I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 263

A robotic female voice echoed throughout the endless, dark subspace. The line she uttered was that she was ‘unlocking the freedom of the role.’ Unlocking freedom? Freedom? Woo-jin, standing blankly in the subspace, blinked and asked quietly.

‘Freedom? Like in a game??’

Of course, he wasn’t talking to the robotic woman. It was more of a soliloquy. As soon as he heard her comment, the first thing that came to Woo-jin’s mind was a mobile game he had played in the past. It was a popular game back then, though it’s mostly dead now.

What the users of that game unanimously praised was its freedom.

Including freely roaming the vast map, there were no set boundaries, and users could do many things as they pleased. That was the game’s freedom. It wasn’t about the user being restricted by the game system, but about running wild as they pleased. That idea was now echoing in the subspace.

So? What? Is that all there is to that comment?

After the line about unlocking the freedom of the role, there was no significant change for Woo-jin.

“······”

It was the same with the last ‘role synthesis.’ But back then, it felt like there was an immediate change within me?

It was at this moment.

-Sss.

Suddenly, a glass-like barrier appeared before Kang Woo-jin’s eyes. What is this? Woo-jin, narrowing his brow, reached out his hand. It couldn’t be touched. Was it real? He was confused. Maybe it was something internal that was visible.

Then, the transparent thing.

-Crackle.

Slowly, it began to crack. Like glass breaking on its own. The lines increased more and more.

Finally.

“It’s breaking?”

The transparent barrier-like thing shattered with a crash. There was no sound. But it was in pieces. The debris didn’t scatter on the floor of the subspace. It just disappeared into the air. Kang Woo-jin simply watched the phenomenon happening in front of him.

How much time has passed?

Woo-jin was dazed, as if his soul had left his body. He had no sense of time. It felt like he was being absorbed into the subspace. No, I need to come to my senses. Woo-jin shook his head slightly and swept back his black hair.

“Hoo-”

The change that had appeared was now completely gone. The current state was the same as the usual subspace.

However.

‘Ah- right, the sensation is a bit different.’

This time, the change was clear not in his vision but within him. It was speaking of Kang Woo-jin’s inner self. How should he express this? It felt like his inner space had expanded infinitely. The paths that the roles Woo-jin possessed could walk on, that is.

Kang Woo-jin turned his head. White squares floated in the air.

“······No way.”

Originally, the subspace’s ability to gain the life and everything of a role by reading (experiencing) the scenario or script, basically followed the world within the work, unless it was an unavoidable mistake by Woo-jin.

It was a framework.

The world, background, lines, actions, conflicts, emotions, etc.

By repeating the reading (experience) while engraving all of that, and continuing to act, the realization of the role becomes incredibly clear. The outline and vividness are amplified.

But it never deviates.

The roles Kang Woo-jin possessed always walked the set path of the scenario and script. The owner was Woo-jin, but the inherent value of the role could not be changed. It was the default. The role’s lines. The role’s life. The role’s world. The ability the subspace gifted did not provide anything beyond that.

It was like a one-way street with no alternative lanes.

‘Right, I have experience.’

In the past, a few times, Woo-jin’s genuine mistakes were treated as ad-libs [Improvised lines or actions]. The directors praised him with mistaken assumptions, but even then, he ultimately followed the inherent value. The recent synthesis he acquired was the same. The fixed value of the role was maintained, and only the character changed. He could synthesize other characters, but the scenario or script was maintained.

That framework was an immutable law.

Until now, Kang Woo-jin had only moved within the set scenario and script, but he hadn’t felt particularly uncomfortable or lacking. The freedom was low, but there were no questions. In the first place, the core Woo-jin lacked knowledge of acting.

More than anything.

‘Even that much was amazing.’

Woo-jin’s current power was proof of that.

But.

“It’s broken.”

Now that the freedom of the role has been unlocked, there are many paths visible, not just a one-way street. No, he felt it. A definite sensation. Kang Woo-jin looked deeper into his inner self. He even closed his eyes.

“······”

There was no subtle feeling of being forced by the subspace’s ability in terms of lines or actions. The inherent value of the scenario or script had disappeared. There was no framework.

Of course, the foundation remained the same.

The subspace’s ability hadn’t changed. However, it had become more flexible, and deviation was possible. Naturally, while possessing everything about the role. As Kang Woo-jin pleased.

‘Uh- is it really possible? If it’s like this······’

In the world of ‘Leech’ [The name of a drama] Park Ha-sung, he could blatantly deliver the lines of the carefree Park Dae-ri with his face, emotions, and expressions. He could remove the set lines and operate as Woo-jin intended. The first thing Woo-jin thought of was.

“Ad-libs or something?”

It was ad-libs. This was definitely an upgrade. While possessing everything about the role and replacing the persona of another character through role synthesis, Woo-jin could show everything not in the scenario or script through his own creation.

Under the command of the owner, Kang Woo-jin.

A moment later.

Kang Woo-jin, who had gained the freedom of the role, immediately attempted to read (experience) any role. As expected, the process was the same. It was no different from the subspace so far.

But Kang Woo-jin.

“For now, okay.”

He didn’t choose to change drastically right away. He chose to gradually blend in. It was different from role synthesis. He could break the framework of the scenario or script and run wild. So, he had to handle it even more carefully.

And so, Kang Woo-jin resumed filming for ‘Leech.’

“Action.”

He brings out ‘Park Ha-sung,’ who possesses everything. He shows him to the world. At the same time, Kang Woo-jin could clearly feel it.

‘Ah, I see it roughly.’

The unlocked freedom of the role.

What had only shown one path until now was completely different. There were no paths at all. Kang Woo-jin was free. He could go anywhere. While maintaining everything about ‘Park Ha-sung,’ he could easily transform his fixed values, such as lines and other things.

Woo-jin gradually adapts to how to handle the subspace, which had undergone a clear change. His body, mind, and thoughts.

He had to become proficient. Not outwardly, but inwardly. He reviews and reviews again.

Acting isn’t just done in front of the camera.

Kang Woo-jin can bring out the role even when he’s alone in the subspace. There was plenty of time to practice and become skilled.

‘The woman in the subspace said that my ‘unique ability has increased beyond the basic specs’ – well, that must mean my acting skills have improved, right?’

It doesn’t mean he’s become a super master to the point where he doesn’t need the subspace. But he’s definitely better than before. Even so, Kang Woo-jin is still Kang Woo-jin. That’s why Woo-jin instinctively understood.

Polish and polish again. Agilely.

The key is to be able to use the ability he gained this time without any burden. To be able to freely control it in any situation. It’s best if it aligns with his other abilities and creates the greatest synergy.

People around him call him a monster actor, but it would be better to be seen as an even crazier monster.

Whether it’s for his concept or the future.

It’s not about hiding his teeth.

Well, there’s plenty of time. There’s no need to rush, right? Kang Woo-jin calmly maintained his daily life.

About two days passed.

『‘Our Table’ Special Episode Ends with a Record-Breaking 21% Viewership, Viewers Cry Out, “Give Us Season 2 Quickly!”』

Monday, the 22nd. Although it was the start of another weekday, the internet was still dominated by Kang Woo-jin’s name.

『[Issue Pick] ‘Beneficial Evil’ Recently Held a Large-Scale First Audition, Which Actors Were Cast?』

The buzz from the Baeksang Arts Awards [A prestigious South Korean awards ceremony] was still thick in the media and public opinion, and the ‘Gimjaban Buckwheat Noodles’ cup ramen, which caused shortages and open-run phenomena, had become a craze beyond a trend. Memes were even being created with the cup ramen on video platforms like YouTube.

Around this time, an issue prevalent in Hollywood was slowly emerging in Korea as well.

『[Overseas] ‘Miley Cara,’ Who Visited Korea,···Will She Collaborate with a Korean Actor on Her Next Album? Rumors Spreading in Foreign Media』

It was news related to Miley Cara. She had recently visited Korea, which made it even more eye-catching. However, Kang Woo-jin’s momentum was so formidable that it didn’t attract much attention. Still, a snowball effect was rolling, mainly in the media and communities.

Then, on the 23rd.

Kang Woo-jin, who woke up at a hotel in Jeonju, met with his team to move to the set of ‘Leech,’ and Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, suddenly smiled as soon as he got into the elevator with Woo-jin.

“Good timing-”

What he was looking at was a message that had arrived from the company. Specifically, from the PR team. Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened several times after checking the content they had sent.

“Woo-jin, it’s out. Missing this flow is just stupid.”

Choi Sung-gun showed his phone to Kang Woo-jin.

『[Exclusive] Kang Woo-jin to Participate in Miley Cara’s Next Album』

This was intentionally leaked by BW Entertainment.

End of March.

The explosive March, filled with nuclear-level issues, had ended. And April had begun. People’s clothing had become considerably lighter. It was because spring had arrived. The weather had become mild, but many things related to Kang Woo-jin were not calm.

In particular, Japan was in an uproar as soon as spring started.

The news was a bit delayed as it was delivered a little later than in Korea, but the spark of the Kang Woo-jin craze was also ignited in Japan. The ‘Gimjaban Buckwheat Noodles’ cup ramen had already entered the Japanese market.

In addition, BW Entertainment was also busy.

『[Official] Ryu Jung-min to BW Entertainment···Working with Kang Woo-jin, Hong Hye-yeon, etc., BW Entertainment’s Momentum is Terrifying』

They had recruited quite a few actors, including Ryu Jung-min, and held a large-scale event to attract aspiring actors, using the out-of-this-world Kang Woo-jin as their flagship. Of course, a huge crowd gathered. BW Entertainment was no longer a small agency. It was wielding a mid-tier level of influence.

On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin was busy filming ‘Leech.’

‘Leech’ was already tight, but by the end of April, Woo-jin had to go back to Japan. There were several schedules, but the biggest events were the final filming of ‘Strange Life’ and the animation ‘My Guy Friend: Remake.’

Filming, schedule, filming, schedule.

Time was literally vaporizing and disappearing.

First week of April. And the second week.

It was already Wednesday, April 14th, around 9 o’clock.

Today, Kang Woo-jin was unusually found not in Jeonju, where the ‘Leech’ set was located, but at Eoullim Film Company, a huge film company in Sangam-dong. It was a medium-sized studio inside a very tall building.

The appointment was originally at 10 o’clock, but Kang Woo-jin, wearing a hat pulled down low, arrived about an hour early.

-Swoosh.

Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun, who had parted ways with the stylist and others, entered the studio. What immediately caught Woo-jin’s eye was.

‘Oh- it’s bigger than I thought?’

A moderate-sized screen set up at the front of the studio and the simple chairs placed in front of it. There were probably more than 30? There were no people currently sitting in the chairs. However, there were a few staff members finishing the setup. Including the assistant director, there were staff members familiar to Woo-jin.

“Ah! Mr. Woo-jin! You’re here early??! It’s been a while!”

“Hello, Assistant Director.”

“I’ve been watching you soar lately! Hahaha.”

It was the assistant director of the movie ‘Island of the Missing.’ In other words, the direct junior of the master director Kwon Ki-taek. The production team around him was the same. The production manager, who was finishing a call and greeting Woo-jin, was also from the ‘Island of the Missing’ team.

It was natural.

Eoullim Film Company was the film company that handled the production of ‘Island of the Missing.’ The ‘Island of the Missing’ staff, who had seen Woo-jin after a long time, excitedly talked about the issues Woo-jin had caused, and Woo-jin maintained a deep poker face while.

“Yes, thanks to you.”

He just answered appropriately.

‘Oh- this guy is still bursting with tension.’

5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes.

It was exactly 20 minutes later.

“Oh- you’re here.”

A soft male voice spread throughout the studio. This was also a familiar voice. Director Kwon Ki-taek. Woo-jin, who turned his body, saw the smiling, gentle Director Kwon Ki-taek. He slowly approached and extended his hand to Kang Woo-jin.

“Thank you for coming, even though you must be busy filming ‘Leech.’”

Kang Woo-jin replied in a low voice with his concept.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not 100% yet, but it’s worth watching. I’ve worked hard. You showed a 10 million spirit at the production presentation, so I couldn’t just slack off.”

Woo-jin, who was calm, was different from his inner thoughts.

‘He’s holding a grudge, the master director.’

He answered solemnly.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to.”

“No, no. It’s not something to apologize for. It feels like I’ve been grinding my bones because of that declaration.”

At that moment.

“Hello-”

A very cheerful voice was added. It was because the muscular top actor Jeon Woo-chang had entered the studio. One of the leads of ‘Island of the Missing.’ But he was with top actress Kim Yi-won.

“It’s been a while, Director.”

“Oh, Woo-chang and Yi-won are here.”

The two actors gave a deep bow to Director Kwon Ki-taek and then immediately approached Kang Woo-jin.

“Oh my! The space star came first??! Amazing, amazing! How have you been, Star Kang??”

“Hoo- Woo-chang, lower your decibel. We’ve seen so much of Woo-jin in the news that it doesn’t feel like it’s been a while.”

“Hello.”

The number of actors, including Director Kwon Ki-taek and Kang Woo-jin, increased to three, and the team grew, and the studio with the screen gradually began to bustle.

What fueled that atmosphere was.

“Hello. Woo-chang, your voice can be heard in the hallway, you know??”

It was Ha Yu-ra, whose hair had grown a bit from her bob. She entered with a slightly cold tone, but following her, who was smiling with her eyes, Ryu Jung-min, who was maintaining his short hair, joined exactly 3 minutes later. He had recently transferred to BW Entertainment.

All the main actors of ‘Island of the Missing’ had gathered.

Not all the actors had arrived yet. A few more supporting actors had to come, but the master director Kwon Ki-taek, who was looking at the actors mixed with Kang Woo-jin with a pleased expression.

-Swoosh.

He sat down in the chair in front of the screen first and murmured in a gentle tone.

“Everyone, stop making a fuss and sit down, the test screening needs to have a solemn feel.”

It meant that ‘Island of the Missing’ was completed.