chapter 38

Chapter 38. Spring's Lover - Preview Screening (2)

Hong Yu-ri's heart pounded as she waited at Sinchon Station. While more than half of her excitement stemmed from attending the preview screening of Yeon-woo's movie, she felt it wasn't just that.

Having started as mentor and mentee, Yu-ri had been supporting Joon-soo's efforts, but lately, she had been experiencing a different kind of feeling towards him, a feeling she hadn't quite acknowledged yet.

That morning, Yeon-woo had visited the salon for hair and makeup. His stylist, Ye-eun, had chosen a stylish navy and purple suit, paired with a casual white t-shirt.

"I styled him, but he looks perfect. Absolutely perfect." Ye-eun gazed at Yeon-woo's reflection with a dreamy expression.

"Ye-eun, you found an amazing outfit. It looks fantastic on him." Jung Ha-neul, who had just finished Yeon-woo's makeup and was working on another idol's stage makeup, was also impressed by Ye-eun's styling and Yeon-woo's ability to pull off the look.

After Yeon-woo left for the preview screening, the members of the idol group "Axis," who were also getting their makeup done at the salon, looked at each other.

"Wasn't that the guy from 'Summer's Closet'?"

"Yeah, he's an actor, alright. He has a different aura." Despite their own popularity with their young female fans, they felt slightly intimidated.

Yeon-woo, in Min-soo's van, was on his way to a large multiplex cinema in a shopping mall in Yongsan.

Some people in the parking lot recognized him and cheered. The cinema staff quickly escorted him to the waiting room.

Min-soo waited in the parking lot to escort Yeon-woo's family to the waiting room when they arrived.

Yeon-woo arrived a bit early, and Han Ye-jin, the female lead, was the only other person in the waiting room. They chatted amiably.

Knock! knock!

Min-soo opened the door, and Yeon-woo's family entered.

"My son!"

"Haha, you're here." Yeon-woo stood up and led his family further into the room.

Han Ye-jin quickly stood up and greeted them. "Oh, you must be Yeon-woo's parents, Thank you. Your son's performance really elevated our film."

Yeon-woo's family was starstruck by the famous actress.

"It's an honor to meet you, Han Ye-jin. 'Lovers' is my favorite drama," Cheol-woong said, shaking her hand and referencing one of her hit dramas from over a decade ago.

Yeon-woo thought his father was acting like Sung-sik.

Min-soo escorted Yeon-woo's family to the screening hall, and Yeon-woo waited in the waiting room, greeting the director and other actors as they arrived.

Meanwhile, a red carpet had been rolled out at the entrance to the cinema. Invited journalists, distributors, and celebrities began arriving, posing for photos as they entered.

Due to the star power of the lead actors, Kang Joo-won and Han Ye-jin, many high-profile celebrities were in attendance.

The crowd cheered loudly as Son Jin-wook, Ahn Joon-ho, and Han So-hyun, who were there to support Director Kim Han-soo and Ryu Yeon-woo, arrived.

Joon-soo and Yu-ri also arrived and entered the cinema.

Hong Yu-ri, an ordinary college student, felt her heart pounding as she walked down the red carpet, surrounded by celebrities.

Joon-soo and Sung-sik felt the same.

Sung-sik, after finding their seats, gaped at the celebrities around them and whispered excitedly to Joon-soo, "Dude, look over there! It's Han Ji-won! And Axis!"

"Behave yourself. Yu-ri is right next to you. Don't embarrass yourself," Joon-soo hissed, but Hong Yu-ri, a twenty-one-year-old girl, was no different.

"Joon-soo, is that Nam Woo-hyun sitting behind us? Oh my god!"

Joon-soo sighed and hung his head. Then, he noticed a familiar figure sitting in front of them. "Oh, Yeon-woo's mom and dad? Hello."

Yeon-woo's parents turned around to see Sung-sik and Joon-soo.

"Sung-sik and Joon-soo? You came all the way to Seoul to see Yeon-woo? And who's this lovely young lady? Your girlfriend?" Lee Seon-ok, Yeon-woo's mother, asked, making Joon-soo chuckle nervously.

"Ah, hello, I'm Hong Yu-ri, Yeon-woo's high school senior." Yu-ri, flustered and excited to meet her favorite celebrity's parents, greeted them shyly.

"Oh, I see. You're as beautiful as your name, Yu-ri."

"Th-thank you."

Thud "Ouch!"

Yu-ri, in her nervousness, had forgotten she was sitting down and had stood up to bow deeply, hitting her forehead on the seat in front of her.

"Noona, are you okay?"

"Ho ho, such a cute young lady."

"Ugh…" Yu-ri blushed, rubbing her forehead, and thought she would have to change the title of her post on the fan cafe. From "Sharing my experience at Yeon-woo's movie premiere" to "Sharing my embarrassing moment in front of Yeon-woo's parents."

The MC announced the start of the stage greetings, and the director and actors appeared on stage.

The audience erupted in cheers and whistles.

Director Kim Han-soo took the microphone and briefly addressed the audience before handing it to Kang Joo-won, the male lead.

"Hello everyone, thank you for taking the time to attend this preview screening. I hope you enjoy our film, and I'll now hand the microphone to the wonderful Senior Yoo Hae-sik."

Yoo Hae-sik, a veteran supporting actor known for his memorable performances, took the microphone. Yeon-woo had briefly met him in the waiting room at the production presentation.

"Hello, I'm Yoo Hae-sik."

"You're handsome!"

"Hahaha"

The unexpected compliment from the audience brought laughter to the hall.

Yoo Hae-sik, a charismatic character actor, grinned. "Haha, who are you talking to?"

"Hahaha"

The audience laughed again at his playful response.

"Holding a placard that clearly says 'Ryu Yeon-woo' and telling me I'm handsome…" His joke brought more laughter.

While the compliment had come from the press section in the back, Son Jin-wook and Han So-hyun, who were sitting in the front row with "Ryu Yeon-woo" placards, blushed and hid their faces.

"Haha, just kidding. Our film is premiering soon, and I can confidently say you won't regret watching it. Thank you for coming."

Han Ye-jin and Jung Soo-yeon also greeted the audience. Finally, the microphone was handed to Ryu Yeon-woo, who was standing at the end of the line.

Loud cheers erupted from the press section. Yeon-woo, who had gained a large female following with "Summer's Closet," was popular among entertainment reporters.

Yeon-woo's family and friends beamed, their shoulders rising with pride at the volume of the cheers, which rivaled those for Kang Joo-won.

"Hello, I'm Ryu Yeon-woo. It's an honor and a slightly surreal experience to be here on stage for a film I only had a cameo in." The director and the other actors smiled warmly, their eyes full of appreciation for his humility.

"Our film is a great movie, thanks to the passionate performances of these amazing actors, so please enjoy it. Thank you."

The stage greetings ended with another round of cheers and the MC's closing remarks. The actors left the stage.

The lights dimmed, and the movie began.

The opening credits rolled, displaying the cast's names. Yeon-woo's name appeared fourth. Director Kim Han-soo had listed him as a regular cast member, not as a special appearance or cameo.

The film opened with scenes of the two main characters in their youth, played by Ryu Yeon-woo and Jung Soo-yeon.

Short clips of school events, sports days, and festivals, all bathed in warm pastel tones, played, creating a visually stunning montage, almost like a pictorial. It was a perfect representation of youthful energy, a style Director Kim Han-soo was known for.

Then, the scene at the water fountain appeared.

"Ooh!" The audience gasped as the unedited, single-take shot of the soccer ball ricocheting off the water fountain and flying towards Ha Ye-ri's face played on screen. The scene was so realistic that it evoked a visceral reaction. Only those present on set that day knew it wasn't acting but a real incident.

Then, as in the teaser, the scene seamlessly transitioned to the adult version of the character, played by Kang Joo-won, with Yeon-woo's performance and voice mimicking Joo-won's.

Director Kim Han-soo, inspired by Yeon-woo's performance, had changed the scene from the original script. The initially insignificant scene from their youth had been transformed into a memorable and impactful moment, creating a smooth transition to the adult characters and enhancing the audience's immersion.

The movie progressed to the main storyline, featuring the compelling performances of Kang Joo-won and Han Ye-jin.

–"Woo-hyuk? Ji Woo-hyuk, right? Oh my, it's been a while. It's Ha Ye-ri."

–"Wait, Woo-hyuk isn't the father?"

–"When I close my eyes, I can feel their hands grabbing at me, burning. Asking why I didn't save them, why I was so late!"

The main story began with Ji Woo-hyuk's reunion with his first love, who was now his nephew's kindergarten teacher. Then, a series of comical misunderstandings arose as she mistakenly assumed he was married, based on his interactions with his nephew.

The film then delved into the emotional struggles of Ji Woo-hyuk, a firefighter grappling with a worn-out spirit, brought to life by Kang Joo-won's powerful performance.

After experiencing various events in his hometown and gradually finding solace under Ha Ye-ri's care, the movie concluded with a happy ending.

The audience, consisting of industry professionals and invited guests, erupted in applause as the end credits rolled.

The actors returned to the stage for a final bow, and the preview screening concluded.

Yeon-woo greeted the "Summer's Closet" cast members in the waiting room.

Meanwhile, Min-soo escorted Yeon-woo's family and friends to a nearby restaurant he had booked for dinner.