I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 288

Kang Woo-jin arrived at the ‘Leech’ studio set in Jeonju. As soon as he appeared, the shouts of the staff echoed through the walkie-talkies in the bustling scene where over a hundred staff members were running around.

“Kang Woo-jin has arrived!!”

Amidst all this, Woo-jin sensed that the atmosphere of the set, which he had seen so often, was unusual.

‘Ugh—isn’t the air a bit heavy?’

It was understandable. If there were no issues, today would be the wrap-up of ‘Leech,’ the last day of filming. Everyone’s spirit was extraordinary. It was a scene quite familiar to Kang Woo-jin.

‘The ‘Naughty Gisaeng’ team was like this too.’

Most recently, it was ‘Naughty Gisaeng,’ but the atmosphere of all the projects he had been through was similar.

They never did things half-heartedly, but when they reached the end, their energy doubled.

‘Well, I get it. A beautiful ending? Or maybe it feels like the last day of exams.’

Especially since ‘Leech’ was not aiming for a domestic release. It was for the Cannes Film Festival, a huge international film festival. To participate in that battlefield, everyone from Director Ahn Ga-bok to the actors and staff had been pushing themselves to the limit.

Today couldn’t be meaningless to anyone.

Therefore, Woo-jin, with his poker face.

‘Hoo—I’m strangely nervous, I should go harder than usual.’

He tried to hide his gradually increasing heart rate and declared inwardly. To be a bit more on edge. Whether it was acting or anything else. Well, he never did anything half-heartedly anyway, but this kind of resolve wasn’t bad, right?

The more he thought, the more hardened Woo-jin’s face became, but he didn’t stop his mind control.

Then, Kang Woo-jin, having navigated through the numerous staff members, arrived in front of a large tent used as the actors’ waiting room. All the actors had already arrived and were waiting. The great actor Shim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryung, Jin Jae-joon, Han So-jin, and so on. Of course, Kang Woo-jin wasn’t late. They were just early because they had stayed at accommodations nearby last night.

Anyway.

“Hmm, you’ve arrived.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his short white hair and even more wrinkles, stood in front of the actors and gave Woo-jin a small smile. In his hand was the shooting script. It must be today’s, and the last script for ‘Leech.’

Kang Woo-jin bowed his head to Director Ahn Ga-bok and lowered his voice.

“Yes, Director.”

Woo-jin also greeted all the actors, including his seniors. Most of them accepted it casually. The expressions of all the actors were serious. It was no different from the atmosphere on set today. They were already concentrating. Woo-jin felt a little chill inside, but soon he gave himself to the flow.

The wise Director Ahn Ga-bok was giving his last words to the actors.

“Don’t get too carried away just because it’s the wrap-up. Let’s go as usual, just as usual.”

Since Director Ahn Ga-bok didn’t give much direction anyway, his advice regarding the last filming wasn’t long either.

“Okay—let’s do it. The start is Han-ho and Woo-jin. Standby in 30 minutes.”

After a few tens of minutes.

The filming of ‘Leech’ began in earnest.

“Okay—action.”

The first scene of the day was with Kang Woo-jin and Shim Han-ho. Woo-jin, who had pulled up ‘Park Ha-sung,’ and Shim Han-ho, who was showing ‘Chairman Yoon Jung-bae,’ sparked a silent fire. It was sensitive and tense. Not only the two actors but the entire set was like that. Over a hundred staff members with their mouths shut, Director Ahn Ga-bok watching the monitor, and the actors spending time watching the acting instead of being in the tent.

And then.

‘Indeed—the atmosphere on set is hot, my mouth is parched.’

‘Was it always like this? It’s awkward to take pictures, isn’t it?’

Today, reporters were also observing the set. Of course, it was a visit for promotional purposes. They had to announce the wrap-up to the world. In addition, about half a dozen making teams were also moving busily.

And so.

“Cut, let’s do it again with a rear angle.”

The filming speed of ‘Leech’ picked up. Kang Woo-jin and Shim Han-ho’s cuts ended in about an hour, and Oh Hee-ryung was immediately put in. About 30 minutes for a solo cut. Next was Kang Woo-jin and Oh Hee-ryung again. Then Jin Jae-joon. Shim Han-ho and Jin Jae-joon.

Numerous actors were replaced, and the set changed.

Over a hundred staff members moved in perfect order.

“Add a reflector here!!”

“Going!”

Even as time melted away, the intensity was thick. The filming had started early in the morning, but soon it was past lunch and into the afternoon. There were breaks in between, but no one really took a proper rest.

Kang Woo-jin was the same.

‘Ah, come to think of it, did I go into the subspace today?’

Woo-jin, who would normally have entered the subspace several times to rest, hadn’t entered it at all today. He had been so caught up in the momentum and flow of the set that he had been running along. Kang Woo-jin, while waiting for his turn, spread out his hands and looked down. They were a bit sticky with sweat, but he also felt a strange thrill.

‘Not bad, this feeling.’

It was an experience that was both a lot and a little. Nevertheless, a tingling sensation always wrapped around his body.

‘It’s like—walking on a tightrope?’

It was a tightrope with the destination in sight. It was swaying and dangerous, but if he crossed this tightrope completely, the thrill would be doubled.

It was already late lunch.

The sky was getting dark. However, the ‘Leech’ set, which was entrenched in the studio complex, was flashing with various lights.

“Action.”

It was full of life as if it would continue endlessly. And about an hour later.

“Cut, next!”

Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been sitting in front of the monitor, called two actors. It was Kang Woo-jin and Jin Jae-joon, who was wearing a full suit. It was for a simple movement rehearsal before filming, but.

“…Please take care of me.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Understood.”

In reality, it was veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok’s own way of cheering them on. Because the scene they were about to shoot was the last part of the ‘Leech’ shooting script.

In other words, the last filming scene had arrived.

Meanwhile, in LA.

A vast conference room. Through the large window, tiny buildings could be seen. The night view was spectacular. That meant this conference room was high up. The view outside was indeed LA, with a magnificent feel. Of course, the conference room itself was also impressive.

It was not only huge but also decorated in an extraordinary way.

The ㅁ-shaped desk [a desk shaped like the Korean character ‘ㅁ’] in the center looked like it could easily seat about 50 people, and the numerous movie posters on the walls were all Hollywood’s representative hits. Above all, the furniture and other supplies were luxurious, reminiscent of a luxurious hotel room.

Many foreigners gathered in such a conference room.

Bald, fat, slender, tall, bulky, etc. Foreigners with a variety of appearances at first glance. There were at least 20 of them. They were all people who had made a name for themselves in Hollywood.

Among them.

‘Wow.’

A foreign woman sitting in the middle of the ㅁ-shaped desk caught the eye. It was Megan Stone, a famous Hollywood casting director with brown bobbed hair and wearing a suit. She was slightly impressed as she looked at the people gathered in the conference room.

‘…They haven’t even started pre-production in earnest, and they’ve already built a team of this size?’

Moreover, they were all talented people with outstanding skills and reputations. Of course, Megan had met more than half of them and had already greeted them. Currently, everyone was busy chatting with each other with relaxed expressions.

‘Right. It’s obvious they’re serious. Among the teams I’ve seen recently, this one seems to be the strongest?’

Is this what it’s like to be a giant in Hollywood, like the major film company ‘Universal Movies’? Megan had recently been cast. Well, in the Hollywood market, it was common to see teams being built as lavishly as possible for each project, but it was the first time Megan had seen a project expand like this before even hiring a director.

‘Gathering this many people at the beginning—it’s a bit difficult with just the power of ‘Universal Movies’.’

Suddenly, a famous producer flashed through Megan’s mind. The man that ‘Universal Movies’ was putting a lot of effort into recruiting. Certainly, if a film company was large, it would be easier to gather talented people, but the real core needed was an executive producer who could wield the most powerful force in film production.

In Hollywood, the influence of a producer is several times greater than that of a director.

At that moment.

-Swish.

A giant suddenly appeared in the somewhat bustling conference room. It was Joseph Felton, a giant who was obviously huge, dressed in black from head to toe. He entered leisurely with a few of his team members, and while briefly greeting the talented people sitting at the ㅁ-shaped desk, he moved towards the head of the table.

In the process, Joseph also made brief eye contact with Megan.

Whatever the case.

“…”

“…”

With the appearance of Joseph Felton, the dozen or so talented people in the conference room closed their mouths. They just looked at the giant standing at the head of the table. As expected, the aura of the black Joseph was extraordinary. He was smiling slightly, but the energy he exuded was not easy. He was also incredibly huge.

Soon.

“Hmm-”

Joseph, who had let out a small groan, looked at everyone and spoke in English.

“Nice to meet you all, I’m Joseph Felton, the executive producer for this film. There are some people I haven’t seen in a long time, and some I saw just a few days ago. Haha.”

His simple greeting relaxed the slightly stiff atmosphere. Some foreigners were seen waving at Joseph. At this point, Joseph received a tablet from his subordinate, and the quick-witted people in the conference room also operated the tablets in front of them. Then, Joseph opened his mouth again, making eye contact with Megan, who was sitting in the middle.

“Let me tell you about the progress first. As you may have heard from me or the film company beforehand, the synopsis has entered the treatment stage. I’ve passed the synopsis to five writers who I believe can write this project well.”

At that moment, casting director Megan recalled the synopsis that the film company had shown her when she was scouted.

‘The motif is Jekyll and Hyde. It also includes a dissociative identity disorder setting, so it certainly won’t be easy to unravel.’

The film production systems of Korea and Hollywood have similarities, but they also show completely different aspects. First, the film company creates the basic concept or synopsis of the film. After that, they hire a producer, and the hired producer passes the completed synopsis to famous Hollywood screenwriters.

Of course, these screenwriters are not confirmed.

It’s closer to picking the completed script later. After that, they contact a film director and build a team. This was the basic base of Hollywood. Naturally, a director with a high reputation in Hollywood also serves as a producer, but that’s only possible for top-tier directors in Hollywood.

Anyway, Joseph, who had been briefing for several tens of minutes, put down the tablet he was looking at and smiled.

“As you all know, this is the most sensitive and time-consuming phase. However, since the investment part has already been resolved, the speed will pick up from the moment the screenplay comes out.”

Joseph, having finished speaking, turned his gaze to the casting team. That is, Megan.

“Since you’ve already seen the synopsis, the casting team should start making a list of decent actors. Contact me whenever you need to.”

Megan, who had swept back her brown hair, nodded.

“Yes, I will.”

The meeting continued for about two more hours. There was some casual chatter, but there were also serious discussions about film production. When the meeting ended, the gathered talented people left the vast conference room while roughly greeting each other.

However, the giant Joseph, who was standing at the head of the table, remained.

-Swish.

Megan approached him. Joseph, who had been talking with his team members, turned his head at the sound of footsteps.

“Megan, please take care of me again after ‘Last Kill 3’.”

“Likewise.”

Megan, who had answered briefly, glanced at Joseph’s team members. Joseph was a quick-witted man. He turned his head to his team.

“You guys can go ahead.”

Soon, only Joseph and Megan were left in the conference room. Megan was the first to break the ice.

“Was it you who recommended me for this movie?”

“Hmm? I wonder.”

“My relationship with ‘Universal Movies’ isn’t that deep.”

“What’s important is ability, and I highly value your ability, Megan.”

Megan, who had been quietly looking up at the smiling Joseph, cleared her throat slightly.

“Ahem, thank you.”

“Actor list-up. Please take care of it, start gathering them now. Regardless of the role, just in order of who has the best form.”

Megan, who had paused for a moment, let out a small breath and said.

“Honestly, when I saw this synopsis, I thought of Kang Woo-jin. Especially in the dissociative identity disorder part. Kang Woo-jin, he freely controls his ego in acting.”

“I know.”

Joseph, who had interrupted Megan’s words, crossed his arms.

“It’s not just you who wants him. I was looking for a project that would suit him well.”

“…What do you mean?”

To the question, Joseph’s answer was simple.

“I’m saying that choosing this project was all intentional.”