Ch.297Strange Rumors

As I mentioned before, Kim Donghu’s first Western image was that of a boxer.

But that was only as far as the general public was concerned. When you narrow the scope to actors, the story changes significantly.

“The Real Hero,” “Cutting the Knot,” “Tarzan,” “Musashi,” “Pianist,” and others. From a colleague’s perspective, these were brutal works where starring in just one would earn recognition for one’s acting skills. He monopolized all these leading roles and achieved box office success that couldn’t be ignored.

Yet he’s only twenty-six. It’s impossible to gauge how much higher he’ll soar.

Of course.

“There are cases where people ruin their lives because they like drugs and such.”

I couldn’t help but consider the worst variables. Unfortunately, that possibility was extremely low.

If he were just an ‘actor,’ it might be different. But the title ‘boxer’ was firmly attached to him.

Moreover, he was an Olympic gold medalist. An elite among elites.

0.001%. A specialist of a different caliber from the start.

Therefore.

“Actors who want to perform alongside Kim Donghu are literally lining up.”

No actor existed who didn’t want the opportunity to stand beside Kim Donghu.

“Batman naturally needs his Joker.”

Especially Hollywood male actors hoped to become the Joker. Of course, they knew that Batman didn’t only have the Joker by his side.

But this was a matter of symbolism.

The villain with the most intense connection to Batman. Taking on a role opposing Kim Donghu. That was an incredible advantage.

Furthermore.

“These days, villains are more popular.”

In general, we’re living in an era where villains are popular. Cruel, leaving strong impressions. Villains were roles optimized for the age of shorts and dopamine.

Brief but definitive. Momentarily troubling the protagonist or even overwhelming them. Such villains had become extremely popular recently.

In other words.

Next to Kim Donghu + villain role. The Joker role encompassed both of these aspects.

So it couldn’t help but be popular.

“But they didn’t even post an audition notice, or rather, the production company didn’t say they were casting, did they?”

“That’s why I’m sending it early. Batman has been decided, so they’ll need to cast his villain soon, right?”

Responding to his manager’s words, Hollywood actor Jonad Feralsh shrugged his shoulders.

“In these matters, the first to stake a claim wins. The director will be surprised by my dedication.”

Oh my! Without even asking, he’s already in full makeup and sending an audition video! How thoughtful!

After mimicking the director with an exaggerated tone, Jonad confirmed that his email had been marked as read.

“There probably aren’t many actors this dedicated.”

At the same time, Jonad didn’t know that there were already over 150 such audition emails.

++++++

To get straight to the point.

“The Joker has already been decided.”

Warner Brothers had already earmarked Kim Donghu for the Joker role. Of course, this was information that had to remain absolutely confidential until the theatrical release, so they couldn’t reveal it publicly, but that was the situation.

Batman, Kim Donghu.

Joker, Kim Donghu.

This was an unchangeable fact. No matter how many people brought audition videos, and even if some were truly exceptional.

The contract was already signed and sealed, so they couldn’t back out. And they had no intention of doing so.

But looking at it now, it was quite regrettable. Who knew so many actors would want to play the Joker?

Even after narrowing it down, there were over 150 people, and quite a few of them were newcomers.

‘For a good movie, the supporting actors need to act well too.’

There must be a meaningful way to use these people. While pondering this.

‘Hmm?’

A deck of playing cards caught the director’s eye. He had brought them to play poker occasionally when he couldn’t think of ideas.

Shuffle, shuffle.

As if possessed, Director Christo handled the playing cards.

52 cards total.

Including 2 joker cards, 54 cards.

Since jokers aren’t used in regular poker games, you play with 52 cards.

“I need cards for a regular… game.”

A flash of inspiration. If so many people want to be the Joker, let them.

Make them believe they’re the “real Joker.” That’s all there is to it.

That role is needed. Decoys who believe they could be the real Joker. And Batman who swallows the bait without knowing it’s a trap.

His mind was racing. The script, which had stopped at the first revision, continued its story.

‘Playing cards.’

This might become the core of this movie, “Murciélago.”

+++++

“One month?”

-Yes, that’s right. With the set and the movie atmosphere, that’s our timeline. Is there a problem with your schedule?

“No, not at all.”

One month. That’s how long it would take before we could properly start filming “Murciélago.”

Since it was early September now, formal shooting would begin in October.

Apparently, ideas were suddenly flowing. They also said they’d be holding various role auditions at the same time.

“But what about firearms training and such?”

-That one month includes all of that. When you arrive, we’ll have everything prepared.

“I see. Understood.”

Usually, Seokho hyung handles most of these conversations, but Director Christo specifically wanted to talk to me.

But it doesn’t seem like anything particularly important. Does the director know something I don’t?

-You can really… really look forward to it.

With those words, the call ended.

Since I was already on a break, the call didn’t immediately change my daily routine.

Just the thought that I could play around for exactly one more month.

‘The America Calamity team is also leaving in a day or two.’

I wanted to give them a full Korean tourism experience if they wanted, but they said they had a lot to prepare and needed to leave urgently.

“This means I can really go to Jaerin’s concert.”

I didn’t contact her this time either. I just genuinely wanted to go as a regular concert attendee.

Of course, the key issue was ‘how to get tickets,’ but that part was resolved too easily.

‘The Smooth Sailing perk helps with ticket reservations too?’

The power of Sims effortlessly solved the ticketing problem.

Wait, I just found out about this great feature. So, wondering if this would work too, I tried:

“…Mom, I managed to reserve tickets for Im Hero’s concert.”

“W-what?! Really?! Oh my, oh my! What a surprise! Did you get three tickets?! Three?!”

“Yes, for you, dad, and grandma… three tickets.”

“Oh my goodness! That’s incredible! How did you manage to get three tickets?!”

It was for a concert by Im Hero, one of Korea’s top trot singers.

Tickets that supposedly sell out in minutes, I just tried and succeeded.

‘This is truly… an insane level.’

I had no idea Smooth Sailing had such a function. It’s unbelievable that it covers even this aspect.

‘Well, how many times would I need to reserve tickets while working as an actor anyway.’

That made me curious about how lucky I actually am.

If this is the level of correction I’m receiving, I wondered how much luck I would encounter in daily life if I consciously performed certain actions.

For a comparative experiment, I urgently called someone.

“…So you called me to bet on how many pieces of seaweed come in a Tongtongguri ramen packet?”

“That, and also to see your face before going abroad.”

“Sometimes you seem to see me as… middle school Shin Yerim?”

“The one who wet herself?”

“Back then and now, you’re still the one making me wet.”

“…”

Unable to respond to Yerim’s words, I silently opened the Tongtongguri ramen packet.

The result:

“…No way, can there really be 5 pieces of seaweed in one packet?”

“It’s possible.”

We witnessed a miracle. And when I cracked an egg to add:

“It’s a double yolk?”

“Wow, that’s crazy.”

I realized this too late. Though knowing wouldn’t have changed much.

“But surely you didn’t call me just for this?”

“Of course not, I just thought it would be nice to hang out together during my month off.”

“Really? Then you’ll hang out with me this week, and go to another woman next week?”

“So give me your best this week.”

“You’re not even denying it anymore.”

Stretch.

Yerim narrowed her cat-like eyes and stretched my cheek.

“Well, I guess a guy who takes responsibility is better than one who cheats behind my back.”

“I’m definitely the responsible type.”

Saying that, I gently put my arm around Yerim’s waist. She naturally fell into my embrace, soft and warm. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Just so you know, I want to get married before thirty. And have a child around thirty-one.”

“Huh?”

“Children… I want two? You know, one boy and one girl.”

Listening to Yerim’s future plans, I nodded seriously.

“Then I definitely need to build up my stamina from now on.”

“What, huh? Wait?!”

That’s right, if those are the future plans, I need to match them. For that, what’s most important for Yerim right now is:

“First… basic physical strength, especially endurance.”

“Ah, no, that’s because you… I mean, you go for three or four hours at a time!”

I pretended not to hear the latter part. I’m on vacation for a month. I can pretend not to hear that much.

++++++

Strange rumors began spreading in Hollywood. Rumors that Director Christo had gone mad and was casting Jokers in bulk. And that numerous Joker-related auditions were actually taking place.

Whatever contract they signed, no one was disclosing any information about the auditions. Such stories began to circulate.

Movie journalists, not to miss this opportunity, quickly published articles:

“Who is Kim Donghu’s Joker?”

“The Joker Still Unrevealed, With Filming Next Month…”

“A Bat Without a Clown? Is It True?”

Unlike these journalists, one actor was thinking something completely different:

“…I could play Catwoman, right?”

It was none other than Evelyn Queen Ember, who had now firmly established herself as a top star.