I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 206

Hundreds of seats were filled with formidable directors, top actors, and key staff. Kang Woo-jin sat among them, his tension at its peak, yet he couldn’t let his persona slip. Cameras were filming him whenever they had the chance.

At that moment, his face appeared on the huge screen at the front of the stage. Lee Sang-man from ‘Drug Dealer.’ A surge of something boiled within Woo-jin.

“······”

Why is my face up there? Oh, right? This is the Blue Dragon Film Awards. Kang Woo-jin had experienced film festivals before, like the ‘Mise-en-scène’ Film Festival [a smaller, independent film festival]. While that was smaller compared to the Blue Dragon, he had gone through a similar process back then.

But the overwhelming feeling was completely different. The scale was worlds apart.

Unlike the Mise-en-scène, the Blue Dragon Film Awards was being watched by many people nationwide, as well as various figures in the entertainment industry. It was a grand festival marking a year in the Korean entertainment and film scene.

And at such a place, Kang Woo-jin’s name was the first to be called as an award recipient.

“The 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards! The New Male Actor Award! Actor Kang Woo-jin from ‘Drug Dealer’!!”

Deafening applause and cheerful music echoed through the grand hall.

-♬♪

Me? Ah, really? Me? Kang Woo-jin reflexively stood up, his expression barely changing. Up to this point, he didn’t feel much pressure. It was a brief moment, and his movements were almost instinctive.

However.

‘Wow, crazy, just a moment.’

The moment Kang Woo-jin stood up alone in the huge hall, his vision shifted dramatically. All the focused camera angles, his face displayed on the screens and monitors, the gazes of hundreds of actors and directors, the pouring congratulations, and the blinding flashes.

Kang Woo-jin’s mind became dizzy.

‘Dizzy, my legs are giving out.’

Certainly, Woo-jin had experienced film festivals, but it was of no help. The only thing that gave him strength was the persona he had maintained all along. Perhaps everyone Woo-jin had ever crossed paths with was here. Whether it was bravado, bluff, or dignity, he needed it all.

The temperature was hot.

The heat of the mega film festival was intense, and the glaring lights felt like the scorching sun. It was sweltering. Though no one knew, cold sweat was trickling down Woo-jin’s back.

But the funny thing was.

‘Don’t think too deeply. Kang Woo-jin, just empty your mind.’

The more his exterior heated up, the colder Woo-jin’s interior became. How many crises had he overcome so far? Woo-jin had unknowingly learned how to unleash an extreme persona in extreme situations.

A cocky, monstrous rookie actor with a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude.

Such a guy shouldn’t be shaken by this much.

Around this time, the ‘Drug Dealer’ team, sitting near Kang Woo-jin, offered their congratulations with applause and shouts.

“Haha, Woo-jin-ssi! Congratulations!”

“Congratulations, you should go up there quickly!”

“It’s ‘Drug Dealer’s’ first award! Congratulations, Woo-jin-ssi!”

Jin Jae-joon, the lead actor of ‘Drug Dealer,’ gave Kang Woo-jin a brief hug, and Park Pan-seo patted Woo-jin’s shoulder. Director Kim Do-hee and the key staff gave him a thumbs up.

Woo-jin calmly bowed his head.

“Thank you.”

Then, Kang Woo-jin calmly walked towards the stage. With each step, he felt his mind growing colder. Still, there was a concern.

What about the acceptance speech?

He had prepared something. He couldn’t ask anyone about it. He couldn’t look like he needed advice on his acceptance speech. So, Kang Woo-jin had watched past film festivals on YouTube and looked up acceptance speeches. He had prepared, but.

‘Damn, I seriously don’t remember a single thing.’

Not a single word came to mind. Just maintaining his persona at this vast film festival was a desperate struggle. But strangely, there was no sign of tension on his composed face. His steps were relaxed. It was a quiet demeanor, but there was a concentrated firmness.

That was vividly captured by the cameras.

The broadcasting team’s PD and staff were whispering.

“How can he be so calm?”

“Right? Wow, PD-nim, is Kang Woo-jin-ssi really a rookie actor who debuted this year? It’s like he’s just taking a stroll around the neighborhood?”

“Isn’t he happy? He’s not smiling.”

“This might cause a controversy······”

“I don’t know, we’re just filming. Zoom in on Kang Woo-jin a bit more.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

Kang Woo-jin’s family and friends watching this were in an uproar. Kang Hyun-ah and his parents from the porridge shop.

“Kyaaak!! Mom, Mom!! Oppa! Oppa!!”

“Yes!! Our son!! Woo-jin!! Oh my?! Honey, are you crying?”

“······No, I’m just proud.”

“Awesome!!”

And Kang Woo-jin’s childhood friends.

“Amazing!! So touching!! Touching!!”

“Kuh, Kang Woo-jin! You bastard!! My shoulders are rising!”

“Aish, is this real? I can’t believe what I’m seeing!”

Woo-jin’s social media, YouTube channel, fan cafe, and various online communities were also in turmoil.

On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin at the Blue Dragon Film Awards ascended the large stage without much change. It was his first Blue Dragon Film Awards stage, but his cynicism was palpable.

When Woo-jin stepped onto the stage.

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi has been causing a sensation since his debut this year, right? In ‘Drug Dealer,’ he received critical acclaim for his performance as the character Lee Sang-man······”

The host was introducing Kang Woo-jin, and for some reason, several top actors in the audience were swallowing nervously. Even Hong Hye-yeon, who was more beautiful than ever today.

“What, what is it? Why does Woo-jin-ssi look like that? Ha, why am I nervous? I can’t guess what he’ll say in his speech······”

Ryoo Jung-min, who was sitting next to her with his hair neatly slicked back today, felt similarly.

“Surely he won’t make any mistakes?”

“Oppa, it’s Woo-jin-ssi, not just anyone. Do you really think that?”

“······Well, it’s his first Blue Dragon, right?”

There was a hint of worry on the faces of the ‘Drug Dealer’ team, including Jin Jae-joon and Park Pan-seo.

“I wish he would be normal.”

“Well… it’s hard to call Woo-jin normal. He doesn’t seem very happy, has he already expected this?”

“Well, maybe. Hmm, Blue Dragon has a lot of media attention, and if Woo-jin-ssi, who’s in the spotlight, does something unusual, there will be tons of articles tomorrow.”

The actors from ‘Our Table’ and ‘Island of the Missing,’ besides Ahn Jong-hak and Ha Kang-soo, were having similar conversations.

“Will he be okay?”

“I don’t know. But I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just feel like Woo-jin is going to start with a bang?”

Conversely, there were those who were enjoying it. They were the mega-directors of the Korean film industry, sitting side by side. Director Ahn Ga-bok and Director Kwon Gi-taek.

“Hehe, what do you think that guy will say?”

“Well, he has the expression of someone who expected to win the rookie award.”

“Right. Usually, even if you expect it, you show some surprise, but Woo-jin doesn’t have any of that.”

“He doesn’t exaggerate or put on a facade.”

“The reporters must be excited already, there’s never been a rookie like him in Blue Dragon history.”

“I think it will continue to be like that.”

The great actor Shim Han-ho, like a tiger, also stood out. He simply watched Kang Woo-jin on stage with his arms crossed.

“······”

The overall murmuring gradually grew louder. Of course, Kang Woo-jin on stage couldn’t hear any of it. He could only see the two actors in the center of the stage. They were holding the New Male Actor Award trophy and a bouquet of flowers.

‘Is that mine?’

The golden trophy he had seen on YouTube. As Kang Woo-jin approached, the two actors hosting the event smiled.

“Congratulations, Kang Woo-jin-ssi.”

Soon, the trophy and bouquet were handed to Kang Woo-jin. The first impression Woo-jin had upon receiving the trophy was simple.

‘It’s heavy.’

It was heavy. Soon, the two actors who had handed it over stepped back a few paces, and the music that had been playing gradually faded. The lights on the ceiling focused on Kang Woo-jin, and the temperature rose even more. All the screens and monitors in the hall displayed full shots and close-ups of Kang Woo-jin.

Meanwhile, Woo-jin in his tuxedo.

“······”

Silently, he looked down at the trophy in his hand. At the same time, the PD in front of the stage gestured to Kang Woo-jin. He was telling him to stand in front of the standing microphone and give his speech.

So, Woo-jin stood in front of the standing microphone with a poker face.

Looking straight ahead, he saw an incredible array of faces. Top actors, mega-directors, all of them were looking at him. It was a crazy sight. Why was this scene unfolding?

I don’t know, but.

-Sigh.

Kang Woo-jin first took a small breath into the microphone.

“Hoo-”

At that moment, Woo-jin thought. The speech doesn’t need to be long. Saying too much would create openings, and it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings. He couldn’t remember the prepared lines.

‘So, let’s start with thanks.’

He also needed a no-turning-back attitude on stage. Kang Woo-jin lowered his voice.

“Thank you to my parents, friends, fans, and the ‘Drug Dealer’ team.”

A brief silence. The broadcasting team frowned. What? Is that it? There was clear bewilderment. But fortunately, Woo-jin’s mouth slowly opened again.

“I’m not good with words.”

Another pause. Kang Woo-jin’s composed gaze slowly moved from the front, to both sides, as if scanning all the actors. In fact, at this moment, Kang Woo-jin was desperately trying to think of his speech. An impact? Or should he just thank them again and go down?

What would be good?

However, the actors felt a strange sensation at the sight of Woo-jin captured by the cameras.

“Somehow······doesn’t it look like that guy is looking around at the actors?”

“It does, doesn’t it?”

Kang Woo-jin made up his mind. Okay, a nuance of working hard in the future would be fine. A feeling of asking them to watch over him was a bonus. Kang Woo-jin, who had recalled a kind of ambition that added politeness and a strong front, murmured into the standing microphone.

“This year it’s the rookie award, but next year, I will hold the Best Actor Award in my hands. You can watch me.”

In an instant, the vast hall fell silent.

“······”

“······”

“······”

The busy broadcasting PD also blinked his eyes. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin didn’t forget to finish. A small bow to the hundreds of audience members in front. A bow to the actors who had given him the award. A bow to the host’s seat. The funny thing was that the pupils of everyone who received his bow dilated.

But Woo-jin, who didn’t know this.

-Sigh.

He began to walk off the stage with a composed face. The cameras quickly followed him. The eyes of hundreds of actors also followed him. Several actors who knew Kang Woo-jin, such as Hong Hye-yeon and Ryoo Jung-min, were covering their faces.

“Ha, I knew this would happen.”

“······What on earth did he do.”

Other actors couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

“What did he just say?”

“A warning? Didn’t he look around at us before his speech?”

“······Is he saying to be nervous because he’s coming for us?”

Some actors looked shocked. For example, Jin Jae-joon.

“If you experience Woo-jin-ssi directly… that speech will feel scary.”

Shim Han-ho chuckled to himself, unnoticed by anyone.

“Huh, he certainly has guts.”

Well, whatever, it didn’t reach Kang Woo-jin at all. Woo-jin, returning to his seat, was currently satisfied with his own words.

‘That’s it. The ambition and speech were simple and good. Yeah, passed.’

The problem was that it didn’t come across as ambition. Kang Woo-jin didn’t know that. Director Kwon Gi-taek, with a smile, did.

“I had momentarily forgotten… that Kang Woo-jin is a cocky, monstrous actor.”

“Hehehe, I never imagined he would openly declare his ambition to all the actors like that.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok murmured.

“Isn’t it like a first-year actor declaring war on the Korean entertainment industry?”

It wasn’t ambition, it was a declaration of war.

After that.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards, which had been silent for a moment after Kang Woo-jin’s rookie award, barely started moving again. After the New Female Actor Award, it was the Most Audience Award.

“Most Audience Award! Congratulations to ‘Drug Dealer’!”

After Kang Woo-jin, Director Kim Do-hee of ‘Drug Dealer’ raised the second trophy. Even then, the camera continued to focus on Kang Woo-jin. The actors around him also kept glancing at him.

Their gazes were not mixed with positivity.

Of course, Woo-jin was just maintaining his cynicism, which further fueled the atmosphere. Then, a congratulatory performance by a popular singer was held, and next was the order of short film awards.

And the Best New Director Award.

Finally, the last stop of the first part, the Popular Star Award, began. The interesting thing was.

-[‘Kang Woo-jin’ from Drug Dealer]

Following the rookie award, Kang Woo-jin’s name was also seen as a nominee this time. Moreover, unlike the rookie award, the other nominees were quite formidable actors.

So, what was the result?

“Popular Star Award!! Yes! Following the rookie award, it’s actor Kang Woo-jin!! Congratulations!”

Kang Woo-jin received it. A double win at the Blue Dragon. Moreover.

“······I never thought he would even receive the Popular Star Award.”

“Isn’t it the first time someone has received the rookie award and a double win at one film festival in their debut year?”

“There was no rookie who declared war in the first place.”

Today, Kang Woo-jin was writing several records. Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin’s speech on stage was short. Something like ‘Thank you’ and ‘My feelings are similar to when I received the rookie award.’ But this time too, he bowed politely everywhere.

That’s how the first part of the Blue Dragon ended.

During the break, fellow actors such as Hong Hye-yeon and Ryoo Jung-min approached Kang Woo-jin and murmured.

“Woo-jin-ssi, I understand what you’re thinking… but you should have been a little more restrained.”

“Well, but I guess this is more like Woo-jin-ssi?”

Jin Jae-joon also said.

“I thought it was refreshing and good. Well, you might get some glares from other actors in the future.”

After that, the second part of the Blue Dragon Film Awards began. The second part started with the staff awards, followed by the Best Supporting Actor and Actress Awards. Finally, the Best Actor and Actress Awards, which are called the flower of the film festival.

The Best Actor Award went to Jin Jae-joon.

Moreover.

“Best Film Award!! Congratulations to ‘Drug Dealer’!!”

The last award, the Best Film Award, also went to ‘Drug Dealer.’ As a result, this year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards was a party for ‘Drug Dealer.’ Of course, this wasn’t unprecedented. It wasn’t every year, but it was a scene that could be seen occasionally.

That’s how the grand Blue Dragon Film Awards came to an end.

But the heat continued even after the film festival ended. In particular, the reporters who had gathered were flashing their cameras like crazy at one actor who was leaving. It wasn’t Jin Jae-joon, the Best Actor.

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi!!! Kang Woo-jin-ssi!!”

“Please say something about your speech!!”

“Woo-jin-ssi!!”

“How do you feel about achieving a double win at the Blue Dragon for the first time in your debut year?!!”

“What were you thinking when you gave that speech!!!”

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi!!”

It was Kang Woo-jin.

At this time, Choi Sung-gun, who was in the passenger seat of the van to pick up Kang Woo-jin, let out a long sigh while looking at his phone.

“Ha, it blew up so fast, tsk.”

Even before Kang Woo-jin got into the car.

『[Film Festival] Injecting tension into the relaxed Korean entertainment industry, first-year Kang Woo-jin declares war with his speech, “I will receive the Best Actor Award next year”』

Kang Woo-jin’s articles were already all over the place.

End