I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 128

‘My Guy Friend’ and ‘Drug Dealer’ are being released at the same time? Woo-jin, who had been quietly observing Choi Sung-gun, calmly asked again.

“At the same time?”

Then, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, nodded with a small smile.

“Yeah, well—it’s not confirmed. It’s just my guess.”

At this point, Woo-jin did some calculations based on what he had heard from various sources.

“I heard the scheduled release date for ‘My Guy Friend’ is in October.”

“That’s right. Since it’s mid to late August now, there’s about a month and a bit left. But yesterday, when you were doing the script reading for ‘Frozen Romance,’ Director Kim Do-hee called directly. She wants to hold a blind preview sometime next week.”

‘Blind what?’ Woo-jin, with a serious face, was confused by the term ‘blind preview.’ He felt like he had heard it somewhere, but it was also somewhat unfamiliar. ‘Where was it?’ Then, he suddenly remembered the answer.

‘Ah—right, was it during ‘The Fixer’?’

That’s right. They had definitely held a blind preview when the editing for ‘The Fixer’ was finished. It roughly felt like a gathering of only those involved in the movie to watch the finished product. So, does that mean the editing for ‘Drug Dealer’ is finished? Isn’t it a bit fast? Well, even though he didn’t know much yet, that was his gut feeling.

“Isn’t it a bit fast?”

“That’s right. It’s quite fast for a commercial film’s post-production. However, it doesn’t seem like ‘the editing is exactly complete.’ It seems like they’ve got about 90% of the result. Still, it’s fast. It happens when a director gets hooked on something and pours their life into editing.”

“You must have worked hard.”

“Anyway, it seems like they moved the blind preview up from mid-September because of the actors’ schedules. If that’s the case, the blind preview at the end of August, the editing completed before mid-September, and then the distributors jump in to promote it, if they move quickly, they can release the movie in October or November.”

At this point, although there was no change in his indifferent expression, a sense of tension began to rise within Woo-jin. Even though it was a cameo role, a movie I appeared in is going to be shown in theaters? Of course, he had seen ‘The Fixer’ in theaters too. But the feeling was subtly different.

‘Is this the difference between a short film and a commercial film?’

It wasn’t a movie shown as an event at a film festival, but rather, the actual public paying to see Kang Woo-jin or ‘Lee Sang-man’ in the movie. Unlike ‘The Fixer,’ the number of viewers would be recorded, and sales would be calculated. Is this feeling some kind of pressure related to performance?

Just as Woo-jin’s heart was secretly starting to race.

“It wasn’t intentional, but it’s highly likely that ‘My Guy Friend’ and ‘Drug Dealer’ will overlap.”

That’s right. It would be impossible for both movies to open at the exact same time, but it was clear that they would be released around the same period, no matter which one came out first.

“But I think that’ll be much more explosive. From the public’s perspective, they’ll have the fun of choosing. More than anything, you’ll be able to show off your diverse masks.”

Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened as he explained.

“You’re in both projects, and of course, you’ll be at the center when promoting them. Then the public will be curious, since two of your works, which have become a hot topic, are coming out almost at the same time.”

He pointed at Woo-jin with his index finger.

“‘Lee Sang-man’ and ‘Han In-ho.’ Two characters with completely different genres, presences, and vibes.”

He muttered, imagining the future.

“Aren’t you curious how the public will react?”

After that.

After wrapping up the ‘My Guy Friend’ and ‘Drug Dealer’ matters, Choi Sung-gun changed the topic to the Japan schedule that was a few days away. While others talked about him being an overseas talent or having studied abroad, the real Kang Woo-jin inside was experiencing overseas for the first time.

‘I’m taking my first flight as an actor.’

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t excited. Even though it was nearby Japan, overseas was overseas. However, Kang Woo-jin’s excitement was shattered as he listened to Choi Sung-gun’s briefing.

‘Why?’

“Woo-jin, unfortunately, it looks like you won’t have any time to rest even in Japan.”

There was absolutely no time to play. No, rather, the schedule was even tighter than when he was in Korea.

“First, you’ll arrive in Japan late morning on the 26th, go straight to ‘Netflix Japan,’ have a simple meal, listen to a briefing about the event, and then the event in the afternoon. The next day is…”

This was just the expected itinerary.

“When the actual confirmed schedule comes out, it’ll probably be even more packed.”

Kang Woo-jin couldn’t help but sigh, but it was common for celebrities’ overseas schedules to be tighter than usual. ‘Well, what could he do?’ It wasn’t like he was going there to play in the first place, so Woo-jin poured cold water on his rising excitement. Seeing Kang Woo-jin like that, Choi Sung-gun was slightly worried.

“Are you going to be okay? How’s your condition these days? You don’t show it on your face.”

Woo-jin, who had put on a serious act, answered solemnly.

“I’m fine.”

If it got too tough, he could just go in and out of the subspace. Anyway, after finishing the briefing about the Japan schedule, which was about 4 days away, Choi Sung-gun and Woo-jin.

-Swish.

Left the company for the next schedule.

At this time, the two projects Kang Woo-jin was involved in were intensely focused on editing.

“In this cut, the two characters are good, but it seems like the cherry blossoms around them aren’t fluttering enough. How about the next one?”

‘My Guy Friend,’ which had recently finished filming and held a production presentation that had turned the country upside down. After the production presentation, Director Shin Dong-chun immediately started editing.

‘My Guy Friend’ had more to do than a typical short drama.

It had 4 episodes, which was more than usual, and more than anything, from the OST [Original Sound Track] to the launch on Netflix Japan, etc., as the scale had grown, it naturally required a lot of work. In short, Director Shin Dong-chun and the production team had to grind their souls.

And.

“Music director, I’ve been thinking, but for the cut where ‘Lee Sang-man’ dies, I’d like to change the BGM [Background Music].”

“Now?”

It was ‘Drug Dealer,’ which had a blind preview right around the corner.

“Right now, it gives off a slightly sad image? But I want ‘Lee Sang-man’ to be a proper villain until the very end.”

“You mean you want something more grand and shocking?”

“That’s right, I want him to be a bastard until the moment he dies.”

“Hmm.”

“That’ll stick in the public’s minds better.”

Both projects were focused on editing according to their respective schedules. The only difference was that one was just starting and the other was finishing. This was the difference between a short and a feature film. Thanks to that gap, they could be released around the same time.

That’s how the 22nd ended, and Sunday, the 23rd, dawned.

From the morning, the ‘Frozen Romance’ side released press materials. It was a natural flow since the script reading had ended yesterday.

The unusual thing here was.

『[Star Photo] Star writer Lee Wol-sun’s ‘Frozen Romance’ begins official script reading! / Photo』

The photos included in the promotional articles they released mostly included Kang Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin was in the same shot as the leads of ‘Frozen Romance.’ The reason was simple. Although his role was a supporting one, he was currently the most marketable actor in the country.

『Kang Woo-jin sits alongside the top stars in ‘Frozen Romance’… Still, his presence doesn’t fade / Photo』

Currently, he might have more promotional power than the male lead, Jung Jang-hwan. Whatever the case, the ‘Frozen Romance’ side was leaking images of Woo-jin, but they were blocking information about the role he was playing. It was to create curiosity.

『Director ‘Kyotaro’ also charmed by Kang Woo-jin, what role in ‘Frozen Romance’? Official says “It will be an unexpected role”』

However, regarding the role Woo-jin was playing, they used keywords such as twist, unexpected, or unimaginable.

Even though Kang Woo-jin’s name was being spread through ‘Frozen Romance’ like this.

『[Star Talk] Advertising industry’s interest in ‘Japan-bound’ Kang Woo-jin is soaring』

『Kang Woo-jin, the only Korean actor in the live-action film adaptation of the global bestseller ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’』

In fact, the domestic market was already saturated after the production presentation of ‘My Guy Friend.’ As the days went by, Kang Woo-jin’s power could only grow.

『How did Kang Woo-jin charm two masters, Japanese master ‘Director Kyotaro’ and Korean master ‘Director Kwon Ki-taek’?』

『[Fact Check] Kang Woo-jin, who has been writing ‘first’ since his debut, what will be his next move? Industry attention』

『Kang Woo-jin is hot in Japan as well as in Korea… His YouTube channel ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ surpasses 500,000 subscribers in a few days since opening』

The articles that were pouring out now included many words. ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ Director Kyotaro, ‘My Guy Friend,’ ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel, a free spirit, etc., etc.

『[Star Pick] Not just a monster in acting? The public is amazed by Kang Woo-jin’s Japanese shown on ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel』

For the media, it was a field day.

There were endless things to write about. The public opinion was no different.

『Netizens on Kang Woo-jin’s unusual singing ability, “Why is he so good at singing too?”』

Reactions that could not be listed one by one were exploding every day.

Around this time.

-!Teaser! It’s finally out, let’s go watch the sweet romance drama of Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin! (‘My Guy Friend Teaser’ | Netflix Korea)

The first teaser video of ‘My Guy Friend’ was uploaded to the official Netflix Korea channel. It was a very short running time of about 15 seconds, but.

-520,000 views

The number of views was incredibly fast. Of course, Hwa-rin’s fandom had an influence, but it was safe to say that Kang Woo-jin’s power was currently greater.

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ It’s so sweet just from the teaser

-What’s with the color scheme??? It’s so pretty, I hope it comes out like this………

-Are they both wearing school uniforms??!! What? Why am I already getting excited!!

-Confirmed to be boring

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋlolㅋㅋㅋ I thought Kang Woo-jin wouldn’t suit romance, but why does it fit him so well?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-So!! When is it opening!!! Tell us the date, not just coming soon!!

-The extreme fans of Hwa-rin were going crazy about this in the beginningㅋㅋㅋㅋ I think Hwa-rin and Kang Woo-jin look good togetherㅋㅋㅋ

-Looks like it’s going to flopㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Release it as a 16-episode mini-series, not a short drama! Now!

-But can Kang Woo-jin handle all the domestic and Japanese schedules?ㅋㅋㅋ

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Meanwhile, the teaser for ‘My Guy Friend’ was also released in Japan. The source was Netflix Japan.

The Japanese public’s interest was different from before.

No, the expression ‘explosive’ was more fitting. The number of people who knew the Korean rookie ‘Kang Woo-jin’ had increased exponentially, and his name was being mentioned everywhere in Japan.

『Kang Woo-jin’s 「Profiler Free Spirit」 popularity soars』

However, other news was also buzzing in Japan. That Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin would soon be entering Japan.

『Hot 「Kang Woo-jin」 and Elani’s 「Hwa-rin」 confirmed to enter Japan on the 26th』

The ‘Korean rookie actor’ Kang Woo-jin, who was the talk of the town, was going to be on Japan’s national talk show.

『「Ametalk show!」 side says “Guest for this K-drama week is Kang Woo-jin”』

He was going to be on ‘Ametalk show!’

Wednesday, August 26th.

The location was Haneda Airport in Japan, also known as Tokyo International Airport. As expected, due to its large scale, the crowd gathered at the airport was large even in the morning. It was bustling everywhere.

People who had just arrived or were about to depart.

As it was an international airport, there were many foreigners, and Koreans were also frequently seen. Among them, especially.

“Aren’t those groups over there reporters?”

“Where? Ah—right? What’s going on?”

“Looks like a celebrity is coming!”

There were quite a few reporters with cameras. Whether they were in groups of two or three or alone. Either way, the reporters were looking at the time and running towards one place. Their numbers were not small, so they caught the attention of the crowds at the airport.

It wasn’t just the reporters.

“But, don’t people seem to be going that way too?”

“That’s right. This is definitely a celebrity! Look, the airport guards are following them too.”

“Shall we go too? We have some time left before our bus?”

From ordinary people to airport officials, they were moving in the direction the reporters were running.

At that time.

‘Oh—arrived in Japan. It was really fast from Korea?’

Kang Woo-jin was also at Haneda Airport. No, he had just arrived. His hair wasn’t too styled, and his makeup was moderately done. Of course, there were many people besides him. The BW Entertainment team, including Choi Sung-gun and Kim Dae-young, the Netflix Korea side, and.

“Woo-jin, they said we have to move together.”

Hwa-rin, who had just stuck to Kang Woo-jin’s side, and her team were also packing their luggage. The reason was simple. From today, Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin were scheduled to carry out their Japanese schedules.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin.

‘Ah, first, I need to manage my expression.’

It was his first flight and his first time in Japan, but he tried hard to suppress his excitement as he looked at Hwa-rin, who was right next to him.

“Yes. Are we going together from here?”

“That’s what they said. But it’s better to have a two-shot than to be photographed separately. It’ll be easier for the articles in Korea and Japan.”

It was the first time he had heard this information, but Kang Woo-jin pretended to know.

“I guess so.”

Looking at Kang Woo-jin, who was muttering calmly, Hwa-rin, who had swept back her long hair, was internally expressing her disappointment.

‘It’s a shame, if the schedule was a bit more relaxed, I could have introduced Woo-jin to some good restaurants.’

Hwa-rin had already held countless concerts in Japan. So she knew the good restaurants well. But there wasn’t enough time to spend with Woo-jin. It was her first overseas schedule with her most, most, most, most favorite person, but it was too lukewarm. Thanks to that, Hwa-rin didn’t show it on her face, but her disappointment continued to grow.

Around this time.

“Let’s move if you’ve got everything!”

All the teams, including Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin, began to get off the plane. At the entrance to the airport, there were people waiting for the ‘My Guy Friend’ team. The Netflix Japan side, airport officials, etc. Woo-jin, who was moving alongside Hwa-rin, was slightly puzzled.

‘Isn’t there a bit too many people??’

He thought the number of people gathering was excessive. There were already more than a few dozen, but when they arrived at Haneda Airport in Japan, the number had doubled. On top of that.

“Dae-young and Su-hwan! Stand on both sides, on both sides.”

While moving to the arrival hall, Choi Sung-gun placed Jang Su-hwan and Kim Dae-young, who had come to help, on either side of Woo-jin and Hwa-rin. Then, another half-dozen burly guards surrounded them. What was going on? Suddenly, there were nearly a dozen bear-like men around Kang Woo-jin, and behind them, dozens of people were following like a trail.

Kang Woo-jin felt a strange feeling.

‘It feels like I’m surrounded by a wall—won’t this draw attention if I go out like this?’

Everything was new to Woo-jin, so he glanced at Hwa-rin next to him. She was looking at her phone without any concern. It was then.

“Ah, they’re here.”

Hwa-rin suddenly raised her head. Kang Woo-jin’s gaze also moved forward. In front of them, the door of the arrival hall was slowly opening.

But.

‘Huh? There’s something there?’

Kang Woo-jin could see something undulating beyond the entrance of the arrival hall. ‘No, were those people?’ As Woo-jin was thinking that, the door of the arrival hall opened wide.

At the same time.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!!

Lightning began to strike like crazy. No, it was a flash of light. It felt like he was going blind. What was going on all of a sudden? Why? What was happening??

The source of the blinding flashes was quickly identified.

In front of Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.

‘Whoa! What is it?? Re, reporters??!’

There were over a hundred Japanese reporters gathered.

Flashes were popping as they pressed their shutters.

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!!

But it wasn’t just the reporters who were taking pictures of Kang Woo-jin. Behind the reporters, hundreds of people were frantically speaking Japanese and taking pictures of Kang Woo-jin with their phones.

“They’re here!!”

“They’re out!!!”

“Over there, over there!!”

All together, it looked like there were easily over 500 people.

End