Chapter 46. Awards Ceremony (2)

"Hmm, Ryu Yeon-woo? New Star Award and Best Acting Award..."

"Ryu Yeon-woo is a young actor who is currently rising in popularity."

The interpreter standing beside him added to Pennington.

Bernard Pennington, a casting director in Hollywood, primarily works for multinational corporations like Netflix and Amazon Prime, which provide online streaming services. He connects actors to original series and films produced by these companies.

Pennington, who has already noticed the surge in demand for Korean content in Hollywood, moved quickly to secure a foothold in this growing market, not to mention the already booming K-POP.

"He has a face that could definitely sell... Please write down the works he has appeared in separately later."

"Yes, Director."

Following the staff's guidance, Yeon-woo joined the table where the "Summer Wardrobe" team was seated.

"Director Kim, Jun-ho, you're here already."

"Yeah, we just came in with the director, skipping the photowall event."

Director Kim Han-suh and Ahn Jun-ho were already seated in their designated seats. The award ceremony venue was filled with famous celebrities, no matter which way he turned his head.

Jin-wook, who had arrived earlier, pointed to a group of fans when he saw Yeon-woo.

"Yeon-woo, our fans are over there. Let's wave to them together."

Yeon-woo looked in the direction Jin-wook was pointing. A "Summer Wardrobe" banner was visible in one corner of the audience section on this floor. These were fans of the work and their accompanying staff, selected through an online announcement.

When the two of them waved, the fans cheered and waved their banners. Seeing this, So-hyun and Jun-ho also turned to the fans and waved.

Soon, the award ceremony began. The venue dimmed, and a cinematic video started playing on the screen, showcasing various works from different media that had made a significant impact over the past year, set to grand music. "Summer Wardrobe" appeared briefly throughout the video.

***

The award ceremony started off splendidly and proceeded smoothly. Around the latter part of the first half, it was time to present the TV category Best New Actor Award, for which Yeon-woo was nominated.

"Let's meet our third nominee."

As actor Goo Do-hyun, the presenter and last year's winner, spoke, a short clip of Yeon-woo's performance in "Summer Wardrobe" appeared on the screen.

"Actor Ryu Yeon-woo, who played the role of Cha Woo-ju in JNBC's Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Summer Wardrobe.'"

'This is kind of embarrassing...'

A personal camera focused on Yeon-woo, capturing his expression. Feeling somewhat shy to see his performance on the big screen in front of so many actors, Yeon-woo felt a bit awkward.

Next, the other nominees were introduced, and the screen displayed a total of five male actors.

'I didn't think I was that eager to win, but now I really want it.'

Initially, Yeon-woo was content just to be nominated and attended the ceremony with a sense of honor. However, as the moment of the award presentation approached, his desire to win grew stronger.

The people hoping for Yeon-woo to win were not limited to those in the award ceremony venue. His family, watching the live broadcast on SBC, was also filled with anticipation.

"Oh, I'm so nervous, I can't watch. Honey."

"Hehe, winning isn't everything. Just being here is such an honor. Let's enjoy it."

Yeon-woo's parents moved closer to the TV to get a better view. His younger sister, So-hyun, sat on the sofa behind them, smiling at their nervousness.

Ryu Cheol-woong, who said they should enjoy it, was visibly trembling, which anyone could notice.

Meanwhile, at the Yeonha University dormitory, Woo-sung was intensely focused on the SBC live stream on his laptop.

Seong-sik's dorm mates and classmates, who were initially reluctant to join, were now watching and eating chicken due to Seong-sik's insistence.

"Hey, Seong-sik. You're really close friends with Ryu Yeon-woo? Not just classmates?"

Kim Jae-geun, a classmate who rarely believes others and often nitpicks, asked Seong-sik.

Seong-sik glared at Jae-geun, who had asked this for the third time.

"Why are you glaring at me? I'm just surprised, that's all."

Jae-geun shrugged and avoided eye contact. In fact, Jae-geun had never lost a leadership position since elementary school and wanted to be the class representative in college. However, he was upset after losing the position to Seong-sik, who quickly became friends with their classmates due to his natural charisma during the orientation.

Meanwhile, Kim Jun-soo and Hong Yoo-ri, who were not dating but had been spending a lot of time together recently, were watching the award ceremony together in a cafe, sharing a laptop and headphones.

"Ah, Yeon-woo should win!"

"Of course he will."

The two of them, with their hands clasped, stared intently at the laptop screen.

Finally, the presenter Goo Do-hyun spoke into the microphone.

"For the 55th Korean Art Awards, the TV category Best New Actor Award goes to..."

Do-hyun paused for a moment before continuing.

"Congratulations to Ryu Yeon-woo of 'Summer Wardrobe.'"

Cheers erupted.

Yeon-woo stood up with a wide smile.

"Congratulations, Yeon-woo!"

"Man, congratulations!"

Jin-wook and So-hyun, who seemed to have won the award themselves, shook Yeon-woo's hand and smiled brightly.

Not only the "Summer Wardrobe" team but also the actors around them congratulated Yeon-woo. Ma Seok-doo, who was at another table, came over to shake Yeon-woo's hand and pat his back just before he went on stage.

"Congratulations, brother."

"Thank you, sir. See you at the set tomorrow."

As Yeon-woo walked to the stage, he greeted many celebrities he encountered along the way.

"Actor Ryu Yeon-woo, through his performance in JNBC's 'Summer Wardrobe,' portrayed the conflict between a successor to a family business and his own aspirations, expressing the raw emotions of a young love that resonated with viewers, leading to significant buzz. Congratulations on the award."

The venue's announcer's voice introduced Yeon-woo's performance, and a still shot of 'Cha Woo-ju' smiling brightly appeared on the screen. Yeon-woo, with his long legs, confidently walked to the stage and received the award from Do-hyun.

"Thank you, senior."

"I enjoyed the show. Congratulations on the award."

Do-hyun shook hands with Yeon-woo and left the stage, and Yeon-woo stood in front of the microphone to deliver his first acceptance speech. His chiseled features in a dapper black suit and bow tie were broadcast nationwide.

"Mom, dad! Our Yeon-woo!"

"Our family has produced a star!"

"Wow!"

The family hugged each other, expressing their joy. Jun-soo and Yoo-ri, watching in the cafe, hugged each other in excitement, their faces turning red before quickly pulling apart.

"Wow! Ah, cough."

"Cough."

In Seong-sik's dorm room.

"Wow!"

Seong-sik cheered for Yeon-woo's win, while Jae-geun, who had reluctantly attended the gathering out of fear of being talked about behind his back, grumbled.

"Tch, why is he overreacting? Anyone would think they're family."

Jae-geun's obvious grumbling made his friends frown slightly. Ignoring Jae-geun, Seong-sik focused on his chiseled friend in the laptop monitor.

Yeon-woo's acceptance speech, heard through the speakers.

"Firstly, I am truly honored to receive this once-in-a-lifetime New Actor Award. I am grateful to Director Kim Han-suh, writer Choi Mi-hyun, and all the staff for giving me this opportunity."

Yeon-woo then recalled his first shooting experience and mentioned his co-stars, with the camera occasionally focusing on the "Summer Wardrobe" team members present at the ceremony.

The screen returned to Yeon-woo, who continued his speech.

"I am grateful to LN Entertainment and my acting mentor, actor Jeong Cheol-min. Most importantly, to my precious family, father, and mother, I won the award."

Seeing their son's beaming face on the screen, Ryu Cheol-woong and Lee Sun-ock felt a lump in their throats and teared up. Jeong Cheol-min, watching at the acting school, felt the same way.

"Hey, me?!"

As if hearing his sister's story, So-hyun's name was mentioned next.

"And to our cute So-hyun. Oh, I mean, actor Han So-hyun, my sister. Haha. Big brother will give you a lot of pocket money."

The audience at the ceremony chuckled, and the sound was faintly heard through the on-site microphone and broadcast on TV.

"Thank you to Jun-soo and Seong-sik, who always support me, to Yoo-ri, to my best manager Min-soo, and to stylist Yeo-eun. I will repay this New Actor Award with excellent acting in the future."

After his final words, Yeon-woo bowed and left the stage. Despite delivering a smooth and heartfelt speech, the time passed quickly.

As Yeon-woo's final words of gratitude were heard, Seong-sik's dorm room erupted in cheers.

"Ooh! He mentioned Woo-sung's name. They must be really close, huh?"

"Best friends! I told you a few times. Haha."

The other classmates, envious, gathered around Seong-sik, asking for autographs. Jae-geun, looking annoyed, only gnawed on his chicken.

Meanwhile, Jun-soo and Yoo-ri, watching in the cafe with headphones, let out small screams of surprise.

"Ah! He mentioned my name!"

"Me too, my name!"

Yeon-woo's win, which brought joy to many, was followed by the presentation of other awards.

As expected, Jin-wook and Yeon-woo, who were nominated for the Best Actor Award, did not win. The award went to Jin Yu-han, Jin-wook's rival, as many media outlets had predicted. Han So-hyun won the TV category Best Actress Award, easing the disappointment. The ceremony continued until late evening.

The "Summer Wardrobe" team, which won two awards at this ceremony—So-hyun's Best Actress and Yeon-woo's New Actor—celebrated with a festive atmosphere, which naturally led to a dinner party.

Now an adult, Yeon-woo drank with the staff, blending in more naturally and sharing the joy. Even Jin-wook, who was disappointed not to win, seemed genuinely happy for Yeon-woo and So-hyun, with a smile that never left his face.

Yeon-woo, overwhelmed by phone calls, first called his family from a corner of the dinner party, then called others in the order of missed calls.

Thus, the night passed, marking the first time Yeon-woo walked the red carpet and won an award in his new life, a night filled with happiness.