Chapter 318 - Autumn (19)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kim So-hyang, the Executive Director of Netflix Korea, wondered if PD Song Man-woo, sitting across from her and looking quite serious, had perhaps lost his mind. Of course, Writer Choi Na-na, who was wearing round glasses, had a similar thought.

‘Did he get heatstroke from working too hard in Bangkok?’

‘Are- Are you alright, PD-nim?!’

It was understandable. It was already absurd enough that a new actor had joined at a time when the casting was supposed to be finished, but that actor being Miley Cara, a superstar not only in Hollywood but worldwide, went beyond absurd—it was outright madness. It was too sudden, too unexpected.

Soon.

“Uh- PD-nim?”

The slender Writer Choi Na-na spoke cautiously.

“You’re not sick… or something, are you??”

PD Song Man-woo, whose expression hadn’t changed, gave a brief reply.

“I’m perfectly fine.”

The chubby Executive Director Kim So-hyang took over.

“So, is this a joke? Who’s suddenly joining ‘Beneficial Evil’?”

PD Song Man-woo responded calmly.

“I said Miley Cara is going to appear in our ‘Beneficial Evil’.”

The situation escalated. Executive Director Kim So-hyang furrowed her brows, and Writer Choi Na-na had a dazed look on her face, as if she had heard an incomprehensible language.

“It’s so absurd that I can’t even laugh. Stop joking, PD-nim.”

“Exactly. There’s no build-up at all!”

“I was a bit nervous when you called us this morning, but now I’m feeling a bit better.”

Both of them clearly didn’t believe PD Song Man-woo. However, without a hint of frustration, PD Song Man-woo smiled as if he understood.

“I had the exact same reaction when I first heard this a few days ago.”

After all, when Kang Woojin had told him about this, he had reacted similarly. No, anyone would have reacted the same way. Anyway, still smiling, PD Song Man-woo clasped his hands together and continued speaking.

“Haha, but it’s true. Why would I waste time playing pranks on you two, when both of you are so busy?”

“Hm?”

“Eh?”

“I’m serious. Miley Cara is joining ‘Beneficial Evil’. Woojin-ssi is the guarantor.”

Suddenly, the expressions of Kim So-hyang and Writer Choi Na-na changed.

“Kang Woojin-ssi??”

PD Song Man-woo nodded and pulled out his phone.

“Yeah, Woojin-ssi. Actually, I didn’t do anything for this, it’s all Woojin-ssi’s work.”

Muttering to himself, PD Song Man-woo opened an email on his phone. The content was filled with English. It included simple greetings, contact information, and a request for information about the drama. It was from Miley Cara’s agency. PD Song Man-woo showed the email to the two in front of him.

“It’s confidential, so I received it through my personal email, but I’m sharing it with you two for now.”

Though Writer Choi Na-na was a bit weak in English, Executive Director Kim So-hyang of Netflix Korea understood the contents of the email without difficulty. More than anything, what caught her attention were the logos and the agency’s name included in the email.

It was clearly Miley Cara’s agency.

At this point, they had no choice but to accept it as reality.

Then.

-Swiiish.

“……Oh, my, my goodness.”

With wide eyes, Kim So-hyang began reading the email carefully. Soon, Writer Choi Na-na also gaped in astonishment. After Kim So-hyang had finished reading the entire email, PD Song Man-woo chimed in.

“When I was in Bangkok, I suddenly got a call from Woojin-ssi. At first, I was quite puzzled when he said he wanted to add an actor, but it turned out to be Miley Cara.”

PD Song Man-woo began explaining the series of events that started with the phone call from Kang Woojin. Kim So-hyang and Choi Na-na listened to the briefing with half-dazed faces.

Finally.

“Even after receiving this email, it still feels like a dream to me sometimes.”

After finishing his explanation, PD Song Man-woo turned his gaze to the now-frozen Writer Choi Na-na.

“But for now, we need to stay sharp. Writer-nim, this is an unprecedented opportunity. No, it’s an out-of-this-world opportunity. You’re the only writer in the entire country who will experience this! It’s something that will never happen again, not even until the day you die.”

“…Ah? Eh??”

Writer Choi Na-na’s reaction was like a broken robot. On the other hand, PD Song Man-woo had become serious again.

“We need to create a new role for Miley Cara, and we’ll have to write her lines and direct her scenes. Of course, you’ll be the one to do that, Writer Choi. Naturally, I’ll help as well.”

Humans are bound to panic when they get caught up in something unprecedented and overwhelming. Just like Writer Choi Na-na was now.

“…I-I’m supposed to write Miley Cara’s role?”

“Who else would write it? ‘Beneficial Evil’ was born from your hands. You can do it, Writer-nim.”

At this point.

“Hah-”

Executive Director Kim So-hyang brushed her long hair back rather than her usual bob. Her face reflected an emotion beyond mere shock.

“Is this even possible? How did something like this happen? What kind of magic did Kang Woojin-ssi pull?”

“I don’t know the details either. Isn’t Woojin-ssi practically an alien? Even if you hear the explanation, would you really understand it?”

With one hand covering her mouth, Kim So-hyang pinched her own cheek with the other. A gasp came out as a bonus.

“Still, this is… wow… What is this? A dream? This is the kind of incident that could flip not just Korea but all of Hollywood upside down. Even the entirety of Netflix might struggle to pull off something like this—yet Woojin-ssi did it alone?”

“This will probably be the first and last time that Miley Cara participates in a Korean project.”

“The scale of this thing has gotten enormous.”

Already, ‘Beneficial Evil’ was targeting a global audience, and both PD Song Man-woo and Netflix Korea had been prepared to take on numerous challenges. But ever since Kang Woojin officially joined, things had started moving in an unfathomable direction.

In the midst of this, Kim So-hyang barely managed to regain her composure.

“…So, since only the three of us know about this, and you said it’s classified—you’re saying we have to keep it tightly under wraps, right?”

PD Song Man-woo nodded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Of course. If this leaks carelessly, it’ll ruin everything. Once the reporters get wind of it, there’ll be no going back. It’ll break apart before we can even properly assess the situation.”

“R-right. Until we’ve made enough progress, we’ll have to strictly keep it under wraps even within the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team. Even from Netflix Korea.”

“For now, only the three of us know, and later on, we’ll only bring in a few key staff members as necessary. We’ll keep it classified until the right timing comes. Ah, in a few days, we’re going to have a video conference with Miley Cara’s side, and you’ll need to join us, Executive Director-nim.”

Kim So-hyang nodded slowly. Then, PD Song Man-woo turned his attention back to Writer Choi Na-na. Her expression had now solidified with determination.

“Writer-nim, Miley Cara is exceptional, and it won’t be easy to give her a lot of flexibility with her schedule. However, Woojin-ssi said that Cara’s side is open to more than just a minor cameo, she can take on a supporting role or even a prominent secondary role. So you’ll need to create a character with a proper name, lines, and a suitable role for her.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Additionally, Woojin-ssi suggested that it would be best to add it in the overseas scenes for episodes 1 and 2 of ‘Beneficial Evil’ in Bangkok. We’ll have to discuss the details with Cara’s team, but it’s unlikely she’ll be able to come to Korea. So, we’ll need to finish her scenes in Bangkok.”

“Since the Bangkok overseas shoot is for the past scenes, then, Miley Cara would naturally be integrated into Jang Yeon-woo’s past, right?”

“Exactly.”

With the addition of Miley Cara, the upgraded CQC that Ethan Smith was collaborating on, Writer Choi Na-na’s mind began racing with new ideas, drawing up fresh scenes in an instant.

“…Debris, wounds. Or perhaps a corresponding trigger.”

Writer Choi Na-na muttered to herself softly and then suddenly jumped to her feet, her face filled with inspiration.

“W-wait a moment! I need my laptop!!”

She rushed into the room. PD Song Man-woo watched her with a pleased expression. He then turned his gaze back to Executive Director Kim So-hyang, who still looked wide-eyed.

“After the first video meeting with Miley Cara, and once the revised script is ready, we’ll need to go to LA to meet her in person. We have to formally deliver the script and personally brief her about ‘Beneficial Evil’. We’ll also need to finalize the Bangkok filming schedule.”

He spoke calmly.

“You’ll need to come with us then as well.”

It was only natural. ‘Beneficial Evil’ was a joint production between DM Production and Netflix Korea.

“Of course, leave the interpretation to me.”

Afterwards.

PD Song Man-woo started to move in earnest as the weekend came to a close. And once again, the workweek dawned. Monday, the 26th, Kang Woojin’s schedule began very early.

It was around 5 AM.

‘Ugh— so intense. I should hit the Void space before heading to the salon shop.’

As expected, Woojin’s schedule was fully packed today. There was recording related to ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’, reviewing edited clips, attending various events, and even an additional commercial shoot he had contracted for. Actually, it was hard to find a break in his schedule even until next month.

As a result, it felt like the day would disappear in the blink of an eye.

『“Male Friend: Remake triumphs in Japan! This time, ratings climbed again, hitting 15.9%.”』

Even on Tuesday, while handling his hectic schedule, Kang Woojin checked an article from Japan.

‘Oh— another increase!’

Since the new episode of ‘Male Friend: Remake’ aired on Monday, it had once again broken its ratings record. Ratings had surged into the mid-15% range. Although Woojin was currently in Korea, Japan was in an uproar.

Still, Kang Woojin maintained his calm demeanor.

“Woojin, ‘Male Friend: Remake’ is killing it, huh?”

“Yes, I’ve seen it too.”

“Hahaha, yeah, yeah, I guess this level is easy for you, isn’t it?”

Though he was in a good mood, showing excitement didn’t fit the concept of his Poker face. Meanwhile, the music charts in both Korea and Japan were also stirring. The opening theme song Kang Woojin had sung was exerting a powerful influence. It was number one on the Oricon Chart in Japan, and although there were slight differences between platforms in Korea, it was in the top five on most of them.

However, Kang Woojin’s power, as the ‘Issue King’, didn’t stop with ‘Male Friend: Remake’. By Thursday, the domestic press was buzzing with news about Miley Cara. Naturally, Kang Woojin was mentioned as well.

『[Star Issue] ‘Miley Cara’, who worked on a new album with ‘Kang Woojin’, posts two photos of their work together on SNS』

It had already caused a stir when Woojin returned to Korea, but things escalated when Miley Cara posted on her SNS, which has over a hundred million followers, further amplifying the buzz. The post simply said that she enjoyed working with Woojin and that the project had wrapped up well, but the two pictures she posted became a huge topic among her countless international fans.

One photo showed Kang Woojin and Miley Cara working together, and the other showed them on a massive set shooting a music video.

In a way, it was similar to a teaser or still cut, and Kang Woojin, seeing himself in Cara’s music video set photo, thought

‘Damn— I was there, but seeing it in a photo feels surreal.’

He felt both embarrassed and oddly mystified. It was still hard for him to fully adjust to the fact that he had been part of a music video shoot with a global pop star. But thanks to the flood of messages pouring in from Kang Hyun-ah, his childhood friends, and others, he didn’t have much time to dwell on it.

In any case, this event became a trigger.

『Kang Woojin steadily building global recognition, his YouTube channel and SNS see explosive growth!』

People from all over the world flocked to Kang Woojin’s YouTube channel and SNS. It was akin to a nuclear explosion. As a result, his SNS follower count quickly surpassed 30 million.

– @Wooji_n

Posts: 266

Followers: 31.08 million

Following: 92

His countless posts were flooded with comments in various languages from around the world. His ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ YouTube channel now had close to 20 million subscribers. Of course, the numbers were still growing exponentially. As things progressed, many of the videos uploaded to ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ began experiencing a frequent resurgence in popularity.

In the midst of this, there were other issues popping up, including news related to ‘Beneficial Evil’.

『[Issue Talk] The unstoppable ‘Kang Woojin’, what will he look like in global superstar Miley Cara’s music video? Various speculations are spreading far and wide.』

However, as expected, anything related to Miley Cara had the strongest impact.

And so, about two weeks melted away. The scorching July came to an end, and August began. There were just over ten days left until September.

In other words, summer was ending, and autumn was approaching.

August 17th, Tokyo, Japan.

It was late in the morning. Near Tokyo Station, there was the large Toega film company. Toega was already considered a major player in Japan, but recently, the company had been mentioned quite noisily. It had never been exactly quiet before, but lately, the commotion had grown even louder.

The reason was simple.

Toega was the company producing ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’.

After a brief lull during the editing phase, ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ was once again making waves in the Japanese media and public opinion. The spark had been the massive hit ‘Male Friend: Remake’, which had blown up in July and was still maintaining its explosive momentum.

More precisely, it was all thanks to Kang Woojin.

And now, ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, with Woojin at its center, was being finalized in the editing room of Toega. The editing room was filled with large, wide, and various-sized monitors. In front of these monitors, which were playing random scenes from ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, were about six people.

-Tack, ta-da-dack!

The sound of rapid machine operation filled the room as the group worked. Leading them was a man standing in the center, his hair even grayer than before.

It was Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi.

The editing for ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, which had begun in May, was now in its fourth month and well into the second half. Whether it was due to frequent all-nighters, Director Tanoguchi’s skin looked quite rough.

However, true to his status as a Japanese master director, his eyes remained sharp and full of energy.

“No, as I thought, the full shot for this scene isn’t good. There was a close-up frontal shot of Kang Woojin here, right?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s take a look at that one.”

At that moment.

-Clunk!

The heavy door of the editing room swung open, and a middle-aged man in a suit entered. He was the CEO of Toega film company. At his entrance, Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi, who had been focused on editing, turned his head. The CEO of Toega, looking slightly nervous, spoke to Director Tanoguchi.

“Director, the official production press conference for ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ has been confirmed. It’s happening this week.”

Nodding slowly, Director Tanoguchi replied with a slightly hoarse voice, worn out from fatigue.

“Let Kang Woojin know first.”

‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ was about to stretch its wings.

****