chapter 131
Chapter 131
"It's a big night tonight, especially for the new actors who have made a strong impression this year."
The female presenter smiled brightly toward the camera, her expression carrying the practiced excitement that came naturally to someone who had spent years standing beneath flashing lights.
"Yes. And Haru, in particular, is definitely creating a lot of buzz," the other presenter added.
The giant screen behind them shifted.
A photograph of Haru appeared.
The audience erupted into applause.
"He has practically catapulted into stardom with Gyeongseong High," the female presenter continued. "His portrayal of his character received an incredible amount of praise from both viewers and critics."
"And he is actually one of the most anticipated rising stars tonight."
"Oh!"
The male presenter suddenly turned toward the entrance.
"There he is."
The cameras immediately swung around.
The atmosphere outside changed in an instant.
A sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of the carpet, its polished surface reflecting the dozens of lights surrounding the entrance. Photographers raised their cameras almost simultaneously.
The screams came first.
Then the flashes.
One after another.
Rapid.
Blinding.
Almost deafening.
The rear door opened.
A polished black shoe stepped onto the red carpet.
Then another.
Haru emerged from the vehicle.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to slow.
The shouting fans.
The photographers.
The reporters calling his name.
The endless flashes exploding around him.
It was his first major official schedule since Gyeongseong High had transformed him from a relatively unknown actor into one of the industry's newest rising names.
And strangely enough...
It felt nostalgic.
Haru paused for half a second.
His lips curved into a faint smile.
He had stood on a red carpet like this before.
Not as Haru.
As Sunghoon.
The memory came unexpectedly.
Another award show.
Another sea of cameras.
Another crowd screaming his name.
Another expensive suit.
Another carefully rehearsed smile.
Back then, he had walked the carpet with his head held high despite knowing exactly what people were saying about him.
The controversy had been everywhere.
Everywhere he looked, there had been speculation.
Articles.
Comments.
Whispers.
People dissecting his every expression and interpreting every movement as evidence of guilt or arrogance.
Yet he had still walked forward.
He remembered that night vividly.
He remembered the sensation of the cameras flashing against his eyes.
He remembered smiling even though his chest had felt heavy.
He remembered telling himself that he would not allow strangers to dictate how he carried himself.
And now...
Twenty-five years later, he was standing on another red carpet.
Only this time, there was no scandal waiting for him at the end of it.
There was anticipation.
There was excitement.
There was curiosity.
There was a completely different kind of attention.
Haru inhaled slowly.
His chest tightened.
Not from fear.
At least, he didn't think it was fear.
Perhaps it was simply the strange realization that he had somehow returned to a place he once thought he would never see again.
He lifted his chin.
Then smiled.
The cameras erupted.
"Haru!"
"Look this way!"
"Haru, over here!"
"One more!"
"Please look to the left!"
He turned smoothly from one direction to another.
Smile.
Pose.
Small bow.
Smile again.
He had learned long ago that there was an art to red carpets.
Never rush.
Never appear irritated.
Give every section of photographers a moment.
Acknowledge the fans.
Keep your expression natural.
And, most importantly, never let the cameras see uncertainty.
Sunghoon's instincts had not disappeared simply because his name had changed.
When the photographers finally allowed him to move forward, Haru bowed politely before heading toward the interview area.
A reporter immediately approached him.
"Haru!"
He turned.
"How are you feeling about being here tonight?"
Haru smiled.
"I feel amazing. Honestly, it still feels a little surreal."
"Surreal?"
"Yes." He gave a small laugh. "Not long ago, I was simply focused on working hard and doing my best on set. Being here tonight and seeing so many incredible actors and artists is something I'm very grateful for."
The reporter nodded enthusiastically.
"Are you looking forward to meeting anyone in particular tonight?"
Haru's smile widened.
"There are so many people I admire, so I don't think I can name just one."
The reporter laughed.
"So you're trying to avoid getting yourself into trouble?"
"Absolutely."
The answer earned another laugh from the surrounding staff.
Haru relaxed slightly.
"But genuinely, there are many seniors here whose work I've admired for a long time. I'm looking forward to meeting them and learning from them."
The answer was safe.
Polite.
Professional.
Perfect.
But beneath it, Haru's mind was already working.
Sunghoon had always understood that talent alone was never enough in the entertainment industry.
Relationships mattered.
Reputation mattered.
Trust mattered.
The people you met today could become the directors who called you tomorrow.
The senior actor you greeted politely could recommend you for a role five years later.
The producer sitting quietly across the room could eventually become the person deciding whether your name belonged on the poster of a major production.
Networking was not about using people.
It was about building relationships before you needed them.
And Haru intended to do exactly that.
He had already lost one life.
He had no intention of wasting the second.
Inside, the award ceremony had already begun.
The enormous hall glittered beneath hundreds of lights.
Tables had been arranged across the floor, each one decorated with flowers, candles, and carefully arranged place settings.
Everywhere Haru looked, there were familiar faces.
Actors he had acted alongside.
Veterans whose names had become synonymous with the industry.
Idols who had spent years dominating charts.
Directors whose films Sunghoon had once watched during late nights.
Even after all his years in the entertainment industry, there was something strange about sitting among them again.
Except this time, nobody was looking at him as Sunghoon.
They were looking at Haru.
The opening announcements finished.
Then came the performances.
K-pop had changed dramatically over the past decade.
What had once been an industry dominated by a handful of major groups had expanded into something enormous. International tours, global charts, streaming platforms, social media...
The industry had become almost impossible to ignore.
Tonight's award show was prestigious enough that the organizers had invited one of the hottest girl groups of the moment.
The moment the first beat dropped, the audience erupted.
Haru recognized the song almost immediately.
It had been everywhere recently.
On streaming platforms.
On social media.
In advertisements.
Even in convenience stores.
The group performed flawlessly.
Their choreography was sharp, their synchronization nearly perfect.
Haru found himself unconsciously tapping his fingers against the table.
He had always enjoyed watching good performers.
Whether it was acting, singing, dancing, or even public speaking, there was something fascinating about people who had mastered their craft.
He nodded along to the music.
When the performance ended, he joined the rest of the audience in applause.
He clapped for every performance.
Every award recipient.
Every senior actor who walked onto the stage.
He was attentive without appearing desperate.
Respectful without overdoing it.
It was almost instinctive.
During one of the breaks, the actors at his table began talking.
At first, Haru mostly listened.
A senior actor sitting beside him eventually turned toward him.
"You're Haru, aren't you?"
"Yes, sunbaenim."
"I watched your film."
Haru immediately straightened slightly.
"The one that's coming out soon?"
"Yes."
The actor nodded.
"You're good."
Haru's expression softened.
"Thank you very much."
"I mean it. You have good screen presence."
Haru bowed his head slightly.
"That means a lot coming from you."
The older actor smiled.
"Don't let the attention get to your head."
Haru laughed quietly.
"I'll try."
"You'll need to get used to it. After Gyeongseong High, you're going to be seeing a lot more cameras."
There was a knowing look in his eyes.
Haru understood exactly what he meant.
"I'll keep that in mind."
They continued talking.
Nothing extraordinary.
Nothing dramatic.
Just a conversation.
But Haru remembered the man's words.
And his name.
And the projects he had worked on.
And who he was close to.
Sunghoon's memory was annoyingly useful.
The ceremony continued.
One category after another.
Names were called.
Applause filled the room.
Awards were handed out.
Speeches were made.
And then...
Haru's category appeared on the screen.
His fingers stopped moving.
For the first time that evening, the calm expression on his face faltered slightly.
The nominees were announced.
One after another.
The giant screen displayed their faces.
The audience applauded politely.
Haru sat perfectly still.
His heart began beating faster.
He wasn't sure why.
He had experienced award ceremonies before.
Sunghoon had won awards.
Sunghoon had stood on stages.
Sunghoon had accepted trophies while cameras captured every second.
Yet this felt different.
This award belonged to Haru.
Not to a name he had inherited from another life.
Not to a career that had already existed before his second chance.
This was something he had built from nothing.
His own name.
His own career.
His own achievement.
The presenter opened the envelope.
Haru's heart seemed to stop.
"And the winner is..."
A pause.
The room became strangely quiet.
"Haru."
For a second, he didn't move.
Then the people around him began clapping.
Someone tapped his shoulder.
"Congratulations."
Haru stood.
A smile spread across his face.
The applause grew louder as he walked toward the stage.
His heart was practically humming in his chest.
He climbed the steps.
The lights were brighter from here.
The audience looked larger.
The cameras were everywhere.
A staff member handed him the trophy.
Haru accepted it with both hands.
He stared at it for a moment.
His name was engraved on it.
HARU.
His fingers tightened slightly around the award.
He stepped toward the microphone.
The room quieted.
"Thank you."
His voice was steady.
"I want to thank everyone who made this possible."
He glanced toward the audience.
"Thank you to the organizers of this award show, and to my amazing management team for believing in me and supporting me throughout this journey."
His eyes moved toward the table where his colleagues were sitting.
"And thank you to everyone I've had the opportunity to work with."
He paused.
There were so many people he could name.
So many people who had helped him get here.
So many people who had given him opportunities when he was still relatively unknown.
"I also want to thank everyone who has supported me from the beginning."
His smile became warmer.
"And to my fans... thank you."
The audience applauded again.
Haru lowered his gaze briefly.
"This is truly a wonderful opportunity for me. To be able to receive an award like this, especially while standing alongside so many incredible seniors whom I respect, is something I don't take lightly."
He looked at the trophy in his hands.
"When I first started acting, I only wanted the opportunity to stand on a set and prove that I belonged there."
A quiet smile appeared.
"Tonight, receiving this makes me feel like I'm one step closer to that goal."
He bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
The applause that followed was louder than before.
Haru straightened.
For a brief moment, he simply stood there.
Listening.
Feeling.
Remembering.
Once, Sunghoon had stood beneath these lights carrying an entirely different weight.
He had thought his career was already over.
He had thought he understood exactly where his life was going.
He had been wrong.
Now, holding an award with the name Haru engraved on it, he realized something.
Maybe this wasn't a return to his old life.
Maybe it wasn't a second chance at all.
Maybe it was the first time he was finally getting the chance to live his own.