Chapter 392: Crushed (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The audition method mentioned by the stern-faced Executive Producer of 'Pierrot' was simple. Instead of the designated acting, it would proceed with free acting, but the character to be portrayed in the free acting would be specified.

The confirmed character was Pierrot’s male lead, 'Henry Gordon'.

The candidate actors gathered today could showcase any style or performance. However, the wrapping must undoubtedly be 'Henry Gordon'. This was a detail that 'Columbia Studios' had not shared with the candidate actors beforehand.

As a result.

“This is so sudden.”

The Hollywood actors, though they didn’t show it outwardly, were a bit flustered.

“All the preparations I made are now useless. How can they just change the rules like this?”

“Lower your voice.”

“But you know I’m right.”

Being asked to prepare for both designated and free acting only to have the rules abruptly changed was enough to cause some grumbling.

“This wasn’t something we could have anticipated. What should I do now? Should I mix the prepared material somehow?”

“Focus. 'Columbia Studios' is probably testing our adaptability.”

“Hmm.”

“There’s no real issue here, is there? You’ve already prepared ‘Henry Gordon’ as designated acting, and you just need to overlay ‘Henry Gordon’ onto the free acting as well, like you said.”

“Easier said than done. Anyway, be quiet. Let me think.”

This sentiment was no different for Chris Hartnett. However, compared to the other actors, he was relatively composed.

“Chris, are you okay?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I’m fine. There’s no need to panic. I was a bit surprised, but stuff like this happens often in Hollywood.”

“That’s true.”

“In situations like this, it’s better to take an aggressive approach.”

“What are you planning to do?”

Chris Hartnett didn’t respond to his manager’s question but instead turned his head sharply to the left. He had spotted Kang Woojin sitting a bit farther away. Soon, Chris’s eyes slightly widened. Woojin appeared completely calm. No, perhaps indifferent, as he rested his chin on his hand with a nonchalant expression.

‘...Is he really unbothered? Or is he just not thinking about it? I can’t figure this guy out. What could he possibly be thinking? Hmm- given the situation, he should be serious, but he must be pretending to act unfazed.’

Wrong. Kang Woojin was genuinely unbothered. He wasn’t even thinking much.

‘So, when are they starting?’

For him, whether it was designated acting, free acting as 'Henry Gordon', or even complete nonsense, it made no difference. Both his prepared designated and free acting already embodied 'Henry Gordon'. Even if there were any issues.

-Swish.

In his hand he had the 'Pierrot' script with black rectangle, so there was nothing to worry about.

Around this time.

"Since this is somewhat sudden."

The Executive Producer on the stage addressed the actors.

“We will begin in 10 minutes.”

This wasn’t to give them ample time but merely to allow for a moment to take a deep breath. After all, there wasn’t much that could be done in just 10 minutes.

In reality, the 10 minutes passed in an instant.

Soon, the producer moved again. After checking the condition of the monitors in front of her, she called out one of the actors.

“We’ve decided the order at our discretion. Tom Brando, please come up.”

A moderately built actor with a face that was more ruggedly masculine than classically handsome stood up. His name was Tom Brando. He was a top actor renowned for his acting skills in Hollywood. He, too, wore a suit like 'Henry Gordon', though the color palette was subdued, gray, black, and brown. He wasn’t wearing any makeup. Tom Brando walked up to the stage, where cameras were set up in every direction.

-Swoosh.

By the way, the stage didn’t only have cameras. In one corner, various props were neatly arranged, along with items like a single sofa and chairs. How these were used depended on the actors. When Tom Brando stood near the middle of the stage, Director Ahn Ga-bok, sitting at the judges’ table, directed his gaze to the multiple monitors in front of him. The monitors displayed full shots, frontal close-ups, side angles, and even back views of the actor. Director Ahn Ga-bok brushed his wrinkled cheek.

‘As expected, he’s a Hollywood top star. The aura captured on camera is exceptional.’

All the judges, including the female producer, were watching the monitors. While the audition itself was important, the screen test captured on the monitors was equally critical. The Executive Producer on stage gave Tom Brando, who was standing there, a slight nod.

“If you’re ready, you may begin.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Tom Brando changed his expression and posture. He shoved one hand into his pocket, straightened his back, slightly tilted his face, and formed a faint smile on his lips. It was as if he was embodying the awakened late-stage version of 'Henry Gordon' from 'Pierrot'.

The judges’ expressions turned serious as they observed Tom Brando, who had completely transformed in an instant.

‘An actor without a flaw in his acting. As expected, he immediately transforms into the character we’re looking for.’

‘He changed the atmosphere in an instant. Is he trying to channel the Joker?’

‘Hmm, this is exactly the late-stage 'Henry Gordon' I had imagined.’

Tom Brando glanced around at the surrounding cameras and let out a brief laugh.

“These damn stares. You’re all just scared and trembling in fear. Don’t impose that fear on me. Your so-called kindness is just a defense mechanism to avoid dying. I’ll do things my way, alright?”

The words coming out of Tom Brando’s mouth, combined with his presence, felt as real as if they were 'Henry Gordon' himself. There was no sense of dissonance. The reason was simple.

“Therapy? What are you treating? Fix your own rotten brain first.”

As the first actor to take the stage, Tom Brando had chosen a straightforward approach. Right now, he was performing the role of 'Henry Gordon' from the 'Pierrot' script. Since it was technically a free acting segment, there was no issue with this choice. In fact, this might have been the most effective strategy.

‘...Good. He’s doing exactly as I expected.’

‘Performing a scripted scene makes it so much easier to visualize.’

Tom Brando’s decision to perform a scene from the 'Pierrot' script during his free acting gave the judges, including Director Ahn Ga-bok, the impression of an actual filming session. Since his acting was of such high caliber, the impact was doubled, satisfying the fundamental curiosity of the judges.

It was an unexpectedly aggressive choice.

By being the first of the candidates to perform a scene from the script, Tom Brando secured his position.

Moreover.

‘He chose a critical scene.’

The scene Tom Brando had selected was one of the most important in the 'Pierrot' script. As such, it was naturally more memorable. His performance continued for about 10 minutes. During this time, no one interrupted. The executives from 'Columbia Studios' in the audience seats wore extremely satisfied expressions, while the Hollywood actors quietly displayed subtle traces of unease on their faces.

The judges, on the other hand, were busy jotting down notes as they watched the monitors.

Thus, Tom Brando’s performance came to an end.

“That will be all.”

He immediately shed the essence of 'Henry Gordon' as if taking off a coat. Compared in terms of speed, Woojin might have been slightly quicker, but they gave off a similar impression. Given that Tom Brando had over 20 years of acting experience, this was to be expected. After briefly exchanging words with the judges, Tom Brando stepped down from the stage. The brief conversation didn’t include any evaluations. After all, this wasn’t a place to critique actors but rather to determine which actor fit 'Henry Gordon' best.

In any case, with the very first actor’s performance, the bar for the audition had been set significantly higher.

“Next, Jack Gable.”

The second Hollywood top actor was called. Jack Gable, who appeared somewhat frail yet had a square jaw, stood up. He had a brooding, charismatic look. Like Tom Brando, Jack Gable was also one of Hollywood’s most renowned top actors.

Jack Gable took to the stage and displayed his performance with ease.

He portrayed a half-crazed character.

“Heh-heek! Hahaha. Ah-ah-ah- heup!”

Was he in a mental institution? Crawling on the stage floor or suddenly yelling at the top of his lungs, Jack Gable was indistinguishable from a truly insane person. It was realistic and vivid. Moreover, within his portrayal of madness,

“Let go! I said let go!”

'Henry Gordon' could be felt. This was because he had perfectly replicated the character’s habits. From the hunched posture and slouched shoulders to the speech patterns and gaze, Jack Gable effortlessly brought to life the subtle details of 'Henry Gordon' as described in the script.

His level of acting was unquestionably that of a veteran or higher.

Although it was different from Tom Brando's performance, Jack Gable also exuded an intense presence. Director Ahn Ga-bok alternated between watching Jack Gable on the monitor and on stage and came to a realization.

‘So that’s it. Right now, he’s creating and presenting a future for 'Henry Gordon'.’

He was showcasing a free interpretation of “Henry Gordon’s” fate, a portrayal that didn’t exist in the script but was imagined and crafted by himself. How should one put it? Both Tom Brando’s earlier performance and now Jack Gable’s were beyond expectations. Director Ahn Ga-bok felt slightly overwhelmed.

‘I expected this to some degree, but it’s a headache when everyone’s at such a high level.’

Which monster among these should he choose? During Jack Gable’s performance, even the eight executives from 'Columbia Studios' were nodding in satisfaction. Over twenty key staff members of 'Pierrot' exchanged quiet words of admiration. The expressions of the other actors, however, were far more complicated. It wasn’t easy to celebrate the success of one’s competition.

But there was one exception.

“......”

The only actor in the entire hall whose expression hadn’t changed. Kang Woojin. From the beginning of the audition until now, Woojin had maintained an unwavering poker face. He simply observed the other actors’ performances with a composed demeanor.

At that moment.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Jack Gable’s turn came to an end. After briefly exchanging words with the judges, he stepped off the stage. His lips curled into a smile, as if he felt confident about his performance.

Then,

“Next-”

The female producer among the judges picked up the profile of the next actor and turned her gaze toward the audience.

“Kang Woojin.”

The third turn was Kang Woojin’s. Immediately, the eyes of the Hollywood actors shifted. Chris Hartnett and a few others turned to look at Woojin’s face. The team members of the Hollywood actors, over a dozen key staff members of 'Pierrot', the executives seated in the front row of 'Columbia Studios', and even the judges on the stage.

More than fifty people in the hall focused their attention on Kang Woojin.

He was undeniably hot, and among the actors, he was the least tested. Furthermore, he was the one who aroused the most curiosity.

Choi Sung-gun let out a long breath.

“Phew-this is nerve-wracking. Woojin, do your best.”

He made a motion suggesting his heart was about to burst. In contrast, Kang Woojin was full of composure.

“I’ll be back.”

His tone was so calm that it came across as almost cynical. Wearing a red jacket and pants, a yellow vest, and worn brown shoes, Kang Woojin stood up with ease.

-Swish.

Though this marked the start of his first steps in the Hollywood lead role audition, Woojin showed no sign of tension as he moved. Step by step. With steady strides, Kang Woojin headed toward the stage, followed by the gazes of more than fifty people in the hall. Each held a different kind of gaze: tinted views, doubt, anticipation, curiosity, scorn, and more.

Choi Sung-gun tightened his ponytail once again and gulped nervously.

‘Ah-damn. My heart’s about to burst. Woojin will handle this on his own, but why am I so nervous?’

He hadn’t received any hints from Woojin about how he planned to tackle the audition. But as always, Choi Sung-gun left everything in Woojin’s hands.

At that moment, Kang Woojin, his face calm, stepped onto the stage where multiple cameras were set up.

Soon, Woojin’s image appeared on the monitors at the judges’ table, and Director Ahn Ga-bok discreetly let out a tense breath.

‘What kind of performance will you show us this time?’

He wasn’t the only one. The Executive Producer sitting next to Ahn Ga-bok thought the same.

‘A Korean actor who’s shaken up Hollywood in various ways. Let’s see what kind of acting he’s prepared.’

The same thought crossed the minds of the other executives, the two producers, the actors in the audience, and the dozens of staff members. Everyone was internally echoing similar sentiments as Ahn Ga-bok.

‘Let’s see what you’ve got.’

However, there was an underlying thought: this wouldn’t be easy. The two preceding Hollywood actors had given such exceptional performances. Regardless, as soon as Kang Woojin stepped onto the stage and his image appeared on the monitors, the Executive Producer prepared to speak.

But

“Huh?”

Her words were cut off. The reason was simple.

-Swoosh.

Woojin had done something unexpected. The previous Hollywood actors had all stood at the center of the stage upon stepping up, right where the cameras focused. But Woojin, as if scoffing at such conventions, casually brushed past the center of the stage. Then, without hesitation, he headed to a slightly secluded area where a single sofa was placed and sank deeply into it.

It was a bold, “no-backingh-down” move, with no prior notice.

Because of this, the foreign staff operating the cameras hurriedly adjusted them. Kang Woojin, seated nonchalantly on the single sofa, was now being filmed from all angles. The composition had shifted. Up to this point, the setup had been about actors positioning themselves to be filmed by the cameras. Now, however, the entire camera setup seemed designed solely to capture Woojin. It felt less like an audition and more like a one-man talk show.

At that moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok slightly furrowed his brow.

‘...Did he plan this?’

In contrast, the Executive Producer, the Hollywood actors, and over 50 other foreigners in the hall wore expressions of confusion. About half of them blinked in disbelief.

It was then.

“Ah-”

Sitting in the spotlight, with all eyes and cameras in the hall focused on him like he was the main character, Woojin crossed one leg over the other.

“Living life wearing a mask is fucking exhausting.”

He began to speak fluent, dazzling English. What stood out here was,

“From now on, should I talk about the real me, the one beneath the surface? Wow, how long has it been since I’ve shown my true self to people?”

it didn’t feel like acting at all.

“I’ve actually been living with a mask on. For about a few years, give or take. I hid my true self, but people just misunderstood and made assumptions on their own.”

What’s more, the usual façade Woojin carried was completely gone.

“Even you guys here. And, yeah, even the CEO who came with me back there. Honestly, I could say it applies to everyone. Here I am, finally confessing. The situation just spiraled out of control on its own, and somehow, I ended up here. Now, it feels like a weight’s been lifted off my chest, huh? But why are your faces like that? You don’t believe me? I’m telling you, everything up until now was the mask, and this is the real me.”

Everyone in the hall, from the industry giants to the Hollywood actors, was dumbfounded.