I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 17

‘……A-list, or top-tier? In ‘The Fixer’?’

The employee’s expression showed that he was having a hard time understanding. On the other hand, CEO Seo Gu-seop, the bulldog, had a look of conviction.

‘If it’s not that, it doesn’t make sense, does it? From the start, ‘The Fixer’ was a piece of trash that had been adrift for over two years after it was completed, right?’

‘Y-yes, that’s right.’

‘But we were giving Jung-hyuk the main lead, plus investment money, and even throwing in rookies, even if it was a package deal, right? How many things are being settled at once? Are these conditions even possible for a short film?’

‘No, they’re not.’

‘But damn it, he broke those conditions. Even if Jung-hyuk’s past is a bit of a problem, is a short film with a production cost of a few thousand dollars in a position to care about that?’

‘……’

At this point, the employee glanced at Park Jung-hyuk on the five-seater sofa behind him and lowered his voice.

‘W-well, if they’re aiming for an award at the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ with ‘The Fixer’… it might be a bit of a concern.’

‘What are you talking about, worrying about something that happened so long ago? It’s a blessing to even get to make that kind of movie, and Jung-hyuk is a saint. There are worse guys who go to the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ just fine.’

CEO Seo Gu-seop, exhaling cigarette smoke, moved towards the five-seater sofa where Park Jung-hyuk was sitting.

‘What did Director Park say? He took the rookies to Shin Dong-chun, right? When he went, did he notice any other actors attached?’

‘Ah- yes, yes. Other than meeting with an unknown actor he’d never seen before, there wasn’t anything in particular.’

‘Unknown?’

‘Yes. Someone he’d never seen before.’

CEO Seo Gu-seop clicked his tongue briefly at the words ‘unknown actor’ and reacted nonchalantly.

‘He was probably just interviewing some idiot to use as a minor role. Forget about those useless guys. Did Director Park say anything else?’

‘No, nothing else. CEO, if Director Shin Dong-chun has an A-list or higher actor attached to him now… shouldn’t Pure Vision Film know about it?’

‘That’s true.’

CEO Seo Gu-seop, acknowledging this, tapped the armrest of the sofa with his index finger. Meanwhile, Park Jung-hyuk, who was sitting on the left with a noble air, changed the direction of his crossed legs and interjected.

‘Could it be that they’re secretly plotting behind Pure Vision Film’s back? Director Shin Dong-chun’s connections aren’t bad.’

Then, CEO Seo Gu-seop slapped his thigh.

‘That’s right. He was quite the player as a drama PD [Production Director] in the past, so he could have used his connections… Ah, isn’t Shin Dong-chun close with PD Song Man-woo?’

Park Jung-hyuk answered.

‘They’re close, they treat each other like brothers.’

‘There are so many top-tier actors behind that PD Song Man-woo. If they’re working together, it’s not strange that an A-list or higher actor is attached to ‘The Fixer’.’

At this point, the employee cautiously added his opinion.

‘I don’t think it’s a top-tier actor. There’s no merit. No matter how much ‘The Fixer’ goes to the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’… even an A-list is a bit much, at best it would be a B-list in a supporting role. Isn’t it possible that Director Shin Dong-chun got scared and chose a B-list actor?’

‘Hmm-‘

It was a suggestion that he chose a safer B-list actor rather than Park Jung-hyuk, who had been a top star in the past but had caused controversy.

‘If it’s a B-list or lower, it’s even more infuriating.’

Whatever it was, it was a very annoying situation for Seo Gu-seop, the head of GGO Entertainment. If it got out to the media, they would pounce on the fact that Park Jung-hyuk’s comeback was already being trashed.

Even his comeback was just a short film.

It was fortunate that the whole thing was done very secretly. However, the fact that GGO Entertainment was dumped by Director Shin Dong-chun of ‘The Fixer’ remained unchanged.

‘Ha- damn it, this feels like shit.’

CEO Seo Gu-seop’s face, similar to a bulldog, became more and more crumpled. He gave a chilling order to the employee standing in front of him.

‘Check around Shin Dong-chun. If an A-list or higher actor is attached, the rumor will spread somehow. If there’s nothing, then he ran away with some useless actor.’

‘Understood.’

‘And since we’re scrapping everything and starting over, he’ll try to find investors. Go around independent and short film production companies and spread some rumors.’

‘…What kind of rumors are you talking about?’

‘Go around subtly saying not to put a single penny into ‘The Fixer’, you idiot!’

‘Ah! Understood!’

‘Whether it’s a B-list or whatever, if he doesn’t have money, he won’t even be able to attempt to make it.’

CEO Seo Gu-seop, who had been growling, turned his head to Park Jung-hyuk on the left.

‘Jung-hyuk, I’ll send you a bunch of short film scenarios that are going to the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, so check them in detail and pick one again by tomorrow.’

Park Jung-hyuk shrugged and smiled.

‘Yes, yes – but CEO, since it’s come to this, you’re going to push me properly, right?’

‘Is that even a question? I’ll give you proper support, so don’t just do it half-heartedly, grit your teeth and act. At least make sure the visuals are better than ‘The Fixer’.’

‘Hey, I’ve got a few years of experience under my belt.’

Looking at his accumulated filmography, there was no director who would ignore Park Jung-hyuk. It was quite impressive. Soon, CEO Seo Gu-seop frowned like a bulldog.

‘You have to crush ‘The Fixer’ no matter what. It’s a matter of my pride. If possible, make it good enough to win an award at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’.’

He spat out words mixed with murderous intent.

‘So that Shin Dong-chun can regret it and beat the ground.’

After that.

Whether by chance or coincidence, the works that Kang Woo-jin had gotten involved in each started to pick up speed on their own. At this point, the one who was most urgently in need of action was.

‘Hoo- Woo-jin is confirmed, so I guess I should start going around the film companies.’

It was Director Shin Dong-chun of ‘The Fixer’. Since he had overturned everything that was in progress, contacting production companies was his top priority. Thanks to this, Kang Woo-jin’s contract was also pushed back for the time being. They had only made a verbal agreement regarding the lead role, and they decided to sign a formal contract after the production company was confirmed.

On top of that, he also needed investors. In other words, money.

The production company was more of a basic requirement than something important, and Director Shin Dong-chun had to look for investors along with contacting production companies. There wasn’t much time left until the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’.

‘If it doesn’t work out, I’ll have to find a way to borrow money from my acquaintances.’

However, there weren’t many people who would lend a large sum of money without hesitation. Especially not for a short film investment that had a high chance of failing. In short, Director Shin Dong-chun’s reality became even more difficult.

It was almost like going back to two years ago.

The only difference from that time was that Kang Woo-jin was locked in as the main character. What was interesting was that Director Shin Dong-chun was very energetic, unlike before. He informed his close friend, PD Song Man-woo, of the current situation.

‘Hyung [older brother/close male friend], I’ve overturned everything that was going on with GGO Entertainment and I’m redoing the whole thing. Of course, with Kang Woo-jin as the main character.’

PD Song Man-woo, on the other side of the phone, cheered him on, as expected.

‘Good, you did well. It’ll be a tough road for now, but it’s the right thing to do in the long run. How was it meeting Kang Woo-jin?’

‘He was amazing. He was very attached to my ‘The Fixer’, and more than anything, he understood the scenario in more detail than I, the director, did. It was like he had been in and out of the work. He doesn’t look like it, but he’s passionate on the inside, I guess?’

‘He’s the type who doesn’t show it on the outside. The timing was good. Kang Woo-jin will become expensive soon.’

‘I guess so, once your show airs, he’ll be flooded with offers. Before filming, can you meet me and tell me a bit about Woo-jin’s story? It’s a bit awkward to ask him directly.’

‘I don’t know much either. He’s a very mysterious friend. I’ll tell you what I know. So, have you heard from anyone else?’

‘Huh? Anyone else? Where?’

‘Well, someone you wouldn’t even imagine… no, never mind.’

Finally, PD Song Man-woo asked something he was still curious about.

‘But where did Kang Woo-jin get your scenario?’

Director Shin Dong-chun shook his head.

‘Ah- I was too busy to ask him that.’

Like that, a day or two passed.

Before they knew it, the weekdays were over and it was Saturday the 22nd. In other words, the weekend had arrived. Director Shin Dong-chun was still running around like crazy, and as much as his passion, ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ also put on the boosters for its progress.

They were entering the mid-to-late stages of pre-production.

All of the remaining actors were confirmed, and the sets and location filming sites to be used in the early part of the drama were decided. In addition, the first part of the official script was delivered to each actor.

Furthermore, through repeated script meetings and production meetings, the outlines for the poster shoot and production presentation were also taking shape.

With that momentum, Sea Blue Studio was putting all its efforts into mid-stage promotion.

『[Issue Check] ‘Profiler Han-ryang’, the most anticipated work of the first half of the year, is in the final stages of pre-production, preparing for script reading』

『’Profiler Han-ryang’ female lead ‘Hong Hye-yeon’, shows off goddess-like beauty at fashion brand party/photo』

『Is SBC going to make it big? ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ is becoming more and more of a hot topic』

Meanwhile, star writer Park Eun-mi was trying to make a change.

‘Hmm-‘

She was sitting at her desk, watching a video on her laptop. The video showed Kang Woo-jin. It was the video where Woo-jin first showed his ‘Manager Park’ role.

While watching that video, writer Park Eun-mi said.

‘Yes, a little more detached. But when he acts, it would be good to have a bit of madness in his eyes.’

Inspiration began to pour out. It was an interesting picture. It felt like she was using the ‘Manager Park’ role, which the actor had perfectly embodied, as a motif?

Thanks to that.

-Tap tap tap!

Writer Park Eun-mi’s hands became faster, and she began to revise the script that had already reached part 4. From part 2 to part 4. This revised version was roughly completed on Monday after the weekend. And after reading the completed revised version at the script meeting, the bearded PD Song Man-woo said.

‘…W-writer Park.’

He praised writer Park Eun-mi with wide eyes.

‘The quality of the script has increased several times! From the characters’ psychology to the density of the writing… and not just that, but the other characters too.’

No, he was praising her.

‘What’s up with Manager Park? The three-dimensionality is amazing??’

The next day, Tuesday the 25th.

The location was a photoshoot set. There were dozens of staff members, large cameras, and an actress in a suit.

‘Nice! Hye-yeon! How about we loosen the jacket this time??’

It was Hong Hye-yeon with her long hair down. She was wearing a well-tailored suit and designer shoes.

-Click! Beep beep beep!

With the flashing of the shutter, she changed her expressions and poses, and she was indeed a professional. Her beauty was so stunning that anyone who saw her would be speechless.

Then.

‘Okay! Change outfits and we’ll go again in 10 minutes!’

At the staff’s shout, Hong Hye-yeon, who was taking off her suit jacket, moved to her seat. There, nearly 10 team members were already waiting.

‘Unnie [older sister/close female friend], you worked hard!’

Hong Hye-yeon was handed a water bottle and her cell phone. Then, she sat down, picking up a stack of papers that had been placed on the chair. The cover of the slightly worn stack of papers had these words printed on it.

-‘The Fixer’

In other words, the stack of papers was the scenario for ‘The Fixer’, and for the past few days, Hong Hye-yeon had been engrossed in reading the ‘The Fixer’ scenario. It was the same at this location.

Right at that moment.

-Bzzzz, bzzzz.

Her cell phone rang. The caller was Choi Sung-gun, the CEO of bw Entertainment, Hong Hye-yeon’s agency. Since she had a deal with him, Hong Hye-yeon immediately answered the call.

‘Hey, oppa [older brother/close male friend].’

Choi Sung-gun on the other end of the phone asked.

‘You’re in the middle of a photoshoot, right? Can you talk?’

‘Yeah, it’s break time now.’

‘Then I’ll keep it short. Just the main points. About ‘The Fixer’, after looking into it, it seems like production has stopped.’

‘Huh?? Why?’

‘To be exact, Director Shin Dong-chun overturned it. Pure Vision Film was in charge of ‘The Fixer’. They’re keeping quiet about it, but after checking with my contacts, it seems like GGO Entertainment was involved?’

‘…GGO Entertainment? I haven’t heard anything about that?’

‘It seems like they were doing it quite secretly. Anyway, put the pieces together.’

CEO Choi Sung-gun recited what he had guessed.

‘Originally, it was a project that GGO Entertainment was involved in. But for some reason, Director Shin Dong-chun overturned it. In the meantime, that Kang Woo-jin you mentioned appeared. It feels like that bulldog from GGO Entertainment got screwed over after doing something shady. If there’s a bad smell coming from GGO Entertainment recently, who would it be? Park Jung-hyuk.’

‘Ah.’

‘It’s about time to bring him back. This is just my guess, but GGO was probably trying to clean up Park Jung-hyuk’s image with ‘The Fixer’, right? It probably didn’t work out. In the picture, it looks like Director Shin Dong-chun screwed over GGO. Of course, GGO Entertainment was pissed, and now they’re putting pressure on independent and short film production companies.’

‘Pressure? What kind of pressure?’

‘It seems like GGO was also supposed to be in charge of the investment. But if it’s overturned, Director Shin Dong-chun has to find money again. Do you think that pissed-off GGO bulldog Seo Gu-seop would just sit still?’

The picture that Choi Sung-gun predicted was close to the truth. Hong Hye-yeon, frowning at this, jumped up.

‘So, they changed the main character, and now they can’t produce ‘The Fixer’ because they don’t have the investment money?’

‘If things stay like this?’

‘How much is the production cost?’

‘Only Director Shin Dong-chun would know that.’

‘…’

At this point, Hong Hye-yeon, who had been lost in thought for some reason, suddenly muttered into her phone.

‘Oppa, you said that our bw Entertainment is also preparing for investment projects, right?’

Meanwhile, at the same time. In Park Eun-mi’s studio.

Kang Woo-jin, with a blank expression, was sitting upright at the kitchen table in the writer’s office.

‘It’s a studio, but it’s just like an apartment?’

He had come at PD Song Man-woo’s call. Woo-jin had just arrived, and across from him were PD Song Man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi.

At that moment.

‘Woo-jin.’

The bearded PD Song Man-woo smiled slightly and opened the conversation.

‘Is this your first time coming to writer Park’s studio?’

Kang Woo-jin had been constantly mind-controlling himself since he arrived at this studio. He was trying to put on a tough and arrogant front. In a way, this place was a battlefield. Of course, only for Kang Woo-jin.

‘Never let your guard down.’

Thanks to that, a coldness settled on Woo-jin’s face. Perhaps it was a bit too much, as his eyes even contained a subtle madness. He wasn’t aware of it himself.

‘Yes. It is.’

‘Haha, it’s called a studio, but it’s no different from a house.’

‘I see.’

‘But Woo-jin. Before we get to the main point, let me ask you one thing.’

PD Song Man-woo, with a small smile, suddenly threw a question at Woo-jin.

‘How did you get the ‘The Fixer’ scenario?’

Out of the blue? It seemed like writer Park Eun-mi also knew about it, since she didn’t say anything, and around this time, something popped into Kang Woo-jin’s head.

‘Ah, that’s right. Come to think of it, this Song PD guy, wasn’t he friends with that square-jawed director? I was surprised that they were somehow connected.’

Well, that was that. Woo-jin didn’t feel like explaining it in detail in this situation. There was no need to lie either. So he just answered appropriately. Compressing and compressing.

‘I got it from an acquaintance.’

‘An acquaintance?’

At the same time, Kang Woo-jin added a spoonful of arrogance.

‘Is the route I got it from important?’

‘Haha, no, no. Honestly, that was just my simple question, and what I’m really curious about is why you chose ‘The Fixer’. At this timing.’

‘…’

‘I heard from Director Shin Dong-chun that you were attached to the scenario?’

Writer Park Eun-mi also joined in at the end of the sentence.

‘Our drama is also in progress, so why are you going all the way to ‘The Fixer’? Manager Park isn’t an easy role, is it? I’m a bit curious as to why you would go out of your way to do ‘The Fixer’.’

‘Is it that strange?’

PD Song Man-woo answered instead.

‘Honestly, it’s a bit risky to gamble on that project, isn’t it? It’s a short film, and the current situation isn’t very good either. But right now, Woo-jin, you seem to be too confident.’

He was indeed confident. The basis for his judgment was the subspace that only Woo-jin had. The levels of the works that could be seen there. Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin chose an answer. Hmm, he needed a suitable amount of arrogance and weight. He would have to see the two big shots in front of him for a long time, so avoiding the answer was not a good idea either. Answers that would lead to long explanations were also out.

He needed to be chic and a bit vague.

‘Okay, let’s go with subtle. There’s no way I can talk about the subspace anyway.’

Then, Kang Woo-jin’s mouth opened.

‘It was just a feeling.’

‘…A feeling?’

‘Yes. The feeling was the biggest reason I moved.’

If it was this much, it was a pass. Kang Woo-jin praised himself. On the other hand, the bearded PD Song Man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi were staring intently at Woo-jin across from them. Then, PD Song Man-woo asked again with difficulty.

‘Woo-jin, are you usually… good at sensing things?’

‘I’m a bit like that.’

At Woo-jin’s confident answer, PD Song Man-woo muttered to himself.

‘A feeling. In other words, an eye for a work or an instinct. Huh- if ‘The Fixer’ really does well, then he is…’

It was a deep sigh of admiration.

‘He’s already a different kind of monster, and he even has a keen sense?’

A different kind of misunderstanding snowball had just started rolling.

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