Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 401

401. And Again, the Beginning (End)

It was the same during the race and the Golden Glove Awards.

They were consistent people.

-Are you looking at that site again?

-Yeah, they predict the Oscar nominees the best.

Even if you’re considered the most likely nominee, upsets can always happen in this industry.

Commercial indicators and box office success aren’t strongly related to awards, which makes it even more so.

With the Academy Award nomination, the reservation rate, which hadn’t declined for months, jumped up instead.

Thanks to that, it was already approaching an unprecedented record of $3 billion.

-We’d be perfect if they gave it out based on sales.

-You can’t buy authority with money. Tsk.

Moreover, they had a slight handicap.

-The Oscars are good, but there’s a lot of controversy.

-Right. You know that person who presented at the last Oscars?

-The one who got censored a lot?

-Yeah. That person talked about the treatment of Black actors. They were originally supposed to be the host, but they got cut because of that statement.

-What? That’s crazy.

Even though it’s a globally prestigious awards ceremony, the Oscars still have various controversies.

One of the most representative is racial discrimination against people of color.

It’s not openly 드러내지만 [revealed], but if you compare the number of 수상인 [award recipients] of color 수상인 [award recipients] over the years, it becomes very clear.

-Are they going to drop us because of that? Think about it. Who else would get the award if not Yeon-woo?

-No one knows how those old fogeys will turn out. Sigh.

Perhaps because of such concerns, the actors filled a bowl with water and even prayed, though I don’t know where they heard about it.

Yeon-woo got rid of it all because it was a method that only attracted 잡귀 [miscellaneous ghosts or spirits], not prayer effects.

“Peace, everyone! Look over here!”

“Can we get a word for an interview?!”

“Oh my god! The stars of The Last Piece! Come here! Let’s take a picture!”

Anyway, leaving behind all sorts of worries and concerns.

They finished the months-long race by walking the red carpet.

“Yeon-woo, you’re worried too, right? Whether we’ll get an award or not?”

As the awards ceremony approached.

Yeon-woo’s expression got worse day by day.

Even Yeon-woo’s always indifferent face became even more 침침 [gloomy] on the day of the awards ceremony.

That’s how they interpreted it,

“Yeon-woo. You’re going to get an award for sure. I voted for you!”

“No one can get an award if it’s not The Last Piece. Cheer up!”

Even while entering the venue, Yeon-woo received plenty of comfort and support from all sorts of people.

“So, you’re human too. That’s a relief. I thought only I was staying up all night worrying.”

Even the family members were amazed that Yeon-woo was finally showing a human side.

‘That’s not why.’

Unfortunately, they were 거하게 헛다리를 짚은 것이었지만 [completely off the mark].

‘Why isn’t he calling?’

Even while the awards ceremony was 진행되는 [in progress], Yeon-woo’s 신경 [nerves] was all focused on the smartphone in his pocket.

‘I should go back to Korea right after it ends.’

Once the awards ceremony is over, there’s no reason to stay here anymore.

Even while receiving the Music Award and the Best Original Song Award for Black’s OST, his expression remained 담담하게 가라앉아있었다 [calmly subdued].

He showed no excitement even while holding the trophy.

It was the same when he won the Best Actor Award.

“Oh my god! Yeon-woo! You did it!”

“Oh my god! Yeon-woo! Congratulations! I knew you’d get it!”

Congratulations and praise poured in from all directions.

That 축하 [celebration] and 찬사 [praise] reached its peak when The Last Piece 거머쥐었 [seized] the Best Picture Award as the finale.

“And the Oscar goes to……!”

As soon as that phrase, which has now become an 관용어구 [idiomatic expression], 울려 퍼짐 [echoed], a tense 침묵 [silence] 가라앉았다 [settled].

And soon,

“The Last Piece! Congratulations!”

When the name was finally 호명되었을 때 [called out].

벼락같은 [thunderous] applause 내리쳤다 [rained down] from all directions.

The people sitting in the Dolby Theatre 일제히 자리에서 일어섰다 [rose from their seats all at once].

Unlike the 점잖은 [decorous] awards ceremony, cheers 울렸다 [resounded] from here and there.

“Yeon-woo……!”

Mac, whose face had turned as red as if it would 터져버릴 [burst] since winning the Best Director and Best Screenplay Awards, 안겨들었다 [hugged] Yeon-woo.

“으아아아! [Aaaaargh!]”

“으어어어! [Uuuuuurgh!]”

The actors 질러댔다 감격에 찬 비명을 [screamed cries of emotion] that were hard to understand.

The Last Piece, which had been nominated in 8 categories.

It was only recently that they had hoped Yeon-woo would at least win the Best Actor Award, which he was nominated for.

But they 석권했다 [swept] a whopping 7 of them, achieving an 어마어마한 [tremendous] result!

“You’re probably tired of hearing it for the second time, but Yeon-woo, thank you so much for making it possible to receive this award. The Last Piece wouldn’t exist without you.”

울먹울먹 [Teary-eyed].

Mac’s 떨리는 목소리가 [trembling voice], who 손으로 빚어낸 [hand-crafted] the beginning and end of the movie, 내뱉는다 수감소상 [muttered in a prison-like state].

That voice sounded like this to Yeon-woo.

-Your 안목 [discernment] is not wrong.

It was as if someone was 속삭이는 [whispering] to Yeon-woo, 빌어 Mac’s voice [borrowing Mac’s voice].

The aftermath was completely 정신이 없었다 [chaotic].

All sorts of 취재진 [reporters] and interview requests 몰려들었다 [poured in] to them, who had achieved 7관왕 [seven crowns/awards] at the Oscars.

Not only that.

The numbers of 셀러브리티들 [celebrities] looking for Yeon-woo and the actors to say hello were 무시무시했다 [terrifying].

-띠링! [Ting!]

[You have successfully 수확하셨습니다 [harvested] lifespan.]

[Lifespan 수확한 [harvested]: 27 days]

-띠링! [Ting!]

[You have successfully 수확하셨습니다 [harvested] lifespan.]

[Lifespan 수확한 [harvested]: 38 days]

-띠링! [Ting!]

[Successfully 수확한 [harvested] lifespan…….]

[수확한 [Harvested]…….]

Is this the power of an awards ceremony that is 생방송으로 나간다는 [broadcast live] all over the world?

The 쉴 새 없이 울리는 [ceaselessly ringing] lifespan 수확 알림 [harvest notification] also made it impossible to 정신을 차릴 [come to one’s senses].

It even felt like he could 채울 수 [fill up] all the 마이너스 [negative] lifespan before long?

‘But it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.’

Even in the 정신없는 와중 [midst of chaos], that thought 들었다 [occurred].

And that beginning was 다시금 쥐어졌다 [grasped again] in his hand.

*”What?! What are you talking about?! Why?!”

The 정신없는 시상식장 [chaotic awards ceremony venue], I don’t know how he 빠져나왔는지 [escaped].

Mac and the actors were about to 이동하다 [move] to a party held for Oscar 수상자들 [award winners].

It was at that moment that Yeon-woo 선언한 불참 [declared his absence].

“Who’s going to go there if Yeon-woo 빠지면 [is missing]?!!”

Mac said, looking at Yeon-woo with a face that 도무지 이해가 가지 않는다는 [completely incomprehensible].

“Everyone there will be waiting for Yeon-woo! It’s already known that Yeon-woo is good at not only acting but also seeing movies, so everyone will be waiting to 채가려고 [snatch away] Yeon-woo from here and there!”

“There will be all sorts of famous actors and big shots in the film industry. If Yeon-woo goes, he can meet them all! They’re probably 몸이 달았을 [eager] to meet Yeon-woo! All the film companies, investment companies, and actors will be 활짝 열려 있을 [wide open] to Yeon-woo!”

A famous traditional party where the biggest after-party in the film industry is 열리는 [held].

That place is nothing more than another 기회의 장 [opportunity].

Mac 펄쩍 뛰었다 [jumped up and down] at the 말에 [words] that Yeon-woo wasn’t going to go to such a place.

“Mac. 그만둬요 [Stop it]. Yeon-woo doesn’t 바꾸지 않으니까 [change] once he’s 내린 a decision [made a decision].”

Gabriel 중재했다 [mediated] Mac, who only had 물음표 달고 있는 머리통 위에 [question marks floating above his head].

“And do you think film companies, investment companies, and actors are important to Yeon-woo? Have you ever seen him 취하는 그런 거에 [care about such things]?”

“그, 그건 아닌데에 [Well, that’s not true]…….”

Yeon-woo’s 태도는 [attitude] was 한결같았다 [consistent] even while 뛰며 [running] the race and 받는 [receiving] various awards.

He didn’t show any signs of 자만 [arrogance], even though everyone was 띄워주니 [praising] him from all directions.

Someone even said he was a 수도승 [monk].

“Such parties would be 지겨운 일 [tiresome] for him. So let’s just go to the party 우리끼리 [among ourselves].”

“그래도 [Even so]…….”

Gabriel 깨끗이 무시했다 [cleanly ignored] Mac, who was 중얼거리는 [muttering] in 아쉬움 [disappointment].

Then he 돌아보며 [turning to] Yeon-woo and 말했다 [said].

“Have a good trip.”

“글쎄요 [Well]. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

A 미소가 떠올랐다 [smile appeared] on Gabriel’s 입가 [lips] at Yeon-woo’s 대답 [answer].

“아니지 [No]. You’ll be back soon, right? I’ll see you next year.”

“……?”

“The thing you’ve been 초조해했던 [anxious about]. It’s because of the scenario, right? Did you get a call?”

“예, 뭐 [Yes, well]……. How did you know?”

“I didn’t think you’d be 주눅들 [intimidated] because it’s the Oscars. So there’s only one thing left. But is there a spot for me there too?”

“Even if there is, you’ll have to 오디션을 봐야 [audition], right? I can’t just give you the role. How 귀한 시나리오인데 [precious a scenario] I 찾아낸 [found].”

“두고 봐 [Just you wait]. I’m 반드시 [definitely] going to go 보러 오디션 [see the audition] when they 공고 [announce] the role. Ah. Then I’ll see you in a few months, not next year?”

Gabriel 씩 웃는 [smiled] while saying that.

He no longer had the 모습 [appearance] that was 움츠러들었던 [cowering], 상처받아 [hurt] by 의심 [doubt] about himself or the 세상의 눈초리 [world’s gaze].

[88]

Yeon-woo 마주 웃었다 [smiled back] 함께 보며 [watching together] the 푸르른 나무 [lush tree] he had 키워낸 [nurtured].

‘When did it 자랐지 저만큼 already [grow so much already]?’

Gabriel’s 나무 [tree], which 뻗어내리고 뿌리를 굳게 [extended its roots firmly] and 자라 튼튼하게 [grew strongly] and 펼친 가지를 [spread its branches].

The 나무 [tree] that 녀석이 길러낸 [that guy nurtured] will soon 자랄 것이다 [grow] into a 굳건한 거목 [sturdy giant tree] that will not 흔들리지 않는 [waver] in any 고난 [hardship].

“Then see you again soon.”

“Yes.”

The 이별 [farewell] was 짧고 강렬했다 [short and intense].

Everyone was 아쉬워했지만 [disappointed], but they didn’t 붙잡지 오래 [hold on for long] because they had 보았던 Yeon-woo’s 고생 그간 [seen Yeon-woo’s suffering all along].

‘I’ll be back here 언젠가는 또 [again someday].’

After 담은 [capturing] the place he will 다시 오게 될 [come again] with his eyes 마지막으로 [for the last time].

Yeon-woo 돌렸다 몸을 미련 없이 [turned his body without regret].

There was only one place he had to 가야 할 [go to].

*”[……This Academy Awards ceremony is an 기념비적인 [monumental] ceremony that cannot be.

Actor 강연우 [Kang Yeon-woo], who 거머쥔 [seized] the Best Actor Award for the first time as an 동양인 [Asian], is nothing more than 활짝 열어준 헐리우드의 문 [opening the doors of Hollywood wide] with his existence itself.

The 인식 [perception] of the entertainment industry, where 보이지 않던 차별 [invisible discrimination] and 한계 [limitations] 명백하게 존재하던 [clearly existed].

And the 차별적 의식 [discriminatory consciousness] of people that was 잠재되어있던 알게 모르게 [latently present without knowing].

It is a 주지의 사실 [well-known fact] that all of that is a 계기 [catalyst] that 놀라울 정도로 감소하게 된 [decreased surprisingly] through this movie ‘The Last Piece’.

Some people even say that actor 강연우 [Kang Yeon-woo], who 불러일으킨 ‘선한 바람’ [caused a ‘good wind’] 전 세계적으로 [worldwide], should be given the Nobel Peace Prize.

It’s 반쯤 농담인 이야기지만 [half-joking story], but it’s a good example of 드러내는 [revealing] the point that the 영향력 [influence] of an actor who 걷는 올바르게 [walks correctly] is 무시할 수 없다는 점만큼 [cannot be ignored].]”

*”……Why are you two here again?”

Yeon-woo 느꼈다 [felt] the 기억 [memory] of 얼마 전 [not long ago] 떠오르는 [rising].

분명 그때도 [Certainly at that time too] these two people 나왔었던 것 같은데 [seemed to have come out] 마중 아닌 마중을 [a greeting that wasn’t a greeting]…….

“Well, of course, I came out to 모셔가려고 [escort] Yeon-woo 씨 [Mr. Yeon-woo]. 힘들지는 않았어요 [Wasn’t it difficult]? 참 [By the way]. Congratulations on 수상한 [winning an award].”

“군이 [You] could have 띄워 보냈 [sent] 전용기를 [a private jet] if he had just 말만 [said so]. Make sure to 말하도록 해 [tell me] next time. 마련하는 전용기 하나 [Preparing a private jet] is nothing.”

“…….”

The only thing that was 나아진 하나 [one thing that improved] was that the two people didn’t have 끔찍할 만큼 커다란 꽃다발 [terribly huge bouquets] in their hands.

‘That’s 발전했네 하나 [one improvement].’

It’s 의문이기는 할 수 있을지 과연 발전이라고 [questionable whether it can be called an improvement].

“참 [By the way]. That 감독 [director]. I’ve 모셔뒀어요 잘 [taken good care of him]. He seems to be a 좀 소심한 타입 [somewhat timid type]. He sent Yeon-woo 씨 [Mr. Yeon-woo] the scenario 덜컥 [abruptly], but he said he was too 무서워서 [afraid] to 열어볼 생각도 못 [even think of opening it] when he got a reply.”

He hid even more 꼭꼭 [tightly] and 연락이 늦어졌단다 [contact was delayed] because he thought it was 사기로 아예 [completely a scam] when he 컨택했을 초반 [contacted him initially].

“잘했습니다 [Well done]. Thank you.”

“I’ll do anything if it’s 도움 된다면 [helpful] to Yeon-woo 씨 [Mr. Yeon-woo].”

Next to 권성현 [Kwon Seong-hyun], who was 사르르 웃는 접으며 눈을 [smiling softly, folding his eyes], a 불퉁한 목소리가 끼어들었다 [grumpy voice interjected].

“I’ve 구축했네 유통망을 [built a distribution network] towards Asia this time. There will be no problems in the Southeast Asian market, as well as China and Japan.”

Is it 착각일까 [an illusion] that I feel a 구석 [corner] that 칭찬을 바라는 왠지 모르게 [somehow wanting praise] somewhere in the 말 [words] of the man who looks like a 훌륭한 기업인 어느모로 보나 [excellent businessman in every way]?

“And the contract will be 완료될 곧 [completed soon] towards Europe. In 한마디로 [in a word], it’s a 유통망인 아우르는 전 세계 [distribution network encompassing the whole world].”

전 세계라고 [The whole world]?

“아니 [No], what are you 믿고 [believing in] to 키운 판 그렇게 [grow the board like that]?”

It’s a 말 [word] that doesn’t 실감 나지 [feel real] than the Oscars.

“Well, isn’t it 당연히 [natural] that I can’t do 허투루 [carelessly] because it’s 군이 하는 일 [what you’re doing]?”

우도겸 덧붙였다 [Woo Do-gyeom added] while saying that.

“It’s a 장사치의 당연한 덕목 [merchant’s natural virtue] to 투자하는 in 곳 성공하는 [invest in places that succeed].”

이거 참 [This is something].

I don’t know what to say or if I should say thank you for 믿어주니 맹목적으로 [believing in me blindly].

“Well, it doesn’t matter if it 망해도 [fails]. I’ll 책임지면 되니까 [take responsibility]. It’s no problem to 먹여 살리는 군 하나쯤 [feed one you or one army].”

“잠깐만요 [Wait a minute]. Why are you 나섭니까 [intervening]? Yeon-woo 씨 [Mr. Yeon-woo] is 속해있으니 [belonging] in my 소속사에 [agency], so I’ll 책임지더라도 [take responsibility]…….”

Yeon-woo 생각했다 [thought] while 보며 [watching] the two 아웅다웅하는 [bickering].

‘They’ll 정들지 저러다 [become fond of each other like that]…….’

Yeon-woo, who was 바라보던 [looking at] them 잠시 [for a moment], 말했다 [said].

“Let’s go see the 주인공 [main character] of that scenario 일단 [first].”

The 중요한 건 [important thing] is not 다른 것 [something else].

There’s a reason why he 고사하고 온 [declined] the 뒤풀이 파티 [after-party] that is 즐비한 with famous actors and 감독들 called 거장으로 [directors called masters].

Yeon-woo, who was 걷던 앞서 먼저 [walking ahead first], 돌아보았다 뒤를 [looked back].

권성현 [Kwon Seong-hyun] and 우도겸 [Woo Do-gyeom] were 바라보고 [looking at] Yeon-woo as if 눈이 부신 [dazzling].

“Why aren’t you coming?”

The two 따라붙었다 뒤로 Yeon-woo as if they had 정신을 차린 then [come to their senses then] when he 불렀다 그렇게 [called out like that].

“Yeon-woo 씨 후광이 [Mr. Yeon-woo’s aura] seems to have 강해진 더 [become stronger]……”

“하 [Ha], 도련님 [young master]. You’re not trying to 사려는 호감을 군의 [buy the favor of you] in that 식으로 [way], are you? 후광이라니 [Aura]? Isn’t that too 입바른 소리 [flattering]?”

“Shut your 입이나 다무세요 [mouth or shut up] if you don’t know. You can’t even 보지도 [see it].”

The 소리 [sound] of the two 아웅다웅하는 [bickering] 쫓았다 Yeon-woo’s 뒤를 [chased Yeon-woo’s back].

그러거나 말거나 [Whether they did or not].

The scenario, which was 찬란하다 못해 황금빛이 [so brilliant it was golden] and 부서지던 하얗게 눈이 부실 정도로 [shattered whitely, so dazzling], 떠올랐다 머릿속에 [rose in his head].

“Let’s go 어서 [quickly].”

Yeon-woo 재촉했다 [urged] the two.

Someone might be 만족할 [satisfied] with 받는 [receiving] an 엄청난 상 [tremendous award].

But Yeon-woo was 아니었다 [not].

‘How many 일이 해야 할 [things to do] are there 앞으로 [in the future].’

찾고 시나리오를 [Finding a scenario], and 한다 연기를 [acting].

It would be 좋으리라 [good] to 만들어 음악을 [make music] when he gets to 쉬게 연기를 [rest from acting].

Because that’s the only thing Yeon-woo can do for the people who 좋아해 그를 [like him].

It’s not just because he has to 채워야 수명을 [fill his lifespan].

돌리는 룰렛을 [Spinning the roulette] I shouldn’t forget to also 그러고보니 [now that I think about it].

‘I guess it’s 된 것 같기는 [seems to be] the 목적대로 [according to the purpose] of the system 왠지 [somehow]. It doesn’t matter 아무래도 [anyway], though.’

-좋은 게 좋은 거다 [Good is good].

강 여사 떠오른다 늘 했던 말이 [Ms. Kang remembers the words she always said].

Even if you walk the 똑같은 길 [same road], the 길 [road] can become a 가시밭길 가득한 고난과 역경이 [thorny path full of hardship and adversity] depending on 어떠냐 마음가짐이 [what your mindset is], or it can become a 길처럼 부드럽고 안락한 비단 [road like soft and comfortable silk].

“It’s 화창하네요 [sunny].”

There was a 해 [sun] 맑은 정도로 눈이 부실 떠 [clear enough to be dazzling] in the 하늘 밖의 공항 [sky outside the airport].

It’s like 비추어 주는 [shining on] the 길 [road] 연우가 걸어갈 것처럼 [Yeon-woo will walk].

“Let’s go 빨리 [quickly].”

Yeon-woo 재촉했다 [urged] 둘을 뒤따라오는 [the two following behind] 다시 한번 [once again].

A 미소가 걸려있었다 입가에 연우의 돌아서는 [smile was on Yeon-woo’s lips as he turned].

There were 많았다 일이 해야 할 아직 [many things to do still].

And Yeon-woo was 기꺼웠다 몹시 아주 그것이 [very, very pleased about that].

His 이야기는 [story] was 시작이었으니까 이제부터 [just beginning from now on].

-신이 내린 탑스타, 完 [God-Given Top Star, End].

*******

신이 내린 탑스타 [God-Given Top Star] has finally 완결이 났습니다 [come to an end].