I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 370: Prestige (7) - Edited

Chapter 370: Prestige (7)

Translator: Santos

How many animations has *World Disney Pictures* released into the world? Among them, there are works that are representative of *World Disney Pictures*, so well-known that everyone can recall them at the mention of their title. These are the poignant works that shaped childhood fantasies and stimulated imagination.

In Kang Woo-jin's memories, such animated films certainly existed.

From tales of the ocean or animals to stories about rubbing a lamp and making wishes, there were countless works that could not be enumerated one by one. Among them, Kang Woo-jin particularly loved the animated film about a lion becoming a king.

Anyway.

*Is this the animation I know?*

The title printed on the cover of the script in Woo-jin’s hand as he sat in the van was one that had seeped into his memories.

- *Beast and the Beauty*

Of course, in Korea, it was better known by its Korean title, *The Beast and the Beauty*. As Woo-jin donned his concept face, he briefly recalled the *Beast and the Beauty* he had watched in the past: a massive castle covered in snow during a blizzard, a beast that lived there, and a beauty that would leave anyone wide-eyed.

*The teapot and the teacups were adorable too.*

Moreover, the songs sung by the distinctive characters were all masterpieces, still etched in Woo-jin’s memory. How old was he back then? As the memories of the past washed over him, he suddenly snapped back to reality.

*Ah—wait a minute. This might not be that animated film, right?*

Though he usually avoided it, there were instances where movies with the same title existed, whether in Hollywood or domestically. Still, filled with faint hope, he looked back at the script. The ponytailed Choi Sung-geon was smiling faintly, while Woo-jin, with a stiff expression, asked him quietly.

“Director, is this script for the work I know?”

“Hehe.”

Choi Sung-geon suddenly smiled strangely and gave a thumbs up.

“That’s right, it’s the one you know. No, I’d say it’s something that everyone in our country knows.”

“The Disney animated movie *The Beast and the Beauty*.”

“Ah, that one.”

“Why is the script for that work here?”

“I’m not some big shot from Disney. Why do you think the script is here?”

With a deepening smile, Choi Sung-geon pointed a finger at Kang Woo-jin.

“Because it’s a script that’s come to you.”

What? Kang Woo-jin nearly let out a gasp, losing his concept face. A script had arrived. That meant *World Disney Pictures* had sent him a love call. Moreover, the work was *The Beast and the Beauty*. It was amazing that such a massive Hollywood studio had shown interest, but the fact that he had been familiar with it since long ago was what shocked him even more.

*Wow—are you serious? Disney is really reaching out to me??!*

He barely managed to keep his composure, but internally, Kang Woo-jin’s jaw dropped. Unlike the recent news about *The Pierrot*, which was still unknown to everyone, *The Beast and the Beauty* was known to almost everyone, including Kang Woo-jin and Choi Sung-geon.

*Wait a second. So what does that mean? Is this a modern remake of the work? Or is it a live-action adaptation??*

Feeling his heart race, Woo-jin forced himself to calm down and asked Choi Sung-geon again.

“Are you saying that *The Beast and the Beauty* is being adapted into a live-action film?”

Choi Sung-geon nodded immediately.

“Yeah, live-action. Of course, this is still being conducted confidentially by Disney.”

“I see.”

“Why do you seem so lukewarm about it? Come on, it’s Disney! Sure, *Columbia Studios* is crazy too, but Disney sending you a love call right after is amazing, isn’t it? Two of the five biggest Hollywood studios reaching out to you at the same time! Aren’t you excited??!”

Sure, he was. He genuinely felt like jumping out of his seat, but Kang Woo-jin had to hold it in.

“A little.”

“······Typical of you. When this is announced, both domestic and overseas will be in an uproar. And if the live-action adaptation is *The Beast and the Beauty*—oh, this is seriously more than a bombshell. It’s a symbolic Disney work.”

“When did this script come in?”

“I just heard about it this morning. There’s a lot to relay, but it’s a bit rushed to go into details right now; just know the situation for now.”

While listening to the explanation, Woo-jin's gaze fell back to the *Beast and the Beauty* script. Next to the script was, of course, a black square. Meanwhile, Choi Sung-geon seemed ready to exit the van and, lifting his butt slightly, spoke again.

“Oh, and the role you’ve received is the ‘Beast’.”

- *Thud.*

Kang Woo-jin’s vision was suddenly engulfed in endless darkness. He had poked the black square without even realizing it. Upon entering the aether, Woo-jin cast aside his concept face and exclaimed,

“This is insane, real Disney?? This is awesome.”

He immediately moved toward the white square floating ahead. Although he was in the middle of filming *The Evil*, checking the ratings would be no problem.

- *Swipe.*

He spotted a recently added work at the end.

- *[11/Script (Title: The Pierrot), EX+ level]*

*The Pierrot* had set the record for the highest grade in the aether, and to its right was the newly added *Beast and the Beauty*.

- *[12/Script (Title: The Beast and the Beauty), EX level]*

The grade for *The Beast and the Beauty* was EX. It was sufficiently impressive. Just recently, EX was the highest rating in the aether. Upon seeing the rating, Woo-jin grinned.

“This has reached an insane level too.”

There was no reason not to take on *The Beast and the Beauty*. Aside from the size of *World Disney Pictures* and the script's rating, what excited Kang Woo-jin the most was the nostalgia it evoked.

“Why shouldn’t I take this opportunity to become that ‘Beast’?”

It was a chance that not only appealed to him as an actor but also sparked immense interest within the essence of Kang Woo-jin. Shouting “exit,” he found himself back in reality, inside the van. As Choi Sung-geon was about to step out of the vehicle, Woo-jin whispered to his back.

“Director, I’ll take *The Beast and the Beauty* as well.”

He hesitated. Choi Sung-geon, who was opening the van door, stopped and turned his head back quickly. He saw Woo-jin's serious expression holding the script.

“Are you just going to say yes without any explanation?”

“Disney and the role of ‘Beast’—that’s more than enough for me. I can hear the details later.”

“······Aren’t you at all concerned? After all, it’s the live-action adaptation of *The Beast and the Beauty*, known worldwide.”

With a deep poker face, Woo-jin shook his head.

“Not at all.”

Without any hesitation about taking on both *The Pierrot* and *The Beast and the Beauty*, Woo-jin stood firm. After briefly observing him, Choi Sung-geon smiled.

“Alright. Let’s rock Disney.”

Meanwhile, in Busan.

At the entrance of the *Busan International Film Festival*, where the red carpet procession was underway, stood Directors Ahn Ga-bok and Kwon Gi-taek, alongside a frenzied broadcast team and hundreds of reporters.

Their excitement had lasted for over ten minutes already.

“Director!! Did *Columbia Studios* personally send you a love call??!!”

“When did the discussions start??”

“Is it confirmed?! Are you 100% directing a film produced by *Columbia Studios*?!!!”

“Can you tell us what the film is about??”

“Did you sign right after the Cannes Film Festival ended??!”

“Congratulations, Director Ahn Ga-bok!!!”

This was due to the explosive declaration made by the veteran director, who had announced that he would be directing a film from *Columbia Studios*, one of the largest film companies in Hollywood. Because there had been no prior indication, their excitement was entirely natural.

“Wow, how does it feel to be the first Korean to take on a Hollywood film??”

“When will filming begin??”

“What about the cast?! Who are the Hollywood actors mentioned for the project??”

Hundreds of reporters were continuously snapping pictures while shouting questions, but Director Ahn Ga-bok, with a calm smile, held back.

“I will share detailed information soon.”

However, he did offer one tidbit.

“Regardless of anything else, there will be something interesting regarding the cast.”

He was hinting at the hidden project, *The Pierrot*. This comment was 100% intended for Kang Woo-jin, but the hundreds of reporters had no way of knowing this. Afterward, Directors Ahn Ga-bok and Kwon Gi-taek left behind the somewhat crazed reporters and began to move inside the *Film Center*. Just as they entered, Director Kwon Gi-taek, with a warm smile, spoke up.

“Senior, I’m surprised.”

Director Ahn Ga-bok, who wore a wrinkled smile, patted Kwon Gi-taek on the shoulder a couple of times.

“I’m sorry. There were

recent developments, and I was a bit out of it.”

“No, there’s no need to apologize. Congratulations. Truly.”

“Just wait; you’ll be joining soon.”

“Looks like you’ll be living in Hollywood soon. By the way, Director.”

“Hmm?”

“About what you mentioned earlier, that there would be something interesting regarding the actors. Could it be—”

Director Kwon Gi-taek had an indifferent-looking actor in mind. However, he quickly shook his head.

“No, it’s better to see it for yourself.”

Meanwhile, outside the *Film Center*.

Hundreds of reporters, who had been going crazy over Director Ahn Ga-bok's news, still showed no signs of calming down after he had left.

“Can you believe it? *Columbia Studios*!!”

“I thought there might be some love calls after winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes, but I never expected him to suddenly take on a project from such a giant studio!”

“This is huge; is this not the first time for Asia according to *Columbia Studios*’ history??!”

“But what’s this about the cast??”

“Is that really the issue right now?!”

And then.

“This is a major scoop!!”

The reporters, who had been crowding, quickly pulled out their phones.

“Ahn Ga-bok's Hollywood debut!!”

They needed to spread this scoop to the public as quickly as possible.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

The next early morning, Saturday, the 13th.

The weekday had ended, and the weekend had begun. The location was Kang Woo-jin's home in Samsung-dong. It was just past six.

- *Sigh.*

Kang Woo-jin, with messy hair, woke up in the quiet bedroom. Naturally, his concept face had been wiped away, and as he stretched his body, he said,

“Ah! I’m dead tired.”

He moved to the living room. He had to leave the house in exactly one hour. However, the fatigue was heavy. Kang Woo-jin rubbed around his eyes as he walked to the coffee table. He noticed two bundles of black squares sitting there: *The Pierrot* and *The Beast and the Beauty*. Woo-jin picked up *The Beast and the Beauty*.

Then.

- *Thud!*

Casually poking the black square, Woo-jin instantly entered the aether. There was both curiosity and the need to rest. In the endlessly dark aether, Woo-jin moved towards the white square.

He checked out *The Beast and the Beauty*.

- *[12/Script (Title: The Beast and the Beauty), EX level]*

A thought suddenly struck him.

“Wait—this isn’t the first time Disney has done a live-action adaptation, right?”

That was true. *World Disney Pictures* had already adapted several of its iconic works into live-action films. Of course, these films had been released in Korea, and most of them had achieved significant success. The recurring issue every time had been the actors portraying the characters from the animated films.

In that moment, a question mark appeared in Woo-jin’s mind.

“Hm—who will play the ‘Beauty’?”

Who would the actress be for the female lead, known for her beauty even in animated films? As Woo-jin’s curiosity intensified, he touched the white square for *The Beast and the Beauty*. The text quickly changed.

- *[You have selected the script (Title: The Beast and the Beauty).]*

- *[Listing characters available for reading (experience).]*

- *[A: Beast, B: Lumière, C: Cogsworth...]*

These were all very familiar characters. Soon, Woo-jin's finger moved toward the ‘Beast’ option. He was ready to read (experience) it. Lately, Woo-jin had preferred to read through the script completely before diving into the experience, mainly to understand any sudden deaths or crucial plot points. This was why he was reading the script for *The Pierrot* first as well.

However, *The Beast and the Beauty* was different. He already knew the content.

- *Swipe.*

The role he chose was, of course, the ‘Beast’. Soon, a robotic female voice echoed throughout the aether.

[“Ability beyond the basic specs has been detected. Acquiring ‘Beast Transformation’ first.”]

Kang Woo-jin furrowed his brows in confusion.

“Wait?? What’s this ‘Beast Transformation’?”

But the robotic voice didn’t allow for any respite.

[“Preparing for ‘Beast Transformation’ reading...“]

[“...Preparation complete. Starting ‘Beast Transformation’ reading.”]

Immediately, a massive grayness enveloped him.

How much time passed?

With the end of the woman's voice, the darkness faded.

[“Ending reading (experience) of ‘Beast Transformation’."]

When Kang Woo-jin opened his eyes, he found himself in his living room, not in the aether. Then, without a word, he said,

“...”

He focused on raising the ‘Beast Transformation’ ability he had just acquired.

“Nothing seems to have changed, after all.”

There was no significant difference in his appearance. However, he did feel a change in the part of himself related to the concept and essence of Kang Woo-jin.

There was a solid control and restraint, along with a rough beastly nature.

“...Is this really what ‘Beast Transformation’ is about?”

It could be seen as an enhancement of his concept.