I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 121

A rookie, not a top actor? The three reporters were momentarily stunned by Director Kyotaro’s words, which seemed to carry a weight of seriousness.

“……?”

“……Huh?”

However, Director Kyotaro’s indifferent expression didn’t change. It wasn’t a joke. Soon, the reporters exchanged glances, their eyes communicating quickly.

‘Well, he doesn’t seem to be joking?’

‘A rookie?? The fact that a Korean actor joined was already big news, but they cast a rookie as the lead?’

‘Why a rookie and not a top star??’

It was understandable. A rookie, not a top Korean actor, had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Why? Why on earth? With Director Kyotaro and writer Akari’s names, they could have easily brought in top stars. In this confusing situation, one of the reporters hesitantly asked again, his tone incredulous.

“D-Director. So, is it true that a Korean actor was cast in ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ and that it’s definitely a rookie actor, not a top star?”

Again, Director Kyotaro’s answer was short and clear.

“That’s correct.”

“H-How about the language barrier? Even with practice, I think there will definitely be some awkwardness.”

“There’s no problem.”

“…May I ask what the selection process was?”

“It’s difficult to tell you the details.”

“Director, it’s rare for a rookie to take the lead even in our country. But if it’s a Korean rookie, it would be unprecedented. Could you explain it to some extent?”

“No, I’ll refrain from speaking because the process is too complex and could lead to misunderstandings.”

The reporters’ brows furrowed. At that moment, Director Kyotaro let out a small sigh and added.

“However, it’s a decision that I, as well as the original author, Ms. Takikawa Akari, have fully agreed on.”

“The writer too?”

“Yes. It’s more of a conviction than an agreement. Both the writer and I made our judgments after seeing the Korean rookie actor in person.”

“C-Can’t you tell us who it is?”

“It would be difficult for now.”

At this, a hint of dissatisfaction appeared in all the reporters’ eyes. Regardless, Director Kyotaro continued to speak calmly.

“I know that ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ is causing a lot of buzz right now. But all the production staff, including myself, are putting our hearts into making this project.”

“Ah- yes.”

“Please include a comment asking for understanding.”

The three reporters who heard the explanation had their eyes shining. Today’s interview was a very simple schedule, and they had just thrown out a question about the hot issue that was shaking Japan recently. They were planning to be satisfied with just a suitable comment.

But unexpectedly, a huge scoop was thrown at them.

The reporters then gave awkward smiles. It seemed like they were trying to wrap up the interview. Of course, Director Kyotaro was also satisfied because it was all a planned scene.

‘Those are the eyes of someone who has a scoop, that should be enough.’

Everything was going according to plan.

Back then.

Director Kyotaro’s statement, which included the phrase ‘Korean rookie actor,’ was released on the Japanese internet on the afternoon of the 14th, the same day.

『「Tanoguchi Kyotaro」 Finally Speaks on the Controversy, “The Korean Actor Casting is Correct, but it’s a Rookie Actor, Not a Top Star”』

Because it was such a large media company, it was immediately placed on the front page of the news. Of course, the title and article content were all extracted from Director Kyotaro’s interview. In other words, it was a fact. Even in the article content.

[“I can’t tell you everything yet, but it’s confirmed that a Korean actor has joined ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.’ The role has already been assigned. It’s a male actor.”]

[“He is not a top Korean actor, he is a rookie.”]

Even the interview video of Director Kyotaro calmly reciting was attached. It was safe to say that it was Director Kyotaro’s official position, who had been silent about the controversy until now. In response, the Japanese media, which had been half-believing, rushed in all at once.

『The Casting of a Korean Actor as the Lead in 「Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger」 is Confirmed, but Why a Rookie Actor?』

『「Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger」 Chooses a Korean Rookie Actor as the Lead, an Unusual Choice for a Master』

Because a stamp of confirmation was placed on the issue that had spread like fake news or rumors.

『Why a Korean Rookie as the Lead? 「Takikawa Akari」 Still Silent』

Thanks to Director Kyotaro, who was at the center of all the controversy, speaking up, Japan was once again in an uproar. The funny thing was that Director Kyotaro had directly addressed the controversy, but instead, the questions began to explode. It was a case of controversy begetting controversy.

This was the same for both the Japanese media and public opinion.

-So it wasn’t fake news? More than that, if it’s a rookie and not a top actor, it makes even less sense, right?

-If it’s a rookie… why did they pick an actor from Korea… I don’t understand.

-Who is it!! Tell us right now, Director!!

-It seems like it’s the first time a Korean rookie actor has been cast as the lead.

-Director Tanoguchi, who did you bring???

-Really, I don’t think there’s ever been a case like this in the entire film industry, right?

-No, so who is that Korean rookie actor! Someone tell me!

Because it was such a big controversy, its impact was like a tsunami. It swept across Japan in an instant. Perhaps. No, it definitely grew several times larger than before.

And it didn’t take long for this enormous tsunami to cross over to Korea.

『[Exclusive] The Facts About ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ Are Out, Korean Actor Casting Confirmed… But a Rookie Actor?』

Around late at night on the 14th, past midnight, and until dawn on the 15th. The issue, with added facts, caused a big wave in Korea as well. The starting point was various online communities.

-(Repost) Japan is going crazy right now. It’s confirmed that the rumor that Director Kyotaro cast a Korean actor is true.

-Director Kyotaro directly stated that he cast a Korean actor! And even that it’s a Korean rookie!.jpg

Of course, this news spread rapidly throughout Korea. Especially this time, the media was more excited than the public.

『[Issue Check] Who is the Korean Rookie Actor Chosen by Director Kyotaro as the ‘Lead’?』

It was a different situation than before. The reason was simple. At first, there was a possibility that it was fake news, but this time, Director Kyotaro had directly released the facts.

At this point, it would be foolish for the domestic media to stay silent.

Isn’t that right? It was confirmed that the Japanese master Director Kyotaro had cast a Korean actor, and he had taken a rookie, not a top star, for a huge movie. The stimulus was enough, and the media was bound to rush in, eager for the story.

『’Rookie’ Who Took the Lead in ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ Interest Amplifies, Film Industry Insider Says “It’s Almost Unprecedented”』

Therefore, the domestic entertainment media was frantically publishing articles. From dawn to morning. Like in Japan, the domestic public was also in an uproar.

-Hullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll??

-What kind of issue is this?? But why a rookie out of nowhere?? LOL

-What the heckㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋDirector Kyo is originally pro-KoreanㅋㅋㅋㅋBut I didn’t know he’d bring a Korean rookie actorㅋㅋㅋㅋAnd as the leadㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Is this true?ㅋㅋㅋHas there ever been anything like this before??

-Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger, isn’t that book a super best seller?ㅋㅋㅋㅋThis is crazy, right?

-A Korean rookie actor was selected as the lead??? That’s insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-??But how will they handle the Japanese language, no matter who it is?? It’s a Japanese movie, it’s not something you can just learn roughly.

-Damn! I’m so curious! Netizen Conans [Internet detectives], go go go!!!

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Because it was unfamiliar and novel. And Choi Seong-geon also recognized this situation.

“Okay, the scale is starting to grow.”

It was the morning when he was going to pick up Kang Woo-jin, and Woo-jin, who was getting ready to go out, had also checked it on his phone.

“Ah- so this is how it unfolds? Awesome.”

On the same day, around noon on the 15th.

The location was a live cafe in Seoul. The lighting was generally a bit dark, and the size was quite large. The layout was roughly a small stage in the front, and various instruments were visible. The customers’ tables were arranged in a way that they could watch the stage.

In that live cafe, dozens of staff members gathered.

It was the ‘Guy Best Friend’ filming crew. Various equipment such as cameras and audio equipment were installed near the entrance of the live cafe.

-Swish.

The boom mic was raised.

Right now, the customers’ tables were completely empty, but they would be filled with extras later. That was planned to be filmed separately later. Anyway, the place where all the equipment was focused was where Hwa-rin and a male supporting actor were standing. Hwa-rin was wearing a denim jacket and denim skirt as her costume, and the male supporting actor looked to be in his 50s, and his role was the cafe owner.

Around this time.

“Let’s go!”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with a square jaw, who was sitting in front of the monitor among dozens of staff members, shouted.

“Hi- Action!”

The camera zoomed in on Hwa-rin. At the same time, Hwa-rin instantly transformed into the female lead ‘Lee Bo-min’ and grabbed the arm of the cafe owner standing nearby. Her expression was desperate.

“Boss! You said you’d play my song today, if you do this!”

On the other hand, the cafe owner was clearly showing disregard and annoyance.

“No! Ha- how many times do I have to say it! Huh?! The guy who was supposed to sing that song bailed! What am I supposed to do?!”

“…Are you not able to reach him at all??”

“Ugh, annoying! I’m pissed too. They think they’re some top singers, you know? Those lazy bums always disappear without a word!”

“T-Then, could you at least play the guide recording version! No, I’ll sing it! I will!”

“Hey, hey, calm down. Do you think you’re the only one like you here??”

The owner roughly shook off her hand, and ‘Lee Bo-min’ was desperate.

“Boss! Just once! Just once!”

“Hey, get lost! Hey, this is a live cafe, a live cafe! Why would I play a recording! Don’t stick to me and just look for another place!”

The owner pushed ‘Lee Bo-min’ away roughly.

Cut here, and then action was called again. The filming was repeated a couple of times with ‘Lee Bo-min’s angle and the cafe owner’s angle. The composition also changed a few times. Then, Director Shin Dong-chun announced the start of the scene again.

“Action!”

So that the scenes wouldn’t clash, starting from the owner roughly pushing ‘Lee Bo-min’.

Right at that moment.

-Tap, tap!

The sound of tapping on the microphone echoed throughout the live cafe. In response, ‘Lee Bo-min’ and the cafe owner turned their heads towards the stage. The camera did the same.

Soon, they saw a man standing on the stage.

Kang Woo-jin wearing a hoodie. No, it was ‘Han In-ho’. His expression was blank, and he looked like he had no thoughts. Thanks to ‘Han In-ho’ who suddenly appeared on stage, the cafe owner’s face crumpled.

“What, who is that punk!”

Lee Bo-min blinked her eyes in bewilderment at the sight of Han In-ho, who was supposed to be going to the bathroom, on the stage.

“Why is he- there? Is he trying to play a prank??”

Soon, the owner asked Lee Bo-min roughly.

“Do you know him?!”

“S-Sorry! I’ll bring him right away!”

That’s when it happened.

-♬♪

A song echoed throughout the cafe. Then, Lee Bo-min, who was about to run, stopped abruptly and muttered to herself.

“…Huh? My song?”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Han In-ho on the stage moved roughly. He put his mouth to the standing microphone on the stage and made a sound.

-♬♪

Han In-ho’s vocals were laid over the MR track [music recorded without vocals] that Lee Bo-min had composed. The camera captured Han In-ho on the stage in a full shot. Han In-ho’s vocals continued for a while. Low and deep. At this time, the cafe owner, whose anger had gradually subsided, stroked his chin and spoke his line.

“Oh- what’s with that guy. He’s good? Hey, is your friend preparing to be a singer? Or is he a trainee?”

Lee Bo-min couldn’t react immediately to the line that was passed to her. She just stared blankly at Han In-ho on the stage. It was roughly 3 seconds. Her mouth opened with difficulty.

“No… I don’t know either, it’s my first time seeing him.”

This cut was a scene that appeared in episode 2, and the song that Han In-ho was singing now was ‘Han In-ho’s theme song.’ In other words, it was one of the official OSTs [Original Sound Tracks] of ‘Guy Best Friend’.

Only after Han In-ho’s vocals echoed throughout the cafe.

“……Cut!! OOOK!!!”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had jumped up from his seat, clapped and stood up. It was a rave review that it was the best. However, this scene did not end with just one take.

There were a total of 3 re-takes.

It wasn’t because Kang Woo-jin or Hwa-rin weren’t good. The two actors’ acting was more than enough. It was just Director Shin Dong-chun’s greed. Because it was the first appearance scene of ‘Han In-ho’s’ reversal-filled vocals.

-♬♪

Soon.

“Cut cut!! Oooooookay!! Woo-jin-ssi! Hwa-rin-ssi, you’ve worked really hard!!”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who had called the end of the scene, sent applause along with praise to the two actors in the filming zone. It spread to the entire staff.

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

In response, Hwa-rin below the stage.

“Director, you’ve worked hard! Everyone, you’ve worked hard!”

Kang Woo-jin on the stage also bowed to Director Shin Dong-chun and the dozens of staff members.

“Thank you- you’ve worked hard.”

To the two lead actors, the staff’s enthusiastic applause and joyful shouts poured out.

“Oh wow! The last cut was amazing!”

“Both actors, you’ve worked hard!!”

“What a shame? I was just getting to know you!”

“Hahaha, so are you going to do it for a few more months?”

“No! You’ve worked hard!”

“It’s over!!”

In response, Director Shin Dong-chun, with a deep smile, organized the excited atmosphere. It had been about a month.

“Okay, okay! Let’s do the wrap-up celebration later! Let’s start with cleaning up! There’s not much rental time left!”

Because the filming of Netflix’s ‘Guy Best Friend’ was all over.

Meanwhile, at this time, the domestic media was getting very messy with issues related to ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger.’ In the meantime, one actor was suddenly being mentioned in public opinion.

-The Korean rookie actor chosen by Director Kyotaro as the lead, isn’t it Kang Woo-jin??? It feels exactly like Kang Woo-jin.

It was Kang Woo-jin.

End