I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 414

The news that Hollywood’s master director, Danny Landis, would be directing ‘Universal Movies’ new project was a big deal in Hollywood. Danny Landis, always a top pick when discussing master directors, had only ever directed movies he had written himself. It was practically unheard of for him to join a project as a hired director like this.

So, it wasn’t strange that foreign news outlets were making a fuss about Danny Landis.

But for Kang Woo-jin, who was reading the article:

‘Well, I guess Joseph was in a hurry, so it’s natural he’d be quick with things? But is this Danny Landis guy really that big in Hollywood?’

He chuckled inwardly but wasn’t particularly moved. Danny Landis might be famous worldwide, but to Kang Woo-jin, he was just another old-timer director, like Ahn Ga-bok. Standing there, Woo-jin checked a few more foreign news articles about ‘Universal Movies’ and Danny Landis.

The content was similar, and the foreign press was excited. Not just about Danny Landis, but also:

‘My name’s popping up quite a bit too?’

Kang Woo-jin was frequently mentioned in the rapidly added foreign news articles.

『LA TIME/Danny Landis Directs ‘Universal Movies’ New Project for the First Time in His Career, What About the Rumors of Kang Woo-jin Joining That Surfaced a Few Days Ago?』

Anyway, the reason Danny Landis suddenly took the helm of ‘Universal Movies’ new project was simple. Joseph Felton, who had come to Korea himself and made the gamble of skipping the audition and screen test, had received an OK. After that, Joseph must have moved quickly to win over Danny Landis.

Kang Woo-jin, having already made his decision, only had to watch from here on out.

‘Now that the director’s been decided, they’ll probably be busy revising the script, increasing its quality, and deciding on a title.’

At that moment.

-Swish.

Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, and the team members approached Woo-jin, who was standing in front of the van. Once everyone gathered, Kang Woo-jin’s team moved towards the ‘Beneficial Evil’ set, and after a few steps, Choi Sung-gun, who had checked the article, whispered to Kang Woo-jin.

“You saying you’d do it means you’re basically confirmed as the lead, but ‘Universal Movies’ only announced Danny Landis and left you out, Woo-jin?”

“Yes, I saw that too.”

“Well, we should contact them—I guess they have a set time to announce it. Or maybe they’ll reveal it after deciding on the title?”

‘Maybe,’ Kang Woo-jin thought with a serious expression. He didn’t care whether they dragged out the hype or revealed it at the perfect moment. The world, including Korea and Hollywood, was still buzzing about Kang Woo-jin. It was thanks to ‘Beneficial Evil’ and his Hollywood projects that new tidbits were being dropped every day.

Of course, at the heart of it all was the highly newsworthy Kang Woo-jin.

Kang Woo-jin entered the set where filming would take place today. Dozens of staff members greeted him loudly, followed by the unknown and rookie actors who had been cast for Part 2. Woo-jin, with his composed expression, accepted the greetings and approached Song Man-woo PD [Production Director], who had a beard, among the staff. The unknown and rookie actors whispered among themselves.

They had seen the articles too.

“Did you see the article? That Danny Landis is directing the new ‘Universal Movies’ project that Kang Woo-jin sunbaenim [senior/respected colleague] is supposedly joining?”

“Wow! Really? That’s amazing, Danny Landis… he’s a super famous director in Hollywood!”

“But it’s not confirmed that Woo-jin sunbae is going to be in the ‘Universal Movies’ project, right? It’s not a fact yet, just speculation?”

“It’s still speculation, but I think it’s almost 99.9% true. Otherwise, there’s no reason for a ‘Universal Movies’ producer to suddenly come to Korea.”

“Whether it’s fact or speculation, Kang Woo-jin sunbaenim is a crazy legend. It’s amazing that a Korean actor is constantly appearing in Hollywood news.”

“If Woo-jin sunbae even takes over ‘Universal Movies’… wow—that guy is more than a monster.”

The unknown and rookie actors felt honored just to be on the same set as Kang Woo-jin and couldn’t help but look up to him.

“And the fact that it only took him three years to get here is just… wow, it’s hard to put into words.”

It was too fast, way too fast.

And Song Man-woo PD, who was talking to Kang Woo-jin about today’s filming, asked.

“Um—Woo-jin-ssi?”

Unable to contain his curiosity, he whispered to Woo-jin.

“Danny Landis is a director I respect too, but what’s the story with ‘Universal Movies’? Just tell me a little, huh?”

Kang Woo-jin replied briefly and indifferently.

“Well, there will be good news soon.”

After that.

Even though the situation was full of hints, Kang Woo-jin calmly continued filming ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 2. Having already experienced filming Part 1, the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team worked seamlessly, and the filming itself progressed smoothly.

“Cut!! OOOOK! Woo-jin-ssi, that was great! Let’s go again with a full shot!!”

As expected, there were more OK signs than NG [No Good] signs, and the filming schedule was being completed faster than in Part 1.

As such, Woo-jin’s time flew by like a sports car speeding down the Autobahn. On top of that, his hellish schedule made each day feel chaotic. Filming, schedule, filming, schedule, repeat.

‘Wow—damn, the week went by so fast.’

In other words, a week felt like an hour to Kang Woo-jin.

Meanwhile, the ‘Universal Movies’ hints became more intense, and the progress of the project sped up.

『LA TIME/Director ‘Danny Landis’ Holds First Meeting with ‘Universal Movies’! But Kang Woo-jin is Silent, Is the News of His Joining Just a Rumor?』

The powerful momentum of ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 1, which had already caused a global sensation, was still going strong, not to mention Part 2, which was currently being filmed.

『’Beneficial Evil’ Eyes US Emmy Awards, Maintains Global Top Spot in 80 Countries for Two Months』

『[Issue Pick] When Will Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Beneficial Evil’ Power Subside? World No. 1 for an Extended Period!』

『No. 1 in All 83 Countries! ‘Beneficial Evil’ Writes ‘Legend,’ Foreign Press Says “Beneficial Evil Has a High Chance of Sweeping the Emmys”』

Of course, the world’s public opinion was even more chaotic than the media. It had been three months since its launch, but its popularity showed no signs of waning.

-!Overseas! Compilation of Overseas Reactions to Beneficial Evil!!!

-First time tasting a K-ending? Foreigners’ reactions to the last episode of Beneficial Evil Part 1ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ [Korean laughter sound]

-“How do Koreans endure this?” Compilation of hilarious comments from the overseas ‘Reddit’ community shocked by Beneficial Evil!

-Compilation of overseas news covering the global sensation (Overdose of national pride!)

While Kang Woo-jin’s projects were exploding both domestically and internationally, the ‘Baeksang Arts Film Awards’ were held in Korea around the end of April. The ‘Baeksang Arts Film Awards’ focused on works from last year to early this year, and Kang Woo-jin’s appearance was naturally the center of attention.

『[Baeksang] Will Kang Woo-jin, Who Ranked Korea’s All-Time Top 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Movies, Attend This Year’s Baeksang?』

The viewership ratings depended on whether Kang Woo-jin, who had achieved double 20 million with ‘Island of the Missing’ and ‘Leech’ last year, ranking 1st to 3rd in Korean film history, would appear. Because Kang Woo-jin’s schedule was so hellish, there was much debate about whether he would attend, but fortunately.

『Kang Woo-jin’s Side “Will Attend This Year’s Baeksang”, Baeksang Film Festival is Delighted』

Kang Woo-jin’s attendance at the Baeksang Film Festival was confirmed. It was his second Baeksang, if you counted. For most actors, a second Baeksang would mean they were still relatively new, but Woo-jin was different. The award he was guaranteed was 100% Best Actor.

And.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!

Kang Woo-jin, who had passed through the red carpet indifferently amidst an enormous flash of cameras.

‘Ugh—damn, it’s blinding. The reaction is insane.’

Following Cannes and the Blue Dragon [Korean Film Awards].

“Best Actor in the Film Category!! Congratulations! Kang Woo-jin from ‘Leech’!!”

He won the Best Actor award at Baeksang as well. Kang Woo-jin, dressed in a stylish black tuxedo, collected another trophy and stepped onto the stage, putting the microphone to his lips. Soon, hundreds of audience members, broadcasting teams, and reporters focused their cameras on Woo-jin. His acceptance speech had become a trademark.

However, this time, Kang Woo-jin’s acceptance speech was simple.

“Thank you, I will soon show you myself holding a trophy in Hollywood.”

But this also quickly became a hot topic. Moreover, Kang Woo-jin, who received the top award at Baeksang.

『[Star Talk] ‘World Star’ Kang Woo-jin Sweeps Domestic Major Film Festivals with ‘Best Actor’ Awards at Blue Dragon, Grand Bell [Korean Film Awards], and Baeksang!』

In his third year, he had swept the major domestic film festivals.

Of course, this was.

『Kang Woo-jin, Three-Time ‘Best Actor’ Winner at Domestic Film Festivals in One Year, Next Up ‘Emmys’? ‘Academy Awards’?』

Just a taste.

May 1st, LA.

April had vanished in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, the first day of May had dawned, and many foreigners gathered in the large conference room of ‘Universal Movies,’ one of LA’s mega film studios. There were easily over 30 people. Among them, quite a few familiar faces could be seen.

The giant Joseph Felton, Caddie Megan Stone, and others.

They were all gathered for ‘Universal Movies’ new film project. In the meantime, the staff team seemed to be fully assembled.

And on the opposite side of Joseph Felton.

“······”

Danny Landis, the Hollywood big-shot director with glasses perched on his nose and a slightly receding hairline, was seated. He was reading a stack of papers in his hand. It was the script that Kang Woo-jin also had. Not just Danny Landis, but all the key staff in the conference room had the same. Before pre-production officially began, they had to finish revising the script and decide on a title.

In fact, the revisions were 99% complete.

Now, only the final confirmation was left, and once the title was decided, the full pre-production phase would begin. Whatever the case, Danny Landis, who had reached the final part of the nearly completed script, was.

‘Hmm—’

Stroking his chin. The work itself was clearly well-made. That’s why he was more conflicted. About the title. Of course, ‘Universal Movies’ and people like Joseph Felton had put several titles on the list, but.

‘They don’t feel right.’

Danny Landis didn’t particularly like those titles. What would be good? What title would be most suitable? He once again slowly recalled the content of the work. First of all, the motif was ‘Jekyll and Hyde.’ Dissociative identity disorder was mixed in.

‘But those two devices are just supporting elements.’

If he had to define the overall atmosphere or genre of the script.

‘Espionage and spy action.’

The world of secret agents, espionage, and spies was filled with crime and action. In other words, the motifs of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and dissociative identity disorder were devices given to the male lead, and the overall background was espionage action. Of course, there were many action scenes in the script, but somehow, they didn’t feel exhilarating to Danny Landis.

‘Rather, it’s calm and static.’

But it was deep and realistic. The evaluation of the work was the same not only for Danny Landis but also for all the key staff in the conference room besides Joseph Felton. In fact, Joseph was imagining Kang Woo-jin’s action and CQC [Close Quarters Combat] while looking at the script.

At that moment.

-Swish.

Joseph, the general producer, opened his mouth while crossing his legs.

“In my eyes, it seems like no more script revisions are needed, what do you think, director?”

Danny Landis, who had taken off his round glasses, nodded.

“I’m satisfied too.”

“Good, then let’s finalize it with this, we need to print the final version of the script right away. We need to send it to Kang Woo-jin and the other actors who will be joining. But before that.”

“We need to decide on the title.”

Joseph smiled faintly and stared at Danny Landis. His eyes seemed to say, ‘You stopped us, so you better come up with an idea.’ About 10 seconds of silence passed.

“······”

Danny Landis, with his arms crossed, finally spoke in his old voice.

“The core of this work is definitely the protagonist, and it’s quite intense compared to other works. So, it would be good to include the male lead’s name in the title. And also the male lead’s flaw.”

Soon, Danny Landis looked at Joseph Felton and uttered the title he had in mind.

“How about ‘John Persona’?”

Two days later, ‘Universal Movies’ announced the title of their new film, ‘John Persona.’

The announcement included Kang Woo-jin as well.