Chapter 28: A Star’s Emotional Night

Just saying a name.

That’s all I did.

Tears welled in my eyes, nearly spilling. But I steadied my breathing, wiping them away.

“I don’t know where to begin since it’s my first time here. This moment feels like a dream.”

My voice was soft, almost watery. My body trembled.

Of course it did. In my past life, 12 years of acting never earned me a Rookie Award. Now, I held it in my arms. Anyone would tremble—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime award.

To ground myself, I pinched my cheek. “It’s definitely not a dream…”

Laughter followed. But I pressed on.

I thanked my loving fans and the drama teams I worked with. Finally, there was something I had to say if I ever stood here.

“And… I want to thank myself.”

For enduring to act. For loving acting. That’s why I’m here.

“Thank you for loving Ewha-won…!”

Applause poured over me like radiant light as my speech ended. Taking the bouquet from Song Heo-jun, I descended the stairs to my seat when—

“Im Bada.”

Turning at the voice, I saw Cheon Ian, who wasn’t there earlier, supposedly at another awards show.

“Bada-ya, congrats on the Rookie Award~!”

“Whatever.”

“I’m prouder than you are.”

“Thanks to you too, sunbae-nim.”

“You better be very grateful~!”

Cheon Ian gave a thumbs-up as the ceremony sped on.

The Male Rookie Award went to Ko Eun-hyuk.

“…Th-Thank you.”

His speech was, in a word, incoherent. He nearly tripped coming down with his trophy, caught large on the screen, making everyone laugh.

The Rookie Awards closed the first part. During the brief break for part two, I went to the The Life of a Prosecutor team, waving my trophy.

“Thanks to you, I won, Director Han Jun-hyuk.”

He waved it off, denying his role. Yeom Hae-jin stood, hugging me tightly.

“Seriously, congrats!”

“Hae-jin-ah, it’s all thanks to you.”

“My help? You won because you acted well.”

But looking around the The Life of a Prosecutor team, Director Kim Jin was absent. Yeom Hae-jin noticed my glance and whispered, “Kim Jin sunbae didn’t come because of his drama.”

“…Oh, really?”

What a piece of work.

After greetings, I returned to the Save Me team.

Part two began with the camera’s red light. Song Heo-jun and Ryu Byeol returned in new outfits.

“Shall we meet the Excellence in Acting Award winners?”

The Excellence Award for males went to Song Heo-jun. Naturally, I didn’t win the female category—a rookie getting that would be absurd.

‘Next is the Best Couple Award…’

“Huh…?”

[The Life of a Prosecutor: Lee Geom-il x Jo Arin]

[Save Me: Ewha-won x Min Do-hyuk]

I got two Best Couple Awards.

‘Not just one?’

Both teams stared at me.

“…Bada-ya, congrats!”

“Two Best Couple Awards is a big deal.”

Ko Eun-hyuk and Yoon Hee-ae said in turn.

‘But… this is too much.’

I hid my face, embarrassed. Cheon Ian, beside me, cackled, while Ko Eun-hyuk hid his face too.

“Eun-hyuk, why are you hiding?”

“Feels like Best Couple is above my level…”

“Not because you don’t want it with me, right?”

“No way…”

He explained that getting two awards was overwhelming. Fair enough.

“The Best Couple Award will be presented by Tae Jin-hwa and Cheon Ian!”

I lifted my bowed head, stunned. Tae Jin-hwa, in an elegant black swan-like dress, smiled softly—enough to freeze anyone.

“Hello, I’m Tae Jin-hwa.”

“Hello, I’m Cheon Ian.”

Cheon Ian, back at her side, grabbed the mic.

“We can’t skip the Best Couple Award speeches, right?”

“Exactly, Jin-hwa sunbae-nim.”

First up were Yoon Hee-ae and Song Heo-jun, praised for their spicy “master and slave” dynamic.

When Cheon Ian returned to my side, Tae Jin-hwa handed me the mic.

“Our Bada-ssi?”

“Uh, hello…”

“How does it feel to win two Best Couple Awards?”

“Thanks to the viewers who voted for Jo Arin.”

“And me! Thanks for loving Geom-il and Arin’s chemistry.”

Returning to Tae Jin-hwa, he asked Ko Eun-hyuk and me for our thoughts. Ko Eun-hyuk bowed, saying he was grateful for an award above his level. I awkwardly bowed too.

“Pfft!”

“Huh?”

The sunbaes smiled fondly at their cute juniors. I saw the prompter flash [Hurry, no time], so I quickly pulled Ko Eun-hyuk up.

“Thank you!”

“Thanks too…?”

Seeing the prompter, he rushed his speech.

Time was tight, and the rest sped by. The Supporting Actor Award went to Lee Sang-cheol from The Life of a Prosecutor, the Excellence Award to Cheon Ian, and the grand prize—

“Congrats.”

“…Thank you.”

Yoon Hee-ae won. Everyone stood, clapping as she shone brighter than ever on stage.

“What should I say? I dedicate this to my father in heaven. Thanks to my mother for raising and supporting me. And thank you, viewers, for loving Save Me.”

Watching her smile through tears, a new ambition stirred.

I’d earn recognition for my acting and reach that stage.

‘But that’s greedy for now. I need to work harder.’

The grand prize ended the ceremony. My first awards show, first Rookie Award—a joyful day.

Then Eun-hyuk approached. “Bada-ya, you going to the afterparty?”

“Who’s going?”

“Not sure, it’s optional.”

Who’d go? Would Ryu Byeol? Per the sub-quest, she’d likely be there.

★★★

Originally, only the Save Me team was attending the afterparty, but somehow the The Life of a Prosecutor team joined.

I greeted everyone, but Ryu Byeol was nowhere. I heard she intended to come but…

‘Had something come up? Is she really not coming?’

As time passed, drunk people emerged—some slumped over tables, some still drinking, some spilling their hearts.

“Bada-ya.”

“What?”

“Can I get your autograph? My noona’s a fan.”

‘No big deal.’

I signed for Ko Eun-hyuk, drawing a wave-like signature reminiscent of the sea, and handed it back.

“Here’s your autograph.”

“…Thanks! My noona will love it.”

Grinning, he went to Song Heo-jun, who patted him for his courage. I didn’t peg him as someone who’d ask for an autograph, but Song Heo-jun was behind it.

Turning my head, I saw—

“Two Rookie Awards from the Save Me team…!”

Writer Lee Mi-na, clutching my and Ko Eun-hyuk’s trophies, kept repeating how emotional she was.

‘Is she drunk? Should we send her home?’

Her assistant writer, smiling awkwardly, explained, “She’s always like this. She’ll sober up, so don’t worry, actor-nim.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks.”

Nearby, Director Kang Jo-jo yawned, blinking sleepily.

At another table, Director Han Jun-hyuk advised Yeom Hae-jin. “Go with your gut, got it?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Directing a drama depends on your vision. But…”

Was it advice or nagging? Hard to tell.

‘What a chaotic mess.’

I raised a soju glass to sip when—

Ding.

The door opened.

“Hello?”

It was Ryu Byeol, casually dressed, smiling as she approached Yeom Hae-jin.

“I came to discuss something with the director.”

“Uh, with me?”

“And to talk.”

I thought the sub-quest would fail if she didn’t show, since she said she couldn’t make the afterparty. Tense, I set down my soju.

“Drama talk? Should Bada join us?”

“Oh.”

Ryu Byeol glanced at me, nodding reluctantly. “Sure.”

Yeom Hae-jin beckoned us to a quiet corner.

“What do you want to discuss?”

“…I don’t understand Sohyun’s emotions.”

“Sohyun?”

“I’ve always played sexy characters. A bright, sunny heroine like this is new.”

I was surprised. The Ryu Byeol I knew in my past life didn’t analyze characters.

“And…”

“…Hm?”

“My co-star can’t act.”

Yeom Hae-jin and I fell silent. I knew Im Hoon’s acting level, and she probably did too.

“Acting with him, I can’t immerse in the character.”

‘She always stabs so bluntly.’

“And why’s Im Hoon doing a historical drama with that skill?”

“…Huh?”

“Rumor has it…”

She glanced at me.

“No, never mind.”

She poured soju and downed it.

‘Did Yeom Hae-jin say something?’

I signaled her with my eyes; she shook her head vigorously, denying it.

“Byeol-ah, if you can’t immerse, can’t you think of someone?”

“…Who?”

“No sunny, bright person around you?”

She went quiet. After a long pause, our eyes met, and she spoke.

“There was one.”

“…There was?”

“Yeah, but she suddenly ghosted me.”

Yeom Hae-jin’s eyes widened, exclaiming, “Who?”

“Suddenly? Why?”

“Don’t know. Her life must’ve been more important. She’s the one who suggested being friends first.”

Ryu Byeol’s gaze stayed on me, as if talking about me.

“Really?”

“…Then she cut contact.”

I racked my brain. I didn’t recall suggesting friendship or ghosting her.

“Wow, that’s harsh. Why’d she do that?”

“Don’t know. Guess she wanted to cut ties.”

“But Byeol-ah, you don’t have many friends.”

Ryu Byeol turned away slightly at Yeom Hae-jin’s jab.

“…Hae-jin-ah, I have friends you don’t know.”

“No way. How many?”

“I really do.”

“Name them.”

She pointed her chin at Yeom Hae-jin. “You.”

“Okay, me.”

“And another…”

Ryu Byeol paused, downed more soju, and looked at me.

“You.”

I was so shocked, water in my mouth dribbled down my chin.