I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kang Woojin, who had been announced as the recipient of the Best Actor Award at the 95th Academy Awards. The moment he stepped onto the grand stage was being watched by thousands of big names in the audience and viewers from around the world. It wouldn’t have been strange if his heart had burst from the pressure.

But Woojin was in ‘no backing down’ mode.

At that moment, he had shed off any concept or persona and was confidently showing his honest self. And it was at this place, the ‘Academy Awards’, where the fruits of everything had finally come to bear.

‘Just for this moment at least, I want to show my true self. I don’t care, damn it. Even if I get criticized or cause controversy, I’m going for it. I’ll deal with the consequences later.’

Honestly, the result was far beyond his expectations, and since it was his first experience at the ‘Academy Awards’, his brain was functioning slowly. There was no room for cold calculations and predictions. Kang Woojin simply chose to reveal his suppressed emotions and smiles, showing a truly sincere side as he continued his acceptance speech.

“Ha- I really don’t know, I really didn’t prepare anything at all. You know that feeling when you’re not sure where to start? Ah, I feel like my heart’s about to explode. Anyway, this is the real me, and I’ll just say what I feel.”

What comes later, comes later.

So, gradually.

“Um, I guess I should start with a ‘thank you’. Thank you so much, really. All the actors who were nominated with me were incredible, so I want to thank them as well.”

The thousands of foreigners seated in the audience began to show signs of mild confusion.

“Kang Woojin… isn’t he acting a bit different?”

“Yeah. His usually reserved or stern demeanor has disappeared.”

From his first appearance in Hollywood until now, Woojin had shown a heavy, intense aura. To everyone, Kang Woojin had perhaps seemed indifferent, cold, and distant. With a touch of arrogance. Often brusque and rough around the edges. But now.

“He seems kind of light. Didn’t he just say something about this being his true self?”

“Right, I heard that too. What does he even mean by ‘true self’?”

That previously weighty presence was gone. The murmurs in the audience grew louder. Meanwhile, Kang Woojin, still smiling, continued his remarks.

“Uh- you know all those declarations I made about targeting or challenging the ‘Academy Awards’? That was just me spurting things out. I hope there were no misunderstandings. Hmm, I think I actually enjoyed filming ‘Pierrot’ quite a bit. The main character was fun, and the costume and makeup were pretty shocking. So I think that gave me better energy than usual. Anyway, uh- ah, it’s so bright, uh- thanks to the entire ‘Pierrot’ team……”

No, this wasn’t really an acceptance speech. It was more like he was just spouting whatever came to mind. With Kang Woojin now completely disarmed, the murmurs in the audience visibly grew louder.

“What, what is this?”

“What’s that man doing?”

The situation, the commotion, was gradually escalating. There was no way Kang Woojin on stage wouldn’t notice. But instead, he chose to go even further on his ‘fucking-my-way’ route. Once he started, he rode the momentum.

“Many of you are probably surprised, right? But I thought I’d regret it later if I came all the way here and still hid my true self. Please stay calm and listen to me until the end.”

He decided to go all the way. Kang Woojin continued, firmly. But just like the thousands of people in the audience, the chats from global viewers watching live were going wild. Still, all of this was something Woojin had to endure. However, the audience’s confusion had spread too far.

“He’s acting strange, like he’s not himself.”

“Did something happen? Is his mind a bit shaken? Shouldn’t someone stop him?”

“Look over there- even the ‘Academy’ staff have weird expressions.”

What could be done now? Kang Woojin had no intention of stopping. This time, he even dropped English and switched to Korean.

“And to my dad, mom, and sister back in Korea. I love you all, and my fri-… I mean, my friends, thank you. CEO Choi Sung-gun and everyone at bw Entertainment, thank you too. Also… ha, I really can’t think of anything else.” (TL Note: The first ‘friends’ is cut off because when speaking, Woojin used slang which means ‘Best Friends’ but it’s a crude slang, as its literal translation would be ‘testicle-friends’ or ‘ball-friends’. So he changed to use the correct word for ‘Friend’ in Korean. Hopefully that makes it clear.)

He suddenly smiled and even started speaking in Korean. The entire audience looked around. There was a sense of “is this okay?” As things stood, the awards ceremony might not be able to continue smoothly.

And that was when it happened.

Amid the thousands of murmuring VIPs, a blonde woman with a serious expression quietly murmured,

“…‘Joker’.”

It was Miley Cara. Soon, a faint smile spread across her lips. A declaration filled with conviction.

“It’s ‘Joker’. Since Woojin won the Best Actor Award for ‘Pierrot’, he’s giving his acceptance speech to everyone watching him as ‘Joker.’”

Or, perhaps, a conviction filled with misunderstanding.

But that misunderstanding, masked as conviction and proclaimed with such certainty, quickly spread around Miley.

“‘Joker’? Miley, are you saying he’s acting right now?”

“…Oh my god, is he seriously giving his acceptance speech on stage as ‘Joker’?”

“Y-yeah. I mean, no matter how eccentric he is, would he go that far?”

People who agreed with Miley Cara’s misunderstanding began to appear one after another.

“No, she’s right. Kang Woojin has really transformed into ‘Joker’ right now. I saw ‘Pierrot’, and that mischievous look and impishness are the very traits that shine in ‘Joker.’”

“Mm. As I thought. I also watched ‘Pierrot’ at the pre-release. From the moment he smiled, he overlapped with ‘Joker.’”

Kang Woojin, who had no way of knowing this, was still continuing his long speech. Of course, still in Korean.

“Ah- next, to fans around the world or in Korea. I kept my promise, right? Thank you for watching over me, and I really love you all.”

Meanwhile, across the entire audience.

“They say it’s ‘Joker.’”

“Huh? ‘Joker’? So he’s giving his speech as that character right now? Haha, that’s surprising.”

The name ‘Joker’ began to fill the space.

“So it was that after all? That side of him was ‘Joker’. No wonder he suddenly seemed lighter.”

“Huh? That’s ‘Joker’??”

“Mm, anyway, you really can’t predict Kang Woojin. Who would have thought he’d pull this kind of performance at the ‘Academy Awards’, on the historic day he won Best Actor.”

“He didn’t even do anything like that at the ‘Emmy Awards’, aside from the red carpet, right? Wow, he really is a complete eccentric.”

It was a strange sight.

Kang Woojin was speaking from the heart, but it was as if his sincerity was being filtered through a lens and scattered into a mass misunderstanding throughout the hall.

It had already spread to more than 70% of the audience.

The ‘Pierrot’ team had already been smiling with ease. Starting with Director Ahn Ga-bok, arms crossed.

“Haha, this guy really- has no end to his guts. Who’d have thought he’d act even after climbing onto that monstrous stage.”

Chris Hartnett shook his head like he was exasperated.

“This monster of a guy. But a ‘Joker’ speaking Korean is entertaining. Without a doubt, this brilliant acceptance speech will be talked about for as long as the ‘Academy Awards’ exist.”

The rest of the key staff and others were saying similar things.

“He really started as ‘Joker’ and ended as ‘Joker’. He’s an amazing actor.”

“I’m getting goosebumps for no reason.”

“Using ‘Joker’ to maximize his impact while also promoting the movie… that’s what a real actor is.”

It happened fast. The misconception and misunderstanding quickly engulfed the massive hall. Of course, the livestream chat from audiences around the world, filled with question marks, was no exception.

-??? What on earth is he doing right now?

-Looks like Joker?

-What do you mean, Joker?

-Anyone who saw ‘Pierrot’ would recognize it immediately. He’s giving the speech as the character that got him the award.

-Joker? The villain protagonist of ‘Pierrot’?

-It’s definitely Joker. Otherwise, why would Kang Woojin be doing something this crazy?

-Amazing. If you guys are right, he’s dedicating his acceptance speech to the character who earned him the award?

-JOKER! JOKER!! JOKER!!!

-Wow! Kang Woojin’s crazier than I thought! But I like it!

‘Joker’ had taken over completely. At this rate, it would naturally explode across the globe, including Korea and Japan.

The misunderstanding was spreading globally.

The hosts were all those who had seen ‘Pierrot’.

Fortunately, the ‘Academy Awards’ staff must have caught wind of the rumor too, because they no longer looked confused. The buzzing hall instantly quieted down, and watching it all from the stage, Kang Woojin was genuinely touched.

‘They got it. For things to settle this quickly… As expected of Hollywood.’

Then, after a brief breath, he moved into the final part of his acceptance speech, which was now almost rambling. This time, in English.

“Miley Cara, I’m not good with words, but I’m always grateful. I can’t think of anything else now. If there’s anyone I forgot to mention, thank you too.”

Kang Woojin raised the Best Actor trophy.

“I don’t plan to be satisfied with this award. I’ll keep challenging myself next year too. and uh, I hope all the movies I’ve worked on have good results. How should I end this? That… uh- yeah, really, thank you.”

At that moment, as if they’d never been confused, the entire audience rose to their feet again in applause.

-Clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

It was more intense than the first time. Naturally so. It was a recognition of the actor named Kang Woojin.

“That actor’s mindset is honestly admirable.”

They had fallen for him. Loud whistles and exclamations burst out from all directions. Woojin smiled comfortably, raised the trophy toward the ceiling a few times, and stepped off the stage. A camera immediately followed him. As Woojin made his way back to his seat, people he passed reached out to shake his hand.

“Let’s definitely meet in a project sometime.”

“I was impressed, I’ll always support Kang Woojin as an actor.”

“You deserve to be praised. Always stay an actor who lives only for acting.”

The praise was a bit much, but Kang Woojin, smiling, expressed his thanks to them. Only after shaking hands with hundreds of people did Woojin return to the seat where the ‘Pierrot’ team was gathered. Naturally, everyone had stood up and was applauding. Chris embraced Woojin, and the rest of the key staff offered their hearty congratulations.

However, when Director Ahn Ga-bok came into view.

‘Ah.’

Kang Woojin couldn’t help but pause. Their history went back quite a bit. What should he say? Woojin thought that whatever he said, it should begin with an apology.

“…Director-nim. Um.”

“Woojin.”

But Director Ahn Ga-bok stopped the apology that Woojin had just started in Korean, and with a wrinkled smile, he said.

“You really are something. How do you pull off such outrageous acts with such a indifferent expression? I saw ‘Joker’ wearing the mask of Kang Woojin. It was as if ‘Joker’ had possessed your body.”

“……”

Kang Woojin blinked. He was speechless. He had to interpret what the director just said. Huh? ‘Joker’? What the hell is he talking about? Just then, Chris placed a hand on Woojin’s shoulder and joined in.

“The whole time you were giving your speech, the audience kept gasping. Of course they did. No one expected the real ‘Joker’ to show up. Your acceptance speech as Joker is going to be all over the headlines tomorrow.”

From the team members around him, to VIPs in front, behind, and on either side, everyone raised their thumbs in approval.

“I haven’t seen ‘Pierrot’ yet, but your ‘Joker’ speech made me feel like I definitely should.”

“That was an intriguing, special, and truly actor-like acceptance speech. Your performance has left an impression on everyone.”

And so on and so forth. At this point, Kang Woojin had realized it. No- how could he not? Yes, this familiar feeling and scent.

‘Haha, unbelievable. I was wondering what was going on-’

Letting out a dry chuckle inwardly, Woojin lifted his gaze. A little distance away stood the blonde-haired Miley Cara. She gave him double thumbs up and was smiling. He didn’t even need to talk to her to know. His girlfriend was 100% filled with ‘Joker’ misunderstanding as well.

“Phew-”

Letting out a small sigh, Kang Woojin looked around at the thousands of focused eyes. All of them were filled with admiration. Woojin chuckled bitterly inside.

‘Fuck, a bunch of mistaken bastards.’

As if resigning himself to it.

Meanwhile, in Korea and beyond.

『[Breaking News], Kang Woojin lifts the Best Actor trophy at the Academy Awards… Acceptance speech delivered as ‘Joker’』

『Triumph! Kang Woojin is the Best Actor at the Academy Awards! Acceptance speech given in character as ‘Joker’ from ‘Pierrot’』

Across Japan, Hollywood, and the rest of the world, Kang Woojin’s presence was exploding in full force. Or, more precisely.

『CNM/ Started and ended as Joker! Kang Woojin wins Best Actor at the Oscars! / Photo』

It was spreading across the globe like a nuclear bomb. Just as Kang Woojin had said.

『LA TIME/ 95th Academy Awards Best Actor is Kang Woojin, and his acceptance speech was extraordinary! Livestream chat comments: “Didn’t expect Joker to appear!”』

All thanks to the ‘mistaken bastards’.

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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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