I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 83

Unlike the easygoing PD Yoon Byung-sun, the main writer looked slightly worried.

“Ah… but even though some cast members, including Woo-jin, have been confirmed, isn’t this all happening a bit too fast?”

For context, PD Yoon Byung-sun’s new variety show on HTBS was rumored to be in production, but no official announcements had been made. However, because PD Yoon Byung-sun was such a big name in the variety show world, the media was already speculating about the cast and throwing out feelers.

PD Yoon Byung-sun, adjusting his glasses, simply shrugged at the main writer.

“Of course, releasing everything right now would be too much. It would also distract attention. But isn’t it a waste to miss this opportunity? Kang Woo-jin as the lead in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project? It’s obviously going to cause a huge buzz.”

This time, the assistant director chimed in.

“True—we had no idea Woo-jin was going to be in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project.”

“Right. Since it’s an unexpected development, we should revise our promotion plan a bit. Even if it’s about other cast members, we can release Woo-jin’s news a bit earlier, right?”

“Are you saying we should drop these bombshells as a package deal?”

“Yeah.”

PD Yoon Byung-sun, after giving a short answer, looked down at his phone again and continued.

“The funny thing about news is that everyone knows it’s volatile, right? So, it’s important to keep it going as long as possible. But if you combine and link them together, their impact explodes.”

“One piece of news alone just fizzles out, but if several combine, they keep going and branching out.”

“Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project, Kang Woo-jin, and us. Since there are already a few stories about Woo-jin, it’ll be even more amplified.”

“In the end, it’s a win-win for the movie, Woo-jin, and us.”

Clearly, PD Yoon Byung-sun’s influence in the entertainment industry was enormous. It was certain that the scale of the game would grow. PD Yoon Byung-sun adjusted his glasses again.

“But if we wait too long, it’ll lose its impact and won’t catch fire, so the timing has to be right. First, we’ll watch Woo-jin’s popularity skyrocket with the Director Kwon Ki-taek news for a few days, and when it feels right, we’ll release our news about Woo-jin first.”

“How long will you wait?”

“Well, I think two or three days should be enough? In the meantime, you guys finalize the cast members you’re negotiating with, and I’ll contact CEO Choi Sung-gun.”

As the instructions were given, the writers and junior PDs all took out their phones and started typing. The main writer, after finishing her phone memo, spoke up, thinking of Kang Woo-jin.

“But isn’t Kang Woo-jin a bit of an enigma? With all the buzz, he seems to be at the center of the entertainment world right now. Drama, movies, variety shows, all as a complete rookie.”

“A rookie who’s going to make it always has a different vibe and momentum. It’s like a unique scent, like Woo-jin.”

“It’s not just a feeling that he’s going to do well, it’s much more… Anyway, this is the first time I’ve seen anything like this since I started as a broadcast writer.”

PD Yoon Byung-sun, with his arms crossed, looked intrigued.

“Well, me too. That means Woo-jin is on an unprecedented path.”

Back.

For 11 days, articles were popping up every second all over the internet. What else could it be?

『[MovieIS] ‘The Fixer’ and ‘The Free Spirit’ Kang Woo-jin Cast as Lead in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s New Film』

It was news of Kang Woo-jin’s first lead role in a movie. The moment this enormous bombshell hit the entertainment industry, the media rushed in.

『A Shocking Casting, Kang Woo-jin Selected as Lead in Master Director Kwon Ki-taek’s Next Project!』

As a result, the various rumors and gossip about Kang Woo-jin that had been growing over the past few days disappeared. It was understandable. It wasn’t just any director’s movie, but the next project of Korea’s top master director, Kwon Ki-taek, and he was cast as the lead from the start, not a supporting or minor role.

The word ‘unprecedented’ was an understatement.

Of course, it was a first for Director Kwon Ki-taek as well, and the same for the film industry. Moreover, the only person officially announced by Director Kwon Ki-taek’s side was Kang Woo-jin. This meant he was being considered quite special.

『[Star Talk] Lead Role in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s Movie Just Months After Debut? Rookie Kang Woo-jin’s Unbelievable Rise/Photo』

The media and the public were incredibly curious about the story of Kang Woo-jin and Director Kwon Ki-taek. The more they were, the bigger the story became. Therefore, this bombshell that exploded late this morning had spread to almost every corner by the afternoon.

Especially, social media and various online communities were buzzing.

At the same time, BW Entertainment’s official website and Kang Woo-jin’s fan cafe were also fanning the flames. They quickly spread this huge piece of news. The overall momentum was like a furnace.

-WTF??? He’s filming a movie with Director Kwon Ki-taek right after ‘The Free Spirit’???? WHAT????

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠAh…. I want to see it soon…. It’s so hard to wait….

-Wow, has this ever happened before? Kang Woo-jin is really on a roll ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Even though he blew up with Park Dae-ri, he only got minor roles, which was less exciting!! Now my wish has come true!! Of course, someone like Woo-jin oppa [term of endearment for an older brother or male friend] deserves a super-duper role!!

-It’s so amazingㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋMy classmate from high school is the lead in a movie by a Korean master director… Wait, where’s my yearbook?

-↑Are you his high school classmate?

-At this rate, isn’t it possible for Kang Woo-jin to become a top actor within a year???

-WTF, why are you guys sucking up to Kang Woo-jin so much?ㅋㅋㅋㅋHe’s just a rude rookieㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Walk only on flower paths, oppa!! (A brave heart passing by)

·

·

·

·

From person to person, or by word of mouth. It was a whirlwind. Since no one had expected it, it came as a considerable shock.

“K-Kang Woo-jin got the lead in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project?!”

“Huh? What are you talking about? Not just any director, but the lead in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s work?”

“No! It’s a fact, a fact! Look at this!”

The eyes of various entertainment industry officials from film companies and production houses widened. Those who already knew this news, like PD Song Man-woo and Hong Hye-yeon, just smiled, but Hwa-rin, ‘The Drug Dealer’ team, and Netflix were in an uproar. No, it was the same for all the projects Kang Woo-jin was involved in.

『’The Drug Dealer,’ ‘Boyfriend Material,’ etc., Rookie Kang Woo-jin Gets Free Promotion』

Among them, there was someone whose face was about to explode with rage. It was CEO Seo Gu-seop of Bulldog.

“Shit!! Hey, hey, is this for real?! That bastard Kang Woo-jin is the lead in Director Kwon’s movie? That doesn’t make sense!!”

“…It seems to be confirmed. The first article came from Director Kwon Ki-taek’s side.”

“Is it official??”

“It’s been confirmed as such.”

“No, I mean, what kind of messed-up situation is this!!”

CEO Seo Gu-seop saw it with his own eyes but couldn’t accept reality. Meanwhile, the distribution company on Director Kwon Ki-taek’s side.

『[Exclusive] ‘Kang Woo-jin’ Selected as Lead, Director Kwon Ki-taek’s Next Film Title is ‘Island of the Missing’』

Slowly, like unwrapping a gift, they even announced the movie title. Thanks to this, the articles that poured out from the evening all featured Kang Woo-jin, Director Kwon Ki-taek, and ‘Island of the Missing’ as a package.

The size of the wave grew several times over.

However.

‘Hmm-‘

Kang Woo-jin, the protagonist of all this storm, who had been amazed by the situation from noon to night, was thinking about something completely different on his way home from work.

‘What should I sing for the test tomorrow? Should I go with something familiar?’

For some reason, he was worried about choosing a song.

The next day, the morning of the 12th.

The location was a suite room in a large hotel in Seoul. The room, which was obviously huge, was filled with Japanese voices. There were a total of three people. Two of them, sitting facing each other on the sofa, were familiar faces.

It was Director Kyotaro and writer Akari.

Both were drinking morning tea and listening to a briefing about today’s schedule. The person explaining was an agency employee.

“Director, writer, you will each handle your morning schedules separately, then have lunch and rejoin.”

Director Kyotaro, with his gray hair, nodded.

“What time do we depart?”

“It’s an outdoor location shoot. The location is near Incheon, and it will take about 2 hours. You can leave right after lunch.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“The on-site director has already been informed, so you can check what you need to during filming and quietly leave. We’ve minimized the number of staff accompanying you.”

The location the agency employee was talking about was the set of the movie ‘The Drug Dealer.’ Although it had already been discussed with Choi Sung-gun, Kang Woo-jin didn’t know. Anyway, after a few minutes of detailed briefing, the employee left the suite room.

At the same time.

-Swish.

Writer Akari, taking off her glasses, smiled slightly at Director Kyotaro across from her.

“You know Director Kwon Ki-taek, right?”

“Of course. He’s a great director. I became a bit close with him at the Venice International Film Festival a few years ago.”

“I heard that the actor you mentioned is joining Director Kwon Ki-taek’s next project? It was very noisy yesterday.”

“Yes, I heard about it too. I saw the articles.”

Director Kyotaro, after muttering, put down the teacup he was holding.

“I thought, ‘He’s finally getting his chance.'”

“Are you okay? I was wondering if it might have disrupted your plans.”

“Nothing changes. It would have been better if I had met him a little earlier, but I still need actor Kang Woo-jin.”

Director Kyotaro, after giving a definite answer, looked at writer Akari and slightly changed his words.

“Of course, if you object, writer, I’ll have to reconsider.”

“I told you at the last meeting, I’m in favor of a Korean actor joining.”

“But didn’t you say you wanted to see him in person to assess him?”

“I’m curious because the director praised him so much, and I’m also wondering what kind of role he would fit. Have you decided what role you’ll give to actor Kang Woo-jin?”

Director Kyotaro shook his head.

“Not yet. But I have a role in mind. Ah, of course, I want to hear your opinion after seeing him. I’ll take it into account as much as possible. The original author’s perspective is the most accurate.”

Writer Akari, smiling, looked at the time and got up from the sofa.

“Of course, I’ll tell you the character that comes to mind right away after seeing him. Whether it’s a minor role or a lead.”

Meanwhile, at the same time.

A recording studio near Netflix Korea. This was a studio connected to Netflix. Inside, there were long waiting sofas and various instruments, and the space was large, with a control room and a recording booth in front.

The ‘Boyfriend Material’ team gathered in that studio.

Chubby Kim So-hyang, the general director, a few Netflix employees, director Shin Dong-chun, writer Choi Na-na, Kang Woo-jin’s team, and Hwa-rin’s team. Roughly, there were about a dozen people. There was a lot of conversation, so it was noisy. Of course, most of the topics were about Kang Woo-jin and Director Kwon Ki-taek. Woo-jin had already received a lot of congratulations.

Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin were sitting side by side in the center of the sofa.

Woo-jin had his hat pulled down low. Since his next schedule was the second shoot for ‘The Drug Dealer,’ there was no need to visit the salon. On the other hand, Hwa-rin, who was staring blankly at the empty front booth, was fully made up. It seemed her next schedule was approaching.

They weren’t really talking.

“……”

“……”

Kang Woo-jin had a solemn face, and Hwa-rin also had a somewhat haughty expression. Kim So-hyang, the general director, who was talking to director Shin Dong-chun, whispered.

“The two of them still seem a bit awkward. They need to get closer soon.”

“Woo-jin is a bit quiet, so that’s probably why. I’ll have to adjust things well when we start filming.”

Hwa-rin, who was focused on Kang Woo-jin sitting right next to her, had a lot of thoughts.

‘Should I ask if he had breakfast? Ah—would that look weird? But what kind of perfume does Woo-jin use? It smells so good…’

At that moment.

“Hwa-rin.”

Kang Woo-jin, who had been looking at his phone, suddenly asked Hwa-rin in a low voice.

“Did you have breakfast?”

Hwa-rin, startled, spoke incoherently.

“Huh? Ah, I didn’t eat. No, I think I did.”

“I see.”

“W-what about you, Woo-jin?”

“I didn’t eat.”

“……Ah.”

A simple conversation. Hwa-rin’s fan heart exploded here.

‘I should have brought a sandwich in the car! Should I go get it? It’s okay to give it as a colleague, right?’

However.

-Click!

Her movement stopped because the thick door of the studio opened. The producer who would be handling today’s work had entered.

“Sorry—the call took longer than expected. Let’s get started right away.”

The producer, with a nearly shaved head, sat in the center of the editing equipment. Then, Kim So-hyang, the general director, looked at Kang Woo-jin and Hwa-rin and said.

“It’s just a test to match the tone, so you don’t have to overdo it.”

As Kim So-hyang had said before, today’s recording was to check the voice chemistry between Woo-jin and Hwa-rin. It was intended to help select the OST [Original Soundtrack] songs being collected. Solo songs were important, but duet songs were more important. It was a test to pick the perfect song that matched their voices.

Well, that was the reason, but the most important thing was.

“Well—Hwa-rin’s skills are known to the whole nation, so let’s do her part later, and start with Woo-jin first?”

It was a verification of Kang Woo-jin’s singing ability. Since they were going to work on the OST, a clear confirmation was essential. Whatever it was, with everyone watching, Kang Woo-jin calmly moved his feet.

His destination was inside the recording booth.

“……”

-Click.

Kang Woo-jin, who had entered the booth without a word, slowly looked around inside. There wasn’t much to see. A few audio devices, a microphone, and headphones. Since it was the first time Woo-jin had been in a booth, he kept reassuring himself.

‘A karaoke room. Yeah, think of it as a karaoke room. Ha—but it’s a bit embarrassing because everyone’s watching.’

Meanwhile, the people watching Woo-jin inside the booth through the window had different feelings. Kim So-hyang had been praying since earlier.

‘Please, please, just be above average. No, even slightly below is fine.’

Hwa-rin’s fan spirit was alive, and her heart was pounding.

‘Woo-jin’s singing?! This is precious! What will it be like? Ah—I want to tell the fan cafe.’

And director Shin Dong-chun and writer Choi Na-na had faces that were half worried and half expectant. Of course, the worried look was more prominent. Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, was having a small conversation with Hwa-rin’s chubby manager.

“CEO, can Kang Woo-jin sing?”

“Well, he says he’s okay. But his ‘okay’ is never just okay.”

“Come on—if he’s from the acting side, he’ll probably just be okay. You know, like someone who’s good at karaoke with friends?”

“Hmm. I can’t even imagine him having fun. He might not have even been to a karaoke room.”

“Huh?”

Choi Sung-gun responded with a faint smile to the manager’s dumbfounded question. Then, he turned his gaze to Kang Woo-jin in the booth and crossed his arms.

‘There’s no way he’s good at singing too. Well, the standards of the general public and experts are different, so he’ll probably just be okay. That’s enough.’

At that moment.

“Ah, Woo-jin, can you hear me?”

The producer, sitting in the center of the equipment, spoke to Kang Woo-jin, who was wearing headphones, and Woo-jin’s answer echoed throughout the studio.

“Yes, I can hear you.”

“We’ll play the song you mentioned, and you can look at the lyrics on your phone.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, let’s go?”

-Swish.

As the producer operated the equipment, a soft prelude began. A ballad. It was a song that seemed to fit the winter, and it was also a famous song. Everyone seemed to know it, and they whispered.

“Ah—this song.”

“The song is good. But isn’t it a bit difficult?”

“It seems like he’s pushing himself.”

“Shhh, shhh. Let’s listen.”

At that moment, Kang Woo-jin, looking at the lyrics on his phone in the booth, opened his mouth.

-♬♪

The first verse. The song started in a low tone. The melody was soft, but his voice was a bit rough. The interesting thing was.

“Huh?”

“……?”

“Wow-”

“W-what is it?”

The moment they heard Kang Woo-jin’s singing, everyone in the studio’s mouths slightly opened. Even.

“Crazy…”

Hwa-rin covered her mouth with both hands. Kang Woo-jin, unaware of this, was gradually raising the pitch. He was approaching the chorus. His emotions and expressions were gradually becoming more intense. He was in a trance.

-♬♪

Thanks to this, everyone was immersed in his singing. Their blank expressions were proof. Then, Kim So-hyang, the general director, who had come to her senses, turned her body around. Her eyes were wide open. Soon, she asked Choi Sung-gun, who was also gaping, as if possessed.

“Has Kang Woo-jin… ever been a singer?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to him. Choi Sung-gun struggled to answer.

“No, there’s no way-”

He started to get confused. Kang Woo-jin’s singing ability, his singing skills.

-♬♪

It was ridiculously absurd.

“……No, is it?”