Kang Woo-jin, who was walking to the shop with a blank expression on his face. He was looking down at his phone with his legs crossed. His phone screen was full of Japanese. The reason was simple.
‘Wow – this is amazing! These are all stories of strangers.’
Because I was currently looking at the media and public opinion in Japan. Today, Tuesday the 26th, is the first day of the release of ‘The Stranger’. Japan is currently shaking with the release of ‘The Stranger’, which has never been quiet since before production and has gained power with Kang Woo-jin’s influence that has grown several times.
‘The main page of the search site is also unfamiliar. Oh, but this main article! Why did you use my photo like this??’
All of Japan’s search sites, SNS, and many communities were filled with ‘strange people’. The first screening was scheduled to begin in exactly one hour. What kind of reactions would there be? At the preview, reporters and audiences were saying all sorts of things, but would it be similar? Woojin, with the concept on his face, asked himself many questions.
but.
‘Well, the answer will come out soon.’
Woojin quickly changed the subject of his thoughts. The snowball that was rolling right now wasn’t just about ‘The Stranger’. There were more than one or two things waiting, from the Miley Cara bait that broke out a few dozen minutes ago to the domestic release of ‘The Leech’ that was just one day away.
By the way, what about the Kara bait?
Woojin tilted his head inwardly and moved his thumb as if nothing happened. His phone screen changed in an instant. It was the article about Miley Kara that ‘Power Patch’ had posted earlier. For a moment, Kang Woojin was a little surprised inside.
‘Wow, the firepower has been turned on.’
It was about the comments on the article. Within a few minutes of uploading the article, there were about a hundred comments, but now there were several hundred more. Of course, the number of comments that are almost like a frenzy from the public is increasing in real time.
At this time.
“Ahhh! Brother!!”
Jang Su-hwan, who had taken the passenger seat because Choi Sung-geon was not there, folded the diary he was reading and put it in, his arm muscles growing thicker and thicker.
“I’ve been invited to all the film festivals this year! The Blue Dragon and Grand Bell Awards! It’s a bit early, but what can I do? The level of interest in whether or not I’ll be invited to the festival is like heaven and earth! The CEO said it would be good to attend both – what do you think, hyung?”
Kang Woo-jin answered quietly while looking at Jang Su-hwan who had turned around.
“Yeah, it’s okay if both of you come.”
“Yep!! Haha, this year’s domestic film festivals are obviously going to be a party for you and your movies, right??”
Stylists have infiltrated the conversation.
“100% 100%!! You broke all Korean records with ‘The Island of the Missing’! And you also have ‘Leech’!”
“This time, there’s no connection with broadcasting, but when it comes to movies, Woojin oppa is the best!!”
“If I do well, I’ll get three ‘Best Actor’ awards this year! Wow – last year I got the Best New Actor Award, and last year I got the Best Supporting Actor Award, and in just one year I got the Best Actor Award at Cannes! You’re a monster, oppa!!”
In an instant, the van was filled with frenzy. Ah- yeah, now that I think about it, the end of the year is just around the corner. Woojin let out a sigh inwardly.
‘Time flies – it feels like only yesterday that I was receiving awards at domestic award ceremonies last year.’
Two months and a few days until the new year.
Whatever happens, the domestic entertainment industry at the end of this year.
‘Well, it’s a bit new, but the end of the year is going to be extremely busy.’
It was obvious that a violent storm called Kang Woo-jin was about to hit.
At this moment, Japan.
Japan is full of talk about ‘The Stranger’ with about an hour left until the first screening, including the opening day.
『The controversial “Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger” finally opens today, the 26th, and with only one hour left until the first screening, advance ticket sales are at #1』
『What was the adaptation of “The Stranger” that received unusual reviews at the preview? You can check it out in theaters starting today.』
『「The Stranger」 Achieved No. 1 in Advance Ticket Sales as Soon as It Was Released! Were the Public Curious About the Acting of Kang Woo-jin, Who Won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival?』
With the first screening of ‘The Stranger’ just around the corner, the Japanese entertainment industry, including the Japanese media, production companies, film companies, and agencies, was buzzing with talk about ‘The Stranger’. Well, that’s only natural since it’s such a hot movie.
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“This movie is finally being released. There will never be another movie that was this noisy from the time of production to the time of release.”
“Will it be okay?”
“The audience will probably be a bit early on the first day or for a few days. The original work is by writer Akari and the director Kyotaro’s name is worth it. Above all, Kang Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin’s aggro is amazing, and the other actors are also top-notch.”
“In fact, it is the first time in the history of Japanese cinema that the main male lead is a Korean actor.”
“But it will sell moderately and then die down. Anyway, that kind of buzz only lasts for a short while, and in the end, the movie has to have solid content.” “Ah- I saw a lot of criticism from the preview reviews of ‘Stranger Things.’”
There are quite a few people who see it positively, but there are more negative ones. Well, it was a phenomenon that included various emotions. Jealousy of the rotten waters that turned away from change, antipathy toward Korean actors, envy of Kang Woo-jin, the ‘Man of Cannes’, worries and anxiety about what if it really does well, and smokescreens to hide those worries and true feelings.
“I heard that all the reporters who attended the preview were criticizing ‘The Stranger’.”
“The current affairs audience’s opinions were sharply divided.”
“I guess there were a lot of strong fans of the original work – but how many changes had to be made to the script to cause such a fuss?”
“Well. However, when I looked at SNS, there were a lot of comments saying that it was an absurd movie, that it trampled on the original work, that it was a movie that made you feel dirty. It’s definitely proof that the content wasn’t that great.”
“Hmm, I was wondering if there was a movie that could compete with the theatrical animes for the first time in a while. Is it going to be hard?”
“But since the names of the participants, including Kang Woo-jin, are there, it’ll probably come out to around 5 million.”
After such a noisy time, a little past 9 in the morning, a familiar woman entered a movie theater in Tokyo. She had dark brown hair and a kind impression. She was Asami Saya, who had worked with Woojin in ‘Namsachin: Remake’. The reason why she, a famous Japanese voice actress, had come to the movie theater this morning was simple.
‘Woojin’s first Japanese film. I have to see it with my own eyes.’
As she had a deep connection with Kang Woo-jin, she wanted to see ‘The Stranger’ as the first time slot on the opening day. Japanese movie theaters are almost the same as Korean movie theaters, except for minor differences. When she entered the lobby of such a movie theater, Asami Saya was surprised.
‘There are more people than you think?’
Even though it was morning, the crowd in the lobby was unexpectedly large. The age range was diverse, but there seemed to be more young people. Saya then looked around the lobby of the movie theater. Indeed, there were many billboards and posters for ‘The Stranger’. Perhaps most of the people in the lobby were there to see ‘The Stranger’?
She, who had guessed as she was, received a ticket from the ticket machine and went to the designated theater.
and.
“······and.”
As soon as I entered the theater, my mouth dropped open. There were more people sitting in the hundreds of seats than in the lobby. Ten minutes before the movie started, half of the seats were already filled. Saya tried to calm her surprised heart and nodded in greeting before sitting down in her seat.
I could hear the murmurs of the surrounding audience.
There were many different topics, but the name Kang Woo-jin was included a lot. Some cheered for him, others cursed him. Ten minutes later.
-Ugh.
The lights in the theater go out.
‘Do it.’
The first screening of ‘The Stranger’ has begun.
By now, the hundreds of seats in the auditorium were almost full.
Same time, Korea.
Kang Woo-jin in a shop in Cheongdam. He has a silent expression, but everything except his hair and makeup is perfect. Woo-jin is praising himself when he sees himself in the mirror.
‘Huh, that’s okay.’
With his bangs parted just enough to show his forehead, and a beige blazer as his outfit, he was all dressed up for two upcoming interviews with foreign media outlets. While Kang Woo-jin was inwardly falling in love with his own appearance, the designers and employees around him had been asking him questions since earlier.
“Woojin-ssi, Woojin-ssi! I saw the article earlier, is that Miley Cara really going to appear in Woojin-ssi’s work??”
“Huh? There was an article like that?”
“That’s right! There’s ‘Beneficial Evil’, the one that Woojin is filming right now! In the overseas filming, there’s a blonde woman in the picture, and they say it’s Miley Cara??”
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“Wow- No way! Woojin! Is it true?”
Although it was the intended look, it was a bit annoying for Kang Woo-jin. Well, in times like this, it’s best to give a serious and general answer.
“Well, are you done?”
“······Oh, I’m sorry. Did I get too excited?”
“no.”
The shop employees who came to their senses suddenly shut their mouths at Kang Woojin’s cold tone. However, after Woojin left the shop, talk of Kara spread rapidly again.
“Is this the article?? Look at the pictures, this woman here, here!”
“Ah- Blonde! Seriously, she kind of looks like Miley Cara??”
“Hey, no way. You wouldn’t think Miley Cara would film a Korean movie.”
“Huh? But I look like Miley Cara?? Look at that bright blonde hair and that body, body!”
“Just······a similar-looking extra. Seriously, why would someone as high as Miley Cara film something Korean? If you look at this article, it’s all speculation. It’s just a rumor, a rumor.”
“Hmm- Really? Mr. Woojin didn’t really react earlier either.”
“But what if this woman is really Miley Carr??”
“This is a total hit!! Has there ever been a Hollywood superstar who made a Korean film?”
Meanwhile, the large-scale filming complex for ‘Benefits of Evil’ in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do. PD Song Man-woo with a beard is busy preparing for filming for ‘Benefits of Evil’.
“Okay, okay. Okay.”
He was sitting in the seat where the monitors were placed, smiling. His eyes were fixed on his cell phone.
“Burning hotter, burning hotter.”
We are seeing numerous media outlets following the news articles that were released by the large ‘Power Patch’.
『[Issue Pick] Hollywood Big Star ‘Miley Cara’, Suddenly Rumored to Appear in Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Beneficial Evil’?』
『Miley Kara, who appeared in the leaked ‘Beneficial Evil’ Bangkok overseas location photos, was also with her at Cannes, and will she be with her in ‘Beneficial Evil’ as well?』
『Miley Kara, who is chewing up the ‘Billboard Chart’, is a ‘beneficial evil’? A large-scale ‘bait’ that is spreading rapidly out of nowhere』
Already, most of the entertainment industry was rising above ‘Miley Cara’. It was natural. It was so absurd and unexpected, but on the other hand, it wasn’t completely impossible.
That is, if Kang Woo-jin is included in the relationship.
However, there has never been a case of a world-class superstar like Miley Cara appearing in a Korean production. That is why the media is drooling and rushing to cover it.
『Evidence of ‘Miley Cara’ Appearing in ‘Beneficial Evil’ Revealed! / Photo』
『Miley Kara in the ‘Beneficial Evil’ filming photos that suddenly burst out! Is her appearance confirmed due to her relationship with Kang Woo-jin?』
The media’s fuss. Public opinion reacts several times more intensely.
-??????Huh??????????????????
-What is this flyer againㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, true????!
-↑It must be realㅋㅋㅋIt was just a jokeㅋㅋㅋThe rascals are talking nonsense for one or two days??
-ㅇㅈㅈWhat’s wrong with Miley Kara that she’s into Korean works?? 100% a flyer
-But if you look at the article photo, it’s like… Miley Cara??! That thick blonde hair!!
-Are there only one or two foreign women with blonde hair? Oh seriouslyㅋㅋㅋㅋIf those rags get sued by Kara and get kicked out
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-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋThere’s no such thing as a gag showㅋㅋㅋㅋDid Kara get popular?? They’re doing really well in Hollywood too?
-But it could be Kara. Didn’t she go out with Kang Woojin and Shobu?
-How much is Evaim Miley Cara worth? Can you afford it?
-Miley Kara starring in Beneficial Evil is… . really fucking awesome… . but it’s impossible… . it’s probably just a hooking article
·
·
·
·
Kara was hot not only online, but also in offline conversations such as cafes and restaurants.
“Did you see that Miley Cara is in ‘Beneficial Evil’?”
“Huh? What are you talking about? That’s over the top.”
“I heard an article came out??”
“Wow- look.”
Even though the snowball’s speed is accelerating like crazy.
『Rumors of Miley Cara’s appearance are spreading everywhere, but the ‘Beneficial Evil’ side is keeping quiet』
『Will Hollywood Star ‘Miley Cara’ Appear in a Real ‘Beneficial Evil’? Kang Woo-jin’s Side Remains Silent』
Both ‘Beneficial Evil’ and Kang Woo-jin kept their mouths shut.
While Kara dominated the entertainment section, the domestic film industry media was also steadily growing in size. Of course, there was news of ‘The Stranger’ being released in Japan.
『[Movie Talk] ‘Gang Woo-jin’ star ‘The Stranger’ opens today, SNS shows that the audience is overflowing from the first screening/ Photo』
In Korea, ‘leeches’ were strong.
『Golden Palm Award ‘Leech’, advance ticket sales soar to 50%, ‘overwhelming 1st place’』
『[Movie IS] Tomorrow’s release ‘Leech’ already showing signs of a huge box office hit···No. 1 in domestic advance ticket sales!』
『’The Leech’ that swept the Cannes Palme d’Or and Best Actor awards is finally opening tomorrow』
Kang Woo-jin’s prestige and momentum were also frequently mentioned.
『[Star Talk] In Japan, a ‘parasite’, in Korea, a ‘leech’···’Kang Woo-jin’, who has a blockbuster movie released in both countries within a day’s difference』
It was an absurd record.
The next day, the 27th. Morning.
Many people related to Kang Woo-jin were moving to the movie theater. No, even if they weren’t necessarily related, even if they hadn’t seen Woo-jin even once, a lot of people flocked to the various movie theaters in the country.
Because today, ‘The Leech’, which lit up Cannes and received worldwide acclaim, has been released in all theaters nationwide.
Since it was a work that already garnered a lot of attention, many reporters headed to the movie theater from the morning. They had to quickly report on the situation at the scene.
『’Leech’ opens with 500,000 advance reservations and 77.3% advance reservation rate』
A black van had just arrived at the set of ‘Beneficial Evil’. Kang Woo-jin got out of the van with an indifferent expression. Because today, there was filming for ‘Beneficial Evil’ starting in the morning.
at the same time.
-Whoooosh, woooosh.
As Woojin was about to take a step, a long vibration rang out from his jeans pocket. It was a phone call. Kang Woojin gestured to the staff to wait a moment, and as soon as he saw his phone screen, his face changed to a serious expression. Of course, it was like speed.
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‘Director Kyotaro – If you’re calling me this early in the morning, then you’re right!’
The opponent was Director Kyotaro of ‘The Stranger’ who was in Japan. Kang Woojin then put his cell phone to his ear and spoke in low Japanese, trying his best to keep his voice as low as possible.
“Yes, Director. Hello.”
Director Kyotaro’s voice on the other end of the phone was very excited.
“Woojin! I called you as soon as the audience numbers were announced! The number of viewers on the first day of ‘Strangers’! 850,000! 850,000!”
850,000 in just one day.
‘Crazy- 850,000??!’
‘The Lost Island’, which became the highest grossing Korean film of all time and surpassed 20 million viewers, also had 700,000 viewers on its first day.
It was said that there were 150 thousand more ‘strange parasites’ than that.
Meanwhile, in LA.
In downtown LA, where tall buildings abound. Among them, a building that looks quite old but is bustling with people. A man with half-bald hair and round glasses sitting at a desk in an office on the top floor spoke into his cell phone.
“Joseph, I will direct that piece. But there is a condition.”
It was directed by Hollywood mogul Danny Landis.
