Ch.52*sob sob*

The evening after the first day of the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival ended.

People walked through the darkened streets discussing the films.

“There’s one that’s really amazing this time.”

“I know, wow, how did they think to direct it that way?”

Since coming to a short film festival was itself proof of loving cinema,

most people mainly discussed direction and composition.

Then.

“Kim Donghu, I knew about him, but I didn’t realize he could act that well.”

“It’s not just good acting, it’s like… he truly becomes that person?”

“And why is he so good at martial arts? I heard he plays piano too.”

The conversation inevitably led to “The Real Hero.”

“I liked how they hid the brutality with black and white screens, the division into just black and white was intentional too.”

“Private punishment is illegal of course, but what they call ‘someone who deserves to die’ isn’t properly judged by the law.”

“It’s funny how it’s not mutually recognized.”

“Right, since the other side initiated the violence first, there’s no choice but to respond, right?”

A hero never takes the first step.

Just like in typical hero stories where the protagonist never strikes the villain first.

A hero created by passive circumstances sometimes garners sympathy,

“But isn’t it wrong to act that way when there are laws? Bluntly speaking, it’s just using superior strength to beat someone up.”

And sometimes criticism.

That’s a natural response.

In reality, the film “The Real Hero” only poses questions without providing any definitive answers.

“But that last scene was truly artistic.”

“Right, you mean the escape scene?”

“Yeah, that scene where he escapes beyond the camera’s view, like he’s running away from everyone?”

“Ah, that was really amazing. And what’s funny is that even though his face isn’t clearly visible in that scene, you can still see how handsome he is?”

The audience seemed to agree.

They praised Kim Donghu’s face.

“Fortunately, if you completely cover your face, your handsomeness can’t be seen, right, Mr. Kim Donghu?”

Kim Sujin, who had been listening nearby, laughed heartily.

“…Do you have to tease me even here?”

Kim Donghu responded to Kim Sujin’s words in a small voice while in disguise.

Finding even that amusing, Kim Sujin continued with a smile.

“Why didn’t you invite me? If you had, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“How could I invite you when you’re not even involved? I’m just a mere actor.”

A mere actor.

Kim Sujin’s eyes widened slightly at those words.

‘He really thinks that way.’

He surely wasn’t saying this without knowing what kind of influence this “mere actor” had now.

It must be humility. But shouldn’t he be allowed to boast a little at this point?

“Someone of your caliber should be able to invite whoever you want!”

“Come on, maybe someone like your mother. But not me yet.”

Thwack!

As soon as she heard Kim Donghu’s answer, Kim Sujin hit his shoulder lightly.

“W-what are you calling her my mother?!”

Watch your word choice!

He’s really crazy.

Kim Sujin was startled by the word “mother” and began muttering to herself.

‘She’s really cute.’

While Kim Donghu was enjoying her reaction with a smile.

ㄴHas anyone seen Kim Donghu’s “The Real Hero”?! Gather here!!!!!

Kim Donghu’s fan cafe was in an uproar.

Though it hadn’t yet been given an official name,

it was one of the fastest growing cafes with rapidly increasing membership.

The main purpose of this place was, of course, to freely express love for Kim Donghu.

There was also a rumor that the administrator was the CEO of Kim Donghu’s agency,

as it was famous for bringing official information faster than anyone else to quench fans’ thirst.

Amidst this, one piece of hot news was delivered:

[Actor Kim Donghu will appear in “The Real Hero” at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. Please show your interest and support.]

The news that Kim Donghu would appear at a short film festival.

No fan could remain still after hearing this.

Since there was also ample time, about a week,

fans adjusted their schedules comfortably and rushed to the short film festival.

ㄴCrazy guy, showing his handsomeness even in a black and white film.

ㄴSeriously, maybe because his face is like a sculpture, even the shadowed parts look so handsome;

ㄴFirst time at a short film festival, but there seem to be many other interesting films too?

ㄴFor real… Thanks to our Donghu oppa, I’m having various experiences~

People attract people.

The presence of fan cafe members who came to see Kim Donghu created curiosity among others nearby.

“Hmm? Oh, looks like there’s a film festival over there.”

“Kim Donghu? That High Dream guy? Seems like he’s in it.”

“Should we go too?”

“Sure, I was bored anyway, so this is perfect.”

This naturally led to promotion for the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.

Employees were surprised by the unexpected boom,

and the corners of the Korean Film Directors Association chairman’s mouth stretched to his ears.

“Let’s keep this momentum going.”

Did that wish come true?

The estimated audience for the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival was around 20,000.

About twice as many compared to the minimum performance.

How wonderful would it be if all film festivals were like this one?

With such hopes.

“Before we proceed with the awards ceremony, we’ll have greetings from the judges.”

The time had come to close the curtain on the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.

+++++

Thump thump thump.

His heart was beating wildly.

Even after taking a Chungsimhwan, his body wouldn’t calm down.

‘If I had known it would be like this, I shouldn’t have had coffee.’

But without it, it would have been too difficult.

I should have avoided caffeine.

Continuously muttering anything to himself,

Lee Seongdeok, the director of “The Real Hero,” couldn’t lift his head.

The special greetings from the judges,

words of encouragement from Director Kang Sanghun with the Guan Yu beard whom he had always respected,

how successful this film festival had been, and so on.

Various words continued, but he couldn’t hear anything.

Glance.

Director Lee Seongdeok looked at actor Kim Donghu sitting composedly beside him.

How could someone more than ten years younger than him be so calm?

‘Is this why they say stars are determined from birth?’

While Director Lee Seongdeok was lost in his imagination,

the awards ceremony was quickly proceeding, announcing winners one after another.

“Now for the 50,000 Punches section! The winner of the Best Film Award is!”

The Real Hero! Congratulations!

Clap clap clap clap clap.

The sound of applause erupted with the announcement of the winning film.

Until then, Director Lee Seongdeok had his head down and his ears covered.

He didn’t have the courage to listen.

And right at that moment.

“Director, you’ve won an award, so please come up and grace the stage.”

At the sound of actor Kim Donghu’s voice, the only thing he could hear clearly, he jumped up.

Like being sprung from a coil, Director Lee Seongdeok awkwardly made his way to the stage.

“I, uh, I, uh…”

It would be a lie to say he hadn’t expected it.

But he didn’t really think he would actually receive it.

“I, thank you, thank you so much! Ah, I’ll continue to make good films…!”

After mumbling something he couldn’t even remember,

the next award announcement immediately followed.

The strange thing was that it was announced before Director Lee Seongdeok had left the stage.

Which meant:

“Audience Award section! Film ‘The Real Hero’! Congratulations!”

It was a sign that he would receive another award.

“Uh…bu-bu, bu…?”

Naturally, Director Lee Seongdeok broke down.

For smooth progress, the ceremony continued in that state.

Because:

“Acting Award section! From ‘The Real Hero’, the hero! Congratulations to actor Kim Donghu!”

They could just call up someone who could speak well to give an acceptance speech together.

Clap clap clap clap clap!

Flash flash flash flash flash!

With the applause came countless camera flashes.

Kim Donghu, the subject of those sounds, stood comfortably in front of the microphone on stage.

‘Already a triple crown?’

‘This is insane.’

‘He is handsome though.’

‘Look at those proportions, and that face, is he a sculpture?’

‘Surely he won’t get the Grand Prize too?’

‘If he gets the Grand Prize too… that’s 4 awards? This is historic.’

‘So they probably won’t give it to him.’

While all the reporters were thinking similar thoughts,

Kim Donghu began his acceptance speech.

“Thank you very much. Especially while filming this short film, I learned a lot about what cinema is. Despite being an inexperienced actor, I’m grateful for this excessive love…”

A short but impactful acceptance speech.

Especially when he mentioned all the names of the film staff,

Sob.

Director Lee Seongdeok, who had been standing quietly behind, even shed tears.

“…I will work harder to become an actor worthy of this award. Thank you.”

“Sniff…sniff…th-thank…you…”

The acceptance speech ended like that.

Unable to speak due to tears,

and unable to see properly, Kim Donghu led Director Lee Seongdeok back up.

Hahaha.

This brought a moment of laughter to the awards ceremony.

After that, the Special Jury Award, Best Director Award, and Technical Award were announced in order.

With that, only one award remained.

The Mise-en-scène Short Film Grand Prize.

To announce that award, Director Kang Sanghun stood in front of the microphone.

“Hello, I am Kang Sanghun. It is truly an honor to be called to Mise-en-scène and be here today.”

Without further ado, I’ll announce the Grand Prize.

Everyone laughed at his straightforward presentation.

At the same time, they subtly looked in one direction.

Looks that suggested they already knew who the winner would be.

As if to prove those looks:

“Grand Prize, The Real Hero! Congratulations!”

The winning film was immediately announced.

“Huhuhu!”

The already emotionally fragile Director Lee Seongdeok burst into tears on the spot.

‘What a weakling!’

And Director Kang Sanghun’s eyes were blazing as he looked at Director Lee Seongdeok.

How dare such a weak person, how dare he!

‘To be the first to film our Donghu…!’

It’s fortunate that he did a decent job.

If he hadn’t achieved the quadruple crown, he would have gone straight to him to say a few words.

Step step.

Kim Donghu again supported Director Lee Seongdeok as they climbed onto the stage.

He couldn’t even properly give an acceptance speech for the Grand Prize.

It was so bad that actor Kim Donghu had to translate the mumbling words of Director Lee Seongdeok.

Perhaps because of this, the awards ceremony concluded in a completely harmonious atmosphere.

“This concludes the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival awards ceremony. We thank all participants.”

With that clean farewell, the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival came to an end.

As people began to disperse one by one for the after-party.

“Donghu! Congratulations!”

Director Kang Sanghun immediately ran over to actor Kim Donghu.

“Thank you. I’ll work hard to become an actor worthy of the award you’ve given me.”

“Oh! You even speak so beautifully! I was going to contact you anyway, but we meet here.”

“Pardon?”

“We need to prepare for the Endless Frontline preview, right?”

So time has already come to that.

Kim Donghu nodded.

“Now that The Real Hero has done so well, our work will also get a boost.”

You know, when an actor does well, all works associated with that actor are affected.

“…I see.”

Wait,

does that mean the rating for Endless Frontline might go up?

He suddenly became curious about how successful Endless Frontline would be.

+++++

On the evening after the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival ended.

Unlike Director Lee Seongdeok who was enjoying the after-party while sobbing,

『First ever quadruple crown at Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, what kind of film is “The Real Hero”?』

『Kim Donghu achieves quadruple crown with debut short film! Absolutely unstoppable!』

『Acting on another level, dominating the screen. Who is this actor? In-depth analysis of Kim Donghu!』

The internet was in an uproar.