Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 50

Former Warrior is a Ten Million Actor – Episode 50 (50/199)

The Stars of the Awards Ceremony (3)

* * *

– Park Yeol-ho, former fire chief, Mrs. Han Young-joo, manager Park Seon······.

It’s Sunday. While eating breakfast, Park Yeol-ho played the scene of his son giving his acceptance speech for the seventh time using the TV’s auto-replay function.

“Son, your dad has no regrets even if I die now. Well, actually, I do have regrets, but that’s how I feel.”

“Ah, yes.”

Han Young-joo finally chided him.

“Honey, please stop. You’re embarrassing the kids.”

“No, Mom. I’m not embarrassed. I’m going to make the part where he says my name my ringtone and caller ID.”

When Park Seon, excited, played the recording saved on her smartphone, Park Geon’s chopsticks paused for a moment before starting to move again.

“Oh my, look at your brother’s face. He’s usually so expressionless······.”

“It’s okay. Hyung [older brother or male friend] also told the stylist about me being a school bag model. Thanks to that, our PR team leader keeps teasing me every time he sees me.”

Park Yeol-ho wore a benevolent smile.

“You have a good relationship. Cherish each other more.”

“···Stop it, are you guys going out again today?”

Han Young-joo, who was serving bean sprout soup to her husband, asked. Park Seon nodded.

“Yes. The Grand Bell Awards were delayed, and the JNBC Drama Awards were moved up, so we have to attend every other day.”

“You must be tired. What about styling?”

“Well··· Actresses are at war over dress sponsorships for every awards ceremony, but we’re okay. The company takes care of everything from hair to coordination anyway.”

Han Young-joo poured barley tea with a relieved expression.

“That’s a relief. Just think of today as having fun and enjoy yourself.”

“Yes.”

This time, it’s the younger sibling, not the older one, who waves her hand.

“No, Mom. Today might be even more nerve-wracking than yesterday.”

“Why? Are Geon’s competitors that strong?”

“No, it’s not Hyung, it’s our director. He’s nominated in so many categories this time.”

Park Yeol-ho, who was listening, said carefully.

“I looked up that friend too. He doesn’t seem much older than you guys, but he has a firm resolve. He deserves to succeed.”

“He’ll probably do well.”

The family’s attention turned to the eldest son. Park Geon put down the rice bowl he had emptied for the third time.

“I’ve been feeling good lately. I have a feeling he will.”

*

The atmospheres of awards ceremonies are slightly different.

The Entertainment Awards and Drama Awards are similar because they are hosted by broadcasting companies, but film festivals and the Grand Bell Awards have their own distinct aspects.

“Hyung, make a stern face.”

“Like this? Why?”

“I heard that you have to set the atmosphere like this at the Grand Bell Awards. So people can’t easily approach you.”

“I heard that film festivals have become much more relaxed these days.”

“No, they still have some of that left. Last time, a rookie was ignored backstage and cried.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

It’s no use. Park Seon, full of energy, muttered about poses for the photo wall and outfit concepts before going into her room and locking herself in.

Listening to the conversation, it seemed like she was talking to the PR team again.

“I don’t think bright-toned suits suit Hyung. Oh, and the hairstyle was sophisticated yesterday, but rather than going with a similar feel today······.”

Jin Ji-yoo, who asked if he was attending the Grand Bell Awards last night, said she would not be attending.

Jin Ji-yoo: [I received an invitation, but I’m not going to go. My movie didn’t do well this year, and I don’t want to be among the movie actors.]

It seemed that the thriller she starred in during the first half of the year, directed by a famous director, was only costly and not a box office success.

She now knows the cliquishness of the ‘purebloods’ well. There’s no need to go and get stressed out for nothing when there’s no award to receive.

Park Geon: [I understand. See you next time.]

Park Geon: [Oh, I have something to ask.]

Jin Ji-yoo: [What is it?]

Park Geon: [Are any other people from our agency coming? Like those idols yesterday.]

Jin Ji-yoo read it right away but didn’t reply. The message came back about ten minutes later.

Jin Ji-yoo: [I don’t know. Should I ask my manager to find out?]

Park Geon: [No, thank you.]

Jin Ji-yoo: [I have something to ask too.]

Jin Ji-yoo: [Can I call you oppa [term used by younger women to address older brothers or male friends]?]

Park Geon: [You can call me whatever you’re comfortable with, Ji-yoo.]

Jin Ji-yoo: [I already did lol]

Along with the words, another winking emoticon flies in. Is she full of aegyo [acting cute] because she’s from an idol background? Geon thought as he exited the messenger.

Come to think of it, he went last time but didn’t see many of the agency’s celebrities.

Moreover, didn’t he fail to recognize even the idols from the same company? The downside of cramming and only memorizing the actor lineup······.

‘This would be a big problem in the military.’

It’s fortunate that it’s a performance, but it would be a big problem if he ran into someone next to him and didn’t know their face.

He was memorizing profiles from the Roman Entertainment website when his sister burst in.

“Hyung, CEO Tae also left with the director! Let’s go quickly too!”

As befitting the ‘Outsiders Club’ concept, they decided to gather all the movie staff and go together today.

Meeting place is Roman Entertainment. Team Leader Gong even called to tell them to come to the company.

‘It would be great if all of us went as long as our actor is okay. The picture of us all getting out as soon as the van door opens··· This is something they haven’t seen in that world.’

Awards ceremonies are individual battles as well as team battles, a place where groups compete against groups. Going all at once and dropping with a bang fits the name Outsiders Club.

*

“Wow, wow··· is this all the agency building?”

The ‘Black Exorcists’ team members who got off the elevator in the Roman Entertainment lounge couldn’t help but admire.

“If this is the company, it would be great to come to work. The lounge is like a movie set.”

“All the agencies I know were like small shops, but this is like a department store.”

Lee Jang-mi is mortified and keeps her distance with a disgusted look.

“This is so annoying······.”

While they were looking around like students on a field trip, the stars of today appeared.

“Wow, our director looks so cool!”

“Wow··· both of them look great in suits!”

The two main figures of the movie’s success enter, treading the lounge floor like a red carpet.

Kim Ryul accented his look with a neat bow tie, and Park Geon with a suit with thick velvet lapels. It’s an all-black look that matches a black shirt instead of yesterday’s best.

CEO Tae Jong-beom, who followed in with Park Seon, clapped generously.

“Kuh, this is it. I can die happy today, what more do I need when my eyes are so pleased?”

“Really? Without getting permission from your wife?”

“Ahem, Seong-hwa! No talking about my wife today.”

Amid the blossoming conversation, Team Leader Gong slyly approached Lee Jang-mi.

“Actress Lee Jang-mi, do you happen to have a dress prepared separately for today······.”

“I’m not at that level, so I just decided to dress neatly.”

“What are you saying? Don’t do that, stop by our stylist for a moment. It’s the red carpet for actresses, not just male actors.”

There’s no way she’s not interested. She just gave up because it’s an unfamiliar field.

Lee Jang-mi, glancing at her theater colleagues, blushed and muttered.

“Then just for a moment······.”

Over there, another employee is making similar offers to the rest of the actors.

After a while, the actors who met again in the lounge were shocked as they pointed at each other’s faces.

“Hey, who are you!”

“I should be saying that. Where did you get all the special makeup?”

“Look at Lee Jang-mi. She looks like a different person.”

A pure white dress, similar to the one she wore in the movie but much more elegant, wraps around her slender body.

Lee Jang-mi also checks the fit on her back, as if she’s not used to it. It’s a designer product that she ambitiously sponsored but almost couldn’t use.

‘Jin Ji-yoo and Baek Ha-ni didn’t go, so there was no one to dress, but a perfect model rolled in.’

Team Leader Gong, who was secretly cheering, stepped forward and clapped.

“Okay, everyone! Shall we get going?”

*

“Oh my, aren’t you actor Park Geon.”

“Hello, senior.”

“Senior my foot··· just an old man who’s only gotten older. I really enjoyed your movie. If there was an actor like you in Chungmuro [Korean Hollywood] when I was young, I would have lost my job.”

“Thank you. I’ll work harder.”

The middle-aged actor, smiling kindly, turns around and disappears with his entourage.

Park Seon, who was next to him, whispered.

“Actor Yoon Deok-soo, he’s a very famous guy.”

“I saw him too. He was the main character in the movie we watched together a long time ago.”

“Oh, Hyung remembers!”

There are many familiar faces. Veteran actors who are regulars in corporate films, top actresses who are former Miss Korea contestants, and the original ‘flower boy’ actors who were popular when the brothers were young, etc······.

“Nice to meet you, Kim Geon.”

“Park Geon.”

A sleekly handsome guy sighs in an acting tone.

“Ah··· I’m sorry. I’m not good at remembering names.”

As many people came, there were some who engaged in petty nerve wars.

When he didn’t respond, the guy scanned him up and down with a condescending look and disappeared. Park Seon growled like a large Jindo dog and briefed him.

“He’s the lead in ‘Finding You’. A highly anticipated year-end film that’s competing with us right now.”

Since they didn’t fail as miserably as the simultaneous releases in the movie’s box office, they clearly think their level is higher.

“It’s okay.”

Geon took his eyes off the guy’s back.

In a hall larger than the Drama Awards, numerous cameras are being installed.

“Because we’re going to win today too.”

*

The Grand Bell Awards.

It is the most historically famous film festival among the three major film festivals in Korea.

Perhaps to regain the authority that had fallen due to controversies over the fairness of the award-winning works.

From last year, they took a strong stance by reflecting the national jury’s vote at a high rate in the judging, and they are receiving praise for regaining their former glory by eliminating crude categories.

This time, ‘Black Exorcists’ was nominated for six categories: Art, Editing, Screenplay, Best New Actor, Best Director, and Best Film.

Considering the characteristics of the conservative film festival, it is a great achievement to be nominated for even the Best Film award, not the Best Actor award.

The public’s attention was also focused there.

Amidst the fierce hit works, what will be the dark horse’s report card?

“Editing Award, Black Exorcists.”

It’s already the second one. Amid the applause of the audience and actors, Kim Ryul raised the trophy with a firm grip.

Originally, there are separate directors for each field such as art director and editing director, but Kim Ryul was in charge of most of ‘Black Exorcists’ except for filming.

As Kim Ryul raised the Art Award and Editing Award in succession, the murmuring in the hall grew louder.

When Park Geon was named Best New Actor as if it were natural, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience.

“Congratulations. I knew you’d get it.”

Director Kim Ryul, who was also buried in flowers, raised his voice. He seemed happier than when he received an award himself.

“Thank you. But I’m expecting something else.”

“If it’s something else······.”

Lee Jang-mi, who received the spotlight among the actresses who attended today, added.

“Of course, it’s the Best Film award. Prepare a hot acceptance speech, refrain from swearing since it’s live.”

“Does the director think you’re him? Instead of swearing, just call out the names of grateful people and drag it out for about 10 minutes. That’s how you cause a broadcasting accident.”

While Jang Seong-hwa was adding to the commotion, the Screenplay Award and the Best Director Award went to the famous director who surpassed 8 million viewers with ‘Yellow River’.

“Wow, that’s not right. What if they give it based on the number of viewers instead of the scenario!”

“Shut up and watch, they did well too. And there’s still the Best Film award left.”

With the situation where a strong enemy is bound to sweep the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards, it is virtually a battle for honor between ‘Yellow River’ and ‘Black Exorcists’.

From afar, you can feel the gaze looking this way from the opposing camp. Park Seon is already covering her ears and muttering prayers.

“God, Jesus, I may not be a religious person, but I’ve learned a lot from this work. Please help me just once······.”

The rest of the people also swallowed hard and stared anxiously at the actor who came out as the presenter.

If the Screenplay Award is for the scenario and the Best Director Award is for directing, the Best Film Award is truly the culmination of everything. In fact, it is the honor that goes to the best work of the year.

“Best Film Award.”

And finally, the award-winning work was named.

“Black Exorcists!”

*