The chaotic atmosphere lingered after the screening. The audience buzzed with excitement over the great film they'd just seen, while the cast expressed gratitude for the well-crafted work.
"Alright, we'll start the GV in about five minutes."
The host announced it over the mic. Time for those who wanted to leave to go, and those who wanted to stay to stick around. Of course, after coming all the way to the premiere and loving the movie, almost no one bailed.
"How does GV work?"
"Usually questions go to the director first, so we just stand by. But sometimes they hit the actors too."
GV stood for Guest Visit, the post-screening Q&A where cast, crew, and audience connected.
Moo-young shook out his body, a hint of tension in his movements.
"Oppa, tell me what you thought of the movie!"
"Hmm, what part are you curious about?"
"From start to finish!"
Yuna clung to him, chattering away like a magpie. She'd buy it on VOD the second it dropped, but waiting that long was torture—especially since he was the lead.
"Okay, let's begin. Everyone line up in a row, please."
"Ugh, time to get up."
They formed a neat line in front of the screen, just like during the opening greetings. Flashes popped nonstop, the crowd's attention electric.
Moo-young scanned for his fans again.
They're still here.
They waved their placards, cheering him on. He pulled out his phone, locked eyes with them through the camera, and threw in a playful wink.
"Yes, Plague lived up to the hype—fun, lingering, profound. We'll kick off with a quick commentary from director Jin Kyung-moon, then take audience questions."
The room hushed at the host's words. Jin Kyung-moon tapped the mic and launched into his thoughts—the film's direction, its intended message, the core story he wanted to tell.
"—And that's why I'm so grateful to everyone here today. Art has always been about interaction, hasn't it? Seeing you enjoy and feel moved by the film fills me with ecstasy."
"Well said. Now, audience questions... Yes! You in the hoodie."
Each pointed question was a gem, brimming with love for the movie and its team.
"In the scene where the quarantine zone seals and Jin bolts first, what's the meaning behind the dropped cigarette?"
"Louis's death was so striking. How'd you shoot it? Any behind-the-scenes stories?"
"The story unfolds through Jenny's eyes, but why skip the single-room landlady's death?"
Wow, these folks had sharp eyes for cinema. No surprise—premiere invites or lottery wins meant serious film buffs.
"Ah, that part—"
Jin Kyung-moon answered with passion, striving for satisfying responses. The questions came sharp sometimes, soothing others, all laced with affection. Moo-young marveled at the GV's classy vibe.
"Is GV always like this?"
It felt like eager students grilling a professor in an elite university lecture hall.
Yi Hi-jun glanced sideways and muttered,
"Nah, just extra special today."
They'd lucked out with an exceptional crowd—and reporters seemed mixed in too.
The heat built until near the end.
"Yes, you in the black tee."
"Hello. Great film, Plague. But why this superstition? Movies with kids or animals as leads have to be hits just to break even."
The warm tension shattered like ice. Rude opener had actors and front-row audience twisting back. The man pressed on undeterred.
"What do you think? Will director Jin Kyung-moon's career triumph, or the curse? Fun fact: most big directors' kid-led films are rare successes."
"Who the hell is that guy?"
"Right? What's his deal?"
Whispers rippled. But his mic owned the theater, voice ringing clear.
"Second question: the ending. Open-ended—did Jenny live or die? Why? No way a kid survives that. Feels like twisting a obvious scene for artsy effect. Doesn't make sense."
"Uh..."
The host faltered, glancing awkwardly at Jin Kyung-moon. The director looked stunned, mind blank from the unexpected barb.
"Director?"
Poor guy—he seemed too nice. Hi-jun inwardly tsked and turned away. He'd have yelled "Get out!" by now, but the director politely engaged, treating him like any audience member. His brain was probably a whirlwind.
Reporters are here too. Wait, is that jerk one?
Dim theater hid the man's face clearly. The host summarized for the dazed director.
"So, first: thoughts on the superstition. Second: the open ending. Two questions."
"Ah, yes. Sure. Well... superstitions exist, and I heard plenty during scripting..."
Then Moo-young squeezed Yuna's hand tighter. She stared ahead calmly, but fury simmered. After all her lead-role grind, this guy spouting curse nonsense—implying it'd flop?
"Excuse me."
Moo-young, who'd been watching her, raised his hand. Jin Kyung-moon's eyes widened in surprise, mic still in grip.
"Mind if I answer instead? If that's okay with both of you."
"Me? Fine by me."
Jin Kyung-moon handed over the mic like a hot potato. The man just nodded silently.
"Ha Moo-young here, Louis."
Yuna peered up curiously—what would oppa say? Moo-young smiled and ruffled her hair.
"First off: a film's success isn't one person's burden. Unlike solo art like writing or painting, this was hundreds—actors, director, writer, crew—united."
Click-click. In the quiet theater, only shutters snapped amid his words. His low, soothing voice was a pleasure to hear.
"Superstitions are just that. I believe it'll reflect our team's hard work. And as you saw, Yuna was incredible."
With each careful sentence, faint specks drifted into Moo-young's view. He casually rubbed his jaw, confirming.
Flower pollen.
"She showed adult-level effort, passion, acting. I didn't see her as a kid—just an actor."
"Great point," the host chimed admiringly. Yuna's eyes sparkled, fixed on him.
"On the last scene, we talked a lot—about the ending. It hit me: that's part of film's joy. Hope you all share it."
Hi-jun, listening beside him, let out an impressed chuckle. Kid from Seoyeondae must've aced presentations—smoothly dismantling minefields with finesse.
"Ah, on the ending: when I first got the script—"
Jin Kyung-moon, now collected, reclaimed the mic. Yuna gripped Moo-young's hand, beaming.
"Thanks, oppa."
"No biggie. Just facts."
She nuzzled his waist like a puppy. Cameras captured their sweet moment.
"Yuna really sticks to Ha Moo-young."
"Totally like Louis and Jenny."
The deflated vibe warmed back up. Finishing his play with Yuna, Moo-young looked ahead.
"...!"
Flower pollen rained down, turning the dark theater cosmic. Glitter from red velvet curtains evoked a stadium.
"Whoa."
"What?"
"Nothing. Looks like good things coming."
He brushed it off. Yuna tilted her head.
"Movie gonna smash?"
"Yeah, seems so."
Release in a week, drama premiere two weeks after. After this nonstop sprint, sweet fruits awaited.
"—Thank you for the great answers. Sadly, time's up for today's GV. Thanks to our audience and Plague team—wishing you box-office gold. Thank you."
The host wrapped expertly post-director. Applause and cheers rang out.
"This way, please."
Staff guided director and cast through passages. Go Kyung-min signaled from the corner.
"Moo-young! Stick with staff—crowd's huge!"
"You too, hyung!"
Outside, mobs waited—not invites, but star-spotters. Half reporters, half fans!
"Oppa!"
"Look here!"
"Autograph, please!"
Hands thrust through security—notes, phones. Other actors heads-down, pushing through...
"Whoa, hold up."
Moo-young alone halted, U-turning. A "Ha Moo-young" placard pulled him.
He stretched for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you. Thanks for coming."
"I'm a fan! Moo-young, sign please!"
"Got pen and paper?"
"Here!"
"Me too!"
Stopping sparked thunderous cheers. Guards tugged awkwardly, but he grinned while dragged.
"Wait—one sec. I got time before schedule. Autographs okay?"
"Love you!"
"Whoa, me too. Thanks!"
This fire was new. Spotting a gap, fans swarmed. Moo-young waved them into line.
"Queue up—I'll do as many as I can. Shh, quiet."
Guards relented, forming a barrier. Far off, manager panicked amid the crush.
Oh man, Moo-young!
Naive to crowds or fan-love pure? Go Kyung-min hugged the wall, praying for calm.
"Sorry."
Bumping a woman's shoulder—a stylish-suited middle-aged pro. She smiled and passed.
Real charisma. Enter biz?
Go Kyung-min sensed her aura—honed social instincts.
The woman who'd just attended Plague's GV was Kang Ok-kyeong, head of investments at Netflix Korea, the world's top OTT platform.
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Read 94 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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