I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

-<Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain>

An English title appeared at the center of the screen. As Kang Woojin looked at the somewhat rugged title, he felt deeply moved and simultaneously found it unfamiliar.

‘Whew- an English title, this is hitting hard.’

Though he had filmed numerous projects up to now, it was the first time he saw an English title. Moreover, his debut Hollywood film ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ was currently being projected on screen, causing all the things that had happened until now to flash through his mind, and a flood of emotion and joy to well up excessively. How could he describe this feeling?

‘A sense of achievement? Elation? I don’t know, but whatever it is, it feels amazing.’

Woojin felt quite proud that the lead role in this film, which involved Hollywood monster film studios and major figures, was himself, the ‘Joker’ who made a sensational appearance from the very first scene. His expression remained calm due to the concept, but inwardly, he was on the verge of breaking out in excited dance.

‘Anyway, just look at that quality, that mysterious mood, the sound, the vibe hits from the very start. This is going to be insanely fun.’

Even though it was his own film, Kang Woojin stared at the screen with the mindset of an average audience member.

-♬♪

The music that had been playing grew louder, and the title that had been shown in the center of the screen disappeared. At that moment, Nora Foster, the stern-looking producer with her legs crossed, had a deep smile at the corners of her mouth. It was a smile of exhilaration.

‘The villain ‘Joker’ appeared from the beginning, his outrageous acting and visuals are dominating the air in this theater.’

The appearance of the ‘Joker’ was not long. However, this is likely where future audiences will make their decision, that this film is extremely intriguing. And all of that stemmed from Kang Woojin’s first appearance. His eerie laughter, mischievous lines, performance that drives the story, impactful visuals, and expressions that provoked curiosity.

‘Gave me goosebumps.’

Goosebumps spread widely across Nora’s arm. She glanced at Kang Woojin. He was nonchalantly watching the screen. Was he satisfied? Or did he feel something was lacking? His expression revealed nothing.

‘Watching his Hollywood debut so calmly- really, he’s something else.’

Nora then slightly shifted her gaze to Director Ahn Ga-bok, whose face was wrinkled with age. He was touching his cheek with one hand, but couldn’t take his eyes off the screen. At a glance, he looked composed, but Director Ahn Ga-bok’s eyes were clearly filled with excitement.

‘The direction was great. Didn’t expect him to use that scene this way.’

Even with the same script, the end result varies drastically depending on which director is involved. It could become a masterpiece or a disaster. Everything hinges on the director’s sense, capability, and skill. The direction of Pierrot’s opening just now was slightly different from the original filming storyboard.

‘Originally, it was just an interview with the ‘Joker’.’

However, Director Ahn Ga-bok inserted the music that contributed to Henry Gordon’s awakening during the interview, which led to a scene where the ‘Joker’ recalled his past. The black-and-white style of that past represented the Joker’s current emotional state. It was still early to say definitively, but Nora felt that the direction was spot on.

‘With that shot, it sparked curiosity about the backstory and highlighted the Joker’s horrifying yet unrestrained side.’

The ‘Joker’ recalled a past brimming with slaughter and laughed wildly, speaking of it as though it were a delightful memory. It was no different from introducing a terrifying clown to the audience from the very beginning.

Soon, Nora Foster clenched both fists tightly.

It was because her anticipation and sense of success were intensifying. Naturally, every foreigner in the theater felt the same as Nora. From the bald executive to the other Columbia Studios executives.

‘After seeing that acting from the first scene, how could anyone not find this entertaining? This is it, even if it were released worldwide right now, everyone would be hooked instantly.’

‘Kang Woojin’s acting, I saw it on set, but the overwhelming presence on screen is more than double. I’m glad he’s leading the beginning of this cinematic universe.’

‘Haha, it’s unbelievable. This is already fun, have I ever seen a work like this before?’

All the key staff of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ and the foreign attendees in the theater kept their eyes fixed on the screen, showering Kang Woojin with praise. No, they were worshiping him.

It was acting and quality that deserved it.

Then, instead of the villain ‘Joker’, the darkened screen displayed ‘Henry Gordon’, whose fragile demeanor was apparent even at a glance. His back and shoulders were slouched, and his eyes and expression were full of despair and emptiness. It was the face of someone who no longer had any expectations of society or the world.

The beginning of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ naturally started with the hardships and persecution of ‘Henry Gordon’.

-[“What is this? What are you looking at?! Get out of here, now!”]

-[“I-I’m sorry!”]

However, depending on one’s perspective, this might feel different. Some might simply interpret it as ‘ordinary’. But as the story progressed, the expressions of Kang Woojin, or rather ‘Henry Gordon’, subtly changed. With the accumulation of neglect, disdain, persecution, discrimination, prejudice, contempt, and violence, something was growing.

A monster, that is.

In this way, within the world of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, the ‘Joker’ was born. Watching Woojin on the screen, Choi Sung-gun was deeply moved.

‘Whew- this is incredible. Just incredible.’

Despite the process being soaked in blood and slaughter, perhaps because of the frustration felt at the beginning with ‘Henry Gordon’, a strange sense of exhilaration burst forth. Choi Sung-gun felt it, and so did everyone else.

‘This must be what happens when you’re completely immersed in the character.’

The ‘Joker’ doing extraordinary things on screen, his appearance was refreshingly unyielding. Somehow, that appearance seemed like it was extracted from Kang Woojin’s true self.

Soon, nearly two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

All attendees, including Kang Woojin, were completely absorbed in ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, and only snapped out of it when the ending credits signaled the film’s conclusion. It was then that applause suddenly erupted.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

The applause echoed louder than the ending music throughout the theater. The bald man and executives from Columbia Studios were seen standing, clapping vigorously with both hands.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

It was praise directed at Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok. The applause quickly spread to everyone. Nora Foster, the key staff, Choi Sung-gun, Chris Hartnett, and the rest of the cast, all applauded in celebration and high praise for each other.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Finally loosening up, Director Ahn Ga-bok muttered quietly.

“Whew, I’m exhausted.”

He joined in the applause, and Kang Woojin, who had risen unhurriedly, also matched the mood accordingly. With an indifferent face. However, inwardly, he was bursting with excitement.

‘Wow!! That was insane! So damn fun! This is crazy!!’

After a moment of sustained applause, the people in the theater began talking, almost as if it had been prearranged. Woojin naturally joined Director Ahn Ga-bok, Nora Foster, and others, and it was Nora who spoke to him.

“Kang Woojin.”

At the call, Woojin, who had been cheering inwardly, immediately lowered his voice.

“Yes, Nora.”

Unaware of this internal excitement, Nora smiled and gave him a thumbs up.

“Your ‘Joker’ was the best.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, the executives, Chris, and the other actors all echoed similar sentiments. Woojin, feeling slightly embarrassed, chose to remain silent. Just then, Nora let out a small breath.

“Whew-”

She shifted her gaze to the screen that had just finished playing ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, then continued.

“We’ll be starting the promotional marketing soon, and within a few days, we’ll also announce the advance release date of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’.”

It was news regarding the future of ‘Pierrot’.

“For your information, the advance release date of ‘Pierrot’ has been set for February 9, which is about a month away.”

Afterward.

Following the screening test of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, Kang Woojin took two days of rest. Having completed two films since arriving in Hollywood, it was time for a break. Choi Sung-gun had said he wished he could give Woojin at least a week off, but there were too many delayed or ongoing schedules, making that impossible.

Since Woojin’s presence in Hollywood had grown even more prominent, his schedule had become more hellish than ever. Pretending it was nothing, Woojin grumbled inwardly.

‘Augh- damn, honestly, just actually filming on set is way easier.’

To the point where he truly felt filming was a hundred times better.

Even in the midst of this, Kang Woojin kept tabs on global trends, including those in Hollywood, whenever he had the time.

‘As expected, it’s chaos over ‘Beast and the Beauty’. Korea’s loving it, but the rest of the world, just as I thought, people are going nuts.’

The hottest topic in Hollywood and the global entertainment industry was undoubtedly ‘Beast and the Beauty’. Recently, ‘World Disney Pictures’ had announced the crank-up of ‘Beast and the Beauty’.

Of course, the Korean media had already been actively covering Kang Woojin.

『[Issue Pick] Filming Wraps for ‘Beast and the Beauty’ – How Will Kang Woojin’s Beast and Miley Cara’s Beauty Be Received?』

『Kang Woojin, the First Korean Actor as “Beast”! Global Communities Buzz with Excitement / Photos』

On social media and YouTube, the Korean public was busy sharing expectations and speculation.

-Whoa… ‘Beast and the Beauty’ is finished filming… Honestly, I can’t imagine Kang Woojin as the Beast ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-But seriously, I’m filled with such damn national pride ㅋㅋㅋ a Korean actor as the male lead in a Disney live-action adaptation ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-So when’s the release?

-The overseas folks are freaking out right now ㅋㅋㅋ At this rate, the first week of release is going to explode with audience numbers ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I saw some leaked filming photos, and Kang Woojin and Miley Cara looked really good together

-Leaked?? Where’d you see that???

While Korea leaned more toward the positive, globally the response was almost split down the middle. The controversy that had cooled during filming reignited the fervor among international audiences who had gone wild during Beast and the Beauty’s early phase.

Cheers and insults flew in every direction.

But what could be done now? Filming for ‘Beast and the Beauty’ was already over, and with only minor finishing touches left, post-production editing would begin soon. ‘World Disney Pictures’ had gone all in.

Then came the late morning of January 15.

Inside a large meeting room in downtown L.A. This rental space was filled with staff members from ‘A8 Media’, the production company for the film ‘Guest’. Of course, Jennifer Thurman, with her brown bobbed hair, was also present. She sat at the front of a large, square-shaped table, while staff busily prepped the space.

Soon, Jennifer Thurman swallowed nervously as she looked at the still-empty seats.

“Finally, are we really all gathering here?”

About an hour passed. Though it was the same space, the once quiet room was now bustling with foreigners, at least twenty of them. Whether they knew each other or not, they greeted one another cheerfully.

“Ha ha ha, it’s been a while.”

“Right? About, two years? And we’re working on the same project again.”

“Let’s do a good job together.”

“Likewise.”

Jennifer Thurman watched them with satisfaction. The reason was simple. These foreigners now gathered were the key production staff who would lead ‘Guest’. Including the director, they were the top figures from each team. They all had glittering resumes that were once unimaginable, and even the mustached director had a truly impressive filmography.

That’s right, today was the first gathering of the core team for the film ‘Guest’.

Then.

-Swish.

A blonde woman entered the production-filled meeting room.

“Hello-”

Wearing a beige short padded jacket, it was Miley Cara, a Hollywood top actress who had just finished filming ‘Beast and the Beauty’. Her entrance instantly electrified the atmosphere in the room. Jennifer Thurman, the director, and all the staff flocked to her. Naturally, as one of the top-tier actresses in Hollywood, this was expected.

But she wasn’t the last.

“Oh- Miley’s here first, hello everyone. Haha, you all look happy.”

Following behind her was another top actor with alluring deep brown eyes. It was Chris Hartnett, who had just wrapped up filming ‘Pierrot’. With his arrival, the room exploded into excitement.

“Oooh! Chris, welcome!”

The meeting room instantly became lively. The reason two of Hollywood’s absolute top actors were there was simple. Miley Cara and Chris Hartnett were now confirmed as the dual leads of ‘Guest’. One of the ‘A8 Media’ staff, a freckled man, stood with his mouth agape at the scene unfolding before him.

‘…I expected this, but seeing it for real, my jaw won’t close. H-how did this happen??’

It was certain, ‘Guest’ had once been a doomed project on the verge of life support. And yet now? Not only did it have a famous director and top-tier production team, but even globally renowned stars Miley and Chris had joined. The freckled employee suddenly felt like he was dreaming.

‘Please, if this is a dream, don’t wake me up.’

Just then.

-Knock knock.

The sound of knocking echoed again as new figures entered the meeting room. The first to appear was a man with a ponytail. As soon as she saw him, Jennifer Thurman rushed over ahead of anyone else.

“CEO Choi Sung-gun!”

It was Choi Sung-gun, the main investor who had poured tens of billions of won into ‘Guest’. Smiling, Choi Sung-gun shook hands with Jennifer.

“Haha, looks like everyone is here.”

Behind Choi Sung-gun was a man wearing a black hoodie and a gray coat, his face filled with indifference.

“……”

It was the first time Jennifer Thurman had seen him in person, and she slightly parted her lips, taking a moment to gaze at his face.

‘…Kang Woojin.’

It was Kang Woojin, scheduled to make a special appearance in ‘Guest’.

Meanwhile.

Around the time Kang Woojin joined the members of ‘Guest’, ‘Columbia Studios’ released an official update about ‘Pierrot’ through their SNS.

-[……’Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ has completed its editing and testing without issue. We will now move forward with our bid for the ‘Academy Awards.’ ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ will be released in advance across various theaters in LA, with the release date confirmed as February 9.]

They had officially announced the advance release date of ‘Pierrot’ to the world.

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