It happened.
It really happened.
It was the moment that overturned the flow of Korean film history, the moment that surpassed countless masterpieces to claim the top, the moment that rose to a throne no one had ever imagined.
"..."
Kang Woojin did not react right away. He simply stared down at the phone in his hand, his expression blank. His hair was messy, disheveled enough to make him look like he had lost his mind.
That wasn't entirely wrong.
His thoughts were in complete disarray.
[All-Time Korean Box Office]
[Film Rankings (Overall)]
-1. Island of the Missing / Total Audience: 16,752,991
16.75 million? 16.75 million? I don't know. Is this really what I'm seeing?
'All-time… number one. Me? A film I starred in? I can't believe it.'
The phone slipped from his hand.
Woojin stared blankly into the air. His pupils widened, and his heartbeat quickened. It was a moment he had long waited for, yet when it finally arrived, it didn't feel real. It was as if people instinctively denied reality when what they had desperately wished for finally came true.
But Kang Woojin's reality would not change.
The long-standing history of Korean cinema had been overturned, and the one who led that change was Kang Woojin.
Slowly.
"Heh."
Gradually.
"Hah."
Woojin began to accept it. The corners of his lips lifted without him realizing it. The sudden change made him look completely out of his mind.
So what?
It was almost as if he had decided to look like a madman.
With messy hair, he suddenly jumped up from the bed and began shaking his hips. No, not just his hips—his waist, his shoulders, his whole body moved along with it.
"Did you see? Did you see it? This is me."
He wiggled and shook his body. There was no music.
He was simply trembling with excitement.
Forget the concept. Forget the persona.
Just move.
His excitement only grew stronger. It was only natural. Not just Kang Woojin—any actor would have reacted the same way.
He had taken the lead in surpassing an impregnable fortress—the all-time number one box office record.
What greater honor could there be?
Especially for Kang Woojin, whose first lead role in a feature film, Island of the Missing, had achieved this through overwhelming success.
And it had been done in a single strike.
He had proven not just that he was the center of attention, but that he possessed undeniable influence.
But at that moment, half out of his mind, Woojin had no room to think about such deeper meaning. He simply rejoiced in the fact that he had reached number one.
Then—
He suddenly stopped.
"Haah—"
Catching his breath, he recalled the moment he first obtained the Void Space.
More precisely, the words he had muttered half-jokingly at the time.
'Maybe I should try acting.'
That had been his thought.
And now, he had become an actor who had drawn over ten million viewers.
No—more than that.
Kang Woojin, who had quit his design company job and become unemployed, had now become the lead actor of the highest-grossing film in Korean history.
Bzzzt.
Bzzzt.
Bzzzt.
A series of short vibrations rang out.
It was his phone on the bed.
At this point, they were undoubtedly congratulatory messages.
But Woojin didn't pick it up.
"Mm… I should let this out a bit more."
He intended to enjoy this overwhelming excitement a little longer.
But—
Knock knock knock knock!
At the urgent knocking on the door, Woojin stopped.
Wait.
Whoever it was, he needed to return to himself first.
Mind control. Poker face.
Kang Woojin, calm down.
Even as the corners of his lips kept trying to rise, he forced his face back into its usual indifferent expression. After checking himself in the mirror, he opened the door.
At the same time—
"Haha! Woojin!!"
Choi Sunggeon, his ponytail slightly messy, suddenly pulled him into a tight hug. Even in the hotel hallway, Woojin remained expressionless as Sunggeon shouted while patting his back.
"We're number one! Number one! Just number one? No! We overturned Korean history and took number one!! You crazy bastard! You've reached a completely different level as an actor now!!"
Despite being the CEO of BW Entertainment, Choi Sunggeon was genuinely overjoyed.
And it made sense.
He had been with Woojin from the very beginning.
Though there had been many misunderstandings and conflicts along the way, none of that mattered now.
Woojin lightly patted his back and spoke in a low voice.
"We still have a long way to go."
──────────
At that same time—
As Kang Woojin headed to the filming set of Leech, a moment that would be recorded in Korean film history was unfolding.
It wasn't just Choi Sunggeon.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the entire country was shaken.
Especially at Harmony Film Company, where Director Kwon Gitaek and the production team of Island of the Missing were gathered.
"Ahhhh!!"
"Congratulations! Congratulations!!"
"Is this real?? I'm looking at it and I still can't believe it!"
"Wow!! Goosebumps! I've got goosebumps!!"
"Director! Congratulations!"
"Island of the Missing is number one! Number one!!"
"Hey, someone slap me! This isn't a dream, right?!"
They were ecstatic.
Jumping, hugging, even crying.
It was only natural.
Even films that reached ten million viewers had immense impact, but surpassing sixteen million and taking the number one spot—while the final count hadn't even been reached yet—was on an entirely different level.
"This is incredible!! No—this goes beyond incredible! No!! This is legendary! Legendary!!"
The atmosphere felt like a lively party.
Amid it all, Director Kwon Gitaek, with his gentle impression, sat quietly and let out a soft sigh as he muttered.
"Yes… this is it."
Countless scenes passed through his mind.
The moment he first wrote the script for Island of the Missing.
The time he finished it and searched for the right actors.
The moment Kang Woojin had appeared out of nowhere.
The decision to cast a rookie with barely one year of experience as the lead.
"As expected. This is exactly why I can't quit being a director."
Usually calm, Director Kwon Gitaek clenched his fists tightly.
That was how he expressed his excitement.
The actors of Island of the Missing felt the same.
Though they weren't all gathered at Harmony Film, every actor celebrated in their own place.
From Ryu Jungmin, Jeon Woouchang, Ha Yura, and Kim Iwon, to even the extras, all of them shared in the joy.
On the other hand—
There was a film company walking a completely opposite path toward ruin.
"Ha… so it ends like this."
"..."
"We were prepared, but… it still doesn't feel good."
"What can we do? This is reality."
It was none other than BOX Movies, the company behind The Naval Battle.
Compared to the bustling Harmony Film Company, this place felt like a funeral.
It couldn't have been more bleak.
And the media had already begun pouring out articles.
『[Official] Island of the Missing defeats The Naval Battle and takes the throne!』
『From today, the number one film is no longer The Naval Battle but Island of the Missing, as ranking changes shake the Korean film industry』
『"Massive hit!" The number one spot in Korea has changed after a long time, but the popularity of Island of the Missing is far from over』
Most media outlets celebrated Island of the Missing without sensationalism or criticism.
『The Kang Woojin effect is clear… Island of the Missing reclaims number one, can it reach 18 million viewers?』
The atmosphere surged.
The entertainment industry buzzed.
Radio and various media outlets competed to report on Island of the Missing.
"Wow, Island of the Missing is truly incredible! Congratulations to Director Kwon Gitaek and all the actors!"
"This is truly surprising. To be honest, I thought no film would ever break The Naval Battle's record again. But it has drawn over sixteen million viewers."
"What's even more surprising is that this isn't the final count."
"Exactly."
Of course, YouTube, video platforms, and social media also exploded.
Public reactions were equally intense.
[Wow!!! Congratulations!!]
[LOL Island of the Missing crushed The Naval Battle LOL this is insane LOL]
[Honestly, did Island of the Missing look like a film that could draw nearly 17 million? I found it really boring.]
[↑ The only boring thing is your face.]
[But seriously… what's with Kang Woojin? He's causing a huge sensation just two years after debut.]
[This isn't the past, it's happening now—16 million viewers LOL]
[Overhyped LOL but luck and Kang Woojin's power definitely played a part LOL]
[Director Kwon Gitaek has established himself as Korea's top director with just this one film haha]
[The actors must be throwing a money party LOL I'm so jealous]
[Kang Woojin is insane LOL his filmography is insane LOL]
[A historic day where the number one box office film has changed!!]
[Want to know something crazy? Kang Woojin is currently preparing for Cannes LOL]
[Yeah… no industry can afford to stagnate. Constant change is essential.]
[The Naval Battle actors must be pissed LOL]
[Island of the Missing is really fun!!!]
──────────
Meanwhile, when Kang Woojin arrived at the set of Leech, he was met with a flood of congratulations.
Shim Hanho, Oh Heeryeong, Jin Jaejun, Han Sojin, and over a hundred staff members celebrated as if it were their own achievement.
Of course, veteran director Ahn Gabok also congratulated him.
"Woojin, you've achieved something truly incredible. Congratulations."
At the same time, he reaffirmed his determination.
"Our film Leech must leave a proper impact at Cannes as well, shouldn't it?"
Two days passed.
The morning of the 14th arrived.
[All-Time Korean Box Office]
[Film Rankings (Overall)]
-1. Island of the Missing / Total Audience: 17,681,238
It was in the process of building an iron fortress.
──────────
Meanwhile, in Japan on Monday—
As the new week began, reports about the change in Korea's box office throne poured in.
『Island of the Missing, starring Kang Woojin, takes first place in Korea's film rankings』
『Kang Woojin's unmatched rise, Japanese fans excited over Island of the Missing's number one news』
While it wasn't as explosive as in Korea, it still became a major topic due to Kang Woojin's involvement.
As a result, his name was frequently mentioned on Japanese social media.
Interestingly, his name was also often mentioned inside the editing room of A10 Studio, one of Japan's top three animation studios.
Inside the spacious editing room—
Filled with equipment and numerous monitors—sat the director and staff of Boy Friend: Remake.
The reason was simple.
All dubbing, including Kang Woojin's, had been completed.
Only final editing remained.
The director, seated at the center, led the process.
"Play the opening song again."
"Yes, Director."
Music began to flow through the editing room.
It was the OST sung by Kang Woojin.
A moderately fast beat blending piano melodies and drums.
On the front monitor, opening scenes of the animation played along with the OST.
At that moment—
"…Wow."
A female staff member sitting beside the director murmured in Japanese.
"Kang Woojin sings really well. His voice is amazing. If no one told me, I would've thought he was just a singer."
Her remark drew agreement from most of the staff.
"His Japanese doesn't sound awkward at all."
"I've heard it a few times on YouTube, but hearing it again is still surprising."
"Is there anything he can't do?"
The director slowly nodded.
"I was very surprised the first time I met him as well."
Then, as part of finalizing the opening, he added,
"Let's listen to the piano performance as well."
The music in the editing room changed instantly.
It was a piano piece played by Kang Woojin.
"It really feels like Woojin must have had a very active background in music."
"Considering his vocals and piano skills, that would make sense."
"But his acting is excellent, and his talent as a voice actor is outstanding too."
So what exactly is he?
An alien?
Most people struggle to master even a single skill in a lifetime.
With his arms crossed, the director quietly muttered, his tone firm.
"…It must be a combination of innate talent and effort. No—blood and sweat. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. I can't be certain, but Woojin probably hasn't wasted a single moment of his life."
Everyone in the editing room agreed.
"He's a monster."
Several hours passed.
As the sky darkened, a woman entered the editing room where Boy Friend: Remake was being finalized.
She was the planning team leader of A10 Studio.
After greeting the staff, she approached the director seated at the center.
"Director, how are things going?"
After yawning and adjusting the equipment, the director brought up the edited first episode on the monitor.
The team leader fixed her gaze on the screen, watched for a moment, then smiled.
"It's good. My heart is already racing. Especially Kang Woojin—he portrayed Sengoku Toru perfectly."
Satisfied, she turned to the director.
"I'd like to inform you that the broadcast schedule for Boy Friend: Remake has been confirmed."
Then she revealed the details.
"It is scheduled to air in the third quarter of this year, around July."
There was about a month left.