Ch.348Justice Stained with Violence

【 Why do you have a problem with the main villain being a Black woman this time? That’s never happened before? 】

-I can immediately feel how much thought Marvel put into this Arkbone story.

An Asian male actor and a Black female actor are playing the lead and main villain respectively.

What exactly are the complainers complaining about?

ㄴI know what the problem is – it’s because the Black female actress is pretty

ㄴIt’s true that recent PC movies have cast less attractive leads, so do they want everyone to be ugly?

ㄴThey seem to want actors who don’t match the appearance requirements to take those roles

ㄴThey’ve done everything – catered to Asians, catered to Black people, what more do they want? Especially when a white man is just a supporting character.

ㄴHonestly, “catering” isn’t even the right word anymore considering the production budget

ㄴㄴThat’s the most accurate point – it’s beyond catering now, it’s worship-level

This was the post getting the hottest response on the Reddit community.

It had been generating continuous discussion since the moment it was posted.

Right after the leak came out.

Some people trapped in PC ideology just shouted that the leak itself was offensive.

But everyone else couldn’t understand why it was supposedly offensive.

“No, it doesn’t make sense! As the main villain! It reminds people of you-know-who!”

“What does it remind people of, Iron Core?”

“Yes! Exactly! Isn’t that a problem?”

“You talk about respecting diversity, so respect it… Wait, did you want to be the only unique one?”

“…”

“A suit carrying on Ark’s will versus a suit developed by an individual reaching its peak… that conflict sounds really appealing, so what’s the problem?”

People thought this leak had created a tremendous marketing effect.

Some even suggested it might have been intentionally leaked.

Not just in the online community world.

People discussing the movie and sharing opinions in real life?

That itself was publicity worth more than could be measured.

By word of mouth.

Through the most reliable effect passed down since ancient times.

The story of <Arkbone> steadily increased its value.

“So in Arkbone… does Kim Donghu defeat Iron Core?”

“It shouldn’t go that way, they’re just similar. They’re completely different characters.”

“But people won’t think that way.”

“That’s exactly what the director is counting on.”

Every scene in a creative work has meaning.

And since that meaning is assigned under the director’s guidance,

People naturally thought this was his strategy.

“In today’s world where information is shared so well, many people probably know what I’m thinking.”

The situation was unfolding exactly as Director Zenker intended.

“There aren’t many narratives with Black women as main villains… because main villains have an image of being powerful.”

But with the power of a suit.

Anyone can become strong.

So if someone is established as intelligent, anyone can wear the armor.

Three days after the leak.

Among the talk shows sending love calls from all directions,

Director Zenker appeared on the talk show where he had the closest relationship.

More precisely, it was closer to an interview than a talk show.

But honestly, Director Zenker didn’t care which it was.

“These days, in superhero movies, both the protagonist and main villain need to be impressive. And I think the most important element in crafting this impressiveness is appearance.”

“What?”

“A hero needs to be someone people aspire to be. Someone everyone respects… cool and dignified. And in that respect, Donghu Kim is the perfect hero.”

Just look at how he’s willing to do a 1vs5 UFC fight.

Shouldn’t someone who faces such a person be impressive too?

The MC was momentarily flustered by Director Zenker’s words.

He had brought up an extremely sensitive topic right away.

Of course, it was just the opinion of a small minority.

But with the current criticism of the main villain due to similarities with <Iron Core>,

To suddenly blurt out something like that?

“Hahaha… so that’s what you think?”

Is this why he requested an interview?

The MC looked at Director Zenker with an expression half saying “I’ve been had” and half “this is going to be huge.”

Director Zenker confidently delivered his final statement.

“I believe this from beginning to end. Appearance doesn’t need to be pretty or handsome, but it should be appealing enough to give audiences or fans a favorable impression. You know what I mean?”

And these words…

ㄴIs he taking shots at Iron Core?

ㄴHow is this taking shots? If you think this is targeting someone, that’s just paranoia

ㄴHe’s just expressing his opinion? “Leading roles need good looks” < that’s just the director’s philosophy

…ignited a new controversy.

++++++

“I should probably stay off the internet for a while.”

“Yeah, that would be best, Donghu.”

After Director Zenker’s interview ended.

His statements spread worldwide.

One of the things people most wanted to say.

When an influential director says it, how could it not spread?

It was like he was begging for it to go viral.

“How much longer until the final shoot? A month or two?”

“Yeah, I think that’s why he just went for it so boldly.”

“I never expected him to make such direct comments about appearance….”

“But it’s hard for others to respond to this, because the PC side has been saying that those looks should be respected too, calling it a new standard of beauty.”

“It suddenly seems like this has turned into a PC battle, or am I mistaken?”

“Well, technically Iron Core started it first… but I don’t think it’ll blow up too much.”

While having a serious conversation with Seokho about the current situation,

We ultimately concluded that there was no need to worry too much.

More precisely, there was no need to actively respond.

In these cases, getting involved often leads to more trouble.

“A director can say these things, but in this situation, an actor just needs to act well.”

“You mean the work comes first, right?”

“Exactly, especially in today’s world.”

“And we need to take care of Murciélago too.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

If I were only filming <Arkbone>, I might have said something.

But being involved in three series simultaneously made things too big to handle.

“I haven’t been able to properly focus on that one because of my schedule, how’s it going?”

“It’s great, especially because there are so many action scenes.”

“Lots of action? That much?”

“The story itself is about recapturing escaped inmates from Arkham Asylum, so the story is very straightforward.”

No need for complex psychological warfare.

Like playing a game.

Various enemies pour out, and you defeat all those various enemies.

Evil spreading like black smoke.

A story where someone equally shrouded in malice resolves everything through violence.

That was the core of <Murciélago – Black Smoke>.

“So if everything proceeds as planned… Arkbone comes out first, then Murciélago… and New Bullet last?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure if they’ll all be released next year….”

“And you have the UFC schedule before filming Arkbone.”

After hearing everything I said, Seokho hyung rechecked the schedule.

Of course, he already knew everything and was managing it meticulously.

But he mentioned it this way to firmly cement it in our minds.

“After we finish all this… should we take about 3 years off?”

“What?”

“Think about it, now that you’re getting married, you’ll need time to have kids….”

I’m saying this because it seems like we’ve been pushing too hard.

Taking a break after finishing everything would be good, right?

I seriously considered his words.

‘A break.’

Yes, perhaps it was indeed time to take a real break.

Living a normal life, you could say.

Even though we’ve been dating intensely,

We haven’t had many proper dates.

‘Really taking time off somewhere cozy… that doesn’t sound bad.’

But it was funny that this conversation came up suddenly.

It felt like setting up a death flag,

Like proposing to a lover before going to war.

Of course…

“I’m telling you in advance because I know you’ll just accept another series offer if one comes in, and that won’t do, right?”

“Ah, yes, that’s true.”

Seokho hyung had a completely different thought.

“You’re not the only one getting married. Kangsik is too, and so am I. If we schedule them while you’re on break, that would be great. Having you as a guest would make it special!”

“Haha, should I sing a congratulatory song for you?”

“Y-you? Y-you’d sing at m-my wedding?”

That would be wonderful. Such an honor.

No, even the fact that you had such a thought is so touching.

“…..”

Just mentioning singing a congratulatory song broke him down like this.

I just said it casually.

‘I’ll really have to do it for him.’

After thinking that to myself,

Seokho hyung and I got into the van together.

“We’re going straight to the filming location? Murciélago?”

“Yes.”

Finishing one shoot and immediately heading to the next filming location.

Even this busy schedule is really enjoyable right now.

I smiled slightly to myself, then…

‘Immersion.’

I entered into the script of <Murciélago – Black Smoke, S+>.

+++++++

Black smoke spreads.

People scream.

What I can do here is…

“…I’ll make sure none of you can ever live normally again.”

Deliver justice stained with violence.