I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 45

Hong Hye-yeon, watching Kang Woo-jin a few steps away from the white van, frowned. He was twitching the corners of his mouth in front of the van. Hong Hye-yeon’s face grew more serious.

‘…What is he? What is he doing?’

Her appearance, dressed as the tough detective ‘Jeong Hyun-hee,’ made her seriousness feel even more intense. Inside the van, Woo-jin’s voice wasn’t very clear. It was somewhat muffled.

‘Hehe… I shouldn’t be… It keeps…’

Clearly, that frivolous laughter was something you’d never see from the usual Kang Woo-jin.

Thanks to that.

-Whoosh!

Hong Hye-yeon threw down the pink eye mask she had on her forehead and immediately moved.

-Screech!

Hong Hye-yeon opened the van door and rushed towards Kang Woo-jin.

‘Woo-jin!’

At that moment, Kang Woo-jin had completely stopped his silly laughter. No, he flinched. Given the situation, it was highly likely that Hong Hye-yeon had seen Kang Woo-jin’s facade slip. Therefore, Woo-jin was frozen. Even though Hong Hye-yeon called out to him, he just stared blankly at the van window.

However.

‘Kang Woo-jin!’

As if unable to bear it any longer, Hong Hye-yeon, who was standing right behind Woo-jin, grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. Soon, Hong Hye-yeon’s face was visible to Woo-jin. Her face, with her long hair tied up, was deadly serious. Kang Woo-jin immediately felt troubled. No. This was a crisis.

‘…’

‘…’

A moment of silence. Both Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon just stared at each other without saying a word. Then, it was Kang Woo-jin who broke the ice first. His tone was cautious and low.

‘…How long have you been there?’

‘From the beginning.’

Instantly, Kang Woo-jin’s firm face twitched slightly. Then, he let out a slightly defeated sigh.

‘Hoo…’

There was a mix of self-abandonment. It was at this moment.

-Thud!

Suddenly, Hong Hye-yeon grabbed both of Kang Woo-jin’s shoulders and shook him like crazy.

‘You shouldn’t do that!’

Kang Woo-jin’s face was shaking uncontrollably. But Hong Hye-yeon didn’t stop, and suddenly, she brought her face close to Woo-jin’s nose. It was close. Too close? Woo-jin unconsciously pulled his face back.

However, Hong Hye-yeon looked into Kang Woo-jin’s eyes with a serious gaze. 1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds.

Then.

‘Snap out of it!’

Again, Hong Hye-yeon vigorously shook Kang Woo-jin’s shoulders.

At that moment.

‘What’s wrong?! What happened?!’

Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, came running from the front. Behind him was the bulky Jang Su-hwan. It was a double whammy. The number of people had increased. At this point, Choi Sung-gun, who understood Kang Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon’s personalities.

‘Hey, hey! Hold on a second!’

He quickly ran and separated Woo-jin and Hong Hye-yeon.

‘Are you guys fighting right now?!’

A strange misunderstanding piled up. Regardless, Hong Hye-yeon grabbed Choi Sung-gun’s shoulder and pointed at Kang Woo-jin.

‘It’s not that! Right now, Woo-jin is…’

‘Why? What?!’

‘Woo-jin was laughing alone! And giggling.’

‘…Huh? Woo-jin laughed?’

‘Have you ever seen him laugh? Have you, oppa [older brother/male friend]?’

Choi Sung-gun also took it somewhat seriously.

‘Woo-jin was giggling? Alone?’

Soon, everyone’s gaze was fixed on the indifferent Kang Woo-jin. And Hong Hye-yeon spoke again. Still serious.

‘Just now, he was chuckling and talking to himself. The giggling was completely different from the usual Woo-jin.’

She muttered and then shouted at Kang Woo-jin.

‘Get out of it! Don’t get eaten by Manager Park. You’re not a psycho or a sociopath, Woo-jin!’

‘Huh?’ Kang Woo-jin was momentarily stunned. But Hong Hye-yeon didn’t stop talking.

‘Of course, your laughter just now was a bit more cheesy than Manager Park’s… but that was even more creepy. The filming is over, right? Were you too immersed? Can’t you get out of it?’

Choi Sung-gun also looked closely at Kang Woo-jin’s face and added his concern.

‘Really? Is that really it? Is it hard? Should I make a reservation at a psychiatrist? It’s okay, there are quite a few actors who go to psychiatrists.’

‘…No.’

‘Method actors have to be more careful! So, let’s go once.’

At this moment, Kang Woo-jin’s mind was racing very quickly. He was about to go to a psychiatrist, something he had never even considered. Come up with an answer, any answer. A clever way to break out of this situation and avoid going to a psychiatrist.

Then.

‘Ah.’

Something suddenly came to mind. Woo-jin immediately recited the excuse he had just thought of in a cynical tone.

‘No, that wasn’t Manager Park just now.’

Hong Hye-yeon, with narrowed brows, was quick to respond.

‘…It wasn’t? Then who was it?’

‘I was trying out a character from the ‘Island of the Missing’ scenario.’

‘Island of the Missing? What’s that?’

‘Director Kwon Ki-taek’s scenario.’

Soon, Choi Sung-gun reacted with an ‘Ah-‘ and turned his gaze to Hong Hye-yeon.

‘So that’s what it was? Oh, what a surprise. I didn’t say anything because it’s not confirmed yet, but ‘Island of the Missing’ is Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project.’

‘…Woo-jin received Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project scenario?’

‘Yeah, he got it.’

‘Really? Doesn’t Director Kwon give it after verifying all the actors? And I haven’t heard any news about the next project.’

‘Woo-jin was verified. And it seems like Director Kwon’s next project is still confidential.’

‘So, you’re saying that Woo-jin is the only one who received the scenario?’

At the question, Choi Sung-gun glanced at the silent Woo-jin and then answered.

‘Well, the film company seems to have circulated it among a few actors, but seeing how quiet it is, it seems like Woo-jin is the only one who got it.’

Hong Hye-yeon, with wide eyes, turned her gaze to Kang Woo-jin.

‘…So, you’re joining Director Kwon Ki-taek right after filming for PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo’s project ends?’

‘Nothing is confirmed yet.’

‘So, you’re saying that right after filming for Manager Park ended, you immediately started practicing for Director Kwon Ki-taek’s character? Without resting?’

‘It wasn’t practice, I just tried it out because I was bored.’

‘What kind of character is it?’

‘A dual personality. I can’t say more than that.’

‘Ah, so that’s why your laughter was cheesier than Manager Park’s…’

This place was already ‘Island of Misunderstanding’ itself, not ‘Island of the Missing’. Anyway, Woo-jin felt a deep sense of relief inside, but he lowered his voice.

‘It’s a misunderstanding, but thank you for your concern.’

He steeled his heart.

‘Wow, seriously, I can’t let my guard down anymore.’

Later.

After the ‘Island of Misunderstanding’ was more or less resolved, Hong Hye-yeon, for some reason, gave a casual greeting to Woo-jin and then returned to the set, saying she was going to practice her lines. On the other hand, several actors saw Kang Woo-jin off on his way home.

Not only Ryu Jeong-min but also all the lead actors who were on set today.

‘Woo-jin, I heard your film was selected for the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’? Congratulations.’

‘I heard that the festival has expanded a lot this year with the change of sponsors? I was also invited, so I’ll go if I have time. I saw that many domestic masters and foreign directors were also invited.’

‘Mise-en-scène usually has quite a few actors attending, right? The awards ceremony is on May 7th? Oh my, then our drama’s first broadcast is on the 15th, so if things go well, you might get involved, Woo-jin?’

‘If you win an award and become a hot topic, of course, we should get involved? If the film festival does well and our drama’s viewership explodes, then Woo-jin is confirmed as this year’s rising star?’

The actors were generally very interested in Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’. Of course, they didn’t know that Hong Hye-yeon was in ‘The Fixer’ yet. It was a secret. Among them, Jang Tae-san, who was usually cheerful, casually said what came to his mind while looking at Woo-jin.

‘But I heard that a new award for actors has been established at this year’s Mise-en-scène? I vaguely saw that Park Jeong-hyeok is also participating? Haha, if things go well, we might see Woo-jin and Park Jeong-hyeok fighting for the award? Then I’m voting for Woo-jin.’

This noisy send-off ended after 30 minutes, and the van that Woo-jin was in was quiet. Han Ye-jeong, the stylist who had worked hard with him, was dozing off. Even the usually noisy road manager Jang Su-hwan was just driving silently. Choi Sung-gun in the passenger seat was also looking down at his phone without a word.

And.

‘It’s kind of strange. This feeling.’

Kang Woo-jin was also just staring out the dark window with a calm face. The ‘Profiler Han-ryang’ set, which had been like hell but had grown on him, was no longer a place he needed to go. Except for the first broadcast dinner, he wouldn’t see the entire staff or actors.

‘It feels like being discharged from the military after working hard with comrades? I guess actors have to get used to goodbyes.’

Yes, military discharge. Woo-jin’s feeling right now was exactly like the feeling of discharge day. Around that time.

‘Woo-jin-ah [term of endearment].’

Choi Sung-gun, who had opened his diary in the passenger seat, turned around and asked.

‘Are you really okay? Tell me if you need a psychiatrist.’

‘No, I will never go.’ Woo-jin answered with a firm voice.

‘Don’t worry, I’m fine.’

Choi Sung-gun nodded and began to recite Woo-jin’s schedule for the week.

‘You worked hard on the filming. From tomorrow until the 30th, we’ll do the post-production work for ‘Profiler Han-ryang’, and take care of profile revisions and other things. Let’s rest well on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, we can start preparing around May 4th.’

Kang Woo-jin, who was calculating the dates in his head, answered in a low voice.

‘Yes, CEO.’

Finally, Kang Woo-jin had his first day off.

A few days later.

April was over, and the sun of May had risen. Today was Saturday, May 2nd. Of course, it was just another ordinary weekend morning, but the film industry was a bit different.

『’Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ Grand Opening on April 30th / Photo』

The ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’, which had been aggressively promoting itself two days ago, had begun. The Mise-en-scène Film Festival was scheduled to open on the 30th, screen films for about 6 days, and hold the closing ceremony and awards ceremony on the last day, the 7th.

And.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been to COEX [Convention & Exhibition Center].’

Kang Woo-jin appeared at the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, which was in full swing. The location was CCV COEX. It was a huge movie theater, and the current time was 9:30 AM.

‘Wow, there are quite a few people.’

Kang Woo-jin was slightly surprised by the unexpectedly large crowd even in the early morning. Not all of those people came just for the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’, right? Anyway, Woo-jin checked the time.

‘The start was supposed to be from 10 AM, right?’

The funny thing was that Kang Woo-jin’s attire was a bit strange. The black denim jacket was fine, but he was wearing a black hat and mask. As if he were a celebrity. Well, he was an actor, but he hadn’t even officially debuted yet. Nevertheless, Woo-jin was dressed like this because of Choi Sung-gun’s advice.

‘Oh? You’re going to go see ‘The Fixer’ at Mise-en-scène? Ah, well, it’s okay. Seeing it on a big screen is different from the test screening. It’s good to go, but cover your face? Okay?’

Thinking about it, it made sense. If people recognized Kang Woo-jin after watching ‘The Fixer’ with many people, things would get a bit troublesome. Today, Woo-jin was enjoying a private vacation, so it was better to be careful.

‘I just need to cover my face. There’s no one who recognizes me yet anyway.’

Kang Woo-jin entered the huge COEX building. He thought he should just go to the movie theater, but there were film festival signs from the entrance.

Then, Woo-jin arrived at the CCV COEX movie theater.

The ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’ was, as expected, being held in a special hall, not the general screening zone. The entrance was filled with the feeling of an event. Staff wearing film festival-related clothes, standees with promotional images, and so on.

More than anything.

‘Huh, what is this? How many people came?’

There were quite a lot of people who came to enjoy the film festival from the first showing. The lobby was almost packed. There were probably over a hundred people. There were also some reporters taking pictures here and there, and a few BJs [Broadcast Jockeys] and YouTubers with phones on sticks.

Therefore, Kang Woo-jin was a bit nervous.

‘This is really something.’

For reference, the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ screening rooms weren’t just here. The short films being screened were about 30, and 10 films were repeated all day, with 10 films rotating each day. There were a total of 3 locations. In other words, today was the first day that ‘The Fixer’ was being screened.

Anyway.

-Slide.

Kang Woo-jin, who had paused for a moment, picked up a film festival pamphlet displayed on a pillar. It contained various information. The film schedule and information about the film festival.

Among them, Kang Woo-jin focused on the screening schedule.

‘Let’s see, ‘The Fixer’ – ah, it’s the first showing at 10 AM.’

Since they were short films, watching all 10 would take a little over 3 hours. Among them, ‘The Fixer’ had the longest running time, so it was the first showing. Therefore, Woo-jin issued the ticket he had booked in advance.

‘This is the right place, right?’

He opened the door of the special hall written on the sign. The interior was almost the same as a general screening room. However, it was large. The lights were still on because it was before the screening, but there were quite a few people. It was almost time, so about 80% of the 500 seats were filled.

The age range was also diverse.

People who came alone, couples, friends, and older people. The noise of the voices was bustling because there were so many people. However, no one paid attention to Kang Woo-jin. Only a few glanced at him. It seemed like it was because he was wearing a mask. Of course, Kang Woo-jin didn’t care much and found his assigned seat.

It was an end seat near the entrance in the middle.

At the same time, Kang Woo-jin, who had switched his phone to silent, took a small deep breath. The thought of seeing himself on the big screen in front of him made him feel a bit anxious. It was also awkward.

‘Hoo, I’ve always seen top actors’ faces, I never imagined my face would be on that big screen.’

He was nervous. Like Choi Sung-gun said, it was a different feeling from the test screening. Additionally.

‘There are even audience members, so the reactions will be real-time, right?’

Hundreds of audience members were around him, ready to see his acting and face. Gradually, Kang Woo-jin’s heart rate increased.

Right then.

‘This is the right place.’

‘Oh, it is?’

‘Close your mouth and find your seat.’

Male voices were heard from the entrance towards Kang Woo-jin. The problem was.

‘Huh?’

They were very familiar voices to Woo-jin. Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin naturally turned his head to the left. Three men were visible. As soon as he saw them, Woo-jin quickly ducked his head!

The reason was simple.

‘Why are those crazy guys here!!’

The men were Kang Woo-jin’s childhood friends. Starting with the burly Kim Dae-young, followed by Lee Kyung-sung and Na Hyung-gu. If Kang Woo-jin was included, the original quartet would be complete. That’s why Woo-jin desperately covered his face.

For some reason, he felt like he had to.

Fortunately, his friends didn’t notice Kang Woo-jin, and they brushed past him while talking to each other. Kim Dae-young was in the lead. He walked down the stairs and said quietly to his friends.

‘Ah, it’s so far in the front.’

The answer was quick from the chubby Lee Kyung-sung, who was holding popcorn in one hand.

‘Hey, aren’t we going to break our necks looking at the movie?’

Na Hyung-gu, who had a pretty-boy vibe, agreed.

‘It’s definitely going to be a neck breaker.’

While grumbling, the three of them sat in the frontmost seats, and Kim Dae-young, who had switched his phone to silent, explained the reason.

‘Ah, this was the only place with three seats together.’

Soon, Lee Kyung-sung, who was chewing popcorn, suddenly summoned Kang Woo-jin.

‘Kang Woo-jin not showing up even on the weekend, he must have gotten a girlfriend.’

‘Leave him alone. He was always kind of popular among us anyway.’

‘No, it’s just annoying that he’s hiding it.’

‘He probably did it because if he told you, you and Hyung-gu would be nagging him to show her.’

At this moment.

-Swoosh.

The bright lights of the screening room gradually dimmed. At the same time, the noisy interior became quiet in an instant. It was a signal that the movie was about to start. Thanks to that, the trio stopped talking for now.

-♬♪

On the big screen in front, a promotional video related to the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ was played with cheerful sound effects. The video wasn’t long. About 5 minutes?

Then, all the lights in the screening room went out. The movie title was displayed on the big screen with gray fog.

-‘The Fixer’

Five seconds later, the title disappeared, and the sound of a window opening spread throughout the silent screening room. ‘The Fixer’ had begun.

-Creak.

Kim Dae-young and his friends were focusing on the screen. The 500 or so audience members were the same. At this time, the video was displayed on the dark screen.

Kim Ryu-jin, opening the old window with the words ‘The Fixer’ on it, appeared.

[‘Hoo-‘]

Kim Ryu-jin, with hazy eyes and a soulless face, exhaled a long puff of cigarette smoke.

And.

[‘Let’s go, to see the client.’]

He crushed the cigarette on the window frame.

At this moment.

‘…?’

‘?!’

‘???’

Kim Dae-young, Lee Kyung-sung, and Na Hyung-gu all opened their mouths slightly. Of course, their gazes were fixed on the screen. The burly Kim Dae-young blinked his eyes non-stop, Lee Kyung-sung stopped his hand holding the popcorn, and Na Hyung-gu frowned and tilted his head.

Why?

Because their childhood friend, Kang Woo-jin, was moving on that big screen. What was this? No, what on earth was going on? This wasn’t just confusion. It was a bizarre situation. It wasn’t just similar, it was definitely Kang Woo-jin.

Soon.

-Swoosh.

The trio, who had been staring intently at the screen, lowered their heads as if they had planned it, and looked at each other with shocked eyes. Left and right, back and forth. They were so surprised that their mouths were open. Their eyes were similar.

Right?

Then, Woo-jin’s trio of childhood friends looked back at the big screen where Kim Ryu-jin was visible. And they almost simultaneously had a fit inside. Or maybe a meltdown.

‘What the hell!! Why are you there?!!!’

‘That bastard! Why is he pretending to be an actor there??!’

‘What the… is this a dream?!!’

It was as if his childhood friends had witnessed Woo-jin’s first debut.