Ch.206The 2018 Asian Games Opening Ceremony

Going back in time a bit.

To the moment when the short film “Cutting the Knot” ended at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Find out where Kim Donghu is and contact him immediately, naturally suggest an audition.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Absolutely! Contact Kim Donghu directly!”

“You mean contact him personally, sir?”

“Of course, what would a manager know? You must contact the actor directly.”

“Tarzan” producer Bernard Ice immediately proceeded to contact Kim Donghu.

He had heard that Kim was preparing for the Asian Games.

Still, he firmly believed that Kim would obviously choose “Tarzan.”

Because neither opportunity comes easily.

Moreover, if “Tarzan” does well, Kim might regret his decision for years to come.

‘I don’t know much about it, but it seems like a small competition anyway.’

Meanwhile, the stage for “Tarzan” is Hollywood.

Hollywood means worldwide.

If successful, it guarantees success on a completely different level than just being known in Asia.

And naturally, Bernard Ice’s assumption:

‘If it were me, I’d definitely choose Tarzan, especially since it’s not just a supporting role or bit part, but the lead.’

This came from his ignorance about the East.

And it included ignorance about Korean military service obligations.

Since he didn’t even know where South Korea was located,

He naturally expected his offer would be accepted without hesitation.

Time returns to the 12th day of the Cannes Film Festival.

“He rejected us.”

“What?!”

“He said you should come in person.”

Bernard was shocked when he heard his offer had been dismissed.

“In person? What do you mean? Are you saying I, the producer, should go meet him myself?”

“Yes, I’m guessing he might be offended that we bypassed his manager.”

“Ha! What… Does he even realize what kind of opportunity he’s turning down because of his pride?”

He was dumbfounded.

It was outrageous, ridiculous, and so absurd he couldn’t help but laugh hollowly.

How many actors would kill for a word from him?

How many films had he rescued from obscurity?

And yet he was dismissed? Him?

Dismissing me, considered one of the best in Hollywood?

“How impertinent…! Really… how can someone be so presumptuous…!”

Come in person if you want to recruit him.

And not even for recruitment, but just to invite him to an audition?

To a foreign actor?

To a novice who just showed his face at Cannes?

To a complete newcomer without any connections?

“Forget it! This discussion is over! We need to rework the project from the planning stage anyway, so we have plenty of time! Act like the audition invitation never happened!”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

“But stay for now, leaving during the closing ceremony would be impolite.”

He couldn’t stand it.

This was a complete blow to his pride.

Arrogant bastard.

Bernard Ice furrowed his brow.

‘As soon as the closing ceremony ends, I’ll return home and change my plans.’

With that determination, Bernard turned his attention back to the stage.

After a light opening, the Short Film Palme d’Or award ceremony began first.

“A romance that tenderly decorates their final moments before rushing toward destruction.”

“A complete story in 15 minutes, the Short Film Palme d’Or goes to… Director Lee Seongdeok for ‘Cutting the Knot’.”

Lee Seongdeok climbed onto the stage in tears to deliver his acceptance speech for the Palme d’Or.

“This is truly an honor. Since I was young… *sniff*… *sob*… *sniff*! Really… thank you so much!”

Since it wasn’t the highlight, it was short and concise.

The crying scene was filmed continuously.

People sighed at the fact that the lead actor was training.

“It’s such a shame we can’t see Kim Donghu in person.”

“Both ‘The Real Hero’ and this ‘Cutting the Knot’ are works of art.”

“His face is definitely unique, couldn’t be more handsome.”

“And his acting skills too. To think such an actor is only in Korea… Other directors will surely be sending him offers soon.”

While the audience was having various conversations celebrating “Cutting the Knot”…

‘…Offers? Who would send him offers? Are they crazy? He’s an actor I discovered.’

Bernard Ice found the conversations around him very unpleasant.

Since he had to smile and applaud in this setting, he didn’t show it.

‘To think it would win the Palme d’Or, well, he is handsome, yes, he is handsome indeed.’

And he acts well too.

Can he sing well too? That’s highly unlikely.

How could anyone be good at everything?

‘That would be cheating.’

Just minutes ago, Bernard thought Kim Donghu was finished.

But the more he pondered the surrounding reactions, the more anxious he became.

‘But what if he is good? From what I’ve gathered… somehow it seems like he might have some connection with Evelyn too.’

Still, for me to personally go to Colorado to invite him to an audition?

‘Ha!’

There’s a limit to arrogance.

Who does he think he is?

‘At best, he’s set some record in a small country, and this is just a short film.’

He felt foolish for even momentarily considering this prideful rookie Asian actor.

Enough, enough.

‘Kim Donghu! You’re finished in my plans!’

+++++++

I blinked at the two people who suddenly appeared before me.

“Hello. We’re from Disney. This is Bernard Ice.”

“…Ah, yes. Hello, I’m Kim Donghu. But why isn’t he introducing himself, and you’re doing it as his manager…?”

“Please consider it a cultural difference.”

“Pardon?”

“Haha, anyway, Colorado’s high altitude certainly makes breathing a bit difficult.”

“Yes, that’s why many boxers come here. It’s excellent for building cardiopulmonary endurance.”

Exactly three days after receiving the “Tarzan” audition offer from Disney,

Bernard Ice flew directly to Colorado, USA, right after the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony ended.

‘Honestly, I said it thinking I’d be rejected, but I didn’t expect him to actually come.’

According to Sims’ message, the audition seemed imminent.

In reality, it could go either way.

So since things had turned out this way,

To avoid being disrespected for being Asian or for being an actor without recognition yet,

I boldly made that request, but I never expected the producer himself to show up.

‘He’s very tall but extremely thin.’

A slender, lean impression with pale skin.

Wearing sunglasses with neatly pomaded brown hair.

How should I put it?

‘He looks like a textbook Western middle-aged man.’

Thinking that, I greeted Bernard.

“I’m Kim Donghu. Thank you very much for coming in person. The competition is right around the corner.”

“I know. I should be considerate of that much. It was my oversight for not thinking of it.”

“…?”

I noticed the manager looking at Bernard Ice with a puzzled expression after his statement.

What’s going on? Did something happen?

Anyway.

“You said you came about the Tarzan audition invitation, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Although we still have time, I’d like to see you as soon as possible.”

Now that he was here, it was time to discuss the “Tarzan” film in earnest.

“Then you should discuss that with my manager.”

“…Your manager? As I mentioned before, this is a significant matter. At minimum, a representative should be present. That’s actually why I initially wanted to speak directly with the actor.”

Bernard had no need to worry about that aspect.

“Ah, my manager is the company representative.”

“What?”

“Yes.”

“…The representative is your manager?”

“Yes, you can discuss all the details, including that, with my manager.”

After all, Seokho was both my manager and the representative.

“Hello. I’m Choi Seokho. I’m the representative of Veritas and Kim Donghu’s manager.”

As soon as the introduction ended, Seokho stepped forward as if he’d been waiting.

With Seokho taking charge like this, there was nothing left for me to do.

‘From the audition schedule to everything else, Seokho will coordinate it all.’

So now I had just one thing to focus on.

‘Winning the Asian gold medal.’

It was time to run solely toward that goal.

+++++

Time flew quickly to July.

About a month and a half before the Asian Games.

Normally, boxing wouldn’t receive much attention, but

This competition was drawing enormous interest because of one irregular participant.

Olympic heavyweight gold medalist Kim Donghu.

The news of his participation had already been announced once.

“Kim Donghu, I will defeat Kim Donghu.”

“My target is Kim Donghu. If I beat him, it’s as good as gold anyway.”

“I will definitely get revenge for my previous loss.”

“I can’t say with certainty that I’ll win, but I will show my full potential.”

Heavyweight boxers from across Asia expressed their determination.

Their goal wasn’t the gold.

What they wanted was victory against Kim Donghu in their match.

If they beat him, they could practically claim the Asian Games boxing title.

It couldn’t be helped.

The unbelievable record of KO’ing a fully doped athlete in the second round.

The legendary athlete with that record was participating.

Winning against him meant claiming everything.

He was also very young.

Just twenty-two.

His future was bright.

“Originally, the heavyweight division was almost excluded from the 2018 games.”

“It expanded because of Kim Donghu’s popularity, and because many athletes want to face him.”

Perhaps that’s why people were gathering around that bright future.

Even though people inwardly guessed what the outcome would be,

Outwardly they kept saying it was unpredictable.

As the excitement continued to build without cooling down,

Finally, in mid-August.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!”

The 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony began.