Chapter 1214: Soaring (14)

If you asked most Koreans the following question, you'd probably get the same answer.

That was what the Academy Awards represented to Koreans.

But despite their reputation as the most prestigious film awards in the world, they had never drawn much attention in Korea.

No matter how prestigious they were, they belonged to the American entertainment industry, not Korea's.

Up until now, if the Academy Awards were broadcast on a movie channel or cable network, only hardcore film fans would make a point of watching.

Most people simply checked an article online titled something like This Year's Oscar Winners, or stumbled across MyTube videos called The Most Moving Best Supporting Actor Acceptance Speech while supposedly studying English.

Koreans had always been cool about it.

Boom!

NewBlack's Wooju performing on the celebration stage!

Lee Gyeonwoo nominated for Best Actor!

Sound of the Sun nominated across multiple categories!

Exactly.

The cool composure that Koreans normally prided themselves on burst into flames.

The moment Koreans were nominated, the Academy Awards instantly became the greatest and most prestigious film awards in the world.

And today...

After spending weeks clicking on every Academy-related article they could find, Koreans finally settled down in front of their televisions.

[Live Red Carpet Coverage — The 91st Academy Awards]

Televisions were on in households across the country.

"Has it started already?"

"No."

Children watching the screen answered their parents.

"They're just covering the red carpet right now. The actors are arriving."

"Call me when Wooju or Lee Gyeonwoo shows up."

"Okay~"

Still munching on snacks, they flipped through the channels.

Which one should we watch?

Normally, the Academy Awards had been exclusively broadcast by a single movie or cable channel.

This year, however, five different networks were airing the ceremony.

It was a completely different atmosphere from the Grammys, which had aired on only one channel.

The combination of the nation's biggest idol group + a Korean Best Actor nominee + the Academy Awards created perfect synergy.

"Hmm..."

After checking the broadcasting teams for each network on their phones, many viewers settled on NBS.

Every station had assembled an impressive lineup of commentators, so there wasn't much difference in quality.

NBS simply happened to be the only one broadcasting the red carpet as well.

Their channel really feels different these days.

Even the subtitles and logos somehow gave off the air of money.

The NewBlack channel—owned by Lemon Entertainment, though everyone simply called it the NewBlack channel—looked wealthier by the day.

"They must be making a fortune now. It used to look like some tiny mom-and-pop operation."

"Didn't their variety show become a huge hit last year? I heard they made over ten billion won just from advertising."

"Ohhh."

On top of that, Lemon Entertainment had reportedly earned an enormous amount in backend profits thanks to the worldwide success of Sound of the Sun.

Listening to the conversation, the fathers chimed in.

"I heard that Director Jo is a pretty capable executive."

It had recently become a popular business case study among corporate executives.

Director Jo's successful negotiation with Silver Screen, securing Lemon Entertainment an ownership stake in Sound of the Sun, was being analyzed across industries as an outstanding example of strategic management.

That was how frighteningly fast the company had grown.

Tap... tap...

The fathers slowly typed into the search bar.

When is Lemon Entertainment going public?

Receiving no answer, the fathers quietly shed tears while their children suddenly exclaimed at the television.

"This time, we're heading to Antarctica!"

A preview for a brand-new variety show had appeared.

"Wooju invited some other research teams?"

"Excuse me?"

Foreign guests flooded into the King Sejong Station while NewBlack stared blankly in confusion.

"Hi, Jonathan!"

Gentoo penguins meeting Emperor Penguins... well, human ones.

As the exciting Antarctica special unfolded, the internet exploded.

Everyone was busy laughing at Producer Gu Jaeyoung's blissful smile as he watched the members suffer.

Then the preview's final scene appeared.

"Ri Hyuk hyung! Antarctica's at the very bottom of the Earth, right?"

"That's right."

"Then... why aren't we falling off??"

Boing! Boing!

Jiho hopped up and down while innocently asking why they weren't falling off the planet.

It was painfully obvious he knew exactly what he was doing.

"Hey!"

Ri Hyuk charged after him in outrage, promptly slipped, and crashed face-first onto the ice.

As he fell, the title appeared.

The Chef of Antarctica

As everyone giggled over the flood of comments, their parents asked,

"Is that a new show?"

"Hang on."

After searching online, the children answered,

"Yeah. It's brand new. It's a Newniverse spin-off. Four episodes, I think."

"A spin-off?"

"Like a side story. A special series."

"Ahhh."

Just as they finished explaining it in terms their parents could understand, the commercials began.

"Good grief, that's a lot of ads."

"I heard there are thirty today. Just the ones NewBlack filmed."

After countless commercials—including the members' individual endorsements—the Academy Awards red carpet finally appeared.

[Welcome to our live coverage of the 91st Academy Awards red carpet.]

[The atmosphere is already electric.]

The voices belonged to renowned film critic Seo Taeju, who proudly claimed to have watched over a thousand movies, and independent film director Yoo Geon.

[We're here outside the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards.]

The lavishly decorated theater stood gleaming.

Police officers maintained order while enormous crowds gathered behind the barricades.

[The Academy Awards are, of course, Hollywood's signature ceremony—the pinnacle of the global film industry.]

As explanations of the Academy's prestige and entertaining trivia filled the broadcast, celebrities began arriving one after another.

[And right on cue... (WAAAAAAAH!) Listen to that reaction! It's Ronnie Lucas.]

"Oh, isn't that the guy who's friends with Seon Myeongju?"

"Yeah."

"He must be really popular."

[Without question, one of the hottest actors in America today. Most viewers know him as Steve McQueen from Sound of the Sun, but he's actually nominated for Best Supporting Actor this year for another film.]

"My goodness... he is handsome."

"Oppa, seeing him just made me realize how ugly you are."

"What are you talking about? If you got the same haircut as me, we'd look identical. Hey! Hey! Stop hitting me!"

[And now Bella Page has arrived!]

As the actress waved gracefully in a stunning gown, the commentators continued introducing this year's attendees.

But before long, Korean viewers lost interest.

I see.

Very fascinating... anyway, when's Wooju coming out?

They still reacted with an occasional "Wow" whenever another famous actor appeared.

But that was about it.

The younger viewers started looking at their phones, and the parents lay down for a quick rest.

"Call us when the Koreans show up."

"Okay."

The red carpet coverage continued.

Then—

[WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!]

"Holy—!"

"What happened?! Who turned up the volume?! Dad, was it you?!"

"I-I didn't touch anything!"

The television was still set to volume level seven.

Yet it sounded like someone had cranked it up to thirteen.

Beyond the barricades, people were wildly waving something in the air.

Wait... aren't those NewBlack light sticks?!

Dalbong.

Only then did everyone realize who had arrived.

"Mom! Dad! Wooju's here!"

"Coming!"

Parents hurried back to the television, eyes shining.

[Yes! Here he is.]

An Academy attendant dressed like a waiter respectfully opened the limousine door.

"Wooow..."

"Seriously... he's unbelievably handsome."

Wooju stepped out, his slicked-back hair immaculate as he straightened his tailored suit.

He looked every inch the superstar.

"That's insane..."

A forehead as flawless as a painting.

Bright, sparkling eyes.

A sharply defined nose and gently curved lips so striking they stood out even from a distance.

Just as the entire country was happily admiring an absurdly beautiful man...

Someone else stepped out of the limousine wearing elegant flower shoes.

Everyone froze.

[Ah... and that lady is...]

"Huh? Who's that?"

"What?"

Her styling had changed so much that she resembled an elegant actress who had simply grown older beautifully.

For about three seconds, everyone wondered who she was.

Then Wooju beamed, gently took her hand—

—and she responded with her usual slightly grumpy expression.

Instant recognition swept across the nation.

Kim Deoksun!

The name had been permanently etched into everyone's brains.

"Oh? You want a menu recommendation, Junghyun? Then order the Kim Deoksun Combo. Why? Because it reminds me of Grandma Kim Deoksun! Hahaha!"

"Everyone! My heart is Deoksun-ing right now!"

"Oh, seasoned deodeok! Hehe. Deodeok... Deoksun. Hehe."

There was only one reason.

Someone completely lost all common sense whenever his one and only family came up.

Everyone smiled warmly.

It was one of those moments.

Like watching mothers who had spent their whole lives working hard appear on makeover shows.

Seeing them beautifully dressed somehow made strangers tear up too.

"...Good for her. She looks like she's had a hard life."

Watching Kim Deoksun shyly waving with a bewildered expression filled everyone with quiet satisfaction.

The commentator spoke.

[She looks so happy. Walking into the Academy Awards hand in hand with her grandson...]

The camera captured Wooju buttoning his suit jacket before escorting his grandmother forward.

[Wooju has certainly repaid his grandmother's love in the greatest possible way. Hahaha.]

At that exact moment...

Children across Korea felt a sudden sense of dread.

Sure enough—

Creeeak...

Parents slowly turned toward the sons and daughters sitting beside them.

Baggy T-shirts.

Shorts.

Crumbs all over their mouths.

"...Sigh."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"If you're jealous, maybe you should've passed your looks down to me in the first place— Ow! Owwww!"

All across the country, children screamed, regretting that anyone had ever turned on the Academy Awards.

It truly was another world.

No phrase described the Academy better than another world.

"Hey. You're Sunny, right?"

"Hello!"

"It's great to meet you! I loved the movie. I heard you're performing tonight. Oh—and this must be your grandmother."

Every time another actor I had only ever seen on movie screens greeted me with wide-eyed enthusiasm, I found myself freezing for a moment.

The whole experience felt surreal.

Grandma whispered,

"Isn't that person famous?"

"Very. He's one of the original movie stars."

Even Grandma, who usually wore the same unimpressed expression everywhere she went, couldn't hide her amazement today.

Most of the people who left Kim Deoksun staring in astonishment were elderly actors.

"Oh my... isn't that him? I remember seeing him on Weekend Movie Classics."

"Yeah. He's the actor from A Holiday in Venice."

Each time she spotted another legendary leading man or iconic veteran filmmaker from her generation, her face turned red like that of a shy young girl.

"Want me to introduce you?"

"Oh my! D-Don't embarrass me."

"Come on."

Whenever I politely introduced us, they greeted us warmly in return.

Watching legendary actors compliment Grandma on her beauty before kissing the back of her hand...

For the first time in my life...

I saw Kim Deoksun smiling from the bottom of her heart.

"If there's anyone you'd like to meet, just tell me. I'll introduce you."

We spent our time making the rounds and greeting people.

Maybe it was because this was a film awards ceremony.

There were famous actors here that I had never seen at the Grammys.

"Uh... uh..."

Even our resident math genius, who never lost his composure during business meetings, looked completely overwhelmed.

"Hyung, what's wrong? You're sweating."

"Yeah... a little."

"Hang on. Here."

I handed him a handkerchief.

After wiping his forehead, Seokhwan smiled.

"Thanks. I never imagined I'd see something like this."

"Let's look around together. It's not like either of us is coming back to the Academy any time—"

I suddenly trailed off.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm thinking about the guys."

Because I was only allowed to bring one guest, choosing Grandma had been obvious.

Still...

I couldn't help thinking about my members.

Especially Jiho.

Every year, he'd watched the Academy Awards with the same excitement other people reserved for championship games.

"I wonder if there's any kind of souvenir I can bring back."

"Hahaha..."

"I'll have to look around later."

As we continued mingling at what people called the gathering of stars...

[Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.]

Grandma Kim Deoksun and I took our places between legendary actor Alec West and veteran actor John Hayes and his wife.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

The drums built in intensity.

[Please welcome the host of the 91st Academy Awards... Alan Dale!]

Alan Dale, the king of East Coast talk shows, strode onto the stage in a tuxedo and immediately brought the audience to life with his trademark wit.

[This year, thirteen actors are first-time Academy Award nominees. Congratulations!]

As he read each name—including Ronnie Lucas's—the nominees' faces appeared on the giant screen to thunderous applause.

*[And we've got an outstanding Best Picture lineup this year as well. West Hollywood, Sound of the Sun...]

When Sound of the Sun was announced, Director Kim Bora, seated near Director McGinnis, appeared on the screen.

Our entire Line 4 family cheered in unison.

[And we also have some very special performances tonight. Grammy winner and our beloved sunshine, Sunny, will be performing Like The Sun for all of you.]

The theater immediately erupted.

My face appeared on the screen.

As I raised a hand in embarrassment and waved, the audience around me applauded enthusiastically.

With the introductions complete, the host declared,

[Now then... let the 91st Academy Awards begin!!]

Amid roaring applause and cheers, the ceremony opened with the award for Best Animated Feature.

A famous animated film that had competed against Sound of the Sun at the box office the previous year claimed the prize.

Then the awards continued, one after another.

As the year's finest films steadily collected their trophies, Sound of the Sun picked up three of its own.

Best Sound Editing

Best Sound Mixing

Best Original Screenplay

The sound editors accepted their awards.

The Korean-American screenwriters tearfully dedicated theirs to their parents and to Seon Myeongju and his wife.

For some, it was a night of tears and joy.

For others, disappointment.

Watching a ceremony that felt like a film in its own right, I smiled quietly.

Then an Academy staff member approached me.

"It's time to prepare for your performance."

I nodded and stood.

After smiling reassuringly at Grandma, who wished me luck with her eyes alone, I headed backstage.

"Whew..."

Taking a quiet breath, I sat down at the piano.

In a few moments, the presenter would step onto the stage, announce Please enjoy Sunny's performance of Like The Sun!, the curtain would rise, and the performance would begin.

Right then, I heard movement outside.

The presenter must have arrived.

"Hyung."

I looked up at Junghyun's voice.

"Oh. Junghyun."

"Good luck."

"Thanks. Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Not yet. I'll eat a little later."

I nodded and looked back at the piano keys.

"...?"

Suddenly, I jerked my head up.

It had seemed perfectly natural at first.

But something was wrong.

The guys...

...were walking past me in tuxedos.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

"Hehehe."

Jiho answered while pointing toward the stage.

As if introducing the members adjusting their bow ties, the announcer's voice echoed from beyond the curtain.

[Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome the presenters introducing today's performance of Like The Sun.]

Still staring in confusion, I watched as Jiho winked.

"We're here to introduce your stage, hyung."

"You guys...!"

"Look forward to it."

As the guys stood there looking impossibly sharp, I looked at them with eyes full of gratitude.

"Ever since I was little, my dream was to become an actor. And what stage could actors dream of more than the Academy Awards? So the members and I asked Sunny, 'Please take one of us with you to the Academy Awards.'"

"He replied, 'Hmm... massage my shoulders while I think about it.' So we massaged them for thirty minutes. Then he smiled and said, 'On second thought... absolutely not. Kyahahahaha!'"

"...That's right. From that day onward, we dreamed only of revenge."

Laughter exploded throughout the theater.