Everyone around applauded. Lavish music flowed through the hall.
—The Seoul Drama Awards will now begin.
With the narration, the MCs appeared on stage. Watching the two of them enter with cue cards in hand, their steps neat and composed, I kept my expression under control.
Do Gyeoul above, below.
Once again, a familiar composition.
* * *
“Hello. I’m Myeong Jeha, today’s MC.”
“I’m Do Gyeoul.”
As the two opened the ceremony with their greetings, applause burst out and echoed through the hall.
Standing at the microphones, Myeong Jeha proceeded with the event without even glancing at the cue cards. It was a level of composure you wouldn’t expect from a twenty-year-old.
“Not just for Korea, but for drama fans all around the world—the Seoul Drama Awards. Which work will win today? I’m already incredibly excited.”
“Yes, Jeha. I’m already nervous as well. It’s such an honor to introduce these wonderful works. Then, our very first award is....”
On the screen, the nominated works appeared. At the MC stand, Do Gyeoul looked down at Yeoreum. Even from afar, she stood out as if she were close.
‘It’s the sa kind of tension.... But it feels different.’
The face Yeoreum showed now was not the one she had when sitting beside her.
Gyeoul didn’t read emotions from expressions; she inferred emotions from situations. A first-ever awards ceremony, therefore an unfamiliar environnt. As unfamiliarity went, there would be a coexistence of excitent and fluttering anticipation. And because she was still young, there would be unrealistic thoughts as well.
‘That there might be a chance of winning.’
At this venue, Do Gyeoul alone knew more than thirty actors by na. Just this year, there were already two dramas that had recorded exceptionally high ratings.
One of them had broken the 20% mark, and another had sold two million copies of its original work—leaving no room for other Korean dramas.
‘It’s a global awards show and all. The higher-ups’ thinking is obvious....’
They would hand out a few Hallyu Star Awards to top actors attending today for appearances’ sake, and distribute the rest mostly overseas.
‘That way, the articles look prettier.’
What mattered was that a ‘Korean work’ received an award even among heavyweight foreign masterpieces.
Having learned all of these calculations from a young age, Do Gyeoul raised her cue card again, perfectly tid with the end of the nominees’ introduction.
“Then, we will now announce the first recipient of honor.”
As expected.
“The New Trend Award goes to....”
They kicked things off with the United States.
“Be All Ears. Congratulations.”
Gyeoul smiled brightly as she handed over the trophy. Holding the bouquet Myeong Jeha gave them, the winner went up to the microphone and delivered an emotional acceptance speech. During that ti, Gyeoul’s gaze was fixed on one place.
‘It’s in English, so it’ll be hard for her to understand. And since it’s the beginning of the ceremony, she’ll still be nervous and excited. That expression would work around episode five.’
Do Gyeoul analyzed Han Yeoreum once more. To be precise, she morized which expressions should be worn in which situations.
It couldn’t just be facial muscle movents. She had to replicate Han Yeoreum exactly—the version of her that powerfully drew in others’ gazes.
“Yes. Thank you for your acceptance speech. As expected from a work that deeply explored family conflict, it delivered a powerful ssage.”
It was frustrating to analyze everything one by one like this. As she smoothly picked up where Myeong Jeha left off, Gyeoul thought—
“Once again, congratulations on your award. And now, we’ll move on to the next.”
That she wanted to lock Yeoreum up sowhere, like a pet, and observe her.
The pure joy of wanting to see Yeoreum’s acting. The helplessness born from not knowing what kind of acting to do. The desire to be recognized despite that. The expectation that as long as she had Yeoreum, everything would be fine. The collector’s urge to gather every expression from every situation.
“Next is the Seoul Drama Awards, Best Screenwriter.”
An entertainnt-driven wish for Yeoreum to grow even more, and conversely, an impulse to keep her so far beneath herself they couldn’t even be compared.
“Shall we take a look at the nominated works?”
Do Gyeoul didn’t know what this emotion was. But the world defined the emotion she possessed like this.
Jealousy.
* * *
As the atmosphere of the awards ceremony gradually ward up, Part 1 ca to an end. It was ti for a short break. I took the water bottle Manager Choi handed .
‘I’ve been tense the whole ti. My throat hurts.’
was nominated twice, and of course, it didn’t win either ti. The average quality of the works that had risen to the forefront was simply too high.
“Yeoreum, restroom?”
“I’m fine.”
“Then.... I’ll step out for a bit....”
As Director So left his seat, the chair beside beca empty. I briefly turned my head and looked at the stage. A stage left completely empty, with no one on it.
The text still displayed on the lit-up screen stood out sharply.
Seoul [N O V E L I G H T] International Drama Awards
Still, soday I’ll definitely win an award. Okay, relax, and keep clapping sincerely until the end of the ceremony....
“Yeoreum, hi.”
“Whoa, you scared .”
It was right as I was about to steel myself. From the empty seat beside ca a familiar voice.
“Uh....”
“Myeong... Jeha....”
Hwang the coordinator, who had been fixing my lip tint beside , stared blankly at Myeong Jeha’s face. Manager Choi, too, froze for a mont at a high-definition face that seed to exist on a different resolution all by itself.
“Hello. I’m Yeoreum’s classmate.”
Myeong Jeha greeted them kindly. Even standing still, his face was shocking enough—but when he smiled, the impact multiplied. The two hurriedly returned his greeting.
“I’ve heard a lot about both of you. Yeoreum brags about you so much, I got jealous.”
You liar.... I’ve never said a word like that. What is this? Myeong Jeha naturally took control of the conversation.
“Let’s grab a al together soti.”
The awkward atmosphere instantly turned warm and friendly.
Impressive. The confidence of soone who had solved everything with their looks since birth—soone for whom the world beca easy the mont they showed their face.
“Haha, then I’ll just borrow Yeoreum for a mont....”
So that was the goal. Asking them to step aside.
Manager Choi and Hwang the coordinator exchanged glances with and quickly returned to their seats. Maybe because of Myeong Jeha, I could feel the audience’s attention gradually gathering toward us.
“Hey.... You can’t act friendly here like this....”
“That’s harsh. I’m hurt.”
“Stop joking. I’m already MCing while being close to a male idol.... And I have to act with an idol too.... If a respected senior does this to right now, huh?”
As for close female celebrities, there was only Choo Gaeul—and publicly, I could maybe squeeze in Do Gyeoul. That made two at most. But then male celebrities kept popping up one after another?
‘It’s perfect for getting trapped in a man-chaser fra....’
I didn’t want to be screen-captured and spread around portal sites’ best posts. My fanbase wasn’t solid yet. I wanted to secure public favor first, as broadly as possible.
‘Leave while I’m still being polite.’
That was the aning behind the look I gave Myeong Jeha. But he didn’t care at all and crossed his legs. It’s not even your seat—why do you look so comfortable?
“I was with Do Gyeoul just now. If I don’t talk to you, that’d be stranger.”
“Ah.... I guess.”
Experience showed. Myeong Jeha looked at for a mont as I nodded.
“It’s fine to show so tension. You’re a rookie, and this is your first acting-related awards ceremony.... But in Part 2, try to look more relaxed when the cara catches you. That way, if you’re called, it’ll be more dramatic.”
“Huh? Called?”
What Myeong Jeha ant was one thing.
Winning.
“C-can I win? Was my na on the cue card?”
“Well....”
“Don’t joke. Seriously, can I win?”
Myeong Jeha briefly shifted his gaze toward the back. Director So was returning to his seat. Rising without hesitation, Myeong Jeha whispered softly.
“If you do win, that’s what it’ll be like.”
Myeong Jeha passed by and went to greet Director So. I turned my eyes back to the stage. Still empty, just as before.
‘If... I were to go up there.’
The heart that had finally cald began to pound again.
* * *
“Looks like you’ve gotten pretty close to Yeoreum.”
Part 1 MC duties were over. Still, Myeong Jeha and Do Gyeoul remained seated at the table prepared just for the two of them.
The front row, where the lighting hit best.
“Part 2 is starting. We should focus.”
Myeong Jeha didn’t bother answering.
Soon, music announcing the start of Part 2 played, and with the audience’s applause, the Part 2 MCs walked onto the stage.
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