Free Web Novel– Part 3 –
As soon as I got home, I immediately took out a handkerchief to calm my mind and body.
“Phew....”
I polished the gleaming trophies until they shone even brighter, then placed them neatly into the display cabinet. I scrubbed them until they squeaked, to the point they almost hurt my eyes.
Among the trophies I had received so far, the SBC Rookie Award, the MBS Rookie Award, and the Baekryong Film Awards Popularity Award had been added.
“And one more here!”
There was a trophy labeled SBC Couple Award. I had received it together with Shin Seojin for <Unfair Trade>.
As I looked at them with satisfaction, the word “couple” brought back that dream from earlier.
Something so absurd it could only happen in a dream, the situations, Myeong Jeha’s face, Myeong Jeha’s...
“Argh!”
I shot up from my seat. My heart pounded violently. My face, reflected in the mirror-like surface of the polished trophies, was burning red.
“Get a grip, Han Yeoreum.”
Who am I?
“Han Yeoreum, who didn’t just sweep the year-end award ceremonies but captured everyone’s attention, who’s being anticipated more than ever for whether <Faster Than the Law 3> will surpass ten million viewers next year, and who is preparing to officially open the doors to overseas expansion by starring in <Seoul Metropolitan City>, NetHolics Korea’s first original production.”
I’m not just a rising actress anymore. Not some comet-like rookie. I’m someone who’ll hit like a meteor crashing into Earth... someone like me.
“And I had a dream like that....”
No matter how I thought about it, this had to be because of what happened an hour ago.
* * *
After the Baekryong Film Awards ended, while people gradually began leaving their seats to head out, I remained where I was, savoring the lingering atmosphere.
‘A film festival....’
The stage I had gone up on earlier to receive the Popularity Award was now dim, the lights already turned off.
Would I ever stand there again one day to receive the Grand Prize?
‘Back then, I would’ve just dreamed of coming to the Baekryong Film Awards even once.’
But once I held a trophy in my hands, I started wanting to climb higher and higher.
The desire to stand as an actress at the most brilliant moment kept growing stronger.
How long had I been staring blankly at the stage like that? Before I knew it, there was no one left around me.
‘Guess I should head back too.’
Just as I stood up, promising myself I would return to the Baekryong Film Awards next year—
“Yeoreum.”
“Hey.”
Both of my wrists were grabbed at the same time from either side. I turned my head left and right to check who it was.
“...Hello.”
“Mm. Hi.”
On my left was Do Gyeoul, and on my right was Hong Suryeon.
‘What is this...?’
Even handling one of them speaking to me would’ve been overwhelming, but both at once?
I could feel their gazes pressing in from both sides. The attention of the few people still remaining turned toward us.
The two of them spoke to each other as if I didn’t exist.
“I have something to say to Yeoreum.”
“Really? Me too.”
I don’t have anything to say though?
“....”
“....”
They stared at each other in silence.
What was I even supposed to say here? One was someone I found uncomfortable to face. The other was someone I had never even spoken to before.
‘For now... I should ask what this is about, right?’
As if she had no intention of letting go, Do Gyeoul’s grip tightened around my wrist. Her long nails dug into my skin.
But Hong Suryeon was faster than me.
“Hey now, wouldn’t there be a reason the senior spoke first?”
With her signature playful tone, Hong Suryeon lightly pressed down on Do Gyeoul. Her smile was soft, but the force behind it wasn’t something you could ignore.
“You two are friends, right? If you’ve got something to say, make it quick or talk later on the phone. Right now’s not the time, don’t you think?”
We’re not friends. That almost slipped out unconsciously.
At Hong Suryeon’s words, Do Gyeoul’s expression stiffened for a moment before she let out a small laugh.
“Ahaha... sure. Go ahead....”
The grip on my left wrist gradually loosened. Red marks were left behind on my skin.
“Yeoreum. You know the script reading for <Seoul Metropolitan City> isn’t far off, right?”
“....”
“I’ll be looking forward to that day. That’s what I wanted to say.”
Do Gyeoul slowly released my wrist, her eyes glinting with something akin to excitement.
The dim interior of the film festival hall.
Do Gyeoul looked completely at ease here, as if a place like this was second nature to her.
Even though it still felt unfamiliar—and precious—to me.
The difference between us hit me all over again.
“See you then.”
As she passed by me, Do Gyeoul suddenly paused, as if remembering something, and turned her head slightly.
“Oh, and Actor. I’m the senior here. Did you forget when I debuted? Ahaha.”
It sounded gentle, but it was sharp—like she was deliberately marking her position for Hong Suryeon to hear.
“I’m just telling you in case there might be any issues later, so don’t take it to heart. Anyway.”
With that, Do Gyeoul walked off, her long straight hair swaying behind her.
It had only been a brief encounter, but somehow I had already shrunk back. The back of my neck, tense without me realizing, ached.
“What was that? ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Talking like that to me? So rude. I’m actually offended, you know! I’m definitely holding a grudge!”
Still holding onto my wrist, Hong Suryeon grumbled. Now it was just the two of us.
Naturally, Han Yeoreum’s inner opportunistic calculator started running. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
‘Hong Suryeon....’
There’s no downside to getting close to her. No—this might actually be a good opportunity.
“Hey, baby. Look at me. Turn your head properly! When did you debut?”
Baby? That might be the most surprising nickname I’ve ever heard.
But being called that by a top actress in her own way... it made my heart melt a little.
‘After being called all sorts of trash before, hearing “baby” like this... it really makes you realize how different Eun Baekhap is.’
And although she had a different vibe from Eun Baekhap, Hong Suryeon’s appearance was just as striking.
‘Seeing her up close... she really is Hong Suryeon....’
I could see why she was called the queen of romantic comedies. Her gestures and tone naturally carried charm.
‘That attitude—like she just assumes people will like her—is on another level.’
With Do Gyeoul gone, I felt more at ease and could smile at Hong Suryeon. She seemed to have a favorable impression of me from the start.
‘If she’s someone of this level, I absolutely have to get close to her.’
Can I call you unni? Of course, baby, I like you. I’ve never seen a junior act like you before. Oh my, me too, I’m really your fan. I knew it. Should we talk deeply about acting? I can give you lots of tips as a senior actress. Of course, thank you so much, unni. Hahaha, hohoho, hahaha, hohoho...
Good. Should I start recruiting Hong Suryeon into Team Han Yeoreum?
“You are my senior. I debuted when I was twenty.”
“I see. Then what do you think of me? It’s your first time seeing me like this, right? You should tell me your impression up close. Hurry, praise me.”
“I’ve watched all your works. You’re much more lovely in person than on screen, and you smell really nice too. It’s kind of a sweet scent—I’d love to use whatever product you’re using. Honestly, your fragrance is five thousand stars.”
“Reeeally? It’s a dedicated line, you know.”
I see...
“Anyway, lovely, beautiful, and wonderfully fragrant me, Hong Suryeon, only called you here for one reason, right?”
I didn’t say “beautiful,” but she added that herself.
“What is it?” freёwebnovel.com
“You. When are you doing romance?”
Hong Suryeon suddenly threw out an unexpected question.
“Huh? Romance?”
“I thought about it... what on earth made me lose to someone like you? After my <See You That Day> ended, I was under so much stress. It was a feeling I had never experienced in my life. I cried and soaked in sadness, then looked in the mirror—and do you know how pretty I looked? I wish you could’ve seen it. It was such an unforgettable moment, definitely a highlight reel scene for my life flashing before my eyes.”
She gazed into the distance as if reminiscing about that moment.
“You’ve memorized my filmography since you admire me, so you know, right? I’ve never lost to anyone. Not even Eun Baekhap or Dongbaekyoung could beat me. Well, part of that is because I’m the most beautiful, obviously.”
She definitely had one of the highest hit rates among actresses.
Any project that went up against Hong Suryeon’s romance inevitably got pushed into second place, no matter how well-made it was.
“Especially when I’m doing romance, actors practically avoid me on their own! They’d scramble to change schedules. There weren’t just one or two—it was countless. The road Hong Suryeon walks? It’s basically the Autobahn.”
There was a reason behind her confidence.
‘Will I ever become an actress who can talk about all her works like that?’
Just the name Hong Suryeon alone made the public anticipate something. Her unparalleled name value shone brilliantly.
“But for my romantic comedy to lose to your genre piece? That’s unacceptable—and it should never have happened! Kyah! At this rate, I’ll die young from stress. That would be a national loss.”
She nodded, her expression firm with resolve.
“So I came to a conclusion. To wash away my humiliation, I need you, baby. Isn’t it an honor?”
“Me? How?”
“Obviously, we go head-to-head again in the same broadcast period—and you get properly crushed under me.”
“...Wow.”
And with a bright smile, she declared her intention to completely overwhelm me.
