Chapter 27: Chapter 27: In China? part 2
Frustrated Yeongseok couldn't see any way to break through, so he shouted in annoyance.
"Contact the airport security at Seowudu! The situation's dire, where are we supposed to go and what to do? AD, get in touch with the local agencies!"
AD, pushed around by the force of fans alongside Yeongseok, shouted out.
"Yes, PD-nim! A local agency employee left to speak directly with the airport security just a moment ago!"
Geon still hadn't entered the arrival hall, and fervent fans were pushing the security team aside to enter.
Despite the security team's efforts to push them back, handling the excited fans, numbering thousands, was challenging. As the fans pushed through to the entrance, airport security rushed out from behind Geon. They wielded batons, attempting to control the fans. Gradually, more than two hundred airport security personnel arrived. While they typically avoided using force, faced with highly excited fans, they didn't hesitate to use their batons, resulting in several injuries scattered throughout.
Though injuries occurred, the situation gradually improved, and eventually, the security team and airport security managed to clear a path.
Yeongseok, seeing the cleared path leading towards the parking lot created by the security team, shouted.
"Geon! Run! Quickly!"
Amidst the chaos, Geon, prompted by Yeongseok, followed him reflexively. The security team and airport security shouted, and as Geon passed by, fans clamored, trying to touch him.
Geon, running swiftly, glanced around.
As he was almost leaving the airport, he noticed a young girl, sitting on the ground, blood trickling from her head where she'd been struck by an airport security baton. She appeared a year or two younger than Geon, clutching something well-wrapped in her hand, wanting to catch Geon's attention despite her bleeding head.
Geon halted.
The fans, surprised by his sudden halt, didn't rush forward. Unaware of Geon's pause, Yeongseok had run far ahead.
Approaching the girl, Geon noticed the security team gesturing to prevent him from getting closer to the fans.
He glanced at the security team before looking back at the girl. He extended his hand, intending to help her up, feeling responsible for her injury. Instead, she pressed the wrapped item into Geon's hand.
Geon stared at the gift, then asked in Chinese, "Are you okay?"
The girl, taken aback by the Chinese, blinked rapidly, vigorously nodding.
Geon extended his hand again to help her up, apologizing, "I'm sorry for causing you harm."
Blushing, the girl still met Geon's gaze, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Hey, Geon! Hurry up! We don't have time! Quickly!"
Seeing Geon not following, Yeongseok, in a rush, turned back and shouted.
Geon glanced at Yeongseok, then at the girl, waving his hand. "Let's meet again if we can."
Geon swiftly ran off, and the fans, now aware, resumed their excited shouts.
As Geon swiftly left, the injured girl watched him, holding the hand that Geon had helped her up with, looking towards the exit where Geon had disappeared.
"Wow... You're so cool!"
While one fan's admiration turned into a permanent devotion, Geon and Yeongseok quickly approached a waiting limousine.
Inside, Daehae, with a worried expression, couldn't sit still, tapping the window impatiently, urging them to hurry. Jang Hyuk and Ji-ho, relieved, finally relaxed by the window.
Yeongseok boarded Geon onto the bus first, then approached Geon, who was being fussed over by Daehae. Daehae, leaving earlier with Jang Hyuk and Ji-ho, was unaware of the situation and was only concerned about Geon's delay.
Placing his hand on Geon's thigh, Yeongseok asked, "Are you okay, Geon?"
Geon scratched the back of his head, responding, "Yes, hyung. I'm sorry for causing trouble."
Yeongseok shook his head as if to say it wasn't a big deal. "Nah, in this line of work as a PD, I've seen it all. This isn't much. But seriously, Geon's popularity is something else. Dealing with passionate fans is already tough, but in China, known for intense fandom, it's even harder."
Ji-ho agreed, "That's right. Earlier, I was shocked when I ran. Geon's name was more prominent than mine or Jang Hyuk's."
Jang Hyuk chuckled, "Hey, hey, I knew it would be like this. They revealed his face in advance. If people don't go crazy over that face, are they even human? Look at Daehae. Even middle-aged ladies adore her. How would teenage girls not go wild?"
Daehae threw her handkerchief at Jang Hyuk's face. "Middle-aged lady?! I'm in my 20s, mister!"
Jang Hyuk, startled by the flying handkerchief, thought it was something dangerous and dodged, exclaiming, "Ouch! What's this, hey, it's a handkerchief! Hey, you're in your teens, right? From their perspective, we're all 'mister' and 'missus.'"
Observing their banter, Yeongseok chuckled and spoke into the radio, "Check. AD, you're in the second car, right? Stick close to us. We're heading straight to the venue. There's still time before the event, so fans shouldn't be too aggressive. Nonetheless, stay close to the entrance, and we'll arrange for the security team to enter first. Stay alert till the end."
"Check. PD-nim. We're closely tailing you. Local broadcasting station hurriedly employed extra security to send us to the venue. Our arrival video is already on YouTube. The other station was surprised and hired more security after seeing the video."
"Good news! Better than earlier. It won't get worse than this, but stay vigilant. We're in China."
The bus pulled into the parking lot of the Beijing National Grand Theater about 30 minutes later. Contrary to the filming team's expectation that there wouldn't be many fans gathered an hour before the event, numerous fans had camped out with tents since the night before to secure good spots. Although fans shouted and stomped their feet when the bus appeared in the distance, they couldn't approach since they'd have to go to the back of the line if they left their spot.
Inside the bus, Yeongseok's walkie-talkie buzzed.
"Chijik. PD-nim. The venue staff suggests parking at the VIP parking lot behind the event area to prepare for potential chaos. Please turn right towards the building from your current location."
Yeongseok acknowledged the message.
"Okay, got it. Driver! Turn towards the building's right side. Head to the VIP parking!"
As the bus turned towards the building's right side, several Chinese-looking staff, about a dozen or so, directed the vehicles. They conducted brief checks at the yellow barricades before allowing entry. Unlike the crowded exterior parking with numerous cars and people, the VIP parking located behind the building accommodated several luxury cars. It seemed to be a designated space for high-ranking officials or the venue's management.
Once the bus safely stopped, the filming team hurriedly unloaded their equipment.
"All right, actors. Filming starts as soon as you step off the bus. This is for the behind-the-scenes, so just act natural. No need for foul language, just be yourselves as usual."
After Yeongseok's instructions, everyone nodded in understanding.
Soon after, a signal came indicating that the camera setup outside the bus was complete. Yeongseok gestured with his fingers and spoke up.
"Okay, let's start filming. Actors, please disembark and head over to where the Chinese broadcasting station staff is waiting."
Five people, including Yeongseok, exited with bright expressions. Each of them was followed by a dedicated VJ. Accompanied by their respective VJs, they approached the staff waiting at the building's entrance.
Two personnel from the Chinese broadcasting station were surrounded by a newly hired security team. Over a hundred security personnel were on high alert, while the team that had come from Korea safeguarded the actors.
Yeongseok quickly went towards a woman who seemed to be an official and looked around for a translator.
"Where's the translator? AD!"
As he searched, the woman extended her hand and spoke.
"There's no need for a translator. Hello, I'm Son Lin from the Chinese Central Government Broadcasting Station, CCTV."
Surprised by her fluency in Korean, Yeongseok shook her hand.
"Oh? You're fluent in Korean. That's very welcoming from our end for smoother communication. Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Yeongseok, PD from Korean TVN Broadcasting Station."
Son Lin smiled slightly.
"I'm well aware, PD Kim. We monitor all the programs you produce. We also have high expectations for your upcoming entertainment program."
Yeongseok scratched his cheek.
"Oh, I see. Well, the upcoming show might not be that noteworthy, haha. But it's quite surprising how many fans turned up. It was almost risky at the airport."
Son Lin slightly lowered her head.
"We apologize for that. We didn't anticipate the impact would be this significant. Please accept our formal apologies."
Yeongseok waved his hand vigorously.
"Oh, no need for that. You've improved the security measures, which is great. Also, your Korean is excellent, not just the typical speech of ethnic Koreans but standard Korean. Have you studied in Korea?"
Son Lin nodded slightly.
"I hold an F5 visa for South Korea. My mother is Korean, and my father is Chinese. I attended school in Korea until middle school."
Understanding, Yeongseok nodded.
"I see. It felt like talking to a Korean. I'll rely on your assistance for the next two days."
As Son Lin smiled and nodded, Yeongseok introduced the actors to each other.
"Then, for the next two days, we'll be under the guidance of Son Lin from Chinese CCTV. Here's the lead actor, Jang Hyuk, and next to him is Oh Ji-ho, the tall guy with darker skin, and next to him is our heroine, Lee Daehae."
Son Lin exchanged greetings with each actor, bowing respectfully as they reciprocated.
Finally, to complete the introductions, Yeongseok stood beside Geon, waiting for the greetings to finish.
"And here is Kim Geon, who sang the requested 'OST Stigma.'"
Geon, taken aback, looked up. Son Lin approached him, grabbed his right wrist, and pulled him closer, indicating her heart. Geon, puzzled, looked at her.
"I've been waiting for you the most. In fact, everything that happened at the airport and this massive gathering of fans here, it's all because of you."
"Um... What do you mean, Miss Lin? It's because of Geon?"
Without understanding, Geon was bewildered. Yeongseok stepped in.
"What does it mean, Miss Lin? It's because of Geon?"
Without averting her gaze from Geon, Lin explained.
"The teaser trailer you provided has reached 4 million views on Chinese YouTube. Out of the 5.32 million calls received after the teaser aired, 3.97 million were inquiries about Geon. Even the inquiries to Seoul International Airport regarding Geon's arrival time in China reached tens of thousands. Geon is currently a hot topic in Chinese broadcasting. 'First come, first served' was our plan, but unintentionally, we've taken the lead. Hoho."
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