Is That a Hero?
Time flew by to the end of May. As Supernova's Tonight slowly spread across Korea, the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival was accelerating its massive promotional campaign.
To ensure the week-long festival's success, articles emphasized the flood of entries and fierce competition. With all these powerhouse films, you still gonna skip it? That kind of thing.
But the real buzz was elsewhere.
It was the news that Kim Donghu was entering the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. Amid his skyrocketing popularity, word spread like wildfire.
"Hey, superfan! You shot a movie with actor Kim Donghu?!"
"Uh, y-yeah... it just kinda happened."
Thanks to that, Hero director Lee Seongdeok was dying from all the attention. Sure, any buzz for a short film was a blessing.
But this is overwhelming. I might pass out.
Born a textbook Type A, Lee Seongdeok found the spotlight burdensome.
Still, it's all thanks to actor Kim Donghu's grace.
Now a total Kim Donghu devotee, he gratefully fielded every question.
"How'd you shoot it? How'd you even connect?"
"J-just luck. His agency reached out first..."
"Oh yeah? Hook me up sometime then?"
"Pardon?"
Mid-convo, Lee Seongdeok turned at a voice. A college senior two years older—not a great memory, not a good vibe.
"Short film fan? Lemme ride the wave. Came all this way for that pretty face, right? Gimme some of that face luck..."
"Senior, don't cross the line."
"W-what? What'd you just say?!"
The cheery mood shattered. But Lee Seongdeok pressed on.
"Don't cross the line. Wanna look that pathetic jealous over a kid? Get your shit together."
"Hey, repeat that! Hey!"
Ugly jealousy lurks everywhere. He'd usually bite his tongue.
I can take shit about me, but not about actor Kim Donghu.
Fired up, Lee Seongdeok unleashed like a machine gun.
"Can't make a decent film at your age, held back twice, still lurking campus? Fix your own mess first—what do you think?"
Wanna hear it again?
The shock of the stammerer suddenly spitting fire. Lee Seongdeok dropped the bomb and bounced.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Heart pounding, limbs shaking. How many years since he spoke like that?
Didn't matter. One thing was clear.
Actor Kim Donghu—I got your back!
+++++
Same time.
"You want a day off?"
"Yeah... can't I?"
"No can do. I get it, but you're too busy. And Jaerin, you're the leader, the center. Others follow your lead."
The producer's firm words slumped Ryu Jaerin's shoulders. She knew it'd be a no, but hearing it stung.
"Remember I already bent once. That's 'cause I believe you can do even better."
Ryu Jaerin flinched.
She knows about the phone.
Thought she'd hidden it well. Did it show?
Can't contact Donghu without it.
Occasional texts weren't enough; she wanted to hit the festival.
The producer eyed her cutely deflated form and dangled a carrot.
"Oh yeah, that Brilliant uniform event..."
"Y-yes?!"
"Just saying, nail it and maybe outings."
Line up the schedule? Pass this month's eval test.
Producer stood from the private meeting room.
Told 'em no dating, but kids this age won't listen.
Best to let 'em learn the hard way.
Same time. Another girl in Ryu Jaerin's shoes got a different outcome.
"R-really?! Mom, for real?!"
"Why would I lie about this?"
"Mise-en-scène jury? Why hide it?!"
"Knew you'd freak."
"Mooom!"
Kim Sujin's case exactly.
"Different genre, didn't think it mattered."
"You gotta tell me! Perfect excuse to go!"
"You could've gone anyway."
"T-then it'd look like I'm just there for Donghu."
Our girl's shy in weird spots. Kim Yuryeon smiled at her blushing daughter.
Wonder if just crushing is good enough.
She's never been anyone's first love, so she doesn't get it.
Or maybe she knew better than anyone. Dead-set on Kim Donghu since five.
Full-on devotion.
And then.
"Hm? Our son-in-law in Mise-en-scène? Haha, guess Dad'll go too. Pic with him?"
Clueless Kim Gicheol barged in.
"Don't burden Donghu. Dad, stay home for real."
"..."
Daughter's ice-cold words crushed him; he collapsed on the spot.
+++++
Finally, opening day of Mise-en-scène.
Hordes of reporters gripped cameras at the photo wall, waiting for celebs.
Not just any—
Kim Donghu for sure.
Kim Donghu from the festival.
When's Kim Donghu showing? Last one?
Prime target: Kim Donghu. Confirmed entry meant views would explode with him front and center.
Click-click-click!
Snapping celeb interviews and pics.
"Hello, pleased to meet you. I'm Kim Donghu."
"Ah, hi! I'm Hero director Lee, Lee, Lee Seongdeok."
The star reporters craved stood at the wall.
Uniform looks like a tux.
Student vibe is smart—total strategy.
Brilliant uniform model? Flaunting it, but damn it suits him.
Age-perfect school uniform. Flashes exploded at his greeting.
Then the interview.
"What sparked your short film debut?"
"Director Lee Seongdeok's script was amazing—I had to be in it."
"Confident in winning?"
"To back that up, please watch Hero!"
Hahaha.
Kim Donghu's signature cheeky charm melted the tension.
"Question for Director Lee Seongdeok. Sum up Hero?"
Gulp!
Swallows pierced the shutter clicks. How nervous was he?
Lee Seongdeok eked out words amid the worry.
"I-I wanted to... properly portray the hero we've all dreamed of at least once."
"The hero we've dreamed of?"
"Y-yes... One who crushes villains, always good triumphs. A hero before society fenced us in."
Smoother toward the end. Reporters vowed to watch Hero.
Handsome Kim Donghu solo for 40 minutes? Skipping's insane.
+++++
"Ugh... late, so late!"
Kim Sujin dashed to the theater, sneaking mirror checks.
Deep sleep for skin care—no alarm was the culprit.
Should've gone with Mom!
Planned a surprise, separate from Mom. Overslept instead.
Would've chatted face-to-face by now.
Movie first.
Opening day crowds everywhere. Hero screening packed.
Corner seat left.
Kim Sujin slid in, caught her breath, eyes on screen.
Right then.
Rumble.
Lights out.
Static hiss.
Black-and-white flickers on.
First sight:
Crazy, that close-up on his face?
Full-face shot of Kim Donghu.
Then:
"I wanted to be a hero. One who slaughters villains brutally and claims victory in the end."
Kim Donghu's narration breathed life into the monochrome.
Audiences, Kim Sujin included, thought:
Is that a hero?
A thug, sure. But the boy pulping him to mush, smirking down gripping his collar—is he a hero?
Drip. Drip.
Fist-beaten blood splatters from his hand.
"Why run?"
Head tilt like it's baffling. The "hero."
...Scary.
Chills rippled through. Eyes glued to screen.
One presence burned into view, warning:
Look at me closely.
Watch your hero to the end.
No one could refuse.