I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 21

From the moment Kang Woo-jin arrived at the condo, his heart pounded relentlessly. His tension was through the roof. ‘Is this really where I’m supposed to be?’ he wondered. He’d been thrown into this unfamiliar place without any time to adjust.

Woo-jin tried his best to maintain a blank expression, but inside, it was a battlefield.

‘Stay calm. Don’t freak out, they’re all just people, right? I’m confident, I’m strong.’

He was desperately trying to control his mind to cover up his small-town self.

At least, thankfully,

“Hong Hye-yeon, when was this project confirmed for you?”

All the actors who recognized top actress Hong Hye-yeon and approached her didn’t pay any attention to Kang Woo-jin. It would have been strange if they had recognized him.

Thanks to that.

‘I should hide behind Hong Hye-yeon.’

He bought himself some time. Kang Woo-jin used Hong Hye-yeon as a shield and quietly focused on taking deep breaths. This condo was, in a way, a crucial location for Woo-jin’s act. There were hundreds of eyes watching.

‘They’re all top-tier pros when it comes to acting.’

All the big-name veterans were gathered here. He had maintained his persona well so far, but if he crumbled here, everything would go back to square one.

So, he had to be more alert than usual.

‘Ugh, damn it. Keep it together, keep it together.’

Honestly, at this moment, with the script reading right around the corner, Kang Woo-jin was betting his life more on his ‘persona’ than on ‘acting.’ It was around this time.

“Hong Hye-yeon, are you going to have a get-together after the reading today?”

A tall, handsome actor approached Hong Hye-yeon at the entrance of the large hall. As soon as Woo-jin saw him, he immediately recognized him.

‘Ah, Ryu Jung-min. He’s so damn handsome.’

It was Ryu Jung-min, the male lead of ‘Profiler Han-ryang,’ whom he had only seen in articles. He had seen many actors on his way here, but Ryu Jung-min’s aura was on another level. It was then that Ryu Jung-min brought up the topic of Kang Woo-jin, who was right next to him.

“Hey, did you see the actor playing Manager Park?”

Woo-jin almost raised his hand without thinking. He barely managed to stop himself.

‘That actor is right here, in front of you.’

The problem was.

“Oh, this guy’s got a good look for a manager? He’s handsome.”

Ryu Jung-min suddenly became interested in Kang Woo-jin. He suddenly called Woo-jin Hong Hye-yeon’s manager. What was this? Why was he making assumptions? However, Woo-jin focused on the compliment ‘handsome’ that came from Ryu Jung-min’s mouth.

‘Crazy. I almost laughed.’

Even if it was just a polite remark, he should be doing a shoulder dance when the nation’s boyfriend, Ryu Jung-min, called him handsome. But it didn’t end there. Ryu Jung-min took a step closer to Woo-jin and said,

“You should really try acting. It’s a waste of that face.”

Ah, but this guy is really handsome. He was even more so up close. A face that could pull off long hair without any issues. Even a guy could see that he was something else, so women must be going crazy. Kang Woo-jin found himself silently admiring Ryu Jung-min’s face. No, he was captivated.

“······”

Then, Ryu Jung-min muttered to Hong Hye-yeon as he pleased.

“This guy’s chic. He’s got an aura. Or is he nervous? Is he a newbie?”

It was a misunderstanding. Oh, this was really unintentional. Around this time, familiar faces appeared at the entrance of the hall. It was PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi, and Ryu Jung-min greeted Hong Hye-yeon and moved away.

Then.

“Woo-jin.”

Hong Hye-yeon tapped Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder and pointed to the middle of the ㅁ-shaped table.

“That’s the spot for the popular star, Manager Park. Well, you probably aren’t nervous, but don’t get intimidated.”

What? I’m incredibly nervous. Woo-jin took a long breath without showing it. Then, he checked the middle seat she had pointed out. Among the big-name actors, he could see the nameplate for the role of ‘Manager Park.’

-Swish.

Soon, Woo-jin started walking. To blend in among the hundreds of people. His heart, which had calmed down a bit, started pounding again. It felt like his heart was going to explode.

‘Wow, this is insane.’

In this situation, which he was experiencing for the first time, Woo-jin felt his fingertips tremble slightly. But there was no turning back now. And what he had to do was clear.

Mind control for the sake of bravado.

Kang Woo-jin walked step by step, chanting to himself. Thankfully, no one in the hall was paying attention to Woo-jin. When Woo-jin finally arrived at the seat for the role of Manager Park.

“PD, ah, what is this? The actor for Manager Park isn’t here. Are they not coming?”

“He’s here?”

PD Song Man-woo, with a smile, nodded his head while looking at Woo-jin. At that moment.

-Swish.

The gazes of hundreds of people in the hall focused on Kang Woo-jin. Oh, crap, just a second. Woo-jin froze. The eyes of dozens of actors, the whispering of the actors’ managers, the reporters tilting their heads, and so on.

Over a hundred people were demanding an answer from Kang Woo-jin.

Who are you?

Kang Woo-jin’s body and mind turned as white as a blank sheet of paper. What was funny was that in this situation where his reason had flown away, there was one clear command from his brain.

‘Screw it, I don’t know.’

Persona. No backing down. There was only one clear thing, without any trivialities. That’s how scary his habits were. So, Woo-jin could purely follow that, and he could make a cold expression while scanning everyone who was looking at him.

That lasted for a few seconds.

Woo-jin, who was slowly regaining his reason.

‘Ah, introductions.’

He spoke in a low voice.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin, playing the role of ‘Manager Park.'”

Soon, the huge hall, which had been filled with murmuring, became quiet. The atmosphere was strange. First, Kang Woo-jin thought he should sit down, so he pulled out a chair.

-Scrape.

In this huge reading room, only the sound of Woo-jin pulling out his chair echoed.

“······”

“······”

That heightened the concentration. Famous veteran actors with wide eyes, female actors who were doing well in variety shows, male actors whose recent movies had been box office hits, actors whose faces he knew but whose names he didn’t, and so on.

‘Ah, stop looking at me. I’m getting nervous.’

Woo-jin glanced at one of the actors and muttered to himself.

‘Ah, I bought a padded jacket after seeing that actor’s commercial.’

Hong Hye-yeon, who was in the front seat, was smirking to herself. It seemed like she was holding back a laugh. The male lead, Ryu Jung-min, was still looking at Woo-jin with wide eyes. A rather dumbfounded expression.

In any case, the hundred or so people in the hall were shocked in a different way.

Because an unheard-of actor was sitting in the role of ‘Manager Park,’ which they had been expecting. In fact, to everyone, Kang Woo-jin was no different from an ordinary person. So, it was natural that all the actors had confused expressions.

This was the same for the reporters and the manager teams who had come to the script reading.

Around that time.

“Alright, alright.”

PD Song Man-woo broke the silence in the hall.

“Everyone, you’ve all been curious about the actor for the role of Manager Park, Kang Woo-jin. You’ve all made eye contact, right?”

At this point, everyone’s attention, which had been focused on Kang Woo-jin, was withdrawn. Woo-jin let out a silent sigh of relief, and PD Song Man-woo continued with the script reading.

“We’ll do detailed introductions when we get into the reading. Everyone, open your scripts to part 1.”

-Flip, flip.

Soon, the flustered actors unfolded their scripts. While doing so, they glanced at Woo-jin and whispered.

“Who is that guy? Do you know him?”

“No, I’ve never seen him before. Is he unknown?”

“Unknown… he’s too unknown. I know a bit about the theater scene, but he’s completely unfamiliar.”

Everyone was the same.

“PD Song doesn’t usually cast unknowns or rookies, does he?”

“Exactly, and isn’t the role of ‘Manager Park’ a supporting role? Did he put an unknown in that role? That’s amazing.”

Of course, the actors sitting around Kang Woo-jin also greeted him.

“Nice to meet you, Kang Woo-jin? Have you done theater?”

“Hello, I haven’t done theater.”

“You have a good voice, is this your first project?”

“Yes. It’s my first project.”

Kang Woo-jin continued to act dignified. Since he didn’t know anything, his answers had to be as short as possible. However, this was evaluated differently by the surrounding actors.

“What’s with that stiff reaction? Has he already caught the star disease?”

“His look is decent… is that just his personality?”

“I was honestly looking forward to ‘Manager Park,’ but his acting seems a bit bland.”

“Still, PD Song cast him, so he must have the basics, right?”

“If he just has the basics, then it’s fine.”

Around this time, with PD Song Man-woo’s words.

“Let’s start with introductions.”

The script reading officially started.

After a while.

Introductions went around, starting with the production team and then the actors. There was more whispering during Kang Woo-jin’s introduction, but the introduction time ended without any issues.

The reading started with PD Song Man-woo’s stage directions.

“Scene #1. A mountain, morning. Police officers are scattered throughout the mountain.”

‘Profiler Han-ryang’ was a story set in 2010.

Although the writing wasn’t finished yet, the plan was to run for 16 episodes, with four episodes each for a total of four different episodes. Among them, ‘Manager Park’ was a major character in the first episode. He was also the character who would open the lid properly, piercing through the theme of the entire series.

In the first scene, the body of a man in his 50s is found in the mountains.

Here, the male lead, Ryu Jung-min, appears. He played the role of profiler ‘Yoo Ji-hyung.’ In the setting, he had the mind of a genius but was a free spirit by nature, so he was called Yoo Han-ryang [a person who lives freely].

Yoo Han-ryang speaks his lines as soon as he appears.

“Ah, the condition of the body is not good. I just had breakfast.”

Next to appear is Hong Hye-yeon. She played the role of the passionate detective ‘Jung Yeon-hee.’ In the setting, she was a tenacious detective who would chase after someone until they died once she got a hold of them.

As soon as Jung Yeon-hee sees Yoo Ji-hyung, she frowns.

“Why is Yoo Han-ryang here? Isn’t there anyone else?”

“Because there aren’t many profilers nationwide? If you want, Detective Jung can do it. I’m going to go get dessert.”

“Ha, this is ridiculous.”

The two bicker as if they already know each other. Other actors join in, leaving the male corpse behind. The atmosphere of the reading becomes lively in an instant. The actors, who were known for their acting skills, exchanged lines that they had analyzed in their own ways.

“What’s the estimated time of death?”

“It seems like last night.”

“What’s that red thing on his fingernails?”

“It’s nail polish.”

“Nail polish? What, is this old man’s hobby?”

All the actors were immersed in their own acting. It was just a reading, but it was quite intense. However.

‘Hmm-‘

Kang Woo-jin was watching the actors’ performances and tilting his head without showing it.

‘That actor. It seems like he just said his lines a bit carelessly.’

In his eyes, this place was not a reading room, but the world of ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ Part 1 was unfolding. Kang Woo-jin had already experienced the lives of each character directly. The character who had just spoken his lines, the character who was currently speaking, and the character who was preparing their lines.

In fact, he was the one who could give the most vivid performance in this reading room, more than any other actor.

‘No, you have to emphasize it there. He’s desperate, right? Why is he saying his lines so blandly?’

As expected.

“Tae-san, that line was bland. Let’s give it some emphasis.”

Just as Kang Woo-jin had felt disappointed, PD Song Man-woo pointed out the actor’s mistake calmly. Woo-jin reacted internally.

‘See? That actor’s expression was a bit strange from the beginning.’

At the same time, writer Park Eun-mi, who was wearing a headband, scolded Jang Tae-san, who played a supporting lead role.

“Tae-san, did you analyze the character properly? I don’t know why you’re so drained.”

“…I’m sorry, I was trying to analyze it differently. I’ll do it properly.”

Everything was as Kang Woo-jin had thought. Of course, he couldn’t know about the female characters. However, the role of Manager Park was mostly with male characters, so it didn’t matter much. Kang Woo-jin, who maintained a poker face, was full of tension, but he was also subtly learning how to enjoy the reading.

Comparing the acting of the actors with what he had experienced directly. Sometimes, he wanted to jump in and show them.

‘I almost said, ‘That’s not how you do it.”

It was like quietly playing in the dirt during a school assembly. Here, Woo-jin suddenly felt it. Ah, is this what it means to be greedy for a role? In the middle of ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ Part 1, a twist that shook the play occurred.

It started with the lines of profiler Yoo Ji-hyung.

“Take a look at this? Red nail polish, clothes stripped only on the upper body, a murder weapon, and the body posed neatly before it stiffened. There was a similar method in the past? Among the unsolved cases.”

It turned out that the method and technique of this murder were the same as those of a serial killer who had created five corpses in the past, which was still an unsolved case. Because of this, the whole country was turned upside down. Here are the lines of the female lead, Jung Yeon-hee.

“In 2004… he disappeared. But he’s back after six years?”

“It’s not certain yet, but his skills are exactly like that guy’s, right? It feels like a flashy comeback?”

“Comeback, my foot. But why now, all of a sudden?”

As they passed the middle of Part 1, the tension of the play gradually increased. Of course, perhaps because of the actors’ performances, the air in the reading room was hot.

It was at this time.

“Fade out.”

PD Song Man-woo turned a page of the script and pointed to the next character to appear.

“A quiet park. Ah, Woo-jin.”

In the mid-to-late part of Part 1. Manager Park makes his appearance.

“Manager Park’s first appearance is a solo performance without a partner, so just give it a feel. Just match the tone of the play.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll do it appropriately.”

However, Kang Woo-jin, who lacked knowledge, didn’t understand what ‘appropriately’ meant. How much was ‘appropriately’ in that guy’s words? Did he mean to reduce the expression by half? Or did he mean to do it roughly? He didn’t know, but Woo-jin roughly came to a conclusion.

‘Hoo- I’m nervous. Ah, whatever. Since I’m just sitting, I’ll minimize my movements and do the expression properly.’

This was the first time for Woo-jin to act in front of over a hundred people, especially in a place full of actors. His heart felt like it was going to explode, but he couldn’t show it. He had to act as composed and relaxed as possible. Since he didn’t know much, he became simple. Just think of the heavy Manager Park.

He focused solely on the experience of Manager Park that he had seen, felt, and taken on. ‘Appropriately’ reduce the movements a bit.

Thus, Kang Woo-jin, who had everyone’s attention and gaze focused on him, became Manager Park. It wasn’t like he was slowly getting into character. In an instant, Kang Woo-jin’s aura changed. This wasn’t a difficult process for Woo-jin.

He had read the script dozens of times, experienced it, understood it, and digested it.

Before he knew it, the scene in front of Woo-jin had changed. All the hundred or so people had disappeared, and a quiet park in the daytime unfolded. The hot temperature of the reading room became the sunlight, touching his skin. The temperature was warm.

Manager Park’s expression was gentle now.

It wasn’t just lively. Kang Woo-jin was simply Manager Park. No, it didn’t matter which one it was. They were already no different.

-Swish.

Manager Park raised his head. A smile spread across Manager Park’s gentle yet dry face. It was a strange expression. His eyes were deep, yet they had a subtle madness.

It was enough to cause discomfort.

At this moment, Manager Park, who had been staring at somewhere in the air, suddenly erased his expression. The strange smile from before was nowhere to be seen. It was stiff without a single wrinkle. Why? It was a change that made one tilt their head. Manager Park smiled again. It was different from before. Enough to show his teeth slightly.

There was a slight gap in the smile that was visible.

That gap was subtle, but it hid a meaning. There was no way that the veteran actors wouldn’t know this. The actors watching Manager Park’s performance were gradually opening their mouths. They had never seen such an expression anywhere.

Hong Hye-yeon, who was watching Manager Park so as not to miss a single thing.

‘He’s given up on being nervous, he’s overflowing with confidence. Rather, he’s even more… intense than before? It feels like he’s deepened somehow. How did he write Part 2? Ha, I want to see it quickly.’

Writer Park Eun-mi, who had created Manager Park.

‘In front of all these top actors… and it’s several times clearer than before. He’s crazy, he’s for real. Is he still developing??’

PD Song Man-woo, the general director, with his beard.

‘He probably doesn’t care about the gazes of a hundred people. His self-esteem is through the roof. Whatever it is, ah, I want to see it on the monitor right now, that.’

At this time, Manager Park lowered his head and then raised it again. Then, he scanned the actors. To the right, to the left. His movements were smooth yet captivating. The emotions he had built up made it impossible to take one’s eyes off him.

Soon.

-Swish.

Manager Park’s deep eyes landed on a certain point. It was the male lead, Ryu Jung-min, whose eyes were full of shock. No, to be exact, it was the area near him. Then, Manager Park slightly tilted his head, and while his face was stiff, he raised the corners of his mouth in an unnatural way.

He was smiling, but his eyes were still.

Murderous intent and pleasure. Expectation wrapped in those two things.

After staring at the area near Ryu Jung-min for a few seconds, Manager Park’s mouth opened slightly.

“Ah, there he is. You bastard.”

At this moment, the male lead, Ryu Jung-min, who had become Manager Park’s target.

“…Sociopath.”

He, who had experienced Kang Woo-jin for the first time, muttered to himself without realizing it.

“That’s what he calls ‘appropriately’?”

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