Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 170

Let’s Go to New Zealand (3)

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The original work of ‘Chronicles of the Gods’ strictly follows the protagonist, Ido’s journey in its early parts.

‘Monster Hunter,’ ‘Regicide Offender,’ ‘Wanderer of Another World’… As the pages turn, his background is gradually revealed, but until then, there isn’t much information disclosed.

Whether he is truly from another world, why his hair is black, or why he massacres all beings akin to evil and blasphemes against the gods.

The only fact that can be known is,

This wanderer is traveling through the Empire for some purpose.

Therefore, some who only saw the scripted early part of the story raised questions.

In a 21st-century fantasy drama, is a protagonist who only slashes around appealing?

And many more stakeholders nodded after watching the short video.

Yes, there is.

If that protagonist is incredibly strong, has a compelling backstory, and, crucially, has a visually stunning and stylish character, even more so.

So, it was no wonder that the actors who first arrived at the South Island filming location were impressed.

“Wow, it’s like he jumped straight out of a game.”

“This place is a completely different world, isn’t it? It doesn’t feel like the New Zealand I knew.”

“It feels like going back to the Middle Ages. Peter Shawn’s [Director of the film] sense is still as sharp as ever; he’s found an even better location than his previous works.”

The actors who got out of the car looked around the set and shared their impressions.

They were amazed by the Emperor’s residence, the ‘Pure White Castle’ Kataram, built on high ground, and then startled by the fellow lead actors who were filming.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Gun.”

Since there are many scenes of activity and filming in the open field, Park Gun is always in the wanderer ‘Ido’s’ costume, even when eating and sleeping.

A tall figure in a dark cloak and carrying a greatsword offered a handshake, and exclamations arose from all around.

“I’m Rick. But are you really Asian? You look like a mixed-race to me.”

“I am.”

Rick Michael, who plays the commander of the Emperor’s army, Gale, shook hands with Park Gun with an admiring look.

Jameson Overbay, who plays Nikert, the leader of the rebels who oppose the Empire with Ido’s help, smacked his gaunt cheeks and clicked his tongue.

“Hey, buddy, that’s racist. Can’t you get rid of old habits even as you get older?”

“Geez… you’ve lost weight and become more annoying. Go eat some oatmeal.”

As Peter Shawn had hinted, those two actors are famous childhood friends even in Hollywood.

It seemed they were quite close, joking about how Rick had bulked up and Jameson had lost weight because their roles were the opposite.

“Stop it, you two. I don’t know if this is New Zealand or a cramped room on Broadway.”

“Mac! What, when did you get here?”

The last to join, the tyrannical Emperor.

As Hollywood legend and king of the three major film festivals, McClain Jabaslanti, walked over, Rick Michael waved his hand in greeting.

“I was right behind your car. Didn’t you see me?”

“I was dizzy from dieting…”

“How long are you going to keep making that excuse? A star should be able to maintain a proper weight.”

“Proper weight, my foot. I’ve lost over ten kilograms because of the production team! At this rate, I’ll look like a mummy, not a rebel commander.”

Come to think of it, most of the lead actors who arrived in the second group are from Hollywood.

Rick Michael and Jameson Overbay are top stars, and McClain Jabaslanti, who looks to be in his late forties, is a veteran close to sixty.

“I’m Jin Jiyu, playing Raywen. Please take care of me.”

When Jin Jiyu, who was filming, heard the news and came over, all the main characters of the work were gathered.

Watching the core members of ‘Chronicles of the Gods’ exchanging greetings and small talk from a distance, a flower of conversation bloomed among the Korean actors.

“Wow, it’s McClain…”

“Those people really came. I never thought I’d meet them in person when I saw them in movies.”

“Hyung [older brother/male friend], be grateful to me. If I hadn’t gotten the role, you wouldn’t be seeing McClain, let alone coming to New Zealand.”

Seo Heedo, shamelessly boasting, was interrupted by veteran actor Hong Changguk, who was standing with his katana.

“I’m glad it’s more amicable than I thought. I hope the atmosphere continues like this…”

“Hmm? Why? Do people here also engage in power struggles?”

Although it was a while ago, Hong Changguk, who had crossed the threshold of Hollywood, frowned.

“They do worse. If you’re not on their level, they don’t treat you like a person, especially if you’re Asian.”

“It’s okay! I can tell just by looking at Seon-hyung [Seon, older brother/male friend]. He knows like a ghost when something’s about to happen, but this project has been peaceful the whole way here.”

Hong Changguk, this kind actor who is now closer to being an old man than a young man, tilted his head.

The journey to New Zealand is long.

He usually takes good care of his juniors on set, but as the oldest member of the group, he was burning with a sense of responsibility to prevent any possible mishaps during the trip.

‘Don’t worry too much, hyung [older brother/male friend]. I heard a bit from Seok-sunbae [senior colleague] too, and they’re not the kind of kids you need to worry about. They’re different from our time, starting with how sharp they are.’

He couldn’t believe it until he heard those words of reassurance from a close junior before departure.

Decades ago… how much did he suffer from racism when he first entered Hollywood? He was worried that his juniors would suffer from deeply rooted bad habits, but…

“Oh, you filmed in Cambodia too? You must have been heated up on that set.”

“The environment was fine. The authorities were cooperative, so we filmed quickly and got on the plane.”

“Sorry, Rick, but this guy’s patience is on a different level than ours. He got into a shootout with drug dealers in that crazy South America and still brought the entire staff back alive. He’s practically on the same level as a war veteran.”

“That wasn’t me, though.”

Just a day and a half.

That’s how long it took for the high-nosed Hollywood stars to work with Park Gun, be amazed by his famous ‘real action,’ and become friendly with this taciturn Asian man.

When Rick Michael, a typical blond, handsome man who had scandals with beautiful stars, showed interest in filming in remote locations, Jameson Overbay scoffed.

The most senior member of this project, McClain Jabaslanti, wearing expensive sunglasses and sitting on a disc chair set up by his managers, also chimed in.

“Why are you asking so much when he says it’s not him? Jameson, you were caught riding a yacht with the Cuban minister’s granddaughter in Venice last year. Try to pretend you don’t know.”

Jameson Overbay nonchalantly gestured towards his best friend.

“That wasn’t me, that was Rick. He caused such a fuss without even wearing underwear that he almost got permanently banned from Cuba.”

“Oh, was it? You guys have been together for so long… it’s getting hazy.”

“I’m married, though. Come to think of it, Park, you said you were married, right?”

“I’m single.”

As expected, the scandals of Hollywood stars far surpass the national level.

Rick Michael, coolly shrugging as if he didn’t care who was listening, said.

“Anyway, I didn’t realize he was such a monster. I was a bit suspicious even while watching the movie. I thought they used a lot of CGI and fast-motion technology, that they sped it up a bit.”

Park Gun tilted his head and replied.

“We didn’t use that on purpose. The director said we had to save on production costs.”

“…Oh, that sounds like a boast. Right, Mac?”

“Can’t you tell even after working with him today? It’s everyday life for that guy, so be careful not to get beaten up behind the set.”

He was referring to the time when Rick Michael got into a fistfight with another actor who was bullying him when he was a rookie.

The veteran actor’s joke caused a burst of laughter from those around them. Rick Michael scratched the back of his head and muttered.

“Geez, I do pick my fights.”

And the Korean actors who were watching that scene, especially Hong Changguk, breathed a sigh of relief.

‘…I worried for nothing.’

Of course, if the lead was an ordinary Asian actor, they wouldn’t have even joined the project.

They became friendly and talked quickly, but Hollywood is a world that values ability, race, and background even more than Korea.

-I came from across the sea, from a distant place.

-There is something that must disappear on this continent. One is me, and the other is you.

-There are so many humans more hideous than monsters… I think I’ve taken the wrong path.

If it hadn’t been for Park Gun’s performance, which he showed them as soon as they arrived, they probably wouldn’t have recognized each other so quickly and cooperated so willingly.

Even though ‘God’ gained worldwide fame and topped the box office for several weeks… aren’t they also veterans who have achieved numerous successes in the global market?

“Can I get an autograph?”

“I want a photo too. I’ve been a fan of yours since you went to Cannes! I was so happy when Rick said he was working with you.”

“Thank you. I look forward to working with you too.”

Since the most expensive people were there, there was no need to mention the rest of the staff.

During breaks, Park Gun was surrounded by the managers, stylists, nutritionists, and trainers who followed the actors, receiving autograph requests.

“Oh, General!”

And there is also someone who is gaining unexpected popularity.

“Yes? That’s our team…”

Seo Heedo, bewildered by being suddenly called by her group name, saw a red-haired actress with sparkling eyes shout.

“You’re my favorite K-pop star! I even went to a concert when I traveled to Japan… I’m Jenny too!”

Alicia Lyo, who plays the evil empress who plunges the empire into chaos next to the crazy emperor, turned out to be a huge fan of Seo Heedo’s group.

Watching the two of them chatting away, even mentioning the fandom name, Jin Jiyu said bitterly.

“I feel a little sad for no reason. I should have been more active if I knew this would happen, but these days, the kids don’t even come to Korea, so it’s even lonelier.”

Jin Jiyu’s former group, ‘Four Queens,’ had been on overseas tours for over six months recently.

Park Seon, who was depressed for a different reason than Jin Jiyu, murmured sadly.

“It’s okay if they don’t come to Korea, I just wish our tour schedules would overlap overseas so I could meet her. It’s been months since I’ve been able to video call Ahee…”

“Oh, I heard there might be a year-end concert in Sydney? You can see her even for a little bit then.”

“Oh, Sydney is right next door!”

The secret-not-so-secret relationship with the idol member, which has been going on for months, is always difficult.

Park Seon, who had briefly widened his eyes, drooped again.

“But well, filming comes first. I briefly sat in on the director’s meeting, and they said it’s uncertain whether the South Island schedule will be finished by summer.”

“Oh, autograph okay! Just come to Korea for a visit! I’ll invite you to our group’s VIP tickets!”

At Seo Heedo’s voice, which was heard at that moment, both of them burst into laughter.

Brushing back her blonde hair, Jin Jiyu confidently declared.

“Well, at this rate, it might be worth a try?”

*

In the vast nature of the South Island, filming proceeded quickly and smoothly.

The sets that the production team had built over the past three months were not only the ‘Pure White Castle’ where the Emperor resided.

Collapsed watchtowers and black fortresses were also built in the middle of the mountains and plains where permission had been granted, and in the middle of the primeval forest where bizarrely shaped limestone was scattered.

“Wow, they did all this. Did they completely block animal access by setting up scaffolding?”

“I think so. It seems they built the scaffolding very high.”

The domestic staff, who knew the drama and movie scenes well, were impressed, and the actors, overwhelmed by the realism, became even more immersed in their acting and performed the scenes.

“Hurry, before the sun goes down!”

“This cue is the last one, the natural light on this side will be completely gone in ten minutes!”

No matter how much CGI is added and props are placed, acting in a set and acting in that nature cannot be the same.

Time passed quickly with the actors’ sweat, the clanging of metal, and the blazing sun of New Zealand, brighter than any lighting.

As the summer filming on the South Island was coming to an end,

The weather suddenly changed.

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