After lunch.
Bu-uuuung─!
The Mystic van was bustling along. The destination was Director Go Tae-min’s studio. The reason was none other than the fact that today was the turn to share impressions of the newly received ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’ script.
Kong-kong-kong….
Sua’s heart was timidly beating.
It was bound to tremble. She had just heard some incredible news.
‘Am I really going to the main competition? Truly?’
Sua had some experience with film festivals.
When a red carpet would be elegantly laid out, dazzling celebrities would alight from black cars like jewels. And after being photographed by countless flashes, they would walk in, smiling gracefully.
Of course, Sua was about to attend the Busan International Short Film Festival. Compared to year-end award ceremonies or the Cannes Film Festival, its status might have seemed lacking. But, so what? This was already an enormous achievement for Sua!
‘…Who would have thought my life would change like this?’
Just a few months ago, she had been unemployed.
‘Nonetheless, I should soon let President Kim know about it.’
Sua turned her head towards Kim I-seo sitting next to her.
“President.”
“Yes. Sua.”
“Did you receive any contact from Director Park Jun?”
“Contact? What kind of contact are you referring to?”
At that very moment,
─♩♪♬
Kim I-seo’s phone rang.
“Speaking. Kim I-seo from Mystic.”
“Ah, President! I’m calling with some incredible news!”
“What’s the good news you speak of?”
“It means we have lived up to the production budget support Mystic provided!”
Park Jun was so excited; his voice was loud enough to reach Sua through Kim I-seo’s phone.
“The ‘Sword’ has advanced to the main competition. Out of all the entries, only thirty works could make it, and ‘Sword’ is one of them!”
“…Really?”
“Yes! It’s certain. I even asked several times because I couldn’t believe it myself. By the way, I’ve already informed Sua. My hands are still shaking with excitement.”
Kim I-seo, who had initially been dumbfounded, soon became overwhelmingly happy.
‘Sword’ was something dear to Sua, not something Kim I-seo particularly liked. Kim I-seo had just gambled by tagging along with Sua, who seemed to have taken the right step.
But the result? Main competition entry.
This was the moment proving Sua was right and Kim I-seo’s judgment in trusting Sua was excellent. It was truly moving.
Kim I-seo spoke again.
“Recently, with all the news articles, it seems this year’s Busan International Short Film Festival has been gaining an incredible amount of attention. The number of submitted works was enormous, too.”
“That’s true. Naturally, increased funding leads to heightened interest, and I’ve heard that there was extensive promotion everywhere. The number of entries set a record due to more awards being introduced.”
“Indeed, that’s how it was. Breaking through that was quite an achievement.”
Kim I-seo was impressed anew.
“And now, thinking about it, the notification of results was unusually fast, wasn’t it? Even last year, when interest was waning, it took quite some time for the main competition results to come out. Why was ‘Sword’ so quick?”
“It means one thing.”
Park Jun stated.
“Upon viewing ‘Sword,’ the decision-makers believed it was a definite pass, even before reviewing other works. As a director, it was one of the most gratifying experiences.”
“Right? Congratulations. I am also proud as an investor.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much! Also, you know this is confidential, right? This notification is only for the ‘Sword’ personnel.”
“Of course, I am aware. It’s an industry rule.”
They continued exchanging pleasantries for quite a while, and eventually, Kim I-seo nodded with satisfaction as the long call finally ended.
“I should hang up now. Have a great day, Director.”
“Yes! Take care!”
However, even after the call ended, Kim I-seo couldn’t put down her phone. She was frantically scrolling through her contacts because there were many people she needed to call right now.
First on the list was Sua’s styling team.
Why? The team that had whitened Sua and taken profile photos.
“Wow, that rookie made it to the main competition?”
Sure enough, upon hearing the news, the team leader couldn’t hide his surprise. This made Kim I-seo even happier.
“That’s right.”
“I had a feeling about her during the profile shoot. She’s someone who delivers. This person still has an empty filmography, but it’s as though she’s getting festival experience.”
“Hmm…”
Kim I-seo paused for a moment.
“Well, in Korea, that’s the case.”
She glanced at Sua and left it at that.
To Kim I-seo, Sua seemed like someone who had traveled abroad, so she couldn’t confidently say it was Sua’s first festival. Especially, her expression—wasn’t Sua visibly more composed than most people?
While Kim I-seo was pondering this, the team leader said again.
“We’d better get a head start. We’ll need to go all out with styling for the festival. I heard many big names will attend?”
“That’s correct. Actors, directors, journalists, personnel, audiences, everyone who loves this medium will be there. I’ll rely on you to do the best job possible. I want Sua to shine the brightest in that setting.”
Meanwhile, Sua’s heart was still racing.
Kong-kong-kong….
She could hear all of Kim I-seo’s phone conversation, which only increased Sua’s worries. Am I really going to such an event with all those important people? She worried about needing to always present a good impression.
Of course, these were just Sua’s inner concerns. On the surface, she looked composed, prompting Kim I-seo’s admiration yet again.
‘Making it to the main competition without a filled filmography? That’s extraordinary. It’s almost like Sua strides forward, and success follows. Even those labeled as rising stars couldn’t achieve this sort of feat.’
Sua’s acting skills were something Kim I-seo had long since grown familiar with.
But what truly amazed Kim I-seo were the scale of the events surrounding Sua. Advancement to the main competition, attention from famous directors, praise and fixation from various personnel…
Kim I-seo felt the implications were clear.
Sua wasn’t just a talented actress; she possessed an allure that drew people toward her.
‘After all, an actor’s acting ability and their ability to attract those around them are different things. Take Sun-il, for example. He’s a skilled actor too, but due to his prickly personality, he doesn’t receive many offers…’
And there was more. The list of Sua’s strengths went on and on.
‘…Not to mention, she speaks foreign languages well. What’s her real identity anyway?’
Reflecting on this now, Kim I-seo didn’t regret giving three cars as part of the contract fee. On the contrary, she even felt like she had snagged Sua at a bargain price.
Lost in such happy thoughts for some time,
Kim I-seo soon asked Sua.
“Right. Sua, you’ve taken a look at the script, haven’t you?”
“Is there a decision? About the Kim So-hee role.”
Sua nodded.
“Kim So-hee is the role I want to play.”
“…”
Kim I-seo quietly shook her head, as if trying to shake off the feeling that this moment might be a dream.
“Sua, what did you just say?”
“‘Crescendo From Tomorrow.’ I want to be part of it.”
“…”
Kim I-seo then took Sua’s hand gently.
“Sua.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you so much.”
“Finally, Sua is no longer rejecting projects.”
It just ended up like that somehow.
The previous scripts were too bizarre. ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’ is a 1.9-grade project. There’s no reason not to do it.
Thus, Sua’s plan solidified in her mind.
Graduate as a ‘Musician’ through ‘Crescendo From Tomorrow’, then methodically develop other traits. If she kept doing this, wouldn’t she become a perfect human being before she knew it?
So, you might say: SuaPerfect!
[SuaPerfect, something for the future.]
[Sua, focus on the present.]
[Current condition: novice.]
Sua ignored the special window. SuaBlocked.
Instead, she said to Kim I-seo.
“This piece makes my heart race.”
“That’s good. For a moment, I was worried there might be no script that could spark Sua’s interest. Oh, and will it be okay? To play Kim So-hee’s role, you also need to learn the piano.”
Just as Sua was about to say “I know how to play the piano,”
“…”
She shut her lips.
A better line had come to mind. So she said instead:
“President, I’m an actor. I am prepared to endure any hardship to portray a role. The piano is no exception. I’ll practice even if it makes my fingers feel like they’re about to break.”
[Very SuaAmbitious.]
[Weak behavior.]
[Evaded the real tormenting script, didn’t you?]
“Be quiet. Can’t you keep quiet?”
[SuaAmbition (whisper)]
“…”
Sua thought. Is this madness?
While Sua was contemplating the need to soon organize her special window and hierarchy, Kim I-seo’s face filled with immense emotion.
“Thank you, Sua. Director Go Tae-min will surely be delighted too. Oh, then, should we pause the script search for the time being? Or do you wish to continue receiving them?”
“Hmm, keep providing them. They’re inspiring.”
More precisely, because she could see the grade. Yes.
Oh, right. Sua added one more thing quickly.
“If possible, could you provide scripts still in production?”
“Eh? Is there a reason? To study different aspects, completed works that have aired would be better, wouldn’t they?”
“That’s…”
Sua gave a faint smile.
“…I can look for completed scripts myself. I don’t want to trouble you, President.”
[SuaLies.]
[SuaAmbition.]
[SuaCruel SuaWorm.]
Paht─!
Sua immediately turned off the special window. Transparent at 100%.
“Alright. Then just give me a genre.”
Kim I-seo, moved, nodded.
“Romance, or crime and action-filled noir, or how about naming a character you’d like? Such as a lady who swings bundles of money like a fan…?”
However, Sua didn’t choose one.
“Yes.”
Just answering with a single word and nodding her head.
The meaning was simple—she wanted them all.
◈◈◈◈◈
Later, they arrived at Director Go Tae-min’s studio.
“…Eh?”
Sua came to an abrupt stop, completely frozen.
“…?”
The reason—an overwhelmingly shocking scene caught her eyes.
