Chapter 212: New Year (3)
Chairman Yoshimura seemed pleased as he looked at an article that had just been published.
[Breaking News]Kashiwa Group Subsidiary Hires Korean Actor Kang Woojin as advertising Model: A Strange Event Has Occurred
He slowly nodded his head in approval. He then checked the contents of the article; it displayed only the information Hideki Yoshimura wanted to see. Not too much, nor too little, just the right amount of information.
Chairman Yoshimura then spoke again to his assistant Lili Tetsugawa, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
How did we decide to proceed with bw Entertainment?
With her long hair neatly tied back, she quickly replied,
After we released the article first, they are to acknowledge it officially about half a day later today.
And our position?
We plan to send out a follow-up article in an hour.
The position Yoshimura mentioned was Kashiwa Groups acknowledgment that they had accepted the Korean actor Kang Woojin as a model for several of their subsidiaries.
This was sure to heat up the Japanese media soon.
Indeed, other media outlets had already started to follow suit.
Kang WoojinWho Swept 8 Awards in Korea, Suddenly Signed as a Model with Kashiwa Group Subsidiaries?
It was the first time for the Kashiwa Group to use a Korean actor as a model, and it was rare even within the Japanese entertainment industry to have a Korean celebrity as an ad model. Especially someone like Kang Woojin.
He had already been a hot topic in Japan around the end of the year several times.
Hwalins attacker incident, an exclusive shoot with Miley Cara, and achieving an unprecedented record of 8 awards in Koreas entertainment industry. His recognition in Japan was comparable to that of a prominent KPOP idol. His sudden association with Kashiwa Group as their ad model was bound to excite the Japanese media.
Furthermore, it was almost an established fact that Kashiwa Group was behind The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, though no official announcement had been made yet, which only heightened the curiosity.
Regardless, Chairman Yoshimura crossed his legs and returned his gaze to his smartphone.
The board meeting of BW Entertainment went well, right?
Yes, Chairman. After the board meeting, they are now aggressively pushing for business expansion.
How about Kang Woojin?
He has been focusing on filming after becoming a hot topic at the year-end awards ceremony.
Hmm, still busy, I see. When is he coming to Japan?
The director, Kyotaro Tanoguchi, from The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, needs to finalize the shooting dates, but it seems likely he will come over within January. The pre-shooting phase of The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger has finished, and only the shooting dates need to be fixed.
Is it because its the hectic end-of-year and New Year period?
Yes, there are also issues with the actors schedules.
Hearing this, Chairman Yoshimura spoke again in a gruff voice.
Check with The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger team again.
At this moment, in Kyoto, Japan.
An area of Kyoto that is close to the sea. It was also a place that was quite often called a tourist destination. Its a fishing village called Ine Funayaalso known as the floating village.
In reality, Ine Funaya is built on the edge of the land, but from a distance, it appears to float above the sea. Its a picturesque scene. The village isnt very large, but somehow, each houses interior matches well with the sea and mountains, resembling a painting. The village is generally quiet. At first glance, it holds a certain charm, but viewed differently, theres a strangely chilling silence.
In this village of Ine Funaya, a group of about a dozen people was visible. Naturally, they were Japanese.
Some were taking pictures of the village from afar while aboard a boat, and others were checking the conditions by walking around the small alleys within the village. There were also groups focused on conversing as they photographed each household. They seemed like tourists at a glance, but they were not.VIsit n0(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
Theres definitely a somewhat eerie feel to it.
The director has a good eye. It looks good now, but itll really come alive in the late afternoon or at night.
Especially, the condition of the alleys fits the work perfectly. The place we saw earlier really looked like a murder could have happened there.
Indeed The directors eye for selecting locations is remarkable. This isnt even a place mentioned in the original work, is it?
Thats right. I heard that the director added it specifically when adapting The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger.'
Indeed, they were the production crew of Director Kyotaro Tanoguchis film, The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger. The key staff from each team had gathered, and the renowned director was also present at the entrance to the back mountain that overlooked the village.
With graying short hair, it was Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi.
Hmm-
Arms crossed, he was surveying the fishing village of Ine Funaya along with the assistant directors from the production team. The key staff of The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, including Director Kyotaro, had come here for a simple reason. They were on their final location hunt right before the shooting crank-in.
This was where the first filming of The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger was to start.
Starting a shoot with an outdoor crank-in was not uncommon, although usually, filming begins on a set. Filmmakers dont typically choose outdoor locations for the first shoot due to the hassle of moving numerous staff and actors. However, for The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, Director Kyotaro decided to start filming in this fishing village, Ine Funaya.
Because the filming schedule did not align with the villages availability.
What could be done? The slightly disadvantaged side had to push a bit harder. This fishing village was a location desperately needed for The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, and it was a place Director Kyotaro was very keen on using. Ine Funaya was not in the original work but was specifically chosen by Director Kyotaro.
Soon, Director Kyotaro was looking at the tallest brown building near the center of the village floating above the sea.
Misaki Tokas hometown house.
Indeed. This fishing village was the setting in The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, the birthplace of Misaki Toka, who triggered the eerie sacrifice of the stranger, Iyota Kiyoshi. Director Kyotaro then looked past the tall brown building to the sea far beyond.
Specifically, at a fishing boat bobbing on the water.
Where the naked victim will be found.
It meant that one of the tasks Iyota Kiyoshi, played by Kang Woojin, would have to perform was to find a body on this boat. Undoubtedly, it was going to be bizarre. A naked victim from Tokyo, suddenly found on a fishing boat in Ine Funaya, this seaside village at the edge of Kyoto.
Satisfaction rolled out of the mouth of the master director Director Kwon Ki-taek, after only 12 retakes. Soon, Kang Woojin, now accustomed to the beard, exhaled a small breath inwardly.
Phew- Finished.
He stoically offered his hand to Ha Yu-ra, who was sitting on the ground, her hair disheveled as per the scenes requirements. She, usually not one to smile, smiled this time.
Thank you. And well done, Woojin ssi.
Great work everyone.
At that moment, Director Kwon Ki-taek, dressed in a thick padded jacket, approached the two actors. A smile was on his lips as he patted Kang Woojin on the shoulder and said gently,
Youve worked hard during this time. It seems my greed only grows. Should I say my standards have gotten higher?
Thank you, Director-nim.
Are you going to rest a bit now?
Woojin, with an indifferent expression, shook his head.
No. Im going to do some domestic schedules and then go to Japan.
Is it for The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger?
Yes.
Ha Yu-ra shook her head as if she was fed up.
Arent you going to kill yourself doing this, Woojin ssi? Your schedule is too tight. You should rest a bit after finishing a project.
Its not that hard.
Director Kwon Ki-taek, who chuckled lightly, interjected again.
Please say hello to Director Kyotaro for me, and make sure you take care of your health, Woojin ssi. Well probably see each other again at the wrap-up party.
Suddenly, staff members crowded around.
Youve worked hard, Woojin ssi!!
Ahh- one by one the actors are wrapping up! How sad is this??
Well done, Woojin ssi!!
Youll come to the wrap-up party for our movies crank up, right??
Good luck with your other shoots too!!!
Many staff members shouted their support and thanks. Kang Woojin bowed to them, he was poker-faced but sincere.
Thank you for your hard work, and thank you.
With that, Kang Woojins filming for Island of the Missing concluded.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, USA.
It was late morning in Korea, but it was the afternoon in LA. Right around closing time? Whether in Korea or LA, the scene during rush hour was the same: roads packed with cars, people swarming to subways, crowds bustling about the streets. Amidst this, a famous broadcast studio in Hollywood, LA was busy with a recording.
The scene was familiar.
The main studio being used for filming was visible, and outside this studio area, numerous cameras and filming equipment were densely arranged. The foreign staff members seen in between had focused expressions.
They were deeply engrossed in filming a talk show.
One of the top three talk shows in the US, The Jamie Show. The host Jamie was also well-known in Korea. The filming setup had Jamie sitting at a gothic desk, with the guest placed on a plush sofa in front of the desk. Currently, a blonde top Hollywood actress was sitting on the sofa.
Soon, the slightly plump Jamie called out the blonde womans name in English.
Ha-ha, Miley. Should we change up the topic this time? You said you went to Korea last time?
The guest, wearing a tight knit and jeans, was Miley Cara. She didnt show her typically aloof demeanor since it was during filming.
Yes, I went there to promote a movie, just like on this talk show.
How was Korea?
It was fantastic.
Was it your first time?
Miley Cara leisurely changed the direction of her crossed legs as she responded to the question.
Yes. It was my first time, but there were a lot of impressive things.
Oh- Ive been planning to go to Korea since last year too. What impressed you the most? Surely the food?
Mm- no, the most impressive thing was an actor.
Ah, a Korean actor! There are many well-known Korean actors in Hollywood too. I love K-dramas. But which Korean actor?
Miley Cara, changing the direction of her crossed legs again, smiled slightly and answered.
Kang Woojin, he really seems like an alien.
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin was walking with his team to the outdoor parking lot of the Island of the Missing set.
Suddenly.
Ah.
Woojin, with a grave expression, slightly paused and nonchalantly scratched his ear.
Itchy. Whats this, is someone talking about me?
