The Face Genius Actor

Episode 125

Gautier Fournier was a journalist for Le Monde, France’s leading newspaper.

Gautier Fournier was treated quite well at Le Monde.

The fact that he was allowed to come to the Cannes Film Festival for coverage every year proved this.

Covering the Cannes Film Festival was a rather leisurely job, almost like a vacation.

But in reality, Gautier Fournier didn’t particularly enjoy covering the Cannes Film Festival.

It was too boring a job to expect any special events.

When he first covered the Cannes Film Festival, it didn’t feel like this.

He even felt excited about the fact that he could see world-famous directors and actors up close.

However, that was only for the first couple of times; doing this coverage every year, he honestly didn’t feel much excitement anymore.

No matter how beautiful or handsome the global stars he met were, he felt nothing.

He just habitually picked up his camera and pressed the shutter.

‘Still, this year Junior Cashfl and Anna Breslauer are here. I guess I can make do with articles about them?’

Director Junior Cashfl was a master who had achieved the biggest box office success in Hollywood history.

He was the first person to create the concept of a blockbuster movie in film history,

and was considered the greatest director since the New Hollywood era, having secured both commercial success and artistic value.

However, given that Junior Cashfl’s main stage of activity was Hollywood, which could be considered the representative of world commercial cinema,

the fact that he was appointed as the jury president for the second time at the Cannes Film Festival following 2013 was quite a significant event.

So Gautier Fournier had already decided to write an article about this after hearing the news before coming to cover the Cannes Film Festival.

It was clear that writing a few lines along with the photos he just took would draw a good response.

And this was also true for an article about Anna Breslauer, who already had many fans worldwide.

Anna Breslauer had maintained a good marriage with world-renowned singer Diogo Cepeda for over 5 years but divorced last year.

“Black Interface”, invited to this Cannes Film Festival, was Anna Breslauer’s comeback to the screen.

For this reason, writing an article about Anna Breslauer would clearly draw the attention of many subscribers.

This was also something he had discussed with the editor-in-chief before coming to Cannes.

‘It’s easy. So easy. Making money is this easy. I want to finish the coverage quickly and have a glass of wine.’

While Gautier Fournier was thinking this and checking the photos he took today, he turned his head towards the red carpet with unfocused eyes.

He couldn’t help but be surprised.

Because someone with an incredible appearance that he couldn’t believe was of this world was walking towards him.

‘What… What is this?’

Gautier Fournier was so surprised that he couldn’t even speak out loud and just thought this.

But what surprised him most was the fact that the person who caught his attention was someone whose name he didn’t even know.

Moreover, the man was Asian.

‘Where is he from? Japanese? Chinese? Or Korean?’

While Gautier Fournier’s thoughts were continuing like this,

Suddenly, an incredible barrage of flashes started pouring towards the man.

It seemed like all the journalists present instinctively thought they should capture the man’s image.

Gautier Fournier also quickly came to his senses and picked up his camera.

Click, click, click.

Despite the incredible barrage of flashes, the man casually raised his hand to greet as if he was used to it.

Seeing this, Gautier Fournier could tell that the man was no ordinary person.

‘He must be an actor from a work invited to this film festival. I’m sure of it.’

At first, he was too busy being surprised by the man’s appearance to notice,

but now he could clearly feel the touch of professionals in not only the makeup but also the outfit.

Also, the fact that he was casually waving his hand while accurately gazing at each camera proved that he was an actor.

It meant he had a profession accustomed to being seen.

After captivating the attention of everyone present for a while, the man disappeared into the opening ceremony venue.

Gautier Fournier watched this scene quietly and thought,

‘I wonder who he is?’

At that moment, Gautier Fournier heard the conversation of other journalists.

“Wasn’t that Lee Si-joon who just passed by?”

“Yeah, I think so. He’s really handsome.”

“They say someone like that not only acts but also wrote the work?”

“That’s what I’m saying. There are really a lot of multi-talented people in Korea when you look.”

Thanks to overhearing the conversation between the two, Gautier Fournier was able to obtain important information.

First, that the man’s name was Lee Si-joon and that he was Korean.

And that this man was both an actor and a screenplay writer.

Both pieces of information were valuable, but what excited Gautier Fournier was the latter.

‘No way… Someone that handsome is not only an actor but also wrote a screenplay? Is this even possible?’

Gautier Fournier was shocked and quickly took out the Cannes Film Festival pamphlet to look for Si-joon’s name.

And soon he could find a work called “I’m Not a Villain”.

‘5 days later. It’s a movie that will be screened this Saturday. If this work is impressive…’

Gautier Fournier pledged to publish an article about Si-joon in Le Monde along with articles about Director Junior Cashfl and Anna Breslauer.

It was worth it just for making his heart, which hadn’t moved at all after participating in this Cannes Film Festival, beat.

* * *

After taking several photos on the red carpet and arriving at the opening ceremony venue, I watched the movie with Director Choi Seo-young.

The opening film was “Old Melancholy and the City” by Director Giovanni Trevisi.

It was a work that definitively judged the human invention of ‘city’ as a failure and beautifully combined it with a woman’s melancholy.

While Director Giovanni Trevisi’s unique visual beauty was impressive, by my standards, it felt a bit boring.

Still, the latest editing techniques used intermittently were worth noting.

‘It’s a shame. It would have been better if the overall symbolism had been melted into a more interesting story.’

It was when I was thinking this about halfway through the movie.

I could feel someone approaching and sitting in the empty seat next to me.

I instinctively turned my head to check the face and couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘Junior Cashfl?’

Junior Cashfl was a director I personally respected.

I couldn’t help it.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Junior Cashfl’s numerous works were almost the beginning and end of my film life.

It was natural considering that the first movie I ever saw in my life was “Dinosaur Park” aired on TV.

In addition, I was deeply impressed by works like “Explorer Jones”, “Hello! Alien”, and “Crime Report”.

Junior Cashfl could be said to be the one who made my childhood imagination bloom.

‘That person is sitting next to me now?’

For this reason, I couldn’t properly watch almost the entire latter half of the movie.

I was busy glancing sideways because I couldn’t believe that Junior Cashfl was sitting next to me.

Finally, as the movie ended and Director Choi Seo-young turned her head to speak to me, she gasped in surprise and covered her mouth with both hands.

She had discovered Junior Cashfl.

Junior Cashfl, perhaps hearing that sound, slowly turned his head towards us.

Then he showed a faint smile and extended his hand to me.

It was an offer to shake hands.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if he was really extending his hand to me, then grasped it.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Junior Cashfl. My name is…”

“I know who you are. You’re Lee Si-joon, the screenplay writer and lead actor of ‘I’m Not a Villain’, right? And the person behind you is the director, Choi Seo-young?”

I could understand Junior Cashfl’s words without much difficulty as I could communicate in English to some extent.

And I was surprised.

I never thought Junior Cashfl would know about me and Director Choi Seo-young.

But what surprised me more was the fact that he knew about “I’m Not a Villain”.

“…You know about ‘I’m Not a Villain’?”

When I asked this, Junior Cashfl smiled faintly again and answered.

“Of course. It’s the work I personally decided to invite to this film festival. By the way, I’m surprised. To think you’re this handsome…”

“I’m the one who’s surprised. I never thought I’d meet Junior Cashfl like this.”

“Your appearance caught my eye even from afar. So I came straight here and took a seat. I originally like handsome people, you see.”

Junior Cashfl said this and smiled once more, which I found impressive.

I couldn’t help it because I was reminded of Dave Monith, who had worked with Junior Cashfl.

Dave Monith was someone whose name was always mentioned when listing the most handsome people in the world, despite being quite old.

He was also someone who had perfectly overcome his complex of being short with his outstanding appearance and acting skills.

‘To think I’d receive a compliment about being handsome from Junior Cashfl… It’s amazing.’

While I was thinking this, Junior Cashfl opened his mouth.

“But more impressive than your perfect appearance is the reaction you just showed me.”

“Pardon?”

“The first question you asked me when I recognized you. Surprisingly, it wasn’t ‘Do you know me?’ but ‘Do you know about ‘I’m Not a Villain’?'”

“Ah…”

“I could immediately tell how great your passion for film is. At the same time, I think it wasn’t just a coincidence that I sat next to you.”

It was then.

I could see a group of people approaching us and calling Junior Cashfl’s name.

Junior Cashfl waved his hand at those people and continued speaking.

“It seems we have to part ways even though we just met. Since this meeting is a connection, I’ll give you one hint. Your passion for film will be rewarded here.”

With that, Junior Cashfl stood up before I could respond, walked towards his group, gave me an eye greeting, and left.

I sat blankly for a while, not believing my encounter with Junior Cashfl, until I heard Director Choi Seo-young’s voice and snapped out of it.

“Oh my! Wow! Was that really Junior Cashfl who just talked with you, Actor? Right?”

I slowly nodded and answered.

“Yes. It seems so.”

At the same time, the words Junior Cashfl left behind echoed in my mind.

‘My passion for film will be rewarded… What does that mean?’

Because Junior Cashfl was the jury president of the Cannes Film Festival, those words felt even more significant.