I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 415

‘Universal Movies’ first used its official social media for the official announcement.

-[Hello, this is ‘Universal Movies.’ We have new news for you. The title of the new film directed by Danny Landis has been decided as ‘John Persona.’ We ask for your continued interest. Additionally, regarding the male lead actor that has been discussed for some time, our ‘Universal Movies’ has decided to work with actor Kang Woo-jin for ‘John Persona.’ We have high expectations for him…]

Following that, ‘Universal Movies’ official YouTube channel and the press followed suit.

『LA TIME/‘Universal Movies’ “New film title is ‘John Persona,’ Kang Woo-jin confirmed as male lead”』

『ABY/‘Universal Movies’ announces film title for the first time, and Kang Woo-jin casting rumors were true!』

Hollywoo quickly became abuzz. It was natural. First, there was the fact that director Danny Landis’s first film not written by himself, ‘John Persona,’ but also because of the rumors about Kang Woo-jin that had been circulating for weeks.

『BBX/Korean actor Kang Woo-jin confirmed to work with director Danny Landis! Sets new record by confirming 3 out of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five’』

Following ‘Columbia Studios’ and ‘World Disney Pictures,’ Kang Woo-jin was cast as the male lead in new films by three of Hollywood’s biggest studios. Moreover, this happened almost simultaneously as soon as Woo-jin appeared in Hollywood.

No actor in Hollywood had ever achieved such a feat.

It was a natural progression for the international public, including foreign press, to be excited about this Korean actor who had set such an incredible record. This news, which seemed almost unbelievable, quickly spread beyond Hollywood to the rest of the world.

Once again, Kang Woo-jin’s name was on fire everywhere.

Foreign news outlets generally reported the facts and the shock, but the global public had a variety of reactions.

‘Is this real? How can this happen? What kind of magic did Kang Woo-jin use? Of course, he must have earned it with his skills? I doubted my eyes when I saw the article,’ etc. Because the international public had such varied perceptions of Kang Woo-jin, the reactions to him were half positive and half negative.

The world quickly changed to a turbulent atmosphere, and Korea was no exception.

『[Breaking News] Kang Woo-jin also joins ‘Universal Movies’ as male lead』

『[Official] ‘Universal Movies’ new film title is ‘John Persona,’ male lead confirmed as ‘Kang Woo-jin’』

『The rampant rumors were true! Kang Woo-jin to work with Hollywood master ‘Danny Landis’ as male lead』

The news of Kang Woo-jin, who had even joined ‘Universal Movies,’ spread like wildfire in Korea.

The public went wild.

-Wow….crazy….is this for real??

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋNo wayㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋWowㅋㅋㅋI’m just in awe

-Kang Woo-jin is insane

-How did this happen?? There were no talks of Kang Woo-jin auditioning? Is this a lie?

-Idiot, it’s official, the source is Universal’s official social media

-Damn, is this really happening?

-Kang Woo-jin’s momentum is so crazy, it’s making me laugh

-Then, the famous producer who came to Korea last time really came to see Kang Woo-jin!!!

-Male lead contracts with 3 of Hollywood’s Big Five….my heart is swelling with pride

-But is this even a possible schedule???

-Without a doubt, Kang Woo-jin is now at a level that even Hollywood actors can’t compare toㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

However, Kang Woo-jin, who was receiving tremendous congratulations from the hundred or so staff and actors at the ‘Beneficial Evil’ set in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do.

“Wow!! Woo-jin! Really?!! Is it real?!! Amazing!!”

“Congratulations!! You’re a true legend!!”

“Huh- How did things get this far?? Am I seeing this right?!”

“You’re totally dominating Hollywood, Woo-jin!! Congratulations!!”

“I never thought I’d see such a sight in my life…”

He didn’t show much change in emotion. He just lowered his head slightly with a low tone.

“Thank you.”

Even the real Kang Woo-jin, who was putting on a persona, felt the same way. He had already been in contact with Joseph Felton and knew when the official script for ‘John Persona’ would be released, as well as when it would be announced. Of course, he felt a little embarrassed seeing his colleagues so happy.

‘They’re so happy, it’s a bit embarrassing—should I go to the subspace for a bit?’

He briefly considered escaping to the subspace, but Kang Woo-jin decided to watch their happiness for now. Their expressions were somewhat like the energy of winning first place in the World Cup, a global festival. In addition, Kang Woo-jin’s phone was ringing off the hook.

-Bzzzz.

The constant vibrations. It must be that many people, besides his contacts in Korea, Japan, and Hollywood, were sending congratulations. All day, Korea and the area around Kang Woo-jin were in a half-crazed festive mood.

Of course, this excitement wouldn’t fade in just a day or two.

-Swish.

That same night, Kang Woo-jin, who was resting at the ‘Beneficial Evil’ set, which had calmed down a bit, entered the subspace. He needed to check the newly arrived ‘John Persona’ list and rest for a while. Anyway, as soon as he arrived in the endless darkness, Woo-jin said.

“Let’s see—what’s changed?”

He immediately moved to the white rectangle. The last white rectangle, where the text had changed from before.

The S-grade ‘John Persona’ was.

-[13/Scenario (Title: John Persona), SSS-grade]

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

It had been upgraded two levels to SSS-grade.

Then, Kang Woo-jin, who had left the subspace, chuckled inwardly and muttered softly.

“This, this could easily be EX-grade, too?”

Meanwhile, in LA.

A statue more than three times the size of a person stood in front of a large building. Specifically, it was the trophy statue of the ‘Primetime Emmy Awards,’ known as the ‘Academy Awards’ of the broadcasting industry. In other words, it was the building of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), which organizes the ‘Emmys.’

The key figures who had completed the collection of numerous works gathered in a large meeting room. Although the exact date was not yet set, it was natural that they were getting busy as the ‘Primetime Emmy Awards’ were scheduled to officially open around August this year.

For reference, although it had not been officially announced, the ‘Primetime Emmy Awards’ had already completed the selection of works to be officially nominated through the votes of numerous judging members.

“The sorting is done.”

“Then, all that’s left is to announce the officially nominated candidate works.”

Therefore, the people of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS).

“Okay, let’s set up an announcement this week.”

They were preparing to announce the selected candidate works.

Back to Kang Woo-jin.

Due to the explosive popularity of the movie ‘John Persona,’ Kang Woo-jin’s schedule, which was already hellish, became more than twice as busy. Filming for ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 2 was the default, and he also graced the front pages of several famous overseas magazines, including various domestic schedules. Many overseas media companies were also personally entering Korea to get an interview with Kang Woo-jin.

It was a natural progression given the global interest that was like a nuclear bomb.

At this point, it wouldn’t be strange if his ego was through the roof, but.

‘Ugh—I’m so out of it, so out of it. Hold on, first I need to film ‘Beneficial Evil,’ and I also need to do a reading (experience) for ‘John Persona.’

Woo-jin’s feelings hadn’t changed much. His mind was full of the works he would be filming in the future. Meanwhile, the global power of bw Entertainment had also become immense.

In the meantime, the Hollywood projects related to Kang Woo-jin were also being prepared steadily.

The ‘John Persona’ team, which had barely decided on the title and male lead, was entering the early stages of pre-production. While Kang Woo-jin was confirmed as the male lead, the rest of the cast was undecided. So, they had to start by creating a list of actors.

Of course, the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ team was also moving busily.

『LA TIME/Kang Woo-jin, ‘Beast and the Beauty’ completes top duo with Miley Cara, casting for the rest of the actors accelerates』

‘Beast and the Beauty’ was expected to take a long time, especially for set construction. Because it was based on an animated original, it was impossible to film in a real location. In other words, they had to finish the construction of the 50,000-pyeong [approximately 165,000 square meters] ‘spt Studio’ set first, and it was expected to take a long time due to the many things that needed to be done, from special makeup to CG [computer-generated imagery].

Still, the casting was in its final stages.

On the other hand, ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ was showing the fastest progress.

『CNM/‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain,’ the beginning of the ‘Cinematic Universe’ with completed cast, when is the script reading with male lead Kang Woo-jin?』

‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain,’ which had the earliest start and planning completion compared to other works, had already completed the entire cast, including Kang Woo-jin and Chris Hartnett. Of course, the pre-production handled by director Ahn Ga-bok was also in its final stages. Although the system was different from Korea, director Ahn Ga-bok’s experienced and skilled abilities had shortened the time considerably.

Currently, director Ahn Ga-bok was deciding on the tentative filming schedule and organizing the remaining location scouting.

‘Whew—somehow, we can hold the script reading by May.’

The script reading for ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ was approaching.

A few days later, on May 8th.

Around 11 a.m. late in the morning. The location was the Netflix Korea headquarters in Korea. In the conference room, where numerous hit works and the recently added ‘Beneficial Evil’ posters were hung, Kang Woo-jin was sitting in the middle of the U-shaped table with a cynical expression.

“······”

The composure and gravitas were produced by a thick persona, but inwardly, he was quite nervous.

‘Whew—why is it taking so long??’

Choi Sung-gun was seated next to Woo-jin.

And around them were the core members of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ including the bearded PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo and writer Choi Na-na. What was unusual was that everyone’s faces were quite serious. They were full of tension. PD Song Man-woo was nervously tapping the table with his index finger, and writer Choi Na-na, who was naturally timid, had been taking deep breaths since earlier.

The other members were the same.

They were expressing their tension by shaking their legs or constantly looking at their phones. At this time, Choi Sung-gun, who had re-tied his ponytail properly, looked around and then.

-Swish.

Whispered in Kang Woo-jin’s ear.

“How do you think it’ll go?”

Startled, but trying not to show it, Kang Woo-jin lowered his voice.

“I don’t know.”

“Aren’t you nervous? Ah, no. There’s no way you’d be nervous.”

Kang Woo-jin, who inwardly muttered ‘I am nervous though?’, made eye contact with PD Song Man-woo across the table. PD Song Man-woo just gave a faint smile without saying anything. It was a forced smile. Even PD Song Man-woo, who was already famous but had become even more of a big shot with ‘Beneficial Evil,’ and had a lot of experience, couldn’t stop his heart from pounding.

Then why?

Why was the entire ‘Beneficial Evil’ team, who were in the middle of filming, at Netflix Korea at this time? Even Kang Woo-jin.

The answer to this was.

-Click!!

Kim So-hyang, the general director who had lost some weight, suddenly opened the conference room door and appeared. Whether she had run or not, she appeared with a slightly rough breath. As soon as she appeared, PD Song Man-woo and writer Choi Na-na jumped up, and Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun turned their heads to Kim So-hyang.

Of course, everyone in the conference room did the same.

“The announcement is over.”

General Director Kim So-hyang muttered with a face that was ambiguous whether she was smiling or expressionless.

In fact, she had just checked the official nominee candidates for this year’s ‘Emmys,’ which the ‘Emmy’ side had announced on their official website and live online broadcast. In other words, the moment when the ‘Emmy’ nomination of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which had been kept secret and was considered a strong candidate by foreign media, was decided by Kim So-hyang’s words.

Then, Kim So-hyang’s gaze lingered on Kang Woo-jin before moving to PD Song Man-woo.

Then, she smiled faintly.

“It’s done! ‘Beneficial Evil’ is officially nominated for this year’s ‘Emmys’!”

As soon as they heard the answer, a scream echoed in the conference room. Because the entire ‘Beneficial Evil’ team, including PD Song Man-woo and writer Choi Na-na, were wailing.

“Kaaaaaah!! Yes!! This is how it should be!”

“That’s right!! It’s done!!”

“Kyaaak!! Really?!! Really?!!”

It was quite understandable. It was the first time that a non-English drama had been nominated for the ‘Emmys,’ which boasts the highest authority in the broadcasting industry worldwide. This was a celebration not only for Korea but for all of Asia.

But as if this wasn’t the end, Kim So-hyang added to the frenzy of the team.

“It’s not just a nomination! ‘Beneficial Evil’ has been nominated in 10 categories!!”

“Wh-what?!! What does that mean!”

“Is it real?! Nominated in 10 categories?!”

Finally, Kim So-hyang, who made eye contact with Kang Woo-jin, who was the only one sitting indifferently, smiled.

“Kang Woo-jin is also in those 10 categories.”

Her smile became several times deeper.

“Woo-jin is one of the five nominees for Best Actor in a Drama Series!! You know? This is the first time for any Asian actor overall!”

After Cannes, it was the ‘Emmys.’ But Kang Woo-jin’s expression was indifferent.

“······”

However, inwardly, he was raising a fierce question mark.

‘Huh??’