I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 372

Kang Woo-jin had traveled overseas quite frequently. He had been to Japan and LA, as well as France for the Cannes Film Festival. Each time, there was a lot of buzz, but there was always a specific theme. Japan for ‘Strange Geisha,’ filming ‘Our Table,’ working on a new album with Miley Cara, the Cannes Film Festival, and so on.

Therefore, whenever Kang Woo-jin went abroad, the domestic media and public always had a clear keyword to focus on.

But this time was different.

『Did he leave for LA without a peep? ‘Kang Woo-jin,’ is the rumored Hollywood advancement a reality?』

There was no announcement from BW Entertainment, and Kang Woo-jin didn’t share any news on social media. He simply boarded a plane to LA out of the blue, without a word. This was only revealed because of people at the airport. They shared photos of Woo-jin, who suddenly appeared at the airport, on social media and online communities, sparking the issue.

Was that why?

『Kang Woo-jin Suddenly Heads to LA! Is He Contacting Hollywood Film Studios?』

Woo-jin’s top-secret departure to LA ignited even more buzz in Korea. As the term ‘top-secret’ implied, there were no signs or prior announcements, making it perfect for countless rumors and speculations to run wild.

『‘Man of Cannes’ Kang Woo-jin, Will He Finally Expand His Reach to Hollywood? Why Did He Suddenly Leave for LA?』

The media was also somewhat aware of Kang Woo-jin’s year-end plans. They assumed he would be participating in film festivals and events that had started while filming ‘The Benevolent Evil.’ Of course, that schedule wasn’t wrong. It was actually part of the schedule that Kang Woo-jin was supposed to fulfill.

However, Woo-jin defied everyone’s expectations and moved to LA.

The timing also played a role in amplifying the scale of this issue.

It was at a time when ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Hollywood advancement’ was a hot topic of discussion within the entertainment industry and among the public.

-Lololol, seeing Kang Woo-jin secretly going to LA, it seems like his Hollywood advancement is for real???

-Did he get a love call [an offer] from some Hollywood production?

-No, no, no, he’s going to see Miley Cara.

-Ah… Cara? That could be it, lol. Did her new album become a huge hit, so he’s attending a Billboard-hosted party or something?

-It’s 100% a love call from Hollywood film studios. There are tons of rumors.

-But the timing is a bit… Isn’t it too late in the year to be going, lol?

-But with Kang Woo-jin’s current status, he could easily land a supporting or minor role in Hollywood.

-↑Supporting role is a bit of a stretch, lol. He has no experience.

-Anyway, you guys are getting ahead of yourselves, lol. He might have gone for something related to ‘Leech,’ lol.

-It would be hilarious if Kang Woo-jin just said he went to relax and came back.

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Whatever the reason, Kang Woo-jin’s top-secret trip to LA was a hot topic for the domestic media and public.

-Damn, even a minor role in Hollywood is a big deal, for sure.

It was a hot topic to fuel the fire.

At this time.

Kang Woo-jin was, of course, on the plane.

To be precise, on a private jet.

It was the first time this private jet’s destination was LA, so Woo-jin’s team was very excited.

‘Awesome, awesome!’

‘This is crazy, we have to take pictures!’

‘Of course! When else would we have an experience like this in our lives!’

They were busy taking pictures with their phones, from the interior of the private jet to the scenery outside the window. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin, with his poker face, remained calm. In that state, he was talking to Choi Sung-gun, who had a ponytail and was sitting to his right. Or rather, Choi Sung-gun was briefing him.

‘About the movies, ‘Strange Geisha’ and ‘Leech.’’

He was explaining the current situation, but in fact, Kang Woo-jin had been secretly monitoring it all along. As December began, the power of the two films had significantly decreased. However, it wasn’t unusual at all. No matter how powerful a movie is, there are realistic limitations, and new movies are released every week.

Choi Sung-gun first showed the performance of ‘Leech’ on his phone.

[Korea’s All-Time Box Office]

[All-Time Movie Rankings (Combined)]

-1. Leech / Cumulative Audience: 22,311,417

22 million. It was hard to see it as the final number, but even if it was the final performance of ‘Leech,’ there was no problem with the timing. But it was 22 million. An unprecedented number of viewers in Korean history. Kang Woo-jin was quite impressed internally.

‘Wow, 22 million. It’s kind of new, but it’s insane.’

Choi Sung-gun, unaware of this, pulled back the phone he was showing. This time, he showed the situation of ‘Strange Geisha.’ The final performance of ‘Strange Geisha’ had already been widely reported in Japan.

『‘Strange Geisha’ Finally Surpasses 23 Million! Easily Overcoming Numerous Controversies, It Left Behind a Legend』

‘Strange Geisha’ had 23 million viewers. If Woo-jin, with his indifferent face, wasn’t acting, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to dance with joy. Kang Woo-jin had made a monstrous mark on the Korean and Japanese film industries at the same time. He, who was only in his second year and didn’t know anything about real acting, had done it. With this, Woo-jin had risen to the top of the top in Korea and Japan.

But Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, seemed to be already thinking about the next step.

‘And about the Hollywood side.’

He quickly changed the subject. It was the topic that Kang Woo-jin had been waiting for.

‘You know about ‘Columbia Studios,’ right? Director Ahn has already joined their team? Anyway, the preliminary meeting is scheduled to take place in LA within two days. The exact time is being coordinated. After that, they want the audition or screen test to be done within January. It seems a bit fast. What do you think?’

For Kang Woo-jin, it was no problem at all, even right now.

‘It doesn’t matter to me.’

‘Yeah, that’s Kang Woo-jin. You’ll hear the details when you go to ‘Columbia Studios,’ and you already know since you have experience with ‘Last Kill 3,’ but their auditions are a bit different from Korea, so it’s hard to predict. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the script… well, that’s for the audition. Let’s go to the preliminary meeting with a light heart.’

Hollywoood auditions or screen tests are steps that take place after the preliminary verification is complete. In Hollywood, it’s not uncommon for someone to be cast just by showing one line of dialogue. Conversely, you can pour everything into it and still easily fail.

It was truly unknown.

‘And we got feedback from ‘World Disney Pictures’ right away. They haven’t mentioned anything about auditions or screen tests yet. It seems that unlike ‘Columbia Studios,’ Disney hasn’t even released the news about the live-action production of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ But they want the preliminary meeting to be as soon as possible?’

Kang Woo-jin replied indifferently.

‘So, after meeting with ‘Columbia Studios,’ we’ll also see ‘World Disney Pictures’ this time?’

‘We have to schedule it, even if we have to force it. It’s not like they’re close by, so let’s try to wrap up as much as we can while we’re in LA.’

‘That’s better.’

‘Well, since they’re both preliminary meetings, they shouldn’t take too long.’

Soon, Choi Sung-gun wrote something in his diary. It was related to Kang Woo-jin’s schedule for December, and then he chuckled and shook his head as if he was tired of it.

‘Ugh, December is… there’s no room to breathe. After going to LA and meeting with the film studios, we have to go straight back to Korea for various film festivals and events… You’ll be fine, but I need to prepare myself.’

A schedule worse than hell. Even with the use of subspace [a fictional space for travel], it wouldn’t be easy, but Kang Woo-jin decided to just think of it as being dead. Still, Woo-jin wasn’t uncomfortable.

‘If I deal with it quickly, the results will come out quickly, haha.’

He was rather high on fighting spirit. Soon, Woo-jin remembered something he had temporarily forgotten.

‘Ah, come to think of it, it’s my first time going to my house in LA.’

Meanwhile.

Although Kang Woo-jin was gone, the ‘The Benevolent Evil’ team started filming without much fuss. Recently, ‘The Benevolent Evil’ was moving at a crazy pace. The reason was simple.

‘Okay, everyone! Standby!!’

『[Issue Talk] ‘Kang Woo-jin,’ ‘The Benevolent Evil’ Raises Awareness Overseas with ‘Miley Cara’… Filming Nearing Completion!』

Because the filming of Part 1 was reaching its final stages. The rumors had already spread among the production staff and actors, so it was natural for the media to catch wind of it. Thanks to this, the dark circles under Song Man-woo PD’s [Production Director’s] eyes, who was looking at the script in front of the monitor, were getting worse.

He couldn’t even remember the last time he had a proper sleep.

Song Man-woo PD was working on the filming schedule for about 6 episodes of ‘The Benevolent Evil,’ while also working on the post-production editing during his spare time or by staying up all night. Of course, the staff and actors were also spending a lot of time filming.

The reason why Kang Woo-jin left at this time was simple.

They had already filmed his scenes intensively in advance.

Strictly speaking, Woo-jin’s filming for Part 1 of ‘The Benevolent Evil’ was practically finished, except for minor things and post-recording. Meanwhile, the domestic media was having a field day.

『‘Hollywood Advancement’ Director Ahn Ga-bok Arrives in LA and Joins ‘Columbia Studios’… What Kind of Work Will He Show Us?』

The issue of Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had settled in Hollywood after the ‘Busan International Film Festival,’ was still going strong, and the public’s excitement was growing day by day. When Director Ahn Ga-bok made his bombshell announcement, it was already a big deal, but when he actually left for Hollywood, it went even more crazy.

-Although he’s a veteran, Director Ahn is stylish. He’ll definitely cause a stir in Hollywood.

-It’s getting grand… The first Hollywood advancement of a Korean director…

-Crazy, lol. The film studio is Columbia??!! A Korean director is making a Hollywood blockbuster!! My heart is pounding!!

-Since Director Ahn is making a Hollywood production, he might use Korean actors too, lol. He’ll probably take Kang Woo-jin, lol.

-I’m getting so patriotic, lol. Director Ahn!! Devour Hollywood!!-Hollywood superstars are getting directed by Director Ahn Ga-bok??! It’s already amazing, lol. Of course, it would be nice if Korean actors were included too… but that’s just a dream…

In addition, ‘The Benevolent Evil’ side continued to promote and market the Miley Cara collaboration.

『Netflix Releases 3 Bangkok Filming Cuts Featuring ‘Miley Cara’ / Photo』

However, this issue wasn’t just snowballing in Korea. Miley Cara, whose new album activities were nearing their end, mentioned ‘The Benevolent Evil’ on social media from time to time, and Kang Woo-jin also frequently uploaded photos of ‘The Benevolent Evil’ filming set on social media, adding to the hype.

As a result, overseas fans were shouting their heads off, asking when ‘The Benevolent Evil’ would be launched.

『‘The Benevolent Evil’ Spreads on Global Social Media Even Before Launch, Is It Really Going to Cause a Big Stir?』

With the end of the year just around the corner, the excitement of the public in Korea and Japan was intensifying, and with so many issues overflowing, it was as if a huge firework of issues was exploding right in front of their eyes.

It was going to be an exceptionally glamorous December.

For Kang Woo-jin, who was currently on the plane, it was his second year-end in this jungle-like entertainment industry. When December ended, he would be in his third year.

『[Feature] ‘Now in His Third Year,’ Kang Woo-jin, Who Stepped into the World in His Second Year, What Will His Next Move Be?』

Anyway, the year-end entertainment industry in Korea and Japan is no different from a train to hell.

No, it would be the same in any industry.

That’s how more than ten hours passed.

The time when Woo-jin arrived at LA International Airport was early morning. Just after 7 a.m., Kang Woo-jin appeared at the arrival hall of the huge LA airport, where many races could be seen. Even though it was early morning, there were many people. However, unlike in Korea or Japan, Woo-jin’s appearance didn’t cause a commotion.

Of course, there were foreigners who glanced at Kang Woo-jin and his team as they entered the arrival hall.

Woo-jin’s team’s atmosphere was quite unique, so it was obvious.

However, no foreigners showed any further action, and Kang Woo-jin wasn’t particularly disappointed.

‘It’s still the same here.’

He had already adapted to it through several experiences. America, Hollywood, is very vast. Here, Kang Woo-jin was no different from an unknown rookie.

At this time, Choi Sung-gun came up next to him and patted Woo-jin’s shoulder a couple of times.

‘It’s a bit disappointing. I was kind of expecting it. Well, it’s quiet for now, but let’s make it explode next year and have them all flock to you.’

Woo-jin, with his concept on [maintaining his cool image], replied in a low voice.

‘I’m comfortable with it now.’

‘Haha, is that so?’

Not long after Kang Woo-jin arrived at the arrival hall, about 10 more people joined them. They were employees of BW Entertainment’s overseas branch who had been waiting in LA. A few burly guards were also added. It was when Woo-jin was moving with quite a number of people.

‘Huh? That guy-‘

There was a slight murmur.

‘Isn’t that the actor? The one in Cara’s music video.’

‘Is it? I think it is!’

Among the crowd gathered in the arrival hall, foreigners began to point at Kang Woo-jin.

‘I saw that guy in an article!’

‘In an article? Is he famous?’

The trend gradually spread.

‘Oh, isn’t that the actor from Cara’s music video?’

‘Huh? Really? Where??’

‘Over there, the guy with the hat in that group!’

Dozens of foreigners took out their phones and started taking pictures of Kang Woo-jin.

‘What’s going on?? What’s happening?’

‘I don’t know, everyone’s taking pictures of that guy?’

‘He must be famous!’

It was the first time this had happened in LA.

End