After exchanging greetings with a fair number of male actors, who mostly gave cold receptions, and some female actors, who were welcoming, Su-eun Yoon approached Eun Yoo’s table.
“This side had many people to greet, so I left it till last.”
The first target over there was PD Myung-woo Yoo and Writer Woo-hee Min, who were having a serious conversation.
“The best-dressed goes to Heavenly Yuah, I think. Her white dress seemed extremely elegant.”
“Actor Cheon’s figure does all the work. The dress on Seo-hee Jin was better, though.”
“Wasn’t that dress too revealing?”
“Even if there’s a lot of skin shown, it’s not vulgar, is it? That might be the most beautiful look for people.”
“Can’t tell. This world is strange.”
Oddly enough, they were having a very trivial conversation for people with such serious attitudes.
One might think they are discussing the next project.
Anyway, they were interesting people.
“Wow, they pulled that off.”
On one side of Su-eun Yoon’s table, there was a life-sized photo of Elder Yoon set up like a signboard.
Saying he would let things proceed without him, it seemed this is how he chose to handle it.
It’s a bit funny, but it’s quite a clever choice, nonetheless.
After greeting everyone, actor Baek approached.
“Hey, Baek actor. You’ve become a star already.”
“Haha, not to that extent.”
“I’m enjoying your drama. It’s quite refreshing.”
“I’ll tell Writer Ok that Writer Min is enjoying it.”
The PD Yoo and Writer Min whom I worked with in my debut work greeted me warmly once again.
Together with compliments about how they were enjoying “Restaurant Promo,” they are good people, though a bit quirky. I hope they continue to do well.
“Senior Lion. Long time no see.”
“Ah, Siwoo.”
“How’s the atmosphere here?”
“Well, but isn’t the lead better than the supporting role?”
“That’s true. That’s why I’m sitting at the Gold Rush table.”
“I would’ve never guessed you were Miss Hayoung’s older brother. Was it related to the time you asked me about a girl group?”
“Yes, I was just checking if that reckless girl’s doing well.”
“Ah, I see.”
I greeted Lion, who also shared a close connection with me.
Thinking about it, this Lion.
Didn’t he leave me stranded before with Moon Sooyeon and Heavenly Yuah?
And judging by the timing he ran away, he must be quite perceptive.
But there’s no animosity towards him from my side, compared to Taekyu, Lion is an absolute goddess.
At least he acts well.
Although Taekyu also performs well, he’s an alien.
Ah, thinking about it pisses me off again.
Let me stop thinking about Taekyu here.
“… But why is he like that?”
I greeted Ji Seo-eun with just a glance like in the old days and turned away, but I felt a somewhat sinister aura from the corner.
It was Jo Yoo-shin, the other lead of this drama.
Seeing Jo Yoo-shin behaving so calmly instead of making trouble like he used to, made me feel rather odd.
Moreover, something…
Ah, forget about it. Looks like he’s having some bad day.
Leaving the odd Jo Yoo-shin aside, I greeted other actors and returned to our table.
As the event started, all the actors took their seats.
The event would be hosted by two famous male MCs and one actress, and that actress standing there was none other than Jin Seo-hee.
She was the one Writer Min had pointed out as the most likely candidate for Best Dressed.
If I must rank, she’s probably one step below Cheon Yuah?
She’s clearly in a higher tier than Lee Hyerin, who I’m currently filming with, so she must be one of the recognized actresses in Korea.
“Did you give out your contact details earlier?”
“Uh? No. Would you ever give out your contact details to an actor you just met, even if they’re a senior?”
She’s also one of the senior actresses who requested my contact details.
“Watch out for Jin Seo-hee. She’s famous for mingling with male actors in every project. It’s impressive she hasn’t been involved in any scandals.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
Thanks to Cheon Yuah’s early warning, I didn’t give her my contact details, but Jin Seo-hee is indeed a very pretty actress.
Of course, that’s why she’s always in rumors.
But she’s not my type, so I have no particular attachment.
What I want in a woman, you know. Tall, smooth legs, overflowing charm…
“Mr. Siwoo?”
“Ah, no.”
Speaking of which, wasn’t my first love the Young Heavenly Demon?
Though it’s a national rule that first loves usually end disastrously, she was an unforgettable experience.
Our Heavenly Demon, despite some issues with character, has an appearance that cannot be denied.
Also, thinking about my first partner, Hao Moonzhu, it seems like I’ve consistently chased after terrifyingly beautiful and voluptuous women.
The truth that ‘women are ultimately about the heart’ seems to just twist into ‘women are ultimately about…chest’ when it comes to my standards.
I must’ve been a really ridiculous person.
-The first award is the Rookie Award.
“Rookie award, huh.”
“Yeah.”
“Mr. Siwoo, you should prepare.”
After the MCs had a brief chat, they started preparing for the first award.
The Rookie Award.
Last year’s Rookie Award winner, Cho Sanggyun, was getting ready to present it.
“… Ah, Senior Cho Sanggyun.”
“Why?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
It might seem like nothing now, but it was quite significant.
I remember working for five years as an aspiring actor before moving to Martial Forest and getting pushed around for fifty years there. After coming back, I couldn’t even remember why I wanted to become an actor.
But seeing Cho Sanggyun here jogged my memory.
The reason I decided to become an actor was because Cho Sanggyun won the Rookie Award at this awards ceremony.
Turns out Cho Sanggyun was an unknown actor for ten years until he finally gained recognition, and he cried with joy upon receiving the Rookie Award here.
The media also extensively covered Cho Sanggyun’s ten-year struggle as an unknown actor.
It was just after I was discharged from military service, a period when I had no dreams or ambitions, yet his passionate life deeply resonated with me.
The conclusion that he ultimately shone and became a brilliant star also resonated.
I probably decided impulsively to become an actor, inspired by the idea of shining like that.
“… So it was funny, but I lacked a plan.”
-Male Rookie Award, ‘Gold Rush, Joseon.’ Baek Siwoo.
“What are you doing, Mr. Siwoo?”
“Yes, I’m going.”
Well, does it matter?
How many people here became actors with any great sense of duty?
Everyone is working to achieve what they desire—be it fame, money, or self-satisfaction.
Since I decided to become an actor to live a radiant life, it seems I should simply enjoy this moment of brilliance.
“Congratulations, Mr. Baek Siwoo.”
“Yes, thank you, senior.”
This moment of receiving the Rookie Award trophy from my long-forgotten idol was much more exciting than I thought it would be.
Though I didn’t expect much excitement from these kinds of events, this one was surprisingly enjoyable.
I made an appropriate acceptance speech and returned to my seat.
I didn’t forget to thank Cheon Yuah and Moon Sooyeon in my speech.
Acknowledging them during these moments will keep them from going off the rails.
Both of them performed admirably in ‘Gold Rush, Joseon,’ so it wasn’t inappropriate to give them a “Special Thanks.”
They seemed pretty satisfied with the emphasis I placed in my gratitude.
-Special Stage, the first act. Fantaring is performing. Let’s dance~
“Fantaring is really invited as the performer.”
“Mr. Siwoo’s younger sister’s spirit is high. It’s not easy to be invited to the awards ceremony in the first year.”
“…Is it?”
After the moderate success of ‘CandyCandy,’ where I starred in the music video, PMC rushed the next album release for Pantaring.
That release was Let’s dance.
It’s a light and fun dance song about enjoying playing and dancing together.
Though it lacks depth, it’s doing surprisingly well.
Thanks to that, they’ve even been invited to this year-end awards ceremony.
While I don’t feel particularly moved, my father is very thrilled.
So, I’m thinking it’s a good thing.
“Wow, Miss Hayoung has strong nerves, doesn’t she? Is she really Mr. Siwoo’s younger sister?”
“…Yeah. Hmm…”
The rookie group Pantaring started their performance on the floor.
They clearly seemed to be moving table by table to engage with the actors.
The song Let’s dance shines most when everyone participates.
The actors at the tables dancing a bit will make for a pretty picture.
However, it was quite a bold move.
While actors are a lot better than before, they’re still actors.
There’s a distinct difference between clapping and actually dancing to participate.
That’s why there was a high possibility that they wouldn’t engage actively, and the stage would feel off as a result.
And since this is live, there’s no editing or such to clean things up.
“Still, they’ve used their brains.”
PMC wasn’t entirely clueless, as they moved to start with the ‘Yoon Seo-eun’ table.
It’s the table with senior Lion, who’s from the same company, and senior Ji Seo-eu, who was an idol.
People at this table will likely engage.
And as we expected, Lion and Ji Seo-eu took charge, creating a lively atmosphere with their dancing.
“…Oh, that kid…”
“Ah, Miss Hayoung’s coming to us next.”
“Huh… Dance…”
Pantaring, embedded within four adorable dogs, is coming towards us.
They’re heading directly to our table, judging by the momentum.
And the girl in the middle of our table, my little sister, is giving me an evil grin.
“Damn.”
The second target being us isn’t without reason.
The table, having several young actors, and with the dancing elder Lumina, would be a good place to encourage participation.
However, personally, it’s not exactly a welcome scenario.
While I’m confident in martial arts dance, I’m hopelessly bad at regular dance.
Even though my body has improved, things you’re bad at don’t simply become good.
Dancing, after all, is more like the ultimate weapon for the elite insiders.
And my little sister knows full well how terrible I am at dancing.
So she is likely planning revenge for the suffering she endured during the music video.
“Isn’t she leaving?”
Upon sensing the impending danger, I immediately sent a powerful glare her way.
But it was useless. It only fueled her spirit further.
I’d like nothing more than to kick her snobbish face right here, but the show is live.
There’s no reason to get into trouble in my debut year.
So, the only option is…
“Mr. Siwoo.”
“Yes? Uh…”
“Your sister’s here. We should participate.”
“No, I… oh…”
I tried to sneak behind Moon Sooyon, only to dig my own grave.
Instead of shielding me, Moon Sooyon shoved me forward and began moving with the rhythm herself, right beside me.
“This is cheating.”
When Moon Sooyon attached herself to me, Cheon Yuah also jumped up from her table.
Unlike me, who’s a master in martial arts dance, she showed off her top-notch dance skills, latching on to my other side.
And there I was, trapped between two master dancers, unable to escape, and utterly humiliated.
Damn that little sister. I’ll never forget this insult.
All I can do is grit my teeth and plan my revenge.
