In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 110

Harmonica filming set.

“You’re all polite and have a good sense. Maybe it’s because you came from auditions, but none of you seem like rookies.”

Praise from the director flowed freely on the Harmonica team’s set.

Min So-hyun, who was carrying the lead role without her teammates, was particularly dedicated.

I approached Min So-hyun and massaged her shoulders.

“Relax and film.”

Min So-hyun looked surprised, then smiled brightly at me.

“I want to do so well; I’m getting greedy.”

“You’re already doing well.”

Min So-hyun nodded, looking relieved.

* * *

Mentor interview time in the studio.

The four mentors, having checked on their mentees at the filming set, gathered together.

The four of us, including me, wore proud expressions.

“Mentor Han’s team members are especially known as experienced rookies. What do you think?”

One of the PDs [Production Directors] conducting the interview directed a question my way.

Before I could answer, Ha Sung-joon crossed his arms.

“Hmph! I wonder how harshly she trained them.”

Hwang Yu-sun added.

“They say mentees follow their mentors. The same rumors circulated in the industry when Sae-na debuted – that a young senior was pretending to be a rookie.”

Hwang Yu-sun’s exaggerated words made everyone on set laugh.

“Why are you all like this, seniors?”

I waved my hand in a gesture that had become quite comfortable.

The gesture didn’t contain any sincere intention to explain.

I was trying to appear as a ‘spirited junior,’ as the PD wanted.

“Very, very cheeky!”

Hwang Yu-sun playfully poked my arm.

“How do you mentors feel about the final mission?”

The PD’s next question followed.

This time, Park Eun-ki spoke first.

“It’s hard to say in detail, but there are already quite a few mentees in talks with agencies about contracts. The time is really coming to let them stand on their own. I feel a bit bittersweet.”

“Oh, it reminds me of when we debuted, right?”

Ha Sung-joon frowned and shook his head.

“I was so anxious about whether to choose a really strange company or go to a big company and be buried among the other actors.”

The mentors, including me, reminisced about the old days.

“That’s how important company contact is.”

“But we can’t help with company contact, so we have to keep a close eye on them.”

After finishing the interview like that.

Once the camera was off, the mentors continued their off-the-record conversation.

It was mostly about the mentees who were discussing contracts.

“Who among Sung-joon’s mentees?”

Park Eun-ki asked, showing blatant interest.

“It’s Seung-hee. I’m a bit worried because she didn’t get the lead role this time, but I think it’ll work out well.”

“Ah, I see.”

Cha Seung-hee was also a mentee that I had marked as one of the most promising debut candidates.

Then Hwang Yu-sun looked at me strangely and asked.

“By the way, Sae-na’s team doesn’t seem to have any contract talks at all. Hasn’t Chang-hyun received a love call for quite some time?”

“Excuse me…?”

“Right. I think I heard it through the company the day before yesterday. Chang-hyun is really popular these days.”

The three of them tilted their heads and looked at me simultaneously.

“……?”

* * *

-Mentor, Chang-hyun has been acting strange lately.

An urgent call came from Kim Young-i a few days later.

I was reading a script circulating in the industry in Min-young unnie’s [older sister or close female friend] office.

“Chang-hyun? Why??”

I was so surprised that I jumped up from my seat.

* * *

-I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a one-act play, but I’m watching it because of this show.

-Do Chang-hyun seems like the real deal. He’s handsome, and his acting is fresh. I want to see him on TV soon!!

-It seems like a divine move that Do Chang-hyun went to Han Sae-na. If he had only learned from Hwang Yu-sun, he would have become a rom-com [romantic comedy] male lead who was hot for a season and then disappeared.

-As a hardcore drama fan who has been into one-act plays for years, I’m very happy. I hope he blows up this time~

-Han Sae-na is really amazing. She looks picky, but she’s warm and has leadership skills. She’s mature for her age.

The comments on the SCBS’s ‘ X One-Act Play Project’ article were buzzing.

The last episode of recorded an amazing 7% viewership rating, and interest in one-act plays was pouring in.

Currently, Do Chang-hyun, Go Sun-ho, and Yoon Ha-neul have even created fan cafes before their debut.

I realized the popularity and topicality of the audition once again and put down my phone.

A sigh escaped me.

We should be rowing when the water comes in [strike while the iron is hot].

That Do Chang-hyun.

‘He’s always on the phone with someone, and his mind is elsewhere. After talking on the phone, his expression isn’t good, and he can’t concentrate on acting.’

This is the SOS content that Kim Young-i told me.

The SCBS studio lounge, which I had become accustomed to.

I sat at the table and sipped cold coffee.

Then the door creaked open, and Do Chang-hyun appeared with a very dejected look.

I stared at his face while Do Chang-hyun sat down on the chair without making eye contact.

His eyes were sunken as if he hadn’t slept for days.

“Didn’t you sleep?”

I broke the silence and asked.

Then Do Chang-hyun’s gaze floated in the air.

Seeing that, I opened my mouth again.

“Aren’t you an actor? Don’t you take care of your body? What else does an actor have to worry about besides acting that would ruin their condition?”

When I scolded him, Do Chang-hyun lowered his gaze and bit his lip tightly.

I tried to soften my voice.

“What’s wrong? I heard from Young-i that you keep having a bad expression on set.”

Then Do Chang-hyun hesitated as if he was in trouble.

“I shouldn’t say it… I’m really going crazy right now, mentor.”

“…? What’s wrong?”

Do Chang-hyun showed an unusual sign.

He was a kid who would list everything from family stories to old embarrassing stories for mental care.

Did something he couldn’t say happen in the short time he was preparing for filming?

After thinking for a while, Do Chang-hyun finally raised his head and looked at me.

As soon as his eyes met mine, Do Chang-hyun opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“Mentor, do you know anything about AK?”

I was so surprised that I froze and stared at Do Chang-hyun.

The moment I heard the two letters ‘AK,’ my heart sank.

No way…….

A terrible anxiety began to rise.

Fear fell on Do Chang-hyun’s face as he saw my stiff expression.

“There’s a manager named Yang Ui-cheol.”

“……”

Hearing a name that I thought I would never hear again, it felt like steam was rising from the top of my head.

“At first, he contacted me saying he was enjoying the audition program. I tried to look good because it’s such a big agency. But the manager bought me a few meals and then….”

The content that would follow was obvious even if I didn’t listen.

“He asked if I was contacting other companies. He said it’s not ethical to receive this and then go to another company. But then your story came up….”

“My story?”

The ominous premonition continued.

“Yes. After seeing you enter your team on the show, he told me never to tell you that I was contacting him. I thought it was a bit strange from then on….”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

Did he even put up a clumsy blackout operation [attempt to suppress information]?

Daring to do that to my mentee?

I asked with a cold smile.

“So?”

“I was still contacting him… and he kept asking me if I had received any calls from other companies. So I told him honestly, and he got angry, saying I had no manners.”

I ran a hand over my face and rubbed it dry.

I suddenly missed smoking after a long time.

I stared at Do Chang-hyun’s terrified face.

I felt complicated.

Where should I start, and how much should I say?

It seems hasty to expose everything about Yang Ui-cheol.

But I can’t just leave it alone.

I have to cut it off right away.

Besides, if I think about Do Chang-hyun in my past life….

If he joins hands with Yang Ui-cheol, who even provides drugs to his agency actors, he might put the finishing touch on his drug-filled life.

I chose my words slowly.

“Chang-hyun, AK is a company that only looks at the profits they can make now, rather than future possibilities.”

“Yes….”

“To be honest, AK probably contacted you with the intention of consuming your name value as a rom-com male actor for a season. I don’t know what kind of actor you want to become. If you want to go far, that’s not the place.”

Do Chang-hyun’s expression became heavy as he listened to my story.

“And the reason why Manager Yang told you not to tell me is probably because I rejected AK.”

“Ah.”

Do Chang-hyun nodded as if he understood now.

“The choice is yours. I just gave you advice.”

“Yes. I should have told you sooner, mentor. I’m sorry….”

“Think carefully.”

“Yes.”

* * *

-Manager, I’m sorry. You’ve taken good care of me in many ways, but I don’t think I can proceed with the contract. I hope to see you again in the future.

“Ha, look at this little bastard?”

Yang Ui-cheol snorted and checked Do Chang-hyun’s text message that had arrived early in the morning.

“Suddenly like this. Cocky bastard. Is he testing me? Mentor or mentee…….”

Yang Ui-cheol unconsciously talked about mentors and mentees but suddenly stopped as if something came to mind.

Han Sae-na.

‘Never breathe a word to your mentor, okay?’

Yang Ui-cheol now had an expression on his face that he knew how the situation had turned out.

Soon, anger surged.

He had finally found a usable guy after a long time.

“Breathing on a done deal [ruining a sure thing]?”

Yang Ui-cheol immediately called Do Chang-hyun.

After a few rings, Do Chang-hyun answered the phone right away.

-Hello.

“Yes, Chang-hyun. I saw the text. I’m calling because I’m disappointed that you’re suddenly trying to cut me off like this.”

-I’m sorry.

Listening to Do Chang-hyun’s voice, which had become firm overnight, Yang Ui-cheol narrowed his eyes.

The reason for calling Do Chang-hyun was only one.

“Oh my, I told you not to tell your mentor, but you already told her.”

-Ah… How did you know?

He was caught.

It was bait thrown to get evidence that Han Sae-na had been up to something.

Yang Ui-cheol had a cold expression.

“There’s no doubt that your mentor had an influence on Chang-hyun suddenly turning around like this.”

-My mentor had no influence. It’s purely my decision.

Do Chang-hyun’s flustered voice was heard over the receiver.

“Yes, well…. But Chang-hyun, there’s something you need to know.”

-Yes?

“Han Sae-na. She has a lot of enemies in this industry.”

Do Chang-hyun’s words disappeared.

“Even if the contract fell through, it’s a coincidence that we met like this, so I’m giving you a little information. Even though Han Sae-na seems to be doing well now, it’s just a temporary flash. Because she rose with noise marketing [controversial or attention-grabbing marketing].”

-Noise marketing, what….

“There’s a lot of talk among people about how she’s doing things that haven’t been done in Korea before. That’s all marketing. And that kind of marketing.”

-….

“She won’t care about Chang-hyun as much as she cares about herself. You need to figure out who’s really looking out for you, I don’t know.”

Once again, Do Chang-hyun’s answer disappeared.

Yang Ui-cheol slightly raised the corners of his lips and said again.

“Call me anytime if you change your mind. Don’t take too long.”