprecedented and highly notable milestone.
[Today's Korea Top 10 Content]
Boy Friend
A short drama released just a day ago had taken first place, pushing aside a lineup of powerful blockbuster content on Netflix. Of course, Kang Woojin had already reached number one before with Hanryang, but Boy Friend was different. Hanryang had featured a lineup of top stars, and Woojin had only been in a supporting role.
This time, however, it was his first achievement as a lead actor.
That fact alone changed everything.
'Number one… I still can't believe it. I really got first place?'
As he stared at the overall ranking on Netflix, his face nearly lit up with excitement. Outwardly, he maintained his usual detached composure, but inside, he felt like grabbing Han Yejung, Choi Sunggeon, and the rest of the staff and hugging them all at once.
'Damn… I expected it, but seeing it for real—no, don't smile. Don't smile, you idiot.'
He felt like breaking into a celebratory dance on the spot.
Just then, Kim Sohyang's voice came through the phone pressed to his ear.
"Hello? Woojin, are you listening?"
Woojin snapped back to himself and forcefully cooled the excitement surging inside him, as if dousing it with cold water.
'Calm down. Stay calm.'
When he spoke, his voice came out low and steady.
"Yes, I'm listening."
"Aren't you happy? This is your first time, after all."
"I am. It's good news."
"You don't sound very excited."
"No, I'm happy."
Kim Sohyang paused for a moment, then seemed to come to her own conclusion.
"Ah, I see. The OST release and the Japan premiere are still coming up, so you're holding back. That makes sense."
'Wait… what?'
Before he could respond, she offered her congratulations once more and ended the call.
The moment the call ended, the atmosphere inside the van burst into celebration. Not just Choi Sunggeon, but Jang Suhwan, Han Yejung, and the entire staff lit up with excitement.
"This is incredible! Congratulations, oppa!"
"Hyung! Ah, I'm so happy! Seriously!"
"Number one! Number one!"
Watching them celebrate for him, Woojin allowed himself a quiet, satisfied smile—one that remained hidden beneath his calm exterior.
Choi Sunggeon, who had been letting the excitement run its course, soon stepped in and gently settled everyone down. He looked at Woojin with a faint smile.
"Alright, everyone, calm down. Look at Woojin. He's completely composed, like he expected this all along. Let's try to act like this was nothing too."
It might have been a misunderstanding on Kim Sohyang and Choi Sunggeon's part, but Kang Woojin handled it as he always did—calmly.
"A lot of people worked hard for this. Including Hwarin."
Choi Sunggeon gave a small, knowing smile.
"Honestly, if Boy Friend hadn't succeeded, that would've been stranger."
He patted Woojin lightly on the shoulder.
"Soon enough, the media and public opinion will chew us up and spit us out. You know how it goes."
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Not long after, Kang Woojin moved on to post-recording work for Frozen love, still suppressing the excitement bubbling inside him. There were no major lines this time, only simple narration related to sign language interpretation and subtitles, which he handled himself.
Even there, congratulations continued to pour in.
"Wow, Woojin, I heard the news! That's amazing!"
"Congratulations! Seriously!"
"A short drama hitting number one on Netflix—that's a first, right? This is going to be huge again!"
The PDs and key staff spoke with genuine excitement. If Kang Woojin did well, it would naturally benefit Frozen love as well.
About an hour later, while Woojin focused on his recording work, the media had already begun flooding the internet with articles.
『[Hot Issue] Netflix's first-ever short drama to hit #1, Boy Friend!』
『Boy Friend explodes in popularity, taking first place just one day after release』
『Netflix short drama project, Kang Woojin♥Hwarin's Boy Friend off to a massive start』
Even before its release, the drama had drawn intense anticipation, but now—
『A new side of Kang Woojin… overwhelming praise from the moment Boy Friend dropped』
『[Drama Focus] Boy Friend isn't your typical rom-com—its "real kiss scene" hooks viewers from the very first moment』
With the combined power of Kang Woojin and Hwarin, their agencies, and Netflix Korea, the attention was explosive.
『Boy Friend isn't dull—its bold intimacy adds another layer of appeal』
『Boy Friend takes #1, netizens say "Kang Woojin and Hwarin are a perfect match"—is a pink-tinted buzz forming?』
There were countless angles to sell the story.
『Kang Woojin and Hwarin to reunite in PD Yoon Byeongseon's Our Table after Boy Friend?』
『Kang Woojin shows off a "tsundere boyfriend" role—what will he reveal in next week's film Drug Dealer?』
From morning to lunchtime, Boy Friend dominated the entertainment sections of every major portal site. Discussions about Kang Woojin's transformation as an actor never stopped.
『[Star Photo] Kang Woojin in Boy Friend, completely different from "Assistant Manager Park," captures hearts』
『"A thousand faces proven"—Kang Woojin remembered as a lover, not a killer』
It was only natural. The role he played this time was entirely different from anything he had done before.
『"Different every time"—praise pours in for Kang Woojin's acting. What will he show next in Island of the Missing and Drug Dealer?』
The intensity of the buzz went far beyond simple media coverage. It showed his charm expanding, a new image taking hold, and his popularity surging even further.
As the character Han Inho from Boy Friend gained popularity, so did Woojin, who played him.
『[Feature] Boy Friend proves the potential of short-form dramas amid OTT competition』
The drama was following the path of a true hit. Word of mouth spread rapidly across platforms, and by now, the force of public reaction had grown far stronger than media attention.
It was already flooding everything.
[Just watched up to episode 2 of Boy Friend. It's really good.]
[Seriously, is Boy Friend actually this insane?]
[Woojin's going even higher this time lol his acting transformation is crazy]
[Hwarin is so pretty.JPG]
[Is Boy Friend worth binge-watching?]
[Short drama Boy Friend hits #1 on Netflix—first time ever (article)]
[That bold kiss scene at the start of episode 1.GIF]
[Assistant Manager Park: It would've been even better with a bit more tension]
[The only downside of Boy Friend is that the main character appears]
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The idea of Boy Friend spread rapidly across online spaces—cafés, blogs, SNS. The signs had been there before, but now the scale of the impact was far more destructive.
Offline was no different.
Whether on the street, in office break rooms, or in cafés, the words "Boy Friend" kept appearing in everyday conversations.
"Did anyone watch Boy Friend yesterday?"
"I did! The moment I got home! It was so good!"
"I saw it was number one on Netflix during my commute and tried it. Kang Woojin's acting feels completely different. I loved Hanryang, but there's nothing left of Assistant Manager Park."
"Exactly. How do I put it… it captures those heart-fluttering moments perfectly."
"Right! He's kind of tsundere, but the way he looks at Hwarin is so gentle. And his actions feel so delicate. And when he sings halfway through…"
"First of all, he's handsome. But the way he changes completely depending on the role—that's what's amazing. I thought he'd only play strong characters."
"Ah… I wish I had a boyfriend like that."
"Kang Woojin as your boyfriend? That's just a fantasy."
It spread at an incredible speed. It showed up constantly in BJ livestreams, and YouTube—always sensitive to views and buzz—quickly filled with Boy Friend-related videos.
[A sweet yet tense emotional conflict—Drama Boy Friend! | DramaLand]
[Is this CG? Kang Woojin & Hwarin's unbelievably real chemistry compilation | IssueIssueFruitTV]
[Kang Woojin acting compilation from Boy Friend | Warner Issue]
Like a bullet, Boy Friend continued to hit the industry hard on the 20th, creating massive waves.
Interestingly, by the afternoon, a similar atmosphere began forming in Japan.
[Heard Boy Friend is blowing up in Korea??]
[Ah!! Please release it on Netflix Japan already!!]
[Why does Korea get it first… release ours too right now]
·
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Japan, set to release it on the 22nd, was already growing impatient.
And on the 21st, did the heat die down?
Not at all.
『Mega-hit Boy Friend holds #1 on its second day』
It was not a fleeting success. With a solid foundation, Boy Friend maintained its number one position on Netflix Korea's overall rankings even on its second day.
And that same day at noon, the first OST from the drama was released across all music platforms.
– [(New Release!)] Boy Friend / Kang Woojin (Boy Friend OST Part 1)
The song featured Kang Woojin's vocals. The remaining OST tracks were scheduled for sequential release.
The moment it dropped, the track surged across Korea's top music platforms, dominating the charts with explosive attention.
The comments on the track's page quickly piled up.
[Please release more songs. One isn't enough.]
[Seriously… is there anything Kang Woojin can't do??]
[This is insane lol he sings so well]
[Kang Woojin is perfect—acting, singing, visuals, YouTube, everything]
[The song is so good… especially his voice. That slightly husky tone in the high notes is crazy]
[Please!! Kang Woojin!! Be my boyfriend!!!]
·
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From the moment of release, the song showed the kind of momentum only a hit track could carry.
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Later that same evening.
Around 9 p.m., at Kang Woojin's house.
Even though the entire world seemed to be talking about Boy Friend, Woojin had already returned home. His schedule had ended earlier than expected.
What was interesting was that he wasn't alone.
Choi Sunggeon, Jang Suhwan, Han Yejung, and two additional stylists had all come over. Including Woojin, there were six people gathered, just as they had discussed earlier for the cooking.
"Wow, Woojin, your place is really clean."
"Seriously! It looks amazing, oppa!"
"Do you like minimalist interiors?"
"Or are you just too busy to even make a mess?"
After setting their gifts aside, they gathered around the kitchen table, taking in the neatly organized space.
"This really feels like a housewarming party."
"We should've done this earlier. Today we can celebrate both the housewarming and Boy Friend!"
The table only seated four, so the larger-built Jang Suhwan had to sit at the living room table instead.
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin stood in the kitchen, casually tying on a gray-and-black apron. His expression remained blank, as usual.
At that moment—
"Oppa, hold on."
Han Yejung raised her phone and snapped several pictures of him in the apron. Not just one, but several in quick succession.
"I can't miss a moment like this. These came out great. Once they go up on your SNS, the comments are going to explode."
Choi Sunggeon checked the photos with her and gave an immediate instruction.
"Yejung, you have a tripod, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"Set it up. Film everything Woojin does while cooking. We'll use it as a teaser for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego."
"Got it."
For some reason, the guests had created work for themselves.
Watching them, Woojin paused mid-motion, his gaze flattening slightly.
'These work addicts… it's just cooking. Try relaxing for once.'
Even so, now that filming had started, he couldn't treat it casually. Keeping a stronger concept in mind than usual, he opened the fridge. The ingredients he had picked up earlier were all fresh.
From behind him, Choi Sunggeon's voice called out.
"Kang-star, what's on the menu?"
Woojin pulled out packaged pork and answered simply.
"Spicy pork."
At once, the staff reacted with excitement.
"Whoa!"
"Just hearing that makes me hungry!"
"That sounds amazing! But didn't you say you'd make something simple? Stir-fried spicy pork isn't exactly easy."
"Oppa… are you sure about this?"
Woojin picked up a pan similar to a wok and replied calmly.
"It'll be edible."
As always, his tone did not change.
But this time, Choi Sunggeon, Han Yejung, and the others couldn't help but feel a hint of concern. What if it didn't taste good? Would they be able to say so honestly?
They murmured quietly among themselves.
"But if this is going on YouTube, the recipe needs to be solid…"
"Right."
"What if it's not good?"
"…Let's trust Woojin for now."
All eyes turned toward him.
At that moment, Woojin recalled the two things engraved in his mind—no, already etched into his body.
The chef's techniques. And the recipes.
'Right… it all comes back instantly. This is ridiculous. I used to barely know how to cook instant noodles, and now I'm doing this?'
He clicked his tongue inwardly, arranging the meat and ingredients neatly. The portions were exact—another instinct born from skill.
Soon, he spoke.
"Shall we try something spicy?"
"Yes! I love it!"
"Perfect."
He moved without hesitation, following the spicy pork recipe that had formed clearly in his mind.
Oil went into the pan first, followed by soy sauce, then the pork, a spoonful of sugar, and a bit more oil. The pan rang with a steady rhythm as he stirred, his wrist snapping naturally with each motion.
Watching him, Han Yejung's eyes widened slightly.
"Wow… oppa, your hands move kind of differently."
Before the comment could settle—
The knife moved.
Cabbage, onions, carrots—his blade cut through them in quick, even strokes. The rhythm was clean, the precision unmistakable. This was not something that could be learned casually.
From that moment, Choi Sunggeon and the staff began to feel it.
'Wait… this isn't normal.'
'That knife work alone… he's completely professional.'
It was far beyond "decent."
Woojin continued cooking in silence. Once the meat reached the right point, he set it aside and added vegetables to the same pan. He stir-fried them with soy sauce again before combining them back with the meat.
Soon, the aroma spread.
A rich, savory, spicy scent filled the entire house.
Garlic, gochujang, chili powder, oyster sauce, cooking wine—his hands moved without hesitation, adding each ingredient with perfect timing.
At the end, he added Cheongyang chili peppers for an extra kick.
'Ah… I should've added sesame seeds. Next time, I'll pick some up.'
With that small note to himself, Kang Woojin finished the dish.
It hadn't taken long.
He plated the spicy pork in a large dish—not just placing it, but arranging it carefully. Meat first, then colorful vegetables layered on top.
It looked like something out of a restaurant.
Steam rose gently from the glossy red surface of the spicy pork as it was placed at the center of the table.
The color alone was enough to make mouths water, the kind of dish that called for a bowl of white rice and a shot of soju.
Han Yejung's phone captured everything—the cooking process, the plating, the finished dish.
Woojin quietly served rice.
"Go ahead and eat."
At his words, the staff, eyes wide, all turned toward Choi Sunggeon, urging him to take the first bite.
Still visibly surprised, he picked up his chopsticks.
'The color and smell are incredible… but what about the taste?'
He lifted a generous portion of pork and vegetables and put it into his mouth.
In the next instant, his eyes widened as if struck by lightning.
"What the—"
The reaction burst out before he could stop it.
"Why does it taste like this? This is insane. It's completely different from any spicy pork I've had. It's ridiculously good. Woojin, what did you put in this?"
The moment he finished speaking—
"Really?!"
"Is it that good?"
"Wait! Me too!"
The staff rushed forward all at once, like a pack descending on the dish.