Chapter 345
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 345
Chapter Title: The Director's Cut
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The soundtrack of [The Survivors] began to play.
The post-credits scene was brief, but it offered a more definitive happy ending than any other movie, leaving the audience with red, swollen eyes and satisfied smiles.
With the post-credits scene over, the theater staff, unlike the audience who wanted to linger in the afterglow of the film, went about their business as usual, preparing for the next showing.
The house lights came on, and the exit doors opened.
Though disappointed by the broken spell, the audience gathered their belongings and slowly rose from their seats. Their bodies ached from crying, tensing up, and then crying all over again, and they moved stiffly.
“Ah. I didn't even touch the popcorn.”
“The ice in my drink melted completely.”
They had been so engrossed in the movie that they'd forgotten they even had snacks.
A few moviegoers, only now noticing the drinks they'd left in the cup holders, let out hollow laughs. They rehydrated with the now-watery drinks, the ice long gone.
“Let's go.”
“Okay.”
Song Yujeong and Im Yena tossed their tear-soaked tissues into the trash and headed for the exit, which led directly outside the building. The audience trudged down the stairs, their bodies feeling drained.
“Wow. I must have been so tense watching that. I'm completely wiped out. My body is so stiff.”
“We cried a lot, too. I used up all the tissues you gave me.”
“I know. Your eyes are so swollen.”
“So are yours. Want me to show you in a mirror?”
Both of them had red, slightly puffy eyes, which was a funny sight. Im Yena and Song Yujeong looked at each other, chuckled, and continued on their way.
* * *
[Bear Around's 'The Survivors' Opens to 1.1 Million!]
[‘The Survivors’ Leaves Audiences in Tears!]
[The Survivors: A Story of People Fighting to Live!]
[Actor Kim Jongho's Successful Hollywood Debut!]
-I knew it was coming, but I cried anyway T_T
=+1 I knew they were going to lean into the emotional family stuff, and I still fell for it, haha.
=+1 But there was no way not to cry, lol.
=+1 Seriously, the tears started flowing the moment the bomb went off and Lee Hyunwoo appeared.
-It was hilarious waiting in the theater lobby. You could totally tell who had just seen The Survivors and who hadn't, lol.
=Yeah, everyone coming out of The Survivors has puffy eyes, haha.
=I was one of them!
-As expected, the chemistry between Kim Jongho and Lee Seojun is...!
=It’s making me tear up again T_T
-Weren't the actors who spoke Korean great? They sounded like native speakers, so I was totally immersed.
=+1 For real, if the Korean acting had been bad in this movie, it would have been torn to shreds.
-I already booked tickets for my next viewing.
-I hope that film critic's review comes out soon!
=+1 They said it'll be out in two weeks, so I'll prep by watching it a few more times until then!
=+1 Nth viewing prep >> Film critic's review >> Nth viewing review, haha.
* * *
[Two Weeks In, 'The Survivors' Fever Rages On! Will It Surpass 10 Million Viewers?!]
[Theaters Packed with Repeat Viewers for 'The Survivors'!]
[Tissues Required, Water Optional: How to Watch 'The Survivors'!]
[Ian Weaver's Wristwatch: Sold Out!]
[Actor Kim Jongho's Hiking Outfit Flying Off the Shelves!]
[What Gift Did Lee Hyunwoo Choose for His Parents?!]
[Lee Hyunwoo's Sunglasses: Sold Out!]
Two weeks had passed since [The Survivors] premiered, but Korea was still buzzing about it. Theaters were crowded with people clutching tissues, and the exits were filled with moviegoers with puffy eyes.
It was even reported that sales of popcorn and other snacks had temporarily dropped because people were too engrossed in the film to eat. It became commonplace for any merchandise related to [The Survivors] to sell out.
“...I'm so glad we postponed.”
The manager of a film distribution company put down his phone and breathed a sigh of relief. If they hadn't been careful, their July release would have been completely overshadowed by the hype surrounding [The Survivors].
“Even two weeks feels a bit risky…”
If they delayed any longer, they might get caught in the rush of all the other films that had also been pushed back because of [The Survivors]. They had to find the perfect timing.
“Sir!”
An employee burst into the office, his face pale. The manager’s heart sank; he could tell from the tone of voice whether it was good news or bad.
“What, what is it? What's wrong?”
All sorts of terrible scenarios flashed through his mind.
A scandal involving the lead actors? An accident with the director? A problem with the crew?
“The Survivors… The Survivors is coming out.”
The pale-faced employee stammered.
“...? It's already out.”
The manager stared at his employee, bewildered by the statement that a movie that had been dominating the box office for two weeks was "coming out." Then, a thought crossed his mind.
“Oh, are you talking about social media? That must be about the sequel. Who knows when that will be released...”
“The director's cut!”
The employee shouted as if screaming.
“...What?”
“The director's cut of The Survivors is coming out next week!”
The news, which was about to rock the world once again, sent screams echoing through various offices.
It was no secret that most of those screams came from people in the film industry.
* * *
Two weeks after [The Survivors] premiered, a cryptic post appeared on Bear Around's official social media account.
[Bear Around]
A new story from ‘The Survivors’ is coming your way.
#TheSurvivors #ANewStory #DavisGarrett #SeojunLee
The post caught the eye of fans who were scouring the internet for any new information about [The Survivors].
-A new story?
-Ooh! Are they already working on The Survivors 2?
=Can The Survivors 2... even be a thing?
=Right? It would be too much of a stretch, even for a movie, for them all to meet again and get into another dangerous situation. Plus, I think Lee Hyunwoo is in Korea.
-Couldn't it work with a new cast?
=+1 The LA bombing didn't just destroy the Galleria Mall. It could be about the second bombing at the supermarket, or the one at Dodger Stadium.
=+1 It could take place outdoors, like at an amusement park, instead of a sealed-off basement.
=That would be awesome!!
-Or they could shift the perspective and tell the story from the point of view of a firefighter or a rescue worker.
=Ooh. A rescue worker... that's not a bad idea.
=True, they never did show the terrorists' story.
-A movie about the U.S. response to the LA bombing would be cool too.
=The scale would be insane, holy crap.
-But if the cast changes, isn't that just a new movie? lol.
=+1 I don't think any cast could top the combination of Lee Seojun, Davis Garrett, Milan Chelen, Vanessa Olson, and Andrew Walker.
=+1 Honestly, sequels to movies like this usually flop, haha.
Everyone's attention was focused on the "new story" from [The Survivors].
They constantly refreshed Bear Around's social media and website, wondering when the next installment would be released.
But unexpectedly, the answer came from a different source.
The afternoon after Bear Around's social media post went up.
The streaming site Plus+ sent out a press release.
[A New Story for The Survivors? 'The Survivors - Director's Cut'!]
[Plus+ to Release 'The Survivors - Director's Cut' Next Week!]
-Whoa. A director's cut!!
=So it was a director's cut. I was thinking a sequel could take years to come out, but this is next week, haha.
=+1 It's great we get to see it so soon, but... hmm. Will it be that different from the theatrical release?
=Director's cuts are fun, too! Theatrical versions often have scenes cut for box office appeal!
=It's also fun to compare the theatrical version and the director's cut.
=I'm already on my Nth viewing of the theatrical cut, so I'm sure I'll enjoy it even if it's similar.
=True, the actors' performances and the director are the same.
-That film critic's review is postponed!!
=He's going to review it after watching the director's cut!!
=Guess I'll have to prep by watching the director's cut a few times now!
-But what day is "next week"? Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are all "next week."
=+1 Guess we have to go ask.
=+1 Computer on.
[Plus+ to Release 'The Survivors - Director's Cut' Next Saturday!]
-Wow... the Plus+ homepage is flooded with posts. Their fans are seriously organized;;;
-But what time on Saturday will it be released? I can't just stare at Plus+ all day.
=+1 Time to go ask again.
=+1 Me too.
-Somehow... I can hear the Plus+ marketing team screaming all the way from here.
-LMAO the Plus+ website crashed, lol.
-It's up on Plus+'s social media! The Survivors director's cut will be released at 1 AM!
=Ooh! Gotta cancel my Friday and Saturday plans!
=I'll be waiting starting at midnight.
=I'll be waiting from 11 PM!
And then, a little later, the official article was published.
[Plus+ Scheduled to Release 'The Survivors - Director's Cut' Next Saturday at 1:00 AM.]
It was a very helpful article, specifying the time down to the minute.
* * *
Song Yujeong's apartment.
Song Yujeong had been busy since morning.
“Sound is good, TV is connected to Plus+...”
Having made all the necessary preparations to watch [The Survivors - Director's Cut], Song Yujeong checked the clock.
It was already almost 8:00 AM.
“It's been seven hours since the director's cut was released.”
From the moment the news broke, Song Yujeong's life had revolved around the release of [The Survivors - Director's Cut]. It was the same for everyone else who had enjoyed the movie. They had all cursed the slow passage of time, waiting impatiently for Saturday.
“Ugh! Time is crawling!”
It was 8:00 AM, a time when she would normally be sleeping in during summer break. But today, her eyes had sprung open at 5:00 AM, making the morning feel incredibly long. Usually, she would pass the time by browsing the internet on her phone, but she couldn't even turn on the Wi-Fi for fear of spoilers.
So, Song Yujeong had deep-cleaned her apartment.
She thought it was a good idea to kill time, but her place was small, so it didn't take long. With time on her hands again, she suppressed the urge to watch it immediately and just fidgeted, tapping her leg while waiting for Im Yena.
*Ding-dong.*
“She's here!”
At the sound of the doorbell, Song Yujeong threw open the door. Outside stood Im Yena, holding a bag of breakfast and smiling brightly.
“Hurry, come in!”
Im Yena burst out laughing at Song Yujeong's bright, welcoming smile. She had clearly been waiting eagerly. Of course, Im Yena had been looking forward to this day just as much.
“Sorry. If it wasn't my brother's birthday yesterday, I would have slept over and we could have watched it together.”
“We can just watch it now!”
Song Yujeong beamed.
A short while later.
After a quick breakfast with the food Im Yena brought, Song Yujeong opened the Plus+ app. Im Yena settled comfortably beside her, habitually hugging a cushion. It was definitely more relaxing at home than in a crowded theater.
Without needing to search, the first thing on the screen was an image of five figures' backs against a backdrop of ruins. Even from behind, she could tell who was who and what stories they carried.
Below it were the words [The Survivors - Director's Cut].
“It looks similar to the theatrical release poster.”
“Yeah. It probably isn't too different.”
She clicked on [The Survivors - Director's Cut], and the screen changed.
The director's and actors' names appeared, along with the runtime and reviews from people who had watched it.
“Should we check the reviews first?”
Since it had been several hours, plenty of people must have seen it already.
At Im Yena's suggestion, who didn't care about spoilers, Song Yujeong, who cared a great deal, turned her head away.
“You look and tell me.”
“Okay.”
A few seconds later, Im Yena spoke.
“Um. Yujeong, I think you can look too.”
At Im Yena's somewhat surprised tone, Song Yujeong turned back to the television. The screen was filled with reviews written by people who had stayed up to watch [The Survivors - Director's Cut] right at 1:00 AM.
Song Yujeong's eyes widened as she read them.
“...What the heck is this?”
★★★★★
This is more realistic.
★☆☆☆☆
I want to unsee this.
★☆☆☆☆
I should have just stuck with the original The Survivors T_T
★★★★★
Recommended! I like this one better.
★☆☆☆☆
The worst.
It was either one star or five stars.
There was no middle ground.
Faced with the extremely polarized reviews, Song Yujeong and Im Yena swallowed hard.
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