Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 393

The next day.

The [Flowing] team arrived in Cannes. 

Seo-jun decided to wait at the hotel that the Cannes Film Festival had arranged for them, as he thought it would be too crowded to go out and greet them.

“Seo-jun hyung!”

He turned around at the sound of someone calling him and saw Kim Han-seok running towards him with a smile. 

Unlike the energetic Kim Han-seok, the others looked a bit tired.

“The schedule starts the day after tomorrow, so you can rest today and go sightseeing tomorrow. Oh, the actors and Director Min have a screening of [One Shot] tomorrow evening, so you have to come back by then for the red carpet event.”

Two days ago, when he arrived first, one of Danhong’s staff assigned them rooms and briefly told them about the upcoming schedule. The staff smiled as he saw the people nodding their heads with half-closed eyes.

“Then you can go back to your rooms after dinner.”

There were Korean restaurants in France, so the [Flowing] team could enjoy warm soup and white rice. The people who had eaten well went back to their rooms, and Kim Han-seok, who was still energetic, chatted with Seo-jun.

***

The next day.

As evening came, reporters and people in tuxedos gathered in front of the Lumiere Theater. 

They set up ladders on the ground, checked their cameras, and prepared to upload their articles right away.

“They’re doing a live broadcast for less than 30 minutes?”

“It’s YouTube. And the views are higher than you think.”

Korean was heard here and there.

It was because there wasn’t much time left until the screening of [One Shot], starring Lee Ji-seok and Kim Jong-ho.

“I wonder how many people will come for a Korean movie.”

“If the director or the actors have some connections, maybe some will come…”

One of the Korean reporters scratched his chin.

[One Shot]’s director Kim Joo-hyung had been invited to Cannes Film Festival and won an award before, but that was in the short film category.

“Well, Seo-jun is coming for sure.”

“Evan Block and Rachel Hill might come too. They also filmed Escape together.”

Evan Block and Rachel Hill were also cameos connected by Seo-jun’s network.

“I wonder if the actors from Survivors will come.”

“I didn’t hear any news about them entering the country… It would be a hit if they did.”

As it was a competitive category, quite a few foreign reporters also started to take their places next to the red carpet. People also came one by one to watch the red carpet.

A moment later.

The red carpet event for [One Shot] began.

The first ones to appear were the director and actors of [One Shot]. The actors who were used to the flashing lights and the director who looked a bit awkward were seen.

“Please stand together!”

“Lee Ji-seok! Kim Jong-ho! Let’s take a two-shot!”

The loudest voices were from the Korean reporters.

The director and actors of [One Shot] took some photos below and then went up the stairs to take more photos.

As the shutter sounds died down a bit, new actors appeared.

It was Seo-jun and the [Flowing] team, who were expected to come.

Seo-jun, Kim Ho-young, and Choi Hyun-hee, who had attended quite a few film festivals before, smiled and posed for photos, but Kim Han-seok, who still looked uncomfortable in a suit, stood awkwardly amid the flashes. 

Director Min Hee-kyung also smiled nervously with her lips trembling.

“Straighten your back. If you get caught here, it’ll be on the news in Korea right away.”

“Ah!”

Kim Han-seok quickly straightened his back at Seo-jun’s whisper. 

He looked like he was putting too much effort into it, and people smiled at his squeaky appearance. 

They could imagine what kind of article would come out from the cameras that kept shooting.

“Director Min Hee-kyung!”

“Actor Kim Ho-young! Look over here!”

“Actress Choi Hyun-hee! Actor Kim Han-seok!”

“Seo-jun! Over here!”

Voices calling from everywhere and shutter sounds were heard.

The [One Shot] team on the stairs greeted the [Flowing] team warmly.

“Thanks for coming.”

“Are you not coming tomorrow?”

“I have to!”

Lee Ji-seok and Kim Jong-ho laughed at Seo-jun’s words.

“And there are still more to come.”

“Huh?”

At Seo-jun’s words, a new car stopped at the end of the red carpet.

Evan Block and Rachel Hill, who they thought might or might not come, got out of the car and cheers erupted.

“It’s been a long time, everyone.”

Evan Block spoke in fluent Korean with a smile.

“I didn’t expect you to come…”

“We have a connection with the same work, right? And I’m curious about what kind of movie it is.”

Rachel Hill also spoke in fluent Korean with a smile, surprising Lee Ji-seok and Kim Jong-ho. 

The [One Shot] team and the [Flowing] team couldn’t hide their expressions of wonder. 

They had heard about it, but they spoke better than they imagined.

“Ah, this is our movie director.”

Director Kim Joo-hyung, who was staring at the Hollywood stars with a stunned face, quickly reached out his hand at Lee Ji-seok’s introduction. 

Evan Block shook his hand with a smile.

It was a good scene.

The cameras flashed like lightning, but the surprise was not over yet.

Two cars stopped side by side and four people got out.

Everyone was shocked, not just surprised, when they saw the faces of the four people. 

Only Seo-jun, who knew in advance, waved his hand with a big smile.

“Davis Garrett?!”

“Milan Chellen is here too!”

“Director Jeffrey Rodex! I didn’t hear any news about him coming to Cannes!”

“Vanessa Olson too!”

The team of [Survivors], which had made last summer a sensation, had arrived.

The flashes that had paused for a moment flashed like thunder. 

People flocked to them with voices calling their names.

The distributors of [One Shot] and the Cannes Film Festival staff moved urgently.

“What are you doing here…?”

“We came to see the movie.”

Director Jeffrey in a black suit and Milan Chellen smiled and greeted Kim Jong-ho and then Davis Garrett and Vanessa Olson greeted Seo-jun.

“This is the director of Uncle Jong-ho’s movie. And this is the director of my movie.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeffrey Rodex.”

The people who were staring blankly came to their senses and greeted them at Seo-jun’s introduction.

Director Kim Joo-hyung and Director Min Hee-kyung were so surprised that they didn’t even know if they were speaking properly.

Kim Han-seok, who was stuck behind Seo-jun, opened his mouth. 

His trembling voice showed how shocked he was.

“Seo-jun hyung. How did they all come? I didn’t see any articles!”

“Davis was on vacation nearby. He said it’s quieter elsewhere when Cannes gets all the attention. And the others were planning to come around this time anyway.”

“Then will you come to our screening tomorrow?”

“Yeah. They said they would. And some other people are coming too.”

“…Who?”

Ryan and Sarah, the directors, Swallen and Catherine, Paul, and maybe a few more will be there.”

“Wow…”

Kim Hanseok’s eyes widened at Seo-jun’s words.

‘Scary. Scary. Seo-jun hyung’s connections…!’

“This is Kim Hanseok, an actor who co-starred with me. He’s my junior from the same school.”

“I know. He came out in One Step, right?”

“Oh. I saw that too. He’s a good actor, isn’t he?”

Kim Hanseok broke out in a cold sweat at Vanessa Olsen and Davis Garrett’s words. 

He was happy that they talked to him, but he didn’t understand a word of English.

“They both saw One Step. Davis said you’re a good actor.”

“Th-thank you…!”

Kim Hanseok bowed his waist and said, and Vanessa Olsen and Davis Garrett smiled faintly. 

He had no courage to continue the conversation, so he looked at Seo-jun for help with his eyes. 

Seo-jun opened his mouth with a smile.

“How did you see it?”

“Andrew showed it to us.”

“Andrew said he couldn’t come because of school?”

“Yeah. You should hear how much he whines… He says it’s so cute he could die!”

Meanwhile, the news reached Korea.

It was early in the morning, but the views went up in an instant.

[Surprise appearance of Davis Garrett on the red carpet of One Step!]

[The survivors gathered on the red carpet of One Step!]

-Why is he here???

-I don’t know, maybe he just happened to be here.

=Maybe he came today because tomorrow is the screening day of One Step.

=That could be.

=But they look like they’re getting along well in the photos.

-What if those actors go to Hollywood movies?

=LOL yeah LOL

The red carpet event ended and everyone moved to the theater for the screening.

The red carpet area became quiet as the stars disappeared, but it soon became crowded again. 

People in suits raised crumpled papers above their heads.

[Looking for tickets!]

[One Step!]

***

Inside the Lumiere Theater.

People who received invitations and tickets from Seo-jun and the distributor of One Step took their seats one by one. 

Charlie, who received an invitation from Seo-jun, sat near him, and moviegoers who received invitations from the distributor also sat down.

There was not a single seat left.

A moment later.

The theater darkened and the screen lit up.

One Step began with a small gambling den.

Kim Young-ho, played by Lee Ji-seok, was a gambler and Park Man-seok, played by Kim Jong-ho, was a gang leader.

The small gambling game grew into a life-or-death ‘one step’ gamble. Kim Young-ho decided to bet everything on this ‘one step’. He had a perfect way to win.

“You’re cheating here! If Park Man-seok finds out, you’re dead!”

“Shut up. Don’t be scared. He’ll never find out!”

Kim Young-ho laughed at his fellow gambler’s words. But contrary to his assurance, he was caught by Park Man-seok and ran away with the money.

The scene shot in Busan came out.

It felt intense when they monitored it, but it looked even more brutal with music and editing. 

The chase between Park Man-seok’s men who were chasing him to kill him and Kim Young-ho who was running away with all his might captivated everyone’s attention. 

The foreigners saw unfamiliar blue slate roofs and gray cement walls as Kim Young-ho and the gangsters in black suits chased each other.

Kim Young-ho, who kept looking back nervously, and Park Man-seok, who looked calm but angry, crossed their eyes. The audience felt their palms sweat and their throats dry.

Eventually, Kim Young-ho was caught and thrown in front of Park Man-seok.

Park Man-seok’s eyes were fierce as he looked down at Kim Young-ho from above. He clenched his fist and hit Kim Young-ho’s face.

Ugh!

Someone gasped at the merciless punch.

Park Man-seok pushed Kim Young-ho into another gang’s gambling den.

Kim Young-ho, who lost sight of his right eye because of Park Man-seok, burned with anger and hatred as he hid his breath and made plans there.

He would make money here and run away while blaming Park Man-seok. 

It seemed better to accuse Park Man-seok of having connections with rival gangs if he wanted to get rid of him.

Kim Young-ho’s plan went well and eventually Park Man-seok’s gang and the rival gang clashed. But Kim Young-ho was also exposed as Park Man-seok’s spy.

Kim Young-ho, covered in blood, was dragged and thrown in front of Park Man-seok. 

A rival gang member said something, but Kim Young-ho didn’t hear it.

He pulled out a hidden knife and aimed at Park Man-seok. 

He stabbed him deep in the left side, near his heart. 

Park Man-seok staggered.

The two gangs quickly realized the situation and rushed at each other.

It was a melee.

Kim Young-ho survived by dodging in the melee. 

It wasn’t easy, but he rolled and crawled on the ground, trying to stay alive.

Park Man-seok fought while holding his wounded side. 

He knocked down his enemies, but his men also fell one by one. He had no more men to call.

He cursed involuntarily at the pain in his side.

In the end, Park Man-seok won.

He and a few of his men were breathing heavily. 

Someone kicked Kim Young-ho, who was lying on the ground, gasping for breath. 

Park Man-seok took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. 

Blood stained the white cigarette.

“Call a taxi.”

“You’re taking a taxi… Yes!”

The subordinate bowed his legs and went outside.

Park Man-seok exhaled a long puff of smoke and grimaced at his sore side.

“It must have been deep…”

“It missed the heart.”

???

Question marks filled the audience’s heads.

‘Kim Young-ho’s tone…?’

The difference was also shown in the English subtitles.

“What about your eye?”

“I couldn’t see well anyway, so it’s fine.”

“Tsk.”

“This was the most certain way.”

The taxi driver, who had been watching the situation nervously, saw that they were not as bad as he thought and chuckled.

“Wow. You both got hurt a lot. But do you know each other?”

Park Man-seok pressed his stabbed side and said.

“He’s my son-in-law.”

Kim Young-ho wiped his right eye with a tissue and said.

“He’s my father-in-law.”

The father-in-law, Park Man-seok, and the son-in-law, Kim Young-ho, leaned back on their seats and sighed deeply.

For their daughter,

For their wife,

The ‘one step’ revenge that cost them their lives and careers was finally over.

A faint smile lingered on their lips.