I was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor [EN]: Chapter 99

The question was thrown back through the phone, but Choi Sung-geon didn’t answer immediately. It was because Director Kwon Ki-taek asked again.

“Why is Woo-jin’s name coming up here? Wasn’t this case solely handled by CEO Choi?”

It was a natural question for Director Kwon Ki-taek. It was absurd for Kang Woo-jin to be mixed up in this messy situation. Regardless, Choi Sung-geon, who slowly crossed his legs, answered calmly.

“That’s right. I was the only one who moved.”

“Then?”

“Well, you could say Woo-jin brought the script to the table?”

“······”

“Thanks to Woo-jin, this case was able to surface. Otherwise, no one, including me, would have known.”

It was a very useful situation to make Kwon Ki-taek, one of the most renowned directors, owe a favor or debt. Director Kwon Ki-taek’s influence extended beyond the domestic film industry to the entertainment world and even overseas. However, Choi Sung-geon didn’t particularly intend to take the lead.

‘I’m more suited for the background.’

A shadow that goes unnoticed if you don’t pay attention. He maintains that position. Moderation. That was Choi Sung-geon’s way of surviving long in the entertainment industry. The lead role is separate. Therefore, he pushes all the impact to Kang Woo-jin.

‘There’s no point in me standing out in the current situation. If it weren’t for Woo-jin, I would have been twiddling my thumbs like an idiot.’

In the end, Choi Sung-geon played the role of the practitioner, but in a way, if it weren’t for Kang Woo-jin’s starting point, nothing would have happened. Soon, Choi Sung-geon deeply embedded Kang Woo-jin in Director Kwon Ki-taek’s mind.

“Only Woo-jin saw the rotten part of the ‘Island of the Lost’ that no one knew about. I just played the role of cutting it out.”

A brief silence. Then, Director Kwon Ki-taek on the other end of the phone asked again.

“…I need an explanation. I want to hear exactly how it all unfolded. I think I need to know. The conclusion is important in everything.”

“Of course. However, it’s a bit difficult to explain over the phone. I’ll visit you separately. I’ll be busy for a few days, so soon.”

“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”

After hearing the answer, Choi Sung-geon got up from his seat and changed the subject.

“If this happens, Seo Chae-eun will be out, so the production of ‘Island of the Lost’ will be delayed a bit, right? You’ll also have to recruit a new actor. I’m asking about Woo-jin’s schedule.”

“Hmm—well. Of course, I’ll have to spend some time on contract issues, but it won’t take too long to recover.”

“Do you have any actors in mind?”

A niche market. Choi Sung-geon was planning to put Hong Hye-yeon into the slightly opened gap in ‘Island of the Lost.’ Isn’t the timing perfect? The filming of ‘Hanryang’ is all done. But unfortunately, another actor came out of Director Kwon Ki-taek’s mouth.

“I do, Ha Yu-ra.”

Choi Sung-geon’s eyes widened slightly. Why? He had a slight acquaintance with Ha Yu-ra.

“······Ha Yu-ra? I thought she was in Hollywood right now.”

“She’s in Korea now. I heard she snuck in a few days ago. Ah—that’s right, Yu-ra had a connection with CEO Choi, too, right?”

“Yes, very briefly. Then, have you met her?”

“I did. I also passed her the script.”

“The script?”

“Ah, it was for a cameo appearance.”

I see. In an instant, Choi Sung-geon’s quick mind changed direction. He changed his mind about something and threw out a closing remark. It was better to keep this call concise rather than dragging it out.

That way, Director Kwon Ki-taek would keep thinking about it.

“Okay, I understand for now. I’ll contact you again soon.”

“Alright.”

-Click.

The call ended like that. The funny thing was.

-♬♪

As soon as Choi Sung-geon put down his phone, the ringtone rang again. This time, it was Hong Hye-yeon. She must have contacted him after seeing the article about Seo Chae-eun. Well, he had something to say to her, so Choi Sung-geon put the phone back to his ear.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Hong Hye-yeon shouted from the other side of the phone.

“Oppa!! The article, the article! Did you see the article that just came out? Power Patch exclusively on Seo Chae-eun.”

“You’re going to make my ears fall off. I know, I know. I just saw it.”

“I was at the shop until just now, and it was chaos! Seo Chae-eun was here, and I saw her team questioning her. Anyway, it was a mess.”

“Huh—you were with Seo Chae-eun? What about now?”

“She left. I’m in the van too. Seo Chae-eun’s manager team leader was excited for a few seconds, but then he came to his senses and took her away. But oppa, what’s going to happen to ‘Island of the Lost’ now? Seo Chae-eun was the lead, right? Ah, I heard that directly from her.”

Choi Sung-geon calmly said to the excited Hong Hye-yeon.

“I thought it would be good for you to know, so I’ll tell you. I orchestrated this whole thing.”

“······Huh? What are you talking about?”

“The situation is similar to when Director Woo Hyun-gu was involved. The difference is whether I intervened or not. The starting point was Woo-jin.”

Choi Sung-geon then briefly explained the Seo Chae-eun situation. Only the key points. Nevertheless, Hong Hye-yeon understood right away. She had witnessed a lot, too.

“Wait a minute. So, what is it? This is a collaboration between Woo-jin and oppa?”

“That’s right. For now, only you know.”

“That’s obvious, but… what about Woo-jin? Is it really okay to just lump it together as a hunch or a feeling?”

“No. But there’s no other explanation.”

“······”

“And if you look back at the history of the entertainment industry, both domestically and internationally, there have been unique figures like Woo-jin.”

From here, Choi Sung-geon’s arms broke out in goosebumps. He got chills even though he was the one who said it.

‘The Midas Touch.’

One in tens of millions. Or more. Choi Sung-geon knew a few historically exceptional figures. He sees that in Kang Woo-jin now.

‘Should I call Woo-jin the Midas Eye?’

Or a totem. Moreover, Kang Woo-jin currently possessed two things. The eye for projects and people. The problem is that even that bizarre ability is destructive.

‘He has a lot of things, including acting.’

Kang Woo-jin had more impactful abilities than the Midas Eye. Among them, the most outstanding was acting. At this point, Choi Sung-geon felt it.

‘Maybe.’

No, definitely. Kang Woo-jin was definitely a unique existence in the entire world. If he grows more than he is now, the day will surely come when he treats Hollywood as ‘nothing.’

Then, Choi Sung-geon, who was imagining a violent future not far away.

“Hye-yeon.”

He barely managed to stop smiling and returned to reality. To deal with the work in front of him for now.

“I’ll get you the ‘Island of the Lost’ script, so read it.”

After that.

The bait that Power Patch threw into the world was.

『[Exclusive] ‘Habitual Propofol Use Allegations,’ Seo Chae-eun’s Addicted Diary Hidden Behind the Top Actress Mask / Photo』

It spread all over the internet in just one hour. Like a giant tidal wave engulfing the Korean Peninsula. The speed was insane. There was no other way to explain it.

『‘Allegations of Habitual Propofol Use’ Seo Chae-eun, Her Scandal Suddenly Erupts』

It was a world where negative stimuli spread dozens of times faster than positive stimuli. The public always wanted new stimuli, and unexpected issues like this Seo Chae-eun case were bound to sell like hotcakes.

『[Star Pick] Seo Chae-eun, Habitual Propofol Allegations Surface… Even with Solid Evidence』

『‘Propofol’ Erupts Again, This Time with Top Actress Seo Chae-eun』

『7 Times a Month? ‘Seo Chae-eun’ Addicted to Propofol』

Domestic reporters were churning out new articles every second. Abusing, rumors, speculations, etc. Whatever the topic, they just hit the keyboard as their fingers touched it.

“Hey!! Why aren’t you throwing out articles!!”

“We’re organizing them!”

“Bullshit! Organize your house! Ignore typos and everything and just throw them out! Can’t you see how fast the articles are growing?!!”

“Ah, okay!”

“Just stuff in any words and put Seo Chae-eun’s name!!!”

False rumors, nonsense, and gibberish were rampant.

『[Exclusive] Seo Chae-eun, Possibility of ‘Detection of a Third Drug Component’ Following Habitual Propofol』

『A Broadcasting Official Says, “Seo Chae-eun Originally Went to Plastic Surgery Clinics Often,” A Foreseen End?』

Indeed, top actress Seo Chae-eun. With the elegant image she had built up and her huge recognition, an enormous amount of reactions exploded.

『[Fact Issue] ‘Habitual Propofol’ Erupts for Seo Chae-eun, What About the Works She Appeared in or Will Appear in?』

It didn’t even take two hours for various portal sites to be plastered with her name. And by the same night, she had taken over YouTube.

If this was a land-grabbing war, it would have been a perfect victory.

However, despite winning the war, the anger of Seo Chae-eun’s fans was at its peak. It was natural. Because of betrayal. However, the resulting anger wasn’t just from Seo Chae-eun’s fans. Various groups were mixed in. Some jumped in because they thought it was the right time, others were trying to muddy the waters, some were doing it for fun, or because everyone else was doing it.

-Ah… this is really shocking…

-That’s why all the celebrities’ images are bullshitㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋGoodbye~~~~

-They should be severely punished. We need to stop being lenient with celebrities and letting them off the hook

-LolㅋㅋㅋSeo Chae-eun had a lot of talk about Botox, right??ㅋㅋㅋWas that not Botox but propofol?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-But the doctor who prescribed it should be locked up too!!

-Another celebrity disappears like this

-Drug addicts should be dealt with mercilesslyㅋㅋㅋㅋDisgusting, Seo Chae-eun

-How about investigating the entire entertainment industry this time?? There must be a lot of people trembling even if they don’t say it

-Seo Chae-eunㅋㅋㅋPretending to be innocent in front, but she was doing drugs behind the scenesㅋㅋㅋㅋ

·

·

·

·

Just half a day. The time it took for Seo Chae-eun to fall from a top actress to a national drug addict. But even though the fire was so fierce, Seo Chae-eun and her agency were silent.

『[Star Talk] Why are Seo Chae-eun and Her Agency ‘Silent’? Now is the Time to Step Forward』

It might be to find a way to break through. But this only fueled the public’s resentment even more, and Kang Woo-jin, who finished his schedule late that same night, was also searching for the situation at home.

“Ah—it was propofol.”

He had heard it briefly from Choi Sung-geon. Still, Woo-jin couldn’t quite imagine it when he saw it with his own eyes.

“Seo Chae-eun, she looked very normal.”

Even before Kang Woo-jin became an actor, there were many incidents and accidents in the entertainment industry. At that time, Woo-jin was just a common citizen who thought, ‘Oh, I see.’ But now, his mindset was a bit different.

‘It’s really just a moment.’

He could feel deeply why the entertainment industry was called a jungle. The ruthless entertainment industry. This was also a lesson. Anyway, Kang Woo-jin put down the phone he was looking at. It was like a horror movie.

Then, Woo-jin suddenly entered the subspace.

-Thud.

He had to check it first. The grade of ‘Island of the Lost.’ But Woo-jin’s expression, standing in the endless dark subspace, became serious.

The reason was simple.

-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Lost), Grade E]

The grade that was D had dropped even further to E. Still, Woo-jin calmly muttered.

“Eh, no way. It’s probably because it hasn’t even been a day yet.”

He judged that Seo Chae-eun hadn’t clearly dropped out of ‘Island of the Lost.’ It wasn’t wrong. It had only been half a day since her charges were revealed.

Still.

“Ah—I’m a bit nervous.”

Kang Woo-jin, standing in the subspace, felt a strong sense of tension for some reason. Was there another problem involved? He had thoughts like that. But Woo-jin shook his head, trying to dismiss them.

“Damn it, I don’t know. Let’s wait a little longer.”

He patted himself, thinking it was an excessive thought. Woo-jin, who came out of the subspace like that, forced himself to sleep. At this time, on Power Patch.

『[Exclusive] The Relationship Between Seo Chae-eun and A Hospital, and the Celebrities Involved / Photo』Power Patch – Reporter Lim Sang-moon

They launched their second nuke into the world.

Monday, the 29th, after the weekend.

Yesterday, Sunday, Kang Woo-jin took a break for the first time in a while. It was because he had adjusted his schedule well, and it was Choi Sung-geon’s consideration. Of course, the world was still noisy with Seo Chae-eun, but Woo-jin spent all of Sunday cleaning and reading scripts and scenarios.

And now.

-Rattle!

Early in the morning, Kang Woo-jin, wearing a hat, got into the van parked in the parking lot. The unusual thing was.

“Oh—Woo-jin, did you rest well?”

Only Choi Sung-geon was seen in the driver’s seat of the van. Kang Woo-jin, with a solemn face, greeted him and asked.

“Hello. But where are the others?”

“They rested yesterday too. They’ll be at the company now.”

“Ah—is that so?”

Kang Woo-jin nodded slightly and sat down, and the van started. Soon, Choi Sung-geon glanced at the rearview mirror and opened his mouth.

“You had a good day off, so you have to run like crazy again, right?”

Yes, yes, of course. Woo-jin was somewhat prepared, so he muttered lowly. A spoonful of bravado.

“Yes, no problem.”

“Haha. Okay. Today’s schedule is full, and Soo-hwan will tell you the details. And I’ll be out in the morning and join you in the afternoon.”

“Do you have something to do?”

Choi Sung-geon, who was turning the steering wheel to the right, answered quickly.

“First, a company meeting. There’s a lot to organize overall. For you and Hye-yeon. Oh, and we’re going to increase the number of stylists.”

“Yes.”

“And then I’m going to meet Director Kwon Ki-taek.”

“The director?”

“Yeah. Well, Director Kwon Ki-taek, more than anyone else, needs to know the situation accurately. And.”

Choi Sung-geon smiled crookedly. A somewhat devilish smile.

“We have to get compensation, don’t we?”

Kang Woo-jin had a nonchalant face, but he was slightly surprised inside.

‘Compensation? What compensation?’

Choi Sung-geon, who didn’t know this, continued his explanation.

“As you know, this industry has to be clear about give and take. If you just let things slide, they’ll take you lightly. Well, Director Kwon Ki-taek isn’t the type to do that. Anyway, we have to get what we deserve.”

“······”

“You must have been thinking about it too. You’re very strict about these things.”

No? I didn’t think about it at all. Woo-jin, who had only focused on saving ‘Island of the Lost,’ didn’t know about this. Is he really a professional? Give and take. Kang Woo-jin, who had learned a lesson, obediently showed Choi Sung-geon the thumbs up he had made in his mind.

“I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”

“What do you mean, leave it to me? This is what I do. You just have to stand out.”

Just as Kang Woo-jin was getting emotional, Choi Sung-geon changed the subject.

“And it’s probably confirmed, but Ha Yu-ra will be taking Seo Chae-eun’s place. You know Ha Yu-ra, right?”

“…Yes, I know.”

Kang Woo-jin, who answered cynically, exclaimed. Of course, in his mind.

‘They’re settling this so quickly? And it’s Ha Yu-ra? Wow—as expected of a master director.’

Kang Woo-jin also knew Ha Yu-ra. She hadn’t been seen much recently, but she was also a great top actress.

‘But wasn’t it two years ago? I think she said she was going to Hollywood.’

Kang Woo-jin, who was tracing the past, suddenly moved his hand. He picked up the script piled up next to him. Why?.

-Thud!

It was to enter the subspace without anyone knowing. Since there was a new change, he had to check the grade of ‘Island of the Lost.’ Soon, Kang Woo-jin stood in the dark subspace, where white rectangles were lined up.

“It was originally A+, so it should recover to at least B+. No, it should recover to A.”

But.

“Huh?”

As soon as he saw the white rectangle of ‘Island of the Lost,’ Woo-jin’s eyes widened.

“This is… this is insane.”

There was a pretty shocking change.

-[3/Scenario (Title: Island of the Lost), Grade S+]

S+ grade, the first grade that had appeared.

“There’s something above S grade?”