I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 367: Prestige (4) - Edited
Chapter 367: Prestige (4)
Translator: Santos
Kang Woo-jin declared to the hundreds of reporters.
“Yes, it’s true. The blonde woman in the photo from the *The Beneficial Evil* shoot is Miley Cara.”
Up until this moment, and even at that very second, Miley Cara was in a position of immense power, not just in Hollywood but globally.
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-【Alcoholism (feat. WooJin)】｜Miley Cara
- Views: 560 million
Her new song’s music video, which firmly dominated the Billboard charts, had surpassed 500 million views, echoing her melodies throughout the world. This meant that Kang Woo-jin’s international recognition was also skyrocketing.
However, foreign media outlets were discussing the impact of Cara’s new album while simultaneously addressing a different, more intriguing issue.
*“CNM: Miley Cara takes over the Billboard Hot 100, securing the top 10! A first in the 64-year history of the charts!”*
They were also buzzing about:
*“LA Times: The rumors are swirling, but Miley Cara, who is said to be appearing in the Korean project *The Beneficial Evil*, remains silent.”*
*“BBX: A controversial photo of Kang Woo-jin! Is Miley Cara truly appearing in the Korean work *The Beneficial Evil*?”*
The notion of Miley Cara participating in a Korean project had, of course, already spread throughout all of Hollywood, and now, photos of her supposedly on the set of *The Beneficial Evil* were circulating widely on social media.
But Miley Cara had remained tight-lipped.
Thanks to that silence, the issue only intensified.
Given that Miley Cara was a global superstar and her latest album was a massive hit, along with the fact that the lead in *The Beneficial Evil* was the ‘man from Cannes,’ Kang Woo-jin, there were tantalizing keywords everywhere, leading the foreign media to craft stories at will.
However, aside from the excited foreign press, most of Hollywood did not believe this news at all.
“Miley Cara in a Korean project? Who writes this kind of ridiculous nonsense?”
“But reading through it, there do seem to be some signs and evidence?”
“Nonsense! They are desperate to catch her here in Hollywood, so why would she ignore her enormous value to shoot a Korean film?”
“That doesn’t really make sense.”
There was no one in Hollywood who didn’t know Miley Cara, and most of them dismissed what the foreign press was reporting as a fabrication.
Miley Cara’s fans, who were spread out across the globe, felt the same way.
- Damn those reporters! Stop writing false articles!!
- I’d be excited if our Miley was doing a Korean project, but this article is probably just a rumor, right?
- There’s no reason she would shoot a Korean project out of the blue. Is there a specific reason it’s *The Beneficial Evil*?
- Kang Woo-jin? The Korean actor who was seen with Miley at Cannes? I remember him saying he was openly aiming for an Academy Award.
- Why is such an absurd story spreading? If she really shot a Korean project, I’d walk around without pants!
- Don’t get so worked up; it’s just the usual false article.
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One thing was certain: even if they didn’t believe in this issue, the international recognition of ‘Kang Woo-jin’ and *The Beneficial Evil* was rapidly climbing. The situation in Korea, where the news lagged behind Hollywood, was no different.
- The media is overreacting, LOL. Stop milking Miley Cara, LOL!
- Yeah~ Next tabloid~
- This is LOL. Could *The Beneficial Evil* be leaking this on purpose???
- Miley Cara must be furious, LOL!
It was treated like a typical tabloid story.
This dragged on for nearly two weeks.
Moreover, neither Miley Cara nor Kang Woo-jin, nor the team behind *The Beneficial Evil* had provided any substantial answers. As a result, both the foreign and domestic media continued to sensationalize the issue, but it remained shallow, and numerous opinions, including those from abroad, didn’t trust it. They simply viewed it as another baseless rumor, a mere happening, or idle chatter.
Nobody believed it.
Still, the issue sold well. The keywords involved were hot. After all, how could a global superstar, who was currently dominating the Billboard charts, possibly be appearing in a Korean project? Therefore, both domestic media and public opinion had their curiosity piqued.
‘Issue King’ Kang Woo-jin was the lead in *The Beneficial Evil*, which made it even more intriguing.
However.
“Miley Cara has already completed her filming.”
Kang Woo-jin casually dropped a bombshell in response to the seemingly trivial question thrown at him by the hundreds of reporters, who had been indifferent up until then. So, it was no surprise that they were left in shock.
“Eh?”
“...Huh?”
“W-what did you just say?”
“Miley Cara is really in this??”
They were so taken aback that the flashes, which had been going off nonstop, momentarily ceased. Regardless, Kang Woo-jin’s expression remained heavy as he repeated.
“Yes. Miley Cara is appearing in *The Beneficial Evil*.”
Although this statement would set the fans of Cara in Korea and around the world buzzing, Kang Woo-jin remained utterly calm. On the other hand, the hundreds of reporters, who had frozen for just a moment, suddenly erupted.
“Is it real??!!”
“C-can it be?!”
“Wait! Kang Woo-jin! You’re not joking, right???”
“If this is true—this is a scoop!”
“Whoa!! Miley Cara is really appearing in *The Beneficial Evil*???!!”
“...N-no way?? Why on earth??!”
The atmosphere was transformed into something resembling sheer chaos. With faces full of disbelief, the reporters instinctively began snapping photos of the unmoved Woo-jin.
- Snap, snap, snap!
The halted flashes erupted again, crazily brightening Kang Woo-jin’s face.
“W-Woo-jin!! About Miley Cara appearing in *The Beneficial Evil*! How much screen time does she have!!”
“When was the casting confirmed??”
“Did Cara film in Korea as well, not just in Bangkok??!”
“What role does Miley Cara have in the film??”
“It’s the first time a Hollywood megastar has appeared in a Korean project!! What led her to this opportunity??”
“Was it supposed to be confidential? Why did you wait until now to announce it, Woo-jin!!”
The hundred reporters, who had quickly shifted their attitudes, now resembled drooling hyenas, completely transformed from just moments earlier.
“...”
Kang Woo-jin, who was quietly surveying them, thought to himself, ‘Wow, look at how quickly their attitude has changed? This is amusing.’
He lowered his voice and delivered a prepared line.
“The details will be announced by the *The Beneficial Evil* team. Thank you.”
Sometimes, a lack of information can drive people to desperation. Aware of this, Kang Woo-jin walked away from the hundreds of reporters. However, the half-mad journalists called out his name loudly.
“Ah! Ah!!! Woo-jin!! Just tell us a little more!!”
“One more word!!”
“Woo-jin!! Kang Woo-jin!!”
But Kang Woo-jin, already lost in thought, didn’t look back even once, and the hundreds of reporters quickly adjusted their mindset. That ‘monster’ had just dropped a scoop directly from his mouth.
“W-what?! This isn’t the time for this!!”
Now was the time for action.
- Swoosh.
Suddenly, the majority of the reporters put down their cameras and pulled out their phones. Then, as if they had coordinated beforehand, they started dialing numbers.
“Editor-in-chief! Scoop! Scoop!!”
“No, no!! I’m not drunk right now!! Agh—just get the article out first!”
“Hey! I’m serious!! Kang Woo-jin just confirmed it himself! Write it up quickly and send it out!!”
“Ah!! It’s 100% true! Miley Cara is definitely appearing in *The Beneficial Evil*!!”
They had to announce this scoop to the world as quickly as possible.
At this time.
A warm-faced man who had just exited the production company behind *The Island of the Missing* entered the parking lot. It was director Kwon Gi-taek. He had just heard about the phenomenal performance of *Symbiotic Leech*, but his expression was calm. In contrast, the staff accompanying him were not.
“Whew—this feels rather strange.”
“Right? We should congratulate Director Ahn, but for us, it’s a bit... disappointing?”
Although *Symbiotic Leech* was catching up to the film that had brought immense pride to the country, *The Island of the Missing*, losing the title of Korea’s top film was not something they felt great about. This was a perfectly natural human emotion.
“20 million. 20 million. An unprecedented number in Korea... To think the all-time number one title could change in less than a year is quite absurd.”
To be exact, it had not been even half a year. At that moment, director Kwon Gi-taek, who had been quietly listening, smiled warmly.
“If it rises, it rises.”
“Excuse me?”
“Time has passed, so it’s natural for that guy to grow; the difference between now and when *The Island of the Missing* premiered is night and day.”
“...You’re talking about Kang Woo-jin.”
“Exactly.”
Crossing his arms, director Kwon Gi-taek recalled Woo-jin’s expression.
“There was a lot of reliance
on Woo-jin’s brand power for *The Island of the Missing* as well, but now his strength is several times greater, so it’s only natural that *Symbiotic Leech* surpasses us.”
“That’s true.”
“Plus, watching *Symbiotic Leech*, it seems Woo-jin’s acting has improved even further. With a monster like him continuously thriving, what project could possibly withstand that?”
Soon, director Kwon Gi-taek’s smile deepened.
“Regardless, we should acknowledge that Woo-jin will hold both the number one and two spots in Korea’s all-time films. What’s amusing is that despite shaking up the history of the Korean film industry since his debut, Woo-jin doesn’t seem to care at all. He probably intended it from the start. He made it happen without a fuss.”
Muttering to himself, director Kwon Gi-taek added, “He’s probably not even thinking about it; Kang Woo-jin is likely focused on what’s next.”
Around this time, *Symbiotic Leech*’s team released an official announcement.
*“[Official] The box office hit *Symbiotic Leech* has confirmed its overseas release... Starting in Japan, scheduled for Thursday, December 23rd, just before Christmas!”*
The news that it would be released in other countries beyond Korea caught attention. Japan stood out, especially since the release was just a month away. At this moment, a similar article appeared in Japan.
*“*Strange Parasite* to release in Korea on December 21st.”*
The announcement of *Strange Parasite*’s release in Korea.
In December, the last month of the year, a baton pass would occur between *Symbiotic Leech* and *Strange Parasite*.
*“[Issue Talk] Korea's *Symbiotic Leech* set for Japanese release on December 23rd, while Japan’s *Strange Parasite* releases in Korea on December 21st?”*
Moreover, this timing was almost identical.
Meanwhile, in LA.
While it was morning in Korea, it was late afternoon in LA. Just as Kang Woo-jin’s news was breaking in Korea and Japan, the news also reached the enormous amusement park in LA.
No, it wasn’t an amusement park.
It was the mega studio ‘Columbia Pictures.’ In a meeting room, foreign executives who appeared to be in charge of preparing the movie *Pierrot* were checking the articles.
*“ABY: Columbia Pictures has announced the production of a massive new film! Who are the director and cast?”*
This was an announcement made toward Hollywood just the previous day. Columbia Pictures had begun production on a significant film. As usual, when studios start a project, they announce it as a form of publicity. However, since Columbia Pictures held such an enormous position in Hollywood, the buzz spread like wildfire.
The foreign executives checking the articles on their laptops murmured to each other.
“Hm—this seems a bit lacking. We should put in more effort.”
“By the way, what’s with this absurd actor lineup? I can’t figure out where it started.”
“We should leak the confirmed cast testing details as soon as possible.”
About 30 minutes passed.
At that moment.
-Creak.
An individual joined the crowded meeting room. It was a bald foreign man wearing glasses. He was the executive who had spoken the most with director Ahn Gabok during their meetings.
“Sorry for being late; I was on the phone with director Ahn Gabok.”
As soon as he entered the meeting room, he addressed the *Pierrot* team.
“Director Ahn Gabok has delivered the script to Kang Woo-jin, and I’ve heard he responded immediately.”
“Oh—he reacted that quickly? He’s the first. So what was his response?”
“He agreed to it.”
Upon hearing this answer, the executives at Columbia Pictures smiled.
“We need to reach out to Kang Woo-jin.”
“We’ll start working right away.”
At that moment.
“Huh?”
One foreigner, looking at his laptop, tilted his head. He then turned the laptop to show everyone the screen. An article different from *Pierrot* was displayed.
It seemed to be a freshly minted article.
“Miley Cara... Is it true she’s appearing in a Korean project???”
