Translator: Dreamscribe
Cars were moving all over Bangkok for the filming of ‘Beneficial Evil’. The gray van that had just left the hotel was also buzzing with talk about Kang Woojin. It was a vehicle where employees of Netflix Korea were on board, including the plump Executive Director Kim So-hyang and Writer Choi Na-na.
Writer Choi Na-na, wearing a safari hat, her face flushed since yesterday, was constantly excited.
“Oh, what should I do!”
It was her mood that was the problem, rather than the hot weather. As always, it was Kim So-hyang who was calming Choi Na-na down.
“I-I’m so nervous—I can’t seem to calm down.”
“Calm down, Writer. The filming won’t stop. For us, the best thing is to enjoy it.”
“But-but still, as soon as we arrive on the set, we’re shooting that long take scene, aren’t we!”
“If that’s the case, Kang Woojin-ssi must be under more pressure than us… Ah, maybe not. I can’t quite imagine Woojin-ssi struggling.”
“Yesterday too, he didn’t even flinch and did the rehearsal so comfortably. Of course, the rehearsal was done by breaking down each movement slowly.”
“Still, I’m sure he must feel at least a little bit of pressure inside. It’s his first action project, and it’s also a long take. Moreover, if it’s a cut longer than 10 minutes… anyone would find it tough.”
“I-if there’s a mistake in the middle, do they shoot from the beginning again?”
“Of course. A long take is meant to maintain its dynamism and liveliness by shooting continuously. If it’s shot in parts or pieced together in editing, it loses its meaning. That’s why it’s a high hurdle that even the directing team tends to avoid.”
At this, Writer Choi Na-na, adjusting her round glasses, muttered while imagining Woojin.
“……I can’t really imagine Kang Woojin-nim making a mistake, though?”
A few hours later, around noon.
In a fairly large village about an hour away from downtown Bangkok, under the scorching sun. Once again, the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team had settled in a location at the outskirts of the village, past the city area, near an abandoned factory. Though the entire building was painted in shades of brown and beige, half of the paint was peeling, indicating it had been neglected for a long time.
In the open space in front of this abandoned factory, many vehicles used by the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team were parked, and dozens of staff members were running around frantically.
However, the number of people seemed fewer than expected.
The reason was simple.
Key members of the filming team, including PD Song Man-woo, were in a building attached right behind the abandoned factory. It was a five-story apartment-like structure. Of course, this place too was currently an abandoned building, looking quite run-down. The broken windows and shattered bricks were actually intended by the art team of ‘Beneficial Evil’.
About 150 staff members gathered on the first floor of this empty apartment.
“Martial arts team!! Over here!”
Even Miley Cara, who had just finished her makeup, was among them, but the entire crew of ‘Beneficial Evil’ tried to hide their curiosity as much as possible and continued their work.
“PD-nim!!! Please finalize the props!”
“Cinematographer-nim! Please double-check the camera work!!”
“Supporting actors!! The prop guns are ready! Wait, where did the interpreter go!!”
The local crew from Thailand, as well as the domestic crew of ‘Beneficial Evil’, were busy setting up for the first shot, following orders quickly and precisely. Some of the local Thai extras had tense expressions on their faces as they received instructions, preparing for the upcoming long take scene that was over 10 minutes long.
A few of the Thai extras glanced towards PD Song Man-woo while receiving their prop AK47 guns.
To be exact, they were looking at the male protagonist of the drama.
“I heard that Kang Woojin is also doing a long take for the first time.”
“Do you have any experience?”
“Yes, although not a 10-minute one like this, I’ve done a 5-minute take before. It was in a Hollywood film.”
“How long did it take?”
“Just that cut took more than 5 hours. If there are a lot of mistakes, it keeps getting reshot until the actors and the staff synchronize perfectly.”
“……So it’ll probably be similar today.”
Most of the Thai extras were watching Kang Woojin. Woojin was in the middle of a conversation with PD Song Man-woo, Cara, the martial arts director, Ethan Smith, and others. It was clear that they were discussing a variety of topics, including the crank-in, martial arts, CQC, and long takes, among many other things.
One of the Thai actors looked at Kang Woojin and speculated.
“If the lead actor is new to action or long takes, it will take more time.”
A few dozen minutes later.
Kang Woojin stood in the center of the first floor of the abandoned building. He wore a fitted gray short-sleeve shirt and faded black jeans. His overall skin tone was slightly darker. His slightly tousled black hair had been cut a little shorter. His appearance was already indistinguishable from that of ‘Jang Yeon-woo’.
But inside, he was still Kang Woojin.
‘Phew—time to start.’
Setting aside his concept, he cooled down a bit. Then he summoned many things. He began with the imprinted image of “Beneficial Evil’s” ‘Jang Yeon-woo’. He drew out everything he had. ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ spread seamlessly throughout Woojin’s body.
“……”
He was calm. He was bold. He was cold. He was wicked. He was brutal. He was skilled. He was flexible. He was meticulous. And he was excited.
‘A nice bastard.’ ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ is evil.
However, the master of ‘Jang Yeon-woo’, Kang Woojin, summoned yet another monster. It was ‘Park Dae-ri’ from ‘Profiler Hanryang’. This was to mix a touch of madness into the ‘nice bastard’. The current ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ was already complete.
But Kang Woojin desired another layer of brilliance.
‘Roughness or rawness.’
The technique was “Jang Yeon-woo’s”, while the unrefined element was “Park Dae-ri’s”. Kang Woojin envisioned a half-crazy veteran. It wasn’t based on anyone’s advice. It was Woojin’s choice. So what? If he was wrong, he could simply remove ‘Park Dae-ri’ on the spot.
‘Jang Yeon-woo’ and ‘Park Dae-ri’ blended appropriately.
‘Next.’
Having completed the setup, Kang Woojin called forth the necessary weapons. ‘Martial arts’ and ‘CQC’.
At that moment.
-Zzzt!
A thick cable tie was fastened around Kang Woojin’s wrist, who had finished his preparations, and two Thai extras stood beside him. One was holding an AK47 rifle, while the other had a Glock 17 pistol.
PD Song Man-woo, standing among multiple monitors along with Miley Cara and Ethan Smith, grabbed a megaphone.
“Camera!!”
Soon, the cinematographer with a camera on his shoulder positioned himself in front of Kang Woojin. He had one assistant helping him, and there was also one member from the audio team.
This was the beginning, the start of the 10-minute long take.
“Standby!!!”
At PD Song Man-woo’s loud shout, the many staff members gathered around Kang Woojin quickly moved away. The Thai actors involved in this scene took their designated positions. By this time, Kang Woojin’s vision was fully immersed as ‘Jang Yeon-woo’.
‘This place reeks.’
The camera in front of him had long vanished from his awareness. He couldn’t see the numerous staff members around him either. Only the world of ‘Beneficial Evil’ were unfolding. There was a musty smell in the air. The smell of cigarettes and another unfamiliar scent. Drugs, maybe? He was tied up now. But he could easily break free. Analyze. Analyze it. The building had five floors. He was being led by two people. Assume there are more of them on each floor.
‘This might be fun for a change.’
‘Jang Yeon-woo’ had come here following a proposal from his former colleague, L. The mission was to rescue the kidnapped daughter of Bangkok’s drug lord. The kidnappers were a rival drug cartel. Both sides were large in scale, and this was the likely location where the kidnapped daughter was being held. Currently, ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ was posing as a broker for a drug deal.
Meanwhile, in front of the monitor, PD Song Man-woo spoke again.
“Hi—”
Many on the set fixed their gaze on Kang Woojin. Not only the staff but also Joseph, Megan, a group of about 20 foreigners, Cara and her team, Kim So-hyang, Writer Choi Na-na, and many others. Altogether, there were well over 200 people watching.
And then, it happened.
“Action!!”
The first cue for ‘Beneficial Evil’ was called out. It was the moment of the crank-in, and Kang Woojin appeared on the camera and monitor. His expression, with his hands tied, was nonchalant. Yet there was a hint of mischief lingering on his face.
-Thud!
The two male gang members standing on either side of him, acting as the broker’s guides, tapped Kang Woojin’s shoulder.
“Move quickly.”
It was in Thai. Woojin briefly glanced at the AK47 rifle loosely held in the man’s hand and then took a step forward. The camera, stepping backward, moved behind him. Kang Woojin climbed the spiral staircase. He went past the second floor, then the third floor, eventually reaching the fifth floor. Their final destination was the last room on the fifth floor. Thick cigarette smoke and loud, indistinct music filled the air.
-♬♪
The two gang members pushed Woojin into the room. Kang Woojin offered no resistance. Standing in the center of the room, his expression was blank, but his eyes moved quickly. He counted two in front, one at the table behind, two near the entrance, and one in front of the TV.
A total of six people.
Any more? He raised his keen senses, but there were only six in this room. There might be more in the other rooms, but that wasn’t a concern right now.
‘The guy at the back has a knife. Four guns, two knives. I’ll clear this room first.’
The camera moved to Woojin’s side. The man who seemed to be the leader of the group, a man with a mustache, blew a cloud of cigarette smoke directly into Kang Woojin’s face.
“……”
Woojin maintained a calm, expressionless face. The mustached man smirked and said something in Thai, chuckling.
“This bastard looks tense. Is he about to piss himself?”
Kang Woojin responded. In English.
“I don’t speak Thai.”
“Shut up!”
The mustached man suddenly became agitated, roughly pressing the gun in his hand against Woojin’s jaw. Yet, Kang Woojin remained composed. For about five seconds. The mustached man smirked again and turned to the other gang members.
“He’s got guts, I’ll give him that.”
Soon, the camera zoomed in to capture both of them from the waist up. Something was about to happen.
Kang Woojin spoke again.
“I don’t speak Thai.”
This time, the mustached man responded in English, though it was broken and not fluent.
“How much do you want?”
“The more, the better.”
“Money?”
“As much as you want.”
“Heh, fine. Let me show you the goods first.”
As he was about to show the drugs, Woojin asked something else.
“You got kids too?”
“What?”
“I heard you’re selling kids too.”
“……Do you need them?”
“I do. If you’ve got them, show me.”
“Boys? Girls?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Just as the mustached man, who had been chuckling, turned his head to signal the two gang members by the entrance—
-Swish.
Kang Woojin raised his bound hands and swiftly brought them down. The thick cable tie snapped with a sharp pop! The camera naturally moved behind Woojin, and the gang members who noticed his sudden movement shouted in alarm.
“That bastard!!”
“He’s dangerous!!!”
The mustached man turned his head back, just in time to see—
-Thunk!
A short blade pierced through his neck. The one holding the knife was Kang Woojin, using the blade tucked into the man’s waistband. As Woojin caught the falling man, he grabbed the gun.
-Bang! Bang!
Two gunshots rang out. Bright muzzle flashes, and shell casings flew out.
“Ugh!!”
The bullets hit their mark, striking the chest of the man near the entrance. Blood sprayed as he collapsed lifelessly. An AK47 rifle clattered to the ground beside him.
-Bang!
One more shot. Blood and brain matter burst from the back of another gang member’s head. Three out of the six were dead in an instant. The guy who had been watching TV jumped up in shock, holding an AK47 rifle in his hand. The gang member armed with a knife also lunged at Kang Woojin who was still down.
“Argh!!!!”
“Move! Move!!!”
This turn of events worked to Woojin’s advantage. It blocked the line of sight of the guy who was watching TV. But the knife-wielding gang member was faster.
-Swoosh!
He swung his long blade. Woojin, lying on the ground, tilted his head to the right to dodge, then rolled his body to grab the fallen AK47 rifle near the entrance. He immediately braced it against his shoulder. By this point, the camera was behind Woojin. The gang member with the long knife rushed at him.
-Bang! Bang! Bang!
The bullets tore through his chest. Blood sprayed everywhere. Woojin fired one more shot to confirm, putting a bullet in the head of the fallen man.
-Bang!
The head was punctured with a thud. Kang Woojin quickly raised his gun. He fired the AK47 rifle he was holding.
-Bang! Bang!
The face and head of the panicked man with the rifle in front of the TV exploded. Dark droplets of blood splattered across the TV screen.
“Aaahhh!”
The last remaining gang member swung a long knife at Kang Woojin. There was a thudding sound. Woojin blocked and deflected the knife using the muzzle of the AK47 rifle. Kang Woojin re-aimed the rifle.
-Bang! Bang!
The gang member’s twisted arm and his face were smashed in.
“$*@&(%*&@(@!!!”
“*%&(*@%&(%@@@$(*(!!”
Shouts echoed from below. More gang members were rushing up. The camera moved to Kang Woojin’s side. Woojin replaced the bullets in the AK47 and grabbed a pistol as well. He then stood by the door, counting seconds, listening intently to the approaching footsteps.
-Da-da-da-da!
They were close. Kang Woojin suddenly emerged.
-Bang! Bang! Bang!
The heads of two gang members who had just stepped into the hallway from the stairs exploded. Woojin swiftly rolled down the hallway. The camera followed him roughly, keeping pace. Then, Woojin kicked a closed wooden door. Two gang members with knives charged at him. Four shots fired, and their hearts and brains burst into bloody splatters.
The camera smoothly moved in front of Kang Woojin’s face.
Blood was splattered all over both his cheeks.
‘More are coming.’
He was smiling. But there was a hint of madness in that smile.
‘This sensation is great. Taking a break really was the right choice.’
He was the embodiment of raw ‘evil’.
But his rampage wasn’t over yet. Only about five minutes of the long take had passed. At this point, PD Song Man-woo was in a frenzy, watching from the monitor.
‘This is insane!! It’s like ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ has come to life and is running wild! This speed! This impact!’
The blonde Miley Cara was covering her mouth with one hand. The scene unfolding before her was beyond imagination.
‘W-What the hell?? This is the first scene, the first take, right? Isn’t he way too skilled??! And while filming a long take action scene, how is it that his ‘CQC’ is better than the Hollywood actors I’ve seen!! How is that even possible!!’
In shock, she turned her head to the right. There stood the giant Joseph, Megan, the stunt team, and executives from ‘Universal Movies’. All of them were frozen, not even blinking. Their expressions were like, “What am I witnessing right now?”
Cara deeply sympathized with them.
‘It feels like your brain just stopped, like your basic understanding of reality is shattered. When you see something so beyond comprehension, of course that happens. I know that feeling well.’
The top figures from Hollywood, all those esteemed people, stood with their mouths slightly open. There was not even a slightest movement.
“……”
“……”
“……”
The monsterous ‘CQC’ had broken them all.
****
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