Devil’s Music

Lin guided the group into the National Theater of Korea.

While providing an overall guide, Lin always stood next to Geon. Consequently, the entire filming crew centered their shots around Geon and Lin. Geon was slightly taken aback by this, but as they were on the move, he silently listened to Lin's guidance.

This National Theater hosts operas, musicals, and concerts. Normally, they don't rent it out to foreigners unless they're top-tier musicians. However, considering the viewership of the drama "Chuno," they made an exception. Our main venue for the event is a concert hall with a capacity of 5,473 seats. Though not vast in seat count, each seat is a spacious VIP seat. To put it in perspective, the scale of this hall is similar to a 30,000-seat large-scale museum. Think of it akin to Korea's Arts Center performance hall for a quick understanding."

Lin continued speaking ceaselessly while walking through the wide, lengthy corridors with white walls.

"We're delighted to host the actors from 'Chuno' here at our CCTV. Each actor has their own waiting room for comfortable event preparations. From here, the nameplates on the doors indicate the actors' rooms. PD and AD can use this area with the filming team. Oh, PD, would you also like to capture the actors preparing in their rooms?"

Yeongseok nodded.

"Yes, for the making film. Alright! VJs, set up installed cameras in each actor's room and check the audio. Lighting director, turn on lights in the waiting rooms and assess if additional lighting is needed."

As Yeongseok issued instructions hastily, Lin directed the accompanying staff.

"Position four security personnel in front of each waiting room door and assign one internal staff member to address any discomfort immediately."

The subordinates nodded and dashed away.

Shortly after, the Chinese security team assembled outside the waiting room, and upon receiving the signal from the camera team, the actors entered their designated rooms. Geon, noticing his separate waiting room with his name, opened the door.

As Geon stepped into the room, he looked around, visibly surprised.

The brightly lit waiting room had European-style chandeliers sparkling overhead, and one wall was entirely made of mirrors. There were four spots for makeup with soft black chairs aligned along the wall facing individual mirrors, each spot equipped with mirror-shaped lights. On the opposite wall, there was a large sofa for six and a long table. In this spacious room that seemed larger than 14 square meters, Geon awkwardly stood until a VJ gestured for him to enter.

Observing the gesture, Geon walked hesitantly and sat on the six-seater sofa. After a while of uncomfortable silence, the VJ lowered the camera momentarily and spoke.

"Um, you should say something, Geon. Ha-ha."

Scratching the back of his head, Geon replied, "Wh-what should I... I'm here alone without any staff..."

Seemingly thinking Geon mumbling alone would be odd, the VJ spoke into the radio to Yeongseok.

"Hey, PD. It's VJ Hyeongseok. Geon's in the waiting room, feeling awkward as he doesn't have a personal staff. What should we do about this?"

"Don't worry. Geon will soon be interviewed by a Chinese entertainment program. Just film how he handles the interview situation from the corner."

"I see. Understood, PD."

The VJ, with the radio on his shoulder, addressed Geon.

"Did you hear that, Geon? They're coming for an interview from the Chinese side shortly. Just wait a moment."

Slightly surprised, Geon asked, "An entertainment program? Is it okay for me to appear on such a program?"

Smiling, the VJ pointed the camera at him.

"Well, that's up to the viewers. If there's no demand from the audience, there won't be any filming. The fact that the filming crew is here means you have that level of influence. Don't worry, just wait comfortably."

Upon the VJ's words, Geon sunk deeper into the sofa seat.

A while later, there was a brief commotion outside the waiting room door, followed by a knock and its subsequent opening.

The person who entered was a man in his late twenties, wearing fashionable glasses and a colorful patterned fashion suit. Holding a slightly oversized microphone, he entered the room, making noise and greeting energetically.

"Hello, I'm Kwak Yeongung, a reporter from ShanghaiTV Hwani Singdongtai! We're finally here at the scene where the heroines of the drama 'Chuno' have arrived in China. We've entered the waiting room of the much-talked-about singer, Kim Geon!"

Hwani Singdongtai is a broadcasting company headquartered in Shanghai but airs nationwide. Focused on introducing Hallyu, it's a highly influential entertainment program watched by over 50 million households and followed by more than 200 million viewers.

Though the reporter looked at Geon, he turned to the camera, then took a step backward, acting surprised when he saw Geon.

"Wow! You're Geon! You're the unbelievably handsome guy we've all seen in the teasers! Many female fans watching our broadcast must be fluttering. Let's exchange greetings. Could I get the interpreter here for a moment?"

As the reporter sought an interpreter and sat on the sofa, Geon spoke fluently in Chinese.

"An interpreter isn't necessary, Mr. Kwak. Hello, everyone, I'm Kim Geon from Korea."

Geon waved slightly at the camera and spoke. The reporter, astonished, exclaimed, "Oh! You can speak Chinese! Did you study this anticipating a venture into China?"

Shaking his head, Geon replied, "No, I'm still a student, and Chinese is part of the foreign language classes at my school."

The reporter, still in a fuss, exclaimed, "Ah, I see! I see! Anyway, as a Chinese person, I welcome this! It'd be great if more Hallyu stars learned Chinese. Well then, shall we start the interview, Geon?"

Reporter Yeongung led the conversation smoothly with a fluent, familiar style, as if interviewing Hallyu stars was second nature to him.

Yeongung: First of all, it's an honor to meet you, Mr. Geon.

Geon Kim: No, not at all. I've only presented one song so far, so I'm thankful for the interest.

Yeongung: Haha, you're modest. Have you seen the promotional video featuring you for the upcoming event in China?

Geon Kim: Yes, I saw it on the flight to China.

Yeongung: That video gained immense attention not only among Hallyu fans in China but also among the general public. How did you feel about it?

Geon Kim: Well... truthfully, I was a bit surprised. It featured all the main characters from the drama, and I felt as though I was captured like the hidden lead.

Yeongung: Haha, I see. But the impact of the video was tremendous. Did you know your OST hit 12th on the Baidu charts in China, and within an hour of its release, it soared to the top spot?

Geon Kim: Yes, really? My song reached number one in China?

Yeongung: Yes, indeed. It topped not only the Baidu charts but also the Xiami and KuGou charts. Essentially, a triple crown in the top three music charts in China. How does that make you feel?

Geon Kim: Ah... it's surreal. This is all so new to me.

Yeongung: I understand. It's only been a day since you reached the top spot. You're not currently under any management agency, right?

Geon Kim: No, I'm not. I'm still a student and... I can't really be considered an entertainer. Singing the drama OST was just a coincidence.

Yeongung: Wow, with looks like yours, if you're not in showbiz, you'd probably give ladies a lot to ponder, Mr. Geon. For the sake of your eager fans, you should continue your entertainment activities. You participated in the promotion event for the drama "Chuno" today. Does that mean you'll be singing at the event?

Geon Kim: Yes, that's correct.

Yeongung: The song you'll sing today will undoubtedly be "Stigma," the OST from "Chuno," right?

Geon Kim: Yes, since I've only sung one song. However, just in case, I've prepared one more.

Yeongung: Oh, really? That's great news. What song is it?

Geon Kim: It's "Love of the Past," sung by the Chinese actor Zhang Guoying in the movie "A Better Tomorrow."

Yeongung: Wow, "A Better Tomorrow!" It was hugely popular in China. Was it also well-received in Korea?

Geon Kim: Yes, definitely. It was a while ago, but I saw many people imitating the guys in Barbary coats with sunglasses, mimicking Chow Yun-fat while chewing on toothpicks.

Yeongung: Haha, it was the same in China. I was once into that fashion too.

Geon Kim: Haha, really?

Yeongung: Since the event isn't broadcasted on TV, this song will be exclusively broadcasted by our company, Hanwi Singdongtai.

Geon Kim: Oh, I'm not really sure about that.

Yeongung: Please do try to make that happen for us if you can, even if it means talking to the officials.

Geon Kim: Ah, I don't have that kind of influence. Please talk to the relevant people.

Yeongung: Haha, if you just said a word, Mr. Geon, that would probably be enough. But for now, let's play fair.

Geon Kim: Haha, sure.

Yeongung: Now, let's change the subject a bit. In a recent interview, the popular Chinese actress Zhao Liying mentioned you as her ideal type. Are you familiar with her?

Geon Kim: Ah... I'm not very sure... but I'm deeply grateful for her mentioning me as her ideal type.

Yeongung: Not just Zhao Liying, but Julian Cheung from the Hong Kong Twins also mentioned you as his ideal type.

Geon Kim: Ah, I see... I'm truly sorry, I'm not familiar with who they are.

Yeongung: I understand. Even though it might disappoint them if they hear, they conveyed their feelings to you. Since you'll show interest in them, they'll kindly understand. Right, Zhao Liying, Julian Cheung? Mr. Geon! Will you search for these two?

Geon Kim: Yes, of course. I'll look up their movies and listen to their songs. I'm sorry, both of you.

Yeongung: I hope your fans understand too. Now, onto the last question. There's a 5,000-seat concert hall, but unfortunately, the venue's already packed. There are around 40,000 fans outside who couldn't get tickets. Any words for them?

Geon Kim: What? 40,000? When I arrived, there weren't that many...

Yeongung: Yes, perhaps the fans crowded at the airport had to move, and some might have joined late and couldn't get tickets.

Geon Kim: Ah... I see. So, are they supposed to just stay outside and leave?

Yeongung: That seems likely. This venue, the National Grand Theatre, focuses on VIP-exclusive concerts, so it doesn't accommodate overflow.

Geon looked at the camera and said, "To all the fans who came to see our Chuno team, thank you for the warm welcome. I'm deeply sorry for those who couldn't enter and are waiting outside. Thank you so much for your love."

Yeongung stood up as Geon finished speaking and exclaimed to the camera, "Yes, this was Kwak Yeongung from Hanwi Singdongtai reporting from Beijing. Thank you!"