Chapter 260 - Baeksang (1)

Translator: Dreamscribe

‘Uwaht!’ Kang Woojin’s scream echoed inside as his legs twisted and he stumbled. At this rate, he would just fall flat on his face.

‘Ugh! Hey, hey, hey! Wait a minute!’

His persona is intense right now. If he fell like this, he would maintain a serious expression, but it would be an undeniably ridiculous sight. The over a hundred reporters would eagerly press their shutters, thinking it was a golden opportunity.

Just imagining it was horrifying.

But Woojin’s body had already lost its balance and was falling forward. Shit, wait a minute! At that moment, Kang Woojin reached out his arm with all his might. He saw the Baeksang logo board panel right to his left.

-Pop!

He caught it. He managed to grab it without falling. A regular person would have 100% fallen, but thanks to the ‘martial arts’ imprinted within him, Kang Woojin could show this kind of reflex.

‘Whew! Shit, I almost got seriously screwed.’

The problem was what to do next. Clearly, Kang Woojin’s current posture was unnatural. If he awkwardly pretended nothing happened, it would look just as ridiculous as falling.

Kang Woojin came up with a solution through extreme shamelessness.

-Swoosh.

As if everything until now was perfectly natural, he extended his hand towards the side with the logo panel. To be precise.

“Kyah!! Wow!! Woojin-nim!! I’m a real fan!!”

“Thank you.”

He grabbed a fan’s phone that was reaching out and took a photo. He then proceeded to sign autographs for the surrounding fans. How about that? Natural, right? He replaced the fall with fan service. Like a snake slipping through a crack. Barely overcoming a small crisis, Woojin cynically greeted the fans and resumed walking the red carpet.

How to describe it, the red carpet now looked like a pathway to hell in Kang Woojin’s eyes.

‘Ugh- I feel like throwing up.’

Fortunately, though.

-Swoosh.

Having passed the long hellish red carpet, Kang Woojin reached the entrance of the hall. After a brief photo time and a simple interview with the hosts, Kang Woojin entered D Hall where the awards ceremony would be held. The interior was as astonishing as expected. Kang Woojin’s mouth fell open. Of course, only internally.

‘It’s freaking huge- Crazy, how many giant screens are there??’

Just the seats in the main hall easily exceeded a thousand. There were more than five giant screens on the front stage, and the lights on the ceiling and around the stage were illuminating it. The broadcast team was filming it, and numerous celebrities who had arrived early were busy greeting each other.

Since it was still before the awards ceremony, the atmosphere was a bit casual.

Kang Woojin, standing at the entrance of the hall, hesitated to join that vast crowd. Should he sneak out? But there’s no way.

“Hello, Woojin-ssi!”

Actors who recognized Kang Woojin as he entered approached him. Woojin flinched subtly. Although he was seeing these actors in person for the first time, they approached Woojin as if they knew him well.

“I really enjoyed ‘Drug Dealer’! Are you filming ‘Leech’ well?”

“Ah- Yes.”

“But don’t you have any of those cup noodles left?? I couldn’t buy any at all!”

“Sorry, I don’t have any either.”

The one who saved Woojin was Hong Hye-yeon, who had just entered the hall. Wearing a black dress that exposed her shoulders, Hong Hye-yeon stuck close to Woojin.

“What are you doing here?”

Though a pleasant scent wafted over, Woojin replied in a low voice, deliberately ignoring it.

“Just greeting a few people.”

“If you get caught here, there’s no end to it. Let’s go to our seats first.”

“Yes.”

Hong Hye-yeon pulled Woojin’s arm while throwing a final greeting to the actors. However, the way to their seats was not smooth. So many people greeted them. Meeting the ‘Freezing Love’ team after a long time, the ‘Drug Dealer’ team including Jin Jae-jun, and others. They even met Ryu Jung-min along the way and joined him. With so many people from the variety show industry present, it was chaotic.

They had brief conversations with PD Yoon Byung-seon and other PDs.

There were many broadcasters, comedians, and idols.

Woojin had seen them all on TV or in articles, but they were all unfamiliar to him.

‘So fascinating.’

It was unusual. Was it because there were so many celebrities scattered around? Kang Woojin gradually became numb to seeing them. Meanwhile, he met Hwalin.

“Woojin-ssi, the tuxedo- It suits you well.”

“Yes, you too, Hwalin-ssi. Your dress is beautiful.”

“Really? Hmm! By the way, I tried the cup noodles yesterday. It was really hard to get, but they were pretty good.”

“Is that so?”

He also greeted Director Ahn Ga-bok, who he saw yesterday, and other directors like Kwon Ki-taek, who was in the final stages of post-production editing. Even brief conversations and appropriate greetings were exhausting. Well, looking at it this way, it showed that Kang Woojin’s prestige was completely different from the past.

But.

“Oh my- Kang Woojin-ssi? Haha, nice to meet you.”

There seemed to be no end to people clinging to Kang Woojin.

At this moment,

Not in the Baeksang Awards ceremony hall, but in a corner of the first-floor lobby, Choi Sung-gun with a ponytail was.

“Okay- keeping the vibe alive.”

He was monitoring in various ways. Of course, Han Ye-jung, Jang Su-hwan, and all of Woojin’s team were doing the same. Monitoring was something they always did, but currently, it was related to Kang Woojin’s ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ which had released yesterday.

“The community side is almost at saturation point, right? Whether it’s reviews or cursing, it’s blowing up. Wow- there’s even a separate gallery created??”

“SNS has increased a lot more than yesterday! Tags and shares have multiplied several times!”

“What about YouTube?”

“The videos from YouTubers who received advertisements are being released.”

Only one day had passed since the official sales began. Just one day, and ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup noodles were walking the path of a so-called super hit.

YouTube, which leads the trends, was proof of that.

YouTubers, who would jump on anything slightly hot for views, were the evidence. They described it as ‘sticking in a straw,’ and when interest peaked, everyone would churn out related content.

Currently, Woojin’s ‘Kimjaban Makguksu’ cup noodles were that hot topic.

-!Urgent! I managed to get the so-called Kang Woojin’s Cup Noodles! I barely got my hands on Kimjaban Makguksu and tried it!!｜PureReviewTV

From cooking specialists to mukbang, and even YouTubers unrelated to food, all started uploading videos simultaneously. About 30% were YouTubers sponsored by ‘Nongsin’, but around 70% jumped in just for the views without any sponsorship.

-Why can’t I get this? #HonestReview #KangWoojinCupNoodles #KimjabanMakguksu｜Fragrant Life Hacks

-Honest Review of Kimjaban Makguksu｜Sunguri Princess

-Sold out immediately after the release??! I too did an open run to buy Kang Woojin’s Cup Noodles!! But how does it taste?!｜We Review TV

-A place that sells Kimjaban Makguksu in bulk｜Demon King Issue TV

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Reviews, taste evaluations, and ‘bought with my own money’ videos. The protagonist in all these videos was always Kang Woojin’s cup noodles, with only the keywords changed, and their views were skyrocketing. From as small as 50,000 to 300,000, and even more than 700,000 or 1,000,000 views were seen.

Similar trends were observed not only on YouTube but also on various video platforms.

This storm of content stimulated the public and boosted their desire to purchase.

-Kang Woojin’s Cup Noodles are genuinely delicious, not kidding, truly tasty….the only frustrating thing is how hard it is to get….

-I can’t buy Kimjaban Makguksu even if I want to right now

-Seeing this person’s review, who usually gives pretty harsh evaluationsㅋㅋㅋㅋ I have to try it if he praises it this much? So where can I buy Kimjaban Makguksu right now?

-I work night shifts at a convenience store, and as soon as Kang Woojin’s Cup Noodles stock arrived, it sold out in 5 minutesㅋㅋㅋ People swarmed like zombies

-I had to do an open run to buy cup noodles….but I failed

-Oh….if this person shows such a expression…. it must be good?

-0:48 You can see the noodles aren’t even fully cooked yet, but he’s just eating itㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋcrazy

-This cup noodles might become a trendㅋㅋㅋㅋKang Woojin is killing it

-As someone who has watched every single one of his videos, that expression is genuineㅋㅋㅋㅋIt means it’s at least top-tier

With YouTube in this frenzy, SNS was not quiet either. The already hot cup noodles got a booster thanks to Kang Woojin’s power.

It’s just the beginning, but the impact is already this significant.

The massive success of the cup noodles not only brings in money but also directly impacts Kang Woojin’s image and recognition. It was a different story from a successful project.

『Kang Woojin’s impact that created a shortage even for cup noodles… Has there ever been an actor like this?』

Choi Sung-gun showed a very pleased expression.

‘Anything he touches is at least a moderate success, no, a huge success.’

Even just by releasing works with his insane intuition, Kang Woojin would be idolized. But Woojin is casually exerted huge influence in other areas as well. How could one not love him as the CEO of an entertainment company?

And now.

‘He’s definitely going to cause a scene today as well.’

The Baeksang Awards Ceremony was also something to look forward to.

About 20 minutes later.

‘Phew- finally.’

Kang Woojin sat in his designated seat. It was the middle seat in the 8th row from the front of the stage. The actors sitting with him were Hong Hye-yeon, Ryu Jung-min, and Lee Han-na. In other words, he was sitting with the bw Entertainment family. Although Ryu Jung-min’s transfer hadn’t been officially reported, it was already a done deal.

At that moment.

-Sss.

The overall lighting dimmed slightly, and the white lights on the ceiling shone on the stage. The broadcast team around the stage also focused on the stage, and nearly a thousand audience members, including actors, turned their attention to the front.

-♬♪

Upbeat music played, and the logo of the Baeksang Awards Ceremony appeared on several giant screens on the stage. The screens opened on both sides, and a male and female actor appeared. The feeling was no different from the Blue Dragon Awards. The designated lines. The subsequent proceedings.

The first start of the awards was, as expected, the Rookie of the Year Award.

However, they separated the film and TV categories.

“Now, let’s begin! Best New Actor in the TV category! Let’s meet the nominees!”

The interesting part was.

“Yes! Congratulations! Actor Kang Woojin from ‘Freezing Love’!!”

As expected, the Best New Actor in the TV category went to Kang Woojin, but the work was ‘Freezing Love’ instead of ‘Hanryang’. Of course, Kang Woojin’s portrayal of a disabled character in ‘Freezing Love’ was impressive enough. At that time, the performance received rave reviews in the acting industry, changing the ranking of performances by disabled characters in history.

Well, as long as he received it, that’s it, right? But it was a bit puzzling.

Anyway, Kang Woojin went on stage and added another trophy, delivering his acceptance speech calmly. There was nothing shocking or excessive like during the Blue Dragon Awards. He just calmly expressed his gratitude. It might have seemed like he was not moved at all. Some actors murmured about it.

“What’s this? He seems bored of winning Rookie of the Year Awards.”

“What else can you do? If they gave it to anyone other than Kang Woojin this year, it would cause an uproar too.”

“Right, that’s true. It’s a justified arrogance.”

“Not only is his acting great, but there’s no one like that him who can create issues, right?”

Next was the Best New Actress in the TV category, followed by the Best New Actor in the film category. However, Kang Woojin was not a nominee for the film Rookie of the Year. This was a part that Kang Woojin also agreed upon. He had already received many Rookie of the Year awards, and a repeated pattern could leave a negative impression on the public.

Whatever the case, the Best New Actress in the film category went to Han So-jin.

The Baeksang Awards Ceremony proceeded quickly.

Best New Director in film, Artistic Award in both film and TV categories, Best Screenplay in the TV category, Best Scenario in the film category. After the awards for directors and writers, it was the theater section. Numerous winners cried and laughed during their acceptance speeches. Thus, the last sequence of the fully packed first part arrived.

The order displayed on the large screen.

-‘Best Supporting Actor in the TV category’

On stage were last year’s winners of the Best Supporting Actor awards. Among them was Hwalin, wearing a dress mixed with white and gray. Hwalin, with her long hair braided in a single strand, stood in the center of the stage, linking arms with the male actor. Soon, looking at the cue card, she moved her red lips.

“The excitement of winning an award on this stage last year is still vivid, and being the presenter now feels strange.”

“Hahaha, really? But my hands are trembling too.”

“Shall we meet the nominee actors first?”

“Let’s do that!”

The hall darkened, and the giant monitor started displaying the nominee actors. One by one, the actors appeared along with clips of their performances in their respective works, showing shots of them sitting in the audience.

And the last one.

-‘Kang Woojin’/ ‘Profiler Hanryang’

Park Dae-ri. No, Kang Woojin’s image was displayed. The camera also captured his real self, sitting in the middle of the hall. His indifferent face remained unchanged. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall split in half. Some murmured while others watched calmly.

As soon as Park Dae-ri’s image disappeared from the giant monitor.

-Swish.

The hall brightened, and Hwalin pulled out the cue card from the envelope she had received.

“I-I’m shaking. Truly.”

It was sincere. Hwalin wasn’t just saying the designated lines; she was experiencing heart-pounding nervousness. Her feelings as a fan were overflowing. Other actors were excellent too. But please, please. Let my ultimate favorite win.

However, outwardly, Hwalin hid her emotions as best as she could.

“······”

Swallowing hard, she unfolded the cue card. Her eyes widened instantly. For about five seconds. Holding the shock in her eyes, Hwalin, her hands trembling slightly, slowly brought her mouth to the standing microphone.

Then, contrary to her expression, she announced with strength.

“Congratulations to the winner of the Best Supporting Actor in the TV category!! Kang Woojin from ‘Profiler Hanryang’!!!”

Suddenly, dozens of cameras in the hall focused on Kang Woojin. All the giant monitors on the stage displayed Woojin’s cynical face. Simultaneously, the eyes of all the audience members at the awards ceremony were fixed on Kang Woojin.

-Swish.

Meanwhile, Kang Woojin simply stood up calmly. Soon, many actors, even while watching Kang Woojin rise, were left with their mouths agape at the result.

Winning both the Rookie of the Year and the Best Supporting Actor awards. Moreover, the winner was a second-year actor. It was an extremely rare occurrence.

No, in the long history of the Baeksang Awards Ceremony.

“Wow! Has this ever happened before??”

“N-No, this is the first time I’ve seen it.”

“A-amazing.”

Kang Woojin was the first.

*****