I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 33

“You’re going to see Jung-min’s form?”

As the bearded PD Song Man-woo asked, Director Kwon Ki-taek chuckled on the other end of the phone.

“That’s right. I could just ask PD Song, but I’m the type who needs to see things for myself to be satisfied.”

“By ‘form,’ do you mean the quality of acting?”

“Well, that’s part of it. But I’m not just looking at the acting; I want to see the dialogue and the overall atmosphere. It’s been quite a while since I worked with Ryu Jung-min.”

It wasn’t unusual for a director to visit a set to assess an actor’s current skills. Even a big shot like the master director Kwon Ki-taek would do it occasionally. However, PD Song Man-woo found it a bit odd that he wanted to see top actor Ryu Jung-min.

‘Someone at Ryu Jung-min’s level doesn’t really need to be checked.’

His acting skills had already been proven through numerous works and experience. Sometimes, actors might even feel offended. That’s why top-tier actors usually have a casting director secretly check their form. Yet, Director Kwon Ki-taek was coming in person.

At this point, PD Song Man-woo vaguely sensed Director Kwon Ki-taek’s personality.

‘He’s meticulous, stubborn, and, above all, he values skill over an actor’s reputation.’

At that moment.

‘Ah.’

The face of the indifferent Kang Woo-jin flashed through PD Song Man-woo’s mind. Then, he smiled faintly.

‘In that case, he won’t be able to ignore that oddball monster.’

Back at the large salon in Cheongdam-dong, 3rd floor.

Kang Woo-jin, reflected in the mirror, was a completely different person. He had upgraded that much. Soon, Woo-jin exclaimed in amazement.

Of course, internally.

‘Wow—this is insane, seriously. Can a person change this much? This salon is amazing?’

At that moment, the blonde designer began to explain while touching Woo-jin’s hair.

“Woo-jin, you have a lot of hair. Your head shape is also nice, so any style will suit you. Today, since you’re taking profile pictures, we went with a clean look.”

However, Kang Woo-jin’s usual salon dialogue was just ‘please trim it.’ Her explanation went in one ear and out the other.

In times like this, being cynical is the best.

“Yes, that’s good.”

“The sides were a bit ambiguous, so I just pressed them down with a down perm [a type of perm that flattens hair]. The front and top can be roughly styled like this, like this. If it’s a bit boring, you can do this here. Got it?”

“I understand.”

He didn’t. He didn’t understand at all. Regardless, the designer focused on Woo-jin’s voice.

“Oh my, the rookie’s voice tone is very cynical—is that how you usually are?”

No, it’s just a concept, but. Kang Woo-jin checked his completed look in the mirror again. His hair was generally short and neat, with the front slightly lifted to show his forehead.

‘I thought this kind of hairstyle was only for magazine models.’

Looking closely, he didn’t look too bad, and Kang Woo-jin smiled inwardly. The designer then removed the cloth around Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin, your face is naturally good, so even a slight change makes a big difference in your image. Now, let’s touch up the makeup a bit.”

For a moment, Woo-jin felt a wave of fatigue, but since there were many eyes watching, he had to show a professional demeanor.

“Please do.”

The designer, who was gathering makeup products from behind, suddenly clapped her hands.

“Ah, and CEO Choi told me to have you try this on too.”

She handed something to Kang Woo-jin. It was a suit cover with a luxury brand logo.

“It’s probably a suit, right? Since you’re taking profile pictures. Oh, there are shoes too.”

Looking at the suit cover and shoe box placed next to the chair, Woo-jin looked around. The ponytail CEO was nowhere to be seen. Then, the designer approached again with a smile.

“CEO Choi is probably in the lobby on the first floor. Let me check the suit color. I need to match it to your skin tone.”

The blonde designer was a true professional. She handled everything smoothly. Woo-jin just had to sit still. Anyway, the designer took a quick look at the suit inside the cover and nodded.

“Hmm—navy. The suit is nice. Okay, shall we start?”

About 40 minutes later, the first-floor lobby of the salon.

As expected of a large salon in Cheongdam-dong [a wealthy neighborhood in Seoul], the first-floor lobby was spacious. There were many staff members working. In one corner of the lobby, there was a waiting area with a white sofa, and there, ponytail Choi Sung-gun was visible.

-Flip.

Choi Sung-gun was reading a magazine with his legs crossed. What was interesting here was.

“Ah, why are you taking so long, oppa [older brother or male friend]?”

For some reason, Hong Hye-yeon was also on the sofa opposite Choi Sung-gun. She had a full face of makeup and a slight wave at the ends of her long hair, as if she had a schedule soon. At Hong Hye-yeon’s nagging, which highlighted her beauty, Choi Sung-gun, with his eyes on the magazine, replied casually.

“Are you an amateur? This much is basic, why are you whining? When PD Song called earlier, it seemed like we were about to leave, why are you lingering? If you’re busy, just go.”

“Wow—look at this oppa. Now that you have a second actor, you’re treating me like leftovers? I’m transferring agencies?”

“Go ahead, go. How many years have you been threatening that? Sigh—I told Woo-jin to try on a suit, so it’ll probably take a bit longer.”

Hong Hye-yeon, scoffing, pouted slightly.

“But why not get a custom suit? Are you already saving money?”

“Ha—it’s so annoying. No, it’s just because we’re taking profile pictures today, so I quickly brought one.”

“Then, whatever.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had been crossing her arms primly, suddenly changed the subject.

“So, that oddball dissed Director Woo Hyun-gu?”

“Yeah. Honestly, I still don’t understand it. To diss Director Woo Hyun-gu based on a feeling or a hunch… Okay, okay. You and Woo-jin are both weirdos anyway. Woo-jin’s side is several times stronger.”

“Whatever. Anyway, I approve. Director Woo Hyun-gu is a bit of a pervert.”

Hong Hye-yeon, muttering, rested her chin on her hand.

‘Seeing that he chose the short film ‘Errand Agency’ right after joining a major drama, he must have a good eye for his own projects. ‘Errand Agency’ was actually good.’

Having watched Kang Woo-jin from the beginning, she could understand it a little. Just a little.

‘It’s realistically impossible to get everything right, but having a clear sense of self is a strength. Well, dissing Director Woo Hyun-gu based on a feeling is still crazy.’

It was at this moment.

-Ding!

The elevator at the end of the lobby opened on the first floor. Inside stood a man wearing a perfectly fitted navy suit.

-Tap tap.

He walked slowly through the lobby, making clear sounds with his shoes. Several female staff members of the salon glanced at the man as he passed. Regardless, the man looked around the first-floor lobby.

“Ah.”

He spotted Choi Sung-gun on the sofa and immediately moved towards him. Then, the man standing behind the sofa where Hong Hye-yeon was sitting called out to Choi Sung-gun in a low voice.

“CEO.”

At that, ponytail Choi Sung-gun, who had been looking down at the magazine, quickly raised his head. He immediately saw the man.

“Oh—who is this? Wow, amazing? Didn’t I tell you? Woo-jin, you have good looks. With a suit and some makeup, your face really comes alive.”

The man in the suit was Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin’s expression was indifferent, but inside, he was grinning.

‘Praise is nice. The designer noona [older sister or female friend] upstairs also said I was handsome. Hmm—I don’t feel bad.’

Meanwhile, Choi Sung-gun, who was getting up from the sofa, gave a thumbs up.

“You’re definitely an actor, an actor.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had been resting her chin on her hand, turned her head back, and Kang Woo-jin, standing behind her, lowered his gaze. Soon, their eyes met. Woo-jin’s reaction was faster.

Internally, he was surprised.

‘Huh? Hong Hye-yeon is here?? Wow—she’s looking gorgeous today too.’

Outwardly, he was solemn.

“You were here.”

However.

“……”

Hong Hye-yeon didn’t say a word. She just stared intently at Kang Woo-jin. Her expression seemed a bit dazed. At this moment, the female staff members who had first guided Kang Woo-jin gathered around him.

“Oh my? Amazing!”

“Your hair really suits you, you’ve upgraded overall!”

“As expected, an actor is an actor. You’re handsome, but there’s a weighty feel to you. Is it because of the atmosphere?”

It might have included some sales talk or lip service, but it was generally high praise. The praise made Kang Woo-jin feel awkward. No, he felt very, very embarrassed. But to maintain his tough act, he had to be nonchalant.

“The designer is very skilled.”

Even then, Hong Hye-yeon, who had turned her body, continued to stare intently at Kang Woo-jin. She still didn’t say anything. Seeing this, Choi Sung-gun nudged Hong Hye-yeon’s shoulder.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Suddenly snapping back to her senses, Hong Hye-yeon coughed lightly and picked up a nearby magazine out of the blue.

“Ahem! Well, you look better than usual.”

Behind her, Woo-jin’s low voice was heard.

“Thank you.”

However, Hong Hye-yeon just flipped through the magazine, not replying. But inside, she was quite excited.

‘What, isn’t he okay? I spaced out without realizing it.’

After that.

Time flew by in a blur. Of course, that’s how Kang Woo-jin felt. Somehow, he had finished taking his profile pictures. At first, Kang Woo-jin’s body was a bit stiff, but once he decided to let go, he was able to strike poses naturally.

Thus, Kang Woo-jin was uploaded to the BW Entertainment website.

Of course, his external profile was also completed. Currently, he only had two filmographies. Nevertheless, Kang Woo-jin was quite moved.

‘My profile is actually out.’

It felt different from the resumes he had written for job applications. It wasn’t stiff at all, and only Kang Woo-jin’s stylishness was expressed.

‘I always felt disappointed whenever I looked at my resume.’

That alone was enough for Kang Woo-jin to be satisfied.

Meanwhile, the internet was in an uproar with various news. Amidst the flood of promotions, two topics stood out and gained traction.

One was ‘Profiler Han-ryang.’

『[Issue Check] Highly Anticipated ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ Confirms First Filming on the 25th!』

Since the first filming had recently been confirmed, they increased the amount of promotion. They also adopted a format of spreading not only drama promotions but also the daily lives of the top actors on social media.

The news of Director Woo Hyun-gu’s next project was also hot.

『Movie Company Official Who Joined Hands with ‘Master Director Woo Hyun-gu’ Says, “There Will Be Many Top Stars in This Project”』

With quite a few top actors being mentioned, the film industry media was enthusiastically churning out articles. As such, everywhere was hectic, and the approaching weekend quickly passed, and Monday dawned again. The date was the 23rd. In other words, there were only two days left until the first filming of ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ on the 25th.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Three old men were gathered at a high-end Chinese restaurant.

The time was around lunchtime, and the three old men gathered in a VIP room were enjoying jajangmyeon [black bean noodles], sweet and sour pork, and spicy fried chicken. One of them was a familiar face. It was the master director Woo Hyun-gu, with white hairs mixed in his eyebrows. As he picked up a piece of spicy fried chicken from the center of the round table.

-Swish.

He spoke to the two old men sitting in front of him.

“Now that I’m starting my project, it’ll be hard to have these gatherings for a while.”

The first to react was the old man with glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He was also a director. His name was Director Lee Gil-joo. He wasn’t a master-level director, but he had a solid filmography.

“Haha, yes, yes. The articles about you starting your project are being churned out like crazy. Take it easy, my friend. I heard you’ve already started setting up the sets?”

The next to speak was the plump, pot-bellied old man. Director Kwon Ki-taek. He was a master director, and he was the one who had recently made a sudden phone call to PD Song Man-woo.

“I’m also preparing, so I’ll see you next year.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek’s voice was gentle. Anyway, the three of them seemed quite close, as if they met often. At that moment, Director Woo Hyun-gu, narrowing his brow, continued.

“Recently, I had a very absurd experience. Some unknown guy dissed my audition.”

Director Lee Gil-joo, who was stirring his jajangmyeon, chuckled.

“Haha, that guy is audacious. He dissed the audition of the great Director Woo Hyun-gu?”

“He’s a guy who ate his manners with his rice [a Korean idiom for someone who is rude]. How dare some unknown person reject an offer so rudely. At the very least, he should have come and talked to me politely.”

“That’s right. Now that I hear it, that’s true. Times have changed, but you still have to keep the basics. So, what’s that unknown guy’s name?”

“Kang Woo-jin. He seems to be preparing to act recently. If he happens to come to your sets, just turn him away. A guy who lacks such basics shouldn’t succeed even if his acting is good.”

To Director Woo Hyun-gu, who was speaking coldly, the pot-bellied Director Kwon Ki-taek asked quietly.

“Isn’t there some reason? Honestly, I’m of the opinion that it’s okay as long as the actor is good at acting.”

Director Woo Hyun-gu immediately became agitated.

“Hey! You! We need to stomp out guys like that from the beginning! They’ll ruin the atmosphere on set!”

“So? Are you meeting fellow directors to badmouth a guy named Kang Woo-jin? You’re being petty.”

“…Hey, Kwon Ki-taek. Your tone is a bit off?”

As the atmosphere turned hostile, Director Lee Gil-joo stepped in to mediate.

“Okay, okay, let’s stop and eat. I’ll go to the restroom for a bit.”

Soon, Director Lee Gil-joo, grabbing his phone, left the VIP room. Silence quickly filled the room. Woo Hyun-gu and Kwon Ki-taek just ate without a word.

About five minutes passed?

Director Lee Gil-joo, who had gone to the restroom, returned. What was strange was that his expression was a bit odd. You could say he looked slightly urgent? He suddenly grabbed his coat hanging on the chair.

“I, uh, something urgent came up. I have to leave first.”

Director Woo Hyun-gu tilted his head.

“Already? What could be so urgent that you have to leave so quickly?”

“Ah—well, let’s see each other later.”

Director Lee Gil-joo finished his greetings appropriately and then whispered something to Director Kwon Ki-taek. Director Woo Hyun-gu, who didn’t like the look of it, immediately frowned.

“What, whispering to each other.”

As if it was nothing, Director Lee Gil-joo quickly left the room. Director Woo Hyun-gu, slightly wrinkling his face, said to Director Kwon Ki-taek.

“Huh—what did that guy whisper? Huh?”

At that moment.

“Woo Hyun-gu.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had been looking down at his phone, which he had taken out at some point, spoke in a gentle voice.

“It seems like you shouldn’t be worrying about an unknown named Kang Woo-jin right now.”

Looking at Director Kwon Ki-taek across from him, Director Woo Hyun-gu asked in disbelief.

“What?”

“I’m saying it’s not the time to badmouth others. Your life is about to be torn apart.”

Then, the pot-bellied Director Kwon Ki-taek pushed the phone he was looking at towards Director Woo Hyun-gu. Thanks to that, Director Woo Hyun-gu’s gaze quickly went to the phone. An article was displayed on the phone screen.

『[Exclusive] The Ugly Truth Behind ‘Master’ Woo Hyun-gu’s Name: 900,000 YouTuber Exposes His Dirty Deeds』

Director Woo Hyun-gu’s face immediately crumpled.

“Wh-what is this!!”