Lim Hyun-jin, the Executive Director of Netflix Korea, had a great interest in Hallyu Wave (Korean Wave). Not only K-pop, but also Korean content, food, clothing, costics, and much more. As the head of Netflix Korea, it was natural, as the synergy would co from Korean culture spreading to the world.
In any industry, when there is attention from the global audience, foreign consurs follow.
For example, soone may fall in love with Korean food and beco interested in Korean culture, or beco intrigued by Korean makeup styles and gradually get imrsed in Hallyu Wave. These days, promoting globally is also more flexible. In the past, there were few channels to introduce Hallyu Wave, but now YouTube is a core platform, and there are nurous other video apps, platforms, and SNS channels.
That ans the potential is limitless.
As a result, Hallyu Wave was already exerting a typhoon-level montum across Asia. In various ways, a few Korean idols had ranked on the Billboard charts, setting records, and K-pop concerts were being held quite frequently abroad, including in the United States. However, when looking at it from a global perspective, it still felt like a major hit was missing.
At least, that's how Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin felt.
It felt like the signature elent that could truly captivate the world was missing.
Just a little more, just a tiny bit more, if they could push a bit further and explode, it seed like an enormous success was waiting, but for now, it remained subtle. Only when Hallyu Wave was properly sold could Netflix Korea flourish, and through the trickle-down effect, other industries would also gain global attention.
If the path was properly cleared, Korean content would definitely be consud globally. That was sothing Executive Director Lim often said.
And she saw trendous potential in 'Produce That 100!' From the beginning, it received enthusiastic responses in Japan, and Lim Hyun-jin imdiately launched 'Produce That 100!' on Netflix Korea. Unfortunately, it wasn’t launched globally, but 'Produce That 100!' gave birth to another opportunity.
It was 'Vanguard'.
'Vanguard' in itself had considerable power, but within it, the very protagonist Lim Hyun-jin had been looking for was hidden.
That was Kang Rojun.
Not just an all-rounder in terms of appearance, vocals, dance, and rap, but soone capable of mastering any form of content. K-pop alone was a strong enough weapon, but Kang Rojun could wield everything from visuals to content. He even possessed the acting ability to promote that content himself.
Wasn’t he the complete package to introduce Hallyu Wave to the world?
And now, Rojun had beco the lead writer of a major project at Netflix Korea. The first button had been fastened, and Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin’s next step was.
“This is a proposal for ‘Vanguard’ in the form of a collaboration.”
To recruit 'Vanguard'.
CEO Ha Seo-hwan, upon hearing this, found it slightly unexpected.
'So, they need our ‘Vanguard’.'
In movies or dramas, using an idol’s OST wasn’t unheard of, but it was rare.
'Moreover, in the form of a collaboration.'
If it wasn’t simply suggesting that the artist 'Vanguard' perform an OST, but rather approaching it as a form of collaboration, then the direction shifted a bit.
“It’s the main the song, yes, but there’s an aspect of promotion and marketing mixed in too.”
In other words, rather than 'Vanguard' simply performing the OST for 'Tale of the Strange Moon', it would be a collaboration between 'Vanguard' and 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. CEO Ha Seo-hwan chose not to speak too soon and instead waited for the other side to reveal more information first.
“You’re saying you want not just Rojun-nim, but the entire ‘Vanguard'. In the form of a collaboration. I suppose so further explanation is needed.”
“Of course.”
Lim Hyun-jin nodded with a business smile.
“As you’ve probably heard, we at Netflix Korea have started a project that will be launched globally. That project has been confird as ‘Tale of the Strange Moon'. We’ve been given a trendous opportunity, and I have no intention of wasting it.”
“......”
“With the board already set, I believe ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ must beco the catalyst of Hallyu Wave. Korean culture is already drawing global attention even now, but-”
“There’s still a sense of sothing lacking.”
“Exactly.”
“Put simply, you want to land a real, impactful blow.”
Executive Director Lim’s smile deepened.
“Not just any impact, sothing beyond a syndro-level phenonon must erge. Whether it’s a trend, , or viral mont, ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ must spread among overseas audiences in the blink of an eye.”
“And our Rojun is at the center of that.”
“Yes, I believe Writer Rojun has the full potential to detonate a nuclear bomb, taphorically speaking. But a group rather than an individual will likely add even more firepower.”
“Hence, ‘Vanguard’.”
“Writer Rojun of ‘Tale of the Strange Moon'. His team, ‘Vanguard'. Isn’t that already eye-catching enough?”
After staring at Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin for a few seconds, CEO Ha Seo-hwan shifted the question.
“This collaboration, what does it entail?”
“As you well know, CEO-nim, for example, idol and ga collaborations, or idol and content collaborations. I see it as a format similar to branded content.”
As soon as he heard the proposal, CEO Ha Seo-hwan quickly ran the calculations.
“You want not only the lyrics and composition for the main the song, but also the music video, I assu.”
“While we could prepare the lyrics and composition on our end, ideally, GN Entertainnt handling it would keep the flow consistent. The sa goes for the music video. For reference, the music video is planned to be released before the official teaser or trailer of ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’.”
With the pieces of information falling into place, CEO Ha Seo-hwan calmly crossed his legs.
'So overall, they’ve designed a mix between ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ and K-pop. A collaboration between Netflix Korea and ‘Vanguard’ or GN Entertainnt. Hallyu wave is the seasoning added to that. It’s a direction no one has tried before... It also suits Vanguard’s concept. The frawork itself isn’t bad.'
For a mont, a vision of the ‘Tale of the Strange Moon’ music video unfolded in Ha Seo-hwan’s mind. A fusion of historical drama aesthetics and idols. From costus to concept, sets, and more, a Korean-colored, dynamic version of ‘Vanguard'. If ‘Vanguard’ takes the lead in promoting and marketing ‘Tale of the Strange Moon', naturally, the buzz would amplify. Netflix Korea would also invest more attention.
At that point, Executive Director Lim Hyun-jin spoke again.
“If GN Entertainnt takes on the concept, lyrics, composition, choreography, and music video, we need to finalize the main the song first, since that will be made before anything else.”
She said it nicely, but bluntly put, she ant: let’s hear the song first and then decide. That was only natural, so CEO Ha Seo-hwan didn’t read too deeply into it. His mind was already filled with vast possibilities.
'If this goes well, ‘Vanguard’ could instantly beco known worldwide.'
At the sa ti, in Japan.
Kang Rojun had arrived in Japan around noon, and after a frenzy at the airport, Rojun and the GN Entertainnt staff were able to board the van.
Currently.
-Vroooom.
They were on their way to the filming site for 'Like a Kaleidoscope'. Rojun sat by the window, reading the script, and beside him, Manager Kim Ki-baek looked down at his planner. Then, as sothing occurred to him, Kim Ki-baek turned his head.
“Mm- Rojun.”
“Yes?”
“Is the OST for ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ all prepared?”
“Yes. Luckily, I finished it before filming started.”
When did he manage to finish that in the middle of everything? Manager Kim Ki-baek let out a faint, weary laugh. Rojun had always been busy, but lately, between the script reading for 'Blood Hunt' and other ‘Vanguard’ schedules, his workload had multiplied several tis over. Yet, Kang Rojun had still delivered the OST without a hitch.
'His Japanese is practically native level, so that’s understandable, but even though it’s his first Japanese drama OST, he just whipped it up.'
Shaking his head slightly in disbelief, Manager Kim Ki-baek continued.
“According to the schedule, the first shoot for ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ should wrap around 7 PM today. After that, we’ll stop by a nearby sound studio to check the OST. Then, the flight back to Korea is at 8:40 PM, so we’ll have to move quickly.”
"Yes, Manager nim."
Kang Rojun replied, then lowered his gaze back to the script. As he did, he recalled the completed OST for 'Like a Kaleidoscope'. Everything was fully prepared. He had enhanced its perfection through 'AI Automation', and had already learned the vocals. He had spent so coins, but that didn’t matter to Kang Rojun at all.
'Composition is getting more and more interesting, seriously, there’s not a single thing that’s not fun.'
Before long, Kang Rojun’s team arrived at the set for 'Like a Kaleidoscope'. It was a large-scale set, not much different from those in Korea, and as soon as Rojun’s van parked, a few staff mbers ca running over. Greetings in Japanese rang out imdiately.
“Welco, Rojun!”
After briefly greeting the staff, Rojun turned to look at Kim Ki-baek. Kim Ki-baek motioned with a hand gesture to do well. Soon after, Rojun followed the staff into the set.
“Rojun has arrived!!”
Around a hundred staff mbers of 'Like a Kaleidoscope' instantly turned their heads toward Kang Rojun.
“Ooh- so that’s him!!”
“...Wow, that face is just unreal??”
“Saying he’s handso doesn’t even begin to cut it.”
“Oh my god.”
Dozens of Japanese staff who hadn’t attended the earlier script reading gaped with their mouths open. Stunned by Kang Rojun’s visuals and presence. So even seed frozen in place. It was a fully plausible scene. Especially since recently in Japan, Vanguard’s popularity was soaring, and their songs were dominating the music charts, which added to the effect.
Among the staff, a man with a generally somber air was the first to approach Rojun.
“Finally, today is the day.”
It was Noguchi Ken, the main PD of 'Like a Kaleidoscope'.
“Hello, PD-nim.”
“Congratulations. Vanguard’s songs are really popular here in Japan. You’ll be holding a concert here soon too.”
“Yes! We’re working hard on it.”
The mont PD Noguchi Ken stepped aside, the Japanese actors who had also been present at the script reading rushed over. They showered Rojun with greetings and questions. But the male lead of 'Like a Kaleidoscope', Endo Takuto, whose presence exuded a noble aura was.
“......Hello.”
The last to approach, gave a brief greeting, and then walked straight to his waiting spot. It seed he was still dwelling on Writer Rojun’s remarks or directing during the script reading. Understandably, for Endo Takuto, it had been a pretty big blow to be critiqued in front of everyone. As he walked to his seat, he clenched his teeth hard.
'Just watch. Today, I’ll deliver a performance so satisfying that no one will even be able to offer direction.'
Indeed, ever since the script reading with Kang Rojun, Endo Takuto had been diving deeper into the script. Although he was hurt, if that hurt fueled the lead actor’s intensity, then for 'Like a Kaleidoscope' and Kang Rojun, it wasn’t a bad thing. Actually, it might even be for the better. That’s how it looked, at least, to Manager Kim Ki-baek, who was observing the situation from a slight distance.
'It's a bit- annoying, but. That much is nothing.'
An actor declaring he’ll act with venom- well, being a little curt could be overlooked. That was Manager Kim Ki-baek’s follow-up thought. However, if it crossed the line, he was also prepared to take appropriate asures.
Soon after, Kang Rojun moved to the makeup team, and the other actors of 'Like a Kaleidoscope' also hurried with their preparations.
Filming was already underway, but with Kang Rojun’s arrival, the shooting sequence had to be adjusted. PD Noguchi Ken and the staff moved to the set where Rojun’s scenes would be fild, and in no ti, caras, lights, and other filming equipnt were set up.
anwhile, the makeup team that gathered around Kang Rojun seed a bit flustered.
“......Uh, um.”
Seated in the chair, Rojun wondered what was going on.
‘Is there a problem?’
Soon, the female staff mber who seed to be the leader of the makeup team smiled and spoke.
“Rojun-nim, just a mont.”
She stepped away from Rojun and gathered the team to explain the reason for their confusion.
“What do we do? He’s already in perfect form, we can’t touch anything.”
“Sa here. How do you lay a hand on that absurdly perfect face?”
“Should we at least try the hair?”
It wasn’t that they didn’t want to do sothing to him, it was literally difficult to do anything. Of course, the character Rojun was playing, 'Murata Sho', already had a defined concept and costu. 'Murata Sho' was a legendary No. 1 host. So he had to look gorgeously handso with a touch of mysteriousness.
The reason the makeup team hesitated was purely due to the handsoness.
“Even the natural black hair... it looks just perfect right now to my eyes.”
“He’s just too! Too, too handso, touching anything might ruin it.”
“No matter what concept photo we compare him to, Rojun-nim’s real-life looks are a hundred tis better.”
“Wouldn’t it be fine to just leave him as is without doing anything?”
An actor so absurdly handso that no one wanted to touch him, this was a baffling situation even for the makeup team. In the end, they sent an SOS to PD Noguchi Ken.
“Um, PD-nim, we think Rojun-nim is best left untouched. He already surpasses the image of a legendary No. 1 host with ease...”
Even soone as experienced as PD Noguchi Ken, with years of work in Japan, found this situation...
“Huh?”
..pletely unprecedented.
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