I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 378

The female reporter’s shout echoed through the theater,

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi! Is it true you’ve been nominated for a ‘Columbia Studios’ project?! And for the lead role?!”

Suddenly, all eyes in the large theater were fixed on Kang Woo-jin. Director Kyotaro, the Japanese actors from ‘Strange Geisha’ like Mana Kosaku, hundreds of reporters, critics, industry insiders, and even the distribution company staff handling the ‘Strange Geisha’ premiere in Gangnam were all staring at him.

At first, the reporters looked confused, wondering what the woman was talking about.

“Huh?!”

“Ah!”

Gradually, shock spread across their faces as they checked the messages they had been ignoring on their phones. The news spread like wildfire, from a few to dozens. It was a breaking story, and the person at the center of it was right in front of them.

The reporters, without exception, began snapping photos at a rapid pace.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!

The entire theater was instantly filled with flashes like lightning. It was around this time that Kang Woo-jin’s calm voice cut through the noise.

“It’s true, but this isn’t the place to talk about it.”

He was answering the female reporter’s question. His tone was indifferent, but he did confirm it was ‘true.’ This revelation caused a stir, not just for Director Kyotaro, but also for others.

‘Columbia Studios’?? So, he contacted them right after Cannes? Not a small or medium-sized company, but one of the Hollywood ‘Big Five’ [the five major film studios in Hollywood]. If he’s a candidate for the lead role, that means he’s competing with top Hollywood actors.’

The eyes of the Japanese actors from ‘Strange Geisha,’ including Mana Kosaku, widened considerably. They were all looking at Woo-jin, who was standing next to Director Kyotaro, their eyes filled with genuine awe rather than shock.

‘Wow! ‘Columbia Studios’?!’

‘Oh my god—this means he’s breaking into Hollywood in just his second year?’

‘Even top Japanese actors who have been working for 10 years couldn’t achieve this… in just two years.’

It wasn’t just the top Japanese actors. It was the same in Korea. What actor could sweep Cannes and confidently enter Hollywood in just two years? Of course, he wasn’t confirmed for the lead role yet, but even being nominated as a lead candidate for a new film by a mega-giant film company like ‘Columbia Studios’ was incredible. It meant he was on par with Hollywood superstars.

The Japanese actors, who knew this very well, couldn’t help but gape.

And then.

“K, Kang Woo-jin-ssi!! When did you start contacting ‘Columbia Studios’?”

“Was your recent trip to LA for this?!”

“Did you have meetings with other ‘Big Five’ film companies?!”

“If it’s a new movie from ‘Columbia Studios’! Is it the one directed by Director Ahn Ga-bok that they recently announced?!!!”

The hundreds of reporters went wild, practically losing their minds. The premiere had instantly transformed into a press conference. By now, all the reporters had confirmed the breaking news.

-‘Columbia Studios’ Announces Lead Role Candidates for New Movie, Total of 5, Including 4 Hollywood Top Actors and Kang Woo-jin, Official!

Kang Woo-jin, with his usual poker face, was inwardly a little perplexed.

‘Aish—the timing! Should I get out of here first??’

Of course, Woo-jin knew that this news would break today. ‘Columbia Studios’ in LA had informed him of the details. However, the exact time was unclear. It would have been strange to ask them to postpone the announcement because of the ‘Strange Geisha’ premiere.

Whatever the case, he hadn’t expected the timing to overlap.

This was beyond Kang Woo-jin’s control. Even amidst this chaos, the reporters’ shouts and questions didn’t stop.

“Woo-jin-ssi!! Is it true that it’s the Hollywood project directed by Director Ahn Ga-bok?!”

“Have you spoken with Director Ahn Ga-bok?!!”

“Have you met the other Hollywood actors who are also candidates?!!!”

The atmosphere became uncontrollably intense. It had already gone beyond the nature of a premiere. Woo-jin, after staring at the frenzied reporters for a moment,

“Director.”

He whispered in Japanese to Director Kyotaro, who was standing next to him with his gray hair.

“I think it would be best if I left for now.”

If Kang Woo-jin stayed, the situation wouldn’t calm down. Director Kyotaro and all the Japanese actors had made time with difficulty for the Korean release of ‘Strange Geisha.’ Woo-jin sincerely apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

Director Kyotaro smiled faintly.

“It’s okay, Woo-jin-ssi, you wouldn’t have known. Things getting tangled up is common in this industry. Anyway, congratulations. I was sure we’d hear Hollywood news soon.”

“Thank you, Director.”

“Is it true that it’s the project that Director Ahn Ga-bok is doing in Hollywood?”

“Yes, but it’s not confirmed yet.”

“You’re the one who makes the impossible possible, Woo-jin-ssi. We can consider it confirmed.”

‘Isn’t that too much faith?’ Woo-jin then asked for understanding from the Japanese actors, including Mana Kosaku. Of course, the Japanese actors also offered congratulations and support, just like Director Kyotaro. Following this, Kang Woo-jin barely managed to leave the theater with the guidance of the premiere staff. The reporters’ flashes poured out like crazy from the audience seats, but thankfully, they didn’t follow Kang Woo-jin out.

It must have been because their reason barely controlled their instincts.

Soon, as Woo-jin came out of the theater, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, immediately approached him. He, too, was already aware of the breaking news.

“‘Columbia Studios’ has released an official statement. Including the title of the project and the candidate actors.”

“Yes, it was noisy inside the theater too.”

Choi Sung-gun chuckled and showed his phone to Woo-jin.

“No, man. The whole of Korea is in an uproar.”

Behind them.

The domestic entertainment industry was in turmoil. Various film companies, entertainment agencies, production companies, broadcasting stations, and so on were buzzing.

“What! The Hollywood film company Kang Woo-jin contacted is ‘Columbia Studios’?!”

“No, is this really official? Just a few days ago, they were saying it was unrelated to the facts!”

“‘Columbia Studios’ announced it themselves! It’s 100% certain!!”

“Then… ‘Columbia Studios’ appointed Director Ahn as the overall director, and they also sent a love call to Kang Woo-jin? At the same time?? The picture is strangely innovative?”

“More than that—to have the first Hollywood film company meeting with ‘Columbia Studios’…”

Everyone in the entertainment industry was looking at foreign news articles translated into Korean with similar content.

『CNM/‘Columbia Studios’ Major New Film, Title and Male Lead Candidates Officially Announced!』

-[‘Columbia Studios’ has released additional information about its new project. The title of this project, directed by Korean director Ahn Ga-bok, who won the ‘Palme d’Or’ [the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival] at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, is ‘Pierrot.’ Additionally, the actors nominated as male lead candidates are Chris Hartnett and… what catches the eye is Korean actor Kang Woo-jin. He is an actor who won the Best Actor award at Cannes with Director Ahn Ga-bok for the movie ‘Leech’…]

The foreign news articles mentioned Director Ahn Ga-bok, the title ‘Pierrot,’ the Hollywood actors nominated as male lead candidates, and of course, Kang Woo-jin was also mentioned prominently. Interestingly, although the headlines and content were slightly different, most of the foreign news articles covered Woo-jin’s introduction at length. It was proof that even foreign media were paying attention to Kang Woo-jin.

It was understandable.

His declaration of war on the Academy Awards at Cannes, the issue related to Miley Cara, and other factors had played a role. It was only natural to be excited that a Korean actor who was already quite a hot topic might join ‘Columbia Studios,’ a major film company in Hollywood.

Moreover, the storytelling was amazing.

『BBX/If Cannes’ Palme d’Or winner Ahn Ga-bok directs ‘Pierrot’ and Kang Woo-jin takes the male lead? ‘Hollywood’s First Picture’』

‘Columbia Studios,’ which announced that it would be a major project, had for the first time entrusted the direction to a Korean director, and following Director Ahn Ga-bok, Kang Woo-jin had also joined as a male lead candidate. Two of the main members of ‘Pierrot’ were Korean. If Kang Woo-jin were to take the male lead in ‘Pierrot,’ it would be a unique situation in both the Korean film industry and Hollywood.

The scale was beyond imagination.

Around this time, Kang Woo-jin’s phone, which was in the van,

‘Ugh—it’s ringing like crazy.’

It was literally vibrating every second. Many people other than family, friends, and colleagues were sending congratulations and inquiries. Meanwhile, Woo-jin’s team members, including Choi Sung-gun, who was in the same car, quickly started monitoring.

“Wow!! The articles are already everywhere?!”

“Oppa! Naver main [a popular Korean search engine and portal]! You’ve already taken it over!”

The numerous domestic media outlets, in a frenzy, were churning out articles just minutes after this breaking news broke. It was like a runaway train.

『[Breaking] Kang Woo-jin, Hollywood Debut Officially Announced!』

『Hollywood ‘Big Five’ ‘Columbia Studios’ Says “Kang Woo-jin is a Candidate for the Male Lead in the New Major Project ‘Pierrot’”』

『[Official] Kang Woo-jin, on the Verge of ‘First Domestic Hollywood Film Lead,’ Foreign Media Also Stirred Up』

『‘Director Ahn Ga-bok’ Directs the Movie ‘Pierrot,’ Kang Woo-jin Stands Shoulder to Shoulder with Top Hollywood Actors』

The internet, which had been overflowing with many issues, was quickly filled with Kang Woo-jin’s name.

『“Waiting for Screen Test”… Will the Rising Star ‘Kang Woo-jin’ Win the Male Lead in ‘Pierrot’?』

『‘Cannes Best Actor’ Was Not the End, Kang Woo-jin Knocks on Hollywood’s Door in His Second Year!』

The speed was faster than ever before.

“Check the communities too!”

“YouTube is also super fast??”

“SNS is crazy too!”

Just a few days ago, there were various rumors and criticisms about Kang Woo-jin’s Hollywood debut, saying not to get excited or that it was nonsense, but suddenly, an official announcement from LA had broken, so it was only natural.

A twist that was like a betrayal?

-Wow….crazy….goosebumps………..

-Is this real??!! Kang Woo-jin’s Hollywood debut?! And it’s even Columbia Pictures? This is a major company, isn’t it?

-lololol I thought it was a dream as soon as I saw the article lolololol

-Amazing…I literally screamed!!!!

-I never thought I’d see the day when a Korean actor would be considered for a lead role in a Hollywood movie lolololol

-K!!! My national pride is soaring!!!!

-lololololololol Where did all the people who said Kang Woo-jin’s Hollywood debut was bullshit go? lolololololol

Among the domestic public, there was a flood of various emotions besides surprise, shock, disbelief, emotion, bewilderment, and excitement.

-Wow, Kang Woo-jin is really on fire

-Honestly, the Cannes Best Actor award was also crazy fast… Hollywood lead in his second year???

-Now that Kang Woo-jin’s value has skyrocketed, won’t we not be able to see him in Korean projects anymore?

-Please… I hope Director Ahn’s direction and Kang Woo-jin as the male lead are confirmed

-And lololololol it’s even Columbia Studios? lolololol His potential is off the charts lolololol

-No, looking at the foreign news articles, the level of the Hollywood actors mentioned together is… it’s insane

Since it was official, there were very few negative comments. Although there were some, the current public opinion was busy praising Kang Woo-jin.

-The collaboration between Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin! It’s making my heart swell

Around lunchtime, various radio stations and news outlets were also quickly covering Kang Woo-jin’s news.

“We recently reported on Director Ahn Ga-bok’s Hollywood debut, right? This time, it’s news of Kang Woo-jin, who won the Best Actor award at Cannes for ‘Leech,’ making his Hollywood debut. ‘Columbia Studios,’ which gave the megaphone to Director Ahn Ga-bok and is known as one of the ‘Big Five’ in Hollywood, has included Kang Woo-jin in the list of male lead candidates they announced. This is reporter Kim Ji-hye.”

It was definitely not an issue that could be simply overlooked. The flow was also good. Right after turning Cannes upside down, Director Ahn Ga-bok debuted in Hollywood, and then came Kang Woo-jin. National prestige was soaring one after another.

Additionally, Japan, where ‘Leech’ was scheduled to be released soon, was not much different from Korea.

『A World Star Already? 「Kang Woo-jin」, Confirmed as a Candidate for the Male Lead in a New ‘Columbia Studios’ Project』

Kang Woo-jin, who had already achieved a myth in Japan as the first Korean actor with the anime ‘Male Friend: Remake’ and the movie ‘Strange Geisha,’ was naturally a scoop in Japan as well.

Korea, Japan, and Hollywood were all buzzing.

And the next morning, Kang Woo-jin was already.

『‘Promoting Korean Culture to the World,’ The Path of World Star Kang Woo-jin [Feature]』

He was almost being treated like a world star.

Meanwhile, in LA.

Unlike Korea, it was afternoon in LA. This place, being the home of cinema, was overflowing with many issues, and among them, the news of ‘Pierrot’ was the hottest. Thanks to this, the vast ‘Columbia Studios’ was also incredibly busy. Especially the ‘Pierrot’ team.

They were currently gathered in a medium-sized meeting room for a production meeting.

Now that they had thrown out the project title and a hot topic, the next steps were also important. Quite a few foreigners had gathered in the meeting room. The overall producer, key staff such as the caddy [a production assistant], and Director Ahn Ga-bok were present. The executives of ‘Columbia Studios’ were not seen at this meeting.

Currently, under the guidance of the female producer, they were discussing public relations and actor auditions.

“Let’s make it noisy for at least a week.”

“We’re planning to shake things up until next week anyway.”

It was at this moment.

Director Ahn Ga-bok moved.

“Hmm-”

He looked down at the ‘Pierrot’ male lead candidate actors in the tablet, including Kang Woo-jin, and spoke in an old voice to everyone. It wasn’t fluent, but it was clear English.

“How about making the auditions and screen tests public?”

End