Chapter 375: Overwhelm (4)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Columbia Studios, one of Hollywood's 'Big Five', was like a massive amusement park with dozens of sets built on its grounds. In reality, this grand film company was one of LA's famous tourist attractions. Of course, the same was true for the other 'Big Five' studios, including 'World Disney Pictures'.

That's why Columbia Studios was currently packed with tourists in areas where no filming was taking place.

However, while it resembled an amusement park the size of a city, Columbia Studios definitely had its main buildings where company employees were working hard. Whether planning, producing, or wrapping up filming - they naturally had more than just one or two projects in preparation.

'Pierrot' was among them.

"Thank you for your time."

"Yes, we'll meet again soon."

"We'll be in touch."

In a medium-sized conference room decorated with posters of Columbia Studios' past hits and filled with various foreigners, a meeting had just concluded.

Foreigners wearing business smiles exchanged handshakes before some left the room. Now, only seven people remained. Naturally, these were the core members of 'Pierrot'. A woman with a stern expression - no, the executive producer of 'Pierrot', alongside two executives, including a bald man, a brown-haired CD with short hair, and some team members.

Lastly,

"Director, what did you think?"

"Hmm- that actor was more composed than I expected."

"Right? Though he's known for his energetic image from often playing playful characters, he's not actually that high-energy in person."

It was the veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok, wearing a slightly thick field jacket. He had recently started full participation in Pierrot's production, and the person he just met was one of the candidates for the male lead role. Of course, the actor who had just left was a Hollywood top actor. They had just received a definitive answer regarding the audition and screen test. Soon, the brown-haired CD lowered his tablet and chimed in.

"Considering his experience, there don’t seem to be any major issues, but some weaknesses were still apparent."

The executives agreed.

"True, there was a bit of nervousness that came across during the conversation."

"He’s always been a bit precarious as an actor. A few years ago, he took about a year off because he couldn’t recover from a role’s emotions, right?"

"That’s right. It was a fairly well-known story in this industry. His focus on acting is strong, but he dives so deep into his roles that he struggles to get back out."

"That incident might still be a trauma for him."

For reference, these preliminary meetings with actors, while seemingly casual, carried multiple meanings. It could be considered the final check. While meetings and conversations with actors seemed superficial, they had already undergone various verifications and investigations. These meetings heavily reflected a final evaluation of the actor’s current form, psychology, appearance, and personality. Naturally, this also contributed to the overall score.

"But he did recover, didn’t he?"

"Can we really say he recovered? Ever since that incident, all the roles he’s taken have been comedies."

Thus, the core members of 'Pierrot' thoroughly dissected the actor from earlier. There was no hesitation in their critique. At this moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was rubbing his wrinkled cheek, spoke in a low voice.

"······While he was considered for our project because of his 'comedic' aspects, in 'Pierrot' comedy is just a mask. Ultimately, the clarity of its ‘tragedy’ is the key. Any degree of instability is a flaw."

Once his words were conveyed through the interpreter, most of them nodded. They likely felt an internal Of course. Director Ahn Ga-bok was the executive director of 'Pierrot' and a veteran among veterans. While the production systems in Korea and Hollywood were undoubtedly different, Ahn Ga-bok, amidst adapting to these differences, had the sharpest understanding of the movie 'Pierrot'.

At this point,

-Swoosh.

The female producer sitting next to Director Ahn Ga-bok checked the time.

"It’s about time for the next turn."

The CD and executives touched the tablets in front of them. The displayed actor changed.

"Kang Woojin, he’s the most unusual candidate among the actors."

Kang Woojin, who had the weakest influence in Hollywood among the candidates.

"Have we received confirmation that he’s arrived?"

"I’ll check."

After the CD left the conference room, the bald executive opened his mouth again.

“He’s the most confusing actor. And yet, he seems to fit the role the best.”

“Hmm, his conditions are certainly different from the other actors. The only Korean actor, a short career, and his extraordinary trajectory. His acting style is also unique.”

“There’s a lot to scrutinize because of his unusual conditions, especially the short acting career, it’s been bothering me the whole time.”

“Not to mention that he has no experience in Hollywood.”

With their arms crossed, the executives and the female producer began fervently evaluating Kang Woojin.

“On the flip side, the results Kang Woojin has achieved in such a short period are phenomenal. It’s rare to find actors with such intensity, even in Hollywood.”

“Hm- It’s a filmography I’ve never seen before. His acting in ‘Leech’ was fantastic. But since this is his first experience in Hollywood, he might show some nervousness today.”

“It wouldn’t be strange if he’s nervous.”

“Hollywood would be unfamiliar to him, and there’s also the burden of being the ‘first’ as a Korean actor.”

“But didn’t he seem calm during his acceptance speech at Cannes?”

“He might have been more comfortable then, considering he’d already experienced film award ceremonies in Korea.”

Before even seeing Kang Woojin, a barrage of harsh conversations continued. Meanwhile, though he understood English fairly well but relied on an interpreter for clarity.

“......”

Veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok simply sat there, listening in silence. More accurately, he was suppressing a smile. In this conference room, he was the only one who truly knew Kang Woojin well, and the words like nervous or pressure from their conversation were laughable to him.

‘A guy who used Cannes as a stepping stone wouldn’t be fazed by something like that.’

From what Director Ahn Ga-bok had seen, Kang Woojin was the kind of man who wouldn’t flinch even if he suddenly dropped into outer space. But he didn’t bother to join the conversation.

‘Experiencing it firsthand leaves the strongest impression.’

It was deliberate.

He wanted to present these arrogant, ignorant foreigners, who had yet to meet Kang Woojin, with an utterly astonishing, surreal experience. At this moment, the female producer asked Director Ahn Ga-bok a question.

“Director, what kind of actor do you think Kang Woojin is?”

In truth, the producer and executives had been avoiding Ahn Ga-bok’s opinion on Kang Woojin. After all, being a fellow Korean and having seen Woojin since ‘Leech’, there was a chance his assessment could be biased. In a process where fairness was key, it was unnecessary.

Nevertheless, the producer asked this question to gauge just how highly Director Ahn Ga-bok regarded Kang Woojin.

Director Ahn Ga-bok stroked his chin.

Hmm. How should he describe him?

‘No hesitation’? ‘Never backing down’? ‘An arrogant monster’? Several words crossed his mind, but Director Ahn Ga-bok opted for simplicity.

“A weirdo. Kang Woojin is a weirdo.”

A weirdo? At his response, the female producer and the executives tilted their heads slightly in confusion.

‘A weirdo-’

They came to their own conclusion.

‘So he’s a bit peculiar, huh.’

They were wrong.

At the same time, outside the conference room,

A van driving through the amusement park-like interior roads of the enormous 'Columbia Studios'.

-Screech.

Came to a halt in front of a large building. This building, considered the heart of 'Columbia Studios', was where many significant decisions were made. Even now, it bustled with countless foreigners. From the van, a cynical Kang Woojin stepped out, followed closely by Choi Sung-gun.

Then,

-Swoosh.

Woojin looked up at the towering building in front of him, his expression remaining unchanged. Because that’s exactly how he felt.

‘Huh- The main headquarters building feels pretty plain.’

The beige-toned building was tall, sure, but after seeing so many incredible sights on the way here, the headquarters building itself left him unimpressed. Still, the sight of busy foreigners was interesting to watch.

How should he put it?

‘Wow- Shit, that guy’s mustache is epic!’

It was overflowing with character. In any case, Choi Sung-gun, who was following behind, spoke to Kang Woojin.

“Let’s go. Once we get to the lobby, a staff member will come out soon.”

“Yes, CEO-nim.”

Just as Kang Woojin, who responded in a low voice, and Choi Sung-gun stepped onto the stairs leading to the building entrance.

“Huh?”

Choi Sung-gun paused as he looked upward. At the same time, Kang Woojin also lifted his head. A foreign man who had just exited the building came into view. But his aura was something else.

And then,

'Huh?? What's this, that killer vibe guy- feels like I've seen him somewhere before.'

The face was strangely familiar. Woojin maintained his poker face while his brain worked. Where had he seen him? There was no way he had any foreign friends. And this was 'Columbia Studios', the biggest film studio in Hollywood. So there was only one answer.

‘A Hollywood actor?? That’s it! He’s an actor!’

It felt exactly like that. Woojin didn’t care much about Hollywood, so he couldn’t recall the name, but he knew the man was exceptionally famous both in Korea and here. At this point, Woojin vaguely recalled a scene featuring the Hollywood actor, though he’d forgotten the movie title. He was sure it had been a blockbuster hit.

At the same time,

“Wow- It really is ‘Columbia Studios.’ To see such a Hollywood super top actor so easily?”

Choi Sung-gun muttered in amazement.

In fact, there was no one who wouldn’t recognize the Hollywood actor descending the stairs. Not only here but in all of LA, and across the entire United States. His global recognition level, including Korea, was top-tier. In terms of acting status, comparable to Miley Cara perhaps? That's why many foreigners were clustered around him. They could be his team members or Columbia Studios employees.

Although Woojin was struck with fascination,

-Swiftly.

Moments like this called for him to display a more dignified image.

‘Pretend not to look.’

Switching into his 'tough act', Kang Woojin climbed the stairs again as though he were uninterested. Choi Sung-gun, who had been gawking at the Hollywood actor, snapped out of it and moved his feet. Within a few steps, Kang Woojin and the Hollywood actor were close enough to touch if they reached out their arms, but Woojin didn’t spare him a glance.

At that moment,

"I thought it was you."

The Hollywood actor, brushing past Kang Woojin, stopped in his tracks. Then, suddenly, he spoke to Woojin. Naturally, it was in English.

“I know you, Kang Woojin. The Korean actor. The one who stirred up Cannes. I wasn’t there, but I saw the video. Congratulations on winning Best Actor at Cannes.”

He had just finished his preliminary meeting for 'Pierrot' and was one of the six candidates. Such a person smiled leisurely. Ponytailed Choi Sung-gun flinched in surprise. Poker-faced Kang Woojin was inwardly expressing admiration.

‘Damn, he’s ridiculously handsome.’

The Hollywood actor was taller than Woojin, with naturally swept-back brown hair. His facial features were sharp, but his eyes, in particular, were breathtaking. Should he call them enchanting? His deep brown eyes exuded a striking allure, the kind of face that could never be seen in Korea. He exuded an aura befitting a Hollywood top actor.

Thanks to this, the surrounding attention quickly focused on them.

At the Hollywood actor’s words, the team members and other nearby foreigners murmured as they looked at Kang Woojin.

“Best Actor at Cannes? Then that’s the Kang Woojin?”

“Is he the Korean actor who said in his acceptance speech that he’d aim for the Academy Awards?”

“I think so. I saw him in Miley Cara’s music video.”

“Are you sure? But what’s that actor doing here in LA?”

The situation was starting to unfold in a strange direction, but Kang Woojin, focused on his concept, turned toward the Hollywood actor. Woojin then replied to him in a low voice, speaking in English.

“Thank you for the congratulations.”

“The track you did with Miley was great as well. I saw the video, and you speak English quite well.”

“I can manage basic communication.”

“Haha, is that so?”

At that moment, Choi Sung-gun desperately wanted to take a picture of this scene. Amidst a crowd of foreigners, the sight of a Hollywood top actor and Kang Woojin standing together looked completely natural.

‘A top actor casually greeting our Woojin like it’s no big deal!’

Soon, the Hollywood actor, smiling, extended his hand to Kang Woojin.

“Woojin, you’re quite famous even among actors here. It’s nice to meet you.”

Kang Woojin shook his hand.

“Nice to meet you too.”

“But that acceptance speech about aiming for the Academy Awards was a bit much. A lot of my fellow actors weren’t happy about it. It sounded like you were dismissing the Academy Awards. Confidence is good, but if it’s too much, it can seem excessive.”

The man, speaking casually while still holding Woojin’s hand, stepped a bit closer and whispered.

“I heard you’re a candidate actor for ‘Pierrot’. I am as well. But I have no intention of giving this movie to anyone else.”

“......”

Hearing his whispered words, Woojin tilted his head inwardly. It felt slightly out of the blue. Is my image not great here? For a Hollywood superstar to say something like this openly. What is this? Some kind of psychological tactic? Honestly, the only Hollywood top star Woojin knew was Miley Cara.

Hollywood was vast.

That meant countless top actors existed, each with their own distinct personalities. Not everyone would be as friendly to Woojin as Miley Cara. In fact, at present, most of the Hollywood elites probably harbored unfavorable feelings toward Kang Woojin.

Whether it was a rumor or the truth, his acceptance speech at Cannes had undoubtedly reached their ears.

To these Hollywood top actors, Woojin was probably nothing more than a lucky Asian actor who had somehow managed to win Best Actor at Cannes, a name from a small country.

The Hollywood actor, whose name was globally recognized unlike Woojin, whispered again.

“I don’t know why ‘Columbia Studios’ selected you as a candidate, but Hollywood will be far more difficult than you can imagine.”

After finishing his words, he stepped back a little from Woojin and smiled again, his expression still relaxed. Their hands were still clasped together.

“Well then, see you again. Hopefully, next time, it’ll be on set, Woojin.”

He tried to let go of Woojin’s hand. However,

-Swiftly.

Woojin didn’t let go. He gripped the man’s hand slightly tighter, his face emanating rough indifference. He had triggered his 'Beastification' ability.

With numerous foreigners’ gazes now locked on him, Kang Woojin murmured to the Hollywood actor in a low tone of English.

“By the way, what’s your name?”