It seemed like Miley Cara was whispering something into his ear, but right now, Kang Woojin couldn’t hear anything clearly. Even though the global superstar Cara had her arm linked with his, Woojin didn’t feel it at all.
Only the grand and overwhelming scene in front of him filled his eyes.
‘……Wow- this is seriously insane.’
It was obvious, but for Woojin, this was the first time experiencing such a sight.
It was a vastness that words could not describe. The wide and long red carpet, flanked by thousands of reporters in tuxedos from all over the world, decorating the sides like ornaments. Perhaps because they were all wearing black tuxedos, they looked like ants. It felt like he had entered an ant colony.
His eyes were dazzled.
‘Ugh.’
There were hundreds of reporters nearby, and in total, there were nearly 5,000 of them, all holding cameras and flashing them nonstop. Kang Woojin felt like his vision had gone completely white.
His ears hurt.
“%(*%)#*%(#)!!”
“$()*%(%(#(#!!!”
“**(#(%_%)%*#(#%_!!!”
The shouts of the reporters, or maybe screams, confused Woojin as they seeped into his ears. And it wasn’t just them. The screams of tens of thousands of spectators surrounding the red carpet and reporters mixed in as well. If he stayed here any longer, he felt like his ears might start bleeding.
His mouth was dry.
He tried to swallow discreetly, but his throat felt rough as if it was too dry. Woojin also realized that his body had stiffened.
‘Damn, my legs aren’t moving.’
It was because this immense scale and atmosphere, the frenzy of the entire red carpet, felt overwhelmingly real, as if it was coursing through his very veins. His mind started to blur. He felt faint. If he lost focus even for a moment, it seemed like the strength in his legs would give out.
However.
“……”
Even in such a bizarre situation, Kang Woojin’s face remained a solid poker face. Part of it was due to his mind momentarily freezing, but also because the concept he had cultivated over time habitually reflected on his expression. Repeated practice has a way of ingraining itself into your body and coming out naturally. Right now, Kang Woojin’s expression was almost second nature.
That look.
“Hmm- I can understand being nonchalant about Cannes’ red carpet.”
Cara, dressed in a black gown that revealed her back and chest, had her arm linked with Woojin’s, and it led her to misunderstand.
“But it’s a bit hurtful that you don’t even flinch when I’m linking arms with you.”
It was at that moment that Kang Woojin thought.
‘Ah.’
His blurry thoughts started to clear up. His muffled ears returned to normal. Right, I came to the Cannes Film Festival, didn’t I? Gradually, his senses started to return. The first thing he noticed was around his arm. Miley Cara’s touch, and her scent brushing past his nose. Woojin slowly turned his head. Cara, with her golden hair, was smiling softly.
“I’m joking, don’t look so serious.”
“……”
Joking? What joke? He had just looked at her, but Cara was talking on her own. More than that, the fact that he was now standing on the red carpet, arm-in-arm with Cara… What in the world was happening? Meanwhile, Kang Woojin desperately tried to keep his wits about him.
It was a moment requiring intense mind control.
Forcing a wave of calm over himself, Kang Woojin glanced indifferently at Cara and said in a low voice.
“Let’s go.”
Cara tightened her grip on his arm slightly and nodded.
“Yes, let’s.”
At that moment.
-Screeech.
Behind Kang Woojin and Cara, another black limousine arrived. The first to step out was Director Ahn Ga-bok. Though he still had short white hair and a face full of wrinkles befitting his age, his tuxedo was crisp and clean. Next was top actor Sim Han-ho, with his distinctive gray hair and tiger-like impression. Then came Oh Hee-ryung, Jin Jae-jun, and Han So-jin, one after another.
In other words, it was the ‘Leech’ team.
The ‘Leech’ team, all dressed in tuxedos and gowns, immediately gathered behind Woojin as soon as they got out. It seemed it had been arranged that way beforehand. And so, the procession of the ‘Leech’ team, including Kang Woojin and Cara, began.
-Pabababababak!
-Pababababababak!
The ‘Leech’ team waved their hands or smiled as they walked to the sound of the cameras’ relentless shutter clicks. It was natural since they were the only Korean team that had proudly made it into the ‘In Competition’ section. The reporters were also frantically snapping photos, but most of them tilted their heads in confusion.
“But who’s that guy walking with Miley Cara?”
There weren’t many who knew Kang Woojin’s true identity. To the thousands of foreigner reporters, Woojin was undoubtedly a fresh face. Yet, here he was, suddenly appearing alongside Miley Cara. And they appeared very intimately too, which naturally piqued their curiosity to the extreme.
“Looking at just the fase, he seems like an actor- but why is Miley mixed in with that team?”
“Are they close friends?”
“But wasn’t Miley invited here as a celebrity, not for any film project?”
“Could they be in some kind of relationship?!”
“W-whatever, just take the photos! Take pictures first and figure it out later!!”
Amidst the chaos, it seemed there were some Korean reporters mixed in, as they shouted loudly for Kang Woojin.
“Woojin-ssi!!! We’re from Korea! Woojin-ssi!”
“Kang Woojin-nim!! Over here!! Just one wave!!”
“M-Miley Cara is entering with you- did you two arrange this together?? Woojin-ssi!!”
“Please wave to your Korean fans!!”
As the atmosphere grew even more heated, Han So-jin, dressed in a beige gown, who had been quietly watching Kang Woojin and Cara from behind, muttered under her breath. Her expression also showed that she was struggling to suppress the tension that was boiling inside.
“…Why is Miley Cara standing in front of my eyes? And she’s even walking arm in arm with Woojin-ssi?”
Jin Jae-jun let out a small laugh. For the record, this was his second time at the Cannes Film Festival.
“How would I know? To be honest, it’s my first time seeing Miley Cara in person too.”
“Same here.”
“Somehow, it suddenly feels like… Woojin-ssi is so far away.”
Even though top actor Jin Jae-jun was only about three or four steps away from Kang Woojin, at this moment, he felt like Woojin was much farther. It wasn’t a physical distance he was talking about, but a psychological gap. Having worked with Woojin on both ‘Drug Dealer’ and now ‘Leech’, Jin Jae-jun had come to know him well.
From his perspective, Kang Woojin walking side by side with a global top star no longer seemed strange.
‘Well, Woojin-ssi is… undeniably a top-tier actor now, or maybe even higher.’
In any case, the ‘Leech’ team, which had significant experience at the Cannes Film Festival, walked the red carpet with relative ease. Of course, Kang Woojin and Miley Cara, who were ahead of them as Korea’s representatives, seemed even more relaxed in comparison. However, Woojin was actually fighting a fierce internal battle at that moment. Naturally, only on the inside.
‘Just focus on the concept, the concept. Don’t think about anything else!’
Photos of Kang Woojin and Miley Cara were destined to spread worldwide.
Afterward.
Time passed in a blur. Kang Woojin surrendered himself to the chaotic flow. Many things happened, but they passed so quickly that it was hard to remember them clearly. After finishing the red carpet walk, there was a photo session, followed by the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival inside the massive hall at the ‘Palais des Festivals’. It was an event where famous filmmakers from around the world gathered.
A sea of cameras filled the space.
On the splendid stage, with the logo of the Cannes Film Festival’s iconic palm leaf hanging grandly, the festival’s president delivered a speech, announcing the official opening. By the way, the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival would also take place in this enormous hall. Afterward, Kang Woojin spent most of his time in interviews and photoshoots.
Because Korean and foreign reporters alike swarmed around the ‘Leech’ team.
There were plenty of reasons for him to catch people’s attention.
Not only was ‘Leech’ the only Korean film in the ‘In Competition’ section, but his appearance with Miley Cara on the Cannes red carpet also contributed significantly to it.
‘Ah- this is killing me, it’s so damn hectic.’
Kang Woojin realized that maintaining his concept was more difficult than ever. A foreign country, unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar people. Of course, after the opening ceremony, he ran into some familiar faces.
“Hahaha, Woojin-ssi. I almost didn’t recognize you in a tuxedo!”
“Thank you.”
“You look different from when we met in Bangkok.”
It was Joseph and Megan, along with the stunt team and some executives from Universal Movies. Though he had met them in Bangkok, seeing them again in Cannes gave Kang Woojin a strange feeling. How should he put it, it suddenly felt real that these people were big shots in Hollywood? Whatever the case, Kang Woojin exchanged greetings like crazy with famous directors and officials regardless of nationality.
Even though he didn’t recognize any of their faces.
‘Honestly- they just look like a bunch of random foreigner uncles to me. Ah whatever.’
He also briefly exchanged greetings with Hollywood top actors and actors from other countries. At this time, Miley Cara was with him.
And so.
“Ugh……”
It was almost midnight by the time Kang Woojin returned to his hotel room.
The next day.
The official first day of the Cannes Film Festival, which had announced its opening to the world, dawned. On the morning of October 1st, the sky over Cannes was clear. The time was 8:30 AM. Once again, the city of Cannes was overflowing with tourists, and inside the ‘Palais des Festivals’, where screenings had started, the ‘Lumière Theater’ was bustling. Nearly 3,000 seats were filled.
The reason was simple.
Among the 20 films in the Cannes Film Festival’s ‘In Competition’ section, the first film was about to be screened. Therefore, the people filling the 3,000 seats in this massive theater came from all walks of life. Hollywood top actors, directors, stars from various industries, reporters, and of course, the 10 official jury members were all present. Near the front of these seats:
‘Wow, the screen is huge.’
Even Kang Woojin, with his usual expressionless face, was there. Unlike yesterday’s tuxedo, he now wore a casual suit. He was discreetly taking in the sights of the enormous theater. Everything about Cannes fascinated him. Next to Woojin were the giant Joseph and Megan.
Choi Sung-gun or Woojin’s team were nowhere to be seen.
After all, if you couldn’t speak English or French at the Cannes Film Festival, watching movies could be quite inconvenient. The subtitles were only in English and French. Of course, for Kang Woojin, who had already engraved both languages, there was no issue. Anyway, the first film to kick off the ‘In Competition’ section, was from Japan. Woojin could hear the murmurs of the reporters sitting around him.
“It’s Director Hamaguchi’s film, right? I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Yeah. Didn’t he win the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes two years ago?”
“I saw an interview where he said he’s aiming for the Palme d’Or this year.”
“He’s a great director, so it’s definitely possible.”
“The fact that Cannes put his film first means it must be good.”
Soon, the lights of the ‘Lumière Theater’ dimmed.
The screening began.
The runtime of the Japanese film, the first entry in the ‘In Competition’ section, was just under two hours. Kang Woojin, along with the 3,000 spectators, was fully focused. The story followed a man who, after discovering his deceased wife’s diary, meets the people and visits the places mentioned in it, eventually uncovering his wife’s hidden past. The film began quietly but gradually built up into a thriller.
After the film ended.
-Clap clap clap clap clap!
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Applause filled the vast theater. It might have been partly out of courtesy, but the 3,000 audience members were praising it highly because the film itself was good.
“As expected of Director Hamaguchi! I almost laughed when the twist at the end hit.”
“The story was top-notch! The actors’ performances were great too!”
“Especially the lingering feeling from the ending, don’t you think? It was really interesting.”
“Looks like Director Hamaguchi has a strong chance of winning an award this year too.”
The bustling atmosphere of the theater was something Kang Woojin couldn’t quite understand. He clapped indifferently, but inwardly, he was full of confusion.
‘Are they serious?? Was I the only one bored? I almost dozed off halfway through.’
It was his honest review from the perspective of a pure audience member. But did it matter? Woojin thought as he remained in the theater for a while longer before leaving with Joseph and Megan. They were heading to have breakfast together. But then.
“Hm?”
The towering figure of Joseph Felton suddenly stopped near the theater entrance, having spotted someone. Megan, who was brushing back her brown hair, also stopped. The two of them approached a group of foreigners. Joseph addressed a foreign man with thinning hair and round glasses.
He looked to be in his 60s.
“Director Danny Landis, it’s been a while.”
The man called Director turned his head. His scruffy beard was visible to Woojin as he casually greeted Joseph and Megan.
“Ah- Joseph and Megan. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, Director. How have you been?”
“Oh, same as always.”
Director Danny Landis’s gaze then landed on Kang Woojin standing behind Joseph. Megan took the lead in introducing them. Woojin and Director Danny Landis exchanged a brief handshake. There wasn’t much conversation. It was just a polite formality. However, Woojin felt like he had seen his face somewhere before.
‘Hmm- Director? Where have I seen him?’
Soon, Joseph smiled and said to Director Danny and spoke.
“Director, I’ve tried to contact you and sent a few proposals, but there’s been no response.”
“Hm? Ah, did you? I didn’t know.”
Despite Danny’s feigned ignorance, Joseph kept his smile, though he inwardly scoffed.
‘Pretending not to know, huh.’
Externally, however, he maintained his courtesy.
“Yes. I’d appreciate it if you could check on that.”
“Alright. I’ll get back to you.”
After finishing the conversation, Director Danny Landis walked away. Meanwhile, Kang Woojin was discreetly searching for the director on his phone. The moment he saw the results, a silent gasp burst from him. Of course, inwardly.
‘Holy shit!!! Director Danny Landis! That guy is a Hollywood legend!!!’
It was true. Danny Landis was one of Hollywood’s most prominent directors. He had a string of blockbuster hits and over 30 years of experience. As a result, there were overflowing articles and various materials about him. Even among the movies Woojin had enjoyed watching, there were works he had made.
‘Wow- that guy directed that movie?!’
As Woojin internally freaked out, the distant Director Danny Landis had already been swarmed by several reporters, befitting his high status. Other famous figures began gathering around him too. Joseph, who had been watching this closely, spoke to Woojin, who stood next to him.
“You know Director Danny Landis, right?”
Woojin quickly slipped back into his concept, lowering his tone. He had just learned about him, but he acted like he knew all along. The art of confident shamelessness.
“Of course.”
“Hm- He was our top recruitment priority since he’s such a big shot, but it seems impossible after all. I sent several proposals but got no response.”
Megan chimed in.
“Well, we always start by sending proposals to people at Director Danny Landis’ level anyway, right? It doesn’t cost anything to send out offers. Besides, he’s one of the few directors in Hollywood who writes his own scripts and produces his own films. We knew it’d be hard to bring him in.”
“That’s right, but it’s still quite disappointing now that we’ve met him in person.”
“But I’ve heard that Director Danny is a bit of an eccentric. Is that true? I’ve never worked with him before. Joseph, didn’t you work with him in the past?”
“Eccentric, huh- well, he’s definitely not ordinary.”
Joseph chuckled and made eye contact with Kang Woojin as he continued.
“But that’s not so strange. Eccentricity is a common trait of geniuses.”
The next day, October 2nd. Cannes, France.
It was around 11 AM. Inside the ‘Palais des Festivals’, in the ‘Lumière Theater’, with nearly 3,000 seats filled,
-♬♪
The ending credits rolled to the sound of movie music. It was the second day of the Cannes Film Festival. Two films from the ‘In Competition’ section, had been screened the previous day, and now the third film had just finished its first showing. For reference, there was another screening scheduled for the afternoon.
The interesting part was
“……”
“……”
“……”
In this packed theater, with the ending credits rolling on the giant screen, there was an unusual silence. Normally, when a film ends, there’s a lot of noise- clapping, talking, and so on. That’s how it was yesterday. But now, all 3,000 people, including many famous personalities, sat still for the five minutes of the ending credits, without any movement.
In fact, there was a sense of shock in the eyes of the entire audience.
Among them was a Hollywood heavyweight director who had briefly encountered Kang Woojin the day before. Director Danny Landis, with his thinning hair and round glasses perched on his nose, was one of the stunned spectators.
“Huh-”
He, too, was staring blankly at the large screen that had just finished the film, holding a poster of the movie in his hand.
The movie title became visible.
-‘Leech’
Soon, he recalled the conversation he had overheard among the journalists before the screening and found himself disagreeing with it.
“How could anyone say this movie is just to make up numbers.”
The Hollywood figures who had accompanied Danny Landis turned their heads. They all looked to be quite elderly.
“What did you just say?”
“I’m talking about this movie, ‘Leech’.”
Danny Landis muttered quietly, almost to himself.
“This isn’t just filler- it’s a quality that Cannes should be grateful for. And…”
Danny Landis slowly lowered his gaze to the poster on his lap and pointed at it with his index finger. More precisely, he pointed at Kang Woojin, who was pictured on the poster.
“Did they actually cast someone who genuinely suffers from ‘Ripley Syndrome’ to play this role?”