I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 171

Honestly, Kang Woo-jin didn’t know who the Japanese old man standing in front of him was. He had a certain aura, but it was vague.

‘Hmm—I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere. Anyway, I don’t know.’

The atmosphere itself was similar to Director Ahn Ga-bok, but the vibe this old man gave off was rougher. Woo-jin roughly concluded,

‘Is he someone from the production team? Like a cinematographer? Is that why he said he was waiting for me?’

It was a clear mistake, but Kang Woo-jin’s reaction wasn’t that strange. Chairman Hideki was famous in Japan, but he was completely unfamiliar to Kang Woo-jin. Even in Korea, only those in the know would recognize him; it was natural for the general public not to know Chairman Hideki. However, Kang Woo-jin had definitely seen Chairman Hideki before.

Though he didn’t seem to remember, Woo-jin had seen a picture of Chairman Hideki in a past article.

It was when ‘Strange Geisha’ was in crisis and then made a comeback. When ‘Strange Geisha’ was a hot topic in both Japan and Korea, Kang Woo-jin had briefly seen Chairman Hideki’s face. However, he had only glanced at it, so it wasn’t deeply etched in his mind.

On the other hand, Choi Sung-gun, standing behind Woo-jin, had his eyes wide open. He recognized Chairman Hideki immediately.

‘M-M-Madness. Chairman Yoshimura Hideki. This guy actually came??’

Choi Sung-gun was Kang Woo-jin’s main manager and a businessman. Even before the Kashii Group got involved with ‘Strange Geisha,’ he knew of Chairman Hideki. Of course, this was the first time they had met in person.

‘I thought it was a long shot when they said the script reading would be at this hotel—but I didn’t expect Chairman Hideki to actually show up.’

At this point, Choi Sung-gun had a hunch. The Kashii Group might be the ones who saved ‘Strange Geisha.’ The main investor, that is. The Kashii Group hadn’t officially announced their position yet, but Chairman Hideki and ‘Strange Geisha’ were somehow connected. Whether it was through Director Kyotaro or writer Akari.

‘From the start, holding the script reading at a hotel owned by the Kashii Group… but why did he say he was waiting for Woo-jin? What for?’

Soon.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin, who thought of Chairman Hideki as a cinematographer, slightly bowed his head, and a low Japanese greeting came out of his mouth.

“I apologize, as I mentioned, the traffic from the airport was terrible. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

The surrounding actors and staff murmured at his fluent Japanese.

“…He’s even better at Japanese than I thought?”

“Yeah. If you didn’t know he was Korean, you wouldn’t be able to tell.”

They had seen it on ‘Ametalk Show!’ [a popular Japanese variety show] and various videos, but seeing Woo-jin’s Japanese in person was beyond their expectations. This situation was a bit burdensome for Kang Woo-jin. Everyone was staring at him and the old man in front of him. The press photographers were busy taking pictures. Later, the articles would probably be about Kang Woo-jin’s meeting with Chairman Hideki.

Then.

“Hmm.”

Chairman Hideki, who had been stroking his chin, smiled, his wrinkles deepening, and spoke to Kang Woo-jin.

“You seem to be much more fluent in Japanese than you appear on TV. I enjoyed watching your sign language.”

Sign language? Ah—he must have seen ‘Ametalk Show!’ Kang Woo-jin responded appropriately.

“Thank you.”

Then, Chairman Hideki took a step closer to Woo-jin and lowered his voice, so it was barely audible to those around them.

“My grandson is a big fan of yours, Mr. Kang Woo-jin. To the point that it became his dream.”

“…Is that so?”

“You changed my grandson’s life.”

Chairman Hideki suddenly brought up his grandson. He gave Woo-jin a warm smile.

“Thank you, sincerely. That child is my everything.”

Wait, what? Kang Woo-jin was internally flustered. There was no context, so he had no idea what was going on. However, he didn’t ask further. He didn’t feel the need to delve deeper. At this moment, Director Kyotaro, who had been watching their conversation and scratching his gray hair, subtly intervened.

“Woo-jin, this is Yoshimura Hideki, the chairman of the Kashii Group.”

Originally, he should have introduced him as the main investor of ‘Strange Geisha,’ but with so many eyes watching, Director Kyotaro had to change his words. It was up to Chairman Hideki to make the official announcement.

“He’s the one who lent us this hotel.”

The moment he heard the words ‘Kashii Group,’ something flashed in Woo-jin’s mind, and Choi Sung-gun, standing behind him, whispered urgently. It was then that Kang Woo-jin realized that the old man in front of him was the owner of a Japanese conglomerate.

‘Wow—damn, that’s right! I saw him in an article!’

So what? Although he clearly knew who the old man was, Woo-jin wasn’t that impressed. Why would he be? It wasn’t like he would see him again, it was just a little surprising. At this point, Director Kyotaro gestured to Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin, why don’t you greet the other actors first?”

“Okay, then.”

Chairman Hideki said to Kang Woo-jin with composure.

“I’m looking forward to your performance today.”

“Thank you.”

As Woo-jin turned around after finishing his greeting, he heard Choi Sung-gun’s whisper.

“I’m going to slip to the back.”

As Choi Sung-gun moved away from Woo-jin, Chairman Hideki, Director Kyotaro, and writer Akari were posing for the reporters. The flashes went off like lightning, and Kang Woo-jin took in the entire hall.

‘It’s huge.’

It was big enough to easily accommodate hundreds of people. In the middle was a square table. As Woo-jin checked the name tags on the square table where the script reading would take place, he saw.

-[Iyota Kiyoshi/Kang Woo-jin]

He confirmed his name written in Japanese. The first seat right next to the head table. And he checked the actors gathered around him. A man with a headband, a woman with big eyes, a woman with long hair, a man with perfect features, a woman with a small face, and so on. At least a dozen actors were all looking at Kang Woo-jin.

It was unfamiliar. But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin lightly bowed to the actors.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

The Japanese actors also greeted Kang Woo-jin politely in natural Japanese.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Mana Kosaku.”

“I’ve been looking forward to this! I’m Uramatsu Mihuyu!!”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ogimoto Yasuta.”

“Your Japanese is very good. I enjoyed ‘Guy-Friend,’ I’m Sunamura Kimiko.”

·

·

·

Many Japanese names were thrown at him. They seemed to know each other well, but Kang Woo-jin was the only stranger in this hall. He was used to top actors in Korea, but he realized it was impossible to remember all the names of the actors here.

‘Yeah, let’s just act. When would I ever memorize all of that?’

After finishing greetings with the main actors, Woo-jin also greeted the supporting actors in the back.

-Thump.

He sat in his seat. He didn’t continue the conversation with the actors. He was too out of it. Focusing on his concept was his top priority. The top Japanese actors moved to their seats while chatting quietly.

“He’s quite taciturn, Mr. Kang Woo-jin.”

“Or maybe he hasn’t adjusted yet.”

“Ah—it’s awkward, since everyone is Japanese.”

“He’s nervous, what if he messes up his lines?”

“Wasn’t he only a year in? It’s amazing, but I’m a bit worried.”

“His acting in ‘The Spare’ and ‘Guy-Friend’ was good.”

“But this is his first time acting in Japanese, and more than anything, he’s too nervous.”

The actress who introduced herself as Uramatsu Mihuyu, with big eyes and generally high energy, tilted her head.

“Ehh—nervous? Does everyone think so? Not me. There’s no way a nervous person could have such a cool voice.”

“Ha, Mihuyu. Did you come to the script reading to find your ideal type?”

“That’s not it, I’m saying that there’s no tremor in Mr. Kang Woo-jin’s tone! He’s not even shaking his hands!”

“Well, that’s a relief, but—”

At that moment.

“Everyone.”

Director Kyotaro, who had finished talking with Chairman Hideki, spoke to everyone gathered in the hall.

“Let’s get organized and start in 10 minutes. Go to the restroom now if you need to.”

The script reading for ‘Strange Geisha’ was about to begin.

Shortly after.

The hundred or so people who had been scattered around had now taken their seats. Director Kyotaro and writer Akari were at the head of the table, with dozens of actors on either side, and staff, production crew, and reporters surrounding the square table.

For reference.

“……”

Chairman Hideki sat in a seat where he could see Kang Woo-jin’s face well, and Choi Sung-gun sat on a chair behind Woo-jin.

The atmosphere was solemn.

What broke that solemnity was.

-Click.

“Hello, I’m Tanoguchi Kyotaro, the director of ‘Strange Geisha.’ Please take care of me.”

It was the Japanese master director Kyotaro, and he looked at writer Akari sitting on his left. Her introduction followed.

“Hello. I’m overwhelmed to see the characters of ‘Strange Geisha,’ which I wrote with my life on the line, in front of me. Thank you all.”

Tachikawa Akari, a world-renowned writer, bowed sincerely. Then, Director Kyotaro looked at the actor in front of his right. It was Kang Woo-jin.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kang Woo-jin, playing Iyota Kiyoshi.”

His Japanese was fluent but short and clear. At this, Choi Sung-gun, sitting in the back, was moved.

‘Wow—Woo-jin is the first to be introduced, surpassing all the big-name actors in Japan. Amazing.’

It was a clear indication of how much Director Kyotaro cherished Woo-jin. The role of Iyota Kiyoshi was also very important.

Anyway.

“I’m Mana Kosaku, playing ‘Yoshizawa Mochio.’ Please take care of me.”

“Hellooo—I’m Uramatsu Mihuyu, playing ‘Horinochi Amie’!!”

“I’m Sunamura Kimiko, playing ‘Iiya Saki.'”

The actors’ introductions and applause continued. ‘Strange Geisha’ had a large investment, so there were many actors involved. The proportion of top actors and A-list actors was also significant. The actors’ introductions alone lasted over 30 minutes. At the end of that.

-Sigh.

A short-haired actress, who had shyly stood up at the very end of the table, introduced herself.

“Ah, hello. I’m Nakajo Kimi. I’m playing ‘Misaki Toka.’ I’ll learn a lot and do my best. Please take care of me.”

A pale-skinned actress who seemed to lack confidence. She seemed like a rookie. In fact, Nakajo Kimi was a rookie who had debuted two years ago. She was making a name for herself as a popular rookie in Japan. Thanks to that, Kimi was able to land the role of ‘Misaki Toka’ after going through a fierce audition.

‘Misaki Toka’ had a small role but was a very important character in ‘Strange Geisha.’

She was the trigger for ‘Iyota Kiyoshi,’ whom Kang Woo-jin would play. Kiyoshi creates a list of revenge after seeing Toka take her own life. Kimi was bursting with tension.

‘Phew—the introductions went well.’

All of them were senior actors, and the director and writer were legendary figures. There were even a hundred or so people related to the production around her. She wanted to run away immediately.

At that moment.

‘……Huh?’

Kimi, who had raised her gaze, was slightly surprised. Why? Because Kang Woo-jin in the front seat was looking at her. Their eyes met. Most of Kimi’s acting would be with Kang Woo-jin. Therefore, Kimi was very interested in the Korean actor Kang Woo-jin. She had watched both ‘Guy-Friend’ and ‘The Spare.’

As a result, he was amazing. That’s how Kimi felt.

Even though the Korean actor was only in his first year. But the gap between them was vast. Kang Woo-jin was the lead actor sitting right next to Director Kyotaro, and Kimi was a supporting actor sitting at the very end. Why was Kang Woo-jin looking at her, when no one else was paying much attention to her?

‘What, what is it? Should I say hello?’

While the actors’ introductions continued, Kimi awkwardly bowed her head to Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin also lightly accepted it. But.

‘Why… his gaze.’

Kimi felt that Kang Woo-jin’s eyes, which were looking at her, were empty. It was a dull gaze that showed no emotion. A face that was impossible to express in words. Why was that Korean actor looking at her with such a face?

Was it disregard? Or pity?

It was then.

-Flip.

“Let’s begin.”

Director Kyotaro’s serious Japanese spread through the reading room. At this, writer Akari, as well as all the actors, opened their scripts. Director Kyotaro was in charge of the stage directions and progress.

“Scene #1. Inside a classroom, several students are bullying a male student. But the male student lying on the floor has a stoic face.”

In the script, there were quite a few scenes at the beginning where many students were bullying ‘Iyota Kiyoshi.’ This part was necessary to build Kiyoshi’s narrative, but in the reading, there were no sound effects or minor roles, so Director Kyotaro handled it with stage directions. Therefore, Kang Woo-jin’s early scenes were skipped.

In between, the main actors’ lines were briefly spoken.

“Hey—Kiyoshi! Stand up straight, stand up straight.”

Along with the lines, the characters’ names were also given in the stage directions. The conflict began in earnest when the transfer student Misaki Toka appeared.

“Scene #18. Misaki Toka, who has pushed through the students, shouts intensely at everyone.”

As her turn came, Kimi swallowed hard and shouted loudly.

“Stop it! Don’t do it, do you guys find this fun?”

Toka spoke to Kiyoshi.

“Are you okay?”

Now it was Kang Woo-jin’s turn. Kimi turned her head and looked at Woo-jin in the front seat. At the same time.

“!!!”

She felt it.

The gaze. The look in Woo-jin’s eyes was the same as when he had looked at her earlier. Empty, with nothing visible in his eyes. That’s right, Kang Woo-jin hadn’t ignored Kimi.

‘……He’s been Kiyoshi since earlier? He was looking at me, Toka, as Kiyoshi.’

He had been Kiyoshi since earlier. Come to think of it, Kang Woo-jin’s desolate gaze was no different from Kiyoshi’s. It was exactly like the ‘stranger’ in the script. No, it was even more vivid. Kimi felt goosebumps on her arms. She also felt a chill down her spine.

‘B-But so quickly? Without anyone noticing??’

When? When did he become Kiyoshi?

The answer was simple.

“……”

Kang Woo-jin, who was now staring intently at Kimi, had been Kiyoshi long before the actors’ introductions. For him, the hundred or so staff and production crew had already been erased. Chairman Hideki and Director Kyotaro were also gone. It was just a classroom filled with terrible bullying and a world full of villains.

But it was okay. It wasn’t painful. Woo-jin was just existing here. His heart was dead.

There was no way the dozens of actors and hundred or so people would notice. Clearly, the vibe was Kiyoshi’s, but Kiyoshi was a character with nothing. Rather, if the people around him noticed, it meant that he hadn’t properly portrayed Kiyoshi.

Kang Woo-jin was currently the very embodiment of Kiyoshi.

With an unwavering gaze and thoughtless movements, Kang Woo-jin looked at Kimi at the end of the table. In his empty eyes, only one thing was visible.

Curiosity.

“I’m okay.”

Why was this woman protecting him?

It was at this moment. When Kang Woo-jin, or rather, Kiyoshi’s first voice spread throughout the room, starting with Director Kyotaro.

‘There’s nothing in it, there’s no hint of emotion in his lines. The absence of emotion is Kiyoshi’s emotion. How can he express such subtle things so easily?’

Writer Akari, with her eyes wide open, as well as.

‘……My heart is pounding. Kiyoshi, to be able to see Kiyoshi in front of me.’

The Japanese actors’ pupils dilated as they looked at Kang Woo-jin. They had noticed Kiyoshi’s presence. Woo-jin was looking at Kimi at the end of the table. But they didn’t know why he was looking.

Kiyoshi slightly tilted his head.

It was strange. Clearly, his eyes, nose, lips, and even his breathing were all working normally, but a strange dryness flowed through Kang Woo-jin’s entire body. Then, Toka asked Kiyoshi.

“Do you want to eat lunch with me?”

Kiyoshi replied simply.

“If you’re okay with it.”

“Of course, I’m okay! Let’s go to the rooftop.”

“Okay.”

Even as he spoke, Kang Woo-jin kept looking at Toka.

“Ah! Kiyoshi, you don’t have a lunch box? Do you usually just eat bread?”

“Usually.”

“Do you want to try my lunch box?”

“I will.”

There was no purpose or affection. But Kiyoshi reacted. He talked to Toka. He looked at her directly. Gradually, the Japanese actors who were watching Woo-jin began to feel a sense of incongruity. Some were shocked.

Mana Kosaku, who was sitting across from Kang Woo-jin and had his long hair tied up with a headband, was one of them.

‘How……’

It wasn’t a matter of control or restraint. The Korean rookie actor right now.

‘How can an actor erase their emotions?’

He had intentionally deleted his emotions.

End