I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 350

Kang Woo-jin got into the black van parked on the shoulder of the Incheon Airport entrance road. Following him, about a dozen of Woo-jin’s team members also boarded, and soon the atmosphere inside the van became boisterous. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin was holding the ‘Best Actor Award’ trophy case from Cannes in one hand, and as soon as he got into the van, he turned his gaze to the window with a nonchalant expression.

He could see hundreds of reporters, looking half-crazed, blocked by the giant guards.

-Flash, flash, flash!

Even though Kang Woo-jin was already in the van, they kept pressing the shutter buttons incessantly. The shouts that were hard to understand were a bonus. Zombies? Kang Woo-jin sighed inwardly.

‘Ugh, this is so tiring! Anyway, finally Korea! My home! It’s been a while since I’ve been in this van too! I’m finally back!’

Outwardly, he looked very solemn, but inwardly, Kang Woo-jin was doing a shoulder dance. To the outside world, it was a triumphant return, but to Woo-jin, it just felt like coming home. He arrived in Korea around 3 PM. However, it was now approaching 5 PM. The reason was simple.

‘I didn’t know the interview would take almost two hours, seriously.’

After his triumphant return, he had to spend nearly two hours with the swarm of reporters. Of course, along with the onlookers who were even more crowded than the hundreds of reporters. If it had been just Woo-jin, the time might have been a little shorter, but because director Ahn Ga-bok of ‘Leech,’ who won the ‘Palme d’Or’ [Golden Palm, the highest prize at the Cannes Film Festival], and Shim Han-ho, and other ‘Leech’ actors were all there, the time was extended.

‘Hoo- what questions did I get asked?’

Kang Woo-jin received an enormous barrage of questions from hundreds of reporters. Roughly, they were about the Best Actor Award, French, Miley Cara, the meaning behind his declaration-like acceptance speech, etc., but he didn’t remember well. Well, there was no particular reason to think deeply about it.

At that moment.

-Click!

The staff, including Choi Sung-gun and Jang Su-hwan, who were in charge of the cleanup, got into the van. Choi Sung-gun immediately signaled to start. Thanks to that, the stopped van slowly moved, and the flash of hundreds of reporters who had been surrounding the van as if burning their last flame became even faster.

About 10 minutes later.

The black van, which barely escaped the airport, was driving on the highway. The inside of the van was still bustling.

“Woah- all the main search sites are filled with only Woo-jin oppa!”

“That’s obvious! SNS [Social Networking Services] and communities are also plastered with Woo-jin oppa! But weren’t the reporters at the airport a bit weak?”

“There were a few hundred more in the outside parking lot, they couldn’t get in because it was blocked.”

“Ah! Articles about oppa’s return are starting to pour out!”

Choi Sung-gun, who was in the passenger seat and smiling happily, also added while looking at his phone.

“Hehe, Woo-jin. I expected it, but it’s been turned upside down. It looks like it’ll be popping for at least two weeks. Ah, let’s rest well today and tomorrow, Woo-jin.”

“Yes.”

“I want to let you rest more, but there are a lot of piled-up schedules, and the schedule will be inflated several times because of Cannes.”

“It’s okay, I rested a bit in Cannes too.”

Kang Woo-jin, who answered simply, was silently looking out the window. He had returned with results that were more than national prestige, but now he was full of worries that had nothing to do with it.

‘What should I eat when I get home, I’m craving something really spicy. Kimchi stew? Ah- I’m also thinking about jokbal [pig’s trotters]. Or just simple ramen? No. Ramen is for the first round.’

Choosing a menu to celebrate his return. Then, as if another matter came to mind, Kang Woo-jin, who had been maintaining a poker face, picked up his phone. Then, he spread the ‘Best Actor Award’ photos he had taken at the Cannes Film Festival everywhere. He was informing everyone who had contacted him, including family, friends, and colleagues, of his return.

Soon.

-Buzz, buzz.

-Buzz, buzz.

Numerous replies poured in. Korea, Japan, Hollywood.

At that moment.

-Swish.

Choi Sung-gun, who had just finished a call, turned his head slightly towards the back with a somewhat serious face. He met the nonchalant Woo-jin’s eyes.

“Um- Woo-jin, this is something that our main investor passed on.”

He was talking about Chairman Hideki.

“Putting aside all the minor things… you got a private jet.”

In an instant, the eyes of the dozen or so members of Woo-jin’s team in the van widened. Except for Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin asked back in a very low voice.

“…Are you talking about a private jet?”

“Yes. From the next schedule in Japan, you’ll be flying on a private jet, okay?”

Kang Woo-jin went ballistic. Of course, inwardly.

‘This is crazy!! What’s with the sudden private jet?! Are you talking about that personal plane you only see in movies?!!’

To him, a ‘private jet’ was just the hang glider he had made when he was young.

Meanwhile, inside the plane.

In the business class of a plane flying high in the sky. Among the people who were sound asleep, there were a few familiar faces. Some executives from the Hollywood distribution and film company ‘Universal Movies’ who had attended Cannes, Megan, etc. Among them, the only man who was not asleep, sitting by the window. It was the famous producer of the giant, Joseph Felton.

“……”

He was looking out the window with his chin resting on his hand. Unlike Kang Woo-jin, who moved quickly, Joseph’s team stayed in France for a few more days after the Cannes Film Festival ended. And now they were on their way back to LA. Soon, Joseph, who had taken his eyes off the window, lowered his gaze. Four stacks of thin papers were placed on his lap.

Synopses, concepts, or ideas received from four Hollywood screenwriters.

Joseph picked up one of them, each with a different genre: thriller, noir, crime action, and comedy, with ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ as a motif and including dissociative identity disorder.

“I guess I’ll go with this one.”

He made a decision that he had been agonizing over before coming to Cannes. Now that he was back in LA, he would begin the full-scale screenplay work. But the set-up was moving twice as fast as usual. He had already formed the main team, including Megan, and had a list of directors besides director Danny Landis, who had increased the possibility of the picture and the cast, including Kang Woo-jin.

Then.

“Hmm-”

The tall Joseph crossed his long legs and suddenly recalled the blonde Miley Cara. To be exact, it was the conversation he had with her at the Cannes Film Festival after-party. It started with Miley Cara approaching Joseph, who was watching Kang Woo-jin surrounded by bigwigs from various countries.

“Joseph, I heard you’re preparing a project with ‘Universal Movies’.”

Joseph was a little surprised by the sudden request for a conversation.

“Miley, it’s rare for you to bring up a project first?”

“I’ve looked into it myself, but there’s not much information. It’s probably in the early stages.”

“That’s about right. But the team formation is 70% complete.”

“What about the director?”

“The list is confirmed, and we’re most interested in that Danny director over there.”

A smile appeared between Cara’s unique, cold tone.

“Director Danny Landis- Director Danny doesn’t take on projects that aren’t his own scripts, does he? With his level, anyone would come running with money.”

“We’re working on it, and we’ve increased the possibility at this Cannes.”

“Hmm- if Director Danny takes on this project, it will be quite noisy in Hollywood as well.”

Cara, who had been muttering, met Joseph’s blue eyes.

“When the official synopsis comes out, or when the first draft of the screenplay comes out, send it to me too.”

The giant Joseph’s eyes widened slightly.

“Really?”

Miley Cara was known in Hollywood for being expensive and difficult to cast. At least, it was the first time she had approached him first and requested a screenplay. Joseph asked her.

“…Could it be. Because of Kang Woo-jin?”

Cara shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s not exact, but Joseph, you came to the set of ‘Leech’ for Kang Woo-jin, and you even attended the Bangkok shoot of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Even with film company executives. Outwardly, you said you just stopped by before going to Cannes, but in my opinion, you’re someone who hides the reason for everything.”

“……”

“The project you’re preparing this time, you’re planning to cast Kang Woo-jin as the lead, right? A solo lead? Whatever it is, it was a journey for verification. I have to see the screenplay for that movie.”

“Miley, do you perhaps like Kang Woo-jin? As a man.”

Miley Cara narrowed her brows.

“Are you crazy? It’s because of his acting. I saw ‘Leech’ and ‘Beneficial Evil.’ It was the first time I felt fear from someone’s acting. I thought I was doing well in my own way, but after seeing Kang Woo-jin, I felt a sense of vastness. I even feel respect.”

“It’s not so much acting as it is the feeling that the actual character is playing in reality. Kang Woo-jin’s acting isn’t method. It’s something higher than that.”

“I wanted to see that for a long time, not just briefly like in ‘Beneficial Evil.’ That’s all.”

Joseph smiled.

“Okay, if a screenplay comes out that’s worth sending, I’ll send it to you right away. As the second actor. The first is of course Kang Woo-jin.”

Cara, who nodded, lowered her voice slightly.

“Kang Woo-jin’s casting confirmation is a prerequisite. If you fail to catch him, don’t even think about sending it to me.”

At this point, Joseph, who had returned to reality, to the plane, made his smile deeper.

“For some reason, it feels like the fate of the movie production depends on one actor.”

Soon, he picked up his phone and looked at something, then muttered quietly.

“With this much influence, it’s worth a shot.”

What he saw was Kang Woo-jin’s name spreading worldwide, including Hollywood. Many things besides articles and videos were spreading. Of course, through people’s mouths and fingers as well. In fact, regarding Cannes, Woo-jin’s declaration, etc., the name of Kang Woo-jin was constantly mentioned in the mouths of bigwigs from various countries.

Of course, in France, the home of Cannes.

“With this level of French- the first Korean actor to win Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival. Kang Woo-jin, has this actor returned to Korea now?”

“It has been confirmed that he has already arrived in Korea.”

“His acting in ‘Leech’ keeps lingering in my mind. Send the screenplay to Kang Woo-jin’s side right away, as soon as possible. Other directors must have already started working.”

“Understood.”

Most of the big-name directors who approached Kang Woo-jin at the after-party were like that. The ripple effect that Kang Woo-jin showed at Cannes was a ripple effect, but the fact that he was fluent in French and English made the bigwigs even more excited.

On the other hand, there were pros and cons in Hollywood.

“Aiming for an Academy Award next year? Huh- this Korean actor is a bit cocky.”

“Haven’t there always been actors like this? However, no one is left now. Winning Best Actor at Cannes is great, but the Academy Award is even higher.”

“I heard that Director Danny praised him highly.”

“Director Danny? Hmm- he must have been overwhelming, since that stubborn Cannes broke the rules.”

“I’m curious about what kind of actor he is.”

Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech was quite provocative. It was like touching the nerves of the prideful people in Hollywood. But as much as that, the interest in Woo-jin also skyrocketed. There were many directors who viewed it positively. Whether it was a director trying to ride the issue or a director who was fascinated by his acting, whatever the purpose.

“First, ask his agency if it’s possible to cast him.”

“I’ve sent an email, and I’ve also heard that there are instructions in LA.”

“Oh- then is it possible to talk directly?”

“I’ll check.”

Kang Woo-jin was hot for the master directors of various countries.

The next day, Wednesday, the 13th, morning.

The place was Kang Woo-jin’s house. While the country or the world was buzzing with Kang Woo-jin, Kang Woo-jin himself was lying on the bed as quiet as a mouse. The house was the epitome of silence.

“……”

It was past 9 AM, but there was no sign of Woo-jin’s late sleep ending. As if he was trying to release all his fatigue at once. Of course, even at this moment, many calls were arriving on his phone, but even Woo-jin’s phone was silent. Because the owner had switched it to silent mode.

About an hour later?

“Ughhh-”

Kang Woo-jin, who was making a zombie-like groan with one side of his head pressed down, slowly got up from the bed. His current appearance, having thrown away his stiff concept, was that of a natural man.

“……I slept like a log.”

Who would see this ragged figure as the ‘Best Actor Award’ winner at the Cannes Film Festival? Anyway, Woo-jin, who had gotten up, spaced out for a while and then picked up his phone. He checked only the missed calls first after seeing the numerous calls, texts, messages, and DMs that had piled up. Fortunately, there were no urgent matters. Woo-jin, who roughly threw his phone back on the bed, stretched and went out to the living room.

The first thing Kang Woo-jin’s eyes went to was.

“Wow- this is amazing.”

The trophies were placed on the living room desk. Among the ones he had received so far, the Best Actor Award from the Cannes Film Festival, which he had lifted a few days ago, was added. Woo-jin smiled at its majestic appearance.

“Why does it feel like it’s not mine?”

Kang Woo-jin’s mood was soaring. Something suddenly flashed in his mind.

“Ah, Miley Cara’s new album.”

It was a thought he had put off for a while because he was out of it. Miley Cara’s new album was released worldwide yesterday. Soon, Woo-jin moved back to the bed and picked up his phone. Then, he immediately accessed YouTube. The official music video would have been released along with the new album.

But.

“Woah- crazy.”

There was no need to search. The video that Woo-jin was looking for was right there in the real-time trending video ranking at number 1.

-【alcoholism(feat. WooJin)】｜Miley Cara

The music video for Miley Cara’s new album title track, in which Kang Woo-jin participated.

-Views 60,012,802/ 22 hours ago

It had surpassed 60 million views in less than 24 hours.

End