Ch.327The First Record

# Hero movies become an issue just by being nominated.

This tendency was especially strong for Best Picture nominees.

It also meant that the Academy was conservative.

No matter how many movies are being released.

The Academy’s unilateral exclusion to maintain its tradition that completely commercial films are absolutely unacceptable.

Now, an attempt to break that exclusion.

“For Costume Design, Murciélago!”

“For Production Design, Murciélago.”

“For Film Editing, Murciélago.”

“For Cinematography… Murciélago.”

Was about to happen right now.

Already 5 awards including the previously received Best Supporting Actress.

5 awards is just a number.

They were winning every single category they were nominated for.

And then.

“For Best Original Screenplay… Murciélago.”

One of the elements most scrutinized for its story.

As Murciélago won the Screenplay award, securing its 6th win.

‘Wait, is this really happening?’

‘Surely they’re just giving these minor awards and it’ll stop there.’

‘No matter what, at the Academy… for a hero movie, this doesn’t make sense.’

The eyes of actors watching this live showed slight bewilderment.

Hero movies may be extremely popular and well-received now.

But they used to be a genre that no one paid attention to.

Wearing costumes and performing ridiculous action.

That was the genre’s past.

It was normal for them to end at just being nominated for Best Picture.

Industry insiders considered this natural.

Because even without hero movies,

there were many works that achieved commercial success, artistic merit, and critical acclaim simultaneously.

But.

‘Is there anything greater than Murciélago at this point?’

‘It’s ranked 4th all-time. An insane film has emerged.’

‘It’s not just about profits, its presence is different.’

Times have changed significantly since then.

Circumstances have changed.

The stairs built by countless hero movies over the years.

The barrier they could never overcome no matter how good the films were.

As if to break through that barrier.

Murciélago captured the attention of countless people.

Slowly, one step at a time.

It devoured awards to reach the dragon’s eye.

“…For Best Actor, Murciélago, Donghu Kim.”

And the one holding the brush

to paint the dragon’s eye is that man.

Everyone at the Academy Awards ceremony looked up when they heard Kim Donghu’s name.

Who is the hottest actor at this moment? A name that always comes up when asked.

Three syllables that never fail to appear among many names.

Kim Donghu.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

While everyone stands up and applauds in celebration,

the eyes of actors who see him as a competitor remain coldly dead.

‘Why did such a giant emerge from that small country?’

‘Of all places… of all places, from a non-English speaking country.’

The sense of privilege they’ve subtly held since childhood

is being thoroughly trampled by just one person.

Step.

Step.

Step.

One step at a time.

Kim Donghu ascends to the winner’s position.

Receives the award.

And delivers his acceptance speech.

“Thank you. I was able to receive this award because everyone made me this way and…”

A brief pause.

“…because my abilities are exceptional.”

He adds a bit of humor.

Everyone laughs.

But viewers watching were about to go crazy with dopamine.

ㄴHe really said it like that

ㄴLOLOLOLOLOL

ㄴPraising others + self-praise legend

ㄴBut it’s not wrong so it’s hilarious

ㄴBro only aims for the highest

ㄴTHE DONG HU is it you again

ㄴCarbon compound GOAT

What everyone knows but is hesitant to say outright.

He says it directly himself.

With that boldness, not only the viewers

but the atmosphere at the ceremony heated up.

A ‘male’ feeling.

Like a beast growling while speaking.

Everyone was captivated by this different kind of masculinity.

“He shouldn’t be dropping things like that… sigh… Kim Donghu is crazy!”

Someone immediately started drooling at the sight.

How dare you look elsewhere, he’s my man!

And all positions are already filled!

Five people including me!

In this atmosphere,

Kim Donghu, as if driving home a point:

“I’ll continue my next line at the next award.”

He clearly stated that and stepped down.

Next line, next award.

This wasn’t referring to an award he would receive next year.

It precisely meant the next award he would receive at this very moment.

For Kim Donghu,

there was only one award after Best Actor.

‘Murciélago… Best Picture!’

‘Surely not that? Does he believe the Academy will give that?’

‘That’s impossible, it can’t happen.’

‘Already 6 awards, how greedy can he be?’

To openly declare on stage that he would receive the award everyone aspires to.

It was beyond mere confidence.

If he didn’t actually receive it, it would amount to nothing,

and he could even be ridiculed in the press.

With such remarks concluding, the Best Director award followed immediately.

“…Murciélago, Cristo Daran.”

With this, 7 awards.

“It’s been a long time since I felt this excited. Is it because of the actor I work with? Haha… There are many people I’m grateful to, but I would never have received this award if it weren’t for Donghu Kim.”

With Director Cristo’s emotional acceptance speech,

as the hero film was building an achievement no one could ignore,

The Academy Awards ceremony didn’t immediately move to Best Picture,

but transitioned to tribute videos and performances.

Meanwhile, journalists and actors were busy whispering about the current situation.

“What do you think will happen?”

“A film that won Best Actor and Best Director… not winning Best Picture? That doesn’t make sense.”

“So everyone’s expecting it?”

“It should go that way.”

“But I still don’t think it can win?”

“It might be nominated, no… honestly, we should be grateful they’ve given this much already.”

In the current situation divided between “can win” and “cannot win,”

contrary to viewers’ wishes hoping it would win,

industry insiders coldly thought it was closer to “cannot win.”

Just a Best Picture nomination.

Anything more is too much.

It has already received too many awards.

The fact that the Academy gave Best Actor and Best Director is already a big step forward.

Such was the prevailing assessment.

After the tribute videos and performances ended one after another,

the ceremony, already running for three hours straight,

proceeded without delay to list the Best Picture nominees.

The names that heated up 2024 were listed in succession.

And at the very end:

Murciélago.

The film that became DC’s new heart proudly appeared in the final nominee position.

What appears on screen is Batman and the Joker.

A scene where they face each other.

Kim Donghu vs Kim Donghu.

However they thought of it,

it was an all-time great scene that still defied logic.

Amid such admiration,

the presenter announced the Best Picture without restraint.

“Perhaps we are in a moment that may never come again.”

A meaningful statement.

And as if lacking the courage to step into that moment,

they passed the script to their co-presenter.

“Indeed, I sincerely consider this an honor. That I can call this name… seriously.”

And thus, the winner of the 2025 Academy Award for Best Picture is:

“Murciélago.”

As Kim Donghu predicted.

Murciélago claimed it.

“Huh, gasp!”

“R-really! We really won!”

“Let’s go up! Go up! Hurry!”

The Murciélago film team rushed onto the stage as if they had been waiting.

The main players who supported the film gathered in one place.

Their faces were filled with tremendous joy.

Technically acknowledged but artistically excluded.

Only recognized through genre expansion.

A hero movie.

‘Without pretense… without any expansion, a pure hero movie itself won Best Picture.’

Holding the Oscar, they stand proudly before the microphone.

“Thank you so much. For allowing us to receive… this first moment that may never come again… we will truly never forget this.”

As Cristo Daran’s words ended,

Kim Donghu took the microphone next.

“I’m glad I could deliver my next line. I will always fly higher. Thank you.”

A brief but powerful message.

An unwavering expression despite receiving Best Picture.

Plus a declaration to fly even higher.

Perhaps because of his confidence backed by skill,

the faces of those at the ceremony showed only admiration.

The second Academy Award following Tarzan.

8 awards is impressive enough, but to have Best Picture among them.

Is it enough to simply call this ‘impressive’?

As if to represent this thought:

“Kim Donghu Receives Best Picture for Murciélago.”

“Continues His Speech with an Award More Precious than Best Actor”

“Will Always Fly Higher, Aspiring to Become the Greatest Actor of All Time”

“He’ll Be the King of Actors! Kim Donghu’s Bold Acceptance Speech”

“Skill That No One Can Mock, Get a Taste of K-Superstar Donghu Kim!”

Articles poured out one after another.

And naturally, the after-party that night was intense.

Moreover:

“Isn’t it too greedy to monopolize both Harley Quinn and Catwoman?”

“Harley, when you say it like that, what am I supposed to do? Catwoman is already mine…”

“W-what! That’s unfair, Chisako!”

That night was even more intense.

++++++

‘Hmm… no matter how I think about it, it was the best.’

While savoring that moment that never gets old no matter how many times I recall it,

looking at the Oscar trophy.

“D-Donghu!”

“Yes?”

I got up at the sudden urgency in Manager Seokho’s voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“M-media play…! Did you start media play?!”

“What?”

Suddenly what media play?

The article he showed me:

“Iron Core vs Kim Donghu’s Iron Man? Suddenly Ignited Competition!”

It was a completely random article.

Suddenly what competition?

No, we just finished the meeting stage, what is this?

Such questions were brief.

“T-this… Iron Core’s production team leaked it first, on Twitter! Saying they’re competing…!”

Manager Seokho solved the mystery,

and I immediately realized.

“These guys… they seem scared of us, don’t they?”

To do media play like this…

‘You’re afraid I might actually make the Iron Man successor film, aren’t you?’