I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 381

Miley Cara, startled, swept her blonde hair back. A flurry of thoughts raced through her mind. Kang Woo-jin, the first actor ever offered the lead in a ‘World Disney Pictures’ production. And it was ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ a movie with a massive global fanbase.

‘And isn’t it also unprecedented for the ‘Big Five’ studios to be so eager for one actor?’

All at the same time. It was an unprecedented situation, even for Cara, a Hollywood superstar. Including Joseph’s studio, that made three out of the ‘Big Five’ showing interest.

‘This is… something I’ve never even imagined.’

At that moment, the male actor standing next to Cara interrupted her thoughts, lowering his voice even further.

“I was confused because Kang Woo-jin was recently confirmed as a candidate for the lead in ‘Pierrot.’ It’s true he had great results at Cannes, but it’s still strange that two of the ‘Big Five’ are showing such strong interest in him. Especially for the ‘Beast’ role—you know? The original is so iconic.”

“……”

“Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve seen a Korean actor being considered for two lead roles in this industry. It seems like the studios are trying to project a daring image. Kang Woo-jin is probably grabbing at any opportunity that comes his way, right? It’s unlikely, but if he gets both roles, he’ll have to give one up.”

No, not at all.

Miley Cara’s answer was the complete opposite.

‘Give one up? No way. If what he’s saying is true… Kang Woo-jin is planning to take both roles.’

In other words, Cara’s concerns about ‘Beauty and the Beast’ were pointless. At that moment, the Hollywood actor next to her spoke again.

“If ‘Pierrot’ or ‘Beauty and the Beast’ are using Kang Woo-jin for publicity, it’s already a success. He’s already a hot topic among us, and the media and public are already buzzing about ‘Pierrot.’ But if ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is announced too—the interest will explode.”

Listening to the story, Cara chuckled, sweeping her blonde hair.

“You really are a blabbermouth, aren’t you? You’re spilling everything without me even asking.”

It seemed the actor had a reputation for being a blabbermouth. However, despite that, he was a top actor in Hollywood who also did musicals. In terms of recognition, he was not far behind Chris Hartnett. He frowned and stammered.

“Ah, no. I just…”

“Anyway, you’re competing with Kang Woo-jin, right?”

Cara cut him off.

“If you approach it with your current mindset, you’ll be crushed.”

“……What?”

“And quite miserably. I’m giving you advice as a friend. And watch your words. You come across as shallow.”

“You!”

“Still, you were helpful just now.”

After speaking, Cara left the dumbfounded actor behind and started walking. Soon, she imagined Kang Woo-jin transformed into the ‘Beast.’ His monstrous acting ability, his chilling musical talent, and so on. Her anticipation suddenly surged.

Yet, she also thought.

‘I’m disappointed.’

Meaning, Kang Woo-jin was being too much. Woo-jin never cared about what others thought. Moreover, he was very taciturn. Most of the information about ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was top secret, but.

‘He could have given me a little hint, right?’

As she muttered to herself about how he could have at least given her a heads-up, her team members who had been scattered around came to her. Among them, Miley Cara murmured to Jonathan, her main manager with a nearly shaved head.

“Tell ‘World Disney Pictures’ that I’ll do it.”

Around the afternoon of December 17th, in Korea.

While the internet was buzzing with Kang Woo-jin related news.

『[Star Talk] ‘Hollywood Debut’ Kang Woo-jin, Expected to Leave for Hollywood Early Next Year』

『Kang Woo-jin, Challenges Hollywood to Realize ‘Cannes Acceptance Speech’! Foreign Media Also Paying Attention』

New issues were popping up one after another since the morning.

『[Film Festival] The Blue Dragon Film Awards Open at 6 PM Today! Kang Woo-jin of ‘Island of the Lost’ and ‘Leech’ Confirmed to Attend』

It was the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The reason was simple. The Blue Dragon Film Awards were scheduled to begin in about an hour.

The film industry this year had already seen many bombshells. Moreover, several records were broken. Therefore, the level of interest from the media, the entire Korean entertainment industry, and the public was higher than any other year.

『This Year’s Blue Dragon Seems to Be a Party of Two 20 Million Films… How Many Trophies Will Kang Woo-jin Win Following Last Year?』

The venue was a large art center in Seoul.

At the long red carpet laid out in front of the entrance of the large art center, already.

-Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

A massive number of reporters were frantically pressing their shutters. The red carpet procession had already started. Therefore, not only were there numerous reporters, but the screams of hundreds of onlookers surrounding them filled the red carpet area.

“Kyaaaaah!!”

“Wowww!! Amazing!!”

“He’s even more handsome in person! Oppa!! Hello!”

“Please wave your hand!!”

Buses and vans arrived one after another, and the stars getting out of the cars and walking the red carpet showed off their best looks in suits, tuxedos, or glamorous dresses. Each time, a blinding flash of lights poured out.

However.

“Ugh, why isn’t he here yet??”

“Yeah. Is he really coming? What if he suddenly says he’s going to LA again and doesn’t come?”

“Damn. That would be a disaster.”

While pressing their shutters, hundreds of reporters were clearly waiting for someone.

Who else could it be?

“Kang Woo-jin is the key to this year’s film festivals. If we can’t get even one photo of him, we’re doomed.”

It was Kang Woo-jin.

It was inevitable.

He had swept the Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards in his debut year last year, and it was obvious that he would set even greater records this year. Even if he had completely dominated the domestic entertainment industry, no one could argue against it.

“I wonder how the Blue Dragon will decide the superiority between ‘Island of the Lost’ and ‘Leech’?”

“More than that, the fact that Kang Woo-jin is the lead in both legendary movies that surpassed 20 million… This record will never be broken.”

“An actor who made two 20 million [referring to the number of tickets sold] movies in one year. It’s absurd when you think about it.”

“And he’s only in his third year.”

It was then.

-Swoosh.

A large black van arrived. Then, a burly guard opened the car door. Soon, a black-haired actor in a white tuxedo stepped out.

“……”

It was Kang Woo-jin, his face full of indifference. As soon as he got out.

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!

The flashes and various shouts and screams that could turn night into day began to erupt. Even Woo-jin, who was heavily into his concept, was surprised inside.

‘Aish- damn, that was a shock. My ears are ringing??’

It was a scene of utter chaos.

About an hour later.

After the war-like red carpet ended, Kang Woo-jin could be found in the large hall inside the art center where the Blue Dragon Film Awards were about to begin. Although many actors, staff, and directors were present, he stood out the most.

In the center of the audience seats.

Many people were gathered around Woo-jin. In addition to director Kwon Ki-taek and other actors, there were people he had worked with in the past, as well as those who were simply approaching him to build a relationship. Director Ahn Ga-bok was not seen. He was currently in LA.

Moreover.

“Focus on Kang Woo-jin, Kang Woo-jin. Close-up.”

The cameras of the broadcasting team that were relaying the film festival were also all focused on Kang Woo-jin. The viewers watching this scene live were also frantically posting comments. Even many rookie actors were seen taking pictures of Woo-jin with their phones. With Hong Hye-yeon and Ryu Jeong-min on either side, Kang Woo-jin, who was being treated like a world star in this hall, was calm despite being overwhelmed.

‘The greetings just keep coming. But this is nothing, but it feels a bit strange. How has it already been a year??’

He had even experienced the Cannes Film Festival. How could the Korean Blue Dragon Film Awards be a big deal? Still, the picture had changed quite a bit in just one year. Last year, he was a rookie or a supporting actor, but now he was sitting in the lead role. Well, looking at his career, which was approaching its third year, he was still a rookie, but no one in this hall saw Kang Woo-jin as a rookie.

Several tens of minutes passed like that.

As the dazzling lights on the front stage changed.

-♬♪

The opening music filled the huge hall.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards of this year had officially begun.

The audience seats, where numerous actors had gathered, became quiet. As Kang Woo-jin gazed at the grandly decorated stage, an actress in a dress and an actor in a tuxedo went up to the stage. Both were famous actors who had greeted Woo-jin, and they held up their hand microphones as the hosts.

“The year is already coming to an end.”

“That’s right, there are so many regrets.”

After throwing out some appropriate lines and jokes, the two gave their closing remarks.

“There were so many great movies, so the Blue Dragon is something to look forward to! Shall we start right away?”

The first awards ceremony followed.

Best New Actor and Best New Actress. Of course, Kang Woo-jin was not called. The new male and female actors on stage were faces that Woo-jin was seeing for the first time.

‘Oh- they’re so handsome and beautiful.’

What was unique was that both new award winners mentioned in their acceptance speeches.

“I am honored to receive the Best New Actor award that Kang Woo-jin received last year.”

They mentioned Kang Woo-jin.

“I was just listening to how amazing Kang Woo-jin was last year? But suddenly my name was called—I really didn’t expect it! Thank you!!”

By now, Woo-jin was a role model or idol for all the new actors in the country. Moreover, he was the top of the top actors gathered here. Currently, it was difficult to even approach him carelessly.

Of course, Kang Woo-jin himself didn’t think much of it.

‘Ahem, it’s a bit embarrassing for no reason.’

Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin was often in the spotlight, but his poker face remained unshaken. The staff awards followed. Art, technology, screenplay, etc.

It was truly.

“Art Award! Congratulations! Han Seo-kyung of ‘Leech’!”

A party for two movies.

“Congratulations! Technical Award! Kim Dong-jin of ‘Island of the Lost’!”

The screenplay award went to director Ahn Ga-bok.

“Director Kwon Ki-taek will accept the award on behalf of director Ahn Ga-bok, who is currently in LA.”

The atmosphere gradually heated up. The congratulatory performance of Part 1 ended, and Part 2 began.

Kang Woo-jin was called out at the start.

“Popular Star Award!! Congratulations! Kang Woo-jin!!”

The entire audience stood up and applauded.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

His expression suggested that he had already predicted it. It was natural. He had risen to the status of a popular star, no, a world star, in just one year. Kang Woo-jin, who calmly went up to the stage, received a bouquet and a trophy before standing at the standing microphone.

His acceptance speech was not long.

“Thank you. I am happy to receive a good award this year as well, following last year. I will try to receive the Popular Star Award overseas next year.”

He did not forget to aim for Hollywood.

Next was the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards. Again, the two movies dominated.

“Best Supporting Actor!! Jeon Woo-chang of ‘Island of the Lost’!!”

It was as if the Blue Dragon was a film festival only for the two movies.

“Best Supporting Actress! Congratulations! Han So-jin!!!”

Finally, the Blue Dragon Film Awards reached its end. On stage, Woo-jin and Jin Jae-joon, who had worked together on ‘Leech,’ went up.

“I went to the grand Cannes, and in many ways, it was the most thrilling year of my acting career.”

After giving some appropriate remarks, he announced the start of this award ceremony.

“Let’s meet the nominees for this year’s Blue Dragon Best Actor Award.”

On the large screen on the stage, several movies and actors were displayed. The first was.

-‘Island of the Lost’ / Kang Woo-jin

It was Kang Woo-jin of ‘Island of the Lost.’ Including him, there were a total of five nominees. Seeing that Kang Woo-jin of ‘Leech’ was not there, it seemed that the Blue Dragon side had chosen to focus.

Moreover.

-‘Leech’ / Shim Han-ho

It was also because the veteran actor Shim Han-ho of ‘Leech’ was included among the nominees. The nominees, including Shim Han-ho, were so formidable that they could dominate the domestic acting scene.

But even so.

“This year’s Blue Dragon Best Actor Award! Following Cannes, I’m seeing this honor again before my eyes!”

They couldn’t surpass him.

“Congratulations! Best Actor Award! Kang Woo-jin of ‘Island of the Lost’!!”

It was Kang Woo-jin, who was only at his second Blue Dragon.

In just his second time, Woo-jin, who had risen from a rookie to a supporting actor, and now to the Best Actor award, calmly got up from his seat. Applause that seemed to burst his ears and congratulations poured out, but Woo-jin, without any change in expression, simply walked towards the stage.

“……”

Because he had equipped himself with the ‘beast-like’ concept. Therefore, his iron face was harder than ever.

‘Wow! I’ve achieved the Blue Dragon Best Actor Award! This makes two Best Actor awards!’

With a cynical face, Kang Woo-jin went up to the stage and nonchalantly.

-Swoosh.

Received his second Best Actor Award, following Cannes.

But his collection of Best Actor Awards did not end with the Blue Dragon.

It was the 20th, exactly three days after the Blue Dragon.

『[Film Festival] Following the Blue Dragon, Kang Woo-jin Wins Best Actor Award for ‘Leech’ at the Grand Bell Awards! Sweeping Best Actor Awards Including Cannes! / Photo』

This year’s ‘Best Actor Award’ was dominated by Kang Woo-jin.