I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 207

After the Blue Dragon Film Awards ended, the attendees split into two groups. One group headed to the after-party prepared by the film festival at the resort hotel restaurant, and the other group didn’t.

The group going to the after-party moved directly to the restaurant near the hall.

On the other hand, the group not going to the after-party moved towards the red carpet in front of the hall. Numerous vans and minivans were busily picking up the actors who had finished their schedules. Around them, hundreds of reporters, as if they had been waiting for this moment, frantically pressed their camera shutters.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

Of course, there were still many onlookers. Fans shouting the names of their beloved actors, internet broadcasters or YouTubers who came for content, and so on. Meanwhile, at the red carpet photo zone near the hall, interviews with the actors who had won awards that day were in full swing.

“Jin Jae-joon-ssi! You won the Best Actor Award today, did you expect it?!”

“No, not at all.”

“How was your chemistry with Kang Woo-jin in ‘Drug Dealer’!”

“It was impressive. Memorable.”

It was a photo zone that many had already passed through. Well, whether or not to do an interview is up to the actors, but most do it if they can. Each of these things directly leads to promotion the next day and increases the scale of the impact. It also helps with their image.

Conversely, it’s the reporters’ choice whether to put effort into the articles.

What’s interesting is that the reporters currently conducting interviews with various actors keep glancing at the entrance of the hall. Their minds were elsewhere. They were waiting for the true headline-maker of today’s Blue Dragon Film Awards.

‘Where is Kang Woo-jin???’

‘When is Kang Woo-jin coming out?’

‘Did he slip out through another door?’

It was Kang Woo-jin.

A super rookie who, in just one year since his debut, had won the Best New Actor Award and the Popular Star Award at the nation’s largest film festival. But today, the reporters were targeting Woo-jin for a different reason. It was because of the extraordinary acceptance speech and demeanor Woo-jin had shown at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

At that moment.

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

The reporters went wild upon discovering Kang Woo-jin in his tuxedo emerging. They were like hungry beasts. They all shouted Woo-jin’s name at the top of their lungs.

On the other hand, Woo-jin, the person of interest, was completely calm.

“······”

He silently looked at the reporters gathered at the photo zone for a moment before slowly approaching. In fact, it wouldn’t have been a problem if he had just passed by, but Choi Sung-gun had repeatedly asked him to do one thing: to do at least a short interview after the film festival.

Therefore, even amidst the chaotic atmosphere, Kang Woo-jin thought.

‘Ugh—damn, it’s so dazzling.’

He stood in front of the frenzied reporters. Because of that, other actors passing by glanced at him, whispering. Not with good intentions. Regardless, the overheated hyenas, no, the reporters’ shouts poured onto Kang Woo-jin.

“You won two awards at the Blue Dragon!! How do you feel?!”

“Your expression seemed so-so when you went to receive the award! Did you perhaps expect it?!”

“Weren’t you nervous today?!”

“What were you thinking when you gave your acceptance speech?!”

Ah, my ears hurt. Woo-jin, with a cynical face, wondered if the reporters in front of him were crazy. Still, his mindset was 180 degrees different from when he first entered the film festival.

He felt a bit more relaxed, perhaps?

Thanks to that, his vision was broad. It was only now that the world around the red carpet properly entered Woo-jin’s eyes. A large tree had been set up behind the reporters who were shouting.

‘It’s big—’

It wasn’t just the tree. The film festival had put a lot of effort into it, as colorful lights were hung on the nearby trees as well. Christmas was two days away. And the end of the year. Woo-jin’s gaze, as if the moment had turned into slow motion, slowly moved.

The lights of the densely packed apartments could be seen in the distance.

Would the people living there be watching this? Ah—what was I doing around this time last year? Right, I was drinking and partying with my friends, wrapping up the year. Woo-jin had also watched film festivals and award ceremonies on TV back then, saying it was another world. It was just a topic of conversation with his friends.

But now, he was standing in that world.

It was glamorous and luxurious. Hundreds of reporters were flashing their cameras, and behind him were top actors. They even acknowledged Woo-jin.

One year. A period that was both long and short.

In any case, Kang Woo-jin of today was standing here.

‘Life is truly—’

Before coming to this world, Woo-jin lived a repetitive life. Going to work and coming home. But it wasn’t lacking. It was just that his mind had adapted to life, and because it had become dull, it just felt repetitive.

It was a life that was valuable enough.

Back then, Kang Woo-jin was a man who knew his place well. But now, his one word was becoming the topic of hundreds of reporters’ articles. It was becoming the headline.

“Your acceptance speech was unique!! Was it a prepared statement?!!!”

“It also sounded like a declaration of war! Was it just showmanship?!!”

Kang Woo-jin felt a strange emotion, but with the mindset of enjoying what had already happened, he made his persona even stronger. These kinds of misunderstandings or misinterpretations were minor. Soon, Kang Woo-jin murmured lowly towards the swarming reporters.

“No, it was sincere.”

Behind him.

Just as the camera flashes were hitting Kang Woo-jin like lightning, a large man approached Woo-jin. It was Jang Su-hwan, who had been instructed by Choi Sung-gun.

“Ah, ah! I’m sorry! We have our next schedule!! Let’s go, hyung [older brother/male friend].”

“Okay.”

Jang Su-hwan, quickly shielding Woo-jin’s side profile, increased his pace. The reporters followed suit, and Kang Woo-jin barely managed to get into the waiting van. The stylists were nowhere to be seen.

-Clunk!

As soon as Woo-jin got in, Jang Su-hwan, who was in the driver’s seat, stepped on the accelerator. The van started moving. As they moved further away from the red carpet, the man with a ponytail sitting in the passenger seat turned his body to the back. It was Choi Sung-gun.

“Ha—Woo-jin-ah.”

He, who was wearing a suit for the first time in a while, let out a long sigh as he looked at Woo-jin in his tuxedo. His expression was ambiguous. It was hard to tell if he was smiling or gloomy.

“You caused another stir, didn’t you?”

Ah, sorry. I was just trying to express my ambition moderately. Internally, he apologized, but Woo-jin’s face remained calm.

“It was what I wanted to say.”

“I know, I know. But for a rookie actor who just received the Best New Actor Award to suddenly declare that he would receive the Best Actor Award next year······”

Jang Su-hwan, who was driving, cut in with a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha! As expected of Woo-jin hyung!! You gave an acceptance speech that will go down in the history of the Korean entertainment industry!”

“Hey, watch the road.”

“Yes, sir!”

Choi Sung-gun, scratching his ponytail, let out a small breath again.

“Hoo—well, it’s true. It’s the first time that someone has won two awards at the Blue Dragon in their debut year, and that the actor has declared in front of hundreds of top actors that he will receive the Best Actor Award next year. Your acceptance speech was just like you—you know? The entertainment industry is a jungle, and there will be many actors and people in the industry who don’t look at you favorably?”

What can I do? I already said it. Woo-jin replied nonchalantly.

“I don’t care.”

Suddenly, Choi Sung-gun chuckled.

“Hehe, yeah, yeah. But because it’s you, it’s thrilling and fun.”

Jang Su-hwan cut in again.

“It’s seriously cool!! And isn’t it 100% possible that you will achieve what you declared in your speech today?!”

“I know. Just watch the road.”

Choi Sung-gun, giving a thumbs up, made eye contact with Woo-jin.

“The reason your declaration is thrilling is because it’s not just crazy bravado. What’s the big deal if you get some criticism? The entertainment industry is boring if it’s too bland.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. You’ve definitely created some buzz.”

Soon, Choi Sung-gun showed his phone.

“Whether it’s criticism or whatever, you’ll probably absorb all the attention.”

On the phone screen, a fresh article that had just been released was displayed.

“Since it’s already out there, let’s go with that concept for the rest of the year.”

In reality, the power of Kang Woo-jin’s declaration was truly enormous.

『Kang Woo-jin, who won two awards at the Blue Dragon, declares he will win the Best Actor Award next year in his acceptance speech』

『[Star Talk] Kang Woo-jin, who turned the Blue Dragon Film Awards upside down, warns his senior top actors, “I will receive the Best Actor Award next year”』

Even though the Blue Dragon Film Awards had just ended, articles were already being published. It was natural. At a party of this scale, the on-site and desk staff were divided.

『[Photo] Kang Woo-jin, as if he had expected the ‘Best New Actor Award,’ calmly walks onto the stage / Photo』

All the articles had Kang Woo-jin’s name on them.

『“The Best Actor Award next year is mine,” Kang Woo-jin, who debuted this year, shows fearless confidence』

『[Film Festival] Where does this confidence come from… Kang Woo-jin of ‘Drug Dealer’ declares he will win the Best Actor Award in his second year』

From Woo-jin’s appearance on the red carpet to his appearance on the stage of the Blue Dragon Film Awards. And the controversial acceptance speech, and finally, the brief interview with the reporters at the photo zone.

『[Issue is] When asked if his acceptance speech was showmanship, Kang Woo-jin replies, “It was sincere,” a straightforward answer』

The impact of this unprecedented situation, which no actor in the history of the Korean entertainment industry had ever done, was by no means small.

Since it came from Kang Woo-jin, who was already a headline-maker, the impact was multiplied. Of course, it wasn’t that there was no mention of other actors, such as Jin Jae-joon, who won the Best Actor Award.

『[Blue Dragon Film Awards] This year’s Best Actor Award goes to Jin Jae-joon of ‘Drug Dealer’』

As expected, the reporters were intoxicated with the thrill of dissecting, tearing apart, and analyzing.

『“Jin Jae-joon, be nervous,” Kang Woo-jin, a rookie in his first year, creates tension for his senior actors』

Whether it was reporting on Kang Woo-jin’s news, criticizing him, or even baseless rumors, any kind of article about Woo-jin was endlessly generated. The situation became even more explosive when the 23rd, the day of the Blue Dragon Film Awards, turned into the early morning of the 24th.

And the morning of the 24th, Christmas Eve, was the peak.

The articles had been published everywhere throughout the night, and the public opinion and various media outlets that had confirmed them added fuel to the fire. It started with the radio.

“Did you watch the Blue Dragon Film Awards yesterday?? It was huge, wasn’t it? It was a feast for the eyes.”

“That’s right, it had a Christmas atmosphere. But Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech was the highlight, wasn’t it?”

“Hahaha, I know, I know. As soon as I saw it, I thought, ‘This is going to be a huge topic tomorrow.’”

“It’s actually a big deal. Woo-jin-ssi is a very unique actor, isn’t he? It’s not just that he won two awards at the Blue Dragon right after his debut, but he always creates a buzz.”

It also appeared on the morning news of the three major terrestrial broadcasting stations. The news covered the entire Blue Dragon Film Awards, but they inserted Kang Woo-jin’s bold acceptance speech between the anchors’ comments.

The hype was intensifying.

By lunchtime, the Blue Dragon Film Awards had spread to various video platforms, including YouTube. Whether it was the official video uploaded by the film festival or edited versions uploaded by numerous YouTubers.

-!Hot Clip! Kang Woo-jin Compilation from the Blue Dragon Film Awards｜Wrecker Issue K

-Kang Woo-jin’s short and powerful acceptance speech lolololol Form is crazy!!!｜Precious 10 Minutes TV

-Headline King Kang Woo-jin did it again!! Snapshots from the Blue Dragon Film Awards!!｜Power News Man

More than 70% of the videos were related to Kang Woo-jin. Short edited versions that only included Woo-jin’s acceptance speech had already exceeded 3 million views.

The comments were, of course, in turmoil.

-His ego is insane

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋNo wayㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋWhatㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋWasn’t this staged?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Declaring war so openlyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋThe actors in front of him are so dumbfoundedㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Kang Woo-jin is hopeless, so rude

-I agree, I agree. No matter how confident you are, doing that is too much

-???: Give me the Best Actor Award, the Best New Actor Award isn’t as appealing

-I became a fan because of my guy friend… Isn’t this too much, oppa [term of endearment for older brother/male friend]???

-Why are you all making a fuss?ㅋㅋㅋㅋThe rookie’s spirit is so good to seeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋIt’s so refreshing, I had to change my underwear

-Honestly, with Kang Woo-jin’s current form, isn’t it possible for him to win the Best Actor Award next year??? He’s the lead in Ahn Ga-bok’s movie???

-?????????Is this real????????????

-Seriously, Kang Woo-jin took the lead and dropped a nuclear bomb on the Korean actor sceneㅋㅋㅋㅋDon’t let the bad actors come out

-Kang Woo-jin is crazyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Lead in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s movie, lead in Director Kyotaro’s movie, lead in Director Ahn Ga-bok’s movieㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋCrazy for a reasonㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-It looks like Kang Woo-jin will fail soon too

·

·

·

·

Shock, surprise, and criticism were rampant. The public’s reactions were clearly divided. This was the same on Woo-jin’s social media and YouTube channel, ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character.’

But on the other hand.

『‘Bomb Declaration’ Kang Woo-jin, fans rapidly increase on social media and YouTube channels in one day』

His number of subscribers and followers exploded suddenly. This situation continued throughout the 24th, and on the 25th, Christmas Day, Kang Woo-jin’s name could be heard everywhere offline.

In the broadcasting industry, of course.

“Does Kang Woo-jin really have a backer?? How great is he that he’s acting like this?”

“I know. What’s the point of being good at acting? He has no manners.”

“He’s probably acting up because he trusts his backers, Director Kwon Ki-taek and Director Ahn Ga-bok.”

“It’ll be fun to watch him fall on his face.”

It was the same from the mouths of many people outside of cafes.

“Did you see Kang Woo-jin drop a bomb??”

“Yeah. He seems like a real crazy guy.”

“No, but he really seems a bit crazy. But isn’t he also so likable?”

“What? I just don’t like him.”

“He’s confident, not like a typical rookie. It’s kind of captivating.”

Clearly, the number of negative comments had increased compared to before. But more than that, Kang Woo-jin’s influence was growing significantly.

『[Issue Talk] Whether positive or negative, super rookie ‘Kang Woo-jin’s’ recognition is exploding!』

All this just from one Blue Dragon Film Awards.

On the 26th, in the afternoon. At a famous cultural center in Seoul.

It had been three days since the Blue Dragon Film Awards ended. But here, a similar red carpet procession was taking place.

“Eun-jung-ssi!! Please wave your hand once!!”

The scale was slightly smaller than the Blue Dragon, but there were plenty of reporters gathered, and many actors in tuxedos and dresses could be seen. What was unique was that there were quite a few actors who weren’t seen at the Blue Dragon.

In front of the entrance where they were entering, a large billboard was installed, and on the billboard, a bold title was engraved.

-‘The 56th Grand Bell Awards’

It was because the Grand Bell Awards, one of the three major film festivals in Korea, following the Blue Dragon, was being held here today. And the reporters filming the actors’ procession were all saying similar things.

“Ah—damn, when is Kang Woo-jin coming?”

“He’s not not coming, is he? Did his agency cut him off?”

“No way, that can’t be. He got some criticism, but his buzz is insane. There’s no way CEO Choi would be stupid enough to stop that?”

“I guess. But Kang Woo-jin is nominated for two awards at the Grand Bell Awards, right? If he wins an award today, will he declare war again?”

“Hehe, I’m looking forward to it.”

It was then.

“Ah!! Kang Woo-jin is here!! Woo-jin-ssi!! Please say anything!!”

Kang Woo-jin had arrived at the Grand Bell Awards. His second film festival. But Woo-jin, wearing a navy tuxedo.

“······”

He just greeted them appropriately and didn’t say anything to the hundreds of reporters.

Several tens of minutes later.

Kang Woo-jin’s name echoed in the large hall of the cultural center, where the Grand Bell Awards were being held, and where many actors were gathered, just like at the Blue Dragon.

“The Best New Actor Award at the 56th Grand Bell Awards! Kang Woo-jin of ‘Drug Dealer’! Congratulations!!”

Woo-jin was presented with his third trophy, following the Blue Dragon. This time, Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech was also unusual.

“Thank you, next year I will produce results that will silence the current controversies.”

But this wasn’t the end. After several award categories had passed, Kang Woo-jin’s name was called again in the second part of the Grand Bell Awards.

“The New Wave Award! Wow—this person is really causing a stir this year! Kang Woo-jin-ssi!!”

It was his fourth award.

End