The Rising Star and the Unexpected Declaration
Go-eun Choi.
Seok-du hyung, who had listened to my story, muttered in disbelief.
"I don't know anymore... What exactly are you doing behind my back..."
"There’s no need to overthink it, hyung."
"What do you mean, no need? Director Na Jun-hu has been asking around trying to find Go-eun Choi!"
"Ah, you don’t need to worry about that part. Go-eun Choi already met with Director Na Jun-hu."
Seok-du hyung asked in shock, "She already met Director Na Jun-hu!?"
"Yes. From what I saw, Director Na Jun-hu seems completely taken with Go-eun Choi."
"..."
I could practically hear Seok-du hyung swallow.
"T-Then he’s planning to cast actress Choi in his next project?"
"Who knows. I can’t say yet."
At that point, I changed the subject.
"So, are you going to do it or not?"
"What? Write the promo article?"
"Yeah. A Baekhak actress is about to win the New Actress Award at the Busan International Film Festival, and you’re saying there’s going to be no support at all?"
After a short pause, Seok-du hyung answered.
"Doing it wouldn’t be hard. But we should be careful about how we put out the publicity piece."
He went on in a grave voice.
"It did go viral when she stood on the red carpet with Kwon Hyun-bin, but on the flip side, some of Hyun-bin’s fandom are making a scene and calling it a packaging move. If we fire off an article right now, it could blow up even bigger."
Before I knew it, I let out a snort.
"Seok-du hyung."
"Yeah?"
"You don’t think I already considered that?"
"?"
The entertainment world was a place where talent and effort were everything.
But there was something that surpassed even talent and effort.
Luck.
"The interview with Go-eun Choi and Kwon Hyun-bin is going to run exclusively through TP first."
Meeting Reporter Seo had not been part of my plan at the Busan International Film Festival. But the moment I happened to run into him, I knew it. Luck was on Kwon Chan’s side today.
"If your side helps build the buzz and the follow-up pieces start rolling, then Baekhak can step in and support them."
After a moment of silence, Seok-du hyung muttered, "You little bastard... Why have you been so good at this lately?"
With a little swagger at the praise hidden inside that line, I answered, "Yeah, seriously. Why has everything been going so well lately?"
***
The day after the Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony, articles covering Asia’s largest film festival began appearing one after another.
"[HOT Pick] Finally Opens! Asia’s Premier Film Festival, the 'Busan International Film Festival,' Holds a Packed Opening Ceremony!"
"Eye-Catching Talk! A Parade of Superstars Lighting Up Busan’s Night Sky at the Busan International Film Festival Red Carpet!"
"[One-Line Issue] Stars, Films, and More Films. 'Multicultural' and 'Go-eun Choi' Mark the Opening of the Busan International Film Festival"
Among them, a few articles focused heavily on Multicultural and Go-eun Choi, the two names that had set the opening ceremony ablaze.
I clicked the article with the highest number of views.
In an era when hate comments were more common than praise, the Multicultural article was astonishingly free of abuse.
It was packed only with praise, compliments, and comments full of affection and interest in Go-eun Choi and Multicultural.
That probably means Multicultural and Go-eun Choi hit people like a fresh shock.
The momentum was good. That was usually exactly how word-of-mouth films took off.
I smiled to myself and set my phone down. Just then, the café door opened, and a broad-faced man with an easygoing look stepped inside.
It was Seo Ji-hun, the team leader from TP Entertainment.
"Reporter Seo, over here."
"Ah, Executive Director Kwon. Why did you get here so early?"
"You said you’d do the exclusive interview yourself. Of course I had to come quickly."
"Heh... That tongue of yours is as slippery as ever."
"Let’s get drinks first and then talk."
I ordered an iced Americano, and Reporter Seo ordered a café latte piled high with whipped cream. Then we sat back down.
As he sipped at the latte, Reporter Seo shot me a sideways glance and asked cautiously, "But Executive Director Kwon."
"Yes?"
"Where on earth did you hide that treasure?"
"Treasure?"
"Go-eun Choi from Multicultural! Where did you even find an unknown actress like that? I heard the PDs, directors, and agency people who were at the Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony went completely wild after seeing Go-eun Choi act."
I watched his face.
Unlike when he’d first mentioned Go-eun, he was fidgety now.
Of course he is. There’s a story now.
A new star who shook the Busan International Film Festival. From Reporter Seo’s perspective, he’d regret missing a source like this.
Feeling the shift in our positions, I answered leisurely, "You can write the first solo interview for an actress getting that kind of attention, right?"
"Oh, not just write it well. I’ll dress it up even if I have to invent the wrapping and give her the treatment of a top star."
With Reporter Seo’s brisk answer, the café door opened again.
It was Go-eun Choi and Kwon Hyun-bin, both wearing masks and sunglasses.
"Executive Director!"
"Ah, you’re here? This is TP’s Team Leader Seo Ji-hun."
"Hello, reporter."
Reporter Seo beamed and answered, "Ah, it’s an honor to meet such important guests. I’m Seo Ji-hun from TP Entertainment. Please take good care of us."
After the brief introductions, the interview started right away.
We’d rented out the whole café, so there was no need to worry about the people around us, but still, you never knew.
Kwon Hyun-bin stood out too much.
Even now, one of the café staff was staring blankly at Hyun-bin, completely dazed.
With festival crowds already clogging the area, Hyun-bin going out in public was a risk in itself.
"Reporter Seo, please make it quick if you can."
"Absolutely, don’t worry, Executive Director Kwon!"
Reporter Seo steered the interview with practiced ease.
As expected from a seasoned reporter, Go-eun’s interview wrapped up in no time under his smooth guidance.
Then came Kwon Hyun-bin’s interview.
They started with his recent updates, then he talked about how he felt about switching to Baekhak, and naturally the conversation moved on to the Busan International Film Festival.
"The film Multicultural, starring Go-eun Choi, who entered together with actor Kwon Hyun-bin, is attracting quite a bit of attention."
Reporter Seo’s eyes curved mischievously as he asked the question.
"What kind of actress is your junior at the agency, Go-eun Choi, from Kwon Hyun-bin’s perspective?"
Kwon Hyun-bin answered in his usual indifferent voice.
"Do you mean in terms of acting?"
"I’m asking about the whole picture."
"Well, as far as anything unrelated to acting goes, I’m not especially close with Go-eun Choi, so I wouldn’t know."
Hyun-bin brushed off the subtle probe without a care, then continued, "But I do think Go-eun Choi’s acting is remarkable."
"Oh? You mean she’s good compared to actors her age?"
"No. I mean that by professional standards, regardless of age."
The face of the Hallyu star who had once suffered from depression suddenly seemed alive with color.
"Go-eun Choi’s acting had a style of her own. The performance she showed in Multicultural brought that out very clearly."
It wasn’t lip service but sincere praise from a Hallyu star. Watching the interview, the corners of my mouth lifted slightly.
"Actor Kwon Hyun-bin, I watch your interviews regularly, and you hardly ever praise other actors like this, do you?"
"I’m not stingy with praise."
"So there just aren’t many actors worth praising?"
"Well, I think it’s more accurate to say I don’t often see performances I genuinely like."
"Understood. Then let’s move on to the final question."
Reporter Seo leaned forward.
"A lot of fans are curious about Kwon Hyun-bin’s next project. When can we expect to hear news about it?"
At that, Hyun-bin turned his gaze and looked at me.
After studying me for a long moment, he answered slowly.
"Since my environment has changed, I plan to choose my next project carefully. However..."
He let the sentence trail off, and the corners of his mouth lifted just a little.
"If Baekhak recommends a good project, I’ll review it carefully and, if all goes well, hope to greet fans again in the near future."
And that was the end of Kwon Hyun-bin and Go-eun Choi’s interviews.
Then the next day came.
"[Exclusive!] TP Top Star Interview: Kwon Hyun-bin Gives His First Thoughts After Joining Baekhak!"
The interview article with Hallyu star Kwon Hyun-bin took first place among entertainment ranking articles.
And with it came the ripple effect.
"[Special Feature!] The New Star of the Busan International Film Festival, Go-eun Choi. Let’s Find Out Everything About Her - TP Entertainment."
Go-eun Choi’s interview article also surged into the top twenty.
***
As soon as Kwon Hyun-bin’s exclusive interview article went up, schedule inquiries came flooding in.
From sponsor deals to CFs, TV station producers, and even agencies with fairly well-known directors on staff, calls came pouring in after the Hallyu star’s next-project teaser.
Some even came with dizzying offers, but my answer never changed.
"I’m sorry. Actor Kwon is on hiatus right now. We’ll review the proposal you sent and get back to you."
I let out a light sigh after hanging up what must have been the umpteenth inquiry call. Kwon Hyun-bin, who had been watching my call from beside me, tilted his head.
"Executive Director. I understand the project offers, but why are you turning down sponsorships and CFs too?"
"Oh, was there a CF you liked?"
Kwon Hyun-bin shook his head lightly.
"No, I was just curious."
"About what part?"
"Is there a separate reason for turning down CFs and sponsorships like this?"
At his question, I folded my arms and answered, "Well... there is a reason. CFs are usually exclusive contracts, so you have to decide carefully. Sponsorships, too, can be negotiated better once activities start again. But right now, Actor Kwon is resting, isn’t he?"
Kwon Hyun-bin nodded slowly.
"So that’s why."
"Of course, if Actor Kwon wants it, I’ll line up the schedule."
"No. This kind of thing falls under the manager’s territory, so I’ll leave it to you."
There was a faint note of trust in Hyun-bin’s voice.
So we’d finally gotten a little closer?
Smiling to myself, I got up from my seat.
"Wait here a moment. I’m going to check on Go-eun Choi."
With that, I headed toward the staff table located below the audience seating.
Far off in the distance, I could see Director Kim Jun-su sitting there with a heavily tense expression.
I walked up silently and grabbed his shoulder.
"Director Kim."
"...Kheuk!"
Kim, letting out some incomprehensible sound, jerked his head around to look at me.
"E-Executive Director?"
"Why are you so tense?"
"W-Well... isn’t it... normal to be tense?"
At his question, I laughed out loud.
"Didn’t you say you weren’t greedy for awards?"
"...I wasn’t."
"You weren’t?"
"W-Well... the audience response has been amazing, and agencies from the middle tier are contacting us too! Now that Multicultural is getting better reviews than expected, I’m starting to hope a little!"
I nodded slowly.
"Hearing that, I’m getting excited too."
"I-I’m sorry! I got carried away!"
"No. This isn’t getting carried away. It’s real. At this rate, I think Multicultural could absolutely take the Short Film Award."
Director Kim Jun-su’s tense face brightened all at once.
After giving his shoulder a light pat, I turned away.
Go-eun Choi was looking at the stage, her expression a little dazed as she focused on preparations for the ceremony.
I brushed my chin and dropped into the seat beside her.
"What are you staring at so hard?"
Go-eun Choi turned and looked at me.
"When did you get here?"
"Just now. But what are you looking at like that?"
"I was looking at the stage."
"Oh? Looks like you’re nervous, Go-eun Choi. That’s not usually your style, staring so intently."
Go-eun Choi answered slowly.
"Yeah. I’m really nervous."
My eyes widened slightly.
"Because you’re afraid you won’t get the New Actress Award?"
She shook her head.
"No. It’s not because of the award."
"Then what is it?"
"It’s just..."
"Just?"
"Just the situation itself makes me feel good, so I’m nervous."
That answer made me let out a hollow laugh.
She’s trembling because she’s happy, not because she’s anxious?
...Honestly, Go-eun Choi.
I had to admit it. Her backbone was something else.
Who would look at her and believe she was some unknown actress with no credits to her name?
She was born with it.
Confidence, the nerve to enjoy a big stage, and even the kind of acting that could charm a double-ten-million director.
And I, an ordinary man, loved geniuses like that.
Just as my eyes curved pleasantly while looking at Go-eun Choi, she suddenly spoke in a light tone.
"My mom and dad died when I was ten."
A heavy confession delivered in a tone that didn’t match it at all.
My breath stopped for a moment.
In that gap, the story Go-eun had kept hidden began to flow out in a calm stream.
"It was a car accident. After that, I grew up with my grandmother."
"..."
"My grandma turned seventy this year. Do you think she can really get a proper job? We were on basic livelihood support, and I started working part-time when I was little because we were short on money. I even delivered newspapers, and I did milk runs too. I probably tried every part-time job Choi Ji-seon did in Multicultural."
The gears in my head turned back into the past.
The day I first met Go-eun Choi, I remembered her hair, dry and brittle compared to other girls her age, and the dark circles that had sunk deep under her eyes.
So that’s why?
I’d vaguely sensed she had her reasons, but the truth was far heavier than I’d imagined.
I leaned in and listened more closely to Go-eun’s story.
"That’s why I really could relate to it. Choi Ji-seon being bullied? Been there too. I didn’t go on the school trip because I didn’t have the money to pay, and they called me a filthy beggar."
"..."
"I wasn’t angry. No, what would I even have been angry for? Pointing it out would just waste my breath, and they weren’t the kind of people worth taking seriously anyway."
Go-eun’s sneer deepened.
Then she turned her head and looked at me for a moment before dropping her gaze.
"Sorry. I talked about something pointless."
"..."
"Man, I ruined the mood. I usually don’t talk about things like this... I just started feeling weird for no reason... Sorry, Executive Director."
Her head was lowered, so I couldn’t see her face.
But even without seeing it, I could imagine it perfectly.
Go-eun Choi was the kind of actress who carried her pride and selfhood fiercely at her age.
Probably because she got hurt by what she just told me.
The kid who had bared her teeth at others to hide that hurt had just shown me her true feelings.
For an eighteen-year-old like Go-eun Choi, this must be unbearably embarrassing and humiliating right now.
After I finished thinking it through, I spoke casually.
"What you just said, is that something you feel embarrassed about, Go-eun Choi?"
With her head still lowered, she answered, "Yes. A little."
"Why?"
"Isn’t it... something you’re not supposed to go around telling people?"
"Well. I don’t think so."
One of my bad habits kicked in.
When the other person showed me sincerity, I ended up showing mine before I even noticed.
The past I’d almost forgotten slowly rose to the surface.
"My parents died early too, so I grew up under relatives’ care."
"!"
"Well, I wasn’t bullied or anything, but I understand how you feel. Not having parents is a big gap. But it’s not as big a gap as you think."
My sudden confession surprised Go-eun this time.
She lifted her head in a hurry, her mouth hanging open like a fool.
Maybe because of that, the nasty sneer that had been hanging at the corner of her lips a moment ago was gone.
I let out a small laugh and kept going.
This wasn’t a place for tending each other’s wounds.
"There were hard times for me too as I lived. But then I met good people, and good opportunities came along too. So don’t shrink back. Stand up straight. You’ve made it this far, so what is there to be ashamed of?"
This was a place for overcoming those wounds and moving forward.
Fortunately, the mood of the conversation flowed exactly the way I wanted.
Go-eun’s eyes glistened slightly.
Afraid the makeup she’d worked so hard on would smear, I tapped her forehead lightly with my finger.
"Go in there and declare it boldly."
The moisture in Go-eun’s eyes vanished cleanly.
"Stand on that stage and tell the people who tormented you at the ceremony. I made it. That’s the best revenge there is."
Go-eun hesitated.
She hesitated for a long while, then gently took my hand.
Her fingers trembled, telling me exactly what state her emotions were in.
Nervousness, trembling, excitement.
With a voice thick in her throat, Go-eun asked me, "Can I really do that?"
"Of course."
My voice was full of certainty.
"You’ve earned the right, Go-eun Choi. I guarantee it."
At those words, her eyes lit up.
Like the bright stars scattered across the night sky.
Realizing that the usual Go-eun had come back, I gently pulled my hand away and said, "I’ll be waiting here. Go down there and take that New Actress title with your head held high."
Go-eun Choi smiled brightly and answered, "Yes, Executive Director."
The Busan International Film Festival awards ceremony began.
***
Fireworks painted the night sky.
Bang!
Film, Busan, and trophies.
The Busan International Film Festival awards ceremony had finally begun.
Watching the scene, Kwon Chan thought that no upset had occurred.
"And the winner of the Busan International Film Festival Short Film Award goes to... congratulations! Multicultural, Director Kim Jun-su!"
Director Kim Jun-su’s short film Multicultural won the festival’s short film grand prize, the Short Film Award.
Then came the New Actress Award announcement. A young actress’s name was called.
"Multicultural, Go-eun Choi!"
Just as the future text had foretold, Go-eun Choi became the Busan International Film Festival’s brightest new star.
A deep crescent smile drew itself across Kwon Chan’s lips.
"Here is the acceptance speech from actress Go-eun Choi, who has been selected as the best newcomer at this year’s Busan International Film Festival."
The host handed the microphone to Go-eun Choi.
Under the dazzling lights, a girl who had only just begun to bloom looked out over the thousands-strong audience and slowly parted her lips.
"First, I’d like to thank the people who gave me this award..."
Watching her, Kwon Chan felt his chest give a small thump.
Flowers bloom more beautifully after winter passes.
And now, Go-eun’s winter was over.
From today on, that unknown actress would spread her wings and fly.
And so that those wings could rise even stronger, manager Kwon Chan would do everything he could to help from within his means.
The moment he made that vow, Go-eun Choi made her declaration.
"Lastly, I’d like to dedicate this honor to Executive Director Kwon Chan, who worked harder than anyone for me... "
Her declaration was a little different from what Kwon Chan had expected.
"From now on, I want to work with you for the rest of my life."
Kwon Chan’s eyes went wide.
Within that moment, whether by chance or fate, Go-eun Choi’s gaze turned toward Kwon Chan.
The instant their eyes met, with Go-eun’s playful smile tilting toward him, a thunderous wave of applause erupted.
"The Busan International Film Festival New Actress Award goes to Go-eun Choi!"
The story of Multicultural and Go-eun Choi came to a close.
...
On the set of Black Bride.
The top-star actress seated in the waiting area looked down at the smartphone in her hand, her eyes slightly bloodshot.
"Lastly, I’d like to dedicate this honor to Executive Director Kwon Chan, who worked harder than anyone for me... From now on, I want to work with you for the rest of my life."
The acceptance speech from the unknown actress echoed in her ears.
With her eyes closed, the top-star actress thought that a single loach had slipped into a clear lake.
---