Chapter 47
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 047
Chapter Title: Independent Film Festival (2)
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The opening ceremony felt both endlessly long and fleetingly brief.
It wrapped up after the committee chairs' speeches, introductions from a few renowned judges, and the trailers for each entry.
The only real buzz was the announcement that Japanese director Takeshi's Blue Night's Day would screen as the international guest film.
"From now on, we hope you'll all enjoy the Seoul Independent Film Festival!"
Finally, the host delivered his closing remarks.
Now it was time for the short and feature films in the main competition to start screening.
The audience and the movies were about to meet.
"This is insane. I'm so hyped."
"Let's go!"
The crowds that had packed in from day one surged toward their must-see films.
"What're you catching first?"
"Director Daesang-jun's! I saw his last year and became a fan..."
Some films were made by directors who'd won top prizes the previous year.
"You?"
"Giyo-han for sure! He's doing a stage greeting today—I'm already shaking just thinking about seeing him in person!"
Others starred actors with rock-solid fanbases who also directed and led the cast.
And maybe that's why.
Even with hordes of people showing up on opening day.
Innocent Boy, scheduled for its first screening around the same time, drew almost no interest.
It was only natural, really.
No one knew the lead actor, it was helmed by an unknown director, and as a premiere, the film was unproven.
But precisely because of that, the reason most people came to see Innocent Boy wasn't a famous actor, a big-name director, or some provocative theme.
It was simply...
The father in the trailer stuck with them.
His voice alone sent chills down their spines.
The boy on the poster just seemed... so heartbreaking.
Reasons like that drew their footsteps.
True film lovers here to savor the festival.
And among them was the online critic "Won Il-man," who mostly hung out on the internet.
He'd somehow gained notoriety for doling out 1-point ratings every time...
'But every now and then, something like Murder's Delusion pops up, so I end up coming back for more.'
He was dead serious about indie films.
'Separate from my curiosity about that one Director Tak Bong-chun raved about.'
Critic Won Il-man snagged a poster for Innocent Boy.
'Something about it just tugs at my heart...'
Today, he was here purely to watch movies.
For the first time in ages.
Ah, of course.
Not everyone was here for the films. Some had just come for family.
Shin Yi-han's sister and parents.
"Hello there!"
Kwak Hoon, who'd been on edge, boomed out a greeting the moment he spotted Shin Yi-han's parents.
"We appreciate you taking care of him! Sir, Ma'am!"
It was anything but subdued.
"Oh, goodness. We're the ones who should be thanking you. For working with Yi-han."
"I heard you were the one who cast our Yi-han in his first film! We're so grateful for that."
Fortunately—or unfortunately—their fondness for Kwak Hoon was through the roof.
It all stemmed from his role in landing Shin Yi-han his debut as the young killer in Murder's Delusion.
He was the one who'd discovered him and set him on the path to acting.
Though at the time, that had earned him regret and resentment.
Now that Shin Yi-han had returned from the past, everything was flipped. His parents genuinely liked and appreciated Kwak Hoon.
"N-no, seriously! I'm the grateful one, thanks to Yi-han! He's a real treasure of a friend to me!"
"Aw, we're touched you think so highly of him~."
"Exactly! Our Yi-han really hit the jackpot with this director!"
"Whoa!"
Shin Yi-han and Shin I-rim couldn't help but chuckle at Kwak Hoon, who stood ramrod straight like a soldier facing his in-laws.
This is basically a marriage meeting.
"Oh, right! Have you seen Murder's Delusion?"
It'd be a shame to miss it! And Kwak Hoon truly cared for Shin Yi-han.
"Yi-han was amazing in it. Though this one's even crazier...!"
Since today was Innocent Boy's final screening, he worried they might've missed it.
"We were planning to catch it after this."
"Might as well while you're in Seoul, right?"
His parents smiled warmly in response.
Innocent Boy and Murder's Delusion.
The perfect combo to see what their son had been up to.
A few minutes later.
"Whoa! Time's up already!"
Innocent Boy's first screening was about to start.
The family bustled, gathering their things excitedly.
"Alright then! Let's see how great our Yi-han did?"
"I just hope it's not too sad, Dad. Ha-neul's story still breaks my heart..."
Parents, sister, and Kwak Hoon.
Shin Yi-han smiled, huddling close with his family as they headed to the theater.
But midway, he slowed his steps, stealing a glance back at them. Committing the sight to memory.
Ah, he knew he was being sentimental again, but he couldn't help it.
'This bustling warmth... it's the best.'
Shin Yi-han grinned happily.
His heart fluttered with anticipation, excitement at how they'd react.
And relief that, unlike before, no one would be crying this time.
This was still his first script, after all—Innocent Boy, past and present.
Back then, even after he'd finally emerged from his room... his burn-scarred face had kept them from watching his own film.
This was different. A film made with smiles, not tears.
Every moment was pure joy.
Shin Yi-han followed behind, still smiling.
Unlike Shin Yi-han, his family had come purely out of curiosity for their son's film.
'Indie film? Sounds... kinda heavy. Will I even get it?'
A touch of worry lingered.
From parents who knew zilch about movies, it was unavoidable.
Indie films felt inherently esoteric, the opposite of fun-packed blockbusters.
But that didn't mean they'd skip their son's work.
They'd watch with open hearts.
'Who cares if I don't get it—our boy's the star! He's gotta have nailed it!'
'Dad! You think main comp is for just anyone? Might not understand it all, but it'll be good! Don't worry!'
No matter what, they'd cheer for their son.
Dull or baffling—it wouldn't matter...!
— Innocent Boy
The other audience members settling in shared similar sentiments.
Honestly, no big expectations.
They'd come on a whim. Trailer caught their eye by chance. Poster intrigued them. Title sparked curiosity.
Just drawn in, that's all.
"Wonder what it's about."
"Title's Innocent Boy, so probably judging guilt or innocence?"
Not even sure of the plot.
"First film—hope it's decent."
"Should be average at least. It's main comp..."
"Eh, last year? Brace for naps."
"Fair."
After a brief greeting from the unfamiliar director.
The film began.
But as time ticked by...
'Wait...'
Audience members could only blink in shock.
'Huh...?'
No warning whatsoever. The impact hit harder.
Of course, the opening wasn't like that.
'One day, out of nowhere.'
'An ordinary boy arrested for murder.'
The intriguing setup hooked them early.
They marveled when the protagonist, boy Kang-jae, first appeared.
'Protagonist looks familiar. Huh...?'
'What? It's Shin Yi-han...?!'
Those who recognized him buzzed.
'No way? I didn't even clock it...'
'Shin Yi-han...? Totally different vibe?!'
'Damn! Why no promo on this?!'
Some gaped in late realization.
But once the film truly kicked off, the actor didn't matter anymore.
Before they knew it, they were immersed, flailing in the story.
In seconds.
Did the boy really commit murder?
Or was the crime pinned on him?
Endless confusion and questions left no room for other thoughts.
Then the truth emerged.
He was a murderer.
Everyone raged at his crime.
Fists clenched at the deceitful, sinister boy.
Regret for briefly pitying him.
Too busy condemning the brutal killer.
Revulsion for this horrific monster.
—Ah, what the hell.
The father who'd come for his kid was plunged into agony.
—No fooling me.
Raw betrayal stung.
Yet.
In the very last moments, as the boy's long, lingering expression filled the screen.
People finally noticed.
He'd pushed away the father who believed in him. Cut him off completely.
Simply.
To bear the sin alone.
Choosing solitude.
That repulsive boy.
'...'
'...'
No one could rise from their seats.
As if afraid to shatter it all.
Silence reigned.
Critic Won Il-man was no different.
'This...'
His notepad lay closed. Mouth agape, staring at the end credits.
'Way beyond this level...'
A real film.
Unbelievable as a debut from an unknown.
Mind-blowing.
How did this even happen?
'Shin Yi-han... again?'
Won Il-man's eyes caught Shin Yi-han's name in the credits.
'Here too?'
Coincidence?
Murder's Delusion, one of the rare 2-point ratings he'd given...
It'd been ages, and for clear reasons.
Namely.
'Shin Yi-han.'
The young killer he'd played deserved rave reviews.
That performance alone earned it.
And now here too... Shin Yi-han.
What was with this actor?
Who even was he?
A hollow laugh escaped. The acting stunned; his eye for projects enviable.
Won Il-man rubbed his dry face repeatedly.
This insane film and actor had him shivering over and over.
But.
Seemed like there was more at the end...?
'Huh?'
As if it still had something to say.
—Um, excuse me.
The cookie video rolled.
The moment Shin Yi-han and Kwak Hoon had awaited most.
They basked in the stunned silence, thrilled at shocking everyone, savoring it all.
As the cookie began.
Shin Yi-han felt anticipation swell again.
The real message lay hidden there.
—Hey.
On screen, a school-uniformed girl faced the audience.
The moment everyone met her eyes.
Next.
Interest in the once-famous boy murder case had faded.
The internet flooded with celebrity scandals again.
A reporter, packing up as if done with it all, appeared.
The girl was grabbing him now.
—That is...
After a brief hesitation.
She pressed on.
—They bullied him. Relentlessly, horrifically.
As if she couldn't hold back anymore.
Like a confession.
—Everyone. For no reason at all.
The boy's unseen suffering, revealed at last. The true motive behind the murder, never shown before.
The reporter feigned interest, pulling out his notepad.
Not to write.
Just annoyance.
To shake off the clingy girl.
—...Still, he's a murderer, right?
Her words continued.
Nothing hit the notepad.
The story was over.
—That one news line.
No one cared anymore.
—Just a vile, filthy killer.
A backstory with zero views. A killer no one gave a damn about.
Their unproven tale.
Yes. People had forgotten the boy long ago.
The reporter left town after hearing it. Nothing changed.
Everything quieted as if nothing happened.
The school missing one boy. The apartment missing one family.
All of it.
The shot lingered on the reporter's blank notepad, faint pen marks.
Then Innocent Boy truly ended.
Just end credits now.
'...'
Everyone fell silent again.
The boy they'd hated, reviled throughout.
His 'pain.'
Dismissed so briefly, easily.
Who was the girl?
Why speak now?
True or false?
All they knew: someone tried to tell it.
Yet frustration brewed.
Not from confusion. From not wanting to understand—the tangled mess.
Amid them, Won Il-man shuddered.
Admiration surged from within.
'...So that's it?'
It hit him inescapably.
This short clip revealed the film's true message.
Yes.
It was there from the start.
Right in the title.
'Innocent... Boy'
Absurd for a killer.
Yet the girl's final confession screamed it.
'I dare call him innocent.'
A provocation.
Bold, to an indifferent world.
To adults who never tried to know the boy.
To those oblivious to his pain.
To neighbors who'd scorned, pointed fingers—instead of mourning a preventable tragedy.
And...
To the audience who'd condemned him nonstop.
'Insane.'
Won Il-man clenched his fist before this audaciously bold film.
It pierced too deeply.
He'd seen the boy as a monster too. Couldn't move.
The film screamed it: that boy wasn't the monster.
As Won Il-man's thoughts reached that point.
He couldn't hold back. Stood first.
As critic. As viewer.
Clap, clap-clap!
Loud applause, for all to hear.
And simultaneously.
Other viewers felt the same. Heads ringing like a slap.
This was...
Impossible not to stand.
One clap sparked it. Dozens followed instantly.
Like the jury room cheers, like master Tak Bong-chun.
Applause erupted in the once-silent theater.
Undeniable acclaim.
The film deserved it.