: Acceptance & Preparation

After a long, anxious wait, the CSAT results finally arrived—and Jihoon's hard work had paid off. He was accepted into one of the nation's most prestigious universities, a triumph in a society where academic excellence was paramount and a crucial stepping stone toward the future he envisioned.

Armed with an outstanding CSAT score, Jihoon secured his place at Seoul National University—a dream realized and a pivotal turning point in his new life. The sprawling campus, with its seamless blend of historic charm and modern innovation, buzzed with the energy of ambitious minds. As he strolled along its sunlit paths, Jihoon felt both the weight of responsibility and the thrill of endless possibilities.

The first day of school created quite a stir. Jihoon's impeccable looks captivated every girl on campus, and he soon found himself inundated with love letters and thoughtful gifts—a surprising welcome that added a spark to his fresh start.

Yet, for Jihoon, university life was about far more than academic accolades or fleeting romances. It was the ideal launchpad for his grand ambitions—a platform to revolutionize Korean cinema. Amid the whirlwind of lectures, rigorous study sessions, and the vibrant energy of youth, he discovered an environment that nurtured both his intellect and his creative spirit.

Between classes and long hours in the library, Jihoon carved out precious moments to sketch intricate storyboards and draft cinematic concepts that had long simmered in his mind. With his enhanced memory and razor-sharp focus—gifts from his previous life—he absorbed new knowledge effortlessly, seamlessly weaving it into innovative ideas for groundbreaking films.

With every detail meticulously arranged, Jihoon was determined not to waste any time attending lectures. Instead, he sought out Mr. Kim Minsoo, the head of the Department of Art, to request a leave of absence, confident in the validity of his reason. Thanks to his aunt's decision to hired Mr. Kim Minsoo as his company manager, all pre-production arrangements were already in place—filming crews had been assembled, equipment set up, and the shooting schedule finalized. With his movie script and storyboard complete, all that remained was to begin filming and watch his dream unfold on the screen.

As Jihoon approached Mr. Kim Minsoo's office, he gently knocked on the door before entering. Upon hearing the invitation to come in, he opened the door and respectfully bowed—a customary greeting in Korea.

After bowing, he noticed that someone else was already present with Mr. Kim Minsoo. Politely, Jihoon said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Kim, I didn't realize you had a guest. I'll come back later."

Before he could take a step to leave, Mr. Kim Minsoo interjected, "It's perfectly fine; you may stay. We were just having a casual conversation—it won't be a problem."

"Nei... Thank you, Mr. Kim," Jihoon replied politely.

"Anyway, what brings you here, Jihoon? "

"Are the girls at school showering you with too many love? Makes you want to file a complaint? Haha!" Mr. Kim teased humorously.

Jihoon's reputation at school had reached nearly legendary status. His mysterious allure and effortless grace captivated nearly every female student, and whispers of admiration followed him wherever he went. Even before he set foot on campus each day, his name was spoken in hushed, reverent tones.

Jihoon awkwardly tilted his head back and offered an uneasy smile before replying, "It's not about that, Mr. Kim. I'm here to request a brief leave of absence from school, and I need your permission for it."

Mr. Kim looked surprised at Jihoon's request—after all, the semester had barely begun, and despite Jihoon's stellar academic record, missing classes at this stage would be unwise.

Out of curiosity, Mr. Kim asked, "Oh, why do you suddenly need to take a leave? Is it because the girls at school are distracting you?"

Jihoon quickly waved his hand to dismiss the misunderstanding, replying, "It's not that, Mr. Kim."

Then he proceeded to explain why he needed a leave of absence from classes, and handed Mr. Kim the document he had been holding since entering the office.

"This is the movie script and storyboard I've prepared," Jihoon said, extending the documents toward Mr. Kim.

"Mr. Kim, could you please review them and give me any suggestions?" Jihoon asked politely, hoping to earn the lecturer's trust and ultimately secure approval for his leave of absence.

Hearing Jihoon's explanation, Mr. Kim initially assumed that Jihoon was merely distracted by the girls at school, but he quickly found himself both surprised and impressed by the young man's unwavering determination.

Slowly, he took the document from Jihoon's hand and opened the first page of the script. Upon seeing the title, "Secret: Untold Melody", he began reading quietly, eventually forgetting about the guest in the room.

This left Jihoon awkwardly glancing at the guest. However, the guest—a long-time close friend of Mr. Kim—knew that when work beckoned, Mr. Kim's focus was absolute. Unperturbed by the interruption, the friend invited Jihoon to take a seat beside him and remain quiet, ensuring that they wouldn't disturb Mr. Kim's concentration.

After a long, silent pause, Mr. Kim set the script aside. In that moment, a single tear rolled down the cheek of a man in his forties.

It was evident that Jihoon's script had touched him deeply—a testament to the power of exceptional storytelling, proving that when a narrative is truly compelling, age is no barrier to its emotional impact.

He then said to Jihoon, "This is by far the most remarkable movie script I've seen to date. You've done exceptionally well—the story flows perfectly, and the narrative is both logical and captivating."

While Mr. Kim was busy praising Jihoon's work, neither he nor Jihoon noticed that the guest had already taken hold of the script. At first, the guest assumed it was just another script, but upon seeing the reaction on his friend's face, his curiosity got the better of him.

Knowing that Mr. Kim—a renowned lecturer and film critic in Korea with a discerning taste in art—had been so profoundly moved, he couldn't help but read the script himself to uncover what made it so extraordinary.

Returning to their conversation, Mr. Kim asked, "If I'm not mistaken, the ending unfolds in three scientifically intriguing scenarios. "

"The first follows a linear timeline where the girl dies."

"In the second, she dares to unravel destiny's tapestry by stepping back in time, mere heartbeats before her final breath—only to prove that no mortal hand can stay the inexorable hand of fate."

"And in the third, the stories suggests that these outcomes may coexist in parallel universes—a concept echoed in the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics."

"Is that correct?"

Jihoon was taken aback by Mr. Kim's perceptive comment, his mindin awe of the insight that only a reowned university professor could possess. 

After a brief, reflective pause, he responded with quiet conviction, "Indeed, Mr. Kim, your insight is spot on. "

"In this film, I aim to weave together the delicate threads of time and love—a fusion that defies linear constraints. "

"For time is ever-deceptive, slipping away in its relentless march, while love, vibrant and urgent, waits for no one. "

"Thus, when love calls, we must act without hesitation."

Jihoon decided to make this movie his debut project in his new life because it was simpler to produce compared to his other ideas. Moreover, he refined the scenario to make it more artistic and meaningful than the version directed by Jay Chou in his previous life. Confident in his abilities as a highly experienced film director—and armed with the invaluable skills he carried over from his former life—Jihoon was determined to create a superior film.

After hearing Jihoon's explanation of the concept behind his movie script, Mr. Kim was clearly impressed—his eyes gleaming with genuine admiration.

He replied, "Very good. This is the first movie I've seen that intertwines the themes of time and love in such a profound way. "

"It carries a deeply meaningful and poetic message. "

"I truly believe that if executed successfully, this film could become an award-winning masterpiece."

Jihoon immediately responded, aware that his trip here had two purposes: one is to secure approval for his leave and second to seek Mr Kim's endorsement for his film submission. 

"Yes, Mr. Kim, I share your sentiment. With that in mind, I hope you'll assist me in submitting this film to the Cannes Film Festival once it's complete."

"Hahaha! You sneaky fox! That must be your reason for having me read your movie script, right?" Mr. Kim chuckled, chiding Jihoon for his roundabout approach before revealing his true intention.

Jihoon returned a sheepish smile to Mr. Kim, fully aware that his true intention was to secure help in submitting his film to an international awards ceremony. In his previous life, he had learned to pursue whatever best served his interests, for he had no one to depend on. Yet now, he had forgotten that in this life he possessed a solid family willing to support him in any endeavor.

"Don't worry—it's not a big deal. I'll submit this film for you once it's finished," Mr. Kim said with a reassuring smile, his promise clear in his eyes.

Before Mr. Kim could finish his sentence, the guest—who had been reading the script moments earlier—interjected. "Is Jihoon right?" he asked.

"I know this is sudden, but I'm very interested in this movie. Do you need any assistance?"

Pausing briefly, he continued, "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lee Sooman, the current CEO of SM Entertainment."

Extending his hand for a handshake, Lee Sooman aimed to build a closer connection with Jihoon, hoping to align himself favorably and help seal the deal for the film.

Jihoon was taken aback by his elevated position, but he maintained his professionalism.

Extending his hand, he said, "Hello, Mr. Lee, you can call me Jihoon."

He continued, "Your assistance would be invaluable, as I'm still new to the showbiz industry and am having difficulty finding the right actors for this film."

Before Lee Sooman could reply, he was interjected by Mr Kim, "Hey, this is a school not a business meeting!" "You guys should move else where to have this conversation!"

Come to think of it, that did make sense. Both Lee Sooman and Jihoon quickly apologized for their behavior. Before leaving, Jihoon bowed once more to Mr. Kim and politely thanked him for his help.

Mr. Kim smiled and then urged Jihoon to follow Lee Sooman. His intention in sending them off was to distance himself from the ongoing film negotiations—since the project was still a closely guarded business secret, any public disclosure could have serious repercussions for him. Although neither Lee Sooman nor Jihoon objected, they left his office to put Mr. Kim's mind at ease.

With that, Jihoon followed Lee Sooman to the SM Entertainment office building. As he approached the entrance, he noticed a familiar figure on the second floor. Wearing a snapback cap, she was hurrying along as if rushing to an important appointment.

Isn't it strange how threads mingle in life's tapestry—a new, woven ball crossing our path once more. Though the knots remain loose, the tangles begin to unravel, as if destiny itself had decreed it so.