I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

Choi Sung-gun, eyes wide, blankly stared at Kang Woojin who, despite bringing up something colossal, hadn’t changed his calm expression at all. Choi Sung-gun blinked. Hm? Wait a minute, what did Woojin just say? Doubting his own ears, Choi Sung-gun asked Woojin again.

“Woojin, what did you just say?”

Kang Woojin lifted the ‘Guest’ script he held in his hand and answered immediately. Once again, it was simple and in a low tone.

“I asked if the CEO-nim would consider being the main investor for this movie, ‘Guest’.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Out of the blue?”

“Yes.”

“……Huh?”

Choi Sung-gun blinked again, clearly flustered. On the other hand, Kang Woojin’s dry eyes continued to stare at him. Choi Sung-gun instinctively sensed it. He’s serious, this guy. Determining that something massive was about to come, Choi Sung-gun.

-Swoosh.

Untied his ponytail and tied it back tightly. Then, he exhaled lightly and opened his mouth.

“Hoo- Woojin, even though ‘Guest’ is a remake of ‘Exorcism’, and even though the film company is a small newcomer, the setting is Hollywood in the end, right? What I mean is, the world itself is different from Korea. Simply put, the starting size of the investment is like heaven and earth.”

That was true. No matter how much Korean content had developed, Hollywood was still Hollywood. For example, in Korea nowadays, some blockbuster budgets reach 40 to 50 billion won, but that’s extremely rare. In Hollywood, that’s common. Of course, Hollywood also has lower-budget films, but either way, Korea’s blockbuster investment levels are basically Hollywood’s baseline.

In short, becoming the main investor in a Hollywood project meant betting your life, betting bw Entertainment’s future.

“Well sure, one blow won’t immediately bring bw Entertainment down. But if something goes wrong, we could stagger. Of course, I’m not disregarding your opinion at all. Our bw Entertainment has Hye-yeon and many other actors, but the reason we’ve reached the world stage is because of you.”

Choi Sung-gun, murmuring, wore a serious yet composed expression.

“Still, bw Entertainment has already grown into one of Korea’s top five agencies, and with overseas branches, it’s basically a conglomerate now. That means the lives of many employees are on the line.”

“I understand.”

There was also Chairman Hideki Yoshimura backing them.

“That’s why it’s not easy to make a hasty decision. But since it’s you saying this, I do trust you. Still, this is so out of the blue, man, telling me to be the main investor in ‘Guest’. Is there a reason you’re saying this to me?”

Kang Woojin’s answer was brief.

“Because it would be a waste.”

“A waste?”

“Yes.”

“……‘Guest’ would be?”

“That’s right.”

Choi Sung-gun, briefly twitching his brow, glanced around at the team members, then leaned closer to Woojin and whispered in his ear.

“Don’t tell me, has that divinely intuition of yours kicked in again? For ‘Guest’?”

Answering here might just make the already global misunderstanding shoot up into space, but well, if it’s already reached space.

‘When insanity is touched by madness, it becomes art.’

Might as well just hit the boosters. That was Kang Woojin’s thought.

“Something like that. I have a good feeling about this script.”

“!!!”

Choi Sung-gun’s eyes grew wider. Soon, Woojin added more.

“Putting aside the fact that it’s a remake of ‘Exorcism’ or the connection to Director Shin Dong-chun, speaking purely of the movie ‘Guest’ itself, it’s good. I feel it would be a waste to let it go.”

“Is that… so?”

“Yes.”

By now, Choi Sung-gun had not only believed in but practically worshipped Kang Woojin’s divinely, insane intuition. The results speak for themselves, don’t they? Using ‘Leech’, which shook Cannes, as a stepping stone to get to Hollywood, and Hollywood’s major studios had lined up with offers. At this point, not believing in Kang Woojin’s sense was just being a moron.

-Swoosh.

Choi Sung-gun’s gaze dropped from Woojin to the ‘Guest’ script he was holding. Choi Sung-gun had roughly read through this work too. So, how much would the total production cost be? At the very least, 10 billion won was the baseline.

‘At least 30 billion, maximum 50 billion.’

In other words, between 30 billion and 50 billion won. Fortunately, in terms of scale, the film ‘Guest’ was on the smaller side. If it were a blockbuster, it would have easily exceeded 100 billion. Regardless, Choi Sung-gun had to consider a maximum of 50 billion.

50 billion? That was truly an astronomical sum.

‘If we put in more than 50%, we can be called the main investor. But if we’re going to do it, going all-in would make for a better picture, especially with Woojin’s crazy instinct. So, 50 billion, can we make it happen?’

Fortunately, Choi Sung-gun’s conclusion was positive.

‘It’s possible.’

Several possibilities flashed through his mind. First of all, there was Chairman Hideki, and bw Entertainment was already a massive company. If they scraped together resources, it wasn’t impossible. At this moment, Kang Woojin’s subdued voice came again.

“CEO-nim, wasn’t our company expanding its business anyway?”

“That’s right.”

“I understand that domestic investment operations have already started, and preparations are underway for overseas as well.”

That was a fact. Thanks to Kang Woojin, bw Entertainment had grown into a bona fide powerhouse agency, and not only in Korea, investments were being prepared for Japan, where Woojin’s influence was exploding, and even Hollywood. Agents, actor scouting, content discovery, social media and YouTube markets, and even the music industry, where Kang Woojin’s abilities had been proven.

However, the business was so massive that it was being planned over a span of at least 10 years.

Still, Kang Woojin remained perfectly composed.

“If you’re planning to enter Hollywood anyway, I think starting with ‘Guest’ wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“…Hmm, the scale isn’t that big, and it would also carry symbolic value as a remake of your movie debut.”

The life hanging by a thread that was ‘Guest’ would be saved by Kang Woojin’s agency, bw Entertainment. The overall storytelling was fantastic. If, by any chance, ‘Guest’ hit it big thanks to Woojin’s instincts, bw Entertainment, which already had a branch in Hollywood, could instantly extend its reach throughout Hollywood.

At this point.

“This feels like one of those all-or-nothing shots.”

Even Choi Sung-gun, cracking a slight smile, found the same ‘no backing down’ fire rising within him, just like Kang Woojin.

“Hoo- Right now, I’m kind of overwhelmed, not sure where to start. But hey, that’s my job to figure out.”

Choi Sung-gun gave Kang Woojin a thumbs up.

“Screw it. Let’s go all-in. You only live once.”

“If everything proceeds without issues, it might be difficult for me to take the lead role, but I can do a friendly appearance or a cameo.”

Kang Woojin added the blow indifferently.

“And I’ll put in a portion of that investment too.”

He could, after all, having accumulated a hefty fortune.

One hour later.

Kang Woojin and the team arrived at ‘SPT Studio’, the large set for ‘Beast and the Beauty’. Woojin and the team seemed ready to head directly to the set, but Choi Sung-gun, now burdened with a massive task, was on the phone with someone, his mobile at his ear. He had already begun work related to ‘Guest’.

Watching this, Kang Woojin gave a subtle look to the team to move.

-Swish.

First, he walked in the direction of the trailer. The entrance area of ‘SPT Studio’ was already bustling with foreign staff from ‘Beast and the Beauty’. They were in the middle of equipment transport and other setup preparations. As Woojin exchanged casual greetings with them.

“Ye-jung.”

He called to Han Ye-jung, the head stylist following behind. Whether inspired by ‘Joker’ or not, her signature bobbed hair was dyed red.

“Yes, oppa.”

To her, Kang Woojin handed over the ‘Guest’ script he was holding.

“Make about three copies of this, you can ask the operations team.”

“Got it. I’ll copy it and leave it in the trailer.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Handing over the script, Kang Woojin disappeared together with the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ makeup team staff. As always, he had to wear tight-fitting suit for CG purposes, due to the special effects makeup.

Exactly one hour later, Kang Woojin.

“Aaaaction!”

Or rather, the tight-suited ‘Beast’ began filming. The starting point of the shoot was the garden right in front of the Beast’s castle, where the flowers were in full bloom. The roles on set were ‘Beast’ and beauty ‘Bella’. Maria Armas, who was waiting on standby at the site, also stood out. There were other Hollywood actors as well, since scenes involving the teapot, candelabra, and clock characters were going to follow.

“Cut!! Miley, I’d like you to show a bit more suspicion toward the Beast!”

“Yes, Director.”

“And Woojin- good! Your expression has gotten deeper than it was during the first shoot! Keep it up like that!”

“Understood.”

The ‘Beast and the Beauty’ set was running at a fast pace. Thankfully, Cara was fully immersed in the role of beauty ‘Bella’ and didn’t burst into laughter at the sight of the tight-suit-wearing Kang Woojin like on the first day of filming. Occasionally, loud music would play on set.

-♬♪

That was because, in true ‘World Disney Pictures’ fashion, there were many scenes where the cast sang the OST. Right now, it was beauty ‘Bella’ walking through the garden with the Beast, in other words, Miley Cara was passionately singing a song. Of course, the OST tracks would be recorded later in post-production, but Cara blended her performance with the OST as if she were actually singing it live.

Her voice, melting to the ear, spread across the set.

“……”

Kang Woojin, or rather the ‘Beast’, was so mesmerized that he lost himself watching.

‘Whoa- crazy. This is insane… I mean, I knew Miley Cara could sing, but hearing her sing in character as Bella makes it really feel like I’m inside a fairy tale.’

That day’s shoot for ‘Beast and the Beauty’ ended only by late at night. The staff began tidying up, and the actors gathered at their trailers to head home. Kang Woojin was no exception. He appeared alongside Cara, who was still dressed as beauty ‘Bella’. Her trailer was right next to his. Soon, upon reaching her trailer, Miley Cara waved at Woojin.

“Get home safe. Go change your clothes first.”

But tight-suited Woojin stopped her.

“Miley, wait a second.”

“Hm? Why? Are you asking me to grab a meal on the way?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“What, we could eat a little, right?”

“I have another schedule.”

“Wow- do you know you’re even busier than me?”

And she wasn’t wrong, Woojin really did have filming to do for the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel. Whatever the case, Kang Woojin told Cara to wait, then entered his trailer and dropped his gaze to the stack of papers on the table. What else could it be? It was the ‘Guest’ script that he’d asked Han Ye-jung to copy.

‘Well, it’s S-grade anyway so it’ll do well no matter what, but wouldn’t it be better if it hits bigger? The lead in this project- me, CEO-nim, and everyone else, it’s a win-win.’

Briefly dropping his concept persona, Kang Woojin smiled, then picked up one copy of the ‘Guest’ script. With a solemn expression back on, he stepped out of the trailer. Cara was chatting with the female members of her team, but when Woojin appeared, she walked over a few steps and said,

“Do you have something to say? Normally, you’d just leave without doing this.”

Looking calmly at the blonde-haired Cara, Woojin held out the script.

“If you’re okay with it, give this a read.”

“What is this?”

“A script.”

“……A script?”

“Yes. I heard you haven’t decided on your next project after ‘Beast and the Beauty.’”

“That’s true but, a script? From you, Woojin?”

“Why are you surprised?”

“Because it’s sudden. A man who never even talks about the Hollywood projects he’s been cast in suddenly hands me a script, of course it’s surprising.”

Is that so? But well, it’s not like I can build up to something like this slowly, right? Woojin muttered internally and took the script he’d offered back again.

“You’re right. Then let’s pretend it never happened.”

“No, wait!”

Suddenly, Cara snatched the script from Woojin’s hand with a swift motion, narrowing her eyes.

“I was surprised, that’s all. I didn’t say I wouldn’t take it.”

Whether because he found her cute or for some other reason, Kang Woojin, who had been glancing at the people behind her, for the first time.

“Read it.”

Spoke to Cara with a faint, genuine smile, no concept acting involved.

“Let’s talk in more detail after you finish reading it.”

Kang Woojin reentered the trailer. Holding the script in her hand, Cara, blinking her blue eyes, muttered quietly.

“Did he just smile? He smiled, didn’t he?”

Because it was the first time she had seen a smile that wasn’t part of an act.

After that.

Kang Woojin’s schedule became a relentless chain of filming, filming, and more filming. For two days, he wore the suit in ‘Beast and the Beauty’, and for another two days, he transformed into the ‘Joker’ and stirred up the set of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’.

There was even a day he filmed both projects.

Amid the endlessly pounding schedule, Kang Woojin’s entry into the void space became frequent.

“Ugh- I’m dying, seriously!!”

It was a common scene even in Korea, but perhaps because he was in unfamiliar Hollywood, the fatigue felt heavier. Still, he had to push through. No one else could do it but Kang Woojin, and it could only be done by him.

Roughly a week passed, and fortunately.

『CNM/Columbia’s ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, that even shook the ‘Emmy Awards’, almost at crank-up!』

The end of filming for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ was right around the corner.

And during a break in filming for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, Choi Sung-gun entered Kang Woojin’s trailer, a smile on his face. Inside, Woojin was sitting in his ‘Joker’ appearance.

“Woojin.”

Choi Sung-gun spoke firmly to Kang Woojin. He had made up his mind.

“The funds are secured, and we’re going to start working on ‘Guest’ right away.”

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