I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 417

May 17th was the script reading day for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain.’ Kang Woo-jin, phone pressed to his ear, calculated the date with a stoic expression.

‘Today is the 8th, right?’

It was May 8th. So, May 17th was next week, less than ten days away. It might seem a bit tight, but it wasn’t a big deal for Kang Woo-jin. He’d been given a heads-up that the script reading for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ would be sometime between the second and third week of May.

Therefore, Kang Woo-jin was planning to leave for LA around the 12th.

He intended to arrive early, handle his LA schedule, and then participate in the script reading. Although he was in the middle of filming ‘Beneficial Evil,’ it was in the mid-to-late stages of the filming schedule, and Song Man-woo PD [Production Director], who was already aware of Kang Woo-jin’s insane schedule, would surely understand. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin replied to Director Ahn Ga-bok over the phone.

“The 17th, I understand, Director.”

Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s old laughter was heard over the phone.

“Columbia Studios will also contact BW Entertainment separately. Somehow, we’re finally reaching the script reading. It felt so distant at first.”

“Time flies.”

“We’re both busy, aren’t we? Of course, you’re probably more extreme than I am. By the way, there’s nothing special to prepare for the script reading. They’ll distribute the script here. If you prefer your own, you can bring it.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll let you know the exact location and time within a few days.”

As the call seemed to be wrapping up, Kang Woo-jin said his goodbyes.

“Thank you, Director. I’ll see you then.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok on the other end of the phone blurted out an unexpected response.

“By the way, I’m just guessing, but your influence here in Hollywood is quite significant right now. It was noisy during ‘Universal Movies,’ but now with this ‘Emmys’ thing, the staff can’t stop talking about you.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, if the staff are like this, how about the actors? 100% of the actors coming to the script reading will only be looking at you.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled.

“Curiosity, envy, verification, jealousy, all sorts of emotions will be mixed—it’ll be fun, right? It’s your first script reading in Hollywood, isn’t it?”

After talking with Director Ahn Ga-bok for a while, Kang Woo-jin slowly lowered his phone. The call had ended. Even so, Woo-jin murmured to himself.

‘Oh, that’s right, it’s my first script reading in Hollywood.’

Also, except for Chris Hartnett, he would be meeting all the Hollywood actors cast in ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ for the first time. Of course, they would also be meeting Kang Woo-jin for the first time.

‘Come to think of it, it’s quite a momentous day.’

For Kang Woo-jin, for ‘Columbia Studios,’ and for the Hollywood actors who were cast. It was a day when many firsts would begin for everyone. In a way, Kang Woo-jin’s full-fledged Hollywood debut could be considered that day. At this point, Woo-jin should have been a little nervous. If it were his past self, he definitely would have been.

But.

‘Well, what’s going to be different?’

Surprisingly, Kang Woo-jin was calm. It wasn’t that he wasn’t nervous at all, but it didn’t go beyond the basics. Was it because his concept had been maintained for quite a while, making him bolder? Or had he adapted to Hollywood? Or was it growth? Whatever it was, the fact was that he wasn’t nervous.

Rather, right now, Kang Woo-jin was.

‘I feel a bit of fighting spirit.’

Even his attitude was aggressive. It was like a general with the representative name tag of Korea going into battle. Whether it was the staff or the actors related to ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain,’ no matter how they looked at him, he would only go straight ahead.

‘My way, damn it.’

It was at this moment, as Kang Woo-jin’s no-turning-back attitude intensified, that Choi Sung-gun spoke to him.

“Was that Director Ahn Ga-bok? What did he say?”

At this point, Woo-jin’s concept was several times more intense than usual.

“The script reading is confirmed for May 17th.”

Choi Sung-gun grinned and grabbed Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder.

“Okay, let’s crush it.”

After that.

The day ended. And the next day began. Kang Woo-jin’s first schedule was a commercial shoot. It was for a recently added sports brand, and even at this moment, the entire country was buzzing about ‘Beneficial Evil’ and Kang Woo-jin.

It was several times more intense than yesterday.

『‘Beneficial Evil’ Nominated for 10 Primetime Emmy Awards, Foreign Media Focuses』

『Kang Woo-jin, on His Best Actor Emmy Nomination: “Thank You to ‘Beneficial Evil’ Fans Worldwide”』

『[Issue Pick] ‘Beneficial Evil’ Nominated for 10 Emmy Awards…Director Ahn Ga-bok in Hollywood: “Will Overcome Language and Cultural Barriers”』

『Will ‘Beneficial Evil’ Sweep the US Emmys? Domestic Public Opinion Already Predicting: “Will Win at Least One Award”』

The excitement reached a fever pitch after about two days. The domestic media, as well as the frenzied public, were constantly moving their fingers. Thanks to that, the talk of ‘Beneficial Evil’ and Kang Woo-jin could be heard everywhere, not just on the internet. The atmosphere was the same in Japan, which was like a hot furnace like Korea.

『Japanese Public “Envious” and “Supportive” of ‘Beneficial Evil’s’ ‘Emmy’ Issue』

『Thanks to Kang Woo-jin, Who Has Taken Japan by Storm with ‘Stranger’ and ‘Leech,’ Japanese Media Is Currently Full of Kang Woo-jin Stories/Photo』

Clearly, the ‘Emmy’ related issue this year quickly spread to the entire world, including LA and the US, and beyond France, where Cannes was held.

『[Overseas Topic] Overseas Giant Communities, Including ‘Reddit,’ Are Currently Buzzing with Talk of ‘Beneficial Evil’ and Kang Woo-jin/Photo』

Around this time, ‘Columbia Studios’ in Hollywood posted a new message on their official SNS [Social Networking Service].

-[Hello, this is ‘Columbia Studios.’ Recently, something amazing has happened to actor Kang Woo-jin and his work. First, we would like to send our congratulations. In addition, the official script reading date for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ has been set…]

Along with congratulations to Kang Woo-jin and ‘Beneficial Evil,’ they announced the script reading date for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain.’ Since Woo-jin was causing a global sensation, this news quickly reached Hollywood as well as Korea.

Then, early in the morning of the 12th, a day later.

While the whole world was going crazy, Kang Woo-jin, who was quietly continuing the filming of ‘Beneficial Evil,’ was featured in the news.

『‘First Asian Best Actor Emmy Nominee’ Kang Woo-jin Departs for LA for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ Script Reading/Photo』

『Kang Woo-jin Calmly Waves to Hundreds of Fans at the Airport, Aura of a Best Actor Emmy Nominee…He Now Heads to LA/Photo』

Kang Woo-jin temporarily stopped filming ‘Beneficial Evil’ and boarded a flight to LA. There were over 200 reporters gathered at the airport, and when combined with fans and onlookers, the entire airport lobby was packed.

Kang Woo-jin, who had managed to board his private jet, thought.

‘Whew—for now.’

He decided to rest in the subspace and first opened the script for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain.’ He planned to read it again and then do a reading (experience). The more he repeated this process, the more he could act like ‘Henry Gordon,’ like the ‘Joker.’

Then, a few tens of minutes later.

‘Taking off.’

Kang Woo-jin’s private jet moved.

A few days later, May 17th. LA.

‘Columbia Studios,’ a huge place in Hollywood, where many tourists still visit. However, today, there were many foreign reporters and paparazzi near the entrance. They were busy taking pictures of large vans and minivans passing through the entrance of ‘Columbia Studios.’

Inside the main building of ‘Columbia Studios.’

Inside the building where film company employees and staff were constantly coming and going, several foreigners were busily moving around in what was usually a large conference room. Upon closer inspection, all the bustling foreigners were staff members of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain.’

The reason why they were setting up something in the conference room was simple.

In about two hours, the official script reading for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ was scheduled to take place. Therefore, the foreign staff were transforming the conference room into a reading room. The interior of the transformed reading room was not much different from a reading room in Korea.

“Water! Where’s the water?!”

“It’s stacked up in the back over there!”

“Where?? Ah! I found it!”

In the spacious reading room, tables for the director, key staff, and actors were set up in a square shape in the center. A black cloth was laid over it, and scripts, water bottles, table microphones, and character lists were neatly arranged at each seat. Several cameras were installed around the square table, and dozens of chairs were placed behind the table.

These were seats for invited reporters, ‘Columbia Studios’ executives and staff, and team members of the actors.

The only difference from a Korean reading was that everyone was a foreigner. In addition, the scale of the script reading was about twice as large as in Korea. It was ‘Columbia Studios,’ one of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five,’ and it was ‘Pierrot,’ which would mark the beginning of their ‘Cinematic Universe,’ so it was inevitable.

Well, there were also many actors participating.

Anyway, about an hour passed. Soon, people other than the production team began to arrive at the spacious reading room. It started with the executives of ‘Columbia Studios.’ They were followed by foreign reporters who were invited to the script reading today. Gradually, the empty reading room was filled with the murmur of English.

“It’s finally happening. But did we come too early? None of the actors have arrived yet.”

“There’s still an hour left. Hmm—anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing Kang Woo-jin, who will be sitting as the lead actor in this big project.”

“Me too. This project, including ‘Beast and Beauty,’ ‘John Persona,’ and the ‘Emmys.’ I’ve heard the news endlessly, but it’s my first time seeing him in person.”

“Haha, wouldn’t most of the reporters here be the same? Most of them will be seeing his acting for the first time.”

“What do you think Kang Woo-jin will be like? I watched ‘Beneficial Evil,’ but honestly, I don’t think it has the kind of tension to turn Hollywood upside down.”

“I’m also curious, but—anyway, there must be a reason why the ‘Big Five’ film companies were captivated.”

From dozens of foreign reporters to film company executives, everyone was talking about their own topics. What was interesting was that while there was talk about ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ or Chris Hartnett, the topic of Kang Woo-jin was generally the most prevalent.

Around this time.

“Hello—”

“Oh! Robert! Welcome.”

The Hollywood actors cast in ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ began to appear one after another. Today, even supporting and minor actors were attending this reading. Therefore, as time went on, Hollywood actors arrived indiscriminately, regardless of their roles, from supporting, minor, and major roles.

“Haha! Bill, it’s been a while.”

“Yeah. You’ve lost some weight, haven’t you? Did you work out? You look better.”

“It was Director Ahn Ga-bok’s request. He said I had to be in good shape.”

The empty seats at the square table in the center of the reading room were gradually being filled. There were more and more Hollywood actors who were considered famous or acting powerhouses, even if they weren’t popular. At the same time, the chairs in the back were also filling up, making it difficult to find empty seats. Overall, there were well over a hundred people.

It was now 30 minutes before the start of the script reading.

More than half of the square table was filled, and the spacious reading room was beyond a murmur, it was noisy. In particular, the actors of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ were constantly talking.

“Mark, how much did you practice your acting?”

“Don’t even ask. I can recite the lines fluently with my eyes closed. How about you?”

“Hahaha, me too. But since it’s before the reading, I should keep looking at the script, but I can’t concentrate.”

“Is it because of Kang Woo-jin?”

“Yeah, I’m dying of curiosity.”

“Hmm… Honestly, I understand up to Columbia here, but it’s a bit absurd that he’s also conquered Disney and Universal.”

“I guess so. It’s the first time it’s happened in Hollywood, and on top of that, he’s nominated for Best Actor at the ‘Emmys’ at the same time.”

“It’s more than a whirlwind, what kind of man is he—”

The commonality among the 20 or so Hollywood actors was that they were all looking at the empty seat right next to where the director would sit. The character list placed there had English letters printed on it.

-[Henry Gordon/Kang Woo-jin]

It was the only Korean name in this vast reading room. Kang Woo-jin’s name stimulated the curiosity of the actors. Whether they were major or supporting roles, or minor roles sitting in the back.

“I became a fan of Kang Woo-jin after watching ‘Beneficial Evil.’”

“Really? Hmm—that’s strange? I was a little disappointed with ‘Beneficial Evil.’ In my opinion, it’s a bit questionable that Kang Woo-jin beat Chris Hartnett in acting.”

“I was surprised by that too. It’s the first time I’ve seen Chris lose in acting in a project where he was determined to win.”

“This is just a rumor, but there’s talk that Kang Woo-jin has connections with big shots.”

“No way.”

“Otherwise, how could he cause such a phenomenon?”

It was around that time.

“That’s nonsense.”

A man’s voice cut into the conversation of the minor actors near the entrance.

“Where do you even hear such rumors?”

It was Chris Hartnett, a top Hollywood actor with attractive dark brown eyes. His appearance drew the attention of dozens of Hollywood actors who had gathered beforehand, and Chris, shrugging his shoulders, smiled faintly and continued.

“And I didn’t even try to audition. I gave up after seeing Kang Woo-jin’s acting. Should I say I lost my will to fight?”

Chris was nonchalantly saying things that could be sensitive, but his manager, who was sitting in the back, let out a long sigh and covered his face with his hands.

But Chris Hartnett’s mouth didn’t stop.

“Well, as a result, I’ve grown.”

When all eyes were on him, a low-toned English voice was suddenly heard from right behind Chris.

“Hello, Chris.”

Chris Hartnett, slightly startled, turned his head sharply. A black-haired man was looking at Chris with an indifferent face.

“It’s been a while.”

It was Kang Woo-jin.

At this moment, the eyes of all the hundred or so foreigners in this reading room, including the assembled actors, were fixed on Kang Woo-jin.

What was unusual was.

“······Ah.”

As soon as Woo-jin appeared, the wide reading room, which had been quite noisy, became silent in an instant.

“······”