307 - Autumn 8

Autumn (8) >

Inside the plane.

It was about an hour after the flight to LA took off from Incheon Airport. Perhaps because it was a night flight, the inside of the plane was quiet. In general, the lighting is dark. More than 70% of the passengers are asleep and the rest are doing their own thing with their personal lights turned on.

The atmosphere was the same in business class.

In particular, Choi Seong-geon, who is almost buried in his seat, stands out. He fell into such a deep sleep that it seemed like he might have died, even with his head down. That too was a recent forced march. Kang Woo-jin could be found in the business class window seat.

"······"

Perhaps because the air conditioner was turned on, he, wearing a black cardigan, was not sleeping. Most people are asleep, but Kang Woo-jin's poker face is dark. Because there is no such thing as letting down your guard. Woojin is looking down at his tablet with the personal light in his seat turned on.

Foreign news articles from overseas are being printed.

『Miley Kara's new post on SNS "I'm looking forward to working on an album with Kang Woo-jin"』

『Miley Kara begins working on new album with Korean actor』

Of course, it is minimal compared to the current Korean media that is going crazy, but Kang Woo-jin still felt a little strange when he found his name in the foreign media.

'It's so awkward to see my name appear in an English article. Is this a leak from Kara??'

His name is often seen in Korean and Japanese media. But he wasn't used to it being written in English. Some articles even introduced Woojin's Instagram.

'As expected, Miley Kara has firepower.'

Currently, Kang Woo-jin's momentum has skyrocketed, but he is almost unknown in Hollywood. Well, he made his name known in small ways. As proof, the number of English comments on the 'Kang Woo-jin alt-character' channel and SNS has increased significantly.

Still, in the grand scheme of things, it was only a small amount of recognition.

However, the foreign press is moving just because Miley Kara mentioned it. Mention Woojin Kang's name or research him and introduce him. This was only the power of global superstar Kara. Woojin, who had been checking foreign news articles for a few minutes, checked the time.

It was roughly past midnight.

Time will change once they arrive in LA, but in any case, Kang Woo-jin swallowed water while bending his neck from side to side. Holding on to sleep in moderation. He prayed to adjust to jet lag, but he wasn't particularly sleepy.

'Is it because I often rest in subspace?'

Soon, Woojin put the wireless earphones in his ears. Then he played a music file saved on the tablet.

-♬♪

In no time, a song penetrated Woojin's ears. It was Miley Kara's new guide version. Of course, it was a song that Kang Woo-jin would participate in working on. I've already listened to it enough to get used to it, but listening to it more won't be a problem. At the same time, he operated Woojin's tablet with his index finger.

-Sigh.

The music video storyboard he often reviewed was printed. This was also sent from Miley Kara. The music video storyboard was similar to the movie and drama storyboards that Woojin often watches. However, for Kang Woo-jin, music videos were clearly something he experienced for the first time.

'It should be fun, but I'm secretly nervous.'

In fact, when he first received this storyboard, Woojin was calm. But when he got on the plane, his heart rate rose slightly. Rather than being nervous about filming his first music video, it was more like anticipation. Moreover, the other person was Miley Kara, a star who commands the world as both an actress and a singer. No, Miley Kara? Is this real? Once again, Woojin lost sense of reality.

'······, I never thought the day would come when I would appear in Miley Kara's music video.'

He even participates in the album. This news had already spread throughout Korea, and numerous messages were being sent to those around Kang Woo-jin. In particular, his friends were crazy. Kang Woo-jin himself is also amazing, but how amazing are they? Then, Kang Woo-jin focused his gaze on the tablet again. He muttered to himself as he read through the music video storyboard.

'But- it's a shame that subspace doesn't appear.'

Of course, the black square did not appear in the music video. That means that Kang Woo-jin had to attack this music video without any space.

'There doesn't seem to be any problem because there is no particular acting, but-'

Still, there was no smoke at all. When he thinks about it, it was almost the first time he filmed something that included acting without any subspace. Woojin was lost in thought for a moment, and his old-fashioned temper arose.

'I don't know. In any case, just elevate any role and that's it.'

10th, Saturday morning. japan.

By the time Kang Woo-jin's plane was approaching LA, a public relations war was unfolding throughout Japan.

『「3rd quarter animation promotion begins」There are many eye-catching works that are expected to be released this year!』

These were the ones that many animation production companies spread. It was a picture that could be seen every quarter in Japan. This time in the third quarter. Since it is a market where at least 30 works are released every quarter, it was natural to promote them desperately to attract the attention of the Japanese public.

Otherwise, it would be buried without even mice or birds knowing.

Of course, there were animations that had a lot of momentum even without any special promotion. This was the case with animation, where the popularity of the original cartoon soared. Every year, the best-selling manga is made into an animation, and it was in this third quarter as well.

Whatever it was, the Japanese animation market was a battlefield filled with bloodshed and not just weapons.

『"The Strongest Spy"'s first animation! Can the popularity of the original cartoon continue?』

『"Spy Daddy" held a large-scale event in Akihabara! Voice Actors' Fan Signing Event』

『The second season has finally come out, "Magic Rotation" fans are already buzzing about the news of the second season airing』

『'Male Friend: Remake' with the participation of Kang Woo-jin, ranked 1st in SNS search rankings!』

Of course, there were a lot of articles about 'Boyfriend: Remake'.

『The only original work from a Korean drama, "Boyfriend: Remake," the only rom-com animation among the 3rd quarter works』

Among many anime, 'Boyfriend: Remake' is the only one whose original work was not a cartoon. Even the original work, 'Boyfriend', was a Korean work, and it is a romantic comedy that has recently performed poorly in the Japanese animation market. Therefore, the production company 'A10 Studio' had to double the money spent on promotion.

In some ways, it may have been the weakest among dozens of animation works. However, 'Boyfriend: Remake' also had a weapon to wield.

『A10 Studio says voice actor 「Kang Woo-jin」, "His skills are such that there will be no problem even if he becomes a voice actor"』

issue. In other words, it was Kang Woo-jin. This is his only breakthrough as he has become the most well-known person in Japan with numerous hot topics. In addition, the challenging projects undertaken by 'A10 Studio' also contributed to the project. Animating a Korean work, suddenly using a Korean actor as the male protagonist's voice actor, entrusting the OST to Kang Woo-jin, etc.

Thanks to this, 'Boyfriend: Remake', which had only two days left until its first airing, was being talked about most on various Japanese social media and communities.

『「Male Friend: Remake」, which is most talked about on SNS and communities, is currently number 1 based on popularity alone』

Of course, not everything was good.

-Male Friend: Remake!! I'm looking forward to it!

-www I'm curious because Kang Woo-jin is the voice actor www.

-I don't really want to see it, Kang Woo-jin wouldn't have been a good voice actor anyway.

-This anime…it's finally coming out…I would have seen it if it wasn't the original Korean work…

-There are some parts I don't like in many ways, but since it's been a while since it's a romantic comedy, I plan to watch the first episode.

-There are so many popular male voice actors in Japan. Why did a10 use Korean actors?

-Male Friend: A lot of people will watch the remake, either those who are looking forward to it or those who are against it will watch it out of curiosity.

If you think about it, there were more malicious comments. However, if this is also an interest, it is an interest. Therefore, 'A10 Studio' did not loosen the reins on promotion, regardless of what the public said or not. As time went by, more and more advertisements were placed on SNS, YouTube, and communities.

Recent trends in the Japanese animation market can be seen as barren.

The average viewer rating was in the 3% to 5% range, and if it reached the 10% range, it could be considered a hit. Two years ago, an animation came out that had a viewership rating of 15%, and the Japanese media even called it a huge hit. The viewership rating in the 3% range is about 10th in viewership ratings. In the first or second quarter of this year, 10% of animation works were not released.

Therefore, the Japanese media also focused on the animation market in the third quarter.

『Will there be a work with a "10% viewership rating" in the third quarter?』

Because there were a lot of expectations. There are a lot of anticipated works.

『The highly anticipated 「3rd quarter」, at least 10 works! Who is the winner?』

It was said that there were more than one competitor to 'Boyfriend: Remake'.

Meanwhile, Korea. Incheon International Airport.

Although it was morning, the airport departure hall was overflowing with people. Because it was the holiday season in July, there were several times more crowds than usual. Meanwhile, dozens of groups carrying enormous luggage came into view. At first glance, it was a team that gave off the scent of a filming team, and some of them included foreigners. When you looked closely at the foreigners, you can see a familiar face.

Because they were a stunt team with Ethan Smith.

There were many unfamiliar faces in front of them as well. This was especially true of a man with a thick beard.

"Take care of your belongings as a team! If something is missing when you arrive in Bangkok, it's a problem!"

It was producer Song Man-woo. It was natural. These dozens of people were the filming team for 'Beneficial Evil'. Of course, not the entire team was moved, and only the teams that would participate in the overseas location in Bangkok, Thailand were gathered.

The goal is location hunting in Bangkok.

There was already a line PD on standby in Bangkok who would be responsible for overseas locations. This trip to Bangkok for 'Beneficial Evil' was a very important event. It was a schedule right before the end of pre-production and script reading, and we had to finalize the 'CQC' martial arts storyboard, which would be the core of episodes 1 and 2.

Maybe that's why.

"······"

Ethan and the stunt team's expressions were stern.

At this time.

"Entrance! Entry procedures! Let's go in one by one!"

Starting with the assistant director's shout.

-Sigh.

The 'Beneficial Evil' team departed for Bangkok.

LA International Airport.

Woojin Kang and his team arrived in LA. It was night when Woojin stepped into the incredibly large arrivals hall, filled with people of many races. To be exact, the night of the 9th, one day before. Woojin, with an indifferent face, stared at the dark sky outside the airport window.

'Crazy, I left at night and arrived at night.'

Kang Woo-jin secretly praises himself for somehow surviving the flight without sleeping. It was my first time in LA since filming 'Our Table'. Choi Seong-geon and a dozen other people were behind him. Woojin's YouTube channel 'Kang Woojin alt' team was also included. After completing immigration, they passed through the spacious lobby and exited the airport. When I came out, there were two large vans waiting on the shoulder of the entrance.

No, big? It was a bigger car than that.

'Has the representative prepared it?'

Of course, Woojin thought that Choi Seong-gun had prepared it, but that wasn't the case. Pigtail-haired Choi Seong-geon recited the answer.

"Wow, Miley Kara treats her guests properly. She'll even send you a car this night."

It was a car sent by Miley Kara, and of course, it was a car that Woojin could use while he was in LA. Soon, a sturdy foreigner got out of the driver's seat of the car and helped Kang Woo-jin and the team pack their luggage. Kang Woo-jin, Choi Seong-gun, Han Ye-jeong and a few others got into the front van. When he got into the car, the interior was more spacious than expected.

'Wow, this car is really crazy??!'

Woojin maintained a poker face, but inside he was shocked. At the same time, Choi Seong-gun, who was sitting next to Kang Woo-jin, laughed and said.

"You know that Kara found our accommodation too, right? 5-star hotel in the heart of LA. They were all suites. Well, it's only natural since she called you."

After finishing packing his luggage, a sturdy foreigner got into the driver's seat. There was also a giant in the passenger seat. It was a guard. Of the two, Choi Seong-gun leaned towards the foreigner in the driver's seat. He shows his cell phone and says something. Woojin tilted his head inwardly, but didn't ask anything in particular.

like that.

-Boo!

Two huge vans left LA Airport side by side. Woojin started looking at the LA night view outside the window.

'I saw this before when I was taking pictures of our dining table, but I'm definitely blown away by LA's night view.'

At this time, Choi Seong-geon, who had been tying his ponytail again, yawned and joined in.

"First of all, we will go to the hotel and rest today, and then you will meet Miley Kara around noon tomorrow for a meeting. They're coming to the hotel, I think?"

"Is that so?"

"Uh huh. And before we go to the accommodation, let's stop by one place first."

Where to go this night? Kang Woo-jin just asked back in his mind and nodded with a serious look on his face.

"Yes, CEO."

Afterwards, the van carrying Woojin entered the city center, which was lined with tall buildings. It was late, but there were a lot of cars on the road, and the lights of the buildings were bright enough to make you think it was day rather than night.

Could it have been running like that for about 5 minutes?

-Squeak!

Two cars stopped side by side on the shoulder of the road. Choi Seong-gun gets off right away. Woojin followed him and got out of the car. Right in front was a square building in beige tones. Seong-gun Choi beckons to the entrance of the building. A smile on his face.

"Let's go in."

As a result, a total of about 6 people, including Choi Seong-gun and Kang Woo-jin, the foreign guard, got into the elevator. Choi Seong-geon got off the elevator, full of LA vibes, and walked briskly along the hallway. Choi Seong-geon, who soon arrived in front of an office, turned his head behind him and spoke to Woo-jin.

"Here, next to it, and next to that."

what? Seonggeon Choi pointed to the office right in front and the two offices next to it. Then he suddenly opened the glass door of the office in front of him. And then he turned on the light. There were no people, but dozens of desks were placed and the tops of them were empty.

In general, it felt like they had just moved in.

-Sure.

Among Choi Seong-gun and Kang Woo-jin who took a step into the office, Choi Seong-geon pointed with his index finger to one wall of the office.

"Look over there, Woojin."

Woojin's head turned following his index finger.

'ah.'

I saw a familiar face. To be exact, it was a large pictorial poster. A poster showing Kang Woo-jin in a suit posing stylishly was proudly hung on the wall. Choi Seong-geon said with a wide smile to Woo-jin, who was both embarrassed and doubtful.

"This is BW Entertainment's overseas branch, of course you are the main client."

This was Kang Woo-jin's starting point in Hollywood.

< Autumn (8) > End