Chapter 1613: Fellow Townsman

Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, especially abroad, encountering a fellow countryman—that feeling is quite nice.

Even though this fellow countryman seemed a bit afraid of him.

Zhao Fusheng thought to himself.

"Hello."

The young man standing opposite Zhao Fusheng bowed respectfully and greeted: "My name is Han Shi, I'm from Northeast China."

"Oh!"

Zhao Fusheng laughed: "What a coincidence, I'm from Ninghai. And you?"

"My family is from Danjiang." Han Shi was startled, then relaxed a lot.

Fellow townsmen meeting, tears in their eyes. Although he didn't know who this mysterious man with several black-clad bodyguards was, from the aura he exuded, Han Shi clearly knew this was no pushover.

This was the backstage of the Busan Film Festival, and this man could openly walk around with bodyguards and a staff badge—clearly not an ordinary person.

"So you've debuted as an artist?"

Zhao Fusheng asked, somewhat curious.

"Yes."

Han Shi nodded to Zhao Fusheng: "Debuted the year before last, now a singer."

"Oh, I see."

Zhao Fusheng smiled, then looked at Han Shi: "Do me a favor and translate for these people, okay?"

"Ah, no problem."

Han Shi hesitated for a moment but still agreed.

After all, the other party was his fellow countryman; if he could help, he should.

"Tell them that no matter the reason, a bunch of grown men bullying a few girls is nothing to be proud of." Zhao Fusheng didn't make it difficult for Han Shi and said directly.

Han Shi hesitated for less than a few seconds, then faithfully translated for Zhao Fusheng.

Then, the faces of those young Koreans turned ugly. They looked at Zhao Fusheng and Han Shi, about to speak, when a group of young people who had been standing with Han Shi suddenly walked over.

The leader, a very handsome guy, glared and said something. The young men exchanged glances, snorted, and turned to leave.

"What did your teammate say to them?"

Zhao Fusheng could tell that those people originally had something to say, but left after Han Shi's teammate spoke.

"He said we outnumber them and are seniors, so if they're not convinced, a fight today would make them regret it." Han Shi said helplessly.

Huh?

Zhao Fusheng was stunned, staring wide-eyed at the young man who looked smug.

This guy was really something special!

"His name is Kim Hee-cheol."

Han Shi introduced him to Zhao Fusheng: "He's a really good person."

"I can see that."

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily and said to Han Shi: "Tell him my surname is Zhao, Zhao Fusheng. Today I owe him a favor. If he ever has a chance to come to the capital, he can look me up at Future Group."

With that, he patted Han Shi on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Hu Donghai handed the other party a business card. He could tell that Zhao Fusheng seemed to have a good impression of this fellow townsman from the Northeast.

"Zhao Fusheng?"

Holding the business card, Han Shi was silent for a long time.

He felt that this name sounded very familiar.

"Shi, who was that? A big shot from China?"

At that moment, Kim Hee-cheol came over with a smile, waving for the girls who had been crying earlier to leave. He recognized the leader of the new JYP girl group, but this wasn't the time for catching up.

"Seems like it."

Han Shi suddenly remembered an article he had read before coming to Korea. If it really was that person, then this time he might have helped a big shot.

"What do you mean 'seems like it'?" Kim Hee-cheol looked puzzled.

Han Shi smiled bitterly: "Because I'm not sure if it's him. If it really is, Hee-cheol, if you ever don't want to be an idol in Korea, you can go to China. With his support, you wouldn't have to worry about becoming popular."

"Really?"

Kim Hee-cheol was startled, never expecting his friend to say that.

"Let's go, let's go." Han Shi was about to speak when the agent came to call them. Everyone had to head toward the stage; their performance was next.

...

...

Zhao Fusheng didn't think much of it. He had helped on a whim, and meeting a decent fellow townsman was an unexpected bonus.

"I didn't expect to meet a Chinese person here."

Hu Donghai followed beside Zhao Fusheng, speaking softly.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "It's normal. The Korean market is ultimately too small; they inevitably seek external market development."

Hu Donghai nodded, half-understanding. Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's words were beyond his comprehension.

Zhao Fusheng didn't explain further. In fact, the external market for the Korean entertainment industry could be divided into four parts.

First, naturally, the Japanese market. Whether singers or TV dramas, Koreans are keen on exploring the Japanese market, and事实证明, their efforts have been very successful. From the early Korean dramas represented by the handsome Bae Yong-joon to later idol groups like Girls' Generation and TVXQ, they achieved great results in Japan, making entertainment companies a lot of money.

Second, Koreans are also keen on cultivating the Southeast Asian market, including Thailand, the Philippines, and other places. These countries were once deeply influenced by Hong Kong entertainment, but now they are all occupied by Koreans.

Finally, there is the Chinese market. In fact, the Korean entertainment industry had not paid much attention to the Chinese market, partly because China's entertainment industry was underdeveloped and partly due to China's closed national policies.

But with the development of reform and opening up, China's economic growth has accelerated. Korea finally realized that its neighboring big country has a very vast market. Even occupying just a few percent is a big cake.

Additionally, due to their fanatical worship of their American daddy and their so-called national pride, Koreans' desire for the mainstream European and American market has reached an extreme level.

Actors like Lee Byung-hun, who played supporting roles in Hollywood films, are called international stars in Korea, showing the degree of worship for Europe and America among some people in this country.

At this moment in the Korean entertainment industry, several large agencies have noticed the importance of the Chinese market and have begun training some Chinese trainees internally to enter the mainland market.

The most obvious representatives are undoubtedly JYP and SM, two of the three major companies.

The group Han Shi belongs to is a boy band launched by SM the year before last, reportedly formed by packing together a bunch of trainees of similar age.

To put it bluntly, success or failure didn't matter; with over a dozen members, there was always one to suit the fans.

"Where did you go?"

When Zhao Fusheng returned to the lounge, Jiang Wen and Park Sun-young were sitting there. Seeing Zhao Fusheng enter, Jiang Wen said helplessly, "I've noticed you can never stay put in one place."

"Haha."

Hearing Jiang Wen's words, Zhao Fusheng waved his hand: "I just went out to see the excitement and take a stroll. What, are you done over there?"

"Done with what?"

Jiang Wen said irritably: "It's only just started; it's supposed to go on until evening. Haven't you seen? The performers are all rehearsing."

"I see."

Zhao Fusheng finally understood why all those singers were gathered there.

So it was because they were here for rehearsals.

It made sense. In the Korean entertainment industry, idol singers have no status compared to film actors. Not only that, at large film festival award ceremonies or openings, while idol singers dance and sing on stage, most of the actors below sit upright with serious expressions.

"Then I won't hang around here with you."

Zhao Fusheng shrugged and said without hesitation.

Are you kidding? Waiting until late at night? He didn't have the leisure to stay here with a bunch of Korean filmmakers enjoying themselves.