I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 430

‘Joker’ on the ‘Emmys’ red carpet? Kang Woo-jin understood what Director Ahn Ga-bok meant.

‘Oh, so Columbia Studios approved it?’

To be honest, it was unexpected. Or rather, I hadn’t really expected it. I had pushed for it quite strongly before, depending on the situation, but considering the opposition from the general producer, Nora Foster, I wasn’t sure if it would actually happen. The ‘Emmys’ [the Primetime Emmy Awards, an American award show for television] is a huge event, and going there as ‘Joker’ was insane, something Kang Woo-jin was well aware of.

But Columbia Studios had agreed to that madness.

‘Wow, the film company is so cool, I like them.’

Does this mean Nora Foster is the only one left out? Well, she must have been worried about ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ in her own way. And the ‘Cinematic Universe’ [a fictional universe where multiple stories share the same setting and characters] too. Not everyone can think the same way. Anyway, Woo-jin’s mood improved, but he maintained his composure outwardly.

“Is that so?”

Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled faintly on the other end of the phone at the short reply.

“Haha, it was quite a big deal, but as expected, your reaction is so calm. We’re showing the world the first teaser of ‘Joker’ in reality, I’m getting more and more excited.”

“Me too.”

“Alright. Let’s say that’s the case. But Columbia Studios only approved what you mentioned, just the ‘Joker’ costume and hair. You have to keep quiet about anything beyond that. The movie’s title or content too.”

Kang Woo-jin nodded as if it were obvious.

“I intend to.”

“However, since you’re making such a grand entrance, you can’t just stay silent when questions pour in—I think it’s okay to say that you’re the villain who marks the beginning of the ‘Cinematic Universe’ related to ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain.'”

In other words, stop right when the curiosity peaks. Of course, Kang Woo-jin had no intention of doing anything more than that. Going overboard would make him look frivolous and shallow.

“Yes, I understand, Director.”

After Woo-jin’s reply, Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been silent for a moment, spoke.

“……I’m looking forward to it, the reactions of everyone who sees the ‘Joker’ teaser.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, having conveyed his sincerity, added a few more words before hanging up. Kang Woo-jin, who slowly lowered his phone, imagined the upcoming ‘Emmys.’ It was called the ‘Academy Awards’ of the broadcasting world. Just thinking about it, it was clear that it would be larger than the Cannes Film Festival, and from what Woo-jin had researched, it was at least twice as big.

Then suddenly.

“Wow, I’ve changed quite a bit, for sure.”

Kang Woo-jin was taken aback by his own change. In the past, his heart would have been racing like crazy, and he would have done his best to maintain his persona, but now he was even enjoying the performance. Well, the core Kang Woo-jin still felt some novelty and tension, but the three years and the ‘Subspace’ [a personal space where time flows differently] had definitely changed him.

Perhaps he would grow even more with time.

Then.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin, with a smile, picked up the phone he had put down. It was to call Choi Sung-gun, whom he would meet soon.

“Representative, please prepare one that’s exactly the same as the ‘Joker’ costume.”

About an hour later.

Kang Woo-jin got into a large van for his scheduled move. The team members in the car, including Choi Sung-gun and Han Ye-jung, all had excited expressions.

“Oppa! Is it really confirmed that you’re going to the ‘Emmys’ in the ‘Joker’ costume??!”

The stylist team was especially excited. They had all been expecting tuxedos or suits from luxury brands, so it was understandable. Then, as soon as the car started, Han Ye-jung, with her blue bob tied up, asked Kang Woo-jin.

“So, we should prepare both the ‘Joker’ costume and a tuxedo, right?”

“That’s right.”

Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, who was sitting in the passenger seat, chimed in.

“Communicate with the costume team from ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ for the ‘Joker’ costume. But there will probably be extras, you can just take those. There’s no need to add anything more.”

After Han Ye-jung nodded, the topic of the team members’ chatter changed. It was about the ‘Tonight Show’ related news.

『LA TIME/Kang Woo-jin on ‘Tonight Show,’ Declares, “Other ‘Emmys’ Nominees Are Not in My Sight”』

There were articles like that.

“It’s crazy, there are so many articles!”

“It’s understandable! Woo-jin oppa declared it himself!”

“But isn’t it a bit too strong?? I’m worried, there were already a lot of negative comments.”

“These reporters are really trying to tear you apart??”

Kang Woo-jin suddenly recalled the words he had said on the ‘Tonight Show’ a few days ago.

‘I have no intention of looking around.’

Damn it, it was completely distorted.

I just stated my ambitions and desires with a persona attached. But Hollywood judged and concluded as they pleased. It was already the result of Kang Woo-jin’s arrogance, or ‘my way’ image, being somewhat ingrained. The beginning was 100% his no-backing-down acceptance speech at the Cannes Film Festival. That build-up had rolled all the way here.

Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin pretended not to care and checked the foreign news articles that were still being generated.

『BBX/ ‘Emmys’ Best Actor Nominee Kang Woo-jin, Targets Other Nominee Actors on ‘Tonight Show’』

『ABY/ “I Have No Intention of Looking Around,” Kang Woo-jin’s Arrogant Remarks』

『NT/ Kang Woo-jin Says Other Nominee Actors Are Not in His Sight, Confidence or Recklessness?』

The articles were pouring out as if they were half-crazed. And that wasn’t all? Already, various overseas communities were dissecting, tearing apart, and enjoying Kang Woo-jin as a topic.

-Saying other nominee actors are not in his sight… that’s too arrogant.

-Kang Woo-jin seems half-crazy, he made remarks that disregarded the Academy Awards before, right?

-He’s probably drunk on his success since he’s making a name for himself in Hollywood.

-I like his character, he really seems like a madman who doesn’t care about what others think.

-This is just short-sighted, he’s already a controversial actor.

-But Kang Woo-jin’s acting in ‘Beneficial Evil’ was definitely impressive, and the action too.

-As a Korean actor standing alone, he needs this much guts.

-What guts? He’s just crazy.

It was a mess. Kang Woo-jin, looking at the phone screen, was indifferent, but inwardly he was quite grumbling.

‘No, when did I say they weren’t in my sight?? Huh? When?’

At this point, Choi Sung-gun, who was also monitoring on his phone, spoke to Woo-jin.

“Hmm—well, it’s as noisy as expected. It’s turning out the way you wanted it to.”

“……”

“But it’s a bit too noisy. What do you think, should we release a correction article?”

At the question, Kang Woo-jin, who sighed inwardly, strengthened his tough act.

“No, let’s just leave it.”

There was no point in trying to take it back now.

After that.

After finishing the morning YouTube filming, Kang Woo-jin arrived at the ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ filming set a little after noon. As soon as Woo-jin arrived, Director Ahn Ga-bok and the foreign key staff flocked to him. What else could it be? It was because of Kang Woo-jin’s issue that was currently sweeping Hollywood.

Kang Woo-jin was held up by them for at least 30 minutes.

‘I’m already tired, ugh—I can’t do this, I need to mess with the Subspace.’

As soon as he entered the trailer, Kang Woo-jin used the Subspace. The Subspace was still peaceful. After resting sufficiently, he immediately started filming.

“Action.”

For reference, the filming of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ was already in its third week. Therefore, the solo scenes of Kang Woo-jin were gradually being supplemented with cuts of other actors, which reduced Woo-jin’s filming time or increased his waiting time. But soon, scenes with other actors and Kang Woo-jin would be added.

That included Chris Hartnett.

Director Ahn Ga-bok deliberately arranged the filming storyboard that way. Until August, set filming was the main focus, so there were many solo cuts of the actors, and after that, location (outdoor) filming would be combined, increasing the number of two-shots or group shots.

Forgetting the morning’s issues, Kang Woo-jin was soon focused on filming.

To others, it seemed.

“Wow, Mr. Woo-jin, he doesn’t seem to care at all even after dropping such a big bomb? He’s not shaken at all.”

“He really looks like he doesn’t have them ‘in his sight.'”

“Anyway, his character is unique.”

“His star power is explosive, I’ve never seen an actor shake up Hollywood like this every other day.”

He seemed composed or unfazed.

Two days or so passed, but Kang Woo-jin’s attitude remained unchanged. Since this kind of thing happened often, he quickly forgot about it. But the overseas media and public opinion became even more heated. Hollywood actors and various figures were also busy talking about Kang Woo-jin.

In particular, the reactions of the other nominees for the ‘Emmys’ Best Actor award that Woo-jin had mentioned were interesting. Four people excluding Kang Woo-jin.

Some were dumbfounded.

“This statement is ridiculous every time I see it, how can he act so cocky when he hasn’t even been in Hollywood for a year?”

“Don’t pay attention, he’s just trying to start a war of nerves.”

Some were overly pissed off.

“What the hell is this guy! What? Other nominees are not in his sight?? I’ve never seen such an arrogant guy! Release an article targeting him right now! I don’t care about a guy like you either!”

Conversely, some acknowledged Kang Woo-jin.

“Kang Woo-jin, he seems eccentric at first glance, but he has the ability and skill to offset that. His acting and action in ‘Beneficial Evil’ were amazing. There’s a reason why the ‘Big Five’ film companies in Hollywood are after him, I want to get to know him?”

And some just laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! This guy is really crazy??”

As such, Hollywood was heated up, and June ended and July dawned.

Friday, July 1st.

However, even though July had begun, Hollywood was not quiet. Around this time, something enormous was being completed at ‘spt Studio,’ a 50,000-pyeong [approximately 165,000 square meters] set in LA. Hundreds of foreigners were busy working.

It was the massive set for ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

A bald, old foreign man with black horn-rimmed glasses perched on the tip of his nose appeared at the set. It was Bill Lautner, the director of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Of course, he was accompanied by several key staff members.

“Let’s go.”

Director Bill Lautner entered the colossal set world that seemed to resemble a fantasy world. The beginning was a place that looked like a village from the past, not the modern era. Here, Director Bill Lautner recalled ‘Beauty Bella.’ Next was the castle. It had a magnificent feel at a glance. Here, Director Bill Lautner was reminded of the ‘Beast’ and the ‘Prince.’

“……Good.”

He and the foreign key staff were on their final inspection of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ set, which was almost complete and incredibly vast. Except for the set, everything was finished in the pre-production stage.

In other words, as soon as the set was completed, they would move on to the next stage.

Director Bill Lautner and the key staff toured the set, which was in the final stages of construction, for about an hour.

He did not forget to give instructions regarding the deficiencies in between, and the final destination of the inspection was a large banquet hall with a piano. It was the place where Kang Woo-jin’s audition had taken place. The banquet hall was several times more splendid than it had been then. The various patterns on the pillars and floor were clearer, and the chandeliers on the ceiling had doubled. Additionally, there were many silk cloths attached.

The unusual thing was.

“Hmm—that setting is also going well.”

As Director Bill Lautner had just said, a ㅁ-shaped [a square with one side open] desk was placed in the center of the banquet hall in front of the piano with various golden patterns. Moreover, the chairs placed were not modern, but a design that matched the banquet hall of this fantasy world. There were enough chairs for about 30 people to sit comfortably. At first glance, it seemed like an additional production in the set banquet hall, but it was not.

Those desks and chairs were.

“Looking at it like this, it doesn’t look like a ‘script reading’ preparation, but rather like they were originally in this banquet hall.”

It was installed for the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ script reading. In other words, the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ script reading venue was this set banquet hall. Director Bill Lautner, who was briefly reminded of the actors such as Kang Woo-jin, Miley Cara, and Maria Armas, who would be sitting at that desk for a while.

-Swish.

He spoke to the production staff behind him.

“Let’s inform the actors of the confirmed script reading date.”