I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 12

The bearded Song Man-woo PD, having taken his seat, immediately started ordering.

“If you come to a chicken feet place, you gotta order chicken feet, you punk.”

Then, he poured soju [Korean rice wine] into the empty glass of the square-jawed director sitting across from him.

“It’s true that humans are creatures of their environment. If you’re pathetic, you’ll end up feeling pathetic.”

The square-jawed director scratched his head awkwardly.

“You already know, hyung [older brother or close male friend], that I’m in a pathetic state right now. Why are you pretending otherwise?”

“You crazy bastard. Hey, Shin Dong-chun. You’ve lost all your edge?”

Song Man-woo PD and Shin Dong-chun director were quite close and both came from the same SBC drama department. While not as big as the big-shot Song Man-woo PD, Shin Dong-chun was also a PD with a decent filmography back then. However, Shin Dong-chun had always had a dream.

To make movies.

However, while dramas and movies may seem similar at first glance, they are clearly different fields. There are cases where drama PDs [Production Directors] go into the movie industry or movie directors go into dramas, but in reality, only the success stories are visible, and there are dozens of times more failures.

It was by no means an easy path. A very difficult career change.

But director Shin Dong-chun boldly chose the path of film. Perhaps he was bold because he was in a stable period as a drama PD. Or maybe because he was single. Whatever the reason, despite the objections of those around him, director Shin Dong-chun went ahead with his screenplay work. Of course, after leaving SBC.

The screenplay completed through that work was ‘Errand Agency’.

Two years later. Shin Dong-chun’s ‘Errand Agency’ drifted for about two years without being able to do anything. He had hit the wall of reality. In the movie industry, it was close to a miracle for a short or independent film to be produced right away. A long hiatus. Even worse, misfortune piled up during that time. He was scammed by someone who approached him from a film company, and his parents’ guarantee went wrong.

Somehow, director Shin Dong-chun became penniless. Misfortunes piled up and hit him all at once.

In fact, he deserved praise for being mentally sound right now. Was it finally seeing the light? Fortunately, Shin Dong-chun’s ‘Errand Agency’ recently managed to get a respirator [a chance to be produced].

Of course, there’s a bit of a fishy smell coming from that respirator, which is a problem.

Anyway, just as the ordered chicken feet were being generously set up, director Shin Dong-chun asked Song Man-woo PD, who was filling his glass.

“By the way, is writer Park doing well?”

“Of course, she’s doing well. She’s busy writing the script.”

“They must be in the middle of casting for ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ right now. How many parts of the script have come out?”

“Roughly- about 2 or 3 parts.”

“They’ll be doing the reading and filming soon.”

“By tomorrow, the confirmed stuff will be in the news.”

At this point, Song Man-woo PD picked up a chicken foot and casually continued.

“Hey, how’s your short film ‘Errand Agency’ coming along?”

“It’s still tough.”

“If it’s that tough, quit and join our drama’s B team. If we talk to C Blue Studio, it’s totally possible to bring you in as an external PD.”

Usually, being a drama B team PD has various meanings. It could mean being a fill-in or a PD who caused problems, etc. There are also negative connotations. But being on the B team of the big-shot Song Man-woo PD was different. It was guaranteed to be a hit. The current setup itself was already huge.

Nevertheless, director Shin Dong-chun shook his head.

“The staff will talk behind my back. You’ll get criticized for helping me out.”

“You little punk, you gotta live first. Look at your face. You’re half the man you used to be. What is it? What’s the situation? Tell me.”

Soon, director Shin Dong-chun, letting out a long sigh, explained the current situation in a somewhat abbreviated way.

“Luckily, an investor has come forward.”

“I heard the production cost for that movie was about 30 million? That’s great, but?”

“40 million. And that’s not even certain. It could be more. Even though it’s a short film, it’s about 50 minutes long. Anyway, that investor is from an entertainment company, and they’re asking for one of their actors to be cast in exchange for the investment.”

“…Well, that’s something that always happens when you’re a PD. What’s so new about it?”

“They want a few rookies and Park Jung-hyuk as the main male lead.”

At that moment, Song Man-woo PD frowned.

“That drunkard? The guy who ruined himself with his fists? Then that investor must be GGO Entertainment.”

“That’s right.”

After hearing the situation, Song Man-woo PD immediately gave an answer. He was the top predator in the entertainment industry as a director.

“They’re trying to launder him. They want to purify Park Jung-hyuk’s image by making him start over from the bottom. If they spend 40-50 million to save Park Jung-hyuk, it’s a profitable deal.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had downed a shot of soju roughly, laughed as if he had given up.

“That ‘Errand Agency’ is the platform for that deal… It’s just… I didn’t spend years bleeding for some guy like Park Jung-hyuk to be laundered.”

“…”

If an actor with a history of violent assault is cast as the male lead, even if it’s a short film, the waters of ‘Errand Agency’ will be muddied. Of course, the result could be good in some way, but the stigma of being a ‘laundering’ project would not be erased.

More than anything, it was also a denial of the efforts and patience of director Shin Dong-chun, who had been bleeding for years.

Here.

“Hmm-”

Song Man-woo PD, who had been looking at director Shin Dong-chun across from him with his arms crossed, suddenly opened his mouth.

“Should I introduce you to an actor?”

“Huh?? No, aren’t all the actors around you top stars?”

“Still. It’s not like top stars don’t look at independent or short film scripts. I heard Hong Star still gets independent scripts.”

“Well, that makes sense for Hong Hye-yeon, who’s so eager to act.”

“But the one I’m going to introduce isn’t one of those top stars, it’s someone else. I don’t know if he’ll do it though.”

“…Who?”

At the question, Song Man-woo PD thought of the unique actor he had negotiated with a few days ago.

“He’s an actor we cast in our drama. It was hard to get him. His name is Kang Woo-jin. He’s new, so you probably don’t know him.”

“Kang Woo-jin? I don’t think I’ve heard of him. He must be a good rookie. But it’s okay. If he’s in your drama, he must be riding a wave. There’s no way he’d do a short film with nothing to it. He wouldn’t. He’d be too busy riding the wave.”

“…He’s someone who’s going to blow up when our drama airs. If we get him now, we might get a new investor. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Then, director Shin Dong-chun let out a long sigh.

“It’s been 2 years. No, almost 3 years. As you know, a lot has happened to me during that time. I’m tired of my ‘Errand Agency’ being ignored.”

He roughly downed his soju.

“I’m a bit exhausted, hyung.”

The next day.

As soon as Tuesday morning dawned, the entertainment news was buzzing. The issue was that the works that had been confirmed for the past few days were being released.

『[Issue Pick] Hit-maker, star writer Park Eun-mi’s new work has its framework』

『Will writer Park Eun-mi x PD Song Man-woo make it big again? The new drama’s cast lineup is spectacular』

It was about ‘Profiler Han-ryang’. It had been about 5 days since Kang Woo-jin had signed on for the role of Park Dae-ri. After that, PD Song Man-woo had sped things up.

『’Hit writer 1-tier’ Park Eun-mi’s new work news has viewers already excited/photo』

With Hong Hye-yeon, who was confirmed from the start, at the forefront, the blueprint for most of the actors was clear, and the rest was mostly contract negotiations. C Blue Studio was using the confirmed ones for promotion.

In other words, the promotion for ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ had officially begun.

『[Exclusive] ‘Writer Park Eun-mi’s’ new lineup revealed… ‘Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon’ as the two leads』

『Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, Jang Tae-san, and Lee Do-jung, ‘Writer Park Eun-mi’s’ new work features a large number of top actors!』

Furthermore.

『[Entertainment Issue] Writer Park Eun-mi’s new work to premiere as early as May, production team says “The initial script is already out”』

They vaguely hinted at the first broadcast date, stimulating the public’s curiosity. In the meantime, there was also an article that stimulated a bit of curiosity.

『’Writer Park Eun-mi’ makes a meaningful declaration in an interview, “There will be a proper scene-stealing actor in this work”』

Anyway, from Tuesday morning, the entertainment news was ablaze with ‘Profiler Han-ryang’, and the public’s curiosity and anticipation exploded to the extreme.

While the power of the big-shot Song Man-woo PD was also a factor, the ultra-star writer Park Eun-mi was a big deal to the public.

In fact, the writer was more prominent than the director in any hit drama. But this was a natural flow. That’s why the media emphasized that it was writer Park Eun-mi, who had produced numerous hits.

Around early lunch on the same day, the official drama title was also revealed.

『Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, Jang Tae-san, Lee Do-jung, etc. join Park Eun-mi’s new work… Title is ‘Profiler Han-ryang’』

This news, which quickly heated up, quickly spread to various areas. Not only on social media but also on YouTube, etc. Even on YouTube, it was ranked in the real-time video rankings. These were videos from so-called ‘Wrecker YouTubers’ who covered issues.

And just by looking at the comments on those videos, you could feel the public’s anticipation.

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠI’ve been waiting for this drama since the rumors startedㅠㅠㅠFinally!!!

-Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon as the leads… but the writer is Park Eun-mi? It’s already epic…. What’s the first broadcast date?

-I heard writer Park Eun-mi mentioned a scene-stealing actor in an interviewㅋㅋㅋI wonder what kind of twist she’ll give us this time….

-Writer Park Eun-mi’s new work…? It can’t be an ordinary dramaㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋI want to see it soon

-Wait? Park Eun-mi is the writer and Song Man-woo is the director?? But the leads are Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon???? This is a guaranteed hit from the start

-But why is Hong Hye-yeon getting prettier and prettier?????

-The lineup of supporting actors is crazy too!

-ㅎㅎㅎㅎㅎI love this writer so much! I’m always cheering you on!

·

·

·

As expected of a work with big names, an enormous amount of attention was focused on it in a short time. And.

『’Profiler Han-ryang’ receives a flood of attention with the start of promotion… Will it be the best drama of the year?』

This was just the beginning of the promotion.

In the early afternoon of the same day. Blue Vision Film Company.

It was around 3 o’clock. The square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun was sitting alone in the shabby Blue Vision Film Company. It seemed like he was waiting for someone.

He was.

“Amazing, amazing.”

He was checking the news articles related to ‘Profiler Han-ryang’, which was in an uproar right now. He was happy for his close hyung, but also envious.

Then.

“But they said they’d be here at 3, why aren’t they here?”

Director Shin Dong-chun grumbled. According to the representative of Blue Vision Film Company, Park, the manager from GGO Entertainment, the investor, was supposed to arrive around 3 o’clock. Bringing some rookies to push. But it was past 3:05 and there was no sign of them.

At this, director Shin Dong-chun let out a slightly annoyed sigh.

“They think they’re the boss.”

Ten minutes later. It was 3:20, but the people who were supposed to come hadn’t arrived. Soon, director Shin Dong-chun, clicking his tongue, was about to get up to take out a cigarette when.

-Knock knock.

Finally, there was a response. Someone knocked on the iron door. Thanks to that, he let out a short sigh and opened the iron door, and a man with an indifferent face was standing in front of the door. Director Shin Dong-chun scanned the man up and down.

‘He’s tall. He’s… not bad? No, his features are decent.’

The man looked over 180cm tall, with a clean jawline and short hair. However, his impression was a bit cynical. Anyway, director Shin Dong-chun immediately recognized that he was one of the rookies that GGO Entertainment was bringing. There was no one else who would come at this time.

“You said you’d be here at 3? You’re a bit late.”

Director Shin Dong-chun muttered with a forced smile. On the other hand, the rookie man tilted his head slightly.

“Are you talking about me?”

“No, it’s nothing. But where’s manager Park? Did he go to buy coffee or something? Come in for now.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had muttered to himself, guided the rookie into the shabby film company. Soon, the rookie man also slowly followed behind him.

Before they knew it, the two of them.

-Swoosh.

Were sitting facing each other at the central four-person desk. At the same time, director Shin Dong-chun made eye contact with the rookie man across from him.

“The profile- manager Park will show it to me.”

He checked the time again. Manager Park was supposed to bring a few rookies. Director Shin Dong-chun thought that if more rookies came besides him, he could save some time.

Besides, the rookie man sitting in front of him was in better condition than he had expected.

‘Anyway, the acting of rookies trained like factories is all the same. He seems cold and has a heavy feel- but that’s different from acting.’

His expectations for acting were at rock bottom. GGO Entertainment was a big company, but it was famous for having many bland rookies. That’s why the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun casually asked the rookie man across from him.

“While we’re waiting for manager Park, shall we take a look at your acting? You did prepare, right? You didn’t just come to show your face.”

Then, the poker-faced rookie man was still for a few seconds before nodding.

“I do have some acting to show you.”

“Okay. Then show me. It doesn’t matter if it’s short.”

Watching acting that was trained like a factory would be boring no matter how long you watched it. At this time, director Shin Dong-chun was thinking just that much.

However.

-Swoosh.

The twist was instantaneous. As soon as the rookie man across from him started acting, director Shin Dong-chun.

“…Huh?”

Gradually.

“…??”

His eyes widened slowly.

“???”

When the rookie man finished his acting calmly, it had turned into an enormous shock. Director Shin Dong-chun was so surprised that he didn’t even blink his wide eyes.

He just stared at the man sitting in front of him.

On the other hand.

“That’s it for here.”

The rookie man announced the end in a very solemn voice. But director Shin Dong-chun’s shock did not subside.

‘What, what did I just… see?’

He was a seasoned drama PD. He had seen so many actors that he was sick of them. But it was the first time he had been so mesmerized by someone’s acting.

‘It’s like I saw the character I wrote in front of me… or maybe even more than that.’

It felt like the character in the scenario had popped out and was talking to him. That’s how vivid the rookie man’s acting was. In other words, a type of acting he had never seen before.

No, did GGO Entertainment really train someone like this? Is that even possible??

Soon.

“…Um, excuse me.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with his eyes wide open, opened his mouth with difficulty.

“How long have you been with GGO Entertainment?”

At the same time.

-Thud!

The film company’s iron door opened quite forcefully. The one who opened the door was a somewhat chubby man. He was followed by two young-looking men and women.

“Haha, director Shin! I’m a bit late!”

The chubby man shouted cheerfully. He seemed to be the manager Park. The ones he brought were rookies. Anyway, manager Park looked back and forth between director Shin Dong-chun and the man sitting in front of him and shouted again.

“Oh my! Are you in a meeting? Who is the person in front of you? An actor?”

At this, director Shin Dong-chun, with his eyebrows twitching, turned his gaze to the indifferent man across from him.

“Manager Park… doesn’t know you?”

The expressionless face of the man in front of him remained unchanged.

“I don’t know him either.”

“Huh? What?”

Such a man continued to speak in a rather cold tone.

“I think you’ve made a mistake.”

“A mistake? Me?”

“Yes. I don’t know that person either.”

“…Huh? No, what is this? Then who?”

Then the man muttered in a very low and heavy voice. His upright spirit was like that of a big shot.

“My name is Kang Woo-jin.”