* * *
The mont I stepped inside, a heavier, deeper music thumped through the overall dim lighting. On a mint-colored table — the signature color of the Ruel Style Awards — my na was written.
[Actress: Han Yeoreum]
My na was here.
In a place like this.
That alone felt enough to fill my whole heart. I hurried over and sat down quickly.
My seat. The seat for actress Han Yeoreum.
“Hey. Do your legs hurt that much? Sit. Stay seated.”
Joo Junseo ca back from the catering area carrying a glass of champagne for . Right beside my na tag, his na tag sat neatly in place.
“Smile moderately here. If you overdo it, the articles will say you were drunk.”
“Ah... thank you. Truly the best senior. I’ll keep my mouth tight from now on.”
“You’re that happy?”
“Of course. Today is so overwhelming that it’s hard to manage my face.”
I hadn’t even considered this part. It would be terrible if articles accused of being drunk. I tightened my facial muscles.
Inside, the dim lighting made Joo Junseo’s face look even more convincing sohow. His naturally sharp, sensitive features matched incredibly well with the delicate tattoo sticker placed under his ear.
‘Ruel Style Awards party photoshoot... sothing like that will run in next month’s magazine, and the broadcast version will air briefly.’
Inside, there were several large caras set up. It was easy to guess the overall flow of the event.
‘Judging from the reaction earlier... it was a success.’
My plan was simple. First, make every gaze lock onto my outfit.
Ryu Risa’s styling was so perfect it was hard to believe she pulled it together overnight. It was casual but clean — just right for soone twenty.
‘Most of all, it doesn’t look like the sa item Do Gyeoul is wearing.’
And second: give reporters sothing article-worthy.
Right now, all they had was . Things like attending DaeYeJong or appearing soon in an MBS one-episode drama — none of the reporters here would know that.
‘So I need to give them sothing morable on-site.’
If I wasn’t careful, I’d end up with headlines about Pi Chaewon’s dead-fish eyes. That was the one thing I had to avoid.
‘Which is why I chose this. A one-ti-only “rookie actress attending an awards ceremony” mode.’
And the Ruel Style Awards were the perfect venue for it. If I tried this at a truly prestigious ceremony, everyone would accuse of forcing a concept and flood the comnts with hate.
‘Seriously, Han Yeoreum... are you a genius?’
I pressed down the corners of my mouth again as they tried to rise.
Just then, while Joo Junseo left briefly after telling to stay put, I spotted Do Gyeoul in the distance.
Celebrities all around her were greeting her. As if she were the main star of tonight.
‘Top actors really are different.’
No matter where she went, the spotlight beca hers. Even her seat was perfectly centered — the best spot on the stage-facing side.
At that mont, she turned her head toward . Our eyes t. Do Gyeoul didn’t avoid my gaze; she t it steadily. For a brief mont, the two of us—
“Hi.”
“Whoa, you scared .”
I nearly jumped at the sudden familiar voice behind . Myeong Jeha, wearing a light gray suit, smiled down at .
“What are you doing here...?”
“Wow, that’s harsh. I dressed up nicely — do I not match the place?”
“No, you match perfectly. You’re the most handso person here. As expected of Myeong Jeha. The best face.”
I hid my mouth behind my cocktail glass, afraid a cara might catch buttering him up. Jeha laughed brightly and took the seat next to .
I hadn’t noticed earlier, but the na tag beside was his.
“Wow~ thank you... but seriously? It doesn’t sound very sincere.”
“It is. Completely sincere.”
“Haha. Then I’ll ntion it when they interview . That Yeoreum said I have the best face.”
“Resist that temptation.”
I could already see the future comnts: “Han Yeoreum, that shaless man-crazy rookie.”
Seeing my hollow dead-fish eyes return, Jeha laughed again.
“I got invited, that’s all. And as you said — I have the best face, so I’m obligated to attend.”
“Jeha. Please watch your mouth so the caras don’t catch that. You sound a little arrogant.”
“Thanks for the advice. Oh, it’s starting.”
Ji Haebeom and Eun Baekhap stepped onto the stage. The hall shook with applause. Shutters clicked wildly and flashes burst like fireworks.
“Yes. I’m Ji Haebeom, your MC for the 1st Ruel Style Awards.”
“I’m Eun Baekhap.”
Right as the ceremony began, Joo Junseo returned to the seat beside . Bending forward slightly, he whispered in a quiet voice.
“Hey. Don’t freak out, just listen. Control your expression.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“You’re receiving the third award. Don’t smile too much when you go up. The footage from then will be used in the broadcast.”
What... did I just hear?
I’m receiving an award?
That made no sense. I ca here without expecting anything even close to that. Best Dresser wasn’t even a real trophy — just an informal acknowledgnt by reporters and stylists. You couldn’t engrave a trophy on the spot anyway.
People who received awards at events like this were either extrely famous or had a huge buzz behind them.
‘But I... am actually receiving a real award with a real trophy?’
For a mont, my brain shut down. Excitent or nerves — I couldn’t tell which — hamred so hard my chest hurt.
“The MUSIC & STYLE award chosen by the 1st Ruel Style Awards goes to....”
Ji Haebeom’s voice blurred, layered over my heartbeat. I clapped automatically as the winner was announced. Then again... and again....
“The WOMAN OF INSPIRATION award chosen by the 1st Ruel Style Awards goes to—”
This was it. My turn.
“To Han Yeoreum, who played Pi Chaewon in . Congratulations.”
Objectively, it wasn’t a grand award. If I told people later where I’d received this, most probably wouldn’t even recognize it. It was such a tiny, tiny award. And yet—
‘Still.’
My na was engraved on the trophy I held. Hugging the bouquet to my chest, I stepped up to the microphone.
“Yes... thank you so much for giving such a aningful award....”
I had no idea what to say. Because I hadn’t expected anything.
And honestly, it didn’t feel real yet. I was shaking so hard my ears were ringing.
“I hope you’ll invite again next year. Truly....”
Laughter rippled through the audience. That eased my tension just a little. From the stage, the first person I saw — the closest to — was Do Gyeoul.
I couldn’t see her face clearly through the strong lights and flashes... but seeing her from up here, for the first ti, I felt it.
That I was finally beginning to reclaim the nas stolen from .
Dding—!
「Mission: Let’s Beco the Best Dresser」
Keyword: Trend
You have succeeded in becoming a red-carpet figure worthy of universal admiration. From head to toe, all eyes are on you! Everywhere you go, everyone is talking only about you. At this rate, you might beco a true trend icon.
Success Condition
[You have been acknowledged as the “Best Dresser” at the 1st Ruel Style Awards]
Reward
Rise in [Fa]!
Fa: E >>> D
[Random Skill Ticket]
〈Check Now〉 〈Store〉
The trophy under the lights shone even more brightly.
* * *
Bzzz—.
[Are you really that happy?]
Jeha texted the question to Yeoreum, who hadn’t stopped smiling since earlier. She brought the bouquet to her nose, took photos endlessly, clutched the trophy again — joy overflowing nonstop.
Input: y-y-y-yes veeeery much
Even though it was nothing more than a minor award, she smiled like she owned the world.
‘Well... I guess that makes sense.’
Before regression, Han Yeoreum would never have been invited to a style awards show, let alone win sothing. In Myeong Jeha’s mories, Han Yeoreum didn’t even exist.
‘And it wasn’t just the award.’
The Ruel art designer had even shown personal interest in working with her.
“Han Yeoreum-ssi! I really enjoyed . The editing, the overall feel — it was fresh. Good work. Let’s do sothing together next ti.”
“Work? Wor...k?”
“Why are you so startled? Your profile photos, and the recent pictorial you shot — the one with the plums? That one had a small internal buzz too, among us.”
It wasn’t a polite formality. The Ruel art designer had no reason to give empty complints to a rookie with no agency behind her.
‘He just wants to collaborate with the most trending newcor, that’s all.’
Luck and timing rule this industry. No field follows that rule more perfectly than entertainnt.
Celebrities are products. The public must want to consu the image for the machine to keep turning.
‘With Dok Gomin, Dok Gogyeol, and Ryu Risa behind her....’
And now, Han Yeoreum was a fully ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) branded, eye-catching celebrity — building her na without needing viral stunts.
“Please drop off here. Thank you again for today! One day, I’ll make sure to give you a ride in my own car, sir.”
“Thank you... but realistically, would I ever get into your car?”
To Yeoreum — who was promising to repay her manager’s kindness — Jeha handed a shopping bag.
“Yeoreum. Take this with you.”
User Comments
0 comments from readers