SCT-Novel Chapter 225: Fruit (6)
Chapter 225: Fruit (6)
“Kyaaaaaa!!!!”“Aaaaack!!”
Ear-splitting screams or cheers filled the large theater. At this, Jung Tae-soo and the actors were startled but smiled as they glanced at Kang Rojun at the very end. Anyone could tell that the screams had more than doubled since Rojun appeared.
“Wow, Rojun-ssi, you're amazing.”
“Are we even needed here??”
“Haha, I’ve done a lot of stage greetings, but I’ve never seen an audience this excited before.”
It was almost impossible to proceed with the stage greeting due to the hundreds of audience members screaming like they were half-mad. Thanks to that, the host and the actors, including Rojun, decided to wait a bit.
‘Wow, what’s with these screams. It’s loud enough to hurt my ears??’
Kang Rojun, with his black hair slicked back with pomade, was surprised inwardly but also felt good.
‘Seeing fans scream for me is always the amazing thing!’
Who wouldn’t like seeing people go that crazy over them? Rojun then looked around at the senior actors and gave them a signal with his eyes. In response, Jung Tae-soo gestured as if to say, “Go ahead, do as you want.”
Soon, Rojun smiled with his eyes at the hundreds of audience members and lightly waved both hands.
But the audience’s reaction was anything but light.
The scream decibels grew several times louder. As the YouTube filming crew recording the stage greeting dropped their jaws, the audience couldn't take their eyes off Kang Rojun.
“Insane! This is totally insane!”
“......He’s so insanely handsome it’s almost scary.”
“He’s completely overshadowing Jung Tae-soo and the other actors??”
“Being super handsome doesn’t cut it… at this level, just deify him already, no problem.”
It took nearly 10 minutes for the crowd to barely calm down. The host, sweating profusely, managed to get a word in.
“Phew, I’ve never had a stage greeting this hard to run??”
Finally, the actors' brief interviews continued. Starting with Jung Tae-soo, who gave a short greeting and introduced the film. Soon, the mic was passed to Kang Rojun at the very end. He bowed to the audience and began to speak.
“We worked hard on this. I hope you enjoyed it.”
Applause followed.
As the clapping died down, the host announced a simple event. Through a quick draw, the actors would interact with the audience. Jung Tae-soo listened to one audience member’s concern, and the other actors gave out various random events to the crowd.
Eventually, it was Kang Rojun’s turn.
When Rojun picked a slip of paper from the box, the host read it out loud in a fairly dramatic tone.
“Yes! Rojun-ssi will take an ultra-close selfie with audience member in seat E3!”
Immediately, the chosen audience member jumped to her feet and covered her mouth with both hands. She was a young-looking woman with short hair.
“Oh my gosh!! Oh my gosh!!!”
She didn’t know what to do. The audience member next to her, seemingly a friend, pushed her forward. The woman awkwardly walked down to the stage where the actors stood and stopped dead about three steps in front of Rojun. She was so nervous that she covered her face with the hand holding her phone and trembled. She seemed too overwhelmed to even look at Kang Rojun.
“Oh no, what do I do.”
As Rojun smiled and moved first, the woman flinched in surprise.
“Eek!!”
She backed away. Kang Rojun’s aura was so overwhelming that she felt scared instead. In the end, with the help of the host, the woman managed to hold up her phone, and Rojun stood behind her. But her hands were still shaking too much.
It was only natural.
She could feel Kang Rojun standing right behind her, even hear his breathing - what fan could remain calm in that situation?
At that moment.
“Here, I’ll take it.”
Kang Rojun took the phone from the female audience member. Every single one of the hundreds of spectators watching was filled with envy as Rojun extended his arm and adjusted the angle for the photo.
-Click!
The shot was successful, but Kang Rojun didn’t stop at just one. Naturally, he leaned his face closer to the woman’s head. The height difference was so significant that he bent his knees.
Soon, the female audience member plopped down into a squat.
“Eek!!”
Her legs had simply given out.
Afterward.
The frenzied first screening came to an end.
《‘Blood Hunt’ First Screening Wraps, Audience Reaction Overwhelming/ Photo》
《[Star Photo] Kang Rojun Attends ‘Blood Hunt’ Screening, His Visuals Lit Up the Theater》
Jung Tae-soo, and of course Kang Rojun as well, began full-fledged promotion and marketing activities for 'Blood Hunt'. While Rojun was an actor, he also appeared on several variety shows in the capacity of a screenwriter.
“Today’s guest is the hottest star right now, Rojun-ssi!”
“Hello-”
“This is amazing, you know? I’ve never seen this many staff members gather before. Wait, did even other teams show up?”
Even amidst the chaos, Kang Rojun continued promoting 'Blood Hunt'. In addition, the official first teaser for 'Blood Hunt' was released.
-'Blood Hunt' Official First Teaser | BG Pictures
As it was Rojun’s debut film both as a writer and an actor, it was already generating massive buzz, and the teaser was well-produced, so the views quickly soared.
Tons of comments were posted within moments.
Especially, more than half of the talk was about Kang Rojun, who appeared mid-way through the 2-minute teaser as the character 'Hook'. It was only one short cut, but this was not 'Vanguard' Rojun, it was Rojun as 'Hook'.
-[“You ever handled a log before?”]
It was intensely striking. Even just a few seconds were enough to capture the eyes and hearts of the public.
-ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ Rojun’s presence ㄷㄷㄷㄷ
-Ha... release it already!! I’m going to see it as soon as it’s out
-Seriously, Rojun is so damn sexy... what’s going on? Why won’t the teaser end??
-Rojun lowkey fits the cold, ruthless type really well
Then, on the 29th, the VIP screening for 'Blood Hunt' was held.
Unlike general or press screenings, a VIP screening invites people involved in the film industry, celebrities, and other public figures. Simply put, it’s like inviting the actors’ colleagues. As a result, the large theater was packed with numerous actors and entertainers.
Among them, members of 'Vanguard' could also be seen.
Of course, they were invited by Kang Rojun.
Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung, seated in the audience, were busy checking out their surroundings.
“Whoa, so many celebrities.”
“Si-hoo hyung, you’re a celebrity too.”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“Watching 'Like a Kaleidoscope' and now 'Blood Hunt' right after? This is too good.”
On the other hand, many of the entertainers were curiously observing ‘Vanguard’. In this odd atmosphere, the theater darkened, and the screening of 'Blood Hunt' began. Many celebrities watched the film with great focus, and Kang Rojun, who was both the screenwriter and a cast member, also watched with sparkling eyes, not taking them off the screen.
“......”
The film carried a different emotion than dramas. To see his own script projected on that huge screen...
‘I could barely watch movies when my face looked horrible… but now I’m here watching my own film with all these celebrities.’
It hit Rojun all over again how surreal his life had become. Soon, 'Hook' appeared on the big screen. As soon as Kang Rojun’s performance appeared.
“Oh-”
“Whoa-”
Gasps erupted from all over.
At that moment, the second teaser for 'Blood Hunt' was being released to the public. Unlike the first teaser, this one included the confirmed release date.
-Releases Thursday, November 25th
A few days later, on November 1st.
It was early in the morning. The location clearly looked like an outdoor set for a historical drama. This vast outdoor set had been used in the past for the filming of various historical films and dramas.
And now, it was packed with over a hundred staff members.
“Cinematographer-nim!! Please check the camera rails here!”
“It’s not that side, it’s this way!!”
“Props team! PD-nim wants you to check the props!!”
“We’re unloading from the truck right now!”
“Hey hey, where’s the youngest?! I told them to bring the reflector, when are they coming?!”
“I’ll go check!!”
The many staff were in the midst of setting up for the shoot.
With over a hundred people running around, it was complete chaos. At the spot where monitors were placed, a familiar woman could be seen reviewing the script.
-Flap, flap.
It was PD Jung Soo-ryeong, wearing her cap pulled low. While looking over the script, she called for the assistant director.
“Let’s check Choi Si-baek’s costume first.”
“Yes! PD-nim!”
In other words, this was the filming site of 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. Naturally so, today, the 1st, was the first day of filming for 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. Therefore, along with key members like PD Jung Soo-ryeong, there were also people from the production company and Netflix Korea staff, including Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin.
Lim Hyun-jin, looking more serious than usual, stood with arms crossed, watching the staff's setup very closely.
“Phew-”
Since the global launch had been confirmed, 'Tale of the Strange Moon' was a project Netflix Korea had staked everything on. So it was only natural that Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin was nervous on the first day of filming.
‘The shoot began much earlier than initially expected. Going with six episodes for Season 1 was definitely the right call.’
Had they gone with a 10- to 16-episode season instead, it was certain the first shoot wouldn’t have happened until after the new year. In other words, Kang Rojun’s suggestion to make Season 1 six episodes was the right decision. Soon, as sweat gathered in her palms, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin rubbed her hands against her thighs and asked an employee,
“When will Rojun arrive?”
The staff member, already informed, responded quickly.
“They said about ten minutes.”
Lim Hyun-jin nodded and shifted the topic.
“Did you check with GN Entertainment? About the 'Royal Procession' teaser.”
“Yes.”
As Lim Hyun-jin was getting an update on the 'Tale of the Strange Moon' and 'Vanguard' collaboration from the employee, PD Jung Soo-ryeong approached, holding a script in one hand.
“Director-nim, why are you standing all the way out here?”
Lim Hyun-jin instantly flashed a professional smile.
“I didn’t want to get in the way. Don’t mind us, just go ahead with the shoot setup.”
“Everyone here’s a pro, so everything’s coming together smoothly.”
“I heard you scheduled Rojun for the opening scene?”
“Yes. Of course, we have to open with Rojun.”
“But you called in the other actors pretty early today?”
Indeed, PD Jung Soo-ryeong had called today’s participating actors a bit earlier.
“Well, it happens on set sometimes. I wanted to show the other actors Rojun-nim’s performance first.”
“Ah.”
“It’s the same with other projects too, but especially with a historical drama, setting the tone in the first shoot is really important.”
Just then.
“Rojun-nim has arrived!!”
A staff member shouted from the entrance of the outdoor set. Immediately, the heads of everyone gathered, including PD Jung Soo-ryeong and Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin, snapped in that direction. Soon, Kang Rojun was visible, bowing politely to staff left and right.
“Hello, hello-”
Though his appearance was quite natural given it was pre-filming, Rojun’s visuals still stood out unmistakably. Within seconds, he reached PD Jung Soo-ryeong and greeted her with a smiling gaze.
“Hello, PD-nim. Director-nim.”
Suddenly, PD Jung Soo-ryeong clapped.
“Our Rojun’s beauty is already hard at work this morning.”
Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin readily agreed.
“Exactly. Seems like his face doesn’t know how to take a day off.”
Used to such reactions by now, Kang Rojun smoothly responded.
“No time to rest when work’s this busy.”
After chatting briefly, PD Jung Soo-ryeong checked the time and told him,
“For now, go get changed and do your makeup.”
“Yes, PD-nim.”
“By the way, the costume is fantastic.”
Rojun nodded and turned to go as a staff member approached to escort him. Soon, the scenery of a historical drama set unfolded before Kang Rojun’s eyes, unfamiliar backgrounds, familiar staff, all the preparation, and the heated atmosphere right from the start.
‘As I thought, the stage or the set is the best place to be.’
Above all, today’s outdoor set wasn’t any different from the Joseon era. The unfamiliarity and mystique sent a shiver of excitement through Rojun’s brain.
At that moment.
“This is Rojun-nim’s costume!”
As soon as the staff member showed it to him, Kang Rojun’s heartbeat quickened. And for good reason.
‘...A navy-toned traditional robe, and a gat. It’s exactly the costume I envisioned when I was writing the script.’
The outfit exuded the full aura of a historical drama. It was immersive enough to make one forget it was a filming set and believe it was the Joseon Dynasty itself.
In no time, the character of Choi Si-baek took form in Kang Rojun’s mind.
One hour later.
Before anyone realized it, over a hundred staff members and all the actors had arrived. The teams from Netflix Korea and GN Entertainment were there as well. With well over 200 people gathered, preparations for the first shoot of 'Tale of the Strange Moon', including camera, sound, and lighting, were completed.
As countless eyes turned toward the filming zone where the camera was aimed.
-Swish.
Kang Rojun, wearing a refined traditional robe and his hair neatly tied in a topknot, entered slowly. Hundreds of eyes followed his every step, but no one responded immediately.
“......”
“......”
Everyone was briefly entranced by Kang Rojun’s elegant and noble presence.
PD Jung Soo-ryeong, after seeing Rojun in person, glanced at the monitor. A huge smile instantly spread across her face.
“This is art. Literal art-”
At that moment, Kang Rojun, holding the gat in his hand, smiled at PD Jung Soo-ryeong.
“I’m ready, PD-nim!”
Meanwhile.
An unexpected teaser packed with hints suddenly dropped on Vanguard’s official YouTube channel.
-'Vanguard' ‘Royal Procession’ Official Teaser 1
*****
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