Translator: Dreamscribe
In the video, a bald foreigner – no, the current director of the Cannes Film Festival in France – announced the final film title at the very end.
[“The 20th film selected for the ‘In Competition’ section. From Republic of Korea, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s ‘Leech.’”]
Of course, it was the last invitation announced in French, but Woojin, already familiar with the language, understood it immediately without any difficulty. Besides, there were English subtitles below the video.
‘It’s here!! We made it! Woo- damn, this is insane.’
Coincidentally, the fact that ‘Leech’ was announced at the very last moment gave an extra thrill. Woojin almost broke his poker face and shouted “Whoa!” but he held it in. Externally, his current appearance was the epitome of composure. However, internally, he was jumping for joy.
‘Ah- this feeling, right here.’
In the past, Director Ahn Ga-bok had already gained significant fame at Cannes, so his entry was a sure thing, but Kang Woojin was still somewhat nervous because it wasn’t clear in which section the film would be featured. He figured that if they were going to Cannes anyway, it’d be a hundred times better to be on the main stage, right?
This was a reality even the void space couldn’t change.
That’s why he had been even more anxious. In any case, fortunately, ‘Leech’ was confirmed for the main ‘In Competition’ section of the Cannes Film Festival.
In other words, ‘Leech’ would be competing against 19 other films from around the world in the ‘In Competition’ section. Starting with the top prize, the Palme d’Or, second prize the Grand Prix, the Best Director award, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and so on-all the highest honors of the Cannes Film Festival come from the ‘In Competition’ section, and ‘Leech’ now had a chance at winning any of those awards.
In front of some of the most renowned filmmakers in the world.
Woojin, with his solid poker face, hid his excitement within.
‘Good shot!!’
Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat and the rest of the team expressed it for him.
“They called us, right?!! Just now, they called ‘Leech’!”
“Yes, CEO-nim!! Look here, here, the English subtitles also say ‘Leech’!!”
“Ahh!! This is insane!! I was seriously panicking since we weren’t called until the very end!!”
“For real! I was so pissed when two Japanese films were called! But then, bam, at the last moment, ‘Leech’! Goosebumps!!”
“It was the movie! Ah, this is a film festival! What am I even saying?! Anyway, I’m so happy!!”
Except for the calm Kang Woojin, the rest of the team was beyond excited, even borderline ferocious.
“That bald guy really knows how to build suspense!! No wonder he’s the Cannes Festival Director!”
“Whoa! Wait a minute! Does that mean ‘Leech’ is the only Korean film in the ‘In Competition’ section at Cannes?!”
“Looks like it! Hold on, hold on, let me check Cannes’ official website! They should have posted the full list of invited films!”
The stylists were busy fiddling with their phones. Some were checking the latest news, while others opened SNS or the official Cannes Film Festival page.
“This year, the only Korean film in the ‘In Competition’ section is ‘Leech’! But there are quite a few Korean films in other sections! About four in total!”
“Phew! What would’ve happened if ‘Leech’ didn’t make it?!”
“I mean, just getting into Cannes is a huge deal… but still! It’s so much better to be in the main competition!”
“Of course!! The impact in the Korean media alone would be miles different! Not to mention the attention from Cannes and foreign media! The difference would be like night and day!!”
The team’s wild excitement didn’t calm down easily. Well, even Woojin was jumping with joy on the inside, so it wasn’t surprising. Anyway, this year, ‘Leech’ would represent South Korea at the Cannes Film Festival, with big actors like Sim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung, and at the center of it all stood Kang Woojin.
Because the ‘Leech’ poster itself was designed that way.
While chatting excitedly with the team, Choi Sung-gun, sitting in the passenger seat, re-tied his ponytail and turned around. Naturally, Kang Woojin remained calm without any emotional outbursts. Smiling broadly, Choi Sung-gun muttered to himself.
‘We’ve made it to this moment, finally.’
He recalled a line Kang Woojin had nonchalantly said to him some time ago.
‘Let’s do our best until next year’s Cannes, CEO-nim.’
It was when Kang Woojin’s contract renewal issue arose. The excitement he felt now was multiplied several times by the emotions from that time. Choi Sung-gun spoke to Woojin, his voice slightly trembling.
“We’re finally standing at the real starting line. It all begins now, you know that, right?”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“Let’s turn the world upside down.”
Woojin answered in a very low tone.
“We should, since we’re going anyway.”
Meanwhile.
In contrast to the early afternoon of the 17th in Korea, it was late night on the 16th in LA. At this time, a serious meeting was being held in a conference room of a major agency, with Miley Cara and several other foreigners in attendance.
“Okay, then next week.”
“Yeah, I think that would be best.”
After all, it was time for the release of Cara’s new album, which had been in the works for quite a while, with the title track that Kang Woojin had participated in creating. The major parts of the album were already completed, and despite some minor incidents, the music video editing had also been finished.
So now they just had to finalize the release schedule.
“Let’s release it while you’re in Bangkok, Cara. Pick a date you like. What do you think?”
Cara, with her hat pulled down over her blonde hair, crossed her arms and muttered after a moment of thought.
“The 24th at noon. When I’ll be in the middle of filming the Korean project.”
“The 24th at noon? Alright, got it.”
The release of her new album was set for noon on Friday the 24th, next week. LA time, of course.
At that moment.
-Swoosh.
Jonathan, Cara’s main manager, who sat beside her, leaned in close to her ear.
“Cara.”
Then he whispered some freshly confirmed information to her.
“Kang Woojin’s ‘Leech’ has been confirmed as one of the 20 films invited to the Cannes Film Festival’s ‘In Competition’ section. It’s up on the official page.”
As soon as she heard, Cara let out a small smile, her signature mix of coldness and amusement.
“As expected.”
“As expected?”
“I told you, didn’t I? That something big would happen at Cannes this time.”
“It seems it was pretty close. Considering it was ranked last.”
“There’s a lot to look forward to-”
With her long legs crossed, Cara deepened her smile as she thought about the things she would experience or witness in the coming days.
“From my album release, to shooting ‘Beneficial Evil’ in Bangkok, and then Cannes.”
“Your album is the main event, you know that, right?”
“Of course. But now that I think about it, all these fun things are connected to Kang Woojin. What would happened I hadn’t met him?”
For Cara, this was the most exciting second half of the year she had ever experienced in her entire career.
“So many gifts? Is it Christmas already?”
Two days later, on Sunday the 19th. Inside an airplane.
It was late morning, around 11 a.m. Kang Woojin could be found on the plane. For some reason, his hair and makeup were all done up. He was dressed in a thin white shirt and jeans.
His seat was by the window in business class.
With a serious expression, Kang Woojin quietly gazed out the window. A landscape filled with clouds was spreading out before him.
“……”
Woojin’s destination was Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. There were still a few hours left until they arrived. The reason? Obviously, he was on his way to the overseas location for the crank-in of ‘Beneficial Evil’.
After staring at the clouds outside for a moment.
-Swoosh.
Woojin pulled a script out of a small backpack placed at his feet. It was the script for the first episode of ‘Beneficial Evil’.
‘First- I’ll quickly read through ‘Beneficial Evil’ once, and then rest a bit in the void space.’
Then Woojin quietly raised his index finger and-
-Poke!
He tapped the black square attached to the script. In an instant, his world shifted completely. He had entered the endlessly dark void space. As soon as he landed in the void, which was even more comfortable than home, Woojin immediately dropped his intense persona and let out a big yawn. Then, while cracking his neck from side to side, he slowly walked toward the area where several white rectangles were lined up.
“Let’s see, let’s see-”
Of course, what Kang Woojin picked was ‘Beneficial Evil’.
-[9/Script (Title: Beneficial Evil), EX-grade]
-(Episode 1)/(Episode 2)/(Episode 3)……
The scripts for episodes 1 and 2 of Beneficial Evil had undergone many changes recently. After the initial inclusion of ‘martial arts’ and ‘CQC’, the action choreography was upgraded once again when the stunt team led by Ethan Smith joined. On top of that, Miley Cara’s character story was incorporated, leading to significant adjustments in the overall plot.
Initially, Beneficial Evil started in the present, but the opening was changed to focus on the male lead, Jang Yeon-woo’s past.
It now begins with his past, provides some subtle clues, then shifts to the present before returning to his past through another character’s perspective. In essence, the first episode alternates between Jang Yeon-woo’s past and present. However, the viewpoint shifts depending on the character.
In any case, the script added to the void space was the final version.
Of course, Woojin had already finished several readings (experiences) of the final version.
Yet, Woojin still-
-[9/You have selected the script (Title: Beneficial Evil, Episode 1).]
He tapped on the final version of Episode 1 of Beneficial Evil. Most of the overseas location shoots would be featured in episodes 1 and 2, and since he would soon arrive in Bangkok, the background for these scenes, he wanted to refresh his memory by reading (experiencing) the script in advance.
Soon, a familiar robotic female voice whispered into Kang Woojin’s ears.
[“Preparing for ‘A: Jang Yeon-woo’ reading…”]
[“…Preparation complete. This is a script or scenario with very high completion. Implementation is at 100%. Starting the reading.”]
An immense grayness enveloped him.
How much time had passed?
Woojin’s previously blank vision began to change. No, it was now ‘Jang Yeon-woo’s’ perspective. Though the gray cleared, the surrounding colors were still dim.
‘Darkness.’
It was a night with only faint moonlight. Cold. The temperature was chilling. It was winter. In an instant, the cold seeped into Woojin’s skin, as well as all of Jang Yeon-woo’s senses. Now, the black-haired Kang Woojin stood somewhere as Jang Yeon-woo.
“Hoo-”
His breath came out as mist. Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the pitch-black darkness. From far away, the faint sound of animals screeching could be heard. The trees and weeds were abundant. It was a mountain or forest. And, in the distance, a bright light was visible.
It was light emanating from a building.
While everything else was shrouded in darkness, that spot alone was lit up brightly. Staying calm, Woojin felt his emotions sink deep as he slowly lowered his gaze. He was wearing military boots, a uniform, a bulletproof vest, multiple magazines strapped to the vest, an earpiece radio in his ear, a handgun at his side, and an M4 carbine slung over his shoulder.
At that moment, a woman’s voice came through the radio in his ear. It was in English.
“Proceed.”
Woojin immediately moved. He lowered his posture, slowly but surely stepping forward. With each step, his heart grew colder. The temperature in his body plummeted. His head spun. It wasn’t the cold that affected him-it was the series of judgments and decisions that were being made.
-Swoosh.
Silently, Woojin advanced toward the brightly lit building. Upon closer inspection, it was a massive mansion. The light from the mansion gradually reduced the surrounding darkness. At this moment, the woman’s voice came through his earpiece again.
“One target by the pool. Start there. The interior is exactly as we briefed. J, it’s all yours.”
Woojin slightly turned his head to the left. By the pool, a little distance from the mansion, a well-built man was patrolling. He was holding a rifle as well.
“……”
For a brief moment, Kang Woojin, or rather Jang Yeon-woo, stared at the man. Suddenly, he disappeared into the shadows. Unaware, the man by the pool yawned. That’s when it happened.
-Crunch.
There was a noise from the forest to the man’s right. His expression turned serious. He was just about to take a step forward when-
“Mmff!”
A hand suddenly reached out from behind, covering the man’s mouth. A soft sound followed. A blade pierced the man’s throat. The knife was pulled out immediately. Blood spurted out. Standing behind him was Woojin. The man let out a faint groan as he dropped to his knees, but the expressionless Kang Woojin naturally twisted the man’s neck.
The man’s earpiece emitted a voice. It was also in English.
“Derek, how’s it looking on your side?”
By then, Woojin had already disappeared. The radio buzzed again.
“Derek? Hey, Derek. Damn it!”
Soon, four armed men who had been guarding other areas rushed over. After checking the corpse, they immediately raised their rifles, heightening their vigilance. Then, among them-
-Thud.
With a dull noise, something fell to the ground. One of the men, upon noticing it, widened his eyes.
“Grenade! Grenade!!”
The men moved swiftly. One of them should have covered the grenade to minimize the damage, but instead, they were too busy trying to run away. However, the grenade exploded faster than they could escape.
-BOOM!!
With a deafening roar, the men’s limbs flew through the air. Arms, legs, and heads scattered amidst a spray of blood, creating quite a spectacle. In an instant, the lives of five men were extinguished. But their comrades still remained. Thanks to the grenade’s explosion, at least eight more men started moving from the flowerbed area, the mansion’s entrance, and the inside of the mansion.
The first to move were two men in the flowerbeds on the right side of the mansion.
“There!! By the pool’s flowerbed!!”
“Fire!! Fire!!”
In the shadows, they caught a glimpse of someone in military uniform. The two men, who had been communicating over the radio, opened fire toward the flowerbeds by the pool. Bang bang bang! The deafening gunfire echoed across the entire mansion. Soon, all eight men began shooting in that direction.
-RATATATATA!!
-BANG BANG BANG!!
The wall of the flowerbed began to crumble. After a while, the eight men stopped firing for a moment. One of the men signaled to the others with hand gestures. Two of them slowly approached.
At that moment-
-Whoosh!
Woojin, who had been lying at the edge of the flowerbed, suddenly appeared, swiftly raising his shoulder-mounted M4 carbine. Thanks to the suppressor, the gunfire was muffled.
-Pew pew pew pew!
Four shots were fired. The heads and faces of the two approaching men exploded. The remaining six men immediately returned fire at the spot where Woojin had been lying, but he had already disappeared again. Then, he reappeared. The sounds of both loud gunfire and muffled shots alternated. Two more men’s foreheads and the backs of their heads were blown apart.
The remaining men cursed as they hid behind the flowerbed wall.
“Who the hell is that bastard!!”
“Where is he! Where the hell is he!!”
-BANG BANG BANG!
The men fired blindly, without even peeking out from their cover. Suddenly, someone was standing over them. It was Kang Woojin. The men noticed him too late and tried to move, but-
“Kugh!!”
After the muffled gunshots from the silencer, they collapsed like puppets. The once chaotic courtyard of the mansion now fell silent.
“……”
Woojin, sitting beside a corpse with a shattered face, wiped the blood off his cheek, his expression unchanging. Soon, he grabbed a body that was still relatively intact.
A short while later.
-Squeak.
The front door of the mansion opened. Two armed men inside raised their rifles, their eyes wide in shock. Bang bang bang bang! Someone collapsed in the doorway. The one riddled with bullets and falling apart was not Woojin-it was the corpse he had thrown in first.
-Thud!
The two men briefly shifted their attention to the torn-apart body. In that instant, Woojin swiftly emerged from the right side of the doorway. Four muffled gunshots followed. The two men’s heads exploded in succession. The men collapsed immediately. However, Woojin, with his cold eyes, wasn’t satisfied. He calmly brushed past their bodies, firing a few more rounds into them as he passed.
Finally-
-Swoosh.
Woojin, his entire body covered in blood, entered the mansion. The rifle was still mounted on his shoulder, but much of the tension had left his face. Nevertheless, the cold composure in his heart remained.
“S-spare me! Please spare me!!”
In the chaotic living room, a foreign man was lying on his stomach, trembling. When he spotted Kang Woojin, he clasped his hands together and begged.
“Please, I beg you!!”
But-
“Money! I-I can give you money! As much as you want!”
-Pew pew pew!
Three holes appeared in the foreign man’s face as he was speaking.
Several tens of minutes later.
A group of armed people, about five in total, entered the corpse-filled mansion with rifles at the ready. Lastly, a woman holding a handgun in both hands followed them inside. She had her blonde hair rolled up. The woman and her group searched the mansion thoroughly. After a while, the blonde woman lowered her handgun and looked at the others before asking.
“Where’s J?”
****
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