Busan.
Finally, the Short Film Festival officially began.
Though it wasn’t marked in red on the calendar as a public holiday, it was treated as an incredibly important event in the film industry.
Proof of this came in the endless stream of articles.
[‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ Finally Opens]
[Invited Actor Lineup So Strong? ‘Major Influence.’]
[Japanese Master Director Yusaku Visits Korea.]
And currently…
“…This building’s huge. It’s called… Cinema Hall?”
Monkeying muttered absent-mindedly.
Unlike her nickname, she was a plain-looking woman. Her hair was dyed orange, and she had freckles on her cheeks, but her features were harmonious enough that they didn’t stand out as flaws—rather, they gave the impression of being a part of her personal style.
At any rate, Monkeying wasn’t the only one standing here. Saeng-ji and Black Bear were also here. That is, all members of “Sua’s Chatroom,” except Sua and Deer, had arrived at the short film festival.
The current time was 9:00 a.m., and the location was Busan’s Cinema Hall.
Black Bear, revealing his half-shaved head, spoke.
“Watching movies feels like it’s been a really long time.”
His voice had a quiet tone to it, fitting given his large physique, which made his nickname “Black Bear” quite appropriate.
Soon, Monkeying scratched her head.
“I’ve never been to Busan before.”
Perhaps due to her deep involvement in online communities, Monkeying spoke in a manner reminiscent of chatroom dialogue.
“I haven’t either. I can almost smell the sea from here.”
Watching them, Saeng-ji burst into laughter.
“So, what do you plan to do after watching the movie?”
“Hmm, we should visit Haeundae at least once. Then we need to eat some fresh fish. And Deer mentioned pizza is famous around here, right?”
They spent time discussing what they would do after the movie screening, but at some point, Monkeying abruptly changed the subject.
Suddenly looking as if something had just occurred to her.
“When is Deer arriving?”
“Whenever she finishes work, probably in the evening?”
“Sua also mentioned she’d arrive around that time.”
“Sua…”
That was the start.
The topic quickly shifted toward Sua.
“Is it true Sua is preparing to become an actor?”
At Black Bear’s question, Saeng-ji slowly nodded.
“Well, that’s what she says anyway.”
“…Actor? We’ve all done various part-time jobs, but what’s suddenly with this actor thing? Did someone blow air into her head?”
It seemed Monkeying was quite shaken by the news. Her bewildered gaze soon fell on Saeng-ji Kim Sun-a.
“Saeng-ji, you were an entertainment reporter. What do you think?”
“What…?”
“Is it easy to become an actor?”
“Yeah, it’s easy.”
Unexpectedly, Saeng-ji Kim Sun-a readily nodded, but she wasn’t finished speaking yet.
“Becoming an actor itself isn’t anything special. But rising to the level where even someone like you can recognize them is the hard part.”
“Huh?”
“People give up all the time, even after investing tons of money and time. It takes the right mix of talent, connections, and all sorts of other factors for an actor to survive.”
“Hmm… It seems more dangerous than I thought…”
At that moment, Black Bear, who had been listening quietly, nodded thoughtfully.
“Thinking about it, that’s true. Part-time jobs are something you can forget about the moment you quit, but actors leave their efforts permanently captured on camera. Maybe someone might look back on those someday too.”
“Right. That’s why it’s a truly brutal industry. The hard work you poured into it might just end up being your life’s biggest regret. Imagine being mocked for it.”
“Do you think Sua can survive in that world?”
“…”
Black Bear’s words left everyone speechless.
There was a moment of silence.
Finally, Monkeying broke the silence.
“It’d be a disaster if she gets scammed. You know, sometimes on the news, there are stories about people pretending to make someone a star and doing terrible things…”
“Exactly. Sua worries me for various reasons. She’s at the age where she should settle down in a specific field, but acting…”
Sua felt like the type of friend they all worried about, like a young child left by the water’s edge.
Regardless of how much they all cared for her, there was no expectation that Sua would achieve something significant in any particular field. Their concern mostly stemmed from the fear of her getting into trouble.
In the end, everyone spoke in unison:
“Sua is seriously worrying. She’s such a sweet person but…”
…
Meanwhile.
Sua had also arrived at the Busan Cinema Hall.
Oh Korea’s South Pole, let this Arctic Fox enter!
Of course, Sua had her cap on, mask covering her face, and sunglasses to hide herself from her friends.
‘This should be safe enough. They don’t even know I dyed my hair white anyway.’
She then indulged in several fantasies. Mostly, she imagined her friends, meeting Sua after a long time, would comment on how much she looked like an Arctic Fox.
However, these thoughts didn’t last long.
“Huh?”
A massive shock came first.
‘…There are this many people here?’
The current time was 9:00 a.m. Despite it being early morning, the crowd was impressive.
What’s this idiom? Something about pregnancy?
–Ah, yes. ‘Human mountain, human sea’ fits perfectly here.
–You’re truly…?
Ah, okay. Human mountain human sea.
Still, the consonants are all correct, right?
Anyway, there were really a lot of people. A young child could easily get lost in this crowd.
Tuck-tuck-tuck..
Due to this, Sua’s heart began to pound.
‘Crazy. Is everywhere like this?’
It goes without saying that the short film festival doesn’t take place exclusively at this “Cinema Hall.” There were around four other locations running programs simultaneously.
‘Oh, no, I don’t have time for admiration now.’
Sua checked the screening schedule.
Her ‘Sword’ screening would start at 9:30.
Yang Ha-rin’s ‘Wind’ would start at 10:00.
‘…What an odd coincidence.’
Recalling, the only person she’d had misfortune with since entering this industry was Yang Ha-rin. What would happen?
Naturally, she was curious about her ‘Sword,’ but she was also curious about the other films competing with ‘Sword.’ Since she could watch them with her own eyes, Sua promptly bought a ticket.
‘Let’s see… the screening room is at the far back….’
And then she entered the screening room.
Sua’s eyes widened.
‘It’s big!’
Following the familiar structure of movie theaters she was accustomed to, it was a different dimension in terms of size. But there was still more to be amazed about.
‘And it’s full!’
Most of the seats were already taken.
With all kinds of people scattered about, none of them paid Sua any mind as they looked at their phones or chatted amongst themselves.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Nevertheless, Sua was conscious of them. Her heart was pounding. The thought that these people would soon watch her short film.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
And the thought that she could witness their reactions in real time.
‘There are so many people here, but my appearance will be shown on this huge screen. It’s fascinating. Unbelievable. No, I’m nervous. So nervous… I’m shaking.’
I sincerely hope their reactions are positive.
But then.
At that exact moment.
“I told you ten times to switch to onion popcorn. Ten times!”
“Just eat it already.”
“Kids, please be quiet… Don’t cause any trouble…”
Distinct voices tickled Sua’s ears.
“?”
However, Sua slightly tilted her head.
It wasn’t that the voices were loud enough for her to hear them clearly. They were so familiar that Sua’s ears inadvertently caught them.
Realizing this soon after.
“?”
Indeed, they were familiar.
In order: Monkeying, Black Bear, Saeng-ji.
Coincidentally, they were in the row right in front of Sua.
A row Sua could reach with a kick. A row where their conversations were audible. A row where Black Bear’s shaved head was clearly visible.
Monkeying grumbled.
“Ugh, regular popcorn really lacks flavor. At the very least, caramel…”
“…Just don’t eat it.”
“Awww, why not? Give me a break.”
Indeed, these were the friends Sua knew. It felt like hearing their typical group chat dialogues in person.
At one point, their conversation turned unexpectedly to her.
“What’s the status of actors who appear in short film festivals?”
“Most are rookies, but they have a high chance of becoming rising stars after the festival. After all, this gives them a chance to leave an impression on the audience.”
Saeng-ji answered thoroughly and kindly.
“…Ah, hearing that makes it harder for me to imagine.”
“What?”
“Imagine Sua being shown on such a screen? It’s impossible. Should I call her now and tell her to look for something else?”
“…Leave it. If it’s something she wants to do…”
“No, I’m genuinely worried about her.”
The conversation carried on, oblivious to the subject sitting in the row behind them.
Pfft–Pfft–Pfft–
The lights in the spacious room began to dim one by one, and immediately people stopped talking and turned off their phones. The long-awaited moment of the official festival screenings was approaching.
Afterward.
A sharp font appeared on the large screen.
–’Sword’
The title appeared, and ‘Sword’ began.
–Whooshhhhh.
The image of a forest being violently shaken by a cold breeze filled the screen, causing everyone—Sua, her chatroom friends, and the audience—to hold their breath.
–Whooshhhhh.
There was no other choice but to focus.
The haunting sound alone was nerve-wracking, as it made the atmosphere palpably tense, like a tightly stretched string about to snap.
And then.
A character finally appeared on the screen.
It was Wi Ji-hye slowly lifting her eyelids.
“Playful, aren’t you?”
Her eyes, like jade and stone, were sharp, and her voice piercingly clear. In the midst of the forest filled with tension, Wi Ji-hye effortlessly held everyone’s attention with her mere presence.
She slowly got up from her seat.
“The forest is a sensitive child. Very much so.”
She drew her sword.
The moment the sharp tip carved out an elegant sword trajectory…
“…?”
“…?”
“…?”
Shock washed over Saeng-ji, Monkeying, and Black Bear in unison.
Monkeying couldn’t bring the popcorn to her mouth anymore; Saeng-ji covered her mouth with both hands. Black Bear’s eyes darted wildly, as if he had seen a ghost he shouldn’t have.
The reason was simple.
Sua.
Of course, it was Sua.
They couldn’t help but think, “That’s definitely Sua. How could she have gotten to that point?”
“????”
“!!!??!”
Their minds went blank. Their mental space, once wiped clean, filled with nothing but questions.
What? What is this?
Isn’t that obviously Sua? What’s she doing there?
Bang!
Monkeying’s desperate grab on Saeng-ji’s wrist was the start. It wasn’t much different for Saeng-ji either. Monkeying and Black Bear reached toward each other and accidentally bumped hands like clueless fools.
They exchanged glances late in the game.
Their reflections in each other’s eyes showed the same bewildered expressions. If they looked similarly foolish, the other person most likely did the same.
It felt like their heads had been smashed with a hammer.
“…”
After that.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
The six eyes returned to the screen.
“Is this…a question?”
Just then, Wi Ji-hye smirked.
“Do you know me?”
Wi Ji-hye was indeed the best of the best.
Just from one line, the three of them fell into a state of transference.
“Sua! It’s Sua! Holy crap!”
“…Is this deepfake fraud? Is that what this is?”
“Sua? What? What in heaven’s name are you doing?”
This was the moment Sua was making her official debut.
