The editing team for the short film “Sword” was still lost in deep thought.
“Haahhh…”
Director Park Jun let out a deep sigh.
He was overwhelmed. It was because of all the hardships he had endured up until now.
However, the difficulties that Park Jun reflected upon did not include the editing of “Sword.” Although the project had been particularly demanding, it was an exhilarating task that made him forget all his fatigue and throw himself into it.
Still.
“It was tough. Really tough.”
What truly made Park Jun feel drained was the moments after a single hit film, where he had been consistently on a downhill trajectory. However, finally, now, the sword to sever the cursed string was in his own hands.
Coincidentally, its title was “Sword.”
The sentiments of the editing team, who had worked alongside Park Jun all this time, weren’t much different, either. Their faces all carried a similar expression. Their looks bore that of deliverance simply from having completed the task. There were even some with reddened eyes.
“Director Park, it’s perfect. You’ve really worked hard.”
“It surely will meet Sua’s expectations too!”
They continued their long conversation and, after considerable time had passed, the conversation shifted to another topic.
“By the way, did you, Director Park, see? There are reportedly not just one or two changes this year for the short film festival. Apparently, major changes have been announced.”
“That’s right. I was going to say something about it too. Let’s take a look together since we’ve all gathered here.”
The editing team started to carefully check the differences for this year’s Busan International Short Film Festival, which quickly gave them ample things to discuss.
“Director Kim Jun-ki is definitely out, it seems. Who will replace the renowned jury member? I’ve heard Director Ko Tae-min’s name being mentioned.”
“Huh? If that happens, isn’t that advantageous for us?”
Park Jun listened to them and quietly thought to himself.
“Director Ko Tae-min…”
He soon shook his head.
“No, it will only make it harder for us to win an award if that happens.”
“Why is that?”
“Director Ko is a very fair person, and even more so, because we both belong to the righteous group. He’ll certainly review “Sword” with even more stringent standards to avoid any controversy.”
“Ah…”
Everyone nodded in agreement, but Park Jun had no trace of worry on his face at all. The others felt the same.
There was good reason for that.
“But.”
Park Jun spoke with a slight smile.
“We have the confidence to win awards even with more stringent standards. Don’t you think? We’ve got our ace up our sleeve after all.”
“Yes!”
The editing team unanimously agreed.
Their confidence stemmed from “Sword,” naturally. Even if the outcome was not as expected, there was no better piece of work that could meet their own eyes.
An employee excitedly said,
“Sua’s performance was exceptionally brilliant, and I think we have a good chance to aim for an award. By the way, don’t you think this change is perfect for us right now?”
“What change?”
“This part. The one regarding the increase in award categories.”
“…Right? Apart from the main prize, several more have been added?”
Park Jun quickly skimmed through the content.
It was easy to understand. Unlike before, when awards were given solely for the films, there were now awards for directors and actors as well.
Another member of the editing team tilted their head.
“Why are they adding awards?”
“It’s likely due to an order from higher-ups. It’s been hinted that the short film industry is being promoted lately anyway. The interest in short films compared to commercial films has been abysmal recently, after all. That’s not a good trend.”
“Ah…”
“Anyway, let’s just understand it this way.”
Park Jun straightened his cap.
“This year’s short film festival is experiencing an unprecedented influx, and it’s possible that we’ve prepared the sturdiest ship. Simply put… ”
“…We’ve just got to ride it smoothly, right? Though, isn’t Sua like our motor?”
“It’s certainly something extraordinary, no doubt. I’m already looking forward to what’s coming.”
So, an employee, brightening up, said,
“Are we going to keep this expectation within ourselves, or should we hold a small screening with just the personnel involved?”
“Of course, we need to have a test screening. We might discover flaws that we didn’t realize before. Moreover, most importantly, we must have Sua’s final approval. There’s nothing more important than her opinion.”
“That’s true. After all, this movie is something Sua created.”
Park Jun immediately took out his phone from his pocket.
He made a call. The recipient, naturally, was Kim I-seo, the president of Mystic Entertainment.
-Hello?
“Ah, President, how are you doing?”
-Of course.
“The editing for ‘Sword’ is complete. We’d like to hold a test screening with the personnel involved and would like to humbly inquire about Mystic’s intentions. Ideally, we’d want Sua to attend, if possible…”
“Alright. I’ll come over with Sua.”
“Ah, how about Sun-il and Yeon-joo? Are they busy? Both of them have immensely contributed to this film.”
“Yeon-joo is busy, and Sun-il…”
Kim I-seo paused momentarily, considering her words.
Currently, Kim Sun-il had rushed to the hospital to check on his younger sister’s condition. Nevertheless, it wasn’t something that could be easily mentioned, and Kim I-seo momentarily deliberated on her response.
“Sun-il is busy as well. As always.”
After hanging up the phone, Kim I-seo quietly thought to herself.
‘I hope everything’s alright. There’s a climax shooting today…’
Today.
The climax shooting for Special Mobile Unit 808 was scheduled.
◈◈◈◈◈
“What happened?”
Hospital.
Kim Sun-il asked the two doctors across from him.
The doctor opened his mouth with a somewhat serious expression.
“As usual. She experienced another sudden fever.”
“So? Is the situation still serious?”
Fortunately, the doctor shook his head.
“Since appropriate cooling measures were promptly taken, it should be fine. Of course, the fact that she frequently experiences fevers isn’t a good sign, but it hasn’t escalated into anything more serious yet. She should be fine for now.”
A statement that they had successfully avoided the crisis. Kim Sun-il finally wiped his face with his palm, realizing that his face had sweated during the ordeal.
“…What exactly is the cause?”
Kim Sun-il asked more earnestly than ever.
Sun-il’s younger sister, Kim Yu-jin, had been living in the hospital for quite some time.
The fact that she had been hospitalized wasn’t necessarily a big problem. Because everyone who lives eventually falls sick and might end up needing medical help at some point.
Thus, the problem was something else.
“What on earth is the reason for persistently suffering from fevers?”
The inability to pinpoint the exact cause of the high fever.
Kim Sun-il could have done anything for his younger sister, but nothing seemed to make her condition better, which made him feel incredibly frustrated. With recurring fevers, his younger sister couldn’t leave the hospital.
“…”
At that moment, the doctor hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Have you heard of the yips?”
“…Yips?”
Kim Sun-il nodded.
“I’ve heard of it. It’s something like a mental condition, isn’t it?”
“You’re correct. Athletes often experience it. Even if the body heals from a major injury, the person might struggle to move confidently due to continually being held back by the memory of the injury.”
When a pianist can’t move their fingers due to a mental block or a racing driver struggles to turn the steering wheel boldly due to past experiences…
It’s something like that. A mental obstacle.
Kim Sun-il had encountered the concept in scripts. He had worked on several sports films before, and yips was a common term in those circles.
But Kim Sun-il couldn’t quite understand.
“Are you saying that my sister is experiencing the yips?”
“I believe so.”
“…I don’t understand. She’s not someone who physically pushes herself.”
“Not necessarily. You should see yips in a broader sense. Focus on the fact that a sick mind manifests in different forms. In Yu-jin’s case, the symptom seems to be high fever.”
“…”
Kim Sun-il thought about it for a moment.
Then he shook his head again.
“If that’s the case, I understand even less.”
He looked seriously at the doctor.
“Aren’t there two common triggers for the yips? Experiencing a major injury or blaming oneself for repeated failures?”
“That’s right. You have a very accurate understanding.”
“My sister hasn’t suffered a major injury, nor has she been deeply devoted to something and failed. It doesn’t make sense.”
Kim Sun-il knew that the causes for yips were generally two.
First, being unable to move properly due to the memory of a terrifying injury. And second, a heart that rots because someone blames themselves for failure.
Kim Sun-il could think of no reason why his younger sister fit into either category.
At that moment,
“Ah, regarding that…”
The person standing beside the doctor, dressed in a gown, spoke up. She was not a doctor but a counselor.
“Yu-jin frequently talks about her older brother.”
“Yes.”
“She says that her brother seems unhappy, and it’s because of her.”
“…”
“Perhaps she feels a little guilty.”
Kim Sun-il unconsciously scrunched up his face at the counselor’s words.
It wasn’t because he thought the counselor’s words were off the mark.
Rather, he didn’t understand why, despite all the signals around him that he appeared unhappy, he himself didn’t know the reason for it.
He couldn’t understand anything.
Why he seemed so unhappy.
And what exactly his younger sister might feel guilty about.
“You two.”
Kim Sun-il quietly looked at the two people in front of him.
“…Do I really appear that unhappy?”
Naturally, there was no definitive answer.
Kim Sun-il moved towards the younger sister’s ward feeling rather downhearted.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Inside the ward.
“Big brother…”
The moment he touched her hand, it seemed, his younger sister recognized his presence and warmly welcomed Kim Sun-il.
However, the situation was grim.
Kim Yu-jin’s body felt like it was on fire, and she was currently unable to open her eyes. Perspiration beaded on her forehead, suggesting her dire condition.
“…”
Naturally, Kim Sun-il’s expression grew serious.
In the past, Yu-jin had been a lively and cheerful child.
But now, she seemed like a fragile child who might snap and break away if her hand was let go. When had she become like this?
“Hoo… hoo…”
His younger sister repeatedly gasped for breath.
She looked breathless, and her eyes remained closed.
Even if she managed to open them, she probably wouldn’t be able to recognize her surroundings due to the high fever distorting her vision.
Still, in this situation, the little sister asked.
“Big brother… How much time has passed since… That day we talked, was the filming good?”
“The filming?”
Kim Sun-il quickly checked the time on his phone.
The question was slightly different. His younger sister wanted to know if Kim Sun-il had successfully completed the filming on the day they had their video call. Kim Sun-il immediately nodded in agreement.
“Yep. It went well.”
That much was fine so far. But…
“Big brother, you’re the best actor, right?”
“Of course.”
An answer that slipped out without him realizing.
It was a lie. There was a day on set when Sun-il didn’t feel as good as Sua while driving and battling for control of the steering wheel.
But he didn’t want to disappoint his little sister, who, even in her pain, was filled with expectations.
– The yips, it seems the cause is mental.
Since they had mentioned that condition, Sun-il was particularly mindful. There was a risk that not hearing what she wanted might exacerbate her condition.
The little hand grabbed Sun-il’s hand tightly.
“Big brother, it’s not about your skill level.”
“Then what?”
“Are you the happiest when acting?”
“Yes. That’s obvious.”
“Eh, seems like a lie…”
“It’s not a lie.”
Kim Sun-il replied immediately.
“Whatever happiness I express is recorded anyway, and at the moment, the drama production team is all here. They want to see your brother because they’re curious about someone who’s so happy acting. Who is your brother, they wonder.”
“Really? For real…? They want to see me?”
“That’s right. So you need to recover soon so you can see them.”
Kim Sun-il urged her impatiently.
“Big brother, are you really that happy acting?”
“Yes, absolutely. Now stop asking.”
“Phew, well, it’s a relief then.”
Despite her sweat-drenched face, the younger sister managed a faint smile.
“Our big brother has finally overcome his anger.”
“Anger? What anger?”
“About my teddy bear. It really made you angry, didn’t it?”
Kim Sun-il’s gaze shifted then to a corner of the room.
An old teddy bear sat in a defiant position. Come to think of it, his younger sister had such a stuffed bear.
How could he have completely forgotten about it? It was something his sister cherished.
Kim Sun-il furrowed his brow.
“Big brother…”
“Alright.”
Unknowingly, Kim Sun-il’s voice brightened.
It was because his younger sister’s voice, which he had just heard, felt much better than before. When he placed a hand on her forehead, the fever had significantly subsided.
Sleepiness seemed to overcome the girl now.
In her sleepy voice, she muttered.
“…I… I’ll watch the scene you did best…”
“When you wake up, you can see it.”
“And your happiest moment…”
“Yes. That too.”
“Make sure the people you brought with you see me too… Can I see them when I wake up? Can they wait here for me?”
An unreasonable request typical of her young age.
Nevertheless, Kim Sun-il nodded.
“Yes.”
It seemed his little sister found comfort in that lie.
“Alright. Big brother… I’m sleepy…”
“Hurry up and sleep then.”
“When I wake up, I’ll really check it…”
“Sure.”
As time passed,
Soon the younger sister fell soundly asleep.
“Phew…”
Kim Sun-il sighed in relief.
Yet, that relief was brief.
“Haa…”
This time, the sigh was full of worry. Kim Sun-il wiped his face in a troubled manner.
It was because he’d told too many lies to his younger sister.
First, lying to reassure her and help her fall asleep.
Yes, that part was fine.
But,
“I have no idea how to fix this.”
His sister would wake up to face the truth. What worried him was whether she’d fall into a more severe case of fever if the reality didn’t match what she expected. After all, yips symptoms become more severe as one’s heart aches more deeply.
“Uruuuung…”
The phone in his pocket began to vibrate.
A call from Kim I-seo. The content was obvious even without answering.
After all, it was a particularly crucial day for Kim Sun-il and the production team of Special Mobile Unit 808. The filming schedule for the climactic scene crucial in the entire script was set for today.
However, Kim Sun-il continued to think, ignoring the buzzing phone.
First, the big lie about being the best actor.
The even bigger lie about being happy.
Both were enormous.
“The only way to not disappoint my younger sister is…”
To shoot that scene during today’s filming.
To show the scene to her when she wakes up.
It was an unreasonable story.
An almost impossible task, in fact.
“Uruuuung…”
The insistent buzzing of the phone grew louder.
Eventually, Kim Sun-il answered it and said,
“Yes. I’m coming now. I won’t be too late.”
His steps were quite heavy as he started to move.
“Can I act out the scene where I shine the most?”
The scene where he was the happiest.
He had to create it. But at the same time, he felt uncertain.
The climax scene shooting for Special Mobile Unit 808 scheduled for today.
His counterpart was none other than Sua.
