Chapter 330 - Bangkok (6)

Translator: Dreamscribe

In Bangkok, Thailand, without any prior promotion or teasers, the global top star Miley Cara suddenly appeared. What is this? A dream? Or an illusion? It was a moment that perfectly fit the expression ‘hard to believe even after seeing it’.

Hollywood’s figures were all thrown into chaos by her unexpected appearance.

Famous producer, Joseph and CD Megan.

“M-Miley is filming this project??”

“This is- something we couldn’t have even imagined.”

Joseph’s team members and the accompanying stunt teams.

“Ah… Is, is that really Miley Cara?”

“Did Miley say she was going to appear in a Korean production? That’s what I heard.”

“Me too.”

“It doesn’t make sense, why would she be shooting a Korean project?”

“That expert over there. No, Miley said it’s because of a Korean actor.”

“I heard it! But does that make any sense??!”

Even the executives of Hollywood giant film company, Universal Movies, were in shock.

“Miley Cara- appearing in a Korean project? When we can barely afford her fee.”

“Who on earth is this Korean actor? Who is he that Miley says she’s doing it for him?”

Whispers grew louder and louder among the group of roughly 20 people. Meanwhile, Miley Cara, standing beside them, was entirely relaxed. Cara lifted her sunglasses over her blonde hair and said.

“Kang Woojin, that’s the name of the Korean actor. You guys also came to see that Korean actor, didn’t you?”

“Huh?”

The executives of ‘Universal Movies’, who had narrowed their brows, immediately turned their gaze toward the black man, Joseph. With a faint smile, Joseph nodded as if to confirm.

“Yes, we came to see Kang Woojin.”

There had been some prior exchange of information, but except for Joseph and Megan, the foreigners group was seeing Kang Woojin’s face for the first time. Although Joseph had pushed for this strongly, most of the stunt team and the executives from ‘Universal Movies’ didn’t have high expectations when they stopped by before heading to Cannes. And that feeling hadn’t changed.

It was understandable.

No matter what, Kang Woojin was practically unknown in Hollywood. Even with Joseph and Megan’s recommendation, it was only natural to have light expectations for an unproven Korean actor. But then, out of nowhere, Miley Cara was now involved with that Korean actor.

‘Does Miley Cara have some kind of connection with that Korean actor? Otherwise, such a nonsensical situation would never happen.’

Even denying the reality wouldn’t change the facts. Miley Cara had appeared before their very eyes, and she herself had said she would appear in ‘Beneficial Evil’. The size of the role didn’t matter. Just the fact that Cara was participating was enough of a teaser to turn Hollywood upside down.

Soon, one of the ‘Universal Movies’ executives, a potbellied man, muttered quietly.

“……This is breaking news material, no matter where, including Hollywood.”

At this moment, everyone, including Joseph, realized one thing. The confidentiality agreements that the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team had strictly enforced. The unusually tight security that had left them curious was now completely understood.

“They were trying to keep Miley Cara’s participation a secret…”

What would happen if this news got out in Korea? It was obvious that a tsunami far beyond the level of causing a commotion would hit.

At that moment.

“Well, see you later.”

After briefly greeting them, Miley Cara moved toward the abandoned factory site where Woojin was. Except for Joseph and Cara, the foreigners group simply watched her back in silence. Then, the leader of the stunt team, a foreigner, asked Joseph, still wide-eyed.

“Joseph, did you not know?”

“Not at all. Miley appearing in this project is beyond anything I could’ve imagined. I had no idea.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“My God. How on earth is this even happening?”

Meanwhile, at the center of the ‘Beneficial Evil’ set, where over 200 staff members were moving non-stop, Kang Woojin stood holding a second firearm. This time, it was a handgun. A Glock 17. Internally, Woojin was repeatedly expressing his amazement.

‘Whoa- doesn’t this look exactly like the real thing?? It feels so vivid, and the grip is awesome. This is crazy.’

But he couldn’t express such shallow awe on the outside. With an indifferent face, Woojin lifted the Glock 17, holding it with both hands.

“Huh?”

“Look over there, over there.”

“Huh??”

“What’s going on?”

“That blonde foreigner woman- no way.”

Things were getting rather noisy around Kang Woojin. From the over a hundred ‘Beneficial Evil’ staff members to the local Thai staff and actors, all the people who had been moving busily started looking in the same direction as if on cue. There, a blonde woman accompanied by a dozen or so bulky foreigner bodyguards was leisurely crossing the center of the set. That woman was Miley Cara.

At this moment.

“Cara? Isn’t that Miley Cara??”

The over 200 people on set clearly recognized Miley Cara. The excitement escalated into a frenzy, with people almost screaming.

“Wha- no way? No! It really is her!!”

“Miley Cara?!”

“Holy-!! It’s really Miley Cara!!”

“What??! Where?”

“There, there!! That’s Miley Cara, isn’t it??!!!”

“Wow!!! Crazy!!”

Those moving equipment were now frozen with their mouths wide open. Every staff member was shouting and focusing their attention on Cara.

However, not everyone was in shock. Those who were already aware of Cara’s appearance smiled or remained calm. These included PD Song Man-woo, Writer Choi Na-na, Executive Director Kim So-hyang, and a few key staff members whom PD Song Man-woo had informed beforehand. Ethan was among them as well. Nevertheless, the set, crowded with over 200 people, was in complete chaos. Shouts and yells echoed. In the midst of the shock and confusion, Cara casually walked up to Kang Woojin, smiling.

“The gun suits you well.”

Woojin responded in a low voice.

“Would you like to try it?”

“Anytime. I’ve used guns a lot. It’ll suit me better than you, I bet?

“We’ll see.”

“Give it here.”

Though the set was in a panic, Woojin and Cara were having a light-hearted conversation as if they were out on a casual outing. Then, Cara turned her gaze to PD Song Man-woo and the others, exchanging brief greetings. Afterward, she raised the Glock 17 in her hand and began firing.

-Bang, bang, bang!

Three shots fired. Kang Woojin, watching from the side, remained silent.

“……”

Though his poker face was as strong as ever, he couldn’t help but be captivated by Cara’s profile. Her blonde hair that flowed down to her chest, the sunglasses pushed up over her head, the white tank top, slightly ripped hot pants, and the black beaded sandals-the woman was firing a handgun. It wasn’t a sight one could see every day. Woojin instinctively muttered to himself, of course, inwardly.

‘This scene is fucking insane, seriously.’

Oblivious to his thoughts, Cara lowered the handgun and asked Woojin.

“How is it?”

Woojin, finally snapping out of it, replied coolly.

“It’s alright.”

“Your compliments are so expensive, huh?”

“Not really.”

At this point, PD Song Man-woo, holding a megaphone in one hand, stepped in.

“Miley, I think it’s about time we calmed the staff down.”

His words were translated and relayed to Cara.

“Of course, I’m fine with that.”

With her agreement, PD Song Man-woo raised his megaphone and shouted loudly.

“Everyone! Gather here in front!”

Soon, all 200 staff members came running like a swarm of zombies.

The next day, the 21st, in Bangkok.

Early morning. In one of the many five-star hotels in bustling downtown Bangkok, at a hotel different from where the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team was staying, the ‘Kempinski Hotel’. Perhaps because it was such a large 5-star hotel, even though it was morning, the lobby with its fountain was overflowing with guests. Next to the hotel’s main building was a large restaurant. This area, too, was quite luxurious.

The guests had already filled over half of the seats. It was breakfast time, served buffet-style.

-♬♪

In the calm atmosphere laced with soft classical music, familiar faces could be seen at a series of round tables by the window. It was the group of roughly 20 Hollywood foreigners who had come to watch the filming of Beneficial Evil and were still reeling from the shock of seeing Miley Cara the day before. However, Joseph and Megan were nowhere in sight. The group, still buzzing with excitement, was busy talking about Cara.

The muscular stunt team members and the executives from Universal Movies were no different.

“From what I heard that goateed PD say yesterday, it seems like Miley- I mean, she has taken on quite a significant role.”

Of course, they were speaking in very low voices, barely audible under the classical music. On top of that, they were careful to refer to Miley Cara as simply ‘she’ or ‘her’, hiding her name thoroughly.

“You saw her rehearsing, right? From how she was firing guns and checking the storyboard, it didn’t look like she was just going to make a brief appearance.”

“From what I saw during rehearsals, the scale of the shoot seems bigger than I expected.”

“Well, since they hired Ethan, it’s clear they’re focusing on action. The car explosion test yesterday was pretty impressive.”

“Same goes for the shooting rehearsal. They were checking vehicles in the city streets, so there’s likely going to be a car chase as well.”

“……It’s great that the filming seems more impressive than I thought, but I’m still amazed that we saw her here. How on earth did they convince her?”

“Wasn’t it Kang Woojin? It seems like she has some kind of story with that Korean actor.”

Naturally, the conversation drifted towards Kang Woojin.

“Hmm. Kang Woojin-now that I think of it, didn’t Joseph say that he arranged this schedule because of that Korean actor?”

“Yeah, he only told us that before heading to Cannes, there was an actor worth checking out, so we should stop by.”

“……If he had some connection to Hollywood, it’d be easier to understand her involvement, but he’s a completely unfamiliar face. I heard he’s quite popular in Korea and Japan, though.”

An executive from Universal Movies, the one with the potbelly, added an explanation.

“Not just in Korea and Japan. It seems he’s also quite popular here in Thailand. I checked out Kang Woojin’s social media and YouTube channel, and it’s impressive. He already has decent recognition overseas.”

One of the listeners, the leader of the stunt team, scratched his chin.

“It’s been an interesting journey full of surprises-but still, it’s hard to grasp how so many people are mobilized just for that Kang Woojin actor.”

“Hmm.”

“Especially, the biggest question for me is why Joseph brought along our entire stunt team. Yesterday’s filming was intriguing, but in Hollywood, even if it’s unique for Korea, that level is pretty basic, isn’t it?”

“I agree.”

It was a fact. While Beneficial Evil might seem fresh or large-scale by Korean standards, from a Hollywood perspective, it wasn’t all that special. Then, some of the stunt team members chimed in.

“The overall feel of the rehearsal suggests it’s likely focused on action sequences, and ‘CQC’ seems to be included as well. But no matter how involved Ethan is, the ‘CQC’ and action choreography with a Korean actor… well, coming here just for that feels a bit disappointing.”

Everyone present had significant experience in Hollywood. So, witnessing mediocre action choreography was bound to leave them unimpressed.

“His shooting stance was good. Both with the rifle and handgun.”

“With a professional coach, anyone can learn that in a few days.”

“When it comes to action involving ‘CQC’, even some of the top actors in Hollywood struggle. For them, it’s about how perfectly they can execute it.”

“Hmm, it would be good if there were acting components included. If we’re just watching that Kang Woojin’s action design… there’s nothing particularly new about that.”

The shock from yesterday was real, but the reality they were now facing was cold and critical.

“Anyway, we should get going soon. Wasn’t the main shoot set for noon? Call Joseph.”

Meanwhile, at this time.

All around Bangkok, various people were making their way to the filming site of Beneficial Evil. A few minutes ago, Miley Cara, along with her dozen or so bodyguards and team members, had left the hotel and boarded a large van.

“……”

“Miley, what are you thinking about so deeply? You can’t be nervous about starting the shoot.”

“It just feels strange.”

“Strange, how?”

“I’ve done countless projects before, and I’ve even filmed in Bangkok before, but for some reason, today’s shoot makes me feel nervous. Or excited, maybe?”

Her manager, Jonathan, tilted his head in confusion.

“Why? Is it because this is your first time working on a Korean project?”

“I don’t know. That could be part of it, but it’s also because of Kang Woojin. I’ve seen his acting, but it’s the first time I’ll be acting alongside him, and our chemistry clicked faster than I expected.”

“So it’s certain you’ll be in the same project.”

Cara brushed her blonde hair back and smiled faintly.

“Of course, I don’t intend for this to be the last.”

“……Joseph’s project is still in the early stages. From what I could gather, the team is forming, but there’s no confirmed script yet. I’d guess only the synopsis is ready.”

“Really? Then I’ll need to talk to Joseph.”

As Cara crossed her long legs, the manager asked again.

“Today’s filming, you absolutely can’t push yourself. You know that better than anyone.”

“I know.”

“Any parts you’re worried about?”

“Not really. I’m just excited to see Kang Woojin’s action. Ha-this is the first time I’ve been this curious about another actor’s performance.”

“I’m the one who’s worried. His movements when he saved you were impressive, but that and filming are two different things. Whatever the case, this is Woojin’s first action role in his filmography. There’s a high chance he’ll be inexperienced, and that could lead to accidents.”

“……For someone inexperienced, he seemed incredibly calm yesterday.”

“That’s probably just Kang Woojin’s nature. Accidents happen when you let your guard down.”

“I got it, geez. How many movies have I filmed? Stop nagging.”

Cara responded a bit coldly, turning her blue eyes to the window.

“The shoot starts with Kang Woojin’s long take, right? Whether it’s dangerous or not, I’ll judge after seeing that.”

At the same time.

Kang Woojin was also on his way to the Beneficial Evil filming site in a van.

“Hm-”

On his lap were the script for the first episode of Beneficial Evil and the action storyboard for the ‘CQC’ sequence. As he looked them over, Woojin pondered something before making a decision.

‘As expected, Park Dae-ri fits best.’

He was finalizing ‘role synthesis’ and the ‘Freedom of roles’.

‘For freedom of roles–stick closely to the storyboard, but emphasize a laid-back, free-spirited vibe. Something that feels a bit playful. Okay.’

There were 3 hours left until the Beneficial Evil crank-in.

****