Chapter 406: Roaring sound (1)

Translator: Santos

 

“What do I illuminate as Disney’s Beast? Memories?” Kang Woo-jin sat at the golden piano, dazed for a moment as he watched Director Bill Roettner’s smiling face.

“...”

Despite his expressionless demeanor, his face didn’t look foolish. Woo-jin repeated what the foreign director had just said: he wanted him to bring memories to life as Disney’s Beast. He even mentioned being willing to face controversies just to have the image of Woo-jin sitting at that piano. Wait, does that mean I’m the Beast? I got the role of the Beast?

It only took a few seconds for Woo-jin to calmly ask Director Bill Roettner again.

“If you say ‘as the Beast,’ do you mean I have been cast as the Beast?”

Director Bill Roettner’s smile grew wider under his partially bald head.

“That’s right, Mr. Kang Woo-jin. You’re officially cast as the Beast. Congratulations, and I look forward to working with you.”

Director Bill Roettner placed a hand on Woo-jin’s shoulder. On the outside, Woo-jin’s face was calm, but inside, he was the complete opposite.

‘Whoa—seriously!’

He almost jumped up with both arms raised to hug the director or even start playing the piano with joy.

‘This foreign old man built up so much tension—insane! I’m the Beast!’

Suddenly, memories from his childhood flashed through Woo-jin’s mind—watching Disney’s animated films, including *Beauty and the Beast*. Now, Woo-jin was going to bring that story to life, surpassing all the top Hollywood actors. This felt different from when he was cast in *Piero: Birth of a Villain*.

It wasn’t just excitement; it was overwhelming.

Sure, *Piero* was an incredible project, but *Beauty and the Beast* had massive worldwide recognition. As Woo-jin’s heartbeat quickened, Director Bill Roettner gestured toward Woo-jin and the piano and spoke again.

“I could have told you anywhere, but I wanted to do it here. I wanted to see this image again. How do you feel?”

Woo-jin mentally poured ice water over his excitement. This was a moment to stay composed, no matter how thrilled he felt.

“Thank you. I look forward to working with you.”

Director Bill Roettner tilted his head slightly, still smiling.

“Hmm? Your face doesn’t look as happy as I expected.”

“No, I am happy.”

“Hahaha. You’ve been cast as the male lead in *Beauty and the Beast*, but you’re so calm that I had to ask. I’m glad to hear it, though. It’s fascinating how reserved you usually are, but when you start acting, everything changes. That’s why Hollywood is so interested in you.”

“...”

Woo-jin remained silent. Unlike usual, he couldn’t quite steady himself. Bill Roettner glanced at the time, adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, and spoke again.

“We need to move to Walt Disney Pictures. Everyone is waiting for us.”

He meant the entire production team for *Beauty and the Beast*.

“Would leaving in 30 minutes be okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Director Bill Roettner gave Woo-jin another smile before walking over to the foreign staff waiting for him. Woo-jin stayed seated at the golden piano for a moment longer, then stood up and took a discreet deep breath.

“Hoo—”

He turned his head and saw Choi Sung-geon with his team, watching him intently from a distance. They looked like people anxiously awaiting good news. With a neutral expression, Woo-jin walked over slowly. Choi Sung-geon, unable to wait, rushed to meet him.

“What did Director Bill Roettner say? He looked serious, then laughed—what’s going on? Huh?”

“...”

“Woo-jin? Why aren’t you answering... Don’t tell me you didn’t get it? Did they offer you another role? Say something, please.”

Choi Sung-geon and the team stared at Woo-jin with tense faces. Woo-jin looked at them and spoke in a low, clear voice.

“I got the role of the Beast.”

For a moment, Choi Sung-geon and the team didn’t react.

“...”

“...”

They just stared at Woo-jin’s calm face in silence.

Then—

“Whoa!! Hup!”

Choi Sung-geon threw his arms up and quickly covered his mouth with one hand. They were still in the presence of Bill Roettner and the *Beauty and the Beast* production team. Clenching his fists tightly, Choi Sung-geon whispered to Woo-jin.

“As the representative of an actor who’s signed with two of the ‘Big Five’ Hollywood studios, I need to act cool, don’t I?”

His voice was full of joy.

“Congratulations, Woo-jin. You’re making history in both Korea and Hollywood.”

Behind them, Woo-jin, Choi Sung-geon, and the team followed Director Bill Roettner and the staff to Walt Disney Pictures. The van ride to the studio was like a wild celebration, with everyone except Choi Sung-geon yelling with excitement.

“Ahhh! Congratulations, oppa!!!”

“Wow!!! I can’t believe it! I’m so happy I could cry!”

“This is huge! Just imagine the reaction when people find out that Woo-jin oppa has been cast as the Beast! Not just in Korea—worldwide!”

Even Woo-jin, who usually kept his composure, couldn’t help but agree. *Beneficial Evil* and *Piero: Birth of a Villain* had only just exploded in popularity. Right now, the global media and public couldn’t get enough of him. Korea, of course, was no exception.

If news broke that he’d secured the highly anticipated role in *Beauty and the Beast*...

‘I can’t even imagine.’

It was certain to stir up a storm of epic proportions. When Woo-jin, Choi Sung-geon, and the team finally arrived at the vast Walt Disney Pictures building, they entered a spacious conference room with Director Bill Roettner. The room was filled with people who seemed to have gathered in advance—executive producers, staff, and key crew members, many of whom Woo-jin recognized from his audition.

Director Bill Roettner blended in among them.

-Swish.

Woo-jin sat in the first seat across the room, with Choi Sung-geon next to him, looking visibly tense. Woo-jin, on the other hand, felt a sense of calm. There was no turning back now. Soon, everyone in the room congratulated Woo-jin, with many expressing their excitement to work with him. This went on for about ten minutes before the executive producer shifted the topic.

“There will be more meetings to finalize details, including formal contracts like we did for *Piero*.”

Contracts involving astronomical sums—how high would this one go? Woo-jin briefly drifted into thought as the producer continued.

“First, we have a request for Mr. Kang Woo-jin.”

A request? What kind?

“Yes?”

“Since you’ve been confirmed as the Beast, we’ll soon hold auditions for the role of Belle. As you know, several actresses, including Miley Cara, will be attending. We’d like you to observe as the Beast.”

Woo-jin remembered his conversation with Miley Cara about this. The Beast would be present to assess the chemistry with Belle. This could be fun. Not only would he see Miley, but he’d also meet other candidate actresses.

More importantly—

‘I’ll get a sneak peek at what it’s like to film *Beauty and the Beast*.’

It would be like getting an early taste of the real production.

“When will the auditions for Belle be?”

Director Bill Roettner answered.

“The 28th in the morning, around 11 a.m.”

Today was the 21st. About a week from now. Woo-jin glanced at Choi Sung-geon, silently asking if the schedule was open. Choi Sung-geon thought for a moment and nodded. Woo-jin then answered the director.

“That’s fine.”

Hearing his response, smiles appeared on the faces of Director Bill Roettner and the other production staff. Bill Roettner pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and changed the subject.

“And Mr. Kang, please wait a bit before we announce your casting as the Beast. It’s already a hot topic among fans worldwide, and we have preparations to make.”

“Of course.”

“It won’t take long. We’ve already decided to manage it, so there’s no need for concern.”

At this, the executive producer sitting next to Bill Roettner spoke up.

“Mr. Kang, I heard you’re set to appear on *The Jamie Show* soon.”

It seemed he’d read the news. Woo-jin nodded calmly.

“Yes.”

“When is the recording?”

“Tomorrow.”

“The location is in New York?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The producer nodded slowly, exchanged whispers with those nearby, and then spoke again with a smile.

“I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?”

And so, the next day, on the 22nd:

『[StarPhoto] Kang Woo-jin spotted in New York for *The Jamie Show* recording? / Photo』

Woo-jin’s recording for *The Jamie Show* began.

Four days later, on the night of the 26th in LA:

At an extravagant two-story mansion outside the city. The mansion was predominantly white with a vast yard and swimming pool, so large that it looked more like a three-story house overall. The living room was massive, with luxurious furniture.

A man with brown hair in a casual hoodie appeared on the

 large sofa, holding snacks in one hand and the script for *Piero: Birth of a Villain* in the other.

-Swish.

With deep brown eyes and an attractive gaze, it was the top Hollywood actor, Chris Hartnett. He brushed his hair back and sank into the sofa, checking the time before turning on the large TV in front of him.

“It should be starting now.”

Crossing his legs, Chris Hartnett popped a chip into his mouth and flipped through the channels. The giant TV displayed various foreign programs until—

-♬♪

A familiar opening theme played from one channel. It was *The Jamie Show*, the number one late-night talk show in America. Chris knew that countless viewers were watching this right now, just like him. On the screen, the show’s host sat at a simple table with a plush chair beside him. The host was someone Chris knew well.

The host recited his usual opening lines.

-[“Welcome to *The Jamie Show*! Today, we have a guest who’s heating up Hollywood! And he’s the first Korean actor to appear on our show!”]

Chris smirked at the TV.

“He’s always the first at everything.”

The host introduced the guest.

-[“Please welcome, actor Kang Woo-jin!”]

The entrance music played, and the camera panned slightly. A man with black hair and a composed expression walked in, dressed in a suit. It was Kang Woo-jin. After shaking hands with the host, he sat in the chair and greeted the audience in a low, steady voice.

-[“Hello, I’m actor Kang Woo-jin.”]

Seeing Woo-jin’s appearance, Chris’s smile widened.

“Oh, it suits him well. Haha, nothing like Joker.”

Munching on chips, Chris focused on the show. The interview began.

-[“You’ve been incredibly busy in Hollywood lately. How does it feel?”]

-[“Not bad.”]

-[“...Is that it?”]

-[“That’s it.”]

-[“Come on! This is *The Jamie Show*! Give us a bit more!”]

The show’s comedic tone made Chris chuckle. Twenty minutes passed, and the conversation moved from Woo-jin’s debut to the Cannes Film Festival and Miley Cara.

-[“You’re close with Miley Cara, right?”]

-[“She’s helped me a lot.”]

-[“You even participated in her album, which really introduced your name in Hollywood. Then you appeared together in *Beneficial Evil*. Oh! I loved *Beneficial Evil*, by the way.”]

-[“Thank you.”]

-[“We’ll talk more about the global phenomenon of *Beneficial Evil* later. Anyway, you and Miley have been involved in a lot of projects together. Most recently, you were both shortlisted for the live-action *Beauty and the Beast* film, right?”]

Chris nodded slowly as he watched.

“Yeah, I was surprised by that. The announcement came right after *Joker*. But handling both Columbia and Disney would be difficult.”

Then—

-[“No, I’m not a shortlisted candidate.”]

Woo-jin’s voice, calm and sharp, came through the TV. Chris furrowed his brow.

“Huh?”

Woo-jin’s voice echoed again.

-[“I have been cast as the Beast.”]

Chris Hartnett’s brown eyes widened, and he froze. His mouth hung slightly open.

“What... did he just say?”