Chapter 367: Power (4)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The statement Kang Woojin declared to hundreds of reporters.

“Yes, it is Miley Cara, the blonde woman in the photos from the Bangkok filming location of ‘Beneficial Evil’.”

When these words were spoken, or even at that moment, Miley Cara was extremely popular overseas, including Hollywood.

-【alcoholism(feat. WooJin)】｜Miley Cara

- 560 million views

Her new music video, which was sweeping the Billboard charts, had already surpassed 500 million views, and thus her songs were playing everywhere in the world. This, of course, also meant that Kang Woojin’s global recognition was also skyrocketing.

However, while the foreign media covered the ripple effect of Cara’s new album,

『CNM/Miley Cara topping the Billboard Hot 100, with multiple in the Top 10! A first in the 64-year history of the chart!』

They were also oddly fired up about a different topic.

『LA TIME/Rumors sbound ehile Miley Cara remains silent about reported role in korean project (Beneficial Evil)』

『BBX/The controversial photo featuring Kang Woojin! Is Miley Cara really starring in the Korean production ‘Beneficial Evil’?』

The idea that Miley Cara would appear in a Korean production. Naturally, this issue had already spread widely across all of Hollywood, and now the photo, allegedly of Cara on the set of ‘Beneficial Evil’, was all over social media.

But Miley Cara remained silent.

As a result, the issue intensified.

On top of that, Miley Cara was a global superstar whose new album was a massive hit, and the lead of the project ‘Beneficial Evil’ was Kang Woojin, Best Actor award winner of Cannes. With such tempting keywords afloat, the foreign media concocted their own scripts and churned out articles at will.

However, outside of these overexcited media outlets, most of Hollywood didn’t believe a word of it.

“Miley Cara starring in a Korean project? What kind of trash article is this?!”

“But if you read it, there’s some evidence and context, though?”

“Nonsense! Even here in Hollywood, everyone’s desperate to book her. Do you really think she’d ignore all those enormous paychecks and shoot a Korean project?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t make any sense.”

Various film companies, broadcasting stations, agencies, and so on. There wasn’t a single person in Hollywood who didn’t know Miley Cara, and the majority dismissed the media’s claims as false.

The same was true for Miley Cara’s countless fans spread across the world.

-Fucking, reporters! Stop writing fake articles already!!

-Although the idea of Miley starring in a Korean production is exciting, this is probably just a rumor, right?

-There’s no reason for her to suddenly shoot a Korean project, but why specifically ‘Beneficial Evil’ is being mentioned?

-It’s the project Kang Woojin is filming! A photo leaked from the set, and they’re saying the blonde woman in it is Miley, but I doubt it.

-Kang Woojin? That Korean actor who was at Cannes with Miley recently? I remember him because he openly said he was aiming for the Oscars.

-Why is this ridiculous news spreading? If she really shot a Korean project, I’ll run through the streets in my underwear.

-Calm down, people. It’s just another fake article like always.

·

·

·

One thing for sure was that, although no one believed the rumor, the global awareness of ‘Kang Woojin’ and ‘Beneficial Evil’ was rapidly growing. The situation was no different in Korea, where the news lagged behind Hollywood.

-Media's really milking this hard ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ stop milking Miley Cara already ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Yeah~ next tabloid~

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋisn’t this an intentional leak by the ‘Beneficial Evil’ side???

-Miley Cara must be so pissed off ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

It was widely regarded as just another tabloid story.

This dragged on for nearly two weeks.

Moreover, neither Miley Cara's side, Kang Woojin, nor the 'Beneficial Evil' team gave any substantial response. Thanks to this, while both international and domestic media were having a field day stirring the pot, their coverage remained superficial, and the numerous audiences, including those overseas, didn’t believe a word of it. They dismissed it as nothing more than baseless rumors, a mere happening, idle chatter, or outright nonsense.

No one believed it.

Well, the issue itself sold well. It was because the keywords involved were so hot. No, how could anyone resist the story that Miley Cara, the global superstar currently dominating the Billboard charts, was appearing in a Korean project? Therefore, domestic media and public opinion were also anticipating with interest.

Even more so since 'Issue King' Kang Woojin was the male lead of 'Beneficial Evil'.

But then.

“Miley Cara’s filming has already been completed.”

In response to a question casually thrown by one of the hundreds of reporters, Woojin, who had been indifferent from the beginning, suddenly dropped a bombshell. Naturally, all the reporters were dumbfounded.

“Huh?”

“……What?”

“W-what did you just say?”

“Are you saying it really is Miley Cara??”

The reporters were so shocked that even the constant flashes of cameras briefly stopped. But Kang Woojin, his expression heavy as ever, gave the same answer.

"Yes. Miley Cara is appearing in 'Beneficial Evil'."

This was a statement that would make not only domestic fans but also Cara's fans worldwide go wild, yet Kang Woojin remained incredibly calm. On the other hand, the hundreds of reporters, whose brains short-circuited for a brief moment, erupted.

“It was real??!!”

“N-no way! H-how is this possible?!"

“Wait a minute! Kang Woojin-ssi! You’re not joking, are you???”

“If this is true– t-this is a h-huge scoop!"

“What?! Are you saying THE Miley Cara is really appearing in 'Beneficial Evil'???!"

“……No, seriously?? But why??!”

The scene turned into chaos. Shouting questions at Kang Woojin as if unsure whether this was a dream or reality, they instinctively began snapping pictures of Woojin standing before them.

-Pababababak!

The flashes, which had briefly paused, now exploded like crazy, turning Woojin’s face pale under the onslaught.

“W-Woojin-ssi!! About Miley Cara appearing in 'Beneficial Evil'!! No! How much screen time does she have?!"

“When was she confirmed for the casting?!!”

“Did Cara shoot in Korea as well, not just Bangkok?!”

“What role does Miley Cara play in the project?!!”

“This is the first time a Hollywood superstar has starred in a Korean production!! What was the reason for her appearance?!!”

“Was this kept a secret?!! Why are you only announcing this now, Woojin-ssi?!!”

The hundreds of reporters, now showing a complete change of attitude, were suddenly like drooling hyenas.

“……”

Kang Woojin, who was calmly scanning the frantic crowd, thought.

‘Wow– Damn, look at their attitude switch. This is hilarious.’

Then, lowering his voice, he delivered the prepared statement.

"More details will be announced by the 'Beneficial Evil' team. Well then."

Sometimes, leaving things unsaid drives people mad. Playing into this, Kang Woojin turned and walked toward the party hall, leaving behind the hundreds of reporters. But the half-crazed reporters called out his name desperately.

“Ah! Ah!!! Woojin-ssi!! Just tell us a little more!!”

"Just one more word!!"

“Woojin-ssi!! Kang Woojin-ssi!”

But Kang Woojin, who had already made up his mind, did not look back even once. The swarming reporters, realizing this, quickly collected themselves. After all, a scoop had just come out of that “monster’s” mouth.

“W-we don’t have time for this!!”

Now was the time to act.

-Swoosh.

Suddenly, the majority of the hundreds of reporters put down their cameras and pulled out their phones. Then, as if on cue, they all started making calls somewhere.

“Editor! It’s a scoop! A scoop!!”

“No, no!! I’m not drunk in the middle of the day!! Damn it– just write the article first!!”

“Yes, it’s true! Kang Woojin just said so himself! Just roughly write the content and publish the article first!!"

“Ah!! It’s 100%, 100% sure!! Miley Cara is definitely appearing in 'Beneficial Evil'!!”

They had to announce this scoop to the world faster than anyone else.

At this very moment.

In the parking lot, a man with a gentle expression emerged from Harmony Film Company, the producer of ‘Island of the Missing’. It was Director Kwon Ki-taek. He had just heard about the explosive success of ‘Leech’, but his expression remained calm. In contrast, the staff with him felt differently.

“Huh– This feels so strange.”

“Exactly. Of course, we should congratulate Director Ahn, but for us, it’s a bit… disappointing, I guess?”

The staggering success of ‘Leech’, which had climbed right up to the heels of ‘Island of the Missing’, was indeed impressive enough to deserve a thumbs-up, but on the other hand, the thought of losing the number one spot in Korean film history was certainly unpleasant. Well, it was a natural emotion for any human being.

“20 million. 20 million. It’s an unprecedented figure domestically… A number of viewers that might not happen again in the future, but the fact that it doesn’t even last a year at number one is just absurd.”

To be precise, it hadn’t even been half a year. At this, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had been listening silently, smiled warmly.

“If it’s climbing, there’s nothing to be done.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Huh?”

“It’s only natural that he’s grown with time. The situation is completely different from when 'Island of the Missing' was released.”

“…Oh, you mean Kang Woojin.”

“Yes.”

With his arms crossed, Director Kwon Ki-taek recalled Woojin’s calm face.

“'Island of the Missing' relied heavily on Woojin-ssi’s brand power, and now that power has grown several times over. It’s only natural for ‘Leech’ to surpass us.”

“That’s true.”

“On top of that, seeing ‘Leech’, Woojin-ssi’s acting skills have improved even further. With such a monster continuing to rampage, what work could possibly hold its ground?”

Soon, Director Kwon Ki-taek’s smile deepened.

“In any case, it’s safe to say that Woojin-ssi has secured both first and second place in Korean film history. What’s interesting is that even though he’s shaken up the history of the Korean film industry since his debut, Woojin-ssi himself doesn’t seem to care. He must’ve planned this from the beginning. And he achieved it as if it were nothing.”

Muttering quietly to himself, Director Kwon Ki-taek said.

“He’s already moved on. That friend, Kang Woojin, is probably thinking about what’s next.”

Around this time, the unstoppable ‘Leech’ team released an official announcement.

『[Official] The hit film ‘Leech’ confirms its international release… Starting in Japan, set to open on Thursday, December 23rd, just before Christmas!』

The news that it would be released abroad beyond Korea, especially in Japan. The release was just next month. At this time, as if coordinated, a similar article about 'Leech' appeared in Japan.

『'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' to release in Korea, opening on December 21st』

The news of ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ releasing in Korea also came.

In December, the final month of the year, ‘Leech’ and ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ would essentially pass the baton to each other.

『[IssueTalk] Korea’s ‘Leech’ to release in Japan on December 23rd, Japan’s ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ to open in Korea on December 21st?』

The timing was nearly identical, yet again.

Meanwhile, in LA.

While it was morning in Korea, it was late afternoon in LA. Just as news about Kang Woojin exploded in Korea and Japan, word had also reached a massive theme park in LA.

No, not a theme park.

It was 'Columbia Studios'. In a meeting room for the team preparing for the movie ‘Pierrot’, executives who appeared to be high-ranking officials were reviewing the news.

『ABY/'Columbia Studios' announces the production of a major new film! Who are the director and actors?』

It was news announced to Hollywood just yesterday that 'Columbia Studios' was beginning production on a major, large-scale film. As always, distributors and studios announce their works like this for publicity purposes. However, because of Columbia Studios’ colossal status in Hollywood, the attention spread like wildfire.

Executives skimming through articles on their laptops muttered comments one after another.

“Hmm- It feels a bit lacking. We need to push this harder.”

“By the way, what’s this bizarre actor lineup? I can’t tell where it even started.”

“It’s better to leak details about the confirmed actor tests as soon as possible.”

About 30 minutes passed like that.

Then.

-Creeak.

A new figure entered the meeting room, which was already crowded. It was a bald foreigner with glasses, one of the executives who had spoken most with Director Ahn Ga-bok during the meeting.

“I’m a bit late. I was on the phone with Director Ahn Ga-bok.”

As soon as he entered the meeting room, he spoke to the ‘Pierrot’ team.

“Director Ahn Ga-bok delivered the script to Kang Woojin, and Woojin, after reviewing it, responded immediately.”

“Oh- did he reply this quickly? That’s fast. So, what was his answer?”

“He said he’ll do it.”

Hearing this, the 'Columbia Studios' executives smiled.

“We need to get in touch with Kang Woojin’s team right away.”

“Let’s get started on the work immediately.”

At that moment.

“Huh?”

One of the foreigners, while looking at his laptop, tilted his head in confusion. Then he turned the laptop around to show the screen to everyone. A different article was displayed, unrelated to ‘Pierrot’.

It looked like it had just been published, hot off the press.

“Is it true that Miley Cara... is starring in a Korean production???”