Chapter 85: GV

The atmosphere remained chaotic. The audience was excited to have seen a good movie, and the cast was grateful for a well-made work.

“Ah. Then, we’ll proceed with the GV in about 5 minutes.”

The host announced through the microphone. Those who were leaving could leave, and those who were staying could stay. Of course, almost no one would leave after coming to a premiere and having a satisfactory viewing experience.

“How do we do the GV?”

“Usually, the director gets asked questions, so we just have to stand next to them. Maybe the actors will get asked too.”

GV was short for Guest Visit, a term for a Q&A session between the film’s cast/crew and the audience held after a screening. Muyoung shook his body as if he was slightly nervous.

“Oppa. Tell me how the movie was.”

“Um. What do you want to know?”

“From start to finish!”

Yuna clung to Muyoung like that and chattered away. She would buy it as soon as it came out on VOD, but waiting until then was a chore. And it wasn’t just any role, it was the lead!

“Okay. Let’s begin. Everyone, please line up.”

“Oh dear. Let’s get up.”

In a straight line in front of the screen. It was the same formation as when they first greeted the stage. The flashes and people’s attention that didn’t stop. Muyoung looked for his fans again.

‘They’re still here.’

People were still shaking banners and cheering for Muyoung.

When he took out his camera, he looked straight at them. Eye contact with the camera. Soon, he even winked playfully.

“Yes. The Plague was as fun and lingering as the rumors said. We’ll start with a brief commentary from Director Jin Gyeongmun and then take questions from the audience.”

The surroundings fell silent at the host’s words.

Jin Gyeongmun tapped the head of the microphone and poured out what he wanted to say. Things like the direction the movie was going for, the meaning it wanted to convey, and the story he ultimately wanted to tell.

“-So I’d like to thank everyone who came here today. Art is inherently an act of interaction, isn’t it? When I see you enjoying and being moved by the movie, I’m ecstatic too.”

“Yes. That was a good speech. Now, audience questions…… Yes! You in the hoodie.”

Every time the host pointed to an audience member, a gem of a question was asked. Questions that felt like everyone loved the movie and had affection for The Plague’s cast and crew.

“What was the meaning of the cigarette that fell when the quarantine zone door closed and Jin ran first?”

“Louis’ death was quite impressive. How did you film it? I’d like to hear the behind-the-scenes story.”

“The story unfolds from Jaeni’s perspective, but I’d like to ask why the single-room lady’s death was omitted.”

Wow. Everyone has a very sharp eye for movies. Of course, those who entered the premiere through a lottery or were invited must be serious movie buffs.

“Ah. That part-”

Jin Gyeongmun also passionately explained the movie and tried to give the most satisfactory answer. The audience’s loving questions sometimes poked and sometimes soothed. Muyoung was amazed by the quality of his first GV.

“Is GV always like this?”

It’s like passionate students in a prestigious university lecture hall asking the professor intense questions. Then Lee Hijun, standing next to him, glanced and muttered.

“No. It’s particularly intense today.”

They met particularly cool audience members today. And it seemed like there were reporters mixed in too. As that hot time passed and it was almost over.

“Yes. The man in the black shirt.”

“Hello. First, I enjoyed The Plague. But you know the saying, movies with kids and animals as the main characters can only break even at best.”

The hot tension seemed to cool down instantly. Not only the actors but also the audience in front turned around at the rude preamble. But the man continued speaking without caring.

“What do you think? It’s quite interesting whether Director Jin Gyeongmun’s career will win or the saying will win. By the way, among famous directors, successful works with children as the main characters are few and far between.”

“What’s with that guy?”

“Yeah. Why is he like that?”

People whispered. But the microphone was in the man’s hand, so only his voice rang clearly through the theater.

“And my second question is about the ending. It’s an open ending, so we don’t know if Jaeni died or lived. Why did you make it like this? There’s no way the kid could have survived in that situation. It seems like you unnecessarily twisted a obvious situation to elevate it with cinematic direction, and it’s a bit hard to understand.”

“Ah…….”

The host stammered in difficulty and glanced at Director Jin Gyeongmun. The director also seemed dazed, caught off guard by the unexpected attitude.

“Director?”

Oh dear. Such a kind director.

Hijun clicked his tongue inside and turned his head.

If it were him, he would have just said, ‘Get out!’ But the director still spoke kindly to the audience. Probably, all sorts of thoughts were swirling in his head.

‘There are reporters mixed in too. No, wait. Is that guy a reporter?’

The slightly dark theater. The face of the man who asked the question wasn’t clearly visible. The host summarized the question for the confused director.

“So, the first question is what you think about the saying, and the second question is what you think about the open ending. That makes two.”

“Ah. Yes. That’s right. Um…… There is a saying, and I heard it quite a bit during the script process…….”

Then, strength came into Yuna’s hand, which Muyoung was holding. The child was calmly staring straight ahead but seemed very angry. After working hard as the lead in the movie, they said things like sayings and breaking even at best! They openly said they wouldn’t even break even.

“Excuse me.”

Muyoung, who had been watching that, raised his hand. Jin Gyeongmun, holding the microphone, was even more surprised and opened his eyes wide.

“May I answer instead? If it’s okay with both of you.”

“Me? I’m fine.”

Jin Gyeongmun quickly handed over the microphone. Like passing a bomb. The man just nodded without saying anything.

“It’s Ha Muyoung, who played Louis.”

Yuna looked up blankly. It seemed like she was curious about what this oppa was going to say. Muyoung smiled and patted the child’s head.

“First, I want to say that the success or failure of a movie isn’t the responsibility of any one person. Unlike writing or drawing, where the subject is alone, this is something made by many actors, the director, writers, and staff coming together.”

Click- click-

In the quiet theater, only the sound of Muyoung’s words and the shutter being pressed echoed. His low, gentle voice was very pleasant to listen to.

“Sayings are just sayings. I think the result will come out according to the efforts of the director and our team members. And as you can see from the movie, Yuna was really amazing.”

As he carefully spoke each sentence, something blurry fell into Muyoung’s field of vision. He naturally touched his chin to check.

‘It’s pollen.’

“On set, she showed effort, passion, and acting skills beyond her age, so I don’t actually think of Yuna as a child. She’s just an actor.”

“Ah. That’s a good point.”

The host exclaimed in agreement. Yuna also sparkled her eyes and fixed her gaze on Muyoung.

“And when filming the last scene, we talked a lot. It was about interpreting the ending, and I suddenly realized. This process is also one of the joys of movies. I hope the audience shares that joy too.”

Lee Hijun, listening quietly next to him, admired and let out a dry laugh.

This guy must have done a lot of presentations at Seoyeon University. His skill in smoothly and seamlessly explaining sensitive matters was artistic.

“Ah. Let me add something about the ending. When I first received the script-”

Jin Gyeongmun, listening to that, seemed to have organized his thoughts and took back the microphone. Yuna still held Muyoung’s hand tightly and smiled.

“Thank you, Oppa.”

“It’s nothing. It’s the truth.”

Yuna playfully rubbed her forehead against his waist like a puppy. Their affectionate appearance was captured through the camera.

“Yuna really follows Ha Muyoung well.”

“Yeah. They’re just like Louis and Jaeni.”

The atmosphere, which had cooled down due to the rude audience member’s question, warmed up again. Muyoung, finishing his playful interaction with Yuna, looked ahead.

“……!”

Pollen was falling from the air. The dark theater seemed like the universe. It reminded him of a stadium with the sparkling lights between the red velvet curtains.

“Wow.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Nothing. Something good must be happening.”

Muyoung mumbled, brushing it off.

Yuna, hearing that, tilted her head and answered.

“Is the movie going to be a hit?”

“Yeah. Maybe.”

The movie would open in about a week.

And then, the drama’s first broadcast would be in about two weeks.

Having run here without stopping. I wonder how sweet the fruit will be. I’m looking forward to it.

“-Yes. Thank you for the good answers. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we’ll have to end today’s GV here. Thank you to the audience and The Plague team for attending, and we wish the movie great success. Thank you.”

As soon as Jin Gyeongmun’s answer ended, the host skillfully wrapped up the event. Everyone clapped and greeted, and the audience cheered until the end.

“This way, please.”

The director and actors followed the staff’s guidance through the passage. Ko Gyeongmin, waiting in the corner, gestured and signaled.

“Muyoung! There are a lot of people, so be sure to follow the staff!”

“You follow them too, Hyung!”

Outside, there was a long line of people who hadn’t been invited to the premiere but came to see celebrities. Half were reporters, and half were fans!

“Oppa!”

“Look over here!”

“Autograph, please!”

Hands reached through the guards, holding memo papers or phones. The other actors all bowed their heads and tried to leave, but…….

“Uh-oh. Just a moment.”

Only Muyoung stopped and turned around.

The ‘Ha Muyoung’ banner pulled him in. Muyoung stretched out his hand and shook hands with a fan.

“Nice to meet you. Thank you for coming.”

“I’m a fan! Mr. Muyoung! Can I have your autograph?”

“Do you have a pen and paper?”

“Here!”

“Me too, please!”

As he stopped, the fans’ cheers were like thunder.

The guards tried to pull him away in difficulty, but Muyoung smiled broadly even as he was being dragged.

“Oh. Just a moment. I still have time before my next schedule. Can I sign some autographs?”

“I love you!”

“Wow. I love you too. Thank you!”

This kind of fiery passion was a first. As a small gap appeared, the fans surrounded Muyoung in a frenzy.

“Please line up. I’ll do my best, so. Shh. Quietly.”

Then, the guards, seeming resigned, stood next to him and formed a boundary. In the distance, the manager, swept up in the crowd, watched the scene in shock.

‘Oh dear, Muyoung!’

Is it that he’s not afraid of people yet, or is his love for fans still hot?! Ko Gyeongmin leaned against the wall, waiting for this chaotic situation to be sorted out.

“Oh dear. I’m sorry.”

In the midst of that, he bumped shoulders with a woman…… She was a middle-aged woman with a stylish suit.

She smiled and brushed past. ‘She’s very charismatic. Is she from an entertainment company?’

Ko Gyeongmin felt a different aura from ordinary people. His instincts, honed through social experience, were sharp.

The woman who just attended The Plague GV was Kang Ok-kyung. She was the Chief Investment Officer of the Korean branch of Nepflix, the world’s largest OTT platform.