-["Congratulations! Male Actor 'Scene Stealer Award'!! Rojun-nim!!!"]
Cheers erupted everywhere people were watching the Drama Awards at the sound of Kang Rojun's name on TV. PD Woo Hanseok and the writers were going wild.
"Whoaaa!!! Rojun got it!"
"No way!! That's insane!"
"H-he really won?!"
"PD-nim!! Rojun! Rojun!!"
"I know, I know, punk. Don't cling to me."
PD Woo Hanseok smiled in satisfaction and clapped for Kang Rojun on the screen.
'That punk really won an award. He made his mark properly. Of course, he'll do even more from now on.'
GN Entertainment, which had been watching the situation holding their breath, was in a similar state. No, they were several times more excited than 'The 100%' team.
"@$(&*#%&Crazy!(#*%!!"
"Uwaaaack!!! %(%)(#*)(%()%*!!"
"##()%No way, for real#%()#%*(#)!!!"
They screamed so much it was hard to tell what they were saying, and the staff hugged each other as if it were their own achievement and jumped up and down.
CEO Ha Seohwan, sitting in his office, let out a small breath.
"Phew—there we go."
He smiled faintly. But joy was clearly welling up inside him. 'Culture Drawer' likewise emitted an energy that wouldn't lose to GN Entertainment.
Thus, from Kang Rojun's agencies to related figures, no one held back their praise—and neither did the fans watching the live broadcast.
-Uwaaack!!! Rojun, congratsㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠ huhuhung
-I knew Rojun would get it!!
-Getting an acting award before his idol debut is insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-First time seeing thisㅋㅋㅋㅋ An idol getting an award before debutㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Various media outlets couldn't hide their surprise at the unprecedented event.
"Huh—he really went and won an award."
"It's a first, right? Someone winning an award like that."
"Of course. Where is there anyone who won an award less than a year after appearing? He even attended as a writer and won an actor award."
"His main identity is an idol, but he's hoisting a trophy through his side job first."
"SBC has really changed, hasn't it? Honestly, no matter how hot he was, I didn't think they'd actually give him an award."
A seismic shift.
It was a phenomenon that had never occurred before, nor shown any signs of occurring.
"Is that Rojun punk changing the flow of the entertainment industry?"
From his first appearance until now, there hadn't been a single ordinary thing about Kang Rojun. He was truly like an invasive species, and he had stirred up a typhoon of change even at the terrestrial SBC Drama Awards, which had been seen as set in stone.
This implied many things.
Most of all, it meant that thanks to one commanding figure, the rigid entertainment industry was bending with flexibility.
Anyway.
"[Photo] Rojun Wins Scene Stealer Award at '2020 SBC Drama Awards'"
"'Rojun,' Who Received an Award First as an Actor, Becomes the Protagonist of the 'Scene Stealer Award'!"
"'Rojun' Called as a Winner at the 2020 SBC Drama Awards / Photo"
As news of Kang Rojun's award was slowly being thrown out as articles, inside the large hall where the 'SBC Drama Awards' was underway.
-Clapclapclapclapclapclapclap!
-Clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap!
The hall was filled with the sound of applause. Who was this applause for?
"Congratulations, Rojun-nim!"
"Congratulations, Writer Rojun!!"
"That's amaaazing!! Really, congratulations!!"
It was Rojun receiving endless thumbs-ups from the 'Rental Lover' team. Before anyone knew it, Kang Rojun's face filled the giant screen at the back of the stage.
As for Rojun.
"······"
He had nearly shouted "Nice!!!" outwardly. He had earnestly wished to win an award, but who would have thought his name would actually be called? Rojun's lips naturally curved like a bow, and soon he put on an eye smile.
Though it wasn't intentional.
"Kyaaaaaaah!!"
Rojun captivated the audience through the gaps.
PD Jeong Suryeong tapped his shoulder and pointed at the stage with his index finger.
"Go on up."
Kang Rojun got up in a fluster and, unable to catch his breath, bowed continuously to PD Jeong Suryeong, the 'Rental Lover' team, and the surrounding actors congratulating him.
-Swish.
He slowly turned his head toward the stage. Ah, first, let's fix the tuxedo. Rojun, who had thrown on a tuxedo rather haphazardly, straightened his attire and took his first step. Cameras followed him. The applause still exploding around him remained relentless. Kang Rojun's heart pounded. A thrill-filled tremor.
'This feeling is killer.'
To other actors, the 'Scene Stealer Award' might not be a big deal, but to Rojun it didn't matter. Receiving an award in this space filled with the nation's most renowned actors was what was important.
Around this time, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong in the waiting room were showing explosive excitement.
"Aaaack!! Hyung! Rojun hyung!!"
"That's insane...... Hyung really won an award."
"Rojun! Congrats!!"
Kang Rojun's long legs reached the stage. With long strides. Rojun arrived on the stage flooded with spotlight, walking without hesitation. For a moment, Kang Rojun turned his gaze to the audience seats looking at him.
'......There are a lot of people.'
Celebrities he had only seen on TV were all looking at him? Even sending him fierce congratulations? Kang Rojun, his fingertips and toes tingling, took a deep breath.
Because he was nervous?
That was part of it, but neutralizing this overflowing energy was the bigger reason. At this rate, he felt like he could burst into a hip dance or shoulder dance right on stage. Soon, a bouquet and.
-Swish.
A golden trophy in the shape of a person with arms spread out was handed to him. After receiving congratulations even from the two actors who delivered the award and bouquet.
'So this is my trophy? It's dazzling, dazzling.'
After looking down at the trophy for a few seconds, he raised his face. Now it was time for his acceptance speech. Only Kang Rojun stood on the large stage now. Rojun positioned himself in front of the standing mic.
What should he say?
PD Jeong Suryeong had told him to prepare an acceptance speech just in case, so he had thought about it roughly.
But now all the lines had disappeared.
To be exact, had he forgotten? He was too intoxicated by the mood.
If he tried to force himself to remember, he felt like he would stutter. Therefore, Rojun.
'Forget it, I'll just be myself. I'll say my honest feelings right now.'
He decided to say whatever, true to his usual self. Then Kang Rojun, in a nonchalant yet composed tone, while wearing a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, lightly lifted the trophy.
"This feeling is killer. I think it's more so because I've rarely won awards in my life. I suppose today will remain in my memory forever. My experience in the entertainment industry is short, so every day is mysterious, and I'm enjoying it."
Once he opened his mouth, the words flowed out smoothly. Kang Rojun raised his gaze to the 2nd-floor audience.
"There are many people I'm grateful to. First—the fans who support me. I'll soon greet you with the best stage."
A bizarre scream or shriek rang out as if tearing the hall apart. Then Kang Rojun lowered his eyes to the 1st floor.
"PD Jeong Suryeong and the 'Rental Lover' team, senior Choi Rina and other seniors who taught me so much—thank you."
He expressed his gratitude to those around him as they came to mind. Including the 'Vanguard' kids.
"My members, Sihu hyung, Gangmin, and Dogyeong. Thank you."
Finally, Rojun suddenly raised his gaze to the ceiling with its countless lights. No, he was looking at the sky above the ceiling.
"Dad, Mom. I won an award."
Afterward.
Even as Kang Rojun came down from the stage and headed to where the 'Rental Lover' team was sitting.
-Clapclapclapclapclapclapclap!
The applause continued. Of course, cameras captured Rojun's profile and back. His appearance holding the trophy was probably being broadcast live everywhere in the country. Kang Rojun, who had won the 'Scene Stealer Award,' was now an actor, not an idol or a writer.
As soon as he arrived at his seat, PD Jeong Suryeong and Choi Rina conveyed their congratulations again, and Kang Rojun let out a small breath as he placed the trophy on the round table.
'It's sparkling.'
An indescribable surge of emotion welled up as he looked at the golden trophy. PD Jeong Suryeong lightly tapped his shoulder.
"It doesn't feel bad for an appetizer award, right?"
"An appetizer?"
"Actor and writer are side jobs. From now on, I think Writer Rojun will receive even greater awards as an idol, don't you?"
It was a valid point. For Kang Rojun, today was a rehearsal. Today, actors were stationed around him, but later he would be standing among the nation's most prominent idols.
'I hope I win an award then too. No, I definitely will.'
Around the time Rojun was making such a strong resolution, the SBC Drama Awards continued. Next was the turn for the Male and Female Rookie Awards. The format was the same as Kang Rojun's. The male and female actors who had won last year's Rookie Awards came on stage, and after announcing the nominees first, they loudly called out the protagonists.
Two male rookie actors, two female rookie actors.
There were actors familiar to Rojun's eyes, and actors he was seeing for the first time. As Rojun applauded their acceptance speeches, top actress Choi Rina subtly leaned close. At a close distance. Rojun smelled a very pleasant fragrance, and Choi Rina whispered quietly.
"That rookie award—it's not clear, but there's probably a condition requiring at least a year of activity since debut. If it weren't for that, it would definitely be you winning it, Rojun-nim."
So there were conditions like that too. However, Kang Rojun didn't really care. Whether it was a Rookie Award or whatever, what mattered was that he had won an award.
"It's fine. From what I see, the trophy looks the same too."
"Pfft. What is that. Well, you're not wrong."
As the Rookie Awards ended, awards commending the staff's hard work followed, and 'SBC Drama Awards' Part 1 was slowly rushing toward its end.
Accordingly.
'When do I have to slip out?'
Kang Rojun began preparing to leave his seat. Because he had to perform the first congratulatory stage as soon as Part 1 ended.
'They'll probably give me the cue roughly after Part 1 ends, right??'
But Kang Rojun couldn't go straight to the waiting room where his members were.
The reason was simple.
"Let's check the Short-form Drama Writer Award nominees first!!"
Because the 'Scene Stealer Award' wasn't the end.
"Short-form Drama Writer Award!! Congratulations!! Writer Rojun!"
This time it was a writer's award.
A few tens of minutes later.
As soon as Kang Rojun, who had won an award as a writer following his actor award, finished his second acceptance speech, Part 1 of the awards ceremony ended. The TV was probably airing commercials, and the actors inside the large hall were busy chatting amongst themselves as they waited for the congratulatory stage.
"The internet's going to break tomorrow, right? Rojun went and won two awards."
"An actor award and a writer award. In all my years acting, this is the first time I've seen a case like this."
"The media and public opinion definitely have reason to sing his praises—his character is just unparalleled."
"Only the character? I saw him for the first time today, and his visuals are like...... I can see why the public goes on about him being CG."
By and large, Kang Rojun was the topic.
"Rojun's going to sweep up all the articles about this year's SBC Drama Awards."
"He won an award as an actor, then as a writer, and now he's gone to prepare for a congratulatory stage as an idol. What kind of kid is like that?"
"Ah! Right, the congratulatory stage is being done by 'The 100%' final winners, isn't it??"
"I wonder how his main job will be?"
"He's good. I watched 'The 100%' all the way through. He stands out as an actor and writer, but as expected, since his main job is an idol—on stage, he simply dominates."
Then.
"It's time to see the SBC Drama Awards' first congratulatory stage!"
Whether the commercials had ended, the MC came up on stage and introduced those who would decorate the first congratulatory stage.
"Recently, no matter what anyone says, in Korea—no, even in Japan—they were the hottest, right?? There's no one who doesn't know 'The 100%', right?"
On the giant screen at the back of the stage, the faces of Kang Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong appeared in order. Around the time the MC was delivering his lines, the number of viewers watching the awards ceremony live was increasing exponentially.
-They're coming out!! Our kids are coming out!!!
-ㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠ Congrats to Rojun for being a double crown winner today!!!
-I knew he'd win something like a writer award, but I didn't know he'd win an actor award tooㅠㅠㅠ I'm so happy for him
-Rojun's really busy busyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Right after winning an award and giving his speech, straight to the congratulatory stageㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-But what should they introduce the kids as?? The 100% final winners? Is it okay to mention another station's show on SBC?
-They'll figure it outㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ They might just say their names
-Anyway, even if it's not an official debut!! Congrats on your first terrestrial broadcast stage!!!
-Ha... GN ah.... hurry up and decide the kids' group name...
-Shouting 'The 100% final winners!!' at an SBC awards ceremony is pretty funny tooㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Before long.
"Then! Let's call out those hot people!!"
The MC lowered the cue card he was reading and called out Rojun, Sihu, Gangmin, and Dogyeong, who were waiting right behind the stage.
"It's Vanguard's stage!!!"
In that instant, the viewers were flooded with question marks.