Yuna's Tears
As the tearful intermission ended and the second half of the ceremony was about to begin, Moo-young sat with a light heart, but everyone else still wore tense expressions. The categories for Yuna, Hee-jun, and director Jin Kyung-moon hadn't been announced yet.
"Yuna, don't be too nervous. Here—"
"Ahh—"
Moo-young popped a chocolate into the girl's mouth, just like before. The two of them exchanged beaming smiles, reminiscent of Johnny and Louie.
"Mr. Moo-young, Ms. Yuna. Would you come this way?"
A staff member approached and whispered to them. It was time to head up for the Icon Award presentation.
Moo-young took Yuna's hand and made his way backstage.
"Director! Camera three is back up!"
"Step aside for a sec."
"Ten seconds for the ad break!"
"We can ask the MC to cover it!"
Backstage was pure chaos. With the live broadcast in full swing, there was so much to manage and double-check. Moo-young and Yuna slipped into the waiting room to change outfits.
Yuna, holding up her dress, asked, "But, unnie."
"Yeah?"
The staffer checking her watch turned around.
"What if I win later? What do I do with the dress? Do I come back down and change?"
It was a perfectly reasonable question— you couldn't wear the same dress for the Icon Award and the Best Actress award.
But the staffer smirked faintly and replied, "Well, I don't think you'll need to bother."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Want to change first? We're swamped right now."
It was a snide way of saying she had no shot at Best Actress. The staffer vanished after getting a call.
Yuna looked up at Moo-young, clutching her paper bag.
"You think so too, oppa?"
"Nah. She's just talking out of ignorance."
No one knew the results for sure. That's why all those tables were packed with nominees—hoping it might be them. Aside from the scriptwriters, judges, and a handful of on-site staff, it was kept under strict secrecy.
Can't have leaks messing things up.
If people knew they wouldn't win, why bother showing up? Low attendance would undermine the awards' prestige. For that reason, results stayed secret until the very last moment—especially from low-level staff.
"Oppa, I'm definitely winning this time."
Yuna muttered it like a self-hypnosis chant. Moo-young chuckled and patted her back, sharing her burning ambition.
Someone who believed in herself when everyone else said no. How cool was that? Age aside, Yuna's all-in commitment to her career made her shine.
"I'll cheer you on. For real. But—"
What-ifs always loomed.
"If it doesn't happen, try not to take it too hard. No matter the outcome, you're the best actress out there, Yuna."
He knew how massive it was for a nine-year-old—no, ten now—to lead a 15+ film like Plague. Even adults struggled with that.
"And it's not a dozen judges rating the film—it's the four million viewers who watched it. If they laughed, cried, and felt even a small ripple in their lives, that's more than enough."
Yuna threw her arms around him tight. In the crushing pressure to always be the best, she found a moment of peace.
Acting prodigy or child genius. Sure, being young had perks, but the weight was crushing too.
Yuna smiled, grabbing her paper bag. "I'll go change."
"Yeah, go ahead."
Moo-young watched her go, then headed to his own waiting room. Just a quick jacket swap, done in no time. Another staffer handed him an elegant purple envelope.
"Mr. Moo-young, here's the envelope with the winner's name."
"Thanks."
"On stage in five. Get ready."
Time flew. Yuna emerged in her changed outfit, and they followed the staff to wait by the stage entrance.
A crew member checked his watch and swung his arm wide. "Go! One, two, three!"
Whoosh! The doors parted with a special effects gust, revealing the stage.
Yuna, in her adorable yellow dress, skipped hand-in-hand with Moo-young.
"Hello."
They bowed in unison midway across the stage. Yuna's mic hung low at Moo-young's waist level.
"Yoo Yuna—"
"Ha Moo-young here."
"Standing on this huge stage with Louie to present the Icon Award—I'm so nervous. You, oppa?"
"Same here. Maybe I shouldn't have cried so much during Rookie of the Year. Standing here all composed feels awkward now."
"You did cry a ton, huh?"
A light banter moment. Yuna led with fluent charm beyond her years, her bright voice ringing pleasantly through the mic.
As the stars of smash-hit Plague, the crowd's warm reaction was heartening.
"Hahaha, so cute."
"They picked them 'cause they're Louie and Johnny, right?"
"Aigoo, look at her."
The smiles on the jumbotron from actors who rarely grinned proved it— even veteran heavyweights beaming like kids.
"Now, announcing the Star Icon Award for the year."
"The winner is Park Soo-jin. Congratulations!"
"Congrats!"
Boom! Pop! They nailed the presentation smoothly. Live broadcast made it a blur—had they babbled? The positive vibe said no. Relief.
"Whew."
Just like that, they were back at their table.
"Who covered Best Screenplay?"
"The production company president."
"Ah, got it."
"Why doesn't the writer ever show for these? No idea."
Plague snagged Best Screenplay too. Yuna missed it while changing backstage.
"Everyone's got their reasons."
"Yeah, whatever. Whew! Next up—Best Actor."
High hopes, but Lee Hee-jun didn't take Best Actor.
Soon, Director Award time. Jin Kyung-moon appeared on screen, waving with a grin.
"Best Director—Jin Kyung-moon of Plague!"
"Congratulations!"
Everyone stood, applauding wildly. As a film industry titan with Plague's bold innovations rare in Korean cinema, the cheers were unanimous.
With Rookie, Screenplay, and Director already swept by Plague, Best Actress probably isn't Yuna's.
Reality sank in; Yuna's face hardened.
"Next, Best Actress nominees."
[Plague – Yoo Yuna]
[Fridge Full of Son – Lee Ga-ram]
[Crime of Love – Park Hu-yeon]
[Stoner's Life – Kim Se-yeon]
Star actresses whose names alone rang bells. Little Yuna stood out among them.
She clasped her hands, beaming.
"Youngest Best Actress nominee ever?"
"Yeah, probably."
"Look at those eyes. Wow, sparkling."
Lee Hee-jun whispered to Moo-young, chuckling. Tension-building music swelled—dun dun dun dun—
The presenter tore open the envelope with a smile, then bellowed, "Stoner's Life, Kim Se-yeon! Congratulations!"
Boom! Pop! Confetti exploded everywhere; cameras sought the winner's smile.
Yuna froze a beat, then clapped, turning toward Kim Se-yeon.
"Congratulations!"
"Yoo Yuna, thank you so much."
Kim Se-yeon, top star for nearly 30 years, spotted Yuna en route to the stage and kissed the back of her hand briefly. She gracefully lifted her dress hem and ascended the stairs.
"Yuna, you okay?"
Gently cradling that hand, Yuna watched her go. At Moo-young's question, the girl forced a smile. Her eyes brimmed, on the verge.
Her face started crumpling. Moo-young urgently pressed her brow.
"Here, you smile, not cry. Got it?"
Cameras everywhere, and as a nominee, she'd be on screen plenty.
He hugged her, whispering, "Real pros smile even when they wanna cry. Our Yuna's a true pro—you can do it. Look."
He wedged a chocolate between his front teeth, pulling a goofy face just for her. The sobbing girl burst out laughing, head thrown back.
"What! You're such an idiot!"
"I can't even imagine how amazing you'll be when you're Kim Se-yeon's age."
"...You really think so?"
"Absolutely. Don't focus on now—picture the future. You're already incredible, Yuna."
Swallowing tears at his comfort, Yuna wiped her eyes and stared straight ahead.
The jumbotron caught her face—pure, heartbreaking innocence.
Kim Se-yeon, elegant as ever, mentioned her in her speech. "A huge thanks to young Yoo Yuna for her remarkable performance despite her age. Her acting inspired me greatly, regardless of years. So many actors' performances have whipped me into shape."
Cheers poured for Yuna. She waved bashfully.
Moo-young beside her chewed melting chocolate, lips sealed—no black-toothed close-ups.
"Thank you!"
The midnight festival faded. Best Actor and Grand Prize wrapped up; winners gathered for photos.
Song A, Ro Min, and Moo-young lined up side by side.
"Senior, hello. Ha Moo-young."
"Oh, nice to meet you. I know you, yeah."
Standing with other actors naturally built connections. They swapped congrats and "let's work together someday" before wrapping up.
"Smile! One, two, three!"
Click!
His first awards show, first trophy. A night of rewards for some, stepping stones for others.
Moo-young waved to Yuna waiting afar.
"Yuna, get home safe."
"You too, oppa. Congrats today. And thanks."
She'd have been caught crying on camera otherwise.
He ruffled her hair, smiling. "See you."
"Yeah, see you."
Yuna took her mom's hand and exited. Moo-young did the same, wrapping greetings before riding off with his manager.
"Ugh, exhausting!"
"Good work. Rookie Award Ha Moo-young!"
"Ow! Manager calling me Rookie Award Ha Moo-young!"
"Drinks?"
"Hell yeah!"
They cackled into the night.
The Plague team planned a daytime afterparty since Yuna was a kid. Their spot: the You Are a Star, I Am a Star table.
"To Song A! Ro Min! And Moo-young's Rookie Award!"
"To PD Lee Yu-jin's Screenplay win!"
"Waaah! Congrats!"
"You all worked hard!"
Meat joint afterparty slash celebration. Soju-chasers with beer, chowing grill.
Mid-feast, an unexpected line.
"Huh? Reward vacation?"
"No—sponsorship!"