When I Opened My Eyes I Was a Superstar

# 225

Epilogue

***

“Today’s studio recording… I’m really nervous too. The first ever! The best ever! “Because a guest is coming.”

“If a professional broadcaster like Jeon Hyeon-yu gets nervous, then a cartoonist like me… uh… I’m so nervous right now…”

“Shouldn’t this person take medicine?”

“Mr. Kiwan, didn’t you take Cheongsimhwan before starting?”

The recording site of ‘People Living Alone’ at MVC Studio in Sangam-dong was several times busier than usual.

‘People Living Alone’ was a reality entertainment show that reflected the times when single-person households were increasing and followed the daily lives of celebrities who live alone. It had the highest viewership rating and topicality among entertainment programs currently airing.

Its popularity was growing as not only popular celebrities, but also famous webtoon writers and sports stars appeared, and it has already been three years since it aired, and it has already become MVC’s flagship program and long-running program.

At that time, the studio door opened and Ahn Hyeong-seo, one of the fixed panelists, came in.

“Oh, Mr. Hyungseo!”

“Hyungseo, I was just waiting for you, Hyungseo!” “Today… because the guest is so special.”

Ahn Hyeong-seo could be said to be the number one contributor to establishing ‘people who live alone’.

The KK members enlisted together, were discharged, and continued to be active in their respective fields.

In the case of Ahn Hyeong-seo, he is called the crown prince of OSTs and has made a name for himself in the OST field to the point that there is a saying that if you want a drama to become popular, you should cast Ahn Hyeong-seo.

Then, the entertainment show I appeared on after a long time was ‘A Person Who Lives Alone’. Ahn Hyeong-seo was not supported only by KK fans, but was receiving attention from the general public, and many people were interested in Ahn Hyeong-seo’s private life, known as the ‘OST rich person’.

Although she lives in a luxury villa, the way she spends her normal daily life, such as shopping at home and cooking with friends, is in response to such interest. In addition, Ahn Hyeong-seo’s appearance full of excitement and singing all day was enough entertainment fun.

Thanks to this, Ahn Hyeong-seo earned the nickname ‘Hungry Rich’ after being rich in music, and became a regular cast member on ‘The Man Who Lives Alone’.

“Isn’t that too much? “I’m also KK…!”

Jeon Hyeon-yu smiled at Ahn Hyeong-seo’s words and pretended to comfort Ahn Hyeong-seo by telling her to quickly sit down.

The influence of KK members in the broadcasting industry was still great. No, it had influence in more diverse fields than before.

The same was true for Ahn Hyeong-seo. However, the person who will be the special guest on today’s ‘People Living Alone’ is the person with the greatest influence among the KK members.

“Well, now that Hyungseo is here, we will welcome our guests today. Due to my busy schedule, it’s been a long time since I’ve appeared on Korean TV. “Please have Hyungseo call me in particular.”

“yes. Then let’s call it. Dowook! Kang Do-wook!”

When Hyeong-seo Ahn called, Do-wook, who was behind the set, opened the door and walked in.

The studio was shaken by Dowook’s appearance.

Jeon Hyeon-yu and Ki-wan Park Na-ra stood up and greeted Do-wook.

Dowook, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, greeted everyone with a relaxed smile on his face.

***

“hello. This is Kang Do-wook. It’s an honor to appear on ‘People Living Alone’. “It’s been a while since I’ve appeared on a Korean program and I get to meet Korean fans… I’m a little nervous too.”

Dowook’s house located in California.

Dowook, who was in front of the camera, was saying hello.

“My original home is in Korea… but I am currently living in the United States to film ‘Real Man 2’.”

Following ‘Heroes 2’, Dowook also appeared in ‘Heroes 3’. At the same time, the importance of ‘Real Man’ in the movie world has increased, and he has even achieved the incredible feat of being released independently as ‘Real Man’

. After the exclusive release, Real Man has established himself as a popular ‘Heroes’ character that can rival Billion Man. Even ‘Real Man 2’ was about to be released.

As a singer and producer, Do-wook won a Grammy, and as an actor, he already swept the Academy Awards for the movie ‘Hyper’.

It was a unique entity not only in Korea but also in the world.

Every day, people from all over the world contacted me who wanted to see Dowook and work with him.

However, Dowook never forgot Korea, where he first started his career. Dowook thought that if he lost his identity as a Korean, his unique position in the world would become no different from that of others.

The activity Do-wook chose immediately after being discharged from the military was none other than Korean dramas.

Do-wook reached another peak by appearing in writer Jeong Eun-soo’s ‘Heirs of the Sun’, which he had previously agreed to do together if he were to do a drama. It was a drama that not only garnered viewership ratings but also created a huge number of buzzwords.

It was a huge craze that could make up for the gap during his military service, and it also had an impact on his overseas activities, making Do-wook’s return feel like a tailwind.

For that reason, Korean programs were given priority in the programs appearing in order to promote ‘Real Man 2’.

In particular, ‘People Living Alone’ was a program that member Ahn Hyeong-seo appeared on and recommended, so I decided to appear on it without hesitation.

Along with the greetings, Dowook’s natural daily life was revealed.

The main filming of ‘Real Men 2’ already ended at the end of last year. However, additional filming was in progress due to script changes that occurred during the editing process.

For that reason, Do-wook was also working on Kim Ji-yeon’s album at the same time.

Do-wook’s daily routine started at 5 a.m. and continued continuously.

Jogging at 5 a.m., showering at 6 a.m., watching the news with a light breakfast, leaving for the filming site at 7 a.m., and doing makeup until late in the afternoon…

And in the evening, there was a meeting with officials related to Kim Ji-yeon’s album production. Dowook, who returned home after a meeting with officials, sat on the sofa and seemed to rest for a while, but got up after less than 30 minutes.

Then, he locked himself in his music studio in his California home and began working on music.

It wasn’t until 10 p.m. that Do-wook lay down in bed and got some rest. But even that wasn’t complete rest.

Dowook was exploring films that had recently won awards at Cannes and analyzing the music and acting in the films at the same time.

“What… you live a day like it lasts 48 hours.”

“Aren’t you tired if you live like that?”

Jeon Hyeon-yu and Ki-wan clicked their tongues and asked after seeing the footage from Do-wook’s first day.

“Do-wook… you’re really the same as ever! Mr. Dowook lived like this even when he was promoting KK. “He is a truly respectable friend.”

Jeon Hyeon-yu and Ki-wan shook their heads at Ahn Hyeong-seo’s words. Park Na-ra just wanted to talk about Do-wook’s abs that were revealed during the shower scene.

“Actually, I’m used to it…”

Do-wook’s words were met with boos, but he just shrugged his shoulders leisurely.

“Actually, it’s not like that every day. I also take a break sometimes. If you look at the next day…”

So we naturally moved on to the second day’s filming.

The second day was a day without filming.

Just like yesterday, the sight of him waking up at 5 a.m. and jogging was admirable. Do-wook’s breathing while sweating and running was undisturbed, and he was able to get a glimpse of the secret of his stamina while working as an actor and musician.

Dowook returned home, rested for a bit, then went into the studio again and started working.

“I heard it was my day off!”

“That’s because I’m taking a break…”

When Do-wook responded to Jeon Hyeon-yu’s cry, Jeon Hyeon-yu shuddered.

However, for Do-wook, it was a pleasant break to try various things and work without being rushed.

Around 11 a.m., Dowook went out of the house to eat brunch.

California’s sunlight made Do-wook’s muscles, which he grew for filming ‘Real Man 2′, stand out even more. I didn’t know Park Na-ra’s mouth would shut up.

There were about five cars in the garage of Dowook’s California home, ranging from sedans to luxury SUVs. The Korean house had three more cars suited to Korea.

Because the weather was nice, Dowook chose a blue sports car and rode it. The driving scene was like an advertisement.

The place Dowook drove to was a nearby restaurant. There, Dowook met Ariel, who was also his neighbor’s cousin.

“Could it be…are you Ariel?”

“Ah yes. I’m talking with Ariel about working on a song. Since we are neighbors, we sometimes play tennis…”

Ariel was an American singer-songwriter who is currently ranked number one on the Billboard.

Although it was a song, it was a typical blonde beauty. Ariel, who had arrived in advance and was waiting, saw Do-wook and gave him a light hug. Ariel’s eyes were sparkling as she looked at Dowook.

The panelists watching the screen unanimously said that Ariel seemed interested in Dowook, but Dowook only shook his head.

The two ended the brunch in a happy mood, chatting about everyday things.

After finishing brunch with Ariel, Dowook returned home and went to the swimming pool.

Dowook’s California home had an outdoor swimming pool measuring about 50 pyeong. The panelists’ mouths opened when they saw the outdoor swimming pool. It was a place with better facilities than most water parks.

Do-wook, who is enjoying a break while swimming, says, ‘Isn’t that what you were aiming for?’ Jeon Hyeon-yu scolded him for his envy, but Do-wook was really just showing his usual self.

In the afternoon, a guest came to Dowook’s house after swimming.

When Do-wook opened the door, what he saw was Kim Won.

“uh! Mr. Kim Won!”

Park Na-ra shouted as she saw Kim Won’s face for the first time in a long time. Joy also flashed on Ahn Hyeong-seo’s face.

Unlike Do-wook, who commutes between Korea and the United States, Kim Won was living in the United States.

After being discharged from the military, Kim Won suddenly went abroad to study. The reason was that I wanted to finish studying, which I had put off for my singing career.

Those who thought about Kim Won’s fun-loving and noisy image wondered how he would study, but Kim Won entered Harvard with his natural intelligence and perseverance that was different from his public image.

Kim Won, who entered Harvard, majored in cultural anthropology and accomplished amazing tasks. Papers published by Kim Won were even introduced in famous research journals.

However, he never lost his confidence as a rapper by often uploading songs he personally worked on to Music Club. All of Kim Won’s songs on Music Club were free, but he was receiving huge donations.

There was no other reason why Kim Won came to California. Today was the day when all KK members decided to gather together.

“brother! brother. long time no see. Even though we are in the same United States, it is still too far away…”

“So. “What about the other members yet?”

“yes. “The plane should have arrived now, so it’ll be here soon, right?”

Kim Won, who had already been to Do-wook’s house a few times, naturally took a drink from the refrigerator and sat on the sofa.

“How are you studying these days?”

“It’s hard… But I heard that the physical strength I developed while promoting KK is very helpful.”

“haha. Well, it’s hard to be as busy as I was back then.”

Dowook sat across from Kim Won. Although it had been a long time since we last met, the two of them did not feel any awkwardness.

KK members were family to each other.

No matter how long we were apart, we never felt awkward.

The two sat together and watched the KK-era stage together on a large TV. Even as I was immersed in memories, I was giggling at that part, saying that Jung Yoon-gi did the choreography wrong.

While the two were watching KK’s performance and reminiscing, the remaining members arrived.

The members were from Korea.

Jung Yoon-ki had established a large hip-hop label in Korea and had become an outstanding producer, producing many hip-hop singers. As the CEO of an entertainment agency, Jung Yoon-gi now exudes a dignified style.

What Jeong Yoon-gi presented as he entered the house was an expensive wine that was difficult to find. Jeong Yoon-gi brought it for us to drink together.

Next, Taehyung Park showed his face.

“Do-Wook! Won-hyung!”

Park Tae-hyung, who called Dowook two people with a cheerful voice, was also the representative of a famous dance academy. The dance academy established by Taehyung Park was an academy with a national and international chain.

Since there was a branch in California, Taehyung would often come and spend time with Do-wook while he was in California.

Seok Ji-hoon and Ahn Hyeong-seo came in after the two representatives. After being discharged from the military, Seok Ji-hoon continued his ‘bunker21’ activities alone.

Seok Ji-hoon discovered new talent with each album. ‘bunker21′ was the best rookie candidate. The best rookie among them was, of course, J.U. Jayu is currently the top female solo singer in Korea.

At the same time, he took on the position of director at Hit Entertainment.

“Is our Director Seok here?”

At Park Taehyung’s words, Seok Jihoon looked at his brothers without being hateful.

“Everyone is the representative…”

Although Seok Ji-hoon is quite old now, he is acting like the youngest, which he did not do when he was young.

“I’m a student.”

“Harvard…”

Do-wook tapped Seok Ji-hoon on the shoulder as he muttered.

The broadcast showed the KK members laughing and talking after gathering together for the first time in a long time.

Each of the six members changed a lot and sometimes remained the same.

However, the appearance of KK with all six members together was as warm as before.

They were once people who wrote history every day. And even now, that history continues.

The warm appearance of the KK members brought joyful smiles to the faces of the panelists watching the screen.

***

“Hwiyu…! I really enjoyed it. It’s nice to see them still looking the same. “It would be a good gift for KK fans who wanted to see us all together.”

In response to Jeon Hyeon-yu’s summary comment, Do-wook smiled and replied that he hoped so.

Ahn Hyeong-seo’s expression when he saw them was very bright.

And then.

The studio lights went out.

“what……!”

While Dowook was surprised, the studio door opened again and the members came in with candles on the cake.

“Happy birthday- Happy birthday- My dear Dowook-”

It was accompanied by a happy birthday song.

Jung Yoon-gi, Kim Won, Park Tae-hyung, and Seok Ji-hoon. Dowook’s eyes grew so big that they couldn’t get any bigger at the members’ surprise appearance.

Today, the day of filming, was Dowook’s birthday.

Dowook’s eyes became moist. No matter when I received it, the congratulations I received from the members were happy and touching. And it had been a long time since I had had a surprise birthday party like this one.

I was grateful that the members, who were busy in their respective fields and had difficulty getting together, came together again for me.

Just like that, another birthday passed by.

It was a week before the release of KK’s special album.