TITLE: Chapter 391
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A premiere for "The Big One" is scheduled to be held in California ahead of its release.
Several films related to the Big One have been made before, but this is the first blockbuster to directly tackle the disaster.
Universal Studios handled production and distribution, Arthur Farrow directed, and it stars famous actors like Brian Amadeo, Tom Shane, and Amber Sutherland.
Along with the premiere, a charity party was also scheduled.
Hollywood stars, film industry insiders, and celebrities were slated to attend. However, the person on the guest list who drew the most public and media attention was none other than Kang Jinhoo.
All the attendees were celebrities recognizable anywhere, yet even to them, Kang Jinhoo was a star among stars.
The world's richest man and the hero who had saved America from a crisis!
Moreover, he was still young, and his wealth was continually growing.
At the news of Kang Jinhoo's attendance, Hollywood stars packed paper for autographs, and young women, full of anticipation, meticulously styled themselves.
***
Taekgyu said.
"So, the movie's finally getting released, huh."
"Looks like it."
I'd heard it went into production before, but I'd forgotten about it since. And now, it was already about to be released.
As it was a work by Director Arthur Farrow, expectations from the public and critics were high. I, too, was a bit curious about what kind of movie it would be.
I decided to attend the premiere because I had a schedule in California anyway, and I received an earnest request from the film studio. Another reason was that EdM Enter had also invested a large sum in this movie and was handling its Korean distribution.
If the movie bombed, all that money would be lost.
It would have been nice to go with Taekgyu or Ellie, but Taekgyu hates public exposure, and Ellie had used up all her vacation days when we went to Europe last time. She's also very busy these days.
Before leaving, I received a bit of a "mental lecture" from Ellie.
"You can't let your eyes wander just because there are many beautiful women there."
"Yes."
"Even if beautiful women try to seduce you, you have to ignore them."
"You don't trust me?"
To my question, Ellie said firmly, "I trust Jinhoo. It's the women there I don't trust."
"..."
Isn't this usually something a man says to a woman?
I headed to the US on a private jet.
After landing at the airport, I rode in a car with my bodyguards to the charity party venue. The charity party was first, and the premiere was next.
This is because if the premiere were first, people would only talk about the movie throughout the charity party. It's fine if the movie is fun, but if it's boring or a total flop, it could create a very awkward situation.
At the charity party, funds were raised for disaster victims and sufferers. Stars donated expensive personal items, which were put up for auction online. The proceeds, of course, would be donated in full.
Even though significant donations had already been made multiple times, hundreds of millions of dollars had already been raised, exceeding expectations.
America is one of the most polarized developed countries, but at least when it comes to donations, they weren't stingy. Hollywood actors and film industry figures, as well as the wealthy, willingly opened their wallets.
It's a completely different picture from the stingy Korean rich. This kind of noblesse oblige must be the underlying strength of America.
I was guided inside. To my surprise, famous actors I had only seen on movie screens stood before me.
Bob Gregg, Prince Wagner, Giselle Bernstein, Brian Amadeo, Claude Shinjak, Tom Shane, Janine Coleman, Paul Sapian, Dana Boyd, and so on.
There were more than just one or two actors whose names I knew. If you tried to make a movie with all the actors here, wouldn't even a billion dollars be insufficient?
As I marveled, thinking, "Wow! Hollywood stars!", they too looked at me with an expression that said, "Wow! It's Kang Jinhoo!"
"..."
What is this situation?
I first greeted Director Arthur Farrow.
"Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule."
"Not at all. Thank you for inviting me."
He was a French-American in his mid-thirties, a rising new director in Hollywood. Eight years ago, in his late twenties, his low-budget film "Cloverland" received critical acclaim and box office success, making his name known. All the films he made since then also achieved both commercial success and artistic merit.
No sooner had I finished greeting the director than various celebrities approached to greet me. A veritable "flood of handshake requests" poured in.
After greeting dozens of famous actors and taking a brief breather, a woman greeted me in a slightly husky voice.
"Mr. Jinhoo, you're much more handsome in person than in pictures."
This time, it wasn't an actress.
Her name was Angelina Tinter. She was the granddaughter of the Tinter Group's chairman, an heiress. She had appeared on TV multiple times with the concept of a beautiful chaebol group heiress, and later, a show named after her was created and became a huge hit.
In Korean terms, she could be seen as an all-around entertainer from a chaebol family.
I knew her to be about three or four years older than me. She was over 170 cm tall with a slender figure, and exuded a strong charm.
She didn't give me a chance to respond, smiling and talking continuously, all the while constantly touching my shoulder and arm with her fingers.
Shouldn't I report this as sexual harassment?
Actually, her history with men was famous. She always cheated and changed lovers. The reason men still flocked to her was probably because she had both wealth and beauty, right? But didn't she get engaged recently? To an actor named Jason or Johnson.
And right behind her, a man who might have been Jason or Johnson was glaring this way.
Just as I was thinking of excusing myself, thankfully, a man spoke to me in Korean with a slightly awkward pronunciation.
"Hello, CEO Kang Jinhoo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
His name was Steven Han.
He was a Korean-American who was born in Korea and immigrated to the US as a child. He was cast in my role for this movie.
His actual age was ten years older than mine, but because he looked so young, it wasn't a problem. And since the movie deals with the stories of ordinary people facing a disaster, my role wouldn't be that significant anyway.
"A pleasure to meet you." We shook hands.
"It's an honor to be able to play the role of CEO Kang Jinhoo."
"Not at all. The honor is mine."
It's no exaggeration to say he's the highest-paid Korean in Hollywood (though his nationality is American).
Meeting someone who could speak Korean in a place like this felt somehow welcoming. As we continued to converse in Korean, Angelina, as if she had no choice, drifted off elsewhere.
We talked while drinking punch.
"I've seen many of the movies you've been in."
"Many Hollywood actors condemn racism and advocate for equality. But in reality, Hollywood is more racist than anywhere else. Asians are usually portrayed as money-grubbing opportunists. My first role was like that too."
I nodded. "Indeed, whitewashing is also quite common."
Whitewashing is when a character of a different race in the original work is changed to white in the movie. With reality being like this, it's even harder for people of color, especially Asians, to land leading roles.
"But now, thanks to you, CEO Kang, perceptions have changed significantly. Koreans are welcomed everywhere, and the proportion of Asian-American actors has greatly increased. Thanks to you, I've also been able to take on important roles in several films. It's something I couldn't have imagined in the past."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Steven took out his phone.
"May I take a picture with you?"
"Of course."
A Hollywood star asking to take a picture with me first. I've really become a celebrity.
After taking the picture, Steven said, "If you don't mind, I'd like to introduce you to a close younger friend. She's usually a big fan of yours, CEO Kang Jinhoo, but she said she's too shy to say hello."
"Of course, I don't mind."
A moment later, Steven brought over a blonde woman. I recognized her face.
Amber Sutherland. She played the role of Mary Murray, the protagonist's daughter, in this movie. She was just twenty, but her acting career spanned over ten years. She debuted at nine, showcasing her acting skills in various child roles, and had grown into one of Hollywood's leading actresses.
What was more surprising was that she had entered Princeton University while balancing acting and academics. Such people, possessing both beauty and diverse talents, do exist in the world. Having starred in more than a couple of blockbuster movies since her child acting days, her wealth was also substantial. In fact, her appearance fee was among the top five for Hollywood actresses.
I too had seen several movies she starred in.
With a very flushed expression, she said, "Ah, hello, CEO Kang Jinhoo. I've always wanted to meet you, so I'm glad I got this chance. I've been a fan for a really long time."
"That's amazing. I'm a fan of yours too."
She's even prettier up close than I saw her in movies.
Pale white skin, a small face, blue eyes, and blonde hair. She wasn't very tall, giving her the feel of a small fairy.
She was apparently chosen as the actress American high school girls most want to resemble, and meeting her in person, I could see why.
Unlike other Hollywood stars who repeatedly dated and broke up from a young age, she hadn't spread any particular dating rumors. She was known simply as a model student focused on acting and studying.
The story of Eric Sitoff, a notorious Hollywood playboy, persistently asking her out only to be rejected, was famous.
She held out her phone to me.
"Could you perhaps give me your number?"
"..."
A Hollywood actress asking me for my contact information. This is truly something out of a novel.
I shook my head. "I have a girlfriend."
Amber covered her mouth and laughed. "I know. The one who works as a lawyer at Golden Gate, you're living together now, right?"
"You know well."
"Of course. I even saw the commercial your girlfriend was in. I don't mean anything by it; I just want to be friends."
Come to think of it, Ellie once said she liked this actress. Wouldn't she be happy if I introduced them?
Just as I was thinking that, a middle-aged white man with a chubby build, glasses, white hair, and a beard entered.
People all turned their heads to look at him, and he, as if it were his first time in such a place, looked around with wide eyes.
Then he made the exact expression I might have made earlier.
"Wow! Stars!"
It was the same for the Hollywood stars.
"Wow! Professor Mohan!"
I waved happily. "Professor Mohan!"
***
The premiere began.
I sat next to Professor Mohan and watched the movie.
The entire movie was filmed in IMAX. For reference, Director Arthur Farrow is a director who knows how to utilize IMAX well.
The movie started with the situation before the Big One, when America was in turmoil. The protagonist was an ordinary family.
My part wasn't very large, but I still appeared in all the important scenes. Kang Jinhoo (Steven Han), in a meeting with President Ronald (Paul Sapian), slammed his hands hard on the desk and shouted.
"Silicon Valley has no silicon in there!"
That anecdote is already well-known thanks to Ronald mentioning it several times in interviews. Still, seeing it in a movie, and on such a large screen, was incredibly embarrassing.
Ah... why did I say that there? But I don't think I slammed the desk.
Well, it's a movie, so let's just go with it.
Afterward, Kang Jinhoo (Steven Han) showed a shocked expression the moment the Big One hit, and in the scene where he boarded Air Force One with President Ronald (Paul Sapian), he exuded an immense aura.
Kang Jinhoo (Steven Han), filling the screen, said with a stiff, hardened expression, "As soon as possible, save people!"
Again, it's a movie, so let's just go with it.
Anyway, the Big One eventually occurred. In the face of the worst disaster, all sorts of human behaviors unfolded.
Thugs committing crimes claiming it was a state of anarchy, selfish bastards only trying to save themselves regardless of others, and those who did nothing themselves while expecting others to take on dangerous tasks.
But even more so, there were many who made sacrifices and dedicated themselves for others. The movie depicted these various types of people well.
In the end, the protagonist, Bill Murray, saves his family and passes away.
Around sunset, the surviving family members barely made it to a shelter. Many people had already gathered there.
The movie ended with the Stars and Stripes fluttering against the distant sunset sky.
Even after the movie ended, the screening hall was quiet for a while. Everyone had solemn expressions, and some burst into tears or wiped them away.
A moment later, a standing ovation erupted.
I also stood up and clapped. It was partly because others were clapping, but it was also true that I felt an overwhelming sense of emotion.
Just watching the movie naturally filled me with 'America-ppong' (a surge of pro-American sentiment/patriotism?).
Yes. America was such a great country!
At the same time, I inwardly sighed in relief.
At least it won't bomb.
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