I Want to Be a VTuber-Chapter 298: A Step of Miracle (4)

Dressed neatly in a suit, Park Jungwoo arrived at the awards ceremony and briefly looked around.

He saw several actors who had arrived around the same time as him.

"Not too early, but not too late either."

Arriving at just the right time was the best choice.

Arriving too early or too late would both draw unwanted attention.

For Park Jungwoo, who hadn’t filmed a movie this year, there wasn’t really any reason to attend this awards ceremony.

The reason he was here today was simple.

"I’m the host."

He had been selected as the host for the ceremony.

Honestly, he thought it would be better for someone with more experience and an older age to do it, but he also knew that such opportunities might not come again.

Experience is key.

As his father always said, Park Jungwoo decided to take the opportunity to host after careful consideration.

"Actor Park Jungwoo! Do you have any predictions for today’s winners?"

"Which film do you think stood out the most this year?"

As soon as he stepped out of the photo zone, the voices of reporters filled the air.

"Would I even say?"

One wrong word here and he could easily find himself in a scandal.

But if he went further inside, the reporters might follow him, so all he had to do was endure for a bit.

As Park Jungwoo waved and moved forward, he heard the rising voices.

"Oh!!"

"Over here!!"

He couldn’t help but stop in his tracks.

The gazes that had been directed toward him suddenly shifted elsewhere.

"Who could it be?"

There weren’t many people who could attract such attention.

It was likely one of the big names who had made headlines this year, either a director or an actor.

Park Jungwoo thought, "Could it be...?"

Then, he saw the actresses getting out of the van.

Jo Sehee, followed by Ju Seoyeon.

And last but not least, Lee Jiyeon.

They were the main actors from Kyungsung Lady, which had caused a huge stir this year.

It was no surprise that the reporters had turned their attention to them.

This year, without a major film role, Park Jungwoo had no reason to be at the awards ceremony.

But, of course, actors who were likely to win awards would always steal the spotlight from hosts.

"Well, they did dress up... Wait, what?"

Jo Sehee had, as usual, arrived in a perfectly suited black dress.

Lee Jiyeon was wearing an impressive red dress, which suited her well.

But the biggest surprise was Seoyeon, wearing a white dress that looked like snow.

"I thought she'd wear something dark."

Considering the roles and characters Seoyeon had played this year, it made sense to think she’d go with something darker.

Cha Seoa and Yuna, for example, had shown lighter, more feather-like acting in television dramas, but in the film world, Seoyeon had been anything but light.

On the big screen, she had a heavy, overpowering presence.

So, Park Jungwoo had expected her to choose a dress that matched that intensity.

But to see her in white, like a swan—he had never imagined it.

That alone was surprising, but what mattered more was the way Seoyeon carried herself.

It was her demeanor.

The way she walked gracefully, her steps full of elegance, gave off a deep sense of dignity.

It was truly the walk of a princess.

Normally, Seoyeon had a cold, winter-like image, and honestly, unless she was showing her cheerful side on variety shows, she was hard to approach.

But today, it was different.

It felt like a spring breeze.

Park Jungwoo knew Seoyeon well, so he couldn’t help but shut his eyes.

He knew he couldn’t keep watching.

"Acting!! She’s acting!!"

Everyone was captivated by Seoyeon’s graceful presence, so much so that they forgot to press their camera shutters in the moment.

The girl, who usually had a cold, distant air, was now showing a softer side, and it was only natural for people to react this way.

Especially Han Seona, Seoyeon’s number one fan, who had fought fiercely for her spot at the front, was tearing up.

"Noble."

It had been a long time since Seoyeon showed such a noble side.

The image of Seoyeon from the recent Violle ad came to mind.

"What’s going on with her?"

Lee Jiyeon, who had spent so many years with Seoyeon, watched her with a puzzled expression.

It was a strange sight to see.

She remembered when Seoyeon had played Princess Yeonhwa as a child, and she thought she had looked like this back then...

She looked Seoyeon over, thinking back to those days.

"Seoyeon has really sharpened her skills."

Jo Sehee, on the other hand, simply nodded.

Yes, this was the same Seoyeon who had almost killed Park Jungwoo once.

It was Jo Sehee’s first time seeing Seoyeon in person, so she couldn’t help but feel a chill.

At least Jo Sehee had been warned in advance, so she had prepared herself for it.

That day, when Seoyeon had come to pick up her dress, she had said this:

"I’m planning a major image overhaul."

"?"

"I found a good way recently."

Anyhow, the film festival was a place where the event was broadcast live, and many people would be watching.

It was the perfect place for managing one’s image.

"More than anything, if I came out looking like my usual self, there’s a chance I might get on people’s bad side."

While not as much as Jo Sehee or Lee Jiyeon, Seoyeon knew that her usual vibe—cold and distant—didn’t make her easily likable.

It was a bit aloof and chilly.

Though it was expected, if she ended up winning an award, that side of her would likely stand out more.

She had cried a lot as a child, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) but would she still cry now?

She’d feel emotional, but whether it would show on her face was another matter.

If she thanked them in a deadpan way, she might get labeled as a "shameless teen who won an award" in the articles.

...But usually, that wouldn’t happen. You never know with the way things work, though.

In the end, Seoyeon’s solution to this dilemma was to release the princess trapped inside her heart.

But even that wasn’t easy.

In the end, it meant acting.

Without a script, live... How did she manage before?

And if she ended up staying in that state all day, what then?

Despite the worries, today, Seoyeon had managed to pull it off successfully.

"More than anything..."

Seoyeon greeted the reporters softly and waved as she walked away.

The reporters, too stunned by her presence, couldn’t bring themselves to ask anything and simply watched her walk away.

"The poster looks great."

As Managing Director Kang Taejin had mentioned earlier, at this year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards, many posters of movies and Netflix OTT dramas were displayed. Among them, one poster stood out in particular.

A black and red poster, with an image completely opposite to the one Seoyeon was showing today.

Seeing that stark contrast, Seoyeon smiled faintly.

It had truly been a great success.

****

The star of the year.

This year, the struggling cinema industry had finally started to recover.

It was rare for so many hit films to come out in a single year.

But this year, there were at least five films that had garnered more than 5 million viewers.

This was an incredibly encouraging result, so neither the actors nor the reporters could easily predict who would win the awards.

"Except for one person."

A few actors glanced at the girl sitting upright with a straight posture.

She was truly beautiful.

The veteran actors squinted their eyes gently as they looked at her.

Young male actors rubbed their eyes, some of them staring blankly.

Ju Seoyeon.

The brightest star this year.

If anyone were to choose just one, they would surely pick her.

Had she starred in a leading role this year, she would have undoubtedly won Best Actress.

"It’s just a matter of time, soon."

Everyone in the room was certain that she would soon be crowned Best Actress.

In fact, this year, she might even win Best Supporting Actress as her last chance.

"Unni, do you think this year you’ll win Best Actress?"

"...Hmm?"

Yeonari, from Horizon Company, whispered to Hwang Minhwa.

She didn’t like one actress in particular who was drawing so much attention.

At first, Yeonari had no ill feelings, but when someone started monopolizing attention like this, it was only natural for her to get annoyed.

She, too, had been one of the most active actresses this year.

"Well, I don’t know."

"Right? As expected, unni..."

"Hmph. How should I know?"

Yeonari was taken aback by Hwang Minhwa’s gruff response.

"Has she already started managing her image?"

Hwang Minhwa was the type of actress who managed her image depending on the person.

Yeonari, who had become one of Hwang Minhwa’s closest allies at Horizon Company, was one of the few actresses who saw her real self.

Normally, Hwang Minhwa would have been irritated by such a question, but Yeonari knew that this time was different.

Though The Chaser had lost out, Utopia had surpassed 6 million viewers.

And her performance was flawless.

Could there have been a better female lead this year?

After thinking for a while, Yeonari realized that there wasn’t.

"Maybe... Kyungsung Lady?"

If she had to choose one film, it would be Kyungsung Lady, which was still showing in theaters.

Honestly, it wasn’t her type of film.

Yeonari didn’t feel comfortable with LGBTQ+ films.

That aside, she thought the performances in the film were excellent.

"If she’s the lead, it must be that girl sitting next to Ju Seoyeon."

Lee Jiyeon.

The girl sitting with a somewhat nervous expression.

Lee Jiyeon’s performance in Kyungsung Lady had been a breakthrough.

It was like seeing an actress who had discovered the power to break out of her mold.

That intensity was particularly evident in the latter half of the film.

So, it was impressive.

To be honest, Yeonari was a bit shocked.

This was an actress who had only appeared in a few cable dramas, yet she was delivering such a powerful performance.

Her career was still young compared to Yeonari’s, but had Yeonari ever delivered a performance as strong as Jiyeon’s in Kyungsung Lady?

No, she hadn’t.

"But... Best Actress is still a bit out of reach."

There were flaws.

As a rookie actress, Jiyeon’s early performance had shown some rough edges, but that had been balanced out by a strong finish.

That might have worked in her favor, but most people would recognize it as a slight trick.

She could have fooled them with her powerful performance in the latter half, which led to her being praised.

Yeonari knew this, so Hwang Minhwa must have known it as well.

"What are you looking at?"

"Ah, nothing."

Yeonari found herself wondering what Hwang Minhwa was dissatisfied with.

She thought to herself that Hwang Minhwa was really a person she could never understand and turned her gaze forward.

"Then, let the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards begin."

The battle of the stars was about to start.

****

To be honest, Jiyeon had no expectations of winning an award.

She had done well in Kyungsung Lady.

Everyone praised her acting, but she knew there were parts she hadn’t nailed.

It was impossible to beat out the more experienced actresses who had delivered standout performances this year.

Best Actress?

If Jo Sehee hadn’t already won a Best Actress award, she might have taken home the title this year.

Jo Sehee had said she did better in Kyungsung Lady, but that was only in the latter half.

Her performance had been intense but short-lived.

"She was lucky."

At the same time, Jiyeon thought,

Could she perform like that again?

If it wasn’t this year, would she ever have another chance like that?

The day might come when she would hold the greatest honor for a female actress: Best Actress.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but feel a slight trembling in her hands.

And in that moment, she noticed Seoyeon glancing at her with a peculiar expression.

It was similar to the look she had given her in the theater, but it felt different.

Then...

"I’m not going to catch you today."

In a playful yet calm voice, Seoyeon spoke.

"I don’t need it."

At Seoyeon’s answer, Jiyeon blinked in surprise.

"Where has that sly smile of Seoyeon gone?"

Seoyeon, who usually had an awkward smile, sometimes showed a smile that was hard to watch.

But today, she smiled like a flower, and whenever she did, the gazes around her seemed to draw in even faster.

At first, it was just interesting and funny, but now, Jiyeon couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

She shot a glare toward the people who were watching Seoyeon.

At least, her own mind was at ease now.

"Jiyeon, I know you're nervous, but can you stop moving so awkwardly?"

"...Alright."

Jiyeon was scolded by Jo Sehee.

By the way, Seoyeon was sitting right between the cast of The Chaser and Kyungsung Lady.

At the large round table where everyone involved in the works was seated, Seoyeon had strategically placed herself right in the middle.

It was a considerate move, to say the least.

"This year, we have some incredibly fierce nominees, but I’m just relieved I wasn’t in any of the nominated films."

"I feel the same. This year, there have been so many talked-about works. It’s really hard to predict which one will claim the honor."

Park Jungwoo, the host, managed the ceremony smoothly despite his youth.

The actress co-hosting with him followed his lead, continuing the conversation.

"Now, we will announce the winners of the Filming Lighting Awards."

The awards ceremony had started, and one by one, the winners were called up.

It began with the lighter categories.

"For the Popular Star Award... Ah, yes. It’s this person."

"Yes, the award goes to Ju Seoyeon!"

Next, the sequence for selecting the celebrity who had gained the most attention this year.

It was no surprise that Seoyeon was chosen for this.

Seoyeon seemed a bit embarrassed as she walked up to the stage, as though she hadn’t expected it.

"I knew it, it feels different today."

"Was she always like this?"

Those watching on TV couldn’t help but wonder.

Seoyeon stood with steady, graceful steps on stage, tapping the microphone before speaking.

"I didn’t expect to be standing here so quickly."

"Oh, you thought you’d come out later, then?"

"Oh, did I misspeak?"

Park Jungwoo, who had been joking lightly, couldn’t help but smile as Seoyeon’s words made him laugh, though the moment passed quickly.

Of course, the laughter didn’t last long, but everyone around seemed to be enjoying it.

"This year, I received so much love. I will continue to work hard to live up to everyone’s expectations."

The ceremony was still ongoing, so Seoyeon’s speech wasn’t long.

There were still many awards left to be given, so there was no reason to drag it out.

Her kind words made even those who knew her well blink and rub their eyes.

"One down."

When Seoyeon returned to her seat, many people congratulated her, and Jo Sehee, speaking in a quiet voice, said,

Now one down, huh?

To anyone who overheard, it could have been a dangerous remark.

"Anyway."

Seoyeon glanced at Jiyeon.

She had smiled lightly earlier, but there was still some worry in her heart.

This year, Jiyeon had truly given an excellent performance, and Seoyeon hoped she would win something.

But honestly, Seoyeon was a little worried too.

Others might tell her not to worry, but nothing was ever certain.

What if they gave her the Popular Star Award just to soothe her?

Without realizing, she began to think that way.

"I’m not made of steel either."

In the end, it was clear that her past life had made her heart strong as a child.

But now, her walls felt a bit weaker.

"But I worked hard."

Seoyeon silently waited.

Hoping for another chance to stand there again.