Closing (2)

 

It was morning in Korea, but it was early morning on the 4th, just after midnight, in Cannes, France, where the  Cannes Film Festival was halfway through. The time is around 1 o’clock. When the global festival that was noisy all day went into a lull, Kang Woo-jin was found in the hotel room.

“hmm-”

Lying on the bed in comfortable clothes. It had only recently been washed, so the face and hair looked natural. Of course, the concept quality of the face is also all over the place.

Looking at his condition, it looks like he isn’t going to sleep yet.

-Sigh.

Woojin was lying down and looking at his cell phone. Until just before that, he had checked the local French media, and had just turned to the situation in Korea. The first search term was Cannes Film Festival. It was already an incredibly hot keyword, so articles were being created every minute, and among them, the most visible article right now caught Woojin Kang’s eye.

『[Cannes Film Festival] Closing and Awards Ceremony can be seen on October 10th at 7pm in Cannes and at 3am in Korea… Confirmed to be broadcast live on YouTube!』

It was related to the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. It was consistent with the official schedule.

“Oh, it looks like this is being broadcast live. I’ll have to tell my dad and mom.”

The festival is scheduled to run until the 9th and conclude, and the final decision of Cannes’ 10 official judges will be made that night. And the finale happens at 7pm on the 10th. There was a  red carpet event at the closing and awards ceremonies, and a party-style after-party was also confirmed after the closing.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin scratched his chin.

“Again, didn’t you just say it was a time to praise the people who received awards?”

It was true. Of course, tens of thousands of invited people attend the Cannes Film Festival party and after-party, but the real main event was no different from the celebration party for the award winners at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Interviews with numerous reporters, proof shots, conversations with big names, etc.

Even if you just imagine it, it was Kang Woo-jin who was out of breath.

“Oh my gosh, there won’t be any revisions, I guess I’ll just get out of here. Ah, but if ‘Leech’ wins some kind of award, does it mean I have to live with it?”

There are approximately 7 types of awards in the ‘competitive category’. If at least one ‘leech’ was found among them, it would be a jackpot. At least that was what Kang Woo-jin thought. However, Woojin had no intention of receiving the award himself. It’s not that there were no expectations at all, but this was a world stage, not a domestic one. Globally renowned actors attended.

What more?

‘Did they say we were at a bit of a disadvantage?’

I couldn’t overlook the fact that there was perhaps colored glasses or appropriate discrimination. The information was delivered by Choi Seong-gun. It is said that it has decreased significantly compared to the past, but Choi Seong-gun’s judgment was that it cannot be guaranteed that it will not exist at all. For reference, the Best Actor and Best Actress awards in the  Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Competitive Category’ are decided by a 10-member official jury. There are a total of 20 works, so there are 20 candidates. We reduce it from there.

Afterwards, the final winner will be decided.

Of course, the award ceremony does not necessarily list the candidates one by one, but usually one of the 10 judges announces the winner right away. If you think about it, it was like Kang Woo-jin was engaging in a friendly competition with Shim Shim-ho from ‘Leech’. In ‘Leech’, one of Kang Woo-jin and Shim Shim-ho will be chosen.

A match between Korea’s great actor Shin Shim-ho and second-year actor Kang Woo-jin.

In addition, I had to compete with 19 amazing actors from all over the world. The choice is up to the judges, so Kang Woo-jin decided to empty his mind even more.

“Tsk, I don’t know. “Let’s sleep first.”

It was already 2 a.m., so Woojin closed his eyes. She was tired, so she fell asleep quickly.

So 8 hours later.

“······I slept well.”

It was around 10 am when Kang Woo-jin opened his eyes again. After coming to Cannes, Woojin was able to sleep in late. Compared to the hellish schedule of the past, it is a very relaxed level. Soon, Woojin got up from the bed, stretched and looked out the window.

“The weather is terrible~”

Today again, Cannes is sunny and the streets are overflowing with people. About an hour later, ponytail Choi Seong-geon and the staff entered Kang Woo-jin’s room. Aside from the work they had to do, it was similar to a vacation for them, so Choi Seong-geon gained some weight.

“Woojin, let’s choose the closing tuxedo first.”

Stylists, including Han Ye-jeong, listed the tuxedos that Woojin would wear at the closing and awards ceremonies. Different colors or different details. Woojin, equipped with a strong concept, solemnly looked at the tuxedos. Well, I’m getting a little tired of black now.

Kang Woo-jin’s decision.

“With this.”

It was a white-toned tuxedo. She raised her thumb as if she was satisfied with her blue short hair plan.

“Okay, I was going to recommend this to you too. “The closing and awards ceremony is the finale, so it has to stand out.”

“I think the same.”

“yes. “Then I’ll fix it with this.”

A team of stylists rushed out carrying the listed tuxedos. Then, Choi Seong-geon, who had been sitting with his legs crossed, stood up.

“Other than a few minor interviews, the official schedule for ‘Leech’ does not include the closing ceremony or awards ceremony – what are you going to do today?”

“I’d like to look at the script for ‘Beneficial Evil’ in the morning.”

It was Gura. However, it is impossible for Choi Seong-gun to understand Kang Woo-jin’s shameless iron plate.

“Oh, I was going to tell you already. It has been confirmed that ‘Beneficial Evil’ will be divided into two parts. I received a call from Director Kim So-hyang earlier. Episodes 1 to 6 are Part 1, and the goal is to focus on them, speed up the pace, and launch them as quickly as possible. Part 2 comes after that.”

“Is that so?”

“Aren’t you looking forward to it?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Choi Seong-gun laughed and tapped Woojin on the shoulder.

“The advertising effect of this year’s Cannes will be quite remarkable, both domestically and globally. The bite is already coming. “Do you know how much the media covered the fact that you entered the opening ceremony with Kara?”

You were very excited. It was the same for Woojin, but the more he did it, the more he lowered his voice.

“I saw it.”

“It would be great just for ‘Leech’ to be invited to the Cannes ‘Competitive Category’, but if it wins just one award, its firepower is multiplied. Foreign media will also cover it, so naturally you will also be in the spotlight.”

“It will extend to ‘beneficial evil.’”

“Kkkkk, that’s the correct answer.”

Seonggeon Choi laughed sarcastically.

“If a ‘leech’ wins Cannes’ highest award, the Palme d’Or, it would be a huge success as it would be the first in Korea.”

I showed my thumb to the calm Kang Woo-jin.

“If you win the Best Actor award, a nuclear bomb will explode. It’s still just a wish.”

Same time.

Rumors about Kang Woo-jin were spreading widely among those invited to the  Cannes Film Festival. In particular, French reporters and Cannes officials were harsh.

“I heard you saw a ‘leech’ yesterday? “How was it?”

“It was amazing. Ah, the actor named Kang Woo-jin, one of the leads in ‘Leech.’”

“There’s a lot of talk about that actor, why Kang Woo-jin?”

“It seemed like he lived here. “When he said hello before the screening, his French was amazing.”

“French? “You didn’t practice?”

“no. “It was at the local level. If you close your eyes and listen, anyone will think you’re not a Korean actor.”

To be precise, it should be said that it is not a rumor but rather a delusion and misunderstanding that spreads rapidly. Could it be the power of the 3,000 audiences who participated in the second screening of ‘Leech’?

“Ah, ‘leech’ comes to mind again.”

“Are you saying it was that shocking?”

“The work was amazing, but the actors’ acting was equally impressive. Especially Kang Woo-jin.”

“I heard a rumor that the actor spoke French. Is that true?”

“that’s right. The actor must have studied abroad in France, or he lived here at all.”

The starting point was the French that Kang Woo-jin suddenly recited. Since it was a gift from subspace, the level was also local level. So, it is natural for the illusion to spread throughout the Cannes Film Festival. However, it was not only stories full of these errors that were contagious.

There was also something real that wasn’t just a misunderstanding.

Kang Woo-jin is a topic that comes up in the mouths of directors from overseas who have seen ‘Leech’.

“Are you sure that the actor Kang Woo-jin I saw yesterday is his first time at Cannes this year? “Isn’t it strange that an actor with such acting skills is visiting Cannes for the first time?”

“I’m sure this year is the first, because even the Korean media is saying that.”

“······This is my first time seeing such creepy acting.”

“It was definitely different.”

“Check something, about Kang Woo-jin.”

There were directors from many countries, including France, but Hollywood directors were especially popular.

“Check the situation on the Korean side regarding Kang Woo-jin.”

“All right.”

“Who would have thought that the Korean actor who worked with Miley Cara on her album was Kang Woo-jin? Does he have any connection to Hollywood in terms of his work?”

“For now, yes.”

“······Coach Danny shook his hand yesterday, he liked it.”

“I will check as soon as possible.”

Kang Woo-jin’s acting in ‘Leech’ left a lasting impression on many directors, with the tension that went beyond the method and seemed to involve a real person.

“I need to find a way to watch Kang Woo-jin’s past works and see with my own eyes what kind of acting he has done.”

Of course, in addition to his outrageous acting, Kang Woo-jin’s unique aura also impressed the directors who came to Cannes.

“Acting is acting, but there is something special about his energy. The power to captivate the audience. “It smells like a star.”

Even so, it was only a reaction limited to one ‘leech’ work. If many directors see Woojin’s past or future works, they will be even more excited. If you look at the current situation, it was like that.

However, looking at the  Cannes Film Festival as a whole, there were more people who had not seen ‘Leech’.

A total of 6,000 people attended the two screenings of ‘Leech’. On the other hand, there were tens of thousands of people officially invited to the Cannes Film Festival, and hundreds of thousands of tourists. Therefore, more people wondered why the rumors about Kang Woo-jin were spreading.

“‘Leech’ is the only Korean film in the ‘competition category,’ right? “It’s a bit noisy.”

“Well, the work is a work of art, but there are also a lot of rumors about the actor Kang Woo-jin.”

“Kang Woo-jin? “Who was it?”

“I entered with Miley Cara at the opening ceremony.”

“Ahh- that actor? “What happened?”

“well. “I heard it’s quite unusual.”

Whatever it was, Woojin’s popularity was on the rise.

after.

The excitement of the Cannes Film Festival, which was halfway through, grew hotter and heightened towards the end. As this happened, Hollywood and other countries’ film boards, including Cannes in France, continued to pour out news related to the Cannes Film Festival.

It was the same in Korea.

In Korea, where many issues are still prevalent.

『Miley Kara, who entered the  red carpet at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival with ‘Kang Woo-jin’, new album teaser exceeds 70 million views』

『[Issue Talk] Miley Kara’s new album, scheduled to be released on the 12th, what does ‘Kang Woo-jin’, who briefly appears in the music video, look like?』

Naturally, news related to the Cannes Film Festival was exploding. Just because ‘Leech’ entered Cannes, it made a lot of noise, but local issues from Cannes, including Kang Woo-jin, were quickly conveyed to Korea, further increasing its power.

Well, in fact, the Korean media was in an uproar from the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.

『The 10 judges of this year’s Cannes International Film Festival standing on the red carpet, the fate of ‘Leech’ is in their hands / Photo』

『[Cannes Film Festival] A huge poster of ‘Leech’ hung on the wall of a large building, ‘Kang Woo-jin’s face fluttering in Cannes! / Photo』

『“We worked on the album together.” Kang Woo-jin and Miley Kara walking side by side on the opening ceremony red carpet / Photo』

The Cannes Film Festival has already begun its fifth day, but the temperature of the Korean media was busy soaring. The same goes for various media such as broadcasting.

『Kang Woo-jin posing for reporters before the official screening of ‘Leech’ in the ‘Competition’ section/Photo』

『[Film Festival] ‘Miley Kara’ rushing to see ‘Leech’』

『Hollywood’s biggest directors, including director Danny Landis, enter to see ‘Leech’ / Photo』

At this point, not only the domestic entertainment industry but also the entire Republic of Korea was watching the Cannes Film Festival. The issue was reported in the news every day, and Khan was constantly talked about on YouTube, social media, and various communities.

-ㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠWoojin oppa on the red carpet… he looks so cool….

-I feel like watching the World Cup haha.

-It’s a new era for great directors from all over the world to go see Korean movies;;

-I’m a bridesmaid anyway.

-↑ㅂㅅAh, the fact that Korea is already the only one to enter the  Cannes competition section is a bitch….

-Geun kekeke Kang Woo-jin and Miley Kara don’t seem to be close??? Are they dating?????

-I want to see the leech too…isn’t it released in Korea??

-With things like this, I hope I win an award haha.

-I cheer for you!!!

-Ssssssssssssssssss-Kan, it’s 3 am for the closing ceremony, but I’m holding on…

-Kang Woo-jin is a bitch;;;;

– JevaryuㅠㅠㅠㅠTake the Golden Palm Award!!

-The Palme d’Or Award goes to Eva hahaha.

Korea was literally rocking the Cannes Film Festival right now.

Then on the morning of the 5th, Korea.

A conference room at a large distribution company in Seoul. At least 20 people are sitting at a U-shaped desk. A beam projector was shooting out in front. What’s interesting is that what is printed is related to the ‘Leech’ poster and the Cannes Film Festival.

It was natural.

Because this place was the official distributor of ‘Leech’. Of course, several executives, including the head of the ‘Leech’ film company and distribution company, were in Cannes. However, it was not possible to go to everyone, especially the distributor, who had a lot of work to do in Korea instead of Cannes.

Right now, I was dealing with one very important thing among the many things to do.

Soon, a bespectacled executive sitting in front of the U-shaped desk flipped through the material he was reading and spoke.

“No matter what the performance of ‘Leech’ is at Cannes, it is right to release it as soon as possible since it already has a lot of buzz.”

Other executives also joined in one by one.

“That’s right, Director Ahn said that too. “It’s something we’ve been preparing for since the beginning of the production of ‘Leech.’”

“It should be released domestically within two weeks at the earliest, or three weeks at the latest, starting on the 11th when the  Cannes Film Festival ends.”

“I understand that you started securing a theater a long time ago. How is it going?”

A team leader-level employee quickly responded.

“Yes, the process of securing a theater was in progress even before the ‘leeches’ started cranking it up. ”

“hmm. Then there is no problem in releasing ‘Leech’ within 3 weeks after Cannes, as the promotion and marketing started at the Cannes Film Festival. “Because it’s already noisy.”

“In addition, we plan to spread as many advertisements as possible in connection with the domestic release of ‘Leech’ for three weeks before the release.”

The executive wearing glasses joined in again, flipping through a page of data.

“Three weeks – maximum three weeks after Cannes ends, so October 27th would be a suitable release date.”

At this time, another executive remembered something and muttered:

“Wait a minute, it will be released in Japan by then.”

“what?”

“Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Unfamiliar Parasite’. “It’s not confirmed, but if they said it would be released at the end of October, the timing would be almost right.”

Of ‘leeches’ and ‘unfamiliar parasites’.

“Ah, so the two movies will be released around the same time?”

It was a simultaneous sortie.