In fact, Hollywood veteran director Danny Landis was not very interested in the movie ‘Leech’. In the first place, this Cannes Film Festival was like being pushed out of his mind. It was annoying, but he came with a reasonable mind due to the earnest requests from those around him.
That was his nature.
It was nice to see movies from different countries, but the crowds of hundreds of thousands of people were making him dizzy. He started out as a director because he liked making movies, but his fame had suddenly grown, and meeting so many people who had intentions for him was not good.
But since I’m here, I guess I should do what I want. That was the extent of my thoughts.
The same was true for ‘leeches’.
The only Korean film among the 20 films in the Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Competition’ section. Nothing more, nothing less.
‘This is director Ahn Ga-bok’s work.’
Many people I met here talked a lot about the topic of ‘leeches’. Some said that it was an attempt by Cannes to make up for past mistakes, some said that it was a way to make up for some of the past, some said that it raised the status of Korean films, etc. There was only one Korean film, and it was a bit random.
Director Danny snorted inwardly.
‘I’m sure Cannes took into account external views, but it’s Cannes, so I don’t think they would have foolishly chosen a film based only on that image.’
The reason he wasn’t very interested in ‘Leech’ was not because he ignored Korean works. It was because Director Ahn Ga-bok’s unique style of work didn’t fit him. Director Danny had seen Director Ahn Ga-bok’s films a few years ago, and while they were generally of a high standard, he didn’t like them. Director Danny Landis wasn’t moved.
It was simply the audience’s mind.
No matter how much fame he has in Hollywood, Director Danny has a rule of watching other directors’ works from the perspective of a spectator. Still, he acknowledges that veteran director Ahn Ga-bok is a great director.
‘In any industry, maintaining tension for decades is something that deserves respect.’
Regardless of whether the piece fits the bill or not, a master knows a master.
Director Danny’s feelings were maintained until the morning of the 2nd, right before the first screening of the third ‘Leech’ in the ‘Competition’ section. This was also a feeling of ‘Since we’re here anyway, let’s watch it again.’ The atmosphere of Director Ahn Ga-bok’s film may have changed a bit in the meantime.
The 3,000-seat ‘Lumiere Theatre’ inside the ‘Palais des Festivals’ was packed.
Director Danny, along with other famous directors from Hollywood and other countries, actors, influential film industry insiders, reporters, etc. He could hear the conversations of those gathered.
“Haha, really? Is this why so many people flocked here because it’s the only Korean work?”
“Everyone must be curious. There were even rumors that Khan chose it while keeping an eye on it.”
“Oh, I heard that story too. Now that it’s just the beginning, we’ll see if the rumor is true or not. But Director Ahn Ga-bok is a director who did well at Cannes.”
“I know. That’s why some say it won’t be noticeable anymore.”
Their conversation was more one of curiosity than expectation.
“Can’t you feel the content just by looking at the ‘Leech’ poster?”
“Hmm- It seems to me like a success story of a man who aspires to be rich.”
“Oh! Right, I heard there’s a lot of stuff like that in Korea. Stuff about turning your life around.”
“Hahaha, it’s a little refreshing.”
“But if that’s all, it’s a bit disappointing.”
Sometimes, the male lead would be the subject of the ‘Leech’ poster, taking up 70% of the space.
“Isn’t that actor the guy? He appeared with Miley Cara at the opening red carpet. Was his name Kang Woo-jin?”
“Ah, I see. The other Korean actors on the poster look familiar, but that Kang Woo-jin actor looks unfamiliar. Is he a newcomer?”
“I heard that it hasn’t been that long since you actually debuted.”
“You’re lucky. You got called to Cannes so soon after your debut.”
“The acting might be a little disappointing.”
To be clear, I’m talking about Kang Woo-jin.
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“Isn’t this actor going to come to the morning screening?”
“I was the center of attention when I walked the red carpet with Miley Cara. I wish my acting was above average.”
“I wonder if he came to Cannes with decent skills.”
“That’s true.”
“Anyway, isn’t the main character’s success story a bit boring?”
However, there were also some words comparing it to the Japanese film that was shown yesterday. Director Danny Landis, who had been quietly listening to such conversations, clenched his jaw. There was something strange about the atmosphere in the entire theater, but if the content of ‘Leech’ is a story of success of the main character who really aspired to be rich.
‘Hmm – I don’t think that’ll be very fun.’
Because it wasn’t something that really appealed to me.
The ‘leeches’ begin.
-♬♪
Behind the title, a large screen showed Korean actor Kang Woo-jin. His lines were in Korean, but there were French subtitles right below, and English subtitles even further below that.
The initial atmosphere of the 3,000-person audience was maintained for about 10 minutes.
The main character has no money, and the tycoons who appear in his life. At this, Director Danny, who has half his head bald, and most of the audience made expressions like, ‘As expected.’ His expression was a little twitchy.
‘······sign language?’
Kang Woo-jin. No, it was from the scene where ‘Park Ha-seong’ from ‘Leech’ was doing flashy sign language.
‘Huh- You can tell just by looking at it that it doesn’t look like practice.’
Usually, when filming a movie, actors practice various skills and abilities according to the character’s setting. However, no matter how many times you repeat it, it is quite difficult to make it look ‘real’. However, Kang Woo-jin’s sign language on the screen did not smell like practice at all.
rather.
‘It’s not that obvious, but that actress has been practicing.’
Oh Hee-ryeong, who has a lot of experience, seemed to have practiced. Of course, it was a very subtle difference, but it was noticeable to the eyes of the master director, Danny. He has worked with tens of thousands of actors. However, Kang Woo-jin’s sign language showed no imitation at all.
If so, there was only one answer.
‘Did you cast an actor who you knew could do it originally?’
Finding a person who is fluent in sign language in advance and having them act as an actor. Director Danny nodded slowly. However, as ‘Leech’ progressed.
‘······hmm?’
As Kang Woo-jin’s acting continued, director Danny Landis’s attitude changed. He relaxed his chin and his eyes widened. He pushed up his round glasses several times.
‘what?’
Because ‘Leech’ and Kang Woo-jin’s acting gradually began to overwhelm all 3,000 audience members. ‘Leech’ was not just a story of success for a protagonist. At first glance, it smelled like that, but as time went by and the content became more intense, it flowed in a completely different direction.
The internationally renowned audience of 3,000 people, including director Danny Landis, began to murmur.
‘You suddenly brought the main character into the house?’
Of course, inwardly.
‘The husband is controlling his wife.’
‘Are you trying to enslave your mute wife through that protagonist?’
‘They’re trying to kill me.’
‘Kill your wife? What on earth could be the reason?’
Everyone started to sink into the ‘leech’ as if they were getting wet.
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‘A success story? No······This is the first time I’ve seen this kind of story??’
Because it was a story that was far beyond what was originally expected, and something I had never seen before. And of course, what supported it strongly was the acting of the actors. Among them, the one that really shined was.
‘That main character is leading the movie itself, whether it’s in acting or atmosphere. The aura is a bit – different.’
‘Park Ha-seong’. In other words, it was Kang Woo-jin.
At this point, only the eyes of Hollywood master director Danny.
”Ripley Syndrome’? Are we seeing that now?”
All I could see was Kang Woo-jin. I didn’t have time to care about anything else. Woo-jin’s acting caught his eyes and ears and wouldn’t let go. Especially, in the life of ‘Park Ha-seong’, after he entered the fictitious conglomerate family, Kang Woo-jin’s acting was jaw-dropping. It wasn’t particularly visible in the directing in the work. No characters in the work were spitting it out.
But it was clearly visible.
The word that crossed the minds of director Danny Landis and the 3,000 people gathered in this theater: ‘Ripley Syndrome.’
‘That subtle handling of gazes, the expression of emotions, and the texture of actions. Acting? Can you call that acting?’
The Korean actor’s performance on the giant screen was kind and violent. His eyes gradually became clouded with desire, but his movements and the intensity of his lines were extremely calm.
It can’t be helped.
‘You believe that everything you see or feel in the present is actually your world.’
Because I couldn’t find even a speck of ‘imitation’. Kang Woo-jin in ‘Leech’ was very minutely losing his appearance from the beginning as the movie progressed from the middle to the end. It was so minute that the audience didn’t notice it unless they came to their senses.
It wasn’t about sophistication or anything like that.
‘That actor – is he really an actor?’
On the screen, Kang Woo-jin gave director Danny and the 3,000 audience members a ‘misunderstanding’. While the star actors who came to this Cannes Film Festival were overflowing with information, Kang Woo-jin, who was only in his second year, was actually almost unknown. That added to the power of the misunderstanding. In the first place, who would believe Woo-jin’s unconventional filmography right away?
slowly.
‘Sir, really? Director Ahn Ga-bok······had someone with real Ripley Syndrome act in the film??’
The brain of Hollywood’s biggest director, Danny, started to get seriously tangled. Was that all? The 3,000 audience members from around the world who flocked to the first screening of ‘Leech’ were no different.
‘Is it acting? Or is it real? I’m confused.’
‘Why do I get goosebumps? That actor looks so different now than he did in the beginning. He’s like a cold-blooded crazy man.’
‘Did you really bring in someone with Ripley Syndrome??! Otherwise, how could such vivid acting be possible!’
‘But······If they really brought in someone with Ripley Syndrome to act as an actor. Director Ahn Ga-bok must be crazy.’
By now, everyone had realized the real meaning behind the poster for ‘The Leech’. Ah, this wasn’t a story of a man’s success, but an image of ‘Ripley Syndrome’. Clearly, ‘The Leech’ hit the back of the head of many celebrities who attended the Cannes Film Festival with its first screening.
After the movie ended, no one moved for over five minutes.
But this is just the beginning.
Many people related to Kang Woo-jin, including the 10 official judges, are scheduled to attend the second screening in the afternoon. The afternoon screening was also sold out to 3,000 people.
That means there’s still one more step left.
Same time.
At 11 AM, when the first screening of ‘Leech’, which started at 9 AM, ended. At a time when ‘Park Ha-seong’ and ‘Ripley Syndrome’ were strongly engraved in many people’s minds, Kang Woo-jin of ‘Leech’ was sprawled out on the bed of a 5-star hotel room. He was breathing faintly as if he was dead on the wide white bed.
“······”
At first glance, I thought he was dead, but he was sleeping soundly. It was because he had been working hard since the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, which was yesterday, the 1st. He had somehow managed to present a solid appearance with his concept, but he was exhausted because of the tension that exploded in an unfamiliar environment. At least he was able to endure the previous two days because he had a subspace.
“Uhm-”
Kang Woojin opened his eyes slowly. But he didn’t get up right away. He just yawned with his hair disheveled. He roughly swept both hands and picked up his cell phone. He checked the time.
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“Wow, 11 o’clock? I slept in for the first time in a while.”
In fact, the ten days of the Cannes Film Festival were like a vacation for Kang Woo-jin. Of course, there were many schedules during the festival, including the opening ceremony, but compared to his schedule in Korea, it was relatively easy up until the closing ceremony and awards ceremony. This was especially true today, the day of the screening of “Leech.”
“Let’s see, the second screening of ‘Leech’ is at 7 o’clock. Can I get ready around 4 o’clock?”
Woojin’s team, including Choi Sunggeon, is also moving autonomously. They were originally busy sightseeing. Anyway, Kang Woojin, who got up, picked up the water bottle on the table. At the same time, Woojin lifted the cell phone he was holding in his hand.
“How are the conditions~”
There was a lot to check. The situation in Korea, including Kang Woo-jin’s march that even turned the Cannes Film Festival upside down with the opening ceremony red carpet, the situation in Japan, where two works were entered into the ‘competition’ section of the Cannes Film Festival and the recent premiere of ‘Strangers’, the reaction to the teaser for Miley Cara’s new album, Woo-jin’s SNS, the status of ‘Kang Woo-jin’s sub-character’, etc.
Of course, I also had to check the accumulated contacts other than chats or DM messages.
At this time.
-Whoooosh, woooosh.
The cell phone on the bed vibrated for a long time. It was a call. Woojin, who hesitated, checked the caller. It was PD Song Manwoo. The ‘Beneficial Evil’ team must have returned to Korea by now. Woojin, who tilted his head slightly, cleared his throat. Loud. He put the cell phone to his ear, prepared with his usual low tone.
“Yes, PD.”
PD Song Man-woo’s surroundings beyond the cell phone were a bit hectic. It was probably the set of ‘Beneficial Evil’. Even if Kang Woo-jin was gone, filming would have to go on.
“Woojin, I’m sorry you must be busy with the Cannes Film Festival. Are you out of your mind?”
“No, it’s okay.”
“Haha. I’m reading the news through articles. Have you seen the uproar in Korea right now over the news about Woojin’s red carpet opening ceremony? I heard it’s the same in Japan.”
PD Song Man-woo, who was delivering greetings, changed the subject.
“Oh, I’ll get straight to the point since you’re probably busy. Speaking of our ‘beneficial evil,’ we have some urgent matters to decide. But they’re not small matters.”
Woojin listened to the explanation calmly for a while, then muttered to himself.
‘So what? Does that mean the launch will be a lot quicker?’
He answered lowly.
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
A few minutes later, Woojin suddenly entered the subspace. What he saw was, of course, the ‘beneficial evil’ among the white squares.
-[9/Script (Title: Beneficial Evil), EX-Class]
Kang Woo-jin smiled.
“Well, fortunately, there aren’t any major changes.”
About an hour later.
Around 1:00 PM. A 5-star hotel about 10 minutes away from the main venue of the Cannes Film Festival, the Palais des Festivals. Of course, it was a different place from where Kang Woo-jin was staying, and the large restaurant inside the hotel was crowded with customers, perhaps because it was lunchtime. Naturally, most of them were people attending the Cannes Film Festival.
Among them.
“Did the director really ask you to have lunch together?”
“Yes, I was surprised when I got the call.”
At a table for four near the entrance, two familiar faces appeared. They were the giant Joseph Felton and his caddie Megan Stone. They were sitting side by side, not across from each other, and from the feel of their conversation, it seemed as if they were waiting for someone.
at that time.
-Ugh.
An old foreign man enters the restaurant. He is the Hollywood director Danny Landis, with round glasses perched on his nose. He has half his head bald and as soon as he enters the restaurant, he immediately spots Joseph and Megan.
“······”
He moved without saying a word. Joseph and Megan, who noticed that he was approaching, turned their gazes. After shaking their hands, Director Danny took his seat and asked as soon as he did. His expression was serious.
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“I saw ‘Leech’ this morning. Kang Woo-jin, does he have Ripley Syndrome? Did Director Ahn Ga-bok cast him for the project?”
Joseph was a little surprised by the straight question. So was Megan. By the way, Joseph had not yet seen ‘Leech’. He was scheduled to watch it a few hours later at 7 o’clock. However, Joseph, who had seen Kang Woo-jin in person at the filming site of ‘Leech’ in the past and recalled the ‘Ripley Syndrome’ that he had seen, answered with a relaxed smile.
“That’s not possible. Kang Woo-jin is an actor. Everything you saw was just his acting.”
Director Danny paused for a moment and wiped his cool forehead.
“······Acting. Are you sure?”
“I can bet my all.”
“Huh- That’s a character that was really realized through acting. My goodness, he doesn’t look that old, but he has that much energy. That’s amazing. Did he start out as a child actor?”
Joseph met Megan’s eyes for a moment and chuckled.
“No, this year marks Kang Woojin’s second anniversary since his debut.”
At that moment, Hollywood mogul Danny Landis frowned and asked back.
“···It’s been two years since your debut?? Are you trying to joke around with me right now?”
end
