PAID

Episode 471: Announcement (Part 1)

Romain Ducre, a renowned French actor, was widely considered a national treasure and a top-tier performer. He was a frequent guest at the Cannes Film Festival, often nominated for Best Actor, and his face had also graced the Academy Awards stage more than once. With a chiseled face and a naturally intense expression, Ducre primarily worked in France but occasionally made waves in Hollywood as well.

About two years ago, Romain Ducre had ascended to the position of an Academy Awards voting member, a privilege that brought great honor. Every year, the Academy selects members from directors, actors, producers, and key staff. Being chosen was a tremendous honor, as it gave one the opportunity to handpick the best of the year’s films. Naturally, as a top French actor, Ducre had been ecstatic when he was chosen.

Today, Romain Ducre, as a member of the Academy, was alone in a studio watching films for consideration. One particular film was playing on the monitor.

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The screen was filled with the laughter of the “Joker.” Romain was watching The Clown: The Birth of a Villain. He had been watching for about an hour, legs crossed, and his expression betrayed his shock.

“...That actor, Kang Woojin—”

While the quality of The Clown was impressive, what astonished him more was—

“He's grown even more... He’s become a monster.”

It was Kang Woojin, the lead actor of The Clown, who had left Ducre in awe. Although Woojin was already a global sensation, Ducre first encountered him at the Cannes Film Festival. Woojin had performed a miracle by winning Best Actor for his role in Leech, and the experience had left Ducre in a state of fresh shock.

That moment made Kang Woojin familiar to Ducre. He followed Woojin's career closely, reading every article about his Hollywood endeavors. So when the list of films for the Academy Awards arrived, Ducre had no hesitation in playing The Clown first.

Within ten minutes, his jaw had dropped, and within an hour, he was filled with awe.

“Leech was already outrageous enough. But to think he could grow even more?”

Kang Woojin’s portrayal of the Joker was beyond monstrous. Compared to his performance in Leech, his acting had grown even deeper and more refined. The irony was that Woojin’s performance at Cannes was already seen as monstrous. Yet, this time, the monster had become even more powerful. As The Clown progressed, Ducre found himself fully immersed in both the film’s narrative and Woojin’s performance.

Ssss…

Smack!

Thud.

Bang! Bang!

BOOM!!