I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 325

The bald foreigner in the video. No, it was the movie title uttered at the very end by the chairman of the Cannes Film Festival, who was currently in France.

[“The 20th invited work. South Korea, ‘Leech’ by director Ahn Ga-bok.”]

Of course, it was the last invited work announced in French, but Woo-jin, who already had ‘French’ imprinted in his mind, understood it without difficulty. There were also English subtitles below the video.

‘It’s in!! We made it! Wow, damn, that’s awesome.’

The fact that ‘Leech’ was announced last made it even more thrilling. Woo-jin almost dropped his cool facade and shouted, “Woah!” But he held it in. His current outward appearance was the epitome of composure. However, inside, he was jumping for joy.

‘Ah, this is the feeling, again.’

Since director Ahn Ga-bok was already quite famous at the Cannes Film Festival in the past, his entry was expected, but Kang Woo-jin was somewhat anxious because it was uncertain which section it would be in. If he was going to Cannes anyway, wouldn’t the main stage be a hundred times better?

This was a reality that even the subspace couldn’t affect.

That’s why he was even more nervous. Fortunately, ‘Leech’ was confirmed to be in the ‘Competition Section,’ the main event of the Cannes Film Festival.

In other words, ‘Leech’ had to compete against 20 other works from around the world that were selected for the ‘Competition Section.’ Starting with the top prize, the Palme d’Or [Golden Palm], followed by the second prize, the Grand Prix, the Best Director Award, Best Actor Award, Best Actress Award, Best Screenplay Award, and so on, all the top awards of the Cannes Film Festival come from the ‘Competition Section,’ and ‘Leech’ also had the opportunity to win all those awards.

In front of world-renowned filmmakers.

Woo-jin’s hidden excitement, despite his solid poker face, was…

‘Yes!!’

Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat and the entire team celebrated for him.

“Did they announce it?!! They just announced ‘Leech’ right now!”

“That’s right, CEO!! It says ‘Leech’ in the English subtitles here too!!”

“Ugh!! This is crazy!! I was seriously worried because they didn’t announce it until the very end!!”

“I know! I was so annoyed that they announced two Japanese movies!! But then, ‘Leech’ came out with a bang! So amazing!!”

“It was like a movie, a movie! Oh, this is a film festival! What am I even saying?! Anyway, it’s great!!”

Except for the composed Kang Woo-jin, the rest of the team was beyond excited, almost frantic.

“That bald guy knows how to direct!! That’s why the Cannes Film Festival chairman is doing it!”

“Wow! Wait a minute! Come to think of it, is ‘Leech’ the only Korean movie in this year’s Cannes ‘Competition Section’?!!”

“That’s right! Wait, wait, let me check the Cannes Film Festival homepage! They must have posted all the selected works!”

The stylists were frantically using their phones. Some checked the news, while others opened social media or the official Cannes Film Festival page.

“There’s only one Korean movie in this year’s ‘Competition Section’! There are quite a few Korean movies in the other sections! About four!”

“Oh my! What would have happened if ‘Leech’ had been rejected!!”

“Well, just getting into the Cannes Film Festival is a big deal, but… still! It’s much better to be on the main stage!”

“Of course!! The impact that the domestic media will create will be several times greater! And the attention from Cannes and foreign media will be completely different, like night and day!!”

The cheers of Kang Woo-jin’s team members did not easily subside. Well, it wasn’t strange since Woo-jin was also jumping for joy inside. Anyway, ‘Leech’ was going to represent South Korea at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and Kang Woo-jin was at the center of the actors, including the great actors Shim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung.

Because that’s how the ‘Leech’ poster was.

Then, Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat, who had been enthusiastically talking with the team members and had re-tied his ponytail, turned around. Of course, Kang Woo-jin was calm without any signs of excitement. Choi Sung-gun, with a deep smile, murmured to himself.

‘We’ve finally reached this moment.’

He recalled a line that Kang Woo-jin had said to him nonchalantly quite a while ago.

‘Please take good care of me until next year’s Cannes, CEO.’

It was when Kang Woo-jin’s contract renewal was being discussed. The emotion from that time fueled his current excitement several times over. Choi Sung-gun spoke to Woo-jin. His voice trembled slightly.

“We’ve finally stood properly at the starting line. It’s starting now, you know?”

“Yes, I know.”

“Let’s turn the world upside down.”

Woo-jin replied in a very low tone.

“We should, since we’re going there.”

Meanwhile.

In LA, it was late at night on the 16th, unlike Korea, where it was early afternoon on the 17th. At this time, in a conference room of a huge agency, blonde Miley Cara and several foreigners were having a serious meeting.

“Okay, then next week.”

“Yeah. I think that would be good too.”

Because the release of Cara’s new album, for which Kang Woo-jin had participated in the work and which had been in production for quite a long time, was imminent. Except for minor details, the major album work was already finished, and the music video editing was also complete, although there had been an accident.

So, they had to finalize the release schedule now.

“Release it while Cara is in Bangkok. Cara, you pick the date. When would you like it?”

She, with a hat pulled down over her blonde hair, crossed her arms and murmured after a moment of contemplation.

“Noon on the 24th. When I’ll be in the middle of filming the Korean project.”

“Noon on the 24th? Okay, got it.”

Her new album release was confirmed for Friday, the 24th, at noon. Of course, LA time.

At that moment.

-Swish.

Jonathan, the main manager with a close-cropped haircut, sitting next to Cara, leaned into her ear.

“Cara.”

Then, he recited the information he had just confirmed to Cara.

“Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Leech’ has been confirmed as one of the 20 selected works in the competition section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It’s on the official page.”

As soon as she heard the news, Cara gave a small smile that was both unique and cold.

“As expected.”

“As expected?”

“I told you, something was going to happen at this year’s Cannes.”

“It seems like it was a close call. Looking at how it was ranked last.”

“There’s a lot to look forward to-”

Cara, with her slender legs crossed, smiled deeply as she thought about the things she would experience or witness in the future.

“Including my album, the ‘Beneficial Evil’ filming in Bangkok, and the Cannes Film Festival.”

“Your album is the main thing, you know that, right?”

“Of course. Come to think of it, all those exciting things are related to Kang Woo-jin. What would have happened if I hadn’t met him?”

For Cara, this exciting second half of the year was a first in her career.

“So many gifts? Is it Christmas already?”

Two days later, Sunday the 19th. Inside an airplane.

The time was late morning. Around 11 o’clock. Kang Woo-jin could be found inside the airplane. For some reason, his hair and makeup were perfect. His outfit was a thin white shirt and jeans.

His seat was a window seat in business class.

Kang Woo-jin, with a serious expression, looked out the window nonchalantly. A cloudy landscape was unfolding.

“······”

Woo-jin’s current destination was ‘Suvarnabhumi International Airport’ in Bangkok, Thailand. It would take several hours to arrive. The reason was obvious, wasn’t it? He was heading to the overseas location for the start of filming ‘Beneficial Evil.’

Woo-jin, who had been gazing at the clouds outside the window for a while…

-Swish.

Took out a script from a small backpack placed at his feet. It was the script for the first episode of ‘Beneficial Evil.’

‘First, I’ll do a reading of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ and then I’ll rest a bit in the subspace.’

Then, Kang Woo-jin quietly raised his index finger.

-Poke!

He poked the black square attached to the script. Soon, his world changed in a flash. He had entered the endlessly dark subspace. As soon as he landed in the subspace, which was more comfortable than home, Woo-jin immediately dropped his facade and yawned widely. Then, while cracking his neck left and right, he slowly walked towards the place where several white squares were lined up.

“Let’s see-”

Kang Woo-jin’s choice was naturally ‘Beneficial Evil.’

-[9/Script (Title: Beneficial Evil), EX Grade]

-(Episode 1)/(Episode 2)/(Episode 3)······

The first and second episodes of ‘Beneficial Evil’ had undergone many changes recently. After the initial addition of ‘Martial Arts’ and ‘CQC’ [Close Quarters Combat], the action storyboard for ‘CQC’ was upgraded once again with the addition of the stunt team, Ethan Smith. Additionally, there was a significant overhaul of the story with the addition of Miley Cara’s character story.

The start of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which initially began in the present, was changed to the past of the male lead, ‘Jang Yeon-woo.’

It starts with his past, reveals some hints, then shows the present, and then shows ‘Jang Yeon-woo’s past again through another character. In other words, the first episode jumps between ‘Jang Yeon-woo’s past and present. However, the perspective differs for each character.

Anyway, the script currently uploaded to the subspace was the final version.

Of course, Woo-jin had already finished reading (experiencing) the final version several times.

Nevertheless, Woo-jin…

-[You have selected 9/Script (Title: Beneficial Evil Episode 1)]

He tapped the final version of the first episode script of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Most of the overseas location filming would be in the first and second episodes, and since he would be arriving in Bangkok, which would be the setting, he intended to read (experience) it again beforehand.

Soon, after a familiar robotic female voice in Kang Woo-jin’s ear.

[“Preparing to read ‘A: Jang Yeon-woo’······”]

[“······Preparation complete. The script or scenario is of very high quality. The implementation rate is 100%. Starting the reading.”]

A tremendous grayness covered him.

How much time had passed?

Woo-jin’s pale vision gradually changed. No, it was now ‘Jang Yeon-woo’s perspective. The grayness had lifted, but the surrounding colors were not bright.

‘Darkness.’

Because it was a night with faint moonlight. It was cold. The temperature was chilly. The season was winter. In an instant, the cool temperature permeated Woo-jin’s entire body. Including clear senses, everything about ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ was the same. The current black-haired Kang Woo-jin was standing somewhere as ‘Jang Yeon-woo.’

“Hoo-”

His breath came out. The pitch-black darkness gradually became familiar. The sound of animals squawking in the distance could be heard. Trees and weeds were abundant. It was a mountain or a forest. And in the distance, a fairly bright light could be seen.

It was light emitted from a building.

Everywhere else was dark, but only that place was emitting light. Woo-jin, feeling his calm and endlessly subdued emotions, slowly lowered his head. Military boots, military uniform, bulletproof vest, several magazines attached to the vest, an earphone radio, a pistol tucked into his side, and an M4 carbine rifle slung over his shoulder.

At that moment, a female voice was heard from the radio in his ear. It was English.

“Enter.”

Woo-jin moved immediately. He lowered his posture. He moved his feet slowly but surely. With each step, his heart grew colder. The temperature throughout his body hit rock bottom. His head was spinning. He wasn’t drunk from the cold. Several judgments and decisions were being made.

-Swish.

Woo-jin’s direction of movement, moving silently, was towards the building emitting bright light. Upon closer inspection, the building was a rather large mansion. The darkness gradually diminished due to the light emitted by the mansion. At this time, the woman spoke again on the earphone radio.

“One person by the pool, start from there. The inside of the mansion is as briefed beforehand. J, I’m leaving it to you.”

Woo-jin turned his head slightly to the left. A large man was walking by the pool, a little distance from the mansion. He also had a rifle in his hand.

“······”

Kang Woo-jin, or Jang Yeon-woo, stared at the man for a moment. He suddenly disappeared into the darkness. The man by the pool, unaware of this, yawned. It was then.

-Crunch.

A rustling sound was heard from the forest on the right. The man’s expression became serious. It was when he took a slow step forward.

“Ugh!”

A hand suddenly emerged from behind the man, who was looking into the forest, and covered his mouth. Then, a thud was heard. A blade had pierced the man’s neck. The blade was immediately pulled out. Blood spurted out. Woo-jin was standing behind him. The man groaned, but the expressionless Kang Woo-jin naturally broke his neck.

A voice was heard from the radio in the man’s ear. It was also English.

“Derek, how’s it going over there?”

Kang Woo-jin was already gone. The radio rang again.

“Derek? Hey, Derek. Damn it!”

Soon, four armed men who were guarding other places rushed over. After checking the body, they immediately raised their rifles and became alert. Among them.

-Thud.

Something fell with a dull noise. One of the men who noticed it widened his eyes.

“Grenade! Grenade!!”

The men’s movements were swift. They tried to scatter quickly. One man covering the grenade would minimize the damage, but the men were busy running away. However, the grenade exploded faster.

-KABOOM!!

With a roar, the men’s limbs flew into the air. It was quite a sight to see arms, legs, and heads flying along with the blood. The lives of five men were instantly extinguished. But their colleagues still remained. Thanks to the explosion of this grenade, at least eight men moved from the flower bed, the entrance of the mansion, and inside the mansion.

The first to move were two men from the flower bed on the right side of the mansion.

“There!! The flower bed by the pool!!”

“Shoot!! Shoot!!”

A figure in military uniform could be seen slightly with a black shadow. The two men who had radioed shot their rifles at the flower bed by the pool. Bang bang bang! The deafening roar echoed throughout the mansion. Soon, all eight men fired their guns at that spot.

-Ratatatat!!

-Bangtatatat!!

The flower bed wall crumbled. After firing for a while, the eight men paused. One man signaled to the two with his hand. The two slowly approached.

At that moment.

-Whoosh!

Woo-jin, who was lying down at the end of the flower bed, suddenly appeared and quickly raised his shouldered M4 carbine rifle. The gunshots were faint thanks to the silencer.

-Pewpewpewpew!

Four shots were fired. The heads and faces of the two approaching men exploded. The remaining six men fired their guns at Woo-jin, who was lying down. Kang Woo-jin disappeared again. Then he reappeared. The sounds of gunshots and faint gunshots were heard alternately. The foreheads and backs of the heads of two men were shattered.

The remaining men cursed and hid behind the flower bed wall.

“What is that bastard!!”

“Where is he! Where is he!!”

-Bang bang bang!

The men, hiding, only fired their guns. Someone stood above them. It was Kang Woo-jin. The men who recognized him moved belatedly, but…

“Ugh!!”

Behind the faint gunshots with silencers, they fell like dolls. The mansion’s yard, which had been filled with gunshots, became quiet.

“······”

Woo-jin, sitting next to the body with a shattered face, wiped the blood from his cheek with an expressionless face. Soon, he picked up a body that was still in relatively good shape.

After a while.

-Creak.

The front door of the mansion opened. Two armed men inside fired their rifles with surprised eyes. Bang bang bang bang! Someone fell at the entrance. It wasn’t Woo-jin who fell, riddled with bullets. It was a corpse.

-Thud!

The two men were momentarily distracted by the corpse that was falling apart. In that instant, Woo-jin suddenly appeared from the right side of the front door. Four faint gunshots. The heads of the two men exploded one after another. The two men fell as they were. However, Woo-jin, with cold eyes, seemed unsatisfied, and calmly brushed past the bodies and fired a few more bullets upwards.

Soon.

-Swish.

Woo-jin, covered in blood, entered the mansion. The rifle was naturally shouldered, but the tension in his expression had largely disappeared. Still, the coldness of his heart remained.

“S, save me! Save me!!”

A foreign man was lying face down in the chaotic living room, trembling. When he found Kang Woo-jin, he begged with his hands together.

“Save me, please!!”

But.

“Money! As much as you want!”

-Pewpewpew!

Three holes appeared in the foreign man’s face while he was speaking.

Several tens of minutes later.

A group of armed men entered the mansion, which was filled with corpses, with their rifles shouldered. About five men. Finally, a woman holding a pistol in both hands entered. She was a woman with her blonde hair rolled up. The woman and the group searched the mansion for a long time. Then, the blonde woman, who had lowered her pistol, looked at the group and asked.

“Where’s J?”