I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 347

Kang Woo-jin’s low voice resonated through the grand closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. His expression was impassive, calm, and collected. It was hard to believe he was the first Korean man to achieve this honor at Cannes.

The acceptance speech he delivered in Korean to the audience, the moguls of the global film industry, and journalists from various countries was:

‘I got a house in LA, so I’ll aim for that next year.’

It was nothing short of a declaration of war. This time, his target was the world.

This was clearly a statement that would cause a global sensation. But Kang Woo-jin acted as if it was nothing special. No, he had to act that way. Maintaining his persona was a constant battle, and no matter the situation, there was no backing down. Moreover, despite his cool exterior, Kang Woo-jin was actually quite flustered inside while standing on the Cannes stage.

So, as usual, he focused on maintaining his persona, just like he always did.

‘My way or the highway,’ with a touch of courtesy added.

‘You can keep watching me this time too.’

As Woo-jin calmly delivered his lines, the eyes of the translator next to him widened several times over. It was understandable. They wouldn’t have expected him to suddenly throw down the gauntlet to the world. On the other hand, the hosts on stage, the ten jury members, the dozens of journalists in the front, the Cannes broadcasting team, and the thousands of moguls in the audience didn’t react immediately.

It was natural since there was no translation.

‘LA? I think he just said LA.’

‘Yeah, he definitely mentioned LA.’

The foreign press reporters whispered among themselves while snapping photos of Kang Woo-jin. The thousands of audience members tilted their heads or stared at Kang Woo-jin, waiting for his translation. Meanwhile, on the YouTube live stream broadcasting Cannes, Korean comments were going wild.

– I can’t believe it even though I’m seeing it with my own eyes.

– But why is Kang Woo-jin so good at French?????

– I know, right? lol Why is Kang Woo-jin so good at French?

– Who cares lol The important thing is that Kang Woo-jin won Best Actor at Cannes lol

– I praise myself for staying up!!!

– Wow… Kang Woo-jin is doing so much for national prestige.

– Kang Woo-jin’s French pronunciation is insane.

– Why am I so happy??

– Bartender!! Bring me a shot of national pride!!!!

– Wait, what? lol Is it even possible to win Best Actor at Cannes just two years after debut? lol

– Goosebumps…

– Korea and over there are going to be crazy tomorrow lol

– Congratulations!!

·

·

·

In the Cannes audience, there were a very few who reacted immediately to Woo-jin’s Korean acceptance speech. It was the ‘Leech’ team. Director Ahn Ga-bok, with his short white hair, chuckled and stroked his chin.

‘He’s talking about Hollywood, the Academy Awards. Yeah, he wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t have that kind of audacity. After all, Cannes was just a stepping stone for him.’

Shim Han-ho, recalling Kang Woo-jin from last year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards [a prestigious South Korean film award ceremony], agreed.

‘I was secretly expecting it, but he said it so coolly without any hint of nervousness.’

‘He doesn’t care about the consequences.’

‘Or he’s just confident he’ll win Best Actor again next year.’

‘Both, both. But it’s not just bravado. Look at that firm face of his. He’s full of conviction.’

‘He’s the first Korean to win Best Actor here at Cannes, he deserves that kind of spirit.’

‘Haha. Well, it seems the day you fall behind is coming.’

‘I’ll have to step it up.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok seemed to be enjoying the situation, and even though he had just been surpassed by a much younger actor, the veteran actor Shim Han-ho was relaxed. It was as if he was saying he would win it next year. Jin Jae-joon and Han So-jin were speechless with shock, while Oh Hee-ryung, with an elegant smile, murmured quietly.

‘Good shot – tomorrow, not only Korea but the whole world will be buzzing, won’t they?’

Her eyes were filled with anticipation rather than worry. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok crossed his legs while looking at Woo-jin on stage.

‘Well, I guess I’m done for now.’

Shim Han-ho responded as if he understood Director Ahn Ga-bok’s words.

‘……’Leech’ has produced a Best Actor winner.’

‘Yeah, that means there won’t be any other awards for ‘Leech’ at this Cannes.’

There are many rules at the long-standing Cannes Film Festival, but what Director Ahn Ga-bok was referring to was the rule that ‘only one major award can be given to a single film.’ If a film in the ‘Competition’ category won ‘Best Director,’ that was it.

In other words, ‘Leech’ was done with awards after Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Best Actor’ win.

Of course, looking back at the history of the Cannes Film Festival, there have been instances where a film in the ‘Competition’ category has received multiple major awards. However, that was in the early 2000s, and no film has won multiple awards simultaneously in the past 20 years. It was a shame, but Director Ahn Ga-bok didn’t seem to mind.

‘But it’s more than enough. ‘Leech,’ and Woo-jin, have made new history at Cannes. The first Korean, too. That’s enough, that’s all we need.’

His wrinkled smile deepened.

‘It’s a luxury for my 100th film.’

At this point.

– Swish.

With an indifferent expression, Woo-jin began to translate his acceptance speech into French. At the same time, many headphones in the audience received the English translation. Soon, the journalists, the broadcasting team, and the thousands of audience members also recognized Kang Woo-jin’s declaration of war. Most of their eyes widened.

‘What, what did he say?’

‘Aiming for that – is he talking about the Academy Awards?’

‘That’s a bit…controversial.’

‘It’s not just guts, it’s arrogance. Cannes is great, but suddenly talking about the Academy Awards.’

‘Isn’t he taking that kind of acceptance speech too lightly??’

‘It doesn’t seem like he’s just saying whatever comes to mind, does it? The fact that he’s saying it so smoothly…it means he’s prepared for it.’

‘……Did he plan that kind of declaration-like acceptance speech beforehand?’

The murmuring and buzzing spread throughout the hall.

‘But, that actor is so good at French?’

‘Yeah. Did he live here?’

‘Look at his pronunciation, he must have lived in France.’

‘There was no information about that at all.’

‘He came to study abroad or something.’

‘Oh, did he learn acting here?’

Confusion, bewilderment, shock, surprise, doubt, impact, etc., etc. Different emotions and feelings were plastered on the faces of thousands of moguls.

What was unique was this.

‘Kang Woo-jin – he’s quite a unique actor. But can he handle the consequences of this?’

‘Today’s acceptance speech will follow him for the rest of his life.’

More than 70% of the audience clearly showed their disbelief, but the rest had a strangely opposite reaction. They nodded as if acknowledging it, with faint smiles, expectant eyes, and expressions of support. The reason was simple.

They had seen ‘Leech.’

Having witnessed Kang Woo-jin’s performance in ‘Leech,’ his declaration of war didn’t feel like childish bravado or empty boasting.

‘If that performance that overwhelmed Cannes is anything to go by, he’ll be more than successful in Hollywood.’

‘If he gets a good project, the Academy Awards aren’t impossible.’

‘If there’s more room for growth in that performance, it’s possible.’

At that moment. Kang Woo-jin continued his acceptance speech towards the bustling hall.

‘Thank you to my parents, my younger sibling, my friends, my colleagues, the directors and staff who have helped me so much, the CEO and staff of my agency, and my fans who believe in me and support me. I dedicate this moment to everyone.’

He finished his acceptance speech in a low tone.

‘Thank you once again for allowing me to stand in this glorious place.’

Kang Woo-jin immediately began translating into French. At this point, a Hollywood mogul director in the audience, namely, Director Danny Landis, was smiling faintly.

‘He even has a strong mentality. It doesn’t make sense that he’s only in his second year, there must have been something in his past before his debut.’

And he felt a desire.

‘Star power, the ability to draw people in. I might even want to take that actor to the Academy Awards myself.’

Kara, with her blonde hair, was covering her mouth with one hand, suppressing her excitement.

‘How many men can stand on this huge stage and purely express their desires without caring about their image? The Academy Awards – that actor will definitely appear there.’

Expectation was exploding in the eyes of Hollywood figures like Joseph and Megan. At the same time, people in the audience were busy whispering, recalling the difficult words from Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech.

‘He said he received the Best New Actor award last year? Does that mean he received the Best Actor award at Cannes this year right after receiving the Best New Actor award?’

‘……Oh my god.’

‘Has it not been long since his debut?’

‘No way. He must have debuted a long time ago, but he’s only recently been in the spotlight.’

Soon, Woo-jin, holding the Best Actor trophy, bowed to the audience from the podium.

– Swish.

At the same time.

– Clapping!

Dozens of people in the audience stood up and applauded again. It spread.

– Clapping!

Most of the thousands of audience members rose from their seats and applauded. Of course, there were quite a few people who were genuinely happy for him, but there were still more who were bewildered or doubtful. But it felt like they were just following the atmosphere.

– Clapping!

The applause echoed throughout the hall. Kang Woo-jin calmly walked off the stage. Several cameras from the Cannes broadcasting team followed him, and dozens of foreign press reporters followed, snapping photos. From the media’s perspective, it was a 100% scoop. The first Korean actor to win Best Actor at Cannes, and his unusual acceptance speech.

– Flash! Flash! Flash!

Thunderous applause and a barrage of flashes. But Kang Woo-jin’s impassive expression didn’t change.

‘……’

He just calmly moved to his seat. Well, his inner self was making a fuss.

‘Whoa – is it over?? Is it over? Damn, I’m so out of it! I don’t even remember what I did! I don’t know, let’s just sit down. I really want to rest.’

Kang Woo-jin, with his strong persona, barely managed to sit in his seat, and as if they had been waiting for it, the ‘Leech’ team showered him with congratulations again. Of course, the eyes of the thousands of audience members around them were still fixed on Kang Woo-jin. It was at this moment that Jin Jae-joon, a top actor in Korea, cautiously spoke to him.

‘Can I- can I take a proper look at the Best Actor trophy?’

Kang Woo-jin opened the case without much fuss. Jin Jae-joon and Han So-jin exclaimed in admiration.

‘Ohh-‘

‘Wow…this is it.’

Shim Han-ho, who resembled a tiger, also glanced at the trophy with a serious expression. At this moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok, with a smile, spoke to Kang Woo-jin in his old voice.

‘Tomorrow, the world will be buzzing because of your acceptance speech, and half of them might attack you. But you don’t care, do you?’

Kang Woo-jin replied in a cold tone.

‘I have no problem with that.’

Meanwhile, in Korea.

While the closing and awards ceremony was in full swing in Cannes, France, in the afternoon, it was past 4:30 AM in Korea, and the country was experiencing an earthquake. That’s what the media was saying. Most of the domestic media outlets that had been waiting were going crazy, firing off articles.

『[Breaking News] Kang Woo-jin Achieves Best Actor Award at Cannes International Film Festival / Photo』

『[Breaking News] ‘Kang Woo-jin Did It!’ Wins Best Actor Award at Cannes Film Festival for ‘Leech’』

While the Cannes Film Festival was underway, articles with similar titles were pouring out like crazy every second.

『[Star Photo] First Korean Actor to Win Best Actor at Cannes! Kang Woo-jin Delivers Acceptance Speech in Fluent French / Photo』

『’Second Year’ Kang Woo-jin Makes History…First Korean to Win Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival』

『He’s Even Good at French? ‘Legend’ Kang Woo-jin, First Korean to Win ‘Best Actor,’ Delivers Acceptance Speech in Native-Level French / Photo』

Kang Woo-jin’s name was overflowing on the three major domestic portal sites, as well as on social media, numerous online communities, and YouTube.

『First Korean to Win Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival ‘Kang Woo-jin,’ His Acceptance Speech Was Unusual Again! “I’ll Aim for Hollywood Next Year”』

『’Monster Actor’ Kang Woo-jin Mentions Last Year’s ‘Blue Dragon Film Awards’ in His Acceptance Speech, “I’ve Got a House in LA, I’ll Aim for the Academy Awards”』

Even though it was early morning, the media and public opinion were showing a frenzy-like intensity. Beyond national prestige, Kang Woo-jin had made new history on a global scale.

And all of this happened just two years after he appeared in the Korean entertainment industry.

If it was this much at this early hour, it was clear that the fire would grow tens of times larger in a few hours when morning came. In fact, numerous broadcasting station news teams in Korea were already running around busily since dawn.

‘The data that came over!! Data, data!!’

‘Here it is!!!’

‘Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech video!! The one with French!!’

‘It’s being edited!’

‘What about the local reporter!!’

‘We’ve made contact!’

They had to broadcast the news of Kang Woo-jin, who had made history, as a breaking news story on the morning news.

‘Is this all the photos we have?!! Get some clearer ones!’

‘Yes, yes!!’

‘There’s no time! Prepare quickly!! There’s nothing more to be an issue about ‘Leech’ at Cannes, right?!’

‘There shouldn’t be! He already won Best Actor, so according to the rules, he can’t receive any other awards!’

‘Okay!! We’ll broadcast Kang Woo-jin winning Best Actor at Cannes as the main story in the morning! And we’ll release the footage of the closing and awards ceremony in the afternoon! Make sure to get an interview with Kang Woo-jin!!’

‘I’ll pass it on!’

Second by second, minute by minute. As time went on, Kang Woo-jin’s name was endlessly piling up online and offline in Korea.

About 45 minutes passed like that?

While Korea was increasingly buzzing, the conference room of the official film company of ‘Leech’ resembled a wild party.

‘Woo-hoo!! Kang Woo-jin! Kang Woo-jin!!’

‘That’s it!! That’s it!! With this, it’s more than enough to be an issue in Korea and the world!!’

‘The articles are already pouring out like crazy!!’

‘Good, good!! Contact the people in Cannes!! Get a call with Woo-jin as soon as the closing and awards ceremony is over!!’

‘We’ll also push for the release of the film in Japan and France!’

‘Of course!!’

The executives of the film company and distribution company of ‘Leech’ who remained in Korea, excluding those who were in Cannes, were half-crazed. They had all gathered in the early morning to watch the live broadcast of the Cannes Film Festival on a large TV. Naturally, they had been in this state since the moment Kang Woo-jin was announced as the winner of Best Actor.

‘Tell the making team in Cannes! To stick to Woo-jin as soon as the awards ceremony is over!! Tell them to capture everything they can, from Woo-jin’s commemorative photos to interviews and after-parties! And to secure the original footage no matter what!’

‘Understood!!’

‘And what was it! Tell them to take 100 full shots and bust shots of Woo-jin holding the Best Actor trophy!! And to ask Woo-jin about the French!’

Of course, even at this moment, the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival was being broadcast live on the TV installed in the front of the conference room. The French director who had just received the second prize had finished his acceptance speech, and now it was time for the last award, the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, the ‘Palme d’Or’ [the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival].

However, the executives of the film company and distribution company in this conference room didn’t pay much attention to it.

They also knew the rules of the Cannes Film Festival well. ‘Leech,’ which had already produced a ‘Best Actor’ winner, would not be called again. So, Kang Woo-jin had to be the main focus now. If there was a simultaneous award, the whole world would be turned upside down, but everyone knew that such a thing would not happen.

‘But is Woo-jin’s acceptance speech okay?? I think it was a bit strong.’

‘Who cares!! Thanks to that, the whole world is going crazy!! We should be grateful!!’

It was at this moment.

-[“I am delighted to announce the glorious ‘Palme d’Or’ of the 74th Cannes Film Festival, um – this year’s Cannes has had a lot of unexpected things happen.”]

While everyone was out of their minds, an actress from the 10-member jury of the Cannes Film Festival announced the ‘Palme d’Or’ on the large TV in the front of the conference room.

-[“Congratulations!! This year’s ‘Palme d’Or’ at Cannes!! ‘Leech’!!!”]

In an instant, the movements and words of all the film company and distribution company executives of ‘Leech’ who had been going wild stopped abruptly. Then, with faces as if they were possessed, they all turned to look at the TV.

‘……Huh? What did she just say-‘

The TV screen was filled with Director Ahn Ga-bok’s shocked face.

End