Megan Stone, the famous Hollywood casting director, brushed back her brown bob as she looked over the project proposal in her hand. Her expression was firm, and she carried an intensely serious air. The proposal she was reviewing contained a mix of different elements, but as a casting director, the main things that caught her eye were the basic premise and the synopsis.
Universal Movies, a major Hollywood distributor and film production company, was one of the top five giants in the industry.
If a company like that had chosen this story, there was no way it could be boring.
Megan Stone thought the same. The story and structure were interesting. It took Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as its motif and added dissociative identity disorder on top of it.
In other words, it meant multiple personalities, or the coexistence of several personas.
For some reason, Megan Stone found herself intrigued by the brief information contained in the synopsis summary.
'Kang Woojin would suit this role… astonishingly well.'
She thought of the Korean actor Kang Woojin. More precisely, she thought of Woojin's acting during the filming of The Stranger's Grim Sacrifice, which she had seen in Japan. Megan Stone had not watched him perform for long, but even that short encounter had left a powerful impression on her.
Wasn't that obvious even now?
The fact that Kang Woojin's acting still remained so vivid in her memory even after Megan Stone had returned to Hollywood meant that she had been deeply captivated by him.
"At the time, Kang Woojin's acting felt as if he were moving across several personalities in just a few seconds. Yes, like someone with multiple personalities. No, in fact, he was someone with multiple personalities. At least in that moment."
The way he changed his face had felt so natural it was almost casual. It flowed as smoothly as running water. It was so seamless you could not even notice it. The performance had been so unbelievable that it was hard to accept while watching it. No, it had bordered on madness.
'And after the acting ended, he returned to his original self as if the performance had been a lie. The way he switched between the role and himself was horrifying.'
But the reason Megan rated Kang Woojin so highly was not simply because of his outstanding acting.
"It wasn't even a scene where his appeal exploded. And yet, with just a few lines and a short performance, he completely captivated over a hundred people."
Aura.
Yes, Kang Woojin gave off the aura of a star. At least, that was how he looked in the eyes of Megan Stone, who had worked as a casting director in the giant world of Hollywood.
'…If it were him, he would pull this role off unbelievably well. Enough to leave people stunned.'
Right at that moment—
"Megan, what do you think?"
An English voice came from across from Megan Stone, who was seated on the sofa. It was a man's voice.
"I didn't expect you to look at it that closely."
There were three people sitting in front of her. Two foreign men and one woman, each with a distinct impression. All of them looked older. Naturally, they were executives from the giant film distributor Universal Movies.
"The director hasn't been decided yet, but production is confirmed."
Megan Stone set down the project proposal she had been reviewing and answered while looking at the heavyset foreign man seated in front of her.
"I see. Then who is the executive producer?"
"Joseph Felton is our top candidate. We've already made him the offer, and we're waiting for his response. Haha, he's an incredibly busy producer, but we really want him. Ah, Megan, you've worked with Joseph before, haven't you?"
Thinking of the huge Joseph from Last Kill 3, Megan nodded.
"Yes. A few times in the past. Do you happen to have a shortlist of director candidates?"
For reference, Hollywood's film production system is different from Korea's in many ways. Take directors, for example. In Korea, directors hold full authority, but that is not the case in Hollywood. In Hollywood, directors are closer to hired directors. It is not that they have no influence at all, but they do not wield power as overwhelming as they do in Korea. Strictly speaking, in Hollywood, the executive producer holds greater authority.
Even so, the status of a director was still respected.
In any case, one of the Universal Movies executives answered.
"Of course. But it's difficult to disclose that just yet. I hope you understand."
"That's fine."
"But we want you too, Megan. Would you be willing to join this project?"
It was an offer from Universal Movies, one of the biggest giants in Hollywood. Megan had no real reason to refuse. But she was also someone with considerable influence in this industry. Responding immediately would have been foolish.
"Thank you. But please give me some time."
"Of course. But if it takes too long, it'll put me in an awkward position."
"I'll get back to you next week."
"Good."
The meeting was moving along smoothly. At that point, Megan shifted the topic.
"If this synopsis is handed to screenwriters and turned into a screenplay, would Universal Movies be willing to cast Asian actors, for example Korean actors?"
The Universal Movies executives tilted their heads slightly.
"Korean actors?"
The heavyset man, who seemed to hold the highest position among them, smiled.
"That depends on the judgment of the producer and director. We'll cast anyone who suits the role, anyone whose acting can move us and the audience. Why do you ask?"
"I'm a casting director. I need to know the production company's firm position in advance. Sometimes, even when an actor fits a role perfectly, they're passed over because of their nationality."
"Ah, I see. Don't worry. Whether they're Korean actors or Hollywood actors, if they suit the role, we'll cast them. Acting ability matters most."
The heavyset executive's smile deepened.
"Even if they're aliens."
Around lunchtime in Korea—
A film screening had just ended in the largest auditorium of a major multiplex in Gangnam. More precisely, the press screening for Island of the Missing had just wrapped up. Soon, the movie's ending credits began to roll across the giant screen, and the dim theater lights brightened.
Immediately—
A huge number of reporters and critics who had just watched Island of the Missing raised both hands.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
A wave of applause poured out. It was a rare sight at an ordinary press screening. Of course, that might have been because the director was the famous Kwon Gitaek, but it was not mere formal applause.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
The reporters' and critics' applause was filled with genuine praise. Every one of them wore smiles that clearly said, That was good. At that, Director Kwon Gitaek, who was seated in the front row with his warm impression, along with the actors, all rose and bowed. Kang Woojin, who looked indifferent, did the same.
Even while maintaining his concept, Woojin bowed deeply.
'This feels completely different from the screening version?! This is incredible. It was so fun, and no matter how many times I watch it, it's still fun.'
Inside, he was making a huge fuss. The image quality had indeed improved compared to the earlier screening, but he was being completely biased. In any case, after giving their final greetings to the reporters and critics, Woojin and the actors left the theater. The reporters who remained inside were checking the photos they had taken and packing up their things.
At the same time—
"Wow, Island of the Missing was way better than I expected. Honestly, I've been disappointed so many times by movies that only relied on the director's reputation and the actors' popularity, so I didn't have high expectations this time either."
"Better? Just better? That's way too weak. I almost wet myself the whole time I was watching it."
The gathered reporters' reviews poured out one after another. Thanks to that, the theater quickly grew lively.
"It's exactly what you'd expect from Director Kwon Gitaek. His directing is really something special. This movie is going to be huge. Every movie I find fun always becomes a hit."
"Haha, Reporter Kim, you got properly fooled this time, didn't you? But compared to the recent releases, the quality is on another level. The entertainment, the tension, the story—there's nothing to criticize."
"When that strange creature first appeared, I thought it was going to turn into some kind of hunting movie… but in the end, the humans were the monsters."
"No spoilers."
Of course, not every reporter was showering it with praise.
"Was it fun? I thought it got less interesting after that strange creature showed up."
"Really? Hmm… I didn't understand a few parts either. Overall, it felt kind of dull. Like it was trying too hard to force tension."
"Yeah, that. That was a real shame. Maybe my expectations were too high because it was a Kwon Gitaek film."
"It felt large in scale but lacking in substance."
But they were only a tiny minority. Most reporters gave it very generous scores.
"There wasn't a single weak point in the acting, right?"
"Exactly, that's the key. If you cast weak actors through backdoor deals, the whole movie falls apart. It's much better when there isn't a single distracting element."
At minimum, it deserved an eighty, and many were giving it a full hundred.
"Ryu Jungmin has improved a lot since Hanryang, and I thought Ha Yura might struggle a little because of her hiatus, but she pulled it off."
"That makes sense, given their experience… but what about Kang Woojin? From the middle onward, I honestly thought his acting was insane."
"Ah, to be honest, Kang Woojin's acting is on another level. Some tabloid said he was possessed by a ghost, but I think he's possessed by the god of acting. Ah, that's a good line. I should use that in an article."
"Best Supporting Actor? No, it should be Best Actor. That guy is one hundred percent winning Best Actor next year."
"With this level of quality, it feels like it could easily surpass five million viewers, right? What do you think the break-even point is?"
"Considering the scale and level of the cast, it's probably around five million."
After listening to the opinions of the critics who had attended, the reporters began to disperse one by one.
"No… was I the only one who got chills during that scene where Kang Woojin and Ryu Jungmin were together, and Woojin kept changing his expression?"
All in tribute to the influence of actor Kang Woojin.
Later—
Articles about Island of the Missing began spreading through the media.
[Today, the press screening for Director Kwon Gitaek's highly anticipated Island of the Missing is held… Reporters pour out praise]
The many reporters who had attended the screening moved fast.
[Photo: The lead actors of Island of the Missing! Ryu Jungmin, Kang Woojin, Ha Yura, and others giving thumbs up / Photo]
["Nothing but praise," "The expressions of the critics who attended the Island of the Missing screening say it all"]
That was exactly how it was. Even though they had watched the movie for free, the reporters who attended screenings were often brutally harsh. If a film was bad, they would write mercilessly negative articles. But at present, there was not a single critical piece to be found about Island of the Missing.
["There isn't a weakness in the acting," Why Island of the Missing is drawing huge anticipation]
But the screening was not the end. There were still several weeks left until the release. In other words, the marketing, advertising, and promotional activities for Island of the Missing were now about to begin in earnest. Of course, they had already been in motion before, but with only about three weeks left until release, the intensity had to be multiplied several times over.
About two days later—
April ended, and May began.
It was Monday, May 3rd.
It was the period when promotion for Island of the Missing was flooding every form of social media.
[The release date of Island of the Missing has been moved from May 20th to May 19th… to target Buddha's Birthday]
[Island of the Missing officially opens on the May 19th holiday]
Kang Woojin left for Japan again.
[Star Talk: Kang Woojin, ahead of the release of Island of the Missing, greets reporters before departing for Japan / Photo]
It was unavoidable because of his packed schedule. Woojin was expected to return to Korea around the end of May. In simple terms, he would have to hear about the release of Island of the Missing while in Japan. In any case, even if Kang Woojin was not in Korea, the projects connected to him would not stop.
Especially Leech.
"Cut, NG. Heeryeong, I need to see more pain in your eyes."
"Yes. Director, understood."
"Let's go again."
Leech was like a runaway locomotive. Whether Kang Woojin was on set or not, the flow and pace of filming remained the same. In fact, it only grew faster day by day. Director Ahn Gabok was barely sleeping and pulling all-nighters constantly.
He had to handle filming and rough editing at the same time.
There was no way to meet the Cannes schedule without overworking.
The next day, on the 4th—
The audience preview screening for Island of the Missing was held in theaters nationwide. Since it was an event meant for promotion and marketing, not only regular viewers but also acquaintances of the cast were invited. In Kang Woojin's case, for example, PD Song Manwoo and writer Choi Nana, who had worked with him on Beneficial Evil, attended.
"Wow, this is my first time ever being invited to a preview screening. This is really exciting…"
"Too bad we probably won't get to see our Woojin in person again."
"What? You mean the actors are coming too?"
"I heard there's going to be a stage greeting. Other than Woojin, who went to Japan, I think the rest of the cast will probably be here."
"Amazing."
"Hmm, then I guess I'll have to be satisfied with seeing Woojin in the movie."
"I'm so excited… I saw the trailer, and Woojin's character looked completely unpredictable."
"Haha, same here. I'm curious what kind of performance he'll use to shock the audience this time. Anyway, it feels like it'll cause a completely different kind of wave from Lee Sangman in Drug Dealer. That was a huge topic too, but this time he's the lead."
High-ranking figures from Netflix Korea, including General Director Kim Sohyang, also attended. Naturally, many people he had worked with on past projects were there as well. Director Shin Dongchun of Exorcism, as well as staff from Profiler Hanryang, Boy Friend, and others, all took their seats.
Hwarin had also been invited, but—
"It's okay. I want to watch Woojin's movie properly at night, when I can focus on it completely. Yes, not as a colleague, but as a fan."
She seemed to have more desire to watch the movie as a fan than to attend the preview screening. Director Kim Dohui and the actors from Drug Dealer were there too.
"So Woojin's first lead film is finally opening. But Director, why does your face look like that—"
"Sigh… my feelings are complicated. I feel like I should be cheering for him, but it also feels like it might be more fun than Drug Dealer."
"I feel the same, but that's just how the film industry works, isn't it? More than regret, I'm feeling anticipation. I'm curious what kind of monster Woojin will play this time instead of Lee Sangman."
"Same here. Just thinking about it makes me uneasy. Let's go inside already."
Writer Lee Wolsun, the lead writer of Frozen love, also attended. Not everyone had gathered in the same theater, but it was still a gathering of many important figures.
The atmosphere grew heated.
But this explosive response was not limited to Island of the Missing alone. In the film industry, May—known as Family Month—marked the beginning of peak season. From May to September, the number of moviegoers rose several times higher than usual because of summer vacation, Family Month, school breaks, and holiday seasons.
Of course, that was a positive signal for the production of Island of the Missing, and its release date had been chosen to target that peak season.
And that was the problem.
[The real peak season begins on Buddha's Birthday, May 19th, with four films, including Island of the Missing, opening at once]
That meant a flood of new films was about to be released. It was obvious that blockbuster films by famous directors and movies starring top actors would come pouring out. Naturally, major Hollywood titles would also be released one after another. Domestic distributors and overseas film importers would never let peak season slip by.
In other words—
[The current film industry is like a blood-soaked battlefield where numerous new films are competing. Who will come out on top? Attention focuses on the selection of the "major blockbusters"]
There were simply far too many films competing against Island of the Missing.