Indeed, 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' was a story of revenge. A revenge plot that was extremely brutal, yet intricately detailed. That was why the original book by author Akira, 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger,' received rave reviews. Almost the same essence was incorporated into the screenplay adapted by Director Kyotaro.
Of course, not everything from the original could be included, but the essence was clear because they did their best. That's why Mana Kosaku couldn't take his eyes off the synopsis.
'This is interesting, the quality is so good!'
The plot had an irresistibly compelling power, making him want to read the full screenplay, not just the synopsis, right away, and the same went for the original book. However, given his current situation, reading the screenplay seemed difficult.
Soon, Kosaku's thoughts shifted at the last line of the synopsis.
'To be honest, while the work is great, it's a blessing it's not a live-action adaptation.'
The reason he was drawn to this work was not just the big names attached like the director or the original author behind the scenes. Frankly, Kosaku was drawn more to something else because it felt like a proper movie after a long time.
Recently, the Japanese film industry had been inundated with live-action adaptations.
To be specific, a significant number of films produced were live-action adaptations of manga or anime. This trend was unsurprising since Japan is known for its rich manga and anime culture. Due to the financial benefits and influx of fans, this trend had solidified its presence in the Japanese movie market.
Out of the seven movies released this week, five were related to manga or animation.
'There was a need for change anyway.'
Thanks to this trend, Kosaku was a bit put off. The last drama he worked on was also a live-action adaptation of a manga. Of course, 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' could technically be considered a live-action adaptation as well, but it was different in essence. It was more akin to a script being born as a movie screenplay.
Such productions were now rare finds in Japan.
However, there was one thing that bothered him.
"Director, what role is the Korean actor playing?"
There was a Korean actor involved, and he was a newcomer, yet he was cast in a primary role. From Kosaku's perspective, this was certainly odd. However, Director Kyotaro answered with a relaxed smile.
"He will play the role of 'Kiyoshi Iyota.'"
"!!!"
Kosaku's eyes widened in shock. The reason was simple.
'The lead role, no less?'
It wasn't a supporting or minor role; it was a proper lead role. And 'Kiyoshi Iyota' was a character who drove the direction of the story. While 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' featured quite a few main characters, it was 'Kiyoshi' who steered the story.
He was practically the single most important character.
A Korean actor got that role? Why? How? Externally, Kosaku didn't show it, but he found it hard to understand. The original was by the renowned author Akari, and the director was the legendary Director Kyotaro. Yet the actor in the top role was a Korean rookie.
Kosaku felt a mix of surprise and discomfort.
It was undoubtedly a big project, but he felt tangled and complicated. At this point, Director Kyotaro leaned forward and spoke to the serious-looking Kosaku.
"I would like you to play as the villain, Mana-san."
"......"
"But as you will see when you read the complete screenplay, everyone in 'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' is evil. Read the screenplay, think about it, and then give me your answer."
"Director, may I ask one thing?"
"Of course."
"Why was that Korean actor cast as Kiyoshi Iyota?"
Director Kyotaro's answer to the question was exceedingly short.
"Because it had to be him."
The next day, Friday, July 3rd.
The large conference room of Harmony Film Company, the company producing 'Island of the Missing,' was bustling. An emergency production meeting had been called, and about 20 people, including Director Kwon Ki-taek at the head of the ㄷ-shaped table, key staff such as the cinematography director, company executives, and distributors, had gathered.
The topic of discussion was, of course, the recent scandal involving Seo Chae-eun.
"Ah! What would we have done if we had gone ahead with Seo Chae-eun? It's terrifying just to imagine."
"The timing, I mean - if we had announced before Seo Chae-eun's news, we would have been directly affected."
"Thanks to PowerPatch making the first move, otherwise, if we had gone into filming just like that..."
The participants were excitedly voicing similar sentiments. There was a feeling of a close shave.
"I saw in the news today that other drug traces were found besides propofol. The situation is getting bigger on their end."
"Really? So it means she also took other drugs in addition to propofol?"
"It seems so."
"Huh- Seo Chae-eun, I never thought of her that way."
"It was a real stroke of genius when the director told us to delay the PR activities."
For the record, no one present knew the clear truth behind Seo Chae-eun's case. Director Kwon Ki-taek had covered this up, and Choi Sung-gun had agreed. There was no reason to disclose the involvement of Kang Woojin or Choi Sung-gun. It would only give rise to unnecessary gossip.
Regardless, the one who interrupted the increasingly intense conversation was Director Kwon Ki-taek's calm voice.
"Let's stop this. We didn't gather here to talk about that."
"Ah, I apologize."
The atmosphere quickly became orderly again. Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek sighed softly and continued speaking.
"If we keep talking about her, it will only deepen our involvement. We've clearly drawn a line, so let's not discuss Ms. Seo Chae-eun any further."
"Yes, Director."
"Please keep your mouths shut."
Everyone closed their mouths at his warm yet firm tone, and Director Kwon Ki-taek turned to the film company staff and asked.
"What's been delayed due to this incident? General promotion, script reading, what else is there?"
"Apart from what you mentioned and casting for the empty spot due to Seo Chae... I mean, there's no significant issue apart from the actor's casting."
"Hmm."
"I think the actors will quickly agree once we circulate the script. Since we've only announced Kang Woojin and Ryu Jung-min, there won't be a feeling of patching things up. If you don't have an actor in mind, we have selected some."
"No, I have decided on an actor, and they should be almost here."
"...What?"
The entire room became restless. Who's coming all of a sudden? At that moment, there was a knock on the glass door. Soon, a slightly flustered female staff member opened the door and spoke softly.
"Uh, Director, Ha Yu-ra is here."
Everyone's eyes widened. Whispers filled the room. Who's here? Ha Yu-ra? Isn't she in Hollywood? Such whispers spread.
-Swish.
Ha Yu-ra really entered the conference room. She greeted everyone with a smile in her eyes.
"Hello."
Ha Yu-ra being in Korea was a secret, and hence it was the first time Director Kwon Ki-taek revealed it. Naturally, everyone was taken aback. However, the calm Director Kwon approached Ha Yu-ra, who was standing by the entrance, and murmured.
"Having Ha Yu-ra, who should be in Hollywood, here in Korea and cast in Kwon Ki-taek's film. If we start the promotion with such a bang, wouldn't it attract more attention?"
The quick response came from the distributors side.
"Yes, of course! It will attract 100% attention!"
A strategy that added shock to the twist. But Director Kwon wasn't done.
"Okay, then let's resume the PR activities we had stopped. We start with Ms. Ha Yu-ra here."
And he added calmly.
"Oh, and also include the matter of Hong Hye-yeon's cameo as well."
Later,
In the afternoon of the third day, the internet, still abuzz with Seo Chae-eun's name, was blasted with articles about 'Island of the Missing'.
『[Exclusive] Ha Yu-ra's shocking entry into Kwon Ki-taek's 'Island of the Missing'...Hong Hye-yeon makes a cameo appearance』
Naturally, the promotion started by the distributors of 'Island of the Missing' was perfectly timed. The news contained unexpected twists.
『[MoviePick] 'Island of the Missing' confirms lead lineup! Ryu Jung-min, Jeon Woo-chang, Kim Yi-won, Kang Woojin, and Ha Yu-ra』
『[StarTalk] 'Island of the Missing' confirms Ha Yu-ra, 'But wasn't she in Hollywood?'』
『The sudden inclusion of Ha Yu-ra to the already impressive 'Island of the Missing' lineup with Jeon Woo-chang, Kim Yi-won, and others!』
It was indeed Ha Yu-ra. She should have been in Hollywood, but she was now in Korea? And she was even cast in the hot topic, 'Island of the Missing.' Thus, Ha Yu-ra's name started to circulate on the internet just like Seo Chae-eun's.
They were both shocking news, but of a different nature.
While Seo Chae-eun's name plummeted, Ha Yu-ra's soared high. Quite a contrasting scenario.
『Ryu Jung-min, Kang Woojin joined 'Island of the Missing,' and now Ha Yu-ra? Netizens surprised』
The curiosity about Ha Yu-ra grew more intense, which was clarified through her SNS. Around the night of the third day, Ha Yu-ra herself uploaded the complete story.
In short, Ha Yu-ra's return to Korea was confirmed.
Therefore, the public's expectations for 'Island of the Missing' soared immensely. Kang Woojin stirred the waters, Ryu Jung-min spread the wings, and other top actors like Ha Yu-ra took flight with them; all eyes in the film industry were on 'Island of the Missing'.
In an editing room, a work featuring Kang Woojin was gaining momentum.
'Drug Dealer,' which had entered its intensive post-production editing phase about two weeks prior.
What was amusing was:
"Ah, shit. This is driving me crazy."
Director Kim Do-hee, who was overseeing the dimly lit editing room, had a face full of frustration. The reason was simple.
"It's insanely difficult. If we keep this cut, the previous one looks bad, and if we cut the previous one, this one feels wasted. Ah, editing Lee Sang-man's scenes will be a headache."
It was because the scenes with Lee Sang-man, played by Kang Woojin, were extremely troubling.
"How can there not be a single scene we can cut?"
There wasn't a single shot they could discard. Whether it was a front view, side view, solo shot, or two-shot. Editing Lee Sang-man's scenes was hellish because there was literally nothing to fault, which ironically became a stumbling block.
"It's crazy. I've never struggled this hard for editing a cameo role before."
"Director, what should we do? If we continue to delay, the whole schedule will get messed up."
"Then you, the editing technician, try to choose. Which of these three shots is better?"
"...I think the frontal shot."
"Are you sure?"
"No. The side might be better... No, I'm sorry."
At this point, one of the editing assistants mumbled.
"But if Lee Sang-man's quality is this good, no matter what shot we use, it seems like the audience will be totally hooked, right?"
"That's true, but I want to maximize that effect through editing."
Director Kim Do-hee, who had been scratching her tousled hair in frustration, made a decision.
"I don't know, let's postpone Lee Sang-man's part for now. Let's quickly work through the other cuts."
They decided to push editing Lee Sang-man's shots to the latter half of the process, a decision made, of course, to maximize efficiency.
The following Saturday.
A major project was scheduled to come to an end. It was 'Profiler Hanryang', which had already aired 15 episodes. On Saturday, July 4th, it was airing its final episode. Although it was a mega-hit, it had faced its share of ups and downs.
『Suddenly the final episode; What is the viewership rating for the last episode of 'Hanryang' that consistently exceeded 20%?』
Hanryang had consistently maintained a 20% viewership. And the viewership for the much-anticipated final episode was announced the following Sunday morning.
『[DramaPick] 'Profiler Hanryang' Leaves a Legend, Final Episode Garners 24.3% Viewership』
24.3%. It was a fantastic figure, partially thanks to the buzz from it being the finale. However, there was one regret.
『'Hanryang's final episode scores 24.3%... Still couldn't surpass the initial 25% of 'Park Dae-ri'』
It couldn't surpass the impact of 'Park Dae-ri'. Nevertheless, the response to Hanryang after the final episode was uniformly positive. The consensus was that it had been perfect from start to finish. Consequently, the value of several figures involved in drama soared dramatically.
Including Writer Park Eun-mi, PD Song Man-woo, Hong Hye-yeon, and Ryu Jung-min.
Among them, Kang Woojin was undoubtedly the standout. He had caused a stir with 'Island of the Missing,' and the noise around him amplified several times with the finale of Hanryang.
A few days later,
『Will 'Profiler Hanryang,' set to be released on Netflix Japan, succeed there as well?』
The news of 'Profiler Hanryang's launch in Japan, following its official finale, had spread. There were high expectations since it had been a massive hit in Korea.
『[Issue Check] With the 'Hallyu' (TL: Korean wave), 'Hanryang' is also likely to soar in Japan.』
『Numerous shows have failed in Japan despite success in the 'domestic' markets... If 'Profiler Hanryang' is not careful, it could face the same fate.』
There was no shortage of such nonsensical talk here and there.
On the 10th, Friday.
Late in the morning, Kang Woojin, with an indifferent face, was in a van, headed somewhere. He was silently reading a script.
- Flip, flip.
It was the script for Part 1 of 'Male Friend.' Of course, he wasn't looking at the details. He had finished reading it thoroughly a while ago. But Woojin thought,
'The more I read, the deeper it gets. After reading all of it, I should have a few readings (experiences) too.'
He simply desired a deeper performance. Then why was Woojin suddenly focusing on 'Male Friend'? It was simple. In precisely one hour, at noon, there would be an official script reading for 'Male Friend.'
Therefore, he was heading to the production company of 'Male Friend.'
The production company was likely bustling with preparations for the script reading. Naturally, Netflix personnel, including Executive Director Kim So-hyang, would have gathered. The actors scheduled to meet today included Kang Woojin and Hwalin.
Their ranks ranged from B-listers to newcomers.
Soon,
'Ah, I really can't get used to this feeling.'
Kang Woojin shivered slightly at the thought of the script reading happening in an hour. It was partly because of the actors he would meet for the first time, but the most significant reason was,
'Being the lead actor, it still doesn't feel real.'
It was his first script reading as a lead actor. He was the protagonist who would drive a highly commercial project. There was bound to be an increase in pressure, especially since he was still green. At this point, Kang Woojin decided to cast aside these thoughts.
Regardless of the complicated interests, he decided to focus solely on acting.
Shall I step into the void space now? As Kang Woojin lifted his index finger,
"Hey, tell me- What?!"
Choi Sung-gun, in the passenger seat, suddenly shouted into his phone near to his ear.
"Hanryang is currently number one on Netflix Japan?!"
*****
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