Chapter 105
Chapter 105
I Want More
“The Popularity Award for an actor goes to… Yu Yeon-seo. Congratulations.”
As expected, the Popularity Award, decided 100% by votes, went to Yu Yeon-seo.
-Of course. It would’ve been rigged if Yu Yeon-seo didn’t get it.
-His legs are so long.
-We lost, but we fought well.
Murmurs of disappointment flowed from the fanbases of other actors who hadn’t given up until the very end.
“…And thank you to our fans, who must have worked hard to give me this award.”
Yu Yeon-seo gave a short and concise acceptance speech before heading down from the stage. A loud scream erupted from the audience, sounding like a pterodactyl. The camera panned to the crowd, and Im Seung-hyeon, spotting his younger sibling on the broadcast, supposedly almost spat out the water he was drinking.
“Yes, the Best Couple Award… the result for this one is interesting.”
“Two couples from the same drama?”
Next was the Best Couple Award, another one that was practically a giveaway. The MCs, who had been calling out the main couples from other dramas, grinned and called three names at once.
“The three of you can stand side by side. Wait a moment, Mr. Yeon-seo, you should be in the center.”
Hong Min-a and Seo Ha-jun playfully linked arms with Yu Yeon-seo and rested their heads on his shoulders. Though in Hong Min-a’s case, it was more his bicep than his shoulder.
-LMAO, a throuple!
-Wow, but the size difference between him and Hong Min-a is insane.
-Yu Yeon-seo, please do a rom-com.
The caption on the screen read <Best Couple Award - ‘Demon’ Yu Yeon-seo & Seo Ha-jun, Yu Yeon-seo & Hong Min-a>. Since so many actors received this award, they were supposed to just scan past the lineup without any acceptance speeches, but the on-site MC stopped in front of Yu Yeon-seo.
“Mr. Yeon-seo, how do you feel?”
“I’d like to tell the people on either side of me to get off; it’s hot.”
Yu Yeon-seo said, frowning slightly into the microphone the MC held out. His words only made Hong Min-a’s and Seo Ha-jun’s smiles widen. Laughter rippled through the nearby seats.
“Yes, now for the next award category…”
The actors on stage returned to their seats. After a brief wait, the on-site MC conducted a short interview.
“The nominees for Best New Actor are…”
The ‘Demon’ table vibrated slightly. It was because Seo Ha-jun was nervously shaking his leg. Hong Min-a lightly tapped the back of his hand, telling him not to be so tense.
(Are you just going to let him burn to death? Is that what you want, Father?)
(Don’t resent our Father too much.)
After the videos for the four nominees played, Seo Ha-jun’s scene finally appeared on the screen. A short clip showed him glaring during an argument with Yu Yeon-seo, followed by the scene where he smiled with relief at the end, and a city chase sequence.
On stage, last year’s winner of the Best New Actor award stepped up to the microphone as the presenter.
“The award for Best New Actor goes to…”
The presenter tore open the envelope and read the name inside. Seo Ha-jun’s tense face filled the center of the split screen. His expression screamed, ‘I really want to win this award.’
“Seo Ha-jun from ‘Demon’! Congratulations.”
But the moment his name was called, Seo Ha-jun froze. Even as the actors at the ‘Demon’ table jumped to their feet and applauded, he remained seated, his mouth agape.
Unable to watch any longer, Yu Yeon-seo slapped Seo Ha-jun on the back.
“Hey, go get your award.”
“What?! Ah…”
“And give your speech properly without crying. Otherwise, you know what happens, right?”
“Yes!”
Finally snapping back to reality, Seo Ha-jun walked stiffly up to the stage. Standing before the microphone, he stared at the trophy engraved with his name and the bouquet of flowers as if in a daze.
Seeing this, Hong Min-a whispered to Yu Yeon-seo.
“Don’t you feel like something funny is about to happen?”
“I do.”
Could the incredibly nervous Seo Ha-jun really deliver his speech calmly and return? It felt like a moment that would be immortalized online was about to be born.
“First, to our ‘Demon’ team, I learned so much from such wonderful people on a great project. Yeon-seo, who helped me so much while I was playing Leo, Chang-hun…”
Seo Ha-jun, who had been speaking eloquently, expressing his respect for the ‘Demon’ team and gratitude to his family, suddenly scrunched up his face and burst into tears.
“Honestly, at first, sob… I was so worried. People were asking, who is Seo Ha-jun, what is NV…”
“Oh, dear…”
The camera, of course, did not miss Seo Ha-jun mumbling incoherently through his sobs, nor did it miss Yu Yeon-seo sighing and rubbing his temples.
A few actors burst out laughing at the rookie’s freshness, while the cast of ‘Demon’ grinned slyly, gearing up to tease Seo Ha-jun.
As the speech dragged on, Seo Ha-jun eventually wrapped it up with a simple ‘thank you anyway’ and returned to his seat.
“…Sniff.”
Even after sitting down, Seo Ha-jun kept his head down, sobbing. The ‘Demon’ actors, who had been ready to tease him, looked at each other awkwardly.
Yu Yeon-seo chuckled in disbelief, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and handed it to Seo Ha-jun. It was an extra one he carried in case he coughed up blood.
And this whole weeping scene was captured on screen.
-He deserved the rookie award. He did a great job.
-I became an NV fan because of Seo Ha-jun. T_T
-Seo Ha-jun bawling his eyes out is kinda cute lol.
-But isn’t that handkerchief Seo Ha-jun blew his nose on from a super expensive luxury brand?
Next was the Best New Actress award. Hong Min-a was also nominated but didn’t win. While ‘Demon’ had saved the face of broadcast television dramas, which had been in a slump, it hadn’t become a nationwide sensation. There were too many other good projects to shower all the awards on one drama.
“Ah… I guess this is why they gave her the Best Character Award.”
“It’s a shame.”
“She deserved it…” Yu Yeon-seo murmured. Knowing it was his way of consoling her, Hong Min-a smiled faintly. She was a little disappointed to have missed the chance for the Best New Actress award, which one could only receive in their debut year.
“It’s okay. I’m not leaving empty-handed. Two awards are plenty.”
“You can just get the rookie award at the Baeksan Awards next year.”
Hong Min-a covered her mouth with her hand.
“Oh my, you’re right. This isn’t the end.”
There was still the Baeksan Arts Awards in the first half of next year. It wasn’t certain if they would even be nominated, but since ‘Demon’ was among the top five dramas with the highest viewership ratings of 2020, they would surely be invited.
“The award for Best Supporting Actor goes to… Jeong Hyeon-sik from ‘Demon.’ Congratulations.”
“Jeong Hyeon-sik garnered attention as a scene-stealer for his role as the cult leader in ‘Demon’…”
And Jeong Hyeon-sik, who made his screen debut with ‘Demon’, took home the Best Supporting Actor award. Ryu Chang-hoon was also nominated, but unfortunately, his role was brief and limited to the early part of the drama, so he didn’t win.
“I thought I’d be going home empty-handed, so thank you for this valuable award. First, to our ‘Demon’ family, you all worked so hard. It was an honor to work with such great junior actors…”
Surprisingly, besides the Best Supporting Actor award, Jeong Hyeon-sik also received the Producer’s Award, making him a two-time winner. Having been in the theater scene for a long time and delivering a stellar performance in ‘Demon’, he was already in high demand. Among those interested was Director Cheon Seong-min. Yu Yeon-seo recalled his meeting with the director a few days ago.
[Your image doesn’t fit with the kids in my movie.]
[Is that so?]
[I’m sorry, but if you’re trying to curry favor with me to get a role in my film, you should stop.]
[Why do you assume I’m only trying to secure a role?]
There was a saying that film acting was half the actor’s work and half the director’s. It meant a director’s guidance was crucial, and the outcome could change depending on their direction.
That’s why even rookies with little acting skill could get a chance if they had the right image for the project. That is, if there was no interference from the production company. Yu Yeon-seo planned to accommodate Director Cheon as much as possible.
[As you know, I’ve been given a position at my mother’s company.]
[I’m aware.]
This was what had made Director Cheon wary. With the background he already possessed, Yu Yeon-seo could do whatever he wanted. If he also gained the authority of a production company, he would wield even more power in the industry. And this wasn’t just any production company; it was one of South Korea’s top three investment, production, and distribution companies.
[If you want to find new faces, hold as many auditions as you like. And request whatever you need for the production budget.]
[Oh…?]
[I will not interfere at all and will only provide the necessary funds for production.]
[Then what do you want in return?]
[To observe. I want to watch from beginning to end how you direct and why you make certain choices.]
It was a shame to miss out on a role, but this was still an opportunity. He could listen to a master director’s guidance up close, and if the movie performed well, he would have a credit as a producer. For him, it was a profitable deal.
Director Cheon’s expression flickered as if he was briefly tempted by Yu Yeon-seo’s offer, but it was just for a moment. However, Yu Yeon-seo believed he would take the bait. After all, the director had been quite impressed with his stage acting.
“Shall we take a look at the nominees for the Top Excellence Award in a Miniseries?”
“Let’s see them.”
As his thoughts concluded, the nominee video for the Top Excellence Award, which included Yu Yeon-seo, played on the screen.
(It can’t be… You are…)
(No, I’m different from you.)
<Demon - Yu Yeon-seo>
After the introduction video, the presenter opened their mouth.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
A piercing scream erupted from the audience. Yu Yeon-seo rose from his seat with dignity and walked toward the stage. He stood at the microphone, gently touching the trophy and bouquet the presenter handed him.
‘I want more.’
He didn’t want to be satisfied with just this.
-Honestly, the most prestigious awards are the big three film awards lol. Who cares about the year-end drama awards?
-Huh? What? Does Seo Ha-jun deserve the rookie award? They should’ve given it to Hong Min-a instead.
-Is Yu Yeon-seo really at the level to receive a Top Excellence Award already?
-Objectively, Park Ju-hun’s acting was better. It makes no sense for Yu Yeon-seo to get Top Excellence already.
-When is this awards show chatter going to end? How many days should I stay off here?
-But for real, wasn’t there too much pointless MC chatter at the ceremony? The actors are the main characters, how can they cut off acceptance speeches?
-I’m a Yu Yeon-seo fan.
I’ve been a fan since his One Seven days and have been stanning him ever since.
No matter what anyone says, I was so happy he won today T_T
It felt like all the years of sticking by him through the hate were worth it. T_T All the fans from back then were probably watching with tears in their eyes…
It feels good that so many people are cheering for him now. Anyway, I’m just so, so happy… My actor is the best.
└ Pat, pat.
└ He really deserved it.
└ Pat, pat. I enjoyed the drama.
└ Let’s go all the way to the Grand Prize!
└ This is just how awards season is, try not to let it get to you. Pat, pat.
“Yeon-seo.”
Yu Yeon-seo, his face obscured by a hoodie, scowled. Turning around, he saw Yu Eun-ho leaning against the doorframe. He had come at this hour thinking no one would be around… What a nuisance.
“…What.”
Reading the unspoken ‘What are you doing here?’ in that single-word reply, Yu Eun-ho unfolded his arms, walked over to his younger brother, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“What are you doing? Are you here to get your things?”
“Don’t meddle in my business.”
He shrugged off the hand and roughly stuffed clothes into his duffel bag. This seemed to be from the time he had joined AST Entertainment as a trainee and was living in the dorms with the other members who would become One Seven.
“…You know this isn’t meddling, it’s concern.”
Yu Eun-ho said with a sigh. His brother had suddenly run away from home, declaring he would become an idol. He had even threatened him not to tell their parents and grandparents, who were abroad.
Yu Eun-ho, who had a soft spot for his younger brother, had always intended to support him in whatever he did, as long as it wasn’t dangerous.
“I won’t stop you from doing what you want, but isn’t home better than a dorm?”
“Home? Here?”
Yu Yeon-seo let out a disbelieving scoff. A home is a sanctuary. A place where one can rest their body in peace. With the annex where his mother died just a stone’s throw away, how could this place be a home?
“This can never be my home.”
“Yeon-seo.”
As he spoke, Yu Yeon-seo nervously scratched his ear, hidden under the hoodie. His ear was burning.
“I’m leaving. Don’t come out.”
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Because it gets worse when I’m with you.
Fleeing the house, Yu Yeon-seo got into a taxi. A wave of belated regret for taking his frustration out on his brother washed over him, and he scratched the back of his head. Maybe I should have been a little kinder.
“What was that…”
Was it a vision? He knew it wasn’t a good sign… Back in reality, Yu Yeon-seo leaned over the sink and spat out blood.
<Random Memory Synchronization Complete, Synchronization Rate 42.67%>
“Ugh…”
When would he get used to this synchronization? Yu Yeon-seo let his heavy body sink to the cold bathroom floor.
He heard the sound of his phone, which had been in his pocket, sliding across the floor. Since he was already caught, maybe he should just ask for someone to nurse him back to health. With that absurd thought, he closed his eyes.