Chapter 267: Masterpiece (4)

May 5th, Children’s Day, Japan.

In the morning. Although Japan was a step behind Korea, it was still buzzing with Kang Woojin’s issue. Both the media and public opinion were the same. The news of Woojin’s dual award at the Baeksang Awards was already well known, and the sudden news of his collaboration with Miley Cara and the ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup ramen followed suit.

These two pieces of news were already hot topics on Japanese social media.

『The Hot 「Kang Woojin」 Cup Ramen, Also Hits the Japanese Market』

Especially, the news about Miley Cara was a huge shock to the Japanese entertainment industry. And the ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup ramen was selling like hotcakes in Japan as well.

It had caught the wave of trends in Japan.

[@Junuu22]

[I went all the way to Shin-Okubo to buy Kang Woojin’s cup ramen!! This is really delicious!!! I mean it! I stood in line for a long time, but it was worth it!! Hurry up and get it!]

[#KangWoojin #KangWoojinCupRamen #KimjabanMakguksu]

Japanese people were posting a lot of proof shots, and even Japanese YouTubers were producing videos about the ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup ramen. There were even many videos showing different dishes made with the cup ramen.

However, they still couldn’t watch the broadcast of ‘Our Dining Table’ here.

Well, some edited clips were released on YouTube, but it was minimal compared to Korea. The current craze was obviously due to Kang Woojin alone. His influence was shaking up the Japanese public.

-I finally bought Kang Woojin’s cup ramen!!

-I’m jealous…I still can’t find it at the convenience store near my house…when will it be available?

-If you can’t find it, go to Shin-Okubo! You have to stand in line, but it seems like there’s a lot of stock!

-wwww I’ve been eating this for a week straight

-But did Kang Woojin really develop this?

-To be exact, he developed the recipe and then it was made into a product

-What exactly is Kang Woojin? A chef? Or an actor?

-I heard he’s participating as a voice actor this time and also working on an album with Miley Cara….I’m starting to suspect he’s an alien?

-Heee! An alien! That’s possible!

Meanwhile, Kang Woojin, the actor causing a stir in both Korea and Japan, was at his hotel accommodation. It was a top-class hotel in Tokyo, and Woojin, dressed in black pajamas, was brushing his teeth in the bathroom, having just woken up.

“······”

Woojin’s hair was disheveled, and his eyes were hazy. He had just woken up. He brushed his teeth mechanically, absent-mindedly. He had put aside his concept persona for a moment. Of course, during this time, his phone on the bed was receiving a barrage of notifications.

-Bzzz.

-Bzzz.

KakaoTalk messages, texts, and DMs. The reason was obvious. They were from Korean acquaintances or colleagues who had seen the preview of ‘Island of the Missing’. It had been chaotic even last night.

“Whew- so tired.”

Kang Woojin, who had just rinsed his mouth, sighed. He seemed to be under accumulated fatigue. Well, it was understandable. As soon as he arrived in Japan, he resumed filming ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, and during his stay in Korea, his Japanese schedule had also piled up quite a bit.

‘Isn’t the hotel just my home these days??? If this is the case, do I even need my own house?’

He had never endured such a hellish schedule in his life. Without the void space, he would have raised the white flag long ago. It was fun, of course, but Kang Woojin was feeling the intense pressure physically.

‘Ha- damn. Today’s schedule is packed too, right?’

There was no filming for ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ today, but he had a brief meeting with Director Kyotaro and needed to go to A10 Studio for the ‘Male Friend: Remake’. In the afternoon, there was an interview and a photoshoot. At night, there was a personal promotional video shoot ahead of the release of ‘Island of the Missing’. Even though the entire ‘Island of the Missing’ team was pushing hard on the promotion schedule, Kang Woojin had come to Japan alone, so he had to handle this much.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

One hour later.

Kang Woojin and ponytailed Choi Sung-gun appeared in the hotel lounge.

-Swish.

The guests in the lounge quickly focused their attention on Woojin. Unlike in the morning, Kang Woojin, dressed in a blue shirt, looked neat. Of course, he also wore a calm and cool expression on his face. However, internally, Woojin was preoccupied with other thoughts.

‘Wow- shit, what’s this bread smell. It’s awesome!’

Kang Woojin met Director Kyotaro, who was wearing a hat pulled down low, but with plenty of grey hair visible. He had dropped by to meet Kang Woojin briefly before the shoot. Kyotaro, who was looking at his phone, smiled at Woojin and spoke in Japanese.

“Haha, Woojin-ssi. Since we’re both busy, let’s get straight to the point.”

“Yes, Director~nim.”

Director Kyotaro pulled out a few sheets of paper and showed them to Woojin. They were scenes from the script of ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’.

“Although you might already be familiar with these scenes, I want to make some slight changes. I’ve already discussed it with Writer Akari and the key staff. I told Mana Kusaku yesterday.”

“······”

“The first meeting between Kiyoshi and Detective Mochio. We will shoot this cut in two different ways. One according to the storyboard, and the other without the scripted dialogue, letting the actors do as they wish. I want you and Mana Kusaku to express it freely. What do you think, Woojin-ssi?”

Freely? Is he talking about something like ad-libs? Throwing the characters into the situation and letting them figure it out? Although slightly surprised by the unexpected suggestion, Kang Woojin’s face remained calm. It was partly his usual persona, but he was also sincere.

‘Character freedom, I guess I can use that.’

It wasn’t particularly difficult.

“Yes, it’s not too hard.”

“Good. By the way, according to the shooting schedule, this cut will likely be on the last day of filming for ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And that day, we might have some guests. Writer Akari, executives from the film company, and even Chairman Hideki Yoshimura.”

In other words, all the people associated with ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ would be gathered.

Time flew by. While Kang Woojin was managing his schedule in Japan, in Korea, a movie war was unfolding.

The peak season had begun.

『Children’s Day, Crowded Movie Theaters Full of People…As Expected from Peak Season/Photo』

Movies that had been waiting were being released one after another. Movies that were popular the previous week quickly faded, and newly released movies gained momentum. Upcoming major films and Hollywood movies were also fiercely promoting. Not to be outdone, ‘Island of the Missing’ ramped up its marketing and promotion even more.

-‘Island of the Missing’ | 3rd Official Trailer | Harmony Films

On YouTube and other video platforms, they bombarded the audience with teaser trailers, character introduction videos, and making-of videos. Other movies were doing the same. Actors participated in stage greetings, variety shows, and YouTube appearances according to their schedules, fueling the movie war.

『[Movie Talk] From Blockbuster Hollywood Films to Master Director’s Movies…New Films Pouring In, Movie Theaters are All Smiles』

Then, on Saturday, May 8th.

Coinciding with Parent’s Day, Kang Woojin’s parents, Seo Hyun-mi and Kang Woo-chul, arrived at the preview of ‘Island of the Missing’. They were not alone; Woojin’s younger sister Kang Hyun-ah and her friends, who were mods of ‘Kang’s Heart’ fan club, were with them. It was, of course, an invitation from Kang Woojin.

Seo Hyun-mi and Kang Woo-chul’s faces were full of emotion as they arrived at the theater.

“Oh my- Honey, look at the monitor over there. Woojin, our Woojin is the lead.”

“Hyun-mi, why are you acting so surprised now? But our son does look cool.”

Seo Hyun-mi held a small poster of ‘Island of the Missing’. It was a group shot of actors in military uniforms against the backdrop of a cave.

“It’s amazing. Woojin is on this poster too, as the lead.”

“Indeed. He wasn’t this prominently featured in ‘Drug Dealer’.”

In the posters and standees of ‘Island of the Missing’ that were already everywhere, Kang Woojin stood proudly at the front alongside other top actors. Soon, Kang Hyun-ah called her parents from in front of the screening room where the preview would be held.

“Mom! Dad!! We need to go in!”

As the promotional efforts for ‘Island of the Missing’ intensified, thanks to the famous Director Kwon Ki-taek, top actors, and the issue king Kang Woojin, the movie sold well. However, on the official release date of May 19th, other movie teams participating that day also had significant firepower.

“Articles! Distribute more articles! It’s weak!!”

“I will request it from the distributor immediately!!”

“Make sure to distribute twice as many as ‘Island of the Missing’! The current promotional schedule isn’t enough, talk to the actors and book more variety shows!”

“Yes, sir!!”

The competing films were also pouring money into their promotions, especially as the 19th approached near.

“It’s peak season, peak season! We need to stay sharp. Have you checked the reviews of the ‘Island of the Missing’ preview?”

“There aren’t many yet, but it received quite a lot of praise. It seems the quality is really good!”

“It’s Director Kwon Ki-taek, of course the quality is good. Tsk, honestly, the best-case scenario would be if the story was bad and it collapsed on its own…”

“Isn’t it a bit risky to release it on the 19th?”

“No. That’s the perfect timing, it’s Buddha’s Birthday, a public holiday. If we delay, a bunch of major Hollywood films will be released. ‘Island of the Missing’ has the best chance to compete.”

There were four films releasing on the 19th. Three domestic films and one Hollywood film.

“Double the advertisements on YouTube.”

“We already have the most, though?”

“We need to go even more overwhelmingly. The only fortunate thing is that Kang Woojin is not in Korea right now. This is our chance.”

The competing films were aggressively charging forward. Meanwhile, the film industry was experiencing a flood of new releases. However, Kang Woojin supported ‘Island of the Missing’ in a different way. Including the issues already prevalent in the media and public opinion.

[Channel Name: Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego]

[Subscribers: 13.21 million]

[Videos: 52]

He had an enormous monster channel.

-@Wooji_n

Posts: 230

Followers: 20.08 million

Following: 67

Kang Woojin was an actor and a formidable YouTuber and influencer.

Thus, heralding the dawn of the movie war.

『’Movie War’, May 19th Arrives…‘Island of the Missing’ Fully Ready』

May 19th dawned.

May 19th, Wednesday. Buddha’s Birthday.

Late morning. Perhaps because it was a public holiday, Seoul’s subways and buses were quieter than on weekdays. Though still crowded, it seemed less so compared to the rush hour.

At that moment, near Pangyo Station, three familiar men were seen in a large multiplex cinema.

The three who had just gotten on the elevator were.

“Ah- damn, I can’t believe I’m at the cinema with you guys on my day off.”

“Lee Kyung-sung. Take that candy out of your mouth when you talk. What are you eating from the morning? And didn’t we go to the cinema once before? When we watched Woojin’s ‘Exorcism’.”

“Hehe, Kyung-sung was eating popcorn then too.”

“Shut up. Na Hyeong-gu, you were eating too.”

They were Kang Woojin’s close friends. The reason they were heading to the cinema despite grumbling was simple. They were there to watch the officially released ‘Island of the Missing’. Kim Dae-young, who had just pressed the floor button, spoke to Na Hyeong-gu, who had been busy messaging someone since earlier.

“Where’s your girlfriend?”

“She seems to be waiting in the lobby.”

“Ah, okay.”

For reference, the three had been invited to Woojin’s preview but couldn’t attend due to schedule conflicts. Hence, they had gathered today. Regardless, the elevator filled up more with each floor, and many had to wait for the next one due to lack of space.

Na Hyeong-gu, squeezed into the corner, whispered to Kim Dae-young.

“Hey, there are so many people. Are they all going to the cinema?”

“One hundred percent. They’re not pressing any other floor buttons.”

“Wow, this is crazy. It’s 11 AM and there are so many people-”

“It’s a holiday. And it’s super peak season for theaters this time.”

-Ding!

During their conversation, the elevator arrived at the cinema floor and the doors opened, and the people flowed out like a receding tide. The three friends joined the flow.

Simultaneously, their mouths dropped open.

“Whoa…what, what the hell??”

“There are so many people. What the fuck???”

“This is insane. Is there a war? Why is it packed like people are fleeing?”

They were shocked by the crowd filling the cinema lobby. The ticket counters, concession stands, and waiting sofas were all packed with people. Families, couples, male and female friends, and singles. Thanks to the massive crowd, the cinema lobby, if not for the lighting, resembled a nightclub. That’s how crowded it was.

“Wow, my ears hurt.”

“Hey, Na Hyeong-gu, find your girlfriend quickly. If we’re not careful, we might get seprated in this crowd.”

“Got it. Ah! There! Jin-joo!”

Soon, the group of three became a team of four with the addition of Na Hyeong-gu’s girlfriend. The leader of this team was the burly Kim Dae-young.

“…This is seriously a warzone. Lee Kyung-sung, if you want to buy something, go get it now. Hyeong-gu, if you want to take a photo with your girlfriend, do it now. I’ll get the tickets.”

“Okay.”

“But you did reserve the tickets, right?”

“Of course. I bought them as soon as they went on sale a few days ago.”

The team quickly scattered. Kim Dae-young, after a long wait, finally reached the ticket machine and printed their movie tickets. Even this took him 15 minutes because of the waiting line. Holding the tickets, Kim Dae-young was again amazed by the crowd and took out his phone.

“Wow- if Bundang is like this, how much more crowded must Seoul be?? At this rate, it looks like there will be sold-out shows.”

He checked the current cinema’s screening schedule. There were four new movies released today. Among them, Kim Dae-young had booked tickets for ‘Island of the Missing’.

[CCV Pangyo]

[Wednesday, May 19th / Screening Schedule]

[2D / Island of the Missing / Theater 2]

[9:05~11:12 / Sold Out], [12:20~14:32 / Sold Out], [16:10~18:22 / Sold Out], [20:05~22:37 / Sold Out], [23:00~1:27 / 20 seats left]

·

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·

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Kim Dae-young’s eyes widened.

“This is insane??!”

It was a series of sold-out shows.

He quickly searched for ‘Island of the Missing’ on a portal site. The first thing he saw was a news article.

『‘Island of the Missing’ Tops the Box Office on Release Day!』

[This Summer’s Peak Season, Will ‘Island of the Missing’ Become the Tentpole Blockbuster?]

[Currently, Director Kwon Ki-taek’s ‘Island of the Missing’ has topped the box office on its opening day among the new releases for this peak season, achieving the highest reservation rate in the major multiplex chains like CCV…]

‘Island of the Missing’ had kicked off with a solo lead.