episode_0123

“I, I…”

-Ding dong, ding ding!

At the moment when I was about to make a choice and open my mouth to reply.

The phone rang.

I quickly checked the phone in my hand, but…

-….

It wasn’t my phone. So when I shifted my gaze, I saw the author Lee Young-woo holding the phone to his ear.

“Hello? Oh, really? I just went to the restroom for a moment. That person earlier? Oh, I see.”

While glancing at me quickly.

“Are you with me? Oh. Oh, I see. Well, I’ll go back in. Okay. Got it.”

“W-who?”

“Oh, it’s Director Kim Sion. The one we saw earlier. The movie ended, the event is starting, and we weren’t there, so he called to check. Should we go back in? Or just go straight home?”

Honestly, considering my current state… or lack thereof, I felt like going home. But since I was already here, I thought I might as well go back in since when else would I have a chance to see actor Lee Byung-hun?

“Um, but what were you trying to tell me…?”

Just as I was about to exit through the emergency door, as soon as I opened the door, he called out to me and asked.

I…

“It’s nothing important. We’ll talk about it later. Let’s go quickly.”

I decided to avoid the situation for now.

I know he’s not someone who would despise or avoid me, but somehow our relationship would change in some way.

Slowly drifting apart, or staying the same.

It’s a matter of breaking even with nothing gained, or losing. You can call me a coward. But rather than jumping to conclusions right away.

“Doyeon.”

Author Lee Young-woo calling me softly.

“Yes?”

I turned around quickly.

“Please let me know whenever you feel like it.”

He just smiled warmly and looked at me with infinite warmth in his eyes.

Before I could respond.

Feeling something overwhelming, I nodded slightly and looked ahead, walking away.

On the way back to the theater, I stopped by the restroom for a moment to fix my smudged makeup.

Although he told me to go in first, he was waiting for me in front of the theater as expected. I casually shrugged and approached the theater door.

“Oh, um. The entrance for the cast members is on the other side, not this way. May I have your name…?”

The woman who seemed to be a staff member guarding the door stopped me and asked.

“Oh, I’m not a cast member, just a regular audience member.”

I said, showing her the premiere ticket.

Embarrassed, she blushed and quickly bowed her head. It seemed like she might have mistaken me for a celebrity because of the sunglasses and baseball cap.

As I entered the theater, I met eyes with author Lee Young-woo and chuckled softly, making a sarcastic sound.

“Haha! Somehow, this outfit seems to be causing more misunderstandings here.”

“I see. But even I might misunderstand.”

“Haha… Is that so?”

I just laughed because I didn’t have a proper response.

Anyway, as we entered the theater, the event was in full swing on the stage in front of the screen.

“Alright, this movie’s lead actor. It’s none other than Lee Byung-hun.”

-Wow!!! Clap clap clap clap clap!!!!

An enthusiastic response. It was a cheer that made you think he was truly a top-tier actor in South Korea.

“Hello. I’m actor Lee Byung-hun.”

A low, deep voice. Honestly, even as a man… no, as a former man, his voice was incredibly charming. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that half of his acting prowess came from that charming voice.

Following him, the other actors entered. Similarly, one of Korea’s top-tier actresses, Gong Hyo-jin, and idol-turned-actress Ahn So-hee entered, and finally, the director of the movie, Director Kim Sion, entered, and the official premiere event began.

“Um… I’d like to ask Lee Byung-hun first. Is there a reason why you chose this movie?”

“First of all, in a situation where there are limited options like the recent trend of crime or romantic comedy films in the film industry…”

As actor Lee Byung-hun finished his response, the host continued with a question to actress Gong Hyo-jin.

“You took on the role of a wife who cheats in this film, what was the most challenging part of portraying this character?”

“Well, it was a character who wasn’t fully committed to her husband, but rather relied on someone she could lean on when things got tough in a foreign land. Portraying those delicate emotions was a bit challenging…”

Following that, questions about each actor’s role, the atmosphere on set, and how they matched their acting with the other actors continued.

After the talk with the cast and director ended, the host announced that they had prepared a simple event.

“We’ve prepared a small event this time. Did everyone enjoy the movie?”

-“Yes~”

“So, for the event! We’re giving you the chance to say a movie review in front of the actors and director! Even a short one-liner like ‘It was fun.’ will do, so the first 5 people to raise their hands will get the chance to hug their favorite actor along with a gift voucher! Are the actors okay with this?”

The actors nodded slightly in agreement. It was a somewhat reluctant consent.

Goodness gracious.

At first, I thought, who would willingly do something embarrassing like that, but to my surprise, the actors themselves were offering hugs.

The audience, who were initially reserved, suddenly became enthusiastic.

“Alright, raise your hands now!”

As soon as the host finished speaking, the audience started raising their hands, appealing to be chosen. It seemed like about a third of the audience was doing so.

Of course, I wasn’t among them.

Honestly, I do like actor Lee Byung-hun, but as a guy, hugging a male actor seemed a bit awkward. Just maintaining a cool image of a great actor was enough for me. And well…I wasn’t a huge fan of Gong Hyo-jin, and Han So-hee? I wasn’t really into idols, even though she was a member of the Wonder Girls who dominated a certain era.

So, I just sat quietly and watched what others were doing.

Anyway, the first opportunity of the event went to a woman in her twenties who left a very brief review and then immediately ran to hug Lee Byung-hun.

“Hehehe.”

She smiled happily and came down from the stage, and the event continued until only one opportunity was left.

“Alright! Finally, the last chance. Get ready to raise your hands!”

Everyone looked around nervously. Tension filled the air at that moment.

-Buzz~

A familiar sound pierced through the silence and reached my ears.

-Buzz~ Buzz~

It was the sound of annoyance rising in my ears!

“Oh, a mosquito….”

Author Lee Young-woo muttered quietly.

Ah, there’s a sad legend about mosquitoes. It’s a story from when I was in the military.

-Buzz~

The mosquito bit between my fingers…

-Buzz~ Buzz~

Even applying ointment was useless…

-Buzzzzz!

“Oh, really!”

I continued to wave my hand to chase away the buzzing mosquito.

And then, at that moment!

“Please raise your hand! Oh! The lady who raised her hand the fastest over there!”

-Buzzzzz~

“Oh no, I got it!”

-Clap!

As I tried to catch the mosquito, my hand slapped against someone else’s.

“Congratulations! You clapped in joy as well. Could you please stand up from your seat?”

Ah, I caught it!

I cautiously opened my hand to check, and there lay the annoying mosquito’s lifeless body, spewing out unknown crimson blood.

“Hoo. That was a tough fight.”

As I tried to catch my breath.

-Tok tok.

The writer Lee Young-woo, who was sitting next to me, lightly touched my shoulder.

Wondering what was going on, I turned to look beside me.

Huh? Why? Why is everyone looking at me like that?

Something felt off, so I looked around, why is everyone staring at me like that?

Even the actors on stage, the host, and the director are all looking at me.

“Um…ma’am? Yes, you, did you raise your hand and catch my eye?”

Me? Did I raise my hand? I looked at Lee Young-woo with a questioning look, and he nodded slightly.

Could it be that my gesture of swatting a mosquito was interpreted as raising my hand?

Oh my…what is this…

“Um, well, I…”

“Oh, I really want to hear your thoughts on this.”

Before I could express my refusal, someone cut in and interrupted me. When I turned in that direction, I saw Director Kim Sion.

“Hello. Are you with her?”

The audience stirred at Director Kim Sion’s words.

“The person sitting next to you is a writer who worked with me on the last independent film I shot. I saw you two together earlier, and I thought maybe she has some insights on the film. Can you tell us?”

With that, Director Kim Sion smiled slyly.

Why on earth…

Feeling unsure of what to do, I looked around, but the host picked up on Director Kim Sion’s request and asked again.

In the end, unable to resist their request, I decided to simply share my thoughts on the film and end this ordeal.

“I…um…”

“But are you okay? Why are you wearing sunglasses in this dark room?”

Once again, Director Kim Sion cut in.

“I…I was deeply moved. Yes. I cried so much while watching it. My eyes are swollen, please understand.”

In a move that I couldn’t quite grasp the purpose of.

“Ah…I see. Thank you.”

He accepts it with a straight face.