Chapter 104: Rookie Award
“Hello everyone. I’m Haesu.”
“Hello. I’m Jun. Welcome to the Baeksang Arts Awards, everyone. The weather is really nice today.”
The ceremony began with a comedy routine by the hosts.
Then, a VCR segment introduced the judges and showed clips of the TV nominees who had shone over the past year.
Among them was a clip from <You are a Star, I am a Star>.
“Now, let’s move on to the main event of the festival. It will be an opportunity to relive the works that received a lot of love from viewers over the past year. First up is the Best New Actress in TV. To present the award, we have the epitome of loveliness, Kim Bo-kyung and Saniel!”
Best New Actress.
Song-a, who was nominated, clenched her hands tightly, looking nervous. When she made eye contact with Muyoung, she smiled faintly. He nodded his head, meaning everything would be alright.
[Song-a from <You are a Star, I am a Star>.]
“Whoaaaa!”
“Aaaah-!”
When her face and name were announced as a nominee, cheers erupted from the audience. She probably had a fandom as an idol, but the drama was so popular.
“Well. I’ll announce it now. The Best New Actress in TV this year is—”
The celebrity presenting the award paused for a moment.
Yeah. That’s the national rule. After a brief silence, a familiar name was heard.
“Song-a from <You are a Star, I am a Star>!”
“Congratulations!”
Confetti exploded as Song-a’s name was announced. Romin and Muyoung stood up and clapped at the same time. The other members also sincerely congratulated her and hugged her.
“Whoaaa!”
“Congratulations, unnie.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Muyoung hugged her tightly with all his might.
It was a sweet award, as if to reward her for carrying the drama forward as a lead actress. As soon as Song-a stepped onto the stage, she began to wipe away tears. Her voice trembled as she held the microphone.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I’m not supposed to cry like this from the start.”
Her words elicited light laughter. Song-a wiped away her tears and gave her acceptance speech.
The members of the idol group she belonged to, the agency’s CEO, her manager, the drama’s PD, writer, staff……
“And most of all—”
As a popular idol, she was very skilled at giving acceptance speeches. She spoke very naturally and quickly, but then hesitated for a moment. Her gaze searched for Muyoung.
“I want to thank Miran’s senior, Muyoung, who supported and helped me, his inadequate partner, so much.”
Muyoung was surprised and laughed at the unexpected thanks.
The camera captured him. Muyoung gave a double thumbs-up and looked moved. He couldn’t forget the big and small things she had helped him with on set.
She sniffled and concluded her speech with another word of thanks.
“Unnie. Congratulations, really.”
“I’m really, really grateful too.”
Song-a, holding a bouquet of flowers and a trophy, came down from the stage. As the staff cleared it away, the Best New Actor award followed.
“Huh? It’s Romin. He’s so handsome, as always!”
“When you say that, it sounds like you’re teasing me.”
Of course, Romin and Muyoung were both on the list of nominees. The two of them leaned their chairs together, whispering and laughing.
When the faces of the two handsome men appeared on the screen, the audience reacted enthusiastically.
“Whoaaaaa!”
“Aah! Aaah!”
“I thought it was unusually hot today, but it was all thanks to the fans?”
“Hahaha!”
Even the host, who noticed the heat, made a light joke. The two of them looked at each other on the screen and smiled slyly.
“Now, for this award—”
Again, a new person came out holding a fancy envelope.
Muyoung stared at the camera filming him, finding it strangely fascinating. Then he looked away, feeling embarrassed, and smiled, and stared again.
“What’s he doing now?”
“Hahaha. He’s so cute. He looks embarrassed.”
It was because it was his first time being up close to a live broadcast camera, not a filming camera. Everyone smiled fondly at Muyoung’s innocence.
“Best New Actor in TV. Congratulations!”
“Romin, the mermaid prince of <You are a Star, I am a Star>!”
“Whoaaaaaaah!”
When Romin’s name was announced, the <You are a Star, I am a Star> table erupted into a festive atmosphere once again. Both the Best New Actress and Actor awards had been swept by one drama.
“Romin! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you. I’m grateful!”
It was remarkable that two nominees came from the same drama. Anyway. Romin shared his joy with the members, and expressed his regret and gratitude to Muyoung with a fierce hug.
“Ugh. I can’t breathe! Go up quickly.”
“Hyung. Thank you.”
“Just go quickly!”
He happily ran up to the stage with joy in his heart.
Like Song-a, he gave his speech very skillfully and naturally.
He didn’t cry, though. He just kept smiling, as if his joy was overflowing.
“—I’m grateful to everyone, but especially our Muyoung hyung!”
The camera turned to Muyoung again.
“Thank you so much for helping me and being with me when I knew nothing. If it weren’t for you, hyung, my dream of acting would have remained just a dream.”
Both Song-a and Romin specifically mentioned Muyoung. He was just a rookie actor, not a master or a senior.
‘I guess Ha Muyoung treats people well.’
‘I heard that the atmosphere on set was good because of him, and it seems true. They keep mentioning him like that.’
‘I guess he’s the same as his image.’
‘He must be a good person. How can he be so grateful?’
In people’s minds, an image of Muyoung’s kindness, whom they had never met, took shape and permeated.
Muyoung covered his face lightly, looking embarrassed.
“I’ll work harder! Thank you!”
Clap clap clap—!
Whoaaa!
From the start, the <You are a Star, I am a Star> team swept all the awards. The bouquets of flowers around them piled up, making it feel like they were in a real flower garden.
Muyoung pulled his chair back slightly and congratulated the members again.
“At this rate, we might take everything.”
“If this is how it is at the Baeksang Awards, we can expect something at the end of the year.”
Pyo Lai and Seo Jeongmun whispered.
Although they didn’t win an award this time, they could expect to win Best New Actor at the S Broadcasting Acting Awards.
After all the Best New Actor awards in TV were presented, the Best New Actor awards in film followed immediately.
“There were so many truly gem-like works over the past year.”
“That’s right. And the performances of the new faces, who shone brighter than jewels, were also dazzling.”
The host’s banter didn’t reach Muyoung’s ears.
Maybe it was because he was nervous, but it felt like the words went in through his left ear and out through his right.
The Best New Actress in film award passed by in a blur, and finally, it was his turn.
[Nominee for Best New Actor, Ha Muyoung from
[Cheol-yeong from
[Park Moon-gu from
[Kim Sa-on from
Thump thump thump—
Four men’s faces appeared on the four split screens.
Yuna, who was holding Muyoung’s hand tightly, firmly clenched her mouth shut.
“Congratulations. Ha Muyoung from
Boom! Bang!
“We did iiiit!”
“Yaaaay!”
“Congratulations, Muyoung!”
“Oppaaa!”
Confetti exploded as soon as the presenter announced the winner. Not only the Plague table but also the drama team sitting right next to them stood up and cheered at the same time.
“Uh……”
He won. Best New Actor.
Only those words echoed in Muyoung’s mind. He walked as if he were walking on clouds, surrounded by everyone’s cheers. This floating feeling. All he could see standing on stage was a bright light. Was this really a dream?
“Hello.”
Muyoung stood in front of the stand microphone, holding a bouquet of flowers and a trophy. Muyoung bowed his head slightly in greeting.
“Whoaaaaa!”
Both the drama team and the film team responded at the same time. The situation in front of him felt unreal. The faces in the audience weren’t as visible as he thought. That’s good. He’d feel less nervous.
“……I didn’t know when I was in high school.”
Muyoung slowly began to tell his story.
“Back then, I thought that was the end of my world. I thought there was no hope, no strength, and that was it.”
It flashed by like a slideshow.
The abusive stepfather who constantly verbally and physically abused him, the musty semi-basement, the cold street he had run out onto barefoot, the mysterious voice……
“Who would have known that such a wonderful day was waiting for me? My goodness. I feel like I’ve come to know the happiness of living so well these days.”
A voice filled with joy murmured, filling the space. The resonance was so deep that those who heard his words felt a strange ache in their chests.
“I’m so happy to have met acting. I’m just grateful to have met something I love so much that I’d give my life for it in my short life.”
And the people who came to mind.
The cast of The Plague, including Yuna, Director Jin Gyeongmun who believed in him, the Meryl Kellin members, PD Lee Yujin, Manager Hyung, President Na Geumdong. Enbin. Bora.
And most of all, the truly grateful Junho.
“—I am who I am because of you. And I will be who I am in the future because of you. Thank you so much.”
Muyoung’s eyes were moist and sparkled in the light. His eyes were as clear as if stars were embedded in them. The camera director zoomed in on his face a little more.
Muyoung hesitated for a moment before finally calling out that name.
“And Mom, Dad.”
Muyoung’s voice trembled as he called out to his parents. When was the last time he called them? He resented them, but his longing was even greater.
He could feel the faint fragments of memories from his very early childhood becoming increasingly dull.
“Don’t worry too much. I’m very happy now.”
He whispered, looking up at the dark night sky.
The sky was unusually clear, and the moon was bright.
A tear fell from Muyoung’s eye without him realizing it. He looked forward again.
“Lastly, to all the Muyoung Cultural Heritage Guardians. I love you.”
“Whoaaaaa!”
“Ha Muyoung! You’re so cool!”
“Muyoung! I love you!”
Muyoung’s acceptance speech ended with a bright smile.
Muyoung came down from the stage, holding a large bouquet of flowers. It still felt surreal and unreal.
He could only barely touch the smooth, golden trophy with ‘Ha Muyoung’ written on it.
“The <You are a Star, I am a Star> team hit the jackpot this time.”
“Yeah. They took all the Best New Actor awards over there.”
“And Ha Muyoung was nominated in two categories at the same time.”
“The hidden protagonist of this year’s Baeksang Awards is over there. Over there.”
“And Lee Yujin PD from <You are a Star, I am a Star> is up for Best Production, right?”
“Yeah. It’s over.”
The directors and staff holding the cameras adjusted the screen and chatted. The awards ceremony continued.
The ceremony continued with awards for Best New Director, Best Screenplay, Best Art, and Best Supporting Actor, filled with endless congratulations and tears.
“Yes. That’s it for Part 1. Part 2 will follow shortly!”
The stage lights dimmed with the host’s closing remarks. There was a break of about ten minutes as commercials aired.
Then Ko Gyeongmin ran over to Muyoung, laughing.
“Muyoung! Congratulations! You did well!”
“Hyyung……”
I was really scared because I thought I wouldn’t get it.
As soon as the camera turned off, Muyoung’s tension also disappeared completely. He hugged him, crying.
“Mr. Muyoung. Congratulations.”
“Congratulations. I enjoyed the movie.”
“I’ll look forward to your future work. Congratulations.”
Other actors also came and went, congratulating Muyoung.
Muyoung, who had become a little star among the stars, blushed with embarrassment and greeted them energetically.
“Thank you!”
It was starting to feel more real and overwhelming.
Romin noticed that Muyoung’s eyes were filling with tears again and laughed, teasing him.
“Huh? Hyung’s crying again!”
“I’m not crying.”
“You’re crying! You’re crying and going ‘Boo-hoo’!”
“I’m nooot—!”
“Puhahaha!”
And then Muyoung really started crying, going ‘Boo-hoo.’ Everyone burst into laughter and took out their phones.
The film and drama teams gathered around him. Everyone smiled happily and made a V sign.
“I’ll take a picture!”
“One, two, three!”
Click!
It was a photo commemorating the Baeksang Best New Actor sweep and Ha Muyoung’s successful awards ceremony debut. Muyoung wiped away his tears and touched the trophy again.
“Boo-hoo?”
“Really! You!”
He soon burst out laughing at Romin’s teasing.
Then, Muyoung saw the ‘Muyoung Cultural Heritage’ banner in the distance. He walked towards a passage where he could get closer to the audience. Then he bowed deeply and thanked the fans.
“Everyone! Muyoung won an award—!”
“Whoaaaaa!”
Muyoung greeted the fans with all his might, shaking the trophy vigorously. His appearance was so bright it was radiant.