I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 350: Return (2) - Edited
Chapter 350: Return (2)
Translator: Santos
With "Leech" winning the Palme d'Or and Best Actor awards, Kang Woo-jin was in the midst of the Cannes Film Festival after-party. Meanwhile, news of the astonishing Cannes results spread across various countries around the world.
From France to Japan to Hollywood, the excitement was simultaneous. It was customary for the Cannes Film Festival to stir up buzz after its conclusion, but this year’s festival had seen a far more extraordinary spectacle than usual. There were many highlights, and it was filled with unprecedented "firsts."
**“The 74th Cannes Film Festival concludes! Director Ahn Ga-bok and Best Actor Kang Woo-jin in the spotlight, Korean cinema has dropped a bombshell at Cannes!”**
Breaking a 20-year tradition by awarding two major awards to a single film, the first Palme d'Or and Best Actor award for Korea, Kang Woo-jin, just two years into his career, delivered an impressive acceptance speech in fluent French, along with a declaration aimed at Hollywood.
With such a significant event taking place, it was only natural for the global film industry to be captivated. Photos of director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin spread worldwide, especially as Kang Woo-jin's fame skyrocketed. His declaration about aiming for the Academy Award was not a small matter.
Moreover,
**“Kang Woo-jin, who collaborated with Miley Kara, set to release a new album on the 12th.”**
**“The Korean actor who participated in Miley Kara’s album project, Kang Woo-jin, wins Best Actor at Cannes.”**
As Kang Woo-jin's recognition increased, the buzz for Miley Kara’s new album, releasing in two days, also surged. Of course, Kara’s own popularity was already substantial, but now it had doubled.
Despite the global frenzy, Kang Woo-jin was too exhausted to care.
He was losing energy at the Cannes Film Festival’s after-party.
- **Vroom.**
- **Vroom.**
His phone buzzed incessantly with congratulatory messages, texts, and DMs flooding in. Dressed in a white tuxedo, Kang Woo-jin internally sighed.
“Ugh.”
He wore a solid expression while shaking hands with world-renowned figures but was groaning inwardly.
“I just want to get back to the hotel.”
He deeply regretted not bringing a script or a screenplay.
---
Meanwhile, in Korea, as dawn broke, the articles flooding in were astounding, but now that the majority of the public was awake, the buzz had multiplied exponentially.
Starting with nearly every broadcasting station's news coverage:
**“The film ‘Leech’ has become the first in Korea to win both the Palme d'Or and Best Actor award. Director Ahn Ga-bok celebrated his 100th film, while actor Kang Woo-jin has shocked the world just two years after his debut. Above all, this year, Cannes broke its long-standing tradition for ‘Leech.’ We’ll connect to the international department for detailed coverage. This is Song Jung-min reporting.”**
On radios blaring from rushing cars on the morning commute, on the phones of people on buses and subways, in major portal sites and various communities, on social media, everywhere was filled with the names of “Leech,” Kang Woo-jin, and director Ahn Ga-bok. Articles were being updated every second, and video platforms like YouTube were abuzz with Cannes content.
- **“Kang Woo-jin writes a new history at Cannes!!!”** | Daily Movie Watcher
- **“[Subtitles] The moment actor Kang Woo-jin won Best Actor at the 74th Cannes Film Festival & edited acceptance speech”** | News Girl
- **“‘Leech’ wins both the Palme d'Or and Best Actor for the first time in Korea! Moments from this year's Cannes Film Festival”** | Issue Monster S
- **“Kang Woo-jin gives an acceptance speech in fluent French? How is he so good at French??!”** | Movie Times
- **“The moment ‘Leech’ wins the Palme d'Or (feat. Kang Woo-jin interpreting)”** | Crazy Reporters
- **“Kang Woo-jin's impressive form winning Best Actor at Cannes just two years after his debut!! [Live Video]”** | The Man Who Reads Movies
---
Naturally, this buzz continued to rise well past breakfast and lunch into the late afternoon. It only expanded as time went on. Everywhere he looked, everyone was shouting the names of director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin. The media, public sentiment, the entertainment industry, corporations, and even the government had no quiet moment.
**“A trend is forming on social media where top actors are uploading congratulatory messages for director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin!”**
**“The President sends congratulations to ‘Cannes Award’ winners director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin, stating, ‘They have achieved something tremendous, affirming the originality of Korean cinema.’”**
Korea was boiling over with excitement. It was truly a festival.
**“Conglomerates eyeing ‘Leech,’ the advertising industry is already in a recruitment war.”**
As if Kang Woo-jin and the “Leech” team would be swarmed upon their return. At this moment, Kang Woo-jin in France,
“Hello, director Ahn Ga-bok. Kang Woo-jin here.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Hello.”
He was in a large studio. They were shooting an official interview video prepared by the Cannes Film Festival. All the staff were foreigners, including the hosts and dozens of reporters present. Unlike Korea, which was late in the afternoon, it was still morning in France, and Kang Woo-jin and the “Leech” team had a full day of interviews scheduled.
They would catch a flight back home early in the afternoon.
At this moment, Kang Woo-jin was internally wishing,
“Ah—I'm starting to crave Korea.”
In fact, he was beginning to find Cannes a bit dull.
---
### The 12th, Daytime. Japan.
While Korea was experiencing a surge in global attention due to the Cannes Film Festival, Japan, which had submitted two films in the Competition section, was shrouded in a somber atmosphere. The reason was simple.
**“Japan suffers defeat at Cannes Film Festival; despite submitting two films in the Competition section, it did not win any awards.”**
Japan hadn’t won any awards at Cannes this year. Certainly, when they had submitted two films in the Competition, the atmosphere had been positive, but now they were downcast, overshadowed by the enormous presence of “Leech.” The sentiment permeated the entertainment industry, film sector, media, and public opinion alike.
**“Korea has astonished the world, while Japan merely observed.”**
**“The Japanese film industry defeated by ‘Leech’—public criticism spreads on social media, ‘Learn from Korean cinema.’”**
**“Film critics state, ‘Japan's defeat to Korea was due to its lagging film production system.’”**
**“‘Quality over quantity’—‘Leech’ wins two major awards, while Japan returns empty-handed.”**
Simultaneously, Kang Woo-jin’s recognition surged exponentially in Japan as well.
**“Kang Woo-jin, who won Best Actor at Cannes, may return to Japan for the release of ‘The Invasive Parasite’ on the 12th.”**
**“Kang Woo-jin, who won Best Actor at Cannes just two years after his debut, sees explosive interest for ‘The Invasive Parasite’.”**
Of course, there were mixed feelings. While new fans flooded in due to the Cannes issue, many in the Japanese public were also vocal in their criticism of Kang Woo-jin.
---
A few hours later,
As Japan wallowed in feelings of defeat, Incheon Airport in Korea was buzzing with energy. The sheer number of people gathering was immense, creating a festival-like atmosphere.
It was around the arrival area.
A large number of guards and airport staff were lined up, creating a narrow path for two people to pass through. There were at least 30 of them. Surrounding them were hundreds of people.
“Watch out!!”
“Hey! Don’t push!”
“Who stepped on my foot just now?!”
“Come on! Keep your space!!”
“Hey!! Don’t come forward! You’re blocking the camera!”
These were reporters. They were all jostling with huge cameras, trying to move forward even a little bit. Naturally, there were many more onlookers than reporters. Among them were many of Kang Woo-jin’s fans, all holding their phones, ready to snap a picture as soon as someone appeared.
Outside the airport,
“Move quickly!!”
“How many minutes left??”
“10 minutes! He should be out in 10 minutes!”
“Run! Move it!!”
News teams from various domestic broadcasting stations were lined up. It was as if they were being chased, rushing towards the crowded interior of the airport.
At that moment,
- **Swish.**
The doors to the arrival area opened, revealing the much-anticipated figures. Immediately, the hundreds of reporters who had been shouting fell silent and began snapping photos like mad. The arrival area was instantly lit up with flashes, and the reporters were shouting all at once, making it impossible to decipher who was saying what.
And then,
“Whoa—so many people have come out.”
The first person to greet the reporters was director Ahn Ga-bok, who had short white hair. He held the Palme d'Or in his hand.
“Director!! Ahn director!!!”
“Hello, director!!”
“Congratulations!! Can we have a word about your feelings?!”
“Please raise the trophy for us!!”
“Ahn Ga-bok director
!!”
As soon as he appeared, director Ahn Ga-bok waved to the hundreds of reporters at the entrance of the arrival area. Behind him, the actors from “Leech” began to show themselves. The acclaimed actor Shim Han-ho, who was empty-handed but walked with dignity, O Hee-ryeong and Han So-jin with their arms crossed, and Jin Jae-jun followed.
- **Bang bang bang!**
Just like in Cannes, the media frenzy was overwhelming in Korea.
At that moment,
- **Swish.**
A man with a black cardigan, natural hair, and an unassuming face appeared last, right next to Jin Jae-jun.
“Whoa! Whoa!!!”
“He’s here! Over there!”
The sounds of shutters intensified. It was only natural.
“Kang Woo-jin! Kang Woo-jin!!!”
The final appearance was Kang Woo-jin.
With his arrival, the pieces of “Leech” were all assembled. Before long, a line was formed in the arrival area from director Ahn Ga-bok to Kang Woo-jin, with the gathered reporters and onlookers snapping pictures incessantly.
Visit frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ for the b𝘦st novel reading experience.
“Trophy! Director, Woo-jin! Please hold up your trophies!!!”
Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woo-jin raised their trophies, which had cemented their legendary status at Cannes, high above their heads. The reporters displayed a level of excitement bordering on frenzy.
- **Bang bang bang bang bang!**
It was a glorious homecoming.
---
### Simultaneously, in Tokyo, Japan.
In the large chairman's office of the "Kashihi Group," an old man in a suit could be seen sitting in an elegant chair. Yoshimura Hideki, whose eyebrows were flecked with gray but whose eyes exuded power, was watching a large TV directly in front of him.
“...Hmm.”
With his arms crossed, he released a sigh. Currently, chairman Hideki was watching the Japanese news being broadcast on the large screen.
The content was related to this year's Cannes.
Of course, Kang Woo-jin’s face appeared on screen. Leaning back into the sofa, Hideki let out a wrinkled smile.
“Wow, I never expected he would make such a mark on the world this quickly.”
He recalled the past when he had gathered for a wrap-up meeting after the filming of “The Symbiotic Leech.” At that time, he had been aware that they were aiming for Cannes with “Leech” and had some level of expectation. However, he never dreamed they would achieve a result capable of overturning the world.
“The Palme d'Or, the Best Actor award—the titles are splendid.”
Above all, Hideki was focused on Kang Woo-jin. He was currently the main investor in Kang Woo-jin’s agency, bw Entertainment. In other words, he was backing him.
“Have I ever seen such rapid results from my backing? Truly, for Kang Woo-jin, Korea and Japan are too small. He’s suited for the global stage.”
Although he had only met Kang Woo-jin recently, Hideki felt a strange sense of pride.
“Furthermore, to boldly declare his intent for the Academy Award without any hesitation in front of Hollywood's giants at such a monumental Cannes. He’s surpassed being just an eccentric.”
Kang Woo-jin’s audacious acceptance speech became a significant topic of discussion in Japan. His French skills were a bonus. With his chin resting on his hand, Hideki pondered.
“Next year—will it be possible for Kang Woo-jin to participate in the Academy Awards within a year from now?”
Excited anticipation and calculations swirled in his mind. By this point, it would be disappointing if Kang Woo-jin didn’t participate in the Academy Awards. However, it was clear there would be practical challenges. The Academy Awards were not something that could be approached with mere ambition or bravado; they were the most prestigious and authoritative film awards in the world.
- **Swish.**
As he pondered, Hideki pressed the intercom to summon his secretary. Soon, a neat-looking woman with her hair tied back entered the office. It was Tetsugawa Riri, the head secretary. As she greeted him quietly, Hideki crossed his legs on the sofa and spoke.
“Contact CEO Choi and tell him to prepare everything necessary for Kang Woo-jin’s entry into Hollywood next year.”
“Understood, Chairman.”
“Although Kang Woo-jin is already moving at an unbelievable speed, I need to push even harder to gain more momentum.”
Just as Riri picked up her tablet, Hideki turned his gaze back to the TV and changed the subject.
“By the way, what did Kang Woo-jin mean when he said he ‘has a house in LA’ during his acceptance speech?”
Riri, standing upright, answered immediately.
“I haven’t heard anything from CEO Choi. It seems Kang Woo-jin prepared that personally. I’ll look into that matter as well.”
“No, no. Hmm—my mistake. I should have mentioned the LA branch of bw Entertainment when discussing that. It’s probably too late to bring it up now.”
A hint of disappointment crossed Hideki's face as he whispered. He then tapped the armrest of the sofa with his index finger, and after about ten seconds, he met Riri’s gaze again and smiled faintly.
“If Kang Woo-jin has turned the world upside down, I can’t let my main backer give no gifts. Besides, ‘The Symbiotic Leech’ is about to be released.”
“Do you have something specific in mind?”
“Whether in Japan or LA, Kang Woo-jin must travel the world continuously from now on.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Standing up from the sofa with a determined expression, Hideki decisively declared.
“We need to provide Kang Woo-jin with a private jet.”
