Morning of the 18th, at DM Production in Seoul.
It was 9:30 a.m. DM Production, which was producing writer Choi Nana's new drama Beneficial Evil, was buzzing like a hive, just as one would expect from a growing production company. Staff from every team hurried around, while inside one especially noticeable mid-sized conference room, a handful of people were locked in heated discussion.
It felt less like a meeting and more like a serious standoff, and the air in the room was heavy.
About five people sat around a U-shaped table, one of them being PD Song Manwoo, his jawline looking noticeably more drawn than before. Lately, pulling all-nighters had become routine as he prepared Beneficial Evil.
"Hmm."
He stared down at a clear file folder with one hand pressed to his forehead. On either side of him sat the production manager, the casting director, and several other key staff members. Behind them, the whiteboard was densely covered with the names of countless actors.
Only one name had made it into the OK group.
Kang Woojin.
That was when it started.
"PD, what if we open at sixty million first?"
The casting director broke the tense silence as he showed the contents of the clear file. A closer look revealed that it was filled with information about Kang Woojin's fee. It was the natural next step. The male lead for Beneficial Evil had already been decided, so now it was time to coordinate the practical side and finalize the contract.
Drama production was always a challenge far beyond imagination.
Song Manwoo slowly shook his head and answered with a serious expression.
"Don't suggest phrases like 'start with that for now' in a situation like this. The only thing we can trust is Woojin's word. We're still in a very delicate position."
"...I'm sorry."
"Drama production isn't something that gets wrapped up in a day or two. And how many times have we seen actors agree to appear, only to decide to leave later?"
At that, the production manager sitting to the right cut in.
"But Woojin worked with you on Profiler Hanryang*, didn't he? It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that project made Kang Woojin what he is now. Considering that connection, I don't think he'd change his mind so easily."*
"Of course, Woojin isn't the type to casually go back on his word. His personality is fairly cold to begin with. But what I'm saying is that we can't let that history make us careless."
"Ah."
"On top of that, Woojin is extremely exact when it comes to practical matters, and he knows his own value very well. He's probably already set a benchmark for his worth."
At that moment, a memory flashed through Song Manwoo's mind.
'He'd been raising his own value with confidence ever since he was a rookie.'
It was when Kang Woojin's contract for Profiler Hanryang had been finalized.
"So what I'm trying to say is, we can't go at this with an 'at first' mindset, or a 'let's start here' approach. Besides, DM Production is still just getting started. Building the image that we have solid capital from the very beginning matters too."
Song Manwoo fell into thought and lightly tapped the clear file in his hand.
"Set the production company's position aside for a moment and tell me what you all honestly think."
The production manager answered immediately.
"To be frank, before he went to the U.S., Woojin's appearance fee was probably around sixty million at most."
"And now?"
"His popularity seems to have risen quite a bit in just ten days. The biggest reason is that he joined Director Ahn Gabok's film as a lead. And there's already a strong atmosphere suggesting he'll sweep various awards at the year-end ceremonies."
"On top of that, the issue of him saving Hwarin is also a major advantage for our project. The martial arts skill Woojin has will be a huge help for what we're doing."
"Right. If you factor in the buzz from Our Dining Table*, the Miley Kara incident, and the rest of the smaller issues... I'm not sure. At this point, I think we need to assume seventy million per episode."*
Seventy million per episode.
In just ten days, Woojin's value had soared. But it was not a miscalculation. Kang Woojin had actually achieved results that justified it.
Song Manwoo added another reason.
"...Hmm. We'll also have to add the hardship premium that should go to a lead actor carrying a project like Beneficial Evil*. Woojin will have included all of that in his own calculations."*
In any case, seventy million would likely be the upper line. At that point, Song Manwoo let out a hollow laugh.
"It feels like just yesterday I signed him at 3.5 million per episode for Profiler Hanryang*, and now we're sitting here discussing sixty to seventy million. In all my decades of directing, I've never seen a case like this."*
After a moment of thought, Song Manwoo seemed to make up his mind. He muttered something to the key staff.
"Alright. Let's cap it at seventy-five. Let's try to match it there."
About an hour later, at a large recording studio near Sinsa Station.
This place felt very different from an ordinary recording studio. For one thing, it was much bigger. There were enough microphones and booths to comfortably handle at least ten people, and the recording control equipment was impressively varied. There were also more than enough sofas and chairs for people waiting.
It was probably three times the size of a typical recording studio.
But that wasn't all.
The instruments and albums hanging on the walls gave the studio a luxurious feel. Around the room, dozens of people were moving busily under the direction of a familiar-looking PD.
"Install more cameras inside the vocal recording booth than around the control equipment!"
"Got it! Should we put some on the ceiling too?"
"Yes, the ceiling too. Front, side, back, above, right in front of the mic. Everywhere."
"Understood!"
"PD! How many chairs should we prepare?!"
"Ah, hmm, we're expecting at least ten people on our side, but I'm not sure how many they'll bring... just in case, let's set up around twenty chairs. With the sofas too, that should be enough."
"Got it!"
Everyone there, including the PD, belonged to the team for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego. As the channel grew rapidly, the size of the staff had naturally increased as well, and they had recently even moved into a larger office.
For reference, this was the current status of Kang Woojin's Alter Ego:
[Channel Name: Kang Woojin's Alter Ego]
[Subscribers: 8.33 million]
[Videos: 33]
The channel had recently surpassed eight million subscribers. Because of the U.S. schedule, uploads had slowed down a little, but thanks to word of mouth fueled by several major incidents, the subscriber count had continued to rise steadily.
Of course, expectations for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego were only getting bigger.
Why?
Because about an hour from now, the channel would begin filming with Miley Kara in this very recording studio.
Among all Korean YouTube channels, this was an exclusive project belonging only to Kang Woojin's Alter Ego.
Both domestically and overseas, anticipation was already sky-high.
That was why the staff preparing for the shoot moved around in such a daze that it was hard to tell whether they felt like they were dreaming or wide awake.
"Daebak... Miley Kara is really coming here?? I'm a huge fan."
"Me too. I've seen all of Kara's movies and listened to all her songs... I never thought I'd actually see her in person in my lifetime."
"I need to go pay my respects to Mr. Woojin. It's only been a month since I joined, and I'm already about to see Miley Kara. This is insane."
"Exactly! Isn't Kang Woojin's Alter Ego seriously amazing? Its influence, everything about it, it's overwhelming."
"A global superstar like Kara chose it herself. That alone says everything."
"Kang Woojin is seriously... should we be calling him the boss? Whatever it is, he's unbelievable. And acting is his main job!"
The male and female staff were slowly losing their grip on reality just thinking about meeting a Hollywood star like Miley Kara. Of course, there were also quite a few new employees who had never seen Kang Woojin in person before.
"Ah, anyway, I'm really excited for today!"
At that very moment, Kang Woojin had just stepped out of the van parked in the studio lot.
He was in full makeup, his hair neatly styled, wearing a thick knit sweater and jeans. As expected, his expression was firm.
"..."
But unlike the usual composure of his concept performance, there was a much more serious atmosphere around him today.
The reason was simple.
A camera from Kang Woojin's Alter Ego was right beside him. A VJ was following him closely, determined to capture every moment. Considering the scale of the shoot, that was only natural. The whole atmosphere felt more like the set of a variety show, which made it harder for Woojin to stay calm.
The shooting incident had been one thing, but today's guest was Miley Kara.
'This is insane. We're bringing in top Hollywood stars now too?? Wow, this is unbelievable.'
To be fair, when he first received Choi Sunggeon's message, Kang Woojin had been shocked too, though he had managed to stay relatively calm. He wasn't sure why exactly, but it was probably because he had still been in Hollywood at the time.
But the closer the shoot got, the more overwhelmingly nervous he became.
How could he even describe it?
It felt like meeting an alien.
Woojin tried to steady himself and walk forward. He did not say anything. The VJ, perhaps anticipating that, simply followed beside him.
Meanwhile, the team members walking behind him were all visibly worked up.
The stylists, especially, were practically vibrating with excitement.
"Seriously, what is Woojin oppa even made of? How is he this calm?"
"Right? Honestly, since it's Miley Kara, I thought at least his expression would change a little!"
"It's always so fascinating to watch."
Han Yejung, who had recently been promoted to chief stylist, looked noticeably tense, unlike her usual cool demeanor. Choi Sunggeon caught on immediately.
"Yejung, why haven't you said a word for a while now?"
"...CEO, I think I might throw up."
"What?"
"I'm a huge fan of Miley Kara. She's amazing at acting, amazing at singing, and she has incredible fashion sense too."
"Ah, somehow this feels familiar."
The large-framed Jang Soohwan seemed to think the same.
In any case, Kang Woojin and his team entered the recording studio. They were greeted warmly right away. The main PD approached Woojin first.
"Ha ha ha, you're here? We've finished installing the cameras in the studio. Please take a look, and if there's anything lacking, let us know."
"Ah, yes."
Woojin casually scanned the large recording studio. He was only taking a look around.
That was when it happened.
Choi Sunggeon had just started lowering himself into one of the waiting chairs behind the recording equipment when his phone rang. It was a call from a staff member waiting downstairs.
"Yes, alright. Got it."
After hanging up, he turned to Woojin.
"Miley Kara is on her way up."
Before Kang Woojin could even respond, the dozens of staff around them burst into immediate commotion. Murmurs and whispers spread everywhere.
About three minutes later—
The glass door of the recording studio opened, and two burly foreigners who looked like bodyguards entered first.
Right behind them appeared a blonde woman.
It was the global superstar Miley Kara.
As a result, every member of the Kang Woojin's Alter Ego team froze. All of their eyes were fixed solely on Miley Kara as she entered, trailing a subtle fragrance behind her. Wearing a short khaki padded jacket suited to the Korean winter, Kara fixed her blue eyes on the man standing in the center of the studio.
'That must be Kang Woojin.'
Whether it was his appearance or the atmosphere around him, there was no mistaking it.
So Kara walked straight toward him.
A faint smile.
An outstretched hand.
Her lips parted slightly.
In her characteristic cool voice, Kara spoke first.
"Mr. Kang Woojin? It's nice to meet you. I'm Miley Kara."
The moment they heard her voice, the staff around Woojin quietly lost control of themselves, covering their mouths and struggling to contain their excitement. Kang Woojin, on the other hand, took her hand and greeted her in his usual indifferent tone.
"Hello. I'm Kang Woojin."
Of course, he said it in English.
At the same time, Woojin swept his gaze over the staff behind Kara. There were around ten foreigners, and several of them were carrying cameras. It looked like Kara's own filming crew had come mixed in with the rest.
Which made sense.
Kang Woojin's Alter Ego had eight million subscribers, but Miley Kara's official YouTube channel had already surpassed seventy million. Her social media following, for that matter, was around a hundred million.
Yes, she was basically an alien.
"Your English is really very good."
Kang Woojin looked straight into Kara's blue eyes.
'The alien talks. That's incredible.'
He had to pull himself together.
"It's enough to communicate."
"Hmm? I wouldn't say that. I had some expectations after watching your English cover songs on YouTube, but seeing it in person, it's beyond that."
"Thank you."
"I was really looking forward to this, and thank you for covering my song."
"It's a beautiful song. The honor was entirely mine."
"Hmm, your tone is very calm. Ah, I've also seen the dramas you were in. Not all of them, but I was impressed."
"Really? I watched a lot of your films even before I became an actor."
"Really? But you've only been acting for about a year, right?"
"Yes."
The conversation flowed naturally, almost like two Americans greeting each other.
Naturally, both Kara's team and Woojin's side were filming everything. Even while taking off her padded jacket, Miley Kara kept studying Kang Woojin closely.
'He's much more handsome in person. Very quiet too. His atmosphere is completely different from when he acts. He's this calm, so where does that explosive energy he shows while acting even come from? And he's only been active for a year?'
Then, suddenly, she asked him something unexpected.
"...Do you know someone named Joseph Felton?"
Yes, he knew the name. A producer working in Hollywood had handed him a business card.
But Woojin had no idea why she was bringing up that name. Since he still knew nothing about anything connected to Last Kill 3, he had no choice but to deny knowing anything.
"No, I've never heard of him. Why do you ask?"
Kara brushed her blonde hair behind one ear and shook her head.
"If you don't know him, that's fine. I just thought I'd ask."
"Is that so?"
Soon after, Woojin handed Kara the tablet he had received from the PD of Kang Woojin's Alter Ego.
"I should probably explain today's filming schedule."
He laid out the entire schedule fluently in English. Not just Kara, but her manager and the whole team listened attentively.
To summarize, the duet song shoot would take place in this recording studio, while the rest of the content, such as the interview and cooking segment, would be filmed at a different rented studio.
Since some communication had already taken place beforehand, Kara understood the situation quickly.
"Alright, so the duet is the song you covered, Absolute*?"*
"Yes."
Kara nodded, her long blonde hair shifting lightly.
"Good. Your Absolute cover was translated into Korean. This time, will you be singing it in English, or in Korean?"
"Either is fine."
After briefly conferring with her team, Kara met Woojin's eyes again.
"Before the duet, I'd like you to sing Absolute solo first."
There was a calm but firm note in her voice.
"If possible, I'd like you to use the Korean lyrics from the cover video. There's a big difference between watching something on video and hearing it live. I want to start from those lyrics first, then adjust the mood to suit the duet."
Kang Woojin nodded without much fuss.
"Sounds good."
Soon, a few members of Kara's team took their places in front of the recording equipment.
"I never imagined I'd be producing in Korea."
"Ha ha, me neither."
"But can that Korean actor really sing? I haven't watched the cover yet."
"Well, I haven't heard much either. But he did Kara's song pretty well. I thought it was pretty solid."
"Oh, really?"
Standing behind them was Miley Kara herself.
After a brief exchange with Choi Sunggeon, Kang Woojin headed toward the recording booth.
He stood in front of the microphone and put on the headphones.
Watching him quietly from outside the booth, Kara let out a low breath of admiration without realizing it. The person beside her was her manager.
"He's handsome, and there's something a little rough about him too. That kind of thing draws even more attention."
"Kara. Say things like that later. There are a lot of people listening here."
"So what? Saying what I genuinely feel when I feel it is good for the mood."
"...Right. Anyway, with a face like that, and if he sings well too, of course he'd be popular."
That was the moment.
The intro to Miley Kara's hit song Absolute filled the recording studio.
It opened with heavy drums, gradually blending into a violin line before abruptly cutting off, then the drums returned, slow and deliberate.
At the intro, Kang Woojin's vocals began.
Following the drums, his distinct voice, firm yet deep, soaked into the ears of everyone in the studio.
Suddenly, the foreigners seated in front of the recording equipment stopped moving.
"What?"
"Wait."
Goosebumps had risen on Kara's arms.
'The tone... it's so good it doesn't even feel like my song anymore.'
With just a single line, Kang Woojin seized the entire recording studio. As everyone's attention converged on him, Absolute rushed toward the chorus.
Unlike the opening, the drums and violin swelled more fiercely as the song moved toward its climax, blending with Woojin's slightly rough vocals. The further the song progressed, the deeper the allure and emotion in his voice became.
As the original singer, Kara understood that better than anyone.
'It's not just the vocals. His emotional delivery is incredible too. How can he pour that kind of emotion into a cover?'
The message inside Absolute was freedom.
Kara, being an actress as well as a singer, had poured despair into the song, letting a hopeful message gradually seep through it.
But this Korean actor was expressing anger from beginning to end.
His voice was filled with dissatisfaction.
Naturally, Woojin's expression also gradually filled with anger. Even his vocal tone shifted according to the changes in his emotion, and the song itself took on a variety of shades as it moved with him.
'The depth of the emotion...'
What she felt was a level of passion she had never encountered before.
And this was not even his own song. It was only a cover.
The blonde Kara stood rooted in place, completely captivated by Kang Woojin. What held her was not his face, but his energy.
Miley Kara was startled before she even realized it.
'What? The cover video didn't capture even half of this.'
Especially considering the whole concept of Kang Woojin's Alter Ego.
'A hobby?? What kind of hobby is this supposed to be?!'
For Kang Woojin, vocals were not even his main identity.