I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 264

Just before the test screening of the movie ‘Island of the Missing’ began. A test screening, or blind preview, is a process to check the video, directing, or sound in advance. However, in the movie industry, it has become an event where the director, actors, and key staff gather to celebrate.

It usually takes place when about 80% of the post-production of a movie, that is, the editing, is done.

Of course, there are cases where it’s done after 100% of the work is finished, but the master director Kwon Ki-taek scheduled the test screening a bit early, considering the actors’ schedules. It’s better to have all the actors together than to have some miss it due to timing conflicts.

‘I’ve been in the movie business for years, but it’s not as comfortable as I thought.’

Director Kwon Ki-taek, sitting in the middle of the front row among the dozens of chairs arranged in front of the screen, wore his signature warm smile. He had been pulling all-nighters during the editing process, but his complexion wasn’t too bad. Is it because he has the experience to be called a master director? Anyway, Director Kwon Ki-taek scanned the actors who were sitting around him, chattering away.

-Swish.

“······”

The people who brought ‘Island of the Missing’ to life. And Kang Woo-jin. Test screenings are an event that happens every time a movie is made, but today, with ‘Island of the Missing,’ Director Kwon Ki-taek felt a strange feeling. Was it because he had worked so hard? Or was it because it contained challenges he hadn’t tried before? Or maybe it was because so many things had happened from pre-production until now.

In an instant, the image of the fallen and disappeared director Woo Hyun-gu flashed through Director Kwon Ki-taek’s mind.

Then.

“Alright-”

Director Kwon Ki-taek focused the attention of the actors, staff, and key personnel who were busy talking.

“Everyone knows the situation, right? The current screening version is about 80% complete, and there might be some lacking parts. Please watch it with that in mind.”

The ‘Island of the Missing’ being shown now was missing about half of the movie’s music. That’s because it was still being worked on. The title was inserted, but there was no opening or closing. The same was true for the sound. There were still some shortcomings in the screening version, but it was no problem for a test screening.

In the next two weeks, Director Kwon Ki-taek would finish the editing and produce a 100% perfect ‘Island of the Missing.’

It should be around early May.

“As you know, the distribution side is already moving.”

The master director Kwon Ki-taek would never delay the deadline. Therefore, the movie company and distributor of ‘Island of the Missing’ had already started the work just before the movie’s release. Promotion and marketing schedules, securing theaters, and many other things.

The ‘Island of the Missing’ poster was already on the side of Seoul buses.

In other words, the only thing left was the release.

Kang Woo-jin, who had taken off his deeply pressed hat, causing his hair to be slightly flattened, listened to Director Kwon Ki-taek’s brief briefing.

‘So, it’s actually going to be released??’

He maintained a cynical exterior, but his heart rate was actually increasing. How could it not? It was the first movie to be released since ‘Drug Dealer,’ and more than anything, ‘Island of the Missing’ was Kang Woo-jin’s first leading role. Moreover, the director was a master who was considered top-tier in the country.

He would be a dead man if he didn’t feel excited.

Then, Kang Woo-jin recalled the rating of ‘Island of the Missing.’

-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Missing), SS Grade]

It was still SS grade.

‘Hmm, I wonder what kind of performance an SS grade will get? I can’t gauge it.’

‘Drug Dealer’ was about A grade and grossed over 8 million. Of course, it was a huge hit as an R-rated movie. It rewrote the legend of Korean R-rated movies. Then, should he assume it will easily surpass 10 million? Woo-jin became slightly dazed.

‘10 million—no, crazy, 10 million???’

It felt unreal. Throughout the history of Korean movies, there weren’t many 10 million movies, and the number of viewers for the number one movie of all time was about 16.7 million. In that sense, a 10 million movie was something enormous. No 10 million movies had been released in the two years since 2021.

Kang Woo-jin slightly fidgeted in his seat.

It was because he was nervous and anxious. It was closer to anticipation than anxiety.

‘Aish—damn, I want to see the results quickly.’

It was then.

“I’m sorry—I’m a bit late.”

One top actress was added to the already bustling studio. It was Hong Hye-yeon, with her long, flowing hair. She had been invited because she had a cameo in ‘Island of the Missing.’ Normally, she could have skipped it, but she attended because she was currently on a break.

Soon, Hong Hye-yeon, who had greeted Director Kwon Ki-taek and the actors, also greeted Kang Woo-jin.

“It’s finally being released, huh? It feels like just yesterday when we went to Da Nang together.”

“Yeah, how have you been?”

“Are you asking because you’re curious? Or are you just asking out of courtesy?”

“It’s half and half.”

“Whatever.”

The prepared temporary chairs were already full, so Woo-jin’s right-hand man, Choi Sung-gun, offered his seat to Hong Hye-yeon. Hong Hye-yeon waved her hand, saying it was okay. Choi Sung-gun gestured for her to just sit down. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin noticed a large man standing behind Hong Hye-yeon. It was the burly Kim Dae-young. He grinned. Woo-jin, with his concept-heavy persona, replied with his eyes.

‘Why are you smirking.’

Kim Dae-young also replied with his eyes.

‘Isn’t it amazing? I just can’t believe it every time I see you.’

That’s how the scene was roughly organized. There were about 50 people gathered. There were only about 30 chairs, so those who couldn’t sit had to stand at the back.

“Let’s go.”

Due to Director Kwon Ki-taek’s gentle instruction, the studio went dark. Then, an island suddenly appeared on the front screen.

The main movie had started without an opening.

About two weeks later, Tokyo, Japan.

Late morning in late April. The filming location for director Kyotaro’s ‘Strange Geisha,’ that is, the set. The filming crew, props team, art team, lighting team, and so on. Over a hundred staff members were busily moving around to prepare for the next scene. Kang Woo-jin was not there, but the Japanese actors were also busy with makeup touch-ups.

Meanwhile, director Kyotaro, with his gray hair.

-Flap.

He was sitting alone at a table with several monitors, looking down at the shooting storyboard, and the script for ‘Strange Geisha’ was also placed in the empty space on the table in front of him. The script was also open, suggesting that he was looking at them alternately.

“······”

Director Kyotaro was concentrating. The shooting storyboard and script had already reached the latter half. But for some reason, director Kyotaro.

“Hmm-”

He had a deeply troubled expression. However, it was unclear whether the part he was thinking about was related to directing or the actors’ performances.

It was then.

“Director.”

A female voice in Japanese interrupted from behind the seated director Kyotaro. When director Kyotaro turned his head, he saw a middle-aged woman smiling behind him. As soon as he saw her, director Kyotaro immediately stood up.

“Writer?”

Behind him stood Takikawa Akari, the original author of ‘Strange Geisha’ and a world-renowned writer. She was wearing a beige cardigan and a small designer bag on her shoulder, enjoying the relatively warmer weather.

-Swish.

She approached director Kyotaro, maintaining her smile. Then, she extended her hand.

“For some reason, I wanted to come today. Is it okay?”

Director Kyotaro, who took Akari’s hand, laughed heartily.

“Of course. You are welcome anytime.”

“It’s as busy as ever, the set. How is it going?”

“The movie set is always the same. It’s going by in a blur.”

“Ah—but.”

Akari, who had placed her bag on a nearby chair, looked around the set and tilted her head.

“I don’t see Kang Woo-jin. Is it not a filming day for him today?”

Director Kyotaro, who was looking towards the actors getting their makeup done, made a face as if to say that wasn’t the case.

“Woo-jin is in Korea right now. He’s working on his schedule there.”

“Really? I’ve been cooped up at home writing, so I didn’t know any news. Is all of his filming done?”

“No. There’s still some left. He’s scheduled to rejoin us in early May. Right now, we’re filming the other actors’ scenes in advance.”

“Ah, so that’s how you’re proceeding.”

“We have to adapt to the situation. It was also agreed upon in the initial contract with Woo-jin.”

Akari, who had a curious expression, looked at the set again and asked.

“I heard that ‘Iyota Kiyoshi’s’ piano scene was added. Honestly, I’m dying to see it. When will the filming be finished?”

Director Kyotaro, who chuckled softly, replied in a definitive tone.

“If we focus after Woo-jin returns, it will be finished by May. Of course, we have to consider June as well.”

“Time flies—so, there’s less than a month left.”

“That’s right.”

After hearing the answer, Akari looked at the script on the monitor table and then tapped the shooting storyboard that director Kyotaro was holding with her index finger.

“Do you have any concerns? When I came in, your face looked serious.”

“Ah-”

Director Kyotaro, who let out a small breath, showed her the storyboard.

“That’s good. I was wondering if I should contact you. This cut, the first meeting between Kiyoshi and Detective Mochio.”

“Yes.”

“I adapted the original work and created the dialogue, but now I feel a bit lacking.”

“Shall we take a look?”

Akari, who had been looking at the dialogue for a while, let out a sigh.

“Hmm—the dialogue in novels and movies is different, so… I think it’s fine.”

“Is that so?”

Director Kyotaro, who scratched his gray hair, asked again.

“I’ve been thinking about it. I’m thinking of filming it in two ways. One with the existing storyboard. And one with the actors’ freedom.”

“Hmm? The actors’ freedom?”

“I’ll remove the dialogue from the scene and let the actors do as they want.”

It was quite common for scenes to be modified by the actors’ input during filming. In fact, some directors in Korea and Hollywood would leave scenes to actors who were emotionally invested.

“That is, Kang Woo-jin and Mana Kosaku.”

“Ah-”

“The directing, situation, the emotions of the characters, and the conflict will be maintained, and only the basic framework of the dialogue will be conveyed.”

It was an attempt to see a different perspective from the director’s eye.

“The actors will create it. Freely.”

At this time, in Korea.

A large multiplex cinema in the Gangnam area. A very large event was taking place in the largest theater. Hundreds of seats were filled with reporters from news outlets and magazines, and movie critics were also noticeable in the front seats.

The following phrase was displayed on the huge screen in front of them.

-‘Island of the Missing’ Press Screening

-Grand Opening May 20th

A press screening is one of several screenings held before the release and is the most important. It is to give experts a heads-up about what kind of movie this is. It is also the first step in advertising and promotion. When a press screening is held, it can be said that the movie is already 100% complete.

And currently.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

The lead actors of ‘Island of the Missing,’ who were lined up in front of the screen, were being photographed like crazy. Of course, Kang Woo-jin was also visible. Starting with Director Kwon Ki-taek, actors like Kang Woo-jin and Ryu Jung-min.

“Can we get a fighting pose!”

“A finger heart too!”

They took various poses as requested by the reporters who were invited to the screening. Because their current appearance would be published in the articles later. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin, wearing a black-blue jacket.

‘Seriously—ha, are reporters these days obsessed with finger hearts?? Why do they ask for finger hearts everywhere I go? It’s embarrassing.’

While grumbling inwardly, he made a solemn finger heart. But the reporters, still not satisfied.

“Woo-jin! Show us a double thumbs-up!”

They even requested a double thumbs-up. Of course, Woo-jin nonchalantly gave a double thumbs-up with his concept-heavy face.

Several tens of minutes later.

The basic event was over, and the actors also sat in the empty seats in the front. Soon, the hundreds of reporters lowered their cameras.

The Daeyoung theater quickly darkened.

Some critics took out their glasses and put them on.

Then.

-Whoosh.

The sound of wind echoed throughout the theater. The screen, which had been showing a panoramic view of the island, quickly changed the scene.

-[“Gasp! Cough!!”]

A rough male breathing sound. Someone is running. Two feet running are visible on the screen. They are wearing military uniforms. Military boots. Each time they run, the boots sink into the mud.

-[“Ugh! Cough! Gasp!”]

The camera angle runs with the man. Shaky. Shaky.

-[“Damn it—damn it!”]

The man’s running stopped with a thud. The screen still only shows the man’s legs. The man’s legs, which had been trembling slightly, slowly turn around. The angle also slowly rises. From the legs to the waist. From the waist to the chest. From the chest to the face.

Private Kim, shouldering a rifle.

He shouted.

-[“S, Sergeant Kim! Sergeant Park!!”]

Then, he suddenly fired his gun.

-Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

At that moment.

-[“Gurgle—Private Kim.”]

-[“Damn it! Damn it, die! Die!!”]

With a bizarre voice.

-Thud!

Something long that flew from somewhere burst Private Kim’s head. Pieces of Private Kim’s head, shattered like fireworks, and blood splattered all over the screen. Soon, a thick, rough gray title appeared in the center of the red screen.

-‘Island of the Missing’

For about 5 seconds.

The title disappeared, and the screen turned black. Then, a bright background suddenly appeared. A morgue. A body lying in the morgue. A white cloth covering the body. A soldier looking down at it.

-[“······”]

Kang Woo-jin. No, Corporal Jin Sun-cheol. A somewhat ambiguous expression. Corporal Jin Sun-cheol’s face is zoomed in. Of course, his face fills the screen. His eyes are strange. Is it indifference? Or sadness? His breath is short and trembling.

As soon as he appeared, some of the critics stroked their chins.

‘Indeed, the roles from his previous works are nowhere to be seen this time either.’

‘Kang Woo-jin. The level of concentration skyrockets as soon as he appears, his control is great as expected.’

‘At the production presentation, he boasted about his gut feeling and predicted 10 million viewers? What level of acting tension did he put into it—’

An hour later.

The expressions of all the critics had changed 180 degrees. It was not the stiff, critical face from the beginning.

“······”

“······”

They were staring intently at the screen with wide eyes. They were completely immersed as viewers. Of course, the hundreds of reporters were the same. They were even getting chills while watching ‘Island of the Missing.’

They didn’t have a single second to think about anything else.

‘Wow… damn. What’s the quality? It’s insane?’

It was an insane level of immersion.

Meanwhile, in LA.

The location was ‘Universal Movies,’ a huge movie production company with an enormous set. In one of the offices of the headquarters, where a poster of the globe, the logo of ‘Universal Movies,’ was attached to the wall, a familiar foreign woman was visible. It was Megan Stone, with her brown bob and suit. Of course, she wasn’t alone, but anyway, she, a famous casting director, was currently sitting on a sofa, looking at a stack of thin papers.

-Flap.

A proposal. The contents included a synopsis. Then, she narrowed her brows for a moment.

‘…A Jekyll and Hyde motif—and it includes dissociative identity disorder?’

In an instant.

‘Kang Woo-jin.’

For some reason, she thought of Kang Woo-jin.

End