Chapter 350
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 350
Chapter Title: The Director's Cut
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-I don't get what improv has to do with the director's cut at all.
-Can't believe a director's cut just dropped out of nowhere...
-You're telling me that hellscape came from improv?
-Improv is amazing. It creates heaven and hell at the same time.
The critic couldn't help but laugh at the viewers' intense reactions. It seemed everyone was quite traumatized by the director's cut.
-I waited up until 1 AM on Saturday to watch it and was depressed the whole weekend.
-The 'Worst' review on Plus+? That was me lol.
-I saw that one lmao. It was really memorable haha.
-I was hoping for a director's cut that restored deleted scenes, but what we actually got was a special kind of hell.
-I liked the director's cut, though.
-^^^ Me too. Isn't it more realistic?
-Come to think of it, there were quite a few 10/10 ratings.
-Respect your tastes. I don't get it, but I respect it.
-LMAO
The viewers' opinions on [Survivors - Director's Cut] flew back and forth. The critic, nodding as he read, began to speak.
“According to an interview, Director Jeffrey said he’s always played it safe when making his films. The original version of Survivors was probably similar in feel to his previous works.”
-Oh. So Survivors was modified because of the improv, which is why it felt different from his other movies.
-It definitely had a very different vibe.
“Director Jeffrey said he agonized a lot during the filming of Survivors because of the improv acting shown by Davis Garrett and Lee Seojun. He went from, ‘Can we really do that?’, to ‘I guess we can?’, to ‘Let’s do it!’ and the result was the director’s cut. He said he tried to make it as freely as possible.”
-If he gets that "free" one more time, the entire audience is going to die.
The heartfelt comment made the critic and the viewers burst out laughing.
“He said the director’s cut went through a lot of revisions too. The file name was…”
A name appeared on the monitor.
[Survivors Director's Cut_Rev7_8_Final_WrapUp_WrapUp2_FinalFinal_TheEnd_ReallyTheEnd_Complete]
“...so he said.”
-I felt so disconnected after the director's cut, but this makes it feel relatable again... lol.
-What was the original story like?
At the question, the critic stroked his chin, recalling the interview.
“The interview didn't go into detail, but he said it was a story even worse than what we got.”
-...Worse than this?
-...I can't even imagine that?
-Does Raymond Wish finally snap and kill everyone or something?
At the last comment, both the chat and the critic froze.
“Oh…”
An exclamation that was almost a groan escaped his lips.
-...Let's just forget this.
-Obliviate!
-Quick, use the neuralyzer to erase our memories!
-Red sun!
-Isn't that a hypnosis spell?
After the commotion of erasing memories passed, the critic shrugged and opened his mouth.
“Right. What were we talking about?”
The viewers, perfectly in sync with the critic's playful act, quickly played along.
-Nothing happened.
-Huh? Did something happen?
-Nope. Let's start the review!
“Anyway, the director's cut was created through a series of revisions that all started with improvisation. Still, there’s one thing that didn't change between the original and the revised versions: all the characters die.”
-Yeah. Figured as much.
-Yup.
Everyone nodded at the cynical comments.
The critic chuckled and continued.
“Initially, they were planning to release the director's cut in theaters instead of the theatrical version, but the production company, Bearround, apparently opposed it.”
-What.
-To think this was almost the official release...
-So the theatrical version might not have existed at all.
-Seriously, props to Bearround!!
-^^^ You can't not praise them for this!
“That’s right. After all, if all the characters die, the audience is bound to be dumbfounded. It’s not a horror movie, either. Due to the production company’s opposition and concerns about box office performance, they ended up releasing it as a director’s cut.”
-Thank god.
-Phew. We were this close to watching a Battle Royale.
-Dude. Memory wipe.
-Ah, sorry.
-Let's move on!
The critic chuckled and said.
“Let’s begin the review in earnest. The first part of the director’s cut isn’t different from the theatrical version. But at a certain point, you can notice the music and the color of the background have changed.”
-I don't know much about music, but it felt kind of... dreary.
-You're listening to it normally, and then you snap out of it and realize it's creepy music lol.
-It felt like a horror version of 'Rock-a-bye Baby' haha.
-The background colors seem more vivid too.
“Yes. There are differences in the directing of the two versions as well. The change in direction between the director’s cut and the theatrical version becomes apparent when the bomb goes off. The colors in the director's cut are vivid. Traces of blood and people that were barely visible in the theatrical version are starkly revealed, clearly showing the damage from the terrorist attack.”
-Yeah, you don't see much blood in the theatrical cut, but it's very visible in the director's cut.
-^^^ The atmosphere feels gloomier, too.
-^^^^ If the theatrical cut felt like an empty building collapsed after everyone escaped, the director's cut feels like a building collapsed while it was full of people.
-The director's cut has this vibe of, 'There must be dead people crushed between those rocks' (chills)...
-Spicy version, as expected.
-The theatrical cut was probably toned down because of the age rating.
“It wasn’t just the direction that changed; the story did too. The story's divergence begins with Ian Weaver's death. I never thought he would die there…”
As he explained, the critic recalled the director's cut and let out his thoughts like a sigh.
-^^^ I was so shocked, I never saw it coming.
-It was similar to the beginning, so I was watching without thinking, and then he just died.
-You don't see him, you just hear Lee Hyunwoo's scream, but it was still horrifying.
-Lee Hyunwoo's scream T_T
-And the amount of blood was insane T_T
-I've seen a lot of gory movies, but that was still shocking.
-I think it's because we all grew to like Ian Weaver so much from the theatrical version.
-Ian T_T
The critic quickly composed himself and continued the review.
“The timing of Ian Weaver’s death is exquisite. In the theatrical version, this is the point where they start opening up to each other, and the relationship between Raymond Wish and Lee Hyunwoo softens. We also get to learn Ian Weaver’s story.”
The viewers listened intently to the critic's voice.
“But bam! At this crucial moment, Ian Weaver dies. Just like in the theatrical cut, Raymond Wish saves Lee Hyunwoo, but that act isn't treated as significant. Because the huge problem of Ian Weaver's death had just occurred.”
-It was so bleak ;;;
-I held my breath without even realizing it.
-??? : The living must go on.
-The sense of betrayal was insane.
-He's not wrong, but... the boy who might have become his son in the future just died... T_T
-But the Raymond Wish of that moment doesn't know that.
-Seriously... timing... life is all about timing.
“And so, Raymond Wish resorts to a new method to get Lee Hyunwoo moving.”
-??? : Your family must be waiting.
-??? : It's better to have some keepsakes.
-For real... I screamed watching that part. Wouldn't you think the Weavers wouldn't want to find his remains at all?
-^^^ Seriously, I could only curse.
-But they don't know, so it's just frustrating for us watching.
-I'm going to lose my mind!
“Yes. Because Ian Weaver died early, the survivors never learned each other’s stories. In particular, Ian Weaver’s story being buried like that is especially heartbreaking for the audience.”
-T_T Our Ian T_T
-In the theatrical version, Hyunwoo would have hugged him tight and Raymond would have given him a piggyback ride T_T
-I also hate that they think well of the Weavers.
-This is so suffocatingly frustrating.
-So no one comforted Ian before he died T_T
-T_T Even Lee Hyunwoo, who followed Ian around saying he looked like his mom, was avoiding him until then T_T
-He died too soon T_T
-??? : Then they must be... waiting eagerly for Ian to return.
-ARGHHH!! THAT'S NOT IT!!
-This is what you call a misunderstanding story, right?
-If this were a novel, it would have flopped.
Seeing the chat erupt in flames, the critic quickly spoke up.
“As they moved on, the survivors face another obstacle. Raymond Wish gets crushed by rocks while trying to save Jackson Miller and Lee Hyunwoo. Strangely, the atmosphere at this moment was completely different from the theatrical version.”
-If the theatrical cut had a 'I want to save them!' vibe, the director's cut felt more like, 'Oops, my body moved on its own!'
-It was amazing how that reluctance was all over his face.
-Davis Garrett's acting is great.
-Jackson Miller also had a completely different vibe from the theatrical cut, maybe because of guilt.
“After Raymond Wish is left behind, Lee Hyunwoo’s demeanor changes. Hyunwoo, who had been hugging the bag with both arms, changes his posture to hold it as if it were a small child, with his left hand supporting the bottom of the bag and his right arm wrapped around it.”
-I just thought he changed his grip because his arms were sore.
-^^^ Thought that position was more comfortable.
-^^^^ I didn't even notice. Can't believe it was foreshadowing!
-But don't you think Lee Hyunwoo's eyes changed from this point on? Just like when Ian Weaver was around.
-But it felt different from the vibe in the theatrical version.
-Like he was on the verge of snapping.
“Eventually, Jackson Miller is also left behind. Now, only Cynthia Lindberg and Lee Hyunwoo remain.”
-There's one more!
-Ian Weaver!
-'s bag!
-You guys are so in sync hahaha.
The perfectly timed exchange made the other viewers and the critic burst out laughing. After a moment, the critic composed himself and spoke.
“This is where Lee Hyunwoo says, ‘You’d be better at this than me with my injured leg,’ and hands the bag to Cynthia Lindberg.”
-I got a bad feeling.
-^^^ Felt uneasy from this point on.
-I had no idea.
-^^^ Just thought he was handing it over.
“In Lee Hyunwoo’s mind, he felt it was safer for Ian Weaver to go with Cynthia Lindberg than with him and his injured leg.”
-The mood suddenly switched to a horror movie shudders.
-I didn't notice the first time, but watching it again, Lee Hyunwoo's behavior is strange. He acts as if something is there.
“And then comes the moment when it all becomes clear. The two survivors reach a dead end. Lee Hyunwoo climbs up first. Who was next?”
-??? : Nuna! Lift Ian up first!
-Seriously, chills from head to toe.
-I almost swore.
-Lee Seojun's smiling acting is insane.
-^^^ You could feel something was off from his bright, smiling face.
-You could see he was crazy from a mile away.
-Honestly. Cynthia Lindberg was probably too scared to grab his hand.
“And just like that, Cynthia Lindberg is gone too. Devastated, Lee Hyunwoo trembles with the fear of being alone.”
The critic paused, recalling [Survivors - Director's Cut].
It was a performance that gave him chills even just thinking about it.
On screen, Lee Hyunwoo was shaking uncontrollably.
Then, at some point, his hand touched something. In hindsight, it wouldn’t have mattered if it was a doll, a piece of clothing, or a bag.
‘They probably made it a doll because that would be more shocking for the audience.’
The moment his hand touched something, Lee Hyunwoo stopped shaking.
He pulled on it very naturally. The camera followed his hand. His actions were so natural that the audience didn't even have a moment to think something was wrong.
‘I thought he had come up with some new plan.’
After all, the ‘Lee Hyunwoo’ they knew was a smart kid.
“Lee Hyunwoo very naturally pulls out the doll that was stuck in the wall, the one his hand had touched.”
A half-crushed doll came out in his hand, and the camera focused on Lee Hyunwoo’s face.
“And then he smiles.”
Gently curved eyes, sparkling black pupils, and lips turned up at the corners.
And then, as if worried Ian Weaver might be scared, he spoke in a deliberately bright voice.
-??? : Let's go, Ian!
-??? : Let's call the rescue team and come back!
“It was the same line as in the theatrical version, but it felt completely different. The forced smile and bright voice, meant to reassure Ian Weaver, were instead utterly chilling to the viewers.”
-I couldn't believe my ears.
-I thought it was a horror movie T_T
-Lee Hyunwoo's eyes had gone crazy... lol.
-Lee Seojun's acting from that point on was insane.
-His acting skills exploded!
The critic nodded in agreement.
“It was such a powerful performance that for a moment, I wondered if he was seeing the spirit of Ian Weaver, invisible to my eyes.”
-Me too. Lee Seojun acted so well I thought there was something wrong with my eyes.
-I seriously watched without breathing.
“And finally, the rescued Lee Hyunwoo reveals his plan to save everyone in the director's cut as well.”
-After so many betrayals, I didn't think for a second they'd be alive lol.
-I had a little bit of hope. But nope lol.
-T_T haha
“The ending of the director's cut is directed in the opposite way of the theatrical version. It shows the collapsed Galleria Mall, and then the rescue workers appear. And then we hear a rescuer's report.”
-I kind of expected it, but all three were dead T_T
-It was so sad T_T
-And then the paramedic says 'no Asian tourists found' T_T His mom and dad, and the aunt and uncle too... they must have all died T_T
-It seems like almost no one survived T_T
The critic slowly opened his mouth.
“And then the final scene comes. We see Lee Hyunwoo lying in an ambulance, and we hear the sound of a heart stopping. Even in that urgent situation, with paramedics rushing in to perform emergency treatment, Lee Hyunwoo is smiling. Very happily.”
While the critic was speaking, the chat slowly died down. It was as if everyone was waiting to see who would speak first. Finally, as the critic finished, someone who couldn’t hold back their meme instincts posted a comment.
-??? : Sir.
-Ahhh...!
-You had to bring that one up...!
It was only a single word, but the viewers' reaction was extraordinary. Seeing the stirred-up chat, the critic spoke with a serious expression.
“I knew it was coming. That meme.”
-It started trending again after the Survivors director's cut came out.
-Explanations are circulating too haha.
-It's shock and horror!
-You goddamn bastards!!
In the meantime, someone finished the line.
-??? : This son of a bitch... he's smiling?
-ARGHHH!!
-Ah, fuck, it was all a dream! A dream!
The chat exploded.