Superstar 819

[Is it really that unusual for an actor in a superhero movie to be nominated?]

Thanks to Seo-jun’s appearance, even those who normally had no interest in movies or awards shows were now watching the live broadcast. Park Young-jin posed the question to critic Yang Si-eun and commentator Movie Guest on behalf of curious viewers. The two experts responded gently and clearly.

[That’s true. Now that I think about it, actors in superhero or fantasy films rarely win acting awards at major festivals.]

Nodding, Park Young-jin added, a bit disappointed:

[So it must be difficult for actor Seo-jun Lee to win as well.]

[Unfortunately, I believe so.]

Yang Si-eun replied with a heavy expression, clearly sharing the sentiment.

[Still, being nominated is a huge achievement. Until now, neither Redbone nor Shadowman have ever been nominated. And everyone knows that actors like Davis Garrett and Evan Block are incredibly skilled.]

Movie Guest continued:

[Of course, acting skills alone don’t determine everything, but it’s true that these types of films were often excluded from nominations altogether. That’s why I think this might be the beginning of change.]

Park Young-jin tilted his head curiously.

[The beginning of change?]

[Yes. It’s a signal that the Academy Awards and Hollywood in general are starting to broaden their perspective on genres. In the future, I think we’ll see more variety, with movies of different genres being appreciated beyond traditional boundaries.]

Movie Guest smiled.

[Just like how 11 years ago, when Seo-jun Lee, an East Asian actor, won Best Actor, it opened more doors for Asian representation in movies and dramas.]

[Ah! That makes sense.]

Park Young-jin nodded in admiration.

Viewers watching the broadcast felt the same.

• Yeah, over the last 10 years, there’s been more Asian representation in Hollywood.

= You can see Asian actors in more diverse roles now.

= And not just stereotypes. That’s what’s great.

• Maybe Kim Jong-ho winning Best Supporting Actor was only possible because Seo-jun paved the way.

= 22 Kim Jong-ho is amazing, but it would’ve been way harder without Seo-jun.

= 33 They probably wouldn’t have even considered it.

= 44 Hollywood/Academy: Asian actor? What’s that?

= Honestly, yeah… (ugh)

[Of course, this is still just the beginning, so it’s unlikely that Seo-jun will win this time.]

Movie Guest nodded along as Yang Si-eun said this, but his eyes sparkled.

[But in the future, who knows?]

[The future?]

[Yes. Because Seo-jun Lee will be starring in the upcoming Knight Jin series!]

Oh!

Viewers and Park Young-jin all gasped at Movie Guest’s words.

• Oh right! There’s Knight Jin!

= If Shadow & Night got nominated, then if the Knight Jin story is solid, it might get nominated too—and win!

= It’s a series, so at least three films, right?

= Out of three, maybe one could win…

= Oof. Already booking Best Actor in advance.

= Sounds like we’re jumping the gun, but with Seo-jun, it could really happen, lol.

[Though it might not even be Knight Jin. Seo-jun Lee is such a prolific actor, he’ll be in many great projects.]

Yang Si-eun smiled. Movie Guest and Park Young-jin laughed and nodded in agreement.

As the three emphasized again and again how amazing it was that Seo-jun had even been nominated—

[Ah! The first actor is arriving on the red carpet!]

The red carpet event officially began.

Click! Click! Click!

Stars who lit up Hollywood began stepping onto the carpet one by one.

Flashes popped, fans screamed, and reporters shouted questions—it was a festival.

Some actors were familiar, others new, waving as they walked the red carpet.

While viewers at home didn’t know everyone, Yang Si-eun and Movie Guest provided smooth introductions. Their commentary helped people think, “Ah, I’ve seen them before. These two really know their stuff.”

Then, someone not just familiar but beloved appeared.

[It’s actress Richelle Hill!]

Richelle Hill appeared in a stunning dress.

With a radiant smile, Richelle stole the spotlight, and fans watching from home, especially Seo-jun’s fandom, perked up and raised their Saessak lightsticks.

• Is this the Shadow & Night team?!

= Seo-jun coming next?!

= Nah, Richelle’s here for a different film.

= Oh, Someone. That one was great!

=ㅠㅠ Richelle unnieㅠ we love youㅠㅠ

Footage showed Richelle walking with the Someone team down the red carpet.

• I don’t even know many Korean actors, but I know Richelle Hill, lol.

= 22 Same, my parents turned up the volume as soon as her name came up.

= 33 She’s all over articles and broadcasts.

= 44 She’s in Seo-jun’s circle, so she feels like one of us, lol.

• Aaah!! The Shadow & Night team is here!!

As if it were planned, just after Richelle’s appearance, the Shadow & Night team arrived.

Cheers erupted as Evan Block stepped out of a black limo, followed by Director Jonathan and Kirk Lawrence to applause.

• Who just yelled “Give us 10 Knight Jin movies!!” in Korean, lol

= 22 Like Jonathan’s gonna understand Korean, come on 😂

= Lol Evan Block translating it for him.

= Why would he translate THAT, lol

= 😂 Jonathan turning pale.

= Someone get the man some ginseng, stat, lol

• Kirk Lawrence’s last scene was incredible. I’ll watch his next work for sure.

= First time on a red carpet? He looked totally “Where am I? Who am I?” lol

= Yeah, I heard it’s his first Oscars.

• Ah!! It’s Seo-junㅠㅠㅠ

= Seo-jun-aaaaㅠㅠ

And then, Best Actor nominee Seo-jun Lee arrived.

From head to toe, the camera panned slowly across Seo-jun’s dazzling appearance. With his bright smile and the flashbulbs creating a halo effect, viewers erupted.

• Is he an angel? IS HE AN ANGEL?!

= Seo-jun is a godㅠㅠ

= Whether god or angel, he’s definitely not humanㅠㅠㅠ

= Camera!! Don’t move!! Just focus on Seo-jun!! (Furiously capturing frame-by-frame)

• Suit: Reden

= They already posted all the brands for his shoes and watch. (Link)

= The speed is insane, lol

Whether he noticed or not, Seo-jun and the Shadow & Night team walked the red carpet and headed to the interview zone.

[/Congratulations on your Best Actor nomination, Jun!/]

[/Thank you./]

Starting with Seo-jun’s thanks, the Shadow & Night team gave a short interview. Though Director Jonathan and Kirk looked a bit tense, they answered without issue.

Once done, they moved into the ceremony hall.

[Still impressive. Seo-jun’s connections…]

Park Young-jin marveled at how Hollywood stars—who seemed like they were from another world—greeted Seo-jun warmly, starting with Richelle Hill.

• This is the social network of a Korean college student, lol.

= He’s been like this since he was a kid. Seo-jun’s network is no joke.

• I wanna greet him tooㅠㅠ

= How to meet Seo-jun: become a Hollywood star.

= Nah, he’d probably greet you even if you just said you were an aspiring actor (as long as it’s true).

= Seo-jun loves actors.

= 22 His default affection level is at least 50, lol

Meanwhile, the broadcast showed more stars arriving, but now that Seo-jun had entered, Korean viewers’ interest had waned.

Anticipating this, MBS took a break:

[We’ll return after these commercials.]

• Oh, commercial break.

= Well, we already saw Seo-jun.

= They must be raking it in with ad revenue, lol.

= Makes sense. Every Korean is watching this.

• Let me know when it’s back.

= 22 Same, ping me~

• It’s back! Ceremony’s starting!

= Oh! Thanks!

With a dazzling performance, the Academy Awards officially began.

[Someone, starring Richelle Hill, wins Best Production Design!]

[Watching the movie felt like walking through an art gallery.]

[Yes. Every set, location, and prop was stunning.]

• Congratulations!!

=ㅠCongratsㅠ

Even though Richelle is a Hollywood actress, she felt like one of our own. Everyone celebrated her win with joy.

[Shadow & Night wins Best Visual Effects!]

[YES!]

• Aaaahhh!!!

=SHADOW & NIGHTTT!!

And when Shadow & Night won, cheers erupted.

• It’s not even a Korean movie, but why am I so happy? lol

= Probably because we grew up with this series.

• Congrats Seo-junㅠ
• Movie Guest shouting “Yes!” was hilarious lol

= That was totally unintentional, lol

= Yeah, but I screamed too

More winners took the stage with bright smiles to give their speeches.

Time passed.

And now, the ceremony neared its end.

[/Thank you so much./]

The Best Actress winner spoke tearfully. The Oscar in her hand gleamed under the lights.

[And now, the award for Best Actor.]

Park Young-jin’s voice trembled with anticipation.

Yang Si-eun and Movie Guest, who had earlier downplayed the chances, now showed visible tension. A small voice in their hearts whispered, What if…?

It was only the tiniest sliver of hope.

[Here are the nominees for Best Actor.]

One by one, the screen showed each nominee.

[And the final nominee—our very own Seo-jun Lee!]

Seo-jun smiled brightly at the camera, even waving calmly.

• Hmm. Maybe because it’s his second Oscar nom, he looks calm… BUT I’M NOT CALM!!! I’M LOSING IT!! AAAHHH!! (Rips pillow)

= 22 AAAAAAAAHHH!!! (Rips blanket)

= 33 SEO-JUN-AAAAA!! (Rips apartment)

= Koreans more nervous than Seo-jun himself, lol

= …This isn’t nerves anymore. Stop ripping things, guys, lol

• Seriously though, he looks so chill. (Leg shaking)

= Looks like he’s not nervous at all. (Hands shaking)

= 22 All the tension is with the fans. (Entire Korea shaking)

As the Best Actor presentation began, people across Korea dropped everything to watch.

Students begged their teachers for permission to watch.

Office workers streamed it on the sly.

People on the streets whipped out their phones. Hospitals, banks, buses, taxis—all tuned in.

The entire country held its breath.

[Being nominated once is already rare—this is his second! The first Korean actor to be nominated twice for Best Actor!]

[Truly something to be proud of. He’s also the youngest among the nominees.]

[And we can’t ignore the significance of the genre.]

Once more, the commentators reminded everyone how incredible this nomination was. Managing expectations was necessary.

• I know it’s unlikelyㅠ But I hopeㅠㅠ

= 22 Stop hoping, stupid brainㅠㅠ

= 33 Don’t set yourself up for disappointmentㅠ Stupid me

• Seo-jun is already the best!!

= Seo-jun oppa! You’re amazing!

While fans tried to calm themselves…

On stage, the presenter opened the envelope.

[/There are many types of movies. They make us laugh, cry, feel inspired, angry, scared, and comforted./]

Movie Guest translated live, faster than the subtitles.

[/Because each person lives a different life, their favorite films and actors are bound to differ. My daughter and I always argue over what to watch./]

Laughter spread through the venue.

[/But sometimes, my daughter and I like the same movie. Great stories and acting can touch everyone, regardless of age or background./]

The presenter raised the envelope.

[/The actor named here gave that kind of performance. So many people here voted for this person thinking, “They deserve this award.” Maybe, like me and my daughter, they watched this film over and over, unable to forget it./]

Laughter and soft smiles came from the audience.

[/With that hope for more incredible performances to come—let me announce the winner./]

The presenter smiled and spoke the iconic line:

[The Oscar goes to……!]

Park Young-jin raised his voice.

[The winner of the Oscar for Best Actor is……!]

Yang Si-eun, Movie Guest, and every person watching held their breath.

The presenter leaned into the mic. The camera zoomed in on one of the nominees, showing a surprised face.

[Seojun Lee!]

!!!

Defying all expectations, a new name was etched into the history of world cinema once more.