I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 42

After Park Dae-ri’s line, everyone on the set fell silent. The several cameras filming Park Dae-ri and the middle-aged woman also stopped moving.

Of course, Park Dae-ri and the middle-aged woman were the same.

‘······’

Before they knew it, the woman’s screams of struggle and Park Dae-ri’s voice of pleasure had vanished, and the set became quiet.

That state lasted for about 10 seconds.

The one who broke the heavy silence was, as expected, the bearded Song Man-woo PD [Production Director].

“Cut!! Oooookay!!”

The scene was over.

“We’ll just use this take!”

Normally, they would film the same scene multiple times, but Song Man-woo PD didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. The previous take was enough. Besides, intense or excessive scenes were usually not filmed multiple times.

Anyway, as soon as the OK sign was given, Kang Woo-jin quickly shed the Park Dae-ri persona.

-Swish.

He untied the rope around the middle-aged supporting actress’s neck. It was an incredibly fast movement. Then, Woo-jin supported her shoulder and asked in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, are you okay?”

The supporting actress, who had given a passionate performance, answered while catching her breath.

“···Huh? Oh, yes. I’m fine.”

“Is there anywhere that hurts?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Let’s check a bit more.”

The brutality from just before was nowhere to be seen. That’s why the supporting actress, who had trembled at Woo-jin’s acting, was slightly surprised.

‘This kid is really something? Look how quickly he sheds the character.’

Even now, Kang Woo-jin’s eyes were filled with genuine concern. He was completely different from the maniacal Park Dae-ri.

“Be careful getting up.”

Of course, Kang Woo-jin’s actions right now were all genuine.

‘Is she really okay??’

Any actor would have acted similarly after doing that scene. Moreover, the supporting actress was about the same age as Kang Woo-jin’s mother. Because of that, she overlapped with his mother, and Woo-jin became even more worried.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Your neck area is a bit red.”

“It’s really okay, your hands are more red, actor. You put a lot of strength into it on purpose.”

That was true. During the scene where he was tightening the rope around her neck, Woo-jin had maximized his grip strength. The rope around the supporting actress’s neck was actually a bit loose, but he had expressed the tightness of the rope by putting strength into his hands.

Kang Woo-jin was gradually able to use his subspace ability more freely.

Therefore, the clarity of the character imprinted through repeated readings (experiences) increased, but he was also able to maintain his reason as Kang Woo-jin while acting.

At that moment, the staff and Song Man-woo PD rushed over.

“Why? Did you get hurt??”

“Are you okay?!”

In fact, the supporting actress didn’t have any major problems. The acting was very realistic, and her emotions had intensified due to Kang Woo-jin’s acting, but she wasn’t injured or hurt. However, Kang Woo-jin’s cynical concern amplified the worry of those around him. Thanks to his seriousness.

But Woo-jin continued to watch her with a stoic face.

“PD-nim, please check her neck and arm area.”

“Huh?? Why?”

“I thought it was a bit harsh during the dragging scene earlier.”

Kang Woo-jin continued to support the supporting actress and handed her over to the staff. His poker face was maintained, but his eyes were sincere.

Soon.

“I’ll go to the restroom for a bit.”

Woo-jin, who had been watching the supporting actress’s condition, slowly moved his feet. It wasn’t that he was avoiding the situation, but as soon as he felt relieved about the supporting actress’s condition, his tension was released.

‘Ugh- damn. I need to pee so bad.’

He genuinely needed to go to the bathroom. Physiological needs were fair to everyone. Seeing Woo-jin’s back, some of the female staff members whispered.

“It looks like he’s going to calm down his emotions. Well, that scene was really intense.”

Meanwhile, actors like Ryu Jung-min and Hong Hye-yeon only watched Kang Woo-jin with their eyes, but didn’t follow him.

‘I should talk to him after he recovers his emotions.’

‘It’s a relief he didn’t throw up. It’s a talent to be able to calmly recover his emotions like that after seeing that scene.’

It was natural to give Kang Woo-jin time to recover his emotions. Whether they did or not, Woo-jin’s pace quickened as he urgently needed the restroom.

‘I’m gonna pee, I’m gonna pee. Ugh.’

However, he couldn’t show it too much. It could look frivolous.

Just as Kang Woo-jin was getting further away.

“Representative, I’ll stick with hyung-nim [older brother/term of respect]!”

Jang Su-hwan, the large man from Kang Woo-jin’s team who had been gathered among the staff, moved, and Choi Sung-gun, the representative, stopped him.

“It’s okay. If you go now, it’ll just be a hindrance. Do you think he’s really going to the restroom?”

“Then what?”

The answer came from the cold Han Ye-jung.

“He’s probably going to calm down. Most method actors are like that.”

Around this time, someone tapped the shoulder of Choi Sung-gun, who had his arms crossed and his hair tied up. When he turned around, a man he knew was standing there. Choi Sung-gun was slightly surprised.

“You’re Kim, the manager from Eoullim Film, right?”

“Yes, you remember me. It’s been a while.”

“Of course, I have to remember you, haha. I heard you’re preparing for your next project with Director Kwon Ki-taek.”

“Wow- I haven’t even done any proper media play yet, and your information network is still great.”

“But what brings you here······”

At that moment, the quick-witted Choi Sung-gun changed his expression to a serious one and whispered.

“Did you perhaps come to see an actor? Ah- right. That chubby guy with the mask from earlier. That’s Director Kwon.”

“You’re still quick on the uptake. Representative Choi, let’s go together for a moment.”

“···Director Kwon must have seen Woo-jin.”

Kim, the manager, smiled as if he had guessed correctly. Soon, Choi Sung-gun, who was quickly calculating in his head, followed him. The place they arrived at was the empty parking lot. Among them, a chubby man wearing a mask was visible in front of a gray van.

Who else could it be?

‘Director Kwon Ki-taek.’

It was correct what Choi Sung-gun muttered in his mind. Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had found Choi Sung-gun here, took off his mask.

“Representative Choi, how have you been?”

He spoke softly with a smile. The two had already met before.

“Yes, Director. It’s been a while. The last time was when we had a meeting with Hye-yeon, right?”

“That’s right. But today isn’t about Hye-yeon.”

“It’s about our Woo-jin.”

“That’s right.”

Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek recalled Kang Woo-jin’s Park Dae-ri performance from earlier. And his true feelings came out.

“It was amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“He spoke English at a native level. I heard that kid named Kang Woo-jin was overseas? Do you know where he studied acting overseas?”

Choi Sung-gun, with his hair tied up, was slightly surprised.

“How did you know that?”

“Ah- I heard it roughly from PD Song.”

“···Wait. Then this isn’t the first time you’ve seen Woo-jin today?”

“No. I’ve been watching him for a few weeks. I also saw his acting at the interrogation room set.”

Choi Sung-gun, upon hearing the answer, screamed internally. No, it was admiration for Kang Woo-jin.

‘Is that guy a magnet for masters??! From Woo Hyun-gu to Kwon Ki-taek, why are all these masters lining up to him??’

Director Kwon Ki-taek, with a small smile, continued in a low voice.

“Honestly, I was going to meet Woo-jin today and talk properly, but after that amazing performance earlier, the situation became a bit strange.”

“Yes?”

“I’m a bit embarrassed to talk to a kid who still has those intense emotions left. It’s a sight I’ve seen a lot as a director.”

“Ah.”

“I’ll go for today.”

“Yes?? You came all the way here and you’re just leaving?”

“It’s okay, I’m satisfied because I saw that great performance. Instead.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who opened the van door, asked.

“Let’s make a proper appointment, not on set. When would be good?”

Choi Sung-gun, who was quickly recalling his schedule, quickly gave an answer.

“How about the morning of the day after tomorrow?”

Two days later, on Monday, April 13th.

The time was morning. The entertainment news was still a battlefield.

『SBC, MBS, TVM’s scheduled three-way war is already causing a stir in various communities』

The media had been throwing out bait for the new drama battle for days, and the heated atmosphere quickly spread to public opinion.

『[Star Talk] Expectations rise for the drama war, top actors’ SNS suddenly become active』

The more that happened, the more the mentioned broadcasting companies, SBC, MBS, and TVM, poured oil on the burning promotion. Whether it was clickbait or rumors, if they backed out at this moment, their recognition would rapidly decrease.

At this time, Song Man-woo PD was in the director’s office of the SBC drama department.

He had been editing all night after finishing filming yesterday, so his appearance was a mess. His beard had also grown a lot. Of course, his recent routine was almost the same.

Filming, editing, filming, editing. Repeat.

Still, he was a veteran, so there was a lot of progress. Writer Park Eun-mi was also speeding up, finishing the 12th episode script.

Anyway.

“Song Pro [short for Professional].”

The drama department director, who was sitting on the top seat of the 5-person sofa and was generally fat, spoke to Song Man-woo PD, who was sitting on the sofa next to him.

“Did you see the reporters going crazy right now? Talking about a war and all that.”

“Yes- I saw it, of course.”

The two seemed close. It was natural. They were old senior-junior colleagues. When the director was a PD, Song Man-woo PD was his assistant director. If you counted the years, it was close to 20 years.

Whatever it was, the director shook the ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ episode 5 script in his hand.

“If you know, you rascal, gently persuade Writer Park to put some sweet stuff in from episode 5. The script is great, but isn’t it too dry?”

“Ha- Director-nim [term of respect]. No, hyung-nim. What love is there in the ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ line? Where should I put it?”

“That’s for Writer Park to figure out. I’m not saying to shove it in properly, but to subtly insert it like a seasoning. Are you going to throw away all the viewers who like sweet stuff? There are rumors that MBS is going for a rom-com and TVM is also giving off that kind of vibe.”

Song Man-woo PD snorted.

“If you mix that kind of stuff, it’ll all turn to crap. Love in a genre piece is nonsense. If you want that, hyung-nim, you direct it.”

“I’ve been sitting at a desk for years! You know how much money went into ‘Profiler Han-ryang’? Writer Park, Ryu Jung-min, Hong Hye-yeon, and so on. If this fails, we’re both screwed. Hey, I gave in to you putting in that no-name, Kang Woo-jin or whatever his name is.”

“He’s going to make the viewership skyrocket. And anyway, it’s not even our own production, it’s outsourced, how much of our money went into it?”

“It’s not just about the money, there’s also face, you know? The president is also watching. Do you know how much I was attacked at the meeting this morning??”

Soon, Song Man-woo PD, who was checking his wristwatch, sighed and muttered.

“Then you should tell her yourself, Director-nim.”

“Huh? What?”

“Tell Writer Park directly. She should be here soon.”

“Hey, hey, that’s.”

At that moment.

-Click!

Writer Park Eun-mi, who had put on makeup, appeared in the director’s office. Song Man-woo PD had sent her a message during the conversation. In other words, she already knew all of the director’s intentions. As soon as the director saw Park Eun-mi, he suddenly laughed.

“Oh my- Writer Park. How’s your health?”

However, the expression of Park Eun-mi, who had long permed hair, was very firm.

“Are you going to scrap it?”

“···Huh? What?”

“The drama. Are you going to scrap it? You’ve experienced it once before. When I went to France and went into hiding for about a year.”

“Ah, no. Writer Park, calm down.”

“Go into hiding? Do you think I can’t do it?”

“Wri, Writer Park.”

“Are you going to scrap it?”

“······”

“Should I book a plane ticket?”

The director, who had been looking at Park Eun-mi for a while, lowered his head.

“I’m sorry, Writer Park. Please, write the script.”

Two hours later, news of Park Eun-mi’s phone interview with a media outlet was released as an article.

『’Profiler Han-ryang’ Writer Park Eun-mi: “There will be no sweetness in this new work”』

At that certainty, the public was rather enthusiastic.

Meanwhile, at Eoullim Film in Sangam-dong.

Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun were seen in the hallway of the large film company. Woo-jin’s expressionless attire was somewhat formal. He was wearing a blazer. Both of them had solemn expressions, and the rest of the team was waiting in the underground parking lot.

Then.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin arrived in front of a conference room glass door. At the same time, Choi Sung-gun, with his hair tied up, met Woo-jin’s gaze.

“Woo-jin-ah [term of endearment]···this time, you.”

However, Choi Sung-gun trailed off. The complete sentence was, ‘This time, please think about it for a bit longer.’ He had been too quick to reject Director Woo Hyun-gu. But he swallowed his words. The right to choose a project was also a matter in the contract.

“Hoo- no, it’s nothing. But Director Kwon Ki-taek is even stronger than Director Woo Hyun-gu. What should I say, his reputation or honor.”

“Yes, I know.”

It wasn’t a bluff or a boast, it was genuine. Kang Woo-jin had also searched for Director Kwon Ki-taek after hearing about this meeting. Of course, he had heard the name, but he wanted to know more about him.

‘He’s quite impressive. He’s won a lot of awards at those amazing overseas film festivals.’

However, Kang Woo-jin, who maintained his cynicism, wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be. Even though he was about to meet a master director. He hadn’t even met Director Woo Hyun-gu, but this time it was an open meeting. But still, Woo-jin was surprisingly calm.

‘Is it because it doesn’t feel real?’

Or maybe it was because it had only been two months since he started acting. You know how it is? When you don’t know much, you become brave. Thanks to that, Director Kwon Ki-taek’s prestige was somewhat diminished. Rather, Choi Sung-gun, with his hair tied up, was more nervous.

“Why do I feel like I’m the only one nervous? Well, Woo-jin, you don’t get nervous easily, do you? I’m a bit like that too, but Director Kwon Ki-taek has some kind of aura…”

Choi Sung-gun, who took a deep breath, opened the glass door.

-Creak.

Director Kwon Ki-taek was already sitting inside. He was in the middle of the U-shaped desk. Some film company employees were also visible around him. Soon, Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun bowed deeply.

“Hello!”

“Hello, Director-nim.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek immediately approached the two.

“It’s nice to meet you, Representative Choi. And.”

His gaze reached the silent Kang Woo-jin.

“It’s finally nice to see you up close, Woo-jin-ssi [term of respect].”

“I heard you came to the set often.”

“Haha. I did. Your voice sounds even better up close? It would be amazing if we recorded it.”

Was that a compliment right away? How embarrassing. Kang Woo-jin tried to hide his embarrassment and answered in a low voice.

“···Thank you.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was smiling here, suddenly handed a bundle of papers to Woo-jin.

“Take this, it’s the script for my next project. Some actors have already received it.”

In other words, it was a script.

“First, let’s sit down and skim through it, then we’ll talk.”

Of course. Woo-jin, who agreed internally, raised his index finger with a blank expression. Of course, he couldn’t show it.

-Poke!

He poked the black square next to the script. As it was, Woo-jin entered the subspace. In the endless dark space, the tension that had been there slightly was instantly released for Kang Woo-jin.

And then he.

“Let’s see-”

He moved to the white squares that were listed casually. Of course, one had just been added.

“[1/Scenario(Title: Detective Agency), A-grade]”

“[2/Script(Title: Profiler Han-ryang Episode 1), S-grade]”

“[3/Scenario(Title: Island of Disappearance), D-grade]”

The title of the scenario that Director Kwon Ki-taek had given him was ‘Island of Disappearance’. The problem was.

“···D-grade?”

The grade was low, and additionally, Kang Woo-jin tilted his head. The reason was simple.

“[3/Scenario(Title: Island of Disappearance), D-grade]”

“[*This is a movie scenario with average completion. 60% reading is possible.]”

Not only was the grade low, but for some reason, the completion was also low.

“This···why is the completion low?”

He couldn’t help but be puzzled.