I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 256

Kang Woo-jin’s current appearance was as follows: neatly styled hair, a white shirt buttoned up to the neck, well-ironed slacks, and dress shoes. Of course, everything was designer brand and also part of the wardrobe for the shoot.

However, overall, he gave off a casual vibe, like he had just thrown them on. His makeup was also light.

Such was Kang Woo-jin, standing on the lawn of the huge set house, when he caught the murmuring of the staff. *What is it?* Woo-jin wondered, lifting his head.

Kang Woo-jin immediately realized why the staff had become so flustered.

‘Huh??’

Though his face remained composed, Kang Woo-jin was quite surprised upon seeing the foreigners at the entrance of the set. No, he was slightly taken aback.

‘That giant!!’

Joseph Felton, whom he had briefly met in LA, was standing there. A towering, lanky figure, black, and with a solid upper body. It was definitely him. Joseph’s impression was so strong that he couldn’t forget him.

The problem was.

‘What?? Why is that guy here?’

A producer who was famous even in Hollywood had suddenly appeared on the set of ‘Leech.’ Moreover.

‘Are his team with him??’

He hadn’t come alone. He had a group of foreigners with him. It was then that Woo-jin’s gaze, which had been on Joseph, shifted slightly to the right. He saw a foreign woman with her face completely covered by a hat and mask. Woo-jin immediately recognized her identity.

‘Crazy? Kara? That woman is Miley Kara, isn’t she?!’

Though her face wasn’t visible, her long, loose blonde hair and overall silhouette, especially since she was standing next to Joseph, made it almost certain. Kang Woo-jin’s thoughts became a jumbled mess in an instant. It was only natural that producer Joseph, who was a big name in Hollywood, and global superstar Kara had appeared on the set of ‘Leech’ out of the blue.

What is it? Maybe his grandfather? No, does he have a connection with Director Ahn Ga-bok? Or maybe with Shim Han-ho?

Or perhaps it’s Oh Hee-ryung or other actors. However, Woo-jin didn’t get overly excited. He had a strong habit of maintaining his composure. Thanks to that, he kept a poker face. Around that time, Joseph, the black man, noticed Woo-jin’s gaze and raised his large hand. He gave Kang Woo-jin a small greeting. A smile was a bonus.

On the other hand, Kara didn’t move much. Probably because of her disguise.

Whatever the case, there were only a few people on this set who knew the true identities of that group of foreigners. It was mostly Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin. Perhaps because of that, the murmuring of the dozens of staff members grew louder.

“Who are those foreigners?”

“I don’t know, but they have a really powerful aura.”

“Is this something the director discussed?”

Sensing the atmosphere, Joseph whispered something in English to Kara, who was standing to his right.

“Kara, you felt the atmosphere, right? You absolutely can’t show your face. If it’s okay, it’s better not to speak either.”

Kara, pulling her hat down further, spoke in a cold voice.

“I know, I’m not stupid.”

“I’m just emphasizing it.”

“Still, I’m going to say hello to Woo-jin.”

“Well, it seems Kang Woo-jin has already figured out who we are? Look, he looked at us for a few seconds and then turned his attention to the script.”

“……But it’s clear that his energy is different between his personal life and his profession, Woo-jin. It’s unique.”

It was the assistant director who interrupted their conversation. He had come running after receiving instructions from Director Ahn Ga-bok. In his hand were the staff necklaces that proved their status. Soon, all the foreign team members except Joseph and Kara had staff necklaces around their necks. Only then did the murmuring of the entire ‘Leech’ staff subside.

It seemed they were recognized as visitors.

At the same time.

“Standby in 3 minutes!!”

The assistant director, who had handed over the necklaces, shouted into the walkie-talkie. Then, the staff quickly finished what they were doing and moved out of the filming zone.

Only Kang Woo-jin was left alone on the large lawn.

“……”

It was natural since it was a solo shot. All the cameras that were set up were pointed at him. The same went for the reflectors and lighting. The boom mic was also positioned above Woo-jin. A large camera was attached to a small crane, probably to shoot from various angles.

In other words, the grand opening of ‘Leech’ would begin with Kang Woo-jin.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his short white hair, sat in a place with about four monitors. Around him were a few staff members besides the scriptwriter. The actors, including Shim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryung, and Han So-jin, who had been waiting in the tent, also came out. It wasn’t to celebrate the long-awaited moment of the crank-in [start of filming].

‘……The on-site acting that includes the set and movement. How did that kid plan his acting?’

‘I did see it during the audition, but still, I should watch it.’

‘Come to think of it, I didn’t properly see ‘Park Ha-sung’s’ acting during the audition. ‘Chairman Yoon Jung-bae’ was also quite unconventional, but……’

They were there to see Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Park Ha-sung’.

Not the one from the small theater, his counterpart during the audition, but to experience his real acting on this properly set stage.

At this moment.

“Let’s go.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s old voice echoed through the megaphone. The hundred or so staff members fell silent. Joseph and Kara swallowed as they looked at Woo-jin in the filming zone.

And.

“Okay- Action.”

As the starting signal was given.

-Swish.

The light in Kang Woo-jin’s eyes changed in an instant as he looked at the camera.

At the same time, in writer Choi Na-na’s studio.

About five people were sitting at the desk in the center of the living room. Writer Choi Na-na with a tense face, PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo seriously reading a stack of papers. Of course, it was the script. The final episode script of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Writer Choi Na-na had finished writing it, but the final hurdle remained. It was PD Song Man-woo’s approval. The production manager and assistant writers were also reading the script.

“……”

Writer Choi Na-na just stared at PD Song Man-woo. Her face showed that her mouth was parched. Regardless, PD Song Man-woo checked the script without delay.

-Flip.

Soon, he reached the last page. PD Song Man-woo, having checked all the script’s contents, put down the thick script. Then, he stroked his chin beard.

“Hmm.”

Writer Choi Na-na, who had pushed up her round glasses, rushed in.

“H-how is it??”

PD Song Man-woo, who had been serious, looked at her. The interesting thing was that a smile was gradually spreading across his face.

“It’s good, no, it’s amazing, Writer Choi.”

Writer Choi Na-na’s eyes suddenly widened.

“R-really??! Are you really okay with it?!”

“Yeah. It’s fun. Honestly, I think some minor revisions are needed, but that’s a process that every script goes through. I think it’s better to go with this as it is without any major surgery. What do you all think?”

The people around also gave a thumbs up. In other words, it was a pass. Then, Writer Choi Na-na covered her face with both hands. Her timid personality was showing.

“Ha……Thank goodness. My heart was so tense, I thought it would stop.”

PD Song Man-woo with the chin beard chuckled.

“You shouldn’t be like that. You’re a writer who will now spread across the world.”

“…Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real.”

“You don’t have to force yourself to think about it. You’ll feel it when it launches.”

PD Song Man-woo, with a deeper smile, picked up a pen and started working on the next task.

“First, I’ll mark the parts that are questionable or need revision, so try to revise them as naturally as possible. And Manager, once the writer finishes the revisions, immediately pass the script to Netflix.”

“Yes, PD.”

“And while you’re passing it, tell them that the script work is done, so we’ll be speeding up the pre-production process.”

At this moment, Writer Choi Na-na, who had been catching her breath with her face covered, suddenly raised her head.

“Ah! PD, what happened with that? When I called you, you said you were meeting with an actor……Did it go well?”

“It was Hwa-rin.”

“Hwa, Hwa-rin??”

“Yes. The two of them contact each other from time to time, though not often.”

“Yes, yes! Just to check in.”

“For now, we’ve made casting offers to Hwa-rin and Ha Kang-soo. We haven’t gotten a definite answer yet. But we don’t have to rush it. It’s a bigger problem if we force it and something goes wrong.”

“Is that so?”

At the question, PD Song Man-woo leaned back deeply in his chair and let out a small sigh.

“The casting format for ‘Beneficial Evil’ itself is not typical, as different actors appear in each episode. More actors are involved than in a typical mini-series, and the fact that their chemistry doesn’t last until the end is also a difference.”

“I guess……”

“You must have heard about it while assisting writer Park Eun-mi, right? Pre-production is different from live production. Everything is filmed in a perfect state, and the broadcast starts after all the editing is done. So, the quality has to be at least twice as high as a mini-series.”

PD Song Man-woo, who was cracking his neck this way and that as if he was tired, continued.

“That’s why quite a few actors avoid pre-production. Moreover, our ‘Beneficial Evil’ has a great concept, but it’s a very challenging project. If it goes well, it’ll soar, but if it fails, it’ll be a disaster. The impact is several times stronger than usual. Their image will also be ruined. Actors can’t help but think about that.”

“……”

“Because of that, not all the actors on the casting board are jumping at the chance. They might even avoid it. But it’s okay, honestly, just having Kang Woo-jin in the center is enough.”

“The script itself is one where the main character carries it, but still, it’s a bit much for Woo-jin to shoulder alone.”

“Not at all. Woo-jin will probably do it without breaking a sweat. However, we’re trying to use other top actors to distribute that burden a bit.”

PD Song Man-woo, who had answered, asked the production manager.

“Did you send out the messengers to each domestic agency?”

“Yes, a while ago.”

“How about the audition preparations?”

“No problem.”

“Okay- I’ll take care of the theater group.”

PD Song Man-woo, who nodded, turned his gaze back to the worried Writer Choi Na-na.

“It’s okay if we have just a few top actors besides Woo-jin. That’s just for domestic use. The main focus of ‘Beneficial Evil’ will be the whole world anyway, and to the overseas public, whether they’re top Korean actors or not, they’ll all be equally unfamiliar. They’ll just think, ‘Oh, they’re Korean actors.'”

Suddenly, a meaningful smile appeared on PD Song Man-woo’s chin-bearded face.

“There will be many unknown and rookie actors in ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Quite a lot.”

Back in Jeonju. The detached house set of ‘Leech’.

Kang Woo-jin stood alone on the vast lawn. The emotions flowing through his body were no longer his own. It was ‘Park Ha-sung.’ However, the color of the blood was darker than usual. It was natural. Kang Woo-jin’s senses had already mastered not only ‘Park Ha-sung’s’ life but also the secondary aspects.

After going through the roles that existed in ‘Leech’.

Their thoughts, their gazes, their conflicts, their world, all of it emphasized the outline of ‘Park Ha-sung’ more than ever for Kang Woo-jin. In addition, the background of ‘Leech,’ which he had experienced in the sub-space, added to the power, even though it was a set.

-Rustle.

The grass being stepped on crunched. At the same time, the smell of grass permeated Woo-jin’s nose. There was no way there would be a smell. The set grass was artificial. But Woo-jin’s sense of smell was ‘Park Ha-sung’s,’ so he smelled the grass.

Ah- it’s comfortable.

It wasn’t the Park Ha-sung from the beginning of the scenario. It was him from the middle part. His emotions were calm yet intense. A strange thrill penetrated from Woo-jin’s lower body to his brain.

This was not the small theater where he had auditioned.

It was the world of ‘Leech.’ He didn’t need to personally act as the counterpart. Kang Woo-jin just had to enjoy the several times emphasized ‘Park Ha-sung.’

There was nothing in the way.

So, Kang Woo-jin unlocked the gate. He could show the real Park Ha-sung, not the one who had been conserving his strength. Now he could run wild as he pleased. He could cross the line as he pleased.

Soon, many things disappeared from the eyes of Kang Woo-jin, or Park Ha-sung.

The visible cameras, the staff, Kara and Joseph, the actors who had come to watch. Things that had nothing to do with ‘Leech’ scattered like smoke, and soon, only the large detached house remained in Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.

It was quiet. And eerie.

‘This is a battlefield.’

It was the same for both Kang Woo-jin and Park Ha-sung. Especially for Park Ha-sung, this place was like a battlefield where his life was at stake. Chairman Yoon Jung-bae held his lifeline. If his deal with him didn’t go well, that snake-like man would easily take his life.

‘Well, it’s okay.’

But that deal was also quite a while ago. Woo-jin had melted into this huge place. The burden that had felt like it existed in another world had also disappeared.

This place is like my own home.

“……What is madam doing?”

Woo-jin, who had been lingering on the lawn for a while, moved his feet. The camera followed behind him. Kang Woo-jin entered the living room of the detached house. It was quiet here too. The ticking of the clock echoed loudly.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin ran his hand over the sofa in the living room. Just by the feel, he could tell that the leather of this sofa was worth at least several thousand. Woo-jin sat on the sofa. It was a pity. He should sit on the single sofa.

“It’s too plush.”

Woo-jin, who had muttered, looked straight ahead. His face was displayed on the monitor. It wasn’t expressionless. But it was hard to say what kind of expression it was. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, but it was a smile that hid his intentions, his eyes were calm but hid his desires, and his actions were composed but covered up a foul purpose.

“It’s my house.”

It was his. It was okay to accept it that way. Woo-jin, who had gotten up from the sofa, touched the things placed all over the living room. The famous paintings on the wall, the unique small dolls, the top-quality furniture, and so on.

He could cherish them or destroy them.

If it’s like this, it’s not like he’s renting, is it?

‘Ripley Syndrome.’ Believing in fiction and lies as one pleases and acting accordingly. Kang Woo-jin, or Park Ha-sung, was standing in front of the camera for the first time, but he expressed ‘Ripley Syndrome’ without any hesitation, even though he had been suddenly thrown into the scene.

It was then.

-♬♪

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. A guest had arrived. Thanks to that, the one who had been acting like the owner. No, the owner, Kang Woo-jin, touched the intercom without hesitation.

“Who is it?”

The camera captured Park Ha-sung, who had a smile on his face, from the side. Such Park Ha-sung opened the front door without hesitation. Soon, two middle-aged women entered the living room. They were the representatives of the organization that ‘Yoo Hyun-ji,’ the madam, was donating to. They looked around the huge house as if they were amazed, and then, looking at Kang Woo-jin standing in front of them, they asked.

“Oh my- are you the madam’s son?”

“I guess so. I heard she has two sons.”

Then Kang Woo-jin. No, Park Ha-sung bowed politely.

“That’s right.”

A lie? No. He was currently sincerely believing it. That this was his world. That was the face he had.

There wasn’t a single moment of hesitation.

Soon, a refined smile spread across Kang Woo-jin’s lips, and his posture also naturally straightened.

Silence.

“……”

No one opened their mouths. All the hundred or so staff members, except for the actors, just stared at Kang Woo-jin. About 10 seconds later, a familiar old voice echoed throughout the living room.

“Cut-”

Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had given the signal, approached Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin had already removed ‘Park Ha-sung,’ and Director Ahn Ga-bok’s wrinkled face, which was close to him, was a mix of interest and shock.

“It’s different, it’s different from then.”

Such Director Ahn Ga-bok asked Woo-jin in a low voice.

“During the audition, you set a standard. What was the Park Ha-sung you showed then? Was it just……an appetizer?”

To this, Kang Woo-jin’s answer was short. It was a low and cynical tone.

“I didn’t do it carelessly, I did it moderately.”

And Miley Kara and Joseph froze. Among them, Joseph narrowed his brow slightly and involuntarily cursed.

“……What the fuck!”

End