From Dorm to Premiere Day

The morning after the whirlwind at SNSD's dorm, Jihoon woke up feeling… lighter. Not in the usual way after finishing a long project or wrapping up a stressful meeting, but in a way that carried warmth—something unfamiliar yet deeply comforting.

As he sat in his office, sipping his coffee, his mind wandered back to the night before. The teasing, the playful chaos, the ridiculous bet he never stood a chance of winning.

Sooyoung and Hyoyeon's energy had been infectious, pulling him into their world without hesitation. And then there was Yoona—her quiet yet heartfelt confession, the spark in her eyes as she spoke about acting, her sincerity leaving a lasting impression.

Jihoon leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

He had never expected to feel so at ease with them.

In his past life, loneliness wasn't just a companion—it was all he had.

As an orphan, he had learned early that the world owed him nothing. People passed him by with indifferent gazes, never sparing a second thought.

Friends, companionship—those were privileges reserved for those who 'mattered'.

And Jihoon?

He was nothing. A nameless, faceless nobody, undeserving of warmth or belonging.

Over time, he stopped wondering why. Becasue the answer was obvious.

He had no powerful family to vouch for him, no wealth to make him useful, no connections to make him worth knowing. He was just another invisible existence in a world that thrived on value. People only cared when they had something to gain, and Jihoon had nothing to offer.

So, he stopped trying.

Instead, he worked.

He worked until exhaustion became his comfort and ambition was his only shield.

He clawed his way to the top, not because he dreamed of success, but because he refused to be looked down on.

If the world only respected power, then he would become untouchable.

If people only valued what they could benefit from, then he would make sure they had no choice but to acknowledge him.

But in doing so, he sealed himself away.

Friendships? Meaningless distractions.

Relationships? A weakness he couldn't afford.

The higher he climbed, the more distant he became, until one day, he realized there was no one left.

No one to share his victories with.

No one to pull him back when he teetered on the edge of exhaustion.

No one who cared.

Even at the peak of his success—his name whispered with reverence, his achievements admired—he had been utterly, painfully alone.

The empty office at midnight, the cold, untouched meals, the birthdays that came and went like any other day.

No amount of fame or fortune had ever changed that.

Because, in the end, Jihoon was exactly what he had always been.

Alone.

But here, in this life, something was different.

Last night had been chaotic, messy, loud. And yet, beneath all the noise, there had been something real—something he had never truly experienced before.

Sure, there were small motives—like Yoona wanting to be in his new film—but there was no grand scheme behind their laughter, no calculations in their teasing.

They had accepted him. Not as Jihoon the filmmaker. Not as Jihoon the businessman. But simply Jihoon.

And in the middle of it all, he had let his guard down.

It was new. Unfamiliar.

But deeply appreciated.

His phone buzzed, jolting him back to the present. Jihoon blinked, glancing at the screen.

A message from Taeyeon.

Taeyeon: "Still breathing, or did we break you?"

A small chuckle escaped him as he shook his head, his fingers moving instinctively to reply.

Jihoon: "Barely. I think I need a week to recover."

Her response was instant.

Taeyeon: "Weak."

Jihoon smirked.

Jihoon: "Says the one who disappeared first last night."

A pause. Then, his phone vibrated again.

Taeyeon: "Excuse me?? I was preserving my beauty. You should try it sometime."

He huffed out a laugh, shaking his head.

Jihoon: "No need. My beauty is eternal."

Taeyeon: "Debatable."

He had just begun to type out his next comeback when another message appeared.

Taeyeon: "You'll get used to us."

Jihoon hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keyboard before finally responding.

Jihoon: "Will I, though?"

This time, the pause was longer. When the reply finally came, it was simple.

Taeyeon: "If you're lucky."

His gaze lingered on the screen, a small smile tugging at his lips.

If.

Such a small word, yet it carried an unexpected weight.

If he got used to having people around him.

If he let himself believe—just for a second—that he wasn't alone.

If he stayed out of the scheming, the hidden battles, the quiet wars fought in the shadows.

Now, 'if' became a force of uncertainty for Jihoon—a double-edged blade capable of shaping his fate, unraveling certainty, and tethering hope to despair. It held the power to lead him toward triumph or drag him into downfall. An open-ended question with infinite answers, each one carried the weight of the unknown, daring him to choose.

But for now, if didn't seem so bad.

Before he even realized it, a quiet hum slipped past his lips—soft, absentminded. It was barely more than a breath of melody at first, but as his fingers drummed idly against the wooden desk, it grew clearer.

Familiar. Nostalgic.

His hand stilled. His breath caught.

It was her song.

Taeyeon's voice echoed in his memory—soft, aching, filled with something he couldn't quite name. A song wrapped in hesitation, in uncertainty, circling around a single word.

"If I were to go… If I were to go close to you… what would you think?"

Jihoon's humming cut off abruptly.

Leaning back in his chair, he ran a hand through his hair as the realization settled in. He hadn't thought about that song in years. Back then, it had been nothing more than background noise, another track on the radio during one of his many late nights alone. He had never paid much attention to lyrics.

Yet somehow, this one had stayed.

If it was just a coincidence. If his mind had dredged it up for no reason at all.

Jihoon exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He had bigger problems to deal with. The path ahead was still unfinished, uncertain. The walls he needed—fortresses to keep prying hands from pulling his strings—weren't fully built yet.

Now wasn't the time to waver. Now wasn't the time to entertain distractions.

He needed to focus. Stay sharp. Keep his priorities in check.

As the days passed, anticipation for Jihoon's 'Secret: Untold Melody' surged to unprecedented levels.

Initially, SM Entertainment, CJ Entertainment, and JH Entertainment had no plans for an extravagant film premiere.

Traditionally, such events served as grand marketing spectacles—gatherings of celebrities, media, and industry elites designed to generate buzz and maximize box office performance before the film's official release. However, the situation had taken a dramatic turn.

Following the film's historic triumph at Cannes, public enthusiasm skyrocketed, making it impossible to ignore the mounting pressure.

Across various platforms, netizens and media outlets clamored for more updates, eager to see the film receive the recognition it deserved.

Observing this overwhelming response, Lee Soo-man and Lee Mikyung proposed hosting a grand premiere ceremony, arguing that this was more than just another film release—it was a landmark achievement for Korean cinema. As the first Korean film to claim Cannes' highest honor, it deserved a celebration worthy of its significance.

Jihoon, however, was reluctant.

He believed that the film should speak for itself and did not see the necessity of a large-scale premiere.

Yet, faced with the unwavering stance of his two partners and the undeniable expectations from the public, he found himself with little choice.

Despite his initial hesitation, the decision was made—'Secret: Untold Melody' would have its grand premiere.

With the decision finalized, preparations began immediately. The chosen venue was none other than the prestigious Seoul Arts Center, a landmark of cultural significance, renowned for hosting historic artistic events.

Invitations were sent out to an exclusive list of industry elites, acclaimed critics, and select fans who had followed the film's journey since its Cannes victory.

Jihoon, ever meticulous, refused to let this premiere become just another extravagant spectacle. Instead, he envisioned an event that mirrored the essence of his film—intimate, immersive, and deeply emotional.

Every detail was personally overseen by Jihoon, from the subtle yet elegant lighting to the carefully arranged seating that encouraged engagement with the story, rather than distractions of grandeur.

He wanted the premiere to be more than just a screening; it had to be an artistic experience. To achieve this, a live orchestra was brought in to perform the film's original soundtrack before the screening.

The hauntingly beautiful melodies filled the air, setting the tone for the audience, drawing them into the very soul of 'Secret: Untold Melody'.

Finally, June 1st, 2006, arrives—as the sun set over Seoul, the Seoul Arts Center transformed into the epicenter of cinematic anticipation.

The Seoul Art Cinema at Seoul Arts Center is transformed into a dazzling spectacle, flooded with media from across South Korea and beyond.

 The venue was flooded with reporters, not just from South Korea, but from international media giants like The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and BBC Culture.

Cameras flashed relentlessly, capturing the grandeur of the event, as murmurs of excitement spread through the crowd. This was no ordinary premiere—it was a moment that could redefine Korean cinema.

The red carpet gleamed under the spotlight as celebrities, directors, and cultural icons made their way inside.

Among them were some of the biggest names in the industry: Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, Kim Jee-woon, and Lee Chang-dong—visionaries who had shaped the very fabric of Korean filmmaking.

Their presence alone spoke volumes about the significance of the night.

Yet, despite the dazzling A-list attendance, all eyes were fixed on one man—Jihoon.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, his presence commanded attention.

The moment he stepped onto the red carpet, a wave of excitement surged through the press. Microphones were raised, cameras zoomed in, and reporters scrambled to get his reaction.

"Jihoon, how does it feel to be here tonight?"

"What do you say to critics who doubt your success?"

"Is this film going to change the landscape of Korean cinema?"

Jihoon remains composed, offering only a few words to the press:

"The film will speak for itself."

With that, he moved forward, joining his cast and crew as they braced themselves for the moment they had worked tirelessly for.

Inside the theater, the atmosphere was electric. The audience—composed of film critics, industry veterans, and specially invited guests—settled into their seats. A hush fell over the hall as the lights dimmed, and the screen came to life.

As the opening scene of Secret: Untold Melody unfolded, a profound silence took hold. Every breath, every heartbeat in the room seemed to sync with the film's rhythm.

Will Secret: Untold Melody live up to its historic Cannes win, or will it crumble under the weight of sky-high expectations? The answer lies in the next two hours.

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