Encroachment (2)

 

In fact, Kang Woo-jin arrived at the multiplex cinema in the heart of downtown LA 15 minutes before the end of the first screening of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’. There were three vans carrying the ‘Pierrot’ team that had gathered for the promotional schedule. Woo-jin sat in the front of them.

“······”

He had a serious poker face, but inside he was very excited.

‘Wow – Weren’t there a ton of people in front of the movie theater??! There were cameras everywhere. At first glance, it looked like a news team? Why is there a news team when the movie has just opened??’

I was surprised by the huge crowd of moviegoers who gathered at the entrance of the movie theater, as well as the reporters and news broadcasting crews. There were also some embarrassing moments.

‘But that big billboard at the entrance! It’s so big and shows my face so clearly??! And why are you all taking pictures in front of it!’

‘Joker’. There were countless people gathered in front of the giant billboard with Kang Woo-jin on it. In addition, the billboard was much bigger than he thought. Kang Woo-jin was quite excited inside, but since it was a big event, he maintained the concept firmly.

‘Wow, really. Mom and Dad must have taken pictures in front of the 100% billboard too.’

However, he also added grumbling like, ‘What is my costume?’ because he was the only one wearing the ‘Joker’ costume. The hair and makeup were Kang Woo-jin’s original look, but he wore a different outfit for today for the event.

Chris Hartnett quietly watches Woojin from the seat to his right.

‘As expected – a lot of spectators, reporters, and news teams have come, but his expression doesn’t change at all. It feels like the word burden doesn’t even exist for this kid. Well, that’s the fun part.’

Soon, Chris Hartnett spoke up.

“Woojin, isn’t it more ordinary than I thought? Compared to the media and public opinion that have been making a fuss about it?”

What are you talking about? Is that normal? If that’s normal, then what kind of life is this handsome guy living? Kang Woo-jin, who was equipped with a strong personality, nodded calmly, even though he was inwardly shocked.

“Yeah. I’m a little bored.”

“Hahaha, it’s still amazing. I expected the reporters to come, but I didn’t know the news team would show up as well.”

Chris pats Woojin’s shoulder, who remains silent.

“That means Hollywood is focusing on you. It’s a little disappointing for me, but I’m still enjoying watching it.”

“Right.”

No, Chris Hartnett was feeling a little jealous right now.

‘Have I ever seen anything like this?’

There was none. Chris is a world-class actor, so his popularity is sky-high, but in the works he has played the lead role, there has never been a situation like today. Chris then turned his gaze to Kang Woo-jin with a slightly bitter smile.

‘This is separate from popularity or recognition, but it’s probably a gap in the impact of the human beings themselves.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok was quietly listening to their conversation from the backseat.

‘It’s no wonder Chris is upset. Columbia has been openly promoting Kang Woo-jin, and the media and public opinion are all focusing on him. Chris, who has been in the spotlight as a top actor his entire life, must have never experienced something like this before, but what can you do?’

Chris spat out an answer about the ‘gap’ he felt. Inwardly, of course.

‘It’s the difference in ‘star quality.’ Right now, that guy Kang Woo-jin is taking over Hollywood with his destructive ‘star quality.’

Kang Woo-jin has easily surpassed Chris Hartnett, who has reigned supreme in Hollywood for many years. If you look at the present moment, it seems like that. For example, can Chris’s power make the pre-release schedule of ‘Pierrot’ sell out one after another?

‘It’ll be hard.’

So Chris had to admit that he felt jealous, and rather than being jealous of Woojin, he harbored a little bit of venom.

‘You have to learn what you need to learn, including the acting aspect and the impact of being a human being.’

The ‘Pierrot’ team then entered the theater and entered the screening room just as the movie was ending. The eyes of hundreds of viewers who were seeing ‘Pierrot’ for the first time in the world were on them.

-Ugh.

It quickly became a focus. Behind the supporting actors, director Ahn Ga-bok and Chris entered, and lastly.

‘Oh, man, I’m shaking. Mom and Dad will be there too. And······I wonder how the audience will perceive my Joker.’

For some reason, Kang Woo-jin entered the theater with his heart pounding. What kind of expression should he make, even if he is wearing something like that? Yes, there is nothing that can be considered a concept. Woo-jin made a more serious face than ever.

To him like that.

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

An unexpected standing ovation from hundreds of foreign audience members poured in. Kang Woo-jin paused without showing any sign of it and looked around the large audience for a moment.

‘What, what is it??! Are you kidding me?’

To be honest, it was an atmosphere he had not even expected. However, Kang Woo-jin soon realized that this standing ovation was genuine. The expressions and eyes of the audience really showed that they were welcoming ‘Joker’.

‘Wow – goosebumps.’

It was a thrill I hadn’t felt in a long time. Director Ahn Ga-bok had clearly said before he entered. ‘Many viewers must have come to criticize you.’ Columbia Pictures and producer Nora had said the same thing, and the public’s reactions that Kang Woo-jin had personally searched for were also the same. Therefore, Woo-jin had made up his mind. No matter what happened, he would deal with it calmly and ‘go his own way.’

But the reality was quite the opposite.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Criticism and sarcasm, hundreds of viewers were all sincerely praising Kang Woo-jin. Everyone fell in love with Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker’ and was absorbed by it. They entered the process of loving the character. No matter how much they were criticized for their image, it was proof that if they had the skills and ability, they could turn all situations around.

‘Wow – awesome.’

There is no minister like this minister. Hundreds of foreigners who came for various reasons, and they gave their unstinting praise to the Korean actor in front of them. And in the meantime, Woojin saw the faces of Kang Woo-chul, Seo Hyun-mi, and Kang Hyun-ah, who were applauding with tears in their eyes.

Without realizing it, Kang Woo-jin was mumbling to himself.

“······Ah, just a moment.”

I had to hold back the rising tears. I wanted to run to my family and burst into tears, but I couldn’t. The ‘Pierrot’ team was already lined up and waiting for Kang Woo-jin.

Director An Ga-bok, who was the first one standing in line, called him.

“Mr. Woojin.”

Even at this moment, the audience’s standing ovation continued, and Kang Woo-jin, who had forcibly brought up the concept to its maximum, slowly moved. He was seated right next to Director Ahn Ga-bok. As soon as Woo-jin found his seat, hundreds of audience members stopped applauding and took their seats one by one. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok put the hand microphone he had received from a staff member to his mouth.

An old English voice echoed throughout the theater.

“Thank you for enjoying our film. This is Ahn Ga-bok, the director of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain.’”

-Pavabavabak!

A flash went off as Director Ahn Ga-bok finished his greetings. The reporters who had been invited had already gathered at the back of the theater. Director Ahn Ga-bok noticed the reporters.

-Ouch.

He handed over the microphone he was holding to Kang Woo-jin.

“······”

Woojin took a deep breath, very quietly. He felt like his voice would tremble if he spoke right away. But he soon calmed down. He saw the faces of his family, including Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jung-min, director Kwon Ki-taek, Han Shim-ho, the ‘leech’ team, and the staff of BW Entertainment. Behind him, Choi Sung-geon and his team members had already taken their places. Choi Sung-geon gave a thumbs up, and Han Ye-jeong was busy taking pictures of Woojin with her cell phone.

‘···It won’t look funny.’

The real Kang Woo-jin picked up the hand microphone. A low, cold voice spread out.

“Hello, I am Kang Woo-jin, who played the ‘Joker.’”

Applause and cheers erupted again, and reporters were shooting flashes like crazy. But Kang Woo-jin’s actions were not over.

“As you can see, it was the first day of pre-release, so I came wearing the ‘Joker’ costume. If you remember, I wore this costume to the ‘Emmy Awards’ as well.”

Half of the audience laughed and Woojin spoke again.

“I told you, ‘See it or not,’ but many of you came to see it. How was the ‘Horrible Clown’ that you saw?”

A question was posed to hundreds of audience members. The answer came right away. It was a foreign man sitting at the front of the audience who had tried to criticize Kang Woo-jin before the movie.

“The ending of the movie seemed to hint at a sequel! Is there going to be a second story about ‘Joker’??!”

Kang Woo-jin answered calmly.

“Of course, Columbia Studios’ ‘cinematic universe’ kicked off with this film.”

“Oh, then! Are you going to be the Joker in the next movie too?!”

The eyes of hundreds of audience members and reporters were glued to Woojin as the question was thrown again. Kang Woojin suddenly smiled. It was a smile like the ‘Joker’.

“Next time it’s me too, whether you see it or not.”

Fan service was added.

The entire audience started screaming.

“Joker! It’s the Joker!!”

“Great! I definitely have to watch it!”

“When! When is it coming out?!”

“Your acting was killer! I’ll come see your next movie too!!”

It couldn’t just be here. It was certain that the 33 theaters in LA and New York where the film was being pre-released would be the same.

Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled in the almost frenzied atmosphere.

‘They are already in a swamp that they can’t stand if it’s not Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker’, and the members of the Academy Awards jury are no different.’

It was obvious that from then on it would take over the entire world.

30 minutes later.

After finishing the stage greeting, the ‘Pierrot’ team dispersed after a proper photo time. Of course, Kang Woo-jin and director Ahn Ga-bok had time to greet their family and colleagues who came all the way to LA. The location was a theater without any audience members. Here, Woo-jin encountered an unexpected crisis.

“Woojin!”

“son!”

“brother!!”

Because I had to meet my family in a place where many people gathered.

“···Yeah, you’re here.”

“Oh my god! Mom, the movie was so good, but when you came out at the end, I burst into tears.”

“Hey, let me hug you.”

“me too!!”

Kang Woo-jin treated his family without letting on and was aware of his surroundings.

“But Woojin, why do you have such a bleak expression? What’s wrong?”

“No. That’s not it.”

“Well, smile, Emma. It’s been a while since we last met.”

The one who surprisingly helped me overcome this crisis was my younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah.

“Ahh! Dad! Mom! Look around! There are top Korean and Hollywood actors all over the place! Let them go quickly!”

Nice blood relative. Yes, it helps that you are the president of my fan club. Kang Woo-jin spoke quietly, thinking that he should give his younger sister some pocket money.

“Go to the hotel you reserved. I’ll go there after I finish my schedule today.”

“Oh, you’re busy? Yeah, yeah.”

After that, Kang Woo-jin exchanged greetings with the people who came from Korea. It was nice to see their faces again after a long time, but there wasn’t much time.

Because there was a promotional schedule right after that.

However, Hong Hye-yeon, who was holding onto Kang Woo-jin who was falling, asked urgently. Her voice was small.

“No no, are you really dating Miley Cara??”

Kang Woo-jin’s answer, after looking at her for a moment, was simple.

“well.”

Meanwhile, at this moment.

In addition to the theater where Kang Woo-jin is, the first screening of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ is almost over in 33 theaters in LA and New York. Of course, all the theaters are also packed with people.

Everyone in the audience who came out of the movie was excited and had the same reaction.

“Isn’t Kang Woojin’s acting crazy??!”

“I don’t even remember how two hours passed!”

“Columbia has finally pulled off a blockbuster!”

“I don’t know what will happen in the future, but Columbia’s cinematic universe launch is a huge success! Oh my, I can’t express Kang Woo-jin’s acting in words.”

As time passed and it was around lunchtime, Kang Woo-jin got into the ‘Pierrot’ team’s van.

‘What’s the media situation like??’

I picked up my phone. And I let out a loud gasp inside.

‘Crazy! This article is so funny!’

Because articles about ‘Clown’ were pouring out all over Hollywood.

『CNM/Applause for Kang Woo-jin after the screening of ‘Pierrot’/ Photo』

There were also articles that covered the scene or participated in Kang Woo-jin’s stage greeting. In between, there were quite a few articles that contained not just the atmosphere of the theater or the stage greeting, but also the honesty of reporters who saw ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ firsthand.

Of course, it was something that would make Kang Woo-jin happy.

‘Hehehe, you guys. You fell in love with my acting??’

The funny thing here is.

『BBX/Kang Woo-jin’s “Watch or Not” Statement at the ‘Emmy Awards’ Was Justified, ‘Pierrot’ Viewers Say ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Acting is Fantastic!’』

The media atmosphere before and after the screening of ‘Pierrot’ was completely different.

Then the next morning, the 10th.

The second day of ‘Pierrot’, which had a grand first day of selling out during its two-week pre-release schedule, has dawned. ‘Pierrot’ was also sold out on the second day.

And around this time, the first review of ‘Pierrot’ by a famous Hollywood critic was uploaded to a movie information and review site that is considered the most credible in Hollywood.

-[Kang Woo-jin’s < Joker> is a harmful piece of trash. However, it is so addictive that it cannot be resisted. Coming out of the theater, I was rooting for the villain. It was a difficult experience for the first time in my life, but I am satisfied. And Kang Woo-jin’s acting is surprisingly sophisticated. Even if Kang Woo-jin takes the Academy Award lightly, I think I will continue to love Kang Woo-jin’s < Joker>.]

-[Rating: 10/10]

It was very well received.