I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 15

‘Why is this square-jawed director suddenly getting teary-eyed?’

Inside the cafe, Kang Woo-jin, sitting by the window, appeared outwardly calm. However, he was quite taken aback watching Director Shin Dong-chun across from him.

‘Did I say something wrong? I didn’t act that tough just now.’

Is that guy always so sensitive? Kang Woo-jin’s internal reaction was generally normal. Anyone would react that way if the person they were talking to suddenly got teary-eyed. Especially if it was a man who looked to be in his mid-40s.

‘How am I supposed to react when an older guy cries? Should I maintain my tough persona? No, why is he even acting like this in the first place?’

Kang Woo-jin struggled to maintain his tough act while also intensely pondering. Meanwhile, Director Shin Dong-chun was saying,

“Thank you. Thank… you, Woo-jin-ssi. Really.”

The atmosphere was getting increasingly emotional, like watching a touching movie. His eyes were getting very watery. It looked like he would burst into tears at any moment.

What part of the conversation made him like this?

Kang Woo-jin replayed the words he had spoken since arriving at the cafe. But he hadn’t said anything particularly hurtful. In fact, the words that resonated with Director Shin Dong-chun were ‘affection’ and ‘attachment,’ but Kang Woo-jin was unaware of this. Of course, he also didn’t know about Director Shin Dong-chun’s current life.

‘It’s getting worse. Should I stop him?’

More than anything, Woo-jin wasn’t even that fond of ‘Detective Agency.’ The word ‘attachment’ he chose was just a suitable word he found.

The reason for this was simple.

Recently, besides ‘Profiler Han-ryang,’ the thing he had put some effort into was ‘Detective Agency,’ so he figured ‘attachment’ would be an appropriate level of interest. Was it a bit over the top? He did think so, but even with his tough act, he had to show some respect for the other person. ‘Attachment’ was more about showing off than genuine interest.

Well, it’s not like I’m lying, right?

In reality, Woo-jin was slightly interested in ‘Detective Agency.’ So, there wouldn’t be a problem if he packaged that interest as ‘attachment’ to make it sound better to the other person. But why is he getting so teary-eyed?

Soon, Woo-jin subtly cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Why are you like this?”

Then, Director Shin Dong-chun, who had wiped around his eyes, said,

—Swish.

He calmed his emotional heart. A man, an actor, who has affection or attachment to my work is sitting in front of me, so I shouldn’t show any more of this pathetic behavior.

“…Kang Woo-jin-ssi.”

Then, Director Shin Dong-chun asked Woo-jin with a slightly trembling voice.

“May I ask what part of ‘Detective Agency’ you are attached to… no, what you liked about it?”

What part did I like? Kang Woo-jin was a bit annoyed, but calming Director Shin Dong-chun’s strange state was more important. People in the cafe were starting to glance over.

‘I don’t know why he’s like this, but… praise. Yes, let’s praise him.’

Praise was said to make even whales dance. Therefore, Woo-jin decided to list the good points about ‘Detective Agency.’ Of course, while maintaining his solemn tone.

“First of all, I liked how detailed the psychological changes of the main character, Kim Ryu-jin, were. It started off indifferent, but…”

After that, Woo-jin calmly recited praises while checking Director Shin Dong-chun’s condition. Very detailed and meticulous. Even Shin Dong-chun, who wrote the scenario, couldn’t feel ‘Detective Agency’ as directly as this. But Kang Woo-jin had read everything about ‘Detective Agency.’

Therefore, the words Woo-jin spoke were unbelievably detailed. Praise that only Kang Woo-jin, who had an alternate dimension, could give.

At this part,

“Ah.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with his eyes reddened, was once again shocked and moved.

‘To know it in such detail. It’s like… he went into the world of ‘Detective Agency’ and came back.’

That’s how accurately the actor Kang Woo-jin had grasped every corner of ‘Detective Agency.’

‘From the character’s thoughts to their psychology, the background of the work, the set, even the weather. He reminds me of the parts I had forgotten. He must have read my scenario dozens of times. No, more than that.’

It seemed like he had already finished the analysis and even created the character’s form. Soon, Director Shin Dong-chun stared intently at Kang Woo-jin while also blaming himself.

‘Hey, Shin Dong-chun. You have an actor who loves and is attached to ‘Detective Agency’ this much.’

Again, this was a misunderstanding.

‘Are you going to throw away ‘Detective Agency’ just to use it for laundry?’

Whatever the reason, Director Shin Dong-chun made a decision in his heart at that moment.

‘The acting he showed at the film company is enough. He’s already analyzed the work this meticulously, there’s no need to think more.’

He was going to flip the entire script of ‘Detective Agency.’

“I need to flip the script.”

“…Yes?”

“Woo-jin-ssi.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, whose face was now filled with conviction, slowly leaned his body towards Woo-jin across from him. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin, with his poker face, subtly leaned back.

Regardless, Director Shin Dong-chun spoke quite strongly.

“Please take on the main character of ‘Detective Agency,’ Kim Ryu-jin.”

Meanwhile, around Bukhansan [a mountain in Seoul].

People poured out of two yellow mini-buses. About a dozen or so. At first glance, they looked like tourists, but they weren’t.

“It might be a bit tough, but please thoroughly check the surroundings while hiking! If you find anything unusual, please report it to the PD [Production Director] immediately!!”

They were the key staff of the drama ‘Profiler Han-ryang.’ The filming team, lighting team, and the leaders of each team. Of course, Song Man-woo PD, the overall supervisor of all these people, was also visible.

“Get the water bottles—”

“Yes, sir!”

The reason why Song Man-woo PD came to Bukhansan on a Wednesday morning, at the end of a cold winter, was simple. He was scouting for outdoor locations for ‘Profiler Han-ryang.’ He had to hike up the mountain to check the shots that would be used in the first scene.

Then, Song Man-woo PD gave additional instructions to the assistant director who was packing the luggage.

“Make sure everyone knows the points again, we don’t want anyone getting lost because they’re confused.”

“Understood, sir!”

It was at this moment.

—♬♪

The cell phone inside the windbreaker of the bearded Song Man-woo PD rang. Thanks to that, he naturally checked the caller and tilted his head.

“Hong Star?”

It was top actress Hong Hye-yeon. She was the female lead of the drama, so it was natural for her to call, but the timing was the issue.

‘Why is she calling this early in the morning?’

Song Man-woo PD, slightly narrowing his brow, gestured for the assistant director to go ahead first, then answered the phone.

“Yeah, Hong Star.”

Hong Hye-yeon laughed from the other side of the phone.

“Hi, PD-nim, where are you?”

“Me?? I’m at Bukhansan right now.”

“Ah, you’re out scouting locations?”

“Yeah. But why are you calling this early? You’re not calling to ask about my schedule, are you?”

“Well, it’s not about that.”

Hong Hye-yeon, slightly trailing off, got to the point.

“Yesterday, when we were eating at the Korean restaurant, you suddenly left while talking about Kang Woo-jin when you got a call, right?”

“…I did?”

“Yeah— your expression was so stiff, I thought something happened. Why? What did Woo-jin do?”

She was talking about what happened yesterday at the high-end Korean restaurant in Cheongdam-dong [a wealthy neighborhood in Seoul]. Song Man-woo PD had left the VIP room after receiving a call from Director Shin Dong-chun.

“Ah, that’s…”

Suddenly, Song Man-woo PD stopped talking. Then, Hong Hye-yeon urged him slightly from the other side of the phone.

“Yeah, yeah, what is it?”

“……”

But for some reason, Song Man-woo PD didn’t continue. His head was spinning.

‘Right, come to think of it… when I went back to the room, Hong Star also seemed like she was going to ask about Kang Woo-jin?’

That wasn’t all. Top actress Hong Hye-yeon had been showing a lot of concern for Kang Woo-jin ever since she first saw him in ‘Super Actor.’ At least, that’s how it looked to Song Man-woo PD.

Was it because she thought of Kang Woo-jin as a man?

Absolutely not. The more plausible reason was his acting. Hong Hye-yeon was concerned about Kang Woo-jin’s insane acting. The reason was simple. Hong Hye-yeon was full of ambition for acting, even though she was a top star. In other words, she was feeling something from Kang Woo-jin’s acting. Whether it was desire or longing, or whatever.

This was the reason why Song Man-woo PD thought highly of Hong Hye-yeon.

Even though her value and status increased every year, Hong Hye-yeon always craved acting. Someone like Hong Hye-yeon could live comfortably for the rest of her life just by doing commercials. But she always showed a desire to improve. And she had actually grown.

‘To someone like that, Kang Woo-jin must seem like an alien. She’s been rolling along with the help of others, but Kang Woo-jin has been doing it solo.’

Nevertheless, even though he had been self-taught, Kang Woo-jin had captivated Song Man-woo PD and writer Park Eun-mi. Of course, Hong Hye-yeon too. Maybe she had felt it subconsciously?

‘Excluding recognition, does she think she’s falling behind Kang Woo-jin as an actor?’

Maybe Hong Hye-yeon was getting anxious. It was like the process of jealousy turning into poison. Soon, Song Man-woo PD, who had been thinking, stroked his beard.

‘Right. Hong Hye-yeon. If she wants to, if it helps her acting, she’ll do independent films or short films. Regardless of her position.’

He recalled the contents of the ‘Detective Agency’ scenario he had received from Director Shin Dong-chun.

‘And there’s a good female character in ‘Detective Agency.’ If I mix these situations well… it seems like an interesting game could come out of this?’

Before he knew it, Song Man-woo PD was smiling faintly. At this point, Hong Hye-yeon’s voice was heard again from the other side of the phone.

“PD-nim?? Are you there? Is it not working because you’re in the mountains? PD-nim??”

Song Man-woo PD, who answered her, said,

“Oh, oh, I couldn’t hear you for a second.”

He made a conclusion in his mind.

‘Why are all the big fish gathering around Kang Woo-jin? Well, let’s throw out some bait for now.’

Of course, the center of everything was Kang Woo-jin. He was the one who would captivate Director Shin Dong-chun and Hong Hye-yeon. Song Man-woo PD opened his mouth next.

“No, I was just surprised because I heard that Kang Woo-jin suddenly went to see my close younger brother. That’s why I was like that.”

“Your younger brother?”

“Yeah. Ah— Hong Star, you know him, right? Shin Dong-chun.”

“Ah, yes, I know him. Director Dong-chun. I haven’t seen him lately because he’s been working on a movie.”

“That’s right. It seems like Woo-jin went to see him because he said he would do a short film that Dong-chun wrote.”

“What… suddenly?? We haven’t even had the drama script reading yet?”

“I don’t know either. I’ll have to check. But the situation with that short film is a bit weird.”

“Why?”

Hong Hye-yeon’s question was thrown from the other side of the phone, but Song Man-woo PD, with a smile, evaded it. If he told her everything, she wouldn’t be as curious.

“Later. I’m busy right now, Hong Star. Let’s hang up for now.”

“W-wait a minute!”

“Yeah?”

“Did you see the short film scenario by that Director Dong-chun? What’s the title?”

“I did. It was well-written. The title is ‘Detective Agency’.”

“……”

Here, Song Man-woo PD threw a jab.

“Why? Are you curious about the scenario? Should I lend it to you?”

Hong Hye-yeon immediately took the bait.

“Ahem! If you give it to me, I’ll take a look.”

Ten minutes later, at Hong Hye-yeon’s house.

Her house near Cheongdam-dong was the epitome of luxury. The interior was a mix of black and white, and the furniture was all high-end.

Among them, Hong Hye-yeon was sitting on the living room sofa.

The pajamas she was wearing were also black. Her long straight hair was neatly tied in a single braid. She was staring blankly into the air, her face lost in thought.

“……”

Then, Hong Hye-yeon turned her gaze to the cell phone in her hand. She was recalling her conversation with Song Man-woo PD from 10 minutes ago.

‘Suddenly going to do a short film?’

In other words, Hong Hye-yeon was thinking about the oddball Kang Woo-jin.

‘Why did he suddenly switch to a short film after being in a big project like ‘Profiler Han-ryang’??’

Her curiosity and interest were exploding right now. About the actor Kang Woo-jin. To be exact, she had become deeply interested in his different, god-like acting.

“…I want to see that short film.”

It wasn’t just the scenario, but what Hong Hye-yeon wanted to see right now was Kang Woo-jin himself, not a video or anything. She wanted to see his acting with her own eyes. She needed to see his acting right in front of her to experience his acting method.

Hong Hye-yeon’s unstoppable desire for acting had been properly triggered.

Then.

—Swish.

Hong Hye-yeon shifted her gaze from her cell phone to the table in front of her. On the table was a three-page script that she had received from ‘Super Actor’ a while ago. In fact, she had been secretly practicing this script.

But.

‘No matter how much I practice, I can’t do it as well as Kang Woo-jin did.’

She couldn’t even come close to replicating it. Even though she had practiced whenever she had time for several days. But Kang Woo-jin had looked at this script for one minute and showed the acting flawlessly.

‘I don’t know about the past, but if he gets famous… he’ll devour all the top stars. No doubt about it. Me too.’

At this moment, Hong Hye-yeon felt a surge of unknown frustration.

“Ha— seriously. I hate falling behind!”

At the same time.

—Ding-dong♬♪

Someone rang her doorbell. It seemed like someone was supposed to come. Thanks to that, Hong Hye-yeon opened the front door while still feeling frustrated, and soon a man wearing rimless glasses appeared in the shoe rack.

“I’m hungry, I’m hungry. Hye-yeon-ah. Do you have anything to eat at home??”

The man called Hong Hye-yeon very familiarly. He was the CEO of Hong Hye-yeon’s agency. However, it was a startup entertainment company. If you think about it, Hong Hye-yeon was the only artist, and the CEO of the agency was the person who had been taking care of her since her debut. In other words, they had been together all along.

While he was taking off his shoes,

“Oppa [an honorific term used by a younger female to address an older male],”

Hong Hye-yeon, with her arms crossed, suddenly requested.

“There’s a short film called ‘Detective Agency,’ can you look into the current situation?”

—Pause.

The CEO raised one eyebrow at the words ‘short film.’

“Sh-short film??”

“Yeah. Can you look into it, or not?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be hard to look into the situation of a short film. I’m asking again because it’s strange that you’re asking about a short film. You… you’re not planning to do a short film at this timing, are you? Huh? Say no.”

Then, Hong Hye-yeon shrugged her shoulders and answered nonchalantly.

“No. It’s just slightly tempting, for now.”

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