Chapter 138

# 139

Across the Sea (3)

***

The ‘あおぞら’ showcase held in Tokyo ended very successfully.

Thanks to the steady release of albums and tours in Japan, the group has clearly formed a solid fan base of fans who love KK’s music.

In addition, the strategy developed in cooperation with Nakamoto, starting with the concept photo, also seemed to have worked well.

Of course, Japanese K-POP fans liked ‘K-POP-ness’, but they were fundamentally Japanese. They were giving a slightly more generous evaluation to the composition of the album tailored to Japanese tastes.

It was also true that the quality was slightly higher than KK’s previous Japanese albums due to Nakamoto’s capital power.

Basically, the song arranged in the Japanese version fits well with Japanese sensibilities. ‘あおぞら’ also entered the Oricon chart, heralding the smooth sailing of this Japanese activity.

Now it was time to push a little further.

After the showcase ended, the members returned to the hotel, took a quick shower, and went out to Shibuya Street to have dinner.

Even though I was tired, the idea was to have dinner outside and enjoy the Tokyo nightlife just a little bit.

The broadcast was scheduled from early tomorrow morning, and after that, the schedule continued for 3 days and 2 nights.

Because the members were constantly running, even the short free time they occasionally had was very sweet.

In Korea, young people recognize you just by taking a step in front of your accommodation, so Tokyo was a better place to walk down the street.

“uh! That!… … .”

Taehyung Park, who was walking ahead with Won Kim, stopped. In front of the small theater that Taehyung Park pointed to as he stopped, there was a Japanese poster for “Blue Whale.”

Kim Won, who was next to Taehyung Park, clapped and called the members together.

“wow! “I never thought I’d see Dowook’s face here.”

The members gathered in front of the theater and looked at the poster. Do-wook was also pushed by the members’ fuss and checked the posters plastered on the wall.

The Japanese version of the poster had modifiers such as ‘Cannes winner’ and ‘clearly revealing reality’.

After receiving favorable reviews at Cannes, Dowook’s film was exported to several countries. Of course, because it was not a commercial film, it was not screened in theaters on a large scale, but it was well received among lovers of art films.

In particular, Japanese film magazines with similar sensibilities as Korea made their name known by selecting “Blue Whale” as a work of interest.

This is because the problem of school violence was a serious social problem that Japan experienced before Korea.

“World Wide Iga.”

Jeong Yoon-gi was impressed.

The KK members were amazed when they discovered Dowook’s movie poster, but their eyes couldn’t help but widen even more when they stood in front of a famous Japanese record label.

KK’s video was playing on the electronic display board installed in front of the record company’s main gate.

The music video for ‘あおぞら’ was shot with slightly more intense colors.

“Oh, Director, can I stop by here for a moment?”

In response to Seok Ji-hoon’s question, Director Oh Baek-ho looked around and nodded. There were people passing by, glancing at the group of tall young men, but so far no one had noticed or followed them.

It was late and the record company was just before closing time, so the store was empty. The members went directly into the record company store and looked in front of where their albums were stacked.

Along with the large signboard, the notice ‘K-K’s new album, the new crown prince of K-POP’ stood out brightly.

Director Oh Baek-ho also had a new feeling when he personally visited the store where KK’s album was sold in Japan.

Through the interpreter who accompanied him, Ahn Hyeong-seo asked various questions to the store staff. Although the store staff was a little puzzled, they answered the interpreter’s questions with sincerity.

“They say it’s really popular. He is by far the best among Korean singers right now… … . Recently, it seems that fans are buying the first full-length album, perhaps due to the influence of the Aozora music video… … .”

Ahn Hyeong-seo nodded at the interpreter’s explanation with a smile on his face.

In fact, even without hearing an explanation, I was able to figure it out right away just by looking at the fact that it occupies a large corner of the store.

The store employee who was explaining things seemed to have belatedly realized that the members were K.K. Even though he was surprised, he gave a thumbs up for a moment and repeatedly said that it was great.

The members who left the record store with their shoulders lifted were each holding a copy of KK’s album in their hands.

“There are so many when I go to work, why should I buy this…” … .”

Director Oh Baek-ho shook his head, but that was not what the members felt.

“It would be good if it goes up further on the Oricon charts.”

Director Oh Baek-ho clicked his tongue at Ahn Hyeong-seo’s answer.

“Buy six?”

“I bought another one. Manager. So, seven sheets.”

Seok Ji-hoon opened two albums and answered for Manager Oh Baek-ho. Director Oh Baek-ho looked a little confused.

“Two?”

“yes. “You can give it to your mother.”

Seok Ji-hoon seemed to have read Director Oh Baek-ho’s thoughts when he asked what he was going to use it for and quickly answered.

Director Oh Baek-ho shook his head and thought that the KK members were still pure. As they received the grand prize and already received some recognition, it is easy to feel complacent rather than improve, but the members wanted to constantly grow.

“Oh, I’m so hungry. “Now let’s go quickly.”

At Jeong Yoon-gi’s words, the group walked faster.

On the way to the ramen shop, several locals recognized the KK members and shouted. Of course, due to the characteristics of the Japanese people, they did not approach me, but I could see that a significant number of people were now recognizing KK even in the middle of Tokyo.

The members felt uncomfortable and a little proud at the same time.

***

Early the next morning, a studio at a Japanese public broadcasting station.

KK was rubbing her sleepy eyes and finishing her hair and makeup to appear on a famous Japanese morning entertainment program.

Seok Ji-hoon’s swelling was worse than usual, perhaps because he ordered and ate a larger jumbo dish than the other members last night.

“So Jihoon, you eat so well!”

“It got this big because I ate it.”

Seok Ji-hoon responded strangely to Cody’s scolding and started yelling in the waiting room.

“Aaaaaah!!!”

The members were startled by Seok Ji-hoon’s scream and looked at him. Seok Ji-hoon was screaming with his mouth wide open. My face was turning red.

“He’s like that again.”

Ahn Hyeong-seo only said one word, and the members immediately turned their heads and were busy memorizing their Japanese sentences.

The method of squealing to relax the mouth muscles and generating heat at the same time to reduce the swelling of the face was a method that Seok Ji-hoon often used on days when his face was swollen.

At that time, a staff member came in and filled the microphone for the members.

This morning’s broadcast was scheduled to be performed live in the studio along with a brief member introduction.

“Oh, I’m nervous. “I can be good at this, right?!”

“You can do it, bro. Would you like me to take a look at it?”

The Japanese language skills of KK members could be clearly divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

In the advanced class, there were also Dowook and Kim Won.

In the intermediate class, there were Seok Ji-hoon and Park Tae-hyung, who studied quite hard.

The beginner class was originally comprised of Jeong Yoon-ki and Ahn Hyeong-seo. However, since leader Jung Yoon-gi raps and introduces the group in Japanese, he can now speak very basic Japanese.

The problem was Ahn Hyeong-seo. Hyungseo Ahn was still the member with the weakest Japanese skills. Even though he had already performed several concerts in Japan, Ahn Hyeong-seo’s Japanese language skills showed no signs of improving.

I was putting in the necessary amount of effort, but I couldn’t blame him for being weak in foreign languages, not even singing.

Dowook offered a helping hand to Ahn Hyeong-seo, who memorized a short sentence of about two lines and was worried about forgetting it.

Hyeong-seo Ahn did not hesitate and memorized his message to Do-wook.

“おはようございます。”

It started with “hello,” followed by an introduction that he was in charge of talent at KK and a brief greeting to take good care of him in the future. Do-wook, who was standing in front, nodded. Although the accent was a little slurred, there was nothing wrong.

Ahn Hyeong-seo gained confidence and spoke without hesitation, even the latter part of the message, ‘I’m sending you a wink to encourage you to have a lively day today!’ And then he even winked at Dowook.

Dowook burst out laughing.

“Is it perfect?”

“Was there anything wrong?”

“yes.”

Ahn Hyeong-seo smiled as if relieved by Do-wook’s words.

“Then that’s it. “I have to do better later.”

And soon the live interview began.

Starting with Jung Yoon-gi’s greeting, each member gave his or her own message. The MCs asked a few set questions, and the short interview ended with a wink from Ahn Hyeong-seo, who memorized the words without difficulty.

Afterwards, KK’s stage continued.

KK was making Japan’s mornings more lively with a live performance that included both dancing and singing, which is rare among Japanese idol groups.

The reaction of Japanese locals watching the live broadcast was also quite noteworthy.

-Are the people coming out now from Korea?

-The most popular idol currently in Korea

-I thought only AOB was good, but there are quite a few talented singers in Korea…

-Who just had the blonde hair? Handsome!

-Wookie☆

-Proud KK Center~^^

-Is it possible to sing like that while dancing? Cool

– I think I’ve seen that blonde hair somewhere. Was it at the movie theater?

– KK! The best! I’ve been a fan since the previous album!

-The member on the left speaks Japanese very well

-He speaks English well too! A gifted student who studied abroad.

– I like Taehyung Park 【o´ﾟ□ﾟ`o】

– The member who rapped is very fashionable

– KK everyone has great fashion sense

– These days, it feels like Korea is ahead of the curve

– Anyway, Koreans!

-I want to see a Korean female idol group

-Your body looks good~ Everyone is tall!

It was a successful morning entertainment debut.

Since there was a recording of another entertainment program, KK went straight to the next broadcasting company’s studio after finishing the live broadcast.

“Don’t panic too much.”

Before recording, Director Oh Baek-ho gave a somewhat worried warning to the KK members.

In fact, it was a program that Director Oh Baek-ho did not really want to catch. However, while entrusting the production of the album this time, all decisions regarding overall activities were also entrusted to Nakamoto.

It was judged that the local company Nakamoto knew better about the Japanese market. Of course it was true. However, Director Oh Baek-ho thought that if the program to be filmed today had been a Korean company, it would not have been aired.

Of course, it is a schedule that would not have been possible without Nakamotosa’s power.

Director Oh Baek-ho didn’t know much, but the entertainment program that was about to be filmed was not only a popular entertainment program broadcast in Japan’s prime time, but it was also a very provocative program.

For the sake of fun, the MCs did not hesitate to make demands that could be called ‘harassment’ to guests.

The good news was that it was recorded.

The interpreter, who received instructions from the staff, led the KK members into the studio.

‘There shouldn’t be any problems… … .’

Dowook thought as he entered the studio.