I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 361: Chain (10) - Edited
Chapter 361: Chain (10)
Translator: Santos
The bald man in his sixties, among the group of foreigners, had just stated to director Ahn Gabok that they wanted to entrust him with the megaphone for their film. This was essentially a request for him to direct.
Sitting across from the group of foreigners, Ahn Gabok remained silent, his wrinkled face set in a stern expression.
“...”
His demeanor was resolute and serious. The waves of emotion were thoroughly restrained. If one were to visualize a taciturn giant, it would be exactly like him. Indeed, he exuded the aura of a seasoned veteran.
In contrast, his team members were quite different.
The representatives and a few executives from the management company were filled with excitement in their eyes, a stark contrast to Ahn Gabok’s rigidity.
‘Finally! It’s happening!’
‘I can’t believe I’m witnessing this scene!’
They were genuinely thrilled because the moment of a Hollywood director offering a role to Ahn Gabok, a legendary figure in Korean cinema, was unfolding before them. Ahn Gabok had won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for his 100th film, and prior to that, he had left a significant mark both domestically and internationally.
However, this was a first for Ahn Gabok.
In fact, it was rare for an Asian director to even hold the megaphone in Hollywood. Even if there were a few, none were Korean. Thus, if Ahn Gabok received an offer, it would be unprecedented. This was akin to making a significant mark in the history of Korean cinema.
Ahn Gabok had broken several records this year.
‘So this is what it’s come to, at my age...’
This moment was one of the goals he had aspired to for decades. But it had taken far too long. Towards the end, he had almost given up. He concluded it was due to his own lack of ability.
Interestingly enough...
‘Kang Woo-jin—ever since I met that kid, he’s surpassed my decades of experience in just one year.’
Everything had changed and flipped upside down since he connected with Woo-jin. ‘The Leech’ was simply a culmination of that journey. There was a curiosity about how much more powerful Woo-jin would become. Thus, Ahn Gabok had voluntarily taken on the role of a ‘stepping stone’ for Woo-jin. That was the extent of it. Yet, curiously enough, Ahn Gabok’s directing career was now on the verge of blossoming into the global arena.
‘Could he be a benefactor? I wonder if ‘The Leech’ would have gained such attention if it weren’t for Kang Woo-jin.’
In a broader sense, both Kang Woo-jin and Ahn Gabok were winning together, but if Woo-jin hadn’t taken on the role of ‘Park Ha-seong’ in ‘The Leech,’ this day wouldn’t have come. At the very least, that’s how Ahn Gabok viewed it.
‘Who else could they find that could surpass the character of ‘Park Ha-seong’ in the script?’
‘The Leech’ had gained significant acclaim because it met Kang Woo-jin. After a moment of reflection, Ahn Gabok turned his gaze to the foreigners in front of him, all of whom were esteemed figures in Hollywood. In a typical scenario, one would accept such an offer immediately.
However, the seasoned director Ahn Gabok kept his composure.
“Thank you for this proposal.”
It was very tempting to be the first Korean director to hold the megaphone for a Hollywood film, but Ahn Gabok was too seasoned to jump in headfirst just for that. This was merely his perspective, of course.
“However, why are you making this proposal to me? There are many excellent directors in Hollywood, aren’t there?”
His question was conveyed through an interpreter to the group of foreigners. All four executives, clearly of a higher rank, responded with relaxed smiles. The group was made up of executives from Columbia Studios, one of the big five in Hollywood.
There was no way they hadn’t done their homework before casting a director.
Among the foreign executives, a bald man in his sixties looked at Ahn Gabok and said, “Of course, there are many outstanding directors here in Hollywood. But the director we’re looking for is not just excellent or remarkable. We need a director with sharp instincts and insight into society.”
*Swipe.*
He placed two thick bundles of paper on the table.
“To be honest, we considered your achievements at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Cannes is a prestigious and traditional film festival, and the results you achieved there are not easily come by. Many filmmakers there have recognized you and ‘The Leech.’ I also watched ‘The Leech.’”
Soon, the two executives sitting beside the bald man nodded in agreement, indicating they had seen it as well. They too had attended the Cannes Film Festival.
“I found it hard to take my eyes off it for even a second. I immediately understood that Ahn Gabok should be the director of our film. We began preparations for casting you the moment we returned.”
The bald man finished speaking and slid the two bundles of paper toward Ahn Gabok.
“This is the official script. If you agree to take it on, there will be a meeting with the producer soon.”
Listening quietly to his explanation, Ahn Gabok’s gaze dropped to the scripts. Upon opening one, he quickly understood why there were two. One was in English, and the other was the translated Korean version. At this point, the bald man spoke again.
“If you read it, you’ll understand why we want you.”
The treatment was significant. They had preemptively translated the completed script into Korean, and their courtesy and explanations for casting were clear. Ahn Gabok opened his wrinkled lips.
“...The ‘Leech’ that you couldn’t take your eyes off was not created by me alone.”
“Of course. You can involve your team.”
“If I take on the direction, will I have a say in the casting of the actors for the project?”
Looking at Joseph Pelton, it was evident that casting actors in Hollywood was more the role of the executive producer. However, the bald man seemed to indicate that this wouldn’t be a problem.
“The filmmaking systems in Korea and Hollywood differ significantly, but it’s not entirely uncommon for directors to be involved in actor casting. However, agreements with producers or the studio would be necessary. It is possible.”
“The quality of ‘The Leech’ was amplified by...”
“Are you referring to Kang Woo-jin?”
“Including him and the actors from ‘The Leech.’ In other words, I’m inquiring about the freedom to cast actors.”
In simpler terms, he was asking whether they intended to cast Korean actors. The bald man, wearing glasses, smiled nonchalantly and replied affirmatively.
“Kang Woo-jin is already on our casting board.”
---
**November 1st, Monday. Early Morning.**
As October ended and November began, Kang Woo-jin’s van was headed towards Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. They were rushing to the set of ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ Several stylists were dozing off, while Kang Woo-jin, maintaining a strong poker face, stared out the window with a calm expression.
Of course, that was just on the surface.
‘Ugh—my eyes are about to pop out. I can’t let this go on. I need to get myself together first.’
Today would be another day filled with shooting, and his schedule extended late into the night. Just as Kang Woo-jin reached for the swirling black square, the script for ‘The Beneficial Evil’ lay nearby.
*Brrrring, brrrring.*
Suddenly, his phone lit up, showing an incoming call. The caller was director Ahn Gabok. Tilting his head, Woo-jin thought,
‘Grandpa... No, it’s director Ahn, isn’t it? What’s going on?’
After clearing his throat subtly, he put the phone to his ear, his tone lower than usual due to a scratchy throat.
“Hello, director.”
From the other end, Ahn Gabok’s aged voice was heard.
“Is this a good time to talk?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“I’m currently in LA. Oh, it must be early morning in Korea, huh? Were you sleeping?”
Huh? LA? Ahn Gabok was in Hollywood? Although he hadn’t heard anything about it, Kang Woo-jin quickly understood, considering the recent buzz around Cannes.
“No, I’m on the move. It’s fine.”
“Hmm, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Yes.”
“Have you received any scripts from Hollywood?”
Although he had a few, including ‘Jurassic Land 4,’ he could say he didn’t have any, since he’d already gone through them. Oh, but did he have Joseph’s reservation? Woo-jin replied.
“No, but there are some ongoing discussions.”
“Is that so? Hmm, then one more thing.”
“Yes.”
“When you start a Hollywood project, will you proceed with the same intensity as you do for domestic films? I’m asking if you plan to overlap at least two projects.”
He had heard from Choi Seong-geon that the Hollywood system was even more accommodating for multi-project shooting. Since he had his own space, there wouldn’t be much change even as he stepped into Hollywood.
“Of course.”
Soon, Ahn Gabok’s chuckle could be heard over the phone.
“I see. Well, the more projects you have, the higher your chances of being nominated for an Academy Award.”
“...”
He could hear the question.
“When you return to Korea, I intend
to see you right away. Can you make some time for me?”
---
**Meanwhile, in LA.**
While it was morning in Korea, it was early afternoon in LA. Inside a five-star hotel room in LA, Ahn Gabok, who had just finished his call with Kang Woo-jin, let out a small breath as he sat on the sofa. He then looked down at the two scripts he had received from the executives at Columbia Studios.
“...”
After a moment of silence, Ahn Gabok suddenly recalled his meeting with them, specifically the conversation with the bald foreigner.
From the point where Kang Woo-jin’s name was mentioned.
“Other than Shin Myeong-ho and Oh Hee-ryeong, all the actors in ‘The Leech’ left an impression. However, of course, Kang Woo-jin, the winner of the Cannes Best Actor award, was the most intriguing for us. It’s only natural that his name appears on our casting board. No, I believe he is being sought after across Hollywood.”
“...”
Ahn Gabok nodded slowly, whether in satisfaction or contemplation, as the bald man spoke again.
“However, there are many other actors on the casting board besides Kang Woo-jin. Most of them, regardless of their status, undergo auditions. Not to verify their skills, but to achieve a character’s synchronization, we conduct 100% screen tests with dialogue. Many actors go through this process to select the most suitable actor for the role.”
Director Ahn Gabok was well aware that all top actors in Hollywood engaged in fierce competition. The concept of screen tests was widely known. Many top Hollywood actors would certainly appear.
‘That shouldn’t pose a problem for Woo-jin.’
Trusting Kang Woo-jin thoroughly, Ahn Gabok asked the executives at Columbia Studios another question.
“One more thing. Is this film aiming for an Academy Award?”
Once again, the bald man with glasses replied.
“To be honest, that’s our true intention.”
Recalling the conversations with the heavyweights at Columbia Studios, Ahn Gabok broke from his thoughts and leaned back into the sofa.
Then...
“Hmm—”
He let out a brief hum. The proposal to direct the film, and the conversations with the Columbia Studios executives contained many critical points, but among them, the most impressive to Ahn Gabok was the mention of the ‘Academy Award.’
“I see.”
Ahn Gabok then looked down at the two scripts placed on the table. He crossed his arms, just as an additional thought.
“The fact that you are openly aiming for an ‘Academy Award’ indicates that this project was likely crafted with that goal in mind from the outset.”
The words of the Columbia Studios representatives suggested as much.
While there are various types of films produced in Hollywood, excluding those that are explicitly aimed at mass appeal and box office success, most are often made with an eye toward the ‘Academy Award.’ Of course, there are films that are directly targeting the Academy Award, which may sacrifice some commerciality, yet such films often perform surprisingly well in Hollywood.
In other words, Hollywood is unpredictable.
Given that Ahn Gabok was being offered the position to direct this film, it was likely that they were openly aiming for an ‘Academy Award.’ Based on the conversation with the Columbia Studios executives, that much was clear. However, it was equally important not to completely abandon commercial appeal. That aspect was clearly dependent on the director's abilities.
Ahn Gabok rubbed his furrowed brow.
‘Heh. I feel like I’m being swept up in something grand at this age.’
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If this had been at least ten years ago, his blood would have been boiling. But the seasoned Ahn Gabok remained calm and composed. After a long conversation with the executives from Columbia Studios, he still hadn’t given a definitive answer. For now, wouldn’t it be best to read this script?
As he caressed his wrinkled cheek, Ahn Gabok recalled Kang Woo-jin, whom he had spoken to a few minutes ago.
“I gave him the leeway beforehand, but if this project doesn’t appeal to me, there’s no way it would catch the eye of that monstrous kid.”
Suddenly, he remembered the cold Kang Woo-jin he had first seen in Vietnam. Woo-jin had looked directly at the legendary Ahn Gabok and had stated, “I have no interest in Cannes.”
“He’s a strangely indifferent yet polite kid, but when it comes to acting or choosing projects, he’s ruthless.”
Woo-jin would undoubtedly dismiss the film without hesitation if he found it lacking, regardless of its background. Ahn Gabok knew that better than anyone.
Thus, this script had to gain Ahn Gabok’s approval first. Before deciding whether to direct, he needed to present it confidently to Woo-jin. He soon uncrossed his arms and picked up one of the two scripts. Naturally, it was the one translated into Korean.
The title of the project was displayed on the cover.
-‘Pierrot’
About an hour later...
*Flick.*
A smile spread across Ahn Gabok’s wrinkled lips as he read the script for ‘Pierrot.’
“I’ll get to see a ‘Pierrot’ running rampant in reality.”
He felt a strong conviction.
“This can only be done by that monster.”
