Chapter 51
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 051
Chapter Title: Awards Ceremony (2)
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The Best Acting Award was announced.
"Lee Cha-beom, the father figure from Innocent Boy."
Applause erupted the moment the words left the announcer's mouth.
The giant screen above the stage showed Lee Cha-beom's face, seated at one of the tables.
"...!"
Lee Cha-beom froze in place.
"M-Me?"
He couldn't believe it.
All this time... all Lee Cha-beom had wanted was not to screw things up. He'd given his all to see this role through to the end.
But maybe those desperate efforts hadn't been in vain after all.
No, had they meant something?
His name had been called over all those countless actors at the festival...
Thump, thump. His heart pounded wildly. His head spun.
Yes! That's right! Go on! Get up there!
The Innocent Boy team showered the stunned Lee Cha-beom with bright smiles, pushing him toward the stage.
Watching it all, Shin Yi-han let out a genuine cheer of delight.
I told you, didn't I?
That among all the brilliant actors in Innocent Boy, you'd shine the brightest.
As Kang-jae's father, and as an actor.
Shin Yi-han knew better than anyone how hard Lee Cha-beom had worked for Innocent Boy. He couldn't help but grin ear to ear.
One day, someone would recognize it—and for it to happen so soon? Even better.
"Congratulations, Actor Lee Cha-beom."
Shin Yi-han said it to the awkwardly rising man. The words came naturally.
"...Thank you. Truly."
Only after hearing Shin Yi-han's words did Lee Cha-beom nod, as if snapping out of it.
The acting academy he'd gone to every day after work, full of joy.
The audition applications that had brought nothing but rejections.
The first audition he'd passed, the first shoot he'd ever done—all those moments flashed by in an instant.
And now, here he was.
Amid cheers from everyone, Lee Cha-beom made his way to the stage.
The applause grew louder.
But murmurs rippled through the crowd too.
To those who hadn't seen the film, it was an impossible result to accept.
What...?
Some no-name newbie wins Best Acting?!
Then what about me? Me?!
Actor-director Ki Yo-han was the perfect example. He'd meant to watch Innocent Boy, but he'd been too busy schmoozing guests. Part of him hadn't even wanted to check it out.
Director Dae Sang-jun and actor Jang Hyeop at the next table were no different.
Best Acting to the Innocent Boy team?
What about Actor Jang Hyeop?!
You're telling me I lost to that nobody...? Not even the lead—just a supporting role?!
Learning it was the guy's debut made it even harder to swallow.
Gasp. W-Wait a sec.
Then a hopeful thought struck them.
Isn't this just them spreading the awards around?!
Oh! Yeah! Has to be! Nothing else makes sense!
They clung to that hope till the end.
"Thank you. Thank you so much!"
Whether it was as Lee Cha-beom received the trophy from Baek Eun-won,
"I dedicate this honor to Director Kwak Hoon, who chose me for this outstanding work, and to Actor Shin Yi-han, who drew out every bit of my potential...! Thank you!"
or as his acceptance speech began,
One to Innocent Boy, one to us! Honestly, there are plenty worthy of Best Actor, right?
they were lost in their own delusions.
Maybe it could happen. At least for acting awards!
"Now, for the Best Actor Award."
The actors' heads snapped back to the stage.
"Director Imamura Genji, who traveled far for our Seoul Independent Film Festival, will announce the winner!"
With the top prize on the line—the single greatest acting honor—tension peaked as the announcer appeared.
Come on, they wouldn't sweep everything, right? Not with so many finalists...
"Thank you for inviting me."
Imamura Genji's brief greeting followed.
"It allowed me to encounter such enviable works and talent."
The interpreter relayed it in Korean.
"I'm especially thrilled to present this trophy to that actor myself."
It was praise as direct as it got.
Imamura Genji smiled as he read from the cue card.
"Congratulations. Best Actor goes to..."
Most people could sense it from his words.
Me! It's me! This time for real!
Please, just say my name! I can't go home empty-handed!
Except for a few throwing tantrums.
Enviable work and actor. They knew it wasn't about them.
Who would dare think that in front of the boy?
"Shin Yi-han of Innocent Boy!"
The name from Imamura Genji's lips.
People shot to their feet. The loudest cheers and applause yet exploded.
Woooah—!
Yes! That's how it should be!
The boy who'd shown them that horrific, heartbreaking story.
They congratulated Shin Yi-han from the heart.
"How... how could I not even get a single acting award..."
"Damn it! How can they pile all the awards on one film?!"
Some still hadn't read the room.
"Yak yak yak, so noisy."
"...?!"
Tak Bong-chun, waiting nearby for his turn, spotted them.
"Chattering away."
The master's brow furrowed. What were these clowns? Ki Yo-han? Jang Hyeop?
Tch.
What a joke.
Tak Bong-chun clicked his tongue and walked right past.
"...!"
"...?!"
Ki Yo-han and Jang Hyeop, who'd grumbled all night, went pale.
"Gasp."
"...W-We blew it."
To be seen like this by the master they'd wanted to impress all festival long.
No greater embarrassment.
Regardless, Shin Yi-han stood.
"Kuh-huh! Yes! No one but our Yi-han could take this!"
Kwak Hoon had held it together for Lee Cha-beom, but now tears burst out. Shin Yi-han chuckled.
"Congratulations, Actor Shin Yi-han!"
"The obvious result! It had to be our Shin Yi-han!"
"You bet! No question!"
The team erupted in cheers.
Other tables joined in.
Bathed in congratulations, Shin Yi-han ascended the stage.
He accepted the trophy and bouquet.
"Ah."
Seeing Shin Yi-han up close, Imamura Genji blurted it out.
"...So this is what the protagonist of Innocent Boy looks like."
The impact was too fresh.
"Great to meet you. And congrats, of course."
No interpreter needed—the meaning was clear. Shin Yi-han smiled warmly.
"Thank you very much."
Truth be told, Shin Yi-han was glad to see him too. He hadn't come here in his past life, as far as he knew.
Imamura Genji, once called a master.
Tak Bong-chun was one thing, but this was unexpected.
"...!"
Just that one thank-you made Imamura Genji's eyes widen.
He speaks Japanese...?
Imamura Genji was stunned.
He couldn't tell if it was fluent,
but the pronunciation was spot-on.
That alone made his eyes sparkle.
This wasn't right. He'd told himself it was the work he envied, not the actor.
But that thought didn't last.
"Here, this way."
Imamura Genji stepped aside for the mic.
Curiosity burned, but he wouldn't steal the actor's moment.
Appreciating the courtesy, Shin Yi-han bowed briefly and took the podium.
There, Shin Yi-han
"...".
faced his reflection on the massive screen for the first time in ages.
It wasn't some grand ceremony to get sentimental over.
Some might call the award minor.
...So this is it.
But Shin Yi-han got it fully now.
The feeling of standing here.
A sensation he'd never known in his past life.
Inevitable, really. Back then,
even as a writer racking up awards, he'd dreaded every stage.
Hated facing himself at the podium.
His face, red and blotchy, scarred with burns.
Even masked and hatted, seeing it huge on screen was unbearable.
No matter how cool he played it, the dread always returned.
His speeches were always short.
But
"Thank you."
today, Shin Yi-han was fully present, unhurried.
"Director Kwak Hoon. Thank you for discovering me, for letting me act, for making Innocent Boy with me. Truly."
He gave his thanks slowly.
"To the entire Innocent Boy team. Thank you for being with me."
Without looking away.
"And with that gratitude,"
he smiled wide.
"I'll become an actor who gives his all: Shin Yi-han."
That was enough for him.
He bowed deeply. Applause thundered.
Listening, he returned to his seat.
The whole time, something in his heart unclenched.
Yeah. Refreshing.
Joyful.
Fun.
The future excited him.
Of course—he planned to soar even higher.
Shin Yi-han smiled again.
Just moments ago, as Shin Yi-han's speech wrapped up.
Imamura Genji paused on his way down after presenting.
"...!"
Tak Bong-chun stood nearby, grinning broadly.
"Long time no see, Director Imamura."
His face screamed, Got something to say to me?
"Such an enviable work. Spot on, right?"
His tone said it too.
Well, now.
Hearing the interpreter, Imamura Genji threw up his hands.
"You win."
"Knew it? Your nose must be bleeding."
Japanese and Korean flowed naturally through the interpreter.
"Yeah, yeah. How could I beat a work like that? I got too cocky."
Imamura Genji confessed freely.
"Haven't envied someone else's work this much in ages."
"Same here."
Tak Bong-chun agreed.
"Enviable."
He said it outright.
"Hits like the 'one shot' I've always wanted."
The gazes of once-rival masters met.
They burst into hearty laughs.
Same feeling, different paths ahead.
But something big was brewing, for sure.
"Of course, first..."
Tak Bong-chun grinned.
"Let's clarify where my rave review was aimed."
He headed for the next awards: the film categories.
Excellence, runner-up, and top film prizes were announced one by one.
Trophies handed out amid celebrations.
But some teams faced bitter disappointment.
Lies.
This has to be a lie!
Director Dae Sang-jun, last year's Grand Prize winner, reeled from not even placing top three.
Everyone had praised his film—how could it end like this?
This can't be real!
Defeat crushed him.
One prize left, sure.
But hope? Gone.
Anyone still clinging was a fool.
"Now, the grand finale: Grand Prize for Best Film!"
Master Tak Bong-chun took the stage.
"You all saw my interviews—comet this, dying to meet that. What a fuss."
Laughter rippled.
"But those who've seen it agree with me, right?"
Nods all around.
"That's all that matters. Our shared hype, the thrill of gossip."
Tak Bong-chun savored their faces. Fun week, huh?
"Enough chat. Let's announce."
As if reading their minds, he opened the cue card.
"Seoul Independent Film Festival, Grand Prize for Best Film!"
No hesitation.
"Heartfelt congratulations!"
Unanimous jury decision.
"Innocent Boy!"
It claimed the top film award too.
Two acting awards plus this: an unprecedented 'triple crown.'
A shock for a festival known for spreading the love.
And at their table.
"...!"
Even certain, the news hit hard.
Everyone stood, applauding.
Shin Yi-han soaked it in fully.
Cheers, congrats. Smiles, tears. Joy.
He felt like he'd finally found his place.
Not about the award's prestige or festival rank.
Originally, Innocent Boy wouldn't even start till next year.
Forget this festival—in his past life, they'd released their debut Murder's Delusion small-scale.
Word-of-mouth luck had struck.
Critics' nods, audience raves.
Despite lower polish, it drew unexpected buzz.
Problem: more haters than fans.
Bitter joy.
But now? Totally different.
Backed by a master, silencing all.
Shin Yi-han beamed.
This was pure fun.
Director Kwak Hoon broke down again on the spot.
Shin Yi-han laughed, pushing his back.
Kwak Hoon clutched the trophy with a soaked handkerchief.
Tears wouldn't stop. A first for him too.
First film, first directing gig. Overwhelming.
"Th-Thank yoooou...! Kuh-huh! Sniff!"
He sobbed through his speech.
"Yi-haaan! We won! Kuh-heeeng!"
So very Kwak Hoon. Shin Yi-han kept laughing.
The closing ceremony ended that evening.
Not quite over, really.
Maybe just the start.
"Hold up!"
Someone called out to the buoyant Innocent Boy team heading to the afterparty.
"Actor Shin Yi-han."
Frankly, the festival's wild card—the one Shin Yi-han had eyed most: master Tak Bong-chun.
He urgently stopped Shin Yi-han.
"Oh, Director Kwak Hoon too."
Ah, Kwak Hoon too.
"Got something to say, and a question. Mind if I ask?"
Tak Bong-chun asked earnestly.
"Gasp! Of course!"
"Ask away. We'll answer as best we can."
Shin Yi-han nodded gladly.
Wonder what. Blocking our afterparty path for this. He was curious.
"Um, by any chance."
By any chance?
Tak Bong-chun scratched his cheek awkwardly,
eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity.
"Where's screenwriter Shin Il-han?"
He was hunting Innocent Boy's scriptwriter.