SCT-Novel Chapter 135: Launch (2)
Chapter 135: Launch (2)
《[Awards Ceremony] 'Face Genius' Rojun shows off stunning visuals that leave people speechless on the red carpet/ Photos》《'SBC Acting Awards', citizens shocked by Rojun's appearance》
《[Photo] Rojun walking the red carpet, Flashlights pouring like a halo/ Photos》
While Kang Rojun was walking the red carpet, the on-site reporters were rapidly publishing articles in real time. Since the 'SBC Acting Awards' was receiving massive attention, it was all to attract the highest possible number of clicks from the public.
Of course, the articles weren’t only about Rojun.
《[Photo] Choi Rina showing off her goddess-like appearance/ Photos》
Top actress Choi Rina and many other actors who appeared on the red carpet were also featured in the articles, but ever since Kang Rojun appeared, the coverage was being dominated by photos of Rojun.
《Rojun, 'Came out of a comic book and walked the red carpet'》
《Visual that calls for close-ups, dangerously handsome 'Rojun'/ Photos》
Although the 'SBC Acting Awards' was broadcast live, the red carpet event itself was not televised, so the public had to rely on onsite V-tubers or online broadcasts. No matter the source, the moment Rojun appeared on screen.
-No way....wow....Rojun is insanely handsome today...
-His visuals are truly top-tier
-This dude is seriously insane ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ agreed
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Rojun is just wiping the floor with the other actors' faces ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-tf is this, is this CGI? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ his face is crazy
-Of course the tux fits him well... but what’s with these visuals... I gasped out loud
-It’s like a live-action romance fantasy novel ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ
-How is that a human face? Looks AI-generated...
-Rojun’s not just handsome, his gaze is full of confidence and he’s oozing decadent charm ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ amazing for real
-That face should be designated a national treasure...
-Fuck he’s so damn handsome
Viewers were erupting with frenzy and intense exclamations. Whether Rojun appeared near or far on the screen, the natural aura he exuded was more than enough to move everyone.
At the same time, Kang Rojun was.
-Pabababababak!
Walking through the endless bursts of camera flashes. He had been a little nervous at first, but now Rojun barely felt any of it. Rather, he was enjoying it.
‘What- this is fun? How many reporters are even here?? This thrill is crazy.’
Just last year. No, even earlier this year, he had been lying at home watching similar scenes on TV, and now he was right there in person. Thousands of people were even screaming just for Kang Rojun.
And next to him was none other than the top actress, Choi Rina.
Could anyone not get goosebumps?
It felt like a dream, but the burning heat felt on his body made it clear this was reality. It was a cold winter night, but Rojun, excited in spirit, didn’t feel the chill at all.
Kang Rojun was getting more and more comfortable with everything.
At this moment, he felt like he could do anything, no matter what it was.
Adrenaline rush.
‘Maybe, this kind of thing is just in my nature??’
Regardless, Rojun matched his steps with the dress-clad Choi Rina, waving to reporters and bowing politely. At first, the red carpet had seemed long when he stepped onto it, but it passed in a flash. Before he knew it, the entrance to the Prism Tower, where the awards ceremony would be held, was right in front of him.
Feeling a slight tinge of regret, Rojun quietly asked Choi Rina,
“Do we go in through there?”
Choi Rina tucked her long hair behind her ear and smiled.
“That’s right. Once we’re inside, there’s a photo zone, so just strike a few poses and do a short interview.”
“Ahh.”
“But are you okay? You’re way too calm? Rojun, you don’t seem like someone attending their first awards ceremony.”
“It is my first, but it’s more fun than I expected. Everything’s new.”
“Lucky you, I almost died from nerves at my first awards ceremony.”
And then.
-Slide.
As they reached the entrance, top actress Choi Rina linked arms with Kang Rojun. A casual bit of fan service. Rojun was more nervous about locking arms with Choi Rina than about being at this event.
‘This is my first time linking arms with a woman, and the other person is Choi Rina. Damn-’
Around the entrance, among dozens of reporters, Manager Kim Ki-baek appeared in a long padded coat. He was with the 'Vanguard' YouTube team, who were busy filming Kang Rojun. Looking at Rojun, Manager Kim Ki-baek murmured with a faint note of admiration.
“He’s doing well. Thought he’d be a bit clumsy. He’s a star, a real star.”
Then, Kang Rojun and Choi Rina completed their red carpet procession and entered the building. The screams echoing behind them continued, but even the building’s lobby was packed with people. After all, actors typically seen only in TV dramas or films were everywhere. Around the photo zone, some were giving interviews, while others were chatting among themselves.
Faced with the grand spectacle before him.
‘Wow-’
Rojun let out a silent gasp and instinctively bowed his waist.
“Hello!”
Everyone here was a sunbae. There was no one who could be considered a hubae to Rojun.
“Hello!”
He offered non-stop greetings. With Choi Rina standing right beside him and Rojun’s substantial rise in recognition this year, he quickly caught people’s attention.
“Oh- Rojun-ssi, nice to meet you. I really enjoyed ‘Produce That 100!’”
“Rojun-ssi?? Where? Where is he?”
“Wow- he’s a thousand times better looking in person.”
“I liked ‘Rental Lover', please come on my YouTube sometime, Rojun-ssi.”
Among the actors were some who had also starred in 'Rental Lover' and had arrived early, and people quickly gathered around Kang Rojun. With greetings and questions pouring in endlessly, Rojun felt overwhelmed.
“All right, all right, that’s enough! Rojun is attending his first awards ceremony today!”
Thanks to Choi Rina, Kang Rojun was able to regain his composure. Soon, Rojun and Choi Rina struck a few poses at the set-up photo zone.
“Hello! Choi Rina-nim, Rojun-nim! We’ll just ask a few quick questions!”
The interview followed.
Even during that, the surrounding actresses in vibrant dresses showing off their beauty,
“Wow... that guy is seriously handsome.”
“Right? He doesn’t have the typical idol vibe, does he??”
“When I saw Rojun earlier, I literally froze for a second.”
“Calling him handsome doesn’t even cut it. He’s super handsome.”
“I need to take a few photos later.”
Couldn’t take their eyes off Kang Rojun.
About 30 minutes later.
Kang Rojun entered the grand hall where the 'SBC Acting Awards' would take place, along with Choi Rina. The moment he stepped into the hall, Rojun slightly opened his mouth.
‘Whoa- this is insane.’
The inside of the hall was utterly majestic. It was easily twice the size of the 'Produce That 100!' hall. Divided into the first and second floors, the first floor was lined with dozens of round tables, and the second floor had seats for thousands of audience members.
The ceiling was also incredibly high, with tightly arranged lights hanging.
The murmuring was loud.
From the audience members on the second floor to the actors seated at each round table, the sound of chatter filled the air.
More than anything.
‘The stage... it’s massive.’
The main stage of this large hall was remarkable. It was exactly like what he had seen on TV. No, the impact it gave off was even greater. From the various set pieces to the huge lettering at the back of the stage decorated in red and brown that left his mouth agape.
-‘2020 SBC Acting Awards’
Around the stage, about a hundred staff members with intercoms around their necks were stationed. With only a few dozen minutes left until the live broadcast, the scene was even more hectic. Regardless of it all, Rojun got chills again.
At that moment.
“Our seats are over there.”
Choi Rina, tapping Rojun’s forearm, pointed to one of the many round tables. At the table sat the other 'Rental Lover' actors and PD Jung Soo-ryeong. PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who usually dressed comfortably, was in formal attire today. Kang Rojun and Choi Rina headed toward the round table, and even during that short walk, Rojun was the center of attention among the actors.
“He’s seriously fascinating. He hasn’t even debuted as an idol yet, but in terms of popularity, he’s better than most top stars.”
“Rising stars always have insane momentum. But yeah, there’s really no precedent for him.”
“He’s proof of what’s trending right now.”
As Kang Rojun arrived at the round table.
“‘Lover No. 4’-nim and the female lead have arrived.”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong, with her frizzy brown hair neatly tied back, greeted them with a faint smile. The other actors did the same.
“Sit down, sit down. Writer-nim, how was the red carpet?”
As he was sitting down, Kang Rojun smiled with his eyes in response to the question thrown at him.
“I think I enjoyed it quite a bit.”
“Whoa- your posture was like someone who’s been to several awards shows already??”
Choi Rina added,
“Writer-nim was completely relaxed. I think I was actually more nervous.”
“Why were you nervous, star Choi?”
“Because writer-nim was next to me, and the reporters and fans swarmed us way more than usual??”
“Understandable. Writer-nim is the hottest name at tonight’s acting awards.”
After chatting for several dozen minutes, the round tables for the actors were completely filled, and a brief announcement echoed throughout the hall.
The live broadcast of the Acting Awards was about to begin.
A famous MC stepped onto the stage to host the entire event. While Rojun watched him with fascination, many others were also getting ready to watch the 'SBC Acting Awards'. PD Woo Han-suk and the 'Produce That 100!' staff, CEO Ha Seo-hwan and the GN Entertainment team, along with various domestic broadcasting stations, media outlets, and entertainment companies.
And then.
“We will now begin the 2020 SBC Acting Awards!!”
With the MC’s proclamation, this year’s 'SBC Acting Awards' officially began. The interior of the hall, packed with top actors, dimmed slightly, and the stage lights came on. Gentle classical music filled the air.
-♬♪
As the MC on stage glanced at his cue cards and delivered the opening remarks, cameras placed in various locations began filming the actors. Including Kang Rojun. When Rojun’s face appeared, larger than life, on the massive screen behind the stage.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!!!”
The screams of thousands of audience members erupted throughout the hall. The MC delivering his lines was startled.
“Haha, I was shocked he’s just too handsome. Rojun, could you give us a wave?”
Wave? To where? Ah, screw it- Rojun gave a faint smile and raised both hands toward the front, waving. The screams doubled in volume. This moment was being broadcast live across the entire country.
Meanwhile.
“Whoa- Rojun hyung is so relaxed?”
“Just sitting there, he radiates total actor vibes.”
“He’s straight-up obliterating the other actors with his face alone.”
In the backstage waiting area behind the stage, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung were gathered. The amusing part was that they were all dressed in tuxedos. They were waiting for their turn for the congratulatory performance, and their stage outfits matched Kang Rojun’s tuxedo look.
Then.
“Well then, shall we present the first award?”
Part 1 of the SBC Acting Awards began in earnest.
-Swish.
Two fairly well-known rookie actors stepped onto the stage. After exchanging a few light-hearted words, they opened the cue cards they had brought.
“The Youth Acting Award!!”
Soon, four children who looked quite young came up on stage to receive their awards. Kang Rojun joined the other actors in applauding.
‘An award for child actors?’
Each of the first recipients received bouquets and trophies in turn. All four were on the verge of tears as they gave their acceptance speeches.
Around this time.
“Writer-nim, it’s probably your turn now.”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong, seated next to Kang Rojun, whispered to him. Rojun blinked. My turn? He turned his head toward the stage. The child actors had exited, and new presenters had taken their place. There were two actors whose faces were familiar, but Rojun didn’t know their names. They spoke into the microphone.
“When I received an award here last year, I thought my heart was going to explode, but now that I’m presenting this year, I feel so moved.”
After exchanging a few heartfelt lines, one of the actors lifted a cue card.
“Then, let’s take a look at the nominees for the Male Actor ‘Scene Stealer Award’!”
The hall darkened. On the massive screen at the back of the stage, a video played. With short clips from dramas, actors, some familiar, some unfamiliar, appeared. Subtitles under their faces read:
-[‘Model Bus’ Kim Tae-woo / ‘Uncomfortable City’ Ha Il-hoon / ‘Me and the Monster’ Lee Jin-seo]
And lastly,
-[‘Rental Lover’ Rojun]
Kang Rojun appeared in his 'Lover No. 4' role. The audience, which had been cheering moderately, erupted with several times louder shouts, and Rojun, seated at the round table, couldn’t help but smile.
‘Wow, I’m really up there.’
In fact, he had already been told beforehand that he was nominated for the 'Scene Stealer Award'. But seeing it in person felt completely different. How to describe it? A thrill ran through his entire body.
‘Even if I don’t win… Damn, now that I’m here, I really want it. I want it bad.’
PD Jung Soo-ryeong and Manager Kim Ki-baek had warned him that winning wasn’t guaranteed. It wasn’t due to a lack of skill or impact, but because the Acting Awards had historically leaned more toward tradition than change.
The general atmosphere among the actors in the hall reflected this as well.
“He’s been on screen for only a few months and already got nominated?”
“The other nominees are strong too. Especially Il-hoon, his acting is solid. I think he’ll win.”
“Isn’t Rojun the first one to get invited to an awards show and nominated within half a year of appearing in the entertainment world?”
“Even if he doesn’t win this year, he’ll definitely get it next year.”
Then.
-Ssshh.
On the massive screen, the faces of each nominee present in the hall were shown. Kang Rojun came up last. Seeing his own face live, Rojun couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
‘Ah, gotta control my expression.’
At that moment.
“Congratulations! The Male Actor ‘Scene Stealer Award’ goes to... Rojun!!!”
Kang Rojun’s name rang out powerfully throughout the grand hall.