A long red carpet. The caras of entertainnt reporters filled both sides. The photo wall visible beyond.
‘...How many years has it been?’
This entire scene was sothing Ha-eun had not encountered in a while. After attending the UBS Acting Awards as young Han Yoo-hwa in You Ca From the Stars, she hadn’t really attended any other award ceremonies since then.
The faint mories of receiving a juvenile acting award at the vast stage of the UBS Acting Awards and being overwheld felt distant now. She couldn’t even recall what kind of acceptance speech she had given.
The only thing that was clear was that, for the first ti since she was a child actor, Ha-eun was now walking the red carpet as a full-fledged lead actress. The realization that she wasn’t just a child actress but a respected leading lady slowly began to sink in.
-Swoosh.
After reaching the photo wall with Yoo Sung-jae, they stopped for a mont and waved their hands slightly towards the caras. A calm smile, typical of an actress, graced Ha-eun’s face.
The unease caused by Da-yeon’s Diah keychain had long since disappeared.
Perhaps that was why...
"…Hmm."
Yoo Sung-jae, who had noticed the change in Ha-eun’s overall atmosphere, briefly turned his gaze toward her. The response he got was Ha-eun’s puzzled voice.
"Did sothing get on ?"
"No, just... you seem fine now."
It wasn’t that sothing had gotten on her. Only when Yoo Sung-jae’s soft voice reached her did Ha-eun’s suspicion clear.
Almost simultaneously, a familiar voice was heard again.
"You look beautiful today. The dress really suits you, Ha-eun."
"Ah... you too, Sung-jae."
To be precise, it wasn’t the first ti Ha-eun had been called beautiful. Her makeup artist, and even her manager Ju Jung-yoon, had complinted her, saying that she looked especially beautiful today.
Hearing it from Yoo Sung-jae didn’t feel particularly burdenso either. Ha-eun couldn’t deny that her current look was more like a leading actress.
However, just after that, Yoo Sung-jae’s voice, murmuring softly, made things unusual.
"…■■■■."
-Click click click click─!
The cara shutter sounds filled the air, overlapping with his words, making it hard to hear.
Because of this, Ha-eun asked Yoo Sung-jae once more in the relatively quiet interior of the ceremony hall.
"Sung-jae, what did you say earlier, outside?"
There was a brief silence. But the words that ca next weren’t what Ha-eun had been curious about.
"I said you look beautiful today."
"No, after that."
"The dress suits you well?"
"...A little further back."
"Ah, that was just a mumbled comnt... No, maybe it wasn’t exactly a mumbled comnt?"
Yoo Sung-jae pondered for about 10 seconds, but in the end, Ha-eun didn’t get the answer she was hoping for.
"I’ll tell you later. It’s a long story."
"Ah, okay."
Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae then walked toward the seats ahead. They arrived at their respective seats, labeled ‘Lee Ha-eun’ and ‘Yoo Sung-jae.’
It was then that a voice of soone already seated in the ceremony hall was heard.
"So, how is it?"
Da-yeon asked, wondering if it made a difference to get properly dressed. Ha-eun, briefly turning her gaze toward Da-yeon, replied with the sa words that Yoo Sung-jae had just said to her.
"Beautiful."
Da-yeon was wearing a white-toned dress, with makeup that softly complented her strong features. From head to toe, she looked just as stunning as Ha-eun.
Of course, Ha-eun had simply spoken the truth, without comparing herself to Da-yeon.
However, Da-yeon personally wished Ha-eun would have complinted her a little more.
"How beautiful?"
Without even glancing at Yoo Sung-jae, Da-yeon kept pressing Ha-eun for an answer. Ha-eun, unsure of how to respond, could only give an awkward expression.
Despite that, Da-yeon’s persistence didn’t end.
After much deliberation, Ha-eun finally replied.
"…You’re as beautiful as you."
It was a complint that, if Da-yeon denied it, would make it awkward. It was Ha-eun’s way of escaping Da-yeon’s persistent questioning.
But Da-yeon’s reaction wasn’t what Ha-eun had expected.
Why?
As soon as Da-yeon heard the complint, her shoulders raised, and Ha-eun had expected her to proudly show off her own beauty. However...
"What... what do you an?"
Da-yeon’s face was slightly flushed, and her eyelids were trembling.
It wasn’t anything Ha-eun had expected. It felt unfamiliar in many ways.
"Just... that you’re as beautiful as you... why?"
"Oh, no... uh... thank you."
After that, there were no more questions about Da-yeon’s appearance. For so reason, Da-yeon had grown very quiet.
‘Why is she acting like this?’
Honestly, Ha-eun wasn’t completely indifferent to it. But a few minutes later, with the KBC Acting Awards about to begin, she missed the timing to ask.
Soon, two middle-aged actors appeared on the stage. The lights began to focus on the stage, accompanied by brief remarks.
"It’s an honor to be here with all of you in this festive occasion."
"Such amazing people are sitting in front of right now~."
Soon, the discussion turned to the various KBC dramas, their influence, famous scenes, and actors who beca famous through KBC.
"Now, let’s begin the KBC Acting Awards with the wonderful people who have graced this place!"
The huge applause and cheers echoed loudly. Hearing this after such a long ti, Ha-eun’s past mories gradually began to resurface.
11 years since Neighbor Uncle’s Kim Ji-a. 7 years since young Han Yoo-hwa in You Ca From the Stars.
The ti it took to return to the grand scene full of actors wasn’t short, but not particularly long either.
However, Ha-eun was certain that there were more things to co than what had already happened. This mont was not going to be her last award ceremony.
"Now, the first award is for Best Youth Acting."
Ha-eun didn’t feel awkward or unfamiliar with everything unfolding in front of her.
Like Da-yeon and Yoo Sung-jae by her side, and the many actors surrounding them, she walked the red carpet, focusing solely on being part of the KBC Acting Awards, with only the title of ‘actress’ in mind.
The award ceremony continued.
Only a few actors among the many were considered worthy enough to step onto the stage and accept the trophies.
After sending sincere applause to those on stage, the next category was announced.
"Now, the Best Supporting Actress Award!"
As soon as the familiar face appeared on the screen, a montary tension filled the air, and finally, the na of the winner was announced.
"Congratulations! Min Da-yeon from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds!"
-Thunk.
Instead of clapping, Ha-eun gently nudged Da-yeon’s back, who had frozen in place, and Da-yeon had no choice but to step onto the stage.
Her acceptance speech began with "I really didn’t expect to win this..."
However, when she started thanking the people she was grateful for, Ha-eun’s na was ntioned.
"Ha-eun... No, I’m really grateful to Ha-eun..."
Rembering the past, Da-yeon broke down in tears. When she returned to her seat, her eyes were slightly swollen.
"Are you okay?"
"It’s your fault."
"What?"
"It’s because of you, Ha-eun. Do you know how hard it was because you avoided ?"
Ha-eun was frustrated. She had started avoiding Da-yeon because of Da-yeon’s request.
Of course, for Da-yeon, these "small things" didn’t matter much.
She wasn’t able to stop herself from scolding Ha-eun, even though she knew her words didn’t make much sense.
"If you keep avoiding , I won’t just let it go...!"
‘Why is she acting like this today?’
Maybe it was the second puberty hitting? Or was it the aftermath of pent-up emotions?
Da-yeon seed immature in that mont.
That’s why Ha-eun had to use the term "sunbae" for the first ti in a while.
"The awards aren’t over yet, sunbae. It’s live, so calm down~."
".........."
Fortunately, Da-yeon didn’t whine anymore after that.
Though she continued to glare at Ha-eun, at least it was better.
And so, ti passed again.
The KBC screen continued to play scenes from various dramas.
"Now, it’s the Best Couple Award. Oh, such a lovely couple sitting here~."
The host’s voice sounded a little excited.
The host’s cheerful tone didn’t fade until the nominees were called out.
Among the nas called, one was very familiar to Ha-eun.
Not long after, the nas of the winners were announced, and Ha-eun’s na was among them.
"Congratulations to Yoo Sung-jae and Lee Ha-eun from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds! Congratulations!"
Clap clap clap clap─!
Once again, the applause echoed, and Ha-eun had to rise from her seat.
Together with Yoo Sung-jae, they walked to the stage.
"Congratulations."
A bouquet of flowers and a golden trophy were handed to them by another host.
Yoo Sung-jae started his acceptance speech.
"First, thank you to everyone who loved The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds. I was lucky enough to be able to work with truly amazing actors..."
At that mont, Ha-eun was only thinking about what to say in her acceptance speech.
Listening intently to Yoo Sung-jae’s exemplary words, she heard murmurs below.
The atmosphere among the actors down there seed to grow sowhat restless.
Unexpectedly, Da-yeon also had a slightly flustered expression.
Ha-eun, following Da-yeon’s gaze, turned to look in the direction she was looking at. At the sa ti, she saw the scenes from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds that were being played on the screen.
"Please be my lord..."
"Of course."
Although the voices were not audible, the faces of Yeong-wol and Lee Hyun, growing closer to each other, were clearly visible.
When their faces were so close, Ha-eun, who had her eyes shut at that mont, could clearly see it.
"Now, let’s hear Ha-eun’s acceptance speech!"
As Ha-eun approached the microphone, all sense of calm had disappeared.
The countless kiss scenes from the drama displayed on the screens had left her feeling flustered.
Most importantly, the actors around her, all of them famous, had witnessed the kiss scenes between Ha-eun and Yoo Sung-jae.
"I’m really grateful to be able to act with soone like Sung-jae."
Ha-eun, who had ntally prepared her speech, stumbled and faltered, her ears burning with embarrassnt.
After finishing the speech hurriedly, she left the stage, and Da-yeon, who had seen all the kiss scenes, seed to have narrowed her eyes.
"...You and Yoo Sung-jae did everything, huh?"
"?! No, it’s not like that!"
"It’s not? In the last episode, you were completely lost in it."
"I wasn’t! It was acting!"
"Yeah~."
Ha-eun would bet her life that everything Da-yeon said was a misunderstanding.
The kiss scenes, more real than real, were the result of the drama’s atmosphere and the skillful editing of the team.
She had only touched Yoo Sung-jae’s fingers. There was nothing else.
However...
"Co on, Sung-jae, say sothing!"
"Well... I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t pay attention to the couple’s affection, Your Majesty~."
"?!"
Da-yeon’s eyes grew even narrower at Yoo Sung-jae’s playful voice, and Ha-eun, caught between the two, felt even more awkward.
It was like sitting on a thorny cushion.
Or a bed of needles.
"Be confident, madam. Why are you so embarrassed?"
"Madam? What do you an by that?"
"It’s embarrassing, Your Majesty. If you’re jealous, just admit it."
At this point, even Yoo Sung-jae got pulled into a childish argunt with Da-yeon, and Ha-eun couldn’t even lift her head.
She wanted to hide in a mouse hole.
The ceremony continued.
The applause continued.
The speeches continued.
In the final part of the awards, the candidates for Best Actress were announced.
Ha-eun’s na was included in the list of nominees.
But she didn’t expect much.
After all, she had already won the Best Couple Award, and the other nominees were all outstanding actresses.
Though The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds had been a big success, Ha-eun never imagined she would win over the other amazing actresses.
"KBC Acting Awards, the winner of Best Actress is... Congratulations, Lee Ha-eun from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds!"
"...Huh?"
The grand scenes of Ha-eun’s performances filled the large screen.
Clink.
"…I’ll kill them all."
The assassin who entered the palace, cutting down enemies as she rushed toward her beloved.
"Die──!"
"…!! Your Highness!!"
In the end, the woman protecting her loved one, even throwing herself into danger, was none other than Ha-eun.
And so, once again, she had to rise from her seat and head toward the stage.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap─!
With thunderous applause and the golden trophy handed to her, Ha-eun felt a mixture of emotions.
Her acceptance speech started in a more composed tone than her previous speech.
"Hello, I’m Lee Ha-eun, who played Yeong-wol in The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds."
As always, she was calm.
The words she needed to say and the words she wanted to say were clearly spoken into the microphone.
But a mory that slowly resurfaced in Ha-eun’s mind asked her a question, and now she felt she could answer it.
‘I think I’ve beco soone worthy of this award...’
"I’m grateful to have beco soone worthy of this award."
Ha-eun, who had once bowed her head at her first award ceremony, now held her head high until she finished her acceptance speech.
Though it might have seed slightly arrogant, she didn’t care.
"Then, I’ll continue to work hard... No, I’ll work even harder. Thank you."
And so, holding the golden trophy tightly, she returned to her seat, back to her place as "Actress Lee Ha-eun."
There was no doubt this was her place.
She had beco the right person for it, so she had the right to sit there.
There was no way she would give up her seat to anyone else.
It was a seat just for her, Lee Ha-eun.
***
This year’s KBC Acting Awards was broadcast live from start to finish, so reactions to the ceremony were imdiately visible in real-ti.
And so, the community reactions started appearing as the ceremony was still going on.
Lee Ha-eun KBC Acting Awards Entrance gif
“Wow, what’s going on with that dress?”
“The dress fit is insane, seriously ㅠㅠㅠㅠ”
“Unnie, I’m going crazy, seriously”
“Shouldn’t Ha-eun be the unnie?”
“If you’re prettier than , then you’re unnie.”
Live) Lee Ha-eun & Yoo Sung-jae Best Couple Ergence
“Did you see the footage from The Moonlight That Parts the Clouds?”
"They only play the most epic monts, haha."
"Maybe it's because they're 15, but they don't censor it at all."
Ha-eun seems to be in a slump
Unexpected Kiss Scene Causes Lee Ha-eun to Freeze
“She’s so cute when she’s embarrassed, seriously.”
“She’s not usually the type to stutter, but it’s no wonder she’s freaking out, haha.”
Ha-eun’s fan communities were actively live-streaming her reactions from the KBC Acting Awards, capturing every mont.
To be honest, nothing too strange happened, but there was another community, sowhat distant from Ha-eun’s fanbase, that started to react differently.
Live) Min Da-yeon Diah Shoutout
“That’s definitely a Diah keychain.”
"Yeah, it’s Diah’s keychain."
"That’s a pretty expensive handbag, but there’s Diah’s keychain hanging off of it, haha."
Who says VTubers are underground!!!
"Our Diah is world-class!!"
"Diah’s style is amazing; she even charms working actresses."
I didn’t expect to like Min Da-yeon so much, but suddenly she feels like a friend
“Hey, celebrities are people too~ They’re not gods~”
“Why separate us Noeulis by rank, haha.”
The community was abuzz with talk about Ha-eun’s appearance, with so of it being due to Da-yeon’s actions, but overall, there was increased attention on Diah.
Perhaps that was why…
Click.
Illusionary Realm Year-End Party
“Hello~”
“Hello, hello─☆”
The most popular ssages during the group stream at the end of December were mainly about Da-yeon and Diah.
“A celebrity gave a shoutout to a VTuber.”
“Isn’t Min Da-yeon watching right now?”
“Our baby is already world-class...!”
“Isn’t this the stream for a high school student and a famous actress??”
“Just shout it out—Diah GOAT.”
Fortunately, the attention didn’t extend to Da-yeon’s associates. Ha-eun, who had been concerned that people would focus on her because of her close relationship with Da-yeon, didn’t get that kind of scrutiny.
But then...
Ding.
[WithCoin sent 10,000 won in donation!]
"Is Diah’s real na sothing like Min, the middle part of it, and Yeon at the end?"
"What… What does that even an...?"
Ha-eun had never imagined soone would confuse Diah with Da-yeon. That was why she was left speechless in shock.
?
"Why is she stuttering?"
"Is it true????"
"This can’t be Diah, right? It can’t, right??"
"Wait, my head’s spinning..."
"Can you say it more clearly?"
“Ugh, I see so weird comnts... Anyone spreading rumors will be banned. Be careful with your actions, okay?”
“That squirrel is a little off.”
"The rumors aren’t rumors though."
"Let’s hear Diah’s clarification first?"
"So, is she Min Da-yeon or not!!?"
"Hmm, looks like the blue pill situation ㅇㅇ."
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