Chapter 60

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 060

Chapter Title: Innocent Boy Hits Theaters

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As the premiere of the indie film Innocent Boy drew near...

Not ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only were the views piling up at a rate unseen even in the trailer for an indie flick.

Preparations for the release were progressing smoothly.

And so time passed, leading to today.

"Whoa, it's finally time for the press screening."

"I still regret not catching it at the festival."

"It won the top prize at the Seoul Independent Film Festival from the get-go. We have to cover this, right?"

The press screening kicked off.

It was mainly for media folks.

"So this is the one that got all that rave buzz? I heard Director Tak Bong-chun was blown away by it."

"Even Imamura Genji's camp kept bringing it up."

"Exactly. And it wasn't just critic Won Il-man—even other big-name critics were singing its praises at the festival."

The theater was packed with reporters and critics filling every seat.

Everyone had been buzzing about the chatter from the Seoul Independent Film Festival, sparking massive curiosity.

"With all the hype around it, yeah, I'm dying to know."

"But is it really that good?"

The reporters had shown up brimming with anticipation and intrigue.

"Honestly, last year's festival was a total flop. Feels like they overhyped the winner to make up for it, you know?"

Conversations buzzed nonstop among the journalists.

"Nah. You can't hype a bad movie into greatness."

A few dismissed it as festival PR exaggeration.

"I'm actually hyped. The film itself just has that vibe."

Others were genuinely curious about Innocent Boy.

"That scene in the trailer... the acting by that Shin Yi-han guy really hooked me."

"Oh yeah, I get that. It feels like the psycho role from that Newflix drama casting, but with this subtle difference that sticks with you."

That sentiment echoed overall.

"It definitely feels worth the indie label."

"If the rumors hold, it's gonna deliver something real."

Even among the press, Innocent Boy was treated like a must-see.

"Absolutely."

Especially from an artistic angle—they were eager for the message it would deliver.

"Not sure about mainstream appeal, though."

As an indie, whether the public would bite remained to be seen.

Sure, it might pull a few tens of thousands, but beyond that?

Eh, probably a stretch.

But about an hour and a half in, as the film screened...

'...'

'...'

Curiosity, skepticism—all chatter ceased as mouths shut tight.

'...What was it I said earlier?'

'Weren't you going on about how they overhyped the top prize?'

'And you were all "We'll see about mainstream success."'

They exchanged awkward glances.

'Not even close.'

'Exactly.'

They had to admit it.

This was a film with zero hype exaggeration—just pure quality, as rumored.

Innocent Boy truly deserved the acclaim.

Right after the credits rolled.

The actors and director took the stage.

The reporters couldn't help but erupt in applause.

It was Shin Yi-han, Kwak Hoon, and actor Lee Cha-beom together.

Seated center stage, Shin Yi-han flashed a broader smile at the flurry of camera shutters from the journalists.

Honestly, he was loving this scene.

Everyone seemed to have genuinely enjoyed Innocent Boy.

Their faces said it all.

Unlike the uncertain expressions when they first entered, now their eyes burned with focus, not wanting to miss a second.

Compared to the modest press screening in his past life, this was massive.

Back then, it had played to an empty theater.

No one cared.

Until the lights dimmed and the film started.

But in this life, Innocent Boy was different from the jump.

It hooked them at the festival.

Not even leaving room for envy or jealousy—it captivated everyone completely.

Shin Yi-han loved that.

All these changes unfolding.

Just before the Q&A at the press screening.

After Kwak Hoon and Lee Cha-beom introduced themselves in shaky voices...

Shin Yi-han curved his lips into a grin and spoke.

"Hello. I'm the actor who played the boy and Kang Jae..."

His voice brimmed not with nerves, but joy.

"Shin Yi-han."

Camera shutters rang out once more.

That was it.

Innocent Boy's real start was now.

How high it would soar was about to unfold before their eyes.

Shin Yi-han's heart raced anew.

After the wildly successful press screening.

Stage greetings and public screenings followed one after another.

Word-of-mouth exploded right away.

The indie Innocent Boy drew eyes from day one.

The more time passed, the more attention poured in.

Kwak Hoon barely slept for days after release, eyes wide open.

And for good reason.

'Uh...'

The day after opening day, Innocent Boy's first-day audience...

Nearly hit 20,000.

'Uh...?'

By day three, it topped the box office.

'Uh, whoa...?!'

Even Director Song Won-sik's film, where Kwak Hoon assisted, only ended at 50,000 total.

Kwak Hoon felt faint.

Not just holding steady—daily crowds grew.

Breaking 100,000 in a mere four days.

'How is it already...'

Those chaotic days made Kwak Hoon's frenzy understandable.

'This is insane! Yi-han! If this keeps up, we're really gonna...!'

After years mocked as eternal assistant director, he'd finally broken ground.

Honestly, Kwak Hoon hadn't dreamed his debut would explode like this.

Sure, festival and screening buzz had him quietly hopeful.

But 100k already?! 100k?!

'Whoa.'

Shin Yi-han was stunned too—case closed.

He'd ballparked it, but the turnout dwarfed his past life.

From the start.

"But... Yi-han, no way it keeps climbing forever, right?"

Talking daily audiences.

With such a explosive start, Kwak Hoon braced himself.

In this era of constant releases, the hype could fizzle fast.

"It's so wild right now, I can't believe it... Scared it'll peak once word spreads and people move on...! Sob!"

"Hmm. Could be."

Ding! But one email later, Shin Yi-han knew for sure.

"But..."

The post-festival contact wasn't bluffing.

"We might not just hold daily numbers—we could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠keep growing."

"...?"

Director Imamura Genji had reached out.

With a bombshell offer.

Truth was...

Just days before Innocent Boy's release.

Japan's famed director Imamura Genji saw the perfect window.

A chance to boost Innocent Boy while snagging it before rivals.

'Um... Director Imamura, you're really doing this?'

Some might call it premature.

'Even if you love it, it's tough to fund.'

'Just opened. Korean indie—no guaranteed success.'

Imamura Genji's resolve was ironclad.

Nothing else inspired him. He needed this story.

Imagining crafting it his way thrilled him already.

'I'll fund it myself if needed. Butt out.'

Contracts were prepped; only the meeting remained.

'Fine, watch during signing if you join.'

He baited his reluctant staff.

'If you oppose after, I'll listen.'

'...!'

That flipped their faces to grins.

'For real?!'

'Got it!'

And so, victory secured.

"Long time no see."

He headed to Red Film, makers of Innocent Boy.

Imamura Genji smirked in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Kwak Hoon was dumbfounded.

He couldn't believe it.

Imamura Genji visiting their tiny company?

Leagues apart!

Even wanting to remake Innocent Boy.

Huh! Ha ha! Kwak Hoon couldn't adjust.

"Yi-han, I... can't tell if this is a dream."

Punching Shin Yi-han's arm while staring at Imamura in the meeting room.

"Pinch me—Ow!"

"Not a dream."

"Yeah..."

Kwak Hoon grinned through the cheek pain.

Shin Yi-han couldn't help but smile too.

"Here's the remake rights contract."

Kwak Hoon froze again as they sat opposite Imamura.

"We're dead serious. Please entrust Innocent Boy to us."

The interpreter relayed Imamura's words; Kwak Hoon beamed.

Shin Yi-han too—past-life luck had his lips rising.

The man was a guaranteed win.

Imamura Genji would reclaim master status with a new work in two years.

Undeniable credibility.

No objections—pure welcome.

"Looking forward to working with you."

The deal closed in a flash.

Shin Yi-han eyed greater fame via this remake.

With that name attached.

The remake news spread word-of-mouth further.

This deal fueled another leap forward.

Soon, calls to add screens and extend the run were inevitable.

Shin Yi-han grinned wide.

Day 10 of release.

Cumulative audience: 400,000.

Mind-blowing for indies, where 10k was "success."

"What if it actually happens? Like you said, Yi-han...!"

Kwak Hoon haunted Red Film nonstop; Shin Yi-han was dazed, but the momentum was unreal.

"Dunno. Might upgrade my ride first! Gotta ditch the gold Matiz already!"

Kwak Hoon had lost it long ago.

Around then...

Someone else boomed with laughter at the surge.

Imamura's remake buzz.

An indie at 400k so soon.

"Yes!"

Master Director Tak Bong-chun.

"Told you—a comet of a film!"

Not empty words! Ha ha ha! His head nodded proudly.

He'd raved first, back when no one knew it.

Others doubted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠amid the frenzy.

Now fully vindicated: no ordinary tale.

Tak Bong-chun swelled with pride.

Especially as it marked a turning point for him.

A blockbuster breakthrough from his scriptwriter's block.

Impossible not to obsess over the numbers.

'Can you wait a bit?'

'Hold out for my next—join me there. I'll write a banger.'

Especially that festival promise.

Lusting after actor Shin Yi-han, he'd blurted it to claim him first.

Joy faded briefly for Tak Bong-chun.

The master gripped his pen again.

Innocent Boy lingered in his mind.

Bigger, better.

Greed fueled his writing.

Timeline unknown, but this time—he'd soar properly.

As Shin Yi-han buzzed with Innocent Boy's release...

How long since indie Innocent Boy dropped?

Shin Yi-han geared up again.

"Yi-han-ssi!"

"...?"

Just meeting a new manager to replace CEO Choo Gyeo-ul.

"I wanna stay your manager!"

Before even meeting her, an unexpected bombshell.

"Others' Hell! It ain't over! They've got more Geum Seong-je parts!"

"Pardon...?"

"Reshoot request came in!"

Extra footage for Geum Seong-je—unheard of in his past life.

"Revised finale script."

"...!"

Facing fresh story unseen before, Shin Yi-han marveled.

His lips curved up too.

Newflix's Brilliant Sky Part 1 aired soon anyway.

"What do you think? Way more fun now, right?"

The ending rewritten.

"Much."

Even more thrilling.