I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 270

‘Iyota Kiyoshi’ was a stranger and an outsider from the beginning. From high school until the moment he finished his homework and returned to his daily life. He had no connection with anyone, and he was cut off from everyone.

But what if Misaki Toka had lived?

If the connection with her hadn’t been severed and had continued? If that had developed and Kiyoshi and Toka had grown together? The situation would have been completely different. Such trivial things keep people alive.

The trigger for human lives is surprisingly small.

Most people breathe while holding onto a mere fingernail-sized expectation or hope. For Kiyoshi, that might have been Toka. But she disappeared. He became a complete stranger and an outsider. Or perhaps he became even darker than that. But is that revenge, that homework, meaningless?

Who can point a finger at him and curse him?

Perhaps Kiyoshi wanted to live.

He might have recognized the meaning of life as ‘homework’ and acted accordingly.

If he was wronged, how could he live without doing anything? He made a reasonable judgment. It doesn’t matter if you call it selfish or say the method was wrong. Victim? Perpetrator? What does that even mean?

It’s just reality. Things happened. A phenomenon occurred.

Kiyoshi’s life was already twisted. To live, he had to somehow return to the starting point. It wasn’t a desperate struggle, but simply doing the homework he had to do calmly.

Purpose, goal, dream. In other words, hope.

For Kiyoshi, that would be revenge. Watch over me from somewhere. Someday, I’ll get an inspection. After that, Iyota Kiyoshi, having finished everything, hid in everyday life.

He observes as a ‘stranger.’

It’s not clear whether what he’s looking at is a camera, the audience, Misaki Toka, or his own life.

One thing is certain: it’s the starting point.

The author of ‘Stranger,’ Takikawa Akari, a world-renowned writer, was amazed. Of course, it was because of the ending that Director Kyotaro had brought as a request for modification. Author Akari, with her glasses perched on the tip of her nose, lowered the paper she was holding.

And then.

‘Woo-jin-ssi suggested this ending?’

She thought of the Korean actor, Kang Woo-jin. The reason she was so surprised was simple. It was an ending she had considered in the past.

No, to be precise, this ending was the real one.

‘The details are a bit different, but the end is similar.’

Before publication, the original ending of ‘Stranger’ had Kiyoshi living among ordinary people. Of course, the detailed scenes and direction were completely different from what Director Kyotaro had brought, but the meaning was the same. However, at the time, author Akari had abandoned the ending she had decided on.

There were too many vested interests.

And then there were her fans all over the world. The atmosphere of the past era also played a part. Whatever the reason, the original ending had to be buried in author Akari’s heart. After a long time, a foreign actor suddenly pulled out the buried ending.

‘Why on earth did he think of this?’

Author Akari had seen many of her works made into movies or dramas. But never before had any actor suggested a correction to author Akari. Kang Woo-jin was the first.

Author Akari’s eyes slowly reached Director Kyotaro across from her.

“Did Woo-jin-ssi also suggest this direction and the detailed settings?”

Director Kyotaro shook his head slightly.

“No. I added the detailed settings such as scenes, locations, and direction. But the core idea was from Woo-jin-ssi.”

“In what way?”

“Denying poetic justice.”

Director Kyotaro, with his gray hair, calmly recited the words he had heard from Woo-jin.

“Poetic justice doesn’t suit Kiyoshi, and he said that it fits his character to live well without any harm.”

“······Living well.”

“Yes. He also said that it seems like Iyota Kiyoshi is breaking down.”

“Hoo-”

A smile quickly spread across author Akari’s face.

“Woo-jin-ssi must have been facing Kiyoshi with sincerity.”

“That’s right, it’s a conclusion that couldn’t have come out otherwise.”

“He’s a very strange actor. He pretends not to see, but he sees everything, and he pretends not to know, but he knows everything. I feel like my insides have been exposed.”

“Your insides have been exposed?”

Author Akari, exhaling lightly at the question, explained the past of ‘Stranger.’ That there was an original ending. That she had buried it. And up to the present.

“Looking back now, I think I was probably scared. So I adapted Kiyoshi to reality. Even though I knew it was an escape.”

“······I understand. I was the same in the past. No, even now. I think that result created the current Japanese content market. Everyone is too scared.”

The two giants gave a slightly bitter smile. Among them, author Akari was the first to speak.

“There’s still so much to learn even at this age. I never thought I’d feel like I was learning from a Korean actor. I envy his fearless spirit rather than his cold-heartedness.”

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi was like that from the beginning. A monster who doesn’t compromise with the world. That’s in the realm of talent, so it can’t be imitated.”

In an instant, author Akari, with a serious face, changed the subject.

“If you go with this ending—you’re directly refuting the Japanese content market that has been solidified so far. It’s a declaration of war to break it down.”

“I know.”

“There will probably be a disaster. Extreme public backlash, huge resentment from hardcore fans of the original work, fierce resistance from the industry. You won’t be welcomed at all.”

“There will be huge controversy and a lot of criticism. Nevertheless, I think I’ll regret it for the rest of my life if it’s not this ending.”

Director Kyotaro, making eye contact with author Akari, gave a gentle smile.

“If you want to change something, it’s natural that someone will bleed. Ah, of course, the author’s permission is the most important.”

“······The prelude to a war that will shake all of Japan. A scene where curses explode, am I the only one looking forward to it? I think it’ll be more fun. It’s better to have a storm and a tidal wave than something calm after the release. More than anything, I want to see what I couldn’t do in the past.”

Author Akari, giving a thumbs up, gave a reply mixed with laughter.

“I’m in.”

“Thank you, author.”

“But it looks like the director is taking all the responsibility, is that okay? You can talk about me in the press release.”

“No. I can’t cause any harm to the original author. And Woo-jin-ssi will also share the burden. Because he’s the actor who played the role. So I told him in advance.”

“···What did Woo-jin-ssi say?”

“‘It doesn’t really matter,’ he said.”

“That’s a very him answer.”

Author Akari, bursting into a chuckle, recalled Kang Woo-jin’s indifferent face.

“Someday, I’ll have to use him as the protagonist in my work.”

A few hours later, around late lunch.

Kang Woo-jin could be found on the set of ‘Stranger.’ Over a hundred staff members were moving busily. Japanese actors were doing their respective jobs, such as looking at the storyboard. The call for ‘Stranger’ was a bit late today. It was because of Director Kyotaro’s schedule. Still, Woo-jin, sitting on a chair, had his costume and makeup done as Kiyoshi.

He was as solemn as ever. But his mind was elsewhere.

‘Hoo- I suddenly crave a spicy soybean paste stew. That’s the problem when you come to another country, tsk. I can’t help it, I have to tell them to go to a Korean restaurant today.’

Of course, he appeared to be cynically looking at the storyboard.

That’s when it happened.

“Woo-jin-ssi!!”

From the set, where the monitors and key staff were gathered, the assistant director called for Kang Woo-jin. Was it a standby? But it wasn’t.

“Is it okay if you come here for a moment?!”

Kang Woo-jin exchanged glances with Choi Sung-gun, then got up from his chair and walked indifferently. As Woo-jin approached, the assistant director and key staff stepped away. What remained were Director Kyotaro, holding the shooting storyboard, and Mana Kosaku, who played the detective ‘Yoshizawa Mochio.’

In the situation where the three of them were gathered, Director Kyotaro opened his mouth.

“The ending of ‘Stranger’ will be changed.”

Soon, Mana Kosaku’s eyes, with his defined features, widened slightly. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin maintained a poker face. It wasn’t a concept, he had already expected it.

‘Oh- awesome, it worked??’

It was natural since it was originally Kang Woo-jin’s suggestion. Then, Kosaku, becoming serious, asked back.

“The ending is changing? Does that mean we’re removing some parts from the existing scenario?”

“The last part of ‘Iyota Kiyoshi’ will be completely removed and we’ll start anew. But there’s no need to touch the already filmed footage, and the scenes of other actors won’t change much.”

In ‘Stranger,’ it was natural that Kiyoshi and Detective Mochio were responsible for the latter half and the ending. All the other characters are removed before that.

“Kosaku-ssi’s scenes won’t change much either. But your emotions and thoughts will be different. Of course, Kiyoshi will be the one who changes 180 degrees from the existing one.”

It was Kang Woo-jin who led the latter half and the ending of ‘Stranger.’ The direction and scenes themselves would be different. On the other hand, Kosaku, who played the detective, would keep most of his scenes. Still, he had to know the changing emotional lines.

“I’ve already informed the other actors. The filming team is moving according to the changed ending, and the author has also given her okay. I’ll deliver the revised storyboard to the two of you today. But for now—please read the contents with the pre-script.”

Director Kyotaro handed the prepared papers to Kang Woo-jin and Kosaku. At the same time, the two actors read the pre-script where they were standing. The changed ending of ‘Stranger’ was included, as well as scenes that connected the emotional lines and direction smoothly.

Woo-jin, with a firm face, was purely impressed inside.

‘Woah- what is this? It’s kind of cool?? That’s right, Kiyoshi has to be like this to have some impact.’

He liked the cut. In addition, he applauded Director Kyotaro’s ability. It was a few days ago that Kang Woo-jin threw out the idea. But in that short period, Director Kyotaro came up with a fantastic ending. Is this what it means to be a master? The speed of work and the level of scenario work were definitely top-tier.

Around this time.

“······”

Kosaku’s face showed a slight bewilderment. It was common to revise the content even during the filming of other works. Either way, the actor had to follow the changes. Because the final decision-maker was the director. Still, it was the first time for Kosaku that the ending had changed 180 degrees like this.

Even.

‘I, is he really going with this ending? Is he serious? This is not going to end with just getting cursed.’

The changed ending of ‘Stranger’ was somewhat shocking. It was more than a pioneer. The changed ending of ‘Stranger’ was trying to step on the history of the Japanese content market. Kosaku, who had been in the entertainment industry for a long time, spoke his mind honestly.

“···Director. Are you sure you’re going with this ending?”

“I’m sure.”

“I, if we go with this······the hardcore fans of the original work might rise up.”

“If it ends with that, it’s a small matter.”

“Yes?”

Director Kyotaro, who was imagining a future where a nuclear bomb would explode due to controversy or backlash, smiled slightly. It was a face filled with determination.

“Nevertheless, the ending of ‘Stranger’ is confirmed without any compromise.”

Afterwards.

Before the start of filming, Mana Kosaku spoke to Kang Woo-jin. He was slightly cautious.

“Woo-jin-ssi, are you really okay? The arrows of attack will probably be aimed most at Woo-jin-ssi among the actors.”

Kosaku was a typical top actor. He predicted extreme anxiety because Woo-jin’s image would fall sharply. He had a lot of such experiences. Regardless, Kang Woo-jin’s low-toned answer was simple.

“It’s trivial.”

It wasn’t. It wouldn’t be a small matter. But it didn’t matter to Kang Woo-jin.

‘I can just ignore it, right?’

Woo-jin, whose core was that of a commoner, had a different grain and mindset from ordinary actors. He hadn’t committed a crime, so what did it matter? Ignoring it was the answer.

Kosaku interpreted this differently. Because Kang Woo-jin’s atmosphere was too strong.

‘He’s cool. It’s not a bluff or a show of strength. He accepts it humbly without ignoring it, but he’s not attached to it.’

It was a cold but not a rogue, but a fundamental arrogance. Mana Kosaku thought he had to learn from him.

‘Even though he’s only in his second year, he’s already completed the qualities of a top star, it’s the attitude of a big shot.’

Kang Woo-jin was thinking about something else.

‘If it gets bad, I can just run away to Korea, right? Ah- by that time, I might just stay in Korea?’

Kosaku asked calmly.

“······Is it trivial?”

Woo-jin, with a straight face, lowered his voice even more.

“Yes, very.”

“You’re amazing, in many ways.”

Suddenly, what was amazing? There was a faint smell of delusion, but Woo-jin didn’t ask back.

It was a familiar scent.

That’s how a hectic Saturday ended, and Sunday the 23rd dawned. The ‘Stranger’ team gathered at the set from early morning. Among them, Director Kyotaro, wearing a hat pulled down low, asked the distribution company.

“Have you decided on the release gap between Japan and Korea?”

“We’re coordinating the Korean release to be two weeks to a month after the Japanese release. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s confirmed.”

“Hmm.”

Director Kyotaro then asked the production team.

“When we changed the ending, how much do you think the filming schedule will be delayed?”

“I checked yesterday, and it’s not that much different than expected. About two days due to the recruitment of additional staff and location coordination.”

“Not bad.”

“However, there will inevitably be expenses for the parts that were pre-arranged in the existing filming cuts.”

“It’s okay. I’ve already talked to the investors myself.”

He was referring to the main investor, Chairman Hideki.

“Two days delay.”

Director Kyotaro, muttering briefly, concluded.

“Then the wrap-up is confirmed for Friday the 28th.”

Today was the 23rd, which meant that there were only about 5 days left until the end of filming for ‘Stranger.’

Then, a few tens of minutes later.

Inside a black luxury sedan driving on a road in Tokyo. It was the car of Yoshimura Hideki, the chairman of the Kashih Group, whose eyebrows also had white hairs mixed in. Chairman Hideki, sitting in the back seat, put down his phone after talking to someone. The other party was Director Kyotaro, who was at the ‘Stranger’ set.

“Hey.”

Chairman Hideki, having received the news from Director Kyotaro, called Riri, the chief secretary, who was sitting in the front passenger seat. Then, Riri, with a straight posture, turned her body back.

“Yes, Chairman.”

Chairman Hideki instructed her.

“Postpone the schedules for the 28th, after visiting the ‘Stranger’ set. I have to see the end with my own eyes.”

After giving the instructions, Chairman Hideki looked out the window and smiled slightly.

“Kang Woo-jin—I’m curious how you’ll decorate the end of ‘Stranger.'”

Meanwhile.

Kang Woo-jin, who had just opened his eyes wide on the bed in his hotel room.

“Ah- so tired.”

In his hazy mind, he picked up any of the scripts or scenarios piled up on the nearby table. It was to rest a little more due to his overlapping fatigue.

-Thud!

Kang Woo-jin entered an endlessly dark subspace. He yawned and stretched out. He could just lie down.

At that moment.

“Ah.”

Woo-jin, who was habitually looking at the white rectangles, stopped. Because there was a change in one of the white rectangles, ‘Stranger.’

-[7/Scenario (Title: The Bizarre Sacrifice of a Stranger), SSS Grade]

Instead of falling, the grade had actually gone up.

End