Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 142

Premiere, Start (1)

142. Premiere, Start (1)

2022.03.22.

The premiere was held at a luxury hotel. The sheer number of people filling the large venue was momentarily overwhelming. The director and actors offered their greetings, followed by a brief introduction to the movie, all proceeding at a brisk pace. Of course, there were some excited whispers. “Oh my god. Did you see who showed up today? Even Kwon Seong-hyeon is here. And Min Ye-rin, too.”
“The reporters were going crazy about that earlier. I didn’t even know Seong-hyeon would come.”
“You didn’t know? It’s no secret. Seong-hyeon is a huge Yeon-woo fan.”
“Lee Ju-ha is here as well.”
“Wow. This is my lucky day.” The invited VIPs and general audience members buzzed with excitement.
“This premiere is like an awards ceremony with a red carpet.”
“Oh, Park, the reporter. What brings you here?”
“Of course, I had to come. How could I miss such a hot ticket? I dropped everything and rushed over here.”
“Do you think it’s going to be a huge hit?”
“Seeing them make such a big deal out of it, they must be very confident. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“Come on. It’s not a blockbuster, just a love story. How big of a hit could it be? It’s a relief if it doesn’t flop. Our people [Korean audiences] are ruthless. No fun, guilty; fun, innocent.”
The reporters, packed on one side, were also buzzing and snapping pictures. Despite the commotion, the host skillfully kept the event moving. Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived: the first screening of the movie.

[Everyone.]
The lights inside the theater slowly dimmed. At the same time, a low, calm voice filled the space.
[There is something that remains in your heart forever.]
The phrase slowly appeared on the screen, then scattered like smoke and faded out, leaving only the black screen. It was just a single line, but the slightly noisy theater fell silent in an instant. Everyone was immediately captivated. The movie began. Quietly. And it was the beginning of a movie that would warm people’s hearts for a long time, like a gentle wildfire.

*

Before the movie started.

“This is the first time I’m seeing the edited version… Ugh, I’m so nervous. I have to watch it without blinking an eye. That way, I can complain to Director Ji later if there’s anything weird.”
That’s what Yeon Do-hee said. But when the lights came back on in the theater, she hurriedly covered her eyes, contradicting her earlier claim of not blinking. Her eyes, which were briefly visible, were slightly red, as if she had been crying. And Yeon Do-hee wasn’t the only one.
“Oh, thank you. I needed a tissue.” The supporting actor next to her also wiped her eyes with her hand, as if she had shed a few tears. A staff member quickly approached and handed the actors tissues. The makeup staff also rushed over to fix their makeup quickly, as they had to return to the stage.
Even after the movie ended, the venue remained quiet for a while, even with the lights on. Everyone was lost in the afterglow. The only sound was the occasional sob here and there. Staff members were seen busily and quietly walking around the seats, handing out tissues.
“This is a hit. It’s a hit…” One of the staff members sitting nearby muttered quietly. The celebrities who came to support them were secondary. Most of the people who attended the premiere were there to evaluate the movie.
‘According to what Dongja-ryeong showed me… If the movie is boring, it’s noisy and chaotic throughout the screening.’ Have you ever seen a ghost trying to teach you something? Dongja-ryeong was exactly like that.
-[For example, if you’re showing a comedy movie and no one laughs? Then you can consider that movie a failure.]
-[If you put in a scene where people are supposed to cry, but no one cries! That’s serious.]
-[When people are focused, they react without even realizing it. Whether it’s joy or sadness or whatever. But if there’s none of that… you have to consider that a failure to immerse the audience.]
That’s why premieres are important. You can tell how well it will do based on the initial reaction. In that sense, this reaction right now is…
‘At least it’s not a flop.’ They had definitely avoided the worst-case scenario. He had already guessed it to some extent, but it felt different to see it confirmed by an objective indicator.
As the venue calmed down, the next part of the schedule began. A table and chairs were set up on the stage, and the main staff and cast, including Director Ji, took their seats.
“Now, we will have a Q&A session.”

*

A man with a gaunt and nervous appearance frowned as he looked at the long line. He was a film critic with a considerable online presence due to his sharp tongue and ruthless reviews. His nickname was Hanhyang. It was his real name, Gi Han-hyang, with only his surname removed. @onefragrance [Photo] On my way to the VIP premiere of [The Most Beautiful Days] today. #Premiere #Visit #Critic #Hanhyang #TheMostBeautifulDays #Excited Just before arriving, he posted news and photos on his personal Instagram with a selfie. As expected of someone with a large number of followers, comments were quickly pouring in.
-Are you going to the premiere today, Hyang-nim [term of endearment]?
-Wow, I’m jealous. I didn’t get in.
-Awesome, I heard there are a lot of people there. I’m so jealous.
-I heard Kwon Seong-hyeon is there, is that true?
-Please take some inside shots for us! We’re counting on you, Hyang-nim!
-But aren’t romances not your thing, Hyang-nim? lol I wonder if it’ll get a 1-star rating.
-I heard the news and came here to support our Do-hee unnie [older sister/female friend]. Please give her a good review.
-I heard the news and came here to support our Yeon-woo too!
-ㄷㄷㄷ What’s with the production company’s audacity? Inviting Hyang-nim to the premiere lol I wonder if the movie will flop;
-Hyang-nim, have mercy…
-I saw some YouTube videos and the movie seems okay… Anyway, I’m looking forward to Hyang-nim’s incisive review.
A movie premiere to which he was invited as a VIP. He wasn’t particularly thrilled when he received the ticket.
‘Why would they bother inviting me to something like a love story?’ That’s what he thought. Were they deliberately trying to get a bad review? He seriously wondered if they were asking for the movie to flop on its own.
‘Should I just not go?’ He briefly had that thought, but then, ‘No. How confident are they to invite me to a romance of all things? If they’re that confident, I should see it.’ This is a challenge. That’s what the man thought. If they knew his track record, they wouldn’t even think of inviting him. Because he would definitely pour out harsh criticism and give it the lowest rating!
But the only reason they bothered to send an invitation was because it was a challenge.
‘Arrogant.’ Arrogant. How arrogant were they to call him? The moment he felt a hint of curiosity, he decided to attend. Ji Woon-jae. He’s been in this industry for quite a while and has some recognition as a director…
‘But still, he’s just a fledgling who’s barely out of the gate in the commercial world. Why would he call me?’ No matter how much experience he has with short films, so what? The commercial world is even more harsh and unforgiving. Visual beauty? What’s the point of beautiful visuals?
‘If they’re not confident in storytelling, they’ll just inflate the visuals and make a bland video that’s just pretty to look at.’ It was a bit unusual that Cheongwang, who had no interest in the entertainment industry, invested in it. Other than that, there wasn’t much that was special. It was a bit unusual that Yeon Do-hee, who was once revered as the goddess of Chungmuro [Korean Hollywood] but turned into the goddess of misfortune because every movie she made flopped, was in it? The actor playing the male lead was also making his debut in this movie. There were rumors that he had some acting skills…
‘Honestly, how good could he be if it’s his debut movie? Yeon Do-hee is just unlucky again this time.’ In many ways, there was nothing to look forward to. So, as if accepting the challenge, he openly posted on his personal Instagram. He came to the venue lightly, deciding to give it the worst rating possible out of slight pity for Yeon Do-hee…
‘But what is this crowd…?’ Gi Han-hyang couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded as he looked at the long line of people. Was it such a highly anticipated movie that there were so many people…?
Just as he was thinking that.
“Oh! It’s Kwon Seong-hyeon!”
“Wow, Min Ye-rin came too.”
“Awesome. I’m glad I came. It’s a feast for the eyes.”
The people in line began to stir as celebrities showed off their glamorous presence and posed on the photo wall. Han-hyang felt like he understood.
‘Ah. So that’s why there are so many people. They must be trying to create a big buzz.’ But it just seemed more absurd. Calling in famous celebrities is only a temporary issue. There were cases where the movie was buried because of that issue.
‘Foolish.’ Gi Han-hyang twisted his lips cynically and entered the venue as he was guided. The interior was also extremely luxurious.
‘A lavish event covered in money, but with no substance. Hmm… I already have one line.’ He thought it would be like going to a dessert buffet at a 5-star hotel instead of a movie, because the prepared refreshments were also top-notch. That’s what Gi Han-hyang thought. However.
“We will now begin the movie screening. We ask all guests to take their seats and refrain from using their cell phones…”
When the host’s announcement came and the venue darkened and a low voice was heard.
‘It’s just another mediocre movie.’ The thoughts in Gi Han-hyang’s head evaporated into thin air. Without even knowing how time was passing, he was completely immersed in the emotions that flowed calmly and sometimes passionately.
[I’m so tired. I’m so tired that I don’t want to think about anything. I don’t have time to think about things like dating…]
[I’ll make that time for you. Lean on me. I want to be your strength. Just give me a little space to stand next to you.]
[Why are you doing this to me? It doesn’t have to be me…]
[No. It has to be you. Our connection brought us together.]
Every time Shin Yeo-won refused Kim Joo-young, who was tired of life, Han-hyang clutched his chest. He felt sorry that she didn’t accept him, but on the other hand, he understood. Because he saw in Shin Yeo-won the image of modern people who were so tired that they considered even having time for love a luxury. Gi Han-hyang could relate very well because he had once been worked to the bone as an employee of a company.
[Just give me a little bit of yourself. I’ll take on the hard parts instead.]
When the eyes that stared straight ahead filled the screen, he stopped breathing for a moment. He understood why Shin Yeo-won, who had been pushing him away and hesitating for so long, finally nodded. If he were to receive such a gaze, Gi Han-hyang might have given that man even his soul if that’s what he wanted. Fortunately, he wasn’t the only one.
“Hup…”
“Heueu…”
The strange sounds of people swallowing their breaths on both sides reassured Gi Han-hyang.
[Give me your hand.]
[…Joo-young, you’re tired too.]
[Hmm. I think I could carry Yeo-won on my back right now. Would you like a piggyback ride?]
The sight of them laughing together in the lush nature was very beautiful. The very visual beauty that he had ridiculed as being unnecessarily decorative played the ultimate role in drawing out the ticklish emotions. The unrealistic beauty and fantastic sense that seemed to be separated from the secular world drew Gi Han-hyang in. Every time he looked into Kim Joo-young’s eyes, which were fixed on Shin Yeo-won, Gi Han-hyang thought.
‘I think I’ve had that kind of love too.’ The epitome of pure emotion that doesn’t consider any conditions. The flawless, affectionate gaze that wasn’t tainted by even a speck of dust made his heart swell. It reminded him of faint memories, and he gradually became immersed in their clean and clear love.