Chapter 61: Acting Filter

༺ Acting Filter ༻

The planner hosting the GV (Guest Visit) suddenly recognized him and was visibly surprised.

Why is an event planner from the Cannes Film Festival here? After all, Cannes only accepts world premieres (A condition where only films that haven’t been screened or submitted anywhere else were eligible)…

He quickly grabbed the microphone.

“Are you Mr. Ballon Farouze, the Senior Programmer of the Cannes Film Festival? How come you’re here…?”

“I’m on vacation.”

“Ah, I see… Still, making such a comment on a PIFF entry…”

“Haha. That’s the highest praise I can give.”

He laughed heartily, and a journalist who had entered with press credentials captured a picture with a flash, thinking, ‘I’ve hit the jackpot.’

The audience also started to murmur.

— He’s a planner for the Cannes Film Festival.

— What does a planner do?

— They plan the film festival and select the films to be shown.

“This film is truly artistic! Not only is the mise-en-scène (the arrangement of the scenes and setting) outstanding, but the high-caliber performances of the ballerina and the Phantom, along with the portrayal of humanity’s impure greed for art, are wonderfully blended. It’s worth flying more than 10 hours from the other side of the world just to see this work!”

The interpreter skillfully translated the Frenchman’s rich sentiments, and the journalist was busy noting down every word.

Director Ki then took the microphone to respond.

“Thank you. Any other questions?”

“I can’t believe the Phantom isn’t a ballet dancer. The lead actress is a real ballerina, right? It’s truly an amazing artistic achievement. Are they currently performing? I’d love to see her on stage while I’m in Korea.”

To this, the director replied.

“Ms. Yoon Seryeon, who played the lead role, has retired from ballet due to an injury but reentered rehabilitation after this film.”

A prior agreement had already been made with Seryeon.

She had told him to be honest in interviews about her. Since the truth would come out with a little research anyway, she didn’t want to hide it. She spoke in a very calm tone, suggesting that maybe a bit of luck would follow if people were waiting for her return.

“What a pity… Such pain must be why her Giselle was so beautiful. Please tell her that a ballet enthusiast is eagerly awaiting and supporting her comeback.”

“I will definitely pass on your message.”

Then, the planner was about to move on to the next question.

However, the man clutched the microphone tightly and hurriedly blurted out another question.

“Wait… just one more! I won’t be able to sleep tonight without hearing the answer.”

“Please go ahead.”

“What kind of filter did you use in that performance of Giselle by the Phantom in the middle of the film? It seemed vaguely blurred, but the focus was clear upon closer inspection.”

Director Ki smiled triumphantly.

“We didn’t use any filter.”

“What?”

“We didn’t alter that scene at all. It was the actor’s subdued performance that created that effect.”

“No way! That’s an acting filter?!”

At that, Ballon’s face lost its smile, and the journalist frantically took pictures.

*

The next day, the newspapers prominently featured several articles:

[‘Acting Filter’ Shocks Cannes Film Festival Planner]

[‘You Should Have Waited for Cannes.’ High Praise for <Ballerina High>]

[The Endless Standing Ovation for <Ballerina High>]

The next day, these headlines were prominently featured in the newspapers, and Yoomyeong experienced an overwhelming influx of text messages for the first time.

The company contacted him about scheduling media interviews as they came up, and his family’s astonished reactions were understandable.

And the planner’s advice to ‘get a decent outfit’ became a reality.

Interview requests from journalists were flooding in.

Planners from international film festivals participating in PIFF rushed to contact him, expressing their desire to invite him to their festivals.

Key figures even made offers to have meals together.

And the PIFF message board was overwhelmed.

— Looking for tickets to the second screening of Ballerina High.

— I saw the first screening and I’m going to line up at dawn for on-site tickets again. It’s worth watching twice.

— Does this actor have any previous works? I want to see them, but I can’t find anything.

└ “They said at the GV that this is their debut work. I can’t believe it either.

The remaining tickets were sold at a premium.

With three days left until the closing ceremony, Yoomyeong, who had hoped to enjoy watching the other films leisurely, was fully experiencing his newfound fame.

— Isn’t that the actor from the ballet movie?

— Can I have your autograph, please?

— When is the movie being released? I’ll definitely go see it.

As the screenings were limited, many people recognized him from the articles rather than the movie itself.

Of course, walking down the street wasn’t uncomfortable yet for Yoomyeong, but the experience of being recognized by strangers was new and always made his heart race.

‘So… this is what it feels like to be famous…’

Then came the closing ceremony.

“The 8th Busan International Film Festival, the FIPRESCI Prize goes to, <Ballerina High>!”

Ballerina High won the FIPRESCI Prize (International Federation of Film Critics Prize), an award given to a work in the New Currents category for its outstanding artistic merit and progressive artistic talent.

It had previously been awarded to ‘One Fine Spring Day’ in 2001 and ‘Too Young to Die’ in 2002.

Although it wasn’t the main New Currents Prize, <Ballerina High> had garnered so much attention at the Busan International Film Festival that it wasn’t an exaggeration to call it the most talked-about film.

“When will it be released? Are you planning to tour it to other film festivals first?”

“No. We will only send it to festivals without restrictions on released films and plan to release it in December as scheduled.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be okay to circulate it to some festivals first?”

“There are two reasons. One of them is beacuse Joel Schumacher’s <The Phantom of the Opera> is releasing in December.”

Ah…

Yoomyeong suddenly remembered that the movie was set to release around this time.

“While we’re not a major production company, releasing around the same time will definitely attract an audience interested in comparing the two. Plus, the attention and awards that our film received from the Busan Film Festival will have an impact on their release.”

Yoomyeong looked at Director Ki in a new light.

He hadn’t realized he was capable of such calculations. Perhaps it was this foresight that made him a successful director.

“And the second reason?”

“Isn’t your drama starting to air in December?”

“Yes…”

“We should capitalize on your popularity.”

Seeing the smirk on Director Ki’s face, Yoomyeong realized something.

His words may imply one thing, but Director Ki intended to synchronize the drama’s airing and the film’s release to boost Yoomyeong’s next project.

‘I won’t let him down.’

“I’ll make sure we ride that wave.”

He was determined to make Director Ki’s superficial reasons a reality.

Or rather, to create a synergy between the two projects.

The drama’s airing was now only seven weeks away.

*

“Nice to meet you, Shin Yoomyeong.”

The man greeting him with a cheerful smile and offering a handshake was Bang Hak, the new PD of <Showbiz Studies>.

Yoomyeong joined the reshoot a day late due to his film festival schedule. PD Bang had suggested meeting briefly before today’s shoot, so he arrived an hour early.

‘This phrase won’t become popular until later, but… he’s an insider type.’

PD Bang had a very amiable demeanor. He responded well to everyone’s words and had the skill to captivate attention with his speech. Before the PD strike, he was one of KBK’s hottest young producers, known for his trendy projects.

“I’ve reviewed the footage we’ve already shot.”

“Yes.”

“You’re quite ambitious, Shin Yoomyeong. It looked like you were really going for the lead role.”

It was a mix of jest and seriousness.

Although he said it with a smile, his words carried weight. Unable to decide if they were meant in good or bad faith, Yoomyeong looked into his eyes intently.

“I’m also ambitious. You might already know this, but this is my comeback project after a year. Although I secured a favorable contract, I need to show results or my future might be… haha.”

Did people in broadcasting stations always talk so candidly about sensitive matters?

Yoomyeong still didn’t respond, and PD Bang continued.

“I’m telling you this…”

“…”

“Because I decided to join this project, which the previous PD left in a mess, after seeing the footage you shot.”

Yoomyeong tilted his head slightly.

“The male lead acts well, the character Kim Hana is charming, and the script by writer Yook Mi-young is famous. However, I was a bit torn about choosing this as my first project after coming back… But the moment I saw the role of Yoon Bohyung, I thought that this could be a project that would mark a milestone in drama history. I felt like I’d regret it later if I didn’t do it now.”

PD Bang Hak showed his trademark sociable smile, layered with intense ambition.

“Let’s do well.”

“Yes, please look after me.”

Yoomyeong firmly grasped his extended hand.

*

On the set, Yoomyeong’s film was the talk of the town.

“Hey, Filter.”

“Oh, please, senior…”

“When is the movie releasing? Will our drama benefit from it?”

“Why is everyone after me…?”

Everyone knew that the acting skills of the newcomer, who was making his major debut with this drama, were exceptional. However, they hadn’t expected him to gain such rapid recognition elsewhere.

The change in the atmosphere at the set after the PD switch also played a role.

“OK—”

“OK! Good!”

“Keep that emotion, we’re going to move on to the next scene.”

This was where the fickle nature of people came into play.

Even though they thought that Yoomyeong was always good at acting and that PD Joo lacked insight, the thought that ‘Maybe he’s standing out too much,’ starts to creep in eventually if he was consistently being undermined.

But as the OKs started coming in quickly, his already good acting seemed even more impressive.

‘I might get overshadowed…’

Baek Seunghyo watched the scene with mixed feelings.

This was the actor that Director Moon had personally scouted, but he wasn’t just any ordinary actor. It reminded Baek Seunghyo of ‘that guy.’

Even the character was great. Although he had the most screen time, the problem was the male lead’s unlikable personality in the early stages.

‘Can only my acting overcome this…?’

Kwon Do-jun’s character, although quite abrasive, had one undeniably cool aspect.

He was among the top actors in Korea in terms of acting skills.

Despite his awful temperament, his brilliance during performances made it impossible to hate him completely.

As Kim Hana grew, Kwon Do-jun also evolved differently.

In short, he was a male lead who initially received both scorn and affection, but becomes a character the viewes can’t help but love as the drama progressed.

“Mr. Baek Seunghyo, please prepare for your scene.”

“Yes.”

His turn was coming up.

It was the highlight of Episode 2, in Do-jun’s acting practice scene.

“Teacher, how was that just now?”

Do-jun asked his acting teacher (played by Bae Ok-jin), whom he treated with utmost respect.

“It’s good, Do-jun. The character being a genius warrior was well conveyed through your agile movements.”

“But… is there beauty in the movements?”

“Are you worried because of the original line, ‘Eunseong’s sword dance is so miraculous and beautiful that it’s almost tragic’? Well, you’re not someone who actually wields a sword, so you won’t be able to do it to that extent. I’m sure the editing will compensate for that.”

“…I’ll do it again.”

Kwon Do-jun sweated profusely in the practice room, repeating the same movements over and over.

Kim Hana watched him silently, thinking, ‘He may be annoying, but he’s really cool when he’s acting.’

Baek Seunghyo played Kwon Do-jun, who portrayed Eunseong.

The intensity of his practice was so intense that it blurred the lines between Eunseong, Kwon Do-jun, and Baek Seunghyo.

PD Bang Hak, who was a natural insider skilled in managing human relationships, smiled with anticipation, his palms sweaty.

‘When you praise someone good, it encourages even those who are still learning to do better.’

And then, the drama’s production press conference approached.

The main and supporting actors attending the press conference were Baek Seunghyo, Cha Harin, Lee Kyu-seong, Jung Junhee, Shin Yoomyeong, Bae Ok-jin, and Lee Ok-hyung.

Amid a flurry of dazzling flashes, each actor took turns stepping onto the stage to greet the audience.

The host introduced the actors in turn.

“This is Shin Yoomyeong, playing the role of Yoon Bohyung. Please stand at the marked spot on the floor and strike poses to the left, center, and right.

In the drama, Shin Yoomyeong portrays Yoon Bohyung, a friend and strong supporter of the female lead, Kim Hana. Though a supporting role, Yoon Bohyung is a character crafted by writer Yook Mi-young with an impact as strong as the leads.

Shin Yoomyeong has also been recognized for his solid acting skills, recently winning the FIPRESCI Prize at the Busan International Film Festival for his previous film.”

Click— Click— Click—

Under the brilliant lights, Yoomyeong smiled with the relaxed confidence befitting his character, Bohyung.

Then came the press interview.

The actors sat in a row on a long stage.

“If you could describe the character you’re playing in one word, what would it be?”

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