I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 454

Kang Woo-jin’s answer to the hundred or so foreign reporters gathered at the event of a famous luxury brand.

“It’s because we’re going to challenge this year’s ‘Academy Awards’.”

It was a very low and indifferent answer, but most of the foreign reporters who were frantically snapping photos of Woo-jin were left with dumbfounded expressions.

“Huh?”

“What?”

“Huh? What did he just say?”

The flash barrage that had been going off like crazy even paused for a moment. ‘Academy Awards’? Did he just say ‘Academy Awards’? The reporters were flustered by the answer that was far beyond their expectations, and the male reporter who had asked Kang Woo-jin the question barely regained his senses.

“…Did you just say ‘Academy Awards’?”

Woo-jin, making eye contact with the reporter, nodded indifferently.

“Yes, that’s what I said.”

On the outside, his face was stiff, but inside, Kang Woo-jin was quite enjoying himself.

‘How is it? Surprised, right? You’re surprised, aren’t you? Your expressions are something to see.’

The foreign reporters, who had no idea about this, began to murmur excessively. The question the reporter had thrown at Woo-jin was simple. ‘Why aren’t you announcing any information about the release when the teaser and various videos for ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’ are being released?’ But Kang Woo-jin suddenly blurted out ‘Academy Awards’ as the reason.

What on earth was going on?

“Ah, the Academy Awards? What’s with that all of a sudden?”

“I know… Wasn’t ‘Clown’ in editing around September? ‘Academy Awards’ out of the blue-”

“He must be joking.”

“He doesn’t look like he’s joking at all?”

“Then what is it? Is he really going to challenge the ‘Academy Awards’ with ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’?”

“That’s almost impossible. How can a movie that went into editing in September be submitted for the April Academy Awards?”

The foreign reporters were taking pictures of Kang Woo-jin while also voicing their thoughts. However, most of them were negative. Well, it wasn’t a particularly strange situation. It would be very difficult for ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain,’ which had finished filming and started editing simultaneously in September, to be nominated for the ‘Academy Awards’ [the Oscars].

“If what Kang Woo-jin said is true, ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’ would have to finish editing around January, and then be officially nominated for the ‘Academy Awards’ by March or April. What about the conditions for the ‘Academy Awards’?”

Several reporters asked Kang Woo-jin again, one after another, to confirm.

“Mr. Kang Woo-jin, is it certain that you are challenging the ‘Academy Awards’ with ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’?”

“Yes, it is certain.”

“H-How is that possible?”

The reporters, with narrowed brows, looked as if Woo-jin was talking a bit crazy. Of course, Kang Woo-jin wasn’t just running wild with his ‘my way’ attitude. He had already discussed it with ‘Columbia Studios,’ and the answer he had just given was the optimal timing they had decided on.

‘Whether it’s possible or not, you’ll see if you just watch—just understand roughly and release the articles coolly.’

Today is December 5th, and Director Ahn Ga-bok and his team promised to finish editing by January next year. That’s just one month away. But there was no need for Kang Woo-jin to say everything here. His role was just this much: to throw a huge bait in a public setting.

“‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’ is scheduled to challenge this year’s ‘Academy Awards,’ and ‘Columbia Studios’ will announce more details.”

In an instant, a flood of additional questions poured out from the hundred or so reporters, but Woo-jin maintained a poker face and turned away without any regrets. The reporters, who were snapping photos of his back, took out their phones as if they had planned it.

“I-If this is real! It’s a scoop! It’s a scoop!”

Reporters calling someone. And the many Hollywood actors who were attending the fashion event were also busy whispering, watching this scene.

“Did you hear? ‘Clown’ is challenging the ‘Academy Awards’.”

“Yeah, Kang Woo-jin just said that, right? Is it real?”

“Kang Woo-jin said it so openly, he wouldn’t be joking like this unless he was crazy, right?”

“…What is it? Isn’t ‘Clown’ going to be released worldwide? What are they going to do?”

Kang Woo-jin, who was walking towards the event hall, was also aware of this atmosphere, as most people were glancing at him. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin, having finished his job, felt relieved.

‘At this rate, articles will be popping up in a few minutes.’

Meanwhile, at ‘A8 Media’.

Jennifer Thurman, the CEO, who had been on the phone until just now, slowly lowered her phone. She had finished a few minutes of conversation. For some reason, the employees of ‘A8 Media’ were gathered around her.

The reason was simple.

During the call, Jennifer Thurman had mentioned the name Miley Cara several times. Moreover, Jennifer’s expression after the call was unusual. What should I say, a spaced-out face? A male employee with freckles on his face urgently asked Jennifer, who was staring blankly into the air for a moment.

“C-CEO. Miley Cara? Why did her name come up?”

“……”

However, Jennifer, who was standing there blankly, did not answer immediately. Frustrated, other employees also asked the same question. Even so, Jennifer’s mouth did not open, and the freckled male employee shook Jennifer’s shoulder. Only then did Jennifer Thurman snap back to her senses.

“Ah- uh?”

“CEO! Miley Cara!”

“…Well, Miley Cara’s side said they’re interested in our ‘Guest’ and are requesting a meeting?”

As soon as they heard the answer, the gathered employees opened their mouths slightly.

“Huh??”

They blinked their eyes. It was an unbelievable answer.

“M-Miley Cara? Our ‘Guest’?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Miley Cara… Is that the Miley Cara we know?”

“Is there another Miley Cara in Hollywood?”

“No, there isn’t. But is it real?!”

“It’s real.”

Soon, the employees cheered. They didn’t know the situation, but they seemed to be going crazy that Miley Cara, one of the top-tier stars in Hollywood, was interested in the dying ‘Guest.’ On the other hand, even while the employees were jumping up and down, Jennifer’s soul did not easily return.

Then, she suddenly recalled the words of Choi Sung-gun, who had recently appeared as the main investor.

‘Let’s postpone the actor side as much as possible.’

Choi Sung-gun, who had postponed securing actors without a clear explanation. And then Miley Cara contacted them. Was there any connection?

‘Could it be – Kang Woo-jin??’

Come to think of it, Choi Sung-gun’s appearance as the main investor was also said to be due to Kang Woo-jin’s recommendation. And Miley Cara is currently filming ‘Beauty and the Beast’ with Woo-jin. Moreover, Cara and Kang Woo-jin have a deep connection. Jennifer recognized some connection. However, she didn’t have the time to think about it for long.

“First! Let’s schedule a meeting with Miley Cara’s side as soon as possible!”

“Yes, CEO!”

“Oh my god! Miley Cara!”

“So, is she really going to appear in our ‘Guest’?”

“No! It’s just a meeting for now!”

Whatever it was, ‘A8 Media’ quickly checked their schedule and rushed to meet with Miley Cara. To be honest, there was no need to do that. If Cara wanted, they could cancel all their schedules and meet her today. But Miley Cara wanted a few days later, and Jennifer Thurman agreed to it.

About an hour passed like a storm, and in the meantime, Miley Cara was ranked first for the lead female role in ‘Guest.’

Jennifer, who felt like she was dreaming, slumped into her chair and swept back her brown bob.

“Whew—I can’t get my head straight.”

It was the first time for her that things were exploding like this. She couldn’t calm down even when she tried. She could feel her heart pounding. At that moment, Jennifer, who had some experience in Hollywood, recalled Kang Woo-jin’s face.

“…Somehow—it feels like things have been going smoothly since Kang Woo-jin checked our ‘Guest’.”

He was like a benefactor. ‘Guest,’ which seemed doomed a few days ago, now had wings.

At that moment.

-♬♪

Jennifer Thurman’s phone rang again. She quickly snapped back to her senses and checked the caller. She wondered if it was Miley Cara again. But it wasn’t. It was an unknown number. Jennifer, instinctively narrowing her brows, put the phone to her ear with a slightly trembling hand.

“Yes, yes. This is Jennifer Thurman from ‘A8 Media’.”

Jennifer’s eyes widened again as she talked on the phone for a while.

“…Chris Hartnett? Did you just say Chris Hartnett?”

This time, it wasn’t Miley Cara, but Chris Hartnett.

A few days later, at ‘SPT Studio’.

It was quite early in the morning, but the ‘SPT Studio’ set complex, which was over 50,000 pyeong [approximately 123 acres], was bustling. Hundreds of foreigners were moving in an orderly fashion. It was preparation for the filming of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The location was the dazzling banquet hall where the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ auditions had taken place, among several sets.

The set banquet hall was even more developed than during the auditions.

Shining chandeliers, lit candles on the walls, floors and pillars with various ornate patterns, and so on. The banquet hall was filled with over a hundred staff members and numerous filming equipment.

Soon.

-Swish.

Women in white dresses with feathers appeared in the wide banquet hall. Their makeup was unique. Their faces were pale and their eyebrows were excessively dark. The wigs on their heads were white perms with strong volume. There were at least 50 of these women.

They were all extras, but they were also professional dancers.

“Okay—let’s start the rehearsal!!”

As one of the staff shouted, the extra dancers in white dresses gathered in the center of the banquet hall. Several cameras captured them, and the chandeliers on the ceiling and the candles on the walls were lit.

Then, Director Bill Lautner, who had half of his hair gone, shouted from a place with several monitors.

“Action!”

At the same time, loud classical music spread throughout the banquet hall.

-♬♪

The female dancers began to dance. The way their hands and feet matched perfectly was amazing. At that time, one camera filmed the side of the banquet hall. A man in a blue and white mixed formal suit appeared there.

It was Kang Woo-jin, not as the ‘Beast,’ but as the ‘Prince.’

He, who had already embodied the emotions of the ‘Prince’ throughout his body.

“……”

He silently looked around the banquet hall and then smiled. It was a smile of satisfaction. He was quite pleased with the picture of his castle’s banquet hall. Woo-jin, who briefly greeted the men in black formal suits around him, brushed past the dancing women and sat in front of the golden piano. Two cameras filmed him from the front and back.

Then.

-♬♪

Kang Woo-jin began to play the piano with a dazzling performance. The music that had been spreading also became a little quieter. The ‘Prince’ with a pleasant smile on his face. Director Bill Lautner, who was watching it on the monitor, was filled with excitement.

“His piano playing is always moving.”

Most of the filming was of Kang Woo-jin in tights, but today, he was a piano player who would captivate the hundreds of foreigners gathered on this set. And this scene was also the scene that would become the main OST [original soundtrack] of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

At that moment.

-Bang! Thud!

Suddenly, a thunderous sound erupted in the banquet hall filled with soft music. The dozens of dancers in white dresses stepped back in panic, and the cameras filming them also shook in confusion. It was a production. It was expressing the transformation from ‘Prince’ to ‘Beast’ through music.

When the dozens of dancers looked around with terrified expressions.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin, who had stopped playing the piano, got up from the golden piano and stood in the center of the banquet hall, where the female dancers had stepped back.

And.

-♬♪

The banquet hall was filled with Kang Woo-jin’s heartfelt vocals.

Several hours later.

“Cut! OK.”

As Director Bill Lautner’s signal was given, the female dancers in white dresses who had been gathered in the set banquet hall left. Their role was not over. They had to prepare for the next scene. Until just now, they had danced softly to the ‘Prince’s’ performance, and from now on, they would dance a slightly more intense dance to the ‘Beast’s’ performance.

Therefore, Kang Woo-jin’s makeup would also become darker.

Kang Woo-jin, who had left the set banquet hall, could be found among the makeup team. Someone approached Woo-jin, who was busy getting his makeup fixed. It was Director Bill Lautner, who was holding a shooting script in one hand.

“Woo-jin.”

At the call, Kang Woo-jin, who had his eyes closed, turned his gaze. Director Bill Lautner was smiling faintly.

“You’re going to the ‘Academy Awards’ with ‘Clown’?”

Just in time, the staff left as the makeup correction was finished, and Kang Woo-jin, who had a dark concept, answered in a low voice.

“Yes, Director.”

“The media is going crazy about that right now.”

“Yes. I saw it too.”

“Haha, but is it possible?”

“Who knows.”

Director Bill Lautner, showing the shooting script he was holding to Kang Woo-jin, who answered briefly.

“It might be difficult this time, but let’s try to challenge the next ‘Academy Awards’ with our ‘Beauty and the Beast’ too.”

He said definitively.

“At this rate, filming will wrap up early next month.”

Meaning that the filming of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ would end in January.

And at the same time, in Hollywood.

『LA TIME/Kang Woo-jin at the event “Clown will challenge the Academy Awards”, Is the challenge of ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’ to the Academy Awards true?』

The controversy over ‘Clown: The Birth of a Villain’ was rapidly intensifying.