I Was Mistaken as a Monstrous Genius Actor-Chapter 473

It wasn’t about keeping up a facade or maintaining a dignified appearance. He was genuinely in shock. A flood of memories flashed through his mind like a panorama. Yes, Cannes. His journey to the Academy Awards had started there. Back then, he had only been shooting Leech, but people around him had been talking about Cannes being the stepping stone to the Oscars.

But everything had now become a reality.

"Wow—seriously, this is really happening?"

With this, it was confirmed that Cannes was indeed the stepping stone, and the Emmys had been a side dish to the main course.

Woojin’s world was full of misconceptions and misunderstandings. But time and again, he had turned those misconceptions into reality. This time was no different. Woojin, as the Joker, had turned all those misunderstandings into a miracle.

At that moment—

Swoosh.

Woojin’s senses slowly returned. The first thing he noticed was someone else’s breathing—Miley Cara’s. She was right next to him, jumping up and down, hugging him tightly, her face beaming with joy.

“Woojin!! Congratulations!! Really, really, congratulations! This is unbelievable!”

“…”

Still feeling detached from reality, Woojin stared blankly at Cara. As he registered her face so close to his, his hearing slowly returned. The muffled sounds around him transformed into loud screams and cheers.

“Waaaaaah!!! You did it!! You really did it, Woojin!!”

“Kyaaaa!! Oh my God!!”

“Oh my gosh! Woojin oppa!! Congratulations, so, so much!!”

“Ahh!! I have goosebumps! This is insane!! Oppa! Oppa!!”

“Woojin, congratulations!!”

The living room of Woojin’s house had erupted into chaos. Choi Sung-gun, the team members, and the BW Entertainment staff who had gathered were going wild. It was like a physical manifestation of the word “frenzy.” The house echoed with endless screams, and everyone, including Sung-gun and the team, swarmed around Woojin and Cara, wrapping them in one massive group hug.

It was an adrenaline-fueled explosion.

“#(&%(#%#%(#(!!!”

“@$&%(@&%&@$&@&!)!!!”

“(#(#%(#%(%^&!@$^!”

Everyone was shouting, but it was hard to make sense of the words amidst the chaos. The only person who remained silent in the middle of it all was Woojin. Through the clamor, he faintly heard Sung-gun’s voice.

“You’re the first! The first Korean actor! Not just from Korea, but from all of Asia! In all of Hollywood history, Woojin, you’re the first!”

It was true. Never before had a Korean actor been nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. The speed at which Woojin had reached the Oscars was unprecedented. His path to this moment had been unconventional, to say the least.

In other words—

“You’ve made history in Hollywood!”

Kang Woojin had indeed written a new chapter in the history of acting, not just in Hollywood but worldwide.

Just then—

-["Now, it's time to announce the nominees for Best Director."]

The TV switched to the next category in the Academy Awards. And the interesting thing was—

-["The first nominee is Anga Bok for The Clown: Birth of a Villain."]

The first name called was for The Clown again, this time for Anga Bok, the director. The group hugging Woojin and celebrating froze in place.

“Huh? Did they just say Anga Bok?”

“No way!! Anga Bok got nominated for Best Director?!”

“This is unbelievable! It’s a double celebration!!”

The room erupted into even more excitement. Woojin, who had regained his composure, was internally amazed.

“Oh! Even the director?!”

This meant that The Clown had now been nominated for Best Costume Design, Best Actor, and Best Director. It was a massive win. The quality of The Clown was undeniable, and the fact that it was being nominated in multiple categories underscored its impact. Even being nominated in just one category would have been a success, but now the film was nominated in three. It was a festival for The Clown.

“This is like… the best-case scenario!!”

Choi Sung-gun and the others were celebrating as if it were their own victory. Miley Cara, still clinging to Woojin, shared in the excitement.

But it wasn’t over yet.

-["And now, the final announcement. As you all know, this is for the highest honor at the Academy Awards—Best Picture."]

The grand finale—the Best Picture category. After several films were announced, the host spoke once more.

["Wow, this film is truly the hottest contender at this year’s Academy Awards. Congratulations, the final nominee for Best Picture is The Clown: Birth of a Villain!"]

Woojin’s internal scream:

“Are you serious?!”

The Clown had been confirmed as a nominee in four categories.

At the same time, the live broadcast of the Academy Award nominations was stirring excitement across the globe, not just in Woojin’s house. Nowhere was this more apparent than at Columbia Studios, the production company that had placed all its hopes on The Clown: Birth of a Villain.

“We did it!! We actually did it!!”

“Can you believe it? Four categories?! We’re nominated in four categories?!”

“Haha! You saw it with your own eyes! That’s right, four nominations!!”

“Director, congratulations!!”

“This is a win for all of us!!”

“I was already blown away by the Best Actor nomination—but Best Director and Best Picture too? This is a miracle.”

“What do you mean, a miracle? We earned this! We deserve this!”

The cheers had started when The Clown was nominated for Best Costume Design, and the celebration reached a fever pitch when Kang Woojin’s name was called for Best Actor. Now, it was complete chaos. Executives, staff, and even Nora Foster were unable to contain their excitement.

The only person keeping some semblance of composure was—

“...I’ve been nominated for Best Director at the Oscars?”

Director Anga Bok, whose wrinkled face displayed a mixture of disbelief and wonder. While it was hard to believe, it was also fascinating to see his long-held dreams becoming reality.

“If I hadn’t given The Clown to Kang Woojin… if he hadn’t brought the Joker to life… none of this would have happened.”

From the moment Anga Bok had envisioned the character of the Joker, he had thought of Woojin. Woojin’s determination to aim for the Academy Awards had been part of the battle. There had been challenges, but in the end—

“Haha, I guess you could say Kang Woojin made all of this possible.”

Kang Woojin had, once again, proven himself.

His portrayal of the Joker had elevated the entire production and completed The Clown. Looking around, Anga Bok noticed the foreign staff celebrating like children. These were all influential figures in Hollywood, but right now, they were rejoicing like kids.

“A monster who turns giants into children. And I’m no exception.”

He was referring to the genius, monstrous talent of Woojin.

The miracle of The Clown quickly spread from Hollywood to the rest of the world. Many were excited. Columbia Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, Universal Movies—Hollywood’s “Big Five”—and even Guest's A8 Media were all abuzz.

And not just them.

Even actors like Chris Hartnett couldn’t hide their shock.

“What the hell… what’s happening right now?!”

The Academy Award nomination announcements soon dominated global headlines.

『CNM: A Miracle! The Clown: Birth of a Villain Nominated for Four Categories at the Academy Awards!』

『ABY: The Most Shocking Academy Award Announcement Ever! Kang Woojin Nominated for Best Actor, The Clown in Four Categories!』

『BBX: Kang Woojin Becomes the First Korean Actor Nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars!』

『LA TIMES: Incredible Results! The Clown: Birth of a Villain Nominated for Costume Design, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture!』

And the global audience?

Did I hear that right?? The Clown is nominated in four categories?!

Oh my God! This is unbelievable!

This just proves that Hollywood is changing. After watching The Clown, I totally get why.

Kang Woojin!! He’s done it!!!

Honestly, I thought it was completely deserved. His Joker performance gave me chills.

I feel like this year’s Academy Awards is going to flip the world upside down.

So, does this mean Columbia’s cinematic universe is a huge success?

No way!!! Something must’ve gone wrong with the voting process. There’s no way Kang Woojin should be nominated for Best Actor!!

Get a grip! The only thing wrong is your brain!

Congrats, Kang Woojin!! I’ve been rooting for you since Beneficial Evil!!!

Could Kang Woojin actually end up holding that Best Actor trophy?

The internet was exploding. Major forums worldwide were flooded with discussions about the Academy Awards, The Clown, and Kang Woojin. Social media and YouTube were awash with related topics. And in Korea, Woojin and Anga Bok’s home country, the reaction was just as wild.

『Breaking News: The Clown Nominated for Four Categories at the Academy Awards』

『Kang Woojin and Director Anga Bok Head to the Oscars with Four Nominations!』

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

『The Clown is Insane… Kang Woojin Nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars』

The entire nation was buzzing.

『The Clown Nominated for Four Academy Award Categories! Kang Woojin and Director Anga Bok Make History as Korea’s First Oscar Nominees!』

『[StarTalk]: “Next stop—the Oscars.” Kang Woojin Fulfills His Promise, Winning the Hearts of the Korean People.』

Kang Woojin had worked yet another miracle. While securing a nomination was just one step, it was enough to send the public into a frenzy.

Let’s goooooo!!!!!!!!

Woojin’s family and everyone who had ever crossed paths with him were showing a level of excitement that could only be described as explosive.

It was like a nuclear bomb had gone off, and the excitement would last for at least a week.

In Korea, Hollywood, the U.S., and around the world, the media continued to cover the Academy Awards, Kang Woojin, and The Clown. Public anticipation kept soaring higher and higher. It was, without a doubt, the most intense hype in Academy Awards history. And as the days leading up to the April 24th ceremony ticked down, the tension in Hollywood—and for Woojin himself—only increased.

“Ahhh, time’s flying. Is it really only five days until the ceremony?!”

April 20th had arrived.

Early in the morning, the area around the massive performance hall in LA was bustling. Journalists, broadcast teams, and crowds had gathered, all snapping pictures of the grand entrance. The variety of languages being spoken revealed that people had come from all over the world. Of course, many Korean journalists were present as well.

This was the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards were held every year.

What the reporters were capturing was everything involved in preparing for the ceremony.

Statues, banners, and signs were being installed.

It was the most highly anticipated Academy Awards in years, so the scene was unsurprising.

At that moment—

“Hey! They’re starting to roll it out!”

“Oh, damn! Let’s go!”

A few reporters, seeing what was happening at the entrance, rushed over. The commotion spread quickly to other reporters and broadcast teams. Soon, the entire press corps had gathered at the front of the Dolby Theatre, cameras ready.

The reason was simple.

Swoosh.

A team of Academy staff had begun laying out the most iconic symbol of the ceremony, starting from the entrance steps.

『[World News] The Academy Rolls Out the Red Carpet… "Bring on The Clown"』

It was the red carpet that Kang Woojin would walk.

April 24th, Monday morning, in LA.

As usual, the beginning of the workweek had arrived. But today, Hollywood was anything but normal. The entire industry—news outlets, movie studios, production companies—was abuzz.

The major media outlets were frantically publishing articles left and right.

Why?

『LA TIMES: Oscar Day Has Arrived, and Hollywood is Hotter Than Ever』

『BBX: The Dolby Theatre is Surrounded by Sold-Out Hotels and an Overcrowded Airport on Oscar Day』

『ABY: World’s Top Actors Arrive for the Academy Awards / Photos』

The long-awaited Academy Awards ceremony was set to open this afternoon, and expectations were sky-high.

『NT: The Oscars Will Be Shown Live at Times Square, New York’s Most Famous Landmark』

With that, everyone was busy. Especially Columbia Studios, one of Hollywood’s Big Five.

“Did you double-check the actors’ schedules?!”

“Yes! I confirmed them more than twice!”

“Why isn’t the on-site team answering?”

“What’s happening at the Dolby Theatre?!”

There was so much to prepare and confirm for The Clown, the movie that had caused such a stir. Hollywood as a whole was in chaos. News outlets and broadcasters were scrambling to secure the best spots at the Dolby Theatre, while the actors, directors, and other VIP guests invited to the ceremony were preoccupied with wardrobe checks. At LAX, the international press and countless celebrities were arriving in waves.

Online was no less chaotic.

When can we start watching the Oscars live?!

I think it’s at 6 p.m.

Are you sure? Isn’t the red carpet event at 6?

Where can I watch the live stream? YouTube?

YouTube and the network the Academy partnered with.

Which network???

If you have time, head to Times Square. They announced it’ll be shown there too.

And what about Kang Woojin?

“Hah—this is really happening today? Man, I’m so nervous.”

Surprisingly, he was still at home. Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, his hair a mess, it was clear he hadn’t been awake for long. There was no posturing today, just the genuine Woojin, trying to calm his racing heart.

But it wasn’t working.

With the Oscars just hours away, who could possibly remain calm? This was his first time experiencing something like this, and with the eyes of the world on him, Woojin’s thumping heart wasn’t unusual.

Whatever the case—

Swoosh.

Woojin finally got out of bed, ruffling his messy hair, and walked to the bathroom mirror. He washed his face, but the nerves wouldn’t go away. With no other choice, Woojin decided to freeze time.

Whoosh.

He entered his personal space.

Standing in the endlessly dark space, Woojin let out a deep sigh. Breathing in the void, away from reality, strangely helped him regain some calm.

“…Alright. All I have to do is walk the red carpet, sit down, and watch. Let’s not expect too much and just get through it.”

With that, Woojin quickly exited his personal space. Grabbing his phone, he saw countless missed calls and messages. Without hesitation, Woojin dialed a number.

It was his family.

“Son! Are you okay?”

Woojin chuckled and replied briefly to his parents on the other end of the line.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll do my best.”