Chapter 413: Damang (2)

Translator: Santos 

The plump reporter, having caught sight of Joseph Felton, the prominent Hollywood producer, couldn’t help but think of Kang Woo-jin. In Korea, there wasn’t another “world star” with such influence, especially one tied to multiple major Hollywood studios.

“Two of the Big Five studios are already connected to Kang Woo-jin. That’s already unprecedented… Could it be that Universal Movies wants him too, making it three?”

Of course, this was just speculation. Felton might have come to Korea for a different reason entirely. That would be the logical assumption. But the timing was almost too perfect. Woo-jin’s Hollywood casting in two blockbuster films had already set the world on fire, and with his recent return to Korea, his influence had only intensified. Now, Joseph Felton suddenly appeared in Korea—too much of a coincidence.

The reporter instinctively knew he had a hot story. As the crowd of fans and journalists swarmed around a popular girl group entering the airport, he quickly snapped more photos of Felton.

“Whether he’s here for Woo-jin or not, this’ll be a hit.”

A grin spread across his face. Kang Woo-jin’s influence was monumental, unlike anything the Korean entertainment industry had ever seen. Even if Felton wasn’t here for Woo-jin, the article would still generate huge interest. And if it turned out he really was here for Woo-jin…

“It’ll be an exclusive.”

The reporter left the noisy arrival area, carefully sending the photos he’d taken to his editor. As he casually walked out, he called in his story with enthusiasm.

“Yes, it’s me. Did you see the photos I sent? They’re not just any tourists; they’re high-level Hollywood players. I’m telling you, this story’s golden.”

Names like Kang Woo-jin, Universal Movies, and Joseph Felton popped up in his conversation as he outlined the story. Ten minutes later, he hung up, chuckling as he looked up at a large airport advertisement featuring none other than Woo-jin himself.

“If Universal Movies is in the mix, he’s on a level even Hollywood’s biggest stars can’t touch.”

---

Meanwhile, on the highway, a black van sped along. Inside the first van, filled with foreigners, sat none other than the towering figure of Joseph Felton, dressed in a leather jacket, gazing out the window. He mumbled quietly in English.

“Korea… It’s been a while. Not since filming *Leech* last year.”

The bald man beside him responded quickly.

“The reporters at the airport caught my attention. While it seemed they didn’t recognize us, we might’ve been photographed.”

“That’s possible. I didn’t expect our paths to cross with a popular Korean idol group.”

“There might be a reporter who recognized you.”

Felton chuckled, crossing his long legs.

“Think any of them recognized me and connected it to Kang Woo-jin? Even if they did, I’m not concerned. If it gets out, it’s no problem. Actually, I don’t have the luxury of worrying about such things.”

The bald man, Robert, sighed softly at Felton’s confident demeanor.

“Was it wise to come all the way to Korea just to deliver the script to Woo-jin? Although we cited distribution as the reason for our visit, it seems a bit excessive.”

“It’s too late.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s far too late. I was the first to spot Kang Woo-jin’s potential, but now I’m at the back of the line. I’ve never felt this frustrated in my career.”

Felton recalled the first time he saw Woo-jin’s potential during the screen test for *Last Kill 3* last year.

“The moment I saw his unique energy, I knew he’d be a sensation in Hollywood… I just didn’t expect his value to increase so dramatically. A year ago, he was an unknown—now he’s a superstar. And while we had an agreement, in business, agreements are as good as dust.”

Robert remained silent as Felton continued.

“I have to show Woo-jin that I’m serious if I want to get his attention. *Piero: Birth of a Villain* and *Beauty and the Beast* are locked in, and he might not even care about us. We’re the ones who need him.”

Felton, with decades of experience in Hollywood, was still blown away by Woo-jin’s meteoric rise. Discovering this “rough diamond” had been thrilling, but now he was being outpaced by other players who had seen Woo-jin’s brilliance and snapped him up first.

But there was more to it than just capturing Woo-jin.

“I need Woo-jin on board to bring in Director Danny Landis.”

Danny Landis, a legendary director, had agreed to helm the project—on the condition that Woo-jin starred in it. For Felton, securing Woo-jin was crucial.

“When’s our meeting with Woo-jin?” Felton asked.

“In two days.”

“He’s started shooting *Beneficial Evil Part 2*, right?”

“Yes.”

Felton exhaled, glancing down at the script on his lap.

“I wonder how Woo-jin will see this.”

---

Around the same time, just past noon, Woo-jin arrived at a massive filming complex in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. It was familiar territory—the set for *Beneficial Evil*. But the set inside the enormous warehouse looked completely different from Part 1, having been upgraded for the new season. In the parking lot, a black van came to a stop, and Woo-jin, with his dark hair and usual calm expression, stepped out.

“…”

He looked around at the set, feeling a surge of emotion.

“Ah, it’s been a while.”

It almost felt like coming home, especially after spending so much time overseas. Adjusting his hat, Woo-jin’s manager, Choi Sung-geon, came up beside him.

“They went all out with this one.”

“With Part 1’s crazy success, they doubled the budget for the Part 2 set construction.”

Even the CEO of Netflix’s headquarters in the U.S. had personally praised *Beneficial Evil*, directing resources toward the project. Woo-jin couldn’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation.

“Really? I’m looking forward to this.”

The newly designed set and the upcoming shoot filled him with excitement. He knew his schedule would get even crazier with the addition of *Beneficial Evil*, but Woo-jin was up for the challenge.

“Should be fine. Maybe a quick stop in my storage space before we start.”

Feeling refreshed and ready, Woo-jin entered the set with Sung-geon and the team. As they approached the entrance, a few assistant directors and staff members who’d been waiting immediately spotted him.

“Kang Woo-jin is here!”

Soon, more people arrived, including Producer Song Man-woo, who had recently gained international fame, along with familiar faces like writer Choi Na-na and General Director Kim So-hyang. The set quickly became packed, and Woo-jin, though maintaining a calm exterior, felt slightly overwhelmed by the energy.

“Phew, everyone’s so intense. I’m a little nervous.”

He instinctively added a hint of cynicism to his expression to keep his cool. Interestingly, Producer Song Man-woo, breathing heavily from hurrying over, blurted out an unexpected question.

“Woo-jin! Did you sign on with Universal Movies for another project?”

“…?”

Woo-jin was taken aback. All eyes were on him, with everyone around him seeming just as eager to know. Why was Universal Movies suddenly coming up? Woo-jin glanced at Sung-geon, who subtly shook his head.

Then, Song Man-woo held up his phone, showing a breaking news article.

**Exclusive: Hollywood Producer Joseph Felton Arrives at Incheon Airport, Allegedly for Meeting with Kang Woo-jin Regarding a Universal Movies Project**

The photo showed Felton and his team confidently arriving. Woo-jin chuckled inwardly.

“Ah, he got caught.”

There had been discussions about a meeting with Felton, but Woo-jin hadn’t expected him to arrive so publicly. As the curious chatter grew, Kim So-hyang, General Director, spoke up with excitement.

“I know Joseph Felton; I’ve met him a few times before. But for him to come to Korea now… could this really be connected to Woo-jin?”

Song Man-woo added, “It’s definitely not just to observe the Part 2 shoot. Are you really discussing something with Universal Movies?”

Curiosity peaked as the staff buzzed with excitement. For them, it was surreal that even a third Big Five studio was interested in Woo-jin. Woo-jin, after a moment’s silence, casually responded in a low tone.

“I don’t have anything arranged with Universal Movies.”

“Oh… really?”

“But I will be meeting with Joseph Felton.”

Every set of eyes widened in surprise.

“!!!”

Woo-jin’s career had already reached legendary status, but this was a sign that it wasn’t stopping anytime soon. Song Man-woo, looking dazed, mumbled to himself.

“At this rate… Hollywood must be losing their minds.”

---

Meanwhile, as Woo-jin began shooting for *Beneficial Evil Part 2*, Korean media went wild over the latest development.

**Headlines:**

- *From Columbia Studios and World Disney Pictures to Universal Movies? Is Hollywood producer Felton really here for Woo-jin?*
- *Joseph Felton quietly arrives at Incheon. Is Universal Movies interested in Kang Woo-jin?*

Articles exploded, filled with speculation, rumors, and sensational headlines. Public interest in Woo-jin was at an all-time high, with social media buzzing.

- “What the heck? Universal’s in on this too? This is insane!”
-

 “No way Universal’s going after Woo-jin too. Just seems like the reporter’s getting carried away.”
- “Nope, that’s Felton, a legit Hollywood producer. Other articles confirmed it.”
- “I think he’s here for Woo-jin. The guy’s unstoppable.”

Just two hours later, international media picked up the story as well.

**CNM Headline: Hollywood Producer Joseph Felton Quietly Lands in Korea. Could Universal Movies Be Eyeing Kang Woo-jin?**

---

Two days later, on Thursday, March 24, at BW Entertainment.

In a newly expanded conference room, around 8 a.m., a meeting was underway. Seated at the U-shaped table were various staff, with the foreign guests, including Joseph Felton, at one end. Opposite them sat Choi Sung-geon and other BW Entertainment employees.

And in the middle sat Woo-jin, his expression unreadable. Having already exchanged introductions, Felton, smiling warmly, spoke.

“Apologies for the stir our arrival caused here in Korea.”

Woo-jin answered nonchalantly in English.

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“Oh, really?”

“I hear Hollywood is buzzing too. How’s that going?”

“There’s been a lot of noise, but nothing problematic.”

With a calm smile, Felton slid a thick stack of papers across the table to Woo-jin.

“This is it, the script I mentioned to you before.”

Woo-jin kept his poker face as he picked up the script, thinking to himself, “It took forever to get here. Or maybe not? Who knows—let’s head to the storage space first.”

Just as he discreetly reached for the black tab on the script, Felton spoke up again, beating him to it.

“Woo-jin,” Felton said. “Do you know Director Danny Landis?”

Danny… who? Woo-jin remembered meeting him briefly at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Yes, of course.”

“Danny Landis is a legendary director in Hollywood, and he’s keen on working with you. He’s made it a condition—if you take on this project, he’ll direct it himself. This would be the first time he’s ever set such a condition.”

Choi Sung-geon, who’d been listening in, was shocked.

“That Danny Landis?”

But Woo-jin remained calm.

“Is that so?”

Felton continued with a confident tone.

“Additionally, we won’t require any audition or screen test from you.”

He was going all in.

“If you agree, the lead role is yours.”