The Face Genius Actor

Episode 124

I thought I might go to France again.

Besides the Cannes Film Festival, there were a few other art film festivals held in France.

But I never thought we’d receive an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival like this.

That’s why I felt dazed for a while even after hearing the news from Kim Bo-mi.

‘Did “I’m Not a Villain” really get invited to the Cannes Film Festival?’

While I was thinking this,

I received a call from Director Choi Seo-young, and I had to accept that all of this was real.

-Actor! We did it! Our movie is going to the Cannes Film Festival!

Moreover, Director Choi informed me that news articles about this were pouring out, and I quickly checked the articles after hanging up.

[“I’m Not a Villain” Invited to Cannes Film Festival Competition Section… What are the chances of winning?]

[Rookie Director, Rookie Writer Did It! “I’m Not a Villain” Invited to Cannes Film Festival]

[“I’m Not a Villain” Continuing the Lineage of Korean Films, What Will be the Result?]

[How Did Lee Si-joon End Up Writing the Screenplay? (Expert In-depth Analysis)]

[Irresistible Charm Even in Europe! “I’m Not a Villain” Heads to France]

[Online Buzz Over “I’m Not a Villain” Cannes Invitation! What’s the Movie Like?]

[Fans Hoping for Korean Release… Curious About “I’m Not a Villain”!]

The impact of the Cannes Film Festival was certainly great.

Just being invited to the competition section was causing articles to pour out continuously.

Given the situation, I couldn’t help but feel it was real even if I tried not to.

‘We’re really going… to Cannes…’

And soon after,

I boarded a plane bound for France.

It was my second visit to France.

* * *

Cannes, where the Cannes Film Festival is held every May, was a resort town in southern France.

It was a city along the Mediterranean Sea, quite close to Italy as well.

However, the distance from Paris could be said to be even farther than Saint-Étienne.

You could think of Cannes as a place you’d reach if you went straight southeast from Saint-Étienne.

As a coastal city, Cannes’ scenery was quite different from Paris or Saint-Étienne.

While moving from Cannes-Mandelieu Airport to our accommodation, we could see many particularly beautiful buildings along the coastline.

When I asked the interpreter, I was told that these buildings were all nobles’ villas, and I nodded, thinking,

‘As expected, there are really a lot of rich people in the world…’

The accommodation we arrived at was a 5-star hotel no less impressive than the nobles’ villas.

“Wow! The accommodation is so beautiful!”

“Actor! Are we really staying here?”

“I never thought I’d come to Cannes in my life, and now this luxury… Thank you!”

“Thank you! Actor!”

This schedule involved quite a large group as almost all the main staff who participated in the movie were accompanying us.

Because of this, we had quite a headache over accommodation issues, but fortunately, Festa Entertainment willingly opened their wallet.

Thanks to that, although not everyone got suites, we were all able to stay in a 5-star hotel.

‘I was thinking I’d even use my own money to bring all the accompanying staff to a 5-star hotel…’

It was a very good outcome.

Seeing the staff so happy made me feel good too.

“I’ve received a corporate card from the company that can be used for overseas payments, so those who are interested can come down for a cocktail after unpacking.”

“Yes! Actor!”

“See you later!”

The staff responded cheerfully and dispersed, including Director Choi Seo-young.

The average age of the staff who participated in “I’m Not a Villain” was quite young.

Festa Entertainment deliberately composed the team this way so they could follow the instructions of the rookie director, Choi Seo-young, well.

So the staff participating in this schedule were generally not very old.

One of the cinematographers was a bit older, which was a measure to enhance the quality of the set.

Placing experienced people in key positions like this could complement overall amateurish aspects.

But even this person was carefully chosen to be non-authoritarian, so there was no awkwardness in blending with others.

This was also one of the decisive reasons why “I’m Not a Villain” achieved good results.

‘Festa Entertainment certainly has strengths in subtle areas.’

Sometimes they were frustratingly cautious in approaching everything, but this aspect of the company was worth taking advantage of.

So I had already made up my mind to continue with Festa Entertainment next year as well.

Next year was when my exclusive contract would expire.

‘It’s natural since the company has more pros than cons. They also actively pushed for the production of “I’m Not a Villain”.’

Moreover, I had developed quite deep relationships with the people I met while working at Festa Entertainment.

Especially Yeo Kyung-chan and Song Jin-ah were the people I trusted the most.

I was amazed at how I could meet such people after my regression.

As I was thinking this and turned my head, Yeo Kyung-chan spoke to me.

“From tomorrow, we’ll be busy with the opening of the Cannes Film Festival. Are you sure you’ll be okay without resting?”

“Enjoying time with others is rest for me. Anyway, if I stay in the room, I’ll just be reading scripts. So.”

“I guess you’re right. It’s better to gather everyone and have cocktails. Maybe go for a swim too.”

“Oh? Are you planning to swim, Manager?”

“We should enjoy it since we’re at an expensive hotel. We couldn’t really enjoy ourselves last time we were in France.”

Come to think of it, even when we had overseas schedules, we never really got to properly sightsee with Yeo Kyung-chan and Song Jin-ah.

I thought in my own way that returning home quickly and giving ample rest time was considerate, but I realized it might not always be the case.

‘The Cannes Film Festival is scheduled from May 11th to May 22nd, so I should give the two of them plenty of time to sightsee…’

The Cannes Film Festival schedule wasn’t tight.

As long as it wasn’t the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, awards ceremony, or the screening day for “I’m Not a Villain”, we didn’t necessarily have to attend all schedules.

As such, if the two wanted, I was thinking of allowing them to even tour other French cities.

There were a few films I definitely wanted to watch on their screening days, but.

Anyway, there were many people I could go with here even without Yeo Kyung-chan and Song Jin-ah.

Director Choi Seo-young said she would go watch movies every day without fail, so I thought I could accompany her each time.

So I expressed my thoughts to the two, and questions immediately came back.

“Is that really okay?”

“Will you be alright?”

For some reason, Yeo Kyung-chan and Song Jin-ah asked questions simultaneously, as if they had rehearsed it.

Then they suddenly startled, looked at each other’s faces, and blushed.

They hurriedly averted their gazes, but I had already witnessed the scene.

‘Huh?’

Along with that, everything up until now fit together like puzzle pieces.

And I could be certain.

That there was some strange current flowing between the two of them.

‘Are they dating? No. The atmosphere is too awkward for that.’

Especially Yeo Kyung-chan was excessively fumbling and conscious of Song Jin-ah.

That behavior didn’t seem like simply hiding a dating relationship.

If that were the case, he would have been conscious of me, not Song Jin-ah.

‘Interesting. It feels like I’ve found one more thing to do in Cannes.’

I thought I should take this opportunity to bring the two of them together.

Although I needed to hear more about their individual thoughts, judging from the current atmosphere, it seemed like the two were interested in each other.

For now, I pretended not to know anything and answered their questions.

“It doesn’t matter since in Cannes, once we handle a few important schedules, almost all the time is free. Do you two have any places in mind you’d like to go?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Me neither, particularly…”

“Then why don’t you decide on places you each want to go and then go together? It’s dangerous to wander alone in an unfamiliar place.”

“What?”

“Together?”

I nodded towards the two surprised people.

“Yes, together.”

Then the two muttered, seeming troubled.

“No… just the two of us going is a bit…”

“Yes. Why don’t you come with us, Actor?”

Since I had decided to bring them together, I couldn’t do that.

And I had prepared words for this situation.

“I can’t do that. I’m essentially your workplace superior. Let’s spend time separately after the opening ceremony tomorrow. I’ll go watch movies with Director Choi Seo-young.”

Perhaps because I expressed quite a firm opinion, the two nodded blankly.

I felt satisfied seeing them like that.

So the three of us dispersed to our rooms, changed clothes, and came down.

We spent the day enjoying cocktails briefly with the staff.

And the next day.

The opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.

It was time to walk the red carpet.

* * *

The opening film of the Cannes Film Festival held great significance.

The actors and directors who walked the red carpet gathered in one place to watch the opening film.

But unfortunately, “I’m Not a Villain” didn’t secure the opening film spot.

In fact, we didn’t have high expectations.

The opening film was usually a work by a relatively well-known director, given its significance.

But regardless of this outcome, walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival held great meaning, and I had made thorough preparations for today.

Naturally, Song Jin-ah was the one who put in the most effort today.

“Actor. The preparations are complete.”

“You’ve worked hard today too, Stylist.”

“It’s nothing. Designer Lee Si-hoo sponsored the suit this time too, so I didn’t have much to do.”

“Still, you’re the one who chose this suit from numerous outfits, Stylist. Good job.”

I nodded, checking my appearance in the full-length mirror.

It was quite satisfactory.

Then suddenly, something curious came to mind, so I spoke to Song Jin-ah.

“Stylist.”

“Yes?”

Since no one else was here besides Song Jin-ah, it was the perfect timing to ask a question.

Yeo Kyung-chan had briefly left to check on the vehicle we would ride to the film festival today.

“Have you decided on a meeting place with the Manager for tomorrow?”

“Ah… We haven’t really talked about it properly yet… Why do you ask…?”

“I was just worried that you might be forcing yourselves into an uncomfortable situation because of me.”

At my words, Song Jin-ah quickly waved her hands and replied.

“No! I’m fine with it! No! I like it!”

“You like it?”

“Uh… Ah! I don’t like it, I mean it’s just okay! Since it’s come to this, I’ll try to get closer with the Manager! Hahaha!”

I barely held back my laughter watching Song Jin-ah blurt out words in embarrassment.

Then I spoke to Song Jin-ah with a serious expression.

“Tomorrow might be a good opportunity, so try to have a good talk.”

Song Jin-ah looked up at me and mulled over the words ‘good opportunity’.

I added one more thing to Song Jin-ah.

“Then shall we depart if the preparations are complete?”

This was just the beginning.

Both the red carpet and the love project for Yeo Kyung-chan and Song Jin-ah.