I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 124

-Flash! Flash! Flash! -Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flashes rained down on Kang Woo-jin like a storm. The ‘Guy Friends’ production presentation had turned into something resembling Kang Woo-jin’s personal press conference. The dozens of reporters relentlessly clicked their camera shutters. On stage, Kang Woo-jin did his best to maintain a poker face, but he couldn’t help but wonder if this was real or a dream. The flashes were relentless, showing no sign of stopping. ‘Wow, am I going blind here?!’ But he couldn’t show any weakness. Woo-jin maximized his stoic persona. Endure. Be dignified. Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin’s cynical expression was somehow maintained, and that image was vividly captured by the cameras of over 50 reporters. And then. “Woo-jin-ssi!!! Did you meet Director Kyotaro in person?!” “When did these talks begin?!!” “What lead role are you playing in ‘A Stranger’s Bizarre Sacrifice’?!“ “Did you meet writer Akari as well?!!” “It’s practically your first time! How much were you paid?!!” “Woo-jin-ssi!! Over here, over here!!” “Have you met the Japanese actors you’re cast with?!!” “I heard you have many projects lined up! Can you handle them all?!!” “How did a rookie actor land a lead role in a work by a Japanese master!! Please tell us the process!” Questions bombarded Kang Woo-jin like bullets, almost as fast as the barrage of flashes. His eyes were flashing, and his ears were ringing. Woo-jin somehow managed to hold onto his fading consciousness. ‘I don’t know, help me. Wow, this is crazy. No, at least give me time to answer!’ Regardless, the reporters’ momentum only intensified. It was natural. Kang Woo-jin, the person involved, had just revealed the scoop that had recently shaken both Korea and Japan. Any reporter who stayed silent in this situation would be a fool. Around that time. -Swoosh. Kang Woo-jin’s eyes, which had been wearing a deathly indifferent expression, moved. Past the dozens of reporters in front, to the far right. At the entrance of the hall, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, stood with his arms crossed. A faint smile was a bonus. Kang Woo-jin exchanged glances with him. ‘Is this enough?’ Choi Sung-gun nodded slightly. ‘Yes, well done.’ Everything was a planned situation. A pre-determined nuclear bomb. The stage, the female reporter’s question, Kang Woo-jin’s no-backing-down admission, and the current chaotic result. Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun had agreed on it before the production presentation. Well, the ‘no-backing-down’ part was something Kang Woo-jin decided on himself. ‘Woo-jin, maybe. No, 100% one of the reporters will ask about Kyotaro. What will you do?’ ‘I have no intention of avoiding it. Isn’t it okay to talk about it now?’ ‘That’s true. We’ve already talked with Director Kyotaro.’ ‘If there’s no problem, I’ll go straight.’ ‘Haha, that’s like you. Okay. Then I’ll take care of the aftermath. Go get ‘em.’ That was how the scene was created. Then, Choi Sung-gun smiled deeply as he watched the reporters going wild. “The picture is coming out great.” A woman’s voice cut in from behind him. “Oh my, how are we going to calm this down?” Turning around, he saw the plump Kim So-hyang approaching. Judging by her calm reaction, it seemed that she, the general director of Netflix, also understood the situation. Choi Sung-gun’s nonchalant reply was proof of that. “Don’t calm them down, we should just step back. More importantly, thank you for accepting my request, General Director.” “Oh, it’s nothing. Rather, we should be the ones thanking you. The promotional power of a production presentation is limited, but look at this now. Where else can you find such a promotional effect?” “’Guy Friends’ will probably be mentioned a lot too. Both domestically and in Japan.” “I know. The stage where the bomb went off is the ‘Guy Friends’ production presentation. When I heard you were going to drop the scoop here, I thought, this is it.” “Haha, that’s an overstatement.” Choi Sung-gun, who had been chuckling, suddenly changed the subject. “Now you’ll have to talk to the Japanese Netflix as well. The game will change.” “I know, you mean the scheduled Japanese promotional event, right? I’ll communicate and try to scale it up properly.” “You’ll need to release some information to the Japanese media as well. Director Kyotaro’s side will be moving too.” “I’ll also tell the Japanese general director to push hard. Regarding ‘Guy Friends’.” General Director Kim So-hyang smiled. “The aggro [Aggro is a term used in gaming to describe the act of drawing attention or hostility from enemies. Here, it refers to the media attention.] has been properly concentrated, so for a while, both domestically and in Japan, it’ll be all about Woo-jin-ssi.” That was what Choi Sung-gun had hoped for. It was the plan. And the result was top-notch. “Yes, thankfully.” Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin was still silently staring straight ahead, despite the crazy flashes and questions. “······” He kept his mouth shut. ‘They told me to keep quiet from here on, right?’ Of course, it was Choi Sung-gun’s request. To make the reporters anxious. Around this time, Hwa-rin, who was sitting to Kang Woo-jin’s right, was. ‘Huh? Huh!!’ Her eyes were wide open. She stared intently at Kang Woo-jin’s profile. She was also shocked. ‘Wow! Wow, wow, wow! Really?? Is Woo-jin really going to Japan?! And even the lead role in Director Kyotaro’s work??!’ Hwa-rin had seen the articles. It was such a big deal that she couldn’t have missed it. But she couldn’t ask Woo-jin. She just held back. But it was real. Soon, from Hwa-rin’s wide-eyed chest. ‘This is crazy, isn’t Woo-jin the first to do this? Yes! That’s right! He’s the first! Ha, why am I so happy??’ Her fan heart for Woo-jin was rapidly surging. Well, the scale of her fangirling had already grown immensely, so it wasn’t strange that she was jumping for joy just seeing her favorite doing well. At that moment. -Swoosh. Whether it was because his eyes hurt from the flashes or because he noticed Hwa-rin’s gaze, Kang Woo-jin, who had been looking straight ahead, turned his head towards Hwa-rin. Hwa-rin immediately flinched. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin stared at her for a moment and then calmly opened his mouth. “I’m sorry.” “…Yes? What for?” “I think you were surprised.” “Ah.” “It was confidential, so I couldn’t tell you.” Hwa-rin shook her head like crazy. Of course, only in her mind. “No, it’s okay. It’s really great, Woo-jin-ssi.” “Yes. It just happened.” “It’s obvious, but you’ll be acting in Japanese in Director Kyotaro’s work, right?” “Yes. I’ll do my best.” My, my, my, my favorite acting in Japanese? I love it. No, I love it like crazy. Hwa-rin was internally cheering while calmly asking a question. “Y-you’ll have to practice Japanese. I do know a bit of Japanese.” “Didn’t I tell you? I can do a little.” “Really?” Hwa-rin was overflowing with desire. She was incredibly curious. I want to see it, I want to see it soon. ‘…Woo-jin’s voice in Japanese. And his acting. Ha- I’m already smitten.’ Meanwhile, Director Shin Dong-chun, with his square jaw, was also looking at Kang Woo-jin with surprised eyes. But he wasn’t as shocked as the reporters. When he first confirmed the Kyotaro director’s project. ‘As expected, Woo-jin-ssi was the one.’ He was somewhat certain of it. Then, he murmured inwardly as he looked at Woo-jin. ‘Beyond the domestic masters, including Director Kwon Ki-taek, to even a Japanese master—how much bigger are you going to get?’ He unconsciously speculated. ‘At this rate, he might even aim for Hollywood next year.’ Thirty minutes later, around late lunch. Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do. The large set complex of ‘Island of the Missing’ was in the midst of incomplete or additional construction. Repairing sets was something that never ended. ‘Island of the Missing’ had recently finished its script reading, and the pre-production stage was complete, so the finishing touches on the set were also being done quickly. In front of a building in that set complex. “Hmm-” Director Kwon Ki-taek, with his gentle face, and his staff team were seen, having just made that sound. About a dozen people. Director Kwon Ki-taek was at the center, checking the main buildings. Soon, looking at the almost completed shooting storyboard, Director Kwon Ki-taek opened his mouth. “This building, it looks too new. Is it just me?” “Should we tell the set team to rub the outer walls a bit?” “No. It seems like a problem with the overall balance rather than the outer walls. Take out the doors, break the windows. Make it cool.” “Yes, Director. I’ll pass it on.” It was then. “D-Director!!” The assistant director with dark circles under his eyes rushed over from behind. Naturally, Director Kwon Ki-taek and the staff turned their heads, and the panting assistant director showed his phone to Director Kwon Ki-taek. “Please take a look at this!” An article was displayed on his phone screen. 『[Breaking] Kang Woo-jin at the ‘Guy Friends’ Production Presentation Declares, “I am that Korean Rookie Actor”/Photo』 An article where Kang Woo-jin was clearly the main focus. Not speculation, but fact. Thanks to that, the eyes of the dozen or so staff members widened. “So it was real, this?!!” “Is it confirmed? Is it another rumor?” “No! The media is going crazy right now! Articles are pouring out continuously.” “Wow—I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.” Most of them reacted with their mouths agape. On the other hand, the calm Director Kwon Ki-taek. “Okay, I see.” He just smiled faintly without being particularly excited. As if he had expected everything. “As expected.” The assistant director quickly asked back. “…D-did you perhaps know?” “Would I know? I didn’t know either.” “But you’re not surprised at all.” “I was just thinking about it, the face of Director Kyotaro I saw at the Mise-en-scène Film Festival [A South Korean short film festival]. That expression—yes, it was similar to the day I first saw Woo-jin-ssi.” “Ah.” “He must have felt the same way. How could he resist when he saw something like that right in front of him.” “Well, I’ve been in the movie business for a while, but I’ve never seen anything like this. A rookie who hasn’t even been a year…” Director Kwon Ki-taek tilted his head slightly, looking at the assistant director who trailed off. “Hmm? Woo-jin-ssi is the lead in my movie too, isn’t he?” “Oh… that’s right. Yes, I mean, what I’m saying is.” “I know, what you mean.” At that moment. “Still, Woo-jin-ssi is amazing. Even if Director Kyotaro’s name value is slightly lower than Director Kwon’s at international film festivals, he’s practically at the top in Japan, isn’t he?” The production manager, who was checking additional articles on his phone, chimed in. With a serious face. “On top of that, the world-renowned novelist Takikawa Akari, the author of the global bestseller, and a rookie landing the lead role in that movie. He’s definitely made a mark in the film industry in both Korea and Japan.” “Yes, it’s enough for the media to go wild.” “Yes.” The production manager slowly nodded. “More than anything, it might be a coincidence, but the build-up to this point is amazing. The process of focusing the attention of the media and public opinion in both Japan and Korea.” Here, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was stroking his chin, suddenly recalled the man with the ponytail. Choi Sung-gun. More precisely, he recalled his abilities. “Well. Is it a coincidence? I think it’s intentional.” “Yes?” “No, it’s nothing.” “Anyway, we need to talk to Woo-jin-ssi’s side properly? I heard that Woo-jin-ssi has a lot of scheduled projects, and if you add the Director Kyotaro project… the filming schedule might clash with ours.” It was true. They didn’t know how fast Director Kyotaro’s side was moving, but if the filming schedules overlapped, they had to find a suitable compromise between the two projects. Both projects were big. Well, even so, it wasn’t a big problem. Such cases were common among top actors. Especially for actors who did many projects. Whatever it was, Director Kwon Ki-taek approached the production manager and asked. “Representative Choi wouldn’t have started this without a plan. We said the scheduled start of filming is around the 15th of next month, right?” “Yes, Director. September 15th. Depending on how the pre-production finishes, there might be changes, but it’ll be around that time.” About three weeks. Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who seemed lost in thought, turned his gaze to the set and murmured softly. “The Vietnam overseas location schedule shouldn’t be messed up. Focus on that when you talk.” Behind them. Kang Woo-jin’s ‘no-backing-down’ was unleashed on the world almost simultaneously. 『[Official] Kang Woo-jin, the ‘Korean Rookie Actor’ of Director Kyotaro, who had been rumored, admits it himself!』 『[Star Pick] Kang Woo-jin calmly reveals himself/Photo』 Immediately after the ‘Guy Friends’ production presentation ended, all the reporters who were there quickly spread what they had seen, heard, and felt. 『‘First Ever’, Kang Woo-jin, who joined a Japanese blockbuster as a rookie… What is the reaction in Japan?』 With the addition of Kang Woo-jin’s on-site photos to the facts, the explosive power doubled. Therefore, even the numerous media outlets that did not attend the production presentation and belatedly confirmed the news joined in. 『‘I knew it’ vs ‘Is this real?!’ Public reactions vary to Kang Woo-jin’s admission』 『Master Kyotaro, Kang Woo-jin, who confidently secured the lead role in the work of world-renowned writer Akari… Writes his own legend』 The huge, overflowing topic was acknowledged by Kang Woo-jin himself, so the stimulation was more than enough. Articles poured out every second and every minute. The articles containing many keywords were like a torrential downpour. That downpour had no choice but to quickly soak into the entire internet. It had properly blown away the accumulated questions and curiosity. It was quick for the media and public opinion to join forces. Every place on the internet was shouting Kang Woo-jin’s name. Whether it was real, they knew it, it was crazy, oh my god, it was amazing, it was chilling, etc., etc. The number of comments that surged was beyond counting. It was not something to be compared to fireworks. Thousands or tens of thousands of rocket launchers exploded indiscriminately in various places in the country. Soon, the impact began to reach offline as well as online. The fastest was the broadcasting industry. “Wow! PD Jang!! This, this! Kang Woo-jin openly admitted it?!” “Yes? What is it? Oh! Is this real?!!” “He said it himself?? He wouldn’t openly lie unless he’s crazy!” “No… Wow—this is going to turn everything upside down?!!” The vast entertainment industry. “I knew it… I had a feeling when I saw his YouTube channel videos.” “What??” “No, hyung [An honorific term used by males to address older males], I told you yesterday. Kang Woo-jin is good at Japanese.” “Ah! You said his vocals were amazing too?” “Yeah. The Director Kyotaro project. It’s Kang Woo-jin? He admitted it himself.” “What?!!” “This guy is really crazy? I’m a senior, but I’m even starting to respect him. Since he appeared in this industry, he’s been going solo, hasn’t he?” Of course, it quickly reached not only the entertainment industry but also the general public. “Wow!! It’s Kang Woo-jin, they say!!” “Oh! I just saw the article too!” “There was a lot of fuss about whether it was true or not, but it was true! So what? Kang Woo-jin is going to debut in Japan right away??” “That’s what they’re saying. But Kang Woo-jin is amazing, there are hardly any actors in our country with this kind of filmography, right?” “It’s not just hardly, there are none at all? How many lead roles does a rookie have right now??” “He’s also really good at singing. Did you see his YouTube? His cover of Elani in Japanese.” “His voice was melting. But why is Kang Woo-jin good at everything?? There were rumors that he’s a chaebol [A wealthy business conglomerate family], is that true?” “Huh? Really? I saw that he’s an identical twin. That there are actually two of them.” Cafes, restaurants, subways, companies, etc. Kang Woo-jin’s name gradually rang out loudly. Meanwhile, in Japan at this time. Director Kyotaro, with his gray hair, who had just finished a call with someone, slowly lowered his phone. The place was inside a van. Then, he spoke definitive Japanese to the man sitting in the passenger seat. “Regarding Woo-jin-ssi, we can release the official press release we have prepared now.” Several tens of minutes later, Director Kyotaro. 『Exclusive/The Korean rookie actor who participated as the lead in Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro’s work is 「Kang Woo-jin」』 Officially acknowledged Kang Woo-jin’s ‘no-backing-down’. End