Chapter 46 : The Trap Closes

White Tiger Film Festival.

“Look at all the congratulatory flower bouquets already lining up.”

“Oppa, congratulations!”

“Why the congratulations already? Don’t jinx it.”

Jungwoo was receiving early congratulations in the waiting room, and though he called it premature, he didn’t mind the praise one bit.

‘With 14 million viewers, it’s only natural.’

He was absolutely certain, as no one could dispute that Glory Day was the biggest box office hit of the year.

“Your outfit already screams ‘main character.’ This was specially made and sent by the luxury brand for their global ambassador, you, oppa.”

The staff, knowing Jungwoo spent generously when in a good mood, hyped him up to secure some extra perks.

“Really? Hmm… not bad.”

Global ambassador. Popular celebrities often signed ambassador contracts with luxury brands, and some considered it a measure of fame.

“Wow, this photo came out great. The red carpet pics are already going viral!”

“They’re saying you need to add today’s film festival to your filmography, oppa.”

“Your face is totally my mom’s ideal son-in-law.”

“Seriously, no matter how many cheesy comments I hear, I can’t get used to them.”

Even so, a smile never left Jungwoo’s face. 

“Ah, brother .”

While basking in the compliments, Jungwoo called out to his manager in the waiting room.

“How’s that thing going?”

He asked in a low voice, just loud enough for the manager to hear.

“No contact. They deleted their account and went silent.”

Some idiot must’ve gotten caught, because articles about military enlistment brokers suddenly popped up, and Jungwoo was beyond worried.

“Damn it… if they’re in hiding, we won’t get caught, right?”

“Well, just in case, we only used Telegram for contact. There’s no way what you’re worried about will happen. The rumors are targeting other celebrities too.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

It was infuriating that they’d bragged about their foolproof methods only to tuck tail and run, but as long as they didn’t get caught, that was what mattered.

“If we get caught, you and I are both done, you know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know. I checked with someone I know, and they said it’ll probably just end with a few no-name rappers getting named.”

“Ugh, this is so damn annoying…”

All this fuss just to catch a few small fries. There was no way this could derail his smooth-sailing career.

“Brother , for now, delay my enlistment as much as possible.”

“Huh?”

The manager was taken aback by Jungwoo’s words, given the timing.

“Isn’t that… a bit risky right now?”

Even if they were in the clear, this was a time to lay low, not push enlistment further back. 

It didn’t seem right, but Jungwoo ignored his manager’s concerns. 

Only one thought occupied his mind.

‘Park Seongho and Lee Yeonhee’s project. No matter what, I have to do this.’

A writer and director duo that guaranteed success, just when he was pondering his next project. 

This was clearly a heaven-sent opportunity.

“Just do as I say, got it? Talk to whoever you need to and push it back as far as possible.”

“Alright, alright.”

The manager bowed his head and agreed, knowing one more word might trigger Jungwoo’s nasty temper.

“It’s time to head to the awards ceremony venue.”

“Got it!”

“Oppa, just a moment.”

The stylist made final checks on Jungwoo’s outfit and hair, while Jungwoo kept scheming.

‘If I give an emotional speech during my acceptance, maybe mention I’ve been struggling mentally… People in this country pity you if you shed a few tears and appeal to their emotions, so I’ll use that to sway public opinion.’

“Do well out there!”

“Fighting!”

With the staff’s cheers behind him, Jungwoo stepped into the awards ceremony venue, where he would be the star of the night.

The place was filled with actors in sharp suits and elegant dresses, holding their heads high.

“Hey, Jungwoo brother ! Good to see you.”

“Long time no see.”

“Oppa!”

As Jungwoo entered, they greeted him with smiles, as if their earlier demeanor had vanished.

“Yeah, long time.”

“I heard you’ve got an award locked in tonight.”

Jaeho, known as the social butterfly of the entertainment industry, struck up a conversation, and countless cameras zoomed in to capture the warm camaraderie between the two actors.

“Oh, come on, don’t say that. I’ve still got a long way to go to catch up to my seniors.”

“Getting nominated there is already an honor. I’m jealous, you punk!”

“Hahaha.”

Nominated? That award is mine. 

The thought of the title ‘Han Jungwoo, Youngest Best Actor at the White Tiger Film Festival’ being his soon sent a thrill through him.

“Where’s your seat?”

“Over here.”

Jungwoo’s seat was front and center at the ceremony. 

Anyone could see it was the protagonist’s spot.

“Alright, catch you later.”

“Attention, the 54th White Tiger Film Festival will begin shortly. Please take your seats.”

The most dazzling moment of his acting career was finally approaching.

***

Sehari Animal Clinic.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

Jiwon shivered as he stepped into the clinic.

“They say this winter’s gonna be brutal.”

I handed him a blanket from nearby.

“Wanna escape to Southeast Asia? A week of chilling in a warm place sounds nice.”

“No way. I’ve got filming until March.”

Being a web drama, the shooting period was shorter than previous projects, but the schedule was tighter.

“Then let’s go after filming wraps in March.”

“When are you gonna stop this unemployed life? If you don’t want to study, at least join brother ’s company.”

“You know that’s the kind of talk unemployed people hate the most, right? That’s violence. Verbal violence.”

Verbal violence… Man, I can never win an argument with him.

“Oh, right! I’m sending something to the set, so just be ready.”

“Huh? What are you sending?”

“It’s something. Just don’t cry tears of gratitude when you get it.”

Knowing Jiwon’s track record for causing trouble, I suddenly felt uneasy.

“Hey, you didn’t do anything weird, right?”

“Weird? What do you take me for?”

“You cause more chaos than Jayden, so how am I supposed to trust you?”

“Oh! Jayden!”

Jiwon called out to the air, but no response came.

“Jayden went out with his uncle.”

“At this hour? Where to?”

Jiwon was puzzled to hear he’d left so late in the evening.

“A VIP called him.”

“A VIP other than me at your animal clinic? Who?”

“There’s a new one.”

Recently, a YouTuber moved into a huge mansion in the neighborhood next to ours, saying they wanted to heal in nature or something, looking for a place with a big yard.

“What was their name… I heard it but forgot again.”

They told me their channel name instead of their real name, but no matter how many times I heard it, I couldn’t remember.

“Wow, after all the treats I’ve given him, he ditches me for some new VIP?”

“They say the grass there is high-end.”

“My grass is the best in Korea—no, the world! The gardener comes every single day…”

God, this childish guy. 

He’s about to turn a year older, when will he grow up?

“Oh, wait!”

I almost forgot. I’d been waiting all day for this. 

I hurriedly grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

“White Tiger Film Festival?”

The TV screen was broadcasting the awards ceremony live.

Haa… Thank you so much. First, I thank God the Father…

A beautifully dressed actress in a white gown stood at the microphone, tears welling in her eyes as she gave her acceptance speech.

“You watch this kind of stuff?”

“Not really. The brother  I’m working with on this project is performing a celebration stage there.”

“Oh, that BIP?”

“01.”

“I’ve never watched an awards show in my life. They all know who’s winning, right?”

“No, they don’t.”

There wasn’t a shred of falsehood in the bewildered expression my owner had when he stood on that stage, giving his acceptance speech.

Next up is the Popularity Award. Presenting the Popularity Award is…

“Yawn~ Why don’t we just watch the clips later?”

Jiwon, who’d shown a flicker of interest, yawned and sprawled out on the sofa, bored.

“Just wait… I need to check something.”

Truthfully, I wasn’t that curious about Taehwan’s stage. 

It’d be all over the internet soon anyway, so there was no need to watch it like this. 

What I was really curious about was Han Jungwoo.

Congratulations! The Popularity Award goes to Han Jungwoo of Glory Day!

When the presenter called Han Jungwoo’s name, he put on a surprised expression, greeted those around him, and climbed onto the stage.

“So boring.”

“Shh, quiet.”

Jungwoo’s speech was full of predictable lines, but what set him apart was how short it was.

‘I thought he’d ramble on, what’s with this?’

“When’s this over?”

“Just wait.”

Now, after the celebration stage, we’ll meet the recipients of the Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Picture awards.

‘Best Actor!’

Would Han Jungwoo really win Best Actor? That was the thing I was most curious about right now.

Right after Taehwan’s celebration stage ended, they moved straight into the Best Actor award presentation.

Presenting the Best Actor award are Park Jaehoon and Han Yeowool.

‘Park Jaehoon?’

I hadn’t expected Park Jaehoon to appear, but maybe because it was an awards ceremony, he looked even more dazzling than he did on set.

It’s such an honor to present with you, Jaehoon.

Same here. I’ve been enjoying your recent drama. How about we do a sweet rom-com together sometime?

Haha, that sounds amazing! I’m always up for it.

Jaehoon shared a brief banter with his co-presenter and continued reading the cue card.

Without further delay, let’s meet the Best Actor nominees!

The screen switched to a VCR, and the faces of the festival’s regular nominees appeared one by one. Finally, Han Jungwoo’s face showed up.

Kyaaa!

The screams grew louder as Jungwoo’s face appeared, broadcast directly through the TV.

Jaehoon will present the Best Actor award.

Me? Haha, alright. The 54th White Tiger Film Festival Best Actor is…

The nominees’ faces were shown in split-screen, and Jungwoo’s face, brimming with anticipation, caught my eye. 

His expression screamed how desperately he wanted it.

‘Tch, an actor who can’t even manage their expression.’

Jaehoon glanced at the card with the winner’s name, paused for effect, and announced the winner.

The Best Actor is… Congratulations, Choi Haejin of Ghost Ear!

Congratulations to Choi Haejin of Ghost Ear!

“Haha, of course.”

No wonder it’s the most prestigious awards ceremony in the country.

For a fleeting moment, I caught Jungwoo’s expression—pretending to smile but not truly smiling—when someone else’s name was called.

‘I sent a gift in case he won Best Actor, but I wonder if it arrived safely.’

To check if it had arrived, I went to a portal site and found confirmation that it had indeed been delivered.

[(Breaking News) Glory Day’s Han Jungwoo, Evidence of Contact with Military Broker Uncovered]