In front of The Blue House Sangchunjae*.
(TL Note: The Blue House is where the Korean president lives. Sangchunjae is a pavilion in The Blue House that is used for meetings and is open to the public)
Sangchunjae was a hanok* within The Blue House. Built with wood that was born and raised in Korea, the hanok was elegant and stylish, the beauty of Korea packed into it. It was the only traditional house within The Blue House, so it was a must-see spot when hosting foreign guests.
(TL Note: A traditional Korean house)
The event to be held at Sangchunjae today was also held to host a foreign guest.
The importance of today’s foreign guest was unlike anyone else’s.
Each country had its own diplomatic importance, but China, a neighboring country and a country that has great influence in the world due to its enormous population and resources, was one of the most important countries economically and militarily.
Currently, the Chinese President Jiang Xiao Ping was visiting Korea for a summit and the President’s wife, Li Wei Xi, was also with him.
A theater actress, Li Wei Xi was one of the most influential women in China. On top of having her own status and being Jiang Xiao Ping’s wife, she was also actively involved in the culture and art industry, acting in a role similar to the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in Korea.
Furthermore, because she was a theater actress, she was the role model to Chinese women, who are beautiful and have a strong fashion sense.
Today, that very Li Wei Xi was scheduled to visit Sangchunjae, touring it with the First Lady of Korea and enjoying a luncheon together.
She was also scheduled to meet with major figures in the Korean culture and arts world and watch performances.
There would be a calligraphy performance by Kim Han Gu, who was known as an indispensable cultural icon, and a traditional dance performance by the National Arts Theater Company.
Also, though they wouldn’t be performing, KK was also invited as an important cultural artist representative of Hallyu.
“We’ve now even been to The Blue House,”
The members thought at the entrance of The Blue House where they got in a car arranged to take them to Sangchunjae.
They never imagined that they could come to The Blue House, which they’d only seen on the news, as guests.
“We have to make it to The White House too,”
Ahn Hyung Seo said jokingly to what Jung Yoon Ki said.
Although Ahn Hyung Seo was saying it jokingly, Jung Yoon Ki thought that one day it may not be a joke but a reality.
That was true for the other members as well.
Nowadays, ‘it’s not possible’ sounded more unrealistic than ‘it’s possible’. They felt they could do anything.
“Please don’t say that kind of thing. We really might end up going to The White House…”
Suk Ji Hoon muttered. Getting invited to The White House would indeed be an outstanding feat, but they had butterflies in their stomachs just going to The Blue House, if they ended up going to The White House he felt he would have to put on a nausea patch.
Listening to the members get ahead of themselves, Do Wook patted Suk Ji Hoon on his shoulder as a gesture to relieve his tension.
Do Wook also understood that Suk ji Hoon couldn’t help but freeze up. Do Wook was also repeating in his head that he’d have to be more careful than usual about his actions. On a day like today, you absolutely couldn’t make a single mistake.
If it were just a normal event, even if they made a mistake there would just be a few malicious comments or warnings and that’d be it. However, it was an important diplomatic event, so the standards of the people watching KK’s actions were inevitably rigorous. Beyond getting cussed out or not, they couldn’t cause trouble at an international event.
“Pay attention to the performances…and enjoy your meal…”
Before they even got out of the car, Manager Oh Baek Ho said numerous times that there’d be cameras everywhere so to not take their eyes off the performance for even a second and to not leave any food uneaten. Park Tae Hyung was repeating those words to himself.
Do Wook looked at Park Tae Hyung and gave a small smile.
“They’d probably believe us if we said Do Wook is the prince of Korea!”
Kim Won, who had been walking next to them, said.
It was because the image of Do Wook walking into the Sangchunjae building with a smile on his face was truly picturesque. He looked so graceful that it would be believable if someone said he was a descendant of royalty.
It was to the point that people wondered if descendants of actual royalty would be overflowing with grace like him.
A neatly dressed guide saw Do Wook, approached them and led the KK members to their seats.
In front of the area where the performance would take place, there was a large table. It was where Li Wei Xi and the First Lady, as well as ministers, would be seated.
On both sides of it and behind it, there were six more tables. That was where key government figures and major names in the culture and art industry would be seated. One of those tables was the table designated for KK.
Behind the tables not too far away there were reporters in a permit holders only area.
Since today’s schedule itself hinted at the smooth relationship between Korea and China and showed off the strong relationship, they were allowed to freely take pictures and write articles except during the luncheon.
The message of the event being what it was, most of the reporters were not political reporters but entertainment and culture reporters. From the moment Do Wook stepped inside, the reporters picked up their cameras and began to press the shutters like crazy.
An article titled < The face that will represent Korea makes its appearance > was posted on the internet news site in real time.
There were especially many Chinese reporters, but even they immediately recognized Do Wook and were pressing their shutters more fervently than Korean reporters.
Journalists who came from Western countries briefly seemed to wonder who he was, but they recalled KK from the guest list. Their reactions to seeing the superstars who won the Rookie of the Year Award at the Billboard Awards in person were full of interest.
Amidst this welcome from the reporters, the six KK members sat in the seats where their names were written.
Other affiliates, including ministers, arrived one after another.
Occupations aside, the KK members were the youngest among those who came to the event, so whenever someone greeted them, the members stood up and bowed, showing proper decorum.
Lastly, escorted by dozens of security guards, Li Wei Xi and The First Lady entered.
The flood of flashes started again. Unlike the elegant look of The First Lady, who was wearing a jade-colored suit, Li Wei Xi was dressed very colorfully. She was wearing bright red suit pants and a golden brooch. You could tell at one glance that she was very interested in fashion.
Li Wei Xi waved to the reporters. She seemed to be in a pretty good mood.
Li Wei Xi and The First Lady went around to the tables and greeted the key figures.
They thought they would only greet the few predetermined tables, but Li Wei Xi even came to the table KK was at.
It was an unscheduled meeting.
The First Lady was taken aback for a second, but Li Wei Xi had a particularly outgoing personality so the First Lady didn’t panic, joined her at KK’s table, and greeted them with a sweet smile.
The Blue House already knew from their research that Li Wei Xi had watched < Sweetheart from the Universe >. That was also why they had invited KK to today’s event.
However, it wasn’t just that Li Wei Xi had watched the drama. She was a huge fan of the drama, and especially of Do Wook.
“I really wanted to meet you!”
Li Wei Xi said in Chinese. The translator next to them quickly translated.
Li Wei Xi’s bright expression also brightened the expression of the Korean key figures, including The First Lady as they thought to themselves that it was a good idea to invite KK.
The KK members, who suddenly had to greet China’s First Lady, were frozen in place. A mistake from them could become Korea’s mistake.
Li Wei Xi was not an anti-Korean who was opposed to Korea’s pop culture industry entering China.
Her stance was that China had to advance more by fully accepting and absorbing Korea’s paramount culture. Therefore, she actively added political support so Korea’s broadcasts and labor could enter China.
However, at some point, she felt that Korean culture was coming into China too indiscriminately and imposed sanctions.
The Korean cultural industry market was already heavily influenced not only by the domestic market but also by overseas markets, especially China and Japan. It was because the scale of capital was different.
As such, when it was going smoothly, there were huge profits, but when China began to impose sanctions, it was greatly shaken.
She was that important of a figure, so the members couldn’t help but be nervous.
Fortunately, Do Wook was treated as a state guest during the Chinese promotion of < Sweetheart from the Universe > and had already met with Chinese broadcasting giants.
This was a different situation, but regardless, those experiences seemed to help Do Wook greet Li Wei Xi.
The members also had experience doing activities in China, so they were able to speak Chinese to some extent. The members bowed their heads and thanked her in Chinese.
“It’s an honor.”
When Do Wook also responded in Chinese, Li Wei Xi asked for a handshake.
“You’re an actor that our people really like. It seems like Korea has a lot of gem-like talents like you.”
“China also has a lot of good actors, doesn’t it?”
The First Lady responded to Li Wei Xi’s praise without hiding a proud smile.
“Is there an actor that you like?”
Li Wei Xi asked The First Lady.
It was a sudden question, but The First Lady immediately mentioned a few Chinese actresses’ names. They were names of famous Chinese actresses that Do Wook or the members had also heard of.
However, Li Wei Xi shook her head and said,
“They’re good actresses too. But they’re not people who would lead us into the future like Do Wook is.”
The actresses The First Lady mentioned were popular enough in China, but they were all over 45. Li Wei Xi didn’t seem to be offended. However, The First Lady couldn’t help but be a little flustered.
The First Lady was about to respond calmly by asking Li Wei Xi to introduce her to some Chinese actors when Do Wook replied.
“There are actors like Kwak Kai.”
Do Wook’s words made Li Wei Xi’s eyes light up.
“Do you mean Kwak Kai?”
“Yes, recently, the Chinese drama ‘Hanwol Jiyeon’ became very popular in Korea. Thanks to that, the lead actor, Kwak Kai, is very popular with Korean women.”
‘Hanwol Jiyeon’ was a drama about the Han Dynasty and was in line with the Chinese government’s ethnic minority policy. Li Wei Xi smiled pleasantly.
“Since it’s Kwak Kai, it’s understandable. I think he’s handsome too. As handsome as you.”
“Haha. I’m flattered.”
“I really hope you’ll accept our invitation later too.”
Do Wook responded, “Of course.”
Smiling, Li Wei Xi walked away. The First Lady was smiling gently and thanked Do Wook with a wink.
The atmosphere was definitely more peaceful thanks to Do Wook.
***
The visit from the Chinese president and his wife concluded successfully.
Korea had many achievements, not only politically and militarily but also culturally. Of course there were things Korea gave in return, but China was happy to temporarily make the hurdle even lower for the cultural industry and opened the door for more influx of Korean culture.
KK going to The Blue House got them in the spotlight once again with the Korean public.
There was a photo commemorating the time the suave-looking young men, who seem to shine no matter what situation, were talking with Li Wei Xi, and the article reported how it was revealed that Li Wei Xi was a fan of KK.
China was a relatively powerful country, but culturally you could tell Korea was ahead and it was enough to make Korean people feel proud.
After they got back from The Blue House, HIT Entertainment PR Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung received a request from The Blue House Media Marketing Team via email.
“They asked if they could use a part of KK’s music video in a promotional video for the Korean government that will be aired around the world…Of course, after discussing it, we accepted.”
“Wow…”
“Kind of like we’re representing Korea? That kind of feeling?”
Kim Won dropped his jaw and Ahn Hyung Seo shrugged his shoulders.
“Starting probably next month, there will be a global PR effort starting at New York Time Square.”
Do Wook also smiled pleasantly.
It was the day before their new album was released. All the employees, including the KK members and the President of HIT Entertainment, had gathered for a final inspection.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung got up from his seat and displayed a large powerpoint screen on the conference room wall.
“Hmmm. Then, I’ll first show you the music video that will be released at midnight today. After that, I’ll explain the guerilla warfare that will start tomorrow.”
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Next chapter: HIT Entertainment try an unconventional PR method