Translator: Dreamscribe
The official launch of Beneficial Evil was at noon on February 3rd. In fact, starting from this morning, February 3, a few hours before the launch, Beneficial Evil was already causing quite a stir across South Korea.
Not just in the press, but even in public opinion.
On social media, in online communities, on YouTube, the chatter about Beneficial Evil had reached a serious level.
-Finally!! Beneficial Evil is releasing!!!!
-Ha… time is moving so damn slow… I can’t wait to watch it…
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ But isn’t it true that projects that are this noisy before releasing usually flop? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-↑Agreedㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The trailer is everything, and it’ll be boring, Beneficial Evil will crashㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Here come the haters again.
-Beneficial Evil is blowing up internationally, so if it’s really boring, it won’t just crash, it’ll burn in hell.
-If not for Kang Woojin and Miley Cara, there might not be much to watch.
-But the trailers looked seriously amazing.
The positive and negative reactions clashed like swords and shields in an all-out war. Offline, the reaction was similar. At broadcasting stations, film companies, production companies, and other corners of the domestic entertainment industry, everyone had something to say.
“Ah- Beneficial Evil is releasing soon, huh.”
“What’s your take? Personally, I think it’ll shine for a few days thanks to Kang Woojin and Miley Cara, but honestly, I don’t think it’ll be a massive hit.”
“Hmm, I feel the same. But it might do decently domestically. With Miley Cara there and Kang Woojin being such a powerhouse. From the looks of the trailers, the quality seems pretty solid too.”
“Won’t the excitement die down quickly, even in Korea? Kang Woojin has such a huge influence that the public’s expectations are sky-high.”
“True. If it’s just mediocre, they’ll start criticizing right away.”
People made their own judgments about the future of Beneficial Evil.
“Whew- the ‘Beneficial Evil’ trailer was well made.”
“Hey, PD Kim. Skipping work to laze around again?”
“This counts as work, doesn’t it? If Beneficial Evil becomes a hit, we’ll start casting the actors in it.”
“Hahaha, really? But personally, I think Beneficial Evil aiming for a global audience is a bit premature. Even with Hallyu and K-pop, Korea is still just a drop in the ocean. Even if Kang Woojin has gained some recognition overseas, it’s not enough yet.”
“And what if it becomes a massive hit?”
“The trailers feel like they’re all it has to offer, honestly.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Deal.”
Of course, similar sentiments could be found in Japan, where Beneficial Evil was launching at the same time as Korea, under the massive influence of Kang Woojin. The interesting part was that Beneficial Evil was sparking conversations not just in Korea and Japan, but globally. In popular communities in the United States and other countries, as the launch time of Beneficial Evil approached.
-Waiting to watch this Korean project Beneficial Evil. I hope it’s fun.
-Why has this Korean project been so noisy lately?
-It’s because of Kang Woojin, the Korean actor who’s been hot in Hollywood. Especially after he became a candidate for Beast and the Beauty, the attention skyrocketed.
-Kang Woojin even won the Best Actor Award at Cannes last year.
-How amazing must his acting be to become a candidate for both Pierrot and Beast and the Beauty?
-We’ll get a hint of that by watching Beneficial Evil. But isn’t this one supposed to be action? The trailer looked pretty good.
-Trailers and teasers can always be made to look good. Honestly, there’s no way a Korean project could be on par with Hollywood.
-I subscribed to Netflix just for Beneficial Evil. Please let it at least be above average.
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.
.
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Countless opinions were pouring in.
Naturally, as time went on, the volume only increased. Most of them carried a tone of skepticism, as if to say, “Let’s see how well it’s actually made,” with a dismissive snort. Yet, the global response to it was.
-But this Korean project has already succeeded in global promotion, hasn’t it? Isn’t this the first time a Korean project became this much of a hot topic even before its launch?
-True. Honestly, Beneficial Evil is the first Korean project I’ve ever cared about.
Unusual.
Whether it was controversy or whatever, it was all thanks to the global reputation Kang Woojin had built. Miley Cara and Netflix’s marketing efforts were just the cherry on top.
As the global audience chewed, tore apart, and licked their lips over Beneficial Evil, about an hour before its launch, interest was also skyrocketing among various figures in LA. Specifically, among the many big shots of Hollywood.
While it was 11 a.m. in Korea, it was 6 p.m. in Hollywood. Starting with Columbia Studios, which had secretly decided on the lead actor for Pierrot.
“Shouldn’t we take a good look at Kang Woojin’s Beneficial Evil?”
“Of course. Call Director Ahn Ga-bok from the stage side too. While it’s true that the starting point is Korea, this is essentially Kang Woojin’s first major foray into the global market, so everyone with time should watch it.”
“Wasn’t the genre action?”
“Kang Woojin doing action, huh-sounds exciting.”
“If his action sequences are decent, it’ll significantly help position him as the ‘Joker’ for the Cinematic Universe. If not, though, that’s a different story.”
At World Disney Pictures, which was preparing for auditions and screen tests for the role of the Beast.
“When does Beneficial Evil start on Netflix?”
“Around 7 p.m. here. Quite a few people have already gathered at the studio.”
“Hmm, we should go too. Beneficial Evil will be helpful in assessing Kang Woojin.”
“Isn’t this his first action role among the works he’s shown?”
“Based on our research, yes. This is also the first project officially targeting overseas audiences.”
“Luckily, since it’s on Netflix, we’ll be able to check it out right away.”
“What do you think Kang Woojin’s action skills will be like?”
“Hmm, I’m curious. I mean, he’s not an action specialist, so there will probably be some shortcomings.”
“True, he’s already excellent in several skills, if he’s good at action too- he’d be beyond a monster.”
Among the Big Five of Hollywood, Universal Movies, along with famous producers like Joseph Felton and Megan Stone, and their teams, were also intrigued.
“The things we’ve seen firsthand are finally being unveiled to the world.”
“It looked amazing when we watched it with our own eyes, but I wonder how the final product turned out.”
“That depends on the directing and editing. Still, Kang Woojin’s action and CQC will definitely surprise the world.”
Of course, Miley Cara, who had participated in the filming of Beneficial Evil, was also streaming Netflix while traveling between schedules.
“Miley, how are you feeling?”
“Well- this was my first time working on a Korean project, and knowing that it’s about to be shown to the world feels fresh. It’s like, ‘Let’s show them what we’ve got!’”
“Kang Woojin?”
“Yeah. There were so many ridiculous rumors floating around online. I got angry just reading them.”
“If Beneficial Evil turns out well, all of that will go quiet.”
“Honestly, I hope it makes a massive splash.”
Not just Miley Cara, but Hollywood big-name directors like Danny Landis, Hollywood actors participating in the Pierrot auditions, Chris Hartnett, individuals who had experienced Kang Woojin at Cannes, foreign media outlets, and many others familiar with Woojin were all waiting.
Waiting for the launch of Beneficial Evil.
And finally.
At exactly noon, Korean time, Beneficial Evil launched on Netflix, and the iconic Netflix opening logo sound echoed across the globe.
-♬♪
An enormous number of people immediately started playing Beneficial Evil Part 1.
– ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 1
– ‘Episode 1’
The beginning featured Kang Woojin, or rather, ‘Jang Yeon-woo’, as he appeared in the present day. It opened with a scene in an apartment parking lot, showing the swift defeat of a minor villain. From the very first scene, where Woojin slapped the cheek of a small-time villain, online communities from various countries lit up like wildfire.
-What? Is this supposed to be the action they’re showing??
-Ah I regret watching this
-If this is all there is, there’s no reason to keep watching.
-Well, at least Kang Woojin’s diction isn’t bad
-There are tons of actors who can do this level?
-This is starting to smell like a trashy project.
There were more negative reviews than positive ones. No- calling it an avalanche of criticism wouldn’t be an exaggeration. It was practically a feast of insults. Given the amount of anticipation surrounding it, this was an expected reaction.
Hollywood’s response was similar.
“Huh? This is supposed to be action?”
“It’s a bit… disappointing.”
“Can this even be called action?”
However, this evaluation didn’t last long.
On the screen, Kang Woojin, or rather, ‘Jang Yeon-woo’, appeared in a flashback for the first time. Suddenly, Woojin was shown in a pitch-dark forest mountain under a faint moonlight, with distant screeches of animals echoing in the background.
His outfit had changed completely, a 180-degree transformation.
He was now wearing military boots, a uniform, a bulletproof vest, an earpiece radio in his ear, and a pistol strapped to his side.
And slung over his shoulder was an M4 Carbine rifle.
From this point on, the reactions of the global audience began to shift.
-Huh? What’s going on all of a sudden?
-It feels like the genre just changed entirely.
-An M4 Carbine? Wait, is there going to be a gunfight?
-No way. It didn’t feel like they had spent that kind of budget.
-Ohhh! This is starting to get really exciting!!
Soon after, Miley Cara’s voice made its first appearance.
– [“Proceed.”]
Kang Woojin moved with practiced skill as he infiltrated a mansion. Cara’s voice echoed again.
– [“One target by the pool. Start there. The interior is exactly as we briefed. J, it’s all yours.”]
Within moments, Beneficial Evil transformed.
– [“Grenade! Grenade!!”]
It showcased a level of quality that Hollywood films would envy.
– [BOOM!!]
Explosions and gunfight scenes erupted one after another. They weren’t clumsy or weak. On the contrary, they were distinctly stylish and visually striking.
– [Ratatatatat!!]
– [Bang-bang-bang!!]
What stood out most was Kang Woojin’s action performance. His movements left the global audience in awe.
-Wow, Kang Woojin is incredible at this!
-This is good! It’s beyond expectations!! And the action scenes are unexpectedly clean! What is this? Is this really a Korean production?
-The quality of the production is impressive, but isn’t Kang Woojin’s action performance remarkable?? Or is it just me?
-It’s not just good, it’s exceptional! It’s so impressive that he’d stand out even in a Hollywood production.
-We’re still early in, so let’s not jump to conclusions yet. Honestly, this level could be achieved with enough practice.
But this was just the beginning.
– [“Where’s J?”]
In Episode 2, the mysterious character of Miley Cara made her first full appearance as ‘L’, while Kang Woojin as J disappeared and then reappeared later. Episode 2 of Beneficial Evil also alternated between past and present, but regardless of the timeline, the overall quality of the series kept climbing higher and higher.
Then came the latter half of Episode 2.
– [“Move quickly.”]
Kang Woojin, dressed in a worn black T-shirt and ripped black jeans, stood in an abandoned building. More precisely, he was in a room inside the building where six gang members armed with AK-47s, pistols, and long knives were gathered.
Then:
– [“That bastard!!”]
– [“He’s dangerous!!!”]
The scene escalated to its climax.
– [Bang! Bang!]
As blood sprayed and a head exploded, Kang Woojin’s CQC (Close Quarters Combat) skills were vividly displayed in a meticulously crafted long-take scene that lasted over ten minutes, one into which PD Song Man-woo had poured his very soul.
It didn’t need to be pointed out, anyone watching could tell.
There were no visible cuts in the camera work or directing. It was simply Kang Woojin’s dazzling action and CQC that shone on screen, uninterrupted, for over ten minutes. The final line of the scene was.
– [“I need a car.”]
Naturally, the camera zoomed in on Kang Woojin’s blood-soaked close-up.
By this point, the reactions from global audiences were already…
-A long-take? That’s a long-take, right?
-Yeah, it’s so long! Wow, the design of this long-take is incredible!
-Those movements by Kang Woojin, aren’t those CQC techniques?? And they’re even flashy!!!
-Wow, this is amazing. Isn’t this on par with Hollywood-level quality?
-The long-take action scene is a masterpiece, and Kang Woojin’s CQC is flawless.
-Kang Woojin’s acting is great. And the action? It’s so stylish!
There wasn’t a single trace of criticism. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
The next day, the 4th. Korea.
It was past 10 a.m., and Netflix Korea was buzzing with activity. Particularly, the largest meeting room was packed. Sitting at the head of the table was Kim So-hyang, the Executive Director, and gathered around her were all the team leaders from various departments, all speaking in a frenzy. Laptops were placed in front of everyone. Kim So-hyang was busy speaking in English on a call with someone.
And with good reason.
Beneficial Evil officially launched yesterday, February 3, in over 80 countries, including Korea. And today, February 4, the monitoring had to begin, regardless of the country.
This involved checking reactions and evaluations, as well as the performance in each country.
About 30 minutes passed like this.
“Exc- Executive Director!!”
One of the team leaders shouted as they showed their laptop screen to Kim So-hyang. Soon, Kim So-hyang, who was still holding her phone to her ear, glanced at the laptop screen, and her eyes widened dramatically.
“Is this… real??!”
It was a shock filled with joy.
Meanwhile, in LA.
Unlike Korea, it was afternoon in LA. Kang Woojin could be found sitting inside a moving van.
“……”
Wearing a blazer over a single coat, his expression was firm and serious. However, inwardly,
‘Yesterday, Beneficial Evil killed it. Even though it’s my project, damn, it was fun as hell. But- when do the results for this kind of thing even come out? I’m getting a bit anxious here.’
He was somewhat restless. The cause of his anxiety was, of course, Beneficial Evil, which had been unveiled to the world. Its quality was undeniably outstanding. Woojin had also received a flood of calls yesterday, from Miley Cara to countless colleagues and others. Perhaps this was why he was feeling even more nervous now.
In any case, he was currently on his way to a Hollywood-famous media outlet for an interview. Just as Kang Woojin arrived at the massive building,
-Thud!
The van stopped in the parking lot, and Woojin stepped out, striding purposefully toward the building for his interview.
Someone suddenly called out to him from behind, in an excited voice.
“Woojin!”
When he turned around, he saw Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail bouncing, running toward him. Without any explanation, Sung-gun hurriedly showed Woojin the screen of his phone.
On the screen was a foreign news article.
『CNM / Korean Drama Beneficial Evil Creates a Storm! Ranked #1 on Netflix in the US Right After Launch!』
Out of the 80 countries, Beneficial Evil had debuted as #1 in the United States.