Selepas pidato kemenangan Kang Woojin, Sutradara Ahn Ga-bok mengambil alih panggung, bahkan Chris Hartnett turut menyampaikan pidato singkat. Tentu saja, para staf kunci yang terlibat dalam produksi 'Pierrot' juga mengikuti. Ini bukanlah pemandangan biasa, melainkan finale dari 'Academy Awards' tahun ini, yaitu 'Best Picture Award', yang ditutup dengan cara memberikan pengakuan kepada semua pihak yang terlibat dalam 'Pierrot'.
-Protokol tepuk tangan bergemuruh!!
-Tepuk tangan meriah membahana tanpa henti!!!
Begitu pidato selesai, *standing ovation* meledak di 'Dolby Theatre'. Dan itu berlangsung cukup lama. Suasana dipenuhi dengan rasa ekstasi. Menyaksikan ini dari atas panggung, Kang Woojin tetap memasang ekspresi tenang, tetapi merinding sekujur kulitnya.
'Sungguh luar biasa—benar-benar luar biasa.'
Sentimen itu dirasakan oleh seluruh tim 'Pierrot' yang berdiri di atas panggung, termasuk Sutradara Ahn Ga-bok. Bagaimanapun, 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' menyapu bersih 'Academy Awards' ke-95 dan menorehkan sejarah dengan memenangkan empat penghargaan utama.
Setelah perayaan lebih dari sepuluh menit, Woojin dan tim 'Pierrot' nyaris kewalahan saat kembali ke tempat duduk mereka.
“Sungguh acara yang sangat luar biasa Academy Awards ke-95 ini! Momen-momen megah tersebut kini telah berakhir. Merupakan suatu kehormatan besar bisa membawakan acara ini……”
Saat sang pembawa acara menyampaikan kalimat penutupnya, Sebagian besar tim 'Pierrot' mulai membayangkan jalan yang dipenuhi bunga di depan sana.
“Empat penghargaan! Empat penghargaan! Ini bukan sekadar tak terduga, ini gila!”
“Hahaha, cuma empat penghargaan? Kita memboyong ‘Best Costume Design’, ‘Best Actor’, ‘Best Director’, dan ‘Best Picture!’ Kita praktis menyapu bersih semua penghargaan utama di Academy Awards.”
“……Hanya dengan dinominasikan secara resmi untuk Oscar dan memenangkan ‘Best Costume Design’ saja sudah jadi publisitas yang luar biasa, ini ibarat bom nuklir yang meledak di seluruh dunia. Kita tidak mungkin tidak mengharapkan kesuksesan *box office* yang masif, kan??”
Benar sekali. Meskipun ada banyak makna di balik ambisi 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' mengincar 'Academy Awards', salah satu tujuan utamanya adalah untuk mendapatkan momentum dan kekuatan saat film tersebut dirilis secara global. Ketakutan akan kegagalan juga sempat menghantui.
“Kesuksesan *box office*? Ini akan jauh lebih besar beberapa kali lipat…… Ini bahkan mungkin menghasilkan pencapaian yang benar-benar memecahkan rekor!”
Kartu laporan pencapaian itu benar-benar di luar nalar.
Dengan berbagai kontroversi, kekuatan merek Kang Woojin, serta sifat sensasional dari 'Pierrot', ditambah kemenangan telak di 'Academy Awards', yang tersisa hanyalah kesuksesan yang tak terhentikan. Woojin, sambil mendengarkan obrolan antusias dari timnya, ikut terbawa semangat, meskipun ia berusaha sebaik mungkin untuk tetap tenang sambil meramalkan apa yang akan terjadi di masa depan.
Namun, itu tidak berjalan mulus.
'Hasil yang memecahkan rekor? Rasanya memang bakal luar biasa—tapi aku tidak begitu yakin? Ah, sial, aku seharusnya pernah mengalami ini sebelumnya supaya tahu.'
Masuk akal jika ia kesulitan memperkirakannya. Lagipula, Kang Woojin pernah terlibat dalam tiga film papan atas sepanjang masa di Korea, melampaui 20 juta penonton, bahkan menaklukkan Jepang. Film ajaib ‘Leech’, yang telah menorehkan keajaiban di Cannes, dirilis di beberapa negara dan mendulang hasil yang lumayan.
Namun, 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' berada di skala yang berbeda.
Titik awal pemutarannya adalah Hollywood, dengan rencana rilis di sekitar 40 negara. Rumah produksinya adalah raksasa Hollywood, 'Columbia Studios'. Ini adalah pengalaman pertama Woojin di Hollywood, jadi tidak aneh jika ia bahkan tidak bisa mulai membayangkan skalanya.
Ia kemudian teringat tingkat ruang kosong milik Pierrot.
-[11/Script (Title: Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain), Grade: EX+++]
Secara samar, ia bisa memastikan satu hal.
'Entahlah, sial. Mari kita sebut saja ini sebagai *hit* ultra-super-mega, di tingkat yang jauh melampaui batas imajinasiku.'
Tak lama kemudian, pembawa acara mengumumkan penutupan di seluruh 'Dolby Theatre' yang megah.
“Dengan ini, Academy Awards ke-95 resmi berakhir!! Sampai jumpa tahun depan!!”
Tepuk tangan gemuruh kembali meledak dari ribuan pesohor. Meskipun upacara telah usai, kru penyiaran 'Academy Awards' masih tetap sibuk. Mereka harus merekam Kang Woojin, bintang acara tahun ini, beserta tim 'Pierrot'.
Tentunya, obrolan langsung dari penonton global yang masih memantau siaran tersebut tetap membara.
Bahkan setelah 'Academy Awards' yang kacau itu berakhir, situasi di sekitar Kang Woojin sama sekali tidak tenang. Berbagai pesohor mengerumuninya, meminta jabat tangan dan berbincang. Dan ketika ia nyaris berhasil melarikan diri dari aula, ia disambut oleh teriakan ribuan wartawan dan kru penyiaran yang telah menantinya.
“Kang Woojin!! Kang Woojin!! Lewat sini! Tolong lihat ke arah sini!!”
“Tolong katakan sepatah dua patah kata!! Bagaimana rasanya menggenggam trofi ‘Best Actor Award’??!!”
“Apakah pidato ‘Joker’ Anda sudah disiapkan sebelumnya?!”
“Woojin!!! Kamu juga mengincar ‘Academy Awards’ tahun depan, kan?!!”
“Bagaimana ramalanmu untuk kesuksesan *box office* ‘Pierrot’!!”
“Hei!! Kang Woojin!!!”
“Apakah Anda punya pesan untuk para penggemar global Anda!!”
.
.
.
Teriakan, jeritan, dan pekikan tanpa henti menggema dari pintu masuk Dolby Theatre. Kegembiraan ribuan wartawan belum juga surut, dan puluhan ribu penonton yang mengerubungi mereka bahkan jauh lebih antusias. Tim siaran berita dari berbagai negara sibuk mengabadikan seluruh pemandangan tersebut. Woojin, yang kembali mengenakan mode karakternya, menanggapi seadanya sebelum meninggalkan lokasi bersama tim 'Pierrot'.
Setiap orang yang diundang ke 'Academy Awards' hari itu diharapkan hadir di acara setelah pesta, tetapi—
“Woojin, kamu datang, kan?”
“Tidak. Aku lewatkan saja.”
Menanggapi pertanyaan Chris, Kang Woojin menggelengkan kepala. Reaksinya penuh ketidakpercayaan; apakah sang bintang utama benar-benar akan absen?, namun karena Woojin adalah sosok yang sulit ditebak, untungnya semua orang bisa memaklumi. Kendati demikian, Chris Hartnett tidak bisa menyembunyikan kekecewaannya.
“Haha, pemenang ‘Best Actor’ Oscar tidak hadir di acara setelah pesta, ini mungkin yang pertama kalinya juga, ya?”
Setelah itu, Woojin menemui Choi Sung-gun dan anggota tim lainnya lalu naik ke dalam van. Di dalam van dalam perjalanan pulang, tidak berlebihan jika dikatakan bahwa semua orang sudah menjadi sangat liar. Kegilaan dan jeritan memenuhi kendaraan sepenuhnya. Tentu saja, Kang Woojin ingin ikut meluapkan perasaannya dari lubuk hati yang paling dalam, tetapi ia menahan diri.
Setibanya Woojin di kediamannya di LA.
“Woojin.”
Choi Sung-gun, dengan wajah penuh takjub dan gembira, tidak banyak bicara.
“Seperti biasa, tapi terutama hari ini, kamu adalah yang terbaik.”
“Terima kasih. Kamu juga sudah bekerja keras.”
Alasannya sederhana.
‘Aku tidak pernah meragukan kalau kamu bakal menang.’
Choi Sung-gun sangat yakin bahwa Kang Woojin akan berhasil mewujudkannya. Keduanya telah bersama sejak awal mula. Kepercayaan mereka begitu mendalam, dan tidak ada keraguan di antara mereka berdua.
“Beristirahatlah. Aku akan meneleponmu besok.”
Choi Sung-gun, yang menggenggam erat bahu Woojin, kembali masuk ke dalam van. Saat Woojin menyaksikan van tersebut melaju pergi, ia menghela napas panjang.
“Huu—”
Kemudian ia melangkah masuk ke dalam rumah.
Begitu menjejakkan kaki di ruang tamu, Kang Woojin meletakkan trofi emas di genggamannya ke atas meja.
“……”
Trofi yang diidam-idamkan oleh para aktor di seluruh dunia. Trofi itu kini menjadi milik Kang Woojin. Sesaat, Woojin menatap lekat trofi tersebut dengan wajah tenang, namun kemudian ekspresinya mulai berkedut.
Hanya sekejap.
“……Heh.”
Seketika melepaskan persona karakternya, Kang Woojin tersenyum lebar dan mengangkat kedua lengannya tinggi-tinggi.
“Wooooaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!”
Ia meraung.
“Ahhhhhhh!! Rasanya luar biasa sialan!!!”
Itulah detik di mana ia menggenggam seluruh dunia di tangannya.
Sementara itu.
Hollywood, Korea, dan seluruh penjuru dunia secara serentak meledak dengan berita tentang 'Academy Awards'.
『CNM / 'Academy Awards', 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' Sapu Bersih 4 Penghargaan Utama!』
『ABY / Aktor Terbaik Kang Woojin, Sutradara Terbaik Ahn Ga-bok, Film Terbaik jatuh kepada ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’』
Ini adalah peristiwa yang melampaui keajaiban dan malapetaka yang mengalahkan segala liku-liku. Dunia bersorak tanpa henti untuk 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain'.
Di Korea, situasinya jauh lebih riuh.
『[Berita Terkini] ‘Pierrot’ sapu bersih Oscar! Kemenangan mutlak termasuk Film Terbaik!』
『Kang Woojin dan Sutradara Ahn Ga-bok menggapai dunia, Oscar ke-95 sepenuhnya didominasi oleh ‘Pierrot’』
Bukan hanya media massa. Segala jenis media di luar berita, mulai dari komunitas daring hingga YouTube, tiada henti memuji Kang Woojin dan 'Pierrot'.
Ini sudah lama melampaui batas pemasaran promosi.
Ini adalah sebuah gerakan yang layak dicatat sebagai bagian dari sejarah global.
Hal itu terus berlanjut setidaknya selama seminggu, dan tanpa menunjukkan tanda-tanda mereda, bulan Mei pun tiba.
Kang Woojin menjadi lebih sibuk dari sebelumnya.
Selepas 'Academy Awards', ia begitu terikat dengan wawancara, acara, dan pesta hingga sulit baginya untuk kembali ke lokasi syuting 'John Persona'.
“Kini kita sambut sosok dengan merek paling berkuasa di Hollywood, Tuan Kang Woojin!!”
“Halo.”
“Hahaha, kudengar kamu juga yang termahal dalam hal waktu dan bayaran penampilan.”
After Kang Woojin’s acceptance speech, Director Ahn Ga-bok took over the baton, and even Chris Hartnett gave a brief acceptance speech. Of course, the key staff involved in the production of 'Pierrot' also followed. It wasn’t the usual scene, but the finale of this year’s 'Academy Awards', the ‘Best Picture Award’, was concluded in a way that recognized everyone involved in 'Pierrot'.
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!
As soon as the speeches ended, a standing ovation erupted at the 'Dolby Theatre'. And it lasted for quite a while. The atmosphere was filled with ecstasy. Watching this from the stage, Kang Woojin kept a calm expression, but goosebumps rose on his skin.
'It's spectacular- truly spectacular.'
That sentiment was shared by the entire 'Pierrot' team standing on stage, including Director Ahn Ga-bok. In any case, 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' swept the 95th 'Academy Awards' and made history by winning four major awards.
After over ten minutes of celebration, Woojin and the 'Pierrot' team barely managed to return to their seats.
“What an absolutely incredible event the 95th Academy Awards turned out to be! Those grand moments have now come to an end. It has been a great honor to host this event......”
As the host delivered the closing remarks, most of the 'Pierrot' team began to envision a path strewn with flowers ahead.
"Four awards! Four awards! This isn't just unexpected, it’s insane!"
“Hahaha, just four awards? We took home the ‘Best Costume Design', ‘Best Actor', ‘Best Director', and ‘Best Picture!’ We basically swept all the main awards of the Academy Awards.”
“......Just being nominated officially for an Oscar and winning ‘Best Costume Design’ would’ve been enough publicity, this is like a nuclear bomb exploding worldwide. We can’t not expect a massive box office performance, right??”
Indeed. While there were many meanings behind 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' aiming for the 'Academy Awards', one of the core goals was to gain momentum and power when the film released worldwide. There was also fear of failure.
“Box office success? This is going to be several times greater...... It might even result in a truly record-breaking outcome!”
The report card was beyond phenomenal.
With numerous controversies, Kang Woojin’s brand power, and the sensational nature of 'Pierrot', on top of the jackpot at the 'Academy Awards', what was left was a runaway success. Woojin, listening to the excited chatter of the team, also became fired up, though he tried his best to remain calm while predicting what lay ahead.
However, it wasn't going well.
'Record-breaking results? It does seem like it'll be mind-blowing- but I don't really know? Ah, shit, I should have experienced this before to know.'
It made sense that he couldn't gauge it. Well, Kang Woojin had been involved in Korea's top three all-time films, surpassed 20 million viewers, and even conquered Japan. The miracle film ‘Leech’, which had achieved a miracle at Cannes, was released in several countries and performed decently.
But 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' was on a different scale.
Its starting point was Hollywood, with a release planned in about 40 countries. The film company was the Hollywood giant 'Columbia Studios'. It was Woojin’s first experience in Hollywood, so it wasn’t strange that he couldn’t even begin to imagine the scale.
He then recalled Pierrot’s Void space grade.
-[11/Script (Title: Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain), Grade: EX+++]
Vaguely, he could be certain of one thing.
'I don’t know, damn. Let’s just call it an ultra-super-mega hit, at a level far beyond what my imagination could dare to reach.'
Soon, the host announced the conclusion across the grand 'Dolby Theatre'.
"This concludes the 95th Academy Awards!! See you next year!!”
Thunderous applause erupted once again from thousands of big names. Although the ceremony was ending, the broadcast crew for the 'Academy Awards' remained busy. They had to film Kang Woojin, the star of this year’s event, and the 'Pierrot' team.
Of course, the live chat from global viewers still watching the broadcast remained ablaze.
Even after the chaotic 'Academy Awards' ended, Kang Woojin’s surroundings were far from quiet. Numerous big names swarmed him, requesting handshakes and conversations. And when he barely managed to escape the hall, he was greeted by the screams of thousands of reporters and broadcast teams waiting for him.
“Kang Woojin!! Kang Woojin!! Over here! Please look this way!!”
“Please say a word!! How did you feel holding the ‘Best Actor Award’ trophy??!!”
“Was your ‘Joker’ speech prepared in advance?!”
“Woojin!!! You’re aiming for next year’s ‘Academy Awards’ too, right?!!”
“What’s your forecast for ‘Pierrot’s’ box office success!!”
“Hey!! Kang Woojin!!!”
“Do you have anything to say to your global fans!!”
.
.
.
Endless shouting, screaming, and yelling echoed from the entrance of the Dolby Theatre. The excitement of thousands of reporters hadn’t cooled, and the tens of thousands of spectators surrounding them were even more intense. News broadcasting teams from various countries were busy capturing the entire scene. Woojin, having once again donned his concept mode, responded moderately before leaving the scene with the 'Pierrot' team.
Everyone invited to today’s 'Academy Awards' was expected to attend the after-party, but
“Woojin, you’re coming, right?”
“No. I’ll pass.”
To Chris’s question, Kang Woojin shook his head. The reactions were ones of disbelief, was the main star really skipping?, but since Woojin was such an unpredictable character, fortunately, everyone understood. Still, Chris Hartnett couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“Haha, an Oscar ‘Best Actor’ winner not attending the after-party, this might be a first too, huh?”
Afterward, Woojin met up with Choi Sung-gun and other team members and boarded the van. Inside the van on the way home, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that everyone had gone wild. Frenzy and screams completely filled the vehicle. Of course, Kang Woojin wanted to join in from the bottom of his heart, but he held himself back.
Later, when Woojin arrived at his home in LA.
“Woojin.”
Choi Sung-gun, his face full of awe and joy, didn’t say much.
“As always, but especially today, you were the best.”
“Thank you. You worked hard too.”
The reason was simple.
‘I never doubted you’d win.’
Choi Sung-gun firmly believed that Kang Woojin would pull it off. The two had been together from the very beginning. Their trust was deep, and there was no such thing as doubt between them.
“Get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Choi Sung-gun, who had firmly grasped Woojin’s shoulder, got back into the van, and as Woojin watched the van drive away, he let out a long sigh.
“Hoo-”
Then he entered the house.
As soon as he stepped into the living room, Kang Woojin placed the golden trophy in his hand down on the table.
“......”
The trophy that actors all over the world long for. It now belonged to Kang Woojin. For a brief moment, Woojin stared down at the trophy with a calm face, but then his expression began to twitch.
Just for a moment.
“......Heh.”
Suddenly throwing away his concept persona, Kang Woojin broke into a huge smile and raised both arms high.
“Wooooaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!”
He roared.
“Ahhhhhhh!! This feels fucking amazing!!!”
It was the moment he had the whole world in his hands.
Meanwhile.
Hollywood, Korea, and the rest of the world simultaneously exploded with news of the 'Academy Awards'.
『CNM / 'Academy Awards', 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain' Sweeps 4 Major Awards!』
『ABY / Best Actor Kang Woojin, Best Director Ahn Ga-bok, Best Picture goes to ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’』
It was an event beyond a miracle and a catastrophe surpassing all twists and turns. The world cried out endlessly for 'Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain'.
In Korea, the situation was beyond tumultuous.
『[Breaking News] ‘Pierrot’ sweeps the Oscars! Complete victory including Best Picture!』
『Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok reach out to the world, 95th Oscars are completely dominated by ‘Pierrot’』
It wasn’t just the press. All kinds of mass media outside of the news, from communities to YouTube, were endlessly praising Kang Woojin and 'Pierrot'.
This had long surpassed the level of promotional marketing.
It was a movement worthy of being recorded as part of global history.
That continued for at least a week, and with no sign of losing steam, May arrived.
Kang Woojin was busier than ever before.
After the 'Academy Awards', he was so tied up with interviews, events, and parties that returning to the filming of 'John Persona' became difficult.
“We now welcome the person with the most powerful brand in Hollywood, Mr. Kang Woojin!!”
“Hello.”
“Hahaha, I’ve heard you’re also the most expensive in both time and appearance fees.”
"I still have a long way to go."
His influence soared sky-high to the point that its end was unknowable. Every second, every minute, he was being mentioned madly somewhere around the world, so it was only natural. If you were to name the busiest actor in Hollywood at that moment, it was 100% certain it was Kang Woojin.
Therefore.
[Channel name: Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego]
[Videos: 266]
Woojin’s YouTube channel was approaching 90 million subscribers and still rising rapidly. On top of that, his social media too.
-@Wooji_n
Posts: 512
Followers: 100 million
Following: 238
He had surpassed 100 million followers.
This made him number one in Korea and within the top 50 globally.
As such, Kang Woojin, who was top of the world, finally returned to filming 'John Persona' in the first week of May. Though he had already received an overwhelming amount of congratulations via messages, the hundreds of staff on set once again sang his praises. Even executives from 'Universal Movies' came to the set.
That was only natural.
‘Whew, this is kinda embarrassing.’
While he had set absurd records, the mere fact that Kang Woojin was the male lead of 'John Persona' made for terrifyingly powerful promotion and marketing.
‘Hoo- Still, shooting is a hundred times better than all those messy schedules.’
When Woojin finally managed to return to set, the works related to him naturally gained momentum too.
'Guest', the Hollywood version of 'Exorcism', which starred his girlfriend Miley Cara and 'Pierrot' co-star Chris Hartnett, and was backed by Woojin and his agency's investment, confirmed its first day of filming after finishing the script reading. May 15. Given how hectic things were, the 15th arrived in no time, and at the site of 'Guest', the first signal rang out.
“Action!”
Fueled by the massive favorability thanks to Kang Woojin, the entire 'Guest' team’s combat spirit was sky-high. For reference, Kang Woojin’s special cameo was scheduled to be filmed around June.
Then, exactly one week later, while Woojin was in the middle of filming, he received a call from Director Bill Rotner of 'Beast and the Beauty'. It was the first call since post-production began in January, excluding a congratulatory message related to the 'Academy Awards'.
Naturally, it was good news.
“‘Beast and the Beauty’ editing just wrapped up. We’re about to gather for a test screening. Will you be able to attend?”
Woojin had already coordinated with Miley Cara.
‘How could I possibly miss the first look at 'Beast'?’
So the answer was already determined.
“Of course.”
That day, 'World Disney Pictures' announced to the world that 'Beast and the Beauty' had finished editing.
Though teasers or trailers weren’t out yet, the next day a formal poster featuring both 'Beast' and beauty 'Bella' was released.
The poster featured only Kang Woojin as the 'Beast', with no trace of 'Joker'. Despite heavy CGI, the global public’s reaction upon seeing the poster was explosive.
-Ohhh!! Disney!!! You pulled off better quality than expected??!
The prevailing opinion was that the live-action version had been well-executed without harming the original. Naturally, this evaluation also reflected the real-life couple power of Woojin and Cara.
Komentar Chapter (0)
Login buat ikut berkomentar.
Belum ada komentar di chapter ini. Jadi yang pertama!