The title track from Miley Cara's new album, the one Kang Woojin had participated in, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. And not just on any chart, but on that Billboard chart.
"Billboard Hot 100."
The Billboard Hot 100 chart. For reference, Billboard is broadly divided into two major charts: the Hot 100 and the Billboard 200. The Hot 100 ranks individual songs, much like domestic title-track rankings. The Billboard 200, on the other hand, evaluates entire albums and includes every track on the album.
Both carried enormous influence, but the Hot 100 held even more weight.
That said, the Billboard 200 was no chart to ignore. Miley Cara's new album was currently sitting at number one there as well. In other words, Miley Cara had swept both the Hot 100 and the Billboard 200, and naturally Kang Woojin's name was being credited as part of that achievement.
The Billboard charts were the kind of rankings that pop stars and fans all over the world obsessed over.
For a Korean actor to have his name attached to a number one spot there was clearly unprecedented, and it was unlikely to happen again anytime soon. Miley Cara knew that better than anyone. She crossed her legs with a faint smile and showed her phone to her manager, Jonathan.
"After winning Best Actor at Cannes, there probably isn't anyone left who doesn't know Kang Woojin now. I'm happy my album is doing well, but I'm even more curious about how bright Kang Woojin's future is going to be."
At that rare smile from someone who was usually so composed, Jonathan scratched his chin.
"Miley, do you realize you've been smiling every time Kang Woojin's name comes up lately?"
At once, Miley wiped the smile off her face, coughed lightly, and shrugged.
"What are you talking about? I smile plenty even when it has nothing to do with him."
"…Well. I've never seen that."
"It's fine."
Cutting him off, she quickly changed the subject and lowered her eyes back to her phone.
"Still, it's a little disappointing that only five songs made the top ten."
Not only had Miley Cara's song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, but five of her songs had entered the Top 10. The force of a global superstar like Miley Cara was undeniable. Even more astonishing was the fact that the music video featuring Woojin had already passed 300 million views.
"It's fine. There's still plenty of time."
This was only the beginning. For the time being, Miley intended to stay focused on her album schedule. Then Jonathan took out his tablet and, as if something had just occurred to him, asked,
"There's a rumor that the Beneficial Evil team is planning to leak news of your casting early. Doesn't that feel a little premature? Wouldn't it be better to wait until your album promotions settle down a bit?"
Brushing her blonde hair behind one ear, Miley answered,
"It doesn't really matter whether the announcement comes early or late. Kang Woojin said they probably won't make an official statement right away anyway."
"Hmm, that makes sense. Still, I've never seen a rollout handled quite like this."
She answered coolly,
"Isn't it interesting? Watching how things unfold could be fun too."
Meanwhile, in the editor-in-chief's office at the major Korean outlet Power Patch, things were developing in an entirely different direction.
The editor-in-chief was staring hard at a phone filled with on-set photos from the overseas shoot for the drama Beneficial Evil in Bangkok. The photos showed dozens of staff members, filming equipment, and Kang Woojin. But the name that slipped from the lips of the sharp-eyed reporter in square glasses was, surprisingly enough, Miley Cara.
That was because the side profile of a blonde woman in one of the photos was faintly visible.
"No way… could that be Miley Cara?"
When the reporter's eyes widened, the editor-in-chief lowered his voice as if he had been thinking the same thing.
"Right? It's a little ambiguous, but to me it looks like her too. The fact that you thought the same thing the moment you saw it makes me feel more certain."
"Anyone looking at just this photo could mistake her for Miley Cara."
Even so, the sharp-eyed reporter with the glasses furrowed his brow and rubbed his forehead, trying to make sense of it.
"No, but… it doesn't make sense. Miley Cara? That Miley Cara appeared in Beneficial Evil*? That's impossible."*
Logically speaking, he was right.
"Isn't it far more likely that the blonde woman is just a local staff member, or maybe an extra they hired?"
"That could be true."
"More than anything, Miley Cara appearing in a Korean production makes no sense. She must get flooded with offers from Hollywood. There's no reason for her to star in a Korean project. What would she even gain from it?"
The editor-in-chief gave a quiet laugh.
"Still, she does look like Miley Cara."
"..."
"And she's close with Kang Woojin. Miley Cara may be a global superstar, but Kang Woojin's global influence right now absolutely shouldn't be underestimated."
Realizing the editor-in-chief's intent, the reporter reacted as though he had been drawn in.
"So whether it's true or not, you want to create a connection."
"It's a good story, and the setup is smooth. And it's not like we'd be dragging Kang Woojin down. Besides, these photos are already drawing attention in Bangkok. You never know what's solid until you try to crack it."
The reporter's thoughts began moving quickly.
"…It's not a bad idea. Raising a question and presenting an angle doesn't give anyone much reason to complain. Honestly, if it helps Beneficial Evil*, there's no downside. It'll only become a bigger topic."*
"A topic? Kid, this is Miley Cara. If it turns out she really filmed something in Korea, the impact won't stay domestic. Hollywood might explode over it too."
"Up until now, the only real connection between Miley Cara and Korea was that previous appearance on Kang Woojin's YouTube channel. But then Kang Woojin suddenly featured on her album, and they even appeared together at the Cannes opening ceremony. It's obvious they're close. If we package this story well, public opinion and every other media outlet will come running."
By then, both the editor-in-chief and the reporter were smiling broadly. Then the editor-in-chief said,
"If she turns out not to be Miley Cara, then we'll wrap this up as a minor incident."
Then he lowered his voice further.
"But if it turns out to be true, we'll have an enormous exclusive on our hands."
Even then, the sharp-eyed reporter still could not quite believe it.
"No, Miley Cara? Absolutely not. Let's just assume it's a small story."
Later.
Kang Woojin wrapped up his hectic Japanese schedule for The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice and returned to Korea. This time, unlike before, he had flown back on a private jet, and that alone had his team of about ten people, including Jang Suhwan and Han Ye-jeong, visibly buzzing with excitement.
"This is insane! Seriously insane!!"
"Wow, I never imagined I'd ride on a private jet in my lifetime…"
"I totally agree!! I've only ever seen them in articles a couple of times! This is unbelievable! This is incredible!!"
"Oppa!! Woojin oppa! Isn't this amazing?!"
In contrast to the team members who were practically bouncing with excitement, Kang Woojin walked ahead in solemn silence.
"No way."
"That's all you've got?! Oppa, please! It's a private jet! A private! Jet!!"
Of course, his composed demeanor was nothing more than concept acting to preserve his image. In reality, Kang Woojin was probably the most excited person there. From the moment he stepped onto the jet, he had been barely suppressing his excitement.
'Damn it, I want to take pictures too! I want to show Mom, Dad, and my friends! But seriously, wow, what the hell, a private jet for me?! Is this a dream?'
Inside, Woojin wanted to touch every corner of the jet and take hundreds of commemorative photos, but he forced himself not to let even the slightest tremble show in his lips. Fortunately, the rest of the team had been taking pictures like crazy, so he figured he could just ask to see them later.
No matter how anyone looked at it, this was a historic day.
'So from now on, every time I travel overseas, I'll be using that jet?'
It was the day Kang Woojin had officially become the owner of a private jet. Once again, he found himself marveling at Chairman Hideki's overwhelming generosity. Gifting someone an entire aircraft was exactly the kind of thing only a true titan of industry could do. News of Kang Woojin's private jet spread quickly from the moment he headed toward the Beneficial Evil set.
Han Ye-jeong, who had been maintaining her usual cool attitude, saw the news and immediately told Woojin.
"Oppa, articles are already out. The private jet ones."
The articles were already pouring in.
[Star Photo: Kang Woojin returns in a 'private jet' with a calm expression / Photo]
[Already a private jet? Kang Woojin expands overseas activities in earnest after Cannes… acquires private aircraft]
Those articles had likely come from the many reporters waiting at the airport when Woojin landed.
[In just two years since debut, after winning Best Actor at Cannes, now even a private jet! / Photo]
Without meaning to, Kang Woojin felt a flicker of pride.
'Now Mom, Dad, and even my friends are going to find out about this too.'
Han Ye-jeong had taken on the role of documenting the private jet ride. She intended to upload photos of the private aircraft they had boarded to Woojin's social media. About an hour later, when Woojin arrived at the enormous set for the drama Beneficial Evil, the staff immediately came running over.
"Wow!! Woojin-ssi! You have a private jet?!"
"Is it true you went to Japan on a private jet?!"
They looked completely captivated. Even Song Man-woo PD ended up joining in the staff's excitement. He was a heavyweight in the drama industry, but even for him, an actor owning a private jet was not something ordinary.
"Did CEO Choi really arrange this himself? A private jet? This has to be the first and last time, right?"
"No. From now on, I'll be using the jet."
"What—"
That bit of news spread through the hundred-plus staff members on set in an instant. Meanwhile, Song Man-woo PD quickly recovered his composure. Approaching Kang Woojin while he was getting ready to film, he lowered his voice and whispered,
"I already let slip that matter you mentioned about 'her,' so the reaction should be coming soon."
After that, Kang Woojin focused entirely on shooting Beneficial Evil.
Filming continued deep into the night, with another early-morning shoot scheduled for the next day. The schedule did include outdoor filming, but because Song Man-woo PD had decided to prioritize indoor shoots first, most of Beneficial Evil's current work was being done on the massive soundstage sets.
Around that time—
[Issue Talk: The new Miley Cara track featuring Kang Woojin sweeps Billboard, debuts at No. 1!]
News that Miley Cara's new album was dominating the Billboard charts spread through Korea.
[Not only Cannes, but now Kang Woojin's name is on the Billboard charts too. His global recognition continues to rise.]
The music video had already been a huge topic for racking up hundreds of millions of views, but once the concrete chart results were announced, the reaction from the media and the public became far more intense than before.
[Miley Cara's new song is so good lol]
[I'm not even a Kang Woojin fan, but I listened to the song and got seriously surprised lol it's so good]
[Cara has always been legendary, sure, but… what exactly can Kang Woojin not do??]
[Wow… Kang Woojin… his vocal tone is insane… oppa, please release a solo track]
[Did Kang Woojin really play the piano in the middle section himself?]
[This song is blowing up overseas lol Kang Woojin is seriously going to become a legend]
[The music video already passed 300 million views. That's insane.]
[I keep replaying it!!!]
[At this rate Kang Woojin could drop an album and hit No. 1 on Billboard himself lol]
Watching all of this unfold, Kang Woojin remained remarkably calm.
'It's interesting, but it's not as impressive as dinosaurs.'
Part of that was because Miley Cara had already sent him a DM. And, from the beginning, Woojin did not know much about the Billboard charts anyway, so the emotional impact on him was somewhat limited. Even so, the Korean media and the public were whipped into another frenzy by the added attention.
A few days later.
♪
Kang Woojin's phone alarm rang. It was around 5 a.m. The place was Woojin's apartment in Samseong-dong. In the dark house, he opened his eyes in a half-dazed state while still lying in bed.
"...Ugh—"
A groan escaped him. The previous day's Beneficial Evil shoot had ended around midnight, and he had not gotten home until 1 a.m. He had fallen asleep at 2, which meant he had barely gotten three hours of sleep. It was no wonder he looked like a zombie. Naturally, his daily schedule was still packed as always. He had to go to the shop at 7 a.m., then do two overseas media interviews, a photo shoot, afternoon filming for Beneficial Evil, and in the evening a meeting related to his YouTube channel Kang Woojin's Alter Ego.
"At this rate I might really die."
Curled up in bed, he muttered to himself, then reluctantly forced himself upright. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, drank about half of it, then picked up the script lying on the coffee table in the living room. It was the script for Beneficial Evil. He decided to enter the void space.
"First, calm down and get through round one safely."
It was a choice made for survival. After spending what felt like quite a long time in the void, Kang Woojin returned to reality. His complexion had recovered somewhat. He quickly washed his face, threw on a cap, and left the house.
Swish.
While waiting for the elevator, he pulled out his phone. An absurd number of unread messages had piled up. Since he could not check all of them, he decided to deal with the urgent ones first. Among the countless messages, he spotted one from Choi Seong-geon and tapped it open.
The contents were brief.
[(Link)]
[The article is out.]
Tilting his head with mild curiosity, Kang Woojin tapped the link Choi Seong-geon had sent. Just then, the elevator doors opened, and the linked page appeared on his phone screen. It was an article published only minutes earlier. The moment he saw the headline, Woojin murmured softly,
"Oh—"
Naturally, he reacted that way. It was not something he had been desperately waiting for, but it was an article he had been anticipating for quite a while.
[[Exclusive] 'Kang Woojin,' expanding onto the world stage, spotted with 'Miley Cara' at overseas shoot in Bangkok… is Miley Cara appearing in Beneficial Evil?]
— Power Patch
There was also a familiar photo attached to the article. A blonde beauty and Kang Woojin. Even though only a few minutes had passed since the article went up, it already had over a hundred comments.
'The snowball's started rolling.'
Thinking of the media frenzy that would soon come crashing down, Kang Woojin smiled inwardly. He felt satisfied. Right then, the elevator doors opened again, and Woojin immediately composed his face into the calmest possible expression. In the underground parking garage, a black van was waiting. As he approached, the side door slid open and the broad-shouldered Jang Suhwan stepped out. He had recently been promoted from road manager to a higher position.
"Hyung!! You're here!"
Jang Suhwan greeted him in his usual lively voice, and Kang Woojin responded in a low tone.
"Yeah. Want breakfast?"
"Hyung, you'll have to eat at the shop!"
As Woojin came closer, Jang Suhwan suddenly raised a thumbs-up.
"So it's finally happening, right?!"
Understanding what he meant, Kang Woojin nodded.
"Looks that way."
"We've started monitoring the Japanese side!!"
Jang Suhwan waved his work phone in the air. Today was Tuesday, October 26.
"How does it look?"
"The article's already out, and the reaction is exploding! The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice has taken the No. 1 spot in advance reservations!"
It was the release day of The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.