Chapter 344: Closing (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

In Korea, it was morning, but in Cannes, France, where the Cannes Film Festival was midway through, it was the past midnight of the 4th. The time was around 1 AM. At a moment when the globally bustling festival had momentarily quieted down, Kang Woojin could be found in his hotel room.

“Hmm-”

He was lying on the bed in comfortable clothes. Having showered not too long ago, his face and hair looked natural. Of course, his usual poker face was nowhere to be seen.

From his state, it seemed he hadn’t intended to go to sleep just yet.

-Swoosh.

Woojin, still lying down, was looking at his phone. Until a moment ago, he had been checking the local French news, and just now, he switched to see the situation in Korea. The first search term was the Cannes Film Festival. It was already an incredibly hot keyword, with articles spawning by the minute, and among them, the article that was currently the most visible caught Kang Woojin’s eye.

『[Cannes Film Festival] Closing Ceremony and Awards will be at 7 PM October 10th in Cannes, 3 AM in Korea... YouTube live streaming confirmed!』

It was related to the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. It matched the official schedule.

“Oh- looks like it’ll be broadcast live. I should tell Dad and Mom.”

The festival was scheduled to continue until the 9th and would conclude then, with the official jury of Cannes, consisting of 10 members, making their final decisions that night. And at 7 PM on the 10th, the grand finale would take place. The closing and awards ceremony would also feature a red carpet event, and after the finale, an afterparty in the form of a celebration was also confirmed.

Soon, Kang Woojin scratched his chin.

“They call it an afterparty, but isn’t it just a glorified praise session for the award winners?”

It was true. The Cannes Film Festival’s afterparty, while attended by tens of thousands of invited guests, was essentially no different from a congratulatory party for the year’s award winners. It included interviews with numerous reporters, photo ops, conversations with big names, and so on.

Just imagining it made Kang Woojin feel suffocated.

“Ugh- damn, it's going to be crazy, I'll have to slip out early. But if ‘Leech’ wins an award, do I have to stick around?”

There were roughly seven award categories in the ‘In Competition’ section. If ‘Leech’ were to win even one of them, it would be a huge deal. At least, that was what Kang Woojin thought. However, Woojin wasn’t particularly considering that he himself would win an award. It wasn’t that he had no expectations at all, but this was the world stage, not the local one. The event was attended by globally renowned actors.

More importantly,

‘Aren’t we at a bit of a disadvantage?’

There was a chance of prejudice or subtle discrimination that couldn’t be entirely overlooked. This information was conveyed by Choi Sung-gun. Although it had diminished significantly compared to the past, Choi Sung-gun’s assessment was that it couldn’t be ruled out entirely. For reference, in the ‘In Competition’ section of the Cannes Film Festival, the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees are determined by a panel of 10 official jurors. With a total of 20 films, there would be 20 nominees. From there, they would narrow it down.

Afterward, the final winner would be decided.

Of course, during the awards ceremony, they wouldn’t necessarily list all the nominees one by one; typically, one of the 10 jurors would simply announce the winner. Strictly speaking, Kang Woojin was engaged in a friendly rivalry with Sim Han-ho from ‘Leech’. Between Kang Woojin and Sim Han-ho, one would be chosen for ‘Leech’.

A showdown between Korea’s veteran actor Sim Han-ho and second-year actor Kang Woojin.

On top of that, he also had to compete with 19 other formidable actors from around the world. The choice was up to the jury, and for that reason, Kang Woojin resolved to let go of his expectations.

“Tsk, whatever. Let’s just sleep.”

Since it was already 2 AM, Woojin closed his eyes. He was tired, so it didn’t take long for him to drift off to sleep.

Eight hours later.

“......Had a damn good sleep.”

When Kang Woojin opened his eyes again, it was around 10 AM. Since coming to Cannes, Woojin had been able to sleep in a bit. Compared to his hellish schedule back home, it was relatively relaxed. Soon, Woojin, who had gotten up from the bed, stretched and looked out the window.

“The weather’s amazing~”

Once again, Cannes was sunny, and the streets were bustling with people. About an hour later, Choi Sung-gun and some staff members entered Woojin’s room. Aside from the tasks they had to perform, this trip was almost like a vacation for them, so Choi Sung-gun had gained a bit of weight.

“Woojin, let’s start by picking out your tuxedo for the closing ceremony.”

The stylists, including Han Ye-jung, lined up an array of tuxedos that Woojin could wear for the closing and awards ceremony. Different colors, varied details. Woojin, maintaining his steadfast concept look, scrutinized the tuxedos with a serious gaze. Hmm, black was starting to feel a bit boring.

Kang Woojin’s decision was.

“This one.”

A white-toned tuxedo. Han Ye-jung, with her blue bobbed hair, gave a thumbs-up, clearly satisfied.

“Great, I was actually planning to recommend this one for you, oppa. Since it’s the finale, you need to stand out.”

“I thought the same.”

“Alright. We’ll lock this one in.”

The stylist team left hurriedly, carrying the displayed tuxedos. Meanwhile, Choi Sung-gun, who had been sitting with his legs crossed, got up.

“‘Apart from a few minor interviews, there are no official schedules for 'Leech' until the closing ceremony and awards ceremony—so, what’s the plan for today?”

“I was thinking of looking at the 'Beneficial Evil' script this morning.”

It was a lie. But Choi Sung-gun couldn’t see through Kang Woojin’s brazen poker face.

“Ah, I was going to tell you about it. It’s been confirmed that ‘Beneficial Evil’ will be split into two parts. I got a call from Kim So-hyang, just now. Episodes 1 to 6 will be Part 1, and they’re aiming to speed up production to launch that as soon as possible. Part 2 will come afterward.”

“Is that so?”

"Aren't you excited?"

"I am."

Choi Sung-gun chuckled and patted Woojin on the shoulder.

“The promotional impact of this Cannes trip is going to be massive, both domestically and internationally. We’re already seeing ripples. Do you know how many articles this side’s media put out about you walking the red carpet with Cara at the opening ceremony?”

He's really excited. Woojin felt the same, but that's why he kept his voice even lower.

"I saw."

“Just being invited to the ‘In Competition’ section of Cannes for ‘Leech’ is amazing on its own, but if it wins any award, the buzz will multiply several times over. The foreign press will be all over it, and naturally, you’ll be in the spotlight too.”

“And that’ll extend to ‘Beneficial Evil’ as well.”

“Hehe, exactly.”

Choi Sung-gun smirked and added,

“If ‘Leech’ wins the top prize, the Palme d’Or, it would be a historic first for South Korea—a real explosion of success.”

He showed his thumbs-up to the unruffled Kang Woojin.

"And if you grab the Best Actor award, it'll be a nuclear explosion, though it's just a hope for now."

At the same time.

Rumors about Kang Woojin were spreading like wildfire among the people invited to the Cannes Film Festival. In particular, French reporters and Cannes officials were buzzing.

“You saw ‘Leech’ yesterday, right? How was it?”

“It was incredible. Ah, I mean the actor Kang Woojin, who’s one of the leads in ‘Leech’.”

“Why is there a lot of talk about that actor. What’s up with Kang Woojin?”

“Well, it seems like he might have lived here before. When he greeted the audience before the screening, his French was flawless.”

“French? Couldn’t he have just practiced it?”

“No. It was at a native level. If you closed your eyes, anyone would think he wasn’t a Korean actor.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t so much a rumor as a rapidly spreading misconception and misunderstanding. The power of the 3,000-strong audience who attended the second screening of ‘Leech’, perhaps?

“Aah- I keep thinking about ‘Leech’.”

“Was it that impactful?”

“The film itself was amazing, but the actors’ performances were especially memorable. Especially Kang Woojin.”

“I heard rumors that the actor spoke French. Is that true?”

“Yes. That actor must have either studied abroad in France or actually lived here.”

The trigger was Kang Woojin’s sudden use of French. Since it was from the void space, his level was indeed native-like. So, it was only natural that this misconception spread throughout the Cannes Film Festival. However, not all of the talk was based on misunderstandings.

There were genuine discussions as well.

Directors from various countries who watched ‘Leech’ couldn’t stop mentioning Kang Woojin.

“The actor Kang Woojin I saw yesterday—are we sure this is his first time at Cannes? Isn’t it strange for an actor with that level of skill to be here for the first time?”

“It’s definitely his first. Korean media have also been saying so.”

“...I’ve never seen such a chilling performance before.”

“He certainly stood out.”

“Look into it, about Kang Woojin.”

There were directors from various countries, including France, but Hollywood directors, in particular, were creating quite a buzz.

“Check the situation in Korea regarding Kang Woojin.”

“Understood.”

“To think that the Korean actor who worked on an album with Miley Cara is Kang Woojin. Is there no connection to Hollywood in his film work?”

“For now, there isn’t.”

“...Yesterday, Director Danny shook hands with him. He must have made an impression.”

“I’ll verify everything as soon as possible.”

The intensity of Kang Woojin’s performance in ‘Leech’, which went beyond method acting to feel as if the real person had been placed on screen, left a strong impression on many directors.

“Find a way for me to watch Kang Woojin’s past works. I need to see for myself what kind of performances he’s done.”

Of course, beyond just his extraordinary acting, Kang Woojin’s unique aura also made a strong impression on the directors who attended Cannes.

“It’s not just his acting—there’s something distinct about his aura. A magnetic pull that captivates the audience. He has the scent of a star.”

However, this was all a reaction limited to just one film, ‘Leech’. If more directors were to see Woojin’s past or future works, the buzz would only grow louder. Judging from the current situation, that seemed likely.

But considering the Cannes Film Festival as a whole, more people had not seen ‘Leech’ than those who had.

Even combining the two screenings of ‘Leech’, the total audience amounted to only around 6,000. In contrast, there were tens of thousands of official invitees at Cannes, and including tourists, the numbers swelled to hundreds of thousands. That’s why more people were curious about the rumors spreading about Kang Woojin.

"Isn't 'Leech' the only Korean film in the ‘In Competition’ section? It's quite noisy."

“Hmm, it’s not just the film—there’s a lot of talk about the actor named Kang Woojin.”

“Kang Woojin? Who is that again?”

“The one who walked the red carpet with Miley Cara at the opening ceremony.”

“Ahh—him? What did he do to get noticed?”

“Not sure. I just heard he’s quite unique.”

Whatever the reason, Woojin’s popularity was definitely on the rise.

Afterward.

As the Cannes Film Festival passed its midway point, the excitement only intensified as it approached the end. With that, not only in Cannes, France, but also in Hollywood and film industries around the world, news related to the Cannes Film Festival poured out incessantly.

Korea was no exception.

In Korea, where various issues were already trending:

『Miley Cara, who walked the red carpet with ‘Kang Woojin’ at the Cannes Film Festival opening, surpasses 70 million views on her new album teaser』

『[Issue Talk] Miley Cara’s new album, set to release on the 12th—what kind of appearance did ‘Kang Woojin’ make in the music video?』

Naturally, news related to the Cannes Film Festival was exploding. The fact that ‘Leech’ had made it to Cannes alone was enough to cause a stir, and with the rapid transmission of Woojin’s activities and other issues from Cannes to Korea, the hype only grew.

In fact, since the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, Korean media had been in a frenzy.

『The 10 jury members of this year’s Cannes Film Festival who will decide the fate of ‘Leech’ stand on the red carpet / Photo』

『[Cannes Film Festival] Giant poster of ‘Leech’ hanging on a large building wall, Kang Woojin’s face flying high in Cannes! / Photo』

『“We worked on the album together.” Kang Woojin and Miley Cara walking side-by-side on the opening ceremony red carpet / Photo』

Though it was already the fifth day of the Cannes Film Festival, the excitement in Korean media was only escalating. The same was true across various broadcast channels and media platforms.

『Kang Woojin striking a pose for journalists before the official screening of ‘Leech’ in the ‘In Competition’ section / Photo』

『[Film Festival] Miley Cara rushing to see ‘Leech’』

『Hollywood heavyweight directors, including Danny Landis, entering to watch ‘Leech’ / Photo』

By this point, not only the Korean entertainment industry but the entire nation of South Korea was keeping a close watch on the Cannes Film Festival. Every day, the news reported on it, and on YouTube, social media, and various online communities, Cannes was the non-stop topic of conversation.

-ㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠ Woojin oppa on the red carpet... he's so freaking handsome....

-Haha omgㅋㅋㅋㅋ It kinda feels like watching the World Cupㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-It’s so amazing to see these world-renowned directors going in to watch a Korean film;;

-They're just extras anyway

-↑ Idiot, just the fact that it’s the only Korean film in the Cannes In Competition section is a huge deal….

-Butㅋㅋㅋ doesn’t Kang Woojin and Miley Cara look super close??? Are they dating????

-I wanna watch ‘Leech’ too... Is it not releasing in Korea??

-At this point, I really hope it wins an awardㅎㅎ

-Rooting for you!!!

-They say the Cannes closing ceremony is at 3 AM, guess I’ll be staying up for this…

-Kang Woojin looks so damn cool;;;;

-Pleaseㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ win the Palme d'Or!!

-Palme d'Or is a bit muchㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Let’s not get too carried away with national prideㅋㅋㅋㅋ

In short, South Korea was practically shaking with Cannes fever.

Then, on the morning of the 5th, in Korea.

In a large meeting room of a major distribution company in Seoul. Around a ㄷ-shaped table, more than 20 people were seated. A projector was casting images on the front wall. Interestingly, what was being displayed was a poster of ‘Leech’ and information related to the Cannes Film Festival.

Of course, this was expected.

This place was the official distributor for ‘Leech’. Naturally, a few executives, including the heads of the film company that produced ‘Leech’ and this distribution company, were currently at Cannes. However, not everyone could go, especially since the distribution side had a lot of work to handle in Korea rather than in Cannes.

At the moment, they were handling one particularly important task among many.

Soon, an executive wearing glasses at the front of the ㄷ-shaped table flipped through the documents he was reviewing and spoke up.

“Regardless of ‘Leech’s performance at Cannes, the buzz is already high, so it makes sense to release it as soon as possible.”

Other executives chimed in one by one.

“That’s right. Director Ahn also mentioned that. It’s something we’ve been preparing since the early stages of ‘Leech’s production.”

“We should aim to release it domestically within two weeks after the Cannes Film Festival ends on the 11th—at the latest, within three weeks.”

"I believe we started securing theaters a while ago, how's that going?"

A team lead quickly responded.

“Yes, we began securing theaters for ‘Leech’ even before it completed filming.”

“Good. Then there shouldn’t be any issues with releasing ‘Leech’ within three weeks of Cannes ending. As for promotion and marketing, Cannes itself is basically serving as our campaign. The buzz is already huge.”

“In addition, we plan to pour in as much advertising as possible over the three weeks leading up to the domestic release of ‘Leech’.”

The executive with glasses turned another page in the documents and continued.

“3 weeks… 3 weeks after Cannes, max, so October 27th would be an appropriate release date.”

At this moment, another executive, seemingly reminded of something, murmured.

"Wait, isn't that when the Japanese release is happening too?"

“What is?”

"I mean Kang Woojin's 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger'. Though it's not confirmed, they said late October release, so the timing almost matches."

'Leech' and 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger'.

"Ah- so both movies will be released around the same time?"

It would be a simultaneous launch.