Ch.247Six Months Later: The Rematch

Writing Musashi as a Korean.

And submitting it to Cannes first, then releasing it in the Japanese film market.

After hearing this plan.

“Oh, I see? Musashi is Korean, of course!”

No one would readily invest while saying such things.

It was an incredibly difficult story to accept even sober.

And even harder to understand after drinking heavily.

But how did Kiryu Sota gather investors?

By cleverly persuading top companies?

By desperately begging with his entire career on the line?

No.

“From the beginning, we need to gather people who communicate well with each other.”

He simply didn’t talk with the Japanese side from the start.

More precisely, he avoided contact with production companies entirely.

The only ones he needed to persuade were distributors.

But they were people who moved strictly according to the capital market.

Meaning there was no need to beg.

“That’s right. Dialogue is truly a precious and important tool.”

Michael Zeed, the Japanese Netflix representative, smiled deeply in response to Director Kiryu Sota’s words.

“It’s funny how the logic of this market works, how they completely change their tune when foreign capital gets involved.”

“It can’t be helped, Netflix has that kind of value.”

“Honestly, they must know. They can’t not know. With Kim Donghu involved, it can’t possibly fail.”

No matter how conservative the society was.

They weren’t living with their eyes and ears closed.

They knew what it meant for Kim Donghu to star in a film.

They were just afraid of change and too stubborn in their old ways.

So he simply forced his way through.

As soon as he announced working with Netflix to spread Musashi worldwide,

they hurriedly opened their wallets, even while complaining that it made no sense.

“But they looked quite uncomfortable when investing, didn’t they?”

Director Kiryu laughed at Michael’s comment.

“Whatever they do, they can’t do anything except talk behind our backs.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that… the production company we cut out, they’ll probably curse us quite a bit, but… it’s obvious they can’t actually do anything.”

Michael nodded, seemingly reassured by those words.

Entering the Japanese live-action film market.

This was honestly quite a bold investment even for Netflix.

But in the end, everything worked out well.

Because.

“For someone in such a stable position to take such a bold challenge, it’s really… really cool.”

“Indeed. Constantly evolving, setting an example for others.”

Kim Donghu had agreed to star in Musashi.

“He’s an incredible actor. Just look at the current atmosphere.”

Michael briefly summarized the current situation in America.

“That… Evelyn, Evelyn’s new song MEET won most of the Grammy Awards, though unfortunately not the main one.”

“I’m well aware. It was truly impressive.”

“Also… currently, except for the WBC, other major boxing organizations are holding heavyweight unification bouts.”

“I’ve heard it’s generating tremendous interest.”

“In this situation, Musashi… I’m really looking forward to it.”

Michael carefully handed over a tablet while saying this.

“Musashi is Korean? Outrage over casting news leak!”

“Overly innovative or extremely conservative? Is casting a Korean for Musashi appropriate?”

“Drawing a fictional character vs. based on history – which side will you take?”

“Kim Donghu, stealing one of Japan’s symbols?!”

It displayed the negative public opinion brewing in Japan.

Kiryu Sota looked at it with a bright smile.

“It’s thrilling to think about overturning the situation like this.”

His eyes, looking down at the tablet, seemed excited about the future.

+++++

After becoming the lead for Musashi.

I was extremely busy.

“Seohyun, it’s 2 AM, don’t you need to sleep?”

“No! Tomorrow’s a day off from school!”

“…That’s right, schools don’t have classes on Saturdays anymore.”

I spent plenty of time with my family after returning home after a long while.

Actually, it wasn’t spending time that kept me busy.

It was playing with Seohyun.

‘I’d rather be in a boxing match.’

That’s how I felt.

The energy of a 7-year-old eager to play was unmatched.

“In movies, you’re Tarzan, but you know what?! For a princess, you’re a prince on a white horse!”

“I know, of course… how could I not know?”

As if determined to make up for all the time we couldn’t play together.

Seohyun had meticulously planned our playtime.

“Since you’re popular, there’s a high chance we’ll be disturbed in public places.”

“…Seohyun?”

“So I thought about things we can do at home, like board games….”

No, no, no, no.

Wait a minute.

‘Why is she so smart?’

It was hard to believe those words came from a 7-year-old’s mind.

It made me wonder if this was her second life or something.

Every statement she made was extraordinary.

“I can’t… usually brag about my children because of you and Seohyun.”

“What? Seohyun too?”

Mom interjected at that moment.

“Isn’t she pretty? And as you can see, she’s clever and speaks well… she really takes after someone too much.”

Dad, who was beside us, silently nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“No interrupting when Dad and Mom are talking! Only the princess can talk to her brother now!”

“…See? Your sister is really something else. She’s already learning from Master Sangha.”

“Whaaaat?!”

I really didn’t know this!

For reference, Sangha hyung currently runs a very large gym.

I know he occasionally appears on TV.

It’s surprising that he’s teaching a 7-year-old despite his busy schedule.

“He said he’d repay the favor for life… well, that’s what he said. He’d be perfect if he just found a nice wife.”

“…Right, Sangha hyung should get married soon.”

While playing with Seohyun, I naturally heard stories about people around me.

I realized that my family meets my friends more often than I do.

“Kangsik visits sometimes? He lost weight? 40kg?!”

“That’s what they say. Mom was surprised when he came with Minhyeok. He’s releasing a new game soon too?”

“Wait, what is this….”

“They probably didn’t tell you because you’re busy.”

After chatting about various things like this for a while.

Enjoying home-cooked meals after a long time.

Time flowed to April.

Originally, we planned to film Musashi in Japan as scheduled, but.

-These fools are being stubborn, if we can’t film there, we can just film somewhere else.

Due to strong opposition from Japanese production companies, filming took place in Korea.

‘Filming Musashi in Korea, with a Korean actor playing the role.’

This was really embracing controversy head-on.

But honestly, Korea wasn’t free from controversy either.

Just.

“Are you watching? Korea’s cultural invasion?! The achievements of Kim Donghu?!”

“If it’s Kim Donghu, it’s possible. If it’s Kim Donghu, it’s acceptable. Musashi is now Kim Donghu.”

“…”

The direction of the controversy was just a bit different.

+++++

When it was decided to film Musashi in Korea.

With distribution, production, and the lead role already determined.

The biggest issue was the other actors.

The film wasn’t a one-man show.

Naturally, other supporting actors were needed.

Especially someone like Sasaki, who had to duel with him at the end.

He was absolutely essential.

But Japanese public opinion was negative.

And following that opinion, Japanese actors were being cautious.

In this flow, there was someone walking in the completely opposite direction.

“I’ll take any role I can play.”

It was veteran voice actor Usami Ken.

At a public press conference.

With flashes constantly going off.

At an event meant to gather negative opinions about Musashi.

Ken boldly pushed forward with his own views.

“Musashi will be an amazing film.”

One might ask how a voice actor could act, but.

Since Ken had also worked as an actor until his 20s.

He couldn’t be considered a complete novice.

‘This is a new trend.’

Ironically, the reason for this decision wasn’t because of his daughter.

Although he cherished Chisako.

Separately from that, he found the flow of the Musashi project extremely interesting.

‘Things are changing. Because of Kim Donghu….’

He knew how successful The Noble Gourmet starring Kim Donghu had been.

But that was just a supporting role with brief appearances.

If he had such an impact there.

What about starring in a film?

He couldn’t imagine how successful it would be.

‘Those hesitating now are fools, afraid of change….’

I’m different.

“Also, the only one who can perfectly portray Musashi is Kim Donghu.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes, I ask Director Kiryu. Please give me a role too.”

Usami Ken proudly expressed his opinion.

From this moment, other actors also began to gradually show their determination.

A wind of Musashi was blowing in Japan.

++++++

At the same time.

On the opposite side of the Earth.

“Good thing we included a rematch clause.”

Edward’s boxing coach laughed deeply looking at Edward lying on the floor.

“It was scheduled for six months later, right?”

“That’s right, of course. We fought for the championship from the beginning, so a rematch is only proper.”

Edward also laughed as he slowly got up.

“This time I was careless, but in six months I’ll reclaim the belt.”

Another will was burning.