I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 161

The end of the year. As the year draws to a close, everyone gets busy.

Especially in the entertainment industry, things become noticeably hectic. It’s not just broadcasting; the film industry, variety shows, and even current affairs are all buzzing. Many events happen only at the end of the year, and numerous pilot programs, specials, and projects flood the airwaves.

Programs that air only during holidays or the year-end fall into this category.

In fact, the entertainment industry had already started preparing for the year-end in October. By November, things were in full swing. Among them, the highlight of the year-end is, of course, the various award ceremonies. Naturally, celebrities, including actors who will participate in the award ceremonies, inevitably have packed schedules.

In any case, the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the most prestigious film festival in Korea, also began its preparations, and the name of Kang Woo-jin, who debuted this year, came from the organizing committee chairman’s mouth.

“Clearly, Kang Woo-jin is going to sweep everything this year.”

Wouldn’t this be a first? Rookie actors are usually quiet in their debut year. While some rise and attend film festivals, it was unheard of for the head of a film festival to specifically try to cast a rookie like this.

“Probably, everyone else besides us will try to cast Kang Woo-jin somehow, so we’re putting our mark on him in advance.”

It was proof that Kang Woo-jin’s sensation this year was enormous, and the Blue Dragon organizing committee staff added to that proof.

“That’s absolutely true. There are rumors that even MBS [a major broadcasting station], which doesn’t have any programs particularly connected to Kang Woo-jin, is calling him.”

“Ah, I heard that too. Since Kang Woo-jin is so popular right now, are they going to openly show off?”

“‘Rising’ is not enough to describe Kang Woo-jin. Isn’t it unprecedented to create this kind of impact in the debut year?”

“Look at ‘Drug Dealer.’ I saw the box office earlier, and it exceeded 2.5 million viewers. It seems like anything Kang Woo-jin is involved in becomes a record.”

The staff members excitedly mentioned Kang Woo-jin’s name, and the chairman at the head of the table nodded as if acknowledging it.

“Almost. No, it was definitely Kang Woo-jin’s year.”

“As the chairman said, even though the award nominees are still being selected, it would be good to secure Kang Woo-jin’s participation as soon as possible.”

“That’s right. Looking at how things are going, it seems like everyone will be sending offers to Kang Woo-jin, but even a quick look at Kang Woo-jin’s schedule shows that it’s full until next year.”

It was true. Currently, Kang Woo-jin’s schedule is packed until at least the first half of next year. In the meantime, he also has to attend award ceremonies at the end of the year. Because of this, the Blue Dragon Film Awards organizing committee became anxious.

“Organize the details as quickly as possible and pass them on to Kang Woo-jin’s side, but don’t make it look too cheap.”

The reason they are so desperate for an actor who is the core of the year’s issues or the most talked-about is simple: public attention and viewership ratings. That way, they can sell advertisements and generate revenue smoothly. Tradition and prestige are a bonus.

What’s interesting is.

『[Entertainment] With the year-end approaching, the broadcasting and film industries are bustling with preparations for award ceremonies』

Currently, there are many similar conversations and situations in the entertainment industry as with the Blue Dragon. It was natural since it was the time to move in earnest.

For example.

“Did everyone see ‘Drug Dealer’? In my opinion, Kang Woo-jin is the biggest draw this year.”

The Grand Bell Awards, which are held around the same time as the Blue Dragon, were like that. Although its history is older than the Blue Dragon, the Grand Bell Awards were more desperate because they felt they were lagging in terms of recognition.

“We have to get Kang Woo-jin to attend, do you understand?”

In other words, among the three major film festivals in Korea, the Blue Dragon and the Grand Bell showed extreme interest in Kang Woo-jin. The Baeksang was similar, but still quiet. Among the three major film festivals, the Baeksang is held next year.

If the film industry is this noisy, would the broadcasting industry be quiet?

Of course not. The broadcasting industry was no different, resembling a bustling marketplace.

KBC [a major broadcasting station], with the broadcast of ‘Freezing Romance’ just around the corner.

“Did you cast Kang Woo-jin?!!”

“A-Are we really calling him??”

“Of course? Hey, haven’t you contacted them yet??!”

“The only reason to call him is ‘Freezing Romance,’ but he only made a special appearance in one episode…”

“That’s for later, you idiot!! Just call him first! Even if it doesn’t work, keep trying!!”

SBC [a major broadcasting station], which already had a huge hit with ‘Profiler Hanryang’ as well.

『’Profiler Hanryang’ with 25% viewership, how many awards will it win at the SBC Drama Awards?』

『’Hanryang’ set a legend this year, netizens say “‘Manager Park’ will definitely win at the SBC Drama Awards”』

MBS also showed movement in casting, but the possibility was slim compared to the other two broadcasting companies. Anyway, the three major terrestrial broadcasters were also putting tremendous effort into preparing for the year-end, and what they were all clamoring for was a ‘monster rookie actor.’

Kang Woo-jin.

In short, if Kang Woo-jin attended all the award ceremonies he was invited to this year-end, it would be at least four places.

『[Project] ‘Kang Woo-jin’ writing history with his debut, how many awards will he win this year-end… Interest in whether he will break the record for most awards』

This was also a first for a rookie.

Back to the story.

Around the time when the entire entertainment industry was in full swing preparing for the year-end, Kang Woo-jin, the core of the sensation, was watching ‘Drug Dealer’ in a movie theater. It was his second time watching it, but Woo-jin felt that ‘Drug Dealer’ looked different on the big screen.

‘Wow, you have to watch a movie in a movie theater.’

And from the middle part where he appeared, he felt embarrassed. However, it was fun to see the reactions of the audience watching ‘Drug Dealer’ in the same theater.

Especially.

“Kyaaak!”

“Ugh!!”

When many audience members were startled by the intense thunder and lightning in ‘Lee Sang-man’s’ first drug scene.

‘Wow, I almost screamed too!’

Kang Woo-jin even felt a strange thrill. It was a bizarre scene. The audience was munching on popcorn while watching ‘Drug Dealer,’ but Woo-jin was putting popcorn in his mouth while watching the movie and their reactions in real-time. The current audience wouldn’t even imagine that ‘Lee Sang-man’ on the screen was in the same space.

“Crazy, Kang Woo-jin’s acting is goosebumps-inducing.”

“I know, right? Ah, I think I’ll remember that expression at night.”

Kang Woo-jin left the theater before ‘Drug Dealer’ ended, and when he arrived home, he sent the photos he took to his agency along with a post on social media. Having barely finished his work, Kang Woo-jin closed his eyes on the bed and murmured.

“Okay, now just shut up and get some sleep.”

He passed out.

Several hours later.

Late at night on the same day, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, was sitting in the CEO’s office at BW Entertainment.

“······”

He sat in his seat with a serious face. Most of the employees had gone home, and even though the teams that participated in the ‘Island of the Missing’ overseas location were given two days off, Choi Sung-gun was not resting.

And then.

-Swish.

He shifted his gaze to the small calendar with densely packed letters on one side of his desk.

‘It’s November-‘

For some reason, Choi Sung-gun was reflecting on the current time when the year-end had arrived, and he shifted his gaze to the enormous piles of papers stacked on the six-person table in front of him. They were scripts and scenarios that had come in for Kang Woo-jin. Not only that, but there were also numerous transparent files in front of him.

All of them were casting offers or meeting requests for Kang Woo-jin.

There were some for Hong Hye-yeon as well, but compared to Kang Woo-jin’s recent ones, they were extremely few. Well, compared to other actors, Hong Hye-yeon’s momentum was also incredibly high, but it was just that Kang Woo-jin’s power was at an absurdly crazy level.

Soon, Choi Sung-gun opened a nearby cabinet.

-Click.

A thin file was taken out of the cabinet. It was a contract. Whose contract would it be?

“…Is it because Woo-jin is such a typhoon? Time has already passed like this.”

It was Kang Woo-jin’s. Choi Sung-gun, who tied his ponytail tightly again, gave a slightly lonely smile and opened the contract. What he was checking was the contract expiration date.

“March 15th next year.”

Since this month has started, if you think about it, Kang Woo-jin’s contract period was only four months. Woo-jin’s contract was for one year. It was already well over half the time. Choi Sung-gun couldn’t believe it because so many things had happened.

‘It’s absurd, now that I think about it.’

He looked back on the days that had passed. Now that he looked back, it felt like a dream even though he had experienced it himself.

‘In about 8 months… what on earth happened? Common sense is being destroyed, destroyed.’

Things that would be difficult for a typical rookie actor to achieve in 5 years, or even 10 years, Kang Woo-jin was doing easily in less than a year. If he continued to move forward without any major issues, Kang Woo-jin would definitely.

“Become an actor who leaves an indelible mark that no one can approach. Both domestically and internationally.”

It was obvious that he would write a history that would never happen again in the past or the future. The desire grows. The greed deepens. The desire blinds the eyes. This was Choi Sung-gun’s story. He hoped that he would be the shadow in Kang Woo-jin’s glory, whenever that may be.

But.

“…If this gets out, the country will be turned upside down again.”

Domestically, and perhaps even in Japan. If the fact that Woo-jin’s one-year contract and its expiration were close were to spread, existing entertainment companies and agencies would foam at the mouth and rush in.

So? Am I confident that I can defend against that?

Honestly, Choi Sung-gun’s self-esteem was sky-high at the beginning of his contract with Kang Woo-jin. He thought he would give Woo-jin a boost with his connections and abilities.

But that was a rash confidence.

“How was I supposed to know he’d be such a monster?”

He was already eccentric enough back then, but that was 1/100th of the current Kang Woo-jin. He didn’t even know what else there might be.

Furthermore, it was difficult to judge Kang Woo-jin’s current feelings.

From his satisfaction with BW Entertainment to his plans after the contract period. Since Kang Woo-jin was clear about public and private matters and saw through everything, he must have already made a decision.

“Hmm-”

Well, as expected, Kang Woo-jin’s value had skyrocketed. Of course, if various entertainment companies rushed in after this contract expired, it would jump several times more. Choi Sung-gun’s worries gradually deepened.

Then.

“Okay, for now, let’s focus on expanding the company and the Ahn Ga-bok director project.”

Choi Sung-gun made up his mind. For now, he was more advantageous than anyone else. Choi Sung-gun turned on the data he had been organizing on his laptop. It was full of numerous preparations for the company’s expansion.

Investors to meet, PPTs [PowerPoint presentations] and schedules for them, and so on.

At the same time, he also pulled out the survey for director Ahn Ga-bok. He didn’t know Kang Woo-jin’s feelings yet, but he needed to be able to speak fluently whenever necessary.

‘And I’ll definitely contact director Ahn Ga-bok again.’

Even a rough look showed that he would have to stay up all night, let alone rest. Still, Choi Sung-gun hardened his expression. That monster.

“I’ll risk my life.”

He had to bet everything on catching the extraordinary rookie actor.

“Whether I catch Woo-jin or not will be the biggest turning point for BW Entertainment, but that guy might have already made his decision.”

Wrong. Kang Woo-jin was just buried in bed.

“…Kuh-”

He was just sleeping soundly without any thoughts.

Two days later, November 6th. Morning.

Kang Woo-jin got out of a van that had just parked in the parking lot of a luxury officetel [a multi-purpose building with residential and commercial units] in Seoul.

-Thump!

White short-sleeved shirt, knit vest, jeans, short but naturally styled hair, full makeup. Anyone could tell he was ready for filming. Of course, he was also equipped with his concept.

‘Wow, this place looks several times better than my house?’

While Woo-jin was secretly admiring it in his mind, Choi Sung-gun and Woo-jin’s team began to gather. What was unusual was.

-Screech!

A large white van stopped right away. The one who got out of the van leisurely was top actress Hong Hye-yeon, with her long hair fluttering. She was also in full makeup, and her clothes were a sponsored designer shirt.

The reason why the two actors gathered at this luxury officetel?

It was because of a call from Yoon Byung-sun PD [a television producer] of ‘Our Table.’ To be exact, it was a pre-filming session for each team that had been scheduled a long time ago. Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon, who were on the kitchen team, were a bit late due to the ‘Island of the Missing’ overseas location, and the other teams had already finished filming.

Anyway.

“Shall we go?”

Hong Hye-yeon, who tucked her long hair behind her ear, and Kang Woo-jin got on the elevator. Because there were many people, the distance between her and him was very close. A nice scent tickled Woo-jin’s nose. Kang Woo-jin, whose heart was pounding slightly, desperately maintained his indifference.

-Ding!

Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon rang the doorbell of the officetel they were guided to. Well, as expected, small cameras were installed from the entrance. Then.

“Oh, oh! Welcome!”

The front door quickly opened, and staff members, including Yoon Byung-sun PD wearing glasses and writers, greeted the two. The interior of the luxury officetel was roughly larger than Woo-jin’s house. However, it was not in the form of a typical house. It was more like an office, or something?

The reason was simple.

This officetel was the official office of the variety show ‘Our Table.’ It was not an unusual case. Recently, it was common for broadcasting companies to use officetels as offices. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon, the cast members, moved to the living room of the officetel, leaving behind Choi Sung-gun and the rest of the team.

They settled on a comfortable sofa.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin silently scanned the interior with a calm face.

‘Ah, like this? It’s kind of interesting.’

Bulletin boards with numerous papers and letters, a conference table, various variety show props, scattered papers. It was the same scene as a broadcasting company’s variety show department, only the space was different. Judging from the small cameras installed everywhere, from the ceiling to the table in front, it seemed that filming had already begun.

Around that time, Yoon Byung-sun PD, mixed in with the writers, smiled and gave Woo-jin a thumbs up.

“‘Boyfriend Material’ is still a huge hit, and ‘Drug Dealer’ blew up in the meantime, didn’t it?”

The writers also praised him to the skies.

“That’s right! I saw ‘Drug Dealer’! It was really fun, and when Lee Sang-man came out, I didn’t even know it was you, Woo-jin??”

“Me too, me too. Congratulations! It’ll easily surpass 3 million! It’s rated R, but it’s a huge hit!”

“Congratulations! A home run after ‘Boyfriend Material’!”

Woo-jin, whose embarrassment was at its peak, tried hard to downplay it.

“Thank you, but I’m just a cameo.”

“Hey- I saw in the articles that the director of ‘Drug Dealer’ openly declared that it was a supporting role?”

Hong Hye-yeon chimed in.

“There are quite a few supporting roles disguised as cameos like that. In a way, it’s a trick by the production team, right?”

At this time, Yoon Byung-sun PD, who was rubbing his hands together, quickly changed the subject.