I Was Mistaken As A Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 84

The question of whether Kang Woo-jin had been a singer in the past caused confusion for everyone in the studio, including General Director Kim So-hyang.

“Huh? CEO Choi, what do you mean? Is that a yes or a no?”

About a dozen people were staring intently at Choi Sung-gun. Meanwhile, Choi Sung-gun, with his ponytail, was mesmerized by Kang Woo-jin, who was passionately singing in the booth.

‘I don’t know either. Whether he did or not.’

It was difficult to give a clear answer. There was no indication that Kang Woo-jin had ever been a singer. But there was no guarantee that he hadn’t done it in the past.

More than anything, that insane singing ability.

‘…With that level of skill, he must have had some experience in the past—’

Anyway, Choi Sung-gun, who barely regained his senses, turned his head to the people staring at him.

“No. Well… let’s listen a bit more for now.”

It was a request to listen to Kang Woo-jin’s song more for the time being. Although they looked frustrated, General Director Kim So-hyang and the rest of the staff turned their gazes back to Woo-jin in the booth.

-♬♪

Woo-jin had already finished the first verse and was moving into the second. It was a sweet but somewhat lonely song, perfect for listening to in winter. Choi Sung-gun, watching Kang Woo-jin, slowly crossed his arms.

‘Did he work as a faceless singer? Or maybe he busked somewhere overseas?’

Choi Sung-gun’s absurd misunderstanding was growing. He recalled a few videos of foreigners freely sitting on the streets overseas, busking. Whether they sang Korean or foreign songs, Choi Sung-gun concluded that it was entirely possible, seeing Kang Woo-jin now.

‘Nothing is unnecessary for acting. Any experience helps.’

Emotion is an essential element in music. If he did design to hone creativity and reverse thinking, wasn’t music a way to flexibly learn various emotions?

‘…He even did design because it was necessary for acting. Then singing would be similar.’

Choi Sung-gun was willingly walking into the pit of delusion.

‘But with that level of skill, he could have easily been a singer, right?’

He glanced at Hwa-rin in front of him. Her eyes were slightly widened, unable to take them off Kang Woo-jin in the booth. She, a super-popular singer of eight years, was captivated by Woo-jin’s song.

‘If Hwa-rin, who didn’t seem very close to Woo-jin, is like this, it says it all.’

Choi Sung-gun let out a hollow laugh. It was absurd and ridiculous. The existence of Kang Woo-jin, that is.

‘Just… what kind of life have you lived? Did God really create you separately?’

He had mastered acting that could surpass top actors on his own, and he was fluent in foreign languages. Just that alone would have been a time of pain that far exceeded common sense. But even his singing was at a singer’s level?

It was unimaginable. So, Choi Sung-gun gave up on common sense.

Around this time, Kang Woo-jin in the booth was.

-♬♪

Reaching the chorus of the second verse. His voice was slightly lower, but the pitch was rising. Was it called a throat scratch? It was a clean, high note, but the slightly rough voice captivated people’s ears.

Woo-jin was already one with the song he was singing.

It wasn’t clear when, but the emotional lines hidden in the song gradually began to envelop him. Therefore, it deepened. It intensified. Those things enhanced the delivery and expression in Kang Woo-jin’s voice.

It might have been the ability of the subspace [a fictional space where he trains].

After enhancing his singing ability, it helped with his acting pronunciation. Conversely, when singing, his emotions intensified. Woo-jin, who sang the song passionately like acting, was like a fish in water. He looked at the lyrics, loaded them with emotion, and exploded. He could use his voice as he wanted. Kang Woo-jin was even more immersed in the song.

-♬♪

The more he did, the more the ‘guy friends’ were mesmerized. At this moment, Woo-jin’s tone, which had been endlessly extending, faded. It was near the end of the song. It was poignant and heartbreaking.

“……”

Kang Woo-jin, having finished the song, put down his phone. Then, he praised himself.

‘Nailed it. I always messed up this song in karaoke. Hehe, if this is the case, other songs are a piece of cake.’

He almost let his lips curl up. No, he couldn’t. Woo-jin quickly recalled his concept and made his expression stern, then took off the headphones he was wearing and raised his head. Huh? For some reason, the people outside the booth were all huddled right in front of the window. What was going on?

It was, so to speak, a zoo-like setup.

Why were they making those expressions? There was only one answer. My singing was awesome. Kang Woo-jin felt a strange thrill and lowered his voice into the microphone.

“I’m done.”

But the people outside the booth were silent for a moment.

“……”

The first to move was Hwa-rin, who for some reason had a slightly flushed face.

-Clap clap clap.

She suddenly started clapping slowly. This became the starting point.

-Clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

Everyone was clapping. Thanks to that, a scene was created where congratulations were poured out on Kang Woo-jin inside the zoo. Why so much? Woo-jin forcibly maintained his cynicism, but he didn’t feel bad.

‘Uh-huh, shoulders stay still. Don’t go up.’

Kang Woo-jin calmly came out of the booth. At the same time, questions poured out from the people who had gathered.

The first was director Shin Dong-chun with the square jaw.

“Woo-jin! Wow— I was surprised, really. You’re even good at singing??”

Next, it was simultaneous, to the point where it was hard to list all the names.

“I know, right! Wow, I thought you were a singer! You had reason to be confident!”

“That’s amazing? No, I’m not just saying it lightly, I didn’t know your singing ability was that good.”

“Where did you learn so seriously?”

“Woo-jin, did you perhaps secretly work as a singer?”

What are you talking about? Woo-jin solemnly shook his head.

“No, not at all.”

“…Then?”

“It was just a hobby.”

At this, Choi Sung-gun’s eyes widened.

‘Crazy! A hobby? Dude, if that’s a hobby, you’d get beaten up by trainee singers??’

Kim So-hyang, who had asked the question, let out a hollow laugh.

“A hobby… you’ve gone way beyond the level of a hobby.”

“Is that so?”

“Honestly, you’ve been on a singing audition program, right?”

“Not really.”

Amidst the constant noise, Hwa-rin, who had been silent since earlier, was experiencing an unknown emotion rising. Her heart was burning. Light was sparkling from Kang Woo-jin.

‘So this is… what it’s like to be a fan—’

She deeply understood the feelings of her fans who loved her. This tingling feeling of wanting to do anything for him and the endlessly pounding heart. For Hwa-rin now, Kang Woo-jin’s singing ability wasn’t a big deal.

‘What should I do? I think I’m going to be a fan for life.’

It was at this moment that General Director Kim So-hyang tapped Hwa-rin’s shoulder.

“Hwa-rin? What did you think as a professional?”

Only then did Hwa-rin, who had been out of it, catch her senses and made eye contact with Kang Woo-jin. She wanted to jump around and give him a thumbs up. But she couldn’t let Woo-jin see her as a crazy woman.

“Ahem, it’s good.”

“That’s it?”

“You’re good. Your emotions are sufficient as an actor.”

It was a slightly cold compliment, but for some reason, Kang Woo-jin slightly bowed his head to Hwa-rin without much fuss.

“Thank you.”

Whatever it was, Kim So-hyang moved things forward.

“Okay— Woo-jin, take a break, and it’s Hwa-rin’s turn. Please sing anything you’re comfortable with, you can even do your own song.”

She needed to match the tone with Woo-jin’s song from just now. Soon, Hwa-rin took a small breath and moved her feet into the booth, and Kim So-hyang whispered to writer Choi Nana and director Shim Dong-chun.

“That surprise scene in episode 2 of ‘Guy Friends,’ ‘Han In-ho.’ It’s going to be amazing, isn’t it?”

At that moment.

-♬♪

Hwa-rin’s song began. Her solo song. Soon, everyone focused on her song. Of course, Kang Woo-jin too.

‘Wow— I’m seeing this live.’

Here, Kim So-hyang approached Kang Woo-jin and whispered.

“Woo-jin, if this goes well, you might sweep the charts in Japan as well as domestically.”

Her smile was deep.

“Your skills are beyond words, and the harmony between Hwa-rin’s and Woo-jin’s voices is amazing.”

About an hour later.

Kang Woo-jin, having finished his schedule at the studio, got into the van in the parking lot.

-Thump!

The car immediately departed. There was no time to delay. He had to go to Incheon right away for the filming of ‘Drug Dealer.’ Woo-jin, who had taken off the hat he was wearing, tilted his head from side to side.

‘Am I a bit tired?’

Even though it was fun, the work at the recording studio was unfamiliar, so he must have been tense. Well, it’s okay. Woo-jin reached for his feet, intending to rest in the subspace. There were scripts and scenarios piled up.

-Swish.

What he picked up was director Kyotaro’s ‘The Bizarre Sacrifice of a Stranger,’ which he had been reading often recently. At this moment, Choi Sung-gun, who was glancing at Woo-jin in the rearview mirror from the passenger seat, asked.

“Woo-jin, have you read all of that?”

Woo-jin, who had been holding up his index finger, raised his head.

“I’ve read about half of it.”

“What do you think?”

Regardless, ‘The Bizarre Sacrifice of a Stranger’ was already rated A-class. In addition, it was interesting. It felt like a good mix of mystery and thriller.

“I’m looking at it positively.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Ah— did you know that this scenario is based on a novel by writer Takikawa Akari?”

“Takikawa Akari? Ah— the really famous one.”

“Yes. It’s one of that writer’s bestsellers.”

Choi Sung-gun was slightly surprised. He had thought it would be great since the giant director Kyotaro was adapting it, but he didn’t know it was by the world-famous Akari. First of all, it was difficult to read the original Japanese scenario.

In that moment.

“Ah.”

A recent article that Choi Sung-gun had seen briefly flashed through his mind. Writer Akari was currently in Korea. And director Kyotaro had secretly entered the country. The scenario was based on a novel by Akari. Choi Sung-gun, whose mind was racing, quickly came to a conclusion.

‘They came to Korea together, and the guest that director Kyotaro is bringing to the set today must be writer Akari.’

In other words, two huge figures were visiting today to see Kang Woo-jin. However, Choi Sung-gun didn’t tell Woo-jin about this. It was a secret matter.

‘It’s been an amazing day in many ways.’

Meanwhile, Han Ye-jung with the yellow bob was asking Kang Woo-jin a question.

“Oppa, where did you learn to sing?”

“Nowhere.”

“But why are you so good?”

Next was Choi Sung-gun, who turned his body from the passenger seat.

“Woo-jin. Did you perhaps work as a singer overseas or busk? I’m not asking about your past, I’m just curious.”

Busking? What busking. I did take the bus every day. Kang Woo-jin said honestly.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Really, just a hobby?”

“Yes.”

“If that’s a hobby— sigh, never mind. Anyway, did you take up singing as a hobby because it helps with acting, like design?”

It felt like the misunderstanding was deepening, but either way, it helped with acting, so Kang Woo-jin silently nodded.

“Yes, it’s similar.”

Choi Sung-gun, having heard the answer, became serious. His brain was working at maximum speed.

“First, I’ll ask just in case. Do you have any thoughts of becoming a singer?”

No? Not at all. Kang Woo-jin was already overwhelmed as an actor.

‘I don’t even know the actor market properly yet, and now a singer too? That’s too much.’

He might have a mental breakdown. There was also a high possibility that his concept and the misunderstandings and delusions would be exposed. Therefore, Woo-jin answered briefly and quietly.

“No. I have no intention.”

“Right? Of course, there are all-rounders in the market who do both acting and singing. Then their activities change every year. One year as an actor, one year as a singer, like that.”

“That’s tight.”

“But what if your influence as an actor increases? Like using it as a side character. It’s a bit of a waste to let your singing ability go to waste. No, it’s frustratingly wasteful?”

That seems okay? It’s a bit of a waste not to use the ability he had acquired.

“That doesn’t sound bad. Do you have any ideas?”

“Yeah, I do. Your foreign language skills, singing, and acting. If I mix these well, two things come to mind right away.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had been muttering, smiled meaningfully.

“Opening a channel for you on YouTube and a musical.”

Around late lunch, near Incheon Port.

It was an area where large warehouses were lined up around Incheon Port, with a wide view of the sea. In front of a warehouse painted gray, the ‘Drug Dealer’ filming team had set up their place.

“Get the drone up!!”

“Just a moment!”

“We’ll film the sea insert first in 10 minutes!!”

“Hey, you onlookers, move back! There’ll be an accident??”

The setting up of filming equipment such as cameras was already finished. The scene was surrounded by dozens of onlookers. There weren’t many actors visible. Even the lead, Jin Jae-joon, wasn’t there. Among them, a middle-aged male actor was sitting at a makeshift plastic table in front of the warehouse.

He looked to be in his late 50s.

His face had deep wrinkles, but his aura was somewhat dull. He had an energy that was vaguely similar to a tiger. He was Park Pan-seo, a character actor known as the ‘multi-project machine’ in the acting world.

In ‘Drug Dealer,’ he played Kim Hyun-soo, known as ‘Professor Kim.’

He appeared in the early part and exited in the mid-to-late part. In the scenario, he was a character who manufactured drugs. Of course, he was also a key role. Anyway, his expression was somewhat dark.

Was it because of that?

“Senior.”

Director Kim Do-hee, whose hair had become even more disheveled, approached Park Pan-seo, who was sitting alone at the makeshift table.

“Are you okay?”

Soon, Park Pan-seo, who had been flipping through the scenario, slowly nodded.

“I’m fine. I just feel a bit unwell.”

“Then take a break. We can just film Woo-jin’s solo cuts today. You can do the two-shots tomorrow.”

“Can I do that? I’m fine, go and do your work.”

“……Yes, then please tell me right away if you feel tired.”

“Okay.”

Director Kim Do-hee, who had been watching Park Pan-seo for a moment, walked among the staff, and Park Pan-seo, who was looking at the scenario again, suddenly clenched and unclenched his fist.

His palm was wet with sweat.

The tension of an old pro. Park Pan-seo’s mind was full of thoughts about acting. It was because of that rookie actor he had seen a few days ago. The rookie who had performed like a god with Jin Jae-joon.

“Haha, to be nervous because of a rookie at this age.”

It was then.

“Kang Woo-jin has arrived!!”

The rookie actor that the old pro had been thinking about arrived among the dozens of staff. It was Kang Woo-jin. He was being congratulated by director Kim Do-hee and dozens of staff upon arrival.

“Our Kang star has arrived!”

“Hahaha, I saw the article! Congratulations! Wow— you’re the lead in director Kwon Ki-taek’s work!”

“The movie industry is in an uproar right now! It’s the first time ever.”

“That’s amazing, amazing! A lead role right after debut! And even in director Kwon Ki-taek’s work!”

After about 10 minutes of being congratulated by everyone, Kang Woo-jin calmly approached Park Pan-seo, who was at the makeshift table.

“Hello, sir.”

Park Pan-seo, who had risen from his seat, smiled slightly.

“Yes, nice to meet you. I heard you had good news. Congratulations.”

Park Pan-seo extended his hand. Here, Kang Woo-jin shouted inwardly.

‘His aura is amazing, wow— I’ll go to the maximum level of politeness.’

Thanks to that, the coldness on Kang Woo-jin’s face intensified. In that state, Kang Woo-jin took Park Pan-seo’s hand.

“Thank you.”