Chapter 36. Spring's Lover – Production Announcement

"Aah, Director Kim. You've worked hard. Congratulations."

- Haha. I didn't call to receive congratulations. We wrapped up the filming a while ago, but there's a lot of VFX and color grading...

Director Kim Hansu, who had grown more affectionate toward Ryu Yeonwoo during the production, rambled on.

Just as Yeonwoo was thinking that Director Kim wasn't usually this talkative, the main topic came up.

- So, I was wondering if Yeonwoo could attend the production announcement. Since you played a very important role, even if it was a cameo.

Although it was a cameo, Director Kim Hansu had arranged for a considerable amount of payment through Yeonwoo's agency.

Of course, since Yeonwoo, who is managed by LN Entertainment, starred in a movie produced by LN Media, it could be seen as taking care of one's own, but the payment could be considered as a regular casting fee.

"Director, of course. It would be an honor to be invited."

- Oh, no need to say it's an honor. I heard that you're going to be in Director Park's next project. It's already buzzing among the directors in Chungmuro, even though the news hasn't been released yet.

"It's just good luck. Director Park was kind enough to give me a chance."

- I know it's not just luck, as someone who has worked with you. I was proud when I heard the news. Anyway, let's try to schedule the production announcement and the premiere together if there are no other commitments.

"Sure, Director. I'll see you then."

As Yeonwoo hung up, he thought that Director Kim was warmer than he appeared.

However, if the many actors who had worked with the sharp and cold Director Kim Hansu heard Yeonwoo's words, they would probably be surprised.

Meanwhile, the distribution company representative, who received the news of Yeonwoo's participation in the official event, was elated.

"Yes! It seems things are going well."

Yeonwoo's participation was not only desired by Director Kim Hansu but also by the distribution company, as Ryu Yeonwoo, who is popular among the MZ generation, had recently become a hot topic again due to his recent college entrance exam scores.

The publicity manager of 'Spring's Lover,' a romance movie targeting young audiences from teenagers to thirties, was thrilled because Yeonwoo's participation would only bring benefits.

The production announcement was set for January 3rd, and Yeonwoo submitted his college application at the end of the year.

- So, this is the final decision?

"Yes, teacher. But even if I get accepted, I don't think I'll be able to attend school much.

- I understand. Still, it's a great honor for our high school to produce another student accepted to Korea University.

The first choice on the application, submitted after careful consideration by the school and Yeonwoo, was the Economics Department at Korea University.

In his previous life, Yeonwoo, who mainly worked as a diplomat, had many opportunities to interact with diplomats, so he considered the Political Science and Diplomacy Department.

However, from the school's perspective, which was disappointed by his excellent scores, they hoped he would apply to the Economics Department. If he failed, they hoped he would apply to the Political Science and Diplomacy Department in the second round, and Yeonwoo agreed.

In this life, Yeonwoo planned to focus on his entertainment career rather than university life, so he pursued something more comfortable.

Although the curriculum might be different from what he learned 20 years ago, since he graduated from the Economics Department in his previous life, he would find it easier to study compared to other fields.

If he were accepted, he would be re-entering the same department as a 19-year-old, just like he did as a 98-year-old.

"Thinking about it, it's quite interesting."

News articles about Yeonwoo's application flooded the media.

- Blue Chip 'Ryu Yeonwoo' Applies to Korea University's Economics Department

- Will a 'King Car' Be Born in Korea University's Economics Department, Known for Its Elite Students?

- Drama Model Major, Reality Economics Major: 'Summer's Closet' Cha Woo-ju.

Junsu, searching for articles to share in the group chat, shook his head.

"When did 'King Car' become a trend?"

Despite shaking his head, Junsu captured an article with a good photo of Ryu Yeonwoo and posted it in the group chat.

Junsu applied to the Korean Language and Literature Department at Yeonha University.

Although he chose it based on his scores, Junsu had always been interested in writing.

Junsu chose Yeonha University, but surprisingly, Seongsik, who was also smart, got even better scores and applied to the Business Administration Department, with a high chance of acceptance.

"Yeonwoo will definitely get in, so I just need to get in. Ugh."

Junsu felt the weight of love and friendship on his shoulders.

Meanwhile, Yeonwoo visited a shop with Minsoo early in the morning to get dressed up in a stylish check suit.

Minsoo's van arrived at a movie theater in Apgujeong, where the 'Spring's Lover' production announcement was being held.

Yeonwoo, who took the staff elevator, was guided to the waiting room.

"Oh, Yeonwoo, you're here."

Director Kim Hansu, who stood up to greet Yeonwoo.

"Director, it's been a while."

Yeonwoo quickly approached Director Kim, shook his hand with both hands, and bowed.

Next to Director Kim, the lead actors Kang Joo-won and Han Ye-jin stood up.

"I've seen the early scenes you shot. Thank you for raising the quality of our movie."

Kang Joo-won, who had a unique speaking style that Yeonwoo had imitated many times during his analysis, thanked Yeonwoo.

"It's an honor, senior."

Yeonwoo shook hands with Joo-won and felt a strange emotion.

Joo-won was the main character of the works Yeonwoo had watched countless times while analyzing the 'Ji Woo-hyuk' character, a big actor with a glamorous filmography.

The same went for the actress Han Ye-jin and the veteran actor Yoo Hae-sik standing next to her.

After Yeonwoo greeted the seniors one by one and sat down, someone tapped him from behind.

"Yeonwoo."

Turning around, he saw Jung Suyeon smiling awkwardly.

Although they had talked a lot online, this was the first time they met in person since the filming.

"Ah, Suyeon. It's been a while."

Yeonwoo also smiled awkwardly and went to sit next to Suyeon.

"Oh, you two seem to have gotten close."

Han Ye-jin, who played the adult version of Suyeon's character, looked back with interest.

"Ah, we exchanged numbers on the set. This is our second time meeting."

Yeonwoo's explanation made the directors and actors, who were bored in the waiting room, look over.

"Oh, Yeonwoo. You're a man, aren't you?"

Director Kim Hansu, who was joking, laughed.

Actually, Suyeon was the one who asked for the number first, but Yeonwoo didn't want to reveal that and just smiled awkwardly.

"Anyway, Director Kim seems to really care for Yeonwoo."

Kang Joo-won, who was sitting next to Director Kim, playfully said, as if he was jealous.

"Kang, you should work with Yeonwoo in the future. He's a very charming person, both as a person and as an actor."

Director Kim's high praise made Han Ye-jin and Yoo Hae-sik's eyes widen.

Everyone knew that Director Kim rarely gave generous praise to anyone.

At that moment, a staff member opened the door and announced that it was time to enter.

The director led the way, followed by the actors, and they completed a brief photo wall event before entering the production announcement venue.

This production announcement was a closed event for the press and related personnel, so the venue had a well-organized atmosphere.

Unlike 'Summer's Closet,' there was no online live broadcast, making the scene more subdued.

Yeonwoo, feeling the different atmosphere, sat at the end with Suyeon.

"Is it always this serious?"

Suyeon whispered to Yeonwoo, who was sitting next to her.

Suyeon, who had only done web dramas, was attending a commercial film production announcement for the first time.

However, Yeonwoo, who had only done dramas, was in the same boat.

The host, a former comedian, started speaking after receiving a cue from the staff.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending today. I am Kim Young-hwan, hosting the production announcement of 'Spring's Lover,' which will make our hearts flutter from the start of the year. Nice to meet you."

The staff and related personnel clapped, and the actors quietly joined in.

"Before introducing the director and actors, let's take a brief look at our movie."

The lights dimmed, and the teaser trailer for the movie played on the screen behind.

Yeonwoo and Suyeon appeared in the first scene.

The school life scenes, shot in reverse order, flowed briefly, ending with the water fountain scene.

- Are you too shocked? Why aren't you talking? Are you okay?

Yeonwoo's voice faded out, and Kang Joo-won, dressed as a firefighter, appeared fighting the flames.

- Are you okay? Are you okay!

Kang Joo-won, or the firefighter Ji Woo-hyuk, scolded the dazed new recruit at the fire scene.

The voice of the young Ji Woo-hyuk, played by Yeonwoo, lingered, connecting the scenes with the same tone.

'Wow, they edited it like this. It's good.'

Yeonwoo nodded, satisfied with the editing that highlighted his efforts.

The movie 'Spring's Lover' tells the story of Ji Woo-hyuk, who grew up in a rural village and became a firefighter in the city.

Ji Woo-hyuk, worn out both physically and mentally, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his work.

His older brother, who moved to the city first, was worried about Woo-hyuk's exhausted state.

So, Woo-hyuk returned to his hometown with his young nephew and took a temporary break.

The female lead, Ha Ye-ri, was a teacher at the new kindergarten the nephew attended, and the two met again.

After the introduction video, the host, Kim Young-hwan, spoke again after receiving a cue from the staff.

"After watching the video, I'm really excited. I think it's probably due to the magic of Director Kim Hansu, who is directing this project."

Pausing for a moment and looking at Director Kim, Kim Young-hwan continued.

"Director Kim Hansu, the character of Ji Woo-hyuk in this project seems quite different. Could you briefly describe Ji Woo-hyuk?"

Director Kim Hansu, smiling, picked up the microphone in front of him.