I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 384

The official announcement of the live-action adaptation of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ by ‘World Disney Pictures’ sparked a flurry of news:

『BBX/‘World Disney Pictures’ Officially Announces “Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Movie to be Produced”』

Foreign news outlets quickly followed suit, publishing similar articles with slight variations.

『LA TIME/Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in Production? Will Disney Succeed This Time?』

This was indeed major news. The ‘Big Five’ film studios in Hollywood [the five largest and most influential film studios] were always keenly interested, and ‘World Disney Pictures’ was particularly high-profile. This was largely due to the strong fan base of the original work. In other words, any news about a live-action adaptation by ‘World Disney Pictures’ was guaranteed to generate buzz.

It had always been the same.

Whether a live-action adaptation was a flop or a hit, the news of ‘World Disney Pictures’ adapting an animated classic always drew massive attention from fans worldwide. ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ one of their most iconic works, was no exception.

『CNM/Disney Announces Live-Action Movie of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ One of Their Masterpieces!』

The news from foreign outlets quickly captured the public’s attention in many countries.

-Oh my god! A live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’??!

-If Disney is going to be as careless as last time, they shouldn’t even bother!

-So the rumors were true!!

-I’m excited but also worried, what is this feeling?

-Bella! Can we see Bella in real life!

-Disney! This is a work that holds my memories; if you ruin it, I won’t let it slide.

-How are they going to create the Beast? CGI, I guess?

The comments came in various languages.

This was proof of the diverse fan base of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Despite the global attention, ‘World Disney Pictures’ seemed to have more in store. Exactly two hours after the official live-action announcement, they made another move.

‘World Disney Pictures’ posted another update on their official social media, this time on a different topic.

-[Hello! This is World Disney Pictures! Thank you for your interest in the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ We have finalized the candidates for the male actor for the role of ‘Beast’ and the female actor for the role of ‘Beauty Bella,’ and we will soon begin screen tests…]

The post was quite lengthy, but the gist was: ‘We have finalized the candidates for the main roles and will reveal them to the fans before the auditions and screen tests.’ This meant that ‘World Disney Pictures’ had been working in secrecy. The social media post was immediately flooded with comments in numerous languages.

-What! They’ve already finalized the candidates? Who are they!

-Bella must be blonde! Pick Miley Cara.

-I’m curious about the lineup; when will they announce the candidates?

-There are already virtual casting boards going around; it might be similar.

-They’ll probably be actors who can both sing and act?

-Get the synchronization right, Disney!

·

·

‘Pierrot’ was certainly not weak, but ‘Beauty and the Beast’ had more firepower due to the power of the original work. It was a difference in the level of imagination. ‘Pierrot’ was still an unknown entity, but ‘Beauty and the Beast’ had an established story, allowing fans to unleash their imaginations. Either way, the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ issue heated up the end of the year overseas.

Of course, this was the same in Asia.

In Japan.

『Live-Action Movie of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Confirmed, Curiosity Spreads About Candidate Actors!』

And even in Korea.

-《Beauty and the Beast》 is getting a live-action adaptation? A casting board I made myself for this global issue!!｜MovieTypeTV

The domestic media didn’t cover it as loudly, but it did make it to the main headlines of overseas news. The public, rather than the media, was in an uproar, especially on social media and online communities.

Naturally, Kang Woo-jin also checked the situation.

‘Wow, the hype is insane!’

It felt like the momentum was building even more because it was around Christmas. While ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was gaining traction overseas and domestically, December was coming to an end.

Then, at Kang Woo-jin’s house in the morning.

Kang Woo-jin groggily woke up around 5 AM. After staring blankly into space for a few seconds, he tilted his head left and right and picked up his phone. He yawned naturally, and his eyes caught the numbers displayed on the phone screen.

“Hoo-”

He sighed softly. The reason was simple.

-[2022/ January/ 1st/ Saturday]

It was the New Year, and Kang Woo-jin was entering his third year.

After that.

2021 ended, and 2022 dawned. Two days passed in a flash. It was already Monday, January 3rd. Of course, a lot had happened in the meantime. ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ which had become a hot topic overseas and domestically with the confirmation of the live-action adaptation and the candidate actors, raised expectations again by announcing the director and key staff members.

However, the list of confirmed candidate actors was still not out. Not to be outdone, ‘Pierrot’ also formalized the audition and screen test dates, drawing attention.

Of course, Kang Woo-jin was also a hot topic in relation to ‘Pierrot.’

『‘Pierrot’ Audition, Screen Test on the 25th… When Will Kang Woo-jin Depart?』

It was already less than three weeks until the 20th. The domestic media and public were frantically discussing Kang Woo-jin’s Hollywood debut as soon as the New Year began. If Woo-jin landed the lead role in ‘Pierrot,’ he would become the first Korean actor to star in a Hollywood film.

Meanwhile, ‘Columbia Studios’ had sent Kang Woo-jin the audition materials.

These included the audition script and explanations from the official ‘Pierrot’ scenario. In short, the ‘Pierrot’ audition and screen test required both a designated performance and a free performance. The note that props and makeup were the responsibility of the actor was a bonus.

However, Kang Woo-jin, who was moving for a schedule early in the morning, was not greatly moved.

‘It’s snowing like crazy-’

He was simply watching the heavy snowfall outside the car window during his commute. There was nothing really to worry about. The fact that his strong public image was still going strong even in the New Year also played a part.

Then, to him.

“Woo-jin.”

Choi Sung-gun, whose ponytail had grown a bit longer, showed him a tablet. He had been organizing what he needed to tell Woo-jin and had just finished. What he showed was the current situation of the movies ‘Night Gisaeng’ and ‘Leech.’ Both movies had been released for about two weeks and had dominated the box office at the end of last year and the New Year.

Even.

“At this rate, both ‘Night Gisaeng’ and ‘Leech’ will likely surpass 10 million viewers, and ‘Night Gisaeng’ might even surpass ‘Naval Battle’ if it does well.”

He was referring to ‘Naval Battle,’ which was ranked third in the all-time Korean movie rankings. For reference, ‘Leech’ was first and ‘Island of the Missing’ was second. If ‘Night Gisaeng’ took third place, all the top three movies would be Kang Woo-jin’s.

An absurd situation that seemed impossible was imminent. Choi Sung-gun was naturally nervous.

“Hoo… If this happens, it’s going to be huge.”

Woo-jin replied softly.

“It would be nice if it happens, but it’s okay if it doesn’t.”

“Really?! Seriously??”

“Yes.”

“Hey, hey, hey! This is a record-breaking moment right in front of us! Isn’t it a shame!! You bland kid! Any other actor would have a heart attack in this situation!”

“Is that so?”

Woo-jin spoke calmly, but unlike his stoic exterior, his inner thoughts were the opposite.

‘Please! Please! Let Night Gisaeng take third place! Please! If it takes third place, then? The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will all be my movies!’

The real Kang Woo-jin was also fervently praying. However, he couldn’t show such frivolousness.

-Swish.

He reached out, maintaining his poker face. He picked up one of the scripts and scenarios piled nearby. Recently, he had been frequently looking at ‘Pierrot.’ The audition and screen test were just around the corner. As Woo-jin picked up the scenario, Choi Sung-gun closed his mouth. The other team members did the same.

They couldn’t disturb Kang Woo-jin’s script reading.

Then, Woo-jin.

-Tap.

He tapped the black square next to the ‘Pierrot’ scenario. He immediately entered the subspace. As soon as he arrived in the endless darkness, Kang Woo-jin moved towards the floating white square. Of course, what he chose was ‘Pierrot.’

-[11/Scenario (Title: Pierrot), EX+ Grade]

-[*This is a very high-quality movie scenario. 100% reading is possible.]

Woo-jin had already finished reading the ‘Pierrot’ scenario multiple times. He was also doing readings (experiences) whenever he had time. This included all the other roles, including the male lead. Unlike in the past, Woo-jin had gained many abilities thanks to the subspace, but repeating readings (experiences) still helped him bring out more vivid characters.

Soon.

“Let’s see-”

The roles of ‘Pierrot’ were listed in Woo-jin’s eyes.

-[You have selected 11/Scenario (Title: Pierrot).]

-[Listing characters available for reading (experience).]

-[A: Henry Gordon/Villain, B: Robert Franklin, C: Detective Alex…]

Quite familiar names appeared. Among them, Kang Woo-jin chose the role of ‘Henry Gordon/Villain.’ He was also the protagonist of ‘Pierrot.’ Soon, a robotic female voice echoed throughout the subspace.

[“Preparing for reading (experience) of A: Henry Gordon/Villain…”]

In a brief moment, Kang Woo-jin took a serious breath.

“Hoo-”

A huge gray mass covered him from behind.

His body tilted.

A rumbling sound like ‘woong’ was heard.

The darkness of his vision gradually brightened.

Colors filled in.

‘Henry Gordon.’ No, it was about Kang Woo-jin.

Again, there was a jolt. His body tilted. Woo-jin raised his head. It was a shabby bus. The seats and windows were covered in graffiti. Kang Woo-jin was sitting inside the bus, which was driving on a night road.

He was in the very back.

Woo-jin’s gaze lowered again. He saw the clothes he was wearing. It was ambiguous. It looked like a suit, but it was flashy. A red jacket and pants, a yellow vest, and worn-out brown shoes. It was very noticeable and almost ragged, but for some reason, Woo-jin didn’t mind.

It was familiar.

-Swish.

As he lowered his head, his hair fell down. It was a pale reddish color. It was even long enough to cover his ears.

“……”

Kang Woo-jin calmly swept his hair. It was wet. Come to think of it, it was a bit hot inside this bus. But what did it matter? He should just enjoy it. Gradually, the owner’s emotions began to permeate Woo-jin’s heart. They spread through his veins.

The first thing that came to mind was madness.

It was happiness and illusion. Romance and hell. Wholeness and chaos. Justice and injustice. Laughter and tears. Human and clown.

Tragedy and comedy.

You are the tragedy, and I am the comedy.

The things that gradually filled Woo-jin were nameless. But could this be considered abnormal? Could it be called a mutation?

Go eat shit.

For Kang Woo-jin, heat and cold, unhappiness and happiness coexisted. He could laugh. It was true. Everything Woo-jin saw was enjoyable.

Why was this happening?

Why was his heart beating like this?

It was as if he had been injected with euphoria in his heart and brain.

Should he dance?

It was at that moment.

-Screech!

The bus stopped with a scream. Soon, four swaggering men boarded. They were joking around with each other when they noticed Woo-jin sitting at the back of the bus. Kang Woo-jin tilted his head halfway as he looked at them. At first, the men flinched, but then they chuckled as they looked at Woo-jin’s face.

“Look at this guy’s face!”

“What a moron! He looks out of it?”

“Hehe, hey! Dance! Show us some tricks!”

The men sat around Woo-jin and poked him. Even at this moment, Kang Woo-jin was feeling an intense thrill. But the men seemed displeased with Woo-jin’s smile.

“Hey, are you ignoring me?”

“He’ll move if we hit him a few times.”

The poking hands became rougher. However, Woo-jin let his body sway with their force, then suddenly.

“Hee-”

He put his face right in front of the man sitting on his right. Then, he grinned, his mouth stretched wide. The annoyed man punched Woo-jin in the face. Kang Woo-jin fell to the floor. But his laughter grew more intense.

“Hehehe!”

The men, with their brows furrowed, kicked Woo-jin. He groaned, but Kang Woo-jin’s laughter grew louder.

“Hehehe! Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”

At this point, the men stopped kicking and muttered as they looked at Woo-jin on the floor.

“Th-this crazy bastard.”

Kang Woo-jin, with his lips hooked to his ears, spread his arms and said to them.

“What are you doing? Do more.”

The men looked at each other, then knocked on the back door of the bus.

“Open the door!! Hey! Driver! Open the door!!”

-Screech!

The bus stopped. The men ran off the bus as if they were escaping. Soon, the fat bus driver cautiously approached the fallen Woo-jin and asked.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Woo-jin was still laughing. The bus driver flinched and said again.

“Y-your face is why you’re getting into trouble.”

Kang Woo-jin, taking a small breath, slowly got up. Then, he stared at the bus driver in front of him.

“Heh-”

He stuck out his tongue with a laugh. The bus driver ran away to the driver’s seat, looking disgusted.

“He’s crazy!”

Then, Woo-jin looked at himself reflected in the bus window.

“……”

Pale reddish hair, a face painted white, two eyes with sharp, red squares drawn on them, and thick lips painted in a wide, torn smile.

It was the terrifying ‘Pierrot’ himself.

“Crazy? That’s a compliment.”

This was the birth story of a villain.