Chapter 128: One of a Kind of Girl (4)

The premiere of One of a Kind of Girl had finally begun. Despite being the premiere of a film with a relatively minor feel to it, a lot more people had come to the premiere than expected. Kim Chi-Yeol had also taken up one of the seats. Seeing him from backstage, Kang Ra-Eun clicked her tongue.

‘Is there anywhere he doesn’t attend?’

Ra-Eun was also well aware that Chi-Yeol’s job was closely involved with popular culture, but she still got angry regardless.

Seeing her reaction from behind her, Hwang Seung-Beom whispered, “What’s wrong, sunbae? Is there a problem?”

“Nope,” Ra-Eun answered with a frown. “I just saw an insect crawling around the premiere venue.”

Her voice was filled with bloodlust.

***

The host of the premiere raised his voice to elevate the mood of the venue.

“Please give a big round of applause to Director Yoon Tae-Yoon and the lead actors of One of a Kind of Girl!”

The audience greeted them with applause as they walked on stage. They cheered the loudest when Ra-Eun appeared. Ra-Eun, Seung-Beom, Woo Kang-Hyun who played the male Min Ju-Tae, and Director Yoon lined up side by side across the audience.

The host first asked Ra-Eun, “Please introduce yourself.”

“Hello. I’m Kang Ra-Eun, and I played the role of the female Min Ju-Tae. I didn’t expect so many people to come to the premiere, so I’m quite nervous. Please enjoy One of a Kind of Girl, and we’d appreciate good reviews since we’ve worked very hard on it.”

Her final sentence was targeted at the reporters and critics. A film’s popularity ultimately came down to public opinion, but the ones who brought about the initial wave were the people in front of her. The attention of movie fans couldn’t help but be focused on them since they would be watching the movie first during the premiere. A few of the reporters and critics nodded as indication that she could leave it to them.

The other cast members also introduced themselves one by one after Ra-Eun. After the short introductions, the four of them sat down in the chairs provided for them. As Ra-Eun sat down, the hem of her dress drooped downward, fully exposing her left leg. She had decided to trust her stylist in that there was no way her underwear would show, but...

‘It still bothers me.’

She shook her head and focused on the premiere. Since the movie would screen after a short interview, the cast had to answer the host’s questions while abstaining from saying anything that could become a spoiler.

The host asked Ra-Eun after about twenty minutes had passed, “Miss Kang. Do you have any memorable moments during filming?”

This kind of question was the most common in a film premiere.

She answered with a light smile, “Every single moment was memorable for me.”

Ra-Eun masterfully evaded the host’s question. She used to think all day about how to answer such questions early after her debut.

‘I guess I’m a full-fledged veteran now.’

She praised herself in her head. The host passed the baton over to Seung-Beom.

“What about you, Mr. Hwang?”

“For me...”

Ra-Eun glanced at Seung-Beom. She was slightly worried that he would blurt out that she had disciplined him. The more things one had to hide, the more anxious they were. However, Seung-Beom answered the question in a completely different way from her worries.

“During the first scene that I had with Ra-Eun sunbae, I was so nervous that I had caused tons of NG cuts. I’d say the most memorable moment for me was when she called me over privately and gave me one-on-one acting guidance.”

He was talking about when she had made him endlessly repeat sitting down and standing up. Ra-Eun was laser-focused on Seung-Beom. She was planning on “accidentally” kicking him in the shin if he exposed that she had disciplined him, but he did not say anything worth worrying about. Rather...

“Her guidance was amazing.”

The host responded with a hearty laugh, “It sounds like Miss Kang treated you very gently.”

“Yes. How should I say this... It’s as if she had opened my eyes to a whole new world.”

The audience fully expected the ‘whole new world’ that Seung-Beom had mentioned was acting-related, but they were completely wrong. He was saying that Ra-Eun had opened his eyes to the world of masochism. However not a single person in the venue grasped the truth of his words; not even Ra-Eun understood what he was talking about exactly.

‘Well, I’m sure he sugar-coated it so that I wouldn’t be criticized.’

That was how she had interpreted it.

***

More and more time passed, and the interview was coming to an end. The host looked at his script and back at the cast.

“Let us have the actors and the director give closing statements before playing the film. Please start us off, Miss Kang.”

“Okay.”

Ra-Eun was now used to being designated first after having been during the entire premiere.

“Like I’ve said in the beginning, we actors and the staff members have all worked very hard on this film, so I hope you’ll all enjoy it.”

It was an extension of her introductory speech. After Seung-Beom and Kang-Hyun gave their closing statements, Director Yoon’s turn arrived.

“You could say that this film is filled with Miss Kang Ra-Eun’s charms.”

The film had many entertaining elements to it, but as a director, Tae-Yoon wanted to emphasize the element that was Kang Ra-Eun above all else.

“This was my first time working together with Ra-Eun, but I was honestly shocked by her a lot as time went by. I was shocked by the fact that there was an actress with this much individuality in Korea, and also the fact that her acting skills were so outstanding despite not having much experience.”

Ra-Eun had never expected Director Yoon to praise her this much, so she maintained an awkward smile to hide her embarrassment. However, the director was not done yet.

“I’m not sure if I have a place to say this, but I believe Ra-Eun is one of the greatest actresses in Korea. To me, Ra-Eun is one of a kind of girl like the title suggests, and I’m sure that you all will feel the same after watching this film. Please take a good look.”

The audience’s expectations were elevated a step higher from Director Yoon’s speech, since it meant that his confidence in this film was just as high. Ra-Eun also felt the same way as the director.

‘But being praised so much is a bit...’

She felt happy, but also somewhat worried since she would be hurt if people didn’t like the film after Director Yoon had praised it so much. Not only that, One of a Kind of Girl was not one of the productions that she 100% knew was going to be a hit. Not even she had any idea whether it was going to be a hit or a flop since this was not in the future that she knew.

“The movie will now begin.”

She would know in roughly two hours whether or not the actress Kang Ra-Eun would be praised by the public like Director Yoon was sure of.

***

The movie One of a Kind of Girl was released to the world for the very first time. After the movie ended and the ending credits rolled, the audience’s response was fortunately positive.

Clap, clap, clap—!

.

It received a storm of applause. Ra-Eun sighed in relief amongst the audience’s cheers.

‘Thank God their response isn’t bad.’

She was considerably worried because it covered quite an unorthodox genre, but just because it was unorthodox didn’t mean it wouldn’t be successful. There were instances that such genres became huge hits, and the critics and reporters were thinking One of a Kind of Girl would be one of them.

The movie screening moved on to a simple Q&A session, but it did not last very long since the premiere had gone on for longer than expected. Director Yoon asked for the critics and reporters’ understanding.

“We’ll resolve any unanswered questions at future interviews.”

It was a shame, but it could not be helped. They complied with Director Yoon. They seemed to have a considerable number of questions they still wanted to ask.

As the premiere was coming to an end, the attendees exchanged short greetings with each other. Ra-Eun unconsciously looked back and forth at Chi-Yeol and Park Hee-Woo. They were not even trying to glance at each other’s general direction.

‘They don’t get along as always.’

Before and after she had returned to the past, Kim Han-Gyo and Chi-Yeol had a terrible relationship with TP Group. Although they saw each other very often since they were in similar fields, they never affectionately greeted each other, and it was the same case now.

Chi-Yeol happened to make eye contact with Ra-Eun while talking with other people, and walked over to her.

“Ra-Eun. I loved the movie. It was a wonderful production that was both entertaining and touching. I’m sure it wouldn’t have garnered this positive of a response if you hadn’t taken on the lead role.”

Chi-Yeol rapid-fired praises for Ra-Eun before he even had a chance to breathe. But then, someone stood between him and Ra-Eun as if to separate them. It was Vice President Park Hee-Woo.

“I’m sorry, but Ra-Eun and I have things to talk about. I hope you won't bother her, Chi-Yeol.”

“...”

Hee-Woo and Chi-Yeol were having a fierce battle of nerves with Ra-Eun on the line. Ra-Eun clicked her tongue at the triangular relationship laid out before her.

‘I never thought I’d get to see something like this.’

It seemed like she wasn’t one of a kind of girl only to Director Yoon.