Episode 45

“Hey, Yeon-woo, your ad-libs are really on point now.”

“Well, that’s because you always catch them, hyung.”

The scene had just ended with a high-five, but Yeon-woo threw in an ad-lib since he couldn’t imagine Pierrot Choi doing a high-five with Gwak Ji-cheol.

Ma Seok-do effortlessly caught the ad-lib. These days, Yeon-woo had been so immersed in his role, breaking free from the script, that he found the true joy of acting.

At that moment, Assistant Director Jo approached Yeon-woo.

“Yeon-woo, I’m checking the schedule. Are you attending the Arts Awards tomorrow?”

“Oh, yes, I’ll be there.”

Tomorrow was the day of the Korean Arts Awards, an prestigious event held every April, awarding outstanding works in the field of audiovisual production that had been screened or broadcast from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year. During the shooting of “Summer Promise”, Kim Han-soo, the director, suggested that they aim for an award because JNBC didn’t have a ceremony, worrying that Yeon-woo might be disappointed. Yeon-woo was nominated for both the Best Male Acting Award and the Rookie Award in the TV category.

Although the competition for the Best Male Acting Award was tough, with nominees like Son Jin-yuk and other strong candidates, Yeon-woo didn’t think he had much chance of winning. Still, the fact that he was nominated in his debut year was an honor in itself.

Among the nominees, Son Jin-yuk, who acted in the same project, and Jin Yu-han, a famous child actor, were strong contenders. Yeon-woo knew Son Jin-yuk well because they were close friends, but he didn’t know much about Jin Yu-han as an actor.

Jin Yu-han was an elite among elites, starting his acting career at the age of seven and steadily building his acting skills by playing key roles in major movies. He made a breakthrough in the second half of last year with a time-slip crime drama called “Beyond,” his first lead role in an adult production.

“It’s nice to have goals to chase at the same age.”

In response to Assistant Director Jo’s question, Yeon-woo’s thoughts connected from Son Jin-yuk at the awards ceremony tomorrow to Jin Yu-han. He hoped to meet them in the same project someday.

The next day, the day of the Korean Arts Awards, had arrived. The sun had set, but in front of the COEX Exhibition Center in Gangnam, the camera shutters and lights made it brighter than daylight.

The door of the Benz that Yeon-woo was riding in opened.

“Hi there.”

“Hyung, welcome.”

Son Jin-yuk greeted him with a friendly handshake as he entered the car. He wore a clean tuxedo with a bowtie.

“Long time no see, Minsoo.”

“Yes, Mr. Son. You look great today.”

Minsoo pointed a thumbs-up toward Son Jin-yuk, who was wearing a sharp tuxedo with a bowtie.

“Wow, as we get older, the car automatically makes noise when we sit down.”

“Oh, come on, you’re still young, hyung.”

Jin-yuk chuckled and took his seat, looking at Yeon-woo with a smile.

“So, we’re in competition today?”

“Well, my competition in the same category is Jin Yu-han. He’s been making headlines in the news.”

Jin-yuk laughed in response to Yeon-woo’s words.

“Oh, Yu-han. I’ve actually never acted with him, but I’ve seen him at awards ceremonies and events. He used to be a little kid, and now he’s all grown up.”

“We’re the same age.”

Jin-yuk’s eyes widened at Yeon-woo’s words.

“Oh, really? You’re right. I knew you started college recently, but for some reason, you seem older than your age. Yu-han has been in the industry since he was a child, so he still feels young to me.”

Yeon-woo and Jin-yuk chatted for a while. Their car, driven by Minsoo, was waiting in the parking lot. They were all set for the awards ceremony and were waiting for the call to enter in the proper order.

At that moment, Yeon-woo’s smartphone rang before the walkie-talkie.

– Ring-ring.. .-

“Oh? It’s So-hyeon noona.”

“So-hyeon? Answer it.”

Yeon-woo pressed the answer button on his smartphone.

“Yes, So-hyeon noona.”

“Yeon-woo! The white van next to our car is yours, right?

Upon hearing So-hyeon’s words, Yeon-woo looked to his left and saw a black van.

– Ring-ring… –

Yeon-woo rolled down the window, and the window of the black car next to him also went down.

“Yeon-woo! Oh? Jin-yuk is here too!”

Han So-hyeon waved her hand with a friendly smile.

Soon, the window went back up, and it seemed that So-hyeon was chatting with the manager in the front seat. Then, the door opened, and Han So-hyeon came out. Minsoo opened the car door for her.

“Ta-da! The leading lady has arrived.”

“Haha, So-hyeon, you look beautiful today.”

So-hyeon, dressed in a white dress reminiscent of a Greek goddess, entered the car.

“Unnie, where should I look my eyes?”

So-hyeon’s dress had a deep V-neck with a hole only on the left side of the waist, making it more revealing than expected.

“Wow! Other actresses go even further. This is considered conservative.”

“What’s a conservative dress?”

Jin-yuk, who laughed at So-hyeon’s remark, asked.

“By the way, didn’t you two recently work on a movie together? How was it? It’s the famous director Park Chan-hong, right?”

So-hyeon laughed in response to Jin-yuk’s question.

“Senior, please don’t say anything. Yeon-woo has been flying around these days.”

“Wow, has his acting skills blossomed?”

“I’m playing a charismatic and playful con artist role, but these days, he’s playing pranks on me all the time!”

Han So-hyeon complained to Jin-yuk with a teasing tone.

It’s not that, but these days, Yeon-woo seems to have transformed into Pierre Choi. His usually somewhat reserved personality now has a dash of playfulness. It seems that So-hyeon, who is easy for Yeon-woo to play pranks on and gives entertaining reactions, is often the target of his mischief.

For now, when the camera is rolling, Yeon-woo is focused on delivering the ad-libs, but he doesn’t want to deal with any potential consequences outside the camera frame.

Yeon-woo looked at Jin-yuk with a smile as So-hyeon jokingly complained.

“Actually, Jin-yuk hyung, So-hyeon noona has a seduction scene with senior Jung Ha-kyun in the movie, but…”

“Ah, stop it!”

Hastily, Yeon-woo tried to cover his mouth as So-hyeon’s playful complaints started, and she tried to avoid his antics.

Observing their interactions, Jin-yuk chuckled.

“Haha, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you two look funny. Ah, I’d love to join in. I had so much fun when we filmed ‘Summer Promise’ together.”

Yeon-woo laughed as he looked at Jin-yuk.

“Let’s definitely work on a project together again.”

“Me too? Me too?”

So-hyeon interjected, squeezing her face between Yeon-woo and Jin-yuk.

“Of course. The three musketeers.”

Yeon-woo beamed with a wide smile. Just then, the walkie-talkie went off.

[Chichik. ‘Summer Promise’ team, please get ready for your entrance.]

-Beep.-

“The ‘Summer Promise’ team’s actors, three of you, are moving in one car. You may enter now.”

Minsoo, who had responded to the walkie-talkie call, shifted the gear and drove the car.

They arrived at the entrance, which had been prepared for a full-scale event. The area was brightly lit, with reporters holding cameras, security guards, and numerous fans eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars.

“The ‘Summer Promise’ team’s vehicle has arrived!”

The voice of the female announcer in charge of the outdoor event could be heard. The car doors were opened, revealing the lead actors of ‘Summer Promise.’

Jin-yuk was the first to step out.

“Wow! He’s so handsome!”

“Marry me, Jin-yuk!”

The fans’ screams and camera shutters went wild.

Jin-yuk waved his hand, smiling calmly.

Next, So-hyeon, dressed in a white dress, got out of the car, and Jin-yuk extended his hand to assist her. The camera shutters clicked madly, making her white dress and flawless, pearl-like skin shine even brighter, like a goddess.

As Jin-yuk held So-hyeon’s hand, the screams from the fans grew even louder. Jin-yuk and So-hyeon took a few steps forward to create space, and within that space, a handsome face emerged from the car door.

“Ahh!”

“I love you, Yeon-woo!”

“This is crazy!”

The entrance to the awards ceremony became filled with deafening screams and cheers that seemed like they might not end. Yeon-woo smiled broadly and waved his hand towards the reporters and fans’ cameras.

“Look this way too!”

Amidst numerous requests and a cacophony of indistinguishable noises, the atmosphere was electrifying.

Yeon-woo discreetly looked in various directions and struck various poses while walking alongside Jin-yuk and So-hyeon.

“We will now welcome our dazzling actors from ‘Summer Promise.’ Actors of ‘Summer Promise,’ please come this way.”

Following the announcement from the indoor announcer, the three of them walked down the red carpet, guided by the staff.

“I’m stepping on a red carpet for the first time.”

Yeon-woo’s words widened the eyes of Jin-yuk and So-hyeon.

“Oh? Is that so? Yeah, you were the first to go in and wait at the premiere, too.”

As the three lead actors chatted and laughed with each other while entering, the indoor announcer broadcasted the event for the fans.

“You all seem to have a great relationship with each other, don’t you? It’s a drama that received a lot of love last year due to your excellent chemistry. Now, starting with actress Han So-hyeon, please come forward.”

So-hyeon walked in, stood at the center of the photo wall, and smiled brightly for the photos.

Jin-yuk’s turn came next, and then it was Yeon-woo’s turn.

“Yes, this time, he’s currently one of the hottest actors. Let’s welcome actor Ryu Yeon-woo.”

With a bright smile, Yeon-woo confidently walked forward.

As he approached, he removed the microphone and spoke to the announcer.

“Please stand inside the circle and look to the right for the photos.”

Yeon-woo smiled, bowed lightly to the announcer, and stood at the center of the photo wall.

Dressed in a sharp tuxedo with a bowtie, Yeon-woo beamed as he posed for photos according to the requests of the journalists.

“Look at the camera and wink, please!”

“Look this way too!”

“Ah, please take responsibility for me!”

The constant requests and shouts from fans and journalists elicited laughter from the crowd.

“He’s quite handsome, isn’t he? You can wave a little more.”

The announcement for foreign journalists was also audible. After a bit more photography, Yeon-woo finished the photo wall event and entered the venue.

The red carpet had already become noisy with the arrival of other actors. However, there was a middle-aged white man in the VIP section, looking at the entrance to the venue where Ryu Yeon-woo had entered with a discerning eye, stroking his chin without paying attention to the next actor’s arrival.