Chapter 142
Translator: uly
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Premiere Screening, Beginning (1)
The event was held in a luxury hotel ballroom. The tension from the massive crowd filling the spacious venue lasted only a moment. Greetings from the director and cast, followed by a brief film introduction, proceeded swiftly. Of course, it wasn't quite as smooth as it sounds.
"God, have you seen who's here today? Even Kwon Sung-hyun showed up. And Min Yerin too."
"The reporters went nuts earlier because of that. I didn't expect Sung-hyun oppa to come here."
"You didn't know? It's famous. Sung-hyun oppa, the biggest Yeonwoo stan."
"Lee Joo-ha's here too."
"No way. They're really all here today."
The invited VIPs and general audience buzzed with excitement.
"This premiere feels like a red carpet awards show."
"Hey, hey. Park Reporter, you're watching from here?"
"Of course. How could I miss this hot issue? Dropped everything to rush over."
"It's gonna be a smash hit, right?"
"With a lineup this huge, they must be super confident. We'll have to see."
"Psh. It's not even a blockbuster—just a romance. How big can it get? They'll be lucky not to flop. Koreans don't pull punches. No-fun is guilty, fun is innocent."
The reporters crammed into one corner chattered nonstop, snapping photos furiously. Despite the commotion, the host skillfully kept things moving. Finally, the moment everyone awaited arrived. The film's first screening began.
[Everyone.]
The theater lights dimmed slowly. A low, calm voice echoed softly.
[Has something that lingers forever in their heart.]
Words appeared on the black screen, slowly materializing before fading out like smoke. Just that single line hushed the remaining murmurs instantly.
In the sudden immersion and silence, the movie began. Quietly. Like a gentle wildfire that would smolder long in people's hearts.
*
Before the screening started.
"We're just watching the first edit... Whew, I'm so nervous. I won't blink—gotta watch every second. That way, if something's off later, I can grill Director Ji about it."
That's what Yeon Do-hee had said. But when the lights came back on, the woman who vowed not to blink hurriedly covered her eyes. A glimpse showed her eyes slightly red, as if she'd been crying. She wasn't alone.
"Whew. Thanks. I needed tissues."
A supporting actress beside her dabbed at her teary eyes nonstop. A staff member rushed over with tissues for the actors. Makeup artists hurried in to fix them up. They had to return to the stage.
Even after the film ended, the auditorium stayed quiet for a while. The lights came up softly, but still. Everyone was lost in the afterglow. The only sounds were scattered sniffles. Staff moved quietly through the seats, handing out tissues.
"This is huge. It's a hit..."
One staff member sitting nearby muttered softly. The celebrity friends who'd come as favors were secondary. Most attendees were there to judge the film.
'According to what the Child Spirit showed me... If it's boring, it'll be noisy and fidgety the whole runtime.'
Ever seen a ghost that tries to teach you about people? The Child Spirit was exactly that.
-[For example, screening a comedy and no one laughs? That film's doomed.]
-[They put in a sad scene on purpose, but no one cries? That's serious.]
-[When people get into it, reactions come naturally—joy, sadness, whatever. No reactions at all? Means it failed to immerse them.]
That's why premieres matter. First reactions give a sense of box office fate. In that sense, this reaction...
'At least it's not a flop.'
The worst case was avoided. He'd had a hunch, but seeing objective proof felt different. As the room calmed,
The next segment began. A table and chairs were set on stage, with Director Ji and key staff and cast taking seats.
"We'll now have a Q&A session."
*
* A gaunt man with a prickly vibe scowled at the long line, looking anxious. He was a film critic with decent online fame for his sharp tongue and brutal reviews. Nickname: Han Hyang. His real name, Ki Han-hyang, minus the surname.
@onefragrance
[Photo] Heading to the VIP premiere for [The Most Beautiful Days] today. #Premiere #Attending #Critic #HanHyang #TheMostBeautifulDays #Expectations
Right before arriving, he posted a selfie with updates and pics. His many followers flooded the comments instantly.
-Hyang-nim, you're at the premiere today?
-Wow, jealousㅠ I didn't get inㅠ
-Huge, so many people there, envy!
-Kwon Sung-hyun's really there?
-Take pics inside too, right?! Counting on you, Hyang-nim!
-But romance isn't your thing, right?ㅋㅋ Gonna be 1 star?
-Came running on the newsㅠㅠ Go easy on Do-hee unnieㅠㅠㅠ
-Heard and came—be kind to Yeonwoo too!
-lmao gutsy production inviting youㅋㅋㅋ Movie doomed?;
-Mercy, Hyang-nim...
-Nutyube vids make it seem decent... Anyway, looking forward to your savage review.
VIP invite to the premiere. He'd gotten the ticket but felt meh.
'A romance for me?'
Was it self-sabotage? He even seriously considered skipping.
'Just bail?'
The thought crossed his mind briefly, but then, 'Nah. How confident are they to invite me for a mere romance? If that sure, I should check it out.'
A challenge. That's how he saw it. Anyone knowing his track record wouldn't dare. He'd unleash scathing reviews and lowest scores! But sending the invite meant one thing: defiance.
'Arrogant.'
Arrogant. How arrogant to call him? A spark of curiosity sealed his decision. Ji Un-jae. Seasoned indie director with some rep...
'Still a commercial newbie chick calling me?'
Indie cred means squat in commercial world—harsh and cold. Visuals? Pretty pictures don't save weak stories.
'Bet they overhyped visuals to mask poor storytelling. Bland eye candy.'
Qing Wang's investment was odd—he ignored entertainment. Otherwise unremarkable. Yeon Do-hee, once Chungmuro goddess turned flop queen? Male lead's debut too. Acting decent per rumors...
'Debut film—how good can it be? Do-hee flops again.'
Zero expectations. So he posted publicly, like accepting the challenge. Mild pity for Do-hee meant no lowest score. Lighthearted arrival...
'What the hell is this crowd...?'
Ki Han-hyang gawked at the massive line, baffled. Expectation this high?
Then.
"Whoa! Kwon Sung-hyun!"
"No way, Min Yerin's here too."
"Jackpot. Came for the right reasons. Total eye candy."
The line buzzed. Celebs posed dazzlingly at the photo wall. It clicked for Han Hyang.
'Ah, that's why the crowd. Stacking hype with stars.'
Made it look even cheaper. Celeb buzz fades fast—sometimes buries the film.
'Fools.'
He smirked coldly and entered as guided. Inside was lavish.
'Gaudy cash splash. No substance. Already got my lede.'
Like a 5-star dessert buffet—treats were top-tier. So he thought.
But.
"We'll begin the screening. VIPs, please take seats and refrain from phone use..."
Lights dimmed, low voice echoed. 'Meh movie.' That's when Ki Han-hyang's mind blanked white. Time flew unnoticed. Calmly. Sometimes passionately swept away.
[I'm... so tired. Too tired to think. Dating...? No bandwidth.]
[I'll make time. Lean on me. I want to support you. Just give me a spot by your side.]
[Why me? Anyone else would do...]
[No. It has to be you. Fate brought us together.]
Each time weary Shin Yeo-won pushed away Kim Joo-young, Han Hyang clutched his chest. Frustrating yet relatable—modern exhaustion where love's a luxury. He'd been corporate grind fodder once; he got it.
[Share a bit of yourself. I'll take your burdens.]
Those earnest eyes filling the screen made him hold his breath. No wonder hesitant Yeo-won nodded. Han Hyang might've given his soul too.
He wasn't alone.
"Guh..."
"Huh..."
Swallows from neighbors reassured him.
[Give me your hand.]
[...Joo-young-ssi, you're tired too.]
[Hmm. Could carry you now. Want a piggyback?]
Laughter in lush woods was stunning. The visuals he'd mocked as fluff perfectly evoked tingles. Unreal beauty and fantasy pulled him in. Staring into Joo-young's pure gaze at Yeo-won, he thought,
'I loved like that once.'
Unconditional emotion's pinnacle. Flawless affection stirred his heart, reviving memories while soaking him in their pure love.