I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

What am I supposed to illuminate as Disney’s ‘Beast’? Memories?

Kang Woojin, sitting at the golden piano, blankly stared ahead for a moment, his thoughts drifting. He was looking at the smiling face of Director Bill Rotner.

“……”

Of course, since his expression carried a strong sense of cynicism, he didn’t look particularly stupid. Woojin repeated the words that the foreign director had just muttered. He was being asked to illuminate the memories of global fans as Disney’s ‘Beast’. Moreover, the director even said they would endure significant controversies just to capture the image of Woojin sitting at the piano.

What the heck? So, does this mean I’m the ‘Beast’? That I’ve landed the role of the ‘Beast’?

After just a few seconds of processing, Woojin calmly asked Director Bill Rotner for confirmation.

“…When you say, ‘as the Beast’, do you mean I’ve been cast as the actor for the role of the Beast?”

Bill Rotner’s smile deepened.

“That’s correct, Mr. Woojin. You’ve been confirmed as the actor for the Beast. Congratulations, and I look forward to working with you.”

Director Bill Rotner placed his hand on poker-faced Woojin’s shoulder. At this point, while Kang Woojin’s face was remarkably composed, his inner state was completely different.

‘Wa- shit!!’

He almost threw his arms up and embraced Director Bill Rotner. If he hadn’t restrained himself, he might have even enthusiastically played the piano right then and there.

‘I was on edge because of this grandpa’s buildup!! Crazy! I’m the Beast!’

In that moment, memories from Woojin’s childhood flashed through his mind. The times when he watched Disney’s animated movies, and of course, among them was the ‘Beast and the Beauty’. And now, Woojin would bring that very story to life in a live-action movie. He had beaten out countless top Hollywood actors for the role.

How should he describe this feeling? It was slightly different from the thrill he felt when he landed the role in ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’.

Rather than thrill, it was closer to an overwhelming surge of emotion.

Of course, ‘Pierrot’ was also a phenomenal project, but the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ had an undeniably massive global recognition. While Woojin’s heartbeat accelerated, Bill Rotner, pointing at Woojin and the piano, spoke again.

“I could’ve told you anywhere, but I wanted to tell you here. I also wanted to see this image again. What do you think?”

Kang Woojin mentally poured a bucket of ice water over his racing heart. As thrilled as he was, it was time to stay composed.

“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

Bill Rotner, still smiling, slightly tilted his head.

“Hmm? You don’t look as happy as I expected.”

“No, I’m happy.”

“Hahaha. It’s just funny, seeing such a calm face even after being confirmed as the male lead for the ‘Beast and the Beauty’. I had to ask. But if you say you’re happy, that’s good to hear. Still, it’s fascinating, how you’re so composed normally, but once you start acting, you completely transform. That’s probably why Hollywood is paying so much attention to you.”

“……”

Woojin kept his mouth shut for now. Unlike usual, it was difficult to fully calm himself. Checking the time, Bill Rotner pushed up his black-rimmed glasses and spoke again.

“We need to head to ‘World Disney Pictures’. Everyone will be waiting for us.”

That included all the production team members related to the ‘Beast and the Beauty’.

“Is it okay if we leave in 30 minutes?”

“That’s fine.”

Bill Rotner smiled again at Woojin’s response, then turned around and walked toward the foreign staff waiting for him. Kang Woojin remained seated at the golden piano for a moment before standing up. Quietly and subtly, he took a deep breath.

“Whew- ”

When he turned his gaze, he saw Choi Sung-gun and the rest of the team. They were staring at Kang Woojin, their eyes fixed on him, as if they had been desperately waiting for good news. With an indifferent expression, Woojin slowly began to move his feet.

Unable to contain himself as Woojin approached, Choi Sung-gun hurriedly ran up to him first.

“Director Bill Rotner, what, what did he say? He looked serious, then he laughed, the atmosphere was all over the place. Well? Huh?”

“……”

“Woojin? Why aren’t you answering…no, no way, was it a rejection? So, did he offer you a different role instead? Huh? Just say something already.”

With tense faces, Choi Sung-gun and the team looked at Kang Woojin. Staring at them, Woojin answered in a low and clear voice.

“The role of the ‘Beast’. I got it.”

As soon as they heard the answer, neither Choi Sung-gun nor the team members reacted right away.

“……”

“……”

Everyone simply remained silent, staring at Kang Woojin’s composed face.

Then.

“Waaah!! Heup!”

Choi Sung-gun let out a loud shout, throwing his arms up, but quickly covered his mouth with one hand. After all, they were in the presence of Director Bill Rotner and the production team of the ‘Beast and the Beauty’. With barely suppressed excitement, Choi Sung-gun clenched both fists tightly and whispered to Kang Woojin.

“As a representative of an actor who’s signed contracts with two of Hollywood’s ‘Big Five’ studios, I shouldn’t have lost my composure like this, how embarrassing.”

His tone was filled with joy.

“Congratulations, Woojin. You’ve just written an unprecedented legend in both Korea and Hollywood.”

Behind them.

Kang Woojin, Choi Sung-gun, and the team followed Director Bill Rotner and the production staff. They were heading to ‘World Disney Pictures’. Inside the van speeding down the road, it was like a wild festival. Everyone except for Choi Sung-gun was screaming at the top of their lungs.

“Kyaaah!! Seriously, congratulations, oppa!!!”

“Waaa!!! Hooahhh! I’m so, so happy for you!! Ugh, I’m tearing up.”

“Unbelievable! If the news breaks out now that oppa’s been confirmed for the role of the ‘Beast’!! The country, no, the whole world is going to be shocked!!”

Even Kang Woojin, who maintained his usual indifferent demeanor amidst the chaotic celebration, couldn’t help but agree internally. ‘Beneficial Evil’ and ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ had only recently exploded in popularity. Even now, the global public, including international media, were dissecting and analyzing Woojin with great interest. Korea didn’t even need to be mentioned.

If the news about the ‘Beast and the Beauty’, which had already been a subject of major controversy and focus, were to break out on top of this.

‘I can’t even imagine what will happen.’

It was clear that an unpredictable storm was on the horizon. Regardless, when Woojin and Choi Sung-gun arrived at the vast premises of ‘World Disney Pictures’, they immediately entered a spacious meeting room inside along with Director Bill Rotner. The room was already filled with people, most of whom were foreigners. They seemed to have been gathered there earlier and included individuals Woojin had seen during auditions, executive producers, executives, key staff, and so on.

Among them, Director Bill Rotner blended into the crowd.

-Ssshhh.

Woojin took a seat in the first chair on the opposite side. Beside him, Choi Sung-gun sat down, his face noticeably tense. In contrast, Woojin felt relatively calm. At this point, there was no turning back, only moving forward. Soon, all the foreigners in the meeting room congratulated Woojin. Many also said they were looking forward to working with him. This went on for about ten minutes before the executive producer of the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ shifted the conversation to another topic.

“There will be several meetings in the future, but we’ll organize those step by step.”

This was likely about the formal contract, including the staggering salary figures that would make eyes widen, just like with ‘Pierrot’. How astronomical would the numbers be this time? While Woojin briefly drifted into his own thoughts, the producer continued speaking.

“First, there’s something we’d like to ask of Mr. Kang Woojin.”

A request? What kind of request?

“What is it?”

“Now that you’ve been confirmed for the role of the ‘Beast’, there will be an audition for the role of beauty ‘Bella’. As you might know, several pre-confirmed candidate actresses, including Miley Cara, will be attending that audition, we’d like you to participate as the ‘Beast’ and observe.”

This was something Woojin had already heard about during his earlier phone call with Miley Cara. What did she say again? Something about checking the sync between the ‘Beast’ and ‘Bella’ during the audition? Woojin thought it sounded interesting. Besides Cara, he’d also get to check out the other candidate actresses.

More than anything.

‘I guess I’ll get a chance to feel what it’s like to be part of the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ live-action adaptation in advance.’

It was like getting a sneak peek at the live-action the ‘Beast and the Beauty’.

“When will the audition for the role of ‘Bella’ take place?”

Director Bill Rotner answered in place of the producer.

“The morning of the 28th. It’ll be around 11 a.m.”

Today was the 21st. About a week remained. With a serious expression, Woojin turned to look at Choi Sung-gun, who was sitting next to him. His gaze seemed to ask if the schedule was manageable. After thinking for a moment, Choi Sung-gun nodded. Woojin then gave his answer to the director across from him.

“That’s fine.”

Upon hearing the response, the faces of Director Bill Rotner, the executive producer, and the rest of the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ production team brightened. Bill Rotner adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and changed the subject.

“And Mr. Woojin, please wait a bit before announcing the news about your confirmation as the ‘Beast’. It’s such a heated topic among global fans, and since it’s not the result they wanted, we have some preparations to make on our end as well.”

“Of course.”

“It won’t take too long, though. We’ve already decided to proceed, so there’s no major reason for delay.”

At that moment, the executive producer sitting to the right of Bill Rotner joined the conversation.

“Mr. Kang Woojin, I heard you’ll be appearing on the ‘Jamie Show’ soon.”

It seemed the producer had come across an article about Woojin’s appearance on the top talk show in the United States. Woojin gave a calm nod.

“Yes.”

“When is the recording?”

“It’s tomorrow.”

“And the location is New York, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The producer, who had been nodding slowly, briefly whispered with the surrounding staff before speaking again, a faint smile on his face.

“I think this could work well. I have an idea, would you like to hear it?”

The next day, on the afternoon of the 22nd.

『[Star Photo] Kang Woojin photographed in New York, for “Jamie Show” recording?/ Photo』

The recording for Kang Woojin’s appearance on the ‘Jamie Show’ began.

A few days later, on the night of the 26th in LA.

The location was a grand two-story mansion situated far from the city center. Its overall design was in white tones, with a vast yard and an eye-catching swimming pool. Though it was described as a two-story house, its overall size made it comparable to a three-story mansion. The sheer size of the mansion was overwhelming, and the living room was enormous enough to leave anyone speechless. Every piece of furniture in the space looked expensive.

In this lavish living room, a man with relaxed brown hair dressed in a comfortable hoodie appeared. In one hand, he held a snack, and in the other, the script for ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’.

-Swoosh.

The man was none other than the Hollywood top actor, Chris Hartnett, whose deep brown eyes and striking gaze exuded charm. After sweeping back his hair once, Chris sank into the large sofa. He checked the time and then turned on the massive TV in front of him.

“It should be starting around now.”

Crossing his legs, Chris Hartnett popped a potato chip into his mouth while fiddling with the remote. As he flipped through channels, various foreign programs flashed across the enormous screen.

Then.

-♬♪

On one channel, a familiar opening tune began playing. It was the ‘Jamie Show’, the top-rated late-night talk show in the United States. By now, not only Chris Hartnett but also countless viewers across the globe were likely tuning in to watch. Soon, the camera showed the host seated at a simple table alongside a cozy-looking single sofa. The host of the ‘Jamie Show’ was someone Chris Hartnett also knew well.

The host delivered his usual opening remarks.

– [“As always, welcome to the ‘Jamie Show’! Today, we have a guest who’s been setting Hollywood ablaze! He’s also the first Korean actor to ever appear on the ‘Jamie Show’!”]

Chris let out a brief chuckle as he watched the ‘Jamie Show’.

“He’s always the first at everything.”

The host then introduced today’s guest.

-[“Actor Kang Woojin!!”]

As the guest entrance music played, the camera angle shifted slightly. A man with black hair and a calm expression entered, heading toward the single sofa. It was Kang Woojin, dressed in a tailored suit. After shaking hands with the host, Woojin sat down on the sofa and greeted the camera in a low-toned English voice.

– [“Hello, I’m actor Kang Woojin.”]

The moment Woojin appeared, Chris’s smile grew wider. He commented again.

“Oh- it suits him well? Haha, completely different from ‘Joker’.”

Chris, munching on potato chips as if he found it amusing, focused on the ‘Jamie Show’. Soon, on the TV, Kang Woojin’s talk began in earnest.

– [“There’s so much to talk about, how does it feel to be the busiest man in Hollywood these days?”]

– [“Not bad.”]

-[“……That’s it?”]

-[“That’s it.”]

– [“Hey! This is the ‘Jamie Show’! Give us longer answers!”]

Seeing the trademark comedic tone of the ‘Jamie Show’, Chris chuckled. About 20 minutes passed like that. The talk, which started with Kang Woojin’s debut, eventually moved on to the Cannes Film Festival and even touched on Miley Cara.

– [“You’re close with Miley Cara, right?”]

– [“She’s been a great help to me.”]

– [“You also participated in her album, which, I think, that’s when your name began spreading in Hollywood. Afterward, you co-starred in ‘Beneficial Evil’. Ah! I really enjoyed ‘Beneficial Evil’.”]

– [“Thank you.”]

– [“We’ll talk more about the miraculous success of ‘Beneficial Evil’, Netflix’s globally No. 1, later. Anyway, you’ve often been associated with Miley. Recently, you were both confirmed as candidate actors for the highly anticipated live-action the ‘Beast and the Beauty’, right?”]

Hearing the ‘Beast and the Beauty’ mentioned, Chris, who was watching the TV, slowly nodded.

“Yeah, I was surprised too. The announcement came right after ‘Joker’. Now that I think about it, I heard the audition for the role of the ‘Beast’ is over, but, well, it’ll be tough to manage both Columbia and Disney.”

At that moment.

– [“No, I’m not a candidate actor.”]

Kang Woojin on the TV said in a cynical tone to the host. Chris tilted his head, puzzled.

“Huh?”

Once again, Kang Woojin’s low-toned voice resonated from the TV.

– [“I’ve been confirmed for the ‘Beast’ role.”]

For a moment, Chris Hartnett’s brown eyes widened, and his movements froze. His mouth opened slightly, but no other sound came out.

“What… did he just say?”