Ch.51Is that supposed to be a hero?

Time flew quickly to the end of May.

As Choshinsung’s song “Tonight” was slowly spreading throughout South Korea.

The Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival was pushing forward with massive promotional efforts.

“Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival opens in mid-June! Who will be this year’s Mise-en-Scène winner?!”

“Star-studded jury lineup catches attention, will they find the talent they’re looking for?”

To ensure the week-long film festival would be successful,

articles emphasized how many works were submitted and how fierce the competition was.

The message was clear: With so many outstanding works, how could you not come? But in reality,

people’s interest was focused elsewhere.

ㄴLooks like Kim Donghu is really participating, I just checked the website and his name is there

ㄴThis is real, not a lie; his info is actually on the official Mise-en-Scène website

ㄴWow, what’s with him… filming High Dream and now this, his career moves are insane

ㄴHe’s probably just caught the art disease lol, and you’re all praising a 15-year-old

ㄴPlease focus on your own life instead

The news that Kim Donghu would be appearing at the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival spread quickly.

At the height of his popularity,

news of Kim Donghu’s participation in the short film festival spread like wildfire.

“Hey, Seongdeok! You bastard! Did you film with actor Kim Donghu?!”

“Y-yeah… That’s what happened.”

Thanks to this, <The Real Hero> director Lee Seongdeok was dying from all the attention.

Of course, he was grateful that a short film was receiving such interest.

‘I feel like I might faint from the pressure.’

Born with an extreme Type A personality, this kind of attention was somewhat burdensome for Lee Seongdeok.

‘Still, all of this is thanks to actor Kim Donghu’s grace.’

Having become a perfect Kim Donghu believer, Lee Seongdeok gratefully accepted the attention and responded to each inquiry.

“Wow, how did you film it? How did you make the connection, seriously?”

“I-I was just lucky. The agency contacted me first…”

“Really? Could you put in a good word for me too?”

“What?”

While conversing, Lee Seongdeok turned his attention toward someone speaking.

He spotted a senior from university who was two years older than him.

He couldn’t remember the name, but the impression wasn’t good.

“Hey, if you’re interested in short films, right? I want to benefit too. You only got this far because of that handsome face, right? I want to use looks too…”

“Senior, don’t cross the line.”

“W-what? What did you just say!”

The friendly atmosphere shattered instantly.

But Lee Seongdeok continued regardless.

“I said don’t cross the line. Do you really want to show such ugly jealousy toward a young kid? Get your act together.”

“Hey, hey, say that again! Hey!”

Ugly jealousy exists everywhere.

Usually, he would have let it slide, but…

‘I can tolerate insults directed at me, but not at actor Kim Donghu.’

Lee Seongdeok’s mouth fired like a machine gun as his anger reached its peak.

“At your age, unable to make a proper film, having your graduation postponed twice, and still hanging around school—I think you should fix your own behavior first, don’t you think?”

Should I repeat that one more time?

The shock when someone who usually stutters suddenly speaks eloquently.

After dropping this bombshell, Lee Seongdeok immediately turned and left.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

His heart was racing and his hands and feet were trembling.

How many years had it been since he’d spoken up like this?

He couldn’t remember exactly, but one thing was certain.

‘Actor Kim Donghu, I’ll protect you!’

He had said everything that needed to be said.

+++++

At the same time.

“You want a day off?”

“Yes, would that be possible?”

“No, it’s not possible. I understand you want to rest, but we’re too busy.”

And Jaerin, you’re the leader and center. If you show this kind of attitude, it will affect the other members.

Ryu Jaerin’s shoulders slumped at the producer’s firm words.

She knew it wouldn’t be allowed, but

actually hearing it still brought her mood down.

“Remember that I’m already letting one thing slide. I’m only allowing that much because I believe you’ll do even better than now.”

Jaerin flinched at the producer’s following words.

‘So he knew about the phone.’

She thought she had hidden it well, but perhaps it showed.

‘I can’t contact Donghu without it.’

Occasional contact wasn’t enough, and she wanted to go see the Mise-en-Scène Film Festival.

The producer looked down at the dejected Jaerin and casually dangled a carrot.

“Come to think of it, there was that Brilliant school uniform event…”

“What? Really?”

“I’m just saying you might be able to go out if you do well.”

To match the event schedule, you’ll need to pass this month’s evaluation test, right?

After saying that, the producer stood up first from the personal consultation room.

‘There’s no point telling them not to date at this age.’

In these matters, it was always best to let them realize things on their own.

At the same time.

In another place, a girl in a similar situation was about to face a different outcome.

“R-really?! Mom, is it true?!”

“Of course, why would I lie about something like this?”

“A jury member for the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Because I knew you’d react like this?”

“Oh mom, seriously!”

This was Kim Sujin’s case.

“I didn’t think I needed to mention it since I’m evaluating a different genre.”

“Of course you should have told me! It’s the perfect excuse to go!”

“Couldn’t you just go anyway, even without me?”

“T-then it would seem too obvious that I’m going to see Donghu.”

Our daughter feels embarrassed about the strangest things.

Kim Yuyeon smiled slightly seeing her daughter’s face turn bright red.

Is it good that she’s just thinking about it?

‘My daughter has only ever been someone’s first love, so she doesn’t know much about love.’

Or perhaps she knew better than anyone because of that.

She had single-mindedly loved Kim Donghu since she was five.

It could be described as passionate love.

And then.

“Hmm? Our son-in-law is appearing at the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival? Haha, should this dad go watch too? I could take a picture with my son-in-law while I’m at it?”

Kim Sujin’s tactless father, Kim Gicheol, interjected.

“Don’t make our Donghu uncomfortable, Dad, please don’t come, seriously.”

“…”

Wounded by his daughter’s cold words, he collapsed on the spot.

+++++

Finally, the first day of the Mise-en-Scène Film Festival arrived.

Numerous reporters waited with cameras to capture the celebrities who would stand on the photo wall.

While they aimed to photograph various celebrities…

‘Kim Donghu is the priority.’

‘Kim Donghu appearing at the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival.’

‘When will Kim Donghu show up? Will he be the last one?’

Their primary goal was to photograph Kim Donghu.

Now that it was confirmed Kim Donghu would attend the festival,

articles featuring him would definitely get the most views.

Click click click!

As they were busy recording interviews and taking photos of celebrities on the photo wall…

“Hello, pleased to meet you all. I’m Kim Donghu.”

“H-hello, I’m the director of The Real Hero, L-Lee S-Seongdeok.”

The long-awaited Kim Donghu stood before the photo wall.

‘That school uniform looks like a suit.’

‘It’s good he’s appearing as a student, but this must be strategic too, right?’

‘He’s basically announcing to the world that he’s a Brilliant uniform model, but it suits him incredibly well.’

Flashes erupted as Kim Donghu greeted everyone wearing the most age-appropriate attire—a school uniform.

Then came the interview.

“Can you tell us what motivated you to appear in this short film?”

“Director Lee Seongdeok’s screenplay was so excellent that I really wanted to participate.”

“Can we interpret that as confidence in winning an award?”

“To add weight to that interpretation, please make sure to watch The Real Hero!”

Hahaha.

The atmosphere at the photo wall immediately lightened with Kim Donghu’s characteristic smooth talking.

“Then a question for Director Lee Seongdeok. How would you briefly summarize The Real Hero?”

Gulp!

The sound of swallowing cut through the camera shutter noises.

How nervous is he? It was concerning.

Amid such worries, Director Lee Seongdeok struggled to form each word.

“W-well, I-I wanted to properly portray the h-hero we’ve all dreamed of at some point.”

“The hero we’ve dreamed of?”

“Y-yes… A hero who defeats villains and always ensures good triumphs over evil. I wanted to depict the kind of hero that existed before society built its protective systems.”

He’s stuttering less as he goes on.

The reporters made mental notes to definitely watch The Real Hero.

A film starring the handsome Kim Donghu alone for 40 minutes?

It would be absurd not to watch it.

+++++

“Ugh… I’m late, I’m late!”

Kim Sujin checked her appearance in a hand mirror while running to the theater.

Turning off her alarm to get deep sleep for skin care had been a mistake.

‘If I’d known this would happen, I should have gone with Mom when she said she was going!’

She had planned to surprise him by going separately from her mother, but she overslept.

If they had gone together, she could be talking with him face-to-face by now.

‘Let’s watch the film first.’

Being the first day, there was an enormous crowd.

The screening room for The Real Hero starring Kim Donghu was completely packed.

‘Still, there’s one seat left in the corner.’

Kim Sujin quickly slipped into the empty seat, caught her breath, and fixed her gaze on the screen.

And at that very moment.

Woooooong.

The lights went out.

Crackle crackle.

After a brief noise, a black and white image appeared.

The first thing visible was…

‘Wow, they filmed his face that close up?’

It was Kim Donghu in what’s commonly called an extreme close-up shot.

Then came his narration:

“I wanted to be a hero. A hero who brutally kills villains and ultimately triumphs. That’s the kind of hero I wanted to be.”

Kim Donghu’s narration added vitality to the black and white screen.

The audience, including Kim Sujin, thought:

‘Is that what a hero is?’

Although he’s a thug.

That boy who beats thugs to a pulp,

who grabs them by the collar and looks down with a sinister smile,

can he really be called a hero?

Drip, drip.

He had punched so much that

the blood on his hands was dripping to the floor.

“Why are you running away?”

As if he couldn’t understand,

the “hero” tilts his head, and…

‘…That’s scary.’

The audience got goosebumps.

Yet at the same time, they couldn’t take their eyes off the screen.

A single presence was burned into their eyes, warning them.

Look at me closely.

Watch your hero until the end.

Not a single audience member could refuse that warning.