I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 103

When Kang Woo-jin first heard about the ‘kiss scene revision’ from Director Shin Dong-chun, he was deeply perplexed.

‘What? No way.’

Revisions during a production weren’t frequent, but they weren’t unheard of either. It felt normal. Right, wasn’t it the same with ‘Drug Lord’? The plot changed abruptly under the director’s lead or the writer’s judgment.

The problem was that Woo-jin was in a dilemma in this situation.

There were dozens of people gathered for the reading, and many acquaintances, including Director Shin Dong-chun. If he revealed his true feelings here, everything Woo-jin had built up would collapse. Imagine him shouting, ‘I’m against the kiss scene revision!’

Kang Woo-jin’s carefully crafted persona would shatter.

For a moment, Woo-jin recalled his upcoming projects. There was nothing sweet. They were all great works, but nothing romantic. Of course, he might do a rom-com someday, but it was undecided. For top stars like Ryu Jung-min or Jin Jae-joon, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

‘Is my first kiss scene as an actor going to disappear like this? Really?’

It was natural for Woo-jin, still a commoner at heart, to feel a slight disappointment.

But fortunately.

“I’m thinking of a deeper picture,” Director Shin Dong-chun replied, which was positive. But deeper?

‘…Deeper than a kiss scene?’

The door of imagination naturally opened. It was just instinct. A man’s instinct. Then, Woo-jin pulled himself together and forcibly closed the door of imagination. Don’t overdo it. Then, Woo-jin checked his face.

He couldn’t let it show if he was slightly shaken.

Then, he checked Hwa-rin across from him. A composed expression. What was she really thinking? It was hard to know for sure, but Kang Woo-jin was the only one here who knew her secret. As a fan, wouldn’t she have at least some expectations?

Anyway.

-Swish.

Woo-jin turned his head to Director Shin Dong-chun, who was sitting at the head of the table. He cleared his throat. It was important to seem indifferent, as if he didn’t care.

“Director, what exactly do you mean by a deeper picture?”

At his weighty tone, all eyes in the reading room, which had been focused on Woo-jin, turned to the square-jawed Director Shin Dong-chun.

Soon.

“Uh—the first cut of episode 1. The kiss scene between ‘Lee Bo-min’ and ‘Han In-ho.’ If you look at the emotional lines of the two characters here, Lee Bo-min is in a state of shock and then recognition, while Han In-ho has his eyes closed. In other words, Han In-ho initiated it, and Lee Bo-min’s eyes are wide open.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had opened the existing script for episode 1 on the table, answered.

“The scene itself is meant to be shocking, but the device that supports it, the kiss itself, is bland. Honestly, it’s more like their lips are just touching, not a kiss.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was explaining, stroked his square jaw.

“In my opinion, this cut needs to be powerful. The writer’s intention in writing this scene was to grab the viewers’ attention from the start, and for that, something clear works better than something ambiguous. Going halfway is counterproductive. Like a deflated balloon, the rest of the story becomes bland.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was quite successful as a drama PD [Production Director] in the past. Although he had recently debuted as a film director, his sense for dramas was still alive.

“The ‘Boyfriend’ plot goes from the present to the past and then back to the present, ending in the future. So, if you think about it, we’re showing the ending first, and as a director, I think it’s better to do it properly and clearly.”

After listening to the explanation, Kang Woo-jin nodded slowly with a very solemn expression, and inwardly gave Director Shin Dong-chun a thumbs up.

‘Bravo, he’s a very capable director after all.’

Hwa-rin was similar. She also had a calm face, but she swallowed hard without showing it.

‘Clear? Properly? Does that mean… really, really passionately? Wow—this is crazy.’

Hwa-rin’s fan heart and instincts were in turmoil. However, Director Shin Dong-chun, who was quietly reading their expressions, misunderstood.

‘So… they don’t like it? They don’t seem very close yet either. Well, it’s my own greed. It was a bit much to suddenly revise the script during the reading, wasn’t it?’

Other actors, watching the slightly strange situation, glanced at Woo-jin and Hwa-rin. They had similar thoughts to Director Shin Dong-chun.

‘Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin’s expressions are a bit off.’

‘It’s a bit much to do this suddenly. But are they not on good terms?’

Many actors feel burdened by kiss scenes or exposure in a project, and the higher their status, the more sensitive they become. Especially since ‘Boyfriend’ relies on Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin’s recognition and popularity. Therefore, Director Shin Dong-chun thought.

‘I shouldn’t push too hard.’

He chose to adjust.

“…But it’s okay to go with the existing script. What Woo-jin and Hwa-rin think is most important. It’s just my personal desire. It would be a bit much for you two to change it so suddenly.”

“Director.”

Kang Woo-jin spoke in a calm voice. He couldn’t ruin a good flow.

“I’m fine with it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The project is important.”

The eyes of the surrounding actors widened slightly. So did Director Shin Dong-chun’s. At this moment, Hwa-rin glanced at the composed Woo-jin.

‘Woo-jin is… only thinking about the project. Ugh, I’m so embarrassed. I’m the only one having unprofessional, wild thoughts.’

Hwa-rin, having composed herself, remembered her professional attitude. Fandom was fandom, but Hwa-rin was the female lead.

“Director, I don’t mind either. It’s more important for the project to do well, what’s with the burden?”

“Oh—really?”

“Yes. Script revisions happen everywhere. And it’s the first cut that will raise the tension. I’ll do it.”

Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin quickly agreed. Director Shin Dong-chun was moved by them. The surrounding actors were impressed by the two leads’ composure.

‘Wow—they’re real pros.’

‘They’re both cool. Kang Woo-jin is still a rookie, but his attitude is already top-tier.’

Misunderstandings and misinterpretations were rampant in the reading room. But strangely, things proceeded without any problems. The ball was in Director Shin Dong-chun’s court.

“Great, haha. I should repay Woo-jin and Hwa-rin’s passion. I’ll make the first scene perfect.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had already prepared the revised script, took it out.

“First, I’m thinking of amplifying the emotional lines of the first scene. ‘Lee Bo-min’s route from shock to recognition, to shock, to impulse, and then to a head-on collision.”

He continued his explanation.

“Han In-ho puts his lips on Lee Bo-min’s. Lee Bo-min is shocked. Originally, the scene would change here, but in the revised version, they separate once after being shocked. And then Lee Bo-min rushes in impulsively. What’s important here, Hwa-rin, is that you have to express the barrier that has been blocking the two friends for so long collapsing in an instant.”

“…Like, ‘My feelings are clear. I didn’t know, but I’ve been holding back. Now I know for sure.'”

“That’s right. The confused feelings become clear, and you have to show that you can’t control yourself because you can’t hold back. Like kicking away the line that was blocking the space between friend and lover.”

Hwa-rin nodded slowly as if she understood, and Director Shin Dong-chun wrapped it up.

“After a light kiss, they separate, and then Lee Bo-min rushes at Han In-ho as if she’s attacking him. Here, it changes to a deep kiss scene. To the point where viewers will say, ‘Wow—that’s intense?’ And then Lee Bo-min’s narration.”

The word ‘deep’ was indeed fitting.

Meanwhile.

Kang Woo-jin had entered a completely dark subspace, not the reading room. He had to update because he had received the revised script for ‘Boyfriend.’

Furthermore.

“I should try a reading (experience) once.”

Even if it was just a revision of one cut, Woo-jin was thinking of experiencing the changed world first. His expression was quite serious. Now that the kiss scene situation was settled, it was time to think about the project. Well, the kiss scene itself would be very brief, and work was work. There was no need to be emotional.

It was just that the device accompanying the acting was a ‘kiss scene,’ not murder or death.

Anyway.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin stood in front of the white rectangles. The white rectangle for ‘Boyfriend’ was replaced without any issues. But.

“Oh?”

Woo-jin, who had discovered something, let out a small exclamation. He had noticed a change in the ratings of the projects, different from yesterday.

-[4/Scenario (Title: Drug Lord), Grade A]

-[5/Script (Title: Freezing Romance), Grade B]

-[6/Script (Title: Boyfriend), Grade A+]

Except for ‘A Stranger’s Bizarre Sacrifice,’ the grades of all the waiting projects had increased by one level. If only ‘Boyfriend’ had gone up, he would have thought it was because of the script revision? But seeing that everything had gone up overall, the most likely possibility was.

‘Because of me?’

It was highly likely that it was because of Kang Woo-jin. Including the fact that Hanryang had reached number one on Netflix in Japan, his recognition was constantly growing.

“Well, the projects were basically average or better, but it feels good now that it’s like this?”

Woo-jin’s smile deepened, and his passion increased. He raised his index finger and selected the white rectangle for ‘Boyfriend.’

-[You have selected 6/Script (Title: Boyfriend Episode 1).]

-[Listing characters available for reading (experience).]

-[A: Han In-ho, B: Ahn Bum-chul…]

He had already finished reading the script up to episode 4. The one-act ‘Boyfriend’ was a project that showed the sticky relationship between Lee Bo-min and Han In-ho in detail.

The background was not that complicated.

Two families who were close, even their families. A boy and a girl born between them. Naturally, they grew up as childhood friends. Elementary school, middle school, and even high school. A friendship maintained by spending the same time in the same space.

But a crack appears.

The crack stems from a very trivial part. Just a difference in thinking. It didn’t even take 10 seconds for the person you thought of as a friend for over 10 years to become subtle. From here, the two characters’ reason and instinct are activated, they try, get hurt, recover, and grow.

It shows various emotions in detail.

The perspective of a friend and the realistic appearance. And a little bit of fantasy added. Situations and lines that stimulate the viewer’s heart. In other words, ‘Boyfriend’ was a rom-com that appropriately mixed reality and fantasy.

[“Preparing for ‘A: Han In-ho’ reading…”]

[“….Preparation complete. It is a script or scenario with very high completion. The implementation rate is 100%. Starting the reading.”]

Kang Woo-jin was sucked into the world of ‘Boyfriend.’

The visible view changed.

The world that had been completely dark was now filled with pink. Endless cherry blossom trees filled his vision. A perfect spring. The warm breeze brushed against Kang Woo-jin’s cheek.

-Saa.

It was warm and abundant. That was the world of ‘Han In-ho’ now.

It was so stable and comfortable that he could easily fall asleep if he closed his eyes and lay down. He felt like he could do anything with the soft feeling. Soon, Han In-ho spread throughout Kang Woo-jin’s body. Each and every cell transformed. Everything from Han In-ho’s emotions was put on Woo-jin.

Kang Woo-jin, who was gauging the world, turned his gaze. There were many people visible among the scattering cherry blossom petals.

But only one woman was visible in Woo-jin’s eyes.

Lee Bo-min, standing two steps ahead. She was smiling with her eyes and holding cherry blossom petals in her palm raised to the sky. She was having fun all by herself. But it didn’t feel bad. To be sure, it was annoying at first. A cherry blossom outing all of a sudden?

However.

“…”

Coming here, it seemed like a pretty good choice. No, he didn’t know. It was still annoying, but he couldn’t turn back. Is a person an animal of the environment after all? Kang Woo-jin judged that he was intoxicated by the cherry blossoms all around.

At that moment.

“Hey! Han In-ho!”

Lee Bo-min, who had been jumping around like a crazy person in front, ran over. Her hands were full of cherry blossom petals. Lee Bo-min raised them as if to show them off. Kang Woo-jin let out a small sigh.

“So what.”

“Ah! Smell the fragrance, the fragrance!”

“I don’t smell anything.”

“A little closer! Like this!”

“Get lost, I can smell your philtrum.”

“Do you want to die?”

Lee Bo-min made a fierce expression. Woo-jin let out a small sigh. Then, he brought his nose to the cherry blossom petals in Lee Bo-min’s hands. Of course, Lee Bo-min did the same. It smelled good. But he was confused. Was it the cherry blossom petals or her philtrum?

From here.

“…”

For some reason, a sense of tension settled in Kang Woo-jin’s heart. The warmth that had been cast over the world was encouraging something. He was intoxicated by the smell. His instincts were loaded into his feelings. He was fascinated by the warmth. Why? It was ticklish. He felt like he had to do something. That feeling surged. So Kang Woo-jin moved.

-Swish.

He passed the cherry blossom petals in front of him and reached Lee Bo-min’s lips. He immediately realized it.

“Ah.”

He had made a mistake. What was interesting was Lee Bo-min’s reaction.

“…Crazy bastard.”

She suddenly cursed and looked at Kang Woo-jin, no, Han In-ho, for a moment. He could see a myriad of emotions swirling in her eyes. Then she.

“You!”

She scattered the cherry blossom petals in her hands.

-Whoosh!

And covered Kang Woo-jin.

How much time had passed?

The warm world turned into a large gray color and gradually brightened. The background had changed to the past. A noisy sound. Loud with children’s voices. Kang Woo-jin slowly opened his eyes.

He was sitting.

Familiar chairs and desks. And the wind coming in from the open window. The curtains fluttering in the wind. The blackboard and teacher’s desk in front. Students running around. In other words, this was a classroom.

In this familiar space, a space that everyone wants to return to, Kang Woo-jin was wearing a school uniform.

“Hoo-”

Then, Woo-jin stared blankly ahead and then nonchalantly lay down again.

His seat was at the very back.

He was tired. The noisy sounds were incredibly loud, but because they were familiar, Woo-jin closed his eyes without much thought. At that moment, someone tapped his shoulder.

“Hey, Han In-ho. Your wife is here.”

Woo-jin, whose face was covered in fatigue, turned his head. Lee Bo-min was gesturing at the back door of the classroom. Kang Woo-jin ignored her as if she was annoying. But Lee Bo-min, with a mocking smile, entered the classroom and whispered in Woo-jin’s ear.

“Honey-”

“Ah, are you crazy? Get lost.”

“Honeyyy-”

“What is it again.”

Kang Woo-jin grabbed the back of Lee Bo-min’s neck and moved to the hallway. How should he deal with this troublesome thing? Then, Lee Bo-min’s arm caught Woo-jin’s eye. The strap of her underwear was sticking out from the short sleeves of her summer uniform.

Carelessly. Kang Woo-jin roughly stuck to her and blocked the surrounding view.

“Hey, your strap is down. Stop the eye pollution.”

Whether he said that or not, Lee Bo-min nonchalantly pulled up her strap and whispered.

“Hey, hey, I got a confession.”

At that moment, Kang Woo-jin felt an uncomfortable feeling pervade him, but he swallowed it down.

“…Who is it? That unfortunate guy.”

It was the moment of the first crack in their friendship.

End