Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 394

[He’s my son-in-law.]

The audience was silent as the caption appeared along with Kim Jong-ho’s words. 

The next line by Lee Ji-seok was equally shocking. 

The shock that couldn’t be expressed in words settled in the theater.

Oh my god.

It felt like everything that had appeared sporadically in the movie was connected.

The rival organization that took his daughter hostage to catch Park Man-seok, the subordinates who gave away the information of his daughter whom Park Man-seok hadn’t seen for a long time, and the boss who had turned a blind eye to everything and had been loyal to him.

‘He doesn’t even blink an eye when his daughter dies. How cold-blooded.’

There was a brief scene where they exchanged those lines, but they thought it was just an introduction of the villain character. 

They didn’t know it was such an important foreshadowing.

Kim Young-ho was the same.

The calmness and composure that showed between his light actions and speech. 

They thought it was just the nervousness he felt before an important task, but it wasn’t. 

Before the ‘revenge game’ started, Kim Young-ho’s personality was like that.

‘There was a scene where he said he had a wife.’

It was in the beginning, so they just passed it by, but he said he gambled for his wife.

They thought it was just an excuse that gamblers often say, that they would win a lot of money for their family and go back.

‘Or maybe it was a death flag.’

There was undeniable affection in Kim Young-ho’s eyes when he said he had a family and went to fight, so they wondered if it was a cliché where he would die. 

There were rare movies where the protagonist died, after all.

‘But it really was for his wife.’

They didn’t know if his dead wife wanted such a bloody revenge.

‘The two seemed satisfied.’

In the taxi.

The two men who had hidden the truth for a long time for the sake of revenge smiled with relief as they revealed it. 

Their expressions were really impressive.

They had been antagonists throughout the movie, Kim Young-ho and Park Man-seok, in the same taxi, sitting right next to each other. 

It was strange and awkward, and that made it more so.

‘I’ll have to think a lot when I watch other movies after this.’

What if the protagonist and the villain were on the same side, they thought.

The screen turned black and everyone got up from their seats and clapped as if there was nothing else to do.

Seo-jun and Kim Han-seok also clapped their hands hard. 

The [Flowing] team and other actors who were sitting around them did the same.

“Did you see hyung’s face, Seo-jun? The audience’s reaction was no joke when the caption came out at the end.”

Kim Han-seok seemed more excited than the actors of [One Game], even though it wasn’t his movie.

Of course, Seo-jun was also happy as much as Kim Han-seok.

He had heard many standing ovations while traveling around Cannes Film Festival, but he felt more happy today because he heard such an emotional applause.

Seo-jun turned his gaze back.

He saw the audience who were talking endlessly about the movie while clapping their hands busily.

They were recalling the foreshadowings that Kim Joo-hyung had thrown out and were connected by the last two lines.

“/He’s his son-in-law! No wonder it was easier than I thought to get information. There’s always something like that in movies./”

How can he do that as an ordinary person?

He’s just a gambler with fast hands, how can he sneak in like that?

It was inevitable to wonder when an ordinary person appeared as the protagonist. 

It was a plausibility that most movies ignored even though they knew.

The audience clapped without stopping and talked with excited faces.

“/But it’s different if there’s an insider inside!/”

Especially if it’s someone who knows more information than anyone else and can change the positions of the subordinates, someone who has a high position. 

There was no need to think more about it.

The Korean reporters who were filming the theater interior with cameras also kept talking while holding their cameras.

“They did mention his daughter and his wife a lot.”

“Oh my god. He beat up his son-in-law like that? He said he couldn’t use his right eye at all.”

“That’s why he hated Park Man-seok more, I guess. We did too!”

So they thought it was a movie where Kim Young-ho vs Park Man-seok unfolded.

It would have been if it wasn’t for the end.

“/But think about it, wasn’t it the start of their revenge plan from the first scene?/”

“/I guess they had no choice but to do that if they wanted to deceive the people inside their organization. Who would think that the perpetrator and the victim who made his eye and hand like that were on the same side?/”

“/Maybe he stabbed himself with a knife on purpose in the last fight? He was the action leader, so he had to fight first, but that made him more vulnerable, so he started by inflicting a big wound on himself to avoid getting hurt./”

“/That too, and he was the action leader, so the enemy wouldn’t think he would fight if they saw him once in a while, so he made himself weak?/”

“/The big picture is no joke…!/”

The applause continued and the audience’s words didn’t stop.

“They probably risked their lives for this. Kim Young-ho didn’t know when he would be caught and killed by the enemy, and Park Man-seok didn’t know when it would be revealed. They planned it, but there was no guarantee that it would go as planned.”

The moviegoer recorded his thoughts quickly as if they would disappear if he didn’t.

“I think they had another plan when Kim Young-ho died. I don’t think they would be so sloppy with such a bold plan.”

The [Survivors] team also talked about various things about the movie [One Game]. 

Davis Garrett clapped his hands and said to Milan Chellen.

“/The last 10 minutes? Less than 10 minutes? I didn’t notice anything until then./”

“/It was a good movie even without that scene, but it makes me want to watch it again because of that scene./”

“/I know, right. The subtle acting also feels new./”

The tingling sensation they felt from Kim Jong-ho and Lee Ji-seok’s acting, as if they were hiding something.

They were actors who played characters who hid a huge secret. 

Davis Garrett looked at the [One Game] team with interest.

“/…How did they think of hiding it until the end?/”

Jeffrey Rodex, who was standing next to him, also shone his eyes with admiration.

It felt like fireworks were exploding in his head as if he had a new inspiration. 

Only Jeffrey Rodex knew what kind of terrible movie would come out next.

“It’s been five minutes already…”

The applause didn’t stop and filled the theater. 

The reporters came up with all kinds of headlines as they saw the strong reactions.

The camera showed the director and actors of [One Game].

They smiled as they saw their faces on the screen, but as the standing ovation lasted longer than expected, Kim Jong-ho and Lee Ji-seok widened their eyes. 

Kim Joo-hyung and the others were the same.

The applause lasted for more than 6 minutes of [Suryeo], 7 minutes, 8 minutes, and then it subsided.

A Korean reporter checked his phone.

“…9 minutes.”

[Cannes Film Festival Competition Invitation ‘One Game’! 9-minute standing ovation!]

[Movie ‘One Game’ 9 minutes! The longest time among the competition films!]

[Thunderous cheers! What is ‘One Game’ about?!]

-It seems like a good reaction?

=The audience reviews are good too!

-The standing ovation video is already on YouTube! (link)

=There’s no sound?

=They say it’s because they talked too much about the movie while clapping It’s for spoiler prevention

=Really, that long?

=They talked a lot even after that.

=…But isn’t the YouTube owner French?

=French.

=…Wow.

The next day.

It was the day of the premiere of [Flowing], starring actor Lee Seo-jun.

Among the people heading to the Lumiere Theater, there were some who were holding selfie sticks. 

Some were taking pictures, and some were live-streaming as if they were moviegoers.

“Yes. Today is the premiere of actor Lee Seo-jun’s next work, and the movie I’m promoting, [Flowing]. I’m so nervous to see it for the first time in the world.”

-You saw it for the first time in the world yesterday, too.

-Moviegoer, I heard the reviews were great. Was it that fun?

The moviegoer nodded his head repeatedly.

“Very much. The beginning was thrilling, the middle part was very tense, and the end was really… I can’t even say it!”

-You can’t say it because it’s a spoiler, right?

–

-Moviegoer, if you liked it so much, you should watch it three times!

-I’m promoting [Flowing], so I’m doing my job

-Soo-rye did that too

-That’s why I’m looking forward to Soo-rye!

“I’m looking forward to [Flowing] too. Let’s start with the introduction of the movie. It’s shorter than other movies. It’s about a high school student who travels around Korea and records his adventures on YouTube… As a YouTuber myself, I can’t help but be excited.”

The moviegoer looked around. [One Shot] had quite a lot of people, too, but it was incomparable to [Flowing]. There were also people wearing suits or dresses, holding papers, trying to get tickets.

-A lot of reporters, huh?

-A lot of people trying to get tickets, too.

-Moviegoer! Be careful not to get pickpocketed!

“Yes. I’ll be careful! I heard some people have been waiting for a long time and still couldn’t get them.”

-Wow…

-This is world-class!

“The red carpet area is also crowded. It seems like some people are waiting for the actors of [One Shot] who attended the red carpet event yesterday, and some are waiting for actor Lee Seo-jun’s fans. Shall we go and see?”

-This is the leisure of someone who has an invitation…!

-And I got it directly from the production company!

-Isn’t that right behind Lee Seo-jun?

“I wish!”

The moviegoer smiled brightly as he moved towards the red carpet.

-I don’t think you can focus on the movie.

– It’s Lee Seo-jun’s movie.

-Ah! That’s right!

***

The red carpet event for [Flowing] began.

A black car stopped in front of the empty red carpet. 

Even before the door opened, flashes from reporters and people went off.

The door opened and a black shoe stepped on the red carpet.

Lee Seo-jun appeared first in a tailored tuxedo. 

Then another wave of flashes erupted with cheers from the crowd.

He smiled calmly despite his eyes being blinded. 

He looked like a star with ease. He seemed to have more presence than usual.

‘I’m a bit nervous today.’

He could smile happily at other movies’ red carpets, but when he came to his own movie’s red carpet, his heart pounded. Maybe that’s why he was emitting more aura than usual.

Kim Han-seok and director Min Hee-kyung also looked more frozen than usual, so Lee Seo-jun joked with them to ease their tension and opened his mouth.

“It feels different from yesterday’s [One Shot] red carpet. I’m a bit nervous.”

“You’re nervous too, Seo-jun?”

Director Min Hee-kyung said and Lee Seo-jun grinned.

“It’s our movie.”

“Right. But I feel relieved to hear that even a superstar gets nervous.”

Kim Han-seok and the two actors nodded their heads and relaxed their expressions.

The relaxed [Flowing] team turned their bodies to answer the calls from everywhere and took pictures before moving to the stairs of the Lumiere Theater.

Flash flash.

After taking another bunch of pictures, new figures appeared on the red carpet.

***

“I expected [One Shot] team to come.”

They were chatting happily with actor Lee Seo-jun and other actors.

“Evan Block and Rachel Hill too.”

Evan Block and Rachel Hill followed them.

“Rachel Hill’s dresses alone could make an article… Huh?”

Another car came in behind them. Two people got out of the car.

Director Ryan Will and Swallen Aenem. 

The unexpected appearance of the two made the flashes pause for a moment and then burst out at once.

/They came to Cannes this morning, I heard…/

/They came right away!/

Lee Seo-jun and director Ryan Will, Swallen Aenem talked and laughed. 

Lee Seo-jun introduced them to other people and it was captured on camera and uploaded as an article.

After that, the stars’ appearances didn’t stop.

“There they are! The Survivors! I expected them to come here since they went to [One Shot] yesterday!”

“Who wouldn’t expect that?”

Davis Garrett, Milan Chellen, Vanessa Olson and director Jeffrey Rodex stepped on the red carpet.

/Over the Rainbow!?/

/I love that movie!/

The people who came to see the red carpet even without tickets raised their feet.

Director Sarah Roth and Catherine Miller, who had grown up a lot, Paul Oden, and Wyatt Carter, who played the roles of Greenwing and Swallow teacher, also appeared.

/Isn’t Wyatt Carter a bit awkward?/

/He only appeared for a short time, but he must have heard all kinds of resentment. 

Greenwing and Shadowman have an interesting relationship, too. 

And Sarah Roth is the director of Greenwing./

Besides those who had a connection with Lee Seo-jun, there were also directors, staff, and actors who were impressed by Lee Seo-jun’s acting and came to the red carpet.

The flashes of the cameras didn’t stop even after the [Flowing] team entered the theater.

A Korean reporter who was busy pressing the shutter said.

“…Doesn’t it feel like we saw the opening ceremony red carpet again?”

“Agreed.”

[Red carpet for ‘Flowing’, Shadowman-Evan Block, Rachel Hill, Swallen Aenem, Ryan Will director attended!]

[Survivors-Davis Garrett, Milan Chellen, Vanessa Olson, Jeffrey Rodex director attended!]

[One Shot-Kim Jong-ho, Lee Ji-seok, Kim Joo-hyung director attended!]

[Over the Rainbow-Catherine Miller, Paul Oden, Wyatt Carter, Sarah Roth director attended!]

[Foreign stars who appeared on the red carpet for the Korean movie ‘Flowing’!]

-Wow… Why did so many come?

=222But I don’t think there’s anyone I haven’t heard of;;;

=I don’t know their names but I think I know their faces;;;

-The title is so long that they didn’t even write the ones below

-They’re so lucky. They can talk to Lee Seo-jun

=22I want to see the movie too

=333 Me too.

=444 When is it released?

=5555 At the end of May

=Not much left!

***

“Seo-jun hyung. I almost had a heart attack.”

Kim Han-seok, who sat down, said to Seo-jun. Director Min Hee-kyung, Kim Ho-young, and Choi Hyun-hee nodded their heads. 

The [One Shot] team, who had squeezed in between them, felt the same.

Seo-jun smiled and said.

“I was surprised too. I didn’t expect so many people to come…”

“I stopped breathing when actress Swallen Aenem came. I don’t even remember the people I met after that… But how do you know the other actors and directors? You haven’t worked with them before.”

Or were they secretly filming something?

Everyone listened to Kim Han-seok’s question.

“I attended some parties when I was in the US. That’s how I got to know them.”

He didn’t stay there for long because he was a minor, but he had some acquaintances.

Of course, not everyone was someone he knew, and some people seemed to have come without any connection.

‘I hope they enjoy it…’

He always felt a bit nervous and excited when his movie was released.

He leaned back on his chair and looked at the screen. 

Kim Han-seok looked at him with sparkling eyes.

Parties, huh.

No wonder Seo-jun had a halo around him.

***

A moment later.

The seats were all filled and the time came. 

The theater went dark.

The actors and directors looked at the screen with interest. 

The ordinary people and aspiring filmmakers who had managed to get tickets also watched with anticipation.

The moviegoer who got to sit near Seo-jun, and Charlie who got to watch his friend’s movie from the next seat, also looked at the screen that was turning black with shining eyes.

On top of it, white letters that looked like they were written by hand appeared.

[This fall.]

[I decided to go on a trip.]

[My destination is the sea.]

The sound of a pen and paper rubbing against each other and the soft voice of a boy were heard.