Chapter 189: United States (4)

Chapter 189: United States (4)

Three months. Seo Hyun-mi, Kang Woojin's mother, briefly reminisces about Woojin's childhood. Then, she focuses again on the large TV mounted on the wall. Although Woojin's image had disappeared from the news, Seo Hyun-mi still murmured softly, her eyes still lingering on the memory.

..Three months. Is that enough time to take down such a bad guy?Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Kang Woo-chul, who bore a similar face to Seo Hyun-mi, shook his head seriously.

Do you think it's possible?

But, just now on the news, they were saying something about Woojin fighting off some assailant or something like that.

I saw it too.

Soon, Seo Hyun-mi's eyes widened even more as she exclaimed.

Could it be! Was Woojin a hapkido genius?!!

It was an absurd conclusion, but Seo Hyun-mi's brain was full of errors at the moment. However, her husband, Kang Woo-chul, corrected her.

Does that make any sense? It's strange to even bring up hapkido here.

Why, why??

Hyun-mi, Woojin took hapkido lessons decades ago. At most, he was 12-13 years old. Plus, do you not remember?

Huh?

Was it on the parents' observation day at Woojin's hapkido studio? When Woojin was performing forms or something. While other kids had sharp moves, our Woojin was almost dancing. You said it looked like a dance.

Did, did I say that?

You did.

With her husband's reminder, the idea of hapkido was erased from Seo Hyun-mi's mind as she recalled her son's face again.

Then how did Woojin manage to take down that assailant?

At that moment.

-Snap!

As if a lightbulb went off, Kang Woo-chul suddenly clapped his hands together and raised his voice.

That's it, that's it! Actors practice martial arts for action scenes, right? I saw in a documentary that action movie actors learn martial arts, almost to the point of vomiting blood. Woojin must have learned martial arts before his projects.

Ah.

If he took down that assailant, he must have put in a bloody effort!

It was a likely possibility. In the current situation, it was the most plausible explanation. Or rather, a misconception. Seo Hyun-mi was quick to agree.

Oh, that's right, that's right!

Suddenly, Seo Hyun-mi began to sob.

Oh- how hard must he have practiced

Kang Woo-chul's expression hardened.

He's using it in real life, so he must have dedicated months to it. But it's okay, our son is strong.

Still ah! Woojin is alright, isn't he?

Yeah. We talked on the phone before he left for the U.S. If something had happened, they would have let us know right away. Either his agency or Woojin himself.

Seo Hyun-mi, who had just calmed down, hesitated with her phone in hand.

Ah, Woojin is in the U.S.

She then complimented her son to Kang Woo-chul.

But still, Woojin saved Hwalin? That girl. I'm proud, that's our son indeed.

Hm. Our Woojin is going to be a hero.

Dad, Kang Woo-chul, was also full of pride.

He's got guts, just like me, that guy.

Ha- guts?

However, Seo Hyun-mi's comment quickly cooled the mood.

A guy who tiptoes around street cats out of fear talking about guts?

Meanwhile.

Around 9 AM. In the meeting room of the newly established DM Production, there was frequent mention of Kang Woojin. In fact, they were projecting Woojin's dashcam footage onto the front screen with a projector.

The dozen or so attendees were watching the footage, spellbound. Among them was PD Song Man-woo, indicating that this meeting was related to Beneficial Evil. The attendees were obviously key staff.

At that moment.

Wow-

Watching Kang Woojin swiftly subdue the assailant on the screen, PD Song Man-woo mumbled as if enchanted.

What in the world

He mulled over the comments made by the martial arts staff during the first production meeting of Beneficial Evil. Then, he turned to his staff and asked.

Is Woojin ssi weak in martial arts? Weak? A noob?

Ah, no- that's wow.

Soft gasps and deep misunderstandings poured out among the key staff.

Is that video real?? How can anyone be so calm when an assailant with a weapon charges at them? Woojin ssi has always been a bit cold, but that's like a professional.

Look at those hand movements. It's like he was waiting to twist and trip them. It wasn't by chance; he's trained. And for years, at that.

Ah! Didn't they say Woojin ssi studied abroad? Did he learn some kind of martial arts while he was in the U.S.??

Yeah! Maybe he picked it up while learning acting??

Suddenly, recalling Kang Totem's face, PD Song Man-woo's eyes widened.

Right. It's possible. With such an absurd level of self-taught acting, what's stopping him from martial arts? I don't know the details, but he must have started learning from the past. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.'

He chuckled, a smile mixed with misunderstanding.

Acting and that crazy instinct. And languages. But martial arts too?? He's got it all. In terms of acting, he's got everything. Locally. No, there wouldn't be an actor globally to match Woojin ssi.'

There was only one thing lacking.

Time. It's just a matter of time.'

Then, PD Song Man-woo called out to one of the key staff who had been captivated by Kang Woojin on the screen since earlier, sitting in the middle of the room.

Director Park.

He was a muscular martial arts director.

What do you think of that video as a expert?

Slowly shifting his gaze, he met eyes with PD Song Man-woo and answered simply, with shock in his pupils.

Just from the video he seems better than me?

That much?

Come up if you want.

Hong Hye-yeon quickly came up the stairs. Her steps were urgent. So much so that her long tied hair fluttered messily. What was peculiar was that Hwalin was with her. Anyway, Hong Hye-yeon, wearing a white hoodie with the Our Dining Table' logo, said.

Woojin ssi, why do I always have to find out about things like this through articles first??

Hong Hye-yeon confronted Kang Woojin., or rather, it was similar to whining. Meanwhile, Hwalin, wearing the same hoodie as Hong Hye-yeon, had an indescribable expression. With her hair rolled up, she had a face halfway between calmness and a smile, as if forcibly holding back pleasure.

Her favorite hero's story had finally been revealed. Regardless, Hong Hye-yeon's grumbling intensified.

I nearly fainted when I saw the article! Really, both Hwalin ssi and Woojin ssi!

Resigned, Kang Woojin responded with a slightly deflated solemnity.

I didn't intend to reveal it.

Ah? You were going to keep hiding it??

Yes. If possible, until I die.

At this point, Hwalin couldn't help but turn away, trying to hide her smile, and Hong Hye-yeon, who had been looking at Woojin in disbelief, suddenly whispered to him.

That's all good and well. But how did you subdue that assailant? What's with that flashy martial art?

Woojin simply answered.

A bit of hapkido.

What?

Choi Sung-gun joined in.

Hapkido, he said. Didn't you hear?

No, I heard but really, hapkido? The hapkido I know?

What else would it be?

Right then.

Woojin ssi! Is this true??!

Is Kang Woojin ssi up there??!

You're not just a chef but a complete hero!!

Shouts came from downstairs. They were cries of astonishment from key members of the Our Dining Table' team, including PD Yoon Byung-seon, the writers, An Jong-hak, Ha Gang-su, Yeon Baek-kwang, and others.

Quietly, Woojin clenched his eyes shut, internally screaming.

Ah- This is why I kept it a secret!! This is why!!'

Back in Korea, a few hours later, around lunchtime.

A large black van speeding through the streets of Seoul caught attention. Inside the van sat two legends side by side. One was the veteran director Ahn Ga-bok, with a suit jacket draped over his knees, wearing a white shirt.

Hmm-

Sitting to his right in a navy suit was the legendary actor Sim Han-ho, who, despite having his grey long hair tied back, still exuded a tiger-like aura, and he was also looking at a phone, just like Ahn Ga-bok. Interestingly, both were wearing similar outfits and being together raised questions.

Why were two legends of the film and acting world together?

Anyway, the first to break the silence was director Ahn Ga-bok.

A flood has broken loose. But when did he learn this?

The phone screen Ahn Ga-bok was looking at showed Kang Woojin. Specifically, it was a dashcam video attached to an article, while Sim Han-ho's screen was on YouTube.

Senior, you didn't know either?

Asked in a deep voice, director Ahn Ga-bok replied with a wrinkled smile and his gruff voice.

How would I know this? I've only met Kang Woojin recently. Anyway, this is a rare video.

It's probably beyond rare. It's an event that's hard to come by. It's a scene that can only happen when many events and coincidences mix.

It came out because Woojin was prepared.

Quite an intriguing fellow. Not just for his high-level martial arts, but also the issues never seem to stop with him. Influence that's impossible for a debutant of just a year.

But it's happening.

The man sitting in the passenger seat joined in the conversation. He was a film company CEO.

The point is Kang Woojin isn't in Korea right now. He's away, but his absence isn't felt.

Heh, now that you mention it, that's true.

The Hwalin incident became so big it's like a booster was attached.

At that moment.

Director~nim.

The driver spoke up.

We've arrived at the hotel, just past this signal.

A large, famous hotel was visible ahead. In fact, a significant event was scheduled to take place in that hotel in an hour the Night of Stars' award ceremony held by the Korean Actors Association. Though it was called an award ceremony, it was more like a big party towards the year-end. The party was enjoyed in the banquet hall, and towards the end, the award ceremony took place.

It was one of the relatively prestigious parties held at the end of the year.

Thus, famous directors like Ahn Ga-bok, influential entertainment industry insiders, and several top actors, including Sim Han-ho, were attending. It was quite a large event, after all.

Ah- As expected, the journalists have formed a line right from the entrance.

Journalists were stationed, and a cable broadcast team, in consultation with the Korean Film Actors Association, was also prepared. Probably by now, actors and directors might have already arrived at the hotel's banquet hall.

At this point, director Ahn Ga-bok, who was closely observing the dozens of journalists stationed at the hotel entrance, mused.

Hmm

He pondered over the Night of Stars' party happening today and then looked again at Kang Woojin on his phone.

Even though he's absent, his presence isn't missed-

At that, Sim Han-ho, sitting to his right, asked calmly.

What?

With a wrinkled smile, director Ahn Ga-bok mused aloud.

Should we throw in some logs? I had planned to do it after you joined anyway, and since we're together now, this might be a good place. They're going to bombard us with questions about Leech' anyway.

Are you going to do it?

Yes.

To Sim Han-ho's deep question, director Ahn Ga-bok pointed at him with his index finger.

I'm talking about announcing an actor who's going to be starring alongside you.

*****

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