Episode 478: Complete (1)



The moment Kang Woo-jin finished his remarks, Director Ahn Ga-bok stepped up to continue, followed by Chris Hartnett, who gave a brief but heartfelt acceptance speech. Key production staff from Pierrot also took the stage, ensuring that the final Best Picture award was shared among the entire team.

—Clap, clap, clap, clap.*

A thunderous standing ovation erupted inside the Dolby Theater.

And it lasted—The applause stretched on for an unusually long time, filled with admiration and excitement.

Standing on that stage, Kang Woo-jin remained outwardly composed, but he felt a chill run down his spine.

'This is insane. Absolutely insane.'

The entire Pierrot team, including Director Ahn Ga-bok, shared the same overwhelming emotions.

No matter how they looked at it, Pierrot: Birth of a Villain had made history—sweeping the 95th Academy Awards with four wins and reshaping the Oscars in an unprecedented way.

It was a night that would be remembered forever.

Even after more than ten minutes of celebration, the Pierrot team finally managed to return to their seats, still in disbelief at what had just happened.

["The 95th Academy Awards—a night where truly extraordinary events unfolded! And just like that, this magnificent evening has come to an end. It has been an absolute honor to host this event..."]

As the host delivered his final words, most of the Pierrot team couldn't help but anticipate the bright future ahead.

The entire Pierrot team was in a euphoric state. Four wins at the Academy Awards—not just any four, but Best Costume Design, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture. It was beyond unexpected; it was history in the making.

Even the industry veterans couldn't quite wrap their heads around it.

"This isn't just a surprise—it's insane!"

"From just getting an Oscar nomination to actually winning four awards... This is basically a worldwide explosion."

The team's excitement was contagious, but Kang Woo-jin, ever the cool-headed one, kept his emotions in check. He was aware that an Academy Award win didn't always guarantee a box office success, but this time, something felt different.

The scale of Pierrot was completely unprecedented. A Hollywood-backed production, with a global release across 40 countries, backed by Columbia Studios. It was operating on a whole different level from any past Korean cinematic success.

Still, Woo-jin knew better than to assume anything.

'A record-breaking hit? Maybe. But I'll believe it when I see it.'

Yet, deep down, he had a feeling that the impact of Pierrot was going to surpass even his own imagination.

Then, the host's voice echoed through the Dolby Theater one last time.

["And that concludes the 95th Academy Awards! See you next year!"]

Another round of applause erupted from the thousands in attendance. But even as the event officially ended, the frenzy surrounding Kang Woo-jin was far from over.

Big names in the industry approached him, eager to shake his hand or exchange a few words. Reporters and broadcasting teams swarmed, their voices blending into an overwhelming roar.

"Kang Woo-jin! Please look this way!"

"How did you feel when you won Best Actor?!"

"Was your Joker-inspired speech planned from the beginning?!"

"Are you aiming for another Oscar next year?!"

The flashing cameras and shouting reporters were relentless. It was chaos, but Woo-jin, maintaining his calculated image, navigated through it smoothly before finally making his exit with the Pierrot team.

Almost everyone who attended the Academy Awards was heading to the after-party.

"Woojin, you're coming, right?" Chris Hartnett asked.

"No, I'll pass."

Chris blinked in disbelief before breaking into a laugh.

"The Oscar-winning Best Actor skipping the after-party? That's gotta be a first."

Woo-jin just shrugged.

A part of him was tempted, but after everything, he wanted time to process it all.

The ride back was filled with excitement—everyone in the van was still buzzing, celebrating, replaying the night's events. Woo-jin, despite keeping his usual stoic face, felt the energy in his bones.

When they finally arrived at his LA home, Choi Seong-geon, his manager, turned to him. His face was a mix of pride, disbelief, and deep emotion.

"Woojin."

His voice was thick with feeling, but his words were simple.

"It's always been amazing with you, but tonight... Tonight was something else."

Woo-jin gave a small nod, the weight of the moment settling in.

"Thanks. You worked hard too."

Choi Seong-geon smiled. He had never doubted that Woo-jin would make it to this moment.

And yet, even he couldn't have predicted just how extraordinary it would be.

Kang Woo-jin's success was reaching astronomical heights. His name was everywhere—on news broadcasts, magazine covers, social media, and even casual conversations among moviegoers.

The sheer intensity of the moment had finally hit him when he was alone.

Standing in his living room, staring at the golden Academy Award trophy in his hands, he had dropped his usual poker-faced demeanor.

"WOOOAAAAAHHH!!!"

The roar echoed through his house.

"THIS IS INSANE!!"

A wide grin spread across his face as he jumped up and down like an excited kid.

He had done it.

The world had seen it.

And now, the world won't stop talking about it.

The headlines kept pouring in:

["'Pierrot' Sweeps the Oscars! 4 Major Awards, Including Best Picture!"]

["Kang Woo-jin: The First Korean Actor to Win Best Actor at the Academy Awards!"] ["From Korea to Hollywood—How 'Pierrot' is Changing Cinema History!"]

Back in Korea, it was absolute pandemonium. Woo-jin had already been a national sensation, but now? Now he is a global icon.

Even without promotional efforts,Pierrot: Birth of a Villain had become the most talked-about film in the world.

And the buzz didn't die down.

For an entire week, the world couldn't get enough of Kang Woo-jin.

His schedule became more chaotic than ever. Invitations to talk shows, high-profile interviews, A-list parties, and industry panels flooded in.

"The busiest man in Hollywood right now—Kang Woo-jin!"

"Woo-jin! Over here! One photo, please!"

Reporters and photographers scrambled just to catch a glimpse of him.

Even hosts at global events joked:

["Ladies and gentlemen, the man who has no free time—Kang Woo-jin!"]

To which Woo-jin, ever the professional, simply smiled and replied:

"I've heard that."

Still, he knew there was much more ahead.

"There's still a long way to go."

And as proof of his skyrocketing influence, his own personal YouTube channel, Kang Woo-jin Alt., had hit an unbelievable 87.89 million subscribers with 266 videos.

His name wasn't just known—it was unstoppable.

Kang Woo-jin was now undeniably the biggest star in the world.

His YouTube channel had surpassed 90 million subscribers and was climbing rapidly. His social media presence was just as monstrous:

@Wooji_n Post 512 100 million followers Following: 238

He passed 100 million followers.

#1 in Korea. Top 50 globally.

At this point, he wasn't just an actor—he was a global phenomenon.

And despite the overwhelming fame, Woo-jin finally returned to the set of John Persona in early May.

The welcome he received was insane.

Hundreds of people, including top executives from Universal Movies, came out to congratulate him again—despite already sending their well-wishes after his Oscar win.

It was a lot.

'Wow, this is kind of embarrassing.'

But, of course, having Kang Woo-jin as the lead actor meant John Persona was already benefiting from unprecedented promotional value.

'Whew—still, being on set is a hundred times better than running around on a chaotic schedule.'

As Woo-jin got back into the rhythm of filming, every project linked to him saw a massive surge in anticipation.

For the Upcoming Projects, The Guest. The Hollywood remake of A8 Media—one of Woo-jin's investments. Starring his girlfriend, Miley Cara, and Pierrot co-star Chris Hartnett. The Filming began May 15th, with Woo-jin's special appearance set for June. The industry was on fire with excitement over The Guest, and as expected, the days flew by until filming began.

With Beast and The Beauty Directed by Bill Lautner (who personally called Woo-jin after months of editing). Editing was completed in late May, and a test preview was scheduled soon. When Bill Lautner invited Woo-jin to the first private screening, Woo-jin didn't even hesitate.

'How could I miss my first look as the Beast?'

His response was immediate.

"Of course."

On the very next day, World Disney Pictures officially announced the completion of Beast and The Beauty.

And though no teaser or trailer had dropped yet, they unveiled a stunning official poster featuring the Beast (Woo-jin) and Beautiful Belle (Miley Cara).

The response? Absolutely explosive.

-Ohhh!!! Disney!!! This looks way better than I expected!!!-

-Wait, is this actually real? That's Woo-jin under all that CG??-

-Live-action versions usually flop, but this one looks promising!-

-The power of Woojin and Miley as a real couple is insane.-

Expectations skyrocketed overnight.

Despite the rising buzz for Beast and The Beauty, nothing could surpass the global Perriot craze.

By the end of May, Hollywood—and the world—was still completely obsessed with the Joker Villain.

To be honest, it had been like this since Woo-jin first returned to John Persona.

The Perriot fever showed no signs of cooling down.

The long-awaited day had finally arrived.

May 31st.

This was the day that 'Perriot : Birth of a Villain' was officially released to the world, with Korea being the first country to witness its debut. The anticipation had reached a fever pitch, and it was clear that something extraordinary was about to unfold.

From the very early morning hours, theaters across Korea were already bursting at the seams. The atmosphere was nothing short of electric, with people eagerly lining up for the first showings. The excitement felt almost tangible, as if the entire nation was holding its breath, waiting for the curtain to rise on 'Perriot .'

-Wow, look at the crowd! This is unbelievable!-

-I can't believe how packed it is, and it's just the early morning show!-

-I thought this would be a weekend rush, but it's a Thursday morning!-

-I knew it would sell out fast, but this is on another level.-

The energy was contagious, and even those who had tickets couldn't contain their excitement. People who didn't get tickets were either waiting for a miracle or buying them from scalpers, who had hiked up prices to extortionate levels. Some fans even camped out outside theaters in hopes of scoring last-minute cancellations. It was clear that this wasn't just any movie release; it was a cultural event.

Even before the official release, the movie had already shattered pre-sale records. It wasn't just a sold-out opening; it was a massive event that had the entire country talking. Every single screening was sold out within minutes of tickets going live.

It felt like the entire country had been waiting for this moment.

Every single show was completely booked. Scalpers were capitalizing on the craze, reselling tickets at astronomical prices. People were literally camping outside theaters in hopes of snagging an available seat.

『Finally Opening! Perriot : Birth of a Villain'—Has any movie ever sold out like this before?』

It was an unprecedented situation, one that hadn't been seen in years, if ever. The buzz surrounding the movie had reached a level where it felt almost impossible to get a ticket. Fans were buzzing with anticipation, and the country was preparing for something historic.

Columbia Studios had carefully orchestrated the worldwide release of Perriot across 40 countries, with just a few days separating each of them. However, Korea had the distinct honor of being the first to witness the film on the big screen.

Why Korea, you ask? It's simple.

Kang Woo-jin, the actor playing the iconic Joker, was Korean. Ahn Ga-bok, the visionary director behind the film, was also Korean. Together, they had conquered the Academy Awards, making Hollywood and the world take notice. Their collaboration had produced an incredible film, one that had the power to create a cinematic universe of its own.

Given the sheer magnitude of this achievement, it only made sense for Korea to be the first to experience 'Perriot : Birth of a Villain' in theaters.

『'Perriot : Birth of a Villain'—Premiering First in Korea!』

And Korea responded in kind, creating an uproar. From the smallest towns to the biggest cities, everyone was talking about the movie. The buzz reached unprecedented heights, and the excitement was felt in every corner of the country.

Just before the release, Kang Woo-jin posted a heartfelt message on YouTube and his social media platforms. The video, which was directed specifically to the Korean audience, expressed his sincere gratitude for their unwavering support. His words were heartfelt, and fans could feel the deep appreciation in his tone.

His message wasn't just another celebrity shout-out—it was a genuine connection between Woo-jin and the fans who had supported him since the very beginning.

And that personal touch? It only intensified the already existing fervor. The monster's influence was undeniable, and Woo-jin had solidified his place as a global icon.

Now, the real question was no longer whether 'Perriot ' would be a success. The world had already answered that question with a resounding yes. The question was now about how monumental the success would be.

-Would the movie shatter Korean box office records?

-Could it become a global phenomenon, sweeping the charts in every country?

-How would the impact of Kang Woo-jin's performance and Ahn Ga-bok's direction continue to shape the future of cinema?

One thing was for sure—this was only the beginning. The global journey of 'Perriot : Birth of a Villain' had just begun, and the world was watching eagerly to see just how far this cultural wave would reach.