I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 174

On the morning of November 17th, Kang Woo-jin was at a large complex called ‘Pacific Yokohama’ in Tokyo. Various events were held there, and the convention hall inside was currently rented for Kang Woo-jin’s fan signing event.

The size was just right.

It was a medium-sized space with a stage at the front and seating for the audience. The seating was roughly 1,500 seats, divided between the first and second floors. It was usually used for corporate presentations or various events, but this morning it was confirmed for Kang Woo-jin’s fan signing event.

The organizer was, of course, Netflix Japan.

This was a confirmed part of Kang Woo-jin’s schedule in Japan. While the popularity of ‘Hanryang’ and ‘Male Best Friend’ was a factor, it was also largely for Woo-jin’s promotion. Kang Woo-jin’s popularity in Japan was soaring due to ‘Hanryang,’ ‘Male Best Friend,’ and ‘Ametalk Show!’, but there hadn’t been any official interaction with fans.

In a way, this fan signing event was Kang Woo-jin’s first fan meeting in Japan.

Therefore, Netflix Japan had already announced this fan signing event to the public. Given Woo-jin’s rising popularity and the ‘Stranger’s’ issue, it spread like wildfire on social media.

Thanks to that.

『Tickets for the fan signing event with 「Kang Woo-jin」 in Japan sold out in minutes』

The 300 spots for the signing event, which were initially planned, sold out in minutes. It was Kang Woo-jin’s first fan signing event in Japan, and Woo-jin, who already had experience in Korea, wasn’t nervous about 300 people. However, it was his first time meeting fans from another country, so he felt a mix of novelty and excitement.

However.

‘But, they say there are over 700 people gathered in the outside plaza?’

The news Han Ye-jung delivered to Woo-jin in the waiting room was quite startling. 300 people had already taken their seats in the convention hall, but there were over 700 more fans in the outdoor plaza of ‘Pacific Yokohama’? They were likely the ones who didn’t get a spot through the application.

That meant there were over a thousand fans gathered.

In terms of numbers, it was closer to a fan meeting than a signing event. Woo-jin, who had been looking at his tablet, maintained his calm expression, but.

‘O, over a thousand??!’

Internally, he let out a groan. He understood that the 300 fan spots were filled, but over 1,000 fans coming? As Kang Woo-jin became increasingly surprised, he suppressed it and asked Han Ye-jung in a low voice.

‘What happened?’

Han Ye-jung, with her blue bobbed hair, shook her head slightly.

‘I don’t know either. The Netflix Japan staff went out to check.’

‘700 people?’

‘Yes. But that’s just an estimate, it’s probably more. Before I came here, I took a quick look outside, and it looked like a plaza in front of a concert venue.’

‘······’

‘It seems like the fans who didn’t get a spot in the 300-person first-come-first-served application just came anyway.’

That was indeed the case. The plaza in front of the large ‘Pacific Yokohama’ entrance was overflowing with people. What was interesting was that even though hundreds of fans had gathered, they were lined up in an orderly fashion. They were lined up in an L-shape all the way to the end. There wasn’t a specific rule, but it seemed like someone started it, and everyone joined in.

Most of them were female fans, but there were also some male fans.

700? No, there were easily over 800. There were internet streamers with phones or action cams, fans who had made posters of Kang Woo-jin, and fans with small banners in Korean. Their appearances were truly diverse.

Among them, a male streamer with an action cam was interviewing a group of young-looking women.

‘Where are you from?’

‘Osaka!’

‘Wow- all of you? You came from far away? How old are you?’

’19 years old!’

‘You came even though you didn’t get a spot in the fan signing event?’

‘Yes, yes, just- we wanted to see Kang Woo-jin-nim even for a moment when he leaves!’

That’s right. All of them had gathered just to see Kang Woo-jin’s departure. It would be great if they could get into the signing event, but since that seemed difficult, they just wanted to see Kang Woo-jin in person, even for a brief moment.

Anyway.

‘Has the headcount been confirmed??!’

‘It’s over 800 people!’

‘First, send some of the guards outside!’

‘Yes, yes!’

The Netflix Japan staff, who were in charge of the fan signing event, became flustered. No one had expected this situation.

‘Wow- but the fans have gathered like it’s a Korean idol-level event??’

‘I know. It’s unbelievable.’

‘It seems like Kang Woo-jin-nim’s popularity has definitely skyrocketed.’

‘We need to talk to Kang Woo-jin-ssi about this first.’

At this time, Woo-jin had already started the fan signing event in the convention hall. 300 fans were waiting in the audience and in front of the stage, and Kang Woo-jin was sitting at a desk on the stage, giving autographs and brief greetings to the fans. Of course, Woo-jin was speaking fluent Japanese.

‘Hello.’

‘Wow! Hello! Ee- Kang Woo-jin-nim, you’re so handsome!’

‘Thank you, what’s your name?’

‘Yonetsu Akina!’

‘Yonetsu Akina-nim.’

‘P- please! Just call me by my first name!’

‘Akina-nim?’

‘Akina!’

‘Akina.’

‘······Yes.’

The female fan went down, completely mesmerized. The signing event itself was proceeding without any issues. The Netflix Japan filming crew was recording it. They had to upload it to their official YouTube channel. About four or five invited reporters were also busy snapping photos.

Around this time, a team leader-level employee from Netflix Japan ran to Choi Sung-gun, who had his hair tied back, next to the stage.

‘Um, excuse me!’

‘Hmm?’

Soon, the employee explained the current situation outside. Choi Sung-gun had already heard about it to some extent. He stroked his chin and organized his thoughts.

‘Hmm-‘

Actually, there wasn’t much to think about.

‘We just need to finish the 300-person signing event and leave.’

The scheduled time was roughly two hours. After the signing event, they could just say a quick hello to the fans outside on their way out. However, Choi Sung-gun thought it was a bit of a waste.

‘Over 800 people- that’s a considerable number. If you add them all up, it’s over a thousand.’

Kang Woo-jin’s second visit to Japan was already quite impactful, but there was no harm in it growing even more. Moreover, considering the sincerity of the fans outside, the impact would be significant. On Japanese social media, YouTube, communities, etc. If they became the starting point, Kang Woo-jin’s recognition would become even more solid.

However, it was impossible to sign autographs for all thousand people.

‘But it wouldn’t hurt to just say a quick hello.’

Saying a few words would only take a few minutes.

‘If it spreads as a good deed, that would be the icing on the cake.’

Soon, Choi Sung-gun gestured for the Netflix Japan employee to wait, then.

-Swoosh.

He approached Kang Woo-jin, who was in the middle of signing autographs on stage. The event paused for a moment, and Choi Sung-gun whispered the current situation and his thoughts to Woo-jin. Whatever the decision, it was up to Kang Woo-jin.

‘What do you think?’

‘I don’t mind?’ Woo-jin thought internally, feeling like anything was fine. He was just grateful that so many people had come to see him, a simple person at heart.

Then he paused.

‘Ah.’

Woo-jin recalled a phrase he had heard somewhere.

‘It might be just a few minutes or tens of minutes for us, but that small action can last a lifetime for the fans who came to see a star, right?’

It was probably a video he had seen on YouTube. The importance of fan service. He wasn’t sure, but wouldn’t it apply to this situation as well? Then, an idea came to Woo-jin, and he spoke in a low voice while checking the audience in front of him.

‘CEO, since it’s come to this, how about I sing the ‘Male Best Friend’ OST for the fans?’

‘Huh? Sing?’

‘Yes. They came from far away, and it feels a bit lacking to just say hello. Looking at the conditions of this convention hall, singing seems like the best option. I think two songs would be enough, the ‘Male Best Friend’ OST and one of my YouTube cover songs.’

‘That’s good? You’re going for a fan meeting vibe? How’s your voice?’

‘Two songs are no problem. However, there needs to be a difference between the 300 people who applied for the signing event, so we should call the outside fans after the fan signing event is over.’

‘Yeah, yeah, that’s obvious.’

‘And the gifts will only be given to the 300 people.’

The gift he was referring to was a small frame containing a ‘Male Best Friend’ poster. With Kang Woo-jin’s words, a plan was quickly made.

‘Two songs- that’ll probably delay things by about 30 minutes, which means you’ll have to eat in the car?’

‘I don’t mind.’

Choi Sung-gun then conveyed his opinion to Netflix Japan, and they replied that there were no problems. Kang Woo-jin’s fan signing event instantly transformed into a mini fan meeting.

And then.

‘Heeeee?!!’

‘R-really?!’

‘Kyaaaaak!’

‘Thank you!! Thank you!’

The hundreds of fans outside went wild.

About an hour later, after finishing the signing event, Kang Woo-jin stood in the center of the stage with a handheld microphone. The problem was.

‘······I acted all cool while planning it, but now that I’m actually standing here, my heart feels like it’s going to explode?? Oh, man.’

His heart was pounding like crazy at the sight of over a thousand fans gathered in the audience. However, his concept and past experiences were not for nothing. Woo-jin, who was trying hard to suppress his trembling, lowered his voice into the microphone.

‘Thank you for coming all the way here. I’ll sing two songs for you, even though I’m not very good.’

Immediately, screams and shouts erupted. All of this was being filmed by the Netflix Japan filming crew and several reporters. Of course, over a thousand fans were all holding their phones above their heads. Woo-jin was being filmed from every angle.

-♬♪

The intro to the OST ‘Male Best Friend’ that Kang Woo-jin sang echoed through the hall. Then, his high-level vocals resonated with the fans.

At the same time, on Japanese social media.

[@__27GGGG__]

[(Photo) I can die happy now!! I was really just hoping to see Woo-jin-nim leave for a moment… but Kang Woo-jin-nim is singing for us…]

Kang Woo-jin’s good deed spread.

The next day, the 18th. Late lunch time. Gimpo Airport.

At the departure hall, where many people were still coming and going, dozens of reporters had gathered openly. It wasn’t a sudden atmosphere. From the conversations of the gathered reporters.

‘It’s about time he came out, right?’

‘Yeah, he’ll arrive around 2 PM.’

It seemed like it had already been officially announced to the media. The onlookers around them widened their eyes. They all looked at the dozens of reporters with curiosity. They could tell that a popular celebrity was about to appear.

At that moment.

‘Oh! Kang Woo-jin! Kang Woo-jin-ssi!!’

With the reporters’ shouts, camera flashes lit up the departure hall. The name of the celebrity who appeared was spoken by the onlookers.

‘Oh! There’s Kang Woo-jin!’

‘Really?!’

‘Ah, that’s right! Kang Woo-jin said he was going to Japan?? It seems like he’s back today!’

‘Let’s go closer!’

Kang Woo-jin, who had finished his schedule in Japan, had returned to Korea. Woo-jin, who was coming out of the departure hall, was wearing a denim jacket and didn’t look tired. He and dozens of staff moved together, and the reporters were constantly taking pictures of him.

It was a reaction worthy of a top actor.

What was unusual was.

-Swoosh.

Kang Woo-jin, who was leaving the airport, stopped at a certain point in the lobby. The reason was simple.

‘Kang Woo-jin-ssi!! How was your chemistry with the ‘Stranger’ actors?!’

It was for a brief interview with dozens of reporters. Of course, it was a setup prepared by Choi Sung-gun. It didn’t look good to just keep running away. He also aimed for articles to be released in both Japan and Korea at the same time.

Anyway, as numerous questions poured in, one reporter’s shout struck Woo-jin’s ears.

‘Today, ‘Drug Dealer’ has reached 7 million viewers!! Does Kang Woo-jin-ssi also have a running guarantee??!’

At the same time.

Around the time Kang Woo-jin arrived in Korea.

‘Hmm- he’s back, I see.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was looking at the current internet situation on his phone. He was in a car, traveling somewhere. Many people were with him. The film company’s CEO and staff. Around this time, Director Ahn Ga-bok put down his phone and recalled yesterday.

Kang Woo-jin, who was in Japan, had called him.

It started with Director Ahn Ga-bok tilting his head slightly.

‘Yes, Woo-jin-gun. It’s me. I heard you arrived in Japan.’

Kang Woo-jin’s low voice was heard over the phone.

‘Yes, Director. I’m currently in Japan. I’m calling to tell you that I’ll work hard on ‘Leech’.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok had already heard about Woo-jin’s intention to join through Choi Sung-gun. Regardless, it felt like Kang Woo-jin had contacted him separately.

‘Haha, your character is all over the place.’

‘Is that so?’

‘It’s like- the seasons are clearly visible. Of course, I’m talking about your charm.’

‘Thank you, and please take care of me.’

‘······I should be the one saying that. Please take care of me in the future. By the way, ‘Leech’ has started pre-production today.’

Around this time, Director Ahn Ga-bok returned to reality in the car. He stroked the white stubble on his chin and chuckled.

‘He’s bold, but he’s an actor who touches people in strange ways. He’s very unique.’

He said to the driver.

‘Go a little faster.’

It was to speed up the movie ‘Leech’ even more.

Meanwhile, in the living room of a somewhat small apartment.

At first glance, it was a typical apartment. However, the furniture set up in the living room didn’t feel like a home. It was reminiscent of a barren field. There was hardly any furniture. In the kitchen, there was a refrigerator and a simple dining table, and in the living room, all that could be seen was a desk made by attaching two 2-person tables to make a 6-person table.

The space was unfamiliar, but the two sitting at the desk were familiar.

‘H- how is it? PD-nim [PD is a Korean term for a producer or director]??’

‘······It’s amazing. That’s how I see it.’

It was the shy writer Choi Na-na and the bearded PD Song Man-woo. Among the two, PD Song Man-woo picked up two stacks of paper and murmured.

‘Let’s clash with these episodes 1 and 2.’

‘U- yes, yes!’

‘It’s natural to be prepared, and let’s not be disappointed even if it doesn’t work out. Honestly, there’s a high chance it won’t.’

‘I guess… so?’

PD Song Man-woo’s face changed as if he were a general about to go to war.

‘Woo-jin-ssi’s fee is now at least 4000 per episode.’