Chapter 148: Artillery Fire (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Since Kang Woojin made his appearance in the domestic entertainment industry, many epithets have followed him. Monster rookie, acting genius, Chungmuro’s blue chip, rising star, etc. Among them, words like ‘unique’ or ‘first-ever’ stood out distinctly. Indeed, the waves he created in the industry were not just one or two.

This applied to Kang Woojin himself as well.

For him, a ordinary citizen, everything he did in the entertainment industry was novel and a first. And now, in the entertainment industry and as Woojin, he had set a first, quite a remarkable precedent.

[Today’s Top 10 Contents in South Korea]

1. Male Friend

The mere short drama ‘Male Friend’ taking first place. Just one day after launch. Pushing aside all the other formidable and Netflix’s blockbuster contents. Of course, Woojin had already taken first place with Hanryang. However, ‘Male Friend’ was a bit different from Hanryang. Hanryang was full of top actors, and Kang Woojin was a supporting role.

But this time, it was his first achievement as a lead.

Thus, Kang Woojin was.

‘1st place… Crazy! I really took 1st place??!’

He was almost glowing with excitement as he looked at Netflix’s overall rankings. His face maintained a firm concept of indifference to the world, but in his heart, he wanted to immediately embrace Han Ye-jung, Choi Sung-gun, and other staff members.

‘Wow- Fuck!! I wasn’t not expecting it, but seeing it actually… Ah, no. Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh, you bastard!’

He wanted to dance a shoulder dance, or even a talchum¹. At that moment, the voice of executive director Kim So-hyang, came through the phone Woojin had pressed to his ear.

“Huh? Woojin-ssi, are you listening?”

Woojin snapped back to reality and forcibly doused the burning excitement within him with cold water. Calm down, calm down. Then, an amazingly low deep voice came out.

“Ah, yes. I’m listening.”

“Aren’t you happy? It’s a first, you know?”

“Yes. I’m happy. It’s good news.”

“Your tone doesn’t sound too happy?”

“No, I’m happy.”

“Hm? Ah, right. The OST release and the opening in Japan are still ahead, so it’s too early to be happy, right? I see.”

Eh? What’s that? Suddenly, what are you talking about? Regardless, Kim So-hyang once again ended the call with congratulations. Simultaneously, not only Choi Sung-gun but also Jang Su-hwan, Han Ye-jung, and all the staff were jubilant.

“Huge, huge!! Congrats, oppa!”

“Hyung! Ah- I’m so happy for you! Yes!”

“1st place! 1st place!!”

Seeing them celebrating on his behalf, Woojin showed a satisfied smile inwardly. Soon, Choi Sung-gun, who had calmed everyone’s frenzy, looked at Woojin and smiled.

“Alright, everyone calm down. Look at Woojin, huh? Acting as if he expected all this, so calm. Let’s act like it was easy for us too, something like that.”

Kim So-hyang and Choi Sung-gun might have made mistaken assumptions on their own, but Kang Woojin, as usual, handled it with composure.

“There were many events. Including Hwalin-nim, everyone worked hard.”

“Right. Honestly, it would have been weird if ‘Male Friend’ didn’t succeed.”

Choi Sung-gun, grinning wryly, patted Woojin’s shoulder.

“In a bit, the media and public opinion will chew us up and spit us out. You know?”

Afterwards.

Kang Woojin, concealing his frenzy, started the post-recording for ‘Freezing Love’. Although it was a role without lines, a simple voice-over by Woojin related to sign language translations or subtitles was planned, somewhat like a narration.

Of course, congratulations poured in even here.

“Wow- Woojin-ssi, I heard the news, well done!!”

“Congratulations! Haha!”

“Being number 1 on Netflix with a short drama is a first, right?? It’s going to be buzzing again!”

The joy from the directing PDs and key staff was genuine. If Kang Woojin does well, it would also benefit ‘Freezing Love’.

Approximately 1 hour later.

While Woojin was fully engrossed in post-recording, the press was already spreading articles about the success of ‘Male Friend’.

『[Issue Pick] ‘Male Friend’, the first short drama to claim Netflix’s No. 1 spot!』

『’Male Friend’ makes a splash… Dominates other formidable works to stand first just one day after its release』

『’Netflix Short Drama Project’ successful, Kang Woojin♥Hwalin’s ‘Male Friend’ off to a blockbuster start』

Although the media itself rushed in because the work had been highly anticipated even before its release,

『’New face of Kang Woojin’… ‘Male Friend’ receives universal acclaim upon release』

『[Drama Issue] ‘Male Friend’ was not your typical rom-com, captivating viewers from the start with a ‘real kiss scene’』

The firepower of Kang Woojin and Hwalin themselves, the power of the two actors’ agencies, and Netflix Korea combined to unleash an overwhelming volume of attention.

『’Male Friend’, not boring or bland… Deep skinship as another point of interest in watching the drama』

『’Male Friend’ takes 1st place, netizens say ‘Kang Woojin and Hwalin match so well together’ – A pink atmosphere brewing?』

‘Male Friend’ was indeed an issue worth selling and had many aspects connected to it.

『Kang Woojin.Hwalin to show their chemistry in PD Yoon Byung-seon’s ‘Our Dining Table’ after ‘Male Friend’?』

『Kang Woojin shows a ‘tsundere’ boyfriend… What will he look like in the upcoming release of ‘Drug Dealer’ next week?』

By morning, and around lunchtime, ‘Male Friend’ had taken over the entertainment pages of various portal sites. There was also a lot of talk about Kang Woojin’s transformation as an actor.

『[Star Photo] Kang Woojin of ‘Male Friend’, captivates women’s hearts with a 180-degree different acting from ‘Park Dae-ri’』

『”A Thousand Faces’ proven… Kang Woojin stamps his mark on the public not as a murderer but as a lover / Photo』

It was naturally because it was a role completely different from his previous ones.

『“Different in every work” Praises pour in for Kang Woojin’s acting, what kind of performance will he show in upcoming works like ‘Island of the Missing’ and ‘Drug Dealer’?』

The intensity of the mentions was extraordinary. It wasn’t just about being newsworthy. It was about the addition of charm, the expansion of a new image, and the burgeoning popularity.

As ‘Han In-ho’ became popular in ‘Male Friend,’ Woojin, portraying ‘Han In-ho,’ became even more popular.

『[Feature] ‘Male Friend’ shows the potential of short dramas in the escalating OTT war』

‘Male Friend’ was exactly following the footsteps of a successful production. Word of mouth spread through various media. By this point, the bombardment from public opinion was even more intense than from the press.

Numerous communities were already flooded.

– Watched up to episode 2 of ‘Male Friend’, and it’s fun

– Seriously, ‘Male Friend’ is legit amazing?

– Kang Woojin is going to rise even more with this ㅋㅋㅋacting transformation is insane ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Hwalin is so pretty.JPG

– So, is ‘Male Friend’ worth binge-watching?

– First short drama to take Netflix’s No. 1 spot with ‘Male Friend’ (Article)

– Early no-holds-barred kiss scene in episode 1 of ‘Male Friend’.GIF

– Park Dae-ri: Ah, I wish it was more intense, it’d more exciting

– The only regrettable thing about ‘Male Friend’ (feat. the presence of the main character)

·

·

‘Male Friend’ began to be immortalized in the internet world, including cafes, blogs, and SNS. In fact, there had been precursors since yesterday, but today it became blatantly destructive.

Offline was incredible as well.

‘Male Friend’ was nearly always part of people’s conversations. In the streets, company break rooms, cafes, etc.

“Did anyone watch ‘Male Friend’ yesterday?”

“I did! Right when I got home! It was fun, wasn’t it?”

“I watched it too on the subway coming to work today since it’s No. 1 on Netflix, but Kang Woojin’s acting is totally different? I really enjoyed Hanryang, but Park Dae-ri is nowhere to be seen.”

“Right, right. How should I put it? Didn’t it perfectly capture those heart-fluttering moments?”

“Yeah! Like he’s tsundere but the way he looks at Hwalin is so tender! He acts so delicately. Ah, when Kang Woojin sang in the middle…”

“First off, he’s handsome. But his mask is totally different, I thought he would be stereotyped into strong characters.”

“Ha- I wish I had a ‘Male Friend’ like that.”

“Kang Woojin as a ‘Male Friend’? That’s just fantasy.”

It spread rapidly. It even appeared prominently in BJ’s live streams, and, sensitive to hits and issues, Youtube was quickly filled with ‘Male Friend’ related videos.

– 《Male Friend》, a drama that shows a sweet yet strange emotional battle!! | DramaLand

– Is it CG? Too real skinship collection of Kang Woojin and Hwalin (Male Friend) | IssueIssueFruitTV

– ‘Male Friend’ Kang Woojin acting compilation | WannaSeeIssue

‘Male Friend’ was like a bullet, bombarding the entertainment world crazily on the 20th too.

Interestingly, by the afternoon, there was a buzz in Japan too.

– Heard ‘Male Friend’ is doing really well in Korea??

– Ah!! Please release it on Netflix Japan soon!!

– Why… start with Korea… release it for us now too

·

·

·

Japan was eager to lift the lid on it two days later, on the 22nd. All this buzz continued on 20th. And did it cool down on the 21st, the next day?

Not at all.

『Mega-hit ‘Male Friend’, still at 1st place on its second day of release』

‘Male Friend’ was not just a flash in the pan. Its core was solid. Hence, it maintained its position as the number one overall rank on Netflix Korea even on its second day of release, the 21st.

And on this day, at noon, the first OST of ‘Male Friend’ was released on all music platforms.

– [(new!)] Male Friend / Kang Woojin (‘Male Friend’ OST Part. 1)

A song from Kang Woojin’s part. The remaining OST songs were planned to be released over time. Anyway, the OST song sung by Woojin exploded with excessive attention as soon as it was released, from the top music platform in the country to the second and third.

The number of comments on the song’s detail page.

– ???: Wish you would release a few more songs because it’s not enough

– Seriously… what can’t Kang Woojin do??

– Fuck ㅋㅋㅋㅋ he sings really well

– Kang Woojin is becoming perfect in acting, singing, looks, Youtube, etc.

– The song is really good…. Especially Kang Woojin’s voice is really killer… The slight raspiness at the high notes is legit

– Please!! Kang Woojin!! Be my male friend!!!

·

·

·

It was popular enough to rival hit songs from the start.

The same day, late afternoon. Kang Woojin’s house.

Around 9 o’clock. Even though the world was buzzing with ‘Male Friend’, Woojin was at home. His schedule had finished reasonably early. The funny thing was that there were quite a few guests at Woojin’s house. Choi Sung-gun, Jang Su-hwan, Han Ye-jung, including two other stylists. A total of six people, including Kang Woojin, gathered because of the previously mentioned cooking-related reason.

“Wow- Woojin, you keep your place neat?”

“Right, right! Amazing! Oppa, your place is really clean!”

“Do you like minimalist interior design??”

“Or is it because you’re too busy to even make a mess??”

Choi Sung-gun and the staff, after placing various gifts to one side, gathered around the kitchen table, marveling at Woojin’s tidy home.

“It’s like a housewarming party now. Normally, we should have done this earlier.”

“Today can be both a housewarming and a ‘Male Friend’ celebration party!”

Regrettably, the table was meant for four, so the large-built Jang Su-hwan had to sit at a table in the living room. Around this time, Kang Woojin nonchalantly tied on an apron in the kitchen. It was a grey and black apron. His expression was blank.

Here.

“Oppa, wait a minute.”

Han Ye-jung took several shots of Kang Woojin wearing an apron with a camera phone. Not just one, but about five shots.

“We can’t miss such a precious moment. These came out well, if this goes up on Oppa’s SNS, comments will flood in.”

As they checked the results together, Choi Sung-gun instructed Han Ye-jung.

“Ye-jung, you have a tripod, right? For the phone.”

“Yes, I have one.”

“Let’s set it up, film everything Woojin is cooking now. We’ll use it as a teaser video for the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel.”

“Ah, okay.”

Somehow, the guests had created work for themselves. Kang Woojin, who had paused in tying his apron, looked at the people in front and seemed fed up.

‘These workaholics. It’s just cooking. Take a break!’

Despite starting the shoot, Woojin couldn’t just do it half-heartedly. With a concept thicker than usual, he opened the refrigerator. The ingredients he had bought on his way were all fresh, and Choi Sung-gun’s question came from behind.

“Kang Star, so what’s the menu?”

As Woojin was taking out the packaged pork, he replied,

“It’s spicy pork.”

Immediately, the staff let out salivating exclamations.

“Wow!”

“Just hearing the name makes it sound delicious, I’m hungry!”

“Totally love it! But didn’t you say you were going to make something simple?? Spicy pork stir-fry isn’t exactly easy, is it?”

“Oppa… are you sure it’s okay?”

Woojin, taking out a pan similar to a wok, briefly answered,

“It’ll be edible.”

Woojin was always similar, regardless of the situation. However, this time, Choi Sung-gun, Han Ye-jung, and the other staff were a bit worried. Could he really cook well? What if the taste was a bit off? Should they honestly say it’s not tasty?

The staff murmured quietly among themselves.

“But CEO~nim, if it’s going to be on YouTube, the recipe has to be solid, right?”

“That’s right.”

“What if the taste is lacking?”

“…I don’t know, let’s just trust Woojin for now.”

Then, everyone looked at Woojin, who was wearing an apron, and Woojin recalled two things imprinted in his mind. No, in fact, they were already ingrained in his body.

Chef’s techniques and recipes.

‘Yeah, it’s coming to me right away. Geez, talk about a cheat. Me, who thought I could only boil ramen, cooking!’

Woojin, marveling anew, neatly arranged the meat and ingredients. Just the right amount to use. This too was part of a chef’s technique. Soon, Woojin said,

“Shall we go for a bit spicy?”

“Good! I like it!”

“Nice.”

He moved his hands according to the ‘spicy pork recipe’ that came to mind instantly.

-Swish.

He coated the pan, similar to a wok, with cooking oil. First, he added soy sauce, then pork, a spoonful of sugar, and a bit more cooking oil. And then he began to stir-fry. Clatter, clatter. Using his wrist snap appropriately.

At this sight, Han Ye-jung with blue bob hair slightly marveled,

“Wow. Oppa, the way your hands move is a bit… not ordinary.”

That was when.

-Thuk thuk thuk thuk thuk!

Woojin was chopping cabbage, onions, and carrots on the cutting board. But his knife skills were dazzling. Uniform and swift. That technique was definitely not something that could come out of self-taught cooking. From here, Choi Sung-gun and the staff started to feel it.

‘Wow!!’

‘What, what. Just by looking at the knife skills, he’s clearly professional?!’

It was different from the ordinary or adequate.

Regardless, Woojin quietly continued cooking. After setting aside the adequately cooked meat, he added vegetables to the same wok. Just like before, Woojin stir-fried them with soy sauce and then combined the chopped vegetables with the meat.

-Sizzle!!

Soon, a savory smell spread throughout the house. Then Woojin added minced garlic, red pepper paste, fine chili powder, corn syrup, oyster sauce, cooking wine, etc. His moving hands were unhindered. No hesitation.

Finally, he added Cheongyang chili peppers for an extra kick of spiciness.

‘Ah, I should have used some sesame seeds. Tsk. I’ll have to buy some ingredients when I have time.’

Leaving the disappointment behind, Kang Woojin finished the cooking. It didn’t take long. He took out a large bowl and placed the completed spicy pork in it. It wasn’t just simply placed.

– Swoosh.

He started with the meats, then topped them with colorful vegetables. It was plating. Soon, the steaming spicy pork was placed at the center of the dining table where Choi Sung-gun and the staff were seated.

The red sheen of the juicy spicy pork.

Just by looking at it, saliva pooled in the mouth, conjuring thoughts of white rice and a shot of soju. A color palette irresistible to any Korean. This spicy pork was vividly captured by the phone Han Ye-jung had set up. Of course, Kang Woojin’s cooking process was equally recorded.

“Please eat.”

As Woojin murmured softly while serving rice, the staff with widened eyes all turned their gaze to the company’s leader, indicating him to eat first. Choi Sung-gun, with a shocked face, slowly picked up his chopsticks.

‘The color and smell are killer but-‘

What about the taste? Choi Sung-gun scooped up both meat and vegetables and put them in his mouth.

Immediately, his eyes widened dramatically as if struck by lightning.

“Crazy.”

Choi Sung-gun unexpectedly cursed with an exclamation.

“The taste… why is it like this? It’s killer? It’s somehow different from the spicy pork I know. Anyway, it great. It’s several times tastier than what my mom used to make. What did you put in this, Woojin?”

No sooner had he finished speaking.

“Really??!”

“That good??”

“Ack! Wait! Me too!!”

The staff pounced on the spicy pork like beasts.

****

Notes:

1) Talchum is a Korean dance performed while wearing a mask, and often involves singing and dancing.