I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor - Chapter 438
438th episode: Beast (7)
The 50,000 pyeong ‘spt studio’.
It’s late morning. This is the extremely large set complex where most of the filming of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will take place. About 80% of the construction of the set has been completed here. There were places that were already completed, and there were sets that were almost finished.
The set that caught the eye the most out of these sets was the one that was finished first.
It was the set of the banquet hall.
A banquet hall with an extravagant chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and patterns on the floor and pillars. There’s even a white piano with gold paint on it. This was the place where ‘Beast’ and ‘Beauty Bella’ will grow closer in the future, but right now, about a hundred staff members of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ were gathered there. There was a large desk in the center with various refreshments on top of it.
It really looked like they were having a banquet.
However, they weren’t setting up for a banquet, they were bustling about because of the script reading that was about to take place. You could tell that the script reading was coming up soon by watching them move their hands and feet without a moment to spare.
After a while.
“Hello-”
The first guest entered the banquet hall where the test camera and staff were gathered. It was a Hollywood supporting actor from ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The middle-aged male actor who played the father of ‘Beauty Bella’ among the villagers, who served as the link between ‘Beast’ and ‘Beauty Bella’ in the beginning, opened his eyes a little wider as soon as he entered the banquet hall.
“Oh.”
It was because he was amazed by the enormous size and set. So, before he even sat down, he looked around the banquet hall set.
How well-made it was.
‘It’s obvious, but the quality is considerable? I have the illusion that I’ve entered the world of ‘Beauty and the Beast’.’
It looked like ‘Beast’ would pop out at any moment. While he was walking around the banquet hall, more actors joined in. They were mostly supporting actors, and all of them said as they entered.
“Hello- Wow! The banquet hall is huge??”
“Haha, it’s several times more gorgeous than I thought!”
“They really made it with determination.”
They were busier looking around the banquet hall than preparing for the script reading. It was a natural reaction, and it was quite understandable. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a live-action film that is a hot topic worldwide, and even for the actors who have studied the scenario, it was exactly like the pictures they had imagined in their memories. It was more than that, if you were just looking at the quality.
Anyway.
“Hey- is this the piano from ‘Beast’?”
“Look at this! The patterns are so well-made!”
The actors who had been looking around the banquet hall as if they had planned it began to sit down in their seats. The empty seats at the large L-shaped desk with the cast list on it gradually filled up. The actors chatted happily as they belatedly opened their scripts. The overall atmosphere of the script reading was friendly. If we were to compare it to ‘Piero: The Birth of a Villain’, the other one had a serious feeling, while this one was lively.
Of course, the Hollywood actors who arrived brought up Kang Woojin.
“Has anyone seen Kang Woojin from ‘Beast’?”
“Oh, I have! I saw him on ‘The Tonight Show’.”
“No, I’m talking about seeing him in person. Has anyone seen the actor in person?”
“I saw him at a fashion party last time. It was just for a moment, though.”
“Oh, how was he?”
“Well, I only saw him briefly, so I can’t say for sure- but he has a very cynical vibe? I was going to greet him since we’re in the same production, but it didn’t work out. It was a bit difficult to start a conversation.”
“Hmm- he does seem a bit cold from what I’ve seen on TV.”
No matter what anyone said, Kang Woojin was the hottest actor in Hollywood, and the same went for ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Following the topic of Kang Woojin, Miley Kara was also added.
“‘The Beast’ saved ‘Bella the Beauty’ even before filming began.”
“Oh! That incident! Woojin saved Miley when she was attacked! The article made it seem like it was a scary incident. If Woojin hadn’t been there on the music video set, things could have turned out badly.”
“I read a few articles and apparently Kang Woojin has a similar heroic story in Korea?”
“He’s an amazing actor the more you look into him.”
The conversation about the two lead actors deepened. The topic gradually grew in size. Starting from Kara’s attack incident that was currently heating up Hollywood, to Kang Woojin’s works that were currently filming or in preparation, and his ‘Noh Pakku’ interview, etc. In the meantime, about a hundred staff members took their places around the U-shaped desk where the actors were sitting, and quite a few reporters with entry permits and ‘Walt Disney Pictures’ staff had also entered.
The number of people had exceeded 200.
That’s when it happened.
“Hello.”
A top Hollywood actress with brown hair that turned blonde at the shoulders appeared and greeted them. Some mistook her for Miley Kara. But it wasn’t. It was Maria Armas. Maria, who wasn’t on good terms with Miley Kara, greeted the actors gathered in the large banquet hall and sat down right away.
‘Hmm-‘
She scanned her surroundings, having no close actors and not joining in on the boisterous conversation. Neither Kang Woojin nor Miley Kara had arrived yet. When Maria, whose interest had waned, lowered her gaze to the script,
-Swish.
A top actress with blonde hair entered additionally. Unlike Maria, she greeted them very warmly. It was Miley Kara, who played ‘Bella the Beauty’. As soon as Kara appeared, the excitement level in the script reading room, which had already been noisy, skyrocketed.
“Miley! It’s been a while!”
“You went through something big, are you okay?”
“Everyone’s been worried sick about you, nice to see you Miley!”
Miley Kara responded with a smile to the actors and staff.
“Thank you all for worrying about me. But the incident itself was quite a while ago and I’m really okay. I’m alive.”
“Hahaha, of course you’re alive, that’s why you’re here!”
The atmosphere heated up after Kara appeared. Maria watched the scene silently.
“······joy.”
She didn’t particularly like this excitement. No, to be exact, it was Kara as always.
‘Why is she so pretty? I still don’t like her.’
That’s why Maria, who didn’t even look at Kara, just flipped through the script. However, Kara, who was sitting two seats away from her, spoke first. Almost in a whisper.
“Maria, we’re going to be filming the same production anyway, so shouldn’t we greet each other? There are reporters here too.”
Maria, who had been glancing at the reporters who were still busy taking pictures of the actors on the makeshift chairs nearby, let out a short sigh.
“Hoo- yeah, welcome Miley. I heard you went through something dangerous? I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Hoo- okay, come on, Miley. Did you have a dangerous experience? I’m glad you’re okay.”
The main character and various villains, etc.
Kara laughed softly at the way the rhythm in her lines had disappeared.
“Put some sincerity in your concern, but thank you. And thank you for letting me know about this and that the other day.”
“What?”
“No, nothing.”
Kara was expressing her gratitude for giving her information related to Kang Woojin, but Maria, her brow furrowed, looked like she didn’t understand.
It was then.
-Thud.
A black-haired man, the only Korean actor in this place, entered the set banquet hall and greeted them in a low tone.
“Hello.”
He was the one who monopolized the gaze of hundreds of foreigners in an instant.
It was Kang Woojin.
Despite the situation where interest exploded, Woojin’s expression, which responded plainly, was a poker face.
‘Wow- look at these humans, there are so many.’
Internally, he was a bit nervous. Such Woojin sat in the seat marked ‘Beast’ among the role tables on the desk. Immediately, greetings and questions poured out to the actors, and among them was Miley Kara, who was sitting across from him.
“Woojin-ssi, how’s your condition?”
There were numerous Hollywood actors gathered in this set banquet hall, but none of them were visible to Kang Woojin. The person he was most concerned about right now was only Miley Kara. Soon, Kang Woojin, who made eye contact with Kara, thought of the first thing.
“···I’m not bad.”
“I’m glad.”
It meant that she was okay. Was she too relaxed?
‘What, was I the only one who was nervous for nothing? Well. She must have met a lot of men.’
As if the confession attack the other day was Kang Woojin’s dream.
However, in fact, this was Kang Woojin’s misunderstanding.
‘Ugh! Why is it so hard to make eye contact!’
Because the blonde Kara was struggling alone right now.
Meanwhile, in the same LA.
It was ‘Universal Movies’ among the ‘Big Five’ movie studios. A familiar face was crowded in a studio within the huge movie studio. Joseph Pelton, a giant black man, Megan Stone sitting with her legs crossed, etc. The more than 20 people were all members of the production crew for ‘John Persona’.
So of course.
“Hmm-”
Hollywood maestro director Danny Landis was also included.
The ‘John Persona’ team, which recently started pre-production, was currently in the first production meeting, including director Danny Landis with his half-shaved head. Various stories came out along with the PPT. Scenario, actor casting, key staff to be added, overall shooting schedule, etc.
If you set up the initial design well, it will roll smoothly. No matter how elaborately you build the skeleton, movie production can always be noisy.
That’s why early buildup is even more important.
Anyway, the atmosphere where the future shooting schedule was being discussed turned to actor casting. Megan Stone, who was in charge of the front, came out, and several Hollywood actors were displayed on the medium screen.
“This is the first actor list.”
Director Danny, who was looking at the casting board, scratched his chin. He noticed the Korean actor who appeared at the top of the screen. To be exact, it was Kang Woojin, the male lead of ‘John Persona’.
”John Persona’ is a story where the worldview of the male protagonist takes up a lot of weight.’
Therefore, the actors to be cast in the future must have a mask that goes well with Kang Woojin. What movie doesn’t? In particular, ‘John Persona’ was several times more important because the importance of the protagonist was considerable. Several Hollywood actors who were floated passed by the director’s gaze. They were great top actors with great presence.
The actors to be cast in the future had to go well with Kang Woojin and the mask without fail. Which movie wouldn’t be like that? Especially for ‘John Persona,’ it was several times more important since the importance of the main character was considerable. Several Hollywood actors who were brought up one after another crossed the director’s eyes. They were splendid top actors with great presence.
[439th Emmy (1)]
The production team of ‘John Persona’ is considering Kang Woojin as a candidate for the main character, and they’re planning to make it into a series. In the reading for ‘The Beauty and the Beast,’ Miley Kara and Kang Woojin shared their first lines, but the director stopped them because Kara was acting as if she was looking at Kang Woojin with affectionate eyes. Afterwards, Ethan Smith joined ‘John Persona’ as the stunt coordinator.
From the female lead to various villains, etc.
At that moment.
-Slurp.
While the briefing was going on, the giant Joseph stood next to Director Danny.
“Director-nim.”
His voice was small as if he was going to say something confidential.
“We still have a lot of mountains to climb, but it seems like ‘Universal Movies’ is thinking about a sequel to ‘John Persona.’”
“······A series?”
“Yes. They asked me for up to 3, and it’s a situation where it’s already been relayed to the screenwriter who’s currently writing ‘John Persona.’”
“They’re thinking long-term.”
“They saw potential in the scenario.”
“So?”
“I’m telling you this in advance, Director-nim. It’s still the starting point of the first one, but I’d like you to think about it during production.”
“Is that something you’re going to do?”
Joseph smiled faintly.
“Well, I’m a freelancer. And I’ve put in a lot of time into ‘John Persona.’”
“I see.”
Director Danny nodded slowly and asked about something else.
“If you’re expecting ‘John Persona’ to go up to 3 – then shouldn’t you cast Kang Woojin before me? It wouldn’t be a big deal if the director was replaced, but it would be terrible if the male lead changed.”
“That’s right. This time, I plan to move quickly without delay.”
At that moment.
-Knock, knock.
Along with a knock on the door, one more foreigner entered the studio where the meeting was taking place. He was a key staff that Joseph had additionally cast. Since ‘John Persona’ was very action-heavy, the key staff that had just entered was naturally someone related to action.
However, he was very familiar. Joseph introduced the man.
“This is Ethan Smith who joined our team. Ethan, please take good care of us.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The man with a large nose was the one who had a relationship with Kang Woojin in ‘The Devil’s Advocate,’ and who had made the CQC of ‘The Devil’s Advocate’ several times more splendid.
“I’ll do my best.”
He was the stunt coordinator, Ethan Smith.
About 1 hour later, at the reading site for ‘The Beauty and the Beast.’
The banquet hall of the set was now completely full. Not only the actors, but also the main production crew of ‘The Beauty and the Beast.’ Right now, the script reading had already begun. The introduction of the actors was naturally done by Director Bill Lotner who was sitting at the head of the U-shaped table, wearing black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose.
“Kang Woojin-ssi as ‘the Beast.’”
Starting with Kang Woojin, Kara and Maria Armas. And the names of all the actors, from the main and supporting roles to the extras, were called. Finally, Director Bill Lotner introduced himself and opened the scenario for ‘The Beauty and the Beast,’ and the actors and staff all followed suit. The reporters were busy taking pictures. By the way, the group songs that would be inserted in between would be matched separately later.
About 10 minutes passed?
“Bella! Bella!! Where the heck did that child go again?”
The beginning of the script reading for ‘The Beauty and the Beast’ focused more on ‘Beauty Bella’ than ‘the Beast.’ She went as far as the Beast’s castle after several lines from the actors.
Soon, the first lines of Miley Kara and Kang Woojin spread through the reading room.
There were no big problems.
However.
“Hmm?”
Director Bill Lotner, who had been watching the actors’ lines and acting without much directing since the beginning.
‘Miley – something right now.’
He realized something strange from Miley Kara who was exchanging lines with Kang Woojin. Because of that.
“Hold on a minute.”
The director stopped the reading for the first time 30 minutes after it had started, and gave Kara, who was sitting close by, some direction while all the actors watched.
“Miley, why are you looking at ‘the Beast’ with affectionate eyes already?”