Chapter 46: The Awards Ceremony
Kim Ji-hyun, clutching her dress, ascended the stage.
“Congratulations, Kim Ji-hyun-ssi.”
The host said, handing her the Best New Actress award and a bouquet.
Ji-hyun’s voice trembled through the microphone.
“Oh…” She steadied herself. “Hello, I’m actress Kim Ji-hyun. I’m beyond thrilled to receive this once-in-a-lifetime Best New Actress award.”
She thanked the director, manager, agency, and staff, ending with,
“And to my favorite writer, Kim Si-woo. If I ever win Best Actress, please write a lead role for me. Thank you.”
The cameras swiveled to Si-woo, capturing his stunned expression live. Shim Ji-young and Jung Se-yeon gritted their teeth, while directors and staff smirked.
“Looks like a writer-actor couple brewing,” a staff member teased.
“Shush!” Ji-young snapped, silencing them.
“What a fiery speech from Kim Ji-hyun! So much passion—youth, right? Let’s move on,” the host said, smoothly transitioning.
The ceremony continued with Best New Director, Most Attended Film, Popularity, Editing, and Music awards. When the Best Screenplay was announced, all eyes turned to Si-woo again.
‘This is way more intense than I expected.’
He thought, head throbbing from the attention.
“Best Screenplay goes to Kim Si-woo for ‘Don’t Forget’! Congratulations!”
Amid booming music and cheers, Si-woo climbed the stage.
“That’s the writer Kim Ji-hyun called her favorite,” one host noted.
“I thought he was an actor—look at that face!” another added.
“And he wrote ‘Revenger’ too. Two 10-million-viewer films this year—a genius! Gotta make a good impression now,” they teased.
“Hello, I’m writer Kim Si-woo.”
He said, greeted by thunderous applause.
“Shim Ji-young, Jung Se-yeon, Director Park Woong-deok, Team Leader Kim Dong-soo…”
He quickly thanked his collaborators.
“As a rookie writer, I’m so grateful for this award. I’ll keep working hard without arrogance. Oh, and to someone who might be watching—wait for me. I hold grudges.”
His final jab was aimed at Choi Dae-ho of Chocolate Entertainment. As Si-woo descended, most stood to congratulate him—some genuinely, others to curry favor. The award cemented his fame, doubling the hassle of managing new connections.
Next, Kim Min-ho won Best Supporting Actor, followed by Jung Se-yeon for Best Supporting Actress.
“Hello, I’m Jung Se-yeon,”
She said on stage.
“Years ago, I performed here as a guest. Now, I’m receiving an award. Thanks to my agency, director, and fellow actors. Recently, someone’s been on my mind.”
Si-woo’s stomach sank.
‘Not again…’
“I’m a bit jealous someone got mentioned first. Kim Si-woo, let’s aim for 20 million next time.”
The crowd erupted, cameras catching Si-woo’s flustered look. It was the second time an actress had publicly “called him out” in a way ripe for misinterpretation.
“Lastly, I wish all film industry folks happiness and health.”
Se-yeon concluded, returning to her seat.
Si-woo nudged her.
“Why’d you say that? People will misunderstand!”
“It’s not a misunderstanding,” she replied coyly.
“What?”
“You’re not great at writing romance, are you?” she teased.
Best Actor went to Ahn Sung-joon for his role as Choi Sung-chan, leaving only Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture. Park Woong-deok was a near-certain Best Director, and Best Picture would inevitably go to one of Si-woo’s films. For Best Actress, no one rivaled Shim Ji-young. Even Kim Ji-hyun, despite her talent, couldn’t match Ji-young’s prowess—especially after already winning Best New Actress.
The real issue wasn’t the awards but what these winners might say.
“Ugh…”
Si-woo sighed, to the amusement of those around him. A writer getting two public love calls? The internet would explode with articles by evening.
“Ji-young noona…”
Si-woo pleaded with his eyes, begging her not to mention him.
Ji-young winked back.
‘Why do I feel uneasy? She got it, right?’
The host called out,
“Best Actress! Shim Ji-young, congratulations!”
Though expected, Ji-young’s name still overwhelmed her. She hugged Si-woo tightly.
“Thank you.”
“Congrats, noona,” he replied.
“It’s all thanks to you,”
Shim Ji-young said, tears in her eyes despite her usual stoic demeanor.
After hugging those around her, she took the stage to deliver her acceptance speech.
“Hello, I’m Shim Ji-young, an actress without a signature role—until today. After 20 years, I finally have one, winning Best Actress for the first time. Bear with me for a slightly long speech.”
Wiping her tears, she spoke with unwavering clarity.
“Thank you to Director Park Woong-deok for always worrying about me when projects failed, my manager for constant support, my parents watching at home, my agency CEO, my stylist, my hair salon director, and the ‘Don’t Forget’ team for giving their all. I share this honor with you. I’ll keep growing as an actor—please look forward to it.”
Si-woo thought her speech was done, but Ji-young continued.
“And to our comet-like writer, Kim Si-woo. Thanks for grumbling but always coming through. You’re quite popular tonight… but everyone, I called dibs on him first, so hands off!” She laughed.
The third love call. Si-woo’s vision darkened.
‘This is supposed to be good, so why am I so anxious?’
As he fretted, Park Woong-deok took the stage for Best Director.
“I knew I’d win. With that script, actors, and staff—all veterans—if I didn’t, I’d retire,” he chuckled. “And to the writer who’s a hit with actresses, Kim Si-woo—how about a project for me?”
The crowd roared with laughter, except for Si-woo, whose face soured.
‘He’s definitely messing with me.’
He regretted not setting a rule against love calls in speeches.
As expected, ‘Don’t Forget’ won Best Picture, and as the ceremony ended, actors clustered for after-parties. Si-woo’s popularity skyrocketed. Actors swarmed Ji-young, Se-yeon, and Ji-hyun for introductions, while others approached Park Woong-deok. Exhausted, Si-woo had no energy to mingle.
“Ugh, I’m drained…”
Dragged to the after-party, Si-woo stood awkwardly between the three actresses, hyper-aware of their gazes.
“Well, look who’s here—the shameless actress.”
Ji-young teased Ji-hyun.
“Haha, sunbae-nim, I sorted things out with Writer-nim. I’m already cast in his next drama.” Ji-hyun replied.
“What? How?”
Ji-young shot Si-woo a look, as if he’d kept a secret.
“It was the PDs’ choice.” Si-woo clarified.
“Sure it was…” Ji-young muttered, glaring.
Meanwhile, Se-yeon extended a hand to Ji-hyun.
“Hi, first time meeting? I’m Jung Se-yeon.”
“Hello, I’m Kim Ji-hyun.”
Ji-hyun replied, and a subtle tension sparked between them.
Unable to take it, Si-woo snapped,
“If you’re gonna keep bickering, can I just go home? I’m exhausted.”
His words forced a temporary truce.
“Let’s eat and relax,” Ji-young said.
“Fine,” Ji-hyun agreed.
The after-party flowed smoothly, but approaching Si-woo meant braving the laser-like glares of the three actresses. Most people, especially actresses, didn’t dare come near.
“Is this right…” Si-woo muttered.
“Wow, Writer Kim’s popular. So, who’s your favorite?” Park Woong-deok asked, grinning.
“What?” Si-woo blinked.
“Who do you like best?”
Woong-deok pressed, as nearby ears perked up.
“It’s not like that. They’re just grateful. The films succeeded, and we won awards,” Si-woo deflected.
“Writer Kim can’t write romance,”
Se-yeon quipped, echoing her earlier jab.
Si-woo started to wonder.
‘Do they actually like me?’
The after-party ended without further drama, and Si-woo returned home, ready to prepare his next move—to return what he’d received.
***
The next day, as expected, the internet was flooded with articles about Si-woo.
[Actresses’ Love Calls: Who Is Kim Si-woo?]
[Genius Writer with Top Actresses]
[Youngest 10-Million Writer: Two-Timing or Three-Timing?]
“Three-timing? I’m not even dating!”
Si-woo fumed at the speculative headlines.
“Why no articles about my speech? Choi Dae-ho needs to see it. And two more ceremonies to go… I’m doomed.”
At the next event, the Grand Bell Awards, Si-woo walked the red carpet with Ji-hyun and Ji-young as promised. Thanks to his plea to avoid love calls, his name appeared less in articles this time.
“Phew… now I can finally focus on YouTube.’
Si-woo said. Free from external commitments, he planned to follow up on Park Woong-deok’s introductions. For his next venture, he needed capable people, and with over 4 billion won in his account, he could afford their salaries.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
Si-woo dialed Park Woong-deok.