I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 6

Kang Woo-jin, who had displayed god-like acting with effortless ease, was now delivering a terrible performance during his monologue. It was as if he had completely transformed overnight.

Song Man-woo PD believed he found the reason in Kang Woo-jin’s eyes.

‘He’s expressing his dissatisfaction through his acting.’

He immediately stopped Kang Woo-jin’s performance and asked,

‘Woo-jin-ssi, may I ask why you’re acting like you can’t act?’

At that moment, the people around Song Man-woo PD, including Hong Hye-yeon, widened their eyes in realization.

‘!!’

‘Ah.’

Expressions like, ‘Oh, so he was acting like he couldn’t act!’ Some even seemed relieved. Meanwhile, Kang Woo-jin maintained a blank expression, sticking to his concept.

But internally, it was different.

‘Acting like I can’t act? How does one even do that?’

He had asked to go home, yet Song Man-woo PD was saying strange things. He had deliberately given a terrible performance, but they claimed he was acting like he couldn’t act. It didn’t seem like a joke. Song Man-woo PD’s face was quite serious as he looked at Woo-jin.

Kang Woo-jin quickly calmed himself. After assessing the situation, the answer was quite simple.

‘Hmm—that bearded guy seems to be misunderstanding something again.’

Their misunderstanding must have started during the first preliminary round of ‘Super Actor’ yesterday. It must have begun there and snowballed to this point. He had also noticed these misunderstandings while watching his acting videos. A terrible concept or a show of strength.

‘They see me as an amazing, crazy talent, so they’re jumping to that kind of conclusion.’

The snowball of misunderstanding seemed to have grown quite large. However, correcting it would be a hassle and ultimately meaningless. There was only one solution.

Control the current situation.

The misunderstanding was their delusion, and only Kang Woo-jin knew the truth. Oh well. Let’s see how far this goes. If it’s revealed to be a concept, then so be it. Woo-jin calmed himself as much as possible. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little arrogant.

Then, he chose an appropriate line. Soon, a rather cold and calm voice came from Kang Woo-jin’s mouth.

‘You told me to act without any explanation.’

Song Man-woo PD reacted immediately, slightly surprised.

‘Ah. That’s…’

As he began to make excuses, Woo-jin felt like he could push things a little further. He was riding the momentum of his bluff.

So, he went overboard.

-Thud.

Kang Woo-jin suddenly stood up from his seat.

‘I’m not in a good mood. The way I’m being treated.’

Everyone, including Song Man-woo PD and top actress Hong Hye-yeon, looked up at him with surprised, wide eyes. They were flustered. Song Man-woo PD’s reaction was particularly strong.

‘Wait, wait, calm down first.’

Song Man-woo PD, who had followed Woo-jin, reached out his hand.

‘I’m sorry, I—I was too hasty. First, sit down.’

‘······’

‘I’ll explain everything, so sit down and listen.’

Woo-jin, with a nonchalant face, stared at Song Man-woo PD without a word, counting seconds in his head. One, two, three, four, five. Then, Kang Woo-jin gently sat back in his chair.

Soon, Song Man-woo PD let out a sigh of relief.

-Swish.

He looked around at the people and scratched his head. Then, he looked back at Kang Woo-jin across from him.

‘First, I apologize again. It’s not that I looked down on Woo-jin-ssi… I just wanted to show everyone your acting quickly.’

‘I understand.’

‘Um—then, let’s start with the questions I prepared.’

Song Man-woo PD directed a question at the indifferent Kang Woo-jin. His tone was serious.

‘In the ‘Super Actor’ interview, you said you learned acting on your own. How long have you been doing it alone?’

Everyone in the conference room, including Hong Hye-yeon, focused their gaze on Kang Woo-jin. At this point, Woo-jin was slightly contemplating. What should he answer? 5 years? Or should he just say 10 years? Then he chose the middle ground.

‘No, let’s just go with something vague.’

Kang Woo-jin muttered that middle ground in a low voice.

‘Well, it’s been quite a while.’

‘······’

A vague answer. But the big-shot, top-tier Song Man-woo PD, who was staring intently at Woo-jin,

‘I don’t know why he’s holding back now.’

He began to make his own judgment.

‘He’s a guy who can deliver that kind of acting instantly without long-term analysis. That means his brain and body are full of data. It must have been close to 10 years. Or maybe even more.’

Of course, Hong Hye-yeon, who was sitting to the right of Song Man-woo PD with her long hair down, was thinking the same. She was now paying attention to the aura that Kang Woo-jin was emitting.

‘But… where did he get that high level of composure and solid self-esteem? That acting like he can’t act just now was truly top-actor level guts.’

Usually, actors’ self-esteem grows as they gain experience. They constantly showcase their acting on TV or the screen, repeat it, and then become solid after receiving evaluations from the director to the viewers.

That was the source of an actor’s confidence.

But Kang Woo-jin now had the guts of a top actor without that process. At least in Hong Hye-yeon’s eyes.

‘He’s been doing it alone all this time… is it just his nature?’

At this time, Song Man-woo PD, who was slowly nodding, threw another question at Woo-jin.

‘Then where did you do that self-study? A small theater group? Even if it’s self-study, you still need feedback; there are things in acting that you can’t do alone.’

That was accurate. Acting can only develop when shown to others. No matter how much you evaluate yourself, it’s meaningless. But Kang Woo-jin had no way of knowing this in depth.

So, Kang Woo-jin’s choice was.

‘······’

A solemn silence. Then Song Man-woo PD naturally continued.

‘It’s not a small theater group. Even if it was a small group, if there was an actor like Woo-jin-ssi, they would have quickly risen to prominence.’

‘······’

‘There’s no way various directors or casting directors would have overlooked him. Then overseas. Did you study acting overseas?’

Suddenly overseas? Woo-jin was dumbfounded inside. Of course, he had been thinking about working in Australia until a few days ago. But Song Man-woo PD’s statement just now was clearly wrong.

‘Hmm—it seems like the scale is getting a bit bigger.’

Is this okay? While Woo-jin’s life was turning into a mess, Hong Hye-yeon on the opposite side suddenly interjected.

‘Do you have any unspeakable circumstances? Then you don’t have to answer.’

Bingo. Kang Woo-jin chose the non-existent unspeakable circumstances.

‘I will do that.’

The situation was turning strange. Woo-jin felt like he was rowing vigorously in a river he couldn’t cross. On the other hand, Song Man-woo PD was convinced.

‘Unspeakable circumstances—he came to ‘Super Actor’ so openly, so it can’t be a crime. Anyway, the important thing now is that this guy has appeared in front of me.’

There was no way he could miss that arrogant monster. Song Man-woo PD suddenly moved his body towards Woo-jin. A slight smile appeared on his lips.

‘Let’s be honest.’

He pointed to the two men sitting a little apart.

‘That side is the production manager and the casting director.’

Next was his left, a middle-aged woman with long permed hair who had been watching the situation silently.

‘This is writer Park Eun-mi. You know her, right?’

Kang Woo-jin knew about writer Park Eun-mi. He knew her not because she was famous, but because he had found out about her while searching for Song Man-woo PD yesterday. He didn’t watch TV much. Anyway, Woo-jin nodded his head while looking at writer Park Eun-mi.

‘Yes.’

Then Song Man-woo PD’s hand immediately went to the right seat. Hong Hye-yeon, the self-proclaimed top actress.

‘And there’s no need to say anything about Hong Star here.’

Soon, Song Man-woo PD, who was introducing the people gathered around, confidently continued to speak to Kang Woo-jin.

‘We are preparing a new drama.’

Woo-jin also knew this. He had vaguely heard it from his friend Kim Dae-young. What was it, that a bunch of big shots had gathered? However, it was none of Kang Woo-jin’s business. So what?

The shock came from Song Man-woo PD’s mouth.

‘We want to include Kang Woo-jin-ssi in that new project.’

‘…Include?’

‘That’s right, include. In other words, we want to cast Woo-jin-ssi as an actor.’

‘Ah.’

Woo-jin, who uttered a short reaction, had no particular response. He seemed calm on the outside. But it wasn’t that there was no change in emotion.

‘…Huh???!’

He was so shocked that he couldn’t react at all. That was the truth.

‘What is that bearded guy saying? Is he, is he serious??’

Kang Woo-jin was so shocked that his composure, which he had maintained so well, was about to collapse in an instant. Just as he was barely holding on to it.

-Swish.

Writer Park Eun-mi across from him moved for the first time. She handed a bundle of papers she had brought in her bag to Woo-jin. Then, she looked at Kang Woo-jin.

‘This is the script for the first episode of the new project; it’s the first time it’s been shown outside.’

She calmly requested.

‘Can you show us any role in here?’

At the same time, at a mid-sized food company.

It seemed like they were taking a break during work, and there were male and female employees in a fairly large pantry. There were about five people. There were mugs in front of everyone.

Among them.

‘No, wow—Hong Hye-yeon is really pretty.’

Kim Dae-young, who was quite large, was there. He was praising top actress Hong Hye-yeon, whom he had seen in the ‘Super Actor’ preliminary round, like crazy.

‘Her beauty is insane. Ah, how should I put it? When you look at her, you get sucked in? And her eyes are so big. I could see myself reflected in her pupils.’

‘Hey—that’s an exaggeration.’

‘Don’t talk nonsense. Ah—if you see her in person, it’s breathtaking?’

‘Anyway, from what I hear, you failed the preliminary round because of your poop, right?’

‘Ah! No! I just got nervous and messed up my lines.’

‘Your friend did a great job. If it wasn’t for him, you would have just pooped there and gone home, right?’

Kim Dae-young, who had been teased by the employees, suddenly changed to a bitter expression.

‘Ah, anyway. Who will be the man who dates or marries Hong Hye-yeon? I’m so jealous.’

‘It’ll be at least a top actor. Or a chaebol [a wealthy business conglomerate].’

‘Right? I’m so jealous. Anyway, I’m going to keep the autograph I got as a family heirloom for life. I’ll pass it down to my children.’

‘Then you have to get married first?’

‘Ha—damn it.’

At this time.

-♬♪

Kim Dae-young’s cell phone in his pants pocket rang. It was a call, and Kim Dae-young, who had checked the caller, left the pantry and took the call in the hallway.

‘Oh, hyung [an honorific term for an older male friend or brother].’

The other person was a close hyung from the theater club where Kim Dae-young was. Soon, a soft male voice was heard from the phone.

‘Dae-young, are you busy? Is it okay to talk?’

‘Yes, it’s okay.’

‘No, it’s nothing else. Have you seen the scenario I gave you? ‘Private Investigator’?’

At the same time, Kim Dae-young, who remembered the short film scenario he had given to Kang Woo-jin, immediately answered.

‘Oh—I did see it.’

‘Really? Then you have to give it back, you punk. I need to look at it again.’

‘Hahaha, okay, okay. I’ll bring it this weekend. But why are you looking at the scenario again?’

A moderate answer from the man on the phone.

‘Ah, I heard that ‘Private Investigator’ is going into production somehow. I was thinking of going to the audition if there’s a spot.’

Soon, Kim Dae-young answered with a slight admiration.

‘Oh—I thought it was going to fall apart, but it seems like they’re going to produce it??’

Back at the Sea Blue Studio conference room.

A slightly quiet atmosphere. From Song Man-woo PD, everyone’s gaze was still fixed on Kang Woo-jin. Kang Woo-jin was.

‘······’

He was looking at the bundle of papers that had just been handed to him with his mouth closed. The script for the new project that writer Park Eun-mi was handing over. Fortunately, the shock had calmed down a bit.

Still, he didn’t understand the casting thing.

Time. Yes, he needed time. Around this time, Kang Woo-jin saw it. The black passage that had appeared next to the script that writer Park Eun-mi was handing over. He should poke that first. Woo-jin received the script without any particular answer.

Then, he pretended to check the cover first.

-Swish.

The script that they called a new project was a bundle of papers, not a book script, and the cover simply had the title and episode number written on it.

-‘Profiler Hanryang’

-Episode 1.

Whatever it was, this wasn’t important right now. Kang Woo-jin slightly lowered the script he had received. Then, he lightly poked the outer edge of the black square that had appeared next to the script with his index finger.

The tingling sensation that was felt all over his body.

After that, Woo-jin was naturally sucked into the subspace. Soon, an endlessly dark space unfolded in his vision. At the same time, Kang Woo-jin, who had found peace of mind, let out a breath.

‘Ugh—I’m going crazy. Ah, what just happened??’

Who knew this crazy space would be so comforting. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin could now think without worrying about time.

‘Casting? They’re casting me as an actor?? In a new drama where Hong Hye-yeon is the female lead??’

Moreover, the direction was by the big-shot Song Man-woo PD and the ultra-star writer Park Eun-mi. Kang Woo-jin was suddenly scouted into such a huge project.

It was an unexpected development.

Okay, let’s organize things a bit. Kang Woo-jin in the subspace crossed his arms, trying to stay calm.

‘The reason they’re trying to cast me. All they’ve seen of me is ‘Super Actor’, right? Then… that acting was more amazing than I thought?’

It seems that the experience gained in this subspace is tens of times more amazing than I thought. Otherwise, things couldn’t have progressed so quickly.

‘Hoo—okay, for now.’

Then, Woo-jin, who had uncrossed his arms, turned his body and walked towards the white squares lined up. Of course, a new white square had been added.

Kang Woo-jin checked the letters engraved on the 5th white square.

-[5/Script (Title: Profiler Hanryang Episode 1), Grade A]

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

He focused his gaze on one of the letters and muttered without realizing it.

‘Grade A, huh?’

About 30 seconds later.

No, to be exact, it wasn’t 30 seconds for Kang Woo-jin, who had the subspace. It was 30 seconds for the people looking at Kang Woo-jin’s face as he checked the script cover, such as Song Man-woo PD and writer Park Eun-mi, except for Woo-jin.

Among them.

‘Why is he looking at the title so deeply?’

It was when writer Park Eun-mi slightly narrowed her brows.

-Swish.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been motionless, seemed to pause slightly and then slowly raised his head. Then, he made eye contact with writer Park Eun-mi. At the same time, writer Park Eun-mi gave a small smile.

‘You understand the whole situation, right? From what the PD said, you showed your acting after seeing a one-minute script in ‘Super Actor’? You don’t have to do that this time. We can wait 10 minutes or 30 minutes.’

Writer Park Eun-mi was someone who would do anything if it could improve the quality of her work.

‘You can act out a few lines of any role in the play without any pressure. I just want to see Woo-jin-ssi’s tone.’

In fact, she had already decided on the role she wanted Kang Woo-jin to show. But she hid it for now. It was her intention to dilute the intensified situation.

It seemed like Kang Woo-jin was a bit sensitive right now.

Then Kang Woo-jin nodded with a nonchalant face. Then, he slowly lowered his gaze. To the ‘Profiler Hanryang’ script in his hand.

It was at this time that his low voice was uttered.

‘I’ll read it for a moment.’

-Flip, flip.

Woo-jin began to read the script. However, his reading was very short. About 5 minutes? After roughly flipping through dozens of pages of the script, Woo-jin raised his head again.

Then, he calmly muttered to everyone looking at him.

‘I’ll do the ‘Manager Park’ role.’

Soon.

‘!!!’

‘…Manager Park??’

Song Man-woo PD and writer Park Eun-mi widened their eyes in surprise. ‘Manager Park’ was exactly the role that Song Man-woo PD and writer Park Eun-mi wanted.

‘Yes, the ‘Manager Park’ role.’

It was a role with sociopathic elements added.

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