Free Web Novel* * *
Cheongdam — the venue of the Ruel Style Awards.
A mint-colored carpet, the kind that brightened your mood just by looking at it, had been rolled out in a vivid sweep.
On the photo wall, the words “Le-el style awards” were stamped in a sleek font, shining under the lights. Fast-tempo music flowed out from the speakers, setting the overall atmosphere.
“Don’t push—.”
“Ah, someone stepped on my foot!”
Even before the event officially began, the restless murmuring never stopped. Beyond the tightly cordoned lines, home masters clutching massive cameras stood atop ladders, waiting for someone.
“Wow, there are so many people....”
Everyone agreed with whoever whispered that. Just the announcement that idols, models, and actors would gather in one place had drawn such crowds that the traffic outside practically froze.
The reporters lined up at the very front checked their lenses, holding huge cameras. Tall lighting rigs cast bright, crystalline light across the carpet.
‘What will Yeoreum wear today!’
Wi Jaehwi of Deduck.B at Daily Media pressed his lips together, excitement blooming in his chest.
Ever since hearing that Han Yeoreum would attend today, he had been daydreaming about her outfit on a daily basis. Being a fan of a rookie actress with almost no breadcrumbs to go on was truly a demanding hobby.
‘Anyway, whatever she wears... Dok Gogyeol must’ve done a great job. Right.’
Knowing that Yeoreum went to <Gogyeol> for styling gave him some relief. Even if the overall outfit or styling wasn’t perfect, as long as he got a clean close-up shot, half the battle would be won.
‘Still no news from sponsors... Yeah. Probably not yet....’
She might have received messages from a few startup brands on SNS, but it was unlikely that a well-known dress company would reach out to her first. The entertainment industry judged everything by recognition and influence — a brutally cold world.
‘Who cares! She’ll look cute no matter what!’
Still, he was simply happy. This was Yeoreum’s first step onto a proper event carpet.
“She’s coming!”
A black van stopped in front of the mint carpet. The moment actor Ji Haebeom — today’s MC — stepped out of the car, screams burst forth.
“Ji Haebeom!!! It’s Ji Haebeom!!!”
“Please look over here!!!”
Snap snap snap snap snap—!
Continuous shutter clicks scattered wildly through the air. Ji Haebeom posed confidently on the photo wall, then headed inside. Right after him, his co-MC Eun Baekhap stepped out in turn. The arrival of two top actors immediately electrified the atmosphere.
‘A top star is a top star.’
Wi Jaehwi thought as he focused as much as possible while shooting. Their gaze control, their posing, even their attitude — everything about them was effortlessly natural.
“Yeah, things feel completely different when Ji Haebeom shows up.”
“Right? Him entering together with Eun Baekhap instantly makes the ceremony feel prestigious.”
The reporters chatted casually during the brief lull. Once those two sure-fire view-generators passed by, the heat of the shooting cooled slightly.
‘Well, that’s only natural.’
Le-el style awards — hosted by the fashion media magazine Ruel.
It was simply an event for selecting trendy figures from various fields. Unlike the <Baekryong Film Awards> or the three major public TV networks’ <Entertainment Awards>, it wasn’t the kind of ceremony that triggered intense public curiosity.
‘Most people probably think, “Take a few pictures and go.”’
[Ji Haebeom, all-back hair + suit... a sculpted classic look perfected]
[Star★Video / This is “adult sexy.” Ji Haebeom’s heart-fluttering wave]
[Ruel Style Awards — Eun Baekhap’s pure cheek-heart... viewers “heart attack”]
Articles were uploaded immediately. The view counts on posts covering celebrities attending the Ruel Style Awards were practically report cards. Who ranked in the top tier, who ranked in the bottom — all judged brutally by the public.
A few more attendees arrived, and then, just as a black Carnival halted, a staff member called out:
“Joo Junseo-nim will enter now—!”
Finally, the person Wi Jaehwi had been waiting for arrived. As the car door opened beneath the bright lights and Joo Junseo extended his hand for an escort, Wi Jaehwi instantly began hitting the shutter.
Clickclickclick—!!!
There wasn’t a single reporter here who didn’t know <ParCheHi>. In fact, today at the Ruel Style Awards, the arrival of these two rookies would bring in as many clicks as Ji Haebeom and Eun Baekhap.
“Oooooh!!!”
Even before the pair stepped onto the photo wall, the gathered crowd and reporters erupted into cheers.
‘Oh my god, this is insane — what is Yeoreum wearing? And what’s with Joo Junseo???’
Wi Jaehwi cried internally as he continued shooting. Every second Yeoreum entered his frame felt like a blessing.
“Wow... being a former model really shows.”
“Seriously. That outfit is insane.”
Reporters who saw thousands of celebrities every year had the sharpest eyes in the industry. They usually formed opinions at a glance — and yet today, entertainment reporters were visibly pleased. Even at a quick look, it was obvious who the best dresser of the night was going to be.
“So pretty~~~!!!”
Someone shouted from afar. Yeoreum — whose round cheeks lifted with excitement as she walked — answered with a smile she couldn’t contain.
“Thank you~~~!!!”
Even that simple line warmed the atmosphere. Laughter bubbled up here and there.
[〈ParCheHi〉’s Pi Chaewon, overflowing with soul today~ “Am I pretty? Thank you!”]
[Like straight out of a romance manga~ Model Joo Junseo & actress Han Yeoreum’s perfect two-shot]
[Star★Video / Stop waving so fast... Joo Junseo’s gentle-senior vibe]
“Yeoreum-ssi, hand wave~ please wave your hand~!”
“Look this way!”
Yeoreum genuinely smiled throughout the entire shoot.
It wasn’t a polite, practiced smile — anyone could see that. She looked like she had no idea what to do with all the joy inside her, and the entertainment reporters felt their own faces warm in response. Their headlines naturally reflected that fondness. ƒreewebɳovel.com
[HOT / Today’s celebrity who made reporters smile like proud dads.jpg]
(photo: Yeoreum enthusiastically waving in front of the photo wall.jpg)
(photo: reporters beside her smiling as they shoot.jpg)
— It’s Han Yeoreum lolololol This is her first awards ceremony and she seriously looks overwhelmed... They asked her to wave her hand, but she waved SO fast that Joo Junseo beside her sighed, omg I’m dying lolololol does she have a motor installed or what T_T
— Today’s outfit is legendary. How did someone who played dead-fish eyes this well look like THIS?
-LOOOLLL She’s so transparent, she’s literally twenty, such a freshman vibe
-Our baby melon bread... Look at her cheeks about to burst TT_TT I love you T_T
-LOLOL She’s twenty, why is she acting like that... the concept is a bit much
˪I was a senior in high school like two days ago, people can act like that too, why so strict loool;
˪Not all twenty-year-olds act like that at official events though
Input: The vibe on-site is amazing so why ruin it...? I’m genuinely asking, do people around you tell you you’re always picking fights?
Meanwhile, Wi Jaehwi monitored reactions. The comments on Yeoreum’s outfit were spreading fast — and they were on fire.
— Today Han Yeoreum’s look is legendary lololol No hair/makeup team can beat this
˪But the event isn’t even halfway through...? I’m a fan of another actor and this feels annoying
˪Okay, be annoyed then, that’s your opinion, move along
‘Of course Yeoreum is the best dresser.’
Yeoreum wore a clean black dress layered with a shirt underneath, creating a formal, polished look. It was simple — dangerously simple, even — but she brought it to life with an antique ribbon brooch that tied everything together.
‘At this rate, she and Joo Junseo might be named couple best dressers. If I write the article pairing them... perfect.’
Standing beside Yeoreum, Joo Junseo had /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ a sharp, slightly delinquent aura — they made each other stand out even more. A win-win combination.
After quickly drafting and releasing the article on Yeoreum’s outfit, Wi Jaehwi suddenly felt something off. Her styling... looked familiar somehow. freeweɓnøvel.com
‘Huh? But something’s...’
He tilted his head, the thought slipping just out of reach. He stared at Yeoreum’s photos again.
“Do Gyeoul-nim will enter now—!!!”
A large van rolled to a stop, and an explosion of cheers followed as Do Gyeoul appeared. She wore a soft cream-colored dress that fit perfectly with the mint carpet. At that moment, a spark went off in Wi Jaehwi’s head.
‘That’s Do Gyeoul’s outfit!!!’
He immediately typed up a short article on-site.
[★Photo / “Same dress, different vibe” — Do Gyeoul & Han Yeoreum outfit comparison]
