Chapter 342
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 342
Chapter Title: The Global Premiere
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“How about we grab a bite to eat since we’re all here?”
At Milan Chellan’s suggestion, and with dinnertime approaching, the actors and Director Jeffrey relocated to a restaurant near Bearound.
The table was filled with an array of dishes, and everyone began to eat, chatting about one thing or another.
Kim Jongho, who had been a bit nervous meeting the actors for the first time, also laughed and joined the conversation in the relaxed atmosphere.
“The theatrical cut will be the one released, I assume.”
“I suppose so.”
Milan Chellan nodded at Vanessa Olson’s words.
“When do you think it will be released?”
At Davis Garrett’s question, all eyes turned to Director Jeffrey.
The planning team leader would have known the schedule better, but unlike the [Theatrical Cut] that everyone had watched with satisfaction, both Bearound and Plus+ were busy holding meetings about the baffling [Director's Cut], so he couldn't get away.
Seojun let out a small laugh, recalling the planning team leader's face, which looked as though he had reached a state of resignation from all the clamor.
“They’re planning for a summer release.”
Director Jeffrey replied, having heard in advance from the planning team leader.
At his words, not only Seojun but all the actors looked surprised.
“That’s fast. I thought it would be fall at the earliest…”
“As you saw from the edit earlier, aside from a few spots that need touching up, it’s nearly complete, so the date was set sooner than expected.”
Thanks to the effort poured into the sets, CG work was minimized, and Bearound’s financial power allowed them to hire a large crew for the CG tasks.
“I wonder how well it will do at the box office.”
“The theatrical cut will be a hit, but…”
‘The director’s cut is the real problem…’
As if they understood without needing to say a word, the actors and the director exchanged peculiar glances before finally bursting into laughter.
* * *
Upon returning to Korea, Seojun headed to the local government office the very next day.
The civil servant, seeing Seojun once again, excitedly pulled out his ID card from the stack of newly made ones. With its handsome photo, it was easy to spot.
The colleague next to her, who had been nudged in the ribs (it was a prearranged signal), glanced at Seojun in his black hat with sparkling eyes.
“H-here it is.”
“Thank you.”
Bowing his head, Seojun walked outside and got into the car parked in the lot.
He had come in his personal car, thinking a large van parked in front of the office would draw too much attention. An Daho, sitting in the driver's seat, smiled at Seojun as he sat down in the passenger seat.
“Did you get it?”
“Yes. Here.”
His cheeks slightly flushed with excitement, Seojun held out the ID card, which featured the portrait taken at Noeul Studio, toward An Daho. While Seojun fastened his seatbelt, An Daho examined the ID card from every angle.
‘The photo turned out great.’
It was a good idea to get it taken at a studio.
Feeling a sense of pride, An Daho handed the ID card back to Seojun and started the engine.
“It’s really starting to sink in that you’ll be an adult soon.”
“Haha. Really?”
When did he grow up so fast…?
An Daho felt both happy that the little child actor who had led him into the entertainment world had grown up so well, and sad that it had happened so quickly.
Glancing at Seojun, who was examining ‘his own ID card’ with fascination, An Daho smiled. In his eyes, Seojun still seemed like a child.
* * *
Early June.
Bearound began its promotion for [Survivors].
Articles about [Survivors] poured out not just in the US and Korea, but in countries all over the world.
[Bearound, ‘Survivors’ Scheduled for July Release!]
[Davis Garrett × Lee Seojun! ‘Survivors’ Hits Theaters in July!]
[Lee Seojun × Kim Jongho! ‘Survivors’ Set for Simultaneous Worldwide Release!]
[Korean Actor's Hollywood Debut?! Kim Jongho's First Hollywood Film, Survivors!]
-Whoa. I thought it would be winter at the earliest…
=Same here. July! It’s in July!
=Gotta save up to watch it multiple times!!
-A simultaneous worldwide release, omg.
=The scale of Hollywood is just…
=Escape also had a simultaneous release.
=I think that was only in twenty countries.
=Only? It’s amazing that a Korean film got a simultaneous release abroad at all!
-Will we see more Korean actors in Hollywood movies now?
=Since Lee Seojun and Kim Jongho went, won't Lee Jiseok, Lee Dajin, and Park Dohun go too?
=As expected of the Lee Seojun Squad…!
-But a lot of actors get their scenes cut even after filming.
=IKR, or they only appear for a super short time.
=^^^ We’ll have to see the movie to know for sure.
Ring, ring.
Phones were ringing from every direction.
The staff at actor Kim Jongho’s agency had to run around, dealing with the ringing phones and incoming offers.
“A simultaneous worldwide release. That’s Hollywood for you.”
“I know, right? Escape had a simultaneous release in a few countries, but they say Survivors is scheduled to be released in over 100 countries at the same time.”
The employees at Kim Jongho’s agency clicked their tongues at the enormous scale.
“There’s still over a month left. Is it okay to promote it this much already? It must cost a fortune…”
“I don’t think they have to worry about money. They must be confident they can recoup the costs even after spending this much.”
Everyone unconsciously nodded in agreement.
“It’s a call from Kings Agency!”
At the employee’s shout, the head of Actor Team 1 quickly answered the phone.
Kings Agency.
It was actor Lee Seojun’s US agency and a place that had provided a great deal of help while Kim Jongho was filming his Hollywood movie.
Everything his manager, Kim Sangwoo, had said about them was positive.
From clothes and daily necessities to accommodations and food.
Everything was so perfectly prepared that he said it felt more like a vacation than work. The image of Kim Sangwoo, who had returned with a glowing face, flashed through the team leader’s mind.
That alone showed how well Kings Agency cared for its actors.
‘After Survivors is released, we might start getting scripts from Hollywood.’
Among them, there might be a project that appealed to Kim Jongho.
If Kim Jongho decided to do another Hollywood project, it would be difficult for the agency to set up a US branch, so they would need to find a new partner among the agencies in the US.
‘And the best among them is Kings Agency.’
They had already worked together once, so they knew their work style. Plus, they would have accumulated information and know-how from managing Hollywood star Lee Seojun, so working with Kings Agency would increase the chances of success.
‘The problem is that the only celebrities Kings Agency manages are from Cocoa Entertainment.’
They were good at their job and had excellent information networks, yet they only had three Korean idol groups and one actor on their roster.
An insider rumor suggested that a member of Brown Black had created it for their US activities, but the team leader had no way of knowing if it was true.
‘Hmm. For now, I just have to make the best impression possible…’
Then, if he could send other actors over with Kim Jongho one by one, maybe their agency could produce an actor who would make a name for themselves in Hollywood.
“Seojun is a real blessing!”
The cheerful voices of the staff reached the team leader’s ears.
‘…I’m not even hoping for another Lee Seojun.’
Letting out a soft sigh, the team leader focused his attention on the words of the Kings Agency employee on the other end of the line.
* * *
[Kim Jongho × Lee Seojun! ‘Survivors’ Making-of Film Released!]
[Survivors, Making-of Film Revealed! Wait, Why is This Here?]
[Korean Hiking Fashion Goes Global?]
A promotional making-of film for [Survivors] was released on N-tube.
It included a very short, edited clip of Kim Jongho’s audition scene, which had been kept for archival purposes, as well as a shot of him greeting Director Jeffrey Rodox.
-Where are all the comments that said Kim Jongho would be edited out!!
=IKR?! They even made a making-of film centered around him!
=^^^ They’re basically advertising, <Actor Kim Jongho will definitely be in the movie!> lol.
-It feels strange seeing actor Kim Jongho auditioning… ;;;
=IKR. Shouldn’t he be sitting on the judges’ panel? ;;;
=Reminds me of when the audition news first broke. So many comments said they would have just left if they saw Kim Jongho there lol.
-It really feels like Hollywood since everyone is a foreigner.
-It feels novel having actor Kim Jongho there, haha.
=But it feels familiar because Seojun is there, haha.
=LOL
Next, Kim Jongho was shown changing into his costume for filming, laughing cheerfully. Along with Seojun’s surprised expression, viewers’ eyes widened.
-Huh? Hiking clothes??? lol, why are those here lol?
=Turns out this was just filmed in Korea, wasn’t it?
=That’s literally an outfit you’d see on the subway lol. I saw one today lol.
-That orange color lol. Ahaha, he really looks like a neighborhood dad lol.
-It’s the same as the clothes my dad wears lol.
=^^^ My dad too lol.
-Should I buy one for my dad? lol
=^^You should probably buy it now. Won’t it sell out after the movie comes out?
When Seojun joined the group of middle-aged men and women in hiking gear, everyone burst out laughing again.
-This is just like me, stuck between my mom and dad’s friends.
=IKR. It’s so awkward…
=But when they give you allowance, you suddenly find social skills you never knew you had lol.
Finally, the set of [Survivors] came into view, and the making-of film ended with a shot of Seojun, Kim Jongho, and the Korean-American actors climbing onto the set.
-…Whoa. That set is insane.
-A shopping mall popped up out of nowhere, I thought it was a mall commercial.
=^^The mall was so cool I forgot what I was watching.
-I thought they would use CG, but it looks like they just built an entire shopping mall.
=But the collapsing scenes must be CG, right?
=…It’s Hollywood. They might have actually demolished it.
-But what are those machines right next to the set?
=Aren’t they supports for the set?
=They look too weird for that, though.
=Because it’s Hollywood.
=Ah, I see.
=Don’t try to understand it, lol.
Bearound’s promotional making-of film was broadcast not only on N-tube but also on television.
A Hollywood set with a familiar Korean actor was enough to pique the curiosity of viewers. As viewership rose, the broadcasting stations had no reason to refuse it.
-With Kim Jongho in it, we don’t have to worry about the Korean acting (phew).
=^^^ I like hearing Korean, but I hate it when the pronunciation is so bad even Koreans can’t understand it.
=Same here. We’ll finally get to hear some proper Korean!
-I wish they had shown some filming scenes too.
=You’ll have to see that in the movie.
-Can’t wait for Survivors!!
=It’s perfectly timed for summer break, great for watching it multiple times!
* * *
And in mid-July.
A few days before summer vacation began, Bearound’s [Survivors] was released.
Having finished their final exams early,
“Yujeong. What about your report?”
“…It’s fine. It’s not due until the day after tomorrow.”
…university students Song Yujeong and Im Yena, ready to enjoy their break, headed to the movie theater with excited faces.
Perhaps because it was the opening day, or perhaps because it was a Lee Seojun and Kim Jongho movie, the theater was crowded. It was a good thing they had booked their tickets in advance.
Im Yena read articles about [Survivors] on her phone. When it was a movie her actor was in, she couldn’t help but care about every single article and comment.
[Survivors, Pre-booking Rate at 80.7%!]
[Survivors, Released Today! What Will be the Opening Score?]
[Movies Postponed Due to the Release of ‘Survivors’!]
“It says some movies postponed their release.”
“If it were me, I’d postpone it as long as I could.”
Im Yena continued reading the article.
“It says since Survivors already released a making-of film, if there are no other major issues, other movies will probably be released in about two weeks?”
“Really?”
[Kim Jongho’s First Hollywood Debut! What are the Reviews?!]
[The Father-Son Chemistry Between Kim Jongho × Lee Seojun?!]
“What’s there to question about their chemistry? We already know from Naeuiwon. Their chemistry was already proven with Taejong and Grand Prince Seongnyeong.”
“You’re right.”
Im Yena said with a proud look on her face as she spotted the article.
Song Yujeong nodded in agreement and carefully picked up a poster for [Survivors].
Against the backdrop of a collapsed shopping mall, five actors stood with their backs to the camera. They all looked like they had been through hell.
“I can roughly guess what the story is about, but…”
At Song Yujeong’s words, Im Yena shrugged. Even if you didn't want to know, anyone who had seen a fair share of movies and dramas could piece together how the story would unfold from small bits of information.
A collapsed shopping mall.
A father in a minor role and a son as the lead.
“I won’t be able to watch this without crying.”
“I brought tissues.”
Smiling at Song Yujeong’s words, Im Yena took a pack of tissues from her bag and handed one to her.
“Oh. You’re so well-prepared.”
“I’ve cried so much that I always bring them to Seojun’s movies now. Plus, this one is a disaster film, so I think I’ll cry even more.”
Song Yujeong agreed with Im Yena’s reasoning and put the tissue in her bag.
“The earlier showing must be going on now, right? I wonder when it’ll end.”
“There’s still some time left. But it’s a shame. The exit for this theater is on the other side, so I don’t think we’ll be able to see people’s reactions.”
“I prefer watching without knowing anything. Ah, I should probably stay off the internet now.”
Then came the waiting.
Song Yujeong and Im Yena chatted about various things while looking at the profile picture of Seojun they had downloaded and set as their phone backgrounds.
There had been times when they argued about which picture of Seojun was the best, but it had already been two months since the photos were released. After a fierce debate, Song Yujeong and Im Yena had decided to respect each other’s tastes.
“My taste is Seojun, after all.”
“Seojun looks amazing no matter what.”
The two fans of actor Lee Seojun, the fledglings Song Yujeong and Im Yena, smiled at each other.
A short while later.
“Theater 6! Will those watching Survivors please proceed to enter!”
The employee’s shout was heard.
People scattered throughout the theater located Theater 6 and rose from their seats in unison. Song Yujeong and Im Yena also stood up and headed toward the theater.
“Here it is.”
“We have a great view!”
With excited faces, Song Yujeong and Im Yena sat down and waited for the theater to darken.
Soon, the lights dimmed, and commercials began to play on the screen. Song Yujeong, Im Yena, and the rest of the audience habitually checked the locations of the emergency exits and escape routes shown on the screen.
And in the center of the screen.
The logo of the production company, Bearound, appeared.
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