Chapter 129
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: The Golden Globe Goes To...
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From Superstar From Age 0 - Chapter 129
<The Golden Globe nominees have been announced. We are pleased to report that actor Seojun Lee (12) has been nominated, but looking at past winners, it might not be a reason to celebrate just yet… (omitted)... The Academy Awards are even more telling. Just three years ago, Milan Chellen, a Black actor who moved audiences with his brilliant performance and was considered a frontrunner for Best Actor, was ultimately snubbed. This is America, this is Hollywood… (omitted)... For these reasons, even if Seojun Lee does not win, it cannot be said that it is solely due to his acting ability.>
MBS’s needle was incredibly sharp, popping every balloon of hope that had been floating in the air.
A mere one-hour special broadcast achieved enormous ratings and created a tremendous stir.
People who had been overjoyed by the nomination news were forced to face reality.
[Three Black actors, one Asian actor! The Golden Globe nominees!]
[Just three years ago, at the Oscars: Black actor, a strong contender for Best Actor, fails to even get nominated!]
[Nomination and win rates for Asian actors are even worse than for Black actors!]
[The Golden Globes and the Academy Awards are their own private party!]
-…This is harsh. It’s a miracle Seojun even got nominated.
-There was a time when all the nominees were white for two years in a row.
-I’m… speechless.
-Truly an ‘American’ awards show.
-I knew there was some discrimination, but I had no idea it was this bad.
[Golden Globes and the Academy] had perfectly doused people’s expectations with cold water. The public’s sobered reaction was so severe that MBS was worried the ratings for the Golden Globes ceremony would plummet.
The day after the broadcast, the producer of [Golden Globes and the Academy] came to work and began writing on a blank sheet of paper.
A writer, who handed the producer a warm cup of coffee, took a seat beside him.
“Let… ter… of… apol…”
“You’re writing it already? Well, the mood upstairs isn’t great.”
“Considering how much we spent on the broadcasting rights… I hope this is the end of it.”
Sighing, the producer resumed writing.
A few hours later.
It was time for the Golden Globe Awards ceremony to begin. Fortunately for MBS and the producer, a vast majority of viewers tuned into the MBS channel.
-Still, we have to watch him being a nominee.
-Yeah, I don’t care if he doesn’t win. Just getting there was a huge hurdle.
-He’s going to win the music award anyway, right? We should celebrate that.
-Seojun played the violin himself!
-In my heart, the Best Actor is Lee Seojun! If they won’t give it to him, I will! Anyone want to make a Lee Seojun trophy? (1/9,999)
=Send me the account number (2/9,999)
=Message me if you need a designer (3/9,999)
***
Unaware that his fans had already begun producing a trophy for him, Seojun, dressed in a neat suit, waved to his parents.
Just like at the WTV Film Festival, his mom and dad had decided to leave first.
The people at the mansion, aware of the uproar in Korea, looked at the family with pity in their eyes. Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun smiled and hugged Seojun tightly.
“Did you have fun filming?”
“Yeah! It was a lot of fun.”
“When do you think your next shoot will be? Are you going to take another year off?”
Seojun laughed at his parents’ words.
“Winning an award is nice, but acting is a hundred, a thousand times better. So you don’t have to worry.”
At his words, the couple hugged their son tightly. Nara Kim and An Daho watched the family with warmth, though a corner of their hearts ached. Then, a sweet fragrance wafted from somewhere, calming the minds of the couple, Nara, and An Daho.
“Well, Mom and Dad will head out first.”
“Okay! Be safe!”
Seojun waved as he watched his parents leave with his aunt Nara. Soon, the car prepared by Whale Studio arrived. An Daho and Seojun got in.
“Hey, Jun!”
“Hi! Catherine, Paul!”
Catherine and Paul, who were waiting in the car, greeted him warmly. It had been several months since filming ended, so they were even happier to see each other.
Both Catherine and Paul looked extremely nervous, their faces stiff, but seeing Seojun seemed to ease their tension a little. The [(Good) Calming Apple Blossom Scent - Mid-Low Grade] emanating from Seojun’s wrist filled the car.
“This is my first time at an awards show! You’ve been to one before, right, Jun?”
“This is my first time here, too. I’ve only ever attended two awards ceremonies.”
“The important thing is that you won awards at both of them!”
Seojun’s eyes widened at Paul’s words. One was the WTV Film Festival, and the other was the KBC Drama Awards.
“How did you know about the Korean one?”
“Is there anything you can’t find on N-tube?”
“Yeah. I saw it too! Oh, and you filmed a talk show recently, right?”
“I saw that too!”
While the children chattered away, the car headed for the red carpet.
A moment later, the car door opened in front of the red carpet. The sounds of actors’ names being called filled the air.
All traces of their earlier nervousness vanished as flashes went off everywhere. The three young actors stood on the red carpet, waving and responding to the crowd.
“Jun! Congratulations on the nomination!”
“Yes, thank you!”
A reporter holding a microphone approached Seojun and the others.
“Do you have a message for the fans watching the broadcast right now?”
“I really hope I can deliver some good news!”
[Actor Seojun Lee on the red carpet!]
[Catherine, Paul, and Jun. The three friends are reunited!]
[Actor Seojun Lee: ‘I’m happy to be nominated’!]
[The message Seojun Lee wants to send to his fans!]
-Seojun on the red carpet!!
-He looks amazing! Lee Seojun!
-ㅠㅠ I’m just happy he was nominated! It’s okay if he doesn’t win!
=222 Let’s have him win all the awards he doesn’t get there back in Korea!
It was 6 PM in LA, 11 AM in Korea.
The Golden Globe Awards ceremony had begun.
MBS, having secured the broadcasting rights, was perfectly prepared, just as the articles had claimed. Subtitles were translated and displayed instantly, and people across the country dropped everything to watch their televisions. News articles were uploaded just as quickly.
[Over the Rainbow wins Best Music Score, Best Original Song, and Best Picture!]
[Over the Rainbow’s Sarah Rothe wins Best Director!]
[Over the Rainbow has won a total of four awards so far!]
Cheers erupted with each announcement. Seojun and the other kids applauded every time *Over the Rainbow* won an award.
“Congratulations, Director!”
“Thank you!”
The long ceremony was finally drawing to a close. Only one award remained.
The people watching on television clasped their hands without realizing it. They all remembered the [Golden Globes and the Academy] special from the night before, yet they couldn’t let go of a slender thread of hope.
[Golden Globes: Only Best Actor remains!]
-I know he’s not going to win, but I’m still nervous.
-Seriously… I think I’m going to be disappointed without meaning to. But this disappointment isn’t directed at Seojun. Absolutely not.
-Let’s give the Golden Globes a piece of our mind for not recognizing Lee Seojun. Some traditional pumpkin candy.
=lol I’ll buy the ginger kind.
=They have rice candy, too.
In the audience, his parents clasped their hands tightly in prayer.
To Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun, it didn’t matter whether Seojun won or not. He was still their proud and beloved son.
They wished he could only see good things and experience joyful things, but the world their child wanted to live in was too vast and rugged for that.
Of course, they knew full well that even if Seojun faced hardship, he was the kind of child who would eventually move forward again.
‘Still…’
Still, they hoped that hardship would arrive just a little bit later.
All eyes turned to the MC standing on stage.
“And the Golden Globe for Best Actor goes to!”
The MC shouted.
On the screen behind him, the nominated actors were shown.
Among the various films and actors, the image of Gray, chin resting on his violin with his eyes gently closed, stood out.
-Ah, seeing him like this makes it feel like Gray is winning the award… No, just being a nominee is amazing enough.
-That’s not wrong. Seojun Lee is winning for his role as Gray! …No, just being nominated is a great achievement.
Half anticipation, half a desire not to pressure him. The comments grew longer as people’s complex emotions poured out.
Thump.
Thump.
Paul and Catherine squeezed Seojun’s hands. Seojun held their hands tightly, noticing they were trembling more than he was.
Seojun’s dark eyes fixed on the trophy on stage.
It was okay if he didn’t win. The award from the WTV Film Festival had been truly wonderful because it was the first award he had ever received in both his past and present lives. He had been so happy he was almost swept away by the emotions of his first life. He had also been happy when he received the KBC Rookie of the Year award.
A slowly growing sense of satisfaction gave Seojun confidence in his future.
*I’m doing well. I’ll be able to win many more awards in the future.*
With that thought, he felt a sense of ease. His desire to win more awards remained, but his perspective was gradually changing.
The reactions of people were beginning to touch his heart more than the awards themselves. The reviews for the movie *Over the Rainbow* were more than enough. The admiration and cheers of the fans shone brighter than any award. So, it was okay if he didn’t win this time.
But it seemed others felt differently. His worried parents and family, his acquaintances, friends, and fans. He could feel everyone’s concern and heartfelt wishes.
‘I also hate being judged for factors other than my acting and the work itself.’
But no matter how he thought about it, there was nothing he could do right now. After some deliberation, he concluded there was only one solution.
Seojun made a resolution. Next time, in another project, he would deliver a performance so powerful it would effortlessly trample over any form of discrimination. He would utilize his abilities even more than now.
Dozens, hundreds, thousands of monsters, who never gave up on their prey once targeted, bared their teeth and growled. It felt as if the books in the library were flying about, urging him to use their powers.
‘I wonder when the next library door will open.’
He wished he could quickly master the intermediate, mid-high, and high-level abilities.
Just as Seojun and the monsters of his past life were cackling and steeling their resolve.
The MC shouted loudly.
“From *Over the Rainbow*, Seojun Lee!”
A moment of silence,
And then a massive roar of applause!
Whaaaaaa!
As the cheers echoed through the awards hall, the camera captured Seojun’s face.
“...?”
The monster, which had been baring its fangs and building its fighting spirit, was bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
*Huh? Weren’t we supposed to lose?*
As the applause rained down, Seojun, who could only blink in confusion, heard Catherine and Paul’s voices.
“Jun! Congratulations!”
“I knew you’d get it!”
Looking beside him, he saw Catherine and Paul clapping enthusiastically. Director Sarah Rothe and the production staff were also applauding fervently.
Ah. Only then did Seojun understand. His mind was still reeling, but his heart pounded with joy.
Amid the enormous cheers and applause directed at him, Seojun slowly rose from his seat.
***
“So, this part is…”
Math class, during that drowsy period right after lunch. Everyone stared at the blackboard with half-closed eyes. The teacher’s voice sounded like a lullaby.
Suddenly, a boy in the back row shot to his feet. The loud clatter of his chair made the half-dozing students and the diligently explaining teacher turn to look at him.
“Ahhhhhhh!!!!”
The boy who stood up screamed. *Kyaaaa!!* A scream was heard from the next classroom as well. What, what’s going on? The sudden commotion woke the students up, and they stared at their friend. The boy held up the phone in his hand.
“Hey! Lee Seojun won! Teacher! Lee Seojun won the award!”
“...He won!? He won!?”
“Did he really win? They said he wouldn’t!”
“What!? He won?! Wait, that bastard didn’t turn in his phone!?”
Here and there, those who had been secretly watching the Golden Globes on their phones leaped to their feet and cheered without thinking. Cheers erupted in schools, offices, and even on buses.
The news of Seojun’s win spread through radio and television broadcasts.
[Actor Lee Seojun wins Best Actor at the Golden Globes!]
[Actor Lee Seojun becomes the youngest-ever winner of the Golden Globe for Best Actor!]
-Ahhhhhhh!!
-I knew it!! Is it okay to be this happy now!? Lee Seojun is the best!!!
-ㅠㅠ I’m crying ㅠㅠ
-I thought he would win even before the nominees were announced!
-Of course, our Seojun is the best!
-With his acting skills, they had no choice but to acknowledge him!!
The joy was all the greater because it had been unexpected. People became emotional, tearing up at the sight of Seojun shining amidst the discrimination.
Those who couldn’t bear to watch the ceremony for fear he would lose quickly turned on their TVs and tuned to MBS upon seeing the news articles and the reactions around them. They were just in time to see Seojun walk onto the stage.
Whether it was the background music from the Golden Globes or from MBS’s broadcast, “Over the Rainbow, Part 4” began to play.
A melody of hope shining at the end of despair.
The name fans had given it was “Brilliance.”
Perfectly matching that melody, a brilliantly shining Seojun smiled brightly at the camera.
With the Golden Globe trophy in his hand, Seojun stood before the microphone.
‘I really thought I wouldn’t win…’
The heavy weight of the trophy made the monster lose its fighting spirit and flop onto its back. The books in the library also grew quiet. Feeling a sudden sense of anticlimax, Seojun looked ahead.
He could see his parents, Aunt Nara, and Daho-hyung applauding enthusiastically. Their eyes were brimming with tears, likely because they hadn’t expected it either.
It probably wasn’t just his mom and dad. His friends and fans watching on TV. The many people who had cheered for him.
‘Everyone must have been so worried.’
And now, they must be overjoyed. At that thought, Seojun beamed. He wanted to show a bright, happy face to all the people who had been worried.
‘Well, I’m a bit dazed, but it’s true that I’m happy. I thought it was okay not to get it, but now that I have it, it feels great. Hehe.’
The large screen showed Seojun’s face. His cheeks were flushed red, and his sparkling expression was incredibly bright and happy.
“Hello. I’m Lee Seojun.”
The first words of Seojun Lee’s acceptance speech, just like at the WTV Film Festival, were in Korean.
At the Golden Globe Awards, the youngest Asian actor to win Best Actor opened his mouth to speak.
#