Chapter 385: Overwhelmed (14)

Translator: Santos

 

The official announcement of the live-action adaptation of *Beauty and the Beast*. This exclusive report, sourced from *Walt Disney Pictures*, created a whirlwind in the media:

> **BBX/** *Official Statement from Walt Disney Pictures: “Live-Action Film Adaptation of Beauty and the Beast in Production”*

International news outlets soon released variations of the report, each slightly different but bursting with the same fervor.

> **LA TIMES/** *Disney’s Live-Action Beauty and the Beast: Can They Succeed This Time?*

It was no surprise. Hollywood had long focused its attention on productions from the Big Five studios, but news from *Walt Disney Pictures* was particularly captivating, due to the massive fanbase of the original work. News of a Disney live-action adaptation was guaranteed to sell well.

And history supported it.

Whether a live-action remake was a success or a flop, when Disney announced a live-action version of an iconic animated film, fans worldwide always took notice. This time, with *Beauty and the Beast*, it was obvious the same would happen.

> **CNM/** *Disney Announces Live-Action Film Adaptation of Iconic Classic Beauty and the Beast!*

Fans from many countries quickly latched onto the news as the articles continued to roll out.

> "Oh my god! A live-action *Beauty and the Beast*??!"

> "Disney, if you’re going to half-heartedly produce it like last time, don’t even bother!"

> "The rumors were true!!"

> "Why am I both excited and anxious about this?"

> "Isabella! Will we get to see her in real life?"

> "Disney, this is one of my most cherished films; mess it up, and there’ll be consequences!"

> "How will they create the Beast? CGI?"

Comments came in various languages, a testament to the diversity of *Beauty and the Beast*’s fandom. Fueled by the story’s global resonance, the interest generated by this news only intensified. And *Walt Disney Pictures* didn’t stop there; exactly two hours after their official announcement, they posted a new update on social media.

> *Hello! This is Walt Disney Pictures! Thank you for all the interest in our live-action Beauty and the Beast. We have finalized candidates for the role of the Beast and the role of Isabella, our beauty. Screen tests are set to begin soon…*

Though it was a long post, the essence was simple: Disney had narrowed down their candidate list for the main cast, and the chosen actors would be announced to the fans before the audition and screen test. This implied that Disney had been working on the project secretly, and soon after the post went up, responses flooded in from various countries.

> "What?! They already have candidates? Who are they?"

> "Isabella needs to be blonde! Miley Cara would be perfect!"

> "Curious about which actors made the lineup! When will they reveal the candidates?"

> "People have been fan-casting for a while; it might be similar."

> "Actors who can sing and act, right?"

> "Disney, make sure they match the roles well!"

…

While the *Pierrot* movie certainly wasn’t weak, the sheer power of the original *Beauty and the Beast* gave it a clear advantage. *Pierrot* was still a mystery to most, while *Beauty and the Beast* had a cherished legacy that fueled fans’ imaginations. Whatever the case, *Beauty and the Beast* captivated audiences worldwide as it became the hot topic of the holiday season.

Naturally, the frenzy reached Asia as well.

> **Japan:** *Beauty and the Beast Live-Action Adaptation Confirmed, Growing Curiosity Over the Cast!*

> **Korea:** *Live-Action Beauty and the Beast? A Global Phenomenon and My Casting Picks!! ｜ MovieKingTV*

Though Korean news outlets didn’t cover it as extensively, the story made it to the headlines, and social media and online communities buzzed with excitement.

Naturally, Woo-jin saw the news as well.

> “Wow… the hype is unreal.”

Maybe it was the holiday season, but the energy around it felt even more intense. As the news about *Beauty and the Beast* continued to spread worldwide and within Korea, December was drawing to a close.

---

**The next morning at Woo-jin’s house.**

Around 5 a.m., Woo-jin groggily sat up in bed. He stared blankly into space for a few moments, stretched his neck from side to side, and then picked up his phone lying nearby. While yawning, he glanced at the date on the screen.

> *Sigh…*

He sighed softly. The reason was simple:

> **[2022/ January/ 1/ Saturday]**

The New Year had arrived, and Woo-jin was entering his third year in the industry.

---

After saying goodbye to 2021 and welcoming 2022, a couple of days quickly passed. It was now January 3rd, Monday, and *Beauty and the Beast* had made waves both overseas and domestically with news of the live-action adaptation and the finalized candidates for the main roles. As if to keep up with the momentum, *Pierrot* also officially announced the date of its audition and screen test, raising excitement.

Naturally, Woo-jin’s involvement in *Pierrot* was also a hot topic.

> *Pierrot Auditions, Screen Tests Set for January 25… When Will Woo-jin Depart?*

With less than three weeks until the 20th, the Korean media and public couldn’t stop talking about Woo-jin’s Hollywood debut. If Woo-jin landed the lead role in *Pierrot*, he would become the first Korean actor to take the lead in a Hollywood film.

During this period, Columbia Studios sent Woo-jin materials for the audition.

These included specific audition scenes from *Pierrot*’s official script and related notes. In short, Woo-jin would need to prepare both assigned scenes and a freestyle performance for the audition and screen test. He was also informed that any costumes or props would be left to the actor’s discretion.

However, despite being on the road early that morning, Woo-jin wasn’t particularly fazed.

> “Wow, look at all that snow…”

Gazing out the car window, he quietly watched the heavy snowfall without much concern. Even with the new year in full swing, his strong, unfazed attitude remained.

In the car with him, Cho Seong-geon, now with his hair grown out, showed Woo-jin a tablet. He had been gathering updates to share with Woo-jin, including the current status of *Strange Sacrifice* and *Symbiotic Leech*, both of which had been in theaters for about two weeks. These films had dominated the box office during the holiday season.

> “At this rate, both *Strange Sacrifice* and *Symbiotic Leech* might surpass ten million viewers, and if *Strange Sacrifice* does well, it might even top *Naval Battle*.”

*Naval Battle* held the third spot in Korean box office history, with *Symbiotic Leech* in first and *Island of the Missing* in second. If *Strange Sacrifice* secured third, Woo-jin’s films would occupy the top three spots.

This previously unimaginable scenario was within reach, and Cho Seong-geon was visibly anxious.

> “If this happens… it would be phenomenal.”

Woo-jin replied calmly, “It would be nice, but it’s fine if it doesn’t.”

> “Seriously?! Really??”

> “Yes.”

> “How can you be so indifferent? Any other actor would be ecstatic in this situation!”

> “Is that so?”

On the outside, Woo-jin appeared calm, but his thoughts were quite the opposite.

> “Please! Please let *Strange Sacrifice* make it to third! Come on, top three all mine!”

Though he was mentally cheering, Woo-jin maintained his composure. Stretching out his hand, he reached for one of the scripts stacked nearby—one of his most frequently read scripts, *Pierrot*. With the audition and screen test approaching, Woo-jin’s team respectfully quieted down, knowing not to interrupt him.

After picking up the script, Woo-jin tapped a small black square attached to its side, entering the “pocket dimension.” The world around him turned dark as he found himself in an empty black space, with a glowing white square floating ahead. Woo-jin moved toward it and selected *Pierrot*.

> **[Script: Pierrot, EX+ Level]**

> **[This is an exceptionally well-crafted film script. 100% immersive experience available.]**

Having read the *Pierrot* script several times, Woo-jin had recently taken to using the immersive feature whenever possible, embodying not just the main character but various supporting roles as well. Although Woo-jin had gained several new abilities within this space, the immersive experience allowed him to further connect with each character.

> “Let’s see…”

The available roles in *Pierrot* appeared before him.

> **[Script: Pierrot selected.]**

> **[List of immersive roles available.]**

> **[A: Henry Gordon / Villain, B: Robert Franklin, C: Detective Alex…]**

He quickly recognized the names. Woo-jin chose the role of *Henry Gordon*, the villain and main character of *Pierrot*. The mechanical female voice filled the space.

> **“Preparing A: Henry Gordon / Villain for immersive experience…”**

Taking a deep breath, Woo-jin felt a shift.

There was a low hum, and his dark surroundings gradually brightened.

---

Woo-jin—or rather, Henry Gordon—staggered slightly. Lifting his head, he found himself on a run

-down bus, graffiti covering every surface from the seats to the windows. He was seated at the back, looking down at his outfit. It was a strange mix: a bright red jacket and pants, a yellow vest, and tattered brown shoes. Though his clothes were striking and ragged, they felt oddly familiar.

---

As he brushed back his long, faintly red hair, Woo-jin’s emotions fused with those of the character. Soon, he felt a rush of wild emotions—joy, wonder, romance, hellfire, chaos, justice, injustice, laughter, tears, humanity, and the absurdity of a clown.

The rising madness within him distinguished him from others.

> “You are tragedy; I am comedy.”

At that moment, the bus screeched to a halt, and four men staggered on, laughing and joking. As they spotted Woo-jin, one snickered.

> “Look at this guy’s face!”

> “What a fool! He looks completely out of it.”

> “Hey, dance for us! Show us what you got!”

As they surrounded him, Woo-jin felt a jolt of intense excitement. But his laughter seemed to irritate the men.

> “Ignoring us, huh?”

Their hands got rougher, shoving him around. Woo-jin suddenly leaned close to the man on his right, his smile stretching.

Enraged, the man punched Woo-jin, sending him sprawling to the floor. But Woo-jin only laughed harder.

> “Haha… HAHAHA!”

As the men kicked him, Woo-jin’s laughter grew louder and more unrestrained.

> “Hahaha! Hahaha!”

The men finally stopped, unnerved by the madman on the floor.

> “This… this guy’s insane.”

Woo-jin grinned, his mouth stretching from ear to ear.

> “What’s wrong? Keep going.”

Spooked, the men banged on the bus’s rear door.

> “Open up!! Hey, driver! Open the door!!”

The bus halted, and the men scrambled out. The bus driver nervously approached Woo-jin.

> “You okay?”

Still laughing, Woo-jin slowly stood up, stared at the driver, and let his tongue loll out.

> “He’s insane!”

Turning away, the driver quickly retreated to his seat. Woo-jin gazed at his reflection in the window.

A faintly red-haired man with a pale, painted face, sharp red shapes around his eyes, and a twisted grin spread across his lips.

The very image of the Pierrot.

> “Insane? That’s a compliment.”

This was the birth of a villain.