I WAS MISTAKEN AS A MONSTROUS GENIUS ACTOR

Translator: Dreamscribe

When Kang Woojin first saw Maria Armas, his initial reaction was curiosity. Maria appeared just as Woojin arrived at the massive 50,000-pyeong set of ‘SPT Studio’. The first to react was Choi Sung-gun.

“Oh- that actress.”

Then Kang Woojin’s gaze landed on her. Of course, he couldn’t recall her name. Like Chris Hartnett, she was clearly a Hollywood actress he recognized. However, one thing was certain.

‘Wow- damn, she’s stunning. Her aura is on another level.’

Her presence exuded elegance, no doubt about it. Particularly, her deep brown eyes left a strong impression. Soon after, Choi Sung-gun mentioned her name.

“You know that actress, right? Maria Armas. She’s one of the candidates for the role of ‘Belle’ along with Miley Cara. People often compare her vibe to Miley Cara’s.”

Maria Armas? Honestly, even hearing the name didn’t immediately ring a bell. Regardless, Kang Woojin feigned familiarity in a low tone.

“Yes, I’ve seen her.”

“She doesn’t openly pursue a singing career like Cara does, but in Hollywood, she’s known for having great singing ability. She’s pretty good at musicals, too. And, well, her looks? They say she rivals Miley.”

“……”

Kang Woojin carefully studied Maria’s face from a few steps away. Both actresses had unparalleled beauty, but there was no need to compare them. They each had a different kind of charm, he thought. Just then, Choi Sung-gun tapped Woojin’s shoulder.

“Let’s go say hi.”

And that’s when Kang Woojin heard it.

“I don’t like him.”

Maria’s Spanish words criticizing him. It was such an absurdly bad-timed comment that he was left speechless. However, there was no way Choi Sung-gun could understand Spanish.

“Huh- she switched from English to Spanish all of a sudden? That’s Spanish, right?”

Here, Woojin was the only one who could understand the words Maria was spouting. Thanks to reading (experiencing) ‘Jurassic Land 4’, he’d picked up Spanish.

“He’s a little lacking to play the ‘Beast’. No, rather than the ‘Beast’, he doesn’t suit the ‘Prince’. The ‘Prince’ needs to look more handsome.”

What was this? Infuriating. Was she that bold just because she was pretty? Kang Woojin’s “no-backing-down” streak began to surface. Criticizing him right to his face wasn’t something he could tolerate, neither in his concept nor in his true personality. Thus, Kang Woojin fired back, of course, in Spanish.

“You’re less beautiful than Miley Cara.”

Maria Armas visibly flinched, clearly caught off guard, and her face slightly contorted. For one thing, she hadn’t expected this Korean actor to speak Spanish at a native level.

‘W-what? How does he know Spanish?’

Not only Maria but also the foreign staff and even Choi Sung-gun were equally stunned.

‘…S-Spanish??!’

Everyone stared at Woojin with wide eyes. Woojin, however, remained indifferent, his expression unchanging as he gazed at Maria from a step away. At that point, Maria furrowed her brows.

“What- did you just say?”

It was still in Spanish, and her pride was on full display. While being caught talking behind someone’s back wasn’t great, what Kang Woojin had said irritated her even more. I’m less beautiful than Miley? However, Woojin showed no intention of easing the tension and casually repeated himself.

“You’re less beautiful than Miley Cara.”.”

“……Hey.”

“In Korea, we have a saying: ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’”

“???”

As confusion crossed Maria’s face, Woojin explained the meaning.

“It basically means you repay people in kind for what they’ve done to you.”

“……”

Maria bit her lower lip lightly. Her personality urged her to fire back immediately, but she forced herself to swallow her annoyance since she knew she was in the wrong first. Her gaze was intense, but Kang Woojin nonchalantly extended his hand toward her.

-Swoosh.

This time, he spoke in English, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“I’m Kang Woojin. I look forward to working with you today.”

Maria, who had been glaring at Woojin, reluctantly shook his hand, likely because of the gazes of those around them.

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

After briefly shaking hands twice, Kang Woojin moved first. Choi Sung-gun and the rest of the team followed behind him. As they walked, Choi Sung-gun glanced back at Maria and asked Woojin.

“What was that? What were you two talking about in Spanish?”

Maintaining his stoic poker face, Kang Woojin gave a concise answer.

“We just complimented each other’s appearances.”

“…It didn’t seem like compliments were exchanged.”

“How could that be?”

“Really? Hmm- no, wait! Hey, Woojin, when did you even learn Spanish…”

Choi Sung-gun seemed about to ask something but then let out a small sigh and forced a fake smile.

“No, nevermind. Well, even if I ask. It’ll probably just leave me dumbfounded anyway.”

Meanwhile, Maria, who was still standing in the back, glaring at Woojin’s retreating figure, muttered to herself.

“How annoying.”

She felt a rare sense of defeat.

“How on earth… does he know Spanish?”

About 30 minutes later.

Having been here before, this time, Kang Woojin was participating in the audition not as a candidate but as the actor playing the role of the ‘Beast’. His eyes were once again filled with the grandeur of the set banquet hall, the numerous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, intricately patterned columns, and the marble floor adorned with magnificent paintings.

Already dressed in his blue banquet attire, Woojin stood among many foreign staff members. He was currently in conversation with Bill Rotner, the director.

“Woojin, there’s no need to push yourself too hard. Please just play the piano piece from the last audition, but with the Beast’s feeling.”

“Yes, Director.”

“You don’t have to play the full piece. First, we’ll look at a two-shot with the ‘Beast’, and then later, we’ll check one-shots with the ‘Belle’ candidate actresses.”

For the record, Kang Woojin wasn’t participating in today’s audition for free. Of course, there was proper compensation involved. The arrangement had been finalized after prior discussions between Choi Sung-gun and ‘World Disney Pictures’.

At that moment.

-Swoosh.

A female actress in a light yellow dress entered the set banquet hall. It was Maria Armas, with her hair tied up, transitioning from brown to blonde. She wore a rather large gold necklace around her neck. As soon as she appeared, Bill Rotner, who had been talking to Woojin, approached Maria. He intended to give her explanations regarding the audition.

While being briefed, Maria…

“……”

…kept glancing at Kang Woojin. Although Woojin could sense her gaze, he ignored it.

‘What, is she nervous or something?’

Ten minutes later, all the cameras and lighting were fully set up. Most of the staff, aside from Bill Rotner and a few key members, had taken their seats. Kang Woojin was walking toward the piano positioned in the banquet hall set.

“Ahem!”

A deliberate clearing of the throat came from behind. With a stiff expression, Woojin turned his head. There stood Maria in her dress, her face slightly pouty as she spoke, again in Spanish.

“About earlier-”

Internally, Maria was boiling.

‘Tch, how did things even end up like this?’

But for now, she prioritized salvaging the situation.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean it.”

Kang Woojin replied in a low tone, also in Spanish.

“It’s fine. I know you didn’t mean it.”

“What?”

“But it won’t have much impact on the audition. Because I’m a professional.”

After saying his piece, Kang Woojin strode off with long, confident steps. Maria, who was left staring blankly at his back, felt something she had never experienced before.

‘W-what kind of crazy bastard is this?!’

She realized that Kang Woojin wasn’t just eccentric, he was completely beyond comprehension.

Regardless of the tension, the audition proceeded without any issues, just as Woojin had said.

-Swoosh.

The ‘Beast’, or Kang Woojin, sat down at the piano, while Maria in her dress stood at the center of the banquet hall set. Soon, Bill Rotner gave the signal to begin. The sound of Woojin’s piano filled the banquet hall almost immediately.

-♬♪

The last audition had started with the ‘Prince’, but this time, it began with the rough, raw performance of the ‘Beast’.

Then.

“!!!”

Maria’s eyes widened for a moment, seemingly shocked by Woojin’s piano skills. But soon after…

“……”

Maria, after taking a breath, began to sing, matching her voice to the piano melody. Her usual curt tone transformed, how to describe it? Clear and pure, perhaps? She had already started acting. Casting glances at Kang Woojin at the piano as if he were the ‘Beast’, she continued the song with difficulty. Meanwhile, Bill Rotner, the director, watched the scene on the monitor.

He rubbed his chin, as though assessing their synchronization.

‘Hmm- this is good.’

As expected, Maria, who had been the audience’s top pick for the role of the Beauty ‘Belle’, fit perfectly into the scene. After standing still for some time while singing, she then…

-Swoosh.

…began dancing alone, following the piano melody.

How many minutes passed?

“Cut.”

At the director’s cue, Maria stopped dancing. Soon, Kang Woojin left the piano, and it was her turn for a solo performance. Woojin, blending in among the foreign staff, observed her acting.

‘She’s good.’

As expected, she didn’t become a top Hollywood actress for no reason. Maria’s acting had an impressive pull to it. Thus, Maria Armas’ audition came to an end. As she left the set banquet hall, greeting the director and staff, she…

“……”

…made brief eye contact with Kang Woojin but didn’t show much reaction. Woojin, of course, was the same. After exchanging only subtle glances, Maria disappeared.

Ten minutes later, the next person to take the baton was…

“Hello-”

A familiar voice. It belonged to a blonde woman. Her hair fell to her chest, and her eyes were a bright blue. Miley Cara. Unlike Maria from earlier, Miley…

“Look at this.”

…flashed a faint smile at Kang Woojin and addressed him warmly.

“I told you, didn’t I? That you’d be playing the piano for my audition. And, as I already mentioned, congratulations on landing the role of the ‘Beast.’”

While internally sighing ‘as expected’ at the instantly relaxed atmosphere.

‘Miley Cara is the real deal!’

Outwardly, Woojin amplified his concept act.

“Please take care of me.”

“This is the second time you’re seeing me in a costume, right? I’m looking forward to working with you, too.”

Fifteen minutes later, Miley Cara reappeared in the set banquet hall, now wearing the same light-yellow dress. By then, Kang Woojin was already seated at the piano. The setup mirrored the previous scene with Maria. Woojin, seated at the piano, briefly glanced at Cara standing at the center of the hall. Despite wearing the same dress, the atmosphere was entirely different.

‘Is it because she’s a true blonde? The dress seems to suit her even better.’

Bill Rotner, the director, who was watching the monitor, felt the same. Maria had been great, but Miley Cara’s presence was so captivating that it was difficult to take his eyes off her.

‘The overall composition works much better. It’s not about looks or appearance, this is her unique trait. Her energy.’

Above all…

‘Her two-shot with Kang Woojin is…’

Whether on the monitor or in reality, the pairing of the two actors in the set banquet hall was flawless. This was Bill Rotner’s first impression.

Shortly after…

“You can start when you’re ready.”

At the director’s cue, the ‘Beast’, Kang Woojin, began playing the piano again, and Miley Cara, now stepping into the role of the Beauty ‘Belle’, hesitantly glanced at Woojin before starting her lines. It was as though she was watching the ‘Beast’ carefully for any reaction.

-♬♪

The notes were crisp, but at the ends of Cara’s tones, there was a faint tremble. A mistake? But to Bill Rotner, watching the scene on the monitor, the set banquet hall had already transformed into something else. It was no longer a mere set but the cold, oppressive castle of the ‘Beast’.

‘…This is incredible.’

At this moment, Bill Rotner wasn’t just witnessing an audition, he was experiencing the ‘Beast and the Beauty’.

Later that same day, in the late afternoon.

Time seemed to have flown by. Having completed the audition for the ‘Belle’, Kang Woojin had already arrived at ‘World Disney Pictures’. Naturally, Bill Rotner, the director, was with him. Once again, Woojin was left astonished as he listened to the contents of the meeting. The amount written in the contract, essentially Woojin’s pay, left him speechless.

‘Crazy!!!’

Though he barely held back thanks to his concept act, the situation of dealing with unimaginable amounts of money was still unfamiliar to Woojin. Internally, he questioned himself, ‘Does this kind of money even exist in the world?!’ However, the negotiation unfolding before his eyes was undeniably real.

The meeting lasted about two hours.

Although not everything was finalized, much had been coordinated. The next destination was ‘Columbia Studios’. Kang Woojin was essentially zipping across Hollywood, east to west. During the move, Kang Woojin had to make several decisions regarding matters raised by Choi Sung-gun.

“Woojin, after the ‘Jamie Show’, the casting offers are exploding, literally exploding.”

Countless invitations were pouring in, not only from American media and broadcasting companies but also from other major outlets, including massive YouTube channels. However, it was impossible to accommodate them all.

‘There’s no need to attend every single one.’

Kang Woojin decided there was no reason to oversaturate his image. People would continue hyping him up even if he remained still, so why needlessly rush around? It was a quick thought but close to the right answer.

Currently, foreign media articles covering Kang Woojin were erupting daily.

『LA Times / News of Kang Woojin Confirmed for the Role of the ‘Beast’ Sends Global Media into a Frenzy』

『BBX / Columbia and Disney’s Lead, Kang Woojin, Sparks Explosive Interest Amid Polarized Opinions Worldwide』

『CNM / “You Can Criticize After Watching the Work” – Is Kang Woojin’s Statement Confidence or Arrogance?』

Several days later in the morning, Choi Sung-gun and team members gathered at Kang Woojin’s house. While having a simple breakfast with bread, ponytailed Choi Sung-gun closed the diary he had been looking at and said.

“It’s about time to head back to Korea.”

This indicated that the rather lengthy LA schedule was finally wrapping up. As expected, the ever-composed Woojin nodded in agreement.

– Bzzz, bzzzz.

His phone vibrated with a long buzz. It was a call, and the caller was Miley Cara. After excusing himself to Choi Sung-gun, Woojin lowered his voice as he put the phone to his ear.

“Yes, hello.”

In contrast, Cara’s voice on the phone was slightly excited.

“Good morning, Mr. ‘Beast’. I’m calling you now as the Beauty ‘Belle’.”

And at the same time, an official announcement was made by ‘World Disney Pictures’.

『CNM / Following Kang Woojin as the ‘Beast’, ‘World Disney Pictures’ Announces Miley Cara as the Beauty ‘Belle’.』

It was the moment the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ lead role casting had been completed.

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