Philip pondered the final sentence that would grace the end of his article, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
Thirty minutes left until the deadline.
With time running short, he chewed on the filter of his cigarette, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“Hmm…”
This was the lead story for the front page of the Starlight Hollywood Newspaper.
Since this article was meant to overturn the current controversy in one fell swoop, the closing sentence had to leave a lasting impression.
He had successfully woven together Robert Penn’s past and the current scandal, but the most crucial element was a sentence that could shape public opinion.
A sentence that could evoke sympathy from the masses.
‘This is damn hard.’
He was used to pinpointing targets for the public to tear apart, but manufacturing sympathy was harder than he thought.
As he continued to dwell on it, Gyeong Chanhyeon’s words from the production presentation flashed through his mind.
‘Did he call it a cynical gaze toward genuine reflection? I think he said that if we only look at people that way, no one can ever change…’
A ridiculous laugh escaped him as he remembered himself throwing the microphone away after those words.
Though he had planned and orchestrated this situation because of blackmail, the result wasn’t bad.
In fact, it was far more entertaining, and he felt that his newspaper’s circulation tomorrow would overwhelmingly surpass that of every other publication.
“Tsk.”
Philip smacked his lips, a faint smile playing across them as his fingers danced lightly across the keyboard.
[Robert Penn has truly changed. People look upon that change with nothing but doubt. In a world where something becomes a lie even when it is true simply because no one believes it, that is the world we live in. Perhaps the thing in most urgent need of change is our own perspective.]
“Well. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.”
After sending his manuscript to the editing room, Philip gathered his things and left for the day.
The next day.
Junseong and I waited for the newspaper early in the morning.
As soon as it arrived, we sat on a bench and stared at the front page.
<Starlight Hollywood Exclusive>
[Robert Penn: Breaking Free from the Stigma of Being a Junkie?]
“Kaaa! Now that’s a headline! It really grabs your eye!”
Junseong read the article, his emotions swirling so violently that he nearly teared up before breaking into a grin and looking at me.
“‘The only person who did not abandon faith in the man known as Robert Penn was a certain Asian director.’ Hya, this is just killer.”
“Pick one. Either cry or laugh. What the hell…”
“Hmph, I’m just proud of you, man.”
Junseong stuffed the tissue he had used to blow his nose into his pocket and patted my shoulder.
“At this rate, you’ve actually created ticket power, just like you said.”
“What about Mr. Robert’s press conference?”
“I’ve pulled all the strings. Let’s get moving. I’ve set it up for lunchtime today.”
I couldn’t check the reaction to the article yet, but I was certain.
If Robert Penn’s press conference was added on top of an article with this much emotional appeal, Robert’s fans would undoubtedly return.
A short while later.
Reporters gathered once again at Seonghyeon KMD Pictures.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but doesn’t this feel like a setup? It makes no sense that Philip was the first to break this story. He’s the guy who fought the loudest and stormed out of here!”
“Right. It’s weird. The man who was always one step ahead in tearing Robert Penn apart…”
A reporter frowned and spoke.
“The other reporters just got played.”
“Wait, wasn’t there some guy who took advantage of the opening to write some nonsense about Robert Penn being arrested for a sex crime?”
“For nonsense, it sold quite a bit. Typical third-rate rag.”
As the two older reporters continued their chatter, younger reporters gathered around to listen.
One of them cautiously chimed in.
“Seniors, why do you think there’s a setup, like you mentioned earlier…?”
“Because the timing is too perfect. Everything is happening too sequentially.”
The older reporter rested his chin on his hand, lost in deep thought.
There was definitely a feeling that something was being hidden, and that Philip was at the center of it.
However, Philip wasn’t the type of person to comply so readily, and he had left the production presentation in a rage.
“Tsk. Still, there’s no way to prove it. Since Philip is involved too… Director Gyeong Chanhyeon is the only one who hit the jackpot here.”
“Why… why? Isn’t Robert Penn the one who benefits most? The misunderstandings are cleared…”
“How well known do you think the name Gyeong Chanhyeon is? Entertainment reporters like us know him, but the general public barely knows the name. The most he’s done is appear on a late-night show aimed at viewers in their twenties.”
“Hmm… then the one who gained the most fame from this incident is…”
As the rookie reporter nodded with interest and trailed off, the reporter next to him spoke.
“Obviously Gyeong Chanhyeon. Just look at Philip’s article. While covering the Robert Penn case, it was overflowing with praise for Gyeong Chanhyeon. Especially the part about him being the only Asian director who believed in Robert Penn. Even I felt a lump in my throat reading that sentence.”
“That bastard Philip really knows how to move people’s hearts. Man… I’m actually curious to see what happens next.”
At the same time.
While the reporters were whispering, Robert Penn, dressed in a sharp suit, stepped onto the podium.
With a solemn expression, he turned on the microphone.
A gentle smile graced his lips as he began to speak.
“It hasn’t been long since we met at the production presentation, yet here we are again.”
The reporters’ gazes had changed.
Robert slowly savored those looks, scanning the reporters tapping away at their laptops.
“When I used to stand in places like this as a child, I always came up to apologize. Today feels different from back then.”
Some reporters smiled at Robert’s words, while others frowned.
After observing their expressions one by one, Robert spoke again.
“I would first like to express my gratitude to Reporter Philip John of the Starlight Hollywood Newspaper.”
“You couldn’t have been unaware of the rumors. Why did you stay quiet? Was there some ulterior motive? This feels like a very obvious script!”
In response to a reporter’s aggressive question, Robert gazed intently at him with moist eyes.
As if captivated by those glistening eyes, a heavy silence fell over the room.
“If you’re asking about an ulterior motive…”
Robert trailed off, recalling the words Gyeong Chanhyeon had told him before he stepped onto the podium.
—I simply created a stage where Mr. Robert could act like himself. This is as far as I can go. Now, it is up to you.
A hollow laugh escaped Robert.
‘A stage where I can act like myself…’
Seeing his smile, the reporters triggered their flashes again.
“What is the reason for that smile? Is there really some ulterior motive?”
“…”
Robert thought for a moment at the reporter’s question.
‘Creating a place like this… he didn’t do it just as a director. He did this as a true fan of mine.’
Feeling that he had to repay Gyeong Chanhyeon somehow, Robert closed his eyes and imagined a scene that would make this situation even more dramatic.
Having reached an answer, he slowly opened his eyes and spoke to the reporter who had asked the question.
“Thinking of my past, a smile of regret simply comes to me.”
Robert gave a relaxed smile and addressed the reporters.
“I know that among the articles poured out recently, there are reporters here who wrote fake news. Perhaps the reporter who just asked the question wrote such articles as well?”
“…”
At Robert’s counter-question, the reporter’s face turned bright red, and he clenched his fists.
“That… that is…”
“Even if you did, it doesn’t matter. In the end, it all stemmed from my own past.”
“What…?”
Robert chose a strategy to further elevate the concentrated public attention rather than seeking immediate revenge.
Ultimately, what would help Gyeong Chanhyeon was drawing attention.
Robert, already an expert at effectively attracting public interest, concluded that the keyword was change.
“If my past had been clean, those articles would never have poured out. I cannot say I bear no responsibility for those articles. Perhaps everything originated from my past.”
The reporters gathered in front of him began to murmur at Robert’s words.
“Then, will you hold the reporters who wrote those articles accountable…?”
“No. I will hold no one accountable. However, if such things happen again in the future, I will not stand idly by. I hope this serves as an opportunity for reporters without professional ethics to wake up.”
Robert continued with a playful smile.
“Just as Director Gyeong Chanhyeon gave me an opportunity, an opportunity has come to you all. Please do not squander that opportunity. I ask this of you. I will end the press conference here. Thank you all.”
Thump.
Robert turned off the microphone, lightly ignored the barrage of flashes, and stepped down from the podium.
Gyeong Chanhyeon, who had been waiting right behind him, offered a handshake with a bright smile.
“That was great.”
“Great? Not at all. I just put the fork on the table you set, Director.”
Gyeong Chanhyeon gave an awkward laugh at Robert’s words.
“Did you see the reporters’ faces? You were behind me, so you might have missed it.”
At Robert’s question, Gyeong Chanhyeon chuckled and nodded.
“I saw everything from the back. Robert, you’re always meant to shine the most at these kinds of press conferences.”
“Excuse me?”
Gyeong Chanhyeon said with a grin,
“Maybe I’ll put a scene like this in the next movie we film. Dressed sharply in a suit at a press conference. I think a superhero movie would be perfect.”
“A superhero movie?”
Robert tilted his head, confused by the sudden suggestion.
“Yes. I think something like that would suit you very well.”
“Isn’t that for little kids?”
“That’s only because there hasn’t been a proper one yet. People said the same thing when I made Space Vagabond. That I was just aiming for the money of snot-nosed kids. But the result was different.”
Gyeong Chanhyeon wore a confident smile.
Seeing his attitude, as if he could create a masterpiece simply by being the one to make it, Robert let out a chuckle.
“If it’s with you, Director, I’m up for it. As long as you can pull it off at the level of Space Vagabond, I have no problem with it.”
“Really? But if you work on a superhero movie with me, you won’t be able to handle the popularity. The whole world will become your fan.”
At Gyeong Chanhyeon’s words, Robert frowned playfully and asked,
“Do people often tell you that you seem a bit… off?”
“Isn’t it the same for you, Mr. Robert?”
“Ha, seriously… you’re a funny guy.”
Robert looked at Gyeong Chanhyeon, chuckled, and gestured toward his car with his head.
“Since we’ve finished the important work for today, let’s celebrate by going to Burger Emperor for a cheeseburger.”
“Hmm, sounds good… but can you say this line first?”
“A line?”
Gyeong Chanhyeon smiled brightly and said,
“I AM IRON GUY.”
“What…?”
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