lovenovelstory Chapter 28 Lin Yunzhen: I'm here to get your autograph?
Chapter 28 Lin Yunzhen: I'm here to get your autograph?
As August began, the box office performance of "Haeundae" transformed into a super tsunami that swept across South Korea.
8月1日破400万，8月3日破500万，8月8日破600万……
As of midnight on August 15, the film's cumulative audience had soared to 8.8 million, just one step away from the nine million mark!
For it, the title of "ten million viewers" is no longer a prediction, but a matter of time.
Amidst this frenzy, the only thing that can stand against it is "National Representative".
After a disappointing start in late July when it was completely overshadowed by "Haeundae," this sports blockbuster has shown tremendous staying power in August thanks to its excellent reputation.
As the month progressed, its daily box office even showed signs of overtaking, and South Korean cinemas witnessed a rare period of two strong contenders.
However, for the "Haeundae" production team, the most eye-catching thing right now is the quiet "popularity reshuffle".
During the promotional period before the film's release, the media and fans focused almost entirely on the three lead actors: Sol Kyung-gu, Ha Ji-won, and Park Joong-hoon.
However, as the number of moviegoers raced toward the 10 million mark, the audience's focus shifted.
Kim In-kwon, who plays "Dong-chun," has ushered in the spring of his acting career thanks to his comedic performance in the film.
After the celebratory banquet in the tent and carriage that night, Yoon Je-kyun kept his promise and included him in every subsequent stage greeting.
The effect was surprisingly good. This "supporting actor" who had been quietly playing a supporting role in various film crews for many years was now receiving screams from the audience that were no less than those of the lead actors.
Upon learning that it was Li Zhixing who had secured the exposure opportunity for him, Jin Renquan thanked him repeatedly with tears in his eyes.
As the person who benefited the most from the movie, Li Zhixing himself experienced a surge in popularity.
The number of new registrations on the Daum fan site, which was spontaneously established by fans, is increasing exponentially every day.
He was not only dubbed the "Prince of the Ocean," but his already striking face became even more captivating with the added boost of the film's box office success.
These days, even just going out for a meal can trigger a frenzy and screams from young girls.
......
August 16, weekend, CGV Wangsimni Cinema in Seoul.
The number of viewers for "Haeundae" is about to surpass 10 million. In order to make a final push for this milestone, the production team arranged a series of stage greetings today.
That's why even Sol Kyung-gu, who was filming in Chungcheongnam-do, made a special trip back, making it a rare occasion for the main cast to reunite.
As soon as the movie ended and the cast and crew stood in front of the screen, a cheer erupted from the audience.
"Ocean Prince Choi Hyung-sik!"
"Zhi Xing Oppa Saranghae!"
Amidst the deafening screams, eight out of ten sentences were shouting Li Zhixing's name.
Park Joong-hoon, who was temporarily acting as the host, held up the microphone and said sourly, "Sigh, when the movie was first released, the fans who came to visit the set were clearly there for me and Kyung-gu."
"Now look what's happened, they've all betrayed us and gone to see Zhixing and Renquan. We old guys are just leftovers now."
A burst of laughter erupted from the audience.
Xue Jingqiu waved his hand helplessly from the side: "Brother, don't drag me into this."
Lee Ji-haeng took the microphone with a smile: "Senior Jung-hoon, everyone came here for your and Senior Kyung-gu's 'top-grade Korean beef.' I was just a side dish of kimchi. The reason everyone ate more kimchi was because the Korean beef was so delicious, wasn't it?"
A cheer, mixed with whistles, immediately erupted from the audience.
"This kid has the face of an idol, but the mouth of a politician," Park Joong-hoon said with a laugh, though his eyes were full of satisfaction.
After the joke, Park Joong-hoon waved the poster in his hand: "Alright, to thank everyone for coming to eat this 'Korean beef,' it's time for a bonus—autographed posters from the cast and crew! Speak up if you want one!"
The audience erupted in cheers.
The creators walked up the steps into the audience seats.
The aisle was packed with fans stretching out their arms, and security personnel were sweating profusely as they maintained order.
While protecting the poster in his hand, Li Zhixing quickly signed autographs for the fans around him, thanking them with a smile from time to time.
"Knowledge and action, knowledge and action!"
Two rows to the right, a pretty young woman was struggling to push her way forward.
Among a group of girls holding up support items, she stood out from the crowd, dressed elegantly but empty-handed.
Seeing Li Zhixing looking over, the woman excitedly shouted, "It's me! I'm Lin Yunzhen, Yunzhen Nuna!"
During his time in the industry, he had seen far too many of these protective, fervent fans who liked to call themselves "Noona".
Li Zhixing assumed she was one of them, smiled helplessly, and squeezed through the crowd following the sound.
The woman grabbed his arm, staring intently at him with eager eyes.
Li Zhixing flashed a friendly smile: "Hello, Lin Yunzhen, right? Thank you for your support."
As he spoke, he quickly signed his name and handed the poster over.
Lin Yunzhen was stunned for a moment.
You brat, did I come here just to get your autographed poster?
However, when she grabbed Li Zhixing's arm, the surrounding fans' expressions became somewhat unfriendly.
Realizing this wasn't the time for them to acknowledge each other, she said urgently, "Zhixing, it's too noisy here to talk. Give me your phone number right now!"
Li Zhixing frowned almost imperceptibly, but quickly resumed his smile.
He subtly pulled his hand away from the other person's: "Sorry, I can't disclose my private number."
As security personnel stepped forward to block him, he turned around and walked towards the fans on the other side.
The fans nearby had long disliked this "queue-cutting" incident.
"Hey! Auntie, what are you doing?!" A hot-tempered middle school girl rudely shoved Lin Yunzhen aside. "Have you no shame? You just come up here and ask for my phone number!"
"Yeah! Once you're done, hurry up and leave, don't keep our oppa from signing autographs!" Another fan rolled their eyes.
Lin Yunzhen stumbled from the push and immediately snapped, "Hey! What do you little brats know! What's wrong with me asking for a phone number? I'm Li Zhixing's girlfriend!"
As a result, this explanation only earned him more merciless ridicule from fans.
"Oh my god, that's hilarious! If you're angry with him, why would you need to ask for his phone number in a place like this?"
"Auntie, there's a limit to dreaming!"
"Quick, call security! Could this person be a sasaeng fan? This is terrifying..."
Lin Yunzhen was squeezed to the outermost edge.
Clutching the autographed poster tightly in her hand, she watched Li Zhixing being surrounded by fans and walking further and further away, trembling with anger.
"You brat! Pretending not to know me, huh? Fine, you just wait, I'll catch you!"
......
After the stage greetings, the cast and crew returned to the backstage dressing room.
As soon as they entered, everyone loosened their ties and collapsed onto the sofas, exhausted from the non-stop promotional work.
"What should I eat tonight to nourish myself? My throat feels like it's on fire." Park Joong-hoon unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and took a big gulp.
"Esteemed seniors..." Kim In-kwon suddenly cleared his throat in the corner, rubbing his hands somewhat awkwardly, "How about... I treat you tonight?"
There was a moment of silence in the lounge, and everyone turned to look at him in surprise.
It's worth noting that Kim In-kwon wasn't exactly well-off, and the crew's dinners were always paid for by senior actors like Sol Kyung-gu or Park Joong-hoon.
Seeing Jin Renquan's barely suppressed laughter, Li Zhixing teased, "Renquan-ge, is there some good news?"
Kim In-kwon pushed up his glasses and said with a smile, "Um... I received a gig today, my first solo gig in my twelve years since my debut!"
Wow!
"Congratulations, In-kwon oppa!" Ha Ji-won clapped her hands happily.
"Aigoo, our Dongchun has finally made it!" Park Joong-hoon said with a big laugh.
Li Zhixing happily put his arm around Jin Renquan's shoulder: "Then you definitely can't escape this meal tonight, Renquan-ge."
Seeing everyone's heartfelt congratulations, Kim In-kwon's eyes welled up with tears, and he repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
Xue Jingqiu leaned back on the sofa and casually interjected, "It's not just GG, right? Renquan, don't you have another movie project that's almost finalized? A lead role?"
"The male lead?" Yin Jijun sat up abruptly.
There was a moment of deathly silence in the lounge.
In the rigidly hierarchical Chungmuro, there is an insurmountable chasm between supporting roles and leading roles. Especially for a supporting actor with no advantage in appearance, getting the male lead's script is no less difficult than climbing to the sky.
Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, Kim In-kwon scratched his head shyly: "The contract hasn't been officially signed yet... but the director has given a verbal promise, so as long as nothing unexpected happens, it should be settled."
"Great fortune! Double happiness!"
……
After a short rest, everyone walked out chatting and laughing.
Park Joong-hoon walked slowly to Lee Ji-hyung's side with his hands behind his back: "Ji-hyung, Ye-won's new drama 'Harmony' has already started filming, and In-kwon has also landed a lead role. What about you?"
"With your current popularity, it's impossible that no company has contacted you, right? Auditions and such, why haven't you mentioned them to me?" Park Joong-hoon turned to look at him, asking with some puzzlement.
"By the way, don't you still have a management company? A newcomer with such great potential as you must have a lot of companies vying to sign you."
Li Zhixing slowed his pace and said humbly, "Brother Chongxun, I have indeed made contact with some, but I'm not in a hurry."
"Oh? Why?"
"Most of the people who are approaching me now are drawn to the current popularity of the film. I want to take some time to reflect and figure out my own market position."
Li Zhixing smiled, his eyes clear. "Rather than rushing to take on a GG job to make quick money, or signing with just any company, I'd rather play it safe and focus on honing my acting skills first."
A hint of admiration flashed in Park Joong-hoon's eyes.
In this fickle industry, it's extremely rare to find a newcomer who suddenly becomes a sensation yet maintains such maturity and composure.
As they were talking, Li Zhixing's cell phone vibrated in his pocket.
He bowed slightly apologetically to Park Jung-hoon, then walked aside to answer the phone.
After listening to just two sentences, his previously calm and composed expression instantly crumbled.
"Huh? Underwear GG?"
......