Chapter 133
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: And the Oscar Goes To...
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The opening performance of the Academy Awards began.
A band? A solo artist? A group? As people watched the stage with faces full of anticipation, a man walking out alone came into view.
Who was he? His face was unfamiliar, but the instrument in his hand was not. A few people recognized him and began to whisper. In an instant, the man’s identity spread through the audience.
“Oh! It’s Jayden, isn’t it?”
“Jun! Did you know?”
“No, I had no idea!”
The opening act for the Academy Awards was Jayden Moore.
Appearing on stage with a Stradivarius, Jayden Moore played “Over the Rainbow,” and a roar of cheers erupted.
Though different from Gray Vainie, there was no way the performance of a genius like Jayden Moore could be lacking.
Seojun and the kids applauded enthusiastically.
[Yes, the opening performance is by Jayden Moore, who supervised the violin pieces for ‘Over the Rainbow’! He supervised the film’s music along with his mentor, Professor Benjamin Morton.]
[Professor Benjamin Morton composed the OST, ‘Over the Rainbow.’]
[I never expected to hear a classical performance at a film awards ceremony, but it’s an opening stage that truly suits this year’s Academy Awards.]
With a magnificent violin performance, the Academy Awards commenced.
[Over the Rainbow wins Best Original Score!]
[Over the Rainbow wins Best Sound Editing!]
[Over the Rainbow wins Best Original Song!]
With each announcement, the commentators and the film guest applauded. In an instant, Over the Rainbow had swept the music-related awards.
[The Circle, starring Milan Chelen, wins Best Screenplay!]
[The Circle, starring Milan Chelen, wins Best Director!]
[Over the Rainbow wins Best Picture!]
Director Sarah Rothe did not win Best Director. The director of ‘The Circle’ went up on stage to receive the award.
While applauding the director of The Circle, Seojun and the kids felt a pang of disappointment. But Sarah Rothe just laughed cheerfully.
“I’ll just get it next time.”
Her confident demeanor made the children burst into laughter.
The Black director of The Circle, upon reaching the stage, broke down in tears. Sobbing, he still managed to give his acceptance speech. Due to the nature of a live broadcast, the time for speeches was short, so he couldn’t waste it all on crying. The rapid-fire list of names came to an end.
A great roar of cheers and applause followed, and the director, his face a mix of tears and laughter, descended from the stage.
Soon, a celebratory performance began.
Director Sarah Rothe, who had been clapping, spoke up.
“Still, it’s a little disappointing.”
“Why?”
“Because this year’s ceremony is special.”
Sarah Rothe looked around the auditorium. The children followed her gaze. The faces of the people seated there were bright.
“An awards ceremony that has cast aside the filter of race—it's something special. To be judged solely on merit, it’s like a dream come true. I’m sure everyone is thinking the same thing.”
Evaluation criteria other than skill prevent people from accepting the results. A lack of understanding turns into dissatisfaction, and even those watching the ceremony are bound to feel puzzled. But this year was different.
It was a result that most, if not all, could understand. Even Director Sarah Rothe had been in awe while watching the movie ‘The Circle.’
*I might not get it.* That’s what she had thought, and that’s what happened. Perhaps if this year’s ceremony hadn’t been ‘special,’ the award might have gone to her, a white director.
*I wouldn’t like that either.*
Director Sarah Rothe smiled.
“Maybe this year’s winners are even happier than usual. It means their outstanding skills have been truly recognized.”
“You’re amazing too, Director!”
Catherine said. Seojun and Paul nodded in agreement.
“Everyone loves our movie so much!”
“I bet it was only a few votes’ difference from the director of The Circle.”
Seeing the children comfort her, Director Sarah Rothe and the actors sitting nearby smiled warmly.
After the celebratory performance ended, it was time for the acting awards.
The attention of Koreans turned to OCM. Not just high school students studying at school despite it being winter break, but also office workers in the middle of their day and people who were out and about. Everyone tuned their ears to their radios and televisions.
[We will now begin the acting awards. First up is Best Supporting Actress.]
As Park Youngjin spoke, the faces of five women appeared on the screen.
Jessica Kim, two Black actresses, and two white actresses.
[Among the five nominees, Jessica Kim and Delsi Rotie are the frontrunners.]
[As a Korean, I hope Jessica Kim wins, but Delsi Rotie’s chances seem higher.]
[She was a truly captivating supporting actress. Delsi Rotie!]
[Jessica Kim was no slouch either. I think it will be decided by just a few votes.]
Yang Sieun and the film guest added their comments.
[And the Oscar goes to…!]
The MC shouted loudly. Jessica Kim, her friends watching on TV, and the viewers in Korea held their breath.
[Delsi Rotie!]
With the MC’s words, the camera that had been showing all five nominees focused on one person.
It was a Black actress. Delsi Rotie, in a dress that glittered like the Milky Way in the night sky, stood up, looking overwhelmed.
Jessica Kim and the other three actresses who were also nominated for Best Supporting Actress gave her a sincere round of applause.
[With Delsi Rotie’s win, the total number of Black actresses to have won Best Supporting Actress in the history of the Academy Awards is now ten. Out of more than ninety ceremonies, there have only been ten Black winners!]
[As for Asian winners, there’s still only one… It’s a bitter thought.]
[This is the reality.]
Yang Sieun said. Everyone focused on the film critic’s words.
[Despite this reality, please praise our two actors who made it to the nominations!]
[Delsi Rotie wins the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress!]
[Jessica Kim narrowly misses the award!]
[Just being nominated is enough! Comments of support pour in for Jessica Kim!]
- ㅠㅠ Delsi Rotie did do a great job ㅠ
- Isn’t it also the first time in a while a Black actress has won?
- It would have been great if Jessica Kim had won!
- A Black actress and an Asian actress being the frontrunners over the white actresses is seriously awesome lol
The Best Supporting Actor award went to a white actor, and the Best Actress award went to a Black actress. The Black actress who was named burst into tears. It was a series of surprises. The excitement in the auditorium seemed to be transmitted right through the screen.
[This is only the second time a Black actress has won Best Actress!]
[Out of more than ninety Best Actress winners, two have been Black, and one has been Asian.]
Having composed herself, the Best Actress winner gave her speech and descended from the stage.
[Well, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived.]
Park Youngjin said with a broad smile.
[This could be a new page in history, or perhaps, an unexpected twist could unfold.]
[An unexpected twist doesn’t sound very good.]
Even as they said this, Yang Sieun, the film guest, and the viewers watching them couldn’t hide their excitement.
Half of it was the novelty of witnessing a historic moment in real-time, and the other half was the joy that the protagonist of this historic moment was a fellow Korean.
Clutching their pounding hearts, everyone’s eyes were fixed on the television.
It was time to announce the Best Actor.
On the screen behind the stage, the faces of five actors appeared one by one.
The faces of three white actors and Milan Chelen were shown. A huge round of applause erupted.
Finally, Seojun Lee’s face appeared. A wave of cheers and shouts washed over the crowd.
The MC began to speak.
[To be able to announce the winner at such a wonderful ceremony is a true honor. The footage from tonight’s ceremony will be remembered for a long, long time! Please give a huge round of applause and cheers!]
At the MC’s words, an even greater roar of cheers than before broke out.
[If you were to pick the most wonderful year in the history of the Academy Awards, it would be this year. And if you were to pick the fairest year, it would also be this year. And if you were to pick the most outstanding actor of this year, it would be this man.]
Seojun could feel Catherine and Paul squeezing his hands tightly. It wasn’t the anxious trembling from the Golden Globes. It was because they were so overjoyed, they couldn’t contain the thrilling sensation that shot up from their toes.
Seojun felt the same.
He hoped to hear his name from the MC’s lips. He hoped that the moment it was called, cheers would erupt from the audience and from the people watching on television.
His heart pounded. It was a pleasant tremor.
Many professions rely on the recognition of others, but for an actor, it was everything. Without anyone’s attention, they would eventually wither away.
Knowing this fact all too well from his ‘first life,’ Seojun had come to know the pleasure and joy of receiving others’ recognition and cheers.
He didn’t want to let go of the happiness that had taken so long to grasp in his two hands.
Mom and Dad in the audience, Daho hyung. Grandma, Grandpa, Samchon and his wife, Soobin, Eunsoo, his friends, teachers, directors, writers, Jiseok hyung, Dohun hyung, Jongho samchon back in Korea. Charles in France, Grace in New York. And his countless fans.
He wanted to be recognized by all of them. That he was this brilliant of an actor. A star.
That ‘I am doing well.’
That glittering trophy was one piece of visible proof.
[And the Oscar goes to…!]
The auditorium fell silent.
Everyone knew. Yet, they waited for the MC to open his mouth.
From somewhere in the auditorium, a violin melody began to flow. It was “Brilliance,” the same piece that had played when he won the Golden Globe.
Hearing the violin, people realized who the winner was, but Seojun perceived something more.
*This… is live.*
It was a vivid performance by Jayden Moore. He was surely playing from backstage right now. The beautiful violin melody contained many emotions, but one stood out with particular clarity.
Seojun clearly received Jayden Moore’s message through the violin performance.
*Congratulations.*
Tears welled up in his eyes at the congratulatory melody. He had only been expressing his gratitude and thanks to people while filming the movie, but now he was being congratulated with a violin performance.
Overwhelmed with emotion, he thought that this must have been what the audiences felt while watching the movie.
As Seojun’s eyes slowly reddened, the MC, after a dramatic pause, shouted loudly.
[Seojun Lee!]
An enormous roar of cheers was heard.
In time with the Best Actor announcement, the students and teachers watching on TV, the office workers who had gathered around a laptop, and the people watching while eating lunch all shouted. Seojun’s fans all over the world, watching the live broadcast regardless of the time difference, all cheered.
Amidst the congratulations that sent a thrill through his entire body, Seojun rose from his seat.
This time, he was able to stand without hesitation. Happily embracing the trembling of his pounding heart, Seojun walked onto the stage.
He received the heavy Academy Award trophy, the Oscar, from the MC with both hands.
As Seojun, holding the Oscar trophy, stood before the microphone, a thunderous roar of cheers poured out. It felt as if he could even feel the cheers from beyond the camera. Basking in all the congratulations with his entire body, Seojun smiled brightly.
With the aura emanating from him, Seojun Lee shone brilliantly.
“Hello. I am Lee Seojun.”
The first words of the acceptance speech from actor Lee Seojun, who would go down in history as the first Korean winner, began in Korean.
“I am truly happy to receive the award for Best Actor. This award is not just for me, but also for Gray Vainie and all the Grays around the world. I am truly happy to be able to act in a way that can give everyone dreams, hope, and happiness. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.”
Seojun let out a light breath.
The audience and the viewers realized it. The person standing on stage had changed. The same hairstyle, the same clothes, the same appearance, and yet, he had changed. It was a change anyone could recognize.
“To everyone who supported me so that I could receive this award, I offer my sincerest gratitude.”
It was Gray Vainie.
At that perfect on-off switch, another wave of surprised and admiring applause poured down. Some, recalling Gray from ‘Over the Rainbow,’ even shed tears.
Watching this, Park Youngjin and Yang Sieun, their eyes welling up, spoke.
[Incredible! I never imagined I would hear Korean on that stage!]
[He won Best Actor! Sincerest congratulations, actor Lee Seojun!]
[An acceptance speech from both actor Lee Seojun and Gray, I will never forget this scene for the rest of my life!]
The film guest, who had become more emotionally invested than the other two after touring the world, said while sniffling.
[Actor Lee Seojun Wins Best Actor at the Academy Awards!]
[Actor Lee Seojun, the Youngest and First Korean to Win Best Actor!]
[Actor Lee Seojun with the Oscar Trophy in Hand!]
[Actor Lee Seojun and Gray Vainie’s Acceptance Speech!]
- ㅠㅠ Seojun, congratulations!!
- Wow. Hearing Korean at the Academy Awards!
- This won’t be the last time, right?
= Seojun will probably win again next time lol
- His acting is truly amazing. How can he act like that?
= 2222 I cried ㅠㅠ I love Gray so much.
#