I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 410

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 410
Steven Spielberg.
Aaron Sorkin.
Dennis Chazelle.
These titans who shaped not just Hollywood, but cinema itself, had their full attention fixed on me.
I indulged them with a touch of my well-practiced backstory, as I always did.
“Of course, you all know I was born in a modest single-room apartment in a residential neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea?”
“Really? How did you manage to study abroad at such a young age?”
As Aaron Sorkin leaned forward with interest, Dennis Chazelle placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Aaron, I’ve heard that story dozens of times over. Born into poverty, working as a child actor to lift his family out of hardship, accumulating seed money, buying land after reading economics books, investing in stocks—if we’re going to hear the whole thing from start to finish, we’d need at least three days and four nights.”
“Dennis, you certainly have a gift for summarizing.”
[Ugh, Dennis. That’s my story you’re condensing like that….]
Steven Spielberg laughed and applauded.
“Aaron Sorkin, what do you think about making a film about our Sung-guk together?”
“Hmm… it’s intriguing, and I’d be interested. Actually, I recently took on a biographical film about Charlie Jobs, and Sung-guk’s story comes up in that too. The one person Charlie wanted to see until the very end. And that ruthless Charlie even left Sung-guk some stock.”
[Not much, Aaron.]
I shrugged.
Aaron Sorkin fixed Steven Spielberg with a serious gaze.
“If I write the screenplay, you’ll direct it, won’t you?”
“Ten years from now… will I even be alive then?”
Dennis and Aaron Sorkin exchanged startled glances at Steven.
Since Steven Spielberg was born in 1946, ten years later he’d be well into his seventies.
And from what I remembered, Steven Spielberg continued making films actively even then.
“Steven, don’t worry. I have a feeling you’ll still be making movies ten years from now.”
“They say Sung-guk always speaks like a prophet. Anyway, Aaron, I’d prefer a younger, more contemporary director take on Sung-guk’s story. Social media is something young people do, after all. To tell that story properly, the director needs to be young too.”
“Steven, why are you like this? I’m no spring chicken myself as a screenwriter.”
“That’s a different matter. There’s always adaptation to consider….”
“Anyway, Steven, we’re making this film, right?”
At Aaron Sorkin’s question, Steven Spielberg turned to me.
“Sung-guk, what do you think? Ultimately, whether this film gets made depends on the subject’s consent.”
“I already told you. Make it ten years from now!”
[A film about me… produced in Hollywood no less. Why would I possibly refuse?]
I shrugged.
“Well, since Sung-guk has given his blessing, let’s just keep watching how his story unfolds. I think it’s about time our friends start arriving….”
Dennis whispered with barely contained excitement.
“Sung-guk, a party at Steven Spielberg’s place… I can’t wait to see who shows up.”
“Dennis, I hope you channel that anticipation into your next film.”
“You really are something.”
“Unstoppable, wouldn’t you say?”
“Absolutely!”
* * *
As dusk began to settle, Steven Spielberg’s Mansion bustled with preparations for an intimate gathering.
Steven Spielberg’s wife personally arranged food throughout the venue.
Steven Spielberg extended a glass of wine toward me.
“Made from grapes I harvested directly from my own vineyard.”
[Steven has his vanities too. Steven, I owned a wine farm in Napa Valley in my past life as well.]
I took a sip of the wine.
It was better than expected.
“Steven, you’re lying, aren’t you?”
“How did you know, Sung-guk?”
“You can’t make wine just by having a vineyard.”
“Sung-guk, you really do have sharp instincts.”
“That’s all thanks to working since childhood. Child actors have to quickly pick up on what adults want if they’re going to survive in this industry.”
As we conversed, a familiar director entered.
I raised my hand toward my old hospital roommate, whom I hadn’t seen in ages.
“Christopher!”
“Sung-guk! I can’t believe I’m seeing you here… This is unreal.”
Christopher Nolan pulled me into a tight embrace.
“I’ve been keeping up with your news through social media. But Sung-guk, aren’t you in the middle of your military service?”
“I came for work. There are things I need to discuss with Steven as well.”
“So you have connections in Hollywood besides me.”
Christopher Nolan spoke with a teasing tone.
I quickly introduced Dennis Chazelle to Christopher Nolan.
“This is my Harvard roommate. His name is Dennis Chazelle, and he’s preparing a film. I’m also handling the investment.”
Christopher Nolan’s eyes widened at those words.
“If Sung-guk is investing, then I have high expectations.”
“Dennis is a genius just like you.”
I gave Dennis, still unknown in this place, a bit of a boost. Dennis laughed shyly at that.
“Genius is… I’m just someone working hard to prepare a film, Christopher. And it’s truly an honor to meet you.”
Just then, Aaron Sorkin, who had spotted Christopher Nolan, approached us.
“Christopher, aren’t you incredibly busy with your film release this summer?”
The two seemed to know each other.
“I’m actually just coming back from reviewing the edit. By the way, Anne will be coming later too. She wanted to come to Steven’s party once, so I told her there would only be boring directors and screenwriters here… but she still wants to come. But… when Anne sees Sung-guk, she’s going to be thrilled.”
Anne? Could it be that Anne?
As I furrowed my brow, Christopher Nolan explained.
“The actress playing Catwoman in my new Batman series. Anne Hathaway. You know her well, right Sung-guk?”
“Of course. She’s famous.”
“Right. And….”
Christopher Nolan leaned in quietly and whispered.
“Anne is single too.”
“Christopher, he’s currently serving in the military.”
“Just keep it in mind, Sung-guk. What did I say…? And… you never know what can happen between a man and a woman, anytime, anywhere.”
Aaron Sorkin chimed in from beside him.
“Sung-guk, you and Emma broke up without any scandal, right?”
“Ah, yes. Aaron.”
“Sung-guk, there will be some famous single actresses here today, so why don’t you try striking up a conversation with one of them?”
“Steven, please don’t do this too. I have to return to Korea soon.”
[Come on, you guys, stop teasing me. And Anne isn’t my type anyway.]
I took a sip of wine.
Then these boring directors and screenwriters started rambling about films again.
Suddenly, Christopher Nolan raised his voice loudly.
“Wait a minute, Steven. You’re really making a film about Sung-guk?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“Aaron’s handling the screenplay. And the director?”
“Still undecided. Sung-guk insists the film shouldn’t be made until ten years from now, so we’ll need to prepare slowly.”
In that moment, Christopher Nolan’s eyes sparkled.
Christopher brushed back his falling blonde bangs with his hand and looked at me.
“Sung-guk… would it be alright if I took on this project? In other words… would it be okay if I directed it?”
[Hmm… this is a tricky situation.]
I had actually been considering Dennis Chazelle as my film director.
But there was no reason to refuse if Christopher Nolan wanted to do it.
I pretended to think for a moment and glanced around.
In terms of current recognition, I couldn’t ask for anything better than having Christopher Nolan direct.
“Christopher, you have so many films coming up. The Interstellar we talked about in the hospital room hasn’t even come out yet.”
“Sung-guk, it’s ten years away anyway. In any case, I’m incredibly interested in this film! So Aaron, Steven! Make sure to contact me when you have meetings.”
Christopher Nolan dove in enthusiastically.
In the meantime, I noticed Dennis, who had become slightly intimidated among these masters, had disappeared.
* * *
Dennis was gazing down at Los Angeles from the terrace as the sun set.
Just as I was quietly approaching Dennis, I felt a sense of déjà vu.
What is this? This familiar scene?
Beside Dennis stood a woman with a bright, radiant smile.
[Sigh… Dennis, you rascal… you’ve already met a woman?]
In fact, Dennis had always been weak when it came to women since his college days.
I had comforted him more than once when he cried and fretted over a woman.
I took a few steps back and quietly observed the two of them.
Dennis was passionately talking about something, and the woman kept laughing and chiming in.
[They look just like a couple starting a romance.]
I took a bitter sip of wine.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind me.
“This place seems perfect for a romantic evening.”
When I turned around, Catwoman Anne Hathaway stood holding a wine glass in one hand.
“Anne?”
“You’re Sung-guk, right? The moment Steven and Christopher saw me arrive, they handed me wine and practically shoved me toward you.”
These men were truly impossible to control.
Anne wrinkled her nose and laughed.
“You’re the SNS emperor, CEO Jeon Sung-guk, aren’t you?”
“That’s what people seem to call me.”
I gave a slight shrug.
Anne Hathaway looked at me with her large eyes.
“I came for the chance to see Steven Spielberg’s mansion, but I’m delighted to meet you like this.”
“So am I.”
“How long will you be staying in Los Angeles?”
“I think I’ll be here for quite a while. There’s still post-production work remaining on Les Misérables.”
In that film, Anne Hathaway would win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Fantine.
“I’m looking forward to Christopher’s film coming out this summer, and Les Misérables as well.”
“My role in Les Misérables is small. But my mother played that same role on Broadway years ago, so I’ve always wanted to perform it myself.”
“The role of Fantine?”
“How did you know that, Sung-guk?”
[Because I’ve seen every film in my past life, Anne.]
“I read it in an article. I think both films are going to do very well.”
“Really?”
Anne’s large eyes sparkled.
“That’s what people say. Whatever I predict seems to come true.”
Anne listened to my words with genuine interest.
Just like Dennis had moments before, and the woman standing beside him.
“I have a feeling that although Anne’s role in Les Misérables is small, it will definitely be memorable. When it opens in Korea, I’ll make sure to see it.”
“Sung-guk, your words alone make me happy. And… this place is absolutely magical. There’s a beautiful vineyard beneath us, and the sun is setting.”
Anne Hathaway and I locked eyes for a moment.
It was a thrill I hadn’t felt in a long time.
* * *
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk and Anne Hathaway spotted leaving Steven Spielberg’s mansion together!
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk protecting Anne Hathaway from camera flashes!
– The return of the charming man who’s been caught in scandals with icons of the era, following Emma Watson!
– Anne Hathaway posts on FaceNote: “A wonderful night in Los Angeles…”
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk heading to San Francisco—was his night with Anne Hathaway just a one-night affair?
Jeon Tae-guk read article after article about me from beside me.
“Sung-guk, weren’t you supposed to be busy auditioning for Dennis’s film in LA and meeting Steven to discuss movies? When did you even meet Anne Hathaway?”
[Do I really need to explain everything to you?]
I kept my mouth firmly shut.
“You won’t say anything? Fine, so when did you plan to go on another date with Anne?”
[That’s…]
I offered a bitter smile.
Jeon Tae-guk pressed me further upon seeing that expression.
“Don’t tell me it was just a one-night stand?”
[Sigh… whether it was a one-night stand or whatever, if something had actually happened, I wouldn’t be feeling this bitter about it!]
I quietly entered the bathroom and closed the door.
“Jeon Sung-guk, you know what they say—the quiet cat jumps on the stove first. You can’t be doing one-night stands now that you’re in the United States!”
Jeon Tae-guk shouted from outside.
The truth was, Anne and I had engaged in a purely strategic photo opportunity.
The moment our eyes met, Anne whispered to me.
“Sung-guk, should we take a photo together?”
“What kind of photo?”
“I have film releases in summer and winter, and you have the FaceNote IPO coming up. If a photo of us two holding hands gets out to the media, it wouldn’t be bad publicity for either of us, would it?”
Anne Hathaway had a cunning side to her.
I had no reason to refuse.
“Actually, I’ve been a bit bored lately without any buzz.”
And I took Anne’s hand.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Jeon Tae-guk knocked on the bathroom door from outside.
“Sung-guk, your phone’s ringing. Just so you know, it’s showing your Mother calling!”
[Sigh… really…]
How am I going to explain this to Mother?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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