Chapter 427: Joker (5)

Translator: Santos

 

Around 10 a.m., one of the expansive sets at Columbia Studios was bustling with activity. Over a hundred foreign crew members worked tirelessly on *Piero: Birth of a Villain*, led by Director Ahn Ga-bok with executive producer Nora Foster by his side.

So, where was Kang Woo-jin?

‘Man, this trailer is just something else, the more I look at it.’

Woo-jin was lounging in one of the many trailers set up near the filming zone. Dressed as “Henry Gordon,” with damp hair falling past his chin and wearing a worn hoodie and jeans, he hadn’t yet transformed into the Joker.

Currently, he was waiting while another actor’s scenes were being filmed. His scenes today started with Henry Gordon and would transition to the Joker in the latter half. Hollywood filming wasn’t any different in its random ordering of scenes—sometimes jumping between the beginning, middle, and end in a single day.

Lounging on the trailer’s sofa with his legs up, Woo-jin let out a sigh.

“This is so comfortable.”

Woo-jin’s eyes roamed around the trailer.

It was like a mini hotel—sofa, table, chairs, TV, you name it. Woo-jin mumbled to himself, dropping the character persona briefly.

“How much would something like this cost? They must have these in Korea too, right? They call them camping trailers, I think. Must be expensive. But man, it’d be awesome to take one of these out for a camping trip.”

Curious, he searched his phone for the price of trailers. The range was vast, with some costing hundreds of thousands to even millions of dollars. He muttered, half-amused.

“Huh, cheaper than I thought?”

He chuckled at his own reaction.

“Wow, did I just say millions are cheap?”

But given Woo-jin’s current income and status, he could indeed afford it.

‘Heh, I should get one of the best models soon. While I’m at it, maybe even a boat. And if I’m getting a boat, why not a vacation house in Jeju?’

It wasn’t just a dream; he could buy it all right now if he wanted. So, he started making a list on his phone: a car for LA, a camping trailer, a boat, a vacation home, and so on.

‘Should I buy a building too? Move my parents’ shop there? Let’s go for it.’

One idea led to another.

“Wow, my life’s gotten insane.”

Thirty minutes later, crew members came to call him for filming. Woo-jin prepared to delve back into the role of Henry Gordon, shifting his focus to the early scenes of *Piero: Birth of a Villain*.

This was a Henry who was broken, suppressing and ignoring his inner turmoil—a stark contrast to the Joker’s wildness. Yet, a strange tension flickered in his eyes, a barely suppressed madness caught on camera.

The foreign crew members whispered to each other as they watched Woo-jin embody this earlier version of Henry.

“The contrast is incredible. Seeing him now after his chilling Joker scenes makes it even more pronounced.”

“Actors usually need time to switch emotions between such different scenes, but Woo-jin has no delay at all.”

“Yeah, it’s impressive. Most actors need a moment to reset between scenes with such opposing tones, but he just dives right in.”

“Afternoon’s when we shoot the Joker scenes, right? He’ll probably turn that madness back on without a hitch.”

“How did he master something like this in only three years?”

“I heard from the director that he’d honed his skills long before his debut.”

By early afternoon, Woo-jin had wrapped up his scenes as Henry Gordon. But the real filming was only beginning.

“Stand by in thirty minutes!”

There was no rest. Several members of the makeup team surrounded Woo-jin, transforming his face from the worn, downtrodden Henry Gordon into the twisted, pale visage of the Joker. His face was painted white, with stark black around his eyes, and deep red across his nose and mouth.

Watching them work, Woo-jin thought to himself.

‘Having twice as many makeup artists as in Korea is a bit overwhelming.’

Once his face was fully transformed, he still had to change into the Joker’s costume. Just as the wardrobe team approached with the outfit, he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

“Woo-jin.”

Turning around, he saw Director Ahn Ga-bok with Nora Foster at his side. Nora, the strict and vigilant producer, moved freely around the set, her presence unmistakable. The stylists paused as Woo-jin turned his attention to the director.

“Yes, Director?”

Director Ahn pointed to the Joker’s red jacket and began speaking in English.

“Before we start filming, I wanted to ask if you have any ideas. Any changes you’d like to make to the costume?”

Director Ahn had seen Woo-jin’s improvisational Joker scene a few days prior, so he wanted to check if Woo-jin had any creative input.

He seemed certain that Woo-jin would come up with something unexpected.

“You’re probably already cooking up some unique idea.”

Woo-jin’s face remained serious as he internally panicked.

‘Wait, what? I didn’t plan anything!’

He hadn’t given the costume any thought. Maintaining his stoic expression, Woo-jin finally responded.

“No, I don’t have any ideas.”

“…Really?”

The director’s skeptical tone irked Woo-jin a bit, but he held his composure. Just then, Nora Foster interjected, her expression stern.

“Director, it seems like you’re pressuring him. If he hasn’t given it any thought, perhaps we shouldn’t make too many changes on set—it could disrupt continuity for the key crew.”

The word “pressure” resonated with Woo-jin. Extreme commitment to the character left no room for “pressure.” Determined to say something, he was suddenly reminded of his mother scolding him as a child.

‘Woo-jin! How many times do I have to tell you to put your socks in the laundry?’

Feeling a twinge of nostalgia, Woo-jin glanced at Nora, then at the director, and spoke in a low voice.

“The Joker’s socks feel a bit plain.”

Both Nora and the director turned their heads, and Woo-jin continued nonchalantly.

“The current socks are just white.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“It’d be better if they were mismatched—black and white, or red and blue.”

“Hmm… And why would you want that?”

Woo-jin couldn’t exactly explain the inspiration came from his mom’s lectures, so he answered indirectly.

“They’ll stand out. A contrasting pair would be visually striking.”

‘At least it’s unique,’ he thought.

But.

“…”

Director Ahn studied Woo-jin’s serious expression, then chuckled as he offered his own interpretation.

“The Joker is a character of tragedy and comedy. Using mismatched socks as a metaphor, right? It’s a statement against societal expectations and the gaze of oppression that the Joker dismisses.”

Woo-jin, surprised that this interpretation happened to align perfectly, managed a confident nod. He’d accidentally hit the mark but kept a straight face.

“Red and blue would be ideal.”

With his makeup and costume adjusted, Woo-jin walked onto the set, now in full Joker form. Seeing him, the hundred-plus crew members murmured in amazement.

“He looks chillingly perfect. Can I even say that?”

“Perfect is right—it’s like he created his own version of the Joker.”

Woo-jin reached the focal point of the set, his hair slicked back to his chin in wet red waves. His face was painted white with dark red and black around his eyes and mouth, completing the Joker look with the blue shirt, yellow vest, red jacket, and tattered brown shoes. Peeking from his shoes, a glimpse of mismatched red and blue socks.

“…”

He stood silently, his expression dark, as Director Ahn, grinning in satisfaction, thought to himself.

‘Damn… I can’t wait for the world to see this on the big screen.’

The complete version of Woo-jin’s Joker was something he wanted to share with audiences everywhere.

“That will be monumental, in a different sense.”

---

The next morning, June 16.

As Woo-jin entered his trailer, he let out a long breath and sank into the sofa, setting aside his intense Joker persona. The unfamiliar environment, new character, and the weight of becoming the Joker had accumulated into a palpable fatigue.

‘I’m going to need to retreat to my private space more often.’

Just then—

*Knock, knock.*

A sudden knock startled him. Woo-jin immediately composed himself, adjusting his posture and crossing his legs, his heartbeat quickening slightly. Lowering his voice, he replied in English.

“Yes, come in.”

He expected a crew member. Instead, a strikingly handsome man entered—Chris Hartnett, his deep brown eyes shadowed by a pulled-down cap.

“Mr. Woo-jin, mind if we talk for a bit?”

At the relaxed tone, Woo-jin gestured to the chair across from him.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thanks.”

Chris sat, observing Woo-jin for a moment before speaking up.

“Your ad-lib during the first Joker awakening scene.”

He was referring to the blood-smeared Joker makeup Woo-jin had improvised.

“I’ve never felt that kind of awe in my entire acting career. It froze my brain for a few seconds. I mean it—it was genuinely remarkable.”

“…”

A Hollywood superstar was sitting there, openly praising him. Woo-jin kept his face stoic, though he felt a surge of satisfaction.

‘Don’t smile!’

He was genuinely thrilled. After all, making such an impact on a Hollywood icon was something unimaginable

 for the “average Woo-jin.”

Still, he kept a serious demeanor.

‘Keep your cool, right? Show some composure.’

Woo-jin shifted his crossed legs nonchalantly.

“I see.”

Chris, watching Woo-jin’s detached reaction, chuckled inwardly.

‘As expected, not a hint of joy. He’s not someone who acts to impress others. He just enjoys becoming the character. I could learn something from that restraint.’

Chris smiled.

“How much did you struggle to come up with that ad-lib? It froze hundreds of minds on set, so it must have taken serious contemplation.”

Woo-jin thought to himself.

‘Of course, I agonized over it! Honestly, when the idea hit, it felt like a eureka moment.’

In truth, it had taken him almost two months of analyzing to come up with that Joker improvisation. The idea had come after countless readings and study sessions.

Still, Woo-jin thought, ‘Saying that outright would sound foolish.’

Putting on an air of confidence, he answered simply.

“I did it roughly.”

This was Woo-jin’s way of saying it hadn’t taken much effort. Chris narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘Roughly? No way… could it have been spontaneous?’

Chris seemed convinced as he asked Woo-jin directly.

“That ad-lib was on the spot, wasn’t it?”

Looking pleased, he continued.

“Acting like that, improvised… I’m both shocked and thrilled.”

“…”

The word “improvised” had suddenly come into play. Maintaining his poker face, Woo-jin stayed silent as Chris grinned.

“Then I suppose you’ll be open to my ad-libs as well. I enjoy the freedom to improvise, though few actors can keep up.”

“As much as you’d like.”

Woo-jin replied briefly, then added in a low tone.

“But I doubt you’ll enjoy it. You’ll need some resolve.”

For a moment, Chris’s brow twitched.