Chapter 50
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 050
Chapter Title: Awards Ceremony (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As the Seoul Independent Film Festival kicked off and its finale drew near, Shin Yi-han was genuinely savoring every single day.
'Son.'
It had been like that from day one.
'No matter the audience turnout... when the applause echoed through the theater, it made me so proud.'
Of course, she was always proud. From his mother, who watched Innocent Boy and sincerely said she'd loved every minute of it.
'Whoa. I'm really gonna start living my best life. Now... to measure up to Shin Yi-han noona, I don't think this'll cut it anymore.'
To his sister, clenching her fist with a grin.
'Kang-jae, you! Listen to your dad! You little punk!'
'...'
To his father, who felt sorry for Kang-jae's story.
Of course, that same evening, after watching the indie film, his father's emotions quickly flipped to rage.
'Y-you bastard...! So you were the real culprit?!'
'I-rim, turn on Brilliant Sky for Dad, quick.'
'Sob! Haneuli! You poor thing!'
Shin Yi-han couldn't help but burst out laughing at his father, who had watched the movie with such heartfelt intensity. His whole family had been cracking him up nonstop.
'But whether it's Dong-ho or Haneul, our boy's the best of them all, no doubt!'
His father's shoulders puffed up proudly as he flashed a thumbs-up, which only made it funnier.
And throughout the festival.
Messages poured in from acquaintances.
- As expected from my boys?! Thinking about you guys again while trying to sleep, so here's another text! Yi-han, Hoon. You guys worked so hard!
Director Song Won-sik of his debut film.
- Innocent Boy was amazing. Actor Shin Yi-han... So, about that—could you maybe do my next project? Kim Geun-tae here, promising to take great care of you!!
- As expected from our Shin Yi-han! Felt chills for the first time in ages! The applause just came naturally!
- And it's not just because you're here, actor... The acting and the script were both incredible. I'm gonna work even harder to write something like that!
PD Kim Geun-tae, Director Pyo Nam-un, and writer Yoon Si-a of the drama Brilliant Sky.
- I'm more worried you'll skyrocket before I finish my next script. Loved it.
Even writer Cheon Ji-hee of Brilliant Sky.
Some even quietly attended the festival, watched the films, and left reviews.
Shin Yi-han found it all so heartwarming.
The way these past connections hadn't forgotten him, sticking with him to the end, celebrating his successes like they were their own.
Though some messages were of questionable warmth.
- No way...! Is this why you turned down the lead role, Shin Yi-han?! Not that you knew, of course! But still!
It was Park Mu-gang.
- Schedule's insane; no way I can make it to Seoul!
Seemed swamped with his own movie shoot.
- Catch it properly when it officially releases^^
- !?!
Shin Yi-han decided to count this among the pleasant ones too.
Anyway, the flood of reactions to the project he'd poured his heart into was gratifying.
And seeing his loved ones smile was even better.
"Yi-han!"
But startling them? That brought a different kind of thrill.
"Wh-what the hell was that cookie video?!"
Shin Yi-han grinned, thoroughly satisfied with her explosive reaction.
"I only saw the final edit today too!"
He'd stopped by Winter Entertainment for the last suit fitting ahead of tomorrow's closing ceremony awards. Time to pick between the final two candidates.
"You have no idea how shocked I was! A cookie scene that wasn't even in the script rolls during the end credits, and the content..."
Choo Gyeo-ul, who had finally watched Innocent Boy properly today, was losing it.
"Wow... seriously..."
Shin Yi-han couldn't stop his lips from curling up at her nonstop exclamations.
It happened while he was changing into one of the prepared outfits in the curtained fitting room.
"So, Innocent Boy."
Shin Yi-han asked without hiding his smile.
"Fun, right?"
After a brief silence, Choo Gyeo-ul's voice came through.
"Yes!"
She continued, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Insanely so. Way more than I expected."
Choo Gyeo-ul meant it.
He couldn't quite put his finger on why...
The film's dark vibe had no laughs, yet Innocent Boy undeniably hooked you.
That suffocating unease, the dismay mixed with relief, the betrayal—all those negative emotions tangled up.
And yet, it was fun.
Fun enough to nod along despite the shock and surprise.
"The script was wild, but the movie takes it to another level.
I thought the screenplay was plenty crazy already.
But the film amplified it.
"Whoever did the acting... it made it perfect."
Choo Gyeo-ul couldn't stop showering the boy with praise.
Shin Yi-han had probably heard it a million times by now, but she wanted to say it again anyway.
"Even the supporting roles... how did you find those actors?"
The casting was flawless too. Her eye for talent as an agency CEO felt inferior.
"Not a single weak link in the performances!"
Shin Yi-han had to smile again at Choo Gyeo-ul's words filtering through the fitting room curtain.
Despite tagging along to every shoot as his manager, watching the script wear out more than any actor's copy.
Here she was, more thrilled than anyone by the finished Innocent Boy.
No wonder she ran a top management firm.
To Shin Yi-han, Choo Gyeo-ul was someone who genuinely loved movies, dramas, and acting.
Loved them so much, you wondered why she didn't dive in herself.
Of course, that passion meant she was all-in on this awards ceremony too, fussing over every little style detail.
"Oh."
Shin Yi-han gripped the curtain and spoke up.
"I'm all changed. Pull back the curtain?"
It was one of the suit finalists for the ceremony. This one featured a black shirt and black tie as accents.
The other was...
Swish— But as Shin Yi-han drew back the curtain.
"......"
"......"
The staff and Choo Gyeo-ul in the room flinched in surprise.
"Uh..."
A nearby staffer subtly set aside the other suit candidate, as if it was no longer needed.
"CEO, we should go with this one, right...?"
"......"
Truth be told, fresh off the movie, Choo Gyeo-ul's head had been full of it—even during the fitting.
That vicious, pitiful boy from the film.
And now this.
"...Yes. Absolutely."
She'd known he'd slimmed down for Innocent Boy, but with the full setup...
The difference was insane.
Several times more than usual.
"This one's locked in."
Choo Gyeo-ul nodded vigorously.
Me too. Shin Yi-han smiled faintly at his reflection, agreeing.
The all-black suit fit his face perfectly. It nailed that cool, icy vibe.
"Yi-han, you look like you were born in that suit—no tweaks needed. Just slick the hair back."
?
Pfft. He couldn't hold back a laugh at Choo Gyeo-ul's dead-serious gushing.
But she was dead serious.
Who'd see Kang-jae in this guy!
"For sure."
Everyone's eye for people would be the same.
"They're gonna freak out."
Choo Gyeo-ul spoke with total conviction, picturing the ceremony reactions.
The next day.
The long-awaited closing ceremony of the Seoul Independent Film Festival finally began.
Following the joker card they'd prepared from the start—master director Tak Bong-chun.
Then unexpected guests like director Imamura Kenji, top star Baek Eun-won, and Koo Do-jin.
Under all those names, it was a record-breaking smash. Far more people flocked than ever before.
Sure, compared to major festivals, it was still small-scale, but this level of attention on an indie fest was unprecedented.
About three times more reporters than last year.
The awards ceremony prep kicked into high gear.
"Feature indie film teams are now arriving!"
On the red carpet for the ceremony.
"First up, the Japan invite Blue Night's Day! Director Takeshi!"
At the host's cue, each film's director and actors stepped out.
As they reached the photo zone plastered with festival logos.
Click—click! Click-click—!
Reporters' flashes erupted.
"Next! Last year's grand prize winner, director Dae Sang-jun and actor Jang Hyeop!"
"Haha..."
Familiar to some.
"Director and star actor Gi Yo-han! Ah, that pose is killer!"
Others were having a blast.
With award results still pending, everyone posed at the photo zone, harboring quiet hopes.
'No matter how much buzz there's...'
'Acting award won't slip away, right?'
'Yeah, we've got the chops. We'll snag something!'
And soon after.
Cheers unlike any other team erupted—from general attendees and invitees alike.
It was the Innocent Boy team.
Director Kwak Hoon, Lee Cha-beom as the father, Oh Young-sook as the mother, Park Soo-jung as the sister.
And at the very back.
'Shin Yi-han!'
'It's Shin Yi-han!'
The star of Innocent Boy.
Reporters swung their cameras toward Shin Yi-han en masse.
To capture as much as possible of the protagonist from the film Tak Bong-chun had raved about—everyone's top guess for grand prize.
'This'll rack up views.'
'If it just sweeps grand prize like this, jackpot!'
'Even a solid exclusive shot's gold!'
The reason was obvious.
But just as they went to snap.
'Uh... wait.'
The reporters froze in confusion.
Many were seeing Shin Yi-han in person for the first time.
'...Hold on.'
Even those who'd seen Innocent Boy recoiled.
'That's the actor from Innocent Boy, right?'
'What boy?'
No, even if they'd met him before, it was unavoidable.
'Clothes make the man, or is he just wings themselves...'
He was a whole different Shin Yi-han from back then.
Not just his old soft image.
Not Kang-jae's awkwardness or creepiness from Innocent Boy.
None of it remained.
Shin Yi-han was there purely as himself.
'Way better than expected.'
Click, click-click-click-click—!
'The real deal's insane.'
Reporters reflexively hammered their shutters. Had to get something.
His confident stride, that bright smile tugging at his lips.
How that smile shone so brilliantly.
Forgetting planned questions about expected wins, Tak Bong-chun's pick, all of it.
They just shot furiously.
And before them, Shin Yi-han reached the photo zone, unable to keep from beaming.
A reflexive smile.
'Ah.'
Kwak Hoon and the Innocent Boy team right beside him.
'So dazzling.'
Everyone watching them.
This all felt so welcome.
The spotlight felt even brighter than at the Brilliant Sky wrap party.
A whole level brighter.
There we stood beneath it. Proudly.
Shin Yi-han waved at the cameras, flashing a radiant smile.
Anticipation built.
It was almost time.
To see exactly where we'd landed.
It followed soon after.
Teams took their seats after a brief red carpet moment.
The ceremony proper began.
After master director Tak Bong-chun's brief address, then remarks from the section chairs who'd steered the festival.
"And with that, short film awards are wrapped!"
Short films concluded in a flash.
The highlights were up next.
"Next up: acting awards."
All eyes locked on the host.
"Among the stellar performances this year."
A segment just for actors.
"We'll announce Best Acting and Grand Prize in order."
Encompassing shorts and features.
The criterion: who delivered the most intense, memorable performance.
Features usually had an edge, but short film teams held hopes too.
Especially with two acting awards...
'At least one's mine!'
'With my experience.'
'I went legendary this time!'
Maybe that one was theirs.
Everyone brimmed with pride in their work.
"I'll snag Best Acting, k?"
Gi Yo-han, who'd directed and starred in his film, felt confident.
"Pretty sure of it."
He grinned slyly at director Dae Sang-jun and actor Jang Hyeop at the next table.
"Oh ho?"
"Getting cocky? Our Jang Hyeop nailed it too."
Jang Hyeop scoffed, Dae Sang-jun defended his actor.
They weren't gunning for grand prize—they had ears.
But Best Acting or Best Film? Definitely theirs.
Dae Sang-jun was already certain of victory.
Last year's grand prize winner couldn't go empty-handed this time.
"We'll see~!"
Gi Yo-han just shrugged at them.
"Now, please welcome our special guest to announce today's awards!"
Big awards meant no skimping.
Special guest?
Heads turned at the judge's words.
Shin Yi-han, seated with his team, too.
They've got events like this?
He chuckled softly.
Tak Bong-chun alone was special enough—what could top that?
"Thank you for gracing us!"
Who'd they—
"Actor Baek Eun-won!"
Shin Yi-han's eyes widened at the host's follow-up.
Totally unexpected.
'Why's Baek Eun-won coming out?'
Wasn't his one appearance last time the end?
Shin Yi-han laughed despite himself as Baek Eun-won strode confidently from behind the curtained tent.
Truly special.
Especially with that gaze blatantly fixed their way.
"Yi-han, you and Baek Eun-won buddies already? He's staring hard."
"Uh... not super close yet. Guess we're closer than I thought."
Shin Yi-han smiled back at Kwak Hoon.
Baek Eun-won checked the cue card from the host, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Alright then."
No remarks—just straight to it. Pure Baek Eun-won style.
"Announcing the winner now."
After a tense hush.
'Okay, me! Best Acting's mine!'
'No, our star!'
'Not first, but second at least! Come on!'
Amid the buzz.
"Best Acting Award goes to..."
Lee Cha-beom
as the father in Innocent Boy.
"Congratulations."
All ears strained for Baek Eun-won's voice.
But dreams shattered in an instant.
Best Acting went to someone else.
"...?!"
"......!"
First award since shorts.
And right out the gate, one win under their belt.