Chapter 384: Overwhelmed (13)

Translator: Santos

Inside the theater, ads played on the big screen. The man in the black puffer coat—Kang Woo-jin—scrolled through messages from Choi Seong-geon on his phone.

"*The Pierrot* audition and screen test on January 25th. Departing on the 20th… Only a few weeks left. That’s sooner than I thought."

It was late December, leaving roughly three weeks until his departure for LA.

“Going a few days early must be for adjusting to the time difference and getting in top shape.”

He was right. The time difference between Korea and LA, plus the physical toll of auditions and screen tests, warranted an early arrival. Woo-jin had been to LA before, but this would be his first extended stay, and Choi Seong-geon, with Columbia Studios on the line, had decided to take no chances.

Understanding this, Woo-jin nodded to himself before checking the next message.

**CEO Choi:** "And Disney sent us an email as well. You’re officially confirmed as a candidate for *Beauty and the Beast*."

Woo-jin felt a quiet sense of relief. After their preliminary meeting with *Walt Disney Pictures*, *Columbia Studios* had announced him as a candidate for *The Pierrot*. Seong-geon had mentioned that competing offers could lead Disney to reconsider.

“It’s a relief that worked out well after all,” he thought, recalling Seong-geon’s concern that Disney might change their mind. Although his meeting with Disney had gone smoothly, their delayed response after *The Pierrot* announcement hinted at hesitation.

Despite his practiced calm, Woo-jin had felt a bit anxious.

After all, *Beauty and the Beast* was a classic that held a special place for him. While he wasn’t the type to beg for a role, he preferred taking every opportunity that came his way, especially one like this.

"It’s a high-profile role, after all."

With *Beauty and the Beast* added to his list, Woo-jin now found himself in the running for roles with two of Hollywood’s “Big Five” studios.

“Two out of five? Not bad,” he thought with a confident grin.

Hollywood giants *Columbia Studios* and *Walt Disney Pictures* had both selected him as a candidate for their lead roles. Though it was unofficial, Woo-jin’s mindset was already that of someone who had secured both parts.

“They’re as good as mine.”

His self-assurance was high. Now, all that remained was Disney’s official announcement of his candidacy. Woo-jin dismissed the thought, content to wait, imagining the frenzy that would erupt if news broke about him potentially playing *Beauty and the Beast*’s Beast. 

Worldwide fans of the original would go wild.

“Controversies or hate comments might happen, but…”

"Doesn't bother me."

It was then that the theater darkened, and the screen faded from advertisements to the opening of *Strange Sacrifice*. Woo-jin put his phone on silent and slipped it into his pocket.

“It’s been a while.”

He hadn’t watched a movie as a regular audience member in ages. The last time he’d done this, he’d watched *The Detective Agency*. For a moment, he recalled his friends’ shock at his performance and chuckled.

Then, crossing his legs, he focused on the screen. The theater was half full, a solid turnout for a morning screening. Woo-jin settled into his seat, and so did the audience around him.

When Woo-jin’s character, Kiyoshi Iyota, first appeared on screen—face blank, expression detached, movements lifeless—Woo-jin felt a pang of embarrassment.

“It’s still awkward seeing myself in character,” he thought, suppressing a grin.

Meanwhile, the entire theater watched in rapt silence as the dark, unsettling atmosphere of *Strange Sacrifice* thickened with each scene. Woo-jin’s performance intensified, shifting from his multiple personalities to a cold piano performance, then to his character’s first “assignment.” The audience’s eyes widened at the unexpected twists, but the film gave them no time to recover. 

From a death on a ship, a detective on Kiyota’s trail, and then his final “assignment,” every moment built the tension higher. As Woo-jin’s character broke down in tears during the climactic scene, his long-repressed emotions unleashed, the audience gasped.

The final scene showed Woo-jin’s character, now with a hint of life in his eyes, gazing at the audience amidst a crowd. As the camera zoomed in, the screen cut to black, with majestic music fading in.

With the film over, the end credits rolled.

“Wow… that was amazing.”

“Absolutely brilliant.”

“Seriously, what’s with Kang Woo-jin’s acting? It’s… unreal.”

Stunned, most of the audience stayed in their seats, filled with genuine admiration.

“That gave me chills. It was basically a one-man show for Woo-jin!”

“Totally agree. He carried the entire movie, and there wasn’t a single boring moment.”

The praise was almost universal.

“Kang Woo-jin’s acting is insane! I was blown away halfway through.”

“Not to mention, his Japanese was so good I forgot he’s Korean.”

“Considering it hit 23 million viewers in Japan, I totally get it.”

As Woo-jin left the theater in his black coat and mask, a smile was hidden beneath. No one recognized him.

---

Meanwhile, in LA.

Unlike the early morning in Korea, it was afternoon in LA, and the *Walt Disney Pictures* team working on *Beauty and the Beast* was buzzing with activity.

“All the actresses for ‘Belle’ have confirmed their participation.”

“Miley Cara was a close call, but she agreed in the end.”

“I thought her silence meant she’d turn it down, but she must have changed her mind.”

“Well, it’s great news for us.”

The team of executives picked up the pace to keep things on track.

“With the Beast and Belle actors confirmed, we just need to set the schedule.”

“Should we start together or separately?”

“No rush. It’s probably better to proceed in phases.”

“Hm… but we do need to test their duet. There’s a scene where Belle dances to the Beast’s piano, so their chemistry is key.”

“We’ll also need a sound test for their voices later.”

As the team exchanged ideas, one of the senior executives spoke up.

“But first, we should make the official announcement about the live-action *Beauty and the Beast*. The rumors are getting out of hand.”

“True. Delaying it any longer could dampen the hype.”

The decision was made.

“Let’s take care of it within the next few days.”

---

In Korea, where Woo-jin’s awards sweep continued to make headlines…

**[MovieTalk] Kang Woo-jin’s Lead Role in *Strange Sacrifice* Debuts in Korea!**

The film’s Korean premiere on December 21 had stirred up excitement that only grew with the dawn of the release day.

**With 23 Million Views in Japan, *Strange Sacrifice* Makes a Strong Start in Korea, Dominating Advance Sales**

It was clearly the Woo-jin effect. Though *Strange Sacrifice* was already a huge success in Japan, Woo-jin’s role as its lead made it a must-watch event in Korea. With his record-breaking year, audience expectations for Woo-jin were sky-high.

And despite the risks of disappointing such eager fans, *Strange Sacrifice* exceeded expectations.

**[Strange Sacrifice] / Released December 21, 2021**

**Rating: 9.6**

**Viewer Reviews / 289 Participants**

- “No words needed—Woo-jin was on fire.” / g****
- “The film itself was great, but that ending—brilliantly done!” / 2****
- “Woo-jin made me watch my first Japanese film. Absolutely worth it, LOL.” / d****
- “Eh, just okay for me.” / q****
- “The way he starts off emotionless and then erupts with feeling at the end… Woo-jin’s acting is on another level.” / 2****
- “A Korean actor tearing through Japanese characters? No wonder it hit 23 million in Japan!” / r****
- “Watching this makes it clear why Woo-jin won Best Actor at Cannes.” / s****
- “Normally, Japanese films have this ‘Look, I’m acting!’ vibe, but this one didn’t. Lost track of time watching.” / v****
- “I found it a bit slow. *Symbiotic Leech* was better, though.” / 9****
- “Seeing Woo-jin’s Japanese and sign language skills… just wow. This movie shows his acting at its peak.” / o****

By the end of the first screenings, audiences were in a frenzy. It felt like *Symbiotic Leech* had barely settled down before *Strange Sacrifice* picked up the baton, signaling Woo-jin’s steady dominance in the cinema world.

The following day, on the 22nd.

After a well-earned day of rest, Woo-jin boarded a waiting van, his “Beast” demeanor stronger than ever. His team greeted him as he entered, and Seong-geon, sitting up front, turned his tablet screen to show Woo-jin with a proud grin.

“Woo-jin, *Strange Sacrifice* is off to a great start!”

The screen displayed the Korean premiere results.

**[December 21, 2021] Attendance Record**

**Daily Domestic Box Office**

1. *Strange Sacrifice* / Release Date: December 21 / Attendance: 608,893 / Screens: 1123 / Cumulative Attendance: 608,893

Though it might seem modest compared to *Symbiotic Leech*, it

 was far from weak.

“*Symbiotic Leech* was a phenomenon, but remember, *Strange Sacrifice* is still a foreign film, even if you’re the lead,” Seong-geon noted.

“Yes, I understand,” Woo-jin replied calmly.

“There’s also the holiday season coming up, Christmas and New Year’s, so we’ll see a lot more movement!”

With Christmas Eve and Christmas Day approaching, *Strange Sacrifice* continued to grow, recording over a million viewers by its second day on the 23rd.

**“Strange Sacrifice” Surpasses One Million Viewers in Just Two Days!**

And it wasn’t just the Korean box office.

**[IssueTalk] Cannes and Korea Shaken by *Symbiotic Leech*; Now Opening in Japan on December 23!**

That same day, *Symbiotic Leech* was released in Japan, creating a dual frenzy in both countries.

---

A few days later, in New York.

After finishing a popular talk show appearance, Miley Cara emerged in the parking lot. In a navy coat with her blonde hair cascading down, Miley climbed into her waiting van and exhaled as she took a water bottle from a team member. After a few sips, she uncrossed her legs and pulled out her phone.

One message caught her eye: it was from the Hollywood actor she’d met at the recent fashion show. Skipping over his greeting, she clicked the link he’d sent, and an article from a major publication loaded on her screen.

**[BBX] *Walt Disney Pictures* Announces Live-Action *Beauty and the Beast***

She smiled softly to herself.

“They’ve officially announced it.”