"So you do show up to Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters.
Tonight was the KBC Drama Awards. And our drama, Our Fake Wedding, was the biggest hit of the year.
A 46.2% viewership rating. Just like True Hero, we were expected to sweep any category we were nominated in.
"I mean, just look at you! Smiling and calling her ‘honey’ and ‘husband’ all sweetly!"
"And don’t even get me started on that performance! You literally drew a huge heart in the air—were you about to run up on stage?! You really like idols that much?!"
"They came to Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters. It’s only right to return the favor."
"Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters.
"Wait, so she actually saw everything?"
From the way she was talking, she must have watched the entire MNC Entertainment Awards.
And if that was the case— I could totally understand why her cheeks were inflated with irritation.
Even just recalling the headlines from that night—
『Kim Donghu & Ryu Jaerin: A Friendship That Began at Age 6?!』 『From Friends to Spouses—Their Half-Year Marriage Culminates in a Best Couple Award!』
It was everywhere. If Sujin watched all of that in real time, her reaction made perfect sense.
"Then during the special performance tonight, I’ll just hold your hand the whole time."
I had zero intention of backing down.
Sujin liked to act like she was always in control. But deep down, she wanted someone to take the lead.
And when things happened too fast for her to process, she was completely weak to it.
"H-hold hands? On stage? During the live broadcast??"
"Yeah. I mean, what’s the big deal? We’re definitely winning Best Couple, and everyone already knows we’ve been friends since Professor Giggle."
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
Even though we'd done way more intense things than just holding hands, just mentioning it still made her react .
"How is she this cute…?"
By the time we finished chatting,
"We’ve arrived." "Got it. Thanks."
We had pulled up to the awards venue.
Through the tinted windows, I could see the red carpet laid out.
It felt exactly the same as two days ago.
Since Our Fake Wedding was about marriage, our outfits matched the theme.
I was in a black suit. Sujin wore a white dress.
Just like before, we walked hand in hand to the photo zone, posing for pictures before making our way inside.
And even after we sat down—
Sujin tightened her grip on my hand.
"Is this… really okay?"
We were still holding hands.
Even after taking our seats, we didn’t let go.
"Shouldn’t we… I don’t know, let go now?"
"Nah. This actually makes it look less suspicious."
"Less suspicious?! We’re literally holding hands!"
The reason celebrity secret relationships always got exposed?
Because they tried to hide them.
The moment you start hiding something, it becomes obvious.
Pretending no one knows never works.
If you lie, you have to lie perfectly. And almost no one was good enough to do that.
Which is why secret relationships always got found out.
"This actually makes people more confused."
Since no one ever does it this way, it throws people off.
And we had the perfect excuse.
We were just two clueless 21-year-olds, holding hands to make our Best Couple Award look more authentic.
"Alright, we can let go… right about—"
As soon as the opening performance started, I gently released her hand.
And the moment I let go—
Sujin let out a tiny sigh and immediately hooked her pinky around mine.
Hidden between the seats, beneath the table,
She stole a glance at me, eyes filled with lingering reluctance.
It was like she didn’t want this little secret moment to end.
But this was as far as we could go.
Anything more, and we’d start pushing it.
So we simply exchanged glances before finally focusing back on the awards.
Because at that exact moment—
For the first time in forever.
Made my eyes go wide.
— "They’re not letting go of each other’s hands at all, huh?" — "They really committed to this concept. Are they just fully embracing the newlywed act?" — "It’s like a college couple who just got married. This has to be intentional."
The KBC Drama Awards were being broadcast live.
Since Kim Donghu had starred in both a reality show and a drama about marriage, everyone expected the awards to lean into that theme.
No one expected him and Kim Sujin to literally hold hands the entire time.
Just as Donghu predicted, because they were so bold about it, people didn’t even question it.
After all, this was a live awards show.
"Who in their right mind would openly flirt if it were real?"
Like the saying goes— if you want to hide a tree, hide it in a forest.
By acting too natural, they had successfully deceived everyone.
The show progressed similarly to the MNC Entertainment Awards from two days ago.
KBC awarded the Best Couple Award to six different pairs.
A clear attempt to keep everyone happy.
— "All six couples are taking turns giving their speeches, lol." — "But man, Kim Donghu & Kim Sujin feel different from the others." — "Why did they immediately hold hands again as soon as their names were announced?" — "They’re looking at each other like it’s an actual wedding, wtf." — "Did you hear his acceptance speech?" — "Yeah, it hit me right in the heart." — "‘If I had a bride , I probably would have married at 20.’" — "Wait, what??" — "MC asked him why he hasn’t gotten married yet, and he straight-up said, ‘Because I’m 21.’" — "Bro is having a blast at this awards show, lol."
For years, people had complained about how stiff and formal awards shows felt.
Why should a night of celebration be so… lifeless?
Why did actors just sit there, stiff-faced, even during performances?
Kim Donghu was genuinely enjoying himself.
Even though he was already hugely popular, this just made him even more likable.
— "Is it just because he’s young? He actually seems like he’s having fun." — "Triple ten-million blockbuster star, but zero arrogance. Wild." — "Even without acting cool, he’s still a terrifying guy—y’know, because of that whole heavyweight boxing gold medal thing." — "After Part 1 ended, he was literally trying to learn an idol dance from the stage performance, lmao." — "Dude was smiling at the idols the whole time… until the drama-wife next to him gave him a glare." — "Drama-wife? LMAO, is that a mix of ‘drama’ and ‘wife’??" — "No but seriously, having the hottest actor of the year be this relaxed is making the other actors loosen up too." — "The #1 rule of the entertainment industry: whoever’s on top sets the tone." — "And right now, Kim Donghu is completely breaking the norm."
People don’t connect with perfect celebrities.
They relate to people who feel human.
And right now— watching Kim Donghu laugh, joke, and genuinely enjoy himself—
He was earning even more fans.
"And the winner of the KBC Drama Grand Prize, the actor who shined the brightest this year…
Kim Donghu! Congratulations!"
Kim Donghu walked up confidently and took the Grand Prize Trophy.
"...I’m truly grateful. I remember every single person who helped me get here."
As the audience applauded, his acceptance speech continued calmly, deliberately.
"There were so many things I wanted to say, but standing here now… I can’t seem to remember them all."
Then, he looked straight ahead.
And with firm, unwavering confidence—
"I won’t stop here. I’ll keep moving forward. I’ll continue to grow… and I will expand beyond Korea, to the world."
Beyond Korea— to Venice, Cannes, the Academy Awards.
It was a bold statement. A clear declaration.
And with that, the KBC Drama Awards came to a close.
Even as the cameras shut off, Kim Donghu’s heart was racing.
He glanced down at his phone screen.
Trying to process what he had just read.
[Congratulations.] [Your overwhelming passion has altered the future.] [The fate of an existing tokusatsu project has changed.]
That alone was shocking.
But what truly stunned him—
Was the future article Simms had sent.
[Live-Action Tarzan in the Works—Kim Donghu’s Name Rumored for Lead Role?!]
His grip on the phone tightened.
"This can’t be real…"