Chapter 79

079. The Master's Wait

"Is it a curtain call?"

A voice filled with doubt burst out.

Isn't that something the actors do? Especially the lead actors?

With a puzzled look, she waited, and the M&ACT staff member who had come to discuss publicity smiled and nodded.

"This is quite unusual. Usually, composers don't participate in curtain calls."

So, that's it.

"But, it seems SJ Entertainment has been receiving a lot of such requests. The person in charge hinted at it, so I thought we should discuss it with you. Since you have your schedule in the U.S., we could just do the curtain call in Seoul. Unusual things tend to become topics of conversation, especially for the current Han Seoho."

"I don't mind going out, but will the audience welcome it?"

"To be honest, we're not sure. Most of the audience comes to see the actors. That's why we're asking for your opinion. If you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to do it. But what's certain is..."

The staff member, who had been speaking cautiously, changed the tone and raised his voice.

"The OST's response has been insane. I've never seen a Korean film create such a stir with its music while I've been in this business."

#

[A decidedly the worst movie of the year.]

[The only thing left is the music, but it doesn't fit the movie.]

[I expected a bigger scale from the trailer, but that was all there was. At least the trailer wasn't boring...]

The critics' reviews section looks like it has been carpet-bombed, with a few survivors being picked off.

A man standing in front of the ticket counter, where people were buzzing, scrolled through his phone and clicked his tongue.

"......Why is the reaction like this?"

"See? That's why I booked this one."

The woman, holding a popcorn, waved the ticket confidently.

The man, looking incredulous, moved his fingers again.

"These are critics' reviews. The audience's reactions will be different. Look! It's completely fun! I can't be the only one... "

It was the only five-star review. There's a self-destructive person here.

The woman smiled at the man, who was blinking.

"Did I do well?"

"Ugh, so it's fun?"

"Are you kidding? You're the only one who doesn't know. Well, you would know if you went to cafes often."

"Why cafes all of a sudden?"

"Wherever you go, it's all about this movie's OST. It's a huge hit."

"I don't really like cafes. So, the title... Soprano? I should check the reviews. The critics' reviews might not be good either."

[Releasing the OST simultaneously with the premiere was a stroke of genius. Once you hear it, you can't help but get hooked, and you'll want to hear it in the theater.]

[I mentioned the changed tone of the film in the past, during the Yuncharter era. I was curious about where director Park Dongjin and writer Song Eunhye's inspiration came from, and this film answered that question. It's a movie that simply portrays geniuses.]

[I couldn't help but cry during the end credits after the movie ended. The moment when my cheers for the protagonist from outside the movie and the supporting actors' wishes from inside the movie merged felt like I was singing in that scene.]

[It was a well-made movie and the best concert. Especially, I felt a thrill during the final curtain call.]

The woman smiled at the man, who was reading the reviews blankly.

"How about it? It's not bad, right?"

"It's more than just not bad. If I only saw this, I'd say it's already a ten million movie."

"So, listen to me. It saves you from a disaster."

After a while, the man, who had been scrolling through the reviews, looked around as if giving up.

"Still, there are so many people. Could all these people...?"

He narrowed his eyes, smelling the sweet scent of popcorn, and a staff member called out from the direction of the screening rooms.

"Please come in for the 3rd screening room!"

"It's still 5 minutes away, but let's go in early. Come on."

The man stood up, pulling the woman's arm, but then stopped and stared at the screening room.

"Should we go in a little later?"

The couple sat down again.

Most of the people in their view were rushing to the screening room.

#

A flower blooming in the mud has something beyond beauty.

Seeing the brutal process, the audience can't help but cheer for the flower. They can't take their eyes off the big screen, eager to see the flower in full bloom. They laugh and follow the story together.

Finally, seeing the flower bloom on the grand stage, the audience felt happiness.

It doesn't chase reality viciously.

It doesn't leave a bitter aftertaste.

It's the perfect ending everyone wanted to see.

Even if that was enough to satisfy the audience, the movie sends a letter with the end credits.

The letter was a video, an epilogue, and a curtain call.

The strings played.

A man who had casually tidied up his nest came down from the second floor. He turned and saw the children gathered in front of his stationery store, who came running up to ask.

"Uncle, why is the stationery store closed today?"

Though annoying, he wasn't stingy enough to not answer.

"Today is the day I go to sing."

"Sing?"

"Yes, opera."

"Opera?"

The man, looking at the puzzled children, recalled the past.

That child was also crouched here, buying a rubber band with friends.

At that time, he also asked,

"Do you want to come and see?"

A moment later, the man walked, and the children followed timidly.

He's not a Pied Piper or anything.

Smiling, he headed to the meeting place, where a neighbor called out heartily.

"Hey, Banggu!"

"Ah, sister. Please don't call me that."

"Hehe, Banggu, Banggu!"

The neighbor looked puzzled at the children.

"What are you bringing these little tails for?"

"Um... They were in front of the store."

"Hmm, I see."

They started walking with the neighbor.

They arrived at the community center, where many neighbors were already gathered.

"But, teacher, can we really do it?"

"That's right. We can't even do proper vocalization yet."

"I have a low voice. What do you call it? Ah, bass! When I sing bass, I can't help but follow the melody."

The old opera singer, who came down here out of longing for his mother, smiled.

"When you start singing in a choir, everyone feels the same. Don't be afraid and sing confidently. You've worked hard and you're not showing anyone right now."

"Right, it's not that hard, as the teacher said?"

"It's not 'sungak,' it's 'opera.'"

"Sungak!"

"......You need to fix your dialect first, whether it's opera or trot. Right, teacher?"

As the couple bickered, laughter echoed in the community center. The opera teacher, smiling, was busy lining up the people. Once he was satisfied with the arrangement, he faced them and said loudly.

"Okay, let's practice once. It's the first practice, so let's go slowly. Watch my hands well."

At that moment.

The man's hands were close-up, and the door behind him opened.

And.

"......?"

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

"Phew! I thought I'd be late. There were many people checking at the airport... "

The eyes of the neighbors widened.

"You, who are you!?"

"Uncle Banggu, it's been a while!"

"Why are you here?"

"Can't I come here?"

"Well, that's not it... "

The opera teacher also looked at her with a bewildered expression.

"How did you know to come?"

"You posted it on the cafe. You said you'd sing today. I didn't leave the cafe, did I?"

"You... Aren't you very busy?"

"I am very busy. That's why... I came after 5 years."

The main character of the story, smiling widely.

"Can I sing with you? I've practiced hard."

Her laughter was low.

"I didn't expect to conduct a singer at Carnegie Hall."

Everyone in the screen prepared.

The rising music also prepared the audience.

The feeling of anticipation grew,

and everyone's voices burst out together.

───!

The loudest voice from the smallest stage faded as the finale.

The screen went dark.

And the second end credits began to roll. Then, the names of the supporting actors appeared prominently.

In the quiet theater, which gradually brightened, people slowly started talking.

"......I should have brought tissues."

Some people regretted being a mess of tears and snot.

"Didn't the director's previous work also do well?"

"Yuncharter?"

"Oh, I should see that too. It's really fun."

Some audience members, admiring the leftover popcorn, sighed.

"It feels good. These days, many movies leave a bad aftertaste, making me feel exhausted when I leave the theater."

"Exactly. This is healing."

Some couples thought happily about their next date.

Among them, the couple who had argued over the reviews at the ticket counter also left the theater and got into the elevator.

"Wasn't the protagonist really lucky?"

They were savoring the film.

The man's deep question made the woman nod vigorously.

"Yes, it turned out great. Not only did he succeed, but... "

The next moment, a grateful voice echoed in the elevator.

"Because he got to do the music he always wanted to."

Everyone inside nodded in their hearts.

#

"Kyaah! Se-kyung!"

A scream echoed.

Click! Click!

Flashes burst from all directions.

The scene inside the theater, visible through the slightly open door.

It's hard to tell if it's a battlefield or a movie theater.

-Acting is acting, singing is singing. A star who has it all! Han Se-kyung!

Han Se-kyung, who received the microphone, greeted the audience and made the theater erupt with enthusiasm again by saying the movie was enjoyable.

Next was Chae Yi-yeon, who played the young version of the protagonist.

The theater was turned upside down again with the introduction by the host. Just last year, she was an unknown actor, but the consecutive successes of Yuncharter and Soprano have changed her status.

I was relieved. Although her future has changed, seeing Chae Yi-yeon's expression on stage, it seems to be a good change.

Then, the main actors' curtain call followed.

As a special guest, I waited for my turn outside the theater, listening to the cheers.

Although I have been appearing in interviews and videos since the competition, this is the first time I'm facing the audience directly.

'If this is surprising, it is.'

Considering I used to hate being in the spotlight, it's surprising that I'm here on purpose. Still, in the midst of these renowned actors, does being a special guest have any meaning?

I had such doubts, but the host announced, "Let's introduce today's special guest!"

The staff opened the door wide.

I walked into the theater.

The flashing lights disoriented my vision, and the cheers deafened my ears.

I didn't expect this much.

The name of a fan club, 'Han Sori,' flashed in my mind. Before I knew it, a microphone was in my hand.

I should greet them.

-Hello, I'm Han Se-ho, who worked on the music for Soprano.

"I love your singing!"

"Whenever I hear the music, I want to watch the movie again. I've already seen it three times!"

"I really listen to it every day!"

Wow......

Han Se-kyung put her hand on the surprised Chae Yi-yeon's shoulder. When Chae Yi-yeon looked up with wide eyes, Han Se-kyung smiled and stuck out her tongue.

"The real star is someone else, isn't it?"

#

......Olivia headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport early in the morning.

To meet Han Se-ho, who was coming to New York for a showcase.

She looked at the sign and spoke into her phone.

"The flight from Korea just arrived. He should be coming out soon. I plan to go to the hotel first and then follow the schedule. Yes, see you later."

She ended the call and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms.

She started waiting again. How long had it been? The gate opened, and Han Se-ho appeared. It seemed there were few people at the airport who were interested in classical music, as she could recognize him immediately. That's a relief.

"You must have had a long trip."

She approached quickly and smiled, and Han Se-ho's mother smiled back.

"Thanks to your attention, it was a comfortable trip."

It was probably a response to the business-class ticket booked by the company.

Olivia smiled back and took one of the suitcases.

They chatted about how they had been while leaving the airport.

"First, let's drop off your luggage at the hotel."

"Then, we're going to Bard College, right?"

Han Se-ho asked while putting the suitcase in the car trunk.

Olivia, opening the driver's door, nodded.

"Yes, as we discussed before... "

And she added, as if amazed by the situation.

"Professor Celine is waiting for you."