I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 140

After the first rumor about the Kashihi Group surfaced out of nowhere in Japan,

『Kashihi Group, interested in the collapsing 「Strange Geisha」? Rumors in the film industry』

As if they had planned it, the ‘Strange Geisha’ side, which had recently been cornered, released an official statement.

『[Official] 「Strange Geisha」 side, “Investment issues resolved, will put all efforts into production”』

‘Strange Geisha’ was like a battlefield with heated debates. Frankly, the media and public opinion thought ‘Strange Geisha’ would collapse as it was. That was the general perception, and internally, things were similar.

But the geisha was revived?

It was eye-opening news. It wasn’t just a small amount, but an investment of over 10 billion, close to 20 billion? More than anything, ‘Strange Geisha’ was already in a terrible state with all sorts of rumors and nonsense. But all the investment was resolved overnight?

『Why 「Strange Geisha」, which lost about 70% of its investment, came back to life』

It was too fast. There were often cases like ‘Strange Geisha’ in the film industry, but when things were resolved smoothly, they usually moved slowly over time.

In other words, there was a process.

But ‘Strange Geisha’ was too sudden. And the scale was 20 billion. The Japanese media, upon hearing this, were puzzled even as they churned out articles.

“Is it true that ‘Strange Geisha’ has resolved all its investment?”

“Well, but public opinion is already terrible, would they really release an official statement with a lie? That’s just a band-aid solution, right? It’ll be exposed soon.”

“Right? It’s weird. I heard that almost half of the investment was lost in a short period, how could they get it all back overnight? The total investment is over 10 billion, right?”

“There were talks of 20 billion? It’s strange. With the downward trend, there wouldn’t have been any investors willing to reach out to ‘Strange Geisha’.”

That’s why.

“Hey! Look at this! There’s news that the Kashihi Group is the one who covered the investment for ‘Strange Geisha’!!”

“Huh?? What are you talking about??”

“I don’t know!”

The Kashihi Group rumor, which seemed absurd to everyone, gained traction. There was also something that broke at almost the same time.

『Did the Kashihi Group save the collapsed 「Strange Geisha」? Where is the source?』

The Kashihi Group and ‘Strange Geisha’ had no connection or prior history. If there was any possibility, they would dig into it, but there was none. So, it was clear that it was just nonsense.

But the Japanese media published the articles anyway.

The Kashihi Group was within the top 10 of the Japanese business world. Even a brief mention like this was too good to pass up.

『「Kashihi Group」, starting in the cultural industry with Strange Geisha?』

Thus, the Kashihi Group and ‘Strange Geisha’ were linked together. Chairman Hideki’s name was also frequently mentioned.

『Was it Chairman Hideki’s order to complete the investment for Strange Geisha? The media is buzzing with rumors』

The social and entertainment sections were immediately filled with similar articles. But it wasn’t just the media spreading rumors. Actors and others in the vast Japanese entertainment industry were also talking about it.

“Do you think it makes sense that the Kashihi Group is involved with ‘Strange Geisha’? They have no interest in the cultural industry at all.”

“I think this is just a rumor. Maybe another conglomerate deliberately leaked it? Some kind of power play.”

“The reality became a movie while filming a movie? But if this is real, isn’t ‘Strange Geisha’ a huge hit?”

“Eh- is it really true?”

The snowball of rumors gradually grew, but the ‘Strange Geisha’ side remained silent, only releasing facts about their production.

From here.

-Kashihi?? Why is the Kashihi Group suddenly appearing wwww

-Isn’t it common for the media to spout nonsense?

-It’s too absurd, all the investors left, but it makes no sense that only the Kashihi Group is pouring money in?

-But Strange Geisha said they resolved the investment, right? It seems real.

-If a large company is involved, it means they moved for profit, and they saw the potential of Strange Geisha, right?

-It must be because of the Korean wave, Strange Geisha has Kang Woo-jin

-Let’s not get too carried away, it’s not even confirmed yet

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The public perception of ‘Strange Geisha’ began to shift little by little. But of course, the Kashihi Group did not leak any information. They just kept quiet.

『Rumor? But 「Kashihi Group」 is not making any moves』

As if trying to endlessly amplify the rumor.

The next day, the 22nd, at the ‘Frozen Romance’ filming set.

While ‘Strange Geisha’ was dominating the news in Japan from the 21st to today, Kang Woo-jin was in the middle of the second day of filming for ‘Frozen Romance’.

“Action!!”

If yesterday’s filming was mainly about misunderstandings arising from a lack of communication, today, the male lead ‘Song Tae-hyung’ slightly opens his heart and begins to understand the ‘mysterious man next door’. He also realizes that the ‘mysterious man next door’ cannot speak and becomes interested in sign language.

And he also realizes his own shortcomings.

“Cut cut!! Okay!! Nice, nice!!”

Of course, the filming of Kang Woo-jin and Jung Jang-hwan went smoothly. There was nothing to direct about Woo-jin’s acting and sign language as the ‘mysterious man next door’, and Jung Jang-hwan, who was inspired by it, also showed his maximum potential.

Then, around the afternoon.

“Cut!! ok! Ah, that was good!”

When Kang Woo-jin’s filming was almost at its end.

“There will be a prop change, so let’s take a 10-minute break!”

The directing PD declared a break for the entire filming set. Several staff members quickly rushed onto the set, Jung Jang-hwan checked the script, and Kang Woo-jin fixed his makeup. The directing PD, who was checking the scene, slowly sat down and smiled at writer Lee Wol-sun next to him.

“Now I understand what that meant.”

For reference, writer Lee Wol-sun had arrived at the scene about two hours ago. It seemed she was determined to see all of Kang Woo-jin’s acting. Anyway, she took a sip of water and tilted her head.

“What do you mean?”

Then, the directing PD turned his gaze to Kang Woo-jin on the set.

“I know Song PD, I called him a few weeks ago to congratulate him on Hanryang, and he said that once Kang Woo-jin starts filming, it’s so hard to cut and move on.”

“You mean he wants to keep watching the acting?”

“That’s right.”

Writer Lee Wol-sun also smiled faintly at the answer.

“So, you’ve been giving re-takes by changing the composition and props since earlier, even though it wasn’t an NG [No Good, meaning a mistake]?”

“I was greedy, but it was also necessary. But isn’t it really strange? No, there are variations every time we shoot, but the explosive form is consistent. It’s to the point where that difficult disability acting looks easy.”

“It’s definitely not easy acting.”

“I dare to guarantee that when our drama starts airing, Woo-jin will be the first person mentioned when it comes to disability acting in the acting world.”

Writer Lee Wol-sun understood completely. Still, she was a bit dumbfounded.

“So, he made that much of an impact in just two days of filming, it’s absurd. I guess that’s why big shots in Korea and Japan are sticking to him.”

“Ah! I saw that Japanese article about ‘Strange Geisha’, suddenly some Japanese conglomerate got involved?”

“Yeah, I saw it too and thought it was weird. I know that ‘Kashihi Group’ doesn’t do business in the entertainment industry.”

“It must be an abuse of power, right? It’s a bit of ridiculous news.”

“Whether it’s an abuse or not, it seems like they resolved the investment, isn’t that enough?”

Meanwhile, Woo-jin, who had just finished his makeup touch-up.

-Swish.

He briefly returned to his seat, a little away from the filming area. He was thirsty. Jang Su-hwan, noticing this, cheerfully handed him a water bottle.

“Hyung-nim [older brother], I’ve got it nice and cold!”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Kang Woo-jin, who answered in a low voice, was calmly gulping down water, but inside he was making a fuss.

‘A conglomerate?? I’ve never heard of a place called Kashihi Group, but anyway, it’s probably a lie, right? The Japanese media is just as bad as Korea with rumors, really.’

He had also heard the news about ‘Strange Geisha’. But no matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t make sense. A Japanese conglomerate with no connection had saved ‘Strange Geisha’, which was on the verge of collapse.

That was why Japan was currently buzzing. The timing of the Kashihi Group’s appearance was absurd, and more than anything, there was no evidence or fact added. Woo-jin naturally thought it was nonsense.

‘Maybe Director Kyo has a connection with that conglomerate? Is that why it became S+ grade?’

He left a strange possibility open. Either way, it was certain that the investment problem was resolved. He was internally shocked at the amount, which exceeded 15 billion.

At this time.

“Hyung-nim.”

Jang Su-hwan handed Kang Woo-jin his phone.

“Would you like to check your phone?”

“Ah- yeah.”

His phone had been receiving a lot of messages since yesterday. Various texts, messages, and calls. Of course, it was all related to ‘Strange Geisha’. Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin casually scanned his phone with a nonchalant expression. At this moment.

-Vvvvv, vvvvv.

A long vibration rang. The caller that immediately caught Kang Woo-jin’s eye. It was Director Kyotaro from Japan. It was the first contact since the investment issue. Soon, Kang Woo-jin subtly cleared his throat and answered the phone.

“Yes, Director.”

The Japanese language was heard from the phone. Director Kyotaro’s voice was definitely more excited than before.

“Woo-jin-ssi, you probably already know, but I wanted to tell you directly. All the problems have been resolved perfectly.”

“Yes. That’s a relief.”

“Yes, it’s really a relief.”

“But… no, it’s nothing.”

Kang Woo-jin was about to ask about the Kashihi Group but swallowed his words. Did he need to ask about such internal matters? Well, it was good if it was resolved. At this time, after a moment of silence on the phone, Director Kyotaro’s voice was heard again.

“…Thank you for your concern.”

Huh? What is he talking about? What did I do to be concerned? Ah- is he just saying that I was worried? As Woo-jin tilted his head, Director Kyotaro spoke again.

“Thanks to Woo-jin-ssi, we were able to increase the production scale compared to before this problem occurred. The investment has increased.”

No, I’m saying, why is that thanks to me? Woo-jin, who thought it was strange, was about to ask a question, but.

“Director.”

“Ah, the call has been long. We’re both busy, so I’ll let you know through the company when the ‘Strange Geisha’ schedule is confirmed. I’ll see you at the script reading next time.”

“…Okay.”

“Then. See you then.”

-Click.

The call was quickly cut off. Kang Woo-jin slowly lowered his phone, slightly narrowing his brows. Something, he didn’t know what, but it felt like a familiar delusion.

What is it? It felt like something huge was covering him.

But that was only for a moment. Woo-jin maintained his poker face and refused to think deeply.

‘Is it just my imagination?’

Meanwhile, the actors were busy whispering as they watched Kang Woo-jin return to the filming area.

“Did you see the article? ‘Strange Geisha’ was said to be ruined, but they resolved it?”

“Ah- yeah, the article that said they resolved the investment?”

“Oh really? Then ‘Strange Geisha’ won’t be canceled and will proceed with production, that’s a relief!”

It was like they were spreading good news, not negative words.

“Soon, Woo-jin-ssi will be leaving for Japan.”

“Don’t they start filming ‘Island of the Missing’ before that?”

“Oh my- what a schedule. Didn’t he also wrap up ‘Male Friend’ right before that? But why is Woo-jin-ssi so energetic? If it were me, I’d be half-dead.”

“More than that, what about the Kashihi Group story? They say that the Japanese conglomerate provided the investment for ‘Strange Geisha’.”

“Eh, that’s just a rumor to anyone, right?”

“The timing is a bit absurd for a rumor, isn’t it?”

The problem was that a subtle delusion was spreading.

“…I think I saw a comment like that before.”

“What?”

“That Woo-jin-ssi is related to a conglomerate.”

“Ah! Me too! They said he was the son of a conglomerate? Wasn’t that just a rumor??”

“But considering the timing, it seems like there’s some connection with the Kashihi Group, right?”

“Then, is the identical twin theory also true?”

“Ah- that’s impossible.”

As various misunderstandings and speculations flooded, the ‘Frozen Romance’ set continued filming without a hitch.

“Coooot!! OK!! Oh, Woo-jin-ssi! You’ve worked hard!!”

Kang Woo-jin’s two-day filming journey.

“You’ve worked hard, Woo-jin-ssi. Let’s definitely see each other again next time. In a project.”

“Yes, writer-nim. You’ve worked hard, PD-nim.”

It was finished only at night.

After that.

The day after Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Frozen Romance’ filming was wrapped up, on the 23rd. ‘Drug Dealer’, which had been completely edited last week, was already in the midst of its promotional schedule.

『‘Drug Dealer’ Jin Jae-joon, emerges in the variety show market』

Meanwhile, a change was inserted into the third trailer of ‘Drug Dealer’, which was released around noon on the 23rd. The content of the trailer, which was about a minute long, was similar to the first and second trailers, but.

At the very end.

-[Opening on Wednesday, October 28th]

The opening date was definitively displayed.

Interestingly, the official launch date of ‘Male Friend’ was also released on the same afternoon.

-Male Friend | Official Trailer (including unreleased footage) | Netflix Korea

This video included unreleased scenes from ‘Male Friend’, along with a snippet of Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin’s duet OST [Original Soundtrack].

And at the end.

-[Opening on Monday, October 19th]

The confirmed launch date was stamped. ‘Male Friend’ on the 19th, ‘Drug Dealer’ on the 28th.

About a week apart.

October 25th, early afternoon.

A large van was driving on the highway. Inside the van, a familiar top actor was looking at a script.

-Flip.

“······”

It was Ryu Jung-min, whose hair had been cut short to match the role he was playing. The script Ryu Jung-min was currently looking at was ‘Island of the Missing’, and the destination of the van he was in was a large-scale set complex in Buyeo.

Why?

『[Star Pick] ‘Ryu Jung-min’, ‘Kang Woo-jin’, ‘Ha Yu-ra’, etc. Director Kwon Ki-taek’s ‘Island of the Missing’ starts filming today!』

Because ‘Island of the Missing’ was starting its crank-in [start of filming] today.

End