Farewell to the Virtual Genius
The brilliant light faded, and there he stood, smiling.
“Hey, long time no see~ You been eating okay?”
His voice was still low and steady.
“Kyu-bo hyung.”
Woojin approached him slowly. Choi Kyu-bo stepped forward to meet him as well.
“You've been through a lot~”
Choi Kyu-bo offered words of encouragement as he pulled Woojin into a hug.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course. This body's always good.”
A swell of emotion rose in Woojin at those words—he'd been doing well. There was so much he wanted to say, but the words just circled in his mouth.
“Me too. Day by day, happily, with gratitude.”
“Good job, kid.”
Choi Kyu-bo, still smiling, slowly opened his mouth.
“I've come in person to tell you about that mission you've been wondering about~”
The words felt strangely bittersweet. A mix of joy and emptiness. The thought that this was the end kept surfacing in his mind.
“Here, take it.”
Choi Kyu-bo handed over the items in his hands. Two identical file folders.
“What's this?”
“The red papers and the blue papers.”
Woojin took them and examined them. They were bundles of paper containing the full story of Wanted.
Choi Kyu-bo added an explanation to Woojin's puzzled expression.
“Number one is the story you already know.”
Woojin opened the first folder as instructed and quickly skimmed the contents. It was exactly the episodes that had already aired—the story where Choi Kyu-bo, the genius eccentric, heals his past wounds by resolving the central 'Sarang Orphanage incident' that drives the drama's mid-to-late arc.
“Then what's this?”
Woojin lifted the second folder, and Choi Kyu-bo grinned.
“That's the ending you don't know.”
As Woojin started to open it and skim,
“If you hadn't completed the mission, that would've been the story that played out.”
Woojin froze at Choi Kyu-bo's words.
If he hadn't completed the mission?
“What, you scared?”
“Hyung. What do you mean 'if I hadn't'?”
“Smart kid. You get it right away. Yeah, exactly.”
Choi Kyu-bo held up a finger.
“You've already completed the mission.”
The mission? He didn't even know what it was, and it was already done?
“Remember what I said?”
“What...”
“That my ending was one of two.”
He remembered. And with it, his head rang.
That's what he meant by one of two.
—Flip.
Woojin quickly opened the second folder and skimmed. It only contained Choi Kyu-bo's character setup as a genius oddball and autopsy scenes. Not a single line about his past.
“The drama was originally supposed to be number two. If it had gone that way, I'd still be trapped in my past, stuck like this forever.”
Choi Kyu-bo finally began sharing the story he'd kept hidden.
“But you acted so well that it changed to number one. You moved the writer's heart. Oh, wait—from my perspective as the created, should I call her the creator?”
“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“I can't give details on the mission. I don't know why either. It's just the rule of the virtual world.”
“Still, what if I hadn't acted well?”
“Then you'd be dead by my hand, punk~”
—Pfft.
Laughter burst from both of them. But amid the playful banter, why did his eyes keep stinging?
“Woojin.”
Choi Kyu-bo called his name and extended a hand.
“Thanks. For real.”
Woojin clasped the warm hand and replied with equal sincerity.
“I'm the one who's grateful.”
For a moment, they gazed at each other in silence, bright smiles on their lips.
“Oh yeah, you're going to the awards tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow.”
“If you win, make sure to mention my name~”
“Of course. That was the plan.”
He felt the clasped hands grow hotter. Woojin asked the final question he couldn't avoid, though he didn't want to let go.
“Now...”
“Yeah?”
“Is this goodbye with you?”
At Woojin's question, Choi Kyu-bo briefly lowered his gaze. The smile that had been so radiant now carried deep bitterness and regret.
“Yeah. Why? Gonna miss me?”
“What happens to you now?”
If only he could stop it somehow. Regret washed over him like a tide. They said all good things must end, but farewells were always painful.
“The drama ends in your world, but I'll keep living in mine.”
The hands grew even hotter. A signal that it was time.
“One last hug?”
“Hey, between guys?”
“We hugged earlier.”
“Oh, right. Fine, get over here!”
They embraced one final time. And soon, with their last goodbyes in each other's arms, sensation faded.
* * *
The next day, in front of Korea University's Peace Hall, reporters and fans mingled in a frenzy. All eyes were on the end of the long red carpet.
“The 51st Daehan Arts Awards will now begin in splendor!”
The ceremony kicked off with the host's booming announcement. First up: the red carpet.
“First up, our three MCs for the evening. Give them a big round of applause!”
Today's MCs were actors Park Soo-hyun and Lim Jung-ho, and entertainer Kim Young-jin. Camera flashes exploded everywhere amid cheers and roars.
“Next vehicle incoming.”
Cars arrived nonstop. The atmosphere heated up with each star's entrance. Security exchanged radio chatter, on high alert against accidents. The crew bustled, checking cue sheets to capture every moment.
“Who's next?”
“Actor Baek Woojin.”
“Send the vehicle. Camera two ready. Four and five on standby.”
It was a live broadcast. No one could predict mishaps, and a single lapse could spell disaster. Tension never let up from start to finish. The stars' glamour on the carpet was made possible by those dashing through the chaotic, warzone-like scene.
“Vehicle, go. Camera two rolling.”
“Copy, departing.”
The car carrying Woojin began rolling slowly toward the red carpet.
“Whew.”
Woojin steadied his breath, shaking off nerves. He'd only seen awards shows on TV, rewatching acceptance speeches, dreaming of standing there someday. And now it was real. Like a sweet dream he never wanted to wake from.
The red carpet came into view outside the window.
“Actor Baek Woojin disembarking.”
The door opened, and Woojin stepped onto the carpet. A blinding barrage of flashes rained down.
“Actor Baek Woojin is entering.”
He walked the carpet, then headed to the photo line.
“The tux looks perfect on you. Face left first, please.”
Under the host's smooth guidance, Woojin smiled brightly and waved.
“Finally, one pose straight ahead.”
Another flash storm, then,
“Thank you. See you inside soon.”
The red carpet ended in a blur.
Woojin entered the venue. Stars already seated exchanged greetings as he found his nameplate and sat. Seats were by project, so sitting with familiar actors from Wanted was a relief. He scanned the packed hall, even up to the second balcony.
“Woojin. How's it feel walking your first red carpet?”
Ye-chan grinned at Woojin's wide-eyed gawking.
“Surreal and dizzying. Way too nervous.”
“I was the same my first time. Just like you now.”
“Feels like a dream. Me, here?”
Woojin still looked incredulous. Ye-chan patted his back.
“It's the moment you dreamed of. Enjoy it. This is real.”
“Thanks. Helps me relax.”
Overhearing, Oh Seong-cheol chimed in with a cheeky grin.
“You're Baek Woojin from Wanted. Don't chicken out. You're the top favorite for Rookie Award today.”
“Haha, you're hyping me up too much.”
“Bet on it. If you win, mention my name? Skip it and I'll sulk.”
“If you win, say mine too. I'll be watching.”
“Deal. We both shout each other out.”
Tension melted away amid the banter. Soon, the bright lights dimmed.
Here we go.
Woojin swallowed hard. The moment he'd longed for began. Lights out, and a video played on the central screen: highlights of nominated works. Side screens showed stars watching. Then text appeared.
The 51st Daehan Arts Awards begins now.
A narration followed.
“The living voice of Korean pop culture and arts: the Daehan Arts Awards! Introducing today's MCs: Kim Young-jin, Park Soo-hyun, Lim Jung-ho! Give them a thunderous welcome.”
The three MCs took the stage amid applause and cheers. The ceremony opened with music and their opening remarks.
“Hello, I'm Kim Young-jin, hosting the 51st Daehan Arts Awards with Star Century.”
“Hello, Park Soo-hyun here.”
“Hello, Lim Jung-ho.”
“Korea's top stars are here, and fans filling the seats—thank you.”
Young-jin led smoothly, distributing lines to the less experienced actor MCs, earning Woojin's admiration.
“Before awards, here's the judging panel and criteria.”
The central screen showed the panel: director Bong Tae-ho, writer Chu Sang-hee, critic Go Min-soo—industry heavyweights not nominated today. A testament to the awards' prestige and fairness.
“Everyone, witness the birth of new stars. First award: TV Male/Female Rookie Acting.”
The traditional opener: rookie awards for men and women. TV category first, per Daehan tradition.
“Presenting: last year's winners, actor Ahn Jong-hoon and Byun Ji-min.”
Last year's TV rookies Ahn Jong-hoon and Byun Ji-min entered hand in hand. As they walked to center stage, Ahn Jong-hoon's gaze surely landed on Woojin. Woojin met it head-on, staring straight at the stage.
“Hello, I'm actor Ahn Jong-hoon.”
Ahn Jong-hoon smiled into the mic. At his words, Woojin murmured unwittingly, a smile tugging his lips.
“Long time no see, Jong-hoon?”