Spark’s official broadcast schedule ended with the year end music festival circuit hosted by each network.

But I still had one more job left.

I had been invited to the Acting Awards because of “Exclusive Coverage.”

Unlike when I worked as an idol, I also had to prepare a proper suit for attending an awards ceremony. Luckily, I managed to secure sponsorships, so I could at least show up looking presentable. Since I was going as Cheon Yunseong for the first time in a while, the biggest issue occupying my mind lately had been figuring out the proper attitude to maintain.

I had agonized over whether to cover my hair color too. Since this was related to the drama, I almost redyed it to match the character, but if next year’s promotions required lighter hair again, it would become a problem, so we settled on toning it down instead.

“Either way, Iwol, you’re definitely going to stand out the most.”

“Should I have just dyed it black completely......?”

“If you go black, then bleaching it again later is basically impossible. Let’s be satisfied with this.”

There was nothing I could do in the face of such a firm verdict. All I could do was pray viewers would refrain from focusing on Cherry Yunseong.

Back when I walked red carpets together with Spark, it had felt awkward but not difficult. More accurately, I had been too tense worrying about which idiot might suddenly close his eyes whenever he pleased.

Walking the red carpet alone was genuinely uncomfortable.

This was probably what it felt like to wear clothes that did not fit while sitting in someone else’s seat doing their job. With hair more extravagant than the gowns worn by some of the actresses present, I could feel eyes flying toward me from every direction.

The solo interviews were no joke either. It felt like every bit of public attention in existence was focused on me.

“Iwol, this is your first time attending the Acting Awards, correct?”

“That’s right. I’m very nervous since the members aren’t here beside me.”

“You don’t look nervous at all! How lucky do you think ‘Exclusive Coverage’ will be tonight?”

How could anyone not be nervous when asked questions like that?! Are you trying to socially bury me alive?!

Only after surviving the interviews from hell and the merciless barrage of camera flashes did I barely manage to make it inside the venue. If not for the fans who came all the way outside the photo line to support me, I probably would have collapsed halfway there and started wiping away tears.

The “Exclusive Coverage” team I reunited with after so long was as cheerful as ever. The moment they saw me, everyone copied Spark’s ending pose from the music festival performance.

“Young master, how can you abandon management and jump into the idol market like this?!”

“Manager Go lost his job because you no longer have anywhere to return to, young master!”

“Please stop this......!”

It took all my strength not to immediately run back to the dorm. Before I had even sat down, half the social skills I kept stocked up in reserve had already evaporated.

People might call it materialistic, but my impression of attending the Acting Awards for the first time was simple.

‘It’s warm.’

After freezing in massive concert halls all winter long, just being indoors felt heavenly. Which was better: opening venues to larger numbers of fans, or providing a comfortable environment for a smaller audience? I sincerely believed industry professionals needed to contemplate this issue more seriously.

If year end idol stages felt like company holiday parties, actors’ award ceremonies felt more like year end settlement reports.

Unlike singers’ seating, where everyone sat in rows, the round tables in front made conversation much easier. Even before the live broadcast began, people were busy exchanging greetings.

“Our PD absolutely needs to take home an award tonight.”

“I’m not at that level.”

PD Jeon waved his hands dismissively. Even though there had not been another drama with ratings as successful as “Exclusive Coverage,” the atmosphere clearly suggested nobody knew how much influence upper management might exert behind the scenes.

Still, once the cameras started rolling, the mood shifted.

The broadcast title appeared across the giant screen together with the visual effect of red curtains spreading open, the iconic symbol of the awards ceremony.

“......As we celebrate the fortieth anniversary, I believe this will become an even more meaningful occasion.”

The ceremony officially began with introductions from the hosts and some small talk. Congratulatory performances, Rookie Awards, Popularity Awards, and Best Couple Awards were announced one after another.

The Ham Iseo Gong Jichan pairing only ended up nominated for Best Couple. It was probably because camaraderie had been emphasized more heavily than romance in the actual story.

Well, there were all kinds of love in this world. It would be nice if broadcasting stations paid attention to soulmate partnerships too.

Next came the Excellence Awards.

That was the reason I had been invited today.

‘Me? Nominated for an Excellence Award?’

Once I somehow ended up nominated for an award completely outside my fate, avoiding attendance became impossible. I had intended to minimize appearances unrelated to group activities, but I needed to come at least out of respect for the other nominees.

“Please watch the VCR for Cheon Yunseong from ‘Exclusive Coverage.’”

My face filled the massive screen.

Former Chairman Cheon’s funeral, the Haneulchae filming scene, and Cheon Yunseong’s final moments passed by like strips of film.

While the other nominees’ videos played, I checked where they were seated. I had already prepared myself to give the loudest applause possible no matter whose name was called. Since we were all nominated together, it felt rude to show up without even knowing what projects the others had done, so even if I could not watch the full versions, I had at least binged all the clips beforehand. At this point, I was confident I could recite lines no matter which scene appeared.

“The recipient of the Excellence Award at the 40th Acting Awards is......”

“Kim Iwol, for the role of Cheon Yunseong in ‘Exclusive Coverage’! Congratulations!”

I reflexively started searching for Kim Iwol’s seat before freezing.

Me?

“Iwol, congratulations!”

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get out there!”

Before I could even ask whether they had actually called my name, someone yanked me out of my chair like they were pulling up a radish.

The only person capable of that was Chief...... no, Senior Woo Yoonjae.

Amid roaring applause, I climbed onto the stage. Behind me, Cheon Yunseong’s photo and my name were displayed in enormous letters across the screen.

After shaking hands, I was handed the trophy.

Even engraved into the crystal trophy, my name stood out clearly.

When I finally regained my senses, the microphone for the acceptance speech was already waiting in front of me.

“......Hello. I am Kim Iwol of Spark, who played Cheon Yunseong in ‘Exclusive Coverage.’”

Thank god I had experience giving acceptance speeches as an idol. Otherwise, I would have had to survive this crisis using nothing but my experience with OJT presentations and 업무 현황 reports.

The support from the “Exclusive Coverage” table directly below the stage helped a lot too. Even though they could not make noise, they were cheering me on enthusiastically with both hands. My smile quickly returned.

“I unexpectedly received such a precious award tonight, so I’m honestly struggling to figure out what to say.”

A prompt appeared beneath the stage asking, “Please take your time with your speech.” Apparently I had become a bigger focus than expected.

At moments like this, there were usually two things you needed to say: make comments the drama’s fans could enjoy, and express the gratitude that absolutely had to be expressed.

“I’m happy that, in the end, I got to see a world without the Cheonju Group. It makes surviving worth it.”

Since I phrased it ambiguously enough to apply both to the drama’s ending and reality, thankfully everyone immediately understood. I almost became one of those people forced to painfully explain a failed joke afterward.

“I would like to thank the writer and PD who gave me this wonderful opportunity, the production staff and senior actors who took such generous care of me on set, and especially Senior Woo Yoonjae, who spent the most time with me throughout filming.”

Woo Yoonjae made a finger heart at me.

Wasn’t he the same person who once claimed he was too shy to even appear on variety shows? He kept moving people emotionally in the most unexpected ways.

“And above all else, I want to thank the members and fans who supported me until the very end so I would not be afraid of taking on a new challenge. Spark, Sparklers! Thank you, and I love you all.”

Familiar light sticks waved wildly from the audience seats.

Since my hands were occupied holding flowers and the trophy, I answered them with the brightest smile I could manage.

Even after returning to my seat, congratulations kept pouring in. I could barely stay still. I just kept bowing my head over and over, repeating thank you.

The actor who played Gong Jichan had also been nominated for a Top Excellence Award—though with So Saeyeong nominated for the Daesang, it seemed they intentionally spread out the nominations—but it did not lead to an actual win. Although the chemistry between the protagonists had been praised, it seemed the male lead’s solo scenes had not exploded in popularity quite enough.

“Exclusive Coverage” was also announced as a nominee for Best Drama.

The camera swung back toward our table once more. So Saeyeong appeared on the big screen, both hands clasped tightly together.

“Best Drama! ‘Exclusive Coverage’!”

A deafening eruption of cheers exploded alongside the fanfare. PD Jeon went up to the stage as the representative.

“I used to think simply creating works was enough to make life fulfilling...... but after receiving this award, I realize how shortsighted I was. If I had known it would feel this overwhelming, I might have lived a little more greedily.”

Laughter broke out around the venue at the honest speech.

But soon, tears began gathering in the PD’s eyes.

“This award is the result of every writer, actor, and staff member pouring ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ their hearts into this project together. I was happy to run as one team alongside colleagues I deeply respect. I dedicate this award to everyone who participated. Thank you!”

As someone who had received more kindness and support from the PD than I could ever repay, I applauded wholeheartedly.

Seeing the success of someone who knew how to acknowledge the efforts of others made me happy as though it were my own achievement. The quality of his work and directing had already been proven by skill alone, and his reputation among staff members was excellent, so the PD’s directing career would probably continue smoothly from here on out.

And finally, the grand Daesang went to—

“Thank you to all the viewers who supported and loved Ham Iseo’s journey. I won’t forget the love I’ve received, and I’ll repay it through my acting! Thank you for subscribing to ‘Exclusive Coverage’!”

......So Saeyeong, who portrayed the character that exposed corporate corruption through “Exclusive Coverage” and ultimately succeeded in achieving social justice.

The tears of the co star who had shared the performance journey alongside her were captured on camera as well.

I clapped until my palms hurt for Ham Iseo, who fulfilled Cheon Yunseong’s dream in the most honest and righteous way possible, and riding the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the Daesang winner, we even ended up taking a full group photo together.

“What should we do? Shouldn’t our team gather separately for another dinner sometime later?”

“We’re having another wrap party?”

“We are. We are. I’m paying.”

With one generous declaration from So Saeyeong, “Wrap Party Again~ Long Live ‘Exclusive Coverage’~” was immediately decided upon. The PD even volunteered to pay for round two, and within moments the date and restaurant were settled at lightning speed.

After promising to gather again before the year ended, I left the venue to meet back up with my manager when a familiar voice called out.

“Iwol.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“Let’s head down together.”

......It was Gu Jahan.