I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 150

Director Ahn Ga-bok? That Ahn Ga-bok? Choi Sung-gun, phone pressed to his ear, momentarily stopped thinking. It was too sudden, after all.

‘What is this? Ahn Ga-bok out of nowhere?’

Even.

‘Why does that Ahn Ga-bok want to see our Woo-jin—’

Just his name was enough to cause confusion, but Ahn Ga-bok’s purpose over the phone was Kang Woo-jin. A living legend of the domestic film industry suddenly wants to meet Woo-jin. First of all, it was hard to understand why a mega-star like Ahn Ga-bok would call a rookie like Kang Woo-jin directly.

For Choi Sung-gun, who had been through the entertainment industry, this was a first.

‘…What the hell is going on?’

Choi Sung-gun’s brain, usually so capable and quick to react, froze. But he forced his stalled brain circuits to reconnect. And somehow, it started working again.

‘Let’s just figure out the basics. Ahn Ga-bok knows my number and called directly, which means he must have dug up something somewhere.’

Whether it was about Kang Woo-jin or something else, Ahn Ga-bok was moving with conviction. The fact that the legend himself called meant he was showing his sincerity.

‘Or ambition.’

In other words, Ahn Ga-bok highly valued Kang Woo-jin right now.

‘Still… how did Ahn Ga-bok get hooked?’

But Choi Sung-gun’s mind was still full of questions. Well, even so, grilling Ahn Ga-bok right now would be stupid, and dealing with a legend like him without any information was just as bad. He was someone you couldn’t afford to appear careless or meet lightly.

‘I need to be polite and buy some time.’

Especially, he needed to give clear information to Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin would definitely refuse if he didn’t like the person, no matter how big a name they were. So, Choi Sung-gun started a push-and-pull based on the truth.

“Hello, Director. Thank you for calling so suddenly… If you had given me a heads-up, I would have contacted you directly.”

“No. It’s tiring for both of us to beat around the bush.”

“But, are you thinking of meeting Woo-jin for a project?”

“Yes. What else would a director want from an actor?”

“Ah- yes. Sorry, it’s a bit hard to believe.”

“Haha. So, can we meet?”

At the question, Choi Sung-gun took a small, tense breath.

“I’d love to rush to meet you, Director, but could you give us some time? Woo-jin’s schedule is a bit tight.”

“Hmm?”

“Currently, Woo-jin is filming a variety show. It’s PD Yoon Byung-sun’s ‘Our Table.’ As you know, variety show filming doesn’t have a set end time. It could be delayed by two or three hours.”

It was true. The expected filming schedule was meaningless. Variety shows were especially unpredictable. If he made an appointment with Ahn Ga-bok, the filming could be delayed, making him wait. It could even fall through.

“Also, ‘Our Table’ is scheduled to film not just today but also tomorrow, and after filming, he has to catch a flight to Vietnam the next morning.”

“Sounds packed.”

“Yes, Director. I’m sorry. This domestic schedule was squeezed in during the overseas filming for ‘Island of the Lost,’ so it’s especially tight. And we can’t just meet you for 5 or 10 minutes. Would it be possible after the overseas filming is done?”

There was silence on the phone for a short time. Ahn Ga-bok’s aged voice was heard again a few seconds later.

“Let’s do that. It was my fault for calling suddenly. What’s the schedule for that overseas filming?”

“It’s about two weeks or a little more.”

“Okay, it’s not that urgent yet, so let’s contact each other again.”

“Thank you, Director. I’ll call you.”

“Okay, then.”

-Click.

The call ended. But Choi Sung-gun immediately made another call.

“Director Ahn Ga-bok—has the script for his 100th film come out?”

It was to gather information from his wide network.

Meanwhile, inside the franchise snack bar.

Whether Choi Sung-gun was there or not, the filming of ‘Our Table’ was in full swing.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

Applause was pouring in. It was the applause of dozens of staff, including PD Yoon Byung-sun with a big smile. Of course, it was congratulations for Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin, who were sitting at the filming zone table.

“From Korea to Japan! Just take over the whole world!!”

“Hahaha, won’t that happen soon?? Congratulations, Woo-jin and Hwa-rin-”

“But it was really fun, ‘Boyfriend’! It deserves to be number one in Korea and Japan!”

‘Boyfriend’ had taken the number one spot in Japan, not just Korea. It was about Netflix Japan. It had officially opened yesterday, the 22nd, so it was a one-day achievement, just like in Korea. Anyway, as applause and congratulations poured in, Kang Woo-jin was thinking.

‘What??! Number one in Japan too??! Crazy, I really didn’t expect this.’

Rather than maintaining a poker face, he was frozen, internally cheering.

‘Wow- damn! So what, that means a lot of Japanese people have seen me? That’s so cool!’

What stopped his silliness was Hwa-rin, who was smiling gently. She controlled her excitement and said to Woo-jin.

“Filming, promoting in Japan too. It was worth the effort. It’s a relief, right?”

Woo-jin cleared his throat and replied in a low voice.

“It’s all thanks to Hwa-rin.”

“Me?”

“Your fandom is big in Japan too.”

“It’s not non-existent, but I think your ‘Naked Life’ and ‘Ametalk Show!’ did all the work? It’s still a hot topic.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Honestly, you did all the hooking.”

Heh, my shoulders are rising for no reason. As Woo-jin tried to calm his floating mood, Hong Hye-yeon, sitting on his right, clapped softly and chimed in.

“Congratulations to both of you. Thanks to you, Hanryang must have been pushed down the rankings?”

Hwa-rin chuckled and met Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.

“The actor who appeared in both works is here.”

“Oh, right? What, Woo-jin, you’re not that excited about ‘Boyfriend’ being number one? You expected it? You have that kind of face.”

No? I’m super happy? Woo-jin wanted to jump up and down, but he made his concept even stronger due to the situation.

“I didn’t expect it.”

That’s how the congratulations for ‘Boyfriend’ poured in for several minutes. Slowly, the cast members of ‘Our Table’ began to arrive one by one. The fourth to arrive was Yeon Baek-gwang, the leader of a top boy group, who kept bowing 90 degrees to everyone. He was in his early twenties. He was full of energy, just like his age or like an idol.

“Ah! Hello, Kang Woo-jin!! I really enjoyed watching Hanryang!”

“Ah, thank you.”

“And you’re so cool!”

What, is this pretty boy making fun of me? Kang Woo-jin felt a bit uncomfortable with his energy. Or rather, it was hard to adjust to.

‘He’s a typical social butterfly, what, are all idols these days this good-looking?’

Yeon Baek-gwang had a face like the male lead in a pure romance comic book. His skin was white, and he had that kind of vibe. After greeting Woo-jin, Yeon Baek-gwang greeted his direct senior, Hwa-rin, and then finished with Hong Hye-yeon. Then, before going to his seat, he whispered to Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin! I want to be friends, totally.”

“Ah- yes, we can be.”

“Yay! Can I call you hyung [older brother]?”

“Yes.”

The pretty boy was extremely friendly. He was a master at breaking down the walls between people. Next to arrive was top actor Ha Kang-soo. Tall and dinosaur-like, he wasn’t an actor who often appeared on variety shows.

Perhaps that’s why his movements were awkward overall.

Even his greeting, filled with embarrassment, was like that.

“Hye-yeon, it’s been a while.”

“What, oppa [older brother]. Why are you suddenly using formal language?”

“Can I just speak casually? Is that okay? PD?”

“Hahaha, be comfortable, be comfortable!”

“Ugh- I think I have variety show jitters.”

He also greeted the other cast members, and gave Kang Woo-jin a thumbs up.

“I’ve heard you’re doing great these days? I really wanted to meet you. I’ve heard a lot from Jung-min too.”

“Hello, senior.”

The last to arrive among the cast members was.

“Ah! Sorry! I’m so sorry! No, there was an accident up ahead, so it was really blocked?”

It was Ahn Jong-hak, who would be the boss of ‘Our Table.’ He was in his late 40s but looked very young and was a handsome man. He was a top all-around entertainer in acting, variety shows, and singing, and he was also close to PD Yoon Byung-sun. They had already filmed several variety shows together and made them hits.

Perhaps because of that, PD Yoon Byung-sun smirked and immediately nagged Ahn Jong-hak, who was putting on his mic.

“Hey, hyung [older brother]. Why are you so late? Are you trying to act like the most senior? You’re a boomer.”

“Hey, man. What kind of boomer doesn’t care about his juniors like me. And I was 5 minutes late, 5 minutes.”

“Late is late. The juniors who are more successful than you are waiting like that.”

Ahn Jong-hak coughed, glancing at the long table.

“You should have started without me, sorry everyone. Since I’m late, let’s skip the greetings and start right away.”

Kang Woo-jin, with a nonchalant face, was amazed by Ahn Jong-hak.

‘Wow- Ahn Jong-hak. He’s just as cool as he is on TV? So cool.’

Whatever the case, with Ahn Jong-hak as the last one, all the cast members were seated at the table. The filming had already started, but as if the real thing was starting now, PD Yoon Byung-sun, sitting at the head of the table, made a comment.

“Okay! Finally, all the cast members who will shine on ‘Our Table’ are here, it’s reassuring to have such great people gathered! So, Ahn Jong-hak, as the boss who will lead ‘Our Table,’ please say a few words.”

At Yoon Byung-sun’s words, thrown with a smirk, Ahn Jong-hak, in the first seat, narrowed his brows.

“Why am I the boss? One of these great people should do it.”

“Should we? Let’s go by popularity. Then Jong-hak, you’ll be an intern, is that okay?”

“Hey, hey, but I’m older, isn’t that a bit much?”

“See, you’re a boomer.”

The entire snack bar, including the writers and staff, burst into laughter. Indeed, PD Yoon Byung-sun was a veteran. He loosened the atmosphere with banter before starting the schedule in earnest.

“Well, with boomer respect, Ahn Jong-hak will be the boss.”

“Hey, man. You’re trying to make me a boomer character again.”

“Shhh shhh. And since you’re the boss, you have to take charge of the overall management of ‘Our Table’? The two directors are Ha Kang-soo and Hong Hye-yeon. Ha Kang-soo is the main in the hall, and Hong Hye-yeon is in the kitchen.”

Here, Ahn Jong-hak, who was crossing his legs, chimed in.

“Hye-yeon, are you good at cooking?”

Hong Hye-yeon, who swept back her long hair, shook her head calmly.

“No, just for wine snacks? I like making snacks.”

“That’s ambiguous.”

“What. Then oppa [older brother], you do the kitchen.”

“I don’t have any basis to judge that.”

PD Yoon Byung-sun took the baton again.

“The employees are Woo-jin and Hwa-rin. Woo-jin is in the kitchen, and Hwa-rin is the hall assistant. And Yeon Baek-gwang is an intern, doing dishes and general assistance!”

Pairs were quickly decided. In the picture, Ahn Jong-hak and Yeon Baek-gwang, Ha Kang-soo and Hwa-rin, and Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon were a team, and this time Ahn Jong-hak asked Kang Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin, are you good at cooking?”

Woo-jin replied calmly.

“I can do it a little.”

Ahn Jong-hak sighed, looking at PD Yoon Byung-sun.

“Let’s just buy food and sell it. There are good kits these days.”

PD Yoon Byung-sun lightly ignored his words.

“Today, let’s have a simple meal here, and then each team will move to receive training from their masters. Tomorrow, as you all know, it’s ‘One-Day Restaurant’ time!”

When the ‘One-Day Restaurant’ was mentioned, Hong Hye-yeon asked the first question.

“Where is the ‘One-Day Restaurant’?”

“I’ll tell you tomorrow. It’s definitely not in Seoul.”

Ahn Jong-hak snorted.

“Hmph, I bet it’s a place with good air and nice scenery. Far away. But they’re just giving us food? What’s the catch?”

At the question, as if it was the answer, PD Yoon Byung-sun shouted to the staff on the right.

“Ingredients! Please come in!”

Then, a low table with about 10 kinds of tteokbokki [spicy rice cake] ingredients appeared. At this, Ahn Jong-hak laughed in disbelief.

“See, I knew it.”

Ha Kang-soo and Yeon Baek-gwang were nervous.

“Ah! What kind of game are we playing?? Right away? I’m really bad at games.”

“Wow! I get to witness this scene live!”

Whether it was a satisfactory reaction or not, PD Yoon Byung-sun pushed up his glasses and gave a mischievous smile.

“It’s boring to just eat, and to get to know each other, let’s play a quick game. How about a light character game as a warm-up?”

Soon, the writers handed PD Yoon Byung-sun papers with pictures of people, and Hong Hye-yeon, slightly twitching her brows, nudged Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder.

“If I get it wrong again today, you’re dead. I’m really going to flip out.”

The wound from the ‘Sports Day’ seemed to have resurfaced. Kang Woo-jin also felt tense as he remembered that time, but his expression was firmer than ever.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Ah! I’m nervous.”

Then, Hwa-rin chuckled and covered her mouth.

“Ah, you’re talking about Woo-jin getting unnie’s [older sister’s] picture wrong. That was really funny.”

Hong Hye-yeon chuckled and warned Hwa-rin. As if telling her not to let her guard down.

“What was funny could be you today, Hwa-rin.”

“Ah, no, right, Woo-jin? You’ll get mine right.”

Kang Woo-jin found it difficult to give a definite answer. He was barely managing to maintain his concept.

“…I’ll do my best.”

About an hour later, inside an unfamiliar van.

In the van driving down the road, a man with a bulging belly, generally fat, was looking at a thin stack of papers. The cover had these words on it.

–

It was the storyboard for the filming of ‘Our Table.’ So why was this fat man looking at the storyboard for ‘Our Table’? The reason was simple.

He was Chef Lee Yang-woo, the master of the ‘Our Table’ kitchen team.

In the culinary world, as well as in the broadcasting world, Chef Lee Yang-woo was very influential. He had participated in many cooking shows and had high recognition. The same was true in the YouTube market.

In other words, he was a so-called successful figure among chefs.

Chef Lee Yang-woo was currently heading to the filming location of ‘Our Table,’ and the pimply manager next to him asked him.

“Hyung [older brother]. But do we really have to do this, even while pushing back our own filming time?”

Then Chef Lee Yang-woo shook the storyboard in his hand.

“Of course, we have to. Man, it’s PD Yoon, PD Yoon. Have you even imagined how much my restaurant’s sales will jump just by being inserted into his variety show?”

“Even so- you’re already on enough broadcasts, right?”

“The power is different, I’m telling you. And I don’t know who the kitchen team is, but seeing top actors fumble around while cooking. That’s kind of stress-relieving? It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

Then Chef Lee Yang-woo chuckled.

“Since I’ve taken on the role of a harsh critic, it’ll be fun to mess with those high-nosed top actors.”