Chapter 301 - Autumn (2)

Chapter 301: Autumn (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Around lunchtime.

At the time when the Hollywood stunt coordinator team, recruited by ‘Beneficial Evil’, set foot in Korea, for some reason, a massive crowd had gathered at COEX in Samseong-dong. It was always a busy place, but now it was several times more crowded.

So much so that passersby were astonished.

“Whoa—what’s going on here? There are so many people!”

“Wow! Look at the reporters staking out spots! Is some celebrity coming?”

Hundreds of people were clinging to the rope fence set up in the first-floor lobby, and in front of them were dozens of reporters with cameras that looked like cannons. It wasn’t just the first floor. The second and third floors, following the stairs, were also packed with people. The situation was being controlled by muscular security guards, while staff members wearing lanyards were frantically running around in between them.

All of the gathered crowd was holding up their phones in unison, and their phones were pointed toward the same spot as the cannon-like cameras of the dozens of reporters.

A podium was set up, and chairs and a desk were arranged on top of it.

Behind it hung a large poster of an actor currently shaking up South Korea.

It was Kang Woojin.

Of course, this event was a fan signing event hosted by a luxury brand for which Woojin was the main model. Therefore, around Woojin’s poster, the luxury brand’s logos were also prominently displayed.

In other words, all these people were desperately waiting for Kang Woojin.

The news had already broken.

However, the star of the show, Kang Woojin, was not yet in his seat.

So where was he at the moment?

Woojin could be found in a waiting room set aside for today’s event, a bit away from the lobby where the signing event would take place.

“Hmm—”

While it was noisy outside the waiting room with his team members bustling about, the waiting room Woojin was using alone was relatively quiet. Kang Woojin was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed. He looked his best. His black hair was naturally swept back, and he was dressed in a matching blazer and slacks, both in dark brown.

He was more than ready.

For some reason, Woojin was sitting there with wireless earphones in, eyes closed. His chin was slightly tilted down. He wasn’t sleeping because he had some spare time.

-♬♪

He was listening to music. It wasn’t even a Korean song. It was a foreign song. The reason was simple: the song Woojin was currently listening to was sent by Miley Cara. It wasn’t an officially released track; it was a guide track for her upcoming new album.

Woojin had to familiarize himself with this song to proceed with the work.

Of course, Miley Cara’s side had recently sent over various details about the new album. They said that the song Woojin would be working on was likely to be the title track. Along with this, they sent the concept of the song and the storyboard for the music video. Therefore, whenever Woojin had free time, he often listened to the song along with reading scripts like this.

‘The song—it’s good even though it’s just a guide version.’

Kang Woojin’s involvement in the song Cara sent was significant. It was closer to a featuring role, but it also included Woojin’s piano solo. This meant his contribution was substantial. When he first heard this, he acted cool on the outside but was deeply puzzled on the inside.

Why? Why would a global superstar like Miley Cara make such a decision?

But Kang Woojin soon stopped thinking much of it. Well, it’ll work out somehow. But since he had already agreed to do it, doing it half-heartedly didn’t fit his image. This was also part of Woojin’s original personality.

Whatever it was.

‘But damn, this is seriously awesome.’

As Woojin replayed the guide track again, he couldn’t help but smile unconsciously. Of course, it was inwardly.

‘Why am I listening to the guide track for a global ultra-superstar’s new album? And I’m even going to be a part of it.’

In a way, it was an unbelievable situation. Working with Miley Cara, who has massive influence even in Hollywood. At this moment, except for Miley Cara’s team, Kang Woojin was probably the first person on Earth listening to her new album’s track.

“Life really is unpredictable.”

Woojin, who was slightly shaking his head, moved his hand as he listened to the song. He picked up the tablet placed on the table in front of him. With two taps on the screen, the things he had been looking at earlier began to display. It was the music video storyboard sent by Cara’s team.

‘The concept is really unique too—a woman who’s half-crazy after being dumped.’

The music video concept was directly connected to the mood of the song. Heartbreak, obsession. On top of that, the outfits were brazenly sexy. But now, it added a touch of ‘madness’.

At that moment.

-Klunk.

The waiting room door opened, and Han Ye-jung, with her short blue hair, walked in. She looked at Woojin, who had his legs crossed, and spoke in her characteristic blunt voice.

“Oppa, you can go out in five minutes.”

“Got it.”

Han Ye-jung, who was now looking down at the tablet Woojin had just shifted his gaze to with a nonchalant expression, asked.

“Ah—so you were looking at the music video concept from Miley Cara’s side.”

“Yeah.”

“I checked it out earlier because of the costume preparations. Oppa, are you really okay with this?”

“With what?”

“The music video seemed pretty intense. And they’re asking quite a lot from you too. The piano solo is short so that’s fine, but in the story, you’re the object of Cara’s obsession.”

Isn’t that the point, so what was the problem? In fact, Cara’s acting in the storyboard for the music video was an obsession-driven ‘love pursuit’ from beginning to end. However, the choreography was quite intense. While the sexy costumes of Cara and the dancers were the main focus, once Kang Woojin appeared, their pursuit of him began.

There was a lot of skinship with close contact with Cara.

One of the scenes even included a cut where their lips were about to touch. It wasn’t confirmed, so it might be removed, but that’s how it was currently. Of course, Woojin wouldn’t be dancing or moving much, and Cara’s side had already communicated that they were willing to modify the storyboard if it became a problem or was too difficult.

Kang Woojin’s answer was OK.

He was sincere about it. It was just acting, after all. However, he also had this thought.

‘No, seriously, when else in life would I get to be courted by a global superstar like Miley Cara?’

Wouldn’t that be the dream of men around the world? But expressing this thought outright would be stupid. Woojin replied to Han Ye-jung in the calmest voice possible, cold and composed.

Standing with his arms crossed, PD Song Man-woo glanced back and smiled subtly.

“They’re probably curious about the Hollywood stunt team. So, have you talked with them?”

“Yeah, we did. It wasn’t easy since we had to go through a translator, but it wasn’t bad.”

“How do they seem?”

“Well, the level is definitely higher. As soon as they saw the martial arts storyboard, they immediately pointed out the awkward parts. You can really tell they’ve got that Hollywood experience.”

“They should be different, considering how much that team costs. Anyway, if you can revise the martial arts storyboard based on their input, do it. I’m all for anything that raises the quality.”

“I know, the quality will definitely be upgraded. We’ve brought in experts after all.”

The martial arts director, mumbling to himself, checked his wristwatch.

“When is Woojin-ssi arriving? He said he’d drop by briefly to meet the stunt coordinator team.”

PD Song Man-woo, who nodded his head, answered immediately.

“I just talked to him, and he said he’s almost here.”

A few dozen minutes later.

A black van carrying Kang Woojin stopped in the parking lot outside the action school. Naturally, Kang Woojin stepped out of the van. He was dressed in the same blazer he had worn at the fan signing event. Of course, this was expected since he was only supposed to make a brief greeting.

-Swish.

Woojin, with his poker face on, looked at the large action school.

‘So, the overseas stunt team has arrived?’

He didn’t feel particularly nervous. He had met Hollywood staff several times before. As soon as Choi Sung-gun and Woojin’s team joined him, Kang Woojin began to move. With firm strides, he walked straight ahead without any hesitation and opened the door to the action school. Nearby, the assistant director from ‘Beneficial Evil’, who had been waiting, immediately shouted out.

“Sunbae! Woojin-ssi has arrived!!”

With this shout, every eye in the action school turned to Kang Woojin. Among the actors, Ha Gang-su smiled slightly, and Jo Moo-chan’s eyes sparkled. PD Song Man-woo and the martial arts director quickly rushed over to Woojin. It was PD Song Man-woo who spoke first.

“You’re here. Did the fan signing event go well this morning?”

Woojin, who was greeting the nearby staff, answered calmly.

“Yes, PD-nim.”

The muscular martial arts director joined in with a laugh.

“Wow—Woojin-ssi is really looking sharp today! Haha, is it because I haven’t seen you dressed up like this often?”

As they exchanged brief greetings, PD Song Man-woo called over the assistant director and gave him some instructions. Soon, the assistant director nodded and quickly ran off. It was towards the Hollywood stunt coordinator team, who had been watching Kang Woojin’s entrance intently.

Soon, the foreigners group, accompanied by a translator, approached.

Their imposing presence didn’t cause much change in Woojin’s expression. He was already used to how huge these foreigners were.

‘Yeah, they’re huge as expected. I figured as much.’

One of the foreigners, who had the big nose and seemed to be the leader, stepped forward and extended his hand to Kang Woojin. Naturally, he spoke in English.

“Kang Woojin? Nice to meet you, I’m Ethan Smith, the leader of the team.”

The translator was about to relay the message to Woojin, but Woojin, with his indifferent expression, had already extended his hand to him.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woojin.”

Ethan Smith, who introduced himself as the team leader, seemed slightly surprised.

“I’d heard about it, but your English is really good.”

“I can manage.”

“That’s a relief. There won’t be any communication problems. Communication is the most important thing in our work.”

The translator, now with nothing to do, blinked his eyes. Then, realizing the situation, he quickly moved over to PD Song Man-woo and translated the conversation between the two, after which PD Song Man-woo nodded and began to speak, pointing to Woojin.

“He’s the main male lead of our project, and despite having a busy schedule today, he took the time to come here. For today, let’s keep it simple with introductions and discuss our future plans.”

These words were conveyed through the translator. Upon hearing them, Ethan Smith’s gaze returned to Kang Woojin. Woojin was dressed in a blazer and slacks—certainly not in attire for physical activity. But without hesitation, Ethan directly addressed Woojin without any roundabout words.

“I’d like to check your current condition. Although we’ve received videos of your martial arts practice beforehand, it’s difficult to make a judgment based on those alone. If possible, I’d like to see you perform one of the martial arts cuts related to ‘CQC’. Would that be difficult?”

The translator, with slightly widened eyes, relayed this to PD Song Man-woo and the martial arts director. Immediately, Choi Sung-gun and the martial arts director were flustered. Of course, PD Song Man-woo was just as surprised, and he quickly stepped forward, waving his hand.

“Ah, no. That wasn’t discussed beforehand. Woojin-ssi hasn’t formally learned ‘CQC’ yet. Moreover, springing this on him all of a sudden would be too much for him.”

However.

-Swish.

PD Song Man-woo’s words were cut off by Kang Woojin’s movement. Woojin had suddenly taken off his blazer he was wearing, drawing the attention of everyone in the action school, including Ethan Smith.

Woojin casually tossed his blazer to the side and spoke to Ethan Smith.

“Have you familiarized yourself with our added ‘CQC’ sequences for ‘Beneficial Evil’?”

Ethan Smith nodded.

“Yes, we have.”

Kang Woojin, who had been scanning the large-built stunt team including Ethan, responded in a very low-toned English.

“Let’s do it then, but with a cut that includes all of your team members.”

He was essentially telling them, “All of you, come at me.”

****

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