chapter 36

Chapter 36. Spring's Lover - Production Presentation

"Director, congratulations on finishing the film. You've worked hard."

–"Haha, I didn't call for congratulations. We finished filming a while ago, but with all the VFX and color grading…" Director Kim Han-soo, who had grown fond of Ryu Yeon-woo during filming, rambled on.

Yeon-woo wondered if the director had always been so talkative, then the main topic finally emerged.

–"Anyway, I'd like you to attend the production presentation. You played an important role, after all." Director Kim had ensured Yeon-woo received a generous payment for his cameo, going through his agency.

While it was partly due to Yeon-woo being signed with LN Entertainment, a subsidiary of LN Media, the production company for the film, the amount was comparable to a regular casting, not a cameo.

"Of course, Director. It would be an honor."

–"Ah, no need for such formalities. I heard you're working on Director Park's film. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but it's the talk of the town in Chungmuro."

"I was lucky. Director Park was kind enough to give me the opportunity."

–"Having worked with you, I know it wasn't just luck. I was so proud when I heard the news. Anyway, make sure you're available for the press conference and preview screening."

"Yes, Director. I'll see you then."

As Yeon-woo hung up, he thought Director Kim was a much warmer person than he appeared to be. However, this was likely due to his fondness for Yeon-woo. Many actors who had worked with the usually aloof and decisive Director Kim would have been surprised by his current demeanor.

Meanwhile, the distributor's representative was overjoyed to hear about Yeon-woo's participation in the promotional events.

"Yes! Things are looking up!"

Yeon-woo's involvement was a boon not only for Director Kim but also for the distributor. Ryu Yeon-woo was a hot commodity among the MZ generation, and his recent CSAT success had further boosted his popularity.

The publicity team for "Spring's Lover," a romance film targeting a younger demographic, was thrilled, as Yeon-woo's presence could only be beneficial.

The production presentation was scheduled for January 3rd. Yeon-woo submitted his university applications around the same time, as the deadline coincided with the end of the year.

–"So, this is your final decision?"

"Yes, sir. But even if I get in, I won't be able to attend classes regularly."

–"I understand. But it's an honor for our school to have another star student accepted into Korea University."

After careful consideration, Yeon-woo had applied to the Economics department at Korea University as his first choice. In his past life, he had often interacted with diplomats while working undercover, so he had briefly considered Political Science and International Relations. However, the school, eager to boost its reputation, had encouraged him to apply for Economics, suggesting Political Science and International Relations as his second choice if he didn't get into Economics. Yeon-woo agreed. Since he planned to focus on his acting career and wouldn't be able to dedicate much time to his studies, he prioritized a familiar subject.

While the curriculum would be different from what he had learned twenty years ago, having majored in economics in his past life would make it easier than starting from scratch in a completely new field.

If accepted, he would be re-entering the same department, this time as a student born in 1998, twenty years after his previous graduation.

"That's actually quite amusing."

News of his application spread quickly.

-Rising star Ryu Yeon-woo applies to Korea University's Economics department.

-A new heartthrob for Korea University's prestigious Economics department?

-From modeling department in the drama to economics in real life, "Summer's Closet" star Cha Woo-joo.

Joon-soo, browsing articles to share in their group chat, shook his head. "'Heartthrob'? What an outdated term." Despite his comment, he took a screenshot of an article with a flattering photo of Yeon-woo and shared it in the chat.

Joon-soo had applied to the Korean Language and Literature department at Yeonha University. While it was partly based on his score, he had a genuine interest in writing.

Sung-sik, whose scores were surprisingly higher than Joon-soo's, had applied for Business Administration and was confident about getting in.

"Yeon-woo will definitely get in, so I just need to get accepted. Ugh." The weight of love and friendship rested heavily on Joon-soo's shoulders.

Meanwhile, Yeon-woo, after getting his hair and makeup done, dressed in a stylish checkered suit, was on his way to a movie theater in Apgujeong for the "Spring's Lover" production presentation.

He took the staff elevator and was escorted to the waiting room.

"Oh, Yeon-woo, you're here." Director Kim Han-soo stood up to greet him.

"Director, it's been a while." Yeon-woo walked briskly towards him, shook his hand with both hands, and bowed deeply.

Kang Joo-won and Han Ye-jin, the lead actors, also stood up.

"I saw the scenes you filmed. Thank you for elevating our film," Kang Joo-won said, his voice and mannerisms exactly as Yeon-woo had mimicked them during his preparation.

"It was an honor, senior," Yeon-woo replied, shaking Joo-won's hand, a strange feeling washing over him. This was the renowned actor whose filmography he had studied countless times, the star of the movies he had watched repeatedly to analyze the character of Ji Woo-hyuk.

He also greeted actress Han Ye-jin and veteran actor Yoo Hae-sik.

As Yeon-woo sat down, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Yeon-woo."

He turned to see Jung Soo-yeon, smiling awkwardly. While they had chatted online, this was their first time meeting in person since the film shoot.

"Soo-yeon, it's been a while." Yeon-woo also smiled, feeling slightly awkward.

"Oh, you two have become close?" Han Ye-jin, who was playing the adult version of Jung Soo-yeon's character, Ha Ye-ri, asked, looking at them with interest.

"We met on set and exchanged numbers. This is actually only our second time meeting," Yeon-woo explained. The director and the other actors, who had been bored with nothing to do in the waiting room, listened to their conversation.

"Oh ho, Yeon-woo, quite the ladies' man, are we?" Director Kim Han-soo teased him playfully.

Yeon-woo, not wanting to reveal that Soo-yeon had been the one to initiate the exchange, simply chuckled awkwardly.

"Director Kim seems quite fond of Yeon-woo," Kang Joo-won, sitting next to the director, said playfully, feigning jealousy.

"Joo-won, you should work with Yeon-woo someday. He's a charming young man, both as a person and as an actor."

Han Ye-jin and Yoo Hae-sik's eyes widened at Director Kim's effusive praise. They knew he wasn't one for giving compliments easily.

A staff member opened the door, announcing it was time for them to enter.

The director led the way, followed by the actors. They posed briefly for photos and then entered the press conference hall.

Unlike the "Summer's Closet" press conference, this event was a closed-door presentation for the media and industry professionals, creating a more formal atmosphere. There was no live online broadcast, adding to the subdued ambiance.

Yeon-woo, noticing the difference, sat down next to Soo-yeon.

"Is it always this serious?" she whispered. Having only worked on web dramas, this was her first experience with a commercial film production presentation.

However, this was also Yeon-woo's first time.

The comedian-turned-MC received a cue from the staff and began, "Hello everyone, and welcome to the production presentation for 'Spring's Lover,' a film that promises to capture your hearts from the very beginning. I'm Kim Young-hwan, your MC for today."

The staff and industry professionals applauded, followed by polite applause from the actors.

"Before we introduce the director and the cast, let's take a look at a short preview of the film."

The lights dimmed, and a teaser trailer played on the large screen behind them.

The first scene featured Yeon-woo and Soo-yeon.

Short clips of their school life played in reverse chronological order from the actual filming, culminating in the scene at the water fountain.

–"Are you that shocked? Why aren't you saying anything? I asked if you're okay."

Yeon-woo's voice faded out, and Kang Joo-won, dressed in a firefighter's uniform, appeared, battling a blaze.

-"Are you okay?! I asked if you're okay!" It was Kang Joo-won, or rather, firefighter Ji Woo-hyuk, yelling at a dazed rookie.

The scene subtly connected to the previous scene with young Ji Woo-hyuk, played by Yeon-woo, their voices and mannerisms mirroring each other.

'Wow, that's a great edit.' Yeon-woo was pleased; the editing effectively highlighted his efforts to embody the character.

"Spring's Lover" told the story of Ji Woo-hyuk, who leaves his rural hometown to become a firefighter in the city. He becomes emotionally and physically exhausted, suffering from PTSD.

His older brother, who had moved to the city earlier, becomes worried about Woo-hyuk's deteriorating condition and takes him and his young nephew back to their parents' home in the countryside for a temporary break.

The female lead, Ha Ye-ri, works as a teacher at the kindergarten Woo-hyuk's nephew attends, and they are reunited.

The preview ended, and MC Kim Young-hwan resumed, "After watching that video, I feel my heart fluttering already, haha. It must be the magic of Director Kim Han-soo." He paused and then turned to the director. "Director Kim, there's something different about Ji Woo-hyuk's character in this film. Could you tell us a bit about him?"

Director Kim Han-soo smiled and picked up the microphone in front of him.