A little while ago.
In reality, Su-a had been staring at Seo Yeon-joo the entire time.
Of course, Seo Yeon-joo reciprocated with a questioning glance.
“Why do you keep staring at me?”
“The only award left now is the grand prize.”
Su-a answered without hesitation.
The Best Actor award had been given to Yang Ha-rin, and the only one left was the first place grand prize. Who else could it be if not Seo Yeon-joo?
However, Seo Yeon-joo tilted her head curiously.
”Hmm, I disagree. If there is one, it might be something like the Audience Award. Looking at it so far, the judging criteria of this award ceremony seems based on discovering new talent.”
“Hmm….”
“Thus, anyway.”
Seo Yeon-joo suddenly clasped both her palms together.
“…Suddenly what?”
“What else? It’s preparation for a prayer.”
“For what, pray?”
“Didn’t I say? The world is vast, and there are those who fervently wish for a meteor to fall at a certain point. This is my belief, but it’s about time for the meteor to fall.”
‘I get that you consider me the meteor… but…’
The problem was what came next.
”What kind of wish are you making by looking at me?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Seo Yeon-joo smiled faintly.
”Other than wishing that you’ll continue to act without troubles, there is nothing else. Keep being my infinite source of inspiration, okay? Simple, right?”
“…”
Su-a blinked quietly.
Because she was grateful.
Seo Yeon-joo didn’t wish for Su-a’s success just for selfish reasons, like benefiting from the success of an actor from the same agency.
She simply hoped Su-a would continue to be her source of inspiration.
Around that time, Kim I-seo, the representative, finally took her seat.
She played with two large hairpins from her bangs.
“Honestly, I’ve been busy greeting everyone here and there. Was there no particular issue? Hmm? What has Yeon-joo added? It seems to me your size has changed quite a bit from before.”
“…It’s always been this much.”
“Oh, well, that’s right.”
Kim I-seo was about to say something about tearing storks to find cranes but stopped; it wasn’t going to increase any specific area just because Kim I-seo pointed it out anyway….
Just then.
“Su-a from ‘Sword.’ Congratulations!”
Suddenly, Director Yusaku called out Su-a’s name awkwardly in Korean. An unexpected event occurred.
“…?”
Su-a was caught off guard, frozen in her seat.
Soon, Kim Sun-il laughed lightly.
“No emotional thrill, huh? Still, you should go. This is an award that was more wanted by those around you than by you.”
Su-a thought. No? There’s plenty of thrill…
It’s just too unexpected and bewildering.
Subsequently, tremendous murmurs and applause began to blend together, but Su-a didn’t hear any of it.
All she could hear was the small, nervous heartbeat as it thudded. That’s how anxious she was. Su-a started to move her stiff legs.
And before she knew it, she was standing face-to-face with Director Yusaku. Clutching onto the fading consciousness, Su-a repeated one thing in her mind. Image management, image management….
“Congratulations. Your acting left a strong impression on me.”
Internally, little Su-a responded immediately.
– Strange incantations, is it martial arts?
– Grandmother, that’s Japanese. There’s no real need to worry. Su-a Senior had experienced a Japanese script before and already knows it.
– …Grandmother? Keep your manners, young one.
As per Kim Yu-han’s words, Su-a quickly understood them.
Knowing Japanese wasn’t really an issue.
The awkward moment occurred right after.
Bang!
Director Yusaku had dropped the trophy, splitting it apart. Quite naturally, the surrounding atmosphere turned chaotic; especially because Director Yusaku looked thoroughly caught off guard.
“…”
However, something strange happened.
Right then,
Su-a saw clearly what she had to do. It took just an instant to pick up the shattered pieces of the trophy from the floor.
“It’s okay. I still like it.”
This injection wasn’t from any particular tactic.
It was simply sincere.
Receiving the award itself was so moving to her that the trophy didn’t matter.
She honestly conveyed what she felt.
Of course, the opposite side was evidently surprised at something else.
The formally dressed woman interpreter was dumbfounded.
“…Eh? Your Japanese is too fluent?”
The interpreter glanced at the stage’s backstage, where the staff was located, as if asking why they’d hired her when the principal was so fluent.
Because the trophy incident had momentarily muted the stage’s microphone, a brief exchange was possible.
“Did you come from Japan?”
“No.”
“Learning it seems too local, doesn’t it? Even locals would find this difficult. The pronunciation is something announcer aspirants might achieve if they practice with pens in their mouths.”
“I…thank… No, thank you, it’s flattering praise.”
Without realizing it, Su-a almost brandished her recognition of her own worth but curbed it. Remain humble, it’s an important occasion.
There was no more conversation with the interpreter afterward due to Director Yusaku himself interjecting.
His eyes sparkled as he looked at Su-a.
“Surprising again.”
“Huh?”
“Your mask is impressive, and your acting is good as well. Even your handling of foreign languages is proficient; you seem ready for larger scale works. Was there even a reason to stick to short films?”
“Because I’m just a rookie still.”
“…?”
The exclamation of “Eh” and the dumbfounded expression of Director Yusaku.
It appeared he had just remembered that Su-a was indeed a rookie. His face showed the shock he experienced.
Of course, the ones surprised weren’t only the people on the stage.
The audience was just the same.
Especially Mystic’s seat holders, Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il.
“Isn’t she from overseas? Japan, maybe?”
“No? Su-a is good at English too.”
“Comparing them might show the origin soon. Which language she’s most skilled in and which one she’s weakest in. Tracing back will work, right?”
“…Thinking about it, she’s worst at Korean.”
Alright, so she’s definitely from overseas. Seo Yeon-joo mumbled while continuing the conversation with Kim Sun-il.
Nearby, someone else also chimed in.
“Why does the interpreter look awkward? Do they know each other already?”
“Her name is Su-a, right? Director Yusaku seems overly enthusiastic. Aren’t they old acquaintances?”
“It seems an ecosystem disruptor has appeared.”
Their guess seemed reasonable. After all, the person in front of them certainly didn’t seem ordinary.
This was also the case with Director Ko Tae-min.
‘…I’ve heard about this. People who wish to deeply nurture musical abilities often travel overseas extensively. It makes future performances all the more anticipated, doesn’t it? It’s hard to wait.’
When the preparation for the awards on stage wrapped up, the audience was quiet, but their minds were anything but.
Now, amid the swirling thoughts in the air, there were both misconceptions and, occasionally, truths. Above all else, expectations were immense. How will this impressive new presence walk their path from now on?
Then,
[Ms. Su-a! Please deliver your acceptance speech!]
One of the staff below the stage held up a sketchbook with bold letters written on it. Not only Su-a but also Director Yusaku and the interpreter noticed.
“Yeah, that’s right. I should step aside quickly.”
Director Yusaku and the interpreter quickly vacated their positions.
With the two broken pieces of the trophy in each hand, Su-a stood in front of the microphone. Filling her field of view were intimidating figures. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous.
“…”
Thump, thump thump…
Her heart was beating rapidly.
What should I say? I decided to thank everyone, right? But, thinking about it, how exactly does one express gratitude? It would be weird to just say thanks and walk away, right?
And it’s a shame, isn’t it? Such a great moment like this.
Even as Su-a briefly deliberated, the journalists moved quickly, snapping pictures of her.
“Rookie winning the grand prize, crazy.”
“We need to move back a bit to get the whole shot. From this angle, her face doesn’t fit, because she has too much chest…”
“Better to capture that too, just in case.”
Down below, journalists were much too close. For a while, Su-a got scolded for the intense lights.
…The camera flashes hurt so much. Are they flash grenades?
In such a state, her head was noisy as well.
– I’ll be the one to deliver the acceptance speech. I’ve already mastered the experience of governing the world. You can think of it as my expertise.
– Is this place an appointment ceremony for celestial horses? Stop it. I’ll do it. I’ll only utter strategic words that could genuinely help Su-a’s future path.
– Let’s follow the formal process. We’ll go in line with the template of gratitude…
One after another, Wi Ji-hye, Kim Yu-han, and Lee Kang-cheol chimed in.
But Su-a didn’t entrust herself to anyone.
“…”
Because another strange thing happened.
Instincts guided her actions.
The ‘Sword’ production team gazing at her with emotion-laden eyes, Yang Ha-rin staring incredulously, and people who find Su-a, the rookie, fascinating…
The moment all of that settled into her eyes,
She already knew exactly what to say.
It was as if she’d known for a very long time. Thus, it was entirely easy. She didn’t need anyone’s help.
“…First of all.”
Finally, Su-a opened her lips.
At this moment, she was like a meteor silently racing across the night sky.
