Chapter 376: Overwhelmed (5)

Translator: Santos

 

Kang Woo-jin, who has partnered with a top Hollywood actor on par with Miley Cara, spoke calmly in English, even though he had almost been forced into the situation.

“By the way, what is your name?”

As a result, the foreign crowd around them began to murmur noticeably. The employees of *Columbia Pictures*, the visitors to the studio, and the team members of the Hollywood star—more than dozens of people—opened their eyes wide, each with different colored irises.

“What—what did Kang Woo-jin just say?”

“Did he just ask for his name?”

“No way, he doesn’t know him?”

“No, he must be joking.”

“Could it be a battle of egos?”

Of course, Choi Sung-geon, standing beside Kang Woo-jin, was somewhat surprised too. However, he felt a refreshing sensation. He didn’t quite catch what the Hollywood actor whispered to Woo-jin, but he felt slightly offended by the actor’s initial handshake comments.

“When did Woo-jin ever dismiss an Academy Award? And what? It’s good to have confidence, but too much makes you look overbearing? Ridiculous.”

That’s why Choi Sung-geon didn’t stop Woo-jin. It was a confidence that only Woo-jin could display, a situation he alone could create. It was an oddly flowing moment, but he felt it was fine to let it go.

‘…I feel like I should intervene, but no. This kind of thing can happen in Hollywood. Experiencing it now isn’t a bad thing. Especially if the opponent is a star of that caliber.’

Since Woo-jin was an unknown in Hollywood, similar incidents would certainly arise. Thus, Sung-geon chose to remain a bystander. However, the expressions of the Hollywood actor’s team members were severe. They crumpled at Woo-jin’s words. Among them, a stout man who appeared to be the main manager stepped forward.

“Hey, what did you just say?”

However,

- *Swish.*

The Hollywood star, still holding hands with Kang Woo-jin, glanced at him once. Although he didn’t speak, the implication was clear: don’t interfere. Soon, the manager shut his mouth, and the Hollywood actor turned to Woo-jin with a drastically changed tone.

“...What did you just say?”

There was a sense of warning in his voice. But what did it matter? Kang Woo-jin released his hand and replied directly. His voice was dry and firm.

“I asked for your name.”

“...”

The murmurs from the surrounding foreigners grew louder. But Woo-jin’s solemn English didn’t falter.

“It seems you know my name, but I don’t know yours. I think that’s impolite.”

Counterattack strategy. Ignoring someone requires ignoring in return. And he truly meant it with a bold attitude.

‘I can’t believe I genuinely don’t know this handsome guy’s name.’

Kang Woo-jin truly didn’t know his name. To be precise, he couldn’t remember it. It must have been utterly absurd for the Hollywood actor, considering that he was a name known not just in Hollywood but throughout America, Korea, and globally.

In essence, Kang Woo-jin was enacting a genuine yet contemptuous act.

And now, he added the concept of “beastification.”

Who could possibly discern Kang Woo-jin’s true intentions? No one in the world could, including the Hollywood actor standing in front of him. He merely assumed that because of what he said, Kang Woo-jin was attacking him.

“Woo-jin, did what I said bother you?”

Woo-jin replied dryly.

“Not at all. I thought it was advice, though it may not be very helpful.”

“...But why are you acting like that?”

“Is it strange to ask for a name?”

The Hollywood star fell into confusion. Clearly, Woo-jin was aggressive, but there was no emotion in his eyes. It didn’t seem fake at all. But how could he not know him? He briefly stared at Kang Woo-jin’s indifferent face.

‘What are you thinking...? It’s hard to read. But he has the kind of gaze that could pounce at any moment.’

One thing was for sure: Woo-jin’s gaze was more dangerous than threatening. At that moment, the stout manager standing behind him whispered.

“The eyes have increased. It’d be better to step away for now.”

In fact, the onlookers were still gathering around. In Hollywood, where rumors spread quickly, it was indeed lightning-fast. Soon, the Hollywood actor let out a small sigh and stepped down a stair while speaking to Kang Woo-jin.

“I’m Chris Hartnett.”

As soon as Woo-jin heard the name, he shouted inwardly.

‘Ah! Right, Chris Hartnett!’

The top Hollywood actor he had only seen in movies was right in front of him, yet Kang Woo-jin maintained his cynicism.

“I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

After looking at Woo-jin for a few seconds, Chris Hartnett smiled slightly.

“See you again.”

He hurriedly descended the stairs, and his team followed suit. Naturally, they shot glares at Kang Woo-jin. Whether that bothered him or not, Woo-jin remained expressionless. At this point, Choi Sung-geon nudged Woo-jin's shoulder.

“Let’s go; it’ll get annoying if we stay any longer.”

Thanks to the gathered spectators, Woo-jin and Choi Sung-geon climbed the stairs. By the time they reached the entrance...

“Hey, Woo-jin.”

Choi Sung-geon asked quietly.

“Did you really not know Chris Hartnett’s name? No way, right?”

Cynical Woo-jin mixed seriousness and bravado in his response.

“I didn’t know. If I hadn’t seen him today, I would’ve continued not knowing.”

A few dozen minutes later, in a large van.

The van filled with foreigners was cruising through downtown LA. The foreigners inside were, for some reason, in an excited state.

“Kang Woo-jin? Ridiculous. So arrogant.”

“That’s what I’m saying. After winning the Best Actor award at Cannes, his ego must have skyrocketed.”

“Let’s ignore him; if he’s going to act like that over just that, he won’t last long in Hollywood.”

“But when he asked for Chris’s name, he nearly exploded with anger.”

The stout man turned to a brown-haired individual sitting by the window.

“Chris, forget about that ridiculous guy.”

The person who had faced Kang Woo-jin earlier was Chris Hartnett, a top-tier Hollywood actor. He rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window, and spoke.

“Well, it wasn’t impactful enough to forget.”

“He’s just a cocky fool.”

“Hm—he took a solid hit.”

“What?”

“It’s been a while since I felt this way. Sounds fun.”

“...Fun?”

Chris had been rolling as an actor in Hollywood for over a decade. As he looked out the window, Chris Hartnett met the gaze of his stout manager. Genuine interest was evident on his face.

“Yeah, fun. Honestly, I didn’t expect him to hit so hard. I thought he’d be a bit nervous since he’s new, but—haha, surprise! He showed his teeth like it didn’t matter who he was facing!”

“Wasn’t that a bit uncomfortable?”

“Strange. I can’t tell which way it leans, but it’s heating up. I didn’t see ‘The Leech,’ but if he has that kind of guts, his acting should be something to look forward to, right? After all, he must have something going for him to be chosen at Cannes.”

The stout manager shook his head, as if displeased.

“He probably just got lucky. The atmosphere was so dry today that emotions didn’t show well; then the acting must have been plain. Why did he even become a candidate for the lead in *The Pierrot*?”

Chris Hartnett swept his brown hair back and chuckled, recalling Kang Woo-jin’s earlier image.

“Did no one see it?”

“Huh? What?”

“Kang Woo-jin. At first, he was quiet, but as soon as he heard my words, his eyes changed. Like... a beast? A monster? It was instantaneous. That was intentional; he showed me emotions he could manipulate freely.”

“I didn’t notice at all.”

Chris shrugged.

“A warning conveyed through emotion, not words. Luck? No, regardless of his character, he’s definitely a good actor. There aren’t many in Hollywood whose emotional switch is that quick.”

Muttering this, he took out a stack of papers tucked beside him. The cover had the title *The Pierrot* printed in English. Soon, Chris Hartnett opened the script and muttered.

“If I keep zoning out, I’ll take another hit. I’m looking forward to the audition.”

Meanwhile, in the medium conference room of *Columbia Pictures*.

In the meeting room, where posters of past hit works hung on the walls, Kang Woo-jin could be found. He sat at the center of a U-shaped table, with Choi Sung-geon beside him.

And then...

“I wanted to meet you, Woo-jin.”

Opposite Kang Woo-jin, with their backs to the window, sat six foreigners and one Korean. Executives from *Columbia Pictures*, the producer of *The Pierrot*, the casting team, and Director Ahn Ga-bok were all present.

After having already greeted each other, Kang Woo-jin replied suitably.

“Nice to meet you.”

The female producer smiled lightly in response.

“I heard you met Chris outside. He also had

 a preliminary meeting, but I heard you had a run-in with him before coming here?”

The news had evidently spread this far already. Although Woo-jin was surprised inwardly, he merely nodded indifferently.

“It was more of a simple greeting.”

“A simple greeting? Did you really not know his name?”

“Yes, that’s why I asked.”

“...You are indeed unique.”

The female producer, with a faint smile, seemed to be fond of Kang Woo-jin. In contrast, the executives from *Columbia Pictures* narrowed their brows. Their evaluations of first impressions likely varied. Soon, a male casting member from *The Pierrot* interjected.

“By the way, Woo-jin, this situation must be new to you, yet you don’t seem nervous at all.”

Indifferent, Kang Woo-jin immediately replied in English.

“Should I be nervous?”

“...Not exactly, but—did you perhaps visit other Hollywood studios before coming here?”

“This is my first time here.”

“Ah—I see. How do you feel?”

“Not much different from usual.”

Kang Woo-jin replied without a moment’s hesitation. In fact, he had decided before coming that he would approach this meeting straightforwardly. He had heard from Choi Sung-geon that this preliminary meeting would influence the audition and screen test scheduled for January next month.

‘Since I’ve never experienced Hollywood preliminary meetings, it’s better to act clearly than to behave ambiguously. Yes, I’ll go as I always do. Though, wow—this is a bit nerve-wracking.’

Since he had no experience in Hollywood, he resolved to keep his thoughts simple.

Conversely, the casting member was slightly flustered.

‘What the...? Why is he so nonchalant?’

There was not a hint of tension in him. In reality, the male casting member was asking a predetermined question. He had posed the same question to Chris Hartnett, Woo-jin’s former time. While ordinary, it allowed him to gauge the current mood based on the response.

But Kang Woo-jin was, well...

‘...Chris had confidence, but there was a hint of anxiety mixed in. But this guy—no idea? Nothing is showing.’

No signs of tension, anxiety, or joy were visible. The casting member then turned his gaze to the executives from *Columbia Pictures* and the female producer. They were also quietly examining Kang Woo-jin.

Their expressions varied widely.

Especially the faces of the *Columbia Pictures* executives were quite something. Confusion and awkwardness were etched on their faces at this character they had never seen before.

‘Confidence? No, arrogance? No matter how great a result he got at Cannes... it feels way too straightforward.’

In their eyes, Kang Woo-jin was like a madman. No matter that he had become a candidate for the lead in *The Pierrot*, if he faltered in this preliminary meeting, he wouldn’t reach the final audition or screen test. In a sense, it was a final interview for the audition.

However, Kang Woo-jin showed no signs of concern.

Yes, he knew that flipping Cannes and winning Best Actor was a tremendous feat, and he was soaring as an actor with an unprecedented filmography in Korea. But in Hollywood, he was a nobody. Moreover, where he was seated was *Columbia Pictures*, one of the top Hollywood studios. Top actors lined up for this place, so why was that Korean actor so uninterested?

‘It’s as if it doesn’t matter to him whether we work together or not.’

Of course, they were unaware of the Hollywood offers that Kang Woo-jin had received. From Joseph Pelton to *Walt Disney Pictures*. Yet, even if they knew, it was clear that they would find his current demeanor difficult to comprehend. Soon, the executives, with narrowed brows, murmured inwardly.

‘Nervous? Far from it; he seems to have no interest at all.’

‘...He looks completely at ease instead.’

All the executives had been glancing at the usually quiet Director Ahn Ga-bok. His earlier comments about Woo-jin echoed in their minds.

‘A weirdo. Kang Woo-jin is a weirdo.’

A weirdo. Yes, that Korean actor was literally a weirdo. But isn’t it a bit too much? Still, the executives felt somewhat offended. His indifferent demeanor didn’t reveal much desire.

‘Is he lacking ambition? Or does he have offers from other studios? Surely he’s not dismissing this opportunity.’

At this point...

“Kang Woo-jin.”

The female producer, who had been crossing her legs, asked.

“When Director Ahn Ga-bok delivered the script for *The Pierrot*, you responded immediately. What made you decide so quickly?”

Woo-jin replied lowly.

“I had a good feeling about it.”

“...Pardon? A feeling?”

“Yes.”

In that moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok cleared his throat and lowered his head. He struggled to hide a smile.

‘He’s throwing it out without embellishing it, just as he spoke to me.’

The female producer, unaware of this, blinked for a moment before speaking again.

“You seem to have nothing to be concerned about. As you know, this preliminary meeting could exclude you as a candidate. You don’t regret... anything?”

Looking at the female producer for a moment, Woo-jin dryly replied.

“I don’t mind, but *The Pierrot* will regret it.”

In other words, he meant they would regret it, not him.