The night before the awards ceremony.
Director Lee Seong-deok was desperately trying to calm his trembling hands.
‘I really should contact him, it’s only right.’
The reason for his jitters was simply that he was too nervous to contact actor Kim Donghu.
Normally, he should have reached out much earlier, but his anxiety stretched all the way to the day before the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
‘If there’s a chance of winning, I can’t just not tell him.’
Usually, short films need to apply in advance to enter a festival, submitting paperwork and the film to be evaluated.
After that, one typically has to wait and see what happens with their work.
But this time, [Hero] had proudly secured a spot as a nominee for Best Short Film.
In a way, it was a given.
It would be absurd for a film that won four awards at Mise-en-scène to not be nominated.
So, was that why?
For Director Lee Seong-deok, it was even more burdensome.
‘My film is alongside a blockbuster? Really?’
If it had been any other situation, he wouldn’t have felt the pressure at all.
But it was nagging at him that the lead actor of his short film—who he was reaching out to—had also appeared in a blockbuster film.
‘If it were me, I’d probably ignore a short film and stick to the blockbuster. Is it really okay to contact him?’
The timid Director Lee Seong-deok was lost in endless thoughts as his fingers diligently sent a message to actor Kim Donghu.
Since they might have a chance to win the short film award, he asked if Donghu could accompany him on the red carpet.
To his surprise, contrary to his expectations of a refusal…
KaTalk!
> Of course, why didn’t you tell me earlier?
> I’m definitely going with [Hero]!
A refreshing reply from actor Kim Donghu arrived.
Gasp!
With a shout, Director Lee Seong-deok exclaimed.
++++++
With such a backstory, the steps of the [Hero] red carpet were light and lively.
‘Since the director is nervous for me, I’m actually not nervous at all.’
It was his first time on the red carpet since becoming an actor.
The countless flashes and the attention pouring in from the tightly packed crowd.
Normally, he would have been too pressured to walk properly, but having someone even more tense beside him made it feel relatively okay.
“D-Director Lee Seong-deok… It’s not too late to ditch me and join the endless frontlines…!”
“What are you talking about? If I go there now, I’d get pelted with stones.”
I playfully shot back at Director Lee Seong-deok’s words as I quickly supported him.
The crowd behind us was starting to approach, so we had to hurry to the photo zone.
“Yes! We have the director Lee Seong-deok and actor Kim Donghu of the short film [Hero] arriving right now!”
As soon as we got there, the MC greeted us with a dazzling smile as if waiting for us.
Seeing that smile made Director Lee Seong-deok’s burdensome feelings double, and he hung his head low.
Director Lee Seong-deok, feeling the pressure rise, bowed his head low.
It was something I expected, so I smiled brightly and bowed to greet them.
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
“Th-thank you… Ah, hello!”
“It seems the director is quite nervous, perhaps that’s why actor Kim Donghu seems more relaxed.”
“That’s thanks to everyone looking at things positively.”
“Well then, I can’t help but ask this question.”
“Can we hear your thoughts on winning an award?”
‘Thoughts on winning an award.’
What should I say to keep things light and cheerful? While pondering this…
“I firmly believe we will definitely win. Actor Kim Donghu is the best!”
Just moments ago, Director Lee Seong-deok couldn’t speak properly, but suddenly he unleashed a smooth stream of words.
Wasn’t he just a few seconds ago bowing his head and looking all wobbly?
As if to discard that past entirely, Director Lee Seong-deok emphasized again with clear eyes.
“I will ensure this work meets the expectations of our fans. Thank you.”
When did he start speaking so well?
+++++
Once all the red carpet events were wrapped up, the opening declaration and ceremony for the Blue Dragon Film Awards began.
The opening, kicked off with the witty banter of the MCs, proceeded in a calm and dignified manner befitting a film festival.
But, although it was said to be calm and dignified…
‘This is incredibly boring.’
Just like when watching it on TV, it was extremely loose.
Honestly, apart from the awards, it was the pinnacle of dullness.
With definitely no special performances, Kim Donghu had to focus hard to suppress his yawns.
“You’re wearing a face that’s desperately hiding extreme boredom, huh?”
Just then, as if waiting for this moment, actor Han Tae-geon suddenly appeared.
“Ha, H-Han… Tae-geon…”
The moment he showed up, Director Lee Seong-deok went into full-on nervous mode, as if he’d seen a ghost.
Familiar with such situations, Han Tae-geon naturally sat next to Kim Donghu.
“Is it okay for you to be here, sunbae?”
“There is a designated seat, but ‘Heroes’ and ‘Endless Frontlines’ are originally one team, so it doesn’t matter, right, Director?”
“T-th-that’s correct.”
“Oh? I’m glad you agree, then I’ll sit here too.”
It was not Kim Donghu who responded to Director Lee Seong-deok’s words, but…
“?!”
The owner of the Guan Yu beard, Director Kang Sang-hun of “Endless Frontlines,” plopped down next to him.
The table had enough chairs for the entire “Endless Frontlines” team to sit comfortably.
But still, the way they all moved in like this…
‘What a surprise.’
Kim Donghu’s face showed shock, and seeing that, Han Tae-geon made a light-hearted joke.
“Who knew our youngest would ditch us for a short film… boo hoo.”
“Haha, right? It’s a solid choice. Who would throw away a leading role?”
Han Tae-geon, feeling the playful jab from Director Kang Sang-hun, shot a sidelong glance at Director Lee Seong-deok.
“I was just wondering who the genius was that got our Donghu his screen debut.”
The talent wasn’t bad at all; he’ll definitely become a great director in the future.
“…Huh… Huh?”
Director Kang Sang-hun, an industry veteran, was acknowledging him.
Director Lee Seong-deok felt the sting of those words, with his hands starting to tremble.
And then, at that moment…
“Next up is the short film award.”
“Alright, and the presenter for the announcement is…”
The time for the Blue Dragon Film Festival’s short film award ceremony popped up out of nowhere.
The presenters entered to build up the tension, and without any unnecessary fluff, we jumped straight to the award announcement.
Of course, the recipient was…
“I think it’s the short film that has garnered the hottest buzz recently.”
“The protagonist of the short film award is! Hero! Congratulations!”
It was as if it was predetermined that [Hero] would win.
Then came the acceptance speech.
Director Lee Seong-deok stood at the microphone, looking bewildered as he wondered how he even got there.
“Uh, uh, what, what should I say?”
It would be a lie to say he had no idea he might win.
But he certainly didn’t expect to win outright.
Who knows how things will turn out in this world?
Following the principle that great expectations lead to great disappointments, Director Lee felt regret for not preparing any acceptance speech.
“Um, really, thank you. To all those who helped with this award…”
But oddly enough, once he opened his mouth, words started flowing smoothly.
From those who greatly helped with the short film to family and friends, and lastly…
“I extend my deepest gratitude to my greatest benefactor, actor Kim Donghu.”
After placing that final word, as if waiting for it…
Tears began to flow from Director Lee Seong-deok’s eyes.
But, instead of wrapping up as a typical touching moment, his sobbing escalated to the point of hilarity.
Seeing a grown man, tears and snot running down, being supported by the leading actor of his film as he exits was a sight that brought a sense of relief to the tense Blue Dragon Film Festival.
“Sniff… Boo… Thanks to actor Kim Donghu, I… Sniff… I’m just so grateful.”
“We all did it together. How could I receive an award just for myself?”
“Thank you for saying that…”
The camera zoomed in for the ratings, but Lee Seong-deok and Kim Donghu comforted each other as if they were all alone.
Anyway, after [Hero] took home the award, the ceremony smoothly flowed into the next segment.
Passing through the audience-voted popularity award, before diving into Part 2…
Before we proceed with the awards.
One of the most watched awards was about to be announced.
“Now it’s time for the Rookie Male and Female awards.”
“The presenters are last year’s winners…”
The Blue Dragon Rookie Award.
Questions arose: Who would receive it?
A light exchange of greetings occurred among the presenters.
“Let’s see who the nominees are.”
And then the nominee videos started playing.
One by one.
The impressive performances of rookie male actors flashed by.
– “Is this really a rookie?”
When the last nominee’s video appeared, everyone held their breath.
An almost flawless performance that couldn’t possibly belong to a newcomer.
A skillfulness that made it unimaginable to consider this as their debut work.
Above all.
– “Ugh…”
Even a single tear that decorates the finale.
Everyone was taken aback by the level that was on par with the others.
While they all thought the acting was good, they couldn’t help but think.
“If we show them side by side, the comparison is just too much.”
“I can’t even say they are all strong contenders; this is just…”
It was a level of acting that left them in awe.
Was it because of this?
The tense sound of the drums, “dugu dugudu,” couldn’t elevate the atmosphere.
It felt like the winner was already determined.
“And the award goes to, from Endless Frontlines, Kim Donghu! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!”
As the winner’s name was announced, applause erupted as if everyone was waiting for it.
“Honestly, if our baby didn’t win, that’d be weird.”
Actor Han Tae-geon stood up and lifted Kim Donghu into the air.
Receiving everyone’s congratulations, Kim Donghu stepped onto the stage and stood in front of the microphone.
Thus began the acceptance speech.
“Hello. I am Kim Donghu, playing the role of Student Soldier in Endless Frontlines.”
Kyaaaaah!
As he bent down to bow, the cheers erupted.
This showed just how high Kim Donghu’s popularity was.
As the acceptance speech continued,
“First of all, I truly feel honored to receive this Rookie Award.”
At that moment, question marks appeared over everyone’s heads.
“‘First? Did he just say first?'”
“‘Did he make a slip of the tongue?'”
“‘But with that momentum, it doesn’t sound like a mistake, does it? Is he declaring it?'”
“Did Kim Donghu just say he plans to hunt for more rookie awards?”
“There are supposed to be second and third rounds, so that’s probably why he said first.”
It was a moment of an unexpected bombshell.
Of course, Kim Donghu himself was thinking.
“Wow, live broadcast is so nerve-wracking!”
Amidst his nervousness, he had no other thoughts.
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