I Want to Be a VTuber-Chapter 299: A Step of Miracle (5)

"Hoo!"

Seoyeon took a deep breath and opened her eyes forcefully.

Though she did this, the intensity wasn’t as sharp as usual.

After all, playing Princess Yeonhwa created a completely different atmosphere. But despite that, her mind remained calm and collected.

If the usual Seoyeon would easily get swept up by her emotions, the current Seoyeon was the opposite.

She could calmly observe the situation, almost like she was looking at it from a distance—very different from her younger self.

Was it the effect of playing Princess Yeonhwa? Or was it the feeling of her past life blending with her current age?

She wasn’t sure.

The reaction wasn’t bad.

Seoyeon glanced down at the Popular Star Award in her hand.

She had managed to stay calm outwardly, but internally, she had been really nervous.

What if I make a mistake?

She worried she might accidentally break the award if she held it too tightly.

She had been nervous enough to even think about such things when walking up on stage.

I was that anxious, yet he didn’t even help.

She cast a slightly pouting look at Park Jungwoo.

He had jokingly teased her earlier, but she had been trembling inside at the time.

How could he joke like that, right when she was so on edge?

That was so unfair.

At that moment, Park Jungwoo, who had just presented the Music Award, unknowingly shivered under Seoyeon’s gaze.

"What...what’s up? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Usually, Seoyeon’s stare would send chills down anyone’s spine, but right now, she was different.

Her look was more of a sulky pout.

A slightly scolding, yet cute girl’s gaze. Park Jungwoo let out a deep sigh for what felt like the umpteenth time that night.

She’s really messing with me in a whole new way.

While Seoyeon thought that he was distracting her, Park Jungwoo felt awkward in his own way.

It bothered him more than he would have liked to admit.

He felt a wave of self-loathing for how much he was concerned with it.

To be distracted by something like this at such a prestigious awards ceremony...

"Ahem. Moving on, next is the Best Couple Award."

"Yes! This year, we had many couples on screen that really made the audience’s hearts race."

"Now, let's announce the Best Couple of the year!"

The Best Couple Award.

In essence, it was an event award.

"The winners are... Lee Jiyeon and Jo Sehee from Kyungsung Lady!"

Park Jungwoo called out, then quickly checked the script again.

Wait.

Lee Jiyeon and Jo Sehee?

Sure, Kyungsung Lady had made a huge splash this year.

But it was a LGBTQ+ film.

It didn’t seem likely that it would win Best Couple.

And yet...

Oh, maybe that’s exactly why they were given it?

There could be many reasons for it.

As Korean culture continued to spread globally, more and more people were watching these ceremonies.

Considering that, it wasn’t a bad choice.

From an acting perspective, they definitely deserved it.

The romance in Kyungsung Lady had been the strongest of the year.

Still...

"Wait, us?"

"Are you serious?"

Both Jo Sehee and Lee Jiyeon were shocked.

Neither had expected to win this award.

But Jo Sehee, being the professional she was, smiled brightly the moment the camera focused on her and waved to the crowd.

Perhaps this was to give Jo Sehee a moment after not winning Best Actress.

If she hadn’t already received that award, she would have easily won it this year.

Her performance had been that strong.

Sending her home empty-handed would have been hard to justify.

As a result, Lee Jiyeon found herself being dragged along by Jo Sehee.

"Wait, hold on a second—stop pulling so hard!"

Was it all the cycling that made Jo Sehee so strong?

Lee Jiyeon had no choice but to be pulled along.

"Can you let go of my hand?!"

She quickly glanced over at Seoyeon.

Her mind flashed back to Seoyeon’s reaction during the Kyungsung Lady kiss scene filming.

Ramiel and Alice...

Seoyeon had passed out then, and Lee Jiyeon couldn’t help but worry again.

If Seoyeon fainted here, at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, there would be no coming back.

"..."

Thankfully, Seoyeon was sitting calmly, clapping her hands.

Though she didn’t speak, her expression was peaceful and untroubled.

Is she alright?

Lee Jiyeon tilted her head for a moment, then followed Jo Sehee to the stage.

Seoyeon, watching them go, slowly relaxed her lips, which had been tightly pressed together in tension.

...Good.

If she weren’t in peak physical condition, there would probably be a spot of blood on her lip.

I’m glad I calmed down beforehand.

If it had been the usual Seoyeon, she would have fainted.

It was so clear to her.

Back then, she had collapsed because of Yeonseon-ye’s Ramiel-inspired performance.

Lee Jiyeon didn’t normally faze her.

As long as she didn’t think about the red pill.

Most importantly—Princess Yeonhwa’s mindset wouldn’t waver because of something like this.

If it had been the old Seoyeon, she would have been furious with Jo Sehee.

But now, she was a kind and magnanimous princess.

She decided to forgive Jo Sehee later, with just a gentle pinch to her side.

What Seoyeon didn’t realize was that the pinch would come from the old Seoyeon, not the current version.

And if she thought about it—that was going to be a cruel fate for Jo Sehee.

****

After the event-style awards were finished, the staff who had been working behind the scenes also received their own trophies.

An hour passed in an instant, and the first part of the ceremony ended.

After a short break, the second part began, and this time, the tone of Park Jungwoo's voice had shifted from light to serious.

From now on, the awards would reflect the prestige and power of the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

And the first one?

"Next up, we have the Newcomer Awards."

The Best New Actor Award.

The Best New Actress Award.

These were awards given to the rookie actors who had made a significant impact this year.

They were truly difficult awards to win.

After all, they were only given to rookie actors.

To earn this award, one needed to be noticed by the public for their outstanding performances and survive past the year.

If you stayed in the industry for too long, it would become hard to still be considered a "rookie."

No matter how great your acting skills were, it was a limited-time award.

"Who do you think will win?"

"...Ju Seoyeon?"

"There's a chance, but could she possibly win the triple crown?"

"No way..."

"Then it might be Yeonari."

Yeonari, the rookie actress who starred in a film that nearly reached 5 million viewers this year.

She had taken on a pretty major role and delivered a memorable performance, making her a solid contender.

Seoyeon overheard such conversations not far away.

The upcoming awards would have a major impact on the actors’ careers.

While Best Couple and Popularity awards might not leave a lasting mark, the Newcomer awards were a different story.

'At least I won’t leave empty-handed.'

Lee Jiyeon let out a sigh of relief, feeling satisfied with the Best Couple Award she had just received.

Her family and even relatives were likely watching the ceremony today, and receiving at least one award would show them something worthwhile.

The faces of the nominees appeared on the huge display screen.

Seeing their faces on the screen made her heart flutter, and she quickly looked away, closing her eyes.

"It's okay."

Seoyeon, noticing her unease, smiled gently and reached for Lee Jiyeon’s wrist, holding it softly.

"Don’t say that with that face if you can’t handle it."

"Heh."

At Lee Jiyeon’s remark, Seoyeon covered her smile with her hand.

It was a strange mix—she looked perfectly suited for the moment, but somehow, it was also awkward.

Her appearance was flawless, but perhaps it was because of the long-standing perceptions people had of Seoyeon.

"I told you before, right? That you were amazing."

And another thing Seoyeon realized today was how frighteningly honest she was in this state.

"You can trust me."

As the grand music swelled, dazzling lights began to move around the venue.

Tonight, the search for the rising star who would shine like starlight began.

"You can trust me," Seoyeon had said, and just hearing those words calmed Lee Jiyeon’s racing heart.

It wasn’t because she simply trusted Seoyeon’s words.

She had just realized how much she was overthinking and nervous.

If someone had made such a statement after only shooting one decent movie, there would be many actors feeling unjustly overlooked.

'Just hearing that I’m amazing from her is enough.'

Seoyeon was surprisingly honest—she never pretended things were better than they were, not even to close friends like Lee Jiyeon.

When they had worked on a cable drama together, Lee Jiyeon had asked how her acting was.

"It was okay."

That was all Seoyeon had said, bluntly.

It had stung a little, but it was the truth.

Her performance had been just "okay" back then.

But now, she had been told she was great, so this was a huge improvement.

This, at least, was something to feel satisfied about.

"And the Best New Actress Award goes to... Lee Jiyeon!"

In that moment, the bright lights focused on Lee Jiyeon.

Startled, she looked at the big screen, her own surprised face reflected back at her.

Wait—did I actually win?

Lee Jiyeon’s eyes darted to the side in disbelief.

By the way, the Best New Actress Award was one Seoyeon hadn’t won herself.

Could it really be okay for her to win it?

For a moment, she hesitated, unsure, and that’s when Seoyeon gently nudged her side.

"Do you have a speech prepared?"

Of course, Lee Jiyeon hadn’t prepared anything.

Flustered, she got up and quickly made her way to the stage.

"Ah, hello, um..."

Flustered as she grabbed the microphone, Lee Jiyeon struggled to find her words.

Earlier, Jo Sehee had smoothly taken over the speaking duties, but now, it was all on her.

"I just... I want to thank everyone who’s helped me... especially... Representative Kang Chanyul, Director Baek Min, and..."

She stammered, unsure of what to say.

By the time she gathered herself, she had already returned to her original spot.

Staring blankly at the Best New Actress Award in her hand, Lee Jiyeon muttered under her breath.

"Honestly..."

Seoyeon spoke quietly, with a smirk.

"I thought it would be the Best Actress Award for you. It’s a bit of a shame, huh?"

At those words, Lee Jiyeon snapped out of her daze, surprised °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° by Seoyeon’s comment.

Was Seoyeon serious?

Seoyeon smiled sweetly, as if it were a playful joke.

'I can't figure out what she’s thinking anymore.'

Normally, it would be easy to understand what Seoyeon was thinking, but today, she seemed different.

Was it because of her method acting?

Seoyeon’s ability to manage her image was truly impressive.

"Ju Seoyeon."

"Hm?"

"Aren’t you upset?"

The Best New Actress Award.

Technically, it could have been Seoyeon’s.

Just look at Yeonari, sitting beside Hwang Minhwa, already on the verge of tears.

She was clearly upset.

But Seoyeon, in contrast, was perfectly composed.

It was as if she had expected this outcome.

'Actually, maybe this was inevitable.'

Seoyeon could guess the reason she hadn’t received it.

There was clearly a bigger award in store for her.

Still, it wasn’t like Seoyeon wasn’t disappointed.

After all, the public had been hoping for her to win the triple crown or at least two awards.

"...Huh. You’re concerned about that?"

"Well, why not? I can be concerned, can’t I?"

While they exchanged these words, the award ceremony continued.

After the Best New Actor Award was presented,

Next up was the Best Supporting Actress Award for the actress who had made the biggest impact this year.

Although not quite as prestigious as the Best Actress Award, it was still an honor that most ordinary actors would never have the chance to receive.

"I’m not concerned."

Once again, the dazzling lights flashed, moving across the room.

They were searching for the star who had shone brightest this year.

"I’ve already received something similar before."

The Teenage Actor Award.

That, too, was an award given only once.

Though it had been for a drama at the time.

Coincidentally, it was a bit amusing to think that she was now showcasing her acting from that same drama in this very ceremony.

"Now, for the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards, I’ll announce the Best Supporting Actress."

Though no one might remember it,

"This year, a signal of the revival of Korean cinema. For her role as Cha Seoa in The Chaser and her incredible performance as Kasugayama Yuina in Kyungsung Lady..."

The bright light once again shined on a figure.

This time, it was Seoyeon, not Jiyeon.

"...Ju Seoyeon!"

The sound of fervent applause erupted.

Anyone present could probably guess the result.

Seoyeon winning the Best Supporting Actress Award wasn’t a surprise.

After all, she hadn’t had a lead role this year.

The Best Supporting Actress Award had practically been decided already.

It was that obvious.

She had truly been the brightest star of the year.

"I’ll be back."

Seoyeon glanced at Jiyeon and Jo Sehee before standing up.

Though she spoke casually to Jiyeon, her calm demeanor didn’t reflect how uneasy she truly was.

Had it been the usual Seoyeon, she might have frozen up, making the entire atmosphere tense.

But now, with one step, she moved gracefully toward the stage.

As she walked, the many viewers watching the ceremony through cameras focused on her.

‘Huh? Seoyeon seems different today, doesn’t she?’

‘Right... she was so scary last time.’

‘Scary? She’s so pretty.’

‘I like her. She’s my favorite.’

‘Don’t say that, it’ll upset me.’

‘Yeah!’

Watching from the TV were her father Youngbin, her mother Sua, and her younger sister Suyeon.

‘Dahyun, Seoyeon really looks beautiful today.’

‘This is what a real star looks like. She’s so different from school.’

‘Oh, yeah? She looks like a princess.’

Seoyeon’s high school friends, Dahyun and her group, were watching and commenting on the screen.

Why does Seoyeon look so pretty today???? Seoyeon’s face has always been top-tier.Seriously, though, her behavior is kind of childish.But something’s definitely different today. Is this really her?She’s probably just pretending to be elegant for the ceremony lol.Why isn’t Seoyeon getting the Best Actress award?Fact: She didn’t have a lead role this year.But something’s definitely different today. She’s just... amazing.Her fans and viewers were leaving their thoughts online.

"I think I’ve seen this before."

"Before?"

"The last time Seoyeon won an award before disappearing."

The Teenage Actor Award.

Jo Sehee recalled the moment when Seoyeon had received that award.

She remembered how Seoyeon had been trembling as she stepped onto the stage.

She had been furious—furious, but also captivated by Seoyeon’s acting at that moment.

It was the first time Seoyeon had ever shown vulnerability—when her ironclad persona cracked and tears were visible.

"Hello, I’m Ju Seoyeon. Honestly, I never thought I’d stand here, so I’m really nervous. ...What, you didn’t think so? Haha, well, I can’t really say that."

The girl who had once cried uncontrollably was now standing as a young woman, smiling.

She wasn’t the same.

She was still trembling, but with a calmness that suited the moment.

Now, she was standing there as a true star.

"This year, a lot has happened."

Seoyeon addressed the countless eyes on her.

"I started acting in films, and honestly, I was really worried. After all, it’s been so long since I’ve shown myself to so many people."

As expected, she gave her usual speech about thanking the people who helped her.

Then, she continued with her thoughts.

"I’m really happy that so many people loved my role as Cha Seoa."

She clasped her hands together as if in prayer.

As though all the love she had received was gathered there.

"And Yuina was a very challenging role for me. Loving someone... It was a very unfamiliar feeling for me as a young person."

Ten years.

It had been ten years since she first started acting, but she still felt so young.

Her body had grown, but her emotions were still those of a child.

There was so much she didn’t know, so much to learn—she was still that inexperienced child.

"So, I still think I have a lot to improve. I think I’m standing here today because so many people have helped me along the way."

Seoyeon’s acting always started by mimicking others.

She had almost never discovered her own emotions.

She wasn’t one of those extraordinary people who could do everything on their own.

"I’m still young."

When she was younger, her acting had been like a small aquarium.

Or maybe it was more like a fish tank.

She hadn’t understood many of her emotions.

She was like that fragile little tank, full of water, just waiting to break.

How lucky she had been that it hadn’t shattered back then.

"There’s still so much I don’t know."

She had learned so much from others.

She left the small tank and arrived at a bigger, ocean-like aquarium.

"There are still so many things I can’t do."

Then, she opened the door to that aquarium and stepped into the waves at the beach.

Even without diving deep into the sea, she could now walk along the beach and create a beautiful picture. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"So, I want to keep learning."

There were still so many opportunities ahead of her.

Even though adulthood was approaching,

"As an actress."

She wanted to become an actress that people would never forget.

"So, please continue to support me."

As Seoyeon gently bowed her head, a bright round of applause erupted.

In that moment, the genius child actor had truly returned, after ten years.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards concluded, and a small wave of applause followed.

While Hwang Minhwa had won the Best Actress Award, she didn’t seem as happy as one might expect when she stepped up to the stage.

It was as if she didn’t quite believe the award was truly hers.

She smiled broadly, but anyone who knew her well could tell.

The woman who was so obsessed with honor seemed uneasy about winning Best Actress.

In fact, the buzz at this ceremony wasn’t about the actors who won Best Actor or Best Actress.

It was about the Best New Actress, Lee Jiyeon,

and the Best Supporting Actress, Ju Seoyeon.

Also, the Best Director award went to Kyungsung Lady.

As a result, the viewership of Kyungsung Lady started to rise again, and the audience seats that had been empty began to fill.

If things continued this way, the movie might even reach 10 million viewers.

"Looks like the right people got the awards yesterday."

"Yeah, nothing really stood out as odd. It was so clean, it was almost scary."

By the way, The Chaser won the Best Film Award.

Kim Daehun, who played Im Seungcheol in The Chaser, took home the Best Actor Award.

It had been the dominating film in theaters earlier this year, so this was expected.

"Her acceptance speech was great..."

Han Seona, recalling the words Seoyeon had spoken when she received the Teenage Actor Award 10 years ago, felt a tear slip down her cheek.

It was a moment fans of Seoyeon would never forget.

"Did you go to the awards ceremony, Han? Do you still have that poster? It hasn’t been uploaded yet."

"But the quality on that one is kind of..."

"Oh, it’s fine. I got a different file."

"Wait, really? How did you even get it?"

With that, Han Seona, a journalist for Sunyang Media and Seoyeon’s number one fan, smiled faintly.

It was a personal 'gift' she had received from Seoyeon’s agency.

"The poster looks amazing. The main color is black with some red mixed in. It’s the perfect color for Ju Seoyeon."

"I really liked her white dress at the awards too."

"But honestly, for Ju Seoyeon, I think this poster suits her the best."

Han Seona held back a comment for her colleague.

In truth, she had already taken several pictures of Seoyeon in the white dress and kept them for herself.

‘Well... it really did look great.’

She thought as she looked at the poster she’d be putting in her article.

The upcoming OTT drama Mine.

It was sure to be another storm of success.