Closing (6)

 

Kang Woo-jin’s low voice resonates at the closing and awards ceremony of the magnificent  Cannes Film Festival. His face was silent, calm and cool. It’s hard to see him as the first man from Khan and Korea.

What were his thoughts expressed in Korean to the audience, world film industry giants, and reporters from around the world?

“I have a house in LA, so I’m going to aim for that next year.”

It was no different from a declaration of war. The target this time was the world.

This was clearly a statement that could cause a global uproar. But Kang Woo-jin was nothing special. No, she had to pretend. When it comes to concept work, every moment is a battlefield, and there is no way you can go backwards anyway. Furthermore, Kang Woo-jin’s current state on stage at Cannes was quite hectic on the inside, contrary to his cool-headed exterior.

So, as usual, as always, I only think about the concept.

‘Fuck my way’, with a little bit of courtesy added to it.

“You can watch this time too.”

The wide eyes of the interpreter next to Woojin, who was calmly speaking, expanded several times more. It was definitely worth it. You wouldn’t have known that he would suddenly challenge the world. On the other hand, there was no immediate reaction from the host on stage, the 10 judges, the dozens of reporters in front, the Cannes broadcast team, and the thousands of big names in the audience.

It was natural because there was no interpreter.

“L.A.? “I thought you just said LA.”

“Yes, LA was definitely included.”

The foreign reporters who were whispering took pictures of Kang Woo-jin. Thousands of spectators tilted their heads or stared at Kang Woo-jin, waiting for his interpretation. Meanwhile, Korean comments are going crazy on YouTube Live, which is broadcasting Khan live.

-I can’t believe it even though I’m seeing it with my own eyes.

-But why is Kang Woo-jin so good at French????

– That’s right hahaha Kang Woo-jin, why is he so good at French?

-Alpha, it’s important right now that Kang Woo-jin won the Best Actor award at Cannes.

-Praise me for holding on without sleeping!!!

-Wow… I’m tired of Kang Woo-jin’s promotion of national prestige.

-Kang Woo-jin’s French pronunciation is crazy.

-Why do you like me??

-Madam!! Bring me a bowl of soup!!!!

-No, it was possible to win the Best Actor award at Cannes just 2 years after debut.

-creeps…

-Tomorrow, I’ll be in Korea or there, shit haha.

-congratulations!!

·

·

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Although there were only a very small number of people in the audience at Cannes, there were some who immediately reacted after hearing Woojin’s Korean comments. It was the ‘leech’ team. Director Anga Bok, with short gray hair, smiled and rubbed his chin.

“I mean Hollywood, I mean the Academy Awards. Yeah, I’ll be sad if that distribution doesn’t come out. “Khan was just a stepping stone anyway.”

Shim Shim-ho, who recalled Kang Woo-jin from last year’s Blue Dragon Film Festival, chimed in.

“I was secretly looking forward to it, but he spoke so calmly and without the slightest nervousness.”

“You don’t care about what comes next.”

“Or, I am confident that I will win the Best Actor award next year as well.”

“Both, both. But I’m not bragging. Look at that guy’s strong face. “I’m full of confidence.”

“I won the Best Actor award here at Cannes and for the first time in Korea. You have to have that kind of spirit.”

“haha. “Won, the day will come when you will fall behind.”

“I need to work hard.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok seemed to be enjoying himself, and great actor Shin Shim-ho was relaxed even though he had just been overtaken by a distant junior. The look in his eyes as if he was going to receive it next year. Jin Jae-jun and Han So-jin couldn’t help but be shocked with their mouths wide open, and Oh Hee-ryeong, with an elegant smile, muttered softly.

“Good shot – tomorrow, not only Korea but the world will be excited, right?”

Eyes of anticipation rather than worry. Next, director Anga Bok looked at Woojin on stage and crossed his legs.

“Well, if this happens, I’m offended.”

The answer was given by Sim Sim-ho, who seemed to understand what Director Ga-bok Ahn said.

“······‘Leech’ won Best Actor.”

“Well, it means that no other statues of ‘leeches’ will be called in this room anymore.”

There are many rules for the  Cannes Film Festival, which has a long tradition, but what director Anga Bok said now was the rule that ‘only one major award can be given to a work.’ If a work in the ‘competition category’ wins the ‘Director Award’, that’s it.

In other words, ‘Leech’ just won Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Best Actor’ award, which means the award is over.

Of course, looking back on the past of the Cannes Film Festival, there was a time when a film in the ‘competition section’ won multiple major awards. However, that was in the early 2000s, and there has not been a single award-winning work in 20 years. It was a shame, but director Ang Bok didn’t seem to care at all.

“But there are plenty. Because ‘Leech’, Woojin wrote a new history in Cannes. It’s the same for Korea’s first time. This is enough, this is enough.”

Instead, the wrinkled smile became deeper.

“It’s luxurious for my 100th work.”

About this way.

-Sigh.

Woojin, with an indifferent face, began to translate his feelings into French. In addition, many of the headphones in the audience heard it in English. Soon, reporters, broadcasting teams, and thousands of viewers also recognized Kang Woo-jin’s declaration of war. First of all, most of the eyes widened.

“W-what?”

“Aiming for that – does that mean the Academy Awards?”

“That might be a little controversial.”

“It’s more cocky than guts. “It’s true that Cannes is great, but suddenly it’s the Academy Awards.”

“Well, aren’t you saying that feeling too casually?”

“I don’t think you said it because it came to mind right away, right? “Doing it without a hitch like that means you’ve been prepared.”

“······Did you prepare such a declaration-of-war sentiment in advance?”

Murmurs and murmurs spread throughout the hall.

“Well, but that actor speaks French so well?”

“that’s right. “Have you been staying here?”

“Look at the pronunciation, I lived in France.”

“There was no such information at all.”

“I came to study abroad.”

“Oh, did you learn acting here?”

Embarrassment, bewilderment, shock, surprise, wonder, shock, etc. Similar emotions and feelings were plastered on the faces of thousands of great people.

What’s unusual is that

“It’s Kang Woo-jin – he’s a very unique actor. But are you going to be able to handle it like this?”

“My acceptance speech today will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

More than 70% of the audience showed obvious bewilderment, but the rest of the audience had a strangely opposite reaction. A nod of approval, a faint smile, expectant eyes, or a look of support. The reason was simple.

Because they saw ‘leeches’.

Because I had witnessed Kang Woo-jin’s acting in ‘Leech’, his declaration of war did not feel like an immature attack or a strong-willed act.

‘The performance that overwhelmed Khan is enough to be popular in Hollywood.’

‘If the work is good, an Academy Award is not impossible.’

‘It’s possible if there’s room for further growth in that acting.’

At this time. Kang Woo-jin gave his acceptance speech to the bustling hall.

“My parents, younger brother, friends, colleagues who believed in me and supported me, coaches and staff who helped me a lot, agency CEO and employees, and even my fans. Thank you, I will share this moment with everyone.”

He concluded his remarks in a low tone.

“I am grateful to be able to stand in this honored position once again.”

Kang Woo-jin immediately begins interpreting in French. Around this time, a big Hollywood director is in the audience. In other words, director Danny Landis was laughing a little.

“He even has a strong mentality. “It doesn’t make sense that it’s been 2 years. After all, there must have been something in the past before debut.”

And I got greedy.

“Star quality, the power to attract people. “I actually want to take that actor to the Academy Awards.”

The blonde Kara held back a shiver as she covered her mouth with one hand.

‘How many men can purely express their desires on this big stage without worrying about their image? Academy Award – That actor will definitely appear.’

Expectations were also exploding in the eyes of Hollywood figures such as Joseph and Meghan. At the same time, people everywhere in the audience were busy whispering and recalling difficult-to-understand words from Kang Woo-jin’s remarks.

“You said you won the Rookie of the Year award last year, right? That means you won the Best Actor Award at Cannes this year as soon as you received the Rookie of the Year Award?”

“······oh my god.”

“Has it been a while since you debuted?”

“no way. “It’s been a long time since I debuted, but I guess it’s only recently that I’ve been in the spotlight.”

Soon, Woojin, holding the Best Actor trophy at the lectern, greeted the audience.

-Sure.

at the same time.

-Clap clap clap!

Dozens of people sitting in the audience gave a standing ovation again. It’s contagious.

-Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Most of the thousands of spectators stood up from their seats and applauded. Of course, there were quite a few people who were genuinely happy, but there were still more who were absurd or puzzled. However, I feel like I am following the atmosphere.

-Clap, clap, clap, clap!

The hall applauds as they leave. Kang Woo-jin calmly walks off the stage. Immediately, several cameras from Cannes’ broadcasting team were attached, and dozens of foreign reporters followed, clicking their shutters. In the eyes of the media, it was a 100% scoop. The first Korean actor to win Best Actor at Cannes, his unusual acceptance speech.

-Pababababak!

Thunderous applause and a barrage of flashes. However, Kang Woo-jin’s silent expression did not change.

“······”

I just calmly move to my seat. Well, inside I was making a fuss.

‘Wow – is it over?? It’s over, right? There is no God of Shiva! I don’t even remember what I did! I don’t know, let’s sit down first. ‘I really want to rest.’

Kang Woo-jin, who had a strong sense of concept, managed to sit down in his seat, and the ‘Leech’ team congratulated him again as if he had been waiting. Of course, the attention of thousands of viewers around him was still focused on Kang Woo-jin. It was at this time that Jin Jae-jun, a top actor in Korea, spoke cautiously.

“Can I get a proper look at the Best Actor trophy?”

Without any particular surprise, Kang Woo-jin opened the box. Jin Jae-jun and Han So-jin exclaimed.

“Oh oh-”

“Wow… this is it.”

Shin Shim-ho, who is reminiscent of a tiger, also glanced at the trophy with a serious expression. At this time, director Ahn Ga-bok, with a smile on his face, gave an old voice to Kang Woo-jin.

“Tomorrow, the world will be shaken by your words, and half of them may even attack you. But it doesn’t matter at all, right?”

Kang Woo-jin answered in a cold tone.

“No problem.”

Meanwhile, Korea.

In the afternoon, the closing and awards ceremonies were in full swing in Cannes, France, but an earthquake was occurring in Korea after 4:30 in the morning. It was a media story. Most of the domestic media outlets that were waiting were frantically publishing articles.

『[Breaking News] Kang Woo-jin wins Best Actor Award at  Cannes International Film Festival / Photo』

『[Step 1] ‘Kang Woo-jin did it!’ Won Best Actor Award at  Cannes Film Festival for ‘Leech’』

While the Cannes Film Festival is underway, articles with similar titles are pouring in like crazy every second.

『[Star Photo] Cannes and Korea’s first Korean actor to win Best Actor! Kang Woo-jin conveys his thoughts in fluent French / Photo』

『’Second Year’ Kang Woo-jin made history…Korea’s first Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award』

『Are you even good at French? ‘Legend’ Kang Woo-jin, the first Korean to receive the ‘Best Actor Award’, gives his acceptance speech in native French/Photo』

Kang Woo-jin’s name was overflowing not only on the three domestic portal sites, but also on SNS, numerous communities, and YouTube.

『Kang Woo-jin, the first Korean to win Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival, had an unusual acceptance speech this time too! “Aiming for Hollywood next year”』

『’Monster actor’ Kang Woo-jin mentioned last year’s ‘Blue Dragon Film Festival’ in his thoughts, “I will buy a house in LA and aim for the Academy Award for Best Actor.”』

Even though it was early in the morning, the media and public opinion were showing firepower that bordered on madness. Beyond promoting national prestige, Kang Woo-jin wrote a new history globally.

Even just two years after appearing in the Korean entertainment industry.

If it was like this at this early hour, it was obvious that a few hours later in the morning, the fire would be dozens of times bigger than this. In fact, the news teams of many domestic broadcasting stations are busy running around from early in the morning.

“The data was passed on!! “Data data!!”

“Here you go!!!”

“Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech video!! “It includes French!!”

“Editing!”

“A local reporter!!”

“I’ve been contacted!”

Because we had to broadcast the news of Kang Woo-jin, who wrote the legend, as a morning news scoop.

“Is this the only picture you have?!! “Bring something clearer!”

“yes yes!!”

“I don’t have time! Get ready quickly!! “Leech-related, there won’t be any more issues at Cannes, right?!”

“There won’t be! “I already won the Best Actor award, so if the rules go by, I can’t win another award!”

“okay!! In the morning, we featured Kang Woo-jin winning the Best Actor Award at Cannes! Spend some time after the closing and awards ceremony at lunch! “I’ll definitely follow Kang Woo-jin’s interview!!”

“I’ll pass it on!”

Seconds, minutes. As time passed, Kang Woo-jin’s name piled up endlessly in Korea online and offline.

Did about 45 minutes pass like that?

While Korea was becoming more and more excited, the conference room of the official film company of ‘Leech’ was reminiscent of a wild party.

“Wow!! Woojin Kang! Kang Woo-jin!!”

“it’s okay!! That’s it!! “This is enough to become an issue not only in Korea but also around the world!!”

“The articles are already pouring in like crazy!!”

“Good good!! Get in touch with the local Kan!! As soon as the closing and awards ceremony was over, I picked up Woojin’s phone!!”

“We will also push for the release of Japanese and French films!”

“of course!!”

Excluding the people at Cannes, the remaining ‘leech’ film studio and distribution company executives in Korea appear to be half crazy. They were all gathered at dawn to watch the live broadcast of the  Cannes Film Festival on a large TV. Of course, it was like this from the moment Kang Woo-jin was named Best Actor.

“Tell the making team in the compartment over there! As soon as the awards ceremony is over, tell Woojin to join you!! I told them to include everything they could, from Woojin’s commemorative photo to the interview and after-party! “We must secure the original footage!”

“All right!!”

“What the hell! You must take 100 full and bust shots of Woojin holding the Best Actor trophy!! Ask Woojin about French too!”

Of course, at this moment, the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival was being played live on the TV installed in front of the conference room. The French director who had just won the second prize had just finished his acceptance speech, and now it was time for the final prize, the Palme d’Or, the first prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

However, executives from film companies and distribution companies in this conference room did not pay much attention.

Because they also knew the rules of the Cannes Film Festival well. The ‘leech’ that has already produced the ‘Best Actor’ award will no longer be called a ‘leech’. So right now, Kang Woo-jin has to be the main character. If they won both awards at the same time, the whole world would be shocked, but everyone knew that wouldn’t happen.

“But Woojin, was your acceptance speech okay?? “I think it was a bit harsh.”

“What do you think!! Thanks to you, it caused an uproar all over the world!! “I’m rather thankful!!”

It was at this time.

-[“I am happy to announce the glorious ‘Palme d’Or’ of the 74th Cannes Film Festival. Well, there are so many things that go beyond expectations at this year’s Cannes.”]

While everyone was distracted, an actress among the 10 judges at the Cannes Film Festival announced the ‘Palme d’Or’ award on the large TV in front of the conference room.

-[“Congratulations!! This year’s ‘Palme d’Or’ at Cannes!! ‘leech’!!!”]

At that moment, all the movements and words of the executives at the film company and distribution company of ‘Leech’ stopped. Then everyone looked at the TV with faces as if they were fascinated by something.

“······uh? “What did you just say-”

The TV was filled with Director Ang Bok’s surprised face.