Chapter 76. The Movie "Master Plan" (3)

The screen went dark and paused for three seconds.

Three seconds is longer than you might think. In broadcasting, if there's a three-second audio gap, it's considered a major accident.

During that time, the audience had countless thoughts running through their heads.

Soon, a rough breathing sound was heard, and when the screen returned from the blackout, it still showed a dark view and a rough surface.

"Ugh!"

A muffled groan, as if the mouth was covered.

"It seems that thing has awakened. Take it out."

A man's voice was heard from a distance, followed by a loud noise.

Bang—!

Crack—.

The sound of wood breaking accompanied the noise, and light began to seep through.

The screen, which had been showing from Park Gang-woo's perspective, now revealed the inside of the room.

Scattered pieces of wood around and Park Gang-woo, tied up and sprawled on the ground.

"Ah!"

Park Gang-woo, trembling like a leaf at the sight of the large foreigner holding a red logging axe.

And Pierre, sitting cross-legged in front of him, looking down at Park Gang-woo.

Park Gang-woo, who had risen to the top of the organization through political acumen rather than brute force, quickly struggled to his knees.

With his limbs tied, kneeling down naturally caused his head to hit the ground.

"Interesting. You're quite perceptive. Treat the guest well."

"S-Save me, please."

"Aren't you alive right now?"

Pierre and Park Gang-woo's positions were completely reversed from before the blackout.

Film critic Yu Gang-jin marveled at this.

'As Park Gang-woo entered the party and ascended the marble stairs, his voice tone kept rising, and when he grabbed Pierre's collar, the taller actor Ryu Yeon-woo deliberately hunched to make Park Gang-woo appear higher in the frame.'

He looked back at the screen.

'Pierre Choi is sitting on a high chair, looking down, while Park Gang-woo keeps swaying and falling, with his head on the lowest point, the floor.'

Through the contrast of rising and falling, the bright party hall, and the darkness inside the ship, the film artistically portrayed the reversed relationship between the two.

'Although Director Park Chan-hong is only known for commercial films, if he puts his mind to it, he could create an artistic film that could win awards overseas. And the actors who express this are truly remarkable. Especially the young actor Ryu Yeon-woo.'

Yu Gang-jin looked at Ryu Yeon-woo and Pierre Choi on the screen.

The scene where Pierre offers Park Gang-woo a poker game to decide his fate was playing.

Journalist Ju Yul finally felt a chill run down her spine and realized something.

With ten years of experience as a film journalist, if she hadn't caught on to the hints, she would have to hang up her badge.

'There will probably be one more final twist.'

However, most of the audience still looked puzzled and focused on the screen.

Although Pierre is the antagonist, the scene starts from Park Gang-woo's first-person perspective, creating a sense of immersion and tension.

In the poker game, Park Gang-woo wins dramatically with a full house, securing the domestic drug rights from the 'Italian Mafia's Asian representative.'

The movie races towards its conclusion.

Several scenes pass, and Pierre and Park Gang-woo are shown making a deal inside the ship.

"Haha. Let's do well from now on. The Sicilian brothers never betray once they establish trust."

"Of course. I look forward to working with you."

At that moment, an urgent voice came from the radio.

Beep—.

- Run! We've been found out!

The music intensified, and Pierre Choi's distorted face of panic was captured as the screen widened to show the interior.

Pierre, pulling out a gun, aimed it at Park Gang-woo but then quickly aimed it at his subordinate, expressing his confusion.

"What? You?"

"Y-Yes? What do you mean?"

At that moment, the door to the cabin opened, and special agents in black protective gear rushed in.

"It's Interpol! You have the right to remain silent and to appoint a lawyer. Anything you say can be used against you in court."

The audience was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Han Yujing, who attended as a winner of the Wuzi member lottery and uses the nickname 'Cosmic Seo Hee,' was equally surprised.

'So, is Pierre going to use Park Gang-woo as a shield and run? What will happen?'

However, unlike Yujing's thoughts, Pierre didn't seem to have any intention of running, and Park Gang-woo took a step back.

Raising his hands, Park Gang-woo stepped back.

"I, I have nothing to do with this."

"Stop! Don't move! (멈춰! 움직이지 마!)"

At that moment, another group of masked, armed men appeared from the opposite corridor.

Pierre Choi, aiming his gun in all directions, shouted.

"What? Who the hell are you!"

Then, one of the men in black suits, notably large, removed his mask and aimed his gun at Pierre Choi.

Guak Ji-cheol's face was revealed as he removed his mask.

"It's me, you bastard."

Pierre Choi's face contorted into an expression that was neither laughing nor crying at Guak Ji-cheol's sudden appearance.

"This is too entertaining. Life is this entertaining?"

Meanwhile, Han Yujing, watching the movie, seemed to be struggling to keep up with the plot.

'...What? So, Guak Ji-cheol has been acting all this time? To catch Pierre Choi? This plot is too problematic. What about our Yeon-woo? It feels like he's in a strange movie... '

Other audience members were also murmuring.

Audiences who had been deeply immersed in Guak Ji-cheol from the beginning of the movie couldn't accept this situation.

Regardless, Ryu Yeon-woo in the screen, enraged, fired his gun at Guak Ji-cheol.

Taking that as a signal, the three groups of armed men started firing at each other, and Park Gang-woo, clutching his head, ran to the cabin entrance.

Park Gang-woo and his subordinates, trembling with fear, ran out of the ship, the sound of gunfire echoing through the metal plates.

The camera showed the chaotic scene inside the cabin, where Park Gang-woo, ignoring everything, ran out, and the groups indiscriminately fired at each other.

A bloodbath as bullets hit everywhere.

Machines breaking and sparking, and the ceiling lights flickering and shattering.

The gunfight was shown in slow motion, slightly slower than the original speed, giving the audience enough time to think.

'So, everyone dies, and only Park Gang-woo survives in a bad ending...? Then, who gets the 300 billion won that Park Gang-woo transferred? Jennifer?'

The screen captured the silent scene inside the cabin, filled with bodies and the sound of gunfire.

The space, once filled with loud gunshots, became eerily quiet in just a few seconds, creating a stark contrast that felt almost surreal.

After a few seconds, only the intermittent sparks from broken machines and the flickering of a dangling fluorescent light could be heard.

Then, Pierre Choi, lying among the bodies, suddenly sat up like a zombie, muffling his laughter to avoid being heard outside.

"Of course, it's too entertaining."

The men in the cabin, who had fallen and bled, slowly got up.

"Guak Ji-cheol. It seemed like you were really into it? There was no cursing during the rehearsal."

"Ahem. Wow, that was so real. 'Scrap Dealer' uncle is amazing. Everyone, get up quickly."

Only then did the audience understand the situation, their arms covered in goosebumps, and their mouths agape.

'So, this was all a scam...? From Park Gang-woo's perspective, he just handed over the money and the deal went wrong. Wow... '

Then, the team members escaping on Jennifer's boat, waiting behind the ship, were shown.

"Should I press it?"

"No. I can't lose the best part."

Pierre, holding the switch high, pressed the button, and the ship's bridge exploded.

Simultaneously, the scene cross-cut to Park Gang-woo, who had just escaped the ship, collapsing in shock from the explosion.

Journalist Ju Yul nodded.

'So, with this final twist, Park Gang-woo has no place to turn, neither in the light nor in the shadows. A perfect plan, truly a Master Plan.'

Unlike the shooting, the realistic CG was seamlessly integrated into the actors' performances, and the audience's faces were bathed in the red glow of the explosion on the screen.

The movie ended with a boat moving towards the sunset, accompanied by a lively and rhythmic soundtrack, and the same logo as the beginning appeared.

"Master Plan"

Those who deceive and are deceived.

The screen brightened again, and a post-credit scene appeared.

The video to be shown after all the end credits roll following the movie's release.

"Bro, where should I drop you off?"

"I don't know."

Jennifer laughed upon hearing Guak Ji-cheol's answer.

"Hmph, I knew it. This uncle is hooked?"

Jennifer nudged Guak Ji-cheol's side with her elbow, as if she knew everything.

Pierre smiled at the sight.

"Drop me off whenever you want. No one will say anything if you don't."

The post-credit scene, hinting at a sequel with Guak Ji-cheol joining the team, ended, and the lights in the screening room turned on.

The audience, rising to their feet, gave a hearty round of applause and cheers to the director and actors who stepped onto the stage.

Wow!

Clap, clap, clap.

The applause and cheers continued for a long time, leaving the director and actors on stage in awe.

***

"Wait a moment, everyone."

Manager Kim Min-su blocked the path of Yenujina, Cosmic Seo Hee, and the other 15 members of the fan club.

"Hello, I'm Ryu Yeon-woo's manager, Kim Min-su. If it's okay, the actor would like to treat you all to a meal. Is anyone available to join?"

The fan club members, eyes wide, eagerly raised their hands.

"Of course! I'd attend even if a meteorite fell right now!"

"Amazing."

Meanwhile, as Yeon-woo was leaving the screening room, he paused at the call of Director Park Chan-hong.

"Well, Yeon-woo. It might be hard to talk for long right now, but if you're available, could you spare some time soon? I have a project I'd like to discuss over a meal."

Yeon-woo, seeing Director Park Chan-hong hesitating slightly, smiled and replied.

"Of course, Director. I'll adjust my schedule and meet you whenever you say."

"Thanks. You really worked hard on this project."

Director Park Chan-hong, patting Yeon-woo's shoulder, smiled contentedly.

Yeon-woo, remembering how Director Park Chan-hong had looked at him indifferently during his first audition, felt a sense of growth and smiled back.

Afterward, Yeon-woo headed to the restaurant that Min-su had reserved in advance.

Meanwhile, as the movie's screening was in full swing, the internet was flooded with negative comments about Yeon-woo.