Chapter 197
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Blue Dragon Nominations
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“Daho hyung. Is the meeting today about the Blue Dragon Film Awards?”
As Seojun spoke while fastening his seatbelt, An Daho’s eyes widened.
“How did you know?”
“My friends told me.”
“That makes sense. Acting students would be interested in film festivals and award ceremonies.”
The list of nominees hadn't even been released yet, but talk was already starting to bubble up online. An Daho nodded and started the car.
“The list of nominees is scheduled to be released tomorrow. According to the information the organizers sent us in advance, *Yeok* has been nominated for a lot of awards.”
“Everyone must be so happy.”
Director Woo Jeonghan, the actors, and the staff.
Thinking of the people he would see again after so long, Seojun smiled brightly.
* * *
Seojun, spearing a piece of apple with his fork, spoke with a regretful expression.
“You're both going back to the US now, right?”
“Now that filming is all done.”
Evan Block nodded, taking a bite of his apple.
While Seojun was at school, the two Hollywood actors had finished filming their cameo scenes. They said they had signed autographs and taken pictures with the disappointed staff and directors.
Of course, maintaining secrecy was essential.
“I didn't think much of it when I read the script, but now that we're filming, it's a bit of a shame we don't have any scenes together.”
“I feel the same way. It would have been nice to have a scene together.”
Evan Block smiled at the disappointed looks on Seojun and Richel Hill's faces. He felt just as regretful.
“But if we stayed any longer, I think we'd be found out.”
Seojun chuckled at Evan Block's words.
“Isn't it risky to go to the convenience store now?”
“When I went earlier, the part-timer gave me a suspicious look.”
The 24-hour convenience store near their accommodation. It was a place Evan Block and Richel Hill frequented.
At first, the employee seemed flustered by the foreigners and tried to serve them in clumsy English, but now that they were used to them, they had started to study their faces.
The two actors explained that if only the man spoke Korean well, the employee might have been more certain. But since the woman was also fluent, they would get confused. Still, the resemblance was so strong that the part-timer couldn't shake their suspicions.
“But since there haven't been any news articles, they probably just think we're look-alikes for now.”
“Probably. Who would think Hollywood actors would be in a place like this?”
“I can't wait to see people's reactions when the movie comes out. They'll go crazy when they find out we visited all these places, right? I've taken pictures of everything.”
The three actors burst out laughing like mischievous children.
There were several photos of Seojun and the couple—the two actors—visiting various places. How surprised would people be? How happy? As they imagined the public's reaction, the conversation between the three actors soon shifted to a new topic.
“The Blue Dragon Film Awards?”
“Yes. It's an awards ceremony in November, and it's only for Korean films.”
Seojun said, taking a bite of a crisp apple.
If it was for this year's Korean films.
Evan Block and Richel Hill smiled, recalling the movie that had been released just a few months ago.
“*Yeok* will definitely get something.”
“Hehehe.”
Looking at the list the organizers had sent to Cocoa Entertainment in advance, which An Daho had then passed on to Seojun, it was easier to find an award *Yeok* wasn't nominated for.
The categories for the Blue Dragon Film Awards included Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best New Actor and Actress, Best New Director, Best Cinematography and Lighting, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, and Technical Award.
“It's been nominated for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor.”
It was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Lighting, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, and the Technical Award.
Evan and Richel Hill thought for a moment before asking.
“When is the ceremony?”
“If we have time, we'd like to go see it…”
Seojun blinked and searched on his phone.
“It's in three weeks. Still a while away.”
“Then we can't make it.”
“We could delay for a day or two, but three weeks is a bit much.”
Richel Hill and Evan Block looked at Seojun with disappointed expressions.
“It's a shame. I wanted to congratulate you in person when you receive the award.”
“It's okay. You can congratulate me next time I get one.”
The two actors smiled at Seojun's cheerful words. Richel Hill glanced at the clock to check the time and then shot up from her seat. There was still some time before dinner.
“Then should we have a celebration party in advance? We don't know which award you'll get, but you're bound to get at least one!”
Seojun and Evan Block nodded in agreement with Richel Hill's suggestion.
Seojun chuckled as he called his parents to tell them they were having a party for this reason. It seemed like every day had been a party since the two of them arrived in Korea.
As they were preparing food for the premature celebration party, Richel Hill, who was kneading cookie dough for dessert, spoke in a regretful tone.
“Speaking of which, you have a *gosa* tomorrow, right? I wanted to try one of those…”
“A lot of other people are coming to this *gosa*. I'm not planning on going either.”
Evan Block, who, like Richel Hill, had wanted to experience a *gosa*, spoke up.
“Hmm. Then maybe we can do one when we film *Shadowman 3*? Director Ryan doesn't believe in superstitions, but I feel like he'd do it if we asked.”
At his words, Richel Hill's eyes sparkled, and she nodded repeatedly.
“A real pig's head is gross, so let's use a doll or a picture!”
“But the *gosa* ceremony is a bit complicated. You have to read a prayer and bow. It might be difficult to do it formally in the US, don't you think?”
Richel Hill beamed at Seojun's words. It seemed she was already dead set on doing it.
“It doesn't have to be perfect, right?”
Evan Block agreed.
“If Marine Company finds out about a superstition like that, they'll probably be the first to suggest it. Besides, it's meant to wish for safety during filming. There are other action scenes, but since Jun has action scenes too, Director Ryan and Marine Company might just roll up their sleeves and go for it.”
Given his age and the heavy use of CG, there wouldn't be any difficult or grueling action scenes, but if luck wasn't on their side, he could get injured even during a normal shoot.
“/It's an unscientific superstition, but once you know it exists, it's human nature to feel uneasy and keep thinking about it. They'll end up agreeing to do it./”
Richel Hill, who had switched to English for the long sentence, laughed like a villain. "Hoo hoo hoo."
‘Hmm. Is that so?’
While Seojun, the person in question, tilted his head at Evan Block and Richel Hill's words, An Daho, who was willing to borrow even the power of superstition for his actor's safety, had sparkling eyes.
‘A *gosa*...’
An Daho decided he should ask the film directors he knew for the detailed methods and procedures.
* * *
The next day.
From the morning, articles that set the internet ablaze began to appear.
[Movie *Yeok (Reverse)*, Multiple Blue Dragon Film Award Nominations!]
[*Yeok (Reverse)* Nominated in 10 Categories! Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography and Lighting, Best Music, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, and Technical Award!]
- As expected of *Yeok*.
= As expected of *Yeok* 222
- It's faster to find an award *Yeok* wasn't nominated for.
- It seems like *Yeok* will win every award it's nominated for.
- Whoa. Did you see the Best Actor nominees?
= ?? Isn't it Lee Seojun?
[Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Actor Nominee: Actor Lee Seojun!]
[Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best Actor Nominee: Actor Lee Jiseok!]
[Yesterday's Colleague is Today's Rival! The Competition Between Lee Seojun and Lee Jiseok!]
[Best Actor! Who Will Take Home the Prize!]
- Seojun for Best Actor!
- Lee Jiseok was nominated too!
- Wow. A fight within the family? I expected Lee Seojun, but Lee Jiseok too!
- Lee Jiseok did great too. From now on, Grand Prince Suyang is Lee Jiseok lol
- He did too well to just get a supporting actor award. If either of them was missing, this movie wouldn't have been the same.
- But it would be a shame if only one of them gets it.
- Are there no joint awards? Can't they both get it?
= I think they used to have them. Not recently though.
= Besides, has there ever been a case where two people from the same movie won?
= The judges are going to have a tough time lolol
- My vote's for Lee Seojun.
= Me too, Lee Seojun
= Seojun!
“Everyone's on Seojun's side.”
Kim Jongho read the comments on the article with a satisfied expression. Lee Dajin, sitting next to him, chuckled softly.
“Are you on Seojun's side too, sunbaenim?”
“Of course. That Jiseok fellow did well, but Seojun did better. Everyone saw *Over the Rainbow*, and not a single person even thinks King Danjong and Gray Vainie are similar.”
“There was a little bit of that talk about Lee Jiseok-sunbaenim, though.”
The vast majority didn't think so, but there were occasional mentions of Royal Physician Heo.
“Only a tiny bit.”
Kim Jongho emphasized the 'tiny bit'. Although he always lost his composure around Lee Jiseok, he gave credit where credit was due.
Kim Jongho stroked his chin and said.
“That's usually how it is. No, with that few mentions, you could say his image transformation was perfect.”
A lifetime performance. A masterpiece.
They were nice words, the kind any actor would want to hear, but they had the downside of typecasting, where a character's image carried over to the next project. Kim Jongho was still sometimes called Taejong, and when Lee Dajin was younger, she was often called 'the hunter'.
The reason Lee Dajin wasn't called 'the hunter' anymore was probably less due to her acting ability and more because she had grown so much since then. During their teenage growth spurts, kids really do change day by day.
Watching the *gosa* table being prepared, Kim Jongho spoke.
“When *Escape* comes out, I'll probably be called Im Jangwoo.”
“That will happen to me too, right?”
She wasn't growing rapidly like she did during her growth spurt anymore, and if she took care of herself, her current face would stay the same. Her skin, wrinkles, and other subtle features would change with age, but the face seen on screen would remain largely unchanged for a long time.
‘*Escape* is going to be a hit. A huge one.’
A great many people would watch it, and they would watch it over and over again. That's how much Yeon Jaehee from *Escape* would be exposed to the public.
Now that she was fully grown, it would be difficult to change her image through minor external changes. The image of Yeon Jaehee from *Escape* would become almost fixed. She might never be able to escape Yeon Jaehee for the rest of her life.
‘I don't need to be afraid of being typecast.’
Lee Dajin spoke as if making a resolution.
“I'll just have to do my best in my next project, too.”
“That's right.”
The solution was to keep acting diligently.
Kim Jongho smiled at the determined young actress's words.
“We will now begin the *gosa*!”
At the shout, Director Choi Daeman, Assistant Director Park Jaemin, the branch manager of Plus+ Korea, CEO Lee Hansol of Movie Dream, and lead actors Kim Jongho and Lee Dajin, along with the staff from the private shoot and the staff they would be working with from now on, all gathered in front of the *gosa* table.
* * *
[A Look at the *Gosa* Ceremony for the Korean Zombie Film, 'Escape'!]
[Actress Lee Dajin: "It's going to be a really fun movie."]
[Actor Kim Jongho: "A film worth looking forward to."]
[Director Choi Daeman: "A work that is like a gift to the audience."]
- Oh. Looks like filming is starting.
- But they're starting really fast. Didn't we just hear about them making a zombie movie a little while ago?
= That's because they don't do any promotion lol
= 22 They must have been preparing for a while, but how would we know if there are no articles.
- But is that a foreigner in the back? Or not?
= You're right. Where have I seen him?
= A foreigner? Where?
= Ooh. Found him. He's the branch manager of Plus+ Korea. Looks like they won't have to worry about the budget.
= Ah. Right, there are a lot of zombie movie fans overseas, right? Guess that's why they invested.
= 22 Even if it doesn't do well in Korea, they can just upload it to Plus+. They'll probably recoup the production costs.
- But don't they usually not use words like 'fun' or 'gift' for zombie movies?
= 'Fun' is usually for comedies
= and 'gift' is for tearjerkers.
- ...Hmm ...is it a melodrama?
= T_T Putting melodrama in a zombie movie? Is that even allowed T_T?
= I was planning to see it, but melodrama is a bit...
- Are Lee Dajin and Kim Jongho playing father and daughter?
= ...Looking at Kim Jongho's face, that seems plausible.
- A gangster dad going to save his daughter...?
= This must be it 222
- But man, their promotion is garbage. They haven't even released a synopsis yet lolol
- Yeah, look at the info that's out so far. It's ridiculous lol
[*Escape*]
Genre: Zombie movie (Korean-style;;;;)
Production Company: Movie Dream (Went bankrupt once and survived / Sold the rights to Lee Seojun's *Malevolent Spirit* rofl)
Investor: Plus+ Korea (Seems like it's for uploading to Plus+)
Director: Choi Daeman (Director of *Malevolent Spirit* / His 2nd work broke even)
Special Effects Makeup Team: Probably top three in Korea (or a Hollywood team?
Starring: Kim Jongho, Lee Dajin (<<
Synopsis: Not released lol
- ...Is this seriously the amount of information for a movie that starts filming tomorrow!
- The only thing to trust is Lee Dajin and Kim Jongho
= 2222
= 3333
#