Devil’s Music

Lin guided the group into the National Theater of Korea.

While providing an overall guide, Lin always stood next to Geon. Consequently, the entire filming crew centered their shots around Geon and Lin. Geon was slightly taken aback by this, but as they were on the move, he silently listened to Lin's guidance.

This National Theater hosts operas, musicals, and concerts. Normally, they don't rent it out to foreigners unless they're top-tier musicians. However, considering the viewership of the drama "Chuno," they made an exception. Our main venue for the event is a concert hall with a capacity of 5,473 seats. Though not vast in seat count, each seat is a spacious VIP seat. To put it in perspective, the scale of this hall is similar to a 30,000-seat large-scale museum. Think of it akin to Korea's Arts Center performance hall for a quick understanding."

Lin continued speaking ceaselessly while walking through the wide, lengthy corridors with white walls.

"We're delighted to host the actors from 'Chuno' here at our CCTV. Each actor has their own waiting room for comfortable event preparations. From here, the nameplates on the doors indicate the actors' rooms. PD and AD can use this area with the filming team. Oh, PD, would you also like to capture the actors preparing in their rooms?"

Yeongseok nodded.

"Yes, for the making film. Alright! VJs, set up installed cameras in each actor's room and check the audio. Lighting director, turn on lights in the waiting rooms and assess if additional lighting is needed."

As Yeongseok issued instructions hastily, Lin directed the accompanying staff.

"Position four security personnel in front of each waiting room door and assign one internal staff member to address any discomfort immediately."

Shortly after, the Chinese security team assembled outside the waiting room, and upon receiving the signal from the camera team, the actors entered their designated rooms. Geon, noticing his separate waiting room with his name, opened the door.

As Geon stepped into the room, he looked around, visibly surprised.

The brightly lit waiting room had European-style chandeliers sparkling overhead, and one wall was entirely made of mirrors. There were four spots for makeup with soft black chairs aligned along the wall facing individual mirrors, each spot equipped with mirror-shaped lights. On the opposite wall, there was a large sofa for six and a long table. In this spacious room that seemed larger than 14 square meters, Geon awkwardly stood until a VJ gestured for him to enter.

Observing the gesture, Geon walked hesitantly and sat on the six-seater sofa. After a while of uncomfortable silence, the VJ lowered the camera momentarily and spoke.

"Um, you should say something, Geon. Ha-ha."

Scratching the back of his head, Geon replied, "Wh-what should I... I'm here alone without any staff..."

Seemingly thinking Geon mumbling alone would be odd, the VJ spoke into the radio to Yeongseok.

"Hey, PD. It's VJ Hyeongseok. Geon's in the waiting room, feeling awkward as he doesn't have a personal staff. What should we do about this?"

"Don't worry. Geon will soon be interviewed by a Chinese entertainment program. Just film how he handles the interview situation from the corner."

"I see. Understood, PD."

The VJ, with the radio on his shoulder, addressed Geon.

"Did you hear that, Geon? They're coming for an interview from the Chinese side shortly. Just wait a moment."

Slightly surprised, Geon asked, "An entertainment program? Is it okay for me to appear on such a program?"

Smiling, the VJ pointed the camera at him.

"Well, that's up to the viewers. If there's no demand from the audience, there won't be any filming. The fact that the filming crew is here means you have that level of influence. Don't worry, just wait comfortably."

Upon the VJ's words, Geon sunk deeper into the sofa seat.

A while later, there was a brief commotion outside the waiting room door, followed by a knock and its subsequent opening.

The person who entered was a man in his late twenties, wearing fashionable glasses and a colorful patterned fashion suit. Holding a slightly oversized microphone, he entered the room, making noise and greeting energetically.

"Hello, I'm Kwak Yeongung, a reporter from ShanghaiTV Hwani Singdongtai! We're finally here at the scene where the heroines of the drama 'Chuno' have arrived in China. We've entered the waiting room of the much-talked-about singer, Kim Geon!"

Hwani Singdongtai is a broadcasting company headquartered in Shanghai but airs nationwide. Focused on introducing Hallyu, it's a highly influential entertainment program watched by over 50 million households and followed by more than 200 million viewers.

Though the reporter looked at Geon, he turned to the camera, then took a step backward, acting surprised when he saw Geon.

"Wow! You're Geon! You're the unbelievably handsome guy we've all seen in the teasers! Many female fans watching our broadcast must be fluttering. Let's exchange greetings. Could I get the interpreter here for a moment?"

As the reporter sought an interpreter and sat on the sofa, Geon spoke fluently in Chinese.

"An interpreter isn't necessary, Mr. Kwak. Hello, everyone, I'm Kim Geon from Korea."

Geon waved slightly at the camera and spoke. The reporter, astonished, exclaimed, "Oh! You can speak Chinese! Did you study this anticipating a venture into China?"

Shaking his head, Geon replied, "No, I'm still a student, and Chinese is part of the foreign language classes at my school."

The reporter, still in a fuss, exclaimed, "Ah, I see! I see! Anyway, as a Chinese person, I welcome this! It'd be great if more Hallyu stars learned Chinese. Well then, shall we start the interview, Geon?"

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