Chapter 392: Smashed (1)

Translator: Santos

 

The approach to the audition, as explained by *Pierrot*’s lead producer, was straightforward yet impactful. Instead of performing a designated scene, the actors were allowed to do a free interpretation, but the character they had to embody was specified: *Henry Gordon*, the male lead of *Pierrot*.

The gathered actors could portray *Henry Gordon* in any way they saw fit. However, it was a strict requirement that the character’s core essence be evident in their portrayal. This unexpected twist hadn’t been disclosed by Columbia Studios in advance.

And so...

“This is rather sudden.”

The Hollywood actors, though they kept a composed appearance, were clearly caught off guard.

“All the preparation we did went down the drain. How can they just change things like this out of the blue?”

“Keep your voice down.”

“But you know I’m right.”

They had been told to prepare both a set piece and a free performance, only for the rules to be abruptly changed at the last minute, which gave them plenty of reason to grumble.

“I didn’t expect this. So what now? Should we try to mix what we prepared together?”

“Focus. It looks like Columbia Studios wants to test our improvisation skills.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s not really an issue, is it? Anyway, we’ve already prepared *Henry Gordon* as a designated performance, so all you have to do is layer *Henry Gordon* onto your free interpretation, right?”

“Like it’s that simple. Anyway, just be quiet for a second so I can think.”

Chris Hartnett felt the same as the others, but compared to the other actors, he seemed rather calm.

“Chris, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. There’s no need to be shaken. Sure, it’s a bit surprising, but we’ve seen things like this happen in Hollywood plenty of times.”

“That’s true.”

“In these situations, being bold can work to your advantage.”

“What are you planning to do?”

Without answering his manager’s question, Chris Hartnett turned his head to the left. His gaze landed on Kang Woo-jin, who was sitting some distance away. Chris’s eyes widened slightly as he took in Woo-jin’s calm, almost indifferent expression as he rested his chin in his hand.

‘…Is he not bothered by this? Or does he just not care? This guy is impossible to read. What is he thinking? Well, considering the circumstances, he’s probably feeling as serious as the rest of us but just putting on a brave face.’

Wrong. At that moment, Kang Woo-jin was entirely unbothered. He wasn’t even thinking that much.

‘So, when are they starting?’

To him, it didn’t matter whether it was a designated scene, a free interpretation, or even a random mishmash of *Henry Gordon* as the core of the free performance. Either way, he was prepared. After all, both his designated and free performances had been crafted with *Henry Gordon* in mind. Even if something went wrong—

*Swish.*

—he had the *Pierrot* script in his hand, encased in a sleek black cover, so there was nothing to worry about.

Then, at that point—

“Since this was rather sudden,”

the lead producer on stage said, addressing the gathered actors.

“We’ll begin in ten minutes.”

This wasn’t so much giving them extra time as it was offering them a brief moment to take a deep breath. Ten minutes wasn’t enough to make any major adjustments, anyway.

And indeed, ten minutes passed in a flash.

Soon, the producer took her place again. After checking the monitors directly in front of her, she called up one of the actors.

“The order has been decided randomly. Tom Brando, please come forward.”

A man with a moderately built physique, more ruggedly handsome than conventionally attractive, stood up. His name was Tom Brando, a top actor in Hollywood known for his powerful performances. He, too, was dressed in a suit reminiscent of *Henry Gordon*, though the colors were subdued, a mix of gray, black, and brown, without any makeup. Tom Brando was the first to step onto the stage surrounded by cameras.

*Swish.*

The stage wasn’t just equipped with cameras. One corner was stocked with various props, and there were single-seater sofas and chairs available. It was up to the actors to decide how they would use them. As Tom Brando reached the middle of the stage, Director Ahn Ga-bok, seated at the judges’ table, glanced at the array of monitors. They displayed full shots, front bust shots, side angles, and back views of the actor. Director Ahn stroked his wrinkled cheek thoughtfully.

‘As expected of a Hollywood top actor. The aura he gives off on camera is exceptional.’

Alongside him, the other judges, including the female lead producer, were all watching the monitors intently. While this was indeed an audition, capturing the screen test footage on the monitors was just as crucial. Then, the lead producer gave a nod to Tom Brando, who was standing on stage.

“You may begin whenever you’re ready.”

Barely a second after she finished speaking, Tom Brando altered his expression and posture. One hand slid into his pocket as he straightened his back. His face tilted slightly, and a subtle smirk appeared on his lips. He seemed to be channeling *Henry Gordon* in the later, more awakened stage of his character arc in *Pierrot*.

Seeing Tom Brando switch characters so seamlessly, the judges’ expressions turned serious.

‘There’s no denying his talent. He’s immediately transforming into the exact persona we envisioned.’

‘He shifted the atmosphere in an instant. Is he aiming for a Joker-esque vibe?’

‘Yes, it matches the image of *Henry Gordon* in his later stages that I had in mind.’

As Tom Brando glanced around at the cameras, he let out a short, cynical laugh.

“All these damn eyes. Just trembling with fear, huh? Don’t shove your pathetic kindness on me. Your so-called compassion is just a defense because you don’t want to die. I’ll live as I please, got it?”

The words he spoke, filled with venom and disdain, carried no trace of acting. He *was* *Henry Gordon*. The reason was simple.

“Psychiatric help? What are you going to fix? How about you start by mending your own rotten brain?”

As the first actor on stage, Tom Brando had chosen a direct approach, performing a scene directly from the *Pierrot* script as his interpretation of free acting. And, given the context, it was entirely permissible. In fact, it may have even been the more effective choice.

‘…Excellent, just as expected.’

‘By performing a scripted scene, he’s creating a clear visual for us.’

Tom Brando’s choice to act out a specific scene from *Pierrot* gave the judges, including Director Ahn Ga-bok, the feeling that they were witnessing an actual shoot. His skilled acting only amplified the effect, fully engaging their curiosity.

It was an unexpectedly bold choice.

By opting to perform a scripted scene as his free interpretation, Tom Brando had already carved out a solid impression among the contenders.

What’s more—

‘He chose a key moment.’

The scene Tom Brando picked was one of the most significant moments in *Pierrot*. This ensured that his performance would be all the more memorable. His acting continued for over ten minutes. No one interrupted. The Columbia Studio executives in the audience looked highly satisfied, while the Hollywood actors watched with growing concern etched on their faces.

The judges were busy jotting down notes as they watched the monitors.

And with that, Tom Brando’s performance concluded.

“That will be all for now.”

He shed *Henry Gordon’s* aura in an instant, almost at the same speed as Woo-jin. After all, with over twenty years of experience, it was natural for him to be this skilled. After exchanging brief, neutral remarks with the judges, he left the stage. No evaluation was exchanged, as this was less about rating the actors and more about determining which actor fit *Henry Gordon* best.

After only the first performance, the standard of the audition had significantly heightened.

“Next, Jack Gable.”

The second Hollywood top actor, Jack Gable, was called. With a chiseled jawline but a somewhat fragile demeanor, Jack Gable, another top name in Hollywood, took the stage.

Once on stage, he began his performance in a wild, unhinged manner.

“Hee-hic! Hahaha! Aaah—ha!”

He slithered across the stage floor, occasionally shouting abruptly, like a true madman. Watching him, one might think he was truly deranged. His portrayal was intensely realistic. Additionally, within his crazed demeanor—

“Let go! Let go of me!”

—*Henry Gordon’s* essence emerged. Jack Gable had expertly mirrored the character’s habits. His hunched posture, specific speech patterns, and subtle expressions perfectly captured the intricate traits of *Henry Gordon* from the script.

His performance, though different in style from Tom Brando’s, exuded a similarly powerful presence. Director Ahn Ga-bok observed him through the monitor and then glanced at the live performance, noting thoughtfully,

‘Ah, so he’s created his own interpretation of *Henry Gordon*’s future.’

It was as if Jack Gable were showing a possible outcome for *Henry Gordon* that wasn’t specified in the script, something he had imagined for himself. In a way, both Tom Brando’s and Jack Gable’s performances had exceeded expectations. Ahn Ga-bok was mildly troubled.

‘I expected high standards, but all of them are this good. This is going to be a challenge.’

Among these “monsters,” whom should they choose? Even during

 Jack Gable’s turn, the eight Columbia Studio executives nodded in satisfaction. The key staff from *Pierrot*’s team whispered praises. Meanwhile, the expressions on the faces of the Hollywood actors were mixed; none of them could celebrate their rivals’ exceptional performances.

However, only one person—

“…”

Only one actor in the entire hall had an unchanging expression. That actor was Kang Woo-jin. From the beginning of the audition until now, his poker face had not wavered. He simply watched the other actors’ performances with a steady gaze.

At that moment—

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Jack Gable’s performance concluded, and after a brief chat with the judges, he stepped down from the stage with a satisfied smile on his face.

Then—

“Next—”

The female producer holding the profile of the next actor glanced toward the audience.

“Kang Woo-jin.”

Woo-jin’s name was called as the third actor. The Hollywood actors’ eyes sharpened at once. Chris Hartnett and a few others turned to look at Woo-jin’s face. The Hollywood actors’ teams, the dozen-plus key staff of *Pierrot*, the Columbia Studio executives in the front row, and the judges on stage—all fifty-plus people in the hall focused on Kang Woo-jin.

After all, he was both a rising star and the most unproven actor among them. He also piqued the most curiosity.

Choi Sung-gon took a deep breath, his heart pounding.

“Phew, this is nerve-wracking. Woo-jin, go knock ‘em dead.”

With a dramatic gesture, he clutched his chest as if his heart would burst, while Woo-jin remained calmly composed.

“I’ll be back.”

His tone was so calm that it came across as almost sardonic. Clad in a red jacket, pants, a yellow vest, and worn-out brown shoes, Woo-jin rose effortlessly.

*Swish.*

Though it was his first step in a lead audition for a Hollywood film, Woo-jin showed not the slightest sign of tension. Walking with a steady pace toward the stage, all fifty pairs of eyes in the hall tracked his every movement. Each gaze held a different emotion—skepticism, curiosity, hope, and scorn, among others.

Choi Sung-gon gulped nervously, his ponytail bouncing as he tightened it.

‘Agh—Damn. My heart feels like it’s about to burst. I know Woo-jin will do fine, but why am I so anxious?’

After all, Woo-jin hadn’t given him any hints about how he planned to tackle the audition. Yet, as always, Choi Sung-gon placed his trust entirely in Woo-jin.

With a neutral expression, Woo-jin ascended the stage surrounded by several cameras.

Moments later, Woo-jin’s image appeared on the judges’ monitors, and Ahn Ga-bok let out a quiet, tense breath.

‘Now, what will he show us?’

It wasn’t just him. The lead producer seated beside him had a similar thought.

‘This Korean actor who’s stirred up Hollywood… let’s see what he’s prepared.’

The casting directors, the two executives, the dozens of actors, and the rest of the attendees all had the same question running through their minds.

‘Alright, show us what you’ve got.’

But there was an underlying assumption that he might not match the previous performances. The Hollywood actors before him had delivered such outstanding portrayals. No sooner had Woo-jin stepped onto the stage and appeared on the monitors than the lead producer opened her mouth to give instructions.

However—

“Wait, what?”

Her words faltered. The reason was simple.

*Swish.*

Woo-jin had just done something unexpected. Unlike the previous Hollywood actors, who had all stood center stage in the spotlight of multiple cameras, Woo-jin brushed right past the center without a care. He casually made his way to a single-seater sofa off to the side and immediately plopped down.

Without any prior signal, he had gone “full-send.”

The foreign staff behind the cameras scrambled to adjust their focus to his new position. Woo-jin lounged comfortably in the armchair as the cameras aimed directly at him. The framing had changed entirely; it now looked less like a performance and more like a solo talk show.

For a brief moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok furrowed his brow slightly.

‘…Was this intentional?’

In contrast, the Hollywood actors, along with over fifty foreign attendees, looked bewildered. Some blinked in confusion, uncertain of what to make of it.

Then, breaking the silence—

“Ugh—”

Woo-jin crossed his legs and began to speak, commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

“Living with a mask on… it’s a damn pain.”

His fluent English was immediately noticeable. Even more striking was the fact that—

“Maybe I should start showing my real self from now on? Wow, when was the last time I showed people who I truly am?”

—it didn’t feel like acting at all.

“Yeah, I’ve been living behind a mask. For years, even. I hid who I was, but people still made all kinds of assumptions, thinking they knew me. Right?”

Woo-jin’s words flowed without the usual crafted persona.

“Even you guys, right here, and the representative who came with me in the back, too. All of you, actually. So here I am, finally admitting it. My life’s taken some pretty unexpected turns, and somehow, I’ve ended up here. And I gotta say, it feels… refreshing. Huh? But what’s with your faces? Don’t believe me? I’m telling you, everything you thought you knew was a mask. This right here? This is the real deal.”

Every major figure in the hall was left speechless.