By Zephyria 
Episode 1
Side Story 2: Hospitality… You’re welcome
1. Cannes
Hyun-seo, departing today… First entry into <Cream Mansion>
On the morning of the 21st, actor Hyun-seo departed for France via Incheon International Airport to attend the Cannes Film Festival. The photo shows Hyun-seo greeting the gathered press and fans with a bright smile.
Having previously made headlines after being selected as the youngest Asian ambassador for Brand L, he drew attention today as well, completing a comfortable yet elegant airport look with S/S season items from Brand L.
Meanwhile, in addition to Hyun-seo, Director Kang Woo-hyun of <Cream Mansion>, and actors Jo Won-tae, Oh In-kyung, Park Dong-ha, and Kim Yi-jung are also scheduled to attend the festival.
Following <The Moment of Falling Asleep>, Director Kang Woo-hyun has been invited to the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival for the first time in seven years. Film fans both domestically and globally are watching closely to see if his work will achieve the honor of winning an award.
<Cream Mansion>, Premiere Today in Cannes… 2300 Audience Members Captivated
Local time this afternoon, the premiere screening of <Cream Mansion> was held at the Lumière Grand Theatre in Cannes.
The audience expressed their emotion for the work with a standing ovation lasting more than ten minutes. While standing ovations after screenings in Cannes are often a matter of customary etiquette, it certainly seemed that the applause and cheers were exceptionally fervent.
The local atmosphere following the screening is also quite positive. Major outlets such as Le Figaro and Heterotopia attended the interviews, continuing the heat of the coverage.
Some foreign media outlets have even published articles suggesting that the honor of the Palme d’Or is likely to go to <Cream Mansion>, further increasing expectations.
The Palme d’Or is scheduled to be announced at the closing ceremony on the dawn of the 25th, Korean time.
[Breaking News] Director Kang Woo-hyun’s <Cream Mansion> Wins Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival
Director Kang Woo-hyun’s <Cream Mansion> has clinched the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Taking the podium, Director Kang Woo-hyun began his acceptance speech with a joke, saying he had finally been able to shake off the label of “the man hated by Cannes.” He added, “I want to share this honor with the actors and staff who showed results beyond my demanding requests.”
The <Cream Mansion> team is scheduled to hold an after-party at the InterContinental Carlton Hotel in Cannes following the closing ceremony. With the work winning the Palme d’Or, a phenomenon has occurred locally where invitations to the <Cream Mansion> party are being traded for premiums.
The photo shows the bright faces of the <Cream Mansion> team posing on the red carpet before the award.
⤷ Holy… they actually won it.
⤷ Hyun-seo is so beautiful. That Brand L tuxedo is a perfect fit.
⤷ How is my actor renewing his peak visuals every single day?
⤷ Now he’s even great at acting, and his fan service is the best. There’s nothing to criticize ㅠㅠ
⤷ Wait, what’s that ribbon around Hyun-seo’s neck? So cute ㅠㅠㅠ
⤷⤷ It’s not a ribbon, it’s a cravat bow tie; that’s also a type of necktie.
⤷ Where can I find photos of the after-party ㅠㅠ
⤷⤷ Go to the international fans’ homepages! Real-time photos from Cannes are being uploaded!
⤷⤷ Ugh, don’t you know that’s an invasion of privacy? I’m telling you, it’s not just idol sasaengs that are the problem.
⤷ It seems like everything has been going smoothly for Hyun-seo since he changed his name.
⤷⤷ Did he get the name from some famous shaman? Please share where it is.
■
InterContinental Carlton Cannes Hotel.
Opened in 1911, this historic hotel entered the Promenade de la Croisette even before the Cannes Film Festival. It is no exaggeration to say that it has shared the history of this world-renowned festival ever since. The lobby, the bar, the restaurants, the elevators, the corners of the hallways, and every single room were part of a cinematic moment.
During this festival period, the <Cream Mansion> team was staying at this hotel.
At this time of year, the nightly rate for the most basic standard room at the Carlton Hotel is nearly $1,200. Of course, booking itself is not easy. Had the investment firm ‘Hieutsiut’ not stepped in, staying here would have been impossible in many ways. To be precise, had it not been for Lee Hae-sung of ARA, who is behind ‘Hieutsiut’.
The final day of the festival. Preparations for the party were in full swing in Lee Hae-sung’s suite.
It was a party for <Cream Mansion> that Lee Hae-sung himself had ordered to be prepared. Whether they won an award or not, the mere fact that Choi Hong-seo had finally stepped onto the Cannes red carpet through this film was deeply meaningful. Therefore, he had already contracted one of the hotel’s halls from the moment the invitation was received.
And as this year’s Palme d’Or went to <Cream Mansion>, the party naturally became a celebration of the win.
In the center of the spacious dressing room attached to the master room, a garment rack had been installed, and several tuxedo suits, shirts, shoes, and other accessories were scattered about.
The stylist, who had accompanied him to Cannes, had him put on the next suit jacket as soon as Lee Hae-sung finished adjusting the fit of his shirt. This was already the fourth suit. She meticulously checked Lee Hae-sung’s silhouette through the full-length mirror.
“How is this suit, Vice Chairman?”
“Hmm, it’s a bit too flashy.”
As a businessman, Lee Hae-sung usually preferred understated suits. This was a strategy rather than a preference. To his eyes, the tuxedo suit with satin lapels looked excessively dressed up.
“Today, you are attending the party not as the Vice Chairman of ARA Group, but as an investor in <Cream Mansion>. In an entertainment industry party, this can’t even be called flashy.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Lee Hae-sung tilted his head slightly, inspecting himself in the mirror.
“Since you’ve come to Cannes after so long, I thought it would be nice for you to enjoy an atmosphere different from your usual self, so I prepared this.”
It was certainly different from his usual conservative appearance. Even as a businessman, he looked like the manager of a hotel or a casino. Above all, he was slightly curious about how Choi Hong-seo would react to this different side of him.
As Lee Hae-sung tried to take off the jacket, the stylist immediately had her assistant prepare the next shirt. Lee Hae-sung shook his head and spoke in a tired voice.
“I’ll choose from the suits I’ve tried on so far. The actors are the protagonists; there’s no need for me to be dressed up so flashily.”
“You’re exhausted, aren’t you?”
“You know I don’t have much of a taste for this kind of model play.”
Lee Hae-sung shrugged as if asking for understanding, and the stylist, while reading his mood, continued in a slightly excited tone as she took the jacket.
“I’ve worked with you for several years, Vice Chairman, so I know. But to me, you are such a great model. I don’t know how this sounds, but you’re a joy to dress. That’s why I unconsciously…”
Ahem, ahem.
Manager Kang, who had been waiting at a distance on the edge of the dressing room, gave the stylist a warning with a fake cough. It was a signal to refrain from unnecessary small talk. Quick-witted, she promptly returned to the main point.
“Since you will be giving a toast as the lead investor, I recommend something like this rather than an outfit that is too solemn. Since the work won an award, the party will likely be more spirited.”
“Right, I suppose I should match the mood.”
Lee Hae-sung answered half-heartedly and walked toward the refreshment table prepared on one side. Standing askew with his hands on his hips, he gulped down some chilled champagne.
Whether official or unofficial, Lee Hae-sung had experienced enough parties since childhood to be sick of them, but parties of this flamboyant nature were not common for him.
Standing in front of the mirror, putting it on and taking it off, putting it on and taking it off… How on earth does Hong-seo handle this? He even thought that on days when Hong-seo returned from a pictorial shoot, he should refrain from tormenting him too much.
It was then that the phone managed by Manager Kang rang. Several phones were distinguished by their ringtones. The ringtone set to ‘Come Back To Me, Baby’, composed by Choi Hong-seo, was for his private mobile.
Lee Hae-sung looked back at Manager Kang.
“Is it Hyun-seo?”
“It’s Paris. It’s Executive Director Yi-han.”
“Ah, Han. I should take this.”
Even though it wasn’t a call from Choi Hong-seo, Lee Hae-sung showed a rare look of pleasure as he took the phone and practically fled the dressing room. His retreating back looked genuinely happy to have found an excuse to escape.
He felt much better after pulling at the knot of the bow tie and unbuttoning two or three buttons of the pleated shirt. As he crossed the bedroom and stepped out onto the terrace, the evening breeze blowing from the Mediterranean right in front of the hotel was refreshing.
Lee Hae-sung leaned against the terrace railing and connected the call.
“Yeah, Han.”
An excited voice came through the phone.
[Hyung-nim! Congratulations!]
“Yeah, thanks.”
[Is that all? It’s the Palme d’Or, and your reaction is way too calm, isn’t it?]
“Well, I was in the middle of being tormented by party preparations.”
Lee Hae-sung started to ruffle his hair, but realizing he had already been styled, he withdrew his hand. He noticed a cigarette lying neatly on the outdoor table of the terrace. He felt he really needed one.
[Ah, Hyung-nim never did like those kinds of shows.]
“Is that a voice that enjoys hearing me struggle?”
Closing the terrace door, Lee Hae-sung tucked the phone between his shoulder and ear and put a cigarette in his mouth. Standing with his back to the sea, he used his large hand as a windbreak to light it.
Exchanging jokes and chuckling, he felt his stress being relieved.
[No way. It’s all out of concern for you, Hyung-nim.]
“You’ve become quite the sly snake.”
Although he had almost quit smoking, he didn’t try to resist when he felt a strong urge. It was a relief that Choi Hong-seo, who wanted him to quit for the sake of his health, overlooked this much.