That’s because there was no market in China right after opening up.
Korea, which was said to have the second-highest economic power in Asia after Japan, had a national income of $10,000 and Japan’s $40,000, which was larger than the current gap between Korea and Thailand, so there was no need to go anywhere other than Japan.
Even at that time, the audience statistics were a mess, so no one knew the exact number, and the market was small, so if 1 million people came in, it would be on the same level as the current mega hit of 15 million.
Nevertheless, I am just grateful that they flew all the way to Korea alone to provide services and promote it.
For reference, Interview with the Vampire, which Tom came alone to promote, drew 350,000 viewers and ended as a medium hit by the standards of the time.