[Witnessed Hyunjae Coming to See the Billboard]
It’s been a while since I left the spot, and tons of photos are already up, so here’s my totally legit review.
I went because the Hyunjae ad popped up, planning to snap a proof shot to show him—only to find these two huge guys right in front. I’m not great at spotting people, but even I could tell from their looks it was Hyunjae and his manager lololol.
I didn’t want to make it awkward, so I didn’t say hi, but the manager must’ve shown it as a surprise event ’cause Hyunjae was looking up at it with these sparkling, touched eyes. Man, I wish my eyes were a camera.
I watched the video like three times before I left.
-I’m so proud of him. Talking about it on the show and making it happen right away? So cool.
-Let our Hyunjae do whatever he wants. I’ll make sure he’s on that billboard every day.
-Look at the speed: reaction hits, they snag him as a model, and boom, billboard ad lololol.
⤷ I heard Nderwin tried to get in first, but they beat ’em to it.
⤷⤷ How’d you know that?
⤷⤷ This sighting post blew up, then Nderwin’s account posted that crying meme, and the next week they announced a collab.
-If we’d scooped up our Hyunjae, we’d have had to move faster lololol. Nderwin messed up.
-Surprise reveal from the manager? So sweet.
I like Hyunjae’s manager. He’s polite to fans, doesn’t treat them like crap like some other managers do.
-How was Hyunjae in person?
⤷ He’s so handsome it doesn’t even feel like the same guy? Now I get why everyone in reviews says he glows.
⤷⤷ └ I wanna see him too.
Hyunjae’s billboard sighting stories and reviews quickly spread across the internet.
-Hope he doesn’t get a no-show reaction; what the hell is his agency doing?
⤷ They haven’t even posted a shooting vlog or anything. Seriously pisses me off. The co-star’s agency posts like crazy, though.
-The agency’s got so few actors; why are they like this?
⤷⤷ You think that’s the reason?
⤷⤷⤷ Ah……..
-Everyone, don’t forget to vote for the Cheongrok Arts Awards popularity poll! One vote a day, got it?
Of course, of course!
I’m voting my ass off, but damn, idols are tough to beat.
⤷ Win that rookie award, Hyunjae!
Next week’s Cheongrok Arts Awards had Hyunjae nominated for both rookie and popularity awards. As one of the few drama awards in Korea with real clout left, it was only natural the fans’ hype and attention were pouring in.
-So bummed Love Some is dragging into next year.
-At least there’s Fruit Shop to save us. Even without the synergy boost, he’s the only one who could snag rookie this time.
-Obviously Hyunjae should get it lololol.
-Finally getting to see him in a suit after so long kyaaah~
⤷ Already thrilled.
⤷⤷ Park Jaehoon might show too; hope they bond like crazy if he does.
***
“How’s it feel? Not uncomfortable, right?”
Yerin asked as she helped me into the jacket.
“It’s fine.”
“The pants are a tad short, but that’s an easy fix with alterations…… How’s the design? Which one’s your favorite?”
She’d had me try on three suits and told me to pick the one I liked best, but I couldn’t say a word.
They all look the same to me?
That’s how they appeared to my eyes—basically identical.
“They all seem kinda similar to me…….”
“How are they similar?!”
Yerin raised her voice, getting all fired up at my “they’re all the same” comment.
“The first one’s got silk along the neckline for that sleek vibe, the second’s got this unique brown-mixed black color, and the third’s round collar gives off a softer image.”
……”Sorry.”
I shrank under her passionate rundown of the outfits.
“You know, times like this make you just like every other guy. How can you think they’re the same?”
She sounded genuinely baffled that I couldn’t tell the suits apart.
“Like how no two lipsticks under the same sky have the exact same shade—each one’s got its own charm…… What do you think, oppa?”
……
This time, I turned to Hayoon beside me.
“Noona, if I ask Hayoon-hyung, it’s gonna be the same…….”
“In my eyes, the first one’s a bit too mature-looking, the second’s too flashy, so the last one’s the best.”
I’d figured Hayoon would side with me, but he threw out an unexpected take.
“Hyung?”
“Right? I thought the last one fits Hyunjae’s image perfectly!”
“A bow tie could work with it too…….”
“I was thinking the exact same thing! Your sense is on point as always~”
Yerin and Hayoon synced up their opinions, sandwiching me in the middle.
“Then let’s go with this one!”
“It’s settled? Phew~ Finally!”
No matter how big a deal the Cheongrok Arts Awards were, trying on suit after suit wasn’t exactly a breeze.
“We went easy—only three. Other actors keep like ten on hold.”
“Ten? Whoa…….”
So that’s how others pick—trying on that many.
“If Love Some had aired a bit sooner, we could’ve held onto a bunch too…… Sigh.”
Yerin looked full of regret.
“It’s okay. The one I’m wearing now looks great.”
“Yeah~ With visuals like yours, Hyunjae, who cares about the clothes? Next time, we’ll score a luxury collection and try those on.”
Her words flipped from consolation to greed, but hey, it was her job as a stylist, so I just smiled and let it slide.
“You have to mention me if you win this time, okay?”
“Of course! But don’t get your hopes up too much—it might not happen.”
I’d won awards before, but Cheongrok was infamous for the cutthroat competition, so I couldn’t bank on it.
“Psh~ It’s a lock.”
She said it like there wasn’t a shred of doubt.
“Who else would get it if not you? Right, oppa?”
“Uh…… Well, I dunno?”
“‘I dunno’? You have to say Hyunjae’s getting it for sure!”
When Hayoon mumbled his vague “I dunno,” Yerin lit into him like she was scolding a kid.
“Uh, uh? Is that so?”
Hayoon fumbled, wondering if he’d said the wrong thing.
“Of course! Say he’ll definitely win! Like this~”
“O-oh…… Got it.”
I swear, this duo’s low-key hilarious.
It was like watching a tiny, mouthy chick and a massive, gentle Jindo dog. Maybe just my take, but they meshed pretty well.
“Noona, can I change out of this now?”
“Hang on! One last fit check.”
And just like that, the outfit for the awards ceremony was locked in.
***
Cheongrok Arts Awards day.
“Wow~ So many people today, huh?”
I headed to the salon for makeup and found it packed with celebs I’d never seen there before.
“It’s Cheongrok today. We were slammed since dawn.”
No wonder the staff looked more worn out than usual—that explained it.
With actors, comedians, MCs, and everyone else in broadcasting showing up—plus the guest performers—Cheongrok was…… “Yeah, probably every salon around here is the same chaos.”
“So many celebs come in?”
“You bet~ It’s Cheongrok; of course.”
That single word summed up just how massive the event was.
“Rookie nominee, right? Congrats.”
“I haven’t won yet; it’s too early for congrats.”
The ceremony hadn’t even started, but folks around me were greeting me like I’d already taken the trophy.
“Why the fake humility? If you don’t win, who will?”
“I’m not there yet.”
“Oh come on—fans were hounding me for your autograph, photos, the works. I had to shut ’em down flat.”
“Huh? I could’ve signed for them.”
Photos were iffy, but autographs? No big deal—I’d do as many as they wanted.
“If you give in to that stuff, they get spoiled. Remember the Han Jungwoo frenzy? I didn’t budge then either…… Oh! Right! Wanna hear some big news?”
“Big news?”
Her “big news” tease had me meeting her eyes in the mirror ahead.
“Han Jungwoo’s coming to Cheongrok today?”
“Han Jungwoo?”
“Yeah! He snagged Best Actor last time, remember? Word is he’s presenting today.”
I knew non-commercial stuff like this was allowed for him, but actors showing up were rare, so it was intriguing.
Guess he’s terrified of fading away.
Even from his secure spot, he was acting desperate, like he knew it wasn’t his anymore.
“Shh—it’s a secret? Seems like the organizers are planning a surprise entrance, so act shocked when he pops up. Gotta give ’em that.”
“It is a surprise.”
“He’s such a pain in the—…… Ahem, forget I said that. Pretend you didn’t hear and go kill it.”
“Got it—I’ll do great!”
Hair and makeup wrapped, and we headed to the venue. Hayoon parked nearby.
“Why here?”
“They said wait a sec, then go when they call.”
“Ah~”
Turns out there was this kind of behind-the-scenes hustle for celebs hitting the red carpet one by one.
“Minhee’s coming later to film a vlog.”
“Noona too?”
“Yeah, fans are rioting over no crumbs.”
“Crumbs? I’ve been working nonstop, though.”
I was too swamped picking my next project to even breathe. Ad shoots, fanmeets, Today’s Fruit Shop Blu-ray recording, pictorials—the “hiatus” felt like a joke.
“Nothing’s visible to fans right this second, though…….”
“Oh.”
The fanmeet was overseas, ads were still in meetings and filming with nothing out yet except that one outdoor billboard.
“Gotta post on Starlight more often, I guess.”
“Yeah, the CEO said he’s on top of fan service now. Oh, call’s coming. Hyunjae, let’s roll.”
***
-When’s the red carpet start? When can we watch?
⤷ It’s on now! Live on YouTube.
Thanks!
-Best Actor’s gotta be Park Jaehoon, right?
⤷ Iho could take it too?
⤷ Jaehoon’s acting edges it out.
⤷⤷ Hard to say. Iho’s solid too.
-Park Najin is straight-up a goddess.
With drama fans hyped for the awards, the red carpet was buzzing from the jump.
-Huh? Gongjun’s here? What’s he up to these days?
⤷ Think he’s filming a movie.
-When’s Jung Hyunjae showing?
Me too—waiting!!!
⤷⤷ We’re all the same lololol. I’m holding out for Kang Ha lololol.
-Almost all the rookie nominees are out, but no Kang Ha…….
⤷⤷ They know he’s got the popularity.
The fact so many called him “Kang Ha”—the character name, not Hyunjae—showed just how loved the drama was. And soon enough, Hyunjae appeared on the red carpet.
-Jung Hyunjae!!
-Woah, he’s a total visual king.
-They wrecked his hair and he somehow looks even better?
-His features are insane. Jung Hyunjae’s face is clearer than my future.
Hyunjae walked the carpet in a flawless suit fit, smiling and waving to the fans around.
-Can a person fit the red carpet this perfectly?
-Wow! Listen to those camera shutters lolol.
-This is wild. Makes sense—he’s the hottest right now.
-Best Male Rookie’s basically engraved with Jung Hyunjae, right?
Obviously.
⤷ No doubt.
⤷⤷ Personally, I think Hyunjae carried the emotional scenes in Fruit Shop’s back half.
-Best Male Rookie: Jung Hyunjae. Best Female: Yoo Hara, my prediction.
⤷⤷ Same.
-Gongjun’s not bad, but drawing Hyunjae? Tough break.
⤷⤷ Yeah, but he’s not on Hyunjae’s level?
⤷⤷ Just compare their Blue Sky Spring scenes—night and day lololol.
And as everyone predicted, the rookie award went to Hyunjae.
-Jung Hyunjae!
-Congrats congrats~
-Look at him hugging Park Jaehoon. So wholesome, the two of them—when’d they even work together?
Posts celebrating his win flooded in the second he took it. But his acceptance speech flipped the vibe in an instant.
-Huh? What’d Jung Hyunjae just say?
-Must’ve misheard.
-Nah, no way~