I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 202

Joseph Felton frowned, his brow deeply furrowed as if he couldn’t believe it. The tablet he was looking at displayed Kang Woo-jin’s photo and his career history. Meanwhile, the bald foreigner sitting next to him looked quite calm.

‘Joseph, there’s no way my investigation could be wrong.’

The bald man, called Robert, was full of confidence. And for good reason. He had been doing this kind of background check as easily as eating a meal. Being under the famous producer Joseph meant that scouting actors was a basic requirement. He had investigated actors from Hollywood, Japan, China, India, and many other countries.

There was no way a Korean actor would be difficult.

However, even he was taken aback by Kang Woo-jin’s unique filmography, adding,

‘I understand. It’s a filmography I’ve never seen before either, but these are the results of a thorough search through Korean media and local contacts. It’s definitely accurate.’

After hearing the explanation, the tall black man, Joseph, looked at Robert’s firm gaze.

‘······’

He then looked back down at the tablet. What on earth was this? Joseph ran a hand through his short, curly hair.

‘This is beyond ridiculous.’

He had set foot in Hollywood 20 years ago. It had already been over 10 years since he made a name for himself as a producer. He was a veteran, to say the least. Even for Joseph, this filmography was completely unfamiliar.

No, was it even possible?

‘···Kang Woo-jin started his career at the beginning of this year.’

First of all, the starting point of the Korean actor was a shock. He first appeared in short films and minor roles in dramas, and that was at the beginning of this year. In other words, Kang Woo-jin’s career was only about a year long.

‘At this level, he’s just a rookie, right?’

He could be considered a complete newbie. There were definitely differences between the entertainment systems of Korea and Hollywood. The scale was different. But in the end, the essence had to be the same. In Hollywood, a one-year actor was like an ordinary person. It would be similar in Korea. The filmographies of such rookies were usually empty. Maybe one or two projects at most.

But Kang Woo-jin’s was too full.

He showed promise from the start, and without any gaps, he was immediately cast in the next project. And that wasn’t all? Kang Woo-jin had secured leading roles in just a few projects. According to this data, he had risen to a leading actor in just half a year.

Why? How?

Furthermore.

‘There are no······failures.’

According to the results compiled by Robert, all of Woo-jin’s released projects, excluding the ones currently in progress, were successful. One or two projects could be lucky, but it was hard to understand that everything he participated in was successful.

‘Is he a Midas touch or what······ This Netflix drama even blew up in Japan, not just Korea?’

He naturally advanced into Japan. Moreover, he was cast as the lead in a large Japanese film. All of his scheduled Korean projects were also leading roles.

No matter how you looked at it, this filmography belonged to a top-tier actor.

But Kang Woo-jin had achieved these results in just one year, and he was still going strong. It was hard to believe even when seeing it.

Soon, Joseph Felton slowly lowered the tablet.

-Swish.

At the same time, he recalled Kang Woo-jin, whom he had met before.

‘I thought he had been in this industry for at least five years, no, even longer.’

It was a hasty judgment. At this moment, the thinking of Joseph, a famous producer, was being re-established. He laughed slightly, bewildered, and asked Robert next to him,

‘Then how did he get that high level of English, acting, and martial arts?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘He’s only been active for a year… how could he show that kind of tension? Acquiring skills and showing them to everyone are worlds apart. But that actor effortlessly overwhelmed veteran Chinese actors and got a role from director George.’

After Woo-jin left the set, Joseph had asked Gary Peck, the stunt coordinator who had worked with Kang Woo-jin’s co-star, what he thought. Gary’s answer was very quick. In terms of martial arts, Kang Woo-jin’s movements were on par with a professional, and director George would regret missing him. Clearly, there was an assumption that he had been active for a long time.

Maybe Gary would be shocked if he saw this data?

‘He’s not even old, is he? He’s only in his 20s.’

The circumstances of Kang Woo-jin’s participation in the screen test were confirmed by the casting team. Yes, luck was involved there. But the acting and martial arts that Woo-jin showed that day were not just luck. It was absurd that a rookie actor, so young and with only one year of experience, had acquired such skills.

‘He has the guts to turn down a role he passed in Hollywood?’

Why did he have the energy and attitude of a top star? Although it was brief, Joseph, who had met Kang Woo-jin, was captivated by him. It was fair to say he was smitten. The tenacity that didn’t waver in the face of external circumstances, the upright posture and attitude, the self-confident skills, the aura based on those overflowing skills, and the unusual energy that hinted at an explosive future.

Those were things that were only occasionally seen in Hollywood’s top stars.

He didn’t know. The more Joseph looked at the data, the deeper he sank into the mire. Then, suddenly stopping, he casually asked the bald Robert,

‘Could it be that this actor, Kang Woo-jin, was active in Hollywood under a different name in the past?’

It was a possibility.

‘That English proficiency that’s like a native speaker. If he had been active here as a child and then returned to Korea for some reason, wouldn’t that explain it?’

Robert nodded.

‘It’s definitely possible. But if he changed his name, it would be hard to find him. The same goes for finding his past works. It will take a lot of time.’

‘······Hmm, there’s no need for that. If he only lived in a theater troupe, it would be almost impossible to find out.’

However, Joseph was confident in his guess. In addition, his interest in Kang Woo-jin had greatly increased.

‘Haha, this mysterious and enigmatic, monster or alien-like actor is a first for me.’

His skills were one thing, but the actor Kang Woo-jin himself was incredibly fresh. Then, stroking his chin, Joseph looked back down at the tablet. This time, he checked the names of the directors, which were familiar.

‘Director Kwon Ki-taek, Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro, and Director An Ga-bok.’

All of them were directors who had made a name for themselves at the three major international film festivals. Joseph remembered seeing them win awards a few times. Among them, he had even met and become acquainted with Director An Ga-bok. He had a high reputation in the international film festival scene and was also known in Hollywood.

-Swish.

Joseph manipulated the tablet and carefully looked at the data related to Director An Ga-bok.

‘Kang Woo-jin was cast as the lead in Director An Ga-bok’s 100th film, and that film is aiming for Cannes next year.’

That took about a few dozen seconds.

After looking at the tablet for a while, the huge black man, Joseph, seemed to have made a decision and asked Robert next to him,

‘Robert, is winter in Korea very cold?’

Meanwhile, in Korea.

Morning of the 19th. There were many articles about Miley Cara, the global superstar who had left yesterday.

『’Miley Cara’ waves to reporters and fans at the airport after finishing her Korean schedule, what was her impression of Korea?』

『[Star Issue] Miley Cara, the only appearance in Korea was on Kang Woo-jin’s YouTube channel… Were the two originally close?』

『8 million YouTuber Kang Woo-jin, netizens say, “I’m curious about the content filmed with Miley Cara!”』

On the other hand, the film industry media was busy talking about the film festival. This was because of the official confirmation news released by the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

『[Official] This year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards to open on December 23rd… Blue Dragon Film Awards side says, “It will be held grandly, please look forward to it”』

They were busy spreading the news.

『[Entertainment] Blue Dragon Film Awards nominees revealed, which film received the most nominations? ‘Drug Dealer’ with over 7 million views』

『Shim Han-ho, Kim Shin-hye, Jin Jae-joon, Song Kang-sung, Hwang Deok-hee… Who will win the Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Actor award?』

『This year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards to open grandly at the mega-resort hotel ‘Paradise S City’』

Reporters quickly produced articles based on the data posted on the Blue Dragon and Grand Bell Awards secretariats’ websites. This was to fuel the excitement as the awards ceremony was just around the corner.

『Issue King Kang Woo-jin, nominated for Best New Actor at both the Blue Dragon and Grand Bell Film Awards』

『[Film Festival] Will he sweep the year-end awards in his debut year? Attention focused on ‘Director An Ga-bok’s’ Kang Woo-jin』

In any case, the film festivals, which had been buzzing with the year-end atmosphere, announced their official dates one after another. The Blue Dragon Film Awards was the first, followed by the Grand Bell Awards.

『[Official] Following the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Grand Bell Awards also confirmed to open… December 26th, after Christmas!』

The Blue Dragon Film Awards was on the 23rd, and the Grand Bell Awards was on the 26th. In other words, both film festivals would be wrapped up in about a week. Of course, Kang Woo-jin was confirmed to attend both film festivals.

『’Kang Woo-jin’, the busiest actor right now, to attend all film festivals in his debut year』

『Efforts by film festivals to secure Kang Woo-jin, who debuted this year… This year’s end of the year is different』

As the film festival issues became more prominent, the public broadcasting stations immediately began to check them.

‘The film festival side is boosting their articles, so let’s do something too!!’

‘I’ll pass on some nominee news!’

‘Hey! We can announce the dates early, right??!’

‘Understood!’

Although the awards ceremonies were starting around the same time, viewership ratings would vary depending on expectations and interest. Therefore, the three major public broadcasting stations, SBC, MBS, and KBC, also jumped into the awards ceremony promotion war.

『[Issue is] Broadcasting companies announce year-end awards dates one after another… SBC on December 30th, MBS and KBC on the 31st』

『SBC, MBS, and KBC to announce year-end awards on the 30th and 31st… Who will win the viewership ratings this year?』

Only the SBC Drama Awards ceremony started on December 30th, while MBS and KBC were on the 31st. For reference, the Entertainment Awards, which included awards for variety shows, were not very relevant to Kang Woo-jin so far.

Anyway.

『Will ‘Kang Woo-jin’ attend the broadcasting awards ceremonies? bw Entertainment says, “Kang Woo-jin will only attend the SBC and KBC Drama Awards”』

Kang Woo-jin was confirmed to attend the SBC and KBC Drama Awards, excluding MBS. MBS didn’t have any projects he was involved in to begin with.

『’Kang Woo-jin’ has a high chance of winning the Best New Actor award at SBC and KBC』

Although the nominations for the broadcasting awards ceremonies had not yet been announced, Kang Woo-jin was strongly considered for the Best New Actor award. As a result, if Kang Woo-jin were to sweep all the year-end awards.

『Blue Dragon, Grand Bell, SBC, and KBC, if the monster rookie Kang Woo-jin wins all the Best New Actor awards, he will be a four-time winner』

He would be a four-time winner at the very least.

Sunday, the 20th. Buyeo.

Morning. Kang Woo-jin’s van stopped in the outdoor parking lot of a familiar mega-set complex. It was the filming set of ‘Island of the Lost’. Although it was around 10 a.m., the large parking lot was already full of vans, minivans, and minibuses.

Of course, filming would have already started two hours ago.

Then, Kang Woo-jin got out of the back door of the van. He was generally in a natural state, wearing a navy long padded coat. It was winter, so it was cold, but this set complex itself was in a remote area, so the cold wind was even stronger. Soon, Woo-jin, with a poker face, casually zipped up his coat to his neck.

‘Ugh- crazy. The weather is insane.’

It was cold. But it was okay. Kang Woo-jin’s concept started in winter. It had been four seasons since his life had become such a mess. Woo-jin looked at his breath and felt absurd.

‘Is it just because I’ve been filming- time really flies.’

At this time, Han Hye-jung and many stylists, along with the large Jang Su-hwan, followed behind Kang Woo-jin. For some reason, Choi Seong-geon, with his ponytail, was not visible. Soon, Jang Su-hwan gestured forward and shouted,

‘Let’s go, hyung!’

Woo-jin replied in a low voice.

‘Okay.’

Kang Woo-jin and his team slowly moved. Meanwhile, the stylists holding hot packs asked Woo-jin,

‘Oppa! Aren’t you cold?? Should we give you a hot pack?’

‘Huh??! Oppa, don’t you have a hot pack in your pocket?’

‘No way!! How much is oppa’s body worth right now!!’

They rushed over and stuffed hot packs into Woo-jin’s long padded coat pockets and handed him some. Around that time, the assistant director of ‘Island of the Lost’ was waiting at the entrance of the set complex.

‘Ah!! Woo-jin-ssi!!’

Several staff members ran over. As if they hadn’t seen him in years. At the same time, the assistant director shouted into the radio,

‘Kang Woo-jin-ssi has arrived!!’

Thus, Kang Woo-jin entered the set of ‘Island of the Lost’ mixed with the staff. The filming crew was rooted in front of a building, and as soon as they saw Woo-jin approaching, the lead actors in military uniforms smiled and showed big reactions.

It started with the hearty Jeon Woo-chang.

‘Hahaha! You’re here! Our Kang star has arrived! Aren’t you too strong after coming back??’

Kim Yi-won followed behind him.

‘Wow- your aura has just been upgraded after a few days?? You’re definitely Director An Ga-bok’s man!’

After briefly stopping filming, dozens of staff members welcomed Kang Woo-jin. Ryu Jeong-min, who had taken off his bulletproof helmet, also gave Woo-jin a thumbs up.

‘Weren’t you going to film ‘Our Table’? How did you flip the country upside down as soon as you left?’

Woo-jin, who was greeting the actors and staff members in small ways, looked at Ryu Jeong-min and lowered his voice.

‘It just happened.’

Then, Ha Yu-ra, who was tall and had a lot of wounds on her face in her military uniform, laughed next to Ryu Jeong-min.

‘I saw you save Hwa-rin-ssi. When did you learn such martial arts??’

The atmosphere instantly heated up. Around this time, a man sitting in front of the monitor slowly got up. It was the easygoing Director Kwon Ki-taek.

He smiled at Woo-jin.

‘You’ve worked hard.’

The silent Kang Woo-jin greeted him politely.

‘I’m back, director.’

Soon, Director Kwon Ki-taek continued in a soft tone.

‘You’ve dropped a lot of bombs in that short time, haven’t you?’

‘It wasn’t intentional.’

‘I guess so.’

Kang Woo-jin barely returned to ‘Island of the Lost’. Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek smiled faintly but also spoke with weight.

‘Okay- now, let’s act?’