Chapter 133: Backer (1)

Chapter 133: Backer (1)

A smile spread across the chairman's face as he stroked the head of his grandson, who had regained his lost laughter. Even so, he pondered.

That new actor from Korea, what was his name Kang Woojin?'

He continued to nurture a misunderstanding, a misconception, all by himself.

It must be that he has a family member or someone important who is in a similar situation as my grandson. I'm sure of it; sign language is too difficult to learn just as a hobby or out of interest.'

The situation seemed quite plausible to the chairman, almost inevitable.

Learning other languages might not be easy, but there are rewards that follow. However, sign language is different. It has limited use compared to other languages and is used by only a select few.'

In other words, sign language wasn't something one would learn to enhance a career or resume. At this point, the chairman began to reminisce about the past, those incredibly difficult days, as he looked into his grandson's eyes.

The sign language he learned solely for his grandchild.

I know all too well. As much as it's done for love, it must have been hell.'

Although he didn't know the face or voice of this actor from another country, the chairman felt a strong sense of kinship with Kang Woojin. Regardless of his ignorance, it was impressive enough that he became an actor while learning such a language.

Then he paused.

Wait. But why Japanese Sign Language? Why not Korean Sign Language? Ah- right, maybe this important person is related to Japan.'

His misconceptions were now compounded with another error. At this moment, his grandson, beaming continuously, added more in sign language.

[It seems Kang Woojin is also good at Japanese Sign Language and speaks Japanese really well! He seemed very comfortable conversing with the PD and the staff.]

[Is that so?]

Japanese too? The chairman felt a bit more certain and genuinely admired.

Japanese Sign Language and Japanese language too? He's not just an ordinary actor. There's a good reason he's making noise,'

The chairman mused inwardly for a moment before shifting his thoughts. He focused on the smiling face of his grandson in front of him.

Anyway, I'm grateful. He's given my grandson his lost smile.'

It had been almost 10 years since he had seen his grandson smile like that. Behind the smiling grandson, on a desk, were several documents. On the cover of these documents was a company name.

Kashiwa.

Kashiwa Group', a major conglomerate within the top ten of Japan's business hierarchy. The Kashiwa Group' engaged in numerous businesses and subsidiaries, including chemicals, textiles, construction, housing, food, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. They had deep business ties with various corporations, including major Korean companies. The chairman was the top predator and owner of this the Kashiwa Group', his name being Yoshimura Hideki.

A blatant display of a chaebol family.

But even a chairman of a chaebol family is human. There was no escaping the sudden tragedy that struck. About 10 years ago, there was a grievous piece of news.

Kashiwa Group's Vice President Tragically Dies in Car Accident; His Wife and Son Were in the Car'

It was Chairman Hideki's eldest son. The car accident involved the couple and their four-year-old son. Tragically, the parents died instantly, but miraculously, the young son survived.

He was protected by his mother's embrace.

Due to the accident, the four-year-old grandson lost his hearing and ability to speak. Of course, Hideki had three sons and a large extended family. However, the loss of his highly promising eldest son and daughter-in-law, and their young son, who was born after much difficulty, acquiring a disability at the age of four, was a heavy blow.

To Chairman Hideki, the survival of his grandson, Yoshimura Shingo, was a great relief, despite the heartbreak of losing his son and daughter-in-law.

Given the circumstances, Shingo, to Chairman Hideki, was as precious as life itself. He had no choice but to cherish him dearly.

I must do whatever it takes to save Shingo.'

Chairman Hideki started raising his four-year-old grandson, Yoshimura Shingo, by himself. Despite leading a major corporation, he had to learn sign language and educate himself about the deaf and hard of hearing.

However, as Shingo grew, he gradually lost his zest for life.

Being the grandson of a conglomerate's magnate, Shingo faced envy and jealousy from those around him, but the primary reason for his isolation was his disability. At school and in the world, Shingo was alone, completely isolated. Consequently, around the age of 8, his expressions faded, and by 10, he had disconnected from the world. He even developed severe depression, worsening his condition.

This continued until he was 14.

For about 10 years, Shingo hadn't laughed, always wearing a rigid, robot-like expression. Apart from his sign language teacher, he cut off all interaction with people. Chairman Hideki, of course, tried everything possible for his grandson, from psychiatric treatments to various therapies, pouring money into them. He mastered sign language and devotedly cared for Shingo whenever he had time.

But it all seemed meaningless.

No matter how many hundreds of millions were spent, it couldn't bring back Shingo's laughter or vitality. He became increasingly confined to his room, his spirit dying. His only pastime was gaming and watching various videos. That's when Shingo started watching Netflix's Profiler Hanryang'.

Shingo had always enjoyed Korean dramas.

Tired of the formulaic acting and direction in Japanese content, he also harbored a desire to escape from Japan. Whatever the reason, Shingo became hooked on Park Dae-ri'. The reason was simple.

A car accident.'

The backstory of Park Dae-ri' had similarities to his own life. Although the context was very different, Park Dae-ri' also lost his parents in a car accident, just like Shingo. Naturally, Shingo became interested in Kang Woojin, who portrayed Park Dae-ri.

Korean actor Kang Woojin was impressive.

Despite being a newcomer, he was making waves in both Korea and Japan. Shingo even found his YouTube channel, where Kang Woojin, a Korean, was posting cover song videos in fluent Japanese. This led Shingo to attend the recording of Ame-talk Show!'.

Returning from the show, Shingo had miraculously regained his laughter.

No amount of money or methods could revive the spirit in Shingo, who seemed to be losing his will to live. But suddenly, there was an explosion of life in him. Chairman Hideki's near-ecstatic gratitude was natural.

But what if this project fails? Everyone, including the original fans, will turn their backs, and they fear being criticized for including a Korean actor. Cowards.

At this point, Kang Woojin.

Swoosh.

Picked up the The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' script lying in front of him. Though intended for the meeting, Woojin used it as a portal to the void space.

Thump!

Secretly entering the void space, Kang Woojin quickly moved towards the white rectangle. There were seven white rectangles floating there. Among them, Woojin noticed the first change.

Ah, damn, as expected, it's come to this?

-[7/Script (Title: The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger), Grade C]

The rating of The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger, which had been A+, had fallen to C. While A+ was the top-tier, C was just average. Woojin let out a sincere sigh.

Ah, average is a bit disappointing. If we can secure the remaining investment, could it go back up?

However, the beginning of next year was still far off. It was uncertain what could happen in the meantime, and Woojin had no way of predicting it.

And yet, although still faint.

It's the entertainment industry after all. Full of ups and downs.

The shadow of a backer was beginning to emerge.

Afterward.

Having finished the meeting with Director Kyotaro, Kang Woojin took a flight back to Korea on the afternoon of the 30th.

Meanwhile, Hwalin, who had finished recording Ame-talk Show!' as a guest before Woojin, had already arrived in Korea a day earlier. When Woojin arrived in Korea, the airport was quiet. The reason was simple: he had entered the country incognito. Thanks to this, Woojin, who quietly got into a van and,

-Phew'

breathed in the air of Korea, feeling it after a long time. At that moment, Choi Sung-gun, sitting in the passenger seat, offered encouragement.

'The Eerie Sacrifice of a Stranger' will be fine. The director's reputation is high enough to prevent it from falling through.

Yes, CEO~nim. It's okay.

That's good. Well, unfortunately, there's not much we can do at this point. We've already done enough publicity and attracted attention. Honestly, you don't even have the time to worry about that project right now.

I understand.

We just have to wait and see. Anyway, Woojin. You've had a tough time in Japan. I'd like to give you a few days off, but unfortunately, your schedule is too tight. Just go home today and do nothing but sleep.

Then, Choi Sung-gun closed his diary and recited the scheduled plan.

From the blind preview of Drug Dealer' to the teaser poster shoot for Island of the Missing', we're fully booked.

The next day, early morning on the 31st, Tokyo, Japan.

It was the last Monday of August. Although August was ending, Japan's weather was as hot as Korea's.

On this morning as well.

But regardless of the weather, a high-end luxury sedan smoothly drove out of a grand residence. It was Chairman Hideki's car. Another car followed behind, carrying bodyguards. Chairman Hideki, seated in the back of the front car, was visible with his white-flecked eyebrows and dressed in a suit.

-Rustle.

While opening the prepared newspaper, Chairman Hideki called his chief secretary in the passenger seat.

Do you know of a Korean actor named Kang Woojin?

Caught off guard by the sudden question, she turned her head and replied immediately.

Yes, Japan has been quite noisy recently because of that actor. So, yes, I am aware of him.

I see.

May I ask why do you ask, sir?

Find out everything you can about the Korean actor Kang Woojin, as quickly as possible.

Sir?

At her question, Chairman Hideki murmured softly.

I have to express my gratitude to him, that's all you need to know.

****

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