Chapter 46
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: Independent Film Festival (1)
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The final moments of Innocent Boy.
It was after the long, drawn-out scene focusing on the boy's expression finally came to an end.
The pen in his hand had been useless for ages.
He had even forgotten he was supposed to be judging.
Tak Bong-chun found himself utterly lost as Innocent Boy reached its conclusion.
Soon, a black screen appeared, and the end credits began to roll.
The director's name and lead actor's name scrolled by.
A profound silence settled over the room.
He couldn't even breathe properly, just stared blankly at those white letters.
This thing... why the hell is it here...?
Wh-what the hell is this...?
No one could stop thinking about Innocent Boy.
They didn't even have a moment to recall that this was the film the preliminary judges had mentioned.
And then...
Just when everyone thought it was over.
One final story slipped back onto the screen.
- Um, excuse me.
The movie... it's not over yet?!
Their dazed minds reeled, desperately clinging to reality.
Like snatching the last strawberry from a sweet cake—they didn't want to miss a single bit.
- Hey.
This was the secret post-credits scene that Kwak Hoon and Shin Yi-han had prepared.
Since Shin Yi-han didn't appear in it, even his manager, Choo Gyeo-ul, had never seen it.
It wasn't in the script either—deliberately left out.
They wanted every actor and crew member to feel it.
This was the final message.
Probably the first time anyone would see it.
And the judges were the first to witness this story.
The post-credits scene was, true to its name, a cookie.
Extremely short.
But.
So weighty it encompassed the entire tale. It hit like a blow to the head.
The judges couldn't stay seated.
They became pure audience members.
One by one, as if entranced, the judges rose to their feet.
The master himself, Tak Bong-chun, was no exception.
Their applause erupted.
This was a film worth it.
And at the same time, Tak Bong-chun had no choice but to realize.
This is it.
The massive breakthrough he'd been waiting for.
What else could it be?
This Innocent Boy.
As the main round judging wrapped up, leaving everyone stunned by a single film.
Seoul Independent Film Festival.
It was the biggest festival among indie filmmakers—a fairly major event in its own right.
But last year, with the quality so disastrously low it wasn't an exaggeration, this year they had to pour even more effort into promotion.
['Seoul Independent Film Festival' 180 Degrees from Last Year—Guaranteed Masterpieces!]
Not just pumping out articles like that.
[Seoul Independent Film Festival | International Invitees and Famous Overseas Directors to Attend This Year...]
To push the boundaries of domestic festivals, they'd sent out an unprecedented number of invites overseas this year. Of course, responses were another matter...
No matter how disappointed people were last year, they did their utmost to make this one unmissable.
And a few days before the festival...
[Secret Judge at Seoul Independent Film Festival Revealed as Master 'Tak Bong-chun'?!]
[Master Director Tak Bong-chun Steps Up for Juniors at Seoul Independent Film Festival!]
The organizers dropped their joker card: the bombshell of Tak Bong-chun.
[Tak Bong-chun Exclusive Interview! Rave Reviews!
: This Year's Seoul Independent Film Festival Is One to Watch! Feels Like I've Found Talent I Want to Work With!]
Tak Bong-chun's candid interview followed.
The video spread like wildfire.
? lololololol
Is this for real? Thought it was some AI-generated fake.
Tak Bong-chun?! No way this is legit.
Why's Bro Bongchun showing up here?
Whoa. Skipped it last year after the flop. Gotta go now. Insane.
Tak Bong-chun's influence was massive.
The effect dwarfed all previous promotions combined.
[The Film Tak Bong-chun Raved About?! A Comet Appears at the Indie Festival?]
[Applause from the Judges' Room! Curiosity Builds Over the Stories in the Main Round Entries...]
Not just filmmakers—even casual folks who hadn't cared before were hearing about the Seoul Independent Film Festival.
[30-Second Breakdown: Analyzing the Main Round Films Recommended by Tak Bong-chun at Seoul Independent Film Festival!]
Tak Bong-chun's words bounced around the internet, drawing people in.
Everyone was dying to know which film had earned such high praise.
And it wasn't limited to Korea.
Japan, Osaka.
"What? Is this for real?"
It was a room styled like a traditional Japanese tea room. Japanese echoed through.
"Yes, it seems so."
The reply came in Japanese too.
"I've been getting invites for a while now, but..."
The one who'd just heard Tak Bong-chun was at the Seoul Independent Film Festival was.
"This time, I gotta go, right?"
Imamura Genji.
One of Japan's famous directors.
Lately, as he aged, he hadn't produced anything noteworthy, earning him "has-been" labels.
But once, he'd been hyped as Tak Bong-chun's rival, drawing all eyes.
The problem? That moment was brief, and he still couldn't write scenarios like back then.
Whenever he tried, it was just bland stories on repeat.
Tch. Is this what they call a slump?
Imamura Genji needed something to shock people.
A story good enough to shut up the retirement talk.
"Exactly. I think it's worth going this time too."
His handler had brought him the Tak Bong-chun news.
Probably to clear his head.
"Especially a chance to compete with Tak Bong-chun again. No idea what indie film got him so hyped, but."
A nudge to reignite the old rivalry.
"Surely our Director Takeshi's film will outshine it."
The handler flashed a confident smile, as if it were obvious.
Those words piqued Imamura Genji's interest.
"Oh, wait—does that mean Takeshi's new film got invited there?"
"Yes. Exactly—the Day of the Blue Night you liked so much is in as an international invitee."
"Then it's a no-brainer!"
He'd just seen Tak Bong-chun's interview.
- This time, there's truly... an amazing hidden gem.
- Like a comet.
A comet?
Hmph. We've got something bigger here.
"Put out some articles with my rave reviews for Takeshi's side. Last time I saw it, the quality was insane."
Imamura Genji declared confidently.
"Make it a showdown: Japan vs. Korea. Whose recommendation is spot-on—the masters' eyes."
A spark of rivalry, a rare thrill after so long.
"Though of course, nothing tops our Takeshi."
Takeshi might even steal the spotlight.
Imamura Genji smirked.
Takeshi was the genius rookie shaking up Japan's film scene lately.
This'll be fun. Expectations are high.
He might not beat Tak Bong-chun personally, but the festival? Piece of cake.
This way, I can flatten his nose without lifting a finger.
Imamura Genji eagerly awaited the festival.
A few days later.
The Seoul Independent Film Festival opening day had arrived.
Thankfully, the promotions paid off.
The crowd was several times bigger than last year.
All thanks to Director Tak Bong-chun.
Of course, he'd only appear at the closing ceremony awards.
- This time, there's truly... an amazing hidden gem. Like a comet.
- I can't wait to meet that director and actor. Honestly, I'm totally smitten.
A film that enamored Tak Bong-chun.
That interview had sparked massive hype—curiosity everyone shared.
The opening ceremony was filling up.
General audiences, of course, plus directors and a few actors from the main round entries.
Whoa, wow. So many people.
These are all here for our festival...!
The staff teared up, deeply moved.
Four days later, the so-called "Celebrity Day" would bring famous actors and directors to shine.
More than expected were joining, thanks to Tak Bong-chun's pull.
Pure joy.
No way...! Even Baek Eun-won’s coming! That top star!
I’m here for Go Do-jin! Ugh, huge fan!
Not a massive festival, yet top stars were showing up unexpectedly. Astonishing.
Huh? Why are those two coming all of a sudden? They're such A-listers, we didn't even dream of inviting them.
Yeah, weird.
What else? Tak Bong-chun!
A bit puzzling, but.
Nah, they reached out before the articles and interview dropped. Asked to be on the invite list.
For real?
Pure curiosity then...?
Pfft, like busy top stars have time for that.
They just shrugged it off as intriguing.
And the culprit behind it: Shin Yi-han.
Shin Yi-han sat front row with Kwak Hoon, waiting for the festival to kick off.
As Shin Yi-han glanced around,
"Yi-han...?! They'll spot you."
Kwak Hoon yanked his hat down low.
"It's dark; they won't see much."
"Still. Spoils the fun if they know early...!"
Fair point. Shin Yi-han chuckled softly.
What to say.
This was all part of the plan from the start.
Unlike other main round films plastering their stars' faces everywhere,
Theirs deliberately hid that Shin Yi-han was the lead.
The recent teaser trailer only had the boy's voice and the father's breakdown.
No full face on the poster either.
I want them to focus on the film, not the actor.
He had that much faith. The work alone would make them notice.
It'd all come out eventually, but the start? Pure cinema.
Shin Yi-han adjusted his hat with a smile.
Ah, not some weird suit-and-hat combo.
Suit was for the closing awards.
A lighter coat over a knit shirt—semi-formal casual.
Blending in as much as possible.
Shin Yi-han quietly buzzed with excitement for the festival.
"Ah. I'm nervous..."
Unlike Shin Yi-han, who was just thrilled.
Hoo, hoo—!
The longer it took, the paler Kwak Hoon got. His heavy breathing screamed tension.
......?
Shin Yi-han tilted his head.
Why the sudden nerves? He was fine earlier?
As Shin Yi-han went to ask if he was okay,
"Yi-han. What do I do?!"
Seemed the tension wasn't about the festival.
"This is my first time greeting I-rim's parents!"
...Oh, that.
Shin Yi-han's head shook in disbelief.
Her parents were coming today, timed for their daughter's premiere in an hour.
Exactly one hour from now.
"I'm shaking to death...! Ugh!"
But before sis's parents—my parents are coming first. This ain't a wedding meeting?
"Come on. No festival nerves?"
Shin Yi-han laughed in exasperation.
"Huh? That? Totally fine."
Quick reply.
"Haven't been this worked up since elementary school."
Thinking of the festival actually eased him more than...
"Just excited."
Thrilled. Imagining the audience reaction melted away the meeting jitters.
"Me too, honestly."
Shin Yi-han smirked and nodded.
Both stared at the opening ceremony, wishing it'd start already.
This was it.
The true beginning.
When Innocent Boy would take flight.