Chapter 206 : Did You Quit Composing?
Chapter 206: Did You Quit Composing?
Today, I got a proper look at CEO Kim Minsoo for the first time in a while.
This man really was a runaway locomotive.
I'd almost forgotten.
It was shocking enough that he'd gone straight to the distributor and proposed a joint distribution deal.
But apparently, he had confidently promised them things that hadn't even been finalized yet.
...Was that really okay?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Kim Minsoo said something completely unexpected.
“Taeyoon, you don't have to worry. I'll make sure our movie gets screened at the biggest, best theaters.”
To be honest, I wasn't that worried.
I didn't know much about the film industry.
Some of the movies released exclusively on Webflix had been genuinely enjoyable.
As long as it was a well-made film, I believed the audience would recognize its value.
Of course, I understood the significance of a theatrical release.
But just having a movie centered around the music I created released into the world already made me happy.
Truly.
Whether it was a tiny independent or art-house theater, or even a small local cinema, I didn't mind.
Even so, I didn't say any of that.
No matter how low the production budget had been, the movie still must have cost around a billion won to make, and the investors' perspective would naturally be different from mine.
So I simply asked,
“Is that even possible?”
“It has to be.”
“...Nothing's even confirmed yet. Isn't it risky to say things like that already?”
“What is life if you don't take a shot?”
Even though he spoke like that, I knew he had something up his sleeve.
“Could it be... Executive Director Kim Jinsoo?”
“Ohhh?”
Kim Minsoo snapped his fingers.
“Taeyoon, you're pretty sharp.”
“...Is there anything that man can't do?”
I roughly understood the situation.
There was a distributor called KW Entertainment, and they mainly distributed films to KW Cinema.
KW Cinema was what people called a multiplex chain.
They also hosted plenty of unique screenings.
For example, there were Sing-Along screenings where lyrics appeared on screen so audiences could sing along while watching the movie.
They had premium reclining seats for special screenings and even used the theaters as nap cinemas during the daytime.
Recently, they'd even introduced knitting screenings.
Exactly what it sounded like—people knitted while watching a movie.
Come to think of it, <Footprints That Became a Star> would actually be perfect for knitting.
It was calm and had very little dialogue, making it easy to focus.
One thought led to another.
Before I knew it, I was happily imagining our movie becoming a massive box office success, sweeping every award imaginable, with the OST becoming world-famous.
“By the way, CEO.”
A question suddenly came to mind.
I understood that the number of theaters showing a movie and the screening times represented a film's stature.
I knew that.
But...
“Yes?”
“Not every movie released on OTT platforms fails, right?”
“That's true.”
“Then why are you pushing so hard for a theatrical release? I think a good movie will succeed one way or another. Word of mouth carries a lot of weight these days.”
Kim Minsoo smiled.
“That's a good question.”
Then he began explaining.
“You're not wrong. But... I want the audience to fully immerse themselves in the movie. More specifically, in the music.”
“Ah...?”
“I'm not saying OTT is bad. It's great for relaxing with a beer after work.”
“I do that too.”
“But I want people to experience the music you created in a more special way. Movie theaters simply have different sound quality, don't they? And the screen is much bigger.”
I understood what he meant.
But looking at it another way, there were definite advantages to watching at home on a smartphone or in a comfortable living room.
Besides.
The main character of this movie was a pet dog.
Wouldn't it actually be more meaningful to watch it at home together with your own dog...
Huh?
Wait a second.
Special screenings.
Pet-friendly.
Beanbags instead of stiff theater seats.
Wouldn't that actually be amazing?
Of course, only if KW Cinema had the resources to pull it off.
But if it could happen, wouldn't it be the perfect event?
Whatever.
Might as well throw the idea out there.
“CEO, what do you think about this?”
“Taeyoon, here's what I was thinking.”
We both started speaking at the same time.
He gestured for me to go first, but I shook my head.
“What were you thinking?”
“Right. I want to go with Sound Focusing.”
“...Sound Focusing? What's that?”
“It sounds fancy because I gave it an English name, but it's simple. Think of it as headphone screenings. The audience listens through wireless headphones or high-quality earphones.”
“That sounds great.”
The concept itself was good.
Kim Minsoo had always preached his personal philosophy that “listening to music with good audio equipment is basic respect for the composer.”
Still...
Wouldn't that be too expensive?
I was about to ask, 'What if most viewers don't own earphones like that?'
But...
“That's why I'm already talking with an audio brand. I think it'd be great if we collaborated and marketed it as a sound collaboration.”
“Which company?”
“Sonya. KW Electronics distributes them domestically.”
“Whoa.”
As expected.
CEO Kim Minsoo already had everything planned.
“What was your idea?”
“Mine's simple too. A pet-friendly screening. Literally watching the movie together with dogs.”
“Oh?”
Kim Minsoo's eyes sparkled.
That wasn't a bad reaction.
Encouraged, I enthusiastically laid out all the ideas I'd been imagining.
Sell the movie OST CDs.
Sell dog treats.
Create personalized tickets featuring photos of each guest with their pet.
And set up a photo booth called Dog Life Four Cuts.
Fortunately, Kim Minsoo listened with great interest.
He even took notes.
Every so often he'd chime in with comments like, “Oh? That's good,” or, “Are you secretly a marketer?”
“By the way, CEO.”
“What else has our Composer Stay thought of now?”
“Come on. You know that sound... whatever it was.”
“Sound Focusing?”
“Yes, that. I think it'd actually be essential if we do pet-friendly screenings.”
Kim Minsoo looked puzzled.
I had learned quite a bit while working as a movie extra.
Dogs had extremely sensitive hearing, so film sets involving them operated very differently from normal ones.
Come to think of it, movie theaters were probably the most overwhelming place in terms of sound stimulation.
If we wanted the dogs to stay calm, Kim Minsoo's Sound Focusing concept would be absolutely essential.
This.
This was exactly why <Footprints That Became a Star> needed a theatrical release.
“Oh?”
After hearing my explanation, Kim Minsoo raised his hand.
“High five!”
Smack—
The sound of our palms meeting felt especially satisfying today.
And so, one week passed.
[Culture: 'Pet Cinema' screenings with companion dogs to be held.]
[KW Cinema: “No need to worry about safety or hygiene.” Comfortable viewing environment promised.]
[Sonya × KW Entertainment launches Korea's first 'Sound Focusing.' Enjoy movies in high-fidelity audio.]
['A Theater Date with Your Dog' comes to KW Cinema Jongno.]
[<Footprints That Became a Star> confirms special 'Pet Cinema' and 'Sound Focusing' screenings.]
CEO Kim Minsoo had actually persuaded Kim Jinsoo and accomplished everything he wanted.
At this point, I needed to correct myself.
Kim Minsoo wasn't the runaway locomotive.
The real runaway locomotive was KW's Executive Director Kim Jinsoo!
One week earlier.
Kim Minsoo barged into Executive Director Kim Jinsoo's office at KW Headquarters carrying a stack of documents.
“Want me to make you some money?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Simple. KW Entertainment should distribute our movie.”
“A movie?”
“I'll let you see the final cut before anyone else. But you'll have to decide quickly. Hesitate too long, and the opportunity might end up going to TGV.”
For a moment, Kim Jinsoo genuinely thought Kim Minsoo had lost his mind.
What?
A special privilege?
An opportunity?
He doubted his own ears.
Were those really the words that belonged in this conversation?
He'd known for a long time that his younger brother wasn't exactly sane.
But to package it like this?
He really was something else.
“So? Tempted yet?”
And even now, he still had the nerve to say something like that.
“Is this the third time today?”
Lately, Kim Minsoo had been visiting him far more often than usual.
Every visit ended with a request.
Leaning lazily back in his chair, Kim Jinsoo teased him.
“Our Minsoo must be scared of losing his investment. Following your big brother around calling me 'Hyung, Hyung,' and all.”
Kim Minsoo wasn't about to lose.
“So you didn't throw me out even though you knew I was here to ask for a favor. Guess you're curious too, huh?”
Kim Jinsoo chuckled.
Right.
That shamelessness.
That confidence.
That slyness.
That eccentricity.
He had no idea where it all came from.
But strangely...
He didn't dislike it.
Kim Minsoo simply had a way with words that made refusing him impossible.
These days, Kim Jinsoo almost looked forward to hearing what kind of argument he'd use next.
Thanks to that, the awkwardness between the brothers had faded considerably.
Kim Jinsoo looked down at the documents.
He already knew what his younger brother had been up to.
Investing in a movie.
A nearly silent film with Stay composing the entire OST.
For a moment, he thought his brother really had a talent for choosing the strangest projects.
Yet...
He couldn't help being incredibly curious about the film.
Especially after seeing the very last page of the credits.
No.
It definitely wasn't just because the name 'STaY' was quietly listed there.
“Go ahead. Let's see what you've got.”
Kim Minsoo immediately pulled out a USB drive and placed it on the table.
Just as Kim Jinsoo reached for it, Kim Minsoo snatched it back with a teasing grin.
“Promise me one thing.”
“...?”
A promise?
The one asking for a favor was demanding a promise?
Well, everyone knew the film industry was struggling these days.
Even so, attaching KW Entertainment as the distributor and screening the film at KW Cinema?
For Kim Jinsoo, it was easier than snapping his fingers.
Besides, the renovation of KW Hotel was just around the corner.
There was no point wasting time arguing over details at such an important moment.
He was prepared to grant almost anything his brother asked for.
Still, agreeing too easily wouldn't be any fun.
“If it's something I can approve.”
“Hm. This one's not going to be easy.”
“What is it? Why are you dragging it out?”
Kim Minsoo leaned forward and stared directly into his older brother's face.
Then he held the USB out again.
“You have to promise...”
He paused dramatically.
“...that you won't cry.”
Kim Jinsoo let out a long sigh.
“...Ah. You lunatic.”
Seriously.
How had someone like this come out of their family?
With <Footprints That Became a Star> officially confirmed for release at KW Cinema.
The trailer was finally released.
Exactly one week before the press screening.
[Footprints That Became a Star: Main Trailer]
The screen filled with vibrant green grass.
Walking in from the distance with a pack of dogs was...
Not the lead actor.
Not even the lead dog.
It was Taeyoon and the children.
“Hahahahahaha!”
“...I told you not to laugh like that.”
As the older brother, Seo Dongyoon wasn't about to let such priceless teasing material go to waste.
He burst into laughter.
“Seo Taeyoon, did you quit composing? Switching careers to become a movie star now? Seriously, how many jobs do you even have? Respect!”
“Come on...”
“The movie looks great, but this trailer is kind of—”
“Dghrghgh.”
“But the music is really good. Taeyoon, you're pretty good at the keyboard too. Guess all those Czerny 40 lessons finally paid off.”
He said that.
But Seo Dongyoon desperately held back the overwhelming emotion rising inside him.
Just hearing the melody brought the film's final scene flooding back into his mind.
The fact that he'd cried his eyes out after reading the letter based on the lyrics of <Footprints That Became a Star>, the song sharing the movie's title and composed by Stay...
That was a secret he'd take to his grave.
“Man! I never really liked dogs before, but now I want to adopt one.”
“Mom said you shouldn't raise a dog on a whim.”
“Oh? Didn't I tell you not to glare at me like that? Careful, Movie Star. Your eyes might split open.”
Seo Dongyoon wasn't the only excited one.
The normally quiet film industry had suddenly been hit with a massive topic of discussion.
A silent-film style movie appearing after so long.
And the music was the centerpiece?
Movie enthusiasts were thrilled.
↳ Oh? This is better than I expected.
↳ The cinematography is insane. Director Oh Seungju can make something like this too?
↳ I won tickets to the press screening! My expectations are through the roof!!!
↳ ㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ The doggies are so adorableㅜㅜㅜㅜㅜ
↳ The music is ridiculously good too.
↳ Fr, Stay is doing Stay things;;;
↳ But seriously, who is that guy in the trailer?
↳↳ No idea. You can't see his face clearly, but he's definitely handsome.
↳ Is he the real owner of the dogs? He looks way too natural.
↳ I've lost count of how many times I've watched this. Since when was a grassy field this healing? LOL.
↳ Please tell me that actor's name.
↳↳ 22222222 Pleaseㅠㅠㅠㅠ
↳↳↳ My dog Maru is begging me to find out...
↳ KW Cinema Jongno is apparently going crazy because of this ㄷㄷ
And then, another week passed.
The day of the press screening for <Footprints That Became a Star> finally arrived.
At KW Cinema Jongno, not only the director, lead actors, distributor representatives, film journalists, media outlets, and movie critics gathered...
Because of the nature of the film, dog trainers and the canine actors attended as well.
The atmosphere was warm and lively.
Except for one person.
Baek Seokhwan, the pop music critic who drew his knife whenever he was disappointed and stayed completely silent whenever he was impressed.
'Let's see what you've got.'
He fixed his sharp gaze on the screen.