Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Year End

Translator: Dreamscribe

Joseph Felton, the tall black producer who looked to be over 190cm tall, stood in front of Kang Woojin. He was even handing over his business card. Perhaps due to Joseph’s sizable build, Woojin and the foreign producers behind Joseph seemed small in comparison.

Soon, Kang Woojin flinched inwardly.

‘Oh my gosh, he startled me. He really looks huge up close. Kim Dae-young wouldn’t even be able to reach his shoulders.’

Although he had seen him at the studio earlier, seeing Joseph’s physique up close was truly daunting. However, Woojin, who had already adopted a deep concept, received Joseph’s business card as nonchalantly as possible.

“Yes, I’m Kang Woojin.”

Joseph then cheerfully shook hands with Woojin out of nowhere.

“Ha-ha. The test above was impressive. I’ve accumulated quite a bit of experience as a producer, but that was the first time I’ve seen such a fresh scene. I think it will stay in my memory for a long time.”

What is this? A compliment? For now, Woojin appropriately accepted his greeting.

“Thank you.”

At that moment, Choi Sung-gun, who was standing behind, whispered to Woojin with a smile equipped.

“Who is he? A guard?”

“No, he’s a producer who was also there during the screen test.”

“Ah! A producer?? This person?”

Noticing Choi Sung-gun’s movements, Joseph Felton took out his business card again.

“I’m Producer Joseph Felton. Are you Mr. Kang Woojin’s manager?”

Upon receiving the business card, Choi Sung-gun also took out his own. His English was a bit awkward, but his voice was full of strength.

“Yes, I am both the manager and the CEO of Mr. Kang Woojin’s agency.”

“Oh! Is that so? You’re the CEO! Nice to meet you, you’re taking care of a fantastic actor.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“Ha-ha-ha, Mr. CEO, you should have seen the test process too. The actor here turned the scene upside down!”

Whether he was playful or just high-spirited, Joseph Felton carried on the conversation effortlessly. Watching him, Choi Sung-gun showed a smile, but inside, he was serious.

‘Is this what Hollywood producers are like? No hesitations and hearty. Well, it makes sense for a producer in this huge market.’

Choi Sung-gun faintly sensed the power of Joseph Felton. In Hollywood, where every part is systematic, producers were among the real power brokers. Moreover, Hollywood producers don’t just handle one project at a time. The more capable they are, the bigger and more numerous projects they get involved with.

‘If he’s the producer of the ‘Last Kill’ series, he must be one of the recognized producers in Hollywood.’

Choi Sung-gun’s guess was right on point. Currently, Joseph Felton was handling a total of 3 Hollywood projects, and in this Hollywood scene, it was fair to say no one didn’t know who Producer Joseph was.

Then, the tall Joseph, with a smile on his face, spoke to Kang Woojin again.

“Hmm- I’m not a casting director. However, I can recognize an actor’s aura and energy. The energy and firmness you showed in the test are rare.”

Kang Woojin responded calmly.

“Is that so?”

Joseph Felton stepped closer to Woojin and lowered his voice.

“In that test, the Chinese actors were carefully selected representatives, and the thoughts of the film company executives, including the director, were unanimous. It was almost certain that the role would be given to a Chinese actor. You were an extra.”

“……”

“You turned that around. With just one scene, just one. Not only did you ‘seize’ the role from those Chinese actors, but you also made them ‘concede’ the result. It was not victory but consent. It was you, not the director, who did that.”

Whispering, Joseph gave a thumbs up.

“It was a scene you don’t often see. Both your martial arts and your energy.”

Then, as a member of the producer team behind signaled the time, Joseph’s face showed regret, presumably because he was busy.

“I would love to share a beer over this feeling, but it’s a pity. Mr. Kang Woojin, when you come to Hollywood again, please remember the business card I gave you.”

“I will.”

“Are you heading back to Korea now?”

“Ah- I have some time before my flight, so I was thinking of exploring the area a bit.”

Joseph’s smile deepened in an instant as he pointed his thumb towards the back. There, one of Hollywood’s landmarks, a mega film company decorated like an amusement park, was located.

“I’ll contact them so you can take a more thorough look inside. Just mention my name at the entrance, and you should be able to receive guidance from a staff member. I hope you enjoy Hollywood.”

After shaking hands with Woojin again, Joseph Felton turned and moved back towards the building’s elevator direction. It seems he had remaining tasks related to ‘Last Kill 3’. Meanwhile, a few of the foreign staff that had come with him murmured to each other after seeing Kang Woojin.

“Did that Korean actor just receive Joseph’s business card?”

“Yeah, I’m surprised. I mean, if it were Hollywood’s top actors, sure.”

“Even to a Korean actor he just met today?”

On the other hand, Kang Woojin, dressed in a suit, carelessly shoved the received business card into his pocket. Then, he locked eyes with Choi Sung-gun.

“Shall we go to the place that guy mentioned?”

“Of course, dude. We should also take the crew from the lodging, too. If there happens to be a shoot going on, it would be an amazing opportunity.”

Around this time, the van Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun were waiting for pulled over to the side of the road.

Meanwhile.

-Slide.

Just after getting on the elevator, Joseph Felton instructed something to a bald foreign man standing next to him among the group he was with.

“Robert, investigate that actor, Kang Woojin, in detail. Everything from his past footsteps to his fame and rumors in Korea, his works, and the people around him. We need to make sure a failure like today doesn’t happen again.”

“Understood. But why are you so interested in him? Of course, he was impressive in the test, but… Is it because of the spreading Hallyu? Or are you thinking of marketing?”

“Hallyu- Yeah, we can’t ignore that part. But that’s not everything. For now, I can only say it’s intuition.”

“Intuition?”

“I feel like that actor could explode the scale of Hallyu several times over, in a short period.”

The tall black man, Joseph, chuckled softly.

“Today’s business card was for that future.”

Later.

Around noon on the 17th, after a quite long shoot, the ‘Our Dining Table’ team arrived in Korea. The airport was swamped with hundreds of reporters and fans. An enormous crowd. Even when the ‘Our Dining Table’ cast was promoting Korean food in LA, news about ‘Our Dining Table’ had been spreading in Korea, heating up the reporters even more.

“PD Yoon~nim!! I heard it was featured in a local newspaper in LA!! Is there any other news??!”

“How was the reaction from the locals in LA??!!”

“Over here!! This way!! Please look here!!”

“Hwalin ssi! How was it in LA with Kang Woojin ssi, who subdued the assailant!!”

“I read an article that a chef in LA highly praised Kang Woojin ssi’s cooking!! Hong Hye-yeon ssi!! Did you actually meet that chef?!”

Although blocked by guards, hundreds of reporters continuously threw questions, and the swarming fans endlessly spouted welcomes and gifts. The airport arrival hall quickly turned into chaos. As a result, the ‘Our Dining Table’ team had to make their escape as quickly as possible.

At that moment, a few among the crowded crowd noticed something strange.

“Eh??! Woojin oppa! Woojin oppa is missing!”

“Wow! Really??”

“Kang Woojin! Only Kang Woojin is missing??”

The atmosphere quickly spread to the reporters as well.

“Kang Woojin is missing!”

“PD Yoon~nim! Where is Kang Woojin ssi??!”

“Is he staying back in LA?!”

“Was there a problem with the immigration process??”

However, without any proper response, the ‘Our Dining Table’ team left the airport. It was out of concern for an incident.

This matter quickly spread on the internet as news articles.

『[Issue Pick] The ‘Our Dining Table’ team returns from LA / Photos』

『The ‘Our Dining Table’ cast members waving to reporters, all looking tired』

The news mostly covered the return of the ‘Our Dining Table’ cast and the photos taken at the airport, but the fact that Kang Woojin was missing was also noisily discussed.

『Today, the ‘Our Dining Table’ team returned to Korea… But where is Kang Woojin?』

『[Star Photo] Kang Woojin the only one left in LA?』

Naturally, rumors and gossip spread in no time. For the reporters, it was understandable to think it strange that Kang Woojin alone did not return.

『’Our Dining Table’ team returned, but why is Kang Woojin missing… Perhaps, he had a schedule in LA』

The issues that flared up while Woojin was in LA once again gained momentum.

『Where did the hero who saved from the assailant go… Why did Hwalin return to Korea alone? / Photos』

『Kang Woojin did not come to Korea, the possibility of a shooting to be canceled for ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel with global superstar ‘Miley Cara’↑』

Amidst the noisy talk about Woojin, bw Entertainment released an official statement.

『[Official] bw Entertainment “Kang Woojin not entering Korea was due to taking a short break in LA”』

The only thing missing from the actual story was the mention of ‘Last Kill 3’.

At this time, the people inside a large van speeding on Seoul’s highway were also talking about Kang Woojin. They were Miley Cara and her team, who were planning to wrap up their schedule in Korea late on the 18th.

Blonde Cara had her legs crossed and was looking at her tablet. Precisely, at printed articles.

“Is it correct that Kang Woojin is definitely coming to Korea before tomorrow?”

To her somewhat cold question, the manager sitting next to her replied in English.

“Yeah. I spoke with his agent. He’s expected to arrive in Korea tonight, and there should be no problem with our scheduled shoot tomorrow morning.”

As she slowly nodded, she brushed her blonde hair aside while recalling Kang Woojin. His incredible filmography, various issues, and acting skills.

“Hmm- I wonder what he’ll be like in person.”

“I feel the same. Besides, did you check what ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel proposed?”

“You mean the shooting content?”

Cara switched the screen of the tablet she was looking at. It was the description of the shooting content sent by ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’. She changed the direction of her crossed legs as she looked down at it.

“Singing a duet of my song. That was expected anyway. After the talk, he says he’ll cook. That’s where we do something like movie promotions, right? I like the idea of him cooking, if he’s been introduced in the local newspapers of LA, he must be good, right?”

“From what the articles say, a Michelin-star chef highly praised it.”

“That’s what I mean. But he says he’ll cook whatever I want, is it really okay to ask for anything?”

“Probably not everything. Kang Woojin’s main job is an actor, not a chef.”

“……But what’s this ‘Avatar Cooking’? According to the description, I do the cooking and Kang Woojin instructs, but I can’t imagine it.”

“Exactly as it says. It seems like content for fun where you cook as per Kang Woojin’s instructions. If it’s uncomfortable, we can refuse from our side.”

Hearing the explanation, Cara blue eyes tilted upward thoughtfully for about 5 seconds. Something made the corners of her mouth twitch, and she shook her head.

“No. It sounds fun, doesn’t it?”

“Cara, think about it seriously. You can’t cook.”

“But he says he’ll make it possible, right?”

“It’ll be Kang Woojin who will suffer. Think carefully, many of Kang Woojin’s fans and the media in Korea are focusing on this.”

For reference, Miley Cara attended various events, luxury brand parties, interviews, etc., during her schedule in Korea but did not appear on any YouTube channels. Appearing on ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel tomorrow would be the first time.

“Yeah, I know. Anyway, tell them I’ll do everything. I’m looking forward to it.”

The manager sighed.

“Alright, got it. Think about the lines to be used for the talk and the cooking.”

“Yep.”

That’s when it happened.

-♬♪

Her phone emitted a short ringtone. It was a message, and Cara widened her blue eyes slightly after checking the sender.

‘Joseph??’

The message was from Joseph Felton, a famous Hollywood producer. Cara, whose mind immediately conjured up the tall, black Joseph, checked the message.

-Joseph Felton: Cara, how’s your time in Korea? I was looking at your SNS and got curious. Heard you’re appearing on a YouTube channel owned by a Korean actor? I’ve recently become interested in Korea, so I’m looking forward to it.

After Cara sent a response indicating her acknowledgment, another message from Joseph quickly followed.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

-Joseph Felton: Contact me when you’re back, let’s have a beer and talk about how Korea was.

Cara furrowed her brows after reading the message, then turned to ask the manager beside her.

“……About Joseph, have you heard anything about him recently taking an interest in Korea?”

The manager, who had been looking at his phone, shrugged.

“Not at all. I heard he just took on producing ‘Last Kill 3’, among other projects. He’s got so many works to juggle, it wouldn’t make sense for him to be interested in Korea.”

“Right?”

Cara scratched her blonde hair lightly.

“What’s he scheming?”

The same night.

A man stood out as he exited the bustling airport. He was wearing a hat pulled down low and his face covered with a mask. It was Kang Woojin, who entered the country like a thief to avoid the press and fans.

‘Sigh- Ah, this air. Ah, really, there’s no place like home!’

Woojin, trying not to show his emotion, boarded the prepared van. He didn’t see the dozens of noisy reporters, but Woojin preferred it this way.

‘It was a long trip, really.’

For now, he just wanted to savor the feeling of having returned to Korea. Then, Choi Sung-gun, who was sitting in the passenger seat with fatigue plastered all over his face, turned and showed Woojin his phone.

“Aaah- Woojin, the Blue Dragon Film Awards just announced the nominees.”

His phone screen displayed the list of this year’s award nominees officially released by the Blue Dragon Film Awards office, which was quickly followed by the film industry media.

『[Film Festival] Blue Dragon Film Awards Office Reveals Key Nominees for This Year’s Festival… ‘Kang Woojin’ Stands Out Among New Actor Nominees』

『Kang Woojin, nominated for the Blue Dragon New Actor Award just a year after debut, but he is also nominated for other awards』

Not to be outdone, the Grand Bell Awards also revealed their nominees a few minutes later. Both film festivals were about ten days away.

『[MovieTalk] Following the Blue Dragon, now the Grand Bell Awards… ‘Kang Woojin’ Appears in New Actor Nominees at Both Major Film Festivals』

What was unique was the explosive mention of Kang Woojin.

As if Kang Woojin was decorating the end of the year for the entertainment industry.

『Already expected to win double crown at Blue Dragon, Grand Bell Awards↑, if combined with the broadcasting station acting awards… Could Kang Woojin make another sensation in his debut year?』

He seemed to be the main attraction of the season.