Prologue (6)

 

Sold out? All time zones? Seriously? Kang Woo-jin, with his phone glued to his ear, had an indifferent expression, but his inner self was quite surprised.

‘What does this mean? Everything was sold out on the first day??’

Woojin, who didn’t answer right away, checked the time. It was a little past noon. Around 12:10. As far as Kang Woojin knew, the opening time for tickets for ‘Pierrot’ was 12 o’clock today. It wasn’t sequential, but all time slots for all 33 theaters opened at 12 o’clock at once. That means.

‘No, the first day tickets sold out in 10 minutes? Wow, that’s crazy.’

10 minutes, 10 minutes. Even though it was a pre-release and only 33 theaters in LA and New York, the fact that the first day’s advance tickets sold out in just 10 minutes was hard for Woojin to handle. It was his first time experiencing something like this.

‘I don’t know if it would be okay if it was only for an hour, but it sold out in one day-‘

When ‘Pierrot’ is shown in a theater, there are 5 to 8 time slots per theater from morning to night. The number of seats will vary depending on the theater, but it is roughly 300 to 400. At maximum, it is 3,200 viewers. If there are 33 theaters, it will be over 100,000, and if the number of theaters increases due to the opening, it will be ridiculous to see several hundred thousand viewers per day.

Those hundreds of thousands of tickets sold out in just 10 minutes?

‘Is that possible??’

Of course, this is America, not Korea, and the difference is like heaven and earth. Anyway, when Kang Woo-jin was silent, Chris Hartnett spoke on the other end of the phone.

“Did you hear what I said? It was sold out on the first day of release.”

“···Yeah, I heard.”

“Oh my god. It was over in 10 minutes? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

It was rare. It was almost like a non-existent case.

“Even! I heard that it’s almost sold out on the second day of release?!”

The second day too? What the heck, what is going on right now? Woojin had expected it to be popular to some extent, but honestly, he never thought it would be this popular. Kang Woojin’s reaction was lukewarm, perhaps because it didn’t feel real, and Chris on the other end of the phone was jumping around desperately.

“It feels like not only Korea but the whole world is flocking here??”

Chris then predicted a bright future for ‘Pierrot’.

“At this rate, by the time it first premieres on the 9th, all tickets for the two-week advance release might be sold out.”

When Kang Woo-jin, who was inwardly dumbfounded but outwardly calm, returned to the photo shoot, foreign media was quick to report news about ‘Pierrot’.

First, advance reservations for the entire pre-release schedule have opened.

『LA TIME/’Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, Challenging the ‘Academy Award’, Pre-Release 2 Weeks Full Ticket Sales Open!』

Second, the first day’s tickets sold out in just 10 minutes as soon as they opened.

『BBX/Amazing! ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ Tickets Sold Out in 10 Minutes on the First Day of Pre-Release!』

『CNM/Sold Out in 10 Minutes, ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ Tickets Exploded with Interest as Soon as Tickets Opened』

In addition, while Woojin was busy with the photo shoot, it was sold out by the second day.

Currently, the tickets for the third day are selling out fast. Naturally, the tickets for the other days are the same. Whatever it was, the reason that the news about ‘Pierrot’ spread so quickly was partly due to the quick actions of overseas media, but also partly due to the quick pace of ‘Columbia Studio’ focusing on promotion.

Night came like that, and Kang Woo-jin, who finished his schedule for the day including the photo shoot, did not leave work right away.

“Hello, Woojin.”

“hello.”

Because I had to meet executive producer Nora Foster. The location was, of course, Columbia Studios.

The topics of the meeting with Nora and some of the production staff were simple. Checking the promotional schedule for the soon-to-be-released ‘Pierrot’, and later on, the next film after ‘Pierrot’, ‘Bat: The Birth of a Hero’, etc. Why is she involved in the next film of the ‘Cinematic Universe’? Because Nora is once again in charge of producing.

Anyway, Nora, who was still impressed, brought up a different topic to Kang Woojin before the main topic.

“Things are taking a strange turn. I expected it, but I didn’t expect the pre-release of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ to start off like this.”

“Yes, I was surprised too.”

“Hmm? For something like that, your expression is very calm right now.”

“It happens because time has passed.”

Nora, who had no idea about Kang Woojin’s concept, handed Woojin a tablet. The screen was showing information about the pre-release of ‘Pierrot’, and Nora started her briefing while looking at the same tablet.

“Out of the two-week pre-release schedule, two days were sold out, and tomorrow is likely to be the third day as well. The fourth day is also about half sold out.”

Woojin was inwardly amazed as he looked at the organized tables, but on the outside he was indifferent.

“okay.”

Soon, Nora Foster swept her slightly longer hair back a couple of times, trying to hide her excitement.

“Honestly, the pre-release of ‘Pierrot’ this time is more for the ‘Academy Awards’ than for box office success. That’s why we limited the number of theaters to 33. But if I had known this would happen, I would have increased the number as much as possible.”

“If that were the case, it wouldn’t have had this impact.”

Nora nodded as if acknowledging it and tapped the tablet with her index finger.

“If this trend continues, it could be sold out in one week – no, it could even be sold out in the two weeks of pre-release. It’s a bit of an absurd but also a happy situation, but in my opinion, it’s a mixture of many things.”

She began to fold her fingers.

“First of all, ‘Pierrot’ has been taking a unique path since before it was produced, including winning the ‘Academy Award’, and it is also the first film of the ‘Cinematic Universe’ that ‘Columbia Studio’ is risking its life for. The director of such a film is Director Ahn Ga-bok and you, Nam-joo. Your skills and abilities are amazing, but the public may find it questionable.”

“I understand.”

“And the ‘Academy Awards.’ The path for ‘Pierrot’ to the ‘Academy Awards’ is very unique, so it’s bound to catch the public’s attention. In addition, there are various issues that have surfaced so far. ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ already has an abnormally high level of recognition before its release, and ‘Pierrot’ will be pre-released for two weeks before it goes to the ‘Academy Awards.’ For the public, it’s a chance to see ‘Pierrot’ before the prestigious ‘Academy Awards.’”

Kang Woo-jin, who had been quietly listening to the explanation, answered quietly.

“Limited sale, limited time only.”

“That’s right. It’s similar to limited edition luxury goods. I think people are stimulated by that uniqueness.”

At that moment, Woojin thought of a case where he would buy products in small quantities at a higher price.

‘I think I’ve seen it. It’s like an open run as soon as the door of a luxury store opens.’

High-value luxury goods are quickly sold out even if they are expensive. In other words, ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ is also of high value to the public. It was a rare move, and it was also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the public.

Then Nora continued speaking, pointing at Kang Woojin.

“With your influence added to all of this, the firepower has multiplied several times.”

“······”

“Kang Woo-jin and the ‘Academy Award’ are inseparable issues, as they have stimulated the media and public opinion from the past to the present. Be it positive or negative. There will probably be more negative ones. People were already waiting for it, but now that it is being released in advance, they are flocking in. In addition, the recent dating rumors and other topics have added to the strength.”

After hearing this, Kang Woo-jin seemed to understand the current sell-out situation to some extent, and Nora Foster’s face became a little serious.

“It’s good that this pre-release is starting off with the entire two-week schedule sold out, but- Woojin, there must be many people among those hundreds of thousands of viewers who bought tickets just to criticize you.”

Woojin, whose expression didn’t change at all, answered calmly.

“It doesn’t matter, criticism means nothing to me.”

backwards.

Kang Woo-jin kept up with his schedule while learning about the changes related to the pre-release of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’. Even though he was able to learn about it, it was only through hearing about it or searching for it on his phone, but he was still able to enjoy the joy every now and then.

‘Oh! Sold out by the fourth day!’

This was also immediately announced to the world by Columbia Studios.

It’s about creating a flow. Everyone is so fiercely trying to get votes, so anyone who sees this article should hurry up and move. In the meantime, the dating rumor between Kang Woo-jin and Kara has grown into an even bigger issue even after a few days.

『LA TIME/Kang Woo-jin and Miley Kara in Love, Not Revealing a Clear Position is the Proof』

The world’s public, whether in the community or on SNS, was evenly divided between whether the two were dating or not. No, in fact, there were more people who were against it. This was possible because Miley Kara’s fans were so widespread around the world.

Extreme fans.

-Does it make sense for someone like Kang Woo-jin to date Miley?

-Go back to Korea, Kang Woo-jin!

-Kang Woojin is just sticking with Miley for no reason and ruining her image!

The level of passionately criticizing Kang Woo-jin was beyond crying. Whether it was or not, Woo-jin was not shaken at all. In the meantime, other matters related to him were also carried out smoothly without any panic.

The movie ‘The Guest’ which got Miley Cara and Chris Hartnett.

“This scene.”

“Yes, Director.”

“It was originally going to be an outdoor location shoot, but I think it would be better to change it to a set.”

“I’ll check.”

The pre-production was in full swing. All the staff of ‘A8 Media’ and CEO Jennifer Thurman were busy, and Jennifer was appointed as the producer and executive producer of the work.

Additionally, ‘A8 Media’ also spread the news to Hollywood that Kang Woo-jin will make a special appearance in ‘Guest’.

About 7 days later.

『ABY/People from all over the world flock to LA and New York! ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ pre-release 1 week out of 2 weeks sold out!』

While news spread around Hollywood that all tickets for one week out of the two-week pre-release period for ‘Pierrot’ had been sold out.

“Please take good care of this work as well, Kang Woo-jin.”

“It’s me.”

The contract with Kang Woo-jin and ‘Bat: Birth of a Hero’ has been finalized. It took about a week of coordination, but fortunately it ended without a hitch.

And Kang Woo-jin’s ransom is.

‘Wow- Shit!! My worth is seriously fucking crazy!! How many houses do I need with this??!’

Of course, it has more than doubled from before.

The baton was passed on to director Ahn Ga-bok, and his contract was also concluded without a hitch. With this, the blueprint for ‘Bat: Birth of a Hero’ was completed.

On the morning of the 8th, news of Kang Woo-jin’s return to filming was delivered. It was from Choi Sung-geon’s mouth.

“Woojin-ah, the first day of filming for ‘John ​​Persona’ has been set. February 27th.”

It was a few days after the pre-release schedule for ‘Pierrot’ was all over.

Morning of February 9th, downtown LA.

It was just past 9 o’clock. As the time was, downtown LA was literally full of people and cars. People were hurrying along the sidewalks, and the congested roads were filled with the loud honking of horns.

A multiplex cinema located in the heart of the city.

It was the largest movie theater brand in the United States and also the largest and most famous one in LA. Soon, a black van stopped in front of the movie theater building.

-Thud!

Several familiar faces got out of the car. I could immediately hear Korean.

“Wow- the movie theater is big? Are they using the whole building?”

“Okay, I heard you used them all up.”

“Well, it exceeded my expectations.”

“Director, please be careful when getting off.”

Hong Hye-yeon with her long hair tied up, Ryu Jung-min who had long hair as if he was taking a break these days, and director Kwon Ki-taek who had become even more friendly. Those who were supposed to be in Korea showed up at a movie theater in downtown LA. Following that, there were five or six people including the staff, and with Ryu Jung-min at the head, they all moved towards the movie theater. Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon. They are the best of the best in Korea, but in LA, there were few people who recognized them.

There wasn’t much action, although a few people glanced at it.

By the time we reached the entrance to the movie theater building.

“Wow- Woojin is cool.”

“omg!”

Ryu Jeong-min and Hong Hye-yeon almost simultaneously expressed their surprise and exclamations. Director Kwon Ki-taek also joined in.

“Haha, right. Looking at that, I can really feel how amazing Woojin is.”

What they found was a large billboard erected right in front of the movie theater entrance. It was more than five times the height of a person, and on the billboard was a grotesque man with red hair and a pale face. It was ‘Joker.’

That is, Kang Woo-jin.

A movie theater located in the heart of downtown LA, the entrance billboard that is no different from the face of the movie theater. On that huge billboard, only Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker’ was hanging. Even in front of that ‘Pierrot’ billboard, many foreigners were busy taking pictures. Of course, Hong Hye-yeon and Ryu Jeong-min also went along with the flow of certification shots.

Those who had been having a photo time for about 10 minutes entered the lobby past the movie theater entrance.

Soon, Hong Hye-yeon’s scream rang out.

“What, what!! Why are there so many people! Is this right?!!”

The spacious movie theater lobby was packed with people of all kinds, leaving no room to step. To say it was crowded would be an understatement. The noise was so loud that I felt like I was in a cave.

The number of people was easily in the hundreds, and Hong Hye-yeon, whose eyes had widened, quietly muttered without realizing it.

“These people…all came to see ‘Pierrot’?”

Likewise, Ryu Jeong-min answered with dilated pupils.

“···I guess so, since ‘Pierrot’ rented out this entire movie theater today.”

“······In other words, you’re saying they all came to see Kang Woo-jin?”

There’s less than an hour left until the first screening of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’.