Sweeping the Rookie Awards
"Hello, everyone. I'm Haesu."
"Hello. I'm Jun. We sincerely welcome all of you attending the Baeksang Arts Awards. The weather's great today."
The ceremony kicked off with banter from the hosts. Then came a VCR introducing the judges, followed by clips from the standout TV nominees of the year. Among them was footage from You Are a Star, I Am a Star.
"Alright, let's dive into the real festivities. This'll be a chance to relive the shows that captured viewers' hearts over the past year. First up, the TV Drama Female Rookie Award. Presenting it are the epitome of loveliness themselves, Kim Bo-kyung and Saniel!"
The Female Rookie Award. Song-a, one of the nominees, clutched her hands tightly, as if trembling with nerves. When her eyes met Moo-young's, she flashed a bright smile. He nodded back—it'll be fine.
[You Are a Star, I Am a Star's Song-a.]
"Woooah!"
"Eeeeek—!"
As her face and name flashed on screen among the nominees, cheers erupted from the audience. She had her idol fandom, sure, but the drama's massive popularity played a big part too.
"And the winner is... this year's TV Drama Female Rookie Award—"
The presenter paused dramatically. Classic national rule. After a brief silence, the welcome name rang out.
"Song-a from You Are a Star, I Am a Star!"
"Congratulations!"
Flower pollen burst forth as her name was called. Ro-min and Moo-young shot to their feet, clapping. The other members hugged her tight, their joy genuine.
"Woooah!"
"Congrats, noona."
"Thank you... thank you so much."
She squeezed Moo-young extra hard. For the co-lead who'd carried the drama together, it felt like sweet reward.
Up on stage, Song-a wiped away tears before she even started. Her voice shook as she gripped the mic.
"Ah... sorry. I shouldn't be crying right from the start."
Laughter rippled through the crowd at her words. Dabbing her eyes, she delivered her acceptance speech. Her idol group members, agency CEO, manager, drama PD, writer, staff...
"And above all—"
As an idol pro, she nailed the speech—smooth, paced perfectly. But she faltered, her gaze seeking Moo-young.
"I want to thank Mirae's senior, Moo-young, who pulled me along and supported my shortcomings as a partner."
Moo-young grinned in surprise at the unexpected shoutout. The camera caught him flashing double thumbs-up, face full of emotion. She couldn't forget all the big and small ways he'd helped on set. Sniffling, she wrapped up with one more thank-you.
"Noona, congrats for real."
"I mean it—thank you so much."
Descending the stage with her bouquet and trophy, staff cleared them away as the Male Rookie Award followed.
"Whoa, it's Ro-min. Still so handsome!"
"When you say it like that, hyung, it feels like teasing."
Ro-min and Moo-young, naturally nominees too, whispered and chuckled side by side. Their striking faces on the jumbotron drew scorching cheers.
"Woooah!"
"Kyaa! Eeee!"
"Man, I thought today felt extra hot... turns out it's all you fans."
"Hahaha!"
Even the MCs cracked jokes about the heat. The pair grinned at each other on screen.
"Now for this award—"
A new presenter emerged with a fancy envelope. Moo-young stared curiously at the camera filming him, then shyly looked away with a smile, then stared again.
"What's he doing?"
"Haha, cute. Must be embarrassed."
First time having a live broadcast cam right in his face. Everyone smiled warmly at his innocence.
"TV Drama Male Rookie Award. Congratulations!"
"The merman prince from You Are a Star, I Am a Star, Ro-min!"
"Woooaaah!"
The You Are a Star, I Am a Star table turned festive again. They'd swept both rookie awards from one drama.
"Ro-min! Congrats!"
"Congrats!"
"Thank you! Thanks everyone!"
Two nominees from one drama was impressive enough. Ro-min shared the joy with his members, hugging Moo-young fiercely to convey gratitude and regret.
"Ugh! Can't... breathe! Get up there quick."
"Hyung, thank you."
"Just go already!"
Beaming, he bounded onstage. Like Song-a, his speech was polished and natural—no tears, just nonstop smiles radiating pure bliss.
"—Thanks to everyone, but especially my Moo-young hyung!"
Camera swung to Moo-young again.
"He helped this clueless newbie every step, stuck with me. Without hyung, acting would've stayed just a dream."
Both Song-a and Ro-min singled out Moo-young. And he was a rookie too—no veteran or senior.
'Ha Moo-young must be great with people.''Heard he kept set vibes good because of him—looks real now.''Matches his image.''Nice guy, huh? Why so grateful?'
Images of Moo-young's kindness seeped into minds that'd never met him.
He shyly covered his face. "I'll work harder! Thank you!"
Clap clap clap! Wooaaah!
Thus You Are a Star, I Am a Star swept the opening awards. Bouquets piled high around them—like a flower field.
Moo-young scooted his chair back, congratulating the members again.
"At this rate, we'll eat well."
"Baeksang like this? Year-end awards are a lock."
Pyo Rai and Seo Jeong-mun whispered. No wins for them yet, but S Network's year-end drama awards held promise.
TV rookies wrapped, movies followed.
"What a year of gem-like films."
"True. And the fresh faces shining brighter than any gems."
MC banter. It flew past Moo-young's ears—tension making it in one and out the other. Female film rookie flew by in a blur. Then his turn.
[Nominee: Plague's Ha Moo-young]
[Galileo's Cheol-young]
[If Heaven Were on Earth's Park Mun-gu]
[Stuffing Son in the Fridge's Kim Sa-on]
Drumroll—four-split screen, four faces. Yu-na gripped Moo-young's hand, lips set firm.
"Congratulations. Ha Moo-young from Plague!"
Pow! Boom!
"We did it!"
"Kyaaa!"
"Congrats, Moo-young!"
"Oppa!"
Flower pollen exploded with the announcement. Plague table—and the drama team next door—leapt up cheering.
"Uh..."
He'd won. Rookie award. The words looped in his head.
Amid the cheers, he walked onstage like parting clouds. Floating, dreamy. Blinding lights everywhere. Real dream?
"Hello."
With bouquet and trophy, he stepped to the mic stand. Slight bow.
"Woooah!"
Drama and film teams cheered together. Surreal—the audience faces hazy. Good, less shaky.
"...As a high schooler, I didn't know."
He began slowly, his story.
"Back then, I thought that was the end of my world. No hope, no strength—just till there."
Memories flashed: abusive stepfather's rages and blows, musty basement, barefoot flight into freezing streets, mysterious voice...
"Who could've known such a brilliant day awaited? Man. Lately, I feel like I really get what it means to be alive—to be happy."
His joyful murmur filled the hall, deep resonance tugging heartstrings.
"Meeting acting has made me so happy. Grateful for something I love enough to stake my short life on."
Faces rose: Yu-na and Plague cast, trusting director Jin Kyung-moon, Meril Kellin members, PD Lee Yu-jin, manager hyung, CEO Na Geum-dong. Enbin. Bora. And above all, dear Jun-ho.
"—Because of you all, I stand here now. And the future me will too. Thank you."
His eyes glistened under lights, starry and luminous. Camera zoomed close.
He hesitated, then called one last name.
"And Mom, Dad."
His voice trembled calling them. When last? Resentment faded against longing. Fading fragments from early childhood dulled further.
"Don't worry. I'm so happy now."
Whisper to starry night sky—clear, moon bright. A tear fell unbidden. He looked forward.
"Finally, Moo-young Cultural Heritage guardians. I love you."
"Woooah!"
"Ha Moo-young! So cool!"
"Moo-young! Love you!"
His speech ended with a radiant smile. Down the stage, bouquet-laden, still dazed. He traced 'Ha Moo-young' etched on the gleaming golden trophy.
"You Are a Star, I Am a Star team's killing it."
"Yeah, they took all the rookies."
"Plus Ha Moo-young double-nominated."
"Baeksang's hidden stars are over there."
"You Are a Star, I Am a Star's Lee Yu-jin PD up for directing too?"
"Yup. Done."
Directors and staff fiddled with cameras, chatting.
Awards rolled on: rookie director, screenplay, art, supporting—endless cheers and tears.
"That's part one. Stay tuned for part two!"
MC close, lights dimmed. Ads for a ten-minute break.
Go Kyung-min rushed over, grinning. "Moo-young! Congrats! You nailed it!"
"Hyuuung..."
Thinking he'd lose, terror real. Cameras off, tension crashed. Teary hug.
"Congrats, Moo-young."
"Congratulations. Loved the movie."
"Looking forward to more. Congrats."
Other actors came and went, greetings flowing. Moo-young, little star among stars, blushed shyly but bowed vigorously.
"Thank you!"
Sinking in, elation swelling. Tears welled again—Ro-min teased.
"Whoa, hyung crying again!"
"Not crying?"
"You are! Full-on pueeeng!"
"Nooo!"
"Puhaha!"
And sure enough, full pueeeng sobs. Laughter roared; phones out.
Film and drama teams clustered around him, V-signs and big grins.
"Photo time!"
"One, two, three!"
Click! Baeksang rookie sweep and Moo-young's triumphant debut memorialized.
Tears dripping, he caressed the trophy again.
"Pueeeng?"
"For real, you!"
Ro-min's teasing burst more laughs. Then Moo-young spotted distant 'Moo-young Cultural Heritage' banners. He headed to the closest aisle.
Bowing deep to fans. "Everyone! Moo-young won!"
"Woooah!"
Brandishing the trophy wildly, his glow was blindingly radiant.