Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 599, Section 597: Capturing the Bear

Berlin, the February winds are still biting, but the film's popularity makes the city's winter feel less cold.

The 55th Berlin International Film Festival is entering its final stage.

Since its opening on February 10, film fans, filmmakers, distributors and journalists from all over the world have filled cinemas, hotels and cafes around Potsdamer Platz, and the air is filled with the aroma of coffee, the smell of film reels and conversations in multiple languages.

……

Seoul, South Korea, February 16.

A private practice room on the third floor of the SM Entertainment building.

Im Yoon-ah practiced a simple German greeting repeatedly in front of the mirror.

"Good evening. I'm Im Yoona, from South Korea."
His pronunciation was still a bit stiff, but his clear eyes shone with a serious light.

There was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Entering through the door were Lee Soo-man, the founder and chief producer of SM Entertainment, and Kim Young-min, the head of the artist management department.

"President! Headmaster!" Lim Yoona quickly bowed.

Lee Soo-man waved his hand, a rare gentle smile on his face: "Yoona, sit down."

The three of them sat around a small tea table in the corner of the practice room.

"Is the schedule for the Berlin Film Festival all set?" Lee Soo-man asked.

"Yes. President Jung Tae-won has already made arrangements. He will fly directly from Incheon to Berlin on the morning of the 18th, and staff from Tae-won Entertainment will accompany him throughout the trip," Im Yoon-ah answered cautiously.

Kim Young-min added, "The outfits are ready. President Jung personally selected two gowns from a boutique in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. One will be for the red carpet, and the other will be for the banquet after the awards ceremony. A stylist and makeup artist will accompany us."

Lee Soo-man nodded, his gaze falling on the girl who was almost fifteen years old.

In 2002, Lim Yoon-a was discovered through SM Entertainment's Saturday open auditions and became a trainee at the company.

According to the original training plan, she should have undergone three to four years of rigorous training, just like other girls in the same cohort, and then debut as a girl group—SM was preparing a large-scale girl group project called "Girls' Generation".

But everything changed because of "Seoul Farewell".

"Yoona," Lee Soo-man began slowly, "do you know what this Berlin Film Festival means to you?"

“It’s an opportunity to showcase my work,” said Lim Yoona.

“That’s not all.” Lee Soo-man leaned forward. “The Berlin Film Festival is one of the three major European film festivals, and the Golden Bear is just as prestigious as the Palme d’Or at Cannes. If a film you star in wins an award in Berlin, your status in the Korean entertainment industry will be completely different.”

He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "Since its establishment, SM Entertainment has cultivated many successful singers and actors. But very few artists have actually walked the red carpet at international film festivals and competed for the highest awards. Your presence here represents not only the cast and crew of 'Seoul Farewell,' but also SM Entertainment, and even the image of the younger generation of actors in South Korea."

Kim Young-min continued, "President Jung Tae-won revealed that Mr. Wang Sheng had a very high opinion of your performance in the film. After Berlin, there will likely be more opportunities for international collaboration. The company has adjusted your training plan—in addition to the necessary singing and dancing training, we will add acting courses and language courses, especially Chinese and English."

Lim Yoona was somewhat flattered. She remembered that when she first joined the company, there were dozens of trainees at the same time, and the competition was fierce. Now, the CEO was personally in charge of her schedule, and the company was adjusting its plans for her, all because of a movie.

"I will try my best," she said solemnly.

"Just relax." Lee Soo-man smiled, a rare occurrence. "Remember, you are actress Im Yoon-a, not an idol walking the runway. Be proper on the red carpet and humble at award ceremonies. If the film wins an award, remember to thank the director, the crew, and Mr. Wang Sheng."

"I see."

……

Berlin, February 18.

At Tegel Airport, a flight from South Korea arrived on time.

Jung Tae-won personally waited at the arrival gate. Today, he was wearing a dark gray cashmere coat and a light gray scarf, looking elegant and capable.

He went to greet Yoona and her entourage as they came out.

"Yoona, you must be tired from your journey."

"President Jung, why did you come in person?" Lim Yoona asked, somewhat surprised.

"Of course," Zheng Taiyuan smiled. "Mr. Wang Sheng specifically instructed us to take good care of every actor in the crew. Come on, the car is outside, let's take you to the hotel to rest first."

On the way to the city, Zheng Taiyuan briefly explained the arrangements.

"Most of the other crew members arrived yesterday. Mr. Wang Sheng, Ms. Li Bingbing, and Ms. Fan Xiaopang should arrive this afternoon. There will be a brief media conference tomorrow morning, followed by a press conference at 2 p.m. to announce the winners, a red carpet event at 7 p.m., and a closing ceremony and awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m."

He handed Yoona a detailed schedule: "Your costume and styling team has arrived at the hotel, and you can try on clothes this afternoon. Also, here is a list of questions you might be asked, including the film content, your understanding of the character, and your feelings about working together. You can prepare in advance."

"Thank you, President Jung." Lim Yoona took the thick folder.

"Don't be nervous." Zheng Taiyuan looked at her. "You're a newcomer, the media won't be too difficult. Remember, being truthful and sincere is the best answer."

As the car entered Berlin, film festival posters and flags could still be seen along the streets. Looking out at the unfamiliar European cityscape, Yoona's heart began to race.

……

Berlin, February 19, 2:00 PM local time.

The press center at the Cinematheque was packed, with its 300-seat press room completely full.

Jury Chairman Roland Emmerich led the six jury members onto the stage.

The German-American director, known in Hollywood for blockbusters such as "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow," looked serious at that moment.

The press conference started on time.

Emmerich began with a brief opening, thanking all the films in competition and emphasizing the Berlin Film Festival's dual focus on artistry and social impact.

Then, he got straight to the point.

"After ten days of screenings and numerous discussions, the jury has reached a consensus on the films for the main competition. I am now announcing the winners of the 55th Berlin International Film Festival."

The entire venue was silent, with only the sound of camera shutters clicking.

"Best Artistic Contribution Award (Silver Bear) - Peacock, China, directed by Gu Changwei."

Applause broke out. Dong Ping, sitting in the front row, changed his expression slightly, but quickly regained his composure and stood up to offer his greetings.

"Peacock" is Poly Huayi's key project this year, personally overseen by Dong Ping. It has a small investment but a high reputation.

Before coming to Berlin, he spent nearly 100 million yuan on overseas marketing, hoping to win higher awards.

Although the Best Artistic Contribution Award is also a Silver Bear, its prestige is clearly less than that of the Best Director, the Jury Grand Prix, and the Golden Bear.

Emmerich went on to announce.

"Silver Bear for Best Actress - Li Bingbing, 'Seoul Farewell', a China/South Korea co-production."

Bigger applause!
Li Bingbing, who was sitting to the side, immediately covered her mouth, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Fan Xiaopang, standing next to her, held her hand tightly, tears glistening in his eyes—she was also nominated for Best Actress, but there was only one award.

A commotion began to break out in the press room, with reporters whispering among themselves.

"..."

After announcing the remaining Silver Bear winners, Emmerich paused for a few seconds, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Finally, the Golden Bear for Best Film at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival—

He deliberately drew out the sound.

"——Seoul Farewell, a China/South Korea co-production, directed by Wang Sheng and Huo Jianqi."

boom!
The whole place was excited!

Flashes of light rained down on the area where the cast and crew of "Seoul Farewell" were located.

Huo Jianqi suddenly stood up and looked at Wang Sheng beside him in disbelief.

Wang Sheng remained relatively calm. He gently patted Huo Jianqi on the back and then took the lead in applauding.

On stage, Emmerich smiled and said, "The jury unanimously agreed that 'Seoul Farewell' showcases the common predicament faced by contemporary Asian families with its exquisite narrative, profound humanistic concern, and outstanding performances, while finding a common human emotional resonance amidst cultural differences. It is a masterpiece with an international vision and artistic courage."

The press conference lasted forty minutes.

After the event, the cast and crew of "Seoul Farewell" were surrounded by reporters.

"Mr. Wang Sheng, this is your first time participating in the Berlin Film Festival and you've already won the top prize. How does it feel?"

“Film is a team art. The Golden Bear belongs to director Huo Jianqi, the screenwriting team, all the actors including Li Bingbing, Fan Xiaopang, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Lim Yoon-ah, and also to the production teams from China and South Korea.” Wang Sheng answered tactfully, “This proves one point: when creators put aside cultural prejudices and sincerely tell human stories, films can transcend national borders.”

"Ms. Li Bingbing, this is your first Best Actress award at an international film festival. What does this mean for your acting career?"

Li Bingbing's eyes were still red: "It means... I can do even better. Thank you Mr. Wang Sheng for giving me this opportunity, thank you director Huo Jianqi for his guidance, and thank you to my co-stars. This award is not the end, but a new beginning."

"Director Huo Jianqi, you've mostly directed art films before. Although 'Seoul Farewell' is also a realistic film, it has a larger production scale and involves international collaboration. What were some of the different experiences you had creating this time?"

Huo Jianqi adjusted his glasses: "The biggest difference is that this film made me realize that art films and commercial films are not opposites. As long as the story is sincere enough and the production is excellent enough, artistry and entertainment value can coexist. I am grateful for Mr. Wang Sheng's trust; he gave me creative freedom and provided industrial-grade production support." The news traveled back to China at lightning speed.

……

Beijing, China, February 19th evening.

It was afternoon in Berlin, but late at night in Beijing.

The Maoyan Movies community is in an uproar.

The pinned post is titled: [Breaking News] Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear Winners Announced! "A Farewell to Seoul" Sweeps Four Awards: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay!

User 'Berlin Frontline Reporter' replied: I was there! Wang Sheng was very calm when he went on stage to accept the Golden Bear, but director Huo Jianqi almost cried. Li Bingbing gave his acceptance speech in Chinese, and then said thank you in German at the end, with pretty standard pronunciation.

User "Data Worker" replied: "I just checked the historical data: This is the third time a Chinese film has won the Berlin Golden Bear. The previous two were Zhang Yimou's 'Red Sorghum' in 1988 and Xie Jin's 'Woman Sesame Oil Maker' in 1993. But sweeping all four main competition awards at once is a first in history!"

User 'Film Apprentice 007' replied: "Look closely at the award list; 'Peacock' only won the Best Artistic Contribution Award. Dong Ping made the wrong bet this time. It's said that 'Seoul Farewell' had an overseas marketing budget of over three million euros, while 'Peacock' only had one million RMB. The power of capital..."

The user "Rational Analysis" replied: "It's not just about the money. The script for 'Seoul Farewell' is indeed solid, and Li Bingbing's performance is also excellent. Wang Sheng's choice of Huo Jianqi to direct was a brilliant move—Director Huo excels at subtle emotions, which perfectly suits family themes. If Wang Sheng had directed it himself, it might not have had the same effect."

Major portal websites urgently pushed out breaking news.

Sohu Entertainment headline: "Golden Bear Returns to China! 'Seoul Farewell' Sets Record in Berlin, Sweeping Two Awards."

Sina Entertainment went even further: "Wang Sheng's Empire Takes Another Step Forward: Berlin Film Festival Becomes a Solo Show for Sheng Ying Media."

NetEase quickly launched a special page featuring photos of the exterior of the Berlin Film Palace and portraits of Wang Sheng, Huo Jianqi, Li Bingbing, and others, with the title: "International Breakthrough of Chinese Cinema: From 'Red Sorghum' to 'Seoul Farewell'".

……

Berlin, 19:00 local time.

Potsdamer Platz, outside the Palais des Festivals.

Hundreds of reporters and movie fans had been waiting for a long time on both sides of the red carpet.

The bitter cold couldn't dampen their enthusiasm; the flashes of light illuminated the night sky as if it were daytime.

A black Mercedes slowly pulled up at the starting point of the red carpet.

The car door opened, and Wang Sheng got out first.

Tonight he chose a classic black tuxedo suit, a white wing-collar shirt with a black bow tie, simple yet dignified.

He turned around and extended his hand in a gentlemanly manner.

Li Bingbing took his hand and walked off the train.

Tonight, she wore a deep blue velvet gown with an off-the-shoulder design that showcased her beautiful shoulder and neck lines. The skirt trailed on the floor, and the fabric shimmered softly under the lights.

Her makeup was exquisite, her hair was styled in an updo, revealing a smooth forehead and elegant neck.

"Bingbing looks so beautiful tonight!" a Chinese reporter exclaimed from the side of the red carpet.

Li Bingbing smiled and waved.

Next to get off the bus was Fan Xiaopang.

She chose a relatively vibrant champagne-colored strapless gown, embroidered with delicate silver patterns that shimmered under the flashlights.

She did not take Wang Sheng's arm, but walked side by side with director Huo Jianqi.

Other members of the cast and crew of "Seoul Farewell" appeared one after another.

Korean actors Ryu Seung-ryong, Shin Young-kyun, and Hwang Jung-min all wore dark formal suits, appearing dignified and appropriate.

Lim Yoona was the last one to get off the bus.

She wore a light pink princess dress with a voluminous skirt and tiny crystals adorning the shoulder straps, sparkling under the lights.

The fifteen-year-old girl still had a touch of childishness on her face, but her makeup was appropriate and her demeanor was poised. She walked down the red carpet arm in arm with Jung Tae-won, eliciting gasps of admiration—many European journalists did not recognize this Eastern girl, but her pure and innocent charm was striking.

"Yoona! Look here!"

"Yoona! Over here!"

Surprisingly, some South Korean media outlets followed her to Berlin, shouting her name loudly.

Yoona seemed a little nervous, but she still smiled and cooperated with the photoshoot, offering a simple greeting in German that she had practiced: "Guten Abend".

Wang Sheng walked along the middle of the red carpet, stopping occasionally to give brief interviews.

"Mr. Wang Sheng, congratulations again on 'Seoul Farewell' winning the Golden Bear Award. What do you think is the biggest success of this film?"

“It’s ‘real’,” Wang Sheng said into the microphone. “Real family dilemmas, real emotional entanglements, real cultural clashes. The audience may not understand Korean or Chinese, but they can understand a husband’s struggle between career and family, a wife’s confusion between tradition and modernity, and a child’s pain during growth. These are common human experiences.”

What are your views on the future of Sino-Korean film cooperation?

"Asian filmmakers should unite. We have abundant cultural resources, a huge market, and outstanding talent. If we can put aside narrow nationalism and cooperate sincerely, we can occupy a more important position in the global film landscape. 'Seoul Farewell' is just the beginning."

The red carpet ceremony lasted forty minutes.

When the entire cast and crew of "Seoul Farewell" entered the cinema, the entire audience stood up and applauded.

……

At 19:30, the closing ceremony and awards presentation officially began.

The main hall of the cinema was packed to capacity.

On stage, a giant screen played a short film recap of highlights from the film festival.

The host enters – Diane Kruger, a famous German actress.

She greeted the audience in German before switching to English: “Welcome to the closing ceremony of the 55th Berlin International Film Festival. Over the past ten days, we have witnessed outstanding films from around the world. Tonight, we will announce the final winners.”

The awards ceremony was conducted in order.

When the Best Artistic Contribution Award was presented to "Peacock," Gu Changwei went on stage to accept the award, and his speech was brief and restrained: "Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival and the jury. Film is an art of imperfection, and this award is an encouragement to our team. We will continue to work hard."

Next up is Best Actress.

The presenter was Charlize Theron, the reigning Berlin Film Festival Best Actress winner. She opened the envelope, smiling, and read aloud: "The Silver Bear for Best Actress goes to—Li Bingbing, for *Seoul Farewell*!"

There was thunderous applause.

Li Bingbing stood up and hugged Wang Sheng, Fan Xiaopang, and Huo Jianqi one by one before walking onto the stage. She accepted the Silver Bear trophy, which felt heavy.

"Thank you Berlin Film Festival, thank you to the jury," she said in Chinese. "I want to thank Mr. Wang Sheng, it was you who made me believe that I could take on such a role. Thank you to Director Huo Jianqi, you gave me the greatest trust and freedom on set. Thank you to my co-stars, especially Yoona, you reminded me of myself when I was young."

She paused, then said, "Finally, I want to say to all female viewers—no matter which country you come from, no matter what difficulties you face, please believe in your own strength. Min-hee in the movie found her way, and we can find ours too."

The awards for Best Screenplay and Best Director were presented in turn.

Every time the title "Seoul Farewell" is announced, enthusiastic applause erupts in the cinema.

Finally, the grand finale has arrived.

Jury president Roland Emmerich personally went on stage to present the Golden Bear for Best Film.

"What is film?" Emmerich began slowly. "It is entertainment, art, commerce, and dialogue. A great film can break down cultural barriers and resonate with people from different countries and backgrounds. This year's main competition has many excellent works, but the jury unanimously agreed that one film in particular embodies the spirit of the Berlin Film Festival—courage, inclusivity, and humanity."

He opened the envelope, glanced at it, and smiled.

The Golden Bear for Best Film at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival was awarded to "Seoul Farewell," a China/South Korea co-production!

Everyone stand up!

Applause, cheers, and whistles blended into a wave of sound that almost lifted the roof off.

Wang Sheng and Huo Jianqi walked onto the stage side by side. Huo Jianqi held the Golden Bear trophy, his hands trembling.

Wang Sheng took the microphone and delivered a speech in English:

"Thank you to the Berlin Film Festival and the jury. This award doesn't just belong to the 'Seoul Farewell' crew; it belongs to everyone who believes that film can connect people's hearts."

He looked at the cast and crew members below the stage: "Director Huo Jianqi used his talent and patience to transform this complex story into a touching film. Li Bingbing, Fan Xiaopang, Ryu Seung-ryong, Shin Young-kyun, Hwang Jung-min, Im Yoon-ah... every actor delivered a wonderful performance. The production teams from China and South Korea overcame language and cultural barriers to complete this film together."

Wang Sheng paused for a moment, his voice becoming even deeper:

"Film is a bridge. It connects the past and the present, East and West, and individuals and collectives. 'Seoul Farewell' tells the story of a Korean family, but the issues it explores—the balance between career and family, the conflict between tradition and modernity, and intergenerational understanding—are issues that the whole world is facing."

"We hope this film will make viewers think about: In the era of globalization, how do we maintain our cultural roots while remaining open to the world? In a rapidly changing society, how do we protect those most precious emotional bonds?"

"Finally, I'd like to quote an old Chinese saying: 'Harmony without uniformity.' True communication is not about eliminating differences, but about finding resonance within those differences. Film can do just that. Thank you."

The applause lasted for a full minute.

(End of this chapter)