PTK Ch 25

“Working hard to build my body, what’s the point? There’s nowhere to show it off.”

The trainer grumbled as he handed over a bottle of water. “Thank you,” Euihyun said, accepting it. A sip of water after sweating profusely was priceless.

“Ask the director to at least expose that Adam’s apple.”

“Haha.”

“Huh? I wasn’t joking. Why bundle up an actor who works this hard, in a padded jacket, gloves, and goggles? What a waste is that?”

His complaints had continued ever since he heard the news of Euihyun’s new project. These days, it’s more trendy for men to take their clothes off than women, and he was lamenting that the director didn’t know that. It was understandable, as Euihyun’s physique was recently in top condition. It was thanks to his diligent exercise. The trainer, unable to bear seeing such a precious body alone, insisted every time they met that they should at least capture it in a pictorial.

“This movie has a long location shoot, and there are quite a few action scenes, so the director told me to build up my stamina. Thanks to you, trainer, I don’t have to worry about that. I can really feel how much healthier I’ve become lately.”

Euihyun consoled him, praising the trainer’s contribution. The trainer pouted his lips but pretended to be proud.

“Well, it’s not water weight that’ll disappear quickly, so let’s maintain it well. You worked hard today. Shower and get some good rest.”

“Yes. You go ahead.”

They bowed to each other. The trainer left the gym first. Euihyun packed his towel and clothes and habitually checked his phone. A new message had arrived. The sender was, as always, Cha Yiljoo.

Are you working out? I’m thinking of stopping by the company for a bit.

The message had arrived about ten minutes ago. He quickly replied. The message was read immediately, and a reply came just as quickly.

Then I’ll see you later:—)

A smile slowly spread across Euihyun’s face. Then, he suddenly stopped and quickly left the gym. Normally, he would have rested a little longer and caught his breath. But he couldn’t meet Cha Yiljoo covered in sweat. He was even more anxious because he didn’t know where Cha Yiljoo was or how long it would take him to arrive.

He showered and washed his hair quickly. As soon as he came out, he started drying his wet hair. Despite the heating being on, he shivered from the sudden temperature change. Still, he didn’t start putting on his clothes until his hair was almost dry.

He put on his underwear and pants first and was just about to put on his shirt. The closed door suddenly burst open. It seemed he hadn’t noticed the presence outside because of the hairdryer noise. It was none other than Cha Yiljoo who was entering.

“…Oh, you’re already here?”

He stopped what he was doing and stared blankly at the doorway. Cha Yiljoo, who had hesitated for some reason, approached with a grin. The hem of his half-worn shirt was caught in Cha Yiljoo’s hand. Only then did Euihyun realize that he hadn’t buttoned his shirt completely. He fumbled to button it up, but Cha Yiljoo stepped in.

“I’ll do it.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Did you have lunch?”

Cha Yiljoo naturally changed the subject, ignoring Euihyun’s protest. Euihyun said yes, but his attention was entirely focused on Cha Yiljoo’s hands. Each time the long fingers twisted slightly, a small button was fastened. Euihyun’s whole body stiffened just from Cha Yiljoo’s proximity.

Forgetting even to breathe, Euihyun watched Cha Yiljoo’s every move. A smile didn’t leave Cha Yiljoo’s face, as if something pleasant had happened. Every time the shirt collar was lightly pulled towards him, Euihyun pressed his lips together. He found himself lamenting why there were so many buttons on the shirt.

Cha Yiljoo, who carefully buttoned the shirt to the very bottom, also fastened the buttons on the sleeves.

“Actually, I came earlier to have lunch with you. But my schedule ran later than expected.”

“Then you skipped lunch?”

“I can grab a quick bite later.”

“You should have a proper meal, you didn’t have to come here…”

“It’s alright. I had to come here anyway for something.”

Did Simon Kim call him again? Euihyun made a guess and put on a thin cardigan. He absentmindedly tried to button it and then suddenly became busy. In case Cha Yiljoo offered to do it again, he breathlessly fastened the buttons. Cha Yiljoo, who was watching him, chuckled.

“Euihyun, I think you buttoned that wrong.”

“Oh.”

He could have pretended not to notice, but he pointed out the clumsy mistake. Euihyun fiddled with the remaining buttons and finally lowered his head. Then, he fumbled with his fingers again, unbuttoning all the buttons and fastening them again. His ears felt like they were about to burn.

Suddenly, Cha Yiljoo’s fingers touched his scalp. He repeatedly brushed through the damp hair. He flinched involuntarily at the unexpected touch. A drowsy yet cool sensation spread through his limbs. The fine hairs on his ears and nape stood on end.

“Dry your hair. You shouldn’t catch a cold.”

“…Yes.”

Euihyun quickly brushed his hair back. Cha Yiljoo’s hand, suddenly without a task, naturally went down and lifted his sleeve. He checked the time on his wristwatch.

“Do you have any schedules tonight?”

“No.”

“Then do you want to come to my place?”

“…Yiljoo’s place?”

It was an unexpected suggestion. He had only been to Cha Yiljoo’s house twice. One of those times was because of Simon Kim’s request, and the other time… The memory of falling asleep with Cha Yiljoo came to mind unbidden. It probably wasn’t an invitation in that sense, but…

“It looks like it’ll be quite late when the recording is over.”

At the following explanation, Euihyun nodded, saying, “Ah.” Cha Yiljoo had invited him over simply because there was nowhere else to go late at night. But what was he thinking? A sigh escaped from within him in self-reproach.

Around that time, he heard a presence outside the door. Soon, the door opened, and Manager Han peeked inside.

“Yiljoo, you were here? You said it was urgent. We need to move now.”

“Yes. I’m coming.”

So, it wasn’t Simon Kim who called him?

Cha Yiljoo, giving a regretful goodbye to the puzzled Euihyun, said, “Then I’ll see you later, Euihyun.”

“Yes. Good work.”

Cha Yiljoo smiled and turned around obediently. Manager Han went out first, followed by Cha Yiljoo. But before long, he stopped abruptly. Did he forget something? As Euihyun watched him curiously, he suddenly returned the way he had come. Then, Euihyun’s chin was grabbed.

Without a chance to avoid it, their lips met. Euihyun’s eyes widened. Cha Yiljoo licked Euihyun’s lips open with his tongue. And then, he breathed deeply into the gap. Euihyun’s cheeks puffed out. Cha Yiljoo chuckled at the sight and kissed him again.

Euihyun, who was helplessly subjected to this, blankly watched as Cha Yiljoo left and the door closed. Only after a while did he turn towards the locker. While taking out the hat he had worn, he absentmindedly looked in the mirror. His own appearance was starkly reflected there. It was a completely dumbfounded expression.

His head drooped. His face and neck flushed crimson.

🎥

The world was bathed in golden light. The sky, too, held a deep sunset glow, making it hard to distinguish between day and night. The breeze felt pleasant against his skin. His whole body felt as if it were wrapped in silk. He took a few steps. Foxtail grass, swaying with the wind, brushed softly against his fingertips.

He was immersed in this endlessly peaceful atmosphere for a long time. Until another hand slipped into his. Fingers intertwined, one by one. A pleasant warmth gathered in the touching palms. Soon, the owner of the hand led Euihyun, walking slightly ahead.

The path stretched endlessly. He walked and walked. No matter how far he went, his feet didn’t hurt, and he wasn’t out of breath. It was okay even if they didn’t do anything in particular, even if there was no conversation at all. Just being together like this made his heart unusually comfortable.

The person who had been walking ahead stopped. Euihyun’s footsteps also stopped. Just like that, they stood blankly for a while. The back that never turned around during that time made him uneasy. It was a familiar unease accumulated from experience.

Soon, the intertwined fingers loosened. He tried to hold on again, but the other’s hand slipped away too easily. A sense of emptiness filled his hands.

Goodbye.

The air rippled. That light vibration fell into his chest, carrying an immense gravity. He reached out to grab it but pulled back again. In the meantime, the other person strode farther away. He stared at the indifferent back and then hurriedly chased after him. However, the distance between the two only continued to widen.

He had only taken a few steps, but he was already out of breath. His lungs ached. His legs were heavy, as if walking through mud. While he hesitated, the other person became distantly far away. His heart grew increasingly anxious. He desperately flailed his limbs. However, his sluggish body didn’t follow his will.

He struggled and fell face-first. His hands and knees were covered in mud. He raised his head in dismay. The figure of the other person had completely disappeared.

The world, once full of golden light, instantly turned into darkness.

“…!”

He woke up with a start. His head was dizzy, and his ears were ringing. The breath that had stopped for a moment burst out erratically. Coughing slightly, he quickly moved his eyes. Monochrome furniture and a simple kitchen came into view. It was Cha Yiljoo’s apartment.

He remembered receiving a message from Cha Yiljoo saying he would be home later than expected. He was told to go in first, so he did. The house was freezing, so he turned on the boiler and looked at the script for his new project. The fact that his memory after that was blurry meant he must have dozed off.

As he came to his senses and tried to get up, the coat covering him slipped off. It was Cha Yiljoo’s. Did he come back already? He went to the entrance and saw Cha Yiljoo’s shoes neatly placed. The faint sound of water came from the bathroom inside the bedroom. It seemed he had fallen asleep for quite a while.

His throat was dry. He put some water on to make tea. Around the time he returned to his seat and picked up the script, he heard the sound of the door opening. Soon, warm humidity and the fragrant scent of lotion spread through the living room. He looked up and saw Cha Yiljoo coming out, wiping the water off. Their eyes met, and Cha Yiljoo approached with a languid smile.

“You’re awake?”

“When did you get here?”

“About ten minutes ago?”

“You didn’t wake me.”

“I thought about it because you were sleeping in an uncomfortable position, but I just left you because I didn’t want to disturb your sound sleep. Is your neck okay?”

He reflexively rubbed his neck. He definitely felt a stiff sensation. He touched the stiff area and subtly avoided eye contact. How long had Cha Yiljoo been watching him sleep? Even though they were lovers, it was still embarrassing to have his unconscious state observed.

Cha Yiljoo sat down next to him without hesitation. As the seat sank, Euihyun’s body leaned towards Cha Yiljoo. The characteristic scent of lotion became stronger. The hand massaging his neck slowed significantly. He felt an undeniable gaze from his side. He fiddled with the edge of the script and started a conversation.

“Aren’t you tired? Being out this late.”

“Studio recordings are all like that. When is the crank-in for your new project, Euihyun?”

“Early next year. It’s hard for everyone to coordinate their schedules at the end of the year.”

“It’s definitely a good thing for you to build your career as an actor, but…”

Cha Yiljoo’s words trailed off. Then, his scent drew closer. Euihyun was about to look to the side when Cha Yiljoo’s lips brushed against the corner of his mouth. His lips parted slightly, pressed gently, and then pulled away. Even then, Cha Yiljoo’s face didn’t move away and stayed close.

“I wish you weren’t so busy. It’s hard to see you even now.”

“Well…”

As soon as Euihyun opened his mouth, Cha Yiljoo kissed him again.

“Oh, um…”

Startled, Euihyun raised his arms in a defensive posture. He involuntarily turned his head to the other side. Cha Yiljoo grabbed Euihyun’s chin, made him look at him, and then immediately pressed his lips tightly against Euihyun’s.

Licking the border between Euihyun’s upper and lower lips leisurely, Cha Yiljoo pushed his way inside. A hot and soft tongue slid in, tracing Euihyun’s lukewarm mucous membrane. At the same time, Euihyun’s shoulders were pressed, and his body naturally fell backward.

Cha Yiljoo carefully laid Euihyun down on the sofa, supporting his back. He stretched out Euihyun’s awkwardly positioned legs next to his waist. Then, he pressed his whole torso against Euihyun’s stomach and leaned forward. The front of Cha Yiljoo’s gown opened slightly, revealing his thick chest. Euihyun stared blankly at the sight and then closed his eyes tightly. Cha Yiljoo’s hand slowly slid from Euihyun’s back to his waist and then to his buttocks.

He gently grasped Euihyun’s buttocks. Euihyun’s shoulders flinched involuntarily. As if to soothe him, Cha Yiljoo gently stroked Euihyun’s hair and explored his smooth mucous membrane to his heart’s content. He swallowed even the breath Euihyun barely managed to let out and eagerly sucked on his flustered tongue. As the base of his tongue tingled, Euihyun’s brows furrowed slightly. Wet saliva pooled inside his mouth. Some of it dribbled down his chin in the gaps between their lips joining and parting.

As his breathing gradually became ragged, Euihyun’s chest heaved rapidly. His eyes also became clouded with desire. Cha Yiljoo kissed his cheeks repeatedly as if coaxing him, while gripping his buttocks even tighter. Euihyun desperately grabbed Cha Yiljoo’s hand and groaned. Cha Yiljoo pressed his finger against the sensitive spot between Euihyun’s buttocks.

“…!”

As the inside of his buttocks was suddenly stimulated, Euihyun’s back stiffened. His face also turned visibly pale. Cha Yiljoo, who had been occasionally checking Euihyun’s reactions, abruptly stopped his hand. In that moment, Euihyun pushed him away and ran to the kitchen. White steam was pouring out of the kettle that was boiling water. He turned off the heat, and the surroundings became incredibly quiet.

Only after a long time did Euihyun turn towards Cha Yiljoo. His hands were clasped together below, and his head was bowed. He didn’t try to meet Cha Yiljoo’s eyes.

“I’m sorry. The water was boiling.”

It was a highly unconvincing excuse. Euihyun didn’t know why he had acted that way just now. Even though he had prepared himself to some extent, his body stiffened when it actually happened. An unknown sense of déjà vu washed over him, making him uncomfortable.

How could he explain this to Cha Yiljoo? He felt ashamed for making Cha Yiljoo, who must have been flustered by his sudden actions, feel awkward. He didn’t know how to resolve the increasingly awkward atmosphere.

Cha Yiljoo, who had been staring at Euihyun, got up. He slowly approached and held out his hand to the stiff Euihyun. When Euihyun didn’t move, Cha Yiljoo stretched his hand further and held Euihyun’s hand. Euihyun flinched again. And then he wore an even more flustered expression.

Cha Yiljoo smiled faintly and gently stroked the back of Euihyun’s hand with his thumb.

“I’m sorry for being hasty.”

“No. I was out of it.”

Euihyun vehemently shook his head, rejecting Cha Yiljoo’s apology. Cha Yiljoo, who had been tickling Euihyun’s hand for a while, gently placed his hand on the kitchen counter. Euihyun’s body was naturally trapped between the counter and Cha Yiljoo. When he raised his head, their eyes met at close range. Cha Yiljoo pressed his lips against the corner of Euihyun’s mouth again and then pulled away.

“Let’s take it one step at a time.”

Euihyun silently nodded. Cha Yiljoo softened his lips and slowly approached. Their lips gently met. At the comforting touch, Euihyun’s eyes closed softly.

🎥

“A little to the right.”

“Here?”

“No, a little further to the side.”

“Is this about right?”

“Yes, there.”

Euihyun operated the electric drill on the spot Jang Daewoong had approved. The heavy metal decoration was fixed in place.

“Ah, thanks. You’ve worked hard.”

Jang Daewoong quickly handed a drink to Euihyun, who was taking off his work gloves. “It was nothing,” Euihyun said, accepting it with both hands.

It was their first meeting in a while. Many things had happened, and they were both busy, so it wasn’t easy to see each other. Since Euihyun happened to call, Jang Daewoong invited him to the restaurant that was about to open. As soon as Euihyun arrived, he put on work gloves and offered to help, so Jang Daewoong couldn’t even properly ask how he was doing.

“Are you busy these days?”

“Compared to when I’m working on a project, I’m relatively free.”

“For someone in a relationship, time is never enough, no matter how much there is, but what are you going to do with so much work? Are you getting along well with him? Is he treating you well?”

“Yes. He treats me well.”

“How does he treat you well?”

Jang Daewoong playfully probed. Euihyun trailed off, saying, “Well…” His ears became noticeably flushed. This shy guy is actually in a relationship, and with the person he had been pining for alone. What could be more exciting than that?

“It’s a relief that the rumor issue was resolved well. Do you know how worried I was? Cha Yiljoo called me in the middle of the night, so I thought it was a very serious situation.”

Jang Daewoong recalled the past and patted his chest. To Jang Daewoong, Euihyun was a cherished younger brother before a fellow actor. He hoped Euihyun wouldn’t experience the same pain as him, both in love and in the entertainment industry.

“Yiljoo did?”

Euihyun looked at him with unfamiliar eyes, as if he didn’t know the whole story of that day.

“Yeah. That composed person was completely frantic.”

“Why did he call you…”

“Well, something happened, I couldn’t get in touch with you, and you weren’t home. He must have been worried. In that situation, he probably thought the only place you could be was my restaurant. He even asked me where your mother used to run her business. He seemed ready to search there at that hour if necessary.”

How far did Cha Yiljoo go to look for him? Euihyun remembered Cha Yiljoo’s face, angry like never before. Anxiety, desperation, and relieved emptiness were mixed on his hardened face. He looked like someone who had wandered through a desolate desert, about to give up everything, and then found an oasis.

“By the way, I’m really curious. How well does Mr. Manners treat his own lover? Don’t just die of happiness alone, tell me something. Since you stole everyone’s ideal type, the gay community’s dream, you should share your love story. Is he a good kisser?”

Jang Daewoong’s eyes sparkled intensely. Their hands were now clasped together. Cha Yiljoo’s kisses… As Euihyun recalled, his face flushed instantly. His gaze, which had been focused on Jang Daewoong, gradually shifted to the side. He finally lowered his head completely. That alone was a sufficient answer.

“Eek!”

Jang Daewoong let out a strange shriek and shook his body. He wrapped his arms around Euihyun and kept exclaiming, “What am I going to do, what am I going to do?” The more he did that, the lower Euihyun’s head dropped. Jang Daewoong thought about teasing him more but changed his mind, thinking it was too much.

“Is it awkward? He was hetero, after all.”

“Well, not really…”

“If you haven’t done it from behind, the resistance must be quite strong, but you’re saying it was okay?”

“Yes?”

A hollow voice returned. Euihyun had lifted his head and was looking at Jang Daewoong with blank eyes. His facial muscles were also slack.

With such a dumbfounded reaction…

“Oh, don’t tell me it hasn’t happened yet?”

Jang Daewoong asked just in case.

“Yes. Not yet.”

As expected. Jang Daewoong clicked his tongue and frowned.

“I didn’t think so, but he’s excessively gentlemanly. What has he been doing without touching you all this time? This isn’t a teenage romance.”

“…Actually, it’s me who has resistance.”

“What? You?”

Euihyun slowly nodded. He subtly tightened his grip on their clasped hands.

“Last time, things got a little heated, and I unconsciously pushed him away. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I still don’t know why I did that.”

“Did that happen at other times too? When hugging or kissing?”

“No. Those things were fine.”

“Did you perhaps not have any heavy petting or intimate physical contact? How was it then?”

“…There wasn’t anything particular then either.”

He’s fine with other physical contact but only reluctant about sex? What’s the reason? Jang Daewoong couldn’t guess the reason with shallow thinking.

“Did something happen before that? Something that upset you or made you uncomfortable?”

“I did have a dream for a moment.”

“A dream? What kind of dream?”

Jang Daewoong, wondering if there was any connection, listened as Euihyun recounted the dream he had just had. Jang Daewoong, who had been listening silently, made a rather serious expression. After a while, emphasizing that this was only his guess, he offered an unexpected opinion.

“Could it be that you’re feeling insecure?”

“Insecure?”

“Yeah. You said the man you briefly dated before Cha Yiljoo was also hetero.”

“…Ah.”

“It’s not exactly the same situation as with that guy, but Cha Yiljoo will soon be focusing on his overseas activities again. Could it be that your bad experiences in the past have turned into anxiety about the present?”

Is that so?

The past hurt from Kang Muhyung, the ominously ended dream, and Cha Yiljoo, who would soon return to his original place. Each piece of the puzzle fit together seamlessly.

“Are you worried that Cha Yiljoo will change like that guy? Every time you realize that your partner is a man, does it build up resistance? Once he starts his overseas activities again, will your bodies become distant, and your feelings will cool down, making you drift apart? Are you having such thoughts?”

Euihyun looked at Jang Daewoong with a shocked expression. It felt as if the feelings he hadn’t even realized himself had been seen through by someone else.

“I was worried about that. Unexpectedly, the beginning of a relationship is the most precarious. You’d think it would be all happiness, but when you actually meet, you see things you don’t match with, and you fight, really fight a lot, over trivial things. Not to mention between men and women who are biologically different, even same-sex couples have a hard time, but in your case, it’s even harder to become stable. You can’t even meet outside because your faces are known, it’s hard to see each other often because you’re busy, and now you have to face a long-distance relationship. Well, it’s not like he won’t come in at all because he’s focusing on overseas activities, and you can visit him yourself if you miss him, but it’s not easy to stay that passionate all the time.”

“It’s not like we have to see each other every day. We can call each other every day, and we can video call too.”

“That’s easy for you to say. Do you know what the success rate of long-distance relationships is? Do you know what the criteria for that success is? Marriage. Becoming a married couple and living together, whether it’s in a different region or overseas. We’re people who can’t do that.”

Jang Daewoong criticized Euihyun’s complacent attitude. Euihyun gave a rather bitter smile.

“What can we do about it?”

“Are we some kind of bus stop? A place to stop by for a while when it’s convenient and then leave? Euihyun, you’re not dating Cha Yiljoo with such light feelings. Then Cha Yiljoo should naturally feel the same way. You two should worry about your relationship together. Not you alone like this.”

“I don’t want to burden him.”

Jang Daewoong had been waiting for those words. Since it wasn’t like he didn’t know Euihyun’s frustrating personality, he clicked his tongue fiercely and retorted.

“You seem to be unaware because of your single-minded devotion, but there’s no business more uncompromising than love. If I give 1, the other person has to give 1 as well. If you give 10, you have to get that much back from the other person. If what you give and receive differs even slightly, then that relationship will undoubtedly fall apart. The one who unilaterally receives affection becomes neglectful and looks elsewhere, or the one who was burning alone gets exhausted and gives up. That’s why everyone is constantly bickering, trying to balance it out. That’s also why couples fight at the beginning of their relationships, saying the other person is wrong. The reason why long-term couples either succeed in marriage or break up easily is one and the same: they don’t have the courage to start that long, arduous process all over again with someone else. Or they simply don’t have the energy to continue that tiresome seesaw game any longer.”

Euihyun remained silent throughout. In that short time, his face became clouded with deep worry.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing that you’re feeling resistance. It’s something you have to confront eventually. If you can’t overcome even that kind of problem together, you have to rethink your relationship. Love isn’t something you can do just with feelings, you know.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“There’s only one way. Talk to Cha Yiljoo. In any case, it’s a problem the two of you have to solve; an outsider can’t find the solution for you. Have an open and honest conversation sometime. You might find that the problem is easily solved.”

“…”

“Do you want to lose someone you worked so hard to get?”

“It’s not that, but I feel like I’m being unnecessarily greedy.”

“Why do you think that? You’re not the only one who wants to be in this relationship. He’s into you too. So you should be more confident and proactive.”

Euihyun simply stared blankly at Jang Daewoong. Jang Daewoong encouraged a response, saying, “Yeah?” Only then did Euihyun reluctantly nod.

“The timing is perfect. Christmas, New Year’s Eve.”

Jang Daewoong suddenly looked out the window. At some point, snowflakes had started falling silently. He instilled confidence in Euihyun, who turned his head belatedly.

“Don’t worry. The power of love is quite formidable.”

Then, he added, “And besides,”

“The falling snow often creates miracles.”

🎥

Filming locations are always busy and chaotic. Unfamiliar equipment was lined up, and long wires were coiled haphazardly here and there. The staff bustled around the studio, preparing for the imminent shoot.

Amidst the chaos, Euihyun had his makeup done. It was for an S/S season photoshoot for an outdoor brand. He checked his overall hair styling and put on the clothes for the shoot.

“Our oppa really hit the jackpot. He’s even filming a commercial called ‘Top Star Identifier’.”

As Euihyun zipped up his jersey, Jung Ijin chattered on behind him. She puffed out her chest with pride.

“I was briefly on TV in an interview before, you know? That day, I got calls from everyone from elementary, middle, and high school classmates to even kids I went to kindergarten with. They kept asking if I was really Jung Euihyun’s coordinator. On my grandmother’s birthday, my dad, who used to ask how much I could earn taking care of celebrities, bragged to all the relatives, saying ‘My daughter, my daughter!'”

“Oh, there you go again.”

Park Hanyoung, who was entering the dressing room, scolded Jung Ijin’s frivolousness.

“I’m doing this because I’m worried he’ll be nervous before the shoot. Trying to boost his morale.”

“It’s only adding pressure. Euihyun, if you’re ready, let’s go out?”

“Yes.”

Euihyun got up from his seat without delay. The filming team was waiting outside, fully prepared. He bowed repeatedly as he headed towards the camera. The staff also returned the greetings and welcomed him warmly. The photographer approached and explained the brand concept and the image Euihyun needed to portray today.

“The client’s opinion is that since it’s a brand that appeals to younger people, they want the pictorial to be rhythmical. Especially for your solo shots, Euihyun, they don’t want it to just show the clothes like other ready-to-wear, but they want dynamic motions to be well captured.”

“I understand.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The photographer stepped back, and the shoot began immediately. The lights on the surrounding equipment turned on, and everyone’s attention focused on one spot. The photographer didn’t give detailed instructions. He simply asked Euihyun to move freely.

Without any particular confidence, Euihyun thought of it as venturing down an unknown path no one had ever taken. He imagined leaping over rough terrain littered with all sorts of bushes and unpolished rocks. He then turned sideways and lowered his upper body close to the ground. Immediately after, he sprang forward as if bouncing. The camera shutter clicked incessantly. Because he wasn’t being supported, his center of gravity shifted dramatically outwards. He barely managed to avoid falling by stepping out with his other foot.

The shooting paused briefly. The photographer cheerfully commented to Euihyun, who was returning to his original position.

“That attempt just now was good. Let’s try springing up from a sitting position, to make it feel more dramatic.”

As the photographer suggested, Euihyun bent one knee and sat down. He positioned himself like a track and field athlete at the starting line. The photographer kept pressing the shutter, saying, “Good, good.”

“Change your pose and run!”

As if receiving a starting signal, Euihyun pushed off the ground elastically and stood up. His arms cut through the air in large arcs. His entire weight momentarily shifted onto his leg, which was extended widely forward. At that moment, the photographer shouted urgently, “Good! Hold it! Hold it!”

Euihyun put strength into his supporting leg. The shutter sound became much more frantic than before. The problem was that the move hadn’t been planned. He staggered as the momentarily increased weight combined with the forward momentum. He tumbled forward without a chance to react.

The shooting stopped immediately. Nearby staff members rushed over in surprise.

“Oh my, are you okay?”

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. I’m just not very athletic.”

Euihyun brushed off the concerned inquiries directed at him. Park Hanyoung came and carefully checked his hands, knees, and other areas.

“Euihyun, are you really okay?”

“Yes. I’m really alright.”

He smiled awkwardly and stood up abruptly. He even asked the photographer if they should do it again. The photographer shook his head.

“No. I think we already got one. Do you want to see?”

Euihyun moved to the monitor with the photographer. The images taken just a moment ago appeared one by one. As intended, the dynamic movement had been captured perfectly. His gaze, as if staring at something in front, and his roughly springing pose reminded one of a leopard. Satisfied smiles spread across the faces of the staff.

Around that time, the entrance became noisy. Min Ahyun, who had also been chosen as a model, seemed to have just arrived. At the sound of someone calling, “Euihyun,” he turned around. As their eyes met, she smiled brightly.

“You’re here?”

“I’m a little late, aren’t I?”

“Not at all. We had solo shots anyway, so we started filming already.”

“That’s a shame. If I had come a little earlier, I could have watched you filming. Is that the result?”

“Yes.”

Euihyun awkwardly touched the back of his head. Min Ahyun, carefully examining the photos, feigned great concern.

“Oh no, if you do this well from the start, what am I supposed to do? I’ll have to work really hard.”

“You’ll do even better, Ahyun.”

“Don’t pressure me. Then I’ll go change and come out.”

She continued to complain, but she headed to the dressing room without hesitation. As Euihyun stared blankly after her, Jung Ijin suddenly appeared behind him.

“I’m sure. 100% sure, with a woman’s intuition.”

“Yes, I’m sure. That the enemy is within.”

Park Hanyoung cut in, dampening the mood.

“Oh, you scared me.”

“You don’t know how tiring groundless rumors can make someone, do you?”

“Hey, I can’t even say anything. And is physical evidence the only kind of evidence? There’s circumstantial evidence, you know. Circumstantial evidence.”

“If you wanted to write romance novels, you should have become a novelist. Why did you become a stylist? Huh?”

Euihyun just smiled awkwardly at their usual bickering.

As soon as Min Ahyun finished preparing and came out, the shooting resumed. The two-shot was easier because it was a static composition. The work was completed in less than 20 minutes.

Euihyun shook hands with the staff as usual and said goodbye to Min Ahyun.

“Good work.”

“You too, Euihyun.”

“Get home safely. I’ll see you at the awards ceremony.”

As he bowed and was about to turn around, Min Ahyun suddenly called out to him.

“Ah, um…”

“Yes?”

“Do you have any other schedules after this?”

“No. This is my last one for today.”

“Then would you hang out with me for a bit?”

Did he hear that correctly? He was bewildered by the sudden request. Min Ahyun smiled awkwardly and added, “I have some time to kill before my next schedule. Would you like to have dinner together?”

“Ah…”

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

She added in a barely audible voice, as if afraid he might refuse. Jung Ijin, who had been watching with wide eyes, suddenly gave a mischievous smile. It was awkward, but Euihyun couldn’t embarrass Min Ahyun.

“Alright.”

The two moved to a nearby Italian restaurant. Since it was still early, they simply had pasta and a glass of wine each. Min Ahyun, savoring the wine, readily offered, “Eat a lot. I’ll definitely pay today.”

“No. I’ll treat you. You treated me last time too.”

“Oh, come on. I heard Cha Yiljoo paid for the last meal. I was supposed to pay originally. Let me take responsibility this time. It’s a way of thanking you since I was also chosen as a model for the commercial thanks to you. To be honest, I haven’t had much luck with commercials until now.”

“It’s not thanks to me, you’re too kind.”

“They probably chose me to complement you since they were already casting you. I don’t mind.”

Min Ahyun proposed a toast. Euihyun gently clinked his glass against hers. He habitually turned his body slightly as he drank the wine. The corners of Min Ahyun’s eyes crinkled warmly as she watched him.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. I think this is the first time since the project ended.”

“We saw each other at the VIP premiere of <Salieri>. Although we barely talked.”

“Ah, right.”

“How have you been?”

“I was busy with movie promotions until last month. I’ve only had some free time this month. These days, I’m going to action school and preparing for my new project in my spare time.”

“As expected, you’re diligent. I went to Paris for a photoshoot.”

“Is that so?”

Min Ahyun nodded with a faint smile. She kept fiddling with the thin stem of her glass with her hand. Euihyun waited silently, sensing her hesitation. Min Ahyun let out a long breath and finally spoke.

“At first, it felt like I was on a trip, and no one recognized me. It was really nice. It felt like I was enjoying true freedom for the first time in a while. I stayed a little longer after finishing my schedule to rest. At the hotel I was staying at, I happened to see <Salieri> being introduced. Seeing you on TV, Euihyun, so far away, I suddenly missed you a lot.”

Euihyun’s face went blank as he listened. It was so sudden that he wondered if he had heard wrong. His grip on the fork loosened. His eyes, gradually drifting away from Min Ahyun, soon wandered, lost. Min Ahyun, who had been observing his reaction for a while, smiled shyly.

“I’m sorry. Did I surprise you? It might sound out of the blue, but I thought today would be a good day to say it. After the upcoming awards ceremony, it will be really hard to see you. It’ll be difficult to make excuses to see you. I’m not the type to fret over things alone, no matter the outcome.”

“…”

“Actually, until the filming of <Ghost>, I only had a degree of liking for you as a fellow actor. But the more I saw you, the more I thought you were a really good person, both as an actor and as a human being. Someone you wouldn’t find again in the entertainment industry, at least. I was also amazed that someone like you managed to endure for 10 years. It was truly admirable how you steadily built yourself up during that long time, albeit slowly.”

Min Ahyun’s reminiscence stopped there. Even then, Euihyun couldn’t find the right words to respond. An awkward silence fell. Min Ahyun chuckled, as if she herself found it absurd.

“Until now, I’ve tended to consciously separate the characters in a project from myself. To avoid getting too immersed. It’s important to separate work from personal life. It’s not uncommon to become completely absorbed in the character the other person is playing while acting passionately. I don’t think that’s truly liking the other person, and I think it’s unprofessional, so I’ve always been careful. But strangely, it didn’t work well with you, Euihyun. Even though my head knew it was all a staged situation, just acting, you treated me as if you truly loved the person you were portraying….”

“I…”

“I know. You have someone else in your heart, Euihyun.”

“Yes?”

“I asked Cha Yiljoo briefly last time. Since you two are close. Even then, when my feelings weren’t as deep as they are now, I thought it was hopeless. As time passed, that thought became a certainty. You’re not someone who likes someone shallowly, Euihyun, and whoever it is, they’ll quickly come to like you.”

A solemn atmosphere settled. Euihyun didn’t know what kind of conversation had taken place between Cha Yiljoo and Min Ahyun, or exactly when it had happened. What was clear was that Cha Yiljoo knew about Min Ahyun’s feelings.

He shouldn’t drag things out, making it difficult to refuse. Even if it was uncomfortable at the moment, it was necessary to sort out their feelings clearly. That was what Min Ahyun would want as well.

As he carefully chose his words so as not to hurt her, his phone rang. Min Ahyun’s shoulders flinched. She must have been nervously waiting for his answer. Euihyun was also startled and froze.

“It seems like your phone’s ringing, you should answer it. It might be an important call.”

Min Ahyun urged him with a forced smile.

“I’m sorry. Just a moment.”

He checked his phone with an embarrassed expression. The caller was, coincidentally, Cha Yiljoo. Even though he wasn’t doing anything wrong, he felt a strange sense of anxiety. He stared blankly at the persistent phone and finally answered.

“Hello.”

— You’re late in answering. Are you still filming?

“No. I finished a while ago.”

— Is that so? Then where are you now? On your way home?

“I’m having dinner.”

— Ah. With Min Ahyun, perhaps?

Knowing who the other model was, Cha Yiljoo could easily guess. Euihyun’s mouth suddenly felt dry.

“Yes. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”

— …That’s a shame. It would have been nice if I could have joined you.

“Where are you?”

— I came to see a fashion show by someone I know. I was thinking of inviting you, Euihyun, if you weren’t busy. I thought your styling would already be done since it was a photoshoot.

“Ah…”

— Let’s at least see each other briefly tonight. Have a good time.

“Alright.”

He ended the call at a suitable point. Min Ahyun, who had been watching, smiled.

“It’s him, isn’t it?”

“Yes?”

“Your boyfriend, Euihyun. Your expression tells me everything.”

“…Yes.”

As he replied awkwardly, Min Ahyun’s smile deepened.

“You look happy. It’s the first time I’ve seen you with that expression, Euihyun.”

Was it strange? Embarrassed, Euihyun repeatedly rubbed his face. The conversation stopped again. Euihyun, fiddling with his phone, finally spoke with difficulty.

“Thank you. For thinking so highly of someone lacking like me. But I can’t return those feelings…”

“It’s okay. I’ve already heard enough of an answer.”

“I’m sorry.”

Min Ahyun shook her head slightly. As if to subtly shift their relationship, she said, so as not to burden Euihyun, “But we can still remain good colleagues, right?”

“Of course.”

Euihyun quickly nodded. A satisfied smile spread across Min Ahyun’s face.

After that, she continued with everyday conversation as if nothing had happened. She laughed and chatted more than usual. Seeing her trying to feign composure, Euihyun had no choice but to smile along, pretending not to notice.

A fashion show by a representative Korean designer was held at a luxury hotel in Seoul. The venue was bustling with celebrities from all walks of life. The media’s coverage was also intense.

After the stage was over, an after-party was prepared for the guests. Cha Yiljoo exchanged greetings with people he knew and was introduced to new faces. He shook countless hands and exchanged commonplace greetings, blending in with the crowd.

It was a series of complications, noise, and annoyances. He was starting to feel aversion to the ever-present watching eyes and to smiling readily whenever someone approached him. He glanced at his watch repeatedly, checking the time. But the more he did that, the slower time seemed to pass.

Sighing, he looked for a place to smoke. Suitable spots were already occupied by chain smokers. If he lit a cigarette, he would inevitably end up talking to them. And then he would be stuck listening to their uninteresting personal details for a while.

Eventually, he went up to the deserted rooftop. It seemed like they had created a sky garden using the space. But in this cold weather, it served no purpose. As he opened the door and stepped out, contrary to his expectation of finding no one there, he saw someone already occupying the space.

Judging by the flamboyant attire, the person also seemed to be a guest of the fashion show. As Cha Yiljoo was about to turn back, the man turned around. Cha Yiljoo faltered as he unintentionally recognized the face. The greeting came from the other person first.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

It was Jang Daewoong.

“Coincidentally, I was just looking for a light. Perfect timing.”

He holds out the cigarette in his hand. Having no other choice, I approach him and personally light it for him. I leave the lighter on the railing for convenient future use. Jang Daewoong says, “Thank you,” and then concentrates on smoking for a while.

Silently beside him, I look down at the scenery below the rooftop. Although I came up here with the thought of smoking, the fresh air has dissipated that desire.

A long time passes without any significant conversation. Just as the prolonged silence becomes awkward, Jang Daewoong speaks.

“I heard Cha Yiljoo put in a lot of effort to quell the rumors.”

“I merely did what I had to do.”

“It was something I was secretly worried about. Originally, the entertainment industry is rife with open secrets, and those kinds of things always explode after someone becomes famous. Because it’s more sensational to reveal things when the public’s attention is focused. Even if an unknown person happens to kill someone, they won’t get as much hate as a famous person who is homosexual or has had an affair. It’s bitter.”

“…….”

“I hoped Euihyun wouldn’t experience the same things as me. So, from the time Euihyun started to shine, I had equal parts anticipation and worry. I don’t know what would have happened if it weren’t for Cha Yiljoo. Euihyun isn’t a shameless type like me, so he would have given up acting, which he loves so much. As you well know, he has a strong will, but he’s also used to giving up. Especially if he thinks that he’s causing harm to others because of himself, he can’t bear it.”

“You seem to know Euihyun very well.”

“Well, we’re close because we’ve shared secrets we can’t tell others. People become closer when they reveal their vulnerabilities to each other. Not that being like us is a vulnerability. As I’ve lived life, I’ve developed an eye for recognizing similar people. That’s how I became close with Euihyun.”

Cha Yiljoo nods without replying. He feels like he’s heard something similar before. He had occasionally wondered how Jang Daewoong and Euihyun knew each other, and now his curiosity was satisfied.

Jang Daewoong takes out another cigarette.

“As you know from visiting once, that bar is a place where people in similar situations gather. It’s not a decadent establishment like the rumors say, but a space where marginalized people share their daily lives and worries, and empathize with each other. Of course, if they click, they also date. But Euihyun always came before or after business hours. He hasn’t tried to find a specific partner until now. So I’ve never given him relationship advice, but he talked about a man first.”

Jang Daewoong looks at Cha Yiljoo with a smirk.

“Honestly, I was quite pessimistic. I couldn’t tell him it would work out, even as a joke. In my opinion, Cha Yiljoo is completely straight. Honestly, I’m still not sure. Do you really like Euihyun? Is this just a momentary feeling or a whim?”

“I’m serious.”

“I want to believe that, too. But I’ve rarely seen cases where liking a straight person worked out, and even if they somehow become lovers, it doesn’t last long. It’s not something to get into without considerable resolve. But most people get swept away by impulsive feelings without thinking. They think that just because they like the person, just because they like them so much right now, everything will work out. Then later, when difficulties arise, they get scared and let go. They rationalize it by saying they weren’t originally that kind of person, it was just a temporary deviation, because it simplifies all problems. Then what about the person who’s left behind?”

He presses on as if questioning. Since he wasn’t demanding a response, I don’t reply. Jang Daewoong puts the cigarette back in his mouth and continues.

“People like us have similar worries. Even if the other person likes me, it’s still unsettling. Because we can’t get married and have children, or become a socially recognized family. The best we can hope for is ‘lovers.’ It’s much better if the other person has the same orientation. Because then we’re on the same page. But if one side is straight, the situation changes completely. For that one side, it’s a game they can play with just one chip, but the other side has to gamble everything.”

Cha Yiljoo’s listening face hardens. Even the smile he was wearing out of courtesy disappears. Jang Daewoong chuckles and clarifies his intentions.

“Don’t take my words too offensively. I’m not saying that Cha Yiljoo will be like that.”

“Then what is your purpose in saying such things?”

“I’m trying to give you some tips for Euihyun’s sake. I care about him, so I don’t want him to get hurt. I’m telling you two not to beat around the bush unnecessarily. He may hide it and pretend he’s okay, but he’s lived a lonely life so far. Euihyun.”

Jang Daewoong lights the cigarette he’d been holding in his mouth. He inhales the smoke until his cheeks are hollow. Exhaling a long breath of acrid smoke, he asks abruptly,

“You think it’s different because he’s a man, right? Or not?”

Cha Yiljoo doesn’t answer this time either. He just furrows his brow as if he doesn’t understand the point of the question.

“It’s better not to think ‘because he’s not a woman, because he’s a man.’ That kind of discrimination can be surprisingly hurtful. Whether the other person is a woman or a man, they are your lover. So you should cherish and care for them. But most people can’t do that. They’re so busy chasing the pleasure of the moment because they’re physically attracted. Of course, realistically, there are biological differences because he isn’t a woman. That doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s emotionally different, too. Women often have that suspicion when they’re dating, don’t they? Does this man only want my body? Doesn’t he really love me? Men are not without those anxieties. And they also want to be their lover’s number one priority.”

“It’s difficult to understand what exactly you’re trying to say.”

“I’m not trying to say anything in particular. It’s just that if it were someone else, they would at least complain, but Euihyun is absolutely not the type to do that. He doesn’t want to burden Cha Yiljoo unnecessarily. So I meddled a bit presumptuously. I sincerely hope things work out for you two.”

“Did Euihyun say anything to you?”

Jang Daewoong shakes his head.

“My meddling ends here. The rest is up to you two.”

He crushes the half-smoked cigarette and goes down from the rooftop first. Left alone, Cha Yiljoo stares blankly at the brilliant night view.

He takes out a cigarette and lights it belatedly. He seems lost in thought.

The phone call to Cha Yiljoo comes around midnight. It’s after he’d received a message saying that due to a late schedule, it would be difficult to see Euihyun today. He closes the script he was reading late into the night and answers the phone.

“Hello.”

— You’re still awake?

“I have a script to look over. Are you on your way home?”

— I’m still out.

“You’ve worked hard, late into the night.”

Worry for Cha Yiljoo is embedded in the commonplace words. He hears a low chuckle from the other end of the phone.

— Did you have a good dinner with Min Ahyun?

“Ah… yes.”

— It must have been nice to see her after so long.

There wasn’t a trace of suspicion in his gentle tone. A sense of unwarranted guilt washes over him. Should he be honest and tell him everything? No, maybe it’s better for him not to know at all. It was over anyway.

After repeated deliberation, Euihyun hesitantly speaks.

“Um, I properly rejected Ahyun. I thought you might be concerned.”

He struggles to confess and shuts his mouth tight. His heart pounds as if he’s made some great confession of conscience. There’s no response from Cha Yiljoo for a while. He pulls the phone away from his ear to check. The call hasn’t been disconnected.

— Is that so? Good job.

The praise comes a beat late. His tone is considerably softer than before. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, and he keeps fidgeting with them. His face flushes.

Cha Yiljoo then asks in detail about whether anything happened during the photoshoot, what he ate with Min Ahyun, if it tasted good, and what he’d been doing since he got home. He answers all his questions sincerely, as if being tested on his homework. Perhaps he’s a little excited because Cha Yiljoo listens attentively to even the trivial details and occasionally chimes in with “Is that so?” It was the same conversation they had every night. Even so, those commonplace stories recharged his weary heart.

As the call nears its end, Cha Yiljoo expresses his premature regret.

— What should we do? We couldn’t spend Christmas Eve or Christmas together. And because of the awards ceremony, it looks like it will be difficult to see each other on New Year’s Eve too.

“It can’t be helped, it’s because of work.”

— Still, it’s a shame. Of all things, why do the award ceremony dates have to overlap? I wanted to be the first to congratulate you on receiving your first award as an actor.

“I don’t even know if I’ll receive an award yet. Yiljoo, you absolutely must attend the awards ceremony.”

— You’re so modest.

“There are many other outstanding people besides me.”

As they chat, the other end of the phone suddenly goes silent. He calls out, “Yiljoo,” and checks again if the call has been disconnected. Cha Yiljoo murmurs belatedly.

— It’s snowing now.

“Ah….”

He quickly gets up. He opens the window slightly and looks outside. Amidst the dark surroundings, he sees white snowflakes fluttering down. Where the streetlight illuminates, shadows the size of the falling snowflakes appear and then quickly disappear.

“It’s coming down here, too.”

— Strangely, when it snows, the world seems to become quieter. I sleep well, too.

“I agree. You must be tired, so go inside and rest.”

— I should. Goodnight, Euihyun.

“Yes.”

He quickly ends the call, thinking of Cha Yiljoo. For once, he intends to be the one to press the end button. Just then, he hears Cha Yiljoo call out, “Euihyun.” He instinctively puts the phone back to his ear.

— Close the window so you don’t catch a cold.

“Ah, yes.”

— Then I’ll call you again tomorrow.

“Yes. Go inside.”

He says goodbye again. His head is unconsciously turned towards the window he just opened.

“…Oh.”

Struck by a realization, he stares blankly at the phone screen. Shortly after, the call ends. Just before, he heard the sound of a motorcycle passing by. Soon, the distinctive engine noise echoes from outside his house.

“……?”

He goes back to the window. It’s difficult to discern in the deep night, but he sees a flickering figure where the streetlight doesn’t reach. Because of the distance, he can’t make out their face or clothing.

The figure, who seemed to be staring in the direction of Euihyun’s house, soon turns around. Then they walk briskly down the hill.

He isn’t certain. Nevertheless, he hurriedly puts on his coat and heads for the front door. As he’s about to leave, hastily putting on his shoes, he hears a rustling sound. Trying to figure out its source, he notices a plastic bag hanging on the doorknob outside. The logo of a nearby convenience store is printed on it. He looks inside and sees two bottles of soy milk. When he touches it, the warmth is transmitted directly to his hand.

Just then, his phone rings repeatedly. Messages from Cha Yiljoo have arrived.

I left something at your door. I thought I’d be even later if I saw you, so I’ll just go today. Drink one before you go to bed. Don’t skip meals because you have an early schedule tomorrow.
He stares at the bag in his hand again. Then, his phone rings once more.

Sweet dreams.
A deep smile spreads across Euihyun’s stunned face.

🎥

The end of the year is a busy time for the media as well. They have to summarize the year, brief the government’s New Year policies and societal changes, predict various economic indicators, and check the overall livelihood of the people. Not to mention, they have to deliver a message of hope for the New Year to the citizens.

Entertainment media was not much different. They were busy summarizing the year’s incidents, accidents, and notable events, and capturing the scenes of the award ceremonies that would decorate its grand finale. Some even predicted the grand prize winners before the event.

Every year on the last day, each broadcasting station holds an awards ceremony. This year, the tradition continues. In a festive atmosphere that starts with Christmas, actors who have shone throughout the year walk the red carpet.

Euihyun is one of them. It’s his first time walking the red carpet alone, so he’s quite nervous. He takes several deep breaths before opening the door. Outside the car, it’s noisy with the cheers of the audience, the clicking of shutters, and the barrage of questions from reporters. The heat of the scene is transmitted directly to him.

Finally, his turn is imminent. Taking another deep breath, he steps out of the door opened by the staff member. Immediately, a dazzling barrage of flashes explodes.

He slowly walks through the brilliant tunnel of light. He waves to the audience members holding up their phones at the photo line. He willingly approaches fans who call out his name and desperately reach out, shaking their hands.

Arriving at the photo zone, he faces a concentrated barrage of flashes. Today’s Euihyun seems like a completely different person. He doesn’t know if it’s because of the outfit Simon Kim personally chose for him, or the meticulously styled hair.

“Jung Euihyun, please look this way!”

“Give us a wave over here, too!”

Requests pour in from all directions. As time allows, he actively participates in the photo session, looking at each camera.

“This way.”

A staff member rescues Euihyun, who’s struggling to leave his spot. Thanks to them, he’s able to escape the dizzying barrage of flashes.

Greeting every staff member he encounters, he enters the hall where the awards ceremony will be held. A waiting staff member guides him to the <Ghost> team’s table, right in front of the stage.

Min Ahyun, who arrived earlier, greets him with a smile.

“You’re here?”

“Yes. You came early.”

“My dress fitting finished quickly. How do I look today?”

She asks playfully, moving her shoulders. Min Ahyun is wearing a satin dress with an open top that reveals her figure. Her smooth skin and curves stand out.

Euihyun avoids looking directly at her and shifts his gaze slightly.

“…You look beautiful.”

It’s the reaction she expected. Min Ahyun bursts into hearty laughter and pats the seat next to her.

“Sit down, quickly.”

It seems he’d been standing the whole time without realizing it. He quickly sits down.

As actors arrive one after another, the empty tables quickly fill up. Preparations for the live broadcast also accelerate. The MCs come up and test the cameras, and staff members run busily here and there, following the PD’s instructions. Cameras at their respective positions are aimed at the stage and the actors’ faces. As the broadcast time approaches, the atmosphere becomes tense. With a final shout that filming will begin soon, the countdown starts. The actors, who were chatting or sitting nervously, all turn their attention to the stage.

Soon, the light on the camera focused on the center of the stage turns on. The broadcast has begun. The MCs appear to thunderous applause.

The award ceremony proceeds in a familiar pattern. Last year’s winners appear as presenters, announce the nominees, and bestow the honor of the award upon one or two of them. The winners give their prepared acceptance speeches and leave the stage, and the next award presentation immediately follows. In between, there are congratulatory performances by singers and rookie actors, or specially produced and edited videos by the broadcasting station are shown.

The category Euihyun is nominated for is Best Actor. One of the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees will win the grand prize.

Before that, he receives the Best Couple Award, determined by a preliminary online vote. It’s an award he didn’t expect, so he mindlessly repeats his thanks. It’s a good thing his partner, Min Ahyun, calmly gives her acceptance speech, or else a broadcasting accident might have occurred.

As midnight approaches, the event gradually comes to a close. All that remains are the Best Actor and Actress awards and the grand prize presentation. As time goes by, the cameras busily scan every corner of the tables. The faces of the likely award winners are broadcast moment by moment on the monitors on stage.

“Next, we have the Best Actor award presentation. Last year’s winner, Im Sihyeok, and singer and actress May will be presenting the award.”

With the MC’s introduction, the two presenters appear arm in arm. After bowing their heads in greeting, they continue their conversation, albeit awkwardly.

“Last year, I used up all my luck in life and had the honor of receiving this award, but I heard that selecting the winner this year was more difficult than ever.”

“That must mean there were many dramas loved by viewers, right? I heard there’s even a rumor in the broadcasting industry that this is the golden age of YBS dramas.”

“I think that makes this award even more valuable. Now then, we’ll quickly reveal who the winner is in this fierce competition.”

The male presenter opens the card containing the winner’s name. With a strange smile, he shows the card to his partner. The female presenter, with wide eyes, speaks into the microphone.

“We’ll announce it now. The winner of the YBC Miniseries Best Actor Award is…!”

The bustling atmosphere freezes. Tense music plays, and a strange tension hangs in the air among the nominees. The presenters, with smiles on their faces, look in a certain direction. A camera light turns on and suddenly points in the same direction. The excited voice of the presenter rings out.

“Jung Euihyun from <Ghost>! Congratulations!”

Immediately afterward, all the cameras focus on Euihyun. All the actors present stand up and applaud. The presenters on stage, the MCs, and the actors sitting at the same table all smile warmly at Euihyun.

Euihyun himself is dumbfounded and sits blankly. He can’t quite believe that it was his name that was just called.

“Congratulations, Euihyun.”

“Go on up.”

Min Ahyun and other actors urge him on. He gets up as if being pushed. Fellow actors continue to offer congratulations. Bowing repeatedly to each one, he walks onto the stage.

“Jung Euihyun has showcased a wide range of acting in various productions since his debut over 10 years ago. He’s received acclaim from production staff and viewers alike for his deep and appealing performances, befitting his experience. You could say he’s an actor who has personally demonstrated what it means to be a late bloomer.”

By the time the MC’s narration finishes, the presenters approach him. The female presenter hands him the trophy first. He bows and accepts it with both hands. Then, the male presenter gives him a bouquet. He also briefly hugs Euihyun. Immediately afterward, the cast and crew of <Ghost>, along with Kim Munsung, come on stage and present him with bouquets en masse. Euihyun’s face is almost completely hidden behind the bouquets he holds in both arms. The presenters, watching, guide him to the center of the stage where the microphone is located.

“Receiving an award is always an honor, but it seems especially meaningful for Jung Euihyun. Please share your acceptance speech.”

He pauses with a flustered expression. Park Hanyoung had advised him to prepare an acceptance speech just in case. However, he had never had much luck with awards before, and it felt like counting his chickens before they hatched, so he just laughed it off. Because of that, the words wouldn’t come easily.

He adjusts the bouquets in his arms. The rustling sound of the wrapping paper is picked up by the microphone. The presenters standing nearby try to take them from him, but he politely declines, saying, “It’s okay.”

The bright lights are blinding. It’s so bright that he can’t see the audience or even what’s right in front of him. He also doesn’t know how many people are watching him. Perhaps because of that, he can open his mouth without further delay.

“…Um, first of all, thank you. I didn’t expect to receive an award, so I didn’t prepare a speech. Please bear with me if I ramble. All the other nominees gave excellent performances, and I was impressed by each and every production as a viewer myself, so I’m a bit embarrassed that I was lucky enough to receive this award. Um, this is my first time in a situation like this, so I don’t know what to say. I’ll try to follow what other senior actors have done before. First, thank you to all the staff members who have worked hard with me to allow me to stand here. You’ve all worked incredibly hard. Also, I’d like to thank the agency staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I’ll continue to work hard at acting so that their efforts aren’t in vain. Lastly, I’d like to say a word to the viewers. Thank you for remembering me. Thanks to you, an unknown actor whose name was hard to find even in the end credits has finally regained the name Jung Euihyun. You have led me from a place untouched by the spotlight to this dazzlingly bright place. I’ll strive to be an actor who doesn’t disappoint your expectations. Thank you.”

He finishes his speech at an appropriate point and bows. The audience responds with cheers and applause. He bows again and is about to leave the stage when he suddenly returns to the microphone. He then speaks with an embarrassed expression, asking for understanding.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I left someone out.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

The red light on the camera directly in front of him comes on. He hesitates slightly, then looks directly into the lens and delivers the omitted thanks.

“I’d also like to express my special thanks to Cha Yiljoo. If acting is my second life, you are the benefactor of that life. I will be a person who repays your kindness. Thank you.”

He bows deeply and leaves the stage. Staff members of the awards ceremony offer their congratulations. Park Hanyoung, who was waiting backstage, takes some of the bouquets from him.

“Euihyun, congratulations.”

“Thank you. It’s thanks to your help, Manager.”

“What did I do? I’ll put these flowers in the car.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and it seems Cha Yiljoo is a strong contender for the grand prize at KBC. I just heard that the actor who was mentioned as another candidate won the Best Actor award.”

Park Hanyoung, about to leave, relays the news he was waiting for. It would have been nice to give him the bouquet personally. He feels a pang of regret, but it can’t be helped.

“And you know today is the company’s year-end and New Year’s party, right? Everyone seems to be having a great time. I’ll have the car waiting, so come out the back door as soon as it’s over.”