I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 199

A tall, black producer, Joseph Felton, who looked over 190cm [approximately 6’3″], stood in front of Kang Woo-jin. He was even handing over a business card. Perhaps because of Joseph’s large build, Woo-jin and the foreign members of Joseph’s producer team behind him looked small.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin flinched slightly inside.

‘Ugh—damn, that scared me. He’s seriously huge up close. Kim Dae-young wouldn’t even be able to stretch his shoulders out.’

He had seen him earlier in the studio, but seeing Joseph’s physique up close was truly overwhelming. Still, Woo-jin, already equipped with a thick layer of composure, took the business card Joseph offered as nonchalantly as possible.

“Yes, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

Joseph suddenly shook hands with Woo-jin in a lively manner.

“Haha. The audition you did was amazing. I’ve built up quite a career as a producer, but that was the first time I’ve seen such a fresh sight. It’ll be memorable for a long time.”

What was that? Was it a compliment? For now, Woo-jin accepted his greeting appropriately.

“Thank you.”

At this moment, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, who was standing behind, whispered to Woo-jin with a smile.

“Who is he? A bodyguard?”

“No, he’s a producer who was there during the screen test.”

“Ah! A producer?? Huh—this guy?”

Joseph, noticing Choi Sung-gun’s movements, took out his business card again.

“I’m Joseph Felton, a producer. Are you Mr. Kang Woo-jin’s manager?”

Choi Sung-gun, having received the card, took out his own. His English was a bit awkward, but his voice was full of energy.

“Yes, I’m his manager and the CEO of Mr. Kang Woo-jin’s agency.”

“Oh! Is that so? You’re an agency CEO! Nice to meet you. You’re taking care of a fantastic actor.”

“Yes, I think so too.”

“Hahaha, you should have seen the audition, CEO. This actor turned the set upside down!”

Whether he was playful or just high-spirited, Joseph Felton continued the conversation smoothly on the sidewalk. Watching him, Choi Sung-gun smiled, but inside, he was serious.

‘Is this what a Hollywood producer is like? He’s so open and hearty. Well, if he’s a producer in this huge market, it’s understandable.’

Choi Sung-gun vaguely sensed Joseph Felton’s power. In Hollywood, where every part is systemized, the producer was the real power. Moreover, Hollywood producers don’t manage just one project at a time. The more capable they are, the more large-scale projects they’re involved in.

‘If he’s the producer of the ‘Last Kill’ series, he must be one of the well-known producers in this Hollywood scene.’

Choi Sung-gun’s quick guess was correct. Currently, Joseph Felton was handling a total of three Hollywood projects, and in this Hollywood scene, there was virtually no one who didn’t know the producer named Joseph.

Such a tall Joseph spoke to Kang Woo-jin again with a smile.

“Well—I’m not a casting director. But I can see an actor’s tension and energy. The energy and determination you showed in the audition are rare.”

Kang Woo-jin answered calmly.

“Is that so?”

Joseph Felton took a step closer to Woo-jin and lowered his voice.

“The Chinese actors I saw in that audition were representatives who were chosen after a lot of time, and the thoughts of the film company executives, including the director, were the same. It was almost certain that a Chinese actor would take the role. You were an extra.”

“······”

“You overturned that. With just one scene, just one. Mr. Woo-jin, you not only ‘seized’ the role from those Chinese actors but also created a result where they ‘yielded’ it to you. It wasn’t a victory, but an acceptance. And it was you, not the director, who made it happen.”

Joseph, who had been whispering, raised his thumb.

“It was a scene that you rarely see. Both your martial arts and your energy.”

Then, as the members of the producer team behind him signaled the time, Joseph’s face showed regret, as if he was busy.

“I feel like we should share a beer with this mood, but it’s a shame. Mr. Kang Woo-jin, whenever you come back to Hollywood, please remember the business card I gave you.”

“I will.”

“Are you going back to Korea now?”

“Ah—we have some time before our flight, so we’re thinking of looking around the area for a bit.”

Joseph, whose smile deepened instantly, pointed his thumb behind him. There, one of Hollywood’s famous landmarks, a huge film studio decorated like an amusement park, was located.

“I’ll contact them so you can look around the inside more thoroughly. If you mention my name, you’ll be able to get a staff guide at the entrance. Have a pleasant time in Hollywood.”

Joseph Felton, after shaking hands with Woo-jin again, turned and walked away towards the building’s elevator. He probably had some work left related to ‘Last Kill 3’. Meanwhile, some of the foreign staff members who had come with him were whispering while looking at Kang Woo-jin.

“Did that Korean actor just get Joseph’s business card?”

“I know, I was surprised. Maybe if it was a top Hollywood actor, but…”

“Even to a Korean actor he met for the first time today?”

On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin, in his suit, casually shoved the business card he received into his pocket. Then, he met Choi Sung-gun’s gaze.

“Shall we go to the place that guy mentioned?”

“Y-yeah, of course, man. Ugh, we need to take the kids to the accommodation too. It would be amazing if they were filming or something.”

Around this time, the van that Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun were waiting for pulled up to the side of the road.

Meanwhile.

-Swish.

Joseph Felton, who had just gotten on the elevator, instructed a bald foreign man next to him among the group moving with him.

“Robert, that actor named Kang Woo-jin. Investigate him in detail. From his past steps to his fame in Korea, rumors, works, and even the people around him. We need to understand him thoroughly so that the same failure as today doesn’t repeat.”

“Understood. But why are you so interested in him? Of course, he was amazing during the audition, but… is it because of the spreading Korean wave [Hallyu]? Or are you thinking about marketing?”

“Korean wave—yes, that part can’t be ignored. But that’s not all. Right now, I can only explain it as a gut feeling.”

“A gut feeling?”

“I feel like that actor will explode the scale of the Korean wave several times over, in the near future.”

Joseph, the tall black man, chuckled and replied softly.

“The business card I gave him today is for that time.”

Later.

Around noon on the 17th, the ‘Our Table’ team, having finished a rather long shoot, arrived in Korea. There were hundreds of reporters and fans gathered at the airport. An enormous crowd. Even when the cast of ‘Our Table’ was promoting Korean food in LA, news of ‘Our Table’ had been spreading steadily in Korea, so the reporters were even more heated.

“PD Yoon!! I heard it was published in a local LA newspaper!! Are there any other news?!!”

“What was the reaction of the locals in LA?!!”

“Over here!! Over here!! Please look this way!!”

“Hwa-rin!! How was it in LA with Kang Woo-jin, who subdued the assailant!!”

“I saw an article that a chef in LA praised Woo-jin’s food!! Hong Hye-yeon!! Did you see that chef in person?!!”

Although they were blocked by guards, hundreds of reporters relentlessly threw questions, and the gathered fans also frantically shouted out gifts and welcomes. The airport arrival hall instantly turned into chaos. Thanks to this, the ‘Our Table’ team had to get out as quickly as possible.

At this time, some of the gathered crowd noticed something strange.

“Huh??! Oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend] Woo-jin! Oppa Woo-jin is not here!”

“Wow! It’s true??”

“Kang Woo-jin! Only Kang Woo-jin is missing??”

The atmosphere quickly spread to the reporters as well.

“Kang Woo-jin is missing!”

“PD Yoon! Where is Kang Woo-jin?!!”

“Did he stay in LA?!!”

“Was there a problem with the entry procedure??”

However, without any clear answers, the ‘Our Table’ team left the airport. It was out of concern for an accident.

This part quickly spread on the internet as news.

『[Issue Pick] The ‘Our Table’ team returns from LA / Photo』

『The cast of ‘Our Table’ waving to reporters, all looking tired』

The main focus was that the cast of ‘Our Table’ had returned and photos taken at the airport, but the fact that Kang Woo-jin was missing was also quite loudly discussed.

『The ‘Our Table’ team returned to Korea today… but where is Kang Woo-jin?』

『[Star Photo] Did only Kang Woo-jin stay in LA?』

Of course, rumors and gossip spread in an instant. Well, it was understandable that the reporters would think it was strange. Since only Kang Woo-jin hadn’t returned.

『The reason why only Kang Woo-jin is missing while the entire ‘Our Table’ team returned… Perhaps he has a schedule in LA』

The issues surrounding Kang Woo-jin, which had already flared up while he was in LA, were gaining momentum again.

『Where did the hero who saved us from the assailant go… Why did only Hwa-rin return to Korea? / Photo』

『Kang Woo-jin didn’t come back to Korea, possibility of filming with global superstar ‘Miley Cara’ and ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel falling through ↑』

While the talk about Woo-jin was spreading noisily, BW Entertainment released an official statement.

『[Official] BW Entertainment says, “Kang Woo-jin’s absence from entry is due to taking a short break in LA”』

From the actual events, only the talk about ‘Last Kill 3’ was omitted.

At this time, the people inside a large van running on a highway in Seoul were also talking about Kang Woo-jin’s news. It was Miley Cara and her team, who would be finishing their Korean schedule in the late afternoon of the 18th, tomorrow.

The blonde Cara was looking at a tablet with her legs crossed. Specifically, the articles being displayed.

“Kang Woo-jin, is it certain that he’ll be in Korea before tomorrow?”

To her slightly cold question, the half-shaved manager sitting next to her replied in English.

“Yes. I spoke with his agent. He’s scheduled to arrive in Korea tonight, and there won’t be any problems with the shoot we scheduled for tomorrow morning.”

She slowly nodded, and while sweeping back her blonde hair, she thought of Kang Woo-jin. His absurd filmography, various issues, and even his acting skills.

“Hmm—I wonder what he’ll be like in person.”

“Me too. More than that, have you checked what the ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel proposed?”

“You mean the filming content?”

Cara, who answered, changed the screen on the tablet she was looking at. It was an explanation of the filming content sent by ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ side. Looking down at it, Cara changed the direction of her crossed legs.

“Singing my song as a duet. That was expected from the start. After a talk, he’ll cook for me. We can promote the movie or something here. I also like that he’ll cook for me. If he was featured in a local LA newspaper, he must be good at it, right?”

“According to the article, a Michelin 1-star chef praised him highly.”

“Exactly. And he’s going to cook whatever I want, so can I really say anything?”

“Well, it’ll be hard to do everything. Kang Woo-jin is an actor, not a chef by profession.”

“······But what is this ‘Avatar Cooking’? The explanation says I’ll be cooking and Kang Woo-jin will be guiding me, but I can’t imagine it.”

“It’s exactly as it sounds. It’s content for fun, and you’ll be moving and cooking according to Kang Woo-jin’s instructions. If it’s uncomfortable, we can refuse it.”

After hearing the explanation, Cara raised her blue eyes and fell into thought for a moment. It was about 5 seconds. She shook her head, her lips twitching slightly.

“No. It sounds fun?”

“Cara, think seriously. You can’t cook.”

“Isn’t he going to make it possible for me to do it?”

“Kang Woo-jin will be the one having a hard time. Think carefully, the numerous fans and media in Korea are focused on this.”

For reference, Miley Cara had attended all kinds of events, luxury brand parties, and interviews during her schedule in Korea, but she had not appeared on any YouTube channels. Tomorrow’s appearance on the ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character’ channel will be her first.

“Yeah, I know. Anyway, tell them I’ll do it all. I’m looking forward to it.”

The half-shaved manager sighed.

“Hoo—okay, I got it. Think about the lines to use in the talk and the dishes, etc.”

“Okay.”

It was at this moment.

-♬♪

Her phone emitted a short signal. It was a message, and Cara, having checked the sender, widened her blue eyes slightly.

‘Joseph??’

The message was sent by the famous Hollywood producer Joseph Felton. Cara, who quickly recalled the face of the tall black Joseph, checked the content.

-Joseph Felton: Cara, how’s your time in Korea? I was looking at your SNS and wondered how it was going, so I contacted you. I heard you’re appearing on a Korean actor’s YouTube channel? I’ve become a bit interested in Korea lately, so I’ll be looking forward to it.

Cara, tilting her head, sent a reply as if to say she understood, and Joseph’s message arrived again.

-Joseph Felton: Contact me when you get back later, let’s talk about how Korea was over a beer.

Cara, having seen the message, narrowed her brows. Then, she asked the half-shaved manager next to her.

“······Joseph, have you heard anything about him being interested in Korea recently?”

The manager, who was looking at his phone, shrugged his shoulders.

“Not at all. I heard he took on the producing for ‘Last Kill 3’ additionally, but he’s juggling several projects, there’s no way he’d be interested in Korea.”

“Right?”

Cara scratched her blonde hair slightly.

“What’s he up to?”

That same night.

A man stood out as he exited the still bustling airport. He had a hat pulled down low and his face covered with a mask. It was Kang Woo-jin, who had entered the country secretly to avoid the reporters and fans.

‘Sigh—ha, yeah, this is the air. Ah, seriously, home is the best!’

Kang Woo-jin, who was secretly moved, got into the prepared van. He couldn’t see the noisy figures of dozens of reporters, but Woo-jin preferred this.

‘It was long, really.’

Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the feeling of being back in Korea alone. At this moment, Choi Sung-gun, who was sitting in the passenger seat with fatigue plastered all over his face, turned around and showed Kang Woo-jin his phone.

“Ah—Woo-jin, the Blue Dragon announced all the nominees.”

On his phone screen, the articles were displaying the actors nominated for this year’s awards, officially released by the Blue Dragon Film Awards. Of course, the film industry media quickly followed suit.

『[Film Festival] The Blue Dragon Film Awards Secretariat reveals the key nominees for this year’s film festival… The name of ‘Kang Woo-jin’ stands out in the Best New Actor nominations』

『Kang Woo-jin nominated for the Blue Dragon Best New Actor Award within a year of his debut, but he’s also seen in other award nominations』

Not to be outdone, the Grand Bell Awards also released their nominations a few tens of minutes later. Both film festivals were about ten days away.

『[Movie Talk] Following the Blue Dragon, Kang Woo-jin is seen in all the Best New Actor nominations for the Grand Bell Awards…』

What was unusual was that the mention of Kang Woo-jin was very explosive.

As if Kang Woo-jin was decorating the end of the year in the entertainment industry this year.

『Blue Dragon and Grand Bell Awards already expecting 2 awards↑, if you add the broadcasting awards… Is Kang Woo-jin causing an accident in his debut year?』

It was to the point where he seemed like the main banner.

End