Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 142

The World Stage (5)

* * *

Two hours later.

After the meeting, the assembled staff dispersed, looking dazed.

Team Leader Gong Gi-hyeong and Manager Yoo Jun-il murmured to each other.

“Those expressions… we’ve seen them a lot, haven’t we?”

“Park is surprising people, both Koreans and foreigners.”

“Exactly. Raymond is quite the card shark; he didn’t say a thing about it. I guess no one knew Park Geon was a soldier.”

The demonstration just now was quite something. Most of the staff here must have been surprised.

Higgs, a lighting team member from Spain, cautiously approached Raymond and asked.

“What’s that guy’s deal?”

“What do you mean? He’s just a person.”

“Don’t joke around. Was he already fully trained? Did you prepare him for years and then call him in to surprise us?”

“No. I’ve only known him for two weeks.”

Sammy, a large black man who was still in the meeting room, joined their conversation.

“No way! An untrained civilian can’t do that kind of performance! Unless he’s a real special forces soldier…”

People across the sea know that South Korea is technically still at war and has recently been engaged in military exercises with various countries.

“Good deduction. He is from the special forces.”

“…What?”

Thanks to that, the most surprised person was the director himself.

Raymond smiled wryly and recalled two weeks ago.

.

.

.

‘Certainly, this is enough to challenge Kill Thorn’s position, if the actor can handle the action.’

Kim Yang-ho, holding a stack of scripts and action storyboards, expressed concern at a meeting with the director, actors, and stuntmen.

‘But… we need time.’

‘Time?’

‘Yes. The difficulty is too high. It includes basic firearm usage and advanced CQB [Close Quarters Battle]. Even though Actor Park is good at using his body, he will have to go through essential training.’

This was the first meeting after giving him the materials. Raymond nodded, having expected something similar.

‘I agree. That’s why we were planning to call the team after the training was completed.’

Kim Yang-ho also nodded.

‘The usage of commonly used weapons isn’t difficult. Since it hasn’t been long since he was discharged, I think he’ll get the hang of it within a month at the earliest.’

‘That’s what the stunt expert says. God, what do you think…’

‘You can call him right away.’

A nonchalant answer came back. Park Geon opened his eyes, which had been closed, as if he thought he had misheard and was about to ask again.

‘The actions in the script, and the gunfights that mix gun-kata and Krav Maga, are also possible. I asked my brother for the demonstration equipment, so let’s take a look.’

Just in time, the actor’s manager, who was said to be his brother, came in carrying a mountain of airsoft guns.

And… the two officials were able to have a unique experience.

‘That’s not a discharged civilian… I’d believe it if he said he was an active-duty soldier.’

Although the airsoft gun was lighter than a real gun, Park Geon showed them all the performances he could do with a gun.

He perfectly disassembled and assembled the gun, as well as reloaded, fired, and held and aimed.

What was even more surprising was his shooting skills, which he showed by placing tin cans.

Bang, bang, bang!

The shooting technique commonly known as the Mozambique Drill—two shots to the body and one shot to the head—was executed with almost no delay.

What about the accuracy? All the bullets from the rifle, including the pistol fired with one hand, were embedded in the can with precision.

The Weaver stance, shooting with the gun on his wrist, shooting with his left hand, modified one-handed shooting, close-range shooting posture considering even martial arts… all kinds of shooting techniques were displayed like a textbook for instructors.

After the entire demonstration was over, what he said was absurd.

‘These shooting techniques are also basic in the Kill Thorn series. There are many military martial arts techniques in the script, so I don’t think it will be difficult.’

‘…’

How much training did Jamie Rodri, the lead actor in ‘Kill Thorn,’ say he received for each series?

He was able to be reborn as the legendary killer Thorn himself after training for 6 hours a day, morning and evening, every week without fail.

.

.

.

‘Even a guy who was originally good at action suffered for years, but that monster…’

Raymond looked at Park Geon, who was over there, discussing with Kim Yang-ho with a disassembled airsoft gun in front of him.

Certainly… apart from acting and martial arts, he is a smart actor.

He only showed the minimum performance in front of the director and stuntman, but when the multinational staff gathered, he showed off his skills without reservation.

Turning the muzzle like lightning to hit a cigarette case, and when he flamboyantly changed the magazine, it even felt like watching a movie edit.

“Then you should have told me; I was worried for nothing. Where is he from? SAS [Special Air Service], or SEAL [Sea, Air, and Land Teams]?”

Higgs frowned when Sammy asked.

“What are you talking about? Of course, it’s his country’s special forces. This country is still at war.”

“Stop it. If you have any questions, ask him directly, and we’ll be seeing each other’s faces all the time anyway.”

Raymond mediated, and the two men finally looked convinced.

Higgs nudged his colleague’s side.

“Director, when are we leaving the country? The location is very fancy.”

“Around next month? There are still scenes to shoot.”

“Huh?”

Raymond handed the location shooting schedule with photos to his questioning colleague.

The black and white photos contained various locations in Seoul that would become the background for ‘God.’

“We’re going to shoot a few scenes while we’re here. We can’t just throw away good places.”

*

“Okay, everyone has their glasses? For our sons’ first overseas expansion!”

“It’s not the first time! General Baekjeong went to CVN’s OTT [Over-the-top media service], and he went to Fashion Week and Cannes, so if you say that, the kids will be sad.”

That night, a feast was held at the main house.

Park Yeol-ho, who was corrected by his wife, lowered his rice wine glass awkwardly.

“Oh, I know that too. It was the first time that an overseas director was attached and started like this. It’s not that your dad didn’t know your work.”

Park Seon had an expression that he was deeply moved by whatever it was.

“Whatever! It’s finally an overseas location, isn’t hyung [older brother] excited?”

“Yeah, I’m excited.”

“…Your expression doesn’t look excited at all?”

At times like this, I realize that a lot of time has passed since the day I was discharged.

Geon ruffled his brother’s hair and laughed.

“I’m excited, so I posted a new article on the fan cafe.”

“Fan cafe? What’s mainly uploaded there?”

Park Yeol-ho, who is the least tech-savvy in the family, showed interest. Geon hesitated for a moment and answered.

“My old stories.”

“Huh?”

When his father blinked, Han Young-joo intervened at the right timing.

“Are you all prepared? You said you’d be there for a long time this time, so it’s easier to pack your bags in advance.”

“There’s still some time left before I leave the country. I’m going to shoot a few scenes in Korea.”

“Oh, really? Then who is that, when should we bring the new director together…”

Han Young-joo, who was talking, looked bewildered at her sons’ expressions.

“Why are you guys doing that? Have you already left the country?”

“Uh… no, Mom.”

Park Seon quickly waved his hand.

“I don’t think we need to call him; he has a lot of foreign friends. I bet they’re having fun together in Gwanghwamun today.”

In fact, Gwin Raymond had been enjoying sightseeing with his colleagues for the past few days.

Looking at SNS [social networking service], it seemed like they were having a fun beer party, going around Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun, and the outskirts of Seoul.

‘Let’s see each other on this day. If something happens, contact me; otherwise, don’t look for me.’

It is said that foreign filmmakers strictly adhere to division of labor and time, and I already felt that way.

Geon picked up a piece of ribs and thought.

‘It’s good to have a lot of time to prepare.’

As befits a global action film, more than 95% of ‘God: Guardian of Wrath’ is filmed on overseas locations.

Of course, it also takes a lot of time. If it’s short, it’s a year, and if it’s longer, you may have to stay abroad for a longer period.

‘I’m used to leaving home…’

Except for his military days, this is the first time he has stayed abroad for so long since returning from the Iron Kingdom.

Paris Fashion Week and Cannes, both visited France, but it wasn’t even a month. There are many things to finish before leaving the country, from vaccinations to domestic schedules.

“When are you coming? It hasn’t been decided yet?”

That’s why she seems more worried about her sons leaving home for a long time. Park Seon held Han Young-joo’s hand tightly, who asked several times.

“Yeah. But I’ll turn on Wi-Fi and contact our family group chat because I have to keep giving updates to the company anyway. Mom and Dad, don’t worry and just stay healthy.”

“I will protect Seon well.”

“No, I’m an adult! I’m going to film, so there’s nothing to protect.”

“That’s right, an adult who dates and gets promoted.”

“…Ahem. The rice is very delicious today.”

The younger brother, who was quite grown up, rebelled but immediately became quiet at his brother’s words.

The youngest, who recently started dating, was the focus of the whole family. After all, the other person is a former member of Jin Ji-yoo’s old group.

She was more cautious because she was a colleague’s colleague, but both seemed to get along unexpectedly well.

Park Yeol-ho, who put down his spoon, asked.

“So, what are the countries like? I heard it starts with Singapore.”

“Yeah. First, we’ll shoot in Seoul, then Singapore… then Turkey, go through Europe to South America, and then come back.”

“South America? Isn’t that a dangerous place?”

“No. Only really dangerous neighborhoods are dangerous in Colombia, and it’s okay to live there. Plus, they hire local bodyguards.”

Han Young-joo still had an uneasy expression despite Park Seon’s explanation. Eventually, Geon stepped in to clean up the situation.

“I’ll make sure nothing happens. Seon and all the staff will be safe.”

There is now less than a month left before departure.

*

Roman Entertainment headquarters,

A meeting of three people was held in the CEO’s office.

The main character of today is Jin Ji-yoo, who is starring in MBS’s new weekend drama, but the story quickly flowed in another direction.

“No, so our drama can also stop by Singapore, right? Why not… Ha.”

Lee Seong-cheol, the head of the headquarters, looked at Jin Ji-yoo, who was sighing, with suspicious eyes.

“Singapore? Is that Park Geon’s next filming location?”

“Is that important? If it’s a melodrama, we can spend a lot of money on overseas locations. Anyway, Director Kang is so stubborn…”

That’s more than just being sulky; it’s being stubborn. Head Lee shook his head.

“…I feel like this side is more of a mess because Hani is quiet. Hey, you guys made up; are you becoming more like each other these days?”

“Please apologize, Head of Headquarters. You were too harsh, even if it’s like this.”

Just as the two’s banter was about to spark, CEO Noh Joong-man raised a hand.

“I heard the departure date is the 6th of next month.”

“Yes, filming starts tonight.”

Jin Ji-yoo quickly answered, and the head of headquarters clicked his tongue.

“That girl, she’s not interested in the other actor in her work, but she knows all about other people’s movie schedules.”

“It’s still friendship. He said he’d wait until I sort out my feelings.”

“What does that mean…”

“Raymond, the director, said that.”

The two people’s words stopped. Noh Joong-man evaluated the new director with an indifferent face.

“He’s an interesting guy. He won the Best Director Award at Sundance two years ago with his debut film and the Audience Award at Karlovy Vary last year.”

“Yes. He’s a director who’s far from commercial films, but the scenario was slick. The creativity of the sequences and the driving force of the genre itself were also great.”

“I saw it too. If it can be moved to the screen, the impact will be huge. But Geon oppa [term of endearment for older brother or male friend] is the only one who can handle it.”

Head Lee and Jin Ji-yoo also added a word each. CEO Noh Joong-man looked at the pad on his desk.

“I told the PR team to refrain from articles.”

“Yes, he said he asked directly through Manager Yoo. He asked us not to release an official statement before filming starts in Korea.”

Jin Ji-yoo tilted her head.

“Why? Everyone who knows will know anyway, and paparazzi cuts are already circulating…”

Even though Gwin Raymond has low domestic awareness, he is a director who has swept European international film festivals and independent film festivals in recent years.

The media, which saw photos of the staff noisily sightseeing and photos with Park Geon, was already posting articles asking, ‘Did Cannes and Sundance join hands?'”

Noh Joong-man clasped his hands on his knees.

“He must have a plan. Let’s see what he shows on the set.”

* * *