I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 387

The quickest reaction to Song Man-woo PD’s words came from writer Choi Nana.

“Eeeek?!!”

Her eyes widened in surprise. Of course, Kim So-hyang, the chief director, and the Netflix staff reacted the same way.

“R-really?”

“Can we see it now??”

“Wow—I didn’t expect that.”

Song Man-woo PD chuckled, stroking his beard, and replied playfully.

“Yes, why? Don’t you want to? Then never mind.”

Choi Nana, startled, was the first to rush forward.

“Eeeeee! No!! I want to see it!”

Ultimately, everyone agreed. It was understandable. Choi Nana could see a part of her script brought to life, and Netflix Korea had the chance to see a part of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ a project they had bet everything on. Soon, everyone gathered in a large editing room within DM Production, guided by Song Man-woo PD.

The editing room was filled with many monitors and equipment, and had a slightly dim atmosphere. Several editors were seated.

-Swish.

Song Man-woo PD sat in the middle chair.

Choi Nana and Kim So-hyang, along with a dozen others, stood behind Song Man-woo PD. The editing room was large enough for everyone to stand comfortably. Soon, Song Man-woo PD, operating the editing equipment,

-Swish.

Pointed to the largest of the several monitors in front.

“It’ll play here.”

Following his fingertip, everyone’s gaze shifted, and after a few manipulations by Song Man-woo PD, a video began to play on the monitor.

Specifically, it was Kang Woo-jin. ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ from ‘Beneficial Evil’ appeared.

Inside a dilapidated building, he was bound with cable ties.

In other words, what Song Man-woo PD was playing was the long take scene of over 10 minutes that was filmed in Bangkok. It was a crucial part of the beginning of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which aimed for a global audience.

And.

-[“Bang bang bang bang!!”]

As soon as Kang Woo-jin in the monitor began to move in earnest.

“Wow…”

“Whoa-”

“…Crazy.”

“Huh-”

Everyone except Choi Nana and Kim So-hyang, who had seen the preview, involuntarily exclaimed. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the monitor, not even thinking of looking away.

It was natural.

“T-this feels completely different from when we saw it on set…”

The video they were watching was unbelievably amazing. A result that was completely different from what they had seen on the Bangkok set, full of dazzling and splendid visuals, was being vividly displayed. The core of it all was, of course.

“Seriously… Woo-jin is so cool.”

It was Kang Woo-jin, acting as ‘Jang Yeon-woo.’ His action, his CQC [Close Quarters Combat], his acting filled the monitor and captivated everyone. With Song Man-woo PD’s painstaking direction added to it, they couldn’t help but gape.

At that moment, the head of Netflix Korea.

“What is this-”

Kim So-hyang, the chief director who had reviewed countless contents both domestically and internationally, muttered involuntarily.

“The quality is several times better than I expected?”

It was as if she was bewitched.

10th, LA.

Hollywood, like Korea, was filled with the New Year atmosphere. News of promotions or production confirmations for movies to be released around this time was frequently heard. However, the two works that were currently most prominent in Hollywood and frequently covered by foreign press were ‘Clown’ from ‘Columbia Studio’ and ‘Beast and Beauty’ from ‘World Disney Pictures.’

As expected of the mega-film companies called the ‘Big Five’ of Hollywood, the two film companies were putting all their efforts into their projects after announcing their production confirmations. ‘Clown,’ which recently announced the official audition and screen test dates,

『LA TIME/‘Columbia Studio’s ‘Clown’, reveals behind-the-scenes photos of pre-production!』

『CNM/‘Clown’ has not yet announced the movie’s content, but instead announced the joining of key staff, including director Ahn Gam-bok.』

『BBX/Upcoming ‘Clown’ open audition! The only Korean actor among the candidates, Kang Woo-jin, has Hollywood’s attention focused on him.』

They were constantly announcing the actors, sets, and pre-production progress, launching a full-scale early marketing campaign. The more they did, the more curiosity about the movie ‘Clown’ grew.

The title of the work, the director, and the candidate actors were revealed, but the movie’s content was completely unknown.

However, around this time, ‘Columbia Studio’ announced something else instead of the movie’s content. It was through their official SNS [Social Networking Service].

-[…This ‘Clown’ will be the movie that marks the beginning of a large project planned by our ‘Columbia Studio’.]

They dropped a hint. They didn’t say what the project was, but ‘Clown’ would be the starting point.

On the other hand, unlike ‘Clown,’ ‘Beast and Beauty’ was a bit quiet. There was no news after the announcement of the live-action adaptation and the confirmation of the male and female lead candidates.

However, the more silent they were, the more the foreign press and public opinion flared up.

『NT/‘World Disney Pictures’ is quiet after confirming the live-action adaptation of ‘Beast and Beauty’. Which actor will play the globally beloved character?』

『ABY/From SNS to communities, even on internet broadcasts, virtual casting boards for ‘Beast and Beauty’ are rampant! Which is the most realistic?』

Especially, the public all over the world, including the United States, was in an uproar. They endlessly talked about ‘Beast and Beauty’ mainly on SNS and online communities. In various languages. Amidst the overflowing anticipation or worry, most of it was related to the actors who would be cast.

It was similar in Korea.

-Beast and Beauty is my favorite Disney… I hope they make it well….

-There are so many virtual castings for Beast and Beauty on overseas communities ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ But they are pretty spot on

-I don’t know about the others, but Disney, don’t ruin my Beauty Bella, seriously? I’m telling you?

-Looking at the virtual castings, most of them are actors with musical abilities ㅋㅋㅋ I’m voting for Miley Cara

-Riley is also mentioned a lot for the role of Beauty Bella

-Yeah, overseas singers are also said to be possible

-Disney!! You messed up the last live-action, so please do well this time??? I believe in you????????

-↑Do you believe in Disney? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Honestly, I think anyone can be the Beast, but Beauty Bella has to have the perfect sync rate

-Don’t just pick anyone for the Beast either ㅋㅋㅋ He has to be handsome

-Even if they plaster him with CG or makeup in the beginning, the Beast turns into a prince in the end, so he has to be handsome

-And the Beast has to be amazing at piano and vocals, right?

-If he can do piano, vocals, acting, and roaring, he’s good to go

·

·

·

·

Two days passed like that.

Wednesday, January 12th.

The location was a stage inside ‘Columbia Studio’ in LA. Inside ‘Columbia Studio,’ which resembled a city, there were more than 20 stages that were no different from huge sets. On stage number 7, a familiar film crew was visible.

There were at least 30 foreigners and an old Korean man among them.

It was director Ahn Gam-bok.

‘Clown’ had entered the full pre-production stage, and director Ahn Gam-bok was currently on a tour of the set with the key filming staff. Ahn Gam-bok was talking with several foreign key staff while looking at various parts of the set. However, there was a change in his current state of mind. It was evident just by the spirit in his wrinkled face.

The process of changing ‘Clown’ to ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’ was also included.

It wasn’t easy in the beginning, but after hearing about ‘Columbia Studio’s’ grand project, it felt heavier. Perhaps that’s why executives and officials from ‘Columbia Studio’ frequently visited the stage. However, director Ahn Gam-bok didn’t pay much attention.

He was just focusing on what he had to do now.

In any case, the conversation he was having with the key staff was clearly about the set construction. He had the ‘Clown’ script in his hand. First, before the official shooting storyboard came out, they had to divide the set shooting and location shooting. ‘Clown’ had a lot of set shooting in the script, but there was also location (outdoor) shooting. For now, they had to start by dividing them.

It was then.

“Director!”

A Korean man was approaching from over there at a fairly fast pace. It was the assistant director from the Korean team that Ahn Gam-bok had brought. The foreign key staff of ‘Clown’ looked at the assistant director, and Ahn Gam-bok, slightly narrowing his brow, turned his head.

“Why the fuss.”

The assistant director quickly approached Ahn Gam-bok, who was surrounded by foreign staff. He, who had become the center of attention for the foreign key staff, spoke to Ahn Gam-bok in Korean.

“D-director. Did you see the post that ‘World Disney Pictures’ just uploaded on their official SNS?”

“‘World Disney Pictures’? No. Why are you suddenly talking about them?”

The assistant director, with surprised eyes, showed his phone and replied.

“The confirmed candidate actors for ‘Beast and Beauty’ are out—for the ‘Beast’ role…”

“For the ‘Beast’ role, what?”

Ahn Gam-bok, who asked back, took the assistant director’s phone, looking slightly frustrated. The official SNS of ‘World Disney Pictures’ was displayed on the phone screen, and Ahn Gam-bok, who saw the fresh post that had just been uploaded, slightly opened his mouth.

“Huh?”

Following that, the foreign key staff of ‘Clown’ also gathered around Ahn Gam-bok.

“???”

After seeing something, they all had question marks in their eyes.

Meanwhile, in Korea.

Unlike LA, which was in the afternoon, it was morning in Korea. Nevertheless, a huge crowd had gathered at a large department store in Seoul. This department store was usually crowded, but now, the number of people gathered was so large that it was eye-opening.

Roughly, there were easily over several hundred people.

The location was the first-floor lobby of the department store. A section for events was set up on one side of the spacious lobby. From there, people lined up in four rows, filling the lobby, and the long line extended to the entrance. Of course, the line stretched outside the department store.

Therefore.

“#%*&%(*#&%*(%!

“&*%(

“&())$#%##%!#()*(%!_”

Incomprehensible shouts and screams filled the department store. As if they were amazed by this sight, many people were hanging from the railings on the 2nd floor and higher, filming the lower floor with their phones.

“Amazing, amazing, what is he like in real life?? The camera can’t capture even 1% of it!”

“I know! Seriously, his physique is amazing!”

“Ah—I should have lined up earlier!”

The place where the hundreds of people filling the department store were looking was where an actor with a strong poker face, dressed in a stylish gray double coat, was sitting. The actor’s name was heard as screams from among the hundreds of people.

“Oppa!! Woo-jin oppa!!”

“Kyaa! Kang Woo-jin!! Please look over here!!”

“Just one touch! Oppa!!”

It was Kang Woo-jin.

Today, a fan signing event for the stoic Woo-jin was being held at this department store. Therefore, many fans who heard this news were rushing in even in the morning. Among them were fans from Kang Woo-jin’s official domestic fan cafe ‘Strong Heart,’ fans from the Japanese fan club ‘KWJ I Love You,’ and fans who simply liked Woo-jin.

Of course, there were also people who were just visiting the department store.

Woo-jin, buried among hundreds of fans,

“Oppa! I’ll support ‘Clown’! Please get the role!”

“Thank you, I’ll work hard. What’s your name?”

“Ara! Jo Ara!”

“Thank you for coming.”

“No! I had to come!”

He was busy signing autographs while greeting each fan. His concept was strong, but his tone when talking to fans was a bit softer than usual. Then, after finishing an autograph, Kang Woo-jin glanced at the hundreds of fans waiting.

‘Ugh—is this even possible in half a day? I think I need to extend the time.’

Even though he was signing autographs like crazy, the number of fans didn’t seem to be decreasing. His fingers were starting to hurt. But he couldn’t show any weakness. Just like during filming, Kang Woo-jin’s concept became even stronger when fans gathered like this. Soon, when Woo-jin was about to steel himself and make eye contact with the next fan,

“…Huh?”

“Is it true?… Amazing.”

“Really? No way…”

“Wow…”

The hundreds of fans suddenly began to murmur. It was a completely different scene from just before when they were shouting for Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin wondered inwardly.

‘What’s going on? Suddenly.’

A powerful question was growing in the air. Around this time, the hundreds of fans gathered at the department store were all staring intently at Kang Woo-jin. Their eyes were full of shock.

In an instant, Kang Woo-jin sensed that something was unusual.

It was then.

“…Oppa?”

A familiar female voice was heard from the right. When Woo-jin turned, it was ‘Blood Sister,’ the representative of the official fan cafe ‘Strong Heart.’ No, it was his younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah. She pointed at her phone in one hand with her index finger and asked Kang Woo-jin with a dazed face.

“Oppa, are you a candidate for the ‘Beast’ role in ‘Beast and Beauty’?”