Chapter 69
Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Rookie Award Night
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Before the live broadcast began.
The staff bustled about to the tune of upbeat music.
We gathered around a round table decorated with flowers in the center, picking up our conversation where we'd left off.
*What a pain.*
The topic was all about the incident from just a few days ago.
Under the seniors' relentless questioning, I'd spilled everything that hadn't made it into the articles.
I'd told them how I'd been bullied in school and how even the teachers had stood by without helping.
"That's everything."
I shrugged.
Talking it all out with them had lightened my heart considerably.
"...You really went through all that?"
"Ah, no... What happened back then..."
They stared at me with wide eyes, stammering and unable to hide their shock.
*That's the normal reaction.*
The online articles had softened it a lot. I flashed a bright smile to break the heavy silence.
"Ahaha... It's fine now. It's all over. Kim Tae-seok's personal info got leaked everywhere, and all that's left is for him to go to prison, right? Water under the bridge."
"Hey! What do you mean 'fine'?"
Yoon Mi-jeong's voice rose, drawing glances from the other actors nearby.
Yoo Seol-hwa, sitting right next to her, lowered her voice awkwardly.
"Senior... Keep it down."
"No, aren't you guys frustrated too?"
Yoo Seol-hwa and Kang Su-ho nodded along, and even Shin Dong-hyun, who I'd trusted, joined in. It wasn't *that* frustrating, was it? Hadn't it wrapped up neatly?
I wanted to vent my grievances, but I couldn't.
The other actors kept glancing our way and whispering.
I didn't want to make a bigger deal out of it.
"If it were me, I'd just..."
"Alright, let's drop it."
Thankfully, Kang Su-ho cut off Yoon Mi-jeong first.
Tug tug!
Yu-na, nestled in my arms, whimpered and tugged at my collar.
"Daddy... When do we go home?"
"Huh?"
"I wanna go home..."
The loud music and having to sit still must have bored her.
We still had a long way to go...
"It's Yu-na's birthday today, right?"
Her clear, innocent eyes blinked up at me pleadingly, melting my resolve.
Oh no. I clutched my chest.
That's not fair.
"I wanna eat the cake Daddy made quick. Let's go home soon. Pretty please?"
I turned my head to avoid her pleading gaze.
"What? It's Yu-na's birthday today?"
"Oh my gosh! Really? Jun-seo, why didn't you say anything? You had plenty of time! I didn't even get a gift."
"It's in her profile if you search Yu-na..."
"I'm disappointed. I've sent coffee trucks to set tons of times, and you couldn't even tell me that."
Kang Su-ho cut me off.
I glanced around, and they all narrowed their eyes with disappointed looks.
"I'm not even a friend? Wow..."
Cold sweat broke out.
Honestly... I'd forgotten to mention it.
With all the recent chaos, I'd only remembered the day before. Preparing a homemade cake had been a rush job too.
"Ahaha. I've been so busy, it slipped my mind. Sorry."
"......"
No one spoke.
The seniors silently pulled out their phones and started tapping away. Probably texting their managers to get gifts for Yu-na.
That's exactly their style.
"Daddyyy."
"Yu-na, just a bit longer. Hold out until Daddy says it's okay... Yeah! Before summer break ends, Daddy will take you to the zoo. How's that?"
"...The zoo? Yes! Yu-na's good at waiting! I'll be quiet!"
Shin Dong-hyun, first to put his phone down, sidled up next to me.
"Buddy, mind if I tag along?"
"I don't have schedules for a month either..."
Yoo Seol-hwa chimed in too.
"Ahem, I can get the tickets myself. What do you say? It's the best I can do instead of a gift."
What were they saying?
Even just the two of us would draw attention because of our faces—we wouldn't relax.
With Shin Dong-hyun and Yoo Seol-hwa? Peaceful playtime with Yu-na would be impossible.
No way.
I smiled firmly.
"It's okay. We're just going to rest, so two's cozier. But we'll gladly take the zoo tickets from you, Su-ho senior."
My blunt refusal deflated their shoulders.
Yoon Mi-jeong and Kang Su-ho burst out laughing at the sight.
The live broadcast started soon after.
The host kicked things off smoothly, guiding the conversation like flowing water.
After the yawn-inducing segments, it was time for the highlight reel from *Guard the Pojangmacha!*, where Yu-na and I had supporting roles.
It played on the massive screen.
-Daddy, how far away do I have to be?
Yu-na's tearful voice.
I'd told her I had to leave for a long time because of a big mistake.
During filming, Yu-na really cried.
She thought she truly had to be apart from me for ages.
*...Yeah. Even without Daddy, you have to eat all your meals. Brush your teeth too...*
*Waaah! No! I don't wanna be away from Daddy! I wanna go with Daddy!*
*Daddy wants that too... But. Sniff. Daddy has to go far away.*
It ended with a tight hug.
Even rewatching it tore at my heart.
My eyes welled up.
Sniffles echoed around me. Honestly, I'd thought the scene didn't fit a sitcom.
But the head writer and director insisted, so it got shoehorned in.
Thanks to that... when that scene aired, it hit so hard it made me feel like the lead, not supporting.
I realized I was wrong—almost tossed a gem over genre concerns.
Starting with my scene, clips from other rookie nominees rolled.
They were impressive for rookies, but not quite my level.
Not arrogance.
The others thought so too. My fellow castmates were lost in the emotion of that scene.
"Kya! I was crying off-camera during that shoot. In a sitcom, giving that kind of feels."
"So sad..."
Their eyes turned to me.
"Congrats in advance. Get ready to go up."
"It's not decided yet..."
"What do you mean? It is."
I grinned sheepishly at Kang Su-ho's jab. Hey, you have to act humble here.
Doesn't every actor know that?
I turned back to the stage.
"Such fierce competition. The 2021 Rookie Acting Award goes to..."
The host paused dramatically, looking our way with a grin.
"Lee Jun-seo from the sitcom *Guard the Pojangmacha!*. Congratulations!"
"Yes! Congratulations, Lee Jun-seo!"
Waaaaah!
Acting cocky here would be disastrous.
Especially with senior actors watching—some I might work with someday.
Better to look a bit clumsy; it makes things easier later. I'd seen countless juniors after their rookie wins in my past life.
Scrape. I stood, feigning surprise, and glanced around.
"Go on up."
"Congrats, junior."
I gave light bows left and right and headed to the stage.
Pat pat pat!
Of course.
Glancing back, Yu-na was toddling after me.
"Daddyyy! Yu-na too...!"
Thud!
"Ahaha! The cute little princess took a tumble."
"She got right back up like a big girl."
Yu-na popped up instantly and ran to me.
"Hehehe. Yu-na wanna stay together."
Her beaming, innocent smile.
"Sit quietly... Sigh."
Worried about scrapes, I knelt to check her over.
Luckily, no injuries.
*Can't send her down like this.*
I scooped her up and strode to the host.
The host explained the cheesy sitcom setup, and I received the trophy and small bouquet.
The cool metal of the trophy nearly brought tears—I'd never dreamed of climbing back here.
*Can't cry on stage.*
No way I'd let this become my black history online. Hold it together.
I handed the rookie trophy and bouquet to Yu-na.
Then stepped to the mic.
Staff signaled to hurry—Yu-na had eaten up time.
Calmly...
I cleared my throat and spoke slowly.
"First, heartfelt thanks to Director Lee Han-sol for promoting me from extra to supporting."
My clear voice echoed.
Silence fell, but Yu-na's whisper leaked through the mic.
"Wow. It's so sparkly."
Everyone watching held their breaths, lips twitching.
"Is this a toy too?"
Please, Yu-na, behave...
I rushed through thanks to all the staff, sound director, camera director, neighbors.
Finally, the seniors and Shin Dong-hyun.
"I'll work harder as an actor. Happy New Year, everyone. And lastly... to our lovely daughter. Happy birthday, Yu-na."
As I finished, I poked Yu-na's chubby cheek—she was gnawing the trophy.
"Hehehe. Thank you!"
Her cheerful thanks drew applause from the crowd.
Parts 1 and 2 of the ceremony ended.
It was late, so we skipped the cast dinner and headed straight home.
Nod. Nod.
Exhausted from the day? Yu-na had been dozing off toward the end, now fully asleep.
"Yu-na, no cake?"
"Mmm..."
She squirmed and grabbed my shirt. Waking our sound asleep angel felt wrong.
Bath tomorrow?
She'd sleep in her clothes like this.
I lay on the bed as is, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Then turned my head.
On the shelf: rookie trophy and bouquet. A solid start as Lee Jun-seo, not Lee Seo-jun.
*So much has happened.*
Landed a long sitcom supporting role right away—money wasn't tight anymore.
Filmed fun CFs thanks to Yu-na.
*That was a blast.*
And the high school drama that wouldn't even audition me over looks.
Handsome face got me in on paperwork alone; wrapped smoothly.
Minor friction, but...
Experience.
Actors grow expressive through new encounters.
Eyes growing heavy.
*...Ah, time for bed?*
I pulled the blanket to my chin, turned to gaze at sleeping Yu-na.
She looked like a tiny angel, lost to the world.
"Sweet dreams, my cute girl..."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A loud knock jolted me upright.
"What, what is it? This late..."