I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 362: Chain (11) - Edited
Chapter 362: Chain (11)
Translator: Santos
Wear a mask. Smile. But what am I smiling for? I’ve forgotten where the truth lies. Who am I, and is the expression I’m wearing real or fake?
It’s fake.
But it’s also real. I change my masks hundreds of times a day. It's an illusion and a mirage created by me. I must emit a diluted falsehood to fit in. I won't turn my back. Not on the world. A society crushed under order may not be fantastic, but it isn’t entirely disheartening either. However, if you look closely, it’s laughably absurd.
There is no romance, only chaos.
Ah—this is boring. But why do you keep poking at me? The current moment, where I’m allowing myself to be complicit, drives me mad. Is this my true self? Where does my innate feeling exist? It feels so far removed that both form and scent have disappeared.
Subtle neglect hurts my feelings, but I ignore it.
Quiet oppression is rampant, yet I accept it.
Static discrimination exceeds limits, but I close my ears.
Excessive prejudice repeats, but I adapt.
Sharp disdain hurts, but I endure.
...What is this?
Go eat shit.
This is the reason the terrifying clown was born.
Yes, that’s me.
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Having devoured the script for ‘Pierrot’ for several hours, Ahn Gabok let out a hollow laugh, perhaps due to the reverberations of excitement from what he had just read.
“...This is absurd. No, should I say it’s amazing?”
It was so captivating that Ahn Gabok, who initially intended to skim through it, ended up reading the entire script in one sitting. He was spellbound. Throughout the reading of ‘Pierrot,’ Ahn Gabok couldn’t suppress his excitement.
“Isn’t it said that from a distance, it appears to be a comedy, but up close, it’s a tragedy?”
In the script, the protagonist clown transforms into a monster beyond the ‘ordinary,’ yet the society or world perceives him not as a monster but as a bug. It was the birth of a hero masquerading as a villain amid chaos.
Twists and variations.
Right now, Ahn Gabok thought,
‘How many emotions must be displayed and concealed? What about all these masks? If Kang Woo-jin were to do this—’
Having read the script for ‘Pierrot,’ he felt a deep yearning for Kang Woo-jin, yet conversely, even if Woo-jin tackled this, his greed and desires wouldn’t change. Such was the extent of Ahn Gabok’s fondness for ‘Pierrot,’ especially the darkness mixed with humor in the piece.
It had a unique chiaroscuro, and the harsh reality was palpable.
However...
“...Can I truly direct this piece?”
Falling in love with a script and directing it are entirely different matters. Ahn Gabok felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He wondered if he could take on this heavy project. Even he, a seasoned veteran, couldn’t make such assumptions lightly.
Then, unlike the Ahn Gabok who won the Palme d'Or for his 100th film...
“If Kang Woo-jin sees this, he’d probably scoff.”
Remembering Woo-jin, who had won the Best Actor award at Cannes in just two years. Yes, if I can’t do it, they can always find another great director. But this is a piece that can only shine if that monstrous kid is involved. Let’s not hastily judge whether I will be the messenger or the director of this work.
*Flick.*
Ahn Gabok opened the first page of the ‘Pierrot’ script again. He was about to delve into reading and analyzing it.
As a side note...
*Flick.*
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Starting today, Ahn Gabok would be staying in LA for a few days.
A few days later, on November 4th. LA.
In the afternoon. In the enormous amusement park located in the heart of Hollywood. No, it was Columbia Studios, a major player in the distribution and film industry known as Hollywood's “Big Five.” With over 30 sets marked as ‘Stage’ and various concept shooting areas established, even now, the tourist areas without filming were overflowing with visitors.
Inside the main building of Columbia Studios, conversations related to film production and planning were ongoing.
Of course, ‘Pierrot’ was no exception.
In a large meeting room in the main building, familiar and unfamiliar foreigners gathered. Sitting around a U-shaped table, there were about a dozen of them. Among them, four foreign executives were recognized, including the bald man with glasses, who had recently met with Ahn Gabok.
The overall meeting seemed to be winding down, as the people present exchanged light banter rather than serious discussions.
“By the way, has there been any contact from director Ahn Gabok yet?”
The portly executive brought up Ahn Gabok. A nearby staff member shook his head.
“Not yet.”
The portly executive crossed his arms and let out a huff.
“Hmm—this decision is taking longer than expected.”
Another foreign executive chimed in.
“He’s likely in deep thought. The filmmaking systems in Hollywood and Korea are completely different. It’s certainly not an easy decision.”
“However, if it takes too long, we need to consider alternatives. Time is money.”
“Of course. But since there’s a timeframe we agreed on, let’s wait a bit longer.”
“Has he read the entire script for ‘Pierrot’ yet?”
“He said he would read it right away, so I assume he has.”
At this moment, the bald foreigner, who had conversed the most with Ahn Gabok, leaned forward.
“I really hope director Ahn Gabok takes on this project. It would be quite disappointing if he declines.”
In truth, discussions about casting Ahn Gabok as the director had already been made, not just by the studio but also by the executive producers. There was no disagreement regarding Ahn Gabok directing. Even if someone expressed dissatisfaction, it wouldn’t matter much. The Hollywood production system was thoroughly divided.
Once the distribution and film company decided on a director, that was the end of it.
Though discussions would take place with the producers, the rest of the team rarely expressed dissatisfaction about the director's appointment. It would be more accurate to say they wouldn’t concern themselves with it? Anyway, while conversations about Ahn Gabok continued, the portly executive changed the subject.
“Director Ahn Gabok mentioned Kang Woo-jin, right? It seems like he wants to include him in the film.”
“That makes sense; Ahn Gabok and Kang Woo-jin created the buzz at this year’s Cannes. Above all, Kang Woo-jin was central to ‘The Leech.’”
“Hmm—Kang Woo-jin’s performance in ‘The Leech’ was... absurdly realistic and fantastical.”
“We saw his performance on screen, but director Ahn Gabok must have seen it up close. It’s only natural to be captivated.”
As the conversation shifted to Kang Woo-jin, the bald foreigner chimed in.
“To pull off such a monstrous performance, we can only imagine the pain he endured. He probably invested an incredible amount of time and analyzed every detail until he nearly died. Without that, performing a method that transcends reality, making it feel as if the character has come to life, would be impossible.”
“I agree. I can’t even begin to guess how much time he must have poured into ‘The Leech.’ He probably dedicated every moment to it, except for the time he spent eating and going to the bathroom. No, he might have devoted everything.”
“However, this time is different from ‘The Leech.’ I don’t know how much time Ahn Gabok gave Kang Woo-jin to make his choice, but our ‘Pierrot’ needs to be crafted and presented to everyone within a limited time. All the actors on the casting board are in the same boat.”
They were referring to auditions or screen tests.
“Each actor is given fair time to showcase their best work within that timeframe. That’s the difference between ‘The Leech’ and ‘Pierrot.’ Of course, while Kang Woo-jin’s value is high, I worry about that difference.”
“Even though he’s already on our casting board, there’s a certain risk involved. It’s his first experience in Hollywood, after all.”
“Considering the intense competition among actors, if we add the pressure of a limited time like with ‘The Leech,’ there’s a possibility of him being shaken.”
Kang Woo-jin’s reputation was neither poor nor overflowing. Although his recognition had risen with accolades like the Best Actor award at Cannes and connections to Miley Cara, it was undeniably true that Hollywood was unfamiliar territory for him. Conversely, Hollywood had never experienced Kang Woo-jin. Moreover, Hollywood typically had stringent standards when casting actors.
Yet, one thing was certain.
“Even so, Kang Woo-jin is undoubtedly an intriguing actor.”
His recognition in Hollywood had soared to the point where he was now mentioned alongside numerous Hollywood actors, unlike in the past. As the group continued their conversation for several minutes, they gradually began to rise from their seats, indicating that the lengthy meeting was wrapping up.
At that moment...
“Huh?”
The bald man with glasses paused. His phone rang. After a brief call, he suddenly smiled and turned to those around him with definitive news.
“Director Ahn Gabok has agreed to take on ‘Pierrot.’”
**Meanwhile, in Korea.**
In stark contrast to the afternoon in LA, it was morning in Korea. Around 9 AM. Kang Woo-jin could be found in a large filming studio in Seoul. Sur
rounded by dozens of cameras and lighting crew members, he sat alone in front of a backdrop with the Netflix logo and the title ‘The Beneficial Evil’ displayed prominently.
Dressed in a navy suit with fully styled hair and makeup.
All the cameras and crew members were moving solely for him. The reason was simple: Woo-jin was on the verge of filming an introductory video for the promotion and marketing of ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ It was standard practice to film videos that would air before teasers or trailers in advance. The scheduled shoots included one solo for Kang Woo-jin and another featuring the main and supporting cast of ‘The Beneficial Evil.’
Thus, there were two concepts in total.
Given that only Kang Woo-jin was visible in the studio at this time, it seemed that they were filming for the solo cut. As he sat on a prop chair in the center of the shooting zone, various crew members were adjusting his makeup.
“...”
Naturally, Kang Woo-jin had his eyes closed, maintaining a serious expression, but within, thoughts completely detached from the concept were swirling.
“Damn, suddenly I’m craving tteokbokki. And sundae. If I dip sundae into tteokbokki soup and down it with a shot of soju, that would be amazing—”
Of course, due to his grueling schedule, Kang Woo-jin had often skipped meals lately. Although the staff tried their best to take care of him, it was easy to forget when he was in a daze. Still, whenever something delicious suddenly came to mind, he had to eat it.
At that moment, a man with a beard approached.
*Flick.*
It was PD Song Man-woo, who was managing the entire studio. As he approached, the makeup staff surrounding Woo-jin stepped back. After briefly showing Woo-jin the filming schedule, PD Song Man-woo explained.
“We need to transition directly to filming ‘The Beneficial Evil’ after lunch, so don’t exert too much energy on this shoot. Just deliver the designated lines adequately. I’ll handle the rest during editing.”
“Understood, PD.”
Suddenly lowering his voice, PD Song Man-woo continued.
“By the way, Woo-jin, when do you plan to open up about the Miley Cara news? I noticed this morning that foreign media and public opinions are abuzz with rumors, and domestically, there are already some exaggerated articles being published. If we keep stoking the flames, the pot will boil over.”
This was to say that further hooking would damage the image. Soon, Kang Woo-jin replied with a nonchalant expression.
“I was already planning to open up about it.”
A few hours later...
Before long, Kang Woo-jin had moved from Seoul to Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. To the massive set complex of ‘The Beneficial Evil.’ Naturally, he was right before filming, wielding a sharp knife as he played the role of ‘Jang Yeon-woo.’
*Flick.*
He brought ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ to life. The staff gasped in surprise.
“Woo-jin, every time I see your pre-shoot appearance, it sends chills down my spine!”
“Right? You seem so calm in everyday life, but once the camera is on, you change like lightning.”
“It’s more intense than when he played ‘Profiler Han.’ His emotional switch seems quicker now. Even back then, it was shocking, but seeing Woo-jin these days... it genuinely feels like ‘Jang Yeon-woo’ is living in reality.”
It was so quick that the term “instantaneous” fell short. The process of immersion had become shorter than before, but the intensity had deepened. Furthermore, with the added ‘freedom of the role,’ it had become several times more fluid.
“Hi—Action!!”
It would be no different from ‘Pierrot.’
