Chapter 159: Solo (6)

Chapter 159: Solo (6)

After finishing a conversation with the production team of Island of the Missing,' Choi Sung-gun, wearing a thin short-sleeved shirt and a hat pushed down firmly, returned to the waiting tent. His focus was on the smartphone in his hand. Just as he was about to enter the tent,

Are you by any chance interested in the Cannes Film Festival'?

An old man's voice was heard inside the tent. It was familiar voice. Realizing that Director Ahn Ga-bok was inside, Choi Sung-gun hesitated.

Director Ahn Ga-bok? Was he here already??'

He knew that the director was supposed to come today, but Choi Sung-gun had not known that he had already arrived and was talking with Kang Woojin.

The Cannes Film Festival? Asking him directly out of the blue? It's just a hint, but surely, Woojin wouldn't blatantly refuse, right? Yeah, that's right. He wouldn't.'

Choi Sung-gun hoped internally. Honestly, he wasn't sure how things would go, but if something went wrong with Director Ahn Ga-bok like it did Director Woo Hyun-goo, it would be hard for even Choi Sung-gun to handle.

However,

No, I'm not particularly interested.

The cold voice of Kang Woojin that came from inside the tent shattered Choi Sung-gun's faith. For a moment, his legs seemed to lose strength, and he supported himself by placing his hands on his knees.

An accident happened.'

The representatives and employees of the film company inside the tent, who had come with Director Ahn Ga-bok, immediately furrowed their brows.

Hey, look here!

And everyone raised their voices slightly towards Kang Woojin, who appeared indifferent.

Not particularly interested!

Kang Woojin~ssi, in this field, the arrogant you are, the more humble you need to be. Do you not know who is sitting in front of you?

Behaving rudely in front of the director!Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Look, Woojin~ssi. Do you think your popularity will continue endlessly??

A barrage of attacks. On the other hand, Kang Woojin's expressionless face remained unchanged. Or, more precisely, only on the outside. Internally, he was in extreme panic.

What, what's this. It's kind of scary, huh?!'

More than ever, he needed to remain calm. Pour cold water, no, pour ice water on it. With that mindset, he looked at the composed Director Ahn Ga-bok and then replied in a low voice to the attacking group.

Is there a problem?

What, what did you say?

I merely answered. You asked about the Cannes Film Festival, and I shared my thoughts. I don't understand why you're getting worked up.

It's a bit baffling without any context.

He was right. Director Ahn Ga-bok had simply asked about Cannes, and Woojin had only given his response. The others were upset because they knew the inside story, but from Kang Woojin's perspective, it wasn't a situation to be scolded for.

Am I in a situation that deserves criticism?

There was yet no formal request from Director Ahn Ga-bok. At that moment,

-Swish.

Silently observing Kang Woojin, the white-haired Director Ahn Ga-bok spoke softly.

Apologize.

It was directed at the employees behind him, and the film company's representative stuttered.

Di, Director~nim!

Apologize. There was no need to raise your voice.

The representative and employees kept their mouths shut, but dissatisfaction was evident in their eyes. Still, unable to disregard Director Ahn Ga-bok's orders, they apologized to Woojin in a low voice.

Sorry.

Director Ahn Ga-bok also met Kang Woojin's gaze.

Sorry, it's just that they care about me.

Internally breathing a sigh of relief, Kang Woojin shook his head.

No, it's okay.

After hearing the response, Director Ahn Ga-bok smiled slightly and gestured to the people behind him.

Everyone, leave us. We need to talk separately.

Soon, the film company's representatives and employees turned around. Meanwhile, Choi Sung-gun silently moved to the side of the tent. Unaware of this, the representatives and employees grumbled as they left the tent.

Phew- Even so, speaking so openly in front of Director Ahn is a bit much, isn't it?

His arrogance is sky-high. Well, it's the time when he can't see what's ahead of him.

We'll have to see how brilliantly he acts during the shooting, amidst those top actors.

Regardless, inside the tent, the atmosphere between Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok, sitting opposite each other, remained still. Both were just examining each other's eyes. Among them, Director Ahn Ga-bok was the first to break the ice.

Having no interest, you say- may I ask why you are not particularly interested in the Cannes Film Festival?

Why? Because I'm genuinely not interested? Moreover, Kang Woojin wasn't exactly thrilled about Director Ahn Ga-bok. He hadn't even thought about the Cannes Film Festival or anything like that.

Such a huge film festival would only be possible a few years from now, right?'

Currently, Woojin had a much greater interest in avoiding the grandpa in front of him than in the Cannes Film Festival. According to Choi Sung-gun, this grandfather was planning to challenge Cannes, right?

Not really interested, and planning to beat around the bush,

Kang Woojin voiced out his thoughts, which included some acting.

As I said, I simply have no particular interest.

Hmm- That's an answer I hadn't expected.

The veteran's gaze that seemed to wrap around his whole body was directed at him again. Slightly startled, Woojin pretended to be calm but murmured inside.

Last time at the restaurant too. I thought I caught a glimpse of a light look in his eyes, is that from experience or ability? Should I try to prod a little?'

With a maybe in mind, Woojin slightly toned down his excessive acting. The force in his eyes and the tension and bravado controlling his body also lightened.

But why do you ask about the Cannes Film Festival?

Then he ramped up his act again. For a brief moment, Woojin's pretense wavered. It wasn't particularly a difficult task. It was something he always did.

What was peculiar was,

Huh?'

Director Ahn Ga-bok's reaction to Woojin's test was very quick.

As expected I can see it now and then. Should I say it's light- the eyes are of a lighter density.'

Director Ahn Ga-bok openly asked,

Indeed, you are unique. Even now, I can see that strange thing in your eyes that I saw before?

Wow- shit, this grandpa is really dangerous. More than a supernatural being. Kang Woojin, internally cursing, lowered his voice as much as possible.

I'm not sure what you mean.

..Is that so?

It was then.

-Swish.

The tent opened, and Choi Sung-gun and the burly Jang Su-hwan entered. Choi Sung-gun was the first to speak.

Oh! Director~nim??

Quietly- Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been looking at Woojin, gently stood up. His gaze remained on Kang Woojin.

Cease fire! Hey!! Can't you hear??! Cease fire!!!

But.

[Kulik.]

Following that sound.

-Whoosh, thunk!!

Something long leaped out from the dense bushes and pierced the chest of the Private firing wildly. Of course, this scene would later be re-shot with a greenscreen' and CG inserted, but the actors all stopped moving at once.

The Private, tears streaming down, blood spurting from his mouth.

Huk Guk. Co, company commander.

The long thing that pierced his chest retracted back into the bushes. It wasn't visible in reality, but the actors had to clearly see it, and they did. The Private collapses to the ground. Simultaneously, all soldiers' breathing becomes violently ragged.

This, this fucker!!

Die!! Die you monster bastard!!

Aaaaah!

-Bang, bang, bang!!

-Bang, bang, bang, bang!!

They fired towards where the long thing had come from. All soldiers lost their reason, and First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae screamed into Staff Sergeant Jo Bong-seok's ear.

Move! Platoon leader!! Run!!

Company commander! We have to shoot!! The guys are just dying!!

-Bang, bang, bang, bang!!

Run!! Run, I said!!!

It was chaos. Staff Sergeant Jo Bong-seok, gritting his teeth, roughly grabs Lance Corporal Nam Tae-oh's collar.

Cease fire!! Run down there! Fuck, run, you bastards!!

-Bang, bang, bang!!

The camera films the Private with a hole in his chest from above. He is gasping for shallow breaths. Next to him, Corporal Jin Sun-cheol desperately tries to stop the blood from his chest.

Don't, don't die.

Corporal sir.

Don't talk.

I want to live

Don't, don't talk. Don't talk.

The life fades from the Private's eyes as he looks up at the sky. His life is over. The monitor that was showing the Private switches to Corporal Jin Sun-cheol's face. Amidst his muscles trembling, the corners of his mouth strangely twitch again.

Director Ahn Ga-bok leans in closer to the monitor.

Again. That's not the twitch of crying. It's exhilaration. Yes, exhilaration. Torturous, yet joyful. Why? Why is the most feeble one the most thrilled?'

His question was not long-lasting. Decades of experience as a director. Soon, the supernatural Director Ahn Ga-bok murmured softly.

Yes. Dual personality. Two egos, all conveyed just through expression.

In this wide shot, Kang Woojin had not many lines. Only his agile expressions were shown.

The control of pace, tension, richness, and volume in this scene is entrusted to that kid, Kang Woojin.'

It means he's taking the lead.

A critical situation with lives at stake. However, it could seem monotonous at a glance. Because it's a scene I've seen before. Kang Woojin twists it with a variety of colors. Among the celebrated top actors spanning decades of career, Woojin holds the key.'

On the other hand, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had been intently watching the monitor, also swallowed his saliva softly.

Good, let's have more.

He spurs on the climax of the drama. The hundred or so staff members around him had already been rendered speechless, even though they had witnessed dozens of takes.

Wow, the immersion is just- unbelievable.

Corporal Jin Sun-cheol's smile is really creepy.

Everyone's acting is insane, totally

They couldn't help but express their inner thoughts again. Meanwhile.

-Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!

The retreating soldiers began to run one by one.

Retreat!! Retreat, you bastards!

Where to! Where do we retreat to?!

The village! Towards the village!

Isn't the village side dangerous too?!

Shit! So you want to die here?!!

Ugh! Cease fire!! Run towards the village!!

Staff Sergeant Jo Bong-seok, leading the front, starts to disappear from the camera angle one by one. However.

Hu-huk- G, get up. Get up.

Corporal Jin Sun-cheol, even without his helmet, was the only one sobbing over the dead Private. First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae, retreating last, checks on him.

Jin Sun-cheol!! What the hell are you doing!! Didn't you hear the order to run?!!

B, but! Dae-kwon! Private Park Dae-kwon!

First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae slaps Corporal Jin Sun-cheol across the face.

-Slap!!

Snap out of it! He's dead! He's already dead!! Shut up and get up!! Quickly!!

Bu bu-

Stuttering, Corporal Jin Sun-cheol gets up, puts on his helmet, and starts running awkwardly. Watching this, First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae urgently rips off the Private's dog tag and dashes away.

The camera runs in front of them.

The monitor captures the face of Corporal Jin Sun-cheol in front, with the desperate First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae behind. Their expressions were very contrasting. Corporal Jin Sun-cheols, Kang Woojin's, corners of the mouth were stretched tight like a bow. His mouth was a half-moon. He was smiling brightly at the world. His round eyes were filled with mischief and madness. The timid one was nowhere to be found.

There was no sound, but it seemed like a giggling' laughter was heard from the mask. A silent joy.

He, one of the Corporals, Jin Sun-cheol, was playing a game.

First Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae couldn't have noticed it. He could only see the back of Corporal Jin Sun-cheols head.

Eventually, both of them exit the camera.

A moment of silence. After this long cut, Director Kwon Ki-taek gave his signal.

Cut. OK.

Following that, behind him, Director Ahn Ga-bok, looking earnestly at Kang Woojin, no, Corporal Jin Sun-cheol, let out an aged voice.

Ha-

The veteran slowly looked down at his forearm. Because it had been drenched with a cold sweat for a while now. And then he chuckled softly.

Well'

How long has it been? Goosebumps had risen on this parched, withered forearm that had lost its plumpness, as dry as a drought.

To think Id get goosebumps at this age.

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