Chapter 49: Projection (7)

Chapter 49: Projection (7)

Translator: Dreamscribe

With the appearance of Kang Woojin, ‘Exorcism’, which had captivated the eyes of many heavyweights, reached its climax as the background changed to a villa.

-Sigh.

The realistic sound quality was impressive. When the scenes and sounds merged, the villa on screen appeared chillingly eerie. Kim Ryu-jin’s anxious expression that appeared in that cut intensified the chill. It was enough to make dozens of directors watching this swallow their saliva.

At this time.

[“Oops.”]

In the tense atmosphere, Kim Ryu-jin on the screen stumbled clumsily. His meticulous movements alleviated the fatigue of the elite audience. In fact, about half of them chuckled. Of course, some were also impressed by Kang Woojin’s acting.

That’s how ‘Exorcism’ gradually led the audience into the horror of sound.

At the forefront was Kim Ryu-jin of ‘Exorcism’, trapped in a confined space. The rustling noises from somewhere, the breath of a hidden woman, the footsteps of a robust man approaching, and so on. The movie rapidly progressed, but the expressions of Kim Ryu-jin captured on screen were simply exquisite.

Tension, urgency, relief, surprise, tension again, fear, relief again.

There weren’t many lines. But Kim Ryu-jin’s expressions and movements alone conveyed everything. Eyes filled with constant anxiety and shaky breaths. His performance was detailed yet precarious.

Everyone was captivated by Kim Ryu-jin.

‘Exorcism’ used an editing style that made it impossible to look away. From the moment Kim Ryu-jin entered the villa, there was no pause. It stood out in terms of quality compared to other short films shown. The judges, seated to the left, couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.

“······Where did that actor come from?”

“That’s what I’m saying, look at the twitch under his eyes. The skill gap with other actors is too big.”

“But has anyone seen that actor before? He looks unfamiliar to me.”

Then,

“He’s not well-known here. He’s been abroad.”



Director Kwon Ki-taek, a contagious source of misunderstandings, spoke up among the judges.

“I heard he stayed abroad for quite some time.”

Hearing this, the judges’ eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh? Director Kwon, do you know him?”

“An actor you know?”

“Abroad? Where?”

To the barrage of questions, Director Kwon Ki-taek softly replied.

“I don’t know the details, just heard about it because of a minor connection.”

Following the drama industry, the number of people infected by the misunderstandings also surged in the film industry. When ‘Exorcism’ finally ended, the sound of applause was,

-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!!

It was definitely more intense than any other work.

Two days later, May 7th.

The screening schedule of the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’, which had been intense up until yesterday, had all concluded. Now only one event remained: the upcoming closing and awards ceremony. Currently, it was just past 2 pm, with the event set to start at 3 pm. The venue for the closing and awards ceremony was inside the office building of the new ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ sponsor.

To be precise, inside the event hall of the building.

It was a medium-sized hall used for various events. It had seating for about 500 people and a fairly large stage at the front. The interior of the hall and the entrance were bustling.

“Oh my- Writer Park! Long time no see, hahaha.”

“Oh, Director Kim. How have you been?”

“Good. Haha, looking forward to your new drama!”

Including the Writer Park Eun-mi, who was invited to the closing and award ceremony, more than half of the seats inside the hall were already filled. Although there were assigned seats, everyone was busy moving around and greeting necessary acquaintances.



“Ah, Soo-jung! Did you enjoy the movie this time? You should work with us on your next project!”

“Your film company has been quiet lately, hasn’t it?”

“Oh- I didn’t have anything for the first half of the year, I thought I’d put some effort into the second half?”

About 50 people were inside, and the entrance was also quite busy. At least 30 people were mingling, making it chaotic. Greeting figures, reporters with cameras, and guests entering.

Reporters were busy flashing their cameras from their designated spots.

-Flash, flash, flash, flash, flash!

-Flash, flash, flash, flash, flash, flash, flash!

And at the photo zone with the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ and sponsor logos, actors and famous directors posed. Anyway, as of now, at least 100 people have gathered for the closing and award ceremony.

In such a place.

-Swoosh.

The ‘Exorcism’ team just arrived. It was director Shin Dong-chun, Hong Hye-yeon, and Kang Woojin dressed in a suit. Woojin’s suit fit perfectly as it was custom-made. His lightly styled hair and makeup were also perfect. Clearly, the stylist Han Ye-jung did a great job.

Today, he was truly radiating the aura of an actor, with his stern expression adding to the effect.

However.

‘······Crazy. What is this? There are a lot of people. Ah- my legs are shaking.’

Contrary to his composed appearance, Kang Woojin’s legs were slightly trembling. It was a sight he had never seen before. Famous actors, whom he only saw on TV, were everywhere, and blinding flashes were going off everywhere. Is this really the world I live in? It wouldn’t have been strange if it were another world.

‘I feel nauseous.’

Then.

“Woojin.”

Hong Hye-yeon standing next to him called out to Kang Woojin. By the way, she was also in a suit, but the pants she wore were wide, giving off a strong stylish vibe.

“Have you been to a film festival before?”

The trophy she received had a camera shape and the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ logo on it. Next was Hong Hye-yeon’s turn to speak. Next was time for Hong Hye-yeon’s acceptance speech. However, she just looked at her trophy and didn’t say anything for about 10 seconds.

Only after that did Hong Hye-yeon address the audience of about a hundred people:

“First of all, thank you. I came here with no expectations because the other actors performed so well. So, I was a bit surprised.”

She continued smoothly with her speech.

“I also want to thank Director Shin Dong-chun, who made ‘Exorcism’ incredible, the staff who worked hard with us in a short period, and the actors I worked with.”

Just as Hong Hye-yeon was about to finish her speech, she suddenly added:

“Just one more thing.”

She looked at Kang Woojin, who was seated in the middle, and added:

“Congratulations in advance.”

Thanks to her, many people tilted their heads, wondering what she was congratulating him for. However, without further explanation, Hong Hye-yeon greeted everyone and returned to her seat.

At the same time,

“Congratulations. Next up is the Acting Grand Prize.”

The host announced the next award.

“Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi, who accepted our invitation, will present this award.”

The Acting Grand Prize. In other words, it signified the best among the actors who appeared in the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ this year. Most of the guests who hadn’t seen the short films guessed Park Jung-hyuk since Hong Hye-yeon received the Best Award.

Soon.

– Shh.

Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi, with his short hair full of gray, stepped onto the stage. He’s a renowned director from Japan, famous for his works, and was specially invited to grace the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’. He wore a pleasant smile and said:

“光栄です. (It’s an honor.)”

He expressed his feelings briefly to the audience.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to stand at such a precious stage. Regardless of nationality, I will serve as a director who loves art and short films.”

The man standing next to him, a translator, quickly interpreted his words into Korean for everyone. As soon as the interpretation was finished, Director Kyotaro looked down at the cue card handed to him.

“Acting Grand Prize...”

Soon after, Director Kyotaro shouted into the standing microphone.

“Congratulations, Actor Kang Woojin of ‘Exorcism’!”

Kang Woojin. At the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, the virtually unknown Kang Woojin was named the Acting Grand Prize winner. He even swept the Actor’s Award for ‘Exorcism’. What was odd was that unlike before, applause didn’t immediately follow from the dozens of invited guests.

“Kang... who?”

“Huh? Kang Woojin?”

“Eh? Isn’t it Park Jung-hyuk?”

“Who is Kang... Woojin? I’ve never heard of him.”

“Then, did this actor Kang Woojin beat Hong Hye-yeon?”

“Is he an unknown? Where is he from?”

Various actors, staff members, etc. If they hadn’t watched ‘Exorcism’ or didn’t know Kang Woojin, it was a natural reaction. Therefore, they all looked around with unfamiliar faces. Who is he? Who is that? Then, applause finally came.

-Clap clap clap clap clap.

Kang Woojin, sitting around the middle of the seating area with a calm expression, stood up. Only then did everyone’s faces change to expressions like ‘Oh, it’s him?’

“Isn’t he happy?His expression is very cold.”

“Isn’t it because he’s too nervous?”

“He looks too fine for that.”

“Who is he? Does anyone know him?”

“He won the acting grand prize award, but he’s too unknown? Wow- an unknown pushed the top.”

Ignoring the soft murmurs, Woojin with a cynical expression walked steadily towards the stage. There was no hesitation, no trembling. He was just calm. However, there was a very subtle misstep in his stride, although it wasn’t noticeable.

And so.

“······”

In a full suit, the stoic Kang Woojin climbed up to the stage where Director Kyotaro stood. Director Kyotaro, with a head full of gray hair, beamed as soon as Woojin stood in front of him. It was as if he had laid eyes on a treasure he had desired. The translator standing next to Director Kyotaro then spoke to Kang Woojin.

“You’re standing too far back.”

“Could you step forward?”

“Yes, yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Then Director Kyotaro received a trophy and a bouquet from the staff next to him and handed them to Kang Woojin, uttering words of joy in Japanese.

“Congratulations. Your work was really great.”

Although it was a short sentence in Japanese, just as the translator was about to interpret,

“ありがとうございます, 監督. (Thank you, Director.)”

Kang Woojin, with a poker face, replied first in fluent Japanese.

“It’s an honor that you appreciated ‘Exorcism’.”

For a moment, the translator next to him blinked his eyes in surprise, looking at the indifferent Kang Woojin.

‘What, what the... Hey! Why is your pronunciation better than mine??’

*****