Chapter 379: Overwhelmed (8)

Translator: Santos

 

With the female reporter's shout:

“Kang Woo-jin!! Is it true that you’re a candidate for a *Columbia Pictures* project??!! And as the lead??!!”

All eyes in the large screening room turned to Kang Woo-jin. Director Kyotaro and the Japanese actor Mana Kosaku from *The Parasitic Mate*, hundreds of reporters, critics, and personnel from the distribution company conducting today’s screening were all focused on him.

At first, the reporters wore expressions of confusion, wondering what that woman was talking about. 

“Wait!!”

“Ah!”

Gradually, shock spread across their faces as they checked their phones for incoming notifications. The news began to spread rapidly from a few people to dozens. It was an unexpected scoop, and the person at the center of it was right in front of them.

The reporters, one and all, increased the speed of their shutter clicks.

- *Flash!*

- *Flash!*

The entire screening room was suddenly ablaze with flashes of light. At that moment, Kang Woo-jin's low voice resonated.

“It’s true, but it’s not something to discuss here.”

He responded to the female reporter’s question, sounding quite indifferent, yet still incorporating the word “true.” At this, Director Kyotaro thought to himself:

*“*Columbia Pictures*?? I see, so he made contact with them right after Cannes? Not a small or medium studio, but one of the Hollywood ‘Big Five.’ If he’s a candidate for the lead role—this means he’s competing with top Hollywood actors.”*

Mana Kosaku and the other Japanese actors from *The Parasitic Mate* had their eyes widen. Naturally, they were all looking at Woo-jin standing next to Director Kyotaro, and their gazes were filled with sincere amazement rather than shock.

*“Wow! *Columbia Pictures*??!”*

*“Goodness—if that’s the case, he’s about to open the door to Hollywood in just two years!”*

*“Even top actors in Japan, after ten years, couldn’t achieve this... and he did it in just two years.”*

It wasn’t just the Japanese actors; it was the same for Korea. Which actor could sweep Cannes and confidently step into Hollywood in just two years? Of course, he hadn’t confirmed the lead role yet, but even being considered for a lead role by a colossal film studio like *Columbia Pictures* was extraordinary. He was shoulder to shoulder with Hollywood superstars.

The Japanese actors, well aware of this, could only gape.

Then, a reporter shouted,

“Kang Woo-jin!! Since when have you been in contact with *Columbia Pictures*??”

“Was that trip to LA just for this??!!”

“Did you meet with any other ‘Big Five’ studios??!”

“Is the new film from *Columbia Pictures* the one directed by Ahn Ga-bok??!!!”

The hundreds of reporters were ecstatic, nearly going mad. The premiere had quickly turned into a press conference. By now, everyone in the room had checked the breaking news.

- *Official announcement: *Columbia Pictures* reveals lead role candidates—five in total, including four top Hollywood actors and Kang Woo-jin!*

In the midst of this, Kang Woo-jin maintained a poker face but felt slightly flustered inside.

*“Ugh—man, the timing! Should I just slip away??”*

Of course, he had known this news would break today. The *Columbia Pictures* team in LA had communicated this. However, he didn’t know the exact timing. Asking them to postpone the announcement due to the screening of *The Parasitic Mate* would have been odd.

Whatever it was, he hadn’t expected the timings to clash.

This was unavoidable for Kang Woo-jin. While the reporters continued to bombard him with a barrage of questions that sounded almost like screams,

“Woo-jin!! Is it true that Ahn Ga-bok is directing the Hollywood project??!”

“Have you discussed anything with Director Ahn Ga-bok??!!”

“Did you meet with the Hollywood actors you are competing with?!!!”

The atmosphere escalated to an uncontrollable level. The screening had transcended its purpose, and as Kang Woo-jin momentarily gazed at the frenzied crowd of hundreds of reporters, he turned to the director standing beside him.

“Director.”

He whispered to the gray-haired Kyotaro in Japanese.

“I think it’s best if I leave for now.”

If Kang Woo-jin stayed any longer, the situation would not settle down. Everyone involved in the screening, including Director Kyotaro and the Japanese actors, had taken the time out of their busy schedules. Woo-jin sincerely expressed his apologies.

“I’m sorry.”

Director Kyotaro smiled gently.

“It’s fine; you likely didn’t know. Complications like this are common in our industry. Anyway, congratulations. I was sure we’d hear Hollywood news soon.”

“Thank you, Director.”

“Is it true that you’re working on a project directed by Ahn Ga-bok?”

“Yes, but it’s not confirmed yet.”

“Making the impossible possible is your specialty, isn’t it? It wouldn’t be surprising if it’s confirmed.”

*Isn’t your faith a bit too strong?* Kang Woo-jin next sought understanding from the Japanese actors, including Mana Kosaku. Naturally, they too offered their congratulations and support alongside Director Kyotaro. Following this, Kang Woo-jin managed to escape the screening room with the help of the staff guiding him. The reporters continued to unleash a torrent of flashes as he left, but fortunately, they didn’t follow him out.

This was likely a matter of instinct being controlled by reason.

Soon, as Kang Woo-jin exited the screening room, his team member, the ponytailed Choi Sung-geon, immediately approached him. He too had grasped the scoop that had just erupted.

“*Columbia Pictures* has made an official statement. They announced the project title and the candidate actors.”

“Yes, it was loud in the screening room.”

Choi Sung-geon chuckled and showed his phone to Woo-jin.

“No, man. The whole of Korea is in an uproar.”

Meanwhile,

The Korean entertainment industry was in turmoil. Various film companies, entertainment agencies, production companies, and broadcasting stations were all abuzz.

“What?! The Hollywood studio Kang Woo-jin contacted was *Columbia Pictures*??!”

“No way, is this the real deal?? Just a few days ago, they said it was unrelated or something!”

“They announced it directly from *Columbia Pictures*! It’s 100% certain!!”

“So then... does that mean they have Ahn Ga-bok as the director, and they’ve sent a love call to Kang Woo-jin? At the same time?? That’s a strangely amazing picture!”

“More importantly—having a first meeting with a Hollywood studio like *Columbia Pictures*?!”

Everyone in the entertainment industry was reading articles translated into Korean, containing similar content.

『CNM: *Columbia Pictures* reveals the title and lead candidates for a major new film!』

- *“*Columbia Pictures* has released additional information about its new project. The title of this film, directed by the Korean director Ahn Ga-bok, who won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, is *The Pierrot*. Additionally, the actors who have been named as lead candidates include Chris Hartnett and... notably, Korean actor Kang Woo-jin. He is the same actor who won Best Actor at Cannes with Director Ahn Ga-bok for the film *The Parasitic Mate*...*

The content of the foreign articles mentioned not only Director Ahn Ga-bok and the title *The Pierrot*, but also highlighted the Hollywood actors named as candidates, including Kang Woo-jin. Interestingly, while the headlines and content varied slightly, most foreign articles extensively covered Woo-jin’s introduction, indicating that he was on their radar.

This was to be expected.

With his declaration of intent for the Academy Award and the issues surrounding Miley Cara, it was no surprise that a Korean actor who had already gained significant attention would be joining the colossal film studio *Columbia Pictures* in Hollywood.

Furthermore, the storytelling was remarkable.

『BBX: What if Ahn Ga-bok, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, directs *The Pierrot*, and Kang Woo-jin takes the lead? A historic first for Hollywood.”*

Announcing that it would be a major project, *Columbia Pictures* had entrusted the direction to a Korean director for the first time, and now, with Kang Woo-jin stepping into the lead, two members of the main cast for *The Pierrot* would be Korean. If Kang Woo-jin were to secure the lead role in *The Pierrot*, it would be an unprecedented occurrence, both for the Korean film industry and Hollywood.

The stakes were unimaginably high.

At this point, as Kang Woo-jin entered the van,

*“Ugh—my phone is going crazy.”*

It vibrated incessantly with notifications every second. Many people, beyond just family, acquaintances, and colleagues, were sending congratulatory messages and inquiries. Meanwhile, Choi Sung-geon and the other members of Woo-jin’s team quickly started monitoring the situation.

“Wow!! Is there already this much news out??!”

“Oppa! You’ve taken over the headlines! You’ve already conquered them all!”

The frenzy among numerous media outlets in Korea erupted as they quickly published articles on this breaking scoop. It was as if a runaway train was barreling down the tracks.

『[Breaking News] Kang Woo-jin officially breaks into Hollywood!』

『Hollywood’s ‘Big Five,’ *Col

umbia Pictures*, states, “Kang Woo-jin is included as a lead candidate for our new major film *The Pierrot*.”』

『[Official] Kang Woo-jin, on the brink of becoming the first Korean actor to lead a Hollywood film, foreign media are buzzing.』

『If Ahn Ga-bok takes the helm of *The Pierrot* and Kang Woo-jin claims the lead, it would mark a unique milestone!』

The internet was rapidly filling with issues surrounding Kang Woo-jin’s name.

『“Awaiting the screen test”... Will the storm Kang Woo-jin be able to seize the lead in *The Pierrot*?”』

『“Winning Best Actor at Cannes was just the beginning. Kang Woo-jin knocks on Hollywood’s door in his second year!”』

The pace of the news was faster than ever before.

“Even the community is buzzing!”

“The YouTube channels are on fire!!”

“SNS is going crazy!”

Just a few days ago, there had been discussions to not get carried away about Kang Woo-jin’s potential Hollywood debut, or to dismiss it as nonsense, but with the sudden official news from LA, it was only natural.

Was it a stunning twist?

- Wow.... crazy.... chills.......

- Is this for real?? Kang Woo-jin in Hollywood?! And it’s *Columbia Pictures*? That’s a freaking major studio!

- LOL, the moment I saw the article, I thought I was dreaming!

- This is unbelievable... Seriously, I’m shouting!!!!

- Living to see a Korean actor mentioned as a Hollywood lead? What a time to be alive!

- Wow!!! My national pride is soaring!!!!

- LOL, where did all the naysayers who said Kang Woo-jin couldn’t make it to Hollywood go? LOL

The Korean public was overwhelmed with various emotions of surprise, shock, upheaval, excitement, and confusion.

- Whoa, Kang Woo-jin is really rocking it!

- Honestly, winning Best Actor at Cannes is insane, but to become a Hollywood lead in just two years???

- Is Kang Woo-jin’s asking price going to skyrocket? Will we not be able to see him in Korean projects anymore?

- I really hope Ahn Ga-bok gets to direct him and that he lands the lead in *The Pierrot*.

- Haha, *Columbia Pictures* just like that? LOL, his potential is off the charts!

- I mean, looking at the articles, the caliber of the Hollywood actors mentioned alongside him is just... this is truly something.

With the official news out, negative comments were exceptionally rare. While there were some, the prevailing public sentiment was overwhelmingly supportive of Kang Woo-jin.

- The collaboration between Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin! It’s heartwarming!

By the time it was past lunchtime, various radio stations and news outlets quickly covered Kang Woo-jin’s news.

“Recently, we reported on Director Ahn Ga-bok’s Hollywood debut, and now we have news about Kang Woo-jin, who won Best Actor at Cannes for *The Parasitic Mate*. He has been included in the official lead candidate list for a new film from the *Columbia Pictures*, known as one of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five.’ This is Kim Ji-hye reporting.”

This was not something to be easily overlooked. The timing was perfect. Just after winning at Cannes, Ahn Ga-bok made his Hollywood debut, and now Kang Woo-jin was following suit. National pride was soaring in succession.

In addition, Japan’s situation was no different as the release of *The Parasitic Mate* approached.

『Is he already a world star? “Kang Woo-jin” confirmed as a lead candidate for *Columbia Pictures* new film.』

Having made a significant mark in Japan with works like the anime *Friendzone: Remake* and the movie *The Parasitic Mate*, Kang Woo-jin was naturally a breaking news sensation there as well.

Korea, Japan, and Hollywood were all buzzing with excitement.

And the following morning, Kang Woo-jin was already being treated almost like a world star.

『‘Promoting Korean culture worldwide,’ World Star Kang Woo-jin’s journey [Special Report]』

Meanwhile, in LA,

Unlike Korea, it was afternoon in LA. Being the birthplace of movies, numerous issues were bubbling up, with news about *The Pierrot* being the hottest topic. Consequently, *Columbia Pictures* was busier than ever. In particular, the *Pierrot* team stood out.

Currently, they were gathered in a medium-sized meeting room for production discussions.

With the project title and hot topics already thrown around, what came next was equally important. A significant number of foreigners were gathered in the meeting room. The key staff, including the lead producer and the crew, along with Director Ahn Ga-bok were present. The executives from *Columbia Pictures* were notably absent.

At this moment, under the guidance of the female producer, they were discussing publicity and actor auditions.

“We should create some buzz for at least a week.”

“Right, I plan to stir things up until next week.”

At that moment,

- *Swoosh.*

Director Ahn Ga-bok moved.

“Hmm—”

He looked down at the candidates for the lead role in *The Pierrot*, including Kang Woo-jin, and addressed everyone in an aged voice. While not fluent, his English was clear.

“What if we make the auditions and screen tests public?”