Chapter 46: Year-End Lights

Every year, as the end of December approaches, there are things that come to mind.

The sound of carols echoing through the streets, the first snowfall drifting down flake by flake, the chilly yet cozy night air, the tart tangerines eaten while sitting on floor warmed by the boiler.

Each person must have a precious moment that comes to them at such times.

I, too, have a warm memory.

It is the time I always spent with my parents at the end of each year while they were still alive.

The three of us—my father, mother, and I—would gather in front of the television with a chicken my father had bought, watching the Drama Awards together.

That moment, waiting for the awards as familiar actors appeared, all dressed up, looking back on the dramas of the year.

My mother, father, and I would excitedly discuss our favorite dramas, predicting who might win the Grand Prize—that was our family's special year-end tradition.

Especially for the Grand Prize, since it was always announced at the very end, we could only find out after the countdown into the new year from December 31st to January 1st.

As the national MC shouted the countdown, the bell rang to signal the new year, and fireworks exploded in CG, even my childish heart would swell with excitement for no reason.

‘Things were so pure back then.’

After becoming an adult, I didn’t really get to watch it anymore—partly because of making a living, partly because I missed my parents.

After getting married, I wanted to make a precious tradition for my small and dear daughter Areum and my family, so I started watching it again each year.

Looking back, my wife never really joined in—she was always busy with work or something else.

Maybe that was for the best, since it meant my precious memory remained untainted.

“Writer-nim? What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Ah. It’s nothing.”

I stepped into the large hall located on the basement floor of NBN Broadcasting, and at last, I saw with my own eyes the scene I had only ever seen through the TV every year.

The large hall, resembling a musical theater, was divided into terraced seating for the audience and a main hall where staff and VIPs sat.

The main hall was set up with tables reminiscent of a wedding banquet—various refreshments and nameplates arranged at each seat. As I entered, the celebrities seated there were all household names, so I didn't know where to look.

It was, in every sense, a gathering of stars—the top actors with "top star" or "national role" titles before their names, all together in one place.

“Writer-nim, Director-nim, over here!”

Seo Ji-won, who had taken pictures at the photo wall first, called me and Director Park Sang-tae over as she took her seat.

She, too, looked every bit the actress—radiant from head to toe.

Her wavy hair falling to her collarbone, a red off-shoulder dress revealing her elegant shoulders, sapphire-studded earrings—she looked like the daughter of a noble house in a medieval film.

“Ji-won, you look stunning today.”

“Thank you. Writer-nim, you look extra dashing as well.”

At the table reserved for the team were nameplates for myself, Seo Ji-won, Ahn Yoo-seok, and, in place of Director Kim Seung-pyo who was still in America, Park Sang-tae, now promoted from assistant director.

I exchanged a light nod with the supporting actors I hadn’t seen in a while and sat down.

Having never even been to a concert or a festival in my life, it was deeply moving to see the celebrities I’d only watched on TV, on a stage close enough to reach out and touch.

Of course, it wasn’t my first time seeing celebrities, but perhaps being invited to the banquet on equal footing was what left me dumbfounded.

“Writer-nim, you can’t just sit so stiffly. You need to get used to this—you’ll be coming all the time now.”

“Haha, is that so?”

“Next year, you’ll be here again for our .”

It was truly the bold statement of Director Park Sang-tae, who was helming his first project.

“Director-nim, stop bouncing your leg and talk.”

Seo Ji-won poked Park Sang-tae and laughed.

“So that’s why the table was shaking—it was you, Director-nim?”

Even Ahn Yoo-seok joined in, teasing Park Sang-tae.

As likely candidates for Best Couple, Ahn Yoo-seok and Seo Ji-won showed off their sparkling chemistry.

“Camera’s rolling! Everyone, please get ready!”

An assistant director wearing an earpiece shouted loudly.

As it was a live broadcast, everyone’s nerves were clearly on edge.

The once-busy hall grew quiet in an instant as friends greeted each other and settled down.

Soon, the awards ceremony began with a flourish and thunderous applause, as Shin Dong-hyup, one of Korea’s top three MCs, and actress Hwang So-yoon, whom I’d previously met at the audition, walked onstage arm-in-arm.

“So-yoon-ssi, we have many guests at the ceremony today. What was your favorite NBN drama this year?”

“Oh my, such a difficult question! Wasn’t it said that this year was a bountiful one for NBN dramas? There were so many great ones, it’s hard to pick just one... Hmm, I’ll say !”

“Oh, I watched too. It was the most talked-about series this year, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right. The ratings were amazing. I also watched the historical epic and the weekend drama .”

“How about , , and ?”

“Wow, I guess I only watched NBN dramas this year. They were all so good!”

“Come on, you have to pick just one! So-yoon-ssi, you’re too greedy.”

“Then you go first, Dong-hyup sunbaenim! Which one did you enjoy the most?”

“I... Ah! The PD is telling me to stop chatting and get on with the show. Hahahaha.”

Thanks to Shin Dong-hyup’s witty hosting, the frozen mood in the hall warmed up.

It was probably scripted by the variety show writers, to liven up the mood by naming all the NBN dramas, but seeing it done so masterfully up close was fascinating.

“Do you think Yoo-seok will win the Rookie Award?”

Park Sang-tae, sharing in the playful atmosphere, whispered.

That’s right.

Just as a line tossed in a drama script always comes back as foreshadowing, nothing is said in a variety show script without reason.

Hwang So-yoon’s words weren’t her own—they were part of a carefully crafted script.

Since was the first drama she mentioned, it seemed at least one or two awards were sure to go home with us tonight.

“Of course. Among the rookies, none stood out like Yoo-seok.”

After hearing from Park Sang-tae that we’d been invited to the awards, we’d all speculated together.

The general consensus was that Ahn Yoo-seok and Seo Ji-won would each win an award.

“If Yoo-seok wins Rookie, Ji-won will probably get the Excellence Award, right? She really should.”

After all, among mini-series, was the only one with ratings over 20%.

The other dramas Hwang So-yoon mentioned— and —also topped 20% in ratings, but as a historical epic and a weekend drama.

These days, there was talk of “handing out awards too easily” and of separating mini-series from other dramas, but NBN still awarded them together, making for fierce competition.

The Drama Awards gave out prizes for Best Couple, Child Actor, Supporting Actor, Staff, Directing, Writing, as well as Male/Female Excellence, Male/Female Top Excellence, and, of course, the Grand Prize.

If Ahn Yoo-seok and Seo Ji-won each received one, then would not only have bloomed with ratings, but also reaped a spectacular harvest in awards.

“Now, let’s present the Best Couple Award, given to the pair who made the most hearts flutter this year!”

As Seo Ji-won and Ahn Yoo-seok were announced as nominees, they leaned together and waved lightly at the camera.

Their faces filled the big screen, and the audience behind them erupted in cheers.

“Ahn Yoo-seok, you’re the best!”

“Ji-won unnie, you’re so pretty!”

Finally, as the presenter announced, “Seo Ji-won and Ahn Yoo-seok of ! Congratulations!” Ahn Yoo-seok escorted Seo Ji-won up to the stage.

Seo Ji-won, on her way up, turned to look back at our table and flashed a playful wink—she looked genuinely happy.

“Whoa. Writer-nim, your prediction might come true at this rate.”

“Maybe we can even aim for a triple crown?”

“It’s a good start, winning Best Couple first.”

I cautiously predicted we would win Best Couple, Rookie, and Excellence.

Park Sang-tae thought that if we won Best Couple, it would be hard for Seo Ji-won to also get the Excellence Award...

Not because Seo Ji-won wasn’t good enough, but because this year, there were an overwhelming number of talented actresses in NBN dramas.

In , , and , all three dramas had female leads who were veterans with more experience than Seo Ji-won.

But I still thought the Excellence Award was within reach—that was the confidence of a writer whose drama had broken 20% ratings.

“Oh. Seeing Yoo-seok’s acting on the big screen, it’s even better.”

As the Rookie Award nominees were introduced, scenes from their dramas flashed on the screen.

Among them, Ahn Yoo-seok’s twin role in was brief but powerful.

“The Rookie Award goes to... Congratulations, Ahn Yoo-seok of !”

“Waaah!”

“Ahn Yoo-seok is so handsome!!!”

As expected, the Rookie Award went to Ahn Yoo-seok.

He took the stage with a bright smile.

“Uh... The reason I was able to stand here today... as many of you know, is all thanks to Writer Lee Jung-hyuk.”

Ahn Yoo-seok, a bit shy, straight up called out my name.

Even if you like someone, the usual order is to thank the director first, then the writer.

Thanks to him, my face—smiling like the friendly uncle next door—was broadcast huge on the camera.

“I’ve said it in countless interviews, but if not for Writer-nim, I wouldn’t be here today. Thank you. Oh, and Director Kim Seung-pyo, Director Park Sang-tae, CEO Hong Joo-hee, and Ji-won noona, who laughed and cried with me while acting...”

Ahn Yoo-seok, not forgetting a single person, rattled off everyone’s names and gave a professional acceptance speech, not at all like someone receiving their first award.

Lastly, as he spoke candidly of his love for his mother, I was reminded of the GaFlix documentary where I saw Ahn Yoo-seok’s first awards show.

This time it was the Rookie Award, but a few years later, he’d be receiving the Grand Prize, solidifying his place as a true actor.

“Next, it’s time to announce the Female Excellence Award. Last year’s recipient, actress Bang Min-hye, will present the award.”

To elegant music, Bang Min-hye took the stage.

Even Seo Ji-won, who had looked so relaxed until now, was visibly nervous.

“Are you nervous?”

“I am. I want to win, but I don’t want to.”

“What do you mean, you don’t want to?”

“I’m so nervous I might forget my acceptance speech if I do win.”

“Oh really? So you’re already thinking you’ll win?”

“Shh. The camera might catch my lips.”

The nominees were announced one by one, and finally, a short clip of Seo Ji-won played.

The other actresses were excellent, of course, but, as the saying goes, even a hedgehog thinks its own child is soft.

Seo Ji-won’s acting was far better than the others.

She had improved by leaps and bounds since her last project.

“All right. I will announce it. The Female Excellence Award goes to...”

Sitting right next to me, I could hear Seo Ji-won gulp nervously.

Of course, I was also ready to clap my hands off—

“The winner is... Lee Si-hyun of ! Congratulations!”

For a brief moment, everyone at our table glanced over at Seo Ji-won.

But, ever the professionals, we quickly smiled and clapped as hard as we could for Lee Si-hyun, whom we didn’t even know.

Seo Ji-won also clapped with a bright, genuine smile, showing not a hint of disappointment.

‘She must be upset.’

I pretended not to notice the flicker of regret on Seo Ji-won’s face.

If everyone else was disappointed, how much more must she feel?

“Hey, why are you all looking at me? I’ll just work harder and win next time.”

She didn’t look the least bit okay, but everyone kept quiet.

“Next up is the Female Top Excellence Award.”

Seo Ji-won was nominated for this too, but no one expected much this time.

There was a clear favorite.

From , the top female lead who delivered dazzling action and satisfaction—the 25-year veteran actress, Sun Min-a.

Sun Min-a had debuted in her twenties and, with her pure looks, was everyone’s first love. Now nearing fifty, she was known as the nation’s leading actress.

After getting married, she returned to the home screen with phenomenal acting, so everyone thought the award would go to her.

But then,

“Congratulations. Seo Ji-won of !”

“Huh?!”

Against all expectations, Seo Ji-won won the Top Excellence Award.

Not just others—she herself hadn’t expected it. Her eyes went wide as a rabbit’s, her mouth gaped open, all captured for the world to see.

Seo Ji-won had no time to be shocked or nervous—she had to go up on stage.

“I, I... truly th-thank you.”

Her voice trembling, Seo Ji-won accepted a glass of water from the presenter, took a deep breath, and spoke again.

“First, Director Kim Seung-tae, and to Writer Lee Jung-hyuk, who made me want to act again—thank you, truly, truly thank you.”

Seo Ji-won bowed her head cutely, making everyone smile.

“Wow, Writer-nim. Ji-won won Top Excellence. Amazing!”

“I know, right? I didn’t expect her to win Top Excellence either.”

It seemed NBN wanted to give a proper reward for us beating out Korea’s top writer, Park Eun-sook.

Well, if that’s the reward, I’m not about to refuse.

Seo Ji-won returned from the stage, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Thank you. Really, thank you all so much. It’s all because of everyone here.”

Three years ago, after bombing her first project and then working with me again, neither of us could have imagined she’d win such a big award.

Of course, I was happy that Ahn Yoo-seok won, but somehow, knowing his life’s “spoiler” in advance took away a bit of the thrill.

I was so happy Seo Ji-won won, if this had been at home instead of the awards, I’d have shouted loud enough for the whole building to hear.

“Congratulations.”

But I was a grown man in my mid-thirties. I did my best to offer my congratulations with as much dignity as I could muster.

“I hope Writer-nim wins the Writing Award, too.”

“The Writing Award?”

“They announce the Writing Award before the Grand Prize, right? Honestly, for me...”

Afraid the camera would catch her lips, Seo Ji-won covered her mouth with her hand and whispered in my ear.

“Nothing was as fun as your scripts, Writer-nim.”