Ch.266No, wait… is that for real?

“My videos seem to have more impact than I thought.”

I never imagined I’d experience what I used to see before my reincarnation.

‘When my video comes out, then videos editing community reactions to it appear.’

Then videos with added sound effects to those edited videos come out.

Then videos of streamers reacting to those videos appear.

Like making bone broth from a single video.

Like a deeply rooted tree, dozens of videos branched out from one source.

“Well, as long as the fans enjoy it.”

That’s why I filmed and uploaded it in the first place.

As long as the fans liked it, I didn’t mind.

‘Now, should I finally take a proper break?’

The filming for Musashi was completely finished.

For Pianist, I just needed to shoot a few more everyday scenes to wrap it up perfectly.

That meant I had absolutely nothing to do until May next year.

‘Should I properly enjoy myself for the first time in ages?’

If I were to take a proper break,

there were actually quite a few things I wanted to do.

Have fun with my family whom I hadn’t properly spent time with.

Reunite with friends I hadn’t seen in a while.

<Sujin, want to go on a date after so long?>

Ring ring ring.

Click.

-“Y-you have time?!”

“You responded quickly. I suggested a date because I have time.”

-“Y-you’re crazy, seriously! J-just asking me on a date out of nowhere…!”

“So you don’t want to? Or should I take that as a yes and book a hotel?”

-“W-who said n-no?! D-do whatever you want… um, m-make sure to book it!”

Reigniting relationships that had cooled down due to our busy schedules.

And since the boxing competition was next year, I could focus on building my body too.

It was finally time to have some proper fun after so long.

+++++

Around the time Kim Donghu officially began his break,

Japan was in an uproar.

【 I heard Musashi filming is all done and it’s going to Cannes next May? 】

【 A Korean is playing Japan’s greatest swordsman, and that’s going to be shown worldwide?! 】

【 What is Japan doing? Shouldn’t they be stopping this! 】

【 Why did Fujino Ren even apply for that role? Absolutely terrible! 】

【 wwwwwww This is Japan’s shame wwwwwwwwwwww 】

【 Ban all Japanese people involved in Musashi filming from entering the country! 】

Musashi.

The plan sounded excellent and impressive,

but the problem was that the lead actor happened to be Korean.

It wasn’t actually a huge issue,

but for some far-right groups, it was practically a matter of life and death.

【 Shouldn’t we be protesting at the airport?! 】

【 Protest? Are you saying we should go out there? 】

【 Of course! Director Kiryu needs to be severely punished! 】

【 But he’s not coming together, I heard Kim Donghu is taking a short break in Korea 】

【 Then it’s a temporary ceasefire! 】

Of course, this was only happening online.

But even though they were small in number, their voices were loud,

so even Director Kiryu couldn’t completely ignore them.

“This has become quite troublesome.”

“Indeed it has.”

It would be a lie to say they didn’t expect any controversy,

but they didn’t anticipate this level of resistance.

If the role of Musashi was going to be criticized no matter who played it,

shouldn’t it be played by the person who fits it best?

‘And that person can only be Donghu-san.’

Director Kiryu lamented this situation.

“While a film can never satisfy everyone, I’m worried this might affect the box office.”

“Is the negative public opinion that significant?”

“It’s not widespread, but… at this level, Japan might not actively promote it.”

He calmly assessed the current situation.

“Though they’ll have to promote it anyway…”

“Why is that?”

“Because we’ve already arranged for Musashi to be screened in Japanese theaters, and that itself will be a tourism element.”

Moreover, it wasn’t just premiering in Japan.

It would be released after its premiere at Cannes and after all the awards ceremonies.

Wouldn’t you be curious?

Musashi, a film that competed in Cannes’ official competition section.

Naturally, people would be curious about what kind of film it would be.

The only problem was…

“I want it to be promoted aggressively.”

The level of promotion Director Kiryu wanted was difficult to achieve at present.

Bold and groundbreaking, at a level never seen before in Japan!

Literally having it displayed on building billboards.

Having enough impact to be mentioned on variety shows and news.

That was the level Director Kiryu was hoping for.

And to emphasize again…

“It’s impossible at the current level.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

It was impossible at the current stage.

But could they just sit still?

‘Then let’s raise the level.’

The most effective method at times like this was

to properly promote through variety shows.

++++++

November 2021.

“…So you’re saying I got an offer to appear on a Japanese variety show?”

“Yeah. They said it’s just a light talk show?”

I blinked at Seokho hyung’s words.

“It’s probably not promotion six months before release… I’m guessing it’s because of public opinion in Japan.”

“Huh? You knew about that?”

“I’d be stupid not to. Honestly, it was bound to cause controversy.”

If a Japanese actor played Chuk Joon-kyung,

and it was screened in Korean theaters.

It would be strange if there wasn’t any backlash.

Since Musashi is such an imposing figure in various Japanese creative works,

it was inevitable that there would be talk.

“So they want to soften my image through variety shows?”

“Y-yeah, but if you’re uncomfortable…”

“No, it’s fine. That’s what we should do. What reason would an actor have to refuse promoting their work?”

If appearing on variety shows would help reduce the controversy,

I could honestly appear on several of them.

While I was listening to which variety show I’d be going on…

“…And this was suggested by Director Kiryu, he said you could refuse, but I wanted to ask you about it…”

Seokho hyung continued cautiously.

This was unusual.

Just as I was wondering why he was acting this way…

“We got an offer for a hidden camera prank, since you’re so famous… yeah.”

I thought, finally, here it comes.

“It’s a Japanese style… called ‘Dokkiri’… they film pranks on celebrities, you know what I mean, right?”

“You mean like surprising people?”

“Yeah, so if you agree, they won’t tell you when it’ll happen, they’ll just do it suddenly.”

He said that even he would have to deceive me then, everyone would have to deceive me,

but he wanted to ask for my consent beforehand.

You really don’t have to do this.

I could clearly read the sincerity in Seokho hyung’s eyes as he said that.

‘So this is the real deal, not the talk show.’

The most human side.

A celebrity prank to see the most vulnerable side.

They probably wanted to build my likability by showing me flustered.

Of course, this could potentially damage my image.

‘I mean, nobody likes being pranked.’

And Japan takes these things very seriously.

If I’m not careful, I could really embarrass myself.

Though they probably wouldn’t go that far.

Since it was meant to improve Musashi’s image,

they must be planning a somewhat sophisticated prank.

But.

‘If I handle this well, the return could be huge.’

Honestly, I felt like I could overcome any situation.

“It’s fine, I’ll do it. Let’s try the prank.”

I just need to not be surprised and coolly handle whatever comes my way.

++++++

Japan’s celebrity hidden camera variety program, Dokkiri.

Their system was meticulously and carefully organized.

First, once they received a casting contact, they immediately analyzed that actor’s movements.

“Actor Kim Donghu usually uses the hotel gym in the morning… and doesn’t really go out?”

“Except for occasionally meeting with Chisako, yes, that’s right.”

“Then let’s just call him to the broadcasting station, tell him it’s for radio, and lure him in.”

“Sounds good.”

After analyzing his movements and establishing a rough plan,

the next step was to discuss what kind of hidden camera prank to execute.

“How about surprising him in the elevator?”

“Or maybe having a ghost appear from the wall?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to make it fit with Musashi?”

And that’s how the idea to match it with Musashi came up.

“Like a ghost swordsman, with ghost makeup and chasing him with a sword.”

“Suddenly all the corridor lights go out! That kind of feeling!”

“Perfect.”

Having worked together for quite a long time,

everything proceeded smoothly once the direction was decided.

The preparation took about two days.

Since they already had all the props ready, it didn’t take long.

‘That’s why people can’t predict it, because they can’t imagine the prank happening so quickly.’

That’s when the surprised faces of famous celebrities are revealed.

What a delightful moment.

‘Female celebrities even cry sometimes.’

What kind of face would actor Kim Donghu show?

With such anticipation, the directors were busily communicating over their radios.

-Actor Kim Donghu is entering.

-Actor Kim Donghu is currently moving toward the radio booth with Chisako.

-Chisako is definitely guiding him well, they’re slowly moving to the point.

Step, step.

Kim Donghu who knew nothing,

and Chisako who knew somewhat but was hiding it with her acting.

As the two leisurely arrived at the radio booth door.

BANG!

Suddenly the lights went out.

“AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!”

Samurai with ghost makeup began running like madmen from both ends of the corridor.

“KYAAAAAAAH!”

Chisako, despite knowing, was startled and fell to her knees.

But the actual target who was supposed to be most surprised…

CRACK!

“I’ll block them with this!”

He ripped off the radio booth door.

-Wait a minute… is that for real?