Free Web NovelThe planner hosting the GV (Guest Visit) suddenly recognized him and looked visibly surprised.
Why is a Cannes Film Festival planner here? After all, Cannes only accepts world premieres (a condition under which only films that have never been screened or submitted anywhere else are eligible)...
He quickly grabbed the microphone.
“Are you Mr. Ballon Farouze, Senior Programmer of the Cannes Film Festival? What brings you here...?”
“I’m on vacation.”
“Ah, I see... Still, to make such a comment about a PIFF entry...”
“Haha. That’s the highest praise I can give.”
He laughed heartily, and a journalist who had entered with a press badge snapped a photo with a flash, thinking, ‘I’ve hit the jackpot.’
The audience also began to murmur.
— He’s a programmer for the Cannes Film Festival.
— What does a programmer do?
— They organize the festival and select the films that will be screened.
“This film is truly artistic! Not only is the mise-en-scène outstanding, but the high-caliber performances of the ballerina and the Phantom, along with the portrayal of humanity’s impure greed for art, blend together beautifully. It’s a work worth flying more than ten hours across the world to see!”
The interpreter skillfully translated the Frenchman’s passionate praise, and the journalist busily scribbled down every word.
Director Ki then took the microphone to respond.
“Thank you. Any other questions?”
“I can’t believe the Phantom isn’t a ballet dancer. The lead actress is a real ballerina, right? It’s truly an incredible artistic achievement. Is she currently performing? I’d love to see her on stage while I’m in Korea.”
The director replied,
“Ms. Yoon Seryeon, who played the lead role, retired from ballet due to an injury, but after this film, she began rehabilitation again.”
He and Seryeon had already discussed this beforehand.
She had told him to be honest about her during interviews. Since the truth would come out with a little research anyway, she didn’t want to hide it. She had spoken calmly, saying that perhaps some good fortune might follow if people were waiting for her return.
“What a pity... Perhaps that pain is what made her Giselle so beautiful. Please tell her that a ballet enthusiast is eagerly awaiting and supporting her comeback.”
“I’ll be sure to pass along your message.”
The planner was about to move on to the next question.
However, the man clutched the microphone tightly and hurriedly blurted out another question.
“Wait... just one more! I won’t be able to sleep tonight unless I hear the answer.”
“Please go ahead.”
“What kind of filter did you use during the Phantom’s Giselle performance in the middle of the film? It looked faintly blurred, but the focus became clear the more closely you watched.”
Director Ki smiled triumphantly.
“We didn’t use any filter.”
“What?”
“We didn’t alter that scene at all. It was the actor’s restrained performance that created that effect.”
“No way! An acting filter?!”
At that, Ballon’s smile vanished, and the journalist frantically snapped more pictures.
[‘Acting Filter’ Shocks Cannes Film Festival Programmer]
[‘You Should Have Waited for Cannes.’ High Praise for ]
[Endless Standing Ovation for ]
The next day, those headlines dominated the newspapers, and for the first time in his life, Yoomyeong was flooded with an overwhelming number of text messages.
The company contacted him about arranging media interviews as requests came in, and his family’s astonished reactions were understandable.
And the planner’s advice to ‘get a decent outfit’ quickly became reality.
Interview requests from reporters poured in.
Programmers from international film festivals participating in PIFF rushed to contact him, expressing their desire to invite him to their festivals.
Important industry figures even proposed meeting over meals.
And the PIFF message board was in chaos.
— Looking for tickets to the second screening of Ballerina High.
— I saw the first screening, and I’m lining up at dawn again for on-site tickets. It’s worth watching twice.
— Does this actor have any previous work? I want to see it, but I can’t find anything.
└ “They said during the GV that this is his debut work. I can’t believe it either.”
The remaining tickets were resold at premium prices.
With three days left until the closing ceremony, Yoomyeong, who had hoped to leisurely enjoy the other films, was fully experiencing his newfound fame.
— Isn’t that the actor from the ballet movie?
— Could I get your autograph? freewēbnoveℓ.com
— When is the movie coming out? I’m definitely going to watch it.
Since the screenings had been limited, many people recognized him from the articles rather than the film itself.
Of course, it still wasn’t uncomfortable for Yoomyeong to walk down the street, but being recognized by strangers was a new experience and always made his heart race.
‘So... this is what it feels like to be famous...’
Then came the closing ceremony.
“The 8th Busan International Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize goes to... !”
Ballerina High won the FIPRESCI Prize (International Federation of Film Critics Prize), an award presented to a film in the New Currents category for outstanding artistic merit and progressive artistic vision.
It had previously gone to One Fine Spring Day in 2001 and Too Young to Die in 2002.
Although it was not the main New Currents Prize, had attracted so much attention at the Busan International Film Festival that it would not have been an exaggeration to call it the festival’s most talked-about film.
“When will it be released? Are you planning to send it to more film festivals first?”
“No. We only plan to submit it to festivals without restrictions on released films, and we intend to release it in December as scheduled.”
“Why? Wouldn’t it be better to circulate it through more festivals first?”
“There are two reasons. One of them is because Joel Schumacher’s is being released in December.”
Ah...
Yoomyeong suddenly remembered that the film was scheduled to come out around that time.
“We’re not a major production company, but releasing around the same time will definitely attract audiences interested in comparing the two. In addition, the attention and awards our film received at the Busan Film Festival will influence their release as well.”
Yoomyeong looked at Director Ki in a new light.
He hadn’t realized the man was capable of calculations like this. Perhaps this kind of foresight was what made him a successful director.
“And the second reason?”
“Isn’t your drama starting in December too?”
“Yes...”
“We should take advantage of your popularity.”
Seeing the smirk on Director Ki’s face, Yoomyeong realized something.
Though his words suggested one thing, Director Ki’s true intention was to synchronize the drama’s broadcast with the film’s release in order to boost Yoomyeong’s next project.
‘I won’t let him down.’
“I’ll make sure we ride that momentum.”
He was determined to turn Director Ki’s superficial reasoning into reality.
Or rather, to create synergy between the two projects.
The drama’s premiere was now only seven weeks away.
The man greeting him with a cheerful smile and an outstretched hand was Bang Hak, the new PD of .
Yoomyeong had joined the reshoot a day late because of his film festival schedule. PD Bang had suggested they meet briefly before today’s shoot, so he arrived an hour early.
‘That phrase won’t become popular until later, but... he’s the insider type.’
PD Bang had a very sociable demeanor. He responded well to everyone and had a natural talent for drawing people in with his words. Before the PD strike, he had been one of KBK’s hottest young producers, known for trendy projects.
“I reviewed the footage that had already been shot.”
“Yes.”
“You’re quite ambitious, Shin Yoomyeong. It looked like you were really aiming for the lead role.”
It was spoken half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Although he smiled as he said it, there was weight behind the words. Unable to tell whether they were meant positively or negatively, Yoomyeong stared intently into his eyes.
“I’m ambitious too. You probably already know this, but this is my comeback project after a year away. Even though I secured a favorable contract, if I don’t deliver results, my future might be... haha.”
Did people at broadcasting stations always speak so candidly about sensitive matters?
Yoomyeong still didn’t respond, and PD Bang continued.
“I’m telling you this...”
“...”
“Because I decided to join this project, which the previous PD left in a mess, after seeing the footage you shot.”
Yoomyeong tilted his head slightly.
“The male lead acts well, the character Kim Hana is charming, and writer Yook Mi-young’s script is famous. But I was hesitant about choosing this as my first project after returning... Then I saw the role of Yoon Bohyung and thought this could become a project that leaves a mark on drama history. I felt like I’d regret it if I let it pass me by.”
PD Bang Hak wore his trademark sociable smile, layered over intense ambition.
“Let’s do well.”
“Yes, please take care of me.”
Yoomyeong firmly grasped his extended hand.
“Hey, Filter.”
“Oh, please, senior...”
“When’s the movie coming out? Is our drama going to benefit from it?”
“Why is everyone asking me...?”
Everyone already knew that the newcomer making his major debut through this drama had exceptional acting skills. But they hadn’t expected him to gain recognition elsewhere so quickly.
The shift in atmosphere after the PD change also played a role.
“OK—”
“OK! Good!”
“Keep that emotion. We’ll move straight to the next scene.”
This was where people’s fickle nature came into play.
Everyone had always thought Yoomyeong was talented and that PD Joo lacked discernment, but when someone is constantly being held back, people eventually start wondering, ‘Maybe he stands out too much.’
But once the OKs started coming quickly, his already impressive acting seemed even more remarkable.
‘I might get overshadowed...’
Baek Seunghyo watched the scene with mixed feelings.
This was the actor Director Moon had personally scouted, but he was no ordinary actor. He reminded Baek Seunghyo of ‘that guy.’
Even the character was excellent. Although the male lead had the most screen time, the problem was that his personality was unlikable in the early stages.
‘Can my acting alone overcome that...?’
Still, Kwon Do-jun’s character possessed one undeniably cool quality.
In terms of acting skill, he was among the best actors in Korea.
Despite his terrible personality, his brilliance during performances made it impossible to hate him completely.
And as Kim Hana matured, Kwon Do-jun evolved in his own way as well.
In short, he was a male lead who initially drew both criticism and affection, but gradually became a character viewers couldn’t help but love as the drama progressed.
“Mr. Baek Seunghyo, please prepare for your scene.”
“Yes.”
His turn was coming up.
It was the highlight of Episode 2: Do-jun’s acting practice scene.
“Teacher, how was that just now?”
Do-jun asked his acting teacher (played by Bae Ok-jin), whom he treated with the utmost respect.
“It’s good, Do-jun. The character’s genius as a warrior came across well through your agile movements.”
“But... was there beauty in the movements?”
“Are you worried because of the original line, ‘Eunseong’s sword dance is so miraculous and beautiful it’s almost tragic’? Well, you’re not someone who actually wields a sword, so it’s impossible to reach that level. I’m sure the editing will compensate for it.”
“...I’ll do it again.”
Kwon Do-jun stood in the practice room drenched in sweat, repeating the same movements over and over.
Kim Hana watched him silently, thinking, ‘He may be annoying, but he’s really cool when he acts.’
Baek Seunghyo played Kwon Do-jun, who in turn portrayed Eunseong.
The intensity of the practice was so overwhelming that the boundaries between Eunseong, Kwon Do-jun, and Baek Seunghyo began to blur.
PD Bang Hak, a natural insider skilled at managing relationships, smiled expectantly, his palms damp with sweat.
‘When you praise someone talented, it motivates even those still learning to improve.’
Then the drama’s production press conference approached.
The main and supporting actors attending the conference were Baek Seunghyo, Cha Harin, Lee Kyu-seong, Jung Junhee, Shin Yoomyeong, Bae Ok-jin, and Lee Ok-hyung.
Amid a storm of dazzling flashes, each actor took turns stepping onto the stage to greet the audience.
The host introduced the actors one by one.
“This is Shin Yoomyeong, who plays Yoon Bohyung. Please stand on the marked position on the floor and pose facing left, center, and right.
In the drama, Shin Yoomyeong plays Yoon Bohyung, a friend and steadfast supporter of the female lead, Kim Hana. Though a supporting role, Yoon Bohyung is a character writer Yook Mi-young crafted with an impact equal to that of the leads.
Shin Yoomyeong has also recently been recognized for his solid acting skills, winning the FIPRESCI Prize at the Busan International Film Festival for his previous film.”
Click— Click— Click—
Under the brilliant lights, Yoomyeong smiled with the relaxed confidence that suited his character, Bohyung.
Then came the press interview.
The actors ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ sat in a row across the long stage.
“If you could describe the character you play in one word, what would it be?”
