NOVEL NEXT Chapter 193:
Two years after the audition.
Finally, the release of the film was just a day away.
[Director James Won, starring Kang Jinseok. premieres tomorrow. Delayed by a whopping 6 months. Why?]
[Delayed release. Was there a problem with the movie production?]
[ distributor ‘OS MOVIES' Team Leader Jang Sunho, "There's no problem with the movie. Don't worry and enjoy."]
Like most film projects, , which had become endlessly prolonged compared to its original production period, had many twists and turns even before its release.
The prolonged production period implied issues during the production process.
Actor's escapades, friction among the production team, cooperation issues with shooting locations, and the like.
Apart from these concerns-laden articles, there were plenty of others.
[ simultaneous global box office release.]
[Kang Jinseok shines in CGB nationwide!]
The press poured out articles about , billed as the ‘first Hollywood film with a Korean lead' as if reflecting the public's interest in the work of the top star returning after a whopping two years.
***
Saturday morning, 9 o'clock.
Yongsan CGB 1 theater was filled with Jinseok's acquaintances from start to finish, ranging from Warehouse employees to university juniors and seniors.
Among them were celebrities like Seo Yeonsoo, Yeo Hyemin, and Park Haeyeon.
They all had different outfits and various ways of getting here, but they shared the same thoughts.
"…I thought I was the only one given a ticket."
However, upon arrival, the cinema seemed to be almost a gathering of ‘Kang Jinseok's acquaintances'.
While the Warehouse employees and other directors and producers were happily waiting for the movie, those three couldn't laugh or make noise as much.
There was a subtle and awkward atmosphere circulating among them.
After a while, the movie began.
——
"Got beaten by Mom again today."
"Again?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"My neck and butt."
"Still better than yesterday, though. Yesterday, she tied me up and slapped me."
"Yeah, but the pain is the same."
"That's true. But did you make any friends today?"
"No. My dad won't let me go to school. It doesn't matter since no one plays with me at school anyway. But it's okay because you're here."
——
The movie begins with a monologue from a child facing a mirror. The child's face was full of scars, and bruises on parts exposed beyond the clothes seemed even more severe.
It was undoubtedly a depiction of a child suffering from domestic violence.
Soon, the culprit who had ruined the child appeared.
——
"Andy Miller!! Are you talking to yourself again?!"
——
A man, with his face flushed, either from alcohol or anger, rushed into Andy Miller's room.
Trying to evade him, Andy Miller fled under the bed, but there was no escape from the man's belt whip.
It continued with the repeated lashes.
——
"Andy, from now on, you're going to live with me at our church. You don't have to worry about anything. Your stepmom and dad can't touch you anymore."
——
With the help of the pastor, Andy Miller escaped from his abusive foster parents. He left everything behind to erase the horrifying memories of his foster parents, except for one thing—his friend, ‘Hand Mirror.'
Seeing Andy holding the hand mirror, the pastor asked with a warm smile.
——
"Are you taking that with you?"
"Yes. This is my friend."
"Friend?"
"Yes. ‘Andy Ramil.' I'll introduce you later."
——
Looking at Andy saying such words, the pastor seemed a bit concerned. However, he couldn't make Andy discard the only thing he had clung to. Eventually, the pastor allowed Andy Miller to take the hand mirror.
The movie then portrayed Andy Miller's happy life for a while. Going to school like everyone else, engaging in sports, and making friends—a normal life.
Having overcome the pain of his childhood, Andy grew into a popular young man at school, excelling in his studies and gaining admission to a prestigious university.
After spending such joyful times, Andy returned to his home and the church for the summer vacation.
——
"Pastor, I'm back!"
——
Up until he spoke so cheerfully, everything seemed fine.
But.
On that night, Andy Ramil brutally murdered the pastor.
——
"Sob… Sob… I'm sorry, Pastor. I'm truly sorry."
——
Jinseok choked up as he buried the pastor's body. After that, he headed to the shower room to wash away the blood and dirt on his body.
While showering.
Jinseok happened to see a mirror.
The screen, which showed Jinseok's torso with lingering shower water, gradually shifted towards the mirror.
Soon, the back of Jinseok's head was visible.
And reflected in the mirror was Jinseok.
There, ‘Andy in the Mirror,' Andy Ramil, was present.
——
"Long time no see, Andy. How have you been?"
——
The Jinseok in the mirror spoke eerily with a strange smile.
Upon hearing those words, Seo Yeonsoo gripped her arm tightly.
"…Chilling."
Although she had already seen this scene multiple times in the trailer, it felt entirely different when experienced in the movie.
Seo Yeonsoo wasn't the only one feeling this way. The sounds of tense breaths from other audience members echoed throughout the theater.
From that point on, the movie passed in the blink of an eye.
Scenes of ‘Andy Ramil killing Andy Miller's acquaintances and Andy Miller agonizing over his deeds unfolded.
It was a simple scene transition, yet the audience couldn't take their eyes off for even a moment. Whether it was due to excellent direction, Jinseok's acting, or both, the immersion was remarkable.
And the movie reached its climax towards the end.
——
"Now… Please, stop. Please stop. How many more do you need to kill to be satisfied…"
——
Through Jinseok's fingers covering his face in his room, red liquid trickled down. The blood on his face melted into tears, creating bloody tears.
On the bedroom floor where Jinseok looked down, there was the ‘Hand Mirror.' The hand mirror that created ‘Andy Ramil,' who protected and became a friend during his childhood.
——
"Oh… Andy. What do you mean by stop? It's just the beginning. There are still many more people to kill."
"You crazy bastard! When the hell are you going to stop? How many more do you need to kill to be satisfied?!"
"I'm going to kill everyone who took you away from me. So, when there's no one else around you except me again, let's have fun together."
"For fuck's sake, stop…"
"Andy, do you finally understand now? The pain and sadness of becoming alone?"
——
The presence of Jinseok's back and the hand mirror filled the screen.
Jinseok's face was reflected in the hand mirror, and he continued to change his voice and expression while talking to himself.
It was as if the two were having a conversation, so natural and chilling.
The movie theater was filled with the sound of the movie and even the slightest rustling, the sound of popcorn scraping the floor, and even the sound of breathing were unheard.
——
"Shut up!!!"
——
Jinseok threw the hand mirror against the wall.
The mirror shattered, fragments flying everywhere, and some shards embedded themselves in Jinseok's face.
——
"Phew… Phew…"
——
Jinseok breathed heavily.
With the disappearance of the hand mirror, ‘Andy Ramil' did not appear anymore.
The perspective shifted again. Now, instead of Jinseok's face, the back of his head was visible on the screen.
But then.
——
"Andy, breaking that precious hand mirror filled with our memories, isn't that a bit too much?"
——
Even though the hand mirror was gone, the voice of ‘Andy Ramil' could be heard.
Jinseok grabbed his head, covering his ears. He hit his ears repeatedly with fists and palms to avoid hearing ‘Andy Ramil's' voice, causing blood to flow.
Whether it was Jinseok's real blood or a prop, only the production team would know.
——
"We'll be together until we die. If there's a mirror, you can see my face, but even without it, it doesn't matter."
"Why are you like this, Andy? We're friends. And don't worry. Soon, my revenge will be over. Before that, whether you get caught by the police and end up in jail or a mental hospital, it doesn't matter. You'll be alone again, and then we'll be together forever. Hehehe."
——
Now unable to bear it any longer, Jinseok began to throw everything in the room like a madman.
——
"Ahh!"
"Hehehe."
——
Jinseok violently tore at his messy hair. Inside his head, the ominous laughter of ‘Andy in the Mirror' continued.
——
"That is…"
——
At that moment, something twinkled in Jinseok's eyes.
A gun. The same gun ‘Andy Ramil used to kill his girlfriend.
Jinseok picked up the gun as if possessed by something.
Then Jinseok's monologue was heard.
——
"To stop Andy Ramil, there's no other way. I have to die."
——
Jinseok loaded bullets into the gun, trembling hands dropping more bullets than he loaded. But somehow, he managed to load the gun.
Jinseok pressed the gun to his mouth.
If he pulled the trigger, with that single action, everything would be over.
Thunk!
Jinseok's left hand blocked his right hand holding the trigger.
With the barrel in his mouth, Jinseok, with an eerie smile, said:
——
"Oh, Andy, what are you doing? No, this can't be. It's not right. We still have so many days to spend together."
"Let go. Let me go. I'm going to die."
"Do you think I'll let you do that? Absolutely not. Let's have fun like we used to. We were happy back then."
——
Jinseok's right hand trying to pull the trigger and his left hand trying to stop it fiercely clashed.
For over 30 seconds, the one scene illuminated only Jinseok's face, the gun, and both fingers caught on the trigger.
Then, suddenly, the screen went black.
Bang!
And breaking the silent atmosphere, the sound of a gunshot was heard.