I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 24

Kang Woo-jin was hungry. He hadn’t eaten anything since lunch the previous day. He also regretted skipping the impromptu beef party dinner last night.

‘Acting, concepts, it’s all to make a living, ah—my beef.’

What could he do? He had been so tense that he’d fallen asleep. Woo-jin’s current expression was a mix of his usual detached persona and a slight depression. It manifested as excessive cynicism. At least, that’s how it appeared to Hong Hye-yeon, who was standing next to Kang Woo-jin.

‘He seems… colder than usual. Is he still upset about what happened with Manager Park yesterday?’

Hong Hye-yeon, with her long hair tied back, subtly glanced at Woo-jin. She was about to make him an offer.

Then.

-Click.

Hong Hye-yeon gestured towards the open van door.

“Shall we get in?”

Hong Hye-yeon’s escort? Nice. Woo-jin, suppressing his delight, nodded briefly.

“Yes.”

At that moment.

“Hello, Woo-jin-ssi.”

A man’s voice cut in behind Woo-jin as he was getting into the white van. When he turned around, he saw a man with a ponytail smiling. It was someone he had never seen before. Hong Hye-yeon, already in the van, introduced him.

“Our agency’s CEO.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun extended his hand to Kang Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin-ssi, could you spare me a moment?”

As the CEO of Hong Hye-yeon’s agency, he also had a connection to Kang Woo-jin.

‘Is this the person who’s investing in ‘The Fixer’?’

The investor of the short film ‘The Fixer.’ In other words, he was in a position similar to a landlord for Kang Woo-jin, the protagonist. It was awkward to treat him casually. Kang Woo-jin answered softly as he got into the van.

“Go ahead.”

Soon, CEO Choi Sung-gun also got in, and there were three people in Hong Hye-yeon’s van. CEO Choi Sung-gun was the first to start the conversation.

“You look even more handsome up close. I’m Choi Sung-gun, CEO of BW Entertainment.”

That’s just flattery. Without much emotion, Woo-jin also introduced himself.

“Kang Woo-jin.”

“Hahaha, I know, I know. You were the hottest topic at the script reading, no matter what anyone says. You absolutely nailed it, didn’t you?”

At this point, Woo-jin subtly assessed CEO Choi Sung-gun across from him. The atmosphere was a bit unique. It seemed serious yet light at the same time. CEO Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, continued.

“Somehow, I’ve come to have a connection with Kang Woo-jin-ssi. You know we invested in ‘The Fixer,’ right?”

“Yes.”

“That was largely because of what Hong Star said. However, Hye-yeon isn’t the main character this time. Woo-jin-ssi, please take good care of ‘The Fixer.'”

CEO Choi Sung-gun, who had slightly bowed his head to Kang Woo-jin, suddenly changed to a serious expression.

“That’s that. Let me be direct. I know you don’t have an agency yet, Woo-jin-ssi. I want BW Entertainment, no, I want to be with you at the starting point of your career as an actor.”

“Are you offering me a contract?”

“That’s right. Of course, our company is still small. In some ways, it might look like a one-person agency for Hong Hye-yeon. But startups have their own unique energy.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun began his pitch with an enthusiastic tone.

“Large and small agencies have their pros and cons, and you need to be focused on rather than having your care spread out. You need to be properly guided, not just moderately. The entertainment industry is a jungle. If you take one wrong step, an actor can disappear in an instant.”

It’s brutally cutthroat. As Woo-jin listened to the pitch, he felt even more unfamiliar with the entertainment industry, which he didn’t know well. Well, that’s that. Kang Woo-jin chose his words. What was the most impactful line at this moment? Whatever it was, his self-esteem had to be high.

“Jungle, I like it.”

For a moment, CEO Choi Sung-gun was slightly dumbfounded. He was trying to warn him about the precariousness, but he liked it? And what about that expression? Kang Woo-jin’s eyes were unwavering and firm. CEO Choi Sung-gun judged Woo-jin to be a unique individual.

‘What kind of past did he have to go through to have this kind of potential?’

A steadfastness that ordinary unknowns and rookies could never have. Kang Woo-jin was only unknown in reality, but his mindset was already top-tier. At least, that’s how it seemed to CEO Choi Sung-gun’s sharp eyes.

‘I want him. I want him so badly.’

Thanks to that, CEO Choi Sung-gun put even more conviction into his voice.

“I’ll make sure you can thrive in the jungle. If you come to us, I’ll be personally attached to you. I promise, no, I guarantee detailed and meticulous care. I may look like this, but I’m good at what I do. I’ve built connections in the jungle, and my reputation isn’t bad.”

Most of it was true. CEO Choi Sung-gun was a producer with a fairly high reputation in the entertainment industry. Then, CEO Choi Sung-gun changed the subject.

“Woo-jin-ssi, you received a lot of business cards, right?”

“I received quite a few.”

“I figured. You weren’t at the dinner yesterday, but the entertainment people were in an uproar. They were saying you were a sure thing for Chungmuro’s [Korean film industry] blue chip. I’d guess you received about ten cards.”

The number was about right.

“Did anyone mention a signing bonus? It’s okay if you don’t want to say.”

Signing bonus? Was there such a discussion? Kang Woo-jin recalled the people who gave him business cards yesterday. But there was no clear mention of a signing bonus. However, most of them had said something like this.

‘They did mention conditions and such.’

Woo-jin answered vaguely.

“I think I heard something about exceptional conditions.”

“…Exceptional.”

At this, Hong Hye-yeon, who had been listening silently, bit her lip slightly and nudged CEO Choi Sung-gun, who was slightly surprised. In response, CEO Choi Sung-gun with his ponytail leaned closer to Woo-jin.

“I’ll try my best to match it. I’d be grateful if you’d at least hear us out, please.”

Again. Again, things were escalating on their own. But Kang Woo-jin was already on an express train. Hesitating would only ruin his image. That’s why Woo-jin chose an answer that was polite but wouldn’t make him look easy.

“I’ll think about it and contact you.”

Meanwhile, inside top actor Ryu Jung-min’s van.

Unlike Kang Woo-jin, Ryu Jung-min’s van, which had left about 30 minutes earlier, was driving on the highway. Long-haired Ryu Jung-min was wearing a headband and staring blankly out the window.

His eyes were looking outside, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

That went on for about five minutes.

“Hyung [older brother/term of endearment for a close male friend],”

Ryu Jung-min called out to his manager, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

“You know that guy from yesterday, Kang Woo-jin. The one who played Manager Park.”

Then, the manager closed his diary and turned his head back.

“How could I not know? His impact was insane. His acting was truly goosebump-inducing. Even at the dinner, Manager Kim and the others were going crazy saying a gem had appeared. Ugh-”

“…Did we happen to give him a business card? I heard Kang Woo-jin got a lot of offers from agencies.”

“Of course, I was going to. Our company is in a frenzy these days with some kind of rookie development project. But I couldn’t meet him. I was going to try to get close to him at the dinner, but he didn’t show up. Why? Should we not give it to him? Are you uncomfortable?”

“No. It’s not that.”

“It’s a shame, but oh well, we’ll see him during filming. Ah—but I wonder if someone will snatch him up before then? Wow, it’s the first time I’ve seen an unknown with such high competition.”

Leaving the manager scratching his head, Ryu Jung-min recalled yesterday’s after-party dinner.

Specifically, when Ryu Jung-min had approached the bearded Song Man-woo PD and asked him a question.

“PD-nim [PD is a title for a producer/director]. Who is Kang Woo-jin-ssi? Where did you find him?”

Song Man-woo PD just shrugged his shoulders.

“How many times have I been asked this question today? Honestly, I don’t really know either. I’m just making guesses.”

“About what?”

“That his acting is absurd and his past is unclear. I think he was overseas.”

“…Overseas? Then what about self-taught?”

“That’s right. He has that lonely, self-made vibe, doesn’t he?”

“That doesn’t make sense… how can that kind of acting come from self-study?”

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi himself is an anomaly. Honestly, after seeing Woo-jin-ssi, I checked a few things I knew, but there are no connections to him in Korea. That’s why I’m leaning towards overseas.”

At that moment, something suddenly occurred to Song Man-woo PD, and he smiled.

“Ah, there is one thing I know.”

“What is it?”

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi is good at design.”

“Huh??”

“Until a month ago, Woo-jin-ssi worked at a design company. His friend even confirmed it.”

“Design… what is that??”

Here, Ryu Jung-min returned to reality in his own van. The identity of Kang Woo-jin that he was seeing was becoming more and more obscure.

“Hyung, what do you think about Kang Woo-jin’s self-taught story?”

“Isn’t that just nonsense? It seems like something he said to lighten the mood.”

“What if it’s not? What if he really learned acting by himself?”

“…Then he’s crazy. The craziest of the crazy. Is he just someone who was born to act?”

For some reason, Ryu Jung-min felt a sense of unease rising. Soon, Ryu Jung-min, who was replaying Kang Woo-jin’s Manager Park performance, took out the script. It was the first part of ‘Profiler Hanryang.’ Then, he spoke to his manager again.

“You said I have an interview today, right? Postpone it.”

“Huh?! Why all of a sudden??”

“I’m going to look at the script again. Thoroughly.”

“Hey, you’ve already analyzed it all, haven’t you??”

“No, more. More thoroughly.”

In fact, Ryu Jung-min couldn’t just sit still. It was like a fire had been lit under his feet. The reason was simple.

“The lead can’t get outshined by the supporting roles.”

It was a sense of crisis. Or urgency. Kang Woo-jin, who had just revealed himself, had ignited a fire in top actor Ryu Jung-min.

The funny thing was.

“Oppa [older brother/term of endearment for a close female friend]! Cancel my appointment at the skin clinic today!!”

Ryu Jung-min wasn’t the only one like this. The supporting actors who had seen Kang Woo-jin’s performance at the script reading were in almost the same state. Of course, Hong Hye-yeon too. Kang Woo-jin alone had set all the actors ablaze. The flames of their initial passion and enthusiasm.

Thus, a wind of change was blowing among the actors, increasing the size of the flames.

“Drop me off at home, and don’t contact me until tomorrow.”

“Huh? Tae-san, what are you talking about??”

“I’m going to delve into the script.”

This meant that the quality of the work would increase by several levels.

The next morning, at Kang Woo-jin’s studio apartment.

Kang Woo-jin, who had arrived home yesterday and passed out after eating ramen, suddenly opened his eyes.

“…Another day gone.”

The time was around 9 AM. The Saturday and Sunday related to the script reading had disappeared like a dream. Today was Monday, March 9th. A weekday had begun, and Kang Woo-jin moved his head while lying down. On his right were stacked business cards.

“Hmm-”

After spitting out a small amount of saliva, Kang Woo-jin stretched his long limbs and then suddenly picked up the second part of the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ script. Then, he poked the black square attached to the script.

Kang Woo-jin suddenly entered the subspace.

In an instant, an endlessly dark space unfolded before his eyes. The reason he suddenly entered the subspace was simple.

“Let’s think a bit.”

To contemplate. It was a method Woo-jin had been using frequently recently. He entered the subspace to do some thinking. A slightly time-saving action?

Anyway.

“Hmm—an agency.”

Kang Woo-jin stroked his chin as he recalled the business cards he had received and their pitches. As he did so, he walked towards the vicinity where a white square was floating. Then.

“Huh?”

Kang Woo-jin discovered something.

-[1/Scenario (Title: The Fixer), B-Grade]

-[2/Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Part 1), S-Grade]

The grade of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had changed to S-Grade. It had clearly been A+ before the script reading. In other words, the value of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had increased. Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin tilted his head. It was completely incomprehensible.

Of course, he had no idea that he was the starting point of this wind of change.

“Why did this suddenly go up?”

Kang Woo-jin had no clue.

March 10th.

Kang Woo-jin, carrying a large backpack, left his studio apartment in the morning. Then, about five minutes later, someone called out to Kang Woo-jin from the side of the bus stop.

“Haha, Woo-jin-ssi!”

It was the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun, who had parked his van. As soon as he saw him, Woo-jin walked over. Inside, he was constantly chanting a mantra. Why?

Because for the next five days.

‘Hoo—don’t forget to act tough. It’s my first time on a film set, even if it’s a short film, so I’m a bit nervous.’

The main filming for ‘The Fixer’ was about to begin.

Later, around 11 AM. Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

In front of the villa in Paju where the main filming for ‘The Fixer’ would take place.

“Ugh! It’s a bit cold today! It’s March, but it’s still cold.”

The actors for ‘The Fixer’ were visible in the grassy yard. The number of people, including the extras, was about five? Three men and two women. They were all sitting on folding chairs, busy tightening their coats. The weather was a bit chilly.

“Still, it’s good that there’s a place to sit. Usually, you have to stand the whole time on other film sets.”

“I guess that’s true.”

All the actors were unknowns.

The most familiar male actor had only appeared in minor roles in plays or movies. They had all met for the first time on set today. They hadn’t even seen the protagonist of ‘The Fixer.’ Because the schedule was so tight, they were doing the reading and rehearsal at the same time as filming, so there was no way they would have seen his face.

Anyway.

“Ah, but.”

A male actor, who had pulled his light padding up to his neck, suddenly asked all the actors.

“Has anyone seen the actress playing the ‘wife’?”

The actors added that they hadn’t seen her.

“I know, is she not here yet?”

“I was a bit curious, why isn’t she here? Does anyone know who she is?”

“Even the staff don’t know.”

Then, the woman playing the role of a fixer’s employee changed the subject.

“Ah, did you guys hear? The protagonist of ‘The Fixer’ is also an unknown.”

The other actors nodded as if they already knew.

“I heard. Still, the director is somewhat known in the drama scene, and 45 minutes is long for a short film, but the protagonist is also an unknown, so I was a bit puzzled.”

“For a short film of this level, wouldn’t a supporting actor usually be the protagonist? And this is even an entry for the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.'”

“Well, maybe it was an investment condition? Or maybe the investment company itself is an entertainment agency.”

Soon, the actors expressed their envy.

“Ah—I’m so jealous. I want to get investment money and be the protagonist of a movie too.”

“That’s why they say you have to join a company to grow as an actor.”

“If he’s backed by an agency, his acting might be a bit lacking?”

“He might be really young.”

“Huh? Come to think of it, the protagonist actor hasn’t arrived yet?”

At that moment.

“Okay, everyone! There’s a briefing in 30 minutes, so let’s hurry a bit!”

Director Shin Dong-chun with his square jaw entered the villa’s yard, and after scanning the surroundings, he tilted his head.

“But where is our protagonist?”

Then, Director Shin Dong-chun smiled as he looked at the actors huddled together.

“Ah, you were hiding there, come here, protagonist.”

Protagonist? Protagonist, they said? Thanks to that, the actors were frantically moving their heads left and right to check their surroundings.

-Swish.

Suddenly, a man with a cold expression stood up smoothly from among the actors. He was in the very back.

“Yes, director.”

It was Kang Woo-jin, the protagonist of ‘The Fixer.’

“…!!”

“Huh??”

All the actors’ mouths dropped open.

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