Chapter 121: Fireworks (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kang Woojin’s response made Choi Sung-gun narrow his eyes.

“‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’? So, you mean to name the channel ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’?”

Was it a dismissal? Honestly, Woojin had just casually given a response. After all, he had never once thought about a YouTube channel name in his life.

‘It seems important to have a hobby-like, casual vibe, so ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ doesn’t sound too bad. Is it really that strange?’

Woojin voiced his internal musings.

“Yes, ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego.’ Does it sound strange?”

Choi Sung-gun, stroking his chin, shook his head.

“Hmm- ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel, huh? It seems good? It seems nonchalant and gives off the vibe of not caring too much. The casual naming adds a touch of humor.”

“Is that so?”

“Did you pretend not to care but actually thought about it?”

No, not at all. It just came to mind just now. Unaware of this, Choi Sung-gun continued, opening his diary while pulling Woojin along.

“You’ve got about 10 minutes before you need to be on set, so let me explain what’s going to happen. You should know what’s coming up.”

Soon, Kang Woojin and Choi Sung-gun moved to a quiet corner, passing a corridor bustling with the filming team, and Choi Sung-gun, with his diary tucked under his arm, met Woojin’s eyes. His expression became serious.

“First, about Director Kyotaro’s matter. As you’ve seen, Japan is in a frenzy over ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ issue. The rumors about casting a Korean actor. Like I said, I initiated that. Consider that I’ve handled it.”

“Ah- Yes.”

“Of course, everything has been discussed with Director Kyotaro’s side. We’ve roughly outlined the plan, and currently, it’s rolling as planned. Originally, Director Kyotaro wanted to reveal you around the official shooting time, but that timing wasn’t quite right for us. So, I persuaded him.”

Woojin, with an indifferent face, listened intently, prompting Choi Sung-gun to lower his voice even more.

“First off, this matter is meant to cover up your past, but it’s also meant to amplify several issues at once. ‘Hanryang’ just blew up in Japan, right? It’s still number one on Netflix Japan and is even making its way onto Japanese TV beyond the internet. And it’s coupled with ‘Ame-talk show!’. We’ve even secured a solo appearance. Right?”

“Yes, CEO.”

“If it were just that, we wouldn’t need to stir up Director Kyotaro’s issue. But let’s think bigger. The shooting of ‘Male Friend’ is in its final stages, and it’s confirmed for release on Netflix in Japan, right? Even the OST featuring you and Hwalin will be released. Considering the timing, it’s your next work following ‘Hanryang’, but frankly, your current popularity in Japan is a bit weak.”

“I’m aware. We have to rely on Hwalin’s popularity in Japan.”

“Right, Kim So-hyang, the executive director, and Director Shin Dong-chun probably think the same. Even though ‘Hanryang’ blew up, it’s not like your popularity skyrocketed alone. It’s a bit ambiguous.”

“That’s why you’re using ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’.”

Choi Sung-gun’s lips curved up at the question.

“Whether in Korea or Japan, riding on someone else’s popularity is a bit lame, right?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Is that so? For now, Woojin blandly added bravado to fit the mood.

“I think so. It’s a burden on Hwalin.”

“Right, then let’s assume the news of the Korean actor cast in ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ turns out to be you. Everything that was a bit bland will change 180 degrees. ‘Hanryang’, ‘Ame-talk show!’, ‘Male Friend’, and so on. The Japanese will explode with curiosity about you. Their interest will amplify.”

“And ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ will also gain more promotional power.”

“Right, it’s a win-win for both sides. Even if it’s just this, we can gain a lot, but that’s not the end.”

Suddenly, it all clicked in Kang Woojin’s head.

“‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’.”

“Yes. Your YouTube channel. ‘Hanryang’ has just made a brief splash, but look at how your SNS and past videos are skyrocketing in popularity, especially among Japanese fans. And with ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ also hitting big soon? Whether in Korea or Japan, wouldn’t people search for you on YouTube? The influx of people looking for you could be several times, perhaps dozens of times more than now.”

Choi Sung-gun’s smile deepened.

“Most of them will be directed to the ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’ channel.”

Indeed, that was the case. If the Korean actor cast in ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ is revealed to be Kang Woojin, the Japanese public would first raise their eyebrows in curiosity. Who is this person?

So, they would look him up.

The amount of traffic this would generate was expected to be enormous. Having laid out such an extensive plan, Choi Sung-gun nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, of course, it won’t explode overnight. Such matters require careful and gradual handling. For now, we need to expand the playing field, both in Japan and domestically. The more we escalate the controversy, the louder the boom.”

Internally impressed at the plan, but maintaining a composed façade for his ‘concept,’ Woojin nodded in agreement.

“I appreciate your efforts.”

“I specialize in handling such matters behind the scenes, there’s no need for formalities.”

Then, gesturing that it was time to return, Choi Sung-gun stepped forward, concluding,

“With such a big issue unfolding, who would have the space to pay attention to some past gossip about you?”

“In the midst of war, who cares about children’s petty squabbles? Right?”

Later on.

Having finished shooting for ‘Male Friend,’ despite the late hour, Kang Woojin moved to the office where the YouTube team had gathered to review the edited cover song video. The YouTube team’s office was secured by Choi Sung-gun, near bw Entertainment, and only the PD was left to welcome Kang Woojin.

“Let’s listen to it right away.”

Ultimately.

-♬♪

The quality of the finished video was outstanding. At least, that’s what Kang Woojin thought.

‘My face being in it is a bit awkward, but if I just close my eyes and listen, it’s awesome?’

There were three videos in total: a short interview video with Kang Woojin, the Japanese version of the first cover song ‘Elani’s Ballerina’, and the English version. The interview consisted of questions and answers, lasting about 3 minutes, and the cover song videos were also around 4 minutes each.

“This one is the English version.”

-♬♪

The video wasn’t heavily embellished. The only background was the recording booth, and the angle chosen was a side view of Woojin singing passionately. His vocals stood out as he sang wearing headphones. Soon, the PD gave a thumbs up.

“Woojin, your pronunciation in English and Japanese is so good; I had to listen to it several times. It’s clear and smooth, very addictive. Even your vocal skills are above par.”

“…Thank you.”

“I’m sure if we get enough traffic, the subscribers will rave about it. It’s not just because I’m in charge, but I really think this will do well. But have you decided on the channel name?”

“Ah- We’re just going with ‘Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego’.”

“Haha, that’s good. It feels casually named, which makes it feel less intimidating.”

After reviewing the videos, Kang Woojin, the PD, and Choi Sung-gun immediately proceeded with opening the channel.

[Channel Name: Kang Woojin’s Alter Ego]

[Subscribers: 0]

[Videos: 0]

It was just opened, not officially launched yet.

“CEO, when do you think we should start uploading videos?”

“It’s hard to set an exact date, I’ll contact you depending on how things are progressing. So publish them when the timing is right.”

“Okay, then we should discuss the backlog of videos before the opening.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

The backlog videos mentioned by the PD were due to Kang Woojin’s busy schedule. Regular video uploads are essential for YouTube, and if Woojin’s schedule got too tight, it could be problematic.

Therefore, it was necessary to record as many videos as possible before opening.

“Have you thought about the second cover song?”

“Um- I’m not sure.”

At that moment, Woojin casually came up with an idea.

“Just like KPOP songs are translated and sung in Japanese and English, why not translate JPOP or English pop songs into Korean and sing them?”

Choi Sung-gun stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“That’s a good idea.”

Two days later.

The issue regarding Japan’s Director Kyotaro had grown several times larger, mainly because the director’s side remained silent amidst the growing controversy.

『Fake News? Or Truth? Quiet Amidst the Controversy, ‘Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi’』

The more silent he remained, the more explosive the curiosity of the Japanese media and public opinion became. The media continuously published speculative articles, and the public discussed fervently in various communities and on social media. Predictions about which Korean actor it might be started pouring in.

-It must be Lee Ho-tae, he has been in a Japanese movie before

-It’s definitely one of the top Korean actors, right??

-If it’s not fake news, they must have cast a top actor

From top Korean actors who had previously been in Japanese productions to more believable guesses and random speculations.

In any case, the recognition of ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ in Japan was skyrocketing.

And naturally, Korea was no different.

『Japan is currently abuzz with ‘Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi’, but is the casting of a Korean actor true?』

『Bestselling Japanese novel-turned-movie ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, controversy over Korean actor casting, Director Tanoguchi remains silent』

Though not as much as in Japan, since the issue’s core was ‘Korean actor’, there was heightened interest. The speculation in Japan about top actors was even brought up in Korea.

『Top actor ‘Lee Ho-tae’ Joining the Controversial ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ in Japan?』

『Lee Ho-tae’s Agency: ‘Reports of joining are false, no discussions took place’』

So much so that even the staff on the set of ‘Male Friend’, which Kang Woojin was currently filming, were gossiping about it.

“Did you see the article? You know Director Kyotaro Tanoguchi from Japan, right? A master director in Japan. There’s a rumor he’s cast a Korean actor, in a lead role?”

“Eh- Doubtful. It’s probably just a rumor, we would have heard about it here if it was such a big project. Definitely fake news.”

“Right? It does seem too far-fetched.”

However, Japan was mainly focused on Director Kyotaro, but Korea had other issues as well.

For instance, ‘The Island of the Missing’.

Recently completing its script reading to great success, ‘The Island of the Missing’ quickly shared news from the set. With a cast full of top actors, being Director Kwon Ki-taek’s film, and particularly the inclusion of the monstrous newcomer Kang Woojin, it had garnered attention.

『[Movie Talk] Grand-scale movie ‘The Island of the Missing’ starts script reading, top actors focused on acting / Photo』

『Monstrous-newcomer Kang Woojin confidently holds his place among top actors / Photo』

Just hearing about it was one thing, but seeing Woojin in the photos on set was entirely different. Soon, movie news was filled with ‘The Island of the Missing’.

A few days later.

As ‘Male Friend’ neared the end of its filming, it too pulled back its promotional bowstring.

『’Male Friend’ set photos of Kang Woojin and Hwalin, already looking sweet / Photo』

‘Male Friend’ had many things lined up for the future. There were poster shoots with Kang Woojin and Hwalin as the main focus, a production press conference, various promotional schedules, and so on.

Meanwhile, Director Shin Dong-chun informed the approximate wrap-up schedule to Kang Woojin and Hwalin on set.

“Woojin, Hwalin. At this rate, we should be able to wrap up by August 15th. Let’s keep up the good work!”

The ‘Male Friend’ project had started around July 20th. The schedule originally set for a month was shortened by about a week.

Time steadily passed. Meanwhile,

-More proof of Kang Woojin’s split personality surfaced LOL.jpg

Amidst this, rumors and gossip about Woojin’s alleged split personality continued to spread, mainly through online communities, with a few persistent reporters clinging to the story.

『Monstrous-newcomer Kang Woojin’s Past Surfaces in Various Communities: ‘Totally different person now, complete transformation’』

As a result, the number of negative comments on Woojin’s social media and various videos increased.

-Isn’t he rumored to have a split personality? Why no clarification????

-Continuous eyewitness accounts from the past keep surfacing, and he stays silent, how typical lol

However, Woojin ignored these.

“Yeah, so what?”

It was something he left to Choi Sung-gun to handle, and frankly, he was too busy with his schedule to pay attention to every comment. His status as an ordinary citizen at heart also played a role.

Around this time, ‘Ame-talk Show!’ and Choi Sung-gun reached an agreement.

This was conveyed to Kang Woojin.

“We’ve set the recording date for ‘Ame-talk Show!’ on August 30th, Woojin.”

The plan for Ame-talk Show! was finalized.

August 14th, Tokyo, Japan.

In the spacious conference room of the giant ‘Toega’ film company, which was producing ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’, a familiar man was present. It was Director Kyotaro, currently the hottest director in Japan, still surrounded by ongoing controversy about ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’. The controversy showed no signs of dying down.

Across from Director Kyotaro sat three men.

They were from famous Japanese media companies, journalists to be precise. Director Kyotaro was currently in the middle of an interview, about 30 minutes in, with various questions and answers exchanged.

A journalist then asked Kyotaro a new question.

“Director, your upcoming film ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’ has been quite controversial even before production. Do you have any comments on this?”

“…”

“If this issue is absurd, wouldn’t it be better to clarify it clearly rather than maintaining silence?”

In response to the follow-up question, Director Kyotaro sighed and stroked his chin, then suddenly spoke up. It was his first statement since the controversy erupted.

“While I can’t disclose everything yet, but it’s confirmed that a Korean actor has joined ‘The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger’. The role has already been assigned. It’s a male actor.”

“…Really? Is it one of the top Korean actors as speculated??”

At this, Director Kyotaro calmly shook his head.

“No. He’s not one of Korea’s top actors; he’s a newcomer.”

Instantly, the journalists’ eyebrows furrowed.

*****