I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 465

Actually, it was fifteen minutes before the first screening of ‘Clown: Birth of a Villain’ ended that Kang Woo-jin arrived at the multiplex cinema in downtown LA. Three vans carrying the ‘Clown’ team for the promotional schedule pulled up. Woo-jin, sitting in the front of the first van,

“……”

maintained a poker face, but inside, he was making a huge fuss.

‘Wow—there were so many people in front of the movie theater?! And so many cameras. They looked like news teams? No, why are news teams here when the movie just premiered??’

He was surprised by the massive crowd at the theater entrance, including reporters and news teams. He was also a bit embarrassed.

‘But that huge billboard at the entrance! My face is so big on it?! And why is everyone taking pictures in front of it!’

There was a huge crowd in front of the giant billboard featuring Kang Woo-jin as the ‘Joker.’ Plus, the billboard was bigger than he had imagined. Inside, Kang Woo-jin was quite excited, but he maintained his composure, as it was a big event.

‘Ugh, seriously. Mom and Dad must have taken pictures in front of the billboard too.’

He also grumbled, ‘And what’s with my outfit!’ He was the only one in the ‘Joker’ costume. His hair and makeup were his usual look, but he was wearing a different outfit just for today’s event.

Chris Hartnett, sitting quietly to his right, was watching Woo-jin.

‘As expected—he doesn’t even flinch despite the huge crowd, reporters, and news teams. It’s like the word ‘pressure’ doesn’t exist for this guy. Well, that’s part of what makes him interesting.’

Soon, Chris Hartnett spoke to him.

“Woo-jin, isn’t it more ordinary than you thought? Compared to the fuss the media and public have been making?”

What nonsense, is this ordinary? If this is ordinary, then what is this handsome guy’s life like? Inside, he was dumbfounded, but Kang Woo-jin, with his tough act, nodded calmly.

“Yeah. It’s a bit boring.”

“Hahaha, still, it’s a big deal. I expected the reporters, but I didn’t think news teams would show up.”

Chris patted Woo-jin’s shoulder, who remained silent.

“It means Hollywood is focusing on you that much. I’m a bit sad, but I’m still enjoying the show.”

“I see.”

That wasn’t true. Chris Hartnett was feeling excessive jealousy right now.

‘Has such a spectacle ever happened to me?’

It hadn’t. Chris was a top global actor, so his recognition was sky-high, but he had never experienced anything like today with his own starring roles. Chris then turned his gaze to Kang Woo-jin with a slightly bitter smile.

‘This isn’t about popularity or recognition; it’s about the difference in the impact of the human being itself.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had been quietly listening to their conversation from the back seat,

‘It’s not strange that Chris feels left out. Columbia [a major film studio] openly promoted Kang Woo-jin, and the media and public are all focused on him. Chris, who has been the center of attention as a top actor his whole life, must be experiencing this for the first time. But what can you do?’

He voiced his answer to the ‘gap’ Chris was feeling. Of course, in his mind.

‘It’s the difference in ‘star power.’ Right now, Kang Woo-jin has submerged Hollywood with his destructive ‘star power.’

Kang Woo-jin had easily surpassed Chris Hartnett, who had reigned as a top star in Hollywood for years. At least, looking at this moment. For example, could Chris’s power have made the ‘Clown’ pre-release schedule sell out completely?

‘It would be difficult.’

So, even if Chris felt jealous, he had to acknowledge it, and instead of envying Woo-jin, he harbored a bit of determination.

‘I need to learn from him, from his acting to the impact of his very being.’

Then, the ‘Clown’ team entered the movie theater and went into the screening room as the movie was ending. The eyes of all the hundreds of viewers who were seeing ‘Clown’ for the first time in the world.

-Swish.

Quickly focused. Director Ahn Ga-bok and Chris entered behind the supporting actors, and finally,

‘Ugh—I’m nervous. Mom and Dad must be here too. And… I wonder how the audience saw my Joker.’

For some reason, Kang Woo-jin’s heart was pounding as he entered the screening room. What expression should he make, given his outfit? Right, there’s nothing better than sticking to the concept. Woo-jin put on a more solemn face than ever.

Then,

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

Unexpectedly, hundreds of foreign audience members gave him a standing ovation. Kang Woo-jin, who subtly paused, scanned the vast audience for a moment.

‘What, what is this??! Is this a joke?’

Honestly, it was an atmosphere he hadn’t even imagined. But soon, Kang Woo-jin realized that this standing ovation was genuine. The expressions and eyes of the audience truly conveyed that they were welcoming the ‘Joker.’

‘Wow—goosebumps.’

It was a thrill he hadn’t felt in a while. Clearly, Director Ahn Ga-bok had said before entering, ‘Many viewers will come to criticize you.’ Columbia Pictures and producer Nora had said the same, and the public’s reactions that Kang Woo-jin had searched for himself were similar. Therefore, Woo-jin had prepared himself. No matter what happened, he would remain composed and go his own way.

But reality was the opposite.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Criticism be damned, all the hundreds of viewers were sincerely praising Kang Woo-jin. Everyone was captivated and submerged by Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker.’ They had entered the phase of loving the character. It was proof that no matter how much you get trashed for your image, if you have the skill and ability, you can turn any situation around.

‘Whoa—amazing.’

It was a spectacle like no other. Hundreds of foreigners who had come for various reasons were sending endless praise to the Korean actor in front of them. And among them, Woo-jin saw the faces of Kang Woo-cheol, Seo Hyun-mi, and Kang Hyun-ah, who were crying and applauding.

Without realizing it, Kang Woo-jin muttered to himself.

“……Ah, just a moment.”

He had to desperately hold back the rising surge of emotion. He wanted to run to his family and burst into tears, but he couldn’t. The ‘Clown’ team, who had already lined up, were waiting for Kang Woo-jin.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was first in line, called out to him.

“Woo-jin.”

Even at this moment, the audience’s standing ovation continued, and Kang Woo-jin, who had forced his concept to the maximum, moved slowly. Right next to Director Ahn Ga-bok. As soon as Woo-jin found his place, hundreds of viewers stopped applauding and sat down one by one. Then, Director Ahn Ga-bok put the hand microphone he received from a staff member to his mouth.

The old voice echoed in English throughout the screening room.

“Thank you for enjoying our movie, I am Ahn Ga-bok, the director of ‘Clown: Birth of a Villain.’”

-Flash flash flash!

Flashes went off for Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had finished his greeting. The invited reporters had gathered at the very back of the screening room. Director Ahn Ga-bok, noticing the reporters,

-Swish.

handed the microphone he was holding to Kang Woo-jin.

“……”

Woo-jin quietly, very calmly, took a breath. He thought his voice would tremble if he spoke right away. But soon, he calmed down. He could see his family, Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jeong-min, Director Kwon Gi-taek, Shim Han-ho and the ‘Leech’ team, and the staff of BW Entertainment. In the back, Choi Seong-geon and his team had also taken their seats. Choi Seong-geon gave him a thumbs up, and Han Ye-jeong was busy taking pictures of Woo-jin with her phone.

‘…I can’t make a fool of myself.’

The real Kang Woo-jin held the hand microphone. His low, cold voice spread.

“Hello, I’m Kang Woo-jin, who played the ‘Joker.’”

Applause and cheers erupted again, and the reporters went crazy with their flashes. But Kang Woo-jin’s actions didn’t stop there.

“As you can see, it’s also the first day of the pre-release, so I came in the ‘Joker’ costume. You might remember, I wore this costume at the ‘Emmy Awards’ too.”

About half of the audience chuckled, and Woo-jin spoke again.

“I said ‘watch it or don’t,’ but many of you came to see it. How was the ‘horrible clown’ you saw?”

A question was thrown to hundreds of viewers. An answer came immediately. It was a foreign man sitting in the front of the audience, who had tried to criticize Kang Woo-jin before the movie screening.

“The movie seemed to end with a hint of the next one! Will there be a second story of the ‘Joker’??!”

Kang Woo-jin answered calmly.

“Of course. ‘Columbia Studios’ ‘Cinematic Universe’ has begun with this movie.”

“Then, then! Will you be the ‘Joker’ in the next movie too?!”

With the question thrown again, the eyes of hundreds of viewers and reporters were all on Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin suddenly smiled crookedly. It was a smile like the ‘Joker’.

“It’s me again next time, watch it or don’t.”

He gave them fan service.

The entire audience began to shout.

“Joker! It’s the Joker!!”

“Great! I’ll definitely watch it!”

“When! When is it coming out?!”

“Your acting was amazing! I’ll come to see the next movie too!!”

This wouldn’t be just here. It was clear that the 33 theaters in LA and New York that were having the pre-release would be the same.

In the midst of the frenzied atmosphere, Director Ahn Ga-bok chuckled.

‘They’re already trapped in a swamp where they can’t endure anything but Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Joker.’ The members of the Academy Awards judging committee are no different.’

It was obvious that he would submerge the whole world later.

30 minutes later.

The ‘Clown’ team, having finished their stage greetings, had a short photo session and then disbanded. Of course, Kang Woo-jin and Director Ahn Ga-bok had time to greet their families and colleagues who had come all the way to LA. The location was the screening room, where the audience had left. Here, Woo-jin faced an unexpected crisis.

“Woo-jin!”

“Son!”

“Oppa [Korean term for older brother used by females]!!”

He had to meet his family in a place where many people had gathered.

“…Yeah, you’re here.”

“Oh my god! Mom loved the movie so much, but when you came out at the end, I burst into tears.”

“Let’s give you a hug, you rascal.”

“Me too!!”

Kang Woo-jin subtly looked around and interacted with his family.

“But Woo-jin, why do you have such a bleak expression? Is something wrong?”

“No. It’s not that.”

“Hmm, smile, you brat. It’s been so long since we’ve met.”

It was surprisingly his younger sister, Kang Hyun-ah, who resolved the crisis.

“Ah, ah! Dad! Mom! Look around! There are top actors from Korea and Hollywood all around! We need to let him go quickly!”

Nice sibling. Right, she’s the president of my fan club, so she’s helpful. Kang Woo-jin thought he should give his younger sister some allowance and said in a low voice.

“Go to the hotel I booked, I’ll go after today’s schedule is over.”

“Oh, you’re busy? Okay, okay.”

After that, Kang Woo-jin also greeted the people who had come from Korea. It was nice to see familiar faces after a long time, but there wasn’t much time.

Because there was another promotional schedule right after.

However, Hong Hye-yeon, who was grabbing Kang Woo-jin as he was leaving, asked urgently. Her voice was small.

“No, no, are you really dating Miley Cara??”

Kang Woo-jin, who looked at her for a moment, gave a simple answer.

“I wonder.”

Meanwhile, at this time.

Apart from the movie theater where Kang Woo-jin was, the first screenings of ‘Clown: Birth of a Villain’ were almost over in the 33 theaters in LA and New York. Of course, all the theaters were also crowded with people.

All the viewers who came out of the movie were excited and had the same reaction.

“Isn’t Kang Woo-jin’s acting insane??!”

“I don’t even remember how those two hours went by!”

“Columbia has produced a masterpiece after a long time!”

“I don’t know what will happen in the future, but the start of Columbia’s Cinematic Universe is a huge success! Oh my god, I can’t even put Kang Woo-jin’s acting into words.”

As time passed, around lunchtime, Kang Woo-jin, who was in the ‘Clown’ team’s van,

‘I wonder what the media situation is like??’

He picked up his phone. And internally, he let out a loud exclamation.

‘Crazy! The articles are exploding!’

Articles related to ‘Clown’ were pouring out all over Hollywood.

『CNM/Applause for Kang Woo-jin after ‘Clown’ screening/Photo』

There were articles from those who had covered the scene or attended Kang Woo-jin’s stage greeting. Among them, there were quite a few articles that contained the honesty of reporters who had actually seen ‘Clown: Birth of a Villain,’ not just the atmosphere of the movie theater or the stage greeting.

Of course, the content was pleasing to Kang Woo-jin.

‘Hehe, you guys. You’re all smitten with my acting??’

The interesting thing here was.

『BBX/Kang Woo-jin’s “Watch it or don’t” remark at the ‘Emmy Awards’ was justified, ‘Clown’ viewers ‘Kang Woo-jin’s acting is fantastic!’』

The media atmosphere before and after the screening of ‘Clown’ was completely different.

Then, the next morning, the 10th.

The second day of ‘Clown,’ which had successfully completed the first day of its two-week pre-release schedule with sold-out shows, dawned. The second day of ‘Clown’ was also sold out.

And around this time, the first review of ‘Clown’ by a famous Hollywood critic was uploaded to a movie information and review site, considered the most authoritative in Hollywood.

-[Kang Woo-jin’s is harmful trash. But it is irresistibly addictive. Coming out of the movie theater, I was rooting for the villain. It was a perplexing experience I had never had before, but I am satisfied. And Kang Woo-jin’s acting is surprisingly precise. Even if Kang Woo-jin takes the Academy Awards lightly, I think I will continue to love Kang Woo-jin’s .]

-[Rating: 10/10]

It was a rave review.