< Cannes (4) >
It's tempting. This is the conclusion that Netflix Korea's general director Kim So-hyang felt in response to the suggestion that producer Song Man-woo suddenly made. It was a bit unexpected, but it was totally worth it. Rather than dividing the 12-episode "Beneficial Evil" in half and launching it, it was about cutting in half the very long time it would take to launch.
'not bad. No, maybe it's a good idea.'
These days, the content market is truly a battlefield. From public broadcasting stations to cable and general programming channels, various video platforms including YouTube, and a flood of OTTs. There are overflowing supermarkets for the public to use, and the products on display are also saturated.
So, while the quality of content is important to survive, getting the timing right is also key.
Now PD Song Man-woo has decided on the timing.
'Beneficial Evil', which has a total of 12 episodes, will be divided into episodes 1 to 6 and episodes 7 to 12 and launched over time. In other words, it was meant to be divided into two parts. First of all, this means focusing on filming and editing episodes 1 to 6 first and launching them first, and then filming and editing the remaining episodes 7 to 12 in the meantime. If it was a strategy, it was a strategy. Normally one episode will be released, three episodes a week, or all at once, etc.
With content pouring out all over the place, you have to stand out somehow.
Therefore, it was not strange to split one part in half. Here, chubby general director Kim So-hyang suddenly became curious. She asks producer Song Man-woo exactly that.
"But PD. "I'm sorry, but is there a reason why you suddenly thought of such a plan?"
Song Man-woo, the producer, was a big name with several hit films, including the recent Hanryang, and decades of experience. He seemed to have already calculated.
"To be honest, it's because of our main character."
"Hero? Ah, Mr. Kang Woo-jin?"
"yes. Of course, you can run all 12 episodes and then launch as planned. Even then, Mr. Woojin will 100% be dropping a nuclear bomb somewhere. Anywhere, including domestically or internationally. but."
"but?"
"In every work, there is a timing for adding boosters. In my view, the timing of 'beneficial evil' should be as early as possible."
Producer Song Man-woo, who became a little more serious, stretched out his five fingers and folded them one by one.
"Woojin's 'Familiar', the album he collaborated with Miley Cara, and even this year's Cannes Film Festival. And strangely enough, Hollywood figures keep mixing in."
"Well, Hollywood officials came to Bangkok this time too, right? "I don't know if it's because of Kara, but you must have seen Woojin's tension this time."
"I think Woojin will step into Hollywood within the end of this year or early next year. Well, even if Woojin didn't struggle, the answer was that he was invited to this year's Cannes. "All the Hollywood monsters that are out there will be watching 'Leech,' so there's no way they can just ignore Kang Woo-jin, right?"
The plane was slightly rattled, and writers Kim So-hyang and Choi Nana briefly acknowledged it. Producer Song Man-woo then spoke again.
"Whether it explodes with Cannes or something else, Woojin's stock price is soaring in Hollywood and overseas. Our 'Beneficial Evil' will be launched then? "Of course, there will be more global attention than usual."
At that moment, general director Kim So-hyang and writer Choi Nana let their imaginations run wild. Kang Woo-jin has already begun to attract attention from overseas, including Hollywood, the global nuclear bomb he drops without warning, and 'Beneficial Evil', which is launched worldwide through Netflix when interest surges.
"Unconditionally. Because we also have 'her'."
Miley Kara was a bonus.
Producer Song Man-woo provided the voice.
"But the 'Beneficial Evil' schedule until episode 12 is too late."
"So I cut it in half."
"Is it difficult?"
Kim So-hyang shakes her head.
"no. The content and characters of each episode of 'Beneficial Evil' are completely different, so there is no problem in splitting the series into 6 episodes. "The entire story is connected anyway, so you won't feel disconnected."
She turned her head to writer Nana Choi sitting next to her.
"What do you think, author?"
A situation where an enormous decision is being made. Author Nana Choi responded while flinching in surprise.
"yes?? ah! yes "Well, I hope you two don't mind!"
General director Kim So-hyang smiled and raised her thumb.
"Me too, call. "I think I have to choose this even if I can't eat it."
His face turned slightly serious and he picked up his cell phone. Looks like checking something.
"Well, of course, it doesn't happen right away just because we decide. As you know, it is launching worldwide as a Netflix original, so you have to watch various places and shows starting from Netflix headquarters…"
"but?"
"It's possible, just leave that to me. "Work increases, but that's it."
And then, general director Kim So-hyang looks at producer Song Man-woo again.
"Originally, 'Beneficial Evil' was scheduled to be released around the middle or end of next year – PD, if you say it will be divided into 6 episodes, when do you estimate the launch date?"
Producer Song Man-woo seems to already know the answer.
"I filmed like I was grinding my bones and edited in my spare time. "If you speed up faster than usual."
I answered right away.
"It will be by the end of this year at the earliest, or early next year at the latest. "Up to editing episodes 1 to 6."
Cannes, France again. Around lunch.
Kang Woo-jin entered Cannes, which was overflowing with hundreds of thousands of tourists, and had now arrived at the hotel. Near the Palais des Festivals, where the Cannes Film Festival will be held, it was a five-star hotel with a swimming pool and a spacious park-like terrace as standard. The interior of the hotel, which was entirely painted in white, was naturally crowded with people.
"$@%@*(*%&*@"
"*)@*(@&%(*@%&*@"
The spacious lobby was particularly bustling. The languages of many countries were mixed, and the races of the people gathered there were also diverse.
They were all officially invited to the Cannes Film Festival.
Not only Hollywood, but also top filmmakers from around the world flocked here. Of course, other hotels were the same. They all had flushed or excited faces. It was natural. There are only 6 hours left until the Cannes Film Festival.
It is now past 1 o'clock, and the opening of the Cannes Film Festival starts at 7 p.m. sharp.
From then on, many celebrities will walk the red carpet in front of the 'Palais des Festivals'. You may not know it, but the nearly 5,000 officially invited reporters are probably taking their seats around the red carpet right now.
"I saw earlier that there were a lot of reporters around the 'Palais des Festivals.'"
"I guess so. "Kahn said there were more than twice as many calls as last year."
Of course, reporters and broadcasting stations from around the world who were not invited outside the red carpet will also be present.
There must be close to 10,000 reporters.
What they have in common is that the costumes of all those officially invited to the Cannes Film Festival, including the characters here and reporters, are the same. A black tuxedo for men and a dress for women. This was the same for reporters, and the uniform costumes made the Cannes Film Festival even more prestigious.
Around this time, Kang Woo-jin too.
"brother!! Woojin oppa!! "The tuxedo has arrived!!"
"Ugh – 6 hours left! brother! "If you come out wearing a tuxedo, I'll do my hair right away!!"
We were busy preparing to enter the Cannes Film Festival. The place is his room. In the medium-sized room, a team of stylists led by Kang Woo-jin and Han Ye-jeong were busy. Woojin also has to walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
"Oh, you really have to crush the red carpet today!!"
"It is possible to crush Hollywood stars! "Looking from the lobby, the actors don't look that good!"
"You went down earlier and jumped around because it was so exciting, right?"
"evil! Senior! "That's a secret!"
Everything is crazy. Choi Seong-geon, who was sitting on one side of the room, was also busy talking on the phone. However, only Kang Woo-jin, who had just received a tuxedo, was calm.
"Uh, I'll change first and then come out."
No, that was the pretense. Concept quality. Woojin had just entered the closet/fitting space.
– Rumble.
As soon as the door closed, I brushed my black hair. He lets out a small breath. Strong tension leaked from his mouth.
'······I'm going to spin. Calm down, you heart bastard.'
Because I was truly nervous. It started with arrival at Nice Airport. Next, when I saw the 'Palais des Festivals' where the Cannes Film Festival was held, hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to Cannes. The final blow was when I entered this hotel. Obviously, there are a lot of actors and actresses you only see in Hollywood movies, as well as foreigners who show off their grandeur.
It is a global festival, not a domestic one.
Who can't be nervous?
In particular, Kang Woo-jin has only been doing it for two years now. As his speed was incredibly fast, he adapted quickly, but no matter how I looked at this place called Cannes, France, it didn't seem real. Walking among hundreds of thousands of people was on a completely different level than during the Blue Dragon era.
But what can you do?
'Oh, sir, I don't know. Spirit, spirit, spirit! 'Do I really need to rummage around?'
Whether it was a dream or another world, the answer was Nopakku. Kang Woo-jin slowly took a deep breath and made her heart cool. She wore her tuxedo. Then, when Woojin, dressed appropriately, came out, the waiting stylists rushed over. From the bow tie to the angle of the tuxedo, their skills were needed.
Meanwhile, Han Ye-jeong, standing in front of Woo-jin, asked.
"Oppa, aren't you nervous?"
Do you think you'll fall behind? However, Kang Woo-jin, who was filled with indifference, lowered his voice as much as possible.
"Not really."
"Honestly, I thought there would be some gaps in Cannes, but this is Cannes after all. But I was wrong. "I think it would probably be the same even if I went to space."
No, the universe doesn't make sense, does it? No, does that make sense? If there was subspace, there was nothing we couldn't go to, whether it was space or a black hole.
'Ah, now that I think about it, I've had so much experience in sub-space that I'm able to calm down quickly in times like this.'
When the stylists were working on Woojin's hair and makeup, ponytail Choi Seong-geon, who was sitting on a chair in one corner of the room, got up after finishing his phone call. He held a tablet in his hand and stood in front of Woojin, showing the tablet.
"These are the judges at this year's Cannes Film Festival."
The names of 10 foreigners were being printed on the tablet. They were all famous characters in movies in each country. After viewing the 20 works in the 'competition section', they will select the works that will receive awards.
"They were already in front of the 'Palais des Festivals' and taking proof photos, and there was a fuss. There were many interviews, and there were many mentions of 'leeches'. Stay."
He took out his cell phone and recited what he had written.
"I'm looking forward to 'Leech.' It is the only Korean work and director Anga Bok is a great director. etc. "It may be lip service, but the judges' reaction is good anyway."
Then, Choi Seong-gun flips through the tablet screen.
"The following is the screening schedule for the 'competition' section of this year's Cannes Film Festival."
In a way, it was the core of the core.
"The official screening starts tomorrow, October 1st."
All films invited to the Cannes Film Festival are screened at each theater in the city of Cannes. Among them, the 20 works in the so-called 'main' competition section will be screened only at the 'Lumière Theater', the largest theater inside the 'Palais des Festivals'. There are close to 3,000 seats.
The screening schedule was simple.
The 20 works will be divided into 10 days and screened two works per day. There are two times: morning and afternoon.
In other words, two works on October 1st and two works on the 2nd. Participants in the film festival were free to decide which film to watch. Of course, the official judges had to see all the films. After all 20 works are screened during the 10-day Cannes Film Festival, 10 judges make the final decision on the last day.
That leads to the award at the closing and awards ceremony.
Whatever it was, Seong-geon Choi took a picture of the tablet with his index finger.
"'Leech' is the second day. October 2nd. The times are 9 a.m. and 7 p.m."
At this time.
-Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.
The cell phone that Woojin Kang had placed on the table rang, and Seonggeon Choi, who had put down the tablet, picked up the cellphone and handed it to Woojin. The sender was a superstar who would currently be in Cannes.
"who is this?"
"Miley Kara."
Woojin answered and put his cell phone to his ear.
"Yes, it is me."
Miley Cara's laughing voice was heard through the cell phone.
"Where are you?"
A few hours later.
'Palais des Festivals', a very large venue.
This place, where the grand opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival will be held, was literally on the verge of explosion. Hundreds of reporters and Cannes officials gathered at the entrance, a very long and wide red carpet from there, thousands of reporters and broadcasting teams flocking to both sides, tens of thousands of tourists covering them, etc.
The time was 7:10, and the red carpet parade had already started.
"hey!! Natalie!! Natalie!!!"
"Natalie!!!"
"this way!! "Please look here!!"
"Hands! "Wave your hand!!!"
Just seeing the thousands of reporters wearing tuxedos was a sight to behold. Their cries did not stop. The camera shutter exploded endlessly.
-Pababababak!
It explodes so non-stop that it feels like morning instead of afternoon. A tripod is basic, and many reporters climb on small ladders. It was crowded with everything from small cranes to broadcasting stations filming with drones. It hurts my ears to hear the screams and shouts of tourists combined.
Is it the World Cup? want.
On the other hand, big directors, actors, and celebrities from around the world walking the red carpet show no sign of nervousness at all.
"Swinton!!! Swinton!"
"Eric!!! hey! Eric!! "Please say hello!!"
"Annie~!! animated film!!!"
He appeared relaxed by waving to reporters and talking with them. As expected, it was a scene that stood out. Above all, when a Hollywood superstar appears, the madness here explodes more than ever.
Has it been about 10 minutes like that?
The time was approaching 7:30, and dozens of big stars had passed the red carpet.
-Squeak!
Among the numerous vans and limousines that stopped one after another, a white limousine just stopped at the end of the red carpet. This side was also full of reporters of various races wearing tuxedos.
-Pababababak!
-Babababababaak!
The reporters fired flashlights like crazy even before anyone got out of the white limousine.
Within.
– Rumble.
A large guard opened the back door of the limousine. Inside, a blonde woman wearing an all-black dress with open chest and back got out. As soon as they saw her, hundreds of reporters in her vicinity cried out her name, foaming at her mouth.
"It's Miley!!!"
"uh!! Miley Kara!!"
"Miley!! Miley!! "This way!"
"Hey hey!! Miley!!"
It was natural since it was Miley Cara, a world-famous star. She waves her hand to reporters with her signature faint smile. The reporters pressed the shutter as if they were possessed.
It was then.
-Sigh.
Another person got out of the white limo behind Miley Kara. Black hair neatly swept back and a tight-fitting, all-black tuxedo, starting with the bow tie. A man whose face is full of indifference at first glance. As soon as he got off, he calmly looked around at the frantic surroundings.
"······"
Hundreds of reporters tilted their heads. Who is it? A face I want. But for now, I pressed the shutter. A blinding flash of light. Soon, Miley Kara naturally wrapped her arms around the man. And then he whispered.
"Woojin, this is your first time at Cannes, but the look on your face looks like you've been there 10 times?"
It was the moment when a monster appeared in Cannes.
< Cannes (4) > End