I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 428

Kang Woo-jin was staring blankly into the distance. Choi Sung-gun, not noticing his gaze, re-tied his ponytail and asked again,

‘If it’s too much of a hassle, wouldn’t it be okay to just leave everything to Ye-jung?’

‘……’

‘Yeah, that’s better. You’re busy enough with acting, why bother picking out tuxedos or suits and deciding on colors? I’ll have Ye-jung and the style team take care of everything, from brands to designs.’

Choi Sung-gun took a bottle of water from the trailer’s refrigerator and handed it to Kang Woo-jin.

‘I thought you seemed to care about the tuxedo designs for Cannes and the Blue Dragon Awards, so I asked you to decide, but looking at your schedule, it seems a bit much. I’ll tell Ye-jung separately, so don’t worry about it and focus on filming.’

Choi Sung-gun, having said his piece, was about to leave the trailer when Woo-jin’s low voice reached his ears.

‘CEO, how about something other than the usual or boring stuff?’

Choi Sung-gun stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and raised an eyebrow.

‘Usual or boring? Are you talking about tuxedos or suits? Well, I guess you could see it that way since everyone wears them. But what else is there? Don’t tell me you want to design and make something custom? Hmm, that’s not bad, but I don’t know if we’ll have the time.’

‘No. That’s not it.’

Woo-jin, with a cynical tone, met Choi Sung-gun’s eyes. His expression became even colder, intensifying his ‘concept’. However, inside, he was imagining a rather amusing scenario.

‘Heh heh, that’s right. There has to be this much fun.’

But he didn’t show it outwardly. He just put on an even stronger ‘tough guy’ act for Choi Sung-gun.

‘CEO, for me, the ‘Emmys’ are just a stopover.’

‘……A stopover? Woo-jin, the ‘Emmys’? The one called the ‘Academy Awards’ of broadcasting? In terms of authority and prestige, it’s not at all inferior, although the ultimate is the ‘Academy Awards’—’

As Choi Sung-gun spoke, a thought suddenly occurred to him. ‘Right, Woo-jin considers Cannes just a stepping stone, so is it strange that he thinks of the ‘Emmys’ as a stopover?’

‘No, it’s not strange at all.’

That’s right. Woo-jin spoke of the ‘Academy Awards,’ the final boss, with indifference. How much more so would he feel about the ‘Emmys,’ which are almost on par? Of course, any ordinary actor in Korea or Hollywood would be shocked to hear that. No one would ever have the same thought as Kang Woo-jin.

‘But the person we’re talking about is Kang Woo-jin.’

Choi Sung-gun cut off his line of conventional thinking and replied to Woo-jin.

‘Y-yeah. The ‘Emmys’ are a stopover. I-I get it.’

Kang Woo-jin, as if it were nothing, casually swept back his black hair and continued.

‘For me, Cannes and the ‘Emmys’ are the same. But the people around me and the world don’t see it that way.’

‘Of course, it’s your first invitation, and you’re nominated in 10 categories. There’s going to be an enormous amount of attention.’

‘Yes, so there’s a gap. Between what I think of the ‘Emmys’ and what the world thinks of it.’

‘……’

‘Boring things aren’t fun.’

‘Boring? The ‘Emmys’?’

‘Yes. It’s rather boring. Anyway, that’s why I’ve been thinking differently.’

Choi Sung-gun swallowed hard. He knew that something far from ordinary would come out of that guy’s mouth. Soon, Woo-jin slowly moved towards the clothes rack.

‘Performance. It could help with ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain,’ and I might have a little fun too.’

‘Huh?’

Kang Woo-jin reached out and picked up the red jacket of the ‘Joker’ costume.

‘It just so happens that the ‘Joker’ costumes are also suits. Although the colors are a bit crazy.’

‘……A bit?’

Choi Sung-gun, who had been quietly watching Kang Woo-jin, quickly realized.

‘You—don’t tell me.’

However, Kang Woo-jin’s reply was faster.

‘A ‘Joker’ walking the red carpet, it would be a unique entrance, I think.’

Choi Sung-gun’s mouth naturally fell open, and he was momentarily stunned. Then, he quickly regained his composure.

‘S-so, you’re saying you’re going to the ‘Emmys’ as the ‘Joker’?’

‘Is it strange?’

‘It’s not that it’s strange—’

Wait, no. Choi Sung-gun, who had been in shock, quickly calmed down. The ‘Joker’ crashing the ‘Emmys’? Just thinking about it, it was obvious that an enormous spotlight would be on Woo-jin.

‘He says it’ll help with ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain,’ which is probably just for promotion. If the Best Actor nominee at the ‘Emmys’ shows up in a crazy ‘Pierrot’ outfit, curiosity will explode.’

And that wasn’t all.

‘Even if Woo-jin doesn’t win Best Actor… the star of the day will definitely be the ‘Joker’ 100%.’

The day after the ‘Emmys,’ there would be several times more talk about Kang Woo-jin than the Best Actor winner.

Choi Sung-gun suddenly smiled and asked back,

‘That would definitely be fun. So, are you planning to do the makeup too?’

Kang Woo-jin, with a nonchalant expression, shook his head.

‘No, just the outfit and hair should be enough.’

‘Right.’

He wrapped it up.

‘Of course, I’ll need to get permission from the director and ‘Columbia Studios’.’

Several hours later, in Korea.

It was past noon in LA, but it was early morning the next day in Korea. Around 5 AM. A very early hour. However, the large editing room at DM Production in Seoul, with numerous monitors, was brightly lit.

It felt as if there was no night here.

Looking inside the editing room, which had a slightly musty air, there were about five people. All five had dark circles around their eyes, and their faces were full of fatigue, as if they hadn’t slept for days. Among them, the man sitting in the center of the editing equipment, with an even thicker stubble, was particularly noticeable.

It was PD Song Man-woo.

He was working to the bone on the editing of ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 2. The post-production work for ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 2, which had finished filming in early June, was already in its third week, and since the scheduled launch was in September, PD Song Man-woo had no choice but to pour his life into it again.

‘……That last cut, was there a full shot?’

‘Yes.’

‘Let’s look at that one.’

The conversation was minimal. PD Song Man-woo was just busy moving his fingers while looking at Kang Woo-jin on the monitor.

‘No, the bust shot is better after all.’

‘I think so too.’

‘Haa… it’s driving me crazy, there’s nothing to throw away in these shots, which makes it even harder.’

‘……Woo-jin’s crazy acting is, in a way, a bit of a pain for the director.’

‘It’s a happy pain.’

However, the work was a bit slow. It was unlike PD Song Man-woo, the usual drama heavyweight. Even for him, who had been in this industry for decades, it was the first time he had created such a global project.

Pressure.

With the nuclear-level interest pouring in from overseas, he had more to think about and more to worry about. In addition, Kang Woo-jin’s jaw-dropping acting in every shot added to PD Song Man-woo’s agony.

‘This is the first time in my life that editing has been this hard.’

Then, PD Song Man-woo with the stubble suddenly thought that Kang Woo-jin was amazing.

‘Even I’m trembling over one project, but that guy’s projects have all been mega-hits. How can he not have even a bit of pressure?’

Even if he was ‘Kang Totem,’ it was too absurd of a path. After a moment of recalling Woo-jin’s face, PD Song Man-woo.

‘……Let’s go with the bust shot after all.’

He focused on editing again.

Several hours later.

‘Hoo… let’s stop here for a bit and take a break, everyone go get some sleep.’

Around 9 AM, PD Song Man-woo temporarily stopped editing and sent the exhausted editors to the break room. However, PD Song Man-woo remained in the editing room and continued his work.

-Tap, tap, tap.

At that moment.

-Knock knock.

A knock echoed in the editing room. PD Song Man-woo, slightly startled, opened the editing room door, and there stood a familiar woman holding a Japanese restaurant paper bag.

‘PD-nim, let’s have breakfast together.’

It was Kim So-hyang, the general director, with her hair tied in a single braid.

‘Sushi is okay with you, right?’

‘You didn’t have to, why are you here so early?’

‘I knew you were overworking. There’s nothing else I can do, so I thought I should at least get you breakfast.’

‘Haha, well, let’s do that.’

‘I also have something to tell you.’

‘Something to tell me?’

‘I’m going to brief everyone, including writer Choi and the key staff, but I wanted to let you know beforehand.’

‘Yes.’

Kim So-hyang, moving towards PD Song Man-woo’s room, continued,

‘The departure date for the ‘Emmys’ has been set, we’re leaving on July 20th. You know the location, right? The place where the ‘Emmys’ are held every year. The ‘Microsoft Theater’ in LA.’

Departure on July 20th. That meant there was less than a month left.

‘Hmm, it’s really right around the corner.’

At that moment.

-♬♪

PD Song Man-woo’s phone rang. He casually checked the caller and was surprised.

‘Huh?’

Kim So-hyang asked back,

‘What’s wrong? Who is it?’

PD Song Man-woo, looking at his phone, replied,

‘It’s Woo-jin?’

It was a call from Kang Woo-jin, who was supposed to be in LA.

Late at night on the 21st, LA.

After filming ended today, for some reason, several people had gathered near Woo-jin’s trailer. Director Ahn Ga-bok, the general director, Nora Foster, the general producer, a couple of key staff members, and even Choi Sung-gun. Kang Woo-jin was nowhere to be seen. He was probably still removing his makeup.

Anyway, Choi Sung-gun, with his gaze on Director Ahn Ga-bok, spoke to everyone. In English, of course.

‘This is Woo-jin’s idea, but he wants to wear the ‘Joker’ costume to the upcoming ‘Emmys’.’

Immediately, starting with Director Ahn Ga-bok.

‘Huh? What?’

The eyes of Nora Foster and all the key staff widened.

‘……The ‘Joker’ costume at the ‘Emmys’??’

‘Did I hear wrong? Why would he wear the ‘Joker’ costume there? It’s the ‘Emmys,’ the ‘Emmys’.’

‘D-did Kang Woo-jin say that himself?’

In particular, Nora’s reaction was the biggest. She, who had been momentarily spaced out, suddenly put strength into her voice.

‘W-what nonsense is that? Why would he show the ‘Joker’ costume at the ‘Emmys’?!’

‘Wait a minute.’

It was Director Ahn Ga-bok who cut her off.

‘CEO Choi. First, let’s hear what Woo-jin’s thinking is.’

He was also surprised, but he knew that Kang Woo-jin, whom he had seen so far, wouldn’t do this without a reason. Soon, the atmosphere barely calmed down. In that gap, Choi Sung-gun conveyed what Kang Woo-jin had said yesterday morning. Choi Sung-gun had added some details here and there, but the core was one thing.

Kang Woo-jin wanted to walk the ‘Emmys’ as the ‘Joker’.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, having heard the explanation, stroked his wrinkled cheeks.

‘The ‘Joker’ appearing on the prestigious ‘Emmys’ red carpet—’

Choi Sung-gun added to Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was muttering to himself.

‘Of course, he won’t be going around as the ‘Joker’ throughout the ‘Emmys’. According to Woo-jin, just walking the red carpet is enough. And the makeup won’t be complete, just the hair.’

After that, he would change into a separate tuxedo that had been prepared. The key staff members were silent, probably imagining the ‘Emmys’ red carpet. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok recited his analysis.

‘……Starting as the ‘Joker’ and transforming into Kang Woo-jin. It feels like he’s capturing the core of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’. Like ‘Henry Gordon’ and the ‘Joker’.’

Ah, that’s right! Choi Sung-gun realized after hearing Director Ahn Ga-bok’s words.

‘Woo-jin wasn’t just doing it for fun, he was also thinking about the core of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’.’

That was completely wrong.

Kang Woo-jin’s conclusion was solely for fun.

A gap in understanding occurred, and from Director Ahn Ga-bok’s mouth.

‘Perhaps Woo-jin’s intention is the same. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have such a bizarre idea.’

It spread to those around him.

‘Of course, he must have also thought about the issue. He’ll monopolize all the attention, more than a nuclear bomb. Woo-jin’s global influence is enormous.’

At that moment, Director Ahn Ga-bok smiled.

‘The ‘Joker’ appearing at the global Emmys, including Hollywood. Where else in the world is there a teaser, a trailer, like this?’

The promotional power would be enormous. At this point, Nora, who had a strong impression, interjected.

‘I’m against it. In ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain,’ the ‘Joker’ is the core, but he’s also the first character and villain of the ‘Cinematic Universe’. He’s in charge of the beginning of a huge project, are we just going to spoil that character so easily? It’s a really crazy idea.’

It was at this moment.

‘In this day and age, hiding things kills the explosive power.’

A low-toned male voice suddenly interjected. Thanks to that, everyone turned their heads. Kang Woo-jin, wearing a hat pulled low, was walking in nonchalantly. He spoke again.

‘Rather, revealing a little bit will be more destructive.’