Prologue (7)

 

-I came to see Clown, but there are so many people in this movie theater! They said it was sold out for more than a week before its release, but it looks like all those people came!

-Oh, that movie is opening today? But why on earth are you going to see it? You’ll regret it.

– Movies that are full of curiosity and publicity are usually very disappointing when you actually watch them, so I don’t plan on watching them.

-Why on earth would you go see a movie like that? Don’t you think it was a waste of money?

-Even if I curse at Kang Woo-jin, I definitely want to see what I can see and curse at it.

-He stole Miley from me, I’ll curse him for the rest of my life.

-Aside from the fact that the movie is fun, it’s unlikely that Kang Woo-jin will win an Academy Award. His image has already been ruined, so do you think the judges will look at him favorably?

-I respect Columbia’s challenges, but what about the results? If the work really doesn’t end well, the Academy Awards will take care of their pride.

-Will the members of Ostar around the world evaluate Kang Woo-jin’s acting well? It’s clear that he will only be laughed at.

An hour before the first screening of ‘Pierrot’, the world’s most famous community ‘Nedit’ was in full swing. Even though no one had thrown out bait, it was on fire. Of course, the topic was Kang Woo-jin and ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’. Even just last week, there were some who supported the work and Woo-jin, but for the past few days, the majority of reactions have been negative.

In particular, it got worse after the dating rumors between Kang Woo-jin and Miley Kara broke out.

-Did you have to focus on acting because you were dating Miley Cara?

-Chris Hartnett, who appeared together with Kang Woo-jin, will probably stand out more than Kang Woo-jin.

There were comments that started with swearing without warning, but there were also comments that evaluated Kang Woo-jin with a cool-headed judgment. Whatever it was, all the reactions on overseas communities, SNS, YouTube, etc. had one thing in common.

‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ will not be invited to the ‘Academy Awards’.

Whether it’s Columbia Studios’ ‘Cinematic Universe’ challenge, or Kang Woo-jin’s aim for an Academy Award, whatever.

-If Clown hadn’t been nominated for an Academy Award in the first place, nothing would have happened.

If the ‘Academy Awards’ did not give ‘Pierrot’ a certificate of acceptance, a confirmed nomination, then everything up to this point would have been in vain. However, the world’s public’s fiercely negative reaction was not just theirs.

The same is true everywhere in Hollywood.

Many people, including directors and actors in the vast Hollywood, also focused on Kang Woo-jin at the news of the pre-release of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’. Some people openly acknowledged Woo-jin because they saw his various activities and even the miracle of the ‘Emmy Award’, but there were also many who denied it.

Because I feel uncomfortable with the unfamiliarity.

Because I’m afraid of change.

Because I try hard to deny my anxiety.

Because I can’t break the stubbornness that has become entrenched and rotten.

Hollywood is so vast and has such old traditions. It shows individuality and freedom, but on the other hand, there are also parts that show stubbornness. In Hollywood, where so many different beings and big names live, Kang Woo-jin is, in a way, an anomaly.

A variant that does things without any data at all, something no one has ever done before.

So it’s natural that there are people who hate him.

“I guess today is the first day of the pre-release of ‘Pierrot’. Why are the articles making such a fuss? What do you think will happen?”

“If expectations are this high, it’ll be hard to satisfy them. Among the sold-out audience, there will be more people who waited to see Kang Woo-jin than those who fell in love with him.”

“Well, I guess there will be more bad reviews than good ones? Kang Woo-jin, he was so noisy in such a short period of time.”

“It would have been okay if we had waited a little longer after the miracle of the ‘Emmy Awards.’”

The mutant that suddenly appeared in Hollywood did not give the existing residents time to adapt, and the residents were unhappy or even hated the mutant’s miraculous success.

No, the residents say they hate the mutants, but in fact they are afraid.

If a long-established tradition or system were to change, it might harm them. Of course, there were people who noticed this. Miley Cara was one of them.

“The Hollywood atmosphere when it comes to watching ‘Pierrot’ is not so good.”

“It’s scary, Kang Woo-jin like I’ve never seen before. Fair criticism? Huh, it’s funny. He’s just shaking in fear. But it doesn’t matter to Kang Woo-jin, because he won’t stop no matter who or what people point fingers at him. His expression won’t change at all.”

Time passed quickly, regardless of what the world, Hollywood media, or public opinion said. There were already 30 minutes left until the first screening of ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’. So, in front of a multiplex movie theater in the heart of downtown LA, which had already been packed with people an hour before, a strange scene was unfolding.

“This is in front of the movie theater. The only movie showing in this large theater today is ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain,’ but as you can see, the theater is overflowing with a huge crowd.”

Vans with the logos of various news broadcasting teams gathered. They were in the middle of a heated reporting, smelling the news. At least five broadcasting teams were covering the situation in the movie theater, and dozens of reporters from media outlets were busy pressing their camera shutters. They were taking pictures of hundreds of audience members or Kang Woo-jin on the giant billboard at the entrance of the movie theater.

Some foreign audience members who saw this were amazed.

“Wow- This is the first time I’ve seen something like that.”

“So. The movie was just released in advance, and even the news team came out?”

“Is it because this isn’t a normal situation? Because ‘Pierrot’ has been a big issue.”

It was the right answer. Because ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ was full of topics that would sell well. But what caught the reporters’ attention more than anything else was…

“Kang Woojin’s influence is definitely amazing.”

“It’s amazing, whether it’s negative or positive, it’s enough to attract an audience and a press corps like me.”

“Even the top stars in Hollywood would have a hard time with this.”

This was because Kang Woo-jin was the center of this extraordinary situation. At a time when the frenzy was overflowing, the largest theater in the movie theater, which could seat more than 400 people, was gradually filled with foreign audiences. The audience, holding popcorn and drinks, found their seats while chatting comfortably.

Interest levels varied.

“I’m finally seeing this movie! I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to it!”

“Do you like it that much? I think Kang Woojin is just like that.”

“What are you talking about! He is a really great actor! I’ve seen almost all of his works, of course there are some I haven’t seen, but his acting in every one of them is so thrilling. The recent ‘Beneficial Evil’ was also really fun.”

There were some real fans of Kang Woo-jin though.

“I saw that too, but it’s hard to imagine how the characters in this film will turn out. The media also said that the trailer was so intense that the actual film would be boring.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll be fun! And you didn’t throw away your ticket, did you? You should keep it as a souvenir, this pre-release is on a whole other level than the official release!”

There were also many viewers who criticized or supported Kang Woo-jin.

“Let’s see what a great piece of work you’ve created.”

“Yes, it can’t be just moderately entertaining. Otherwise, it would be difficult to even be nominated for the ‘Academy Award’ that Kang Woo-jin ignores.”

“Haha, that’s absolutely impossible.”

“Looking at the audience, there seem to be a lot of people like us?”

“Kang Woo-jin was too much.”

No, to be clear, more than half of the 400 or so audience members were either overtly negative or vague but still disliked Kang Woo-jin. Regardless of their feelings, the large auditorium was filled up.

Meanwhile, Koreans also stand out.

“Wow- is this huge theater really full? This is crazy.”

The already established group of directors Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jeong-min, and Kwon Ki-taek.

“It’s been sold out for over a week, and today is the first pre-release screening, so everyone will come without exception. Still, it’s amazing.”

“It’s beyond amazing, oppa. I saw a lot of reporters at the entrance earlier. Kang Woo-jin is really a total hit in Hollywood, isn’t he?”

“Isn’t that a given? He’s an Emmy Award winner for Best Actor. He’s already a world star.”

“I know, Director. I just always read it as an article, so I was surprised when I saw it in person. By the way, should I say hello to Mr. Shim Hahn-ho over there?”

“The movie is over, it’s so complicated now, how can I go?”

In addition, sitting a little bit away from them was the domestic actor Han Ha-jin. Including Han Ha-jin, Oh Hee-ryung, and the family of ‘Leech’. It was expected. The director of ‘Pierrot’ was director Ahn Ga-bok. Looking closely, there were quite a few Koreans among the hundreds of audience members. There were also employees of BW Entertainment and ordinary people.

and.

“Oh my god, all these foreigners came to see our Woojin?”

Of course, Kang Woo-jin’s family is also present. Kang Woo-chul, Seo Hyun-mi, and Kang Hyun-ah are already very excited.

“I can’t believe it even though I’m watching it. All these people, and Woojin appearing on that big screen.”

“Hyunmi, this is a moving moment. You need to come to your senses.”

“You are the one who should stop shaking your legs.”

“······What about shaking?”

“Dad, Mom! Did you see Ryu Jeong-min and Hong Hye-yeon over there??”

“I saw this. Mr. Sim Ha-ho is there too.”

“omg!!”

It was because it was my first time in Hollywood, where my son was active. As a parent, how can I express this amazing moment in words? Fortunately, they didn’t understand the foreigners around them who were badmouthing Kang Woo-jin. It was in English.

That was when.

-Ugh.

The bright lights in the movie theater dimmed a little, then soon became dark, and the decibel level in the large theater, which had been very noisy, dropped significantly. All that could be heard was the crunching of popcorn. Everyone except Kang Woo-jin’s family, including hundreds of foreigners, stared at the giant screen in front of them.

The screen is still dark.

But soon, an image appeared on the screen. At the same time, sound was heard. A lighter was lit, and a cigarette was lit with the lighter. Along with the crackling noise, various logos appeared on the screen. At the end was the world-famous ‘Columbia Studios’ logo.

Following.

-[“Hoo-”]

A figure appeared on the screen in front of hundreds of people, accompanied by the sound of a cigarette being blown. It was Chris Hartnett, reporter Robert Franklin. The background was a typical restaurant.

-[“······”]

The angle is a redheaded back of the head, and the remaining space shows the frontal face of reporter Robert Franklin. Smoke billows out of his face, and suddenly a loud, eerie laughter fills the theater.

-[“Kekekekeke! Hahahaha, hahahahaha!”]

Along with the thunderous laughter, faint classical music played. At that moment, the person on the screen suddenly changed. His appearance filled the large screen.

A man with flowing red hair, a pale face, and a cigarette hanging from his torn mouth.

-[“Hehehehe, hahahaha, kkekeke!”]

‘Joker’. No, it was Kang Woo-jin. Because of his impactful appearance.

“her-”

“!!!”

“······eww.”

Many foreign audience members groaned without realizing it. But the movie did not stop, and Woojin’s laughter became more intense. The first line was from reporter ‘Robert Franklin’.

-[“······Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”]

The angle changed to ‘Joker’. He took another drag on his cigarette and then spat it out. He ran his red hair with both hands while holding the cigarette in his mouth. At this point, the concentration of hundreds of viewers soared. Kang Woo-jin’s horrifying face and the subtle expression in his eyes were desperate.

-[“Kekekeke, I’m sorry, sorry buddy. I have a fond memory with this song. It reminded me of that time.”]

As soon as Woojin finished speaking, the classical music started to play and became several times louder.

-♬♪

Then, the face of the ‘Joker’ on the screen is close-up. His face and clothes are colorful. But in an instant, Kang Woo-jin, who had filled the screen, disappears, and the colors that were being displayed disappear and black and white appears. The classical music is at its peak, and ‘Henry Gordon’ in the black and white screen is looking at a broken mirror. The angle of the screen that was displaying his back changes.

‘Henry Gordon’ is like looking into a mirror, not at hundreds of viewers.

The mirror itself is angled to show a black and white ‘Henry Gordon’. He was drawing something near his lips. A ‘smile’ hanging from his ear to always look the same. His expression is subtly distorted. Is he laughing? Is he annoyed? What the heck? The atmosphere of difficulty in identifying his identity overwhelmed the audience.

Soon, tears flowed from one of his eyes, filling the screen.

At this moment, none of the hundreds of spectators.

“······”

“······”

No one was breathing properly.