May 5 was Children's Day in Japan.
It was morning. Japan lagged a step behind Korea, but the entire country was buzzing with news about Kang Woojin. The media and public opinion were in the same mood. The news that Woojin had won two awards at Baeksang had already spread far and wide, and then the collaboration with Miley Cara and the release of the Kimjaban Makguksu cup noodles suddenly became a major topic.
Those two pieces of news were already blazing across Japanese social media.
『The hugely popular Kang Woojin cup noodles have now landed in the Japanese market』
The news involving Miley Cara, in particular, sent a major shock through the Japanese entertainment industry. And the Kimjaban Makguksu cup noodles were also selling like crazy in Japan.
It had caught Japan's trends perfectly.
[@Junuu22]
[I went all the way to Shin-Okubo to buy Kang Woojin's cup noodles!! They're seriously delicious!!! I'm not kidding! I waited in line forever, but it was totally worth it!! Hurry and go buy some!]
[#KangWoojin #KangWoojinCupNoodles #KimjabanMakguksu]
Japanese fans uploaded all kinds of proof photos, and even Japanese YouTubers were making videos about the Kimjaban Makguksu cup noodles. There were even many videos showing different recipes made with them.
But they still could not watch Our Table there.
A few edited clips had been uploaded to YouTube, but compared to Korea, there were far fewer. The current craze existed entirely because of Kang Woojin. His influence was shaking the Japanese public.
[Finally bought Kang Woojin's cup noodles!!]
[I'm jealous… I still haven't found them at any convenience stores near my house… When are they going to start selling them there?]
[If you can't find them, go to Shin-Okubo! You have to wait in line, but it looks like they have a lot of stock!]
[Ugh, I ate these all week]
[But did Kang Woojin really develop these himself?]
More precisely, he developed the recipe, and then it was turned into a product.
[What exactly is Kang Woojin? A chef? Or an actor?]
[He's doing voice acting now, and he's even working on an album with Miley Cyrus… I'm starting to think he might actually be an alien]
[Eek! An alien! Honestly, that would make sense!]
Meanwhile, the actor Kang Woojin, who was stirring up attention in both Korea and Japan, was staying in a hotel. At one of Tokyo's finest hotels, Kang Woojin had just woken up and was brushing his teeth in the bathroom, dressed in black pajamas.
…
His hair was a mess, and his eyes were unfocused. He had only just woken up. He brushed his teeth mechanically, indifferently. His usual image was set aside for the moment. Naturally, at that very moment, notifications were pouring into the phone lying on the bed.
Bzzzz.
Bzzzz.
KakaoTalk messages, texts, and DMs came flooding in. The reason was obvious. They were messages from Korean acquaintances and colleagues who had seen the Island of the Missing trailer. Even last night had been complete chaos.
"Hoo, I'm so tired."
After rinsing out his mouth, Kang Woojin let out a sigh. The accumulated exhaustion was obvious. Which made sense. The moment he arrived in Japan, he resumed filming The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, and even while staying in Korea, his Japan schedule had been packed.
'These days, isn't the hotel practically my house? If that's the case, do I even need a house?'
He had never endured a schedule this brutal in his life. If not for the void space, he would have raised the white flag long ago. It was fun, of course, but physically, Kang Woojin was under tremendous pressure.
'Ah, damn it. Today's packed too, isn't it?'
There was no filming for The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice today, but he did have a brief meeting with Director Kyotaro, then he had to go to A10 Studio for Boy Friend: Remake. In the afternoon, he had an interview and a photo shoot, and in the evening, he had to film a personal promotional video ahead of Island of the Missing's release. The entire Island of the Missing team was nonstop because of promotions, but since Kang Woojin had come to Japan alone, he had to handle all of it by himself.
An hour later.
Kang Woojin and Choi Sunggeon, with his hair tied back in a ponytail, appeared in the hotel lounge.
──────────
The eyes of the people in the lounge quickly turned to Woojin. Unlike the morning, Kang Woojin now looked neat in a blue shirt. Of course, his face was filled with a calm, chic expression. But inside, he was thinking something else.
'Damn, what is this smell of bread? It smells amazing!'
With his cap pulled down low, Kang Woojin met Director Kyotaro, whose white hair showed through in places. He had come to meet Woojin briefly before filming. Director Kyotaro, who had been looking at his phone, smiled at Woojin and spoke in Japanese.
"Haha, Woojin. We're both busy, so let's get straight to the point."
"Yes, Director."
Director Kyotaro pulled out several sheets of paper and showed them to Woojin. They were scenes from The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice script.
"These scenes may already be familiar to you, but I'd like to make a slight change. I've already discussed it with Writer Akari and the key staff, and I told Mana Kusaku about it yesterday."
…
"It's the first meeting scene between Kiyoshi and Detective Mochio. We're going to shoot it in two ways. One will follow the storyboard as planned, and the other will be done without a script, allowing the actors to perform freely. I'd like you and Mana Kusaku to express it however you want. What do you think?"
Freely? Was he talking about ad-lib? Throwing the characters into a situation and letting them figure it out on their own? He was slightly surprised by the unexpected suggestion, but Kang Woojin's face remained calm. His usual nature showed a little, but there was sincerity in it too.
'I like the idea of being able to play the character freely.'
It was not especially difficult.
"Yes, it doesn't seem particularly difficult."
"Good. According to the schedule, though, there's a strong chance this version will be revealed on the very last day of filming for The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice."
"Really?"
"Yes. And on that day, we may have a few guests. Writer Akari, film company executives, and even Chairman Yoshimura Hideki."
In other words, everyone connected to The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice would be gathered in one place.
Time flew.
While Kang Woojin was handling his schedule in Japan, a movie war was raging in Korea.
The peak season had begun.
『Children's Day, theaters packed with people… truly the peak season / Photo』
Long-awaited films were beginning to release one by one. Last week's popular films quickly faded, and the newly released ones were starting to hit big. Upcoming blockbusters and Hollywood films also launched fierce promotional battles. Not wanting to lose, Island of the Missing pushed its marketing and promotions even harder.
Island of the Missing | Third Official Trailer | Harmony Film
On YouTube and various other video platforms, they poured out teaser trailers, character introduction videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and other promotional material, driving audiences into a frenzy. Other films were doing the same. According to their schedules, actors were fueling the movie war by attending stage greetings, appearing on variety shows, and guesting on YouTube broadcasts.
『From Hollywood blockbusters to films by master directors… new movies are pouring in, and theaters are all smiles』
Then, on Saturday, May 8.
Taking advantage of Parents' Day, Kang Woojin's parents, Seo Hyunmi and Kang Woochul, attended the premiere screening of Island of the Missing. Not just the two of them, but also Kang Hyuna, Kang Woojin's younger sister, and her friends came along. As Woojin's sister and part of the fan club Kang's Heart, they had all attended at Woojin's invitation.
When Seo Hyunmi and Kang Woochul arrived at the theater, their faces were full of emotion.
"Oh my, honey, look at that monitor. Our Woojin is the lead."
"Hyunmi, why are you getting emotional about it only now? But our son really does look handsome."
Seo Hyunmi was holding a small Island of the Missing poster. On it was a group photo of the actors in military uniforms with a cave in the background.
"It looks so good. Woojin is right there in the center of this poster too."
"That's right. He didn't stand out this much in Drug Dealer."
On the posters and standees for Island of the Missing displayed all over, Kang Woojin stood proudly in the very front together with the other top stars. Not long after, Kang Hyuna called out to her parents from in front of the screening hall.
"Mom! Dad!! We have to go in!"
Thanks to famous director Kwon Gitaek, a cast full of top stars, and Kang Woojin, who was at the center of attention, Island of the Missing had generated strong buzz as its promotions began in earnest. But by the time of its official release on May 19, other film companies had also entered the battle with serious competition.
"More articles! Push out more articles! It's nowhere near enough!!"
"I'll ask distribution right away!!"
"Push out twice as much as Island of the Missing! The current promotion schedule isn't enough, so talk to the actors and get them into more variety shows!"
"Yes, understood!!"
The competing films were pouring massive budgets into promotion, especially as the 19th approached.
"It's the peak season right now! You all need to stay sharp. Have you seen the reactions to the Island of the Missing trailer?"
"There aren't that many yet, but it's getting a lot of praise. The quality really does seem high!"
"Of course it does. It's Kwon Gitaek. Damn it, honestly, the worst-case scenario is that the story is bad and the movie itself collapses…"
"Isn't releasing on the 19th a little risky?"
"No. Now is the perfect timing. It's Buddha's Birthday and a holiday too. If we delay the release, a bunch of Hollywood blockbusters will come out, and right now Island of the Missing has the best chance of winning the competition."
Four films opened on the 19th. Three were Korean films, and one was a Hollywood film.
"Double the YouTube ads."
"But don't we already have the most?"
"We need to look overwhelmingly stronger. At least the one good thing is that Kang Woojin isn't in Korea right now. This is our chance."
While the competing films raced fiercely toward box office success, the film industry was drowning in a flood of new releases. But Kang Woojin supported Island of the Missing in a different way, including through issues that had already spread widely in the media and public opinion.
[Channel name: Kang Woojin's Alter Ego]
[Subscribers: 13.21 million]
[Videos: 52]
He had an enormous channel.
@Wooji_n
[Posts: 230]
[Followers: 20.08 million]
[Following: 67]
Kang Woojin was an actor, but he was also an outstanding YouTuber and influencer.
And with that, the curtain rose on the movie war.
『The movie war opens on May 19… Island of the Missing fully prepared』
The morning of May 19 arrived.
Wednesday, May 19. Buddha's Birthday.
It was late morning. Because it was a holiday, Seoul's subways and buses were much quieter than on an ordinary weekday. They were still crowded, but compared to rush hour, they looked far more relaxed.
At that moment, three familiar young men were spotted at a large multiplex near Pangyo Station.
The three had just gotten into an elevator.
"Ah, man, I seriously can't believe I'm at a movie theater with you guys on my day off."
"Lee Kyungseong, take the candy out of your mouth before you talk. What have you been eating since morning? And haven't we actually gone to the movies together before? When we watched Woojin's Exorcism."
"Hehe, Kyungseong was eating popcorn then too."
"Shut up. Hyunggu, you were eating too."
They were Kang Woojin's close friends. The reason they came to the theater despite grumbling was simple.
To watch the officially released Island of the Missing.
Kim Daeyoung, who had just pressed the floor button, spoke to Na Hyunggu, who had been texting someone nonstop since earlier.
"Where's your girlfriend?"
"I think she's waiting in the lobby."
"Ah, got it."
For the record, the three had been invited to Woojin's preview screening, but because of schedule conflicts, they were unable to attend. That was why they had gathered today.
With each floor, more and more people packed into the elevator, and there were even people who had to wait for the next one because there was no room.
Pressed into the corner, Na Hyunggu whispered to Kim Daeyoung.
"Hey, there are seriously so many people. Are they all here to watch movies?"
"I'm 100% sure. Nobody's even pressing buttons for the other floors."
"Wow, that's crazy. It's only 11 in the morning, and there are already this many people—"
"It's a holiday. Plus, this is the peak season when theaters are packed anyway."
Ding!
While they were talking, the elevator reached the theater floor, and the moment the doors opened, people poured out like a flood. The three friends joined the stream.
At the same time, their mouths fell open.
"Whoa… what the hell is this??"
"There are way too many people. What is going on???"
"This is insane. Did a war break out or something? Why is it packed like everyone's trying to flee?"
They were stunned by the sea of people filling the theater lobby. The ticket booths, concession stands, waiting area—everywhere was packed. Families, couples, male and female friends, people who came alone.
If not for the lighting, the theater lobby would have looked like a nightclub. It was that crowded.
"Wow, my ears hurt."
"Na Hyunggu, find your girlfriend fast. At this rate, you might lose her in the crowd."
"Okay. Ah! Over there! Jinju!"
The group that had started with three grew to four once Na Hyunggu's girlfriend joined them.
The leader of the group was the sturdy Kim Daeyoung.
"…This place is a war zone. Lee Kyungseong, if you want to buy anything, do it right now. Hyunggu, if you want a picture with your girlfriend, take it now. I'll get the tickets."
"Sounds good."
"But you reserved them already, right?"
"Of course. I booked them the moment tickets went on sale a few days ago."
The group scattered quickly. After waiting a long time, Kim Daeyoung finally reached the ticket machine and printed out the tickets. The line was so long that the task alone took fifteen minutes. Holding the printed tickets, he looked at the crowd again in amazement and pulled out his phone.
"Wow, if Bundang is this bad, how much crazier must Seoul be?? At this rate, it's going to be a complete sellout parade."
He checked the schedule for the theater. Four new films were opening that day.
Among them, Kim Daeyoung had already reserved tickets for Island of the Missing.
[CCV Pangyo]
[Wednesday, May 19 / Screening Schedule]
[2D / Island of the Missing / Theater 2]
[9:05~11:12 / Sold Out]
[12:20~14:32 / Sold Out]
[16:10~18:22 / Sold Out]
[20:05~22:37 / Sold Out]
[23:00~1:27 / 20 seats left]
·
·
·
·
Kim Daeyoung's eyes widened.
"This is insane?!"
Every screening was sold out.
He quickly searched for Island of the Missing on the portal site. The first thing that caught his eye was a news article.
『Island of the Missing takes first place at the box office on opening day!』
[Could Island of the Missing become the biggest hit of this summer peak season?]
At present, Director Kwon Gitaek's Island of the Missing has taken first place at the box office on its opening day among this season's new releases, while also recording the highest reservation rate across major multiplex chains such as CCV.
Island of the Missing opened with the sound of a solo lead guitar.