A Bustling Awards Ceremony
[Chun-sik...]
[Damn it, I told you not to call me by that shitty name!]
[Oh, Chun-sik... cough, cough...]
[You fucking bastard!!!!]
The tentative title Unfilial Son Chun-sik's retro vibe(?) had taken Korea by storm too.
A father who prioritizes his son even in his final moments.
A son who rots his father's guts by screaming bloody murder until the end.
Belated regret (presumed).
Wasn't it the classic "Mom said she doesn't like jjajangmyeon" style of nostalgic sentiment?
Praise poured in for Chun-sik's quintessentially Korean(?) performance as well.
That meant Chun-sik must have chosen the name himself.
The speculation gained credibility as it spread overseas, leaving American Chun-sik Gordon clutching his head and yelling, "Fuck, no!"
But amid all the buzz, one person harbored slightly different feelings.
It was actress Seo Bom.
"...Bom?"
"......."
"Uh..."
This kid's at it again—her manager sighed deeply, but Seo Bom's vacant eyes remained glued to the screen.
This time, it couldn't be helped.
To Seo Bom, the scene on screen didn't feel like someone else's story at all.
Looking back, the only miracle in Seo Bom's life had been meeting Kang Min as a child. Some acquaintances joked, "If it weren't for Min oppa, you'd be in jail by now," and Seo Bom didn't deny it.
Back then, immature Seo Bom saw the whole world that crookedly.
Even the vicious words spewed by the foreigner on screen paled compared to the abuse child Seo Bom had hurled at Kang Min.
Yet Kang Min had never let on about any of it...
"...I see."
"......."
Her acquaintance, now an orphanage teacher, let out a long sigh.
Seo Bom didn't want to be like this either.
But she was just scared...
"What if sunbae says he'll never see me again...?"
"But what if, just in case...?"
The acquaintance sighed again, but there was no helping it. Fighting with Kang Min was unthinkable in Seo Bom's life, and Kang Min getting angry was even more unimaginable.
Like with the MinLove incident, she could only cautiously test the waters.
But this video had changed her mind for the first time.
Seo Bom clenched her fist tightly.
"...Manager unnie."
"Yeah, sure. What groundbreaking crazy shit are you planning now?"
"Maybe one day I'll bitterly regret not stepping up sooner today?"
"I don't know what you're on about, but if you fought with anyone, make up quick. It'll definitely be your fault anyway."
Seo Bom nodded at the pointed advice.
Then she pondered something else and threw out an oddly timed question.
"For this year's year-end acting awards, how far do you think I'll go?"
"Huh? Out of nowhere? ...Well, KBC Excellence Award at least for sure? Daesang maybe if lucky, but everyone's unsure—"
"Excellence is fine. They give 2 minutes for acceptance speech, right?"
"Uh? Y-yeah..."
Did she eat something weird?—As her manager blinked, Seo Bom seemed deep in thought again.
Or perhaps quietly piecing together a plan.
Either way, she'd reached a conclusion soon enough.
Seo Bom looked up.
"Unnie."
"Yeah."
"Sorry, but this time I might not mention you in my speech. Apologizing in advance."
"...?"
For some reason, Manager Chuyeonji felt a deeply ominous premonition.
#
The theater hosting the Emmys each year had changed from Nokia Theater to Microsoft Theater, then Peacock Theater, following trendy corporations.
But its prime location never changed.
Off Harbor Freeway onto West Olympic Boulevard into downtown. It was the heart of the heart, packed with massive live halls, arenas, convention centers, hotels, and skyscrapers.
Glamorous enough that the theater didn't stand out much.
But not today.
"It's the shiniest. And the crowds are insane."
"Well, today the Emmys are the star."
Lloyd Gonzalez shrugged at Kang Min's observation.
Nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, he was there with his trembling subordinate Shirakawa—first-time nominee for writing—accompanying Kang Min.
"Everyone around will love it. September's fine as usual, but year-end means more spending. This rare boon from the judging panel fiasco."
"I see."
Kang Min gazed at the spectacle like he'd landed on another planet.
Reporters swarming with cameras, desperate not to miss a topic.
The long red carpet.
Crowds craning necks, screaming in hopes of a face shot.
Multicolored lights blazing.
No low-tier producers passing by, no unknown actors.
When a young actress—who'd swept box office top 20 and now TV shows—appeared, cameramen even shoved each other, leaving her flustered.
Kang Min sighed softly.
Well, as a 9-month rookie just filling seats, not my league.
He'd expected it. When he asked if he could skip, everyone flipped out like he was crazy.
William White was popular lately, but just meme-level. No match for truly acclaimed actors.
Kang Min turned back.
"Let's go that way."
But for some reason,
the reply came a beat late.
"...Pardon?"
"Me on that red thing? Reaction'd be lukewarm at best. Heard it's customary for out-of-league actors to sneak in via staff entrance."
"No, that's..."
"Isn't it, Shirakawa-ssi?"
"No, it is. But the issue isn't that... You're joking, right?"
What the hell is this madman saying?
Doesn't he know why reporters scrutinize every arrival?
But he did. As Shirakawa stammered and Lloyd looked troubled, Kang Min casually moved.
Spotlight still on that actress, entry was easy.
When Kang Min climbed the steps and handed his invite, the staff blinked in the dumbest face ever.
"W-William White... no, Actor Kang Min?"
"Yes."
"Wh-why here...?"
"Problem?"
"N-no! Go in!"
The staff hurriedly stepped aside. Kang Min entered, satisfied with his natural act.
Only he thought so.
Behind, reporters erupted as directors and writers gaped.
Hearing "William White," they whipped around, spotted the receding actor, jaws dropped, then frothed at the mouth.
"Oh my god, why's Kang over there!"
"No idea!"
"When did he sneak in! What rookie's too good for red carpet!"
"Damn, editing said grab a William White shot since we got none...!"
"Interview?"
"Fly like Superman!"
"Where's my pass!!"
"He has people?!"
"Zoom, zoom in, Ronald! Do it, you nerd!"
Chaos everywhere, but he just shrugged like another big shot and entered.
Reporters stared dumbfounded, like dogs losing a chicken.
"......."
The actress, till then the center, wore the same look.
Somehow betrayed.
#
The ceremony began.
Late-entering Lloyd Director muttered oddly.
"...Actor Kang."
"Yes."
"I know it's not my place, but you need an agency. Ones to explain your situations... properly."
"?"
Kang Min puzzled, but Shirakawa nodding too, so he pondered.
Agency...
After Unbelievable, no real interest, but maybe needed. No inconvenience yet, but future might differ.
The hall below was smaller than thought. Seatmates spotting him widened eyes in surprise or whispered.
Clearly not his scene.
"...Yeah, need an agency."
"Hm."
As Lloyd pressed, Kang Min's mind shifted. Ask around later—
But thoughts of Korea flipping again soon halted. Met a welcome familiar face.
Kang Min stood immediately.
"Geisler-ssi! Great to see you again!"
"Likewise, Actor Kang. Knew you'd make it here someday."
Not this soon, but—
Stefan Geisler shook hands with a wry smile. From Unbelievable's Hitler ep, Kang Min reached Emmys in 4 months.
Even he couldn't help a hollow laugh.
After greetings, playful grin:
"Heard the news. William White made press so mad they skipped him, snuck in. Wasn't that too much?"
"Hm, sounds like a misunderstanding. No clue."
"No denying. Victim told me himself."
"Victim...?"
Stefan's introduced blond "victim," grumpy-faced, looked familiar.
Precisely, met minutes ago.
The young actress reporters mobbed as he entered.
Name... ah.
"H-hello. Didn't expect to meet Actress Diaz. Honored."
"...It's Lewis. Aislinn Lewis."
"......."
"...Really too much."
Kang Min felt a bit awkward.
Anyway—
This trivial encounter hugely impacted events hours later in distant Korea.
#
Hours earlier, Korea.
KBC New Building Open Hall.
MC strained his voice loudest yet.
"KBC Acting Awards! The Grand Prize goes to...!!"
Long suspense.
Then beaming, he bellowed:
"Seo Bom of Red Carpet! Congratulations!"
"Waaaaaaah—!!!"
Cheers and confetti exploded.
Applause everywhere; distant Manager Chuyeonji whooped and jumped.
First Daesang. She'd swept Excellence last and prior years, but missed top.
Now malicious critiques would vanish.
All purely celebrated young star's rise.
"Congrats!"
"Congratulations!"
"So cool, unnie!!"
Cheers from all sides. All expected teary emotion from Seo Bom.
"...Thank you."
But her eyes, hair-veiled, were ice cold.
Tense, yes.
Hands trembled slightly.
Not from the award.
Seo Bom deep-breathed, click-clack stepped forward.
Clutched the crumpled, rehearsed apology speech.
Today...!