Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 165

God-Given Top Star 165. 24-Hour Close Reality (1)

165. 24-Hour Close Reality (1)

2022.04.14.

“You’re really putting them everywhere…”

“Haha, surprised? Everyone’s surprised at first.”

The PD [Production Director, a common term in Korean entertainment] attaching the mini-cams, chuckled.

“You might feel a bit awkward at first, but you’ll get used to it soon. Eventually, you won’t even notice they’re there.”

The PD was already installing the eleventh camera.

Considering they even mobilized another person to meticulously attach them everywhere, it looked like there would be over twenty.

Cameras meticulously installed without a single blind spot.

Watching this, Yeonwoo pondered for a moment.

‘Is this really okay…?’

Even though it’s a system to show his 24-hour life and create more intimacy…

Even though it’s to show a new side of the star that people usually can’t see…!

“Are you putting one there too?”

The PD had now advanced into the bathroom.

“The bathroom is too big, one isn’t enough. Hahaha!”

No.

Isn’t this the time to be laughing so heartily…?

“You can cover or turn them off when you shower or use the toilet. If you’re uncomfortable, just leave the camera by the sink on and turn off the rest. We’ll take care of the editing. Is that okay?”

It was as if it was obvious that it would be fine.

‘…What about my basic rights?!’

Is using the bathroom something I need permission for?

Yeonwoo seriously considered it again.

“Oh dear, the house is so big, there are so many places to install them. We’ll be done soon~!”

Oblivious to Yeonwoo’s turbulent thoughts, anxious eyes, and the watching Dongja Ryung, the PD shouted energetically.

‘Right. I already agreed, so there’s no going back.’

*

The reason he agreed to this was simple.

Kwon Seonghyun’s words sounded quite plausible.

“Now is the perfect time, when many people are curious about Yeonwoo.”

“Still, wouldn’t there be other ways besides such excessive exposure?”

“Of course, there are ways. There’s definitely a method of revealing things slowly, one by one. Rejecting incoming variety shows, carefully selecting, and gradually shaping the image you want.”

However, there were also clear side effects to that.

Namely, it would take too long.

“Another problem is… the movie did too well.”

“Huh? Isn’t that a good thing?”

With this movie, Yeonwoo instantly gained nearly half a year of lifespan.

It might seem like a small amount of lifespan gained from a number exceeding 7 million [viewers/tickets sold], but the reality is different.

It was closer to a miracle that he gained that much from just the single emotion of love.

It was even more astonishing that someone who watched the movie was saved from giving up a part of their life.

From the beginning, Yeonwoo didn’t intend to earn lifespan with this movie.

This movie was for establishing a foothold for Yeonwoo’s influence.

‘To get over half a year of lifespan from such a movie… that’s a jackpot.’

When he was doing stage greetings [appearances by the cast to promote the film] and fulfilling pledges [promises made to the audience if the film reached certain milestones], the alarms went off like crazy.

It would have been quite painful if it hadn’t been for the automatic harvesting of lifespan.

Anyway, thanks to that, Yeonwoo also obtained quite useful information.

‘Since it’s impossible to predict in what direction and how influence will manifest, I should just try everything.’

But the movie doing well is a problem?

“Of course, it’s definitely good. I was already sure this movie would succeed. But the problem is that it succeeded more than I thought. We talked about image fixation earlier, right?”

“Yes.”

“The fact that many people are going through the movie’s revolving door [watching the movie repeatedly] means that the image of ‘Kim Jooyoung’ is strongly imprinted on those people. In other words, many people will expect ‘Kim Jooyoung’ from Yeonwoo in the future.”

“Ah.”

He understood what he was saying.

“There are a tremendous number of actors who haven’t found their own color even after filming numerous movies. In comparison, Yeonwoo has built a solid image with one movie, so it’s a good thing. It doesn’t matter if Yeonwoo wants to solidify his image in that direction. But that’s not what you want, is it?”

Of course not.

Yeonwoo’s goal isn’t to be an actor who only does unrequited love romance movies.

“We need to shake things up here. Reveal ‘Kang Yeonwoo’ the person, more than ‘Kim Jooyoung.’ Make it clear that ‘Kim Jooyoung’ is just a part of ‘Kang Yeonwoo.'”

Kwon Seonghyun’s words definitely had a point.

“Do you know why many child actors disappear completely or make such drastic changes from their child actor days?”

“Is it because their image is already fixed?”

“Yes, that’s right. The image from childhood continues into adulthood. You can’t keep playing child roles when you become an adult. It’s a kind of shock therapy.”

The living proof who has been acting since childhood said.

“The movie did better than expected, so Yeonwoo also has a chance of that happening.”

“…It’s not something to be happy about just because it’s a huge hit.”

“It’s because it’s the first time. If you show the charm of Yeonwoo the person before the image solidifies, you can attract people with Yeonwoo himself. It’s not difficult.”

“Is that possible…?”

He received unexpected kindness after entering the entertainment industry.

However, the gloomy memories of the past still remained vivid.

“I’m not sure…”

He didn’t want to sound weak, but this was an issue where he had to face reality coldly.

Would people positively accept Kang Yeonwoo the person, not the actor?

He couldn’t give a definite answer to that yet.

However, Kwon Seonghyun gave a gentle smile to those hesitant words.

“Trust me.”

“…”

“If Yeonwoo is anxious, you can trust me, who chose Yeonwoo.”

He sometimes forgets, but Kwon Seonghyun was a top star whom everyone in Korea unanimously recognized.

If he had been more willing to be active, he would have been the first successful actor to work in Hollywood.

“I’m not saying to reveal everything nakedly. We’ll edit what needs to be edited, and there will definitely be post-processing. The editing rights have already been negotiated, so it can’t be aired without our confirmation.”

“…Is that okay?”

Wouldn’t it be far from the nature of reality if he didn’t reveal everything?

That’s what he thought, but,

“There’s a purpose. It’s to appeal to Yeonwoo’s charm, not to film a human documentary, right?”

That was certainly true.

Even though it’s a 24-hour close-up camera program, it’s a program to promote ‘Kang Yeonwoo’ the person.

“You have to add fuel to the fire when attention is focused.”

It’s the same principle as striking while the iron is hot.

“Just think comfortably. It’s not difficult.”

Kwon Seonghyun smiled.

*

…It was just a few days ago that he had allowed it to happen like a snake slithering over a wall, thanks to Kwon Seonghyun’s inspired persuasion.

Seeing the cameras being installed so massively shook his decision, but it was only for a moment.

“Whew. The dorm is so big, it took a long time. Did you wait long? Ah, I’m the PD in charge of Yeonwoo. This friend and I will be in charge of interview filming, etc.”

The PD introduced the writer next to him.

He thought she was a filming staff member because she was installing cameras in every nook and cranny, but she was a writer.

“First, we’ll proceed with the intro interview!”

A white background, chair, and lighting were set up in a corner of the living room.

He didn’t know when they had installed it.

“Here are the questions we’ll ask, and you can answer them simply. There may be questions that aren’t on there, but please answer them appropriately. Don’t freeze up too much and be natural. It’s not good to be too stiff or formal, so be natural. Got it?”

As soon as Yeonwoo sat down, a red light came on on the camera.

It was the beginning of the 24-hour close reality.

“Hello, Yeonwoo. Please give a brief greeting.”

“Hello. This is Kang Yeonwoo. It’s nice to meet you like this.”

“You still seem nervous. Are you very nervous?”

“Yes. I’m still a bit unfamiliar with the cameras everywhere.”

“You’ll get used to it soon! You appeared as the sub-protagonist in a very hot movie that was released recently, right? You’re currently receiving a lot of love, how do you feel?”

“I did my best in acting, and I think many people liked it.”

“Have you ever experienced such desperate love?”

“Um… I’ll pass on that question.”

The auxiliary camera showed the PD as he smiled. The writer next to him poked him in the side, saying that he shouldn’t ask such things.

“The reaction to ‘Our Beautiful Days’ pledges is very hot these days. The 7 million pledge clip that was released recently also had a huge article. But unfortunately, we couldn’t break the 8 million wall… Aren’t you disappointed?”

“Of course, it would be a lie if I said I wasn’t disappointed, right? But I’m satisfied enough.”

The most beautiful days were unfortunate, but they were coming to an end with a score of just under 8 million.

They added hundreds of thousands more by using the pledge as a booster, but it was definitely impossible to reach 8 million with the current trend.

It was because they were pushed back by the firepower of a famous overseas franchise movie that was released a little later than Our Beautiful Days.

Although they didn’t reach the 10 million that everyone wanted, it was still a great result for a romance movie.

In particular, it was very encouraging that it broke the record for existing romance movies.

Even though it wasn’t a special season and it wasn’t a happy ending, but an open ending, it was a very remarkable success in that it produced a large number of people who went through the revolving door.

Thanks to this, Our Beautiful Days has become the most successful romance.

“But it’s not completely over yet, do you have any thoughts on the 8 million pledge? There’s a report that a love call came from a certain program. I heard that they sent a love call to Yeonwoo in ‘Survival in the Wilderness.'”

The PD’s eyes twinkled as he asked, perhaps because it was a variety show that aired on the same affiliate channel.

Survival in the Wilderness.

Among the public broadcasting programs, it is a famous outback exploration survival variety show.

The main content is that the cast members build their own houses and prepare their own meals.

However, at one time, it was revealed that the production team was actually bringing in food and that the filming location itself was not in the outback, which led to criticism for manipulation.

Since then, Survival in the Wilderness has been reborn as a thorough survival program without any intervention after undergoing reorganization.

“I did receive such an offer, but unfortunately, the 8 million pledge will be difficult.”

“That’s too bad. I know there are many fans who are waiting for that pledge.”

“I hope that someday, if I have the opportunity, I can meet your expectations even if it’s not a pledge.”

Of course, it’s a lie.

The Our Beautiful Days team was torn between whether to be happy or not as 8 million approached.

This was because the entire team was on the line for being cast in Survival in the Wilderness.

So, as soon as they realized that 8 million wouldn’t be possible, everyone sighed in relief while feeling disappointed.

-We suffered so much there, and now you’re telling us to go to another survival show? I’d rather not reach 10 million…

10 million is good, but shouldn’t people live first?

“As you said, I hope that wish will come true someday.”

A meaningful smile flashed across the face of the PD in charge.

It seemed that he had gotten enough content to get an intro interview, and it was over.

“As you already know, you’ll live your life as usual, but we’ll give you missions from time to time. You just need to complete those missions. So, I’ll give you the first mission. Please introduce your accommodation to the viewers.”