I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 211

Chairman Hideki, observing the newly released article,

『[Breaking News] Kashih Group Affiliate, Using Korean Actor 「Kang Woo-jin」 as Advertising Model? ‘Unfamiliar Event’ Has Occurred』

nodded slowly, a hint of satisfaction on his face. He then delved into the article’s content. As expected, it contained precisely the information he desired—not too much, not too little, but just the right amount.

Looking up from the article, Chairman Hideki addressed Riri in the passenger seat again.

“What’s the plan with BW Entertainment?”

Riri, her long hair neatly tied back, responded promptly.

“We’ve released the article first. They will issue an official acknowledgment approximately half a day later.”

“And our position?”

“We’ll release a follow-up article in an hour.”

The ‘position’ Chairman Hideki referred to was Kashih Group’s ‘acknowledgment’—their confirmation of having engaged Korean actor Kang Woo-jin as a model for several of their affiliates.

This was likely to ignite a frenzy in the Japanese media.

Indeed, other media outlets were already jumping on the story.

『「Kang Woo-jin」, Who Set 8 Awards Record in Korea, Suddenly Signs Model Contract with Kashih Group Affiliates?』

It was unprecedented for Kashih Group to use a Korean actor as a model. In fact, it was rare in the entire Japanese entertainment industry for a Korean celebrity to be an advertising model. Moreover, the chosen model was none other than Kang Woo-jin.

He had already become a hot topic in Japan several times towards the end of the year.

The Hua-rin assault incident, the exclusive photoshoot with Miley Cara, and his record-breaking eight awards in the Korean entertainment industry had all contributed to his recognition. In Japan, he was already as well-known as a popular K-pop idol. The fact that such a figure had secured an advertising deal with the Kashih Group was bound to excite the Japanese media.

Furthermore, the connection between the Kashih Group and ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ was widely assumed, even without an official announcement, further fueling public curiosity.

Chairman Hideki, returning his gaze to his phone, crossed his legs.

“Is the director at BW Entertainment progressing well?”

“Yes, Chairman. Following the acquisition, they are aggressively expanding their business.”

“And Kang Woo-jin?”

“After becoming a sensation at the year-end awards, he’s currently focused on filming his project.”

“Hmm, still busy. When is he coming to Japan?”

“It seems his schedule will be confirmed once Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro of ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ finalizes the filming dates, but we expect him to arrive by January. The pre-production for ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ is complete; we just need to lock in the filming schedule.”

“Is the delay due to the end of the year and New Year holidays?”

“Yes, and there are also scheduling conflicts with the actors.”

After hearing the response, Chairman Hideki spoke again, his tone firm.

“Check with ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ again.”

Meanwhile, in Kyoto, Japan.

Near the sea in Kyoto, a popular tourist destination, lay a fishing village called ‘Ine Funaya,’ also known as a floating village, nestled between the sea and mountains.

Ine Funaya appeared to float on the sea. [Ine Funaya is a village where houses are built right up to the water’s edge, giving the illusion of floating.] While the village was built on the edge of the land, it looked as if it was floating from a distance. It was a picturesque scene. The village wasn’t large, but each house seemed to blend seamlessly with the sea and mountains, creating a painting-like effect. The village was generally quiet, appearing quaint at first glance, but also eerily still from another perspective.

In this Ine Funaya village, a group of about a dozen people could be seen. They were all Japanese.

Some were photographing the village from boats, while others walked through the narrow alleys, assessing the conditions. Some were taking pictures of the houses and engaging in focused conversations. At first glance, they seemed like tourists, but they were not.

“It definitely feels a bit eerie.”

“The director chose well. It’s good now, but the atmosphere will really come alive in the late afternoon or at night.”

“Especially, the condition of the alleys is perfect for the work. The place I saw a little while ago looked like a murder had happened there.”

“Indeed… The director’s eye for locations is amazing. This isn’t even a place that appeared in the original work, is it?”

“That’s right. I heard that the director added it separately when he adapted ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice.'”

They were the production staff of Director Kyotaro’s movie ‘Stranger’s Bizarre Sacrifice.’ Key members from each team were gathered here. The renowned director himself was also present at the entrance of the back mountain, where the village was visible at a glance.

It was Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro, his short hair streaked with gray.

“Hmm-”

With his arms crossed, he surveyed the fishing village of Ine Funaya alongside the assistant director and others from the directing department. The reason for their visit was simple: a final location scout before filming commenced.

The first filming of ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ would begin right here.

While it wasn’t uncommon to start filming outdoors, it was more typical to begin on a set. Outdoor filming, which required the movement of many staff and actors, was usually avoided for the first shoot. However, ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ was different. Director Kyotaro had decided to make Ine Funaya the first filming location.

This was because the filming schedule didn’t align with the village’s availability.

Ultimately, the side that was more eager had to compromise. That was how crucial this fishing village was for ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice,’ and how eager Director Kyotaro was to use it. Ine Funaya, which was not in the original work, was a location that Director Kyotaro had personally sought out.

Director Kyotaro then focused on the tallest brown building in the center of the village, seemingly floating on the sea.

‘Misaki Toka’s hometown house.’

In the setting of ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice,’ this fishing village was the birthplace of Misaki Toka, who triggered the ‘bizarre sacrifice’ of Iyota Kiyoshi, the ‘stranger.’ Director Kyotaro then looked past the tall brown building, towards the sea in the distance.

More precisely, he stared at the fishing boats bobbing on the water.

‘The place where the naked victim will be found.’

This was the boat where one of the tasks that Iyota Kiyoshi, played by Kang Woo-jin, would perform would be discovered. It was a bizarre scenario. A naked victim, who was in Tokyo, would suddenly be found on a fishing boat in Ine Funaya, a fishing village on the edge of Kyoto, floating on the sea.

Even in his underwear.

Of course, all these scenes were playing out in Director Kyotaro’s mind. He smiled with satisfaction. It would be sufficiently eerie, creating a grotesque image.

“I want to start filming quickly.”

Director Kyotaro was itching to begin. The filming preparations for ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ were complete. They simply needed to set the first filming date and start the cameras. However, movie production rarely went exactly as the director wished. The end of the year and New Year holidays were approaching, and they also had to coordinate with ‘Ine Funaya,’ the chosen first filming location.

Today’s visit was also to finalize that agreement.

Just then,

“Director!”

A man’s voice calling for Director Kyotaro came from below. The production manager and staff, who had gone to negotiate with the village, were returning. The production manager, catching up to Director Kyotaro at the mountain entrance, gave a thumbs up while panting.

“It’s a relief. We managed to persuade them somehow.”

Director Kyotaro, with his arms still crossed, asked immediately.

“What are the conditions?”

“Originally, they said it would be difficult for more than a day, but we begged and extended it to three days of filming. However, we’ll have to spend a bit more than what corresponds to three days.”

He was referring to money. Director Kyotaro, thinking of the main investor, Chairman Hideki, said indifferently.

“As much as needed. Moreover, we’ll be blocking access to the village during filming. That’s only natural.”

“Yes, and the village can also provide accommodations for us. There’s a place to stay quite close by.”

“Hmm. Anyway, three days—it’s going to be a forced march.”

“It seems difficult to extend it any further. Luckily, the representative here is a fan of writer Akari, so we were able to get through. The high recognition of the movie ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’ also helped.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Director Kyotaro patted the shoulder of the production manager, who was on the thin side. He then turned his gaze back to the village.

“Since we have a limited time, we need to be more thorough in our preparations. The production department should recheck the production costs and routes related to this village, and the directing department should talk to the filming team and carefully check the props and actor schedules.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Understood.”

“So, when should we start those three days?”

The production manager pulled out a thin stack of papers from his back pocket. It was a paper with the expected filming schedule written on it.

“The village says that next week is difficult. How about around January 21st?”

“21st?”

Director Kyotaro, tapping on a calculator, thought it wasn’t bad. After all, he was also busy with other things this week. Soon, having made a decision,

“Then, confirm with the village for the 21st.”

He instructed the production manager.

“Tell the actors to gather on the 20th, the day before, because we’ll be doing rehearsals that day.”

The next day, the morning of the 8th. Korea.

At the filming site of ‘Island of the Missing,’ where Kang Woo-jin was working, the shouts of the staff echoed. For some reason, they were more energetic than ever today.

“Cut, okay. Let’s go back to the character’s bust shot.”

“Character bust shot, standby!!”

Woo-jin’s makeup was slightly different from usual. The bulletproof helmet and blood-stained military uniform were the same, but.

“But doesn’t Woo-jin look good with a beard?”

“I agree, I agree. I was surprised that it suited him so well earlier.”

“Still, Woo-jin looks best as a cold beauty.”

He had a beard on his face. Kang Woo-jin, who was calmly continuing the filming, felt awkward about his beard.

‘It’s not good, doesn’t it look like a homeless person??’

It wasn’t that shaggy, but it felt rough. It was partly because he had grown it without shaving at Director Kwon Ki-taek’s request, and the makeup had enhanced it.

Why?

In the scenario, Corporal Jin Seon-cheol goes into hiding after escaping into the mountains. This was after Lieutenant Choi Yu-tae witnessed him dropping one of the soldiers from the school rooftop. Now, it was a scene where he suddenly reappears after some time.

“Hi- action.”

Woo-jin’s co-star was Ha Yu-ra. She is attacked by the villagers of ‘Island of the Missing.’ Strangely, it was Corporal Jin Seon-cheol, who had been in hiding, who rescued her.

“Cut. Yu-ra, react more violently to Woo-jin’s appearance.”

“Yes, Director.”

A single cut of filming took quite a long time. The plump Director Kwon Ki-taek in front of the monitor, the hundred or so staff members, the actors who had come to watch while waiting, and their teams.

“……”

Everyone’s expressions were quite serious. The air on the filming location was tense. The atmosphere was very sensitive.

“Action.”

How many hours had passed like that?

Only after numerous directions and changes in camera angles.

“……Cut, okay. This cut is done.”

Satisfaction was evident in the voice of the master director Kwon Ki-taek. It had taken 12 retakes in total. Kang Woo-jin, who had grown accustomed to his beard, breathed out quietly.

‘Whew—finished.’

He casually extended his hand to Ha Yu-ra, who was sitting on the floor with her short hair disheveled according to the scene’s requirements. She, who rarely smiled, smiled this time.

“Thank you. And you’ve worked hard, Woo-jin.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

At this time, Director Kwon Ki-taek, wearing a thick padded jacket, approached the two actors. He also had a smile on his face. He patted Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder and spoke gently.

“You’ve been working hard. Thanks to you, I think my greed has only grown. Should I say my standards have risen?”

“Thank you, Director.”

“Are you going to rest now?”

Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, shook his head.

“No. I’ll do some domestic schedules and then go to Japan.”

“I see. Is it ‘Stranger’s Sacrifice’?”

“Yes.”

Ha Yu-ra shook her head as if she was fed up.

“Woo-jin, aren’t you going to collapse like that? Your schedule is so tight. You should rest a bit after finishing one project.”

“It’s not that hard.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek chuckled and chimed in again.

“Please give my regards to Director Kyotaro, and Woo-jin, always take care of your health. I’ll see you again during post-production.”

In an instant, the staff gathered around.

“Woo-jin, you’ve worked hard!!”

“Oh—the actors are slowly leaving one by one! What a shame??”

“You’ve worked hard, Woo-jin!!”

“You’ll come to our movie’s wrap-up party, right??”

“Fighting for other projects!!!”

Many staff members were shouting encouragement and thanks. Kang Woo-jin bowed his head to them, with whom he had shared the ups and downs of ‘Island of the Missing.’ He had a poker face, but he was sincere.

“You’ve worked hard, and thank you.”

Kang Woo-jin’s filming for ‘Island of the Missing’ was over.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, USA.

It was late morning in Korea, but it was afternoon in LA. It was just about quitting time. The scenery of quitting time was the same in Korea and LA: jammed roads, people flocking to the subway, crowds of people moving busily on the roads, etc. Meanwhile, at a famous broadcasting studio in Hollywood, LA, a recording was in full swing.

The scene here was also familiar.

The main studio, which was the filming zone, was visible, and outside the studio area, there were numerous cameras and filming equipment. The foreign staff members visible in between had focused expressions.

They were putting their heart and soul into filming a talk show.

It was ‘The Jamie Show,’ one of the three major talk shows in the US. The main host, Jamie, was also a well-known broadcaster in Korea. The filming setup was that the host, Jamie, was sitting at a gothic desk, and the guest who would be having the talk was seated on a luxurious sofa in front of the desk. Currently, a blonde Hollywood top actress was sitting on the sofa.

Soon, Jamie, who was slightly plump, called the blonde woman’s name in English.

“Haha, Miley. Shall we change the topic a bit? You went to Korea last time?”

The guest was Miley Cara, wearing a tight-fitting knit and jeans. Perhaps because she was filming, she didn’t show her characteristic cold demeanor.

“That’s right, I went there for movie promotion, like this talk show.”

“How was Korea?”

“It was fantastic.”

“Was it your first time going there?”

Miley Cara, who leisurely changed the direction of her crossed legs, replied.

“Yes. It was my first time, and there were so many impressive things.”

“Oh—I’ve been planning to go to Korea this year since last year. What was impressive? Was it the food?”

“Um—no, the most impressive thing was an actor.”

“Ah, a Korean actor! There are many Korean actors whose names are known in Hollywood. I also like K-dramas. But who is this Korean actor?”