I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 159

Goosebumps had risen on the withered forearm of the veteran director Ahn Ga-bok. In his 99 films, this had happened only a handful of times. He wore an aged smile.

‘Twenty years, maybe more, I can’t even remember.’

A strange mix of bewilderment and elation played on his upturned lips. He had worked with countless actors of various nationalities, from Korea to Hollywood. The number of actors who had passed through Ahn Ga-bok’s hands was immense. Yet, the number of times an actor’s performance had given him goosebumps was few.

And yet.

‘To have my dead senses revived by a rookie’s acting.’

He was unexpectedly captivated by a rising actor of just one year. This was a rare experience even for Ahn Ga-bok, a legend in the Korean film industry. Yes, that’s it. That’s why he was able to steal the heart of the rigid Director Kwon Ki-taek.

-Swish.

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s gaze followed Kang Woo-jin as he slowly removed his helmet in the filming zone.

‘Precious, not common.’

He was an actor hard to find in today’s factory-like actor scene. At least, that’s what Director Ahn Ga-bok thought. Like a wild ginseng in the barren acting world.

Anyway.

-Tap!

After the first OK of the intense group shot was uttered from the lips of the easygoing Director Kwon Ki-taek, dozens of the hundred or so staff members who had been holding their breath rushed into the filming zone. The quiet set instantly became bustling.

“Art team! Please help!”

“We’re going now!!”

Although an OK had been given, the current scene wasn’t over. They would change the composition and do solo shots of the characters, and so on. Repeating the same scene multiple times was the norm, and the staff who had rushed in had to reorganize the filming zone for reshoots.

However, it didn’t take long.

“Ready!!”

“One minute! Standby in one minute!!”

The time for reshoots soon arrived. The actors, who had been catching their breath, re-entered the camera’s angle. This time, it was the same scene, but they would focus on individual shots of the characters rather than the whole group.

“Hoo-”

The start was Kang Woo-jin, or rather, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol.’ Therefore, the monitor that Director Kwon Ki-taek was watching showed the overall picture of the actors, upper body shots, and a solo shot of Kang Woo-jin’s face. Then, Woo-jin slowly shouldered his rifle.

‘Since I’m starting, focus.’

He once again pulled out the ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ that was engraved somewhere within him. The feeling of two egos filling his relaxed mind spread through his veins. So? Are you going to do the same as before this time?

‘No, since it’s a solo, more intensely. More clearly.’

Woo-jin’s acting had not been lacking so far. Rather, it was overflowing. But as a beginner, he didn’t know the ‘degree.’ There was no upper limit. It was unclear where the limit was.

‘I don’t know, I don’t really know. So, let’s just do what I can.’

There was only one option. To keep walking through uncharted territory.

It wasn’t the attitude of an actor.

After all, the experience of the top actors here couldn’t be narrowed down in a day or two. Kang Woo-jin just focused on becoming one with ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ himself.

So, straight ahead.

Originally, with repeated readings (experience), the character becomes more vivid with the power of the subspace. If Woo-jin’s frequent acting was added to that, it would go too far. He had already experienced it. From ‘Manager Park.’ He controlled, restrained, and broadened his thoughts. It wasn’t difficult.

It was something he always did in his usual concept.

Other actors called this process exploration or interpretation.

However, the process of ordinary actors and Kang Woo-jin was completely different. The results were also different. Of course, the beginner Woo-jin didn’t care about such advanced definitions.

-Swish.

Before he knew it, the timid guy had taken over Kang Woo-jin. The camera was on Woo-jin’s bust shot. A signal from Director Kwon Ki-taek through the megaphone reached ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol.’

“Hi- Action.”

The voices of his comrades were faintly heard, but to Kang Woo-jin, only the movements of the shivering private next to him were visible. What should I do? As a senior, I feel like I should help, but if I talk to him, won’t he be even more startled? No, will he even listen to me? I’m a little scared.

At that moment.

‘You idiot, what are you worrying about? If he can’t hear you, make him hear you by force.’

The voice of the rough guy was heard.

‘Uh, how?’

‘Get lost.’

Soon, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’s’ mindset changed. Joy or elation. This was an actual phenomenon and conversation happening within Kang Woo-jin, but it wasn’t being captured by the camera filming him right in front. No, I want to show off that I have two egos.

Then how should I express it?

‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol.’ Kang Woo-jin hid it from the uniformed toys here, but he wanted to show it off to the third parties. This game. So, he explored. What should I add to make your hearts race?

That’s when he realized.

Sign language. Yes, there was sign language.

A language that could make the other person feel infinite emotions without speaking, without opening one’s mouth. A technique that could unfold lines, emotions, moods, the five senses, and expressions in silence.

Slowly, without anyone knowing, sign language was integrated into ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ and became richer.

At this moment, the camera zoomed in on his face.

However, ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol,’ who was holding a gun, couldn’t move his hands. So, he had to use only his eyes, nose, mouth, facial and body muscles, nerve tremors, gaze, and breathing.

It’s okay, that’s enough.

Then, he glanced at the private and started the game. He put timidity in his eyes, a slight tremor in his lips, and a fleeting joy at the corners of his mouth. Of course, all of this was displayed on the monitor without missing a single detail.

Thanks to that.

‘……Showing off, he’s showing off.’

The breathing of Director Kwon Ki-taek, whose eyes were full of seriousness, became lower.

‘It’s absurd. Was he able to expand the subtle emotional lines more than the first time? He’s showing off the secret of his split personality to the audience, right now.’

He couldn’t take his eyes off Kang Woo-jin’s acting.

‘Is he growing even in this short moment?’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, whose goosebumps were endlessly repeating, was already right next to Director Kwon Ki-taek. His wrinkled eyes widened. His eyes had become huge.

‘I see, I can clearly see the state of that character. He thoroughly hides his inner self in that world, but he wants to proudly show it to us outsiders.’

But for some reason, Kang Woo-jin’s subtlety was gradually growing.

‘Was there more? Does he still have a lot to show? It’s like… he’s explaining with his face.’

Furthermore.

‘Why does it smell like the sign language I want?’

At this moment, a gunshot was heard.

-Bang!

A long, grotesque creature intruded, a private fell like rotten sewage, the soldiers became chaotic, and the officers became excited.

Endless gunshots.

-Bang bang bang!!

The frantic soldiers fled from the chaotic battlefield. The situation was frantically urgent, but the scene unfolded smoothly, and Kang Woo-jin, who was embracing the dead private, cried.

“Hic! Hic hic!”

Inside, he laughed.

‘Hehe! Hehehehe, one died.’

I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. Next time, I’ll try to stop the rough guy. I was wrong. What are you saying? Shut your mouth. You’re enjoying it too, aren’t you? Enjoy it?

“Jin Seon-cheol!! What the hell are you doing!! Didn’t you hear the order to run?!!”

Yeah, you bastard, stop crying and run too.

“Get a grip! He’s dead! He’s already dead!! Shut up and get up!! Hurry!!”

There’s still a lot to do.

Every second, every minute, Kang Woo-jin’s face on the camera changed constantly. The tears flowing were genuine, and the smile that curved like a bow was also real.

Then.

“……Cut, okay.”

When Director Kwon Ki-taek’s signal rang out again on the set, the hundred or so staff members just kept their mouths shut.

“……”

“……”

“……”

Goosebumps had spread to everyone, not just Director Ahn Ga-bok. The hot weather fueled it. What did I just see?

‘There wasn’t a single word of dialogue… but I can see that Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol has a split personality. Wow- crazy.’

This became more prevalent as the second and third reshoots progressed. Clearly, Kang Woo-jin was developing in that short time. Soon, the film company representatives and employees who had been standing behind Director Ahn Ga-bok gave up on making judgments.

‘Acting? Can you call that acting??’

‘If this, if this is shown in theaters and seen by the audience… this goes beyond just being good at acting?!!’

In particular, the film company representative, whose face was tanned, had a very shocked expression.

‘It’s amazing, an acting method I’ve never seen before. I feel sorry for the other actors who have to face something like that. He’s even growing with every cut, I can’t see the limit of his growth.’

He was also a veteran in this industry. He had seen countless actors. But his current experience was close to ignorance. The film company representative lowered his gaze slightly and stared at the back of Director Ahn Ga-bok’s head, then looked at the employees on both sides with their mouths slightly open. Then, he scanned the hundred or so staff members who had closed their mouths. It was wide. It was vast. But it was narrow.

It was about Kang Woo-jin.

The film company representative’s gaze reached Woo-jin, who was mingling with the actors again. Kang Woo-jin, as he saw him, was like a whale mixed in with freshwater. The film company representative let out a pure, hollow laugh.

‘He’s not someone to direct, he’s a monster to handle.’

Soon, the film company representative began to imagine things without realizing it. The back of that ‘whale’ receiving a flash of light on the world stage.

‘Can he crush everyone even in the ocean, not just freshwater?’

For some reason, it didn’t feel distant.

After that.

The filming of ‘Island of the Missing’ progressed quickly. From the hot morning and afternoon to the evening.

“Cut OK, let’s take a 10-minute break.”

“Yes! We’ll take a 10-minute break!!”

The concentration of the hundred or so staff members and actors, including Director Kwon Ki-taek, was higher than ever. It was partly because Director Ahn Ga-bok was on set.

“Whew- today’s filming is a bit tough. I’m dying, I’m dying.”

“What can we do? It’s an important group shot, and after today’s filming, we’re getting out of this damn jungle.”

“True. Now most of the shots are in the ‘Island of the Missing’ village. Phew, we’re finally seeing the end.”

“The end my ass, we’ve only finished the overseas location, and when we go back to Korea, there’s more filming and more filming.”

According to the storyboard, after this group shot, there would be more filming in the village than in the forest. In other words, it meant that they would encounter the strange villagers of the ‘Island of the Missing’ after leaving the grotesque creatures behind.

The hellish overseas location filming in Da Nang, Vietnam, was coming to an end.

Of course, there was still a lot left, such as filming on the green screen and at the Buyeo set when they returned to Korea, but just finishing the overseas location filming was about 30% done.

As the sun set in the afternoon.

The actors, gathered in small groups, glanced at the director’s seat without making it obvious. They looked at Director Kwon Ki-taek, but the weight was on Director Ahn Ga-bok’s side. In fact, all the actors of ‘Island of the Missing’ had been concerned about Director Ahn Ga-bok since before filming.

Like Ryu Jeong-min, who was slowly taking off his helmet.

‘How did he see my acting? Was it lacking?’

Ha Yu-ra, Kim Yi-won, Jeon Woo-chang, and all the supporting actors, who were dusting off their uniforms, kept glancing at Director Ahn Ga-bok.

‘I was a little late on the timing of my run in this cut. Ha- damn it, of all days! Phew, it’s okay, I’ll do it without mistakes in the next cut. Let’s stay calm, Ha Yu-ra.’

‘Ugh, I’m so nervous that I can’t even think of my lines properly.’

‘Director Ahn… it’s hard to read his expression. I wish he would look at me a little more.’

Even Hong Hye-yeon, who was watching the filming with the staff as a guest appearance standby, was the same.

‘How much of it are you going to watch today? Whew- I have to make up for at least what you pointed out.’

There must be some greed or desire. Although she came to watch, if she caught Director Ahn Ga-bok’s eye and participated in his work, her career as an actress would be elevated in an instant. It was like a faint opportunity for the actors.

However, there was only one actor.

‘I’ve been running all day today, tsk. Ah- I’m hungry, I need to ask Su-hwan for some chocolate bars when the time is right.’

Only Kang Woo-jin, whose weight was at its maximum, didn’t care about Director Ahn Ga-bok. Well, it was closer to a deliberate disregard. A disconnection of interest. Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was sitting in front of several monitors, turned his head back.

The veteran director Ahn Ga-bok’s expression was stiff, though it was unknown what he was thinking. Director Kwon Ki-taek asked Ahn Ga-bok in a gentle voice.

“How was it, Director?”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who slowly turned his gaze, replied in a low, aged tone.

“It was good. Thank you, it feels like I’ve seen a proper filming in a long time. Well, your direction is always beyond expectations.”

“You flatter me.”

“There’s no way.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was smiling kindly, leaned closer to Director Ahn Ga-bok and whispered. He had changed the subject.

“Did you get a feel for Woo-jin’s role?”

“Split personality, if I don’t know after seeing that acting, I should quit directing.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who answered, shifted his gaze again. To the uniformed actors who were in the middle of makeup touch-ups. Among them, Director Ahn Ga-bok looked at Kang Woo-jin, who had a nonchalant face.

“A group with ranks and orders. A loach that has infiltrated a relatively solid cohesion. But there’s no sense of purpose, so it’s more eye-catching and fills the scene with color. It’s a character that the audience can enjoy.”

Of course, Director Ahn Ga-bok wanted to recite more interpretations, but he held back. He was just a spectator. Director Kwon Ki-taek, as if agreeing, smiled more deeply and stood up.

“It’s Woo-jin’s personal ability.”

“Hmm?”

“You know the atmosphere of my scenario. The description of ‘Private First Class Jin Seon-cheol’ was very simple. It was only Woo-jin’s skill that brought it to life.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been looking up at Director Kwon Ki-taek for a moment, showed a wrinkled smile.

“Yes, I see why you cherish that friend.”

“I’ll give you the ‘Island of the Missing’ scenario, if you read it once when you go back, you’ll understand more clearly.”

“Thank you.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who bowed his head slightly, walked calmly into the bustling set, and Director Ahn Ga-bok’s gaze followed him.

The funny thing was.

“Hmm?”

Kang Woo-jin, who had briefly made eye contact, was avoiding Director Ahn Ga-bok’s gaze. Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled at this and crossed his arms, muttering to himself.

“It seems like I’ve been disliked.”

Two days later.

On November 3rd, Director Kwon Ki-taek’s signal was given at the ‘Island of the Missing’ filming site in Da Nang, Vietnam.

“Standby- Cue.”

The actors who were focused were Kang Woo-jin, Ha Yu-ra, and Ryu Jeong-min. Their passionate acting in their uniforms. For about three hours.

Soon.

“Cut, OK. Everyone worked hard.”

At the OK declared around noon on the 3rd, the hundred or so staff members threw their safari hats in the air.

“Ugh!! Finally escaping!!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Good job! Actors too!!”

“Wow- I really won’t think about Vietnam for about 10 years!”

“You’d think the filming was all over?! Hahaha.”

Because the overseas location filming of ‘Island of the Missing’ was over.

End