Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Daesang Night
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Mini-series Best Actress category.
Candidates were being called out one by one.
Suddenly, Yu-na jumped to her feet and hurried out of the room with Kim So-young.
Where were they rushing off to?
Without even telling me...
I leaned slightly toward the side.
"In-ju hyung."
"Yeah, what's up?"
Kwon In-ju replied, his eyes fixed on the trophy he'd just received.
The corners of his mouth were practically touching his ears.
He still seemed completely immersed in the joy of winning Best Actress.
"Yu-na and So-young noona just went outside. Did you hear anything?"
"Hmm... They said something about going to get something? I don't know what it was exactly. I vaguely heard 'gift' or something."
"Oh, really? Hmm..."
"Man... Is this real gold? Nah, probably not."
"...You think it'd be pure gold?"
I chuckled at his question, straightened up, and fell into thought.
'A gift...'
The only thing that came to mind from the word "gift" was Yu-na's birthday.
Had So-young noona prepared a birthday present for Yu-na? And that's why they went to get it during the awards ceremony...
I shook my head.
'No way.'
So what could it be...
"Jun-seo? Congrats in advance. Looks like you're getting the Daesang."
I snapped out of it at Ma Dong-sik sunbaenim's words and gave an awkward smile.
"Ahaha... Thanks ahead of time."
"You prepared your acceptance speech, right? You're not gonna freeze up and say nothing, are you?"
"Not to that extent."
I gave a short reply to sunbaenim's question and fixed my gaze on the stage.
-...From now on, I'll work even harder to live up to your expectations.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Endless applause poured in.
The Best Actress winner was dabbing at her tears as she came down from the stage.
Her silky hair went perfectly with her pure white dress and her stunning shoes that sparkled like they were studded with jewels.
Click-clack. Click-clack.
As the woman passed by in front of me, our eyes met.
'...Why did she stop?'
I gave her an awkward smile, and she quickly turned her head and resumed walking.
I felt unnecessarily embarrassed.
I scratched the back of my neck and leaned toward Kwon In-ju.
"By the way, who's that?"
"What? You don't know who that sunbaenim is? It's Shin Su-young sunbaenim."
"Oh, really?"
"She won the Acting Daesang three years ago... She suddenly stopped activities, then started up again around April..."
Ignoring Kwon In-ju, who had suddenly become talkative, I glanced at the sunbaenim sitting haughtily in the distance.
Our eyes met again.
'Does she have something to say to me?'
That's what I was thinking when—
-Now, we've saved the most anticipated finale for last: the Daesang. For the final award announcement, KY President Kim Sang-guk will present it himself.
One man slowly walked to center stage, leaning on a cane.
That wrinkled face and unsteady gait... In my past life, I'd run into him twice at awards ceremonies.
He's aged a lot...
Seeing President Kim Sang-guk really drove home how much time had passed.
A brief wait.
Soon, the mic was handed to KY President Kim Sang-guk, who had stopped at center stage.
-I'll announce it. The 2022 KY Acting Daesang goes to...
Boom— Boom— Boom—
Drumbeats ramped up the tension.
As everyone held their breath, President Kim Sang-guk's mouth opened wide.
-Congratulations. Lee Jun-seo.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
My name was called.
Just as I thought.
I stood slowly, straightened my clothes neatly, and headed to the stage.
Meanwhile...
-Yes, Lee Jun-seo starred in two massive projects this year: [High School 2022] and [Devil's Errand Center].
As if he'd been waiting for this moment, the host infused his voice with energy and rattled off my achievements like a machine gun.
Step. Step.
Even as I reached center stage, the host didn't stop.
-He captured the heart of a true teacher as Ha Jung-min, delivering both fun and emotion. Then in his next project, as an unnamed demon, he displayed tremendous acting prowess, pushing immersion to the max...
President Kim Sang-guk handed me the trophy and bouquet. I kept smiling as I grasped his wrinkled hand.
"Sincere congratulations, Lee Jun-seo."
"Thank you, President Kim Sang-guk."
"With all these talented actors around, every day is a joy. Keep pushing forward."
"Yes, I will."
I smiled, narrowing my eyes.
President Kim Sang-guk's eyes widened for a moment before he belatedly grinned.
"Yes. I'll be watching you from now on..."
"Hold on!"
A urgent voice rang out from somewhere.
The area fell silent in an instant.
All eyes that should have been on the Daesang winner turned to the right.
Rustle!
Yu-na planted herself right below center stage and beamed.
"Hehehe. Perfect. Now we're good!"
The small camera in her hand.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Ahaha!"
The Acting Daesang ceremony ended, and late night arrived.
A gathering at a pub with just the people who mattered.
In-ju hyung and Yoon So-hee sunbaenim.
Plus Yoo Sia, whom I hadn't even invited, and everyone's managers—it turned into an unexpectedly huge party.
"Drink up! More!"
"Jun-seo, who got the Daesang, is treating tonight, right? Ahaha!"
"Or is it the Best Actress winner treating?"
"Whoever it is, thanks."
The managers joked around.
Kwon In-ju flinched and jumped up with his glass. Judging by his ear-to-ear grin, he loved being called the Acting Daesang Best Actress winner.
"Ahaha! Sounds good! I'll treat!"
"Wooo!"
"And to that... Shall we all cheers?"
As everyone raised their glasses—
My eyes caught everyone's attention as I sat quietly.
I glanced around, then picked up Yu-na's soda glass.
"May the road ahead be filled with flowers!"
Clink!
The random flower-path toast had everyone cracking up.
Click! Click!
"Hehehe... These came out so good."
"Yu-na, put the camera down already."
"No way... Can't we play a bit more with pics?"
Suddenly, Yoon So-hee sunbaenim slid over next to me and poked Yu-na's chubby cheeks.
"I was so shocked when you showed up with that camera, Yu-na."
Yoo Sia shot back at her words.
"I was shocked watching the live broadcast too. Good thing the reaction wasn't bad... Otherwise, it would've been a total broadcast accident."
"Psh, don't be so stiff. I told you to call me casually. Sia."
I let out a deep sigh.
Yoon So-hee sunbaenim's rising voice pitch and casual behavior. Couldn't let her drink more...
"Noona. That's enough now."
"I'm not drunk yet."
"If you drink more here, you will be... So stop."
"I said I'm not."
A woman who looked like her manager snatched Yoon So-hee sunbaenim's glass.
Click! Click!
"Hehehe. This is so fun."
Why was it so noisy around me?
Bzzz!
Now my phone started buzzing loudly.
I shook my head side to side, slowly stood, and headed outside to a quiet spot.
"Haa."
My sigh produced a puff of white breath that vanished quickly.
'Quiet and nice here...'
An empty downtown street with no signs of life. I savored the cool night air and pulled out my phone.
It was a call from the CEO.
What could it be at this hour?
"Yes, CEO. It's me."
-I know it's you. Ahem! Anyway, congrats on the Daesang.
I let out a small chuckle and adjusted my grip on the phone.
"Thanks. But what's up calling so late?"
-Do I need a reason to call?
"Heh. No."
-By the way... Pfft!
Laughter came through.
"...Why are you laughing all of a sudden?"
-Oh, your daughter Yu-na pulled off another one. How'd she nail that perfect spot...
"Yes?"
-I was watching the live broadcast of you getting the Daesang and cracked up holding my stomach.
"......"
Yu-na popping up during the live stream was definitely hilarious.
But.
That wasn't all.
"What do you mean perfect spot?"
-Yu-na's little back-of-the-head peeked into the bottom of the screen. Viewers loved it. Heh heh heh.
Oh, I wanna see that too...
Wonder how it looked.
That's when—
-You're at a company dinner, right?
"We'll wrap up after a bit more fun."
-Good. Drink moderately and head home.
"Yes, you rest well too, CEO."
Click!
After ending the call with the CEO, I shivered.
White snowflakes were now drifting down from the sky like petals.
"Whew... Cold. Time to head back?"
The morning of the new year dawned.
I woke up early and immediately grabbed my phone from the bedside.
What articles were circulating today?
'Lee Jun-seo.'
Searching my name brought up a huge photo.
Below the pic of me holding the trophy and bouquet was a familiar tiny back-of-the-head.
"Ah... So that's it?"
This must be the scene the CEO mentioned yesterday.
-Whose is that cute little back-of-the-head at the bottom? (Even if you know, pretend not) └No idea? (Really don't)
└hahahaha But seriously, is that okay during live broadcast?
└If it's cute, it's fine. Cute is all that matters.
└Agreed. Cute wins.
-Lee Jun-seo won Rookie last year, right? Daesang already...
└Talent is insane.
└Dancing talent too.
└Singing talent's top-notch.
└hahahaha Those two above, anti-fans? Total hacks.
-He's so handsome. Wanna live one day with that face.
-What's Lee Jun-seo's next project?
└Curious.
└Next project already? Too soon?
└Lee Jun-seo must feel the pressure even if he doesn't show it.
└Yeah. Every drama he's been in topped ratings.
└Might take a break for the next one because of that.
I chuckled reading the comments carefully.
'Feeling pressure?'
Not at all.
Contrary to their guesses, I planned to tell the CEO about my next project tomorrow.
That bound script I'd taken from the agency last time.
I was going to say I'd take that role.
'It'll take some time, huh?'
They'd need time to cast actors fitting the roles...
"Nggh. Daddyyy."
Yu-na woke up and flailed her hands in the air. I set my phone aside and hugged her tight.
"Good morning, my girl."
"Hehehe. Warm."
"But is it okay to stay like this?"
"...Why?"
"While our pretty girl was in dreamland last night, a ton of snow piled up outside."
At "snow," Yu-na wriggled free and hopped off the bed to the floor, rushing out.
"Waaah! Snow!"
Smiling at Yu-na's bright voice, I slowly got up.
Plenty of time today.
Should I make a huge snow duck outside like promised?