Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Year-End Actor Awards
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#068
I was riding in the manager's car on the way to the KY Broadcasting Center's open hall, the venue for this year's year-end awards ceremony.
My sharply dressed reflection gleamed in the window glass. Today was the year-end actor awards ceremony I'd been waiting for.
Don't get nervous.
'I'm not some rookie... Why am I shaking?'
To calm my nerves, I hugged Yu-na tightly for no real reason.
"Nggh."
Oh, too tight?
I looked down at her tiny head, scratching the back of her neck.
Wiggle. Wiggle.
Her little bottom squirming bit by bit.
'She could just say she needs help.'
Her furrowed brow and strained expression were so cute that I couldn't help but smile.
"Yu-na, does something feel uncomfortable?"
I asked as gently as possible, and she whipped her head around. With her brows pinched tight, she pointed at the nape of her neck.
"Here. Right here! It keeps stinging."
Sure enough, a stray thread from the turtleneck was poking her skin.
I wanted to snip it off, but I didn't have scissors, and this was a rental from the agency—cutting it wasn't an option.
"Hmm, should I cover it with my handkerchief?"
I tucked the handkerchief into her collar and straightened her clothes neatly.
"Better now?"
"Hee hee hee. Yeah!"
Yu-na, her smile back, peered out the window and started wiggling her bottom again.
"We're almost there, just ahead."
"Oh, really? Got it."
At the manager's words, I pulled out a small mirror to check my own outfit.
Good, perfect.
I glanced outside—the open hall, our final destination, was visible in the distance.
Today... let's not shake and do my best.
In front of the KY Broadcasting Center's open hall.
The place buzzed with crowds gathered to see the actors, and reporters wielded cameras worth more than their monthly salaries.
"Ugh, why is it so cold?"
A fellow reporter grumbled, rubbing his frozen hands with his breath.
Kim Yun-sik, checking his camera beside him, clicked his tongue.
"You know this happens every year."
"Still, don't they think about us? Can't they hold it indoors for the fans and reporters waiting out here?"
"Only the top-tier reporters with more clout than us get inside."
"Top-tier my ass... Oh!"
Kim Yun-sik let out a deep sigh.
"Oh! You said you posted that scoop from last week, right? Who was it again? Lee..."
"...Actor Lee Jun-seo?"
"Yeah! That's it."
The questioner laughed heartily and slapped Kim Yun-sik on the back.
"You grabbed the exclusive first."
"Just luck. Who knew what I'd dig up tailing an actor who suddenly brought his daughter into showbiz?"
That was a lie.
This scoop came from a tip via text from CEO Do Bong-seok.
'I was shocked when I got that message.'
It told him to dig into Lee Jun-seo, a talent from the agency he founded himself.
At first, he thought it was a joke.
But then came the organized file on what Lee Jun-seo went through in school.
Once he had that file, he understood the request.
Thanks to it, he even landed this gig.
"Good thing I listened."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"...Nothing."
That exclusive got him in as a rookie reporter on the 'Pandora's Box' program.
The kind that uncovers hidden stories for the public.
When he writes about Lee Jun-seo later, he'll have to tread carefully.
That's when it happened.
"Hey, hey!"
Tap tap!
His colleague tapped his shoulder and nodded to the right.
"Someone's here. Let's go!"
He could've gone ahead and snagged a spot, but the guy woke Kim Yun-sik from his daze.
Even though staking a claim first was key, his colleague waited.
In this cutthroat field, lacking competitive drive meant you wouldn't last.
Kim Yun-sik let out a wry chuckle.
"You're laughing? Hurry up!"
"...Yeah. Let's go."
Shaking off stray thoughts, Reporter Kim Yun-sik grabbed his camera and advanced, eyes on the car stopping in front of the open hall.
As the door slid open, he pressed the shutter, flashes exploding.
Click! Click! Click!
Fans' cheers erupted alongside.
"Kyaaah! Seol-hwa unnie! Look over here!"
"Wow, she's so pretty."
"Waaah!"
The first to arrive was Yoo Seol-hwa.
Despite the freezing winter, her thin dress left her pale shoulders flushed red like the gown itself.
She didn't rush inside.
Instead, she gave elegant hand waves to the fans who'd braved the cold outside.
A far cry from her goofy sitcom antics.
'How much does she manage her image...'
Honestly, it felt a bit embarrassing to watch. Her ant-waist and figure hugged by that bold red dress.
Scandalous for winter.
Click! Click! Click!
Starting with her,
One by one, big-name actors appeared, and reporters madly snapped shots with their numb fingers.
Peering outside, I saw crowds of reporters and fans,
Plus plenty of mounted cameras. And the line of cars stretching ahead of us.
Who could be in the one up front?
Unable to resist, I cracked the window to eavesdrop on the fans and reporters.
"It's Actor Kang Min-woo!"
"Huh? 'High School 2022' isn't nominated. Isn't that airing next year?"
"Idiot. He's here for another project."
Students' voices from nearby.
As time ticked by, tension stiffened my body.
Yu-na, oblivious, rolled her eyes excitedly, chattering away.
"Daddy! Daddy! So many people!"
"......"
"My eyes hurt. Sparkle! Sparkle!"
Soon enough,
It was our turn.
"We've arrived. Jun-seo, you can get out now. Don't be nervous—good luck at the ceremony."
I chuckled at the manager's worried tone.
"Yeah. See you later."
"Bye, uncle! See you later!"
Yu-na's words made him flinch.
"Uncle" must've stung.
'With that tough face, "oppa" crosses the line.'
If he wanted "oppa," he'd need to bond more with Yu-na.
Finishing the thought, I swallowed hard. Checked my outfit one last time, then flung the door open.
Click! Click! Click!
Flashes blinded me the instant the door opened.
"Uwaaah! So bright!"
Yu-na, perched on my lap, shielded her eyes with tiny hands. Linger too long, and we'd hold up the cars behind.
I scooped her up under the arms.
"Yu-na, time to go."
She nodded, eyes still covered, and I chuckled again.
I set her down lightly on the red carpet, then gave a seasoned hand wave to those who'd waited in the cold.
Yu-na still covered her eyes with her adorable paws.
"Kyaaah! It's Yu-na!"
"Yu-na! Wave!"
"Oppa! Loving the sitcom! Binge-watched it twice!"
I caught that one clearly.
Scanning for the fan calling a dad like me "oppa."
A high school girl in uniform.
Our eyes met, and she thrust her hand forward eagerly. Probably wanted a handshake.
Her eager effort made me smile. Me, a rookie, and she wanted to touch hands that bad?
"Yu-na? Shall we head in?"
"Yeah."
Nodding, she started marching forward, eyes covered.
'Haa, no good.'
She'd trip like that. Quick decision—I scooped her up again.
Only then did she drop her hands from her eyes
And buried her face in my chest.
"Daddy, the light's attacking Yu-na."
"Haha. Want me to scold it?"
"Daddy blocks it, so it's okay."
"Yeah?"
I edged right toward the grateful student who'd called me oppa.
As I approached,
She strained to hold out a notebook and pen. Just moments ago, it was only her hand...
When'd she pull those out?
For a second...
I paused, took them, and signed.
Now, Yu-na's turn.
I slipped the pen into her hand and whispered.
"Just do your signature here."
"Write 'Yu-na'?"
"Yeah."
Yu-na scrawled her name big over my signature, obliterating it.
The student, thrilled to tears, bowed deeply.
Now, inside for more flashes from the press.
If only Yu-na would smile big.
But I didn't expect it.
Already like this at the entrance...
The hall proper, packed with even more reporters, would blind her completely.
Sure enough.
Inside, she buried her face in my chest and wouldn't budge.
I looked like I was carrying a giant plush toy.
Her outfit nailed it.
Black dress with white turtleneck—curled up, she was a perfect panda.
Thankfully, even without lifting her head, the reporters smiled.
"Look this way and wave."
"Yes, good. Now over here. Yu-na, wanna peek?"
"N-No."
Even as the flashes died down,
She kept her head down.
She wasn't shy before.
All this attention, worse than set life, embarrassed her.
"You've done great. Actor Lee Jun-seo, you're free to enter now."
"Yes. Thank you all for your hard work."
Short farewell, and we headed to the waiting room. Ours was with the sitcom crew.
Inside, the door was marked big: 'Guard the Pojangmacha!'
This must be it.
My heart raced at the thought of reuniting with sunbaes and friends.
Bang!
"Wooah! Our hoobae! Congrats!"
"Congrats on the Rookie Award."
Stepping in, their grand cheers startled me.
It hadn't even been announced yet. But they talked like I'd already won.
"Ahaha! Did you catch his surprised face?"
"Yes! Sunbae-nim! Got it perfect!"
Yoo Seol-hwa and Yoon Mi-jeong sunbaenim laughed and teased me.
I'd only met Yoon Mi-jeong a handful of times since schedules didn't overlap. And she was quiet in the cast group chat.
Maybe that's why?
I didn't know how to act around her. Felt a wall compared to bantering with the others.
I set Yu-na down briefly and looked up—met Yoon Mi-jeong's eyes.
"Heard you joined Lunatic Agency?"
"Ah, yes..."
"Hmm, too bad. Should've locked you down so no one else could snag you."
Her lip-smacking gave me chills. Like a predator eyeing prey.
"Gasp! Daddy's getting caught? No way!"
Yu-na's wild imagination sparked another burst of laughter in the room.