I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 137

It was certain. The robotic female voice clearly declared that it would give not one, but two gifts. Kang Woo-jin was slightly taken aback by this.

“Not one, but two gifts??”

It was unprecedented. From English to Japanese, sign language, and even singing ability, the subspace had always given only one gift until now. But now, it was giving two.

“Technique and recipe.”

To be honest, Woo-jin had high expectations of gaining an ability and thought it was highly likely. But two was beyond his expectations. More than anything, the timing was strange. Why now? In this situation?

Then, Kang Woo-jin sensed something.

“Is the subspace… evolving?”

It wasn’t certain, but that was the feeling. The subspace was always unkind with no explanations, but judging from the current situation, wasn’t it possible that the subspace was growing along with Kang Woo-jin? Like in a game, when you complete a quest, the rewards increase. Maybe the subspace was similar?

“Though a quest has never appeared.”

Perhaps the more Kang Woo-jin utilized the subspace, the greater the range of gifts given. Well, let’s just understand it that way. After all, it’s impossible to fully grasp the subspace, right?

Besides.

“They’re giving it to me, so I’m thankful.”

There was no need to refuse, nor was there a way to refuse. Kang Woo-jin just had to accept it with a smile.

‘If this is the case… will I be able to receive 3, 4, or even 5 gifts in the future?’

The faint expectation exploded. The subspace was the best after all. Two thumbs up weren’t enough. It was simply divine.

It was then.

[“Preparing to read ‘Chef’s Technique and Recipe’…”]

[“Preparation complete. Starting the reading of ‘Chef’s Technique and Recipe’.”]

With the welcome female voice, a massive gray mass engulfed Kang Woo-jin. The force was terrifying, but Kang Woo-jin was smiling. However, the stinging pain in his lower abdomen was still there.

“Ugh.”

Then.

-Swoosh.

Kang Woo-jin slowly opened his eyes. The space was the same as the one where he had enhanced his ‘singing ability’. It was endlessly dark, similar to the previous subspace. However.

“Ah.”

Kang Woo-jin quickly noticed the difference. The difference could be seen when he turned his head to the left. Kang Woo-jin, who was always alone, saw another Kang Woo-jin when he looked to his left. Or, to be more precise.

“A mirror?”

The reflection of Kang Woo-jin standing there was visible. The reflection of Woo-jin followed everything he did, blinking, raising his hand, and lifting his foot.

‘Is it because there are two gifts?’

It was mysterious. That was the feeling. The space was completely dark, yet there was a feeling that another self existed. Right at that moment.

“It’s coming.”

Strange shapes began to fly in from the distance. It was only when the shapes were very close that Woo-jin understood what they were. Food. Countless foods were rapidly approaching and permeating Kang Woo-jin’s body. Was this ‘Chef’s Recipe’?

What was interesting was.

“Taste, why can I taste it?”

He felt a chill when the food permeated him, but it was as if he was eating the food that was permeating him. He could feel the distinct taste. Around that time, the reflection of Kang Woo-jin on the left was also being attacked by something. Moving knives, flashy woks, and so on.

They were countless tools.

The next day, the 13th, in Tokyo, Japan.

The time was a little past 8 AM. The place was the parking lot of ‘Toega’ Film Company. Among the cars gradually filling the lot, Director Kyotaro stood out, looking blank.

“……”

His expression was stiff. He was just looking at the entrance of the parking lot, as if waiting for someone. Then why was he spending time here at this hour, especially when ‘Nakkisaeng’ was collapsing? The reason was simple.

‘The Kashii Group is… providing the investment?’

It was because of a woman named Tetsukawa Riri, who had called yesterday. Here, Director Kyotaro recalled his conversation with her.

Director Kyotaro wondered what she was talking about.

“…Did you say that the Kashii Group would provide the investment for ‘Nakkisaeng’?”

Riri’s voice on the phone was calm.

“That’s correct. More importantly, is there anyone around you?”

“Ah- yes, there is.”

“Then please move to another place.”

“…Understood.”

Director Kyotaro, who had gone out into the hallway, suspected it was a prank call. But he needed to confirm it anyway.

“Excuse me, but how can I believe that you are from the Kashii Group?”

“You don’t have to believe it.”

“Pardon?”

“We are currently very well aware of the situation with ‘Nakkisaeng’. Nevertheless, we are considering investing.”

“Who is?”

“You will find out when you meet them in person.”

This woman was different. The dignity in her tone was like that, and so was the aura that led the conversation.

“Director, how is your time tomorrow morning?”

“Morning, you say?”

“Yes. If it’s okay, we will send a car to pick you up.”

Director Kyotaro had an appointment with another investor. However, for some reason, he felt like he shouldn’t miss this moment. Thanks to that, Director Kyotaro did not miss the faint opportunity.

“Tomorrow morning. It’s fine.”

“Then, please be at the parking lot of ‘Toega’ Film Company by 8 AM. Get in the car that arrives.”

That was it.

Director Kyotaro, who had been recalling yesterday, returned to reality, the parking lot of ‘Toega’ Film Company. Was it real? Was it really the Kashii Group? It was hard to believe, but Director Kyotaro wanted to believe it.

“I have no connection with them. What on earth.”

The Kashii Group was a super-giant conglomerate that ranked within the top 10 in Japan’s business world. However, Director Kyotaro had no connection with them at all. Then, perhaps, was it writer Akari?

At that moment.

-Vroom!

A luxurious black sedan smoothly entered the parking lot. It was a foreign car that looked expensive at a glance. That was why it caught Director Kyotaro’s attention, and the sedan, which had been moving smoothly, stopped in front of him as if it were natural.

Soon.

-Click!

The passenger door opened, and a woman in a neat suit with a refined appearance got out. Her posture was upright and neat. She bowed politely to Director Kyotaro.

“Hello, Director. It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Tetsukawa Riri, who called you.”

She opened the back door of the car and gestured politely for him to get in.

“Please get in.”

“……”

Soon, Director Kyotaro got into the car as if he were possessed.

About an hour later.

The luxury sedan carrying Director Kyotaro stopped in front of a huge mansion that was breathtaking. Riri, with her long hair tied back, got out first.

-Swoosh.

She opened the back door of the car. Director Kyotaro’s expression was still bewildered. He hadn’t said a word to her the entire way. Anyway.

“Director, please follow me.”

Director Kyotaro, who had gotten out of the car in a daze, scratched his gray hair and followed Riri. They passed through a vast yard, past a dozen busy employees, and past furniture that made his jaw drop.

“Here it is.”

Her guidance stopped in front of a brown wooden door. Soon, Riri knocked on the door twice.

-Knock knock.

A rough male voice was heard from inside.

“Yes, come in.”

A voice that exuded leisure. Then, Riri opened the door, and the interior of the room came into Director Kyotaro’s view. It was full of books. A space that was clearly a study. A large desk in the center. And.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro.”

An old man with white hair on his eyebrows stood next to the desk. He extended his hand to Director Kyotaro with a faint smile, but his figure was like a white-haired lion.

Director Kyotaro knew who he was at once.

‘……Chairman Yoshimura Hideki.’

The head of the Kashii Group. He was a figure with a high presence in Japan, and even overseas.

‘It was real.’

In other words, the Kashii Group’s contact was not a lie but the truth. Here, the master director Kyotaro regained his composure. He was a person worthy of it, and it was a situation that called for it.

“Hello, Chairman Yoshimura. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s not my first time seeing you, Director. You appear so often in the media.”

“Things have gotten bigger lately, unintentionally.”

“You are Tanoguchi Kyotaro, the director of Japanese films, so that’s to be expected.”

“You flatter me.”

Chairman Hideki, with a strange smile, gestured to the three-person sofa in front of the desk. It was a sign to sit down. Soon, teacups were delivered to the study, and Chairman Hideki, after savoring a cup of tea, opened the conversation.

“I heard that the movie ‘Nakkisaeng’ you are preparing is in a very bad situation. Is that true?”

He went straight to the point without beating around the bush. However, Director Kyotaro, who also had an upright posture, calmly responded.

“That’s correct.”

“To what extent?”

“At the very least, the investment problem that the media is covering is true.”

“I see.”

Chairman Hideki, who slowly put down his teacup but had a sharp glint in his eyes, spoke to Director Kyotaro again.

“How much investment has been lost?”

“About 70%.”

“That would be about 15 billion yen.”

At that moment, Director Kyotaro’s eyes trembled slightly. How did he know even the detailed parts of the investment? Still, he calmly answered.

“It’s similar.”

“Hmm- good, then I’ll fill the hole in the investment. I’ll add a little more than the original amount. So you can expand the scale.”

“!!!”

“But there’s a condition.”

“A condition, you say?”

Chairman Hideki, who picked up his teacup again, gave a concise answer.

“That Korean rookie actor. Kang Woo-jin must be kept.”

“……”

“You can replace the other actors.”

Director Kyotaro was slightly dumbfounded by the answer. Why was Woo-jin mentioned here? It was completely unexpected. It was natural that Kang Woo-jin suddenly came out of the mouth of that super-giant figure. However, Director Kyotaro suppressed his surprise and asked something else.

“…May I ask why you are interested in our movie?”

“Hmm. Well, I suppose it’s to protect a child’s hard-earned dream. For that child, even 100 billion yen wouldn’t be a waste.”

It was an incomprehensible answer. But he felt like he shouldn’t ask any more questions, so Director Kyotaro changed the subject.

“Perhaps- are you acquainted with Mr. Kang Woo-jin?”

Chairman Hideki, who tilted his head slightly at the question, did not answer immediately. He was just recalling the sense of kinship or the difficult times of that Korean actor he had never even met.

That lasted for about 10 seconds.

Then, Chairman Hideki’s wrinkled lips slowly opened.

“Let’s just say we are people who know the same pain.”

Director Kyotaro’s eyes widened. Clearly, he felt a connection with Kang Woo-jin in Chairman Hideki’s tone. Then.

‘Right, is that so?’

Suddenly, Director Kyotaro began to immerse himself in a swamp of misunderstandings.

‘Now… I understand why Woo-jin’s Japanese is at a native level. He must have some connection with Chairman Hideki.’

He thought it was 100%. The fact that Chairman Hideki suddenly invested, and that Kang Woo-jin came out of his mouth.

‘Woo-jin’s fluent Japanese, overflowing self-esteem, reckless drive, his insane abilities including acting, and his overflowing aura.’

And even the composure he showed when he said he would wait even though the movie was on the brink of collapse. Yes, all of that fit perfectly when combined with Chairman Hideki.

‘I don’t know what kind of circumstances there are between them- but I knew it.’

Chairman Hideki’s words added to his conviction.

“You must keep this to yourself, from my existence to everything we discussed today.”

“…Understood.”

It was a moment of accumulating misunderstandings, but Chairman Hideki, who was completely unaware of this, spoke again.

“I’ll send the investment money soon. But everything will be top secret, and it’s okay if I handle the media control related to it, right?”

“You mean media play.”

“Yes.”

“Can you give me a hint on how you will do it?”

“It’s simple. First, we’ll start by saying that the investment problem has been resolved cleanly.”

Then, Chairman Hideki’s faint smile deepened.

“The rumor that my Kashii Group is the backer will be appropriately intertwined.”

A few days later, on Wednesday the 16th, at night.

The first broadcast date of Japan’s national talk show, ‘Ametalk Show!’, had already been announced.

『”Nakkisaeng” controversy is igniting from the discord rumors, but Ametalk Show! is pushing ahead with the broadcast』

『”Ametalk Show!” Kang Woo-jin episode will be broadcast without problems on the 16th』

The promotion had also been ongoing since Kang Woo-jin visited Japan.

Of course, even when the crisis of ‘Nakkisaeng’ broke out, and even when various rumors about Kang Woo-jin were spreading, ‘Ametalk Show!’ did not stop. From a normal perspective, broadcasting in a controversial state was not good.

This was the view of the media.

『Ignoring public opinion? What is the thought of “Ametalk Show!” pushing ahead with the Kang Woo-jin episode?』

The Japanese public opinion was the same.

-Why do they have to broadcast the Kang Woo-jin episode when there’s a problem? They could do it after things calm down??

-I don’t understand, why is the Ametalk PD pushing this?

-It doesn’t matter, I’m not going to watch it anyway

-It’s a talk show that’s been running for over 10 years, and it gets an average of 10% viewership even without Kang Woo-jin, right? It makes sense to just air the content they have on hand

-What are the Ametalk production team thinking?

-He’s not even a top actor in Korea, so there’s no reason to watch him if he’s just a rookie actor

It stinks. Even if you justify the hate comments, they are still hate comments. They call it pinpointing, right? The coordinates were pinpointed on the news related to ‘Ametalk Show!’ on Japanese SNS and communities.

Of course, there were some that weren’t hate comments.

-Why!! I’m really looking forward to it!

Most of them were pouring out concerns and attacks. But clearly, these were just a part of the whole.

And at that time.

“Three commercials left!”

Many people had gathered in the main control room of TBE, the Japanese private broadcasting station that would air ‘Ametalk Show!’. From the head of the entertainment department to the executives, and.

“Hoo-”

Shinjo PD, who was watching numerous monitors, swallowed hard. He was already thin, but was he looking even thinner because of the tension? Naturally, the writers of ‘Ametalk Show!’ who had gathered around him had similar expressions.

Around this time.

“‘Ametalk Show!’ is going live!”

A staff member in the main control room gave the cue. Soon, the opening of ‘Ametalk Show!’ was played on some of the many monitors. In other words, the Kang Woo-jin episode of ‘Ametalk Show!’ was being broadcast throughout Japan.

At the same time.

“H-how is it?”

The head of the department approached a staff member in the main control room and asked, followed by Shinjo PD with wide eyes. The writers were clinging to his side. Everyone was just looking at the staff member’s mouth.

At the same time.

“……”

The staff member in the main control room, who had confirmed something.

“‘Ametalk Show!’ opening viewership rating-”

He turned his head and shouted to the crowd.

“Opening viewership rating 20.3%! 20.3%!”

At that moment, everyone, including the head of the department and Shinjo PD, opened their mouths wide.

“W-what?! 20.3%?!”

It was a result that was beyond a reversal, it was a distortion.

End