I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

Chris Hartnett comes face to face with the real ‘Joker’ he had intended to challenge about two hours later. It’s hot. The heat coursing through his entire body.

How long had it been since he last felt this exhilaration?

Having rolled around in Hollywood as a top actor for over a decade, he had forgotten. That desperate, combative kind of acting. When he was a rookie, Chris had it too. But at some point, everything became lukewarm. He had good fortune with projects, and his handsome looks played a role as well. Once he reached the top, everyone praised his acting.

That was probably when he started enjoying ad-libs.

It was like performing CPR on an increasingly dull career.

Chris thought he stood at the highest level. And in reality, he did. In terms of recognition and influence in Hollywood, Chris was first-tier.

But that was only before he saw Kang Woojin.

‘It was an illusion.’

The moment he saw the ‘Joker’ at the audition, everything shattered. His prestige didn’t crumble, but Chris immediately admitted defeat for the first time. Even now, he was heading to the set for the first time as a challenger.

Chris opened his previously shut eyes and moved his hands, picking up the script.

-Flap.

His script was rather messy. Because it was filled with analysis. However, today, he had to do more than just that effort, quick wit, flexibility, creativity, and more.

“……”

In ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’, Chris played a journalist. His character’s name was Robert Franklin, a classic ambition-driven reporter obsessed with scoops, greed, material desires, and the thrill of new experiences. Moreover, he became the first follower of the ‘Joker’.

Of course, “Robert Franklin” intended to use the ‘Joker’ for his own benefit.

Thanks to this, the early part of the film featured conflicts and psychological gaps between the two characters. The awakened ‘Joker’ was busy trampling on society, while “Robert Franklin” sought to exploit him for maximum personal gain.

Today, Chris was shooting their first encounter scene.

He vividly recalled the ‘Joker’ he had witnessed at the audition.

The real ‘Joker’ had stepped into reality, thoroughly enjoying the performances of the actors mimicking him.

‘Damn, I’m getting goosebumps.’

A shiver ran up his arms. Staring at his script, Chris could feel it intensely. He was incredibly nervous right now. Was he scared? Perhaps. But rather than shrinking back, it was the opposite. Like a challenger standing before an exam. He had prepared all this time, but now that the moment had arrived, anxiety crept in.

Just then.

-Screech.

A van came to a stop in the outdoor parking lot. Looking around, numerous foreign staff members were bustling about. They had arrived at the filming location. Chris’s designated spot was his trailer. But he didn’t head to his own. Instead, he walked toward another actor’s trailer.

-Knock, knock.

At his knock, the door slowly opened. The person who appeared was Kang Woojin, radiating a cold aura. This was Woojin’s resting place. Chris flashed his characteristic smile as he saw him.

“As expected, you’re already here.”

However, internally, he was filled with determination. Whether Woojin sensed it or not, his response was brief and to the point.

“I look forward to it.”

“So do I.”

Even as he answered, Chris recalled the line Woojin had once said in response to his challenge.

‘But you won’t be able to enjoy it. You’ll need to be prepared.’

It had been a warning. That if he came at him half-heartedly, he would be torn to shreds. Any actor who had seen Kang Woojin’s performances up to now would have to reconsider at this moment. For someone like Chris, an already explosive top-tier actor, even more so.

‘Avoiding would be the smarter choice.’

Rolling around with Kang Woojin wouldn’t bring much benefit to Chris. Even if he just played it safe and moved on, his career would remain solid.

And yet, right now, he was excited.

‘I don’t care about benefits, I just want to find fun at the limits of my abilities.’

Chris had already drawn out the emotions of his character, journalist “Robert Franklin”, and was now looking at Kang Woojin as the ‘Joker’. Whether the camera was rolling or not didn’t matter. Analyze and break it down. He would carry this exhilaration and tension all the way until right before the shoot.

With his signature smile, Chris spoke to Kang Woojin.

“I’ll show you the resolve I mentioned last time. Let’s have a fun shoot.”

“……”

Woojin silently observed Chris, whose expression was overflowing with enthusiasm, and let out a sigh internally.

‘Damn, this is intense. Why does this insanely handsome guy feel so overwhelming?’

But on the outside, he remained as cold as ever.

“As you please.”

About two hours later.

As always, but especially today, the set of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ carried a heavy atmosphere. Or perhaps, it was brimming with energy.

Director Ahn Ga-bok, surrounded by multiple monitors, instructed.

“Let’s start with a bust shot.”

“Sounds good.”

“We’ll shoot it and adjust the angles one by one.”

“Yes, director.”

He was in discussion with the cinematography team and several key staff members, while over a hundred crew members were scattered throughout the massive set, which resembled a small city. Extras and minor actors could also be seen.

And.

“……”

Standing with her arms crossed, overseeing the entire scene, was Executive Producer Nora Foster. Around her were several executives from ‘Columbia Studios’. They had already been briefed by Nora on how today’s shoot was expected to unfold. Their expressions were half-confident, half-concerned.

Murmured conversations reached Nora’s ears.

“Ahn Ga-bok’s ambition is growing.”

“Aren’t we the same?”

“But letting the actors loosen up too much isn’t necessary.”

“Do you really want ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ to feel completely rigid?”

Even among them, opinions were divided. But that was natural. Ultimately, they all had one thing in common, they cared deeply about the film. Their concerns and disagreements stemmed from that.

Nora, however, didn’t bother engaging in the conversation.

‘Talking about it here is just a waste of energy. The shoot will provide the answers.’

And then.

“Kang Woojin is ready!!”

A group appeared amidst the hundreds of foreign staff bustling around. Kang Woojin and the makeup team.

No, currently Kang Woojin’s face was pale white.

Long, wet hair down to his jaw, red lips and eyebrows, a red jacket and pants, a blue shirt, a yellow vest, worn-out brown shoes, and mismatched red and blue socks.

He was the ‘Joker’.

Walking toward the filming zone, Woojin looked completely prepared. Despite the solemnity in his posture, Woojin subtly noticed the heavy atmosphere on set.

‘Why’s everyone so tense? Am I the only one feeling this? Hm- whatever. I’ll just act as I always do.’

Following behind him.

“Chris is entering!!”

Chris Hartnett with round glasses, dressed in a brown jacket, slightly worn jeans, and tousled brown hair, stepped in. He was fully in character as journalist Robert Franklin. Soon, the two actors stood in the middle of a city street set. For a brief moment, they exchanged glances. But no words were spoken.

Was it a subtle battle of nerves?

Chris certainly felt that way.

‘Seeing him up close makes it all feel real.’

Woojin, on the other hand, was thinking.

‘Ugh-his gaze is heavy.’

Director Ahn Ga-bok, holding the shooting continuity script, approached with a few key staff members. He gave a concise direction to the two actors, along with some encouragement.

“As I mentioned yesterday, just do as you want. We’ll go with that for the first scene.”

Woojin and Chris both nodded. Ahn Ga-bok stepped back.

The boom mic and slate crew moved into position. Two cameras were assigned to Woojin and Chris, while a medium-sized Jimmy Jib camera started shifting. On the multiple monitors in front of Ahn Ga-bok, the two actors appeared simultaneously.

And then.

-Swoosh.

Behind Director Ahn Ga-bok, who was seated, stood Nora and several executives from ‘Columbia Studios’. After briefly glancing at them, Ahn Ga-bok shifted his gaze forward.

“Ready.”

Dozens of foreign staff members who had been in the filming zone scattered like a receding tide. Kang Woojin remained in place, while Chris moved to the opposite side of the street. Among the few remaining crew members, a female staff member stepped in front of Woojin’s camera and clapped the slate, marking the scene number.

-Clap!

Director Ahn Ga-bok’s signal resounded throughout the entire set.

“Action.”

Simultaneously, Kang Woojin summoned every ounce of the ‘Joker’ imprinted within him. His ‘role synthesis’ and ‘freedom of roles’ surged to their peak. The ‘Joker’, now unleashed into reality, suddenly turned towards the rear camera and grinned as if his mouth would tear apart.

“Hee-hee-hee!”

He ran. As if his life depended on it. But the camera remained unmoved. The first to take action were two burly men who had been waiting in position. They immediately pursued the ‘Joker’. Only then did the camera, having been on standby, rapidly follow. On the monitors, the scene shook violently, heightening the sense of realism.

Meanwhile.

“There you are.”

Chris Hartnett, no, Robert Franklin, the journalist, hurriedly crossed the street. The camera trailed him from the side. Suddenly, a speeding yellow taxi screeched to a halt.

The driver shouted at him.

“Hey!! Are you out of your damn mind?!!”

With a camera slung around his neck, Robert, or rather, Chris, flipped the driver off.

“Shut the hell up!!”

Up to this point, everything followed the script.

Chris, still loosening the strap of his camera, searched for the ‘Joker’ he had been chasing, who had just disappeared between the buildings.

Carefully.

Pressing his back against the building’s corner, Chris peeked his head halfway out and scanned the alleyway.

And then.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunshots exploded, rattling his eardrums.

“Shit!!”

Startled, Chris lost his footing and slid down, collapsing onto the ground. A camera above captured the moment. This was an ad-lib. Chris, slightly trembling, pressed his back against the wall, breathing heavily.

“Hah-Hah-Fuck.”

Should he run? If he kept going, wouldn’t those bullets end up lodged in his skull? But, he was curious. Desperately curious. Just a little peek. Just a tiny glance. The sheer desire to witness that monster was driving him insane.

His face was filled with exactly that expression.

In the end, Chris, still leaning against the wall, slowly twisted his body backward. Then, ever so cautiously, he peeked back into the alley. But strangely. Instead of the alleyway, what came into view first was a pair of worn-out brown shoes. And mismatched red and blue socks. The camera adjusted its angle to match Chris’s low gaze.

His eyes trailed upward.

Past the red pants and jacket, up to the damp red hair partially covering a pale, blood-spattered face. Looking down at him.

It was the ‘Joker’.

At some point, the ‘Joker’, or rather, Kang Woojin, had silently approached, now gazing down at Chris as if mocking him. His head was tilted at an odd angle.

With his thickly painted lips, he appeared to be smiling, but his face was expressionless.

In his hand, he held a silver gun.

Faced with the grotesque ‘Pierrot’ standing right before him, Chris’s body froze.

“……Ah.”

It was understandable.

This wasn’t in the script.

Originally, Robert Franklin was supposed to cautiously approach the ‘Joker’.

But Kang Woojin had flipped the script, he had come to greet Chris first.

Back at the monitors, Ahn Ga-bok leaned in even closer.

‘This is giving me chills, ten times over. Yes, the ‘Joker’ should always act unpredictably.’

Behind him, Nora furrowed her brows.

‘Is this a horror movie? If I were watching this in a theater, I’d be screaming right now.’

At that moment, Kang Woojin, still looking down at Chris, finally spoke his first line.

In the script, it was supposed to be: “Were you following me?”

But instead, as he wiped a streak of blood from his cheek with the barrel of his gun.

“You know,”

His torn lips stretched into an even wider grin as he spoke.

“Why the long face?”

“……”

Seated on the ground, looking up at the ‘Joker’, Chris found himself at a loss for words, both as an actor and in reality. Then, snapping back to his senses, he managed to stammer out a response.

“B-because I was surprised?”

“Hee-hee, ahhh- yeah. I thought maybe something sad had happened.”

Kang Woojin tucked the gun into the waistband of his pants. Then, with both hands, he slicked back his damp red hair. Somewhere in the distance, a scream rang out.

Unbothered, Woojin once again lowered his gaze to Chris and spoke.

“Wanna see something fun?”

“……Uh, uh. Yeah.”

“Get up, get up. Let’s go see it together.”

Kang Woojin helped Chris to his feet. Even as he stood up in a daze, Chris couldn’t take his eyes off the gun nestled against Woojin’s stomach.

With his arm slung around Chris’s shoulders, Woojin – or rather, the ‘Joker’, walked forward.

On camera, they looked just like a pair of friends strolling together.

Kang Woojin spoke.

“Oh-what’s your name?”

“I-I’m Robert. Robert Franklin.”

“Robert Franklin. Nice to meet you, Robert.”

“And you?”

“Me? I’m the ‘Joker’.”

“The ‘Joker’?”

“Yeah.”

Woojin’s gaze lowered. He had noticed the camera slung around Chris’s neck.

“A journalist?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

“You were following me, weren’t you?”

Chris hesitated.

“Ah, no. Just by chance.”

Up to this point, everything followed the script.

But then, Chris added an unscripted line.

“Besides ‘Joker’, what’s your real name?”

-Freeze.

Kang Woojin suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He placed his hands on Chris’s tense shoulders, slowly closing the distance between them.

Then, using both index fingers, he pressed into Chris’s cheeks, forcing them into a smile.

“I told you, it’s ‘Joker’, my friend.”

“……”

Chris’s pupils trembled. Woojin resumed walking, pulling Chris along. Then, they arrived in front of two bodies, slumped over one another. Their foreheads had been blown open. Chris’s eyes instantly widened in horror. Woojin, who had been smirking slightly, suddenly spread his arms wide with a theatrical ‘Ta-da!’ gesture.

“Look! Isn’t it fun?”

Chris trembled violently. His scripted line here was supposed to be “Did you kill them?” But instead, he altered it.

“H-how many times have you had this kind of fun?”

Woojin – or rather, the ‘Joker’, twitched, as if holding back laughter. Then, placing a cigarette between his lips.

“Pffft.”

At last, he burst into a full-blown cackle.

“Kukukuhehe.”

Even as he inhaled from the cigarette, he couldn’t stop laughing. Chris, frowning deeply, asked again.

“Why-why are you laughing?”

“Hehehehe, hahahaha.”

After laughing freely for a moment, Kang Woojin turned to face the main camera and answered.

A line that wasn’t in the script.

“Because I thought of another prank.”

Chris’s body stiffened. Because he was certain that the ‘Joker’ outside the camera.

“……What?”

Was about to do something.