Chapter 85

< Acceleration (1) >

The question was whether Kang Woojin had been a singer in the past. Choi Sunggeun's confusion spread to everyone in the studio, including Kim Sohyang, the general director.

“What? Mr. Choi, what do you mean? Is it true, or not?”

A dozen or so people were staring intently at Choi Sunggeun. In contrast, Choi Sunggeun, with his ponytail, was gazing at Kang Woojin, who was passionately singing in the booth.

‘I don’t know either. Whether it’s true or not.’

It was difficult to give a clear answer. There was no hint that Kang Woojin had been a singer. However, there was no guarantee that he hadn’t been one in the past.

Most importantly, that insane singing ability.

‘...If he has this level of skill, he must have done something in the past...’

Somehow, Choi Sunggeun managed to regain his composure and turned to the people staring at him.

“No. Let’s... listen a bit more.”

For now, the request was to listen to more of Kang Woojin’s singing. Although his expression was frustrated, Kim Sohyang, the general director, and the others turned their attention back to Woojin in the booth.

-♬♪

Woojin had already finished the first verse and was moving into the second. A sweet but somehow melancholic song, perfect for winter. Watching Kang Woojin, Choi Sunggeun slowly crossed his arms.

‘Did he perform as a faceless singer? Or did he busk somewhere abroad?’

Choi Sunggeun’s misunderstanding was growing. He recalled a few videos. Foreigners sitting freely on the streets somewhere abroad, performing busking. Whether they sang Korean or foreign songs, seeing the current Kang Woojin, Choi Sunggeun concluded that it was entirely possible.

‘There’s nothing unnecessary in acting. Any experience can be helpful.’

Emotion is a necessary element in music. If design was to hone creativity and reverse thinking, perhaps music was to flexibly learn various emotions?

‘...Design is necessary for acting, so singing must be similar.’

Choi Sunggeun was gradually falling into a delusion.

‘But with this level of skill, he could have been a real singer without any problem, right?’

He glanced at Hwa-rin, who was standing in front of him. She couldn’t take her eyes off Kang Woojin in the booth, her eyes slightly widened. As a super-popular singer for eight years, Hwa-rin was completely captivated by Woojin’s song.

‘If Hwa-rin, who doesn’t seem particularly close to Woojin, is reacting like this, it’s as good as saying everything.’

Choi Sunggeun let out a hollow laugh. It was absurd and ridiculous. Kang Woojin, indeed.

‘Just what kind of life have you lived? Did God create you separately?’

He had learned acting to the point of overshadowing top actors through self-study and was also fluent in foreign languages. Up to this point, it must have been a time of unimaginable hardship. And now, singing at the level of a professional singer?

It was hard to even imagine. Therefore, Choi Sunggeun gave up on common sense.

At this point, Kang Woojin in the booth.

-♬♪

He was approaching the second chorus. His voice was slightly lower, but the pitch was rising. It was like scratching the throat, right? A clear high note, but a slightly rough voice captivated the listeners.

Woojin had already become one with the song he was singing.

It’s unclear when it started, but the emotions hidden in the song began to envelop him. As a result, they deepened and intensified, enhancing the expressiveness and delivery of Kang Woojin’s voice.

It might have been the ability of the subspace.

After enhancing his singing, it helped with his acting diction. Conversely, when singing, his emotions became more intense. Woojin, singing the song like an actor, was like a fish in water. He loaded emotions into the lyrics and exploded them, using his voice as he wished. Kang Woojin became even more immersed in the song.

-♬♪

The more he did, the more the ‘male friend’ crew watched in awe. At this moment, Woojin’s tone, which had been extending endlessly, softened. It was near the end of the song, poignant and melancholic.

“...”

Kang Woojin finished the song and put down his phone. Then he praised himself.

‘Damn, this song used to be a disaster in karaoke. Huh, with this, other songs are a piece of cake.’

He almost smiled. No, he couldn’t. Woojin suddenly remembered his concept and made his expression even more neutral, taking off his headphones and lifting his head. Huh? For some reason, the people outside the booth were all pressed up against the window. What’s going on?

It was like a zoo.

Why did they have those expressions? The answer was one: my singing was amazing. Kang Woojin felt a strange sense of pleasure and spoke into the microphone.

“I’m done.”

However, the people outside the booth were silent for a moment.

“...”

“...”

The first to move was Hwa-rin, whose face was slightly red for some reason.

-Clap clap clap.

She slowly clapped her hands. This became the trigger.

-Clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

Everyone started clapping. As a result, a scene of the studio showering Kang Woojin with congratulations was created. Why go to such lengths? Although Woojin maintained a cynical attitude, he wasn’t in a bad mood.

‘Ah, keep your shoulders down. Don’t let them rise.’

Woojin calmly left the booth. At the same time, questions from the gathered people poured in.

The first was from the square-jawed director Shin Dongchun.

“Mr. Woojin! Wow, I’m really surprised. You can sing too??”

Next, a barrage of questions from people whose names were hard to list.

“Right! Wow, I thought you were a singer! You must be confident!”

“Amazing! I’m not just saying it lightly, I didn’t expect your singing to be this good.”

“Where did you train so hard?”

“Mr. Woojin, did you secretly do any singing activities?”

What are you talking about? Woojin shook his head solemnly.

“No, not at all.”

“...Then?”

“It was just a hobby.”

At this point, Choi Sunggeun’s eyes widened.

‘Crazy! A hobby? Damn, if this is a hobby, then trainee singers should be beaten up??’

Kim Sohyang, who had asked the question, let out a hollow laugh.

“A hobby... You’ve surpassed the level of a hobby.”

“Is that so?”

“Honestly, have you ever appeared on a singing audition show?”

“Not really.”

Amid the constant noise, Hwa-rin, who had been silent, was feeling an indescribable emotion. Her heart was burning. Light was shining from Kang Woojin.

‘This is why... people become fans.’

She deeply understood the hearts of fans who loved her. The tickling desire to do anything for them and the endlessly pounding heart. At this moment, Hwa-rin wasn’t particularly concerned about Kang Woojin’s singing ability.

‘What should I do? I feel like I’ll be a fan for life.’

Kim Sohyang, the general director, tapped Hwa-rin on the shoulder at this moment.

“Ms. Hwa-rin? What did you think of it?”

Only now did Hwa-rin, who had been in a daze, meet Kang Woojin’s eyes. She wanted to jump around the world and give a thumbs up. But she couldn’t look like a crazy person to Woojin.

“Good.”

“Just good?”

“You sing well. You have enough emotion for an actor.”

Although it was a slightly cold compliment, for some reason, Kang Woojin bowed his head slightly to Hwa-rin.

“Thank you.”

Regardless, Kim Sohyang moved things forward.

“First, Mr. Woojin, take a break. Ms. Hwa-rin, it’s your turn. Sing anything you like, even your own song.”

She had to match the tone and song of Woojin’s just now. Soon, Hwa-rin took a small deep breath and moved into the booth, and Kim Sohyang whispered to Choi Nana, the writer, and Shim Dongchun, the director.

“The ‘male friend’ episode 2, the ‘Han In-ho’ surprise scene. It’s going to be great, right?”

At this moment.

-♬♪

Hwa-rin’s song started. Her solo song. Everyone immediately focused on her song, including Kang Woojin.

‘Damn, I’m listening to this live.’

Here, Kim Sohyang whispered to Kang Woojin.

“Mr. Woojin, if she does well, she might sweep the charts, including Japan.”

Her smile was deep.

“Her skills are beyond words, and the combination of Hwa-rin’s and your voice is amazing.”

About an hour later.

Kang Woojin, who had finished the studio schedule, got into the minivan in the parking lot.

-Clunk!

The car immediately started. There was no time to waste, as he had to go to Incheon for the ‘Drug Dealer’ shoot. Taking off his cap, Woojin tilted his head from side to side.

‘Am I a bit tired?’

No matter how fun it was, the recording studio work was unfamiliar, so he must have been tense. Well, it’s fine. Woojin reached out to rest in the subspace, where scripts and scenarios were piled up.

-Swoosh.

He picked up ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ by Kyotaro, whom he had recently seen often. At this moment, Choi Sunggeun, who had been glancing at Woojin through the rearview mirror, asked.

“Woojin, have you read this?”

Woojin, who had raised his index finger, lifted his head.

“I’ve read half of it.”

“What do you think?”

‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ was already an A-grade work. Moreover, it was interesting, a mix of mystery and thriller.

“I’m looking at it positively.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Ah, do you know that the original author of this script is Takikawa Akari?”

“Takikawa Akari? Ah, that incredibly famous one.”

“Yes. One of her bestsellers.”

A slightly surprised Choi Sunggeun. He thought it was impressive that the giant director Kyotaro was adapting it, but he didn’t know it was the world-famous Akari. It was hard to read the Japanese original script.

Suddenly.

“Ah.”

A recent article that Choi Sunggeun had seen flashed in his mind. Akari, who was currently in Korea, and director Kyotaro, who had secretly entered the country. The script was based on Akari’s original work. Choi Sunggeun’s mind quickly came to a conclusion.

‘They came to Korea together, and the guest director Kyotaro is bringing to the set today is Akari.’

In other words, two giant figures were visiting to see Kang Woojin today. However, Choi Sunggeun didn’t tell Woojin. It was a secret matter.

‘What an incredible day this is.’

Meanwhile, Han Yejeong, with her short yellow hair, was asking Kang Woojin.

“Brother, where did you learn to sing?”

“No.”

“But why are you so good?”

Next, Choi Sunggeun, who had turned his body from the passenger seat, asked.

“Woojin, have you ever done singing activities abroad or busking? I’m not asking about your past, just to know.”

Busking? What busking. I took the bus every day, though. Kang Woojin spoke honestly.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Really just a hobby?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s a hobby—no, forget it. Anyway, did you take up singing as a hobby like design to help with acting?”

It felt like a deepening misunderstanding, but in any case, since it helped with acting, Kang Woojin nodded silently.

“Yes, something like that.”

Choi Sunggeun, who heard the answer, pretended to be serious. His mind was working at maximum speed.

“Just in case, let me ask. Do you have any thoughts about becoming a singer?”

No? Not at all. Kang Woojin was already busy as an actor.

‘I don’t even know the actor market clearly, let alone becoming a singer? That’s overkill.’

He might even go crazy. There was also a high possibility that his concept and misunderstandings would be exposed. Therefore, Woojin answered briefly and lowly.

“No, I have no plans.”

“Right? Of course, there are all-rounders who act and sing. Their activities change every year. One year as an actor, one year as a singer.”

“Tight schedule.”

“But what if your influence as an actor increases? Using it as a secondary character. It’s a waste to let your singing skills go to waste. No, it’s a crazy waste?”

That sounds good, doesn’t it? It’s a bit of a waste to have such abilities and not use them.

“That doesn’t sound bad. Do you have any ideas?”

“Yes, I do. Your foreign language skills, singing, and acting. The two things that come to mind immediately are setting up a YouTube channel and musical.”

Choi Sunggeun smiled meaningfully.

Around lunchtime, near Incheon Port.

It was a place with large warehouses lined up, offering a view of the vast sea. Among them, the ‘Drug Dealer’ shooting team was set up in front of a gray-painted warehouse.

“Let’s launch the drone!”

“Wait a moment!”

“We’ll shoot the sea insert first in 10 minutes!”

“Hey, spectators, move back! An accident might happen??”

The setup of cameras and other shooting equipment was already complete. The shooting team was surrounded by dozens of spectators. Actors were not visible, and the lead actor, Jin Jaejoon, was also absent. Among them, a middle-aged male actor was sitting at a temporary plastic table in front of the warehouse.

He looked to be in his late 50s.

His face was deeply wrinkled, but his aura was somewhat dull. He had an energy similar to a tiger. He was Park Panso, a versatile actor known as a ‘high-output machine’ in the acting world.

In ‘Drug Dealer,’ he played the role of Kim Hyunsoo, known as ‘Professor Kim.’

He appeared in the early part and left in the mid-to-late part. In the script, he was a character who manufactured drugs. Of course, he was also a key character. Anyway, his expression was dark.

Was it because of that?

“Senior.”

Director Kim Dohee, whose hair had become even more rough, approached Park Panso, who was sitting alone at the temporary table.

“Are you okay?”

Soon, Park Panso, who had been flipping through the script, slowly nodded.

“I’m fine. Just feeling a bit off.”

“Then take a break. We can shoot only your solo scenes today. The two-shot can be done tomorrow.”

“Can I do that? I’m fine, so I’ll go and work.”

“...Yes, if you feel tired, please let me know immediately.”

“Okay.”

After looking at Park Panso for a moment, Director Kim Dohee walked among the staff, and Park Panso returned his attention to the script. He clenched and unclenched his fist.

His palm was wet with sweat.

The tension of a veteran. Park Panso’s mind was filled with thoughts of acting. It was because of the new actor he had seen a few days ago. The newcomer who had performed brilliantly alongside Jin Jaejoon.

“Huh, to be nervous about a newcomer at this age.”

At that moment.

“Mr. Kang Woojin has arrived!!”

The new actor that the veteran had been thinking about arrived among dozens of staff. It was Kang Woojin. As soon as he arrived, he was greeted and congratulated by Director Kim Dohee and dozens of staff.

“Our Kang Star has arrived!”

“Hahaha, I saw the news! Congratulations! To be the lead in a film by Director Kwon Giteak!”

“The film industry is in an uproar! It’s a first in history.”

“Amazing, amazing! Debuting straight as the lead! And in a film by Director Kwon Giteak!”

For about 10 minutes, Kang Woojin, who was being congratulated by everyone, calmly approached Park Panso at the temporary table.

“Hello, sir.”

Park Panso, who stood up from his seat, smiled slightly.

“Yes, nice to see you. I heard some good news. Congratulations.”

Park Panso extended his hand. At this moment, Kang Woojin inwardly shouted.

‘The presence is overwhelming, wow—going all out with the etiquette.’

As a result, Kang Woojin’s face became even more composed. In that state, he shook Park Panso’s hand.

“Thank you.”