Chapter 407: Roaring sound (2)

Translator: Santos

 

Chris Hartnett’s deep brown eyes widened as he froze in place, staring at the TV. It was rare to see the Hollywood superstar so visibly shocked. He even dropped the chip he was holding onto the floor.

“…What? What did he just say?”

His gaze was fixed on Kang Woo-jin on the TV.

“Is that real? Really?”

His face reflected pure astonishment, which was understandable. Kang Woo-jin, appearing on *The Jamie Show*, the top-rated program in America, had just made a bombshell announcement out of nowhere.

-[“No, I’m not a candidate. I have been confirmed as the Beast.”]

Since the news of the live-action *Beauty and the Beast* first broke, it had been a hotly debated topic among audiences worldwide. The announcement that Kang Woo-jin, one of the shortlisted candidates, had officially secured the role of the Beast came without any prelude or promotional hints, like a bolt from the blue.

To make matters even more surprising—

“He just dropped that bombshell so nonchalantly?”

Woo-jin’s expression on TV was so composed it almost seemed bored, as if the announcement meant nothing to him. This made Chris question his own hearing for a moment.

‘Did I hear that wrong?’

Chris snapped out of it and grabbed the remote, turning up the volume. The host on *The Jamie Show*, clearly taken aback, repeated the question to Woo-jin.

-[“…Excuse me? What did you just say, Mr. Kang?”]

Chris watched, his face rigid, sharing the host’s bewilderment. But nothing changed. Woo-jin, in his usual low tone, replied again.

-[“I said I have been confirmed for the role of the Beast.”]

-[“Oh!! Really? Is this true?”]

-[“Yes.”]

-[“That’s such big news, but the way you said it makes it hard to believe. Is this some kind of joke?”]

-[“I don’t particularly enjoy jokes.”]

Woo-jin, now looking at the camera and speaking to the audience directly, added,

-[“I am cast as the Beast, and this is true.”]

At that moment, Chris Hartnett finally reacted, brushing his hair back and letting out a loud laugh.

“Haha! Unbelievable! From Joker to the Beast? I’ve never seen anything like this. I didn’t think this could happen in Hollywood.”

Chris’s assumption was valid. Hollywood was home to countless top actors, but someone like Kang Woo-jin, who secured lead roles in major productions as soon as he appeared, was unprecedented. And he wasn’t even a local actor; he was Korean, making waves in Hollywood as if it were his own backyard.

And then there was the even more unbelievable fact—

“Columbia Studios and Walt Disney Pictures both chose the same actor.”

Two of Hollywood’s “Big Five” studios casting the same actor as their lead within a short time frame was unheard of. While it was possible for someone to be shortlisted by different studios due to various circumstances and luck, actually being cast in lead roles was beyond luck. It signified that both studios had set aside their reputations and traditions out of sheer admiration for Kang Woo-jin.

Chris Hartnett, who had been part of Hollywood’s landscape for over a decade, knew better than anyone what this meant.

“Something that took me over ten years... this Korean actor managed in under a year? It’s fascinating, and, well, maybe a little jealousy-inducing.”

But then Chris recalled Woo-jin’s performance in *Joker*.

“I bet he showed something equally genuine for the Beast role. Disney had no choice but to take him.”

Chris sank back into his sofa, slightly deflated, while the host of *The Jamie Show* on TV was still in high spirits.

-[“Wow! Every story involving you is monumental! Before we could even get into *Piero: Birth of a Villain*, you’ve dropped a bombshell about *Beauty and the Beast*! First, congratulations! I think this is an incredible achievement.”]

-[“Thank you.”]

-[“But was it really okay to make such a major announcement here?”]

-[“Yes. I thought it would be appropriate on *The Jamie Show*.”]

-[“Haha, I’m honored! So, Disney is aware of this?”]

-[“Yes. It was discussed beforehand.”]

Unlike the excited host, Woo-jin remained stoic. The host continued,

-[“This broadcast is going to stir things up, not just in Hollywood but around the world! It was already a hot topic.”]

He moved on to questions about the casting process.

-[“You joined *Beauty and the Beast* almost right after *Piero*. How did it feel when you found out you got the role?”]

-[“Of course, I was happy.”]

-[“Haha. You seem pretty calm now. Did you see it coming?”]

-[“To some extent.”]

The host, astonished, pointed to the camera.

-[“Do you have anything to say to the viewers watching this show?”]

Woo-jin looked directly at the camera and answered in his usual cool manner.

-[“*Beauty and the Beast* holds cherished memories for me as well, and I will give everything I have. Actors will do anything for their roles, but this time, I may push even further. I’ll do whatever it takes to embody the Beast perfectly. Even if that means shaving my head. You can save your criticisms for after you’ve watched the movie.”]

In other words, don’t criticize before seeing the result.

Chris Hartnett, watching this, chuckled softly.

“It’s going to ignite everything.”

After Woo-jin’s bombshell about being cast as the Beast, *The Jamie Show* covered various other topics, including *Beauty and the Beast*, *Piero: Birth of a Villain*, the global hit *Beneficial Evil*, and Woo-jin’s social media presence and YouTube channel. There was even a brief mention of a potential sequel to *Beneficial Evil*.

The show, packed with revelations and insights, ended late at night.

But Hollywood—and America as a whole—didn’t stay quiet.

“I can’t sit still. I wonder what others think? I should start making calls.”

Chris Hartnett began calling fellow actors, and Miley Cara, who had also watched the show from home, was even more excited than Chris.

“I knew it! I thought Woo-jin might land the Beast role! But to just drop that announcement on *The Jamie Show* without warning? That’s crazy!”

Word spread quickly among the actors who had watched the show. Those who had auditioned for *Piero: Birth of a Villain* with Woo-jin said,

“No way—he’s really doing the Beast? Both Columbia and Disney at the same time?”

And those who had auditioned for the Beast role reacted similarly.

“I get not being chosen, but Kang Woo-jin? That’s insane!”

Whether they had seen Woo-jin at Cannes or felt intrigued or annoyed by his presence, actors, singers, and people from all industries were talking about him. It was a natural outcome, given that such an unprecedented event had unfolded without warning.

Hollywood was soon in an uproar.

The moment *The Jamie Show* ended, news outlets wasted no time releasing articles.

『LA Times: Korean Actor Kang Woo-jin Appears on *The Jamie Show*: “I Am the Beast”』

『BBX: Kang Woo-jin Reveals He Is Cast as the Beast in Disney’s Live-Action *Beauty and the Beast*!』

『CNM: Kang Woo-jin Announces His Casting in *Beauty and the Beast* Right After *Piero: Birth of a Villain*!』

Already well-prepped by Woo-jin’s roles in *Piero* and *Beneficial Evil*, the press responded enthusiastically.

『NT: Kang Woo-jin Confirms His Role as the Beast, Tells Fans “Save Criticism for After Watching the Movie”』

Woo-jin’s sudden announcement was like pouring gasoline on an already burning fire.

『ABY: Kang Woo-jin Confirmed as the Beast—an Unprecedented Move by Both Columbia and Disney at the Same Time』

Walt Disney Pictures was quick to issue an official statement via their social media channels.

-[Hello, this is Walt Disney Pictures. We are pleased to confirm that Kang Woo-jin will play the Beast in our live-action adaptation of *Beauty and the Beast*. We have high expectations for him and trust that he will bring the Beast to life. We hope fans of *Beauty and the Beast* will continue to show their support…]

It was clear that Disney had timed the announcement to align with the broadcast. All eyes were on Kang Woo-jin, from Columbia Studios to countless other Hollywood studios and production companies.

『LA Times: Disney Confirms Kang Woo-jin as the Beast, with Columbia Studios Commenting First』

But above all, it was the general public that was most stirred.

-fuck!!! seriously?? (Translation: No way! Really?)

Overseas viewers who had watched *The Jamie Show* reacted first.

-Is this for real? Is Kang Woo-jin really confirmed as the Beast??

-I knew this would blow people’s minds! I spit out my beer when Woo-jin announced it on *The Jamie Show*.

-Disney… I’m disappointed.

-Why’s everyone so negative? I think him playing the Beast is fine.

-No way! Wasn’t he just doing *Piero*?? Why!!

-You need to understand why top Hollywood studios are after him. Since *Beneficial Evil*, Kang Woo-jin has been a breath of fresh air in Hollywood.

-Shut up! I can’t accept this!

Soon, the news spread globally. Within minutes, discussions about Kang Woo-j

in, *The Jamie Show*, and *Beauty and the Beast* filled forums and social media.

This happened all within an hour after *The Jamie Show* ended.

Morning in Woo-jin’s LA home.

It was just past 9 a.m. when Woo-jin groggily woke up.

“Ugh!”

Stretching, he immediately grabbed his phone. Though messages and DMs were flooding in, his phone remained silent because he had put it on mute. Of course, Woo-jin had watched *The Jamie Show* the previous night.

“Wow—so many messages.”

Moments later, his phone began buzzing with relentless vibrations. He skimmed through his missed calls—more than twenty. His parents and Kang Hyun-ah were absent from the list because he had already contacted them before the show. His messaging app was also overloaded, filled with messages from his friends, Hwa-rin, Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jung-min, and numerous top Korean actors. Even PD Song Man-woo and Director Kwon Ki-taek, industry heavyweights, had sent their congratulations.

And in his DMs—

“It’s wild, absolutely wild.”

It was similar to his messaging app but included messages in different languages from Japanese and Hollywood figures. Even Joseph Felton, a famous Hollywood producer, had reached out. Replying to all of them was impossible.

-Swish.

Woo-jin put his phone down for a moment, a smile spreading across his lips.

“So, this is playing out as expected? Heh, it’s only just starting.”

The real storm was just beginning. Seemingly enjoying the chaos, Woo-jin picked up his phone again, this time to check on the reaction in Korea, which was now in the early morning hours. He didn’t need to look to know it would be a frenzy.

“Let’s see—”

The feeling of seeing it for himself was different. On his phone’s screen, Korea’s number one search site came up.

And there it was.

『[Breaking News] Kang Woo-jin Confirmed for the Role of the Beast in Disney’s Live-Action *Beauty and the Beast*』

The search site was covered with Woo-jin’s name. About ten hours had passed since *The Jamie Show* aired, enough time for the news to reach Korea. It probably gained traction within 30 minutes of the broadcast ending.

At that moment—

“Huh?”

Though on silent mode, Woo-jin’s phone screen lit up with an incoming call. It was from Choi Sung-geon. Woo-jin cleared his throat, pressed the phone to his ear, and lowered his voice.

“Yes, Director.”

Choi Sung-geon sounded frantic on the other end.

“Woo-jin! Turn on the TV! Right now!”

Woo-jin, putting on his composed persona, tilted his head as he walked to the living room. Picking up the remote from the table, he turned on the channel Choi Sung-geon mentioned. The news was on. It was an American network, and even Woo-jin recognized it as a major broadcaster.

And the fun part—

“Wow—there I am!”

Kang Woo-jin was on the morning news in the United States.