Translator: Dreamscribe
Around 6 p.m.
The scene in front of the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards was about to begin, could only be described as grand. Lights of all kinds beamed from the Dolby Theatre, gigantic statues and installations, billboards and screens were placed everywhere. The excitement was at its peak.
The crowd was literally going wild.
From the steps at the entrance of the Dolby Theatre to far beyond, everything was covered in the red carpet, and iron fences set up around it were tightly packed with well over several thousand people. All were dressed in tuxedos. They were reporters and press personnel aside from the broadcasting teams. Of course, the number of spectators surrounding them was even larger.
And then the red carpet.
How to put it, rather than saying the red carpet was laid out, it gave the illusion that the floor had been red from the beginning. That was how vast and massive the red carpeted area was.
On top of that.
“Wow- they even brought in cranes??”
“Was that here last year too?”
“No, they weren’t. I can’t believe they brought something that big for the entrance ceremony.”
Beyond just the massive camera gear used by reporters or broadcasting stations, there were also cranes and other filming equipment that one would expect to see only on a movie set.
“Is this a red carpet event or a filming set??”
As a result, comments like “Is this a giant filming location?” popped up among the hundreds of reporters. The scale truly was jaw-dropping, and while the Academy Awards happen every year, today’s atmosphere felt different.
And slowly, actors started to enter the red carpet.
As Hollywood’s top actors appeared in tuxedos and dresses, cameras quickly got busy.
-Pababababak!
Flashes burst like lightning, and the shouts from the swarm of reporters grew intensely loud. The combined noise was enough to make one’s ears hurt. Meanwhile, amusing scenes unfolded.
“Robert! Robert!! You’re nominated for Best Supporting Actor! Do you think you’ll win the trophy??!”
“Haha, whatever I say, you’re going to twist it into some weird article anyway.”
“No, no- that was a mistake last time!”
“As if.”
As expected, the red carpet at the Academy Awards was different from that of Korea. It was rather unrestrained, one might say? On the vast red carpet, Hollywood actors performed various antics. Some would suddenly approach reporters for casual conversations, others danced in strange ways, or posed in quirky ways they had prepared in advance.
Of course, it wasn’t just the actors. Invited big-name directors and celebrities were the same.
Their numbers gradually increased.
As more and more stars appeared, the live broadcast being aired worldwide exploded in viewership. Though the Academy had an official live broadcast team prepared, influencers and internet streamers present at the red carpet were just as abundant.
The vibe and the excitement grew with each passing second.
Around this time.
“Ah!! Miley!! There’s Miley!!”
A female actress in a dress mixed with gray and white stepped onto the red-hot red carpet. It was Miley Cara. Her flowing blonde hair shimmering, she wasn’t a nominee today but was invited as a guest.
“Miley!! Hey! Miley!!”
“This way! Look this way, Miley!!”
“Miley, weren’t you coming with Kang Woojin??!”
The excitement of thousands of press members soared. After all, Miley Cara was the hottest actress in Hollywood this year. She waved briefly at the reporters, when someone called out to her from behind. Turning around, she saw a male actor walking toward her. He had once competed with Kang Woojin for the role of the Beast.
Cara gave a faint smile.
“What? Are you trying to steal my spotlight?”
“Haha, Miley, why are you picking a fight the moment you see me? I just said hi because I was happy to see you.”
“Really? Nice to see you too. But could you take a step back? I’d feel bad if weird articles come out and he sees them.”
“Kang Woojin? Miley, aren’t you a bit too into him? Never seen you like this before.”
“Shut up.”
Though they bickered, they both greeted the reporters as if nothing happened. Naturally, the press focused their attention on the two, flashes bursting around them. After Cara had walked about halfway down the red carpet.
“Hm?”
The male actor suddenly tilted his head in confusion. The movement among the thousands, maybe even ten thousand, spectators lining both sides wasn’t normal. Something was surging and moving toward the entrance of the red carpet. The once non-stop flashes had significantly decreased.
In response, Miley Cara and the male actor turned around.
“Ah.”
Cara smiled contentedly. The male actor let out a small sigh and muttered,
“Well then, the supporting actor should step aside. The protagonist has arrived.”
At the very entrance of the red carpet where they were looking.
“Kang Woojin!! Kang Woojin!!!”
“Whoa!! It’s really Kang Woojin!!”
“Hey Woojin!! A wave please! Look this way and wave!!”
“Kyaaaah!!”
“Kang Woojin’s here??! Where? Where is he!!”
“There! Over there!!”
“Aaah! Move! Kang Woojin!!!”
Everyone was going crazy with excitement because Kang Woojin had arrived.
But unlike the thousands of frenzied reporters screaming and spitting as they shouted, Woojin was.
“……”
Expressionless.
However, his inner thoughts were a complete 180.
‘Ugh, I feel like throwing up. So dizzy. My ears are bursting. Should I bolt? Too much? Screw it, just focus on the concept and walking.’
The red carpet was no joke, it was like walking on thin ice. Sleekly combed-back black hair, all-black tuxedo, polished dress shoes. Today, he was just the pure Kang Woojin, no performances or events, but he was more tense than ever.
And Kang Woojin wasn’t alone.
Right beside him in a white tuxedo was Chris Hartnett, and to his right stood Director Ahn Ga-bok in a regular suit. Around them gathered the actors and key staff from the ‘Pierrot’ shoot. In short, the ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’ team.
“Kang Woojin!! Give us a Joker smile!!!”
With their appearance, all the press and live broadcast teams rushed toward them. No matter what anyone said, they were the hottest team at this year’s Academy Awards.
Then Chris, smiling and waving, spoke to Kang Woojin.
“Woojin, go ahead first. The ‘Joker’ has to lead.”
Woojin, who was looking at him blankly, responded inwardly.
‘What the hell are you saying! You’re the insanely good-looking one, you should go first! I feel like I’m going to trip and die!’
But unable to reveal this inner panic, Woojin took a heavy step forward.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Kang Woojin conquered the red carpet of the Academy Awards.
About an hour later, inside the Dolby Theatre.
The interior of the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards was being held, was nothing short of magnificent. The ceiling rose to a four-story height. Lights were installed everywhere, close to ten thousand seats were arranged, and in those seats sat tremendously famous actors, directors, or film figures.
The front stage was especially dazzling.
The stage where the Academy Award trophy statue stood tall was vast, and the many monitors surrounding it added to the grandeur. Various rounded structures that made up the entire stage were all marked with the ‘Academy Awards’ logo. In front of the stage were filled with broadcast teams and staff.
Truly a scale befitting the Academy Awards, the dream of every filmmaker.
The gathering of such star-studded individuals was just as spectacular. These were the ones who dominated the global film industry, including Hollywood. If you added up their appearance fees, how much would that even be? A dizzying amount, surely? These were the thoughts running through Kang Woojin’s head.
‘Wow- shit, those lights are freakin’ amazing. Are they meant to represent the trophy? How much money do you have to pour in to get a stage with that level of quality?’
He was seated on the first floor, close to the stage.
‘I’m really sitting here, at the Academy Awards. Isn’t this the glory of a lifetime?? Ha- I’m dying to take a damn photo right now.’
Though the desire to take a commemorative shot was overwhelming, he had to solemnly hold it in. From earlier- no, from the moment Kang Woojin entered the hall, everyone had been stealing glances at him. The broadcast cameras often focused on him. It felt like CCTV was watching from every direction.
Thus, Kang Woojin.
“……”
Did nothing but maintain his concept, silently staring at the front stage without a word or action. Around this point, Chris Hartnett, sitting beside him, spoke.
“Woojin, you’ve entered the Academy Awards that you openly declared, but you don’t look happy at all?”
I’m crazy happy right now, you handsome guy. But Kang Woojin gave a cold answer that was completely different from what he felt inside.
“It’s not as impressive as I thought.”
“……Hahaha, not impressive? Saying that after coming here is quite the shock.”
Director Ahn Ga-bok chimed in.
“He was like this at Korean awards, Cannes, even the Emmy Awards. Probably just sees the Academy Awards as one of many ceremonies. Isn’t that right?”
“It’s similar.”
“Or maybe he was already sure he’d be sitting here.”
Chris clapped his hands as if he realized something.
“That’s it! Yeah, Woojin, you declared this back in Cannes. If you were certain since then, it’d be strange to get all hyped now.”
Soon, the other ‘Pierrot’ team members nodded in agreement. As the misconception about him spread, Kang Woojin internally screamed, ‘No, that’s not it!’
-♬♩♪
Cheerful classical music burst through the vast hall. At the same time, a man-shaped trophy statue stood on the center stage.
-Swish.
A man in a tuxedo walked on alone. Holding cue cards, he was a famous MC and comedian, serving as today’s Academy Awards host. Standing at the spot with a standing microphone, the host greeted everyone.
“Hello~ Hello~”
Despite nearly ten thousand influential figures sitting in the audience, he showed no nerves and began his lines.
“Hmm- before we start, how about a little chat?”
True to the Academy Awards’ reputation for free-spirited hosting, the MC started with some casual talk.
“This year’s Academy Awards, let’s be real, ‘Pierrot’ was the hottest, right? Ah! Kang Woojin’s here, isn’t he? Kang Woojin! Where are you now? Woojin!”
Suddenly, the spotlight and camera angle all turned to Kang Woojin in the audience. Naturally, so did every audience member’s gaze. The host gave Woojin a thumbs-up.
“Whew- Joker! That was amazing. Once that movie hits worldwide release, it’s gonna blow up!”
The beginning of the Academy Awards, attended by the world’s greatest film figures,
“I’ve really become your fan. When’s the sequel coming out, when’s the next one!”
started with the monster, Kang Woojin.
How much time had passed?
While it was afternoon in LA, it was lunchtime in Korea, and many places were showing the live broadcast of the Academy Awards. People on subways and buses, in cafes, anywhere crowds gathered, watched on their phones.
Or on TVs in various stores.
Among them was a large two-story samgyeopsal restaurant in the middle of Gangnam, crowded with customers during lunch. The large TV installed there was also broadcasting the Academy Awards live. The store owner must have turned it on, given the recent buzz around the event.
Thus, the attention of many diners turned to the TV.
“Whoa- Kang Woojin is right there among those insane stars. That’s seriously crazy.”
“Not just crazy, Kang Woojin is a living legend. But seeing him there makes me feel that national pride.”
“Remember when those Hollywood top stars kept mentioning Kang Woojin? That was insane. It really made my shoulders rise.”
“But isn’t it kind of too much to hope he wins Best Actor?”
“Just being nominated is already huge, right? Winning Best Actor- honestly, it might be tough. I heard there’s subtle discrimination in the Academy.”
They chattered away while focusing on the awards ceremony. Everyone’s mouths were filled with samgyeopsal, and what they were saying was all about Kang Woojin.
“Ah! I’m nervous! Why am I the one nervous?? Doesn’t it kinda feel like watching the World Cup?”
“Facts! I really hope Kang Woojin wins!”
“From what I saw in the article comments, the chances of Woojin winning are low. They say the other nominees are Hollywood legends. But honestly, I can’t quite picture him winning either.”
“It’d be tough, right? I feel like they’d score him lower just because he’s a Korean actor.”
Here were Kang Woojin’s best friends, Kim Dae-young, Lee Kyung-sung, and Na Hyeong-gu.
“Phew- what are they all yammering about like they know anything?”
“Hey hey, I have to pee again. Ugh, I’m going crazy. Kim Dae-young! Don’t you know anything? You work at Woojin’s agency, so you must have some insider info, right?”
“Are you nuts? Even the company’s stopped everything just to watch this, how would I know anything?”
“Wait wait wait? Everyone shut up, isn’t it time for ‘Best Actor’? The ‘Best Actress’ just ended, right?”
On the TV, a Hollywood actor and actress were now standing side by side, announcing the time had come for the ‘Best Actor’ award.
– [“I think we should stop chatting and get to the announcement now.”]
– [“Right. Ah- but Daisy. I’m too nervous to read it, you do it instead. Look, my hands are shaking.”]
– [“Sigh, alright. I’ll do it.”]
The female actor received the cue card. Behind her, the large screen displayed five segments, each showing the nominated actors. At the very end stood Kang Woojin, someone everyone in this samgyeopsal restaurant knew.
Soon, the restaurant became excessively loud.
“Aaahhh! Kang Woojin! Let it be Kang Woojin!”
“Yes! Please! Kang Woojin!”
“If Kang Woojin wins, dinner’s on me!!”
“Wooooooo!!”
On the TV, the female actor looked at the paper she pulled from the envelope, her eyes widening. Then, she turned to the audience of giants and gave a sudden smile.
– [“Wow! The ‘Best Actor’ at the 95th Academy Awards goes to!!”]
Meanwhile, in New York.
At Times Square, where hundreds of thousands were currently packed, and several million from all over the world pass through each day. Known as the place in New York that “never goes dark”, the square was glittering brightly despite the dimming sky.
It was due to the massive electronic billboards and advertisements plastered all over the forest of buildings.
It felt like a world of its own. And even now, Times Square was bustling with hundreds of thousands of people. From one end of the long street to the other, it was filled with heads. Given it was a globally renowned tourist destination, all kinds of languages filled the air.
It felt as if the entire world population had gathered here.
At the center of Times Square, on the largest screen attached to a gray building.
– [“Wow! The ‘Best Actor’ at the 95th Academy Awards goes to!!”]
The live feed of the ‘Academy Awards’ in LA was being displayed, and tens of thousands of people had stopped walking, their eyes turned upward.
“I like Kang Woojin, but the other nominees are really tough. I guess we’ll have to hope for next year.”
“Right? I mean, look at that lineup. They’re all Hollywood veteran legends. How’s he supposed to beat that?”
Everyone was watching the Academy Awards. They were all chatting in different languages.
“Huh? That’s Kang Woojin. Wait, the Academy Awards are happening right now?”
“Yeah, there were tons of articles this morning. I even saw Kang Woojin in person in Japan once.”
“Best Actor at the Academy Awards?? Whoa- that’s incredible.”
“I hope he wins, but, hmm, looking at the other nominees, it’ll be tough.”
“Still, I heard Kang Woojin caused a huge stir this time.”
More and more people stopped walking.
“Even if it’s tough this year, I feel like Kang Woojin could win next year, or the year after.”
“He’s already huge. Look at this crowd. I bet everyone here knows who Kang Woojin is.”
“Let’s just stay to see the announcement.”
“Yeah.”
From above, it would look like the entire world was gazing up at Kang Woojin.
At that moment, his name echoed through all of Times Square. From the Academy Awards broadcast, the female actor’s declaration:
– [“The Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’ goes to! Kang! Woo! Jin! of ‘Pierrot: The Birth of a Villain’! Congratulations!!”]
Simultaneously, tens of thousands who were watching the Academy Awards with their heads raised all opened their mouths in shock.
“…Huh? Kang Woojin? Did they just call Kang Woojin’s name?”
***
TL Note: Hi, this novel is now complete on Patreon. I will post new chapters daily for free readers, but if you wish, you can read all of it on my Patreon.
***
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