I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 36

The warehouse-style set studio was incredibly tall. It was a world apart from the ‘Errand Agency’ set. Woo-jin was genuinely surprised inside. What could be prepared inside such a large and wide warehouse?

‘So, they film dramas in places like large logistics warehouses like this.’

The number of staff members was also enormous.

Lighting teams scurried around with lighting equipment, camera teams carefully moved cameras, directing teams with shooting scripts overseeing the entire site, prop teams moving various props from mini-buses, and so on.

It looked like there were at least 60 people. If you add the actors and their management teams, it would easily exceed 100.

‘All these people are watching my acting?’

The energy of the staff was different from the script reading.

Although about a hundred people gathered then, there was no movement, so it was quiet. But this place was a battlefield itself, and how sensitive would it be on the first day of filming?

Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin.

‘Ugh, damn. It’s a bit overwhelming.’

The blood vessels that spread throughout his body along with his heart began to throb. This was a different kind of feeling than nervousness. Yes, it was closer to a sense of urgency. He had to show his acting amidst this grandeur, with hundreds of eyes watching.

For Woo-jin, who was closer to an ordinary person, it was normal for his breathing to quicken.

Still.

‘Hoo- deep breaths, deep breaths. Let’s just think of them all as cats and dogs. That’ll do it.’

Woo-jin had already warmed up with ‘Errand Agency.’ So, he tried to calm his throbbing heart.

Around that time.

-Swish.

Two people came up beside Kang Woo-jin, who was looking at the set studio. It was road manager Jang Su-hwan and stylist Han Ye-jeong. Among them, Han Ye-jeong, with her short, greenish hair, glanced at the expressionless Kang Woo-jin.

‘Why is he so calm? Is he not nervous at all? He’s unique.’

Then, the burly Jang Su-hwan shouted a bit flippantly.

“Wow, damn. This place is huge?! Are you okay, Woo-jin hyung [older brother/male friend]? It’s my first time on set, so I’m nervous, so nervous!”

His voice was high-pitched, but loud. Looking at him, the expressionless Kang Woo-jin answered inwardly.

‘My comrade, I’m nervous too.’

Outwardly, he exuded coolness.

“I’m nervous too.”

“Huh? But you look so calm?! Ah! Are you pretending to be nervous to make me feel better?”

I said I’m nervous? Why are you judging me arbitrarily? But Woo-jin gave up on explaining. Instead, he showed composure.

“I’ll be fine soon.”

“Yes! I’ll take deep breaths secretly.”

Choi Seong-geon, with his ponytail, who had been on the phone with someone until just now, appeared, laughing heartily.

“Alright, let’s go in!”

As it was, Kang Woo-jin’s team entered the large studio.

The set studio was even more enormous inside than outside. It was not just wide, but the scene was quite grand. In each section, set pieces suitable for filming were lined up. Dozens of staff members were constantly moving around those sets.

Around them, cameras and lights were being set up densely.

Kang Woo-jin was busy taking in the different world. But it didn’t last long. Song Man-woo PD [Production Director] approached him after seeing Woo-jin arrive. He put his hand on Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder and smiled.

“You’re here? Kang Totem-ssi [Mr. Kang, using a nickname].”

“Yes?”

“No, no, just kidding.”

Soon, Kang Woo-jin’s team, including ponytail Choi Seong-geon, greeted Song Man-woo PD, and Song Man-woo PD met eyes with Choi Seong-geon.

“CEO Choi, you came early? First among the actors.”

“Hahaha, our Woo-jin is a rookie. He has to come first no matter what.”

Song Man-woo PD’s gaze moved to the calm Kang Woo-jin.

“Yeah, he’s a rookie. No, is he really a rookie? I’m confused.”

At the same time, Choi Seong-geon also agreed with a laugh.

“That’s true. He is a rookie, but he’s not really.”

Jang Su-hwan and Han Ye-jeong, who had recently joined Kang Woo-jin’s team, tilted their heads. They hadn’t experienced Woo-jin yet. Whatever it was, Song Man-woo PD got to the point.

He started explaining to Woo-jin, showing him the shooting script.

“Woo-jin-ssi. First of all, about half of today’s schedule is for Park Daeri, so keep that in mind.”

In other words, Kang Woo-jin’s filming would be hectic. In fact, there were many cuts of the male lead ‘Yoo Ji-hyung’ and ‘Park Daeri’ in today’s shooting script.

The drama cannot be filmed in order from scene 1 in the script.

The filming roadmap is created considering the situation, movement, or the actors’ schedules, and they film haphazardly according to it. Song Man-woo PD puts it together in the final edit.

Thanks to that, Hong Hye-yeon and other main and supporting actors are not attending the set today. They are scheduled to join from tomorrow.

“Okay- first, Woo-jin-ssi, let’s get your makeup done right away, and let’s also try on the costumes. Woo-jin-ssi’s stylist, please go with me and check Park Daeri’s costumes.”

“Yes, PD-nim [Director].”

At this time, Song Man-woo PD, remembering a secret guest who came to the set, continued.

“There might be an unexpected stroke of luck for Woo-jin-ssi today. No, I’m sure of it.”

He patted Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder.

“It’s like a junk car is gone and a foreign car is coming, that kind of feeling?”

Of course, Woo-jin asked indifferently.

“What do you mean by that?”

Song Man-woo PD’s smile deepened.

“It means a foreign car is here on set.”

Several tens of minutes later.

A large black van arrived at the parking lot in front of the set studio. It was the van of Ryu Jeong-min, the male lead of ‘Profiler Hanryang.’ Inside the van, Ryu Jeong-min, with a baby perm for his character, was sitting with his eyes closed.

“······”

He wasn’t sleeping. He was doing mind control. It also included the work of organizing his breathing. Soon, the top actor Ryu Jeong-min slowly opened his closed eyes. Currently, his mind was full of thoughts about acting.

Even.

-Swish.

The script he had just unfolded was tattered from how much he had read it. The script was filled with writing everywhere. It was a trace of analysis. About 5 minutes back.

“Hyung [older brother/male friend].”

Ryu Jeong-min, who had been looking at the script and organizing his breathing, called his manager and team. He was ready to go to the set.

“Let’s go now.”

-Clatter!

Then, Ryu Jeong-min and his team of about six people walked into the set studio, and Ryu Jeong-min’s expression was somewhat intense. Although he had been on set for over a decade, today felt different from usual.

There was a sense of determination in the eyes of the tall Ryu Jeong-min.

He looked like a soldier about to go into battle. It wasn’t exactly wrong.

‘It’s been a while since I felt like this.’

Today, Ryu Jeong-min was going to go all out with his acting.

‘I don’t know if I can surpass Park Daeri, but I’m not going to be eaten alive.’

At least, he had to have a fight equal to ‘Park Daeri.’ He was completely pushed back during the script reading, but today, Ryu Jeong-min didn’t seem to have any intention of that happening.

This was not only because of his pride as a top actor, but also.

‘If I get pushed back by Park Daeri from the start, all the psychological emotions for the four episodes will be in vain.’

It was also important as ‘Yoo Ji-hyung,’ the character he played in the work.

Actors who are good at acting maintain the emotions of their characters even when they are not filming, and they watch their co-stars even outside the camera. That is soon expressed in the next cut of acting.

When meeting a deep role like Park Daeri, he had to concentrate more.

In other words, Ryu Jeong-min was full of thoughts of watching, understanding, analyzing, and dissecting Park Daeri during filming with him. It was to blur the line between reality and acting.

Therefore, Ryu Jeong-min.

-Swish.

As soon as he entered the set studio, he lightly greeted the staff while looking for Woo-jin first. Where is he? Currently, Kang Woo-jin was an enemy to Ryu Jeong-min. Then, Ryu Jeong-min found Woo-jin in a slightly secluded area. It was a waiting area for actors prepared by the staff.

‘He’s still got that heavy atmosphere today, that guy.’

Ryu Jeong-min, who had assessed Kang Woo-jin’s firm face, approached him.

“Hello.”

Woo-jin, who turned his head at Ryu Jeong-min’s greeting, got up calmly and bowed his head.

“Hello, senior.”

“…Ah, yes.”

He was definitely a senior, but Ryu Jeong-min felt uncomfortable with Woo-jin’s word ‘senior.’

‘I need to be better than you to act like a senior.’

Ryu Jeong-min, who had roughly placed a chair next to Kang Woo-jin, unfolded his script.

“Woo-jin-ssi, how’s your condition?”

“I’m fine.”

Is it because he recognizes him as Park Daeri? Ryu Jeong-min began to find everything about Kang Woo-jin annoying.

“How fine is fine?”

“It’s the same as usual.”

“Ah- the same as usual.”

“Yes.”

He was a mysterious actor the more he looked at him. Everything was a question mark. His unclear past was like that, and the fact that he learned that crazy acting by himself was also like that. Ryu Jeong-min slowly lowered his gaze to the script and thought.

Kang Woo-jin was a really intriguing actor.

Does he ever make an NG [No Good, a filming term for a mistake]? Conversely, what if I make an NG? How does he handle other roles? Or.

‘How will he react to my ad-libs?’

Ryu Jeong-min was making his mind stronger and stronger. He wanted to quickly enter that set and have a psychological battle with Park Daeri sitting next to him. He was getting impatient.

‘Ha, yeah, there was this kind of fun in acting. I remembered it because of this guy, Kang Woo-jin.’

Ryu Jeong-min was having so much fun with acting for the first time in years.

At this time.

“Jeong-min-ssi! Woo-jin-ssi!”

The assistant director shouted to the two actors.

“The PD wants to do a rehearsal!”

Kang Woo-jin and Ryu Jeong-min got up at the same time. Then, Ryu Jeong-min, who was walking ahead, turned to Woo-jin and smiled slightly.

“It won’t work today?”

It was about acting. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin remained silent with a poker face, but inside, he was full of question marks.

‘What is that super handsome guy talking about?’

At the same time, he was also impressed by the top actor’s composure.

‘Anyway, it was like a scene from a movie just now.’

Before filming began.

The makeup of the main actors, including Kang Woo-jin and Ryu Jeong-min, as well as the cameras, lights, and audio, were all in place. The first filming setup was all complete. Dozens of staff members who had been distributed in the filming zone were quickly leaving.

Meanwhile, Song Man-woo PD, who was sitting in his seat,

“······”

He was staring intently at the monitor even though filming hadn’t started yet. He was definitely looking at Kang Woo-jin being displayed on the monitor.

‘With makeup and costumes, his presence has increased several times.’

The current Kang Woo-jin was Park Daeri from head to toe. Messy hair, makeup with a bit of tiredness, a hoodie and jeans that could be seen anywhere, etc.

Such Woo-jin was currently.

‘Hoo- it feels completely different from when we filmed ‘Errand Agency.’ It’s driving me crazy.’

His condition wasn’t very good. The time had finally come. There were hundreds of eyes watching, and the sense of reality was so intense that a different kind of pressure than when filming ‘Errand Agency’ was hitting Woo-jin. There was no consideration. It was harsh and rough.

‘Ugh, I feel a bit nauseous.’

The expressionless face on Kang Woo-jin’s face now was not a concept. This time, it was a genuine expression. His heart wouldn’t stop pounding. Sometimes, goosebumps spread all over his body. He kept getting goosebumps.

The heavy air of the set. It was extremely heavy.

It was already a feeling that was weighing down his mind, but the grandeur of this large set and the eyes of dozens of staff members filled with seriousness were further tightening Kang Woo-jin. What about the large cameras of unknown names? Woo-jin felt like he had become a real criminal.

When will I get used to this feeling?

No, will I ever get used to it? Woo-jin was impressed by Ryu Jeong-min, who was sitting calmly. Ryu Jeong-min was sitting inside a set that was decorated like an interrogation room. That side was a pro among pros.

‘On the other hand, I’m just imitating a pro.’

Kang Woo-jin, who was standing next to the interrogation room set, forcibly pushed away the fear of pressure. He accepted reality. The appearance was a concept, but the acting was real. Of course, it was a gift from the subspace, but it was Kang Woo-jin who was implementing it.

Let’s do our best, it’s a set created by dozens of pros who have shed blood and sweat.

At this time.

-Click!

Kang Woo-jin’s wrist was handcuffed by a staff member.

Today’s first filming scene of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ was the story after Park Daeri turned himself in. After his crazy appearance, the world was turned upside down. News, articles, people, everyone was focused on this incident.

The confession of an unsolved serial killer and the hidden real culprit.

Therefore, the police and prosecutors were heading into a situation where they had to risk their lives. Because the whole nation was watching. And at the center of this was the profiler ‘Yoo Ji-hyung.’ He thoroughly analyzes Park Daeri’s footsteps from the past to the present. And this scene was the second meeting between Yoo Ji-hyung and Park Daeri.

Therefore, the handcuffs that were put on Woo-jin were a natural prop.

However, Kang Woo-jin.

“······”

He used the handcuffs as a starting point. As soon as the cold metal was put on his wrist, he pulled out the implanted Park Daeri.

The start was from an unpleasant feeling.

The emotions of Park Daeri, imprinted by the subspace, developed into senses, and those senses awakened emotions and reason. Soon, Kang Woo-jin’s scent was transformed. Eyes with a deep color and a madness in some unknown depth.

It was Park Daeri.

At the same time.

-Swish.

A minor role police officer actor came up next to the handcuffed Park Daeri. Park Daeri looked back at him. The minor role police officer actor flinched slightly. He had no expression, but that was even scarier.

At this moment.

-Clap!

In front of the main camera, a staff member shouted the scene number and hit the slate.

“Hi-”

Song Man-woo PD with a beard shouted into the megaphone.

“Action!!”

It meant that the filming of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ had officially begun. Then, the camera showed baby-permed Yoo Ji-hyung in the interrogation room. A thick file was placed in front of him. Yoo Ji-hyung was pressing between his eyes as if he was tired.

“Ha, I’ve gotten myself into a mess. The size of the case has gotten too big.”

It was because he was a free spirit by nature that he was complaining. At this time, the door of the slightly dark interrogation room opened. A police officer and Park Daeri entered. The police officer sat the handcuffed Park Daeri on the opposite side of Yoo Ji-hyung.

Yoo Ji-hyung sighed softly and looked at Park Daeri.

Today’s Park Daeri had no smile, unlike when he first saw him. How should I express that? It felt like there was no color on his face. Such Park Daeri.

“······”

He stared intently at Yoo Ji-hyung with deep eyes. Then, he tilted his head slightly. But his mouth was closed. There was no message in his eyes. It was empty but not stupid. It looked blurry but also clear. The camera captured this expression vividly in a close-up.

Next was Yoo Ji-hyung’s turn.

“Ha-”

As soon as he saw the strange being across from him, Yoo Ji-hyung scratched his baby-permed hair as if he was fed up.

“I’m tired just looking at your face.”

He had already started working. He had to show carelessness to Park Daeri. Clearly, he was not an easy opponent. So, he was inducing carelessness first. Nonsense stems from arrogance with carelessness. Let’s start with that.

Yoo Ji-hyung sighed again.

“Don’t you think things have gotten too big?”

“······”

Park Daeri, who was still calmly looking at Yoo Ji-hyung, didn’t have any particular change in expression. But he knew Yoo Ji-hyung’s intentions. He was planning to loosen the atmosphere. Yes, he must have experienced many crimes.

But I’m different from those guys who are just well-packaged.

Think about me, think again, analyze and tear me apart. The more you do, the more you’ll fall into the swamp? Park Daeri was enjoying this situation itself. The pleasure when everyone, including Yoo Ji-hyung, moved as he expected. And the joy.

You are just my puppets.

At that moment, the gloomy air of the interrogation room tickled Park Daeri’s skin. It was a bleak space, but it was a playground for Park Daeri. It even looked like the small dust particles dancing in the light were dancing.

At this time, Park Daeri’s eyes went down to his wrist. Let’s take off these handcuffs first.

“Please take these off for a moment. It hurts.”

The police officer by the door flinched, but Yoo Ji-hyung shrugged it off.

“Sure, why not. Take them off.”

But the police officer looked at the expressionless Park Daeri and whispered to Yoo Ji-hyung.

“It’ll be dangerous. Just leave them on.”

-Clatter.

Park Daeri, who suddenly got up from his seat, stretched out both hands in front of Yoo Ji-hyung. That’s when he smiled.

“Are you scared?”

Yoo Ji-hyung also smiled.

“It’s okay, take them off.”

Soon, the police officer took off Park Daeri’s handcuffs with a displeased expression. Park Daeri’s smile deepened.

“Done.”

Park Daeri stretched out refreshingly. It was a deliberate action. Since you want flexibility, I’ll pretend to be like that. At this time, Park Daeri, who had stopped moving, asked Yoo Ji-hyung.

“Are you tired?”

“Why do you think so?”

“You finished your coffee before I even came, and there’s a smell of stale cigarettes. It’s the smell you get when you’ve been smoking all night. I guess it’s because you were investigating me.”

“I’m a chain smoker.”

Here, Park Daeri suddenly straightened his posture. He pulled his lips up even more. It was a thoroughly practiced smile.

“So, how can I help you?”

“First, let’s talk a bit. About trivial things.”

“Go ahead.”

“Um- okay, the alibi you mentioned.”

“Did you have breakfast? I want a hamburger.”

“I don’t like fast food. More than that, you can eat a hamburger now.”

“I like shrimp burgers, other patties like beef or chicken are fishy.”

At this time, Yoo Ji-hyung suddenly asked something else. It was to get the flow of the conversation back on track.

“You had a sister, who committed suicide.”

For the first time, Park Daeri’s smile wavered slightly. Soon, a cold chill ran down the spine of Ryu Jeong-min, who was playing Yoo Ji-hyung. This was not acting. It was real.

“······”

It was because of Park Daeri’s black eyes, which were staring at him calmly while maintaining a faint smile. They were very deep but completely empty.

“That’s right, I had one. A sister.”

It was an eerily calm and terrifying gaze.

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