LS Ch 100

“You two still look close. It’s nice to see.”

The host commented, referring to the two of them on screen. Jewoo smiled awkwardly and nodded, and cheers erupted again. Fortunately, the camera soon moved on to other actors.

“Jiho hyung is going to nag me again.”

“Why?”

“Because I was stuck to you.”

He’d been told to be careful, but as soon as they sat down, they were caught whispering to each other, so it was obvious the video would be circulating everywhere.

“So what. I’m holding back from showing even more.”

At Yiwon’s joke, Jewoo lightly nudged his side with his fist. The corners of Yiwon’s mouth curled up as if he was pleased, even after being hit.

That’s why it’s so obvious.

He recalled a video he’d seen once where Yiwon was staring at him without taking his eyes off him, and when he happened to look back, their eyes met, and the corners of Yiwon’s mouth curled up. He’d felt incredibly embarrassed by the comments saying Yiwon looked so happy, and it wasn’t much different today.

At this point, he really thought he should refrain from being with Kang Yiwon at official events. They hadn’t officially admitted to dating, but showing this kind of behavior was no different from half-admitting it. It was a serious concern.

“Next is the Asian Trend Drama Award. Let’s take a look at the nominated works.”

As the host announced, Jewoo appeared on the first screen. It was a scene from the drama where ‘Haeyul’ was sobbing. Then Yiwon appeared, swinging a sword. The cheers from all directions showed how popular the drama was.

After a few more works were shown, the host announced the winner. As the audience’s reaction had already indicated, the title “At the End of That Season” was called. While the director went up on stage to receive the award, Yiwon and Jewoo were once again captured by the camera.

“It seems to have been really popular.”

Seeing Jewoo speak as if it were someone else’s business, Yiwon chuckled.

“You’re so indifferent at times like these. Didn’t you check the drama’s reception? Ours went even crazier overseas than in Korea.”

He shook his head at Yiwon’s words. He hadn’t even checked the Korean response, let alone the international one. He only knew that it had been ranked first or second every time a new episode was released in Korea. During the Thai fan meeting, he’d simply thought that many people who enjoyed the drama had gathered. Although more people recognized him wherever he went than before, he still couldn’t believe the international response.

A few more award categories passed, and next was the Best Couple Award. Among the male-female couples, Yiwon and Jewoo were the only male-male couple nominated. Thanks to that, they received attention once again.

“The Best Couple Award is determined by votes from viewers across Asia.”

The host explained that this award was practically a popularity award chosen by the viewers.

“The winners are Kang Yiwon and Han Jewoo from ‘At the End of That Season’! Congratulations!”

Their names were called. Applause erupted, but Jewoo couldn’t raise his head in embarrassment. There were so many good works, and so many well-matched couples, so he hadn’t expected him and Yiwon to receive this award.

“It must be because of you.”

He said to Yiwon as he got up from his seat. He thought he’d received the couple award because of Kang Yiwon’s immense popularity. Yiwon smiled playfully and extended his hand to Jewoo. When Jewoo looked at him, wondering what he was doing, Yiwon took his hand and held it. Another round of cheers erupted.

Jewoo, whose hand was held by Yiwon, walked up to the stage, not knowing where to look. It was the first award he’d received as an actor since receiving a child actor award when he was very young, and he hadn’t expected to go up on stage holding Yiwon’s hand.

He shook his hand, trying to get Yiwon to let go, but Yiwon held on tight. The audience and the actors in the waiting area laughed at Yiwon’s playfulness. People continued to laugh as Yiwon didn’t let go of Jewoo’s hand even while receiving the trophy and bouquet.

“Oh, Mr. Kang Yiwon, are you that happy?”

The host asked mischievously. Yiwon stood in front of the microphone, still holding Jewoo’s hand.

“I am. I think I was able to receive this award because I worked on this project with Jewoo hyung. I’m happy to receive my first award as an actor together with Jewoo hyung.”

The host smiled warmly at the confident answer.

“But Mr. Han Jewoo, your face is about to explode from embarrassment.”

It wasn’t common for Jewoo to be unable to hide his embarrassment in public. He would have usually covered it up with acting, but he was even more flustered because he hadn’t expected Yiwon to act so spontaneously.

“You’re right. He’s especially shy today.”

Yiwon said, looking back at Jewoo. Jewoo glanced at Yiwon and shook his head as if to say he couldn’t be helped.

“Mr. Han Jewoo, please share your acceptance speech as well.”

The host prompted Jewoo to take the microphone. Jewoo stood in front of the microphone and looked up at the audience. As he saw the gazes of countless audience members directed at him, all the roles he had played as an actor flashed through his mind.

“I’ve been acting for quite a while… I never imagined the day would come when I would receive such a grateful award on such a big stage. I’m at a loss for words for the overwhelming amount of love you’ve given me. I will become an actor who works even harder in the future. Thank you.”

Cheers and applause erupted as he bowed his head. When he looked up, Yiwon, who was standing next to him, opened his arms. He really is incorrigible. He chuckled and approached him, and Yiwon wrapped his arms around Jewoo’s shoulders and hugged him. Jewoo also put his arm around Yiwon’s back and patted him.

“I hope your friendship lasts forever. Congratulations once again.”

Even as they walked off stage after the host’s appropriate closing remarks, Yiwon tried to hold Jewoo’s hand again. He didn’t care even when Jewoo signaled him not to. Most people seemed to take it as Yiwon’s playfulness, but Jewoo, who knew his true intentions, felt his ears burning, not just his face.

After that, Jewoo also received the Actor of the Year award. He ended up tearing up while giving his acceptance speech for that award. He hadn’t expected to gain both popularity and recognition for his acting with one project, so he couldn’t express all the emotions swelling in his chest.

When he returned to his seat after receiving the award, Yiwon handed him a handkerchief as if he’d been waiting. When he shook his head, saying he was fine, Yiwon wiped Jewoo’s eyes with the handkerchief himself. He joked that Jewoo shouldn’t cry in front of other people, and that he should only show him that side of himself, earning him a glare from Jewoo.

Meanwhile, they completely forgot that many audience members were filming them. It was only natural that countless videos of them were already circulating online that night.

🎞️✮⋆˙

The wrinkles between Jiho’s eyebrows deepened as he looked at his tablet PC.

“Han Jewoo.”

He called Jewoo in a low, subdued voice. Jewoo looked back at him with a clueless expression and grinned.

“Are you laughing?”

“Should I be crying?”

When he retorted brazenly, Jiho groaned and grabbed the back of his neck.

“You received a lot of awards. I hear you’ve also gotten several advertising offers.”

He added that they should focus on the positive, so Jiho groaned but couldn’t say anything more.

“The number of members in your couple fandom has skyrocketed.”

Jiho clicked his tongue. It was a natural result, considering they’d acted so openly at the awards ceremony. There were still some individual fans protesting, saying not to link them together and that it was just a performance for the drama at the awards ceremony.

“Anyway, it’s attention. Think positive.”

“I’m worried it’ll affect other projects!”

He was worried that the attention on their relationship would decrease the immersion in the romance drama filmed in Jeju Island, which would air later this year.

“People will forget soon enough. Won’t the movie come out before the drama? Once the movie is released, they’ll be talking about that.”

“True. That’s true.”

In the movie filmed in Japan last fall, Jewoo wasn’t the lead but a supporting actor, but his role as a member of a criminal organization linked to Japanese yakuza left a strong impression. His image was completely different from ‘Haeyul.’ It was a much rougher and sharper character, so much so that people who saw the movie would find it hard to believe he was the same actor who played ‘Haeyul.’

He’d chosen such a role on purpose. Jewoo tended to avoid playing similar roles in a row. He believed that an actor should be able to pull off any role. He hadn’t known the drama would do so well, but thanks to choosing a completely different role for his next project, he didn’t have to worry about getting stuck in one character.

“More importantly, what happened with what I asked you about before?”

Jewoo changed the subject. Jiho blinked, not immediately understanding what he meant.

“The house. You said you’d look into it.”

“Ah!”

Jiho said he’d forgotten because he’d been busy lately. He tapped a few times on his tablet screen and showed it to Jewoo.

“I’ve picked out a few places with good security. I considered the distance to both our companies.”

He checked the list on the screen while listening to Jiho’s explanation.