Han Ye-jung, Jang Su-hwan, and the staff members exclaimed in amazement. They were instantly captivated by the stir-fried pork dish Kang Woojin had quickly whipped up.
“Impressed. Oppa, this is stir-fried pork, right? Isn’t it too delicious?”
“Wow! Wow!! Super delicious! Absolutely amazing!”
“Oppa! What is this??! The taste is really insane??!”
“Wow- This is the best stir-fried pork I’ve had in my life! Oppa, it’s really, really amazing!”
“Hyung! This is something one’d pay for!!”
“Then mine.”
“……So, it means it’s delicious or something like that.”
It wasn’t just a formality. Their eyes were sincerely filled with emotion. Plus, their chopsticks didn’t stop picking up the stir-fried pork.
“Wait a minute! Wow, really! Oppa, please give me more rice!!”
Even as they exclaimed excitedly, they were busy shoving stir-fried pork into their mouths. Kang Woojin, who was pleased to see them like this, mused to himself with an indifferent expression.
‘Heh, is this how a mother feels? It’s quite satisfying.’
He voiced out.
“Eat slowly. There’s more, so just ask if you need more.”
This stir-fried pork was the first dish Kang Woojin had made for others. But it seemed to be a great success. With this, not only ‘Our Dining Table’ but also Youtube content would be no problem. He didn’t have to worry about any menu. Woojin’s ‘recipe’ contained numerous dishes, after all.
At that moment.
“Wow- Woojin, this is really seriously delicious? When did you even learn to cook……”
Choi Sung-gun, who had been stuffing his face with stir-fried pork, trailed off. He was ready to accept anything related to Woojin. But still, the shock was inevitable. Acting, singing, various foreign languages, and even sign language. But when could he possibly have learned to cook?
‘Thinking of a menu and then moving his hands immediately, professional-level wok and knife handling skills, a product that could be sold, and an incredible taste to boot. This definitely surpasses mere survival cooking!!’
However, Kang Woojin, who was untying his apron, responded very simply.
“My mother is good at cooking. So is my father.”
“···So, naturally, you can make other dishes too, right?”
“Yes.”
Choi Sung-gun immediately went into workaholic mode.
“This is more than enough for content. It’s not even questionable; it’s a certainty. The concept should stay as it is now, what do you think, Ye-jung, and the rest of you?”
“I think that’s good too. Cooking casually but with a twist, casually but the taste is insanely good.”
“Right, right, it would also be nice to invite someone to eat the food? Since Woojin is cooking casually, the eater should make a big deal out of it.”
Musing, Choi Sung-gun suddenly asked Kang Woojin.
“Can you also do things like immediately responding to food requests on the spot?”
Absolutely possible. Woojin nodded indifferently.
“Yes.”
“Then we can even invite guests. The concept could be Woojin cooking dishes requested by guests. Celebrities would line up to appear on a 5 million subscriber Youtube channel.”
Ideas were quickly proposed. For Kang Woojin, who was quietly listening, it was a somewhat exciting plan. At this point, Choi Sung-gun, while eating stir-fried pork, suddenly thought of PD Yoon Byung-seon, whom they would meet for shooting in a few days.
“‘Our Dining Table’ team will be totally shocked, 100%.”
The next morning, on the 22nd.
Two familiar women got out of a white foreign car that had just been parked in the parking lot. They were the star writer Park Eun-mi and writer Choi Na-na. They immediately went to the elevator and pressed for the 7th floor. The name of a newly established production company was listed on the 7th floor.
-DM Production.
While pressing the floor number, writer Choi Na-na, adjusting her round glasses, murmured timidly.
“I’m nervous……so nervous, writer-nim.”
Then Park Eun-mi, with her long permed hair tied up, laughed lightly, overflowing with confidence.
“Don’t be. He’s just a jobless PD now, so don’t be nervous.”
“No way? To me, both of you are like gods.”
“Really, It’s okay. That jobless PD doesn’t care about status or anything if the work is good.”
“I’m so nervous.”
“Why are you acting like this? You’re the writer who hit number one on Netflix right after launching.”
“That, that’s because the actors were amazing!”
Thus, the two opened the glass door to DM Production, a newly established production company. Despite being new, there were quite a few employees around. The office, divided into several teams, was rather spacious. However, it seemed a bit chaotic, as if it hadn’t been fully organized yet. Writer Park Eun-mi smiled at the sight.
“Ah, the unique charm of a startup.”
As soon as Writer Park Eun-mi made her appearance, the employees of DM Production rushed towards her. It seemed they were already expecting her. Shortly after, both Park Eun-mi and Choi Na-na were guided to a private room within the office.
-Thunk.
As soon as Park Eun-mi opened the door, a man who had been sitting at his desk until just a moment ago, sprang up. It was PD Song Man-woo.
“Ha ha ha, you came.”
Thus, DM Production was a production company with PD Song Man-woo as its CEO, albeit a figurehead CEO. Nonetheless, upon seeing him, Writer Choi Na-na greeted him with a deep bow.
“Hello! PD-nim! It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you!”
“Yes, yes, that’s right. You’ve been doing well lately, huh?? ‘Male Friend’ has been a huge hit. It’s number one today again, isn’t it?”
“Oh, no, not at all!”
On the other hand, Park Eun-mi, frowning, criticized the cluttered interior of the room.
“Oh my- What is this? You should start with cleaning before work! Is this an office or a flea market? It’s been a while since you became independent, and it still looks like this?”
“Starting with complaints as soon as you arrive. I didn’t have time, that’s why.”
“Not having time, my foot. You just put it off.”
“I put it off because I didn’t have time.”
Park Eun-mi, seemingly exasperated, sat down at a central table meant for five. Choi Na-na followed suit. The table was just as cluttered. Thanks to this, PD Song Man-woo quickly cleared some piles of paper and asked.
“Coffee?”
“Do you even have any?”
“Of course. But it’s canned coffee.”
“Anything is fine.”
After taking out canned coffee from a small fridge, PD Song Man-woo also sat down. He then sincerely congratulated Choi Na-na, who was sitting across from him.
“Congratulations once again”
“Th-thank you!”
Park Eun-mi and Song Man-woo PD naturally made eye contact, conversing silently.
‘Indeed, Kang Woojin is worth venerating.’
‘Of course, he’s the Kang Totem.’
Their misconception and the faith in Kang Woojin’s cult only solidified further. At that moment, PD Song Man-woo, holding a can of coffee, changed the topic.
“So, what is it that you wanted to show me?”
“What else? The script.”
“Huh- You said you wouldn’t work with me. But since Writer Choi Na-na came with you, does that mean it’s not your script, Writer Park, but Writer Choi’s?”
“You’re quick to catch on.”
Writer Park Eun-mi smiled and gestured, prompting Choi Na-na to present the stack of papers she had brought. It was a script.
“It’s insufficient, but please take care of it!”
PD Song Man-woo’s eyes widened slightly.
“So it was real?”
“Yes!”
“But Writer Choi, you just launched ‘Male Friend’. You’ve already written another script?”
The quick response came from Park Eun-mi, who was putting down her coffee can.
“It seems like she revised something she had worked on before.”
“Ah-”
“PD-nim, have you decided on a script to proceed with? If you have, you don’t have to look.”
Reminded of Kang Woojin, PD Song Man-woo shook his head.
“If I had decided, I wouldn’t have asked you to come.”
“Cold as ever. Then please, have a look, what do you think?”
“It’s an honor for a jobless PD like me. Let’s see-”
PD Song Man-woo immediately picked up the stack of papers. However, he didn’t have high expectations. He thought he wouldn’t match well with Writer Choi Na-na. If anything, he would’ve suited Writer Park Eun-mi perfectly.
‘Writer Choi is, how should I put it- kind and considerate.’
The content of ‘Male Friend’ was just like that. But since they came in person, he had to at least read it. Soon, Song Man-woo PD began.
-Flip, flip.
He started turning the pages quickly. True to his reputation as a drama heavyweight, his reading was fast. He quickly went through 5 pages, then 10, and reached 15. The peculiar thing was.
‘Huh?’
His face gradually hardened. And when he reached page 20, he even adjusted his posture.
‘What?’
Finally.
“······Did Writer Choi write this?”
PD Song Man-woo, with dilated pupils, looked at Choi Na-na and then asked Park Eun-mi, who shrugged as if it was obvious.
“It might seem unlikely, but Na-na did write it. I understand the surprise, though. I was shocked at first too.”
Following that, Choi Na-na exclaimed.
“I, I wrote it!”
Upon hearing her answer, PD Song Man-woo looked back down at the script, internally giving his assessment.
‘It’s interesting? It doesn’t seem like something the timid Writer Choi would write. Is this what they mean by becoming like one’s mentor?’
As he turned another page of the script.
‘The action scenes are well-written, starting with action that is thrillingly enjoyable. The opening scene sets the theme that runs throughout the script. It’s fast-paced, the unfolding events are intense, but the resolutions are clean and satisfying. Above all.’
At this point, PD Song Man-woo looked up to meet Choi Na-na’s gaze, filled with tension.
“The protagonist is a likable bastard. Truly ‘my way or the highway’ style.”
“Really??”
“Yep, the character is killer. How do I put it, it’s not clean. The mindset of ‘to hell with manners and laws’ or ‘repay violence with violence.’”
Park Eun-mi interjected.
“He’s definitely not righteous. He just passes judgment.”
“That’s right, is it evil punishing evil?”
PD Song Man-woo’s interest exploded. Although Kang Woojin’s face flashed through his mind again, this time it was a script he genuinely desired, not because of the power of the Kang Totem.
“And this could definitely work as a series, right? Social issues are always exploding. Here, the protagonist provides vicarious satisfaction. At least two seasons are possible.”
“Right?”
Then, PD Song Man-woo, having closed the script, said to Choi Na-na with a voice filled with aspiration.
“Writer Choi. Let’s do this together.”
“······Eh?”
Choi Na-na, momentarily stunned, was shocked.
“R-r-really??!!”
“Why would I joke with you? How many episodes have you written?”
“···O, only the first episode. What you’re seeing.”
“Then let’s get to work on episode two as soon as possible.”
“Wow- Is this a dream? This is a dream, right?”
PD Song Man-woo smiled in affirmation.
“It is a dream. How else do you survive in this industry with your sanity intact?”
As he reopened the script, he added another question.
“This protagonist. With his character’s vibe and how he carries the work, choosing the actor is key. Who do you have in mind?”
Choi Na-na looked at PD Song Man-woo, then turned to Park Eun-mi, and softly replied.
“······If it could be Kang Woojin, I’d have no other wish. It was a draft, but when revising, I thought of Woojin all the time.”
Then Park Eun-mi laughed softly.
“Looks like I’m going to lose this one, then.”
PD Song Man-woo gave a thumbs up.
“We’re on the same page from the start. Woojin is perfect for this.”
His mood darkened momentarily.
“Of course, there’s no guarantee Kang Totem will do it.”
Meanwhile, at Lee Wol-seon’s workspace.
Lee Wol-seon’s workspace was located near Sinnonhyeon Station. Unlike Park Eun-mi, whose apartment served as her workspace, Lee Wol-seon’s workspace was in a luxury officetel. Though, in essence, they both had a similar vibe.
Anyway.
-Flip.
In the living room of the workspace, Lee Wol-seon, a PD, assistant writers, and planning team members were gathered on the central sofa, in the midst of a script meeting. For reference, the script for ‘Freezing Love’ was up to episode 9, and they were currently looking at episode 10.
Then, Lee Wol-seon, who was naturally bare-faced without any accessories, asked the PD.
“How is it?”
She asked with confidence, almost anticipating the answer with a smile. Proving her right, the PD closed the script he was reviewing and gave a thumbs up.
“I find it interesting. Especially the psychological changes in ‘Song Tae-hyung’ and the restoration of relationships between people, it’s heartwarming. Meanwhile, events keep happening on the side, adding a sense of speed. However.”
“···However?”
“Even though ‘Mysterious Man Next Door’ doesn’t appear after the early part except in flashbacks, it would be nice if ‘Song Tae-hyung’ mentioned him around this point.”
“Ah- like he hasn’t been seen lately?”
“Yes. Caring about others itself signifies the growth of ‘Song Tae-hyung’. Later, covering it up by saying he moved away and then expressing regret will make ‘Song Tae-hyung’s’ transformation even more prominent.”
“‘Song Tae-hyung’s’ change will stand out even more.”
“Yes, Writer-nim.”
Taking it seriously as if it made sense, Writer Lee Wol-seon wrote something on the script she was looking at. At that moment, the PD, having taken off his cap, suddenly showed a faint smile.
“And Writer-nim, the broadcasting schedule for ‘Freezing Love’ has been confirmed.”
“Oh- Really? That was quick.”
“Yes, it’s scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights at 10 PM. The current ‘Bad Relationship’ airing on Fridays and Saturdays will end in the first week of November. After a special for one week and a single-episode drama for another week, the first episode of ‘Freezing Love’ will air on Friday, November 27th.”
The premiere date for KBC’s ‘Freezing Love’ was set for Friday, November 27th. Since today is the 22nd, there’s just over a month left. At this, Writer Lee Wol-seon’s face lit up slightly.
“Phew, no matter how many times I hear about the premiere, it always feels a bit heavy.”
“Hahaha, you, Writer? Come on.”
“Anyway, now that the premiere date is set, we should put more effort into promotion, right?”
“Yes, of course. We plan to run it more than twice as usual, especially since we have a spillover effect thanks to Woojin-nim right now.”
Indeed, that was the case. Due to Kang Woojin’s recent major issues, ‘Freezing Love’ was also frequently mentioned. Now was the perfect time to further increase its awareness.
At this point, the planning team manager joined the conversation.
“Writer-nim, speaking of promotion, Woojin-nim has always been a hot topic with great ticket power, but after the huge success of ‘Male Friend’, his popularity has skyrocketed, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right. I- never expected a short drama to top Netflix.”
“Even though Woojin-nim only makes a special appearance in our work, at this timing, it’s better to firmly highlight Woojin-nim’s presence rather than keeping it too hidden.”
Lee Wol-seon, who had her arms crossed, asked back.
“Are you suggesting we reveal what kind of role Woojin-nim will play in ‘Freezing Love’?”
“Exactly. The media is currently all over Woojin-nim, talking about his acting transformation, the man of a thousand faces, and so on.”
“The characters in ‘Park Dae-ri’ and ‘Male Friend’ are quite different, after all.”
“If we go from ‘Park Dae-ri’ to ‘Male Friend’, and then add ours, it will definitely grab attention. It’s the same for Woojin-nim too.”
The manager’s smile deepened.
“Especially since no one would dream it’s sign language acting.”
From the nationwide and Japan-hit ‘Park Dae-ri’ to ‘Male Friend’s ‘Han In-ho’, and with ‘Drug Dealer’s ‘Lee Sang-man’ waiting in the wings.
And then comes the ‘Mysterious Man Next Door’. No, sign language acting.
The manager’s judgment was sound, or at least Lee Wol-seon thought so. Throwing in the ‘Mysterious Man Next Door’ now, when Kang Woojin’s multifaceted acting was receiving attention, would indeed have a strong hook.
Therefore, Lee Wol-seon agreed with the manager’s suggestion.
“Then, let’s start distributing the prepared press releases related to Woojin-nim from today.”
This bait was thrown into the world around lunchtime.
『[Exclusive] In Lee Wol-seon’s ‘Freezing Love’, the role Kang Woojin plays involves ‘sign language acting’?』
Interestingly, at this time, there was another noteworthy piece of news.
-【Melon¹ Real-time TOP100 Chart】
It could be seen on the country’s No. 1 music platform.
-[1(new!)] Male Friend/Kang Woojin (‘Male Friend’ OST Part. 1)
First place.
The OST for ‘Male Friend’ caused a sensation just one day after its release.
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1) Melon is a music streaming service similar to Spotify, but for Koreans
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