I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 335: Cannes (1) - Edited
Chapter 335: Cannes (1)
Translator: Santos
Kang Woojin confirmed the news that Director Ahn Gabok had boarded a flight to attend the Cannes Film Festival. Of course, this was in Bangkok. Early in the morning, as he traveled in a car for the filming of *The Beneficial Evil*.
‘So, Director Ahn has left.’
Today was Friday, the 24th. Seeing the news about Ahn Gabok's departure rekindled the tension he had forgotten.
‘There aren’t many days left for me, either?? Phew—now that it’s time to go, I’m getting a bit nervous.’
What would the grand Cannes Film Festival, a festival of global filmmakers, actually be like? He had seen it in pictures or YouTube videos, but it would undoubtedly be worlds apart from experiencing it in person.
‘Just like reading a script with my eyes is different from experiencing it in the spatial realm.’
Kang Woojin's official schedule in Bangkok was set until September 30. Of course, it could fluctuate by a day or two depending on the filming situation. Regardless, the overseas location shooting for *The Beneficial Evil* was planned from the end of September to the beginning of October, and afterward, Woojin would have to board a plane to France for the Cannes Film Festival.
The official opening of the Cannes Film Festival was on the 30th.
From then on, events, including the screening of invited films, would run until October 10, with the awards ceremony and grand closing ceremony scheduled for the 11th. For invited films and the many actors involved, this closing ceremony was the main event.
Naturally, it was for Kang Woojin too.
With a facade of confidence, Woojin maintained his rising tension while browsing various search sites worldwide, including nearby Japan and Hollywood, as well as France. He focused on countries where he understood the language.
Ultimately, he thought,
‘Wow, Cannes is truly incredible!’
No matter the country, everyone was buzzing about the Cannes Film Festival. French media had already dispatched correspondents to cover the event and were churning out articles. He also saw reports that many stars and celebrities had already arrived in Cannes. There were plenty of overseas stars that Woojin recognized. Although only about 30% had arrived, the current state was already astounding.
‘Wow—so this crowd is all here because of Cannes?’
A phrase stating that tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of spectators would flock to the festival caught his eye. Kang Woojin imagined himself at that moment, moving his fingers to check domestic reactions. Last week, when *The Leech* had been selected as the sole Korean film in the main ‘Competition’ section of the Cannes Film Festival, domestic media and public opinion had ignited instantly.
It was the only Korean work in the ‘Competition’ section.
It was even introduced on several public news broadcasts.
The excitement remained high, even a week later, and as soon as Director Ahn boarded the flight to France, the sparks ignited even more intensely.
Domestic media were simultaneously releasing articles. It was likely because most outlets had been eagerly waiting for this news.
*‘*The Leech* enters the competition section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival... Will director Ahn Gabok, visiting Cannes for the fifth time, be able to take home an award this year?’*
*‘[Global] *The Leech*, the only Korean film confirmed in the competition section, will *The Leech* led by Sim Han-ho and Kang Woojin finally win an award for Korean cinema?’*
That’s why the excitement was palpable.
*‘The legendary director Ahn Gabok of the Korean film industry, competing for the Golden Palm with renowned directors from around the world!/ Photo’*
The articles appearing on Woojin's phone were updated every second. Various media outlets were celebrating this achievement. Of course, many questions and curiosities also erupted.
*‘[Issue Pick] Seven awards in the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival, Kang Woojin, who swept last year’s domestic film awards with over eight awards... What are the chances for the Best Actor?’*
*‘[Film Festival] Sim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryeong, and Kang Woojin will engage in a fierce competition with the world’s top actors.’*
Overall, they were praising and cheering for *The Leech*’s entry into the ‘Competition’ section.
*‘Director Ahn Gabok departs for Cannes today, while Sim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryeong are scheduled to board their flights soon... When will Kang Woojin, who is in Bangkok, depart?’*
*‘[Photo] After Ahn Gabok, Jin Jae-jun also appeared at Incheon Airport!/ Photo’*
At this point, Woojin couldn’t help but be curious about public sentiment. He casually checked the comments on the articles.
The public was equally enthusiastic.
- ???????? *The Leech!! Fighting!!*
- While you’re at it, I hope you make a huge scene!!! ????????????
- But seriously, Kang Woojin ???????? It’s crazy that he’s going to the Cannes Film Festival just two years after his debut! ????????????
- Korea’s representative team: Sim Han-ho, Oh Hee-ryeong, Kang Woojin, Jin Jae-jun—what a lineup!
Kang Woojin’s name appeared frequently. Seeing his name mentioned repeatedly made him smile internally.
‘Representative, huh? Not bad.’
Naturally, the name value of *The Leech*’s cast was skyrocketing. They were already influential figures, but with this Cannes Film Festival, their recognition had multiplied.
Especially Kang Woojin.
*‘[Issue Check] “Korea’s first!” Kang Woojin, just two years into his career, confidently enters Cannes with an unparalleled path!’*
While veteran actors like Sim Han-ho and Oh Hee-ryeong had experience and a wealth of accomplishments at Cannes, it was nothing short of remarkable for Kang Woojin, who was only in his second year of debut.
*‘“The fourth time for Sim Han-ho at Cannes” is impressive, but “the legend being written” by Kang Woojin is even more powerful... Netizens are saying, “Kang Woojin is a true legend.”’*
Any mention of him was groundbreaking. No other Korean actor had walked the path Kang Woojin was treading. This led the media and public opinion to erupt with excitement.
During times like this, Korea rallies together.
- **Wow!!! National pride is rising!! I hope *The Leech* and Kang Woojin sweep Cannes!!**
- **Lol, we can’t even lose at rock-paper-scissors to Japan! ????????????**
- **ㅠㅠ When *The Leech* was announced last, I was thrilled...**
- **After sweeping the domestic film festival last year, this year’s entry into Cannes? This is crazy, but with Kang Woojin... well, I’ll acknowledge that.**
Meanwhile, the Japanese media, with two films in the ‘Competition’ section at the Cannes Film Festival, were also consuming Kang Woojin’s name with fervor.
*‘“Japan with two films in the Cannes Film Festival” and Korea with one film, *The Mysterious Host* also making it to Cannes.’*
They were creating a competitive landscape.
---
Afterward.
Kang Woojin was back to filming *The Beneficial Evil*. After the long take scene that the entire staff had poured their hearts into days before, the organized *The Beneficial Evil* team began full-fledged cut filming.
This meant they started to rapidly check off the filming schedule.
In reality, films and dramas cannot be shot in sequential order according to the script or screenplay, but during overseas location shoots, where time is limited, filming in a somewhat sequential manner is common.
“Action!!”
Still, even within this Bangkok shoot, the scenes were jumbled. Currently, Kang Woojin was filming in a large mansion deep in the forest, quite far from downtown Bangkok.
*Bang bang bang bang!!*
This was for the first appearance scene of ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ in *The Beneficial Evil*, along with the content about his disappearance. In this scene, several Thai actors were also involved, using guns, knives, and explosions, but it wasn’t shot continuously like the long take.
Additionally—
“Cut!! OK! This time, we’ll go with Woojin’s angle!”
“Change the flower bed! Change the flower bed!!”
Although they had secured the mansion for filming, they were only capturing the overall footage and needed to avoid causing damage. Therefore, they were filming in a similar yard created in the nearby forest.
“Cut cut cut!! OOK!!”
The same scene was filmed from various angles and perspectives. Kang Woojin’s actions and martial arts shone through, but the aura of Miley Kara, who had been brought in days before, also drew considerable attention. Even though it wasn’t her work, she dedicated herself to the filming of *The Beneficial Evil*, showcasing her skills that were already flying high in Hollywood.
For Choi Seong-geon, with a ponytail, watching this was a moment of deep emotion.
‘Woojin—our Woojin appearing in the same frame as Miley Kara would come so soon... even while watching, it doesn’t feel real.’
Interestingly, this sentiment was shared among the over a hundred staff members of *The Beneficial Evil*.
“Wow... a two-shot with Woojin and Miley Kara—this is insane.”
“But doesn’t Woojin and Kara seem to match really well? They look super close.”
“She worked on an album together, and Kara even appeared on Woojin’s YouTube.”
“No, just the fact that Miley Kara is being captured by our camera feels like a dream to me.”
“I’m dying to comment
—people will seriously faint when they see this angle.”
And that night.
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As the overseas location shooting of *The Beneficial Evil* approached the midway point, Joseph, Megan, and the foreign crew who had come over from Hollywood met with Kang Woojin. There were no serious discussions. It was just simple greetings.
“Hello, we work for Universal Movies.”
“Yes, hello. I’m Kang Woojin.”
“We’re the stunt team. We were really impressed by your long take scenes.”
“Thank you.”
The scent of miscommunication wafted in the air.
“Overall, the action was incredible. Your ‘martial arts’ and ‘CQC’ were beyond top-notch. I heard you came from special forces.”
Kang Woojin glanced at the large-nosed Ethan among the group of foreigners. So he’s the host for this misunderstanding. However, he remained unfazed, as he was used to such scenes.
In moments like this, silence was the answer.
“...”
Sure enough, they misunderstood Woojin’s stiff silence.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry; you don’t have to say anything if it’s a sensitive matter.”
“Sure.”
“I’m looking forward to Cannes; I want to see your work first. See you in Cannes.”
That was generally the gist of the conversations. However, Joseph, the well-known Hollywood producer, quietly threw out a proposal to Woojin.
“This team is made up of people involved in a movie I’m preparing; I wanted to show them Kang Woojin. Of course, I was curious about your action too.”
“Is that so?”
“Haha, really—every time I see you, you surpass my expectations. The energy I saw in *Last Kill 3* now feels like child’s play. Woojin, I’m planning to give you a leading role. That plan will probably come to fruition at Cannes. Many heavyweights will definitely be eyeing you, but once I finish the script for the project I’m preparing, will you be the first to take a look?”
Joseph and Megan had shown tremendous dedication to Kang Woojin. They had appeared everywhere, from Korea to Japan to Bangkok. Woojin was well aware of this.
“Yes, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
The giant Joseph didn’t lose his smile.
“I look forward to the day we create a work together.”
The next morning, on the 25th, Joseph’s team left Bangkok. Not for Hollywood, but for Cannes, France.
Later that afternoon.
*Bang bang!!*
Miley Kara was shot in the abdomen inside a specially modified car.
“Ugh!”
Content-wise, the car should have been speeding along, but the special vehicle occupied by Kang Woojin, Kara, and the camera was only pretending to gain speed. However, due to the vibration device attached to the wheels, intense shaking was convincingly portrayed. The van shook violently.
*Crash!!*
A bullet struck, shattering the front window. They were ambushed while escaping, and as Woojin gritted his teeth while driving, he pressed his hand against Kara’s abdomen.
“Stop the bleeding!”
The blonde Kara, gradually losing color in her face, shakily raised her hand to stroke Woojin's forearm. She didn’t seem to care about the blood gushing out.
“J, I was so happy to find you.”
“Shut up and stop the bleeding!”
“What a pity. I wanted to enjoy a little more time with you. Please handle the aftermath. The money you’ll receive is yours.”
“Shut your mouth!”
“Don’t live foolishly, J. Just do what you’re supposed to do. You’re better suited to being more wicked than evil.”
The car shook even more violently. The camera captured Kara's blue eyes as she dropped her hand from Woojin's forearm, glancing out the window.
“I’ll take your guilt with me.”
She lowered her head. However, the intense vibrations of the car continued. After several seconds of silence, the shout from PD Song Man-woo through a megaphone echoed.
“CUT!! OOOK!!!”
Miley Kara’s role in *The Beneficial Evil* ended here.
Kang Woojin greeted her quietly in English.
“Thank you for your hard work and for participating in the shoot.”
Kara shook her head and shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“I had fun. I’m looking forward to the premiere of *The Beneficial Evil*!”
About an hour later, after saying decent farewells to the filming team, except for PD Song Man-woo, Miley Kara planned to take a late-night flight. Of course, her destination was Cannes, France, like Joseph and Megan. Just before she left the set, Kara called out to Woojin.
“Here.”
*Swish.*
Standing in front of the van, Kara brushed back her blonde hair and handed Woojin a keycard.
“I wanted to give it to you personally. It’s the key to your house I prepared in LA.”
Even with a stoic face, receiving the key, Woojin responded.
“...Thank you.”
“Hmm? No, this is something I should give you.”
Internally, he was filled with excitement.
‘Is this, the key to that mansion?! Do I really have a house in LA?? For real??!’
Of course, Kara had no way of knowing this.
“Isn’t it something you like? Anyway, see you at Cannes.”
---
A few days later, on Friday, September 29. In Japan.
A large movie theater in Tokyo was packed with numerous audience members watching a film. Upon closer inspection, the audience members were all holding cameras in one hand. The reason was simple. The hundreds of people crammed into the audience were all Japanese journalists, with film critics mixed in among them.
In front of the large screen, an advertisement board had been set up.
*‘First Press Screening’*
It appeared to be a press screening for a film about to be released.
The peculiar thing was—
“...”
“...”
The eyes of all the journalists watching the large screen were wide open, filled with shock. At that moment—
*♬♪*
A grand film score filled the entire theater, and on the large screen, the film title appeared in Japanese.
*‘The Strange Sacrifice of an Outsider’*
The names of the cast began to roll up in the ending credits. The first name was one Woojin was familiar with.
*‘Kang Woojin as Kiyoshi Iota’*
*‘Mana Kosaku as Mochio Yoshizawa’*
*‘Mifuyu Uramatsu as Amie Hori-nochi’*
·
·
·
Suddenly, a journalist sitting near the center of the hundreds of reporters pushed up his high-powered glasses, keeping his gaze fixed on the screen, and murmured.
“What, what? Is this the ending?”
