Ch.194Film Festival Sniper

[It’s cruel but doesn’t feel cruel]

-There are many extremely cruel parts, but it doesn’t feel that way

-Should I say there’s no gore feeling at all, no horror feeling either

-Like watching a documentary? Yeah

-Lol for real

-You don’t feel it’s cruel when a lion tears apart and kills something in Animal Kingdom, right? That kind of feeling

-Seems like it’s because of the acting that makes killing seem natural… The acts are cruel, but the direction is peaceful

-Saying the direction is peaceful is exactly right

[Voice greeting at Dragon Theater lol what difficulty level is this.jpg]

-(Photo of actors greeting from the audience seats)

-To do this I seriously ran six computers and mobilized my entire family

-My mom must have divine hands…

-Can I borrow your mom? I need her too

-(Original poster) F*ck off

-Haha sorry

-Maybe it’s because I was so immersed, but The Real Hero and Kim Donghu look overlapping

-Seems like he’d put on brass knuckles immediately if someone called him a criminal lol

[Kim Donghu… you’re back]

-After filming so many pointless romantic comedies, you’ve finally returned to your true form

-Donghu, you’re meant for film, for Cannes, Academy, Venice, Berlin – they’re all just waiting for you

-Damn, even if we block movie and drama posts in Dong Gallery, there’s no end to it

-What are the mods doing, cut this kind of post

-You idiots!!!!!! Kim Donghu is for romantic comedies!!!!!!

-The one that exceeded 40% ratings? Finally hit 45% or 46%? I acknowledge that, but don’t compare it to movies

-Make all the good dramas you want, can you go international? Impact comes from movies

[Breaking news! First day audience numbers for The Real Hero are in!!!]

-500,000 on the first day

-Expected to hit 2 million the next day

-One day faster pace than Admiral Yi

-Could break the record for fastest to reach 10 million

-If this happens, it’ll be a legendary event

-Not easy to surpass Admiral Yi; don’t get too excited

-But looking at the pace, it is legendary

This was still an era when movie tickets cost 12,000 won.

Movies were included as part of dating courses, and films were still perceived as “reasonable entertainment.”

With various discounts, prices could sometimes drop below 10,000 won.

People would rush to theaters as soon as they heard something was worth watching.

Moreover, since the film direction didn’t heavily emphasize the cruelty,

it opened a window of opportunity for families to watch together, which was a big advantage.

[But somehow this got a 15+ rating]

-Human trafficking appears, but maybe because it’s not the main focus?

-Korea is generally lenient with ratings for gore

-True, as long as it’s not drugs or sexual content, it’s fine if it doesn’t cross the line

-It’s appropriately cruel, just at the level of an action movie

Adults watching it would think about vigilante justice and public authority.

Children would simply see the protagonist’s actions as cool.

Director Lee Seongdeok perfectly balanced that subtle line.

And these efforts:

“<The Real Hero> Nothing but praise. Surpasses 3 million viewers on third day!”

“100,000 per day? Seven more steps, possibly 10 million in 10 days”

“An individual’s question to society, what is the meaning of this critique?”

“Vigilante justice and public authority, reasons for light sentences and no death penalty! Let’s examine it all”

“Suddenly emerging discussion topic! Is vigilante justice always wrong?”

“Can a serial killer’s justice be considered right? Special educational program scheduled!”

Immediately showed results.

“…Is this really going to catch up to us?”

“Don’t even mention it, don’t talk about it, it’s giving me a headache.”

The production company behind <Admiral Yi> was getting worried.

They thought they had made a film no one would ever surpass.

Then suddenly, like lightning striking out of nowhere,

an unexpected movie appeared.

“Please don’t surpass us, please.”

“I know… if it does, we’ll lose our title as the highest-grossing film….”

“We might already lose the record for fastest to reach 10 million….”

The more they talked, the more headaches they had.

While it’s good for the film industry when movies succeed due to the trickle-down effect,

they didn’t want another film to do so well it took their titles.

“Just do moderately well, stay in second place.”

“Seriously, just hit 15 million? Around there!”

So the <Admiral Yi> production company prayed for <The Real Hero> to achieve only half its success.

And making those prayers meaningless:

“Day 10, 10 million. Breaks Korean record for fastest film to reach 10 million viewers!”

“Now it’s the era of <The Real Hero>”

“Just in his early twenties, already breaking Korean records. National actor Kim Donghu!”

<The Real Hero> surpassed 10 million viewers on its 10th day of release.

Veritas office.

“Incredible! Amazing! Donghu! Fastest to 10 million! At this rate, we’ll have the highest attendance record too!”

“I know, I didn’t expect it to be this successful either.”

“Hahaha! You can laugh more!”

Manager Seokho was genuinely happy, dancing with his hips swaying.

I was amazed at the power of an A-rated film.

‘Looking at the pace, it really might reach the highest attendance record.’

But I never expected this kind of speed.

Though I hadn’t made many films, I had enough experience to know

just how insane this current pace was.

‘We’re consistently doing stage greetings… should we do more promotion here?’

I had ruled out variety shows from the beginning.

The atmosphere wasn’t comical or cheerful,

and I didn’t want to give the impression that the film was lightweight.

‘With ongoing debates about vigilante justice… variety shows are out.’

So was there no option besides consistent interviews?

Then suddenly I realized the timing was quite interesting.

Generally, movies stay in theaters for about two months.

“But The Real Hero was released in the third week of October… so it’ll be in theaters until the end of December?”

“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I was just calculating… we hit 10 million in early November… and the Grand Bell Awards are just two weeks away?”

“That’s right?”

“…Then couldn’t our movie win awards too?”

“?!”

Come to think of it, the timing was quite interesting.

Wait, why did Director Lee Seongdeok insist on an October release in the first place?

‘Could it be because of this?’

Is that why he continued editing with bloodshot eyes?

While maintaining an average of 2 hours of sleep?

“Was that the plan…?”

Either I heard about it and forgot,

or it was his plan alone.

But.

‘If it works, it’ll be amazing.’

A film winning awards while still in theaters.

What better promotional effect could there be?

Not only that, but since it would be showing until the end of December,

we could fully capitalize on the year-end and Christmas special effects.

“If that happens, it’ll be huge, Donghu!”

“I know… this is turning out better than expected?”

Plus, promotion was still ongoing.

Especially:

“Major celebrities all posting proof shots of <The Real Hero>!”

“Seo Jinwoo, Kim Sujin, Ryu Jaerin all praise it! Kim Donghu’s connections all mobilized?”

People connected to Kim Donghu were consistently promoting it on social media.

‘I’m really grateful to everyone.’

While I was thinking that:

Ring ring ring.

“Hello?”

-It’s me! Lee Seongdeok! I think I didn’t explain properly!

“Yes?”

I suddenly received a call from Director Lee Seongdeok.

His message was very simple.

-We’re going to take all the grand prizes at the film festival!

Just as I had predicted.

Mid-November.

“Continued box office success, not just a shortcut to success but a superhighway! <The Real Hero> enters Grand Bell Awards!”

“It’s chilling, like a baseball hitting and lodging in your chest. <The Real Hero> descends upon the film festival while still in theaters!”

At the time of the Grand Bell Awards,

Starting with film industry officials,

actors, critics, and various people appeared on the red carpet.

Officials from films released this year showed up one by one,

each showing off their well-dressed appearance and presence.

Since it was being broadcast live,

fans smiled broadly at the appearance of their favorite stars.

Hoping they would receive at least some award,

just as they were praying,

“It’s Kim Donghu!”

At someone’s shout, all the reporters’ gazes turned at once.

Like watching the movement of well-trained soldiers.

Attention focused on the limousine arriving at the red carpet.

And there, Director Lee Seongdeok and Kim Donghu were getting out together.

“It’s just like that time.”

“Pardon?”

“That first time… where was it? Anyway, when they walked the red carpet, the director and Kim Donghu came together.”

First with <Hero>.

This time with <The Real Hero>.

<Hero>, which won four awards at the Mise-en-scène Film Festival.

So what would <The Real Hero> show at the Grand Bell Awards?

That’s what reporters were most curious about,

and they had already written several articles:

“Release aimed at film festivals? <The Real Hero> becomes a true sniper”

“Looking back, the curious release timing, targeting the grand prize?”

“Another clean sweep? What awards will <The Real Hero> win?”

Film festival sniper.

That was the title attached to Kim Donghu this time.