Oscar vs Sion Lee (2)
Currently, Hollywood was buzzing in the wake of the Academy Awards. The controversy surrounding Shakespeare in Love winning Best Picture was growing increasingly heated.
Was that film truly worthy of being chosen as the year's best over Saving Private Ryan? Debates raged across various media outlets, and in the process, the controversy surrounding Harvey Weinstein's aggressive Oscar campaign erupted into the open.
Until now, the public had believed in the purity of the Academy Awards. They assumed that while a human-voted system might not be perfect, the film that truly defined the year would ultimately take home the prize. Because of this, the backlash was exceptionally fierce.
For quite some time, speculative articles flooded the press, met by an equal number of counter-articles attempting to suppress the outrage. But as time passed, the noise began to quiet down. That was simply how the world worked. People would poke and prod to test the waters, but if there was no immediate profit to be made, they would quietly back away.
Yet, just as the flames were beginning to dwindle, someone suddenly dumped an entire barrel of gasoline onto the embers.
When the public read those words, a collective shockwave rippled through the industry.
"Whoa..."
"Talk about a direct hit."
Never before had an industry insider spoken of the Academy Awards in such a manner. In Hollywood, the Oscar was the ultimate authority, the pinnacle of everyone's dreams. To dismiss an award of such stature as merely 'an outdated local neighborhood ceremony' placed Sion's attitude somewhere on the fine line between incredibly cool and outrageously arrogant.
Naturally, the 'old guard' who had spent their lives in the industry took active offense at his interview, viewing it as a direct insult to the 71-year history and authority of the Academy.
"Isn't this going a bit too far?"
"Just because he won a single award at a European film festival, he thinks he owns the world. This is America. If we're talking about market size, those European festivals are the ones that should be called local. Arrogant punk... he's crossed the line by a mile."
"This is going to spark a massive controversy."
And naturally, that sentiment translated directly into the media narrative.
Articles poured out from every publication.
"It is true that his perspective has brought a breath of fresh air to the industry. However, there was no respect. Sion Lee's remarks completely disregarded everyone who has contributed to the awards over the years."
"It seems he really crossed the line this time, didn't he?"
"Exactly. I sincerely hope he provides an explanation for these remarks."
Various television talk shows began broadcasting segments criticizing his remarks. Yet, in the midst of this brewing storm, Sion Lee...
"Sion Lee... Sion Leeeee...!!"
...was smiling serenely, thoroughly enjoying the exasperated, resentful voice of Charlie Kang, the head of CK Agency, whom he hadn't heard from in a while.
Wow, it's been a minute. It's actually kind of nice to hear.
"What on earth is the problem now?!" Charlie yelled. "You just won the Golden Bear! Why couldn't you just keep your head down and let it pass?!"
"I can tolerate a lot of things, Charlie, but I can't stand people putting on a pathetic show in front of me."
"The man you're dealing with isn't the Harvey Weinstein you used to know! He's imported a ton of highly acclaimed indie films through god knows what means, and now he's one of the biggest power players in Hollywood, you bastard!"
"Hmm, did that bastard regress too?"
"Huh?"
"Nothing. Just talking to myself."
In his past life, Harvey had achieved this exact level of success. A master manipulator pulling the strings of all Hollywood, a shadow kingmaker... that sort of vibe.
But now, that foundation was beginning to crack.
Even in his past life, Shakespeare in Love winning Best Picture had sparked immense controversy. Knowing this would happen, Sion planned to use this moment to deal a massive blow to the authority of both the Academy and Harvey Weinstein, while naturally elevating his own status.
"Anyway, don't worry about it. I'll respond once the heat builds up a bit more. It's still a little lukewarm."
"...Don't people usually consult their agency before doing things like this?"
"We're basically co-CEOs now, Charlie."
"You miserable punk...! Don't you see our stock price fluctuating because of you?!"
"Oh, then I should buy some more right now."
Sion spoke with absolute confidence.
"Just trust me, Charlie. This is exactly what I've been doing to rise to the top of Hollywood."
"In what possible sense?!"
"Stir up controversy, divide the crowd. That's how we get people to know us, seek us out, and ultimately, have no choice but to love me."
"Grrr, you...!"
"So, just book me on a show with a completely youthful image."
"Sigh... going on a show like that right now is seriously dangerous, kid."
For once, Charlie Kang wore a dead-serious expression.
"There are already whispers among the industry veterans about blacklisting you. And the production teams for Fight Club, which you're about to shoot, and Bad Contact 2, which starts in June, are expressing deep concern. We've managed to keep them quiet for now, but if you don't clean this up, you could be seriously screwed."
Hearing the genuine worry in Charlie's voice, Sion dropped his playful tone.
"Charlie. How many years have we been together?"
"It's definitely been over ten years."
"Have I caused a mess of this scale since Swing in Chicago?"
"No. But this time, I really can't understand you."
"That's exactly the message I'm trying to send."
"...?"
"Trust me. Trust the me that you believe in."
Charlie let out a long sigh, then finally nodded.
"Don't let this drag you down, Sion."
Of course, he had no intention of letting that happen.
Immediately following Sion's remarks, Harvey Weinstein put on a magnanimous front in public. Yet, his petty behind-the-scenes message to his associates remained consistent:
Sion Lee must be banned.
A statement that directly denied the very system and achievements Hollywood had built over decades had crossed the line. Therefore, he had to be punished in some way... that was the narrative.
Many industry veterans who had dedicated their lives to Hollywood agreed with Harvey, and Harvey thought to himself with glee:
That idiot Sion Lee dug his own grave!
As a result, the controversy surrounding Shakespeare in Love naturally began to fade.
While planning a critical broadcast using a suitable figure to completely finish off Sion Lee's career, Harvey heard a piece of news.
Sion Lee was going to appear on Total Request Live.
A smirk immediately escaped his lips.
"So he's preparing to play the male whore on some cheap MTV show!"
Total Request Live was a live music show on MTV that had only been on the air for about six months. Broadcast from Times Square in New York behind a giant glass window, its concept revolved around interacting directly with the massive crowds outside.
While it was popular for its fresh vibe, it was hardly an appropriate venue for a controversial actor to conduct a serious interview.
"Was there no one else willing to cast him?"
"Apparently, it was Sion's own choice."
"Madman. His style never changes. He thinks doing what others won't will somehow make him look cool. It's a classic rookie mistake. He doesn't understand why the classics are classics. Ha, that moron will live like that forever."
Sensing an easy victory, Harvey immediately set up a dinner with Albert Payne. He spent the evening explaining—not that Sion Lee had destroyed himself—but how much he himself had orchestrated behind the scenes to make it happen.
A few days later, Harvey sat comfortably in front of his television, waiting for the broadcast.
3:30 PM Eastern Time. 12:30 PM Pacific Time.
Not even the weekend, but a timeslot aimed at kids returning from school.
"I guess appearing on a Friday was his way of saving some face."
Harvey chuckled, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.
"We are live from Times Square, New York! Can you hear the crowd outside? Whoa! It looks like everyone knows who our guest is today, because the crowd out there is absolutely massive!"
As the host, Carson Daly, delivered his intro, the camera panned to the crowd outside the glass window. There were easily several hundred people gathered, which was somewhat surprising, but that was all.
"Hmph. Kids skipping school to gather at this hour... their futures must be incredibly bright," Harvey sneered.
After a few boy bands performed their dance routines and the lucky audience members inside enjoyed the music, Harvey yawned, wondering when Sion would finally show up.
A moment later, Carson began his introduction with a meaningful tone.
"It's 1999. We have less than a year until the millennium. The computers are supposed to crash, the adults are telling us the world is going to end, but we're still here listening to music and watching movies. And today, we have an actor from a movie you've definitely seen."
Sion Lee.
The moment his name was mentioned, a roar so deafening erupted that it threatened to blow out the studio microphones.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggghhhhh-!!"
Dressed in a black leather jacket, sunglasses, and jeans—radiating a youthful, rebellious energy—Sion Lee made his entrance. He shook hands with Carson and took his seat opposite him.
When Sion gestured as if surprised by the sheer intensity of the crowd, the cheering grew even louder.
And around that time, Harvey felt a strange sensation.
A familiar, ominous ache in his lower stomach.
"What is this...? No. It's nothing."
Shaking off the feeling, he forced a relaxed expression and stared at Sion, who was now holding a microphone.
"Sion," Carson Daly, the host of Total Request Live, began with a slightly tense expression. "How have you been? You must have been incredibly busy since winning the Golden Bear."
Sion's reason for choosing this show was simple. It allowed him to deliver his message in the most raw and vivid way possible. Especially in front of such a massive, young audience.
"Well, actually, I've been busy for a completely different reason."
"What reason is that?"
Sion smiled effortlessly at the question.
Across the country, countless industry insiders watching the broadcast tensed up. They were anxious to see what kind of bombshell would drop from his mouth next.
In particular, the PD and production team controlling the live broadcast were certain that their future careers would be decided by this very appearance. They would either be writing resignation letters taking full responsibility, or hitting the jackpot with a massive raise and bonuses.
"It seems a casual comment I made has become a huge topic of discussion here in the US. I've been busy trying to smooth things over with people around me who've been asking, 'Are you serious?' or saying, 'I'm never seeing you again.'"
"Ah, are you referring to your comments about the Academy Awards?"
Carson Daly addressed the elephant in the room directly. Since Sion himself had brought it up, Carson figured there was no point in beating around the bush.
"Yes. Calling it a local show for old geezers."
"..."
Carson had originally planned to bring it up casually toward the end of the interview to get a standard apology. He never expected Sion to tackle it so head-on.
Looking at Sion's face from the closest possible distance, Carson realized one thing with absolute certainty: Sion had absolutely no intention of apologizing.
"I honestly wonder when we entered an era where the messenger became more important than the message. Especially here in America," Sion began, starting his verbal onslaught in earnest.
"But honestly, isn't it true? It's an awards ceremony for movies released within the United States, and the voters are 'authoritative' figures who have been watching movies for at least several decades. But the reason my direct phrasing caused such a massive controversy... don't you think it's because it struck a nerve and hit a little too close to home for some people?"
As Carson listened, weighing every single word to figure out how to respond, he felt his heart pounding. He glanced at the PD, but the only signal he received was to keep going.
This meant either the MTV executives had already cleared this, or they trusted Sion enough to let him run with it.
To put it simply: this broadcast was currently airing live across the entire United States.
And...
"Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion!"
Every single person in the venue was going wild.
The younger generation, who naturally rebelled against authority and had been frustrated by the recent Oscar controversy from the start, were fully on his side.
Sion looked around at them, a smirk playing on his lips, and stood up from his seat.
"And the fact that those people failed to convince us at all this time... isn't this reaction right here the proof?"
Sion was directly pointing out the controversy surrounding Shakespeare in Love winning and Echos of a family being snubbed.
The media had pointed it out, but never with such raw force. To drag it out so blatantly on a live broadcast was unprecedented.
The crowd—mostly teenagers, young adults, and those with a youthful mindset—couldn't help but go wild.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggghhhhh-!!"
"I love it! The energy here today is insane! Everyone outside the glass window, gather round! Let's put aside authority and prestige for a second and talk seriously! When you hear the term 'geezer show,' is it cooler to look back at yourself and wonder why people are saying that? Or is it cooler to get all serious and try to bury a young, promising actor who's just doing his job and dedicating himself to the industry?! Show me what you think with your voices!"
Sion's voice, amplified by the microphone, echoed across Times Square.
And from there, it traveled through the airwaves to every corner of the United States.
Watching Sion—who had dropped his playful demeanor to deliver a genuinely powerful, rallying speech—everyone gathered in the square felt a shiver run down their spines. They began to chant his name in unison.
"Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion! Sion!"
Sion felt a sudden urge to laugh.
This is crazy. Reality has literally become a movie.
In that moment, he felt exactly like Tyler Durden from Fight Club.