“Sua, have you prepared your acceptance speech?”
It was while she was moving towards the awards ceremony stage without any particular thought that Sua found Seo Yeon-joo’s unexpected words unfamiliar.
“Acceptance speech.”
“Yes. Acceptance speech.”
At Seo Yeon-joo’s nod, Sua quietly pondered.
‘I haven’t even thought about winning an award.’
The Excellence Award, the Grand Excellence Award, the Grand Prize.
If she hadn’t even imagined it, it would be a lie but at the same time, she hadn’t expected much either. When expectations are too high, disappointments are also great, which is why Sua had been trying to assess her own situation.
Just a beginner who had gained a special privilege.
That’s how Sua saw herself here.
Of course, it would be good to win, but she could let it slide if she didn’t. After all, Sua had just taken her first step as an actor and had many roads ahead of her to walk.
So she lightly replied.
“Do people normally prepare for something like that?”
“Well, they do. Oh, are you saying that Sua doesn’t really need the preparation?”
Seo Yeon-joo gave a small smile.
“Hmmm.”
Sua hesitated for a moment then asked.
“Is this award really that significant?”
While the question came across as dispirited, as if she didn’t believe she could win something so grand, Seo Yeon-joo perceived it differently; she seemed rather unperturbed.
“Whatever you say. Isn’t that what you’re implying?”
“…What?”
For some reason, Seo Yeon-joo’s eyes widened in surprise.
“It may not catch your eye, Sua, and even if you don’t get it, it doesn’t mean the end of your acting career. However, the moment you win even one, it’s like getting wings on your back.”
“Wings?”
“Yes. Good scripts will start coming your way, and you’ll get endless requests for advertisements and variety shows. Winning an award is different from just making it to the finals.”
Seo Yeon-joo’s voice became more emphatic.
“A rookie like Sua starting off with a Short Film Festival trophy on display? This is about as unconventional as it gets. It’s akin to writing the first line of your portfolio in gold.”
“…”
As she listened, Sua realized these were not words to be taken lightly.
Sua’s special privilege was ‘script experience,’ which fundamentally required good scripts, and the story implied that the likelihood of receiving excellent scripts would increase if she won an award. It was irresistible.
“…I guess it would be better to win then.”
No, in fact, she wanted to answer that she really wanted to win.
Because her mind had already swiftly changed.
But there was one more issue.
That was…
‘What should I say?’
If she were to win, what would she say?
At that moment, though,
As if reading Sua’s thoughts,
“You don’t necessarily have to give a grand speech.”
Seo Yeon-joo spoke.
“Have you ever seen people who make a wish upon seeing a shooting star?”
“…Shooting star?”
The sudden story made her tilt her head.
“Well, it’s said that if you make a wish when you see a shooting star, it will come true, right?”
“I’ve heard of that.”
Sua nodded, but then added,
“But isn’t that too unrealistic? Reacting in the blink of an eye and blurting out all your wishes is way too difficult.”
“Well, what if you knew exactly when the shooting star would fall? And if you had already decided on your wish?”
“In that case… maybe it’s possible.”
“Isn’t it?”
Seo Yeon-joo slightly turned her body and looked at Sua.
“An actor is like a shooting star to someone. That applies to you, too.”
“Huh?”
“It means there are people who are ready to make a wish upon seeing you. They hope for you to win the award.”
Only then did Sua see the broader picture.
Director Park Jun, CEO Kim I-seo, and Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il who had acted together in the ‘Sword,’ were all clearly hoping Sua would win.
This wasn’t merely a goal that had to be achieved solely for Sua’s sake. To them, Sua was like a shooting star.
A shooting star that makes others wish for the future.
So, without thinking, Sua wanted to win.
She no longer worried about what she should say.
Because that had already naturally come to her.
Because she wanted to sincerely thank them.
◈◈◈◈◈
“We are about to begin the awards ceremony!”
‘Sword’’s production team sat in the center. Due to this, Sua had to keep pressing her hand on her thumping heart. Being at the center with this many people was quite nerve-wracking.
And it began immediately.
The awards ceremony started right away.
“Let’s start with the finalists, shall we? Congratulations!”
The actors invited to attend and the renowned directors took turns announcing the winners, and even the first-time directors were welling up with tears upon just being selected as finalists.
Clap-clap-clap-clap—!
Sincere words of gratitude and clapping in response.
Sua felt the atmosphere was truly beautiful.
After the initial awarding,
“Now, let’s focus on the star actors. Excellence Award, Grand Excellence Award, Grand Prize. We’ll call up three actors in total!”
After that, a skinny director stepped onto the stage.
With deeply sunken eyes, it was none other than Ko Tae-min director. He began his speech in a gentle tone.
“An unprecedentedly rich ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’. It was a great honor to take charge of this event. I was amazed by works that exceeded expectations, and my horizons have broadened. Now, let’s meet the Excellence Award actor.”
The Excellence Award winner turned out to be all-new fresh faces completely unknown to everyone. Their excitement and emotion were clearly visible.
“Oh, oh, thank you! I’ll do my best!”
Clap-clap-clap—
Next came the number two, the Grand Excellence Award announcement time.
“The Grand Excellence Award goes to Yang Ha-rin from ‘Wind’. Congratulations!”
It was Yang Ha-rin herself.
Yang Ha-rin stood up confidently, as if waiting for this moment, and her face already bore the expression of a winner.
Meanwhile, there was a buzz among the audience not only from applause but from whisperings too. In their own way, the outline of this award ceremony was already too predictable.
“Yang Ha-rin for the Grand Excellence Award… Well, she deserved it.”
“The Grand Prize will be either Kim Sun-il or Seo Yeon-joo…”
“Since Kim Sun-il was a special appearance, it’ll probably go to Seo Yeon-joo. It’s the most uneventful way to conclude the ceremony.”
As they were talking, Yang Ha-rin ascended the stage with a victorious look. The Grand Excellence Award. Second place. Her face radiated an undeniable sense of fulfillment befitting such an impressive achievement.
She soon received the trophy.
“Ha-rin, we congratulate you once again.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
The trophy with the ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’ prominently embossed on it, Yang Ha-rin gently caressed it without saying much for a while, as if savoring this moment.
After a moment, she finally spoke.
“Thank you. To our CT Entertainment CEO and to every member of the ‘Wind’ production team who always strives hard. I’ve always wanted to repay such kindness, but I’m now happy to prove my worth through achievements.”
Her calm and steady voice continued.
“I’ve had a lot of doubts. I have been worried whether the lead role suits me. But now, it feels like I’ve received an answer, and this gives me a strong sense of inspiration. I now feel the courage to take on more lead roles in the future.”
At that point, Sua slightly tilted her head.
For some reason, Yang Ha-rin blatantly glanced at Sua. There, Sua’s instincts kicked in—a distinctive feeling that Yang Ha-rin was looking down on her.
Then, the internal voice of Kim Yu-han (Sua) began.
—She’s questioning whether I truly deserved the star role, mocking me, the senior who outperformed Wi Ji-hye, for not being able to win an award.
—Such arrogance is unwarranted. To begin with, it’s not as if Sua snatched anything from her. She should show some shame after trying to manipulate the director as her puppet.
Naturally, Sua wasn’t in a good mood.
While she was nervously scratching her cheek,
“One more thing.”
Yang Ha-rin suddenly added.
“I know how much hard work everyone who has won awards must have put in. So, I’d like to use this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who won and congratulate you.”
—She pretends to praise everyone, but it’s ultimately a way to elevate herself. She’s implying she worked incredibly hard while subtly saying those who didn’t receive awards, like Senior Sua, were lazy.
—…This is disgraceful. A woman who only knew how to butter people up with money.
However, this subtle resentment was only noticeable to those who knew about the inside story between Yang Ha-rin and Sua. To others, it was nothing more than an impeccably polite acceptance speech.
Clap-clap-clap—
As applause sounded,
“Now, we have reached the last and grandest, the Grand Prize Award.”
Director Ko Tae-min stepped aside slightly and said,
“This will be announced by the renowned director from afar in Japan, Director Yusaku.”
By this point, all eyes of the audience were turning towards Seo Yeon-joo, as they expected the last remaining award to be hers.
Then Director Yusaku appeared.
Yusaku, who had gained high recognition from both Korea and Japan, with his neatly goateed face, smiled gracefully.
“ありがとうございます.”
(Thank you.)
He began his speech,
“Being able to review numerous short films from Korea was a valuable experience. As a director who loves art, I shall sincerely announce the awardee.”
Of course, Yusaku’s presentation took longer than Ko Tae-min’s due to interpretation. Each time Yusaku spoke, the interpreter had to restate in Korean.
“Film Festival, Grand Prize.”
Director Yusaku looked at his cue card and smiled.
“Lee Sua from ‘Sword’. Congratulations!”
Sua.
Lee Sua’s name was called.
But Sua couldn’t react immediately. It wasn’t just her; everyone around her was similarly frozen.
“Who? Wasn’t it Seo Yeon-joo’s name just now?”
“…Sua Lee?”
“Eh? Then, what about Seo Yeon-joo?”
For those who hadn’t seen ‘Sword,’ including members of personnel and invited actors, it was an unsurprising reaction. An improbable upset had occurred.
Not knowing where or who this person was, it wasn’t easy to applaud even when looking at her. Therefore, everyone started clapping regardless.
Clap-clap-clap—
After a long pause, Sua finally slowly stood up from her seat.
Only then did people recognize her with an “Oh,” the reaction from those who remembered ‘Sword’.
“That’s Wi Ji-hye.”
“That’s right. She acted well, didn’t she?”
“Still, isn’t it strange? An unknown getting the Grand Prize…”
“…Yet she doesn’t seem particularly surprised?”
“It seems Wi Ji-hye’s character in her role truly reflected this—no one would think she’s a rookie…”
In the midst of all these reactions swirling in the air, Sua moved towards the stage. She was trembling but her steps looked steady to others.
“Wh-what?”
Yang Harin’s bewildered shout partially echoed before being drowned out by applause again.
Sua didn’t pay much attention. A second place couldn’t dare speak like that.
After a while,
When Yusaku and Sua met,
The female staff in business attire who handled the translation quietly gave Sua a hint, a voice that didn’t mix with the microphone.
“Could you stand here?”
“Here?”
“Yes. The camera angle is set for this part.”
Meanwhile, Director Yusaku was already holding the trophy. His face with finely wrinkled expression reminded Sua of a mask she had seen as a child.
“おめでとうございます. 演技は印象深かったです.”
(Congratulations. Your performance was deeply impressive.)
And then,
Kung!
A loud “Huh” echoed throughout from the audience.
“…!”
Director Yusaku’s face flushed with shock, and rightfully so, since he accidentally dropped the trophy he was handing over.
Unfortunately, the trophy was statue-shaped, making it easy to break, and it did break.
“あ、こうしたら….”
(Ah, if this happens…)
Director Yusaku looked apologetically towards Sua, then turned with an awkward expression to the staff, seemingly seeking advice on how to handle the situation.
But,
At that moment,
Someone suddenly picked up the broken trophy.
It was Sua.
“大丈夫です. これも気に入ります.”
(No problem. I like this one too.)
The audience was astonished by Sua’s action.
But what surprised Yusaku and the interpreter was something else.
“What? What is it? So fluent…”
“…Japanese?”
Sua’s pronunciation was almost like an announcer’s.
