Since this was the last filming location, I decided to head home with Heavenly Yuah.
There was a bit of time left before we wrapped, so I observed the set for a while. The acting was, without a doubt, intense.
To be honest, solely in terms of the actors’ quality, our side couldn’t keep up with this set.
Of course, right now, actors like Yoon Yeonhee or Lee Hyerin are showing potential beyond their capacities, and Tae-kyu is revealing an entirely new world, but we must give credit where it’s due.
Our good showing until now has been thanks to Writer Ok’s extraordinary script.
“If Writer Ok’s energy doesn’t collapse, it will be worth seeing this through until the end.”
But even if the acting is solid, it also means it can’t break the unexpectedness of the melodrama.
When I think about Writer Ok’s sudden burst of melodrama potential, it seemed like we were heading towards a full-on finish.
It’s easier to make a well-made work even better than to make a melodrama more melodramatic, so that brings some relief.
“How was our set?”
As soon as filming ended, Heavenly Yuah naturally climbed into my van.
The moment she sat down, she asked for my thoughts on the set.
Before I could respond, the van had already started moving, leaving no room to request she return to her own van.
My manager Sung-chul, who insists on being far too friendly to Heavenly Yuah despite being my manager, is probably understandable given that she sponsors us.
But even as the van drove off, I managed a wry smile while responding to her question.
“Yes, it was good. The atmosphere was good, the actors were great, and above all, the production environment was impressive.”
“Filming drama shouldn’t be so stressful like in the old days.”
“Exactly.”
Still, the production environment over here is overwhelmingly better, which made me a little envious.
They seem to focus more on the quality of the work rather than chasing after more profits.
These things ultimately depend on what the investors and the production company think.
From that perspective, Phoenix seems to complement us well as a production company.
“But our ratings are still ahead, aren’t they?”
“Hmm, that’s true, but it won’t last long.”
“Hmm…”
Our side is struggling with scripts given at the last minute, yet Heavenly Yuah appears unusually calm, which I slightly teased her about. But it didn’t seem to affect her at all.
Given how serious Heavenly Yuah is about this bet, I expected her to be bothered, but her calmness made me a little suspicious.
In situations like these, it’s more natural to suspect that Heavenly Yuah has something up her sleeve.
If she has more cards left, now would be the time to play them.
People with the Heavenly Demon bloodline tend to have a short fuse when it comes to pulling their punches.
If she had something up her sleeve, she should’ve already played it, but the fact that she hasn’t is slightly strange.
Whatever’s happening, this bet doesn’t seem like it will allow me to let my guard down at any point.
“By the way, the awards ceremony is coming up soon.”
“Right.”
“Are you all prepared?”
“What do I need to prepare? Senior Yuah and Senior Suyeon have much more responsibility.”
The year-end awards ceremony is just around the corner.
I’ve heard that when terrestrial dramas were doing well, each broadcasting station would hold its own awards ceremony.
Nowadays, all of those are gone.
The main reason is likely due to ratings and the ‘all-in’ awarding.
With OTT platforms gaining more prominence than terrestrial dramas, it’s hard to pick out more than one or two well-received dramas per broadcasting network each year.
As a result, it naturally led to ‘all-in’ awards, and public interest in the ceremony itself has significantly decreased.
With the drop in ratings, broadcast stations no longer had much reason to persist with their ceremonies.
In this atmosphere, the awards ceremonies underwent changes, leaving only the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s ‘K-Drama Awards’.
It was an awards show where 12 popular Korean dramas aired on OTT or terrestrial channels were selected over the year and invited to honor the people involved.
As it’s a government-run event, there’s always a bit of backlash.
Choosing 12 works feels somewhat arbitrary, and the criteria for selection seems questionable.
Simply put, while there’s no argument about the top two or three works, each year debates often arise regarding the last few selections.
Especially comparing OTT original works with terrestrial drama ratings lacks clear criteria.
At this stage, it would feel strange if no criticism arose.
Still, it’s an awards show whose authority is recognized.
With only 12 works invited each year, there’s the reality that some actors may retire without ever receiving even common awards due to bad luck.
In this sense, being invited from the first year feels like my acting career is off to a smooth start.
Out of the works I participated in, both “The Genius Copywriter, Yoon Seo-eun” and “Gold Rush, Joseon” were invited to this ceremony.
Considering all my projects were invited, it’s a tremendous batting average.
Of course, I’m participating in “Gold Rush, Joseon,” because I wouldn’t abandon the drama I starred in for my debut work.
This issue I separately discussed with Director Yoo, who said he would take care of it.
Despite Elder Yoon having an important role in the drama, since it’s impossible for me to attend dressed as him, and given we have other works like “Gold Rush, Joseon,” there was no point in worrying about it.
“Siwoo, you’ll probably win something too.”
“Hmm, that’s hard to tell. The awards ceremony is so variable.”
Whenever the awards ceremony comes up as a topic, it’s natural to mention this first, as what people win is the main point.
Although I say this, I think the Best New Actor Award is already set.
It’s hard to get into the 12 selected works, but once you’re invited, awards are distributed rather generously.
Especially for the Best New Actor, they tend to give out 2-3 awards each for men and women.
It isn’t common for newcomers to take leading roles, but considering “Gold Rush, Joseon” gained international popularity, it would be strange not to give it.
True, criticism for handing out awards too freely does exist, but given the awards ceremony is consolidated, it’s better not to be overly stingy.
I don’t say this just because I’ve been invited. I’ve thought this way even before.
“Speaking of which, Senior Yuah should also prepare.”
“You’re right. I think I’ll win something, too, but I don’t know what. Still, it’s a bit unfortunate. If Siwoo wasn’t a newcomer, we could have aimed for the grand prize.”
“Come on. Anyway, have you prepared your dress?”
“Yes, definitely. Since I don’t receive separate sponsorships or anything, there’s not much to worry about.”
“Ah, really?”
To keep the conversation from feeling awkward, I shifted the topic. After all, when discussing the awards ceremony, it naturally turns to the female actors’ dress battles.
With fewer ceremonies, the number of invited actors has decreased, making it easier compared to before. But this field still has its own chaos.
The number of truly beautiful dresses is limited, and since many people have similar tastes, the competition is reportedly fierce.
Of course, someone at Heavenly Yuah’s level would rarely worry about it, as dresses practically come to her. But the fact she’s not even getting sponsored feels very much like her.
“It’s lucky that you’re the only new actor in the company. Female actors can be kind of exhausting.”
“Definitely.”
“How about the tuxedo for Siwoo? Are you happy with it?”
“Yes, apparently it’s expensive. I can’t really tell what makes it different though.”
My side managed to secure sponsorship for the tuxedo early on, likely due to “Gold Rush, Joseon’s” popularity, so I could get a decent one.
But after trying it on, I couldn’t really see what made it different from something bought at a department store.
Is it because my mindset is too cheap that I can’t distinguish?
Tuxedos for male actors don’t really interest me, so I just decided to wear it.
“Did Senior Suyeon manage to get a dress?”
“Yeah, she did fine.”
“Hmm…”
“Actually, I heard Suyeon is more focused on the special stage than her dress.”
“Ah, that?”
When asking Moon Suyeon how her plans were going, she mentioned something peculiar.
Moon Suyeon was more interested in the performance stage than the dress, which reminded me of what she said during her visit to our set a while back.
In this year’s ceremony, Moon Suyeon and I were scheduled to perform a special stage.
It wasn’t anything grand, though. Suyeon will perform the “Gold Rush, Joseon” OST “The Night the Moon Flows,” and I’ll join her on stage and play the seven-stringed zither.
Actually, “The Night the Moon Flows” is so popular it might be better suited for a music awards ceremony, yet it was decided to perform it here.
Since I don’t have much to prepare, I simply agreed, but on Moon Suyeon’s side, the expectations seem quite high.
“Just playing the zither in the background, what’s the big deal?”
“I get it, but still…”
The special stage at the K-Drama Awards is quite preferred by idols.
With the consolidation of award shows, the show ratings have started to improve, and the buzz is good.
As a result, recruiting popular idols and singers has become easier. So for an outsider like me to join such a stage could be considered a rather prestigious event.
Though it has somewhat dampened my mood, because not only Pantaring was invited as well.
Goodness, Pantaring being invited to such a big special stage.
Feeling like the stage’s value dropped by a few levels, I lost some enthusiasm.
But on the other hand, things are going better than expected.
It seems my little sister is managing quite well to hide her true self (?).
Maybe she has some acting bl**d in her?
Regardless, I should watch out to not run into her at the awards venue, or she might ruin my mood.
*
The day of the awards has arrived.
Thanks to “Gold Rush, Joseon’s” success, four of the company’s actors, including Yang Yuli, the screenwriter, have been invited, and the company is bustling with activity.
Especially, cases like mine and Heavenly Yuah’s have been widely expected to win awards, so the employees’ mood is quite high.
“Seems like we’re just there to be the decoration.”
“Wouldn’t the Supporting Actor award be possible?”
“That’s a bit challenging. That award will go to Lion for sure. He was the lead in “Yoon Seo-eun.” Given how unusual it was for him as a leading actor, they likely won’t give him Best Actor, so Supporting Actor will go to him.”
“Ah.”
Nam Hyun-ho, dressed in a tuxedo like me, is grumbling that he will just be a mere decoration without winning anything.
But, despite his complaints, his expression is bright.
Nam Hyun-ho, who received a Best New Actor award during his debut year but hasn’t been invited since due to poor luck with projects, seems to be in higher spirits because of this invitation.
Even though he got invited to award shows for movies in the last couple of years, this marks the second invitation for him in the drama category.
Looking at how Nam Hyun-ho is speaking, it’s clear the bar for year-end awards is indeed high.
“How does it look?”
“… Oh.”
“That’s all?”
“Oh, good?”
While chatting idly with Nam Hyun-ho, Heavenly Yuah appeared in a white mermaid dress.
It was a stunning dress that accentuated her alluring figure.
What surprised me, though, was her choice of a white dress here.
Wasn’t this dress almost like a wedding gown at first glance?
Of course, it’s undeniably beautiful, but the choice feels a bit odd.
It seems she has prepared something unusual for the occasion.
