I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 341

People sometimes freeze when they witness something unexpected. Whether they’re speechless or their minds are too shocked to process, the 3,000-seat ‘Lumière Theatre’ at the ‘Palais des Festivals’ was exactly like that.

“······”

“······”

“······”

The only Korean film invited to the Cannes Film Festival’s ‘Competition’ section, ‘Leech,’ was being screened that afternoon. The 3,000 seats were completely full. However, the audience, filled with world-renowned celebrities, was as quiet as a mouse. Everyone, regardless of nationality. Not even a cough could be heard in the grand theater.

It all started after Kang Woo-jin’s low-toned greeting.

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

French suddenly filled the theater. And it was even very fluent. The first to react was the interpreter next to Woo-jin. They turned to look at Kang Woo-jin with wide eyes.

‘······What, what is this! Why is he so good at French??! This isn’t just practiced, is it???’

Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin’s composed greeting continued. Naturally, it was in fluent French.

“It is an honor to show you ‘Leech’ and introduce my acting.”

The 3,000 audience members’ eyes widened, still in shock. There was also a hint of bewilderment. It was understandable. No one would have expected a Korean actor, especially one they had never seen before, to suddenly greet them in French.

Amidst all this.

“Huh-”

“······?”

“What, what?”

“Wow-”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his short white hair and a wealth of experience.

‘French? He can speak French? It’s not just English, Japanese, and sign language? Did he live here in the past??’

Top actors Shim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryung.

‘Just what is this guy—is there no end to him? With all those abilities, how can he even speak French? Unless he’s been trained as an actor since birth, this is impossible.’

‘…Oh my, practice?? No, even I, who doesn’t know any French, can tell that this is more than just high-level? What is he?’

Even Jin Jae-joon and Han So-jin were gaping.

‘I, it’s crazy. He can even speak French?? A student abroad… was he in France too??!’

The ‘Leech’ team was all staring blankly at Kang Woo-jin, who was standing with them. Their faces were half-dazed. Of course, misunderstandings also grew rapidly. But Woo-jin, oblivious to the surrounding shock, didn’t stop speaking French.

“I’m nervous to think about watching ‘Leech’ with so many people, but I acted my best without any shortcomings.”

Around this point.

“What is that Korean actor? His French is too fluent?”

The 3,000 audience members began to stir. Especially the French contingent, who made up more than half of the audience.

“······That’s amazing. Did he practice? It’s too natural for that.”

“Practice… I don’t think so. I’d believe it if you told me he just lived in France. We can tell when we hear it.”

“Didn’t that actor speak fluent English on the red carpet??”

“His pronunciation is perfect, just like a local. He must have lived in France in the past.”

“Maybe he learned acting in France.”

“Ah- that’s a possibility.”

Cannes officials, actors, directors, journalists, etc. It was strange that a Korean actor from so far away could speak their native language so casually.

“In the history of Cannes, has a Korean actor, no, an Asian actor ever spoken French at that level?”

“I think they’ve done some simple practice before, but this level is a first. I’ve witnessed something amazing.”

“It’s incredible, he must have some connection to France.”

“Judging by his French skills, he must have lived here for at least several years, maybe even more.”

“Maybe he’s mixed race.”

“Hmm.”

The murmuring grew louder. The Cannes Film Festival may look like a global festival, but if you look closely, there are still many French people. That’s why they were more excited.

Kang Woo-jin finished his greeting in French.

“As the director said, the actors and staff all dedicated themselves to completing this work. I hope you enjoy it.”

He, in his all-black suit, calmly handed over the microphone. Jin Jae-joon, who had been staring blankly at Woo-jin, received the hand microphone in a daze. But the eyes of the ‘Leech’ team and the 3,000 audience members were still fixed on him.

“······”

They were all focused on Kang Woo-jin, who maintained a strong poker face. Miley Cara, with her sparkling blue eyes, exclaimed internally.

‘What is that man’s identity!!’

She had witnessed quite a lot about Woo-jin, so she was even more shocked.

‘English is one thing, but he’s also good at Japanese?? And on top of that, he has that vocal ability and piano skills! Even ‘CQC’ [Close-Quarters Combat]! And his acting is absurdly good???’

In the middle, she even recalled the dishes Kang Woo-jin had made for her. Come to think of it, his cooking skills were also chef-level. Cara herself, a global star, possessed acting and musical abilities, but the capabilities of the cold Korean actor in front of her were far beyond her reach.

‘A monster, an alien. Aren’t those words not enough! And why is he so calm after turning the theater upside down like this??’

The expressions of the 10 official judges of the Cannes Film Festival were also varied. The common point was surprise. Joseph and Megan had their brows furrowed, wondering if what they had seen was real.

“It’s not strange that he speaks French… no, this is strange. It’s too strange.”

“It’s hard enough to master one language in reality. Kang Woo-jin speaks several languages so casually—that man might actually be living his second life.”

“Even if it’s his second life, it’s still strange.”

The stunt team and the executives of ‘Universal Movies’ were also in a daze. One actor had too many talents. On the other hand, director Danny Landis, a Hollywood heavyweight unfamiliar with Kang Woo-jin, was relatively calm. Of course, he was surprised, but he lacked information compared to the others.

‘His French is at a native level.’

Director Danny, with his arms crossed, stared at Woo-jin on the stage while recalling one of Joseph’s explanations from earlier that day. Kang Woo-jin’s past was unclear.

‘I heard his English is also top-notch. Seeing that he’s fluent in French, he must have honed his skills in Hollywood and here, not in Korea.’

Errors were rampant.

‘Anyway, that actor—he’s quite relaxed. Is he bold, or is he just overflowing with confidence? No matter how I look at it, he doesn’t seem like an actor who debuted two years ago.’

Here, director Danny focused on something other than Woo-jin’s French. It was the veteran-like energy and experience he exuded.

‘A very rare dignity or composure. You can’t just imitate that. It comes out naturally. How did he acquire that in just two years?’

Kang Woo-jin’s current aura was something that would only be possible after working as an actor for a dozen years. It was impossible to acquire in just two years. Danny Landis, a Hollywood heavyweight, knew this well.

Whatever it was.

“······Hello, I’m actor Jin Jae-joon.”

In a situation where the atmosphere was heated, Jin Jae-joon continued the greeting. Of course, even at this point, Kang Woo-jin’s poker face remained unchanged. But inside, Woo-jin was going wild.

‘Whoa—that was awesome! I almost cracked from the nerves! Ugh, everyone’s glaring at me, the pressure is insane. Still, when else would I get to use French like this??’

The first official concept of the Cannes Film Festival was a great success.

‘Winning an award is uncertain, so it’s right to use it now. Ah—but my heart is pounding!’

Ten minutes later.

After the main actors of ‘Leech’ finished their greetings, they took their seats in the front row of the theater. Meanwhile, the eyes of the 3,000 audience members followed Kang Woo-jin.

His impact was too strong.

Naturally, murmuring continued. Including the 10 judges.

“He’s an interesting actor.”

“Hmm, he’s definitely special. He’ll draw some attention with the buzz.”

“What about his acting?”

“We’ll find out soon.”

“If his acting is disappointing, the impact will quickly fade.”

“Conversely, if his acting is good, the current impact will double.”

“First, we need to focus on the judging.”

And the journalists, etc.

“That actor, Kang Woo-jin? I like him whether his acting is good or bad. Either way, it’s created a buzz.”

“That’s right, but I think it would be more interesting if his acting is a bit disappointing.”

“From what I’ve heard, his acting isn’t bad.”

“Ah, it’s starting. Let’s watch it first.”

Around this time, the lights inside the grand ‘Lumière Theatre’ went out. It meant that the second screening of ‘Leech’ was imminent. Soon, Kang Woo-jin, with his indifferent face, as well as.

‘Ooh, it’s starting.’

The ‘Leech’ team, Cara, director Danny, and all the audience members turned their eyes to the giant screen. Then, a few seconds of silence. The first thing heard was the sound.

-[“Hoo.”]

The sound of someone exhaling filled the dark theater. The dark giant screen gradually turned gray. In an instant, the 3,000 audience members recognized that the gray was cigarette smoke. The angle zoomed in through the cigarette smoke. A man’s face appeared on the screen. It was Kang Woo-jin.

At the same time, his narration.

-[“I don’t know anymore, who I am. Who I exist as. I’m lost. Is it really me who’s speaking right now?”]

Kang Woo-jin’s lines spread through Cannes.

-[“Am I just making excuses to fit the situation? I’m saying again, I don’t know. I might be laughing tomorrow morning.”]

French and English subtitles appeared below the screen, so there was no problem watching it.

-[“Is the me who’s laughing tomorrow morning really me? I’m confused. Who am I imitating, or is that me?”]

Kang Woo-jin, or rather, ‘Park Ha-sung,’ was squatting on the screen. Full shot. He kept exhaling cigarette smoke. His expression was dull, but the smoke he exhaled was full of weariness. Soon, Woo-jin put out the cigarette on the ground and looked up at the sky. The weather was terribly nice. But Kang Woo-jin didn’t smile. He just clicked his tongue briefly.

His voice was heard again.

-[“But now I can’t find the real me. I think I lost it on the way. It’ll be hard to find.”]

At this moment, a shout without a person was heard.

“Hey! Hey!! Stop fooling around and get back to work!!”

“······Ah- yes.”

Kang Woo-jin got up nonchalantly. Wearing a cheap suit, he picked up a round tray that was placed nearby. On the screen, there was a party in a wide, grassy yard, with many wealthy people whose lives were expensive.

-♬♪

A place filled with light classical music and leisure. The angle gradually moved upwards. It showed Kang Woo-jin entering among the wealthy, and the title appeared in the middle.

-‘Leech’

Up to this point, the 3,000 audience members watched relatively calmly. But the twist hit them soon.

-[“Are you looking for something?”]

The meeting between Kang Woo-jin and the mute madam Oh Hee-ryung. And Woo-jin’s sign language. In an instant, the audience’s expressions changed. It was as if another shock had been added. Because the sign language, following the French, was too dazzling. Of course, it was Woo-jin’s dialogue in the play.

Next, Shim Han-ho, or rather, ‘Chairman Yoon Jung-bae,’ appeared. Soon, they put ‘Leech’ in a dangerous situation.

[“Honey, I’ll play with that child here. The party is too boring.”]

In an instant, the 3,000 audience members focused on ‘Leech.’ The tension rose suddenly. Most of the audience still expected a success story, but somehow ‘Leech’ had a subtle eeriness.

The actor who caught the eye of the 10 judges and the audience was Shim Han-ho.

‘Indeed, his energy is extraordinary from the start.’

From the conversation between Kang Woo-jin and Shim Han-ho, ‘Leech’ gained momentum.

-[“What you have to do is simple. Just be my wife’s secretary.”]

-[“What are you talking about.”]

-[“It’s called a secretary, but it’s just being a servant. Be my wife’s companion, play with her, eat with her, and go shopping with her.”]

-[“······”]

-[“There’s only one goal. First, make my wife rely on you, blindly.”]

The beginning of the catastrophe. From this point on, the audience noticed subtle changes in Kang Woo-jin’s expression and psychology. It was after he stepped into the wealthy family’s house. His feelings while living with the madam ‘Yoo Hyun-ji’ were gradually becoming ‘reality’ rather than ‘work,’ and a very slight ‘possessiveness’ was being revealed.

The first lie was to the youngest daughter of the wealthy family, ‘Yoon Ji-min.’

-[“What did Mom just say!”]

-[“She told me to be close to you.”]

No, the madam ‘Yoo Hyun-ji’ said in sign language, ‘Ignore my daughter.’ But Yoon Ji-min believed Park Ha-sung’s words. You believe me? You believe my words. Little by little, ‘Park Ha-sung’ or Kang Woo-jin on the screen changed. He targeted Yoo Hyun-ji and Yoon Ji-min, not as people, but as targets.

When you tell a lie, it becomes reality.

-[“Then it’s real?”]

If so, it wasn’t a fabrication. Who could discern the lie? Only Kang Woo-jin in this house. Lies and truths were not visible. Only phenomena occurred. Lies were like magic. If you spoke them, they came true.

Kang Woo-jin’s psychology developed into a fuse.

His influence grew.

Surprisingly, Woo-jin’s face was completely different from the beginning. Yoon Jung-bae, who felt that things were going wrong, was too busy. This is where the first son, Yoon Ja-ho, first appeared.

The background was the yard of a huge mansion.

Yoon Ja-ho spoke first, sneering.

-[“How is my mother doing these days?”]

Kang Woo-jin didn’t answer immediately. He stared at Yoon Ja-ho. A close-up of his pupils. The power in his eyes was gone. They were altered and transformed. Pure but turbid. In ‘Leech,’ close-ups of Kang Woo-jin’s eyes were frequent. It was to show his fuse to the audience.

He was a quiet monster now.

-[“Madam. No, Mother is doing very well.”]

And.

‘······Oh my god.’

Miley Cara, with her blue eyes wide open, covered her mouth with both hands.

‘Something beyond method acting. I can’t express that acting in words.’

It was because it was scary.

End