Chapter 1213: Soaring (13)

Recently, MyTube had been growing at a tremendous pace in Korea.

It was an era where all kinds of people dreamed of becoming stars by trying their hand at being MyTubers, while television networks opened channels left and right.

Just a few years earlier, MyTube had still carried the image of being something only foreigners used.

After all, whenever you went to a broadcaster's MyTube account to rewatch a variety show clip, didn't you always get that adorable little notification?

[The uploader has not made this video available in your country.]

Translated, it basically meant this:

(Translation) "Oh, you wanted to watch that funny moment from yesterday's variety show again? That's too bad! This video isn't for you. It's for people in Southeast Asia or Japan~! Didn't you notice the subtitles?"

In other words, if you wanted to watch the broadcast again, you had to visit the network's website, install ActiveX, and pay 1,200 won for the VOD.

Or subscribe to the broadcaster's OTT service.

It felt like something from the distant past, but it had actually been that way only recently.

Lately, though, things had changed.

Broadcasters had begun entering the MyTube market in earnest, uploading variety-show clips themselves and even creating exclusive content designed to attract viewers.

MyTube had become mainstream in Korea, and naturally, the competition had become fierce as well.

-You have to do something no one else has! Something different!

Beauty. Pets. Travel. Movies. Music.

MyTubers covering every imaginable interest were beginning to flourish.

Among them, however, two genres had recently exploded in popularity.

["Something Huge Is Coming"—Breaking Down the Super Bowl Trailer for the New Hero Movie]

[Everything You Need to Know About the Secret Agent 3 Trailer | Shadow Master Appears!?]

[Guardians 2—Peng's Powers Are Finally Here... This Is Insane]

The first was channels aimed squarely at hardcore fans.

Perhaps it was because two members of the nation's top idol group had been cast in the two biggest superhero movie franchises—a situation no one had ever imagined.

The comment sections were exploding with several times their usual traffic.

-3:17 Wang Jiho absolutely killed it.

-I don't think Shadow Master's nationality was ever specified in the comics... Are they really making the character Korean this time??

-This channel sure knows how to strike while the iron's hot lol. Great trailer breakdown. Devil's summaries are still as clean as ever.

-The Guardians 2 trailer was short, but that's exactly why it hit so hard. I seriously can't wait to see what kind of villain our Sunny becomes hahaha.

-When Jiho was first cast, everyone thought it'd just be a cameo... But judging by the role changes, did Wooju's recent popularity with Silver Comics get his part expanded? What do you think, Devil?

-Please let Wang Jiho have lots of screen time...

Even Koreans who normally had no interest in superhero movies found themselves clicking on every related video that appeared in their recommendations.

Of course, they understood the facts.

They knew this wasn't some international competition like the Olympics.

They knew Hollywood wasn't the center of the world's film industry—it simply represented North America.

But whenever they saw the nation's idols shining in those trailers, they couldn't stop the corners of their mouths from curling upward.

This is it.

Especially whenever they came across American media articles or comments from overseas fans mentioning the two members, they couldn't help smiling.

Exactly. They're both incredible actors. Even Americans can tell how good they are.

Looks like Guardians 2 is going all-in on promoting Wooju's villain. When does it come out again? I kind of want to watch it out of sheer national loyalty. Time to show the power of Korean audiences...

So the Super Bowl trailer really is that big of a deal.

Watching movie reviewers enthusiastically upload analysis after analysis, Korean viewers couldn't help smiling with satisfaction.

And rowing alongside the movie reviewers were another group of creators: MyTubers who covered overseas entertainment news.

[Complete Predictions for the 91st Academy Awards]

[Based on Past Academy Awards, What Are Sound of the Sun's Chances?]

[Cold Brown Finally Wins a Grammy... And Gives Wooju an Eye-Watering Gift?!]

Everyone wanted to know how the film that had taken the global box office by storm late last year would perform at the Academy Awards.

As a result, videos analyzing overseas betting odds and previous Academy winners were becoming wildly popular.

The views naturally exploded.

And the MyTubers couldn't have been happier.

Row harder!

Monetize! Monetize!

Of course, where there was light, there was darkness.

Every now and then, bizarre figures from the dark side of the internet would emerge.

[SHOCK! The Shadow Ruler Wooju Ship Even Forced the U.S. President to Submit! Everyone Knelt at the Grammy Awards!]

[BREAKING! The Academy Awards on the Brink of Bankruptcy! Emergency SOS Sent to Lemon Entertainment CEO Park Gyuho?!]

[Live Broadcast Disaster! Hailey Blue Breaks Down in Tears Over NewBlack's Award! Japanese Media Explodes After She Falls in Love with Korean Food!]

People's interest had grown so intense that fake news was spreading everywhere.

Ordinarily, many would have dismissed the excitement as overblown.

This time, though, even they nodded in understanding.

Well... it's the Academy Awards.

After all, if you asked Koreans to name a foreign awards ceremony, the Academy Awards would almost certainly be the first answer.

The entire country had gone mad.

"Man... our network should've gotten the broadcasting rights this year..."

"How are the LA correspondents doing? Are they ready? The moment NewBlack wins anything, we need a local interview on the air immediately."

"This week's feature is definitely Sound of the Sun."

From terrestrial broadcasters to cable channels, the entire television industry was heating up with special programming and frantic coverage.

"Didn't our nation's idol group NewBlack just win at the Grammys, America's biggest music awards? We need to foster our cultural industries at the national level. It's time to stop talking about Hollywood and start building Hallyuwood instead. That's what I'm saying. Do you understand, Minister?"

"Yes, Assemblyman. I'll keep that in mind."

"And about the Academy Awards—many of our citizens will be watching. I trust the government will provide whatever support is necessary to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Even during parliamentary questioning, politicians shamelessly dragged NewBlack into unrelated discussions in hopes of attracting attention.

The advertising industry was doing the same, using the Academy Awards as clickbait.

Whether for better or worse, every move NewBlack made was creating ripple effects throughout society and the economy.

The entire nation had descended into collective frenzy.

-Will a Korean finally win an Academy Award?!

The eyes of the entire country turned toward the American continent across the ocean.

Relaxing while watching the Super Bowl had been short-lived.

Before long, we were back to our normal schedule.

Well...

Strictly speaking, it was me who was busy.

"Wow."

I turned at the voice beside me.

Ronnie Lucas, Hollywood's hottest leading man, was looking around with eyes sparkling like the morning star.

"I can't believe it. I'm going to stand on the Oscar stage."

"Your first time?"

"Yeah. It's my first Oscars."

He gazed around the theater with dreamy eyes, as though he had stepped into a fantasy.

He wasn't the only one.

Everyone from the Sound of the Sun cast looked much the same.

"This is insane."

"Oppa, could you take a selfie for me here? I absolutely have to keep this as a souvenir."

"Hang on. I want one too."

Even senior Lee Gyeonwoo, who was usually so calm and composed, was visibly excited.

Backstage, the Korean managers and staff wearing production passes around their necks also looked utterly stunned.

I quietly took in the surroundings myself.

Dolby Theatre

The venue famous for hosting the Academy Awards every year.

Luxurious red carpets.

Rows of seats worthy of an opera house.

Ornate decorations stretching across the ceiling.

With tomorrow's ceremony approaching, the theater had already been transformed into a dazzling stage.

A staff member wearing an intercom headset approached us.

"We'll be ready in just a moment! Is everyone prepared?"

"Of course."

Today was the day before the Academy Awards.

It was time for the rehearsal for tomorrow's congratulatory performance.

While Academy staff wheeled pianos into place and checked the lighting, a curly-haired woman holding a script walked over.

She was Helen, the producer of the popular New York talk show The Alan Dale Show, and this year's producer for the Academy Awards broadcast.

"I'm Helen. Nice to see you again. We've met before, right?"

"Yes. Nice to see you again, Helen."

"Here's the cue sheet. I believe it includes everything we discussed over the phone previously, along with all the points you need to keep in mind. Has anything changed?"

"Nothing."

She rubbed the corner of her eye before continuing.

"Since this is a live broadcast, I'd like to ask for your full cooperation. Will there be any unscripted remarks regarding current events or political issues during the performance? If so, please let us know now."

"No."

Just like on SNL, a live broadcast was still a live broadcast in America.

Everything except acceptance speeches followed the script exactly.

After finishing one final confirmation with the producer, I headed back and approached the handsome actor standing there with a tense expression, slowly exhaling.

"Nervous, Senior?"

"Yeah."

Lee Gyeonwoo had one hand pressed against his chest as he took a deep breath.

"I even took a calming pill, but my heart's still racing."

"You're just too nervous."

"I've performed in front of even bigger crowds than this. I don't know why I'm so anxious."

"It's the Academy Awards. Of course you're nervous. But don't worry too much."

I smiled.

"You just have to trust me and follow my lead."

There was nothing I was more confident about than leading people onstage.

After briefly checking on the other actors, I looked back at Lee Gyeonwoo.

I couldn't help paying a little more attention to him.

[Exclusive] Top Free Agent "World Star" Lee Gyeonwoo Signs with Lemon Entertainment After Leaving TJ

His contract with TJ had expired, and he had officially signed with Lemon Entertainment.

He had long been known as a "Hallyu star" thanks to his explosive popularity throughout Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Now, thanks to the worldwide success of Sound of the Sun, he had earned a new title.

A true "world star."

Word was already spreading that American television and film studios were lining up with offers.

And honestly...

We had played a part in convincing him to choose our company.

-Come on over, Senior... Come to Lemon...

-Ugh...

-Lemon paradise... Lemon paradise...

...Junghyun had apparently whispered that into his ear every time he entered REM sleep.

Anyway, since I had enthusiastically recommended Lemon Entertainment whenever he asked about it, I couldn't shake the feeling that I ought to look after him a little more.

"Everything's ready!"

At the Academy staff member's announcement, I clapped my hands.

"Everyone, gather up."

As everyone assembled with nervous expressions, I stretched out my hand.

One after another, they placed theirs on top.

"Tomorrow is our Academy Awards stage."

"Oh, my..."

"Good heavens."

While everyone, including veteran actor Willie Jones, reacted in their own way, I smiled and nodded.

"And judging by the schedule, this will probably be our last performance together. From the very beginning of filming until now, you've all worked incredibly hard."

The words our last performance caused everyone's eyes to meet.

Regret.

Anticipation.

Fear.

Excitement.

Countless emotions flickered across their faces.

I spoke again.

"Since it's our last one, I hope tomorrow becomes the greatest moment of our journey together. People say the sun shines most brilliantly just before it sets, don't they? So let's shine more brilliantly than anything else... right until the very end."

Looking at my fellow cast members, I asked,

"Is everyone ready to shine?"

The response came immediately.

Passionate.

Resounding.

The rehearsal stage burned with renewed energy.

At last.

The day had arrived.

"Hmm."

Ri Hyuk adjusted his glasses as he watched me absentmindedly pushing my cereal around instead of eating it.

He looked like an ill-tempered sparrow wearing glasses.

"You're nervous."

"I barely slept. I couldn't fall asleep at all last night. I was exhausted, but my eyes just wouldn't stay shut."

"Did you drink coffee?"

"No. I didn't have anything."

Maybe I really was that nervous.

"In a way, it makes sense that you'd be even more nervous than you were for the Grammys. With the Grammys, you can always think you'll have another chance. But the Academy Awards... this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"True."

No matter that my main profession was being a singer.

The Academy Awards were still the Academy Awards.

If I wasn't going because of something like this, when else in my life would I ever get the chance?

Maybe that was why I wanted to win so badly today.

Jiho nodded.

"That's true. There's a world of difference between being an Academy Award nominee and being an Academy Award winner. Of course, just being nominated is already incredible..."

And on top of that, we had a performance to give.

Junghyun looked worried.

"This is bad. You haven't eaten. You need to eat before doing something this important."

"I just don't have an appetite."

"Should I grill some meat for you?"

"That won't suddenly make me want to ea—"

Sizzle—

"...Actually, it will."

Thirty minutes later.

I happily munched away on the LA galbi Biju and Junghyun had grilled for me.

"It practically melts in your mouth."

"...So the cereal just wasn't very good. You seem perfectly capable of eating meat."

"What can I do? It's delicious."

Ignoring Ri Hyuk's exasperated scolding, I enjoyed my meal.

The guys glanced around.

"By the way, where's Grandma?"

"She's upstairs checking the clothes she'll wear to the Academy Awards. LeBlanc sent over an outfit for her."

"Ooh."

Even though we hadn't requested anything, LeBlanc had sent a congratulatory card along with a custom-made outfit for Grandma.

She was probably upstairs trying everything on while getting her hair done.

As I watched the gardeners busily tending the grounds outside, Seokhwan came downstairs.

"Ooooooh!"

"Ooooooh!"

We all burst into applause.

"Ahem."

Seokhwan awkwardly adjusted his bow tie.

A perfectly tailored tuxedo.

Today, our TF Team Leader would be accompanying me to the Academy Awards as my manager.

"I'm jealous."

"Enjoy it for all of us, Team Leader."

Deputy Manager Hong Seoyoung, Mingi, Wonseok, and the rest of the TF team all looked at him with envy.

"Can't I be Wooju hyung's manager for just one day? I'm totally confident I could watch the Academy Awards from the front row..."

As Jiho whined over an impossible wish, I asked,

"Where's Grandma?"

"She'll be down in a minute."

Right then, footsteps echoed from the upstairs staircase.

The house was so enormous that we couldn't see the stairs from the dining room.

But as the footsteps drew closer, my excitement grew.

Today was the day Grandma Kim Deoksun and I would make our Academy Awards debut together.

The dining room door slid open.

The moment she stepped inside, someone gasped.

Her hair, always worn in soft curls, had been swept into an elegant updo that revealed the graceful shape of her head, with a beautiful hairpin tucked into it.

She wore a modern Korean-inspired gown embroidered with delicate flowers.

It looked like someone had taken the traditional hanbok mothers wore to weddings and reinvented it for a Paris fashion show.

And after Hollywood's top makeup artists had worked their magic...

"Wow."

Jiho stared.

"Grandma, you look absolutely gorgeous."

He wasn't wrong.

Kim Deoksun had been transformed into a dignified aristocratic lady.

Her newly enhanced eyelashes lowered ever so slightly, giving her a graceful elegance that could have driven grandfathers across the country to present her with bouquets.

The problem was...

"What does 'absolutely gorgeous' even mean?"

"I-It means... so beautiful you can't help but admire it."

"Hohohoho!"

Her laugh was admittedly a little unusual...

But everyone admired her all the same.

Apparently pleased with her own appearance, Kim Deoksun spun lightly in front of the mirror before turning toward me.

"Well?!"

"...It pains me to admit it, but you look beautiful. Ow!"

As everyone burst into laughter, I fled to the dressing room and changed into my suit.

Then I headed toward the black limousine waiting in front of the mansion.

"See you later, everyone!"

"Have fun! Bring us back some Melona!"

The others waved, laughed, and shouted words of encouragement as I climbed into the car.

Soon the mansion disappeared behind us as we entered downtown Los Angeles.

After taking a deep breath, I glanced beside me.

"..."

"..."

Grandma and Seokhwan were sitting perfectly still, so tense they barely seemed to breathe.

I couldn't help chuckling.

"Grandma, somehow your first trip overseas turned into attending the Academy Awards."

"I know. Who would've thought something like this would happen?"

Seokhwan added blankly,

"I'm wondering the same thing. The last thing I remember is asking this kid whether he'd like to join Lemon Entertainment. Then I came to my senses, and now I'm on my way to the Academy Awards."

"Guess it's been a whirlwind for our Team Leader too."

"It has. Life really does surprise you."

He went on to mention that he'd told his family they'd be seeing him at the Academy Awards.

Grandma looked at me.

"You've done things like this lots of times. How do you feel?"

"I'm unbelievably nervous today too. It's the Academy Awards."

Even after yesterday's rehearsal, it still didn't feel real.

As we drove toward the venue, I kept thinking,

Me? The Academy Awards? Wait... why me?

Every time I remembered all those ceremonies I'd only ever seen on television growing up, a strange tingling sensation crept over my entire body.

I smiled at Grandma.

"I'm nervous too. But there are people who always help me keep going."

"There are?"

"Yeah."

Grandma and Seokhwan looked at me expectantly.

"They're the people I'm always grateful for. They're always there for me."

"Hehe."

"They're adorable."

"Ahem."

As the Dolby Theatre came into view, I could already hear cheers rising from the crowds behind the barricades.

A warm smile spread across my face.

"My beloved Souffles..."

"..."

"..."

I waved to the Souffles shrieking excitedly as they recognized our limousine.

Then I caught sight of the unimpressed faces reflected in the window.

"...Of course, I'm also grateful for the lovely Mrs. Kim Deoksun and Seokhwan hyung."

"Too late."

"Seriously."

Unable to meet their piercing stares, I awkwardly cleared my throat.

After passing through the heavy security jointly managed by the Academy organizers and the LAPD, the bold letters of the Dolby Theatre came fully into view.

Click! Click! Click!

Camera shutters from reporters around the world fired in rapid succession.

The voices of spectators beyond the barricades merged into a loud buzzing hum.

Gulp.

As award staff dressed like waiters approached to open the limousine door, both of them swallowed nervously.

Click.

The moment the door swung open and my face appeared, cheers erupted from every direction.

Grandma Kim Deoksun stood frozen, blankly taking in the world around the Dolby Theatre as though she had wandered into another universe.

I reached out my hand.

"Grandma."

Without warning, I remembered being a little boy in kindergarten, holding Grandma's hand as she walked me to school.

A smile escaped me.

Back then, I'd promised myself that one day, when I grew up, I'd be the one leading Grandma somewhere like this.

"Let's go."

It had taken a very, very long time.