Bringing the Vision of Life

Two days had passed since the completion of the soundtrack, and during that time, Jihoon and Taeyeon had exchanged phone numbers, establishing a connection beyond just their professional collaboration. With the music finalized, Jihoon shifted his full attention back to his movie, determined to ensure that every scene resonated perfectly with the emotions captured in the soundtrack.

The morning was spent meticulously reviewing the footage, analyzing each frame with a critical eye. On set, Jihoon worked closely with the cinematographers and actors, guiding them through reshoots where needed. Some moments required subtle refinements—a slight shift in lighting, a lingering gaze, or a change in camera angles to heighten the emotional impact. His meticulous nature pushed the entire crew to bring out the very best in each shot.

Time seemed to blur as Jihoon immersed himself in his craft, his passion for filmmaking driving him forward. Every frame, every sequence, every decision felt purposeful, as if he were crafting more than just a film—he was telling a story meant to be felt as much as it was seen.

During a brief break, he leaned back in his director's chair, sipping on a now-cold cup of coffee while watching the monitor replay the latest take. A sense of satisfaction washed over him. The film, once just an ambitious idea, was now evolving into something far greater than he had envisioned.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the set, Jihoon let out a deep breath. The journey was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, he felt an undeniable certainty—he was exactly where he was meant to be.

With the final shoot completed, Jihoon dedicated the following days entirely to editing, knowing that this process would ultimately determine the film's final impact. As a renowned film director in his previous life, he understood that editing was one of the most crucial aspects of filmmaking. Every sequence of images could convey a different meaning, depending on how they were arranged. Drawing from his past experiences, he structured the editing process into seven key steps to ensure the film reached its full potential.

The first step was organizing the footage. Jihoon meticulously sorted through all the raw footage he had shot, categorizing each scene by sequence and ensuring that everything was properly labeled. Without a well-organized system, the editing process could easily become chaotic and inefficient.

With the footage in order, Jihoon proceeded to assemble the rough cut. He pieced together the scenes in chronological order, focusing solely on the film's structure without yet worrying about transitions, visual effects, or sound design. This step allowed him to see the full narrative take shape for the first time.

Once the rough cut was complete, Jihoon moved on to refining the pacing and transitions. He trimmed unnecessary frames, adjusted scene lengths, and ensured smooth transitions between shots. The rhythm of the film was essential—if the pacing was too fast, it would feel rushed; too slow, and it could lose its emotional weight. He paid close attention to each moment, making sure the timing of cuts enhanced the story rather than disrupting its flow.

With the visuals nearly polished, Jihoon turned his attention to synchronizing the footage with the soundtrack. He carefully adjusted the timing of key scenes to match the emotional beats in the music, ensuring that climactic moments landed with full impact. To him, the soundtrack was not just background noise; it was a vital part of the storytelling, reinforcing the emotions portrayed on screen.

Next came color grading and visual enhancements. Jihoon adjusted the tones and hues of each scene to match the film's mood—warmer colors for nostalgic or intimate moments, cooler tones for somber or intense scenes. He also enhanced contrast and lighting to give the film a professional, cinematic look, ensuring that every frame carried the visual depth it needed.

After perfecting the visuals, Jihoon focused on finalizing the sound design and audio balance. He adjusted dialogue levels, incorporated ambient sound effects, and fine-tuned key moments with subtle audio cues. Every small detail mattered, from the distant hum of city streets to the faint rustling of leaves in a quiet moment. Properly balanced audio would immerse the audience, making them feel as though they were inside the world he had created.

Finally, Jihoon conducted the final review and polishing. He took a step back and watched the film from start to finish, noting any inconsistencies and making final adjustments. He tweaked minor details, refined transitions, and ensured the entire movie flowed seamlessly. Only when he was completely satisfied did he consider the film ready.

As Jihoon leaned back in his chair, exhaustion settled over him, but so did a profound sense of accomplishment. The film was finally complete. Now, all that remained was to present it to the world.

However, before taking that step, Jihoon had one crucial task—inviting Lee Sooman, the film's investor, to review the final cut. As the director, it was his responsibility to keep the investor informed and secure his approval before moving forward.

Jihoon packed up his things from the office, carefully took the original film montage, and made his way to SM Entertainment. Initially, he considered inviting Taeyeon to the film review. As the singer of the movie's soundtrack, her perspective could provide valuable insights, and her input might enhance the final presentation. However, after further consideration, he realized the idea was too abrupt.

Since she had yet to debut, her position within the company was still delicate. Bringing her along could potentially send the wrong message to Lee Sooman, making it seem as though Jihoon had a personal interest in her rather than a purely professional collaboration.

With that in mind, he decided it was best to leave her out of this meeting. There would be other opportunities in the future. Instead, he simply sent her a text, informing her that the film was completed and that he was heading to SM Entertainment for Lee Sooman's review.

As Jihoon approached the SM Entertainment building, he was greeted by Lee Sooman's secretary, who promptly escorted him to the meeting. Some might have considered this treatment lacking in courtesy—after all, Jihoon hailed from the most prestigious family in Korea, a status that typically commanded a more distinguished welcome.

Yet, such matters did not concern him. Since awakening in this body, Jihoon had chosen to distance himself from the privileges that came with his lineage. His past life had been filled with encounters with elites—individuals who flaunted their status and influence, often making life more complicated than necessary. He had no interest in following their path.

From the moment he took control of this life, he made himself a promise: he would carve his own legacy, relying on his abilities rather than his family's name. That was why, even now, most people who interacted with him had no idea who he truly was.

As Jihoon stepped into the room, he was met by Lee Sooman and another man in his early thirties, seated beside him. As introductions were exchanged, Jihoon quickly realized who he was—Kim Youngmin, the man set to take over as SM Entertainment's CEO next year, while Lee Sooman would transition into the role of creative director.

That revelation triggered a memory from Jihoon's past life—an incident from 2002, when Lee Sooman had been under investigation but remained unindicted. The case would eventually be made public in 2007, just a year from now. A flicker of curiosity crossed Jihoon's mind as he studied Youngmin, recalling how his actions in his past life had caused considerable turmoil.

But he quickly shook off the thought. This wasn't his company, nor was it his problem. Whatever had happened—or would happen—was beyond his concern. Right now, his only focus was on the film review process.

Proceeding with the film review, Jihoon handed the final cut to Lee Sooman's secretary, who promptly set it up on the AV system. As the screen flickered to life, the room fell into silence.

Scene by scene, footage by footage, they carefully analyzed every detail—not just as a viewing experience but as an evaluation of their investment. Jihoon remained composed, keeping an eye on their subtle reactions. Lee Sooman leaned slightly forward, his fingers tapping against the table in quiet concentration, while Kim Youngmin sat with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as the film progressed. Jihoon had confidence in his work, but he knew this review wasn't just about creative execution—it was about business. If they weren't satisfied, it could impact future alliances. He remained still, waiting for their verdict as the final scene played out.

As the final scene faded from the screen, a gentle yet meaningful applause echoed through the room. Though only Lee Sooman and Kim Youngmin were clapping, Jihoon felt a deep sense of accomplishment. This was his debut work in this life—his first step toward proving himself in this industry. He had poured everything into making it as perfect as possible.

As the applause died down, Lee Sooman leaned back in his chair, a satisfied expression on his face.

"It's even better to watch on screen than when I first read the script you submitted that day," he remarked.

He nodded approvingly before continuing, "The cinematography is marvelous, and the story is truly touching."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he added, "I can already picture the sold-out box office tickets for this movie."

Jihoon exhaled, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. Hearing those words from a man of Lee Sooman's caliber wasn't just validation—it was a signal that he was heading in the right direction.

Kim Youngmin nodded in agreement, his expression carrying a hint of admiration.

"I have to say, this exceeded my expectations."

"The pacing, the emotional depth, and the cinematography—it all comes together beautifully," he added.

"This isn't just a well-made film; it's one that resonates with people. I can see why Sooman is so confident about its box office success."

He then shifted in his seat, turning his attention back to Jihoon. "So, what's the plan moving forward?"

"Have you decided on the distribution strategy?"

"When are you looking to release it?"

Jihoon had anticipated this question. Taking a deep breath, he calmly replied, "My priority right now is to submit the film to the upcoming Cannes Film Festival."

"My lecturer, Professor Kim Minsoo from Seoul National University (SNU), will be assisting us with the submission process."

"As for the release date, I'd prefer to wait until the awards are announced before making a final decision. This will help us determine the best timing for the film's theatrical release."

He then glanced at Kim Youngmin and Lee Sooman, gauging their reactions before continuing, "In terms of distribution, I've already negotiated with CJ Entertainment, and they've agreed to handle the film's distribution."

"The next step is finalizing the terms regarding revenue share and distribution cuts."

Both Lee Sooman and Kim Youngmin exchanged a knowing glance, impressed by Jihoon's strategic approach.

Lee Sooman stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That's a smart move. If everything goes according to plan, it will significantly boost the film's success."

"But even without an award attached to it, I firmly believe this film has the potential to be a major hit."

Kim Youngmin leaned forward slightly. "Do you need any support from SM Entertainment in terms of promotions?"

"We have the resources and connections to push it further, especially if we tie it in with the soundtrack."

Jihoon considered it for a moment. Collaborating with SM Entertainment for promotional campaigns could be a significant boost, especially with Taeyeon's involvement in the soundtrack.

After a short pause, he nodded.

"That would be helpful."

"If we can incorporate the OST into some of SM's promotional strategies, it could generate even more anticipation for the film," he agreed.

Both Lee Sooman and Kim Youngmin exchanged a glance before nodding in approval.

"That settles it, then," Lee Sooman said. "We'll arrange a meeting with the marketing team and see how we can align our efforts."

"With the right push, this film could be a major success."

Jihoon smiled, a quiet satisfaction settling within him. The puzzle was coming together, each piece aligning with his vision, a dream carefully woven into reality.

[Author's Note: Heartfelt thanks to Wandererlithe and MimicReads for bestowing the power stone!]