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< Cannes (5) >

It seemed like Miley Kara said something in his ear, but Woojin Kang couldn't hear it right now. Even though global superstar Kara had her arms crossed, Woojin couldn't feel it at all.

All you can see is the huge and magnificent scenery in front.

'······Wow – I'm seriously crazy.'

Of course, this was the first time Woojin had ever seen a scene like this.

It was a vastness that cannot be expressed in words. A wide and long red carpet was lined on both sides with thousands of reporters wearing tuxedos from around the world. Perhaps because they are pitch black tuxedos, they all look like ants. I feel like I've entered an ant cave.

My eyes were dazzling.

'Tsk.'

There are hundreds of reporters nearby, close to 5,000 in total, and all of them with cameras are firing their flashes. Kang Woo-jin felt that her eyes were blurry.

My ears hurt.

"%(*%)#*%(#)!!"

"$()*%(%(#(#!!!"

"**(#(%_%)%*#(#%_!!!"

Screaming sounds that made it difficult to tell if they were the reporters' shouts or shouts permeated Kang Woo-jin's ears. They weren't the only ones. The screams of tens of thousands of onlookers who surrounded the red carpet and drivers were also mixed in. If I stayed here, my ears might bleed.

My mouth was dry.

I swallowed without notice, but my throat felt rough, perhaps because it was dry. Additionally, Woojin realized that his body had become stiff.

'Wow, your legs aren't moving?'

This was because the enormous scale and atmosphere of the entire red carpet made me feel like I was really close to them. He was in a daze. He was in a daze. He felt like his legs would give out if he lost focus for a moment.

but.

"······"

Even in this dire situation, Kang Woo-jin had a poker face. It may have been that the thinking stopped for a moment, but the concept I had developed so far had habitually spread to my expression. Through repeated learning, the body remembers and comes naturally. Kang Woo-jin's current appearance was literally like her habits.

That look.

"Hmm, even though Cannes' red carpet was bland."

It caused a misunderstanding with Kara, who was wearing a black dress with open chest and back, with Woojin's arms crossed.

"Isn't it a bit hurtful that I folded my arms and they didn't move?"

At this time, Kang Woo-jin.

'ah.'

The once distant thoughts gradually began to become clearer. My ears, which had been popping, return to normal. So, I was at the Cannes Film Festival, right? Gradually his senses returned. What I felt right away was my forearm. Miley Kara's touch and scent passed through my nose. Woojin slowly turned his head. The blonde Kara laughed softly.

"I'm kidding, you have to make a serious face."

"······"

joke? What joke? She just stared and Kara was talking nonsense. More than that, I can't believe I'm standing on the red carpet with Kara and her arms around each other. What on earth is going on? Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin was desperately trying to get his mind together.

This is a time when intense mind control is needed.

Kang Woo-jin, who was forcibly calm, looked at Kara indifferently and spoke lowly.

"Let's go."

Kara nodded, crossing her arms tighter.

"Yes it is."

About this way.

-Squeak.

An additional black limousine arrived behind Kang Woo-jin and Kara, who were standing side by side. The first to get out of the car was Director Ang Bok. Like an old man, he still had short white hair and a face full of wrinkles, but his tuxedo was neat. Next was Shim Jin-ho, a great actor with quite a bit of gray hair and a tiger-like look. Next, Oh Hee-ryeong, Jin Jae-jun, and Han So-jin got off in succession.

In other words, it was a 'leech' team.

The 'Leech' team, all dressed up in tuxedos and dresses, got off and immediately got behind Woojin. It seems like it was discussed in the first place. That's how the 'Leech' team, including Kang Woo-jin and Kara, began their march.

-Pababababak!

-Babababababak!!

The 'Leech' team waved their hands or smiled as the shutter sound poured in. It was natural since they were the only Korean team to proudly make it to the 'competition section', and many of the reporters who were frantically taking pictures were moving their fingers while most of them tilted their heads.

"But who is that guy walking with Miley Cara?"

Because there were few people who knew Kang Woo-jin's identity. Clearly, Woojin was unfamiliar to thousands of foreign reporters. But then Miley Kara suddenly appeared. Since it also appeared so vividly, curiosity was bound to explode.

"Just by looking at the mask, she looks like an actress… Why is Miley on that team?"

"Are you close with Kara?"

"But wasn't Miley invited here as a celebrity, not as an invitation to work?"

"Isn't it possible that the two of you have something to do with each other?!"

"Hey, take a picture first! Take a picture and watch!!"

Some Korean reporters were also there and called out to Kang Woo-jin.

"Woojin!!! I'm from Korea! Mr. Woojin!"

"Kang Woojin!! This way!! Just one hand!!"

"Did you promise to enter with Miley Kara??! Mr. Woojin!!"

"Please wave to the Korean fans!!"

As the atmosphere gradually became more heated, Han So-jin, in a beige dress, who was quietly watching Kang Woo-jin and Kara from behind, muttered. She also looked like she was trying to swallow down her explosive tension.

"…Why is Miley Kara in front of me? "She's even walking arm in arm with Woojin?"

Jin Jae-jun, with a sharp expression, laughed. For reference, this was his second time at the Cannes Film Festival.

"I know. "Honestly, this is my first time seeing Miley Cara in person."

"me too."

"What can I say again… I feel like Mr. Woojin is far away."

The distance between top actors Jin Jae-jun and Kang Woo-jin is at most three or four steps. But at this moment, Jin Jae-jun seemed to have fallen far behind Kang Woo-jin. This refers to a mental gap, not a physical distance. Jin Jae-jun worked with Woo-jin from 'Drug Dealer' to 'Leech'.

In his opinion, it was not awkward to see the current Woojin walking side by side with a world-class top star.

'Now, Woojin. It's top class in name and reality, no, it's even higher than that.'

In any case, the 'Leech' team, which has a lot of experience at the Cannes Film Festival, also walked the red carpet in a relaxed manner. Of course, the Korean representatives Kang Woo-jin and Kara ahead of them felt relaxed. However, at this moment, Woojin was in the midst of a fiercer battle than anyone else. Of course, just inside.

'Concentrate on concept quality and only concept quality. 'Don't even think about anything else!'

Such photos of Kang Woo-jin and Kara were scheduled to spread around the world.

Afterwards.

Time passed by frantically. Kang Woo-jin left himself to the flow of chaos. A lot of things happened, but I couldn't remember them after they passed. After finishing the red carpet, there was a photo time, and the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival was held in a very large hall inside the 'Palais des Festivals'. It was a gathering of world-famous filmmakers.

There were also numerous cameras rolling around.

The chairman of the Cannes Film Festival went up on a dazzling stage where the palm leaf logo representing the Cannes Film Festival was hung on the large door and recited a message. Announced the opening. For reference, the closing and awards ceremonies of the Cannes Film Festival will also be held in this very large hall. Afterwards, Kang Woo-jin continued to conduct interviews and take photos.

Because Korean reporters, foreign reporters, etc. flocked to the 'Leech' team.

There were enough reasons for him to attract attention.

'Leech' was the only Korean film in the 'competition section', and its performance with Miley Kara on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival also played a role.

'Ah, I'm dying, I'm so crazy.'

Kang Woo-jin realized that maintaining the quality of the concept was more difficult than ever. Strange country, unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar people. Of course, after the opening ceremony, we met some familiar faces.

"Hahaha, Mr. Woojin. "You won't recognize me because I'm wearing a tuxedo, right?"

"thank you."

"It's completely different from what it was in Bangkok."

It was Joseph and Megan, their stunt team, and executives from 'Universal Movies.' I had seen them in Bangkok, but it was Kang Woo-jin that I felt strange when I saw him in Cannes. What can I say, does it really feel like they are doing well in Hollywood? Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin frantically exchanged greetings with famous directors and officials regardless of nationality.

Even though I don't know his face.

'Honestly – he just seems like a foreigner. Oh, I don't know.'

I briefly say hello to top Hollywood actors and actors from other countries. This time, Miley Cara was with him.

like that.

"Ugh…"

It was almost midnight when Kang Woo-jin returned to the hotel room.

Then the next day.

The official first day of the Cannes Film Festival, which announced its opening to the world, has arrived. On the morning of October 1 in Cannes, the sky was clear. The time is 8:30. Today too, the city of Cannes was overflowing with tourists, and the Lumière Theater inside the Palais des Festivals, where the screening began, was also very crowded. The nearly 3,000 seats were filled.

The reason was simple.

The first of the 20 films in the Cannes Film Festival's 'Competition' section is scheduled to be screened for the first time. Therefore, the people who occupied the 3,000 seats in the huge theater were diverse. Top Hollywood actors and directors, stars from various industries, reporters, etc. Of course, 10 official judges were also included. The front of the seats between them.

'War Screen Geek.'

Kang Woo-jin, who had a calm face, was also seen. Unlike yesterday, which was a tuxedo, it feels like a casual suit. He was taking a discreet look at this huge theater. Everything about this place in Cannes was just amazing. Next to Woojin were the giants Joseph and Megan.

Neither Choi Seong-gun nor Woojin's team was visible.

In the first place, it would be quite inconvenient to watch movies at the Cannes Film Festival if you cannot speak English or French. The subtitles were in both English and French. Of course, there was no problem either way for Kang Woo-jin, who had already been recognized. Anyway, the first film that opened the 'competition section' was Japanese. I could hear the reporters sitting around Woojin whispering.

"Director Hamaguchi, I'm looking forward to it."

"that's right. "I think it won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes the year before last?"

"I saw an interview where you said you worked hard to win the Palme d'Or this year."

"He's a great director, so there's potential."

"I think Khan included it as their first work because it was so good."

Soon, the lights at the 'Lumière Theater' went out.

The screening has begun.

The running time of the Japanese film, which was the first film in the 'competition category', was a little less than two hours. Not only Kang Woo-jin, but all 3,000 audience members were focused. The story is about a man who discovers his dead wife's diary and learns about her hidden past by meeting the places and people written in it. It starts calmly and then the thriller is applied.

After such a movie.

-Clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap!

Applause rang out in the spacious theater. It may be a matter of manners, but the movie itself was good, so the 3,000 audience members praised it highly.

"As expected, it's Director Hamaguchi! "I almost burst out laughing when the twist occurred at the end."

"The story quality is high! The actors' acting was also good!"

"Isn't the ending especially memorable? It was fun."

"I think there's a good chance that Coach Hamaguchi will win the award again this year, right?"

Kang Woo-jin could not understand the bustling atmosphere of the theater. He applauded indifferently, but inside he was very puzzled.

'Are you serious?? Was it just me who found it boring? 'I almost fell asleep in the middle.'

It was a review purely from the eyes of the audience. Well, does it matter? Woojin stayed in the theater for a while and then left with Joseph and Megan. Kang Woo-jin was about to move to have breakfast with the two. however.

"hmm?"

Joseph Felton, a huge black man, stopped at the entrance of the theater when he noticed someone. The same goes for Meghan, who swept her brown hair. The two approached a few gathered foreigners. The person Joseph spoke to was a foreign man with a half-bald head and round glasses.

He's about 60 years old?

"Coach Danny Landis, it's been a while."

The man called the director turned his head. The rough beard around his mouth was visible to Woojin, and he calmly greeted Joseph and Megan.

"Ah- Joseph and Megan. long time no see."

"Yes, director. "How have you been?"

"I'm the same."

After answering, coach Danny Landis' eyes landed on Woojin Kang behind Joseph. The introduction was made by Megan. Woojin Kang and coach Danny Landis briefly shook hands. There was no conversation in particular. Because it was a courtesy. However, Woojin seems to have seen his face somewhere before.

'Seup-Director? 'Where did you see that?'

Soon, Joseph smiled at Bishop Danny and said,

"Director, I have contacted you and made suggestions several times, but you have not responded."

"hmm? Ah, was that so?"

Joseph, who kept smiling when he answered that he had no idea, snorted inwardly.

'It's okay to pretend not to know.'

Unlike his insides, he kept his manners on the outside.

"yes. "I would appreciate it if you could check."

"is it so. "I'll get back to you."

After finishing the conversation, Director Danny walks away. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin was searching for that director on his cell phone. Immediately there was a loud exclamation. Inwardly, of course.

'crazy!!! Directed by Danny Landis! That guy is one of the worst directors in Hollywood!!!'

It was true. Director Danny Landis was one of the greatest directors in Hollywood. He has many hit films and a career spanning over 30 years. As a result, there was an abundance of articles and other materials. Among the movies that Woojin enjoyed, there were also ones he made.

'Wow – that's the director who shot this movie??!'

By the time Woojin was in the middle of a fuss, Director Danny, who had grown distant, had been captured by several reporters due to his high reputation. Famous people gathered around him again. Joseph carefully said this to Kang Woo-jin, who was standing next to him.

"You know Coach Danny, right?"

Woojin, who urgently took care of the concept, lowered his tone. She just found out, but she pretended she already knew. Strong shamelessness.

"of course."

"Hmm, he was the top choice because he was so big, but it seems like it would be impossible. "I sent suggestions several times, but there was no reply."

Megan joined in.

"Anyway, the offer comes from the level of director Danny Landis, and it's not like contact or suggestions are expensive. Additionally, Director Danny is one of the few directors in Hollywood who can write and produce his own script. "He sent it because he knew it would be difficult to attract, right?"

"That's right, but it's still a shame to actually meet him in person."

"But I heard Coach Danny is a bit of a weirdo. Is this true? Because I've never worked with him. Joseph, I heard you've done it in the past?"

"He's a weirdo – he's not normal."

Joseph smiled and continued speaking while making eye contact with Kang Woo-jin who was standing next to him.

"It's not strange, because eccentricity is something geniuses have in common."

The next day, day 2. Cannes, France.

The time is around 11 am. The huge screen in front of the 'Lumière Theater' inside the 'Palais des Festivals' is filled with 3,000 seats.

-♬♪

The ending credits were rolling along with the movie music. Cannes Film Festival is on day 2. Two of the 20 films in the 'competition category' were screened yesterday, and the third film had just finished its first screening. For reference, there is one more time in the afternoon.

The funny thing here is.

"······"

"······"

"······"

The theater, with a huge crowd of spectators and the ending credits running on the large screen, is very quiet. Usually, there was a lot of noise after the movie ended. Clapping, etc. It was like that until yesterday. However, all 3,000 spectators, including many celebrities, showed no movement for five minutes while the ending credits rolled.

There was even shock in everyone's eyes.

Among them was a very big Hollywood director who briefly passed by Kang Woo-jin yesterday. Master director Danny Landis, with his head half bald and round glasses on his nose.

"her-"

He was also slightly dazed, staring at the large screen in front of which the screening had just ended, and Director Danny was holding a poster for the current movie in his hand.

You can see the movie title.

-'leech'

Soon, he recalled the conversation that reporters around him had made before the movie started and denied it.

"What do you think this movie is all about?"

The Hollywood figures who came with Director Danny turned their heads. Everyone looked quite old.

"What did you just say?"

"This movie called 'Leech.'"

Director Danny mutters quietly without realizing it.

"Let alone the assortment, it is the quality that Khan should be thankful for, and."

Director Danny Landis slowly lowered his gaze and took a picture of the poster on his lap with his index finger. To be exact, it was a photo of Kang Woo-jin in the poster.

"Did they really hire someone suffering from 'Ripley Syndrome' to become an actor?"

< Cannes (5) > End