Chapter 79
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: A Star-Studded Celebration
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After the film festival ended, a small celebratory party was held. The venue was a hotel near the awards ceremony.
It was a surprise party to celebrate Seojun's first award, so the couple and the Shadowman team had invited only a few acquaintances.
Seeing Seojun appear at the party in comfortable clothes after changing out of his suit, Richel and Evan set off party poppers.
“Congratulations on your award!”
The people who had already arrived also set off the poppers they were holding to congratulate Seojun.
The acquaintances invited by Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun, as well as Seo Eunchan and An Daho, joined in with the poppers. Though surprised, Seojun was just as delighted and broke into a wide smile.
“Thank you!”
Jack and his parents, the Smiths, who were not in the industry, looked around at the attendees with surprised faces. There were actors from their favorite movies and famous directors.
Instead of being lavishly dressed, everyone was in comfortable attire, making it feel more like a neighbor's house party, which was even more fascinating.
“Congratulations on the award!”
“Thanks, Jack.”
Seojun smiled brightly and gave Jack a chocolate cookie. Having already eaten his share of snacks for the day, Jack glanced at his parents, who were chatting with the couple, before quickly stuffing the large cookie into his mouth.
“Mmm, mphm, mmm.”
“It’s really good, right?”
It was the first time he'd had such a delicious cookie, and Jack said something with a surprised look on his face. Seojun, who somehow understood, laughed and gave him some warm milk. Jack’s expression melted into bliss. The chocolate cookie, dissolving gently in the milk, was absolutely delicious.
“This is really tasty!”
“Should we ask about it later and take some home?”
“Can we take some?”
“Yeah! There’s so much!”
Although Seojun and Jack were the only children invited to the party, there were plenty of cookies and cakes to suit their tastes.
With flushed faces, Seojun and Jack tasted a little bit of everything. They trotted over to one side, then trotted over to the other. The sight of the busily moving children caught the eyes of the adults who were conversing.
Their childlike behavior made the gathered directors burst into laughter. One of them spoke up.
“I just can't imagine it. Looking at him now, he seems like an ordinary kid. How does he produce such acting?”
“I know, right? His performance as William was incredible, but Shadowman 2 was also impressive.”
Sarah Rothe, the director of Greenwing, which had competed against Shadowman 1, nodded in agreement. Ryan Will, hiding his rising smile behind a wine glass amid the directors' praise, called out to Seojun.
At Ryan Will's call, Seojun turned to Jack. When Seojun asked if he wanted to come along, Jack shook his head, intimidated by all the unfamiliar adults.
Seojun trotted over to director Ryan Will.
“Director, what is it?”
“I wanted to introduce you to some directors. This is Sarah Rothe, the director of Greenwing.”
Seojun’s eyes widened. Sarah Rothe, the director of Greenwing, a film praised for its incredible sense of impact that felt like a rhythm game, extended her hand. Seojun firmly shook her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you! I’m Seojun Lee!”
“Sarah Rothe. A pleasure.”
“And this is George Roberts, who directed Assemble this time.”
“Hello!”
“Nice to meet you.”
After Director Ryan Will’s introductions, the directors asked Seojun questions they had while watching his performances.
The questions ranged from broad ones, like how he was able to act that way, to those touching on the directors' pride, like which movie he liked best.
Seojun excitedly shared his thoughts. The directors, captivated by his story, nodded continuously.
As the conversation lengthened, Seojun noticed Jack looking bored. Although he was enjoying his talk with the directors, he couldn't help but worry about his friend.
Noticing this, Director Ryan Will intervened with the other directors and sent Seojun on his way.
Even after that, the directors couldn't take their eyes off the young genius. George Roberts, the director of Assemble who had worked with many actors, spoke with a sense of resignation.
“Method acting at that age, and with no after-effects? Heaven must have sent him down to be an actor. There’s probably no talent more suited for acting than that.”
“I agree. He's an actor with a promising future.”
“Future? What future? I'm already looking forward to his very next project.”
The directors burst into laughter, agreeing with George Roberts’s words.
* * *
“Jun!”
While indulging in cake, he was caught by his parents. Told to pick just one more, Seojun and Jack, who were pecking at their final choice like little birds, looked up.
Evan Block was smiling and waving at them. Would he not go this time? But when he looked at Jack, Jack’s eyes were sparkling.
“It’s Shadowman!”
“Wanna go together?”
“Yeah!”
Seojun carefully placed the cake on the table and headed with Jack toward where Evan Block was.
Evan Block was standing with Richel Hill and a man whose back was turned. Who is that? As he tilted his head in curiosity, the man turned around.
“So you’re Jun.”
At the familiar voice and face, Seojun’s eyes grew round. Jack, standing behind Seojun, also saw the man's face and was left speechless.
Wow, woooow! Richel and Evan burst out laughing at the two children's astonished faces.
“Redbone!”
“Davis Garrett!”
The children’s hero had appeared at the party. If there had been just three more kids in the venue, it would have caused an uproar.
Seeing the children fidgeting, unsure what to do in this unexpected encounter, Davis skillfully pulled out a pen.
“Want an autograph?”
“Yeees!”
Jack quickly ran to his parents. At her son’s urging for paper, Maria glanced over to where he had come from, and her eyes met Davis Garrett's. She pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Jack, son.”
“Yeah?”
“Get one for Mom, too!”
At the words of Maria, a huge fan of Davis Garrett, Jack nodded.
Jack returned with a stack of paper and gave half to Seojun.
Davis Garrett signed the papers with practiced ease. Jack quickly took the signed paper and ran to his mother.
Maria, looking deeply moved, grabbed Seo Eunhye's and Lee Minjun’s hands and shook them vigorously. Thank you so much for inviting us!
Seojun also handed a piece of paper to Davis Garrett. Davis smiled as he signed it.
“It’s a shame Redbone and Jin Natra couldn't be in the same movie.”
“Let’s definitely be in the same movie next time!”
“Yeah. I heard from Evan you did a play, too?”
“May I join in?”
Seojun, about to nod at Davis’s question, turned his head at a familiar yet strange voice.
He thought nothing could surprise him more than the appearance of Davis Garrett, but Seojun was utterly shocked.
Swallin Anum!
A representative actor of Hollywood, a renowned performer he had always wanted to act alongside. It was Swallin Anum, who had been Seojun's teacher, even if only through a screen.
“Swallin, it’s been a while.”
“Indeed. Your skills have improved a lot, I see.”
“I’m still a long way from catching up to you, Swallin.”
Richel, Evan, and Davis, who had filmed with Swallin Anum before, chatted leisurely, but Seojun just stared blankly at him.
‘An autograph! I have to get his autograph!’
“Please sign this for me!”
Seojun shouted, his face even more flushed than when he had met Davis Garrett.
Seeing Seojun’s expression, Davis Garrett, now certain of who his biggest fan was, raised his hands in a gesture of defeat. The sight made Evan and Richel burst into laughter.
“Alright.”
“Sir, I really want to act with you next time, Anum!”
At Seojun's words, Swallin Anum, who was borrowing Davis's pen to sign, tilted his head and then met eyes with Director Ryan Will. Seeing the director mime zipping his lips made him chuckle.
“Of course. Let’s definitely act together.”
“Yes!”
As Seojun and the actors were having a pleasant conversation, Director Ryan Will turned his attention back to the other directors. An interesting topic had caught his ear.
“Greenwing 2 is coming out next year, right?”
“Yes. We lost the showdown, but there are many fans waiting for the second installment.”
“That's great. I enjoyed Greenwing 1. Especially the music and the fight scenes. You must have had a tough time syncing the music and visuals.”
Sarah Rothe smiled at the directors' compliments.
“When you make movies, you naturally start paying attention to the music. That led me to think, what if I made a musical film where the music is the main focus? I’d like to make a musical next.”
“A musical by Director Sarah Rothe. Have you thought about who you’d cast as the lead?”
At that question, Sarah Rothe’s gaze shifted to one spot. The gazes of the gathered directors followed.
Seojun was engrossed in conversation with the four actors.
From what they could overhear, it seemed to be a discussion about acting.
Although there were four adult actors with guaranteed box-office success, the directors present knew that Director Sarah Rothe's gaze was not on them.
It was on the child actor, Seojun Lee, who was speaking passionately with sparkling eyes and animated gestures.
“Oh.”
Someone let out a soft exclamation of awe. Director Ryan Will also pictured it in his mind.
A musical film and Jun. He didn't worry that it wouldn't suit him. Wasn't he a brilliant actor who could pull off any role?
He was simply excited to see what kind of magnificent film would be created.
A thriller director, who was also a former musician, asked in a half-pleading tone.
“Could you at least give us a rough plot? I’m dying of curiosity.”
“There’s still a lot to prepare. I don’t even have a synopsis yet.”
Just as the directors were about to laugh at Sarah Rothe’s waving dismissal,
“That movie. Would it be alright if we invested?”
A man standing near the group of directors spoke up.
At his words, the directors' gazes turned to the man. Besides him, several other people were watching the directors intently.
Director Ryan Will frowned and surveyed the party, which had become quite crowded.
This couldn't be the only post-film festival party happening.
But the actors and directors wanted to see the child actor who had shown such tremendous skill.
For that reason alone, actors with fans all over the world and directors with guaranteed hits flocked to Seojun’s party.
All the tasty morsels were gathered in one place. It was inevitable that the attention of reporters, investors, and film production companies would be focused here.
Like a secret you tell someone to keep, only for it to spread throughout the neighborhood in an instant, letting in one pleading investor and official after another had caused the party to grow in scale.
The directors realized this as well. Sarah Rothe pressed a hand to her forehead. If it was like this inside the party, the outside must be in chaos.
The directors weren't the only ones who sensed the change. The party hosts, Richel Hill and Evan Block, had Seojun’s non-celebrity acquaintances leave through the hotel’s back door. They promised to meet again later as everyone departed.
Seojun waved to his acquaintances as they left by car.
He hadn't realized it while inside the brightly lit hotel, but a round moon was already in the sky.
Lee Minjun, checking his watch, rubbed the back of his neck and said that he hadn't realized how late it had gotten, having been so excited talking about his son's award.
“It’s getting pretty late, don't you think? Should we head back now?”
“Yeah. It’s past Seojun’s bedtime, too. Seojun, aren't you tired?”
“I’m okay, but since it’s late, let’s go home!”
Jack was gone, and there were a lot of strangers at the party now. He could talk with the actors and directors all night, but the atmosphere wasn't right for that anymore.
Ah! I almost forgot!
“I’ll go get Swallin and Davis’s phone numbers!”
They had become quite close during their short conversation, but he didn't have their numbers yet. He had to get their numbers!
Seojun’s eyes sparkled.
* * *
[A Party of Stars Held at the Royal Stever Hotel!]
[Hollywood’s A-List Stars Gather in One Place!]
[Another Film Festival?! The Stars and Directors Who Lit Up the Party!]
[The Star of the Party is Seojun Lee, who played Jin Natra!]
[Redbone, Davis Garrett, in attendance!]
[Hollywood Legend, Swallin Anum, in attendance!]
Photos taken by paparazzi who followed Hollywood stars were uploaded.
There were pictures taken at the hotel entrance and even some from inside the party, though it was unclear how they got in.
Every single photo was filled with astonishing faces. Each one was an undeniable scoop.
Korean reporters, who had been busy publishing articles and news about Seojun's award, quickly received the real-time photos and posted new articles.
Photos from hotel guests' social media, paparazzi shots, pictures from locals.
If a photo was even slightly related to Lee Seojun, even if he wasn't in it, they quickly turned it into an article.
[Hollywood Stars Appear at Lee Seojun's Celebration Party!]
[Swallin Anum and Actor Lee Seojun in a Pleasant Conversation!]
[Swallin Anum, Davis Garrett, Evan Block, Richel Hill! And Lee Seojun!]
-Goosebumps! Seeing all these names together is insane!
-Swallin Anum and Lee Seojun. A duo I never imagined.
-The directors, wow, that’s no joke. So many famous directors.
-Redbone is there too. World-class, for sure.
And then, one more article appeared.
[(Exclusive) Actor Lee Seojun, Returning to Korea Next Week!]
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