I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 136

Inside the van, after mentioning the main character’s profession as a chef, Song Man-woo PD elaborated, “If you read the synopsis a bit more, you’ll see that he’s—well, to be precise, he’s a chef who was once successful but is now down on his luck, you know?”

“Is it about him making a comeback?”

“It seems like it’ll probably go that way. Of course, the direction might change a bit.”

Kang Woo-jin slowly nodded, then refocused his gaze on the synopsis. He was a bit unsure since the first line was about cooking, but after hearing Song Man-woo PD’s words, Woo-jin was certain.

‘A chef, huh? There was a chef drama that was a big hit a while back, though I can’t remember the title.’

Usually, a synopsis includes a brief overall plot, an outline, planning, the writer’s intention, and the characters. The synopsis Woo-jin was currently looking at was no different.

‘It is cool, being a chef. Especially when they’re doing knife work.’

Woo-jin secretly recalled a video he had watched on YouTube in the past. It was a chef YouTuber whose face was hidden, but he had watched several videos, fascinated by the chef’s dazzling knife skills. Woo-jin had even tried to follow some of the recipes shown there.

Anyway.

-Flip.

Kang Woo-jin, with a cynical expression, flipped another page of the synopsis and let out a short sigh internally.

The reason was simple.

‘Well, it has a lot of stuff in it, but—honestly, the synopsis is just a piece of paper to me.’

Unfortunately, the black rectangle didn’t appear on the synopses of dramas or movies. The passage to the subspace, that is. There was nothing attached to the two synopses in Woo-jin’s hands. They were just ordinary, thin stacks of paper.

It had always been like this.

Short scripts of a few pages would open a passage to the subspace, but even if it was over 100 pages, the black rectangle wouldn’t appear on a synopsis. Well, it was natural, in a way. After all, a synopsis was just a summarized PPT [PowerPoint presentation] of the work.

There were no lines, only explanations.

Other actors usually look at synopses in depth to choose their projects, but Kang Woo-jin wasn’t particularly moved by them. Still, he would pretend to read them for now.

Here’s a random thought.

‘…But if I check the script of this drama where the main character is a chef—could I also gain chef abilities?’

A faint hope rose in Kang Woo-jin. If it was the subspace, it was definitely possible, right? After all, it had given him vocal abilities and even allowed him to learn many languages in an instant.

‘Cooking skills? Or knowledge? I’m not sure what kind of ability will be imprinted. But whatever it is, it’s totally possible, right?’

The subspace was always unpredictable, so there might be a twist, but the possibility was very high. At this moment, several ideas popped into his head about where he could use chef-related abilities if he got them.

‘The first thing that comes to mind is ‘Our Table’.’ [A fictional variety show]

A huge variety show that was being prepared by Yoon Byung-sun PD, a big shot in the entertainment industry, and would feature many top stars, including Kang Woo-jin. ‘Our Table’ was also themed around ‘cooking’ in a broad sense. Besides that, it would be useful in everyday life too.

Meanwhile, Song Man-woo PD, with his bearded chin, swallowed hard, watching Woo-jin’s silent face.

‘Geez, it’s nerve-wracking when he just looks without saying anything.’

He was a fervent believer in Kang Woo-jin, or rather, Kang Totem [a nickname for Kang Woo-jin, implying he’s a powerful figure]. Even though he was a big name in the drama industry, his hands were getting sweaty. In a way, he was being evaluated by Kang Totem.

Currently, Song Man-woo PD had resigned from the broadcasting station.

Although the work related to ‘Hooligan’ wasn’t completely finished, it was being wrapped up with a handover, and he would join if needed. In other words, Song Man-woo PD had become independent. And he had become the president of a new production company. Of course, that was just on the surface; he was a figurehead.

There were two presidents, in a way.

Song Man-woo PD was to be seen as the face and the main director, and he had brought the drama synopsis he had selected for his first independent project to Kang Woo-jin first. It was because of the promise he had made at the wrap-up party for ‘Hooligan’. Of course, knowing that Woo-jin would be busy, Song Man-woo PD had personally come to this advertisement shoot. He was being polite, regardless of his status.

‘I’m grateful that he made time in this crazy schedule.’

Of course, his faith in Woo-jin was also a factor.

Around this time.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been ‘pretending’ to look at the second synopsis, opened his mouth with an indifferent expression.

“PD-nim.”

“Y-yes, I’m listening, Woo-jin-ssi.”

“These two projects, are the scripts not out yet?”

At the question, Song Man-woo PD shook his bearded chin.

“They do exist. But they’re not finished yet. Both projects have the first episode out? But we haven’t decided which project to go with, so we’ve put the progress on hold.”

“Is that so? Hmm—”

Woo-jin, who had let out a short hum, neatly stacked the two synopses and lowered his voice.

“Then, can I receive those unfinished scripts?”

“Of course, there’s no problem with that. But you’re busy, would it be okay? I’m fine with just a hint, but I was worried it might be a hassle for you.”

“It’s fine, you can send them.”

Song Man-woo PD’s expression brightened immediately.

“Okay! You want both projects sent, right?”

Well, that would be natural. Kang Woo-jin nodded solemnly.

“Yes, both projects.”

“Okay! Haha, I don’t know what to do with myself, Kang Totem-nim, you’re so busy. Then, I’ll organize the scripts and send them to Woo-jin-ssi’s company.”

“No. If possible, please send them to my house.”

“Really? Okay, okay, I’ll send them to your house. Your schedule today—it ends at night, right?”

“Yes.”

At that moment.

-Knock knock.

A knock echoed on the van window. Soon, the back door of the van opened, and Choi Sung-gun’s smiling face with his ponytail appeared.

“PD-nim. I’m sorry, but Woo-jin-ssi’s shoot is about to start.”

“Ah! Okay, Woo-jin-ssi, thank you so much for making time. Go on now!”

After a brief farewell, Song Man-woo PD ran to his car parked nearby, and Woo-jin moved to the advertisement shoot with Choi Sung-gun. It was at this point that Choi Sung-gun spoke.

“What did Song PD say?”

“He gave me the synopses.”

“Ah—right, that guy went independent, didn’t he? I heard he’s a big shot and ‘Hooligan’ was a huge hit, so he got a lot of investment. Hah, we need to get our investment money properly too.”

Choi Sung-gun, or rather, BW Entertainment, was currently preparing for expansion. They were selecting various investors and assessing the future value of BW Entertainment. The word ‘investment money’ made Woo-jin think of ‘Naki-sei’.

“How is the situation with ‘Naki-sei’ in Japan?”

“We’re still in contact with them and monitoring the situation.”

Choi Sung-gun paused for a moment and scratched his chin, looking troubled.

“Honestly, the situation has gotten worse. The image has been severely tarnished. It’s unlikely that public opinion will suddenly turn around. Do you want to pull out now? No one will blame you, so feel free to decide.”

“No, I’ll wait.”

“…Since you’re so clear about work and personal matters, it’s not about loyalty or courtesy. Is there a reason?”

Since he couldn’t say, ‘Because ‘Naki-sei’ will rise to S+ grade,’ Woo-jin vaguely made an excuse.

“I just want to do ‘Naki-sei’.”

However, from this comment, Choi Sung-gun thought.

‘He must have gotten a strong feeling about ‘Naki-sei’. Otherwise, there’s no reason to hold on when the situation is this bad. If his crazy intuition is working…’

He was swallowing a spoonful of misunderstanding on his own.

At the same time, in Japan.

The ‘Toega’ film company of ‘Naki-sei’ in Tokyo was in a state of chaos. The situation still hadn’t calmed down. No, the situation had worsened even more in the week since the first article broke.

『「Naki-sei」’s investment money is leaking, will director Tanoguchi Kyotaro collapse like this?』

It was as if ‘Naki-sei’s’ recognition was at its peak, but conversely, various nonsense and rubbish were pouring out like crazy. In response, the ‘Toega’ film company had quickly tried to release clarifying articles, but.

『Toega side: “It is true that investment money has been reduced, but other articles are groundless.”』

The fire didn’t die down easily. As a result, rumors began to spread among the actors cast in ‘Naki-sei’ and even among actors in the Japanese entertainment industry.

“Director! We keep getting requests to reconsider the investment!”

“…Oh dear. Which one is it this time?”

Even though the investors who had already pulled out were one thing, even the remaining investment money was shaking. About 60% of the investment money had already been withdrawn. Of course, director Kyotaro and the film company were running around trying to attract new investment, but the results were not good.

Well, it was a natural flow.

With the situation clearly looking bad, which investor would step forward? They were becoming passive, and the hole was bound to get smaller. At this point, there was only one decision that director Kyotaro and the film company could make.

“Director… How about reducing the scale of the movie with the current remaining production costs?”

To greatly reduce the size. But director Kyotaro thought that was something that should never happen.

“No. If that’s the case, it’s better to give up on production altogether. Besides, it’s unclear whether the remaining investment money will be maintained.”

“…Hmm. Still, we need to make some kind of decision. Groundless rumors continue to stick to Woo-jin-ssi, including our movie. And the movements of the other actors, except for Woo-jin-ssi, are not normal. We need to do something while there’s still some investment money left.”

“…”

“How about starting the filming as soon as possible and then gradually filling in the investment money?”

Every method was extreme. Director Kyotaro was starting to wonder if his stubbornness had been too much. Was Japan not ready for change? Either way, if they wasted time like this, everyone, including Kang Woo-jin, would only suffer.

Director Kyotaro was in a complicated state of mind.

He had been struggling for over a week, but there was no good solution.

‘It’s time to decide whether to push forward or stop.’

The timing to confirm GO or STOP.

It was at that moment.

-♬♪

Director Kyotaro’s phone on the desk rang. The caller was an unsaved number. He was about to ignore it, as there had been many indiscriminate calls from the press recently, but.

“Hoo—”

He picked up the phone, just in case it was a rumor.

“Yes, this is Tanoguchi Kyotaro.”

The person on the other end of the phone was a woman, and not a reporter.

“Hello, director. This is Tetsukawa Riri from the Kashii Group.”

Director Kyotaro blinked his eyes.

“…Kashii Group? Is that the Kashii Group I know?”

One of the top 10 conglomerates in Japan’s business world.

“Yes, director.”

It was an absurdly ridiculous person to be talking to.

“There is someone who wishes to meet you.”

“Me? Who?”

But the woman on the phone was endlessly calm.

“It’s someone who will provide all the investment money for ‘Naki-sei’.”

Night, Kang Woo-jin’s officetel [a studio apartment].

The van that had just dropped off Kang Woo-jin slowly exited the underground parking lot. Woo-jin watched it silently.

“…”

Only after the van had completely disappeared did he release the tension he had been holding onto.

“Phew—I’m dying. No, I might already be dead.”

The time was 11:40 PM. It was late, but for Kang Woo-jin, it was an earlier-than-usual day to get off work. Therefore, his eyes were full of fatigue. Soon, he turned around and started walking, recalling the schedule he had pushed through today.

‘What did I do today? I seriously can’t remember.’

However, he was so out of it that he couldn’t remember well. It had already been three weeks since he had returned from Japan. Woo-jin muttered softly and pressed the first-floor button in the elevator. The reason he wasn’t going straight home was simple.

‘Did he say it would be in the mailbox?’

Song Man-woo PD, whom he had met in the morning, had contacted him to say that he had sent the scripts. As expected, there was a slightly thick, yellow envelope in the mailbox. He picked it up and got back on the elevator. While it was going up with a whirring sound, Kang Woo-jin tore open the envelope.

-Rip!

Although he was full of fatigue, a slight sense of anticipation arose within him. Of course, it was because of the ability acquisition he had heard about in the morning.

“Let’s see—”

Inside the yellow envelope were two scripts. He had to check both, but there was only one thing Kang Woo-jin was looking for right now.

“Which one is the one with the chef?”

He didn’t have to look for long. The title of the script he was looking for was right in front of his eyes.

-‘The Praised Chef’

Woo-jin smiled slightly after confirming the title.

“This is it, this one.”

Then, Woo-jin placed the yellow envelope on the nearby dining table and picked up the script for ‘The Praised Chef’. As expected, unlike the synopsis he had seen in the morning, there was a familiar black rectangle next to the script. It had a swirling gray and black feel.

Kang Woo-jin casually tapped it with his index finger.

-Thump!

In an instant, Woo-jin entered the subspace, which was endlessly filled with darkness and a place he visited a hundred times more often than his own home. Woo-jin stretched out his long limbs and walked towards the white rectangle that was floating around his chest.

The script from just now had been added as a white rectangle.

First, Kang Woo-jin looked for what he always checked when he came to the subspace recently.

-[7/Scenario (Title: The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger), S+ Grade]

The grade of ‘Naki-sei’.

“Yeah, it’s still S+ grade.”

The suddenly risen S+ grade of ‘Naki-sei’ was being maintained. Satisfied, Kang Woo-jin turned his gaze to the last white rectangle.

-[8/Script (Title: ‘The Praised Chef’), C Grade]

Unfortunately, ‘The Praised Chef’ was C grade. In other words, average. At this point, Woo-jin suddenly shook his head.

“C isn’t bad, is it? Has this crazy guy’s standards gotten too high—”

He scolded himself and touched the white rectangle of ‘The Praised Chef’. The text that appeared changed quickly.

-[You have selected 8/Script (Title: ‘The Praised Chef’).]

-[Lists the characters available for reading (experience).]

-[A: Jang Hyun-jae······]

There was no need to pay attention to the characters after that. All Woo-jin needed was the main character. Without hesitation, Kang Woo-jin touched the first character listed among the characters, the main character. At the same time, he chanted internally.

‘Come on, come on. Appear! Appear!’

If the robotic female voice immediately said that it would start the character reading, it was a bust, but if it said something with a different nuance than usual, it was a pass.

It was then.

[“Abilities beyond the basic specs have been detected. ‘Chef’s Technique’ will be acquired first.”]

The result that made him want to do a shoulder dance spread throughout the subspace. In an instant, Kang Woo-jin clapped his hands. It was a pass. But ‘Chef’s Technique’? In a brief moment, he wondered about the ability that would be imprinted on him.

[“…”]

The robotic female voice, which had been silent for a moment, echoed again.

[“Abilities beyond the basic specs have been detected. ‘Chef’s Recipe’ will be acquired first.”]

As soon as he heard that, Kang Woo-jin’s eyes widened slightly.

“Huh? Two?”

It was the first time this had happened.

End