Kang Woojin was seated in one of the hundreds of chairs filling the hall, packed with prestigious directors, top actors, and key staff. The tension was at its peak, but Woojin could not easily cast aside the carefully built public image he had maintained all this time.
Every so often, the camera caught him.
Then, at that very moment, his face appeared on the giant screen at the front of the stage. It was Lee Sangman, the lead from Drug Dealer. Woojin was suddenly overcome with emotion.
"..."
Why is my face up there? Ah, right. This is the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Kang Woojin had attended film festivals before, like the Mise-en-scene Film Festival. Compared to the Blue Dragon, it had been smaller, but the overall process had been somewhat similar.
But the crushing emotion he felt now was on an entirely different level.
The situation itself was completely different.
Unlike Mise-en-scene, the Blue Dragon Film Awards were a huge festival watched by countless ordinary people, with all kinds of celebrities in attendance to celebrate the year in Korean entertainment and film.
And there, Kang Woojin's name rang out as the first winner.
"The 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards! Best New Actor! Kang Woojin from the film Drug Dealer!!"
The hall filled with applause so loud it made his ears ring, and lively music burst out along with it.
♬♪
Me? Ah, really? It's me?
Without changing his expression, Kang Woojin reflexively rose from his seat. Until now, he had not felt much pressure. It lasted only a very brief moment, and he had moved almost on instinct.
But then—
'Whoa, wait.'
The moment Kang Woojin stood alone in that vast hall, his entire field of vision changed by one hundred and eighty degrees. Every camera focused on him. His face was projected onto screens and monitors. Hundreds of actors and directors were looking straight at him. Congratulations poured in from all sides. Flashes exploded so brightly they hurt his eyes.
Kang Woojin's head swam.
'I'm dizzy. My legs feel weak.'
He had experienced film festivals before, but right now that experience was not helping him at all. The only thing holding him together was maintaining his mask. It felt as if everyone he had ever encountered was gathered here. Whether it was pretense, bluffing, or dignity, he needed all of it.
It was hot.
That peculiar heat unique to large film festivals pressed in on him, and the overhead lights were as fierce as the sun. It was enough to make him feel suffocated. No one knew it, but sweat was already running down his back.
What was interesting, though, was this.
'Don't think too much. Kang Woojin, just empty your head.'
The higher the heat climbed outside, the calmer Woojin became inside. He had already gone through countless crises, and without realizing it, he had learned how to maintain that extremely composed public image.
An arrogant, overconfident rookie actor.
Someone like that would not be shaken by this.
Around then, cheers and applause mixed together from the Drug Dealer team.
"Haha, Woojin! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, hurry up and get up there!"
"Your first award with Drug Dealer! Congratulations, Woojin!"
Jin Jaejun, the lead actor of Drug Dealer, gave Kang Woojin a brief hug, while Park Panseo patted him on the shoulder. Director Kim Dohee and the main staff gave him thumbs-up signs.
Woojin calmly lowered his head.
"Thank you."
Then Kang Woojin quietly began walking toward the stage. With each step, his mind grew colder and colder. But even so, one concern remained.
What am I supposed to say for my acceptance speech?
He had prepared something. He had not discussed it with anyone, but he had worried about seeming unprepared for no reason. Because of that, Kang Woojin had watched old award ceremony clips on YouTube and sketched out a speech in advance. He had prepared quite a bit, actually.
'Damn it, I seriously can't remember a single thing.'
Not one word came back to him. Just maintaining his usual face in the middle of this massive film festival was already difficult enough. And yet, strangely, not the slightest trace of tension appeared on his indifferent face. His steps were calm, and while there was a quiet intensity to him, there was also a sense of unwavering resolve.
The cameras captured that scene vividly.
The broadcast PD and staff murmured among themselves.
"How can he be that calm?"
"Right? Wow—PD, Kang Woojin debuted this year, didn't he? He looks like he's just out for a walk around the neighborhood."
"Is he not happy? He isn't even smiling."
"I think this is going to stir up controversy."
"Who knows? We're just here to film. Zoom in on Kang Woojin a little more."
"Ah, yes, yes."
Watching this scene, Kang Woojin's family and friends were in an uproar. Kang Hyuna, who was working at the restaurant, and his parents were no exception.
"Kyaaa!! Mom, Mom!! Oppa! Oppa!!"
"That's right!! My son!! Woojin! Oh my? Honey, are you crying??"
"...No. I'm just proud."
"Unbelievable!!"
And Kang Woojin's childhood friends were the same.
"This is insane!! Cheers, man!! Cheers!!"
"Ha—Kang Woojin! That bastard!! My shoulders are puffing up with pride!!"
"Ah, is this for real?? I'm watching it and I still can't believe it!"
Woojin's SNS, YouTube channel, fan club, and all kinds of online communities were also in chaos.
Meanwhile, Kang Woojin climbed the Blue Dragon stage without changing at all. It was his first time on the Blue Dragon stage, but there was only cold detachment on his face.
As Woojin stepped onto the stage—
"Kang Woojin has been causing a sensation ever since his debut this year, hasn't he? He was hugely praised for his role as Lee Sangman in Drug Dealer..."
The hosts kept introducing him, and for some reason, several famous actors seated in the audience swallowed nervously. Hong Hyeyeon looked especially beautiful today.
"Why does Woojin's face look like that? Ha—why am I so nervous? I can't even guess what he's going to say..."
Ryu Jungmin, who had his hair neatly slicked back today, felt much the same sitting beside her.
"He's not going to say something strange, is he?"
"Oppa, we're talking about Woojin here. Do you really think that?"
"...But this is his first Blue Dragon, right?"
Jin Jaejun and Park Panseo from the Drug Dealer team also looked somewhat worried.
"I hope he keeps it normal."
"Mm... it's hard to describe Woojin as normal. He doesn't look particularly happy. Maybe he expected this situation."
"Maybe. Mm, especially since Blue Dragon has a huge effect on a lot of things. If someone like Woojin, who's already the center of attention, shows even a slightly unusual side, the headlines tomorrow will explode."
Ahn Jonghak, Ha Kangsu, and the casts of Our Dining Table and Island of the Missing were having similar conversations.
"He'll be okay, right?"
"Well, I'm not sure. But somehow, I'm looking forward to it."
"To what?"
"It feels like Woojin's going to set off fireworks right from the start?"
There were also people enjoying the situation. Veteran directors of the Korean film industry, Ahn Gabok and Kwon Gitaek, were seated side by side.
"Hehehe, what do you think he's going to say?"
"Who knows. But judging by that expression, it feels like he was certain he'd win Best New Actor."
"Yes. Normally, there'd be at least a slight look of surprise, but Woojin isn't showing any sign of that at all."
"He's not the type to exaggerate or put on airs."
"The reporters must be thrilled. There's never been a rookie like this in Blue Dragon history."
"And I think that'll still be true going forward."
The great actor Shim Hanho's presence stood out as well. With his arms folded, he watched Kang Woojin on stage.
"..."
The murmuring around the hall kept growing louder. Of course, none of that noise reached Kang Woojin on stage. The only things in his eyes were the two actors standing at center stage holding the Best New Actor trophy and bouquet.
'That's mine?'
It was the golden trophy he had seen before on YouTube.
As Kang Woojin approached, the two presenters smiled.
"Congratulations, Kang Woojin."
Finally, the trophy and bouquet were placed in Kang Woojin's hands. His very first impression upon receiving the trophy was simple.
'It's heavy.'
It had considerable weight. Soon after, the two actors who had handed it over stepped back, and the music filling the hall gradually faded. As the ceiling lights focused entirely on Kang Woojin, the atmosphere intensified even further. Screens and monitors all over the hall kept showing full shots and close-ups of him.
Meanwhile, Woojin, dressed in a tuxedo—
"..."
He silently looked down at the trophy in his hand. Then the PD standing near the front of the stage gestured for him to step toward the microphone and give his acceptance speech.
So Woojin, still expressionless, stepped up to the mic.
When he looked ahead, he saw faces so impressive they barely felt real. The greatest actors and famous directors were all staring at him. He could barely think straight. Why was he even in a situation like this?
Well, who knows.
Tap.
Kang Woojin first let out a small breath into the microphone.
"Hah..."
At that moment, Woojin thought to himself: There's no need to drag this out. If I ramble, it'll just create awkward gaps and unnecessary misunderstandings. He still could not remember the speech he had prepared.
'So I'll just start with thanks.'
He had to project a bold attitude on stage. Kang Woojin cleared his throat.
"To my parents, my friends, my fans, and the Drug Dealer production team—thank you for your support."
A brief silence followed.
The broadcast team frowned. What? That's it?
Their confusion showed clearly. But fortunately, Woojin's lips slowly parted again.
"I'm not good with words."
Another short silence fell. Kang Woojin's imposing gaze moved slowly from left to right, as if sweeping across the actors in attendance. In truth, he was thinking hard about what else to say. Should he say something memorable? Or should he just dryly thank everyone again and leave the stage?
What would be best?
But the actors caught on camera were feeling something strange.
"Somehow... it doesn't feel like he's just looking around at the actors, does it?"
"It does kind of feel that way."
Kang Woojin made up his mind. Right, just the nuance of saying I'll work hard should be enough. And if I add a little hint telling them to keep watching, even better.
With a mix of slight politeness and bluff, Kang Woojin spoke softly into the microphone.
"This year I received the Best New Actor award, but next year I'll win Best Actor. So please look forward to it."
In an instant, the vast hall fell silent.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Even the busy broadcast PD blinked in shock.
And yet Kang Woojin did not forget to finish properly. He gave a light nod to the hundreds of people seated in the front rows, then offered greetings to the actors and hosts who had handed him the award. The funny thing was that everyone who received his greeting had their eyes widened in surprise.
But Woojin, unaware of any of it, began calmly stepping down from the stage. The cameras followed him in a rush, and the eyes of countless actors stayed fixed on him. Actors who knew Kang Woojin, like Hong Hyeyeon and Ryu Jungmin, had their faces covered.
"Ha—I knew it."
"...What on earth is he doing?"
The other actors were simply baffled.
"What did he just say?"
"A warning? Didn't he look over all of us before saying that?"
"...Is he telling us to be careful because he's coming for us?"
Some actors, like Jin Jaejun, sucked in a breath.
"Once you really get to know Woojin... words like that start to feel pretty heavy."
Shim Hanho quietly chuckled to himself where no one noticed.
"Heh heh, the kid really does have guts."
Whether others reacted or not, none of it reached Kang Woojin himself. When he returned to his seat, he felt rather satisfied with what he had said.
'Done. The ambition and the speech were simple, but good. Yeah, that passes.'
The problem was that it did not look like simple ambition to anyone else. Kang Woojin had no idea.
Director Kwon Gitaek, smiling broadly, said,
"For a moment, I forgot. Kang Woojin is an arrogant, monstrous kind of actor."
"Hehehe, who would've thought he'd openly declare his intentions to all the actors like that?"
Director Ahn Gabok spoke in a low voice.
"Doesn't this feel like a rookie actor just declared war on the entire Korean entertainment industry?"
It was not simple ambition.
It was a declaration of war.
Later—
After Kang Woojin received the Best New Actor award, the Blue Dragon Film Awards hall sank into a brief silence, then slowly came back to life. The awards continued, from Best New Actress to the Audience Choice Award.
"Winner of the Audience Choice Award! Drug Dealer, congratulations!"
Following Kang Woojin, director Kim Dohee of Drug Dealer lifted the film's second trophy. Meanwhile, camera angles kept drifting back toward Kang Woojin, and the surrounding actors also kept glancing at him.
Their reactions were not particularly positive.
Of course, Woojin maintained his usual cynical attitude, which only made the atmosphere even more tense.
Then there was a performance by a popular singer, followed by the short film awards.
After that came Best New Director.
Finally, the Popular Star Award, which closed out the first part of the ceremony, began.
And interestingly—
-[Drug Dealer / Kang Woojin]
After winning Best New Actor, Kang Woojin's name appeared among the nominees once again. But this time, unlike the rookie category, he was up against far more formidable actors.
And the result?
"Winner of the Popular Star Award!! Yes! Following his Best New Actor win, actor Kang Woojin has won again!! Congratulations!"
Kang Woojin had won.
He took two awards by himself at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
And on top of that—
"...Who would have imagined he'd win the Popular Star Award too?"
"Isn't he the first person ever, in his debut year, to win in two categories at the same festival, including Best New Actor?"
"To begin with, no rookie has ever thrown down a declaration like that."
Today, Kang Woojin had set multiple records.
In any case, what he said on stage this time was brief.
"Thank you."
And:
"I feel the same way I did when I won Best New Actor."
That was all.
But once again, he displayed perfect manners wherever they were needed.
And with that, the first part of Blue Dragon came to an end.
During the break, fellow actors like Hong Hyeyeon and Ryu Jungmin came over to talk to Kang Woojin.
"Woojin, I get what you were thinking, but couldn't you have held back just a little?"
"Still... I guess it really was very Woojin-like."
Jin Jaejun felt much the same.
"I thought it was fresh and good. But from now on, you might start getting some cold looks from the other actors."
Then the second half of the Blue Dragon Film Awards began.
Starting with staff awards, it moved on to Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and eventually reached the festival's true highlights: Best Actor and Best Actress.
Jin Jaejun won Best Actor.
And even more than that—
"Winner of Best Picture!! Drug Dealer, congratulations!!"
The final award of the night, Best Picture, also went to Drug Dealer. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards had essentially become the Drug Dealer Awards.
Of course, it was not unheard of. It did not happen every year, but it was something you saw from time to time.
And with that, the grand curtain of the Blue Dragon Film Awards came down.
But even after the celebration ended, the heat did not die down. The reporters, in particular, swarmed one actor and fired off flashes nonstop. It was not Jin Jaejun, the Best Actor winner.
"Kang Woojin!!! Kang Woojin!!"
"Could you give us a brief comment about what you said?"
"Woojin!!"
"How does it feel to become the first rookie ever to win in two categories at Blue Dragon in your debut year?!"
"What exactly did you mean by the statement you made?!"
"Kang Woojin!!"
It was Kang Woojin.
Sitting in the front passenger seat of the van that had come to pick Kang Woojin up, Choi Sunggeon let out a deep sigh as he looked at his phone.
"Ha, it blew up way too fast. Tsk."
Before Kang Woojin had even gotten into the vehicle—
[Film Festival] Rookie Kang Woojin shocks the complacent Korean entertainment industry by declaring, "Next year I'll win Best Actor," amounting to a declaration of war
Articles about Kang Woojin were already sweeping through the press.