Time passed.
From before its broadcast began, "The Moon Embracing the Sun," which gathered buzz, concluded successfully, recording a whopping 45% viewership for its finale.
On the other hand, "Action King," which was predicted to be its rival...
Ended with a finale viewership of 4.5% due to a school violence controversy involving an idol that erupted midway.
"Ah, Seo-yeon on set?"
An interview conducted after the drama ended.
Shin Yeon-mi, who played the role of Princess Yeonhwa's nanny, said this about a certain child actress.
"She was a diligent child. People call her a genius child actress, but she is a child who worked harder than anyone else."
She spoke of the efforts Seo-yeon made to film the much-talked-about episodes 2 and 3.
"To film that scene, we filmed it early in advance. She had good stamina, unlike a child, so she pulled off all of that. Honestly, I thought I was going to die instead, you know?"
Laughter erupted around Shin Yeon-mi as she spoke playfully.
They must have thought it was a joke.
"It was the most grueling shoot of my life."
Ha Ye-seo, who played the grown-up Princess Yeonhwa, Lee Hye-wol, said with a smile.
"Honestly, my heart dropped when the viewership plummeted in episode 4. Still, I worked hard to properly portray 'Princess Yeonhwa' until the end. Fortunately, it's a huge relief that episode 3 wasn't the peak viewership. It was a precious opportunity where I learned for the first time that it's tough when a child actor acts too well."
Ha Ye-seo showed some shaky acting early on, perhaps due to pressure, but she performed wonderfully in the following episodes. As if proving that her title as a pure actress with acting skills wasn't a lie, she proved her power in the final episode.
Following Ha Ye-seo, the last person to appear was the producer of The Moon Embracing the Sun, Ha Tae-oh.
"Seo-yeon is not retiring. Actress Shin Yeon-mi said it earlier. That she's a greedy child."
Looking at the camera, Ha Tae-oh continued.
"She said she wanted to learn a lot. She said she realized she had too many shortcomings while filming this drama."
Method acting and emotional acting were the biggest reasons, but Ha Tae-oh deliberately didn't mention them.
Because that was a realm that was hard to understand anyway.
"Without a doubt, Seo-yeon will return."
Producer Ha Tae-oh said firmly, with a tone full of conviction.
"Because that child was born to act."
***
Although she said she would enter a period of rest for a while, she couldn't literally rest right away.
At least until this year, when The Moon Embracing the Sun aired, she had to remain as the child actress Joo Seo-yeon.
Why.
Exactly because of the year-end awards ceremony.
"Wow, you're really so pretty."
Seo-yeon was so beautiful that the makeup artist who dressed her up inadvertently said so.
Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Seo-yeon also clicked her tongue inwardly.
'It actually looks prettier than when I was in the drama.'
Actually, Seo-yeon's thought was quite natural in a way.
Naturally, compared to a historical drama, this kind of awards ceremony allowed for more diverse makeup.
"Even though she's young, her eyelashes are really long......"
They couldn't even be called a child's eyelashes.
'How beautiful will she become when she grows up?'
As a makeup artist, she had seen many child actors, but Seo-yeon was the first to be this pretty.
'To think such a child will take a break from work for a while.'
It was such a shame.
Especially for her, who had enjoyed watching The Moon Embracing the Sun.
The acting this child showed was still vividly coming to mind.
"Are you all ready?"
At that time, someone came looking for Seo-yeon, who had finished getting ready.
A man dressed in a proper suit.
The lead actor of The Moon Embracing the Sun, who played the grown-up Yun Seo-il.
"Oh, Seo-yeon. You dressed up really beautifully?"
Actor Kang Sung-chan said with a laugh.
Instead of Su-ah, who couldn't attend the awards ceremony, actor Kang Sung-chan was to accompany Seo-yeon.
Since the cast members who filmed The Moon Embracing the Sun together were all sitting in one place anyway, it wasn't difficult.
"You're here?"
Arriving slowly at the awards ceremony venue, Park Jung-woo, who had arrived first, spoke to her.
He used to not even acknowledge her, but his attitude changed after episode 3 of The Moon Embracing the Sun, which made it awkward.
"Yes, Senior."
"......"
Unable to call him by any other title, Seo-yeon strictly called Jung-woo 'Senior'.
Of course, Park Jung-woo was displeased with Seo-yeon's tone being so stiff, but he couldn't exactly point it out.
It was clear that Seo-yeon was younger than Park Jung-woo and a junior.
"Alright, Seo-yeon, sit here next to actress Ha Ye-seo... by the way, did you think about what to say today?"
"What to say?"
Seo-yeon was puzzled by actor Kang Sung-chan's sudden question.
Did she have something to say today?
"Ah, was this not conveyed? Usually, the nominees are informed in advance?"
"Yes?"
"I'm here."
Park Jung-woo answered instead of the puzzled Seo-yeon.
Thanks to that, when Seo-yeon's gaze turned to him, Jung-woo smirked.
"The Youth Acting Award."
"......?"
For a moment, Seo-yeon almost asked what that was.
However, just from hearing the name, it seemed to be an award given to child actors.
"Since The Moon Embracing the Sun took everything this year, it's almost certain."
Even Kang Sung-chan, who said so, was excited.
The Moon Embracing the Sun concluded with a massive 45% viewership.
As the male lead, it would be strange if Kang Sung-chan didn't have expectations.
Right away, Ha Ye-seo also had a flushed face.
"You will definitely receive it."
At that moment, Park Jung-woo brought that up.
"Whether it's buzz or acting."
Was that a compliment?
Feeling ambiguous, Seo-yeon tilted her head.
Then, Park Jung-woo clicked his tongue shortly and turned his head away.
From Seo-yeon's perspective, he was a guy she couldn't figure out.
"It's a night where the stars are dazzlingly bright again today. I feel like I might go blind just standing here."
While they were having that conversation, some of the lights in the awards venue went out, illuminating the stage.
The two actors who came out as hosts conversed with each other, scanning the audience.
A place with many stars.
Seo-yeon realized anew that she was in such a place.
"Now, we will begin the KMB Acting Awards."
The KMB Acting Awards began with a loud voice.
Sitting there without much thought, Seo-yeon belatedly felt that this place was a world of stars.
She hadn't felt it until now because it lacked a sense of reality.
Looking around, actors here, actors there.
There were plenty of people she had only seen on TV.
"Now, first is the Popularity Award."
Looking ahead, the dramas aired this year flowed out on a large screen.
Many KMB dramas aired this year.
The most noticeable among them was undoubtedly The Moon Embracing the Sun.
Along with the explanation of the nominees, the number of actors listed was so many.
And among them, only a very small number of actors held the trophy and gave their acceptance speeches.
There were even actors who shed tears over a small award.
Like that, around the time the awards ceremony continued.
"And, the next order is this."
What was originally called the Child Actor Award.
"It's the Youth Acting Award!"
Along with the host's words, the candidates for the male and female Youth Acting Awards appeared on the screen.
A child who gained attention by appearing in a daily drama.
A child whose line from a drama became the biggest catchphrase of the year.
Most of them were children who started acting a year or two earlier than Seo-yeon.
Seven-year-old Seo-yeon was exceptionally young even in this place.
'Did you think about what to say today?'
Suddenly, actor Kang Sung-chan's words came to mind.
The words she didn't take too seriously due to the lack of reality circled in her head.
'This is...'
Seo-yeon is generally fearless.
That was probably due to her past life.
She didn't really know where to feel fear or tension.
Even after being reincarnated, that influence remained, so she wasn't easily surprised by ordinary things.
'Tension.'
Seo-yeon clenched her chest tightly.
When she couldn't properly control her trembling hands for no reason.
"Seo-yeon."
Someone grabbed Seo-yeon's hand.
"Take a deep breath."
Actress Jung Eun-sun, who played Queen Dowager Eun-hye.
She looked at Seo-yeon with her usual sharp gaze.
Was she going to say something again?
As she looked at her with that thought, actress Jung Eun-sun said.
"...Honestly."
She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"If it were before, I would have said Seo-yeon's decision was right."
"Yes?"
"Of course, even now... I don't think Seo-yeon's choice was wrong. It's just that I harbor some regret, wondering if there wasn't another way."
Having said that, Jung Eun-sun chewed on her words for a moment.
As if she was contemplating how to speak.
"Before, I thought it was difficult for Seo-yeon to handle her own emotions."
That was why she told her to stop emotional acting, in that manner.
Thanks to that, she received a warning from director Gong Jung-tae, but she felt it was the right thing to do at the time.
"However, watching you changed my mind."
Jung Eun-sun realized a lot while watching The Moon Embracing the Sun this time.
That a child actor wasn't just someone to be coddled forever.
That she was an actress in her own right.
"Seo-yeon, you are a strong child."
Twice.
She showed acting by pouring out all her emotions.
Once right in front of Jung Eun-sun's eyes.
And another time, she watched from a little further away.
The effort Seo-yeon put in for that acting seemed almost touchable.
She couldn't help but know, as she had done method acting for a long time herself.
"It was just an old actress who couldn't see that out of excessive worry."
"Ah, no."
"Therefore."
Cutting off Seo-yeon's flustered reply, Jung Eun-sun continued.
"There's no need to tremble."
Along with her words, a familiar face appeared on the screen.
It was Joo Seo-yeon.
Herself.
Youth Acting Award.
Park Jung-woo for the male category.
And Seo-yeon's face appeared for the female category.
Applause was heard.
Thunderous applause ringing in her ears.
Light shone on Seo-yeon.
Jung Eun-sun carefully pushed Seo-yeon's back.
"Go proudly, as an actress."
Until the very moment she left.
Only then could Seo-yeon take a step forward.
Her trembling heart had also calmed down before she knew it.
As usual, feeling her quiet heart, Seo-yeon took a step.
"Seo-yeon."
Behind Seo-yeon, heading toward the stage, Jung Eun-sun's voice was heard.
"I'm sorry about before."
Turning her back on those words, Seo-yeon went up on the stage.
Just as Jung Eun-sun said.
As an actress.
"Hello, I'm Joo Seo-yeon, who played the young Princess Yeonhwa in The Moon Embracing the Sun."
Giving her usual deep bow to everyone.
Looking at the countless stars visible before her eyes.
That place was so dazzling.
Seo-yeon didn't even know what she was saying right now.
She rambled the words she had thought of, but honestly, she didn't know if she was doing well.
"Seo-yeon, are you crying?"
At that moment, the host said, looking a bit flustered.
Only then did Seo-yeon wipe her eyes with her fingers.
Tears.
Ah, so even when emotions run high, you can cry out of joy too.
It was a little different from crying in acting before.
As expected, she still didn't understand this well.
In her past life, there were too many things she didn't know.
"Lastly."
If that time was sorrow, now it was a bit more complex.
Seo-yeon took a deep breath and calmly opened her mouth.
"I will work hard so that I can stand here again next time. So..."
Exhaling, smiling brightly.
"I will definitely return."
That was Seo-yeon's final word.
Seven-year-old Joo Seo-yeon.
And, the end of a young child actress.
The end of childhood.
And.
Like that.
Time passed.
A few springs.
And a few winters passed.
And, spring came again.
Spring signaling a new beginning.
"Joo Seo-yeon."
Lee Ji-yeon, wearing a school uniform, furrowed her brows and turned her gaze.
There was a girl staring blankly at the sky.
"What are you doing, aren't you going? If you don't hurry, we'll be late, you know?"
A girl with long black hair wearing the same school uniform as her.
Seventeen-year-old Joo Seo-yeon.
With the same calm face as in the past.
"Yeah."
She smiled slightly.
"Let's go."