Chapter 349: Returning Home (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

The face of Director Ahn Ga-bok appeared in a close-up on the TV broadcasting the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival. Korean executives and staff members from the ‘Leech’ film production and distribution company stare at it in a daze. There appear to be at least 20 of them, and they haven’t yet come to terms with the reality of hearing Cannes announce the ‘Palme d’Or’ award just moments ago on TV.

“Huh??”

“What???”

“……‘Leech’?? Didn’t they just call out ‘Leech’?”

“R-right? That’s what I heard too.”

“N-no way.”

Their reactions suggest they must have misheard or that it’s simply impossible. That reaction made sense. Cannes is known as an international film festival that strictly adheres to its rules, and ‘Leech’ had already won the Best Actor award. According to the “one award per film” rule, ‘Leech’ should not have been called again.

However.

“Then why are they showing Director Ahn on the screen??”

At that moment, everyone’s gaze locked onto the large TV, which was focused on Director Ahn Ga-bok’s face.

And then.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!

The TV broadcasting the highest award ceremony live from Cannes reverberated with the overwhelming sound of applause from thousands of prominent figures rising to their feet. Kang Woojin and other cast members from ‘Leech’ also giving a standing ovation.

At this point, finally.

“Gasp!!!”

“Wh-what?! Did our ‘Leech’ just win the ‘Palme d’Or’?!!”

“Th-this is insane!!!”

“It’s really the ‘Palme d’Or’! It really is!!”

The executives and staff members of the ‘Leech’ production and distribution companies, who were watching TV, erupted in hysteria.

“Oh my god! What on earth is happening at Cannes right now!!”

Numerous media outlets in Korea, monitoring the Cannes Film Festival live, reacted similarly.

“Focus exclusively on Kang Woojin! Fire off nonstop articles!”

“Yes! Huh? W-wait, Editor-in-chief!”

“What! Why! If you have time to talk, get another article out.”

“No!! Right now… it seems ‘Leech’ has been called for the ‘Palme d’Or’?!”

“What nonsense is that? Don’t you know Cannes’ rules?”

“No! Look! Look at the live broadcast!!”

“Why are you making such a fuss… huh???”

All media outlets that had been churning out articles about Kang Woojin suddenly stopped in their tracks.

“‘Leech’ won the ‘Palme d’Or’??!!!”

“Is, is this real?! Could it be a mistake in the announcement?!”

“I don’t know! But it looks like they’re just proceeding as usual?!”

“Maybe there was some error—no!! Just publish it! Get the article out first!!”

However, soon regaining their composure, the Korean media, mistake or not, hurriedly began adding breaking news titles to their articles. Every second counted. Similarly, the news teams of various broadcasting stations, monitoring the live broadcast and communicating closely with those on-site, were just as frantic.

“Is it confirmed that ‘Leech’ won the ‘Palme d’Or’??! Are we getting the same confirmation from the scene?!”

“Yes, yes! Cannes is in an uproar right now!”

“…Then what does this mean? Did ‘Leech’ just win both the Best Actor and the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year??! This, this is literally making history!!!”

At this point, the host on the Cannes Film Festival stage added a few words.

-[“This year’s unprecedented Palme d’Or was awarded by unanimous decision of all ten jury members…”]

Some explanation was being provided, but no one in the news teams, who were all frenzied with excitement, could understand a word of it. They were too focused, with thoughts filled solely with ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Palme d’Or.’

“This means that strict Cannes broke their own rule!!”

“Wow- winning both the Best Actor and the Palme d’Or in the ‘In Competition’ section for a single film… and for a Korean film, no less.”

“Has there ever been a case like this in the history of the Cannes Film Festival?? When did this happen?!”

“I’ll check!! Ah- there was ‘The Black Piano’ in 2002, which won the Grand Prix, Best Actor, and Best Actress awards!”

“Then, is this the first time in over 20 years they’ve broken a rule??”

“Yes! And furthermore- winning both the Palme d’Or and Best Actor together! It seems this is the first time in Cannes history…”

“This is- this is an insane record, isn’t it??!!”

Once the reality set in, news teams from various domestic broadcasting stations suddenly became frantically busy.

“Modify everything you were preparing!! Hurry!!!!”

The news set to air in the morning had to be changed as quickly as possible.

Among the articles dominating the internet at the moment:

『Kang Woojin Achieves Remarkable Best Actor Win at Cannes Film Festival!』

『[Star Talk] Kang Woojin Lifts Best Actor Trophy at Cannes Just 2 Years After Debut! Declares ‘Next Year Will Be the Academy Awards’ in Acceptance Speech』

『[Live from Cannes] Kang Woojin’s Amazing Best Actor Win at Cannes! Declares “Next Year Will Be the Academy Awards” in Fluent French』

News about ‘Leech’ winning the ‘Palme d’Or’ started pouring out as a wave of updates in real-time.

『[Cannes Film Festival]’Leech’ Wins Both Palme d’Or and Best Actor Breaking ‘No Simultaneous Awards’ Rule…A First for Both Cannes & Korea』

In short, ‘Leech’ was making history.

Back in Cannes, France.

The massive hall of the ‘Palais des Festivals’ where the awards ceremony was in full swing was alive with thunderous applause from thousands of audience members on their feet.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

Everyone’s attention was focused on Director Ahn Ga-bok, who, in his tuxedo and with short white hair, was standing around the center of the first floor, receiving congratulations from the cast of ‘Leech.’ Meanwhile, many prominent audience members murmured amongst themselves.

“Both awards? Has this ever happened before?”

“It’s the first, as far as I remember.”

“So that means Cannes broke its own rule- what does this mean? Is ‘Leech’ really such a remarkable film??”

“Just seeing that the jury was unanimous tells you it’s of exceptional quality.”

Those who had already watched ‘Leech’ at Cannes clapped with understanding expressions, but naturally, most people in the hall hadn’t seen the film, so there was bound to be some confusion.

Though it was drowned out by the standing ovation, the murmurs grew louder.

“‘Leech’… just what kind of movie is it for Cannes to break its own rule and award both ‘Best Actor’ and the ‘Palme d’Or’??”

Curiosity among prominent figures from around the world exploded as well. Just what kind of movie was ‘Leech’ to have achieved such an unprecedented result? Meanwhile, the live broadcast that countless people worldwide were tuned into was already flooded with Korean comments.

-What??!! Is this real???

-Huuuuuhhhhhㅠㅠㅠㅠ Congratulations!!

-Wow this is insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ so awesome

-Unbelievable… I can’t believe I’m seeing a Korean film win the Palme d’Or at Cannes before I die…

-????For real???????????

-This is epicㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ They got both the Palme d’Or and Best Actor???

-Japan’s meltdown soonㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Wait… what the heck?!!! Fuckㅋㅋㅋㅋ Hold on, I need to change my underwearㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Cannes: And we’re not done yet

-Congratulations!!!!

-This is freaking awesomeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

·

·

·

Regardless, the ‘Palme d’Or’ for the 74th Cannes Film Festival was confirmed to be awarded to ‘Leech’, and the veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok had left a monumental mark on the Cannes stage with his 100th film. Congratulations poured in for Director Ahn Ga-bok, who had risen to his feet.

“Congratulations, Director-nim!!!”

“Huhuhu- Director-nim, congratulations, so so happy for you!! Ah, I’m tearing up.”

“Director-nim, congratulations.”

The cheers of the ‘Leech’ team, including Kang Woojin, who congratulated him with genuine sincerity despite his usual stoic demeanor, the high praise from the surrounding prominent audience members, the flash of cameras pouring in, and the cameras of Cannes’ broadcasting team urgently approaching.

The atmosphere quickly became chaotic.

However, Director Ahn Ga-bok remained remarkably composed, a wrinkled smile on his face as he greeted each congratulator. Suddenly, he quietly murmured to Kang Woojin.

“Woojin-ssi, could you do me a favor?”

Woojin responded calmly.

“Please, go ahead.”

Stepping out from his seat and gesturing towards the front, Director Ahn Ga-bok continued.

“I’d like you to interpret my acceptance speech in French.”

Huh?? Me? Though he tilted his head in confusion internally, Woojin remained silent with a solemn expression.

“……”

Director Ahn Ga-bok repeated himself.

“This year’s Cannes has been extraordinary, and you and ‘Leech’ were the protagonists. Shouldn’t we deliver a proper finish then? I mean, let’s make sure it’s captured well by the cameras.”

“…Understood.”

“Just in case, bring the ‘Best Actor’ trophy with you as well.”

It was an idea that only Director Ahn Ga-bok, a seasoned veteran who had devoted decades to filmmaking, could come up with.

An idea to leave a definitive impact at the finale.

After finishing their conversation, Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woojin moved together toward the stage. The audience members, who were still giving a standing ovation, looked at them with curious eyes, wondering what was going on, while hundreds of reporters from various countries snapped photos of Woojin and Director Ahn walking confidently.

By then, the chairperson of the Cannes Film Festival on stage picked up the microphone.

“With a unanimous decision by the jury, and after long deliberations, we have made this choice. ‘Leech’ is truly a work that deserves it…”

An explanation of why Cannes broke the rule for ‘Leech.’

Soon after.

-Swoosh.

Director Ahn Ga-bok ascended the stage. Kang Woojin followed as the second person. Shortly, Director Ahn received the trophy from an actress among the jury members. What he received was, of course, a palm leaf trophy encased in a box. However, the golden palm leaf on the ‘Palme d’Or’ was about 1.5 times bigger than the ‘Best Actor’ trophy that Kang Woojin held.

Director Ahn Ga-bok gazed quietly down at the ‘Palme d’Or.’

“……”

His expression wasn’t particularly intense. Neither happy nor sad. Just a face full of calmness. It seemed as though he was reminiscing about the life he had spent rolling around in the film industry over the years, perhaps from the beginning of ‘Leech.’

‘Such an incredible outcome was only possible because I met Woojin at the start of Leech.’

He moved after that thought.

“Hoo-“

Director Ahn Ga-bok let out a small breath and stood in front of the podium. Then, he gave a wrinkled smile to Kang Woojin, who was standing on his left in a white tuxedo.

“I’ll leave it to you.”

Kang Woojin nodded silently. With a small smile, Director Ahn Ga-bok leaned in close to the standing microphone. All eyes in the audience of thousands, as well as the hundreds of reporters and the Cannes broadcasting team, were focused on the stage.

Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s aged voice resounded.

“Hello, I am Ahn Ga-bok, the director of ‘Leech.’”

This, too, was an unprecedented scene at Cannes. The acceptance speech of the ‘Palme d’Or’ director being interpreted by the actor who had won ‘Best Actor’.

“It’s a night filled with overwhelming emotions. ‘Leech’, a film completed with the hard work of me, the staff, and the wonderful actors, has made quite an impact.”

As soon as he paused, Kang Woojin, who was standing right next to him, stepped forward. His low-toned French echoed throughout the entire hall.

This two-shot was undoubtedly destined to become a part of Cannes history.

Afterward.

A few dozen minutes after the two-shot of Director Ahn Ga-bok with the ‘Palme d’Or’ and Kang Woojin with the ‘Best Actor’ trophy concluded, the largehall where the 74th Cannes Film Festival’s closing and awards ceremony was held filled with majestic music.

-♬♪

Thunderous applause erupted as everyone rose to their feet. The closing and awards ceremony had officially ended. However, the intense excitement, fueled by the tremendous uproar, continued. Especially around the ‘Leech’ team, who were being swarmed by people. Not just the broadcasting teams and reporters from various countries, but also the surrounding prominent audience members.

The large hall was, in every sense, a ‘Leech’ party.

-Pabababababak!

-Pabababababababak!!!

The cameras kept flashing toward the ‘Leech’ team, more specifically, toward Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woojin. The Cannes officials and the ten jury members on stage called the two of them over. Director Ahn Ga-bok and Kang Woojin, each holding their trophies, returned to the stage. Of course, they weren’t the only ones there.

‘Oh- is this for the group photo?’

All the award winners in the ‘In Competition’ section of the 74th Cannes Film Festival gathered together. The group photo session lasted about 15 minutes. Afterward, there was some brief conversation between the jury members and the awardees, followed by another two- to three-person photo session.

Kang Woojin, who remained calm outwardly, was grumbling internally.

‘Ugh—this is exhausting.’

The reason was simple.

“Mr. Kang Woojin, you’re amazing. Could we take a photo together?”

There was no rest due to numerous handshakes and photo requests. On the stage, it felt almost like a fan signing event for Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok. Once the photo ops with the jury panel composed of influential figures from around the world concluded, the thousands of high-profile audience members, including Hollywood elites who had been waiting in the audience, were now lined up.

A massive crowd.

Directors, actors, industry figures, celebrities- everyone wanted a handshake and a photo with Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok. This atmosphere persisted for at least an hour, and Kang Woojin’s handshakes and photos easily exceeded several hundred.

In the midst of this.

“Congratulations from the bottom of my heart. For some reason, I felt you would win. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.”

Cara was there, as were Joseph, Megan, and Hollywood studio executives, along with the Hollywood master director Danny Landis.

“It was impressive, truly.”

But Kang Woojin didn’t bother remembering each interaction.

‘Ugh- this is making me feel nauseous.’

To be honest, it wasn’t just lack of interest; he simply didn’t have the mental energy to spare. Just maintaining his persona in this overwhelming situation was exhausting. But even this was mild compared to what was to come. After finally wrapping things up, Kang Woojin, Director Ahn Ga-bok, and the ‘Leech’ team exited the large hall and arrived at the entrance of the Palais des Festivals.

‘Ack!!’

Kang Woojin let out a scream in his mind.

Down the steps, there was a red carpet laid out and metal fences set up, with thousands of tuxedo-clad reporters from around the world pressing their camera shutters. Reporters who had attended the closing and awards ceremony were mixed with those who had gathered outside. The moment Kang Woojin and Director Ahn Ga-bok appeared, they shouted at the top of their lungs.

“%*#Kang Woojin&&%(#%*(!!”

“#*%%*(%(#*!”

“%#*%#*#@@@!!!”

“*#(*Kang Woojin, Ahn Ga-bok%**##!!!”

It was impossible to understand what they were saying. All that could be heard was the deafening noise of camera flashes, and mixed among the reporters were broadcasting teams from Cannes and various countries around the world. Different races, different nationalities- but they all had one thing in common.

They were all fixated on the ‘Leech’ team, especially Kang Woojin.

At this moment.

-Swoosh.

Kang Woojin solemnly raised his hand toward the thousands of reporters. Director Ahn Ga-bok and the other ‘Leech’ team members, including Shim Han-ho, looked slightly surprised. His cynical expression was exuding complete composure. Soon, Director Ahn Ga-bok gave a brief chuckle and whispered to Woojin.

“You’re the protagonist, both here at Cannes and in ‘Leech’.”

They switched positions. Director Ahn Ga-bok moved to the second spot. In other words, Kang Woojin in his white tuxedo became the lead at the front of the ‘Leech’ team. The flashes exploded, almost blinding, directed at Woojin’s ‘Best Actor’ trophy and Director Ahn Ga-bok’s ‘Palme d’Or’.

While the celebration continued, it was already past 11 PM in France, and 7 AM in Korea.

Korea was already carpet-bombing with news about ‘Leech’.

『[Breaking News]Director Ahn Ga-bok Wins Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival!』

『’Leech’ Director Ahn Ga-bok’s Palme d’Or, Kang Woojin’s Best Actor Write New History at Cannes!』

『[First Report]’Leech’ Called for Palme d’Or, Director Ahn Ga-bok Takes Top Prize at This Year’s Cannes Film Festival』

At the same time, internationally, the title of ‘Leech’ was rapidly spreading. Naturally, most headlines and articles from foreign media prominently featured the name ‘Kang Woojin’.

『CNM/Cannes’ Twist! Korean Film [Leech] Makes History with First Simultaneous Palme d’Or and Best Actor Win! First for Both Asia and Cannes』

『LA TIME/Director Ahn Ga-bok Makes New History at Cannes! First Palme d’Or Win, Korean Film Industry Set for an Extraordinary Night』

『BBX/Korean Actor Kang Woojin, First Korean to Win Best Actor at Cannes, Declares ‘Aiming for Next Year’s Academy Award for Best Actor’ in Acceptance Speech!』

It was obvious that Kang Woojin’s name would spread across the globe. Especially in Hollywood, the buzz was intense.

『ABY/Warning to the ‘Academy Awards’! Who is Kang Woojin, This Year’s Cannes Best Actor Winner?』

『NT/Cannes Best Actor Kang Woojin, Who’s Aiming for Next Year’s Academy Awards, Turns Out to be Korean Actor Who Collaborated With Miley Cara in her New Album』

As if to say, ‘We’ll see.’