I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 447

A heavy silence filled the conference room at ‘Columbia Studios.’ Despite the large number of people gathered, no one spoke. This was because the bald executive had just asked, ‘Are we going to give up on Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker’?’

They had already experienced Woo-jin’s ‘Joker’.

‘…No, we can’t. We have to hold onto Kang Woo-jin, no matter what.’

‘Who else could show us something better than the current ‘Joker’? It’ll be tough.’

If they hadn’t seen it, they wouldn’t understand, but those who had been captivated were now addicted to Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker.’ It wasn’t surprising. If the ‘real’ Kang Woo-jin was missing, any actor they brought in later would only be an ‘imitation’.

Seeing the fear that had gripped everyone, the bald executive spoke with a faint smile.

‘Good, it worked.’

He continued, ‘Why are you all so afraid of other failures, but can’t think about the one regarding Kang Woo-jin? Isn’t the fact that he might not do a sequel the biggest failure of all? Losing him would be an irreparable failure.’

‘…’

‘Leaving aside this project, how many ‘Jokers’ are supposed to come out? Clearly, Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker’ will be fiercely loved. Whether it’s a good or bad character, if it’s loved, there will be backlash when the actor is replaced—and as you all know, the power of a beloved villain is greater than any other character.’

It was true. Usually, villains are hated, but if the actor’s performance is outstanding, they receive recognition along with the hatred. This can even serve as the backbone that drives the work.

‘Let’s trust our ‘Joker.’ It’s definitely a big gamble to bet on something uncertain, but now that the ‘cinematic universe’ dice has been thrown, we need to look at the big picture, not just the details.’

At this point, a few people started to reveal their hidden intentions.

‘Yes, I think so too. Honestly, I don’t think ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ will be a complete failure at the ‘Academy Awards’.’

‘The ‘Academy Awards’ can’t possibly overlook that incredible performance.’

‘The rewards are as big as the risks we take.’

The bald executive, who had been nodding slowly, regained control.

‘Kang Woo-jin has been mentioning the ‘Academy Awards’ from Cannes to the Emmys, and his impact and influence are beyond words. It’s even being updated daily. I agree with Director Ahn Ga-bok. If we push with this momentum, it might even catch fire. And if it explodes, it’ll be bigger than a nuclear bomb.’

The bald executive paused for a moment, taking a breath. He was giving everyone time to think. Then, he spoke again.

‘If Kang Woo-jin wins a trophy at the ‘Academy Awards’ after Cannes and the Emmys—’

The bald executive felt a chill even as he spoke.

‘Can you imagine how much the power of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ will explode? It will be the birth of the world’s best actor, along with a villain.’

It was imaginable, yet unimaginable. Kang Woo-jin’s power was growing even now, and no one knew how much it would grow by then.

‘The world will be crying out for ‘Joker.’ Don’t you all want to see that?’

Two days later, on the 20th. Late morning.

Within the massive set complex of ‘Columbia Studios,’ the ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ team was bustling. They were scheduled to move locations twice today. Half a day for set shooting, and half a day for outdoor location shooting. Therefore, there couldn’t be any disruptions to the day’s schedule.

‘Actors, standby!!’

‘I’ll pass it on right away!!!’

The hundred or so foreign staff members worked seamlessly together. It was as if the site was one giant machine. This was the advantage and system of Hollywood. Hollywood usually has a thorough and long pre-production, and as a result, the filming period is shorter than expected.

There were many projects shorter than in Korea, and ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ was the same.

Kang Woo-jin, who had finished the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ poster shoot, had returned to filming two days ago. Therefore, Woo-jin’s cut was the first scene today, and Director Ahn Ga-bok was in a meeting with the key staff discussing the shooting storyboard.

There was someone watching them all with arms crossed.

‘…’

It was Nora Foster, the sharp-looking general producer of the site. After watching the site for a while, she let out a breath and swept back her slightly longer than bobbed hair. It was a gesture of relief. The filming was already in the mid-to-late stages, but the director, staff, and actors didn’t seem rushed.

At that moment.

-♬♪

Nora’s phone rang. She checked her phone a couple of steps away and was slightly surprised. The caller was ‘Columbia Studios.’ It was likely the result of Director Ahn Ga-bok’s proposal from before. Soon, Nora put the phone to her ear.

‘Yes, this is me.’

A man’s voice was heard on the other end of the phone.

‘Nora.’

From the voice, it seemed to be the bald executive from ‘Columbia Studios.’ When his voice was heard again, Nora’s eyes widened slightly.

‘Really?’

After a brief phone call, Nora lowered her phone. But her surprised expression remained. It was hard to tell from her expression alone. She stood there blankly for a few tens of seconds.

‘What is going on??’

Inside, she was incredulous. Then, Nora suddenly turned around.

-Swish.

She strode towards the site. Her direction was towards Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was busy. Reaching him, Nora grabbed Ahn Ga-bok’s arm.

‘Director.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok asked back with a surprised expression.

‘Nora? What’s wrong?’

‘It’s done.’

‘Huh? What are you talking about?’

‘I didn’t think this would actually happen.’

‘…Could it be?’

‘Yes.’

Nora, who had gone from surprise to a smile, answered Director Ahn Ga-bok.

‘Your proposal worked. ‘Columbia Studios’ has contacted us to say they will proceed with the schedule you proposed.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok stared at Nora for a moment, then clenched his fist subtly. It was his own version of a fighting pose. Nora, who didn’t notice this, added an explanation. She was getting more and more excited.

‘They even said they wouldn’t spare any additional funding! The studio will take care of the support, so the director, staff, and actors should focus only on filming. That’s all.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok also smiled, his face crinkling with wrinkles.

‘…We’re going to be busy, but it’ll be a passionate kind of busy.’

Shortly after.

After hearing the news, Director Ahn Ga-bok first gathered the key staff. Although Nora, as the producer, would officially handle the process later, as the director, he felt he should first inform the staff about the future plans and ask for their understanding.

‘First of all—our ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain’ will be challenging the ‘Academy Awards’.’

‘Ohh!’

‘Yes! It’s definitely possible!’

Many of the key staff were fired up about the ‘Academy Awards.’ It was the dream stage for anyone in Hollywood. However, most of them were taken aback by Director Ahn Ga-bok’s next comment.

‘But the challenge will be for the ‘Academy Awards’ next year, not the one in two years.’

‘…Huh?’

It was natural for them to be dumbfounded. The key staff here were all veterans, and they knew how the ‘Academy Awards’ in April next year worked. At first, everyone thought it was a joke by Director Ahn Ga-bok.

However.

‘This is the proposal I made to the studio.’

As Director Ahn Ga-bok’s sincere briefing continued, everyone’s expressions hardened at once. Half of it was filled with spirit, and half with bewilderment. Nevertheless, the veteran director steadfastly said everything he had to say. The core was to release the movie in LA first to meet the conditions and challenge the ‘Academy Awards’ in April, just as he had told the studio.

The problem was, of course.

‘Is, is that even possible?’

It was an impossibly tight schedule. But Director Ahn Ga-bok calmly replied, as if reassuring everyone.

‘It’s definitely possible. I already saw the potential in ‘Leech,’ and of course, I need everyone’s help.’

Slowly, Director Ahn Ga-bok explained why he had made this proposal, and the impact it would have if it went well. Fortunately, the key staff’s reactions gradually filled with understanding and fighting spirit.

‘Okay, let’s do it!’

‘Sounds fun? If it’s the ‘Academy Awards,’ we have to put in this much effort!’

‘Hahaha, so does that mean the ‘Joker’ who walked the red carpet at the ‘Emmys’ is now going to the ‘Academy Awards’??’

‘We have to get nominated first!’

‘Wouldn’t ‘Joker’ just go as he pleases?’

‘That’s true, haha.’

Everyone seemed to be on board. Director Ahn Ga-bok glanced at Nora. She nodded. The ‘realistic’ talk after this was Nora’s responsibility. Soon, the surroundings became noisy and bustling, and Director Ahn Ga-bok quietly took a breath.

‘From now on, it’s a race against time.’

In order for things to go according to the plan he had made with ‘Columbia Studios,’ he couldn’t rest for even a single second from now on. At that moment, the actors entered the set. Among them, Nora noticed Kang Woo-jin, who had a nonchalant expression and was currently in his ‘Henry Gordon’ makeup.

‘Kang Woo-jin—’

She murmured inwardly with a deep smile.

‘To think that the giant ‘Columbia Studios’ would bet on that actor’s ‘Joker’.’

Her sincerity was evident.

‘No, this is more like an all-in bet.’

After that.

‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain,’ which had confirmed its run for this year’s ‘Academy Awards,’ naturally increased its speed. The filming schedule was also bound to change. Although the wrap-up was already scheduled for September, saving even a single day would be helpful.

This was possible thanks to the agreement of the key staff and the actors, including Kang Woo-jin.

Of course, Director Ahn Ga-bok would be the one working the hardest, but without the help of others, his efforts would be in vain. Surprisingly, the actors’ reactions were full of anticipation. Chris, who had become quite close to Woo-jin, grabbed Kang Woo-jin’s shoulder.

‘Woo-jin! Are you finally going to conquer the ‘Academy Awards’? Wait a minute, then I should get something too??’

The other actors were similar.

In addition, this matter was naturally kept top secret. They would keep it a secret until the release. Because with something like this, if unnecessary rumors spread, it was likely to fall apart.

Kang Woo-jin was nervous, but he didn’t show it.

It was partly bravado, but he thought it was better not to have high expectations in these situations.

‘Still, the Academy Awards in April next year is super fast.’

Whatever the case, Woo-jin had to focus several times more than usual on his part and acting. Because the first day of filming for ‘Beast and the Beauty’ was coming soon.

He had to get as many of his scenes done as possible beforehand.

Thus, Kang Woo-jin accelerated the filming of ‘Pierrot: Birth of a Villain.’ Days passed, and everyone was so motivated that they didn’t even notice how the minutes, hours, and days were melting away.

Meanwhile, ‘Beast and the Beauty,’ which was now approaching its first day of filming, was also busy.

『CNM/Controversial and much-talked-about live-action adaptation ‘Beast and the Beauty,’ first filming confirmed for September 1st!』

『LA TIME/ ‘World Disney Pictures’ ‘Beast and the Beauty’ has one week left until the first filming, what will be the chemistry between Kang Woo-jin, Miley Cara, etc.?』

While releasing news of the first filming and promoting it outside of Hollywood, they were also in the final stages of filming preparation.

Meanwhile, in Korea, there was also a project with good news on the horizon.

『[Issue Talk] The miracle of 6 awards at the ‘Emmys’! ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 2, confirmed to open on Monday, September 19th』

The release date for ‘Beneficial Evil,’ which had shown a miracle to the world including Hollywood, and whose Part 2 editing had recently been completed, was confirmed.

『’Beneficial Evil’ Part 2 launch confirmation news excites overseas fans, the power of the ‘Emmys’!』

『’Emmy Best Actor’ Kang Woo-jin, will he impress overseas fans again in ‘Beneficial Evil’ Part 2?』

Netflix was already doing extensive promotion. Additionally, promotional videos were added to Kang Woo-jin’s SNS and the ‘Kang Woo-jin Sub-Character’ channel. The firepower was on a different level than in the past.

It seemed like a lot was happening in September.

And Kang Woo-jin thought.

‘Wow—come to think of it, it’s already September? The year is already ending?’

Time was really flying by.

Woo-jin realized that time had melted away when he opened his eyes in bed at dawn.

‘Ugh—it’s bright.’

Kang Woo-jin groggily checked the time.

-September 1st / AM 5:11

The first day of September had dawned in the blink of an eye.