I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

Romain Ducre, a French actor. He was referred to as a national actor of France and was a top actor. He was frequently invited as a nominee for the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival, and was also quite a familiar face at the Academy Awards. With an angular face and a generally fierce impression. He mainly worked in France but was also occasionally active in Hollywood.

This Romain Ducre had become a member of the Academy Awards jury about two years ago.

The Academy Awards selects new members each year from directors, actors, producers, key staff, and others. Since the Academy Awards are so globally prestigious, being selected as a member was a tremendous honor for anyone. After all, wouldn’t you be able to select the best of the year with your own hands?

Therefore, the top actor of France, Romain Ducre, had let out an overjoyed cheer two years ago.

And today, Romain Ducre, as one of the members of the Academy Awards, was watching a film alone at a rented studio. He had many works to review, and the movie currently playing on the monitor was.

-[“Hehehe! Kekeke, hahahaha!”]

The heartily laughing ‘Joker’ appeared. In other words, what he was watching was ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’. About an hour had already passed, and the expression on Romain Ducre’s face, with his legs crossed as he watched ‘Pierrot’, was full of deep shock.

“……That actor, Kang Woojin-”

Though the quality of ‘Pierrot’ itself was noteworthy, what shocked the top actor of France was indeed.

“He has grown several times more, he’s become a monster.”

Because of the male lead in ‘Pierrot’, Kang Woojin. In fact, Romain Ducre already knew about Kang Woojin. Woojin was quite the global sensation, but the first time he had seen Kang Woojin was at the Cannes Film Festival. There, Woojin had achieved a miracle by winning the Best Actor Award, and Ducre had been freshly shocked after watching ‘Leech’.

Perhaps for that reason, Kang Woojin felt familiar to Romain Ducre.

He usually kept track of news articles about Woojin, who was making waves in Hollywood. Therefore, when the nominated works for this year’s Academy Awards arrived, Romain Ducre had played ‘Pierrot’ first without hesitation.

And within just 10 minutes, his mouth dropped open, and by an hour in, he felt a sense of wonder.

“Even in ‘Leech’ he was unbelievably good, but he’s grown even more since then?”

The ‘Joker’ portrayed by Kang Woojin exceeded the level of a monster. Compared to his role in ‘Leech’, his performance had developed in depth and density. The problem was, Kang Woojin at the Cannes Film Festival was already a monster. The monster had amplified his destructive power. The more the story of ‘Pierrot’ progressed, the more immersed Romain Ducre became in the film’s charm and Kang Woojin’s performance.

“‘Pierrot’ encapsulates all human emotions, joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, and even leaves a message and aftertaste for society.”

At a glance, ‘Pierrot’ had a bit of a hero-film, cinematic universe, killing-time image, but once opened, it was completely different. After ‘Pierrot’ ended, Romain Ducre was nearly clapping by himself.

-Clap clap clap clap.

Without realizing it, he muttered to himself.

“Amazing, how long has it been since I watched a movie with such focus?”

It had the power to completely hold the viewer without letting them think of anything else for even one second. ‘Pierrot’ was packed with that power. Even after the movie ended, Romain Ducre stared at the black screen for several minutes. Because Kang Woojin’s performance kept resurfacing in his mind. Finally coming to his senses with difficulty, Romain Ducre played another movie. This time, it was a work by a veteran Hollywood actor.

But.

“……Oh no.”

After 30 minutes had passed, he could tell.

“I can’t concentrate. I can’t even see the acting.”

That his head was filled entirely with Kang Woojin.

The strange thing was, Romain Ducre wasn’t the only one experiencing this phenomenon. Around the same time, members of the Academy Awards all over the world started their screenings with ‘Pierrot’, just like Ducre. The reason was simple. The buzz it had accumulated and its current hotness were the most outstanding.

And almost all the members soon regretted it.

Because Kang Woojin’s ‘Joker’ was.

“I should’ve watched ‘Pierrot’ last.”

Overwhelmingly intense.

March 4th.

Around noon, with the sun blazing. A quiet road, located quite a distance from Downtown LA. And there, suddenly.

-Vrooooom!!

A worn-out gray pickup truck roared into view, blasting its exhaust. Though there weren’t many cars on the road, the pickup was racing down the street fiercely. The reason soon became clear.

-Vroooom!!

Following behind the pickup, a line of sleek black vans appeared. Compared to the rough-looking pickup, the black vans had a much more refined, upscale appearance. Judging by the speed, it was clear the three black vans were chasing the pickup. One of the black vans caught up first. It closed in on the pickup’s trunk.

-Vrooom!!!

The pickup accelerated even more. The black van quickly caught up. And eventually.

-Bang!!

The van rammed into the pickup, targeting the trunk. The wobbling pickup truck spun around. As the pickup truck got closer to the black van, suddenly.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three gunshots rang out. The driver’s side window shattered. Of course, it was the black van’s. Inside, a man in a suit had slammed his head into the steering wheel. The van, now sliding helplessly, veered off the road.

-Thud!!

It disappeared over a cliff. The pickup barely managed to regain balance. Behind the wheel, with a blank expression, was Kang Woojin, turning the steering wheel like a madman. He glanced at the rearview mirror. Then stepped on the accelerator harder. The chase resumed. Another black van overtook him. Woojin slammed on the brakes.

-Screeeeech!

He fired at the black van that had suddenly moved ahead. His target was the rear tire. The van wobbled for a moment, then flipped spectacularly. There was a loud crash, but Woojin’s blank expression didn’t change. He drove on. But this time.

-Smash!!

The remaining black van was faster than Woojin. It rammed hard into the rear of the pickup at high speed. Woojin quickly turned the wheel, but the pickup was in bad shape to begin with.

-Screech screech screech screech!!

It lost balance, rolled over twice, and came to a stop upside down. Silence fell around the road. The black van came to a stop nearby. The pickup, now covered in dust, didn’t move. Three men in suits got out of the black van. Holding pistols, they exchanged glances.

-Slide.

They approached the pickup. They had to confirm whether he was alive or dead. When they were about three steps away.

“Hey! To the side!!”

A shout hit the lead man. Realizing it, he quickly turned his head and gun. Too late. Covered in dust, Kang Woojin.

-Whoosh!

Struck the man’s neck.

“Eeek!”

Twisting the gun-wielding man’s arm behind his back, Woojin fired twice. Bang bang! One of the men in a suit behind fell with a thud. His head and face had been blown apart. The remaining man fired frantically at Woojin. But all the bullets hit the back of his own comrade.

Using the limp body as a shield.

-Swoosh!

Woojin charged at the remaining man. Gunfire continued. All missed. Woojin shoved the corpse toward the man. He dodged sideways. Woojin moved the same way. The gun extended. But Woojin was faster. Grabbing both the gun and the man’s hand, he kicked him in the groin.

“Ugh!!”

As the strength left him, Woojin twisted the man’s wrist. The gun now pointed at its owner.

-Bang bang!

The man collapsed, his head destroyed. Three were eliminated in an instant. Yet Woojin, without a single pant.

“……”

Calmly wiped the blood from his face and searched through the men’s belongings. Expressionlessly. After collecting their phones and such, Woojin climbed into the undamaged black van parked ahead. The van pulled away. But the camera didn’t move.

Just then.

-Kaboooom!!

The overturned pickup truck exploded.

Still about 10 seconds of silence.

“……Cut!!”

Among the hundreds of crew members, Danny Landis, the director of ‘John Persona’, sprang to his feet.

“OOOK!!”

A wide smile of satisfaction spread across his face. Soon, dozens of crew members rushed in to deal with the burning vehicle. Kang Woojin, who played the male lead role of ‘John Owen’, also returned. Director Danny Landis immediately gave feedback to Woojin.

“The action was absolutely top-notch, better than perfect, but maybe the explosion was a bit underwhelming?”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, let’s amp up the firepower and go again.”

“Yes, understood.”

Although Kang Woojin responded solemnly, he was actually quite shocked on the inside.

‘Damn, as expected of Hollywood! They’re filming another car explosion?? That means they’re going to wreck those BNW cars too??!’

Soon, Woojin moved toward the staff for a makeup retouch. Director Danny Landis, who silently watched Woojin’s retreating figure, remained still. Even to him, a Hollywood heavyweight.

‘We asked for restrained and understated action, but he delivers it with a cold, dry style while still packing a punch.’

Kang Woojin wasn’t just unique, he was like an alien being.

‘There are very few who can deliver this level of action quality in Hollywood, and on top of that, he portrays the character’s mental issues with great depth. Seeing it in person, it’s absurdly good.’

Naturally, the surrounding staff were also busy heaping praise on Woojin’s action and acting. At this point, the towering Joseph Felton approached Director Danny Landis.

“Director, what do you think of Kang Woojin’s ‘John Owen’?”

He wasn’t asking about the script reading, but about Woojin on set. In response, Director Landis took off his round glasses and answered quietly. His tone carried deep sincerity.

“The word ‘dominate’ fits him perfectly. Controlled action, gunplay. And yet, his body is so agile…”

He trailed off, meeting Joseph’s gaze.

“You saw what happened with ‘Pierrot’, right? Like the Joker, Kang Woojin is the character itself. ‘John Owen’ of ‘John Persona’ will be the same.”

“Yes, even from a brief look, it gave me chills.”

“‘John Persona’ is being planned as a series, right? Then we need to begin work immediately to secure Kang Woojin for the entire series.”

With absolute conviction, the Hollywood giant Danny Landis made a declaration.

“If he agrees, I’ll direct the entire ‘John Persona’ series.”

Later.

With the beginning of March, Kang Woojin officially began filming for ‘John Persona’. And Hollywood’s March was.

『CNM / Kang Woojin kicks off filming for Universal Movies’ new title ‘John Persona’!』

『LA TIME / Kang Woojin begins shooting ‘John Persona’, new film from one of Hollywood’s Big Five, Universal Movies – photos spread via SNS』

It was a veritable storm of headlines.

『ABY / Kang Woojin’s girlfriend Miley Cara and Chris Hartnett set for script reading of ‘Guest’』

Issues that had been building up or recently exploded were now blossoming or growing as major talking points. Naturally, the increased presence of paparazzi trailing Woojin and Miley Cara helped fuel this. All the photos taken were sold to media outlets.

『NT / Kang Woojin and Miley Cara spotted on a date at a restaurant! / Photos』

Moreover, even other Hollywood figures, excluding Woojin, joined the fray, and lately, Hollywood was experiencing an unprecedented boom in hot topics.

『ABY / Veteran actor Ethan Ford throws sharp criticism at Kang Woojin: “I acknowledge his talent, but he lacks humility.”』

Time flew, each day disappearing in an instant.

Kang Woojin, of course, along with all the works and people related to him, did what they had to do. And they kept doing it. Just as people’s clothing began to lighten, the schedule drew near and the Academy Awards made an announcement.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) confirmed two things.

The first:

『LA TIME / AMPAS begins official nominee selection for the Academy Awards, “Nominee announcement will be broadcast live on April 3”』

That the official nominees, films and actors, would be announced live on April 3.

The second:

-[……Our ‘Academy Awards’ will grandly open on April 24.]

The world’s most prestigious awards ceremony, where ‘Pierrot’ had confidently thrown its hat into the ring, would kick off on April 24.

In other words, lineup announcement on April 3, opening ceremony on April 24.

Both within April. And upon seeing this announcement, Kang Woojin appeared calm on the outside, but internally he was brimming with tension.

‘Ugh- damn it, just get nominated! Then at least I’ve saved face!’

But for now, it was still March, so he had to focus on shooting ‘John Persona’.

March passed in the blink of an eye.

『[Hollywood] April starts! Just two days until the April 3 Academy Awards official nominee announcement. Hollywood is on edge.』

April had begun.

『[Issue Chat] With pre-release rave reviews for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, will Kang Woojin’s name be called at the Academy Awards?』

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TL Note: Hi, this novel is now complete on Patreon. I will post new chapters daily for free readers, but if you wish, you can read all of it on my Patreon.

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