Chapter 35: The Rookie Who Made the Nation Cry

With the host’s words, the awards began in a somewhat solemn atmosphere.

– We will announce the winner of the 20XX KBC Acting Awards Youth Acting Award category!

“Who will it be? Huh? Oppa, who do you think?”

Next to Myungwoo, Jung Inha chattered excitedly.

“Hmph, wh-who’s expecting anyway?”

Jo Seungha beside her pretended no tension or expectation, but his face showed both.

And Myungwoo

‘Youth Acting Award…….’

Honestly, even this would be best.

Getting an award in debut year itself amazing.

Of course, Rookie Award only once in career, or higher good, but realistically hard…….

Various thoughts flashed in Myungwoo’s mind.

And the award didn’t wait for him.

– Congratulations! Jo Seungha from <Alley Childhood Friends>!

“Uh, what? Me, me?”

“Wow? Really?”

“Congrats, Seungha hyung.”

Jo Seungha’s win announced, Jo Seungha, Jung Inha, Myungwoo spoke in turn.

“A-an award, this is my first…….”

“Hyung, say that up there.”

Myungwoo smiled and pushed Jo Seungha’s back.

Inwardly, bitter taste.

‘Jo Seungha Youth Acting Award. Hmm, still lacking?’

Well, Jo Seungha had prior recognition, makes sense.

Jung Inha sent Jo Seungha, poked returning Myungwoo playfully smiling.

“How about it, oppa?”

“Huh? How what?”

“If Jo Seungha gets Youth, Rookie almost oppa confirmed?”

“What? Ahaha, what are you saying?”

“Why? <Alley Childhood Friends> ratings no joke, especially oppa’s acting rumored amazing?”

At Myungwoo’s humility, Jung Inha tilted head as if not understanding.

‘Wasn’t he confident, not lacking?’

To Jung Inha, Kang Myungwoo humble but never seemed unconfident.

But today somehow shrunk atmosphere what.

Unknown past life’s expect-disappoint history, natural question for her.

– Next, Youth Acting Award female category winner. Congratulations! Jung Inha from <Alley Childhood Friends>!

“Kyaa! Oh my, me?”

Jung Inha at sudden name, joyful but not surprised, looked at Myungwoo.

“Oppa, I got Youth Acting Award!”

“Congrats, Inha. Go say speech.”

“Yes, be back!”

Jung Inha hopped away, soon Jo Seungha returned.

“Uh, um…… this real?”

“Real, hyung. Why acting unlike you?”

“No, just…… can’t believe…….”

Anyone see dazed Jo Seungha, Myungwoo smiled brightly.

“Ay, hyung deserved it.”

“Really? But, really? I really won?”

Even at Myungwoo’s words, Jo Seungha couldn’t accept, still blank.

“Yes. Real.”

‘Times like this, rascal image seems lie.’

Who call current tame Jo Seungha rascal.

Jo Seungha now proper rookie actor to anyone.

“Heh…….”

– Now! Next, 20XX KBC Acting Awards Rookie Award!

For debut actors this year, unavoidable expectation, Rookie Award turn approached.

Myungwoo unwittingly swallowed kkulk.

But host’s words fell, all <Alley Childhood Friends> at table eyes to Myungwoo.

Not only. Nearby tables, everywhere gazes to Myungwoo.

‘What? Why suddenly……?’

Sudden many gazes, Myungwoo flinched.

– Many candidates rose. All showed amazing acting unlike debut actors!

Host continued, gazes to Myungwoo increased.

‘Why all me…….

– Then reveal this year’s Rookie Award winner!

Now almost nearby all looking at Myungwoo level.

All seemed sure result, eyes sparkling or curved smiling at Myungwoo.

‘Why looking at me?’

Myungwoo still puzzled why, tilted head.

– Congratulations! Kang Myungwoo from <Alley Childhood Friends>!

‘Huh?’

Thus, probably only Myungwoo unknown, Rookie Award winner announced.

“……Me?”

“Ahaha, what did I say!”

Beside dazed Myungwoo, Yoo Chaeyoung burst laughing kkalkkal.

“What doing? Hurry go, Rookie Award winner Kang Myungwoo-nim!”

“Uh, uh uh…….”

Always acted fitting situation, even full effort before first love Go Yoonjung, but unimaginable Rookie win, Myungwoo broke down.

No, unimaginable accurate. 

Consciously or not, removed thought of winning.

Rookie Award, Rookie Award.

In past life, Rookie Award untouchable.

Past self face and acting nothing to see, when award-worthy, already too experienced for rookie.

Past awards only late supporting, supporting, supporting.

This life, Rookie right away.

Heart pounded hard ascending stage.

‘Ha, haha’

Living, even get Rookie.

Myungwoo blank face received Rookie trophy, still blank stood before mic.

Breathed briefly.

Moment, tears welled.

Ttuk-

Without wipe time, tear dropped from Myungwoo’s eye.

Beside host and others’ laughing sounds distant.

Myungwoo hurriedly wiped tears, tried speech.

But throat choked. 

No words.

Mouth moving Myungwoo soon gave up speaking.

Released barely held tears.

Myungwoo’s tears flowed down cheeks.

– Haha, actor Kang Myungwoo hugely moved. Everyone, wait a bit.

At crying Myungwoo, host teased, child boy’s crying, others no urge, waited quietly.

Long time passed, Myungwoo finally composed.

With soaked voice began speech.

“Uh…… First, truly thank for this undeserved award.”

Never thought win, no speech script in head.

But who he. 

Kang Myungwoo. Could improvise this much.

Moreover real emotion, not acting.

Expressing easy.

……Holding tears bit hard.

“First, thanks to those put me in <Alley Childhood Friends> child role…….”

Myungwoo mentioned <Alley Childhood Friends> related one by one without miss.

Writer, PD, director, cast etc.

Each mention, <Alley Childhood Friends> crew smiled.

Child’s choked voice conveyed warmest sincerity.

“And, finally…… Mom.”

Myungwoo last most grateful person.

His mom.

Allowed acting no opposition, still cheering best supporter.

“I got Rookie Award, Mom.”

Myungwoo said smiling wide.

Pure child’s smile warmed hearts.

“Later home, eat cake together. My favorite chocolate cake.”

Ahahaha, at Myungwoo’s words, quiet venue burst laughter.

Myungwoo looked around them smiling brightly.

“That’s it. Thank again.”

***

[<Alley Childhood Friends> Kang Myungwoo, KBC Rookie Award win.]

[Acting Awards tears burst Kang Myungwoo…… Sincere moved child’s look, netizens tears…….]

[‘Eat chocolate cake’, cute Rookie speech.]

Kang Myungwoo won Rookie, newspapers poured articles.

Crying during speech clipped, circulated internet everywhere,

Chocolate cake line memed, used here there.

Chocolate cake sales slight rise funny aftermath too.

And all articles’ protagonist Kang Myungwoo now, as said, eating chocolate cake with mother.

“Delicious, our son?”

“Yes. Really delicious, Mom.”

At No Yeonhee’s words, Myungwoo smiled brightly.

Liked chocolate cake anyway, but post-Rookie commemorative, extra honey taste.

“Aigoo, really, our son amazing. Won Rookie.”

“Haha, true. All thanks good views.”

“This kid, Mom saw your acting too. Our Myungwoo better than most actors?”

“Haha, thanks Mom.”

At No Yeonhee’s praise, Myungwoo awkward smile.

Knew acting good, but Rookie win and Mom recognition, somehow real feel.

Ddiriring-

Partying with No Yeonhee, sudden call to Myungwoo.

“Huh? What, Myungwoo?”

“Wait. …….Manager hyung. What?”

“Manager? Answer, Myungwoo.”

No Yeonhee sorry look at Myungwoo’s phone contacting more than hers.

Manager contact likely work, rare son duo party interrupted feel.

But as mom, can’t block flying son.

No Yeonhee hid regret, urged answer.

“Moment, Mom. Yes, hyung?”

[Ah, Myungwoo! Busy now?]

“Uh…… No, not really…… What?”

Myungwoo’s voice full puzzle.

As speech, partying with mom, manager can’t not know.

Yet contact, something happened?

[Ah, um um, quick. Two good news.]

“Two?”

What. Myungwoo tilted head asked.

[First, Director Jo Jaesik’s movie shooting schedule fixed.]

“Ah, that means…….”

[Yes. Now completely locked in.]

At manager’s words, Myungwoo nodded.

Already months since contact, thought changed person.

But hearing, not so.

“Took longer than thought?”

[Ah, that director sensitive to cast. Searching perfect, schedule delayed.]

Well, that big shot makes sense.

“Possible.”

Myungwoo affirmed nodding.

“Second news?”

[Ah, not work, external…….]

“External?”

External manager say to me? Myungwoo puzzled tilted head.

[Don’t surprise. Myungwoo, found your fan cafe!]