Chapter 153. Tremble in Fear (12)

Woo Jae-Hoon sat among the crowd in the Social Hall with fury evident on his face.

‘This darn…! How are the judges put together?!’

The Best Rookie Actor and the Best Rookie Director were awarded to them. After the entertainment and educational categories, it would be the Best Screenplay award. What if the award went to Ha Jae-Gun as well?

The thought alone was enough to make Woo Jae-Hoon feel like going crazy.

There was already a strong public opinion that Woo Jae-Hoon had ruined a great original work. If There Was A Sea won all three awards, everyone’s ridicule would become much more acrimonious and stark.

“Director, are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no. Don’t mind me,” Woo Jae-Hoon replied, feigning a calm demeanor.

The awards that followed didn’t attract his attention. Soon, the Best Screenplay award was about to be awarded. The five nominated movies and the names of their writers were shown on the huge screen.

“The winner of the Best Screenplay award is…” the host trailed off to build up suspense.

Woo Jae-Hoon clenched his fists unknowingly. He had attended many film festivals, and he was often nervous whenever they announced winners. He usually prayed that others would fall short rather than praying to receive an award for his own work.

At the moment, he prayed that a certain work would fall short.

“Writer Ha Jae-Gun! Congratulations!”

“…!” Woo Jae-Hoon almost stood up in fury.

Amidst the thundering applause, Ha Jae-Gun stood up hesitantly. The moment made him think that it was great that he had made quite a few appearances on TV shows. If it weren’t for those experiences, he would have felt like his heart would explode from the overwhelming emotions.

As Ha Jae-Gun headed to the stage, the host introduced Ha Jae-Gun. “He has written great works, from Summer in My 20s to There Was A Sea. On top of that, the original novels are both bestsellers, boasting phenomenal performances, even entering the US and China markets. Writer Ha Jae-Gun is also currently working on the scenario for his new movie, Gyeoja Bathhouse. Congratulations once again!”

Ha Jae-Gun accepted the trophy and bouquet, and then he stood at the microphone to deliver his speech. It wasn’t anything special, but it was sincere as always.

He expressed his thanks to his beloved family and listed everyone else whom he was grateful for, one by one. The list included his family in the audience, Soo-Hee and Jung-Jin, the writers in the office, and even Laugh Book’s Tae-Won and So-Mi, who were watching the live broadcast at the moment.

‘Keugh…?!’

Meanwhile, Woo Jae-Hoon was the only one staring at Ha Jae-Gun with much hatred. Thankfully, the camera didn’t capture his hatred-filled face.

Ha Jae-Gun was nearing the end of his speech when he paused and swallowed, then continued, “…There’s also an elder who helped me grow as a writer, so much so that I could receive this award today. I’d like to express my gratitude to him as well.”

His growth was all thanks to that elder. He used to worry about his day-to-day livelihood, but now, he felt like he no longer had to worry about running out of money.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The greater the achievement, the deeper the gratitude.

Ha Jae-Gun suddenly recalled his previous visit to the elder’s grave.

Seo Gun-Woo’s son had already gone when he visited. Ha Jae-Gun only heard that the elder’s son had left for someplace and returned home without further news.

“…I will continue to live as a writer, cherishing every word and sentence. Thank you.”

Ha Jae-Gun ended his speech and left the stage amidst the applause.

Woo Jae-Hoon stood up just then. He was so furious that his stomach hurt.

There was no need for him to stay here any further, as the remaining awards in the first part of the ceremony were the Style and Supporting Actor Awards.

***

Woo Jae-Hoon headed into the innermost cubicle in the toilet and locked the door, sitting on the toilet bowl. He was doing his best to empty his bowels when he heard a few people sharing a conversation enter the toilet as well.

“Wow, There Was A Sea received all three awards.”

“I think they also deserve the Best Movie and Grand Award.”

Woo Jae-Hoon squinted his eyes. The voices sounded all too familiar. He put his ear against the door to hear the conversation clearer.

“Director Woo Jae-Hoon must be furious. He’s so stubborn and unreasonable. I thought he did a bad job on Summer in My 20s as well. How could he ruin such a good novel like that?”

“Watch what you say. What if you get asked to spar as well?”

“Sparring? You’re hilarious.”

Woo Jae-Hoon buried his face in his hands, trembling. The back of his head was tingling, as he had been hit there with a steel hammer.

“What’s his next movie?”

“No idea. I think it was some comedy spy movie. I’m not that interested, anyway. How great could it get?”

“The investors’ eyes are so… I just hope the movie isn’t as bad as Yukgwang-gu or Summer in My 20s.”

‘Ugh… These bastards…’

If it were the usual Woo Jae-Hoon, he would have stomped out of the cubicle and grabbed the men by their collars. However, he couldn’t do that at all. The Baeksong Arts Awards had trampled on him, so he had lost most of his confidence.

The two men outside chattered and chuckled to each other.

***

The two men’s words made Woo Jae-Hoon suffer, even during the second part of the awards ceremony.

There Was A Sea won the Best Movie Award, achieving the record of snagging four award categories. Even before the second part of the ceremony ended, Woo Jae-Hoon and his manager disappeared from the scene. He hadn’t been awarded a trophy since last year.

“Writer Ha Jae-Gun, congratulations,” said Park Hye-Sang. She was an EBC announcer and the backstage live host.

Ha Jae-Gun was surrounded by his family when he heard her voice and turned around in surprise.

“You must be ecstatic. I knew you would get an award. This is just the beginning. You will be able to receive even bigger and more awards in the future.”

“Thank you. I also enjoyed the broadcast. You look beautiful today as well, and your performance was pretty great as well.”

Park Hye-Sang smiled deeply. As she made eye contact with Ha Jae-Gun’s family, she bowed and said, “Hello, I’m Announcer Park Hye-Sang. I met Writer Ha Jae-Gun while filming Strolling with Literature. I apologize for the late introduction.”

“Aigoo. Hello.”

Myung-Ja and Ha Jae-In greeted her shyly. They hadn’t been keeping an eye on Ha Jae-Gun’s shows, but they were still familiar with EBC’s most familiar face.

“I enjoyed reading Gyeoja Bathhouse. I’m looking forward to its movie adaption; I’m sure it’s going to be a great movie as well,” Park Hye-Sang added.

“Thank you, always.”

“If you are, please treat me to a meal next time.”

“What? Ah, sure I will.”

Park Hye-Sang’s large round eyes turned into a pair of crescent moons.

“Thank you for going along with me. I’ll be leaving now. I hope to see you again soon. Sir, Ma’am, and Noonim, I hope you’ll get home safely.” Park Hye-Sang bade her goodbye and left.

As she walked further away, Myung-Ja mumbled, “She looks lovely as well. Elegant with poise. She must be very talented.”

Surprised, Ha Jae-In turned around and said, “Soo-Hee is much more beautiful.”

“But, Jae-In, don’t you think that lady likes Ha Jae-Gun, too? Otherwise, why would she come all the way here just to talk to him?”

“Please, stop it. Hey, Jae-Gun. You can’t look at other girls now. You know what I mean, right?”

“Yeah, she’s pretty, but I think Mom also agrees that Soo-Hee is much prettier.”

As they turned their target to himself, Ha Jae-Gun smiled with a slight frown. Both his mom and sister were right. He then pulled out his phone, planning to give a call to the most beautiful woman in the world.

***

[Movie There Was A Sea bags four awards at Baeksong Arts Awards!]

[Writer Ha Jae-Gun, winner of the Best Screenplay Award, grows immensely in China as Poongchun-Yoo!]

[There Was A Sea enters third print in America. Is his entrance in the market successful?]

[EBC Announcer Park Hye-Sang and Writer Ha Jae-Gun, a happy moment together at the awards ceremony]

[Director Yoon Tae-Sung—most of the credit should go to Writer Ha Jae-Gun.]

[All-kill in the domestic market! Where is Writer Ha Jae-Gun’s next target?]

The hottest topic of the 51st Baeksong Arts Awards was There Was A Sea.

The public’s interest in Ha Jae-Gun, who had written the original novel and the scenario, significantly increased. All media outlets were shedding light on all his previous works and the path he had walked on so far.

Unlike the chaotic news, Ha Jae-Gun was spending his day quietly and comfortably.

He worked on Oscar’s Dungeon and the movie scenario for Gyeoja Bathhouse at the same time. It was now the middle of June, and Ha Jae-Gun met with Oh Myung-Suk, who suggested having lunch together.

“Happy Birthday, Mr. Ha.”

“Waaah… T-this! A 2016 Genesis EQ900 limousine!” Lee Yeon-Woo exclaimed. His eyes sparkled at the new silver vehicle before him.

Unlike Ha Jae-Gun, Lee Yeon-Woo knew a lot about cars, so he knew that its price tag was a whopping 150 million won.

‘This car is a birthday present?’

Ha Jae-Gun looked at Oh Myung-Suk, stunned. He had agreed to have lunch with Oh Myung-Suk and brought Lee Yeon-Woo along without thinking too much about it, so who would have known that a super-luxury sedan was waiting for him as a birthday present?

Oh Myung-Suk fixed his glasses and said, “I know that you’re not a fan of imported cars, so I thought for a long while and finally picked out this car for you. I hope you’ll accept it.”

Ha Jae-Gun looked at the car, still in a daze. He then wondered if Oh Myung-Suk had also witnessed the unpleasant encounter back at the awards ceremony.

Otherwise, it didn’t make sense for Oh Myung-Suk to give him a car out of the blue.

“This is nothing compared to everything you’ve done for us at OongSung, Mr. Ha,” Oh Myung-Suk added, afraid that Ha Jae-Gun would reject it.

Lee Yeon-Woo was still snooping around the car, unable to stop himself from admiring the new car.

Oh Myung-Suk then handed the car keys to Lee Yeon-Woo and said, “I should hand the keys to the manager, then.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you. Um, can I take it on a short drive?”

“You should ask Mr. Ha instead of me.”

“Aah, hahahah! T-that’s right. Ha Jae-Gun hyung, quick. You should get in the car first. This is your car.”

Lee Yeon-Woo and Oh Myung-Suk both urged Ha Jae-Gun to get in the car for a test drive. Ha Jae-Gun bowed slightly toward Oh Myung-Suk and opened the front passenger door.

“Wow, hyung…! This is totally like a first-class seat on the plane! There’s reading, video playback, and even a relax button that allows the seat position to change accordingly!”

“You’re going to hyperventilate at this rate.”

“Look at how wide the seats behind are! You can even play soccer here! Ah, how exciting! I’m not kidding, I’m really serious here!” He wasn’t making a fuss this time.

Lee Yeon-Woo excitedly grabbed the steering wheel. He was trembling as if he were extremely cold. It wasn’t strange as Lee Yeon-Woo was currently inside the best Korean car.

“You should have bought a car like this earlier,” Lee Yeon-Woo said in a serious tone.

“You’re more suitable for this kind of car, hyung. I’m sure you don’t care, but I was quite upset about how people have been looking at you, considering that car of yours. This car is great, and I’ll be able to proudly show everyone that this is your car—Ha Jae-Gun’s car.”

“Stop it and just buckle up. Are you not going for a test drive?”

“Okay, hyung. But really… can I drive it out first?”

“You’re my manager. What’s there to ask?”

“Ah, hyung. I love you a lot…! I’ll turn on the radio too!”

Lee Yeon-Woo turned on the radio, and the breaking news corner came through the speakers.

- Yesterday evening at the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul…

It was news about a huge corporation’s president assaulting a security guard.

However, Ha Jae-Gun couldn’t pay attention to the news due to Lee Yeon-Woo making a fuss.