I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 365

‘Walt Disney Pictures.’ It was so famous in Hollywood that it was hard to find someone who didn’t know it. It boasted a long history and was one of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five’ [the five major film studios]. As everyone knows, it has a unique power in animated films, but at some point, it began to produce live-action films based on its animations.

Since ‘Phantom’ was a huge hit in Korea and worldwide, the live-action films were a great success.

Of course, ‘Walt Disney Pictures’ didn’t only produce live-action films. They also produced and distributed general films, and there were so many hits that it was impossible to list them all.

It was such a huge company that it often co-produced films.

And now, Kang Woo-jin was being evaluated in a conference room at ‘Walt Disney Pictures.’

“If Kang Woo-jin is added to the casting board, how many candidates are there in total?”

“Six. However, only three actors, including Kang Woo-jin, can do both ‘vocals’ and ‘piano.'”

In the ‘Walt Disney Pictures’ conference room, ‘vocals’ and ‘piano’ were frequently mentioned as the main requirements.

“Kang Woo-jin seems to be the best at piano.”

The reason was simple.

The films produced by the mega-film company ‘Walt Disney Pictures’ required the actors to have singing ability. Whether they were making live-action versions of animated films or just producing regular films, many songs were included in the story.

It was practically a signature of ‘Walt Disney Pictures.’

Naturally, there were many movie OSTs [Original Soundtracks] that they produced that had taken the world by storm. There were even many Disney fans who said, “‘Walt Disney Pictures’ movies are for listening to the OSTs.” So, it was only natural for ‘Walt Disney Pictures’ to test the vocal or musical abilities of actors before casting them.

And.

“Let’s contact Kang Woo-jin as soon as possible.”

Now, Woo-jin’s name was on the list at ‘Walt Disney Pictures.’

However, ‘Walt Disney Pictures’ wasn’t the only one mentioning Kang Woo-jin’s name in LA. At the same time, there were quite a few film companies in LA that were eyeing Woo-jin. It was thanks to the recognition he had built up little by little, but steadily.

“Kang Woo-jin used to run a restaurant in LA?”

“No, he didn’t run it himself. It was for a shoot related to a Korean TV show.”

“Was he a chef on that TV show?”

“Yes. But his cooking skills were so outstanding that the customers didn’t even know he was an actor. It’s all summarized in the materials we’ve distributed.”

“Hmm—what’s this? A local chef actually praised Kang Woo-jin.”

That recognition exploded with Miley Cara and the Cannes Film Festival. Woo-jin’s ‘no-backing-down’ acceptance speech also played a part. In Hollywood, where possibilities were endless, it was only natural that they would pay attention to him.

“…He actually developed his own recipes and is selling them as products in Korea and Japan?”

“Yes.”

“What? Was he a chef before he was an actor?”

“It’s not certain, but with that level of skill, he might have been. However, there are many vocal-related videos on YouTube besides cooking. It might have been a hobby.”

“Huh—a chef-level cooking skill as a hobby from the videos we’ve seen so far? What is this actor’s identity?”

A global-level misunderstanding. A misunderstanding at the level of a world star.

Nevertheless, one thing was clear: the various abilities that were imprinted on Kang Woo-jin.

“…Whatever it is, it’s certain that he has the cooking skills our movie needs. Contact him no matter what.”

He was truly making his presence felt in Hollywood.

Back in Korea.

Monday ended, and Tuesday, the 9th, began. It was morning, and Kang Woo-jin was having a meeting related to his ‘Kang Woo-jin side-character’ [a term referring to his side projects or brand] before filming ‘The Righteous Evil.’

“The end of the year is just around the corner, and if Woo-jin’s time overseas increases from next year, we should probably prepare quite a few saved videos.”

“Hah, we’ll have to figure it out somehow. I’ll try to squeeze the schedule a bit more. Woo-jin, are you okay with that?”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m not worried about you… but still, if you have any problems with your health, tell me right away.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“And since we’re talking about overseas, I think it would be good for the ‘Kang Woo-jin side-character’ team to have a studio in LA for smooth progress.”

“Yes, yes?? LA??”

Domestic movie theaters were still enjoying a boom that they had never seen before. The number of visitors was more than double the usual. For reference, all movie theaters were packed a few days ago on the weekend.

『[MubiIS] Theaters are Smiling Thanks to the Box Office Run of ‘Leech’ and New Movies, Crowds Flock to Movie Theaters on Weekends/Photo』

『’Leech’ Remains at No. 1 in Reservations with Endless Sell-Outs』

The biggest reason was the box office hit ‘Leech,’ but the new movies that were released this week also played a part.

『[MovieTalk] “Wait for Leech!” New Movies Released One After Another, Can They Stop the Bulldozer ‘Leech’?』

It was so explosive that the media visited movie theaters on the weekend to report the vivid situation. It was to the point where the expression ‘bursting at the seams’ was appropriate. Meanwhile, ‘Leech’ was firmly holding the number one spot in reservations, and the public who had been to the movie theaters were enthusiastically talking about it in their respective areas.

-Why is Leech so fun even when you watch it twice??

-It’s so creepy that every time I watch it, Kang Woo-jin’s acting feels different.

-lololol Crazy, Leech will surpass 20 million lololol

-I’ve seen it three times

-Stop sucking up to it lololol It was so boring

-If Leech surpasses 20 million and beats Island of the Lost, both the 1st and 2nd highest-grossing movies in Korea will be Kang Woo-jin’s lololol It’s annoying

-But Kang Woo-jin’s acting tension is crazy, why isn’t he going to Hollywood???

-Is Hollywood a joke that you can just go to if you want lololol?

-He won Best Actor at Cannes, so he might already be in negotiations

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The situation was the same in Japan. No, since Japan had a larger population than Korea, it was even more chaotic. ‘The Strange Geisha’ in Japan was also holding the number one spot in reservations, just like ‘Leech.’ However, the overall atmosphere was still different.

Still, changes were gradually occurring in Japan.

『The Audience for “The Strange Geisha” Continues to Grow, the Attitude of the Public, Which Was Full of Resentment, Is Changing/Photo』

In the beginning, there was resentment, criticism, and controversy, but now, the media and public opinion were gradually starting to acknowledge ‘The Strange Geisha.’ The public, who couldn’t stand the criticism and controversy surrounding ‘The Strange Geisha,’ were the most noticeable.

The same was true for various media outlets in Japan.

“It may seem like ‘The Strange Geisha’ is receiving equal praise and criticism, but that’s a misconception.”

“A misconception?”

“Yes. Those who criticize ‘The Strange Geisha’ are only a minority. It’s like a part of the media and public opinion war that we often misunderstand. Of course, they are not a small number, but they are a minority when viewed as a whole. And they are not accepting the change.”

“They’re falling behind?”

“No. They’re afraid. On the other hand, the public, excluding them, is acknowledging ‘The Strange Geisha.’ The rapidly increasing number of viewers for ‘The Strange Geisha’ proves it.”

“Hmm—”

“And the fact that ‘The Strange Geisha’ continues to gain momentum is proof that most of the public has been tired of Japan’s predictable content.”

Movie critics and directors who appeared on news and entertainment shows explained the unexpected explosive power of ‘The Strange Geisha.’

“Of course, the public was surprised. But they were already tired of Japan’s repetitive and boring content, so they are cheering for ‘The Strange Geisha.’ Director Tanoguchi Kyotaro cleverly poked at that point. I think it was probably intentional.”

“So, do you think ‘The Strange Geisha’ will continue its box office run?”

“Of course. This trend will become even stronger. No matter how it ends, the content market in Japan will probably change drastically before and after ‘The Strange Geisha.'”

Two days passed like that. Thursday, the 11th.

The momentum of the audience rushing into theaters, the explosive power of the early release, had decreased slightly. But it was a natural phenomenon. New movies continued to be released, and not many people watched a movie they had already seen again.

But there was nothing to worry about. Movie theaters were still reminiscent of peak season.

Around this time, there were many familiar faces at the Japanese ‘Toega’ film company, which was in charge of producing ‘The Strange Geisha.’

Many people besides writer Akari and director Kyotaro.

Everyone had expressions as if they were waiting for a certain result. Eyes full of tension and anticipation. This was the same for all the people related to ‘The Strange Geisha,’ although they were not in the same place. Even the actors besides Chairman Hideki.

At that moment, a shout echoed throughout the ‘Toega’ film company.

“Director!! The results are out!!”

Everyone stared at the large TV in front. The magnificent numbers of ‘The Strange Geisha’ were displayed.

-[Number of viewers for ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ as of November 10, 2021]

-[‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’/Release Date: October 26/Cumulative Viewers: 15,928,755]

It had surpassed 15 million in the third week. No, it was safe to say it was 16 million.

Meanwhile.

Around late morning, a film company in Korea was also bustling. It was ‘Oullim Film Company,’ which made ‘Island of the Lost,’ the current number one movie in Korea. The film company’s CEO, as well as several executives and a familiar master director, were present.

“Hmm—”

It was director Kwon Ki-taek, who directed ‘Island of the Lost,’ with a plump face. He had gained more weight, perhaps because he was on a break. Anyway, all the key figures of ‘Island of the Lost’ were gathered. Director Kwon Ki-taek and everyone were looking at their tablets, and the results of a movie were being displayed on the screen.

It was ‘Leech,’ not ‘Island of the Lost.’

[Viewer Count as of November 10, 2021]

[Daily Domestic Box Office]

1. Leech/Release Date: October 27/Number of Screens: 1354/Cumulative Viewers: 15,016,082

‘Leech’ had also surpassed 15 million viewers.

The expressions of those gathered at ‘Oullim Film Company’ became quite dark. It was natural. ‘Island of the Lost’ was still holding the number one spot in Korean movie history, but a crisis had come soon after breaking the record.

“… ‘Leech’ is faster than ‘Island of the Lost.'”

“I expected it to be strong, but not this fast.”

“If ‘Leech’ doesn’t lose momentum, the all-time movie rankings will change soon.”

“It feels strange. I acknowledge ‘Leech,’ but I didn’t expect a crisis to come so quickly.”

Just as the CEO and executives of ‘Oullim Film Company’ were throwing out words as if they were feeling dejected, the information displayed on everyone’s tablets changed.

Faint sighs were released here and there.

[All-Time Korean Box Office]

[All-Time Movie Rankings (Integrated)]

-1. Island of the Lost/Cumulative Viewers: 20,321,451

-2. Naval Battle/Cumulative Viewers: 16,715,955

-3. Irresistible Force/Cumulative Viewers: 15,557,118

-4. Leech/Cumulative Viewers: 15,016,082

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The crazily fast ‘Leech’ was right on their heels.

At the same time. A hotel in Seoul.

Hundreds of reporters were gathered in front of a famous hotel. Vans, buses, and luxury sedans stopped in a line in front of them. Several celebrities got out of the cars. Not only entertainers but also celebrities, etc. The reason was simple.

Soon, there would be a year-end party related to an overseas luxury brand at this hotel.

The celebrities invited to the party waved their hands to the reporters appropriately and then posed at the photo zone located right next to the hotel entrance.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

A barrage of intense flashes went off.

It was at this moment.

-Thump!

A man with neatly combed-back black hair and an indifferent face, wearing a navy suit from a luxury brand, got out of the black van that had just stopped. As soon as they saw him, the reporters shouted.

“Kang Woo-jin!! Kang Woo-jin!!!”

“Woo-jin-ssi!! Woo-jin-ssi, this way!!”

It was Kang Woo-jin, whose influence was growing rapidly in Korea, Japan, and even overseas. The reason he appeared was because he was an ambassador for this luxury brand. Woo-jin waved his hand to the hundreds of reporters in front of him with a silent face.

At this moment, the reporters foamed at the mouth and spewed out questions.

“‘The Strange Geisha’ is a huge hit!! Do you think it will surpass 20 million viewers?!”

“‘Leech’ too!! ‘Leech’ has also surpassed 15 million! How many total viewers do you expect!!”

“Woo-jin-ssi!! Have you not received any love calls from Hollywood since the Cannes Film Festival?!”

“Ah! I’m sure there have been casting offers from Hollywood!! Just give us a little hint!!”

“Will you be attending all the domestic film festivals at the end of this year?!”

“There’s a rumor that you’re going to challenge Hollywood in earnest next year! Is it true?!”

But Kang Woo-jin, with his strong poker face.

“…”

He just waved his hand without saying anything. His expression was more solemn than ever.

‘Ugh—damn it, my ears are going to explode!’

At this moment, a female reporter standing close to Woo-jin shouted with all her might.

“Woo-jin-ssi!! Kang Woo-jin-ssi!!! Miley Cara is going to appear in ‘The Righteous Evil’! That’s not true, right??! It’s just a rumor!”

Of course, Kang Woo-jin remained silent this time as well. However, his gaze was fixed on the reporters in front of him. Still, he didn’t open his mouth. It seemed like he had no intention of answering until the end. The hundreds of reporters knew this, but they didn’t give up.

Some reporters, infected by her, threw out additional questions.

“Ah, that’s right! That photo that’s spreading on social media and communities!! The blonde woman is just a staff member, right?!”

“The Miley Cara’s appearance in ‘The Righteous Evil’!! Everyone is dismissing it as a rumor! But still, Woo-jin-ssi, please give us a definite answer!!”

Kang Woo-jin, with no change in his expression, suddenly opened his mouth.

“It’s Miley Cara, the blonde woman in the photo from the ‘The Righteous Evil’ Bangkok filming location.”

Woo-jin said again in a low tone.

“Miley Cara’s filming is already finished.”

In an instant, the hands of the hundreds of reporters, who were madly pressing the shutter, stopped.

“…Huh?”

End