When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar

# 189

Guerrilla Warfare (1)

***

In front of Sangchunjae, the Blue House.

Sangchunjae was a hanok located inside the Blue House. The Hanok, built using wood born and raised in Korea, is small yet stylish, encapsulating the beauty of Korea. Because it was the only traditional house inside the Blue House, it was also a must-visit at least once when entertaining foreign guests.

The event held today at Sangchunjae was also to entertain foreign guests.

Today’s guest was of special importance.

Each country had its own diplomatic importance, but China, a neighboring country and highly influential in the world with its enormous population and resources, was one of the most important countries economically and militarily.

Currently, Chinese President Jiang Xiaoping is visiting Korea for a summit, and the president’s wife, Li Yuxi, is also with him.

Li Yuxi was a former theater actress and one of the most influential women in China. The location was not only a location, but it was also because Li Yuxi actively participated in the culture and arts industry, not only as Zhang Xiaoping’s wife, but also as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Korea.

In addition, as a former theater actor, she was an example to many Chinese women with her beautiful appearance and fashion sense.

Today, Li Yuxi was scheduled to visit Shangchunjae, tour Shangchunjae and enjoy lunch with the First Lady of Korea.

In addition, we were scheduled to meet with key figures in the Korean culture and arts community and watch a performance.

There was a calligraphy performance by Kim Han-gu, who is registered as an intangible cultural asset, and a traditional dance performance by the National Arts Theater Company.

And although he did not perform there, KK was also invited as a major cultural artist and representative of the Korean Wave.

“Now the Blue House is here too.”

This was what the members thought about as they rode up to the car provided for Sangchunjae at the entrance to the Blue House.

I had no idea that I would come as a guest to the Blue House, which I had only seen on the news.

“I have to go to the White House too.”

Jung Yoon-gi said as if it were a joke in response to Ahn Hyeong-seo’s words.

However, even though he said it as a joke, Jung Yoon-ki was thinking that one day it might not be a joke but a reality.

The same was true for other members.

Now the words ‘I can’t do it’ sound more unrealistic than the words ‘I can do it.’ I felt like I could do anything.

“Please don’t say that. Then I really want to go to the White House…”

Seok Ji-hoon muttered. Of course, being invited to the White House was a huge deal, but the Blue House also made me feel nauseous, and I felt like I would have to put motion sickness medicine behind my ears if I went to the White House.

While listening to the members drinking kimchi soup, Dowook patted Seok Ji-hoon’s shoulder as a gesture to relax.

Dowook also understood the feeling of having no choice but to freeze. Do-wook was also repeating in his head that he would have to be more cautious than usual in his actions. A day like today was a day when no mistakes could be made.

If it had been just an event, even if there were mistakes, it would have been overlooked with a few negative comments or advice, but since it was an important diplomatic event, the standards of those watching KK’s actions would have been strict. Regardless of whether I was criticized or not, I couldn’t cause trouble at a national event.

“If you watch the performance intently… if you eat well…”

Director Oh Baek-ho told me several times before getting out of the car to not take my eyes off the performance even for a moment and to eat every ounce of food since there are cameras everywhere. I did it. Taehyung Park was repeating those words.

Do-wook smiled slightly as he looked at Park Tae-hyung.

“Would you believe me if I told you that Dowook is Korea’s prince?!”

Kim Won, who was walking next to me, said.

The sight of Dowook walking into the Sangchunjae building with a smile on his face was literally like a painting. His appearance was so elegant that one could believe he was a descendant of the royal family.

It made me wonder whether the descendants of the actual royal family would also be this elegant.

A neatly dressed usher saw Dowook and came over to guide the KK members to their seats.

There was the largest table at the back of the space where the performance took place. This was the seat for Li Yuxi, the first lady, and ministers.

There were six more tables on either side and in the back, where key government figures and those in charge of the culture and arts industries would sit. One of the tables was for KK.

There were reporters at a place behind the tables where permits were obtained.

Today’s schedule itself hinted at the tender relationship between Korea and China and was an opportunity to show off the strong relationship, so we were able to freely take photos and write articles except during the luncheon.

As the content of the event was the content, most reporters were reporters from the entertainment and culture department, not political reporters. From the moment Dowook stepped inside, reporters picked up their cameras and started pressing the shutter like crazy.

An article titled “The Appearance of a Face Representing Korea” was posted on an internet news site in real time.

There were especially many Chinese reporters, and they recognized Do-wook immediately and were pressing the shutter button more passionately than the Korean reporters.

Reporters from Western countries looked like they wanted someone for a moment, but then they remembered KK who was on the invitation list. It was an amazing reaction to being able to see in person the face of the superstar who won the Rookie Award at the Billboard Awards.

The six KK members sat in the seats with their names on them as they were welcomed by reporters.

Ministers and other officials also arrived one after another.

Since the KK members were the youngest among those who came here regardless of their positions, the KK members showed a polite attitude by standing up and saying hello every time someone came.

Finally, Li Yuxi and the First Lady appeared, accompanied by dozens of bodyguards.

A barrage of flashes poured in again. Unlike the First Lady’s elegant attire in a jade blue suit, Li Yuxi was dressed quite extravagantly. He was wearing red suit pants and a gold brooch. At first glance, it seemed like he had a great interest in fashion.

Li Yuxi waved his hand towards the reporter. Li Yuxi seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

Li Yuxi and the First Lady went around the table and exchanged greetings with important people.

I thought I would only say hello to a few scheduled tables, but unexpectedly, Li Yushi came up to the table where KK was.

In fact, it was an unscheduled greeting time.

The First Lady seemed momentarily embarrassed, but because Li Yuxi’s personality was so proactive, she did not panic and came to KK’s seat together and greeted him with a friendly smile.

The fact that Li Yuxi watched “Lovers from Space” was information that the Blue House had already investigated. That’s why I invited KK to this event.

However, Li Yuxi did not just watch the drama, but was a huge fan of the drama, especially Dowook.

“I really wanted to meet you!”

When Li Yuxi spoke in Chinese, the interpreter next to him hurriedly translated.

Li Yuxi’s bright expression also brightened the faces of Korean officials, including the First Lady, as they thought it was a good idea to sing KK.

The KK members, who suddenly had to greet China’s first lady, were very stiff. It was a situation where their mistakes could become Korea’s mistakes.

Li Yuxi was not an anti-Korean faction who was opposed to the introduction of the Korean pop culture industry into China.

The position was that China should fully accept and absorb Korea’s advanced culture and move forward. Therefore, policy support has been actively added to allow Korean broadcasters and personnel to come to China.

However, at some point, it was thought that Korean culture was being imported into China too indiscriminately, so sanctions were imposed.

The Korean cultural industry market was already being greatly influenced not only by the domestic market but also by overseas markets, especially the Chinese and Japanese markets. This was because the size of capital changed.

As such, it made huge profits when things were going well, but it suffered greatly when China imposed sanctions.

Since he was such an important person, the members couldn’t help but be nervous.

Fortunately, Do-wook was treated as a state guest during the Chinese promotion of Lovers from Space and had already exchanged greetings with big names in the Chinese broadcasting industry.

Although the positions were different, such experiences seemed to be helpful to Do-wook in exchanging greetings with Li Yu-si.

The members also had experience working in China, so they were able to speak Chinese to some extent. The members bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude in Chinese.

“It is an honour.”

Do-wook also answered in Chinese, and Li Yuxi offered to shake his hand.

“He is an actor that people in our country really like. “It seems like there are many gem-like talents in Korea.”

“Aren’t there many good actors in China?”

The First Lady responded to Li Yuxi’s compliment without hiding a proud smile.

“Is there an actor your wife might like?”

Li Yuxi asked the First Lady.

It was a sudden question, but the first lady immediately named a couple of Chinese actors. These were the names of famous Chinese actresses that Dowook and the other members had heard of.

But Li Yuxi shook his head and said:

“They were good actors too. But they are not the ones who will lead tomorrow like Mr. Do-wook.”

The actresses the first lady mentioned were popular actors in China, but they were all in their mid-40s. Li Yuxi did not seem offended. However, as the first lady, she couldn’t help but be a little embarrassed.

When the first lady was trying to calmly reply by asking Li Yuxi to introduce Chinese actors, Dowook responded.

“Isn’t there an actor like Kwak Kai?”

Li Yuxi’s eyes lit up at Do-Wook’s words.

“You mean Mr. Kwak Kai?”

“yes. Not long ago, the Chinese drama ‘Hanwol Jiyeon’ became very popular in Korea. Thanks to this, Kwak Kai, the lead actor, is very popular with Korean women.”

‘Hanwol Jiyeon’ was a drama that dealt with the history of the Han Dynasty and was in line with the Chinese government’s minority policy. Li Yuxi smiled cheerfully.

“If it’s Kwak Kai, it’s worth it. Even when I see him, he looks handsome. “As much as Mr. Do-wook.”

“haha. “That’s too much praise.”

“I hope you will accept our invitation in the future.”

Dowook greeted Li Yuxi’s words as if it was natural.

Li Yuxi smiled and moved away. The First Lady smiled gently and expressed her gratitude to Dowook with a glance.

It was clear that the atmosphere had become more friendly thanks to Do-wook.

***

The visit to Korea by the Chinese President and his wife ended successfully.

In Korea, many great achievements were achieved not only politically and militarily, but also culturally. There were some concessions from Korea, but China willingly announced its intention to further lower the gates to the cultural industry for the time being and open the gates to allow more Korean culture to flow in.

KK’s appearance at the Blue House once again left a lasting impression on the public.

A photo was taken of young men with clean-cut looks that would shine anywhere they were talking to Li Yuxi, and Li Yuxi’s revelation that he was a fan of KK was covered in the news.

Although China was a relatively powerful country, it was enough for the people to feel proud that Korea was culturally ahead.

After returning from the Blue House, Lee Dae-hyung, head of the Hit Entertainment public relations team, received an official letter requesting an email from the Blue House media team.

“I asked if I could use part of the KK music video in a promotional video for the Korean government that will be released around the world. Of course, after discussion, I accepted.”

“Wow….”

“A little representative of our country? “That’s what it feels like?”

Kim Won opened his mouth and Ahn Hyeong-seo shrugged his shoulders.

“It will probably be promoted all over the world, starting with Times Square in New York next month.”

Dowook also smiled happily.

It was the day before the new album came out. Today, KK members, the CEO of Hit Entertainment, and all employees gathered for the final inspection.

Team leader Lee Dae-hyung stood up and displayed a large PPT screen on the conference room wall.

“hmm. Well, first of all, we will show you the music video that will be released at midnight today. “I will explain the guerrilla war that will begin tomorrow.”