124. The end and the beginning (3)

A black screen filled the cinema. White letters flowing over it. It was very nerve-wracking to see his name on the credits. After the credits rolled, the theater lights turned on, brightening the dark front stage.

Director Yoon Seong-ah, Park Hyo-won, and Do-wook stepped up the stage in turn. Since it was a media preview, the atmosphere was different from meeting with general audiences. Nevertheless, applause erupted from the audience from time to time.

The faces of the reporters were all serious. They looked like they were thinking a lot about something.

It wasn't meant in a negative way. <Blue Whale> was a thought-provoking film. It was hard to think of it as simply a movie dealing with school violence.

It was a story about feelings that they did not even know when they passed through those days. Looking back, they realize that it was jealousy, inferiority complex, and various emotions in the name of friendship.

It was a movie that awakened, albeit belatedly, the emotions that were unknown to those who had not looked back, and aroused deep sympathy for those who knew.

Those emotions were so subtle that it was a problem how to capture them, but director Yoon Seong-ah used a rather extreme device called 'violence' to portray them explosively.

As the three sat down on the simple chairs prepared in advance, the reporters started asking questions. Today's press conference was held in the form of freely exchanging questions after the screening.

"This is Cinephile Reporter Yoon Hee-yoon. Please give us a brief impression of the three of you's films."

"As this is my first work, I have a lot of affection for it. It's a start again, but despite my shortcomings in many ways, the results seem good, so I'm satisfied. However, it remains a question whether all the things I wanted to convey are conveyed well. Interpretation is up to the audience. So, it must have left my hands. Anyway, I sincerely thank the two actors who worked together. If there is a good result, the credit will be doubled."

Director Yoon Seong-ah, unlike usual, expressed her impressions word by word.

"Actually, I'm so nervous... It's my first time holding a microphone, so I'm sorry for talking nonsense."

Director Yoon Seong-ah's comments eased the atmosphere in the venue a little.

"Starting today, you will have a lot to hold on to the mic, so it will be fine soon."

Do-wook, who is relatively familiar with the stage, encouraged director Yoon Seong-ah. At the same time, it was also a suggestion that the movie would do well. Reporters admired Do-wook, who was the youngest but was in the most professional shape.

There was an implicit question order, so the story hadn't come out yet, but Do-wook was a very strange being among film reporters. The desire to investigate was burning.

"This is Film 2000 reporter Kim Kang-hyun. Director Yoon Seong-ah knows that this is her first debut film. The response is that the overall level of completion is higher than expected. In particular, it is said that the mise-en-scène is excellent, and there are also new directings that do not follow the existing films. What do you think?"

"My major was film, but I started working in advertising. I think there are some parts where I have a different sense from the existing films because I was working in an advertisement where I had to compete with a video in a few seconds."

Another reporter followed the question.

"Despite being a female director, the world of wandering boys was portrayed realistically. I wonder how that was possible."

"Uh... I thought that women and men essentially felt the same emotions at that time. Also, Park Hyo-won helped me a lot from the time I wrote the scenario. From the beginning, the role of Hyo-won was written with Park Hyo-won as a model, too. I do."

The question naturally shifted to a question about the actor. The reporters asked Park Hyo-won basic questions such as his impressions of acting and evaluation of the movie, and then asked about his opponent, Do-wook.

"Did you ever think that your acting partner would be an actor from an idol?"

"Of course I didn't. I didn't expect that such a popular star would come in doing art films."

Park Hyo-won answered honestly. Do-wook, who knows how to talk to Park Hyo-won well, just laughed knowing that it was really 'I didn't know' without any other intention.

"How do you feel about being together?"

"I don't think it's necessary to say that I'm an actor from somewhere. I'm a good actor... and I'm also a competitive actor. It's true that I felt the same jealousy in the movie."

This was the first time he had heard of it, so Do-wook was a little surprised. He didn't know that Park Hyo-won would feel competitive with his junior. It was also a story that Do-wook's acting was so attractive.

Do-wook was asked about his impressions of his first film challenge and how he was cast. Do-wook, who simply replied that he had been introduced through a school professor, cut off the answer, and Director Yoon Seong-ah continued his answer.

Director Yoon Seong-ah explained an anecdote about being comforted by Do-wook while working at a billboard. The hand movements of the reporters, who were typing the story of director Yoon Seong-ah, became very fast. Reporters holding tape recorders were also listening intently.

Then came the story of acting.

"The scenes where Jung-hwan assaults Hyo-won in the classroom are very realistic. I was surprised because it was so different from the usual image. Have you ever actually had a fist conversation with your friends?"

It was a joke question. However, in this part, Do-wook did not feel like laughing, so he fixed the microphone without changing his expression.

"I've never used a fist, even as a joke. That's why I had a lot of worries about whether it would be realistic. It's the first time I've ever taken on a role that's so different from mine. I would appreciate it if you would accept it."

Reporters nodded at Do-wook's words. Entertainment reporters, not film reporters, were also present, and the acting was enough to cause confusion to them. It was because it was very different from the character of Do-wook they knew.

"I thought about this friend a lot. Watching it, I thought that his passion was great, and I think that was revealed in a sincere enough way in his acting."

The ones who were surprised by Park Hyo-won's words were film reporters. Although he was not yet familiar with the public, most people familiar with Chungmuro ​​knew about Park Hyo-won.

Now, he was more recognized by acting actors and art film directors. It was not common for Park Hyo-won to openly praise a junior actor like this. At the same time, it was a surprise for those who had already seen the movie, so all of Park Hyo-won's words were convincing.

"I don't know if you know, but the internet is hot right now with school violence issues. An idol is suspected of committing school violence. Isn't Blue Whale also a movie that deals with school violence issues? What do you think about this case? "

The reporters all looked at the reporter who asked the question. Among them, there were those who did not yet know what was happening on the Internet and looked curiously, but most of them said, 'What kind of questions are you asking?' It was a way to do it. It was an aggro question thrown to Do-wook, an idol group member.

If he said that it was still just a suspicion, it would definitely attract aggro if he was tied up with the idol who was pointed out as the perpetrator, and even if he said that violence was not allowed, there was a possibility that he would be attacked by Seo-joon's fans.

Do-wook's eyes shone a little fiercely, and then sank as usual. Do-wook had no intention of avoiding it. It didn't matter if it was known that he was behind Seo Kyung-joon's downfall. No, actually, the word 'behind the scenes' was a funny word.

It wasn't even that Dowook manipulated something from behind to bring it down. It was all the work of Seo Gyeong-jun, and Seo Gyeong-jun himself was collapsing.

"Well, when can violence be justified? I don't think there is ever such a case."

The resolute voice of Do-wook rang the cinema.

"In that respect, it is the same as Jung-hwan in the blue whale. The wrong he did cannot be forgiven for any reason."

People seemed to know that words have power. Listening to Do-wook's low voice, it was like Do-wook was a strict judge. And they were all right too.

Question time was nearing its end. When the film premieres next week, the question was asked how many audiences to expect. Director Yoon Seong-ah said the number of audiences that could be mobilized realistically.

Then congratulations were also delivered.

"Your name has been listed in the New Currents section of the Jeju International Film Festival. Congratulations."

Director Yoon Seong-ah's face was in full bloom.

"thank you."

Do-wook and Park Hyo-won also bowed their heads to those who were reporters but also audiences. Director Yoon Seong-ah took the opportunity of new investment from HIT Entertainment to submit <Blue Whale> to several international film festivals including the Jeju International Film Festival.

A few days ago, she was nominated for the New Currents section of the Jeju International Film Festival.

Currently, the Toronto Film Festival is in competition and the Cannes Film Festival is non-competitive.

She was waiting for the results of the division.

Waiting for good news from the remaining two film festivals, just before the three of them step off the stage. There were people who gave bouquets to Do-wook, director Yoon Seong-ah, and Park Hyo-won.

Director Yoon Seong-ah was personally presented with a bouquet of flowers by the director of the Blue Whale production company, saying that she had worked hard. It was his old girlfriend who delivered the bouquet to Park Hyo-won.

And the moment Dowook received the bouquet, the stage was full. The flash also exploded the most. It was because all the KK members came to visit.

***

After finishing the preview schedule, Do-wook had dinner with all the members after a long time. It's been a long time since they had a meal together like this because each of them had busy personal schedules.

While Dowook was filming, OK's 2nd album was a success. It wasn't as good as the last album, but it was an opportunity for them to try the music they wanted to do more freely.

Grades are good too. It also showed strength on the music charts and showed off its power as a unit of KK, with album sales as good as that of most groups.

In the case of Baek Hui-jun, he will have to leave at least once every two weeks because of 'camping for 48 hours', but other than that, they has stopped all personal activities.

It was because of the upcoming overseas tour.

The members gathered at a Chinese restaurant with separate rooms, Baekho Oh, and Chulmin Koo each ordered noodles and other food to eat together, such as sweet and sour pork.

When Dowook said he would shoot, the members cheered.

"But about that incident earlier. Right now, the Internet is a sea of ​​fire, a sea of ​​fire. Thousands of comments have been posted."

"It was. Is it possible for Seo Joon to be active..."

When Ahn Hyeong-seo brought up the topic, Baek Hwi-jun nodded as if he knew the situation. Oh Baek-ho looked at Do-wook as if passing by.

"Anyway, I knew he was that kind of guy. Ever since he tackled me!"

Ahn Hyeong-seo said excitedly. It seemed that he was reminded of the earlier injury to his leg due to a rough tackle. As usual, there were postings on the Internet exposing Seo-joon's actions. One of them was Seo-jun making a tackle during a futsal game.

He went unnoticed at the time, but when he looked closely again, there were many opinions that he seemed to have deliberately targeted the target.

"No, I'm not sure yet, so be quiet."

Jeong Min-gi who stopped Ahn Hyeong-seo. Jeong Min-ki saw the contents of the letter and felt uncomfortable, but it was not an easy decision.

Do-wook did not add anything else. When the dish started to come out, Do-wook's cell phone rang. It was reporter Choi Seong-jun.

Do-wook, who left the room quietly, received a call from reporter Seong-jun Choi in the hallway.

"Hello? Yes, Reporter Choi. Where are you?"

Reporter Choi Seong-joon's voice, answering Do-wook's question, was mixed with a response that was absurd.
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End of chapter