LS Ch 99

The incident involving Han Jewoo and his mother, which had heated up the internet for a while, quieted down after about a week, as if it had never happened. Rumors spread at a terrifying speed, but they cooled off just as quickly. When the police investigation concluded that there was no evidence directly linking Jewoo’s mother to the incident, public interest faded even further.

It wasn’t clear what the company had done, but a restraining order was issued against Jewoo’s mother. Jewoo had said it wasn’t necessary—that he could just avoid contact on his own—but Jiho insisted it was better to be certain, pointing out that she might show up at a filming location like she did in Jeju. Since it wasn’t just a personal issue for Han Jewoo but also affected the actor Han Jewoo, the company’s response was justified, so Jewoo left it to them.

Once the situation was somewhat resolved, Jewoo said he’d return home, and Yiwon was visibly disappointed. Yiwon pleaded, asking if they couldn’t just stay together, but Jewoo managed to soothe him and went back. Less than three days later, a trip to Hong Kong came up. The Asia Artist Awards were scheduled to take place in Hong Kong this year. As Jiho had mentioned earlier, both Jewoo and Yiwon were nominated for the Popularity Award and the Best Couple Award.

It had been nearly three months since their official schedules overlapped, the last time being the fan meeting in Thailand. Jiho sighed even before heading to the airport, worried that just as the assault incident was calming down, seeing Jewoo and Yiwon on the same screen would spark all sorts of talk again.

“Why worry about it so much? Just let it be and move on.”

The more these situations repeated, the more detached Jewoo became. Even if people paired them up and circulated all sorts of videos or fan fiction, it didn’t cause direct harm. In fact, thanks to fans who supported them as a duo, there were times Jewoo felt relieved knowing some people viewed his relationship with Yiwon positively and cheered them on.

“Your side might be less affected, but it’s probably a headache for Kang Yiwon. It seems like his group’s fan club or individual fandoms often clash with your couple fandom.”

Yiwon never mentioned such things, so Jewoo hadn’t known. But it wasn’t something Yiwon could step in and fix either. If Jewoo showed he was bothered by the fandom conflicts, Yiwon might openly declare their relationship official. So pretending not to notice was the best approach.

“A while back, Kang Yiwon’s fans posted supposed evidence claiming he was dating Kim Arin—probably from the same agency, right?”

Jiho mentioned it in passing. Jewoo was aware of it. It hadn’t garnered much attention since the internet was preoccupied with his own issue at the time, but videos had circulated suggesting that Yiwon and Kim Arin’s similar clothes and accessories were couple items. Being cooped up at home for a while meant he’d ended up seeing a lot of videos he didn’t need to.

He hadn’t let it show to Yiwon back then either. Jewoo knew better than anyone that it wasn’t true, so there was no reason to doubt. More importantly, Kang Yiwon didn’t even have time to meet Kim Arin. Fans speculated they were dating within the agency since they were from the same company, but Yiwon was so busy with drama filming that he barely had time to visit the office. On days he finished early, he’d come straight to Jewoo, clinging to every spare minute. Unless Kang Yiwon had a clone, cheating was impossible.

“Did you know that less than two days after the rumors started, Kang Yiwon’s side put out a denial?”

“They did?”

He hadn’t known that part.

“The company even released an official statement.”

Not just a post on Yiwon’s personal SNS, but an official company statement—Jiho clicked his tongue, imagining how much Yiwon must have nagged his manager to make that happen.

“He probably didn’t want you to misunderstand.”

That was likely it. Jewoo hadn’t even hinted at hearing the rumors, yet Yiwon went that far, leaving him a bit embarrassed.

“I’m too scared to even get jealous carelessly.”

He genuinely thought that if he got jealous over trivial rumors like this, Yiwon’s reaction might be unpredictable.

“Do you even get jealous?”

Jiho asked, genuinely curious. Having watched Jewoo closely for years, he’d never seen anyone as detached from jealousy as Han Jewoo. Jewoo hadn’t dated since college, so that was a given, and he’d never seemed envious of other successful actors either.

“Of course I do. Showing it is a different matter, though.”

“You must really like him.”

It wasn’t worth responding to, so Jewoo just grinned.

“Whatever it is, please, I beg you, keep it under control at the awards ceremony.”

“I’ll try.”

He promised to try, but Jiho shook his head, unconvinced.

🎞️✮⋆˙

Unlike Jewoo, who arrived in Hong Kong the day before, Yiwon was set to arrive on the afternoon of the awards ceremony due to his drama filming.

The event spanned singers, actors, and variety stars, with awards not just for Korea but also Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries, making it massive. Still, since it was hosted by Korea and K-POP and K-dramas were booming, the focus was largely on Korean celebrities. Awards for successful singers, dramas, and films from other countries were interspersed throughout.

It was Jewoo’s first time at such a huge awards ceremony. The waiting rooms stretched endlessly, and with celebrities and staff bustling about, backstage was chaos. Even stepping out briefly to watch the rehearsal stage and finding his way back to his waiting room was a task.

As evening fell, the ceremony officially began. The stage was mostly dominated by singers, so Jewoo, an actor, had little to do. He was watching the stage on the monitor in his waiting room when a knock sounded at the door.

“Who is it?”

Jiho, who was with Jewoo, answered on his behalf.

“It’s Kang Yiwon.”

At the voice from outside, Jewoo jumped up and opened the door.

“You just got here?”

“I arrived a while ago, but I was getting makeup done and preparing.”

Yiwon stepped inside as he answered. Jiho tactfully excused himself.

“You look even more impressive all dressed up.”

It had been a while since Jewoo last saw Yiwon in a full-on glamorous suit with makeup. Already striking, he stood out even more when polished up.

“Falling for me again?”

Yiwon grinned, wrapping an arm around Jewoo’s waist and pulling him close, closing the gap between them instantly.

“What are you doing?”

Jewoo pushed against Yiwon’s chest as he leaned in.

“You know.”

With a low whisper, Yiwon pressed his lips to Jewoo’s with a soft smack before pulling back.

“I have to head out soon.”

“So just a kiss. Okay?”

Jewoo couldn’t refuse the pleading guy. As he relaxed the resistance he’d been putting up, Yiwon, as if waiting for it, covered Jewoo’s lips again. Alternating between sucking on his upper and lower lips, he left them tingling.

“Stop, mmph!”

Jewoo tried to turn away, but Yiwon followed, sealing their lips together completely. The intrusion of his tongue left Jewoo dizzy. He pounded Yiwon’s chest with his fists, but Yiwon didn’t budge. Only after Jewoo gave in as much as Yiwon wanted did the arms around his waist loosen.

“My lips feel swollen.”

Looking in the mirror, Jewoo sighed.

“Let me see.”

Yiwon turned Jewoo around, brushed his lips with a hand, and grinned.

“Even swollen, they’re pretty.”

What was he supposed to do with this lovesick fool? Too tired to argue, Jewoo just shook his head.

“If it were up to me…”

“Stop. That’s enough.”

Cutting Yiwon off with a stern look, Yiwon nodded as if he understood. Still, he kept inching closer. Just as Jewoo was about to push him away, a knock interrupted.

“Mr. Han Jewoo, please head to your seat.”

It was time to move to the front-row waiting seats for award recipients. Jewoo quickly replied with a loud “Yes.”

“You?”

“Let’s go together, obviously.”

Since they’d be seated next to each other anyway, they agreed and stepped out. A staff member waiting to guide them froze upon seeing them emerge together.

Did she hear something? Unlike Jewoo, who grew anxious, Yiwon flashed the staff member a bright smile.

“We can go together, right?”

At Yiwon’s question, the staff member, who’d been staring blankly, answered a beat late with an “Of course.” As they walked to the seats, she kept sneaking glances between Yiwon and Jewoo.

She definitely suspects something.

Imagining what she might be fantasizing about made Jewoo’s ears burn.

Once seated, the drama awards segment was underway. Clips of popular dramas from the past year played, country by country. Among them was the drama Jewoo and Yiwon had done together.

“It’s already been a year.”

Watching the clip, Yiwon leaned toward Jewoo and whispered in his ear. The drama’s casting had been finalized in March of last year—exactly a year ago. The time had flown by without him even realizing it.

“Back then, I never imagined we’d be sitting here together.”

At Jewoo’s remark, Yiwon chuckled. Right then, a cheer erupted from the audience. Startled, Jewoo looked up to see himself and Yiwon filling the giant screen. It seemed the camera had caught Yiwon laughing at Jewoo’s comment at just the right moment.