I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 192

The official opening of the ‘Our Table’ food truck was upon them. For the first time in his life, Kang Woo-jin found himself in a massive park in America, wearing the ‘Our Table’ uniform. He absentmindedly put on his bandana, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

Both novelty and unfamiliarity bloomed within him.

‘Crazy… why am I here??’

His expression was that of a stern chef, but inside, he was just a regular guy with a pounding heart. The world was indeed vast. Especially Kang Woo-jin’s world, which was several times larger than most, considering the subspace [a fictional space where he can store items].

But that was only for a moment.

‘Ugh, whatever. I need to get ready.’

As if planning to relieve his tension through work, Woo-jin reached for his wok. Around him, the others voiced their nervousness. It was Hong Hye-yeon, Hwa-rin, and Yeon Baek-gwang. They were all dressed like Woo-jin.

“Ha- being on the food truck is making me so nervous!”

“Right? Unnie [an honorific term used by younger females to address older females], my hands are shaking.”

“Oh? Really? I feel okay.”

“…Baek-gwang, your legs are trembling?”

“Ah, that’s because I did too many squats yesterday… just kidding! I’m actually super nervous too! Are those really Americans coming??”

“But… what if no one comes?”

“There are more than four food trucks here.”

“It’ll be a disaster if no one comes.”

“I think PD Yoon [PD stands for ‘Program Director’, a common term in Korean broadcasting] would like a failing scenario too.”

The three chattered as they prepared for the opening, trying to ease their pounding hearts. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin’s cynicism deepened. Yeon Baek-gwang, glancing at the leader chef, whispered to Hong Hye-yeon beside him.

“But sunbaenim [a term used to address a senior colleague or mentor], Woo-jin hyung [a term used by younger males to address older males] doesn’t seem nervous at all. He’s like a Terminator.”

Hong Hye-yeon turned her head to look at Kang Woo-jin. He had already started searing the Bulgogi [a Korean dish of marinated beef].

“He wouldn’t be nervous over something like this. A Hollywood star would have to show up for him to even slightly furrow his brow.”

“Amazing… I want to learn that kind of poise.”

“That kind of thing only suits Woo-jin, you’d just get criticized if you did that.”

It was then.

“Uh, uh, uh?”

Hwa-rin, who was portioning the buckwheat noodles next to Woo-jin, spoke with a bit of a fuss.

“Uh, uh, uh? They’re coming, they’re coming.”

Thanks to her, everyone, including Kang Woo-jin, looked straight ahead. Just a few minutes after opening, an elderly American couple was talking to the ‘Our Table’ writer near the tables. They were clearly getting their consent. Soon, the couple sat at the center table, and Ahn Jong-hak, the figurehead president, approached them with a menu.

And so.

“One Bulgogi! One Gimjaban!”

The Americans ordered Kang Woo-jin’s food. The moment had finally arrived. Woo-jin felt a similar emotion to when he first started acting. It wasn’t a serious situation, but he felt a strange ambition.

He wanted to serve them delicious food.

Therefore, Woo-jin suppressed his tension and spread coolness throughout his body. He intensified his concept. The process of making the food itself was no problem. What was important here was Kang Woo-jin’s mindset.

‘If I’m doing it, it’d be nice if it goes well, right?’

They had come to a foreign country to introduce Korean food, and it wouldn’t do to receive complaints. Either way, Woo-jin’s two dishes were quickly completed. Soon, the food was delivered to the elderly couple. Kang Woo-jin swallowed hard, trying not to show it.

Of course, the assistants around him were the same.

How is it? How does it taste? As Woo-jin stared at the elderly couple, the grandfather’s expression, who was eating the Gimjaban Buckwheat Noodles [a Korean dish with buckwheat noodles and seasoned seaweed], hardened. Huh? Does he not like it? As if voicing Kang Woo-jin’s thoughts, Hwa-rin spoke.

“Ah- oh no. It seems like the taste is a bit unfamiliar.”

The elderly couple started talking to each other. At that moment, Ahn Jong-hak, standing in front of the food truck’s kitchen, turned his head and met Woo-jin’s gaze inside the truck.

“Chef, how about you go and ask them yourself?”

“Me?”

“I or Kang-soo could go, but since they’re the first customers and the first to eat the food, it would look better if the chef went out?”

“Ah.”

“And you can show off your English skills. PD Yoon wouldn’t miss this opportunity.”

In other words, Ahn Jong-hak was giving Woo-jin a chance to show off his abilities while also securing some screen time. He was indeed a veteran in the entertainment field. Admiring him inwardly, Woo-jin nodded silently.

“Ah- yes, I understand.”

With Yeon Baek-gwang’s cheer of ‘Go get ’em!’ on his back, Woo-jin calmly washed his hands, took off his mask, and stepped out of the food truck. Kang Woo-jin strode towards the elderly couple. Seeing this, Yoon Byung-sun PD, one of the staff members scattered around the food truck, smiled.

“Get the cameras in front, behind, and to the side.”

Around this time, Kang Woo-jin had approached the elderly American couple, and the grandfather, sensing someone’s presence, looked up. Woo-jin lowered his voice to him. Thinking he needed to sound cool, he spoke in English with a tone so low that even he was surprised.

“Hello, how is the food?”

The elderly couple was slightly surprised. The grandmother spoke first.

“Oh! You speak English very well? Did you live in America?”

If you closed your eyes, it would be a scene where two Americans were talking.

“It’s not something to be praised for. How is the Bulgogi Rice Bowl?”

“It’s fantastic.”

At that moment, Woo-jin felt a thrill.

‘Wow- this is exhilarating. Is this why people cook?’

Then, Woo-jin turned his gaze from the grandmother to the grandfather, and as if waiting for it, the grandfather asked in English.

“Are you a chef?”

Huh? What’s he talking about? Woo-jin, who had been maintaining his nonchalance, answered for now.

“I am in charge of cooking at the food truck.”

“No, I mean- I heard this is a Korean TV show and the others are actors.”

“That’s right.”

“You’re not an actor, you’re a real chef, right?”

“No, my main job is also acting.”

The elderly couple widened their blue eyes in surprise. Especially the grandfather. The grandmother clapped her hands and made a fuss.

“Really??! That’s amazing, you’re not a chef but you can make food this delicious.”

Here, the grandfather, who had been staring blankly at Woo-jin, chimed in.

“Your main job is really acting??”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…I would love to see your work.”

“I will do my best.”

Soon, the grandfather looked down and pointed at the two dishes on the table.

“This Bulgogi Rice Bowl is delicious, but this noodle dish is especially amazing. Do you eat this often in Korea?”

“Ah- that’s my original dish.”

“…Huh? You just said your main job is acting.”

“I do cooking as a hobby.”

“Th, then! Are we the first to eat this noodle dish??”

“That’s right. Besides the test, you two are the first customers to eat it.”

The grandfather, maintaining his widened blue eyes, murmured.

“What an honor.”

The grandmother expressed her disappointment.

“Oh… then that means we can’t get it in America.”

Thinking it was enough, Woo-jin slightly bowed his head.

“Then, please enjoy your meal.”

It was the grandfather, scratching his white hair, who stopped him.

“Wai, wait a minute! Could we possibly take a picture?”

“Of course.”

After the photo time, the grandmother asked a question.

“How long will this food truck be operating?”

Woo-jin, who was turning away, answered nonchalantly.

“We plan to be here until the afternoon two days from now. After that, we plan to open a restaurant for about five days.”

Several tens of minutes later.

The elderly American couple, who had finished their meal, got into the van prepared by the staff and did an interview. The story was good from the first customer. Especially the grandfather, who was a real chef, said.

“Oh, you’re running a restaurant?”

“That’s right. It’s close by, not very big, but we have many regulars.”

“I see. Then, how were the two dishes the chef made?”

“I might come again tomorrow. They were that delicious, I’ll introduce it to my friends. But I heard the food truck is only open until the day after tomorrow and then you’ll open a restaurant.”

“Ah! Yes, yes, the food truck is just for practice.”

Then, the elderly couple asked in unison.

“Can you tell us where the restaurant is located?”

Meanwhile, in Korea.

Around the time Kang Woo-jin’s food was making its debut in America, it was morning on the 9th in Korea, unlike the afternoon of the 8th in LA. It was early, but regardless of the time, many kinds of issues were pouring down like a storm.

『[Movietok] Director Ahn Ga-bok Announces Casting of ‘Kang Woo-jin’ for His 100th Film After Shim Han-ho/Photo』

『The Actor Joining Director Ahn Ga-bok’s New Film Finally Unveiled… ‘Top Actor’ Shim Han-ho and ‘Major Twist’ Kang Woo-jin』

『[Issue IS] Director Ahn Ga-bok Chooses ‘Monster Rookie’ Kang Woo-jin, Industry Insiders’ Reactions are “Well…?”』

It was a very natural phenomenon. A globally huge guest had visited Korea.

『World-Renowned Star ‘Miley Cara’ Visits Korea, Hundreds Gather to See Her/Photo』

『’Miley Cara’ Appears at Incheon Airport… Waves Relaxedly to the Press』

『[Issue Pick] ‘First Time in Korea’, ‘Miley Cara’ to Promote in Korea for About a Week』

The visit of the world-class superstar was also introduced on the news of the three major domestic broadcasters.

[“Hollywood superstar Miley Cara has arrived in Korea. Due to her visit, hundreds of people, including reporters and fans, were entangled at the airport arrival hall. Despite the pouring flash and the screams of fans, Miley Cara calmly continued her fan service. This is Kim Dae-hyun reporting.”]

As if welcoming the guest, the country was already in turmoil.

『How Could ‘1st Year’ Kang Woo-jin Be Cast in Director Ahn Ga-bok’s Work?』

Especially the entertainment industry. Many film and drama sets were constantly shouting Kang Woo-jin’s name. Among them, the set of ‘Island of the Missing,’ which included Woo-jin but was currently vacant, was the same.

At the huge set complex in Buyeo.

While about a hundred staff members were busy preparing for filming, the actors in military uniforms waiting for standby were gathered in groups of three or five. In the chilly weather, they wore padding or jackets over their military uniforms, and Kang Woo-jin’s name was constantly on their lips.

“Wow- I never imagined it would be Woo-jin!”

Kim Yi-won, who was sipping hot coffee, vehemently agreed with the tough Jeon Woo-chang’s exclamation.

“I know, right? And I never thought Director Ahn Ga-bok would announce it himself in front of so many people-”

“But Woo-jin too! How could he not say a word!”

Ha Yu-ra, who was tying her hair, shrugged her shoulders.

“Maybe it was a secret, and he might not have been able to say anything.”

“Tch! I thought we were close, but I’m a little disappointed, aren’t I?”

“I think it’s just you, Woo-chang?”

Kim Yi-won sighed deeply.

“Ha… I’m really envious and jealous. By the way, isn’t the picture really unique? Shim Han-ho and Kang Woo-jin.”

After a moment of silence, Jeon Woo-chang asked Ryu Jung-min, who was silently looking at his phone in a long padding.

“Jung-min hyung! How about you? Honestly, the media sometimes mentioned you as a ‘leech’ actor, right?”

“…What about it?”

“I mean, did you not get any contact either?”

“Would I have? From the start, Director Ahn Ga-bok only contacted Woo-jin.”

“Ah!! Da Nang! When Director Ahn Ga-bok came to Da Nang!”

“Yeah, that time.”

“Wow- I really thought the director was just there for fun… but he came all the way to Da Nang, Vietnam, to see Woo-jin? That Ahn Ga-bok director??!”

Ryu Jung-min chuckled.

“He was completely hooked.”

Then Ryu Jung-min let out a hollow laugh, and Jeon Woo-chang and Kim Yi-won tilted their heads.

“Huh? Why are you laughing, Jung-min hyung?”

“No- it’s just absurd.”

“Huh??”

“I had him right in front of me to grow, but I was just stupidly watching him run away- I feel like an idiot.”

Ryu Jung-min had several reasons for joining ‘Island of the Missing.’ One of them was to break through his limits and grow. That goal was the rookie Kang Woo-jin.

Ryu Jung-min had watched Woo-jin from ‘The Free Spirit’ to ‘Island of the Missing.’

But now, Ryu Jung-min was in a position where he could only watch Woo-jin getting further away. Clearly, Kang Woo-jin was close by. But in just a few days, the gap had widened so much that he couldn’t even see him.

Maybe he had become complacent.

‘Woo-jin was sprinting, and I didn’t realize it.’

But it was already too late.

『Even ‘Director Ahn Ga-bok’ Fell for Him, Kang Woo-jin Sweeping Up Domestic Big-Name Directors』

『[Planning] From ‘Leech’ to Shoulder-to-Shoulder with Shim Han-ho, Kang Woo-jin Aims for Cannes in His First Year』

Because the sprint had been boosted. The media rushing towards Kang Woo-jin was now unstoppable.

『The Acting Showdown Between ‘Shim Han-ho’ and ‘Kang Woo-jin’ is Already Drawing Attention, Experts Favor Shim Han-ho』

It wasn’t just the present. It had been like that from the moment Kang Woo-jin’s name came out of Director Ahn Ga-bok’s mouth.

『[Star Talk] “Busy, Busy”… Kang Woo-jin, the Hero Who Saved Hwa-rin, Will He Become a ‘Hero’ to Rookie Actors by Joining Director Ahn Ga-bok’s Work?』

His heroic tale related to Hwa-rin shook the ground, and on top of that, Director Ahn Ga-bok threw a log soaked in gasoline. But the resulting firepower was like dropping a nuclear bomb. It was natural that there was a roar.

『How Long Has It Been Since He Caught a Stalker? Kang Woo-jin, Who Has Been Constantly in the News Since His Debut/Photo』

The actors scattered throughout the entertainment industry, the broadcasting world, production companies, and film companies, etc. Flames were rising everywhere, and facts and rumors were rampant.

Kang Woo-jin was not in Korea, but his absence was not felt at all.

Rather, his presence had increased tenfold. A shock. Yes, Kang Woo-jin had caused a shock. A mere one-year-old actor. It was an unprecedented situation in the history of the Korean entertainment industry.

Kang Woo-jin, who was mingling with figures called the history of the Korean entertainment industry, such as Director Ahn Ga-bok, top actor Shim Han-ho, and many other big names, was ironically.

『’No Failures From His Debut Until Now’, Kang Woo-jin Completes a 10-Year Actor’s Filmography in His First Year… Is the Academy Award Next?』

Writing a new history all by himself.

America, morning of the 9th.

All the cast members of ‘Our Table,’ who had successfully completed their first day of business with the food truck, were moving in a van. Of course, Kang Woo-jin, with his indifferent face, was also included. He was looking out the window, thinking about yesterday.

‘Yeah, there were a few customers, but it was pretty good. It would be perfect if today was just like yesterday.’

Woo-jin was praising himself inwardly, and Ahn Jong-hak and Yeon Baek-gwang, who were sitting around him, were looking down at their phones. To be exact, it was the Korean entertainment industry that Kang Woo-jin had turned upside down.

“Wow! Woo-jin hyung! The articles are changing every second?”

“Wow, our chef, when he goes back to Korea, the reporters will give him a hero’s welcome at the airport?”

Hong Hye-yeon chimed in.

“It’s kind of funny. I mean, Miley Cara came to Korea, but she’s been buried because of Woo-jin.”

At that moment.

“Huh??!!”

Yeon Baek-gwang, who had raised his head, looked at the situation in front of him and was startled.

“L, look over there!!”

The van was approaching the food truck where they would be doing business, and the place Yeon Baek-gwang was pointing at was around the food truck. What was unusual was.

“…Huh??”

“Ah, no. What is that?”

“Huh??”

Everyone except Kang Woo-jin widened their eyes or opened their mouths wide. Woo-jin, who was deeply into his concept, cursed inwardly.

‘Wow- seriously!! Are they crazy?!!’

The reason was simple. In front of the food truck, which was not yet open, many Americans were lining up. It looked like there were easily more than several dozen people.

‘What is that line??!!’

It was only the ‘Our Table’ food truck that was like that.

End