episode_0254

“…”

The secretary remained silent for a moment, eyes wide with surprise.

“Are you talking about the Korean actress Lee Soo-ah, CEO?”

“Yes.”

“A banner ad featuring a person as RINE’s first banner ad…?”

“Of course, I don’t mean just putting up her profile without any thought. I’m saying we should consider something related to Lee Soo-ah.”

The secretary couldn’t help but be surprised.

Of course, advertising people is a common practice.

I mean, just look at the subway stations; when idols or actors have birthdays, their fans collect money to put up congratulatory posters.

But this banner is going to be on the RINE app.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the entire Japanese population uses the app, so it’s like giving a once-over to pretty much everyone in Japan.

“…”

Though the doubts swirling within were significant, the secretary couldn’t very well go against the CEO’s wishes. They kept their professional and personal lives separate.

“Understood. I’ll keep all the banner ad confirmations on hold and stop the progress.”

“Do that. And get me Lee Soo-ah’s contact information.”

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day.

Even after Soo-ah returned to Korea, Japan was still buzzing, especially in the media and online communities.

【Japanese Media】

[Nearly 800 people flocked to see Lee Soo-ah’s arrival, unexpected fan meet at the scene? Lee Soo-ah’s fan service is a hot topic]

The mere fact that the airport was chaotic was enough to make headlines, but the fact that she even provided fan service only garnered even more attention.

[Alexithymia? Hospital verification complete. No more controversies to block Lee Soo-ah’s advancement. She’s taking off.]

Even the controversial alexithymia issue, which had been the subject of much discussion, was resolved. Soo-ah’s approval rating soared like crazy.

Of course, not everyone welcomed Soo-ah.

There were those who felt resentful of the situation.

[Blatant pushing of Lee Soo-ah? People feel repulsed by the ‘Lee Soo-ah phenomenon.’ Let’s highlight our own domestic actors.]

But these articles were too weak.

You’d have to search through ten pages to find one, if at all.

Why? Because the hottest topic in Japan right now is praising Soo-ah. The reporters who are relentlessly chasing views had already decided what to write.

In the end, nothing but stories of Soo-ah’s good deeds filled the headlines.

[Kim Yu-han, signature in the form of a drawing is a hot topic]

[(Video) Shocking! Directly subduing a troublemaker!]

Most of the people at the airport that day had their phones in hand, and it only took a moment for the information they filmed to spread across the internet, flooding online communities.

Added to this were firsthand accounts like sprinkles on top.

【Japanese SNS】

[I’m usually shy and quiet, but Soo-ah *ssi* readily approached me and gave me fan service. I’m so touched….]

[Lee Soo-ah’s nickname is ‘Spirit,’ they say good things happen if you encounter her, lololol it suits her so well lololol]

Following that.

Director Yusaku, sensing the atmosphere, released articles related to “Weeds” to the media. The more the fact that Soo-ah was the lead was known, the stronger they would be.

[Investor problems? Just tabloid rumors. Lee Soo-ah is still the lead in ‘Weeds.’ No disruption to filming at all.]

To be honest, it was a bit of a bluff, but in this industry, you need to bluff. The moment you look like you’re collapsing, you’ll be torn apart from all sides, leaving not even a corpse behind.

[‘Weeds’ articles are just bluster? More than half of the investors have left. Difficulties expected.]

[Akiko shows no mercy even to her daughter. ‘Writer vs. Writer’]

Sure enough, articles were closing in on Yusaku.

The crisis of ‘Weeds’ still remained, but Soo-ah was completely unaffected. This was just a crisis for ‘Weeds.’

In fact, people weren’t really interested in how ‘Weeds’ was doing. Instead, they were more interested in the fact that the national entertainment show, ‘Celebrity Zoo,’ had finished filming a special episode featuring Soo-ah.

[National entertainment show ‘Celebrity Zoo’ includes unexpected situations that occurred on set? Expectations soaring ↑]

[‘Celebrity Zoo’ filming successfully completed.]

—There was an unexpected situation on set? I’m curious! ㄴ Isn’t it probably scripted? ㄴ I think it’s scripted too

—Who cares if it’s scripted? I’m just so curious to see what Lee Soo-ah will say on ‘Celebrity Zoo.’

—I watched MDD 808, and I was so curious about what she’s like usually, when she’s not acting. I want to see it soon.

—She said she started acting because she wanted to learn emotions, right? It’s such a touching story. I can’t help but root for her.

—I’ve been seeing the nickname ‘Spirit’ a lot these days. They say she even gave gifts to the audience on set. Lucky! I want to meet Lee Soo-ah in person and get fan service too! ㄴ I want to get other service too ㄴ Me too. Like, let me touch your butt. ㄴ What the hell are you guys saying lololol ㄴ She might actually allow it? She has no emotions.

. . . . .

And at the same time.

All of these reactions in Japan were simply pleasing in Korea. That’s because the actress they were supporting had gone and turned Japan upside down.

【Korean Community】

[Title: Current Japanese Reactions to Lee Soo-ah]

[(Screenshots of community posts and translated images)]

[Overall, the atmosphere is completely favorable. The alexithymia controversy has been resolved, and she’s been giving lots of fan service]

—Kya

—As expected, *Dae* Soo-ah

—From the start, the agency released an official statement, but not believing it is just forcing it. I’m glad they believe it now, even if it’s late.

[Title: Japanese people think the same thing lololol]

[(Comments mentioning Soo-ah’s butt)]

[It’s definitely noticeably big lololol]

—The butt is ㅇㅈ (acknowledged/agreed) —Fr fr (for real for real), sometimes I can’t focus on the acting ㄴ The butt is the main job, and the acting is the side job

【Korean Media】

[Japan is already suffering from ‘Soo-ah fever,’ Mystic—Lee Soo-ah, successfully completes her first visit to Japan and returns home]

[Lee Soo-ah takes another step towards promoting national prestige!]

Soo-ah steadily climbed the ranks of *hallyu* stars.

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day. JKBC Entertainment Bureau.

Inside a stylish conference room.

A man wearing a snapback backwards sat across from the director. It was Kang Hyun-sung PD, the mischievous mastermind behind Soo-ah’s ‘Pet Special’ variety show.

The director chuckled first.

“Kang PD, are you not sleeping properly these days? The dark circles under your eyes are like a panda’s.”

“I have to work even if it means cutting back on sleep. This variety show is being produced by the broadcasting station, and we even managed to cast Soo-ah *ssi*.”

“That’s true. Let’s suffer a little more in the future?”

“…Ugh, you’re so annoying I could die.”

The two men exchanged jokes and burst out laughing.

Soon, the PD pushed a compiled document towards the director.

“Well, there’s no need for further ado, right? Please approve. After getting the approval, I need to eat and go back to work….”

“Kang PD is working so hard these days, I almost feel sorry that all I can do is approve this.”

“Then increase the production budget a little.”

“How can I increase it more? It’s already at the maximum? You’re ruthless.”

*Swish*—!

The director finished signing, a smile on his face.

“Kang PD, your planning is good, but your casting ability is really something? How did you bring in Lee Soo-ah and Kim Seon-il at the same time? Be honest. Did you put something behind the scenes?”

“Director *nim*.”

“Yes?”

“Surprisingly, Soo-ah *ssi*’s value was much lower until I cast her. I’m serious.”

“Oh? Does it work out that way in terms of timing?”

Rolling his eyes, the director soon gaped.

“…Oh? That’s right?”

Thinking about it, it really was.

Until then, she was just a rookie who had made a name for herself through Kim Yu-han, but Soo-ah is now moving towards becoming a *hallyu* star. He couldn’t help but be shocked.

“No, when you look back on it like this, she’s nothing short of a monster, is she? That actress, Lee Soo-ah, has grown that much in the meantime?”

“I know, right? It’s a profit for us. It feels like we bought a stock and it skyrocketed like crazy? Anyway, I’m off.”

At that moment, as Kang Hyun-sung PD got up from his seat.

“Wait a minute, Kang PD! Just one question!”

The director hurriedly stopped him. Kang Hyun-sung PD only turned his head slightly to look at the director.

“Yes. What is it?”

“‘Star Summit Meeting,’ what did you decide on for the first topic? Just having foreigners sit there is fun enough, but I’m curious about what you’re going to do first in episode 1.”

“Well, isn’t it obvious? We need to make them do what Korean viewers like the most.”

“What Koreans like the most?”

“Yes.”

Kang Hyun-sung PD nodded and grinned.

“We’re going to make them eat all the famous Korean foods and get their honest opinions on what foreigners think.”

“Not bad? Does the Korean representative do the cooking?”

“Huh? Of course, we should get a sponsorship and have it delivered, right?”

Kang Hyun-sung PD reacted as if he had heard an absurd question, and in fact, he had. After all, Soo-ah *ssi* is the current Korean representative for ‘Star Summit Meeting.’

He soon shook his head vigorously.

“Soo-ah *ssi* probably doesn’t know how to cook, and from the start, it would be too much to ask for that. It would be too much *yangsim* (conscience/ethics).”