Chapter 131
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: A Welcome Surprise
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[Actor Lee Seojun Fails to Secure Nomination.]
[As Expected, It Was Too Soon. The Limits of an Asian Actor!]
[The Academy Awards' Annual Racial Discr—
"Senior. Do we really have to write this in advance?"
The reporter, typing furiously on his keyboard, looked at his senior, who was scrolling through his phone, with a disgruntled expression.
"What, is it tough?"
"They haven't even announced it yet, and writing an article like this beforehand is really pissing me off."
"You have to prepare in advance to post it immediately. You wrote plenty of articles about him getting nominated."
"Of course! Because that's the one I feel better writing."
"Still, you need to have both articles—the one for him getting nominated and the one for him not—ready before the announcement. Every other outlet is probably doing the same. It'll be too late if you start writing after it's announced."
Sighing, the junior reporter placed his hands back on the keyboard. Just trying to write the bleak article, which felt like it would soon become reality, drained all the strength from his body.
"When's the announcement?"
"In a little bit."
Just as his senior said, a short while later, the list of Academy Award nominees was released.
The two reporters, rapidly scanning the list, were left speechless. *Did I see that right?* They rubbed their eyes, but the name didn't change.
"...We'll have to rewrite the article, won't we?"
"First, let's publish the Lee Seojun article. I have a feeling this isn't going to end here."
The voters, the Academy, the international media who had been watching with intrigued eyes to see how much controversy would arise, and the anxious Koreans.
The result was so unexpected, so unimaginable, that people all over the world who had been waiting for the nomination announcement were left gaping and at a loss for words.
[Actor Lee Seojun, Youngest Nominee for Best Actor at the Academy Awards!]
[Actor Lee Seojun, First Korean Nominee at the Academy Awards!]
[Over the Rainbow Nominated in a Total of Seven Categories at the Academy Awards!]
[Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Original Song, and Best Actor!]
[Academy Award Nominations Announced! A List of Nominees Like We've Never Seen Before!]
[A List of Nominees Less White Than Ever Before!]
[Has There Ever Been Such a Beautiful Color!!]
<The Academy Award nominations have been announced. The list, revealed amidst great anticipation, is being met with bigger cheers than ever before. As many films feature white leads, the Best Actor and Best Actress categories have typically been dominated by white actors. However, among the 10 nominees for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, only 5 are white. Four Black actors and one Asian actor (he's Korean!) have been nominated. Actors who never thought they would be nominated, despite their brilliant performances, are shedding tears.>
[Reference Photo]
Academy Award Nominations
Best Actor: 3 White, 1 Black (Milan Chelan), 1 Asian (Lee Seojun)
Best Actress: 4 White, 1 Black
Best Supporting Actor: 3 White, 2 Black
Best Supporting Actress: 2 White, 2 Black, 1 Asian (Jessica Kim)
-…Just last year, the vast majority were white.
-Seriously shocked. How did it change so drastically?
-But if you look at the actors' performances, it makes sense. All the actors I thought did well this year are on the list.
-It's the first time I've seen the nomination announcement covered like breaking news, and even the list itself is anything but ordinary.
-Seojun is changing the world!
=...That's a bit much lol
=But it's probably true that the global ad campaign was the catalyst lol
=Yeah, everyone everywhere is talking about the Oscars. I wasn't interested before, but now I'm curious about the results lol
Stunned by the Academy's dazzling transformation, media outlets all over the world churned out articles.
[Milan Chelan, Snubbed Three Years Ago, Receives First Nomination for Best Actor!]
[First Nomination! First Nomination! A More Welcome First Nomination Than Ever Before!]
[First Nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Let's Learn About Korean-American Jessica Kim!]
-Finally! I love Milan Chelan so much! I still haven't forgotten that day three years ago! I was so angry I couldn't sleep!
-Still, it's scary how much it's changed all at once;;
-…You think it'll go back to the way it was next year?
=It might. But since they've shown it *can* change this much, maybe it will change for good?
=Though it might take a while. :(
=It's the start that matters.
***
"Oh."
"Hmm."
Richard Bowyn and Dr. Phelan let out groans as they looked over the list of nominees released by the Academy.
Their operation hadn't just succeeded; it had landed a critical hit.
"It seems things have gotten a little too big."
"It's a good thing. I think we can even expect him to win, don't you?"
"That's both wonderful and unfortunate news. The nomination alone will send his appearance fee skyrocketing, but if he wins…"
At Phelan's words, Richard pressed his hand to his forehead. Right, that was true. Seojun Lee's fee was cheap for his level of fame. Of course, that was only when compared to Hollywood actors.
That was why he'd planned to send Seojun Lee a mountain of scripts and synopses. The plan was to have him shoot a bunch of movies before his fee went up, but the operation had been too successful.
Seojun Lee's win, which he thought would take at least five years, was now just a month away. Richard Bowyn, who had laid out plans to make a fortune before Seojun's fee increased, spoke with difficulty.
"...What were the terms of our contract with Jun again?"
"Up to Shadowman 3."
"..."
"That one movie is it."
"..."
At Dr. Phelan's blunt words, Richard Bowyn buried his face in his hands.
***
[Title: I told my dad about the nomination.]
"Eva? What are you filming?"
The Black actor, Milan Chelan, who had been looking at a script, tilted his head. The sound of his daughter, Eva Chelan, laughing could be heard. The camera shook with her laughter.
"Dad. They just announced the Oscar nominations."
"...They did?"
A flicker of bitterness crossed Milan Chelan's face.
The naive Milan Chelan who had trusted the media's claims that he was a strong contender three years ago was no more. Having lost hope that he would ever be nominated no matter how he acted, Milan Chelan had stopped paying attention altogether.
"I see. So today was the announcement."
He hadn't watched, since he thought there was no chance. Come to think of it, there was another actor like him this year.
An Asian actor and a movie that had opened in mid-October and changed travel trends for its entire run. An actor the media outlets were touting as a likely nominee.
Seojun Lee from *Over the Rainbow*.
"Was Lee nominated?"
Fearing that a child younger than himself might suffer the same wound, Milan Chelan, sitting on the sofa, asked cautiously. His daughter, who felt like crying at the sight, smiled brightly and answered.
"Yes! He was nominated."
"That's amazing! That's great news. Lee's acting was incredible."
"And you were nominated too, Dad."
Seeing her father's genuinely happy face, the daughter finally spoke, her voice thick with tears. Milan Chelan's hand, holding the script, twitched.
"You were nominated too!"
Eva handed the Finepad to her father, who was staring at her with a look of disbelief.
After seeing his own photo alongside the four other actors in the [Best Actor Nominees] section, Milan Chelan didn't lift his head for the rest of the video, simply stroking his picture.
[I wanted to film my dad's happy face, but he never looked up. Dad, congratulations on the nomination!]
-Milan! I love Milan so much ㅠ
-This movie was great too! So great!
-This year's Academy Awards are making people cry right from the nomination announcement ㅠ
[Title: Congrats on the nomination! Surprise Party!]
"Jessica! Did you hear? They said an Asian actor was nominated this year."
"Oh! Is it Seojun!? Was Seojun nominated!?"
Jessica Kim, who had been working out, beamed and approached her friend. When her friend confirmed it, Jessica Kim laughed cheerfully.
"I knew Seojun would get it! You can't watch that performance and not vote for him!"
"And there's one more."
"What? Really?! Wait... an Asian actor... who could it be..."
"YOU."
Jessica Kim, who had been genuinely delighted at the appearance of another Asian nominee and was ticking off the Asian actors who had been in movies this year one by one on her fingers, froze.
To Jessica Kim, who had stopped like a broken machine and seemed to have stopped breathing, her friend kindly repeated.
"It's you! Our superstar! Jessica Kim!"
At that moment, confetti poppers went off everywhere. Friends who had been hiding emerged, handing bouquets to Jessica Kim and congratulating her.
Dazed by the growing pile of flowers in her arms and the boisterous congratulations of her friends, Jessica Kim finally processed her friend's words and began to sob.
-Congratulations on the nomination!! I loved the movie!
-I'm a fan, Jessica! Please continue to be active!
***
Only thirty minutes had passed since the list was released.
With the flood of congratulatory messages and calls, Seojun had to plug in his phone as he watched the battery drain.
Sticking close to the wall outlet because of the short charging cable, Seojun, who had been smiling to himself while diligently replying to messages, saw a name pop up on his screen and answered the call.
"Hello?"
Nara tilted her head as she watched Seojun fidgeting in the corner.
"Why is Seojun over there like that? Doesn't he have a portable charger?"
At Nara's words, Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun burst out laughing.
"I think he forgot he has one."
"It just shows how excited Seojun is. We were going wild for a good ten minutes. Imagine how thrilled he must be."
"True. I got so excited I told King's Market to have a sale."
"...Is that okay?"
The couple was at a loss for words at Nara's statement. So that's what she was on the phone about earlier? Her scale of excitement was on a whole other level.
It was a completely different scale from the Hollywood star who was so happy he'd completely forgotten about his portable charger and was fidgeting in a corner.
"It's fine, it's fine. The talk show already let everyone know I'm acquainted with Seojun. With a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination, everyone will understand. Who knows, Seojun's fans, who are probably as excited as we are, might come to the market to spend money. Conversely, the sale might make Seojun's name even more famous. Look. An article is already out."
[King's Market Kicks Off Sale to Celebrate Actor Seojun Lee's Nomination!]
[King's Market Sale Period!]
[The Connection Between Actor Seojun Lee and King's Market CEO, Nara Kim!]
[Sale Event to Celebrate Actor Seojun Lee's Golden Globe Win and Nomination!]
"My company's employees are competent, so they'll run the event without taking a loss."
The couple nodded at Nara's words.
*'Her employees must have it rough because of their boss.'*
Kim Heesang, who had been pushing terrifying monster designs on his employees just yesterday and the day before, suddenly felt his ear itch.
"Is someone talking about me? Why is Seojun's line always busy?"
At the mention of Seojun's name, Subin, who had been dragging a Minotaur doll by the leg and wandering around the living room, had his eyes sparkle. He then ran to Kim Heesang, who was sitting on the sofa.
"Daddy! Is it hyung-ah?"
"Subin, just a second! Daddy will do it for you!"
"Is it Seojun hyung-ah!? Play with Subin?"
As Kim Heesang held the phone away, 31-month-old Kim Subin's eyes gleamed, having spotted his target.
He scrambled up the sofa, grabbed Kim Heesang's arm, and reached his short, chubby arm toward the phone. When the target remained out of reach, Subin pushed against his dad with his whole body and called for his hyung-ah.
"Hyung-ah! Can you hear meee?"
"I said Daddy will do it..."
While Kim Heesang was feeling the full weight of his rapidly growing son, Seo Eunchan, the CEO of Seojun Lee's agency, Cocoa Entertainment, was on the phone with a haggard face.
"Yeah, yeah," Seojun replied, then looked over at where his mom, dad, and Imo Nara were sitting.
"Mom."
"Yes?"
"Samchon Chan says he needs saving."
At Seojun's words, Seo Eunhye, Lee Minjun, and Nara burst into laughter. King's Agency was in an uproar too. An Daho was there right now.
If this was the situation in the U.S., they could only imagine what it was like in Korea, what it was like at Cocoa Entertainment.
"Tell him we can't go back to Korea until after the awards ceremony, so he should hang in there."
"Mom says to hang in there, Samchon."
-Nuna!! I don't think I'll be able to go home today! I won't even get to see our Eunsu!
"But wouldn't it be harder to fly back to Korea now and then come back to the U.S., brother-in-law?"
Everyone nodded at Lee Minjun's words.
He had a point, so on the other end of the line, Seo Eunchan could only groan. But looking at the current situation, he couldn't help but cry for help.
"Sir! There are reporters at the main entrance!"
"Seojun's fan cafe wants to send gifts, but there are too many!"
"The broadcast stations are here too! They're live!"
The pale-faced employees screamed. In the midst of that chaos, there was only one thing Seo Eunchan could do. He gripped his phone tightly.
-Save your samchon, Seojun.
At that, everyone burst out laughing again.
Seojun calmly talked with Seo Eunchan, scheduling broadcasts and interviews. This offer should hold things over until the day of the awards ceremony.
"It's not confirmed, though."
-I know. I just need to talk to Mr. An, right?
"Yep!"
-What should we do about the gifts? Just the ones mentioned so far seem like they'll fill up the entire company lobby.
"It's too much for me to use on my own, so how about asking them to donate it?"
-Got it. Oh, Seojun.
"Yeah?"
-Congratulations on the nomination.
"Hehehe. Thanks, Samchon."
It was a phrase he could hear over and over and still feel good.
After the call with Samchon Chan ended, a call came from Samchon Heesang. It was a video call. Heesang's congratulations were barely audible over Subin, who was constantly shoving his face into the camera and calling for his hyung-ah in a loud voice.
Seojun also smiled brightly and chatted with Subin. Watching Seojun nod and respond to Subin, who was earnestly babbling about something, Nara tilted her head.
"Does Seojun understand all that? I can't make out a single word."
"He seems to understand everything. I guess that's why Subin and Eunsu like Seojun so much."
"Subin is three and Eunsu is one, right?"
"Yeah."
"I can't believe Eunsu is already one!"
"Well, she's 12 months old, to be exact."
Nara, who had been talking with the couple about Seo Eunchan and Kim Sooryun's daughter, Seo Eunsu, turned to Seojun after he finished his call.
"But are you sure you don't want to have a nomination party? Let's go really big this time. We'll invite all the staff from Shadowman and Rainbow!"
"We just had the Golden Globes party not too long ago, Imo Nara."
"But parties are fun."
"Then let's do it after the Academy Awards."
"Hmm. How about it? Think you can win?"
At Nara's words, Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun's gazes turned to Seojun. This time, neither Nara nor the couple was worried. They had a good feeling. Seojun also smiled brightly and said.
"I have a good feeling about it. I think I can win."
"Then shall we prepare for the awards ceremony?"
Nara stood up from her seat.
"You'd be the first Korean to win an Academy Award, right? We have to polish you up and put you on that stage! I'll make you sparkle from head to toe."
"We'll have to buy clothes, right?"
"I don't think we'll need to buy clothes. Or shoes, for that matter."
"Huh?"
"They'll probably start flooding in soon."
Just as Nara said, countless outfits, accessories, and shoes from numerous brands were delivered to King's Agency in the days leading up to the Academy Awards.
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