I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 119

It was about two people, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol.’ To be precise, it was the acting Kang Woo-jin displayed at the reading session with about a hundred people. He was a person of interest in ‘Island of the Missing.’ There was a lot of talk and high interest.

Because the casting process was so unconventional.

Moreover, he was currently the hottest actor in the domestic entertainment industry. The eyes of actors and staff couldn’t help but be focused on Kang Woo-jin.

So, most of the staff had these thoughts while looking at Woo-jin.

‘He must be feeling pressured.’

A sense of burden or pressure. Most of the hundred or so people felt similarly, except for Director Kwon Ki-taek and Ryu Jung-min. However, it took only a moment for Woo-jin to turn the atmosphere around.

Everyone’s posture and attitude were reset.

‘What, what is that? It’s too absurd?’

‘There’s not even a hint of hesitation or worry. Was he not burdened at all from the start?’

‘Indeed… that’s why Director Kwon chose him. He’s the real deal.’

‘Without being intimidated by this heavy atmosphere, he’s rather overwhelming it?’

No, Kang Woo-jin was feeling incredibly pressured.

‘Ugh—these gazes are so burdensome.’

But he suppressed it. He pushed it down. It was like a desperate struggle, and somehow, a sense of defiance arose. If he could overcome this situation, he could become even stronger.

Anyway, the reading continued.

Only professionals had gathered here. It wasn’t a set where a momentary shock could shake things up. Soon, starting with Ryu Jung-min, several actors began to deliver their lines without pause. It gradually heated up. The air conditioning was running at full power, but the heat intensified. Some actors were wiping away sweat.

Ryu Jung-min spoke his line to Kang Woo-jin.

“Jin Seon-cheol, aren’t you going to get it together? If it’s too hard, you can be excused.”

Kang Woo-jin met Ryu Jung-min’s eyes. An awkward but earnest smile spread across his face. Like a screw was loose.

“Y-yes, I can do it, Company Commander!”

“Are you sure?”

“Y-y-yes, sir!”

“You’re a Private First Class now, so tighten up your gut, huh? If it’s really hard, just say so.”

“Y-yes, y-yes, I understand.”

However, the texture of ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ was strangely aggressive. There was something about him that made people uncomfortable. As if to prove it, Kang Woo-jin’s eyes turned fierce in an instant.

“Damn it, you lieutenant bastard.”

‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ was basically timid. However, there was a ferocious beast lurking inside. But to the eye, the boundary line was not clear.

But the scent was there.

That subtle scent made the other person feel uncomfortable. It was a build-up. The acting Kang Woo-jin was doing now wasn’t about showing two people right away, but rather expressing a shadow, slowly or in some unknown way.

Ha Yu-ra, who had followed an elite path, narrowed her brow.

‘He’s showing such a repulsive character so easily?’

When people look at each other, there are times when they want to avoid someone. Even if they don’t cause any harm or create any problems, there are people who are uncomfortable. Kang Woo-jin was exactly like that now. A little below ‘average.’ That ambiguous boundary was gradually seeping in.

Ha Yu-ra, with her brow narrowed, spoke to Kang Woo-jin, or rather, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol.’

“Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol. What are you doing standing there blankly?”

Startled, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ stammered.

“T-that, um—I’m sorry.”

“……What about what I told you to do this morning?”

“Ah, ah, ah—I’ll do it r-right now.”

“Ha—okay.”

There was a difference in the gaze of ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ as he saluted. The intensity varied depending on who he was looking at. The actors who were directly interacting with Woo-jin could feel it.

‘He’s changing his gaze little by little, is he really changing it depending on who he’s looking at?’

He distinguished between those he could slightly disregard and those he couldn’t. He showed it through his gaze. At this moment, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol,’ who had exchanged lines with Ha Yu-ra, mumbled. He was chewing on something.

It was a piece of flesh from inside his mouth.

After spitting it out, he made a harsh sound that was completely different from his usual voice.

“You bitch.”

At this, Director Kwon Ki-taek, sitting at the head of the table, stroked his chin.

‘Did he plan out the voice emphasis, rhythm, tone, pronunciation, and vocalization separately?’

Kang Woo-jin was even controlling the voices of his two personas. Soon, when his turn was over, he returned to his usual self like a ghost. He calmly flipped through the script.

At this, Director Kwon Ki-taek raised the corners of his mouth.

‘There weren’t two people, but three sitting there.’

It was to the point where he seemed like a multiple personality.

The next day, August 4th.

Japan was buzzing with ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ a bestseller by Akari Takikawa, directed by the master director Kyotaro, and the sudden article that was released yesterday.

『Korean Actor Cast as Lead in Takikawa Akari’s Original Work, “The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger” Directed by Tanoguchi Kyotaro, Who is the Korean Actor?』

This article was first uploaded on Japan’s number one portal site. It was proudly displayed on the main page of the entertainer section. And now, the number had increased significantly.

It was a hot topic in Japan, and because it was on the main page, the Japanese public responded instantly.

In real time.

-Is this article true? Is a Korean actor really going to be in it?

-I don’t think so, this news is probably just a rumor.

-Not a supporting role but the lead?? If this is true, I wonder which actor was cast???

-No matter who comes to act, just don’t ruin ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’……

-If it’s the lead, will it be a top Korean actor? Who was cast? I’m curious!!

-This is a bit of a sudden article, how long has it been since a Korean actor appeared in a Japanese movie?

-A Korean actor is going to act in Japanese that they practiced? It’s going to be awkward, right?

-This is likely a fake article

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The speed at which comments were being posted was like light. Dozens of responses were being updated every few seconds. The intensity was higher than yesterday. It was proof that the interest was high. Perhaps because of this? This article spread rapidly to social media, with tags and shares following one after another.

[@__29yyy__]

[(Article Link) Is this article real!!!? Can we get excited? A Korean actor is going to be in it? As a K-drama fan, I’m totally welcoming it!!]

It spread diversely across various social media platforms, not just one. It even quickly changed the search rankings of the social media with the highest number of users. ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ had already created sharp conflicts just by being produced.

This news was like fanning the flames.

The reaction of the Japanese public was split in half. It was clearly divided into negative and positive. As a result, the recognition of ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ exploded. It was a twist that had properly seeped in with shock.

No, suddenly a Korean actor? And the lead?

Well, it’s not like there haven’t been any Korean actors in the Japanese film industry, but there weren’t many, and this was too sudden and unexpected. ‘Fresh shock’ was a nice way of putting it, but it was ultimately ‘unfamiliarity.’

Unfamiliarity takes some time to digest.

The positive and negative reactions of the Japanese public could be judged by whether they had accepted the unfamiliar. In other words, it was about the Korean Wave [Hallyu, the increase in global popularity of South Korean culture].

However, the good thing was.

-I’m really in favor of it? All the Japanese actors these days do the same acting? I only watch Korean dramas these days!

That the positive aspects were gradually increasing. Just as the issue was rapidly spreading across all of Japan’s social media and communities.

“This article keeps spreading, is it for real? Anyone can see that this is just fake news, right?”

“Could it be that the film company deliberately leaked it? For promotional purposes.”

Various media outlets in Japan were already seething.

“Suddenly a Korean actor?! Were there any rumors going around?!”

“Not at all!”

From yesterday to today, those who had come across this article were trying to figure out the situation.

“Which media outlet released the article?!!”

“I’ll check it out!”

“Contact ‘Toega’ film company too! Find out if it’s true or not!”

From large to medium and small. Regardless of size, many media outlets in Japan moved quickly. That’s how huge the influence of Director Kyotaro and writer Akari was in Japan.

“Suddenly a Korean actor?? Even if Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro is a weirdo… it’s too far-fetched?? Did writer Akari give her confirmation for this?”

So far, only the title, director, and production confirmation of ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ had been announced. Nothing had been revealed about the actors or the content of the work. So, the atmosphere was leaning towards it being a rumor, but.

『Korean Actor Cast in “The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger”? Controversy Spreads』

They released similar articles anyway. Similar articles were being mass-produced like crazy.

『Korean Actor in “The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger”? Bestseller Fans Tilt Their Heads』

Smelling the scent of stimulation and moving quickly was the same in Japan and Korea. No, maybe it was the same all over the world. Anyway, this novel issue quickly crossed the internet and spread to the Japanese entertainment industry.

From various broadcasting stations.

“I heard Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro picked a Korean actor?”

“Ehh—really? I saw the movie production article a few days ago, but ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ is a very well-selling book, right?? Suddenly a Korean actor is a bit out of the blue.”

“This—it’s probably fake news, right?”

Japanese actors who were still filming at this time.

“Look at this, Director Tanoguchi has done it again.”

“Hmm? Ah, isn’t this just a promotional rumor?”

“Did the film company intentionally spread it? It’s too detailed for that. If they spread it like this and then retract it later, they’re bound to be hated by the public.”

“Still, would they really cast a Korean actor in ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’? Even as the lead?”

“If it’s true.”

“……It’ll be several times more chaotic than it is now.”

Of course, many agencies and production companies in Japan were not quiet either. This was what happened in just two days after the article broke. It was overheating even at this moment.

It was certain that it would be even more chaotic in the future.

On the other hand, one of the parties involved in this typhoon-like issue, Director Kyotaro, with his gray hair.

“……Hmm.”

He was sitting alone in the meeting room of ‘Toega’ film company, which was producing ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.’ The atmosphere was very still. He was just watching the current typhoon-like situation on his phone. It was like the eye of the storm. Though he was the person involved, he was calm as if it were someone else’s business.

Then, he suddenly put down his phone and, recalling the man with the ponytail, muttered in Japanese.

“Did he say it needs to be maintained like this for about a week?”

It was a nuance as if he had intended everything.

Meanwhile, at the Japanese private broadcasting station TBE.

A gaunt man came out of the director’s office with a short sigh. It was Shinjo Shiiki, the PD [Producer Director] of ‘Ametalk Show!’ As soon as he came out of the director’s office, the female writers flocked to him.

“PD-nim, what did the director say?”

“His expression doesn’t look good—did he tell you to scrap the project??”

Shinjo PD gave a small smile to the worried writers.

“No, he said to go ahead with it. It seems he’s more interested in the ‘K-Drama Week’ project than Kang Woo-jin.”

“That’s a relief!”

Just as the writers were showing relief, Shinjo PD sat down at the cluttered desk and listed the things to do.

“First, let’s inform Woo-jin about the confirmation. And Yuki-san, let’s revise the project together, set the filming date, and finalize the format. It seems like we need to make a decision by the end of today.”

“We’ll have to stay up all night.”

“Haha, is it just one or two days? Oh, and we need to pay attention to the audience part too. We’ll accept applicants, but.”

“You mean we should pick mainly the fans who are free?”

Shinjo PD picked up a transparent file and stood up.

“That’s right, it would be good if there were many of Woo-jin’s fans, if possible.”

“Understood—Ah, we won’t need a separate interpreter, right?”

“Judging by Woo-jin’s Japanese skills, it doesn’t seem like there will be any major problems, but just in case, let’s hire one.”

Shinjo PD moved to the meeting room with the writers who were making notes of the things to do. Meanwhile, the main writer clapped her hands and spoke again.

“PD-nim! Did you see the article about Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro?? That he cast a Korean actor in his new work!”

Since it was an issue that was already turning Japan upside down, Shinjo PD nodded.

“I saw it this morning, the director mentioned it briefly too. It seems like it’ll be noisy for a while. Just Tanoguchi Kyotaro alone is a big deal, and it’s based on Takikawa Akari’s original work.”

“I also enjoyed reading ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ a lot, so I was really looking forward to the movie being made, but a Korean actor is a bit out of the blue.”

“What’s the general public reaction like?”

“I don’t know exactly, but it seems like it’s half and half, there’s a lot of cursing and also words of anticipation. Anyway, social media and communities are a mess, all talking about it.”

Shinjo PD, opening the door to the meeting room, shrugged his shoulders as if it were someone else’s business.

“Since the director and the original author are so famous and the scale is so big, well, it’s only natural. Anyway, they’ve properly increased their promotional power with the controversy.”

“It’s a complete twist! Who would have thought a Korean actor would get involved in that? It must be one of the top actors. Right?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, is it? There hasn’t been an official statement.”

“That’s true, but… it’s too absurd for a rumor. I think it’s real! Ah! If that article is real, we should definitely try to cast that Korean actor, right?”

“It’ll be difficult if he’s a top actor.”

Soon, Shinjo PD pointed to the transparent file he had opened with his index finger.

“Let’s focus on getting things sorted out with Woo-jin first. We don’t have time to worry about other things.”

Two days later, Thursday the 6th.

At the university filming location of ‘Male Friend,’ which was already in the mid-to-late stages of filming. The ‘Male Friend’ filming team had set up in the hallways and classrooms.

“Hi—cue!”

They were currently filming light everyday scenes of Hwa-rin and the supporting actors, and Kang Woo-jin was scheduled to be put in the next scene, so he was getting his makeup touched up on one side. At that time, a female staff member who was patting Woo-jin’s face with a pad asked.

“Woo-jin, did you see that article? What was it saying? That Woo-jin has a dual personality. Isn’t it absurd? Once you get popular, all sorts of nonsense starts going around.”

A staff member assisting her next to her chimed in.

“Ah, I saw that too. In another article, it said that his entire past was an act?”

“It’s like the media in this industry never changes. The routine is the same, really. And the comments are a sight to behold.”

“It’s all because Woo-jin is doing so well. They just leave malicious comments for fun, regardless of facts.”

“Ugh, it’s tiring. Woo-jin, don’t pay any attention to that stuff. It’ll die down soon anyway. Well, it doesn’t seem like Woo-jin would be shaken at all. He’s so solid.”

Kang Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, replied appropriately in a low voice.

“Ah—yes. I don’t really care.”

And he really didn’t. He couldn’t completely ignore it, but Choi Seong-geon said he would take care of it, so it would be fine. When Woo-jin, who had finished his makeup, turned around.

“Woo-jin-ah.”

Choi Seong-geon with his ponytail was there. He was smiling and gesturing for him to come over. What is it? Woo-jin, wondering, went over, and Choi Seong-geon whispered in his ear.

“‘Ametalk Show!’ contacted us, it’s confirmed that you’ll be on it alone. For now, it’s likely to be at the end of August. Since it’s a pre-recorded show, we can adjust the schedule.”

That wasn’t the end of the news.

“And the editing of your cover songs is done.”

Already? He was a little surprised, but Woo-jin pretended to be calm and replied.

“That was fast.”

“The arrangement was good, and your skills are amazing from the start. Let’s go check it out after your schedule is over today. Now all that’s left is to upload it—oh, but what are you going to name your channel?”

YouTube channel name. He hadn’t thought about it at all? Then, after looking at Choi Seong-geon solemnly for a moment, Woo-jin’s mouth slowly opened.

“‘Kang Woo-jin’s Alt Account’?”

End