Chapter 154: Cannes (2)
Chapter 154: Cannes (2)
Ryu Sunho and Gong Hajin.
Two actors representing Korea headed to Cannes at the same time.
So it was only natural that interest in the Cannes Film Festival heated up on the internet.
[Chungmuro’s old-and-new showdown? Ryu Sunho vs. Gong Hajin—will a fiery meeting in Cannes happen?]
[The renaissance of Korean cinema—The world focuses on the acting showdown between two genius actors]
Especially since they were both invited to the Competition section.
More and more people set the two lead actors up in a rivalry frame and compared them.
“Still, hasn’t Gong Hajin shown more than Ryu Sunho? Their careers are just different.”
└ Honestly, only the years are different—aren’t their careers basically similar? Ryu Sunho’s filmography is no joke.
“Gong Hajin is from when; his form dropped lately and Ryu Sunho rose as the trend.”
└ Gong Hajin’s recent work is “Whisper,” and it’s a ten-million-audience movie. Does a ten-million movie look like nothing to you?
└ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Seriously ridiculous; fine, hype up Ryu Sunho, but you’re dragging Gong Hajin all the way to the floor.
└ Then does Gong Hajin have any drama with ratings over 40%? Ryu Sunho even hit 51%ㅎㅎ
└ Then does Ryu Sunho have a ten-million movie?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
└ Cannes isn’t a drama awards show, it’s a film festival—so what now?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
“Why are Ryu stans this worked upㅋㅋㅋㅋ Are you trying to embarrass yourselves with a hype-fail”
Because both fandoms were huge, the atmosphere gradually turned hostile.
The comment sections were turning into battlefields.
And honestly, part of why things overheated this much included Haegang Entertainment’s crafty manipulation.
They were deliberately pushing strong reverse-viral tactics and media play to elevate “Boundary,” the film they distributed.
“Keep throwing more logs in so people keep focusing on our film. Ryu Sunho is the hottest thing right now, so if we drive it as Gong Hajin vs. Ryu Sunho, the buzz will naturally follow.”
“E-Executive Director… just in case… what if we do that and then fail to win an award? It could backfire.”
“If we don’t win, we’ll fall out of attention either way. Then it’s better to bet on winning and blow the whole thing up.”
“Ah…!”
“So do comment work—pretend to be Gong Hajin fans and compare him hard against Ryu Sunho. Be careful not to damage the film content.”
Haegang Entertainment’s executive director continued with a greasy smile.
“Even if we fail to win, it ends with only Gong Hajin’s rabid fans getting cursed. Gong Hajin and us—neither side really loses anything, right?”
“You had a long flight, but you’re in good shape without much jet lag.”
“I guess it’s because we took a private jet. Thank you, Executive Director big bro.”
Han Seungwoo had been showing off a lot, so I praised him with some tact.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
He was consistently transparent.
After that, we killed time going around the local famous restaurants Han Seungwoo introduced.
And on the morning of the opening ceremony day, I changed into the suit prepared for the red carpet.
“Why aren’t you wearing the one I bought you?”
“I wore it too much lately. If I show up at every official event in the exact same suit, it’ll look cheap.”
Han Seungwoo made a slightly displeased face at that.
“Then want to borrow mine? Our height and build are similar anyway.”
“That’s a custom suit.”
There would be spots where the fit floated slightly.
On a day this important, if it looked like I was wearing borrowed clothes, it would be lame.
Don’t worry.
What I was wearing now had also been prepared with great care by the company.
A clean black tuxedo designed by a famous Italian designer.
Once I came out properly dressed, bow tie and all, he finally looked like he could accept it.
“Well, it’s not bad.”
By the way, Han Seungwoo was also wearing a tuxedo that he had clearly put effort into.
Why?
“Executive Director big bro, are you going to the red carpet too?”
“Why would I go there. I’m going to a yacht party.”
He glanced at my expression and added, “I’m not going to play. I’m going to do business.”
I’d heard Cannes was a hub for film-industry networking.
With film people from all over the world gathering, he probably had a lot to do as Content Trinity’s executive director.
But I wasn’t even trying to interrogate him.
So why was he making excuses like he felt guilty on his own?
After that, Han Seungwoo and I went down to the hotel lobby.
Just as we were about to step out through the revolving door, I ran into Gong Hajin by chance.
Mm.
We weren’t exactly close.
But since we were both Korean actors attending Cannes, it felt right to at least greet him.
“Hello, sunbae.”
But even after seeing my greeting, Gong Hajin acted like he didn’t see me.
He turned his gaze away and walked past, stiff and cold.
Huh?
I didn’t expect him to treat me like I was transparent, that openly.
Around this time last year, when we were filming “Two Table,” hadn’t he been the one to approach me first and pretend to look after me?
What kind of change of heart was this?
Various possibilities surfaced in my mind, but I stopped thinking quickly.
I’m not a mind reader. How would I know what’s inside someone else?
I couldn’t know, and I didn’t need to.
No reason to waste energy on something pointless.
But Han Seungwoo beside me seemed to think differently.
Watching the back of Gong Hajin’s head as he walked away, he clicked his tongue.
“That bastard’s feeling inferior. Pathetic piece of shit.”
After separating from Han Seungwoo, I joined Director Baek Junbong and Moon Ganghyeok, and we headed to the red carpet venue together.
“Sunho, you look tall and clean as always. You’ve got real class dripping off you.”
“You look great too, Director. That tuxedo suits you perfectly.”
On set, I’d only ever seen him in grubby hiking clothes.
Seeing him show up in a crisp tuxedo, he really looked like a master.
His white hair combed back added a dignified charm.
“Heh-heh, an old man acting up. Alright, then—shall we go.”
The moment we stepped onto the red carpet—
WAAAAAAH—!
A roar so loud it made my ears go numb.
Chazazazazak—!
Thousands of camera flashes exploded at once, stabbing my optic nerves.
It was far bigger than I expected.
I’d attended various events and festivals in and out of Korea, but Cannes’ heat was on another level.
So this is Cannes.
I could feel both pressure and excitement on my skin—the sense that the world’s eyes were focused here.
“Don’t be nervous. Just enjoy it.”
Director Baek led the way, and Moon Ganghyeok and I followed behind him.
Ahead of us was the “Boundary” team that arrived first.
Gong Hajin and the director were walking toward the photo wall.
Maybe because both teams were from Korea, the hosts had scheduled their entrance order back-to-back.
Korean reporters’ flashes fired intensely at Gong Hajin as he walked.
“Hajin! Look here once!”
“As a fellow Korean, I’ll be cheering for you!”
“Wishing you an award!”
But foreign reporters were comparatively lukewarm.
More like: Oh, a famous Korean actor came.
However.
The moment the “Mueon:ga” team—including me—entered the center of the red carpet, the atmosphere changed sharply.
“WAAAAAAH!!!”
“It’s Ryu Sunho! Ryu Sunho!”
“All the reporters here were waiting for you, Sunho!”
“My god! It’s Ryu!”
“Pose for us this way, just once!”
“You’re so handsome! I love your acting!”
“Ryu! Look here! I bet on you winning!”
Not just Korean reporters.
Foreign reporters, cameras in hand, were chanting my name.
The lenses that had looked aloof just moments ago suddenly locked onto me, firing flashes like they’d gone mad.
“Doctor Han, look here!”
“Kang! You’re not planning to set Cannes on fire tonight too, right?”
“Hahahahaha!”
Hearing them call out the character names from my dramas, it was probably because “Possessed Investigation” had become a decent global hit on WePlex, and recently “Doctor Princess” caused a syndrome in Europe, including the UK.
I could really feel the power of OTT again.
Then I should respond too.
I gave a relaxed smile and waved.
At that moment, Gong Hajin, who had been walking ahead, glanced back at the unfamiliar roar behind him.
……
Gong Hajin’s expression had hardened stiffly, and even the smile he’d been forcing was twitching like a spasm.
With his composure gone, emotions were showing on his face far too easily.
Meanwhile, Korea.
Even though it was past 2 a.m., the internet was lit up like daytime.
Because the Cannes red carpet live broadcast was streaming.
The number of viewers on the YouTube channel was surging in real time.
[Live viewers: 124,891]
The chat flew by too fast to read.
I have work tomorrow but I’m staying up all night to watch this..
When does Ryu Sunho come out?
Do we get a two-shot of Gong Hajin and Ryu Sunho?
I’m ready to feel national pride, so please, just let us grab one award
As everyone watched the screen holding their breath, the local reporter’s excited voice flowed through the speakers.
“Yes! Finally, the two teams representing Korea are entering the red carpet! First is the ‘Boundary’ team!”
Gong Hajin got out of a black limousine.
Perfectly set hair and tuxedo.
He waved with a relaxed smile.
Korean reporters’ flashes fired loudly, and Gong Hajin’s fans flooded the chat with cheers.
As expected, Gong Hajin’s class never goes anywhere
He looks kind of handsome today
This is experience—look, zero nervesㅋㅋㅋ
But that cheering didn’t last long.
Because Ryu Sunho appeared immediately after.
In that instant, countless viewers watching lost their words.
…What is that?
The moment Ryu Sunho appeared, it felt like the screen’s saturation jumped.
A clean black suit, hair swept back slightly.
No special accessories, but he shone on his own.
And above all, the atmosphere he radiated felt overwhelming.
Was Ryu Sunho always like this..?
We got tricked by familiarity and forgot Ryu Sunho’s visuals…
Why does he feel so high-end;;
Now his actor aura is just overflowing..?
Honestly, even next to most Hollywood actors he wouldn’t be outclassed
The on-site reaction was clearly different too.
When Gong Hajin passed, the flashes were mostly from Korean reporters.
When Ryu Sunho appeared, foreign fans behind the fence and foreign reporters reacted first.
???? What was that just now? Why is the cheering so different?
Holy shit… was Ryu Sunho’s popularity that big?
The decibel level is different from when Gong Hajin walked by
Did Ryu Sunho turn on his own lighting panel or what? Why is it so bright?
Soon after, cruelly, the camera framed both actors together.
Gong Hajin, walking in front, paused briefly, and Ryu Sunho, following behind, ended up standing beside him.
Why is my gaze drawn more to Ryu Sunho? Is it just me?
Ryu Sunho’s proportions are just an impossible wall
But it’s not just looks… At the last Baeksang Arts Awards, Gong Hajin’s aura felt stronger. This time it’s the opposite
Ryu Sunho grew even more. He’s got real top-star presence now
After going to the UK, he definitely feels more grown up. Yeah—like he came back after devouring the UK and got confident
Why does Gong Hajin’s face look like that? He looks like he ate shit
The aura created by Ripple Effect was reaching viewers through the screen as-is.
In other words, an undeniable gap was being laid bare on screen.
And three days later, Director Baek Junbong’s new film, and Ryu Sunho’s starring film, “Mueon:ga,” finished its official screening at the Grand Théâtre Lumière.
On site, a standing ovation erupted.
“Bravo!”
“Incroyable!”
The audience’s faces were seized by excitement and shivers.
Something was happening—something that didn’t feel normal.