I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

Before Kang Woojin’s name was called out across the world. In fact, at the ‘Academy Awards’ held at the ‘Dolby Theatre’, the first award that ‘Pierrot’ was mentioned for was ‘Best Costume Design’.

“Best Costume Design!! Congratulations, ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’!”

It was the award that opened the curtains of the ‘Academy Awards’, and the colleagues around Kang Woojin in the grand hall of the Dolby Theatre stood up. The key staff responsible for the costume of ‘Joker’. The moment she was called, the entire ‘Pierrot’ team jumped to their feet, and the hall erupted in applause. Naturally, even the cynical Kang Woojin stood up and congratulated her.

From that point on, Kang Woojin’s wildly beating heart began to calm little by little.

‘Ah– damn, I was feeling out of it, but now that we’ve won something, I’m feeling better. I’m finally starting to see things clearly.’

Until then, honestly, the tension was so high it made him feel sick. He even considered whether he should run to the restroom and throw up. But because the concept was so strong, he somehow managed to endure. Soon, the key staff who had received the ‘Best Costume Design’ award ascended the stage, dressed up stylishly in a dress just for today.

Meanwhile, powerful figures among the audience nearby began to share their thoughts one by one.

“Haha, ‘Pierrot’ won an award right from the start.”

“If that’s the case, Columbia’s plan was a massive success, don’t you think?”

“Of course. They had already boosted awareness with Kang Woojin and other issues. Now they’re going to reap multiple times more.”

“The other awards are uncertain, but I figured they’d get Best Costume. The ‘Joker’ costume was truly sensational.”

Even as they said that, they glanced sideways at Kang Woojin, who was clapping while still seated. To be exact, they were recalling the performance he gave at the ‘Emmy Awards’ or his portrayal of ‘Joker’ in ‘Pierrot’. The costume was certainly unique, but it was Kang Woojin who truly brought it to life.

“Kang Woojin’s acting gave life to the ‘Joker’ persona. He solidified the character’s identity through the costume and mood.”

Some of them had already seen ‘Pierrot’ thanks to its early release, but many still remembered Kang Woojin’s ‘Joker’ from the ‘Emmy Awards’.

“It was an unforgettable impact.”

Soon, the recipient of the award stood before the standing microphone on stage, already sniffing and tearing up from the start.

“Sniff! Really, I was just so happy to be nominated, and now that I’ve actually received this award, it feels like a dream. Sniff! I love you all. Especially, I want to thank our ‘Pierrot’ team.”

She continued her acceptance speech with difficulty, mentioning her family and colleagues, and toward the end, she suddenly brought up Kang Woojin’s name.

“And actor Kang Woojin. I believe the only reason I could receive this award was because you portrayed ‘Joker’ so brilliantly. Thank you.”

Applause exploded.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

The camera lighting the stage turned to the audience seat, capturing Kang Woojin. As expected, he had a blank expression while clapping with both hands.

“……”

But on the inside, he was rapidly feeling embarrassed.

‘Why me again, I didn’t even do anything. Ah! The attention’s on me again!’

He desperately hoped they would just ignore him. His mind control had already started to falter from the very beginning of the ‘Academy Awards’ when the host mentioned Woojin. In any case, the key staff who now held the trophy returned to her seat, received congratulations from colleagues, and shared a brief hug with Woojin.

In the back at a diagonal angle, the blonde Cara, who had been clapping with a faint smile, twitched for a moment.

Kang Woojin had no way of knowing this.

After that, the ‘Academy Awards’ picked up pace. Following the ‘Best Costume Design’ award came the art direction, cinematography, and other awards typically given to the hardworking key staff behind the scenes. In the meantime, Kang Woojin had finished his mind control.

By the midpoint, Kang Woojin had begun to enjoy the event.

‘Whoa damn! Look at that guy’s build? Kim Dae-young looks like a baby compared to him.’

Although he was nominated for ‘Best Actor’, he didn’t have any special thoughts about it. He just maintained his poker face. He was practically just a spectator. The reason was simple.

He wasn’t expecting much anyway.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say he didn’t want to win, but the veteran Hollywood actors nominated alongside him were incredibly formidable. Not that he had time to watch their performances anyway.

‘If they’re called veteran actors in Hollywood, then they must be insanely good.’

Roughly speaking, they were probably a few levels above Sim Han-ho in Korea.

And so, after the awards for the staff concluded, it was soon announced that it was now time for the actors on the dazzling stage.

“Best Supporting Actress!!”

It was the turn for the supporting actor awards. Regardless, Director Ahn Ga-bok, Chris Hartnett, the key staff, and the rest of the ‘Pierrot’ team were grinning from ear to ear. Having won one award meant they had already achieved their goal. Even if they missed out on the other nominations, they had already secured enough buzz.

Soon, Hollywood actors, both male and female, received the supporting awards, and the stage was momentarily empty. By this time, the hall, filled with colossal figures, was fired up to the limit, and another pair of male and female actors stepped onto the vast stage. At that moment, Kang Woojin instinctively sensed it.

‘Ah, is it time for Best Actor now?? Already?! Damn- whatever, just keep my expression in check and sit still.’

It was time for ‘Best Actor’, an award that many were deeply interested in. As if confirming this, Chris Hartnett next to him whispered.

“Woojin, it’s your turn.”

No it’s not, you handsome guy, stop bringing back that hope I tried so hard to suppress! Kang Woojin shouted internally, but outwardly, he responded with the calmest tone in the world.

“Looks like it.”

“Nervous?”

“Not really.”

“Is that confidence? Or giving up?”

“……”

Kang Woojin chose silence. He felt like his voice would tremble due to the resurgence of his pounding heartbeat. But to Chris, it looked quite different.

‘…Unshaken eyes. Haha, I was the fool to even ask. To a guy full of self-confidence.’

At that moment, the male and female Hollywood actors in charge of presenting on stage heightened the tension.

– [“I think it’s time to stop talking and make the announcement.”]

It meant the announcement was upon them. Before anyone knew it, the massive monitors behind the stage began displaying the faces of the nominated actors. Five in total, and at the end was the heavy presence of Kang Woojin. In other words, the five nominees for the ‘Academy Award’ Best Actor. The veteran actors besides Woojin exuded gravitas just by their appearance. Even Kang Woojin could feel it.

‘Damn, what is that presence?? Almost god-like.’

The strands of white hair on the monitors radiated heavy experience, and every wrinkle seemed to reveal a mastery beyond comprehension. Yes, those were the faces one would expect from aged titans. At this point, Kang Woojin let go of his final hope.

‘For this year, I’ll just be satisfied with being included among them. The lineup luck was terrible.’

In fact, Kang Woojin was the only actor in his 20s among the Best Actor nominees. In terms of experience and presence, he was lacking here. That was purely Woojin’s perspective, but thousands of people gathered in the hall were thinking similarly. Not only them, viewers around the world watching the live broadcast were chatting with similar sentiments.

Miley Cara, with boyfriend benefits, had a completely different inner thought.

‘Crush those old men! You’ve got this. It’s not about an upset or twist, Woojin’s acting is just purely better.’

Whatever the case, Kang Woojin’s heart felt significantly more at ease as he gazed at the stage.

“……”

He figured he’d just stand up at the right timing and offer a solemn round of applause.

And then it happened.

“Wow! The Best Actor at the 95th Academy Awards goes to!!”

Against everyone’s expectations, the name called for the Academy Award Best Actor was.

“Kang! Woo! Jin! from ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’! Congratulations!!”

It was Kang Woojin.

-♬♪

Classical music boomed throughout the grand hall. The thousands of powerful figures filling the audience went blank for a brief moment.

“……What? Kang Woojin?”

“My God, Kang Woojin won it.”

“Haha, amazing. This is a day when history is being made at the Academy.”

“Wow, to think he would win over those veteran monsters.”

“Let’s celebrate. Probably- no, definitely, from this moment on, Hollywood is going to change, starting with Kang Woojin.”

“This is what it means to pioneer a new legend.”

One by one, people began to rise and offer thunderous applause.

– Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

Before long, every Hollywood giant and master was giving a standing ovation. Cara, smiling brightly, clapped more vigorously than anyone else. Of course, even the veteran actors who had been nominated alongside him did the same. The eyes of countless cameras and everyone in the hall focused on one spot.

– Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

It was Kang Woojin, still seated.

Already around him, Director Ahn Ga-bok, Chris Hartnett, and the rest of the ‘Pierrot’ team were hugging Woojin or pressing down hard on his shoulders, showering him with congratulations. Each one of them was shouting something in joy, but the man at the center of it all, Kang Woojin, showed no reaction, wearing a blank expression.

‘……Huh?’

It was because he couldn’t believe it.

‘Whaaaaaaaaaaat??!!!!’

He was so shocked that a siren-like scream nearly escaped his mouth. What the hell just happened? Me? Did they really say my name? With his brain shutting down, Kang Woojin’s ears went deaf momentarily before he barely regained his senses. At the same time, a barrage of screams, gasps, and howls slammed into him.

“$*)@&*@%*(@@**@!!!!”

“@*$@@*@&*$$@$)_$!!!”

Something was pounding into his ears, but he couldn’t make out a single word. At this point, Woojin’s broken brain finally began to restart. Because right there on the massive screen on stage, his own face was displayed in giant size.

Ah, right. It really is me.

Though he felt like his soul had left his body, Kang Woojin slowly stood up, his exterior covered in the same performance persona as always. Not intentionally, but unconsciously. His body remembered what it had been doing for the past four years.

By now.

– Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

– Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!

The majestic hall. The sound of a standing ovation being delivered by countless powerful figures from all over the world. That intensity seeped deeply into the ears of the standing Kang Woojin.

“……”

Woojin slowly looked around. To the right, to the left, everyone around him was pouring excessive praise his way. Kang Woojin was getting goosebumps. All these unnamed giants were clapping for him.

How could one express this thrill that made his knees weak?

It felt like an electric current swept through his entire body.

‘Whoa- this is… no, insane.’

At that moment, live chats from viewers all around the world watching the ‘Academy Awards’ were going absolutely wild. Dozens of reactions were shooting up every second, and though Woojin couldn’t hear them, his family in Korea were screaming themselves hoarse.

“Kyaaaaah!!! Dad!! Mom!!! Oppa!! Oppa!!!!”

“Yes!! Our son won it!! He won it!!”

“Huhuhu, my son. I’m so proud! Well done! You did great, son!”

His best friends, every celebrity who knew him, and fans, including the entire Korean public, were all crying out Kang Woojin’s name. Fans in Japan and around the world were probably doing the same.

Soon, Kang Woojin, after thanking those around him, began to move.

-Swish.

Still expressionless as always, but his steps toward the stage were full of strength. Step by step. Meanwhile, the standing ovation continued, and as Kang Woojin in his tuxedo drew closer to the stage, his expression turned solid. However, inside, he was letting out anxious curses.

‘Wait! Wait, wait, wait!! What do I say? What am I supposed to say in the acceptance speech?! Whoa- shit, I seriously didn’t think of a single word??! Do I just say thank you and walk off? No, you idiot! This is the fucking Academy Awards!!’

It was pure panic, but the face caught on the camera now beside Kang Woojin was the very picture of composure.

And then.

-Tap!

Without having figured out any answers, Woojin stepped onto the stage of his dreams. The stage that filmmakers all over the world, including Hollywood, so deeply yearned for. The sight from up on the wide stage was nothing like what he saw from the audience. The lights shining down were scorching. Whoa- what is this? For a moment, the stress of trying to figure out his acceptance speech vanished.

At the same time.

“Mr. Kang Woojin, congratulations.”

“Congratulations. ‘Pierrot’ was truly amazing.”

The Hollywood actors, who had called his name, began to shake hands with him and handed him the Academy Award trophy for Best Actor, decorated in gold and shaped in the iconic form of a person.

Kang Woojin’s first impression as he held the trophy in his hand was simple.

‘It’s heavy.’

It was the weight of the ‘Best Actor’ award at a prestigious ceremony, under the watchful eyes of countless giants. And with it.

‘They didn’t give this to me lightly.’

It was undeniable proof that Kang Woojin had not been chosen carelessly. He silently looked down at the trophy in his hand.

“……”

By this point, even the sound of applause that had filled the entire hall had come to a stop. Silence and stillness swept over the space. Everyone was waiting to hear Kang Woojin’s voice. But Woojin didn’t move right away.

Was he contemplating what to say in his acceptance speech?

No.

Kang Woojin simply wanted to preserve this moment, this sight, just a little longer.

In truth, the moment the trophy had been handed to him, Woojin had subconsciously made up his mind. About how he would deliver his acceptance speech. There was no need to think it over. Perhaps, it had already been decided the moment the Void space had attached itself to him.

-Slide.

Soon, Kang Woojin, the Best Actor at the 95th Academy Awards, let out a small breath and stepped in front of the standing microphone. The lights from the ceiling and the gazes of thousands of industry titans in the audience all converged on him. Kang Woojin glanced lightly over the grand audience with a poker face.

Then suddenly, he relaxed his stiff expression and lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile. His expression changed in an instant.

“Ah- I actually won it. I really didn’t expect this at all.”

The tone, accent, mood, and atmosphere of his fluent English, everything was completely different from the heavy persona he had maintained until now. The reason was simple.

“To be honest, even now I’m wondering if this is real. Is this trophy really mine?”

This was not the concept-driven, tough-acting Kang Woojin, but the real core of him. In other words, the real genuine Kang Woojin.

“Or please tell me now if it’s not.”

He shed his mask before the entire world.

***

TL Note: Hi, this novel is now complete on Patreon. I will post new chapters daily for free readers, but if you wish, you can read all of it on my Patreon.

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