I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 43

Inside the subspace, Kang Woo-jin stroked his chin while looking at the white rectangle for ‘Island of Disappearance’.

“Setting aside the D grade, why is the completion so low?”

Thinking back, there was only one thing with low completion.

“That rough script.”

The few pages of the rough script he encountered when he first entered the subspace. If that was a few pages torn from an existing script, it made sense that the completion was low, but Director Kwon Ki-taek’s scenario was the opposite of a rough script. Kang Woo-jin was slightly confused.

“What is it? Did he stop writing halfway? Hmm—no, that’s not it.”

Woo-jin, who had been talking to himself, shook his head. There was no way they would proceed with casting actors when the scenario was incomplete. Since he was completely ignorant about the entertainment industry, Woo-jin had been studying it in his spare time.

‘They say actor casting starts around the middle of pre-production, or something like that.’

In reality, actors read the completed scenario before deciding to appear. Well, sometimes it happens through connections, but that was rare. No matter how close the relationship, business was ruthless.

And besides.

‘That easygoing director said he had already given the scenario to other actors, right?’

Director Kwon Ki-taek had said he had already passed the scenario to several actors. If so, it was right to assume that this ‘Island of Disappearance’ scenario was complete. But the subspace evaluated it as having low completion. And the grade was low too.

‘It feels like it’s the timing to find actors… I’m a nobody, so they’ll probably give me a small role? And that’s only if my acting is good enough to get the chance. But even if he’s a huge master, this is a bit off.’

Kang Woo-jin was conflicted. The master director Kwon Ki-taek had come to him directly to contact a nobody. Kang Woo-jin was a little touched by that sincerity.

But it was a bit much that the grade was low and the completion was low too.

Even Director Woo Hyun-gu’s was F-grade, but the completion was high. At this moment, Kang Woo-jin was purely leaning towards rejection. Well, let’s put that aside for now.

—Swish.

Woo-jin, who had sorted out his thoughts, raised his head again and focused his gaze on the white rectangle.

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

The title was ‘Island of Disappearance’. Even for Woo-jin, who didn’t enjoy content much, it didn’t seem like a calm story. It felt like a thriller or action was added. Soon, Kang Woo-jin selected the white rectangle and scanned through the available roles.

“Lieutenant, Sergeant, Corporal—”

The roles had words that reeked of the military. Was this a war movie? No, it wasn’t certain. Just because soldiers appeared didn’t mean it was a war movie. But one thing was certain.

“There’ll be guns or something, killing and being killed, right?”

It felt like, at worst, there would be a lot of shooting, and at best, there would be battles. If Woo-jin read this scenario, he would be dropped right into the middle of that messy battle. Kang Woo-jin was a little scared.

Isn’t that right?

He had seen guns often in the military, so they weren’t unfamiliar, but he had never experienced war or bloody battles. Except for training.

“I’m really experiencing all sorts of things, well, it doesn’t matter if I don’t do this movie.”

Anyway, Kang Woo-jin was prepared for any script or scenario he would receive in the future. Then, suddenly.

“Still, is a nuclear bomb or disaster a bit too much?”

Woo-jin, who had been imagining things, scratched his head lightly and decided to leave the subspace.

“Exit.”

He muttered to the empty air. His endlessly dark vision instantly changed to the conference room. Right in front of him, the easygoing Director Kwon Ki-taek was still standing. And he.

“Woo-jin-ssi?”

He tilted his head, looking at Kang Woo-jin.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

At the question, Woo-jin quickly regained his poker face.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“That’s good then. You paused for a moment after receiving the scenario. I thought you didn’t like it already.”

Ah, that was somewhat correct. The pause was due to the time difference when entering the subspace, but in reality, Kang Woo-jin didn’t like this scenario.

But.

‘For now, I should play along a bit.’

It was difficult to speak directly like he did with Director Woo Hyun-gu. Master director Kwon Ki-taek was right in front of him, and since he had come all the way to see him, he had to be polite.

Everyone sat down at the U-shaped table.

Director Kwon Ki-taek and the film company staff sat side by side, and Kang Woo-jin and the ponytail-wearing Choi Sung-gun sat across from them. As soon as he sat down, Woo-jin flipped to the first page of the ‘Island of Disappearance’ scenario. This wasn’t acting, he was genuinely curious.

He wondered if he could find out why the completion was low if he read a bit.

At that moment, Director Kwon Ki-taek across from him smiled kindly.

“Just skim through it and get a feel for the work. See if it’s your kind of vibe.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been watching the atmosphere of the conference room since earlier, chimed in.

“Director. If our Woo-jin-ssi says he likes the vibe, can I think about the next step?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek answered gently, as if it were obvious.

“Of course. I believe that as long as the actor is good at acting, it’s fine, and I don’t care about issues like Director Woo Hyun-gu’s. If I hadn’t thought about the next step with Woo-jin-ssi, I wouldn’t have gone to the set so many times.”

Choi Sung-gun was internally cheering, but he pretended to be calm, and Director Kwon Ki-taek’s gaze reached the cynical Kang Woo-jin.

“Well, even so, the actor has to like the vibe of the scenario for the next discussion to happen.”

At that moment.

—Swish.

The gazes of everyone, from Director Kwon Ki-taek to Choi Sung-gun and the film company staff, were fixed on Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin was silently looking down at the scenario. One page, two pages. He had already flipped through more than a dozen pages of the scenario.

His serious expression made it look like he was in deep thought.

Director Kwon Ki-taek across from him smiled with interest.

‘Indeed, no matter who is in front of him or what the situation is, he does what he has to do without wavering. For some reason, it looks like he already has an answer in his eyes?’

But Kang Woo-jin didn’t show it, but his confusion was growing.

‘I don’t know. Yeah, I don’t know. The more I look at it, the less I understand why the completion is low? Where is it low, this?’

He couldn’t understand it at all. Where exactly was the completion low? The ‘Island of Disappearance’ that Woo-jin was reading had no particular flaws. There was nothing problematic. Then, Woo-jin sighed inwardly.

‘Well—what would I know just by looking at it.’

It’s not like he had seen a script or scenario many times. He wasn’t at a level to judge with his shallow arrogance. But it was also a bit uncomfortable to just pass it by.

Ah, I don’t know, I’ll just ask once.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been looking down at the scenario calmly, raised his gaze. Director Kwon Ki-taek and the film company staff were still watching Woo-jin. Among them, Woo-jin spoke to Director Kwon Ki-taek in a slightly cold voice.

“Director. I’m sorry, but.”

“Yes, go ahead. Speak comfortably.”

“Is this scenario definitely your next project?”

At the same time, the eyes of the film company staff widened slightly, and a look of interest settled on Director Kwon Ki-taek’s face.

“May I ask why you’re asking that question?”

“I’m a bit puzzled. It’s complete, but it feels like it’s pretending to be.”

“…Pretending to be complete?”

“I’m sorry. You told me to speak comfortably.”

As Kang Woo-jin gave a polite apology, the film company staff began to whisper. Of course, Choi Sung-gun looked at Woo-jin next to him with shocked eyes. Because something had happened again.

Meanwhile.

“You made that judgment after reading just a dozen or so pages of the scenario? And even based on a feeling.”

Director Kwon Ki-taek murmured calmly. At that moment, Kang Woo-jin was slightly intimidated inside. Did he make a mistake? But his firm expression didn’t change.

“I’m sorry.”

At this moment.

“Haha, you’re quite amazing?”

Director Kwon Ki-taek suddenly laughed.

“I was honestly half-doubtful. It seems Song PD was right.”

“…Yes?”

“I didn’t expect you to show that instinct for seeing a work after just a dozen pages.”

What is it, what is that easygoing old man saying? When Woo-jin was throwing question marks inside, the smile of Director Kwon Ki-taek across from him deepened.

“It’s absurd, but you’re right, that’s a scenario pretending to be complete.”

Then, he gestured to the film company staff next to him. Soon, a film company staff member took out another bundle of papers from below. Director Kwon Ki-taek received it and pushed it towards Kang Woo-jin.

“Then read this one.”

One hour later.

Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-gun were not in the meeting room where they had been meeting. But Director Kwon Ki-taek and the film company staff were still there. Around that time, the production PD [Production Director], who was cleaning up, cautiously asked Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was looking down at the scenario.

“Director. May I ask why you showed Woo-jin-ssi the rough draft scenario before it was revised?”

“Hmm?”

“The reason for doing a kind of test…”

Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had met his gaze, looked down at the scenario again. It was the ‘scenario pretending to be complete’ that Kang Woo-jin had mentioned.

“I have no intention of holding auditions.”

“…Yes??”

“Kang Woo-jin. I’m going to have that guy join without an audition. Of course, it’s more important that he likes my scenario first.”

At that moment, all the film company staff stopped moving. Their eyes were all the same. A master with a line of top actors in his company is saying such a thing? And so on.

The most surprised was the production PD.

“Ah, even so. He’s an actor with no significant filmography yet, isn’t he? I’m not doubting his skills, but shouldn’t you at least match the tone of the role?”

“That was a test that took all of that into account. Of course, I was also curious.”

“Wh, what do you mean.”

Here, Director Kwon Ki-taek crossed his arms and recalled the indifferent Kang Woo-jin he had seen earlier.

“He didn’t show any signs of being happy.”

“Yes?”

“A complete nobody who has only done two projects is maintaining his composure in this situation, and he was looking at the scenario longer without paying attention to me. He even pointed out the problems of the scenario clearly without flattering me.”

“That was a bit surprising. Even though it was the pre-revision scenario, it would be difficult for ordinary actors to notice.”

“Judging by his English skills, it seems certain that he was abroad, and he said he had been studying acting on his own for quite a long time. Honestly, I still don’t understand the self-study part. But if it’s true that he studied on his own, he must have seen an enormous amount of scripts and scenarios.”

“Hmm.”

“There’s no way he could have acquired such a keen sense otherwise. I understand what Song PD meant by a different kind of star quality. I’m drawn to him both as an actor and as a person.”

The production PD, who was watching Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was chuckling, coughed lightly and asked again.

“Then, which role are you thinking of for Kang Woo-jin-ssi? The blueprint for the supporting role is already set. Are you considering a semi-lead or a minor role?”

Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who had risen from his seat, shook his head.

“No. I’ve just changed my mind.”

He answered gently.

“I’m thinking of giving him the lead role.”

But the production PD and the film company staff who heard the answer were startled.

“…Yes?!! A lead, a lead role! Director! If it’s a lead role, which role!!”

Regardless, Director Kwon Ki-taek, who was stroking his chin, was calm as ever.

“The villain.”

A few days later, in the morning, at a university in Seoul.

A pretty-looking woman just came out of the dormitory. She had moderately long brown hair and was wearing a hat. She was also tall. She looked to be about 168cm. That’s why the baseball jacket she was wearing suited her quite well.

As she was walking, she suddenly made a phone call.

“…Damn it.”

But the other person didn’t answer. The woman spoke the name of the other person.

“Kang Woo-jin, you bastard.”

Kang Woo-jin suddenly appeared. Why? Because she was Kang Woo-jin’s younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah.

“Why aren’t you answering the phone?”

Kang Hyun-ah grumbled. They originally only called each other a few times a year. For Kang Woo-jin and Kang Hyun-ah, no news was good news. However, there was a request from their mother, so she had no choice. Anyway, Kang Hyun-ah started walking again and called her mother.

Her mother answered.

“Hey, what did your brother say?”

“He’s not answering. No, why did Mom tell me to call? Isn’t he answering Mom’s calls either??”

“He answers. But shouldn’t you guys be a little honest with each other?”

“Honest my ass. We’re too busy cursing each other. But, is he really doing that acting thing or whatever?”

“Hey, don’t call him ‘he’. Do you want me to cut off your allowance?”

“…Mother, is it certain that my brother is going to be an actor?”

“That’s what he said.”

Kang Hyun-ah, who had stopped walking again, let out a dumbfounded laugh.

“He’s gone crazy. What’s he doing trying to be an actor at 27… Mom, didn’t you stop him? It’s been over a month already, right?”

“Would he listen if I tried to stop him?”

“No! Mom! Being an actor is super hard, you know? Aspirants start training before they turn 20, and even then, they don’t make it! It’s the same with idols. He. No, is my brother going to ruin his life?”

“…That’s why you should contact him and check on him. Okay? I’m driving, I’m hanging up.”

“Ah, Mom!”

—Click.

The call was cut off mercilessly. Soon, Kang Hyun-ah shook her head, thinking about her older brother’s crazy actions.

“He’s gone nuts, suddenly trying to be an actor.”

At this time.

“Hyun-ah!”

Someone called Kang Hyun-ah from behind. When she turned around, her friends from the same department were approaching. All three of them were girls. For reference, Kang Hyun-ah was studying early childhood education.

Whatever the case.

“What are you talking about by yourself? An actor?”

At her friend’s question, Kang Hyun-ah sighed deeply.

“No—ha, my sibling is acting up, saying he’s going to be an actor.”

“Huh? Seriously? Hyun-ah, you had a younger sibling?”

“No. An older brother.”

“Wow! You have an older brother? Is he handsome? Show us a picture.”

“Are you crazy? Why would I have his picture on my phone?”

“Then your profile picture!”

Her friends immediately got excited. If he was going to be an actor, he must be handsome, right? They were saying things like that. But unfortunately, Woo-jin’s profile picture was completely empty. Her friends immediately shouted for his SNS [Social Networking Service], but Kang Hyun-ah was cold.

“Ah, he doesn’t do SNS.”

“I’m so curious! What does he look like, your brother?”

“He just looks like a sibling.”

Kang Hyun-ah, who had answered appropriately, sent a message to Kang Woo-jin.

-Is that actor thing a lie?

The funny thing was that Kang Woo-jin, who didn’t even answer her calls, replied to her message quite quickly.

-Bastard: Yeah, it’s a lie.

-Ah, come on! Mom keeps calling me. Why are you telling such a lie?

-Bastard: I’ll take care of it myself.

Kang Hyun-ah, who was looking at the message, clicked her tongue.

“Tsk. It seems like that actor thing is a lie.”

That’s how Kang Hyun-ah and her friends chatted about Kang Woo-jin until they arrived at the lecture hall. The topic of conversation was ever-changing. From older brother to actor, from actor to top handsome actor.

Right now, they were talking about dramas starring top handsome actors.

“Did you see the list of new dramas in May?”

“Ah! I really want to see the one with Go Man-wook. The one on MBS.”

“What was it, in May? The drama lineup was crazy. I want to see the one on TVM. The content seems very girl-crush [a term for a woman who is admired for her confidence and strength].”

“Me too, that’s my second choice, Kwak So-ra’s body is my top pick.”

“But will they all be on Netflix too? If not, that’s a bummer.”

“Doesn’t TVM have its own OTT [Over-the-Top] service?”

Here, Kang Hyun-ah, who had just sent a message to Kang Woo-jin, suddenly shouted.

“Ah, what are you talking about. You have to watch Ryu Jung-min’s, he’s so handsome!”

At that time, in Kang Woo-jin’s van, which was moving.

Kang Woo-jin, who had easily ignored his younger sister’s message, was on his way to the ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ B team filming set. And Woo-jin was now.

“…”

He was reading a scenario with a serious expression.

—Flip.

Of course, it was Director Kwon Ki-taek’s ‘Island of Disappearance’. Not the one pretending to be complete, but the truly complete scenario. Even though he was busy with filming, he was reading it in his spare time. He had already read 70% of the scenario. It seemed quite interesting. No, it actually was. It was hard to tell from his firm expression, but he was internally expressing admiration.

‘Oh—wow, damn. Is there some kind of monster? A creature? The tension is crazy.’

Here, Kang Woo-jin recalled the changed grade of ‘Island of Disappearance’ that he had seen in the subspace.

-[3/Scenario(Title: Island of Disappearance), A+ grade]

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

What was D had been upgraded to A+.

‘Looking at it like this, it definitely seems different from the previous one. How should I say it, the tension is a bit different?’

And from the beginning of the scenario, one role stood out to Woo-jin.

‘But who is this guy? A split personality?’

It was a lead role in terms of volume, so it would be difficult to take it, but as a pure reader, it was an interesting character.

‘Is he a villain? I’m confused whether he’s a good guy or a bad guy.’

At this time.

—Buzz.

Kang Woo-jin’s phone vibrated briefly. Was it his sibling again? Woo-jin frowned and picked up his phone. But the other person was not his younger sister.

-Director Shin Dong-chun: Woo-jin-ssi, I think you’re filming, so I’m sending a message first.

It was a message from Director Shin Dong-chun.

-Director Shin Dong-chun: I just received separate contact. Your film, ‘The Detective Agency’, has been selected for the main competition of the 40th Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.

Kang Woo-jin’s entry into the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ was confirmed.

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