I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 226

On Han Ye-jeong’s phone screen, specifically the YouTube video playing, Choi Sung-gun’s mind, with his signature ponytail, was instantly flooded with complex thoughts.

-【Exclusive Scoop!!】Kang Woo-jin, the Sensation Actor!! Secretly Already Screen-Tested for a Hollywood Movie?! Hollywood Entry Just Around the Corner! (Decisive Evidence Obtained!)｜Fact Guys

-View Count 410,000

It had only been an hour since the video was uploaded, yet the view count had already surpassed 400,000. Why? How did this even get out? Both Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun had completely forgotten about this incident. Yet, it had suddenly resurfaced. At that moment, Han Ye-jeong asked in her usual calm tone,

“Isn’t this just typical tabloid fodder?”

For context, very few people knew about the ‘Last Kill 3’ screen test. At most, it was Kang Woo-jin himself, Choi Sung-gun, and the two interpreters who were present at the time. Most of Han Ye-jeong and Woo-jin’s team were completely in the dark about this.

It was a confidential matter, and it was better that it remained that way.

“······”

Regardless, Choi Sung-gun didn’t respond. Instead, he pulled out his phone and opened YouTube. He searched for the video he had just seen, naturally. The channel of the YouTuber who uploaded it was quite popular, boasting 1.95 million subscribers. Looking through their videos, it seemed like a mixed bag. They posted news with controversies, incidents, exposés, and anything else that might grab attention.

The video upload frequency wasn’t high, but each video had a very high view count, usually between 500,000 and 1 million.

Soon.

-Swish.

With a serious expression, Choi Sung-gun tapped to play the Kang Woo-jin video that had been uploaded an hour ago. The video started playing on his phone, and Han Ye-jeong repeated,

“But it’s a bit strange for a tabloid story.”

“What is?”

“The content is quite detailed, isn’t it? Plus, there’s a photo of Woo-jin *oppa* [an affectionate term for an older brother or male friend] at a production company in LA. It doesn’t look like a fake.”

Indeed, the video began with a photo of Woo-jin inside a Hollywood production company. The presence of numerous foreign staff was a bonus. Below it was a caption that read ‘Winner Movie Pictures.’ Then, the screen changed, and a man wearing a wolf mask began to speak.

[“We have exclusively obtained information that actor Kang Woo-jin, who has become a sensation in the Korean entertainment industry within a year of his debut, has even undergone a screen test for a Hollywood movie. According to our sources, it seems that Hollywood movie officials contacted Kang Woo-jin first, rather than the other way around.”]

Choi Sung-gun, who was watching the video, thought,

‘Huh—it seems like they actually got some real information?’

He concluded that this YouTuber hadn’t just fabricated the video out of thin air.

[“The movie company that contacted Kang Woo-jin, ‘Winner Movie Pictures,’ is a mid-to-large-sized company in Hollywood. Many Hollywood stars have worked with them, and they are currently filming several projects. The ‘screen test’ mentioned in the video is similar to an audition but slightly different in nature. It’s a process just before formal casting, and in Hollywood, getting to this screen test is very difficult.”]

[“Many famous top Korean actors have tried to break into Hollywood. However, they all fail and return without even making it to the screen test. Very few top actors from Korea have succeeded in Hollywood. But since Kang Woo-jin was directly contacted by Hollywood and has completed the screen test, it seems that his entry into Hollywood is imminent. This is unprecedented for an actor who debuted only a year ago and almost unbelievable.”]

Later, this YouTuber called ‘Fact Guys’ added that the reason Kang Woo-jin hadn’t announced it yet was either because he was keeping his Hollywood entry a secret or because he had declined due to his hectic schedule. However, he didn’t seem to know the movie title ‘Last Kill 3.’ Still, most of the comments were based on facts rather than speculation.

The comments were wild.

-OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

-Wow… Is this for real?? Then is Kang Woo-jin really going to Hollywood after only one year since his debut? LOLOLOLOL

-100% BS

-The evidence is pretty solid for a tabloid story? That photo is definitely Hollywood LOLOLOL

-Wow!!! Hollywood!! Kang Woo-jin is world-class!!! My national pride is at max!!!

-That’s such BS… Winner Movie is a mid-tier company in Hollywood LOLOLOL Would they hire a one-year-old Korean actor????

-OMG Kang Woo-jin is on fire

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The general reaction was one of national pride and excitement. Of course, there were also quite a few comments expressing disbelief. Regardless, Choi Sung-gun quickly accessed a portal site to check if any articles related to the video had been published.

‘Not yet—?’

Perhaps because the video had only been uploaded recently, there were no immediately noticeable articles. But it was only a matter of time. It was a scoop about Kang Woo-jin, no less.

It was clear that this news would soon cause a sensation in the country.

Around that time.

“Representative.”

Han Ye-jeong asked Choi Sung-gun again.

“Is there anything to worry about?”

Though she didn’t show it, there was concern in her voice. Choi Sung-gun, scratching his ponytail slightly, put down his phone and replied,

“No. There’s nothing to worry about. Regardless of the truth of this video, it’s honestly beneficial for Woo-jin.”

He was referring to the increase in Kang Woo-jin’s brand value. Woo-jin was already dealing with high-profile issues, and there were many big names around him. If the Hollywood connection was added to that, his current aura would be amplified.

‘If we had leaked it, it would be annoying, but we’re innocent, right?’

There was no way that the composed Kang Woo-jin would have done something like this. Then, Choi Sung-gun instructed Han Ye-jeong to tell the team to keep quiet about this video. They wouldn’t know anything, but they shouldn’t talk about it outside. Of course, Choi Sung-gun immediately called BW Entertainment and conveyed a similar message.

BW Entertainment was simply told to keep their mouths shut.

Around this time, Choi Sung-gun’s phone started vibrating intensely. It was an editor from a media company. The domestic media was starting to catch wind of it. But ignoring the calls, Woo-jin passed by the ‘Familiar Stranger’ staff, who were very busy, and entered the tent where the lead actors were gathered. The number of actors who had arrived in the meantime had increased.

Woo-jin was silently talking to them, and then.

“Woo-jin.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had called Kang Woo-jin in a whisper, gestured for him to come out. Woo-jin, following his representative indifferently, asked in a low voice,

“Is something the matter?”

After walking a few steps away from the tent, Choi Sung-gun, looking around, showed Woo-jin his phone.

“First, watch this video.”

Shortly after.

Amidst the dozens of ‘Familiar Stranger’ staff running around the schoolyard, Kang Woo-jin, standing at the edge of the large tents that had been set up in a row, put down Choi Sung-gun’s phone.

He too had watched the ‘Fact Guys’ video to the end.

Of course, he had also roughly checked the comments. Woo-jin’s expression, as he handed the phone back to Choi Sung-gun, remained cynical. But internally, he was quite surprised.

‘What is this? How did this YouTuber find out about this?? I haven’t told anyone. Then, did that Hollywood production company leak it? It was supposed to be top secret?’

No, it was closer to being absurd. They had made such a fuss about keeping it quiet during the screen test. Then, just in case, Woo-jin asked Choi Sung-gun, who was standing in front of him in a long padded coat,

“Was this perhaps Representative…”

“It wasn’t me. And it wouldn’t be you either.”

“Is that so?”

If it wasn’t either of them, where was the source? Then, Kang Woo-jin turned around, thinking, ‘Well, does it matter?’ It wasn’t an act. It was Kang Woo-jin’s natural self. His laziness had kicked in.

“Then, we don’t need to worry about it, do we?”

“Ah—well, yeah. I’m just trying to figure out the situation.”

“If it wasn’t us, it must be that Hollywood movie company.”

“‘Winner Movie Pictures’? They wouldn’t gain anything… But aren’t you too calm? You’re making me lose my energy.”

“If there’s no problem, just ignore it.”

“Okay, okay. But in an hour? Maybe sooner. Korea is going to be in an uproar over this.”

“I don’t care.”

So what? They had already revealed ‘Last Kill 3’ anyway. Woo-jin had learned one thing about the media while working in the entertainment industry. When there was no point in responding, silence was the best approach.

It was then.

‘Huh?’

Among the ‘Familiar Stranger’ staff, a group of foreigners standing on one side of the schoolyard caught Kang Woo-jin’s eye. To be specific, it was the brown-haired woman among them. He definitely knew her. Soon, Woo-jin pointed at her with his index finger.

“That woman—”

Choi Sung-gun, who had also thought he had seen her somewhere, immediately agreed.

“Yeah. I saw her suddenly today. I’ve been thinking her face looked familiar… Do you happen to know her?”

“She was at the ‘Last Kill 3’ screen test.”

“Ah.”

“She said she was the casting director. I remember her talking to me at the end of the test.”

In that instant, a lightbulb went off in Choi Sung-gun’s head.

“That’s right. I saw her there. To be exact, she must be the casting director from ‘Winner Movie Pictures.’ I did receive a call, but I only saw her face briefly, so my memory is hazy.”

“But why is that woman here?”

“That’s the question. Why would people from Hollywood be in Japan— But is it a coincidence that they’re here when the video of your screen test surfaced?”

Strange, isn’t it? It’s too much of a perfect fit for a coincidence. Woo-jin, who had muttered to himself, stared at the group of foreigners for a moment before suddenly starting to walk. He heard Choi Sung-gun’s voice asking where he was going from behind, but Kang Woo-jin’s feet didn’t stop.

Well, isn’t it? In these situations, it’s best to just ask directly. Striding forward. A no-nonsense walk, so to speak.

This too was more of Kang Woo-jin’s natural self than a show of strength.

And so.

-Swish.

With a poker face, Kang Woo-jin passed through dozens of staff members and arrived in front of the group of foreigners. The foreigners, sensing his presence, noticed Woo-jin standing close by. They seemed quite surprised, but the brown-haired foreign woman, or rather, the casting director Megan Stone, showed a relaxed smile.

“Oh, Mr. Kang Woo-jin? Nice to meet you. I knew you were here, but I didn’t want to greet you rashly.”

Woo-jin, hearing the English, also greeted her casually.

“Hello.”

Soon, the ‘Familiar Stranger’ staff around them glanced at Kang Woo-jin. Seeing this, Megan Stone moved a little closer to Woo-jin and said in a low voice,

“It’s better if no one knows about our connection. How about we talk separately later?”

“You’re the ones who came looking for me.”

“That’s right. I have a bit of a connection with the director here. I came to Japan for work, and while I was here, I decided to visit the director’s set. Of course, I knew you were here.”

Is that so? Well, that’s that. Woo-jin took out his phone and showed it to her.

“This is a video that just surfaced on YouTube in Korea.”

Then, he explained in a low tone,

“It contains information about my screen test for ‘Last Kill 3.’ Did your side leak it? I heard it was confidential.”

The eyes of the foreigners around them, who were listening to his fluent English, suddenly widened. Megan Stone’s reaction was particularly intense.

“······This video is revealing that?”

“Yes.”

“Th-that can’t be.”

“So, it wasn’t your side either?”

“No, not at all.”

Megan Stone, clearly flustered, spoke with her team and then made a call somewhere. She seemed a bit urgent. Well, Woo-jin, thinking that was enough, silently watched her and then turned around. Choi Sung-gun was standing a few steps away.

“What did she say?”

Kang Woo-jin’s answer was low and simple.

“It seems like we can just ignore it.”

Around this time, in LA.

It was morning in Japan, but it was afternoon here. The location was Hollywood in LA. Specifically, it was where a massive movie studio was located. It was more like an amusement park than a movie studio. Inside, there were companies as well as huge sets.

A black van was parked at the entrance of the movie studio.

Then, a man who passed through the entrance caught the eye. He was a black man with a tall, almost giant-like stature. A muscular body. It was Joseph Felton, a famous Hollywood producer. He got into the van that was waiting for him, as if he had finished his work.

The car immediately departed.

Inside the van, there were about four or five people, and a bald foreigner, who was Joseph’s subordinate, reported to Joseph Felton, who was holding a tablet.

“Joseph, a video of Kang Woo-jin has surfaced in Korea. About an hour ago.”

Joseph, smiling slightly, nodded.

“It’s later than I expected, but the timing isn’t bad. What’s the content?”

“I need to get it translated properly, but most of the information we sent is included. But—Joseph. Is it okay to do this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard it was a top-secret matter.”

Joseph chuckled.

“There are no secrets in Hollywood. It’s just a matter of time. Whether you use it or get used by it.”

“······”

“The fact that an actor was cast, that they cautiously had a screen test, that’s not a secret. It’s happening all the time. It’s just that director George Mendes and the ‘Last Kill 3’ side were trying to save face. But as a producer, I thought it was much more beneficial to reveal it.”

“What benefits are there?”

Joseph, crossing his arms, replied simply,

“Korea is a cultural powerhouse that can’t be ignored. There’s even talk of releasing Hollywood movies in Korea first. It raises the awareness of ‘Last Kill 3’ and also boosts Kang Woo-jin’s influence. This kind of thing is useful for raising his value.”

The bald foreigner, who was listening to the explanation, scratched his chin.

“Kang Woo-jin—why are you even taking care of him?”

Joseph Felton, shrugging his shoulders, said,

“A preliminary step in preparation for meeting him again.”

He picked up the tablet again and muttered,

“Just in case, I’m paving the way for him to succeed in Hollywood.”

On the same day, around early lunchtime, back in Japan.

The ‘Familiar Stranger’ filming team, which had set up camp at the high school, was taking quite a long time to prepare. There was a problem with the filming equipment at the beginning, and now director Kyotaro’s directing was taking a bit longer. As a result, there was about a one-hour delay.

Anyway, director Kyotaro was going around each filming location and calling the necessary actors for pre-rehearsals.

Lines, movements, directing, camera angles, and so on.

However, since Kang Woo-jin was the first one called, he was currently sitting alone in the tent. He just had to be ready to go when the standby signal was given.

“Hmm—”

Woo-jin, with his legs crossed, was looking at the Korean media situation on his phone.

‘As expected, articles are popping up. If you’re too greedy, you’ll get burned? Oh my—the reporters are having a field day?’

As expected, the reporters who had discovered the Kang Woo-jin Hollywood entry news were enthusiastically publishing articles, and Woo-jin’s phone was receiving numerous calls. On the other hand, things were still quiet on the work front. The casting director Megan Stone, whom he had seen earlier, seemed like she was going to leave after talking to Choi Sung-gun, but she had stayed on set.

Well, whether she leaves or stays, it’s her business.

Woo-jin, stopping his thoughts, put down his phone, which was still noisy with group chats and other notifications. The tent, with all the actors gone, was rather quiet. Since no one was around, he briefly dropped his act and yawned.

Then.

‘Hmm—I should go get some honey in the subspace.’

Kang Woo-jin picked up the ‘Familiar Stranger’ script that was placed on the desk next to him. Of course, it was to poke the black square attached to the script.

-Poke.

The subspace he entered for rest was, as always, endless darkness. But for Kang Woo-jin, it was no different from home. Soon, Woo-jin stretched out and walked towards the place where the white squares were lined up, as if taking a stroll. He wanted to see if there had been any changes in his grades before resting.

Fortunately, they were the same.

After briefly scanning the works and grades written on the white squares, Woo-jin suddenly lay down. He couldn’t sleep, but he could rest. Lying sprawled out in the subspace, Woo-jin entered a meditative state. Naturally, the roles he had to play, or had already played, in his works came to mind. From ‘Errand Agency’ to the current ‘Familiar Stranger’ or ‘Leech,’ and so on.

Then, suddenly.

“Hmm—Can I mix the imprinted roles?”

Kang Woo-jin muttered to himself without much thought. It was just a question that stemmed from simple curiosity. What would happen if the roles were combined, not in the world of the roles he had, but purely between the roles themselves?

Would I look like a complete psycho?

It was then. A robotic female voice suddenly echoed.

[“Acquiring understanding of role synthesis.”]