Choi Sunggeon's voice, lowered to a whisper into the phone, was firm.
"I've resolved most of the issues on my end. Now all that's left is for you to decide."
The woman on the other end sounded genuinely startled.
"All of a sudden?"
"All of a sudden? No. I told you, I've been preparing this from the start. You were involved too, which is why I asked for your help."
"That's true. But oppa, are you really sure about this? Seo Guseop has a lot of influence. And I'm with GGO Entertainment."
"Are you worried about the celebrities already tied up with him? Or do you feel bad for them? That's understandable. If this blows up, it could turn into a controversy."
Choi Sunggeon continued calmly.
"But Hanna, if we leave things as they are, the number of victims will only keep growing, and Seo Guseop's abuse will get worse. In the long run, this will help the current victims too."
"..."
"GGO Entertainment is already a giant company. If no one checks them now, nobody will be able to touch Seo Guseop later. His influence in the entertainment industry is already enormous."
"But oppa, you're also doing this because you want to screw him over."
"That's because I'm crazy."
"Well, that's true too. But the more I think about it, the more I agree with you."
Choi Sunggeon grinned.
"In the end, once GGO Entertainment's shareholders step in, Seo Guseop will be the only one replaced and everything will be resolved. GGO is too big to stay shaken for long. And with as many scandals as there are these days, people will forget soon enough."
"Like Kang Woojin?"
"Something like that. Most of it will be handled anonymously anyway. But Hanna, if it gets too hard, you can back out anytime. I'll keep doing what I was already doing."
That was the truth.
Choi Sunggeon had been preparing something related to Seo Guseop for quite a while. To be exact, it started around the time of the Mise-en-scene Film Festival. Seo Guseop and Choi Sunggeon had never gotten along in the first place, and at the festival, Seo Guseop noticed Choi Sunggeon's interference and retaliated.
No one knew it, but in theory, Choi Sunggeon had gotten in Seo Guseop's way.
Whatever the circumstances, it was true that Seo Guseop had attacked Choi Sunggeon back then. He had harassed him by spreading a baseless scandal involving Hong Hyeyeon.
And that had continued until recently.
'He even leaned on the investors.'
The investors Choi Sunggeon had met while expanding BW Entertainment had all been positive at first. Then, at some point, they strangely began turning negative. It was not just one or two of them.
Finding that odd, Choi Sunggeon used his network to dig into it and uncovered a few things.
In the end, Chairman Seo Guseop had been muddying the waters.
He had deliberately met with those investors and used his influence to block BW Entertainment's growth. That was why Choi Sunggeon had been waiting for the right time.
'I was planning to move once the investment deal was one hundred percent locked in, but Chairman Hideki is involved now.'
Of course, the deal with Chairman Hideki had not been finalized yet. But there was clearly some hidden relationship between Kang Woojin and Chairman Hideki, and Chairman Hideki definitely had major ambitions tied to Kang Woojin.
"So, Hanna. What are you going to do?"
After a brief silence, the woman on the other end finally answered.
"...Okay, oppa. I'll do it."
Later.
As soon as BW Entertainment released its official statement, it caused a huge stir.
[Official] BW Entertainment confirms three-year contract extension with Kang Woojin
The rumors about Kang Woojin leaving, which had stirred curiosity and gossip the week before, seemed to die down all at once.
[Star Talk] "Monster rookie" Kang Woojin renews with BW Entertainment without underselling his value
Kang Woojin stays with current agency despite expanding in Japan, while major entertainment companies circle / Photo
Of course, the press still had plenty of questions.
[Feature] Why did BW Entertainment and Kang Woojin begin with a one-year contract?
Why it had been a one-year contract in the first place, how much Kang Woojin's signing bonus had been, and what conditions other agencies had offered him.
All sorts of questions were raised, but BW Entertainment announced only the contract extension and remained silent on everything else.
Whatever the case.
BW Entertainment renews with Kang Woojin… full-scale investment in next year's growth
Kang Woojin's agency was still BW Entertainment, and that news sent waves through the entire entertainment industry. Because of it, people everywhere had something to say, and Kang Woojin's name stayed at the center of the buzz all day long.
Interestingly, Japan reacted just as strongly to Kang Woojin's move.
Group photo of cast for drama The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, featuring Kang Woojin as the only Korean actor
In fact, Japan had been in an uproar from the day Kang Woojin attended the script reading for The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
It was almost like a kind of glittering madness.
In Korea, Kang Woojin himself had been the main issue. In Japan, though, there were many key names surrounding the story: Kang Woojin, major Japanese actors, Director Kyotaro, writer Akari, and the Kashiwa Group.
Chairman Hideki Yoshimura appears at the script reading and shakes hands with Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi
It was almost strange how little attention the Japanese press gave to anything else once Chairman Hideki Yoshimura suddenly showed up at the scene.
At the same time, there was no shortage of articles proving just how popular Kang Woojin had become in Japan. The reporters and fans gathered at Haneda Airport, his interactions with Japanese actors at the script reading, his interview appearances across multiple outlets, and even the fan signing event hosted by Netflix Japan.
Kang Woojin's first fan signing event in Japan, in particular, became a major topic.
[Making Boy Friend] The fan signing turned into a fan meeting!! | Kang Woojin | Netflix Japan
Not only did Netflix Japan upload footage quickly, but fans who attended the event also flooded the internet with videos they had taken themselves.
Stories about Woojin's kindness spread rapidly across Japanese social media.
Three hundred fans were invited to the signing, but another eight hundred showed up, drawing a crowd of more than one thousand, and Kang Woojin gave a surprise performance for them
"Korean actor Kang Woojin" shows overseas fans what real fan service looks like
Little by little, Kang Woojin's fanbase in Japan grew thicker.
A day passed, and it was the twenty-second.
[Star Issue] Actor Kang Woojin's Japanese fan club "KWJ Aishiteru" officially launches
Kang Woojin's official fan club had been established in Japan.
On the twenty-second, in Buyeo.
It was around ten in the morning. At the resort hotel being used as lodging by the Missing Island team, Kang Woojin was in his room. He sat at the small table set up for two inside the room. He looked freshly washed, his face and hair neat and clean.
What was interesting was this—
"Woojin, thanks for making time for me so early in the morning."
Across from him sat Producer Song Manwoo, wearing a thin padded jacket and a scruffy beard. Since he often worked late into the night, the dark circles under his eyes were especially noticeable.
"Last time and this time too. Honestly, I feel a little bad."
Kang Woojin, facing Producer Song Manwoo's faint smile with his usual impassive expression, shook his head.
"No, it's fine. It must have been hard for you to come all the way here this early."
"Not at all. You're obviously the busy one, so it's only right for an unemployed man like me to move. Hahaha."
"Still, thank you for coming in person."
"You don't have to thank me. I came because of my own greed. You know what I'm like. Once I set my sights on something, I get obsessive about making it happen as fast as possible."
Woojin remembered how Producer Song Manwoo became the kind of person who charged forward with tunnel vision whenever work was involved.
'I didn't expect him to come all the way to Buyeo. He really is intense when it comes to work.'
But unlike what he was thinking, he answered quietly.
"Go ahead. I need to start getting ready at ten-thirty."
"Yeah, I know."
In truth, Kang Woojin's call time that day was noon. That meant he had to start makeup and everything else at around ten-thirty. Soon after, Producer Song Manwoo returned to the serious look he originally wore.
"Take a look at this."
He pulled a thick yellow envelope from the paper bag he had brought. As he handed it over, he met Woojin's eyes the moment Woojin accepted it.
Straightening his posture, Song Manwoo began to explain.
"This is a script. But it's different from the one I gave you last time. The previous one is on hold. This is a new script."
He said it had been "put on hold," but in reality it was closer to having been stopped entirely. Thanks to that earlier script, Woojin had improved his cooking skills. Feeling grateful about that in his own way, he listened closely to what Song Manwoo said next.
"It's writer Choi Nana's new work."
Inside, Kang Woojin was startled, but outwardly he asked calmly.
"Writer Choi's new work?"
"Yes. Explaining everything would take a while, so to keep it short, it's a project based on a manuscript from writer Choi Nana that was refined into this version. I read it, found it compelling, and chose it as my first independent project. The contract's already been signed."
Seriously?
But Boy Friend had only just ended. This was unexpected. Even so, Kang Woojin kept his reaction cool.
"I see."
"Yeah. The moment I saw the script, I just knew. I thought the male lead suited you perfectly. To be honest, it's rare for an actor's face to come to mind the instant I see a role, but this time it was you right away."
"..."
"And writer Choi Nana felt the same way. You'll understand once you read it, but this drama is driven by the male lead's overwhelming presence. In other words, the male lead has to carry a lot of weight. I really want you to take the role."
Producer Song Manwoo's eyes were filled with resolve.
After holding his gaze for a moment, Kang Woojin lowered his eyes. Two bundles of script pages were lying on the table in front of him, each with a black square attached to the side. Of the two, Woojin picked up the one marked Episode 1.
The first thing that caught his eye was the title stamped across the cover.
Beneficial Evil
The title itself grabbed Kang Woojin's interest. Naturally, after a project like Boy Friend, anything with that kind of sharp contrast would.
'Huh? What's this? Now I want to know what it's about.'
Usually, he would have gone straight into the void. But this time, instead of doing that, he flipped through the opening pages of the script. He was curious about writer Choi Nana's second project. Especially since they had worked together before, and this was no short drama but a full sixteen-episode series.
Flip.
As soon as Woojin read the first lines of Beneficial Evil, he was stunned inside.
'Wow, damn. It starts off rough right away? It opens with action immediately? And Choi Nana wrote this?'
That burst of surprise quickly turned into interest, and his focus sharpened further.
About five minutes later—
Flip, flip.
After quickly scanning several pages, Kang Woojin suddenly closed the script and spoke to Producer Song Manwoo with a trace of tension and excitement.
"This is interesting."
"!!!"
"If I had the time, I'd like to keep reading it right now."
He meant it.
Producer Song Manwoo's eyes widened, his beard practically bristling with excitement.
"...Setting everything else aside, would you consider this purely as an actor?"
"Yes. I think I would."
At that, Producer Song Manwoo jumped to his feet and spoke in an impassioned voice.
"Good! Then keep reading. I won't interrupt any longer. I'll get going now. Read it carefully and let me know."
Woojin stood up as well and answered politely.
"Understood, PD-nim. Thank you for coming."
"Ah, don't worry about it. Oh, right. I'll speak to CEO Choi too. But we absolutely have the means to bring you in."
"..."
"Just know that this is how serious we are."
Giving a thumbs-up, Producer Song Manwoo left the room. Woojin did not even get the chance to say one last thing.
In any case, Kang Woojin sat back down and picked up the script for Beneficial Evil again.
And then—
Tap.
He pressed his index finger against the black square attached to the side of the manuscript. He had to check everything after reading the contents first.
Soon, Woojin stepped into the pitch-black void. There, he walked toward the white squares floating at chest height.
"Let's see."
Stretching, Woojin began checking the recently updated works.
Then—
"What?"
He looked slightly startled.
The reason was simple.
First, there had been a change to Director Ahn Gabok's film Leech.
[8/Scenario (Title: Leech), SS-grade]
SS-grade.
A new rank had appeared.
"SS?? That's insane. Leech was definitely S+ before, wasn't it?"
The grade had gone up by one step.
"This definitely changed because of me. Damn it, stop climbing, you annoying little smile."
Leech had clearly changed because of Kang Woojin. After all, he had recently confirmed his appearance in the project.
But SS-grade?
The new ranking was welcome, but it also left Woojin puzzled. Leech was supposed to be a Cannes entry, so what exactly did SS-grade mean?
"Does that mean it might get released later?"
Well, he could not say for sure just yet, but it was definitely something worth celebrating.
Woojin's gaze shifted with mild amusement.
Tap.
This time, he looked at the white square titled Beneficial Evil, written by Choi Nana.
[9/Script (Title: Beneficial Evil), S+ grade]
This one started at S+ from the beginning.
It felt as though two fanfares were sounding at once.
Soon, rubbing his hands together in excitement, Woojin declared that he would step out of the set and return later, then opened the Episode 1 script for Beneficial Evil.
"Damn, no wonder."
At the same time, in Nonhyeon-dong, the situation at GGO Entertainment was the exact opposite.
Having finished all his morning meetings, Seo Guseop sat in the middle seat of the five-person sofa in his office. He had taken off his jacket, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, one eye narrowed as he stared at the tablet in his hand.
"Tsk."
On both sides of him sat the executives known as his so-called right-hand men. They may have had executive titles, but calling them loyal dogs who handled Seo Guseop's dirty work would not have been inaccurate.
Then—
"What."
Seo Guseop exhaled a long stream of cigarette smoke, clicked his tongue, and set the tablet down.
"That's it?"
The executive sitting to his left lowered his head.
"Yes, sir."
"What the hell, this isn't even a joke. Is there nothing stronger? You think something this weak is even enough to leave a bruise on Kang Woojin?"
"I'm sorry. Since Kang Woojin debuted only recently, there's almost no information at all about his past."
"So this is the best we've got?"
"...Yes."
Seo Guseop glared at the visibly frightened executive and blew out another stream of smoke.
"Fine. This will do for now. Later, we'll make something stronger. Then let's stir up the multiple-personality angle again, the scandal between Kang Woojin and Hwarin, and the drug rumors. Mix in something involving Japan too."
"Japan?"
"Yeah. Just enough to make people suspicious. Does it even make sense for someone to know both Japanese and Japanese sign language?"
"Ah."
After clicking his tongue for a moment, Seo Guseop leaned back into the sofa.
"And I've already shaken up all of Choi Sunggeon's investors. So why the hell is that bastard not reacting at all? By now he should be moving, or at least cursing."
"I'll look into it."
"Push them right to the edge of the cliff. Then we can swallow BW Entertainment whole."
If things went according to plan, both Kang Woojin and Hong Hyeyeon would become his.
Right then—
♬♪
Seo Guseop's phone, lying on the table, rang. It was a call. With a fresh cigarette just tucked into his mouth, he answered.
"Yes, this is him. Yes."
But then—
"...What? What the hell are you talking about? Are you out of your mind?"
Seo Guseop's face twisted in an instant.
He spat the cigarette from his mouth and reached toward the executive in front of him, demanding the tablet. His eyes widened as he rapidly tapped the screen.
"!!!"
Then he barked a sharp question at the men seated on either side of him.
"Damn it, what the hell is this?!"
Startled, the two executives hurriedly looked at the tablet screen in Seo Guseop's hand. Their eyes soon shook with shock, and the bulldog-like Seo Guseop began roaring.
"Damn it, don't just freeze up, answer me! What is this?!"
The cause, naturally, was what had appeared on the tablet screen.
The bulldog had been fitted with a leash.
[Exclusive] "I was summoned to a karaoke room at dawn"… the story of an actress who exposed GGO Entertainment's Seo Guseop: "It wasn't just me" – Part 1 of 5 / Power Patch
It was a shackle of ruin.