Ch.195Unexpected Outcome

Despite being a prestigious film festival, the Grand Bell Awards has been mired in endless controversy.

From proxy award acceptance to selling voting rights for money, even just last year in 2016, its prestige was extremely precarious.

Nevertheless, why did Director Lee Seongdeok submit his work here?

‘Whether it wins awards or not, it creates controversy.’

That’s because regardless of the Grand Bell’s prestige, it helps promote the film. Actors need to perfectly deliver performances according to the directing, and directors need to go beyond capturing those perfect performances.

‘You have to sell it well.’

You must strive to appeal to the public. No matter how well you film something, it’s useless if it stays locked in storage.

What’s the point of a restaurant being famous for good food if no one can taste it?

‘In times like these, promotion is crucial.’

Director Lee Seongdeok never had high expectations for the Grand Bell Awards. In fact, what he’s really aiming for are two other events: the Blue Dragon Film Awards in early December and the Baeksang Arts Awards in May.

Click, click, click.

Barely adjusting to the constant flashes, Lee Seongdeok looked at Kim Donghu beside him and felt reassured.

‘It’s like having a tiger with wings by my side.’

He didn’t know why such an old saying suddenly came to mind, but it perfectly captured his feelings.

“Ah! Actor Kim Donghu from The Real Hero and Director Lee Seongdeok are arriving!”

“Please come this way… Yes, look to your left once! And right too…! And front! Yes! Thank you!”

After walking the red carpet, they would take photos at the photo zone, briefly share their thoughts about attending, sit in their designated seats, and wait.

Then they would wait appropriately for the awards. The important thing to remember was that since it was being broadcast live…

‘No yawning when receiving awards! Donghu will be fine, but I need to be careful!’

He needed to be alert when the camera captured a wide shot. As long as he was careful about that, everything else seemed fine. And naturally, Director Lee Seongdeok’s appearance while thinking this…

ㄴLee Seongdeok looks way more nervous than his artsy appearance suggests

ㄴ LMFAO lol It’s hilarious how his shoulders straighten every time he looks at Kim Donghu

ㄴKim Donghu isn’t some school bully backing him up, why is he looking at him like that

ㄴFact) He’s more than that

ㄴFact) Kim Donghu chose The Real Hero over Endless Frontline when they were released together

ㄴCurrently, The Real Hero has surpassed 16 million viewers, with an estimated final count of about 19 million.

These comments were being uploaded directly to the live broadcast and immediately reflected in community reactions.

[But there are so many proxy acceptances at the Grand Bell, is that okay?]

-The Real Hero, aren’t only Kim Donghu and Lee Seongdeok here?

-Looking at the performance, they’ll probably sweep all the awards; so many proxy acceptances if others don’t show up

ㄴHan Taegeon just arrived too

ㄴSeeing Han Taegeon’s serious expression, he seems ready to drop some truth bombs

ㄴGrand Bell can’t compete with Blue Dragon anymore

ㄴSeems like Lee Seongdeok wanted to attend the Grand Bell;

ㄴHe’s probably targeting this situation, showing up when the atmosphere is bad

ㄴThe spirit of rookie directors and actors lol

ㄴRookie director (4-time Mise-en-Scène winner, first commercial film hits 16 million) Rookie actor (^that long thing^)

[Updated version of Kim Donghu’s ^that long thing^ after today’s Grand Bell Awards]

-Oh my…!!!

-^TripleMillionCommercialFilm+HighestAttendanceFilmInKoreanHistory(IncludingMultipleCriticalAcclaim[※ParkDongjin5,LeePyeongsik4.5※])IndependentFilmMiseEnScene4TimeWinnerAverageVarietyShowRating21.7%DramaRating46.2%OlympicHeavyweightBoxingGoldMedalRedHornAdidasPartnerBenzRichardMilleAmbassadorLouisVuittonMusePerfectEnglishJapaneseFrenchSpeakerCookingSkillsProvenOnPleaseRefrigeratorPerfectJapaneseDubbingPerfectPianoViolinPerformancePossibleProvidedLightingAtConcertHeroGrandBellAwardsSweep^

ㄴThat’s overwhelming

ㄴToo much to handle

ㄴDongman Daejanggyeong is getting more and more bizarre

ㄴMy eyes hurt

ㄴIf he sweeps Blue Dragon and Baeksang too, this will get even longer

ㄴAsian Games gold will be added soon

ㄴThe crazy thing about those Dong Gallery guys is that they always keep this updated as an announcement

Despite not having particularly high viewership, the live broadcast combined with Kim Donghu’s popularity meant the Grand Bell Awards were receiving quite a lot of attention.

And in this situation…

“Cinematography Award! The Real Hero!”

“Art Direction Award! The Real Hero!”

“Costume Design Award! The Real Hero!”

“Editing Award! The Real Hero!”

“Planning Award! The Real Hero!”

“Screenplay Award! The Real Hero!”

The Real Hero’s award sweep had begun.

++++++

“Wow, this is completely favoring The Real Hero.”

At the muttering of another entertainment reporter beside him…

“It’s not favoritism when critics praise it and audiences are dying of happiness in real-time.”

How could this be favoritism?

Gil Gildong, who had gotten unnecessarily upset, cleared his throat a couple of times.

“Ahem….”

Daily Happy entertainment section editor Gil Gildong.

He wasn’t normally at the level to be doing field reporting at places like this.

So why was he at the Grand Bell Film Festival?

Obviously because of Kim Donghu.

‘It’s most effective if I personally cover Kim Donghu.’

He had felt it when the school violence articles broke too.

Kim Donghu was definitely not someone who should be approached in the conventional way.

He needed to be observed more carefully and deeply.

‘How many people got burned for defending Kim Donghu during the school violence incident.’

Messing with Kim Donghu meant something different than messing with an ordinary actor.

Ilyang Foods, FJ, Red Horn, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Richard Mille, Benz, and others.

It meant also messing with the corporations firmly supporting him from behind.

That’s why he needed to be cautious.

In matters like this, Gil Gildong believed he could only trust himself.

He had already proven it during the school violence incident.

Anyway.

‘At this rate, they’ll take Best Picture too.’

With a few exceptions,

The actors from The Real Hero had the power to win most awards,

And they were actually receiving them.

“…Thank you. I always feel renewed whenever I receive an award, and I’m grateful to everyone who made this possible… and to everyone who put me in this position.”

A typical acceptance speech.

But then…

“However, I cannot express that I’m completely happy to be here, given the current reality that weighs on my heart.”

Following that came a straightforward expression of his opinions about the Grand Bell Awards.

Being broadcast live right now,

No one could stop Han Taegeon’s acceptance speech because it was live.

ㄴIs Han Taegeon making a statement now? Holy Shit

ㄴWe’re seeing this again after last year LMAO

ㄴWow, he’s really going all the way

ㄴWhat else would explain all the proxy acceptances

ㄴBut still, wow;;; For real

ㄴHis next statement is epic, an award should make the recipient happy, the giver pleased, and make everyone around smile.

ㄴBut he says he can’t smile completely in this heavy atmosphere Holy Shit

ㄴHe was always known for longer speeches, but he really sharpened his knife this time

After Han Taegeon’s acceptance speech, which must have felt like an eternity to the organizers, the Best Supporting Actress and Best Director awards were presented.

Director Lee Seongdeok quietly accepted his award without saying much and kept his speech brief.

After all, Best Picture was still to come, so keeping it short made sense.

“Ah, next up is…”

Next was the Best Actor award that everyone had been anticipating.

However, people didn’t have high expectations.

Kim Donghu wasn’t known for giving long acceptance speeches.

Nor was he the type to express bold aspirations.

‘And this is Kim Donghu’s first Grand Bell Awards.’

To receive the top award at his first film festival participation.

It was an amazing situation that left people speechless.

All the reporters predicted this Grand Bell Awards would end uneventfully.

‘No, no, you fools.’

Only Gil Gildong noticed something unusual about Kim Donghu.

Honestly, Gil Gildong couldn’t understand people.

Why they viewed boxer Kim Donghu and actor Kim Donghu differently.

Why they described Kim Donghu’s personality as different when performing these two roles.

He really couldn’t understand it.

‘Kim Donghu has been a beast since High Dream, just a crazy monster.’

As Gil Gildong was thinking this, his eyes caught Kim Donghu standing at the microphone.

From his seemingly calm face came the words:

“Thank you very much for this award. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me be here today. And I also share the same opinion.”

A bombshell statement.

The same opinion.

Even without specifying whose opinion he was referring to,

Everyone understood what he meant.

ㄴIs Kim Donghu siding with that statement now?

ㄴIt’s not just siding lol This is a guy at his first film festival, receiving his first Best Actor award, and he’s doing this

ㄴJust because they made a movie together, he’s immediately providing backup Holy Shit OMG

ㄴKim Donghu providing strong support to someone who showed courage LMFAO lol

ㄴCrazy guy, what kind of guts is this? LMFAO LMAO

“Award Not Entirely Joyful, Kim Donghu Makes Bold Statement!”

“Supporting His Senior, Kim Donghu Stands Firmly Behind Han Taegeon!”

Articles were rushed out immediately after he finished speaking.

“D-Donghu, is this okay? Are you sure?! Did you clear this with your agency?”

Even Han Taegeon was so surprised that he asked after the ceremony ended.

But Kim Donghu just shrugged his shoulders as if it was fine.

“It’s fine.”

“But you’re still… so young….”

“No, that….”

When actor Han Taegeon gave his long acceptance speech,

Kim Donghu clearly heard what the staff around him were saying.

Moreover, despite offering healthy criticism,

He saw the glaring eyes of the judges.

‘That’s not right, when someone shows courage to promote self-correction.’

To direct such blatant hostile glares.

That was one thing Kim Donghu absolutely wouldn’t tolerate.

“…I actually had similar thoughts already.”

So he took his side.

That was all there was to it.

++++++

At the same time.

Having watched the Grand Bell Awards from beginning to end.

“But watching the highlights several times, it’s really impressive.”

“Yeah. Kim Donghu throws the ball really well?”

“If Kim Donghu’s Asian Games schedule is in August, wouldn’t he have time to throw a ball once?”

“I think so… We should ask about this.”

“Look at his throwing form, makes me want to see a ceremonial first pitch, hehe.”

An organization targeting Kim Donghu was beginning to take notice.