Translator: Dreamscribe
Kang Woojin appeared and stood next to Choi Sung-gun. Naturally, director Ahn Ga-bok, producer Nora Foster, and the foreign key staff all fixed their gazes on him. However, Woojin’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke again in a cynical tone. His eyes were locked on Nora.
“It might be considered a spoiler, but it’s not like we’re revealing everything about ‘Joker’. Of course, if directed poorly, it could dampen expectations, but I don’t think that will happen. Given the nature of the stage, I believe anticipation will only amplify.”
“……”
Nora, who had been silently observing Kang Woojin with her intense gaze, finally spoke.
“But Woojin, every action brings consequences. No matter how high or low, there is always a possibility of failure. If that’s the case, there’s no reason to stray from the ordinary. If you do nothing, nothing happens.”
In other words, there was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.
“If Woojin attends the ‘Emmy Awards’ as ‘Joker’, it will definitely create a huge buzz, but beyond that, it’s unpredictable. As a producer, I’m against it.”
Nora strongly expressed her stance. However, Kang Woojin wasn’t backing down either.
‘Damn- she’s coming on strong. Honestly, if she had just said no, I would’ve dropped it. But now that she’s pushing back like this, I feel challenged. And if it turns into a argument, I won’t back down.’
Kang Woojin, rather than answering as an actor, responded from the perspective of an audience member, something he had been for most of his life.
“You’re not wrong. However, ‘Pierrot’ is being kept too secret. While we announced the ‘Cinematic Universe’, but there’s no information. And although ‘Pierrot’ is said to be the prologue, after revealing the title and the cast, nothing else has been shared.”
“……”
“Nora, ‘Beast and the Beauty’ created a bigger buzz than ‘Pierrot’ because the public had information to speculate on.”
Director Ahn Ga-bok nodded slowly, and Woojin continued.
“Simply put, there were many topics for discussion. But ‘Pierrot’ has too few.”
Now that he had opened the floodgates, the words flowed effortlessly from Kang Woojin. Initially, he had just been doing this for fun, yet here he was, impressed with himself mid-conversation. Good job, Kang Woojin.
At this point, director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been listening the whole time, chimed in.
“Hiding everything is an old-school approach. If we leave out the makeup and only reveal the costume and hairstyle, it wouldn’t be a spoiler, just a teaser. That seems reasonable.”
Nora let out a small sigh, her firm stance slightly wavering.
“……This isn’t a light matter. It’s even harder to decide here and now. The production company itself must approve it.”
Director Ahn Ga-bok spoke again.
“I know that, so bring it up with the production company. Whether Columbia Studios rejects or approves it, that will make things clear.”
“…Fine.”
“But the higher-ups at the studio will also see the potential in this promotion.”
“I doubt it. Since they’ve staked everything on the ‘Cinematic Universe’, I don’t think they’ll take such a gamble. Either way, unless Columbia Studios gives the green light, it’s impossible.”
Muttering to herself, Nora pulled out her phone and stepped away momentarily. As she did, director Ahn Ga-bok turned his head towards Kang Woojin.
“You’re planning to reveal Joker’s costume at the ‘Emmy Awards’ while also teasing key elements of ‘Pierrot’, right? The appearance of ‘Henry Gordon’ and ‘Joker’. You want to become a teaser yourself.”
“……”
Kang Woojin remained silent, but inside, he was full of question marks.
‘Key elements? What is this old man talking about?’
At that moment, Nora, who had been on the phone, returned.
“The production company wants to have a meeting tomorrow morning. Director, you should attend as well.”
Soon, she locked eyes with Kang Woojin.
“I don’t know how long this will take, but once we have a conclusion, I’ll get in touch.”
The next day in New York.
Inside a major broadcasting station building, in a fairly large recording set. On the stage, where several foreign staff members and cameras were focused, a single desk and a one-seater sofa were arranged.
Seated on the sofa, dressed sharply in a suit, legs crossed, and wearing an indifferent expression, was Kang Woojin.
The reason he was here was simple.
He had previously appeared on the ‘Jamie Show’, the number one talk show among the top three in the U.S., and today, he was recording another talk show with popularity on par with the ‘Jamie Show’. The name was ‘Tonight Show’. This talk show also boasted a long history and high viewership ratings.
In fact, ‘Tonight Show’ wasn’t the only offer Woojin had received.
Every talk show in America was sending requests. After all, Kang Woojin was the hottest man in Hollywood. However, due to his packed filming schedule, he couldn’t accept every invitation and was only appearing on programs where his availability aligned.
The format of ‘Tonight Show’ was similar to the ‘Jamie Show’, but it had a segment in the middle where they played entertaining games.
Regardless, Kang Woojin had already been recording for over 30 minutes in his suit. The atmosphere was mostly interview-like. His conversation partner was a well-known bespectacled host famous across the U.S.
“Haha, I see. Then, let’s wrap up the talk about ‘Beast and the Beauty’, and move on to discussing the ‘Primetime Emmy Awards’, shall we?”
“Yes.”
“Oh? Are you perhaps getting a little bored? Your expression looks rather serious.”
Honestly, yeah, a little. Kang Woojin nodded inwardly.
‘The ‘Jamie Show’ was like this too, and this one isn’t much fun either. Talk shows really aren’t my thing.’
Outwardly, however, he remained calm and composed. The cold demeanor was just a bonus.
“This is how I usually look.”
“Hmm- if you’re bored, please let me know. We’ll stop right away.”
“Yes. I’m bored.”
Kang Woojin smoothly rose from the sofa. The bespectacled host, momentarily flustered, quickly reached out to grab him.
“W-Wait a minute! Just like that?!”
As the host’s flustered English filled the set, Woojin, with an indifferent expression, sat back down on the sofa.
“I was joking.”
“……How can you joke so seriously?”
“I do that with everything.”
The slightly tense production staff let out relieved sighs, and the bespectacled host chuckled helplessly before continuing.
“You got me there. You do have a surprising side. Well, first of all, congratulations. You’ve been nominated for Best Actor at the ‘Emmy Awards’.”
“Thank you.”
“‘Beneficial Evil’ was nominated in ten categories at the ‘Emmy Awards’, right? That’s incredible.”
“……”
“You also won Best Actor at Cannes. I heard you swept through Korea’s film festivals as well. And now, a nomination for Best Actor at the ‘Emmy Awards’, there’s no way someone could achieve all this in just three years. Your life is literally a movie.”
The host briefly turned to the camera, listing off Beneficial Evil’s insane streak of success and its connection to the ‘Emmy Awards’ before turning his attention back to Kang Woojin.
“You’re aware of the other nominees for Best Actor in the drama category at the ‘Emmy Awards’, correct?”
Of course, Woojin knew. The moment he heard he was nominated, he checked right away.
‘I barely know them beyond their faces, but everyone around me freaked out. The competition is stacked with insane Hollywood actors.’
Recalling that moment, Woojin silently nodded.
“Yes, of course.”
“What do you think of them?”
“I think they are incredible individuals.”
“Right? Whether in film or television, they are globally renowned actors. Each of them has over 10 to 15 years of experience. Among them, you’re the only one with just three years in the industry.”
The bespectacled host seemed fascinated by the fact that Kang Woojin was only in his third year, emphasizing it repeatedly. Then, he shifted the topic to ask something else.
“The awards haven’t even begun yet, but I want to ask you frankly, what do you think will happen with the Best Actor award at the ‘Emmy Awards’? Do you think you can win against the other nominees?”
“……”
It was certainly a sensitive question, but famous American talk shows were known for throwing these kinds of questions around casually. He could brush it off with humor or respond seriously. The concept-heavy Kang Woojin pondered for a moment. Of course, internally.
‘This bespectacled guy, is he looking for a reaction? Hmm- just ignoring it or giving a safe “I don’t know” answer feels too weak.’
By now, Woojin’s Hollywood image was well established, an arrogant, monstrous actor. ‘No backing down’ and ‘my way or the highway’ type of person. In short, his persona was spreading not only in Hollywood but globally.
So, he needed an interesting response.
‘Something that maintains my weight while also showing ambition. Something like, it’s worth trying? Whether it turns out well or not, I’m charging straight ahead? Now, how do I phrase that in a short and stylish way?’
He wanted subtle charisma. If he thought about it longer, he might come up with a better answer, but there wasn’t much time for that. Woojin, after running through his thoughts quickly, settled on a response. A bit of laziness also crept in.
-Swoosh.
Kang Woojin switched the direction of his crossed legs and answered the MC in a low-toned English.
“I have no intention of looking around.”
Okay, this should be good enough, it conveyed ambition and desire while also implying that he was solely focused on himself. Silent and composed, Kang Woojin was satisfied.
‘I answered a bit hastily, but it turned out pretty decent.’
About two hours later.
The recording of ‘Tonight Show’ had ended. After greeting the MC and the foreign production crew, Kang Woojin left the set. The bespectacled MC, meanwhile, stood among the gathered production staff, muttering as he stared at the door Woojin had just exited through.
“I’d heard the rumors, but that actor really carries an impressive blend of arrogance and presence.”
“Right? I was surprised by how effortlessly composed he was. I guess that’s why he’s turning Hollywood upside down right now.”
“Still, isn’t his confidence a bit excessive?”
The MC, arms crossed, recalled one of Woojin’s responses.
“Hmm, saying ‘I have no intention of looking around’-”
And then, he interpreted it in a way completely different from Woojin’s actual intent.
“Doesn’t that basically mean he doesn’t care about the other nominees at all?”
A few days later, on the morning of the 28th, at Kang Woojin’s house in LA.
Kang Woojin groggily woke up in his bedroom on the second floor. With disheveled hair, he let out a big yawn- in his pure self without any concept. He checked the time afterward.
“Today’s ‘Pierrot’ standby is around noon, right? And I’ve got a YouTube shoot in the morning.”
Recalling his schedule for the day, Woojin got out of bed. Without any pretense or persona, he stretched his arms wide in a purely natural state.
“Ahh-!!”
Soon, he went downstairs to the kitchen, leisurely brewed himself a cup of coffee, and walked toward the living room sofa. After drawing the curtains of the large window, Woojin took a sip of coffee from the cup in his hand, and simultaneously felt his appearance unfamiliar.
“This still feels weird, it’s already been three weeks.”
After gazing at the LA skyline for a moment, Kang Woojin sank into the nearby sofa. Then, he pulled out his phone to check a few things before heading out.
-Swoosh.
The first thing he checked was the pile of messages. He went through his DMs, messages, and emails before opening his messaging app. As expected, his inbox was overflowing.
Among them.
“Let’s see-”
The first message he tapped on was from Choi Sung-gun, whom he would be meeting soon. There were three messages in total, and oddly, they included a news article link. Woojin clicked on the article first. The screen displayed a headline from a well-known Hollywood media outlet.
At the same time.
“What the fuck.”
His brows furrowed. The reason was simple.
『LA TIME/ Kang Woojin on ‘Tonight Show’: “Other ‘Emmy Awards’ nominees don’t even matter”』
-[Kang Woojin appeared as a guest on ‘Tonight Show’. The hottest man in Hollywood right now, when asked about the ‘Emmy Awards’, expressed that he had no concern for the other nominees…]
Reading the article carefully, Kang Woojin muttered in genuine disbelief. A mix of frustration was evident.
“Ao- fuck, what kind of bullshit is this?”
At that moment.
-Buzzzzz, Buzzzzz.
His phone vibrated intensely in his hand. It was a call.
The name on the screen read Director Ahn Ga-bok.
It was quite early in the morning, so Woojin tilted his head in curiosity but quickly cleared his throat. Although he was slightly riled up, he had to keep his composure. He brought the phone to his ear and spoke in a deep, low voice.
“Yes, Director-nim.”
From the other end, Ahn Ga-bok responded with a chuckle.
“Saw the article, made another splash, I see.”
“…Not really.”
“Haha, the reporters here must love you. You give them new headlines every other day.”
“……”
Woojin remained silent, both outwardly and internally. Taking advantage of the pause, Director Ahn Ga-bok shifted the topic.
“Just now, Columbia Studios made their decision about your ‘Emmy Awards’ outfit.”
In other words, it was confirmed.
“You’ll be walking the ‘Emmy Awards’ red carpet as ‘Joker’.”
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter