小火星

-[“She told me to call her that way, Mother did.”]

An enraged Yoon Ja-ho grabbed Kang Woojin by the collar. Woojin wore a mysterious smile.

-[“That\'s what she told me to call her, Mother.”]

Yoon Ja-ho told him to live like the leech he was. To never think of setting foot in the same world. Not to get confused. Soon after, the giant screen showed a close-up of Kang Woojin’s face. He was looking at himself reflected in the window of a large living room on the first floor of a grand mansion.

It was the same place as Yoon Ja-ho. The same space.

The Woojin reflected in the window had a faint smile. His figure slowly grew larger. Then the angle suddenly shifted. It was no longer a reflection, but the real Kang Woojin. From looking at the window, he was now looking at Yoon Ja-ho in front of him.

The smile that had spread was nowhere to be found.

Expressionless. And lies. Belief.

-[“We’re together, aren’t we?”]

At this moment, all 3,000 audience members filling the ‘Lumière Theater’ understood without exception.

That this ‘Park Ha-sung’ was steeped in Ripley Syndrome.

The term "Ripley Syndrome" had never once been mentioned in ‘Leech’. However, everyone sensed it. Soon, most of the audience glanced at Kang Woojin seated in the front row. The gap between his on-screen persona and his real-life appearance was absurdly vast.

Among them, the ten official jurors of the Cannes Film Festival couldn’t take their eyes off the image of Kang Woojin on the massive screen.

‘To express emotions with such freedom just through his eyes.’

‘His portrayal is astounding. Just that alone conveys Ripley Syndrome, does he actually suffer from it??’

‘Ac-acting??’

‘Either he has personal experience or he practiced like crazy. If he practiced to reach this level— I can’t even imagine how much time he must’ve spent.’

Compared to the beginning, Kang Woojin’s performance in ‘Leech’ started to shine from the early-mid section. The impression left by Sim Han-ho was completely overturned before anyone realized it. The fact that all 3,000 audience members were absorbed in ‘Park Ha-sung’ within ‘Leech’ was proof of it.

Exactly when this shift happened was uncertain.

As everyone became immersed in the film, at some point, all they could see was Kang Woojin. However, his performance didn’t feel like acting. Watching the giant screen, even Miley Cara covered her mouth.

‘It’s chilling. And terrifying.’

All the audience members.

Those watching ‘Leech’ shared a common, distinct thought.

This movie doesn’t feel like a movie.

It wasn’t a comment about a lack of artistic quality. In fact, the quality of ‘Leech’ far exceeded imagination. However, Kang Woojin’s performance, leading the cast of ‘Leech’, was just too realistic.

\'It feels like... watching a documentary.\'

‘Kang Woojin’s acting is too vivid. This is a movie, right? Why does it feel like watching a documentary?’

‘It’s like observing a real person; damn, to think that level of acting is even possible.’

As a result, ‘Leech’ was transcending the boundaries of film. It was like a broadcast documenting a real person named Park Ha-sung, who entered a conglomerate family and experienced Ripley Syndrome.

The atmosphere only grew denser with time.

The ‘Lumière Theater’ was filled with a sticky, unsettling heat. The acting of a single actor was disrupting the breathing of 3,000 audience members.

Somewhere in the latter half.

When the audience was holding their breath, watching the screen, Kang Woojin’s tension in ‘Leech’ had already changed drastically from the beginning. He was a completely different person. Although draped in lies, he was living the truth.

-[“Don’t laugh, before I shove a cigarette down your throat.”]

-[“Hyung.”]

-[“You fucker! What? Hyung??!”]

It was filled with sincerity. Kang Woojin was calm and poised.

-[“Why are you so wary of me?”]

-[“Me, wary of someone like you? You’re completely out of your mind.”]

-[“Ah—is that so? I think I kind of get it.”]

And he was unrestrained. No one in the movie could stop him now. On the giant screen, Woojin’s face appeared reflected in a family photo frame. The truth, devoid of lies, was captured fully in the frame.

Danny Landis, who was thoughtfully stroking his chin, was inwardly impressed.

‘This shot is breathtaking, even upon a second viewing.’

While the direction was impressive, the actor’s expression filling the screen was jaw-dropping.

‘The part where he realizes most vividly that he’s become a monster, even while staring at undeniable evidence of lies right in front of him, he rationalizes himself with yet another lie. He expressed that with just a look and a single line of dialogue. The real monster here is that actor.’

The ten jurors, Cara, and the rest of the audience couldn’t help but let out gasps around this scene. Even the ‘Leech’ team sitting in the front row watched the completed film with straight backs. Kang Woojin, wearing a solemn expression, was no different.

However, he was internally having a reaction entirely out of sync with the grave atmosphere.

‘Wow, my face looks huge up there.’

He felt a little embarrassed seeing his enormous face on the giant screen. But no one could see through Woojin’s thoughts. Many stole glances at him, but Woojin’s commitment to his persona was solid as a rock.

Meanwhile, ‘Leech’ was barreling toward its conclusion.

Having become a monster, he had to kill the truth to maintain his monstrous nature. The only one who could expose ‘Park Ha-sung’s’ lies, and who also believed in and cherished him the most, was Madam ‘Yoo Hyun-ji’.

-[“I’m confused about who I am.”]

However, ‘Yoo Hyun-ji’ was both the truth and the medium that could turn ‘Park Ha-sung’s’ lies into reality. It was essentially the same as him cutting his own throat.

-[“So I’m going to find out.”]

‘Park Ha-sung’ severed himself from reality. He was found in the living room sofa of the mansion. This scene was the only real moment for ‘Park Ha-sung’.

Soon, the camera pulled back, and once again, Kang Woojin’s narration echoed throughout the theater.

-[“At first, it was envy. I wanted it. Your world. But now, I can’t find my real self anymore. I think I lost it somewhere along the way. It’s going to be hard to find.”]

The giant screen went dark.

And then.

-♬♪

Along with mysterious film music, the end credits began to roll. The two-hour film ‘Leech’ had concluded. At the same time, thunderous applause suddenly erupted throughout the theater.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

The moment the film ended, all 3,000 audience members rose to their feet in applause.

A standing ovation.

Hollywood Master Director Danny Landis, Miley Cara, the ten jurors, and everyone else, including Joseph and Megan, showered genuine praise on the ‘Leech’ team, not just out of courtesy.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Kang Woojin was a bit taken aback.

‘Whoa— that startled me.’

This was his first time experiencing something like this. Plus, this was Cannes in France, and the people giving a standing ovation were thousands of foreign strangers he was seeing for the first time. As Woojin watched, he was both surprised and felt an involuntary thrill run through him.

‘This is insane.’

The grand ‘Lumière Theater’. The pouring applause. Woojin, Director Ahn Ga-bok, and the entire ‘Leech’ team stood up, overwhelmed, and bowed to the audience, while hundreds of reporters among the audience snapped pictures of the ‘Leech’ team. Dozens or even hundreds of people filmed this moment on their phones.

This footage was surely going to spread on YouTube.

Whatever the case, the once quiet ‘Lumière Theater’ had transformed into a scene of frenzy. The enthusiasm showed no sign of cooling down. Kang Woojin found the current scene oddly fascinating. It was a completely different atmosphere from the Japanese film in the ‘In Competition’ section on the first day.

‘Did the films on the first day have this reaction too?? Well, there was applause, but it wasn’t this wild, was it?’

Though Woojin didn’t know much about Cannes, he did know there hadn’t been a standing ovation on the first day. Among the 3,000 audience members giving a standing ovation, Joseph asked his entourage, which included his stunt team and executives from Universal Movies.

“How was it?”

They had already seen the long take scenes from ‘Beneficial Evil’ and had heard in advance that Kang Woojin was performing method acting. Their expectations were very high. And, of course, not a single one of them looked disappointed.

“It was amazing. As you said, for Kang Woojin, action scenes are just one of his many skills.”

“The main thing was his method acting, as if he brought a real person to life.”

“Honestly, the long take from ‘Beneficial Evil’ seems a bit pale now. That just shows how extraordinary his acting was.”

At this moment, to Kang Woojin in the front row seats right in front of the screen-

-Swish.

A man with a partially bald head and round glasses approached. It was Hollywood mogul, Director Danny Landis.

“It’s been a long time since a work made me lose track of time.”

He extended his hand for a handshake to the stoic Kang Woojin.

“And your performance was deeply impressive, leaving quite an afterimage.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s eyes widened. The surrounding actors and audience murmured in astonishment.

"Th-that Director Danny praising the acting..."

“Isn’t he known for being extremely critical, even in Hollywood??”

It was a side of Danny Landis that had never been seen before. Meanwhile, Kang Woojin maintained his stiff expression, though he muttered inwardly, unfazed.

‘Why is it that I seem to be popular with grandpas??’

Afterwards.

Once the screening of ‘Leech’ concluded, the ‘Lumière Theater’ remained abuzz for some time. The 3,000 audience members who had watched didn’t immediately leave their seats, and instead observed the ‘Leech’ team, including Kang Woojin, as they were swarmed by reporters.

This went on for about 30 minutes.

For those 30 minutes, the ‘Leech’ team had to undergo countless interviews and photos. Of course, most of the questions and photo ops centered around Kang Woojin. Although they eventually managed to escape, the crowd’s interest was unrelenting.

“It was outstanding!”

“Truly an unforgettable film!”

Notable figures from various countries, i.e., the audience, rushed toward the ‘Leech’ team. And once again, Kang Woojin was the one who drew the most attention.

His popularity was exploding.

There were questions about his acting, about sign language, about his fluency in French, and so on. Kang Woojin responded to the overwhelming number of questions with composure, maintaining a steady demeanor thanks to his concept. During this time, Director Danny, Cara, Joseph, and Megan also exchanged brief greetings with the ‘Leech’ team.

The theater was in such chaos that it wasn’t the right situation for any lengthy conversation.

Finally, the ten official jurors of the Cannes Film Festival approached. However, as jurors, they couldn’t give detailed evaluations or ask deep questions. A simple greeting was all that was exchanged.

Even as these jurors exited the theater,

"Hmm-"

“......”

they wore expressions filled with contemplation. It was natural, as they had many decisions to make before the awards ceremony the next day, and the film ‘Leech’ they had just seen had given them plenty to ponder.

All in all, about an hour passed.

It was only at 10 p.m. that Kang Woojin returned to his hotel room.

“Ah- I’m dead tired.”

Without even taking off his suit, he threw himself onto the bed. Of course, before entering his room, he had run into Choi Sung-gun, who had bombarded him with various questions. After all, he’d heard the rumors. About how Kang Woojin had used French as fluently as a native speaker. But ultimately, it didn’t cause much of an issue.

Choi Sung-gun had already made up his mind to accept everything as it was.

Soon, Kang Woojin let out a long sigh. He didn’t even have the energy to use the Void Space; everything seemed to have passed by in a blur. With his face buried in the bed, he recalled the events from a few hours ago. Though he’d experienced it himself, it hardly felt real.

“If there’s this much commotion with just 3,000 people, it’s going to be even crazier during the awards ceremony.”

He was referring to the closing and awards ceremony. With tens of thousands of people expected, it was only natural. In any case, with this, the official schedule for ‘Leech’ was over. Now, aside from a few minor interviews and events, Kang Woojin was relatively free until the closing and awards ceremony in a few days.

At this point, Kang Woojin recalled Director Danny’s face. Or more precisely, the words Danny had said at the end.

‘Let’s meet soon and talk in detail.’

Woojin tilted his head in curiosity.

“About what?”

Two days later, on the 4th. Korea.

While the festival was in full swing in Cannes, France, the fifth day had already begun. Of course, in Korea, matters related to Kang Woojin were also progressing smoothly. For example, with \'Beneficial Evil\'. PD Song Man-woo and Netflix Korea’s Executive Director Kim So-hyang had gathered at DM Production.

The meeting started with Executive Director Kim So-hyang.

“PD-nim, it’s confirmed. We’re moving up the launch schedule for \'Beneficial Evil\'.”

“Will it be possible to proceed without any issues?”

“Of course. Whether it’s later this year or early next year, moving up the schedule won’t be a problem. However, we do need to set a firm launch date in advance to start aligning our strategy.”

“That goes without saying.”

Then Kim So-hyang gave PD Song Man-woo a smile.

"Focus on episodes 1 to 6 i.e., Part 1. Currently, the sooner we launch, the better."

Meanwhile, the domestic media was abuzz with numerous issues. Among them, one particular headline that stood out this morning was drawing attention.

『[Cannes Film Festival] Closing Ceremony and Awards will be at 7 PM October 10th in Cannes, 3 AM in Korea... YouTube live streaming confirmed!』

The Cannes closing and awards ceremony will be broadcast live.