I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 438

Director Bill Lottner’s sudden direction was straightforward. He pointed out that ‘Beauty Bella’ was looking at ‘Beast’ with loving eyes too soon.

“Were you confused, Miley? Your emotions are moving too quickly. As you know, ‘Beauty Bella’ should feel fear or shock when she first sees ‘Beast’.”

This was common knowledge. Initially, ‘Beauty Bella’ is terrified upon encountering ‘Beast.’ However, in Bill Lottner’s view, Miley Cara’s gaze towards Woo-jin lacked any fear. Instead, it seemed full of affection.

This bothered Bill Lottner.

He addressed it with Miley Cara, and after a brief pause, Cara cleared her throat and nodded.

“Ahem, was that so? I suppose I was too eager.”

“It’s good to prepare or imagine in advance, but that was too fast. Let’s restart from two scenes later.”

“Yes.”

Miley Cara accepted the direction smoothly. Bill Lottner, the dozens of Hollywood actors, and most of the staff didn’t seem to suspect anything.

However, one person did.

‘……Is this for real? She denied it so vehemently last time?’

Maria Armas, with her striking brown eyes, was very suspicious of Cara. She narrowed her large eyes, staring intently at her. But Cara nonchalantly brushed her blonde hair back and lowered her gaze to the script, trying to appear composed.

‘Am I going crazy! How did I just look at him like that??’

In reality, Cara was in turmoil internally. Without realizing it, she had looked at Kang Woo-jin not as ‘Beast,’ but as the man she had feelings for. And this happened during the ‘Beast and Beauty’ script reading with hundreds of people watching. She tried to act as if it was nothing, but she was quite flustered.

Kang Woo-jin was cautiously observing Miley Cara.

‘Affectionate eyes?’

Though his face remained indifferent due to his character, Woo-jin’s attention was focused on Cara across from him. Since arriving at the script reading, she had seemed completely unfazed. But just now, her gaze held affection?

‘Was it? No, I didn’t sense anything.’

But Kang Woo-jin was clueless. It was understandable. Even if it wasn’t fear, there was no particular fondness in Cara’s gaze. Where exactly did he perceive affection? At that moment, Miley Cara, having just finished her lines,

-Glanced.

Briefly looked at Kang Woo-jin and then quickly averted her gaze. This made Woo-jin somewhat certain.

‘Ah—is she also acting out her character right now?’

Almost.

‘What, why is she so cute?’

He almost smiled slightly, forgetting his character.

After that.

The ‘Beast and Beauty’ script reading proceeded without any major issues, except for Cara’s small slip-up. The acting of the actors, including Kang Woo-jin, Cara, and Maria Armas, was, of course, flawless.

-♬♪

The practice for the insert songs after the reading also went very smoothly. It was clear that all the actors had put in a lot of effort to learn the songs along with their lines. Thus, the entire ‘Beast and Beauty’ script reading concluded late in the afternoon.

But the actors didn’t leave right away.

The atmosphere was cheerful. It gradually turned into a suggestion to have a meal together, but for some reason, Miley Cara quickly said her goodbyes and left the reading venue immediately. No one stopped her, and Kang Woo-jin did the same.

‘I should send her a DM later.’

At that moment, an actress approached Woo-jin. It was Maria Armas. She whispered to Kang Woo-jin. However, she spoke in Spanish, not English.

“You’re dating Miley, aren’t you? Maria said no—but no matter how I look at it, there’s something between you two.”

“No.”

However, Kang Woo-jin cut her off sharply and replied in Spanish. His character was several times more intense.

“You’re mistaken.”

Watching Woo-jin’s back as he walked away indifferently, Maria muttered to herself.

“No, there’s definitely something between them.”

Meanwhile, in Korea.

Unlike the late afternoon in LA, it was morning in Korea. At this time, the entire ‘Beneficial Evil’ team, including PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo, who was in the final stages of editing Part 2, and writer Choi Nana, were gathered in the Netflix Korea meeting room. This meeting, led by Kim So-hyang, the general director, was not about Part 2.

“This is the schedule we’ll be sending to LA, right? The ‘Emmys’ are at the very end.”

It was a gathering related to the ‘Emmys,’ which were just two weeks away. From the actors like Hwa-rin and Ha Kang-soo to PD Song Man-woo and writer Choi Nana, who were nominated, and all the key staff were listening intently.

This was natural, as Netflix was managing the overall logistics for the upcoming ‘Emmys’ awards ceremony.

“We’ll depart on the 20th, and as soon as we arrive in LA, we’ll move to our accommodations. From the next day, press interviews will begin.”

Kim So-hyang was outlining the entire schedule before and after the ‘Emmys’.

“After about a week of activities, all that’s left is the ‘Emmys’. As you’ve all heard, the ‘Emmys’ venue is the ‘Microsoft Theater’ in LA.”

The key point was, of course, the day of the ‘Emmys’.

“It’s a huge performance hall, and the ‘Emmys’ are held there every year. The red carpet format is like this—everyone should pay attention to their outfits on the day. Since ‘Beneficial Evil’ is the first Asian drama to be nominated in 10 categories, the interest is exploding. Moreover, since the ‘Emmys’ are so large in scale, not only Hollywood but also reporters from various countries, broadcasters, and the ‘Emmys’ broadcast team will gather… I expect at least a thousand people on the red carpet.”

Soon, tension filled the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team. They had all been to awards ceremonies, but this was their first time at an international awards ceremony that was considered the ‘Academy Awards’ of the broadcasting world. At this point, PD Song Man-woo, with his stubble, asked.

“I’ve been in contact, but is it possible for Woo-jin to join our schedule?”

Kim So-hyang shook her head.

“I don’t think so. He’s very busy. Woo-jin will continue filming without a prior schedule and join us on the day of the ‘Emmys’.”

“Hmm.”

Kim So-hyang continued her briefing. The meeting would end in about an hour.

“Then, let’s all meet at the airport!”

A few days later.

『[Photo] ‘Beneficial Evil’ Team, Nominated in 10 Categories for the ‘Emmys’, Departing for LA! / Photo』

The ‘Beneficial Evil’ team boarded a plane to LA.

About a week later, on Monday, August 1st.

The ‘Microsoft Theater’ in downtown LA. The area around the super-large performance hall, which was by far the largest in scale among all the performance halls in LA, was crowded with people even though it was morning. The red carpet, which stretched from the main hall that could accommodate tens of thousands of people to the medium-sized hall next door, was already filled with people holding cameras.

They numbered well over a hundred.

They were all reporters. Not just from the United States, but from media outlets all over the world. So why were the reporters gathering around the red carpet from this early morning?

The reason was simple.

『LA TIME/[Primetime Emmys] The Emmys Begin in the Afternoon, but Reporters are Busy from the Morning』

The world’s most prestigious broadcasting awards ceremony, the ‘Emmys,’ was being held this afternoon. Many famous people from all over the world were scheduled to attend, and regardless of who it was, the reporters were eager to secure the best spot to film.

Several hours passed.

As the bright sun gradually set, the exact time was 3 PM. The number of people on the red carpet, where about a hundred reporters had gathered, had increased beyond imagination. Roughly, it looked like over 500 people. The reporters were packed tightly from the main hall to the end of the red carpet, without any empty space.

The languages were diverse, and the nationalities were varied.

Therefore, the atmosphere boasted a decibel level that far exceeded the usual hustle and bustle. Shouts were heard from everywhere.

“Hey! That’s my spot!”

“What are you talking about! Did you pay the ‘Emmys’ for that spot??”

“What?!!”

“Hey! Stop them! Stop them!!”

It was a spectacle to see reporters fighting among themselves.

It was absurd that even with this many reporters, less than half had arrived. Moreover, it wasn’t just reporters with cameras that were increasing.

“I’m here in front of the ‘Emmys’ awards ceremony red carpet, and as expected, it’s a huge international awards ceremony with many reporters gathered. The work to watch at this year’s ‘Emmys’ is, of course, Korea’s ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which has been nominated in 10 categories…”

Broadcasting teams with large broadcasting company logos were also increasing. It wasn’t just one or two teams. There were dozens just in sight. Broadcasting teams from the United States and all the countries participating in the ‘Emmys’ were lined up. Korean broadcasting companies were also among them.

Several Korean broadcasting companies were filming around the red carpet, in front of the large trophy statue set up by the ‘Emmys’ side, and next to large posters.

“Amidst the gathering of numerous overseas media outlets, the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team has not yet appeared at the ‘Emmys’. However, it seems that broadcasters from various countries are waiting for ‘Beneficial Evil’ as they are frequently mentioning it.”

The total number of reporters and broadcasters, regardless of nationality, was close to a thousand. If you add the staff and officials from the ‘Emmys’ side, it easily exceeded a thousand.

The team that was showing the most noticeable movement on the ‘Emmys’ side was.

“From now on, I’ll show you the red carpet that marks the beginning of the ‘Emmys’!”

The live broadcast team, which had started broadcasting live about 30 minutes ago, was informing the world about the ‘Emmys’ scene. For reference, the ‘Emmys’ were scheduled to be broadcast live on several video platforms, including YouTube.

It was at this moment.

-Glanced.

Between the red carpet and the main hall, some foreigners entered the photo zone, which was plastered with the ‘Emmys’ logo. They were the photo zone hosts and staff hired by the ‘Emmys’. The task of this host was to interview celebrities other than the actors who had passed through the red carpet.

Therefore, the most reporters were gathered in this vicinity.

The time was around 4:30 PM.

Around the red carpet, it had become.

“$*(#%&(*#(*%!”

“@%**@(%_!$*()!!”

“($%)*%()@%(!#!(~!!”

The sounds were so loud that it was hard to understand what they meant. The number of reporters, broadcasting teams, and live broadcast teams had doubled, and the number of onlookers had gathered beyond that enormous scale. The onlookers included ordinary citizens living in the vicinity and overseas crowds who had come to attend the ‘Emmys’.

Thousands. The number of people gathered on the red carpet, which was neither too long nor too short.

And when it passed 5 PM.

“They’re here!!”

“Hey! Leo!! Leo!!!”

“Hey! Don’t push!! Leo, look over here!!”

The first actor appeared on the red carpet. It was a famous Hollywood male actor, and with his appearance, lightning flashed from over a thousand cameras.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!!

It was getting dark, but it was no different from the morning. The flashing lights were blinding. It was a situation that was enough to make one’s mind go blank, but the Hollywood male actor, who arrived first, smiled leisurely and waved his hand.

“Hahaha, am I the first one?”

He was the starting point. Soon, on the dazzling red carpet with bright lights and flashes.

-Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!!

Many actors began to appear. Not just from Hollywood, but top actors from various countries. They enhanced the excitement of the red carpet with their tuxedos, suits, or dresses.

Of course, not only actors but also others were scheduled to arrive.

From famous directors, producers, and influencers to the invited guests officially announced by the ‘Emmys,’ there were at least thousands. Including the invited actors, there were over ten thousand people who would enter the ‘Emmys’ main hall today.

As the number of actors who were brightening the red carpet gradually increased.

“Now, Chris Hartnett! Chris Hartnett has arrived!”

The fingers of the reporters, as well as the cameras of broadcasting teams from many countries, moved frantically.

Was that all?

“Kyaaak!! Chris!! Chris!!!”

The thousands of onlookers who surrounded the media and broadcasting personnel all raised their cell phones above their heads and frantically took pictures of the actors in tuxedos or dresses.

The scene far exceeded chaos.

The heat was amplified as time went on.

The actors and celebrities who had passed through the red carpet, which had become a blur, were moving to the main hall after completing interviews at the photo zone at the very end. The atmosphere itself had a strong sense of freedom. The interviews were full of laughter and jokes, and the ‘Emmys’ live broadcast was also not a fixed angle but rather the filming team’s own way. Well, the actors were the most photographed.

The ‘Emmys’ were currently being broadcast live around the world, and the total number of viewers exceeded several million.

Meanwhile, the Korean broadcasting personnel and reporters were anxiously looking for someone.

“Is the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team not here yet??”

“I know! It seems like they should be coming soon?! Did they already pass through?”

“No! I’ve been here from the beginning! They definitely haven’t arrived yet!”

Overseas broadcasters were similar. No matter what anyone said, the star of this year’s ‘Emmys’ was ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which was the first to be nominated in 10 categories.

At that moment.

“Huh?”

A cameraman from an American broadcasting company, who was positioned at the beginning of the red carpet, narrowed his brow.

“What, what is it??”

It was because a strange figure had been caught in the angle he was filming. It was a man who had just gotten out of a limousine, wearing an absurd outfit. At this, the cameraman shouted to his colleagues around him.

“Look over there! Look over there!! A weird guy has appeared!”

At his shout, the eyes of hundreds of reporters and broadcasting teams at the beginning of the red carpet were all focused. The funny thing was that everyone’s reaction was similar.

“What is it! Who is that!”

“It looks like an onlooker has intruded?!”

“That can’t be! He got out of a limousine, didn’t he?”

It was quite understandable.

The man who had appeared was wearing a red jacket and pants, a blue shirt, a yellow vest, worn-out brown shoes, and mismatched red and blue socks. Moreover, he had wet, long hair that covered his chin, and the color was red, similar to the red carpet.

The man who had just stepped onto the red carpet was silent.

“……”

It was an outfit and atmosphere that was definitely not seen at the ‘Emmys,’ where only tuxedos were lined up.

He was truly a madman.

“Who is he?! Is he an actor??!”

For now, the foreign reporters were pressing their shutters, and several broadcasting companies were filming the crazy man, but it seemed like a problem had occurred. A weirdo had appeared on the red carpet where only tuxedos were visible.

At this moment, one of the reporters suddenly shouted in English.

“Kang Woo-jin! It’s Kang Woo-jin??!!”

At the same time, the crazy man. No, Kang Woo-jin swept his long red hair back with both hands. His face was clearly visible. Hundreds of reporters became even more excited.

“It’s Kang Woo-jin!! But what, what is he wearing?!”

Kang Woo-jin took his first step onto the red carpet with an indifferent face.

-Glanced.

The ‘Joker’s’ march to the ‘Emmys’ had begun.