Chapter 154: Robert Wise’s Prophecy

In the end, the interview wrapped up smoothly thanks to Mia Knox stepping in to replace the visibly flustered Aaron Johnson. After Song Ji-eun answered a final question regarding her chances of winning an Emmy, the interview concluded.

Taeha and Song Ji-eun gave up their spot for the next guests and made their way toward the venue for the main ceremony.

The surrounding atmosphere was noisy, filled with voices and movement. Lowering her voice, Song Ji-eun muttered,

“That person was seriously rude. What were the organizers thinking, assigning someone like that as an interviewer?”

Taeha felt the same.

Aaron Johnson simply didn’t suit the prestige of the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Still, Taeha chose not to respond.

He felt he had already gotten enough payback during the interview itself. More importantly, speaking poorly of someone behind their back—even with good reason—didn’t match his personality.

Because Taeha stayed silent, Song Ji-eun quickly sensed his thoughts and closed her mouth as well.

The two began searching for the other cast members who had attended the awards ceremony with them. In the unfamiliar venue, they intended to head to the main hall together.

That was when it happened.

“Kim Seong-wol?”

A voice called out from behind them.

Taeha and Song Ji-eun turned around at the same time.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t one of the actors they were looking for.

Standing there was Robert Wise—one of the legendary “Three Great Hollywood Actors.”

After confirming their faces, Robert spread his arms wide and exclaimed,

“Wow! Han Seung-hye is here too!”

Kim Seong-wol and Han Seung-hye.

Those were the names of the protagonists from The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles.

The fact that Robert Wise recognized those names meant only one thing:

He had watched the drama.

Robert Wise had actually seen The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles.

As the two stood there in stunned disbelief, Robert quickly approached and extended a hand.

“I’m Robert Wise.”

Taeha recovered first and shook it.

“I know. Robert Wise. I’m Kang Taeha.”

The moment Taeha introduced himself, Robert’s eyes widened.

“Whoa! That’s right—Kang Taeha!”

He laughed excitedly.

“I knew The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles had been nominated, but meeting you here in person is incredible! I’m a huge fan!”

A fan?

Song Ji-eun, listening beside Taeha, looked genuinely dumbfounded.

Even as someone experienced in openly fangirling over Taeha, she found this timing completely unexpected.

Taeha himself was surprised as well.

But the surprise quickly turned into joy.

Breaking into his signature bright smile, he replied,

“No, I’m the fan here. I’ve watched almost every one of the fifty-plus films you’ve appeared in.”

A deeply satisfied expression spread across Robert Wise’s face.

“Then you’ve spent at least two full days of your life watching my work!”

Taeha chuckled.

“That sounds about right. Even if each film averages just over an hour, that easily adds up to fifty hours.”

“But don’t feel too bad,” Robert replied with a grin. “I got completely hooked on The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles and ended up looking through a lot of your work too.”

“Oh? Which ones?”

“I watched The Stranger Director and The Last Winter. From beginning to end.”

Taeha blinked.

“Then I guess you spent even more time watching my work.”

“Exactly,” Robert said proudly. “That’s why I told you not to feel bad.”

As the two chatted happily, Robert finally noticed Song Ji-eun standing nearby.

“Oh, don’t feel left out,” he said. “I’ve seen quite a bit of your work too, Ji-eun.”

But Song Ji-eun wasn’t feeling excluded at all.

If anything, she was thrilled.

Only moments ago, Taeha had suffered an unpleasant encounter with Aaron Johnson. Yet now, one of Hollywood’s greatest actors was openly praising him.

As one of Taeha’s earliest and loudest fans, she couldn’t have felt prouder.

Smiling brightly, she replied,

“I’m not left out at all. You might not know this, but I’m actually famous in Korea for being Taeha’s fan. I’m even a member of his fan club.”

“Oh!”

Robert’s eyes lit up.

“A fan club? I want to join too! How do I sign up?”

“Well…”

Just as Song Ji-eun was about to seriously explain the joining process, a staff member hurried over.

“The main ceremony will begin shortly. Please move to the venue.”

Song Ji-eun clicked her tongue regretfully.

“This isn’t the place for it. I’ll explain how to join later.”

“Please do,” Robert said eagerly before turning back to Taeha.

“Oh, right—Taeha.”

“Yes?”

“I’m curious. Did you really write the scripts for The Stranger Director, The Last Winter, and The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles?”

“Yes. I wrote all of them.”

Robert looked genuinely impressed.

“That’s incredible. As a fellow actor, I respect you—and honestly, I’m jealous of that talent.”

Then his expression turned thoughtful.

“By the way, in The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles… that scene near the end—what emotion were you writing from? The way I interpreted it was…”

Unlike ordinary viewers, Robert asked detailed questions about moments most people would overlook.

He even shared his own heartfelt interpretations.

He became so immersed in the discussion that he barely noticed others trying to greet him.

As a result, Taeha ended up talking with Robert Wise all the way to the ceremony hall.

And it didn’t stop there.

Robert even sat beside Taeha.

“Taeha, over here. Let’s take a selfie.”

Without warning, Robert pulled out his phone.

Caught off guard, Taeha leaned in for the picture.

The scene left a powerful impression on the countless celebrities gathered there.

It was only natural.

Robert Wise possessed a level of recognition unmatched by nearly anyone in attendance.

He wasn’t called one of Hollywood’s three greatest actors for nothing.

And now, that same Robert Wise was openly showing interest in Kang Taeha.

Even people unfamiliar with Taeha couldn’t help but grow curious.

Little by little—

Kang Taeha was becoming the star of the evening.

***

Alongside The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles, two productions stood out as major contenders for the night’s biggest awards.

One was Empire of McKay, a drama centered on the battle for control of a powerful media dynasty.

The other was Golden Mirage, a thriller set within a luxurious hotel.

The three dramas had received 21, 23, and 25 nominations respectively—clear evidence of just how dominant they were expected to be.

In particular, Golden Mirage had already proven its strength by winning eight awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the precursor event held two days before the Primetime Emmys.

Taeha had attended that event as well.

Unfortunately, The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles hadn’t performed particularly well there.

It had earned only one award:

Outstanding Costume Design.

Still, it was a meaningful victory, recognizing the drama’s meticulously recreated late-Joseon attire.

Because of this, expectations for major wins at the Primetime Emmy Awards weren’t especially high.

Usually, if a show struggles at the Creative Arts Emmys, the main ceremony doesn’t go much better.

Comebacks happened occasionally—but rarely.

And above all, the momentum behind Empire of McKay and Golden Mirage was overwhelming.

Even Empire of McKay, which had won comparatively fewer precursor awards, still walked away with three trophies.

So Taeha kept his expectations modest.

Honestly, he was already satisfied with the Costume Design win.

After all, the Primetime Emmy Awards covered the major categories:

Outstanding Drama Series, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Directing, and Writing.

If we win anything… maybe Lead Actress or Directing?

Song Ji-eun certainly had a chance.

She had long enjoyed international recognition.

Of course, popularity alone wasn’t enough to win an Emmy.

Skill mattered.

And Song Ji-eun had more than enough of it.

Few would object if she won Outstanding Lead Actress.

The same logic applied to director Jo Joong-hoon.

Though this was his first time receiving major international recognition, he was considered one of Korea’s greatest historical-drama directors.

His directing in The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles had been phenomenal.

Winning Outstanding Directing wasn’t impossible.

In Taeha’s opinion, Jo Joong-hoon’s directing was even a cut above the directors of Empire of McKay and Golden Mirage.

If luck is on our side… I might actually get to see both of them win.

So Taeha waited.

And while waiting, he spent much of the ceremony chatting with Robert Wise beside him.

Robert displayed a surprising level of warmth toward Taeha.

Not only Taeha—but also the rest of The Joseon Exorcist Chronicles cast.

Compared to earlier, when he had ignored nearly everyone while focused on Taeha, he now seemed completely relaxed.

Then, during the announcement for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series—

Robert casually asked,

“Taeha, how many awards do you think your drama will win tonight?”

Taeha answered honestly.

“Maybe one or two?”

Robert raised an eyebrow.

“That’s more humble than I expected. Which categories? Lead Actor and Writing?”

His tone carried a hint of teasing.

After all, those were awards that would belong solely to Taeha.

Taeha laughed.

“No. I think Lead Actress and Directing have better odds.”

He explained his reasoning in detail.

Robert listened quietly before nodding.

“Those are definitely strong possibilities.”

Then he smiled.

“But I think Lead Actor and Writing are worth aiming for too.”

For reference, Robert Wise wasn’t competing in Taeha’s category.

His own project, Fading Kingdom, had been nominated under Limited or Anthology Series.

In truth, Taeha felt relieved.

Going head-to-head with Robert Wise sounded impossible.

The man was not only one of Hollywood’s greatest actors but also a legendary figure whose films ranked among the highest-grossing in global box office history.

Taeha couldn’t imagine beating him.

Of course, being in different categories didn’t suddenly improve Taeha’s own odds.

“Thank you for the encouragement, Robert.”

Taeha accepted the words as simple politeness.

But moments later—

He realized it wasn’t encouragement.

It was prophecy.

One of the presenters stepped forward and opened the envelope.

“And the Emmy goes to…”

A pause.

Then—

“Kang Taeha.”

To everyone’s astonishment—

The winner of Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series was Kang Taeha.