Superstar 782

From 0 Years Old, Superstar Episode 782

-Whoaa……. They turned down the volume.
=22 They probably pressed the remote’s volume button wrong;;;
-Actually, I wondered if only Lee Sejun’s fans were over there.
=22 A reasonable suspicion.
=No way. Lee Sejun’s fans stayed calm with crazed eyes, quietly clapping. (Of course, in their minds, they destroyed apartments, cities, and the entire planet.)
=That’s scarier;;;
-They said a face completed fashion. Now that the fashion was complete, plus the face to match, I could only see light.
=22 He seemed brighter than usual.
=33 So I wasn’t the only one who saw a halo.

Even the people watching the live broadcast on TV blinked in surprise, and newbies like Song Yujeong and Im Yena couldn’t hold back their overwhelming excitement, screaming “Kkyaaah-” and slamming tables, sofas, and beds. Such was the power of Sejun.

For just a short moment.

Sejun, who was enjoying the flashing spotlight, activated his ability. He liked that people reacted beyond his expectations, but this was only the red carpet; the main event was still ahead. He couldn’t remain here like this.

When a sweet apple blossom scent spread, the fans who had been reacting passionately slowly began to calm down. Today as well, [(Divine) Calming Apple Blossom Scent] proved effective.

Sejun, who smiled mischievously (someone squealed “Kyaak-” from somewhere), joined the [Shad&Kni] team.

“Quite impressive, huh?”

“I thought I was watching a movie!”

“Hahaha.”

Half teasing, half admiring, Evan Block and Rachel Hill greeted Sejun. Director Jonathan and Kirk Lawrence still had looks of surprise on their faces.

“I watched a lot of videos, but… hearing it here was different.”

“I agreed.”

When the rookie director and the supporting-role specialist, who rarely came to such ceremonies, whispered to each other, the three actors, familiar with fan reactions, laughed and guided them down the red carpet. With each step, flashes exploded, and cheers poured out.

Sejun had walked red carpets at a few film festivals as a guest, but it had been a while since he walked one while bringing a production, so he felt excited, too.

Lee Sejun! Sejun-ah! Jun!! William!! Knight Jin!!

Sejun waved and flashed a bright smile toward the fans who called him by all sorts of names.

The other actors did the same, and Director Jonathan awkwardly raised his hand to those calling him.

Jonathan Will!!

Somehow, his voice sounded mixed with resentment and emotion.

Then, a reporter holding a camera and microphone approached the [Shad&Kni] team. Like the fans, the reporter’s face was flushed with excitement.

“Nice to meet you! Shadow & Knight team! Your entrance was just incredible!”

“Right! Especially Jun was amazing!”

Starting with Rachel Hill, who spoke proudly with a big smile, the [Shad&Kni] team had a brief interview.

“Ah, it looks like you should go inside now.”

Perhaps because of the reporter’s own fandom, it went on a bit long. Seeing the staff behind the camera frantically signaling, the reporter spoke regretfully.

“Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?”

When the reporter offered the microphone, Sejun exchanged glances with Evan Block and Rachel Hill. The two actors also smiled and gave slight nods.

One, two—

The three actors counted silently in their minds, then smiled and spoke in unison like a chorus.

“Please look forward to Knight Jin!”

……!

“Kkyaaah!”

With the mention of [Knight Jin], which hadn’t even been filmed yet, and which they couldn’t announce seven years ago at the end of [Shadow Man 3], screams like shrieks filled the red carpet.
“Kkyaaah!”

And Director Jonathan Will, who had to make [Knight Jin], screamed inwardly at the roar of that anticipation.

-I waited for thisㅠㅠㅠ
-They hadn’t even filmed it, but they promoted it firstㅋㅋㅋ
=22 Judging by Director Jonathan’s face, it seemed like the script wasn’t even out yet.
=33 Director Jonathan: ??!?!?
=ㅋㅋ Uncle was so laid-backㅋㅋ
=Director Ryan’s default was indifference.
=Director Ryan: Well, we’ll just make it.
=ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-I was sad because they didn’t tease it at the awards 7 years ago, so I’m so happyㅠㅠ
=22 It meant we’d keep hearing promos until the Knight Jin series endedㅠㅠ
=33 Even after Knight Jin ended, please keep doing itㅠ

They promoted [Knight Jin] like that, then the [Shad&Kni] team passed the red carpet and entered the awards hall.

“Jun! You looked amazing right from your entrance!”

“Thank you!”

Sejun headed to his assigned seat, greeting actors and directors he knew along the way. The camera captured this friendly and familiar sight.

• As expected of a superstar.
• As expected of Lee Sejun.
• Was that Director Douglas just now? Huh, scary.
  = He’s trading words with people who would make others go ‘Wow!’ just by knowing one of them, and he’s greeting them all in passing, lol.
• ???: This is the network of an ordinary Korean college student.
  = …Excuse me?

“You know a lot of people?”

Kirk Lawrence asked in surprise, and Sejun smiled as he spoke.

“I’ve been active since I was young, and Evan and Rachel invited me to parties often.”

That included other actors like Davis Garrett or Swalin Anum, and directors like Sarah Lott.

Of course, the people invited to those parties were pre-screened to ensure they’d be fine for young Sejun. It was unfortunate, but racists existed everywhere.

But for such short-lived party encounters to continue this long wasn’t easy, was it?

Reading Kirk Lawrence’s unspoken question, Rachel Hill laughed and answered.

“This tiny kid said, ‘I watched your film, Director! I really loved this and that!’ Is there any director who wouldn’t be won over?”

“It was the same with actors. A little kid lit up his eyes and said he really loved it, so who could dislike that?”

Evan Block added with a laugh.

At that, Rachel Hill burst into laughter.

She recalled how a certain action star had followed young Sejun around, saying, ‘What about me? You don’t like me? Didn’t you see my movie?’ And when young Sejun answered, ‘I couldn’t watch it because of the age restriction…,’ that big man had crouched down next to him, sighing regretfully.

• Next time, I’ll film something rated for all ages.
• I’ll definitely watch it once it’s released!

It was Sejun and the action star clinking glasses of orange juice together.

Hearing Rachel Hill and Evan Block’s words, Kirk Lawrence nodded as if he finally understood.

Now that he thought about it, he, too, must have been captivated by Sejun’s passion at some point. It was still true even now, and it would have been even more effective when Sejun was younger.

While the three actors chatted away, Sejun checked people’s reactions on his phone.

“The response is amazing! Jonathan!”

“…That’s a relief.”

Jonathan Will, who had worried about how he would promote a movie whose synopsis wasn’t even complete yet and whether it was right to raise expectations so high, glanced at the actor sitting next to him, and his worries vanished.

“Jun will figure something out.”

If the synopsis or script didn’t satisfy him, Sejun would work the director hard to shape it into a great piece. There was no need to worry about the acting.

“Pardon? What did you say?”

“No, nothing…”

The problem was that the director was Jonathan Will himself.

Suddenly, everything went dark in front of his eyes. The surrounding darkness felt like it represented his future. Could it be he suddenly gained the power of foresight?!

“It’s starting now.”

When Sejun whispered this, Director Jonathan Will snapped back to reality.

He didn’t realize so much time had passed, but just as Sejun said, the WTV Awards ceremony was starting.

The reason it was dark was because they dimmed the lights for the celebration performance.

‘I thought…’

He wondered if he had developed a superpower.

Director Jonathan Will felt a bit disappointed.

---

Once the WTV Awards got into the main part of the ceremony, it proceeded with a cheerful atmosphere.

Whenever someone went on stage, wearing a happy expression, and received the popcorn-shaped trophy, huge applause erupted when they gave their acceptance speech.

The host took the microphone and spoke.

“Next up is the Best Combat Award! I watched the action scenes of this movie with my palms sweating. People popped out from here and there… Oh! Is that a spoiler if I say more? Haha. I heard most of the action scenes in the movie were performed directly by the actor.”

Laughter rose from the crowd, and applause broke out as if they had guessed the winner.

“The winner is Sejun Lee of Shadow & Knight!”

At that call, Sejun stood from his seat.

Then the applause grew even louder, and cheers rang out.

Sejun stepped onto the stage, receiving congratulations from the crowd. He took the popcorn-shaped trophy and stood before the microphone.

“/Hello. This is actor Lee Sejun./”

Sejun, who had greeted them in Korean, continued speaking.

“Hello. I’m actor Sejun Lee. Has it been seven years? It has been a really long time since I last stood here to greet you. It’s so nice to be back. Best Combat Award. It seemed like a really wonderful award for those who create action scenes. I couldn’t possibly accept such a great award by myself.”

Sejun, who smiled lightly, went on with his acceptance speech.

“First of all, if there was a hero, there had to be a villain. Please give a round of applause to actor Kirk Lawrence, who performed the role of Jeff McKay so impressively.”

Just then, Kirk Lawrence’s face appeared on the screen behind the stage.

People clapped with laughter at Kirk Lawrence, who blinked wide-eyed at Sejun’s sudden mention of him.

“Next, please give a round of applause to stuntman Philip Yoon, who performed the most difficult parts in my place, and stuntman Jaeyeon Kim, who performed as Jeff McKay’s double.”

Philip Yoon and Kim Jaeyeon, who had been watching on TV, were startled by Sejun’s unexpected words. Then, at the sound of clapping and cheering coming from the TV, their eyes grew moist. They then had to receive all the phone calls and visits from family and friends flooding in.

Sejun also relayed applause to the martial arts director, who planned out the amazing action scenes, and the CG team, who produced fantastic CGI. He said “Thank you,” gave a brief acceptance speech (due to time constraints), and returned to his seat.

“Oh. I’m not sure if that was an acceptance speech or an award announcement.”

Hahaha.

At the host’s words, Sejun and the crowd burst into laughter.

“But one thing’s certain: thanks to so many people, we were able to have such amazing combat scenes in Shadow & Knight.”

The host, nodding, continued with the ceremony.

Several people went up on stage and then stepped down.

“Next is the Best Acting Award.”

The host, who opened the envelope to announce the next winner, shrugged.

“Oh! Perhaps this is why this person kept their speech brief. If you say everything beforehand, you won’t have anything to say later.”

Behind the stage, among the five nominated actors shown as candidates, four actors looked at one person and laughed. Everyone else did the same. On the screen, which was now focused on Sejun, he looked surprised and shook his head as if to say no, and everyone smiled.

“Jun also knew that he was the winner!”

“Ah.”

As Sejun rubbed his face in disbelief, laughter finally burst out from people’s lips.

“There’s no need to even announce it. Jun! Please come up to the stage!”

Sejun’s delighted yet flustered expression over the messy way the ceremony proceeded was captured on camera and broadcast to the entire world.

He coughed softly on stage, his face slightly red.

“Hello. I’m actor Sejun Lee. I’m greeting you all again.”

Laughter could be heard from all around.

Sejun quickly composed himself at that, smiling gently as he continued his acceptance speech.

“First of all, I was truly grateful to everyone who voted. Best Acting Award… I believed there was no greater compliment for an actor than that. Seven years ago, when I received this award, I felt both happy and sad, thinking the Shadow Man series was ending. Now I’m so happy that I was able to meet all of you again through a work that’s both new and familiar. It felt like returning to my hometown.”

After thanking Director Jonathan, the actors, friends, and his parents, Sejun gave a slightly longer acceptance speech than before and then smiled as he spoke.

“I’m really glad that I can say this again. Everyone, please look forward to Knight Jin!”

Waaaah!!

Amid the cheers that filled the awards hall, Sejun, holding a bouquet and a trophy, returned to his seat, and the host spoke.

“Lastly, we have the Best Hero Award.”

Director Jonathan Will laughed and poked Sejun in the side.

“Looks like you’ll have to go up again?”

“Hmm.”

Even Sejun, who was well aware of the fans’ fiery enthusiasm, couldn’t bring himself to deny it.

“First, let’s take a look at the nominees. Oh. Two people from the same film have been nominated.”

According to the host’s words, the images of “Shadow Man – Evan Block” and “Knight Jin – Sejun Lee” from [Shadow & Knight], who had been nominated, appeared on the screen behind the stage.

“Now then, who will be the winner that will adorn the finale of today’s awards ceremony…!”

The host heightened his voice as he opened the envelope. People wore expressions that hinted they wanted to laugh as they waited for the name of the actor who would step on stage for the third time.

“Oh……?”

The host, who seemed about to call out the name at any moment, widened his eyes and spoke.

“I swear to the heavens,”

……Huh? Suddenly?

People blinked.

“It says here that there was absolutely no rigging in these results. By all of us at WTV. That’s what’s written.”

-What is he talking about?

=I don’t know either.

Even those watching the live broadcast felt puzzled at the host’s words.

-Oh!

=Ooh!

=Ooooh!

There was a group that uniquely understood what was going on.

-Aaah! It must’ve worked!

Right when that comment appeared, the host raised his voice.

“The winner of the Best Hero Award is! Knight Jin, Sejun Lee!”

The name everyone anticipated was called.

Sejun’s face appeared on the screen, and cheers and applause rang out.

“And!”

……And?

When the host said that, the clapping hands of the people—clap, clap, clap—abruptly stopped.

“Shadow Man, Evan Block!”

And then a name that no one had expected was also announced.