Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Is the Writer Omnipotent?
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A period of two months had elapsed.
As time progressed, the various projects they had been developing began to reach their intended state of completion.
Each individual team was also successfully establishing its own operational rhythm.
The newly established Team 3 had initially been the source of the greatest apprehension.
However, contrary to those initial expectations, the team was integrating into the studio quite smoothly.
This success was largely attributed to the efforts of Lee Sang-jun.
Tae-seong reflected that Lee Sang-jun possessed a far greater talent for managing people than he had previously imagined.
He had anticipated this potential to a certain extent during their earlier interactions.
Even before the previous team had been fully assembled, he had detected that Sang-jun was quietly providing leadership to the other assistants.
Sang-jun had refrained from stepping into a formal leadership role at that time due to his relatively young age.
That specific observation was the reason Tae-seong had assigned him the responsibility of leading Team 3.
He had been curious to witness the particular style of leadership Sang-jun would eventually demonstrate.
The young man was currently producing results that were even more impressive than anticipated.
It appeared that this development would be highly beneficial for their future commercial endeavors.
He also noted that the collectible figure business was progressing in a very positive direction.
The figures being sold through pre-orders had already reached their third scheduled round of reservations.
The initial round had seen all five hundred and twelve units sold out, which created a significant stir in the market.
The unexpected level of demand had forced the company, Figure World, to work frantically to fulfill the orders.
The situation had become more manageable by the time the second and third rounds were launched.
The team was now able to handle the increased quantities efficiently due to their prior experience.
Park Eun-bi approached him while he was organizing his thoughts and inquired about his deep state of contemplation.
She wore a bright and sunny smile that complemented her short hair.
Tae-seong responded that he was simply allowing his mind to wander for a moment.
She chuckled at his response and wondered if even someone like him had moments of mental stillness.
He smiled back and remarked that he was indeed a human being with the same tendencies as anyone else.
She took a seat beside him and asked if he had ever visited Japan before this trip.
He informed her that this would be his very first time visiting the country.
She expressed surprise and noted that visiting Japan for travel had become a common activity for many people lately.
He inquired about her own experiences traveling there and asked for her thoughts on the country.
She described the experience as amazing while noting that the food was excellent despite being slightly salty.
She quickly clarified with a hesitant smile that she had done a great deal of sightseeing in addition to enjoying the local cuisine.
Tae-seong found her modest and slightly nervous demeanor to be quite endearing.
The two of them were currently seated on an airplane that was destined for Japan.
They were accompanied by the entire cast and crew of the drama adaptation of his work.
The team was traveling to Japan to participate in a series of promotional events and fan meetings to celebrate the drama's premiere there.
This specific promotion was the initiative that Kim PD had proposed two months earlier.
The participants included the lead actors, the supporting cast, the production staff, and Tae-seong in his capacity as the original author.
Eun-bi mentioned that she had heard the drama was already gaining a significant level of popularity among Japanese audiences.
Tae-seong expressed a sincere sense of curiosity regarding her statement.
She explained that the male lead, Lee Seong-woo, had become exceptionally popular in Japan through his previous variety show appearances.
His acclaimed performance in Black Knight's Her had subsequently cemented his status as a premier actor in the region.
She noted the vast difference in professional standing between a trending celebrity and a top-tier respected actor.
Lee Seong-woo had successfully transitioned into a serious acting career through this specific project.
Consequently, his fan base had expanded to include audiences across the entire Asian continent.
The enthusiastic response to his previous television work had directly translated into high expectations for the new drama.
Eun-bi then revealed that Tae-seong himself had acquired a significant number of fans in Japan as well.
He was genuinely surprised by the claim that he possessed a personal following in a foreign country.
Kim PD leaned over the seat in front of them and inquired if the author was truly unaware of his own fame.
Tae-seong confirmed that he had no knowledge of such a development.
The director explained that the footage of Tae-seong's cameo appearance as the writer had gone viral among Japanese viewers.
He noted that audiences were accustomed to a more mature and dignified image for authors and were surprised by Tae-seong's youthful and handsome appearance.
The two women agreed with the director’s assessment and continued to discuss the author's growing appeal.
Tae-seong listened to their enthusiastic chatter with a polite smile.
He initially dismissed the talk of his own popularity as a kind gesture intended to make him feel comfortable during the trip.
He doubted that an original author could truly command such a significant level of individual fame in a foreign land.
However, he soon realized that his skepticism was misplaced upon their arrival at the airport.
The production team arrived at Narita International Airport and completed the necessary immigration procedures.
They had expected to proceed directly to the exit, yet they were instead escorted to a private waiting room by the airport staff.
Kim PD eventually arrived to explain that a massive crowd of supporters had gathered at the airport to welcome them.
The authorities had requested that they remain in the private area for safety reasons until the situation could be managed.
The team expressed their amazement upon learning that several hundred people were already waiting for them.
They realized that the anticipation for a drama that had not yet premiered was truly extraordinary.
Many assumed that the vast majority of the crowd had gathered specifically to catch a glimpse of Lee Seong-woo.
They recognized that his popularity in Japan was currently at an all-time high.
Kim PD eventually returned with airport officials to coordinate their departure to the waiting buses.
He instructed the staff to exit first while the actors were to be escorted by a dedicated security detail.
He reminded everyone to maintain a professional demeanor as they would soon be facing a large number of press representatives.
Tae-seong was surprised to find that two security guards had also been assigned to protect him specifically.
He inquired about the necessity of such measures for an author.
The director informed him that a dedicated fan club for the writer had also gathered among the crowd outside.
He noted that while the group was smaller than Lee Seong-woo's following, it was still quite substantial in size.
Lee Seong-woo approached and playfully remarked on the author’s impressive level of popularity.
Tae-seong offered an awkward laugh in response to the teasing.
He had never imagined that a formal fan club would be established for him in Japan.
Seong-woo advised him to maintain a smile and reminded him that he was also viewed as an actor by the public now.
Tae-seong felt confident in his ability to provide fan service due to his experiences in a previous life.
Kim PD gave the signal and led the group through the gate to face the awaiting crowd.
Tae-seong took a steadying breath and followed the lead actors into the main terminal.
The opening of the gate was met with an immediate and deafening roar of enthusiastic cheers from the fans.
Shouts in the Korean language echoed throughout the terminal, creating a surreal atmosphere for the arriving team.
The fans called out Lee Seong-woo’s name with an intensity that confirmed his status as a premier star.
Park Eun-bi also received a great deal of attention from a large number of female supporters who admired her character.
However, Tae-seong found that his own name was being called out with surprising frequency by the gathered crowd.
He found the situation to be entirely unexpected despite all of his previous life experiences.
He felt a deep sense of gratitude toward the people who had traveled to the airport just to offer him their support.
He made a conscious effort to greet those offering gifts and floral bouquets with a sincere expression of thanks.
A large number of fans began to request his autograph as he made his way through the terminal.
He addressed a female fan in her native Japanese language and inquired about her name.
She appeared visibly delighted and surprised that the author could converse with her so fluently.
He thanked her for coming to welcome them and encouraged her to enjoy the upcoming drama premiere.
Tae-seong continued to interact personally with as many individuals as possible despite the urging of the security guards.
His ability to speak the local language caused even more people to gather around him in hopes of an interaction.
Lee Seong-woo watched the scene from a distance and expressed his disbelief at the author's natural talent for fan service.
Seong-woo subsequently increased his own efforts to interact with the fans in a playful spirit of competition.
The invisible rivalry between the two men caused the team's departure from the airport to take significantly longer than planned.
Kim PD received a series of digital links from the Japanese staff immediately upon their arrival at the hotel.
The staff noted that the actors had performed exceptionally well and that the local press coverage was overwhelmingly positive.
The director sat down to review each individual article despite his personal fatigue from the journey.
He noted that a large number of entertainment outlets had covered the arrival due to the high expectations for the drama.
The articles featured numerous photographs of the scene at Narita International Airport.
Lee Seong-woo was featured prominently in the coverage and was praised for his thorough professionalism and charm.
He was well-known in both Korea and Japan for his dedication to providing excellent fan service.
However, the director was surprised to see that Jeong Tae-seong was also featured extensively in the news reports.
One article specifically mentioned the author's cameo appearance and his growing popularity among the Japanese audience.
The coverage highlighted his fluency in the Japanese language and his warm interactions with the fans at the airport.
The public comments on the articles were also very favorable toward the author.
Kim PD concluded that the trip had achieved the best possible start for their promotional efforts.
He looked forward to the following day when the primary events of the tour were scheduled to begin.
***
The Japanese promotional schedule included a variety of high-profile activities and media appearances.
The most significant events involved appearances on national television and interviews with major local news outlets.
The original plan called for the lead actors and notable supporting cast members to participate in these interviews.
However, a promotional coordinator informed the director that the local press was now requesting the author's presence as well.
The coordinator explained that the airport fan service had captured the attention of the reporters and the public alike.
She noted that there was a great deal of curiosity regarding Jeong Tae-seong as an individual.
Kim PD promised to consult with the author but noted that he would respect Tae-seong's decision if he chose to decline.
He relayed the request to Tae-seong and was surprised by the author's immediate and willing agreement.
Tae-seong explained that he had anticipated such requests when he decided to join the promotional tour.
The director expressed his sincere gratitude for the author's cooperation and support.
A look of genuine relief and happiness spread across Kim PD’s face at the favorable outcome.