I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 386

Cinematic Universe. In the film market, this term refers to a shared world where multiple movies take place. The characters and stories in each film are different, but they all exist within the same overarching universe. Similar concepts are also common in comics, animation, novels, and other media.

Of course, in those other cases, the word ‘cinematic’ wouldn’t apply.

Regardless, the large-scale ‘Cinematic Universe’ project planned by ‘Columbia Studios’ has been a topic in the global film industry, including Hollywood, for some time. There have been numerous attempts across various industries, with many success stories.

However, when focusing solely on movies, successful cases are rare.

There are many reasons for this, but the main ones are the difficulty of production, the enormous costs, issues with casting actors, and the extensive planning required. Starting a ‘Cinematic Universe’ is like moving an entire project simultaneously, not just one movie.

It means you can’t stop just because one movie fails.

There are also difficulties with actor contracts. If an actor in a key role is replaced due to some issue, the continuity is lost, and audience expectations plummet. However, you can’t simply control high-priced Hollywood actors as you please. Although the ‘Cinematic Universe’ is fraught with such difficulties, if successful, it can generate unimaginable profits and brand power.

But it’s definitely not an easy decision. In fact, it’s almost impossible to even consider.

‘Columbia Studios’ announced that they are planning or in the process of creating such a ‘Cinematic Universe.’ The first thought that crossed Director Ahn Ga-bok’s mind as he listened to the explanation was:

‘Wow—even for ‘Columbia Studios,’ that’s incredible.’

It was a mix of doubt and admiration. Deciding on a ‘Cinematic Universe’ could determine the rise or fall of a film company for years to come, even for ‘Columbia Studios,’ a huge film company and one of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five.’

Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok, stroking his wrinkled cheeks, shifted his thoughts.

‘The first villain character to introduce our cinematic universe to the world—so that’s why they’re going with the title ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain.’ Birth of a villain, it’s a fitting title.’

The changed title of ‘Pierrot’ is ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain,’ but for ‘Columbia Studios,’ the movie ‘Pierrot’ was like the birth of a ‘Cinematic Universe.’ It would also serve to introduce it to the global audience. ‘We will launch a ‘Cinematic Universe,’ and the first villain in that world will be born in ‘Pierrot.” Something like that.

Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been thinking to himself, asked the executives across from him. His English wasn’t perfect, but communication was possible.

“Why are you telling me about such an important matter now?”

It was a valid question. Director Ahn Ga-bok was already confirmed as the director of ‘Pierrot.’ But if the ‘Cinematic Universe’ is now involved, the entire project changes. It meant the information was delivered too late. The bald executive answered.

“I apologize, but there’s a reason. Initially, it wasn’t decided whether to include ‘Henry Gordon’ from ‘Pierrot’ in our ‘Cinematic Universe’ or to keep it as a standalone movie. The decision to make ‘Henry Gordon’ the first launch was made recently.”

Contract issues, story considerations, etc., had also been problems in past ‘Cinematic Universe’ attempts across various industries. Characters who share the world but are excluded from the project. Then, the bald executive began to explain. His briefing, which continued in a calm tone, lasted about 10 minutes.

In short, it was like this:

‘Columbia Studios’ started working on the ‘Cinematic Universe,’ a massive project, several years ago, and currently, several characters and scenarios other than ‘Pierrot’ have been developed.

“In terms of planning, we intend to present individual character movies that share the same world, and ultimately, we are planning a film where all those characters come together.”

At that moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok was internally shocked. He couldn’t even imagine the production cost of a movie featuring all those characters. Still, he asked the executive.

“Then, is ‘Pierrot’ also included in the movie where all those characters are mixed?”

“Of course. That’s part of Season 1 of our ‘Cinematic Universe.’ Of course, there may be changes depending on the situation. Currently, it’s just the planning stage of the project we’ve conceived. That’s why ‘Columbia Studios’ has high expectations and concerns about ‘Pierrot.'”

Director Ahn Ga-bok listened quietly.

‘Huh—should I be happy about this?’

He felt both honored and burdened. He, a veteran director from Korea, was in charge of directing the starting point of a huge project that would surprise all of Hollywood. This was obviously an unprecedented situation, not only in Korea but also in Asia as a whole, and even in Hollywood.

‘But what if… Woo-jin takes the lead role?’

The starting point of a huge project that ‘Columbia Studios’ was staking everything on was like a Korean director and a Korean actor firing a shot at the world.

Probably. No, it would 100% go down in Hollywood history.

Just as Director Ahn Ga-bok was lost in thought, the bald executive spoke again.

“You will learn more details later. We plan to share all the information we can. Oh, by the way, depending on the outcome of ‘Pierrot,’ we may also offer you to direct other works. So, please do your best for ‘Pierrot,’ Director.”

“…I intend to.”

“Thank you. And as explained, ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ is a very important project, so many people will attend the public auditions and screen tests.”

It sounded like he was referring to the higher-ups at ‘Columbia Studios.’

“Of course, what you’ve heard now is top secret.”

After that.

Kang Woo-jin once again boarded the train of hellish schedules. Currently, ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 1 had wrapped up, so there were no filming schedules, but his workload hadn’t decreased at all. There were so many other commitments besides filming.

Woo-jin, who had a strong sense of purpose, thought:

‘Is this—isn’t this more intense than when we were filming??’

It was actually better when he was filming. It was quite understandable. Increased advertisements and photoshoots, interviews and radio shows, various parties and events, SNS-related filming, recording and filming for the YouTube channel ‘Kang Woo-jin’s Sub-Character,’ promotion and marketing for currently released movies, and so on.

On top of that.

『’Kang Woo-jin’ Donates 200 Million Won to Underprivileged Children in Jinju, Also Attends Charity Event』

Even the small schedules that arose amidst the New Year atmosphere. For example, attending donation-related events in Jinju or New Year’s special broadcasts. He couldn’t neglect communication with fans either.

『[Issue Pick] Kang Woo-jin Doesn’t Forget to Communicate with Domestic Fans Before Entering Hollywood, Holds Fan Meetings and Fan Signing Events to Commemorate the New Year』

Many events other than fan meetings and fan signing events were planned to commemorate the New Year. Of course, this had to be done while traveling back and forth between Korea and Japan.

Time flew by.

If there was filming for a project, that was the priority, so other things would be cut back appropriately. Currently, Woo-jin was handling everything. Of course, it wasn’t Choi Seong-geon who was pressuring him. In fact, all of this was at Kang Woo-jin’s request.

He had a strong desire to finish most of his schedules before the 20th if possible.

The only good thing was:

‘Ah—this is intense, let’s go to the subspace for now.’

He had the cheat item, the subspace. Whatever it was, the days passed by in a blur due to the hellish schedules. Soon, as Woo-jin’s departure date for LA approached, the two movies that were released like New Year’s gifts in Korea and Japan still showed no signs of slowing down.

‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ which was maintaining the top spot in the reservation rate despite the release of new movies, was making waves in both Japan and Korea.

[January 9, 2022, Number of Viewers]

[Daily Domestic Box Office]

1. The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger / Release Date: December 21, 2021 / Number of Viewers: 620,132 / Cumulative Viewers: 10,810,338

‘Leech,’ which was a huge hit in Cannes and Korea, was continuing the success of ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ in Japan.

『[Movie Talk] ‘Leech’ Surpasses 10 Million in Japan!』

‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ and ‘Leech’ exceeded 10 million viewers in the 4th week of their release. It was the result of the combination of the quality and buzz surrounding the movies themselves and special circumstances such as Christmas and the end of the year. Of course, the audience’s evaluation of both movies was extremely positive. ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ released in Korea, received rave reviews daily in relation to Kang Woo-jin, and it was no different for ‘Leech,’ released in Japan. It was significant that they could immediately see Woo-jin’s different acting styles due to the cross-release.

In addition, the box office numbers they were achieving daily were enough to make the film industry media go crazy. The total number of viewers for the two movies was already:

『’Kang Woo-jin’s’ ‘The Strange Sacrifice of a Stranger’ and ‘Leech’ Surpass 30 Million Viewers in Korea and Japan Combined! How High Will It Go?』

Because it had surpassed 30 million.

At the same time, in Korea, at DM Production.

‘Beneficial Evil,’ which was aiming for a worldwide launch in partnership with Netflix. The large conference room of DM Production, which was in charge of the overall production of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Quite a few people had gathered there.

The people sitting around the U-shaped table were all familiar faces.

Kim So-hyang, the general director of Netflix Korea, and executives, DM Production employees, the key staff of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ and writer Choi Na-na, who wrote the script for ‘Beneficial Evil.’

And.

“Okay—then next.”

Even Song Man-woo PD, who had just changed the topic of the meeting. His appearance was quite different from before. He had lost weight, his cheeks were gaunt, and his skin was rough. The dark circles under his eyes were also prominent. It seemed like he was pouring his soul into editing ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 1.

Worried about his appearance, writer Choi Na-na, who was pushing up her round glasses, carefully asked him.

“Um, but PD-nim [PD-nim is a Korean honorific for a producer or director]. Are you really okay??”

Song Man-woo PD, who took a sip of the canned coffee in front of him, smiled awkwardly.

“I’m not okay.”

“Ah—Eh? Yes? Then you should go to the hospital and get treatment.”

“I’ve already been to the hospital.”

Song Man-woo PD poked his arm a couple of times with his index finger.

“I’ve already had several shots of energizing IVs.”

He was talking about IV fluids for recovering his condition. However, it seemed like it was a daily routine for Song Man-woo PD, and he didn’t care at all.

“Well, this is nothing. I’ve even filmed until I was about to die. Don’t worry.”

He was serious. In the past, when the drama market was struggling, he had stayed up all night for up to a week. Soon, Song Man-woo PD, who swept back his disheveled hair, turned his gaze to the other side. It was towards General Director Kim So-hyang.

“Unless I collapse, the editing of ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 1 will not take 3 weeks.”

He was saying that he would take 2 weeks for editing and 1 week for finishing. In short, the processing of ‘Beneficial Evil’ would be finished by January. In response, General Director Kim So-hyang nodded with her hands together.

“Yes, I trust you, PD-nim. There won’t be any problems with the official launch on February 3rd.”

“That’s right. Even if I die. No, I have to make it even if I die.”

In fact, the launch date of ‘Beneficial Evil’ was set for February 3rd. The reason why it hadn’t been revealed to the world yet was to prepare for any possible situation. If there was a problem before the launch, it would be easier to change the schedule. But Song Man-woo PD was a professional and a big shot in the drama industry.

He was not the kind of person to make a mistake that an amateur would make.

“The editing was done in parallel with the filming of Part 1, so the time was greatly reduced. There will be no problem with the launch on February 3rd. So—how are the promotion and marketing schedules?”

General Director Kim So-hyang answered immediately.

“Preparation is complete, both domestically and overseas. From YouTube videos for warming up to media, SNS events for generating buzz, etc. It will be like a bombardment once we start. By the way, when will the first teaser be completed?”

The first teaser to announce the confirmed launch date and official launch of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ That would be the starting point for the promotion and marketing of ‘Beneficial Evil.’ Song Man-woo PD, who was stroking his beard, answered.

“Hmm—it seems like now is the right time, when there is a lot of overseas interest in ‘Beneficial Evil,’ and when there is a lot of buzz around Woo-jin and Miley Cara. I’ll hand over the first teaser in a few days.”

When the meeting, which had been going on for several tens of minutes, was about to end, Song Man-woo PD said to the people other than Kim So-hyang who were cleaning up.

“It’s not finished yet, but let’s take a look at a part of ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 1.”

He said it quite cheerfully.

“As a preliminary test.”