I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 329

Miley Cara, a global superstar, suddenly appeared in Bangkok, Thailand, without any prior promotion or hints. What is this? Is it a dream? Or a hallucination? It was a moment that perfectly fit the expression ‘seeing is not believing’.

Her unexpected appearance threw everyone in Hollywood into chaos.

Famous producers, Joseph and Megan, who were also on set as observers, were stunned.

“Miley is filming this project??”

“Wow—I really didn’t see this coming.”

Joseph’s team members and the stunt team accompanying them were equally surprised.

“Oh wow… It’s really Miley Cara, isn’t it?”

“Did Miley say she was appearing in a Korean project? That’s what I heard.”

“Me too.”

“That doesn’t make sense, why would she film a Korean project?”

“That expert over there. No, Miley said it’s because of the Korean actor.”

“I heard! But does that make sense?!”

The executives of the Hollywood giant film company ‘Universal Movies’ were also completely bewildered.

“Miley Cara—appearing in a Korean project. Her price tag is so high, we’re not even sure if we could afford her.”

“Who is that Korean actor? Who is he that Miley says she’s appearing for him?”

The voices of about 20 people grew louder. On the other hand, Miley Cara, standing next to them, was completely relaxed. Cara, with her sunglasses pushed up on her blonde hair, said,

“Kang Woo-jin, that’s the Korean actor’s name. You guys came to see that Korean actor too, right?”

“Huh?”

The executives of ‘Universal Movies,’ with their brows furrowed, quickly turned their gaze to the black man, Joseph. Joseph, who had a smile on his face, nodded as if to say it was true.

“That’s right, we came to see Kang Woo-jin.”

Although some information had been exchanged beforehand, except for Joseph and Megan, all the foreigners were seeing Kang Woo-jin’s face for the first time. Joseph had pushed so hard for it that they stopped by before going to Cannes, but the stunt team and the executives of ‘Universal Movies’ had never had high expectations. That was still the case.

It was only natural.

Kang Woo-jin was practically unknown in Hollywood. No matter how much Joseph and Megan recommended him, the expectations for an unverified Korean actor were bound to be low. But then, out of the blue, Miley Cara got involved with that Korean actor.

‘What kind of connection does Miley Cara have with that Korean actor? There’s no way this absurd situation would have happened otherwise.’

Even if they denied reality, the facts didn’t change. Miley Cara had appeared before their eyes, and she had directly stated that she was appearing in ‘Beneficial Evil.’ The size of the role didn’t matter. Just the fact that Cara was participating was enough to cause a stir in Hollywood.

Soon, the pot-bellied man among the executives of ‘Universal Movies’ muttered quietly,

“…This is a scoop anywhere, including Hollywood.”

It was then that everyone, including Joseph, realized one thing. The strict non-disclosure agreement that ‘Beneficial Evil’ had been pushing hard. The strange, ironclad security was all explained at this moment.

“They were trying to hide Miley Cara’s participation.”

What would happen if this became known in Korea? It was obvious that a tsunami far beyond a mere uproar would hit.

At that moment.

“Well, see you later.”

Miley Cara, after a brief greeting, moved towards the abandoned factory site where Woo-jin was. The group of foreigners, except for Joseph and Cara, just stared at Cara’s back. Then, the foreign leader of the stunt team asked Joseph. His eyes were still wide open.

“Joseph, didn’t you know either?”

“Not at all. Miley appearing in this project is something that goes beyond my common sense. I didn’t know either.”

“Oh my god. How is this even happening?”

Meanwhile, at the center of the ‘Beneficial Evil’ filming site, where over 200 staff members were constantly moving, Kang Woo-jin, in the place where key figures including PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo were gathered, was holding his second firearm. This time it was a pistol. A Glock 17. Woo-jin was internally expressing his amazement.

‘Wow—it’s seriously exactly like the real thing, isn’t it?? That’s why it feels more realistic and fun to use. Awesome.’

But he couldn’t express this frivolous exclamation outwardly. Just as Woo-jin, with a nonchalant face, was raising the Glock 17 he was holding with both hands.

“Huh?”

“Look over there, over there.”

“Huh??”

“What’s wrong?”

“That blonde foreign woman—no way.”

Kang Woo-jin’s surroundings were becoming quite noisy. From the hundred or so ‘Beneficial Evil’ staff members to the local Thai staff and actors, everyone who had been moving busily started looking at one place as if they had planned it. There, a blonde woman with a dozen or so burly foreign guards was. No, it was Miley Cara, leisurely walking across the center of the filming site.

It was then.

“Cara? Isn’t that Miley Cara??”

Over 200 people clearly recognized Miley Cara. A frenzy of madness beyond mere excitement erupted.

“Oh—no way? No! It is!!”

“Is that Miley Cara?!”

“Wow!! It’s really Miley Cara!!”

“What??! Where?”

“Over there, over there!! It’s Miley Cara, isn’t it??!!!”

“Waaah!!! Crazy!!”

It was basic for people to stop moving equipment and gape with their mouths open. All the staff members were shouting and focusing their attention on Cara.

However, not everyone was out of their minds. Those who already knew about Cara’s appearance were either smiling or calm. PD Song Man-woo, writer Choi Na-na, general director Kim So-hyang, and a few key staff members that PD Song Man-woo had informed beforehand, excluding Choi Sung-gun. Ethan was also among them. Anyway, the filming site where over 200 people had gathered was in complete chaos. Shouts and screams echoed. In a situation filled with shock and bewilderment, Cara, who had casually reached Kang Woo-jin, smiled brightly.

“The gun suits you well.”

Kang Woo-jin replied in a low voice.

“Would you like to try it?”

“Sure, I’ve used guns a lot. I’ll look better with it than you, you know?”

“We’ll see.”

“Give it to me.”

Although the filming site was in a state of panic, Woo-jin and Cara were chatting lightly as if they were out for a stroll. Then, Cara turned her gaze to PD Song Man-woo and others. A brief exchange of greetings. Then, Cara started shooting the Glock 17 she was holding.

-Bang bang bang!

Three shots were fired. Kang Woo-jin was watching it from the side.

“……”

His poker face was as serious as ever, but he was unknowingly being captivated by Cara’s profile. The blonde hair reaching her chest, the sunglasses pushed up on her head, the white tank top and slightly ripped hot pants, and the woman in black beaded sandals was firing a pistol. This was not a common sight. Woo-jin instinctively muttered. Of course, internally.

‘Damn, the visuals are insane, seriously.’

Cara, who had no way of knowing this, lowered the pistol and asked Woo-jin.

“How was it?”

Woo-jin, who had barely regained his senses, replied coldly.

“It was okay.”

“Your praise is too stingy, isn’t it?”

“Not really.”

At this point, PD Song Man-woo, holding a megaphone in one hand, intervened.

“Miley, shall we calm the staff down now?”

His words were conveyed to Cara through interpretation.

“Of course, I’m fine with it.”

Having received her consent, PD Song Man-woo shouted loudly into the megaphone.

“Everyone! Look over here!”

Soon, all 200 or so staff members rushed over like a horde of zombies.

The next day, the 21st, Bangkok.

Early morning. Among the many five-star hotels in the bustling city of Bangkok, the ‘Kempinski Hotel,’ which was a different hotel from the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team. As it was a huge five-star hotel, the lobby with a fountain was crowded with guests even in the morning. In the building next to the main building of the hotel, there was a large restaurant. This place was also quite luxurious.

More than half of the seats were already occupied. It was breakfast time for the buffet.

-♬♪

In an atmosphere with soft classical music, familiar faces were seen at a round table by the window. The group of about 20 Hollywood foreigners who had come to see ‘Beneficial Evil’ were still in shock from seeing Miley Cara yesterday. However, Joseph and Megan were not seen. They were still talking about Cara, as if their excitement hadn’t subsided.

The muscular stunt team and the executives of ‘Universal Movies’ were all the same.

“Listening to what that bearded PD was saying yesterday, it felt like Miley, no, she had a pretty significant role.”

Of course, the decibel level was quite low. Enough to be drowned out by the classical music. Moreover, they were referring to Miley Cara as ‘she’ while thoroughly hiding her name.

“We saw her rehearsing, right? Just from seeing her shoot a gun or check the storyboard, it didn’t seem like she was just going to show her face briefly and be done.”

“Seeing the rehearsal, it seems like the filming is on a larger scale than I thought.”

“Well, since they hired Ethan, it means they’re focusing on action. The car explosion test yesterday was something to see.”

“The shooting rehearsal too. They checked the vehicles in the city, so there must be a car chase included.”

“…The filming is more interesting than I thought, but I’m still amazed that I saw her here. How did they manage to persuade her?”

“It seems like there’s a story with Kang Woo-jin, right? That Korean actor.”

The conversation naturally flowed to Kang Woo-jin.

“Hmm. Kang Woo-jin—come to think of it, Joseph said that this schedule was set up because of that Korean actor, right?”

“That’s right. He just told us that there was an actor to keep an eye on before going to Cannes, so we should stop by for a bit.”

“…If he had a connection with Hollywood, her relationship would be understandable, but he was a face I’d never seen before. I heard he’s quite popular in Korea and Japan.”

The pot-bellied executive of ‘Universal Movies’ added an explanation.

“It’s not just Korea and Japan. He seems to be quite popular here in Thailand too. I checked Kang Woo-jin’s SNS [Social Networking Service] and YouTube channel, and they were amazing. He already has a decent level of recognition overseas.”

Among the people listening, the leader of the stunt team scratched his chin.

“It’s been a journey with many twists and turns, but—well, it’s still hard to understand why this many people moved for just that actor, Kang Woo-jin.”

“Hmm.”

“Especially, I’m most curious as to why Joseph brought our stunt team along. The filming site we saw yesterday was interesting, but even if it’s unique in Korea, isn’t that kind of thing basic in Hollywood?”

“I agree.”

It was true. In Korea, the scale of ‘Beneficial Evil’ might be new or large, but from Hollywood’s perspective, it wasn’t anything particularly special. Then, the stunt team members chimed in.

“The feeling of the rehearsal is that there’s a high possibility of action cuts, and it seems like ‘CQC’ [Close Quarters Combat] is also included. But even if Ethan is participating… the ‘CQC’ and action direction that the Korean actor is showing—well, I’m a bit disappointed that we came here just for that.”

Everyone here had a lot of experience in Hollywood. So, it was clear that they wouldn’t be satisfied with mediocre motions.

“His shooting posture was good. Both with the rifle and the pistol.”

“With a professional, you can learn that in a few days.”

“Action that includes ‘CQC’ is something that even the top actors in Hollywood struggle with. For them, the focus will be on how well they can implement it.”

“Hmm, it would be good if acting was included. If we’re only looking at the action design of that actor, Kang Woo-jin… then there’s nothing new.”

The shock they received yesterday was a shock, and the reality that had been stripped away was harsh.

“Anyway, we should start heading out soon, right? The main filming is at noon? Call Joseph.”

Meanwhile, at this time.

In various parts of Bangkok, several people were moving to the filming site of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Miley Cara and her dozen or so guards and team members, who had left the hotel a few tens of minutes ago, were in a large van.

“……”

“Miley, what are you thinking so hard about? It can’t be that you’re nervous about the start of filming.”

“I have a strange feeling.”

“A strange feeling?”

“I’ve done countless projects, and I’ve even filmed in Bangkok before, but for some reason, today’s filming makes me nervous. Or rather, excited?”

Her half-shaved head manager, Jonathan, tilted his head.

“Why is that? Is it because it’s your first time doing a Korean project?”

“I don’t know, that might be part of it, but Kang Woo-jin is also a factor. I’ve seen his acting before, but it’s my first time acting with him, and we’re working together faster than I thought.”

“So, it’s confirmed that you’re doing the same project.”

Cara, brushing back her blonde hair, smiled slightly.

“Of course, I don’t plan to end it with just this one.”

“…The project that Joseph is working on. From what I’ve briefly looked into, the team is being formed adequately, but it doesn’t seem like a definite scenario has come out yet. I’m guessing that at least a synopsis has been released.”

“Really? Then I need to talk to Joseph.”

Cara, crossing her slender legs, was asked again by her manager.

“You absolutely can’t overdo it during today’s filming. You know that, right?”

“I know.”

“Any concerns?”

“None. I’m just looking forward to Kang Woo-jin’s action. Ha—it’s the first time I’ve been this curious about another actor’s work.”

“I’m worried. His movements when he saved you were impressive, but that’s different from filming. Whatever the case, this is Kang Woo-jin’s first time doing action in his filmography. There’s a high possibility that he’ll be clumsy, and that could lead to an accident.”

“…But he seemed too relaxed yesterday for that.”

“That must be Kang Woo-jin’s nature. Accidents always happen when you’re careless.”

“I got it, I’ve filmed so many movies, stop nagging.”

Cara, replying slightly coldly, moved her blue eyes to the window.

“The filming starts with Kang Woo-jin’s long take, right? You can judge whether it’s dangerous or not after seeing that.”

At the same time.

Kang Woo-jin was also moving to the filming site of ‘Beneficial Evil’ in a van.

“Hmm—”

On his lap were the script for the first episode of ‘Beneficial Evil’ and the ‘CQC’ action storyboard, and Woo-jin, who was looking down at them, pondered something and then made a decision.

‘Park Dae-ri suits it after all.’

It was to confirm the ‘role synthesis’ and ‘freedom of the role.’

‘The freedom—follow the storyboard clearly, but emphasize the freedom. In a playful way. Okay.’

There were 3 hours left until the crank-in [start of filming] of ‘Beneficial Evil.’