June 28, 2003, Los Angeles, Disney.
The fairytale castle, under the night sky, was illuminated by brilliant lights, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of popcorn and an indescribable fervor.
The global premiere of pirates of the caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was held in this most fantastical place in the world.
The red carpet stretched from "Main Street, U.S.A." all the way to Sleeping Beauty Castle, and the flashing lights on both sides converged into a silver river, almost piercing the night sky.
"Allen, take a deep breath." Lee Soo-ji, dressed in an elegant Chanel gown, tightly held her son's hand.
Her palm was a little damp.
Allen Lawrence, thirteen years old, looked like a little adult in his well-tailored suit. He had grown considerably taller than two years ago, and his facial features were more defined, with the advantages of his East and West heritage perfectly blended on his face.
He gently patted his mother's hand with the back of his own, a relaxed smile on his face.
John Lawrence walked beside them, full of vigor, waving to the media and enjoying this most glorious moment of his life.
The pre-screening reception was held in the castle's ballroom. Under the crystal chandeliers, Hollywood's most powerful faces held champagne, gathered in small groups.
Their eyes always drifted involuntarily towards the young man protected by his parents in the middle.
"Is that John Lawrence's son? He looks... just like a kid."
"Shhh, keep it down! Two years ago, it was this 'kid' who predicted the downfall of mars odyssey. Now, no one dares to underestimate him."
"But this is a pirate movie! With an investment of over 140 million! Disney is crazy, they actually put their bet on a kid's script."
"A divine script, how could it be the same? I heard that choosing Johnny Depp as the lead was also that kid's decision."
"Depp? That eccentric who acts in art-house films? It's over, this movie is doomed."
The whispers buzzed like mosquitoes.
Allen was oblivious; he picked up a glass of orange juice and quietly observed all the glitz and glamour before him.
Finally, the lights dimmed, and the giant screen lit up.
After Disney's fireworks castle logo, a small boat slowly sailed across the deep blue Caribbean Sea.
When Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, stood at the top of the sinking mast and, in an incredibly comical yet incredibly cool way, precisely stepped onto the dock.
The entire cinema was dead silent.
Immediately, a torrent of laughter and applause erupted like a mountain flood.
This first round of applause was like a switch, completely igniting the scene.
The next two and a half hours became a pure carnival.
The audience roared with laughter at Captain Jack's outrageous and witty remarks.
They gasped repeatedly when they saw Barbossa's crew turn into skeletons under the moonlight.
They worried about Elizabeth and Will's love.
They followed the Black Pearl, sailing through cannon fire and giant waves.
Everyone was immersed in this magical world full of rum, undead, curses, and freedom, unable to extricate themselves.
When the movie ended, Captain Jack regained the Black Pearl and set sail, and Hans Zimmer's stirring soundtrack filled the entire venue, everyone erupted.
The end credits slowly rose.
When the name "Screenwriter / Executive Producer: Allen Lawrence" appeared in the center of the screen, the entire audience spontaneously rose to their feet.
Thunderous applause echoed, lasting for a long time.
Michael Eisner rushed over, his face flushed with excitement, grabbing John's shoulders and shaking him vigorously, shouting incoherently.
"We did it! John! We made history!"
John smiled, but his eyes were red. He turned his head and looked at his son.
Allen stood there, calmly accepting everyone's cheers, as if he had already foreseen this scene.
On Monday morning, the first weekend box office data was officially released.
North American market, seventy million sixty-two thousand dollars.
This figure exploded like a nuclear bomb in Hollywood. It not only debuted as the box office champion but also crushed all its competitors in the same period, breaking countless opening records for the summer season.
Variety's front-page headline was: "The Oracle Returns! The Cursed Pirate Conquers North America!"
The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Captain Jack is here! A new era belonging to pirates has begun!"
The storm did not stop there.
The film also swept through overseas markets, especially in Asia.
Peninsula, Seoul.
pirates of the caribbean triggered a phenomenal viewing craze. Captain Jack's cynical charm and the film's grand audio-visual effects completely conquered the aesthetically demanding Peninsula audience.
Merchandise around the cinema sold out.
Peninsula's most famous entertainment media, Dispatch, sensed a deeper news value. They dispatched their top paparazzi team to Los Angeles to dig into the mysterious genius screenwriter, Allen Lawrence.
Soon, a report burst onto the scene.
"Shocking! The genius screenwriter who created a Hollywood myth is 'Our Son' with Peninsula blood!"
The report detailed that Allen's mother, the famous artist Lee Soo-ji, was a Peninsula immigrant from Seoul.
The report included photos of Lee Soo-ji from her youth, delicate and gentle, a typical Peninsula beauty.
This report was like a drop of water into a boiling oil pot.
The entire Peninsula instantly ignited.
National pride, the most sensitive nerve of the Peninsula people, was fiercely touched.
"Oh my god! So Allen is a descendant of our Peninsula people!"
"No wonder he's so talented! Our Peninsula nation's genes are the best!"
"What's Hollywood? It still needs our Peninsula blood to save it!"
Online, Allen's name search popularity, within just a few hours, even surpassed the most popular idol groups at the time.
He was given various titles such as "Peninsula's Genius," "Hero Who Brought Honor to the Nation," and "Peninsula Son Who Shook Hollywood."
The fervent emotions spread rapidly.
The next morning.
Outside the Lawrence family's mansion in Beverly Hills.
John Lawrence, holding his coffee, drew open the curtains, ready to enjoy a victor's morning.
The sight outside the window almost made him drop his coffee cup.
Dozens of reporters, carrying long and short lenses, surrounded his house's gate, making it impenetrable.
Mixed in with the reporters were many young people holding support signs.
The signs, written in shaky Korean and English, read: "Allen Oppa! You are Peninsula's pride!"
The phone rang frantically, and all three lines in the house were simultaneously overwhelmed.
All were interview requests from Peninsula media.
"Mr. Lawrence! What are Allen's thoughts on his Peninsula heritage?"
"Ms. Lee Soo-ji! How did you raise such an outstanding genius son?"
"Allen-kun! Have you considered developing your career in Peninsula? Our entire nation supports you!"
Lee Soo-ji looked at the fervent faces outside the window, her complexion gradually turning pale.
She walked to Allen's Room and found her son wearing headphones, quietly writing something at his computer.
It was as if the crazy world outside had nothing to do with him.
Lee Soo-ji walked over and gently took off her son's headphones.
"Allen." Her voice trembled slightly.
Allen looked up at his mother.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Lee Soo-ji didn't speak; she just walked to the window and silently pulled back a corner of the curtain.
Allen followed her gaze.
He saw the flashing lights, the cameras, the raised signs, the faces distorted by excitement.
That wasn't adoration; it was a kind of... consumption.
Lee Soo-ji walked back, knelt down, and held her son's hand.
Her hand was cold.
"Allen, Mom... is a little scared."
She looked into her son's eyes, those eyes she had once known so well.
"They've made you into a god, into a Hero. But you're just my son."
"I'm afraid this madness will swallow you whole."