Chapter 161: Solo (8)

Translator: Dreamscribe

3rd Nov. Da Nang International Airport.

October had ended and November had just begun a few days ago. Yet, Vietnam was still hot, and at the moment when the overseas location shooting of ‘Island of the Missing’ had ended, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had taken an additional two-day break, was boarding the plane.

Naturally, he was on his way back to Korea.

-Swish.

Sitting in the spacious business class, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was also wearing shorts and slippers today, took off the safari hat he was wearing. And then.

“……”

With an indifferent face, Director Ahn Ga-bok pulled out a thick bundle of papers. It was the script for ‘Island of the Missing’ received from Director Kwon Ki-taek.

-Flap.

He intended to read the script for ‘Island of the Missing’ throughout the return journey or even after arriving in Korea.

“Hmm.”

It was partly to gauge the differences between the actual location and the script, but more to vividly recall Kang Woojin’s acting, namely Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’s performance.

-Flap.

“……”

At the same time, Director Ahn Ga-bok fell into deep thought. Of course, his focus was on Kang Woojin.

‘Sometimes showing something strange or unfamiliar in his eyes. Hidden essence, but still, once immersed in acting, he was filled with the character’s traits only. But why does it feel unsettling?’

The more he talked with Kang Woojin, the more certain he became, but on the contrary, he felt like he was being pushed into a fog. It had been a long time since he took such a deep interest not just in acting but in an actor as a person. Director Ahn Ga-bok, who usually values what an actor possesses beyond their acting, found his contemplation deepening.

Why? What does the enigmatic aura emitted by that rookie actor signify?

‘The fog enveloping that child, what does it mean?’

Director Ahn Ga-bok had completed his investigation on Kang Woojin before coming to Vietnam. The extent to which casting directors (CDs) usually do. Anyway, Kang Woojin’s past information was scant. No college, theater troupe, or academy. Kang Woojin’s traces were nowhere to be found in the domestic acting scene.

However, there were quite a few rumors floating around in the entertainment industry.

‘He worked at a design company just before debuting, right?’

There was also talk of him being studied abroad. But he self-taught acting. The recent controversy surrounding Kang Woojin also caught attention. The assertions that Kang Woojin’s past and present personalities are 180 degrees different, as if he is a completely different person, possibly having a dual personality or being an identical twin, etc. This was briefly a topic of discussion but is now buried.

‘Testimonies from those who know Kang Woojin’s past.’

Most of it would be nonsense, but piecing together the various statements, it seemed Kang Woojin had led a rather ordinary life. However, that was even more bizarre. How could that monster have lived so ordinarily? Currently, Kang Woojin possesses too much. Not just his immense acting ability but also various languages including sign language, vocal skills, and so on.

‘It’s like awl in a bag.’

No matter how much one tries to hide greatness, it eventually becomes visible to others. In other words, Kang Woojin must have been exceptional from a young age. It would have been difficult to live quietly.

No matter how much one tries to hide or live ordinarily, eventually, it would have been noticeable.

But why is it only now being revealed?

Why did no one know? Why did he keep silent? And why, only after becoming an actor, did he suddenly reveal so much all at once?

At that moment.

‘……Perhaps.’

Something flashed in Director Ahn Ga-bok’s mind.

‘If everything was intentional?’

Not accidentally revealed but waited for this moment to show off everything deliberately? To hide his extraordinariness, he lived his life casting smokescreens?

‘Like a chameleon, carrying the casualness that could be seen anywhere and blending into the environment-‘

With this premise, everything was explained. To hide his extraordinariness, he put his life into displaying ordinariness. His life was used as a stage for practicing acting. And that is still ingrained in him.

In other words, a camouflage.

The essence must be there, but it has never been shown to anyone until now. A rookie actor who manages diverse personas by remembering and recording methods while portraying various personas. It would be nearly impossible for an ordinary person, but not difficult if one has invested their life into it.

‘Occasionally showing something strange or unfamiliar or is that the essence. Was that also just a shell?’

Indeed, a shell. Director Ahn Ga-bok’s insight was top-notch. The veteran’s keen intuition.

‘Causing confusion with a shell that looks like the essence to hide the real thing.’

But that was just a clever mistake.

The next day, Wednesday, the 4th. Kang Woojin’s officetel.

Late morning. As soon as Kang Woojin, who had finished the overseas location schedule for ‘Island of the Missing,’ arrived home.

“Ah- home is the best!”

He threw himself onto the bed. Sorting out the luggage in the large suitcase was a task for later, and with his hat still on, Woojin buried himself in the bed and closed his eyes. In fact, the overseas location shooting for ‘Island of the Missing’ had ended yesterday, but there was a dinner party last night. The venue was a large hall in the hotel.

Whether it was the hundred staff members or the dozens of actors, all restraint was gone.

Thanks to that, Woojin spent his last night in Da Nang, Vietnam, burning the midnight oil. Well, of course, he didn’t touch a drop of alcohol, but it was exhausting nonetheless. Whatever the case, the motionless Kang Woojin suddenly grinned.

‘Tomorrow off is just sweet.’

He had two days off. At the same time, the entire team of ‘Island of the Missing’ decided to take about a week’s rest, and from next week, they would continue shooting at the large set complex in Buyeo.

Forget it, all that is a problem for later.

Kang Woojin intended to fall asleep without even washing, forgetting about it. Sort of like the feeling of an office worker taking a leave? Woojin was about to indulge in that pleasant change from the norm when.

“Ah-”

He remembered something he had to do.

‘The ‘Drug Dealer’ photo.’

He had to watch ‘Drug Dealer,’ the movie currently shaking up the domestic film industry. Although Woojin had already seen ‘Drug Dealer’ at the blind screening, this was different.

Kang Woojin’s promotion and communication with fans?

The task was simple: Kang Woojin would take a photo of himself going to the cinema and upload it to Kang Woojin’s alter ego channel, Kang’s Heart fan cafe, Woojin’s SNS, and bw Entertainment’s official website.

As requested by Choi Sung-gun.

‘It’ll help fans feel closer to you, and it’ll be a huge help for the box office success of ‘Drug Dealer.’ The reporters will drool over it, right? You can just take a picture and leave; you don’t even have to watch the movie.’

After hearing Han Ye-jung’s explanation.

‘Oppa, you know how crazy things are with Lee Sang-man right now, right? If you upload it at a time like this, the fans will go nuts.’

The outcome seemed to be anything but small. Ah, is this what being a professional is all about? Though the world is tough, Kang Woojin had to move.

-Swish.

“Phew-”

Woojin let out a small sigh and checked the time. Around 11 o’clock. Then, sitting on the bed, he seriously pondered.

“Go now? Or late at night?”

Which would have fewer people? Here, Woojin chuckled without realizing it. He found it funny that he was thinking about such things.

‘I’ve changed a lot.’

His brain circuit was gradually rewiring as that of a ‘popular actor.’ Then, Kang Woojin slowly got up from the bed. He thought it would be less crowded now than late at night on a weekday. Well, this awkward time might be better than late at night on a weekday.

A few tens of minutes later.

A somewhat suspicious man appeared at a nearby cinema. It was Kang Woojin. Wearing a hat, mask, rimless glasses, and a hooded zip-up to cover his face once more. He wondered if this was overkill.

‘No, CEO said it’s better to go overboard with hiding.’

Nodding, he moved forward. As soon as Kang Woojin stepped into the cinema lobby, he was surprised.

“Wow- what a crowd.”

There were more people in the lobby than he expected. All adults. Was it always like this? He should have visited the cinema on a weekday. A slightly surprised Woojin scanned the inside of the cinema. On the large TV attached to the ceiling, the posters displayed, the standees placed here and there, and the advertisements in the waiting area.

Indeed, it was all about ‘Drug Dealer.’

The reason was simple. It’s a popular movie. The cinema is a market and the movie is a product, so it was natural to promote what sells well. It was certain that not only this cinema where Woojin was but also all across the country would share the same scene.

Kang Woojin’s interest grew.

‘Wow, ‘Drug Dealer’ is this big of a hit?’

There was also a sense of wonder. To see the movie he starred in, especially one that’s raising his stock to its highest through Lee Sang-man, dominating the market. He knew about the crazy congratulations from those around him and the state of media and public opinion, but indeed, the offline world had its unique feel.

Soon.

-Swish.

Woojin, who had been cautiously looking around, moved slowly towards the advertisement board near the elevator. A few people looked at him strangely, but he didn’t mind much. They probably wouldn’t think Kang Woojin would appear at this time.

Woojin,

“……”

Stood awkwardly next to the advertisement board and quickly took a few selfies. Since he didn’t plan on adjusting the angle or pose, it was over sooner than expected, and since no one recognized him, Woojin became bolder.

‘Hmm- at this rate, I might as well watch the movie. I could go in around the time it starts advertising, and just slip out about 5 minutes before it ends.’

He was curious to see how ‘Drug Dealer’ would look on the big screen and the actual audience’s reaction. Yep, It’s decided. Woojin, having made up his mind to watch the movie, stealthily made his way to the bathroom. In the meantime, couples and other groups waiting for their movie time occupied the seats nearby.

He could hear the sounds of their conversations.

“Oppa, how many minutes are left?”

“20 minutes. But are you really okay? You can’t handle violent stuff.”

“Is ‘Drug Dealer’ very violent?”

“The movie reviews are great, but some comments said it’s kind of gross.”

“Ah- but I can’t give up on Kang Woojin. They said his acting in ‘Drug Dealer’ is really amazing.”

“……There? Min-ya? I’m sitting there?”

“Why! Oppa, You also go watch girl groups when they perform. You said you like Hwalin, right?”

Almost everyone seemed to be waiting for ‘Drug Dealer’. With a smile hidden behind his mask, Kang Woojin entered the bathroom.

-Swish.

He sat down on the toilet seat.

‘Ah, don’t laugh, you idiot. Why are you grinning like that.’

Woojin, still feeling awkward and embarrassed by fans’ reactions, turned on his phone to kill some time and remembered something.

‘Ah, right.’

A few days ago, Director Kim Do-hee had sent him a message. Specifically, the link she had shared.

-[KOPIC Cinema Ticket Integrated Computer Network]

Touching the address, Woojin’s phone began to display various statistics.

[November 3, 2020, Audience Count Inquiry]

[Daily Domestic Box Office]

1. Drug Dealer/ Release Date: October 28/ Audience: 277,124/ Screens: 1002 / Cumulative Audience: 2,500,227

2. Monster Priest/ Release Date: October 28/ Audience: 77,005/ Screens: 998 / Cumulative Audience: 901,787

3. Crazy Sunshine/ Release Date: October 1/ Audience: 32,018/ Screens: 1011 / Cumulative Audience: 3,399,358

.

.

.

A million was a thing of the past. Over the weekend, ‘Drug Dealer’ had surpassed 2.5 million viewers. Just in a week.

“2.5 million??! When did it get to this?”

It was an unprecedented record for an R-rated film.

Meanwhile, inside a large van.

If Kang Woojin was about to watch the movie now, the familiar faces in the van had already seen ‘Drug Dealer’. Director Ahn Ga-bok, the film company’s CEO, and employees.

Among them, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was quietly looking out the window, was subtly approached by the film company’s CEO.

“Hmm, Director~nim. Have you made any decisions regarding Kang Woojin?”

Keeping his gaze outside, Director Ahn Ga-bok replied softly.

“What do you think of his acting, whether in ‘Island of the Missing’ or ‘Drug Dealer’?”

The film company’s CEO, scratching his head while exhaling softly.

“……Honestly, I think he’s the best in terms of acting talent in our country right now.”

For the film company’s CEO, Kang Woojin’s influence had grown significantly. This was further amplified several times over thanks to ‘Lee Sang-man’.

“Even among the top, he stands out distinctively, what more is there to say. His performance in Da Nang still remains vividly……”

“Yes, it’s not something you see often.”

At this point, Director Ahn Ga-bok lifted his head and crossed his arms, and the film company’s CEO let out a long sigh filled with regret.

“But why did Kang Woojin say he ‘isn’t particularly interested in Cannes’? In my eyes, he could have easily made a mark internationally.”

Soon, as Director Ahn Ga-bok let out a faint breath and tilted his head, he recalled Kang Woojin’s voice.

‘Are you interested in the Cannes Film Festival?’

‘No, not particularly.’

He began to voice a speculation he had formed on his own.

“I was amazed by his ambition.”

“Ambition? Which part are you referring to?”

“It must have been sincere that he wasn’t interested. He said he wasn’t particularly interested in the Cannes Film Festival. The important thing to note here is ‘particularly’. Inversely, it means he would be interested in something higher than Cannes, but has no particular thoughts about Cannes or the festivals below it like Berlin or Venice.”

“Cannes, including all… they are among the world’s top three international film festivals, aren’t they? Places where most top actors are desperate to go.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok smirked as if that was no news to him.

“Yes, as you say, if it’s something above the leading Cannes among the world’s top three international film festivals, what could it be?”

“Don’t tell me, the Academy Awards!”

“Hmm. What else could it be if not the Oscars or the Academy Awards ceremony?”

The Oscars or the Academy Awards ceremony. The most prestigious and arguably the top among international film festivals worldwide. A stage every filmmaker dreams of. Director Ahn Ga-bok, reminiscing about that glamorous ceremony, locked eyes with the film company’s CEO.

“Kang Woojin, that guy, declared he’s only interested in the Academy Awards ceremony within a year of his debut. If that’s not ambition, what is?”

It was not ambition, but a misunderstanding. A very problematic mistake. The film company’s CEO stuttered, unaware of this.

“No, that’s crazy.”

“It’s usually the crazy ones who make things happen or cause trouble.”

“Still… it’s realistically impossible.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s smile deepened as he propped his chin and spoke again.

“Right. That’s why I would advised him to use Cannes as a stepping stone-”

Then he let out an incredulous old voice.

“Haha, Cannes as a stepping stone. Seems like I’m going crazy because of that madman.”

Meanwhile, in a strange, large conference room.

Around 10 people sat in a conference room that could easily fit 50. An elderly man in a suit took the head seat, with relatively younger personnel seated to his sides.

The atmosphere was solemn, everyone focused on the tablet in front of them.

Then.

“Alright, then. Uh-”

The elderly man lifted his head and addressed everyone.

“Like last year, let’s start reaching out to the award nominees.”

“Understood.”

In fact, these were members of the Blue Dragon Film Awards’ organizing committee. The elderly man seated at the head was the chairman of the committee. With the end of the year just around the corner.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards usually take place around the end of December.

So, it was indeed time to start reaching out to actors, including the top ones, and the chairman suddenly.

“Ah, right.”

Having had a sudden thought, he shared it with the committee staff.

“Send out the invitation to Kang Woojin now.”

Immediately, all the staff members were slightly surprised. Prioritizing Kang Woojin over renowned tops? Regardless, the chairman, slowly crossing his arms, asserted.

“We can’t mess up Kang Woojin’s invitation; he’s a must.”

His eyes sparkled.

“Clearly, this year, Kang Woojin will sweep everything.”