Chapter 419: Appearance (2)

Translator: Santos

When Kang Woo-jin arrived at the script reading room for *Piero: Birth of a Villain*, his first thought was simple:

"*This isn't much different from Korea.*"

Despite the fame of Hollywood, the atmosphere felt familiar. The only real difference was that everyone here was a foreigner. Any nerves he’d felt over his first Hollywood reading quickly dissipated in this familiar setting.

But Woo-jin’s mindset was different than usual; he was ready to bring his A-game. As the only Korean actor and the lead of *Piero: Birth of a Villain*, he wanted to make a strong impression. Though he aimed to convey that he was "Kang Woo-jin," he knew there was no need to overdo it.

"*Cool, composed, and adaptable,*" he reminded himself. "*But when it’s time to perform, give it everything.*"

Just as he entered, he saw a familiar figure—Chris Hartnett—speaking to the group.

"And I didn’t even bother auditioning. Watching Kang Woo-jin act… let’s just say it was enough to make me lose my resolve."

What is he saying? Woo-jin was surprised by Chris’s frankness but knew he had to make his entrance. He approached Chris and spoke in a low, steady tone.

"Hello, Chris."

Chris turned, a bit startled, but soon smiled warmly.

"Long time no see. You seem to have quite the aura now."

Woo-jin extended a quick handshake and replied briefly, "Thanks for the encouragement in your messages."

"No problem. We’re friends, right?"

Friends? With a polite nod, Woo-jin responded, "Yes, of course."

All eyes in the room were on him, evaluating him in silence. Woo-jin’s entrance and calm demeanor didn’t go unnoticed, sparking a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

"*Even though it’s his first Hollywood script reading, he doesn’t show a hint of nervousness,*" one reporter thought.

"*He’s got an aura that’s both intense and unique,*" others murmured.

Feeling the weight of the room’s attention, Woo-jin took a moment to look around. Recognizable Hollywood actors filled the seats; some were familiar faces he had seen on screen. Surrounded by these big names, Woo-jin felt a swell of pride and a bit of amusement.

"*It’s funny—I’d never have guessed I’d be doing a script reading with all these actors.*"

As he moved to his seat marked with "Henry Gordon," the villain lead in *Piero*, he could feel the buzz around him intensify. Finally taking his seat, the room settled into a tense quiet. Executives from Columbia Studios nodded in approval.

"*The lead villain ought to have this kind of presence,*" they seemed to be thinking.

Chris soon sat down beside him, filling the last open seat at the table. With all the actors present, the photographers started clicking, capturing the assembled cast with Woo-jin at the center.

Just then, two figures entered the room—Director An Gabok and the film’s head producer. An Gabok greeted various studio heads and shared a brief nod with Woo-jin.

"*It suits him well,*" An Gabok thought. *"It’s just like old times."*

After the introductions, An took his seat at the head of the table next to Woo-jin and murmured in Korean, "Let’s have some fun today. And take it easy, alright?"

With An’s arrival, the script reading officially began. As he introduced himself as the director, applause filled the room. Then the producer took the floor to offer her thanks to the cast for their dedication to the project.

"We’re incredibly grateful to have each of you on board," An Gabok said. "As this film is the opening act of the cinematic universe, we’re committed to giving it our best. I’m sure you all share that sentiment."

Woo-jin listened attentively, surprised by An Gabok’s fluency in English, and braced himself for the introductions.

"Playing Henry Gordon is Kang Woo-jin."

At the mention of his name, Woo-jin stood and offered a simple, “I’m Kang Woo-jin. Let’s enjoy the shoot.”

It was a short introduction, yet some Hollywood actors appeared taken aback, furrowing their brows.

*Was he nervous?* some wondered, noticing his brevity. *But he didn’t look tense at all.*

An Gabok continued with the cast introductions, concluding with Chris Hartnett, who laced his introduction with humor. By the time everyone, including the key staff and studio executives, had introduced themselves, an hour had passed.

Finally, An Gabok opened his script, a signal to start the reading. The entire cast followed suit, while the journalists and team members fixed their gazes on the actors, most intently on Woo-jin.

"Nighttime, a bus drives down a deserted road," An Gabok began, narrating the scene.

The opening sequence called for the Joker’s chaotic presence to flash briefly. After setting the scene, An passed the baton to Woo-jin.

From that moment, Woo-jin transformed. Any trace of Kang Woo-jin faded, replaced by the chilling intensity of Henry Gordon—the Joker. His eyes grew wild as he imagined the bus’s engine rumbling, the wet red hair grazing his face. With a slow, deliberate breath, he slicked back his hair, and an unhinged smile spread across his lips.

A laugh, eerie and unsettling, escaped him, filling the entire room. The chilling expression on his face conveyed equal parts tragedy and comedy, an unsettling duality that left every eye in the room fixated on him.

The cast and crew alike felt the hairs on their arms stand on end. Some actors, seeing Woo-jin’s Joker-like performance, felt their eyes widen in shock.

"He’s… he’s the Joker."

"He just brought the script to life," someone whispered, sounding dazed.

When it was time for the goons to interact with Woo-jin’s Joker, they played their parts nervously, shaken by the intensity of his performance.

As he laughed, Woo-jin’s maniacal energy only grew, making everyone in the room feel as if they were in the presence of pure madness.

When An read the line for the bus driver, saying, "Sir, you’re crazy!"

Woo-jin’s voice came out slow, unbothered. "Crazy, you say? Why, thank you."

Within minutes, Woo-jin’s Joker had cast an eerie silence over the room, gripping everyone present with his intense portrayal.

When the scene shifted, the Joker’s madness faded, and Woo-jin transformed into the meek, hunched-over Henry Gordon.

“Is something wrong?” he muttered, eyes darting in confusion. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes held a flicker of suppressed rage. The actors around him were left in shock, unable to reconcile the sinister Joker with the quiet, timid Henry Gordon.

Finally, a silent understanding settled among the cast.

"*So this is why he was chosen to lead,*" they thought, many left with goosebumps. They could now grasp why Woo-jin had been chosen for such a monumental role.

"He’s not just acting—he *is* the Joker. He’s no ordinary actor," one of them thought, finally understanding Chris’s decision to forgo the role.

An Gabok called “cut,” giving the cast a moment to reset. The room filled with murmurs of amazement and wonderment.

As they prepared for the next scene, Chris leaned over to Woo-jin, eyebrows raised.

"Your energy feels… different from the audition," he remarked. "A bit… lighter, almost as if you’re holding back."

Woo-jin met Chris’s gaze and replied calmly, "It’s just a reading, so I kept it moderate."

In a single sentence, he silenced the room again.

*Moderate?* the actors thought, exchanging glances in shock.

"*If that was him holding back… then what’s he capable of at full force?*"