Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 156

156. A Reversal of Fortune

A wind of reversal blew.

No, it would be more accurate to call it a typhoon or a storm.

Why?

[At this moment, the *Manman-tu* storm is advancing in the United States!]

That’s what the article said.

Within the United States.

The number of screens showing *Manman-tu* has increased to nearly 2,000.

[Nationwide Expansion of *Manman-tu* Screens Across the US!]

[‘The Fun Worked’]

[Recognized Artistic Merit in Hollywood!]

This accounted for 5% of all screens in the United States.

Cinecastle was exclusively distributing *Manman-tu* through a contract with Netplay. Cinecastle repurposed a whopping one-third of its 6,000 screens for *Manman-tu*.

[Actor, what on earth did you do? No, what are they thinking? What am I even doing right now?]

Director Shim Sung-bo’s side was speechless and utterly bewildered.

This wasn’t the end of it.

[Cinecastle Announces They Won’t Miss This Opportunity]

Was 2,000 screens not enough?

The situation was that they would expand further, ultimately filling up to 4,000 screens in the US, the limit allowed by anti-monopoly laws.

What started as a special screening at Netplay’s request for service purposes had now clearly turned into a blockbuster movie phenomenon.

The CEO of Cinecastle stated the following about this situation.

[Notice Regarding the Expansion of *TWOAAA* Theaters]

[People who want to see the movie should be able to see it.

Whether they are in Kansas, North Dakota, or Maine, if they want to see the movie, they should be able to.

This is a natural right of consumers and something that should be protected.

Our decision was made solely for this one reason.

To show it to those who want to see it.]

Praise poured in for the message that they were responding to public demand.

But that was just what they said.

Everyone in the industry had the same guess.

“Cinecastle abandoned AST and joined hands with Netplay.”

“They switched.”

It meant that Cinecastle had decided to break away from the existing market system.

Abandoning AST, the film company representing theaters, and going with Netplay, the representative of OTT [Over-The-Top media service, like Netflix or Hulu].

And with the film *Manman-tu* at that.

“They must have accumulated tremendous internal data.”

“There were rumors that AST was keeping *TWOAAA* in check, but they’re making this choice in this situation?”

“Just how excellent is this film?”

The shock experienced by industry insiders was even greater than the syndrome [a widespread cultural phenomenon] experienced by the general public.

This happened because the theater industry was also measuring the distance of whether or not to join hands with OTT companies.

“From now on, we should invest more in Netplay-supported productions.”

Netplay, which had been struggling in theaters, was now going to push the theater industry aside with just one success.

A political situation had become intertwined.

However, these speculations were actually hitting the mark in some ways.

[The other guys are boycotting Netplay, right? Then let’s take it all.]

The fact that Cinecastle was exclusively distributing *Manman-tu* was one such aspect.

First of all, it’s an exclusive film.

No matter how big of a hit it is, there’s no chance of losing a share to other film companies.

And there’s no company like AST to threaten them.

So, shouldn’t they enjoy it when the opportunity arises?

[If we’re going to push it, let’s push it all the way.]

That was the moment when *Manman-tu* advertisements started playing on Cinecastle’s 6,000 screens.

Corporate decisions are usually not revealed to the general public.

But this time was an exception.

[Title: Isn’t the Odin Universe Going Too Far?]

In fact, antipathy towards the Odin Universe was secretly growing among the public.

[Sphere is fun, but it’s too self-replicating]

[It feels like watching the same story again, just with different characters]

[It feels like the Odin Universe has established a successful formula and is milking it to the bone]

*Sphere*’s performance is strong.

It was clear that it was a blockbuster based on the indicators revealed so far.

But.

[You can predict everything from the first 10 minutes to the ending]

Beyond that, there were criticisms that it was self-replicating, and audiences were slowly getting tired of the Odin Universe.

No, not slowly.

Actually, it had been like that for a long time.

If the existing behavior pattern was to watch it reluctantly because there was no suitable competitor in the market.

[Is *Manman-tu* that good?]

It’s really a coincidence.

Coincidentally, an alternative was hanging right there on the theater screen.

[I thought the critics praising it was just them, but if Cinecastle is pushing it this much, there must be a reason, right?]

Who wouldn’t watch this?

[They say it’s crazy good?]

[Everyone who’s seen it is going to see it again]

[I’m going to see it for the 4th time today]

The situation of one person watching, watching again, and continuing to watch was repeated.

They watch it, word of mouth spreads, and they watch it again.

Even though it’s just a movie ticket, it was so hard to get good seats that scalpers were selling them, and the screenings were continuously sold out.

[Selling *Manman-tu* gold-class tickets for $42]

[Isn’t this illegal?]

[So, you’re not going to buy it?]

[I’ll buy it if you lower it to $40]

A situation that can only happen when the timing and market trends all come together.

That’s right.

This was a syndrome.

A syndrome that occurred because the times chose *Manman-tu*.

American audiences willingly entrusted themselves to a phenomenon close to a syndrome.

[Wow]

[They say it’s a huge hit in the US right now?]

[They say it’s breaking all-time records]

[They say you’ll be an outcast if you don’t watch it]

[My heart is swelling]

[A Korean movie is manipulating the emotions of the American people]

[Mr. Kim Gu, are you watching?]

While Korean netizens were unable to calm down and were jumping around in a frenzy of national pride that they had never felt before.

Just one person.

‘Lee Min-ki!’

There was someone who couldn’t suppress their extreme anger.

‘Are you trying to screw me over like this?’

That was Emma Specter, the director in charge of the Odin Universe under AST.

* * *

She could be said to be the most watched commercial director in the American film industry.

Emma Specter, who is becoming a legend by hitting another box office jackpot with *Sphere*, was restless now more than ever.

‘What’s so special about that low-budget movie?’

*Manman-tu* was the cause.

[*Manman-tu*, cruising at over 70% seat occupancy even after screen expansion]

[Certification parades continue across the country]

[The hottest movie in America right now is not the Odin Universe, but *TWOAAA* (The War of All Against All)!]

[Even ticket scalpers appear for movie seat tickets]

After continuing its insane box office run, it was writing down a great record in Hollywood history.

A low-budget movie that was only scheduled to be released as an OTT exclusive service.

A work that cost less than 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD] to produce, which is only the budget for one episode of a recent drama.

It is competing equally with *Sphere*, which has a break-even point of $300 million.

Does this make sense?

“Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh……!”

Emma Specter chewed on her long fingernails.

A movie that she didn’t even consider a competitor was succeeding to this extent.

What she thought was just a pebble rolling on the street was threatening the throne of *Sphere*, going beyond simply being a competitor.

No, that’s wrong.

What if it had started with 4,000 screens, 10% of the screens allowed by the US anti-monopoly law, like *Sphere* from the beginning of its release?

“……!”

It’s chilling.

I don’t even want to imagine it.

That’s why I’m even more angry.

I can’t help but be furious, as if a volcano is about to overflow in my heart.

It’s not just that her masterpiece, *Sphere*, is being pushed back in terms of commercial success, but there was another reason.

[Isn’t *Sphere* too commercially oriented because it’s conscious of China?]

Even public opinion was completely in favor of *Manman-tu*.

[Does it make sense that an ancient Chinese warrior is mowing down everything in America?]

[Didn’t you know? AST is crazy about PC [Political Correctness] lol]

[If it’s to suck on China’s warm left nipple, you have to put your beliefs aside]

As expected of the Odin Universe, the box office performance is good.

However, the evaluation was surprisingly low.

The action is excellent, but story-wise, it’s a replica of the existing Odin Universe movies.

That’s right.

A movie that gets criticized but sells well, that’s what *Sphere* is.

[They made it too safe]

[Action, humor, and a little bit of teaching, the formula is the same]

[If you’ve made over 30 movies like this, shouldn’t you make something different now?]

[It’s good as long as it’s fun]

[I want to eat chili hot dogs, but if you say chili hot dogs are bad, where should I eat them?]

[Everything is good, but please stop pretending to be enlightened to people who don’t like mint sauce on chili hot dogs~~]

Opinions are already divided among American netizens.

Looking at Rotten Apples [a play on Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregator], a review score that directly reflects the audience’s evaluation of the film, this gap is even more evident.

[*Sphere*: 77% (Fresh)]

While *Sphere* is receiving a decent score as a good work.

The competing work, *Manman-tu*, is.

[The War of All Against All: 98% (Alive)]

It is being highly evaluated in every way to the point where it cannot even be compared.

“Aaaagh!”

Emma Specter threw the trophy hanging on the wall.

She could just ignore those opinions, but it was because voices were coming from inside the company.

[Why did we abandon Lee Min-ki?]

[Wasn’t the condition you presented too unreasonable?]

[Emma Specter, you are talented, but you need to take some pressure off your shoulders.]

Gritting her teeth.

They were making a fuss about how she always made good sales, but now they’re saying something different.

The way they were lecturing her as if they knew everything was ridiculous.

[Focusing too much on commercial works is like eroding the lifespan of the universe.]

[The audience is slowly getting tired of it.]

[Is this the end of the great Emma Specter?]

[With your current sense, I don’t think you’ll be able to make it in the future market.]

She couldn’t help but hear the noise coming from inside the company.

Is this all?

‘The film companies said they would actively cooperate, but are they going to come out like this?’

Even the film companies that were AST’s partners were baring their teeth.

‘Did the usually docile guys all join hands with Netplay?’

The unwritten rule that OTT works are not properly shown in theaters is cracking.

Because of one work called *Manman-tu*!

‘This won’t do.’

A sense of crisis engulfed her mind.

But isn’t this a situation that she brought about from beginning to end?

Emma Specter threatened Netplay, so Netplay put *Manman-tu* in theaters.

It doesn’t end here.

Because she threatened Cinecastle without even giving them the work right away, it led to the expanded screening of *Manman-tu*.

‘Something’s wrong.’

What can she do if things don’t go her way?

Crunch, crunch.

She can only chew on her fingernails.

[#1 – Sphere]

[#2 – The War of All Against All]

Although it is ranked 1st and 2nd in the box office, there is a very large gap of 70 million dollars in the first week’s performance alone.

She is watching *Manman-tu* chasing after her slowly but surely.

[#1 – The War of All Against All (↑)]

[#2 – Sphere (↓)]

The waters of the Yangtze River flow [a metaphor for unstoppable change].

Very quietly.

Also.

Clearly.

* * *

A man.

A man with broad shoulders that are particularly noticeable was rolling around on the living room floor in his pajamas, muttering.

“…… I’m going crazy.”

He is actually spinning around.

Physically.

But also mentally.

[Genius Actor, or Maybe a Genius Director?]

Because the internet was praising a man like a genius of the century.

Of course, it was Lee Min-ki, that’s who it was.

[The first Korean movie to top the box office was made by an actor!]

Perhaps because his name is also proudly listed as one of the directors.

The world seemed to be calling him a genius director already.

“…….”

No, aside from all that, it’s scary because it’s getting too hot.

I wish I had gotten hot while building up a little bit, but when I came to my senses, I was a world star.

[*Manman-tu*] itself is a work that became a global hit as it went backwards on OTT.

That’s what I was aiming for when I joined the production team.

But.

Everything is good.

Isn’t it getting too hot now than it was in the past?

“…….”

Good.

Honestly, it would be a lie to say it’s not good.

The whole world is praising him, how can he not be happy?

‘My luck is going crazy.’

Certainly, luck played a big part.

Emma Specter, an unintended helper, also helped a lot with the box office success.

“Erai [Damn it, an expression of frustration].”

Lee Min-ki closed his eyes tightly and shouted.

“I don’t know! Yes! I’m excited!”

He tried to be falsely humble for a while, but gave up.

He decided to be confident.

There’s no one at home right now, when else would I shout like this?

“I am the best director in the world! Hahahaha!”

He was shouting like that.

Beep beep beep.

Flinch.

Lee Min-ki hurriedly lifted his waist at the sound of the front door opening, and the door opened.

In front of the opened door.

“…… Manager?”

Manager Park Han-mo was standing there.

“It’s not easy to meet the world’s best director.”

“…….”

He could hear everything from outside the front door.

Lee Min-ki tried to suppress his shame for a moment, then asked with a thought that suddenly came to mind.

“Wait a minute. How did you know the password to the front door here?”

“This house is a house leased by JC [his agency].”

“Ah.”

That’s right.

I forgot about it while living.

‘I thought I was the landlord.’

I should take it over or move soon.

Because now I can afford to buy a house with cash.

‘Should I move next door?’

As Lee Min-ki, who had become much stronger in capitalism, was solidifying his decision like garlic [becoming firm and resolute], Manager Park Han-mo smiled and approached him, saying.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

“Today is a holiday. And so many calls came in that I decided to pretend I didn’t have a cell phone. Until I get a new cell phone.”

“I see. But you’ll have to come with me somewhere today.”

The next moment.

The words that came out of his mouth were unexpected even for Lee Min-ki.

“The world’s best star wants to meet the actor.”