I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 318

The news that the official production presentation for ‘Strange Geisha’ was confirmed. Usually, production presentations are held about two months before the completion of a work’s editing. However, the post-production editing of ‘Strange Geisha’ wouldn’t take up to two months. That was the thought of Director Kyotaro, who was overseeing the editing.

‘At the latest, around the end of September.’

It was mid-August now, so there was roughly a month and a bit left. Then, Director Kyotaro spoke to the president of ‘Toei-ga’ film company.

“Let Kang Woo-jin know first.”

Woo-jin couldn’t be left out of the production presentation for ‘Strange Geisha’.

“He’s the key, and he’s such a busy actor, so please confirm his schedule in advance.”

The president nodded.

“Understood. We already informed him last month, and since ‘My Best Friend: Remake’ is a hit, we expect him to juggle our schedule with the animation schedule.”

“I suppose so.”

Since ‘My Best Friend: Remake’ suddenly became a huge hit, it also helped ‘Strange Geisha’. Of course, the key was Kang Woo-jin. Anyway, Director Kyotaro, who had been muttering, ran his hand through his graying hair. He was recalling the past. It was during the after-party that Chairman Yoshimura Hideki had hosted after all the filming for ‘Strange Geisha’ was finished.

‘Woo-jin said to expand the scale even more.’

To the proposal to reduce publicity to mitigate the numerous controversies surrounding ‘Strange Geisha’, Kang Woo-jin’s response was ‘no backing down’.

In the end.

‘Expanding all aspects, including publicity and marketing, beyond the production presentation and events.’

Everyone, including Director Kyotaro, agreed to the conclusion to amplify the situation several times over. ‘Strange Geisha’ had to face such a situation head-on. Then, Director Kyotaro told the staff in the editing room to take a break. Soon, only he and the president of ‘Toei-ga’ film company remained in the editing room. Director Kyotaro gestured for him to sit down and then spoke again.

“How was the scale… no, how was the production presentation planned?”

The president, who pulled a chair closer and sat down, answered seriously.

“The date is Saturday, August 22nd.”

About five days left.

“The time is set for noon, and the location is the ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel’. Kang Woo-jin, of course, and all the lead actors are scheduled to attend, and writer Takikawa Akari is also available.”

“That’s a relief. What about the reporters?”

“We’ve gathered over 120 on the list. We’ve doubled the number we had planned. ‘Strange Geisha’ is such a hot topic that more might come.”

“It doesn’t matter, that’s what we intended anyway. And?”

“Including the reporters, we’ve also prepared a live stream on YouTube on the day of the production presentation. We also plan to promote the stream on social media in advance.”

“Hmm.”

In short, they were going to do everything they could for the production presentation of ‘Strange Geisha’. Live streaming was a common practice in Korea as well, but ‘Strange Geisha’ had many big names, including Kang Woo-jin and writer Akari. Moreover, it had been a huge hit in Japan, so it was obvious that many netizens would flock to it.

Those netizens would include the general public, as well as Japanese actors and entertainment industry officials.

Director Kyotaro, who had been slowly crossing his arms, stroked his chin.

‘That’s enough to amplify the scale.’

He recalled Chairman Hideki’s comment during the after-party.

‘Kang Woo-jin is an icon of declaration of war.’

To be precise, it was a misunderstanding that Hideki had arbitrarily made. To Kang Woo-jin’s casual remark about expanding the scale, he had a strong misunderstanding that he would make a proper splash and draw even more attention.

‘What is Woo-jin planning?’

At this moment, it was obvious that Kang Woo-jin had no specific plans, but Director Kyotaro’s smile deepened. As planned, the amplified stage to announce the advance of ‘Strange Geisha’ was properly set. Now, all that was left was the ‘nuclear bomb’ that Kang Woo-jin would drop.

‘Yeah, I’m starting to look forward to it too. What kind of declaration of war will he make?’

However, Director Kyotaro had no intention of leaving everything to Kang Woo-jin. If the lead actor was not holding back, the director himself couldn’t be lukewarm.

“I need to brace myself too.”

The misunderstanding that Chairman Hideki had planted fueled Director Kyotaro’s fighting spirit. At this time, the president of ‘Toei-ga’ film company’s gaze reached several monitors behind Director Kyotaro. Kang Woo-jin’s face. No, the image of ‘Iyota Kiyoshi’ was displayed, frozen.

Kiyoshi was staring at the camera with a blank expression.

The president had already seen Woo-jin’s acting on set, but it was the first time he was seeing it on a monitor, in a video. And as soon as he saw Kiyoshi on the monitor, he swallowed hard. It wasn’t just Kang Woo-jin’s acting, but the moment he saw the face of Kiyoshi that he had created, he got goosebumps.

‘This movie will surely throw Japan into chaos.’

It might be a disaster that the Japanese film industry would never see again.

Back.

Around early afternoon, major news about ‘Strange Geisha’ poured out in the Japanese media. Kang Woo-jin, who was in Korea, checked it while moving between schedules.

‘Wow, the firepower is insane??’

On the outside, he was composed, but inside, Kang Woo-jin was startled. Even though he had already been informed about the production presentation of ‘Strange Geisha’, the strong buzz around ‘Strange Geisha’ was surprising.

『News of the production presentation of “Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger” starring Kang Woo-jin announced』

『”Strange Geisha” finally pushes ahead with production presentation amidst numerous issues and controversies』

As expected, the news of the official production presentation of ‘Strange Geisha’, which was in the final stages of editing, was released. The attention was suddenly focused on ‘Strange Geisha’, which had already been fueled by ‘My Best Friend: Remake’.

It was inevitable.

『”Strange Geisha” production presentation to be held on Saturday the 22nd! Location is Kashihi Tokyo Hotel, live streaming will also be held on the day』

The production presentation of ‘Strange Geisha’ included various content. Not only were more than twice the usual number of reporters gathering, but the fact that they were doing a live stream also stimulated public opinion. This news spread widely on Japan’s major social media by the same night.

-Wasn’t this production canceled?

-wwww I’ve never seen a production presentation that also does a live stream! Of course, Kang Woo-jin will be there, right?

-I’m curious! The 22nd? What time is it? If the time works, I’ll definitely watch it!

-….A Strange Geisha with a Korean actor as the main character… not good…

-You’ve ignored the complaints of the original fans, so why are you so confident?

-It seems like it’s the first time Kang Woo-jin is appearing in the media since he was confirmed for Strange Geisha.

-Looking at the atmosphere, it seems like a lot of people will flock to the streamwwwwww

-If Kang Woo-jin is there, I’ll watch it!!!

Various reactions sprang up, but there was no common feeling. Some were sending support, while others were cursing. There were also many people who were biding their time or expressing indifference. It was a mess. It looked like a clash between Kang Woo-jin’s fans and the hardcore fans of the original ‘Strange Geisha’.

『SNS is heating up due to the upcoming production presentation of “Strange Geisha”』

『News of the “Strange Geisha” production presentation spreads widely on SNS, public reactions are sharply divided』

This situation became several times more intense when the 17th ended and the next day, the 18th, dawned. The snowball rolled beyond social media to online communities. The news that a live-action movie of ‘Strange Geisha’ was being made even appeared in foreign news articles. This was because the original book ‘Strange Geisha’ was so popular worldwide.

Whatever the case, while watching the situation where the flood had begun.

“Hmm, a little disappointing.”

Chairman Hideki, the head of the Kashihi Group and the main investor of ‘Strange Geisha’, instructed his secretary, Riri.

“Let’s give some support to the media on our side as well. Let it spread even more noisily than it is now.”

“Understood, Chairman.”

“Is the hall and preparations for the production presentation going well?”

“Yes. We have clearly communicated with the Kashihi Tokyo Hotel, and the preparations are proceeding meticulously.”

“Don’t forget the publicity either.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Articles were already pouring out through the ‘Strange Geisha’ channel, but Chairman Hideki’s personal influence was also added. The aftermath was obvious. It would be even more rampant than it was now. Of course, Takikawa Akari, the original author of ‘Strange Geisha’, was not idle either. She mentioned the movie ‘Strange Geisha’ in an interview with a major media outlet.

“Writer, the live-action movie of ‘Strange Geisha’ is back in the spotlight. Can you give us a little hint about what kind of story is being made? Haha, many fans around the world are very curious.”

“It’s hard to go into detail, but one thing is certain: the movie ‘Strange Geisha’ will be more interesting than the ‘Strange Geisha’ I wrote. And it will surprise you all.”

“Oh, really?”

“I guarantee it. I was surprised too. I think the production presentation of ‘Strange Geisha’ will be the same.”

“Ah, I saw the article. You’re also attending, right? What about Kang Woo-jin?”

“Of course, he’s the main lead actor of ‘Strange Geisha’.”

This interview with writer Akari was published as an article around the afternoon of the same day.

『[Hot Issue] Takikawa Akari, the original author of “Strange Geisha”, says “The movie Strange Geisha will surprise everyone”』

It was already a hook that had worked properly, so the attention was drawn in an instant. Numerous comments from the Japanese public poured in. Kang Woo-jin, who was watching it, was at a commercial shoot in Korea. It was break time now, and he was wearing a white shirt and jeans, which were the clothes for the commercial.

Woo-jin’s face, with his legs crossed, was solemn.

‘The scale is getting huge?? Is this for real??’

The real Kang Woo-jin was deeply surprised. Well, he had expected it to some extent since he had said it himself, but the current situation in Japan was drawing several times more attention than he had imagined. Indeed, when big names work together, this is a piece of cake. Kang Woo-jin, who was muttering inwardly, felt a slight worry.

‘Oh, this is a bit of a burden.’

But the worry didn’t last long.

‘Tsk, whatever.’

He had come to the conclusion that he just needed to maintain his concept without letting his guard down.

‘It’s rather comfortable; I just need to think about not backing down.’

A few days later, on the highway.

Friday the 20th, the time was a little past 8 am. The black van carrying Kang Woo-jin was driving down the road. The destination was Gimpo Airport. Inside the van were several team members, and of course, Kang Woo-jin was with them. Woo-jin was wearing a beige shirt and dark brown slacks. His hair and makeup were already done.

It was natural since he had gone to the salon since dawn.

“······”

Woo-jin, with his cynical look, was looking out the window indifferently, but inside, half anticipation and half worry were gently spreading.

‘It’s already the production presentation for Strange Geisha. Time flies so fast. If things go like this, the release will be soon too.’

He was scheduled to go to Japan today. Then, Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat turned around, tying his ponytail tightly again. He was holding a diary in his hand.

“Woo-jin, today in Japan, from around lunchtime, we’ll be doing interviews related to ‘My Best Friend: Remake’ and visiting ‘A10 Studio’, and tomorrow, the 21st, as you know, the main event is the ‘Strange Geisha’ production presentation.”

Kang Woo-jin’s schedule in Japan was short. About three days. Today, the 20th, the focus was on the schedule for the hit ‘My Best Friend: Remake’, and tomorrow, the 21st and 22nd, the main events were the ‘Strange Geisha’ production presentation and a few others. The schedule was tight because it was a short period of three days. Nevertheless, they had to do as much as possible and leave.

Anyway, Woo-jin answered calmly.

“Yes, CEO.”

Choi Sung-gun put his phone to his ear at the sound of the ringtone. Soon, Han Ye-jeong, who had recently changed her hair to an orange bob, called Woo-jin.

“Oppa, about the ‘Strange Geisha’ production presentation. The CEO said that you need to make a strong impression that day, so I made a list of outfits. Which one would you like?”

She had printed out photos of outfits in various styles. Among them, Kang Woo-jin pointed to one outfit.

“This one.”

It was all black.

Back, about two hours later. Kang Woo-jin passed through the departure gate, leaving behind a huge crowd of reporters. Soon, onlookers gathered, but thanks to Choi Sung-gun preparing more guards in advance, no major problems occurred.

At this time.

-Vvvv, vvvvv.

While Woo-jin was moving to the gate, his phone vibrated long. Kang Woo-jin, who had been receiving calls frequently recently, checked the caller without much thought.

‘Oh?’

There was no change in his expression due to his concept, but inside, Kang Woo-jin was slightly surprised. The reason was simple. The caller was the veteran of the Korean film industry, Director Ahn Ga-bok. Soon, Kang Woo-jin gestured to Choi Sung-gun to stop for a moment and put his phone to his ear. His voice was low.

“Yes, Director. Hello.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s old voice on the other end of the phone was the same as ever. However, it felt drier.

“Hmm. It’s been a while since I contacted you. Where are you?”

“I’m just about to depart for Japan.”

“Our ‘Leech’ is also just around the corner.”

“…Is that so?”

“Hmm. So we need to pay attention to our side too. It seems like the editing will be finished before mid-September.”

In terms of timing, there were less than three weeks left. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok on the other end of the phone.

“Anyway, I guess we’ll have to see after you come back from Japan. We need to take the poster.”

He muttered definitively.

“I’m talking about the main poster to send to Cannes.”