Chapter 352
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 352
Chapter Title: The Violin Competition
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Seojun smiled as he looked at the ad on the side of a bus, leaning back in his seat.
The [Survivors - Director's Cut] uploaded to Plus+ became a bigger sensation than Bearound and Plus+ had ever anticipated. They had thought few would rewatch it due to its shocking content, but it seemed to have a unique, addictive quality.
Seojun recalled the information he received from Plus+.
While some people watched it only once, many others were rewatching it over and over.
While everyone was busy interpreting [Survivors] by watching the [Director's Cut], Director Jeffrey's interviews, and N-tuber reviews, someone posted on social media about wanting to see the [Director's Cut] in theaters. Audiences from various countries agreed.
Faced with a never-ending stream of likes and requests, Bearound decided to release the [Survivors - Director's Cut] in theaters for a limited time as a special event. Of course, the promotional campaign was nearly as extensive as the one for the [Survivors - Theatrical Cut].
“They said the audience numbers are higher than expected, right?”
In response to Seo Eunhye's question, Seojun relayed what he had heard from Kings Agency.
“Yeah. They're thinking of extending the run by a few more days.”
It was the kind of news that would make people in the film industry, still struggling to schedule their release dates, despair.
From the [Survivors - Theatrical Cut] to the [Director's Cut].
The film scene in July and August of this year had been completely dominated by [Survivors]. It would have been understandable for a series from the Marine Company, which had built a fanbase over several years, but it was all the more shocking because this was just a single disaster movie.
The film industry had no choice but to analyze the reasons behind its tremendous success.
Director Jeffrey Rodox's interview was a great help in this analysis.
Director Jeffrey's interview was full of praise for the actors. From Milan Chelen, who had anchored the film, and Vanessa Olson, who had played her part perfectly, to Andrew Walker, who, despite it being his first work, performed as well as any adult actor.
Among them, two actors stood out in particular.
<My goal is to one day write a piece that will completely capture the hearts of these two actors.>
Actors that the much-talked-about Director Jeffrey would speak of in such a way.
Davis Garrett and Seojun Lee.
Since Davis Garrett was active in Hollywood, there was only one actor the Korean film industry could pursue.
*‘It has to be Lee Seojun.’*
No matter how good an actor was, it was difficult for a single person to make a project a box office hit.
A script that suited public taste, a director who could bring that script to life, a talented ensemble cast, and a sufficient production budget. Despite the countless factors to consider, he was a superstar whose films had never failed to be a hit.
*‘Does he have a good eye for projects, or is he just lucky?’*
Of course, being lucky wasn't a bad thing.
On the contrary, in a world where every project was a gamble, it was the most crucial element.
For a film industry desperate for a blockbuster, they couldn't help but be interested in the actor Lee Seojun, who had become something of a good-luck charm for box office success.
As a result of this interest, it was only natural that the number of scripts and synopses sent to Cocoa Entertainment increased.
Seojun chuckled, thinking of the scripts An Daho would bring to his house on Monday.
“Your mom and I went to see it in the theater, and it feels different from watching it on TV.”
“Right? Movies are meant to be seen in a theater.”
Seojun, who had seen the [Director's Cut] with his friends from Mirinae Arts High, nodded repeatedly.
Watching the [Survivors - Director's Cut] on a huge screen in the theater had an impact that a small television screen couldn't match.
The booming sound of collapsing buildings from the large speakers surrounding the theater vibrated uneasily through the audience's bodies, while the deep, vivid red hues captivated their eyes.
And the actors' facial expressions, so detailed on the big screen that you could almost see the cold sweat, made the audience hold their breath. The anxiety, impatience, and despair emanating from the actors' trembling eyes sent shivers down the audience's spines.
Drawn by that power, some people were returning to the theaters to watch the [Director's Cut] again. Since its theatrical run was short, some audience members were even more dedicated to seeing it.
There were even eyewitness accounts of the N-tuber 'Moviegoer' appearing at two different theaters simultaneously.
“They say Director Jeffrey's next project might also be with Bearound.”
“Really?”
With not only the [Theatrical Cut] but also the [Director's Cut]—filmed without any additional shooting schedules—achieving greater success than expected, the production company Bearound was ecstatic. He also heard news that they were aiming to secure Director Jeffrey Rodox's next film, the man who started it all.
As they chatted about [Survivors], they were nearly at their destination.
“We'll be there soon.”
At Lee Minjun's words from behind the wheel, Seojun and Seo Eunhye looked out the window. A large building came into view. It was a familiar place to Seojun and his parents.
Eunhasu Center.
It was where the children's play 'Spring' had been staged.
“We came here to watch a play before, right?”
“Yeah. That one was fun.”
Even after the children's play 'Spring,' they had visited many times to see plays or musicals.
Lee Minjun parked the car in the lot, and the family got out. Seojun, wearing a gray hat pulled down low, was trying to be less conspicuous than usual.
“It's crowded. Seojun, let's get the bouquets later.”
“Okay.”
At Seo Eunhye's words, Seojun carefully arranged the bouquets of yellow freesias and purple lilacs he had placed on the seat next to him, making sure they wouldn't get crushed.
Meanwhile, Lee Minjun took out his phone and called someone. “Yeah. We're here. Uh-huh. Okay.” He nodded, then ended the call and spoke.
“They're inside. Let's go.”
“It was the annex, right?”
Seojun and his parents headed toward the Eunhasu Center's annex, where people who looked like families were entering one by one. Everyone was carrying a colorful bouquet of flowers.
In front of the annex, which was slightly smaller than the main building, hung a banner.
[The 8th ATR Violin Competition]
Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun looked at the banner with unfamiliar expressions.
Having a son who has been a child actor since he was young and is learning various skills for his craft means you get to experience many things indirectly.
“But this is our first time at a competition.”
“Seojun isn't really interested in competitions.”
Although he played the violin and piano as hobbies, Seojun had never entered a competition, so he, as well as his parents Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun, found the event a little strange.
“You'd enter an acting competition if there was one, right?”
Seo Eunhye chuckled at Lee Minjun's words.
“Seojun would definitely enter. He'd want to win first place, and he'd be curious about the other actors he'd be competing with.”
“Haha.”
Seojun couldn't help but laugh at how well his mom and dad knew him.
***
The inside of the Eunhasu Center annex was bustling with people.
The [ATR Violin Competition], hosted by the ATR Foundation, was a large-scale event with divisions for elementary, middle, high school, and general participants. Given its size, there were many finalists, and many people had come to support them.
“Don't be nervous!”
“You'll do great!”
The neatly dressed participants, who seemed unable to enter the waiting room yet, were meeting with their friends, relatives, and families in the annex lobby.
Stepping into the noisy annex, Seojun and his parents looked around, searching for someone.
“Lee Minjun!”
Just then, someone in a corner of the lobby raised their arm high. It was Kim Heesang, his face still full of mischief despite his age. Next to him, his wife, the pianist Choi Soohee, was smiling and waving.
Seojun and his parents smiled and walked toward them. Perhaps because of the crowd, it was only when they got closer that they saw a small figure dressed in a cute suit.
Seojun beamed and waved.
“Hi, Soobin.”
Standing between Kim Heesang and Choi Soohee, Kim Soobin, with a violin case strapped firmly to his back, watched the approaching Seojun with sparkling eyes. Just from his gaze, they could tell how happy he was, making Seojun and his parents burst into laughter.
“Hi, hyung!”
Seojun crouched and opened his arms. Soobin, perhaps remembering his mother's warning that running was dangerous, walked quickly and gave Seojun a tight hug.
The adults burst into laughter at the sight of the two children hugging each other tightly.
***
“Hyung. So, I'm going to play this part softly, and this part strongly. Like, ta-ta-tan!”
“Mm-hm. That sounds good.”
“Really?”
While Soobin, his cheeks flushed red, eagerly discussed the pencil-marked sheet music with the violinist Gray Vainie—no, with Seojun—the adults chatted among themselves.
“Aren't Soobin's friends coming?”
“Soobin's friends are still young. I didn't think they could stay focused for long, and we can't have them disturbing the other performers, so we couldn't invite them.”
At Choi Soohee's words, Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun had a moment of realization.
They hadn't even considered it, since Seojun had always been very quiet when watching plays or movies, even in second grade and when he was younger.
“Speaking of which, I heard Soobin is the only second-grader in the elementary division?”
“Yeah. Usually, they divide it into a lower-grade division for first to third graders and an upper-grade division for fourth to sixth graders, but this competition is different. So, the only ones who made it to the finals are fifth and sixth graders.”
Indeed, looking around, there were no other participants who looked to be Soobin's age.
“So when were the preliminaries? We would have come to cheer him on then, too.”
“I know, right? You should have told us. Isn't Soobin upset that you didn't invite Seojun?”
Kim Heesang chuckled at Lee Minjun's words. It was true that Soobin, who definitely liked his 'Seojun hyung' more than his own dad, might have pouted and given him the silent treatment.
“The preliminaries were judged by video submission, so we couldn't invite anyone.”
“Video submission?”
“I guess because it's hosted by a big foundation, there were a lot of applicants.”
Choi Soohee added to Kim Heesang's explanation.
“It's hosted by the ATR Foundation. They say winning an award here gives you extra points when applying to Yeoul Arts Middle School and Mirinae Arts High. Of course, it's also recognized as an achievement by other music schools.”
“Is that so?”
Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun's eyes widened as they looked around. No wonder the participants' faces looked so serious.
“Then aren't the participants incredibly talented? Why did you sign him up for a competition like this?”
At Lee Minjun's question, Kim Heesang scratched his cheek.
Soobin had been learning the violin since he was six, but until now, he'd never shown any interest in competitions.
Although she played a different instrument, Choi Soohee, who had been a musician her whole life, had avoided bringing it up, worried that the competitive nature of contests and competitions might negatively affect Kim Soobin's love for the violin.
“Well... Soobin said he wanted to enter a competition, so I looked some up. I showed him a few, and he said he wanted to enter the biggest one.”
Choi Soohee also smiled with a vague expression.
“We tried to scare him off by saying it was a competition for fifth and sixth graders, that it was a really, really big deal... and he just got more excited, you know?”
...Ah.
Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun's gazes shifted to Seojun and Soobin. Kim Heesang and Choi Soohee, their faces filled with worry that Soobin might develop a trauma if he didn't perform well on stage, also looked at the two boys.
They saw the two boys, who looked so much alike, excitedly pointing at the sheet music and talking, completely absorbed in their conversation.