Chapter 78
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: The First Trophy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-It's today, right?
-He has to win an award!
-What time does it start? The time difference is killing me. T_T
Posts flooded Seojun's fan cafe. Everyone, half-excited and half-nervous, waited for the film festival to begin.
It wasn't just there. People who had seen Seojun's movie and even those who hadn't were waiting for news, wondering if the little boy would be able to win an award.
-You can watch it here [link]!
=Thank you!
-Oh, it's Director Ryan!
The internet buzzed with the news that Director Ryan Will had gotten out of his car. If the director of *Shadowman* had appeared, it meant Lee Seojun would be out soon.
* * *
Director Ryan Will stepped out of a large car. Flashes popped everywhere.
Evan Block, in a gray suit, and Richel Hill, in a gorgeous red dress, got out next. Finally, Seojun appeared, wearing a black suit with his bangs neatly swept back.
At the arrival of the *Shadowman* team,
Woooah!
Cheers erupted from all sides.
Shadowman! Richel! Jin! Evan! Jun! Bell! Natra!
Among the many voices, hearing his own name made his heart pound. Surrounded by a throng of security guards, Seojun walked on, listening to the cheers of the crowd.
Thump, thump.
With every step he took, cheers rang out from here and there.
It felt like walking on clouds. As Seojun's heart fluttered with excitement, his aura began to stir on its own.
It had been radiating since he was in the car, but now that he was standing on the red carpet, it moved more actively.
'There are plenty of guards and fences here, so I probably don't need to use my abilities, right?'
As if declaring, 'I'm a superstar!', Seojun’s dazzling appearance and aura made the crowd scream.
Camera flashes went off incessantly. The commotion, on a different level than before, drew the attention of those who had walked ahead.
The commotion drew a crowd, and the crowd created more commotion. It was a situation that Seo Eunchan, had he seen it, would have called a prime example of mob psychology. What stopped the frenzied crowd and the equally frenzied Seojun was Director Ryan Will.
“Jun. Calm down.”
Ryan Will patted the shoulder of Seojun, who was busy waving his hands. The heavy pat brought Seojun back to his senses. Geez, I guess I got a little too carried away trying to enjoy myself. Seojun let out a breath and touched his wrist.
[The calming apple blossom scent is activated.]
A sweet fragrance filled the air, and the people began to calm down, one by one. They all stepped back from the fences and returned to a more moderate level of cheering.
Seojun looked at the apple blossom tattoo engraved on his wrist. He had thought it was a useless ability, but it turned out to be the most versatile.
“Did you have fun?”
At Richel Hill's question, Seojun turned to look at her and just smiled sheepishly.
“It’s my first film festival. When else will I have so many people cheering for me like this? This is the best time, so enjoy it to the fullest.”
“I know. At fan meetings, everyone is sitting in their seats, and at the airport, it’s dangerous. There are so many guards and fences here, so I guess I got too excited.”
“Times like these, it’s good to be a singer.”
Richel Hill shrugged her shoulders.
“Singers can have fun with their fans at concerts and stuff, you know? For actors, all we have are shoots with the staff. Right?”
“I like acting.”
Evan Block chimed in.
“That’s not the point. We’re talking about time with the fans.”
Seojun burst out laughing at the two bickering actors. And that very scene was captured live on camera.
“What are you all talking about that’s so enjoyable?”
A reporter suddenly cut in. He’d been so focused on walking that he hadn’t realized they had already reached the photo zone. More cameras and reporters than ever before were waiting for the *Shadowman* team.
Amid the blinding camera flashes, Richel Hill, who had the best sense of humor and was most accustomed to interviews, took the lead.
She skillfully dodged difficult questions and, while chatting with the reporter, made sure to direct attention toward Evan, Seojun, and Director Ryan as well. In the end.
“Then, everyone, please look forward to *Shadowman 3*!”
She even wrapped up with a solid promotion for *Shadowman 3*, which hadn't even started filming yet. The three men unknowingly applauded Richel Hill.
“Richel, that interview was amazing.”
“You think so? You get better with practice.”
The four of them entered the awards ceremony hall, found the table marked for the *Shadowman* team, and sat down to catch their breath.
After taking a sip of water from Evan, Seojun scanned the audience and spotted his mom, dad, Samchon, and Daho Hyung.
The four of them must have been watching Seojun since he entered, as their eyes met instantly.
“Nuna, it’s Seojun!”
“Oh!”
As Seojun turned to wave, Evan Block and Richel Hill also looked in that direction. The two actors spotted Seojun's family as well. Seo Eunhye, Lee Minjun, Seo Eunchan, and An Daho all waved back to Seojun.
“How did you find them in this crowd?”
“Just a feeling?”
Seojun's intuition to find those four in such a vast audience was remarkable. After a brief greeting, they all waited for the film festival to begin.
Director Ryan Will used a translation site to research the children's play *Spring*, while the three actors talked about the movies and dramas starring the actors entering the hall.
The people sitting next to them, behind them, and in front of them were all actors Seojun had seen before.
Whenever Richel Hill and Evan Block met an acquaintance, they would introduce Seojun and have him exchange greetings.
As they waited, *Pop!* Confetti cannons went off, and the WTV Film Festival began.
The festival opened with a performance by a solo singer whose name always topped the Billboard charts whenever she released an album. Fireworks exploded continuously, and brilliant flames danced in the air. Seojun watched the performance, clapping enthusiastically. Singers had a different kind of charm from actors.
After the spectacular opening performance, the MC took the microphone.
He gave a brief introduction to the WTV Film Festival and began. People who had won awards in other categories appeared. Seojun clapped hard.
And then,
“This year’s Best Hero Award!”
Evan Block's face appeared on the screen, along with the faces of other actors.
Voices could be heard from the audience. Some were shouting for Shadowman, while others were calling out the names of other heroes.
Seojun clasped his hands tightly and silently chanted *Shadowman*.
After a brief pause, the MC shouted,
“Evan Block!”
Evan Block’s face appeared on the screen. He grinned and rose from his seat.
He shook hands with Director Ryan Will, smiled at Richel Hill, and then patted the head of Seojun, who was clapping vigorously.
As the moment was broadcast on screen, applause filled the audience.
Shadowman! Jin Natra!
“The Best Hero Award, it feels surreal. Even when we were filming *Shadowman 1*, I never imagined I would receive such an award. Unlike Redbone, which was famous as a comic, I'm incredibly happy that *Shadowman*, which went out of print 20 years ago, has become memorable enough for you all to receive this award. Please continue to show it your love…”
Evan Block’s and Seojun’s eyes met. The corner of Evan Block’s mouth lifted slightly.
“Please look forward to *Shadowman 3*.”
Woooah!!!
A huge round of applause echoed through the ceremony hall. Evan Block, who came down from the stage with his trophy, saw Seojun clapping hard and smiled.
“Congratulations, Evan!”
“Thanks.”
“Can I see the trophy?”
“Sure.”
The warm interaction between the two actors was broadcast just as it was.
-Evan Block won!
-Please let Seojun win too!
“Next up is the ‘Breakout Actor Award.’”
At the MC's words, the audience, and everyone watching the broadcast, held their breath.
Among the actors appearing on the screen, one with a particularly young face stood out.
Since there were almost no one in the film festival audience who hadn't seen the movie starring the child, everyone knew about the little boy's acting skills.
The MC chuckled and mixed the contents of the script with his own impressions.
“The voting rate for this actor is no joke. Well, he’s an actor who deserves it. Wasn't this award misnamed? This actor is already getting plenty of attention. People all over the world were impressed by his performance. And they are looking forward to his next one! The winner of the Breakout Actor Award is…”
On the quiet stage, the MC shouted loudly.
The camera, which had been showing various nominees, lingered particularly long on Director Ryan Will, Richel Hill, Evan Block, and Seojun.
From the audience, Seo Eunhye, Lee Minjun, Seo Eunchan, and An Daho could only swallow hard as they waited for the next words.
Thump.
Thump.
“For the role of Jin Natra in *Shadowman 2*, Seojun Lee!”
Woooah!!
A massive roar erupted, and Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun were so shocked they couldn't even make a sound.
They had half-expected it, but to actually win! Tears of overwhelming emotion streamed down their faces.
Seo Eunchan threw his hands up in a victory pose, while An Daho leaned back against his chair, as if drained of energy.
A large camera turned toward Seojun. The screen showed the boy staring blankly at the MC. In response, everyone gave him a round of applause and cheers of congratulations.
Evan Block patted Seojun on the shoulder. Richel Hill and Director Ryan Will also clapped and offered their congratulations.
Seojun was so surprised he was at a loss for words. He had anticipated it, but the reality of the moment and the rush of emotions were different. It felt like he could stop breathing at any second.
“Come on up, Jun!”
The MC’s voice made his heart pound.
An award.
I won an award.
I won an award for my acting, for a movie.
The Library of Life wavered.
An emotion overflowed from the depths of his being, turning into tears. A tear trickled down Seojun’s face.
‘I won an award for my acting.’
That was the only thought in his mind.
The regrets of his first life swallowed him like a wave.
A torrent of emotions rushed toward Seojun.
Happiness. Joy.
Satisfaction.
Just as he was about to sink into the sea, Seojun stopped.
?
Satisfaction?
Here?
With just this?
Seojun tilted his head and plucked the regrets of his first life that clung to the core of his being. The gesture was almost coldly light.
No, you're satisfied with just this?
Have you no guts?
No ambition?
The regrets of his first life recoiled.
I told you.
Seojun smirked.
I’m going to be a superstar!
As if a superstar would be satisfied with just one award!
Seojun, who had unknowingly drifted off, returned to reality. Not even a second had passed. It was just the blink of an eye. Richel and Evan, sitting beside him, helped him to his feet. Director Ryan gave him a push from behind.
Seojun walked down the aisle with a bright smile and stepped onto the stage.
The stage was vast. On that wide stage stood only Seojun and the MC. Every member of the audience at the film festival, and every viewer watching the broadcast, was looking only at Seojun.
Standing next to the large MC, Seojun looked even smaller. The audience sent him congratulatory applause.
The trophy the MC handed him sparkled. His first trophy. The award, glittering under the bright lights, was truly…
Hilarious.
It was a trophy shaped like a red popcorn box filled with golden popcorn.
When Evan Block held it, the contrast was just funny, but in the hands of the young Seojun, it looked like a perfect fit. Everyone thought so as they applauded.
It was a funny-looking trophy, but it was an award. Seojun smiled and held up the trophy.
Perhaps because he had spent his life hopping from one extra role to another, his first life had been too lacking in ambition. That first life had been a catalyst, but this was his life. This was Lee Seojun's life.
‘I can't be satisfied with just one!’
On the screen behind Seojun, his face was shown in close-up.
It was not William, nor Jin Natra, but ‘Lee Seojun’ reflected on the screen. Viewers around the world who had been impressed by the *Shadowman* series were once again surprised by that young face.
Seojun looked into the lens of the camera filming him. His deep black eyes seemed to pierce through the camera and gaze at everyone. Unconsciously, everyone held their breath and watched Seojun on the screen.
“Hello. I'm Lee Seojun.”
Seojun’s acceptance speech began with a greeting in Korean.
The rest was in English.
“The first movie I ever filmed was *Shadowman*. I was just an extra who appeared for a moment, and I never imagined that role would grow into Jin Natra and lead me to receive this award. The ‘Breakout Actor Award!’ I will work hard to become an actor who continues to be worthy of your attention. And to my parents, who support me even when I insist on acting! Grandma, Grandpa, maternal Grandma, Eunchan Samchon, Heesang Samchon! I love you all so much!”
Seo Eunchan, feeling a lump in his throat, sniffled, while Kim Heesang, watching from Korea, marveled at how much the little baby had grown.
Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun continued to cry, but they couldn't take their eyes off their son on the big screen, standing on the stage.
“And to Director Ryan Will, who cast me in *Shadowman*!”
Seojun lowered his gaze to below the stage. Ryan Will, sitting at the *Shadowman* team's table, waved at his actor, whose face filled the screen. Next to him were Richel and Evan.
“Evan Block, Richel Hill! And Jonathan Will! The staff of *Shadowman*! Daho Hyung! Everyone at Cocoa Entertainment! Thank you all so much!”
A whistle cut through the air. It was Jonathan Will, sitting in the audience. Jonathan hadn't expected his name to be called. A few other *Shadowman* staff members sitting near him also cheered.
“And to everyone around the world who voted for me. To my Korean fans! Thank you all so, so much!”
Seojun bowed deeply. Applause erupted from the audience. Seojun, who was about to head down with his trophy, stopped short. He turned back to the MC and took the microphone again.
While everyone looked on puzzled, Seojun said with a smile,
“Everyone, please look forward to *Shadowman 3*!”
Ahahaha!
[Actor Lee Seojun Wins ‘Breakout Actor Award’!]
[Youngest Actor to Win at WTV!]
[Actor Lee Seojun’s Cute Acceptance Speech That Charmed Everyone!]
[The Little Kid Has Grown So Much!]
-I cried when he spoke in Korean T_T
-So proud of you, Lee Seojun!
-Popcorn lol. The trophy is a popcorn box? It suits Lee Seojun so well lol.
=yep, it's been like that since the first ceremony lol
-The *Shadowman* team promoting *Shadowman 3* is hilarious lol. Someone already made a gif set lol.
=Richel, Evan, and Lee Seojun all did it lol. They must have saved a ton on publicity costs lol.
=So when is it coming out?
=They haven't even started filming yet lol.
=Then isn't promoting it now kind of useless?
#