After the film festival ended, a small celebration party was held. The venue was a hotel near the award ceremony.
It was a surprise party to celebrate Seo Jun's first win, so the couple and the Shadowman team only invited a few close friends.
Seo Jun, who had changed from his formal attire into comfortable clothes, appeared at the party venue, and Richel and Evan set off confetti.
"Congratulations on your win!"
Those who had arrived earlier also set off the confetti they were holding, congratulating Seo Jun.
Seo Eun-hye and Lee Min-joon's invited friends, as well as Seo Eun-chan and Andaho, also set off confetti. Though Seo Jun was surprised, he was also very happy and smiled broadly.
"Thank you!"
The non-celebrities, Jack and the Smiths, looked around at the attendees with surprised faces. There were actors from their favorite movies and famous directors.
The casual attire of the attendees, as if they were at a neighborhood home party, made it even more surprising.
"Congratulations on your win!"
"Thanks, Jack."
Seo Jun, smiling broadly, gave Jack a chocolate cookie. Jack, who had already eaten his snacks for the day, watched his parents talking and quickly stuffed the large cookie into his mouth.
"Vroom vroom."
"Isn't it really delicious?"
This was the first time Jack had tasted such a delicious cookie, and he looked surprised as he spoke. Seo Jun, who somehow understood, laughed and gave him warm milk. Jack's expression softened. The chocolate cookie melting in the milk was very delicious.
"This is really delicious!"
"Do you want to ask for some and take it home?"
"Can I take it home?"
"Sure! So much of it!"
Although only Seo Jun and Jack were invited to the party, there were many cookies and cakes that suited the children's tastes.
Seo Jun and Jack, with excited faces, tasted the food a little at a time. They ran here and there, and the adults, who were having conversations, noticed the busy movements of the children.
The directors, seeing the children's behavior, burst into laughter. One director spoke up.
"I can't even imagine it. He just looks like an ordinary child now, but how can he give such a performance?"
"That's true. William's acting was impressive, but Shadowman 2 was also very memorable."
Sarah Roth, the director of Greenwing, who had faced off against Shadowman 1, nodded. The directors' praise made Ryan Will, who was hiding his smile with a wine glass, call out to Seo Jun.
Seo Jun turned to Jack at Ryan Will's call. When Seo Jun asked if he wanted to go with him, Jack shook his head, not wanting to go with so many unfamiliar adults.
Seo Jun trotted over to Director Ryan Will.
"Director, what's up?"
"I want to introduce you to the directors. This is Sarah Roth, the director of Greenwing."
Seo Jun's eyes widened. Sarah Roth, the director of Greenwing, which had received praise for its music game-like feel, extended her hand. Seo Jun firmly shook Sarah Roth's hand.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Seo Jun Lee!"
"I'm Sarah Roth. Nice to meet you."
"This is George Roberts, the director of Assemble."
"Hello!"
"Nice to meet you."
After Ryan Will's introductions, the directors asked Seo Jun questions about his performance.
From broad questions about how such acting was possible to more specific questions about which movie he liked best, the directors' pride was on the line.
Seo Jun enthusiastically shared his thoughts. The directors, engrossed in Seo Jun's story, nodded repeatedly.
As the conversation grew longer, Jack, who was getting bored, became visible. Seo Jun, though enjoying the conversation with the directors, couldn't ignore his friend Jack.
Director Ryan Will, noticing this, stopped the other directors and sent Seo Jun back.
Even after that, the directors couldn't take their eyes off the young genius. George Roberts, the director of Assemble, who had worked with many actors, spoke with a sense of resignation.
"Method acting at that age, and no aftereffects? He must be a gift from heaven. I doubt there's anyone more suited to acting than him."
"That's true. He's a promising actor."
"Promising? What do you mean? I'm already looking forward to his next work."
The directors laughed in agreement with George Roberts' words.
* * *
"Jun!"
Seo Jun and Jack, who were eating cake to their heart's content, looked up when they heard their names. They were eating the last piece of cake they had chosen, taking small bites like birds pecking at seeds.
Evan Block was smiling and beckoning them. Jack's eyes sparkled, wondering if he would go this time too.
"It's Shadowman!"
"Do you want to go?"
"Sure!"
Seo Jun put the cake down on the table and headed over to Evan Block with Jack.
Evan Block was standing with a man whose back was turned to Richel Hill. "Who is he?" Seo Jun wondered, but the man turned around.
"You must be Jun."
Seo Jun's eyes widened at the familiar voice and face. Jack, who was standing behind Seo Jun, also recognized the man and was speechless.
Wow, wow! The children's surprised faces made Richel and Evan burst into laughter.
"Redbone!"
"Davis Garrett!"
The children's heroes appeared at the party. If there had been three more children in the party, it would have caused a huge commotion.
Seeing the children, who were at a loss due to the unexpected meeting, Davis Garrett took out a pen familiarly.
"Want a signature?"
"Sure!"
Jack quickly ran to the Smiths. Seeing his son's enthusiasm, Maria, who had been looking at where her son had run to, met Davis Garrett's eyes and put her hand to her forehead.
"Jack, son."
"Uh-huh?"
"Can you get one for me too?"
Maria, a big fan of Davis Garrett, nodded. Jack, who had received a stack of paper, shared half of it with Seo Jun.
Davis Garrett signed the papers familiarly. Jack quickly ran to his mother with the signed paper.
Maria, with a grateful expression, shook Seo Eun-hye and Lee Min-joon's hands enthusiastically. Thank you for inviting us!
Seo Jun also handed Davis Garrett a piece of paper. Davis signed it with a smile.
"I'm disappointed that Redbone and Jin Natra couldn't be in the same movie."
"Let's do it in the next one!"
"Sure. I heard from Evan that you did a play?"
"Can I join too?"
Just as Seo Jun was about to nod at Davis's question, he turned his head at a familiar but strange voice.
He thought there would be no more surprises after Davis Garrett's appearance, but Seo Jun was taken aback.
Swalin Anem!
The representative actor of Hollywood, the renowned actor he had always wanted to act with, and Swalin Anem, who had become his teacher through videos.
"Swalin, it's been a while."
"Indeed. I see you've improved a lot."
"I still have a long way to go to catch up with you."
Richel, Evan, and Davis, who had worked with Swalin Anem before, chatted casually, but Seo Jun just stared at Swalin Anem in awe.
'Sign! I need a signature!'
"Can I have a signature?"
Seo Jun called out with an even more excited face than when he met Davis Garrett.
Davis Garrett, recognizing who Seo Jun was a fan of from his expression, raised his hands in surrender. Evan and Richel burst into laughter at the sight.
"Sure,"
"Mr. Anem, I really want to act with you in the next project!"
At Seo Jun's words, Swalin Anem, who was signing with Davis Garrett's pen, tilted his head and met Director Ryan Will's eyes. Seeing Director Ryan Will zip his lips, he burst into laughter.
"Sure. Let's act together."
"Okay!"
Director Ryan Will, watching Seo Jun and the actors having a pleasant conversation, turned his attention back to the directors. He had heard an interesting conversation.
"Greenwing 2 is set to be released next year, right?"
"Yes. Although we lost the competition, there are many fans looking forward to Greenwing 2."
"That's great. I liked Greenwing 1, especially the music and action scenes. It must have been challenging to match the music and visuals."
Sarah Roth laughed at the directors' praise.
"Making a movie, I started paying attention to music. I even thought about making a music-focused movie. I want to make a music movie next."
"Sarah Roth's music movie. Have you thought about who will be the lead?"
At that question, Sarah Roth's gaze turned to a specific spot. The directors, who had gathered, also looked in that direction.
Seo Jun and four actors were having an enthusiastic conversation.
From the snippets of conversation, it seemed to be about acting.
Although there were four adult actors with guaranteed box office success, the directors realized that the actor Sarah Roth was looking at was not one of them.
Seo Jun Lee, the young actor, was talking passionately, using all sorts of gestures.
"Oh."
Someone let out a low exclamation. Director Ryan Will also imagined it in his mind.
A music movie and Jun. He didn't worry that it wouldn't fit. After all, Jun was a great actor who could handle any role.
He was just looking forward to how great the movie would be.
A thriller director, who was also a musician, asked half-heartedly.
"Can you give us a rough outline? I'm dying to know."
"I still have a lot to prepare. The synopsis isn't even ready yet."
As Sarah Roth waved her hands, the directors were about to laugh, but then someone nearby spoke up.
"That movie. Can we invest in it?"
The directors' attention turned to the man. There were a few others watching the directors.
Director Ryan Will frowned and looked around the party, which had suddenly grown larger.
There were other places where parties were being held after the film festival.
But the actors and directors wanted to see the young actor who had shown incredible acting skills.
For that reason alone, actors with fans worldwide and directors with guaranteed box office success gathered at Seo Jun's party.
The delicious prey was all in one place. Journalists, investors, and film producers couldn't help but focus on it.
Just like a rumor that spreads quickly, the investors and related parties who tried to get in on the action one by one made the party grow larger.
The directors also noticed this. Sarah Roth put her hand to her forehead. If the inside of the party was like this, the outside must have been in chaos.
Not only the directors but also the party hosts, Richel Hill and Evan Block, noticed the situation. They sent Seo Jun's non-celebrity friends out through the back door of the hotel, making arrangements to meet them later.
Seo Jun waved goodbye to his friends as they left in their cars.