272 - Chronicles 3

< Chronicles (3) >

The grade of the 'unfamiliar parasite' was SS level. However, he has now risen to SSS level. Most likely, this was a change that occurred because of the work that changed the ending. Soon, Kang Woo-jin smiled brightly and recited.

"Look at this, this. Changing the ending was the right answer. "Oh, I can't boast about this anywhere."

He wanted to spread the word around the neighborhood, but he held back. At the same time, I felt joy.

"I feel a bit tired."

There were two reasons. The first result was achieved not thanks to subspace, but to the pure talent Kang Woo-jin. Second, I was relieved to see a turnaround in what I thought would have been a drop to A level or even B level.

Even if I pretended not to, I was secretly worried.

As a result, Kang Woo-jin got three things. She saved Kiyoshi from being broken, achieved SSS level rank, and even raised her self-esteem as an actress. Although she did not know it, it was a great harvest.

In particular, the growth of my attitude as an actor.

By the way, the 'unfamiliar parasite' is at SSS level as of today. But how does this work? Woojin, who was smiling, tilted his head slightly.

"Unfamiliar Gisaeng' is being released in both Korea and Japan, right?'

Is it SSS level because the scores from both countries are combined? Or separately? I'm confused. Then Kang Woo-jin stopped thinking. Well, how can you understand subspace if you think about it for a thousand days?

"You'll figure it out."

Woojin quickly erased his thoughts and suddenly clasped his hands together! and hit it. Because I remembered something I was looking forward to.

"ah! 'Island of the Missing' results!"

Today was Sunday the 23rd. In other words, yesterday, Saturday the 22nd, was the first weekend of 'Island of the Missing'. And it was clear that the results were probably out now.

Following.

"Exit!"

Woojin shouted loudly, and his vision quickly changed to a hotel room. Kang Woo-jin grabbed her cell phone that was lying near the pillow, not paying attention to her messy hair.

"A lot has come."

There were already quite a few missed calls, messages, and texts. Even without looking at the content, I could predict it. But what Kang Woo-jin accessed was something else.

Official domestic box office site.

-[KOPIC Cinema Ticket Integrated Network]

The results were quickly visible to Woojin.

[Audience count on May 22, 2021]

[Daily domestic box office]

1. Island of the Missing / Release date: May 19 / Number of audiences: 971,558 / Number of screens: 1159 / Cumulative number of viewers: 3254234

Saturday performance of 'Island of the Missing'. The number of daily viewers was enormous. Kang Woo-jin's eyes widened and his mouth opened wide.

"Are you seriously crazy??!!"

Even though it is the weekend, the number of daily viewers is almost 1 million.

"1 million a day?!!"

'Island of the Missing' was rewriting the history of the Korean film industry.

Afterwards.

Kang Woo-jin, who finished his shower while dancing shoulder-to-shoulder, was dressed like a ghost. Then he checked the explosion of messages on his cell phone.

It was all a congratulatory call. Or shock.

Of course, congratulatory messages were pouring in on Kang Woo-jin's official SNS and the 'Kang Woo-jin alt' channel. But it is now the 5th day since its release. There was a long way to go. Thanks to that, Woojin made an effort to lower the corners of her mouth. But it didn't go down well.

Is this what it tastes like?

Even his name is sacred, '10 million actors'. Woojin's mood rose sharply at the thought that he might achieve what he only saw on TV.

Around this time, Choi Seong-geon came to pick up Kang Woo-jin.

Choi Seong-geon smiled brightly at Woo-jin, who somehow made a poker face.

"Hehehe, did you see it too? "I took almost 1 million photos just yesterday."

"Yes, CEO. "I saw it."

"You bastard! Reaching 1 million viewers per day is one of the few records in Korean film history! It's okay to feel bad! Like this? Lighten your shoulders a little! Should I hit it for you??"

Choi Seong-geon suddenly performed a mask dance in the hotel hallway. No, is it just a dance? Kang Woo-jin resisted laughing and participating in the dance.

"Representative, people are watching."

"It's because you're so calm! "I did it for you."

In that way, teams formed around Braille Woojin. There were about 15 people, including the tall Jang Soo-hwan and Han Ye-jeong, who had short hair. As soon as they met, they were all amazed at the speed of 'Island of the Missing'.

"Exceeded 3 million viewers in 4 days? Seriously crazy! "Your form is crazy, really!!"

"Korea is now turned upside down. "My company told me about it, but if you just go to the community or YouTube, all you see is 'Island of the Missing'."

"Gee, isn't this really going to reduce the total number of viewers for 'Battle of the Sea'??! How much was that? 16 million?"

"Is it exactly 16.7 million? But the progress numbers are already winning, right??"

"It's a long distance marathon, so we'll have to wait and see, but it's already been a huge hit!"

Choi Seong-geon, who was quietly listening to their excitement, laughed and joined in.

"Just get a taste of what it's like to have 3 million. Tickets for 'Island of the Missing' were sold out today, Sunday. "A bigger one is coming, 100%."

"omg!! "I'm really looking forward to it!"

There was a lot of commotion behind him, but Kang Woo-jin suppressed the mood to dance as much as possible. I ran around in the hotel this morning. Actually, it was a bit of a crisis. Because the corner of my mouth had been twitching since a while ago. Be patient, mind control is the only way to survive.

But Han Ye-jeong noticed it like a ghost.

"Oppa, I have a cramp in my mouth. I guess it's because I'm tired. "CEO, I need to find magnesium first before filming."

While doing this, I even got the illusion of magnesium. However, Kang Woo-jin responded resolutely.

"No, not to that extent."

"really?"

"I just felt trembled for a moment."

Somehow, Kang Woo-jin arrived at the set of 'Familiar Parasite' without any problems. First, hello to Director Kyotaro. The hundred or so staff members of 'Unfamiliar Gisaeng' are already in a state of panic. What can I say, I feel full of spirit today?

"prop!! When will the props arrive!!"

"Coming soon!"

"Lighting director! "We need to put up a few more reflectors here!"

"check!"

"Kang Woo-jin has arrived!"

"Let's start with the costumes!!"

Strong Japanese is thrown here and there on the expansive set. Breathing gradually becomes faster. Japanese actors also arrive one after another. However, the hundred or so staff members and Japanese actors did not forget to cheer.

The main topic of conversation.

"Did you see the ending that said it changed??"

"Huh? It changes? suddenly?"

"The director suddenly made an announcement this morning."

"How does it change?"

"That's- I'm embarrassed, I've never really seen an ending like that before."

It was the ending of 'Unfamiliar Parasite' that suddenly changed. It's not that the content of the scenario is never modified, but it's very rare for it to be changed like this almost at the end of filming. It's not even a minor directing, but the ending changes. Recently, most Japanese dramas and movies are live-action adaptations of original works such as comics or novels.

The ending of a live-action film is rarely modified.

Even the original author was the author Akari. Therefore, the strong reaction from the staff and actors was not strange at all. In particular, the actors of 'The Stranger' were very embarrassed. Noticeably so.

"Ah, anyway, is it really okay that Kiyoshi eats well and lives well… is this really okay?"

"If the director decides, it's right for the actor to just go. But- kinda. No, I'm very worried. "There will be a lot of noise when it opens."

"Noise? That's good enough! At this level, fans of the original work will rush over! Of course, I know that the changed ending is more suited to Kiyoshi, but… I'm a little scared. "This is an ending that has been attempted for the first time in Japan."

"Our work may be unique in the past and future. "Enjoy it."

"You must be crazy! But is Kang Woo-jin okay? Why does it look so peaceful? When it is released, the direct hit will be Woojin or the director."

"My friend, I always feel like that. Still, it's surprising that there's no shaking at all."

However, Kang Woo-jin was calm while preparing for filming. No, it also looks cold-hearted. He was the only one among the hundred or so people gathered on the set. He shows no tension, no fear, no distress, no nervousness.

"······"

Kang Woo-jin in the filming zone was just like yesterday. Or a month ago. Or a few months ago.

Soon, the filming of 'Familiar Gisaeng', which had set up, continued.

"High-Q!!"

It was Kang Woo-jin who began his first act of the day with director Kyotaro's autograph. A solo scene that continues from a cut that was already filmed. Short lines and gentle eye contact were important.

And you have to put an even more extreme sense of 'emptiness' on your face.

It was a pretty difficult scene, but Kang Woo-jin pulled it off without a problem. As a result, the OK rating quickly fell through, and with a few changes to the composition, the shooting proceeded quickly. Kang Woo-jin's filming was always like this.

"Today too, Mr. Woojin, there is no NG."

"Sometimes I feel scared when I see it, because I wonder how a person can be that perfect."

"As an actor, your attitude and attitude are already at a global level."

As the 'Unfamiliar' staff members are now whispering in Japanese, Kang Woo-jin has almost no NG. If there are any, it's a mistake by the staff or a problem with the other actor.

Then the next batter.

"Mr. Mana Kosaku!! Standby!!"

It was Mana Kosaku who played the role of Detective Hanryang, Mochio Yoshizawa. A slightly shabby jacket, a small beard on his chin, and a cigarette in his mouth. Mana Kosaku, transformed into detective Mochio Yoshizawa, enters the set. It was a set made to resemble the interior of a police station.

-Sigh.

And the scene he was filming today was a cut that would create a great sense of urgency. To be exact, all the scenes filmed today were like that.

"Hi-Action!"

Following Director Kyotaro's signal, the detectives sitting in front of the computer, Mochio or Kosaku, crossed their arms. And then he let out a long sigh.

"Hmm- Kiyoshi Iyota."

A long drag on a cigarette. Cigarette smoke enters his lungs and then exhales from his mouth again.

The camera captures Detective Mochio's face, then shares his gaze and shines on the monitor. The profile is floating. It was Kiyoshi Iyota's. Detective Mochio Yoshizawa noticed the presence of a 'stranger'.

Of course, it wasn't easy.

As expected, it was in the past that I became aware of Kiyoshi's existence. Someone's? People who die suddenly and serially.

People dying continuously as if they had been hit together.

Kinjo Konakayama, Shutoku Misaki, and Amie Horinochi. And most recently, 'Iiya Saki', a woman found in a car that had fallen into the sea. They were clearly connected. In the past, not the present.

What they had in common was school.

Except for Shutoku Misaki, we all went to the same high school. Here, Detective Mochio felt uncomfortable. People who graduated from the same school are dying one after another? I wonder if there is something hidden inside.

Mochio focused more on their past.

What came next.

"The female student committed suicide."

A student's suicide. Of course, it happened at that high school. Her name is Misaki Toka. what? Misaki? It was like that. Shutoku Misaki was the girl's father.

What on earth is this?

The more I dug, the more absurd facts surfaced. The deceased graduated from a high school where there had been suicides in the past. Father of a female student who committed suicide. The father recently killed Kinjo Konakayama and committed suicide. The connecting point in everything is Misaki Toka.

Detective Mochio visited the teachers and students at the school when the Toka incident occurred.

Naturally, most people were passive or annoyed.

There is no income of any kind.

But fortunately, I was able to hear a little bit about the past from a few people.

"Misaki Toka was subjected to terrible bullying."

The perpetrators who kidnapped her. There was no need to look for them. I can't even find it. Because she's already dead. A series of deaths. Because the perpetrators were now dying.

Detective Mochio first remembered the word 'revenge'.

'But isn't it strange?'

Toka is already dead. Her father, Shutoku Misaki, also died. So who on earth is encouraging this current chain of events? Did Misaki Toka really come back alive?

That was about it.

"Actually, the first person to get hit was Iyota- I'm confused by his name, but he's probably right, Kiyoshi Iyota. "He came first."

"Who?"

"Kiyoshi Iyota. "I remember being a little close to Toka."

The first time the 'stranger' was seen by Detective Mochio.

The night of the 24th, after the weekend.

A little far from the city center of Tokyo Station. Among them, it is the rooftop of a rather tall building. It's a dark night, but a filming team is quite busy. Lay the rails, set up the lights, place the monitor, and put up the reflector.

It was an 'unfamiliar' team with only a few days left to crank up.

"careful! "Be careful!"

"If there is no space, there is no need to overdo it! Let's move as safely as possible!"

Because the size of the space was ambiguous, not all of the staff came up. About 30 people. Only the key staff and main staff of each team were present. Director Kyotaro, wearing a hat, checks the various monitors and shooting storyboards in front of him.

There are two actors displayed on the monitor.

One is Kang Woo-jin, who is fixing his makeup under the light. The remaining one was a Japanese actor who played the role of conglomerate Tsuzuki Itsuma. According to the scenario, Itsuma Tsuzuki is a well-connected person who comes from a family of mid-sized business owners, and he murdered Amie Horinochi because of the tape recorder he received from Kiyoshi.

This cut was the final destination for the two characters.

To be exact, Iyota Kiyoshi's final station.

In a remote part of the scene, pony-haired Choi Seong-gun is smiling and showing his cell phone to several Japanese actors and staff. For some reason, it gives off a feeling of bragging.

Because I was actually bragging.

What appeared on Choi Seong-geon's cell phone was an article.

『[Movie is] Island of the Missing, attracting 1 million viewers on Sunday alone… A total of 5 million viewers accumulated to date!』

Of course, it was a Korean article, and Choi Seong-geon explained it to the Japanese staff who saw it. Although the Japanese was awkward, there was no difficulty in listening to it.

"Yesterday, Sunday, the number of viewers was 1 million. "Including today's, I think it will be over 5 million."

"Hasn't it been a while since it was opened?"

"There are 6 days until today."

The eyes of the staff, including the actor's director, widen.

"Ehhhh??!! 5 million in day 6??!"

"Masaka!! "Are you serious??"

At this time.

"Standby!!"

The sound of filming starting spread. About 3 minutes later.

"action!"

Woojin Kang. No, Kiyoshi was silently looking down at 'Tsuzuki Itsuma' lying on the floor. Itsuma was already a corpse. This body was the last of the 'homework'.

In other words, the 'bizarre sacrifice' is over.

"It's all done."

It was now the starting point.

< Chronicles (3) > End