I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 343: Closing (1) - Edited

Chapter 343: Closing (1)

Translator: Santos

*“...What? Mother?”*

*“She told me to call her that.”*

Furious, Yoon Ja-ho grabbed Kang Woo-jin by the collar. Woo-jin wore a mysterious smile.

*“She’ll be sad, my mother.”*

Yoon Ja-ho spoke like a true leech. He warned him not to step into the same world, not to get confused. Soon, Kang Woo-jin’s face filled the giant screen. He was looking at his reflection in the window of the first-floor living room of the grand mansion.

He was in the same space as Yoon Ja-ho.

Reflected in the window, Woo-jin had a faint smile. The image slowly grew larger. Then the angle quickly shifted. Instead of the reflection, the real Kang Woo-jin appeared. The one looking at Yoon Ja-ho.

The smile vanished.

His expression turned emotionless. And with it, deceit and trust.

*“We’re together, aren’t we?”*

At this moment, the 3,000 audience members filling the *Lumiere Theater* all understood.

That ‘Park Ha-sung’ was steeped in the Ripley syndrome.

The term “Ripley syndrome” had never been mentioned even once in *The Leech*. Yet everyone was aware of it. Soon, most of the audience glanced at Kang Woo-jin in the front row. The gap between the character they had seen earlier and the one in the film was absurd.

Among them, the ten official judges at the Cannes Film Festival could not tear their eyes away from the giant screen.

*‘He expresses emotions so freely with his eyes.’*

*‘The expression is stunning. It’s enough to convey the Ripley syndrome; has he really experienced it?’*

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*‘Acting??’*

*‘He’s either experienced or practiced like a madman. If he practiced to achieve that—how much time must he have devoted to it?’*

Compared to the beginning, Kang Woo-jin’s performance in *The Leech* shone brightly from the mid-point onwards. The attention that had once been on Shim Han-ho had completely flipped. The 3,000 audience members were engrossed in ‘Park Ha-sung’ from *The Leech*.

It wasn’t clear exactly when that happened.

As they became absorbed in the film, at some point, they were all looking solely at Kang Woo-jin. However, his acting felt less like acting. Even Miley Cara, who sat with her mouth covered, watching the enormous screen.

*‘This is chilling. And frightening.’*

All the audience shared a common, distinct thought.

This film doesn’t feel like a film.

It was not that the quality of the work was lacking. Rather, the quality of *The Leech* surpassed expectations. However, among the actors leading *The Leech*, Kang Woo-jin’s performance was far too realistic.

*‘It feels like a documentary...’*

*Kang Woo-jin’s acting is so vivid. Isn’t this a movie? Why does it feel like I’m watching a documentary?’*

*‘It feels like I’m observing real people; how can he deliver such acting?’*

As a result, *The Leech* was transcending the category of film. It was akin to portraying the real Park Ha-sung entering the conglomerate and experiencing the Ripley syndrome.

As time passed, the feeling only intensified.

The *Lumiere Theater* filled with a sticky, unpleasant hot air. The acting of one actor was disrupting the breathing of 3,000 audience members.

Before long, in the later part of the film.

As the audience held their breath and watched the screen, Kang Woo-jin’s tension in *The Leech* had already shifted from the beginning. He was an entirely different person. Though he wore layers of lies, he was living the truth.

*“Don’t laugh before you shove that cigarette in your mouth.”*

*“Hyung.”*

*“What the hell? Hyung??!”*

His sincerity was palpable. Kang Woo-jin remained calm and composed.

*“Why are you so wary of me?”*

*“You’re wary of yourself? You’ve lost your mind.”*

*“Ah—Is that so? I think I understand.”*

And he was free-spirited. There was no one left in the film to stop him. On the giant screen, Kang Woo-jin was reflected against a family photo frame. The truth, having forgotten the lies, filled that frame.

Danny Landis, who had been pondering with his chin resting on his hand, felt admiration inside.

*‘This cut is spectacular.’*

The direction was remarkable, but it was the actor’s expression filling the screen that was jaw-droppingly impressive.

*‘This is the clearest proof of him confirming he’s become a monster, rationalizing himself with another lie, even with the obvious lies in front of him. He expressed that with just a gaze and a line of dialogue. The real monster is that actor.’*

The ten judges, Cara, and the other audience members couldn’t help but gasp at this point. Even the *Leech* team in the front row was watching the completed film with stiff postures, including the serious-faced Kang Woo-jin.

However, he was internally reacting in stark contrast to the solemn atmosphere.

*‘Wow, my face is huge on the screen.’*

He felt a little embarrassed seeing his massive face projected on the giant screen. Yet, no one noticed the essence of Kang Woo-jin. Many cast curious glances, but Woo-jin’s persona remained impenetrably solid.

Soon, *The Leech* reached its conclusion.

The monster he had become had to kill the truth to maintain the facade. The only one capable of disseminating ‘Park Ha-sung’s’ lies, while simultaneously being the one who believed and cherished him the most, was the mistress, Yoo Hyun-ji.

*“I’m confused about who I am.”*

However, ‘Yoo Hyun-ji’ was both the truth and the medium that could turn ‘Park Ha-sung’s’ lies into reality. It was as if he had drawn his own neck.

*“So I’m going to check.”*

‘Park Ha-sung’ severed the connection to reality. The place he found himself in was the living room sofa of the mansion. This scene was the only reality for ‘Park Ha-sung.’

Soon, the angle pulled back as Kang Woo-jin’s narration echoed throughout the theater again.

*“At first, it was envy. I wanted to have your world. But now I really can’t find myself. I think I forgot on the way. It will be hard to find.”*

The giant screen fell into darkness.

Then—

-♬♪

With strange film music, the ending credits began to roll. The roughly two-hour *The Leech* had concluded. Simultaneously, an abrupt thunderous applause erupted throughout the theater.

-????????????????????????????

As soon as the film ended, all 3,000 audience members stood and applauded.

A standing ovation.

Hollywood titan Danny Landis, Miley Cara, the ten judges, Joseph and Megan, and everyone else showered genuine praise on the *Leech* team.

-????????????????????????????

Kang Woo-jin was a bit startled.

*‘Whoa—what a surprise.’*

He had never experienced such a moment before. Especially here in Cannes, and the ones giving the standing ovation were thousands of foreign strangers he had never seen before. Watching this unfold, Woo-jin felt a mix of astonishment and involuntarily shivers.

*‘This is surreal.’*

The grand *Lumiere Theater* transformed from a quiet place into a scene of frenzy. The heat showed no sign of cooling down. Inside, Kang Woo-jin thought the spectacle was bizarre. It was a completely different atmosphere from the Japanese film presented on the first day.

*‘Did the first day’s films have this kind of reaction?? Well, there was applause, but it wasn’t this wild, was it?’*

Though he didn’t know Cannes well, he knew that on the first day, there had been no standing ovation. Among the 3,000 audience members giving a standing ovation, Joseph asked his stunt team and executives from Universal Movies.

“What did you think?”

They had already witnessed the long takes of *The Beneficial Evil*, and had heard that Kang Woo-jin would be showcasing method acting. Therefore, their expectations were high. Yet, not a single person showed signs of disappointment.

“It was fantastic. Just as you said, Kang Woo-jin’s ‘action’ acting was merely one of his abilities.”

“The main feature was that it was like bringing the real person to life through method acting.”

“To be honest, the long take from *The Beneficial Evil* feels a bit pale now. That shows how absurd his acting was.”

At this moment, a man with a partially balding head and round glasses approached Kang Woo-jin sitting in the front row.

“It was a work that made me forget time for a while.”

It was Hollywood titan Danny Landis.

“And your performance was very impressive, leaving a lasting impression.”

Director Ang Kabok’s eyes widened. The surrounding actors and audience were also buzzing with surprise.

“That, that Danny director praised his acting.”

“I’ve heard he’s notoriously critical in Hollywood, right??”

Danny Landis’ previously invisible persona was now on full display. On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin maintained a stiff expression but whispered to himself internally. There was no excitement.

*‘What’s up with me? Am I becoming popular with the older generation??’*

---

**Afterwards.**

After the screening of *The Leech*, the *Lumiere Theater* remained noisy for

a while. The 3,000 audience members did not leave immediately and crowded around the *Leech* team, including Kang Woo-jin, to gawk.

This went on for about 30 minutes.

For those 30 minutes, the *Leech* team was bombarded with interviews and photo opportunities. Of course, Kang Woo-jin received the most questions and posed for the most photographs. Although they finally managed to extricate themselves, the crowd’s enthusiasm showed no signs of abating.

“That was the best!”

“It was truly a memorable film!”

Prominent figures from various countries swarmed the *Leech* team. Once again, the spotlight was most on Kang Woo-jin.

His popularity exploded.

Acting-related, sign language-related, French-related questions, and many more were hurled at him, but Kang Woo-jin remained calm and collected, responding appropriately. It was thanks to his cultivated persona. Meanwhile, Danny Landis, Cara, Joseph, and Megan also exchanged brief greetings with the *Leech* team.

Due to the theater's chaos, there was no time for lengthy conversations.

Finally, it was the ten official judges of the Cannes Film Festival. However, since they were judges, they couldn’t delve into detailed evaluations or deep questions. All that remained were brief greetings.

As they exited the theater, the judges appeared deep in thought.

*“Hmmm—”*

*“......”*

Their expressions were heavy with contemplation. They had to make many decisions before the awards ceremony the next day, and the recently viewed *The Leech* provided them with ample food for thought.

In various ways, about an hour passed.

At around 10 PM, Kang Woo-jin returned to his hotel room.

*“Ugh— I’m exhausted.”*

Without even removing his suit, he flopped onto the bed. Of course, before entering the room, he had encountered Choi Seong-geon, who had thrown several questions his way. He had heard the rumors. The fact that Kang Woo-jin had spoken French fluently. Well, it didn’t become a major issue.

Choi Seong-geon had already accepted everything.

Soon, Kang Woo-jin let out a long sigh. He felt as though a whirlwind of events had passed by without him being fully present. Laying his face into the bed, he recalled the events from a few hours ago. Although he had experienced it firsthand, it felt unreal.

*“With 3,000 people like this, it’ll be even crazier during the awards ceremony.”*

He was referring to the closing and awards ceremony. Thousands would flock to it, so that was only natural. Regardless, this concluded the official schedule for *The Leech*. Now, aside from minor interviews and events leading up to the few remaining days until the closing and awards ceremony, Kang Woo-jin was generally free.

At this point, he recalled the face of Director Danny. No, specifically, the last words he had said.

*“Let’s meet soon to talk in detail.”*

Woo-jin tilted his head.

*“About what?”*

---

**Two days later, the 4th. South Korea.**

While the festival in Cannes was in full swing, the fifth day was already beginning. Of course, things related to Kang Woo-jin were smoothly progressing back in Korea. For instance, regarding *The Beneficial Evil*. Producer Song Man-woo and Netflix Korea’s General Director Kim So-hyang had gathered at DM Productions.

Kim So-hyang was the first to speak.

“Director, it’s confirmed. We’re moving up the launch schedule for *The Beneficial Evil*.”

“Will it proceed without any hitches?”

“Of course. Whether it’s this year or early next year, moving the schedule up is no problem. However, it is necessary to set a launch date in advance to plan accordingly.”

“That’s only natural.”

Then, Kim So-hyang smiled at Producer Song Man-woo.

“Focus on episodes 1 to 6 for Part 1. Currently, it’s best for the launch to be as soon as possible.”

---

Meanwhile, numerous issues were erupting in the Korean media. Among them, an article prominently appearing since this morning caught the eye.

*『[Cannes Film Festival] The closing and awards ceremony will be available for viewing on October 10 at 7 PM local time, which translates to 3 AM in Korea... Live streaming confirmed on YouTube!』*

The closing and awards ceremony in Cannes would be broadcast live.