Around lunchtime.
When the Hollywood stunt coordinator team recruited for the film Beneficial Evil arrived in Korea, an enormous crowd had gathered at COEX in Samseong-dong for reasons no one could quite explain. It was always a busy place, but that day it was several times more crowded than usual, to the point that even people simply passing by were forced to stop and stare.
"Whoa—what's going on here? There are way too many people!"
"Wow! The reporters are already lined up! Is some celebrity coming?"
Hundreds of people clung to the rope barriers set up across the first-floor lobby, while dozens of reporters stood firmly in front of them, each holding cameras with massive lenses that looked more like cannons than equipment. The congestion didn't stop there, as the second and third floors visible along the staircases were just as packed, and security struggled to maintain control while staff wearing lanyards rushed back and forth between the crowd.
At some point, the entire crowd raised their phones in unison, all of them aimed toward the same direction as the reporters' cameras. A platform had already been prepared there, complete with a desk and chairs, and behind it hung a massive poster of the actor currently shaking Korea.
Kang Woojin.
The event itself was a fan signing organized by a luxury brand that had selected Woojin as its main model, and the brand's logo was prominently displayed around his image, making it impossible to miss.
In other words, every single person gathered there was waiting for Kang Woojin.
The news had already spread far and wide, yet the man at the center of it all had not appeared.
So where was he?
Woojin was in a waiting room prepared for the event, located slightly away from the lobby.
"Hmm."
The noise from outside carried faintly through the walls as staff continued moving busily, but inside the waiting room, it was relatively quiet. Kang Woojin sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, his black hair naturally swept back, dressed neatly in a dark brown jacket and slacks that gave him a composed and polished look.
He was fully prepared.
His eyes were closed, wireless earbuds resting in his ears, his chin slightly lowered, but he wasn't sleeping. He was simply listening.
The music wasn't Korean. It was a foreign track, and the reason was straightforward—it had been sent by Miley Cara. It wasn't an officially released song but a guide track for her upcoming album, and Woojin needed to familiarize himself with it for the work ahead.
Recently, Miley Cara's team had sent over various materials related to the album, including the concept and storyboard for the music video, along with the note that the track Woojin was involved in was highly likely to become the title song. Whenever he had time, he listened to the track and reviewed the storyboard together.
'Even as a guide version, this is already good.'
The fact that Kang Woojin had been included in a track sent by Cara was significant in itself. It was closer to a featuring role, but his piano solo was clearly incorporated into the composition, making his contribution far from minor. When he had first heard the track, he had maintained a calm expression on the surface, but internally, he had been caught completely off guard.
Why would a global superstar like Miley Cara make that kind of decision?
Even so, he didn't dwell on the question for long. Whatever the reason, the situation had already been set in motion, and approaching it half-heartedly didn't align with his nature.
'Still… this is honestly insane.'
As the guide track played again, a faint smile surfaced, though it never reached his expression outwardly.
'Why am I listening to a global superstar's unreleased track right now… and actually taking part in it?'
From any perspective, it was difficult to believe. Miley Cara held enormous influence even within Hollywood, and at this very moment, aside from her own team, Kang Woojin might have been the only person in the world listening to that track.
"Life really is unpredictable."
He murmured quietly under his breath before giving a slight shake of his head, then reached forward to pick up the tablet resting in front of him. With a light tap, the screen lit up, revealing the music video storyboard he had been reviewing earlier.
'The concept itself is unusual. A woman who loses herself after being dumped.'
The concept aligned directly with the tone of the song—heartbreak and obsession layered together, with styling that leaned boldly toward sensuality, and on top of that, an unmistakable sense of madness woven throughout.
At that moment, the waiting room door opened, and Han Yejung stepped inside, her short blue hair catching the light as she looked toward Woojin.
"Oppa, you can head out in five minutes."
"Okay."
Her gaze briefly dropped to the tablet in his hands.
"So you were looking at Miley Cara's music video concept."
"Yeah."
She let out a small breath.
"I checked it earlier for the wardrobe prep, but… are you really okay with this?"
"With what?"
"The concept is intense, and what they're asking from you isn't simple either. The piano part is fine, but in the story, you're the target of Cara's obsession."
That was precisely the issue. From beginning to end, the storyboard depicted obsessive love, reinforced by choreography that matched its intensity. The styling emphasized bold sensuality, and once Kang Woojin appeared, the direction shifted entirely toward him, with the dancers and Cara herself expressing relentless pursuit.
There was frequent physical contact, their proximity often narrowing to an intimate distance, and in one scene, their lips came close enough that it seemed they might touch. The scene hadn't been finalized and could still be removed, but for now, it remained in place. Woojin himself had minimal movement, no demanding choreography, and Cara's team had already stated they were willing to adjust the storyboard if necessary.
His answer remained unchanged.
It was fine.
Because ultimately, it was acting.
'Still… realistically, how often does something like this even happen?'
It was the kind of situation most people could only imagine, but voicing that thought out loud would have been foolish. So instead, he responded calmly, his tone steady and detached.
"It doesn't matter. It's just acting."
Han Yejung tilted her head slightly, as if she couldn't quite believe it.
"We're talking about Miley Cara, and to you it's just another job. That's honestly amazing. How do you stay so unaffected?"
Kang Woojin simply held his expression, keeping his real thoughts hidden as he gave a composed answer.
"Work is just work."
──────────
Later, when Kang Woojin appeared at the fan signing venue inside COEX, a wave of cheers and screams erupted instantly, accompanied by the rapid bursts of camera flashes from the reporters lined up in front.
Even in the middle of it, Woojin maintained his composure, moving with calm familiarity as if he had long since grown used to such scenes. He greeted the reporters with a measured wave, then turned his attention to the fans, offering the same composed acknowledgment, though with so many phones raised, it almost seemed as if he were greeting screens rather than people.
The crowd had grown even larger than before, and the security struggled to keep everything under control, but despite the chaos, the fan signing proceeded as scheduled.
The fan signing, along with Woojin's brief conversations with each fan, had originally been scheduled to last around two hours, but the overwhelming turnout made it impossible to end on time, and in the end, he spent an additional thirty minutes before finally wrapping things up.
Once everything was finished and Woojin returned to the van, Choi Sunggeon, seated in the passenger seat, spoke first.
"Good work, Woojin."
He loosened the tie in his hair before fastening it again, his movements casual as he continued speaking.
"We'll do a few short interviews, then head to the action school this afternoon for the Beneficial Evil shoot. Looks like the overseas stunt team has already arrived."
"Yes, sir."
Choi Sunggeon nodded slightly and continued outlining the confirmed schedule.
"And as for Miley Cara, we're flying out to LA on the morning of the ninth."
That would be about five days from now.
──────────
Meanwhile, at a large action school in Seoul.
The entire floor of the studio was covered in gray mats, and the ceiling was filled with wires and various martial arts equipment, giving the space a dense and functional atmosphere. This was the main training ground for the stunt team of Beneficial Evil, and dozens of stunt performers, along with the production staff including Song Manwoo PD, had gathered there.
Members of the martial arts team moved busily across the space, their footsteps constant, their breathing heavy from continuous training.
Among them were actors as well, some of whom were visibly out of breath. They were rookie actors cast in Beneficial Evil, and those assigned to action-heavy roles had already begun undergoing intense training.
There were also familiar faces among the group.
Ha Kangsoo, a top actor who had previously worked with Woojin on Our Table, and Jo Munchan, who maintained a polite and friendly demeanor while quietly idolizing Kang Woojin, were both present, fully immersed in their training.
Sweat soaked through their clothes as they moved, each of them focused entirely on their respective drills.
The martial arts director oversaw everything with a sharp gaze, while Song Manwoo PD stood nearby with his arms crossed, quietly observing the overall flow. Test cameras and the making-film crew moved constantly, capturing even the smallest details without missing anything.
At the same time, Song Manwoo PD had his own concerns, as he was scheduled to depart for Bangkok, Thailand in just a few days, with numerous preparations still left unfinished, including location scouting for the overseas shoot.
Amid all of that—
"Over here—"
Several members of the martial arts team, who had been catching their breath while drinking water, turned their attention toward the group of foreigners gathered behind Song Manwoo PD, their voices dropping into quiet whispers.
"They really feel different, don't they?"
"Yeah. Honestly, this is my first time seeing a Hollywood stunt team up close."
"They don't even call them stunt teams over there. It's more like stunt coordinators."
"Look at that build. His forearms are thicker than my thighs."
"Different genetics."
The group they were watching was the Hollywood stunt coordinator team brought in for Beneficial Evil, having arrived in Korea that very day. The five of them had taken up a spot near one side of the studio, some observing the ongoing training while others spoke quietly among themselves.
An interpreter accompanied them, though for the moment, they weren't actively engaging in conversation with the production staff.
They seemed content simply observing.
Because of that, their relaxed posture stood in contrast to the tension among the local stunt team, who remained keenly aware of their presence.
"What was the title of the Hollywood film they worked on again? It was something really big, right?"
"Seriously, how did they even manage to bring them in? That must've cost a fortune."
"They definitely give off that kind of vibe. But why aren't they doing anything?"
Even those who had returned to training continued to glance over from time to time, unable to completely ignore them.
"They're probably still adjusting. And they were brought in specifically for CQC, so it's not really our concern."
"So they're basically here for Kang Woojin?"
"Of course. This project practically revolves around him anyway."
"I heard he's coming today, but from what the PD said earlier, it sounds like he'll just stop by briefly to greet everyone."
"What do you think they'll do on the first day?"
Before long, the topic naturally shifted to Kang Woojin.
"Still… don't you think he might struggle this time? Just look at those guys. There's no way people like that, who handle action in Hollywood, are going to go easy on him."
"He's definitely going to get overwhelmed. I didn't really know what CQC was before, so I looked it up, and it's an extremely advanced combat system. That's not something you can pick up in a few months."
"They'll probably just have him go through basic movements. No matter how good he is, something like CQC isn't something you learn overnight."
As the murmurs continued to spread, the martial arts director's voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Why aren't you focusing?! What are you all talking about?!"
The entire space fell silent in an instant.
No one dared to respond.
The martial arts director clicked his tongue in irritation.
"I've told you over and over. The moment you lose focus, you get hurt."
Song Manwoo PD, still standing with his arms crossed, turned slightly and spoke in a calm tone.
"They're curious about the Hollywood team. Have you had a chance to speak with them?"
"Yes. It wasn't easy with the interpreter, but it went well enough."
"What do you think?"
"They're definitely on another level. The moment they saw the action storyboard, they immediately pointed out the awkward parts. You can tell they have real experience."
"That's only natural, considering what we're paying for them. If their input improves the action sequences, then incorporate it. I welcome anything that raises the overall quality."
"Understood. The quality will definitely improve. We brought in specialists for a reason."
The martial arts director glanced at his watch.
"When is Woojin arriving? He said he'd stop by to meet them."
Song Manwoo PD nodded.
"I just spoke with him. He's almost here."
──────────
A short while later.
A black van pulled into the parking lot of the action school and came to a stop.
Kang Woojin stepped out.
He was still wearing the same blazer from the fan signing, his appearance neat and composed, as expected from someone who had only planned to stop by briefly.
His gaze lifted toward the building.
'So the overseas stunt team has arrived.'
There was no visible tension in him.
He had already met Hollywood staff several times before.
As soon as Choi Sunggeon and the rest of his team joined him, Woojin began walking without hesitation, his steps steady as he headed straight toward the entrance and pushed the door open.
The assistant director, who had been waiting nearby, immediately called out.
"Sunbae-nim! Woojin is here!!"
At once, every gaze inside the studio shifted toward him.
Ha Kangsoo showed a faint smile, while Jo Munchan's eyes lit up with excitement.
Song Manwoo PD and the martial arts director approached quickly, closing the distance without delay.
"There you are. Did the fan signing go well this morning?"
Woojin, who had been greeting the nearby staff, answered calmly.
"Yes, PD-nim."
The martial arts director laughed lightly.
"You look sharp today. We don't usually get to see you dressed like this."
After a brief exchange of greetings, Song Manwoo PD called the assistant director over and gave a few instructions, and the assistant director hurried off immediately toward the waiting Hollywood stunt team.
Soon after, the group approached together with the interpreter.
Even as they drew closer, their imposing presence didn't affect Woojin's expression in the slightest.
He had already expected it.
'They're big, just like I thought.'
One of them stepped forward.
He appeared to be the leader.
He extended his hand.
"Mr. Kang Woojin? Nice to meet you. I'm Ethan Smith."
The interpreter moved to speak, but Woojin had already responded, extending his hand without hesitation.
"Hello. I'm Kang Woojin."
Ethan Smith's expression shifted slightly, a hint of surprise appearing.
"I heard about it, but your English really is good."
"I can manage."
"That's good. Communication is the most important thing in our work."
The interpreter blinked briefly, then quickly moved to Song Manwoo PD to relay the exchange.
Song Manwoo PD nodded and spoke.
"He's the male lead of this project. Despite his schedule, he made time to come today. Let's keep things simple for now. We'll introduce ourselves and discuss the plan moving forward."
The message was delivered.
Ethan Smith's attention returned to Woojin.
"I'd like to check your current condition. We reviewed your training footage, but it's difficult to judge from that alone. If possible, I'd like you to demonstrate a CQC movement. Would that be alright?"
The request was relayed.
Immediately, Choi Sunggeon and the martial arts director showed signs of surprise, while Song Manwoo PD stepped forward quickly.
"That wasn't discussed beforehand. Woojin hasn't formally learned CQC yet, so asking him to demonstrate it suddenly would be too much pressure."
Before the explanation could fully settle—
Kang Woojin moved.
He removed his blazer in one smooth motion.
Every gaze in the room locked onto him.
Without a word, he set the jacket aside and looked at Ethan Smith.
"You've reviewed the CQC sequence added to Beneficial Evil, correct?"
"Yes."
Woojin's gaze swept across the entire team before he spoke again, his voice low and steady.
"Then let's proceed."
He paused briefly.
"All of you, together."
It wasn't said outright.
But the meaning was clear.
'Come at me.'