I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 437

The ‘SPT Studio’ covered 50,000 pyeong [approximately 165 acres]. It was late morning, and this enormous, sprawling set complex was where most of ‘Beast and Beauty’ would be filmed. Currently, the set construction was about 80% complete. Some areas were already finished, while others were in the final stages.

Among these sets, the first one completed was particularly eye-catching. It was the set for the banquet hall. From the overflowing chandeliers on the ceiling to the dazzling patterns on the floor and pillars, the banquet hall was magnificent. Even the white piano with gold accents was stunning. It was a place where ‘Beast’ and ‘Beauty Bella’ would develop their relationship, but now, it was filled with over a hundred members of the ‘Beast and Beauty’ production team. A large table was placed in the center, laden with various refreshments.

It truly looked like a banquet. However, their busy setup wasn’t for a banquet, but for the script reading that would soon take place. The way they were moving their hands and feet without a moment to spare indicated that the script reading was imminent.

Soon.

“Hello-”

The first guest entered the banquet hall, where test cameras and production staff were gathered. It was a supporting Hollywood actor from ‘Beast and Beauty.’ The middle-aged actor, who played ‘Beauty Bella’s’ father and served as an early connection point between ‘Beast’ and ‘Beauty Bella,’ widened his eyes slightly upon entering the banquet hall.

“Oh.”

He was impressed by the grand scale and the set. Therefore, he wandered around the set banquet hall before even sitting down, admiring the craftsmanship.

‘It’s obvious, but the quality is considerable? I feel like I’ve entered the world of ‘Beast and Beauty’.’ It felt like ‘Beast’ could appear at any moment. While he was touring the banquet hall, more actors arrived. They were mostly supporting actors, and all of them, upon entering, exclaimed:

“Hello- Wow! The banquet hall is amazing!”

“Haha, it’s several times more splendid than I imagined!”

“They really went all out to make this.”

They were busier looking around the set banquet hall than preparing for the script reading. It was a natural reaction, and quite understandable. ‘Beast and Beauty’ was a globally trending live-action adaptation, and even for the actors who were familiar with the script, it was a carbon copy of the images they had imagined. In terms of quality, it was even better.

Anyway, like that.

“Wow- is this the ‘Beast’s’ piano?”

“Look at this! The patterns are so intricate!”

As if on cue, the actors who had been touring the set banquet hall finally began to take their seats. The empty spaces at the large square table, where nameplates were placed, gradually filled up. Even while belatedly opening their scripts, the actors were chatting happily. The overall atmosphere of the script reading was generally cheerful. If you were to compare it to ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain,’ that one had a serious feel, while this one was lively.

Of course, the Hollywood actors who had arrived were talking about Kang Woo-jin.

“Has anyone seen Kang Woo-jin, the ‘Beast’?”

“Oh, I saw him! When he appeared on ‘Tonight Show’.”

“No, no, I mean in person, has anyone actually seen him?”

“I saw him at a fashion party last time. It was brief, though.”

“Oh, how was he?”

“Well, I only saw him in passing, so I can’t say for sure, but- he had a very cynical vibe? I was going to say hello since we’re in the same project, but I didn’t. It was a bit difficult to approach him.”

“Hmm- even from the broadcasts, he does seem a bit cold.”

No matter what anyone said, the hottest actor in Hollywood was Kang Woo-jin, and it was the same for ‘Beast and Beauty’ itself. Then, along with the topic of Kang Woo-jin, Miley Cara was added.

“It seems ‘Beast’ saved ‘Beauty Bella’ before filming even started.”

“Ah! That incident! Kang Woo-jin saved Miley from the attack! The articles said it was a really chilling incident? If Woo-jin wasn’t at the music video shoot, things could have been terrible.”

“I saw a few articles, and it seems Kang Woo-jin has similar heroic tales in Korea?”

“The more you look at him, the more amazing he is.”

The conversation about the two lead actors intensified. The topic gradually grew, from the attack on Cara that was currently a hot topic in Hollywood, to the works Kang Woo-jin was filming or preparing for, to his ‘no-backing-down’ interviews, and so on. Meanwhile, around the square table where the actors were seated, over a hundred staff members took their places, and quite a few reporters and ‘World Disney Pictures’ officials who had been granted access also filled the space.

The headcount exceeded 200.

It was then.

“Hello.”

A top Hollywood actress, whose hair was brown at the roots but turned blonde towards the shoulders, appeared and greeted everyone. Some mistook her for Miley Cara, but it wasn’t. She was Maria Armas. Maria, who wasn’t on particularly good terms with Miley Cara, greeted the actors gathered in the large banquet hall appropriately and then immediately took her seat.

‘Hmm-‘

Perhaps because she didn’t have any close actor friends, she didn’t join the lively conversation and scanned her surroundings. Neither Kang Woo-jin nor Miley Cara had arrived yet. Just as Maria, losing interest, was about to look at her script.

-Swish.

A top actress, sweeping her blonde hair, entered. Unlike Maria, she greeted everyone warmly. It was Miley Cara, playing ‘Beauty Bella.’ As soon as Cara appeared, the excitement in the already noisy script reading venue skyrocketed.

“Miley! It’s been a while!”

“I heard you went through a lot, are you okay?”

“Everyone’s been talking about it, welcome back Miley!”

Miley Cara responded with a smile to the actors and staff.

“Thank you all for your concern. But the incident itself is quite old, and I’m really okay. I’m alive.”

“Hahaha, of course you’re alive, that’s why you’re here!”

The atmosphere heated up with Cara’s appearance. Maria watched the scene silently.

“······Hmph.”

She didn’t particularly like this excitement. Or, to be precise, she didn’t like Cara, as always.

‘Why is she so pretty? I still don’t like her.’

Therefore, Maria, not even glancing at Cara, just flipped through her script. However, Cara, who was sitting two seats away from her, spoke first. Almost whispering.

“Maria, since we’re working on the same project, shouldn’t we say hello? There are reporters here, too?”

Maria glanced at the reporters sitting nearby, who were busy taking pictures of the actors, and sighed briefly.

“Hah- Okay, welcome Miley. I heard you went through something dangerous? I’m glad nothing happened.”

Cara chuckled at the lack of sincerity in her words.

“Put a little sincerity into your concern, but thank you anyway. And thank you for telling me things before.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

Cara was expressing her gratitude for the information she had received about Kang Woo-jin, but Maria, with a frown, looked like she didn’t understand.

It was then.

-Swish.

A black-haired man entered the set banquet hall, the only Korean actor here, greeting everyone in a low tone.

“Hello.”

He instantly captured the attention of hundreds of foreigners. It was Kang Woo-jin. Despite the explosive interest, Woo-jin’s expression was calm, his poker face was strong.

‘Ugh- look at these people, so many.’

Internally, he was a bit nervous. Woo-jin sat down in the seat labeled ‘Beast’ on the table. Immediately, greetings and questions poured in from the actors, including Miley Cara, who was sitting across from him.

“Woo-jin, how are you feeling?”

Although there were many Hollywood actors in this set banquet hall, none of them were visible to Kang Woo-jin. The only person he was currently concerned about was Miley Cara. Soon, the first thought that came to Kang Woo-jin’s mind as he made eye contact with Cara was:

“…I’m fine.”

“That’s good.”

That she was okay. She seemed very relaxed.

‘What, was I the only one worried? Well, she must have met a lot of guys.’

As if his confession attack from before was just a dream of Kang Woo-jin’s. But in fact, this was a misunderstanding on Kang Woo-jin’s part.

‘Ugh! Why is it so hard to make eye contact!’

The blonde Cara was currently struggling on her own.

Meanwhile, in the same LA.

It was ‘Universal Movies,’ one of the ‘Big Five’ film studios. In a studio within the massive film company, familiar faces were abundant. Joseph Felton, a giant black man, Megan Stone, sitting with her legs crossed, and so on. These over 20 people were all members of the ‘John Persona’ production team.

So, of course.

“Hmm-”

Danny Landis, a Hollywood master director, was also included. The ‘John Persona’ team had recently started pre-production, and currently, including director Danny Landis with his half-bald head, they were in the first production meeting. Various topics were being discussed along with a PPT presentation. The script, actor casting, additional key staff, the overall filming schedule, and so on.

The initial design had to be well-established for things to run smoothly. Even if the framework was well-made, problems could arise at any time during film production. That’s why the initial build-up was even more important.

Anyway, while they were discussing the future filming schedule, the topic shifted to actor casting. Megan Stone, the casting director, came to the front, and several Hollywood actors were displayed on the medium-sized screen.

“This is the first actor list.”

Director Danny, looking at the draft casting board, stroked his chin. His eyes were drawn to the Korean actor at the top of the screen. Specifically, it was Kang Woo-jin, the male lead of ‘John Persona’.

‘In terms of content, ‘John Persona’ places a lot of emphasis on the male lead’s worldview.’ Therefore, the actors who would be cast in the future had to have a good match with Kang Woo-jin’s image. While this was true for any movie, it was especially important for ‘John Persona’ because the protagonist’s importance was significant. Then, several Hollywood actors were displayed, catching the director’s eye. Top actors who were powerful and influential, from the female lead to various villains, and so on.

At that moment.

-Swish.

While the briefing was in progress, Joseph, the giant, approached Director Danny.

“Director.”

His voice was low, as if he was about to say something secret.

“There are still many hurdles to overcome, but it seems ‘Universal Movies’ is considering a sequel to ‘John Persona’.”

“…A series?”

“Yes. They asked me for three parts, and it has been communicated to the screenwriter who wrote ‘John Persona’.”

“They’re thinking long-term.”

“They saw the potential in the script.”

“So?”

“I’m giving you a heads-up in advance. It’s still the starting point of the first part, but please consider it during production.”

“Are you going to do it?”

Joseph smiled faintly.

“I’m a freelancer, after all. And I’ve also invested a lot of time in ‘John Persona’.”

“I see.”

Director Danny, nodding slowly, asked something else.

“If they’re expecting three parts of ‘John Persona’- then shouldn’t we cast Kang Woo-jin first? A director can be replaced without much problem, but changing the male lead would be a disaster.”

“That’s right, this time we’re going to move quickly so we’re not late.”

At that moment.

-Knock knock.

In the middle of the meeting, a knock came on the studio door, and a foreigner entered. It was a key staff member that Joseph had additionally cast. Since ‘John Persona’ was very action-heavy, the key staff member who had just entered was naturally someone related to action. But he looked quite familiar. Joseph introduced the man.

“This is Ethan Smith, who has joined our team. Ethan, please take care of us.”

“Please take care of me.”

The man with a large nose was Ethan Smith, who had a connection with Kang Woo-jin in ‘Beneficial Evil,’ and who had made the CQC [Close Quarters Combat] in ‘Beneficial Evil’ several times more spectacular.

“Please take care of me.”

It was stunt coordinator Ethan Smith.

About an hour later, at the ‘Beast and Beauty’ reading venue.

The set banquet hall was now completely full. Not only the actors but also the main production staff of ‘Beast and Beauty.’ The script reading had already begun. The actor introductions were naturally handled by director Bill Lottner, who was sitting at the head of the square table, wearing black horn-rimmed glasses on the tip of his nose.

“Kang Woo-jin, playing ‘Beast’.”

Starting with Kang Woo-jin, Cara and Maria Armas, and then the names of all the main, supporting, and extra actors were called out. Finally, after introducing himself, director Bill Lottner opened the ‘Beast and Beauty’ script, and all the actors and staff followed suit. The reporters were busy taking pictures. For reference, the group songs that would be inserted in between would be arranged separately later.

About 10 minutes later?

“Bella! Bella!! Where did this child go again?”

The beginning of the ‘Beast and Beauty’ script reading focused more on ‘Beauty Bella’ than ‘Beast.’ It was after several actors’ lines that she crossed over to ‘Beast’s’ castle.

Soon, Miley Cara and Kang Woo-jin’s first lines echoed through the reading venue. There were no major problems. However.

“Hmm?”

Director Bill Lottner, who had been watching the actors’ lines and performances without much directing from the start.

‘Miley- something’s up right now.’

He noticed something strange about Miley Cara, who was exchanging lines with Kang Woo-jin. Thanks to that.

“Wait a minute.”

The director stopped the reading for the first time in 30 minutes, and while all the actors were watching, he directed Cara, who was sitting nearby.

“Miley, why are you already looking at ‘Beast’ with loving eyes?”