Chapter 1215: Soaring (15)

As NewBlack appeared onstage as Oscar presenters, Koreans across the country clapped their hands over their mouths.

The handsome members, their hair slicked back in elegant pompadours, stepped onto the stage, and the audience buzzed.

Actress Bella Page covered her mouth in surprise, while actors who recognized NewBlack turned to whisper excitedly to the people beside them.

The commentators chuckled.

"[These days, NewBlack is one of the hottest names in North America as well. It looks like even the actors are fascinated by them.]"

It made for an amusing sight.

4Black looked around in amazement at the audience full of famous actors, while the famous actors looked back with equal curiosity at the globally popular singers.

Someone shouted, "Woo!"

Jiho gave a playful wink.

"Thank you. We know we're adorable."

Laughter rippled through the theater.

A moment later, the members stood before the microphone with solemn expressions.

"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."

The audience burst into laughter once again.

But like seasoned stand-up comedians, the NewBlack members simply stared solemnly into the distance without changing their expressions.

That only made everyone laugh harder.

Biju spoke next.

"So we chose the greatest revenge imaginable."

Their eyes gleamed mischievously.

"We were invited to be Oscar presenters... and kept it a secret from Sunny. Hehehehe."

"I wonder how shocked our brother Wooju must be backstage right now."

Everyone laughed at their utterly harmless idea of revenge.

After making everyone laugh with their endearing antics, Jiho quietly composed himself.

His expression said it was time to leave the jokes behind and speak in earnest.

"Even as singers, the Academy Awards is a stage we've all dreamed of visiting at least once. And it took Sound of the Sun a very long journey to reach this place."

The cameras found Director Kim Bora and the Sound of the Sun cast sitting in their seats, all nodding quietly.

"From the outside, it might seem as though this film found tremendous success and arrived at the Academy Awards in just a single year."

"But behind that year lies a much longer journey than most people could ever imagine."

The youngest member continued calmly.

"A young girl who loved movies devoted years to studying before finally arriving here."

Director Deborah Kim smiled.

"Young boys who quietly spent their school days reading books while dreaming of films and television have now won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay."

The screenwriters laughed.

"A child who was painfully shy grew up to become an actor... and is now nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor."

As Lee Gyeonwoo appeared on the big screen, the audience applauded warmly.

One by one, the speech highlighted everyone involved with Sound of the Sun, allowing each of them to bask in the spotlight.

"But the people who waited the longest to stand beneath these lights... were Seon Myeongju and Lee Myeongeun."

The actors' expressions softened as they nodded.

"In a way... some might say they arrived too late. Others may wonder whether their story has already come to an end."

"But it hasn't."

"Because the child they loved... is still writing their story, even now, backstage."

Thunderous applause erupted.

The NewBlack members took turns speaking.

"There's a famous saying in show business."

"'The show must go on.'"

"And just like that... their story will continue."

"Through their son."

"And it will shine brighter than ever."

"Just like the sun."

As they finished with a line referencing Like The Sun, cheers echoed throughout the theater.

Back in Korea, millions of viewers unconsciously held their breath.

It felt like saying anything at all would ruin the moment.

Everyone simply watched.

Every broadcasting booth fell silent.

Even the commentators stopped talking.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

Jiho placed a hand over his chest and smiled gently.

"As another family to the man waiting backstage..."

"And as his brothers..."

"It is our honor to introduce this performance."

"Like The Sun, performed by Wooju and the cast of Sound of the Sun."

A roar of applause shook the theater.

The curtain slowly rose.

There sat the handsome young man at the piano.

His slightly misty eyes curved into a gentle smile as his fingers softly touched the keys.

The close-up camera perfectly captured the warm smile lingering on his lips.

The performance had only just begun.

Yet across Korea, countless viewers already felt tears stinging at the corners of their eyes.

The stage darkened.

An amber spotlight, like the sun itself, poured down upon a single young man.

???—

Actors leaned forward in their seats, eager for a closer look at the pianist.

Wooju had become someone even Hollywood wanted to watch.

After all, this was the hottest singer in the industry, fresh off winning the Grammy for Record of the Year alongside Cold Brown.

Performances like this didn't come around often.

We are like stars in the galaxy,

separate, but connected with gravity

(We are like stars scattered across the galaxy.

Though we seem far apart, we are all connected.)

His fingers lifted gently from the keys.

His brilliant eyes met the camera.

And I am the Sun.

(And I... am your sun.)

A small wave of cheers spread through the audience.

Then another voice joined the harmony.

Actors sitting in the audience looked around in surprise.

Lee Gyeonwoo, who had been seated among them moments earlier, had stood up with a microphone in hand.

When I first opened my eyes,

all I found was darkness.

Floating through empty space,

I was nothing more than a speck of dust.

Objectively speaking...

It wasn't technically perfect.

But there was something deeply moving about an actor singing without embellishment or vocal tricks.

His sincerity carried every note.

Waiting for the light

that would one day find me...

Holding my breath.

Believing that someday...

my time would come.

One by one, tiny spotlights illuminated actors rising from the audience.

The narrow beams left much of their faces in shadow.

Each held a microphone.

Together, they sang.

I waited...

and waited...

A slow drumbeat began to build.

Steady.

Deliberate.

Like the march of an army.

The world told me,

"If you wait,

your chance will come."

"Even dust

will someday feel the warmth of sunlight."

The actors began making their way onto the stage.

Ronnie Lucas, who had portrayed Steve McQueen—the protagonist's friend and tragic genius—strode confidently to Wooju's side.

Willie Jones, who had played the protagonist's mentor, added his booming harmony.

Actors of every race who had portrayed Seon Myeongju's jazz band filled the stage with song.

If this is a world

where we must wait for the light...

then I want no part of it.

Lee Gyeonwoo and Yeo Eunseon, who had portrayed Seon Myeongju and his wife, stepped to center stage.

Smiling brightly.

Standing side by side.

It looked like a painting.

It's my turn to shine now.

So...

just watch.

The atmosphere grew livelier by the second.

No one stood still anymore.

Everyone danced.

At first glance, it looked like complete chaos.

There was no unified choreography.

Each actor simply danced however they pleased.

Yet somehow...

Every movement blended together into its own kind of harmony.

Just like Seon Myeongju himself.

Free.

Light.

Happy.

Every time Wooju's fingers danced across the piano...

What had begun as a collection of wildly different musicians slowly merged into a single performance.

Then, for the first time...

NewBlack's vocalist joined in.

Gather every light you carry within.

Together...

we can become stars.

The actors shouted,

"Yeah!"

They clapped.

The energy surged.

Wooju's voice climbed higher.

Stronger.

Don't curl up inside the darkness.

We are not dust.

We may seem small...

but we were always destined

to become stars.

The performers sang together with joyful abandon.

Some were already dripping with sweat.

Others laughed, swaying their shoulders.

Even the actors watching from the audience couldn't hide their amazement at the overwhelming energy pouring from the stage.

It's time

to let your light burn brightly.

Like the sun.

As the song reached its climax...

Wooju looked upward and smiled.

As though asking someone...

Can you see me now?

Then his voice burst forth from the center of the stage.

I am like the sun—

Look upon...

the new sun born for you.

Beneath dazzling light...

Everyone raised their voices together.

A song honoring someone echoed through the world's greatest celebration of popular cinema.

While millions of Koreans watched in silence from home...

The camera found an elderly woman.

Dressed elegantly.

Holding a handkerchief.

...

The radiant young man singing onstage...

And the elderly woman smiling through endless tears...

The images alternated as the music swelled.

At the final crescendo, Wooju rose from the piano.

Everyone followed him downstage.

Surrounded by actors standing and applauding from their seats, the entire Sound of the Sun cast sang together one last time.

I am like the sun—

Look upon...

your sun, shining brilliantly.

The applause was deafening.

It became the unforgettable highlight of the 91st Academy Awards.

After finishing Like The Sun...

"Bravo!"

"Wooooooo!"

We stood with our arms spread wide, eyes closed, basking in the standing ovation.

Only after a moment did we open our eyes and smile.

As the stage lights returned to normal, the audience came back into view.

Some people were openly crying.

Others cheered with their hands clasped before their mouths.

"Thank you!"

We exchanged handshakes with those reaching out to congratulate us before returning to our seats.

Like a flash mob dispersing after its finale, every member of the cast quietly returned to where they had been sitting.

Lee Gyeonwoo, surrounded by Western actors, smiled awkwardly as he repeatedly said,

"Thank you..."

From farther back, several familiar faces gave me enthusiastic thumbs-ups.

Amazing.

Great job.

The guys.

Apparently the Academy had found seats for them.

They sat beside Seokhwan, grinning proudly.

I smiled back and waved before taking my seat.

Then I froze.

"Grandma... why are you crying so much?"

"I'm not crying."

"You definitely are."

"I told you I'm not."

Anyone could see she was drowning in tears.

"It's because you keep looking at me! That's why my eyes keep watering!"

"Why are you getting mad at me?"

Pouting, I handed her my handkerchief.

One wasn't enough.

The veteran actor John Hayes, seated beside her, quietly offered his own.

"Give this to the lady."

"Thank you, Mr. Hayes."

Aware of the handsome actor's attention, Grandma Kim Deoksun delicately dabbed at her eyes.

I leaned back in my seat.

"Whew..."

Today marked the true end of Sound of the Sun's long, incredible journey.

There were still other awards ceremonies ahead.

But as far as my role as the film's producer was concerned...

This was our final promotion.

Now all that remained...

...was to wait.

The remaining nominations were—

Best Actor.

Lee Gyeonwoo's category.

Best Original Song.

My category.

Best Director.

Best Picture.

Director Kim Bora's nomination.

And Best Picture itself.

It was an astonishing achievement.

Unlike many other ceremonies, simply being nominated at the Grammys or the Academy Awards was already considered an honor.

Sound of the Sun had received the second-highest number of nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, behind Robert McGinnis's West Hollywood.

It had already won three Oscars.

But from here on...

Nothing was guaranteed.

Especially Best Actor.

This year featured an overwhelming favorite.

"And now..."

The presenter opened the envelope after Best Actress had been announced.

Everyone around Director Kim Bora held their breath.

"Dale Brennan."

The actor seated near Lee Gyeonwoo rose to his feet.

The Golden Globe winner.

The overwhelming favorite with a 93% predicted chance of victory on betting sites.

Lee Gyeonwoo had delivered an extraordinary performance.

But from the Academy's perspective...

There was simply no way this man wasn't winning this year.

"Wow..."

Holding the golden Oscar statuette, Dale Brennan rubbed his face.

"I still remember the first time I came to Los Angeles.

I was a twenty-one-year-old kid from Iowa.

Back then, I had no idea it would take twenty-three years before anyone knew my name."

For years, he had played corpses, nameless extras, and tiny supporting roles in countless television dramas and films.

Then Miami 13 changed everything.

To portray an AIDS patient, he had lost forty-three kilograms.

Even now, his cheeks remained gaunt.

People said his health still hadn't fully recovered from the drastic weight loss.

"If there's one thing I'd say to anyone watching...

Honestly...

I don't want to tell you to chase your dreams.

It was incredibly painful.

Incredibly difficult.

...But in the end...

It was worth it."

The audience rose as one.

Everyone applauded with genuine respect.

Lee Gyeonwoo smiled warmly as he clapped.

When the excitement settled...

"And next..."

"Best Original Score."

One of the Academy's major music awards.

The category honoring a film's original score.

"West Hollywood!"

The legendary composer behind West Hollywood accepted the Oscar with a smile before kissing the trophy.

Normally...

I would've listened to every word spoken by someone I admired so deeply.

But now...

I couldn't hear anything.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

The pounding of my own heart drowned everything else out.

If I'd been wearing one of Ri Hyuk's smartwatches...

It probably would've flashed:

Heart Rate: Extremely High

As the presenter for Best Original Song stepped onto the stage...

My pulse climbed even higher.

...

I couldn't sit still.

My body remained frozen.

But inside...

My mind raced like someone who had overdosed on caffeine.

"For as long as humanity has existed..."

"Music has moved our hearts."

While the presenters delivered their speech, I reached over and took Grandma's hand.

Perhaps sensing how nervous I was...

She gently patted the back of my hand.

Just as she had when I was a child, lying in her lap whenever I was scared.

"Don't chicken out."

"If you get scared, you've already lost."

Her lifelong philosophy made me laugh despite myself.

Only for a moment.

Then the nominees for Best Original Song appeared on the screen.

I stiffened all over again.

Unlike most awards...

For singers...

This was a ceremony many would never attend even once in their entire lives.

I swallowed hard as I stared at the golden Oscar in the presenter's hands.

"And the Oscar goes to..."

Click.

The envelope opened.

The presenter smiled.

"Sun WooJoo."

As everyone around us leaped to their feet applauding...

Grandma and I sprang up together.

And embraced.

"...!"

"...!!"

They were the most exhilarating three syllables I had ever heard.