I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 340

“Debut two years? That’s impossible.”

That’s what director Danny Landis thought. His reaction of disbelief was perfectly natural. The movie ‘Leech’ he had seen that morning, or more precisely, Kang Woo-jin’s acting in ‘Leech,’ was, in the eyes of the Hollywood heavyweight director Danny, at a level that would take at least a dozen years of acting experience to achieve.

And on top of that, they were saying that the ‘Ripley Syndrome’ [a psychological disorder characterized by a person’s belief that they are someone else] wasn’t real, but acting?

Director Danny had seen countless Hollywood actors. He had witnessed, experienced, and directed countless acting methods. He had seen so many different styles of acting that he was already sick of it. Yet, he was captivated by Kang Woo-jin’s acting. It was obvious that the 3,000 audience members who watched it with him were also talking about it somewhere.

With that level of skill, a debut of two years?

Director Danny concluded that the giant Joseph sitting in front of him was joking. Megan, sitting next to him, was in on it too. Director Danny narrowed his brows and lowered his voice.

“Look, Joseph. I’m serious. I’m not trying to joke around to lighten the mood.”

The black man, Joseph, chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Director, I’m the same. I had no intention of joking around since you arrived.”

Upon hearing the answer, Director Danny took off his round glasses and placed them on the table.

“…So, you’re really saying that Kang Woo-jin debuted two years ago? You want me to believe that?”

He suddenly lowered his voice.

“Including me, the 3,000 people who watched ‘Leech’ in the first showing this morning were all blown away. The unconventional quality of ‘Leech’ was amazing, but it was Kang Woo-jin’s acting that shocked everyone. And are those 3,000 audience members just anyone? They’re people who have made names for themselves in the film industry in Hollywood and other countries. That’s not the kind of tension a rookie actor with two years of experience can pull off.”

As one of the top directors in Hollywood, Danny Landis had a firm stubbornness, but he had also survived in the vast Hollywood, so he was generally flexible in his thinking. But even so, he couldn’t believe that Kang Woo-jin was a two-year debut actor.

However, Joseph and Megan’s expressions remained unchanged. Joseph’s expression even seemed to say, ‘What do you want me to do? It’s the truth.’

“When I first learned about Kang Woo-jin, I had the same expression as you, director. In fact, when we first saw him, he was a one-year rookie, not even two.”

“…One year?”

“I understand. His energy always goes beyond common sense. I didn’t see the theater situation this morning, but I can guess. I’m scheduled to see ‘Leech’ in the afternoon showing in a few hours, but it will probably be several times worse than this morning.”

“……”

“However, I have no reason to lie to you like this, director. He is definitely in his second year since his debut this year. You’ll find the answer quickly if you investigate it yourself. Of course, Kang Woo-jin’s past is unclear. But his debut itself was the year before last.”

“His past is unclear.”

“Well, according to my investigation, he appeared like a comet out of nowhere, and from the very beginning, his acting skills were absurd.”

The more he heard, the deeper the furrow in Director Danny Landis’s brow became. On the other hand, Joseph’s explanation continued. Or rather, it was like spreading a delusion.

“Of course, Kang Woo-jin must have gone through a process of shedding blood and tears for a dozen years before his debut to have such acting skills. On top of that, he has an animalistic instinct or sense for selecting works. In other words, he has an excellent eye for choosing projects.”

“An eye for choosing projects?”

This time, Megan, who had swept back her brown bobbed hair, answered.

“Since Kang Woo-jin’s debut, he hasn’t had a single failure in any of the projects he’s appeared in. He’s even nicknamed ‘Midas’s Hand’ [a reference to the Greek myth of King Midas, who could turn anything he touched into gold] in Korea and Japan.”

“…What? At that point, it wouldn’t be strange to call him a god.”

Joseph chuckled.

“I’m even confused myself. That’s how much his abilities and energy go beyond imagination.”

Megan followed.

“If I tell you one more thing, director, you’ll be even more dumbfounded.”

“What? What else is there?”

“Kang Woo-jin’s acting is not limited by genre. The role you saw in ‘Leech’ is only a small part of it.”

The more he heard, the more bizarre it became. It was already absurd that he had advanced to the Cannes Film Festival in his second year of debut, but everything related to Kang Woo-jin was far beyond the ordinary.

At that moment, the giant Joseph leaned forward and spoke to Director Danny in a low voice.

“Are you perhaps more curious about him?”

Director Danny, with a serious face, stared at Joseph for a moment and then nodded.

“I guess so.”

“If you need it, I can give you the investigation report on Kang Woo-jin that Megan and I made separately.”

“…Please do.”

“For your information, I’m preparing to cast Kang Woo-jin in the project I’m currently working on. I’ve been putting in a lot of effort for quite some time.”

In an instant, the image of Joseph and Kang Woo-jin standing side by side yesterday flashed through Director Danny’s mind.

“Is that the project you sent me a proposal for?”

“Yes, director.”

“Nothing is confirmed on either side, but I’m working on it.”

Director Danny, who had been silent for a while, took a few sips of water from a glass. Then, he made eye contact with Joseph again.

“I’ll recheck the proposal you sent, and – I’d appreciate it if you could send me Kang Woo-jin’s investigation report as soon as possible.”

“Understood.”

Here, Megan asked Director Danny.

“What was your first impression of the actor Kang Woo-jin, director?”

The answer from Hollywood’s master director Danny Landis was simple.

“He was real.”

At the same time.

Among the many people invited to the Cannes Film Festival, ‘Leech’ was being mentioned quite a lot for some reason. Just like Joseph and Director Danny, foreigners were also talking about it during their meals.

“‘Leech’ was shocking.”

“Ah, that movie. It’s from Korea, right? It’s about the success story of the main character. Was the quality that bad?”

“No, it’s not like that. It’s the opposite.”

“Opposite?”

“That movie wasn’t a boring movie about a success story. It was amazing.”

Reporters from various countries were scattered throughout the streets of Cannes.

“I heard you saw ‘Leech’ this morning? How was it?”

“You’ll regret not seeing it, everyone.”

“What?”

“I’m going to the second showing of ‘Leech’ in a few hours. I have to film Kang Woo-jin.”

“Kang Woo-jin? Ah, the one who walked the red carpet with Miley.”

“That actor is going to turn this Cannes upside down.”

Even from the mouths of actors and industry insiders.

“Director Ahn Ga-bok is crazy!”

“Why?”

“He cast an actor who was suffering from the setting of the work for the work.”

“Are you talking about ‘Leech’?”

“You should have seen that movie with me this morning! It’s impossible to express in words.”

It was a chaotic mess. Who else could it be? It was the 3,000 audience members who had seen ‘Leech’ in the first showing today. They were spreading rumors everywhere, having received a similar shock as Director Danny. However, the number 3,000 was a small number compared to the tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of tourists who attended the Cannes Film Festival.

There were still tens of times more people who hadn’t seen ‘Leech’.

Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin.

‘Whew – I’ve rested enough, now it’s time to work.’

He began preparing for his appearance. Usually, the directors and lead actors of films invited to all sections, including the ‘Competition Section’ of the Cannes Film Festival, attend the screenings of their works. The main ‘Competition Section’ was even more mandatory, and ‘Leech’ was no exception. It was kind of like a stage greeting for a newly released movie?

Of course, the scale was several times larger than a typical stage greeting.

Kang Woo-jin, Director Ahn Ga-bok, and the actors of ‘Leech’ did not attend the morning screening, but they were all scheduled to attend the second screening at 7 p.m. Therefore, they had to dress up. It didn’t have to be as strict as the red carpet, but it would be good to present a similar appearance.

Because world-class figures were flocking in.

Woo-jin’s outfit was an all-black suit, including a tie. As Han Ye-jeong and others were doing his hair, Choi Seong-geon said to Kang Woo-jin.

“As you know, there are all sorts of amazing people gathering here, including the 10 official jury members of Cannes attending this time.”

The calm Kang Woo-jin replied in a low voice.

“Yes. I know.”

“It’s obvious, but you’re not nervous, are you?”

“Not really.”

No, he was nervous. Kang Woo-jin’s heart was pounding.

‘Wow – now that I’m actually going to watch it with them, I’m getting a little nervous.’

By ‘them,’ he meant the 3,000 audience members, including the jury members who would be watching ‘Leech’ with him. Wasn’t it? He was watching ‘Leech’ with world-renowned figures, and he could directly see their reactions on the spot.

‘Ugh, I’m so thirsty.’

But Woo-jin, who already had a strong concept, hid his true self deep down, and Choi Seong-geon patted Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I can tell just by your calm expression. I’m not worried because it’s you. We’ll be outside, so call us right away if anything happens.”

For reference, Choi Seong-geon and Woo-jin’s team would not be joining them in the theater.

At that moment.

-Bzzzt, bzzzt.

Kang Woo-jin’s phone rang. Woo-jin, who had casually checked the caller, put the phone to his ear.

“Yes, director.”

The caller was Director Ahn Ga-bok.

Several hours later.

Around 6:40 p.m., hundreds of reporters gathered on the steps in front of the ‘Palais des Festivals’ [Festival Palace], the heart of the world-class festival, where a huge billboard of the Cannes Film Festival was located. The red carpet was still laid out on the steps, and a photo zone was set up right in front of the entrance of the ‘Palais des Festivals.’

The reason why the reporters had gathered was simple.

The second screening of ‘Leech,’ the only Korean film in the ‘Competition Section,’ was about to begin. Therefore, many celebrities invited to Cannes were entering the ‘Palais des Festivals’ one after another, and hundreds of reporters from around the world were busy clicking their shutters.

-Flash, flash, flash!

-Flash, flash, flash!

The reporters, who were moving their fingers like crazy, didn’t stop talking either.

“I heard that the second showing of ‘Leech’ is also sold out?”

“That’s right, 3,000 people this time too. I heard it was the same in the morning.”

“It’s more popular than I thought? I heard that there were some empty seats in the second showing of the Japanese film that was screened on the first day.”

“It must be because of all the rumors.”

“Ah, I heard that the content is unconventional.”

Around that time.

-Swish.

A group of 10 people in suits and dresses appeared on the steps of the ‘Palais des Festivals.’ Soon, the reporters got excited, flashing their cameras and shouting. They were the official jury members of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, formed by prominent figures from the film industry in various countries, including directors, actors, and industry insiders.

The judges to evaluate ‘Leech’.

The jury members posed for the reporters at the entrance photo zone. Many questions were thrown at them, but as jury members who had to be careful with their words, they soon disappeared inside the ‘Palais des Festivals.’

However, the shutter sounds of hundreds of reporters did not decrease.

“Oh! Miley!! Miley!!!”

Because figures who would continue to attract attention were appearing. The world-class superstar Miley Cara had just appeared. She waved to the reporters in a white suit before moving inside. Behind her, many actors, including Hollywood actors, entered. Of course, directors from various countries were the same. Joseph and Megan also passed by, along with the stunt team Joseph had assembled and executives from ‘Universal Movies.’

The Hollywood master, Danny Landis, also reappeared.

“Director Danny? It’s Director Danny Landis?”

“I heard he saw ‘Leech’ in the morning?”

“Why did he come again?”

For the next few tens of minutes, countless stars entered the ‘Lumière Theatre’ inside the ‘Palais des Festivals.’ As it was a film in the ‘Competition Section,’ it was naturally hot. Well, the atmosphere was a bit hotter than a typical ‘Competition Section’ film.

At that moment.

-Flash, flash, flash!

The flashes of the reporters became more intense. It was because the main figures of ‘Leech’ had just appeared. Director Ahn Ga-bok in a suit, Shim Han-ho with gray hair, Kang Woo-jin arm in arm with Oh Hee-ryeong, Jin Jae-joon, and Han So-jin, etc. They posed for the reporters for about 3 minutes, showing their respect, and then headed to the ‘Lumière Theatre’ as the time approached.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, with short white hair and a wrinkled face, was in the lead.

The actors followed behind him. On their way to the theater, foreigners who had not yet taken their seats greeted the ‘Leech’ team. There were interpreters, so there were no problems with communication.

‘Interpreters are always there -‘

If necessary, Kang Woo-jin could step in.

Anyway, by the time it was 7 p.m., the 3,000-seat ‘Lumière Theatre’ was overflowing with foreigners. It was sold out. It was a spectacular sight to see foreigners filling the space from the front of the giant screen to the back, a size nearly 10 times that of a regular movie theater.

However, it was a tiny minority when considering the entire Cannes Film Festival.

However, even though it was a world-class festival, the French, the home of the Cannes Film Festival, accounted for more than half of the audience. Still, familiar faces could be seen here and there. Miley Cara, with blue eyes full of anticipation, sitting in the front. Director Danny Landis next to her. Joseph and Megan’s group in the middle. The 10 official jury members of the Cannes Film Festival, and so on.

The theater was noisy with 3,000 people.

It was at this moment.

-Swish.

Several people went up to a fairly wide platform in front of the giant screen. Starting with Director Ahn Ga-bok, Shim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryeong, Kang Woo-jin, Jin Jae-joon, and Han So-jin.

In other words, the ‘Leech’ team.

As they went on stage, a loud applause erupted in the bustling ‘Lumière Theatre.’ The eyes of 3,000 people were directed to the front.

-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

Amidst this, a hand microphone was handed to the veteran director Ahn Ga-bok, who looked a bit awkward in his suit, among the ‘Leech’ team standing in a line on the stage. An interpreter stood next to him. It was customary to greet the jury and the audience before the movie started.

“Hello, I’m Ahn Ga-bok, a director for several decades.”

As soon as his comment ended, an interpreter with a memo in one hand translated it into French, and of course, an English translation was also done simultaneously. The English translation was only heard by those wearing headphones among the 3,000 audience members.

“All of us, including the actors, worked passionately for ‘Leech.’ I hope you enjoy it. Thank you.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s greeting was short. Next, the microphone was passed to the great actor Shim Han-ho.

“Hello, I’m the actor Shim Han-ho. It’s an honor to be invited to the festival of world filmmakers. I’ve been here a few times in the past, but I’m always nervous…”

Then, Oh Hee-ryeong. Her greeting was not long either. Soon, the microphone was passed to the actor standing in the middle. It was Kang Woo-jin, who had neatly swept his hair back, wearing an all-black suit, and whose face was full of indifference. As he received the microphone, some of the 3,000 audience members became expectant.

Especially.

‘Why am I nervous?’

Miley Cara, who had her blonde hair tied up, and.

‘That actor is Kang Woo-jin – he’s very relaxed, is his real self a bit dry?’

The Hollywood master, Director Danny Landis, stood out. In any case, the eyes of all 3,000 audience members, who were prominent figures from various countries, were fixed on Kang Woo-jin. It was a situation where it wouldn’t be strange to throw up from nervousness.

But Kang Woo-jin.

“……”

He raised the microphone very calmly. Soon, Woo-jin’s calm and low voice echoed in the ‘Lumière Theatre.’

“Hello. I’m the actor Kang Woo-jin.”

The interpreter translated the words into French, and the English translation was also delivered to the audience wearing headphones. It was at this moment. Woo-jin suddenly looked at the interpreter next to him and raised one hand. A gesture that meant ‘it’s okay.’

Then, he lowered his voice again. This time, it wasn’t Korean.

“Bonsoir, Je suis très content d’être à Cannes.” [Good evening, I am very happy to be in Cannes]”

It was French, and it was at a level that could rival a native speaker.

End