episode_0093

Time flowed like water.

Furthermore, as time passed, the ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ naturally took shape. This is because most of the audience had already seen many of the works.

This means they’ve finished judging what’s good and what’s not.

Naturally, the articles that poured out were also influenced by that atmosphere.

[The ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ completely reversed this year, there was an upset. Which top stars unexpectedly showed their faces?]

[Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Seon-il, who showed their faces in ‘Sword’, ‘Short but great presence’.]

[Yang Ha-rin aiming for Best New Actress, will she succeed?]

[What is ‘Sword’? n-th viewing certifications exploding.]

First of all, the attention towards Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Seon-il was, of course, huge. Familiar top actors’ faces were bound to be welcome to audiences who thought they would only see newcomers.

Of course, there were occasional mentions of Yang Ha-rin in between, but…

…this was only a drop in the bucket among the public.

[Kim Seon-il decides to make a special appearance because of ‘this’.]

[Seo Yeon-joo, reveals her innocence in a fusion historical drama costume.]

Although CT Entertainment, Yang Ha-rin’s agency, prepared many articles in advance, isn’t a reporter ultimately a profession that rides the wave and conveys the flow?

And it was clear what the huge flow was.

The level of interest in Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Seon-il was the wave, and it couldn’t be resisted. No matter how much CT Entertainment tried to take the attention by promoting Yang Ha-rin, it was the same.

[Was Yang Ha-rin originally the lead in ‘Sword’?]

From the beginning, articles that said Yang Ha-rin almost played the lead role in ‘Sword’ did not have a good effect. This is because Soo-ah’s acting was clean and flawless. It was difficult to get a favorable response.

[Who is the rookie actor who played the lead in ‘Sword’?]

[Unknown actor who worked with Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Seon-il.]

On the contrary, the views of some articles about Soo-ah were quite good. It was a natural thing. People who were interested in Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Seon-il became curious about ‘that girl next to them’.

Thanks to Mystic’s support, and the SNS of on-site viewers and entertainment articles, the recognition of ‘Sword’ quickly rose, and of course, the communities also became very active.

[Title: Is short film the trend among “inssa” these days?]

[What the heck is wrong with these guys, what do they know, why are they all watching short films and making a fuss on SNS? It’s so pathetic.] ─ You should go out and enjoy some culture. ─ They promoted it this time ─ It’s important to start being interested ─ Go and watch it, it doesn’t take long to watch everything

[Title: I’m too lazy to watch everything]

[Are there any friends who can recommend just one?] ─ Watch the one Seo Yeon-joo is in ㄴ Seo Yeon-joo was in a short film? ─ Yes, the content is good too ─ Watch ‘Sword’, it’s not bad.

[Title: Unexpected thing about ‘Sword’]

[I went to see it because Seo Yeon-joo was in it, but surprisingly, the real lead is someone else. Kim Seon-il is just a special appearance. I’m not saying I was disappointed, but I’m just curious. The unknown actor acted well.] ─ Is this viral marketing or real? ─ The kids who are being sarcastic in the comments should just go and watch it ─ Kim Seon-il’s screen time is really short lol

As the trend was like this, the interest in Soo-ah was bound to increase. Mentions were increasing, but they were only using the words ‘unknown actor’, so everyone became curious about her name.

[Title: I heard that the unknown actor’s name is Lee Soo-ah?]

[Title: 3 short film recommendations]

[Title: Nothing comes up when you search for Lee Soo-ah lol]

[Title: Can I go to this Lee Soo-ah gallery?]

[Title: Why is there suddenly a “unknown actor” thread?]

As a result, there was a gallery that suddenly soared.

“…Huh?”

Monkeying, who usually enjoyed all sorts of communities, was startled and closed and opened her eyes. It couldn’t be helped. The gallery she had jokingly created, the gallery she hadn’t even managed.

…A gallery that she never even thought would ever surface.

[Lee Soo-ah Gallery]

[Title: Is this the Wi Ji-hye gallery?]

[Title: Does anyone have Lee Soo-ah’s SNS address?]

[Title: I enjoyed watching ‘Sword’.]

[Title: Please, someone who knows Lee Soo-ah’s information]

A badge was attached to the Lee Soo-ah gallery.

[Real-time Hot Topic Gallery!]

That was the name of the badge.

Finally, Soo-ah’s recognition began to rise.

◈◈◈◈◈

One week later. Seoul Exhibition Center.

Invited actors, industry officials, famous directors, influencers who helped with promotion…

VIPs related to the ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ began to gather one after another.

Today, the Seoul Exhibition Center will screen short films only for them. It can be said to be VIP-only viewing.

However, it was not a place created simply for socializing and relaxation. Because today, here, the works and actors who will take the award of the ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ will be selected.

When everyone gathered, there were almost 50 people.

NeoLive’s Vtubers only conveyed their gratitude for the invitation and did not come in person. It’s better if the Vtuber’s face isn’t sold in any way.

So now, with one hour left until the movie screening.

Bigwigs who hadn’t met in a long time began to reunite.

“Oh, so Director Go finally took on the role of main director?” “It just happened. I don’t deserve it.”

Director Go Tae-min smiled leisurely. As he was a master director, the number of people who came to him was considerable.

“You don’t deserve it! Rather, everyone gathered like this because it’s Director Go. If some random person had taken on the role of main director, they would never have come! I still get chills thinking about Kim Joon-gi!” “Thank you.” “So, how is Director Go’s new work going these days? I heard you were making one related to music? I’ll look forward to it.” “You can look forward to it. The lead role is played by an actor that I really like. But who it is is still confidential.”

Meanwhile, because it was such a welcome occasion, there were also relationships that were particularly noticeable. This was the case for the entertainment-related guests.

The two who never exchanged greetings no matter what happened.

It was Kim Yi-seo of Mystic and the CEO of CT Entertainment.

To be exact, Kim Yi-seo didn’t even look at the CEO of CT Entertainment. The CEO of CT Entertainment looked at Kim Yi-seo with blazing eyes, as if he wanted to pick a fight, but it was meaningless.

Because Kim Yi-seo never acknowledged him.

Thanks to this, the CEO of CT Entertainment gnashed his teeth.

‘That arrogant thing.’

But he decided to be patient.

‘Eventually, you’ll have no choice but to come and say hello first, right? In the end, Ha-rin’s work will win the award.’

The CEO of CT Entertainment smiled and hurried his steps.

But his steps were already heavy.

As if he was caught up in some ominous premonition.

.

.

.

.

.

Finally, the time came to treat the VIPs to the movies.

The members of the Busan International Short Film Festival Organizing Committee had no choice but to swallow a lot of tension. If the movie they prepared was food, they were the pickiest gourmets.

The people who had greeted each other happily at the entrance of the exhibition hall quickly moved to the screening hall, and the interior was decorated exclusively for VIPs. Like seats for wedding guests.

It was a fleeting moment until everyone sat in their assigned seats with their names on them.

The master directors broke the silence at the round table where they were sitting. The first to speak was Director Go Tae-min.

“The time has finally come to evaluate someone’s movie, it’s not exactly my favorite moment. I’m lacking too.” “Oh, Director Go, what will we become if you say such a thing? Let’s watch comfortably. I’ll watch with an open mind too.”

“There are two things I want.” “Two things?” “Either a work that is so great that there is no disagreement, making the judging easy, or a happy dilemma of not being able to choose one because they are all great. That’s all I need.”

“…That’s right. How great would it be if that were the case.”

Compared to the atmosphere at other tables, the place where the directors were sitting was particularly solemn. Because they are in a position to decide the award-winning work.

Just as Go Tae-min was about to drink the water in front of him.

Shooooo─

The lights gradually dimmed, and the entire space had a brightness suitable for viewing the screen. It suggested that short films would be screened non-stop from now on.

.

.

.

.

.

After that, the screening of short films continued.

From those with extremely short running times to those that filled 30 minutes, the works were varied, and some influencers were already propping their chins or starting to doze off.

On the other hand, the directors and officials looked at each one in detail. Applause spread throughout the venue after each work ended.

Clap clap clap─!

5 minutes break between each movie. “Everyone, the movie I just saw is…” “You can see the actors there! There are so many invited actors…!” Every time a break was given, the influencers hurriedly woke up and breathlessly filmed scraps of video to use as their video sources, and the directors recited their impressions. “There are so many works with a lot of money spent on them this year.” “The scale has grown so much. There are so many entries.” “Everyone has put in a lot of effort. I like that.”

Of course, there were good works and bad works.

“This one completely missed the camera direction.” “That’s right. I feel the saddest about these kinds of works. The acting is good, but the problem is with the megaphone.”

Then, at some point.

“…!”

The influencers showed signs of waking up one after another.

The reason is only one, because ‘Sword’s title came up.

Considering the proportion of articles pouring out these days and the community’s interest, anything about ‘Sword’ was a guaranteed hit. That means that many people have become interested in this work.

Naturally, their mouths became busy.

“Muteb friends! I’m finally watching ‘Sword’ too!” “What will be the reaction of celebrities to ‘Sword’? There will also be a short interview at the end of the video! Everyone, please subscribe and like!”

Shortly after, the screening of ‘Sword’ finally began.

“….”

From the faces of the influencers, as well as some of those who were struggling with this unfamiliar place, fatigue completely disappeared. What was newly painted on their faces was surprise and interest.

‘She’s not overshadowed by Seo Yeon-joo? What?’

‘…She has that kind of skill and she’s unknown?’

‘I like the mask. A face that will be remembered at first glance.’

Clearly, the space was initially interested in Seo Yeon-joo, but the center of gravity gradually began to lean towards Soo-ah.

The CEO of CT Entertainment was also very embarrassed now.

‘She had that kind of skill? This is too unexpected…!’

It couldn’t be helped. He didn’t want to admit it, but without him knowing, he was starting to think that Soo-ah was better to use than Yang Ha-rin if she was this good.

Soon, an amazing thing happened.

An event where everyone’s interest was focused on just one person.

‘Director Park Joon, he’s really hitting the jackpot.’

‘Her presence is ridiculous. She fills the screen by herself.’

‘Wow…. That’s a real find?’

The protagonist, of course, was Lee Soo-ah.

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, just before ‘Sword’ was screened.

Unlike the other tables where at least 6 people were sitting, there was a luxurious table where only two people were sitting, and that was the seat of Yusaku, a master director invited from Japan.

The assistant opened his mouth first.

“監督、いかがですか.” (Kantoku, ikaga desu ka?) (Director, how is it?)

“うん？” (Un?) (Yeah?)

“I’m asking if you’ve found anything to learn from Korean movies.” “Aha.” “In my opinion, it’s just ordinary? I can admit that the quality is high for a short film, but these are things that can be made in Japan as well. That’s about it.” “Well, that’s certainly true.”

Yusaku rubbed his chin, which he had grown a goatee on.

“But you know. In the first place, if I wanted to learn filming techniques, I would have watched a regular movie, not a short film. There’s another reason why I’m interested in short films.” “What is it?” “Discovering new talent. Raw gemstones are originally buried in the soil. You never know. I might find a new talent that I like.” “If it’s the kind of new talent that the director is looking for…. Ah, could it be?”

The assistant made a disgusted expression. “Are you talking about that thing you mentioned before?” “That’s right.” “No, how can you find such an actor?”

The assistant shook his head. “You said you needed a new talent to use as a Yakuza, right?” “Yes, but it’s not enough to just have a crooked and rebellious image. In the first place, there are more faces like that in Japan. So what I want is…” “…Not just a level of glaring at someone who talks to you, but first breaking their nose with a punch and then saying, ‘Did I say you could talk to me, you punk?’ Is that the look you want?”

“Yes. It would be good if there was that much intensity. To break away from existing noir works, that kind of face is necessary.” “That’s only possible in anime.”

Anime, that is, it meant that it was only possible in the 2D world of animation. At that time, the screening of ‘Sword’ began.

“…!”

Yusaku and the assistant were startled at the same time.

Because they found the face they wanted right away.

Even the opponent is not a male actor. A female actor.

At this moment, the two had the same image in their heads.

That actress wearing baggy *dogongbok* pants and bandages on top, with *irezumi* tattoos covering her collarbone to her arms, and a cigarette in her mouth….

…Scary.

“…!”

Yusaku and the assistant turned to each other at the same time.

‘Is this the Korean *dokkaebi*?’ ‘I never thought the *dokkaebi* actually existed in Korea!’

They were reminded of the Japanese *oni*, a type of *dokkaebi*.