Chain (10)

 

Among the group of foreigners, a man in his 60s with a bald head and glasses said these words to director Anga Bok. I would like to entrust the megaphone of our film to you. These words were like asking me to take over as director.

Director Ang Bok, with a face full of wrinkles, was silent as he looked at the group of foreigners sitting across from him.

“······”

His expression was firm. It was serious. The waves of emotion are thoroughly controlled. If I were to embody a quiet tycoon, it would be exactly like that. It was indeed the aura of an old man.

On the other hand, the team members who came with him were different.

Some of Management’s representatives and executives. Contrary to the rigid director Angabok, their eyes were full of excitement.

‘it’s okay! at las!’

‘Wow, I can’t believe the day has come when I see this scene in person!’

It was because I was truly happy. Because a scene was being produced in Hollywood where director Angabok was offered the role of director. Director Ahn Ga-bok, a legend and a legend in the Korean film industry. A director who won the ‘Palm d’Or’ at the  Cannes Film Festival for his 100th film, and even before that, he is a behemoth of a tycoon who has left a pretty big footprint both domestically and internationally.

But even for director Anga Bok, this was his first time experiencing a moment like this.

No, in the first place, it was rare for an Asian director to take the lead in Hollywood. Even if there were, there were only a few and there were no Korean directors at all. In short, it was the first time director Ang Bok had received an offer. This too was like marking a huge milestone in the history of the Korean film industry.

Director Gabok Ang has broken several records this year.

‘Is it only at this age that I have come this far?’

This moment was one of the goals he had decades ago. But it took too long. He almost gave up at the last minute. Unfortunately, I decided that it was due to my lack of capabilities.

The funny thing is.

‘Kang Woo-jin – Since I met that friend, my decades-long career has been accelerated by just one year.’

After Woojin became involved with director Gabok Ang, everything changed and turned upside down. ‘Leech’ was just a type of beauty. There was also curiosity about how much Kang Woo-jin’s power would grow. That’s why director Gabok Ang volunteered to play the role of ‘stepping stone’. It felt exactly like that. But strangely enough, Angabok’s career as a director was finally about to blossom into the world.

‘Is it like a benefactor? If it weren’t for Kang Woo-jin, ‘Leech’ and I would have been in the spotlight like this.’

In the grand scheme of things, it is true that it was a win-win for both Kang Woo-jin and director Ahn Ga-bok, but if Woo-jin had not taken on the role of ‘Park Ha-seong’ in ‘Leech’, today would not have come. At least director Anga Bok thought so.

‘Who could bring in someone who goes further than ‘Park Ha-seong’ in the scenario?’

‘Leech’ was able to shine several times more because it met Kang Woo-jin. Director Anga Bok, who had been lost in thought for a moment, then turned his gaze. Sitting in front, all the foreigners, even in Hollywood, are staring at director Ang Bok. If it were normal, I would just accept it as a good thing at this moment.

However, veteran coach Anga Bok cooled his boiling blood.

“Thank you for giving me this offer.”

It is very desirable to be the first Korean director to lead a Hollywood movie, but director Ahn Ga-bok is too old to just focus on that alone. Well, it was mostly my own opinion.

“But, why are you giving me this offer? “Aren’t there a lot of great directors in Hollywood?”

His question was relayed to the foreigners across the street through an interpreter. All four foreigners, who were obviously executives, smiled leisurely. In this meeting room where director Ga-bok Ang was sitting, those foreigners were executives of Columbia Studios, a Hollywood distribution and film company. ‘Columbia Studios’, also known as Hollywood’s ‘Big Five’.

There was no way the preliminary work had been wasted in casting the director.

Among the foreign executives, a bald-headed foreign man who appeared to be in his 60s looked at Director Gabok Ang and said,

“Of course, there are many great directors in Hollywood. But the directors we are looking for are not great or great directors. We need a director with astute sense and insight into society.”

-Suuuuu.

He placed two thick stacks of paper on the desk.

“Honestly, I did assume the achievements of this year’s  Cannes Film Festival. Cannes is a prestigious and prestigious film festival, and the results you achieve there are not easy. Many filmmakers there recognized director Anga Bok and ‘Leech’. And I saw your ‘leeches’ too.”

Soon, the two executives sitting next to the bald man also nodded. It means they saw it too. It was said that they also attended the Cannes Film Festival.

“It was difficult to take my eyes off it even for a second. I knew right away that Director Ahn should be the director of our work. We got to work as soon as we got back. “It was preparation for casting the director.”

After speaking, the bald-headed foreigner pushed the two stacks of paper he had pulled out to Director Ga-bok Ang.

“This is an official scenario. “If you take it on, I will have a meeting with the producer soon.”

Director Gabok Ang’s eyes lowered as he calmly listened to his explanation. I saw the scenario. After briefly unfolding it, I understood why there were two wives. One copy in English. One copy translated into Korean. At this time, the bald foreigner spoke again.

“Read it and you’ll understand why we want you.”

The handling was considerable. The translation of the pre-completed scenario into Korean, the politeness, and the explanations for casting were also the same. Director Gabok Ang opened his wrinkled mouth.

“······The ‘leech’ you couldn’t take your eyes off of was not created by me alone.”

“Of course. “You can involve the coach’s teams.”

“If I were to direct, would I be able to get involved in the work of the actors who will be cast in the work?”

As you can see from Joseph Felton, casting actors in Hollywood was the job of the executive producer rather than the director. However, the bald man answered as if that was no problem.

“The film production systems of Korea and Hollywood are quite different, but it doesn’t mean that the director doesn’t participate in casting actors here either. However, you will need to reach an agreement with the producer or company. it’s possible.”

“What amplified the perfection of ‘Leech’.”

“Are you talking about Kang Woo-jin?”

“Including him and the actors of ‘Leech.’ In other words, I would like to ask about the degree of freedom in casting actors.”

To put it simply, the question was whether there were any plans to cast Korean actors as well. At this, a man with a bald head and glasses smiled casually and immediately spoke. As if it were definitive.

“Kang Woo-jin, his name is already on our casting board.”

Monday, November 1st. Early moning.

October ended and November began. Even before the sun rose, the van in which Kang Woo-jin was riding was heading toward Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do. Running to the set of ‘Beneficial Evil’. Several stylists are dozing off. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin, who looked out the window with a deep poker face and an indifferent expression, was fine.

Of course, only on the surface.

‘Oh, my eyeballs are going to fall out. It won’t work. ‘You have to start from the sub-space.’

Today will be another day filled with filming, and we have plans scheduled late into the night as well. It was when Kang Woo-jin was trying to pick up the copy of ‘Beneficial Evil’ with a swirling black square attached to it, which was lying nearby.

-Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Kang Woo-jin’s cell phone immediately displayed the caller’s name. A phone call came. The opponent was coach Anga Bok. Woojin tilted his head.

‘grandfather. No, you are Director Ahn? what?’

After calming my voice so as not to be noticed, I put the cell phone to my ear. Perhaps because her throat was locked, her tone came out lower than usual.

“Hello, Director.”

Director Anga Bok’s old voice was heard over the phone.

“Okay, can I talk to you?”

“yes. Please speak.”

“I’m in LA right now. Ah, is it early morning in Korea? Were you sleeping by any chance?”

Eh? L.A.? Director Ang Bok is in Hollywood? Although he had never heard of it, Kang Woo-jin quickly understood that there was an issue at the  Cannes Film Festival.

“no. “I’m moving, I’m fine.”

“Well, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“yes.”

“Have you received any scripts from Hollywood right now?”

There was ‘Jurassic Land 4′ and a few others, but since I’ve already played it, it’s safe to say there aren’t any. Oh, but is there a reservation for Joseph? Woojin answered.

“no. However, there is something we are discussing.”

“is it? Hmm, then one more.”

“yes.”

“When you start working on a Hollywood project, are you going to proceed with the same level of tension as when filming your domestic projects? “I’m asking if you plan to go at least two overlapping.”

I heard something from Choi Seong-gun. Hollywood’s system is actually more convenient for filming multiple works. Nothing would change if Woojin, who even had a subspace, entered Hollywood.

“of course.”

Soon, with the sound of director Anga Bok laughing through the cell phone.

“Right. Yes, the more works you have, the higher your chances of being nominated for an Academy Award. ”

“······”

I heard a question.

“I plan to see you right away when I get back to Korea, but can you give me some time?”

Meanwhile, L.A.

It was morning in Korea, but early afternoon in LA. Inside a room at a 5-star hotel in LA. Director Anga Bok, who had just finished talking to Kang Woo-jin, sat on the sofa sighing softly. Then, I looked down at the two copies of the script I had received from Columbia Studios executives on the table in front of me.

“······”

Director Gabok Ang, who had been silent for a moment, suddenly recalled the meeting with them. To be precise, it was a conversation with a bald-headed foreigner among the executives.

From the part where Kang Woo-jin’s name appears.

“Except for Shim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryeong, all of the ‘Leech’ actors were impressive. However, Kang Woo-jin, the winner of Cannes’ Best Actor award, was the most interesting to us. It’s no wonder he’s on our casting board. No, he’s probably wanted everywhere in Hollywood.”

“······”

The bald-headed man spoke again to Director Angabok, who nodded slowly, as if satisfied.

“But there are many actors on the casting board other than Kang Woo-jin. In this area, most actors audition regardless of their level. Rather than verifying skills, we speak lines and conduct a 100% screen test to ensure synchronization with the character. You may know that many actors go through this process and then select the actor who best suits the role.”

Director Anga Bok was not unaware of the fierce competition among Hollywood’s top actors. He was so famous for his screen test. Well, many top Hollywood actors will appear.

‘That won’t be a problem for Woojin.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who thoroughly believes in Kang Woo-jin, asked the executives of the film company ‘Columbia Studios’ something else.

“one more. “Is this movie going to be nominated for an Academy Award?”

The answer this time was again a foreign man with a bald head and glasses.

“To be honest, that is our true intention.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok recalled his conversations with the big names at Columbia Studios. He cut off his thoughts and leaned his back against the sofa.

And then.

“hmm-”

I let out a short sigh. Proposal to direct the work. And although there were many key points in the conversation with ‘Columbia Studios’ executives, director Ang Bok was most impressed by the issue regarding the ‘Academy Awards’.

“I see.”

Director Ang Bok then looks down at two copies of the script on the table. Crossing your arms is a bonus.

“It may not be accurate, since the ‘Academy Awards’ was the original intention, but was this work written from the beginning to explicitly target the ‘Academy Awards’?”

Those are the words of the ‘Columbia Studio’ people.

Movies produced in Hollywood may have various characteristics, but if you exclude movies that explicitly seek popularity and aim for box office success, most of them keep the ‘Academy Awards’ in mind. Of course, there are also movies that explicitly aim for the Academy Award. You have to give up a bit on popularity, but surprisingly, it is not uncommon for such films to perform well in Hollywood.

in other words. Hollywood can’t predict what’s ahead.

In fact, this film was proposed to be directed by director Ang Bok. There was a high possibility that they would aim for the ‘Academy Award’. That is, based on conversations with Columbia Studios executives. However, giving up on popularity completely did not make sense. Well, that part clearly depends on the director’s abilities.

Youngmul Angabok, director, wiped his wrinkled forehead.

‘haha. In my later years, I feel like I’m being swept up in some huge whirlwind.’

If it had been at least 10 years ago, the blood in my body would have been boiling, but now, veteran coach An Ga-bok is cool and calm. He had a long talk with Columbia Studios, but he had not yet given a definite answer. First of all, shouldn’t you read this scenario?

Coach Ang Bok, touching his wrinkled cheek, recalled Kang Woo-jin, whom he had spoken to on the phone a few minutes ago.

“I gave you the space in advance, but if the work is vague even in my mind, there’s no way that monster-like bastard will notice it.”

An Ga-bok suddenly remembered the very cool-headed Kang Woo-jin whom he had first seen in Vietnam. Woojin looked directly at director Anga Bok, who is revered as a legend, and said, ‘I’m not interested in Cannes.’

“He is strangely indifferent and polite, but when it comes to acting or choosing a project, he is very devoted.”

Probably, regardless of the background of this work, Kang Woo-jin would not hesitate for a second if he didn’t like it. Director Angabok knew better than anyone else.

Therefore, this scenario had to be approved by director Anga Bok first. He must first decide whether to take over as director or not before he can proudly show it to Kang Woo-jin. He soon uncrossed his arms and picked up one of the two scenarios. Of course it was translated into Korean.

The title of the work was on the cover.

-‘clown’

About an hour after this.

-Palak.

A smile spread across director Anga Bok’s wrinkled mouth as he read the script for ‘Cierrot’.

“You can see ‘clowns’ running around in real life.”

I was full of confidence.

“You can’t do this unless you’re that monster.”