New Currents Glory
The ten-day festival, where people from all over were swept up in ecstasy through the common language of film, drew to a close that evening. The Burnt and Hidden Marks team attended the Busan International Film Festival closing ceremony, which kicked off with the red carpet event.
The red carpet stretched out gloriously in front of the Busan Cinema Center. Walking down it washed away any lingering regret over missing the opening ceremony due to drama filming schedules.
The main event followed. Awards were presented in each category. Categories like Actor of the Year, which would be awarded to performers, wouldn't be established until 2014—two years later—so there were no acting awards this time. He made a small goal to return to BIFF someday when those awards for actors were created.
Moments later, the announcer's voice rang out: "The flower of the 17th Busan International Film Festival! We're down to the final announcement: the New Currents Award. Please welcome our jury chairman, director Andrew Szymczak. A big round of applause!"
The renowned Polish director Szymczak took the stage. He wished endless development for Korean and Asian cinema alike, then cracked a witty joke about how the outstanding entries had given the judges a real headache, sending the audience into fits of laughter.
"The New Currents Award goes to…."
The presenter's deep, resonant voice filled the hall. All eyes and attention focused intently.
"The Blacken Hero."
As soon as he named the winner, Director Szymczak followed up with perfect flair: "Gu… ul… ri… da!" He pronounced the Korean title deliberately, letter by letter.
"Yes, the winner is Burnt and Hidden Marks. Congratulations!"
With the host's announcement—
—Boom!
Clap clap clap clap clap!
Confetti cannons exploded, and applause and cheers poured down like rain.
"……?!"
Ra Ho-chan froze in place.
"Director!"
"Oh no, what do we do!"
"Woooah!"
The actors swarmed around him, hugging one another. With three people jumping up and down beside him, the director finally seemed to grasp it, his whole body trembling.
Spotlight on such a grand stage with his directorial debut. Not just Ra Ho-chan—even the steeliest heart would quake with thrill and excitement.
"Get up on stage quick!"
"T-To… together… let's all go up…."
"No, sir, this honor belongs entirely to you. Hurry! If you dawdle, they might take the award back, hahaha!"
Urged by Woojin, Ra Ho-chan barely steadied his shocked heart and headed to the stage.
A KAFA graduate who'd spent long years assisting on others' films. The dream of one nameless director, sustained by the single resolve to one day make a film bearing his own name, was finally beginning.
As Ra Ho-chan ascended the podium, Director Szymczyk handed over the trophy with a beaming smile, and the two embraced.
Soon, Ra Ho-chan stepped up to the mic. Under the central spotlight, his trademark bushy beard and tousled curly hair stood out even more. The Burnt and Hidden Marks team stifled chuckles.
"Thank you so much."
His eyes already glistened as he spoke. Woojin felt his own voice would tremble if he tried to speak in the director's place. That raw sincerity and emotion hit home all the harder.
"Just a year ago, I was nothing but a loafer scribbling scripts in my room with zero accomplishments. Good people helped me stand here now. Ah, my mind's gone blank—I don't even know what to say…."
Ra Ho-chan scratched his head. The dazed shock from the surprise was giving way to embarrassment now that reality sank in.
"Pfft! Director, you're too cute. What do we do~?"
Yoon Mal-geum-sae burst out laughing, covering her mouth with one hand.
Woojin watched the podium with a warm smile. Then—
"My family, the actors, the staff, everyone who joined us on Burnt and Hidden Marks—their faces flash before me. But above all…."
Woojin knew right away. The director, glancing slightly toward their side, had locked eyes directly on him.
"I'm most grateful to actor Baek Woojin, and I want to dedicate all this glory to him. Without him, Burnt and Hidden Marks could never have been born."
Woojin's face appeared not just on the massive screen behind the stage but on the ones flanking it too. He bowed repeatedly to the camera capturing him, then drew closer to his two juniors.
It was a film they'd all toiled over together, and Yoon Mal-geum-sae and Kwon Hyeok-jin had shone in it too. Since the camera was on anyway, he wanted them all to share the glory. He hoped the spotlight would spill over to his juniors as well.
Catching Woojin's intent instantly, Yoon Mal-geum-sae and Kwon Hyeok-jin smiled at the camera, soaking in the joy.
Ah, what a satisfying night.
"May this unfinished night of BIFF become an unforgettable memory for everyone here. We'll keep making great films. Thank you!"
—Pew!
As Ra Ho-chan wrapped up his speech, confetti burst once more.
With over 220,000 total attendees—the highest ever—the 17th BIFF came to an end.
After the awards, during a brief break, the Burnt and Hidden Marks team and other winners posed for photos. Amid the warm atmosphere of mutual congratulations—
"Congratulations!"
They had short meetings with Chairman Szymczyk and the international jury. Fleeting connections with film professionals from around the world were a boon for any actor. Plus, with an interpreter at his side, communication flowed smoothly.
"Oh, Burnt and Hidden Marks! Thanks for the great acting, Mr. Baek."
"Thank you."
"Someday I'd love to make a film with Eastern storytelling. It'd be great if our paths crossed then, Mr. Baek."
"Call me anytime!"
As the sole lead of a New Currents winner, he drew special attention. His innate politeness and warmth made every conversation feel natural.
"Can we watch the closing film before we go?"
"Of course, Director. Sounds good."
"Us too!"
The closing film was the Bangladeshi entry Television. They watched every frame without missing a beat.
After the screening, they headed back in Woojin's car. From today, Ra Ho-chan would soar even higher. He'd witnessed firsthand the start of the director who, a decade from now, would grow into a world-class master representing Korea.
For juniors Yoon Mal-geum-sae and Kwon Hyeok-jin, it was an unforgettable experience too—senior pride swelled in his chest.
The afterglow lingered into the dawn. Even on the long drive back to Seoul late at night, the chatter in the car never ceased.
His first international film festival. A day rich with emotional gains.
All he could feel was gratitude.
Chatting excitedly with ears and mouth—
—Grip.
'Let's charge ahead again starting tomorrow!'
—his hands tightened on the wheel with renewed resolve.
After fully recharging, time to dive back into the grind?
As one of Korea's premier international film festivals, BIFF news dominated entertainment sections the next day. Team Leader Kim Tae-gon's and Assistant Manager Lee Min-seong's phones, quiet since Woojin started Justice, buzzed nonstop again.
Interview requests from media and reporters flooded in, of course.
"Didn't expect this much."
"Yeah. I thought film festivals were just stuff like Hwangryong or Daehan Awards… Thanks to Woojin, I learned something new."
The two sweated through the morning coordinating the unexpectedly heavy interview schedule. They hadn't anticipated this level of buzz from a BIFF win. It was a first for them too—their charge snagging top honors at an international fest.
"Ah, Woojin… good news never stops. I'm so thrilled lately I can barely sleep!"
Kim Tae-gon rubbed his half-closed eyes as he exclaimed. With good reason: the rookie he'd scouted was building an unmatched career in just two years. An actor's trajectory was the management team's trajectory too—who wouldn't rejoice?
"By the way, Team Leader. Must feel awkward, huh?"
Lee Min-seong chimed in with his usual cheeky grin.
"Huh? Why me?"
"You were totally against Burnt and Hidden Marks. And now the exact opposite happened… heh!"
"Whoa, kid! Unbelievable. Don't you remember you opposing it harder?"
"Huh?! When did I?"
"Oh please, I saw you bawling about how we should've shredded the script. Sneaky habit of weaseling out, huh?!"
Bickering ensued. Both had equally(?) opposed Burnt and Hidden Marks, but now they trusted Woojin's choices unconditionally, as if it had never happened.
Meanwhile—
"Aigoo, congrats, Woojin!"
"How was the trip? Big win—when are you sharing the rice cakes?!"
"Hahaha, guess I gotta treat the after-party after today's shoot, son?"
The Justice cast welcomed back Woojin to set with congratulations. Just as the Burnt and Hidden Marks team had become family, the Justice crew was another family to him.
"Everyone, meet at the barbecue spot in front of the set after wrap. My treat!"
"Wooaaah!"
"Man, that guy's generous—love it!"
The set lit up with cheer. Leaving the laughter behind—
"Ah, Woojin. A moment?"
"Yes, Director."
Woo Seung-hyun PD pulled Woojin toward the director's chair.
"Discussed it with the writers, but I wanted to talk it over with you too."
"Sure, what is it?"
"We're adding a role. Script's still in progress for that part, so I only know the rough story…."
While he'd been away, PD Woo had conferred with writers Kim Soo-rim and Seo Min-kyeong. Probably that slightly serious talk Jun-an hyung had mentioned before heading to BIFF.
A new role in the latter half, but since the script wasn't done, it didn't seem necessary to notify the lead actor. Still, that was PD Woo's style—consulting leads even on minor details.
Woojin nodded.
"…What do you think?"
"I'm all for it, of course. Whatever you and the writers decide."
"Thanks. Then…."
PD Woo paused, then asked in a low voice.
"How's your relationship with actor Ahn Jong-hoon?"
Eh? Ahn Jong-hoon?
"Pardon? Who?"
He double-checked, and PD Woo continued.
"Actor Ahn Jong-hoon. We're considering him for the role I mentioned."
In that instant, Woojin's eyes flashed.
And a smile crept across his lips.