I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 471

On April 1st, Kang Woo-jin was on the vast set. The set complex inside Hollywood’s ‘Universal Movies’ was also impressively large, as is common with the ‘Big Five’ studios.

The term ‘super-large film company’ definitely felt appropriate.

The set complex used by the ‘John Persona’ team was a highly realistic recreation of various city centers from around the world. Vietnam, Russia, Spain, and more. This was because ‘John Persona’ itself featured numerous countries in its storyline. Of course, there were also plans for location filming in each country, but that was for the second half of the film, with the remaining scenes scheduled to be filmed on the Hollywood set.

At the moment, Kang Woo-jin was in a set designed to look like a major Russian city center.

‘Wow, sir, that action scene was really intense just now,’ a makeup staff member said.

There had just been an intense action sequence, so several makeup artists were attending to Woo-jin. It was during this break.

‘Snacks are here! Eat up!’

Donuts and coffee were being served as snacks at the busy site, which was crowded with a diverse international crew. The crew happily munched on the donuts, clearly hungry, but Kang Woo-jin wasn’t particularly interested in eating.

‘Maybe I’ll just stick to coffee.’

With a stoic expression, he quietly sipped his coffee. It wasn’t a deliberate act or a character concept; his unwavering demeanor, honed over years, seemed to manifest subconsciously. The foreign staff, who were enjoying the donuts and coffee and who were seeing Kang Woo-jin for the first time through this production, began to whisper amongst themselves about him.

‘Isn’t it amazing? Woo-jin did that intense action over and over, and he’s not even out of breath.’

‘You’re right. It’s still early in the filming process, but we’ve already filmed many intense action scenes. He looks completely unfazed.’

‘I heard from the stunt coordinator that Woojin Kang used to be in the special forces.’

‘Oh, that’s what Ethan Smith was saying, right? I heard that too.’

‘It makes sense that the CQC [Close Quarters Combat] in ‘Beneficial Evil’ was so raw.’

‘Looking at how nonchalant both ‘Beneficial Evil’ and ‘John Persona’ seem in their actions, it seems like the special forces must have been really tough.’

As the illusion of calm spread, director Danny Landis and Joseph Felton approached Kang Woo-jin as he drank his coffee. Caddy Megan Stone and the large-nosed Ethan Smith were also present. Director Danny, holding a donut in one hand, smiled and started the conversation.

‘The official ‘Academy Award’ nominations will be announced in two days. What time did you say it was?’

The answer came from the towering Joseph Felton.

‘It will be at 8 p.m., broadcast live through channels other than the Academy Awards’ official SNS and YouTube. It’s been that way every year.’

‘Hmm. Who will be announcing the candidates?’

‘There hasn’t been any word yet, but it seems like some of last year’s winners will come forward to host the event.’

Director Danny nodded slowly, then turned his gaze to Kang Woo-jin, who was silently sipping his coffee.

‘Where do you plan on watching the candidate announcement live?’

Woojin, with an indifferent expression, answered in a low voice.

‘I guess I’ll just watch it at home.’

‘After filming is over?’

‘Yes, director.’

For reference, Woo-jin was only scheduled to film in the morning on the day of the official Academy Award nominations, two days later. Because it was a meaningful day, the production team for ‘John Persona’ had been understanding. Director Danny then adjusted his round glasses and chuckled.

‘How are you feeling? Nervous? The results will be out in two days.’

‘Of course you’d be nervous,’ Woojin thought internally, but his exterior remained composed.

‘Not really. I did what I had to do, and I’ll accept the results.’

It was an answer laced with careful self-preservation, meant to create a fallback in case he didn’t get nominated for an ‘Academy Award’. You have to have an excuse prepared for later, after all; these were people he’d continue to work with for months. However, Joseph, the giant, looked at Kang Woo-jin’s calm face and made a very wrong assumption.

‘…You’re saying you’re confident you’ll be nominated. It doesn’t seem like you even considered that you might fail?’

‘No, where did you get that idea?’ Kang Woo-jin felt a little frustrated. However, he was used to these kinds of misinterpretations, so he dealt with it quickly.

‘Of course, it would be great to be nominated.’

At this point, the large-nosed Ethan Smith, who had worked with Kang Woo-jin on Part 1 of ‘Beneficial Evil’, chimed in. The tension was palpable.

‘Hahaha! Four years after his debut, he’s already a strong candidate for the ‘Oscar’ [Academy Award] for Best Actor! It’s hard to believe that such an incredible thing is happening right before our eyes.’

Megan Stone, who had short brown hair, picked up the thread.

‘At Cannes and the Emmy Awards, it was already a speed unmatched in Hollywood, but if we advance to the Academy Awards, it will be a record that will be hard to break for decades.’

Their conversation was already the buzz of Hollywood. Kang Woo-jin was being discussed as a strong candidate for the ‘Academy Award’ for Best Actor, and if he were officially nominated, he would have come straight from Cannes to the ‘Emmy Awards’ and then to the ‘Academy Awards’. Soon, the big Hollywood director Danny Landis put his hand on Woo-jin’s shoulder.

His smile was knowing and wide.

‘Woo-jin is probably the most watched person in the world right now.’

Meanwhile.

People were gathered together in a spacious conference room. The atmosphere was solemn. It needed to be. They had to meticulously prepare for the awards ceremony while the whole world was watching. These were members of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), who would be announcing the official nominations in just two days.

In front of each person sat a tablet.

The tablet displayed the results and feedback from approximately 10,000 members from around the world. It contained the evaluation of the works and actors who had shined in Hollywood this year. While the official announcement was still two days away, the confirmed works and names of the official candidates were already printed in their hands.

Then, gasps of surprise came from several people looking at their tablets. It was like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

‘Hehe, I never imagined there would be results like this.’

‘Are you sure about this?’

‘Incredible.’

Among them, an elderly woman, who seemed to be in her sixties, smiled as if she found the situation interesting when she saw the five confirmed candidates for the ‘Best Actor Award’.

‘This year’s ‘Academy Awards’ will be historic in many ways.’

Back on the outside.

With only two days left until the official nomination announcement for the ‘Academy Awards’, a dream stage for filmmakers around the world, the anticipation was heightened by the release of similar articles across numerous countries, including Hollywood.

『LA TIMES/Two days before the official announcement of the Academy Award nominations, this Oscar race is more heated than any other year!』

On April 1st and April 2nd.

『BBX Experts Predictions/ Oscar nominated works and actors “If ‘Pierrot’ and Kang Woo-jin are nominated, it is proof that the Academy Awards are changing”』

By this point, the excitement in Korea was reaching fever pitch. Rightfully so.

『[Star Talk] Can the miracle of the ‘Emmy Awards’ extend to the ‘Academy Awards’? The whole nation is cheering!』

『”Academy Award Nomination Announcement Live, must watch!” ‘Oscar’ fever grips Korea thanks to Kang Woo-jin』

This was because there was the possibility that Kang Woo-jin might be nominated for the ‘Academy Award’ for the first time in Korea, or indeed in all of Asia. Normally, they might have overlooked the ‘Academy Award’ nomination announcement broadcast, but this time, because none other than Kang Woo-jin was in the spotlight, the interest of the domestic media and the public soared like a rocket.

Of course, the reaction from Japan, where Woojin had already made inroads, was similar, and the rest of Asia was particularly enthusiastic.

Just like that, the remaining two days flew by.

On the bright morning of the 3rd, Kang Woo-jin in LA tried to calm his racing heart.

“Action!”

Filming for ‘John Persona’ began early in the morning. All filming wrapped up around 2 PM. As Woojin left the set, numerous staff members, including director Danny Landis and Joseph Felton, showered him with support. Outwardly, Kang Woo-jin remained composed, but his inner tension was steadily escalating.

‘Wow, I’m honestly several times more nervous than I was for the ‘Emmy Awards’!’

Clearly, the ‘Emmy Awards’ were significant enough to be called the ‘Academy Awards’ of the broadcasting industry. However, in terms of recognition and influence, the ‘Academy Awards’ reigned supreme. Even before becoming an actor, Kang Woo-jin had been aware of the ‘Academy Awards,’ so it was natural for his tension to reach a fever pitch.

“What’s with the ‘Academy Awards’? It makes me feel like I’m a newbie entering a dungeon, right?”

Just entering that newbie’s room was a huge deal for Woojin at this point in his career. Later, around 4 PM, many people gathered at Kang Woo-jin’s house in LA. The host, Kang Woo-jin, wearing a comfortable gray hoodie, was there, as well as BW Entertainment’s overseas branch employees, including Choi Seong-geon and his team members. In addition, there was a blonde woman next to Woojin.

Who could it be? It was Miley Kara.

There was no way she would miss the moment when her boyfriend could achieve an ‘Academy Award’ miracle. Kara had been busy adjusting her schedule from the previous week to be there today. Currently, more than 20 people had gathered at Woojin’s house. The usually cynical Kang Woo-jin muttered to himself as he surveyed the scene.

‘I’m even more nervous now that everyone’s gathered, right? Okay, let’s calm down.’

The living room of his house had transformed into a party venue, but Woojin was focused on controlling his mind. Soon, people gathered in front of the large TV to check if the connection was working. The table was laden with snacks and canned beer. Time flew by as everyone chatted and waited, and it was now 7 PM.

In other words, there was only one hour left until the official nominations for the Academy Awards were announced.

Of course, that one hour quickly melted away, and before he knew it, the large TV connected to the network showed a large stage that was empty except for two chairs. It was the ‘Dolby Theatre,’ the performance hall where the ‘Academy Awards’ were held every year. The large trophy statue erected behind the chairs immediately caught the eye. The very famous ‘Academy Award’ trophy. The monitor next to it was also huge.

-Sigh.

A fairly old man and a woman with a lively look appeared on screen. They were a famous Hollywood director and actress who had won an Academy Award the previous year. When the two appeared with cue cards, everyone gathered at Woojin’s house became excited.

“Uh oh! It’s starting!”

“Wow, it’s the ‘Academy Awards’! Doesn’t it feel different from the usual announcements?!”

“Really?! How can I say it, it feels very prestigious!”

“Woojin oppa’s [Oppa is a Korean term used by females to refer to older males] name should be on that cue card!”

At this point, most eyes, including Choi Seong-gun and Kara, were fixed on Kang Woo-jin standing in front of the TV. His face was as serious as usual. Everyone else was nervous, but he seemed completely unfazed.

‘Absolutely strong heart! How can you be so calm about everything?’

That wasn’t the case. Kang Woo-jin’s heart was currently pounding as if it would burst. To the point where he felt a little nauseous.

‘Crazy, wait a minute! Huh – my hands are sweaty???’

In any case, the sound of voices was heard in the video that many people around the world were watching.

-[“Hello, we are happy to deliver the news everyone has been waiting for.”]

-[“Me too. I received an award here last year, and it feels like the honor is continuing.”]

The director and actress, who were in charge of the presentation, began the proceedings.

-[“We are announcing the candidates for ‘Best Costume Award,’ a total of 5 people were selected.”]

The announcement began with the confirmed candidates for the ‘Academy Awards’ ‘Best Costume Design,’ and Kang Woo-jin swallowed his saliva without being noticed. Of course, there were many people other than him who were on edge at this time. For example, executives gathered in the large conference room of ‘Columbia Studios,’ No La Foster, director Ang Bok, etc. All of them were looking at the front screen and hoping.

Please be called, please let ‘Clierrot’ be called.

It was then. The actress who was in charge of making the on-screen announcement mentioned the last candidate for ‘Best Costume Design.’

-[“The final ‘Best Costume Award’ nominee, Laura Colley for ‘Clierrot: Birth of a Villain’.”]

The name of ‘Clierrot: Birth of a Villain’ was actually called. It was even the first category announced. At that moment, the woman with tied hair in the conference room suddenly stood up.

“It’s me!! I was called!!”

Applause and cheers erupted. Even if it was just the ‘Best Costume Design Award,’ the priority was for the work to be recognized at the ‘Academy Awards.’ For ‘Columbia Studio,’ it was a victory. At this point, director Ahn Ga-bok, who was applauding, thought.

‘Since it’s a costume award, it’s inevitable that the ‘Joker’ costumes would be recognized, then… … … … There may still be more to it.’

‘Clierrot’ was just getting started.

Then, ‘The Beast and the Beauty’ team was also happy that ‘Clierrot: Birth of a Villain’ was called first. The same went for the ‘John Persona’ team, which had temporarily paused filming, and the movie ‘Guest’ team. The prayers of many of Hollywood’s biggest names and hundreds of staff members filled the air.

Those prayers were also abundant in Korea.

Due to the time difference, Korea was literally filled with anticipation after noon the next day. Buses, subways, taxis, cafes, restaurants, convenience stores, etc. An incredible number of people were watching the live announcement of the ‘Academy Award’ candidates on their cell phones or laptops.

There were many people like Kang Woo-cheol, Seo Hyun-mi, and Kang Hyun-ah who were anxiously watching in front of their TVs.

“Please, please!! Please!!!!”

“Ah! Dad! It’s starting!!”

“…God, Buddha, teacher, boss, alien. Whoever it is, please help Woojin get nominated.”

“Uh, Mom. Some people are not gods? Anyway! ah! I’m so nervous!”

Top domestic stars including Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jung-min, Jin Jae-jun, and Hwarin were no different. Everyone watched the presentation live from their respective locations on their cell phones. While the wishes were fervent, the director in charge of the live presentation announced the next category.

-[“Next is the ‘Best Actress’ award. A truly amazing actor was chosen.”]

He began calling out the names of Hollywood actresses whose names everyone would recognize. Around this time, Kang Woo-jin in LA was very focused on the TV. Miley Kara, of course, was as well.

Dozens of people, including Seong-geon Choi, all fell silent. They simply clasped their hands, swallowed their dry saliva, and stared at the TV.

It was then.

-[“This time it’s ‘Best Actor,’ wow! There are some great actors in this category too, aren’t there?”]

An actress on TV announced the official nominations for ‘Best Actor,’ one of the main events of this year’s ‘Academy Awards.’

-[“There are 5 people in total! Congratulations to everyone in advance, and we’ll announce them right away. David Ross, Ryan Chapin, Thomas Boseman, and James Reznor.”]

Suddenly, the actress, who had been speaking all English names, paused.

-Sigh.

She smiled and looked up from the cue card and called out the last candidate for ‘Best Actor.’

-[“And Kang Woo-jin.”]

At that moment, Kang Woo-jin muttered without realizing it. It was a very small voice.

“…Crazy, this is happening.”