I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 320

As Kang Woo-jin saw the picture of the mansion with a swimming pool on the tablet, sent by Miley Cara and held by Choi Sung-gun, he almost gasped. It was so shocking that he barely managed to suppress the urge to break character and show his astonishment. If he hadn’t been maintaining his usual solemn demeanor, he would have already made a fuss.

‘Wow, seriously. That was a huge surprise.’

In fact, the house in LA displayed on the tablet was more like a mansion, and to Kang Woo-jin, who had never seen a house of this scale before, it looked like a palace. I mean, it even had a swimming pool? That wasn’t a common sight in Korea.

Moreover.

‘The house itself is huge.’

The house behind the swimming pool was two stories and massive. It was a residence that deserved the term ‘grand.’ Aren’t houses like this only in movies? Woo-jin stared at the house on the tablet, trying to calm his surprised heart.

“……”

Kang Woo-jin spent some time admiring the house. Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, who was watching him from the side, spoke.

“Have you seen enough? Shall we move on?”

Move on? Move on to what? Ah, right. It was then that Woo-jin remembered that he wasn’t going to be shown just one house.

‘A list. Right, it was a list of houses in LA.’

Woo-jin, who had managed to regain his composure, lowered his voice.

“Yes, CEO. I’ve seen it.”

As soon as he heard the answer, Choi Sung-gun moved his finger. The picture of the house on the tablet changed. Soon, a new picture appeared. This house also had a swimming pool, but it wasn’t two stories. However, it felt just as wide, if not more so, from side to side.

One thing was certain.

‘Damn, this one’s amazing too.’

This house was also incredible. Then, Choi Sung-gun moved his finger again. Once, twice, three times. In the end, he showed a total of five houses. Of course, all of them were of a scale that seemed like they were from a movie. Every time Woo-jin saw a house, he exclaimed inwardly, but outwardly, he tried his best to maintain a cynical attitude.

Still, he was shocked.

‘Wait! She’s giving me a house like this? Is she seriously out of her mind?’

Of course, Kang Woo-jin had saved Miley Cara’s life, but he still wondered if this was right. Honestly, wouldn’t anyone think so? Who else would have an experience like this? The officetel [a studio apartment often used as a residence and office] near Samsung Station that he had received from Choi Sung-gun in the past was like something Woo-jin had earned through his work.

But this time was different.

“…CEO.”

Woo-jin forced a calm tone into his voice.

“You heard that she wants to give one of these houses as a gift, is that correct?”

Choi Sung-gun, who had briefly lowered the tablet, chuckled as if he was also a bit dumbfounded.

“Yeah, that’s what it said. It was clearly written in the email that came to the company. I’m a bit taken aback too.”

“Is that so?”

Choi Sung-gun raised the tablet again.

“Look at the size of these things. Of course, there are plenty of houses like this in LA, but these would easily cost over a billion won [approximately one million US dollars], right? And there are definitely more expensive ones too.”

“……”

How much? A billion won? Even a few hundred million was a lot of money, but a billion? Woo-jin was speechless for a moment. Indeed, she was a global superstar. Her generosity was immense. Around this time, Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun, who had boarded the hotel elevator, stopped talking for a moment because there were quite a few other guests in the elevator.

A few minutes later.

Choi Sung-gun, who had entered Kang Woo-jin’s suite, spoke again.

“Well, if you think about the money that was saved when you rescued Miley Cara, a billion won is nothing. If Cara had been seriously injured, it would have cost several times more. Still, Cara is quite generous.”

Choi Sung-gun shook the tablet in his hand at Woo-jin, who was inwardly agreeing.

“You didn’t hear anything about this at all?”

Suddenly, the words Cara had said flashed through Kang Woo-jin’s mind.

‘I owe you a debt, a rather large one.’

And another one.

‘I’ll repay you in some form, but that’s separate. Is there anything you want right now, Mr. Woo-jin?’

He had already settled what he wanted with the ‘Beneficial Evil’ appearance. So, was the separate repayment a house? And a huge house in LA? Kang Woo-jin, who had been silent, met Choi Sung-gun’s eyes and murmured in a low voice.

“When I was in LA, Miley Cara did say she would repay me.”

“Apart from the ‘Beneficial Evil’ appearance?”

For the record, Choi Sung-gun also knew about Cara’s appearance in ‘Beneficial Evil.’

“That plus a separate repayment?”

“I think so.”

“Huh—it looks like she wants to give you a house to live in when you make your Hollywood debut… No wonder she was asking me all sorts of things when we had the after-party at Cara’s house.”

“What did she ask?”

“Oh, things like where the overseas branch is located and when you’re starting your Hollywood activities. I gave her some vague answers, and then this came.”

There was a build-up. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin’s mind had calmed down to some extent, and Choi Sung-gun, who handed the tablet to Woo-jin, asked casually.

“Of course, I’ve been preparing things for your overseas debut, but—what are you going to do? Are you going to accept the house if Cara gives it to you?”

Was there any reason not to accept it? Of course, it was an unexpected size, but there was no reason to refuse. Well, even though Kang Woo-jin didn’t do anything too strenuous when he saved Cara, it would still be a big debt for her.

‘It’s 100% better to accept it. It’ll make it easier to see each other in the future.’

No matter how much he thought about it, Kang Woo-jin decided that refusing wasn’t a good idea.

-Swish.

He pointed at the house with the widest swimming pool on the second floor among the five houses on the tablet and murmured.

“I’ll take this one.”

Choi Sung-gun, with a deeper smile, nodded.

“Hehe, okay. I’ll let Miley Cara know.”

That was the moment when Kang Woo-jin got a house, no, a mansion in LA.

The next day, the 21st.

The Japanese entertainment industry was quite abuzz from the morning. Many reporters from various news agencies, of course, and.

“Did you pack all your things?”

“Yes!”

“Then let’s leave right away!”

“Ah—but I don’t know if we can go since we weren’t invited.”

“It’s a shame we weren’t invited, but we should at least get some B-cut photos around the hotel. There are so many big names there, right?”

“That’s true.”

“We might even see Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro, writer Takikawa Akari, or if we’re lucky, even Chairman Yoshimura Hideki. As for the actors, other top actors are fine, but Kang Woo-jin! You have to get a picture of Kang Woo-jin, even if it’s just his back, it’ll sell?”

Many agencies and broadcasting stations were in a similar situation.

“It’s chaos, chaos. The articles are already being released.”

“‘Strange Sacrifice’ press conference?”

“Yeah, look at this, most of the entertainment news articles are about ‘Strange Sacrifice.’”

“Hmm—it’s understandable. Isn’t it a live-action adaptation of Akari’s original work? It was noisy from the moment Kang Woo-jin joined ‘Strange Sacrifice.’ And with ‘Kashihi Group’ involved, it’s become even bigger.”

“…A Korean actor as the male lead in a work that is like a symbol of Akari’s.”

“There are a lot of controversies and it’s noisy, so it’s not strange that it’s a big fuss. I heard that they gathered almost 200 reporters for today’s press conference?”

“I heard they’re also doing a live stream.”

“Why did they make such a big deal out of it? Even if they had gone quietly, there would have been extreme resentment.”

Of course, the topic was the press conference for ‘Strange Sacrifice,’ which was scheduled for noon today. Since ‘Strange Sacrifice’ had caused numerous controversies and issues from the initial announcement of its production, it was not unusual for the press conference introducing the film before its release to become a hot topic.

Articles were already being released.

『Finally, ‘Kang Woo-jin’ Appears Before the Public! Large-Scale Press Conference for 「Strange Sacrifice」 About to Open!』

『Netizens Flock! 「Strange Sacrifice」 Press Conference Including Live Broadcast, Interest Explodes on SNS and Communities』

Numerous people involved in the Japanese entertainment industry. The name ‘Strange Sacrifice’ was constantly on the lips of ordinary citizens. Of course, it was the same online. Communities and social media were the center of the intense buzz about the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ press conference. The live streaming feature made them even more excited.

About two hours passed like that?

Around 30 minutes before noon, the ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel’ in Tokyo was packed. It was already a hotel overflowing with guests, but today, there were over a hundred people who had come for other purposes besides being guests. The hotel’s surroundings, lobby, etc., were filled with people holding cameras.

They were the reporters who had been invited to the press conference.

“Are those guys outside the ones who weren’t invited?”

“Yeah, they’re desperately trying to take pictures.”

“Haha, we were lucky.”

If you combined the reporters gathered outside the hotel, there were at least several hundred. Those reporters began to gather inside the largest hall of the ‘Kashihi Tokyo Hotel.’ The spacious hall had an interior that included a lot of wood, and the ceiling was quite high. The hall was filled with desks for the reporters to sit at.

They were packed from the entrance of the hall to the front stage.

More than 80 reporters began to take their seats at the desks that had been set up. They were all setting up their laptops and cameras, and when the time for the press conference arrived, the remaining reporters outside would rush in. Then, it would be a crowd of nearly 200 people.

“There are more cameras than a typical press conference.”

“They said they’re doing a live broadcast, and the ‘Strange Sacrifice’ team will also have to film for their YouTube channel.”

There were more than 10 cameras installed throughout the hall. Among them, at the very back of the hall, the team responsible for the live streaming was rushing to prepare.

About 20 minutes later.

“Live broadcast is open!”

With 10 minutes left until the press conference, the live streaming team opened the broadcast. Soon, as if they had been waiting, Japanese netizens began to flood in. And in just one minute.

-[‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ Press Conference Live Streaming!]

-[Live Broadcast]

-[3854 viewers]

Nearly 4,000 netizens had gathered. The chat was more than just lively.

-Wowwwwwww there are so many reporters!!

-May Strange Sacrifice fail!!

-I came to see Kang Woo-jin!

-Get a grip, everyone!! Ugh! There are too many people!

-If it’s like this before it even starts, it’ll explode when the press conference startswwww

-I came to hate

·

·

·

Excitement, curses, expectations, nonsense, and many others. The chat was going up so fast that it was hard to check each one. Regardless, the number of netizens connecting to the live stream increased rapidly every second, and as the press conference approached, Japanese reporters also began to fill the hall.

Finally.

-Swish.

Around the time when about 200 reporters had almost entered, a woman wearing a neat beige jacket entered through the side door of the front stage. She was a famous Japanese comedian who would be the host of today’s press conference. She gestured to the title ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ that was hung large behind the stage.

“The press conference is about to begin, reporters outside, please come into the hall.”

The host, who announced the start in clear Japanese, talked with the staff around her for a moment. They were the staff of ‘Strange Sacrifice.’ After coordinating for about 5 minutes, the host turned her gaze to the front again. While all 200 reporters were watching her, the host held up a cue card.

“The highly anticipated movie! We will now begin the press conference for ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’!”

The reporters applauded as if they were used to it, and about half of them raised their cameras and took pictures of the front. While flashes were going off like lightning, the number of Japanese netizens connected to the live stream had increased tremendously.

-[‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ Press Conference Live Streaming!]

-[Live Broadcast]

-[32114 viewers]

It had exceeded 30,000 viewers. Everyone had come for their own purposes, but it was still a significant number. At this point, the host, who had looked down at the cue card, spoke again.

“First, let’s welcome the main cast of ‘Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the staff standing near the side door moved. The door opened, and the big names began to enter.

At the same time.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!!

The flashes, several times more intense, filled the hall. The first to enter alone was Tanoguchi Kyotaro, the master director of ‘Strange Sacrifice.’

-Swish.

Right behind him, wearing more makeup than usual, was writer Akari. Soon, the reporters, who were frantically pressing their shutters, became slightly excited thanks to the third person who appeared.

“Kang Woo-jin! Kang Woo-jin!!”

“The third? Kang Woo-jin is entering third?”

He was the main male lead of ‘Strange Sacrifice’ and the person currently shaking up Japan. Kang Woo-jin, wearing an all-black suit, had entered. Soon, flashes of light that were almost blinding poured down on him. But Woo-jin’s face was filled with coldness.

“……”

On the other hand.

-[39887 viewers]

Immediately after Kang Woo-jin’s appearance, the chat from the nearly 40,000 viewers was at a saturation point. Dozens, hundreds of chats were being updated every second. Although it was difficult to see the viewers’ chats, the reporters’ words could be heard somewhat despite the blurriness thanks to the sound of the shutters.

“Kang Woo-jin is so calm.”

“So many Japanese people, including the reporters here, are watching him—is that actor’s personality usually so cold?”

“According to rumors, yes. He’s said to be quiet.”

“He’s only been in the industry for two years, right? Even if it’s not unheard of, isn’t he too quiet?”

“…His presence is as strong as a top actor at the peak of their career.”

Hundreds of reporters immediately gave their evaluations after seeing Kang Woo-jin in his all-black suit. But Woo-jin had no time to pay attention to such things.

‘Ugh!! I can’t see, I can’t see!’

He was afraid that he might lose his focus due to the constant flashes. He had to focus all his attention on maintaining his character.

‘Ugh, I feel like throwing up!’

After Director Kyotaro, writer Akari, Kang Woo-jin, Mana Kosaku, Uramatsu Mihuyu, Ogimoto Yasuta, and other big names of ‘Strange Sacrifice’ and top Japanese actors all appeared. Starting with Director Kyotaro, who was first, they stood in a line in front of the stage.

It was for a brief photo time.

-[43313 viewers]

The number of streaming viewers had surpassed 40,000. At this time, the closed door at the back of the hall opened, and an old man in a suit entered. It was Chairman Hideki, with a few secretaries, with white hairs mixed in his eyebrows. Because he entered so quietly and the atmosphere in the hall was so frantic, no one noticed.

“Hmm-”

Chairman Hideki crossed his arms, looking past the hundreds of reporters to the front stage of the hall. More precisely, he was looking at Kang Woo-jin, and a smile was on his wrinkled lips.

‘A declaration of war. No, how can I resist watching a bomb?’

The chairman was swimming freely in his own sea of delusions.

Anyway, the press conference for ‘Strange Sacrifice’ began with the introduction of each person.

However.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin!!!”

A Japanese shout, almost a scream, echoed through the flashes. A reporter sitting near the front among the hundreds of reporters was the first to shout.

“Your recent leading role in a Korean work was a huge hit, and ‘Best Friend: Remake’ was also a big hit!”

His voice cracked a little because he was so excited, but it was clearly a question directed at Kang Woo-jin, and it was also slightly aggressive.

“With your consecutive successes, you’ve been given the nickname ‘Midas’ Hand’!! In your opinion, do you think the controversial ‘Strange Sacrifice’ will be a success?!!”

Immediately, the host and staff tried to stop him, but.

“Yes.”

Kang Woo-jin’s low answer in his all-black suit was faster.

“I expect it to easily surpass 20 million viewers.”

The first bomb had been dropped.

End