I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 5

Kang Woo-jin thought back to Song Man-woo PD, the man who had called him, whom he’d met yesterday on ‘Super Actor.’

‘What was so memorable about him?’

The only clear thing was that he had a beard? And that he was a big-shot PD. Of course, this information came from his friend, Kim Dae-young. Anyway, there were few reasons why a big-shot like Song Man-woo PD would call Woo-jin.

No, it was safe to say there were none. So why did he call?

At that moment.

‘Ah.’

Something flashed through Woo-jin’s mind. Could it be a request to appear in the second preliminary round of ‘Super Actor’? He didn’t know the internal workings of the show, but since Song Man-woo was a judge, it was possible.

‘How annoying.’

The only good thing was that Kang Woo-jin wasn’t feeling the shame from yesterday. Because he knew his acting wasn’t trash. Soon, Woo-jin, who had been scratching his chin, cleared his throat slightly.

‘First, it’s better to maintain the concept.’

Then, a very dry tone came out.

“I think it’s proper to tell me the reason first.”

Song Man-woo PD’s reply came immediately from the other end of the phone.

“Ah, right.”

“I told the main PD that I wouldn’t appear on ‘Super Actor’.”

“No, no, it’s a different matter. Completely different.”

“Then what is it?”

“Um—it’s a bit difficult to discuss over the phone. If possible, I’d like to talk to you in person. Would that be difficult?”

Ugh, that’s a bit of a hassle. As Kang Woo-jin muttered inwardly, Song Man-woo PD spoke again.

“You said you were a designer, right? What time do you usually get off work? I imagine there’s a lot of overtime in the design field.”

“No. I recently quit my job.”

“······I see.”

I see? Why ‘I see’ here? The answer to that also came from Song Man-woo PD.

“You’ve made up your mind, haven’t you?”

What Song Man-woo PD meant was whether he had decided to make his presence known, but Kang Woo-jin was momentarily stunned.

‘What did I make up my mind about? What is this guy talking about?’

He couldn’t understand at all. It was thanks to the clear difference in their perspectives, and Woo-jin remained solemnly silent for the time being.

“······”

“Anyway, if you’ve quit your job, it’s okay to meet today, right?”

Correct. Kang Woo-jin was currently unemployed. He had plenty of time.

However.

‘It wouldn’t look good to accept too readily.’

Kang Woo-jin casually maintained his concept.

“4 PM. That’s the only time I’ll be available.”

Song Man-woo PD on the other end of the phone immediately took the bait.

“Okay! 4 PM! I’m sorry about the location, but there are a few others besides me. If I send you the address, can you come?”

“Who else is there?”

“Ah, a few people involved.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Thank you, then I’ll send you the address, see you at 4.”

“Understood.”

-Click.

The call with Song Man-woo PD ended like that. At the same time, Kang Woo-jin checked the time. Around 8:30 AM. He had plenty of time until 4 PM, and Woo-jin looked at his phone screen and muttered to himself.

“But how famous is that PD, Song Man-woo?”

He had heard the word ‘big-shot’ from Kim Dae-young. However, Woo-jin, who wasn’t very interested in the entertainment industry, couldn’t gauge it.

-Swish.

He searched for Song Man-woo PD on a search engine. The search results were quick, and Kang Woo-jin was quickly surprised.

『[Entertainment News] Top Actors Line Up for SBC’s Star PD, Song Man-woo’s Next Project/Photo』

『Stars Align! Netizens Buzz Over News of Song Man-woo PD and Park Eun-mi Writer Joining Forces』

·

·

·

There were dozens of pages of articles, and even a quick glance at the content showed his immense influence. Because of that, Kang Woo-jin, with his mouth agape, muttered softly.

“···Did someone like this ask to meet me?”

Why? Why did he call? Then Kang Woo-jin’s interest quickly waned. There was no point in worrying about it.

“I’ll find out when I go.”

Then, Woo-jin, who lightly pushed Song Man-woo PD’s thoughts aside.

-Swish.

Put down his phone and picked up a script book. There was still plenty of time until the appointment, so he intended to read the script. Woo-jin had finished reading ‘Elegant Eldest Daughter’ yesterday, and now he was reading ‘Gangster Prosecutor.’ He was already more than halfway through it.

-Flip, flip.

It was kind of strange.

“This is… kind of fun.”

Kang Woo-jin, lying down, found reading the script quite enjoyable. This was definitely strange. Usually, Woo-jin didn’t even watch TV much. He had no interest in content like dramas or movies.

Even if he did watch, he almost always stopped halfway.

But reading scripts was different. His concentration was considerable. The speed was also fast. It was dozens of times more enjoyable than watching videos.

“Was I originally suited for writing?”

Or maybe it was because of that bizarre subspace that suddenly appeared. Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin increased his speed in reading the script. That way, Woo-jin finished reading all the scripts and scenarios he had received by around 1 PM.

Of course, he couldn’t remember all the details of the works, but he grasped the general context. Then Kang Woo-jin.

“Hmm-”

With his arms crossed, he casually chose one of the roles he remembered from the works he had read.

Then.

-Thwack!

He poked the black square and entered the subspace. This process was quite natural now.

“Let’s see.”

In the endlessly dark subspace, Woo-jin moved in front of four white squares. The one he chose was the second square.

-[2/Script (Title: Elegant Eldest Daughter Part 1), E-Grade]

-[*This is a very high-quality drama script. 100% reading is possible.]

It was ‘Elegant Eldest Daughter,’ which had ended as a flop. Soon, new phrases appeared below the white square. The feeling was similar to when he had the partial script.

However, the difference was.

-[You have selected 2/Script (Title: Elegant Eldest Daughter Part 1).]

-[Lists the characters available for reading (experience).]

-[A: Shim Hyung-woo, B: Jang Tae-san, C: Choi Ki-seop, D: Go Doo-seok······]

There were many characters available for reading. It seemed like there were more than eight. It was natural. It was a formal script, so there would be many more than a partial script. Here, Woo-jin realized one thing.

“It’s only possible for men.”

The genders had to be the same. Well, Kang Woo-jin also acknowledged this part. Becoming a woman was as undesirable as suddenly dying.

Then.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin touched the name he had decided on in advance among the listed characters. It was at the very end. Then, a woman’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the subspace.

A static, robotic voice.

[“Preparing to read ‘J: Male Cafe Employee’······”]

The reason for his choice was simple. The part was very short. It was just for an experiment anyway.

Anyway, Woo-jin waited silently.

“······”

It wasn’t long before the woman’s voice was heard again.

[“······Preparation complete. This is a very high-quality script or scenario. The implementation rate is 100%. Starting reading.”]

As it was, Kang Woo-jin was sucked into a large gray area.

Afterward.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been in the subspace, returned to his studio apartment.

“Hoo-”

There was no tension or bewilderment in his appearance as he sighed and swept back his short hair. Moreover, he wasn’t dazed or losing his reason. His brain was functioning normally.

Unlike when he had the partial script, he was clear-headed. He had adapted.

“Why was I so hazy at first?”

Kang Woo-jin, with his arms crossed, tilted his head. After all, whether it was the other side of the subspace or this side of the studio apartment, it was the same reality. Kang Woo-jin experienced both sides directly. So why was it like that yesterday? Around this point, Woo-jin roughly came to a conclusion.

“Well, it must be because my body rejected it at first.”

He slowly assessed his current state. From his brain to his heart, every nook and cranny. Soon, he could feel it. It was natural that it was vivid since he had experienced it directly.

“I remember every single line of the ‘Male Cafe Employee’.”

He perfectly remembered even the few lines. Like words he had memorized thousands of times. You could call it imprinting. It wasn’t at a level where he had just memorized it because it was short.

Of course, the situation was similar on the other side.

Everything about the ‘Male Cafe Employee’ that Kang Woo-jin had chosen, from the character’s five senses to their emotions, thoughts, and feelings, had permeated him. This was also the same as with the partial script. There was no process of digestion; he adapted and accepted it.

Like a seamless organ transplant.

In other words, the ‘Male Cafe Employee’ was transplanted into Kang Woo-jin. This was already less like acting and more like stealing the role he was possessed by.

Then.

“······Wow- damn.”

Kang Woo-jin was once again impressed by the power of the subspace. Well, setting aside becoming an actor, just being able to experience anything in the subspace was valuable.

No, isn’t that right?

He would have to keep using it to know for sure, but if there were no conditions, he could really experience anything. Depending on the script or scenario, flying in the sky would be basic, and he could even use magic.

‘Of course, it’s short and temporary depending on the role. And in the meantime, I can also be an actor. While I’m at it, should I aim for top star status?’

At this moment, in Woo-jin’s heart.

‘Whatever it is, let’s live a completely different life once. That’d be so fun.’

Acting or being an actor, something he had never even imagined before, began to fill his mind. In that state, Kang Woo-jin picked up the short scenario ‘The Detective Agency.’

“By the way, I should check out this ‘B-Grade’ too-”

Kang Woo-jin, muttering, glanced at his watch. It was almost time for his appointment.

“Let’s take a shower first.”

A few hours later, around 4 PM.

Kang Woo-jin arrived in front of a large building near Samsung Station. His attire was the same as yesterday. A padded jacket and jeans. He looked up at the tall building.

“It’s so tall, they said it was on the 5th floor, right?”

Woo-jin entered the building lobby and checked the information sign near the entrance. From the 5th to the 7th floor, the production company ‘C Blue Studio’ was using it.

This was Kang Woo-jin’s destination.

When he searched it up on his way here, C Blue Studio was a large production company in Korea.

“Well, whether it’s big or small, it doesn’t really matter to me.”

Woo-jin, who had muttered to himself, cleared his throat. To make his voice lower. Then, he called Song Man-woo PD. He picked up quickly.

“Ah, Woo-jin-ssi. Have you arrived?”

“Yes. I’m on the first floor.”

“I’ll send someone down right away.”

A few minutes later, a young-looking woman approached Kang Woo-jin.

“You’re Kang Woo-jin-ssi, right?”

She was an assistant director. Soon, Kang Woo-jin arrived at C Blue Studio on the 5th floor, following the assistant director.

Then.

“The PD is inside.”

The assistant director, who had guided Woo-jin to the door of a conference room, gestured. Meaning to go inside. Because of that, Woo-jin, remembering his concept, opened the door without hesitation.

-Creak.

The inside of the conference room was quite spacious. In the center, there was a U-shaped desk, and about six people were sitting there. They all fixed their gazes on Kang Woo-jin, who had just entered.

Of course, among them.

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi, we meet again.”

There was also Song Man-woo PD with his beard. He greeted Kang Woo-jin with a very cheerful smile. As expected of a big-shot PD, he was sitting in the center of the six people.

At this moment.

“!!!”

Kang Woo-jin was startled inwardly.

‘Huh! Hong Hye-yeon?!’

Because the angelic top actress Hong Hye-yeon had caught his eye. What is this, Hong Hye-yeon is here?? Woo-jin wanted to rub his eyes. He also wanted to shake her hand. Saying, ‘We meet again?’ But he held back. He really desperately held back.

Because there could be no frivolousness in his installed tough act.

Because of that, even though he made eye contact with Hong Hye-yeon, Kang Woo-jin was able to maintain a nonchalant expression. It was after this that Song Man-woo PD’s voice was heard.

“It’s a bit surprising that there are so many people, right?”

Oh, very. If Hong Hye-yeon was going to be here, they should have said so from the start. Kang Woo-jin grumbled inwardly, but outwardly, he reacted nonchalantly. As if that kind of thing didn’t matter at all.

“There must be a reason.”

Then, Kang Woo-jin, who had muttered in a dry tone.

-Slide.

Pulled out a nearby chair and sat down. It would be good to cross his legs, right? Woo-jin, who had made an effort to maintain his composure, roughly scanned the people on the other side. Skipping over Hong Hye-yeon because he was nervous. A middle-aged woman with long permed hair and other men were staring at Woo-jin.

It was a bit of a hot seat.

Around that time.

“Um—Woo-jin-ssi.”

Song Man-woo PD with his beard, sitting opposite Kang Woo-jin, leaned forward slightly. His expression was serious.

“This is a bit sudden, but I’m very curious. And so are the others. Someone like Woo-jin-ssi must have a monologue or two, right? I’d like to see some of your lines. Yesterday wasn’t focused on lines.”

A monologue is when an actor delivers lines without a partner. Usually, the lines are long. That’s why aspiring actors memorize a monologue for auditions.

But there was no way Kang Woo-jin would have something like that prepared.

‘A monologue? What the hell is that?’

He had only encountered acting a day ago.

‘Here, for now… let’s keep my mouth shut.’

Because of that, Woo-jin’s choice was silence. Then Song Man-woo PD proceeded with things as he pleased.

“Or you can do it while looking at this. You can interpret it however you like.”

-Slide.

After speaking, Song Man-woo PD slowly slid a black tablet in front of Kang Woo-jin. On the tablet screen, there were about 10 lines of text.

They were the lines for a monologue.

Whatever it was, they were asking Kang Woo-jin to act right now. Perhaps it was the first step as an actor. Understanding that, Woo-jin’s face was expressionless. However, his insides, as he stared intently at the tablet, were filled with bewilderment.

‘Damn it, that thing isn’t showing up.’

Unlike with the script or scenario, there was no black square next to the tablet. The passage to go to the subspace. This was a disaster.

Regardless.

“You can start whenever you’re ready.”

Song Man-woo PD muttered seriously. Conversely, Kang Woo-jin’s subtle anxiety increased.

‘Ah—this is going to be a bust?’

If he could just enter the subspace, he could prepare anything. But there was no black square next to the tablet, and there were no scripts or scenarios around.

In other words, everything was about to be exposed, so to speak.

Kang Woo-jin pondered for a moment. Then, he suddenly lost his motivation. Well, there would be a way if he looked for it.

‘Is there even a need to go that far?’

There was no need to risk his life for the concept. The world was wide. Yes, he could go to Australia for a working holiday. Soon, Kang Woo-jin looked down at the tablet and muttered inwardly.

‘I don’t know, let’s just babble and go home.’

Kang Woo-jin’s mouth opened.

“Today, I was walking down the street, and suddenly a cat jumped at me. I didn’t do anything. From its perspective, there might have been a reason, but…”

At that moment.

“Huh?”

“······?”

“???”

Everyone who was watching Woo-jin, who was calmly delivering his lines, frowned. Including Song Man-woo PD and Hong Hye-yeon, all six of them.

The reason was simple, right?

The acting that Woo-jin was showing right now was utter trash. So they couldn’t help but be bewildered.

Especially.

‘What, what is this?’

Song Man-woo PD with his beard, who was looking directly at Kang Woo-jin, was the worst, his eyes filled with bewilderment.

He was in chaos right now.

‘Worse than an aspiring actor… it’s 180 degrees different from yesterday??’

It wasn’t positive, but extremely negative. It was at a level that was embarrassing to even call acting. It was more awkward than reading from a textbook? If this were a formal audition, he would have been cut in less than 5 seconds.

Even at this moment, Kang Woo-jin was calmly delivering his lines.

“So, I grabbed that guy. He resisted like crazy. But still…”

He was incredibly brazen.

But Kang Woo-jin continued his trash acting without a hint of a change in expression. The more he did, the more Song Man-woo PD’s confusion increased tenfold. Why? Why? What am I even watching? Is that guy the same one I saw yesterday?

At this moment.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin’s gaze, as he was reading his lines, reached Song Man-woo PD on the opposite side. His eyes were mixed with dissatisfaction.

‘Everything’s been exposed, why don’t they just stop and let me go?’

However.

“······!!!”

Song Man-woo PD, who had made eye contact with Woo-jin, suddenly widened his eyes. The big-shot Song Man-woo PD had arbitrarily realized something from Kang Woo-jin’s gaze.

‘Right… that’s it, he’s acting like he can’t act right now.’

It was a seriously flawed realization. Or a misunderstanding.

Soon, Song Man-woo PD raised his hand and stopped Woo-jin’s acting. Then, he cautiously asked.

“Woo-jin-ssi. May I ask why you’re showing us acting like you can’t act?”

Then, Kang Woo-jin, who had paused slightly, stared intently at Song Man-woo PD with his beard for about 10 seconds. Then, Woo-jin replied with an expressionless face. It was a low, cold tone.

“Because you told me to act without any explanation.”

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