Prince From Another Dimension Becomes An Idol [EN]: Chapter 128

#128.

The recommended videos all had thumbnails featuring foreigners.

One, updated just the other day, already boasted over 600,000 views.

Sunmi immediately understood what these videos were.

“Reaction videos? But why are the views so high?”

K-POP had become a globally recognized genre, to the point where the term itself no longer sounded strange.

While idol groups’ overseas expansion was once primarily limited to Asian countries like Japan and China, K-POP fans now existed worldwide.

Korean culture, especially idol culture, had firmly established itself on the global stage.

Even if the fanbase wasn’t massive, their presence was undeniable.

The power of the MyTube platform played a significant role in this.

It was an era where people across the globe could easily access ‘K-Idol’ videos.

Consequently, foreigners watching idol music videos or performances and providing real-time reactions and reviews became a popular form of content.

The growth of K-POP.

Curiosity about how foreigners react to their favorite idols.

A desire for ‘Koreans’ to be recognized and active on the world stage.

The popularity of reaction videos stemmed from a combination of these factors.

Even Korean fans weren’t the only ones enjoying reaction videos.

Foreign K-POP fans were equally enthusiastic about their niche culture gaining wider recognition.

Reaction videos focusing on idol music videos or performances became quite popular.

Specialized reaction channels emerged, and some Korean producers even hired foreigners to react to content.

The more exaggerated and enthusiastic the reactions, the higher the views, leading some videos to exploit ‘national pride’ to an excessive degree, making viewers uncomfortable.

“They’ve been uploaded before, but…”

MOST’s reaction videos had been consistently uploaded since their debut songs, 〈I’m Different〉 and 〈Dynamic〉.

Notably, the promotional video filmed at Haengjusanseong Fortress [a historic mountain fortress] had received such a positive response in Korea that reaction videos were created specifically for it.

Reaction videos were released simultaneously with 〈Yours〉.

Due to its visually stunning nature, foreigners repeatedly exclaimed ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Wonderful’.

But that was the extent of it.

It didn’t become a major topic of conversation.

‘MOST’s overseas fandom isn’t that big yet.’

Sunmi was willing to acknowledge the truth.

Before their debut, she was destined to meet Dojae by chance, a destiny, a confirmed Bestie [MOST’s fandom name] 1st generation, but.

So she analyzed the situation objectively.

In Japan, their popularity was unexpectedly growing without much active promotion.

Their stage performance had received very positive reactions both on-site and on television just once.

‘But elsewhere… Are they only known because they’re popular in Korea?’

So far, MOST hadn’t amassed a large number of overseas K-POP fans.

‘But there are a lot of reaction videos this time. Should I watch one?’

With that thought, Sunmi clicked on the channel of an American man with the highest number of views.

It was a channel with approximately 100,000 subscribers.

He seemed to upload various trending content videos, but the other videos didn’t have particularly high views.

Only the MOST 〈Remember (English title ‘Don’t forget it’)〉 reaction video had unusually high viewership.

There were numerous comments, almost all from foreigners.

tony : kimchi is too hot. crying

me: MOST is too cool crying

Looking at the comments with many likes, there were as many comments about kimchi as there were about how cool MOST’s music video was.

“Suddenly kimchi? What is this…?”

Sunmi quickly played the video.

-Hey, guys!

The man started the video with an energetic greeting.

He explained his reason for filming the 〈Remember〉 reaction video.

He had filmed a reaction video to Big Boyz’s music video following the HOH series [likely referring to a specific content series or event], and the response was positive, so he decided to watch a new song from the same company as Big Boyz.

The video followed the standard reaction video format.

He played MOST’s music video on one side and recorded his real-time reactions.

Korean subtitles had been thoughtfully added, allowing Sunmi to watch the video without difficulty.

-(Desert? Was it filmed in a real desert?)

-(Looks like FBI agents. They’re chasing someone!)

-(Oh! Is that them?)

-(Aliens? They all look so pretty?)

-(Wow!!! Just now!!! So handsome!!!)

-(Is it a bit similar to the Big Boyz song from last time? KPOP songs have a lot of intense beats like this)

-(What… Cancel, cancel!!! It’s a completely different song? I don’t know much, but the melody is good. The melody alone is as good as a Hardplay song? It’s totally my taste!)

-(If there’s a song like this, you should let me know sooner. Ah, it’s a song that came out the day before yesterday.)

-(Oh! Be careful! They’re chasing right behind you!)

-(The graphics are fantastic? To exaggerate a bit, it’s like watching a movie. It’s even more so because that silver-haired guy especially looks like an actor. Crazy… I think I’ve fallen in love with that man. He’s so handsome.)

-(Mom! I’m leaving for Korea! To meet the silver-haired man from space! Ah, not North, South!)

-(Crazy! Just now, the vocals! What? Goosebumps! I got goosebumps! This is completely… on another level?)

-(Wow… I knew Korean idols could sing better than I thought… but just now wasn’t it really Hardplay level? Crazy! My beard is standing up!)

-(Uh-oh? Uh-oh?!)

The MyTuber, increasingly engrossed as if he were a Bestie, was speechless, his mouth agape in astonishment.

He tore at his curly blonde hair.

It was the scene where the members turned around in turn, and Dojae sent a sexy look and tilted his head, doing a wave.

-(Wow…)

The scene transitioned to MOST performing a group dance with dozens of black-clad backup dancers.

Only exclamations escaped his lips.

“Ah, the swag is crazy.”

Even though she had seen it countless times and it was appearing small on the screen, Sunmi shook her head in admiration once again.

No matter how many times she watched it, the dance break following the chorus was truly spectacular.

The stage was one thing, but watching it as a music video was thrilling.

The members in suits and the members armed with leather were cross-edited, and the screen widened with each powerful beat.

Louis, seemingly leading a unit in the center, exuded the aura of a young leader, while energy overflowed from Heungmin, who was performing a solo dance.

The members dancing with all their might even felt solemn.

The well-made graphics in the background also significantly enhanced the visual appeal.

It felt like being sucked into space.

-(Wait a minute. This is crazy?! I… liked this.)

The man who stopped the video swept back his bangs and slumped in his chair.

“Ah, what. Isn’t he too into it? Hehe.”

His reaction was that of a fan completely overwhelmed by a new discovery.

Sunmi chuckled at the amusing sight.

It seemed the views were high because the reaction was so extreme.

There was no hint of acting; it was ‘real’, making it funnier and more engaging.

But that was Sunmi’s miscalculation.

The man seemed even more impressed than she had anticipated.

-(Ha… really, just a moment. I’m too excited. It’s completely art. It’s more wonderful than any music video I’ve ever seen. Silver hair… I should have known from when he looked so handsome like he came from space.)

The man who muttered continued to speak.

-(I really need to practice going to Korea. I just bought kimchi at H Mart [a Korean-American supermarket chain] to film a video next?)

“Wow. He must have been trying to make Korean content properly?”

He suddenly mentioned kimchi and said he would watch MOST’s music video while eating it.

-(I want to show my respect for MOST and K POP, and Korea!)

“Why is that a sign of respect, ah… this foreigner is completely crazy?”

Sunmi continued to watch the video, hiccupping.

If the man’s demeanor was slightly different, she would have suspected sarcasm.

The man was genuinely replaying MOST’s music video with a blissful expression.

-Take my hand even in the upside-down world!

And he, who seemed to clearly favor Dojae, during Dojae’s high note part….

His face turned red, and he shed tears.

“Euhahaha! Crazy! So over the top! Ha! Isn’t he crazy?”

The man, focused on the music video and constantly exclaiming, became thirsty and unknowingly picked up the kimchi in front of him with chopsticks and ate it.

-(Wow! Amazing! So amazing!)

Even while admiring the music, he was panting from the spiciness.

-(Kimchi… is really spicy. But I’m not doing this because it’s spicy. Because it’s so cool! Korean food and music are both so hot!)

“Is he a comedian! If he raised the views with this, I admit it.”

It was too cheesy.

She felt like she understood why there were kimchi stories in the comments.

Sunmi, who had laughed for a long time at the man’s ridiculous reaction video, went to the fan community.

Sure enough.

Someone in the fan community had captured and uploaded the man’s reaction video.

It seemed the views were rapidly increasing due to the MyTube algorithm and the humorous content.

“Ah. I laughed thanks to him.”

Sunmi, now fully awake, was startled by the sound of a 택배 [Taekbae, Korean for delivery] arriving and ran to the front door.

It was clear that the pre-ordered album had arrived.

***

The next day.

“Congratulations on Louis becoming a regular MC!”

A small celebration party was held in the practice room.

It was after the news of Louis’s confirmation as the MC of 〈Music Story〉 was released.

The members turned on ON TV [likely a Korean broadcasting channel] from early in the morning and shared this joy with the fans.

They shared Choco Pies while practicing and held a live broadcast for about 10 minutes,

but that was enough for the fans.

It was because the members’ hearts, who always tried to share happy things together, were conveyed.

“The fans are really congratulating me a lot. I am a happy man~”

“It’s the first time you’re doing personal activities in earnest.”

Woocheol replied to Louis’s words.

Today, instead of speaking, 기준 asked Woocheol, who was looking at the ON TV comments.

“But. Tony? Kimchi? What video is it? Korean fans and foreign fans are asking a lot.”

Woocheol’s eyes widened and asked 기준 if he hadn’t seen it yet.

Gyoosung and Heungmin, who were standing next to 기준, hadn’t seen it yet either.

Louis and Dojae, who had already checked the video, started laughing.

It was because they remembered the man who had extravagantly praised the music video to the point where he might be suspected of being paid for it.

“Our reaction videos are being uploaded a lot now because it was a bit popular overseas.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Not only because of that person, but the overseas reaction to the music video is really good!”

Woocheol said excitedly.

It was when 기준, Heungmin, and Gyoosung were about to search for the video on their phones with interesting faces, saying “Oh.”

Jeong Giljoo burst into the practice room and shouted excitedly.

“Guys! Your schedule has been set!”

“······?”

The members looked at Jeong Giljoo in bewilderment.

It wasn’t like MOST didn’t have a schedule (there was an event in the afternoon today alone), so they wondered if having a schedule was something to be so happy about.

But what came out of Jeong Giljoo’s mouth was a completely unexpected story.