I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 130

One million subscribers. The words spoken by the team leader-level executive at Netflix Japan were true. As if to prove it, Han Ye-jeong approached Choi Sung-gun, her ponytail swaying.

“CEO.”

She whispered, showing her phone to Choi Sung-gun.

“We just reached it.”

Han Ye-jeong’s phone screen displayed the main page of the ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Alternate Persona’ YouTube channel.

[Channel Name: Kang Woo-jin’s Alternate Persona]

[Subscribers: 1,001,000]

[Videos: 5]

Choi Sung-gun’s mouth instantly stretched into a wide grin.

“He achieved another first,” he said, giving a thumbs-up to Kang Woo-jin on stage.

However, Kang Woo-jin, who was currently hosting the event and speaking fluent Japanese, had no idea.

“Yes. Ms. Hwa-rin and I had great chemistry. The filming set was amicable from start to finish. If there’s anything memorable—ah, but it’s a bit difficult to say. It could be a spoiler.”

The next day, morning.

Woo-jin, who had successfully completed the event hosted by Netflix Japan yesterday, had a meeting with Shinjo PD of ‘Ametalk Show!’ from the morning of the 27th. The location was a restaurant inside the hotel, and the attendees were Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun on one side, and Shinjo PD and the writers on the other.

“Haha, Woo-jin-ssi. It’s even nicer to see you in Japan!”

“Hello, PD-nim [PD-nim is a Korean honorific for a producer or director].”

“You know? Your name is all over Japan right now. It’s completely different from the early days when we were researching ‘Hanryang’! You’re the hottest topic on online communities and social media, and it’s even more intense since you arrived in Japan yesterday.”

Shinjo PD and the writers were visibly excited, speaking rapidly in Japanese. It was only natural. They had cast Kang Woo-jin based solely on ‘Hanryang,’ but he had become an unexpected mega-star. It felt like a complete stroke of luck, so it was understandable.

“And I saw earlier that your YouTube channel has already surpassed 1.05 million subscribers? Amazing, really. I’ve been a PD for quite a while, but I’ve never seen such a rapid rise.”

Woo-jin, maintaining an indifferent facade, was genuinely happy inside.

‘I admit, I also wonder if this is real. Me—me, becoming a million-subscriber YouTuber.’

Woo-jin, reminiscing about yesterday’s thrill for a moment, imagined a bright future.

‘At this rate, 2 million is a given, and 3 million won’t be difficult either? No, 5 million is definitely possible.’

At that moment, Shinjo PD suddenly brought up work-related matters. It was about the recording scheduled for two days later.

“Since things have moved so quickly, we’ve completely scrapped the original plan. There are many added parts, and the recording time will be a bit longer.”

“No problem.”

“Haha, thank you. The opening and closing can be as usual, and the works you’re involved in? ‘Hanryang,’ ‘My Guy Friend,’ ‘A Stranger’s Bizarre Sacrifice,’ Korean works, and even your YouTube channel. We’ve included enough promotional segments.”

“Yes, PD-nim.”

“And, could you possibly sing a song from your YouTube channel?”

“Are you asking me to perform on stage?”

“No. Just a verse or so during the talk would be fine.”

“That much is possible.”

Shinjo PD’s face brightened instantly, and he began to describe how the recording would proceed.

“As you know, the recording isn’t filmed in the order that viewers see it on air. The recording is long, but the invited audience will only be there for two hours. We plan to film out of order and then edit it to fit. The first part of the recording will probably be the audience Q&A.”

“So that scene will be in the latter half when it airs?”

“Around the mid-to-late part. Oh, and by the way, Ms. Hwa-rin has been confirmed as a guest for the ‘My Guy Friend’ introduction segment.”

This was the first time he was hearing about this. Looking at Choi Sung-gun, he also seemed a bit surprised. Was it a last-minute decision? Just as he thought that, Shinjo PD provided the answer.

“I contacted Ms. Hwa-rin’s side this morning just in case, and thankfully, they said it would be okay for a short while.”

He could ask for details later. Just as Woo-jin internally decided that, Shinjo PD across from him continued.

“The audience invited to the recording has been selected mainly from your fans, and there are about 200 people.”

Kang Woo-jin was genuinely surprised. Internally, of course.

‘I have 200 fans in Japan?!’

However, the energetic Shinjo PD dropped a bombshell.

“We received over 3,000 applications for the audience. It was a real struggle to choose them.”

200 was ‘just’ a small number.

29th.

The two days spent on minor interviews and promotional schedules quickly passed. Before he knew it, the 29th had arrived. Today, the 29th, was the day of the official recording for Japan’s national talk show, ‘Ametalk Show!’

The schedule was packed all day.

The location was the ‘Ametalk Show!’ dedicated set inside the Japanese private broadcasting station TBE. The recording was scheduled to start around 10 AM. Because of that, Woo-jin went to the salon early in the morning to get his hair and makeup done, and for his outfit, he wore a brown blazer and slacks set.

Around 9:30 AM, Kang Woo-jin was.

“Hoo-oop, hoo-oo.”

He was taking deep breaths alone in the waiting room behind the set. About 30 minutes ago, the set he had toured with Shinjo PD was larger than he had expected. Two sofas in the center of the main stage, various posters related to Kang Woo-jin that were to be hung in the back, the ‘Ametalk Show!’ logo placed around the stage, and the 200-seat audience area in front of the stage.

If it weren’t for the lighting, it looked similar to a large movie theater.

‘What, why is it already recording day? Ha—damn. I’m so nervous.’

Come to think of it, this was Kang Woo-jin’s first time on a full-fledged talk show. Originally, aside from radio or ‘Sports Day,’ he had barely appeared on Korean variety shows. But now, a large talk show out of the blue? And not even in Korea, but on Japan’s national variety show?

‘I heard that even Hollywood stars have appeared on this talk show, and top Korean actors too. But me?’

Kang Woo-jin, who had been cast as the main guest on such a show, was bound to be nervous. Because of that, Woo-jin’s hands started to sweat. It was due to the unfamiliarity of the situation.

‘Ametalk Show!’ was not ‘acting.’

In other words, the power of the subspace was unnecessary. He had to get through it solely with the power of ‘Kang Woo-jin.’ Then, Woo-jin gave himself a ‘no turning back’ pep talk.

‘I don’t know, damn it. It’ll work out somehow. Let’s just do what I always do, just like always.’

Since avoiding it was impossible, he had no choice but to enjoy it as much as possible.

Well, wasn’t that always the case? No retreat, only forward. As he calmed his mind, Kang Woo-jin relaxed somewhat.

-Click!

Just then, the waiting room door opened, and Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, poked his head in.

“They’re starting the recording, let’s go, Woo-jin.”

Woo-jin got up from his chair, exuding a fabricated coolness.

“Yes, CEO.”

As Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun walked down the hallway, an ‘Ametalk Show!’ staff member with an intercom around his neck came running. As they hurried along, guided by him, Choi Sung-gun muttered quietly.

“The audience is full. They said about 200 people, but it looks like more than enough. It looks like 250.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Well, you’re not nervous, are you? Still, this isn’t Korea, it’s Japan, so I’m just asking.”

Now, Woo-jin didn’t care whether there were 200 or 2000 people. He had done a solid job of mind control.

“Korea or Japan, it’s not much different.”

Choi Sung-gun chuckled and patted Woo-jin’s shoulder.

“This is one thing that’s easy. When I manage rookies, their mental management is much harder. But you’re always so indifferent, haha.”

Yes, CEO. I’ll handle the war alone. As soon as Woo-jin braced himself, he entered the studio where the recording would take place. The inside of the filming set was bustling. Dozens of staff members, cameras being set up, lighting, audio equipment, and so on.

Soon.

-Tap!

Several staff members rushed over and attached a microphone to Kang Woo-jin, and Choi Sung-gun gestured with his chin towards the male MC on the sofa on stage and whispered.

“That guy over there is Karamatsu Soyo. He’s like Japan’s national MC. You’ve heard of him, right?”

MC Karamatsu Soyo was checking his cue cards. He had a slightly chubby, beaver-like face. However, Kang Woo-jin was.

“……”

He was too preoccupied to check him out. He was looking at the audience seats in front of him, which were completely full. The audience members were taking pre-recorded insert shots for the beginning and mid-to-late parts, following Shinjo PD’s instructions.

‘Crazy, it’s so grand. Are all of those people Japanese??’

At that moment, some of the people in the front of the audience noticed Kang Woo-jin getting his microphone attached. Because of that, there was an exaggerated reaction.

“Hup! K, Kang Woo-jin!”

“Where?? Where is he?”

“Over there!”

The Japanese shouts, close to screams, quickly spread throughout the entire audience. Exclamations like ‘Kyaa!’ and ‘Uwaa!’ also became excessive. Soon, Shinjo PD, who had turned around, rushed to Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin-ssi, there’s no need to be too nervous since it’s a recording! As I mentioned during the meeting, we’ll start the filming with the audience Q&A. Ah, and Ms. Hwa-rin will arrive in the middle of the recording.”

“Yes, I understand, PD-nim.”

“Is everything ready? Okay. Then you can go up on stage right away.”

Woo-jin, forcibly suppressing his rapidly increasing heart rate, stepped onto the brightly lit stage, and the beaver-like MC Soyo smiled and extended his hand to Kang Woo-jin.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Karamatsu Soyo. Haha. It’s an honor to meet the hottest actor in Japan right now. Ah, I heard you’re good at Japanese?”

“Yes. Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin. Please take care of me today.”

“Huh—really… no, Shinjo PD-nim. This isn’t just good at Japanese, is it??”

After a moment of admiration and some polite greetings, Kang Woo-jin and MC Soyo sat side by side on the sofa. Shinjo PD, squeezed among the staff outside the stage, shouted loudly.

“Okay—let’s start the recording! Starting with the Q&A!”

As his shout ended, the cameras installed around the stage lit up. It meant that the recording had started. Then, MC Soyo, holding his cue card, spoke naturally.

“Okay, good. Shall we change the atmosphere a bit? I’ve been feeling the clear gazes of the audience members since earlier. This time, we’ll proceed with a Q&A with the audience members here!”

It was a recording-like line. Anyway, hand microphones were handed out to the audience. At this time, two staff members approached Shinjo PD. Choi Sung-gun, who was watching this closely, stroked his chin.

‘Translation? One is probably there for any Korean, but what about the other one?’

Although it wasn’t clear because it was Japanese, Choi Sung-gun had heard a word similar to ‘translation’ in the conversation between Shinjo PD and them. However, it was strange that there were two of them. Anyway, the first question from the audience came from a woman in the middle. She was full of excitement, seeing Woo-jin for the first time.

“Ah, hello! I became a fan after watching ‘Hanryang’! I recently watched the ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Alternate Persona’ YouTube channel! Are you going to continue uploading cover videos on the same theme?”

Kang Woo-jin, holding the hand microphone, spoke calmly in Japanese.

“Yes. I plan to upload them consistently. Furthermore, I’m thinking of covering not only K-pop but also J-pop and pop songs in Korean.”

“Ah! When will that be uploaded!”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you!”

“The pleasure is mine.”

A smooth first question. The next turn was a young-looking man in the very front row of the audience. However.

-Swish.

He started using his hands instead of the microphone. In other words, sign language. Whether it was Shinjo PD’s intentional selection or not, Choi Sung-gun nodded slowly after seeing the man using sign language.

‘Ah—that’s why there were two translators.’

Choi Sung-gun, turning his gaze to Kang Woo-jin on stage, crossed his arms.

‘Sign language—what Woo-jin knows is Korean sign language. Sign language is different in each country, right? That’s Japanese sign language.’

That was correct. Sign language was not a universal language. It was different in Korea, Japan, the United States, and everywhere else. Since each country’s language was different, it was only natural. In other words, sign language was another language for each country.

Soon, Choi Sung-gun.

‘Too bad.’

He clicked his tongue while watching the young man who was still diligently using Japanese sign language.

‘If sign language were universal, Woo-jin could have shown a twist by using sign language here. Then everyone would be shocked.’

If that were the case, Kang Woo-jin on ‘Ametalk Show!’ would shine even more. The entertainment industry liked such twists and shocks. Choi Sung-gun’s disappointment was even greater because Woo-jin was good at Korean sign language.

However, he had to let it go. Still, imagining it didn’t cost anything. Just as Choi Sung-gun was clicking his tongue, Shinjo PD and the production team organized the Japanese sign language translation and displayed it on the teleprompter. Then, they sent a signal to MC Soyo on stage.

At this moment.

“……Huh? Uh?”

Shinjo PD, who was sending the signal, stopped moving abruptly. His eyes widened. Not only him.

“P, PD-nim, that-”

“…What is it??”

“Wow—unbelievable.”

“What happened??”

The staff around Shinjo PD in the set were the same. So were the 200 or so audience members. Everyone froze like ice, looking at the stage, their mouths slightly open. As if they were seeing a completely unexpected sight.

That was exactly the case.

What Shinjo PD and all the staff of ‘Ametalk Show!’ were seeing was Kang Woo-jin, and unlike his indifferent demeanor at the beginning, Woo-jin, sitting on the sofa, was showing a suitable expression.

No, to be precise.

“……”

He was responding to the young man in the audience with sign language. Woo-jin, making eye contact with the young man, wasn’t even looking at the teleprompter. Why? How? What was unusual was.

‘……Japanese sign language?’

As Choi Sung-gun muttered internally, with a frown, Kang Woo-jin was very calmly using Japanese sign language, not Korean sign language.

Kang Woo-jin, on the other hand, was thinking.

‘I guess this much of an answer would be enough? Yeah, that’s appropriate.’

It wasn’t a big deal. It was like he had no hesitation. Then, Woo-jin checked the young man’s frozen expression, and the young man, with his eyes wide like a startled rabbit, showed Japanese sign language to Woo-jin again.

[“How do you know Japanese sign language?”]

Kang Woo-jin understood this easily as well. Huh? Well, it’s because I know sign language—wait a minute. It was then that Kang Woo-jin realized.

‘Why… how do I know Japanese sign language??’

That what he had done was not Korean sign language.

End