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The moment I stepped inside, a heavier, deeper music thumped through the overall dim lighting. On a mint-colored table — the signature color of the Ruel Style Awards — my name was written.
[Actress: Han Yeoreum]
My name was here. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
In a place like this.
That alone felt enough to fill my whole heart. I hurried over and sat down quickly.
My seat. The seat for actress Han Yeoreum.
“Hey. Do your legs hurt that much? Sit. Stay seated.”
Joo Junseo came back from the catering area carrying a glass of champagne for me. Right beside my name tag, his name tag sat neatly in place.
“Smile moderately here. If you overdo it, the articles will say you were drunk.”
“Ah... thank you. Truly the best senior. I’ll keep my mouth tight from now on.”
“You’re that happy?”
“Of course. Today is so overwhelming that it’s hard to manage my face.”
I hadn’t even considered this part. It would be terrible if articles accused me of being drunk. I tightened my facial muscles.
Inside, the dim lighting made Joo Junseo’s face look even more convincing somehow. His naturally sharp, sensitive features matched incredibly well with the delicate tattoo sticker placed under his ear.
‘Ruel Style Awards party photoshoot... something like that will run in next month’s magazine, and the broadcast version will air briefly.’
Inside, there were several large cameras set up. It was easy to guess the overall flow of the event.
‘Judging from the reaction earlier... it was a success.’
My plan was simple. First, make every gaze lock onto my outfit.
Ryu Risa’s styling was so perfect it was hard to believe she pulled it together overnight. It was casual but clean — just right for someone twenty.
‘Most of all, it doesn’t look like the same item Do Gyeoul is wearing.’
And second: give reporters something article-worthy.
Right now, all they had was <ParCheHi>. Things like me attending DaeYeJong or appearing soon in an MBS one-episode drama — none of the reporters here would know that.
‘So I need to give them something memorable on-site.’
If I wasn’t careful, I’d end up with headlines about Pi Chaewon’s dead-fish eyes. That was the one thing I had to avoid.
‘Which is why I chose this. A one-time-only “rookie actress attending an awards ceremony” mode.’
And the Ruel Style Awards were the perfect venue for it. If I tried this at a truly prestigious ceremony, everyone would accuse me of forcing a concept and flood the comments with hate.
‘Seriously, Han Yeoreum... are you a genius?’
I pressed down the corners of my mouth again as they tried to rise.
Just then, while Joo Junseo left briefly after telling me to stay put, I spotted Do Gyeoul in the distance.
Celebrities all around her were greeting her. As if she were the main star of tonight.
‘Top actors really are different.’
No matter where she went, the spotlight became hers. Even her seat was perfectly centered — the best spot on the stage-facing side.
At that moment, she turned her head toward me. Our eyes met. Do Gyeoul didn’t avoid my gaze; she met it steadily. For a brief moment, the two of us—
“Hi.”
“Whoa, you scared me.”
I nearly jumped at the sudden familiar voice behind me. Myeong Jeha, wearing a light gray suit, smiled down at me.
“What are you doing here...?”
“Wow, that’s harsh. I dressed up nicely — do I not match the place?”
“No, you match perfectly. You’re the most handsome person here. As expected of Myeong Jeha. The best face.”
I hid my mouth behind my cocktail glass, afraid a camera might catch me buttering him up. Jeha laughed brightly and took the seat next to me.
I hadn’t noticed earlier, but the name tag beside me was his.
“Wow~ thank you... but seriously? It doesn’t sound very sincere.”
“It is. Completely sincere.”
“Haha. Then I’ll mention it when they interview me. That Yeoreum said I have the best face.”
“Resist that temptation.”
I could already see the future comments: “Han Yeoreum, that shameless man-crazy rookie.”
Seeing my hollow dead-fish eyes return, Jeha laughed again.
“I got invited, that’s all. And as you said — I have the best face, so I’m obligated to attend.”
“Jeha. Please watch your mouth so the cameras don’t catch that. You sound a little arrogant.”
“Thanks for the advice. Oh, it’s starting.”
Ji Haebeom and Eun Baekhap stepped onto the stage. The hall shook with applause. Shutters clicked wildly and flashes burst like fireworks.
“Yes. I’m Ji Haebeom, your MC for the 1st Ruel Style Awards.”
“I’m Eun Baekhap.”
Right as the ceremony began, Joo Junseo returned to the seat beside me. Bending forward slightly, he whispered in a quiet voice.
“Hey. Don’t freak out, just listen. Control your expression.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“You’re receiving the third award. Don’t smile too much when you go up. The footage from then will be used in the broadcast.”
What... did I just hear?
I’m receiving an award?
That made no sense. I came here without expecting anything even close to that. Best Dresser wasn’t even a real trophy — just an informal acknowledgment by reporters and stylists. You couldn’t engrave a trophy on the spot anyway.
People who received awards at events like this were either extremely famous or had a huge buzz behind them.
‘But I... am actually receiving a real award with a real trophy?’
For a moment, my brain shut down. Excitement or nerves — I couldn’t tell which — hammered so hard my chest hurt.
“The MUSIC & STYLE award chosen by the 1st Ruel Style Awards goes to....”
Ji Haebeom’s voice blurred, layered over my heartbeat. I clapped automatically as the winner was announced. Then again... and again....
“The WOMAN OF INSPIRATION award chosen by the 1st Ruel Style Awards goes to—”
This was it. My turn.
“To Han Yeoreum, who played Pi Chaewon in <The Cherry on the Parfait Belongs to the Heroine>. Congratulations.”
Objectively, it wasn’t a grand award. If I told people later where I’d received this, most probably wouldn’t even recognize it. It was such a tiny, tiny award. And yet—
‘Still.’
My name was engraved on the trophy I held. Hugging the bouquet to my chest, I stepped up to the microphone.
“Yes... thank you so much for giving me such a meaningful award....”
I had no idea what to say. Because I hadn’t expected anything.
And honestly, it didn’t feel real yet. I was shaking so hard my ears were ringing.
“I hope you’ll invite me again next year. Truly....”
Laughter rippled through the audience. That eased my tension just a little. From the stage, the first person I saw — the closest to me — was Do Gyeoul.
I couldn’t see her face clearly through the strong lights and flashes... but seeing her from up here, for the first time, I felt it.
That I was finally beginning to reclaim the names stolen from me.
Dding—!
「Mission: Let’s Become the Best Dresser」
Keyword: Trend
You have succeeded in becoming a red-carpet figure worthy of universal admiration. From head to toe, all eyes are on you! Everywhere you go, everyone is talking only about you. At this rate, you might become a true trend icon.
Success Condition
[You have been acknowledged as the “Best Dresser” at the 1st Ruel Style Awards]
Reward
Rise in [Fame]!
Fame: E >>> D
[Random Skill Ticket]
〈Check Now〉 〈Store〉
The trophy under the lights shone even more brightly.
* * *
Bzzz—.
[Are you really that happy?]
Jeha texted the question to Yeoreum, who hadn’t stopped smiling since earlier. She brought the bouquet to her nose, took photos endlessly, clutched the trophy again — joy overflowing nonstop.
Input: y-y-y-yes veeeery much
Even though it was nothing more than a minor award, she smiled like she owned the world.
‘Well... I guess that makes sense.’
Before regression, Han Yeoreum would never have been invited to a style awards show, let alone win something. In Myeong Jeha’s memories, Han Yeoreum didn’t even exist.
‘And it wasn’t just the award.’
The Ruel art designer had even shown personal interest in working with her.
“Han Yeoreum-ssi! I really enjoyed <ParCheHi>. The editing, the overall feel — it was fresh. Good work. Let’s do something together next time.”
“Work? Wor...k?”
“Why are you so startled? Your profile photos, and the recent pictorial you shot — the one with the plums? That one had a small internal buzz too, among us.”
It wasn’t a polite formality. The Ruel art designer had no reason to give empty compliments to a rookie with no agency behind her.
‘He just wants to collaborate with the most trending newcomer, that’s all.’
Luck and timing rule this industry. No field follows that rule more perfectly than entertainment.
Celebrities are products. The public must want to consume the image for the machine to keep turning.
‘With Dok Gomin, Dok Gogyeol, and Ryu Risa behind her....’
And now, Han Yeoreum was a fully ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) branded, eye-catching celebrity — building her name without needing viral stunts.
“Please drop me off here. Thank you again for today! One day, I’ll make sure to give you a ride in my own car, sir.”
“Thank you... but realistically, would I ever get into your car?”
To Yeoreum — who was promising to repay her manager’s kindness — Jeha handed a shopping bag.
“Yeoreum. Take this with you.”
