In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 109

That evening.

“I’ll present my assignment for today. Today, I’m going to show you the version of myself I hated the most when I was alone at home…”

It was Do Chang-hyun’s personal assignment presentation time, which had become quite familiar.

After a grueling eight hours of practice each day, excluding meeting times, we all gathered in the practice room with our team members.

The meeting debrief was briefly shared during the day, but we tacitly avoided bringing it up again.

We were worried it would affect the practice tension.

Everyone was engrossed in practice as if the meeting had never happened.

Hiding their exhaustion, they warmly responded and applauded.

Do Chang-hyun seemed encouraged and smiled slightly.

He looked more relaxed than he had a week ago.

After hesitating for a moment, Do Chang-hyun plopped down on the spot.

Then, he hugged his legs with both arms and stared blankly at one spot.

“What is it? A window?”

“Ah, is he watching TV?!”

Kim Young-yi and Lee Hyo-seo shouted one after another, as if playing a quiz game.

At the mention of TV, Do Chang-hyun nodded as if that was the answer.

Then, he focused on acting like he was watching TV again and sighed deeply.

“…I’m jealous.”

Seeing his performance, all the team members smiled slightly, as if they couldn’t help it.

Min So-hyun quickly wore a bitter smile, as if she understood how he felt.

Do Chang-hyun hugged his legs and fell sideways.

And shed a single tear.

It was speedy tear acting bordering on the divine.

Do Chang-hyun just sniffled for a while without saying anything.

Watching his performance, a flood of various emotions washed over me: frustration, empathy, pity, and absurdity.

As Do Chang-hyun wiped away his tears and stood up, the mentees offered feedback one by one.

“That’s really acting that comes from life.”

“I was heartbroken just now…”

“Chang-hyun, I think you’d be surprisingly good at playing pathetic characters? Pathetic acting is actually really difficult. If you do it well, it’s a huge hit.”

Lee Hyo-seo clapped her hands and came up with a plausible idea.

When the team members agreed, ‘That’s right, that’s right,’ Do Chang-hyun smiled shyly.

Watching his smile, I chuckled.

I was giving him personal assignments for that natural smile of his.

Revealing the secret side of himself that he hated so much to the world, and being understood and talking about it in a comfortable atmosphere.

Do Chang-hyun, who already had top-notch acting skills, didn’t need the same acting training as everyone else.

He needed mental training.

“Chang-hyun, just get rid of the TV.”

I looked at the mentees, who had become close enough to exchange jokes and laugh together.

They were all growing up wonderfully.

* * *

A week later.

“Our team would like to cast Min So-hyun as the lead.”

“The team would like to cast Do Chang-hyun as the lead.”

Immediately after the first audition, two people from our team, as expected, received offers for lead roles.

And Kim Young-yi as a supporting role, and Lee Hyo-seo as a minor role.

Lee Hyo-seo was a little disappointed, but there were still opportunities.

All casting was scheduled to be finalized after the second audition.

Therefore, we couldn’t just relax about the lead casting.

Because the other teams would be sharpening their knives.

After seeing the judging results, I was walking down the hallway with a satisfied smile when Ha Sung-joon suddenly popped out.

“Are you going to sweep up everything?”

“Pardon?”

“You already have two lead roles, putting you on par with the Glory team. That’s too much.”

Ha Sung-joon pouted his lips where there were no cameras.

“It’s a competition; you have to work hard.”

I tried to pass by after giving a rough answer, but this time Park Eun-gi approached.

“I can’t beat Mentor Han.”

“Right? In fact, Haneul was also raised by Saena.”

Slightly flustered, I waved my hand.

“What are you talking about? No.”

Eventually, Ha Sung-joon raised his voice as if throwing a tantrum.

“What’s going on, everyone! Did you guys plan this without me! Saena, Yoosun, you’re all sharpening your knives and doing well! Park Eun-gi, I heard your team members have already been contacted by companies!”

Oh, company contacts…?

Hearing Ha Sung-joon’s words, Park Eun-gi smiled as if he had been waiting for this.

I widened my eyes and asked Park Eun-gi.

“Who’s getting contacted?”

“Go Sun-ho. He’s so outstanding. I heard Yoosun’s team members have also been contacted.”

“Oh, really…”

“Does Saena’s team have any contacts? They’re all so good.”

“Uh… I don’t think so. No news yet.”

That’s right.

Don’t my kids have anything…?

My kids are good-looking and good at acting too.

Park Eun-gi and Ha Sung-joon left, leaving behind only things to worry about.

* * *

And a few days later, at the studio.

“The leads for are Hwang Min-seok, Min So-hyun! The leads for are Do Chang-hyun, Yoon Haneul!”

The moment the four leads were confirmed, as everyone had expected, applause poured out.

Among the four leads, Min So-hyun seemed the most surprised, covering her mouth.

Min So-hyun, who had the lowest ranking in the second round at 8th place among the four, burst into tears, overwhelmed with emotion.

Seeing Min So-hyun’s reaction, I felt a lump in my throat.

In the early stages of the audition, Min So-hyun had an ace image, but her ranking gradually declined, and her image on the show was becoming more negative.

Despite this, Min So-hyun didn’t show her struggles and silently focused on practicing.

Do Chang-hyun smiled and took off his shirt, handing it to Min So-hyun, who couldn’t stop crying.

People smiled warmly at the sight.

“Now, let’s announce the remaining supporting and minor roles.”

The MC continued to announce the audition casting.

As a result, Kim Young-yi was cast in a significant supporting role in , and Lee Hyo-seo was cast in a minor role in the same production.

I was disappointed about Lee Hyo-seo’s casting.

“Even if it’s a small role, I think it’s a character I can bring to life the best. I’ll work hard!”

Lee Hyo-seo gave a short, spirited interview.

I smiled at her.

That’s my girl.

Well done.

“Now, with the Dolce Vita team placing two people in lead roles, they’ve risen to joint first place in team scores! We can’t help but hear from Mentor Han. Mentor Han?”

The MC asked me a question.

I slowly grabbed the microphone.

“Congratulations to all the actors who are on stage now for their debut. But there’s a saying that it’s not over until it’s over. That’s exactly what I’m thinking right now. Let’s not let our guard down until the filming is over.”

“As expected, a mentor’s comment that’s not easy to please! What do you think, Mentor Hwang?”

The MC naturally turned the question to Hwang Yoosun, the co-first place mentor.

Hwang Yoosun answered as if she had been waiting for it.

“I don’t know how hard she’s going to work to answer like that. I’m scared.”

Hwang Yoosun’s witty response made the studio burst into laughter.

“We’ll also accelerate our efforts to reach the moment of glory, shining as number one!”

* * *

After the studio recording.

– Aigo [expression of weariness or frustration], you’re already debuting. It’s hard to even get a call, really.

In the corner of a small break room without cameras, Do Chang-hyun was sweating as he talked to someone on the phone.

– Other agencies are contacting you a lot, right?

“Ah, that’s true, but…”

– No matter what, you’ll keep your loyalty, right? Our actor Do, let’s work together with AK in the future.”

“Ahaha…. I’ll contact you again.”

As Do Chang-hyun was about to end the call, the break room door creaked open and someone came in.

Do Chang-hyun was startled by the sound of the door opening and hung up the phone.

Kim Young-yi looked at Do Chang-hyun with a puzzled expression.

“No way.”

“…?!”

Do Chang-hyun swallowed hard as he looked at Kim Young-yi.

“Are you dating someone?”

Do Chang-hyun sighed in relief at Kim Young-yi’s wild guess.

“Dating? I haven’t even debuted yet.”

“The mentor wants you. She said rehearsal for filming is starting now.”

“Yes.”

Do Chang-hyun quickly got up and followed Kim Young-yi.

* * *

A week later.

Filming for the one-act play began quickly.

With cameras attached, I visited the set with the other mentors.

“Two mentors will move together. Mentors Ha Sung-joon and Park Eun-gi will go to the set, and mentors Hwang Yoosun and Han Saena will go to the set.”

So, we first visited the set where Do Chang-hyun, Kim Young-yi, and Lee Hyo-seo were appearing.

I was carrying several paper bags filled with cool scarves, fans, arm sleeves, drinks, and handheld fans in both hands.

Hwang Yoosun casually took a handheld fan from my paper bag and put it to her face.

“You should take care of your senior first!”

I didn’t back down from Hwang Yoosun.

“Senior, I heard you buy your mentees food all the time, but why don’t you buy your juniors food?”

“Oh my, oh my!”

Hwang Yoosun made a fuss and widened her eyes.

The staff holding the cameras chuckled.

“Let’s see which team does better, huh?”

Hwang Yoosun made a sound of ‘hmph’ without being unpleasant and walked away.

Shortly after.

“Am I funny because I’m pathetic?”

“What if I am?”

“Cut! Okay.”

Do Chang-hyun and Yoon Haneul gave a passionate performance and received an okay in one take.

“Are you guys rookies?”

The director smiled slightly and praised the two.

Next to them, Hwang Yoosun was quietly taking in the friendly atmosphere of the set.

“They’re good.”

“Even as a supporting role, Jang Hyuk from Mentor Hwang’s team is very impressive.”

“Jang Hyuk is good. But your mentees are really something else.”

“Really?”

“The director is also working on his debut film, so his directing is a bit rough. But they understand everything right away. It’s not normal.”

As expected, Hwang Yoosun had a sharp eye.

Since the director was also a rookie, there was a bit of inexperience in his directing.

I was also pretending not to know and watching.

But the two lead actors were holding the center without being taught, supporting the director, and leading the set.

“As expected, Haneul learned well.”

Hwang Yoosun smiled and praised, making me feel a little embarrassed.

“Was she only my mentee? She became the lead by learning from you, senior.”

During a short break, I was watching my mentees from afar with a proud heart….

For some reason, Do Chang-hyun, who was usually buried in his script, was staring intently at his phone.

“Chang-hyun, let’s rehearse the next scene for a moment.”

The assistant director called Do Chang-hyun from behind.

Do Chang-hyun didn’t even hear the sound and was just looking at his phone.

“Chang-hyun!”

“…?”

People around him were staring at Do Chang-hyun for a while.

After a few seconds, I became anxious and approached Do Chang-hyun myself.

“What’s wrong?”

I tapped him on the shoulder, and Do Chang-hyun looked at my face in surprise.

“Oh, Mentor.”

“The staff is waiting.”

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

Do Chang-hyun, looking distracted, hurried to the assistant director.

What’s wrong?

I tilted my head, looking at Do Chang-hyun’s back.