Chapter 253: Storm (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Director Kwon Ki-taek, with a head full of grey hair, began to enter the stage in the hall along with the actors from ‘Island of the Missing’. Kang Woojin, Ryu Jung-min, Ha Yu-ra, Kim Yi-won, Jeon Woo-chang, and two other supporting actors.

A total of eight people.

Soon, the lights in the hall dimmed slightly, and a grandiose music began to play.

-♬♪

As expected from a production announcement by the great director Kwon Ki-taek, the prepared direction was a bit over the top. It was probably the distributor’s idea. Regardless, the hundred or so reporters started clicking their shutters enthusiastically.

Flashes erupted on the stage every second.

-Pabababababak!

The lights were so dim that the flashes were almost overwhelming. At this point, among the actors entering in a line, the first one, Kang Woojin in a beige trench coat, had a silent expression, but.

‘What kind of entrance direction is this… And why are there so many reporters! Huh? and why am I first?’

He realized he was the first to enter only then. He had been waiting by the door before entering according to the staff’s signal, and somehow, he ended up being first.

Because of that,

– Swoosh.

Woojin lowered his voice to Ryu Jung-min, who was right behind him.

“Sunbae-nim, I’m sorry. This way, please.”

Then Ryu Jung-min, wearing a brown blazer, chuckled softly. His short hair had grown slightly longer.

“Does it matter where we sit? You can just sit anywhere.”

As Ryu Jung-min, who was about to transfer to bw Entertainment, gestured with his hand, Kang Woojin kept a nonchalant face but was slightly flustered. What? But still, isn’t it strange for me to sit in the first seat? However, neither director Kwon Ki-taek nor the other actors seemed to mind at all.

Then.

“Yes! The main cast of ‘Island of the Missing’ is all here!”

The female host made her announcement. The production announcement had begun. With no choice, Woojin sat in the first seat next to director Kwon Ki-taek. Then the female host continued the event.

“Although everyone here might already know, let’s start with introductions from the director.”

The renowned director Kwon Ki-taek, in a slightly thick jacket, brought the handheld microphone to his mouth.

“Hello, I’m Kwon Ki-taek, the director of ‘Island of the Missing’.”

“Yes! Hello, director~nim! Next-”

The female host’s eyes met Woojin’s. Naturally, Woojin picked up the microphone. Flashes exploded crazily in front of him. The scale was more overwhelming than he had expected. Furthermore, considering Kang Woojin’s filmography, ‘Island of the Missing’ was his first leading role in a movie.

In other words, this was his first production announcement as a lead actor.

He was seated alongside the top actors in the country. Or more accurately, Kang Woojin was in the first seat. The significance of it made him suddenly nervous. He felt a bit of pressure. But it was fine. Woojin had already experienced production announcements before, and dealing with a hundred reporters wasn’t new to him.

‘Hoo- Stay calm.’

Woojin lowered his voice even more.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woojin, playing Corporal Jin Sun-cheol in ‘Island of the Missing’.”

The name of Woojin’s first leading role spread throughout the spacious hall. The shutter sounds rapidly increased, and the reporters typing on their laptops doubled their speed. The atmosphere felt different. Specifically, it was the scent of the hall that Kang Woojin was sensing. The gazes of the hundred or so reporters were sharp. A peculiar pressure.

Yes, this was it.

The movie directed by the master director Kwon Ki-taek. The lead role in that movie.

It was indeed different.

‘Is this… how top actors who only take lead roles feel? Damn! It’s heavy as hell.’

This seat carried responsibility. Therefore, even though Woojin was freaking out inside, he had to maintain his cool demeanor several times more on the outside.

Meanwhile, the handheld microphone was passed to Ryu Jung-min.

“Hello. I’m Ryu Jung-min, playing First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae in ‘Island of the Missing’.”

Next, Ha Yu-ra, Kim Yi-won, and Jeon Woo-chang introduced themselves in that order, and the female host directed the next question to Kang Woojin.

“Woojin-ssi, who is very popular these days! What is the unique charm of ‘Island of the Missing’?”

Heh, I already received the questionnaire. This much is not difficult. Woojin answered nonchalantly.

“I think it’s the plot twist. ‘Island of the Missing’ has many unexpected twists in various parts, making it hard for your eyes and ears to rest.”

Having finished his answer, Woojin praised himself. Good job, it was smooth with no mistakes. Likewise, the other actors continued to answer eloquently. Then, another question was directed to Kang Woojin.

“Woojin-ssi, you show different acting in every work, making it hard to see you as the same actor. What kind of character will you show in ‘Island of the Missing’?”

For a moment, Kang Woojin hesitated. What? Was there such a question? He couldn’t remember. Whether it was due to tension or not, Woojin’s mind went blank. What is it? What was it? In that brief moment, he struggled to come up with an answer. It was a fierce battle within himself that no one else would notice.

Ah- I don’t know.

His memory failed him. In a state of resignation, Woojin brought the mic to his mouth. I don’t know, let’s just answer appropriately. Anyway, the split personality was a secret, right? Fortunately, an answer flashed through his mind.

“I played the role of a timid piece of trash.”

“······What?”

“A timid piece of trash.”

“Ah- a timid piece of trash.”

Soon, Director Kwon Ki-taek chuckled softly, and Ryu Jung-min and the other actors also struggled to hold back their laughter. The reporters, more bewildered, frantically clicked their shutters at Woojin.

-Pabababababak!

The hundred or so reporters seemed to be in a frenzy, biting onto a delicious bait. Several tens of minutes later, after the formal progress by the host ended, it was time for questions from the reporters. Almost everyone raised their hands, and the reporter chosen by the female host was.

“Uh- I have a question for Kang Woojin-ssi.”

It was a male reporter with glasses in the front row.

“All the works you’ve appeared in, such as ‘Profiler Hanryang’ and ‘Male Friend’, have achieved great success. Recently, ‘Drug Dealer’ surpassed 8 million viewers, earning you the title of Midas’ hand. What are your expectations for ‘Island of the Missing’? It’s been a few years since a movie reached 10 million viewers. Do you think it’s possible?”

It was a slightly sensitive question. Therefore, Director Kwon Ki-taek and the other actors glanced at Woojin. Well, he could have dodged the question with an appropriate response. But with a poker face, Woojin had no hesitation.

“Yes.”

A bit of arrogance and confidence was mixed in.

“I think it will surpass 10 million.”

“Oh! Really? What makes you think so-”

“Just a hunch.”

“······A hunch?”

“Yes.”

Of course, it was a confident answer with some basis.

Afterwards.

The ‘Island of the Missing’ production announcement, which started at noon, finally ended around 4 PM, about two hours later. However, related articles were already being published during the announcement.

『[Photo] Top Actors Entering the Hall for the Highly Anticipated ‘Island of the Missing’/ Photos』

The film industry media focused intensely on the news of ‘Island of the Missing’. The mere fact that it was the next work of the great director Kwon Ki-taek was enough to stir anticipation.

However, gradually, the topic of the articles began to shift.

『[Star Talk] Kang Woojin responds to the question about his role, “A Timid Piece of Trash”』

Kang Woojin’s overwhelming presence at the production announcement was so intense that it shook the entire event.

『Kang Woojin Reveals His Role as “A Timid Piece of Trash” at the ‘Island of the Missing’ Production Announcement, Reporters Stunned』

『“Man of a Thousand Faces” Kang Woojin… What Kind of Role is ‘A Timid Piece of Trash’?』

Kang Woojin was an exceptionally good subject for the hundred or so reporters who participated in the event.

『Kang Woojin Predicts “10 Million Viewers” for ‘Island of the Missing’』

『When Asked Why He Thinks 10 Million Viewers is Possible, Kang Woojin Answers… “Just a Hunch”/ Photos』

『Kang Woojin Predicts 10 Million Viewers Based on His “Hunch”, Netizens Say “Arrogant”』

Even though it stirred countless issues, there was nothing questionable about his behavior.

-This is crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋgetting 10 million viewers just on a hunch ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Lee Sang-man: It’s gonna blow… the number of viewers will blow up to 10 million….

-It’s a bit cringy

-But when Kang Woojin says it like that, it makes me really curious ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ also, none of Kang Woojin’s works have failed yet, right??

-What kind of role is a timid piece of trash ㅋㅋㅋㅋ the more I look at him, Kang Woojin is also a lunatic ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-;;;; No hesitation, that’s impressive

-What if… it doesn’t even hit 1 million, let alone 10 million….?

-With the great director Kwon Ki-taek and many top actors, it’ll attract attention at first, but these days, is 10 million viewers even possible???

-???: You said 10 million? It stopped at 1 million??/ Kang Woojin: But it was fast, wasn’t it?

As ‘Island of the Missing’ gained momentum, arrows of criticism were shot at Kang Woojin, but the topics related to him continued to build up gradually.

『[Exclusive] Sharing the same table with Kang Woojin? Top actor Ryu Jung-min’s imminent transfer to bw Entertainment!』

『‘Our Dining Table’ Kang Woojin’s ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ to be commercialized, Nongshim says “we’ll release it before summer”』

Japan was also not lagging behind Korea.

Currently, news related to ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ without Kang Woojin and the anime ‘Male Friend: Remake’ continued to emerge one after another.

Everything was intertwined around Kang Woojin like a skein of thread, rolling swiftly yet meticulously. Meanwhile, countless offers were pouring in for Kang Woojin. Not only scripts and scenarios for works but also various shows including variety shows, YouTube, photo shoots, interviews, and advertisements.

『‘Acting Monster’ Kang Woojin, maintaining the top spot in brand reputation for several months… This too is the first, everything is the first』

The number continued to increase day by day. Last year was already overwhelming, but now it was beyond imagination.

However, Woojin was surprisingly turning down many offers. He wasn’t biased. Of course, it was due to Kang Woojin’s decision. His schedule was already packed to the brim, and although he could take on more considering the void space, Kang Woojin shook his head. Simply because it was just right at the moment.

‘Greed will tear you apart.’

Five days flew by in the blink of an eye.

And then.

『[Movie] Historic figure in Korean cinema, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s ‘Leech’, starts ‘script reading’ today on the 6th!』

『Finally opening the lid… ‘Sim Han-ho’, ‘Kang Woojin’, ‘Oh Hee-ryung’ gathered for the ‘Leech’ script reading』

The 6th had arrived.

On the morning of Saturday the 6th, at a luxury hotel in Seoul.

A suite room in a 5-star hotel located in Cheongdam. No, it was precisely the highest grade of suite room. Therefore, the view from the large windows and the furniture in the room were all breathtaking.

It was naturally spacious.

In one of these rooms, a giant man entered the area with a square table and grey sofa. A familiar black man. Recently in Korea for work, the famous Hollywood producer Joseph Felton. He was wearing dress pants and a tight-fitting black sweater, making his muscular upper body stand out.

Then,

-Swoosh.

With a coffee cup in one hand, he sat on the sofa and crossed his legs. Joseph’s giant frame made the coffee cup look particularly small. Anyway, while bringing the tiny coffee cup to his lips, Joseph started going through the many transparent files and tablets spread on the table.

At this time,

-Knock knock.

The sound of knocking echoed through the entire room. The giant Joseph got up casually and opened the door. Several foreigners, including the bald Robert, were standing outside the door, having arrived on time.

Joseph sat back on a single-seater sofa, and his team members lined up on the opposite sofa.

Only after everyone gathered did the real meeting start.

English flew around frantically.

The main content of the meeting was a summary of the discussions held over the past few days with the Korean branch of an overseas professional distributor and a Hollywood film company. Joseph and his team continued their morning meeting for over 40 minutes, and when the clock pointed to 10 o’clock, the bald Robert changed the subject.

“Joseph, what are your plans for today? Today is the script reading for ‘Leech’.”

As if he already knew, Joseph crossed his arms and let out a sigh.

“Hm- Well. I heard that Director Ahn Ga-bok said it’s okay to attend the script reading, but what I want to see is not the script reading, but Kang Woojin’s real acting.”

“······Then?”

“There will be a lot of people involved. If we occupy the space, unnecessary comments might arise. So let’s skip today’s script reading and visit on the 8th for the official filming.”

“Understood. Then I will move tomorrow’s schedule to today.”

“Sure. No need to overdo it. It’s okay to rest a bit.”

At that moment,

-♬♪

Joseph’s phone rang in his pocket. He naturally took it out. However, upon seeing the caller displayed on the screen, Joseph’s eyes widened slightly.

“Hm?”

Seeing this, the bald Robert tilted his head.

“What’s the matter?”

“······”

Joseph, who had been staring at the caller ID for a moment, answered in a low voice.

“It’s Miley. She’s calling at a rather odd time.”

The caller was the global superstar Miley Cara. Although Joseph and she were not without acquaintance, they were not in the habit of frequent calls. Since they both had influence in Hollywood, they greeted each other comfortably when they met? Occasionally, they contacted each other via DM.

Most of it was work-related.

Anyway, with a puzzled face, Joseph changed the direction of his crossed legs and put the phone to his ear.

“Hey, Miley.”

Miley Cara’s characteristic cold voice echoed from the other side of the phone.

“Joseph. Where are you right now?”

A question out of nowhere. Joseph responded with a small laugh.

“Ah- I’m not in LA right now, I’m in Korea.”

“I know.”

“Hmm?”

“That’s why I was asking where in Korea you are.”

“···Why are you asking that?”

Joseph’s smile faded, and he furrowed his brows. Then he heard Cara’s short and clear reply in his ear.

“Because I’m in Korea too right now.”