I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 146

The ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel started with about a hundred subscribers. And now it’s…

[5.02 Million Subscribers]

It had surpassed 5 million subscribers. It was an eye-popping number, but it wasn’t surprising. The impact of the issues Kang Woo-jin had stirred up in Korea and Japan was enormous. It was safe to say it was an unprecedented whirlwind in the YouTube scene.

But the skyrocketing subscriber count was just a small part of the story.

Why?

Because the performance of the uploaded videos was even more explosive. Kang Woo-jin’s first video, which included a greeting, surpassed 8 million views. Of course, the main content, the cover song videos, were even more impressive.

– 【(1) Elani / ‘Ballerina’】Cover [Japanese Ver.] | Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character

– 27.55 million views

An even crazier level.

– 【(2) Elani / ‘Ballerina’】Cover [English Ver.] | Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character

– 29.11 million views

It had surpassed 20 million views. The word ‘skyrocketing’ wasn’t enough to describe it. Even at this moment, the number of subscribers and views were rapidly increasing. The numbers changed in real-time when you refreshed the page. The top videos were listed, but the other cover videos also had a minimum of 5 million views.

Even the simple talk videos in between had a minimum of 3 million views.

The comments were overflowing, exceeding 100,000. More than half of them were in Korean, but Japanese comments were also exploding.

– 2000万回再生おめでとう!!! (Congratulations on 20 million views!!!)

– 素敵な曲を生み出してくれてありがとうございました(하트) (Thank you for creating such a wonderful song (heart))

– もし可能であれば, CD円盤化していただけないでしょうか??? (If possible, could you please release a CD???)

– ビジュアルがいいからMV映えするし! 声もいいから音源映えもするし!! (Great visuals make for great music videos! Great voice makes for great audio!)

Thanks to the English version, the number of fans in English-speaking countries also increased significantly. Kang Woo-jin’s popularity continued to grow, so it was expected to gain even more momentum. There was no stopping it. Looking at the big picture, the influence of his main persona, ‘Kang Woo-jin,’ and his hobby, ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character,’ were almost equal.

Well, the influence of his main persona was stronger. Kang Woo-jin’s SNS was already…

– @Wooji_n

Posts 103

Followers 6.119 million

Following 13

He had surpassed 6 million followers, and his official fan cafe had also grown massively. In this state, adding ‘cooking content’ to the ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel?

It was obvious that it would become a hot topic, even with a rough idea.

At least, that’s what Choi Sung-gun thought. More than anything.

‘It fits well with the theme of ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’.’

It was a perfect fit for additional content. From the beginning, the core of the ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel was to fill it with his hobbies and other interests, not his main persona as an actor. Currently, the main content was his vocals. In fact, Choi Sung-gun had planned to gradually expand the content based on his vocals.

But suddenly, cooking?

Vocals, cooking. It clearly fit the sub-character concept, but the timing was too random. Because of that, the stylists, including Han Ye-jung, around the silent Kang Woo-jin blinked in surprise.

“Wow—cooking?”

“It kind of fits and doesn’t at the same time. But why suddenly cooking, oppa [an affectionate term for older brother or male friend]?”

Why? Because I’m a pro. Woo-jin answered simply in his mind, but he couldn’t say it out loud. Soon, Kang Woo-jin casually brushed it off in a low tone.

“I just thought it would be good.”

“Ah.”

Here, Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat thought.

‘Even channels with 100,000 or 200,000 subscribers are struggling to come up with content, but this is a 5 million channel, so Woo-jin probably didn’t think of it casually.’

He muttered to himself.

‘But he wouldn’t be doing cooking like some kind of expert, right? Nah… no, I don’t know. This guy is beyond my ability to judge anymore. First, I need to figure it out.’

He threw a question to Kang Woo-jin from behind.

“If the cooking content goes well, that’s great, we can get plenty of views. It’s also a popular topic in the current YouTube scene. That’s why it’s still successful even though it’s used everywhere. But what kind? ‘Cooking’ is such a broad topic. Mukbang [eating broadcast]? Or cooking tutorials? What did you have in mind, Woo-jin?”

He was asking what kind of approach he would take with cooking. Of course, Kang Woo-jin had something in mind. But it didn’t fit the concept to say it right away, so he pretended to think for a moment.

It was a few tens of seconds later that Woo-jin opened his mouth.

“I don’t plan to go too professional. Just a feeling of making simple recipes that ordinary people can easily enjoy in a short amount of time.”

“So, cooking tutorials? What about mukbang?”

“I don’t know good restaurants very well. Nor how to eat in a way that looks delicious.”

In an instant, everyone except Choi Sung-gun and Han Ye-jung understood.

‘If Woo-jin eats something with that kind of vibe—hmm.’

It didn’t seem like it would look appetizing. The key to mukbang is to eat in a way that makes your mouth water. Whatever it was, Choi Sung-gun, who had already opened his planner, spoke again.

“Okay—cooking made by Woo-jin.”

“Is it not enough for content?”

“No? It’s worth trying. It would be good if we could get a scene of you making the food and eating it, but someone else can eat it in a way that looks delicious. Like a guest. The problem is the taste and skill of the food you make, and your character?”

Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, met Woo-jin’s gaze.

“Your character is already enough. It’ll be unique if you go with that. But what about your cooking skills? The taste?”

I’m chef-level, but Woo-jin’s answer was indifferent.

“I just think it’s edible.”

“…Right? Just about the level of a single person’s cooking?”

“Probably.”

“Hmm. But if your skills are ambiguous, it’s hard to use it as long-term content, right? It’s okay for one or two videos. Let’s confirm it, but I think we need to test it.”

“Yes. I don’t mind.”

“Really? Are you okay with that??”

Kang Woo-jin nodded calmly. Then, Choi Sung-gun pointed to all the staff in the van with him and asked again.

“Then, let’s all go to your house and test it once during this domestic schedule. It might be late at night, but let’s have a housewarming party at the same time.”

Here, the stylists and Jang Su-hwan’s expectations rose sharply, and Woo-jin, looking at them, asked an important question.

“Okay, then what’s the menu?”

Choi Sung-gun didn’t seem to care much about that.

“Just make whatever you feel like that day, anything.”

After that.

After the cooking discussion was settled, Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat recited the schedule for about a week.

“Okay—I’ll roughly explain the one-week schedule. It’s quite packed because it’s compressed due to the ‘Island of the Missing’ schedule.”

Bring it on, I’m fine. Woo-jin was currently bursting with energy thanks to his return to Korea. That’s why he was actually full of energy, not just acting.

“I don’t mind.”

“Haha, you. You’re the only one who’s energetic. Look at the others, they were all excited about going abroad at first, but they’re exhausted after going to Vietnam.”

“Meat would be good for the menu.”

“Oh!! Meat!!”

Amidst the excitement, Choi Sung-gun got back on topic.

“First, today is just for filming a commercial. It seems like we’ll spend the whole day on that. Tomorrow is post-recording for ‘Frozen Romance,’ a few photoshoots. And I’ve added a few things related to ‘My Guy Friend’.”

Kang Woo-jin, recalling his crazy friends in the group chat from earlier, forced a smile and nodded.

“Yes, CEO. I know.”

“By the way, ‘My Guy Friend’ opens in Japan on the 22nd? You know? But we’re too busy to even monitor it. Anyway, on the 23rd and 24th, there’s filming related to the ‘Our Table’ one-day restaurant, and then…”

Perhaps starting with the ‘one-day restaurant,’ which was like the first filming of ‘Our Table,’ schedules were pouring out endlessly. Nevertheless, Woo-jin listened calmly with his concept and current energy.

Partly because he was full of energy since it was his first time in Korea in a while.

‘But how will ‘My Guy Friend’ do? Ugh—it’s been a while since I’ve been this nervous.’

The anticipation was the bigger reason.

Several hours passed like that.

As it was approaching the afternoon, the buzz related to ‘My Guy Friend’ was growing rapidly on the internet. Articles were being published, and as more and more people watched ‘My Guy Friend,’ reviews were exploding everywhere.

At this time, in a medium-sized conference room at Netflix Korea.

“Wow—the visuals are great!”

“I know! It’s really fun, director!”

Applause was pouring out. It seemed that the key staff of ‘My Guy Friend’ and the Netflix employees had finished watching ‘My Guy Friend.’ Of course, Kim So-hyang, the general director who had just arrived, was also included. Shin Dong-chun, the square-jawed director, gave an awkward smile.

“Haha, the actors did a great job.”

At the same time, several Netflix employees’ hands moved quickly. About four or five of them. They all had laptops in front of them. It was to monitor real-time reactions.

“On social media! The talk and sharing about ‘My Guy Friend’ is accelerating!! It’s several times more than this morning!”

“The online communities are also buzzing! The traffic has noticeably increased, and the posts are coming at a crazy speed!!”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who immediately switched to work mode, asked something else.

“How’s the real-time viewer chat room??”

“It was a mess as soon as ‘My Guy Friend’ opened. Do you want to take a look?”

Shin Dong-chun, who nodded, checked the laptop screen. It was like they were ‘high on drugs,’ so to speak. The chat was being filled with messages every second. Whether they had seen it or were watching it. At this time, Kim So-hyang, the plump general director, came next to Shin Dong-chun and smiled.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? The reaction is this intense.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Well, there’s the opening effect, but it definitely feels like there’s a huge fire. There hasn’t been this kind of momentum recently.”

“That’s a relief then.”

“Moreover, ‘My Guy Friend’ is a one-act play, and it’s the first time a one-act play has sparked this kind of fire.”

Kim So-hyang, who answered, made eye contact with Choi Sung-gun.

“The deep kiss scene at the beginning. I guess that was the key?”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who made an awkward smile again, gave instructions to the staff.

“Prepare to upload the videos prepared for tomorrow to the YouTube channel! Ah, what happened to our OST [original soundtrack]?”

Kim So-hyang’s answer was quick.

“It will be officially released in two days at noon, on all music platforms.”

As Netflix Korea and Director Shin Dong-chun were enthusiastically planning for the future, was it because it was time to go home? The crowds of people rushing into the subway were truly enormous. It was the same everywhere, at every station.

It was so packed that there was no room to step. Well, it was always like this for them. The only companion on the way home was their phone. 90% of the people in the crowded subway were looking down at their phones.

The unique thing here was.

– ‘My Guy Friend’

On the phone screens of many people, ‘My Guy Friend’ was being displayed. Not all of them, but the number was significant. Some were already watching the second episode after the first, and some had just turned it on. All different kinds. Of course, it was similar on the phones of people on buses or walking on the streets, not just the subway.

『Kang Woo-jin♥Hwa-rin ‘My Guy Friend’, a steamy kiss scene from the start? Netizens are buzzing』

It was a sign that the volcano was starting to erupt in earnest.

The next day, early in the morning of the 20th.

A day had passed since ‘My Guy Friend’ opened. The current time was around 8 a.m. The place was the home of the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun. He was still buried in bed, probably because he had worked late last night. Then.

– ♬♪

The phone by his head rang. The caller was Kim So-hyang, the general director, and Shin Dong-chun, who was rustling, barely answered the phone. His voice was hoarse.

“…Yes. This is Shin Dong-chun-”

He answered the phone while lying down, and then suddenly.

– Whoosh!

He jumped out of bed.

“Wh-what did you say??”

And at almost the same time, the phone also arrived for writer Choi Na-na, who was brushing her teeth in the bathroom. The funny thing was.

“Huh! Is, is that true?!”

She, with a toothbrush in her mouth, also had a similar reaction to Director Shin Dong-chun. In addition, Hwa-rin, the female lead of ‘My Guy Friend,’ who was already on the move for her schedule and was in the van, was covering her mouth while looking at her phone for some reason. Her already big eyes got even bigger.

“Amazing.”

She shook her phone vigorously at the chief manager sitting in the passenger seat.

“Oppa!! Look at this!”

Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin, the male lead of ‘My Guy Friend,’ was.

– Squeak!

He had just arrived at the parking lot of the studio where he would be doing post-recording for ‘Frozen Romance.’ Kang Woo-jin in the van was wearing a hat pulled down low, as if he hadn’t been to the salon. It was early in the morning, but his expression was stern. A face that never let his guard down, regardless of the time, with his concept.

However.

‘Isn’t it about time the results came out? I’m so nervous, seriously.’

He was anxiously pacing inside. He was curious about the results of ‘My Guy Friend.’ Netflix, which he had accessed a few minutes ago, hadn’t changed much.

Right at that moment.

– Vroom, vroom.

Kang Woo-jin’s phone, which he was about to get out of the van, vibrated loudly. He checked it as fast as he could.

‘It’s here!’

The caller was Kim So-hyang, whom he had been waiting for. So, Woo-jin sat back down on the seat and put the phone to his ear. He was nervous, but he kept his voice as calm as possible.

“Yes, General Director. Hello.”

The voice of Kim So-hyang, the general director on the other end of the phone, sounded excited.

“Woo-jin, congratulations. ‘My Guy Friend’ set a record. It was just updated on the Netflix main page. Do you want to check it?”

At the same time, Choi Sung-gun with his ponytail, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned his body around. With a deep smile, he shook the phone in his hand at Kang Woo-jin as if to show it off. The Netflix Korea main page was displayed on the phone screen.

No, more accurately.

[Today’s TOP 10 Contents in Korea]

1. My Guy Friend

2. Bad Mom

3. World-Class Food Cart

4. Wise Rural Life

5. A Fake Appeared

It was the total content ranking that had just been updated. ‘My Guy Friend’ was proudly ranked first, beating all the long-form works that were said to be the best, and Kim So-hyang’s voice was heard again in Kang Woo-jin’s ear, who had his mouth open in shock.

“Did you check? That it’s number one? By the way, it’s the first time a one-act play has been number one overall.”

It was the moment when the one-act play ‘My Guy Friend’ made history, and Kang Woo-jin’s filmography became even more impressive.

“Following ‘The Playboy,’ it’s another hit? Articles related to it will be popping up soon.”

Because another ‘first’ title had been added.