Superstar 818

[Live Broadcast of the Academy Awards Tomorrow at 10 AM!]

[Oscar Awards! Tune in to MBS for the live coverage!]

[Actor Seo-jun Lee becomes the first Korean to receive two Oscar nominations!!]

[Marine’s superhero movie, ‘Shadow & Night,’ nominated in multiple categories!]

[Global superstar Seo-jun Lee—Will he win?!]

• Finally!!

= It’s finally being broadcast!!

= I’m unemployed and usually wake up after noon, but I think I’ll have to get up early tomorrow.

= 22 You have to watch the awards show.

= 33 If you’re Korean, you have to watch it.

• MBS got the rights again?

= Other stations must’ve offered huge sums, but MBS got it, lol.

= Makes sense, lol. They’ve been replaying Seo-jun + Oscar clips nonstop lately.

= MBS drama channel is rerunning ‘Spring Idol’ too.

= Other stations are doing the same, re-airing all dramas and variety shows Seo-jun was in, lol.

= It’s so good to watch them on TV again ㅠㅠ

• When ‘Royal Clinic’ was rerun, the thread was just people crying: “ㅠㅠYour Highnessㅠㅠ”

= Spring Idol: “Insaneㅠㅠㅠ”

= Chick Class: “Ha-rangㅠ Joon teacherㅠㅠ”

= Tower of Babel: “Seo-jun in a suitㅠㅠ”

= Everyone’s crying, lol

= Well, not everyone.

= Working Man: “…Why are you here?”

• Lol the ‘Working Man’ Seo-jun specials were hilarious.

= Official guest episode: Seo-jun’s hiding in a game of hide-and-seek. (Production team unfamiliar with his ability to blend in: “He’ll be found quickly!”)

= Regular episode: Seo-jun randomly appears while passing by. (Staff/cast/audience: ?????)

= 22 If it were anyone else, people would’ve cried fake, but with Seo-jun, he really was just passing by.

= 33 Exactly, lol. He didn’t say anything either so it nearly went unnoticed.

From the day Seo-jun was announced as an Oscar nominee until now, both online and offline, it had been all about Seo-jun.

And with the Oscars just a day away, things were really heating up.

• Speaking of the Oscars, I remember 10 years ago during Over the Rainbow. I was sweating with anticipation.

= I was still a student, someone screamed in the class next door, lol.

= 22 Same here. Someone was watching on their phone and screamed, then everyone—including the teacher—joined in when they heard Seo-jun won.

= I was secretly watching too and couldn’t hold back.

= Our school actually streamed it. The principal said this might be a once-in-a-lifetime moment: a Korean and the youngest nominee ever.

= Sameㅠㅠ Truly a historic momentㅠ

= Wow, your schools were so supportive. Ours didn’t think he’d win, so they didn’t show it… but then he won ㅠㅠ This time I’m watching it live no matter what ㅠㅠ

• I was really young so I don’t remember it well, but I do remember my parents screaming at the TV. They explained that the “big brother” (Seo-jun) won an incredibly hard-to-get award.

= My parents called him the “Blue Dragon,” lol. I didn’t get it. He’s not a dragon??

= Lol “he’s not a dragon, he’s an oppa” 😂

= 22 I bet a lot of kids thought he was a real dragon back then.

• Seo-jun is amazingㅠㅠ How did he get nominated twiceㅠ

= And he’s still in his 20s.

= Won in his teens, nominated in his 20s, and maybe again in his 30s, lol.

= Lol one every decade?

• But we don’t know yet, right? It’s a superhero movie.

= 22 It’s gonna be tough.

=(Posting old articles from Over the Rainbow 1): People said the same thing 11 years ago.

= Hmm… But wasn’t the vibe a bit different back then?

= Yeah, during Over the Rainbow 1, people tried not to pressure him because he was still a kid.

= 22 Even media tried to play it down like, “just being nominated is a huge honor.” (For once, the media was kind…)

= First Korean nominee and the youngest—everyone was thrilled, but also cautious.

= I remember my parents told me not to get my hopes up too much back then, lol.

= Ooh! Are you Seo-jun’s old classmate?!

• Since it happened once, it could happen again!

= 22 I agree.

= But what if the pressure’s too much for himㅠㅠ

= Uh… for Seo-jun…?

= Of course it’d be stressful, but I feel like he’d just go, “Didn’t win? Oh well. Let’s move on,” and start his next project.

= 22 I can already picture him forgetting about the Oscars and going back to acting.

= 33 I’m not even a fan, but I know that’s accurate, lol.

= 44 Seo-jun: “It’d be great to win, but it’s okay if not.” (Shrugs/opens new script)

= Lol the script opening gesture 😂

= Everyone knows Seo-jun well now, lol.

• Crap it’s already 2am… I can’t sleep. Gotta work tomorrowㅠㅠ

= We’re all gonna be slacking off at work watching the show anyway. No need to sleep, lol.

= 22 Let’s all be wage thieves togetherㅋㅋ

---

While Koreans and international fans (Saessaks) tossed and turned in excitement and nerves…

In Hollywood—the center of the storm—bright stars and the teams supporting them were in full prep mode.

Seo-jun Lee’s home, where he was staying before the ceremony, was no exception.

From the day he arrived until now, everything—from accessories, clothes, and shoes—had been checked over and over again.

Still, Choi Tae-woo looked anxious, constantly confirming every detail with the staff. They might’ve been annoyed by his repeated questions, but instead, they looked even more nervous.

This was the Academy Awards, after all!

The last time Seo-jun had attended was 11 years ago, with Over the Rainbow 1.

11 years.

A whole generation had passed.

Most of the staff—including Manager Choi—were experiencing their first Oscars. Of course they were tense.

But two people weren’t.

“The weather’s great today.”

Seo-jun, sitting comfortably while getting his hair styled, glanced out the window.

“Right? I really like how pleasant LA’s weather is.”

Director Ahn Da-ho, who had flown in yesterday, nodded in agreement.

Even Choi Tae-woo and the other jittery staff paused to glance out the window.

The skies were deep blue, the clouds white and fluffy, sunlight warm, and the breeze soft.

Though it was February, LA’s mild weather felt like a pleasant Korean spring or fall—far more comfortable than Korea’s extreme seasons.

Perhaps it was the weather, or maybe it was just Seo-jun’s usual calm, but everyone’s tension melted away a bit.

Seo-jun noticed through the mirror and smiled slightly.

“I didn’t expect you to come, Da-ho hyung.”

Now dressed, Seo-jun buttoned the cuffs of his freshly tailored white shirt.

“I had to. It’s your first nomination in 11 years.”

Ahn Da-ho smiled as he watched Seo-jun putting on his suit jacket.

“I regretted not going to the WTV Awards. So I’ve decided—I’ll never miss any ceremony you’re nominated for again.”

Back then, he’d thought it best to leave the spotlight to current manager Choi Tae-woo… but watching the broadcast, he’d felt an ache of regret.

“I’m your director now, but still your manager too.”

Seo-jun smiled warmly as he adjusted his outfit with the help of the stylist.

“Thanks, Da-ho hyung.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Always putting Seo-jun first, Director Ahn smiled gently.

He glanced at Choi Tae-woo.

“I hope you understand. It’s not because I don’t trust you, Tae-woo. I just had to be here.”

“No! It’s totally fine! You should be here!”

Eyes wide and sparkling, Choi looked more touched than anything.

Seo-jun chuckled.

It was a bit much—but he was a good hyung.

And with that cheerful air, Seo-jun’s preparations were complete.

He wore a perfectly fitted suit, a watch to match, a pocket square in his jacket, and polished shoes. Light makeup and a half-slicked-back hairstyle gave him a relaxed yet refined look.

“Shall we go?”

Seo-jun smiled as he stepped forward.

---

The sun began to set in LA.

In Korea, the sun began to rise.

And with it, the buzz reignited.

• The ceremony hasn’t even started, and I’m already nervous.

= 22 Why am I so anxiousㅠㅠ

= I feel like I’m about to give a solo presentation in front of a thousand people—with no script, no slides, and just a mic.

= OMG I totally get that.

= 22 As an introvert, I’d rather die.

= Wait… That’s basically what a winner’s acceptance speech is, right?

= …Oh wow you’re right?

= Seo-jun would totally nail it. He’s done it so many times.

= First acceptance speech? Age 8. (Attaching pic from WTV Awards)

= Legendary mental fortitude, lol.

• Do you think he’ll win?

= Who knows. No one expected the nomination in the first place.

= 22 Even journalists are scrambling. He wasn’t even a Golden Globes nominee.

= 33 No matter what happens, I’ll be shocked.

= This is the thrill of unpredictable voting… but also terrifying! My heart can’t take this!

And at 7 AM…

The live broadcast of the Academy Awards began.

• Oh! It’s starting!

= Lol look, even “Movie Guest” is back on the panel!

= Park Young-jin and Yang Si-eun too! Familiar yet fresh, lol.

= This really brings back memories from 11 years ago.

Just like then, the commentators were Park Young-jin, critic Yang Si-eun, and YouTuber Movie Guest—now far more comfortable than his awkward debut.

[Can’t believe we’re all here again. It really takes me back to 11 years ago!]

[I was shocked when the nominees were announced. What about you, Movie Guest?]

[Same here. I was watching the live announcement, and hearing Seo-jun’s name caught me totally off guard.]

As he spoke, the footage of the nomination announcement played.

“Seo-jun Lee!” called out the presenter.

[Ah… No matter how many times I watch it, it gives me chills.]

Park Young-jin sighed in admiration, while the others chuckled.

[Nobody saw it coming.]

[Even as a fan, I didn’t expect it. The genre alone made it hard to imagine.]

From there, the trio dove into why this year’s Oscars were such a unique and special case.