When I opened my eyes I was a Superstar – Chapter 139: Across the Ocean (3)

The ‘あおぞら*’ showcase that was held in Tokyo ended very successfully.
(TL note: read ‘ao sora’ meaning Blue Sky)

Because they consistently released albums in Japan as well and had done performances through tours, they were definitely gaining a solid base of fans who loved KK’s music.

On top of that, the strategy they came up with together with Nakamoto, starting from the concept photo, seemed to have been successful.

Of course Japanese K-POP fans liked the ‘K-POP style’, but deep down they were undeniably Japanese. The album composition, which was tailored to the taste of the Japanese, was given a more generous evaluation.

It was also true that the quality increased a little compared to KK’s previous Japanese album thanks to Nakamoto’s capital power.

The song, which was arranged into a general Japanese version, fit well with the Japanese vibe. ‘あおぞら’ also made it on the Oricon chart, foreshadowing the success of their upcoming activities in Japan.

Now was the time to push a bit harder.

After they were done with the showcase, the members, who had returned to the hotel and had had a quick shower, went out to Shibuya for dinner.

They were tired but they wanted to at least eat out and enjoy the Tokyo evening even a little.

They had a full schedule for 2 nights and 3 days, starting early tomorrow with a broadcast.

The members were going full speed ahead without rest, so even the occasional short break felt very sweet.

In Korea, young people would recognize them if they stepped just one foot outside of their dormitory, so Tokyo was at least better for walking around the streets.

“Ah! That’s…!”

Park Tae Hyung, who was walking ahead with Kim Won, stopped in his tracks. In front of the small theater that Park Tae Hyung was pointing to, there was a Japanese poster for < Blue Whale > up.

Kim Won, who was next to Park Tae Young, clapped and called the members over.

“Wow! I didn’t expect to see Do Wook’s face here.”

The members all gathered in front of the theater and looked towards the poster. Do Wook was also swept up by the members’ overreaction and looked at the poster on the wall.

The Japanese poster had captions such as ‘Cannes Award Winner’ and ‘The stark portrayal of reality’.

After receiving good reviews at Cannes, Do Wook’s film was exported to various countries. Of course, it was not screening at any major theaters since it wasn’t a commercial film, but it was well received among enthusiasts who enjoy art films.

Especially movie magazines in Japan, which had similar sensibilities as Korea, picked < Blue Whale > as a movie of interest, getting its name known.

The school violence problem was also a serious social problem that Japan experienced before Korea did.

“It’s totally international,”

Jung Yoon Ki admired.

The KK members were astonished when they discovered Do Wook’s movie poster, but their eyes got even bigger once they realized they were standing in front of a famous Japanese record studio.

On the electronic board installed on the record studio’s front door, KK’s video was playing.

It was a music video for ‘あおぞら’, which was shot with a slightly more intense color scheme.

“Manager Oh, is it ok if we check this place out really quickly?”

When Suk Ji Hoon asked, Manager Oh Baek Ho looked around then nodded his head. There were people who glazed at the handsome group of young men as they passed by, but there wasn’t anyone yet who recognized them and followed them around.

It was late, so the record studio was empty since it was just before closing time. The members personally went into the record studio and looked at the area where copies of their album were stacked.

Along with a large signboard, a notice saying ‘K-POP’s new crown prince, KK’s New Album’ shone, catching their eye.

Personally visiting a Japanese store that sold KK’s album was a new experience for Manager Oh Baek Ho as well.

Through the accompanying interpreter, Ahn Hyung Seo asked the store staff questions about various things that he was curious about. The store employee was a little suspicious, but answered the interpreter’s question with sincerity.

“He said it’s very popular. They’re, of course, the most popular among Korean singers and…perhaps it’s because of the recent ‘あおぞら’ music video, but there have been more fans buying up all their albums starting from the first full-length album…”

Ahn Hyung Seo nodded with a smile at the interpreter’s explanation.

Honestly, even without hearing the explanation, you could quickly tell by the fact that it was occupying a large corner in the store.

The store employee, who had been explaining, seemed to belatedly notice that it was KK. He was only briefly surprised and repeated over and over that they were amazing as he gave a thumbs up.

With their chests puffed out with pride, the members left the record studio with each of them holding a KK album in their hands.

“We have a ton of them back at the office, why are you buying this…”

Manager Oh Baek Ho shook his head, but the members felt differently.

“It would be nice if it went up further on the Oricon chart.”

Manager Oh Baek Ho clicked his tongue at Ahn Hyung Seo’s response.

“You bought six copies?”

“I bought one extra copy, sir. So it’s seven copies,”

Suk Ji Hoon replied to Manager Oh Baek Ho as he held out two copies of the album. Manager Oh Baek Ho looked a little stunned.

“Two??”

“Yes. I can give it to my mother.”

Suk Ji Hoon immediately answered, as if he read Manager Oh Baek Ho’s mind asking what he was going to do with those.

Even as he was shaking his head, Manager Oh Baek Ho thought to himself that the KK members were still pure. They won the grand prize and had already been acknowledged to a certain extent, it would be easy for them to be complacent rather than wanting to improve, but the members never stopped wanting to grow.

“Ah, I’m super hungry. Let’s get going now.”

Jung Yoon Ki’s words made the group quicken their steps.

On their way to the ramen shop, some locals recognized the KK members and screamed. Of course, they didn’t approach them, as is characteristic of Japanese people, but you could tell that the number of people who recognized KK had significantly increased now even in the heart of Tokyo.

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

***

The next day, early morning at a studio at a Japanese public broadcast station.

The KK members had gotten their hair and make-up done as they rubbed their sleepy eyes so that they could go on a famous Japanese morning entertainment program.

Suk Ji Hoon had a jumbo ramen last night, a larger size than the other members, so he was swollen more than usual.

“Ji Hoon, you have too big of an appetite!”

“I got this tall because I eat a lot.”

Suk Ji Hoon replied nonchalantly to the coordinator’s scolding and started screaming in the waiting room.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

The members were startled by Suk Ji Hoon’s screaming and looked at him. Suk Ji Hoon had his mouth open as wide as possible and was screaming. His face even started to get red.

“He’s at it again.”

Besides Ahn Hyung Seo’s one commentary, the members quickly turned back their heads and busily memorized their Japanese remarks.

Screaming to loosen his mouth muscles while raising his temperature to decrease the swelling was a method Suk Ji Hoon often used on days his face was swollen.

At that moment, the staff came in and got the members mic’d up.

On this morning’s broadcast, a brief introduction of the members as well as a live performance in the studio was scheduled.

“Uuggghhh, I’m nervous. I’ll be able to get through this, right?!”

“You can do it. Do you want me to go over it with you?”

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

In the advanced level were, of course, Do Wook and Kim Won.

In the intermediate level were Suk Ji Hoon and Park Tae Hyung, who had studied very hard.

The beginner level was originally Jung Yoon Ki and Ahn Hyung Seo. However, Jung Yoon Ki, who was the leader, was now able to do very basic Japanese, having done raps and group introductions in Japanese.

The problem was Ahn Hyung Seo. Ahn Hyung Seo was the weakest member in Japanese. Despite having done several concerts in Japan already, Ahn Hyung Seo’s Japanese skills were not improving at all.

He was putting in the necessary amount of effort and they couldn’t blame him for being weak in foreign languages, which was different than songs.

Do Wook offered to help Ahn Hyung Seo, who was worried about forgetting his short 2-sentence remarks.

Without hesitation, Ahn Hyung Seo memorized his lines in front of Do Wook.

“おはようございます*。”
(TL Note: Ohayougozaimasu, meaning hello/good morning.)

He started with hello, introduced himself as the cute one, and gave a short greeting, saying to please look at them favorably. Do Wook, who was watching, nodded his head. His accent was a little awkward, but there were no mistakes.

Having gained confidence, Ahn Hyung Seo said the latter half of the lines, ‘I’m sending you a wink so you can have an energetic day’, without hesitation. He even winked at Do Wook.

Do Wook burst out laughing.

“It’s perfect.”

“I didn’t make any mistakes?”

“No.”

Do Wook’s words made Ahn Hyung Seo laugh, relieved.

“That’s good. I’ll get it right later too.”

Soon after, the live broadcast interview started.

Starting with Jung Yoon Ki’s greeting, each member gave their assigned remark. the MCs asked a few predetermined questions and the brief interview concluded with Ahn Hyung Seo, who had memorized the lines without difficulty, giving a wink.

After that came KK’s performance.

KK was making Japan’s morning more lively with a live performance with dances and songs that were hard to see in Japanese idol groups.

The reaction from Japanese locals watching the live broadcast was also quite remarkable.

-Are the people who just came on from Korea?

-The most popular idol group in Korea right now

-I thought only AOB* were good but I guess there’s quite a few talented singers in Korea…
(TL Note: My best guess from searching on Naver is it means American groups)

-Who was that blond just now? He’s handsome!

-Wookie☆

-Proud KK Center~^^

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

-I think I saw that blonde somewhere. Was it at the movie theater?

-KK! They’re the best! I’ve been a fan since the previous album!

-The members on the left are very good at speaking Japanese

-Their English is good too~! They’re talents who studied abroad

-I like Park Tae Hyung 【o´゚□゚`o】

-The members who were rapping earlier are so fashionable

-All of KK has great fashion sense

-It feels like Korea is ahead of the trend these days

-Even so, they’re just Koreans!*
(TL Note: Ummm…ok…)

-I want to see Korean girl idol groups

-Their physique looks good~ They’re all tall!

It was a successful morning entertainment show debut.

They had a recording with another entertainment program, so KK immediately headed to the broadcast station next door as soon as the live broadcast was over.

“Don’t panic too much.”

Manager Oh Baek Ho implored the KK members before the recording, a little worried.

Honestly, it was a program that Manager Oh Baek Ho personally didn’t want to accept. However, when they entrusted Nakamoto with the new album production, they were entrusted with all the decisions regarding overall activities as well.

It was because they determined that Nakamoto, a local company, knew the Japanese market better. Of course that was true. However, Manager Oh Baek Ho thought that if it were a Korean company, they wouldn’t have them go on the program they were shooting today.

Of course, it was a gig they wouldn’t have gotten if it weren’t for Nakamoto’s power.

Manager Oh Baek Ho didn’t know too well either, but the entertainment program they would soon be shooting was not only a popular entertainment show that aired on Japanese prime time, but it was also that exciting of a program at the same time.

If it were for the sake of entertainment, the MCs didn’t hesitate to stubbornly request things of the guests that could be considered ‘harassing’.

One thing that was fortunate was that it would be recorded.

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

‘I hope there won’t be any problems…’

Do Wook thought as he entered the studio.

Next chapter: KK finds themselves dealing with an MC who is purposely trying to stir up drama

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2 Replies to “When I opened my eyes I was a Superstar – Chapter 139: Across the Ocean (3)”

  1. Apasserby

    “-Even so, they’re just Koreans!*
    (TL Note: Ummm…ok…)”

    TL-nim, something I noticed when I’m immersing myself in various novels from East Asia is that the big three are ALL big in nationalism, and very vaguely racist against anything that is not their own nation. Any Korean MC would win against the world itself, like Do Wook here. Any isekai protagonist would spread modern Japanese stuff to critical acclaim in other worlds, like a certain Slime. Even Chinese novels, which are more varied in their execution, sometimes had traces of “China-is-the-best” feels.

    Thank you for the chapter!

    Reply
    1. lilgochujang Post author

      Oh there is absolutely very strong nationalism in those countries but Japan and Korea also have a lot of animosity from when Japan occupied Korea, the territory dispute, etc.
      I thought though that it had gotten a lot better nowadays but I guess not

      Reply

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