Chapter 288: History (3)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Monday ended and Tuesday began. Although ‘Island of the Missing’ rose to the top of all-time rankings a few days ago, domestic media and public opinion were still abuzz with talk of ‘Island of the Missing’. Well, naturally, it didn’t matter that the number of viewers for ‘Island of the Missing’ was slightly decreasing.

‘Island of the Missing’ was setting new records every day.

It had already surpassed 17 million and was heading towards 18 million. And Kang Woojin was reading his own article.

『[Special Feature] Kang Woojin, who changed the history of the Korean film industry in his second year of debut, reasons why his future is anticipated』

The location was in front of the house set of ‘Leech’, with numerous staff busy with the shooting setup. Woojin, already transformed into Park Ha-seong from hair to makeup, donned a solemn expression but was nodding internally while praising the article.

‘That’s right, they have an eye for talent.’

It was a moment of standby before entering the shoot. Usually, he would have been reading the scenario for the sake of staying in character, but Woojin had been in a state of joy for the past few days. Although he was maintaining a poker face somehow.

‘Ah- damn, I need to shake off this feeling quickly.’

At this moment.

“Woojin-ssi! Standby!”

A production staff called Woojin. Woojin, reluctantly pouring cold water over his feelings, stood up smoothly. Then suddenly.

‘Oh, come to think of it, isn’t there only a few days of filming left for Leech too?’

He remembered that there wasn’t much time left with this house set. After the release of ‘Island of the Missing’, everything seemed to be moving at a rapid pace. Of course, the filming time was like that too.

‘Half of the year has already passed.’

Kang Woojin, walking towards the camera zone, deeply felt that time was flying.

‘Well, I guess it’s natural since I’m doing so many things?’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, watching Kang Woojin on the monitor, had dark circles under his eyes and his wrinkles had increased significantly. However, his eyes were still sharp. Director Ahn Ga-bok was conversing with the film company CEO, who had come to the site for a meeting.

“Director~nim, are you okay?”

“Why? Are you trying to look after this old man’s health?”

“Ah- no. You just look very tired.”

“How could I not be tired? We’re shooting at several times the normal speed. Look at the staff here, they’re all worn out. The only one who’s lively here is Woojin over there.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok pointed his index finger at Kang Woojin, who was in the middle of a conversation with the top actor Sim Han-ho in the center of the shooting zone. The film company CEO sighed softly and shook his head.

“Woojin-ssi amazes me every time I see him. I asked CEO Choi about Woojin-ssi’s schedule last time, and it was hell from morning to night. He’s even been to Japan recently. And yet he’s so composed.”

“Being young helps, but for someone of his caliber, you have to assume he’s naturally endowed with stamina.”

“……It’s not something that can be managed with exercise alone.”

“With a body as fit as his, he doesn’t have time to worry about his health. He needs to keep running.”

The film company CEO, looking at Director Ahn Ga-bok with a hint of concern, changed the subject.

“I’m sorry, but have you decided on the crank-up timing, Director~nim?”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, picking up the shooting continuity script on the table, spoke in an aged voice.

“At this rate, we’ll be done by next week.”

“What about post-production?”

“We’ll start editing simultaneously with the crank-up. Since there are some rough edits done during the shoot, we should be able to meet the deadline before September 30th somehow.”

In other words, it was imminent. The film company CEO, firmly nodding, responded.

“Understood. Then I’ll also start preparing for the schedule around the end of September, aligned with Cannes.”

For now, booking plane tickets was the priority.

Meanwhile, in LA.

It was morning in Korea, but afternoon in LA. As it was rush hour, the roads were crowded with people and cars. However, even at this time, there were those preparing for the future without taking a break.

That person was the global superstar Miley Cara.

The recently released movie also performed quite decently, and she had been in the news due to issues with a Korean actor. Cara had posted her recent status on her Instagram, which had over a hundred million followers, a few days ago. Along with the progress of her new album.

-[……Kang Woojin! Congratulations on the new record set by your movie!]

She had mentioned Kang Woojin. She had also heard of the success of ‘Island of the Missing’. It was already a known fact that Kang Woojin was participating in her new album project, and thanks to the post Cara made, many foreigners flocked to Woojin’s SNS. She was currently in a large agency building in LA.

More precisely, it was inside a studio that also served as a meeting room.

There were large monitors, various devices, and a ㅁ-shaped table that could seat dozens. Cara sat at the head of the table. She had tied-back blonde hair and was wearing a baggy hoodie. Her makeup wasn’t heavy, and Cara’s blue eyes were focused on the giant monitor in front of her.

“……Hmm.”

Of course, there were dozens of foreign staff members sitting on either side of Cara. They were all looking at the same place as Cara. Various matters related to Cara’s new album were displayed on the monitor.

“I think it’s good? What do you all think?”

What was the overall concept for this album, what was the costume concept? Which song would be the title track? What was the music video concept? What was the schedule from album production to release and promotions? What about marketing and publicity? A flood of information and data poured out. However, as Cara was a veteran, she calmly coordinated opinions with the staff.

The decision on the songs to be included in her new album was already made. The only thing left was the recording.

Soon, as she listened to the recording schedule, Cara, while letting down her tied-up blonde hair, spoke to the manager next to her. As usual, her tone was slightly cold.

“So we’ll start around July. What about Kang Woojin’s side?”

“I’ll relay it to him. When I contacted him last time, he said mid-July would be fine. How many days do you think Kang Woojin’s work will take?”

“Probably 3 to 5 days. For recording and music video shooting.”

“Okay, then I’ll convey the details and send the song guide to Kang Woojin side first.”

For reference, the order of work was that Cara would start the official recording first, and then Kang Woojin would join in later. Even if they recorded separately, it could be combined through mixing.

Next, the meeting moved on to the music video.

Since the director and continuity were already decided, the blonde Cara looked at the music video continuity saved on her tablet and slightly bit her lip. It was something she did whenever she had a bit of concern.

“It’s a bit lacking. This type of atmosphere was shown in the previous album too.”

“Do you want it revised?”

“I’d like an overall story. And more acting should be added. To the extent that neither I nor Woojin would feel burdened.”

“Got it.”

Cara added a request to the team who nodded in agreement.

“And include a piano scene in the music video, of course, Woojin will play it.”

Friday, the 18th. Korea,

A shaman’s house near Sinchon Station. It was a very flashy place, dazzling from the entrance. It seemed quite renowned in the area, with many waiting customers. The main room featured mysterious paintings on the ceiling and candles placed on the altar catch the eye. Of course, the small dolls placed behind those candles were noticeable too.

It definitely gave off the feeling of a shaman’s house.

But the shaman, who was the owner, was nowhere to be seen. The shaman could be found in the back room. A middle-aged woman who looked to be in her 60s. Heavy makeup and wearing a hanbok. She seemed to be about to greet a customer.

The shaman, having finished her preparations, moved and opened a door to a closed room.

-Slam!

The interior of the room was plain, unlike the shaman’s house. It was simple without any decorations, and on a bed with a gray blanket, a short-haired woman was lying face down. Upon closer look, the short-haired woman was lying on her stomach, intently reading something.

The heavily made-up shaman spoke to the short-haired woman.

“Daughter. Is it interesting?”

The short-haired woman seemed to be the shaman’s daughter. The daughter, still fixated on what she was looking at, nodded her head. Then she answered briefly.

“Yes, it’s fun.”

Her voice was slightly gloomy. The daughter, who had answered, then got up and sat down. However, she was still holding what she had been looking at. It was a book with a gray cover, and the cover bore the following text.

-Beneficial Evil/ Episode 1.

It was the script of ‘Beneficial Evil’. The reason the daughter was looking at the ‘Beneficial Evil’ script was simple. She was Lim Hae-eun, who had passed the large-scale audition and made it to the final selection for ‘Beneficial Evil’. Clearly, Lim Hae-eun, who had a puppy-like face, shook the script with an expressionless face.

“This writer writes well.”

The shaman, watching her daughter Lim Hae-eun quietly, let out a long sigh.

“Do you really have to do that project? Why do something where the lead is possessed by an evil spirit?”

“I don’t care about Kang Woojin, I’m just doing it because it’s a hard-to-get opportunity.”

“……Sigh, have you seen Kang Woojin in person yet?”

“Not yet. But there’s a shoot where the actors gather before the script reading. I’ll see him then.”

The shaman, who had been rubbing her forehead, muttered to her daughter as if telling her to take care of herself.

“Anyway, be careful. That Kang Woojin looks dangerous.”

At this moment, in Hongdae.

In the basement of a moderately large building. On a stage that clearly seemed to belong to a small theater, a man with a clean and kind impression was performing alone. Except for him, there was no one else in the small theater.

The man was Jo Moo-chan, who had passed the audition for ‘Beneficial Evil’.

During the large-scale audition, he had caught the keen eye of PD Song Man-woo as a figure quite contrasting to Kang Woojin, and he was a member of the theater company led by one of Korea’s top veteran actors, Jeon Mun-guk. Jo Moo-chan, performing alone on stage, also held a script in his hand.

Of course, it was the script for ‘Beneficial Evil’ Episode 1.

He seemed to be practicing fervently on his own.

At that moment.

-Swish.

An old man entered the empty small theater. Walking across the moderately arranged audience seats. His hair, a mix of white and black that appeared gray, and his wrinkled face made him look similar in age to Director Ahn Ga-bok. Moreover, the beard growing from his sideburns to his chin and under his nose was striking.

That man was veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk.

Despite Jeon Mun-guk’s entrance, Jo Moo-chan on stage was so focused that he didn’t notice. Soon, Jeon Mun-guk, who had reached the front of the stage, looked at Jo Moo-chan and tapped the stage floor.

It was only then that.

“Ah! T-Teacher.”

Jo Moo-chan, who had stopped acting, ran to Jeon Mun-guk. His tone and actions were devoid of strength. How to say, overall, he seemed somewhat naive. Regardless, veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk, who was looking up at Jo Moo-chan, spoke.

“Do you think you can beat Kang Woojin by doing it half-heartedly like that?”

“……T-Teacher.”

“I asked if you think you can win.”

“K-Kang Woojin-nim is an idol to me.”

“If your idol is weak enough to lose to you, wouldn’t it be fine to change to someone else?”

“……”

“Kang Woojin. That guy has changed the history of the film industry this time. He’s risen to number one.”

He was, of course, referring to ‘Island of the Missing’.

“He has paved the way very neatly.”

“Yes? Ah- yes.”

“In other words, if you just surpass him, all of that will be yours.”

“…I understand.”

Jeon Mun-guk’s face hardened even more.

“Jo Moo-chan. You are a member of my theater company and represent my face outside. You must not disgrace yourself. Put your life on the line for ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Kang Woojin is a genius, but you are also a genius. My eyes are certain.”

“Thank you… teacher.”

“But being a genius alone is not enough. To surpass Kang Woojin, you need to be different. I can see it in my eyes.”

Jeon Mun-guk, who had been reciting continuously, delivered his conclusion to the hesitant Jo Moo-chan.

“Kang Woojin is a monster. To go up against someone like him, you need to become a monster too. Do you understand?”

A few days later, Jeonju. Early morning.

The familiar set location. Around the large house set and internal sets of ‘Leech’, about a hundred staff members were deployed. They were busily carrying things used for filming, such as cameras, lights, props, and audio equipment.

Even though it was early morning, the energy was overflowing.

Leading these staff was the veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok.

“No, set up the camera starting from the house set. That’s where we’ll begin.”

“Yes, sir!!”

Having given his instructions, Director Ahn Ga-bok pulled out a thin stack of papers from his back jeans pocket.

-Swish.

It was the shooting continuity script for ‘Leech’. And it was almost at the end.

“…Finally, the end is coming.”

Today was the crank-up day for ‘Leech’.

At the same time, in Kang Woojin’s officetel.

With a solemn face and a deeply pressed cap, Kang Woojin got into the elevator. He pressed the basement floor button and raised his phone.

-June 24th.

-7:10 AM.

June was already nearing its end. Soon, Kang Woojin, who was stretching his neck from side to side, muttered to himself. Of course, internally.

‘Ugh, this won’t do. I need to recharge in the void space before filming.’

Recently, aside from some minor schedules, Kang Woojin had been devoting himself to the filming of ‘Leech’.

‘It’s the last shoot—time flies so fast.’

As he stepped out of the elevator and into the underground parking lot, he saw a familiar van. It was waiting to pick up Kang Woojin.

After getting into the van, Woojin greeted the team members in a low tone, and Choi Sung-gun, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly showed his tablet screen to Kang Woojin.

“It’s finally out, ‘Beneficial Evil’.”

Woojin looked indifferently at the tablet screen. An article was being displayed. His face was prominently featured, and the title read:

『[Official] Netflix’s ‘Beneficial Evil’, aiming for a global release, announces full cast led by Kang Woojin… featuring many unknown and rookie actors, a bold casting!』

The entire cast of ‘Beneficial Evil’ had been announced.