I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 198

LA International Airport.

While Kang Woo-jin was in the middle of his screen test, a Korean film crew occupied many seats on a plane.

It was the ‘Our Table’ team.

They were just about to return to Korea. Perhaps because of this, the atmosphere in the seating area where the ‘Our Table’ production staff were gathered was quite excited.

“Ugh—we’re finally going back!”

“Oh my, you’d think filming was all done, hahaha.”

“Right? You know we only get two days off when we get back, then it’s straight to hell? Not only editing the footage, but also preparing for the next round of filming! And above all, the end of the year is just around the corner.”

“Ugh… We’ll just have to spend the rest of December at year-end events, parties, and award ceremonies.”

“It’s the same for the entertainment industry worldwide at this time. The film industry must be in chaos preparing for award ceremonies too. I heard Director Yoon is preparing for a pilot broadcast?”

“Still! I’m just happy to be going back to Korea!”

The elated mood was shared by the heads of ‘Our Table,’ including PD [Production Director] Yoon Byung-sun, the directing team, and the writers. However, rather than celebrating, they prioritized a meeting about editing this shoot.

“Ah—come to think of it, we didn’t get an interview with the reporter who put the ‘Our Table’ story in the local newspaper.”

“Oh dear, we’ll have to call them when we get back? We can at least get an audio recording.”

Then, suddenly, Kang Woo-jin’s name came up.

“But why did Woo-jin stay in LA? He didn’t get on the plane, did he?”

PD Yoon Byung-sun, who was looking at his phone, was quick to answer.

“Oh, he didn’t. CEO Choi said he had some business left, but who knows.”

“Huh?? What business does he have? Ah—is he planning to take a day off to sightsee while he’s in LA?”

“Maybe.”

“Well… Woo-jin will be really, really busy when he gets back to Korea anyway. With the projects he’s going into, and preparing for film festivals and award ceremonies. Ah? But Hye-yeon got on the plane, right?”

“Hye-yeon must have a schedule.”

At this moment, the main writer chuckled and chimed in.

“Could it be that Woo-jin has some kind of meeting related to Hollywood?”

The other writers immediately reacted.

“Nah—no way. Woo-jin is super, super amazing right now, but still… Hollywood is a bit much.”

“That’s right. And doesn’t Woo-jin have a ton of projects lined up already?”

“Yeah, and he has a lot of side schedules like commercials and YouTube, right?”

“But what if he actually auditioned for a Hollywood project? That would be a huge twist!”

“Knowing Woo-jin’s personality, wouldn’t he be like that even if he passed the audition? ‘Ah—it’s not really my thing.'”

“I can imagine. But even for Woo-jin, that’s a bit much.”

In front of them, Ahn Jong-hak, one of the ‘Our Table’ cast members, who was sitting among the others, overheard the writers’ conversation. Soon, he, with an eye mask on his head, asked Hong Hye-yeon.

“What is Woo-jin doing in LA? Hye-yeon, do you know anything?”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had a hat pulled down over her long hair, lowered the phone she was looking at and shrugged.

“I don’t know, either.”

“Is he really auditioning for something in Hollywood?”

“No way.”

“You’re not in the same agency as Woo-jin, are you?”

“Maybe not? Well, we’re technically in the same agency, but honestly, we rarely see each other.”

“Well—I guess.”

Ahn Jong-hak brushed it off, and Hong Hye-yeon, letting out a small sigh, grumbled inwardly.

‘What are they doing together, leaving me out… How petty. Or is it something really important??’

Hong Hye-yeon genuinely didn’t know about Woo-jin’s situation. For now, Choi Sung-gun had kept it a secret. Anyway, Hwa-rin, who was sitting next to her and wearing large glasses, was also thinking about her favorite, Kang Woo-jin.

‘I could have postponed work for a day and stayed too. This week… it went by too fast. Seeing Woo-jin every morning was truly a blessing.’

Ha Kang-soo, who was looking at something on his phone, opened his mouth as if he suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, ah, ah—I heard Woo-jin is a graduate of a foreign university? Maybe he went to see something because of those memories.”

In the end, his words were given the highest probability. Even Hong Hye-yeon, who was in the same agency, admitted it inwardly.

‘Is that so? Hmm, if it’s related to acting, LA might be the right place? A Hollywood audition is too far-fetched.’

But regardless of her curiosity.

‘Ha—I’m curious. What is it?!’

The plane gradually began to take off into the sky.

At the same time, at the ‘Last Kill 3’ studio.

The studio, where intense martial arts had just been performed for the screen test and where numerous foreign staff members had gathered, was now silent.

“…”

“…”

Director George Mendes, who was in charge of the test, his surrounding film company executives, the casting director team and leader Megan Stone in the back, the tall black producer Joseph Felton who was somehow desperately holding back laughter, the key staff handling the cameras, and so on. All of them were staring at the Korean actor standing in the center of the studio with dazed expressions.

More precisely, they were looking at Kang Woo-jin in his suit.

Their eyes were generally filled with a mix of shock and bewilderment, but Kang Woo-jin’s face, as displayed on the monitor, was utterly calm.

At this point.

“W-what did that actor just say?”

As if they had barely regained their senses, dozens of foreign staff members who had been spacing out began to murmur. Small English phrases were uttered. There were too many unfamiliar scenes. A Korean actor with martial arts skills that overwhelmed the Chinese actors, Director George suddenly announcing his acceptance, and Kang Woo-jin rejecting it in just 5 seconds.

“Did I hear correctly?”

“He definitely said… it’s difficult? He said it’s difficult, right?”

“Yes. He said it’s difficult. And something about meeting next time.”

“Next time? What next time? He already got a chance in Hollywood, what next time??”

“He must have misspoke. Maybe he didn’t understand the director’s words?”

“But that actor’s English is too good for that.”

“It’s already rare to get a role in a screen test, but I’ve never seen anyone reject it on the spot.”

The level of shock among the foreign staff members deepened. Director George, who resembled Santa, seemed to feel the same way, as he sat at the table and asked Woo-jin again. His voice was full of bewilderment.

“D-did you hear what I said correctly?”

Kang Woo-jin answered calmly in a low tone of English.

“Yes, director. You said filming will start around June next year, and the role I tested for today will join the team from August.”

“That’s right. But before that, we need to practice action sequences with the team, and personally, I’d be grateful if you could join us from April…”

“I also remember you saying that this role suits me perfectly.”

Director George, slightly narrowing his brow, glanced at the film company executives around him and spoke again.

“That’s right. The current role is a supporting role, but it’s not a small one. Therefore, we were supposed to have a meeting after the test, and after a second, or maybe a third test, we would make a decision. But the fact that I said I would bring Woo-jin on board without that process… means it’s a final acceptance. Did you understand that correctly?”

“Yes. I am honored.”

“But you said it would be difficult?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

Director George Mendes tilted his head slightly and frowned. His face showed that he couldn’t understand at all. The film company executives around him felt the same way. At this moment, Joseph, the tall black producer who had been holding back laughter behind the director, his lips still twitching, chimed in.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin, I’m Joseph Felton, the producer of ‘Last Kill 3.’ Your answer is impressive. I’ve been working in Hollywood for a long time, and this is the first time I’ve heard something like this. You passed the ‘Last Kill 3’ test straight away, but could you tell me why it’s difficult for you to join?”

Woo-jin was aware of Joseph, as he was so tall and large.

‘He’s a real person. Wow—damn, he’s really, really huge. Look at the size of his hands? If that guy slapped me, my head might come off.’

Woo-jin, who was inwardly impressed, lowered his voice even more.

“The timing doesn’t work.”

“…Timing?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re refusing because the timing doesn’t work?”

It was far from a typical answer.

“Yes, I already have projects I’m involved in and projects I’ve promised to do.”

“In Korea?”

“That’s right.”

“Are you fully booked until next year? Are all the contracts definitely finalized?”

“Some are, and some are just promised.”

At this point, Director George Mendes jumped in again.

“Promised? Doesn’t that mean the schedule can be adjusted? But… are you really refusing? Even while throwing away the opportunity you’ve got?”

The black producer Joseph added an explanation.

“That’s right. It’s common to adjust promises or schedules. Because it’s not an opportunity that’s easily obtained.”

Kang Woo-jin’s answer was firm and cold.

“It’s a prior commitment.”

For some reason, Joseph made a face as if he was holding back laughter again.

“Ah—a prior commitment. I see. That’s important.”

At this moment, Kang Woo-jin’s feelings were more peaceful and simple than he thought. He wasn’t particularly complicated, resentful, or anxious. It was just simple.

‘It’s a shame, but what can I do? The timing doesn’t match.’

He didn’t know how good the previous Chinese actors were, but the Hollywood director who looked like Santa chose Woo-jin right away. So, he had beaten everyone else and taken first place, and the competitive spirit or desire to win he had before the test was resolved.

‘At least I can go back to Korea and sleep soundly.’

The tension and nervousness that had risen in the unfamiliar environment and in front of the big names of Hollywood had disappeared at some point. From the beginning, this test itself was something Kang Woo-jin could take or leave. A crazy thought that only Kang Woo-jin could have.

He kept injecting that into his mind through mind control.

Hollywood? It’s amazing. Just looking at the quality of this studio was incredible.

Cameras he had never seen, the scale of the audition venue, props he didn’t know what they were, and foreigners who seemed to have some kind of aura. He vaguely felt that it was an enormous opportunity. However, in this screen test attended by many famous Hollywood figures, Kang Woo-jin grasped the ‘level’ and ‘degree.’ It wasn’t intentional. It just felt natural after all the tests were over.

The conclusion he reached was one.

‘It works. I can definitely stir things up here.’

Hollywood or whatever, it’s not that difficult. It’s just that they use more expensive equipment, speak lines in a different language, the actors are foreigners, and the system is quite different. Of course, what Woo-jin saw now was just the tip of the iceberg.

Still, it was clear that this was also a filming site that wasn’t much different.

Above all, the concept works well.

‘No, it feels more comfortable than in Korea? I like the American mindset too.’

No one knows Kang Woo-jin. That’s the advantage of being in a foreign land? The open-mindedness of America was also a plus for Woo-jin. Here, Kang Woo-jin himself didn’t clearly recognize it, but he had acquired something that even the top actors in Korea, who were incredibly famous, couldn’t easily obtain.

Experience and pride. That is, dignity. Or self-esteem.

A strong belief in himself had arisen, and as a result, his perspective on the high world of Hollywood had changed. It was worth trying, there was nothing to be afraid of. My acting works, and my martial arts are useful.

Therefore, Kang Woo-jin had room to spare.

The hazy thoughts became flexible, and many things came to mind. From ‘Island of the Missing,’ which was currently being filmed, to the projects he was preparing, his YouTube schedule, commercials, and even ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which he had promised Song Man-woo PD before coming to the US.

Honestly, it wasn’t impossible to adjust the schedule.

If he canceled the verbal promise of ‘Beneficial Evil’ for ‘Last Kill 3’ and caused damage to other projects, he could somehow make time. But Kang Woo-jin just shrugged his shoulders.

Why bother?

‘Well, I’m already working in Hollywood now, so if I come back later after growing more, I’ll do even better.’

It wasn’t worth disrupting all his connections in Korea just to do a minor role in Hollywood. So, what would be the remaining answer? Only refusal. Director George Mendes, who had no idea about Kang Woo-jin’s inner thoughts, had a rather stern expression on his face.

He asked Woo-jin again in a calmer voice than before.

“…I understand that you have a prior commitment. Then why did you come here?”

What is that Santa grandpa saying? Woo-jin answered in a low voice.

“It was your side that called me.”

“Ah.”

It was true when he thought about it. Director George Mendes, as if he was slightly at a loss for words, chuckled involuntarily. Then, he let out a small sigh and muttered to Kang Woo-jin.

“I understand. It’s a shame, you’ve done a good job.”

“Thank you.”

“You may leave.”

Permission to leave was given to Kang Woo-jin in his suit. It was a very strange situation. He had passed, but the Korean actor had refused the role. If the Hollywood media got hold of this, it would probably be a laughingstock, and the film company executives around Director George didn’t like it.

“You may leave, but today’s screen test will be as if it never happened for both of us. Do you understand?”

It meant to keep quiet. They would probably tell all the staff in this studio to keep their mouths shut. In other words, today’s test would not be known in Hollywood or Korea.

However.

“I understand.”

Kang Woo-jin, who answered calmly and left the studio, had quite a few gains. For example.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin.”

Gary Peck, the stunt coordinator who had called out to Woo-jin as he was about to leave, said.

“Do you use social media?”

“Yes.”

“Your martial arts today were very impressive. I’d like to see the Korean works you’ve filmed. I look forward to working with you in Hollywood in the future.”

Kang Woo-jin was deeply etched in the memory of the stunt coordinator, who was like a martial arts director and famous in Hollywood.

“Thank you, I look forward to it as well.”

A little later.

Kang Woo-jin, who had come out of the studio, brushed off the remaining dust from his suit while also.

-Glancing.

He subtly glanced behind him.

‘Phew—crazy. It’s over somehow.’

He was out of it. He remembered what he had done in that studio, but not everything was detailed. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin, guided by a staff member, returned to the waiting room. The Chinese actors and their staff were nowhere to be seen in the large waiting room.

Just one person.

“Woo-jin! How did it go??!”

Choi Sung-gun, with an excited face and a ponytail, was the only one who greeted Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin, looking at him as he approached in an instant, scratched his chin. Well, it would be right to tell him everything honestly here.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin told him all the key points of what had happened in the studio.

Choi Sung-gun’s eyes gradually widened as he listened to Woo-jin’s calm explanation. It was as if the story he was hearing was like a fairy tale. Really? Did that really happen?? Then, Kang Woo-jin finished his explanation in a low tone.

“I told them to meet next time.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been staring blankly at Kang Woo-jin in front of him.

“…Meet next time?”

“Did I make a mistake?”

Suddenly, he burst out laughing.

“Hahaha, meet next time? What is this, a lottery? It’s a bust, a bust. You’re probably the only actor who would refuse like that after coming to Hollywood.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh my, you clown. Ha, well done. It’s not like today is the only day. Honestly, being with you, I don’t really know what’s going on either. I’ve only been to a few Hollywood auditions with Hye-yeon in the past.”

“…”

“Still, it’s refreshing that you beat those Chinese guys. I was a bit pissed off by the way they were glaring earlier.”

“Ah—they said to keep today’s test a secret.”

Choi Sung-gun nodded as if he already knew.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. The staff came and made us sign a confidentiality agreement when you were taking the test. It’s a shame, even if we just spread the news that you beat the Chinese guys, it would be a big deal.”

Soon, Choi Sung-gun checked the time and gestured to go.

“There’s still some time before the flight, let’s grab a bite and look around this area. Let’s also see some of the big film companies around here.”

So, Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun took the elevator and went to the first-floor lobby. The van they had come in was in the outdoor parking lot nearby, and they had to wait about 5 minutes. Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun looked around the neighborhood on the sidewalk where many foreigners were passing by.

At this time.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin!”

Someone called out to Woo-jin from the building behind them. When he turned around, a group of people was approaching Kang Woo-jin. At the front was the tall black producer, Joseph Felton.

He smiled deeply and said.

“We briefly greeted each other upstairs, right? I’m Joseph Felton, a producer.”

He handed Kang Woo-jin his business card.

End