Life is Easier If You're Handsome-Chapter 204

"Stop, stop! Boss! Why are you so strong? Huh? You’re even stronger than before!"

"Yeah, with this level, winning the Asian Games would be a piece of cake, right?"

"He could go pro right now... Whoa!"

"Flattery won’t get you anywhere."

"Flattery? You’ve got to admit, the burrito you made for me last weekend was amazing."

In mid-May, Kim Donghu was training hard at Drake Gym.

"Boss, the news hit the U.S. like crazy, they’re saying the heavyweight champion has arrived."

"Really?"

"Yeah, people are coming from all over for a match. What do you think, interested? Some of them are pros."

"Pros?"

"Yeah, there are heavyweight pros, among others... Looks like they all want to face you. What do you think?"

"I don’t mind."

While Kim Donghu was completely absorbed in his training at Drake Gym,

there were others who were experiencing every moment in real time.

"...Director, are we really supposed to be here?"

"We’ve been invited... we’ve been invited!"

It was Director Lee Seong-deok and Usami Chisako who were feeling this.

Normally, the short film competition wouldn’t allow participants to walk the red carpet on the first day.

However, due to Director Lee’s special circumstances, they were treated as major guests.

"I didn’t expect True Hero to be this popular internationally."

"Well, you directed it, so if you don’t know, who would?"

"It’s... It’s because Donghu’s not here. He’s my light and salt, the lighthouse that shows me the way forward...!"

The special circumstance was due to True Hero's overseas distribution schedule.

Typically, it takes around 3 to 6 months to export a film internationally.

True Hero took 4 months, and by coincidence, the schedule perfectly aligned with the Cannes Film Festival.

Of course, the chances of being invited to Cannes were slim—almost nonexistent.

Cannes doesn’t prioritize box-office success.

They care about:

Is it new?

Is it impactful?

Does it have potential to gain attention?

Only by passing these criteria could they be invited.

And despite being a short film competition entry, what made them step onto the red carpet on the first day?

"Donghu... where are you? Please come!"

Naturally, it was because of Kim Donghu.

A god-given appearance.

A look so perfect it seemed like the god himself had crafted it as an ideal form.

His appearance and acting captivated the Cannes judges.

And his insane charisma drove the film forward.

With all this, despite being a short film entry, Director Lee Seong-deok ended up walking the red carpet on the first day.

"Of course, there’s the midnight screening too."

So, at Cannes, Director Lee had two films in the spotlight.

A rare case, even in Cannes.

Of course, they couldn’t help but get attention. The more attention they got, the more Director Lee nervously reached for some calming tablets.

"Are we far from our turn?"

"Yeah, we still have some time. I’ll try my best to... calm down as much as I can."

As soon as he said "as much as I can" three times, Chisako couldn’t help but think,

‘Wow, Director Lee has this side to him.’

When Donghu oppa was around, it felt like no one could scare him,

but now, with him absent, it seemed like he shrank before her eyes.

It was clear how much she relied on Donghu oppa.

Fortunately, though...

"Wow... At least the cameras aren’t going crazy."

"Yeah... Now that I’m walking, I miss Donghu oppa so much."

When they stepped onto the red carpet, they didn’t get as much attention as expected.

With Kim Donghu, the main attraction, absent,

it was hard for Director Lee and Chisako alone to stand out.

"Who’s that?"

"That’s a director invited for the midnight screening section, from Korea."

"Korea? Korean cinema is on fire these days. They seem like some amazing rookies."

To the photojournalists, they probably looked like fresh faces, almost like newcomers.

Just as the tension was easing,

as their segment ended, loud cheers erupted from behind.

"Wow, Yerim!"

"Shin Yerim!"

The flashes of cameras were overwhelming.

Director Lee, surprised by the sudden attention, glanced behind him.

‘Huh?’

He spotted a woman he felt he had seen before.

‘I’m sure... I’ve seen her with Donghu somewhere.’

But where exactly had he seen her?

He couldn’t quite remember.

Honestly, he wasn’t really in the state to remember anything.

‘We’ll meet again someday.’

With that thought, Director Lee quickly moved to enjoy the opening ceremony.

***

Cannes Film Festival, Day 2.

This was generally considered the true start of the festival.

The feature films began screening, and the official judging process kicked into full gear.

During this time, Director Lee Seong-deok and Chisako were busy watching several films.

"Learning English really paid off. I never thought it would be so useful with all these English subtitles."

"Yeah, I never realized how helpful it would be either..."

The dialogue was so fast that without subtitles, it was incredibly difficult to keep up with the plot.

After enjoying the officially screened films, time flew by, and by 11 PM,

it was finally time for the non-competitive section.

The True Hero screening in the Midnight Screening was about to begin.

"True Hero? What’s a ‘true hero’ supposed to be?"

"But the guy on the poster is so good-looking!"

"I have to watch it. I’m really into Korean films lately."

As the whispers around them grew louder, Director Lee Seong-deok's shoulders tensed.

Normally, the director and actor would give an introduction before the screening, but since Kim Donghu was absent, Director Lee skipped this step.

‘Not doing it is actually more typical.’

Anyway, the screening of True Hero started shortly after.

"...Wait, did they shoot that whole 10-minute scene in one take?"

"Are they insane? Using a baseball and a knuckle to create that shot?"

The gasps of amazement began.

Just because a film was a huge hit in Korea didn’t mean it would automatically do well internationally,

but success stories for films like True Hero had already been proven.

"Is this the Korean version of John Wick?"

"They’ve really nailed the vigilante theme, and the direction is fantastic..."

"Seems like everyone feels the lack of judgment by the law wherever they go."

So, the result was obvious even without confirming: unanimous praise.

The overseas distribution of True Hero was practically guaranteed success.

In fact, after the film ended, they even received a standing ovation.

With that, Director Lee’s shoulders straightened, and the atmosphere was warm and uplifting.

‘He’s looking even better, and his acting’s improved too.’

A model who maintained a captivating smile while keeping her gaze fixed on the screen.

‘The chemistry with Director Lee is incredible.’

It was none other than Kim Donghu’s former manager,

and now, a model so well-known that anyone would recognize her.

‘I want to see his face soon... and hug him tightly like last time.’

It was Shin Yerim.

After the Midnight Screening ended,

Yerim, despite wanting to meet him right away, intentionally held back.

She decided to take her time, thinking it was fate and that they’d meet when the time was right.

By the third day,

the long-awaited screening of the short film competition entry Cut the Knot had arrived.

And this time, Yerim casually sat next to Director Lee Seong-deok.

"Are you not introducing the film again?"

"Yeah, yeah?! Ah... I’m not really the type for that... Haha, I prefer to let the film speak for itself."

"That means you’re really confident in the film, huh? That’s cool."

"Th-Thank you."

"I’m Shin Yerim. I used to be Donghu’s boxing manager."

"Ah, I see! That’s why you look familiar... I saw you in that documentary."

The conversation flowed naturally after that.

Yerim, used to such casual talks in big settings, felt right at ease.

"Wait, you were Donghu’s manager?! I’m Usami Chisako, and I’m in this short film with Donghu!"

"You?"

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"Yes, yes?"

"Ah, sorry, I misspoke. Nice to meet you. I’m Shin Yerim."

As Yerim spoke lightly with Chisako,

she subtly observed her from head to toe,

quickly coming to a conclusion.

‘She likes Donghu, but there’s no sign of any connection yet.’

If Kim Donghu had touched her, it would have been obvious.

Just like with Kim Sujin or Ryu Jaerin, even just seeing them on TV, you could tell how much they had changed.

But Chisako didn’t seem to have that change.

‘Good to know.’

At least for now, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) it was safe to relax.

But still, she couldn’t completely let her guard down.

It wasn’t that Donghu was a playboy.

On the contrary, he was a man who took responsibility for everyone.

And honestly, as a woman, that wasn’t always the easiest thing to deal with.

‘But I was his first.’

I’d make sure to say that when we met again.

After all, I was the one who took his innocence.

A strange urge to say that bubbled up inside her,

but with a happy heart, she turned her attention back to the screen to watch Cut the Knot.

"...Ah."

By the time the movie ended, a single tear rolled down her cheek.