I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 369: Prestige (6) - Edited

Chapter 369: Prestige (6)

Translator: Santos

Choi Seong-geon, with his widened eyes, was momentarily speechless. It was for about five seconds. After regaining his composure, he asked the head of the overseas team again.

“Where did you say?”

The team leader, with a serious expression, immediately replied, “*Walt Disney Pictures*.”

“...Are you sure it’s *Walt Disney Pictures*? Not Disney or Dizzuni?”

“No, it’s definitely *Walt Disney Pictures*.”

“They sent a script?”

“Yes, representative.”

*Walt Disney Pictures*, huh? In an instant, countless animated films flashed through Seong-geon’s mind. His past—no, his memories were filled with *Walt Disney Pictures*. It was a studio that provided fairy tales and childhood joy to many people around the world.

*Walt Disney Pictures* holds immense influence in Hollywood.

Just like Columbia Pictures, which is involved with *Pierrot*, it’s one of the big five film studios and has the most fans globally.

What about the powerful characters they possess?

Their best characters remain popular and sell well even decades later, not only in Korea but also in Japan and around the world. It’s safe to say that there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know *Walt Disney Pictures*.

*“Disney is sending a script to Woo-jin?!*

The fact that such a studio was reaching out to Kang Woo-jin was thrilling, even exhilarating, for Seong-geon. This was also unprecedented. After Cannes, two of the top five mega studios in Hollywood had sent love calls to Woo-jin.

“Has anything like this... happened before?”

As Seong-geon muttered, somewhat entranced, the team leader responded in a similar tone.

“No... at least to my knowledge, this is the first time.”

“I feel the same way. There hasn’t been even a similar case.”

“*Walt Disney Pictures* has never shown interest in a Korean actor until now.”

“Right. In Korean history, Woo-jin is one of a kind.”

Just the news from Columbia Pictures was enough to turn the country upside down, but now with *Walt Disney Pictures* involved, it was clear that this wouldn’t just be a simple turn of events. Whether Woo-jin worked on one or both projects, it was significant that he had received love calls from two of Hollywood’s big five studios.

“Hmm, being with Woo-jin turns what once seemed like a dream into reality.”

Woo-jin’s presence and aura as an actor were bound to soar.

“I can’t wait for next year, I’m going crazy.”

With a smile spreading across his face, Seong-geon envisioned the future of the world expanding for Kang Woo-jin. Then, he turned his gaze to the team leader and issued his directive.

“Okay, first, organize the requests from *Walt Disney Pictures* and *Columbia Pictures*. I’ll relay them to Woo-jin.”

“Understood.”

“Right, but we must keep both matters confidential. They shouldn’t be revealed to the outside yet; I’m sure the studios want that too.”

“Yes, yes.”

As he was giving instructions, Seong-geon suddenly remembered something and asked the team leader.

“Oh, by the way, what’s the title of the script sent by *Walt Disney Pictures*?”

Seemingly just wanting to check the title. The team leader tapped on his tablet a few times before showing Seong-geon the information sent from *Walt Disney Pictures*. Upon confirming the title in English, he muttered quietly.

“Whoa... Are they planning to adapt this?”

Shock and excitement surged back into his expression.

“This is one of the flagship films represented by *Walt Disney Pictures*, this animation.”

Meanwhile.

A black van sped down the highway. It was, of course, Kang Woo-jin’s van, heading to the large set complex for *The Beneficial Evil*. Inside the van, Kang Woo-jin sat cross-legged, indifferent, while his busy team members were focused on their tasks, and he was quietly staring at his phone.

His poker face or concept was strong.

“...”

But.

*Ohhhh!*

Internally, he was bursting with excitement.

*“This is insane!!”*

Pretending not to care, he was monitoring various news. The media was currently throwing a party with numerous issues.

*The Beneficial Evil*, *Strange Parasite*, and *Symbiotic Leech*, along with Miley Cara.

However, the hottest topic was undoubtedly the unexpected and surprising news of Miley Cara in *The Beneficial Evil*. Naturally, the media and public in Korea were buzzing, and Hollywood was also frantically covering the story. It was now even trending in Japan.

As a result, both Miley Cara and *The Beneficial Evil*, as well as Kang Woo-jin, were frequently mentioned.

Furthermore, following the announcement that *The Beneficial Evil* would be split into parts for a quick launch, the anticipation from the domestic and Japanese audience, as well as the global public, was skyrocketing. The comments flowing in from Kang Woo-jin’s SNS, YouTube channels, articles, and various other places were immense.

The languages varied, but the sentiment was similar.

*“When can we see this *Beneficial Evil*?”*

Of course.

*“It’ll be available on Netflix, right?”*

*“Yes, they said it will launch globally through Netflix!”*

The information that *The Beneficial Evil* would be viewable worldwide was also spreading. As such, Kang Woo-jin was switching between domestic and international news on his phone. Several articles caught his eye.

*“[Star Talk] ‘Monster Actor’ Kang Woo-jin, with issues popping off left and right, but no news of Hollywood advancement... Is he not making it in Hollywood?”*

With Kang Woo-jin being so talked about, it felt like a mood of throwing any garbage at the wall to see what sticks.

The comments were similar.

*“Kang Woo-jin is just for domestic use, huh? LOL.”*

*“It seems like he has tremendous influence, but Hollywood is harder to break into than people think.”*

*“Honestly, he won a best actor award at Cannes; isn’t it reasonable that at least medium-sized studios in Hollywood would show interest?”*

*“Maybe he already tried to break into Hollywood but didn’t pass, so he’s keeping it quiet, LOL.”*

*“But he’s still flipped the industry in Korea and Japan, which is impressive, though. Hollywood is on a different level.”*

The negative comments were swarming. However, this did not particularly harm Kang Woo-jin.

*“What the heck are they talking about? This is ridiculous.”*

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That was the extent of his reaction. It wasn’t surprising, given that Kang Woo-jin had built significant international recognition since the past, and now with all the explosive news surrounding him, especially with Miley Cara, it was odd that there had been no updates regarding Hollywood.

Under normal circumstances, this would have been enough to drive anyone crazy.

In reality, Kang Woo-jin had massive projects lined up in Hollywood. However, having lived in the entertainment industry for a while, he had learned the aesthetics of waiting. Fireworks are best enjoyed at night. In other words, they should be thrown when they are ripe.

Kang Woo-jin smiled inwardly.

*“This will be interesting, I wonder how people will react.”*

Later that afternoon, in Busan.

It was past 5 PM. The large building known as the *Busan Cinema Center* was packed with people. Hundreds of reporters, not to mention even more onlookers had gathered.

The reason was simple.

Soon, the *Busan International Film Festival* would be starting in this very place. It was a very large film festival, and Kang Woo-jin had also received an invitation, but he couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts. In any case, as the start of the festival approached, more and more people gathered. The number of reporters had doubled, and the same went for the onlookers.

There were many foreign reporters, as expected for an international film festival.

Also, foreign directors and actors invited to the festival were noticeable. Above all, the most striking feature was the long red carpet laid out from the entrance of the building. Stars began to walk the red carpet flanked by metal fences on either side.

*Flash!*

A flurry of camera flashes erupted.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeek!!!”

The crowd of onlookers screamed or cheered in excitement. They were capturing photos of the stars as they appeared, not forgetting their phones.

Gradually, the atmosphere of the film festival began to heat up.

At that moment, the shouts of reporters grew louder.

“Hey, over there!”

“They’re here!! This way! Look here, Director Ahn!!”

“Director Ahn Gabok!! Director!!”

An elderly man in a suit stepped onto the red carpet. It was director Ahn Gabok. However, he wasn’t alone.

“Oh! He’s with Director Kwon Ki-taek??”

“That’s a killer two-shot!”

The two pillars of Korean cinema, the warm Kwon Ki-taek and the resolute Ahn Gabok, made their appearance. Kwon Ki-taek shone with *The Island of the Missing*, while Ahn Gabok garnered attention with *The Leech*. Particularly, Ahn Gabok’s popularity had reached the heavens, given his current project.

“Hello!! Directors!! Please wave your hands!”

Director Ahn Gabok waved appropriately at the reporters with his signature calm demeanor.

Ignoring all of that, the flashes kept going off endlessly. To the reporters, the two directors were rivals battling for the top spot in historical

rankings, but in reality, they were engaging in friendly conversation, smiling at each other.

As the two directors strolled down the red carpet.

*Swoosh.*

They arrived at the photo zone set up at the entrance of the *Busan Cinema Center*. Standing before the backdrop adorned with the *Busan International Film Festival* and various corporate logos were Directors Ahn Gabok and Kwon Ki-taek. A gathering of broadcast teams and reporters formed around the photo zone, live streaming the event nationwide.

At that moment.

“Director Ahn Gabok, Director Kwon Ki-taek, hello!”

A female host, responsible for interviews with various stars before their entry, approached the two directors. Holding a cue card, she asked:

“I really enjoyed both *The Island of the Missing* and *The Leech*! Both works left a tremendous impact. How do you feel?”

The wrinkled face of Director Ahn Gabok opened first.

“I’m happy to receive so much attention beyond my expectations. It’s all quite overwhelming.”

“Really? No way! You seemed so calm at the Cannes Film Festival!”

“Haha, was I?”

Next, it was Kwon Ki-taek’s turn.

“I’m nothing compared to Director Ahn Gabok.”

“This friend is making me fly high.”

“No, I’m serious.”

The amiable interaction between the two directors was captured by hundreds of reporters and broadcasting cameras. Then, the female host asked another question, targeting Director Ahn Gabok.

“*The Leech* is still showing and performing brilliantly, but have you considered your next project? Fans are very curious!”

*Flash!*

The shutter speed of countless reporters quickened. Their expressions brightened. It was a question that not only fans, but reporters had been eagerly waiting to ask. The friendly Kwon Ki-taek looked at Ahn Gabok as if he shared the same feeling. All eyes were on the two directors in that moment. However, the legendary Ahn Gabok remained unfazed.

“As for my next project, well, actually, it’s in progress.”

The female host’s eyes widened slightly.

“Wait, are you saying you’re discussing your next project?”

“That’s correct.”

In an instant, the buzzing from the hundreds of reporters who had been snapping photos ceased. The broadcasting team was in a similar state. Kwon Ki-taek’s face also displayed a question mark. With *The Leech* sweeping Cannes and currently in theaters, it seemed remarkably early to be considering a new project.

Yet to say it was already in progress?

It felt a bit odd, and the female host probed further.

“Is it true that your next project is in production?”

Director Ahn Gabok slowly nodded his head.

“That’s how it should be.”

“...Huh?”

Suddenly, the seasoned director quietly whispered to the reporters in front of him.

“I’ve been appointed as the director for a *Columbia Pictures* movie.”

A momentary silence fell.

At the same time, in Yeoncheon.

In the massive set complex where *The Beneficial Evil* was being filmed, the voice of PD Song Man-woo echoed through the large set filled with over a hundred staff members.

“Cut!! OOOOK!!”

Then, several cameras captured an actor leaving the filming area. It was Kang Woo-jin, who had just unleashed *Jang Yeon-woo* upon the world. His face was smeared with fake blood from the action scene, and PD Song Man-woo rushed toward him, sporting a scruffy beard.

“Woo-jin! That was an incredible cut! I feel like the action is getting more dazzling! Let’s take a 10-minute break and then go for a full shot again.”

“Yes, PD.”

Nodding, Kang Woo-jin, with the most intense concept of the day on his face, moved again. His destination was his chair. Upon arrival, stylists, including Han Ye-jeong, immediately surrounded him, and the hefty Jang Su-hwan handed Woo-jin a water bottle.

And then.

“Woo-jin.”

A man’s voice suddenly called out to Kang Woo-jin. It was Choi Seong-geon, smiling softly. Even as Woo-jin internally murmured, *He wasn’t here earlier? Did he just arrive?*

He spoke lowly to Seong-geon.

“Have you arrived, Representative?”

“Uh-huh. It’s chaotic, it’s chaotic. I just got here. By the way—”

Suddenly, Choi Seong-geon whispered into Woo-jin’s ear.

“How many minutes of break do we have?”

“About 10 minutes.”

“Okay. Come here for a second. We can’t talk here.”

Seong-geon led Woo-jin away, weaving through the staff. With a slightly hurried pace, he guided Woo-jin outside to the parking lot, specifically to the van.

*Swoosh.*

Once inside, Seong-geon gestured for Woo-jin to sit. Although Woo-jin raised an eyebrow, he maintained a calm demeanor as he entered the van. As the door closed, Seong-geon presented a thick stack of paper.

“First, take a look at this script.”

The stack of papers. No, on the cover of the script, a title in English immediately caught Kang Woo-jin’s eye.

-*Beast and the Beauty* (The Beast and the Beauty)*

It was certainly a title familiar to him.