Movies Have Become a Luxury
In this era of soaring prices where movie tickets top 16,000 won, the days of casually enjoying films as a hobby are over. "Ticket prices went up again..." The boy let out a silent scream as he eyed the annual hike. What used to be a weekend ritual now felt like an extravagance. For a high schooler with a tight wallet, it was even worse. In the end, he had no choice but to cut his theater visits from weekly to monthly.
Even picking a movie required far more caution than before. He couldn't risk wasting money on a flop.
"So, what should I go with this time..." He slowly scrolled through the touch screen at the ticket kiosk. The latest releases were lined up in a row. Back in the day, he'd have just grabbed whatever looked fun, but now he scrutinized ratings, directors, and casts down to the last detail.
Among the new releases, the hottest one right now was Want to Reach You. It starred Ruti, the idol sensation of the moment. Not only had it earned rave reviews from audiences, but it had smashed records by hitting 3 million cumulative viewers in just two weeks. The buzz suggested it had real artistic merit. The only downside? It was a melodrama.
Like most boys his age, he had zero interest in romance flicks. He was about to pick something else when...
"Hmm."
His eyes caught the movie poster on the screen, and his resolve wavered. Front and center was Ruti, the lead actress, smiling innocently in a sky-blue school uniform—like a living painting.
She really is pretty... Mesmerized, he accidentally hit the purchase button. By the time he snapped out of it, the ticket was in his hand.
"Eh, it'll be a new experience." Clutching his ticket, he headed into the auditorium.
Even in its second week, the theater was packed. Row D, seat 16. As he made his way to the spot, he froze at the sight of the girl already sitting next to it. A classmate from the same school. Kim Siyeon. With those massive glasses covering half her face, the class just called her "Glasses Girl."
"Hey."
"Wh-what are you doing here..."
She greeted him casually, but he backed away, cheeks burning. Coming to the movies alone was embarrassing enough—especially for a melodrama. And right next to a girl from class? Puberty made this situation mortifying.
Of all places, the seat right beside her...
He wanted to pretend he'd walked into the wrong theater and bolt, but the ticket price stung too much. Embarrassment fades. Just tough it out. He squeezed his eyes shut and sat down.
Thankfully, Glasses Girl seemed uninterested in him, munching popcorn in silence. The lights dimmed, and the movie began.
If it's boring, I'll just sneak out midway... It wasn't his genre, and with a classmate next to him, he figured he'd struggle to focus. But once it started, his mind changed.
The OST was enchanting, the direction immersive, the leads' emotional performances nuanced. Most striking was Ruti as the protagonist. He'd assumed she was just a pretty face hire, but her acting was phenomenal. Her beauty alone commanded attention; paired with skill, it was a feast for the eyes. Time flew by unnoticed—even the girl next to him faded from his thoughts.
~♪
As the end credits rolled with Ruti's own OST, the boy, lost in the afterglow, clapped without thinking. He'd never imagined a melodrama could be this good.
While savoring the lingering emotions...
"Was it good?"
Glasses Girl suddenly asked for his review. He hesitated. Admitting a romance flick rocked felt unmanly. But lying about a great movie went against his film buff conscience.
...Can't do that, at least.
In a low voice, he shared his honest take. "...Yeah, it was good. Wasn't expecting much."
Her face lit up as she shot to her feet. "It was good? Thank goodness."
She looked relieved and joyful—different from her usual vibe somehow.
"I'll head out first, then."
"Uh? Oh, yeah."
Glasses Girl left the auditorium, her steps unusually light and bouncy. Watching her go, the boy tilted his head.
"But why's she such a fan? I complimented the movie..." Anyone would think she starred in it.
**
I stepped out of the theater after the screening. Running into a classmate was unexpected, but not a big deal. This was my tenth viewing, after all—I'd half-expected to bump into someone.
The fastest box office run among this year's releases. At this rate, "Movie of the Year" was in the bag.
"Siyeon-ah~"
My manager unnie called from the car. I hopped in and took off my glasses. Time to head to the event venue for tonight's schedule.
"Straight from school to the movies? Aren't you tired? Tonight's gonna be a long one."
"I'm fine. Things loosen up starting tomorrow, right?"
"Huh?"
She checked her phone calendar, tilting her head. "Oh, time flies."
"Yeah."
Summer break started tomorrow—no school meant a lighter schedule. As I gazed out the window leisurely...
Ding♪ A text from the teacher popped up.
My face hardened. "Should've entered that contest for extra performance points..." I'd gotten complacent after avoiding retention.
**
First day of summer break. While other kids were out playing or napping lazily at home, I was the lone soul at school for makeup class.
Clop, clop— The campus was eerily quiet, my footsteps echoing down the halls. An empty classroom stretched before me, serene and strangely atmospheric.
I stared out the window and yawned hugely. A bit tired, but it only ran through fourth period. I'd power through.
I sat at a desk, quietly prepping. How much time passed? The door swung open—another makeup class straggler, I assumed.
But the face that appeared was a total surprise.
"...Oh, hey?"
Ga-young greeted me awkwardly first. I stared at her, dumbfounded.
"What are you doing here...?"
Moon Ga-young aced finals—top of the school. No way she'd need makeup class. Did she forget break started today?
"Isn't break starting today?"
"...I know."
"Then why are you at school? A study ace like you wouldn't need makeup class."
She hesitated, then mustered her courage. "...I just like coming to school."
"Whoa."
First time I'd seen someone volunteer for this. I knew she was a study bug, but this level?
"N-not hurting anyone, so whatever." She plopped down right next to me.
Already hot enough—did she have to sit so close?
Silence stretched...
Feels awkward today.
"Hey."
I broke the ice with a perfect topic.
"Did you catch Want to Reach You yet? The one that just opened?"
Ga-young was a huge Ruti stan. She'd bite.
But her response blindsided me.
"I... don't want to see that movie."
Her tone was icy, utterly disinterested. My heart sank.
...Did she unfan? No way...
**
Want to Reach You featured my ultimate bias. Of course I wanted to see it—but I couldn't bring myself to go. Because it was a melodrama.
Melodramas are about a guy and girl falling in love. Even if it's acting, watching my fave fall for someone else? Hard pass.
So I answered honestly. "I... don't want to see that movie."
Siyeon, who'd asked, went dead serious, like the world was ending.
...Huh?