Chapter 103:

Chapter 103:

Chapter 103

It was the moment I had dreamed of while living as an actor in my past life.

A place I had never attained despite dedicating my life to acting, a mix of emotions.

If it werent for actor Kim Hyung-seop who grabbed my shoulder and lifted me up, I might still be sitting there.

I shake off my nervousness and shake hands with the previous years winner.

The spotlight shines on me, and the fans cheers and the actors applause wake me up from my thoughts.

First of all, I would like to thank director Shin Sung-hyun for directing the movie Confession of a Priest, and the cinematographer who always helped me

I recite the names of the staff, including director Shin Sung-hyun who held the megaphone.

And the names of the actors who performed with me. And even the fans who watched and appreciated my movie.

But this is not the acceptance speech I practiced until I lost sleep.

There is one person who must be looking at your son with red eyes right now.

There are also many other people I am grateful to, but due to time constraints, I will say one last thing about the person I desperately want to see right now. You must be looking at me with swollen eyes, more than my red eyes.

Mother.

My mother is a very worried person. The shantytown where the electric wires were tangled like spider webs, on rainy days, she would hug me tightly, wondering if the shack would collapse. You must have been scared too, and tired, but you never showed it and peeled fish every morning. The reason why my mother, who had never done business before, worked so hard in the shack was because of your only son.

The sea breeze made your white skin rough, and the weight of your son was on your back, which you bent endlessly to spread the fish.

The voice that flowed like a pearl was hoarse, because my mother, who never said a harsh word in front of others, had to lay out the fish with a scowl.

My mothers face was always full of worries. She wondered if her young son was having a hard time living in Seoul. She was always like that when she sold fish in the street when I was young. She didnt want your son to face this cold storm. You must be worried watching TV right now. Maybe Ill make a mistake on this stage.

My mother always skipped meals and took the dawn train to Seoul. She always had my favorite food in both hands.

She always said the same thing when she met me.

Why are you so thin?

She asked me with a worried look, deeper than time.

Mom, Im doing well in Seoul. I have a lot of fans who love me, and my fellow actors are all nice people. And I won this award today. Its the best award. So, please dont worry too much.

I want to tell you that your son has grown up so much at this moment. You can put the weight you carried on your frail body on your sons shoulders now. So.

Mother.

I add the words I couldnt say to my mother when I was standing on the cliff by the sea.

I love you.

***

My mother watches your son on the TV and cries endlessly.

When did the child who was in her arms grow up so much?

She sees her son holding the trophy and telling her he loves her, and her hand trembles slightly.

Seeing that, Mrs. Yang hurries to hug her shoulder.

Young-guks mother, why are you crying? Its a good day. Look, Young-guk is crying too. Now our Young-guks mother is doing well, I thought, but he looks the same as before. Hes still tender.

Im crying because Im happy.

Thats right, you can cry a bucket of tears on a day like this! But what about those hairy kids? Why are they sniveling like that? Disgusting! Stop whining and get some tissues!

The men who were drinking soju at the merchant association building also wipe their tears.

Mr. President, are you crying?

Like a child shedding tears, President Kim Sung-hwans wrinkled eyes were endlessly dripping with tears.

He felt sorry for Young-uk as a person, not as a president of an agency.

He blamed himself for being a weak and pathetic president when he failed to win an award at the SBC Acting Awards.

He wondered if he had chained the feet of an actor with infinite potential because of his greed.

Mr. President, where are you going?

President Kim Sung-hwan got up from his seat, and Mr. Kim asked him curiously. Then President Kim Sung-hwan wiped away his tears and explained.

My actor won an award, how can I sit still as a president! There will be a dinner after the ceremony, I have to go and open my wallet!

At that time.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards ceremony was over and they were heading to the after-party.

Young-uk had greeted many actors and film industry people that day.

He couldnt count how many congratulations and business cards he had received.

He thought that the awards ceremony was a story of another world when he was playing bit parts.

So he worked harder as the end of the year approached.

He couldnt make ends meet with the bit part fees, so he drove a taxi and didnt refuse to drive for others late at night.

He listened to the results of the year-end awards ceremony on the radio and thought that he would someday stand on that stage.

Is this a dream?

The dazzling night view seeped into the car window.

It was late at night, but the Seoul road was still busy. But the manager Lee Bong-choon, who was holding the steering wheel, didnt think of losing his smile.

Did you call your mother, Young-uk?

I tried to call her at home, but she didnt answer. I think shes probably at the merchant association building with the other merchants. Ill call her again later.

Yeah, Im so happy that I feel like Im tearing up, but your mother must be over the moon. Congratulations, Young-uk!

As the manager Lee Bong-choon said, the voice he wanted to hear the most right now was his mothers.

He didnt even mention his mother when he made a name for himself with his licorice acting and won an award at the end of the year. But now it was different.

The past that he had pushed away under the name of poverty was now a proud medal.

He wanted to tell everyone, like his acceptance speech.

That what made him who he is today was none other than his mothers wrinkled hands.

Is this really mine?

But the golden trophy in his hand still felt awkward.

It was the best actor award that he couldnt even get in his previous life.

He wondered if he was dreaming right now and bit his inner cheek slightly.

He felt a sharp pain, but he also felt a sweetness.

Soon the car arrived at the after-party.

The whole restaurant seemed to be rented out, as the staff and actors of the Confession of a Priest were all there.

As he opened the door and entered, he was greeted by the smell of grilled meat and the sound of cheers, as if this was all real, not a dream.

Our youngest best actor is here!