I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 178

The first episode of ‘Freezing Romance,’ written by Lee Wol-seon, began. The broadcasting station was KBC. The time was 9:50 PM. It was scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Therefore, Kang Woo-jin and Choi Seong-geon, of course, and many people related to Kang Woo-jin moved in front of the TV. Whether they were actors, PDs [Production Directors], or directors.

Especially.

“Writer! It’s starting!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m going.”

“But the media is already making comparisons, right? Writer Park Eun-mi vs. Writer Lee Wol-seon, blah blah blah.”

“Hmph, they can’t beat our Writer Park’s viewership ratings anyway.”

“Okay, guys, turn up the volume.”

Park Eun-mi, who had recently started warming up for her new work, focused on the first episode of ‘Freezing Romance.’

Of course.

『Lee Wol-seon’s new drama ‘Freezing Romance’ premieres today』

『[Drama Pick] ‘Freezing Romance’ Opens Its Lid, Can Star Writer Lee Wol-seon Catch Up to Writer Park Eun-mi?』

『From the Return of ‘Jang Jeong-hwan’ to the Sign Language Acting of ‘Drug Dealer’ Kang Woo-jin… Lots to See in ‘Freezing Romance’』

Thanks to the fact that they had been drawing enough attention with Kang Woo-jin, many viewers also tuned into the KBC channel.

Thus began the first episode of ‘Freezing Romance.’

‘Freezing Romance,’ which had a cheerful opening with a rather upbeat OST [Original Soundtrack], turned dark as soon as the protagonist ‘Song Tae-hyung,’ who had severe mysophobia [fear of germs] and cut off relationships with people, appeared.

The first 10 minutes or so focused on introducing ‘Song Tae-hyung’s’ life and worldview.

He is trapped in a cage, unable to stand things being out of place, and extremely reluctant to interact with people. Everyone except for his company, acquaintances, and family. Behind such a pathological appearance of ‘Song Tae-hyung’.

[“Hey, do you have something to say to me?”]

The first character appeared. It was the ‘Strange Man Next Door.’ The ‘Strange Man Next Door’ in the TV, that is, Kang Woo-jin, had a truly strange expression and atmosphere. His attire, such as a hoodie, was ordinary, but his eyes were deep, and his face was hard to read.

[“……”]

He faced Song Tae-hyung, heard the question, but did not answer. He just stared at Song Tae-hyung. It was a situation that was enough to make anyone feel bad, and even viewers might say something like, ‘What’s with that guy?’

[“Okay. Are you going to take the elevator now? Then I’ll take it later.”]

Song Tae-hyung, who clearly showed his displeasure, went back into his house. But the next day, he faced Kang Woo-jin again. This time, Woo-jin was also silent, just staring at Song Tae-hyung. Song Tae-hyung couldn’t stand it.

[“Look here, why do you keep making me uncomfortable? Either say something or ignore me.”]

The expressions of the two characters in the frame were polar opposites. Song Tae-hyung was crumpled, but the Strange Man Next Door was flat.

Then.

[“……”]

On Kang Woo-jin’s face in the TV, a look of bewilderment was blooming in his eyes. A unique atmosphere. It was like the ‘Strange Man Next Door’ was agonizing but unable to act rashly. That was the vibe.

He expressed it with his eyes and subtle movements.

However, ‘Song Tae-hyung’ in the frame was just terribly uncomfortable with the Strange Man.

[“Don’t look at me like that. It’s creepy.”]

From here, the TV screen was filled with the ‘Strange Man Next Door.’ It was a close-up. His face, gradually getting closer, was like a blank white canvas. A canvas that draws the inner mind. He didn’t say a word, but his inner thoughts were revealed in his expression.

His mouth slightly opened and closed, his lips twitched slightly, his eyes trembled, and his facial muscles twitched.

It was strange.

What on earth was that character? When he first appeared, he was quite suspicious, but now he looked like a shy young man. He lacked confidence, and his shyness was evident in his posture. But it was too subtle and intricate for ‘Song Tae-hyung,’ who neglected relationships with people, to notice.

[“I don’t know why you’re doing this to me, but I’ll just ignore you. Okay?”]

At that moment, the frame showed the two characters alternately, and then Kang Woo-jin was shown again. He was smiling despite being ignored. It was a beautiful smile. A clean smile that would make anyone smile along.

[“……”]

The ‘Strange Man Next Door’ took a step closer to ‘Song Tae-hyung,’ who was disgusted by him. Then, he curled his right hand and brought it to his nose, and the smile he had was even more radiant. The frame captured ‘Song Tae-hyung’ and the ‘Strange Man Next Door’ together. Song Tae-hyung was in the back, and Kang Woo-jin, who was standing in front of him, was in the front.

Soon.

-♬♪

The OST with a piano melody played, and subtitles were smoothly displayed below the two characters.

-[I like you]

It was a translation of the sign language that Kang Woo-jin showed. From this point on, Woo-jin’s sign language appeared frequently. It appeared both long and short. In addition, changes began in Song Tae-hyung’s world. The ‘Strange Man Next Door’ took charge of the initial conflict, resolution, and tension of ‘Freezing Romance,’ and achieved the best results.

As evidence, many viewers exclaimed in admiration.

Among them, perhaps because the news that ‘sign language’ would appear in the drama had already spread, many of the viewers watching ‘Freezing Romance’ now were people who used sign language.

There was also a familiar figure.

(“Mom, that actor. His name is Kang Woo-jin, what do you think of his acting?”)

It was the sign language expert who had participated as an advisor during the script reading of ‘Freezing Romance.’

She was sitting side by side with her mother on the living room sofa, watching Kang Woo-jin in ‘Freezing Romance’ on TV. Their conversation was in sign language. The sign language expert could speak during the reading. That is, she seemed to have become a sign language expert because of her mother.

(“Whose son is he? He’s tall and handsome.”)

The sign language expert narrowed her brows at her mother’s sudden answer.

(“No, Mom. Not his face, what about his acting? Isn’t he good at sign language?”)

(“Yes. He’s good. Did that actor learn it?”)

(“He didn’t learn it. He said he knew it originally. Of course, he practiced according to the lines.”)

(“I guess so. I don’t know actors well, but sign language isn’t just about moving your hands. Look at that actor’s expression and eyes. There’s nothing awkward about it. He must have made a lot of effort, I think, so he wouldn’t make us feel uncomfortable.”)

(“……I saw actor Kang Woo-jin on set, and he asked me a lot of questions. He said he wanted to show the character’s background clearly.”)

The mother, having confirmed her daughter’s answer, smiled slightly and looked at Kang Woo-jin on TV again.

(“He’s young but amazing and a very grateful actor. I should become a fan too.”)

Of course, there were many viewers like these two. Whether they used sign language or not. Especially for viewers who used sign language, the emotion was deeply conveyed.

(“I’ve never seen an actor use sign language so naturally!”)

(“Right, but how can he be so different from his appearance as a drug dealer?”)

Until now, many works have dealt with sign language or disability acting, but Kang Woo-jin’s acting was nothing short of the best.

(“How much practice did he do? I honestly wasn’t very interested in Kang Woo-jin, but after seeing this, my mind has changed.”)

Of course, Woo-jin’s acting was more than excellent even for viewers who did not use sign language.

Therefore.

-Wow… Lee Sang-man is crazy good.

-Kang Woo-jin only appeared briefly, but the impact is amazing.

-Move! Call Kang Woo-jin again!

-Is that sign language good???

-Yes, it’s amazing. It’s so good that you might think he lives using sign language.

-It’s fun?? Jang Jeong-hwan is also good at acting lololol

-But it’s not as fun as ‘The Vagabond’

-Lololol Kang Woo-jin is really crazy??? His acting is truly possessed lololololol

-It’s right after the drug dealer, but I don’t see Lee Sang-man at all.

-Tomorrow, he’ll be praised for his legendary disability acting.

The real-time viewer chat was intensely heated.

The next morning, Saturday.

Around 11 AM. A Korean restaurant with detached houses on the outskirts of Seoul. Inside the VIP room, Director Ahn Ga-bok was seen. The large table in the room where Director Ahn Ga-bok was sitting was already set with colorful food. Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had just picked up golden chopsticks, was wearing a purple turtleneck.

However, Director Ahn Ga-bok was not alone.

Across from him was a middle-aged man who looked like he had an unusual aura. His presence was extraordinary.

“Senior, do you exercise regularly? You’ve become very gaunt.”

His voice was rather deep but gentle. It was not urgent and had a sense of ease. It was a leisurely feeling, but there was a sense of firmness in his voice. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his short white hair, showed a wrinkled smile to the middle-aged man opposite him.

“You seem to have gained more weight.”

“I’m enjoying fishing.”

“Haha, I’ve heard. So, are you catching any fish?”

“I often come back empty-handed. But I have enough time to reflect on myself.”

“It’s been about a year since you’ve worked on a project.”

“Has it already been that long?”

“Yes.”

The middle-aged man took a sip of water, smiling slightly. In fact, he was an actor. Not just any actor, but one of the top three actors in Korea. Actor Shim Han-ho. If Director Ahn Ga-bok was the history of the Korean film industry, then the great actor Shim Han-ho could be called the history of the acting world.

He had 30 years of experience.

He had won numerous acting awards, and his filmography totaled over 50 works. Among them were works that went beyond Korea to Hollywood, and Shim Han-ho’s recognition and reputation were high at international film festivals and in Hollywood. A true legend. A truly monstrous filmography that deserved to be called a great actor. A true monster who had reached a position that top actors could not dare to reach.

His acting was described as explosive energy, immersion, and passion.

No, it was closer to a roar than ‘acting.’

That’s why Shim Han-ho was called the ‘Gray Tiger’ in the industry. It was partly because his long hair was gray, but also because his appearance and the aura he exuded were no different from a tiger.

At that moment.

-Swish.

The veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been gazing at the imposing Shim Han-ho, moved.

“Take a look at this.”

What he handed over was a stack of papers. Specifically, the ‘Leech’ scenario [screenplay]. Soon, a faint smile spread across Shim Han-ho’s sturdy face.

“Is this your 100th, Senior?”

“Yes. Will you do it?”

“……I’ll read it.”

“Oh, we have a promise, don’t we?”

“Senior, you’ve become more whiny.”

“As you get older, you get more whiny than tenacious.”

For some reason, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who usually exuded a divine aura, seemed a little weaker in front of the ‘Gray Tiger’ Shim Han-ho. It could be because the two were so close. Shim Han-ho let out a small breath and unfolded the scenario.

-Flap.

“Hmm, did you give this to me first?”

“No. You’re the second.”

Shim Han-ho paused.

“To give it to someone before me—who is it?”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his arms crossed, stared at Shim Han-ho for a moment before opening his wrinkled mouth.

“It’s still confidential, but I should tell you. It’s Kang Woo-jin.”

“……”

A moment of silence spread. Neither of them spoke. In particular, Shim Han-ho’s gaze towards Director Ahn Ga-bok was strange. It was full of power, but it was hard to read his thoughts.

After about 10 seconds.

“Kang Woo-jin. Yes, I understand.”

“Understand?”

“He’s a precious actor.”

“Is that so? Why?”

“Well, hmm—I recently watched ‘Drug Dealer.’ ‘Lee Sang-man’ was the most impressive there. It made me think about what I was like at that age.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok asked back, as if surprised.

“Kang Woo-jin actually influenced you?”

“His acting was seamless and intricate. To the point where I couldn’t think of anything but the role. It was the acting method I aimed for when I was young. I didn’t achieve it in the end, though.”

“Certainly, the two of you have different acting styles. If you are a roar, Woo-jin is stillness. That’s why he shines even more on camera.”

Shim Han-ho, who had been nodding slowly, closed the ‘Leech’ scenario.

“I’ll read it.”

“Yes, I’ll wait. But I’ll urge you.”

“Senior, what if you interfere?”

“Rather than that, while you’re reading, take a look at the short film ‘Private Investigator’ too. You can smell a different scent from Woo-jin’s ‘Lee Sang-man.’”

“I’ll have to put fishing on hold.”

Several tens of minutes later.

Director Ahn Ga-bok and the great actor Shim Han-ho left the VIP room. Soon, they met some staff members and moved through the garden of the Korean restaurant to the wooden door at the entrance.

What was unusual was.

“Huh?”

Among the group of men who passed them in the garden, the eyes of a man wearing glasses widened. The reason was simple.

“That’s Director Ahn Ga-bok and… Shim Han-ho?”

The man wearing glasses was a reporter. However, he was a social affairs reporter. But he had many connections in the entertainment department. Therefore, he carefully took out his phone.

-Swish.

He took a picture of Director Ahn Ga-bok and Shim Han-ho together.

“The two of them at this time—there’s something fishy.”

At the same time.

Kang Woo-jin arrived at the large set complex of ‘Island of the Missing’ in Buyeo. As soon as Woo-jin got out of the van in the parking lot, he felt a chill.

‘Ugh—damn. It’s freezing.’

Late November. Winter was already approaching. Especially since this place was remote, it was even colder. But Kang Woo-jin didn’t shrink back. The tough act flowing through his body along with the blood dominated his mind.

It was when he was moving towards the filming site with a confident stride.

“Woo-jin oppa [older brother/term of endearment for a male].”

From the team following behind, Han Ye-jeong, with her blue bob, who had been looking at her phone, came up beside Kang Woo-jin.

“Did you see this? They say Seo Gu-seop contacted you too??”

Then she showed her phone screen. A fresh article that had just been released was displayed on her phone.

『[Official] ‘Seo Gu-seop,’ Embroiled in Various Criminal Allegations, to be Removed from GGO Entertainment CEO Position』

It was news about CEO Seo Gu-seop, the bulldog. No, it was the ending? Although not everything was settled yet, it was safe to say that CEO Seo Gu-seop’s fate was sealed. Of course, Kang Woo-jin reacted nonchalantly on the outside.

“Yeah, I got a call.”

But inside, he was a little scared.

‘The CEO is just flying away. Ugh—it’s scary, the entertainment industry.’

Meanwhile, at the KBC drama department on public broadcasting.

Since ‘Freezing Romance’ had its first broadcast yesterday, the drama department was quite busy. Among them, the PD and the production team gathered at the place where the ‘Freezing Romance’ team was. The assistant director was sitting in front of the laptop, and he spoke to everyone, including the main PD who was closing his eyes in the back.

“……We’re number one in the same time slot!”

“Ooooh!”

“So, what are the ratings??!”

Other PDs gathered around. Regardless, the assistant director swallowed hard.

“‘Freezing Romance’ overall viewership ratings.”

He announced the confirmed viewership ratings.

“12.8%!”

It was a decent number. No, it could be considered good. Recently, there were many dramas with less than 10% viewership. Therefore, applause was heard from the other PDs.

“Congratulations—”

“It came out well? Finally, we’re over 10%.”

“Still, Writer Lee Wol-seon must be a little disappointed?”

“Well, yeah. But ‘The Vagabond’ at 25% is just too strong.”

The directing PD of ‘Freezing Romance’ let out a sigh of relief.

“Whew—it’s okay. We can keep raising it.”

At this moment.

“But.”

The assistant director’s words, who was looking at the laptop, were not over.

“We also exceeded 19% in viewership ratings. For a moment, though. The ‘highest momentary viewership rating.’ It went up to 19.1%.”

“What?!!”

“What are you talking about? The difference between the overall and that is so big?? Where! Which part is it!”