I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

In fact, the live chat window of the ‘Emmy Awards’ broadcast was practically filled with nothing but talk about Kang Woojin throughout the ceremony.

-What the hell! Kang Woojin is back to normal!

-Normal? Honestly, I’m starting to get confused about which version of him is actually normal.

-Anyway, that villain from before was a total madman!! I’m seriously getting excited!

-Honestly, that “watch or don’t” line is bothering me. Isn’t that way too arrogant?

-No matter how great he is, I’ll just watch and see for myself.

-Why does he look so composed? It actually feels weirder.

-No matter how crazy he is, an actor is still an actor. His presence is on another level.

-He’s just a lunatic, that’s all.

It was all because of the massive attention drawn by ‘Joker’. And at this very moment, not just in Korea and Japan but all over the world.

『Kang Woojin appears as a ‘villain’! The grand opening of the ‘Emmy Awards’!』

『Korea’s treasure「Kang Woojin」presents the ‘Pierrot’ teaser to the global audience, his extraordinariness shines at the ‘Emmy Awards’.』

The U.S. and other international media were going wild, pouring out reports about the ‘Emmy Awards’. It had already been more than an hour since the red carpet and live broadcast began, and now the awards ceremony was in full swing, an expected flow of events.

『LA TIME / ‘Pierrot’ teaser at the ‘Emmy Awards’ red carpet? Kang Woojin appears as his own character.』

So far, it was just like any other year at the ‘Emmy Awards’, a heated competition among media outlets.

However, there was one crucial difference this time. In all the simultaneous reports and articles from the world’s press.

“Korean actor Kang Woojin, who shocked the ‘Emmy Awards’ red carpet, was caught on camera with a completely different appearance. But his performance was enough to turn the ‘Emmy Awards’ upside down……”

Only Kang Woojin stood out. His performance and impact had captured the world’s attention.

And so, the ‘Emmy Awards’ continued.

Then.

“The Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series goes to— Beneficial Evil!!! Kang! Woo! Jin!!”

Woojin’s name echoed powerfully across the world. Best Actor in a Drama Series at the ‘Emmy Awards’, a feat no other Korean actor, or even any Asian actor, had ever achieved. He had beaten out top Hollywood actors. ‘Beneficial Evil’ had already won two awards, and now, with this Best Actor award, it had secured a third. But more importantly, something far greater had been gained.

Symbolism. And an unprecedented achievement.

This wasn’t a supporting role; it was a lead actor award. That made all the difference. Winning Best Actor back-to-back at both ‘Cannes’ and the ‘Emmy Awards’, this was enough to say that Kang Woojin was now at the center of global change. It was no surprise that both Korea and the world were left in shock.

– Swish.

As his name rang out thunderously in the grand hall, Kang Woojin walked toward the vast stage with an indifferent expression. But inside.

‘……???’

His mind was full of question marks. Me? Me, really? Is it really me? He was walking toward that dazzling stage, but it didn’t feel real. He even considered that it might be a dream, but the sensation of foreign hands patting his back and shoulders confirmed that this was reality.

‘Seriously, is it really me??! Wow- this is crazy!!’

To be honest, saying he had no expectations would be a lie. Even with his concept, Kang Woojin still had ambition. However, compared to ‘Cannes’, the ‘Emmy Awards’ carried less weight in his heart, at least in terms of his personal aspirations. ‘Cannes’ was an incredible film festival, but he had deliberately aimed for it. It was, after all, an international film festival, which made it slightly different in nature from the ‘Emmy Awards’. Based purely on probability, ‘Cannes’ had seemed like the higher chance.

At the ‘Emmy Awards’, Woojin had held onto some hope, but he had also somewhat let go of expectations.

‘And yet, they called my name?! I’m the Emmy Best Actor??!’

He hadn’t taken ‘Beneficial Evil’ lightly, but the ‘Emmy Awards’ were on par with the ‘Academy Awards’. The competition was fierce, filled with Hollywood’s biggest stars. The Best Actor nominees alone were overwhelming. The award had been won in a space where globally successful TV series were thriving.

How would one feel in such a moment?

Rather than exhilaration, Kang Woojin felt more bewildered. Somehow, he had made it onto the stage. The golden trophy was immediately handed to him. His first impression was simple.

‘Damn, this thing is heavy.’

The trophy, depicting a winged woman holding up a globe, had significant weight. It was even larger than his own head. Somehow, among all the trophies he had ever received, this one felt the most substantial. Of course, that was just Woojin’s personal judgment. Was it because of its global prestige and rank? Would an Academy Award feel even heavier?

For a brief moment, countless stray thoughts flickered through Kang Woojin’s mind.

Before he knew it.

-Swish.

He was left standing alone on the vast stage. The two actresses who had handed him the trophy had already stepped away. The grand music had stopped, and the thunderous applause from tens of thousands had faded into silence, leaving only a lingering hum in his ears.

‘Phew, I don’t know anything anymore.’

His mind went blank. Since he hadn’t expected to win, he hadn’t prepared any remarks. Not that it would have mattered, recalling anything in a moment like this would be nothing short of a miracle.

At this point, Kang Woojin.

Gently lifted his gaze from the trophy.

“……”

Straight ahead, left, right, and even at the far ends of the stage, countless cameras were locked onto him. His head felt hot from the countless lights embedded in the dark ceiling. Beyond them, tens of thousands of foreigners filled the audience seats. There was no sight more breathtaking than this.

And soon, Woojin felt his legs go weak. Something akin to euphoria surged from deep within his gut.

Anyone witnessing this view would feel the same.

But then, Kang Woojin’s mind gradually cooled. He raised his concept, embracing both his persona and his calculated nonchalance. He even added a touch ‘beastification’.

Even without prepared remarks, his first words came quickly.

“Now, only the ‘Academy Awards’ remain.”

His low, composed English echoed. As he locked eyes with the cameras, he shifted his gaze toward the massive audience, whose widened eyes showed their shock. Then, Woojin slightly raised the trophy in one hand, making sure everyone could see it.

“Only the ‘Academy Awards’ remain.”

Repeating himself in similar Korean, Woojin tilted his head slightly to the left. His heart pounded wildly. He wanted to run away right now. But there was no way he could. In a desperate attempt to maintain his persona, Woojin decided to throw out whatever words came to mind.

“I’m not very good with words. But first, thank you. Lifting this ‘Emmy Award’ trophy is a tremendous honor. I also want to thank the entire ‘Beneficial Evil’ team.”

From then on, it became a parade of gratitude. His English remained calm and steady, without a hint of nervousness. Foreign actors sitting in the front row even whispered among themselves.

“How can he be so composed? Does he even realize he just changed the 70-year history of the ‘Emmy Awards’?”

“The way he acts and speaks so casually… He must have been certain he would win.”

But in reality, Kang Woojin’s heart was about to explode.

Still, thanks to his habitual act of putting on a strong front, he somehow managed to continue his speech.

“To my family, friends, colleagues, and fans all over the world- I sincerely thank you. And-”

Here, Kang Woojin suddenly switched from fluent English to Korean.

“To all the citizens of South Korea and my fans watching this ‘Emmy Awards’ broadcast, I want to say this, I believe the best fan service I can give is fulfilling the promises I’ve made.”

Shifting his gaze directly to the live broadcast camera in front of him, Woojin concluded.

“You’ll be able to watch the live broadcast of the ‘Academy Awards’ as well. Thank you.”

With that, Kang Woojin casually walked off the stage.

For a brief moment, silence filled the grand hall.

Then.

-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

-Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

Every camera followed Kang Woojin’s retreating figure.

The reaction among the tens of thousands of audience members was divided.

“That was a direct declaration. In a way, it’s impressive.”

Some were in awe.

“He’s done it again. This guy is an absolute lunatic.”

Others were utterly dumbfounded.

Regardless, Kang Woojin returned to his seat with the trophy in hand.

PD Song Man-woo, Miley Cara, and the rest of the ‘Beneficial Evil’ team were still giving him a standing ovation. Other than Hwalin, all the actors grinned, flashing double thumbs-ups at him.

When the excitement that had lasted for several dozen seconds finally settled.

“Haha, Woojin-ssi.”

PD Song Man-woo, with his signature goatee, shook Kang Woojin’s shoulder as he asked,

“How does it feel? You’re the first actor in all of Asia to conquer the ‘Emmy Awards’!”

Kang Woojin’s response was brief.

“It’s just okay.”

Meanwhile, at this very moment, as news of ‘Beneficial Evil’ winning two ‘Emmy Awards’ spread explosively across Korea.

『‘Beneficial Evil’ already a two-time winner at the U.S. Emmy Awards… “A new history has been written!”』

A fresh headline broke in real-time.

『[Breaking News] ‘Beneficial Evil’ Kang Woojin wins Best Actor at the U.S. Emmy Awards!』

Afterward.

As Kang Woojin once again achieved an unprecedented milestone, the ‘Emmy Awards’ ceremony continued. Following the Best Actor award came Best Actress, and then a series of awards for various drama production staff members.

“‘Emmy Award for Best Cinematography in a Drama Series! ‘Beneficial Evil’!!”

Once again, ‘Beneficial Evil’ was called for the Best Cinematography award.

It had now claimed four awards. No other Korean or even Asian production had ever achieved such a record. Hollywood, and the very history of the ‘Emmy Awards’, was being rewritten.

After that, the categories where ‘Beneficial Evil’ was nominated, they unfortunately did not win.

But already 4 awards. And with ‘Best Actor’ as well, that should be enough, but.

“The Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Drama Series goes to— ‘Beneficial Evil’! Congratulations!!”

-♬♪

The explosion of ‘Beneficial Evil’ was far from over. It was now named the winner of the prestigious Best Writing award.

“Huh!! M-Me?! Really, me???”

Writer Choi Na-na, stood up abruptly, her eyes wide enough to nearly pop out.

As if she couldn’t believe it, she hesitated before hesitantly making her way to the stage. The moment she received the trophy, she burst into tears.

She cried so much that delivering her acceptance speech was impossible.

The scene was so extraordinary that even the Hollywood director presenting the award tried to console her.

And just like that, ‘Beneficial Evil’ became the first Asian production to achieve an incredible five wins at the ‘Emmy Awards’.

Out of its ten nominations, it had claimed half.

Perhaps because of this, the atmosphere inside the ‘Emmy Awards’ hall, packed with tens of thousands of people, was at its peak.

Excitement and frenzy intertwined, making the air feel hot.

Before long, the drama category at the ‘Emmy Awards’ was reaching its conclusion.

Of course, with so many different categories in the ‘Emmy Awards’, the ceremony itself was far from over.

There was still a long way to go.

But since the drama category was nearing its finale, not only Kang Woojin but the entire audience focused on the person who had taken the stage.

The presenter was a Hollywood actor. A muscular man stood out as he opened his cue card. Soon, he smiled and announced into the microphone,

“The Emmy Award! For Best Directing in a Drama Series!”

Best Directing was essentially the same as Best Director.

“Congratulations! ‘Beneficial Evil’! Song Man-woo!!”

Among the five nominated productions, the Best Director award went to PD Song Man-woo.

“……Crazy! Did I actually win?!”

With this, ‘Beneficial Evil’ had secured six wins at the ‘Emmy Awards’.

A few hours later.

The ‘Emmy Awards’ had officially concluded. At this point, Kang Woojin, dressed in the navy tuxedo, stepped into a large van.

-Vrroom!

As soon as he loosened his tie and got into the vehicle, he let out a deep sigh.

“Phew-”

Seeing that no one else was inside the van, it seemed that Choi Sung-gun and the rest of the team were still handling wrap-up duties.

Woojin, staring blankly at the air, checked the time. It was already past midnight.

‘How many hours did this go on for?’

Since the ceremony had started in the afternoon, it had lasted at least five hours. Of all the awards ceremonies he had attended, this was by far the longest. Kang Woojin recalled the ‘Emmy Awards’ that had just ended. Despite winning six awards, ‘Beneficial Evil’ had, unfortunately, missed out on Best Drama. Still, since they had swept almost all the major awards, Woojin was satisfied.

“Best Director, Best Writing, my Best Actor award. Plus, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, and Best Stunts, right? Insane.”

Korea- no, the entire world, including Japan, was going to be flipped upside down again. With that thought, Woojin ran a hand through his black hair. At that moment, exhaustion hit him like a wave. After all, he had gone through the ‘Emmy Awards’ after-party and faced thousands of reporters. The media and broadcast teams swarming him had been near hysterical.

Soon, Kang Woojin let out another deep sigh.

-Swish.

Lowering his gaze, Kang Woojin checked the golden trophy in his hand. Why is this in my hands? Finding it strangely fascinating, Woojin let out a small chuckle as he pulled out his phone. It had been on silent mode, so he hadn’t noticed, but the number of missed calls and messages was overwhelming. Deciding to check them later, he casually picked up a random script nearby.

“For now, I should take a break-”

It was time to enter the void space. Unfortunately, since his schedule for the ‘Emmy Awards’ wasn’t completely over yet, he needed to replenish his stamina.

-Thud!

Kang Woojin stepped into the endlessly dark void space. Only now did he finally shed all his concepts and stretch his body as he walked slowly. Reaching the area where the white rectangles were lined up, he sprawled onto the ground. He let out a big yawn, but he couldn’t fall asleep.

Then.

“Huh?”

Still lying down, he sensed a change among the white rectangles. Sliding himself up into a sitting position, Woojin carefully examined the text on them.

-[11/Scenario (Title: Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain), EX+++ Grade]

-[12/Scenario (Title: Beast and the Beauty), EX+ Grade]

-[13/Scenario (Title: John Persona), SSS+ Grade]

Because the grades of all the Hollywood works had increased.