I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 142

The forest was starkly dark, with a faint moonlight illuminating it. The atmosphere was much the same as before. However, the number of people had decreased. Two had come, but one had vanished without a trace.

The camera slowly moved, capturing the profile of the remaining man.

In the monitor that Director Kwon Ki-taek was intently watching, Kang Woo-jin’s face was visible. Or, to be precise, the intense expressions of Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol filled the screen. But it was blurry. His entire face wasn’t visible. It was an intentional directorial choice, and only his smile was clear.

His white teeth curved into a noticeable crescent.

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had been watching intently, unconsciously moved his face closer to the monitor. It had been a long time. It had been a long time since he had forgotten about directing and purely immersed himself in an actor’s performance.

‘How can he change the texture of two characters so quickly?’

Director Kwon Ki-taek couldn’t think of any specific direction right now. He was simply captivated by the actor’s performance, by Kang Woo-jin’s expressions. It wasn’t just now either. From morning until now, Kang Woo-jin’s acting had been flawless and unwavering.

‘He’s not just changing his expressions or tone of voice haphazardly. The meaning in his eyes, the force in his intonation, the intimidation mixed in his actions. Even at a glance, it’s clear that two people are living together. Rather than a split personality, it’s like he has two bodies—’

Here, Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol, who had been smiling while looking down the cliff, suddenly muttered to himself.

“What, why? ‘Profound’—what a load of crap.”

His face, torso, and limbs trembled. Not violently, but not subtly either. It was enough to send shivers down one’s spine. His eyes even rolled back slightly, as if he were possessed.

A grotesque being was here.

Soon, the pupils of dozens of staff members, Ryu Jung-min, and Ha Yu-ra, among other actors, dilated. The staff covered their mouths or whispered quietly.

“Creepy. Oh, I got goosebumps.”

“Wow—Woo-jin, seriously… what is that acting? It’s insane.”

“Is that the tension of his acting on the first day? I was shocked during the reading, but seeing it on set, it’s like he’s possessed by some acting god, isn’t it?”

Ryu Jung-min and.

“……”

Including Ha Yu-ra.

‘……Did that level of acting just come out in a few seconds??’

The actors couldn’t speak. They just stared. At Kang Woo-jin’s acting, which the camera on set was focusing on. It was such a destructive presence. In fact, they had been speechless since a while ago. He was also a lead, but currently, he was continuing the scene alone without other lead actors.

But the captivating power was as if everyone was there.

That’s when it happened.

“Cut. OK.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek said OK and got up from his seat. At the same time, the staff applauded, as if they were slightly mesmerized.

-Clap clap clap clap.

Not excessive, but at a moderate decibel. Perhaps they were impressed by Woo-jin’s performance, which was similar to a divine possession. Whatever the reason, Kang Woo-jin, who had extracted the two personas of ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ in an instant.

‘……Yeah, it’s okay, there’s no particular problem.’

He erased the tearing smile and checked himself. ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ was different from the other roles he had taken on. Currently, Kang Woo-jin had to maintain a total of three worlds, including himself. So, he had to maintain his concept and constantly check himself.

Around this time, the affable Director Kwon Ki-taek approached Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin.”

“Ah—yes, Director.”

“Are you okay?”

Kang Woo-jin lowered his voice to its maximum.

“I’m fine.”

“Then can we go straight to the next scene? It’s OK, but I want to reduce the lighting a bit more.”

“Of course.”

“If you feel pressured.”

“No, you can go right ahead.”

“Okay.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek smiled faintly, turned around, and muttered to himself.

‘He showed such intense emotional acting, and he’s completely fine? Now that he’s an actor in my work, it’s even more obvious that he’s a monster.’

Some of the staff rushed over to adjust Kang Woo-jin’s military uniform. The cameras and lights were moved back to their original positions.

Then.

“Action.”

Filming resumed. Thus, Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol once again deleted Sergeant Choi from the ‘Island of the Missing.’ This scene was repeated three times by Director Kwon Ki-taek. It wasn’t that the two actors’ performances were lacking, but rather that Director Kwon Ki-taek wanted to change the overall direction and camera angles.

After about an hour and a half.

The current scene finally ended.

-Clack!

With the sound of the slate, the next scene immediately followed. After dropping Sergeant Choi, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol,’ who had two personas, began to clash. Naturally, it was a clash between the personas. And Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol decided on one thing. What he would do on this bizarre ‘Island of the Missing,’ which he didn’t even know where it was.

The scene began right after Sergeant Choi disappeared.

“Action.”

Following Director Kwon Ki-taek’s calm signal, Kang Woo-jin, or Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol, wearing a military uniform.

-Swoosh.

Suddenly slumped down on the spot. The camera captured Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’s upper body in full. Unlike just before when he was smiling, Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol was breathing heavily.

“Huuph, huuh, huup—”

At this moment, the pain was actually evident in Kang Woo-jin’s body, where Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol was prevalent.

‘I can’t breathe.’

He was short of air. His body was sending warnings. That’s how it felt. That’s why Woo-jin’s breaths became faster. The dark surroundings seemed to imply what he had done. A pitch-black future.

‘I feel nauseous.’

Kang Woo-jin felt like he was going to throw up.

“Ugh!”

What did I just do? What about Sergeant Choi? Just now, what happened? It was like he had done it, but also like he hadn’t. Before he knew it, Woo-jin’s face was full of timidity. Indecisiveness spread. The persona supporting his body had switched. Perhaps that’s why, as Kang Woo-jin, who was leaning against a thick wooden log, took off his helmet.

“Hic!”

He shed tears. In an instant, tears streamed down from his eyes to his cheeks. There was no need for preparation time. The camera slowly zoomed in on his face.

Woo-jin was sincere.

It wasn’t a face that contained even a hint of falsehood. The subtly trembling facial muscles, the contorted brow, the tears streaming down. He was sad. Woo-jin, who was clutching his helmet, felt a burning sensation in his chest.

Then.

‘Hey, you idiot. Why are you crying?’

A rough voice was heard from somewhere in his mind. Of course, this was a voice that Director Kwon Ki-taek, the actors, the dozens of staff members, and the audio equipment couldn’t pick up. It was only audible to Kang Woo-jin.

‘Didn’t you hate that Sergeant Choi bastard? Don’t you remember that bastard tormenting us since we were privates?’

The rough guy was angry. In response, Kang Woo-jin replied in a timid voice.

‘B-but still. He’s a person… I killed a person.’

‘What a load of crap. Is that Sergeant Choi a human being? He’s just a moron. And this is a place where it’s okay, you know? Didn’t you see Private Park’s body getting torn apart earlier? There was also a guy who got his head chopped off.’

‘……Stop it. D-don’t. Please.’

‘It’s okay, you idiot. It’s okay here. It’s a blessing for us. It’s a party, you know? We can take revenge and have fun, right? So, stop crying like a little bitch and get up.’

Kang Woo-jin was actually having a conversation. However, no one could notice this. Only the nearby camera was capturing Woo-jin’s emotions and expressions vividly.

At that moment.

“Sergeant Choi!! Private Jin!”

From afar, bright lights and voices penetrated. The camera that had been focused on Woo-jin turned abruptly. It turned out that some of the soldiers who had been sleeping were running over. Of course, they were armed with guns.

At that moment.

-Thud!

Kang Woo-jin fell to the ground and wailed.

“Huuuuh!! I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I couldn’t stop Sergeant Choi!”

The soldier who arrived first asked, panting.

“What?! Stop what?! S-surely Sergeant Choi!”

“……He jumped off. I’m sorry. When I arrived, it was already, huheohic!”

“Sh-shit!! Is it true?”

“I’m sorry! It was so sudden! Next time! Next time, I’ll definitely stop him faster, I’m sorry! It’s my fault!”

Here, the corners of Kang Woo-jin’s mouth, who was lying on the ground, twitched slightly. He was crying but smiling. He was wailing, but his inner thoughts were different. Then, the rough guy’s voice was heard again from within.

‘Hehe, ‘next time?’ This pervert. So, he’s saying he’ll do it again?’

The conversation between the two personas that were prevalent in Kang Woo-jin’s face was clearly captured by the camera.

In the background.

Kang Woo-jin, who had begun filming ‘Island of the Missing’ in earnest, was like that, but the end of September was chaotic for everyone. Time was rapidly disappearing. Meanwhile, the final trailer for ‘My Guy Friend,’ which was released on Netflix Korea’s official channel a few days ago.

-My Guy Friend | Official Trailer (Including Unreleased Footage) | Netflix Korea

Created a huge wave. Because it contained a lot of hidden plot points.

-What is this… Where did Manager Park go?? lol Kang Woo-jin’s image transformation lololol

-It’s a shame it’s a short drama, but Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin look so good together

-Wow lol The visuals are melting from the beginning ㅠㅠㅠㅠ The soft and fluffy feeling is so good…..

-Wait a minute! 0:22 What’s this? Hwa-rin is running towards Kang Woo-jin, is it a kiss scene?!!!

-Kang Woo-jin’s acting spectrum is so wide lol He was only doing strong characters, but suddenly he’s a rom-com boyfriend material lol Even fits perfectly

-What’s the OST [Original Sound Track]?? Did Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin sing it together????!!! It’s so good?!

-Netflix!! You’re not going to release this one episode at a time, are you?! Release it all at once?? I believe you!!

-I was looking forward to it lol I can finally watch it~

-Hwa-rin is really… so youthful… She looks zero out of place in a school uniform ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-The last line of the OST was only released, but I’m repeating it endlessly, their voice chemistry is insane…..

-Kang Woo-jin’s popularity will probably skyrocket with My Guy Friend, he’s already super hot, but 100% female fans will flock to him

Of course, the same trailer was uploaded to Netflix Japan, and Japan also expressed the same level of anticipation as Korea.

For reference.

『Korea-Japan simultaneous launch of ‘My Guy Friend,’ Korea opens 3 days earlier』

The opening of ‘My Guy Friend’ was scheduled for October 19th in Korea first, and then in Japan three days later on the 22nd.

Around this time, the ‘Drug Dealer’ side, whose release date was set for October 28th, was also going through a crazy promotional schedule. Various previews were being held, and major actors such as Jin Jae-joon were busy appearing on broadcasts, YouTube, and various variety shows.

『[Star Pick] ‘Drug Dealer’ actors appear at ‘Sports Day,’ unfortunately Kang Woo-jin is absent/Photo』

Perhaps because of his connection with Kang Woo-jin, PD Yoon Byung-sun’s ‘Sports Day’ channel also quickly called out the ‘Drug Dealer’ team. Of course, Kang Woo-jin was not on the team.

However, it was as if Woo-jin was always present in the ‘Drug Dealer’ team.

“It’s already been released, and we can’t not talk about the cameo in ‘Drug Dealer.’ Kang Woo-jin, you know, Kang Woo-jin. He’s been all over the place lately, how does Woo-jin appear in the movie??”

“Ah—it would be better if Jae-joon talked about Woo-jin? You were with him the most.”

“Oh, yeah. Jae-joon, tell us.”

“Hmm, honestly, I learned a lot while working with Woo-jin. I realized that I still have so much to learn.”

Wherever they went, whatever show they appeared on, Kang Woo-jin’s question always came up. Because of this, it was as if Kang Woo-jin was always with them, even though he wasn’t there.

“Huh? Jae-joon?”

“Yes. I don’t know, it’s hard to express in words. Just watch the movie. It’s killer.”

As such, with simultaneous events popping up, the media created a slight competitive structure between the two works that were scheduled for a similar time.

『’Monster Rookie’ Kang Woo-jin’s ‘My Guy Friend’ and ‘Drug Dealer,’ which will be more successful?』

Because the openings were only a week apart. The focus was, of course, on Kang Woo-jin. It wasn’t that this kind of thing didn’t happen. It happened with prolific actors. But it was the first time for an actor who had been around for less than a year.

『[Fact Check] Netizens on rom-com ‘My Guy Friend’ and crime thriller ‘Drug Dealer,’ “It’ll be fun to watch Kang Woo-jin’s acting”』

The public was busy chattering as they pleased. There were many who said they were looking forward to it.

-I’ll watch My Guy Friend and then go see Drug Dealer right away lololol I think I’ll be able to feel the difference in acting

-Somehow, I can kind of predict the acting in My Guy Friend! But I have no idea what Kang Woo-jin will be like in Drug Dealer lololol That’s why I’m more curious

There was also a feeling of anticipation.

-Drug Dealer is a good fit because Manager Park is also in it, but Kang Woo-jin in a rom-com?? lol It might not be a good fit

-I heard these two works were prepared around the same time… Honestly, it seems like the agency is working Kang Woo-jin to the bone, his acting quality must have dropped a lot

In the end, everyone had similar thoughts.

What kind of presence would Kang Woo-jin show in two works with distinctly different vibes?

It was about Kang Woo-jin’s quality.

Late morning of September 29th, the HTBS general programming channel’s entertainment bureau.

Kang Woo-jin was sitting in the center of a large meeting room with a U-shaped table. His face was as calm as ever. What was interesting was that several small cameras were placed around him. Of course, they were also installed in various places on the ceiling.

Woo-jin subtly checked the cameras.

‘These small cameras are the ones you really can’t let your guard down around. They film everything from front, back, left, and right.’

So, just as he was making himself look solemn, a familiar-faced man sitting across from him spoke.

“Woo-jin, how have you been? Haha, do you know that it’s been a loooong time since we’ve seen each other?”

It was PD Yoon Byung-sun, who had a variety show PD-like smile and was preparing for the recent mega-hit variety show ‘Our Table.’ Of course, there were also four or five writers around PD Yoon Byung-sun.

“In the meantime, Woo-jin has become so incredibly amazing that I can’t get used to it, I can’t get used to it.”

“It just happened that way.”

“We’re thankful. Keep soaring, okay? Haha. Anyway, congratulations on everything. I know you’re busy, but our show is starting to take shape, you know?”

That’s right. Kang Woo-jin had been hearing news about ‘Our Table’ from time to time during his schedule.

‘My only variety show that’s not acting. Ah—come to think of it, this is also going overseas. Don’t I go overseas more and more these days??’

Half anticipation, half nervousness. Anyway, Woo-jin made eye contact with PD Yoon Byung-sun and listened attentively. Soon, PD Yoon Byung-sun handed a tablet to Kang Woo-jin and continued.

“As you know, Season 1 will be in the US, and the main filming is scheduled to go there by November, but before that, we’re planning to film one scene in Korea for the first episode.”

“What kind of scene is it?”

“First of all, this meeting itself will of course be used in the first episode, and also a cut of all the cast members gathering for a dinner. After that, we’ll have to have all the cast members practice for the main filming in the US, right? Cooking and management.”

PD Yoon Byung-sun, who had asked back, pointed his index finger at the tablet screen he had handed to Woo-jin. The tablet was displaying a plan related to the scene that would be used in the first episode.

“So, we’re going to try opening a ‘One-Day Restaurant’ in Korea as a test.”