Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 394

394. A Call from Korea (2)

“Korea? Isn’t that Yeon-woo’s hometown?”

“Really? Are we going to Korea?”

“I’m in! Let’s go! I was getting bored being stuck here!”

Though many places sought them out, they stood their ground.

It wasn’t exactly intentional, but they seemed deeply impressed by Yeon-woo’s attitude.

‘No, when was I ever cooped up like a shut-in?’

I was just engrossed in work!

Though later, I did make good use of the situation.

Of course, the actors also had something to say.

“I see why Yeon-woo doesn’t like media exposure much. It’s too immediate. Everyone is.”

“It can’t be helped since that’s their job, but… it’s not pleasant to see them flip their attitude like turning over their palms. Hmm.”

They were the ones fiercely criticized by all sorts of media before the release.

It’s just that Yeon-woo was there to keep them grounded on set, so there was nothing to be shaken about.

‘They couldn’t have felt good.’

Is that why?

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why the actors are so happy about the success now.

In fact, except for Yeon-woo, almost no one thought this movie would be so successful.

Director Mac and the actors also believed it, but that was nothing more than faith in Yeon-woo.

“I still remember the face of that distributor’s president back then. Coming all the way here, acting high and mighty, treating us like some third-rate movie. As if there was nowhere else to distribute it but them?”

The number of distributors with influence in Hollywood is small enough to count on one’s fingers.

Moreover, one of them even went bankrupt.

‘So, they probably came looking because they found it strange that we weren’t bowing down to them.’

They must have thought that they were the only lifeline left!

In the first place, there’s no use in making a movie if it can’t be distributed.

You could put it in an independent movie theater, but that wasn’t the goal.

But there was something they overlooked.

‘They probably didn’t know that we were the ones who bought up not just the distribution company but also the theater chains, did they?’

I didn’t particularly want it, but Woo Do-gyeom’s decision unexpectedly turned out to be a good result.

As expected, even dog poop has its uses.

Thanks to that, we were able to see the rather amusing sight of the officials who had come swaggering in returning with embarrassed faces.

“Haha. They’re all regretting it now.”

“Ah. This exhilaration of rejecting interviews. I think I’m getting addicted.”

It was only natural for the actors to react like that.

It was the result of being tormented so harshly until the lid was opened and the results were confirmed.

It’s strange if you don’t feel bad when you’re openly told that you’re going to fail and get laughed at.

“An interview for the fans? Do we really need to go through the media to communicate with our fans? I don’t want to raise their viewership ratings.”

“We’re already communicating well enough. Right?”

Thanks to that, they currently only occasionally hold events or live streams on social media.

No one seemed to have any intention of officially appearing in front of the media.

It was in the midst of all this that the news came.

“To Korea?”

It was Kwon Seong-hyeon’s call, asking if they would like to come to Korea.

“Are we going on our first stage greeting [actor appearance to promote a film] overseas?!”

“Oh! Overseas! Korea! Yeon-woo’s hometown!”

When asked what the call was about, I simply answered.

“Oh. That’s a good idea? It seems very meaningful to go greet Yeon-woo’s hometown for the first time.”

“Korea? Hmm. I’ve never been there, but… if it’s where Yeon-woo lived, I’m willing to go. It’s not because I’m curious and want to go, so don’t misunderstand!”

Not only the actors but also Mac Houston joined in.

Even Gabriel, who was coyly saying she would go too, behind him.

‘Are these people all crazy because they’ve been cooped up lately?’

It seems that the extroverted people have become a bit strange because they’ve been cooped up.

Even if the studio building is large, there’s definitely a difference between indoors and outdoors.

“Our first stage greeting! Korea!”

“No! Let’s call it a vacation! Vacation!”

“…….”

I just said that there was a call from Korea.

Moreover, the person Kwon Seong-hyeon was talking about was Yeon-woo himself.

‘How did things turn out like this?’

Before I knew it, the runaway horses with their tails on fire had skipped several steps in the conversation in an instant.

Mac and Andrew, as the people in charge, were seen talking to Miracle.

‘What kind of crazy 추진력 [drive/momentum] is this…….’

But it wasn’t a bad idea.

In fact, when you think about it, it was a very good idea.

-“The domestic atmosphere is very good. Did you know that it hit 1.2 million on the first day? It’s a hot topic because it beat the all-time number one.”

That was the news Kwon Seong-hyeon had told me during the last call.

The Last Piece was released simultaneously in North America and Korea.

Thanks to the simultaneous release, Korea’s release, which was half a day earlier, was the first release worldwide.

‘It’s a relief that the response is good in Korea as well.’

The Last Piece was not the kind of story that would only resonate in one culture.

What should I say?

It contains a message that is universally applicable.

‘Maybe that’s why the scenario was shining with gold, right?’

Looking at the direction I’ve been walking in so far, I’m probably 90 percent sure.

I don’t know why, but the elders above seem to want Yeon-woo’s influence to be felt not only domestically but also globally.

Anyway, that was it.

That’s all I said, but…….

“Ah, I’m nervous. I’ve never been overseas before.”

“I’m riding first class for the first time. You don’t take off your shoes, right? Gabriel told me to take off my shoes, is that true?”

“Our production company is so generous. To cut us tickets to Korea right away like this.”

“If this news gets out, those damn tabloids will be embarrassed, right? My heart is so relieved. 크어! [Keueo! – An onomatopoeia for a sigh of relief.]”

Before I knew it, I was standing at the airport.

With a group of people chattering excitedly.

Really in the blink of an eye, a phone call that was just exchanged as small talk became an official event.

“…….”

Something feels a little strange…….

“Yeon-woo, I heard you’re going back to your hometown after a long time? How do you feel?”

“Yes, well……. It’s not bad.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Yeon-woo’s hometown.”

I should be the one who’s excited, but.

It seems like the other actors are more excited.

‘The more the merrier.’

Yeon-woo thought.

*[으아아! 드디어 한국이다! Korea at last!]*

The Child Spirit was jumping around in all directions.

‘I’m finally starting to feel it.’

To be honest, I didn’t feel real because it happened so quickly.

Even while flying for twelve hours, I was just spacing out.

[흑흑. It feels like it’s been so long since I’ve been here. As expected, Koreans belong in Korea……]

However, as the Child Spirit ran around like a dog that had made eye contact with someone in the neighborhood, I began to feel it a little.

“Isn’t this…… a future city?”

“Is this really an airport? No, the airports I’ve seen so far weren’t like this?”

The actors looked at Yeon-woo with shining eyes at the magnificent appearance of the airport.

‘No, why are you looking at me? It’s not like I built it?’

They began to follow Yeon-woo like ducklings following their mother duck.

The Miracle staff who accompanied them took on the role of guide, but the actors’ gazes ultimately turned to Yeon-woo.

[후. You western bumpkins. How’s the taste of Korea!]

Do they know?

That the adorable Cheese, who comforted them before and after the movie’s release, is now standing proudly above them with his hands behind his back?

The Child Spirit, who had returned to his original form after a long time, happily supervised the group as they went through immigration procedures, repeatedly expressing their admiration.

It wasn’t bad until then.

‘When I first boarded the plane with UTT, I never thought it would take this long to come back.’

Before I knew it, I was making songs there and appearing in movies.

To make matters worse, I even got involved in film production.

To be exact, I only put in money.

Lost in such thoughts, when I was guided to the departure hall.

“……?”

Yeon-woo had to doubt his eyes for a moment.

“Wow. I’ve never seen such a big bouquet of flowers.”

“I guess they’re waiting for someone amazing?”

“Isn’t there some kind of filming here? I’ve only seen such huge bouquets of flowers in movies……?”

The actors who were following behind whispered.

Listening to that, Yeon-woo thought for a moment.

‘Can’t I just pretend I don’t know and pass by?’

But that fleeting hope soon vanished in vain.

“Yeon-woo 씨 [Mr.]!”

One of the people holding the flowers called him.

“Oh? Yeon-woo. It looks like they’re calling you?”

The actors’ eyes all turned to Yeon-woo.

“……”

What’s even more maddening is,

“It’s been a while, 군 [Mr.].”

The second bouquet also came closer.

“No, what’s going on……?”

“A bouquet……? Could it be a fan who came to greet us knowing we were coming to Korea?”

“No. There aren’t enough people for that……?”

“Then who are those people?”

Who else could it be?

“Kwon Seong-hyeon 씨 [Mr.], Woo Do-gyeom 씨 [Mr.]…… It’s been a while?”

They were people I never expected to meet here.

“It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while, 군 [Mr.].”

The two of them approached quickly and greeted me.

Without either of them saying who it was, the two who spoke first looked at each other.

“……Where did you learn the manners of interrupting someone’s greeting?”

“Isn’t it too childish to think that you can monopolize someone, 도련님 [young master]?”

No.

Why are you fighting here?

“I trust you didn’t bring those bouquets to give to me.”

The two people who were growling at each other paused.

“By any chance, do you…… dislike flowers?”

“Flowers are innocent, but humans have an emotion called shame.”

So if you’re going to give me that bouquet, I won’t stand for it.

When I said that with my eyes, the two hesitated.

Then, they slyly lowered the huge and luscious bouquets they were holding and hid them behind their backs.

As if they could be hidden.

“Were you tired from the long flight? Let’s go quickly. I have a car waiting.”

It was Kwon Seong-hyeon who turned the conversation first.

The actors behind him were losing their minds in real time at the words he said with a bright smile.

‘That’s on purpose. 100 percent.’

It’s exactly the 확신범 [convicted criminal – someone who is acting knowingly] itself that he’s using knowingly.

“I have also prepared a car, haven’t I? I’ve assigned one car per person so that there’s nothing uncomfortable. It’ll be more comfortable than several people riding together.”

“There’s nothing more uncomfortable and confusing than leaving someone alone in an unfamiliar foreign land.”

“…….”

No, I don’t know why the two of them can’t get along again.

Why are you fighting over moving?

‘Shouldn’t we just split up and move on our own?’

Those who like being alone follow Woo Do-gyeom’s way.

Those who feel more comfortable moving in groups follow Kwon Seong-hyeon.

Do we have to choose just one side?

Shouldn’t we just be comfortable?

[아니야. No. That’s not it.]

For some reason, the Child Spirit shakes his head.

I feel like he’s looking at me with pity.

No.

Why, what, why?

“Yeon-woo 씨 [Mr.].”

“군 [Mr.].”

An ambiguous situation where I feel like I have to choose one or the other for some reason.

What broke through that difficult situation was none other than…….

“What are you doing here? Move your ass!”

[어? 어어어?! Huh? Huh?!]

The Child Spirit, who had been gleefully chattering as if watching a fire across the river, quickly ran away.

A voice I haven’t heard in a long time but can never forget.

[연화 씨 [Ms.]!]

It was Yeon-woo’s mother, Kang Yeon-hwa.