Chapter 253
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Red Carpet
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0-Year-Old Superstar Chapter 253
Figurines.
Models made of plastic, metal, or other materials, scaled down to replicate characters from comics, anime, movies, games, and more.
-Whoa. Figurines? Are they taking pre-orders?
=Not yet. They haven't even announced which characters will be made. Just that they're planning to make them.
-They already released Shadowman and Bel Natra figures. So if it’s the Shadowman Team…!
=It has to be Jin Natra and Tul Natra!!
=Jin Natraaaaa!!
-But the Shadowman series is over. Are they really selling them now? Will anyone buy them?
=Me!!
=^^ It's not like you're never going to watch the Shadowman series again, right?
=^^^ If you don't buy it when you can, you'll regret it later.
-But if they make a figurine, will it be from Shadowman 1, 2, or 3?
=Good point. Jin Natra is completely different in 1, 2, and 3.
-Wow. Does that mean we could get a William figurine from Shadowman 1?
=Oh my god. We might get a good Jin Natra figurine?
=It would be so cool to collect all three Jin Natras from 1, 2, and 3, lol.
=For 3, I hope they make an ending version of William, too!!
-A villain Jin Natra figurine would be awesome.
=^^ His presence would be off the charts!!
=I feel like I’d have nightmares, lol.
=Just put a William figurine next to it, hahaha.
-But… will we even be able to buy one?
=Why?
=Lee Seojun has too many fans…!
=^^ They must be going crazy over there, right?
[From the Sprouts]
-A Seojun figurine!!
-Oh my god. To see baby Seojun, little Seojun, and teenage Seojun all at once!!
-It's not confirmed yet, everyone.
-But the fact that there's even talk about it means it'll happen someday, right?
-Aaaah! While they're at it, I hope they make figures of Grand Prince Seongnyeong, Gray, King Danjong, and the werewolf version!
-^^^ And Go Joowon!! If it's the quality of the Go Joowon model at Escape Park, I'd buy it even if it empties my bank account.
-I heard a Hollywood special effects team made that one… The price would be insane.
-I'm starting a savings account right now!
-Even if I have the money, I have a gut feeling the quantity will be super limited.
-^^^ It’ll probably be first-come, first-served.
-This… is going to be a bloodbath.
“This is going to be a huge deal, isn’t it?”
The internet and the “From the Sprouts” fan cafe erupted over the story he had thrown out to test the waters, causing Kim Heesang and the Monster Company employees to break out in a cold sweat.
“Who was it? Who said that once the Shadowman series ended, the hype would die down and it wouldn't be that competitive?”
At Kim Heesang’s words, everyone in the conference room looked at him.
“You did, sir.”
“My apologies.”
Kim Heesang let out an awkward laugh and continued.
“Since this is Seojun’s first figurine, I was planning to focus on quality over quantity.”
Besides, as long as Monster Company was making it, Kim Heesang would never tolerate a shoddy product.
“That’s why you called the Mirror Team, too.”
“I just asked Cocoa Entertainment to inquire, but I never dreamed they would say yes.”
Marine Company would create the concept art, and the Mirror Team would pour their hearts into bringing it to life. Monster Company planned to simplify that work of art for mass production.
“Of course, even the mass-produced version won’t be something we can just crank out.”
To achieve high quality, it required a human touch, which in turn drove up the cost and reduced the quantity.
“Plus, we need to limit it to an appropriate number.”
The joy of possessing something others couldn’t.
That was the beauty of a limited edition.
“Still… we should probably increase the number, right?”
“Yes.”
The employees in the conference room nodded firmly. It seemed the popularity of Jin Natra, which they thought would wane after the Shadowman series concluded, was not so weak after all.
After the meeting at Monster Company, Kim Heesang returned to his office and sent an email with the details decided in the meeting to Lee Minjun, who was in the U.S.
>Lee Minjun: …You son of a…!
“It’s good to have a reliable friend.”
*Hehehe.* Chuckling mischievously, Kim Heesang completely entrusted the American side of things to Lee Minjun and picked up another document.
***
“You can choose from these three outfits. The alterations will be done right here.”
While Lee Minjun read the email from Kim Heesang, Seo Eunhye and Seojun examined the awards ceremony outfits prepared by King’s Agency.
“These look even better than in the pictures.”
“I know, right?”
Seojun nodded in agreement with Seo Eunhye. They had already chosen three outfits from the photos King’s Agency had sent while they were still in Korea.
“Okay, I’ll go try this one on.”
As Seojun went to try on the first outfit, Seo Eunhye asked an agency employee.
“Jun has grown a little since we sent his measurements. Will that be okay?”
The agency employee smiled.
“We have staff from all three brands on standby. They’ve also sent multiple outfits of the same design in different sizes. Once Jun picks a design, they will tailor it to fit him perfectly.”
Seo Eunhye’s eyes widened at the news that such skilled people were waiting just for Seojun.
“On standby?”
“Yes. In the room next door.”
Of course, they had been given separate rooms to avoid running into each other.
Even the staff at King’s Agency hadn’t expected the brands to send people specifically for Seojun Lee, rather than the usual staff dispatched for last-minute alterations at the WTV Film Festival.
‘And all three brands, at that.’
As the agency employee inwardly clicked their tongue, Seojun emerged wearing an outfit from ‘Reden.’
“Mom, does this look okay?”
Seo Eunhye and the agency employee’s gazes turned to Seojun.
“Wow! It looks great on you!”
***
“Well, well, looks like Reden came too.”
“…Hive?”
“Aresis is here as well.”
Despite King’s Agency’s efforts to separate them, the world’s most popular clothing brands had gathered in one place.
Hive, Reden, and Aresis.
The staff dispatched from the three brands looked at each other. A designer accompanied by their staff. Being in the same industry, there were many familiar faces.
“I’d say it’s a good thing we came.”
Reden’s designer sat down with a sigh of relief.
The designer from Hive, the oldest of the three brands, spoke up.
“I assumed this kind of ‘effort’ would influence the clothing choice, but if everyone shows up, it’s meaningless.”
“It would be a bigger problem if we didn’t. The fact that even Hive is here shows just how incredible Seojun Lee is.”
At the Reden designer’s words, the Hive designer smirked.
“He is incredible. Seojun Lee is an actor who can promote to the teenage and twenty-something demographic, which has lacked a suitable model until now.”
“It’s true, it’s hard to find a teen star more influential than Seojun Lee. He has a great image, too. If we maintain a good relationship from now on, it could continue into his twenties and thirties as he gets older.”
Everyone nodded.
“And there’s a brand right here that grew by leaps and bounds thanks to Seojun Lee.”
The gazes of the Reden and Hive staff shifted to one side.
“We are always grateful,” the designer from Aresis said with a smile.
“Well, it might be tough for you this time.”
At the Hive designer’s comment, the designers from Reden and Aresis smiled faintly. Despite their smiling faces, sparks seemed to fly from their eyes as they met.
***
[WNET to broadcast the WTV Film Festival live today!]
[WTV Film Festival: Actor Lee Seojun nominated for ‘Best Villain’ and ‘Best Performance’!]
[What will Hollywood star Lee Seojun wear on the red carpet?!]
-Can’t wait! Watching the live broadcast.
-It’s already been 8 years. That little kid ㅠㅠ
-WNET re-aired the WTV Film Festival from 8 years ago yesterday, and Seojun was so tiny lol.
=^^ Still, he was so cute giving his acceptance speech so bravely ㅠ
=Please look forward to Shadowman 3!
=ㅠㅠ We won't get to hear that anymore.
=I wish he’d make a surprise announcement. Like, “Please look forward to Shadowman 4!” ㅠㅠ
-He wore Aresis 8 years ago. It was pretty amazing. It was just a tiny new brand back then, lol.
=^^ Aresis grew as big as it is now thanks to that promotion.
=Whose clothes will he wear this time?
=I heard Hive and Reden also made custom designs for ‘Seojun Lee.’
=Wow… that’s incredible.
***
A large car pulled up at the end of the red carpet.
The cameras, broadcasting to the entire world, focused on the car. As everyone held their breath, hearts pounding in anticipation of which star would appear next, the car door slid open.
It was Evan Block, his jet-black hair slicked back completely.
“Aaaah! It’s Shadowman!”
“Evan Block!”
After waving with a smile to his fans, Evan Block stepped aside.
As Evan Block moved out of the way, a boy with his hair calmly styled down got out of the car.
Flashes from the cameras erupted, the light seeming to illuminate Seojun. Screams and cheers burst out once again at his sparkling appearance and aura.
“Jin! Jin Natra!”
“Lee Seojun!”
Hearing his name called, Seojun broke into a wide smile and waved.
Uwaaaaaaah!
Evan Block and Seojun Lee, smiling at each other amidst the cheers, stood before the wide-open car door.
Like knights guarding the entrance, they stood with their shoulders back and postures straight, extending their hands, palms up, as if to escort someone from inside the car.
The fans gaped in awe at the two elegant actors.
Richel Hill’s hands rested upon their two hands. Escorted by Evan Block and Seojun Lee, Richel Hill slowly descended onto the red carpet.
Evan Block, Richel Hill, Seojun Lee.
The three dazzling actors, dressed to the nines and gathered in one place, radiated an incredible aura. The fans watching in person and the people watching on television were all captivated.
-Wow… Seriously cool.
-An escort. Seojun has really grown up so much.
-I know, right? He was too small to do that 8 years ago, lol.
Waaaaah!
As the three actors’ performance set the red carpet ablaze,
“…Are we supposed to get out now?”
“I was wondering the same thing.”
Swalin Anum and director Ryan Will, who were preparing to exit the car, laughed as they spoke words that were half-joking, half-serious.
“Swalin! Director! Aren’t you coming out?”
“Sir!”
At the call from Seojun and Richel Hill, Swalin Anum and Director Ryan also emerged from the car.
When all five key members of the Shadowman team appeared, another round of cheers erupted.
Richel Hill and Seojun beamed.
“It’s the end of the series, so we have to do this together!”
“I love this!”
After getting out of the car, the Shadowman team walked the red carpet, greeting the fans.
Seojun’s face was filled with joy as he waved to the crowd. But he wasn’t as excited as he had been as a child, when he had radiated an untamed aura.
‘It’s strange.’
Eight years ago, every single step had been nerve-wracking, but now, he wasn’t as nervous. Still, he was just as excited and happy.
“The Shadowman team! Welcome!”
A reporter holding a microphone greeted the Shadowman team with a bright smile.
After a short interview, the Shadowman team entered the awards ceremony hall and took their seats. Even while sitting down, Seojun’s gaze kept drifting back outside, toward the photo zone where they had been interviewed.
“Hmm.”
“What’s wrong, Jun?”
“Well, it’s just a little disappointing.”
At Seojun’s words, the other four looked at him.
“Eight years ago, I said, ‘Please look forward to Shadowman 3,’ but I can’t say that anymore.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
“I felt like something was missing, too.”
Evan Block and Richel Hill also looked disappointed.
Director Ryan, already satisfied, just smiled faintly, while Swalin Anum, who had filmed many movies over the years, looked at the three actors as if they were adorable.
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