I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 27

Wednesday, March 11th, in the afternoon.

The ‘Errand Agency’ team was on their second day of filming in Paju, Gyeonggi. It was past 5 PM, and the filming location was an old cafe near a villa. It was a cafe combined with a restaurant. They seemed to have just finished a scene, as about a dozen ‘Errand Agency’ staff members were bustling around the cafe, cleaning up.

In the movie industry, there’s a saying about ‘setting up and folding up.’

It refers to the process of preparing and cleaning up, and even on commercial film sets, they quickly clean up after outdoor shoots. For short films, they had to be twice as fast to save on production costs.

Anyway.

-Clunk!

Top actress Hong Hye-yeon got into the van parked on the side of the road. As soon as she got in, she put on a white long padded coat, leaned her head against the headrest, and let out a long sigh.

“Hoo-”

She also swept her long hair back. There was something atmospheric about it, like a scene from a shampoo commercial.

With that last scene, Hong Hye-yeon’s filming for ‘Errand Agency’ was over. She had been with them for two out of the five total days of filming. Originally, it was supposed to be a three-day schedule, but due to her busy schedule, they had to film a bit more tightly. The previous scene was a two-shot with Kang Woo-jin, the main character of ‘Errand Agency.’

Hong Hye-yeon, fastening her padded coat, mulled over the scene that lingered in her mind.

‘It felt different from watching it on the monitor. Experiencing it firsthand is different. I was a bit intimidated in the middle, wasn’t I? Why was that?’

Hong Hye-yeon, asking herself internally, bit her lower lip.

‘Because I felt that my acting was lacking while matching the acting with him.’

Hong Hye-yeon felt a gap in her acting with Kang Woo-jin. She had the title of a top actress, but Kang Woo-jin’s background was still unknown. Yet, the gap was significant. It felt very wide.

‘I don’t know, I think I did it out of spite from the middle.’

She even asked director Shin Dong-chun for feedback a few times because she was unsure of herself. As the reshoots continued, Kang Woo-jin’s portrayal of Kim Ryu-jin became more intense, and the gap didn’t narrow.

Of course, broadly speaking, her acting wasn’t bad.

No, it was rather good. Director Shin Dong-chun was satisfied. Moreover, Hong Hye-yeon was among the top actresses in the country in terms of acting ability. It was just that Kang Woo-jin had an unbelievable presence.

‘How does he do that? When I look at him, he exudes the presence of someone who’s been in the acting world for years. That gaze – is it just talent?’

She had joined ‘Errand Agency’ to analyze Kang Woo-jin’s unique acting, but after experiencing it, she felt even more perplexed. And this time, she received a new shock.

“…Kim Ryu-jin had a completely different tone from Park Dae-ri. How can the boundaries between the two characters be so clear while working on two projects simultaneously?”

If Park Dae-ri was intense and profound, this Kim Ryu-jin had a casual, everyday-life-infused acting style. Kang Woo-jin’s Park Dae-ri and Kim Ryu-jin were completely separate. This was a skill that no rookie could ever possess.

“Is he a multiple personality?”

Multiple personality. Yes, it was understandable to see him as having multiple personalities, each with distinct traits. At that moment, Hong Hye-yeon sighed.

“Is it even possible to learn something like that?”

Moreover, Kang Woo-jin said he was self-taught. As of now, it was unknown. It might be impossible. But she had to keep watching him. Kang Woo-jin. Because she wanted to improve her acting.

Soon, Hong Hye-yeon.

-Swish.

Took out her phone and called her agency’s CEO. That is, CEO Choi Seong-geon.

“Oppa! How much did you set Kang Woo-jin’s contract fee at?? What? Isn’t it a bit low??”

Meanwhile, inside the cafe where the cleanup was in full swing.

Kang Woo-jin was sitting by the window of the rather shabby-looking cafe. He was waiting to ride with the team. Currently, his attire was that of Kim Ryu-jin, but his expression was blank.

But inside, it was different. He was in a pretty good mood.

‘I got a hug.’

To be exact, there was a scene where Hong Hye-yeon lightly back-hugged Kang Woo-jin from behind. It wasn’t an affectionate scene. Rather, it was a tense scene. But a back hug was a back hug. Hong Hye-yeon’s warmth was vivid on Woo-jin’s back. For Woo-jin, who was a commoner at heart, it was something to make him smile.

‘No, when else would I ever get a back hug from Hong Hye-yeon? I have another thing to brag about to Kim Dae-young.’

It was then.

“Woo-jin-ssi.”

A man’s voice broke Kang Woo-jin out of his reverie. When he turned around, he saw the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun smiling.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

‘A back hug,’ he couldn’t say, so Woo-jin vaguely made up something else. Since they were filming, it must be about acting. Kang Woo-jin solemnly recited.

“I was thinking about the next scene.”

There couldn’t have been a more blatant lie. Director Shin Dong-chun, unaware of this, tucked the rolled-up shooting script into his back pocket.

“Don’t overdo it. You’re already doing more than enough. If you collapse, Woo-jin-ssi, we’ll have to stop everything, you know?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, with a satisfied smile, sat next to Woo-jin. Then, he changed the subject.

“Woo-jin-ssi, you haven’t signed with an agency yet, right?”

“Yes, not yet.”

“You must have received quite a few business cards at the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ script reading, right?”

‘What is this guy, is he a fortune teller?’ As Kang Woo-jin stared at him, the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun shrugged.

“Well, I used to be a drama PD [Production Director] in the past. I was pretty good, you know? Since entertainment people attend script readings a lot, if they saw you, they would have definitely given you their business cards.”

“I see.”

“Are you having a hard time deciding? Um- I don’t know about other advice, but rookies or unknowns usually don’t get a contract fee when they join a company. They’re usually in a position where they have to pay to join.”

“……”

“Because entertainment companies are the ones who take in and nurture rookies, and they’re the ones who are investing money. Rookies and unknowns usually sign contracts for 5 years, or 7 years at the longest, and the profits start coming in after 3 years at the earliest? It can even take 4 years.”

Here, director Shin Dong-chun suddenly changed his expression.

“But Woo-jin-ssi, you’ll get a contract fee, you’ll get it and join. You’re special, aren’t you? You’re already making a profit with your acting, and the scale is unbelievably large. Ah, I’m not talking about mine, I’m talking about ‘Profiler Hanryang.'”

“Yes.”

“You know how amazing PD Song Man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi are, right? It’s tough for even top actors to join that project.”

‘I’m curious how much I should ask for?’ As Woo-jin internally asked the question, director Shin Dong-chun started blurting out the answer on his own.

“The reason why entertainment companies are so eager to get you right now is because they can skip the trainee period, which costs up to hundreds of millions of won. That’s a huge deal, more than you think. It’s money and time. They’re cutting down 3 to 5 years.”

“I’m somewhat aware of that.”

“But the real scary thing is the uncertainty. Even after spending money on training, promotion, and running around to production companies and broadcasting stations, only one out of a hundred kids makes it after 3 years of training. The rest all fail. And even that one is just barely getting a minor role.”

‘The entertainment industry is terrifying.’ Although his expression didn’t change, Kang Woo-jin internally shuddered. Regardless, director Shin Dong-chun suddenly pointed at Kang Woo-jin with his index finger.

“But how about you right now, Woo-jin-ssi? You’re the main character in our ‘Errand Agency,’ right? And in ‘Profiler Hanryang’?”

“I’m a supporting role.”

“You’re just starting, but you’re already the main character and a supporting role without a 3 to 5 year gap? And your acting is already complete, there’s no need to train you. You also have star potential. They have to risk their lives to get a minor role, but you’ve created several times more on your own. Wouldn’t entertainment companies be drooling over that?”

‘They’d be drooling like crazy,’ Kang Woo-jin thought, understanding it a hundred times over after hearing that. Meanwhile, director Shin Dong-chun, with his arms crossed, thought for a moment and then spoke again.

“In my opinion, you could ask for around 20 million won as a contract fee?”

Kang Woo-jin vehemently asked back. Of course, internally.

‘Huh?! 20 million won???’

After that.

Around the time Kang Woo-jin was put back into filming for ‘Errand Agency,’ the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ side, having finished the script reading, was pouring out publicity like a waterfall.

『[Star Talk] ‘Profiler Hanryang’ is currently in script reading, with many stars attending / Photos』

『Is it really a highly anticipated work? ‘Profiler Hanryang’ held a reading in a condo, is the content as solid as the rumors?』

Starting with the script reading scenes filled with top actors and brief interviews with the actors, various rumors with sources were spread to the public through articles.

『[Issue Check] ‘Profiler Hanryang’ side says, “First broadcast is set for May”』

『’Profiler Hanryang’ to hold a production presentation at the end of April, likely to air on Fridays and Saturdays』

『Who is the proper scene-stealing actor that ‘Writer Park Eun-mi’ mentioned? Rumors spread among netizens』

The first poster to announce the theme of the drama was also released. It was a format where the profiles of the main actors, such as Ryu Jeong-min and Hong Hye-yeon, were placed on the floor against a background of black and gray smoke swirling.

It emphasized the feeling of a profiler.

Of course, it was the first poster, so it would change when the official poster came out, but it was successful in sending a message to the public that production was speeding up. On Thursday, the day after, the first teaser was released on the official YouTube channel of ‘Profiler Hanryang.’

-A taste of the script reading with many top actors? Can’t miss this!!｜Profiler Hanryang

-[SBC]/ENG SUB

-2020. 3. 12

A short 30-second video focusing on the script reading. But the views for this video were not short.

-Views 1,001,332

Was it because of the built-up anticipation? Or because of the destructive power of the big names involved? The teaser video surpassed 1 million views in just one day after being uploaded.

And so, it was late afternoon on Saturday the 14th.

Kang Woo-jin could be found in the second-floor bathroom of the Paju villa. No, right now he was Kim Ryu-jin. His eyes were full of vigilance, and he was pressed tightly against the wall. Kim Ryu-jin was slowly hiding behind the door.

In that state, for about 10 seconds.

Someone shouted loudly towards the quiet second-floor bathroom.

“Cut!! Oooookay!!!”

It was the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun, and he ran to the calm Kang Woo-jin with tears in his eyes.

“Thank you! You’ve really worked hard, Woo-jin-ssi!!”

“You’ve worked hard too, director.”

Because the filming for the short film ‘Errand Agency’ was all over.

Late at night on the same day.

The ‘Errand Agency’ team, including Kang Woo-jin, held a small get-together at a barbecue restaurant near their accommodation in Paju. It was past 10 PM. Hong Hye-yeon, who had left midway through the schedule, was unfortunately not there. Ah, of course, ‘unfortunately’ was just Kang Woo-jin’s feeling.

Anyway.

“Please put three servings of pork belly on each table!”

“Yes, yes-”

“And give us three bottles of soju [Korean rice wine] for now!”

At a place where four tables were combined, the after-party of the ‘Errand Agency’ team, about 15 people, began in earnest.

“I’m going to miss that villa, though. I got attached to it.”

“Yeah, it was so comfortable, like my own home.”

“Hahaha. If we work hard, we can buy a villa, right?”

“Do you know why a villa is called a villa? Because it’s like reaching for a star in the sky.”

The dozen or so staff members and actors seemed to have gotten quite close over the five days, and they were busy chatting and laughing. The square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun looked at them with a pleased expression. It was the pride of a new director.

Meanwhile.

“……”

A blank-faced man sat next to director Shin Dong-chun. Kang Woo-jin, who had zipped his windbreaker up to his neck, was silently looking down at his cup. No, to be exact, he was retracing the past five days mixed with ‘filming.’

‘My mood is kind of strange. A bittersweet feeling?’

We call that regret. Woo-jin felt a little bit of lingering attachment. Because it was the first time in a long time that he had felt a sense of accomplishment.

‘I even felt a thrill when I heard the OK at the end of the filming.’

Although it was a short film, it was his first movie, first shoot, and first leading role.

Everything was new and unfamiliar to Kang Woo-jin, and the five days of continuous filming were terribly hard, but it was fun. The novelty and interest that were injected every day were greater than the fatigue that accumulated due to the unfamiliar environment. Ah, of course, there was also the mental burden that came from maintaining his concept.

But the conclusion of Kang Woo-jin, the main character, was that ‘it was enjoyable.’

‘I never felt this kind of feeling when I was working at the design company. Well, anyway, it was really tough. Is a short film at this level?’

Suddenly, Kang Woo-jin imagined the pain of filming a proper commercial project or ‘Profiler Hanryang.’ He had hit the nail on the head. ‘Errand Agency’ was like a warm-up.

‘Ha- I need to build up my stamina.’

Anyway, Kang Woo-jin’s life had changed in a very bizarre way.

Then.

“Woo-jin-ssi?”

A female actress called out to Kang Woo-jin.

“Aren’t you tired? You’re sitting there so calmly?”

As the topic turned to Kang Woo-jin, the actors and staff members added their comments one by one.

“That’s right, Woo-jin-ssi, your expression didn’t change at all throughout the filming. I thought it was amazing.”

“Yeah, at the end of the filming, you were the only one who was energetic, right? I don’t think I ever saw you look tired.”

“And your acting tone didn’t waver and was solid. Were you really not tired at all??”

‘No? It was damn hard,’ but looking weak didn’t suit Kang Woo-jin, who had a touch of bravado. He maintained his poker face as much as possible. So, his answer had to be similar.

“It was bearable.”

Director Shin Dong-chun laughed heartily behind him and patted Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder a couple of times.

“Your stamina is good, and your mentality is strong. Honestly, there’s nothing lacking in you as an actor. If I were a drama PD, I would cast you right away.”

“Thank you.”

“Above all, you’re about to be thrown into a huge production, right? You have to be able to handle this much.”

‘I know, I know.’ He had barely forgotten, but this guy was reminding him of the horror. Whatever Kang Woo-jin’s inner thoughts were, the other actors rushed in.

“Oh, right! What are you filming? A movie? A drama?”

“Oh- I’m jealous. But I acknowledge Woo-jin-ssi. With that acting ability, you’ll be more than enough anywhere.”

“If I see you on TV or the screen, I’m going to brag about it to everyone around me. Ah! Woo-jin-ssi, please give me your autograph.”

“…Autograph?”

As the word ‘autograph’ was uttered, the actors raised their hands one after another. It was the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun who stopped them.

“Hahaha, let’s do that later. Woo-jin-ssi, the filming itself is over for now. I’ll be starting the post-production work right away from tomorrow.”

That is, he was going into editing.

“But there will probably be post-recording work.”

Director Shin Dong-chun continued with a brief explanation. He said that there would be audio post-recording work due to things like narration or cuts where the sound was muffled by the surrounding environment.

“We’ll do it all in one day. I’ll contact you before scheduling it.”

Although they were all new pieces of knowledge and information, Kang Woo-jin calmly nodded his head.

“I understand.”

He asked something he was curious about.

“Has the schedule for the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ been released?”

“No, not yet. The exact schedule usually comes out two weeks before. The rumor is that it’s being looked at around mid to late April. It’s a little over a month away, so fortunately, the post-production work won’t be too tight.”

“I see.”

At that moment, director Shin Dong-chun’s eyes lit up.

“Woo-jin-ssi’s cuts. The quality of the materials is considerable. The picture will be amazing.”

Then.

“Ah.”

Director Shin Dong-chun, who was filling Kang Woo-jin’s soju glass, suddenly changed the subject.

“Woo-jin-ssi, do you have a suit?”

A suit? He did have one. The one he wore for his job interview. Kang Woo-jin thought of the cheap suit he bought with a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

“I do have one.”

“Um- but even if you do, buy one. Spend some money and get a good one.”

“Is there a reason?”

“Honestly, I thought it was a dream before I met you, Woo-jin-ssi, but for some reason, it feels like it’s going to become a reality now? I said it once before, right? That only a few dozen out of hundreds of submissions make it to the finals of the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival.’ And that the actor’s performance is a significant part of the judging criteria.”

“Yes.”

Here, the square-jawed director Shin Dong-chun smiled confidently.

“If you’re invited as a finalist, the lead actor has to attend the film festival, of course.”

He pointed at Kang Woo-jin.

“There will be huge figures from the film industry, so you have to look good, right?”

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