I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 405

What does it mean to illuminate as Disney’s ‘Beast’? Memories? Kang Woo-jin, sitting at the golden piano, was momentarily lost in thought, gazing at Director Bill Rotner’s smiling face.

“······”

His typically cynical expression was so pronounced that he didn’t appear particularly bewildered. Woo-jin repeated the words the foreign director had just spoken. He was asked to illuminate the memories of fans worldwide as Disney’s ‘Beast.’ The director even mentioned enduring controversies for the sake of the image of Woo-jin at the piano. What? Does that imply he was the ‘Beast’? That he had been cast as the ‘Beast’?

After a few moments, Woo-jin, having processed the information, calmly asked Director Bill Rotner,

“…If you say ‘as the Beast,’ does that mean I’ve been cast as the actor for the ‘Beast’?”

Director Bill Rotner, his hairline slightly receding, smiled even more broadly.

“That’s correct, Mr. Kang Woo-jin. You are confirmed as the actor for the ‘Beast.’ Congratulations, and we look forward to working with you.”

Director Bill Rotner placed his hand on Woo-jin’s stoic shoulder. Kang Woo-jin’s face remained calm, but internally, he was completely ecstatic.

‘Wow—seriously!!’

He nearly threw his arms wide to hug Director Bill Rotner. He might have even started playing the piano with unrestrained enthusiasm.

‘I was so on edge because of this old man’s build-up!! Crazy! I’m the Beast!’

In that instant, memories of his childhood flashed through Kang Woo-jin’s mind. The times he watched Disney animated movies, and of course, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ was among them. Now, Kang Woo-jin was going to bring the live-action version of that story to life. He had surpassed all the top Hollywood actors. This thrill was different from when he was cast in ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain.’

It was more of a surge of emotion than pure excitement.

Of course, ‘Pierrot’ was also a significant project, but ‘Beauty and the Beast’ had immense global recognition. As Woo-jin’s heart rate quickened, Director Bill Rotner pointed at Kang Woo-jin and the piano and spoke again.

“I could have told you anywhere, but I wanted to tell you right here. I also wanted to see this image again. What do you think?”

Kang Woo-jin forcibly calmed himself. He was overjoyed, but it was time to remain composed.

“Thank you, I look forward to working with you.”

Director Bill Rotner, still smiling, tilted his head slightly.

“Hmm? You don’t seem as happy as I expected?”

“No, I am happy.”

“Hahaha. I asked because you were so calm even though you were confirmed as the male lead in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ If you’re happy, that’s good. But it’s still amazing how composed you are usually, yet when you start acting, you completely transform. That’s why Hollywood is so interested in you.”

“······”

Woo-jin simply closed his mouth. He couldn’t calm down as easily as usual. Director Bill Rotner, after checking the time, adjusted his black horn-rimmed glasses and spoke again.

“We need to head to ‘World Disney Pictures’; everyone will be waiting.”

He was referring to all the production staff involved with ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

“Is it okay to leave in 30 minutes?”

“It’s fine.”

Director Bill Rotner, smiling again at Woo-jin’s reply, turned and walked towards the foreign staff waiting for him. Kang Woo-jin also sat at the golden piano for a moment before getting up. Then, he took a small, subtle breath.

“Hoo-”

When he turned his gaze, he saw Choi Sung-gun with his ponytail and the team members. They were intently watching Kang Woo-jin from the side, their faces eager for good news. With an indifferent expression, Woo-jin slowly began to walk. Unable to bear the wait, Choi Sung-gun, who had been standing, quickly approached Woo-jin first.

“Director Bill Rotner—what, what did he say? The atmosphere was shifting back and forth, serious then smiling. Huh?”

“······”

“Woo-jin? Why aren’t you answering…no, could it be a rejection? Did they offer you another role instead?? Huh? Say something.”

Choi Sung-gun and the team members looked at Kang Woo-jin with tense expressions. Looking at them, Woo-jin answered in a low and clear voice.

“I got the ‘Beast’ role.”

Upon hearing the answer, Choi Sung-gun and the team members didn’t react immediately.

“······”

“······”

Everyone just stared at Kang Woo-jin’s calm face, mouths agape.

Then.

“Waaah!! Hup!”

Choi Sung-gun, raising his arms and shouting, instinctively covered his mouth with one hand. It was because Director Bill Rotner and the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ production team were nearby. Choi Sung-gun, who had clenched his fists tightly with both hands almost silently, whispered to Kang Woo-jin.

“The representative of an actor who has signed with two of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five’ studios shouldn’t act up; it’s embarrassing.”

His tone was full of happiness.

“Congratulations, Woo-jin. You’ve truly created an unprecedented legend in both Korea and Hollywood.”

Behind them.

Kang Woo-jin, Choi Sung-gun, and the team members followed Director Bill Rotner and the production team. They were heading to ‘World Disney Pictures,’ and the van ride was like a crazy festival. Everyone except Choi Sung-gun was screaming.

“Kyaa!! Congratulations, oppa [an affectionate term for older brother or male friend]!!!”

“Wow!!! Heoheohung! I’m so, so happy for you!! Ah, I’m crying.”

“Amazing! If it’s known that Woo-jin oppa has been confirmed for the ‘Beast’ role in this situation!! How surprised would the country—no, the world be!!”

Even Woo-jin, who had maintained his composure amidst the frenzy, agreed. It hadn’t been long since ‘The Beneficial Evil’ and ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ had become major news. Even now, the global public and foreign media were still analyzing and enjoying Woo-jin. Korea was no exception.

If the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ news, which had garnered the most controversy and attention, broke now.

‘This is a bit unimaginable.’

A storm of unpredictable proportions was bound to erupt. Anyway, as soon as Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun arrived at the vast ‘World Disney Pictures,’ they entered a large conference room inside with Director Bill Rotner. There were many foreigners in the conference room, as if they had gathered beforehand. Most of them were people they had seen during the audition. The executive producer, executives, key staff, and so on.

Director Bill Rotner blended in among them.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin sat in the first seat across the room. Choi Sung-gun sat next to him, looking quite nervous. On the other hand, Woo-jin was relatively calm. Now that he had come this far, there was only going straight ahead. Soon, all the foreigners in the conference room congratulated Woo-jin. There were many expressions of looking forward to working with him. That lasted for about 10 minutes, and then the executive producer of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ changed the topic.

“There will be several meetings in the future, but let’s decide on those later.”

He was talking about the official contract, including the astronomical sum, similar to ‘Pierrot.’ How much would be exchanged this time? As Kang Woo-jin was lost in thought, the producer continued.

“First, there is something we would like to ask of Mr. Kang Woo-jin.”

A request? What request?

“What is it?”

“Now that you’ve been confirmed for the ‘Beast’ role, there will be an audition for the ‘Beauty Bella’ role. As you know, several confirmed actresses, including Miley Cara, will be attending—we would like you, as the ‘Beast,’ to also attend that audition.”

Woo-jin had heard about this beforehand in his call with Miley Cara. What was it, that they would put ‘Beauty Bella’ with the ‘Beast’ to see their synchronization? Woo-jin thought it would be interesting. He could see the other candidate actresses besides Cara.

More than anything.

‘I can get a little taste of the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ beforehand.’

It was possible to get a sneak peek of the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

“When is the ‘Beauty Bella’ audition?”

Director Bill Rotner answered instead.

“The 28th in the morning. Around 11 o’clock.”

Today was the 21st. About a week later. The composed Woo-jin looked at Choi Sung-gun with his ponytail next to him, a silent question about the schedule. Choi Sung-gun, after thinking for a moment, nodded. Kang Woo-jin then answered the director across from him.

“It’s possible.”

Upon hearing the answer, the faces of everyone from Director Bill Rotner to the executive producer and the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ production team brightened. Then, Director Bill Rotner, adjusting his black horn-rimmed glasses, changed the topic.

“And Mr. Woo-jin, please wait a bit before announcing the news of your confirmation for the ‘Beast’ role. It’s a very noisy topic among fans worldwide, and it’s the result they wanted, so we also have some things to prepare.”

“Of course.”

“But it won’t take too long. We’ve already decided to endure it, so there’s no big reason to hesitate.”

At this point, the executive producer sitting to the right of Director Bill Rotner interjected.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin, I heard you’ll be appearing on ‘The Jamie Show’ soon.”

It seemed they had seen the article about Woo-jin going on the number one talk show in the US. Kang Woo-jin nodded calmly.

“Yes.”

“When is the recording?”

“Tomorrow.”

“The location will be New York, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The producer, nodding slowly, whispered to the people around him for a moment before speaking again. For some reason, he was smiling.

“It seems like it’ll be okay; I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?”

And the next day, the 22nd, at noon.

『[Star Photo] Kang Woo-jin’s photo taken in New York, is it because of ‘The Jamie Show’ recording?/ Photo』

The recording of Kang Woo-jin’s ‘The Jamie Show’ began.

A few days later, on the night of the 26th, in LA.

The location was a two-story mansion quite far from the city center, and it looked luxurious at a glance. It was predominantly white, with a large yard and a swimming pool. Although it was a two-story mansion, it was practically three stories in terms of overall area. Perhaps because the mansion was so huge, the living room was also incredibly large, and the furniture all looked expensive.

A brown-haired man in a comfortable hoodie appeared on the large sofa in the living room, holding a snack in one hand and the ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ script in the other.

-Swish.

It was Chris Hartnett, a top Hollywood actor with dark brown eyes and captivating features. Chris, after running a hand through his hair, plopped down on the sofa, checked the time, and turned on the huge TV in front of him.

“It must be starting soon.”

Chris Hartnett, crossing his legs, put a potato chip in his mouth and operated the remote control. Every time the channel changed, various foreigners were displayed on the large TV.

Then.

-♬♪

A familiar opening song to Chris played on one channel. It was ‘The Jamie Show,’ the number one late-night talk show in the US. By now, many overseas audiences besides Chris would be watching this show. Soon, a host sitting at a simple table and a seemingly comfortable one-person sofa appeared on TV. The host of ‘The Jamie Show’ was someone Chris Hartnett also knew.

He gave his usual opening remarks.

-[“Welcome to ‘The Jamie Show’ today! Today, we have invited an actor who is heating up Hollywood! He is also the first Korean actor on ‘The Jamie Show’! “]

Chris chuckled as he watched ‘The Jamie Show.’

“He’s the first at everything.”

Then, the host on TV introduced today’s guest.

-[“Actor Kang Woo-jin!!”]

Immediately, the guest’s entrance music played, and the camera angle moved slightly. A black-haired man with an indifferent face entered towards the one-person sofa. It was Kang Woo-jin, dressed in a suit. After shaking hands with the host, he sat on the sofa and greeted the camera in a low tone of English.

-[“Hello, I’m actor Kang Woo-jin.”]

As soon as Woo-jin appeared, Chris’s smile deepened, and he spoke again.

“Oh—it suits him well? Haha, it’s completely different from the ‘Joker’.”

Chris, as if amused, crunched on potato chips and focused on ‘The Jamie Show.’ Soon, the real talk began with Kang Woo-jin on TV.

-[“There’s so much to talk about—how does it feel to be the busiest man in Hollywood these days?”]

-[“Not bad.”]

-[“······Is that it?”]

-[“That’s it.”]

-[“Come on! This is ‘The Jamie Show’! Give me a longer answer!”]

Chris chuckled as he saw the comedic elements unique to ‘The Jamie Show.’ About 20 minutes passed like that? The talk, which started with Kang Woo-jin’s debut, had now moved past the Cannes Film Festival and was even discussing Miley Cara.

-[“You’re close with Miley Cara, right?”]

-[“I’m receiving a lot of help.”]

-[“You also participated in her album, and perhaps—that’s when Woo-jin started to make a name for himself in Hollywood. After that, you also appeared together in ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ Ah! I really enjoyed watching ‘The Beneficial Evil’.”]

-[“Thank you.”]

-[“Let’s talk about ‘The Beneficial Evil,’ which achieved the miracle of being number one on Netflix worldwide, later. Anyway, you’re often associated with Miley. You were also both confirmed as candidates for the live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ movie, which was a hot topic recently, right?”]

Chris, who was watching TV, slowly nodded at the mention of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

“Yeah, I was surprised too. It was announced right after ‘Joker.’ Come to think of it, I heard the ‘Beast’ role audition was over—but, well, it’ll be difficult to go to both Columbia and Disney.”

At that moment.

-[“No, I’m not a candidate actor.”]

Kang Woo-jin on TV spoke to the host in a cynical tone. Chris tilted his head.

“Huh?”

Again, Kang Woo-jin’s low voice echoed from the TV.

-[“I have been confirmed for the ‘Beast’ role.”]

In an instant, Chris Hartnett’s brown eyes widened, and his movements stopped. His mouth only opened slightly.

“What…did he say?”