When Kang Woojin returned to the van, when he returned to reality, the world was still exactly the same.
It was still the morning of the second day. Choi Sunggeon and Woojin's staff were all busy with their own work, and the van he was riding in was stuck in traffic. Their destination was a shop in Cheongdam-dong. Nothing seemed different from before he had entered the void space. It felt as though time had passed in the blink of an eye.
But for Woojin, who kept clenching and unclenching his fist in silence, a very long time had passed, and terrible things had happened.
That had been Jang Yeonwoo's world.
With a blank face, Woojin examined himself inwardly. He had changed. It was hard to put into words, but something had clearly been carved into him.
Something nimble, bold, and brutally honest.
It was a sensation Kang Woojin had never felt before. His whole body felt sharp yet flexible. It was completely different from singing, cooking, or language. Those had been smooth.
This was rough.
Crude.
It carried a deep, violent wildness, like the underworld itself. Even the unfamiliar word hunting no longer felt unfamiliar.
Dangerous.
Woojin quietly hardened his expression even further and reinforced his concept. It was the process of anchoring his identity again. He had only just acquired this skill, so he needed to handle it properly. If he fumbled it, it could cause problems.
Still, it was fine.
'It's not hard to control.'
Kang Woojin had mastered everything he possessed, and he had fully learned how to command it. There was no reason to waste time over it. It only needed to make him shine. Woojin turned the matter over in his mind. Self-control had always been part of his training.
Then—
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He settled himself and retraced what he had experienced in Jang Yeonwoo's world. The more he read and experienced a role, the more vivid that role and its world became, and Kang Woojin also grew more adept at everything that branched off from it, even the techniques it contained.
That made handling them far easier.
"Hoo-"
Martial arts were no different.
Later that afternoon, around the tail end of lunch hour, they arrived at a building in Gangnam that housed a photo studio. More specifically, they were in the underground parking garage of that large building. Kang Woojin's van came to a stop there.
A moment later, Woojin stepped out through the rear door.
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Unlike that morning, he was now fully made up, with his outfit and hair styled to perfection. His hair was brushed slightly back, and he was wearing a green knit top with black slacks. It was obvious he had a shoot scheduled, and in fact, Kang Woojin was only minutes away from filming.
It was for the Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel.
He needed to secure as much footage as possible before leaving for the United States, and today was the first official shoot for the channel's cooking content. Thanks to that, they had rented a studio for the day, and future cooking shoots would also be held here.
Just then—
"Woojin."
Choi Sunggeon got out of the passenger seat and approached him.
"The PD is already upstairs, so let's head up."
"Yes, sir."
At that moment—
A familiar white van entered the underground parking lot. It had been about to turn left, but the moment it spotted Woojin, it slid in his direction instead.
Then—
Thud!
A woman stepped out of the white van.
It was Hwarin.
"Hello, Woojin."
She, too, was fully styled. Her long hair had been curled up, and she wore a thick khaki bomber jacket. Behind them, a small gray car entered the parking lot, and Woojin, noticing it, greeted Hwarin with his usual calm face.
"Yes. Hello. You're early."
Hwarin greeted him back in the same indifferent tone.
"Oh, there wasn't any traffic."
But her heart was pounding wildly.
'Woojin is cooking for me himself, so I absolutely can't be late! Ahh- what do I do? I'm so nervous.'
Beside her, her plump manager let out a quiet sigh and exposed the truth inwardly.
'She kept rushing us not to be late, but now she's acting like she wasn't in a hurry at all.'
After that, Woojin's team and Hwarin's team, including Choi Sunggeon, exchanged quick greetings before heading toward the elevator for the shoot. There was something oddly picture-perfect about the sight of Kang Woojin and Hwarin standing side by side, surrounded by over a dozen people.
The two of them disappeared from view soon after.
And that was the problem.
"...Again. Again, that bastard Kang Woojin."
There were eyes in the underground parking lot secretly watching Kang Woojin and Hwarin.
The person who had driven the small gray car into the garage in the late afternoon was an unidentified man. But there was something visibly wrong with him.
"Hwarin is mine. She's mine."
He looked half insane.
Inside the cramped car that reeked of cigarette smoke, the man wore a black padded jacket with the hood pulled low over his face. His skin was dry, his beard stuck out in stiff patches, and his pupils were slightly dilated. It was hard to guess his exact age, but he looked to be around his thirties.
He was holding a camera in one hand.
"Damn it. You fucking bastard. Son of a bitch. Filthy asshole. How dare you, how dare you get close to my Hwarin."
Displayed on the camera screen was the most recent two-shot photo of Kang Woojin and Hwarin. Then the man fiddled with the camera. The photos on the screen changed. Hwarin leaving her house, getting into a car, going into a shop, coming out of one. There were countless pictures of Hwarin from different moments.
"I already endured that Boy Friend crap... but you too, Hwarin. You're way too calm. Why do you keep making me angry?"
He started biting his nails like he was possessed. His fingers were already ragged. It looked like he did this all the time. He gnawed at them for several more minutes, his body trembling slightly, then muttered,
"I can't take it anymore. I really can't. She needs to be punished."
He tossed the camera onto the passenger seat and shoved his hand into the black bag sitting there. Something rattled around inside several times. Soon, he pulled something out of the bag and slipped it into the inner pocket of his jacket.
It was a long silver object.
"Hwarin, you betrayed me. This is punishment. Yeah, this is punishment. You need discipline. You're too pretty."
It was an awl.
Meanwhile, around the time Kang Woojin and Hwarin began filming, the film industry press was busy reporting on the controversy that had broken out the day before.
『[Movie Talk] Director Ahn Gabok and top actor Shim Hanho—will two masters of acting create another legend together?』
『Possibility rises that Shim Hanho will take the lead in Director Ahn Gabok's 100th film』
The industry was buzzing loudly. Both men carried enormous prestige.
『Was Shim Hanho really Director Ahn Gabok's choice? Industry insider: "Without Shim Hanho, Director Ahn Gabok might have felt too burdened to properly pull off his 100th project."』
More than anything, the press was focused not only on Director Ahn Gabok's 100th film, but also on which actors might join Shim Hanho in the cast.
『[Issue Check] What will be the theme of legendary Director Ahn Gabok's long-awaited 100th film?』
『Director Ahn Gabok, starring Shim Hanho... who will be the other top actor joining this blockbuster?』
It was the same not only for the entertainment press, but for industry insiders as well.
"Sir! Did you see the news about Director Ahn Gabok and senior Shim Hanho?"
"Yes, I did. It's a milestone project for Director Ahn Gabok, and for a film like that, you need an actor like Shim Hanho. They're both legends."
"Wow, it's still nerve-racking. Nothing's confirmed yet, but if senior Shim Hanho really joins... who else could they possibly cast? That sounds incredibly stressful."
"Who else? That depends on the script, but they'll obviously bring in top-tier actors. You know Director Ahn Gabok. He's the kind of person who would go all the way to Africa just to check an actor's condition."
In truth, Director Ahn Gabok's next project had stirred unprecedented attention among industry insiders and actors alike.
『[Film] News of Director Ahn Gabok's new production sends the film industry into a frenzy... multiple top stars express excitement on social media』
A few hours later—
『[Official] Film company collaborating with Director Ahn Gabok: "Director Ahn Gabok's 100th film is aiming for Cannes."』
While the controversy was still raging, the film company Rich revealed one small clue. Nothing else was disclosed. The cast remained confidential, and the only thing they confirmed was that the project was aiming for the Cannes Film Festival.
Even so, the impact doubled instantly.
Because that meant they were not simply aiming for a domestic release, but looking beyond Korea entirely.
In other words, the influence of this project would be enormous.
And so—
『[MovieIS] Director Ahn Gabok's destination at the peak of legend is Cannes, and the stakes are anything but light... who besides Shim Hanho will join him?』
The uproar in the film press only intensified.
At the same time, filming for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego was in full swing at a studio in Gangnam. Inside a set designed exactly like a kitchen, Kang Woojin and Hwarin were facing each other. Hwarin sat at a straight counter attached to the kitchen, while Woojin, wearing an apron, stood on the other side.
The image resembled a Japanese restaurant.
It was the kind of setup where the guest could watch both the kitchen and the chef's cooking process. Of course, Hwarin was the only guest. Several cameras from Kang Woojin's Alter Ego were filming her, along with PDs and staff including Choi Sunggeon.
"Wow, the shot looks amazing."
"They really do look good together."
"Is it because of Boy Friend? Or is it just me? These two are ridiculously cute."
"But they're still using formal speech? Usually if people do a project together, they get close enough to drop it."
"Who knows?"
While the staff whispered among themselves, the filming between Kang Woojin and Hwarin continued. Since they kept rolling even when there were mistakes instead of cutting, the shoot ran fairly long. The concept this time was conversation plus cooking. Woojin would have a candid conversation with the guest, then personally make the dish the guest requested.
And the one leading the talk was none other than Kang Woojin himself.
"Hwarin, what did you think when you first saw me during the filming of Boy Friend?"
"I was surprised. Back then, I didn't think we'd end up being cast together. But I was really surprised by your personality."
"My personality?"
"Yes. How should I put it? I didn't expect you to be that shy. But your voice was nice."
"Mm-"
"Oh my, why are you reacting like that?"
"Am I shy?"
"Aren't you?"
Of course, there was a prepared list of questions beforehand, but the rest of the conversation was improvised freely between them. At one point, Kang Woojin, still deadpan, asked her,
"Is my reservation officially full now?"
He kept his blank expression and his concept in place, but inwardly he was enjoying himself quite a bit. After all, he was talking to Hwarin.
'Doesn't this feel like chatting at a café? My friends would be insanely jealous.'
Hwarin, meanwhile, was doing everything she could to hold herself together. She had to suppress the fan in her.
"Yes. No. You're kind of similar when you're filming variety shows too, aren't you?"
The chance to talk one-on-one with the person she liked most?
To her, it felt like going on a date with someone she had been a fan of for a very long time.
'Woojin... seeing you show expressions like this... ah, is this already almost over? That's such a shame.'
So the two of them continued filming smoothly.
"Actually, I'm the energetic type."
"No, the word energetic doesn't really suit you, Woojin. But it is kind of a compliment, isn't it? People call you an ice prince, and some even say you're tsundere. Honestly, doesn't hearing that feel good?"
"It's not bad."
Soon, the PD outside the studio twirled his index finger in the air. It was the signal to wrap things up. In response, Kang Woojin tightened his apron again and changed the question.
"What would you like to eat?"
"Mm... I thought about it a lot, but... could we do jjamppong?"
"Of course."
"Wow, really?? Amazing. Then let's go with jjamppong."
"But why did you choose jjamppong?"
"My mother used to make it for me a lot when I was younger."
"It might not taste exactly the same."
"That's okay."
Woojin gave a calm nod, picked up the wok nearby, and murmured,
"All right. I'll do my best."
Before long, the entire studio was filled with the sound of Kang Woojin cooking and with mouthwatering aromas.
About an hour later, the cooking-content shoot for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego finally ended in the late afternoon. Kang Woojin and Hwarin, who had appeared as the guest, exchanged brief farewells with the dozens of staff members.
"Thank you for your hard work-"
"Great work, everyone-"
But neither Kang Woojin nor Hwarin had any spare time. Both of them had their next schedules lined up immediately after this. So Hwarin checked her schedule briefly and left the studio, while Kang Woojin discussed the future plans for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego with the PD before heading out as well.
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Hwarin and her team were standing in front of the hallway elevator, waiting. Her plump manager stepped aside, and Woojin naturally took his place beside her. Hwarin gave him a slight smile and spoke first.
"The jjamppong was really good."
"That's good to hear."
"Yeah. Didn't you see the bowl? I finished all of it. My manager oppa is nagging me like crazy right now."
"Ah, are you dieting?"
"I have a photo shoot next week. I must've lost my mind. I just ate without thinking."
Then—
Ding!
The elevator arrived and the doors opened. The plump manager, Choi Sunggeon, and a few others got on first, followed by Woojin and Hwarin. Even so, there were still too many people left outside, including the stylist.
The people left behind called after them.
"We'll take the next one-"
So the elevator, carrying around a dozen people including Woojin and Hwarin, started descending. For a moment, silence filled the space. Hwarin lightly touched her curled hair and sniffed subtly.
'What perfume is Woojin wearing? It smells so good.'
Next—
Ding!
The elevator reached Basement Level 1 almost immediately. When the doors opened, Woojin gestured as though telling her to go first. Hwarin dipped her head slightly and stepped out, with Kang Woojin following right behind. The plump manager, Choi Sunggeon, a guard, and several others came out after them.
"Woojin."
Passing through the glass doors that led into the parking garage, Hwarin turned her head slightly and quietly asked him,
"Woojin, what perfume are you wearing today? I want to try it too."
That was when it happened.
"Hwarin!!!"
"Ms. Hwarin!!!"
Her plump manager and one of the guards shouted from behind. Hwarin flinched.
"Wh- what?? You scared me."
"No!! In front of you! In front!!!"
Hwarin's eyes widened as she turned her head forward.
"Ah."
A few steps ahead, between the parked cars, she saw a man in a black padded jacket with the hood pulled over his head running straight at her.
What is that?
Instinctively, Hwarin understood that she needed to get away from him.
But her body froze.
The attacker came charging at her with a twisted smile on his face.
Then he raised his right hand and screamed at her.
"Move! Get out of the way!!!"
Three steps.
That was the distance left between the frenzied attacker and Hwarin.
And then—
"You bitch!!"
There was an awl in his hand.
Its target was clearly Hwarin's face.
In that critical moment, everyone moved at once, but the man rushing at Hwarin was simply too close. A terrified scream burst out.
"Aaaaah!!!!"
Desperate cries erupted from every direction.
"Hwarin!!!"
"No!!!"
What were they supposed to do?
The mentally unstable attacker didn't care about any of that and kept lunging forward with the awl.
"Hwarin, you're mine!!"
At that very instant—
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The person who stepped in front of Hwarin to shield her with his body was also the one who reached out and seized the attacker's hand mid-lunge.
It was Kang Woojin.
And not a single expression crossed his face.
Thud!
He twisted the hand holding the awl in the opposite direction and bent it behind the attacker's back.
"Aaagh!! Aaaagh!!"
The attacker's body spun around naturally. In the next second, his arm had been folded behind him, and Woojin shifted his footing and raised the twisted arm even higher.
Wham!
The attacker was slammed face-first into the ground.
Keeping his face expressionless, Woojin drove his knee into the man's back. With his face crushed against the floor, the attacker writhed and screamed desperately.
"Aagh!! My arm!! My arm!!"
Kang Woojin casually took the awl out of the man's twisted hand.
Everything had happened in an instant.
"Aaaah!!! Let go!! Let me go!!"
The situation now was clear.
Kang Woojin had subdued the attacker.
Because of that, Hwarin could only stand there with both hands covering her mouth, eyes wide.
"...Ah."
Her plump manager, Choi Sunggeon, and the people right in front of them all stared blankly at Woojin as though they had forgotten how to move.
It looked like a scene from a movie.
Regardless—
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After pinning the fallen attacker down, Woojin lifted the awl he had taken as if handing over evidence and spoke to the people in front of him in a low, heavy voice.
There was no sign of ragged breathing.
No hint of surprise.
"Call the police."
His voice was chillingly cold.