NOVGO.NET Chapter 390: Overwhelm (19)
Translator: Dreamscribe
PD Song Man-woo’s face looked haggard. It wouldn’t have been strange if he passed out on the spot. However, the voice he murmured into his phone carried resolve.
“The editing is complete.”
At the same time, the editors surrounding PD Song Man-woo clenched their fists in silence. Some let out relieved sighs and rubbed their heads. It was the moment the long agony finally came to an end.
Meanwhile, PD Song Man-woo’s serious expression remained unchanged as Executive Director Kim So-hyang’s voice came through his phone. Her tone was slightly surprised.
“…What? Really? Already?”
It was a question about whether the editing of ‘Beneficial Evil’ was finished this quickly. PD Song Man-woo answered while rubbing his face with one hand.
“Yes, we just finished.”
“That’s- much faster than expected?”
“Right.”
“From what you said earlier, there should still be about a week left.”
In fact, in early January, PD Song Man-woo had told Kim So-hyang that they needed 2 weeks for remaining edits and 1 week for finishing touches. That was the day they previewed ‘Beneficial Evil’. By that calculation, the work wasn’t supposed to be completed until late January, but in terms of dates, PD Song Man-woo had managed to save almost a week.
When asked if there was a reason, he rose slowly from his chair and replied.
“Wrapping up the editing so close to the February 3rd launch felt a bit tight, and more than anything, Woojin-ssi’s current uproar is a big factor.”
“Ah-”
Even though he had been holed up in the editing room, PD Song Man-woo had kept tabs on the various issues involving Kang Woojin, Miley Cara, and others. From the overlapping releases of ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ and ‘Leech’ to ‘Pierrot’ and ‘Beast and the Beauty’. When he heard the recent news that Woojin had been confirmed as a candidate for the role of the ‘Beast’, PD Song Man-woo’s jaw had dropped.
But only for a moment.
“Missing out on this golden opportunity would be stup… ah, sorry. We need to leverage this nuclear-level momentum to our advantage as much as possible. So I poured in several times more, whether it was time or life force.”
“Are- are you okay?”
“Well, somehow. Anyway, Woojin-ssi’s current issues will shake not just Korea and Japan but the whole world, and if we mix in the promotion and marketing of ‘Beneficial Evil’ during that…”
“It naturally becomes global publicity.”
“Right, and we can’t waste even a single day of that.”
‘Beneficial Evil’ already had decent overseas recognition due to Kang Woojin’s Cannes success and Miley Cara’s involvement. It had been mentioned quite a bit. However, the current momentum was on a different level. Kang Woojin’s name as a candidate for the ‘Beast’ role was being consumed globally. Whether exploding with anticipation or receiving criticism, either way, the global audience’s curiosity about Kang Woojin was exploding.
On top of that, several issues had combined.
His bold statement at the Cannes acceptance speech about aiming for the Academy Awards, confirmation as a candidate actor for both ‘Pierrot’ and ‘Beast and the Beauty’. The explosion happened with the ‘Beast’ role, but if ‘Beneficial Evil’ surfaces amidst all this…
‘Probably. No, 100% everyone will be interested in ‘Beneficial Evil’.’
Kang Woojin? Who is this actor anyway? What’s he doing to shake up Hollywood? When people start asking these questions, ‘Beneficial Evil’ would undoubtedly be in the spotlight. Plus, this Korean work also featured Miley Cara, a candidate for ‘Belle’, doubling the effect. The difference between running this tremendous promotional effect for 3 days versus 5 days was like heaven and earth.
PD Song Man-woo, fully aware of this, had already been pushing himself to his limits, but he poured even more time and energy into the project.
And he barely managed to complete it at the desired timing.
Then, Executive Director Kim So-hyang cautiously asked over the phone.
“How’s… the quality?”
It was a cautious question. Though she knew the veteran PD Song Man-woo well, humans sometimes overlooked their own mistakes under pressure. However, PD Song Man-woo answered without hesitation.
“I stake my name on the quality. Don’t worry and proceed with everything as planned starting today.”
“Alright, I’ll do that, PD-nim.”
“I’ll also send over the teasers, trailers, and other videos within today.”
While the conversation continued for a short while, PD Song Man-woo, now slumped back in his chair, changed the topic.
“To boost everyone’s confidence, we should schedule a pre-launch test screening day, not just a teaser like last time. Just watching up to episode 1 or 2 should be enough.”
It was a suggestion similar to a test screening for movies. From the other side of the phone, Kim So-hyang seemed to agree.
“Would you like to do that? Then let’s keep it limited to Netflix, Writer Choi, and just the actors.”
“For those who can’t make it due to scheduling conflicts, we’ll have to skip them. But personally, I’d like Woojin-ssi to attend.”
“Ah- Woojin-ssi. Hmm, he’s incredibly busy right now.”
“I’ll reach out to him. From what I know, Woojin-ssi departs for LA on the 20th. So, if possible, the test will need to happen tomorrow, the 19th. Of course, I’ll also ask for the opinions of the other actors.”
“That soon? Is that feasible?”
At her question, PD Song Man-woo chuckled lightly.
“If a world star is coming, we’d have to make it happen even if it’s an hour later.”
A few dozen minutes later.
It was around 3 PM. At an advertising shoot location in Seoul, the shoot had already entered its latter half, and Kang Woojin could be seen on one side of the set.
“……”
He sat in an actor’s chair, legs crossed, looking down at his phone. It was a short break. Of course, the concept was thick. Judging by the luxurious leather jacket he was wearing, it seemed to be a shoot for a high-end brand advertisement. At the moment, Woojin was checking various updates with a serious expression. Domestic, Japanese, and international news outlets, to be specific.
‘Damn noisy. I thought things would calm down after a few days, but it’s the complete opposite, huh?’
As Woojin muttered to himself, someone approached him. It was Choi Sung-gun in a thick padded jacket.
“Woojin.”
Hearing his voice, Kang Woojin lowered his voice in response.
“Yes, CEO-nim.”
“The outfits they asked us to prepare for the ‘Pierrot’ audition and screen test, are these okay?”
Choi Sung-gun handed over a tablet he had brought. Maintaining his poker face, Woojin scanned the contents. The outfits he had requested a few days earlier were displayed on the screen. Shortly after, Kang Woojin thought to himself,
‘Hmm- this seems good enough.’
Then he solemnly nodded.
“Yes, this is sufficient.”
“Anything else you need? What about makeup?”
“I don’t plan on doing any makeup.”
“Just the outfit? You’re not going to do face makeup like ‘Pierrot’ either?”
“No, I’m going as myself this time.”
They seemed to be discussing the audition and screen test for ‘Pierrot’. While it would have been ideal to prepare both costumes and makeup, Kang Woojin declined the makeup. Of course, he had already made up his mind.
‘It’s better to go as myself rather than as the character ‘Pierrot’.’
He had already drawn up a plan for the audition and screen test to some extent. Soon, Choi Sung-gun retrieved the tablet with an understanding look.
“Alright, got it. The outfit will be ready by tomorrow. The team is sourcing them now, so they’ll bring back something nearly identical.”
“Yes, CEO-nim.”
Hearing Woojin’s response, Choi Sung-gun swallowed nervously.
“Whew, now there’s really less than a week left? I’m terribly nervous, but of course that’s just me, right? Looking at you, you’re completely fine. When the person in question is so calm, it makes me and the team feel even more like we’re dying over here.”
“Is that so?”
No, Kang Woojin wasn’t perfectly fine either.
‘Honestly, how could I be fine?? Just thinking about the audition makes my nerves skyrocket.’
He was nervous. Definitely nervous, but this wasn’t coming from fear. Excitement? Something similar to that.
At that moment.
-Bzzzz, bzzz.
The phone in Woojin’s hand vibrated intensely. It was a call, and the caller was PD Song Man-woo. Woojin raised the phone to his ear and spoke in a low tone.
“Yes, PD-nim. Hello.”
As he listened to PD Song Man-woo over the phone, Woojin turned to Choi Sung-gun and asked,
“Can we free up about two hours in the schedule for tomorrow?”
“Why?”
“There’s a test screening for the completed version of ‘Beneficial Evil’. He said there’s no need to force it if it’s difficult.”
Choi Sung-gun’s eyes widened. His expression seemed to convey a sense of surprise, like, “Already?” He quickly pulled out his phone, checked something, and then responded.
“Two hours is tough. At most, one hour.”
The next morning, on the 19th, at DM Production.
Around 10 AM. The large editing room where ‘Beneficial Evil’ had been completed was bustling. Fortunately, there was no musty smell. At the front, in front of the monitors, sat PD Song Man-woo and a few key staff members of ‘Beneficial Evil’. At the back, Executive Director Kim So-hyang and Netflix Korea executives had gathered.
“Huff- hooo- f-finally.”
“Writer-nim, are you alright?”
“What?? No??”
Even Writer Choi Na-na, wearing round glasses, was there. She had been busy taking deep breaths since earlier. Of course, the cast of ‘Beneficial Evil’ was also present. From lead and supporting actors to minor ones. Among the leads, Hwalin was absent due to scheduling conflicts, but Ha Gang-su was present.
The atmosphere itself was lively and filled with anticipation.
At that moment.
-Swoosh.
A black-haired actor entered the already noisy editing room. As soon as he appeared, everyone greeted him.
“Oh! Woojin-ssi!”
“Woojin-ssi is here!”
“Wow- somehow even though we saw him constantly during filming, it feels different now! Really feels like seeing a star!”
“Hahaha, Woojin-ssi, welcome.”
It was Kang Woojin, wearing a gray long padded coat with a cap pulled down low. Woojin exchanged appropriate greetings with everyone and then gave a slight bow to PD Song Man-woo, who was seated in front of the editing equipment.
“You worked hard, PD-nim.”
PD Song Man-woo smirked slightly.
“This much is nothing. On the contrary, Woojin-ssi, you’ve worked harder. Thanks for making time despite being so insanely busy.”
“I was curious about it too.”
For more than 10 minutes, brief updates and small talk continued before PD Song Man-woo made the announcement.
“Let’s start now. Everyone take a seat, let’s do the test screening.”
Kang Woojin and everyone else either sat on the prepared folding chairs or stood at the back. After PD Song Man-woo’s brief adjustments, the largest monitor at the front began to play the video. It was the first episode of Part 1 of ‘Beneficial Evil’. It started without an opening or OST, diving straight into the scene.
It began in a dark forest.
And Kang Woojin – no, ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ – appeared in military uniform with a gun. The camera angle slowly shifted from his back to his side. A female voice came through the radio in his ear. It was in English, and it was Miley Cara.
At this moment, the editing room fell into.
“……”
“……”
Utter silence. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone stared at the monitor in a daze, as if mesmerized. Even Kang Woojin, with his usual poker face, was the same. Judging by his stern expression, he looked very serious. However, on the inside, Kang Woojin was in complete chaos.
‘Wow- shit! Goosebumps! What is this quality??! This is insane!!’
From the visuals to the directing in the opening scene, it was extraordinary. How to put it, it felt no different from a Hollywood movie, especially since the first dialogue was in English. But that was just the beginning.
‘Holy crap! The action is nuts!!’
From the gunfight onwards, it was impossible to take your eyes off the screen for even a second.
Later.
Kang Woojin could only watch the first episode of ‘Beneficial Evil’ before he had to leave. Although he desperately wanted to watch the rest, there was no helping it.
‘Ahhh- I really wanted to see that long take in episode 2.’
The first episode featured a narrative structure that alternated between Jang Yeon-woo’s past and present. While the current events unfolded, hints of his past were subtly planted. Even though Woojin already knew the story, the completed version of ‘Beneficial Evil’ far exceeded his expectations.
Whatever the case, the conclusion was clear.
‘Freaking awesome.’
Even to Kang Woojin, who acted in it, it was incredibly entertaining. If someone watched the first episode, they would undoubtedly find it impossible to stop until they had finished all six episodes of Part 1. With that thought, Woojin got back into the van. At the same time, the stylist team handed him something they had prepared.
It was the outfit he had requested for the ‘Pierrot’ audition.
The moment he saw the outfit, Kang Woojin’s heartbeat quickened.
‘Whew-‘
But he quickly calmed down. The day passed in the blink of an eye. Before he knew it, Thursday, the 20th, had dawned, and Kang Woojin was at Incheon Airport.
“Woojin-ssi!! Kang Woojin-ssi!!!”
“Please share your thoughts on this moment!!”
“Are you confident about the audition??!!!”
“What kind of acting have you prepared!!”
“Here!! Over here!! Woojin-ssi!! Please say anything you’d like to the fans!!”
“Have you been in contact with Director Ahn Ga-bok?!”
“Do you think you can beat the Hollywood actors confirmed as your fellow candidates?!!”
Hundreds of reporters and even more fans had already flocked to Incheon Airport. Everyone was in a frenzy, but Woojin, calmly passing through the departure hall, simply waved to them.
Then.
-Swoosh.
Kang Woojin disappeared behind the departure gates. The next place he was seen was inside a private jet. Choi Sung-gun and the team members were bustling around, and Woojin’s phone had been ringing nonstop since earlier. Most of the calls were probably messages of support. However, Kang Woojin, sticking to his persona, nonchalantly switched his phone to airplane mode and,
-Flip.
He opened the ‘Pierrot’ script. Then, raising his index finger, he thought to himself.
‘First, let’s get some reading (experience) done.’
It was to visit the void space in advance. Of course, he planned to go several times before the audition.
Eventually.
‘Ugh-damn jet lag.’
Hours later, Kang Woojin arrived at LA International Airport. Though he had departed in the morning, LA’s time zone made it an even earlier morning. Despite this, before passing through the densely crowded immigration hall, Woojin’s appearance was.
“Woojin, put on your mask.”
“Yes.”
Completely concealed. His current position was entirely different from what it used to be. Then about 40 minutes later, after leaving the airport without much trouble, Kang Woojin’s team boarded the prepared vans in front of the airport.
Woojin got into the first van.
Staring out the window, Kang Woojin thought.
‘Well, this place is the same.’
LA was still as vast as ever. On the other hand, Woojin felt a subtle shift in his heart. He was familiar with LA now. As the van started to move, their first destination was Kang Woojin’s residence in LA.
At that moment.
“Oppa.”
Han Ye-jung, Woojin’s head stylist, who had recently dyed her hair into a short blue bob, muttered while looking at her phone.
“Beneficial Evil’s first official teaser just dropped.”
On her phone screen, a video uploaded about ten minutes ago was playing.
– 【Worldwide release on February 3rd!】 ‘Beneficial Evil’ Official 1st Teaser Trailer ｜Netflix Korea
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