I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 197

The studio next to the waiting room.

In the center of the studio, where all preparations were complete and the screen test was about to begin, stood two men. One was a Chinese actor who had just arrived. His name was Wang Fang, and he was wearing a suit. He was about the same height as Kang Woo-jin, but his features were slightly sharp.

The other man was a foreigner wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt.

He had a physique that contrasted with Wang Fang standing next to him. He was almost the same height, but the muscles in his arms and chest, visible through his clothes, were solid. His hair was short, and his face was angular.

It was obvious.

He was the leader of the stunt team in charge of the martial arts for ‘Last Kill 3.’ His name was Gary Peck.

He was a well-known figure in the industry. In Hollywood, Gary is called a stunt coordinator. In Korea, it’s similar to a martial arts director. The work is almost identical. Therefore, all the action scenes in ‘Last Kill 3’ would go through Gary’s hands, and he was in charge of the entire martial arts for the ‘Last Kill’ series.

Therefore, his role was crucial in this screen test, which included martial arts. He was checking the partition that would serve as a mirror when he.

-Swish.

Turned his gaze to the Chinese actor, Wang Fang.

“How well have you memorized the lines? It’s not about pushing yourself too hard, so be honest.”

Wang Fang nodded once at the English words.

“I remember the entire movement, but I might stumble if it’s too fast.”

“Okay. Then move at your desired speed, and if it’s too difficult, stop immediately. Again, this test is to see how your look translates on screen, not your martial arts.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After hearing the answer, stunt coordinator Gary slowly scanned Wang Fang from head to toe. He was the one who had created all the martial arts for the ‘Last Kill’ series. As a veteran, he could make a judgment just by looking at the aura the actor usually displayed.

‘······His looks are a bit lacking. But his physique is similar. His eyes are a bit disappointing. His strength is weak. His movements are also a bit flimsy.’

The initial assessment was a fail. However, the final decision was up to the director, George Mendes. Gary, the action director, was only there to assist with the decision.

Soon.

-Swish.

After checking Wang Fang’s condition, Gary raised his thumb toward the long table in front. It meant they could start. Thanks to that, director George, who resembled Santa, fixed his gaze on the monitor in front. The monitor was already displaying Wang Fang and Gary’s front, side, and back views.

“Not bad.”

The men sitting on either side of him echoed his words. They were executives from the film company.

“But it’s not the picture we wanted. Didn’t we send the script to China a month ago?”

“They said they didn’t have enough time to build their bodies, but if that’s the level of tension they have after a month of preparation—they didn’t prepare enough.”

“If that’s their condition after a month… Hmm, director George. You said you gave the Korean actor the test just a few days ago. Is there a reason to waste time?”

“And if you’re thinking of making changes like including this Korean actor, I wish you had told us in advance.”

Nagging. Director George had heard similar words before coming here.

“That Korean actor is just a side dish. He came because the timing was right, so it’s not a change.”

Therefore, he ignored them appropriately and shouted in English while keeping his eyes on the monitor.

“Let’s start the test!”

Then, one of the female staff members among the dozens of staff behind him ran to the center of the studio. As soon as she clapped the slate, Wang Fang looked straight ahead. To be precise, he was looking at Gary three steps ahead. It wasn’t just staring; the acting had begun. His eyes had to be filled with clear murderous intent.

Gary confirmed it in person, and director George confirmed it on the monitor.

‘Hmm, the intensity of his gaze is lacking. It’s not scary. It’s more like hatred than murderous intent.’

At that moment, Chinese actor Wang Fang, who had been glaring at Gary, moved his feet. Originally, there was a line. But Wang Fang seemed to have forgotten the line due to nervousness, and he reached out his hand near Gary’s neck.

-Thwack!

The speed was mediocre. Neither fast nor slow. It looked more like a pre-rehearsal than an action scene. Still, Gary calmly accepted Wang Fang’s punch. He grabbed the fist reaching for his neck. He twisted the wrist. He grabbed Wang Fang’s nape with his remaining hand. Distraction. The real attack was the knee rising from below.

-Thud!

Wang Fang allowed the first hit. But he blocked the second one with his own knee.

The speed at which they matched their moves gradually increased.

However.

“Cut, that’s enough.”

In the middle of the test, director George, with his protruding belly, stopped their martial arts. Then, he asked Wang Fang, who was slightly panting.

“Mr. Wang Fang, look at the front camera here and think about the target you want to eliminate.”

“Understood.”

“I’m not just saying think, but put the emotion of just before attacking into your eyes.”

“······”

About 10 seconds later.

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Director George, who announced the end of the test, muttered softly.

“That guy is a pass.”

After that.

The next person entered the studio. This time, it was also a Chinese actor. It was natural since the test today was originally intended only for Chinese actors. This actor also went through the same process as Wang Fang. Stunt coordinator Gary’s inspection, followed by director George’s signal.

“Action.”

The sound of the slate echoed in the studio, the actor’s image was displayed on the monitor, the precise martial arts, and the dozens of staff members, including the director, watched.

In that way, the test gradually increased in speed.

This Chinese actor received a very good evaluation, unlike Wang Fang.

“Good, isn’t he?”

“Hmm, his movements are precise. He prepared well.”

“His look translates well on the monitor too.”

They were all Chinese actors, but they were also competing against each other. Perhaps, without knowing it, thousands of candidates had been eliminated to get these supporting roles, and the three actors who best fit the roles were chosen from among them.

The third Chinese actor appeared after that.

This time, the evaluation was also good. Similar to the second actor or slightly better. Thanks to that, director George’s expression, who was watching the monitor, gradually brightened. The executives sitting around him were the same. Before they knew it, the dozens of staff members, including the casting and producer teams, were even applauding the actors’ passionate performances.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Gary, who looked slightly out of breath, raised his thumb to the Chinese actor.

“You did well, your breathing and eyes were good.”

“Thank you.”

Soon, the third Chinese actor left the studio. The staff members were whispering about the next actor to come.

“Is it next?”

“Yeah, this is the Korean actor.”

“The second and third Chinese actors were of good quality, so he might be compared unfavorably.”

“But when I saw him earlier, he had the best looks.”

“Ah, right.”

At that moment.

-Swish.

The Korean actor entered the studio through the entrance. That is, Kang Woo-jin in a suit. All the staff members glanced at Woo-jin. In particular, the gazes of Megan, a brown-haired bob from the casting team, and Joseph, a black man from the producer team, were sharp. Joseph, who was over 190 cm tall, even waved his large hand at Woo-jin.

As a result, the attention was focused.

The eyes of all the foreigners gathered in this studio followed Kang Woo-jin as he calmly entered.

On the other hand.

“······”

Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, stood in the center of the studio with an unwavering posture. No one noticed his true nature.

‘Wow, this is so much pressure. They’re all foreigners! It’s just like a real shoot??!’

Soon, Gary, the stunt coordinator next to him, scanned Kang Woo-jin. Just looking at his face, there was something strange. And cold.

‘His look and atmosphere are good. Has he ever played a villain? There’s a unique vibe. A kind of intensity with a bit of psycho mixed in.’

Gary, who was muttering to himself, greeted Woo-jin.

“Nice to meet you.”

Kang Woo-jin replied in a low tone. Of course, in English.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

“Have you had any experience with action scenes in Korea?”

“It wasn’t my main focus, but I’ve done it to some extent. I’m also preparing.”

“······You speak English very well.”

“Thank you.”

It was a casual conversation, but Woo-jin’s fluent English surprised everyone, including director George Mendes.

‘Oh—his English skills… and his voice is good too.’

‘Practice? No, judging by his pronunciation and composure, he must have lived in the US.’

‘The Chinese actors weren’t lacking, but… this Korean actor is incomparable to them.’

Since the atmosphere was one of not expecting much, the expectations rose instantly. Megan and Joseph, who had been bickering from the beginning, were even exchanging whispers of praise.

“What, Megan? That Korean actor… his name is Kang Woo-jin? He’s handsome. And what’s with that composure? I thought he’d be trembling since he hasn’t debuted long.”

“I didn’t say it, but that actor has actually subdued a thug in Korea. But he seems more composed than I thought.”

“A thug? What are you talking about?”

Anyway, English is English, and martial arts are martial arts. Amid the buzz, director George, with his protruding belly, looked at Gary, who was standing next to Kang Woo-jin.

It was a signal to start.

Soon, the muscular Gary asked Woo-jin.

“How well have you memorized the lines? Ah—right. You said you received this test a few days ago? Then, let’s focus on camera movement rather than martial arts.”

“No, you can do it comfortably.”

“Huh? No, that’s what I should be saying······”

“Is that so? I meant that I have memorized all the lines and have no problem performing them.”

“Oh, okay. Then start at your desired level. Just don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Understood.”

As Kang Woo-jin answered calmly, Gary narrowed his brows slightly.

‘What’s with this composure? Is he just trying to be confident since he knows he’s lacking? Anyway, he’s definitely a hard actor to figure out.’

First, he showed his thumb to George at the front table. Followed by the director’s sign.

“Action.”

The slate clapped by the running female staff member.

After that.

-Swoosh.

In a brief moment, Kang Woo-jin, who had raised his role to a level that no one could notice, and had imprinted ‘martial arts’ into his veins, suddenly closed his eyes. Then, he took a deep breath.

“Hiss- Hoo.”

It was an action that none of the previous Chinese actors had done. However, Kang Woo-jin continued his acting without hesitation. The air around him had become calm.

Soon.

“······”

Kang Woo-jin, with a cold yet chillingly calm face, slowly opened his eyes. Gary was right in front of him. After confirming him, Woo-jin maintained a light breath for a moment. He stared at Gary. Gradually, something deep gathered in Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.

Purpose or murderous intent.

The completed thing shot out through Woo-jin’s eyes. The calm air that had surrounded Kang Woo-jin was now filled with murderous intent. In an instant, Gary’s tension soared as he twitched his eyebrows. It was the first time this had happened during today’s test.

‘It’s not that the surroundings have changed. This is the intensity that the Korean actor has created.’

Acting. Yes, it was acting. But for some reason, Gary was gradually forgetting that it was acting. However, it became clear that he had been designated as the prey.

At that moment.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been still, took a step forward. Stride by stride. There was no hesitation in his steps. That unstoppable energy combined with the murderous intent he was emitting.

Gary, without realizing it.

-Slink.

Took a step back. It was a ready stance. Regardless, Kang Woo-jin, who had come within striking distance, extended his right arm without any preparation or eye contact.

The target was Gary’s neck.

But it failed. However, instead of Gary’s neck, Kang Woo-jin’s hand grabbed his collar. His expression was still stiff, and all his actions were precise and sharp. Gary, who had his collar grabbed, grabbed Woo-jin’s nape with his left hand.

Pull down.

-Thwack!

Woo-jin blocked the rising knee with his own knee. Then, he grabbed the hand that was holding his nape and twisted it. A small groan from Gary.

“Hup!”

Woo-jin quickly turned the grabbed hand in the opposite direction. Gary’s body naturally turned. His back was exposed. Woo-jin’s knee quickly rose. He aimed for the soft spot in the side.

-Thud! Thud!

He allowed two hits, but Gary released the restraint by turning his twisted arm in the opposite direction. He kicked Kang Woo-jin in the stomach. Woo-jin’s body was pushed back. Gary immediately rushed in. Kang Woo-jin used that force to flip Gary over.

-Wham!!

It was disadvantageous. Rather than extending his arms, he blocked. Gary put his hands together to cover his face. A solid shield was formed, but Woo-jin, unconcerned, struck the side of his face, which was covered by the shield, with his elbow. Once, and then again. Then, a thud was heard. Gary had lifted both feet and wrapped them around Woo-jin’s face, throwing him to the side.

Kang Woo-jin flew away.

Gary quickly raised his body and took a stance.

“Haa!”

Woo-jin, who was about two steps away, quickly got up and walked towards Gary again. It wasn’t that he had no hesitation, but rather that his brain was filled with only ‘murder.’ Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate. Only eliminate.

Kang Woo-jin and Gary faced each other again.

But this time, neither of them attacked immediately. They had checked each other’s form. Woo-jin and Gary stared into each other’s eyes, swinging their arms in the air. They were ready to grab whatever came their way.

Gary moved first.

-Whoosh!!

He kicked Woo-jin’s groin between his spread legs. Kang Woo-jin blocked it with his knee. Then, he immediately grabbed Gary’s extended foot and pushed it to the ground. The two quickly became entangled.

“Hup!”

“······”

It was when Kang Woo-jin, with his rapid breathing and expressionless face, was about to make his next move.

“Cu, cut!!!”

A familiar male voice was heard. It was director George Mendes. Looking at him, his eyes were wide open. Like a shocked Santa Claus. With those wide eyes, director George looked back and forth between Kang Woo-jin on the monitor and the real Kang Woo-jin.

‘······Oh my god.’

He was mesmerized. That was exactly his expression. Megan from the casting team and Joseph from the producer team, and all the foreigners in this studio, had the same face. Many of the staff members didn’t even realize they had their mouths open.

They were wondering what they had just seen with their own eyes.

At the same time, director George, who had been staring intently at the monitor, moved his widened eyes. He looked at Kang Woo-jin in the center of the studio. He was already getting up with Gary, dusting off his suit.

“M, Mr. Kang Woo-jin, filming will start next June······”

“Yes.”

“The role you just showed will join the team around August. Before that, you’ll practice action sequences with the other actors.”

“······”

“That role is yours. It’s perfect. Originally, we would need a meeting, but I don’t think we need one for you, Mr. Woo-jin. Personally, I’d like you to join in April.”

In short, it meant you were first place and had passed.

The staff members were buzzing. It was natural since this was the first time something like this had happened. Getting a role right away was impossible unless they were completely captivated. Because the screen test wasn’t the end. But the Korean actor had just gotten a role on his first try in Hollywood. It was a supporting role, but he had done it.

Normally, he should be cheering with his arms wide open.

However.

“Hmm.”

Kang Woo-jin, with an indifferent face, slightly tilted his head. Then, he started calculating something in his head. However, it didn’t take long.

Exactly 5 seconds.

It was exactly 5 seconds later that Kang Woo-jin’s low voice was uttered.

“Ah—then it will be difficult for me. I think it would be better to meet next time if there’s an opportunity.”

Director George, who had been spacing out, blinked his eyes.

“Wh, what did you say?”

At that moment, Joseph, the tall black producer in charge, chuckled softly from the back.

“Hehe, wow. What is that weirdo saying?”

Kang Woo-jin had just turned down his first role in Hollywood.

End