I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 300

Around lunchtime.

Around the time the Hollywood stunt coordinator team, hired by ‘Beneficial Evil,’ arrived in Korea, a massive crowd had gathered at COEX in Samseong-dong for some reason. It was already a bustling place, but now it was several times more extreme.

People passing by were shaking their heads.

“Wow, what’s going on here? There are so many people!”

“Amazing! Look at the reporters taking their spots! Is some celebrity coming?!”

Around the rope fences set up in the first-floor lobby, hundreds of people were crammed together, and in front of them, dozens of reporters with camera lenses were lined up. It wasn’t just the first floor. The second and third floors, following the stairs, were also packed with people. Burly guards were controlling them, and among them, staff members with staff lanyards were running around frantically.

The gathered crowds were all holding their phones as if they had planned it, and their phones were pointed at where the dozens of reporters’ cameras were focused.

A stage was set up, with chairs and a desk placed on it.

Behind it, a large poster of the actor who was currently the talk of South Korea was hung.

It was Kang Woo-jin.

Of course, this was a fan signing event held by a luxury brand for which Woo-jin was the main model. Therefore, the luxury brand’s logo was also prominently displayed around Kang Woo-jin’s poster.

In other words, all these massive crowds were eagerly waiting for Kang Woo-jin.

The articles had already been released.

However, the main character, Kang Woo-jin’s seat, was empty.

So, where was he right now?

Woo-jin could be found in the waiting room, a little away from the lobby where the signing event was to be held, which was prepared separately for today’s event.

“Hmm-”

Outside the waiting room, his team was busy moving around, making it noisy, but the waiting room that Woo-jin was using alone was relatively quiet. Kang Woo-jin was sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed. His style was impeccable. His black hair was naturally swept back, and his outfit was a matching dark brown blazer and slacks.

He was already fully prepared.

But for some reason, Woo-jin had his eyes closed with wireless earphones on. He even had his chin propped up. He wasn’t taking a nap because he had free time.

-♬♪

He was listening to music. It wasn’t even a Korean song. It was a foreign song. The reason was simple; the song Woo-jin was listening to was a song sent by Miley Cara. It wasn’t an official release, but a guide track for her new album.

For Woo-jin, he had to master this song to be able to work on it.

Of course, Cara had recently sent various information about her new album. The song Woo-jin would be working on was likely to be the title track. In addition, the concept of the song and the storyboard for the music video were also sent. Therefore, Woo-jin often listened to the song like this when he had free time, along with the script.

‘The song is good, even though it’s a guide version.’

Kang Woo-jin’s participation in the song sent by Cara was significant. It was close to a feature, but it also included Woo-jin’s piano solo in the middle. This was a major contribution. When he heard this, he acted calm on the outside, but on the inside, he was extremely puzzled.

Why? Why did the global superstar Cara make such a decision?

However, Kang Woo-jin soon dismissed it as unimportant. ‘Well, it’ll work out somehow.’ But since he had already agreed to do it, doing it half-heartedly didn’t fit his style. The original Kang Woo-jin was also that kind of person.

Whatever.

‘But it’s amazing, now that I think about it.’

Woo-jin smiled to himself as he replayed the guide track. Of course, only in his mind.

‘Why am I listening to the guide track of a global ultra-superstar’s new album? I’m even going to participate in it.’

It was an absurd situation in a way. Working with Miley Cara, who had a huge impact in Hollywood. Perhaps at this moment, besides Miley Cara’s team, Kang Woo-jin was the first person in the world to listen to her new album song.

“Life is really unpredictable.”

Woo-jin shook his head slightly and moved his hand while listening to the song. He picked up the tablet on the table in front of him. After tapping the screen twice, what he had been looking at earlier began to appear. It was the music video storyboard sent by Cara.

‘The concept is also very unique, a woman half-crazed from heartbreak.’

The music video concept was directly related to the mood of the song. Heartbreak, obsession. And the outfit itself was blatantly sexy. But now, with a touch of ‘madness.’

At that moment.

-Click.

The waiting room door opened, and Han Ye-jeong, with her blue bobbed hair, entered. She looked at Woo-jin with his legs crossed and spoke in her usual blunt voice.

“Oppa, you can go out in 5 minutes.”

“Okay.”

Han Ye-jeong, whose gaze fell on the tablet in Kang Woo-jin’s hand, who quickly changed to an indifferent face, asked.

“Ah, you were looking at the music video concept from Miley Cara.”

“Yeah.”

“I saw it first because of the costume preparation. Oppa, are you really okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“The music video is a bit intense. And they’re asking a lot from you. The piano solo is short, so it’s okay, but in the story, you’re Cara’s object of obsession.”

That was the core of it, what was she talking about? In fact, Cara’s acting in the music video storyboard was a ‘courtship’ accompanied by obsession from beginning to end. However, the choreography was a bit intense. Cara and the dancers in sexy outfits were the main focus, but after Kang Woo-jin was introduced, their courtship began.

There was a lot of close contact with Cara.

There was even a cut where their lips were almost touching. It wasn’t confirmed, so it might be deleted, but that was the case for now. Of course, Woo-jin didn’t dance or have any movements, and Cara’s side had conveyed that they were willing to revise the music video storyboard if it was problematic or difficult.

Kang Woo-jin’s answer was OK.

He was sincere. It was just acting. But he also had this thought.

‘No, when else in my life would I ever be courted by the global superstar Miley Cara?’

Isn’t that the dream of men all over the world? But expressing it like that would be stupid. Woo-jin answered Han Ye-jeong as calmly as possible. Cold and detached.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s acting.”

Then Han Ye-jeong shook her head with a slightly disgusted look.

“Hoo, still, the other person is Miley Cara, but it’s just work for you, Oppa. It’s amazing, how can you be so unwavering?”

Kang Woo-jin, who hid his true feelings, confidently faced the slight misunderstanding.

“Work is work.”

Later.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been in the waiting room, appeared at the fan signing event inside COEX. At the same time, with screams like thunder, a barrage of flashes burst from the camera lenses of the dozens of reporters lined up in front of the rope fence.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash!!

On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin, with his strong persona.

“……”

He was already quite used to this sight, so he moved calmly. He waved his hand appropriately at the dozens of reporters and greeted the hundreds of fans who had gathered. Since they were all holding their phones, it looked like he was greeting the phones rather than the people. The crowd had doubled since the beginning. The burly guards were having a hard time controlling them.

Thus began the fan signing event.

The process of talking to each person and signing autographs was supposed to take about 2 hours, but due to the large number of fans, Woo-jin had to spend about 30 minutes more. When Woo-jin, who had barely finished the fan signing event, got into the van, Choi Seong-geon, who was sitting in the passenger seat, said.

“You worked hard, Woo-jin.”

He untied and retied his ponytail while speaking.

“We’ll do a few short interviews and then head to the ‘Beneficial Evil’ action school in the afternoon. I heard that the overseas martial arts team has already joined?”

“Yes, CEO.”

Choi Seong-geon briefed Woo-jin on one confirmed schedule.

“And the flight to LA for Miley Cara is on the morning of the 9th.”

That was about 5 days from today.

Meanwhile, at a large action school in Seoul.

An action school with a floor entirely covered in gray mats, with wires hanging from the ceiling and various martial arts props. Of course, it was the main stage for the ‘Beneficial Evil’ martial arts team, and there were dozens of martial arts team members, as well as ‘Beneficial Evil’ staff, including the bearded Song Man-woo PD [Production Director].

Members of the martial arts team were all busy in each section of the space.

What was interesting was that actors were interspersed among the martial arts team, panting for breath. They were unknown and rookie actors cast in ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Many of the actors who needed martial arts had already started practicing.

Some of them were familiar faces.

Top actor Ha Kang-soo, who had a dinosaur-like face and had worked with Woo-jin in ‘Our Table,’ and Jo Mu-chan, who had a kind face and was Woo-jin’s idol, were among them.

They were all sweating and focusing on martial arts practice.

The whole thing was being overseen by the martial arts director, and next to him, the bearded Song Man-woo PD was watching with his arms crossed. Of course, they didn’t forget to film with test cameras and the making-of team. For reference, Song Man-woo PD was scheduled to leave for Bangkok, Thailand, in a few days. There were many things to organize regarding the confirmed overseas location shooting, such as location scouting.

In the midst of this.

“Wow-”

Some of the martial arts team members, panting and gulping down bottled water, whispered as they looked at the group of foreigners gathered behind Song Man-woo PD.

“They definitely have a different kind of aura, don’t they?”

“I know, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a martial arts team from Hollywood.”

“Hey, hey, in Hollywood, they don’t call them martial arts teams, they call them stunt coordinators? Anyway, that’s what they’re called.”

“Woah, look at that guy’s build. His forearm is as big as my thigh.”

“Their genes are just different.”

The group of foreigners was the Hollywood stunt coordinator team that ‘Beneficial Evil’ had hired, who had arrived in Korea today. The five of them had taken a spot on one side of the action school. Some were watching the ‘Beneficial Evil’ martial arts team, while others were talking to each other. Although there was an interpreter, it didn’t seem like they were communicating with Song Man-woo PD or the martial arts director at the moment.

It was like they were being left to observe the atmosphere?

Perhaps because of this, the group of foreigners seemed relaxed, not paying much attention to the entire martial arts team. Conversely, the entire ‘Beneficial Evil’ martial arts team was noticeably paying attention to them.

“What was the Hollywood movie that team worked on? There was a really famous movie among them.”

“Wow, how did they get hired? Did they spend a lot of money?”

“They’re putting on a lot of airs. But why aren’t they doing anything?”

Whether they were resting or focusing on martial arts practice, everyone was busy glancing at the group of foreigners.

“They’re probably just getting used to things for now. And they were hired specifically for ‘CQC’ [Close Quarters Combat], so it doesn’t concern us.”

“Ah, so it’s just for Kang Woo-jin?”

“Of course. ‘Beneficial Evil’ is basically a one-man show drama for Kang Woo-jin anyway.”

“It seems like Kang Woo-jin is coming. But it looks like it’ll just be a brief greeting today? The director said that earlier.”

“What would they do on the first day?”

Kang Woo-jin’s name came up quite a bit in the middle.

“Wow, Kang Woo-jin is going to have a tough time this time? Look at their aura. There’s no way those guys who are flying around with martial arts in Hollywood would do it half-heartedly.”

“He’s 100% going to die? I’ve heard of ‘CQC,’ but I don’t know much about it, so I looked it up, and it’s a super-advanced combat technique. It’s definitely not something you can learn in a few months.”

“They’re probably just going to make him get the form right. Ugh, even if it’s Kang Woo-jin, how can he easily learn something like ‘CQC’?”

The martial arts director, feeling that the atmosphere was getting a bit noisy, shouted.

“Aren’t you focusing?!! What are you all chattering about!”

At once, the entire martial arts team shut their mouths. Nevertheless, the martial arts director, who seemed a bit uncomfortable, clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, I’ve told you a hundred times that you’ll get hurt if you lose focus.”

Right next to him, Song Man-woo PD, with his arms crossed, pointed his thumb behind him and chuckled.

“They must be curious about the Hollywood stunt team. So, have you talked to that team?”

“I have. It wasn’t easy because we had to communicate through an interpreter, but it wasn’t bad.”

“What’s the feeling?”

“What do you mean? Their level is definitely high. They pointed out awkward parts right away after looking at the martial arts storyboard. They’re definitely different because they have experience in Hollywood.”

“They should be different, considering how much that team costs. Anyway, if you can revise the martial arts storyboard by sharing opinions, do it. I’m all for anything that raises the quality.”

“I know, we’ll definitely raise the quality. We’ve brought in experts.”

The martial arts director, muttering, checked his wristwatch.

“When is Woo-jin coming? I heard he’s stopping by to be introduced to the stunt coordinator team?”

Song Man-woo PD, with his head nodding, answered immediately.

“I talked to him, and he said he’s almost here.”

Several tens of minutes later.

The black van carrying Kang Woo-jin stopped in the outdoor parking lot of the action school. Kang Woo-jin naturally got out of the van. His outfit was the same blazer he had worn at the fan signing event. Of course, he had been told that he only needed to make a brief greeting.

-Swish.

Woo-jin, with a poker face, looked at the large action school.

‘I heard the overseas martial arts team is here?’

He wasn’t particularly nervous. He had seen Hollywood staff several times. Then, as Choi Seong-geon and Woo-jin’s team joined him, Kang Woo-jin’s feet moved. Stride by stride. Without a moment’s hesitation, he walked straight ahead, opened the door of the action school, and the assistant director of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ who was waiting nearby, immediately shouted.

“Sunbaenim [Senior]! Woo-jin is here!!”

With this shout, everyone in the action school turned their gaze to Kang Woo-jin. Among the actors, Ha Kang-soo smiled slightly, and Jo Mu-chan’s eyes sparkled. Song Man-woo PD and the martial arts director immediately rushed to Woo-jin. Song Man-woo PD was the first to speak.

“You’re here, did the fan signing event go well this morning?”

Woo-jin, who was greeting the surrounding staff, answered in a low voice.

“Yes, PD-nim [Director].”

The muscular martial arts director joined in with a smile.

“Wow, Woo-jin is exploding with style today? Hahaha, is it because I don’t get to see you dressed up like this often?”

As the brief greetings were exchanged, the bearded Song Man-woo PD called the assistant director and gave him some instructions. Soon, the assistant director, nodding, ran off. It was towards the Hollywood stunt coordinator team, who were intently watching Kang Woo-jin, who had appeared.

Soon, the group of foreigners, accompanied by an interpreter, approached.

Kang Woo-jin’s expression didn’t change at their aura. He was already used to foreigners being huge.

‘They’re huge as expected, I knew it.’

Among them, the big-nosed foreign man who seemed to be the leader, who was now right in front of him, extended his hand to Kang Woo-jin. Naturally, he spoke in English.

“Kang Woo-jin? Nice to meet you, I’m Ethan Smith, the leader of the team.”

The interpreter was about to convey the words to Kang Woo-jin, but Woo-jin’s hand, with an indifferent face, was already being extended to him.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin.”

Ethan Smith, the big-nosed man who introduced himself as the team leader, was slightly surprised.

“I heard, but you really speak English well.”

“I just speak it moderately.”

“That’s a relief. There won’t be any problems with communication. Dialogue is the most important thing in work.”

The interpreter, who had nothing to do, blinked his eyes. Then, realizing something, he stuck to Song Man-woo PD and interpreted their conversation, and Song Man-woo PD, nodding, pointed to Woo-jin and opened his mouth.

“He’s the main male lead of our project, and he came here after making time in his schedule today. Let’s just have a brief greeting today and exchange plans for the future.”

The lines were being conveyed through the interpreter. In response, Ethan Smith’s gaze was once again fixed on Kang Woo-jin. Blazer and slacks. It definitely wasn’t workout attire. But then, the big-nosed Ethan spoke to Woo-jin directly, without beating around the bush.

“I want to check your current condition. I received your martial arts practice videos in advance, but it’s difficult to judge based on that alone. If possible, I’d like you to do one of the martial arts storyboard cuts related to ‘CQC.’ Is it difficult?”

The interpreter, with slightly widened eyes, conveyed these words to Song Man-woo PD and the martial arts director. Soon, Choi Seong-geon and the martial arts director were flustered. Of course, Song Man-woo PD was the same, and he stepped forward, waving his hand.

“Ah, no. That wasn’t discussed in advance. Woo-jin hasn’t even officially learned ‘CQC’ yet. More than anything, if we proceed like this suddenly, it’ll be too much for Woo-jin.”

However.

-Swish.

Song Man-woo PD’s words were cut off by Kang Woo-jin’s movement. It was because Woo-jin had suddenly taken off his blazer, and everyone in the action school, including Ethan Smith, turned their gaze to him.

Woo-jin, who had casually thrown the blazer he had taken off at his feet, said to Ethan Smith.

“Have you guys familiarized yourselves with the added ‘CQC’ storyboard for our ‘Beneficial Evil’?”

Ethan Smith nodded.

“Yes, we have.”

Kang Woo-jin, scanning the large stunt team including him, replied. It was in a very low tone of English.

“Then let’s do it, but with a cut that includes all of your team members.”

He was telling them to all come at him.

End