I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 473

Around 6 PM.

The front of the Dolby Theater, where the Academy Awards were about to begin, was truly magnificent. Various lights illuminated the scene, huge statues and sculptures were strategically placed, and billboards and screens added to the excitement. The atmosphere was electric.

The crowd was absolutely massive.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance of the Dolby Theater, across the front steps, and far into the distance. Thousands of people were pressed against the iron fences lining it. Everyone was dressed in tuxedos, except for the reporters and broadcasting teams. Of course, the onlookers were even more numerous.

And the red carpet itself.

It wasn’t just a red carpet; it was as if the entire floor had been transformed into a sea of red. The area covered by the carpet was vast.

There it was.

“Hey, they even have a crane, right?”

“Was that there last year?”

“There was nothing like that. Bringing something like that to an entrance ceremony…”

While reporters and broadcasting stations used cameras the size of cannonballs, there were also cranes and similar filming equipment usually reserved for movie sets.

“Is this the red carpet or a filming set?”

It was like a huge movie location. Hundreds of reporters voiced their thoughts. The scale was jaw-dropping, and while the ‘Academy Awards’ were an annual event, today’s excitement felt special.

Then, the actors began to slowly make their way down the red carpet.

The cameras went into overdrive as top Hollywood actors in tuxedos and dresses appeared.

-Flash! Flash! Flash!

Not only were there flashes of light like lightning, but the shouts of the gathered reporters were deafening. The combined noise was almost painful. Amidst the chaos, some funny scenes unfolded.

“Robert! Robert!! I’m nominated for Best Supporting Actor! Can I get the trophy??!”

“Haha, no matter what I answer, they’re going to write a strange article about it.”

“No, no – didn’t you say it was a mistake last time?”

“No way.”

As expected, the ‘Academy Awards’ red carpet was different from anything in Korea. The atmosphere was very free-spirited. Hollywood actors put on various performances on the wide red carpet. They would approach reporters for casual conversations, do strange dances, or strike pre-planned poses.

Of course, not only actors but also big directors and other celebrities were invited.

The number of attendees gradually increased.

As more stars appeared, the live broadcasts around the world exploded with activity. There was an official live broadcast team from ‘Academy Unknown,’ but the influencers and internet broadcasters on the red carpet were also drawing a lot of attention.

The atmosphere and excitement grew with each passing second.

Just then.

“Ah!! Miley!! Hey Miley!!”

The actress walked down the red carpet in a gray and white dress. It was Miley Carr. The blonde actress wasn’t nominated today, but she was invited as a guest.

“Miley!! Hey! Miley!!”

“This way! Look this way, Miley!!”

“Miley, weren’t you coming with Kang Woo-jin??!”

The excitement among the thousands of reporters was palpable. The hottest actress in Hollywood this year was, without a doubt, Miley Carr. Someone called out to Carr from behind as she waved to the reporters. When she turned around, a male actor was walking towards her. He had competed with Kang Woo-jin for the role of ‘Beast’ in the past.

Carr smiled slightly.

“What? Are you asking me to share the spotlight?”

“Haha, Miley, why are you so combative? I just said hello because I was happy to see you.”

“Really? It’s nice to meet you too. But can you please stay away? I feel sorry for him if strange articles appear for no reason.”

“Kang Woo-jin? Miley, aren’t you falling for him too much? This is the first time I’ve seen you like this.”

“Shut up.”

Even though the two were bickering, they greeted the reporters as if nothing had happened. Naturally, the cameras focused on them, and the flashes went off. Did Carr walk half the red carpet like that?

“Huh?”

The male actor suddenly tilted his head. The movement of thousands, or close to 10,000 spectators on both sides, was unusual. It felt like a huge crowd was moving towards the entrance of the red carpet. The constant flashes had also decreased significantly.

At this, Miley Carr and the male actor turned around.

“Ah.”

Carr smiled happily. The male actor sighed softly and muttered.

“Oh no, the supporting role has to go, the main character is here.”

At the beginning of the red carpet, where the two were looking.

“Kang Woo-jin!! Kang Woo-jin!!!”

“Wow!! It’s really Kang Woo-jin!!”

“Hey Woojin!! Give me your hand! Look over here and wave your hand.”

“Oh, give it to me!!”

“Aaaah!!”

“Kang Woo-jin is here??! Where? Where is he!!”

“Uh oh!! Over there!! Over there!”

“Ugh! Get out of the way! Kang Woo-jin!!!”

Because Kang Woo-jin, the man everyone was going crazy for, had appeared.

However, unlike the thousands of people who were making a fuss, Woojin had an innocent expression.

However, his thoughts were completely different.

‘Wow, I’m going to throw up. Dizzy. My ears are popping. Will I splatter? Evaji? [Evaji is a Korean slang term for ‘vomit’] I don’t know, I’m just worried about my concept and walking.’

There was nothing like this on the red carpet. Neatly slicked-back black hair, an all-black tuxedo, and polished shoes. Today, he was the pure Kang Woo-jin, without any performances or events, but the tension was higher than ever.

Kang Woo-jin wasn’t alone.

Right next to him was Chris Hartnett in a white tuxedo, and to his right was director Anga Bok in a regular suit. Around him, actors and key staff from the filming of ‘Clillero’ had gathered. In other words, the ‘Cierrot: Birth of a Villain’ team.

“Kang Woo-jin!! Show me your Joker smile!!!”

All the reporters and the live broadcast team rushed to their appearance. No matter what anyone said, they were the hottest team at this ‘Academy Awards’.

Then, Chris, who was smiling and waving his hand, spoke to Kang Woo-jin.

“Woojin, let’s go first. ‘Joker’ should take the lead.”

Kang Woo-jin, who was looking at him indifferently, answered in his heart.

‘What are you talking about! You, the smart one, should go first! I’m afraid I’ll trip over my own feet!’

However, Woojin, who couldn’t show this frivolous side, took a heavy step forward.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Kang Woo-jin dominated the ‘Academy Awards’ red carpet.

About an hour later, inside the Dolby Theater.

The interior of the Dolby Theater, where the Academy Awards were to be held, was nothing short of magnificent. It was four stories high with a very high ceiling. Lights were installed everywhere, the seats were arranged in a bay-like fashion, and incredibly famous actors, directors, and filmmakers were seated in them.

The front stage was extravagant.

The stage where the ‘Academy Awards’ trophy statue stood was wide, and the numerous monitors hanging around it added to the majesty. All of the round structures decorating the stage featured the ‘Academy Awards’ logo. The broadcasting team and staff were positioned in front of the stage.

Indeed, the scale of the ‘Academy Awards’ was every filmmaker’s dream.

The people gathered were also dazzling. They dominated the world’s film industry, including Hollywood. What would their combined net worth be? It must be a mind-boggling amount, right? Kang Woo-jin thought to himself.

‘Wow, those lights are amazing. Is it a representation of a trophy? How much money do you have to spend to achieve that kind of stage quality?’

He was seated in a seat close to the stage on the first floor.

‘I can’t believe I’m sitting here at the Academy Awards. Isn’t this truly an honor for the family?? I’m dying to take a picture.’

He had a burning desire to take a commemorative photo, but he had to endure it sternly. From earlier, no, from the moment he entered this hall, everyone had been glancing at Kang Woo-jin. Broadcast cameras also frequently focused on Woojin. It felt like there were CCTVs everywhere.

Therefore, Kang Woo-jin.

All I had to do was maintain my composure, looking straight ahead at the stage without saying or doing anything. At that moment, Chris Hartnett, sitting next to me, spoke up.

“Woojin, you made such a big deal about coming to the ‘Academy Awards,’ but you don’t look happy at all?”

‘I’m actually thrilled,’ I thought, but I gave a cool-headed answer that was completely different from what I was feeling.

“It’s better than I expected.”

“…Hahaha, is that so? It’s surprising to hear you say that after coming all this way.”

Director Gabok Ang chimed in.

“There was always the same tension at awards ceremonies in Korea, at Cannes, and at the ‘Emmy Awards.’ I guess the ‘Academy Awards’ can just be seen as another awards ceremony. Isn’t that right?”

“It’s similar.”

“Or maybe you were just confident enough to sit here.”

Chris clapped his hands together as if he had just realized something.

“Right! Well, Woojin, you declared your intentions from Cannes. If you were confident back then, it’s funny that you’re making such a fuss now.”

Soon, the surrounding ‘clown’ team [referring to his team working on the movie ‘Cierrot: Birth of a Villain’] sympathized and agreed. As Kang Woo-jin’s carefully crafted image spread, he internally thought, ‘No, that’s enough!’ It was time to stop pretending.

Upbeat classical music filled the vast hall. At the same time, a trophy statue in the form of a standing human figure was erected on the front stage.

-Sigh.

A man in a tuxedo appeared alone. Holding a cue card, he was a famous MC and comedian, the host of today’s Academy Awards. The host stood at the microphone and greeted everyone.

“Hello~ Hello~”

Even though nearly 10,000 big names were in the audience, he started his speech without any hesitation.

“Um, shall we chat a bit before we start?”

As expected from the ‘Academy Awards,’ known for their informal proceedings, the host started with some light banter.

“At this ‘Academy Awards,’ the ‘clown’ theme was a big hit, right? Ah! Kang Woo-jin is here, right? Kang Woo-jin! Where are you? Kang Woo-jin!”

Suddenly, the camera focused on Kang Woo-jin in the audience. Of course, all eyes followed. The host gave Woojin a thumbs up.

“Joker! It was amazing. That movie is going to be a sensation when it’s released worldwide!”

Big names from around the world, all winners of this ‘Academy Awards,’ were present.

“I’ve become a huge fan. When will the next episode come out? Next episode!”

It all started with the sensation that was Kang Woo-jin.

How much time had passed since then? Unlike in LA, where it was afternoon, in Korea, where it was lunchtime, the ‘Academy Awards’ live broadcast was being watched in many places. People were watching on their cell phones on subways or buses, or in crowded places like cafes.

Or on TVs in various stores.

Among them was a large two-story pork belly restaurant in the center of Gangnam, packed with customers for lunch. The ‘Academy Awards’ live broadcast was playing on the large TV installed there. It seemed the owner had turned it on because it was the hottest topic recently.

Therefore, the eyes of many diners turned to the TV.

“Wow, Kang Woo-jin is among all those crazy people. It’s really unbelievable.”

“It’s not just that he’s crazy. Kang Woo-jin is a legend. But because Kang Woo-jin is there, it’s even more unbelievable.”

“At first, weren’t you really proud when the top Hollywood stars mentioned Kang Woo-jin? It made my shoulders lift up.”

“But isn’t it Eva who’s going to give Kang Woo-jin the Best Actor award?”

“Isn’t it a huge success just to be nominated? To be honest, it might be a bit difficult to win the Best Actor award. I heard there’s some subtle discrimination at the Academy Awards.”

They were busy talking and concentrating on the awards ceremony. Pork belly went into everyone’s mouths, and what came out was talk about Kang Woo-jin.

“Ah! I’m nervous! Why am I nervous?? What is this? Don’t you feel like you’re watching the World Cup?”

“I admit it! I hope Kang Woo-jin wins the award!”

“Looking at the comments online, they say it’s unlikely Kang Woo-jin will receive it, and that the Hollywood actors he’s up against are veteran actors or something. But honestly, I can’t even imagine what Kang Woo-jin would do if he won.”

“It must be difficult, right? Since he’s a Korean actor, I think he might get a lower score.”

Kang Woo-jin’s best friends, Kim Dae-young, Lee Gyeong-seong, and Na Hyeong-gu, were also there.

“Whoa, everyone is talking like they know everything.”

“Hey, I have to pee again. Wow, I’m going crazy. Kim Dae-young! Do you know anything? Since Woojin is the guy who works for everyone’s agency, I thought he might have some information.”

“Are you crazy? Right now, the company has stopped all work to watch this, so what would I know?”

“Uh huh? Everyone, shut up. Isn’t it time for the ‘Best Actor’ award? The ‘Best Actor’ award is about to be announced.”

In fact, on TV, Hollywood male and female actors stood side by side to announce the Best Actor Award.

-[“I think I should stop talking and announce it now.”]

-[“Sure. Oh, but Daisy, I can’t do it because I’m shaking. Please do it for me. Look at how my hands are shaking.”]

-[“Phew, okay. I’ll do it.”]

The female actor received the cue card. On the large monitor behind her, all the nominated actors were displayed in five columns. At the very end, Kang Woo-jin, whom all the customers of this pork belly restaurant knew, appeared proudly.

Soon, the pork belly restaurant became excessively noisy.

“Ahh! Kang Woo-jin! Kang Woo-jin, take it!”

“That’s right! Please! Kang Woo-jin!”

“If Kang Woo-jin wins, I’ll write it here!!”

“Wooaaah!”

The female actress on TV widened her eyes as she looked at the paper she took out of the envelope. Then, she suddenly smiled at the huge audience in front of her.

-[“Wow! The ‘Best Actor Award’ at the 95th Academy Awards!!”]

Meanwhile, in New York.

New York’s Times Square was currently crowded with hundreds of thousands of people, with millions of people from all over the world flocking to it every day. This place, also known as the ‘undying place in New York,’ lived up to its reputation, and unlike the dark sky, everything was sparkling brightly.

This was because of the huge electronic displays and billboards hanging all over the forest of buildings.

Times Square, which seemed like a different world, was still bustling with hundreds of thousands of people. The long street was full of people’s heads all the way to the end. Additionally, as it was a world-famous tourist area, various languages were prevalent.

It felt like the entire world had gathered there.

On the largest billboard on the gray building in the center of Times Square.

-[“Wow! The ‘Best Actor Award’ at the 95th Academy Awards!!”]

The ‘Academy Awards’ in progress in LA were being displayed, and in front of it, tens of thousands of people stopped walking and looked up.

“I like Kang Woo-jin, but the candidates he’s up against are too strong. Unfortunately, I think he’ll have to aim for next year.”

“Right? What is that lineup? They’re all Hollywood’s biggest actors, aren’t they? How can he beat that?”

Everyone was watching the ‘Academy Awards.’ They were busy talking in different languages.

“Oh? It’s Kang Woo-jin. What’s going on? Are they doing the Academy Awards now?”

“Yes, there have been a lot of articles since this morning. I saw Kang Woo-jin in person in Japan.”

“Academy Award for Best Actor?? Hehe, that’s amazing.”

“I hope he gets it, but um, looking at the other candidates, it’s going to be a little difficult.”

“But I heard Kang Woo-jin was really upset this time.”

More and more people stopped walking.

“It may be difficult this time, but I think Kang Woo-jin will probably receive it next year, or the year after.”

“He’s already huge, look at all the people here. Everyone knows Kang Woo-jin, right??”

“Let’s just go and watch the announcement.”

“Huh.”

Looking down from above, people all over the world were looking up at Kang Woo-jin.

At that moment, Kang Woo-jin’s name spread throughout Times Square. This is what the ‘Academy Award’ female actress shouted on the billboard.

-[“The Academy Award for Best Actor goes to Kang from ‘Cierrot: Birth of a Villain’! Woo! Jin! Congratulations!!”]

At the same time, tens of thousands of people looking up at the ‘Academy Awards’ opened their mouths.

“…Huh? Kang Woo-jin? Did they just call Kang Woo-jin?”