Chapter 153
Chapter 153
A Step Forward
The camera, as if on a mission, focused on Yu Yeon-seo and Shin Ye-won whenever there was a lull. The anticipated reaction never came. Instead, Shin Ye-won’s awkwardness sparked another explosive reaction from the audience.
Yu Yeon-seo received the Popularity Award and, just as everyone expected, the Best Actor award in the drama category. As he walked onto the stage to accept the trophy, he briefly scanned the audience.
“First, it was an honor to work with our ‘The Imperial Seal’ team. You all worked so hard. And… there are so many people to thank… but it feels a bit strange to list them all here.”
As he gave his acceptance speech, a memory of the past suddenly surfaced. He had missed his chance at the Best Newcomer Award, the one Lee Hui-seo had received. Back then, he had only watched Jin Su-ho’s back from the audience.
But now, he was on stage, receiving the same Best Performance award she had.
‘This feels strange…’
It must be because of the synchronized memories. ‘I’ had been very attached to my biological mother.
“The people I want to thank are all of you who will contact me to congratulate me after hearing this news.”
The microphone was too low for his tall frame. He had to bend slightly to speak, causing his bangs to fall forward, a sight that was picturesque in itself. In the audience, people gasped in awe at his eyes, which sparkled under the lights.
“So if you want to receive my thanks, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”
His joke elicited laughter from all around.
“I will continue to grow as an actor. Thank you.”
He kept his acceptance speech concise. This wouldn’t be the last time, after all.
After the ceremony, the winners gathered for a group photo. Then, he left the venue for an after-party with the cast and crew of ‘The Imperial Seal’. Following the Art Award, Director Gu, Kim Chan-hwi, and Park Hee-jin also won awards for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Newcomer, respectively.
“Why didn’t I get one?”
“You’ve received plenty of awards, Ms. Min.”
“Still… it’s embarrassing to be the only one leaving empty-handed.”
Writer Min Ju-gyeong, who had been nominated for Best Screenplay, unfortunately did not win. Shin Ye-won raised her glass to her.
“Ms. Min, I didn’t get one either. Cheers!”
“Oh, that’s right. Why didn’t our dear Ye-won get an award? She certainly deserved one.”
“The competition was fierce.”
While Yu Yeon-seo had competed against actors in their 30s and 40s, Shin Ye-won’s situation was different. The Best Actress award went to a veteran actress whose drama had low ratings but was flawless in terms of artistic quality and acting.
“Besides, I’ve received plenty of them before.”
“Wow…”
At her words, everyone on the ‘The Imperial Seal’ team, except for Yu Yeon-seo, let out a collective sigh of admiration. They murmured among themselves that this was just what they’d expect from Shin Ye-won.
“By the way, what were you two whispering about earlier?”
“That’s right!”
“My friends are going crazy. They begged me to ask what you were talking about.”
“Oh my gosh, me too.”
The eyes of the ‘The Imperial Seal’ team focused on Yu Yeon-seo and Shin Ye-won. Writer Min Ju-gyeong’s eyes, in particular, were sparkling with excessive curiosity.
“It was nothing special. She suggested we do some fan service, so I just played along.”
“It’s true I suggested it first, but you came on so strong all of a sudden that I was the one who got flustered, you know?”
“No way.”
“This kid is no joke. You’re all being fooled.”
Shin Ye-won rubbed her arms as if she had goosebumps. The others teased them, begging for more details, while Yu Yeon-seo silently sipped his water. Well… he knew that her flustered reaction to the whisper and her subsequent awkwardness were all an act.
“Speaking of which, Yeon-seo. This is your first Baeksan award, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“How does it feel? Not as great as you thought, right?”
Awards are always nice to receive, but she said the excitement tends to fade after your rookie days. Her actor friends apparently have more of a ‘Wow! An award! Let’s go get a drink!’ kind of attitude. Of course, those friends were likely actors at the very top of their field in terms of both recognition and experience.
‘How long will it take for me to reach that level of ease?’
Now that he had actually received the award, he felt a slight sense of emptiness and let out a small laugh.
“Well… I think it’s great.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Because this is just the first step.”
Just the first step? Shin Ye-won grinned.
“You have a secret ambition for awards, don’t you.”
“It’s in my nature to get what I want.”
He clinked his glass against Shin Ye-won’s.
‘The Imperial Seal’ Sweeps Baeksan Arts Awards… Sparking Fairness Debate
Yu Yeon-seo Wins Best Actor at Baeksan Arts Awards… Mother and Son Both Honored
2022 Baeksan Arts Awards Concludes Successfully… Who Are the Past Winners?
‘The Imperial Seal’ After-Party Spotted Post-Baeksan, the ‘Hyeon-Seo Couple’ Lives On
After the party, Yu Yeon-seo returned home and fell straight asleep. He was woken early the next morning by the vibration of his phone and turned on the screen. A stream of congratulatory messages was still pouring in.
‘Did I really know this many people?’
In the past, half the people he knew had been driven away by his personality, while the other half had only pretended to be close to him because of his background. This was the first time since winning that award at the broadcasting station that he had received such genuine congratulations.
“Hey, congratulations on the award.”
“You’re here? What’s this, for me?”
As he came out into the living room, Baek Seo-jun, who had just entered, tossed a nicely wrapped single flower to him. Catching it smoothly, Yu Yeon-seo examined the flower’s wrapping. A flower shop near the house. It looked like he had bought it in a hurry, probably feeling awkward about showing up empty-handed.
“Hurry up and say thank you.”
“Thank you, hyung.”
“Mm, good.”
He gave a perfunctory bow and a casual reply, but Baek Seo-jun seemed satisfied and grinned. He looked at the brothers, who had just woken up, and let out a disbelieving chuckle.
“Did you just wake up?”
“Yeah.”
“Ha… this is unbelievable.”
How could someone who just rolled out of bed look like that? Even his bedhead looked like a fashion statement. If you’re going to give someone looks, just give them looks. But no, he got talent and a powerful family too… The world is unfair, he thought, slumping onto the sofa.
“What about the investigation results?”
“It’s ambiguous.”
The two brothers frowned in unison. Seeing this, Baek Seo-jun shook his head slightly.
“I looked into Choi Nam-yun’s call records. I focused on the day you received that strange letter…”
“And?”
“For now, the most likely accomplice is this person.”
He pointed to someone in the documents. It was one of the security guards who was at the mansion that day. Yu Yeon-seo narrowed his eyes. The face looked somewhat familiar.
“But why is it ambiguous?”
“He’s missing.”
“What?”
Yu Eun-ho’s voice rose. Yu Yeon-seo continued to stare intently at the man in the photo. He was going to be busy starting today, so he couldn’t dwell on it now, but he planned to slowly sift through his memories later.
“It’s like they’re practically begging us to be suspicious, right? Anyway, we’ll keep looking from our end, so you two stay put.”
“Why?”
“If I work with you two, we’ll draw too much attention.”
Besides, the guy at the next desk kept asking about the brothers in front of him, which was suspicious. Baek Seo-jun sighed. He was already busy trying to find the culprit, and now he had to keep an eye on his colleague too.
Yu Yeon-seo agreed with him and let out a small sigh.
“Well, thanks for your hard work.”
“Little bro, what’s gotten into you? Saying something like that?”
“What. I have basic manners.”
Yu Yeon-seo lightly slapped away Baek Seo-jun’s hand as he tried to pat his head, frowning. Yu Eun-ho didn’t stop them, just laughed.
“Anyway, looks like you’ll have to work a little harder.”
“Hey, Yu Eun-ho. You know a drink won’t cover this, right?”
“Just name it.”
“Oh? You promised, you know?”
In truth, both Yu Eun-ho and Yu Yeon-seo knew he wouldn’t ask for much. They also knew he was just saying things he didn’t mean to lighten their burden.
‘My brother has one good friend, at least.’
While Baek Seo-jun, who had been busy with work even on the weekend, took a short break, the brothers quickly got ready to go out.
“By the way, where are you guys going today? Eun-ho, you didn’t even go to work?”
“A family event.”
“An event already? Isn’t it this Saturday?”
As the son of the police commissioner and Yu Eun-ho’s best friend, Baek Seo-jun was also attending Juseong’s 80th anniversary celebration. But he tilted his head, confused as to why they seemed so busy when the event was still a ways off.
“It’s complicated.”
The brothers sighed in unison.
“It’s been a while.”
“Chairman!”
“I apologize for not visiting more often.”
To commemorate Juseong’s 80th anniversary, the presidents and executives of each subsidiary had gathered. Because this year’s anniversary celebration was set to be a grand affair, five teams had been working day and night for the past three months, planning how to conduct the event.
“So, what are you all planning to do?”
“We plan to do volunteer work with the executives again this year.”
“Good. I trust you’ll handle it well.”
The executives volunteering on the company’s anniversary was an annual tradition. Chairman Yu scanned the faces of his people gathered before him and his children who were greeting them, then spoke.
“Oh, right… my kids might be joining you at the volunteer sites.”
“Haven’t the Vice Chairman and the presidents always participated every year?”
The question held a hint of confusion as to why he was bringing it up now when it had always been the case. But Chairman Yu just smiled playfully.
“All of my kids.”
“…Even your grandchildren?”
Chairman Yu nodded. Yu Eun-ho, who was a central figure in the company, had always participated, but they hadn’t expected the usually indifferent Yu Yeon-seo to step up.
‘That boy never seemed to care much about my fortune…’
And they soon realized it was to help his father, who would soon become chairman. In any case, Yu Yeon-seo making an appearance at a family event was a welcome development.
But he hadn’t expected his daughter, her husband, and their children to express such active interest in participating as well. Chairman Yu wasn’t disappointed by this. After all, he was the one who had taught them to secure their share by any means necessary.
“Are there any of my children who don’t covet my fortune?”
“Ah… haha! Surely it’s not because of the inheritance. It must be because it’s the 80th anniversary.”
The man tried to smooth things over, but the other presidents and executives listening in naturally assumed it was an issue of inheritance.
“Of course, a good child will do well regardless.”
Chairman Yu patted the back of his eldest grandson, who stood silently beside him. Only then did their eyes light up as they shook hands with Yu Eun-ho.
“Good to see you, President.”
“Senior Managing Director, it’s been a long time.”
“My, my… with such a dependable grandson, I truly envy you, Chairman.”
The ones offering such lavish compliments were those with daughters around Yu Eun-ho’s age.
“Seeing the Senior Managing Director, I can really see the resemblance.”
“Are you referring to my younger brother?”
“Yes, he’s all the rage these days, isn’t he? Even my daughter, who never cared for celebrities, is a huge fan.”
Of course, Yu Yeon-seo was roped into the conversation as well. Though overshadowed by his older brother, there had always been quiet whispers that if one could tolerate his god-awful personality, he was an excellent marriage prospect in terms of looks and family background. The rumors had only intensified after he seemed to have come to his senses following the car accident.
Furthermore, with Choi Yu-jin expected to become the chairwoman of JSENM and Yu Yeon-seo rumored to be her successor, his stock had risen even higher.
“Are my two grandsons really that popular?”
“…Chairman.”
Yu Eun-ho, who had been listening from the side, said quietly. He was slightly embarrassed by his grandfather, who was clearly enjoying setting the stage despite already knowing everything.
“Don’t even mention it. I asked my wife, and she said your grandsons come up in conversation at least three times a day…”
“So, are your grandsons seeing anyone?”
“Isn’t it about time they settled on a marriage partner?”
As Chairman Yu played along with a broad grin, they excitedly continued to talk.
After a brief conversation, Chairman Yu stood before the platform for a photo. He observed his son’s impassive expression and clicked his tongue.
“Are you still sulking?”
“No, sir, Chairman.”
“You’re so petty.”
Yu Geon-min, who was still holding a grudge that his son hadn’t mentioned him in his acceptance speech, cleared his throat.
“You were disappointed too, Father.”
“Ahem… Just look at the camera.”
Not bothering to deny it, Chairman Yu stared at the camera in front of them.