Director Kim Dohee, her hair even more disheveled than before, was checking the domestic box office rankings for the day on her laptop when her eyes suddenly widened.
"...Number one. Drug Dealer is really in first place right now? Am I seeing this correctly?"
Her tone was dazed, but the production and distribution staff around her looked much the same.
"Yes, Director. I… I think it's number one too."
"Same here."
"Refresh it. There might be an error."
There was no way. Even so, one of the staff members quickly hit refresh on the laptop.
The result was the same.
"It's true, Director. It's number one."
That was the moment the production and distribution teams finally accepted reality.
"Hahaha! I knew it would do well, but I didn't think it would hit number one immediately!"
"What did I say?! Number one on the first day of release! It's been so long since we've seen this!!"
"Director, congratulations!! Drug Dealer beat every movie that opened on the same day and took the box office crown! And it's rated R!"
"Isn't this a massive success?!"
They practically jumped up and down in excitement, as if sparks had exploded around them. Their reaction was only natural. Drug Dealer had climbed all the way to first place, beating not only the films that had already been drawing audiences, but also every competing title that had opened alongside it.
For one day, it stood above everything.
And first place was still first place.
What made it even more unusual was that Kim Dohee herself looked as though she could hardly tell whether this was real or a dream.
"Really? It's real?"
She knew better than anyone what the limitations of an R-rated film were. No matter how famous the cast might be—top stars like Jin Jaejoon, or attention magnets like Kang Woojin—once the audience was restricted to adults, there was bound to be a ceiling.
But Drug Dealer was laughing at all of those assumptions.
At that very moment, Kim Dohee found herself thinking:
'...This could make a huge wave.'
A vague thought crossed her mind that Drug Dealer might be the beginning of a new chapter for R-rated films. The movie had something unusually fierce about it, something that pushed through expectations.
Regardless, she quickly snapped back into action.
"Jo-hang."
"Yes?!"
"Spread the articles as widely as possible! And make sure the YouTube promo clips and SNS campaign events we prepared go out properly too!!"
Her voice rose sharply, and the production and distribution staff answered while barely holding back their overflowing excitement.
"Understood! We'll start with the 기사 immediately!"
"We'll handle SNS!"
"We'll contact the actors right away too!"
They began moving at once. This unexpected success had to be spread as quickly as possible.
But before they could fully get started—
"Ah, look at this! The reporters already picked up the scent and started moving!"
The media had already begun reporting it.
『[Movie Talk] Drug Dealer draws 250,000 moviegoers even on a weekday… box office #1!』
『Drug Dealer opens with 250,000 viewers… "6 records broken"』
They had been watching all along.
More precisely, they had been waiting.
Part of it was the timeliness of the title Drug Dealer itself, but more than anything, Kang Woojin had just scored a huge success with Boy Friend, and he was in this film too. Since he was already known as an acting monster, if even the slightest flaw had shown up in his performance, criticism would have poured down immediately.
But instead—
『Drug Dealer causes a sensation by taking #1 on opening day』
『[Discussion] R-rated Drug Dealer overwhelms same-day competitor Monster Priest』
It was hard to find media reports criticizing him for handling two completely opposite roles—Han Inho and Lee Sangman—too well.
『Drug Dealer explodes at the box office! 250,000 viewers on day one… reactions say "Kang Woojin is all I remember"』
That was because even though his appearance was a cameo, it was the kind of cameo that felt like a lead role.
──────────
Back in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Director Ahn Gabok had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The moment Hong Hyeyeon saw him, she was visibly bewildered. When she asked why he was here, he simply answered that he had come on vacation.
"...You came here for vacation?"
"Mm, yes. I came for a vacation."
He looked nothing like a famous director. In shorts and slippers, he resembled an elderly man who had just stepped out of a neighborhood supermarket.
And yet there was no doubt.
This old man was Ahn Gabok, the legendary director of Korean cinema.
What were the odds of running into him by chance in Da Nang, Vietnam?
At that moment, Hong Hyeyeon sensed something odd. It was possible that Ahn Gabok had come to Vietnam on holiday, but why Da Nang of all places—the very overseas filming location for Island of the Missing? And why the same hotel?
'No way… did he come to see someone from the cast of Island of the Missing? Or did he come to see Director Kwon?'
No, the possibility that he had come to see Director Kwon Gitaek seemed low. They were senior and junior in the industry, but not close enough for that. So had he come for one of the actors instead?
At that thought, Hong Hyeyeon's gaze drifted toward Kang Woojin, who was standing there as calmly as ever.
Just then—
"People are staring. Let's sit down. It'll be better if we talk sitting down."
Director Ahn slowly took a seat. Hong Hyeyeon followed a little awkwardly, and Kang Woojin sat down beside him as well. His face was as expressionless as always.
But inside—
'This old man… no, this Director… why is he here?!'
His mind was overflowing with question marks.
Ahn Gabok. A legend of Korean cinema. A living piece of history.
Woojin had only heard his name from Choi Sunggeon a few days ago. And now that very historical figure was sitting right in front of him.
In slippers.
'But seeing him sitting like this, whether he's a legend or not, doesn't he just look like the grandpa next door? Honestly, he feels weirdly familiar.'
The slight excitement inside Woojin cooled quickly. He was not nearly as shocked as Hong Hyeyeon. In moments like these, he found it helpful that inside he was still just an ordinary citizen.
He straightened slightly and greeted him in a respectful but calm voice.
"Director, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Kang Woojin."
Director Ahn, who had been casually spearing sausage with a fork, answered leisurely.
"I know. Of course I know. I'm pleased to meet you too."
"You can speak comfortably to me."
"Can I? Haha. Still, this is our first meeting, so I don't think that would be right. Ah, by the way, the food here is very good."
He was completely at ease. It was the aura of a veteran director, and naturally so. He had directed ninety-nine works, after all.
As he chewed on a sausage, Ahn Gabok turned to Hong Hyeyeon, who was sitting across from him.
"I enjoyed Hanryang. Your acting improved a lot."
"Thank you. I still have a long way to go."
"If you know that, then why are you still sticking to the same method? I mean using the same approach in every situation."
"..."
"If you keep clinging to what I said in the past, what good does that do? Hm? Are you satisfied with staying where you are?"
The top actress Hong Hyeyeon had suddenly been scolded. It was the same kind of criticism he had given her years ago when she had appeared in a minor role in one of his films.
"You rush too much. Your movement lines are neat, but if the breathing that supports them is unstable, that advantage disappears."
"I'll work harder."
"What a pity."
With a faint smile, the seasoned old director set down his fork and turned his body toward Kang Woojin.
"You were interesting."
'What?'
Anyone watching this situation would have thought the strangest thing here was this old man's appearance. But Woojin kept his thoughts hidden and answered evenly.
"Are you referring to my acting?"
"No. The sports day video."
"The sports day?"
"Yes. While you were acting, I saw a different sparkle in your eyes every moment. Different from the eyes you have right now. If anything, they seemed brighter. But when you were acting, your gaze was fully absorbed into the character."
"..."
Woojin did not show it on the surface, but inside he tensed slightly.
'Brighter eyes? Did he just see through the real me? Does this old man have some kind of special ability or something?'
Meanwhile, Director Ahn's aged voice continued.
"Method acting. Or more precisely, you know how to handle method acting. Since when did you learn to change personas so freely?"
A flood of high-level terminology followed. Woojin sharpened his focus. The veteran master sitting in front of him was the real thing.
That was why Woojin decided to use his own skill to the fullest.
"I don't remember all of those details that precisely."
"Remember? You mean you rely on memory while acting? You keep records of each role you take on, one by one? If that's the case, then your emotional transitions must be faster as well."
"..."
"It's my first time seeing this kind of acting style. That makes it even more interesting."
Still wearing a gentle smile, Ahn Gabok picked up his coffee cup and changed the subject.
"What made you learn sign language?"
"I don't attach any special meaning to learning something."
"Your attitude is on the level of a national treasure. I saw you use both Korean and Japanese sign language. Can you handle other languages too?"
"There's a little American influence mixed in too."
A brief silence followed.
Hong Hyeyeon watched their conversation quietly, while Director Ahn stared straight into Kang Woojin's eyes. More accurately, it was the kind of gaze that felt as though he were dissecting him. That stare lasted for about ten seconds.
Then—
-click.
Director Ahn stood up and picked up his hat and sunglasses.
"I'm finished with my meal. Thank you for keeping me company."
He greeted Hong Hyeyeon as well.
"It was good to see you too. Ah, you two are here because you're filming Director Kwon's project, right?"
"Ah, yes, Director."
"Mm. Since I'm already out, perhaps I'll stop by."
Right at that moment—
"Woojin!"
Choi Sunggeon, his hair tied in a ponytail, came rushing into the restaurant.
"The box office results are out! Drug Dealer took first place—what?"
The moment he saw Director Ahn standing there, he froze. His expression was like someone who had just seen a ghost.
"D-Director Ahn Gabok?!"
"Yes. CEO Choi. You're here too. What a coincidence."
"...A coincidence?"
Choi Sunggeon was so flustered that his thoughts tangled up instantly.
Why was Director Ahn here?
And not only that—meeting Kang Woojin?
'Did he come here to see Woojin?'
No, that made no sense. It was true that Choi Sunggeon had spoken with Director Ahn before, but would someone of that stature really come all the way to Vietnam because of Kang Woojin?
At that thought, Choi Sunggeon hurriedly pulled himself together.
First, greetings.
"Ah! Hello!"
"Haha. There's no need to be that formal. I should be going now."
"What?"
As Director Ahn passed by him, he spoke once more in his aged voice.
"CEO Choi, I'll contact you later."
"Ah… yes, Director."
Wearing nothing but slippers, Ahn Gabok quietly left the restaurant.
Choi Sunggeon stared blankly at his retreating back for a moment, then quickly turned to Kang Woojin and Hong Hyeyeon.
"What on earth were you talking about with Director Ahn? No, why was he even here?!"
Hong Hyeyeon let out a long sigh of relief and answered quickly.
"He said he came on vacation."
"What? Vacation?"
Then Kang Woojin added in a low voice,
"Yes. He said he came for vacation."
"That's ridiculous."
Staring at Woojin's expressionless face, Choi Sunggeon muttered to himself.
"Vacation is obviously just an excuse. The timing, the situation—he definitely came to see you. Director Ahn Gabok came all the way to Vietnam himself… that's incredible."
Of course, Hong Hyeyeon was also staring at Woojin from across the table.
'Those questions he asked Woojin… they weren't casual at all. Sign language? Why ask that? Either way, the questions were clearly about Woojin. Has he already seen Woojin's acting? Or is he planning to?'
A premonition rose quietly inside her.
'…Could he be considering Woojin for his hundredth film?'
──────────
At the same time, the same topic had reached the filming site of Island of the Missing in Da Nang.
In the dense jungle, hundreds of staff members moved busily around the large tents set up for shooting preparations. Filming was scheduled to begin at nine in the morning, so the atmosphere was naturally hectic.
Today's first scene involved only Ryu Jungmin, Ha Yura, and Kim Iwon.
That meant Kang Woojin and Jeon Woochang were absent from the set.
The actors, including Ryu Jungmin, were busy inside the makeup tent getting ready. Makeup, military uniform fittings, script rehearsals—everything was moving at once.
Meanwhile—
"Hm."
Director Kwon Gitaek stood outside the tent. His short-sleeved shirt was slightly damp with sweat. He quietly observed the busy staff and the set preparations underway. As the director in charge, it was only natural for him to supervise everything.
But his mind was elsewhere.
More specifically, it was still lingering on his unexpected meeting with Director Ahn Gabok in Vietnam a few days earlier.
They had met at a café near the hotel.
The first thing Ahn Gabok said after the meeting was simple.
"Would it be alright if I looked around the set a little?"
"Of course. But is the actor you want to see Mr. Woojin?"
"Mm. Let's say I came here to see all of the actors."
"Understood. Mr. Woojin has returned to Korea for the moment. Filming resumes tomorrow afternoon."
"No, when is the group shoot scheduled? The day when all of the actors will be gathered together."
"Hm, there should be a shoot with everyone present within the next few days."
"Then let's plan around that. It would be best to explain it to the actors lightly."
"Should I tell them you stopped by while traveling in Vietnam?"
As if that were the perfect answer, Director Ahn smiled.
"Yes, exactly. I came by while visiting. That's a good idea. By the way, could you tell me a little about the role Kang Woojin is playing?"
Director Kwon smiled as well.
"If you're going to see it anyway, wouldn't it be more effective to confirm it yourself? It's less fun if you know in advance."
"Hehe. I see, you want me to look forward to it."
"It's a role worth anticipating."
Back in the present at the Island of the Missing set, Kwon Gitaek murmured softly to himself.
"A group shot… so he wants to see how he blends with the other actors?"
He slowly turned and stepped into the large tent where the actors were.
Ryu Jungmin, Ha Yura, and Kim Iwon, who were all in the middle of getting ready, looked up at him.
"Ah, Director. We're almost done."
"We're ready. Should we head out first?"
"I'm nearly finished too."
But Director Kwon responded differently.
"No. Take your time. We may be getting a visitor on the day of the group shoot."
Ha Yura, already in her military uniform, was the first to ask.
"A visitor? Who is it?"
Ryu Jungmin and Kim Iwon looked at him with the same question in their eyes. Director Kwon answered calmly.
"Director Ahn Gabok."
Every actor there showed visible shock.
"...What?!"
"Director Ahn Gabok?? All of a sudden?!"
"He's really coming here?!"
To that, Director Kwon simply smiled warmly.
"Mm. He said he might stop by on the way while vacationing in Vietnam."
Then he added,
"It seems he wants to watch our shoot."
The top actors were left speechless.
──────────
Later, a few minutes after that.
Inside a luxurious hotel room, Director Ahn Gabok sat alone at a table, deep in thought.
"..."
Was it because of his meeting with Kang Woojin?
It was hard to say for certain, but he sat there quietly with his chin resting on one hand.
Then—
-knock knock.
As Director Ahn got up to open the door, a familiar man in his late forties stepped inside. He was the same man who had once spoken with Director Ahn about Kang Woojin before. In fact, he was the head of a film production company.
Smiling, he spoke.
"Director, let's have breakfast together."
But Director Ahn sat back down and declined.
"No. I've already eaten. Please go ahead with the staff."
"Huh? You already ate? When?"
"Just before this. I took a walk and had breakfast."
"You went out alone? Isn't that dangerous?"
"Dangerous? What would be dangerous about it? It's not my first time in Vietnam. It was nice. It brought back old memories."
Then Director Ahn crossed his arms and shifted the topic.
"By the way, I met Kang Woojin."
"What? You saw him?! I thought you'd see him during the shootout scene."
"I saw him before breakfast and spoke with him. He was with Hong Hyeyeon."
"Hong Hyeyeon too… that must have been sudden for them. They must've been really surprised."
Director Ahn shook his head with a wrinkled smile.
"Not really. They looked at me more like I was some suspicious old man."
"Who, who did that?? It couldn't have been Hong Hyeyeon. Was it Kang Woojin?! He's got some nerve."
"No. Why are you making such a fuss? I just meant they didn't take it too seriously. He has strong mental composure. He's an actor with a mysterious atmosphere. I've never seen that kind of aura before. But well… you know…"
His voice trailed off.
He recalled Kang Woojin from earlier.
After reviewing everything—his works, his footage, even today's meeting—Ahn Gabok reached a quiet conclusion.
"It feels like there's something beneath the surface."
There had been a slight disconnect in their exchange.