A rosy outlook on Korean culture
“There are a few things I would like to ask Chairman Kang. I beg your pardon? LA? when there… … .”
The reporter, who hurriedly flew to New York after receiving the editor’s permission, called his public relations team to ask for a meeting with Eugene, but got a clear answer.
It was said that Eugene had already flew to the west of the continent.
This time I came here not for a simple personal interview, but for a show that Eugene is promoting, so I thought that there was a possibility of meeting them, and it was a mistake to fly without scheduling a schedule in advance.
In fact, it is close to objectivity to some extent.
“Then may I ask when you will be back? Yeah? No promises? ah… … Then maybe I can go to LA and see you? Yes. We’re covering a truck show airing on the Food Network and a food truck battle on Netflix. ah! Okay. Then, I will meet them first and do research.”
Fortunately, thanks to his sincerity, he said that he would connect the Food Network and Netflix production team so that they could cover it.
However, the meeting with Chairman Kang, who had come so far, was still unknown.
In fact, the Korean media’s interest in Eugene was so fervent, that not a few media outlets were asking for coverage every day.
However, there were only a handful of successful interviews with Eugene over the years.
It was to the extent that he would volunteer for a public interview when there was a very special event.
However, this time, I had high expectations because I heard that Chairman Kang was directly involved with affection, but it was a great disappointment that he flew to LA.
Moreover, unlike in New York, in LA, privacy is very important, so it is rare that reporters are invited into the mansion, which makes it even more difficult.
At the time when the reporter who flew to New York was so disappointed, a special meeting was taking place at Eugene’s home, which is widely known as the most spacious and expensive mansion in Bel Air, the most luxurious residential area in Los Angeles.
“This is Korea’s top star Kang Dong-woo, and also famous actress Jang Yu-ra.”
When visiting LA, Eugene has been inviting various movie stars and pop stars to party every day, but recently, a little stranger to Hollywood stars who are usually invited to the party, are invited to the party and openly introduced to other stars. was becoming
“This is Michael, Eugene’s friend.”
At Eugene’s introduction, famous Hollywood actors greet and greet the stars from Korea one by one.
If it had been just an ordinary party, this kind of hospitality would not have been possible.
However, as Eugene introduced himself, they had no choice but to be interested.
Eugene’s influence in Hollywood is far more direct and broader than that in New York.
Many Wall Street bankers welcomed and feared the deal with Eugene, but this is an unconditional welcome.
So far, there has not been a single film that Eugene has invested in and has not been successful.
Also, unlike other investment fields, in the case of a movie, he had already seen it or knew to a certain extent whether it was successful or not, so he did not mind investing much without thinking about it.
Just remembering a movie you’ve seen one day, and selecting one from the list of upcoming movies in front of him, that’s enough.
And since Eugene’s wealth is more than enough to invest in all Hollywood films produced every year, no production company refused his investment.
Moreover, while making such a large amount of investment, there has never been a single annoying request.
At best, it’s all about sending invitations to a party at his mansion, throwing parties before and after filming, or sending gifts. All of them are rather welcome.
So, the actor, the director, the producer, of course, wanted to have a good relationship with Eugene and wanted to attend his party.
Now, no one in Hollywood could deny that Eugene was the most influential person in Hollywood.
“Nice to meet you. This is Saldana.”
“ah! Nice to meet you. The Guardians, which was released this year, were very good.”
This is the person who appeared through Eugene’s introduction. There’s nothing wrong with being friendly.
After Eugene introduced me once, actors, directors, and producers gathered one by one to greet each other.
“Nice to meet you. This is Luis Hestor. I am the head director at CAA.”
And, of course, the agency could not be left out.
“ah! nice to meet you If it’s a CAA, I know it well.”
A meeting with a senior executive of the agency will be as helpful as establishing a relationship with a famous actor.
The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is said to be the two largest agencies in the United States along with William Morris Endeavor (WME).
Not only actors and singers, but also sports stars, directors, composers, and writers, it is a place that acts on behalf of freelancers in all fields. is about to fill the
Although not well known in Korea yet, in a few years or so, not a few Korean actors and singers will sign contracts with these two major agencies. Eugene was advancing the time a little.
As he intended, Eugene, who had been watching Korean actors and singers make friends with Hollywood celebrities, retreated from afar and found a quiet place.
Joanna with a glass of wine approached Eugene’s side.
“I never thought the boss had such a great love for Korea.”
This time, Joanna, who came to LA after a long time, asked a very serious question.
It was because Eugene, whom she knew, and his recent behavior were a little different.
“It’s not that I have a particularly great affection for it.”
“But who sees the boss’s actions now, who can’t help but think so? Investing in Korean conglomerates can be viewed from an economic point of view, but there is no reason to do anything other than making Korean food culture take root in the United States or helping Korean celebrities establish themselves in the United States without special affection, right? ”
“Think of it as an investment. Just because I made a lot of money in America, I already have a lot of support in Korea. And if people know that I am doing something here for Korean culture to enter the United States, that support will be strengthened.”
At Eugene’s words, Joanna nodded her head. She knew very well how much Koreans love Eugene right now.
“And if Korean culture can take root in America, it can all be of great help to me. No matter how rich Fortune is, I still won’t be able to get into the mainstream of Americans. ah! Of course, I’m not talking about social things. That is, in terms of overall awareness. To the average American citizen, I am just a stranger from the East.”
Ordinary Americans could not even tell if Eugene was Korean, Chinese, or Indian.
Foreigners know better than Americans how ignorant Americans are about the world outside of their home country.
To Americans, any country other than their own almost feels like an alien world.
If you ask ordinary Americans to find Korea on a world map, except for those living in big cities like New York or LA, they will usually point you to the wrong place.
“Of course, it would be helpful for Korea to be known to Americans. However… … Frankly, it’s not easy. Rather, food culture seems promising, but can other cultures become familiar to Americans?”
Joanna still tilted her head. The biggest problem was that it wasn’t a problem because it was Korea, but that it was the East, or Asia if it was expanded a bit.
To Americans, Asia feels farther away than Africa.
Since blacks have already joined the mainstream in the United States to some extent, Africa feels a lot closer at heart than Asia.
But it’s Asian culture. Of course, Japanese culture is to some extent rooted in the United States, but it felt too fuzzy to think that Korean culture would be like that.
“I’m investing because I think there is a lot of potential.”
“ah! okay.”
Joanna reflected for a moment that she had doubted the boss. Until now, there has never been a single time when Eugene’s choice was wrong.
“but… … This is not an economical investment, is it? To be honest, Korean culture is a minor among minors in America. Of course, I know best that bosses are great, but do you think you can do whatever you want on the cultural side?”
No matter how much Joanna was, this could not be understood.
As she said, Korean culture is a change of change in America. It is Korea, and Korean culture, that is less well known than Indian, Chinese, or Vietnamese culture.
For Americans, Korean culture is nothing more than an incomprehensible and uninteresting frontier, where they wear shabby clothes and talk to each other in a strange language.
It would be rather strange to hear and understand that such a Korean culture would take root in the United States.
“Five years ahead.”
But Eugene was very confident.
“yes? Five years?”
“uh. In five years, Americans will know all too well about Korea. You will laugh and cry while watching Korean movies, listening to Korean music, and watching Korean dramas. Korean films will sweep major categories such as Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars, teens in America will hum #1 Korean songs on Billboard, and 10 million Americans will watch Korean dramas and imitate their actions.”
“haha! No matter how bossy it is… … .”
Joanna looks at Eugene with a puzzled expression on her face and is unable to speak.
To be honest, even Eugene in the past would have said he was crazy if someone said at this time that it would be like that in 5 years.
But Eugene now knew all too well what was going to happen.
“It’s unbelievable. No matter how influential the boss is, culture isn’t just about capital.”
“Would you like to make a bet?”
“yes? Bet?”
At Eugene’s suggestion, Joanna paused for a moment. Come to think of it, her boss has never made a wrong choice yet.
But this is really something completely different. American teenagers hum Korean songs?
Korean films at the Academy Film Festival? Korean dramas watched by 10 million people? Neither is feasible.
“like! do! That bet.”
Joanna found a way to beat the boss for the first time.
“How about giving the winner what they want?”
“Anything?”
“okay. anything.”
“like! Never forget that bet! Everything the boss just said must come true! Oscar Best Director, Billboard #1, 10 Million Dramas!”
Joanna said triumphantly, raising her glass.
“Of course. If one of the three things doesn’t work, I’ll lose.”
“No matter how great the boss is, he can’t do such nonsense.”
“okay. No matter how great I am But when did I say I made it myself? It means that the power of Korean culture will achieve that level of achievement by then.”
Eugene was very confident. It’s not that he’s trying to do anything, it’s just that he knows.
