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“Best Actor Award for Baeksang Art Award, TV drama category goes to,” the announcer took a momentary pause, glancing at the card on his hand, before continuing. “Joshua Hong of TvN Attacca. Congratulations.”
Even after his name was spoken out loud, the congratulatory melody blasted across the hall, Joshua was unaware that it was his name and not another actor’s. There was a second where his expression didn’t change in the slightest, the constant presence of his iconic bread smile was there, his hands clapping automatically for whoever was currently receiving the award.
“Joshua, you won!”
It was Jeonghan, his co-actor sitting next to him, who slung his arm around Joshua and shook him vigorously, much more excited than the winner himself.
His innocent round eyes blinked, mouth slowly gaping open as he processed what had happened. The audience, including fellow actors and actresses, could see the transition of his expression to complete shock through the large monitor crystal clear. If it wasn’t for Jeonghan pushing him to the stage, Joshua wouldn’t arrive to receive his trophy at all.
As he walked up the stage, his steps clumsy and hesitant, he looked back and forth only to receive warm eyes and congratulations from the people he passed by.
“Joshua Hong received great love for his excellent acting in the crime-thriller hit drama Attacca, showing more of his intense and spectacular acting, as compared to the lovable gentleman image the public came to love. We are looking forward to seeing more remarkable acting from him.”
Joshua reached the center of the stage on time when the narration was over. His ears got red and hot, him practically fumbling as the veteran actor who was in charge of announcing the award presented him with the golden trophy.
The older man chuckled. “Relax, Joshua-ssi, relax.”
But how could Joshua relax? This was the Best Actor Award, an award Joshua never dreamt of winning even though he was deemed as one of the hottest, youngest rising stars, adorning the Best New Actor Award three years ago.
“Please tell us how you feel,” the MC prompted.
Joshua didn’t prepare any winning speech. At all.
"Uh, um, I... I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting to win this at all," he said with a weak laugh.
The whole hall cooed at his adorable, flustered self.
Truthfully, honestly, and genuinely, Joshua really didn’t expect this win, as in precisely zero expectation. Despite many people saying there’s a chance of him winning the award, especially his CEO and his manager, Joshua completely brushed them off, thinking they’re being biased.
Joshua cursed internally. How does someone even do a winning speech? He had attended his fair share of award shows and all of those speeches are suddenly blown out of the window.
“I—I, um, hello, my name is Joshua Hong,” he hastily bowed, rearranging the bouquet and award in his arms. “I, I am very thankful for this award and for the immense support and love given to Attacca.”
He took a deep breath, reminding himself that this was not the time to be nervous, more of the time to be sincere and convey his gratitude.
“I am very thankful for Director Cho who always encouraged us on set, and for always having high expectations for me. You always tell me that I’m going to make it big. So, Director, I’m going to believe in you who believe in me. Thank you to Writer Kim, who made such a thrilling story and character for me to immerse myself in. I am really thankful for the reliable and witty Shin Hakyun. To the entire staff who helped with the filming of Attacca, I am extremely thankful for your hard work. I will always remember every single one of your warm gestures and praises, as they mean a lot to me. It is because of you all, that I love every moment we had together.”
From the rows of audience spanning in front of him, he caught one reassuring eyes.
“Most importantly, to Jeonghan, for being the best actor I look up to and the best partner I could ever ask for. It is because you are my partner, Han Joowon, that I am able to bring out the best of Shin Hakyun. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to receive this award. Thank you, Hannie.”
The large monitor panned towards Yoon Jeonghan, the other half of the main duo of Attacca, looking so proud and satisfied for Joshua from across the hall.
He continued, with a more confident and comfortable manner. “Thank you, sincerely, to the viewers of Attacca, for your immense love and support. I can’t thank you all enough. For my family, my mother and father, who have always showered me with their love and told me not to push myself too much. I promise I’ll go home more often and spend time with you. For my friends, who are always there for me and praise me endlessly at every second of my schedule, you guys are my support system. Last but not least, finally, to my most important people from CSC Entertainment, for my CEO who provided everything for me, for my manager who is always attentive to me, and for my bodyguard who always takes care of me. I always know you have my back and that’s the main reason why I can go on with my days without fear.”
“To be honest, the fact that this award is for me hasn’t settled in yet. I’m still shaking and trembling. There’s a chance that I slept in the middle of the show and this is all entirely just my dream,” the crowd laughed and Joshua sheepishly smiled. “But… if there’s a chance this is reality, I will gratefully accept this heavy and prestigious award as a reminder to keep working harder. For all the love and recognition I have received, I will work even harder to show a better version of myself.”
Joshua bowed deeper and the crowds showered him with cheers and claps.
As he straightened himself and looked ahead, the gasps from the entire hall were almost audible.
The way Joshua’s teary eyes reflected the lights, the glow of the stage behind him, his devastating visual topped with his groomed hair and perfect fitting suit, he looked as if an angel had descended on earth. He literally blew everyone’s mind apart and went viral once again at the shock of his presence alone.
Actor Joshua Hong, one of the hottest rising actors in the drama scene of South Korea.
He debuted in a romance drama “Ready to Love” as the second male lead, his wonderful and sweet performance causing the whole nation to fall for the second male lead syndrome. As the female lead’s childhood friend, he showed a balanced side of both gentleness and sassiness. The portrayal of a heartbroken second male lead who remains supportive despite the pain gained a lot of love and sympathy from the audience. That year, he won Best New Actor for the TV drama category and the general public gave him the title of “The Nation’s Sweet Gentleman”.
Continuing his hard work, Joshua showed more sides of himself in dramas of various genres.
“Pinwheel”, a drama focusing on family relationships and self-discovery, playing as an easygoing character who is actually introverted and keeps things to himself. “Same dream, same mind, same night”, a drama of light-hearted supernatural elements and friendship, playing as the stoic and sensible character who keeps his friends on track. “Our dawn is hotter than day” a drama of romance, youth, and coming-of-age, portraying a passionate character who is relentlessly chasing after his goal. Finally, “Rock with you”, a drama of romance and life, focusing on juggling and enjoying different aspects of life, playing as the cheeky, playful, and witty male lead.
Each role he played gives a different vibe, capturing the attention of audiences at how versatile he actually is, as compared to his docile first impression.
But every one of his previous roles is outclassed by his most recent one, the crime, thriller, and mystery drama “Attacca”. It showed a completely different side of him, portraying the character Shin Hakyun, a perfect and upright lawyer who is stoic and ruthless at times, a morally gray character who would go through such lengths to arrive at the end of the case.
Shin Hakyun’s character was the exact opposite, a 180-degree difference, from his real character.
His fans, Joshushushu, is an avid believer of the gentle sexy Joshua Hong. He introduced himself once with the said title and it stuck perfectly.
There are times where Joshua embodied the definition of a soft first love, the gentle boyfriend the fans never have, akin to a daisy flower amidst a spring field. His smile makes the flowers bloom, eyes scrunched up into adorable crescents, the edge of his lips curling up. His large round eyes reflected the glittering stars and his puffy under eyes were endearing.
The sexy part however... is downright fatal. When his expression turned serious and solemn, he is instantly hot, emphasizing on the sharp edge of his eyes and the plump of his lips, his prominent Adam’s apple presenting more of his masculine side, downright handsome and mesmerizing. His whole presence is as luxurious and charming as an elegant red rose. As he presented the result of his workout for the role of Attacca, it brought his hotness and attractiveness tenfold, causing devastating damage to the fans and general public alike.
Aside from going viral thanks to his ethereal looks during award shows, various fancams also took the attention of the general public. A video of him cuddling an Eevee plushie, also a fansign where he responded to a fan confessing “Joshua, I love you to death” and he responded by giving cheery smile and saying “then die” jokingly. The videos of his interaction with other people also went around the internet, such as the cute quarrel between him and his sassy manager, the protectiveness of his handsome bodyguard, the handsome and alpha-like CEO of the agency he’s under, a rookie idol close and clinging to him, a handsome half-American rookie actor under the same agency spending time with him… the list goes on and on.
One thing the fans noticed a lot was how Joshua is close with a lot of people from the entertainment industry, and they are practically showering him with their love and attention. Their endearing interaction was always a sight to behold. It wasn’t a lie when the fans jokingly suspected most of them were in love with Joshua. Because really, who wouldn’t?
Behind the scenes, behind the cameras and what the public knows, turns out things were more complicated than they seem.