I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 104

“’A: Han In-ho’s reading is complete.’”

With the familiar robotic female voice, Kang Woo-jin, having finished his reading (experience) of ‘Male Friend,’ returned to reality. The reading room was filled with various actors and staff, all going over the revised script.

Kang Woo-jin surveyed the entire reading room.

-Swish.

From Hwa-rin, who flipped her long hair back as she checked the script she had just received, to Director Shin Dong-chun, who was talking with writer Choi Na-na, the tense actors, the whispering staff, and the four or five reporters who were allowed entry.

“······”

No one could imagine that Woo-jin had just lived Han In-ho’s life. But while it was only a few seconds for them, Kang Woo-jin had clearly lived in Han In-ho’s world, and everything about him was imprinted on him.

‘It’s definitely different, what should I say, how I feel?’

This wasn’t the first time he had read as Han In-ho, but Kang Woo-jin could feel it again. The state after the reading was definitely different from other works. For example, with Park Dae-ri from ‘The Layabout,’ he had to constantly calm himself down.

It was clear that the concept or delusions were what supported his ego.

But Han In-ho was somehow soft and fluffy. There was nothing particularly uncomfortable. Rather, his heart felt warm. The vivid world of Han In-ho was also enjoyable. It was like the school days or university days that everyone imagines and wants to return to.

Was it because he had absorbed all the energy of that vibrant youth?

‘Well, I can’t do only these kinds of works every time, but it’s definitely good to do something sweet in between.’

He needed to do refreshing works both psychologically and mentally. There wasn’t a big problem now, but it was uncertain whether this strong heart would continue. He always had to use the subspace [a mental space he uses for acting] assuming he would become exhausted.

In this way, Kang Woo-jin grew once again.

Meanwhile.

“Okay, everyone, if you’ve had a chance to read the revised script, shall we start?”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with his square jaw, announced the start of the reading from the head of the U-shaped table. Accordingly, the publicity reporters raised their cameras, and the focus of the dozens of staff surrounding the actors’ seats intensified. Especially the people from the production company and Netflix.

Among them, the plump Kim So-hyang, the general director, whispered to the team leaders next to her.

“It’s just a reading, so they’ll do it moderately, but I’m looking forward to Woo-jin’s rom-com.”

“I know, right? I wonder if that stoic face will suddenly change again like with Park Dae-ri from ‘The Layabout’?”

At the question, Kim So-hyang stroked her chin, looking at Kang Woo-jin, who was at his most cynical.

“’Han In-ho’ is definitely a character that will sweep the hearts of women, and it’s not just the acting, but the synchronization rate is perfect for Woo-jin. With this, Woo-jin’s image will become 100% diverse.”

“Totally. He unleashed a villainous force as Park Dae-ri, but with Han In-ho, he’ll give a boyfriend material reversal, bam!”

“Before Woo-jin’s schedule gets even busier, we should send him a few more projects. Do we have any good rom-com scripts or scenarios?”

“I’ll check tomorrow.”

Around this time, the introduction of the key figures of ‘Male Friend’ began. It started with Director Shin Dong-chun introducing himself, followed by writer Choi Na-na. Then, Kang Woo-jin was called.

“Our lead actor.”

Woo-jin, who stood up indifferently, greeted the actors and staff.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin, and I’ll be playing Han In-ho. I’ll do my best.”

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Hwa-rin took the baton.

“I’m Hwa-rin, and I’ll be playing Lee Bo-min. It’s a little awkward since it’s our first time meeting today, but I hope we can have a fun time filming. Thank you.”

Again, applause. A barrage of flashes from the reporters. The introductions of the actors continued in turn. At this moment, the closed door of the reading room slightly opened, and a man with a ponytail entered.

It was Choi Sung-gun, who had been missing since earlier.

-Swish.

He glanced around and quietly sat down on a chair near the entrance with someone accompanying him. The someone was a middle-aged woman wearing a white mask. Her tied-up, permed long hair was familiar. Fortunately, the introductions were in full swing, so they didn’t attract much attention. Soon, Choi Sung-gun spoke to the woman next to him.

“It doesn’t seem like we’re too late, writer Park.”

“I’m sorry. The traffic was really bad.”

“It’s okay.”

The middle-aged woman was Park Eun-mi, a star writer who was taking a break after finishing ‘The Layabout.’ Her value had increased several times over because of ‘The Layabout.’ The reason why writer Park Eun-mi quietly appeared at the ‘Male Friend’ reading was simple.

“She seems a bit nervous, but Nana is doing well. It’s quite moving.”

She had come to support Choi Na-na, her assistant writer. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason for writer Park Eun-mi’s visit. Writer Park Eun-mi looked from writer Choi Na-na at the head of the table to Kang Woo-jin in the first seat on the left.

‘Totem… no, Woo-jin’s first rom-com performance. I have to see this no matter what.’

It was to see Kang Woo-jin’s form in real life, not in an edited video. She had to capture his first rom-com performance vividly. It was a habit of writer Park Eun-mi.

‘If you’re going to write a character based on an actor, you have to see many sides of them.’

When writing a character based on an actor, not attaching an actor after creating a character. Kang Woo-jin was already her top pick for writer Park Eun-mi’s next work. It was natural. She was a believer.

Then, she whispered to Choi Sung-gun next to her.

“CEO Choi, is Woo-jin’s schedule for the end of this year or early next year set?”

Choi Sung-gun, who was smiling faintly, replied calmly.

“I’ll check and contact you, writer. Are you perhaps thinking about it in relation to your next work?”

“Of course. Please contact me faster than PD [Production Director] Song no matter what.”

“I guess you’re not working together again.”

“You know it’s not good to work together again, and people will compare it to ‘The Layabout’ too much.”

Up until ‘The Layabout,’ they were comrades, but now writer Park Eun-mi and PD Song Man-woo were about to become rivals. Probably. No, it was almost certain that both of them would be aiming for Kang Woo-jin for their next projects.

Here, Choi Sung-gun was certain.

‘I can control the big shots.’

That he could control the great big shots.

After a while.

The sound of papers turning spread throughout the reading room. All the actors, including Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin, had turned their scripts. The stage directions were Director Shin Dong-chun’s responsibility.

“Scene #1. Cherry blossom trees lined up. Han In-ho and Lee Bo-min are mixed in with the crowd.”

While Director Shin Dong-chun was reading the stage directions, the slender writer Choi Na-na’s gaze was fixed on Kang Woo-jin nearby.

‘I’m nervous, what kind of acting will he show?’

It was because her anticipation was exploding. The actor who had responded to her script, which no one else would even look at, and who performed acting that even her mentor, writer Park Eun-mi, was amazed by.

Of course, she wasn’t the only one looking at Kang Woo-jin at this moment. The surrounding actors were also glancing at the stoic Woo-jin.

‘He’s still ordinary. Is he planning to go light today? It’s his first rom-com, so maybe he’s a bit nervous.’

‘There’s nothing particularly different? Why isn’t he preparing anything?’

‘He’s not even raising his emotions, he’s rather indifferent. Why is he like that? Is his condition not good?’

They wanted to experience the impact that had turned the country upside down with his monstrous acting skills. The opportunity to see that destructive power right in front of their eyes. This was the same feeling for Kim So-hyang, the general director, Choi Sung-gun, writer Park Eun-mi, the production company, and the reporters. Naturally, the gazes of those experiencing him for the first time were even more intense.

A hot seat. Woo-jin was also aware of this concentrated attention.

‘Ugh, it’s making me queasy. The lead role is so uncomfortable. It’s obvious you guys are glancing, you people.’

The tension increased a lot. But he couldn’t show it. He didn’t know much about the weight of the lead role, but he would just maintain his composure and think only of Han In-ho. As always, Kang Woo-jin only reminded himself of two things: the concept and the acting.

A simple yet straightforward course.

Ordinary yet special, not excessive but unique Han In-ho. Woo-jin instantly drew out the imprinted Han In-ho. His mood, emotions, thoughts, and expressions were flipped. Soon, the scene that Woo-jin was seeing slowly transformed.

The reading room became a row of cherry blossom trees, the dozens of actors became a crowd of people who had come to see the flowers, and the warm indoor temperature became a cozy feeling.

Here, the stage directions of Director Shin Dong-chun were heard faintly.

“Han In-ho looks strangely at Lee Bo-min, who is jumping around a few steps ahead. It’s a look that seems affectionate but also not.”

-Swish.

Woo-jin, who had been looking down at the script, raised his gaze. He was looking at Hwa-rin across from him. No, in Woo-jin’s eyes now, it was Lee Bo-min who was jumping around in front of him.

Then, he tilted his head slightly.

“······”

Appreciation or gaze. The way Kang Woo-jin’s gaze, which had been dull until now, instantly changed its temperature. The color of the emotion in his eyes was subtle.

At this moment.

“!!!”

Several actors were slightly surprised.

‘Wow, what is that speed of raising emotions?’

‘The vividness is… just one look, but why does it feel like I can see Han In-ho right away?’

‘It’s hard to express, but there’s a lot of emotion in his eyes. Honestly, I’m scared, wow, so this is why the big shots are falling for him.’

It was just one look. With just one short act, Kang Woo-jin flipped the atmosphere of the reading room. The unique stiffness he had been exuding from the beginning disappeared, and before they knew it, Woo-jin had a rough yet subtly warm expression unique to Han In-ho.

A feeling like a grumpy cat.

Aggressive but impossible to hate. To such a Kang Woo-jin, Hwa-rin’s first line and Director Shin Dong-chun’s stage directions were thrown in succession.

“Hey! Han In-ho!”

“Lee Bo-min, who turned to look at Han In-ho, quickly runs over. Lee Bo-min shows off the cherry blossom petals she has in both hands to Han In-ho.”

Woo-jin, who made eye contact with Hwa-rin, coughed slightly and avoided her gaze. The subtle emotion that had been on his face until just now suddenly disappeared. Only annoyance was prevalent.

“So what.”

“Ah! I’m telling you to smell the scent, the scent!”

The back-and-forth between Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin continued for a moment. The baton was taken by Director Shin Dong-chun.

“Han In-ho sighs. But Lee Bo-min pushes the cherry blossom petals in her hands closer to him. Han In-ho has no choice but to smell them. The distance between them is as close as a fist. At this time, Han In-ho’s gaze reaches Lee Bo-min’s lips.”

As the stage directions ended, Kang Woo-jin raised his gaze again. The destination was naturally Hwa-rin across from him. However, he didn’t maintain his gaze. He looked at her for a brief moment, then looked away, repeating the action.

Then.

“······”

Eventually, Kang Woo-jin stared intently at Hwa-rin. In the flow of that gaze, similar but different emotions swam. Worry and agony, reality, relationships, concerns about the future. He was intensely exuding countless emotions. Then, Woo-jin suddenly smiled faintly. It wasn’t big. An ambiguity between a blank expression and a smile.

The scent of emotion became clear.

The worries that had been swirling a moment ago disappeared, and he was simply appreciating Hwa-rin. No, Lee Bo-min. He was intoxicated. By this cozy atmosphere, mood, and situation. Soon, Kang Woo-jin’s deep eyes were filled with affection, not hatred. It was because the sincerity he had been tightly sealing had exploded in an instant.

Here.

‘Woo-jin is amazing! Damn! He’s exactly the Han In-ho I created! Crazy, crazy, crazy!’

Choi Na-na, who wrote ‘Male Friend,’ screamed inwardly. She wanted to hug Kang Woo-jin tightly. A scream that went beyond emotion.

On the other hand.

‘······He’s good. He’s good at rom-com too. Who could withstand that if they saw it up close?’

Writer Park Eun-mi, who was covering her mouth with one hand, had a calm chill running down her spine.

‘I can’t even see Park Dae-ri. No, are they really the same person? How can the temperature be so different for each role?’

She had expected it, but seeing it in front of her eyes, she thought he was a monster. The Woo-jin she was seeing now was just a man or Han In-ho before starting a clumsy romance.

‘The way he clumsily expresses his hidden feelings is really… amazing.’

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had experienced Kim Ryu-jin from ‘The Fixer,’ was the same.

‘That’s it, that’s it. Woo-jin doesn’t need many lines, he can portray emotions just with his facial muscles or eyes. That’s why it’s so intense and clear that you can’t take your eyes off him. Anyone can see that he’s just a man who likes Hwa-rin right now.’

General Director Kim So-hyang’s eyes were sparkling.

‘······Honestly, it’s my first time seeing Woo-jin’s acting in person. Ha, I see why the big shots are falling for him. Okay, that Han In-ho is definitely going to be a hit.’

Kang Woo-jin’s ghost-like acting transformation gave many people goosebumps. Meanwhile, Woo-jin and Hwa-rin’s eye contact continued. At this time, Kang Woo-jin, who had been sending a cozy gaze, glanced at Hwa-rin’s lips.

Then, he looked at Hwa-rin again. Of course, it was the flow of the script.

At this moment.

“Um, just a moment.”

Suddenly, Hwa-rin avoided Woo-jin’s gaze and raised her hand. She had stopped the reading. Accordingly, Hwa-rin, who had received everyone’s attention, stood up with a swish.

“I’m really, really sorry. I really need to go to the bathroom quickly, it’s sudden.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was slightly surprised, gestured that it was okay.

“Oh, okay, go quickly.”

Soon, Hwa-rin quickly crossed the reading room. Kang Woo-jin, who was calmly watching Hwa-rin’s back, had already completely removed the scent of Han In-ho.

‘She must have been really urgent?’

He muttered lightly to himself.

‘Well, if you drink iced Americano, you have to pee often, huh, I think I’m getting the signal too.’

Hwa-rin, who had left the reading room, took a long breath in front of the closed door, then recalled Kang Woo-jin, with whom she had just been acting.

“Ha- it was acting, right? But his eyes were completely… no, it was acting.”

Then, Hwa-rin bit her lower lip.

“It’s just incredibly realistic. Damn, it’s too much to ask him to go easy on me.”

For her, this reading room was like a torture chamber. Hwa-rin was the only one having a hard time. Soon, Hwa-rin, who was a ‘successful fan,’ placed her hand on her chest. Her heart was pounding like crazy.

To the point where it was hard to calm down.

“This is crazy… it’s good but hard, tough.”

It was an unexpected hidden threat.

End