Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Preview Screening
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“Uh, um...”
Maybe because we'd gone three more rounds after saying just once, Hong Ye-won could barely walk straight.
I supported her limp body and took her to the bathroom to wash her up.
“Sorry, sorry.”
I meticulously cleaned Hong Ye-won's body before laying her down on the sofa.
After that.
I sat at the living room table, sipping cool coffee while flipping through some scripts.
Whether I had a shoot lined up or not, reading scripts was a hobby of mine, almost a habit.
It was a long-standing pastime I'd kept even after giving up acting to become a manager.
“Oh, this one's pretty interesting.”
I sorted the scripts on the table, setting aside the ones that caught my eye.
That's when Hong Ye-won started wriggling on the sofa, letting out little grunts.
“Ow...”
“What's wrong? Not closing properly?”
“N-no, it's not that...”
“What do you mean not that. Let me see.”
She'd seemed a bit sore earlier in the bathroom, and sure enough, it looked a little torn.
I laid down the embarrassed Hong Ye-won, who was trying to hide it, and unscrewed the cap on the Furepain Mild ointment.
“Eek, ouch...”
We've seen everything there is to see, so why's she so shy about it.
“Hold still.”
Smack-.
I gave her pale buttock a light spank before spreading her cheeks again. As I gently applied the ointment from my finger to her twitching entrance, I said,
“If it hurts too much, tell me. I'll go easy.”
“......”
I like teasing them, but I don't want to break them.
Hong Ye-won was more used to anal than the other girls, so I'd been a bit rough. But it seemed I'd lost control a little too much.
Feeling a pang of guilt, I applied the ointment soothingly as I spoke.
“Writers can't be too timid. You need to voice your opinions actively, like when you shoved me into that drama.”
Hong Ye-won glanced at me cautiously before replying.
“...It hurts, but it felt good, so...”
“Hmm...”
I was rubbing the ointment in feather-light circles out of guilt when.
Ding-.
My smartphone alarm on the table went off. A quick glance showed it was from Im Eun-ha.
- Oppa! What are you wearing to the preview screening?
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, today was August 30th.
Preview screenings for Opposite-Sex Best Friends were scheduled from this Friday to Sunday over three days.
Friday in Yongsan and Yeongdeungpo, Saturday at Konkuk University station and World Tower, and Sunday in Suwon.
With stage greetings planned, our schedules were packed from morning till late evening for all three days.
“First preview screenings for me.”
We had to pop into 5 to 7 theaters per day for greetings.
Checking the schedule from Director Min Woo-jung, it seemed reasonably planned.
After the first showing ends, do the greeting; for the next, greet before it starts and leave. Alternating back and forth.
The actors doing greetings wouldn't watch the whole movie, so they overlapped times as much as possible.
Still, there'd be plenty of waiting around.
“Guess I'll read scripts while waiting. Is this all you have?”
August 31st, Saturday. 12:30 PM.
Kim Min-ji arrived at Konkuk University station, heart fluttering as she headed to Cinema Plus.
The venue for the Opposite-Sex Best Friends preview screening.
‘First Opposite-Sex Best Friends Preview Tickets Distribution’
“Whoa!”
A long table was set up on one side of the theater, packed with staff attending to people. Souvenir items were laid out on it.
Now it was really sinking in for Kim Min-ji.
‘First preview screening, and I'm so nervous.’
And for good reason—how had she snagged this ticket? By fabricating a first love story that never happened.
All for the sole purpose of seeing Jung Woo-jin in person.
“Heh heh...”
Kim Min-ji joined the line, stifling the grin leaking through her teeth.
“Your name? We'll check your ID.”
“Kim Min-ji. Yes, here.”
“Kim Min-ji... Confirmed. Here's your ticket, and this is a souvenir. A bottle signed by the lead actors.”
“Wow—really?!”
“Have a great time!”
“Th-thank you!”
Ticket in one hand, rectangular souvenir in the other, Kim Min-ji retreated to a corner and immediately held an unboxing ceremony.
Slide-.
A plain water bottle, the kind she had several of rolling around at home.
But.
“Ahh...”
The bottom had the movie title Opposite-Sex Best Friends boldly marked, with two signatures above it.
Im Eun-ha's elegant, flowing script that was hard to read.
And Jung Woo-jin's stylish flourish of his own name.
“Hee hee.”
It was hard to hide her smile.
Worried the signatures might wear off, Kim Min-ji quickly repackaged the bottle and tucked it carefully into her bag.
The screening was at 1:35 PM, with stage greetings after, so no rush. In fact, she had some time to kill.
A sweet scent kept wafting to her nose.
“Ah, I can't hold back. Popcorn at the movies? No way.”
In the end, Kim Min-ji hugged an L-size caramel popcorn and entered the screening hall.
“Wow.”
She frequented theaters, but today it felt different. Lights still bright, few people seated.
‘G15, G15, G15...’
She found her seat, pulled down the chair, set down her popcorn, and pulled out her smartphone.
With time to spare, she binged Jung Woo-jin videos first: Opposite-Sex Best Friends trailers 1 and 2, OST preview.
- [Trailer 1] Love is all about timing. Is there someone you don't want to miss? Opposite-Sex Best Friends in theaters Sept 5.
- [OST Preview] Im Eun-ha and Jung Woo-jin perform "Our First Love Back Then" in acoustic version. Opposite-Sex Best Friends wide release Sept 5.
- [Trailer 2] Coincidence? Fate? The choice of the reunited man and woman. Opposite-Sex Best Friends in theaters Sept 5.
After the videos, as usual, she browsed Jung Woo-jin's fan cafe and communities.
Friday's first preview screening—I'm back! (212)
Friday, 3 PM. Back from Yongsan preview! Heart still racing, but here's a review!
Personally, loved the stage greeting after the screening. Can't spoil the movie, but straight up: even as a mom with two kids, it took me back—like my heart was trembling from those days. Must-watch!
Couldn't even finish my popcorn, lost in the afterglow, then lights dimmed up and greetings started.
Not sure if I should say this, but mind-blowing experience. Like 'cosmic horror'? That feeling beyond human grasp? Hard to explain, but kinda like that.
I was third seat front-right, so saw Actor Jung Woo-jin enter right in front...
Didn't seem human. Our actor doesn't fit on screen. Thought young girls would squeal, but no—total silence when he appeared. Everyone at previews, congrats. You'll be floored.
Finally! Actor Jung Woo-jin, make more sweet films like this ㅠ Fighting!
Same time slot as me! Totally true. When Woojin oppa appeared, not dead silence but everyone holding breath ㅋㅋㅋ
Saw it in Yeongdeungpo! Weak hearts beware—double caution!
Movie was solid too! Story predictable, but acting pulled me in completely.
All comments were pure praise. Of course, being a post on Jung Woo-jin's fan cafe.
Gulp-.
Kim Min-ji leaned back, anticipation building as she stared at the still-dark screen.
And at 1:35 PM.
The preview screening began.
They say to enjoy a movie, ditch expectations.
But Opposite-Sex Best Friends delivered exactly what Kim Min-ji hoped for.
No wild twists or shocks, but it faithfully captured the leads' emotions.
The regret of missing each other once, longing for first love.
And fatefully reuniting, confirming their passion unlike before.
The definite happy ending—not open-ended—was perfect.
A blissful experience.
Why do people devour romance films or novels? For women, mostly to vicariously feel those romantic moments through the heroine.
In that sense, from start to finish, Kim Min-ji felt like she'd lived it:
Falling for a boy at a rural school, unjustly parted, reuniting to affirm their love. Scenes etched vividly in her mind, an astonishing immersion.
“Hoo... ha...”
Her chest felt tight yet full.
Over half the popcorn remained. She'd nibbled before, but once it started, untouched.
Then the theater lights slowly brightened.
Staff appeared, flinging open the front doors.
And.
Click-clack-.
Im Eun-ha entered in a white dress, beaming brightly.
She waved to the preview crowd and took position in front of the screen.
Thud-thud-.
Followed by the sound of dress shoes.
Kim Min-ji's breath quickened. Her chest constricted with pressure.
“Hoo...!!”