Chapter 152
Chapter 152
Are You Seeing Someone?
-Who do you think will win at Baeksan today?
I think Yu Yeon-seo will take Best Actor for the drama category, for sure.
└Yu Yeon-seo’s name is already engraved on that trophy.
└And the Popularity Award.
└It’d be faster to just courier the trophy with Yu Yeon-seo’s name on it, lol.
└But doesn’t Baeksan also recognize works that weren’t huge hits? I don’t think it’s a done deal.
└└This.
-The nominee list for Best Actor is stacked even without Yu Yeon-seo.
With him in the mix, the balance is…
└For real, Yu Yeon-seo completely owned last year.
└But wasn’t his acting just decent? I don’t think it was award-worthy.
└└Decent? Did you even watch the drama?
└└└Calling it decent is a stretch, lol. There are almost no male actors who could pull off Min Ju-gyeong’s cringey lines like that.
-How many awards will The Imperial Seal win at Baeksan?
It was the biggest hit drama of 2021.
└But isn’t The Imperial Seal lacking in terms of artistic merit?
└Best Picture is a stretch, yeah. But I think it’ll get Art Direction.
└Best Actor and Best Actress?
└└I doubt they’d give it to both.
Im Hye-ju, Im Seung-hyeon’s sister and a well-known fan of Yu Yeon-seo, had come to the Baeksan Arts Awards red carpet in person. This time, she had even rented a camera from a shop and, luckily, secured a spot by the fence. She took a practice shot of an actor waving as he walked down the red carpet.
‘When is he coming?’
She fought the urge to contact Im Seung-hyeon right away. The fact that her brother was her favorite actor’s personal assistant had, at first, made her wonder if she could get some special perks.
‘Still, I have to draw the line somewhere.’
She felt awkward for having grilled him so much about Yu Yeon-seo’s sudden trip to the emergency room. Besides, she held back, worried that if she received special treatment, it might cause negative rumors about Yu Yeon-seo.
To kill time, she looked at her phone screen.
-Did you guys see the post on the office worker community? lol
-You all know our young master is at the Baeksan Arts Awards today, right?
Let’s see him win.
└Let’s get it.
└Honestly, didn’t our young master sweep last year? lol. Let’s go for Best Actor!
└Did you guys vote for the Popularity Award?
└└Of course.
└Hey, guys from Juseong Electronics, did you get performance bonuses again this time?
└└We did. The Vice Chairman made a promise.
└What about E&M? Anything for you guys?
└└The mood here is pretty telling… I think we’ll get paid, lol.
└I’m so jealous… our damn young master is being investigated for drug use.
└└Ah;; Ajin Daily bro, hang in there…
A sudden, uncontrollable emotion washed over Im Hye-ju, and she pressed her lips together to hold back a smile.
‘Wow… he’s seriously like a drama protagonist.’
He wasn’t just any chaebol, but a third-generation heir of Juseong, the son of an actress who had turned a generation on its head. Now, he was not only brilliant at his main job and consistently active in the entertainment industry, but he had also been given a corporate title to inherit his stepmother’s company. If you tried to create a drama protagonist like this, people would complain that piling on so many traits was forced.
‘My actor is a Director?!’ she’d once exclaimed, clutching her forehead, causing Im Seung-hyeon, who had just stopped by, to discreetly back away. When it came to her fandom, Im Hye-ju knew no shame.
Meanwhile, Yu Yeon-seo was waiting to enter the red carpet. Unable to mess up his hair, he sat bolt upright while on the phone with Lee Jeong-hun, the director of Just.
“The box office trends are better than expected. Our side is saying we can even hope for 8 million admissions. What do you think?”
(It still doesn’t feel real….)
“Just not real? Aren’t you feeling a little jealous?”
Yu Yeon-seo chuckled softly. Lee Jeong-hun could have received a running guarantee.
(Well, if it wasn’t for you, Yeon-seo, it would’ve been snatched up by someone else anyway.)
“True, there’s nothing more frustrating than that.”
He glanced at his wristwatch. It was about time.
“Don’t get complacent just because you’ve debuted. We still have a contract for another project, after all.”
(Hearing you say that makes my stomach turn.)
“Just focus on making an even better film. I have to get going now. I’ve got an award to receive.”
At those words, Lee Jeong-hun let out a sharp breath.
(Are you seriously calling me on your way to Baeksan?)
“Not on my way, I’m right in front. Why?”
(Haha, I don’t know whether to feel honored… Congratulations in advance on the award.)
“Next time, you’ll have to come with me to the Korean Film Awards too. I’m hanging up.”
While the Baeksan Arts Awards were considered one of the top three film awards, the Korean Film Awards was the most prestigious and oldest film ceremony in South Korea. He didn’t desire anything beyond that. Someone had asked if he had plans to expand overseas, but… really?
‘What do I have to be desperate for?’
Of course, there were great projects overseas. There were things that couldn’t be made in Korea due to budget or technical limitations. However, he had yet to live a variety of lives in Korea.
‘Besides, I can cover the production costs myself.’
Money? He had plenty. The things he was personally investing in were doing well, and the fortune his grandfather had given him a sliver of was enormous. And he was scheduled to receive more. Fame? He received VIP treatment wherever he went.
“Kyaaaaah!”
The moment he stepped out of the car, a deafening cheer erupted from the waiting crowd. Yu Yeon-seo leisurely scanned them as he buttoned his suit jacket.
“Whoa, damn…”
“Holy shit.”
Hoarse gasps of admiration came from near Im Hye-ju. And the same sounds escaped her own lips.
‘He doesn’t even blink at the flashes anymore?’
It used to be cute… Suppressing a slight sense of disappointment, Im Hye-ju fired off a series of shots with her camera.
‘Still, this is way cooler.’
Not flinching at the barrage of flashes, calmly surveying the crowd.
Im Hye-ju was diligently pressing the shutter when she felt her breath catch. The people behind her were pushing recklessly, trying to get a closer look at him.
“Don’t push!”
“Whoa, whoa…!”
Exhaling sharply, Im Hye-ju felt her body tilt. A security guard, who had been far away, noticed the commotion and was rushing over, but he was too far.
‘Oh, no! This camera is expensive…!’
Even in that moment, Im Hye-ju clutched her camera tightly. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact.
“Careful.”
What reached her wasn’t the cold ground and the crushing weight of the crowd, but Yu Yeon-seo’s slightly low yet clear voice. When Im Hye-ju opened her eyes, Yu Yeon-seo was lightly holding the fence with both hands, checking the expressions of the startled people.
“…Gasp!”
“Are you okay?”
Seeing the security guard finally arrive, Yu Yeon-seo let go. He had effortlessly supported the fence that two guards were now struggling to lift. Im Hye-ju stared blankly at Yu Yeon-seo’s face.
“A familiar face.”
Recognizing her, Yu Yeon-seo smirked and walked towards the photo zone.
“Yeon-seo! Please look this way!”
“Over here!”
Standing in the center, he was bathed in a torrent of flashes so intense it would have stung the eyes of anyone watching from a distance. The slightly tousled bangs, a result of his quick dash to support the fence, actually suited him well.
“What is with that face.”
“What did he just say?”
“Wow… insane.”
Someone else voiced Im Hye-ju’s thoughts.
“Kyaaaaaah!”
As he stepped onto the red carpet and entered the venue, a deafening roar erupted from the audience.
“Whoa, that scared me.”
“Who arrived to cause this kind of reaction?”
“Must be Yu Yeon-seo.”
Among the actors attending the ceremony, not many commanded idol-like screams. Yu Yeon-seo glanced around for a moment, looking for The Imperial Seal team.
“Hello.”
“Yeon-seo!”
The Imperial Seal was nominated for Best Screenplay, Best Director, Art Direction, and Best Picture in the drama category. The participating actors were also nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best New Actor, meaning the show was nominated in virtually every category.
“First time seeing you since the reward vacation. Have you been well?”
“Yes, Director. You’re looking well.”
“These days…”
Director Gu Do-hyeon, whose project after The Imperial Seal was also performing beyond expectations, had a particularly bright expression.
“I should really ride on your coattails, Yeon-seo.”
“A special appearance? Call me anytime. As long as I have the time…”
“How about next week then?”
“Ah, I can’t then. I have a family event.”
He didn’t understand why an 80th-anniversary celebration had to span several days… Yu Yeon-seo sighed softly. He’d heard from his brother that his mother’s side had also begun the succession process, which meant he had to make more appearances himself.
“Hello!”
“Long time no see.”
“Yeon-seo, you were so cool out there earlier.”
Kim Chan-hwi, the actor who played Prince Yi Gang, grinned and gave a thumbs-up. The rest of The Imperial Seal team murmured, wondering what had happened. Kim Chan-hwi excitedly took out his phone and searched for Yu Yeon-seo’s name. The minor incident where the fence almost toppled over was already up as a news article.
Yu Yeon-seo nonchalantly ignored the impressed gasps from the others.
“Now we just need Ye-won and our whole team will be here, right?”
Park Hee-jin, the actress who played Court Lady Choi, said in an excited voice. Nominated for Best New Actress, she was from the same agency as Yu Yeon-seo and a beneficiary of CEO Han’s aggressive package deals.
There had been some talk about this before the drama started, but the controversy died down completely after Park Hee-jin perfectly played her supporting role.
As if on cue, a cheer erupted from the audience.
“…Shin Ye-won is really in a league of her own.”
Director Gu muttered in admiration. Shin Ye-won, one of the top three actresses in terms of recognition, career, and skill, was striding confidently in a red suit reminiscent of a dragon robe—the final scene of The Imperial Seal—and high heels.
‘Don’t her ankles hurt?’
Come to think of it, Choi Yu-jin and his aunts also walked around just fine in heels like that. Shin Ye-won, sitting down next to Yu Yeon-seo, flashed a grin.
“What, my seat is next to yours? You planned this.”
“They must have. It’s been a while, noona.”
“It has. The movie was fun.”
“Just? What do you think will happen with it?”
“I think it’ll be a hit. If you get any good synopses, don’t keep them to yourself. Let me know too.”
“With you, noona, we’d be the ones begging.”
After a few exchanges with Shin Ye-won and the rest of The Imperial Seal team, the Baeksan Arts Awards began. Early in the ceremony, The Imperial Seal won the Art Direction award for its costume design.
‘They’re filming me a lot.’
Even during the congratulatory performance, the camera would occasionally cut to him. It was probably because of the influence of the ‘Hyeon-Seo Couple’ from The Imperial Seal. Shin Ye-won must have had the same thought, as she whispered to him.
“Yeon-seo, are you seeing someone by any chance?”
“No?”
“Then let’s give them some fan service.”
Her eyes held a mischievous glint that suggested it was more than just fan service… but the proposal wasn’t bad. Despite having ended last year, The Imperial Seal’s popularity hadn’t waned, and it was still set to air overseas. Sensing a camera on them, Yu Yeon-seo leaned to the side.
“Seo-eun, did you not miss me?”
Shin Ye-won flinched, covering her ear as she pulled away. His lips had been close enough for her to feel his breath. Yu Yeon-seo didn’t stop there, smirking at her with the same look Seong Hyeon-woo gave Lee Seo-eun in The Imperial Seal.
“Kyaaaaaah!”
Screams erupted from the audience.
Shin Ye-won, who had intended to be the one to initiate, was caught off guard and fidgeted with her ear.
“Hey… are you hitting on me?”
“It’s fan service.”
“I might get the wrong idea.”
“If you get the wrong idea, you’re the one who loses out.”
As Yu Yeon-seo spoke while keeping his eyes on the stage, Shin Ye-won sighed. Aish. He’s immune to teasing… Will the day ever come when he gets flustered?
-So what did they say?
-What the hell was that?
-That whisper was insane, lol.
-Yu Yeon-seo’s gaze is a crime.
-Why is he smiling like that?
-Stop seducing her when you don’t even love her, dammit.
-I don’t want any more delusional shippers latching on.
YYS and SYW already have a ton of international shippers who speculate and spread rumors like crazy.
└But I just ship the Hyeon-Seo couple. Is that considered delusional shipping too?
└└Shipping the fictional couple is fine, but it’s a headache when delusional shippers latch onto the actors themselves. They follow them to their next project, threaten not to watch it, and bash the co-star.
└└└This. Honestly, I don’t want my bias to get involved with an actor who has a huge shipper fanbase. Years later, they’re still following them to their next project and the one after that, making shipping videos out of behind-the-scenes footage. Ugh.
└Muggle shippers are fine since it just means the chemistry is good, but truly delusional shippers are on another level, lol.
└When you get hardcore shippers, it’s a total mess, lol.
└With those types, it’s easier to just turn a blind eye. As long as they don’t bother my bias, it’s fine.
└Still, isn’t it a good thing if they gain a lot of fans?
└└Delusional shippers aren’t fans;;
└└└This.