I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 164

What nonsense is this? That was Kang Woo-jin’s honest feeling. No, why is the Academy Award suddenly coming up? It was clear that anyone would feel the same way, not just Kang Woo-jin. There was no explanation before or after.

‘The Academy Award is impossible right now? No, isn’t it always impossible, not just right now??’

Of course, Kang Woo-jin also knew a little about the Oscars, or the Academy Awards. In a layman’s way. Well, it’s still kind of the same now, but anyway, he had seen it in past articles and such.

Of course, all the content was related to Korea.

Like a Korean-American Hollywood actor winning an award at the Academy Awards, or a Korean movie doing well at Cannes and getting nominated for an Academy Award after being released overseas. Woo-jin’s memory wasn’t wrong. In fact, there were movies in Korean film history that were invited to the Academy Awards.

Exactly two films.

One in 2010 and one in 2015. The commonality between the two films was that they were recognized at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, two of the world’s three major international film festivals. Afterward, they were nominated as preliminary candidates for the Academy Awards, but unfortunately, they were eliminated from the official nominations.

Whatever the case, even being a preliminary candidate was a first for Korea.

And despite the efforts of many Korean directors, that record has yet to be broken. One thing that was certain for Kang Woo-jin here was:

‘The Academy Awards are just an incredibly amazing place, right? Isn’t even imagining it a long shot? Like a final boss level place.’

The Academy Awards were truly an awards ceremony that existed in another world. That’s why Woo-jin, even after becoming an actor, had never even thought about it. Well, it would probably be the same in the future. It was too far-fetched.

So, what Choi Sung-gun said was:

‘And the Academy Awards are impossible right now.’

It was absurd yet obvious. Thanks to that, even though it was a bit ridiculous, Woo-jin created a strong concept. He couldn’t look weak, so he added a bit of a bluff. Yes, it was a set answer, but acting a bit tough wouldn’t be bad.

“Of course, it will be difficult this year.”

The next answers that Choi Sung-gun spat out were enough to confuse Woo-jin.

“Were you aiming for the Academy Awards from the beginning? I’m disappointed. If you had given me a hint about that crazy plan, I would have prepared myself. I’m going to have a heart attack.”

No, what on earth are you talking about? For the first time in a while, extreme bewilderment engulfed Woo-jin’s entire body. When did I ever aim for the Academy Awards? I don’t understand at all?

This feeling was similar to when a snowball of misunderstanding rolls.

‘Where is it? Where did this misunderstanding originate from?’

Unlike usual, the current misunderstanding was too huge. But he couldn’t think of any part where it could have come from. From the beginning, the words ‘Academy Award’ or ‘Oscar’ had never come out of Woo-jin’s mouth.

At this moment, Choi Sung-gun let out a long breath and continued.

“Hoo- Director Ahn Ga-bok… his insight is scary. Even though he’s only seen you for a few days, he figured out your feelings.”

Who? That old spirit grandpa? Why is that old man coming up here? Woo-jin, filled with question marks, asked in a low voice.

“…I didn’t tell him anything.”

“Yeah, but with your personality, you must have hinted at it indirectly. I feel sorry for no reason. I should have noticed it sooner, I guess I still have a long way to go.”

At this point, Woo-jin realized. He didn’t know how it all came about, but the source of the misunderstanding was that old spirit grandpa. It was ambiguous to ask about the process. Moreover, Choi Sung-gun seemed to be convinced of something with Woo-jin’s answers just now.

‘Ugh, I don’t know. Here, acting tough would suit the concept better than backing out. Let’s just agree with him, anyway, the Academy Awards and all that are things of the faaaaar future.’

No, now that it’s come to this, what’s wrong with having a ridiculously big goal? It’s a misunderstanding anyway. Woo-jin, as always, chose to go straight ahead without reversing, and accepted the meaningless misunderstanding and misinterpretation with composure. Correcting it was pointless and annoying.

“It’s okay, it was just my own thought.”

Choi Sung-gun, who was watching Woo-jin answer calmly, scratched his ponytail roughly.

“Let’s keep this matter between you and me for now. Director Ahn Ga-bok won’t tell anyone either, he wouldn’t have climbed to that position if he were loose-lipped.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“Anyway, hoo- if you planned it from the beginning, you’d know well, but with your current status, the Academy Awards are difficult. It’s a different scale from entering Japan. No, you can think of it as a different planet.”

“…I know.”

“Yeah, well, you’re a pro, so there’s no need to explain the Academy Awards to you.”

No, it’s absolutely necessary, but Choi Sung-gun had no way of knowing Woo-jin’s true feelings.

“I guess you’re thinking about your resume design, and honestly, in a short period, there’s nothing that works in Hollywood as well as Cannes. The other way is to go to Hollywood for auditions, but it’s narrower than a needle’s eye, just look at how top-tier Ha Yu-ra went around in circles and came back to Korea.”

“……”

“Starting from the bottom is also a problem. It will take at least 3 years. On the other hand, if you use Cannes as a stepping stone, a shortcut opens up. Of course, it’s still ridiculously tough to achieve something at Cannes.”

Woo-jin, who was listening silently, stored the new information in his head. So, it means to show up as a substitute for the real thing first? He roughly understood the system. In the meantime, Choi Sung-gun asked Woo-jin.

“Do you perhaps have a separate route in mind? Or do you have… connections in Hollywood?”

He had absolutely none. He had only seen America on TV, so there was no way he would have anything in Hollywood. But he couldn’t say that, so Woo-jin spoke indirectly.

“Please speak comfortably.”

“Um- first of all, Director Ahn Ga-bok volunteered to be that stepping stone. It’s a picture of him clinging to you. He called yesterday and requested a meeting. He said he would hand over the scenario in person.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Honestly, it’s the first time Director Ahn Ga-bok has moved this much. He says he really needs you, he mentioned sign language, so it seems like a sign language scene will be inserted into this work.”

Sign language? As Woo-jin tilted his head inwardly, Choi Sung-gun continued.

“Of course, if you don’t like Director Ahn Ga-bok, you can just rub shoulders with him and then ditch him. No matter what anyone says, I’m on your side. But if you do it too openly, it’ll be a problem, so we need to strategize. However, the film company and other groups that go with Director Ahn Ga-bok are experts in overseas matters. In terms of experience and results, they are the best in Korea.”

“I see.”

“How about meeting him and taking a look at the scenario? And also, to play along with Director Ahn Ga-bok’s talk about being a stepping stone.”

Well, that much wasn’t difficult. It was true that he was reluctant about Director Ahn Ga-bok, but looking at the situation, it didn’t seem like the answer was to just ignore him.

‘If I can beat that old spirit grandpa, that’s all that matters, right? It’s also good for concept practice.’

If he could rise by stepping on a max-level veteran, it was certain that Kang Woo-jin’s core would be protected like an iron fortress.

‘I’m also curious about the scenario, what grade will the legend of Korean cinema write?’

Then, Woo-jin slowly nodded and answered with composure.

“Okay, please set up an appointment.”

Choi Sung-gun raised his thumb and opened his diary.

“Okay.”

Woo-jin quietly took out his phone and secretly searched for the Academy Awards. A flood of information poured out. Among them, Woo-jin, who was reading a history page about the Academy Awards, shouted inwardly.

‘Crazy! Is this really even possible??’

Even he thought it looked impossible.

At the same time, in Tokyo, Japan.

The location was a huge hotel. In a hall of the hotel, where many people could still be seen, a group of about a dozen people had gathered. The old man at the front was a familiar face.

It was Chairman Hideki, with his neat suit and white hairs mixed in his eyebrows.

“Hmm-”

Next to him stood Secretary-General Riri, with her long hair tied in a single braid, and her neat impression was still outstanding today. Behind them were the secretarial office and several other employees. It was natural. This hotel belonged to the Kashii Group.

In other words, it was owned by Chairman Hideki.

Then, Chairman Hideki, who resembled an old lion, slowly looked around the wide hall. His hands were tucked deep into his pockets, but his eyes were quite focused. The hall he was looking at now was originally a place with a similar nature to a funeral hall.

It had changed a lot.

It was a bit stiff rather than a party venue. You could say it was business-like? A square desk in the center, and about a hundred chairs surrounding the desk, etc. Of course, the chairs in this hall all looked expensive. Chairman Hideki, who was quietly looking around the hall, moved slowly.

-Swish.

He silently touched the top of the square desk in front of him with his finger. He was checking the cleaning condition. At the same time, he spoke in a rough voice.

“Is there anything else needed?”

Secretary-General Riri was the first to react to the Japanese words that were spoken. She approached Chairman Hideki with a click-clack and answered.

“Yes, Chairman. We have prepared after discussing with the ‘Toega’ film company in advance.”

“A script reading doesn’t seem to require much preparation. Make sure there are enough seats, don’t prepare in a hurry on the day.”

“Understood.”

Soon, Chairman Hideki pulled out a chair placed at the desk and sat down. At first glance, it looked like he just sat down, but inwardly, he was testing the comfort of the prepared chair. He seemed satisfied, as Chairman Hideki, who was slowly crossing his legs, asked again.

“The number of people. How many people are coming to the reading?”

Riri, who bowed her waist slightly, answered quickly.

“Including the original author, Takikawa Akari, and director Tanoguchi Kyotaro, the production team of ‘Strange Geisha’, the cast, the actors’ staff, film company officials, and reporters, about 200 people will attend.”

“That’s quite a lot.”

“It seems that the scale of the movie ‘Strange Geisha’ itself is quite large.”

Chairman Hideki, who nodded slowly, looked around the hall again and chuckled.

“If we hold the reading at this hotel, the media will get excited again.”

“Yes. The relationship between ‘Strange Geisha’ and us will be fueled again.”

“Hmm-”

Chairman Hideki, who let out a groan, got up from his chair and slowly strolled through the hall, followed by Secretary-General Riri. When the dozen or so employees were at a distance, Chairman Hideki’s wrinkled mouth opened again.

“How is Kang Woo-jin doing these days?”

“After the rise of ‘Male Friend’, the movie ‘Drug Dealer’, in which he appeared, is currently a big hit in Korea.”

“Oh- really? It seems he’s been growing steadily since he returned to Korea.”

“Not only that, but his YouTube channel and SNS have also grown very large, unlike in the past. In Korea, it’s said to be something that couldn’t happen in a year.”

Riri, who had finished the report, handed a transparent file that she had tucked under her arm to Chairman Hideki. Of course, it was a survey related to Kang Woo-jin.

-Flip.

Chairman Hideki, who was silently checking the contents, murmured in a low voice.

“Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro said so. He said he was indebted to Kang Woo-jin.”

“Yes?”

“I’m similar too. He’s a strange actor, how could he spread so much grace in such a short moment in a foreign country, not even his own?”

Riri, who had been smooth until now, stopped. She didn’t quite understand what he meant. At that time, Chairman Hideki, who had closed the transparent file, muttered to himself.

“I’m kind of looking forward to seeing him in person.”

Chairman Hideki’s deep eyes, which had raised his head, reached Riri.

“This ‘Strange Geisha’ project has produced the effect of branded content, right?”

“It’s currently in progress.”

“If the recognition in Korea and Japan is this high, it seems like we have a good reason, check the advertising model positions in the affiliate lines and put them up.”

Of course, it was about Kang Woo-jin.

Meanwhile, at the ‘Toega’ film company in Tokyo.

At ‘Toega’, the film company of ‘Strange Geisha’, a production meeting led by Director Kyotaro was in full swing. The people were sitting around Director Kyotaro at the head of the U-shaped table.

The atmosphere seemed to be nearing the end, as it had already progressed quite a bit.

“Wow- I never thought we’d have the script reading at that top-class hotel.”

“That’s right, I thought we would definitely have it at our film company. Isn’t that place really just for parties for the rich?”

“Not only that, but it also hosts large corporate events that pour money into it. The script reading is the first for our movie. No, this kind of thing will probably never happen again.”

“If this spreads to the media, they’ll foam at the mouth again.”

“Of course, the situation is already noisy because of our movie’s relationship with the Kashii Group. But I wonder if the script reading can be this luxurious.”

“Hahaha, well, who cares. It’s good to be an issue. It’s also good for the actors’ reputation. But will Chairman Yoshimura Hideki come on the day of the script reading?”

“No way- that would be difficult.”

“That’s right, wouldn’t he not come?”

At this point, Director Kyotaro, who was full of gray hair, got back to the topic.

“Okay, okay, let’s save the admiration for later. Let’s quickly inform the actors of the decisions made today. Especially, the location and date of the script reading.”

“What if there’s a problem with November 16th?”

“It can be changed by a day or two, but it’ll be fine.”

“Understood, I’ll contact the actors right away to inform them that the script reading is confirmed for the 16th.”

Director Kyotaro, who nodded, emphasized one of the actors.

“Inform Mr. Kang Woo-jin first, since he’s the furthest away.”

The script reading for ‘Strange Geisha’ was next Monday.

The next day, the morning of the 11th, at BW Entertainment.

The time was around 8 a.m. BW Entertainment was quiet, as it wasn’t yet the start of working hours. There were no employees who had come to work. However, the desks without employees looked like a battlefield. It was like the scene after a typhoon had swept through.

For some reason, there was a sign of people at such BW Entertainment.

The reason was simple.

“Sorry for coming so early in the morning.”

“It’s alright, Director.”

At the table in the CEO’s office, Kang Woo-jin and Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his short white hair, were sitting face to face. Of course, the film company’s CEO and Choi Sung-gun were also present at this meeting.

The total number of people was four.

It was a simple meeting, but the stack of papers that Director Ahn Ga-bok was handing over had a very significant meaning.

“In Da Nang, it was too abrupt. First of all, before we get into the details, take a look at this.”

-Swish.

It was the scenario for Director Ahn Ga-bok’s 100th movie. Soon, Choi Sung-gun, whose eyes were following the stack of papers being passed to Woo-jin, swallowed hard.

‘That’s the- stepping stone.’

On the other hand.

“Yes, Director. Thank you.”

Woo-jin’s face, who received the scenario, was as cold as ice. Kang Woo-jin was actually calm.

‘The old man has a very cool personality. He’s handing over the scenario right away.’

From Da Nang, Director Ahn Ga-bok was not a super-giant veteran to Kang Woo-jin, but just a grandpa next door. But now, he had a spirit attached to him.

Well, it was the power of mind control.

Anyway, Kang Woo-jin checked the cover of the scenario with an indifferent face. It only had the title written on it, as it was a rough draft.

-‘Leech’

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s 100th movie title was ‘Leech’. However, Kang Woo-jin saw something else besides the title. What could it be? The swirling black square attached to the side of the scenario.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had no way of knowing this, opened his mouth.

“It’s okay to skim through it.”

Woo-jin, who was already turning the first page, secretly raised his index finger. He had entered the subspace.

After a while.

To Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was looking at Woo-jin across from him, it was only a few tens of seconds, but for Kang Woo-jin, there was a time gap of at least 10 minutes. Soon, as Woo-jin’s face became serious, Director Ahn Ga-bok tilted his head slightly.

“Why? Is there something you don’t like?”

“……”

Kang Woo-jin, who had been silent, let out a long sigh inwardly.

‘No, more than that- ha… is it real that it’s S-class from the start??’

At this moment.

-Vvvvv, Vvvvv.

Choi Sung-gun’s phone, who was sitting next to Kang Woo-jin, vibrated loudly, and he flinched and got up from his seat with a small bow. He left the CEO’s office and checked the caller.

The caller was the head of the public relations team.

“Uh, Team Leader.”

The team leader’s voice on the phone was extremely excited.

“C, CEO!! The article! You have to see the article that just came out!!”

Then, he sent a link to Choi Sung-gun’s phone. The title of the article was immediately visible.

『[Exclusive] ‘Monster Rookie’ Kang Woo-jin, Turns Out to Have a 1-Year Contract with BW Entertainment… Will He Enter the FA [Free Agent] Market Early Next Year?』

Choi Sung-gun’s two eyes, who had a ponytail, widened like crazy after checking the article.

“Th, this is insane!!”

But at this time, Choi Sung-gun wasn’t the only one whose eyes were about to pop out at the same article.

“C, CEO!! Have you seen the article about Kang Woo-jin’s 1-year contract??!”

“What?? 1-year contract? What kind of bullsh*t is that?”

“The article has been released!! But the content doesn’t seem like a tabloid!! Kang Woo-jin, we might be able to recruit him early next year!”

“Does that make sense… wait!! I’ll check the article and call you right away!!”

Numerous entertainment companies in Korea began to stir.

End