Chapter 364: Power (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

When Kang Woojin first met Director Ahn Ga-bok, Woojin’s voice was hoarse. It was because he had gone to bed at dawn after finishing a prolonged shoot for 'Beneficial Evil'. Even though he had visited the void space beforehand, his body was honest.

‘Ugh- shit, I might need to hit the Void Space more often today? I’m freaking tired.’

He was just thinking how nice it would be if he could sleep in the void space. That would be amazing. At that moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok and Choi Sung-gun entered the CEO’s office. Woojin’s already hoarse voice, combined with his concept, resulted in the deepest voice imaginable coming out of his mouth.

“Director-nim, good morning.”

Even Kang Woojin, who had fully incorporated his persona into daily life, was surprised at himself. Perhaps that’s why Director Ahn Ga-bok, who exchanged a handshake with him and whose face now seemed to carry far more wrinkles, briefly furrowed his brows. Well, our arrogant monster didn’t particularly care.

Anyway, Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok sat facing each other.

Then, two stacks of paper were placed on the table.

‘Oh- as expected.’

While his face showed no change thanks to his concept, Woojin immediately recognized what the stacks of paper were.

‘It’s a script, right? He actually brought it. CEO-nim, amazing.'

It was obvious that what Director Ahn Ga-bok had brought was a Hollywood script. Woojin was genuinely impressed with the ponytailed CEO sitting next to him. This was one of those moments where his deductions were perfectly correct. Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was unaware of Woojin’s thoughts, spoke in his dignified, aged voice.

“First, take a look at this. One’s in English, the other’s in Korean. You can read whichever is more comfortable.”

But why is this old man- no, Director Ahn being so serious? Feeling the heavy atmosphere, Woojin deliberately lowered his voice even further. He replied simply, "Understood", and his gaze immediately fell on the script lying on the table. Two thick stacks of scripts with black squares attached.

The title on the script cover was visible.

-Pierrot.

Pierrot? This was another unusual title. Without hesitation, Kang Woojin picked up the original script in English. For him, there wasn’t much difference between English and Korean these days. Then, while casually flipping to the first page with his index finger, he glanced at Director Ahn Ga-bok sitting across from him. The director was looking at Choi Sung-gun sitting next to Woojin.

He didn’t even need to check to know.

Choi Sung-gun must be sparkling his eyes right now. He must be trembling with excitement. That was the look he always had when a massive opportunity was presented to Kang Woojin. And sure enough, that was exactly the case.

Then, for a moment, Woojin’s time seemed to freeze.

-Rustle.

For some reason, Woojin become even more resolute as he flipped through the first couple of pages of the 'Pierrot' script. Of course, this was all for show. Soon after, Woojin looked at Director Ahn Ga-bok and calmly declared,

“Director-nim, I’ll take on this project.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s brows furrowed slightly, and Choi Sung-gun’s eyes widened. Woojin’s response had been far too quick and decisive. Director Ahn Ga-bok's wrinkled lips opened.

"You'll do it? Just like that?"

"Yes, Director-nim. Of course, I'm talking about the lead role."

But Kang Woojin's firm expression remained unchanged. This was unexpected. From the director's perspective, at least.

‘I thought he’d need a lot more time.’

And there was a good reason for that.

It hadn't been like this with 'Leech' that had turned Cannes upside down.

‘......If I recall, he took about a week to decide back then.’

But this time, Woojin’s response to the 'Pierrot' script took only a few minutes. Director Ahn Ga-bok felt a strange pang of envy at the difference in Woojin’s attitude. The Woojin of 'Leech' and the Woojin now were clearly different. However, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s envy quickly dissolved as his gaze shifted back to the 'Pierrot' script in Woojin’s hands.

-Swish.

The old man’s jealousy transformed into deep satisfaction and expectation.

‘This monster kid must have felt something after reading that script, something similar to what I felt.’

It was proof that his instincts hadn’t dulled with age.

‘Hah, to think I’d be influenced by such a young actor in my later years. But strangely, it doesn’t feel bad.’

It makes sense, doesn’t it? Kang Woojin was someone who had never failed since his debut, and having caused an explosion at Cannes, this was the perfect moment to solidify his overseas expansion. He would certainly never pick a project half-heartedly. He needed to be sharper and more decisive than ever.

Meanwhile, Choi Sung-gun, sitting beside Kang Woojin, found his eyes growing wider and wider.

‘Has Woojin- ever agreed to something this quickly? This is the first time I’ve seen him be this eager.’

No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this was practically unprecedented.

‘Does that mean this script is seriously insane??! But he hasn’t even read that much of it!’

In any case, there was clearly something unusual about that script. Just then, Kang Woojin, who had remained silent, opened his mouth.

“I’ll do it. If I’m given the opportunity, that is.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been rubbing his wrinkled cheek, slowly responded.

“......There is an opportunity.”

“Yes, that’s why I assume you brought the script.”

“To be precise, you’ll have the chance to secure that opportunity. Whether you crush it or seize it is up to you.”

“I understand.”

“But- why did you decide so quickly? You only saw the title and a few pages before answering.”

Why, you ask? It’s simple. Kang Woojin, his poker face thick as always, answered. Of course, it was only in his head.

‘Because I’ve already been to the Void Space.’

The 'Pierrot' he had seen in the dark Void Space left no room for hesitation. But he couldn’t say that outright, could he? He needed to give a vague and roundabout answer, but Woojin didn’t need to think about it much. After all, he had his handy cheat key, his misunderstandings.

“I had a good feeling about it.”

The Kang Totem activated. Sure, this would further solidify Kang Woojin’s misunderstandings, but so what? Soon, silence fell in the CEO's office. Choi Sung-gun, for his part, was practically trembling with excitement, thinking, ‘Of course! That crazy intuition of his strikes again!’ Meanwhile, the seasoned Director Ahn Ga-bok stared straight into Woojin’s eyes before letting out a faint smile.

"I've seen all sorts of actors, but you're the one I can't predict. But you're the real deal."

“......”

"Yes, sometimes actors need to surrender themselves to their animalistic instincts or intuition.”

The misunderstanding deepens again. But well, the atmosphere seemed to be moving past it. Then Director Ahn Ga-bok crossed his arms and said to Kang Woojin.

“There will likely be a fierce battle, but I hope you’re the one who survives. I believe you will be.”

Woojin’s calm answer was brief and firm.

"There won't be any problems."

About an hour later.

Director Ahn Ga-bok exited bw Entertainment and descended to the underground parking lot with his team. He got into the van, and within a few minutes, they were on the road. The van settled into the traffic-filled street.

“......”

While Director Ahn Ga-bok was lost in thought staring into space, the slightly chubby agency’s CEO carefully asked.

“Director-nim, did your conversation with Kang Woojin go well?”

Director Ahn Ga-bok didn’t answer immediately. Only after his characteristic slowness did his wrinkled mouth gradually open.

“I still have a long way to go.”

“Huh?”

“I felt embarrassed about how much I overthought after reading the 'Pierrot' script. That kid, Kang Woojin, will, no, he definitely will shake up Hollywood as well.”

"...What kind of conversation did you have?"

Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled softly.

“It was ordinary. I was the one getting antsy while Kang Woojin calmly looked several moves ahead. Just like during 'Leech'. The only difference this time is how much quicker it happened.”

“Is he going to do it?”

"He said there won't be any problems."

"Huh-"

The agency’s CEO opened his mouth slightly in surprise. When the van stopped at a red light, he changed the subject.

“Uh, by the way, Director-nim. When should we announce the 'Pierrot' project? 'Columbia Studios' mentioned they’d confirm the production announcement in a few days.”

“What did 'Columbia Studios' say?”

“They said any route was fine. The contract is already signed, after all. We can announce it first, or let 'Columbia Studios' make the production announcement and follow up simultaneously. Either way is fine.”

“Do we have the final say?”

“It feels like they’re being considerate. I guess it’s because they know 'Leech' is still in theaters and is also being prepared for an overseas release.”

“Hmm-”

Suddenly, as the conversation turned more practical, Director Ahn Ga-bok began to calculate calmly.

“'Leech' is scheduled to release in Japan next month, right?”

“Yes.”

“What about France?”

“We’re still coordinating, but if things go well, it could be released early next year.”

For reference, 'Leech', currently playing in Korean theaters, was set for release in Japan next month and would gradually roll out to other countries, including France, starting next year. Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok made his decision.

“There’s no reason to delay.”

“I think so, too. If we announce this project as soon as possible, it will add several times more momentum to 'Leech', which is currently playing domestically. Of course, the same goes for Japan, where it releases next month. It might not make much of an impact in France or overseas markets, though.”

“That’s fine. The international releases are symbolic, after all.”

“I’ll prepare properly and make the announcement as soon as possible!”

The agency’s CEO, who had been typing something into his phone, suddenly looked even more excited.

“Ah, this is nerve-wracking.”

The surrounding staff joined in.

“Seriously, right? It’s both exciting and nerve-racking.”

“Me too! This is my first time experiencing something like this, so I’m anxious.”

"How much will Korea be stirred up by this??!"

The agency’s CEO nodded enthusiastically and said to Director Ahn Ga-bok,

“The first Hollywood project led by a Korean director... It’s overwhelming! Sure, there have been a few cases across Asia, but working with 'Columbia Studios', which is part of the Hollywood Big Five, is practically unheard of for an Asian director!”

“Hmm-”

“Aren’t you being too calm about this??”

“Well. Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t feel like such a big deal. I guess I’m just too old.”

“I... I honestly never thought a day like this would come-”

“That makes it sound like you didn’t think I could pull it off.”

“What??! No, no, that’s not what I meant!!”

“I’m joking.”

The agency’s CEO, whose heart had just dropped, hurriedly continued speaking.

“With Cannes’ Palme d’Or win and the Best Actor Award still fresh, when this news drops, both the media and public opinion are going to go absolutely wild.”

A staff member chimed in,

“And there’s the insane success of 'Leech' to add to it!”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, rubbing his wrinkled cheek, chuckled softly.

“That’s true. It’s going to get pretty noisy. But compared to what’s coming, this is nothing.”

“Huh?”

“That monster kid.”

Because he was well aware of Kang Woojin’s absurd brand power.

"When Woojin's side moves, won't all of Korea go several times more berserk than for me?"

At the same time.

A black van had just entered the highway. Inside was Kang Woojin, en route to Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province for the shoot of 'Beneficial Evil'. Woojin sat with his legs crossed, staring out the window. His hard expression was an added bonus, making him look deeply contemplative.

Choi Sung-gun, in the passenger seat, glanced at Woojin through the rearview mirror.

‘Hmm-he made such a decisive call earlier... but he probably needs to sort things out. This wasn’t part of the plan.’

Wrong. In truth, Kang Woojin wasn’t serious at all right now. He was simply staring out the window while pondering the lunch menu.

‘What's on the food truck menu today? Stir-fried pork? Or bulgogi? Doesn’t matter, I can’t resist meat anyway.’

Then Kang Woojin lowered his gaze. In front of him were the scripts for 'Beneficial Evil' and the 'Pierrot' script Director Ahn Ga-bok had given him that morning. He picked up the 'Pierrot' script without much thought.

-Slide.

Come to think of it, this was the first Hollywood project he was confirmed for.

‘Well, technically, I’m not confirmed for it yet.’

Though there was Joseph’s project as well, that one was still in the middle of scriptwriting, so it was excluded for now. Whatever it may be, a first experience is always nerve-wracking. However, Woojin, who was looking down at the 'Pierrot' script filled with English, felt calm. It was because he couldn’t quite feel the reality of it yet. Perhaps when the day came to actually start filming somewhere in Hollywood, things would feel different.

And then Kang Woojin,

-Swipe.

While pretending to flip through a few pages of the 'Pierrot' script, he raised his index finger. It was to poke the black sqaure attached to it. Although he needed to read the 'Pierrot' script at some point, resting in the Void Space took precedence right now. In no time, Woojin’s vision shifted into the vast darkness of the Void Space.

“Ahh!!”

Throwing his 'concept' aside, Woojin immediately stretched his arms with a big yawn. At the same time, he walked toward the floating white rectangles. Various projects came into view. From the very first ‘Exorcism’, to the latest ones like 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger', 'Leech', and 'Beneficial Evil'. So far, the highest grade had been 'Beneficial Evil'.

-[9/Script (Title: Beneficial Evil), EX Grade]

It was an EX grade. Woojin’s gaze then moved toward the new white rectangle added that morning, positioned at the very end. It was 'Pierrot'. At that moment, Woojin recalled a question Director Ahn Ga-bok had asked during the morning meeting.

‘But- why did you decide so quickly?’

Smirking, Woojin answered aloud in the Void Space.

"Because I'd be a moron not to do a work with this grade."

-[11/Script (Title: Pierrot), EX+ Grade]

'Pierrot' had taken the highest grade in the Void Space.