I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 287

Monday ended, and Tuesday began. It had only been a few days since ‘Island of the Lost’ had soared to the top spot, but the domestic media and public opinion were still buzzing about it. Well, of course, it didn’t matter that the number of viewers for ‘Island of the Lost’ was decreasing. Because ‘Island of the Lost’ was setting new records every day. It had already surpassed 17 million and was heading towards 18 million. And Kang Woo-jin was reading an article about himself.

『[Feature] Kang Woo-jin, who changed the history of Korean cinema in his second year since debut, why his future is promising』

The location was in front of the ‘Leech’ house set, where numerous staff members were busy setting up for filming. Woo-jin, already transformed into Park Ha-sung with his hair and makeup done, maintained a solemn demeanor, but inwardly, he was nodding and praising the article.

‘Yeah, yeah, they have a good eye.’

It was a short waiting time before filming began. Usually, he should have been looking at the script to get into character, but for the past few days, Woo-jin had been reveling in his success. He was somehow maintaining a poker face, though.

‘Ugh, I need to shake off this feeling quickly.’

At that moment.

“Woo-jin! Standby!”

A production staff member called out to Woo-jin. Woo-jin, who had tried to suppress his emotions, slowly got up. Then, suddenly.

‘Oh, come to think of it, isn’t the filming for Leech also ending soon?’

He was reminded that he wouldn’t be seeing this house set for much longer. After ‘Island of the Lost’ was released, it felt like things were progressing rapidly. Of course, time was also melting away.

‘Half of the year has already passed.’

Even as Kang Woo-jin walked towards the filming zone where the cameras were gathered, he felt that time was flying by.

‘Well, I guess it’s natural since I have so much to do?’

Director Ahn Ga-bok was watching Kang Woo-jin on the monitor. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, and his wrinkles had deepened. But his gaze was still sharp. Director Ahn Ga-bok was talking with the film company representative who had come to the set for a meeting.

“Director, are you okay?”

“Why? Are you trying to take care of an old man’s health?”

“Ah, no. You just look very tired.”

“How can I not be tired? We’re filming at several times the original speed. Look at the staff, they’re all worn out. The only one who’s energetic here is Woo-jin over there.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok pointed with his index finger at Kang Woo-jin, who was talking with the veteran actor Shim Han-ho in the center of the filming zone. The film company representative sighed softly and shook his head.

“Woo-jin is amazing every time I see him. I asked CEO Choi about Woo-jin’s schedule, and it’s almost hell from morning till night. He even went back and forth to Japan recently. But he’s so calm.”

“He’s young, but I guess we have to say that a monster like him is born with good stamina.”

“…It’s beyond the level that can be covered by exercise.”

“That guy is so tough, where does he have time to take care of his health? He needs to run more.”

The film company representative, who had been looking at Director Ahn Ga-bok with some concern, changed the subject.

“Excuse me, Director. Have you set the timing for the wrap-up?”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, picking up the shooting script on the table, spoke in a tired voice.

“At this speed, we should be able to finish it next week.”

“What about post-production?”

“Editing should start at the same time as the wrap-up. We have some preliminary work done during filming, so we should be able to finish it by September 30th.”

In other words, it was imminent. The film company representative nodded firmly and replied.

“I understand. Then I will also start preparing for the Cannes schedule at the end of September.”

First, they needed to book the plane tickets.

Meanwhile, in LA.

It was morning in Korea, but afternoon in LA. Perhaps because it was rush hour, the roads were crowded with people and cars. But even at this hour, there were those who were preparing for the future without going home.

That was global superstar Miley Cara.

Her recently released movie had done quite well, and she had been in the news due to her issue with a Korean actor. A few days ago, Cara had posted her recent updates on her Instagram, which had over a hundred million followers. Roughly, it was about the progress of her new album.

-[…Kang Woo-jin! Congratulations on your movie setting a new record!]

She had mentioned Kang Woo-jin. She had also heard about the success of ‘Island of the Lost.’ It was already a given that Kang Woo-jin would participate in her new album, and thanks to Cara’s post, many foreigners had flocked to Woo-jin’s SNS [Social Networking Service]. She could be found in a large agency building in LA.

Specifically, in a studio that also served as a conference room.

There was a large monitor and various equipment, and a square table where dozens of people could sit. Cara was sitting at the head of the table. She had her blonde hair tied up and was wearing a baggy hoodie. Her makeup was light, and Cara’s blue eyes were fixed on the large monitor in front of her.

“…Hmm.”

Of course, there were a dozen foreign staff members sitting on either side of Cara. They were all looking at the same thing as Cara. The monitor displayed various decisions regarding Cara’s new album.

“I think it’s good? What do you all think?”

What is the overall concept of this album? What is the concept of the costumes? Which song is the title track? What is the concept of the music video? What is the schedule from album production to release and promotion? Marketing and publicity? A lot of information and data were pouring in. But Cara, being a veteran, calmly coordinated with the staff.

The decision on the songs to be included in her new album had already been made. All that was left was recording.

Soon, as Cara was listening to the recording schedule, she untied her blonde hair and spoke to her manager next to her. Her tone was still slightly cold.

“I guess we can start around July. What about Kang Woo-jin’s side?”

“I’ll have to tell him. When I contacted him last time, he said that sometime in July would be fine. How many days does Kang Woo-jin think he needs for the work?”

“About 3 to 5 days. For recording and music video shooting.”

“Okay, then I’ll send the details and song guide to Kang Woo-jin first.”

For reference, the order of work was that Cara would start the official recording first, and then Kang Woo-jin would join later. They could record separately and then mix them together.

The meeting then moved on to the music video.

Since the director and storyboard had already been decided, the blonde Cara looked at the music video storyboard saved on her tablet and bit her lip slightly. It was a habit she had whenever she was slightly worried.

“It’s a bit disappointing. This kind of atmosphere was already shown in the previous album.”

“Do you want to revise it?”

“I’d like there to be a story overall. And more acting should be added. To the extent that it’s not a burden for me and Woo-jin.”

“Okay.”

Cara added a request to the team members who were nodding.

“And add a piano scene to the music video, of course, Woo-jin will play it.”

Friday, the 18th, Korea.

A shaman’s house near Sinchon Station. It was a very flashy place with a dazzling entrance. It was quite famous in the neighborhood, and there were quite a few customers waiting. In the main room, there were mysterious paintings on the ceiling and candles on the platform. Of course, the small dolls placed behind the candles were also noticeable.

It definitely felt like a shaman’s house.

But the owner, the shaman, was not visible. The shaman could be found in the back room. A middle-aged woman who looked to be in her 60s. She had heavy makeup and was wearing a hanbok [traditional Korean dress]. It seemed like she was just about to greet a customer.

The shaman, having finished her preparations, moved and opened the door to a closed room.

-Bang!

The inside of the room had a normal atmosphere, unlike the shaman’s house. It was plain and simple, and on the bed with a gray blanket, a short-haired, petite woman was lying face down. Upon closer inspection, the short-haired woman was focused on reading something while lying down.

The heavily made-up shaman spoke to the short-haired woman.

“Daughter. Is it fun?”

The short-haired woman seemed to be the shaman’s daughter. The daughter nodded, her eyes still fixed on what she was reading. Then she answered briefly.

“Yeah, it’s fun.”

A slightly eerie voice. Then, the daughter who answered got up and sat down. But she was still holding what she had been reading. It was a gray-covered book, and the cover had these words on it.

-The Beneficial Evil / Episode 1.

It was the script for ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ The reason why the daughter was reading the script for ‘The Beneficial Evil’ was simple. She was Lim Hae-eun, who had passed the large-scale audition for ‘The Beneficial Evil’ from the beginning to the end. Lim Hae-eun, who looked like a puppy, shook the script with a blank expression.

“The writer is good at writing.”

The shaman, who had been staring at her daughter Lim Hae-eun, let out a long sigh.

“Do you really have to do that project? Why do you have to do something where the main character is possessed by an evil spirit?”

“Kang Woo-jin doesn’t matter, I’m just doing it because it’s a good opportunity.”

“…Hmph, have you ever seen Kang Woo-jin in person?”

“Not yet. But they said that there will be a gathering of actors before the script reading. I’ll see him then.”

The shaman, who had been holding her forehead, muttered to her daughter as if telling her to do as she pleased.

“Anyway, be careful. Kang Woo-jin seems dangerous.”

At this time, near Hongdae.

The basement of a moderately large building. It was obviously a small theater. On the stage, a handsome man with a clean and kind impression was performing alone. There was no one else in the entire small theater.

The man was Jo Mu-chan, who had passed the audition for ‘The Beneficial Evil.’

During the large-scale audition, he had received a lot of attention from PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo as a person who was quite contrasting to Kang Woo-jin, and he was a member of the theater troupe of Jeon Mun-guk, who was considered the number one veteran actor in Korea. In Jo Mu-chan’s hand, who was performing alone on stage, was also a script.

Of course, it was the script for the first episode of ‘The Beneficial Evil.’

It seemed like he was practicing hard by himself.

At that moment.

-Swish.

An old man entered the empty small theater. He crossed the center of the audience seats that were moderately placed. Gray hair, a mix of white and black, and a wrinkled face. He looked about the same age as Director Ahn Ga-bok. In addition, the beard that grew from under his ears to his chin and under his nose was impressive.

He was the veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk.

Jeon Mun-guk had appeared, but Jo Mu-chan on stage was so focused that he didn’t notice. Soon, Jeon Mun-guk, who had reached right in front of the stage, looked at Jo Mu-chan and tapped the stage floor.

It was then.

“Ah! S-Sir.”

Jo Mu-chan, who had stopped acting, ran to Jeon Mun-guk. His tone and actions were weak. It was like he was completely bland. Regardless, the veteran actor Jeon Mun-guk, who was looking up at Jo Mu-chan, opened his mouth.

“Can you beat Kang Woo-jin by doing it so moderately?”

“…S-Sir.”

“Can you beat him?”

“K-Kang Woo-jin is my idol.”

“If your idol is going to lose to you, wouldn’t it be okay to replace him with someone else?”

“…”

“Kang Woo-jin. That guy has changed the history of the film industry this time. He’s risen to number one.”

Of course, he was talking about ‘Island of the Lost.’

“He’s paved the way very cleanly.”

“Yes? Ah- Yes.”

“In other words, if you just surpass him, all of that will be yours.”

“…I understand.”

Jeon Mun-guk’s face became even more stiff.

“Jo Mu-chan. You are a member of my theater troupe, and when you go outside, it’s like you’re my face. You can’t be easily defeated. Put your life on the line for this ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ Kang Woo-jin is a genius, but you are also a genius. My eyes are certain.”

“Thank…you.”

“But being a genius is not enough, you have to be different to surpass Kang Woo-jin. I can see it.”

Jeon Mun-guk, who had been muttering, spat out a conclusion to the hesitant Jo Mu-chan.

“Kang Woo-jin is a monster, and to face such a guy, you have to become a monster too. Do you understand?”

A few days later, Jeonju. Early morning.

The familiar filming set site. About a hundred staff members were deployed around the large house set and the internal sets of ‘Leech.’ They were busily carrying things to be used for filming, such as cameras, lighting, props, and audio.

Even though it was early morning, they were full of energy.

Leading the staff was the veteran director Ahn Ga-bok.

“No, put the camera up from the house set. We’re going there first.”

“Yes, sir!!”

After giving the instructions, Director Ahn Ga-bok took out a thin stack of papers that he had tucked into the back pocket of his jeans.

-Swish.

It was the shooting script for ‘Leech.’ And it was almost at the end.

“…It’s finally coming to an end.”

Because today was the wrap-up day for ‘Leech.’

At the same time, in Kang Woo-jin’s officetel [a studio apartment that is also used as an office].

Kang Woo-jin, with a solemn face and a hat pulled down low, got on the elevator. He pressed the basement floor button and raised his phone.

-June 24th.

-7:10 AM.

June was already coming to an end. Soon, Kang Woo-jin, who had tilted his head to both sides, muttered to himself. Of course, in his mind.

‘Ugh, I can’t do this. I need to recharge in the subspace before filming.’

Recently, Kang Woo-jin had been focusing on filming ‘Leech’ except for minor schedules.

‘The last filming, huh? Time flies so fast.’

When he got off the elevator and came out to the underground parking lot, he saw a familiar van. It was waiting to pick up Kang Woo-jin.

Woo-jin, who had boarded the van, greeted the team members in a low tone, and Choi Sung-gun, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly showed the tablet screen he was looking at to Kang Woo-jin.

“It’s finally out, ‘The Beneficial Evil.'”

Kang Woo-jin looked at the tablet screen calmly. An article was being displayed. Woo-jin’s face was plastered on it, and the title was like this.

『[Official] Netflix’s ‘The Beneficial Evil,’ aiming for the world, announces the entire cast led by Kang Woo-jin… But many unknown and rookie actors, a shocking casting!』

The entire cast of ‘The Beneficial Evil’ had been announced.

End