"My stock is falling, but your followers are rising—this is too good." 'True Education' Kim Mu-yeol and So Sok-sa (CEO), 15 years of 'true loyalty' [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

'True Education' has propelled Kim Mu-yeol into a global actor, and heartfelt support is pouring in for his growth. In particular, So Sok-sa (CEO) shared a touching story, conveying a long-standing bond and trust.

Yeo Jun-yeong (CEO), founder of the agency Prein Global (PreinTPC), recalled his first meeting with Kim Mu-yeol on the 15th via his Instagram.

He posted a screenshot with the caption: "Historical Twitter (now X). The beginning of PreinTPC. January 12, 2011." The image included a message Yeo (CEO) had sent to Kim Mu-yeol: "This is Yeo Jun-young, who greeted you in the makeup room yesterday. Did your morning interview go well? Thanks to you, I enjoyed the wonderful performance. Let's have a drink sometime." Kim Mu-yeol replied with a polite greeting: "Yes, CEO. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you properly. I will visit you soon. Thank you."

Following the box office success of the OTT Netflix series 'True Education', Yeo (CEO) left an emotional message for Kim Mu-yeol: "I am so happy that people now recognize you. The other morning, I was alone in my office and suddenly started crying. My stock is falling, but your followers are rising—it's too good." Indeed, Kim Mu-yeol's SNS follower count surged to nearly 1 million shortly after the release of 'True Education' on the 5th, making him a hot topic.

Along with this, Yeo (CEO) wrote a lengthy post: "I kept this screenshot for 15 years because I truly wanted to post it someday. I held back because I was worried people would ask what was so 'historical' about it. Regardless of what anyone says, this is the historical first Twitter exchange between me and Kim Mu-yeol. Since I said 'yesterday' on January 12, we must have met on the 11th. Kim Mu-yeol is known as PreinTPC's first actor, but the TPC organization was formed long after Kim Mu-yeol's contract, when I met Ryu Seung-ryong. In that sense, Kim Mu-yeol is the founder."

The post then traced back to the filming of the movie 'War of the Dogs' (2012). Yeo (CEO) recalled: "Kim Mu-yeol calls me 'mom.' I think it was during an independent film shoot in Gangwon-do or somewhere else. I brought a lot of food I had prepared, and when I went to the set, people said I looked like a mother. From then on, he has called me 'Eomni' (a cute variation of 'mom'). It was a poignant set where an older director, who had never made a film before, was shooting with unknown (now famous) actors without any money. No matter who brought food, it felt like a mother's touch. Yet, they managed to create such an excellent film. 'War of the Dogs.' (Kim) Mu-yeol worked without a salary, so I couldn't even cover my gas money."

He continued with a close anecdote: "The first thing Mu-yeol and I did was produce a play with his friends. Although every show was sold out, the ticket price was only 5,000 won as Mu-yeol wanted. After the performance, we drank beer on the street, and the money we earned didn't even cover the cost of the hotel we stayed in."

Yeo (CEO) also shared: "The following year, the 'Thrill Me' performance at the Tokyo Galaxy Theater was a great gift from Mu-yeol. 'Thrill Me' by Woongmu was my dream, but by the time I met him, he had already graduated, so there was no way for me to see it. Yet, he appeared in it (I like to believe it was for me). Coincidentally, it was my birthday. Before the show, he went out to the city, bought a Comme des Garçons shirt, and gave it to me with a letter saying he would treat me to a nice meal later, then went on stage. It was too small for me to wear." He also revealed this simple episode shared only between the two.

Yeo (CEO) then reflected: "I had forgotten those romantic times for a long time, but recently I have seriously considered wanting to throw my heart at someone wonderful like Kim Mu-yeol again, just as I did back then. This is also a gift from Mu-yeol."

Yeo (CEO), who also helped Kim Mu-yeol overcome burnout, recalled: "When things were tough, (Kim Mu-yeol and I) usually met at the Han River. He once said, 'I'm quitting acting and will do something else for the rest of my life.' A few years later, he decided firmly, 'I don't want to be famous; I just want to act quietly.' What should I do? Are we both done for now?" he humorously remembered.

He added: "Fifteen years ago at the 'Three Musketeers' theater. In the makeup room, when Kim Mu-yeol introduced me, Kim Jin-soo said, 'Wow, you're lucky to have caught Mu-yeol.' At the time, I thought, 'What is he talking about? Isn't Mu-yeol the lucky one?' But Mr. Kim Jin-soo, you were right."

Given this, the success of 'True Education', driven by Kim Mu-yeol for Kim Mu-yeol, feels particularly special. Yeo (CEO) said, "Now, people all over the world are starting to recognize Kim Mu-yeol. As a mother, I am so grateful and thankful. Since mothers are the ones who talk about the old days, I'm writing this memory, but there is so much to say, so I'll end this with Part 1." He could not hold back his emotions.

In response, Kim Mu-yeol replied, "I will work harder and have more fun. Romantically. Cheoeum Cheoreom. Now, that's enough," adding to the touching moment.

Furthermore, the post included a heartwarming comment: "I met actor Kim Mu-yeol when I worked as a staff member for 'Yeo Hwa' in 2014. He was a true senior from whom I learned a lot while working together. I always support you."

Netizens also reacted enthusiastically: "I'm in Shanghai, China. My friends say they want to go to Korea to see Kim Mu-yeol," "So touching," "I can't believe such romance exists; my tears are falling," "The icon of 'True Education'," "I can feel the love and hearts popping," "Actor Kim Mu-yeol who makes me think of 'Yeolmu kimchi' even more," "All our history starts with you and me. A beginning that makes us proud of each other," "The current success makes me so happy," and more.

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*This content was translated by AI.