Penguin on the Red Carpet

Time passed. The end of December drew near.

Woo Dan-wol was currently locked in a fierce struggle with Seong Ji-hoon. The root of the problem lay in the memories from his previous life.

“Can’t I just wear a regular suit…?”

“What are you even saying? Hyung, I’ll get roasted if we do that.”

“But still…”

Even so, every suit laid out before Woo Dan-wol looked identical to him. What exactly was the difference?

The fashion at awards ceremonies in this gender-reversed world wasn’t all that different from his previous life. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Women wore dresses, men wore suits. That was Woo Dan-wol’s take, but if Seong Ji-hoon had heard it, he would have foamed at the mouth.

“Look at this. The cuff buttons and—”

“Just do whatever you want… I’ll wear whatever you pick.”

“…Understood.”

Seong Ji-hoon let out a long, pained groan. Shouldn’t a celebrity normally show some interest in fashion? It was a profession that lived and died by public attention, after all.

Woo Dan-wol had strangely apathetic taste in colors and coordination. Because of it, Seong Ji-hoon often nagged him, asking why he only ever chose colors that a middle-aged auntie would wear.

Anyway. The final day of the year, the thirtieth of December, arrived. Just as he had heard earlier, Woo Dan-wol had been invited to the MBS Acting Awards ceremony.

It was because his drama I Want to Stay for Just One More Minute had aired on MBS. The show had wrapped up with sixteen episodes right before the end of December. Whether they had timed it deliberately for awards season or not, the intention was obvious.

Woo Dan-wol’s popularity was blazing hotter than ever. View counts on every media outlet and the YouTube clips circulating in highlight form were all skyrocketing.

“You want to come too?”

“Me? Hmm… No. We wouldn’t even be able to sit together anyway.”

In the end, actors had to sit in the seats designated by the awards organizers. Even if Woo Ri-na tagged along, she could be at the venue but not by his side. So they had decided to gather with friends instead. There was also a slightly mischievous desire to show them his house.

Anyway. Once Seong Ji-hoon had finished dressing him and applying his makeup, Woo Dan-wol looked like an entirely different person. The outfit carried every ounce of his will. It was a declaration that he would not lose to any other actor in appearance. Even Lee Hye-ri let out a small gasp of admiration.

When she saw Woo Dan-wol getting into the car, her mouth fell slightly open.

“Wow…”

“Hoo, it’s pretty cold out.”

“I brought the long padded coat. You can wear it until we go inside.”

“Okay.”

She thought she had grown used to it, yet his looks still felt brand new every single time.

The car pulled away. Woo Dan-wol stared blankly out the window. This was the first year-end since he had fallen into this world.

Was he feeling sentimental? Lee Hye-ri glanced at him, smiled softly, and asked.

“Actor Woo Dan-wol, what are your thoughts?”

“Uh…”

“Do you think you’ll take home an award?”

It was a sensitive question. But because it came from Lee Hye-ri, someone he could speak with intimately, it was all right. Woo Dan-wol remained silent for a moment before answering that he did. The next question in the familiar repertoire followed immediately.

“Then have you prepared an acceptance speech?”

“…No.”

“Pfft, you’re going to panic then, aren’t you?”

“Hmm…”

His eyes still carried that slightly dazed look. It was his usual expression, but the atmosphere of the awards night made it seem more pronounced. Woo Dan-wol’s lips parted, and Lee Hye-ri listened with genuine interest.

“I want to keep acting for a long time.”

“Oh…”

He spoke like a seasoned veteran. Lee Hye-ri was impressed. It didn’t sound like something a rookie would say. Most newcomers usually talked about breaking into Hollywood or pulling in ten million moviegoers, didn’t they?

Lee Hye-ri’s thoughts drifted in several directions ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠before a laugh slipped out. It was just so typical of Woo Dan-wol.

Then, as his next words continued, her face slowly began to flush.

“I hope things can stay like this for a long time… I want to keep seeing Hye-ri noona, too…”

Wh-what! The car nearly slammed on the brakes again. She almost became the greatest driver in history.

Lee Hye-ri’s breath caught in her throat. What had she just heard? Her mind grew tangled as she frantically tried to parse his words. Of course, the following sentence cooled her down instantly.

“I want to keep seeing Ji-hoon, the good directors and PDs… I hope it lasts a long time.”

“Ah… right.”

So that was what he meant. Of course. I’m the one being weird. Lee Hye-ri quietly calmed her fluttering heart.

The car sped up. She wanted to reach the awards venue as quickly as possible.

This was the MBS Acting Awards ceremony. A live broadcast was currently underway. The flower of any awards show—the photo zone. It was the spot where celebrities walked the red carpet, gave short interviews, and posed for the press.

Because it was a live broadcast, the YouTube comment section formed the main wave of reactions. The show aired on television and YouTube simultaneously.

Therefore, not only the articles but the YouTube comments—a space where people could gather and share their thoughts—were displaying far stronger energy than usual.

Nine positive comments and one so-called malicious comment that was simply telling the truth. That was the reaction to Jang Seon-woo’s appearance. While there was only a fine line between criticism and condemnation, labeling even constructive comments that pointed out flaws in his acting—without a single curse—as malicious was becoming a problem. As a result, the number of genuinely vicious comments kept growing.

Of course, since people of every type had gathered, the comment section continued to burn brightly. If the moderators weren’t managing it, the chat would have been flooded with fights.

At that moment the comments suddenly froze. While Jang Seon-woo was smiling at the camera, Woo Dan-wol had appeared. If it had been a simple entrance, it might not have caused much of a stir.

It was because his fashion was completely unlike anything expected at an awards show. Compared to Jang Seon-woo, who wore a sharp suit and dress shoes, the difference was striking.

The sight of him tightly zipped into a black long padded coat made him look exactly like a penguin.

The sight of a dazed-looking Woo Dan-wol, like a penguin that had been dragged here against its will, began to look utterly lovable in the eyes of the reporters. The fact that the man himself felt zero emotion about it was the real highlight.

Jang Seon-woo’s expression hardened. According to the unspoken rules of the red carpet, one was supposed to wait long enough before making an entrance. It was a rule that existed only among male actors in this world, something that had not existed in his previous life.

There was no way Woo Dan-wol could have known. On top of that, the padded coat made Jang Seon-woo’s mood grow increasingly foul.

Though his face remained stiff and he made no overt move, the glare he directed at Woo Dan-wol was razor sharp. It was a legendary scene that would later circulate among the public as the perfect example of “Why men in this world should never hold a grudge.”

Smiles spread across the reporters’ faces. It was the natural reaction one had upon seeing something cute—whether a man or simply an adorable creature. Most of the reporters were women, so the effect was even stronger.

“Actor Woo Dan-wol, is there a reason you’re wearing a padded coat?”

“Ah…?”

The chat exploded with laughter, and even the reporters dissolved into a sea of giggles. Seong Ji-hoon belatedly rushed out and began stripping the coat off him. The photo zone rang with even louder laughter.

“Puhahaha!!”

“Ahahaha!!”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine~”

Woo Dan-wol had made not only the reporters but even the distant fans laugh. He had instantly become the hottest topic of the entire awards ceremony. Jang Seon-woo’s expression crumpled even further. In the end, he walked off the red carpet first.

Once the padded coat was removed, Woo Dan-wol activated “Lee Shin-woo” mode—the concept from the drama. He remained careful with his words and actions but deliberately carried the aura of his delinquent boxer character.

Everyone’s eyes filled with shock. A stylish suit was revealed, Seong Ji-hoon flashed a thumbs-up, and the moment Woo Dan-wol was the only one left in the photo zone, it became clear who owned the top visual spot tonight.

In the blink of an eye he had transformed from a dazed penguin into a seductive fox. Could a single change of clothing really do this? The sound of camera shutters filled the air.

Anyway. The awards ceremony began without further incident. He watched the congratulatory performances. He could feel sharp, stinging glares from behind, but he paid them no mind and simply enjoyed the show.

Then the long-awaited awards began.

Various categories passed by. Finally, the drama division arrived.

The MCs continued their witty banter as the nominees appeared. Among the dramas that had aired that year was, of course, I Want to Stay for Just One More Minute, which had starred Woo Dan-wol.

Applause and cheers erupted. The camera captured Woo Dan-wol’s slightly dazed expression. Having returned to his usual self, he stepped up to the stage with his natural face.

After the other rookie winners gave their speeches, Woo Dan-wol’s short acceptance followed.

“This year I showed my face on screen for the first time. I feel truly honored to receive the Rookie of the Year award.”

His brief speech continued. The first people he thanked were the public and his fans. After expressing gratitude to his agency CEO Lee Hye-ri, Seong Ji-hoon, and all the staff he had worked with, Woo Dan-wol bowed deeply.

Woo Dan-wol returned to his seat. The ceremony was far from over. Many categories remained. And then, surprisingly—

Applause rang out again, louder than before. The way Woo Dan-wol’s eyes widened was the main highlight. He had not expected the Best Couple award at all. Having already proven himself with the Rookie award, he had felt satisfied. That was probably why the surprise hit harder.

With a slightly stunned expression, Woo Dan-wol stepped back onto the stage. After Ju Ha-ryeong gave her speech, the microphone came to him. What should he say now?

His appearance, like a broken hamster, drew inexplicable laughter. He had only been silent for three seconds, yet question marks floated across Woo Dan-wol’s face.

“…?”

Had he done something wrong? Woo Dan-wol just wanted to go home. Even though it was a meaningful awards night, he had little interest since it had nothing to do with acting itself.

“Thank you.”

He bowed at a perfect ninety degrees. Once again the hall filled with thunderous applause. As expected, she had raised him ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠well. Lee Hye-ri, who had left a major agency to start her own company, wore a deeply satisfied smile. Of course, she had only ridden on his coattails.

After that, Woo Dan-wol did not return to the stage again. However, the drama he had starred in continued to soar higher.

The MC’s powerful voice rang out. The winner of the grand prize was Ju Ha-ryeong. She said what she had been unable to say during the Best Couple speech.

“Thank you to my junior Woo Dan-wol. He really is an incredible junior. That…”

Even though they were senior and junior, they were of opposite genders. It was a statement that could have been dangerous, but because most of her words praised his acting ability, the viewers simply nodded in agreement.

And then—

Out of ten awards, the team had already taken four. The next category was—

The expression on his face as the camera caught it twitched like shattering glass. He had won an award, yet his face showed no joy whatsoever.