Chapter 48

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 048

Chapter Title: Independent Film Festival (3)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

It was exactly twenty minutes before the first screening of Innocent Boy wrapped up.

At least, up until that point.

The festival was still brimming with hope.

After all, Innocent Boy wasn't the only film having its premiere at the Seoul Independent Film Festival.

The directors whose films had been selected to kick off the festival couldn't help but feel a spark of tension.

This was their first chance to gauge the audience's reactions, after all.

That thrill lingered throughout the entire screening.

They hung on every word during the brief pre-screening greetings and every murmur from the crowd as the film played.

And the most crucial moment? Right now.

After the movie ended.

The directors watched furtively from behind as audiences began filing out of the theaters.

'H-how'd they like it?'

'Please... good reviews. Please!'

They were desperate to catch even a snippet of feedback from the exiting viewers chatting among themselves.

And they had even more reason to scrutinize the reactions.

Rumors had been swirling lately.

Out of the thirteen feature-length indie films, only four had earned rave reviews from the main judges.

'And one of those got high praise from the master himself, Director Tak Bong-chun!'

He'd even mentioned it outright in interviews—a film that had completely won him over!

'It has to be ours, right?!'

'No way, it's gotta be mine! I got stress hives on my head from this!'

'Definitely mine. Look at my resume!'

The directors in the finals were praying it was theirs.

"Oh man, this film's vibe is killer."

"If the first screening's this good, the overall quality's beyond expectations. Right?"

"Loved it. Thought it'd be boring since it's indie, but I wasn't sleepy at all."

The better ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the reactions to the first screening, the more elated they got.

'See? Our film's a hit!'

Dae Sang-jun, the director who'd won Grand Prize at last year's festival.

'Seats are almost full!'

The solid turnout fueled his growing optimism.

'Yeah! Our film's the best! With all those stellar supporting actors!'

No, he was certain.

"Hey, Director Dae! Our movie's getting great vibes, huh?"

"Ah! Actor Jang!"

"Everyone leaving was raving about it. The Grand Prize has to go to you again, right?"

His lead actor, Jang Hyeop, sidled up and gave him a nudge. It was enough to spark confidence out of nowhere.

"You think so?"

"Totally!"

In the end, Director Dae Sang-jun was convinced of victory.

"Oh, right. The new Actor Award from last year—still on, yeah?"

"Of course! And our actor's taking it, no question!"

"Kahaha! Knew it!"

Jang Hyeop, the veteran supporting actor, felt the same.

He was sure they'd snag something—Grand Prize, Best Picture, whatever.

Especially since Jang was gunning for the new Actor Award, established last year for the 50th anniversary.

An award based purely on acting chops.

Why not aim high while shooting an indie?

"Ah, but... we gotta watch that one over there."

Still, Jang couldn't help glancing warily at another theater.

The trailer alone had been no joke.

Director Ki Yo-han, an actor-turned-filmmaker, was screening his film right now.

Sure, their work might be superior.

But with Ki starring as the lead himself, he could steal the Actor Award if things went south.

The guy's performances were so unhinged... Jang felt a twinge of anxiety.

Especially hearing the crowd pour out ten minutes later, buzzing.

"Whoa, that ending was insane..."

"Artistic? Nah, Ki Yo-han's acting is what."

"And he directed it all himself too."

"For real? Legend. Pure talent."

The praise for Ki Yo-han kept coming.

Ki, who'd stepped into the hall early to eavesdrop, flashed a smug grin.

Then he sauntered over to Director Dae Sang-jun and Jang Hyeop from the nearby theater.

"Come check it out sometime. I'm really proud of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it."

As if he'd overheard their chat earlier, Ki teased.

"...Oh my. Director Ki Yo-han."

"Heh heh. We'll swing by soon~"

"Yep! You gotta!"

Ki was brimming with confidence.

Picture, acting award—both his for the taking.

'Honestly, who can touch me?'

Ki grinned, already celebrating his win.

A connected judge had raved about it already. What more proof did he need? Slam dunk!

That's when, amid their chatter, another film caught the eye of Director Dae Sang-jun, Jang Hyeop, and Ki Yo-han.

A screening that started around the same time as theirs, still ongoing.

'It'll wrap soon too.'

It was Kwak Hoon's film, the no-name director.

"Pfft. No need to worry about that one."

"Yeah. When it started earlier, barely anyone went in."

The trio huddled, chuckling among themselves.

"Oh, that one? Don't sweat it. I worked with that director and AD once."

"No kidding? You know him?"

"Yeah. He's infamous for zero script sense—a perennial assistant finally dropping his debut."

"People famous for that? Hilarious!"

The poster nearby looked meh too, from a glance.

No need for a close look; it screamed flop.

A boy in a school uniform, half-turned away. Nothing else.

'Who'd pick that?'

'Zero fun factor.'

'Just doing his passion project, I guess.'

Pfft. The two directors and actor chuckled again.

Pity, but it'd end up under their films.

But their snickering didn't last.

Five minutes later. Innocent Boy's screening ended.

And as staff opened the doors...

'Huh...?'

Oddly, no one came out.

Not a single soul.

'Why aren't they leaving...'

As if the whole audience was glued to the end credits.

Another five minutes passed.

A post-credits scene leaked faintly through the open door.

Couldn't make out what, but...

The theater stayed dead silent.

'W-wait.'

And then...

'Uh...?'

Applause erupted.

Applause they couldn't even hear from afar.

Even from that small crowd.

It rang crystal clear outside.

As if declaring this was the festival's true opener.

Crunch. The trio froze solid.

Then, one by one, audiences started trickling out of Innocent Boy's theater.

'A-applause...? '

'From that film?'

Directors Dae Sang-jun and Ki Yo-han, plus actor Jang Hyeop, could only gape at them in disbelief.

'N-no way. Gotta be fake. Buddies clapping for him...!'

They refused to accept it.

'Yeah! Tiny crowd, what applause? Overkill!'

But strangely, every face leaving wore the same expression.

'...But if it's overhype...'

'Why do they all look...'

No "fun" or "great." Just quiet gasps of awe.

Every viewer dazed, like they'd been hit hard.

The two directors and one actor couldn't wrap their heads around it.

'And that guy's...!'

'Whoa! He's here at the fest?!'

'Critic Won Il-man! No way!'

Then they spotted critic Won Il-man.

Impossible to miss.

A film world heavyweight whose single review could make or break a box office.

Every director craved his approval.

Dying for even a 2-star over his usual 1s.

'He'll post his rating soon! Then we'll know!'

'Y-yeah! Some insider circle-jerk pan, bet!'

Won was glued to his phone in the hall, typing away.

Expecting his verdict any second, the trio whipped out their phones.

Praying they were right.

'Gotta be sub-1 star...!'

'My Grand Prize last year scraped 0.5!'

And then it hit.

The app pinged, Won Il-man's name popped up.

Ding!

The infamous critic who gave most films 1-star max.

An absurd score.

Won Il-man's subscribers were just as baffled by the score.

Directors Dae Sang-jun, Jang Hyeop, and Ki Yo-han were equally stunned.

"......"

"This can't be real..."

Their jaws dropped.

No denying it now.

That rumored masterpiece? Not theirs.

Even those still inside the theater gaped.

Shin Yi-han's family.

'Uh... insane.'

After the credits rolled, his sister and parents could only think that.

'Our son...'

'What the hell's he been up to?'

'Filming stuff like this...'

A mix of shock, awe, and disbelief.

They'd given a stranger's indie film a standing ovation to the end.

Dad saw his son in a new light.

Ha-neul? Forget it.

"So, what'd you think? We put everything into—"

"G-Gang-jae!"

Whoosh!

"You poor, naughty boy! Sniff!"

"......"

Dad had long seen only Gang-jae in his son.

Suddenly crushed in a hug, Shin Yi-han burst out laughing.

What else? They loved it.

It had been just half a day since screenings began.

Worlds apart from the half-empty seats at first.

Innocent Boy started selling out one after another.

Inevitable, really.

Won Il-man's bombshell review sparked it.

Then the consistent applause, clear crowd love.

Articles flooded in.

Word spread: Tak Bong-chun's praised film was Innocent Boy.

The buzz reached festival-goers and wannabes alike long ago.

Growing Innocent Boy reviews made it unmissable.

Word-of-mouth ignition.

Free promo on autopilot.

While others scrambled to hype theirs.

Innocent Boy needed nothing.

The ripple hit lead actor Shin Yi-han too.

No prior hype—he was the surprise lead.

The spotlight film, Innocent Boy, drew eyes.

And it reframed Shin Yi-han for everyone.

Beyond Brilliant Sky's Ha-neul, Shin Yi-han had range.

People were seeing it.

The viral wave didn't stop as time passed.

Fresh hype and reactions poured in throughout the festival.

Weekends saw record crowds.

For one film.

Innocent Boy.

All seats sold out instantly. Extra screens added, but still not enough.

"What? No seats left?!"

Even on day four, Celebrity Day.

Especially with surprise crowds from the buzz.

"Sorry. Try another film..."

"Nooo...!"

A-listers and directors drawn by Tak Bong-chun's pull wept.

Fame didn't matter.

Everyone clamored openly for Innocent Boy.