Chapter 416: Damang (5)

Translator: Santos

Universal Movies' announcement began on their official social media accounts.

- "Hello, this is Universal Movies. We have exciting news for everyone. Director Danny Landis’s latest film has been titled *John Persona*. We ask for your support and enthusiasm. Additionally, regarding the rumors surrounding the lead actor, we are pleased to confirm that we will be working with Kang Woo-jin for *John Persona*. We have high expectations for him..."

Following the announcement, Universal Movies’ official YouTube channel and numerous media outlets echoed the news.

- **LA Time**: "Universal Movies Announces *John Persona* as the Title of Their New Project, Confirms Kang Woo-jin as Lead Actor"
- **ABY**: "The Rumors Were True! Universal Movies Confirms Kang Woo-jin for Lead Role in *John Persona*"

Hollywood quickly erupted with excitement, as expected. Not only was *John Persona* notable for being Danny Landis's first film without a personally written script, but the buzz around Kang Woo-jin—who had been the subject of intense speculation over the past few weeks—was palpable.

- **BBX**: "Korean Actor Kang Woo-jin Confirmed to Work with Director Danny Landis! Sets New Record with Big Three Hollywood Studios"

From Columbia Studios to Walt Disney Pictures, and now Universal Movies, Woo-jin had become the lead in three major Hollywood productions almost as soon as he entered the scene. No actor in Hollywood had achieved such a feat before.

This unprecedented record by a Korean actor stirred excitement across international media, naturally sparking interest and disbelief worldwide.

The news of Kang Woo-jin’s casting spread like wildfire, reaching beyond Hollywood and capturing the attention of global audiences. People had mixed reactions, from disbelief to admiration.

"Is this even possible? How could something like this happen?" "Did he work some kind of magic? No, it must be skill!" "I had to double-check my eyes reading this!"

The reactions ranged from thrilled support to skepticism, as Woo-jin had become a symbol with a range of images worldwide.

In Korea, the response was just as wild.

- "[Breaking] Kang Woo-jin Joins Universal Movies as Lead"
- "[Official] Universal Movies’ New Film Titled *John Persona* with Kang Woo-jin Confirmed as Lead"
- "Rumors Were True! Kang Woo-jin to Star in a Danny Landis Film as Lead Actor"

Kang Woo-jin’s success with Universal Movies spread in Korea like lightning, inciting frenzied reactions from the public.

- "Whoa… is this real??"
- "Haha, this is insane! Woo-jin’s unreal."
- "How did this happen? Weren't there no auditions mentioned? Could this be fake?"
- "Hey, it's official from Universal's official SNS, no joke!"
- "This is nuts! Woo-jin's on a whole different level now!"

Meanwhile, Woo-jin was at the filming set of *Beneficial Evil* in Gyeonggi Province, receiving congratulatory shouts from the hundred or so crew members and cast.

"Wow!! Woo-jin! Is it true? This is huge!!"
"Congratulations! This is truly legendary!"
"How did things go this far? Am I seeing this right?"

Woo-jin, however, showed little emotion, merely nodding with a polite "Thank you" in a low tone.

Though he kept a composed exterior, Woo-jin shared the sentiment. He’d been in contact with Joseph Felton and had received the official script for *John Persona*, knowing in advance about the timing of the announcement. Watching his ecstatic colleagues did make him feel a bit embarrassed.

“Maybe I should slip away to my private space for a bit?”

However, Woo-jin decided to let them enjoy the moment. Their excitement resembled that of a national celebration. Meanwhile, his phone buzzed constantly, with congratulatory messages pouring in from Korea, Japan, and Hollywood contacts.

The festive atmosphere around Woo-jin seemed like it would last for days.

---

That night, at the *Beneficial Evil* set, Woo-jin entered his private space for a short break and to check the newly updated *John Persona* listing. Immediately upon entering the endless darkness, Woo-jin approached a white square, which had been updated.

The *John Persona* project, previously graded S-rank, was now marked:

- **[13/Script (Title: John Persona), SSS-Rank]**
  - **[An exceptionally high-quality script. Fully readable at 100%.]**

After seeing the two-rank promotion, Woo-jin left the private space, chuckling to himself.

"This might even reach EX-rank at this rate.”

---

Meanwhile, in LA, at the Television Academy’s main building, where the Emmy statuette, three times the size of a person, stood proudly, a group of important figures gathered in a large meeting room. With the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards scheduled tentatively for August, preparations were in full swing.

Although no official announcement had been made, the Television Academy had already completed its selection of nominees.

“Preparation’s done.”

“Then, the announcement of the official nominees is all that’s left.”

And so, the Television Academy personnel prepared to make their nominee announcement later that week.

With the buzz around *John Persona* reaching astronomical levels, Woo-jin’s schedule was busier than ever. Between *Beneficial Evil Part 2* filming, domestic engagements, and international magazine covers, his popularity spurred global media to fly to Korea for interviews.

This level of attention was overwhelming but almost expected by now.

Even so, Woo-jin’s focus was unwavering.

“Ah, this is chaotic… First, I need to focus on *Beneficial Evil* filming, and then there’s the *John Persona* reading.”

Meanwhile, BW Entertainment’s global influence grew, while Hollywood productions featuring Woo-jin moved forward.

With Woo-jin confirmed as the lead in *John Persona*, pre-production had commenced. Although casting for the rest of the roles was still undecided, preparations for the list were underway.

*Beauty and the Beast* was also progressing, with casting in its final stages, as the 50,000-square-meter set construction and heavy reliance on CG suggested a long timeline.

The fastest-progressing project, however, was *Piero: Birth of a Villain*.

- **CNM**: "Casting Complete for *Piero: Birth of a Villain*. When Will Script Reading Begin with Lead Actor Kang Woo-jin?"

With its head start in planning, *Piero* had already finalized casting, including Woo-jin and Chris Hartnett. Director An Gabok, despite a unique Korean system, was skillfully finalizing the pre-production.

---

A few days later, on May 8th, at around 11 a.m., Woo-jin sat in a Netflix Korea conference room surrounded by posters of hit shows, including *Beneficial Evil*. At the U-shaped table, he sat with his usual calm demeanor, though internally he was somewhat nervous.

“Why is this taking so long?”

Beside him sat Choi Sung-geon, along with key members of the *Beneficial Evil* team. All eyes were on the door, tension evident on everyone’s faces. The atmosphere was taut.

Finally, with the door suddenly opening, Netflix’s chief director, Kim So-hyang, appeared, slightly out of breath.

The entire room turned to her.

“The announcement is over.”

Kim So-hyang, whose expression hovered between a smile and neutrality, had just confirmed that *Beneficial Evil* had officially been nominated for this year’s Emmys.

Her gaze shifted from Woo-jin to PD Song Man-woo as she added with a grin.

“We did it! *Beneficial Evil* is officially nominated for the Emmys!”

The room erupted in joyous shouts as the *Beneficial Evil* team cheered, celebrating the historic moment.

“Yes!! Finally!!”
“This is it!”

It was an unprecedented achievement—*Beneficial Evil* had become the first non-English drama to receive an Emmy nomination, an event celebrated across Korea and Asia.

But Kim So-hyang had even more news.

“Not just nominated… *Beneficial Evil* is up for a record-breaking ten categories!”

“What?! Ten categories?!”

Kim So-hyang’s smile deepened as she made eye contact with Woo-jin.

“And one of those ten nominations is for you, Woo-jin. You’re one of the five nominees for Best Actor in Drama, the first Asian actor ever nominated in this category.”

Following Cannes, Woo-jin now faced the Emmys. Although he kept a calm expression, internally, he was stunned.

"Wait… what?”