Chapter 370: Power (7)

Translator: Dreamscribe

How many animations has 'World Disney Pictures' released to the world? Among them, there are works so iconic that anyone can immediately recall them just by hearing the title, those nostalgic works that captured childhood innocence and sparked imagination.

Such animated films surely existed in Kang Woojin's memories as well.

Underwater worlds, animals, stories of rubbing a lamp to make a wish, and so on. There were too many to list. Among them, Kang Woojin particularly liked the animated movie about a lion becoming king.

Anyway.

‘Wait- is this that animated movie I know??’

The script cover in Woojin's hands as he sat in the van had a title stuck into his memories.

- ‘Beast and the Beauty’

Woojin, wearing his concept face again, briefly recalled the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ he had watched in the past. A winter storm, a massive castle buried in snow, the beast who lived there, and the stunningly beautiful woman.

‘The teapot, the teacup characters were also precious.’

More than anything, the songs sung by those uniquely distinctive characters were all masterpieces. Woojin could still vividly remember them. How old had I been back then? Swimming through the sea of memories, Kang Woojin snapped back to his senses.

‘Ah- wait a minute. This might not even be that animated movie?’

There were times, though rare, when movies with the same titles existed both in Hollywood and domestically. Still, with faint expectations, he looked down at the script and then lifted his gaze. Choi Sung-gun was smiling faintly. Woojin, with a stiff expression, asked Sung-gun quietly.

“CEO-nim. This script, is this the work I think it is?”

“Hehe.”

Choi Sung-gun, who suddenly laughed oddly, gave a thumbs-up.

“That’s right. The one you know. Actually, it’s safe to say everyone in our country knows it.”

“Disney’s animated movie ‘Beast and the Beauty’.”

“Yeah, that one.”

“Why is the script for that work here?”

“Do you think I’m some big shot over at Disney? Why do you think the script is here?”

Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened as he pointed his index finger at Kang Woojin.

“Because the script came to you, of course.”

Whaaat? Kang Woojin nearly dropped his concept face and let out a gasp. The script has come. In other words, 'World Disney Pictures' had sent him a offer. And the project was ‘Beast and the Beauty’. The sheer magnitude of a Hollywood powerhouse movie studio was astonishing enough, but the fact that it was a story he had known and loved since childhood made it several times more surprising.

‘Whoa- this is insane? Disney actually reached out to me??!’

Although he barely maintained his stoicism, Kang Woojin internally gaped in astonishment. ‘Beast and the Beauty’ was a bit different from the other recent project ‘Pierrot’. ‘Pierrot’ was still unknown to anyone. But ‘Beast and the Beauty’? It was something almost everyone in the world, including Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun, already knew.

‘Wait, hold on. Then what is this? Is this a modern remake? Or a live-action adaptation??’

Kang Woojin, forcibly dousing his racing heart with cold water, asked Choi Sung-gun again. Despite his inner turmoil, his tone was calm.

“Is ‘Beast and the Beauty’ being made into a live-action movie?”

Choi Sung-gun nodded immediately.

“Yeah, a live-action. Of course, Disney is still handling this project in extreme secrecy.”

“I see.”

“Why do you sound so indifferent? Hey, we’re talking about Disney here! Disney! Sure, 'Columbia Studios' reaching out to you was crazy, but now Disney’s sending you a offer as well? Two of Hollywood’s Big 5 major studios at the same time! Aren’t you excited??!”

I am, I really am. He was honestly excited enough to make his bottom wiggle, but Kang Woojin had to hold it in.

"A little bit."

"......That's so like you. Once this is announced, people will be losing their minds both domestically and internationally. On top of that, if the live-action project is ‘Beast and the Beauty’, whoa, this is honestly bigger than a nuclear bomb. It’s basically Disney’s signature work.”

“When did this come in? This script.”

“I also just heard about it this morning. There are a few details to pass along, but for now, it’s too soon to discuss the specifics. Just be aware of the situation for now.”

Even while listening to the explanation, Woojin lowered his gaze to the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ script. Next to the script, of course, was the familiar black square. Just as Choi Sung-gun seemed ready to leave the van, he spoke again.

“Oh, and the role you’ve been offered is the ‘Beast’.”

-Puck.

Before he knew it, Woojin’s vision was swallowed by endless darkness. Silently and without notice, he had poked the black square. Having entered the void space, Woojin threw aside his concept face and everything else.

“Holy crap, seriously? Disney?? This is insane.”

He immediately started moving. Toward the place where a floating white rectangle hovered in the distance. Since he was in the middle of filming 'Beneficial Evil', he wasn’t going to dive into a reading experience, but there was no problem with just checking the rating.

-Swish.

At the far end, the most recently added works came into view.

-[11/Script (Title: 'Pierrot'), EX+ Grade]

It was ‘Pierrot’, which had renewed the void space’s top rating. To the right of that, the newly added ‘Beast and the Beauty’ appeared.

-[12/Script (Title: Beast and the Beauty), EX Grade]

The grade for ‘Beast and the Beauty’ was EX. That was certainly enormous. Until recently, EX grade had been the highest achievable rating in the void space. Seeing the grade, Woojin smirked.

"Even the grade is insane."

There was no reason to turn down ‘Beast and the Beauty’. Beyond the size of 'World Disney Pictures' and the project’s grade, the biggest reason for Woojin’s excitement was the nostalgic memories it evoked.

“How could I refuse the chance to become that ‘Beast’?”

It was a shared memory for everyone, Kang Woojin, the people he knew, and essentially the entire world.

The chance to become that Beast.

It was an irresistible opportunity, not just as an actor but also as Kang Woojin, the man himself. Declaring 'Exit', he soon found himself back in reality, in the van. Choi Sung-gun, who had just lifted himself from his seat, was about to step out of the van. Woojin quietly spoke toward the back of his head.

“CEO-nim, I’ll take ‘Beast and the Beauty’ as well.”

Pause. Choi Sung-gun froze with his hand on the van door and quickly turned his head. Woojin sat there holding the script, his expression solid.

“You’re- you’re just going to do this one too? Without hearing any explanation?”

“Disney. the role of the ‘Beast’. Those two are enough for me. I can hear the details later.”

“...Doesn’t this feel a bit overwhelming? It’s the live-action adaptation of ‘Beast and the Beauty’, something the whole world knows.”

Maintaining a perfect poker face, Woojin shook his head.

“Not at all.”

From ‘Pierrot’ to ‘Beast and the Beauty’, Kang Woojin showed not even a hint of hesitation. After staring at Woojin for a moment, Choi Sung-gun smirked.

“Alright. Let's take on Disney too."

Meanwhile, in Busan.

At the entrance of the Busan International Film Festival's red carpet procession at the Cinema Center, there stood Director Ahn Ga-bok and Director Kwon Ki-taek at the photo zone, surrounded by frenzied broadcast teams and hundreds of reporters.

Their excitement had been continuing for ten minutes already.

“D-Director-nim!! Did 'Columbia Studios' personally send you a offer??!!”

“When did the talks begin?!!”

“Is it confirmed?! Are you officially directing a movie produced by 'Columbia Studios'?!!!”

“Can you tell us what the project is?!!”

“Did you sign the deal right after the Cannes Film Festival?!”

“Congratulations, Director Ahn Ga-bok!!!”

It was all because of a bombshell statement suddenly dropped by veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok, that he would be directing a project for 'Columbia Studios', one of Hollywood’s largest film studios. Given that there had been no prior signs, their frenzy was completely natural.

“You’re the first Korean director to take on a Hollywood project. How do you feel?!”

“When does filming begin?!”

“What about the actors?! Which Hollywood actors are being considered for the project?!”

The hundreds of reporters incessantly flashed their cameras and relentlessly fired questions, no, they were practically shouting. But Director Ahn Ga-bok, wearing a calm smile, merely said.

“I’ll reveal the details soon.”

He kept his words to a minimum. But he did drop just one hint.

“As for the cast, let me just say, something interesting is in store regarding the cast.”

He was referring to the actor for the hidden work 'Pierrot'. It was 100% a comment aimed at Kang Woojin, but there was no way for the hundreds of reporters to know that. Soon after, Directors Ahn Ga-bok and Kwon Ki-taek left the half-mad reporters behind and moved inside the Cinema Center. Around the time they reached the interior, the warm Kwon Ki-taek opened his mouth.

“Sunbae-nim, I was really surprised.”

Ahn Ga-bok, smiling with his wrinkled face, patted him on the shoulder a couple of times.

“Sorry. It was something that was decided recently, and I've been quite overwhelmed myself."

“No, it’s not something to apologize for. Congratulations. Sincerely.”

"It's nothing. Your time will come soon too."

"You'll be living in Hollywood soon. But Director."

“Hmm?”

“That comment you made earlier, about ‘something interesting is in store regarding the cast’. Could it be-”

In Kwon Ki-taek’s mind, the face of a certain indifferent actor floated briefly. However, he quickly shook his head.

"Never mind, I suppose it's better to see it with my own eyes."

Meanwhile, outside the Cinema Center.

The hundreds of reporters who had been in a frenzy over Director Ahn Ga-bok’s news still hadn’t calmed down even after he disappeared.

“My god, 'Columbia Studios'!?!”

“I figured Hollywood would send a offer after he won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, but, I didn’t think he’d just outright take on a project from such a massive studio!”

“This isn’t just about Korea! In ‘Columbia Studios’ history, isn’t this the first time for all of Asia?!”

“But what’s the deal about the cast comment?!”

“Is that really what matters right now?!”

And then.

“This is a huge scoop!!”

The gathered reporters scrambled to pull out their phones in chaos.

“Director Ahn Ga-bok’s entry into Hollywood!!”

They had to get this exclusive news out to the public as quickly as possible.

The next day, early morning, Saturday the 13th.

The weekdays had ended, and the weekend had begun. The location was Kang Woojin’s house in Samseong-dong. It was just past 6:00 AM.

-Sssss.

From the quiet master bedroom bed, Kang Woojin, his hair completely disheveled, groggily sat up. Naturally, his concept face was gone, and as he stretched his body wide.

“Ahhh!! I’m gonna die.”

He shuffled into the living room. He had exactly one hour before he had to leave the house. Yet the fatigue weighed heavily on him. Rubbing his eyes, Woojin walked over to the living room table. There, he saw two stacks of papers with black squares attached. ‘Pierrot’ and ‘Beast and the Beauty’. The one Woojin picked up was ‘Beast and the Beauty’.

Then.

-Puck!

Without much thought, Woojin poked the black square, immediately entering the void space. Part of him wanted to rest, but his curiosity was also piqued. Within the endlessly dark void, Woojin moved toward the floating white rectangle.

He checked ‘Beast and the Beauty’.

-[12/Script (Title: Beast and the Beauty), EX Grade]

Something suddenly occurred to him.

"But- this isn't Disney's first live-action adaptation, right?"

It was true. 'World Disney Pictures' had already produced live-action films of some of its most iconic works. Of course, those movies were also released in Korea and performed successfully. Every time, the main issue that arose was about the actors, those who would embody the fairy-tale characters when the works of childhood were adapted into live action.

Suddenly, a question mark popped into Woojin’s head.

“Hmm- who’s going to play the ‘Beauty’?”

The female protagonist, who was famously depicted as the ultimate beauty in the animated film, what kind of actress would play her? As his curiosity grew, Woojin touched the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ white rectangle. Immediately, the text shifted.

-[You have selected the script 12/Script (Title: Beast and the Beauty).]

-[Listing available roles for reading (experience).]

-[A: Beast, B: Lumière, C: Cogsworth……]

They were all very familiar characters. Soon, Woojin’s finger moved toward the ‘Beast’. He intended to do a reading (experience) right away. Recently, Woojin’s usual practice was to read the script thoroughly before doing a reading (experience). This was to anticipate situations like killing or being killed ahead of time. That was why he was also reading ‘Pierrot’ first.

However, ‘Beast and the Beauty’ was different. He already knew the story.

-Swish.

The role Woojin selected was, of course, the ‘Beast’. Soon, a robotic female voice echoed throughout the void space.

[“Detected abilities beyond the basic specs. Acquiring ‘Beastification’ first.”]

With a furrowed brow, Kang Woojin tilted his head.

“Huh?? Beast what??”

But the robotic female voice gave him no time to react.

[“Preparing ‘Beastification’ reading...”]

[“...Preparation complete. Beginning ‘Beastification’ reading.”]

Immediately, a massive wave of gray engulfed him.

How much time had passed after that?

With the final words from the female voice:

[“Ending the reading (experience) of ‘Beastification.’”]

When Woojin opened his eyes, his vision was no longer of the void space but of his own living room. Without saying anything.

“......”

Kang Woojin began summoning the ‘Beastification’ ability he had just acquired.

"As expected, there's no physical change."

There wasn't much change to his appearance. However, he felt changes in terms of his poker face and core Kang Woojin aspects.

Firm control, restraint, and a raw, untamed beast-like nature.

“...This ‘Beastification’ thing, is it seriously this?”

It could only be seen as an enhancement of his concept face.