I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 314

Miley Cara felt she owed Kang Woo-jin a debt—a massive one, in her eyes. Her blue eyes, fixed on Woo-jin, were filled with genuine sincerity.

Kang Woo-jin, however, didn’t respond immediately.

‘······’

He simply stared intently at Cara’s face for what felt like at least ten seconds. Cara tilted her head slightly and cleared her throat.

‘Ahem.’

She averted her gaze from Kang Woo-jin’s calm stare, a little surprised at her own reaction.

‘Why did I just look away?’

Even though it was her own action, she was bewildered by it. Miley Cara was known for her strong personality, a trait that had helped her reach the top in the cutthroat world of Hollywood. Yet, this Cara felt subtly different from her usual self. At least, that’s how she perceived it.

‘Why can’t I look this man in the eye?’

Cara hadn’t shown this kind of behavior when she first met Kang Woo-jin, when she was startled by his abilities, or when they reunited in LA. Her once-calmed heart began to beat faintly again.

Just as she was getting lost in her own confusion.

‘Hmm.’

Woo-jin, with an indifferent expression, was actually slightly worried about her, contrary to his outward appearance.

‘Is she okay? No, no.’

Anyone would think that, not just Woo-jin.

‘Ugh—of course she’s not okay. After that whole mess.’

It felt strange to even ask Cara if she was okay. Kang Woo-jin was racking his brain, trying to figure out how to comfort Cara while maintaining his cool persona. Then, an idea struck him, and he lowered his voice, resulting in a rather low-toned English.

‘Do you like Korean food?’

Cara, who had been lost in thought, blinked her blue eyes.

‘······Huh?’

‘Korean food.’

Cara tilted her head slightly and replied.

‘Oh—yes. I often look for it. You saw me enjoy the dishes you made when we were filming in Korea.’

‘That’s right.’

‘Why Korean food all of a sudden?’

‘Do you handle spicy food well?’

‘I like… it.’

Woo-jin crossed his legs casually, a deliberate performance.

‘After we finish working together, I’ll make you one of my favorite Korean dishes before I go back to Korea. It has to be spicy to be delicious.’

Cara’s eyes widened with interest.

‘Really??’

‘Yes. I sometimes relieve stress by eating spicy food.’

Stress? Miley Cara chuckled softly at that. She realized why Kang Woo-jin was suddenly talking about Korean food and spicy things. This man was worried about her in his own way. Because Woo-jin always seemed so cool-headed, the faint warmth she felt was even more distinct to Cara.

‘His way of worrying is something else, he’s a really unique man.’

Cara, instantly relaxed, let out a small breath and replied.

‘If you’re going to make it, make it really spicy. To the point where I feel dizzy.’

‘You’ll regret it.’

‘It’s okay, it has to be that strong to relieve stress.’

‘As you wish.’

After the short reply, Cara brushed her blonde hair back from her forehead and got straight to the point.

‘Thank you, and about the debt. I owe you a big one, Woo-jin.’

‘I heard.’

‘If it weren’t for you, I would have lost a lot. I might have even lost my life… Whew—even if that hadn’t happened, if I had been injured, it would have taken a lot of time.’

It was true. Even a minor injury would mean that a star of Miley Cara’s caliber would have to prioritize a full recovery. Therefore, Cara’s album work, as well as her numerous schedules, would be put on hold. If it was a major injury, she would have to focus on recovery for at least a year.

Kang Woo-jin had prevented that.

Knowing this, Cara said to Kang Woo-jin.

‘I can’t live with owing a debt, but it’s such a big debt that I think it will take quite a long time to repay.’

‘You don’t have to, I didn’t do it expecting anything in return.’

‘I know, but I’d like you to tell me. I’m going to give you a reward in some form, and that’s separate. Is there anything you want right now? Honestly, I want to do anything for you right now.’

Woo-jin, with his poker face, stared at the serious Cara. She was firm. He couldn’t just brush it off. Besides, Woo-jin wasn’t the type to refuse something when it was offered. Kang Woo-jin’s thoughts deepened.

‘Hmm—well, I need to say something to make Miley Cara feel a bit more at ease, right?’

Money? No, money was too obvious. He was already making a lot, and asking for money in this situation was a bit tacky. With her Hollywood connections, Cara was a strong ally, but from what she was saying, she already had a solid network.

Then.

‘Ah.’

A good idea suddenly flashed through Kang Woo-jin’s mind. But he wondered if it would work.

‘Is it too much? Ah—whatever, let’s just go for it.’

Woo-jin’s no-turning-back personality kicked in, and he lowered his voice as much as possible. He had to appear sincere.

‘Then, how about this?’

‘Huh? What?’

Cara perked up her ears.

Two days later, on the 19th, Bangkok, Thailand. Early morning.

The location was a 4-star hotel in Bangkok where the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team was staying for location scouting and other overseas filming preparations. The restaurant, visible after passing through the lobby, was quite crowded. The hotel’s complimentary breakfast was in full swing. The spacious restaurant was filled with various dishes, and the ‘Beneficial Evil’ staff were scattered among the guests enjoying their breakfast.

Soon, a group of muscular foreigners entered the humid restaurant.

‘Oh—the food prepared today looks good?’

‘Haha, that’s a relief. If the sausages were dried out like yesterday, I would have cried.’

It was Ethan Smith, the stunt team leader, and his team members, who were busy with the ‘CQC’ [Close Quarters Combat] storyboard upgrade and location scouting. Because of the hot weather, their clothes were thin, making their muscles even more prominent. Ethan, at the front, picked up a breakfast tray.

-Swish.

He scanned the restaurant, looking for familiar ‘Beneficial Evil’ staff among the many guests. The staff he found seemed to be in high spirits. Ethan, with his large nose, who was about to grab the tongs, opened his mouth.

‘Hmm—what’s going on?’

The answer came from the bear-like man right behind him.

‘It’s probably because of Kang Woo-jin.’

‘Kang Woo-jin?’

‘I heard that the results of his project in Japan came out well.’

‘Ah—was it an animation?’

They didn’t know the details, but they knew that the atmosphere around ‘My Best Friend: Remake’ was good.

‘But the news about that animation being successful was a few days ago, wasn’t it?’

‘It seems to be a hot topic in Japan and Korea.’

‘Oh ho—indeed, that’s why the staff are so excited.’

‘Kang Woo-jin doing well has a good impact on ‘Beneficial Evil’ as well. I heard his recognition is on par with the top actors in Japan.’

Another team member chimed in.

‘That’s part of it, but it could also be because Kang Woo-jin himself is just amazing.’

Ethan, picking up other food, nodded.

‘That’s right. While working on a large-scale Korean drama, his previous project in Japan blew up. And Kang Woo-jin himself is in Hollywood. He’s even working on an album with Miley Cara. It’s quite absurd and amazing even for us to see.’

‘He seems busier than most Hollywood actors. It’s amazing how his stamina holds up.’

‘He’s from a special forces unit, isn’t he?’

‘Ah—’

Ethan let out a small sigh and said.

‘Judging by the momentum, Kang Woo-jin will be in Hollywood soon.’

Ethan also roughly knew that there had already been an opportunity. The thing about ‘Last Kill 3’.

‘Why did Kang Woo-jin turn down that opportunity?’

At the same time.

-♬♪

The cell phone in Ethan’s shorts pocket rang. He took out his phone without much thought and was slightly surprised.

‘······Joseph Felton?’

The caller was the famous Hollywood producer Joseph Felton. Ethan, recalling the face of the giant Joseph, put the phone to his ear.

‘Joseph?’

Joseph Felton’s voice began to be heard from the other side of the phone. After about 5 minutes of talking to him, Ethan’s eyes widened.

‘······Huh, from Hollywood. No, is this Joseph Felton after Kang Woo-jin??’

He was quite shocked.

‘Is he thinking of coming to Bangkok himself? Leading a team?’

Then, Ethan, who had paused for a moment, suddenly chuckled.

‘I see, Hollywood has already been keeping an eye on Kang Woo-jin.’

After a few more minutes of talking, Ethan put down his phone. The stunt team members immediately asked.

‘Joseph Felton? Was that Joseph on the phone just now?’

‘······Yes.’

‘That’s sudden. A casting offer? But if it’s Joseph Felton, there are many stunt teams around besides us.’

‘No, he’s not looking for us.’

‘Huh? Then—’

‘But this could also be a resume for us.’

Ethan, with a deeper smile, murmured softly.

‘There will be a party in Bangkok where we’ll be filming ‘CQC’.’

Several hours later.

It was night on the 19th in Bangkok, Thailand. The time was around 10:30 PM. The ‘Beneficial Evil’ team members, sweating profusely, rushed into the 4-star hotel lobby.

They had just returned after finishing today’s schedule.

The dozen or so key staff members, looking tired, exchanged brief greetings in the lobby and then moved to their respective rooms. Song Man-woo PD [Production Director], with his stubble, was no exception.

‘Ugh—I’m dying.’

It had been over a week since they had arrived in Bangkok. It was a tight schedule, but it was almost coming to an end. In that short week, many things had been revised and decided. Song Man-woo PD, the overall decision-maker, turned on the air conditioner as soon as he arrived in his room and took off his sweat-soaked black tank top.

‘It’s tough, tough.’

Song Man-woo PD, who felt like his skin had tanned a bit, collapsed onto the bed. He was a big shot in the drama world and had been on overseas shoots quite often, but it was always hard. They had to move early again tomorrow. He lay on the bed, spacing out for a moment. Song Man-woo PD, staring at the palace picture on the wall, barely moved.

‘First, I’ll take a shower, check today’s stuff, and have a beer—’

Just as Song Man-woo PD, craving a cold can of beer, was about to get up.

-Bzzzz, bzzzz.

The vibration of his cell phone on the table next to the bed rang loudly. Song Man-woo PD jumped up. A call this late at night? It was likely that something had happened.

But.

‘Huh?’

Song Man-woo PD tilted his head, checking the caller.

‘It’s Woo-jin?’

It was Kang Woo-jin, who should be in LA.

Wait a minute, what’s the time difference between Bangkok and LA? After roughly calculating, it was early morning in LA. Feeling a bit strange, Song Man-woo PD put the phone to his ear.

‘Oh, hey, Woo-jin. Haha, how’s LA after a long time? It’s hell here in Bangkok.’

Kang Woo-jin’s cynical voice was heard from the other side of the phone.

‘It’s just okay here too.’

‘Is that so? But isn’t it morning there now?’

‘Yes.’

‘What’s going on from the morning? Did something happen? No, the atmosphere is great right now with ‘My Best Friend: Remake’.’

‘PD-nim, is it possible to add an actor to ‘Beneficial Evil’ right now?’

‘······Huh? An actor?’

‘Yes. Whether it’s a special appearance or a cameo.’

At that moment, Song Man-woo PD’s brow twitched slightly. Kang Woo-jin’s line was familiar. It was a common tactic used by various entertainment companies and production companies.

Selling actors as a package deal. Or, as they say, ‘plugging’ them in.

It was a common sight in the entertainment industry, so it was familiar to Song Man-woo PD, a big shot in the drama world, but it was very strange and puzzling that the other party was Kang Woo-jin. The sudden timing was also strange.

‘Woo-jin wouldn’t not know that the actor casting is all done—is he plugging in an actor now?’

If it was CEO Choi Sung-gun, it would be somewhat understandable, but Kang Woo-jin wasn’t that kind of character.

‘Hmm, well, it’s sudden, but since BW Entertainment is expanding dramatically recently… is it perhaps CEO Choi’s request?’

No, would Woo-jin just listen obediently if he was asked? It was hard to understand either way. Whatever it was, Song Man-woo PD couldn’t ignore Woo-jin’s words. After all, it was Kang Woo-jin, wasn’t it?

‘I have no choice.’

In fact, there was something a bit difficult. No matter what kind of actor he was trying to plug in, adding a new actor at this point would increase the workload. That was the case for the directing part, and writer Choi Na-na would also have to write more depending on the added role. Whether it was a supporting role or an unknown or rookie actor, it was equally tough.

The overall production schedule would also be slightly disrupted.

However, Song Man-woo PD with his stubble managed to smile.

‘Haha, okay. If it’s Woo-jin’s request, I have to make the impossible possible. So, who’s the actor? Ah, but you know that if they’re too unknown, we need to check their acting, right?’

‘It’s an actor that PD-nim also knows.’

‘Really? Who? Is it someone who’s good enough to give a few lines?’

In response to the question, Kang Woo-jin answered in a low voice from the other side of the phone.

‘It’s Miley Cara.’

Song Man-woo PD nodded casually.

‘Ah, Miley Cara? I know her, I know her. If it’s someone of that level…’

He stopped talking. Then he blinked his eyes. He wondered if what he had just heard was correct.

‘Wait, wait a minute. Wh-who?’

Kang Woo-jin’s answer was short and clear this time as well. There was no excitement.

‘It’s Miley Cara.’