Chapter 258: Storm (8)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The curse giant Joseph Felton spat out wasn’t because of the conversation between Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok. It was because of Kang Woojin’s acting.

“Fuck······” (TL: Same here in English)

Joseph muttered the curse repeatedly while watching Woojin in the shooting zone. His furrowed brows and wide eyes remained fixed. It was one of his habits. When he saw something shocking that was hard to understand, he would blurt out a curse.

It could be seen as an exclamation or an expression of astonishment.

Translated roughly into Korean, it would be something like ‘Shit! That’s amazing!’ That’s how much Joseph Felton’s brain was severely shaken right now. Despite his extensive experience with numerous actors in Hollywood.

‘What did I just see?’

It was immensely shocking. What unfolded before his eyes? Even though he had his expectations, Joseph couldn’t quite understand it. No, can something like that even be evaluated as ‘acting’?

‘First of all··· there’s no preparation process.’

Deep emotions in actors usually require some warm-up. But Kang Woojin brought out deep emotions effortlessly the moment the director signaled action. Moreover, the time it took him to express those emotions was extremely short.

‘You could say there’s none at all.’

Furthermore, when Woojin started acting, he instantly became a different person. At least, that’s how it looked to Joseph. In an instant, Kang Woojin disappeared, and an entirely different character appeared. His gaze, smell, posture, habits, diction, and breathing.

Everything was different.

‘Almost like he’s a multiple personality.’

In Joseph’s assessment, the basic skills of an actor were not worth mentioning. There was no need to. Perfection was the default. On top of that, ridiculously extraordinary things were listed with ridiculous ease.

What gave him the most chills was.

‘Ripley Syndrome?’

Although Joseph hadn’t heard a detailed explanation of the scenario, it was clear to him what Kang Woojin was trying to express with his acting just now. That was the ultimate goal actors aimed for. To make the audience feel what they wanted to convey.

It sounds easy.

Actors in Hollywood and Korea alike are still striving to master this process. They say they are not good enough. However, Kang Woojin already possessed that skill. Coincidence? It couldn’t be. It was too effortless to be a coincidence.

Joseph fell into chaos.

‘The energy and tension are completely different from when he showed martial arts. I didn’t expect him to show such detailed······mind-boggling acting.’

Even when Joseph saw Kang Woojin’s martial arts in Hollywood, he hadn’t imagined this. Joseph, watching Woojin talking with Director Ahn Ga-bok, covered his mouth with one hand. The info he had grasped about Woojin abilities were numerous. Martial arts, singing, languages, etc. But were those all just secondary?

“······What kind of monster is he?”

He was a monster who shattered common sense.

Although Joseph had already taken an interest in Kang Woojin because of his extraordinary martial arts and filmography, now he was beyond interest; he was just observing. Because Woojin was an incomprehensible being. It was a moment when the words of the CD, Megan Stone, resonated deeply.

‘If Director George Mendes had seen this acting instead of martial arts, he would have begged. To work with him somehow.’

Why are there so many big shots around Kang Woojin? The question was answered clearly. It wasn’t because of a big reason. It was just natural.

-Swoosh.

The giant Joseph slowly turned his head. He saw the blonde Cara standing on the right. She was frozen without any movement. Not even a slight tremor. She just stared intently at Kang Woojin.

“······”

Was her soul sucked out? Joseph glanced at the surrounding team members. They all had the same look as Cara.

At this point, Director Ahn Ga-bok.

“You did it moderately?”

He asked Woojin standing in front of him. Then Kang Woojin, with his poker face.

‘What? Why? You are getting too serious. Did I say something wrong? But it’s the truth, what can I do?’

He nodded solemnly.

“Yes. Moderately.”

“So, you mean you held back when reading the audition lines?”

“Isn’t that usually the case during auditions?”

“Right. That’s how it should be.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok showed a wrinkled smile. Kang Woojin’s words were right. There’s no need for the audition partner to give their best. However, the acting of Woojin, who had held back, was beyond common sense, which left Director Ahn Ga-bok confused.

‘No, everyone in that small theater must have felt the same.’

At the audition site of Director Ahn Ga-bok, filled with top actors and stars, Kang Woojin set the standard for the acting in ‘Leech’. And this was for an actor who was only in his second year. Anyone would think the acting they saw was the best possible.

However, they were mistaken.

‘Heh heh, this kid’s ‘adequate’ is beyond our comprehension.’

Nothing more, nothing less. That was everything. An actor who rendered judgment meaningless, who could skip the process of understanding and go straight to perception. Perhaps a new species in this industry.

Maintaining his smile, Director Ahn Ga-bok placed a hand on Woojin’s shoulder.

“Make sure to go far away, to the top. I’m not talking about just impressing someone like me, but winning the admiration of even greater figures. Watching that in my old age seems like it will be enough.”

Kang Woojin responded in a low but firm voice.

“I can do that.”

Moments later.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had paused the scene, resumed his seat and continued filming.

“Action.”

The same scene was repeated. However, Kang Woojin’s tension did not drop at all. On the contrary, it was more agile and meticulous. The more he repeated, the stronger and more vivid his performance became. On the monitor, Kang Woojin ‘Park Ha-seong’ was already a finished character, but as the scenes progressed, the completeness became irrelevant.

“Cut, OK. Let’s go back to the bust shot instead of the follow shot behind the camera.”

This was because Kang Woojin presented new levels of completion with each cut. He improved and performed. The reason Director Ahn Ga-bok used this scene as the starting point of the first shoot was simple. It was to instill the essence of ‘Ripley Syndrome’ into the other actors.

If they understood that emotion and sensation in advance, their subsequent cut performances would be smoother.

Of course, that emotion would emerge from the middle of ‘Leech’, but the choice was made based on the belief that Kang Woojin could fully achieve it. However, it was more intense than Director Ahn Ga-bok intended and it imprinted on the actors deeply.

Sim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryung, Jin Jae-jun, Han So-jin, and many other supporting actors.

“······I, I don’t know how to express that.”

“Now, It feels so half-hearted when we did the audition scene together, am I the only one who felt that way?”

“Ripley Syndrome- I didn’t get a clear sense of it when reading the script, but seeing Woojin’s acting made it understandable for me.”

“Ugh, what kind of hurdle is this from the start······”

It instilled not just a sense of caution but a sense of urgency. ‘This is what you have to face, what you have to endure.’ It felt like an intuitive statement through acting.

At this time, Miley Cara.

‘Oh my God.’

She was watching actor Kang Woojin, not the singer, martial artist, or pianist Kang Woojin, without a moment of distraction. She couldn’t help it. His stage presence was overwhelmingly powerful. He truly deserved to be called a master of his craft.

Simultaneously, Cara imagined unconsciously.

‘If that actor······appeared in Hollywood?’

The upheaval when the territory of the monster hidden in Korea extended to the world.

About 2 hours later.

A brief break was given to the ‘Leech’ set, which had been in the midst of filming. However, the hundred or so staff members didn’t seem to think about resting. They were all busy organizing props and setting up equipment for the next scene.

Not just them, but the director and actors were also the same.

Director Ahn Ga-bok was busy checking the storyboard and movements with the key staff, and the actors, including Sim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung, seemed to be reflecting on their own acting and characters, perhaps thanks to the monstrous performance they had just witnessed.

“······”

“······”

In the tent, they were engrossed in reminding themselves of their roles. But somehow, the cynical Kang Woojin was nowhere to be seen.

Where was he?

Kang Woojin, who had disappeared from the set, was inside a van in the outdoor parking lot. In front of him.

“You must have been surprised by my sudden visit, weren’t you?”

Miley Cara, who had been covered up in a hat and mask, sat down, taking them off. In the van, it was just Woojin and the global superstar Cara, speaking in English. Cara, with her hat off, swept back her long blonde hair. Woojin could smell a fragrant scent from her, but.

‘Oh—Shit, having Cara right in front of me feels so unreal. It’s like a dream. This feels different from that previous YouTube shoot. Is this real?? Freaking amazing—no! Kang Woojin, keep your cool!’

He tried hard to ignore it. He had a solid concept to maintain.

“No, it’s fine.”

“More than that, I enjoyed watching your acting.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

Cara, looking at Woojin with her blue eyes, let out a small breath.

“I’m glad I came. I would’ve regretted it if I hadn’t seen it. I understand now why you consider your skills in vocals and cooking as hobbies. Your acting… I don’t know, I also consider myself a decent actor, but I can’t think of a way to describe it.”

“You can skip over it.”

Miley Cara slightly pouted her lips. Then she flashed a barely noticeable smile.

“Actually, I did come to Korea for other reasons, but the biggest one was to meet you, Woojin.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

“I’m preparing a new album. And I want to propose working together on a song for my album and appearing in the music video.”

“······”

When Kang Woojin remained silent, Cara leaned a bit closer to him.

“Of course, I’m thinking of the title track. Honestly, this is a first for me, what do you think?”

What? Think what? He couldn’t think of anything at all?? Maintaining his nonchalant demeanor, he said.

“···I’ll have to discuss it with my company first.”

Inside, Woojin was in a state of utter confusion.

‘Crazy?! What the hell is she talking about??’

After finishing his conversation with Cara, Kang Woojin rejoined the filming of ‘Leech’. Meanwhile, Cara and Joseph did not return to the set. They were already more than satisfied with Woojin’s performance and had achieved their goals. Furthermore, the intensifying gazes of the staff were becoming an issue.

“Cara, did you finish your business?”

“Yes. Joseph, what about you? You didn’t even meet Woojin.”

“Just my being here was enough for a greeting, no need for a conversation. I came to confirm my certainty.”

“Are you certain?”

“Of course. To the extent that we need to completely revise all our plans. What about you, Cara?”

“Well, all I have to do now is wait for a response.”

At the same time, on the internet, discussions were revolving around the episode of ‘Our Dining Table’ that aired on the 7th. There was buzz about the recent second shoot, and with the show maintaining a 20% viewership, several articles were published.

However, this episode of ‘Our Dining Table’ featured a peculiar advertisement.

『The ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ introduced at the end of ‘Our Dining Table’ is expected to hit the market soon, raising viewers’ expectations↑』

『Product placement even before market release? ‘Our Dining Table’s best menu, Kang Woojin’s ‘Kimjaban  Makguksu’ commercialized… Is the public ready for an open run?』

This was because the commercialization of Kang Woojin’s ‘Kimjaban Makguksu,’ planned by ‘Nongsin,’ was imminent. But Kang Woojin had no time to care about that. Along with filming ‘Leech’.

『Tremendous influence, preview of Kang Woojin’s ‘Kang Woojin Alter Ego’ channel… Next guest is Ryu Jung-min』

With his YouTube channel and advertisements, his days were filled in no time. As a result, a couple of days passed by without him even realizing it.

『[MovieIS] The full-scale filming of ‘Leech’ begins, Jeonju set swarmed with reporters』

Around this time.

『‘Baeksang Arts Awards’ confirmed for Thursday, March 18』

Promotions for the ‘Baeksang Arts Awards’, known for being the grand finale of film festivals and awards ceremonies, have officially begun. The time, location, and the invited actors and works were announced. Countless articles spun off from this, but the ones garnering the most clicks were undoubtedly about Kang Woojin.

『Kang Woojin, invited to this year’s ‘Baeksang Arts Awards’, will he add more awards to his 8-award streak from last year?』

『With expanded potential in both broadcasting and film, what bombshell declaration will Kang Woojin make this time? Netizens’ attention focused』

For the first time in a while, various media outlets were filled with issues related to the awards ceremony.

Everywhere was buzzing with activity.

Whether it was the ‘Baeksang Arts Awards’ team preparing for the live broadcast, the ‘Leech’ team filming day and night, or Kang Woojin whose visits to the void space had increased significantly.

A week passed by without anyone realizing what they had done.

The second week of March ended, and the third week arrived. The date was March 17th, the day before the ‘Baeksang Arts Awards.’ Kang Woojin was on his way to Jeonju as usual. Normally, he would use a lodging, but because he had an additional schedule in Seoul yesterday, he slept at his officetel.

“······”

With his hat pulled down, he was looking out the window. Suddenly, he turned.

-Swish.

He turned his gaze to the pile of items next to him. There were roughly three stacked cup ramyuns. Unfamiliar cup ramyuns he had never seen before. The lids of the cup ramyuns bore a title.

-‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ Cup Ramyun

At this moment, Choi Sung-gun, who was in the passenger seat, asked Jang Su-hwan, who was driving.

“Su-hwan, did you load all the cup ramyuns?”

“Yes! All 30 are loaded!”

“Good. Even if we can’t give them to everyone on set, they should at least get a taste.”

Nodding, he turned to Han Ye-jung, who was looking at her phone. Actually, he was asking all the stylists since they were all looking at their phones.

“How’s the media and public reaction? Has anything popped up?”

Without taking her eyes off her phone, Han Ye-jung answered coolly.

“No articles yet, but there are quite a few posts coming up in communities.”

She showed her phone to Choi Sung-gun. It displayed posts from an online community.

-No way, ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋCame to the convenience store in front of my house to buy Kang Woojin’s cup ramyun on the release day ㅋㅋㅋIs it real that people are lining up???!!!

-People trying to buy Kang Woojin’s Kimjaban Makguksu cup ramyun real-time situation.JPG

·

·

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At this time, Kang Woojin wasn’t paying attention to any of that. He was just staring at his own image on the cup ramyun lid.

Naturally. Because what was on the lid was.

‘Aa······so freaking embarrassing.’

Kang Woojin, with an indifferent face, was giving double thumbs-up.

Meanwhile, a breaking news story just hit.

『Superstar Miley Cara, who is preparing a new album, collaborates with a Korean actor on this album』

It wasn’t from Korea, but from foreign news outlets.