By Zephyria 
Director Kang Woo-hyun’s New Work <Cream Mansion>
Invited to the Competition Section of the Cannes International Film Festival!
After a long filming period and various twists and turns, Director Kang Woo-hyun’s new work, <Cream Mansion>, has been officially invited to the competition section of the Cannes International Film Festival to be held this May.
Director Kang Woo-hyun, who has won awards at prestigious world-renowned festivals such as the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals, had uniquely failed to secure a win at Cannes, earning him the bittersweet nickname “The Man Hated by Cannes.”
Film fans are already anticipating whether Director Kang Woo-hyun can become “The Man Who Stole the Heart of Cannes” with <Cream Mansion>.
The long-awaited weekend was filled with the full spirit of spring.
Lee Hae-sung and Choi Hong-seo prepared a late breakfast at a round table on the terrace under an awning. It wasn’t just a simple weekend brunch.
It was a gathering for the two of them to celebrate the successful launch of ARA Electronics’ new phone model and new home appliance line—which Lee Hae-sung had struggled with for several weeks—as well as <Cream Mansion>’s invitation to the Cannes competition section.
Even though it was early April, the temperature exceeded 20 degrees, and with only a gentle breeze, it was perfect weather to enjoy a leisurely meal on the terrace.
However, things did not go according to their plan.
Due to the congratulatory calls, Choi Hong-seo’s fluffy French toast and Lee Hae-sung’s Eggs Benedict were cooling down, untouched. Since they were celebratory calls, they didn’t feel right ignoring them, but it felt as if it would never end. In particular, Lee Hae-sung’s phone rang incessantly.
After finishing a call with an acquaintance who knew about the investment in <Cream Mansion>, Lee Hae-sung shook his head and suggested,
“This won’t do. Let’s both turn off our phones until we finish eating.”
“Okay.”
Choi Hong-seo, who had just hung up with his stylist General Manager, nodded and immediately powered off his phone.
“Um… I know I was the one who suggested turning off the phones, but can I take just this one call?”
At Choi Hong-seo’s curious expression, wondering who it was, Lee Hae-sung showed him the phone screen instead of answering.
Ji-in.
The moment he saw the saved name, Choi Hong-seo felt as if his heart would burst. He unconsciously swallowed hard, but pretended to be composed so that Lee Hae-sung wouldn’t worry about him.
“Hyung… he must be calling to congratulate you. Go ahead and answer.”
With Choi Hong-seo’s permission, Lee Hae-sung slowly connected the call.
“Yes, Ji-in.”
[Hyung-nim, congratulations!]
Even though it wasn’t on speakerphone, Jeong Ji-in’s excited voice reached Choi Hong-seo across the table. Since this was a very rare side of Jeong Ji-in, Choi Hong-seo’s eyes widened.
“Thanks for the congratulations… but Ji-in, isn’t it dawn over there right now?”
[That’s right. It’s… a bit past 4 AM. Actually, we just landed after a trip. We’re still on the plane.]
“A trip? That sounds nice. Where did you go?”
[Hyung-nim, our trip isn’t what’s important right now. Truly, congratulations! You have no idea how excited Yi-han and I were when we heard the news mid-flight!]
“Thank you. I didn’t realize the news had traveled that far already.”
[By any chance, are you coming to Cannes, Hyung-nim?]
Lee Hae-sung’s voice suddenly trailed off as he glanced at Choi Hong-seo.
“Ah… even if I don’t attend the official events, I’m thinking of visiting quietly.”
[Will… that person be accompanying you?]
At the mention of ‘that person,’ Lee Hae-sung looked across the table again. Choi Hong-seo was paying close attention to the call with a tense expression.
“If I go, that person will probably… come along, right?”
Hearing Lee Hae-sung’s answer, Choi Hong-seo could deduce what question Jeong Ji-in had asked.
Jeong Ji-in and his partner, Yi-han, only knew that Lee Hae-sung had a ‘partner he was seriously dating’; they didn’t know who that partner was. They didn’t know he was one of the actors in <Cream Mansion>, and they certainly couldn’t know that he was Choi Hong-seo living in another person’s body.
[If you have time, please stop by Paris. With that person too. If your schedule is difficult, we can go to Cannes instead.]
“Thanks for the invitation. I’ll discuss it with them.”
While slowly stroking the stem of a champagne glass where bubbles were still fizzing, Lee Hae-sung did not take his eyes off Choi Hong-seo.
It was then. Instead of Jeong Ji-in’s cautious voice, a powerful, deep voice pushed through and took over the other end of the line.
[Hyung, it’s me! You haven’t visited our house yet, and this is the perfect opportunity! You absolutely must stop by Paris, and bring that person along. I won’t accept any excuses!]
It was Yi-han, who had snatched the phone from Jeong Ji-in.
Yi-han, why are you being so rude? It might be awkward for them.
You said you’d persuade him that I really want Hyung and that person to come to our house? You’re too soft, that’s why it doesn’t work.
The sound of the two bickering could be heard over the phone. Lee Hae-sung, who had been tense along with Choi Hong-seo, lowered his shoulders and let out a small chuckle.
[Hyung, even if you have to push yourself, please come to our house in Paris. Honestly, if you adjust things in advance, you can clear your schedule. I know how it works.]
To Lee Hae-sung, who only smiled ambiguously without giving a definitive answer, Yi-han emphasized once more.
[Please show us that mysterious person now.]
After finishing the call with the two, Lee Hae-sung immediately powered off his phone this time.
“Those two are as noisy as ever.”
“……”
“Given Ji-in’s personality, I thought it would be quiet even with the two of them. Surprisingly loud. Maybe it’s because they’re an older-younger couple.”
Choi Hong-seo knew Lee Hae-sung was trying to lighten the mood in his own way, but he didn’t have the composure for it right now.
Leaning his upper body over the table, Choi Hong-seo focused only on what Lee Hae-sung was about to say.
“As you guessed, we were invited by those two.”
“To their house in Paris?”
“Yeah. They want to see the ‘mysterious person’…”
He had guessed it, but hearing it clearly made his mouth go dry. Choi Hong-seo downed half the champagne in one gulp.
Lee Hae-sung gently wrapped his hand around the other hand that was resting limply on the table.
“You can meet them when you’re ready. It’s a matter that no one can force you into.”
He had been afraid for a long time.
If someone who had been close to the past Choi Hong-seo had the chance to observe the current ‘Hyun-seo,’ there was no way they wouldn’t think of Choi Hong-seo. For people who didn’t know that Choi Hong-seo and Lee Hae-sung had been lovers, it wasn’t a big problem. But Jeong Ji-in knew about the relationship between Lee Hae-sung and Choi Hong-seo.
He had been terrified that in Jeong Ji-in’s eyes, the ‘Hyun-seo’ currently by Lee Hae-sung’s side would look like a fake, someone mimicking Choi Hong-seo to attract Lee Hae-sung’s attention.
Looking down at Lee Hae-sung’s hand enveloping his own, Choi Hong-seo gazed at the emotions naturally rising in his heart.
It wasn’t just fear.
“I… want to meet him. Even if I get hurt.”
“You won’t get hurt.”
At Lee Hae-sung’s immediate answer, which was so firm it sounded cold, Choi Hong-seo chuckled and met his eyes.
“How can you be so sure? Are you going to scold My acquaintance, Hyung?”
“If he hurts Hong-seo, I won’t forgive him, even if it’s Ji-in.”
He didn’t actually want him to fight with Jeong Ji-in to protect him. However, the mere fact that someone who would say such things was staying close by his side was already preventing the wound.
He squeezed back the hand of Lee Hae-sung that covered his own.
“I’m scared, but I’m a bit more excited. So I think I can meet them.”
Their fingers intertwined softly.
“And… you’ll be… with me… Mister…”
Choi Hong-seo’s voice trailed off as he belatedly realized he had called him ‘Mister.’ When he peeked up to check Lee Hae-sung’s reaction, the man’s face was full of smiles. To be precise, it was a face desperately trying to suppress a smile that was about to overflow.
He pulled the intertwined fingers with a bit of strength and spoke.
“As you know, I’m very overprotective.”
“That’s true.”
“Because to me, you’re forever a baby, I can’t help it.”
“……”
“I’ll follow you anywhere and stay by your side.”
“……”
“Whether it’s Cannes, Paris, or Bardo. No matter how much further it is.”
Choi Hong-seo’s gaze, which had been looking down at their joined hands, found Lee Hae-sung’s face. The gentle smile he showed only to Choi Hong-seo was warmer than the spring sunshine.
“Since you called me a baby, does that mean we’re the same age now?”
The kindness of this man, who wanted to make sure Choi Hong-seo didn’t even lose a small penalty game, sometimes made Choi Hong-seo so happy he wanted to cry.
He was living a life where he looked forward to tomorrow and the future.
However, he knew this anticipation wasn’t because of the things he currently held in his hands.
As long as he was with this person, even if he lost everything, tomorrow would still be a hope.
The sunlight over the Han River sparkled in a nostalgic color, like a scene from a precious memory. It was a day where that fantastic shimmer of light seemed to stretch endlessly from the past toward the future.
It felt as if the whole world was opening its arms to welcome him back.
Comeback: No Choice But..
Welcome Back.
<End>