I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 334

Kang Woo-jin also saw the news that Director Ahn Ga-bok had boarded a plane for the Cannes Film Festival. He was in Bangkok, of course, early in the morning, inside the car heading to the filming location for ‘Beneficial Evil.’

‘Looks like Director Ahn has left.’

It was Friday, the 24th. Seeing the news of Director Ahn Ga-bok’s departure, Woo-jin felt a surge of tension he had forgotten.

‘I don’t have much time left either… Hoo- It’s a bit nerve-wracking now that it’s almost time to go.’

What would the grand Cannes Film Festival, a festival for global filmmakers, really be like? He had seen photos and YouTube videos, but it would be completely different from experiencing it in person in Cannes.

‘It’s like the difference between reading a script and experiencing a live reading.’

Kang Woo-jin’s official schedule in Bangkok was until September 30th. There might be a day or two of variation depending on the filming, but the overseas location filming for ‘Beneficial Evil’ was from the end of September to the beginning of October. After that, Woo-jin had to fly to France for the Cannes Film Festival.

The official opening of the Cannes Film Festival was on the 30th.

From then, the events, including the screenings of the invited films, would continue until October 10th. The grand closing ceremony with the awards ceremony was scheduled for the 11th. For the invited works and many actors, this closing ceremony was the main event.

Of course, for Kang Woo-jin as well.

Focused on his goal, Woo-jin browsed various search sites around the world, his tension rising. He looked at Japan, Hollywood, and even France, naturally focusing on countries where he understood the language.

As a result.

‘Damn, Cannes is seriously amazing.’

Every country was buzzing about the Cannes Film Festival. The French media had already been dispatched to the festival location and were churning out articles. There were also reports that many stars and celebrities had already arrived in Cannes. Woo-jin recognized many of the overseas stars. Only about 30% might have arrived, but it was already a huge gathering.

‘Wow- crazy, all these crowds are gathered because of Cannes?’

The fact that tens or hundreds of thousands of spectators would gather also caught his eye. Kang Woo-jin imagined himself there and checked the domestic reactions. Last week, when ‘Leech’ was nominated for the ‘Competition Section,’ the main section of the Cannes Film Festival, the domestic media and public opinion had instantly exploded.

Because ‘Leech’ was the only Korean work in the ‘Competition Section.’

It was even featured on several public news channels.

That momentum had been maintained until now, a week later, and as soon as Director Ahn Ga-bok boarded a plane to France, the excitement flared even more intensely.

First of all, the domestic media was simultaneously releasing articles. Perhaps most of the media had been waiting for this news?

『‘Leech’ Enters the Competition Section of This Year’s Cannes Film Festival… Can Director Ahn Ga-bok, Visiting Cannes for the 5th Time, Win an Award This Year?』

『[Global] ‘Leech’ by Shim Han-ho and Kang Woo-jin, the Only Korean Film Confirmed for the Competition Section, Will It Resolve the Han [a deep-seated feeling of resentment or sorrow] of Korean Film Awards?』

That’s why the coverage was so intense.

『As Expected, Director Ahn Ga-bok, the Legend of the Korean Film Industry, Competes for the ‘Palme d’Or’ [the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival] with World-Renowned Directors!/Photo』

The articles on Woo-jin’s phone were being updated every second. The film industry media, as well as numerous news outlets, celebrated the achievement. Of course, many questions and curiosities also arose.

『[Issue Pick] ‘Cannes Film Festival’ Has Only 7 Awards in the Competition Section, ‘Kang Woo-jin,’ Who Swept More Than 8 Awards at Domestic Film Festivals Last Year… What Are the Chances of Winning the Best Actor Award?』

『[Film Festival] Shim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryung, and Kang Woo-jin to Compete with the World’s Leading Actors』

Overall, they were full of praise and support for ‘Leech’s’ entry into the ‘Competition Section.’

『Director Ahn Ga-bok of ‘Leech’ Departed for Cannes Today, Shim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung Will Also Board a Plane Soon… When Will Kang Woo-jin, Who Is in Bangkok, Depart?』

『[Photo] Following Director Ahn Ga-bok, Jin Jae-joon Also Appears at Incheon Airport!/Photo』

At this point, Woo-jin couldn’t help but be curious about public opinion. He subtly checked the comments on the articles.

The public was also very excited.

-ㅠㅜㅜㅠㅜㅠㅠLeech!! Fighting!!

-While you’re there, make a big splashㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-But Kang Woo-jin is seriouslyㅋㅋㅋㅋGoing to the Cannes Film Festival only 2 years after his debut is crazyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Korean National Team: Shim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryung, Kang Woo-jin, Jin Jae-joon lineup is amazing

And Kang Woo-jin’s name came up frequently. Seeing his name mentioned repeatedly, Woo-jin smiled faintly. Inwardly, of course.

‘A representative… not bad.’

Of course, the value of the ‘Leech’ actors had skyrocketed. They all already had considerable influence, but this Cannes Film Festival had increased it several times over.

Especially Kang Woo-jin.

『[Issue Check] “First in Korea!” Kang Woo-jin, in His 2nd Year Since Debut, Enters Cannes with a Unique Path!』

Top actors Shim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung had already experienced Cannes and had plenty of experience, but Kang Woo-jin, who was only in his second year since debut, was taking a truly unconventional path.

『‘Shim Han-ho, 4th Time at Cannes’ Is Amazing, but ‘Kang Woo-jin,’ Who Is Writing a Legend, Is More Powerful… Netizens Say “Kang Woo-jin Is Seriously a Legend”』

Whatever he did, it was the first. No other domestic actor had walked the same path as Kang Woo-jin. Because of that, the media and public opinion were even more excited.

At times like this, Korea unites.

-Kkk!!! National pride is rising!! If possible, I hope Leech and Kang Woo-jin sweep Cannes!!

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋDamn, we can’t even lose rock-paper-scissors to Japanㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠWhen Leech came out at the end of the competition section announcement, I was thrilled…

-Swept domestic film festivals last year and entered Cannes this yearㅋㅋㅋIt’s abnormal, but if it’s Kang Woo-jin… yeah… I acknowledge it…

Meanwhile, even in the Japanese media, which had two works in the Cannes Film Festival ‘Competition Section.’

『「Cannes Film Festival」Japan with Two Works and Korea with One Work, Kang Woo-jin of ‘Strange Sacrifice’ Also Advances to Cannes』

They were already intensely focused on the hot name of Kang Woo-jin.

『「Japan and Korea」Major Clash in the ‘Competition Section’ of the Cannes Film Festival!』

They were creating a competitive narrative.

After that.

Kang Woo-jin was back to filming ‘Beneficial Evil.’ After the long take scene that the entire staff had poured their energy into a few days ago, the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team began full-scale cut filming.

In other words, they had started to quickly get through the filming schedule.

The reality of dramas and movies is that they cannot be filmed in the order of the script or scenario, but in the case of overseas locations, time is limited, so it was common to film in a somewhat sequential order.

“Action!!”

Even within this filming in Bangkok, the scenes were still all over the place. Currently, Kang Woo-jin was filming at a large mansion in the forest, quite far from downtown Bangkok.

-Bang bang bang bang!!

It was to film the first appearance scene of ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ in ‘Beneficial Evil’ and the content of him disappearing. In this scene, several Thai actors were also involved, and guns, swords, or explosions were used, but it was not filmed continuously like a long take.

On top of that.

“Cut!! OK! This time, we’re going with Woo-jin’s angle!”

“Flower bed! Replace the flower bed!!”

They had secured the mansion, but they were only filming the overall picture and could not cause any damage. Therefore, they were filming by creating a similar yard on a plot in the forest near the mansion.

“Cut cut cut!! OOK!!”

The same scene was filmed from various angles and perspectives. Kang Woo-jin’s action and martial arts in military uniform shone, but the aura of Miley Cara, who had been involved since a few days ago, also caught the eye. She was passionate about filming ‘Beneficial Evil’ even though it was not her own work. She showed her skills, which she had been using in Hollywood, without holding back.

For Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, watching such filming was a moving moment.

‘Woo-jin… our Woo-jin is being captured in the same shot as Miley Cara. I never thought this day would come so soon… Even while watching, it doesn’t feel real.’

What was amazing was that it was the same for the entire staff of over a hundred people on ‘Beneficial Evil.’

“Wow… Woo-jin and Miley Cara’s two-shot… it’s seriously crazy.”

“But don’t Woo-jin and Cara look really good together? They seem very close when you see them.”

“They worked on an album together, and Cara also appeared on Woo-jin’s YouTube channel.”

“No, the fact that Miley Cara is being captured by our camera is like a dream to me.”

“I’m dying to talk about it… if people see this shot, they’ll really faint.”

And that night.

When the overseas location schedule for ‘Beneficial Evil’ had passed the halfway point, Joseph and Megan, who had come from Hollywood, and a group of foreigners met Kang Woo-jin. There wasn’t any serious talk. It was just a simple greeting.

“Hello, I work at ‘Universal Movies.’”

“Yes, hello. I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

“We are the stunt team. We were really impressed by your long take scenes this time.”

“Thank you.”

There was also a strong hint of ulterior motives.

“The action was overall… amazing. ‘Martial arts’ and ‘CQC’ [Close Quarters Combat] were also far beyond the top level. I heard you came from a special forces unit.”

Kang Woo-jin glanced at Ethan, who had a big nose and was mixed in with the group of foreigners. That guy is the host. But his poker face didn’t waver. He was used to these kinds of situations.

Silence is the best response in these situations.

“······”

As expected, they misinterpreted Woo-jin’s stiff silence as they pleased.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to pry, if there’s a reason, you don’t have to say it.”

“Yes.”

“I’m looking forward to Cannes, I’ll watch your work first. See you again in Cannes.”

These were mostly the kinds of conversations. However, Joseph, a famous Hollywood producer, quietly made an offer to Woo-jin.

“This team is related to the movie I’m preparing now, I wanted to show Kang Woo-jin to them. Of course, I was also curious about your action.”

“Is that so?”

“Haha, really… Woo-jin, you always go beyond common sense every time I see you. The energy I saw in ‘Last Kill 3’ now seems like child’s play. Woo-jin, I’m setting up a plan to give you a lead role. That plan will probably be completed in Cannes. Surely, many big shots will be interested, but when the scenario for my next project is completed, would you be the first to take a look?”

Joseph and Megan had been extremely devoted to Kang Woo-jin so far. They had appeared from Korea to Japan and even Bangkok. Kang Woo-jin was aware of this.

“Yes, that wouldn’t be difficult.”

The giant Joseph did not forget to smile.

“I look forward to the day when I can produce a work with you.”

The next day, the morning of the 25th. Joseph’s team left Bangkok. Not for Hollywood, but for Cannes, France.

And late in the afternoon of that day.

-Bang bang!!

Miley Cara was shot in the abdomen inside a specially made car.

“Keuh!”

In the story, the car was supposed to be speeding, but the special vehicle where Kang Woo-jin, Cara, and the camera were located only pretended to speed. However, thanks to the vibration devices on the wheels, intense shaking was produced. The van was shaking like crazy.

-Crash!!

The front window shattered as a bullet hit it. It was an ambush during an escape, and Woo-jin, who was driving, gritted his teeth and pressed down on Cara’s abdomen in the passenger seat with one hand.

“Stop the bleeding!”

The blonde Cara, whose expression was gradually fading, raised her trembling hand and stroked Woo-jin’s arm. She didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping the gushing blood.

“J, I was happy when I found you.”

“Shut up and stop the bleeding!”

“It’s a shame. I wanted to enjoy a little more with you. Please take care of the rest. You can take the money I was supposed to receive.”

“Shut your mouth!”

“Don’t live like an idiot, J. Whatever it is, you do what you have to do. You look better as more evil than evil.”

The car shook more violently. The camera caught Cara’s blue eyes, which had turned away from the window and dropped her hand from Woo-jin’s arm.

“I’ll take your guilt.”

She lowered her head. But the car’s crazy vibrations continued. After a few seconds like that. Between the stopped lines, Song Man-woo PD’s shout through the megaphone rang out.

“Cutt!! OOOK!!!”

Miley Cara’s role in ‘Beneficial Evil’ ended here.

Kang Woo-jin immediately greeted her in a low voice in English.

“Thank you for your hard work, thank you for participating in the filming.”

Cara shook her head and shrugged lightly.

“I had fun. I’m looking forward to the premiere of ‘Beneficial Evil’?”

About an hour later, Miley Cara, who had finished her greetings with everyone on the filming team except for Song Man-woo PD, was scheduled to take a night flight. Of course, her destination was Cannes, France, like Joseph and Megan. Before leaving the set, Cara called Kang Woo-jin.

“This is for you.”

-Swish.

Cara, who had swept back her blonde hair in front of the van, handed Woo-jin a key card.

“I wanted to give it to you myself, it’s the key to your house I prepared in LA.”

Woo-jin received the key with a silent face.

“…Thank you.”

“Hmm? No, I’m just giving you what I was supposed to give?”

Inside, he was intensely excited.

‘Th, this is the key to that mansion!! Do I have a house in LA??! For real??!’

Of course, Cara had no way of knowing this.

“You like it, right? Anyway, see you in Cannes.”

A few days later, Friday, September 29th. Japan.

Numerous spectators were gathered at a large movie theater in Tokyo, watching a movie. No, upon closer inspection, the spectators were all holding cameras in one hand. The reason was simple. The hundreds of people gathered in the audience were all Japanese reporters. Film critics were also mixed in.

In front of the large screen, an advertising board was set up.

-‘1st Press Screening’

It seemed to be a press screening for a movie that was about to be released.

What was unusual was.

“······”

“······”

The eyes of all the reporters watching the large screen were quite wide. Their faces were filled with shock. At this time.

-♬♪

Grand movie music filled the entire theater, and on the large screen, along with the movie title in Japanese.

-[Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger]

The names of the cast members began to appear in the end credits. The first line showed a familiar name.

-[Iyota Kiyoshi/ Kang Woo-jin]

-[Yoshizawa Mochio/ Mana Kosaku]

-[Horinochi Amie/ Uramatsu Mihuyu]

·

·

·

Soon, a reporter sitting in the middle of the hundreds of reporters, who had difficulty pushing up his high-prescription glasses, muttered with his eyes fixed on the screen.

“Wh, what is this? Is this the ending?”