Chapter 9: A Crossroad of Choices

The short film theater didn't only show The Woman in the Room but also featured a variety of other films on rotation. As a result, the schedule was always posted prominently.

People flocked to the cinema specifically for The Woman in the Room showings.

"People are coming in like this?"

Kyung Jae-soo, Kyung Chan-hyun's father, couldn't hide his surprised smile when he saw the revenue report. He couldn't figure out how this happened.

"Yes, sir. People are only coming to see The Woman in the Room."

"So, people are buying a 2-hour ticket just for The Woman in the Room?"

"I don't understand it either, but do you know a band called Radiohead?"

A young employee scratched his head and asked.

"No, what is that?"

"They're a famous band from the UK that performed the hit song 'Creep.'"

"And?"

"When Radiohead performed, a lot of people would leave after hearing 'Creep,' thinking they had seen the entire concert."

"Why would they do that?"

"They probably thought that hearing 'Creep' live was enough to consider the performance complete."

Kyung Jae-soo pondered the employee's words. People were willing to incur losses just to see his son's film?

"What's the movie with the least number of viewers?"

"That would be Striker."

"Then remove that and turn one of the screening rooms entirely into a venue for The Woman in the Room."

"What about the ticket prices?"

"Let's set them to one thousand won."

The employee left the office, and Kyung Jae-soo lit a cigarette, standing by the window and observing the increased number of people compared to before.

Knock, knock.

"Sir, you have a visitor."

"Who is it?"

"It's a film production company called 'The Film H.'"

At the mention of a film production company, Kyung Chan-hyun quickly put aside his script and headed to the cinema.

He was met by the employee who greeted him with a subtle smile.

"Chan-hyun, you've succeeded."

"Really?"

"The production company is here. Go up quickly."

Hearing the words "film production company," he rushed up to the director's office. However, the face he saw upon arrival was one he never wanted to see again.

The Film H.

The very people who had once driven his life into the ground. The representative sent by the company was Kim Cheol-ho, the same person who had mistreated him before.

"Hello, Director Kyung Chan-hyun. Is it you?"

"I'll leave now. You two can discuss things."

With that, his father left the office with a proudly puffed-out chest, while Kim Cheol-ho extended his hand with a friendly smile to shake hands.

Kyung Chan-hyun ignored the hand and took a seat.

Kim Cheol-ho, slightly taken aback, kept his smile.

"We really enjoyed your short film, The Woman in the Room. The direction and story were flawless. This is your first work, right?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you really have a lot of talent. Even though it's just a short film, seeing so many people come to watch it."

Sneaky as ever. He remembered how they had flattered him to lure him into a contract.

"'The Film H,' right?"

"Oh, you've heard of us. We're a new film production company, so you might not know us well."

"Are you definitely a legitimate film production company?"

When he asked, Kim Cheol-ho frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you might be a bunch of con artists hiding behind young directors."

"Haha... I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"Forget it, then."

"Haha, sure. We'd like to discuss turning your short film into a feature-length film..."

In hindsight, it seemed unbelievable. They were offering to launch someone with no credentials or experience like him?

He felt a pang of bitterness remembering how he had been deceived before.

"Oh, you want to turn my film into a feature-length film? Really?"

"Yes. It's such a good film."

"What are the terms?"

"Terms may vary based on circumstances. How can a mere piece of paper decide everything?"

"Pfft..."

The situation felt eerily familiar, like a rehearsed script.

"Haha, it's funny, right? That's how the film industry works."

Kim Cheol-ho's expression hardened slightly at his smile. He was trying hard not to show it.

"Oh, is that how it works in the film industry? I heard it's not like that with other senior directors."

"Well, there are exceptions, I suppose."

"In that case, can I take this contract and think it over?"

He took the contract from Kim Cheol-ho and said, "Yes, take your time to decide."

"Then, I'll be leaving now?"

"Yes?"

"Please leave."

Kim Cheol-ho looked puzzled but picked up his bag and left the office. Shortly after, his father re-entered.

"Chan-hyun, are you not considering the contract? That man's expression didn't look good."

"Absolutely not."

"It's not easy to get a chance for a feature film debut. If you miss this opportunity, who knows when another will come?"

"The terms are too good to be true."

"So, isn't that a good thing?"

"It's either a scam or charity, and they seem like scammers."

"If you say so, then I suppose that's the case."

He sighed on the way home, contemplating the complexity of the film industry.

Making movies involves getting investments and meeting investors' expectations, which often means making films that cater to current trends.

If melodramas are popular, investors want melodrama in everything—even in comedies and romances.

To avoid such situations, he needed to become a successful film director or a high-investment investor himself.

But his family didn't have that much money right now.

He even thought about emulating Quentin Tarantino, who sold scripts to make Reservoir Dogs and Jackie Brown.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly greeted by someone waving at him from across the street.

"Hey! Director Kyung!"

It was Joon-seong.

Whether he had finished his part-time job or not, Jun-seong looked scruffy but had a bright smile on his face.

"How about a beer?"

Joon-seong is a movie producer who will eventually receive support from his family.

If I could accelerate this period a little more?

"No, let's go for soju. I'm craving soju today."

"You can't even drink that well, can you?"

"Better than you."

Joon-seong and I moved to our usual hopseup (a type of Korean pub) and immediately started drinking soju.

"Ah, soju is the best. Cheers, drinking after work is the best."

"Is it tasty?"

"Of course."

"What's so good about it?"

"You're still young. You don't know the taste of alcohol yet."

Joon-seong and I got moderately drunk. It seemed like it was time to ask him a roundabout question.

I felt a bit uneasy using Joon-seong, but since Joon-seong would eventually be recognized by his father and pursue a career as a movie producer, I thought it was mutual benefit.

"Are your parents coming to watch the movie? There are quite a few people at the theater right now."

"Would they come? They said they'd disown me for studying film."

"Why would they dislike it so much? If their son likes it, they could at least let him pursue it."

Joon-seong gave a wry smile at my comment.

"Don't worry about it."

He's so stubborn. How many people would give up a comfortable life and so much money for the sake of a movie?

We finished another bottle quickly.

"I'm a man with many secrets. You don't know anything about me."

"Another bottle?"

"Sure. You're drinking pretty well tonight."

I felt like I might lose consciousness but held on strongly.

Our table was already filled with empty soju bottles.

"Hey, catch."

"Sounds good!"

"So what's this secret of yours?"

"If I reveal my secret so easily, would it still be a secret?"

Joon-seong seemed to be struggling to stay conscious, his eyes wide open.

"But if your family opposed you studying film, why did they support you?"

With a broad smile, Joon-seong answered.

"Cinema Paradiso."

"What?"

"You know the old man Alfredo from Cinema Paradiso."

Cinema Paradiso is a film about a successful director who revisits his hometown and reflects on the past. The movie metaphorically portrays the friendship between the protagonist Toto and Alfredo, transcending age differences.

"I want to live like that. Not as a successful film director like Toto, but as someone who has the mental leisure to share love with others."

"But you want to become a producer?"

"That's because of you. No matter what I do, I can't match up to you."

"I do things well."

"You crazy guy. Breaking the mood again. Haha, have you developed a sense of humor?"

I remembered that hiccup was a signal that we were almost done.

"So what's the secret?

"My secret is… Oh. Hey. Just make a promise."

"What?

"Even if you find out, let me stay at your place until I make money."

"What for? Why?"

I asked, pretending to be very curious, and Joon-seong revealed the information I had already known: that he was the first son of the CEO of a company called KMD and apologized for hiding it until now.

"Surprised? Do I seem different?"

"No, you still seem like a crazy guy."

"…?"

"Well, whether you're a poor Joon-seong or a rich Joon-seong, Joon-seong is still Joon-seong. Being a rich lunatic doesn't make you less of a lunatic."

"Ugh."

"Are you crying?"

Joon-seong admitted he was worried that revealing his wealth would change how people treated him. I remembered I wasn't particularly moved by it before my regression, so I found it curious.

"I'm not crying, you crazy guy."

"You're crying? Oh, this guy is crying."

"Better than someone crying over a tasty meal."

"That's because I'm a gourmet."

After exchanging a few more trivial jokes, I got to the main point.

"Well, it's been quite a while. How about reaching out once?"

"To my parents?"

"Yes. I can see them envying us when they see us together."

"Really?"

"Maybe will be a bridge between you and your parents."

"A bridge? Are you kidding?"

"Or Jamsil Bridge?"

"Not funny. You crazy guy.".

Joon-seong said this while taking a deep breath, seemingly considering it for a moment, and finished his last drink.