novelburst
Chapter 452
Chapter 452
Chapter 452: Speed ??of Light (4)
Translator: NovelBin
Choi Sung-geon smirked, his expression brimming with confidence. They’d secured the funding already? Although Woo-jin maintained his poker face due to his "method," inwardly, he was thoroughly impressed.
‘Wow—that was fast!’
Honestly, he thought it would take a bit longer. After all, it was hundreds of billions of won. To gather that much money so quickly—Woo-jin couldn’t help but feel a newfound respect for Choi Sung-geon’s abilities, even if he kept his excitement carefully contained.
"It was faster than I expected."
Sung-geon shrugged nonchalantly as he replied.
"Once a deal like this is on the table, you have to push it through quickly. I started with Chairman Yoshimura Hideki and managed to pull some strings here and there. Of course, it wasn’t easy—it only worked because of BW Entertainment’s reputation and your name."
Sung-geon placed a hand on Woo-jin’s shoulder with a grin.
"You do know your estimated market value, right?"
"I don’t really pay attention to that."
"Of course, but the rest of the world cares—a lot. Anyway—"
He trailed off, switching topics.
"How much are you planning to invest in *Guest*? Have you thought about it?"
As someone with zero experience in investments, Woo-jin hadn’t given it much thought, especially before becoming an actor. However, this was his moment to keep up appearances.
"I have. I’ll prepare a breakdown and let you know."
"Great. We’ll handle the main investment under BW Entertainment, but we’ll draft separate documents for you personally. In the meantime, focus on the project."
"Understood, CEO."
After wrapping up their conversation, Woo-jin returned to the set of *Piero: Birth of a Villain*. That day’s filming extended late into the night, and as the actors prepared to leave, Woo-jin spotted Chris Hartnett about to step into his van. Woo-jin called out to him, both of them now without makeup.
"Chris."
It wasn’t typical for Woo-jin to initiate conversation, so Chris stepped out of his van with a grin.
"Well, well, what a rare occasion! You’re reaching out first?"
"I have something quick to discuss."
"Go ahead."
Motioning to his team to wait, Chris approached Woo-jin, who handed him a script without preamble.
"I thought I’d recommend something to you."
It was the *Guest* script.
"A recommendation?"
Chris’s expression turned serious as he accepted the script.
"That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you’d recommend a project to me. So, what’s this about?"
"Take a look; I think you’ll enjoy it. But if it doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to ignore it."
"...Are you in it too? But at this point, realistically, you can’t take on any more projects."
"True, I can’t commit as the lead. But I think it’s too good to pass up, which is why I’m recommending it to you. If I do participate, it would be as a cameo."
Chris glanced curiously at Woo-jin, then opened the first page of the script. Woo-jin tapped the script with his index finger, speaking in a low tone.
"I’d suggest you take on the lead male role. It’s the part I played originally."
---
Two days later, on the morning of September 14.
In a small production company located a bit away from downtown LA, Jennifer Thurman, the head of *A8 Media*, sat in her modest office, wearing a brown bobbed wig and a somber expression. She stared down at the *Guest* script on her desk with a sigh.
With the film on the verge of being shelved, Jennifer looked despondent.
‘I’ll have to give up in the end.’
Despite numerous meetings, no investors had come forward for *Guest*. Today, Jennifer would have to decide whether to let go of *Guest*, the remake of *The Detective Agency*, which she had wanted so much.
At that moment—
*Knock, knock.*
A freckled male employee entered.
"Everyone’s gathered, ma’am."
"...Alright."
Jennifer nodded weakly, picked up the *Guest* script, and walked to the cramped meeting room next door. Three employees were already seated. Jennifer placed the script on the small table.
"No word from anyone, is there?"
The freckled employee replied with a hint of resignation.
"No, ma’am."
Another female employee added, "We tried following up with everyone who had meetings, but all of them said they couldn’t take it on."
"...I see. We don’t have much choice, then."
Jennifer sighed deeply, staring at the *Guest* script.
"Let’s pull the plug. There’s no hope left."
Just then—
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Another employee rushed into the meeting room.
"Ma’am."
Jennifer turned to look at the employee, puzzled.
"Hmm? What’s going on?"
"Someone’s here to see you."
"Someone’s here? Who?"
The employee relayed what they’d been told.
"They said they’re from BW Entertainment."
"BW Entertainment? What would an agency want here..."
Jennifer’s thoughts instantly jumped to Woo-jin, who was stirring up a storm in Hollywood.
"Wait a minute, BW Entertainment? Isn’t that Woo-jin’s agency?"
BW Entertainment was already widely known among Hollywood insiders—after all, it was the agency of that extraordinary talent, Kang Woo-jin.
"Why is BW Entertainment here? Who came?"
"They said it’s the CEO."
Jennifer’s eyes widened as she looked up at the employee, then stood up and left the meeting room. Outside, a man in a light blue shirt with long hair tied back greeted her with a smile. He was accompanied by two others, who all looked Korean.
The long-haired man, Choi Sung-geon, stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Sung-geon, CEO of BW Entertainment."
Somewhat taken aback, Jennifer shook his hand and introduced herself.
"Hello. I’m Jennifer Thurman from *A8 Media*. So, you’re from BW Entertainment—the agency where Woo-jin is signed?"
"Yes, that’s right."
"And what brings you here?"
"I heard you’re preparing a remake of *The Detective Agency*."
"!"
Jennifer’s surprise was obvious. Choi Sung-geon, however, remained calm as he handed her the *Guest* script, which he’d received from his team.
"I understand you’re having some difficulties with funding."
"How...how did you know?"
"Director Shin Dong-chun in Korea told me a bit about it. But don’t worry, I only know the basics."
Jennifer recalled Director Shin Dong-chun, the original director of *The Detective Agency*, who often shared updates on the project. It seemed that information had reached Choi Sung-geon.
"I see."
As Jennifer nodded, Sung-geon got straight to the point.
"BW Entertainment would like to take on the main investment for *Guest*."
The eyes of everyone in *A8 Media*, including Jennifer, widened in disbelief. Her casual response turned into shock.
"Oh, I see, so you’re considering investing—"
Then her face changed completely.
"Wait, what? You’re saying you want to invest?!"
"That’s what I said."
"In *Guest*?"
"Yes."
Jennifer, who had been staring blankly at Choi Sung-geon, finally regained her composure.
"It feels too sudden...almost like a dream. Are you serious?"
"Very serious."
Sung-geon lowered the script he was holding and began to explain.
"As you may know, Woo-jin is doing well in Hollywood, and BW Entertainment has been preparing for investment ventures. We’ve already started with Korean projects. Honestly, we hadn’t planned to move into Hollywood so soon, but Woo-jin recommended *Guest*, so we’re accelerating things."
"Did Woo-jin recommend it?"
"Yes. He believes *Guest* is a promising project."
Jennifer’s heart swelled with emotion. It felt like a long-cherished dream was finally being recognized, and to have it acknowledged by none other than Kang Woo-jin, who was creating waves in Hollywood.
Sung-geon continued.
"Shall we continue this conversation here?"
"Oh! No, please follow me this way!"
She hurriedly guided him into the small meeting room. Once everyone was seated, Jennifer carefully asked,
"Mr. Choi Sung-geon, may I ask how much investment you’re considering?"
Sung-geon’s response was quick.
"When I said main investment, I meant the entire budget."
"!!!"
"We believe in the potential of *Guest* and its symbolic value as a remake of Woo-jin’s debut film, *The Detective Agency*."
"The...entire budget?"
"Yes. All of it."
Sung-geon followed up with another proposal.
"We’d also like to have Woo-jin make a cameo appearance. How does that sound?"
Jennifer looked even more astonished than before.
---
Meanwhile, in Korea, the media was abuzz with talk of a show that had recently won six Emmy Awards.
> *"Only a few days left until the release of *Beneficial Evil* Part 2! Will it live up to the fans’ expectations?"*
With only days left until the launch of *Beneficial Evil* Part 2, the anticipation was at an all-time high. Part 1 was still ranking on Netflix, and with Woo-jin’s reputation soaring after the Emmys, interest in Part 2 was explosive worldwide. Some doubters speculated that Part 2 couldn’t possibly surpass Part 1’s immense success.
---
A few days later, on September 19.
> **[Hot Topic] *
Beneficial Evil* Part 2 Releases Worldwide Simultaneously!**
At noon, *Beneficial Evil* Part 2 launched in over 80 countries, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Reviews were mixed, with both high praise and criticism.
Positive reviews:
- *"Part 2 is even better than Part 1! Woo-jin’s action scenes have improved, and the storyline is stronger."*
- *"The sequel outshines the original—brilliant direction, incredible acting by Woo-jin, and a captivating story."*
Negative reviews:
- *"I finished Part 1, but I couldn’t make it through Part 2."*
- *"Is the director just phoning it in? Woo-jin’s action scenes were decent, but the rest falls short of Part 1."*
Regardless, the world was buzzing with talk about *Beneficial Evil* Part 2. By the next morning, on September 20, a new headline appeared.
> **[Breaking] *Beneficial Evil* Part 2 Soars Back to No. 1 Globally**
Part 2 had reached the top spot even faster than Part 1.
---
That same afternoon, while *Beneficial Evil* Part 2 dominated the global charts, Woo-jin had no time to celebrate. He was fully absorbed in filming.
At the Columbia Studios set, the scene was anything but pristine. Buildings lay in ruins, cars were overturned and burning, and bodies littered the streets. Sirens blared from all directions.
Amidst the war-torn cityscape—
*Step.*
A figure strode confidently through the line of burning cars in the middle of the road, exuding a menacing aura. His face was painted ghostly white, his lips an eerie red smile stretched across his face.
It was the Joker.
With red hair swaying as he walked down the street, Woo-jin, or rather, the Joker, was captured on camera. Just then, from a car crashed into a telephone pole, a man staggered out, blood dripping down his face as he crawled along the asphalt.
The man spotted the Joker and reached out a hand.
"S-Save me..."
Without breaking stride, Woo-jin, as the Joker, responded with a twisted smile.
"Sure."
*Bang! Bang!*
The man’s head exploded, and he slumped to the ground. The Joker continued walking nonchalantly, blowing out a long puff of smoke.
Then—
*Step.*
The Joker stopped in the middle of the road filled with wrecked cars and corpses and suddenly broke into a tap dance. Then he paused, brushing back his red hair with both hands.
"Ah, yes."
He smiled at the camera, though thanks to his makeup, it looked like he was always smiling.
"I just thought of something...fun."
A heavy silence followed.
“...”
Everyone remained silent: Woo-jin, the filming crew, Director Ahn Ga-bok watching multiple monitors with the Joker’s face on them, Nora Foster with her arms crossed behind him, the hundred-plus foreign staff, and even the Columbia Studios executives who had come to oversee the final scenes.
Hundreds of people stood in quiet awe.
Only the sound of burning filled the air.
Then—
"Cut."
Director Ahn Ga-bok stood and signaled toward Woo-jin, who stood in the center of the set.
"OK."
At the same time, one of the Columbia Studios executives, a bald man with a resolute expression, murmured.
"It’s finally over."
And then, the entire foreign crew erupted into applause for Woo-jin.
*Clap clap clap clap clap!*
The final "OK" from Director Ahn Ga-bok marked the end of *Piero: Birth of a Villain*.
An Oscar-worthy performance.
*Clap clap clap clap clap!*
Every scene of the Joker was now complete.