Chapter 132
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: An Unforgettable Scene
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[February, the Academy Awards of the century is here!]
[5 PM LA time, 10 AM Korean time!]
[Monday at 10 AM, the Academy Awards broadcast on OCM!]
[Global media outlets, very optimistic about actor Lee Seojun's win!]
-Monday morning... 10 AM... (Taking notes)
-Looking at the time, I think I can watch it during my lunch break!
-Ooooooh! I have to watch this!
-One day left!
-There are still 3 hours until it starts, but OCM has already begun lol
-It's 7 AM right now hehe
-...? Why is The Moviegoer on here?
[Hello, viewers. The day we've all been waiting for has arrived. I'm Park Youngjin, your host for the Academy Awards broadcast.]
[I'm film critic, Yang Sieun.]
[...And I'm the N-tuber, The Moviegoer.]
The phone screen was filled with the flushed, excited faces of the MCs. Park Youngjin, the host, and Yang Sieun, who had provided commentary for the Academy Awards for the past two years, seemed to be feeling a pleasant tension. But there was one man silently screaming, 'Where am I?' and 'Who am I?' It was the N-tuber, The Moviegoer.
Three hours before the awards ceremony, Seojun was getting his hair styled while watching the Korean broadcast of the Academy Awards on his phone.
On the right side of the screen, a small window showed the empty entrance to the Academy Awards venue, where the red carpet hadn't even started yet. But the audio, filled with the chatter of the three hosts, made the screen feel packed.
[The Moviegoer here has been on the news a few times as the first traveler of the Gray Vainie World Tour. Of course, someone else might have been the *actual* 'first traveler,' but he is the first recorded traveler in the entire world.]
[I knew about the secret of the ticket, but I never imagined a world tour.]
The Moviegoer laughed awkwardly at Park Youngjin and Yang Sieun's words. Although he was used to live streams and recorded broadcasts, a shoot like this felt unfamiliar. There were more cameras than he expected, and the lights were hot.
[This year, for the first time, a Korean actor has been nominated. The world's media says there's a high chance actor Lee Seojun will win. Do you two agree?]
[Yes.]
[Yes.]
At Park Youngjin's question, Yang Sieun and The Moviegoer nodded without a hint of hesitation. At their decisiveness, Park Youngjin tilted his head.
[Why is that?]
[If all the other nominees besides actor Lee Seojun were white, his chances of winning would be low. It would mean that 'race' is still a factor in the voters' minds. In that case, fewer votes would likely go to actor Lee Seojun.]
[The diversity among the nominees this year suggests that the voters' thoughts on 'race' have somewhat softened. I believe this year's ceremony might be fairer than ever before.]
Yang Sieun and The Moviegoer, both film lovers, answered in perfect sync.
[So you're saying if it's a fair ceremony, actor Lee Seojun has a high chance of winning?]
["Over the Rainbow" changed global travel trends. Of course, this wouldn't have been possible without the commemorative ticket marketing. But it all started with Gray Vainie. If another actor had played Gray Vainie, would we have collected the world tour commemorative tickets? No. We watched Lee Seojun's portrayal of Gray Vainie, and we were moved, we cried, and we rejoiced.]
Nodding at The Moviegoer's words, Yang Sieun began to speak.
[Yes, that's right. The standard for acting differs from person to person. But there is one condition everyone agrees on: that a role belongs to a specific actor. An irreplaceable atmosphere, acting skill, and naturalness—that's what it is. Gray Vainie was a role that only actor Lee Seojun could play. I can't think of a single actor who could replace him. That fact alone makes him more than qualified to win the award.]
Seojun grinned at the praise from The Moviegoer and Yang Sieun.
Their prediction wasn't different from most others. The world's media was abuzz. It was an easier and faster conclusion to reach than his Golden Globe win or his Academy nomination. Seojun Lee's win was considered a near certainty.
Having finished his preparations, Seojun sat on the sofa, watching the broadcast while waiting for the car Whale Studios had arranged. Just like at the Golden Globes, he was planning to go with Catherine and Paul.
[Could you please introduce the Korean-American actress, Jessica Kim?]
[Actress Jessica Kim debuted in an American drama series. Starting with small minor roles...]
Meanwhile, the broadcast continued. Park Youngjin would ask a question, and Yang Sieun and The Moviegoer would answer in turn.
"Seojun. The car's here."
"Okay!"
Seojun stood up at An Daho's words. Seojun climbed into the empty car. It was time to stop by where Catherine and Paul were and pick them up.
[The Academy nominees are more in line with my own thoughts than the Golden Globe nominees were. That's never happened before.]
[That's proof that a lot has changed.]
[Though there's talk that this year might be the first and last time.]
Both of them agreed with Park Youngjin's statement. The global media also largely assessed that a miracle like this would be the first and last of its kind. The Korean media was no different.
[Still, if actor Lee Seojun continues to act, a day like this will come again. One, two, three more times. Then, I think a huge change will occur.]
Viewers watching the television nodded along with The Moviegoer's words.
While the three were talking, reporters and fans began to appear around the once-empty red carpet.
Amidst the growing clamor, the first actor appeared on the red carpet.
[It's Jessica Kim!]
At Park Youngjin's announcement, the gazes of Yang Sieun, The Moviegoer, and the viewers all turned to the screen. The small window showing the red carpet expanded to fill the screen.
Wearing a beautiful blue dress, Jessica Kim looked awkward under the barrage of camera flashes, but she never lost her bright smile.
Seeing her genuinely happy, heartfelt smile, the viewers watching on television wore pleased expressions.
The Moviegoer and Yang Sieun excitedly continued their commentary.
[Jessica Kim is nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this year's Academy Awards. She gave an impressive performance as a supporting character in the movie 'Last'.]
[Her N-tube video was also very moving!]
And so, as each actor appeared, the commentary continued. From this year's movies to famous films the actors had starred in. Time flew by as the two cinephiles shared easy, entertaining stories and behind-the-scenes tidbits.
Then, as one particular actor appeared on the red carpet, the fans' cheers erupted, and the camera flashes were more dazzling than ever.
[Millan Chellon! It's actor Millan Chellon!]
[This actor's story is truly heart-wrenching. I thought he would be nominated and win an award three years ago. That's when I truly felt the terrifying nature of the Academy! So I didn't even get my hopes up this time! To think I'd see him walking the red carpet like this!]
[He gave another wonderful performance in the movie released this year!]
With a cool smile, Millan Chellon took heavy, deliberate steps.
With one step, the resentment of three years ago; with another, the joy of the present—it felt as if all his emotions were being absorbed into the red carpet.
The reporters, the fans, and the cameras were all focused on the actor receiving the most attention right now, Millan Chellon.
"Actor Millan Chellon, congratulations on your nomination!"
"Thank you."
"Your thoughts..."
It was then. A roar erupted from the end of the red carpet. It was the same cheer from the fans that came with every actor's arrival, but this one was unusually loud. Millan Chellon, the reporter interviewing him, and the cameras all turned in that direction.
Park Youngjin, Yang Sieun, and The Moviegoer, who were watching the screen, also wore expressions full of curiosity.
[What is it?]
[...Huh? Jun? They're saying it's Jun?!]
[Seojun? Actor Lee Seojun?!]
[Has actor Lee Seojun arrived!?]
The three hosts shot up from their seats. They had been waiting for Millan Chellon, but could he compare to this actor!
Waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare, starting the broadcast at 7 AM before the sun was even up—it was all to see this actor.
The viewers watching the broadcast and the three hosts all stared at the pitch-black car, its door wide open.
Kyaaaaah!!
Amidst the cheers, Seojun Lee, Catherine Miller, and Paul Auden stepped out of the car.
Millan Chellon blinked. After being nominated, he had looked into the Academy. With the media chattering about it from all sides, it was easy to see the beginning of the change.
Seojun Lee and the worldwide commercials.
Like the small flutter of a butterfly's wings turning into a great typhoon, it was clear that Seojun Lee's existence, his acting, and his movie had exerted an influence, big or small.
Millan Chellon looked down at where he was standing. The red carpet of the Academy Awards he had dreamed of. A wide grin spread across Millan Chellon's face as he started walking.
Seojun and the children were greeting the cheering fans and taking a moment for photos while waiting for the actor ahead of them to finish their interview, when Millan Chellon appeared before them. Seojun and the children's eyes went wide.
'So Millan Chellon was just before us!'
Seojun, who knew Millan Chellon's story well thanks to the media buzz, smiled brightly and greeted the actor who had finally made it onto the red carpet.
"Hello. I really enjoyed 'The Circle'."
"I enjoyed your movie as well, son."
Everyone held their breath, listening to the conversation between Seojun Lee and Millan Chellon.
Only the occasional flash of a camera broke the silence. Catherine and Paul, after greeting Millan Chellon, watched the meeting of the two Best Actor nominees before looking at each other. Then, they quietly took a step back. Seojun, sensitive to such movements, smiled at their considerate gesture.
"Shall we walk together?"
"I'd love that."
At the Academy Awards, the Asian actor nominated for Best Actor, Seojun Lee, and the Black actor, Millan Chellon, walked the red carpet together.
They took photos together and did interviews. The reporters didn't even seem to breathe, not wanting to miss a single moment. The large camera lenses focused on the two actors.
[This! Isn't this a very meaningful scene?!]
[To think we'd see something like this at the Academy Awards!]
It wasn't just the Korean broadcast; stations all over the world were focusing on the two actors.
In an instant, photos from the red carpet were uploaded, articles were published, and reactions poured in.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
As they were entering the ceremony hall, Seojun tilted his head at Millan Chellon's words.
Millan Chellon smiled. The changes in the Academy Awards. He didn't know how much of it was Seojun Lee's influence.
But even if that influence was minuscule, he desperately wanted to express his gratitude.
"It was a pleasure meeting you today."
"Me too! I really hope we can act together someday!"
"I'll be waiting for that day."
Millan Chellon and Seojun said their goodbyes and headed to their respective seats.
As Seojun was heading to his seat, he saw an actress waving her arms enthusiastically. Afraid of being too loud, she wasn't shouting, but her bright face and waving arms stood out.
Huh? Seojun tilted his head, trying to identify the actress, and then his eyes widened.
"Hello!"
"Hello! Actor Lee Seojun!"
It was Jessica Kim. Her cheeks were flushed as she looked at Seojun. Seojun also smiled brightly, feeling the joy radiating from her. The sound of Korean was a welcome one. He had heard she was Korean-American, and her Korean was excellent.
Thinking it would be difficult for her to move in her dress, Seojun walked over to Jessica Kim.
Jessica Kim's face grew brighter and brighter as Seojun approached.
"Congratulations on your nomination!"
"Congratulations to you too, Actor Lee Seojun! I'll be rooting for you to win!"
The cameras, which had been tracking Seojun Lee's movements, captured the scene of him and Jessica Kim shaking hands with bright smiles.
[Seojun Lee and Jessica Kim greeting each other at the Academy Awards!]
[A first! Two nominated Asian actors!]
[Korean being spoken at the Academy Awards!]
-Wow!! So cool lol Seojun and Jessica Kim met!
-And they're both nominated!!
-Oh my god. I never thought I'd live to see a scene like this.
[First Millan Chellon, now Jessica Kim—he's met all the hot topics of the night! I never imagined I'd hear Korean in a place like this. Ah, it looks like it's time!]
[Yes. The attending actors have all taken their seats.]
[The Academy Awards ceremony is about to begin. Please stay with us until the very end!]
10 AM Korean time. And 5 PM LA time.
The Academy Awards ceremony, one that would be long remembered, had begun.
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