"They say Korea is full of beauties, but it seems that isn’t entirely the case."
Jiang Chen couldn’t help remarking.
Upon hearing this, Gao Zhengbi smiled. Having spent so many years in Korea, he should certainly have the most authority on this matter.
"When it comes to beauties, Korea definitely can’t surpass our country in numbers. It’s just that Korean female celebrities really are beautiful, but almost all of them have had plastic surgery. I think the natural endowment of Korean females generally isn’t as good as that of our country. Trying to find a few natural beauties in Korea is as difficult as ascending to heaven."
"They say that when a Korean has a daughter, the parents start saving up for her plastic surgery fund. Is that true?"
The two chatted as they walked.
"That’s basically the case, though it also depends on whether the family can afford it. If everyone could afford plastic surgery, then there would be beauties everywhere you looked."
Jiang Chen smiled wryly.
He had only met Gao Zhengbi once before and had taken him for a very rule-abiding man, but now it seemed, he was quite talkative.
"Mr. Jiang, aren’t you going to buy something?"
"I’ll have a look first."
Korean cosmetics are renowned worldwide and are greatly coveted by women back home.
Perhaps this was also why Lan Peizhi got into the cosmetics business.
One must never underestimate this industry.
Jiang Chen had once seen Ai Qian using a face mask.
It was from a Korean brand.
A simple wet tissue with some foam, yet it cost a hundred bucks.
He had found it quite unbelievable at the time.
They say the easiest money to make is from women and children, and that seems about right.
A face mask for a hundred, you can imagine the huge profit margin.
"Why is it so lively over there?"
As they wandered, Jiang Chen was drawn to a commotion and went with Gao Zhengbi to have a look, only to find a few female idols performing on the street.
This was quite a common sight in Korea.
After all, it’s not like Shenzhou; Korea has limited space and fierce competition. There aren’t many large stages available, so these kinds of street performances are a great opportunity to increase exposure.
People crowded around and out.
Posters were put up around the small, temporarily assembled stage.
Although the female idols on stage were young and pretty, dancing sensually and vigorously, Jiang Chen didn’t recognize any of them.
"Where’s Zhu Xun? Why isn’t Zhu Xun here?!"
A heart-wrenching scream sounded.
Jiang Chen turned his head and saw a bespectacled young man with messy hair shouting at the stage.
"Right! Wasn’t it said that Zhu Xun was coming too? Why deceive us?!"
Shouts rose and fell.
The new generation of female idols on stage were very diligent, displaying excellent professionalism, acting as if they heard nothing, and continuing their performance, energetically dancing their youthful bodies.
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but think of the actress who had accidentally barged into his room the night before.
It seemed she was supposed to be at this performance, but for some reason, she hadn’t appeared.
In his native country, it wasn’t easy to see a free performance, let alone encounter a celebrity.
Jiang Chen leisurely watched from the periphery of the crowd.
A familiar figure flashed in the corner of his eye, and he instinctively turned, only to see a woman wearing a mask about to leave.
Jiang Chen’s eyes moved, and he followed her.
Gao Zhengbi, not understanding, followed closely behind.
Jiang Chen quickly walked up to the woman and turned.
The woman, wrapped so tightly that even her hair was covered by the hood of her sweatshirt, stopped in her tracks. Those were the only eyes exposed, showing a touch of surprise.
Seeing this, Jiang Chen knew he hadn’t recognized the wrong person.
"What a coincidence."
Kim Joohyun looked around nervously, "Please keep your voice down."
"Why didn’t you join the performance? So many fans came for you, and they must be so disappointed by your absence."
Because she was wearing a mask, her expression was indiscernible, but the eyes are the windows to the soul.
From the only part of Kim Joohyun’s eyes that were visible, one could see her frustration and helplessness.
"Miss Kim Joohyun, would you like to have a coffee together?"
Jiang Chen said with a smile.
Kim Joohyun looked at him, hesitated for a moment, but then nodded.
They found a nearby coffee shop.
Gao Zhengbi sat close by.
After sitting down, Jiang Chen courteously offered his own name.
After all, until now, she probably didn’t even know his name.
Kim Joohyun still hadn’t removed her mask.
However, Jiang Chen was already used to it, as Pei Yunxi had done the same before with either sunglasses or goggles, as if they were permanently attached to her face.
Being a celebrity meant enjoying adoration from countless fans, but it always came at a cost.
This Korean pop idol’s situation was entirely different from Pei Yunxi’s.
"Did you not participate in the performance because of what happened last night?"
Jiang Chen took a sip of his coffee and asked calmly.
Kim Joohyun showed a look of nervousness in her eyes and said in a muffled voice, "Mr. Jiang, please, I beg you to keep it a secret for me!"
Jiang Chen’s smile remained unchanged, "Don’t worry, I’m not a paparazzo."
Upon hearing this, Kim Joohyun breathed a sigh of relief.
When she left last night, she had forgotten about this matter. After all, even though it was arranged by the company, if it got exposed, all the blame would certainly be thrown on her.
By then, her future would surely be ruined.
She had been thinking about finding a way to contact him, but she hadn’t expected to run into him so soon.
He didn’t make any unreasonable demands, not even asking for money.
This man, he must be a good person.
Kim Joohyun’s gaze towards Jiang Chen became friendlier.
"Thank you, Mr. Jiang," she said gratefully.
This was the first time Jiang Chen had encountered a celebrity with no airs at all. Even with Pei Yunxi, at the beginning of their acquaintance, she carried a haughtiness as if it were second nature to her.
Although last night’s action was not something to be proud of, he had a positive impression of this female artist.
As an adult, one should view issues with a dialectical perspective.
Just like Xia Wanqing, who had "sold herself."
In this world, not everyone can live as they wish.
"Ms. Kim Joohyun, your Chinese is so good, did you study it?"
"Yes, I learned it when I was a trainee. Studying Chinese was a compulsory course for us."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen felt somewhat moved.
These Koreans, though prideful in speech, were honest in action, knowing full well the importance of the Shenzhou market even if they seemed haughty on the outside.
"Ms. Kim Joohyun, with your strong Chinese skills, have you ever thought about developing your career in Shenzhou?"
Jiang Chen asked abruptly.
Kim Joohyun was caught off guard and paused in surprise.
"Developing my career in Shenzhou?"
Jiang Chen nodded and then took out a business card from his pocket.
"Actually, I run an entertainment company as well. This is my business card. If you’re interested, Ms. Kim Joohyun, you can find out more."
He placed the business card on the table and slowly pushed it towards her.
Kim Joohyun looked down and picked it up.
"Yes, it’s newly established, but I can assure you that we offer fair treatment to all artists."
Kim Joohyun didn’t respond; she was surely still trying to process the information.
"Ms. Kim Joohyun can consider it. Once you’ve made up your mind, you can contact me."
Jiang Chen didn’t persist. After finishing his coffee, he stood up and left.
Leaving Kim Joohyun sitting there, lost in thought.
He wasn’t saintly, nor did he possess a grand altruistic spirit to save the masses.
But since he had come across her, extending a hand seemed like not too much effort.
After all, she truly was a talented idol; in terms of skills, she should be leagues ahead of the domestic new-generation actresses.
Why did the Korean wave conquer the domestic market years ago?
Ultimately, it was a matter of the disparity in real talent.
Korean artists, wasn’t each one of them skilled in singing and dancing?
While in our country.
At most, they knew a bit of freestyle.
Moreover, if CX Entertainment were to grow and strengthen, it would require recruiting talents.
He was just extending an olive branch.
How she would choose was beyond his consideration.
Everyone has the right to choose their own path in life.
Sitting in her seat, lost in thought for a long while, Kim Joohyun, who had just caused trouble last night and had then been forcibly withdrawn from her schedule today, turned her head and through the showroom window, saw the young Eastern man laughing and talking as he left with his companion.
She bit her lip and gripped the business card tightly in her hand.