When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar - Chapter 84
# 84
Go Higher (1)
“China is the country that invented gunpowder compass paper printing. It is one of the places that gave rise to the four great civilizations and is still leading major trends in modern times. I believe that these are not easy achievements. “I think it’s natural for Chinese people to have pride in being Chinese.”
The interpreter who translated Do-wook’s words became faster. The typing of reporters writing down the interpreter’s words was also becoming faster.
“Because of those things, I have always had a good image of China. Also, it’s good to have a friend by your side to learn from.”
When Dowook finished answering, the reporter who asked the question nodded.
Simply ‘I like food.’ ‘Which tourist destination is good?’ That was not the answer. It was an answer full of respect for the country called China. The reporter was satisfied.
At the same time, he did not demean his country or himself too much by using the word “friend.”
It was a speaking skill that made the members who were listening think, ‘It’s Do-wook, too.’ There was no sign of preparation, but the members were curious as to whether preparations had been made.
Director Hwang Heon, who was watching the scene, was also nodding.
Thinking that he had seen enough at this point, production director Kwon Heung-jo suggested to director Hwang Heon that he go up to the meeting room.
There was no need to keep holding the entire press conference and show it to Director Hwang Heon, who was not a fan.
After hearing Director Heung-jo Kwon’s words, Director Hwang Heon willingly took a step forward.
In the meantime, the questions pouring in on Do-wook were somewhat concluded.
Afterwards, small questions were asked again. Before we knew it, the appointed time was coming to an end.
“I’m in Beijing. Is there any place the members want to go?”
“Of course it’s the Great Wall of China! I don’t have the chance this time, but I definitely want to go there later. “I heard it can be seen from satellites.”
Kim Won answered the reporter’s last question energetically.
Between small smiles, KK was able to finish the press conference safely.
“Well done, well done. Good work.”
Director Oh Baek-ho comforted the members who returned to the waiting room at the back of the press conference hall.
“The interpreter also praised you for doing a really good job.”
Koo Cheol-min walked around and handed out water to the members. The coordinators wiped the sweat from the members’ faces and corrected their smudged makeup.
On the way back, there were so many fans in the hotel lobby that we couldn’t just leave.
Although they just sat quietly and answered questions, the members’ backs were drenched in sweat due to the constant flash fire and hot lighting.
Director Oh Baek-ho delivered the next schedule to the members who took a breather.
Today’s schedule ended with a press conference. The accommodation was also scheduled to be in a room on the upper floor of this hotel.
However, Director Oh Baek-ho said that before going up to the accommodation, he had to say hello to production director Kwon Heung-jo and his business partner.
“Business partner… who is it?”
Jeong Yoon-gi asked, feeling a little nervous at the mention of ‘business partner’.
“I don’t know either. “The only thing is that it is a Chinese investment company.”
Oh Baek-ho also answered that way without knowing the details, but the atmosphere was more tense at the mention of an investment company.
“I’m just going to make eye contact and say hello, so don’t put too much pressure on me.”
“yes.”
The members visited a room on the top floor where Director Kwon Heung-jo and General Manager Hwang Heon were located.
The room in which the two people and Director Kwon were accompanied by an interpreter was not what you would normally think of as a hotel room. It was a junior suite with two separate rooms, and upon entering the door, there was a living room-like living room.
Director Kwon and Director Hwang were lightly enjoying a glass of wine.
When the KK members entered with Director Oh Baek-ho, the two stood up.
“您好！(Hello.)”
“您好，见到您很高兴。(Hello, nice to meet you.)”
The members greeted Director Hwang Heon with the basic Chinese greeting they had prepared before coming to China.
Director Hwang Heon smiled at the Chinese greeting and offered to shake hands.
After shaking hands with the members, Director Hwang Heon spoke. The members listened to Director Hwang’s story through Director Kwon’s interpreter.
“My name is Hwang Heon of Taehwa Group. “I was very impressed by the press conference.”
“thank you.”
Jeong Yoon-gi came forward as the representative and said hello.
“I had high expectations as our company was the first entertainment agency to invest in Korea, but after seeing it in person, I was convinced that it seemed like a trustworthy investment destination. haha.”
When Director Hwang Heon spoke with a smile, the shoulders of the members who were so nervous that they were almost bent over felt a little more relaxed.
“It sounds like the manager has prepared a gift for you.”
“yes? “A gift?”
Ahn Hyeong-seo was surprised by Director Kwon Heung-jo’s words and asked back. Director Kwon Heung-jo smiled and nodded.
Director Hwang Heon came up to the hotel room a little while ago and instructed his secretary to prepare gifts for the KK members.
Director Kwon Heung-jo, who heard the order, said it was okay, but Director Hwang Heon said that refusing was a sign of ignorance of his own feelings, and instead pushed Director Kwon away.
After watching the press conference, Director Hwang Heon was in a very good mood. A small attachment to the group in which his company invests also developed. Of course, that attachment was the kind that came from the judgment that KK would make money.
‘He will grow into a bigger star on this continent than he is now.’
Director Hwang Heon had a premonition. It seemed like if I raised it well, I could earn more than investing in a decent movie.
Hwang Heon delivered the gifts prepared on the table to the KK members.
The members accepted a packaged heavy case slightly larger than the palm of their hand.
“No sense! (Thank you so much)”
Dowook also responded in Chinese and received the gift.
Director Hwang Heon especially handed Do-wook a gift and patted him on the shoulder. Do-wook’s answer at the press conference was one of the main reasons why Director Hwang Heon received strong star energy from KK.
The members who received the gifts and even thanked them stood there, not knowing what to do.
There was also the question of whether the gift should be opened as is.
‘I think it’s said in China that it’s not polite to unpack on the spot.’
Dowook thought about what he had heard while receiving business training at his previous company. Therefore, I quietly held the gift and waited for Director Hwang Heon to speak next.
The members glanced at Do-wook and then stood holding the gift in their hands.
Since the members had the perception that the younger Do-wook was as good at etiquette and social life as most office workers, they thought they could just do what Do-wook did.
“You may be tired, but it’s okay to go. “An old man can’t keep holding on.”
Following Director Hwang Heon’s words, the KK members came out to visit, expressing their gratitude once again. Director Kwon Heung-jo left a message saying, “See you later in Korea.”
The members who returned to the dorm downstairs went back to their rooms and opened the presents, confused as to what kind of gift it was.
Today, Dowook was in the same room as Taehyung Park.
Dowook and Taehyung Park also unwrapped their presents as soon as they returned to the room.
“Ahh!!!”
There seemed to be something pounding in the next room.
It was difficult to tell whether the soundproofing was poor or the noise from Hyeongseo Ahn in the next room was too loud.
‘What…’
Do-wook’s hand stopped unpacking. This was because the heavy, high-quality case had the word Gartier engraved on it.
‘Go… Gartier?’
Gartier was an expensive brand that ordinary people only used to buy wedding gifts.
In fact, it was a brand that also had accessories in a price range that was too expensive to be used as a wedding gift. No matter how cheap the accessory was, it was a basic unit of spirit.
“Do-Wook…. Is this a Gartier?”
Park Tae-hyung, who was unwrapping a gift on his bed, asked Do-wook blankly.
Dowook nodded. When I opened the case, a golden bracelet was shining.
“You’re really big….”
“It’s my first time with a Gartier, too.”
“Is this… can I take it? “It’s too burdensome.”
Dowook’s hands were shaking as well. However, I thought that someone like Director Hwang Heon would be worth giving a bracelet worth closer to 10 million won.
‘I heard that the continent’s richest people are of different classes.’
Do-wook replied that it would be okay to Park Tae-hyung, who had an expression of admiration and shock.
***
“But I guess it wasn’t too much of a gift for our kids…”
Director Kwon Heung-jo said cautiously as he sent the members off and resumed drinking. Director Hwang Heon shook his head and told him not to worry as it was nothing special.
“Director Kwon.”
“Please speak, Director.”
“From now on, I think you can work as much as you like without worrying about the funds needed to produce KK.”
Director Kwon was momentarily taken aback by Director Hwang Heon’s somewhat unexpected words, but soon understood his intention.
An unbearable smile was blooming on the lips of production director Kwon Heung-jo.
I had a feeling that it would be a successful business trip to China. The premonition was no longer a premonition but a fact.
***
After the China schedule, some of the members were suffering from stomachaches for about two days. They were having a hard time because of the changed water and food.
Ahn Hyeong-seo, who had prepared in his own way, had to constantly go to the bathroom.
Nevertheless, nothing came out of the members’ mouths that said they would never go to China again. This was because Gartier bracelets were located wherever precious items were collected.
Aside from the Gartier bracelet, it was also very rewarding to actually go to China.
This was because Chinese fans were giving great support to KK thanks to the polite and hard-working attitude that KK showed in China.
Kim Won personally earned the title ‘Sweet Guy’.
Sales of the Chinese version of the album also increased significantly. Even though it had already been over a month since the album was released, it continued to sell well.
With this momentum, I couldn’t help but look forward to this year’s year-end awards ceremony.
There were many fans who were looking forward to a repackage album of ‘Howl’, but the plan was not to release a repackage album.
Just releasing two versions of the album was enough.
After returning from school, Do-wook sat at his desk for a while and took some time to organize his schedule.
According to the activity plan we made at the beginning of this year, it was right to release one more album. However, due to Jung Yoon-gi and Do-wook’s personal activities, the schedule was slightly pushed back.
The company’s position was that since the concert would be held as planned at the end of the year, no more KK albums would be released this year.
‘I think I can do it if I think a little more tightly…’
Resting is good, but Do-wook wanted to push a little harder.
It was important to be active when the momentum was building.
‘In this industry, timing is everything.’
However, the members must have been sufficiently exhausted. It was not possible to force Do-wook to do it alone.
Do-wook thought of a way for KK to continue to be exposed without putting a big burden on the members.
‘I’ve already done variety shows and dramas this year, so it would be nice to show a little more musically…’
Thinking, Dowook closed his eyes and opened them.
However, it was difficult for Do-wook to produce and release another album, both for himself and the members.
Dowook was equally tired. The fatigue was worse than other members, not less. It was just a state where the mind was overcoming the body.
At that time, there was a knock on the door and Kim Won came into Do-wook’s room.
“Brother, are you busy now?”
When I saw Kim Won smiling brightly without any sign of fatigue, I even had the illusion that my fatigue was going away.
“It’s nothing else…”
Kim Won held out his cell phone to Do-wook.