There were theaters, but movies didn't exist back then; however, plays did. Ryeowook was a musical actor himself, and had been exposed to different plays, and acted in different theaters. Then a foreigner, Hanykung, came hoping to be a successful actor one day.
Ryeowook was always picked on by neighborhood bullies because he was different, but manages to form a unique friendship with an odd boy who lived just down the street from him, one that would last from childhood into adolescent years.
Before reading this one, read my two other Super Junior stories (My first love & Caffeine) and you'll understand the background a bit better