Top Star by Luck

Chapter 119

“I have prepared the greatest film of my career.”

Lee Min Ki’s voice flowed out, soft yet resolute.

The greatest film.

“……!!”

It was a declaration too bold to be spoken lightly, and the reporters sitting in the screening hall collectively stirred, like waves crashing.

Why?

‘He’s saying that?’

It was a statement that broke the conventions of a press screening.

Typically, there is one unspoken rule when conducting a press screening.

Namely, to minimize the amount of information shared.

‘Usually, one avoids saying anything that could create preconceived notions about the film.’

This was only natural.

Why hold a press screening in the first place?

It is to have the result of painstaking efforts evaluated through others’ perspectives.

After receiving evaluations, even if they are negative, the filmmakers would edit the work further if needed.

Thus, raising the expectations of the audience was considered taboo, above all else.

Artificially inflating expectations could cloud judgment when watching the film.

‘Isn’t he afraid of being underestimated?’

It was akin to why a fine dining chef should avoid smoking.

For less critical reasons, there were also superstitions.

‘Usually, the more confident the production team, the more it flops.’

Confidence could either mean genuine self-assurance or a bluff.

Of course.

In Lee Min Ki’s case, superstition played a significant role.

‘Place a bet against him.’

Having won big by betting against the odds on [Treatment Challenge], some were ready to take another gamble.

“I am confident in the film’s quality.”

It was a gamble where nothing would be lost.

Naturally, he hadn’t acted alone but received consent from Director Hwang Ui Seong.

[The result is good. Say whatever you want.]

Some might interpret his words with this nuance:

[If you want to bet, go ahead. I won’t stop you. If it flops, just sell one of Si Won’s academies.]

But Director Hwang Ui Seong was serious.

He, too, had absolute confidence in the results of his work.

“I will refrain from speaking further about the specifics of the film.”

Even as the reporters reeled from the initial shock, Lee Min Ki’s words didn’t stop.

“I hope the audience can fully enjoy it with their own eyes and ears. I don’t know if it will be the greatest film, but I am confident it’s the best I could make.”

Pretending to be modest, like a wealthy family’s young master, his words elicited dry laughs from the reporters.

It was too late to backtrack now.

The opening remark was provocative, so any attempt to soften the blow was meaningless.

The reporters’ eyes were already alight.

He had claimed it was the greatest work of his career; now they would judge it by that standard.

‘Lee Min Ki, you’re truly unique.’

He had a knack for shattering people’s common sense.

Journalist Hong Yoo Joo of [Star Magazine], who had interviewed Lee Min Ki for the first time, let out a wry smile.

She was the same reporter who had splashed water on him in the past.

She had built her career by following him and now had the stature to attend such a major press screening solo.

This was all thanks to Lee Min Ki’s rapid rise, whom she had bet on early.

‘Still, there must be a reason behind his bold words, right?’

Hong Yoo Joo tried to interpret Lee Min Ki’s actions in a positive light, in her own way.

“As Lee Min Ki said.”

Before she could delve further into her thoughts, Director Hwang Ui Seong, who had quietly approached like a shadow, spoke with an expressionless face.

“There isn’t much more to say. As the actor mentioned, if you have eyes and ears, you’ll understand.”

In just two short sentences, Hong Yoo Joo couldn’t help but marvel.

‘Wow, this director really knows how to provoke.’

Was he implying that anyone who criticized his movie lacked eyes and ears?

No wonder he was constantly roasted in entertainment journalism chatrooms—there was clearly a reason for it.

‘I feel sorry for Lee Min Ki.’

It must be tough working under a director who talked like this, even at a press screening where media perception mattered.

Hong Yoo Joo gazed at Lee Min Ki with a tinge of pity.

Of course, the person in question was unbothered.

‘Our director is as confident as ever.’

Lee Min Ki had become highly influenced by Hwang Ui Seong over the past few months.

“We will begin the screening shortly.”

After Lee Min Ki, Director Hwang Ui Seong, and the production team exited, heavy silence lingered in the screening hall.

‘Birds of a feather flock together.’

‘A rookie actor, acting so arrogant.’

‘Let’s see how good it really is.’

‘Even a single flaw will do.’

That was the general sentiment.

The previously favorable views of Lee Min Ki had considerably cooled.

It was a backlash against his prior image as a thoughtful celebrity.

Conversely.

‘He must be truly confident.’

Some, knowing Lee Min Ki’s personality, felt heightened anticipation.

This included Hong Yoo Joo, Jerry, Joo Ha Na, Yoo Seon Ah, Kim Tak, and Trainer Kim Ah Sung.

These were individuals without formal press badges but were there as acquaintances of Lee Min Ki.

“Min Ki rarely speaks so boldly. Did he drink today?”

“The actor doesn’t even touch alcohol.”

“Oh? How did you know?”

“He didn’t come to a team dinner when invited.”

Among them, people like Joo Ha Na and Yoo Seon Ah got to know each other better.

“Anyone working in the film industry should have that level of confidence. Journalists act like we always need to bow our heads.”

“Oh, I agree.”

Then there were the likes of Jerry and Kim Ah Sung.

‘I wonder if I should try making fried milk tonight.’

And people like Kim Tae Yang, who remained indifferent no matter what Lee Min Ki did.

With all these mixed emotions swirling, the screening hall was a storm of feelings.

Clack!

The sound of the lights dimming was followed by instant darkness.

And then came the noise of wind, like a fan rotating.

[Thud!]

A loud drumbeat boomed, abruptly starting the movie.

It was Director Hwang Ui Seong’s signature style.

Skipping the typical opening segments showing the distributors or production companies during press screenings.

A few minutes later.

Hong Yoo Joo gasped softly in admiration.

‘Wow, does Lee Min Ki really have such a perfect figure?’

Indeed.

On-screen, Lee Min Ki’s proportions appeared flawless.

His small head, long legs, and broad shoulders were repeatedly highlighted.

Though known for his physique, [Fashion and Fashion] seemed to emphasize it even more.

‘Every scene feels like a magazine photoshoot.’

Why did his proportions look so impressive here?

As someone familiar with him in real life, she found it even more curious.

In reality, his presence was more striking, yet his proportions never seemed this emphasized on screen.

‘Why does he feel even better than in person here?’

The answer was simple.

It was Director Hwang Ui Seong’s intention.

‘He shot this cleverly.’

A critic quickly caught on to the trick.

‘Many of the scenes are shot from an angle one head lower.’

Exactly.

While most films set the camera slightly above the actors’ heads, [Fashion and Fashion] chose the opposite.

In upper-body shots, the heart-level angle was used effectively, and sometimes the perspective was dropped to knee-level for variety.

[That guy could make a great model.]

Take this scene, for example.

An agency representative evaluates [Lee Jong Ho], giving him high praise.

Here too, the camera angle was lowered.

As a result, the lowered perspective created a visually more favorable ratio.

It also made the audience feel more immersed in the scene, adding a realistic effect.

But was it that other directors lacked the intellect to use such a method?

‘This technique isn’t without its flaws.’

No, it wasn’t.

There was a fundamental disadvantage, which was why others avoided it.

The critic furrowed his brow.

‘Since the composition was shot in a narrow frame, it inevitably compromises spatiality and composition. From the audience's perspective, the mise-en-scène should feel stifling.’

But that wasn’t the case.

From the beginning, the focus had been unwavering, and there wasn’t a hint of frustration.

If anything, it felt refreshingly engaging.

The reason for this was sought by scanning the screen intently.

‘Ah.’

He opened his eyes in amazement.

‘They concentrated it.’

The selfish composition was solely devoted to scenes featuring Lee Min Ki.

All the other characters were burdened with proportional risks.

Conversely, Lee Min Ki's proportions were made to appear superior.

The overall color scheme was also brightened, focusing on scenes with Lee Min Ki.

And there was more.

‘They keep shooting Lee Min Ki from a distance.’

The camera was intentionally pulled back for his scenes.

‘That... they custom-made props smaller than actual size.’

The background props were miniaturized to make Lee Min Ki appear taller.

It was like the trick used in model homes, where smaller furniture is placed to make spaces seem larger.

But it didn’t stop there.

Director Hwang Ui Seong’s attention to detail went beyond this.

‘Incredible. They even cropped Lee Min Ki’s upper body.’

In various shots, they excluded his head, eliminating any sense of intrusion his body might bring.

And there was another trick.

It was something only those knowledgeable in fashion could catch.

‘Did Yoo Gyu Eon handle this? He’s good enough to earn a living as a designer.’

Self-proclaimed JC's top fashion expert Kim Ah Sung chuckled.

‘They dressed him mostly in dark-toned clothes.’

The clothes were predominantly dark.

This made his body look slimmer horizontally and longer vertically.

‘And yet, they used brighter colors for his shoes.’

Brighter shoes compared to the outfit made him appear taller.

‘They keep exposing his ankles.’

Exposed ankles made his legs look longer.

‘They faked a higher waistline with the stitching.’

Manipulating seams, wrinkles, and belts to create an illusion was basic.

‘The tops are mostly V-necked, and the hairstyle is styled upward. The fabric on the clothes was vertically oriented, and the layering was vertical too.’

Every element was meticulously calculated to make his proportions appear flawless.

It was styling that reached the level of magic.

It would be hard to notice all these countless details unless one spent two hours daily on fashion communities.

‘It’s only because it’s me that I noticed. No one else would catch this.’

Kim Ah Sung scoffed.

Indeed.

Kim Ah Sung was someone genuinely knowledgeable about fashion.

With his expertise, he endlessly mixed hoodies, sweatpants, and shoes into what he called the [Kim Ah Sung Signature New York Street Look].

Yet, despite criticisms about how shabby his outfits looked, his expertise remained intact.

There was always a reason behind why someone’s silhouette looked good.

On the other hand, to ordinary journalists without such insights:

‘Lee Min Ki has better proportions than I thought.’

‘Director Hwang Ui Seong shot it cleverly.’

‘The styling is beautiful.’

‘It feels as good as seeing him in real life.’

They could only vaguely and abstractly understand the impression.

This applied equally to the general audience.

After enjoying the two-hour Lee Min Ki fashion portfolio, filled with Director Hwang Ui Seong’s cinematographic tricks and Yoo Gyu Eon’s styling magic, it reached the highlight.

[Money. Can you save people if you earn a lot of money?]

[Ha, haha, Jong Ho. If there’s something you want to do, I’ll try to find a way.]

[Then save me too.]

At the final scene where Lee Jong Ho jumps from the rooftop:

“……Ah.”

Critics, who had forgotten to critique and were engrossed in the movie, let out a spontaneous sigh.

By this point:

The thoughts in the journalists' minds were unanimous.

‘It might not be Lee Min Ki’s best film in his career…….’

‘But it’s definitely the best he’s looked in a film.’

To sum up [Fashion and Fashion] in one sentence, it was a movie for Lee Min Ki.

‘Lee Min Ki is the best.’