I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 319

“Are you talking about the main poster to send to Cannes?” Kang Woo-jin’s low question was met with Director Ahn Ga-bok’s aged voice again from the other end of the phone.

“Yes, the poster for ‘Leech’ to be submitted to Cannes. As you know, this poster is different from the usual ones. It’s more for introduction than promotion. It’s a poster to introduce the film to filmmakers from all over the world who will come to Cannes.”

Posters are produced in several versions at different times during film production. For initial promotion, for full-scale marketing of the film, for word-of-mouth during screenings, and so on. Naturally, they are all produced with different concepts, but most of them are ultimately about promotion or marketing.

That’s why they usually include something eye-catching.

However, in the case of ‘Leech,’ whose first destination was the Cannes Film Festival, it was different from typical commercial films. It had to be the symbol or face of ‘Leech’ itself, not for public attention or promotion. Therefore, the direction of poster production had to be completely different.

Because the target audience was not the general public.

Of course, people invited during the Cannes Film Festival would see ‘Leech,’ but the real key figures were influential filmmakers from all over the world. The jury and officials of the Cannes Film Festival, prominent actors from various countries, and world-renowned producers, distributors, and investors, including those from Hollywood.

In short, they needed a ‘Leech’ poster that would be seen by global filmmakers.

That poster would become the face and symbol of ‘Leech,’ but it was also a poster that would spread to the world if it won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Box office success was secondary.

There was no problem in producing a poster for the release later. In fact, if ‘Leech’ made a splash at Cannes this year, there would be no need for a separate poster. If it turned Cannes upside down, that itself would be a huge promotion and marketing campaign.

That’s why the production of the main poster, which had such enormous importance, was crucial.

“Along with the editing, we are also paying a lot of attention to the poster. I called to let you know that we will be shooting based on the selected poster list when Woo-jin returns from Japan, so keep that in mind.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s voice was also very serious. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin, who outwardly maintained a strong poker face, was not particularly concerned internally.

‘Well, I just have to shoot as they tell me.’

He wasn’t particularly nervous. Rather, he was concerned about something else.

‘By the way, before mid-September?? So, the editing for ‘Leech’ is almost done? Woah, things are getting sorted out so quickly, it feels like everything is converging at once, doesn’t it?’

It felt like the works that had been holding their breath were suddenly pouring out all at once as autumn arrived. Around this time, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, stuck to Woo-jin’s side, and for now, Kang Woo-jin put strength into his voice and replied to Director Ahn Ga-bok on the other end of the phone.

“Yes, Director. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. When we start producing the main poster, it means there’s less than a month left before we go to Cannes. We’ll also start the media play around that time. You don’t have to be nervous, but I’m just letting you know.”

“Understood.”

“But, why are you going to Japan? Ah, is it related to that animation?”

“Something like that. There’s also the production presentation for ‘Strange Geisha’.”

“Hmm. That project is already having a production presentation.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok murmured, after a moment of silence.

“It seems like they might be released around the same time.”

He ended the call.

“I’ll pass on the detailed schedule to CEO Choi. Take care.”

“Take care, Director.”

-Click.

As Kang Woo-jin slowly lowered his phone, Choi Sung-gun immediately asked.

“Director? Which director?”

Woo-jin conveyed the core of the call to Choi Sung-gun, who had rushed over. Choi Sung-gun, whose eyes lit up with interest, chuckled softly.

“Oh-ho, the main poster to send to Cannes? It’s starting to feel real that we’re going to Cannes. More than that, they said the editing for ‘Leech’ will be finished before mid-September?”

“Yes. According to Director Ahn Ga-bok.”

“Are they working themselves to the bone? They said they were doing rough cuts even during the all-night shoots, but the speed is incredibly fast.”

Kang Woo-jin’s team started moving again. Among them, Choi Sung-gun, who was looking at his phone’s calendar, smiled deeply.

“It’s really only a month left until we go to Cannes. Now that it’s so close, I’m getting anxious. Ugh- honestly, I always thought I’d go someday, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.”

Choi Sung-gun was a mix of tension and excitement. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin wasn’t particularly nervous.

‘Cannes? I don’t know. It’s already engraved in my mind, so what problem could there be?’

It was because he didn’t feel it was real yet.

Meanwhile, in a conference room of a large film company.

An old man sitting at a wide U-shaped table in the conference room put his phone on the table. It was Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had just spoken with Kang Woo-jin.

-Swish.

His short white hair was the same, but his wrinkles had increased. His face was covered in fatigue. Nevertheless, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s unique veteran aura still felt sharp.

“…So, ‘Strange Geisha’ is also done- we need to step it up.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who muttered to himself, raised his head. In front of him stood the film company’s president and several executives. It seemed like they were in the middle of a meeting. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had briefly conveyed his conversation with Kang Woo-jin.

-Swish.

Lowered his gaze again. Right in front of him, there were about three pieces of paper, the size of a regular movie poster, attached to a transparent plastic board. The three papers had illustrations and a common title.

-‘Leech’

That’s right. These three boards were the main poster candidates for ‘Leech,’ which would be going to Cannes. Director Ahn Ga-bok was intently looking at the poster candidates. The film company president and other staff around him didn’t say anything.

“…”

“…”

They were just waiting for the choice of the veteran, Director Ahn Ga-bok. But his choice was not quick. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes. Director Ahn Ga-bok looked at the poster candidates for about 15 minutes with his arms crossed. It was understandable. The poster decided here would be sent to Cannes. In fact, it had taken about two weeks to create these three candidates.

Finally.

“Hmm.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who let out a groan, raised his index finger. Then, he tapped two of the three candidate posters in a row.

“Let’s make both of these. I need to see the finished products in person.”

“Is that so? Understood.”

The illustrations of the two selected candidate posters were different in terms of the characters and direction of ‘Leech,’ but one thing was clearly common.

That ‘Park Ha-sung’ or Kang Woo-jin was the main focus.

In other words.

“Share these two poster concepts with Woo-jin’s team right away.”

It meant that Kang Woo-jin’s face would be prominently displayed in Cannes.

A few hours later, in Japan.

Kang Woo-jin arrived in Japan to complete a short three-day schedule. He arrived at Haneda Airport in Japan late in the morning after departing from Gimpo Airport. As Woo-jin entered the arrival hall, he felt his cynicism was stronger than usual.

‘Ugh- man, a lot of reporters have gathered.’

The reason was simple.

-Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash!!

Hundreds of people, including Japanese reporters, fans, and onlookers, had gathered to see Kang Woo-jin, who had appeared in the arrival hall. In Kang Woo-jin’s experience of coming to Japan often, this was the largest crowd he had ever seen.

Screams and shouts that shook the arrival hall.

“Kyaaaaak!!”

“Kang Woo-jin! Kang Woo-jin!!”

“Kyaaak!!!”

And the reporters’ shouts were buried in that enormous roar.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin!!*%&%#)%#%!”

“(#)%(*@$@*’Strange Geisha’#)*(#%”

“Woo-jin!!#%()%*#)(%’My Best Friend: Remake’@#@”

There were some understandable words mixed in, but overall, it was impossible to tell what they were saying. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin waved casually to the reporters and fans while leaving the airport.

Around this time, in Korea.

『[Star Talk] Kang Woo-jin departs for Japan for ‘Strange Geisha’ production presentation / Photos』

Japanese media were naturally reporting Kang Woo-jin’s movements simultaneously. Especially, the recent issues were more intense in Japan. Regardless, Woo-jin got into the van prepared by the Kashii Group, or more precisely, by Chairman Hideki, and moved to the ‘Kashii Tokyo Hotel,’ which was confirmed as his accommodation.

Kang Woo-jin’s first schedule in Japan was interviews with two famous Japanese magazines related to ‘My Best Friend: Remake’.

At that moment.

“Oh!!”

“Wow! Oppa, oppa! Look over there! On the building!”

“Amazing!!”

The stylist team in the same van made a fuss. Thanks to that, Woo-jin, with his indifferent face, turned his gaze to where they were pointing. Kang Woo-jin also exclaimed. Of course, only internally.

‘Crazy?? That’s me??!’

The video of the anime ‘My Best Friend: Remake’ was being displayed on an advertising board on a large building. Of course, it was an advertisement, and in the middle, Kang Woo-jin’s face appeared in a huge size. It was natural since Kang Woo-jin was the key figure among the voice actors of the hit anime. Now, it was not at all strange for Woo-jin’s face to be plastered huge in downtown Tokyo.

‘It’s kind of embarrassing-‘

And this wasn’t the end.

“Oh! It’s on the side of that bus too!”

“Ah! It’s real! Oppa! Woo-jin oppa! Your face is on the bus too!”

“Huh? That standee in front of that store looks like Woo-jin oppa too??!”

Kang Woo-jin was everywhere in Tokyo.

Afterward.

Kang Woo-jin, who tried to hide his embarrassment, smoothly completed his first day’s schedule in Japan. Each magazine he interviewed took a tremendous number of photos, which were reminiscent of a photoshoot.

In the late afternoon, Kang Woo-jin met with Director Kyotaro for a meal.

“Haha, Mr. Woo-jin. It hasn’t been a few months, but it feels like it’s been a long time. You look even better than before.”

“Hello, Director.”

“Let’s sit down first.”

Director Kyotaro, who had been working hard on editing ‘Strange Geisha’ until just before, immediately shared the progress.

“If we continue at this pace, the editing will be finished by the end of September without any problems.”

“Yes. I’ve been informed.”

While answering, Woo-jin muttered to himself.

‘Sigh- end of September. It’s a bit ambiguous. If things go wrong, it might clash with going to Cannes for ‘Leech’.’

That was the truth. The Cannes Film Festival related to ‘Leech’ was opening on September 30th, and Kang Woo-jin had to be on a plane before that. So, he might not be able to attend the finished product test before the premiere of ‘Strange Geisha’. Director Kyotaro also seemed to know this.

“This year’s Cannes is on September 30th, right?”

He told Kang Woo-jin in advance.

“Hmm. The exact date the editing will be finished is not certain, but it’s likely to be around that time. The screening test will be held within a few days after the editing is finished.”

“I might not be able to attend.”

“I know, it can’t be helped. You’re very busy, Mr. Woo-jin. If your schedule is okay, please attend the test, and if it’s difficult, we’ll have to gather the other actors for the test.”

‘Strange Geisha’s’ finished product. Honestly, Woo-jin wanted to see it if possible.

‘It’s my first Japanese movie, so I’d like to check it if possible- but I can’t postpone the Cannes schedule.’

What could he do? If it was realistically difficult to match the schedule, he had no choice but to give up on one side.

‘Tsk, well, if it’s hard, I can just secretly watch ‘Strange Geisha’ in the theater when it’s released.’

Then, Director Kyotaro shared the information about the production presentation that would be held tomorrow. The venue was the ‘Kashii Tokyo Hotel,’ where the script reading for ‘Strange Geisha’ had taken place, and where Kang Woo-jin was currently staying. It was probably 100% Chairman Hideki’s intention. It was somewhat fortunate. He could relax at the hotel without rushing and go down when the time came.

After finishing the meal, Woo-jin.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes, Director.”

Moved to the ‘Kashii Tokyo Hotel’ with Director Kyotaro. Kang Woo-jin, who had attracted the attention of many guests from the hotel lobby, entered the hotel’s large hall. To be precise, he visited the large hall for the production presentation that would be held tomorrow.

‘Woah- it’s huge. Isn’t it about twice as big as when we did the script reading??’

The preparation settings for the production presentation were already complete. Hundreds of desks were laid out throughout the hall, and a large podium with a long table was placed in the front. Small cameras were set up throughout the hall, and Japanese staff were busy operating something with larger cameras in the back and diagonally.

As Woo-jin looked at them, Director Kyotaro chuckled and explained.

“They are the live broadcast team. Did you hear? Tomorrow’s production presentation will be mainly on YouTube, so there will be a live stream. About 150 reporters are expected to gather.”

“Is that so?”

“Including our people and related personnel, it will easily exceed 250 people. As for the public who will participate in the streaming- well, tens of thousands will probably connect. What do you think? Haha, we doubled the scale as you said, Mr. Woo-jin.”

“…”

Woo-jin, who had been scanning the huge hall for a moment, replied in a low voice.

“It’s not bad.”

“That’s a relief. Tomorrow, no one will stop you, Mr. Woo-jin.”

Director Kyotaro’s smile deepened.

“You can do whatever you want.”

What exactly? Woo-jin felt a strange sense of delusion in Director Kyotaro’s eyes.

‘Why are this guy’s eyes sparkling?’

Whatever it was, after Kang Woo-jin and Director Kyotaro finished their preliminary inspection of the hall and parted ways, Woo-jin met Choi Sung-gun again, who was waiting in the lobby. What was interesting was that he was holding a tablet in his hand.

“Are you done?”

“Yes.”

Choi Sung-gun nodded and moved towards the elevator while holding the tablet. And then.

“Did you get a house as a gift from Miley Cara? In LA.”

A house? What house? Woo-jin, who had never heard of it, silently shook his head.

“No.”

“But why- no, first of all, Cara sent a list of houses in LA to the company. Check it out first.”

Woo-jin, whose mind was filled with question marks, tried to act calm and checked the tablet screen. At the same time, he was shocked. Of course, only internally.

“…”

It was natural. The first house that appeared was.

‘It’s amazing!! Wow- crazy!! It even has a swimming pool? Is this a house??’

It was closer to a mansion with a swimming pool.

End