I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 231

The black piano in the music room looked quite old. Kang Woo-jin stared down at it, his face hardened by his concept, as he reflected on the past.

Specifically, from the time he acquired his piano skills until now.

‘Hmm—now that I think about it, I’ve only gained the skill and haven’t used it.’

Well, pianos themselves were rare, and there hadn’t been many opportunities. His schedule was too busy to make time. However, the advantage of Woo-jin’s subspace was that his skills wouldn’t rust. Even at this moment, Woo-jin could play the piano in front of him with great enthusiasm.

Thinking about the piano, countless scores and emotions engraved within him surged.

For a moment, Kang Woo-jin’s fingers twitched.

It was an itch. He wanted to grab any of the stored pieces and bang on the keys. Gradually, melodies seeped into Kang Woo-jin’s mind. Though he didn’t press the keys, it was as if he were playing, and the piano melody naturally played in his head.

Then, Woo-jin.

-Swish.

He glanced behind him. It was noisy, but there was no sign of anyone coming in. Kang Woo-jin pressed a middle white key on the piano with his index finger.

-♬♪

A slightly rough sound echoed. To those who didn’t know much, it might not seem like much, but to Kang Woo-jin, who already possessed ‘piano’ skills, it was clear.

‘The sound is dying. Are they not managing the piano at all?’

It wasn’t just the piano; all the instruments in the music room were like that. There was quite a bit of dust accumulated. Hmm—Woo-jin, who had let out a small groan, felt a sense of waste. Well, he had gained the skill, so he needed to try it out, but it was a bit disappointing here.

‘And I’m in the middle of filming.’

There were already plenty of misunderstandings and misinterpretations, so would a few more make a difference? It didn’t really matter to Kang Woo-jin. It was just a matter of location.

Anyway.

-Swish.

This time, Kang Woo-jin pressed the keys with three fingers in succession. The piano was old, but it still faithfully produced sound. Perhaps because he had drawn on his piano skills, his emotions were slightly stirred. Woo-jin felt a sense of fondness for the piano.

Around this time, at the door of the music room behind Kang Woo-jin.

“Ah, Mr. Woo-jin, you’re here.”

“Just a moment.”

“Yes?”

The assistant director, Director Kyotaro, and several actors, including Uramatsu Mihuyu, had just arrived. The assistant director, who had spotted Kang Woo-jin, was about to move when Director Kyotaro stopped him. Then, he stared intently at Kang Woo-jin, who was alone in the music room, and muttered in Japanese.

“…That’s a good picture.”

In his eyes, Kang Woo-jin in the music room looked like Iyota Kiyoshi. In the setting of ‘Strange Sacrifice,’ there was a part where ‘Misaki Toka’ was good at playing the piano. In the filming storyboard, it was briefly explained and passed over, but in the original work, there was a scene where Toka taught Kiyoshi how to play the piano.

‘Toka’s death. And Kiyoshi’s dry longing.’

Right now, Director Kyotaro was envisioning a new scene while looking at Kang Woo-jin in the music room. Meanwhile, behind Director Kyotaro, Mihuyu and the other actresses were whispering.

“Can Mr. Woo-jin also play the piano?”

“Eh—then that’s too much of a cheat. If he has that face, that acting, and can also play the piano… I don’t know, I can’t stand it.”

“Mihuyu, you need to fix your habit of liking men. You’re always suffering from scandals every year.”

“No. I like Mr. Woo-jin.”

“Sigh, yeah, yeah.”

At this moment, sensing the presence of people, Kang Woo-jin, who had taken his hands off the piano, turned around. Ah, what is this. When did they all gather? Woo-jin, who quickly put on a poker face, spoke in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, Director. I was just looking around for a moment.”

Director Kyotaro, who had been smiling wryly, shook his head.

“No, it’s alright. More importantly, how is it? Are high school music rooms in Japan and Korea similar?”

“Music rooms are pretty much the same everywhere.”

“Is that so? Hahaha. But Mr. Woo-jin, can you perhaps also play the piano?”

Woo-jin, with a nonchalant face, gave a short answer.

“Yes, a little.”

There was no need to hide it. Anyway, Director Kyotaro’s eyes lit up.

“Oh—is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then, could you play for us sometime later? Not because I’m curious, but because it might be used in the movie as ‘Kiyoshi.’”

“I don’t mind.”

“Thank you. I’ll plan a cut later and tell you again.”

“Understood.”

Soon, a staff member’s shout that preparations were complete came from Director Kyotaro’s walkie-talkie. The assistant director approached Kang Woo-jin, and Director Kyotaro turned and moved to the set. At this moment, Mihuyu, with her plump lips, came close and asked.

“Director, is Mr. Woo-jin good at playing the piano?”

Director Kyotaro chuckled.

“He said ‘a little,’ so he probably only has the basics.”

Two days later, Friday the 29th.

News about Kang Woo-jin in Japan increased.

『Is 「Kang Woo-jin」’s Hollywood Debut a Fact? Intense Focus Even in the Japanese Entertainment Industry』

The Hollywood debut rumor included talk about ‘Our Table.’

『Korean Variety Show 「Our Table」 Starring Hot Kang Woo-jin Exceeds 17% Viewership』

On Japanese YouTube, edited videos of ‘Our Table’ suddenly increased. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin could be found at the luxurious ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel’ in Tokyo. The time was around 6 PM. Kang Woo-jin got out of a van in the hotel’s parking tower.

-Swish.

Woo-jin was wearing a hoodie and a duffle coat, and he had full makeup on. His hair was neatly swept back. This was because he had been doing a photoshoot for a Japanese magazine from the morning until about an hour ago. The shoot had taken longer than expected, but he had finished before 7 PM anyway.

‘Ugh—I’m stiff, it’s already getting dark. Time flies.’

Kang Woo-jin, who was inwardly amazed at the speed of time despite his nonchalant face, had come to the ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel’ immediately after finishing the photoshoot for a simple reason. It was to join the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ team. Currently, ‘Strange Sacrifice’ had finished filming the past scenes and moved the filming location to Tokyo. The ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel’ was the place they had chosen for the hotel cut filming.

There was no need to specifically choose the ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel,’ but thanks to Chairman Hideki’s consideration, it was easily arranged.

The ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel’ was one of the top hotels in Japan. However, Kang Woo-jin had already been there during the script reading for ‘Strange Sacrifice,’ so he was not fazed by the magnificent appearance of the hotel. Woo-jin moved forward calmly. Team members like Choi Sung-gun and Han Ye-jung, who were yawning, followed beside him.

Choi Sung-gun was the first to speak.

“It’s tough, tough. Are you okay, Woo-jin?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“You’re like a terminator.”

Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, shook his head as if he was fed up.

“They said filming starts tomorrow, right? Director Kyotaro and the actors are already at the restaurant. You can go straight there too.”

“Yes, CEO.”

The real work started tomorrow. However, since the call time was early, they had booked the hotel as accommodation, and it seemed that Director Kyotaro and the Japanese actors were currently gathered at the restaurant for dinner. Dozens of staff members had used it even earlier.

Anyway, Kang Woo-jin entered the hotel lobby from the parking tower.

Among the crowd in the spacious and luxurious lobby, the eyes of guests who recognized Woo-jin poured out. Here, Kang Woo-jin’s team members left. And Choi Sung-gun, who was with Woo-jin in front of the elevator, also yawned again and declared his retreat.

“Ugh—I can’t do it. I’ll just go with you to the restaurant entrance, then I’m going to my room early to rest. Food is important, but I need to live first.”

“Yes, CEO. Get some rest.”

“Yeah, yeah. If anything happens after you eat, call me right away.”

As Kang Woo-jin gave a casual reply, quite a few people had gathered waiting for the elevator. About five. They all glanced at Kang Woo-jin. Finally, two more people joined. A girl in a wheelchair and her mother. What was unusual was that the girl in the wheelchair’s eyes widened when she saw Kang Woo-jin.

At that moment.

-Ding!

The elevator doors opened on the first floor. The elevator, carrying everyone, moved powerfully upwards, and what broke the slightly quiet situation was the girl in the wheelchair.

“…Um, excuse me! Hello!”

Everyone in the elevator, including Choi Sung-gun and Kang Woo-jin, turned their attention to her. The girl was clearly looking up at Kang Woo-jin. Her eyes were sparkling.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin! I, I’m Asami Yusako!”

The girl’s mother bowed politely to Woo-jin.

“I’m sorry. My daughter is a fan of Mr. Kang Woo-jin, and she must have been very surprised to suddenly meet him.”

Unlike the girl, who looked clearly flustered, the mother seemed relaxed. Soon, Woo-jin lowered his head and met the eyes of the girl in the wheelchair. She looked about 15 years old? Her face was without makeup, but her cheeks were red, and she wore glasses. The girl, who had introduced herself as Asami Yusako, avoided his gaze, seemingly embarrassed by Woo-jin’s attention.

For a moment, Woo-jin was reminded of his younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah. Kang Hyun-ah also wore glasses when she was young.

‘Is she doing well with her studies? I should call her after I eat.’

Woo-jin, who saw Asami Yusako and his younger sister overlap, bent down and extended his hand to her. Then, he spoke in a softer voice than usual.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

Yusako, who was frozen, trembled slightly but barely managed to grab Woo-jin’s hand.

“It’s like a dream… I, I watch Mr. Kang Woo-jin’s SNS and YouTube every day! I’ve watched ‘Best Friend’ a lot too! I’m going to watch ‘Strange Sacrifice’ more than five times!”

Her mother chimed in.

“It’s her birthday today, so we came out for a family dinner, and she received a big gift, thank you.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had roughly grasped the situation, smiled warmly and handed the diary and pen he had tucked under his arm to Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin, who had let go of Yusako’s hand, signed the diary paper and asked the girl.

“What’s your dream?”

“I, I’ve achieved it now!”

“No, not that. What do you want to be?”

“Huh?? Ah—ah! I, I want to be a voice actor! My mom is a voice actor too.”

Kang Woo-jin, who had handed the signed paper to Yusako, asked again.

“Is that so? Do you have a favorite work?”

“Ah! I like ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’!”

‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ was an animation made by a renowned Japanese director, and it was famous in Korea and worldwide. Of course, Kang Woo-jin knew it too. Woo-jin, who once again extended his hand to the girl, said.

“Okay. I’ll cheer you on. Thank you for liking me.”

“…N-no! Thank you! I will support Mr. Kang Woo-jin for the rest of my life!!”

At this moment.

-Ding!

The elevator doors opened on the floor where the restaurant was located. The first to get off were the girl in the wheelchair and her mother. They kept bowing to Kang Woo-jin as they moved away towards the restaurant, and Choi Sung-gun, who had been watching them with Woo-jin, murmured.

“They said it was a birthday dinner, and they’re having it there. Anyway, that child will remember today’s birthday for the rest of her life.”

Kang Woo-jin felt a slight warmth in his chest. It was as if his job satisfaction had increased significantly.

‘There aren’t many jobs where you can give someone a lifelong memory with just a few words.’

Although he was an actor with a separate agenda, Kang Woo-jin felt refreshed. But he maintained his expression. Then, Woo-jin, who had signed autographs for the other people in the elevator.

-Swish.

Barely managed to move to the restaurant. Near the entrance, Choi Sung-gun retreated to his room, and Woo-jin was guided by a restaurant employee. The interior was mostly white, with luxurious round tables and chairs, numerous staff, almost full of guests, and soft classical music flowing throughout the restaurant.

As expected of a top-class hotel restaurant, the interior was of a jaw-dropping scale.

The table where Kang Woo-jin was guided was by the window with a clear view of the Tokyo nightscape. At the table, where many guests’ attention was focused, the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ team members were already eating and talking. About a dozen people. The first to spot Woo-jin was Director Kyotaro, with his gray hair.

“Ah, Mr. Woo-jin. Over here.”

As he raised his hand while sitting, Japanese actors such as Yasuta, Mihuyu, and Kosaku turned their heads. They all welcomed Kang Woo-jin.

“Mr. Woo-jin is here!”

“Here, here! Mr. Woo-jin, you can sit next to me here!”

Thanks to the enthusiastic appeal of Mihuyu, the actress with plump lips, Kang Woo-jin, with his poker face, sat next to her. It was a seat with his back to the window. With Woo-jin’s appearance, the atmosphere among the Japanese actors instantly lifted.

Questions poured in from both male and female actors.

“Did the photoshoot go well?”

“It’s hard to get used to seeing you not as Kiyoshi—but why is your skin so good, Mr. Woo-jin?”

“What did you shoot? Ah, I shouldn’t ask.”

“Mr. Woo-jin, would you like some wine?”

Kang Woo-jin answered casually and calmly. Director Kyotaro took over the baton.

“Tomorrow’s first shoot is with Mr. Woo-jin. It’s a bit tight since it’s standby from 7 AM, but please do your best.”

“Yes, Director.”

Woo-jin, who had bowed slightly, took a sip of water and turned his gaze. He scanned the restaurant, which was crowded with many guests, and spotted the girl in the wheelchair at a table near the entrance. It was Asami Yusako. After looking at her for a moment, Woo-jin’s eyes moved again. This time, it was to the center of the restaurant.

Woo-jin, who was intently looking at the center for some reason, let out a small breath and scratched his chin.

‘Hmm—well, does it matter? Let’s ask first.’

Kang Woo-jin made eye contact with Director Kyotaro. Then, he stood up with a swish. Director Kyotaro, whose eyes had widened slightly, opened his mouth.

“Mr. Woo-jin, where—ah, the restroom?”

Meanwhile, at the table near the entrance.

The girl in the wheelchair, no, Asami Yusako, was excitedly bragging to her father, who had reserved the table in advance.

“I held his hand, his hand! Mr. Kang Woo-jin is so, so, so handsome, cool, gentle, and perfect!”

The girl’s father gave an awkward smile.

“Y-yeah.”

“I don’t think I can wash my hand! Look, he even gave me an autograph.”

“Do you like him that much?”

“Yeah! I like him.”

“……”

The mother smiled at her husband’s silence.

“Why? Do you feel like you’re sending your daughter off to get married?”

“A little?”

At this moment, Kang Woo-jin was seen walking between the tables behind his daughter. He had an aura that was truly befitting of an actor. All the guests were making a fuss as they looked at him. Her father understood his daughter’s reaction. The father, who had taken his eyes off Woo-jin, scratched his head.

“Ha—”

Yusako, forgetting to eat, was smiling as she looked at Woo-jin’s autograph on the table.

“I have to show it off to my friends.”

“Yusako, aren’t you going to open the gift your dad gave you?”

“Thank you!”

“…Without even knowing what it is.”

At this moment, the classical music that had been playing throughout the restaurant stopped. The guests tilted their heads in confusion.

“Huh??”

“What is it?”

Then.

-♬♪

A soft piano melody began to play. It was coming from the center of the restaurant. As soon as they heard the gentle introduction, the eyes of all the guests in the restaurant widened. It was natural. It was a song that no Japanese person could not know.

No, it was famous worldwide, including in Korea.

“Oh—this song!”

“Who is it? It sounds like they’re playing it live?”

“Over there, that man. Oh! But that man…”

The soft piano melody gradually faded and then turned sweet.

Yusako, who had been giggling, suddenly raised her head and shouted.

“Oh! ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ OST! ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’!!”

It was a song she loved so much. It felt like fate that it was the OST of the work she had mentioned to Kang Woo-jin earlier. Moreover, the piano melody that was being played was of such a high level.

-♬♪

Yusako turned her head sharply to the back. But she stopped immediately when she spotted someone in the center of the restaurant.

“Huh? Huh??”

Already, many guests had forgotten their meals and were staring intently at the center of the restaurant.

“Wow…”

“I-Incredible.”

And.

“Oh—good, this song, is it that one? ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life.’”

The actors at the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ team’s table began to be intoxicated by the piano melody along with their wine.

“That’s right. I really like ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’ It’s good—”

“I listen to ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’ at least once a day, wow, but they’re really good at playing it.”

At this moment, the piano melody that had been playing in the center began to speed up. It had entered its climax.

Some of the actors even closed their eyes to enjoy it.

However.

“…Ah.”

Mihuyu, with her plump lips, stopped moving as she looked past the actors in front of her to the back. The two male and female actors sitting next to her did the same. In response, Yasuta, who was holding a wine glass across from Mihuyu, asked.

“Mihuyu, what’s wrong?”

Mihuyu, whose eyes had widened as if they would pop out, slowly raised her index finger.

“Over there—”

“Huh?”

At this point, all the actors turned their bodies and focused their gaze on the center of the restaurant. Director Kyotaro, who had been busy on the phone, did the same, and the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ team discovered the protagonist of the piano melody.

A white piano was placed in the center of the restaurant.

A black-haired man was sitting at that piano, nonchalantly playing ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’ from ‘Howl’s Moving Castle.’

“…W-Woo-jin?”

It was Kang Woo-jin. He was playing the piano. He was pressing the keys plainly, but the melody that spread through the restaurant was delicate and awe-inspiring. Dozens of guests, including the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ team in the restaurant, froze.

-♬♪

No, they were captivated.

End