Global Hit (1)
In a country like America, an individual's identity was largely defined by how they chose to project themselves. Born of mixed heritage, Sion Lee was technically Korean-American, and by the same token, French-American. However, most Americans didn't register the "Korean" part of his heritage. Nor did he ever go out of his way to emphasize his "French" roots. To the casual observer, he simply looked like a classically handsome white man.
Up to this point, CK Agency had avoided highlighting his ethnicity. In 1990s Hollywood, being of Korean descent was a distinct disadvantage. It wasn't a shameful secret, but it wasn't exactly a selling point either. To put it bluntly, it was a bit like admitting you pee in the shower—not necessarily a crime, but certainly not information anyone asked for or needed to know.
Crucially, Sion himself didn't harbor any deep attachment to his Korean roots. Well, it's not like I grew up immersed in either culture. His Korean father had passed away when he was young, and his French mother had severed all ties with her own family due to childhood abuse. As a result, he had grown up in a cultural vacuum, belonging to no specific heritage.
He felt no particular pride in being Korean, nor did he feel any of the identity crises that often plagued those of mixed race. If forced to label himself, he would have said "American-American," though he rarely gave it that much thought. He was simply himself, born from his parents' love.
The only exception is Charlie, who occasionally tries to instill some Korean culture in me, which is the only reason I feel even a remote connection to it.
However, Korean food was far too spicy for Sion's palate, and as a fiercely private actor, he didn't particularly mesh with the naturally boundary-crossing intimacy of Korean social dynamics. He only tossed out a casual "Hey, I'm Korean, remember?" to humor Charlie Kang when the situation called for it.
But while he viewed his heritage with such detachment, across the Pacific, the narrative was entirely different. The moment the Korean public discovered that one of the parents of Hollywood's hottest rising superstar was Korean, he became an overnight national hero. It was a phenomenon not unlike how a certain American football player would later capture the hearts of the entire Korean nation simply because his mother was Korean.
"This is fantastic news! Hahaha! Ah, this is a true Keumi-hwanyang!"
"Keumi-hwanyang?"
"It means returning to your homeland in glory, wearing clothes woven of pure silk!"
"Bidan?"
"Uh, like going back to your hometown with an Oscar in your hand."
"Ah, got it."
Only then did Sion grasp the meaning. Thanks to this ethnic connection, the popularity of Sion Lee's films in South Korea was staggering. It was almost hard to believe that such a small market could generate such massive box office returns.
Recognizing this potential, Warner Bros. planned a promotional tour to coincide with the late July release. CK Agency counter-proposed adding a stop in neighboring Japan. But Warner Bros. reacted with skepticism. Why Japan? they wondered.
At the time, comparing the film markets of Korea and Japan, Japan was obviously much larger in terms of population and economic power. However, the Japanese market was heavily dominated by its own unique domestic productions, meaning Hollywood blockbusters often underperformed relative to the market's actual size. Conversely, South Korea showed a strangely strong preference for Hollywood blockbusters, and in Sion's case, his heritage made him an exceptionally massive draw.
But Sion judged that if they were going to make the trip, they might as well stop by Japan. I remember how Edward Furlong achieved massive, almost cult-like popularity in Japan purely based on his looks in the nineties.
Furthermore, having heard plenty from Charlie about the complex historical relations between the East Asian nations, Sion knew enough to play his cards right. He believed that tapping into that market and subtly stoking a friendly "fan rivalry" between Korea and Japan would actually have a positive impact on Bad Contract's box office performance.
Moreover, the timing of his visit to Korea was perfect. I heard this is a very difficult time for Korea.
Upon researching, he found that the country was reeling from the IMF crisis, and the entire nation was suffering. In such a bleak climate, the arrival of a Hollywood star with a Korean father would undoubtedly be a memorable, uplifting event.
Thus, on July 12, 1997, a twelve-hour flight from Los Angeles began. Even in first class, the long flight was exhausting. The entourage included a publicist, Charlie Kang acting as his agent, a studio PR representative, a personal stylist, and two bodyguards. Treated like a true A-list star, a large team accompanied him. Sion spent most of the flight catching up on sleep, but he still felt a bit weary when they finally landed at Gimpo International Airport.
As they went through immigration, the publicist beside him whispered, "It's going to be crowded."
"I'm sure. It's three in the morning, after all," Sion retorted dryly.
The publicist grinned, as if telling him to wait and see. But surely, at three in the morning, to see an actor from the other side of the world...
They came. And in droves.
I heard Koreans work hard and don't sleep much, but I didn't expect this.
As they stepped out of the slightly cramped arrivals hall after completing all procedures, hundreds of fans erupted into screams. *Flash, flash.* Reporters' cameras went off like wildfire. Sion, wearing sunglasses, realized his face was slightly puffy from the flight. He considered pulling his cap down further, but instead, he took it off.
He waved. The cheers grew even louder.
A warm welcome from his father's homeland, a place he had only ever considered a faint, distant connection. He felt a sudden lump in his throat. Was it because spending time with Elena recently had made him more conscious of the "self" he had long ignored?
Charlie stepped up beside him, his eyes welling with tears.
"Yi-siony..."
As a second-generation immigrant, Charlie didn't have many memories of Korea.
"Thank you. For growing up so well."
"Do you feel like you've returned with an Oscar too, Charlie?"
Sion smiled and casually slung an arm around Charlie's shoulders. Seeing the Hollywood star embrace his clearly Korean agent, the fans' cheers reached a fever pitch.
"...Yeah."
Having immigrated to America as a child, Charlie had fought tooth and nail to succeed in a foreign land. Now, having overcome the barriers of race and language, he had achieved his own American Dream and returned to his homeland. Watching Charlie, who was even more moved than he was, Sion felt a warm sensation fill the empty void in his chest. For the first time, he truly felt the Korean blood flowing through his veins.
"Um, Sion. We should probably head out..."
The publicist had previously mentioned they would do a brief photo op and head straight to the hotel. But as an entertainer who lived off the love of his fans, Sion had a clear purpose for coming to this distant country. And he certainly didn't want to cut it short, if only for Charlie's sake.
"Oh, come on. The fans have been waiting."
Sion walked straight toward the fans, reaching out to take whatever they held out to him.
"Sion! I love you!"
"Sion-ah! I missed you!"
"Oppa!!!"
"Hyung!!!"
Most of them were young. Sion scribbled his signature on whatever they thrust forward—notebook paper, plastic folders, photo cards. Judging by the print quality, most of them were undoubtedly bootleg merchandise. But since he had come all this way, he didn't care and signed them with a grin.
"S-Sion, we really have to go now," the publicist urged from behind, but Sion paid him no mind. Perhaps because of Charlie, he found this unique experience in his father's homeland rather pleasant.
The Hollywood superstar's visit became the talk of the nation.
The next day, news outlets and newspapers flooded the airwaves with stories about Sion Lee. For Koreans struggling through the bleak days of the IMF crisis, the arrival of a "compatriot" who had achieved massive success in America brought a rare, much-needed smile to their faces. Furthermore, when news spread that he had "unlike his usual reputation" graciously signed autographs for the fans who waited for him, everyone smiled warmly. Of course, Sion hadn't signed them simply because Korea was "special," but the sentiment remained.
"Wow... so this is the 'Miracle on the Han River'."
In the suite of the grandest hotel in downtown Seoul, Charlie Kang looked down at the neon-lit streets, marveling at the view.
"Is it different from before?"
"When I was a kid, it was practically all ruins. To think it developed this much in less than half a century."
"I heard they're in a pretty big crisis right now."
"Sigh, I know. I hope they pull through."
"Let's give them our full support before we leave, Charlie."
"...Yeah."
Charlie was an agency head who had never forgotten his roots, and a man who had stood by Sion and helped him for so long without ever giving up on him. In many ways, he was like a father. Sion resolved to do his absolute best, if only for Charlie's sake. Even if they didn't share the same language, it didn't matter.
"Yes! The actor Sion Lee here..."
At the movie premiere held the very next afternoon, amidst a crowd of journalists, celebrities, and even prominent politicians, Sion stepped forward, gently interrupting the comedian hosting the event.
"Ah, yes? It seems Mr. Sion Lee has something he wishes to say!"
Sion couldn't understand most of the words, but he knew one thing for sure. He whispered something to the reporter acting as his translator, whose eyes immediately welled with tears.
"U-Um... the actor says he wishes to be called 'Yi Sion' today."
Upon hearing those words, the entire room was swept with a wave of deep emotion. He hadn't forgotten the naming convention of the country where his roots began! A towering height, breathtaking looks! A superstar who, through the photo cards kids bought at stationery stores, had surpassed the popularity of Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio! He was none other than the Korean, Yi Sion!
Even without a shared language, hearts could connect. Seeing everyone so deeply moved by that single sentence, Sion felt a strange sensation.
To think they'd love it this much. I almost feel a bit guilty.
And the reaction to the movie was even better. Sitting in their seats, they watched "Yi Sion" embark on an action-packed adventure through the Middle East and Russia. As the pinnacle of modern media, the film transported everyone who watched it into another reality they could never experience in real life. Just as it had in America, the fantastic action blockbuster was bound to be an overwhelming hit in Korea.
Throughout his stay in Korea, Sion received a level of love he had never experienced before. During an interview at a traditional Korean market:
"Oh my goodness! Why are you so skinny? Here, eat some of this!"
"...?"
An elderly market vendor handed him a piece of tteok, calling him "skinny" even though he had bulked up to nearly 220 pounds. As the crew burst into laughter, Sion accepted it with a puzzled expression and took a bite. The texture, somewhere between chewing gum and a marshmallow, was unfamiliar, but he found it surprisingly tasty and gave a thumbs-up.
"Good, good," the superstar said, bringing bright smiles to the faces of the vendors who had been weathered by the hardships of life.
Sion summed up his feelings in that moment:
I feel like I've become these people's son.
While the younger generation looked at him with admiration, the love these older folks showed him felt different. It felt like parents cheering on a child working far away in a foreign land in their own rough, simple way. Through this experience, Sion felt he had come to understand a little bit of what kind of country Korea was.
On the final day of his week-long promotional tour, Sion appeared on a popular talk show called the Lee Hong-ryeol Show. The host, a man with a distinctively large nose, asked him a question.
"Is it hard living in Hollywood?"
Sion was a bit surprised, as no one in America had ever asked him such a question. But drawing on his extensive broadcast experience and quick wit, he answered smoothly.
"Well, making millions of dollars, driving a Porsche, and living in a mansion with a swimming pool is indeed very exhausting work."
It was classic dry American humor. The translator paused for a moment, sweating, before delivering the "translation":
"...But I am just happy that so many people recognize and appreciate my work."
"Whoaaaaaaa!"
"Wow! He is so incredibly humble!"
"As expected of someone from the Land of Eastern Decorum!"
A massive misunderstanding had begun, but Sion, completely oblivious, simply smiled.
"How was your experience in Korea?"
"Korean women are beautiful."
"...He says he was deeply impressed by the elegance and grace of Korean women!"
Fortunately, because Sion's voice was slightly away from the main microphone, the translator's desperate damage control continued to work.
"Do you have plans to visit Korea again?"
"If the movie does well and they pay me."
"...He says it's not about the money, but whether the movie is successful!"
Watching the reporter's awkward smile and the enthusiastic reactions of the Korean audience, Sion thought to himself:
I guess my jokes work well here too.
Of course, it was entirely a misunderstanding born of the rigorous, polite style of Korean broadcasting.
Immediately after, Sion flew to Japan, where he faced a completely different atmosphere.
Narita International Airport, Japan.
A massive crowd of fans had gathered here as well, but they were completely silent. They simply stood there, holding banners written in a mix of Japanese and English, quietly staring at him. Sion looked at them, intrigued by this quiet reception—a stark contrast to what he had experienced so far. Feeling a bit self-conscious, he turned to a Japanese staff member.
"Do people in Japan dislike me?"
"No, not at all! They are all your passionate fans, Sion-san!"
Fans act like this?
Not fully understanding the unique cultural traits of the Japanese, Sion felt a bit awkward. He was about to walk past them, but then he thought he shouldn't treat them any differently than his Korean fans. He stopped and asked:
"Would you like an autograph...?"
As if they had been waiting for those exact words, the fans suddenly rushed forward in an orderly line, holding out autograph books and markers.
Hmm, they're both Asian countries, but they're so different in this regard.
While Korean fans would thrust torn pieces of paper or school folders at him, the Japanese fans had come perfectly prepared. Seeing this, Sion realized that he did indeed have Korean blood in him. Aside from his meticulous professionalism as a star since his regression, he tended to be a bit casual and laid-back in his private life.
Of course, that didn't mean he would give a half-hearted performance.
"I eat a lot of sushi. Especially California Dragon Rolls."
He offered the appropriate lip service at the premiere.
"Japanese women are beautiful."
He chatted smoothly on a talk show hosted by a Japanese man in a sharp suit.
Overall, the reception was highly favorable, much like in Korea. Unlike Charlie, who looked somewhat awkward due to his strong Korean-American identity, Sion thoroughly enjoyed the slightly exhausting but fresh experience as he completed his schedule. And perhaps because of his genuine efforts, the international box office returns for Bad Contract began to climb vertically immediately after his promotional tour concluded.