I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 218

It was 7 PM on Sunday, January 17th. Yoon Byung-sun PD, a titan of the entertainment industry, launched his new variety show, ‘Our Table.’ The channel was the cable network HTBS, not a terrestrial broadcast. However, these days, the lines between channels are blurred, and Yoon Byung-sun PD’s reputation alone was more than enough to overcome any disadvantage.

In any case, starting today, ‘Our Table’ would air every Sunday at 7 PM.

However, the ‘Our Table’ that started now was episode 0.

Although ‘Our Table’ was mainly about the United States, there were plenty of stories even during the preparation process. The full-fledged ‘Our Table’ episode 0 began with interviews of each member.

[“Hyung! Sit down, sit down.”]

[“Ha—I’m so sick of Yoon Byung-sun’s face. Can’t we just see each other once a year?”]

[“As expected. I like that you never change, hyung.”]

[“I hate you.”]

Starting with the figurehead Ahn Jong-hak, followed by Ha Kang-soo, Hong Hye-yeon, Hwa-rin, Yeon Baek-gwang, and finally Kang Woo-jin. After the formation of the members, the story of the team selection filmed at a snack bar and practice cuts followed. The main focus of this part was, of course, the kitchen team of Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon. Hong Hye-yeon’s clumsy cooking skills came first, followed by Kang Woo-jin’s dazzling skills.

Yoon Byung-sun PD’s unique editing and subtitles brought the scenes to life.

In the scene where the star chef, who was his mentor, mistook Woo-jin’s cooking for that of an actual chef, the real-time viewer chat room went wild. ‘Our Table’ was a feast for the eyes, ears, and taste buds.

In the latter half, a scene was also revealed where Kang Woo-jin created a creative menu at a professional level.

[“The name is, um—I think Seaweed Flake Buckwheat Noodles is good.”]

At this time, the viewer chat room was also buzzing. As a result, ‘Our Table’ episode 0 ended by showing the members boarding a plane to the United States.

The total running time was about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The viewers’ reactions after ‘Our Table’ ended were overwhelmingly positive. It was hard to find even a single negative comment.

-PD Yoon is… seriously so much fun…….

-lololol hahahaha I’m healed lololol it’s so fun!!

-Wait lololol is Kang Woo-jin’s personality always like that??? It’s so unique lololol but somehow it’s funny lololol

-It seems like watching Our Table on Sunday night and finishing the weekend would be perfect lololol so fun!!

-I fell for Kang Woo-jin’s wok skills the first time and then fell for his knife skills the second time

-Ha…. Bring the next episode right now!! I’m so happy that a good variety show has come out after a long time…

-I’m looking forward to the members’ chemistry lololol I knew about Ahn Jong-hak, and Ha Kang-soo and Yeon Baek-gwang are surprisingly clumsy lololol Hong Hye-yeon and Hwa-rin are so pretty! Kang Woo-jin doesn’t talk much but he’s like the center lololol

-Wait!! Am I the only one who wants to eat Seaweed Flake Buckwheat Noodles?? Where do they sell this???

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠso fun!! I want to see the reactions of people overseas quickly…

-Didn’t PD Yoon’s last variety show get about 12% ratings?? This one will probably get even better ratings lololol

-What is Kang Woo-jin lololololol what can’t he do???

At this time, the editing room of ‘Our Table’ at the cable channel HTBS entertainment department was like hell. Unreleased videos for YouTube, trailers, teasers, making-of, main episodes, etc., editing and meetings continued endlessly throughout the night.

Thanks to this, the faces of Yoon Byung-sun PD and the writers were etched with fatigue.

“How are the viewers’ reactions?”

“They’re going crazy right now!”

“Okay! Immediately release the prepared videos on YouTube and spread the articles!”

“Yes, PD-nim!”

The buzz about ‘Our Table’ was already rapidly spreading on the internet.

At this time, in Tokyo, Japan.

Around 8 PM, Kang Woo-jin was on his way to attend the closing ceremony and after-party of the ‘Tokyo Short Shorts International Film Festival.’ Of course, he was wearing a full suit. The location was Roppongi Tower in Minato-ku, Tokyo. It was a massive building and a complex tower where you could enjoy various attractions.

Woo-jin’s destination was the hall of a hotel inside that Roppongi Tower.

The hall was already filled with big shots and celebrities from the Japanese film and entertainment industry who had attended the ‘Tokyo Short Shorts International Film Festival,’ but Woo-jin, who entered the lobby, was expressionless.

Reporters who had gathered from the hotel entrance were frantically snapping photos, but.

“······”

Kang Woo-jin’s composed demeanor did not change. At that sight, dozens of Japanese reporters voiced various comments. They were puzzled, dumbfounded, or surprised.

“He’s very confident, isn’t he?”

“Is his expression always like that? It’s like a cold wind, a cold wind.”

“I heard there were some talks about him being arrogant in Korea. It seems to be true.”

“I think he looks fine? He really gives off the feeling that he could achieve a year of legend.”

Currently, Woo-jin was rapidly rising in popularity in Japan. It was natural that it was noisy since Kang Woo-jin suddenly appeared here. And Kang Woo-jin, who was passing by dozens of reporters, was secretly nervous.

‘Is this the Roppongi Tower? It’s so big. I want to go to other places too. Can I take a quick look around?’

He was in full tourist mode. It was also because there were so many people. However, all the big shots and famous people gathered here were just ordinary people to Kang Woo-jin. What does it matter if they are big in Japan? In Woo-jin’s eyes, they were just Japanese grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, and aunts. Just good-looking or pretty Japanese people in their 20s and 30s.

Then.

-Swish.

When Kang Woo-jin entered the hall where many big shots were gathered, a familiar Korean voice was heard from the side of the entrance.

“You’ve arrived.”

When he turned around, a Korean grandfather holding a wine glass in one hand. No, it was Director Ahn Ga-bok, wearing a loose suit, approaching. He was alone, whether he had been waiting for Kang Woo-jin or had just arrived.

“Are you overwhelmed?”

“No. I’m fine. Hello, Director.”

“Yes. Nice to see you.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok pointed to the table that was stretched out in a straight line in the middle of the hall. Food, snacks, champagne, and wine were plentiful.

“Wine? Champagne? Have something to drink.”

Woo-jin was drooling inwardly at the abundance of food, but.

‘Wow—damn, that sushi looks so delicious.’

He silently shook his head.

“I’ll have water.”

Since Woo-jin had a busy day today besides the interview schedule, he was tempted to have some alcohol, but he had to resist. Anyway, as Kang Woo-jin picked up a bottle of water placed near the liquor, Director Ahn Ga-bok continued.

“Look at these people, they’re all glancing at you while pretending not to.”

“······”

It was true. There were at least 200 people gathered in the hall, including famous directors and actors, and they kept glancing this way after Kang Woo-jin’s appearance. But no one had approached yet. At that sight, Director Ahn Ga-bok showed a wrinkled smile.

“Is it curiosity, or competitiveness? Either way, you’ve made a good impression.”

“I didn’t intend to.”

“If this industry only worked as intended, it would be heaven. It’s hell because it doesn’t. But you don’t seem nervous at all.”

“Should I be?”

“No, not at all. You can stir things up as much as you want. That’s your strength. Not paying attention to your surroundings, whether it’s in a foreign country or any environment.”

It was a misunderstanding. Kang Woo-jin was currently glancing at the sushi on the central table. Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had no way of knowing this, took a sip of wine and changed the subject.

“How about attending the audition for the movie ‘Leech’?”

“An audition, you say?”

“Hmm. It’s a request for you to be on the judging panel, but you can pass if you’re busy. But it would be a great help if you came.”

“······”

Woo-jin maintained a poker face, but inwardly he was startled.

‘Judging?? They want me to judge an actor audition?! What the hell is this???’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had made eye contact with the Japanese actors around him, met Woo-jin’s eyes.

“People around are talking about your career and how they see you. But in my opinion, your acting career is enough. It’s only been a year since your debut, but you’ve been studying acting on your own.”

“······”

“I can’t be sure, but Director Kwon Ki-taek thinks it’s been at least 10 years, maybe 15 years. I think similarly. It’s a problem to judge you as a rookie or a veteran. You should be seen as a new kind of human.”

Well, it was a familiar misunderstanding, so Woo-jin brushed it off.

“Can I just sit there without judging?”

“Yes. Actually, it would be enough if you just did that. More than anything, you dropped such a big bomb at the Blue Dragon Awards, so you need to show a corresponding performance, right?”

“I’ll think about it. If I have time, I don’t think it would be a problem.”

“Okay, thank you.”

At that moment.

“Woo-jin-ssi!”

Japanese suddenly intruded from nearby. It was a voice he had heard before. When he looked to the side, Director Kyotaro, with his short hair full of gray, was half-running towards him.

“Haha, it’s been a while. Actually, I’ve been watching you since earlier, but I was caught up over there, so I was late.”

Director Kyotaro, wearing a suit, smiled awkwardly and extended his hand, and Woo-jin took his hand and spoke in low Japanese.

“It’s alright, Director.”

“We’ll see each other on set in a few days anyway, but it’s still nice to see you. The crowd over there is also talking about you. No, most of the people here probably are.”

“Is that so?”

“Because you’re the hottest person right now.”

Director Kyotaro, who smiled meaningfully, made eye contact with Director Ahn Ga-bok. The two had already greeted each other at the film festival, and they had known each other from the start.

Whatever the case, from here.

“Um—hello, Kang Woo-jin-ssi.”

Japanese actors who had been constantly watching started to approach Kang Woo-jin. It seemed that Director Kyotaro’s joining had a big influence.

“Nice to meet you, Kang Woo-jin-ssi.”

“I enjoyed ‘The Playboy’ and ‘My Guy Friend.’ Nice to meet you for the first time.”

People gradually began to gather around Woo-jin. Top Japanese actors, famous directors, Japanese entertainment industry officials, and so on. Kang Woo-jin, surrounded by at least a dozen people, had to receive many greetings and questions.

Of course, the same was true for Director Ahn Ga-bok and Director Kyotaro.

Around this time, one fact was shared among the Japanese big shots.

“Ah… Director Ahn, you’re aiming for the Cannes Film Festival.”

The fact that Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin would participate in the Cannes Film Festival this year. This quickly spread to the top Japanese actors and directors in the hall. A strange tension quickly arose.

The reason was simple.

“Huh—I heard that Director Komuro is also submitting to this year’s Cannes Film Festival.”

“Director Masuzawa also started filming last month, right? This year’s Cannes Film Festival will be a battlefield.”

Many Japanese master directors were also aiming for Cannes.

The next morning.

Inside a large van driving on the roads of Tokyo. Choi Sung-gun, yawning widely, and Woo-jin’s team were busy with their respective tasks. Among them, Kang Woo-jin, wearing a gray coat, was absentmindedly looking out the window.

The van stopped in the outdoor parking lot of a large building.

The location was roughly near Tokyo Station.

Woo-jin, who got out of the parked van, took in the tall building in his eyes. The whole building was gray and looked more than 10 stories high. It was also wide sideways.

‘Wow—it’s definitely big.’

Around that time, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, who was next to him, nudged Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder.

“Let’s go, Woo-jin.”

Those who were moving were Choi Sung-gun, Kang Woo-jin, and a few staff members. A translation staff was also included. Soon, a huge statue installed in front of the building entrance greeted Kang Woo-jin. To be clear, it was a character from a famous animation. It was so well-known that even Woo-jin, who didn’t know much about anime, knew it.

And above the entrance, a dignified sign was hung.

-‘A10 Studio’

One of the top 3 largest animation production companies in Japan. It was also the place where Kang Woo-jin would have a meeting today, along with the animation of ‘My Guy Friend.’

As expected, ‘A10 Studio’ was extraordinary from the lobby.

‘This is amazing—is this a company? Isn’t it just a place that sells merchandise??’

Just like Woo-jin muttered inwardly, the first-floor lobby of the large production company ‘A10 Studio’ was filled with anime characters. Life-size standees were seen everywhere, and anime was being displayed on the many monitors in the lobby. The ceiling and walls were also a character paradise.

There was even a store that sold merchandise.

Wouldn’t this place be heaven for anime fans?

Kang Woo-jin, who was trying to maintain his indifference, couldn’t help but be amazed by the truly spectacular sight. Still, the staff of ‘A10 Studio’ who came to greet Kang Woo-jin’s team were ordinary.

“Hello, we’ve been waiting for you.”

A few male and female staff members in suits greeted Kang Woo-jin and took charge of the guidance. What was unusual was that all the staff members they passed by, including the information desk, elevators, and hallways, were openly staring at Kang Woo-jin. There were even quite a few female employees who were squealing.

The place where Kang Woo-jin’s team arrived was a large conference room on the 5th floor.

‘No, can you even call this a conference room??’

The conference room was also an anime character kingdom. From the books piled on the U-shaped desk to the glass doors, and the screen in front, characters were everywhere. It was kind of reluctant to sit down, but Kang Woo-jin somehow pulled out a chair and sat down.

Soon, as the staff who had guided them left, the BW Entertainment members clicked their tongues.

“Isn’t this place a bit chaotic? Even if it’s famous as an animation production company, I didn’t expect it to be this much.”

“Look at this, there are characters drawn on the chairs too.”

“It feels like we’re in Akihabara… you know? The place that’s super famous for animation.”

Kang Woo-jin agreed with silence.

At the same time.

-Swish.

The glass door with a female character drawn on it opened again, and different staff members came in than before. Two women and two men. But they had a different kind of aura. Woo-jin thought they were probably executives of ‘A10 Studio.’

After a brief greeting and exchange of business cards.

“Thank you, Kang Woo-jin-ssi. I was so nervous that I might not even get to meet you.”

The woman who introduced herself as the planning team leader smiled at Kang Woo-jin.

“Our company is in an uproar right now, we have a lot of fans of you.”

“Thank you, it’s an honor.”

“‘My Guy Friend’ was really fun.”

“I’m glad that the Japanese fans liked it.”

“Wow—I already knew, but how can you speak Japanese so well??”

Whether she was the mood maker or not, the meeting atmosphere quickly loosened, and A10 Studio handed a few tablets to Kang Woo-jin’s team. The front and back views of a male character were displayed on the screen. The female team leader explained who it was.

“This is the ‘Han In-ho’ character sheet. We referenced your appearance as much as possible.”

Tall height, black hair, strong features, and an indifferent expression. It was definitely similar to Kang Woo-jin. At this, Choi Sung-gun and the BW staff added a word each.

“It looks like you, Woo-jin-ssi.”

“Hmm. It does.”

“I think it’s well-made??”

On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin was a bit different.

‘Is this me? Nah—he’s too handsome??’

The character felt awkward. At this time, a male executive from A10 Studio continued the explanation.

“We’ll tell you the details later, but to get to the core right away. The ‘My Guy Friend’ animation is already in production. The goal is to launch it in July of this year. We are operating three teams to speed things up.”

That is, one team for episode 1, one team for episode 2, and one team for episode 3. This way, they could complete three episodes at the same time. It would be impossible for a small or medium-sized production company, but it was definitely possible for a large company like A10 Studio.

-Slide.

The female team leader of A10 Studio pushed a moderately thick stack of papers to Woo-jin.

“This is the official script for episode 1. There are some additions and omissions compared to the draft we sent you, but you can consider it final.”

There were changes, but the core was the same.

Woo-jin, with a silent face, received the script and checked the cover. The title was engraved in Japanese.

-‘My Guy Friend Remake’

-Episode 1

-A10 Studio

However, Kang Woo-jin’s gaze was fixed on something else rather than the title. It was the black square attached to the side of the script, and Woo-jin secretly raised his index finger.

-Poke.

His vision quickly changed from the character-filled conference room to a subspace where only darkness existed. It was only then that Woo-jin, who had been maintaining a stoic concept, stretched and moved his feet.

“Augh! First—let’s check the grade.”

Among the many white squares floating around, he checked the newly added ‘My Guy Friend Remake.’ Soon, Woo-jin chuckled.

“Oh—”

-[10/Script (Title: My Guy Friend Remake), S Grade]

-[*This is a very high-quality animation script. 100% reading is possible.]

It was a result that showed a high probability of being a big hit. Then, Woo-jin, maintaining a smile, selected the white square of ‘My Guy Friend Remake.’

-[You have selected 10/Script (Title: My Guy Friend Remake).]

Soon, the white square listed the characters that could be read (experienced). Kang Woo-jin naturally chose the male lead. Honestly, he was more curious about the world of the 100% completed animation than the reading (experience) of the animation. Curiosity.

The animation world of the previous draft was shocking even though the implementation was only 50%. It was also fun.

“How much will it change at 100%?”

However.

[“······”]

A robot-like woman offers silence. It was a very familiar atmosphere. Soon, her voice echoed throughout the subspace.

[“Abilities beyond the basic specs are detected. ‘Piano’ will be acquired first.”]

He didn’t expect this? No, it wasn’t like this last time?

“Wait a minute, piano?”

However.

[“Preparing for ‘Piano’ reading······”]

[“······Preparation complete. Starting ‘Piano’ reading.”]

The huge gray covered Kang Woo-jin in an instant.

End