chapter 17

Chapter 17. Han So-hyun's Award Ceremony

After the set was mostly cleared, Jin-wook filmed a few more scenes inside the university building. Sung-sik and Joon-soo watched in awe, amazed to see a person they had only seen on TV and in movies acting right in front of them.

"Wow, this is amazing. I can't believe we're meeting Son Jin-wook."

"Hey, don't just call him by his name in front of him."

Sung-sik responded playfully to Joon-soo's admonishment, "Of course, I know that."

Jin-wook finished filming and approached Yeon-woo and his friends. "Yeon-woo, the director said he's going to film some more establishing shots of the campus, so we can head home early."

"Really? Shall we go then?"

The high school boys followed Jin-wook like ducklings.

"This is my car. Let's go."

Joon-soo and Sung-sik, riding in a van for the first time, were full of excitement.

"Hyung, your friends are getting younger and younger," Sang-woo, Jin-wook's manager, joked from the driver's seat. This was the second day in a row that Jin-wook had invited high school students to his home.

"Haha, you're right. Another date today?"

"Yes, sir. so tired."

Jin-wook and Yeon-woo chuckled at Sang-woo's reply. Despite claiming to be "so tired," he looked happy.

"Should we get some takeout?" Yeon-woo asked.

Jin-wook shook his head. "Let's just order in."

The van sped towards Son Jin-wook's home, carrying the excited boys.

They arrived at Jin-wook's place. The boys, who had been expressing their amazement since they entered the villa complex, got out of the car and followed Jin-wook.

They took the elevator and arrived at his apartment.

"Come on in, guys."

"Wow, thanks to Yeon-woo, we're visiting Son Jin-wook's home!" Joon-soo and Sung-sik were wide-eyed as they entered, taking in the luxurious entrance.

"Whoa, this is amazing."

They wandered around Jin-wook's apartment, full of wonder. Even Joon-soo, usually the more composed of the two, was acting like an excited teenager.

Seeing this, Yeon-woo quietly apologized to Jin-wook. "Hyung, sorry about them. They're just kids, and they've never been to a house like this before."

"Haha, it's okay, Yeon-woo. You always talk like you're not a kid yourself."

"That's true," Yeon-woo replied with a quiet smile.

While responding to Yeon-woo, Jin-wook observed his friends and thought that while their behavior was typical for teenagers, Yeon-woo was unusually mature.

"Alright, before the awards ceremony starts, let's order some food."

"Sounds good. Guys, come here."

Joon-soo and Sung-sik gathered around.

"What do you guys want to eat? I'm going to order something."

"Pizza!" Sung-sik answered immediately.

Jin-wook chuckled. "Good, classic is best. Hmm, I'll order pizza and chicken."

"Thank you!"

They placed the order, and Jin-wook gave them a tour of his home. The food arrived soon after.

"Alright, the food's here, and the awards ceremony is about to start."

"Jin-wook hyung," Sung-sik said hesitantly, as if he had a request.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Could we take a picture together? The four of us?"

"You're going to post it on Stargram to get more followers, aren't you?" Joon-soo teased.

"Actors have a right to privacy and their image. You can't just post pictures without their permission," Joon-soo scolded Sung-sik.

Jin-wook chuckled at Joon-soo's surprisingly mature behavior. "Normally, Joon-soo is right. But it's okay today. Let's take a picture. I'm the model for this pizza brand, so let's get it in the shot. I'll post it on my Stargram too. The sponsors will be happy."

He readily agreed and joined the boys for the photo.

"Hyung, are you sure it's okay?"

"Yeah, I haven't removed my makeup yet, so it's the perfect time."

"If you'll excuse me, then… One, two, three!"

Click!

"Wow, this is great. Hyung, is this picture okay? Can I use it?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

Joon-soo looked at the photo. "Are you sure you're okay with it? You look like a squid next to them."

"Hey, I still look better than you!"

Joon-soo shook his head.

Ignoring him, Sung-sik excitedly posted the photo in his family group chat and his class group chat.

Ding!, ding!, ding!

Joon-soo's phone notifications exploded.

"Dude, you already posted it?"

"I couldn't resist." Joon-soo muted his notifications and checked the group chats. Sung-sik had posted the selfie with Han So-hyun from earlier, along with the group photo they had just taken.

– Whoa, what the hell is this?

– Insane! Where are you guys, Sung-sik and Joon-soo?

– Yeah, where are you? Did you secretly go see Yeon-woo without us?

– I want to meet Han So-hyun too.

– Look at Yeon-woo, not even intimidated next to Son Jin-wook.

Joon-soo gave up trying to keep up with the rapidly scrolling chat and closed his phone. Sung-sik was grinning from ear to ear.

"Ugh, attention seeker."

"Haha, if I were a Joseon king, my nickname would be 'Attention Seeker.'"

Joon-soo and Yeon-woo shook their heads simultaneously.

"The awards ceremony is starting."

The four men turned their attention to the TV.

Han So-hyun appeared on screen.

"Whoa! So-hyun noona! Fighting!" Sung-sik's enthusiastic cheer made everyone laugh.

"Yeon-woo, you will be there someday, right? Make sure to mention my name!"

"Haha, I don't know. Our drama is on JNBC, so there's no awards ceremony."

"Ah, but you'll be there for your next project, or the one after that. With your looks, it's inevitable."

"Alright, I'll mention your name."

It was time for the Best Actress award, for which So-hyun was nominated. The presenter announced the winner.

–"And the winner is… an actress who received immense love this year for her role in a truly beloved drama. Han So-hyun, for her role as Lee Seon-jung in 'Flowers Falling on Hanyang'!"

–"Congratulations! A big round of applause, please. She captivated audiences this year with her portrayal of Joseon's first female scholar, Lady Bingheogak Yi."

So-hyun, receiving congratulations from her fellow actors, walked onto the stage to accept the award.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Jin-wook's home erupted in cheers.

"I knew our So-hyun noona would win!"

"Since when is she 'our' So-hyun noona?" Joon-soo nitpicked Sung-sik's excited outburst.

However, even Joon-soo, along with Yeon-woo and Jin-wook, was clapping and cheering.

–"First, I'd like to thank SBC and the 'Flowers Falling on Hanyang' team for this prestigious award. And… oh my, now that I'm up here, there are so many people I want to thank, but I can't remember all their names, hehe."

Her cute and playful demeanor brought laughter to both the awards ceremony and Jin-wook's living room.

–"First, CEO Kim Min-soo, and everyone at my agency, and Writer Jang Min-joo, and…" She listed several names, including her family and staff, then winked at the camera. "…and to Yeon-woo and Jin-wook, who might be watching this right now, thank you."

"Whoa! She just mentioned Yeon-woo's name! Right? Did I hear that correctly?"

Joon-soo nodded, confirming that he had heard it too.

"So-hyun, we agreed you wouldn't mention us since it's a different broadcasting company. She's incorrigible." Jin-wook shook his head, but he was smiling.

Yeon-woo was also surprised but pleased by the unexpected mention.

After the awards ceremony, Yeon-woo and his friends were each assigned a room to sleep in. The house was so large, and since Jin-wook lived alone, there were plenty of spare rooms.

"Are you sure I can have this room all to myself? It's as big as my living room." Joon-soo sat on the bed in the guest room, looking at Yeon-woo.

"There aren't any smaller rooms in this house anyway. Enjoy it while you're here," Yeon-woo replied with a smile. Joon-soo nodded.

Yeon-woo went to his assigned room, lay down for a bit, and then went to the living room for a drink before going to bed.

Bzzt! Bzzt!

His phone vibrated.

He looked at the screen.

-Actress Han So-hyun

"Hello, Yeo-reum noona. Congratulations on winning the award." Yeon-woo answered the call with a smile.

–"Did you see it? I mentioned our Yeon-woo!"

"Haha, yes, I saw it. I watched it with Jin-wook hyung."

-"Really?" So-hyun sounded surprised. –"Are you staying at Jin-wook's place again tonight?"

"Yes, we're here to watch your awards ceremony together."

-"So sweet!"

Just then, Jin-wook came out of the bathroom, brushing his teeth.

"Mmph, hwerwo?"

"Yes, it's So-hyun."

–"Is that Jin-wook?" So-hyun asked, having apparently heard him.

"Yes, but he's brushing his teeth, so he can't talk right now."

"Tell her conwathulationth!" Jin-wook said, his mouth full of toothpaste, then waved and returned to the bathroom.

"He says congratulations, noona." Yeon-woo understood perfectly.

–"Okay, thank you! I don't have any filming tomorrow morning, so I'll see you on the 28th!"

"Yes, it was cold during the outdoor shoot today, and I bet your dress was cold too. Get some rest and don't catch a cold."

–"Wow, so sweet! Goodnight, Yeon-woo."

Yeon-woo ended the call and went to his room.

The next day, after the morning shoot, Yeon-woo and his friends took the train back to Daejeon.

He walked home with a light heart, excited to see his family after several weeks.

He hugged his parents and sister, then they enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner of samgyeopsal.

After returning to Seoul, he completed additional filming and the drama poster shoot. The new year arrived.

Today was the day. Wednesday, January 3rd.

The premiere of "Summer's Closet."