Kang Woojin took the transparent file Choi Sunggeon handed him.
His face remained expressionless, but inwardly, he tilted his head.
'They're adding scenes to episodes 1 and 2 of Beneficial Evil?'
If that was the case, then it meant there had been revisions.
And if the runtime of the episodes had increased as well, didn't that suggest a fairly major reshaping of the material? Woojin had already read the scripts for episodes 1 and 2 a long time ago, so it was only natural for him to find it strange.
'Why would they be making changes at this point?'
Still, considering his usual attitude, showing even a little confusion right now would have been excessive.
Acting calm, Kang Woojin opened the transparent file and asked Choi Sunggeon. Of course, he kept his voice as low as possible.
"They're adding scenes? Isn't it too late for that?"
There was a faint firmness in his tone, but the question itself was reasonable.
No matter how much Beneficial Evil was a pre-produced drama, once the script started getting revised late in pre-production, the production period would inevitably grow longer, and that naturally meant higher costs.
Beneficial Evil had been an expensive drama from the very beginning.
Since it was pre-produced, it had to surpass live-filmed dramas in both quality and polish, and the production budget already poured into it was enormous. On top of that, more actors and staff than usual had joined the project, so if the schedule stretched out, the extra waste in spending would only keep growing.
But Choi Sunggeon simply smiled as though it were nothing.
"You're right. In a normal situation, it would be too late. But fortunately, it doesn't look like they're rushing into anything reckless."
"Really?"
"Yeah. From what PD Song told me, these scenes were originally included in the earliest drafts of episodes 1 and 2 of Beneficial Evil. They cut them when they finalized the script, and now they're putting them back in."
"So naturally, the runtime of episodes 1 and 2 will increase."
"That's right. But this time, writer Choi is apparently polishing them up even more and improving the quality. She's been doing intensive research lately."
In other words, they were restoring scenes that had been planned from the beginning, only in a more upgraded form.
If that was the case, then it probably would not have a major impact on the production schedule. Nodding indifferently, Woojin lowered his eyes to the transparent file in his hand.
Inside it were draft storyboards for the added scenes, along with shooting-related information and materials.
As Kang Woojin looked at the storyboard illustrations, he was inwardly startled.
'Wow, this is intense. Even just looking at the storyboard, it already feels like a scene from a film.'
Beneficial Evil had already contained plenty of action scenes, but the action in the storyboard he was looking at now was on another level.
How should he put it? It looked much more intense.
It even reminded him of certain scenes from Hollywood films.
And on top of that—
'But this is… a gun? They're using guns too?'
There seemed to be several techniques he had never seen before. There were even firearms.
Growing more serious both outwardly and inwardly, Woojin turned the page.
There was quite a lot written there.
Additional information and materials related to the scenes had been listed, but one line in particular caught his attention.
Scheduled filming location: Bangkok, Thailand.
Bangkok?
Thailand, Bangkok?
Then were they planning an overseas shoot?
At that moment, Da Nang, Vietnam, where he had filmed Island of the Missing, came back to him.
But more important than that—
'Bangkok? That's kind of unexpected.'
It was a place he had never seriously considered.
The name Bangkok had only ever come up when he joked around with friends. He had never once thought about actually going there.
Whatever it was, the feeling was strange.
'This is crazy. We're really going all the way to Bangkok just to film this?'
Half of him felt excited, and half of him felt worried.
Of course, the worry was stronger.
He had experience filming overseas, including in Japan, but this would be the first time he was doing full-scale action scenes like this abroad. Still, outwardly, Woojin acted as if nothing bothered him and slowly nodded.
"Bangkok. Not bad."
Choi Sunggeon suddenly raised a thumbs-up.
"I only skimmed through it, but the visuals look incredible. The added scenes seem like they're going to give a powerful hint about the male lead's past, and it feels like the production team really put in a lot of effort. From beginning to end, it's packed with smashing, breaking, and explosions, so it's total chaos."
"Yes."
"The male lead has to make a strong impression in episodes 1 and 2 if the flow is going to stay exciting all the way through the later episodes. Not that someone like you would be nervous. So how do you feel?"
"Like always, it's appropriately exciting."
"Hehe. Anyway, the revised script should arrive soon, and before that, there'll be promotional filming and meetings with the Beneficial Evil team."
After that, Choi Sunggeon began explaining Beneficial Evil in more detail.
The explanation went on for about ten minutes. Once the briefing ended and the two of them were seated across from each other at the center table in the CEO's office, Choi Sunggeon quickly changed the subject.
"So what exactly happened in Jinju? I need to know the details too."
It was an obvious question.
Understanding that well, Kang Woojin explained in a low voice what had happened at the children's center in Jinju. Rather than going into every detail, he only covered the key points.
After listening, Choi Sunggeon gave a bitter laugh.
"What is wrong with that sponsor CEO? He sounds out of his mind. Anyway, you did well."
As he pulled out his phone, he continued.
"I was already thinking about paying more attention to Jinju. It's your hometown, after all, and Jinju City kept trying to arrange support, only to get turned down every time. If we help through donations, it'll have a good effect, and it'll be good for your image too. The children's center has already been contacted, so I'll handle it."
"Thank you."
"What's there to thank me for? You just gave me a reason to start something I was already planning to do anyway. And you're making a personal donation too, right? Don't worry. The company will handle that as well."
Wow, that really was CEO behavior.
Woojin did not show anything on his face, but inside, he was genuinely moved by Choi Sunggeon's actions.
Of course, Choi Sunggeon noticed absolutely none of that.
"Since it's the first year, it's better to make it generous, including your personal activity. Let's make it three hundred million won. That'll grab the press right away."
As he typed something into his phone, he spoke again.
"Oh, and the promotion will be handled jointly by Jinju City and us."
After that—
Choi Sunggeon added that the donation-related promotion this year would be noisy, but starting next year, they would keep it quiet.
Since Kang Woojin's visit to Jinju had already become a major topic in both the press and public opinion, he believed it was appropriate to maintain that momentum through this donation as well.
Still—
"That's enough about Jinju. Now then, next I'll go over your schedule."
Choi Sunggeon opened his thick planner and began listing Woojin's tightly packed schedule one by one.
After enjoying a sweet break, it was time to start running at full speed again. Endless appointments poured from his mouth one after another.
Meanwhile, Woojin—
"..."
On the outside, he maintained a calm face, but inside, his mind was blank.
'Water is water, and mountains are mountains.'
If he let his thoughts wander for no reason, it felt like sleepiness would come crashing down on him. Woojin never thought too deeply about his planned schedule in the first place.
What was the point of knowing every detail beforehand?
He just had to do it.
Even so, Choi Sunggeon kept going with his passionate briefing.
"Two days from now, Uramatsu Mifuyu is arriving in Korea to film the music video for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego. It'll be the first time you've seen her since The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, right?"
"Yes."
"She said that aside from vacations, this will be her first time coming to Korea for work. Anyway, since Japan's top actress is coming, this news will definitely hit the press too."
It was about thirty minutes later that Choi Sunggeon's briefing finally ended.
"You just got back today, so do you want to rest and start again tomorrow?"
Kang Woojin shook his head and slowly stood up.
"I can start right away. There's no problem."
And just like that, the Kang Woojin who had only just returned boarded the train to hell once more.
He immediately stopped by the salon and cleared out the smaller schedules he had postponed, including interviews and pictorial shoots.
Then, early the next morning—
Kang Woojin climbed into the van with his cap pulled low.
He had to go to the salon again.
As he got into the car, he picked up his phone. He wanted to check the current state of the internet.
'Let's see, let's see—'
Various issues were burning hot online.
An idol scandal that had exploded a few days earlier, a popular variety show that had aired yesterday, news about a top actor's comeback project, and more.
Among them, just as expected—
『Japanese major animation studio A10 Studio reveals the recording site for Boy Friend: Remake… but only Kang Woojin stands out / Photo』
The issue related to Kang Woojin was the hottest of all.
『Jinju, Kang Woojin's hometown, is now covered in banners welcoming him / Photo』
『[Main Article] Beneficial Evil to target the global market, with overseas location shooting planned according to insiders… where will it be?』
Since those were the most provocative keywords, it was only natural that Woojin-related news had the highest commercial value.
『Has it reached its limit? Island of the Missing fails to break 19 million, and film experts predict "20 million is impossible"』
Just as Kang Woojin, dressed sharply, was about to begin his scheduled commercial shoot, Choi Sunggeon logged into Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel.
[Channel name: Kang Woojin's Alter Ego]
[Subscribers: 15.66 million]
[Videos: 71]
A new video had been uploaded to Woojin's YouTube channel, which had already surpassed fifteen million subscribers.
In the video, he announced his return after a short break and shared the news that he would be filming with Japan's top actress Uramatsu Mifuyu, with whom he had worked in The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice.
Of course—
@Wooji_n
Posts: 241
Followers: 22.31 million
Following: 81
The news of Kang Woojin's return was also shared across various social media platforms, including his Instagram.
Fans flooded the comment sections of every platform in a frenzy. The comments poured in from Korea, Japan, and all over the world in countless languages, clearly showing just how far Kang Woojin's influence now reached.
Around that same time, on the Beneficial Evil side—or more precisely, on writer Choi Nana's side—
"...It's a little disappointing. I wish it were more intense."
She was passionately adding scenes to the scripts for episodes 1 and 2 of Beneficial Evil.
Of course, it would not take long. She was only layering more onto an image that had already been drawn.
Even so, her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard.
Tap. Tap tap.
She needed to finish the revisions as quickly as possible so PD Song Man-woo could give final approval, after which the material would be delivered to the actors.
And above all, Kang Woojin needed to receive it faster than anyone else.
That was because Kang Woojin was the key figure who would determine the success or failure of the overseas shoot in Bangkok.
"Mr. Woojin needs to feel more… how should I put it… more dazzling. No, more overwhelming."
More than eighty percent of the added scenes would be filmed by him alone.
Late that afternoon—
Kang Woojin was on a break during a fashion brand commercial shoot.
He sat down in a waiting chair.
Just like always, there was no sign of fatigue on his face, and from behind him, Jang Suhwan handed him a bottle of water.
Interestingly enough, Jang Suhwan was grinning from ear to ear.
"Hyung, the donation news from Jinju just blew up!"
Of course—
『[Official] Kang Woojin, who visited Jinju, donates 300 million won to support underprivileged children / Photo』
『Unrivaled number one in brand reputation, Kang Woojin donates 300 million won to his hometown Jinju… "His class is on another level!"』
『"Even the amount is unusual," Kang Woojin donates hundreds of millions in just two years since debut』
The internet, which had already been noisy with multiple issues, was instantly filled with the news of Woojin's donation.
Just by looking at the flood of articles, it was obvious how explosive the response was.
『[Issue IS] Jinju City says of Kang Woojin's 300 million won donation, "We express our infinite gratitude to Mr. Kang Woojin"』
It was clear that Jinju City and BW Entertainment had worked together on this.
『[Star Photo] "300 million won donor" Kang Woojin photographed side by side with the Jinju mayor at the children's center! / Photo』
A total donation of three hundred million won was more than enough to stir up both the press and public opinion.
That was only natural.
He had gone home for a break, and then suddenly donated hundreds of millions of won? For Kang Woojin, who had already solidified his position as the number one brand-power star, this kind of donation was bound to become huge news.
[Wow… Kang Woojin is seriously refreshing.]
[Damn lololol his class is really first-tier lololol going back to his hometown and immediately dropping 300 million lololol]
[No matter the amount, the fact that he donated at all is something worthy of respect and praise.]
[Kang Woojin is seriously so cool… his influence is already insane, but donating 300 million won only two years after debut is honestly amazing…]
[He went home to rest and casually threw out 300 million like it was nothing!]
[Can the idiots leaving hateful comments even function in daily life??? Before you post garbage, try donating even 300 won first.]
[The fact that he donates at all is already incredible!!!!]
[Isn't Kang Woojin still pretty young? If his personality is this good too, then what is he even lacking?]
The photos taken at the Jinju children's center, the news that BW Entertainment had been selected as the official sponsor, and the interview with the Jinju mayor all made the story of Kang Woojin's donation echo even louder.
Three hundred million won was by no means a small amount.
No, if anything, it was enormous.
A second-year actor could not casually give away that kind of money. In any case, this naturally boosted promotion even further for the works Woojin was currently involved in or had worked on before, as well as for his social media and Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel.
『Japan's top actress Uramatsu Mifuyu comes to Korea for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego filming! Reuniting with Kang Woojin after The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice』
Interest in Kang Woojin's massive donation did not cool down easily.
Even the next day, the 29th, when Japan's top actress Uramatsu Mifuyu—who had delivered a powerful performance as Horinochi Amie in The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice—arrived in Korea, the heat had not died down.
It remained the same when she and Woojin filmed content together for Kang Woojin's Alter Ego channel.
For several days, multiple media outlets and the press covered the matter loudly and extensively.
Countless issues tangled together.
『From the 300 million won donation to Japan's top actress Uramatsu Mifuyu, is "issue king" Kang Woojin restarting his activities again?』
As a result—
"Whoa."
On the morning of the 30th, the last day of June, Kang Woojin was about to leave home for work when he checked his phone and suddenly threw both hands up toward the sky.
He had not gone crazy.
"This is insane."
But the reaction was completely justified.
Something that had seemed realistically impossible had actually happened.
[All-time Korean Box Office]
[Overall Film Rankings]
Island of the Missing / Total Audience: 20,013,889
In other words—
『[Official] Island of the Missing, the number one Korean film by audience count, surpasses 20 million viewers… a record that will remain in Korean film history!』
『Island of the Missing breaks 20 million viewers!! Kang Woojin's influence has gone beyond the impossible!』
Without Kang Woojin, it would never have happened.