I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 135

Why is it suddenly S+ grade? Kang Woo-jin stared, slightly dazed, at the white square representing ‘Strange Geisha.’ It took him about five seconds to snap out of it. He blinked rapidly.

-Swish.

He raised his hand and made a mock hit at the white square, like you might tap something to see if it’s working after it breaks. Of course, no sound came from the square.

“…What is this? Is this real? Is it a glitch?”

Confusion and bewilderment clouded Kang Woo-jin’s eyes. It was understandable, considering ‘Strange Geisha’ had plummeted to a C grade.

“The situation got even worse, but it jumped to S+?”

It had, in fact, risen explosively. It was so strange it was unsettling. Woo-jin frowned and shouted into the pitch-black subspace.

“Hey! This is weird! Is it really right?”

He was talking to the woman with the robotic voice. But as always, the vast subspace offered no reply. *Geez*, would it hurt to just answer? Kang Woo-jin grumbled softly and stroked his chin.

‘When the investment problem arose, it dropped to C, and if that was exposed to the world, the situation should have worsened. But it’s S+ grade now.’

Currently, S+ was the highest grade in the subspace. For reference, Hanryang was S grade, and ‘Island of the Missing’ was S+ grade. This was the third time something had reached that level. However, ‘Strange Geisha’ was on a completely different trajectory from Hanryang and Island of the Missing.

‘This has to be a glitch.’

But on the other hand, he wondered if this extraordinary subspace could even make a mistake. Just in case, Kang Woo-jin said,

“Exit.”

After leaving the subspace, he immediately re-entered. But the grade of ‘Strange Geisha’ displayed on the white square was the same. Still S+ grade. At this point, Woo-jin scratched his head vigorously.

“What the heck is going on—”

He was stumped. The more Kang Woo-jin thought about it, the more he felt like he was sinking into a quagmire. So, perhaps.

“Ha—well, I guess I’ll find out if I leave it alone. There’s nothing I can do right now anyway.”

He stopped trying to find an answer. He decided to simply accept things as they were. If there was a problem, it would change again tomorrow. As his worries eased, another thought occurred to him.

Something I don’t know about might be happening somewhere.

No matter how he looked at it, the possibility of the subspace making an error was low. Well, if it didn’t change and remained S+ grade, that would be ‘sweet’ in its own way. Although, there was a slight uneasy feeling.

“Exit.”

Kang Woo-jin left the subspace and returned to the van in the real world. Then, he let out a small sigh and muttered to himself.

“Let’s check the grade again tomorrow. But it’s best if it doesn’t change.”

Currently, he had no way of knowing that a huge backer in Japan, not Korea, was making moves behind the scenes.

It was at that moment.

-Vroom, vroom.

His phone, which was next to him, vibrated loudly. Woo-jin turned his head and saw the caller. The caller displayed on the phone screen was.

“Director Kyotaro?”

It was Director Kyotaro, who was in Japan. Woo-jin was sure that he was calling because of the worsening situation with ‘Strange Geisha.’

Anyway, he had to answer the phone.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin cleared his throat and put the phone to his ear.

“Yes, Director.”

Meanwhile, at the ‘Toega’ film company in Japan.

In the conference room of the film company in charge of producing ‘Strange Geisha,’ Director Kyotaro, with his gray hair, was visible. There was a faint smile on his face, but his overall expression was full of worry. He had just called Kang Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin-ssi.”

Over the phone, Kang Woo-jin’s low voice could be heard from Korea.

“Yes, please speak, Director.”

It was hard to judge. Director Kyotaro tried to gauge Kang Woo-jin’s mood from his voice, but failed. Director Kyotaro let out a soft breath and slowly opened his mouth to the phone.

“…Woo-jin-ssi. Currently, regarding ‘Strange Geisha’ in Japan.”

“Yes. I heard about it, Director. The investor problem you mentioned earlier has blown up big time.”

Following Kang Woo-jin’s reply, Director Kyotaro’s bitter explanation continued.

“That’s right, more than I thought—the situation isn’t good. It’s on the front page of major news outlets… and smaller ones are quickly copying it.”

“Have you confirmed where the information leaked from?”

“Well, it’s hard to pinpoint because it’s spreading so rapidly. I was negligent. It’s probably the investors who pulled out. They promised to keep quiet, but it seems that wasn’t well kept.”

Director Kyotaro, who was muttering, turned his gaze to the tablet in front of him. The screen showed a series of articles related to ‘Strange Geisha’ on the portal site. The headlines were all sensational.

“The media is churning out numerous abusive articles, starting with discord rumors. It seems too late to cover it up, as it’s spreading so quickly.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Of course, it might calm down to some extent after some time.”

“If other tabloids are thrown in, things might get even bigger.”

“That’s right. It’s hard to predict the future right now. The bigger problem is that, in addition to the investors who left, the remaining investment is also wavering. They haven’t said it outright yet, but…”

Director Kyotaro trailed off. If the controversy surrounding ‘Strange Geisha’ continued to grow, the remaining investors would likely pull out as well. The same went for the actors. It was clear that the situation would worsen over time. That’s why Director Kyotaro’s face was dark.

Even if he tried to find new investment, the hole would only get smaller.

“The delay I mentioned last time might be extended to mid-next year, not just early next year.”

Here, Director Kyotaro, who swept back his gray hair, added with difficulty.

“If this continues, Woo-jin-ssi’s image could also be severely damaged. In this situation, the media and public opinion will likely be most sensitive to Woo-jin-ssi.”

On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin’s Japanese reply over the phone was still calm and solemn.

“I suppose so.”

“There are many articles already out there with Woo-jin-ssi’s name. That’s why… I called to ask for Woo-jin-ssi’s intentions. The situation will get worse and worse. The cast actors have also started to be wary. It’s okay if Woo-jin-ssi says you want to leave now. The fault is mine.”

It meant that he wanted him to survive before the situation got worse. Of course, Director Kyotaro still needed Kang Woo-jin. No, it was fine even if he wasn’t there. The cast could be reorganized.

But that was just Director Kyotaro’s desire.

He couldn’t ignore the arrows that would be aimed at Woo-jin. Holding him back just because of greed was stubbornness.

“It’s not okay for Woo-jin-ssi’s image to be tarnished because of ‘Strange Geisha.’ So, don’t feel pressured and say it. If Woo-jin-ssi says you want to leave now, I’ll understand.”

“No.”

However, Kang Woo-jin on the phone didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. He was extremely calm.

“I’ll wait.”

“…”

“More than anything, if I leave now, it would be like admitting all the media’s nonsense.”

“That’s—but.”

“It’s okay if my image takes a hit.”

“Still… isn’t Woo-jin-ssi finally seeing the light after that long period of obscurity?”

“I don’t really care about that. I just want to do ‘Strange Geisha.'”

Director Kyotaro was choked up.

“Thank you, really.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll be waiting, of course, if it’s okay with you, Director.”

“I—I’m so grateful.”

“Okay, then I have a schedule.”

“Okay. I’ll contact you again.”

-Click.

Director Kyotaro slowly lowered his phone. At that moment, a woman’s voice in Japanese interjected from across him.

“What does Woo-jin-ssi say? Is he… leaving? Still, we should understand. The situation is very bad.”

A middle-aged woman in her 60s. No, it was Akari, the original author of ‘Strange Geisha.’

“The media is already targeting Woo-jin-ssi just a few hours after the controversy broke out.”

Behind Akari, who had a deep sense of pity, Director Kyotaro slowly shook his head.

“No, Akari-sensei. Woo-jin-ssi said he would wait. He said he really wanted to film ‘Strange Geisha.'”

Akari’s eyes widened.

“Really? Did Woo-jin-ssi really say that?”

“Yes. He said he doesn’t care about the image damage. He said he’ll just wait, so don’t worry about him.”

“…Kang Woo-jin-ssi is really. Ha—I don’t know. He’s so solid, even though he’s a rookie.”

“That’s right. I’ve only seen him briefly, but even during the first meeting for ‘Strange Geisha’ in the past. Woo-jin-ssi feels like he has no backing. I’ve been a director for decades, but I’ve never seen an actor like Woo-jin-ssi. At least, he doesn’t exist in Japan.”

A smile appeared on Akari’s lips.

“It wasn’t time to sit here like a fool.”

“Yes, Akari-sensei.”

Then, Director Kyotaro slowly got up from his seat.

It was mostly a conversation filled with misunderstandings.

“Since such an actor says he’ll wait, I feel like I’m gaining strength.”

Right now, Director Kyotaro was overflowing with courage.

Behind him.

Contrary to Director Kyotaro’s surge of strength, ‘Strange Geisha’ in Japan was.

『Was it all just a facade? 「Strange Geisha」 faces difficulties in maintaining investment』

『The result of Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro’s stubbornness, he should not have ignored the voices of the original fans』

It was safe to say it was plummeting. The investment controversy that broke out on the 8th had spread like wildfire.

『「Strange Geisha」 with endless issues, was it too big of a challenge? Investors are withdrawing funds』

It was a small rumor before, but this time, it was led by major news outlets, so its power was extraordinary.

Was that why?

Soon, even small and medium-sized media outlets followed suit.

The topic occupied the front page of the entertainment news on Japan’s number one portal site and shook Japan all day on the 8th. ‘Strange Geisha’ was such a strong issue, and as soon as the bait was thrown, the media and public opinion quickly shifted their stance. They were launching attacks.

『Insiders of 「Strange Geisha」, where investment is leaking, say “There might be a problem with the scenario”』

『The dangerous challenge of 「Strange Geisha」 led to the withdrawal of investment!』

To be precise, the media just jumped in because they thought it was the right time, and the opposition that had been hiding in public opinion openly revealed themselves.

From the 9th, a day later, even nonsense with no facts began to appear.

Rumors of discord between actors, differences in opinion between investors and Director Kyotaro, the withdrawal of Akari, who had been silent, and Kang Woo-jin’s non-existent scandals, etc.

『Differences of opinion between Kang Woo-jin of 「Strange Geisha」 and the cast actors? Will the movie production be canceled?』

‘Strange Geisha’ was in turmoil with numerous abusive articles. The Japanese public was also excited by it.

-I knew it! It didn’t make sense to cast a rookie actor from Korea as the lead in the first place! The fans of the original Strange Geisha were so against it!

But on the other hand.

-The whole place is full of Strange Geisha movie reporters! Ah! I wasn’t really interested, but I keep seeing it, so I end up looking at it!

The level of interest was more explosive than ever. It was a strange picture. Despite being the biggest crisis for ‘Strange Geisha,’ its recognition was at its peak. It was several times stronger than when Kang Woo-jin was revealed to be a ‘rookie actor from Korea.’

This was the power of stimulation that was widespread in the mass media world.

Something salty is several times more hooking than something bland. Anyway, even two days later, on the 10th, ‘Strange Geisha’ was unintentionally receiving the full force of ‘noise marketing’ [a marketing strategy that uses controversy to gain attention]. As such, mentions of Kang Woo-jin were also pouring out like a waterfall.

Realistically, it wasn’t a bad picture for Woo-jin.

『「Kang Woo-jin」’s interest is on a roller coaster, what stance will he take?』

Even if ‘Strange Geisha’ failed, it would only mean that one of the projects prepared for Kang Woo-jin would disappear. Whether good or bad, his recognition in Japan would grow immensely.

Around this time.

“PD-nim! Did you see these ‘Strange Geisha’ articles?! Things are getting too big?”

At ‘Ametalk Show!’, which had recently finished recording with Kang Woo-jin and was in the middle of editing, an emergency was declared. But the emaciated Shinjo PD.

“I know, I saw it too.”

“I, isn’t it better to wait and see how things go for a while?”

“Why?? From what I see, if we air it as is, we’ll hit the highest viewership ratings?”

He decided that it was rather good. Whatever it was, the noisy ‘Strange Geisha’ topic was naturally spreading to Korea as well. In Korea, unlike in Japan, they were looking at the situation with a slightly third-party perspective.

『[Exclusive] The first Japanese lead role of the monster rookie ‘Kang Woo-jin’, Strange Geisha, suddenly blocked from investment… a sudden crisis』

『Half of the total investment in ‘Strange Geisha’ has already been withdrawn, and investment is expected to freeze further after the controversy』

Well, it was the same in that all sorts of speculations were rampant, but the weight was lighter. The public was similar. The reactions in the comments on articles and on social media were quick, but the nuances were all the same.

-Huh? What’s going on? Is that Japanese movie getting canceled?? Too bad…

Regardless, Kang Woo-jin, the center of all this, was.

『[Star Pick] Is Japan in danger of the existence of ‘Strange Geisha’? ‘Kang Woo-jin’ has no reaction』

He was as quiet as a mouse.

Morning of September 12th, at an advertisement filming location.

The time was around 9 am. Dozens of staff were busy setting up for the shoot. Among them, the advertisement director at a desk with several monitors.

“It’s this kind of feeling—here, here, the cut where he’s running in jeans. I was wondering if it’s possible to take off his top.”

He was showing the storyboard for today’s shoot to a man with a ponytail. Of course, it was Choi Sung-gun.

“Hmm, well, I don’t think there was any talk about that.”

“I know. I’ll talk to the staff from the advertiser later, but before that, I was wondering what Woo-jin-ssi thinks. In my opinion, the jeans would stand out much more without a top?”

Of course, the main focus of the advertisement shoot was Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin was not currently at the filming location. He was in a van parked in the parking lot. He wasn’t alone either. A familiar face with a beard. That is, Kang Woo-jin and Song Man-woo PD, a big shot in the drama industry, were together in the van.

-Flap.

Kang Woo-jin had just unfolded the first of two thin stacks of paper he had received from Song Man-woo PD. The cover of the stack of paper had these words written on it.

-Synopsis.

Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, was reading the first line of the content when he suddenly met the gaze of Song Man-woo PD, who was sitting next to him and swallowing nervously.

“PD-nim. The main character in this.”

“Uh, uh, that’s right.”

Then, Song Man-woo PD quickly nodded his head and answered instead.

“The main character is a chef, a chef.”