小火星

An unexpected affliction. Standing at the door of the reading room, Hwalin felt her heart pounding uncontrollably, being clearly flustered.

‘Seeing him up close right in front of me is more overwhelming than I imagined…’

It was about Kang Woojin’s acting. When she joined the short drama ‘Male Friend,’ she was nothing but excited. She was thrilled to be working on the same project as someone she was a fan of, not just as fellow actors or colleagues, but as a fan.

Of course, that was until today.

Her mindset had changed 180 degrees in this reading room. Woojin’s destructive power in portraying the character ‘Han In-ho’ right in front of her was tremendous.

‘I expected it, but I didn’t think I’d fall apart in just a few seconds.’

Her fangirling started with his acting, and Hwalin, having watched Kang Woojin’s performances, had come prepared. However, she crumbled helplessly under the weight of his gaze. And why wouldn’t she? No matter how much of a devoted fan she was, how could she resist those melodramatic eyes? Moreover, Woojin’s acting was beyond vivid.

‘I swear I just saw the scenery around me turn into a cherry blossom viewing festival for a moment.’

At that moment, Hwalin was not a top singer or actress at the peak of popularity, but rather just a fragile girl who had experienced ‘becoming a devoted fan.’ She had never been in this situation since her debut in the entertainment industry, and she didn’t know what to do. She was unfamiliar with ‘fangirling,’ and ‘being a devoted fan’ had happened too quickly.

Then, Hwalin,

-Swish.

While sweeping her long hair back, she softly tapped her quivering heart.

‘If I’m like this with just a look, how can I handle a kiss scene?’

She was questioning herself. Moreover, it wasn’t just any scene; it was an intense kiss scene. Her feelings now were drastically different from when she heard Director Shin Dong-chun’s explanation earlier. The difficulty had skyrocketed by dozens of levels.

For a moment, Hwalin felt weak.

‘Would it be okay to suggest we go a bit easy on the shooting day?’

But she soon toughened up.

‘No, the more frightening it is, the stronger I must be.’

Hwalin had faced numerous hardships since her debut as a girl group member. If she learned anything from those experiences, it was that she needed to confront her fears more strongly.

Moreover.

‘I’d rather die than be a burden to Woojin.’

Hwalin only wanted to show her best side to Kang Woojin. She didn’t like herself being weak. That’s right, she could do it. She was an actress, too. It would be tough, but she would push through with equal force. Hwalin steadily collected the pieces of her shattered heart.

That’s when it happened.

-Slide.

The glass door of the reading room smoothly opened, nudging Hwalin’s back slightly. Startled, Hwalin turned around and gasped.

“Ah.”

Because Kang Woojin, with his indifferent expression, had emerged. Soon, Hwalin began to control her expression, and Woojin spoke to her in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here.”

“No… It’s okay. I was just standing here stupidly.”

“But I thought you went to the bathroom.”

“Huh? Me? Oh! Yes, yes. I did. I just had a phone call.”

Hwalin tried to sound nonchalant. Kang Woojin, not noticing her struggling, looked at her quietly and wondered inwardly.

‘Is she okay? Her cheeks seem flushed.’

She looked a bit off. However, he didn’t think too deeply about it. Just a fleeting thought. Woojin then took a step back with a small nod of his head.

“I need to use the restroom too.”

Suddenly, Hwalin grabbed the sleeve of Woojin’s short-sleeved shirt.

“Woojin.”

Puzzled, Woojin turned his head to find Hwalin much closer, looking up at him. The distance between them was about two fists’ length, just the right height difference. Silence ensued. At that moment, Kang Woojin’s instincts raised an alert.

‘Wow, she’s really stunningly beautiful.’

Realizing it was his first time seeing Hwalin this close, Woojin noted her clean skin, naturally arranged features, and the mole under her eye exuded a peculiar charm. For a brief moment, Woojin unwittingly admired Hwalin’s visuals.

Ah, this isn’t right. Damn instincts, back off.

Woojin almost smiled but managed to keep his cool demeanor. Then he asked Hwalin, who was looking up at him, in a stern voice.

“Sorry, but what are you doing?”

“Checking our height difference.”

“Height difference?”

Only then did Hwalin take a step back, her face turning determined as if she were a general before battle.

“Yes. I’m checking the height difference in preparation for the revised scene… I mean, for when I attack… No, I mean, when we film.”

“If that’s the case, you can check more thoroughly.”

“Can I just raise my arms slightly? Just to get a feel for the rehearsal.”

Of course, anytime. While he was screaming ‘Of course’ excessively inside, Woojin replied cynically on the outside.

“As you wish.”

“Ah, okay.”

Hwalin, hesitating a bit, slowly raised her arms to Kang Woojin’s face. However, she quickly withdrew her arm, which she had only lifted to about his ear level. It was because her heart had started pounding again.

“Yes, um. It seems to be okay.”

Soon after, she hurried back to the reading room without further explanation, perhaps to avoid any awkwardness that others might perceive.

‘She must have felt embarrassed.’

Kang Woojin, who already knew the secret, simply found Hwalin cute. He wondered when she would tell him?

‘I never thought I’d be treated like this. If I tell the guys, they’ll probably die of jealousy?’

While thinking of his close friends, Kang Woojin suppressed a grin and headed to the restroom.

A few minutes later.

The script reading resumed. Fortunately, Hwalin didn’t have to rush to the restroom again. However, she deliberately avoided Kang Woojin’s, or rather, Han In-ho’s gaze throughout the reading.

She just recited her lines.

But there was no significant issue with the emotions or acting in her lines, and Kang Woojin played Han In-ho as if it were no big deal.

The reading that eventually became intense.

10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes. As time passed, the atmosphere grew increasingly intense, and the actors of ‘Male Friend’ became increasingly fascinated by Kang Woojin’s acting. In the early part, seeing emotions close to Han In-ho’s end rather spurred admiration.

‘Wow, he’s playing with emotions like they’re nothing.’

‘He does that level of acting so effortlessly, it’s insane.’

‘I wonder if it will get even more intense during the actual filming?’

His portrayal of emotions was extremely fluid.

From the present to the past, and back to the present. The emotions in the script were mixed up, but Woojin’s expressions were unfazed. It truly felt like the whole scene was transitioning between the past and the present.

Perhaps that was why?

“Good job, everyone.”

When Director Shin Dong-chun announced the end of the reading, a strong round of applause erupted in the crowded reading room.

-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

The reporters who had watched the entire reading murmured with admiration.

“Wow, wasn’t that killer? To be honest, I came here without expecting much since it’s a short project, but this doesn’t look like a short drama quality at all.”

“See? I told you Kang Woojin wasn’t just a fluke. And with Hwalin addition, oh man- it’s a pity there are only four episodes.”

“The script is good, and there’s nothing to say about the actors. Am I the only one excited?”

And then.

“Ah- thank you all for your hard work. The reading took longer than expected. There were some sudden changes to the script, but I’m really thankful to the actors for adapting well, and I plan to communicate individually later on.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, sitting at the head, briefly went over the schedule fo ‘Male Friend.’

“The overall filming will take about a month. Of course, it might take longer. And we’re planning to start shooting around July 20th.”

There were about ten days left before the main shooting of ‘Male Friend.’

Afterward.

The news of ‘Male Friend’s script reading started to appear online from the following Saturday, the 11th. The reporters who participated in the reading shared information at a fast pace, and there was a lot of it. It was evident that Netflix was giving it a push.

『Kang Woojin x Hwalin ‘Male Friend’, the first dig… vivid script reading scene/ photos』

『[Star Talk] ‘Monster Rookie’ Kang Woojin’s passionate performance at ‘Male Friend’ script reading/ photos』

The content showed glimpses of the overall reading, but it mostly focused on the leads. It was an inevitable situation since the script reading articles were heavily promotional by nature.

『Netflix’s short drama project ‘Male Friend’, Kang Woojin and Hwalin’s Together…Do They Match Well?』

As a result, the articles prominently featured Kang Woojin and Hwalin. Whether solo or together. Kang Woojin, upon seeing this, did not show it outwardly but was inwardly overwhelmed with emotion.

‘Wow, damn. I really look like the main character, don’t I? Ah, I am the main character, right?’

Back when he was a lesser-known villain, such articles would not have been seen. It was practically his first time being featured like this, and Kang Woojin in the articles exuded a lead actor’s aura to any viewer. The added styling concept helped.

『[Star Photo] Kang Woojin approaches the ‘Male Friend’ Script Reading with a Serious Expression, Looks Handsome Even in a Natural State/Photo』

The news of ‘Male Friend’ heated up through Saturday and into Sunday. While Netflix’s push played a role, the popularity of Kang Woojin and Hwalin recognition played a big part. Of course, Hwalin’s fandom was strong, it was Woojin’s current issues that were leading the buzz.

Therefore, public anticipation was inevitably high.

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠFinally!!

-Oh, Kang Woojin and Hwalin surprisingly look good together, right? LOL I’m kind of excited LOL

-Park Dae-ri’s killing it

-Honestly…. I can’t really imagine Kang Woojin in a rom-com…. Like he’ll be in love and then suddenly shoot cold glances LOL

-↑I think Kang Woojin would fit a rom-com really well?? Since he acts so well, you’d get sucked right into it

-But it’s just a short drama LOL I can tell it’ll just give off a rom-com vibe and then end

-Kang Woojin… has turned into a crazily cold handsome guy…. fuck fuck fuck I want to see it soon

-Honestly, are Hwalin and Kang Woojin even on the same level? Such a nonsensical casting ㅇㅇ

-But I thought Kang Woojin was going to keep getting villain roles, but he’s drifting into different roles LOL If he succeeds here, he’ll do even better

-Typical of this kind of work: They start with skinship and catch feelings

-Something about Kang Woojin is really captivating…. They say he’s fantastic in real life…. my friend who went to a fan meeting told me

-So when is it happening? Just release it already

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The collaboration between the monster rookie Kang Woojin and ‘Elani’ Hwalin created a buzz when this novel combo for ‘Male Friend’ was first announced, but as the script reading was revealed, the public couldn’t wait.

Naturally, the industry’s interest also peaked.

Meanwhile.

『[Issue Check] The unstoppable ‘Kang Woojin’ surpasses 1 million SNS followers!』

Recently, the number of Japanese comments had continued to increase on Kang Woojin’s SNS, which had just surpassed 1 million followers, and on numerous YouTube videos he was in which he appeared.

-It was hard to find the SNS, but there’s no official YouTube channel for Kang Woojin. That’s disappointing.

The comments were on everything from his hit videos to recent uploads, and even ‘Sports Day’—basically, all videos that appeared when ‘Kang Woojin’ was searched.

-Kang Woojin! I’m cheering for you from Japan! If you don’t have a YouTube channel, please post short videos on SNS!

It felt almost like a breakout. Korean users were surprised by the sudden increase in Japanese comments.

-Why are there suddenly so many Japanese comments here????

-Is it because Hanryang is a hit in Japan??

-Eh? Why did ‘Hanryang’ blow up in Japan?

-‘Hanryang’ is number one on Netflix in Japan now

After the weekend with its peculiar momentum ended, a new weekday began. Monday, the 13th.

-Swish.

Kang Woojin left his house early in the morning and stood in front of the elevator. It seemed he was heading straight to the salon as he wore a hat and held his phone while waiting for the elevator. He was checking his own SNS.

Recently, checking SNS had become part of Kang Woojin’s routine.

“Whew- that’s a lot of comments.”

The post he touched was a photo from yesterday’s ‘Male Friend’ script reading—a two-shot with Hwalin, taken by Choi Sung-gun. But.

“Hm?”

While he was contently checking the comments, Woojin slightly furrowed his brows. The reason was simple.

-Who does this loser think he is, cozying up next to Hwalin? Get lost

He had spotted malicious comments, presumably from Hwalin’s hardcore fans. It was the first time Woojin had seen this kind of negativity head-on. However, Kang Woojin reacted very indifferently.

It was times like these when being an ordinary citizen actually helped.

“What are they talking about, idiots.”

He wasn’t affected at all.

Later the same day, in the afternoon.

Kang Woojin, having finished several schedules including multiple interviews and one meeting, boarded the minivan waiting in the parking lot along with his team.

– Vroom!

Choi Sung-gun was sitting in the passenger seat of the minivan, waiting. He had been absent for a while in the morning due to company work, so Woojin greeted him softly right away.

“CEO, you’ve arrived.”

Choi Sung-gun, showing a slightly tired smile, waved his hand.

“Yeah, I rushed over by taxi. Sorry, sorry. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, right?”

“No. Everything was fine.”

“Okay—Su-hwan, let’s go. We’re a bit late.”

“Got it!”

Soon, the minivan started moving. At the same time, Choi Sung-gun, who had opened his diary, recited the next schedule.

“As you know, we are going straight to the wrap-up party for ‘Profiler Hanryang.’ Hye-yeon should be on her way, too. You contacted her, right?”

“Yes.”

The wrap-up party for ‘Profiler Hanryang’ wasn’t just a small affair. It included the entire production team, including PD Song Man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi, all the actors like Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon, and even the journalists were invited. Though called a wrap-up party, it was essentially a promotional event targeting the late-comers.

Especially since ‘Hanryang’ was a super popular drama, this schedule was all the more important.

Even so, Kang Woojin was somewhat looking forward to it. It was an opportunity to meet the ‘Hanryang’ crew after a long time. He had developed some affection for them, and among them, Woojin had been the first to leave.

‘I did see Jung-min not too long ago. Ah, right. Since it’s a wrap-up party, other villains from the show might be coming, too?’

A slight curiosity arose in Woojin, to which Choi Sung-gun, with a sly smile, threw in a comment.

“By the way, Woojin. You saw writer Park at the script reading for ‘Male Friend,’ right?”

“Ah—yes. She left quite early.”

“Right. From what I could tell, it seems like she’s considering you for her next work. What do you think?”

“It’s an honor, but I’m not sure.”

“PD Song also called earlier, seems like he had something to say to you?”

“Is that so?”

“It feels like he’s going to throw you a bait. Woojin, I’ll handle it, but you should also manage these big shots well. It’s remarkable to have such figures in a rookie’s network.”

Choi Sung-gun then lowered his thumb that had been raised and continued.

“And, Woojin.”

“Yes, CEO.”

He suddenly changed the topic.

“It’s been slightly delayed because we’ve been busy. But now, we’re going to open your YouTube channel within this week. The timing is just right.”

“Oh.”

“We’re in a world where YouTube can’t be ignored, and it’s a market where you can aim for a big boost in recognition. But you shouldn’t give off too serious an image. Just give the impression that you’re doing it as a hobby. However, you can provide a unique twist, can’t you?”

There seemed to be a plan already in place.

“How about using your vocals for the content, and of course, doing it in foreign languages as well?”

*****