Casting Musashi as a Korean.
Then submitting it to Cannes first, before releasing it in the Japanese film market.
That was the plan—up to that point.
—Ah, I see? Of course Musashi should be Korean!
No one said that and jumped at the chance to invest.
Even in a sober state, it was a hard story to accept.
And no matter how much you drank, it still didn’t make sense.
So how did Kiryuu Sota manage to gather investors?
By cleverly enticing top-tier companies?
By staking his entire career and begging with all his might?
No.
“You need to gather people who can have a proper conversation from the start.”
He simply didn’t talk to the Japanese side at all from the beginning.
To be precise, he never even contacted the production companies.
If there was anyone to convince, it was maybe the distributors.
But even they moved purely according to capital market logic.
There was nothing to beg for.
“You’re right. Conversation is truly a precious and important tool.”
Responding to Director Kiryuu Sota’s words,
Michael Zeed, the Japan Netflix representative, laughed deeply.
“The logic of this market is ridiculous—just ntion foreign capital, and suddenly they flip their stance.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. Netflix carries that much weight.”
“Honestly, they know. It’s impossible not to know. With Kim Donghu involved, there’s no way this can flop.”
No matter how conservative the society was,
It wasn’t as if they lived with their eyes and ears shut.
They knew exactly what it ant for Kim Donghu to be starring in the film.
They were just scared of change, and too stubborn in the ways they’d clung to.
So they simply bulldozed through.
The mont they said they were working with Netflix to distribute Musashi globally,
Even those who’d been objecting hurriedly opened their wallets.
“But their expressions looked really awkward when they invested, didn’t they?”
At Michael’s comnt, Director Kiryuu just let out a small laugh.
“Even so, all they’ll do is talk behind our backs. Nothing more.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Those production companies we bypassed earlier? They’ll probably badmouth us hard, but... realistically, they won’t be able to do anything.”
Michael nodded as if reassured.
Breaking into the Japanese live-action film market—
It was, honestly, quite a bold move even from Netflix’s perspective.
But in the end, it all worked out.
Because—
“For soone in such a stable position to take a risk like this... it’s really admirable.”
“Right? Constant growth—really sets an example for others.”
Because Kim Donghu agreed to play the lead role in Musashi.
“He’s an incredible actor. Just looking at the current buzz...”
Michael briefly summarized what was going on in the U.S.
“Well... Evelyn’s new song ET swept most of the awards at the Grammys. Sadly, not the main prize, but still.”
“I’ve heard. It’s truly impressive.”
“And... currently, all the major boxing organizations except the WBC are holding a heavyweight unification match.”
“I’ve heard it’s been a massive success.”
“In this kind of climate... Musashi is sothing to really look forward to.”
Saying that, Michael carefully handed over a tablet.
『Musashi as a Korean? Outrage erupts over leaked casting news!』
『Too innovative or deeply conservative? Is Korean casting for Musashi the right move?』
『Is this a fictional reinterpretation or still rooted in history? Which side are you on?』
『Kim Donghu steals one of Japan’s national symbols?!』
It was filled with the boiling negative reactions within Japan.
Kiryuu Sota looked at it and smiled brightly.
“Just imagining overturning this situation gets fired up.”
He looked down at the tablet with eyes full of excitent for the future.
***
After I was cast as the lead in Musashi,
I was insanely busy.
“Seohyun, it’s 2 a.m. You’re not going to sleep?”
“Nope! Tomorrow’s a school holiday!”
“...Right, kids don’t go to school on Saturdays anymore.”
I’d co ho after a long ti and spent a lot of ti with my family.
But it wasn’t the spending ti that made busy.
It was playing with Seohyun that was the real work.
‘Honestly, doing a boxing match might be easier.’
That’s how it felt.
The energy of a seven-year-old, filled with nothing but thoughts of play, was unmatched.
“Oppa, in the movie you’re Tarzan, right?! But you know?! To the princess, you’re the prince on a white horse!”
“Of course, of course... How could oppa not know.”
It was like she was trying to make up for all the missed playti with interest.
Seohyun even had a ticulously planned play schedule.
“Since oppa is super popular, if we go out to public places, we’ll probably get interrupted a lot.”
“...Seohyun?”
“So I thought of things we could do at ho—like board gas...”
Wait, wait, wait.
Hold on a second.
‘Why is she so smart?’
It was hard to believe that line just ca out of a seven-year-old’s brain.
Made wonder if this was her second life or sothing.
Everything she said had an edge of wisdom.
“I an, I can’t help bragging about my kids—because of you and Seohyun.”
“Huh? Seohyun too?”
That’s when Mom joined in.
“She’s so pretty, right? And smart, articulate... honestly, she just inherited everything perfectly from a certain soone.”
Dad, sitting beside her, silently nodded.
“Mmm, true.”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
“No interrupting, Mom and Dad! Only the princess can talk with oppa right now!”
“...You see that? Your little sister is no joke. She’s already learning sports from Master Sangha.”
“Whattttt?!”
I seriously didn’t know that.
For the record, Sangha hyung is currently running a massive gym.
I’ve even seen him on TV from ti to ti.
And sohow, in all that busyness, he’s teaching a seven-year-old?
“I’ll repay this debt for life... yeah, I think he’d be perfect if he just ets a nice bride.”
“...Right, it’s about ti Sangha-hyung gets married.”
While playing with Seohyun, I naturally overheard things around .
And I realized—my family sees my friends more often than I do.
“Kangshik cos over sotis? He lost weight? 40kg?!”
“That’s what they said. When he ca with Minhyeok, even I was shocked. Apparently, they’re about to release a new ga, too.”
“What... What are you talking about...?”
“You’ve been too busy. That’s probably why they didn’t tell you.”
And so, for a while, we chatted about this and that.
I had so good ho-cooked als for the first ti in ages.
Ti passed again, and it was now April.
Originally, Musashi was scheduled to be fild in Japan.
—Those idiots are just being stubborn. If we can’t shoot there, we’ll just shoot sowhere else.
Due to strong opposition from local Japanese production companies, filming took place in Korea.
‘Filming Musashi in Korea, and having a Korean play the lead...’
This project was really carrying controversy on its back.
But honestly, Korea wasn’t entirely free from that controversy either.
It’s just—
『Are you witnessing this? The cultural invasion of Korea?! The feat that is Kim Donghu?!』
『If it’s Kim Donghu, it’s possible. If it’s Kim Donghu, it’s valid. From now on, Musashi is Kim Donghu.』
“...”
The direction of the controversy was simply... different.
When it was announced that Musashi would be fild in Korea,
with distribution, production, and lead casting all already confird,
the biggest issue beca the rest of the cast.
It wasn’t a one-man show.
Naturally, supporting actors were needed too.
Especially soone to fight the final duel—
A character like Sasaki was absolutely essential.
But Japanese public opinion wasn’t good.
And in line with that sentint, Japanese actors were holding back.
Yet, in the midst of all this, one person was walking a completely opposite path.
“If there’s a role I can take, I’ll do anything.”
It was none other than veteran voice actor Usami Ken.
A public press conference.
Flashbulbs popping non-stop.
Even at a venue clearly ant ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) to stir up negative press about Musashi,
Ken confidently stood by his convictions.
“Musashi will be a phenonal film.”
One might ask—how can a voice actor beco a film actor?
But Ken had acted in his twenties.
He wasn’t exactly a novice.
‘This is a new wave.’
Ironically, his decision wasn’t even because of his daughter.
He did value Chisako dearly, of course.
But separate from that, the flow of Musashi as a work deeply intrigued him.
‘Things are changing. Because of Kim Donghu...’
He knew how big Noble Gourt beca with just a cao from Kim Donghu.
And that was with him appearing only briefly.
If he’s starring in a full-length film?
There was no imagining how big it could get.
‘Those hesitating right now are fools—afraid of change...’
I’m not like them.
“Also, the only one who can perfectly embody Musashi... is Kim Donghu.”
“...You an that?”
“Yes. Director Kiryuu, I’m asking you—please give a role too.”
Muttering firmly, Usami Ken declared his stance with pride.
And from this mont on, other actors slowly began reigniting their passion.
A wind was blowing for Musashi in Japan.
***
At the sa ti—
on the other side of the globe—
“Good thing we put in that rematch clause.”
Edward’s boxing coach chuckled deeply as he looked at Edward lying on the floor.
“Six months from now, right?”
“Of course. From the start, we fought for the championship belt. A rematch is only natural.”
Edward laughed along and slowly sat up.
“This ti, I let my guard down. Six months from now, I’ll take that belt back.”
Another fire of determination was burning.
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