I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 8

Kang Woo-jin’s acting, portraying Manager Park, captivated everyone. Writer Park Eun-mi, the star writer behind ‘Profiler Hanryang,’ was completely engrossed.

“Go ahead!”

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from Kang Woo-jin. She needed to absorb every detail—his gaze, tone, gestures, breathing, expressions—nothing could be missed.

“Stepped in dog poop.”

The reason was simple.

‘How… how can he embody the character I created so perfectly? No, it’s more than just being identical.’

He was indistinguishable from the Manager Park she had envisioned, yet Kang Woo-jin seemed far more vibrant. ‘Ah, since he’s actually alive, is that the wrong way to put it?’ Writer Park Eun-mi’s thoughts were in a strange tangle.

‘Manager Park is standing right in front of me.’

The character she had painstakingly crafted, pouring her heart and soul into it, was now before her eyes. It was undeniably Manager Park, built from sociopath data. Writer Park Eun-mi felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with a touch of fear.

Characters are born from a writer’s mind, but it’s the actor who breathes life into them.

Therefore, perfect realization is nearly impossible. No matter how thorough the analysis, an actor can’t fully grasp the writer’s vision. It’s difficult to capture all the subtle nuances the writer has set.

Because of this, writers often compromise.

They overlook minor flaws in an actor’s performance, accept slight variations in line delivery, and understand when actions deviate from the original concept.

This wasn’t unique to Writer Park Eun-mi.

It was a common experience for screenwriters everywhere. The quicker they acknowledged the gap between their vision and the actor’s portrayal, the faster they grew as writers.

But.

‘It’s my writing… but I can’t see my writing.’

The incredible actor before her needed no compromise. Kang Woo-jin was already surpassing the script’s limitations.

If Writer Park Eun-mi felt this way, everyone else must have felt the same.

He embodied the character the writer had created. He held onto it firmly, without wavering, and infused it with tenfold vividness. That was what Kang Woo-jin was doing.

And this was.

“……”

Even Writer Park Eun-mi, a celebrated star writer, was witnessing something unprecedented. She couldn’t help but be captivated. She had encountered hundreds, perhaps thousands, of actors.

If he was the first among them.

‘Kang Woo-jin, absolutely. I have to have him, no matter what.’

He was a unique actor, so rare that the word ‘precious’ felt inadequate. She might never encounter another like him. Writer Park Eun-mi had witnessed an unbelievable talent.

-Thump.

Looks didn’t matter much.

“Woo-jin-ssi, please take the role of Manager Park. You must do it, Woo-jin-ssi.”

Would any writer ever truly face the illusion they created with words? That’s why Writer Park Eun-mi wanted to grab Kang Woo-jin, even if she had to beg. She was someone who would do anything for the sake of her work.

Therefore.

“……”

“……”

At that moment, no one in the conference room stopped Writer Park Eun-mi. No one advised her to maintain composure. Not even PD [Production Director] Song Man-woo, top actress Hong Hye-yeon, or the key members of the production company. They all sat in their places, looking serious.

They understood Writer Park Eun-mi’s feelings.

Writer Park Eun-mi’s eyes, holding Woo-jin’s hands, were filled with desire. No flames were visible, but the intensity was like a hot bath.

However.

‘I was surprised when she suddenly grabbed my hand.’

Only Kang Woo-jin remained unfazed in the conference room. He found Writer Park Eun-mi a bit overwhelming. ‘Wouldn’t anyone feel that way if someone suddenly grabbed their hand?’

‘It would be nice if she let go of my hand to talk. Anyway, judging by this big-name writer’s reaction—I guess it’s safe to say my subspace ability is amazing.’

Yet, he maintained his solemnity. Things were somehow progressing smoothly on their own. ‘Well, then it’s okay to just go with the flow.’

Of course, he didn’t know.

‘By the way, I wonder if I can get this acting video too?’

That this moment was a major turning point in his life.

Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin, whose hand was still being held, made a low request to Writer Park Eun-mi.

“Writer-nim [term of respect for a writer]. First, please let go of my hand.”

It was then that Writer Park Eun-mi, who had somewhat regained her senses, paused and released his hand.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

“It’s alright.”

At that moment, a question came from across the table. It was PD Song Man-woo, with his beard.

“But Woo-jin-ssi. Why did you choose the role of Manager Park? It would have been easier to analyze the other roles.”

Writer Park Eun-mi clapped her hands in agreement.

“That’s right! I’m curious about that too.”

“Me too. Why specifically the role of Manager Park?”

Eventually, even Hong Hye-yeon joined in, and everyone’s gaze was once again fixed on Kang Woo-jin. Their eyes were full of curiosity. However, Woo-jin remained nonchalant.

‘Well, I guess it’s okay to tell the truth about this.’

Woo-jin casually murmured.

“Because it’s short.”

It was the truth. This wasn’t a concept or a bluff, but Kang Woo-jin’s genuine feeling. However, PD Song Man-woo, frowning, immediately asked back.

“…What is?”

“The amount of screen time is short.”

“The amount of screen time is short… so you chose the role of Manager Park?”

“Yes.”

It was the absolute truth, without a hint of falsehood. But the others, except for Kang Woo-jin, felt differently.

Like PD Song Man-woo.

‘Short? No, he chose this difficult role just because the screen time is short? The shorter the screen time, the more difficult the analysis becomes by tens of times?’

Writer Park Eun-mi.

‘What’s wrong with his brain! It’s normal to avoid a burdensome role like Manager Park! But what?? Because the screen time is short??? Is he a genius or a madman?’

Even top actress Hong Hye-yeon.

‘Ha, I get it. He’s subtly showing off while pretending not to. He’s saying this kind of role is easy for him.’

Of course, all of them were completely wrong.

At this moment.

-Creak.

Kang Woo-jin, who had been silently sitting in the excited conference room, suddenly stood up. Then, he murmured lowly to Writer Park Eun-mi, who was right in front of him.

“I’ll think about the offer.”

Shortly after.

Kang Woo-jin, with a firm expression, walked out of the conference room and strode down the hallway. Several employees of Sea Blue Studio passed him by. Then, after about five steps.

-Swish.

He glanced back at the conference room and instantly dropped the persona he had been maintaining.

“Puhaha-”

It was because the tension had been released. ‘No, what on earth just happened in that conference room?’ Woo-jin rubbed his face with one hand while pressing the elevator button.

At the same time.

“Kang Woo-jin-ssi.”

A woman’s voice called out from behind Woo-jin. When he turned around, a well-built woman with long, flowing hair was walking towards him. It was Hong Hye-yeon.

Kang Woo-jin was momentarily impressed.

‘Wow—the day has come when Hong Hye-yeon calls my name out loud.’

But he soon regained his senses. He had to put on his poker face again.

“Yes, what is it?”

Of course, Hong Hye-yeon, who had no idea about this, stood right in front of Kang Woo-jin in an instant. Soon, Hong Hye-yeon, who had captivated Woo-jin with her pleasant fragrance, asked.

“Why aren’t you accepting the casting offer right away?”

‘Why? Just because.’

What to say, the reason Kang Woo-jin said he would think about it was very simple. It felt a bit strange for an arrogant genius to accept a casting offer right away. That was all.

Besides.

‘It’s not cool to say yes right away. In movies, they usually take some time before accepting in these situations.’

A decision made to maintain a sense of coolness. But he couldn’t say that as it was. Soon, Kang Woo-jin, trying hard to hide his trembling heart, made eye contact with Hong Hye-yeon.

“It’s as I said. I’m going to think about it.”

“……”

Top actress Hong Hye-yeon stared intently at Kang Woo-jin. ‘Wow, her beauty is insane.’ Woo-jin’s heart instinctively began to thump. ‘Could she hear my heartbeat?’

But thankfully.

“Then, Woo-jin-ssi.”

Whether she didn’t hear his heartbeat or not, Hong Hye-yeon changed the subject.

“Do you have an agency?”

“…Not really.”

“Why? Why don’t you have one?”

“Do I need a reason for not having one?”

“No, it’s not that, but were you really overseas?”

“……”

At the question, Kang Woo-jin closed his mouth. He had pretended to have a reason. At this, Hong Hye-yeon, as if realizing her mistake, cleared her throat.

“Ah, my mistake. I’m sorry. But how old are you now, Woo-jin-ssi?”

“I’m 27 years old.”

“I’m two years older than you.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who answered with a slightly aloof tone, let out a small sigh. As if choosing her words. Then, she asked again with a very serious face.

“How can… how can you achieve that level of acting through self-study…”

‘Can you do it?’ should have followed. But Hong Hye-yeon forcibly swallowed her words.

Top actress Hong Hye-yeon.

She was famous in the acting world for her strong desire for acting. There was no such thing as ‘moderately’ for Hong Hye-yeon. So much so that there were actors who avoided her as a co-star.

When Hong Hye-yeon first saw Kang Woo-jin, what she felt was jealousy.

However, Hong Hye-yeon was currently a top actress in the country. It was a bit embarrassing for her to seek advice from an unknown acting master. If this were to get out, it would be a huge blow to her image as a top actress.

Inevitably, Hong Hye-yeon changed her question.

“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, it’s true that you don’t have an agency yet, right?”

“Yes.”

At this point.

-Swoosh.

The arrived elevator opened its doors. Kang Woo-jin naturally boarded. When Woo-jin looked at Hong Hye-yeon again, she was smiling with her eyes and waving her hand.

“I hope to see you again in the project.”

With these words, the elevator doors closed. At the same time, Kang Woo-jin’s posture, which he had been struggling to maintain, collapsed.

“Hah. I barely held it together.”

It was only natural, considering he had just had a conversation with Hong Hye-yeon right in front of him. It was a miracle that he had a calm conversation.

“Wow- this is something I can’t even brag about. Anyway, that was amazing.”

On the other hand, Hong Hye-yeon, who was still standing in place.

“Ha… honestly, it’s a bit of a blow to my pride?”

She was staring at the elevator doors where Kang Woo-jin had disappeared. Her arms were crossed, and her sulking appearance made her seem a bit upset.

It was because there hadn’t been anyone who had treated her so coldly recently.

“Is he not interested in women… I can’t figure him out at all.”

Misconceptions were added.

“Anyway, it’s a relief that he doesn’t have an agency yet.”

On the same day, late at night. Writer Park Eun-mi’s studio.

The time was around 11 o’clock. In the large studio, without an assistant writer, four people were visible. They were sitting around the kitchen table. They were PD Song Man-woo, Writer Park Eun-mi, and the production manager and casting director of Sea Blue Studio.

In other words, the people who had seen Kang Woo-jin around the afternoon. Hong Hye-yeon was not present.

In front of them were stacks of script papers and several transparent files. They seemed to be in a planning meeting. But there was no conversation, and the atmosphere was heavy.

“……”

“……”

Everyone was lost in thought with a somewhat dazed look. What could it be? It was because the lingering impression of the incredible actor Kang Woo-jin remained.

At this time.

“…Honestly.”

The man in charge of production for ‘Profiler Hanryang’ broke the silence.

“I had some expectations after hearing PD Song’s story, but I didn’t expect it to be that level.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the casting director with glasses chimed in. It was his area of expertise.

“I’ve been a casting director for eight years now. I’m pretty well-known among casting directors for my experience. Even I’ve never seen an actor like that. No, there isn’t one. You can say there isn’t one.”

“It felt like he went beyond the realm of portraying a role, right?”

“…It even seemed a bit dangerous. You know how sometimes in Hollywood, actors get so immersed in their roles that they have accidents? It was worse than that.”

“But as soon as the acting was over, he returned to himself like a ghost? The switch was clear.”

At this point.

“That part.”

PD Song Man-woo, who had been crossing his arms, chimed in.

“The skill of having a clear switch. There are only a few top actors who have that.”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

Writer Park Eun-mi, who had been fiddling with her script, turned her head to PD Song Man-woo next to her.

“You mentioned earlier that Woo-jin-ssi was overseas?”

“I did.”

“Do you think he was really overseas? I’m so curious about his past.”

“How would I know? That overseas thing was just my guess. However.”

PD Song Man-woo, who had been shrugging his shoulders, suddenly continued in a serious tone.

“You saw his acting earlier, right? It couldn’t have been easy. Especially since he’s self-taught? It’s either amazing or crazy.”

Soon, Writer Park Eun-mi, as if unable to hold back, grabbed the tablet lying on the desk. This tablet contained the video of Kang Woo-jin’s ‘Manager Park’ performance from earlier.

“……”

“……”

Once again, everyone checked Kang Woo-jin’s acting through the video. That amplified Writer Park Eun-mi’s urgency.

“Ah!”

She suddenly covered her face with both hands.

“Seeing it makes me want him even more. PD-nim, you know, right? This is the first time I’ve ever felt like this while writing.”

“Same here.”

“Ha… what if Woo-jin-ssi refuses after seeing that kind of acting?”

“Huh?”

“No, what if Woo-jin-ssi doesn’t want to play Manager Park?”

“Ah.”

Writer Park Eun-mi, who had disheveled her long permed hair, groaned.

“Who else would be good enough after seeing Woo-jin-ssi?”

In other words, the quality of the actors had been raised to a higher standard due to Kang Woo-jin. It was probably the same for PD Song Man-woo. The reason they had worked together on projects quite often was because they had similar tendencies.

Such as doing anything for the sake of the work.

At this time.

“Hmm- but.”

The production manager, who had been listening quietly, crossed his legs with a slightly stiff face.

“Kang Woo-jin. He was amazing, but the fact that he said he’d think about it is a bit…”

PD Song Man-woo answered.

“What about it?”

“Well, isn’t it obvious? Who is the director of this ‘Profiler Hanryang’? Who is the writer? It’s none other than PD Song and Writer Park, right?”

Both were enormous figures.

“I haven’t mentioned it separately, but there are countless top actors who have put a hold on their meetings regarding casting. Surely, if we offer them the ‘Manager Park’ role, they’d jump at it.”

“Well, they probably would.”

“However, the writer and PD said that for the role of Manager Park, they would prioritize the actor’s ability to portray the role rather than their status. I feel the same way. That’s why we’re discarding all the big-name actors.”

At this point, the production manager, who was quite excited, said.

“He should know about that situation. No, even if he didn’t know, he should have some idea, right? PD Song and Writer Park are sitting right in front of him.”

He opened his mouth, thinking of Kang Woo-jin.

“But for him to say so openly that he’ll think about it, I found it a bit arrogant. Normally, they should accept it right away without thinking, shouldn’t they?”

Perhaps, not just the production manager, but anyone in a similar industry would think the same way. However, PD Song Man-woo, who had experienced Kang Woo-jin firsthand more than anyone else there, just chuckled.

“He was like that from the start. It felt like common sense didn’t apply to him.”

“Huh?”

“From the beginning, it was like he didn’t care about such interests. You know the term kids use these days? What was it… Ah, right. ‘My way or the highway.’ That’s exactly it.”

However, the production manager sighed, as if frustrated.

“Even so. PD-nim, you know that ‘Manager Park’ isn’t a small role! It’s a supporting role, isn’t it?? What is there to think about, really?”

PD Song Man-woo suddenly stroked his beard and crossed his arms. Thinking of Kang Woo-jin’s face.

“He’ll think about it—maybe he has other intentions?”

“Intentions? What kind?”

At the question, PD Song Man-woo, with a meaningful smile spreading across his lips, uttered a low reply.

“…Well, maybe he’s trying to raise his value.”

It was about the appearance fee.

Of course, this was.

“I’ll give you time to assess my worth. Something like that?”

It was an answer that the person himself had never even considered.

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