When people suddenly witness something unexpected, they sometimes freeze. They are speechless, or they are so shocked that their thoughts stop, etc. Either way, the 3,000-seat, giant Lumiere Theater at the Palais des Festivals was just like that.
“······”
“······”
“······”
The only Korean film invited to the Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Competition Section’. That is, the afternoon screening of ‘Leech’. The 3,000 seats were full. However, the audience, which was crowded with world-renowned celebrities, was as quiet as a mouse. Regardless of nationality, everyone. There was not even a cough in the magnificent theater.
What happened next after Kang Woo-jin’s low-toned greeting.
“Bonsoir, Je suis très content d’être à Cannes.”
French immediately spread throughout the theater. It was even very fluent. The first to react was the interpreter next to Woojin. He quickly looked at Kang Woojin with wide eyes.
‘······What, what! Why is this person so good at French??! It’s not like he practiced???’
On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin’s greeting, full of cynicism, continued. Naturally, it was continuous French.
“I am honored to be able to show you ‘Leech’ and introduce my acting skills.”
The 3,000 audience members’ wide eyes were still filled with shock. There was a certain amount of confusion mixed in. It was understandable. No one would have expected that a Korean actor, especially one they were seeing for the first time, would suddenly greet them in French.
In the meantime.
“her-”
“······?”
“What, what is it?”
“and-”
Director Ahn Ga-bok, who has short white hair and is full of experience.
‘French? Do you speak French? English, Japanese, and sign language are not the end? Have you been here before too?’
Great actors Han Ha-jin and Oh Hee-ryung.
‘This guy- is he endless? With all those abilities, how can he even speak French? Unless he was trained to be an actor from the beginning, this is impossible.’
‘···Oh my, practice?? No, even I, who doesn’t know French at all, think this is above average? What the heck is this guy?’
Even Jin Jae-jun and Han So-jin with their mouths wide open.
‘Wow, you’re crazy. You can even speak French?? The study abroad group······was there one in France too??!’
The ‘leech’ team all stared blankly at Kang Woo-jin, who was standing there. His face was half-empty. Naturally, the illusion also grew in size on its own. However, Woo-jin, oblivious to the shock around him, did not stop blowing.
“I’m nervous about watching ‘Leech’ with many people, but I acted diligently without any shortcomings.”
From around here.
“What’s with that Korean actor? His French is so fluent.”
The 3,000-strong audience began to stir, especially the French, who made up more than half of the crowd.
“······That’s amazing. Did you practice it? It’s so natural after all that.”
“I don’t think I practiced… I would believe it if you said I was just living in France. We would know when we hear it.”
“Didn’t that actor speak fluent English on the red carpet??”
“Not only is your pronunciation good, but it’s just like a local person’s. It seems like you lived in France in the past.”
“I might have studied acting in France.”
“Ah- that could be a possibility.”
Advertisements
Cannes officials, actors, directors, reporters, etc. It’s strange that Korean actors living so far away are speaking their native language so casually.
“In the history of Cannes, this is the first time that a Korean actor, or rather an Asian actor, has spoken French at such a local level.”
“I think I’ve done some light practice before, but this is the first time I’ve seen something like that. It was an amazing sight.”
“Wow, it looks like you have ties to France.”
“Judging by his French skills, he must have been here for at least a few years, maybe more.”
“I might be mixed-race.”
“hmm.”
The buzz is growing louder. The Cannes Film Festival may seem like a festival for people from all over the world, but if you look inside, you’ll find that there are a lot of French people there. That’s why they’re even more excited.
Kang Woo-jin concluded his greeting in French.
“As the director said, the actors and staff were all devoted to this work and completed it. I hope you enjoy it.”
He, in an all-black suit, calmly handed over the microphone. Jin Jae-jun, who was staring blankly at Woo-jin, absentmindedly took the hand microphone. However, the eyes of the ‘Leech’ team and the 3,000 audience members were still on him.
“······”
The poker face was completely fixed on Kang Woo-jin. Miley Cara, her blue eyes sparkling, shouted. Of course, inwardly.
‘What on earth is that guy’s identity!!’
This was especially true because she had witnessed quite a bit about Woojin.
‘English is okay, but you’re not good at Japanese either?? On top of that, you have great vocals and piano! And ‘CQC’! And your acting is ridiculous???’
On the way, she recalled the dishes that Kang Woo-jin had prepared for her. When she thought about it, his cooking skills were at the level of a chef. Kara, who is a world-class star, also has acting and musical skills, but the physical strength of the cold Korean actor in front of her was too far away.
‘Monster, alien. Aren’t those words not enough? And why are you so indifferent after turning the theater upside down like this?’
The expressions of the 10 official jurors of the Cannes Film Festival are also varied. The common theme is surprise. Joseph and Megan had their eyebrows furrowed, as if they were wondering if what they were seeing was real.
“It’s not that it’s weird to speak French… No, that’s weird. It’s just too weird.”
“The reality is that it’s hard to learn even one language. Kang Woo-jin speaks several languages without any problems – that guy might actually be living his second life.”
“Even the second time is strange.”
The stunt team and the executives of Universal Movies were also flustered. One actor had so much on his plate. On the other hand, Hollywood big shot director Danny Landis, who Kang Woo-jin was not familiar with, was quite calm. Of course, he was surprised, but he lacked information compared to the others.
‘Local-level French language skills.’
Director Danny, with his arms crossed, stared at Woojin on stage, recalling one of Joseph’s explanations he had met earlier today: that Woojin Kang’s past was unclear.
‘I heard that your English is also excellent. And seeing that you are fluent in French, it seems like you honed your acting skills in Hollywood and here, not in Korea.’
Errors hit the board.
‘By the way, that actor – he’s quite laid-back. Is he just full of guts or just overflowing with composure? No matter how I look at it, he’s not an actor who debuted for two years.’
Here, director Danny focused on something other than Woojin’s French speaking: the veteran-like energy and composure he exuded.
‘A very rare dignity or composure. You can’t just imitate that. It comes naturally. How on earth did he manage to capture that in two years?’
Kang Woo-jin’s current force is something that can only be achieved after working as an actor for over ten years. The reality is that it can’t be learned in just two years. There’s no way that Director Danny, a Hollywood big shot, wouldn’t know this.
Whatever it is.
“······Hello, I am actor Jin Jae-jun.”
Jin Jae-jun continued his greetings in a situation where the atmosphere was almost heated. Of course, even at this point, Kang Woo-jin’s poker face was still intact. However, Woo-jin was secretly shaking with excitement.
‘Wow – I’m so nervous! I almost squealed from shaking! Man, everyone’s staring at me so intently, I feel pressured. But when else would I ever get to use French like this?’
Advertisements
The first official concept screening of the Cannes Film Festival was a huge success.
‘Since I’m not sure if I’ll get a prize, I think it’s right to try it now. Ah- but my heart is racing!’
10 minutes later.
After the main cast of ‘Leech’ finished greeting each other, they sat down in their assigned seats in the first row of the theater. Meanwhile, the eyes of the 3,000 audience members were focused on Kang Woo-jin.
Because his impact was so strong.
Naturally, the gossip continued. There were 10 judges, etc.
“What an amazing actor.”
“Well, it’s definitely something special. It’ll definitely attract some attention as an issue.”
“How about acting?”
“Now you will know when you see it.”
“If you feel sorry about the acting, the impact will quickly fade.”
“On the other hand, if the acting is good, the current impact will be doubled.”
“First, I need to focus on the judging.”
Journalists, etc.
“That actor, Kang Woo-jin? I like him, whether his acting is good or bad. Either way, he’s become a hot topic.”
“That’s right, but I think it’s more fun when the acting is a bit lacking.”
“From what I’ve heard, the acting doesn’t seem bad.”
“Ah, here we go. Let’s take a look.”
At this point, the lights inside the magnificent ‘Lumiere Theater’ went out. This meant that the second screening of ‘Leech’ was imminent. Soon, Kang Woo-jin, with his indifferent face, would be there too.
‘Oh, I can do it.’
The audience, including the ‘Leech’ team, Kara, and Director Danny, all turned their gazes to the giant screen. Then, there was silence for a few seconds. The first thing they heard was the sound.
-[“Huh.”]
The dark theater was filled with the sound of someone exhaling. The large screen, which had been dark, gradually turned gray. In an instant, the 3,000 audience members realized that the gray was cigarette smoke. The angle was a close-up through the cigarette smoke. A man’s face appeared on the screen. It was Kang Woo-jin.
At the same time his narration.
-[“I don’t know anymore, who I am. Who I am. I’m lost. Am I right in saying what I’m saying?”]
Kang Woo-jin’s lines spread throughout the room.
-[“Are you just making excuses to fit the situation? Again, I don’t know. You might be laughing tomorrow morning.”]
There was no problem watching it blown under the screen and with English subtitles running.
-[“Will I be the one smiling tomorrow morning? I’m confused. Am I imitating someone or is it me?”]
On the screen, Kang Woo-jin. No, ‘Park Ha-seong’ was crouching down. Full shot. He kept blowing out cigarette smoke. His expression was dull, but the smoke he was blowing out was full of suffering. Soon, Woo-jin put out his cigarette on the floor and looked up at the sky. The weather was so damn good. But Kang Woo-jin didn’t smile. He just clicked his tongue briefly.
His voice is heard again.
-[“But now I can’t really find myself. I think I forgot you on the way here. It’ll be hard to find you.”]
At that moment, a shout from nowhere was heard.
“Hey! Hey!! Stop playing and get back to work!!”
“······Ah- yes.”
Kang Woo-jin, who wakes up without a hitch. He wears a cheap suit and picks up a round tray that he has placed nearby. The screen shows a party in a wide, grassy yard, and many tycoons with expensive living standards.
-♬♪
A place filled with soft classical music and leisure. The angle gradually moves upwards. It shows Kang Woo-jin entering the midst of the conglomerates, and the title appears in the middle of them.
-‘leech’
Up until this point, the 3,000 audience members had been enjoying the show peacefully. However, they were soon hit with a twist.
Advertisements
-[“What are you looking for?”]
The meeting between Kang Woo-jin and his mute wife Oh Hee-ryeong. And Woo-jin’s sign language. In an instant, the audience’s expressions changed. It was as if they were shocked again. After French, even sign language was so dazzling. Of course, it was Woo-jin’s story in the play.
Next, the severe case. That is, the appearance of ‘Chairman Yoon Jeong-bae’. Soon, they attached ‘leeches’ to his limbs.
[“Honey, I’ll stay here and play with that kid. The party is so boring.”]
In an instant, the 3,000 audience members were focused on ‘Leech’. The tension suddenly rose. Most of the audience members were still expecting it to be a success, but ‘Leech’ had a mysterious eerieness about it.
The actor who immediately caught the eye of the ten judges and the audience was Shim Ha-myeong.
‘Indeed, the energy is extraordinary from the moment you appear.’
From the conversation between Kang Woo-jin and Han Ha-ho, ‘Leech’ gained momentum.
-[“The job you have to do is simple. Just be my wife’s secretary.”]
-[“What are you talking about now?”]
-[“It sounds nice to be a secretary, but I’m just saying you should be a servant. Be your wife’s conversation partner, play with her, eat with her, and go shopping with her.”]
-[“······”]
-[“There is only one goal. First, make my wife rely on you, blindly.”]
The beginning of the catastrophe. From this point on, the audience began to notice subtle changes in Kang Woo-jin’s expression and psychology. This was after he had stepped foot into the conglomerate’s house. His feelings for his wife, Yoo Hyun-ji, were gradually becoming less of a ‘work’ and more of a ‘reality’, and a very weak ‘possessive desire’ was emerging.
The first lie was told to Yoon Ji-min, the youngest daughter of a conglomerate family.
-[“What did Mom just say!”]
-[“He told me to be friends with him.”]
No, the wife, ‘Yoo Hyun-ji’, said in sign language, ‘Ignore my daughter.’ However, Yoon Ji-min believed Park Ha-seong’s words. Do you believe it? Trust me. Little by little, ‘Park Ha-seong’ or Kang Woo-jin on the screen changed. He targeted Yoo Hyun-ji and Yoon Ji-min instead of others.
If you tell a lie, it becomes reality.
-[“Then it’s real?”]
Then it wasn’t fiction. Who could tell the lie? In this house, only Kang Woo-jin was there. Lies and facts were invisible. Only phenomena occurred. Lies were like magic. If you spit it out, it will come true.
Kang Woo-jin’s psychology has developed to the core.
His influence grew in size.
To my horror, Woojin’s face was completely different from the beginning. Chairman Yoon Jungbae sensed that things were going strange, but he was too busy. The first to appear here was Yoon Jaho.
The background is the yard of a very large house.
Yoon Ja-ho opened his mouth first, muttering.
-[“How is your mother doing these days?”]
Kang Woo-jin doesn’t answer right away. He stares at Yoon Ja-ho. His pupils are in close-up. The strength in his eyes has disappeared. They have changed and become distorted. They are pure but turbid. In ‘Leech’, Kang Woo-jin’s pupils are often in close-up. It was to show the audience his true feelings.
He was a silent monster now.
-[“Madam. No, Mother’s condition is very good.”]
and.
‘······oh my god.’
Miley Cara, her blue eyes wide, covered her mouth with both hands.
‘Something beyond method. That acting is something that cannot be expressed in words.’
Because I was scared.
end
