Chapter 206: Year End (7)

Translator: Dreamscribe

December 23, Evening.

Around 6:30 PM. In front of the grand hall ‘Plaza’ of ‘Paradise S City’ where the red carpet was laid out, it was utter chaos.

From the end of the long photo zone to the entrance at the top of the hall’s stairs, the red carpet was laid out. On both sides, advertising boards and lined fences were set up with dozens of lights erected. The crowd crammed between the lights numbered at least in the hundreds. Broadcasting staff, reporters, and journalists were frenziedly taking photos with their massive cameras.

Who were they photographing?

“Kim Heo-tae! Kim Heo-tae has here!!”

“Heo-tae ssi! Hello!”

“Please look this way and wave your hand once!!!”

They were photographing each actor as they appeared.

– Papapapapak!!

– Papapapapapapak!!

Though the sky was dark, but due to the bursting flashes, it was confusing as if it were morning. Behind the journalists, a similar number of onlookers and fans were screaming and shouting.

“Ahhhhhhhh!!! Oppa!”

“Oh my gosh! This is crazy! It’s a gift!! A gift!!”

“Woah! So cool!!!”

“Ahh! Stop pushing!!”

From above, only a massive number of heads could be seen.

“Hee-jung ssi! You’ve been nominated for the Popularity Award this year! If you were to express your feelings in one word, How do you feel?”

“I feel like throwing up.”

“Hahaha! Thank you!”

As more actors arrived, the frequency of actors walking down the red carpet gradually increased. Along with it, the barrage of flashes became relentless.

– Papapapapak!!

– Papapapapapapak!!

It was expected. Only 2 hours left until the start of the Blue Dragon Film Awards. Because of this, the screams and shouts from hundreds of onlookers and journalists increased in decibels. Clearly, the crowd was bigger than last year. The reason was simple. This year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards had put in effort from the venue to the scale.

And this year too, the main stars of the festival were the actresses.

“Ji-min ssi! You look so beautiful today!”

“Thank you-”

“What’s the concept? Your dress concept!”

“Nothing special? Just wore what they gave me!”

“Hahaha! You just wore what they gave you??!”

Despite the cold weather, the actresses appearing one after another stepped nonchalantly on the red carpet even in their thin dresses.

“Jung-ah ssi! You appeared in ‘Today’s Celebrity’!”

“Oh my, hello.”

“The dress suits you well, doesn’t it?!”

“Right? I like it too!”

After crossing the red carpet, the actors posed for about 30 seconds in the photo zone set up at the entrance of the hall and then entered the hall guided by the film festival staff.

It repeated. But the enthusiasm was at its peak.

Various types of actors stood out. There were actors who felt awkward in this kind of situation or actors who quickly passed through the red carpet with big strides. Well, most overflowed with ease. Veterans of the film festival responded with smiles, hand waves, and just facial expressions.

This goes on for about 30 minutes.

Despite the winter weather, the air around the red carpet was heated with hundreds of journalists suddenly getting excited.

“Hong Hye-yeon! Hong Hye-yeon!!”

“Is she here?! Where?!! Ah! Hye-yeon ssi!!”

“Hello, Hong Hye-yeon ssi!!!”

Hong Hye-yeon had just alighted from a white van wearing a red dress. Supported by a burly guard, she walked the red carpet quite comfortably. However, the journalists and fans packed on both sides nearly screamed their lungs out.

“Hye-yeon ssi! Just a word please!!”

“Congratulations on the success of ‘Hanryang’!!!”

“When can we hear about your next project??!!”

“Kyaa! Unnie! You’re so beautiful!!! Your face is a masterpiece!!”

“Isn’t Kang Woojin coming with you???!”

“Hong Hye-yeon ssi! This way!! This way!!!”

Hong Hye-yeon, without a word, waved at everyone. Scanning around meticulously and making eye contact was extra. After her arrival, the pace of the flash photography crazily sped up.

– Papapapapak!

– Papapapapapapapak!!

As more high-profile actors showed up, such as Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jung-min, Jin Jae-jun, and actors from ‘Island of the Missing,’ Kang Woojin’s colleagues and completely unrelated top stars were also seen.

At this point.

“Ugh! It’s cold!!”

Among the hundreds of journalists, one reporter dressed in a thick long padding jacket glanced at his wristwatch and said,

“When is he coming?”

His cameraman replied,

“Who?”

“Who else? Kang Woojin, Kang Woojin.”

“Ah.”

“All the journalists here have been talking about Kang Woo-jin since earlier.”

By now, about 60% of the invited actors had arrived. The hundreds of journalists were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the hottest actor. The fans felt the same.

It was Kang Woojin.

That was when it happened.

-Screech.

A black van arrived at the end of the red carpet, where most of the journalists were gathered. It was a familiar car. Soon, many journalists shouted out.

“Who is it!! Who!!”

They pressed their camera shutters before even checking.

– Papapapapapak!!

The flashes went off so much that the black van seemed to turn white. The guard in charge moved to the back door of the arrived van. At the same time, the door opened.

– Thud.

The actor’s face was immediately visible, and the gathered journalists and fans screamed tremendously.

“Kang Woojin! Kang Woojin ssi!!!”

“He’s here! Woojin ssi!! Hello!!!”

“We’ve been waiting!! Say hello to Woojin ssi!!”

“Kyaaaa!! Oppa!! We are Kang’s Heart!!”

“Ack!! Stop pushing!!”

Woojin slowly got out of the van, from the shoes gifted by Hong Hye-yeon, to the black tuxedo, the unusual bow tie, and the watch also gifted by Hwalin.

– Swoosh.

The blinding flashes exploded at the entrance of the red carpet where Kang Woojin stood. Meanwhile, his face was the epitome of a poker face, actually several times more intense than usual.

It was both a concept and genuine.

‘Wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait. This is crazy! What the hell is this??! Where am I?? M-my feet won’t move!’

Exploding tension, a pounding heart, shortness of breath, and slightly trembling hands and feet. Kang Woojin felt like his soul was escaping him.

It was a crisis.

His body froze in a situation where he had to be the most conceptually intense. It wasn’t just dazzling to the eyes; he was practically blinded.

‘Ahh! It’s blinding!’

His blood wasn’t circulating. His thoughts had stopped. After getting off the van, Woojin stood at the entrance of the red carpet, motionless.

Hundreds of journalists happily kept taking pictures.

– Papapapapapak!!

The gathered journalists? The fans? It wasn’t that Kang Woojin had no experience with them. He had been through several press conferences in Japan and other places. He had always handled it calmly. So why had he frozen now?

It was due to the grandeur and magnificence.

The hall entrance in the distance seemed like a portal to another world, and the atmosphere of Korea’s largest film festival enveloped Woojin’s body. Even for a concept master like Kang Woojin, this moment couldn’t be ordinary.

“……”

What the hell is this place? Why am I here? Just a few months ago, he was watching YouTube and lying down after work. But now, hundreds of journalists and fans in front of him were all taking photos of him.

‘Ah- no. Get a grip, Kang Woojin.’

Woojin suddenly remembered his place. However, the pandemic-like tension spreading through his body did not subside.

‘I don’t know, just walk damn it.’

His vision was narrow. It was so noisy that his ears rang. His hands and feet still trembled. But Kang Woojin concentrated all his focus into one place.

Walking.

He walked towards the finish line, unshaken by anything else. There was no time to do anything else.

– Step, step.

What was peculiar was that to others, his demeanor appeared as an aura. A strange force emanated from him. The journalists had no choice but to whisper among themselves.

“Wow- what’s with Kang Woojin? He’s quite aloof, isn’t he?”

“Look at that style. He’s more composed than some of the top stars??”

“Is this his first film festival? His expression doesn’t change at all……”

“They say he’s quite stoic, guess it’s true??”

As Kang Woojin walked the red carpet, his field of view gradually widened. Oddly, once he threw himself into it, his mind relaxed more than he expected.

‘……Hmm? Maybe this isn’t so bad?’

Gaining courage, he slowly turned his head to the right. A tremendous crowd and cameras were visible. Calmly, he raised his hand.

– Swoosh.

This time, Kang Woojin turned his head to the left. The same scene unfolded. He similarly raised his hand. There was no smile. Just sheer composure, but Kang Woojin was satisfied.

Thus.

‘Phew- made it.’

Woojin had just stepped into the photo zone at the entrance of the hall and turned around. He could see the red carpet he had just walked down, eyes wide. Mission clear. Woojin felt his heart’s pounding gradually subside.

‘It feels a bit like riding an amusement park ride? There’s a thrilling taste to it- this.’

He was becoming accustomed to the film festival.

And the journalists who had been filming Kang Woojin’s walk checked their footage.

“It was brief, but he had the best posture among the actors.”

An hour later, inside the large hall ‘Plaza’.

The interior of the ‘Plaza’, where the Blue Dragon Film Awards would be held was perfectly described as magnificent. An enormously wide hall, over a thousand seats divided between the first and second floors, a very high ceiling, dozens of lights hanging from that ceiling, an interior that slightly reminded one of an opera house, three large screens mounted on the left wall, and filming crews scattered around.

Most of all, the large stage at the front was striking.

In contrast to the generally dark ambiance of the hall, the stage glowed with an orange hue. Stage decorations made to resemble fireworks, a giant screen, a podium with the Blue Dragon Film Awards logo, the floor of the stage subtly glowing, and a human-sized trophy statue set to one side of the stage.

It was impressive. Kang Woojin, seated in the audience, thought so.

‘It’s crazy, wow… really.’

Though Woojin was there as an actor, his essence was that of an ordinary citizen, so his gaze was similar to that of a tourist. He was still confused about why he was sitting here.

Moreover.

‘There are so many top actors.’

Numerous actors who led the acting scene in Korea were clustered around Woojin. What could he say, there were so many that he wondered if they were actors or just mannequins. Yes, that was it. Kang Woojin had stepped into this glamorous world, and here, he was causing sensational issues that shocked everyone here.

Kang Woojin was realizing just how remarkable all these events were.

Honestly, it was his first time seeing so many actors. All these countless actors know me? He felt a strange thrill. Indeed, the actors around Woojin had been glancing at him since earlier.

On top of that.

“Alright- scan over the actors seated, oh! Get a shot of Kang Woojin!”

The broadcasting team filming the Blue Dragon Film Awards live was even paying attention to Kang Woojin. His seat was about in the middle of the first floor, surrounded by top actor Jin Jae-jun, Park Pan-seo, and Director Kim Do-hee. Key staff from ‘Drug Dealer’ were also there. Naturally. Kang Woojin was mixed in with the ‘Drug Dealer’ team.

At this point, Jin Jae-jun in a grey suit whispered to Kang Woojin.

“Woojin ssi, have you been to a film festival before? How are you so calm?”

Veteran actor Park Pan-seo sitting to the right of Woojin also chimed in.

“Haha, really. Anyone would think you frequent film festivals. It’s your first time at the Blue Dragon, right?”

Regaining his senses as he looked around the interior, Woojin spoke up.

“Yes, it’s my first time at the Blue Dragon.”

“It’s your first time, but you’re starting as the star in the spotlight. Look, the actors are sneaking glances.”

Jin Jae-jun added.

“The place was a buzz when you entered.”

“Is that so?”

“They didn’t approach you? They’ll probably lose their minds and talk to you a lot after the film festival ends. If you’re tired, run away.”

The hall lights dimmed further. Noticing this, Park Pan-seo looked towards the main stage and spoke.

“Is it about to start? Let’s see- what’s the order?”

Naturally, Jin Jae-jun replied.

“It’s the same every year at the Blue Dragon. Start with the Best New Actor, then the Audience Choice Award? Then they cover the short films and a celebratory stage performance.”

“Ah, so the key staff gets an award after the performance?”

“Yes.”

“Haha, Woojin ssi, you’ll have to get ready right away.”

Kang Woojin quietly bowed his head, but his sense of reality also began to drift away. He saw and heard a lot, but when it actually came down to it right in front of him, it all felt awkward. They listed off a bunch of awards, but none of it registered in his ears.

At that moment.

-♬♪

The entire hall’s lights shot towards the stage as lively music started playing, and a broadcast team PD with an intercom around his neck signaled to the stage. Then, the lights on the stage floor began to move. The giant screen at the back also changed.

A set promotional video began to play.

Soon, two familiar figures appeared at the presenter’s stand on the left side of the stage. They were famous broadcasters. After their brief greetings, though Kang Woojin was watching them live, it felt like he was watching TV. Regardless, the presenters continued after a bit of banter, looking at their cue cards.

“Alright! Let’s begin the first sequence of the Blue Dragon Film Awards!”

“This category is for this year’s most brilliant new actors. The announcement will be made by Go Seong-jin and Park Yu-min, who were last year’s winners of the Best New Actor award!”

Once the introduction was over, the music played again, and two actors, one in a navy tuxedo and the other in a beige dress, walked onto the big stage. Standing in the center of the stage, they greeted the audience and then spoke into the standing microphones.

“Last year, I received the Best New Actor award on this stage, and it’s nerve-wracking to be presenting it myself this time. How about you, Yu-min ssi?”

“I feel the same. It’s a fresh sentiment, isn’t it?”

“Yes. This year, too, we have amazing actors nominated, and I hardly feel qualified to announce this.”

“But you have to do it. Let’s steel ourselves.”

“Haha, alright.”

Soon, the male actor looked down at his cue card and continued.

“Then, the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards first category. The Best New Male Actor Award. Let’s meet the nominees.”

As his words concluded, video clips began to play on the giant screen set up on stage, and monitors throughout the hall. Brief scenes from movies, actors delivering intense performances and their lines, and names of the actors flashed by rapidly.

Among them, a familiar role appeared.

[“Your eyes don’t look like a drug dealer’s? You have the eyes of a snitch. You’re a snitch, aren’t you?”]

Lee Sang-man from ‘Drug Dealer’. Tt was, Kang Woojin. Ultimately, five nominees were presented.

[‘Gloomy Man’ Park Tae-woo/ ‘Manipulative Hand’ Ha Sang-il/ ‘Keyword of Betrayal’ An Il-hoon/ ‘With You’ Kim Geon/ ‘Drug Dealer’ Kang Woojin]

Each time a nominee was mentioned, the respective person was shown on the monitor in the audience seat. The last, of course, was Kang Woojin, and his poker face appeared on the giant screen.

Meanwhile.

“Who do you think will win? Surely, it’s Kang Woojin?”

“I’m not sure. Kang Woojin is the hot topic, but-”

“The judges’ scores are important too, right?”

“Yes. But Lee Sang-man’s acting was killer.”

“Are the judges still the same as before?”

“That’s right.”

The audience filled with actors was abuzz.

“I vote for Kim Geon.”

“Hmm- his acting is good, but Kang Woojin stands out more, doesn’t he?”

“Is everyone expecting a twist? It has to be Kang Woojin.”

“’Drug Dealer’ was rated R, right? Does that also get reflected in the evaluation?”

“I think it will be Park Tae-woo. He acts very calmly and well.”

While some were coldly logical, others’ comments were tinged with jealousy. Whatever the case, an envelope was handed to the actor presiding over the Best New Male Actor Award. It clearly contained the results.

“Now, I will announce the winner.”

At this moment, Kang Woojin was thoughtless. Or rather, his mind completely blank. He simply looked straight ahead. However, somewhere within, a thrill was coursing through him. Because he vaguely realized that it was an amazing moment.

Many shared this feeling with Kang Woojin at this moment.

In the closed restaurant, Kang Hyun-ah and Woojin’s parents.

“Please… please!!”

“Hyun-ah, be quiet. Woojin is standing so bravely there.”

“Please, our son!”

“Honey!”

At a bar, Woojin’s close friends gathered around a TV, their hearts in their throats.

“Say! Say, it’s Woojin! Say our Woojin’s name”

“Ah, damn. This is so nerve-racking!”

“It’s okay, he’s definitely going to win.”

“Kim Dae-young, this bastard’s hands are shaking?”

Naturally, numerous bigwigs present at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and many watching on TV felt the same.

And then, on the stage of the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

“Best New Male Actor Award!!”

The male actor, looking at the result sheet, his expression brightened as he said.

“This person was truly remarkable this year? Causing a sensation in his debut year! Congratulations!!”

He shouted loudly into the standing microphone. His gaze was directed towards the many actors in front.

“The 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards! Best New Male Actor Award! Kang Woojin ssi from ‘Drug Dealer’!!”

Simultaneously, tremendous applause filled the hall.

– Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

– Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

Hundreds of actors all turned to look in one direction. Every camera from the broadcast team also focused its lens on the announced actor.

Soon, a man silently stood up from the center of the grand audience.

“……”

It was Kang Woojin, his face stoic.