I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 114

Choi Sung-gun covered his face, lamenting. Kang Woo-jin, in the driver’s seat, blinked, confused. What was this? What was going on? This wasn’t the scenario Woo-jin had envisioned.

Why the lament?

Was that a necessary reaction? It would have been more natural for him to be angry. Woo-jin had even braced himself for yelling about being deceived all this time.

But Choi Sung-gun…

“Ha—you’re really…”

He looked at Kang Woo-jin with a slightly pitiful gaze. Why? Woo-jin replayed the situation from a moment ago.

‘No, I clearly told the truth, right?’

But the response he got was about pretending to be ordinary and using his life as acting practice. At this point, Woo-jin roughly understood why the situation had turned out this way.

‘…Misunderstanding.’

It meant that Choi Sung-gun had interpreted Kang Woo-jin’s words as he pleased. He was now taking Woo-jin’s entire life, not just the last few months, as an act. There was no other way to explain this reaction.

This is absurd.

Woo-jin almost let out a hollow laugh. Then came a bizarre scream. Of course, it was all inside his head.

‘Why does this happen even when I tell the truth?! Why?? Why???’

It was unfair. There was no reason for it, but Woo-jin felt extremely wronged. The sincerity he had mustered to speak was so easily distorted. Soon, Kang Woo-jin tried to talk again to clear up the distorted misunderstanding.

“No, CEO, what I’m saying is…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

But Choi Sung-gun cut him off, patting Woo-jin’s shoulder as if he knew everything.

“I’ll keep it to myself, I won’t tell anyone. How many years have I been in this business? Do you think I wouldn’t know?”

You don’t know, not right now. You even misunderstood what I just said. Woo-jin was frustrated. That feeling mixed with indifference, turning into extreme cynicism, and Choi Sung-gun, who met Woo-jin’s gaze, let out another long sigh.

Then, he recalled Kang Woo-jin’s words again.

‘CEO, actually, I’ve been acting… no, I’ve been performing all this time.’

It was a line that made everything understandable. Yes, he had lived such a life. Choi Sung-gun felt both weary and sorry for Kang Woo-jin.

‘Middle school, high school, university, and even work. If he had lived as his true self, it would have been hard for him to fit in.’

The current Kang Woo-jin was the real one, and even now, he wasn’t exactly normal. His personality was quite eccentric. If he didn’t have his monstrous abilities, including his acting skills, he would have become an outcast long ago.

‘He might have been ostracized.’

Even now, Woo-jin was said to be slightly softened or more cheerful.

“…”

It was clear that if he hadn’t pretended to be ordinary, he would have been completely excluded from the world. On top of that, Woo-jin had not only acting skills but also a singing voice that rivaled singers, multiple language skills that were jaw-dropping, and the chilling Midas touch [ability to achieve success in any venture], among other things. He had too much.

This was beyond extraordinary; it was enough to believe he was an alien.

If the people around Kang Woo-jin knew about his extraordinary nature, what would they say? And on top of that, his personality was extremely dark? People tend to see others as abnormal if they are different from themselves. Kang Woo-jin must have had to hide himself even more.

‘That’s why he lived while acting ‘ordinary’… I would have done the same.’

Most top actors take an elite course and receive acting education in a controlled environment. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin had literally poured his life into learning acting in a combative way. For over 20 years.

In a way, he was the wild itself.

At this point, Choi Sung-gun understood why Kang Woo-jin never got excited about anything and why he was indifferent to any situation.

‘He’s been rolling around in the wild for over 20 years, what would scare him?’

He also vaguely realized that there might be a reason why he didn’t want to talk about his past. Of course, it was just his own speculation. Anyway, no one, absolutely no one, had noticed that Woo-jin’s ordinariness was an act. That’s how perfect it was.

Soon, Choi Sung-gun, who had willingly immersed himself in the swamp of misunderstanding.

-Swish.

His gaze fell on the transparent file in Woo-jin’s hand. The eyewitness accounts of the people who had been with him. Choi Sung-gun thought.

‘He lived as an ordinary Kang Woo-jin, but suddenly, he showed his true self… it’s understandable that these kinds of words would come out.’

He had lived while acting until the design company, but now that he had become an actor, where acting was his main job, he no longer needed to act.

‘He’s returned to his true self.’

Choi Sung-gun, now swimming in the swamp, raised his eyes again. He saw Kang Woo-jin’s indifferent face.

“You were born to be an actor. Self-taught acting. I really didn’t know it was self-taught in that sense. It’s so far-fetched, I can’t even fathom it.”

As expected, a monster. Not an abnormal monster, but a monster that was purely admirable. That feeling was reflected in Choi Sung-gun’s eyes.

From that warm gaze.

‘…Ah.’

Kang Woo-jin lost his will to fight.

Something flashed right before his eyes. Was it light? No, it wasn’t. It was a snowball of misunderstanding. It was too fast and too big to handle. At least, that’s how Kang Woo-jin felt.

He resigned himself.

‘Whether it’s a concept or a misunderstanding, no one will believe me even if I tell them everything.’

It was as if a god was orchestrating the situation, saying, ‘Nope, not gonna happen.’ Woo-jin realized that confessing his true self was just a waste of breath.

‘I don’t care, do whatever you want now.’

If the result was the same whether he told the truth or played along with the concept, it might be better to go all out. With the concept, the misunderstanding, and everything else. Let’s see how far it can go, just once. It was when Kang Woo-jin was solidifying his resolve.

“Woo-jin.”

Choi Sung-gun, who seemed slightly resigned, leaned his head against the passenger seat and spoke into the air.

“Pouring your life into it… well, whatever it is, it’s not something the company should interfere with.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah. It’s best to just bury it. It’s natural for me, and you shouldn’t go around telling people either. It’s better for you too.”

No one would believe me anyway, even if I went around telling them. As Woo-jin sighed inwardly, Choi Sung-gun, who had received the transparent file from his hand, opened his mouth.

“Most of them are attention seekers who leave these kinds of posts or comments. Maybe it’s based on malice or jealousy. It’s a waste to even call them acquaintances.”

He was talking about the people who had crossed paths with Kang Woo-jin in the past.

“However, even if I don’t dig it up, I can’t stop these unspecified people. It might keep increasing.”

“I guess so.”

“If it increases, there’s a chance that the press will smell it and come running, since you’re so popular right now. From movies to dramas, variety shows, and even Japan, they’re talking about you. They’re probably trying to dig up anything right now. It might be an unnecessary worry, though.”

Kang Woo-jin felt it again. The entertainment industry is terrifying. Regardless, Choi Sung-gun continued, taking out his phone.

“But in this industry, when the judgment is ambiguous, it’s better to assume it’s going to blow up and prepare for it.”

“Could this turn into an incident?”

“No? It’s not an incident. The media or the public just want entertainment. The weight of the matter doesn’t matter. Does an incident blow up every day in this industry?”

“…”

“During the off-season, they just mix up some issues or stimuli and throw them out there. The topic doesn’t matter. Why do rumors and gossip exist? They just grab a hot topic and slap on a clickbait title.”

These weren’t speculations or predictions. They were all words from Choi Sung-gun’s experience.

“Let’s say they release an article saying that your past and present are completely different. That clickbait will definitely spread because you’re popular. You’re crushing the top actors with your acting right now, aren’t you? Huh? They’ll say, ‘Wow, he’s good at acting!’ Then, titles like ‘Kang Woo-jin’s past was all an act?’ will definitely come out.”

“That might be true.”

“Or that you have a split personality. Whatever it is, if things blow up with those distorted articles, wouldn’t people be interested?”

They would, definitely. Kang Woo-jin deeply sympathized with this point. He was still a commoner at heart. He had also clicked on articles with sensational titles countless times.

“Whether a person gets hit by a stone and bleeds or not, this industry is all about attention. The people who wrote about you are the same. After hooking people in for a while, if the arrows turn to the media, do you know what they’ll say?”

When Kang Woo-jin remained silent, Choi Sung-gun snorted.

“A happening.”

“Ah.”

“It’s a crazy yet magical word. If you just say ‘it was a happening,’ most things are resolved. When the interest dies down, they turn their attention to something else. It repeats.”

“And I’ll be getting treatment after being hit by a stone.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been nodding slowly, suddenly chuckled.

“Well, I’m just saying this to tell you to be prepared or to be aware. Nothing might happen.”

He tapped his head.

“However, even if something happens, you just focus on acting, leave everything to me. I thought of a way while talking to you.”

“…What way?”

“It’s a long story. It’s about hiding your past while maximizing the scheduled issues. Killing two birds with one stone.”

Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened as he rubbed his hands together.

“The best way to cover an issue is with another issue.”

The next day.

From early morning, Japan, where Hanryang’s [Korean Wave] popularity was still hot, was buzzing. The reason was simple.

『Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro X Writer Takikawa Akari to meet as director and original author』

The new work of the master director Kyotaro, which had been kept secret, was officially announced. Of course, there were already rumors that he would release a new work. The key here was the world-renowned popular writer Akari.

『Takikawa Akari’s bestseller to be completed by director Tanoguchi Kyotaro』

The collaboration between director Kyotaro and writer Akari. They even announced the title.

『”The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger” to be made into a movie』

However, that was it. The cast, etc., was still a secret. Anyway, ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ was already a bestseller. It was enough to shake the whole of Japan.

Indeed, perhaps because of the power of the two giants, this news quickly decorated Japan’s portal sites.

The public’s firepower was also considerable. Their talk quickly set SNS on fire. Especially Akari’s fans were in an uproar.

Expectation, worry, or criticism.

There were many people who had read ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ and there were also many fans of Akari. In fact, there were more worries and criticisms than expectations.

They were worried about ruining the original work.

However, director Kyotaro’s recognition and reputation in Japan were also high. As a result, a sharp dispute broke out with numerous opinions. That atmosphere continued until at least lunchtime. The more it did, the more the interest in ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ soared.

It meant that it was being imprinted in the minds of the Japanese public.

It was so noisy, and the recognition of director Kyotaro and writer Akari was also quite high in Korea.

『[Overseas] Akari’s ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ to be made into a movie, directed by Japanese master Tanoguchi Kyotaro』

This news was also known in Korea. Of course, it wasn’t as explosive as in Japan, but articles were released moderately. However, except for those who knew the two giants, most of the Korean public had a lukewarm reaction. ‘Ah, is that so?’ was about it.

Instead, Korea was focused on something else.

-I’ve been waiting for Yoon PD’s new variety show ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜㅠㅠ

It was about PD Yoon Byung-sun’s new work. If Japan announced ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ in the morning, at the same time in Korea, PD Yoon Byung-sun’s new variety show was properly unveiled.

『’Yoon PD’s’ new variety show title revealed, titled ‘Our Table’』

The title was ‘Our Table.’ The exact planning intention was also included. The official article included a long explanation, but to summarize, it was ‘to introduce Korean food.’ Not in Korea, but overseas.

And around the afternoon of the same day.

『[Hot Issue] ‘Our Table’ lineup announced – Ahn Jong-hak, Ha Kang-soo, Yeon Baek-gwang, Hong Hye-yeon, Hwa-rin, and even Kang Woo-jin』

The ‘Our Table’ side released the confirmed lineup. It was enough to make the public’s jaws drop.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋAhn Jong-hakㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋAt this point, he’s definitely a civil servant on Yoon PD’s sideㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Wow… but the lineup is insane….?

-Ahn Jong-hak is one thing, but Ha Kang-soo, Hong Hye-yeon, Hwa-rin, and Yeon Baek-gwang?? And now they’ve added Kang Woo-jin

-Hong Hye-yeon and Hwa-rin? I heard they were originally close

-Seriously, we can’t just see Kang Woo-jin as a rookie anymoreㅋㅋㅋㅋㅅㅂHe’s taking over everything from dramas to movies and now variety showsㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I knew about Kang Woo-jin, but it’s still novel to see him mixed in thereㅋㅋㅋㅋWhy?

-ㅜㅡㅜㅡㅠㅜㅠㅜThe lineup is the best! I was having a hard time because there was nothing to watch after workㅜㅡㅜㅠㅠ

-I’m so curious how the chemistry between the cast and Yoon PD’s variety show will mix……

The cast of ‘Our Table’ was a mix of ‘expected’ and ‘unexpected.’ Especially Kang Woo-jin’s name was on fire even though it had been announced before.

Anyway, the expectations for star PD Yoon Byung-sun’s ‘Our Table’ were at their highest.

『[Star Pick] Bulldozer rookie ‘Kang Woo-jin’, what kind of charm will he show in Yoon Byung-sun PD’s variety show?』

As a result, Kang Woo-jin’s name value increased even more.

And at this time, at a domestic media company.

In the middle of a bustling media office, a reporter was seen reading an article about ‘Our Table’ with his chin propped up. He had a somewhat protruding lower jaw.

“Hmm—the lineup is good. Isn’t Hong Hye-yeon’s first time working with Yoon PD? Kang Woo-jin is just crushing everything everywhere.”

At this time, an old man passing by behind him shouted at him.

“Are you slacking off again?!”

“No, I’m not slacking off. I’m searching for articles right now.”

“Don’t search for articles, write them. You’re a reporter too, you idiot! Post something today, got it?!”

“Yes, yes.”

The reporter, who took a deep breath, scratched his chin and moved his mouse. He accessed SNS. It was routine. Or perhaps most entertainment reporters in Korea were like that. However, as if he had nothing to do, the reporter changed his destination.

The changed place was various online communities.

This wasn’t strange. Many reporters, including him, looked for news in online communities. Click, click. He went straight to the entertainment category. However, as if there was nothing to see here either, the reporter clicked his tongue.

“Tsk.”

That’s when it happened.

“Hmm?”

The reporter’s eyes lit up at one post.

-[I went to the same high school as Kang Woo-jin, and his personality is completely different nowㅇㅇ]

Then his fingers moved faster.

“What is this?”

Late afternoon of the same day.

A high-end Korean restaurant in Cheongdam-dong. About four or five people were sitting in the VIP room of a Korean restaurant with a garden. The interesting thing was that their language was Japanese.

“This is nice here.”

“Yes, it is. But PD-nim, is it okay to eat such expensive food when we came for a meeting?”

“…You’re the ones who invited us here.”

It was natural. They were the production team of Japan’s national talk show, ‘Ametalk Show!’ They had just arrived in Korea yesterday for the meeting.

Around this time.

“Translator.”

A skinny PD from the production team spoke to the translation staff.

“During the meeting, we’ll speak slowly, so please tell us everything in detail without missing anything.”

“Yes, I understand.”

It was when the translation staff nodded.

-Knock knock, slide.

The door of the room slid open, and the actor they had been waiting for appeared. It was Kang Woo-jin, wearing a thin shirt. As soon as they saw him, the entire ‘Ametalk Show!’ production team stood up, and Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, stood in front of the table and greeted them in a low tone.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin. I’m sorry, the staff member told me the wrong room.”

At the same time, the eyes of the female writers and the translator widened. As if infected, the skinny PD opened his mouth slightly and was also flustered.

‘What, what?! He wasn’t a Korean actor? Why is his Japanese so natural?!’

The ‘Ametalk Show!’ team was hit with a twist from the start.

End